Antiochus is liuing and in good health for since our comming into this countrey we haue bin preserued from famishment by his courteous meanes and to morrow so please it you my deare friend Pollipus and my selfe wil conduct you vnto the place of his aboad At which words the Queen her daughter two Sons were so reuiued with exceeding ioy assuredly beleeuing his words that with many thanks courtesies they prostrated themselus before these worthy knights that had euery way brought them happy newes where many other spéeches passed betwixt them till by the nights approach they all betooke themselues to their rest within those Tents where all things were orderly prouided by Drubals seruants and they quietly rested vntill the next morning Adonius stil being Pollipus bedfellow who was now grown into such admiration of the splendor of his splendant Uertues that the resolued rather to die a thousand deaths then to lose one iote of his loue which by many infallible tokens she knew to be so loyall that no thought of chance could take roote in his constant heart and indeed so it was For Pollipus was so feruently affectioned â—…o her loue that although hee knewe not what was become of her and at her last being in her Fathers house had from her selfe receiued a flatte deniall yet hee determined after that Parismus had againe recouered Laurana to spend the rest of his daies search of her who was more priuie to his actions then he was aware off The next morning Parismus early came to visit the Queene where after some salutations they departed towards the caue where olde Antiochus was who hearing no newes of these Knights was fully perswaded that they were imprisoned by Druball as many had beene before and therefore was now out of al hope of hearing any good newes by their returne and gaue himselfe to his former austere kinde of life and being in the midst of a sorrowfull meditation he suddainly beheld Parismus Pollipus within his Caue comming towards him whom at the first he knew not By reason whereof hee was attainted with such a deadly feare as if had beene attached by his enemie Druball but with a more attentiue aspect beholding these Knigâ—…ts he knew them and with great ioy reioiced at their prosperous returne My Lord quoth Parismus we haue by the Diuine prouidence and the vertue of the worthy Pollipus destroied that wicked Drubal and the Inchantresse Bellona whilest they continued this talke the Queene and her Children being guided by Adonius entred the Caue who no sooner saw her Lord Antiochus but presently she knew the forme of his countenance though much altered by age and vpon her knee saluted him who kindly tooke her vp requiring to know why shee vsed such reuerence to him Parismus séeing that he knew her not told him that shee was his Quéene children came to visit him Wherewith Antiochus with thousand kisses and embracings welcommed them that it delighted the Knights to behold their exceeding ioy in which salutation they continued to their mutuall comforts a good space and at last departed towards their tents In which iourney Parismus vnfolded the whole manner of their aduenture and how by the wisdome of Pollipus they attained the coÌ„quest of that Hellish Castle where they continued some daies spending the time in great ioy After their troubles in the Inchaunted Castle were ended Parismus began to renue the remembrance of his lost Laurana by seeing the ioy these parted friends enioyed by their happie meeting that he could not be quiet but began to cenfâ—…rre with Pollipus how to get shipping to goe in search of his beloued Princesse Therefore they came both vnto old Antiochus to aske his deuise therein who tolde them that since it was their desire to depart he would vse all the meanes he could to purchase their content and therefore went toward the sea side where stood a goodly Towne being sometimes the chiefest of that Countrey and there determined to make his abode and to séeke traffique amongst other Nations as in times past where the King dwelt many daies hauing some two hundred to inhabite the same Citie being such as were seruants to Druball and prisoners in the Castle where he caused his flagges of truce to be hung out which was a token vnto such as passed by that there they might safely arriue without daunger In this place Parismus and Pollipus remained in good hope to get passage many daies Where wee will for a season leaue them to declare what happened to Laurana CHAP. XXII How Andramart finding no hope of Lauranaes fauour committed her to the custodie of Adamasia his sister How Laurana was deliuered of a goodly Boye and named him Parismenos The miserable life Laurana indured and how Parismenos Nurse saued him from death which was intended by Adamasia LAurana all this while remained in the Iland of Rocks kindely intreated as is before rehearsed by Andramart who was surprised with such desire to obtaine her fauour that it was a griefe to him at any time to sée her sadde and on a time he came vnto her being in her Chamber accompanied by Leda her Maide and hauing obtained her consent vttered these spéeches Most beautifull Lady said hée I beseech you shew some fauour vpon poore Andramart who languisheth with desire of your loue you sée that now you are in my power it were but folly for you to séeme so scornefull and so slightly to regard my profered loue wheras I might if I pleased inflict some gréeuous punishment vpon you thereby to compell your consent but you likewise sée that my minde is not bent to any cruelty but I haue euer since your arriuall humbly sued and intreated your friendship which I estéeme more déere then my life Here shal you abide in great quiet and pleasure not subiect vnto any but shall be chiefe Gouernour of this Castle my self and all that is mine Diuine Lady if you wil graunt me loue I le haue you clad in costly robes and Damask vestures imbost with diamonds and the richest burnisht golde perfumed with Camsire Bisse and Syrian swéete perfumes a hundreth Uirgins clad in purple shal daily attend thy person as many swéete recording Instruments shall bring thy sences to their quiet sléepe Thy foode shall be the precious delicates of the world they drinke more costly then Nectar and Ambrosia my selfe will be obedient at thy call and all my seruants shall bow at thy command If all this will not purchase thy sweet content I will prepare a sumptuous Chariot made of the purest gold wherein thou shalt be drawn by kings along the pleasant fields of this Countrey whereas the euening aire shall breath a coolenesse farre more sweeter then Ambergreece vpon thy crimson cheeks and make thy splendant beauty shine like the purple Pallace of Hyperion when hee leaues Aurora blushing in her bedde whereby all creatures shall admire thy excellency All this and ten thousand times more will I performe to delight your
bewitched their sences that immediately they fell into a dead and sound sléepe presently shee commaunded them to be conueyed into a strong prison and there fettered them wich Irons At such time as they awaled they were excéedingly amazed to see themselues in that manner imprisoned and Parismus was so enraged with extreame sorrowe that hée tare his haire reÌ„t his garments rayled on his misfortune cursed his destinies and vexed his owne hart with extreme passions of sorrowe that his spéech was returned into bitter sighes and his sences forgot their former vertue and he was so desperately sad that no griefe might be compared to that he endured Pollipus on the other side continued his wonted manner of enduring afflection which was presently to studie howe to ridde himselfe and his friend from the same which might be accounted the rarest vertue that euer was in knight he only studied for his release and neuer raged nor railed against himselfe nor otherwayes distempered his sences but ouercame his inwarde sorrowes which were excéeding with such patience that Parismus would highly extoll him for the same and poore Violetta woondered at his gouernment as a most rare vertue which shée neuer behelde in any but himselfe which made her oftentimes accuse her selfe of vnkindnesse that shée had so vngently refused so courteous a Knightes loue which very thoughts touched her so neare the quicke that shée was oftentimes in minde to yéelde to loue him and beganne afterwardes to affect his vertuous qualities excéedingly They continued in that darke Dungeon all that night so laden with Chaines and Irons that they could not one helpe the other without sustenance not able to take any rest with the care they endured at the pittifull grones and cries of a number of poore distressed people which were imprisoned hard by them that it séemed more terrible to Violletta then death it selfe But they were still comforted by Pollipus who hearing the sorrowe poore Adonius made and seeing the heauinesse of Parismus vttered these comfortable spéeches My Lord do not discomfort your selfe neyther be discouraged or so much as disquieted with their crosses for I doe not doubt but in shorte space wée shall frée our selues of these bandes and therefore beare the losse of Laurana with more patience then you haue done what though she be in the hands of Pirats and Uillaines Assure your selfe that there is none so barbarous or in humane as wil once offer to iniury her And were it not for the care she hath taken for your absence I durst assure my selfe shée is in good health and for your owne safety or ours you neede not greeue your selfe so extreamely as it seemeth to mee you doe for that is not so greatly to bée feared as wee neede any way to dispaire for doe but followe my counsaile in this to contemne these pittie miseries for a while and regard them as they were not and you shall soone sée by that meanes we shal come by our fréedome much rather then by our effeminate lamentation which will make our enemies reioyce at our affection and not pittie vs. Deare friende quoth Parismus your comfortable spéeches were of force to reuiue a dying hart but so great griefe attaineth my minde for the losse of the fayre Lady Laurana that felt you but the inwarde griefe of such a sweete Friendes absence and feare neuer to see her againe you would say that I did not greeue sufficienly My Lord replyed Pollipus I haue often made triall of your Uertues which maketh me the bolder to trie your patience I confesse that the losse of such a Friend as Laurana is cannot be sufficiently lamented for my selfe doe feele such sorrowe for the losse of my deere Violletta that my heart endureth that torment my tongâ—…e is not able to expresse which maketh me silent in my griefes for that I would not put you in remembrance of yours by mine for my Violetta is as deere to me as ten thousand liues if I had them and I doe not doubt but one day I shall see her vertuous beautie for whose sake my heart will neuer be at rest the remembrance whereof restraineth mee from many desperate attemptes that otherwise I would inflict vppon my selfe that haue not deserued the Loue of so vertuous a Damosell But why doe I vtter these speeches when shee is not by to heare them and little regardeth the torments I endure by her vnkindnesse But I beseeche you comfort your selfe in these afflictions for a comfortable heart is now necessarie wherewith the water appeared in his eyes and poore Violetta hearing his speeches so much pittied his sighes and sadnesse that for very kindnesse she wept for company and resoluted to graunt his sute which had well deserued to be beloued but the loue she bare to Parismus so altered and changed her thoughts that she could not determine what to do at last she began to consider that in louing Parismus she did wrong to Laurana in some degree and that she might no whitte alter her true friendshippe to him being onely vertuous and yet accept Pollipus offer and yeeld him loue for good will In these and a thousand such like thoughts she spent the night and the Knights continued busie bethinking themselues how to worke their deliuery Early the next morning fast bounde in Irons they were brought by a company of ragged hunger-starued fellowes into a goodly Hall most richly furnished with stately hangings at the vpper ende whereof sat Druball Belona before whom they wefe no sooner come but Druball with a tyrannous looke demaunded of whence they were and what was the cause they had so euill intreated and slaine his seruants Parismus so much disdained to be examined by so base a Uillaine that hee coulde not for extreame anguish of minde speake nor coulde he would hee haue answered him but Pollipus stepping forwards answered we are straungers that haue suffered shipwracke and were vnluckily cast vppon this hatefull Iland made so by thy treacheries where we haue bene often in daunger of Famishment and comming to this Castle thy seruants offered vs violence and we haue rewarded them and thou like a Tyrant hast vniustly imprisoned vs not vsing vs as all Knights should be vsed and not by valour but by Sorceries hast brought vs into thy subiection which if not our selues the Heauens will reuenge Which words hee vttered with such a disdainfull countenance that the Tyrant was amazed at his resolution and tolde him that hee would soone abate his haughtie minde commaunding them to Prison againe CHAP. XXI How Bellona the Inchauntresse fell in loue with Pollipus by which meanes hee released himselfe and Parismus out of prison and finished the inchauntment And how afterward Antiochus was restored to his kingdome And how Adonius the page fellsicke and was restored by Pollipus BEllona all this while tooke such viewe of their personages that shee thought them the goodliest men that euer she beheld and at that instant vowed eyther to obtaine their loues by
assurance of his Sisters safety and his owne happy Fortune to haue so fit an occasion to rid himselfe from bondage hee euer after indeuoured by all dutifull means to grow further into his good fauour Parismus and Laurana remaining in happie and peaceable contentednesse by meanes of theyr good successe hauing respite to viewe others griefes began to note the sadde countenance of Pollipus which before they did not marke which caused Parismus suspect that his olde Sore was not cured which was his Loue to Violetta wherein hee aymed aright for Pollipus seeing his trauells for Laurana were at an ende beganne to desire to heare some newes of Violetta And though there was no likelyhood fore him to attaine her Loue yet the extreamitie of his affections were such that hee thought he could no way content himselfe better then to spend the rest of his life in her seruice still purposing according to a most noble and constant Resolution neuer to desist from shewing the true zeale he bare to purchase her fauour Oftentimes hee could spend many houres in secrete complaintes and Protestations of his true and loyall Loue wherin according to the humours of Loue-sicke people hée thought hee did in some measure ease his heart Which behauiour of his Violetta well noting as beeing infected with the selfe-same disease would oftentimes interrept him in his sadde Lamentations with such conceytes that Pollipus woondered to sée such wisdome in a Boy but by reason that shee was taken to be no other then a Boy he entred into no déeper consideration of her actions In the silent Night time Violetta did with such kindnesse affect his complaintes that when hée sighed shée likewise sighed and if hée chanced at any time to complaine of his hard Fortune Violetta would as often blesse the happie time and houre when shee first saw him and that shee was so happie to be beloued of so honourable a Knight The variable difference of whose Ioyes were contrarie For Pollipus little thinking his Violetta had bene so néere him continually spent his time in heauinesse not being any way able to comfort himselfe with any hope of attayning his wished desire being eftsoones terrified with the remembrance of her last doome and deniall to his sute as also the manifolde mischaunces that might befall her or that shee hadde so wilfully thrust herselfe into with a thousand other displeasant thoughtes sufficient enough to discourage anie from presuming vpon any good successe By meanes whereof hee continually remained in most heauie and sadde Estate still deuising how to ease his heart of that care it endured wherein hee greatly excelled in constancie the fickle and wandring thoughtes of diuerse which are discouraged from persisting in theyr first Resolutions for euery small discomâ—…ture Violettaes Ioyes were as excéeding as his sorrowes were extreame For â—…hee behelde continually behelde the constancie that raigned in his heart to her wards the noble gifts wherewith his minde was indued the comlines of his goodly proportion which might well please a curious Ladyes eye his vnconquered Ualour and prowesse whereby hee atchieued incredible victories with great Fame the friendship and courteous behauiour that abundantly flowed from his gentle hart wherby it was apparant that hee did not disdaine the meanest persons Besides hearing the continuall complaints hée made of her hard sentence and the constancie of his Resolution for that he determined to spend his life in her seruice and all the pleasure shée tooke in his company being neuer from him in the day time and his Bedfellow in the night that she was priuy to all his actions vsing many kindnesses which he full little thought procéeded from such affection And nothing déeming Violetta had bene so priuie to all his Cogitations though shée poore soule neuer touched his bodie but with a trembling feare remembring her owne Nakednes still vsing such a Modest kinde of bashfulnesse in her actions as if many Eyes had beene priuie to her Disguise and watchfully noted her behauiour wherewith her ioyes continued in such a secrete content as is not to be expressed And one night when she hadde shrowded her selfe within the Bed as Pollipus lay tossing and tumbling by reason of the restlesse thoughtes hee endured In the midst of his heauinesse Violetta pittying his sorrowes and to drawe him from remembring them vttered these spéeches Syr knight qd she I maruell what passion that is which so distempereth your quiet Sleepes and if my talke be not offensiue vnto you I beseeche you make mee acquainted with the same for in all my life time I neuer beheld the like in anie man Poore Boy qd Pollippus it were but follie for mee to expresse that to thée whereof thou canst not iudge for that thy yeares are not of sufficiencie to entertaine such diuine cogitations Diuine qd shee Can diuine cogitations so distemper mens wits Yea quoth Pollipus for Loue is a diuine and heauenly gift and Loue it is that so tormenteth mee Not that I Loue but that I am not beloued againe For in Thessalie I loued a Damsell named Violetta whose excellent Beautie and vertuous gifts haue so inthralled my Senses that I feare me Boy it will be to mée a cause of perpetuall heauinesse Whose absence is cause of my griefe and not onely that she is absent but that I knowe not where to beholde her Attractiue beautie for euen at my comming from Thessalie she was I know not by what misaduenture missing to my great sorrowe in whose continuall search I am determined to spende the rest of these my wearysome dayes It is very much mee thinkes quoth shée that you will so much regarde her good that hath showne her selfe so discourteous towards you and surely you are not of my minde in that you will take such paines to finde her out and in the ende peraduenture reape nothing but disdaine for your good will For it is likely shee hath made choyce of some other Knight not so worthy to be beloued as your selfe with whom shee is departed Then why will you hazarde your person in the daungers incident to trauell and spend your time in purchasing nothing but your owne discontent Well replyed Pollipus howsoeuer I am rewarded a thousand more perills then I can imagine shall not discourage me For were I but so happie as once to finde her then would I commit the rest to my good Fortune which shal be sufficient if I can but once againe make my Loue knowne to her that shée may haue some further triall of my seruice If shée should not regard you qd she according to your hearts content I should account her the most discourteous Lady liuing and were I in her case I would indure a thousand deaths rather then shewe my selfe ingratefull to so honourable and kind a friend and because I would see the issue of your loue I desire you that I may be partaker with you in your Trauells For though I am altogether vnworthie to be estéemed of you yet if you
that my honor may no way be misconceited and my gréefe relieued which I would neuer haue vttered but that I shall for euer heareafter be banisht your heauenly company the affection I beare you being such that vnlesse you pittie my estate your deparâ—…re will bée the shortening of my dayes and my restlesse sorrow thereby augmented in such sort that I shall for euer remaine in heauinesse Pollipus hearing her spéeches was halfe astonied and now calling to mind her former behauiour well vnderstood that her kindnesse procéeded from the affection she had vttered that of a sodain he could not tell what answere to make her that might in some measure quiet her minde and ridde himselfe from discourtesie Uertuous Lady quoth hée I sée that I am more beholding vnto you then I either expected or haue deserued being sorry that you haue placed your affectioÌ„ on him that had not recompenst your kindnes by any merit one that is altogether vnworthy to be so higly esteemed at your hands but lady as I am now in no measure able to yéeld you the thankes that I would so I trust hereafter my vngratefulnesse shal not cause you repent your kindnes At which instant Laurana by occasion entred the gallerie by means whereof they left off their speeches to salute her of whose comming Pollipus was glad and a while companied them in such communication as occasion offered Violetta all this while had well noted Frenetas behauior towards Pollipus and listned to their talke which strooke a sodaine feare into her minde least her spéeches might mooue Pollipus to yéelde to her desire for that shée was very beautifull besides that the daughter of a king that euer after she grewe into an extreame ielousie of her that Pollipus could neuer in all the time of his abode there be in any place but shée would still attend him that he wondred at the pages diligent attendance which procéeded not from the lawfull dutie of a seruant as he supposed but from the faithful loue of a friend Pollipus hauing left Freneta with Laurana in the gallerie got to his lodging to meditate of Frenetas rash motions and distemperate loue and the manifolde inconueniences that might arise thereby as well to call his honour in questions for that it would bée thought it was procured by his perswasions as also for that it seemed shée was growne to that desperatenes in loue that vnlesse shée might inioy the thing shée desired it would much indanger her selfe and rather then hée would thinke a thought to violate his vowed loyaltie to Violetta himselfe would indure death For Violetta though she were no Kings daughter yet by reason of her excéeding beautie she was much spoken of in Thebes and nothing inferiour to Freneta in gifts of minde the remembrance of whose perfections together with his loue hadde so much bounde him in the inuiolable bonds of true friendship to his first beloued that for euer after hée eschued all occasions to come in Frenetaes sight but still kept company with Parismus vnto whom hée vnfolded the whole circumstance of that which had passed betwéene him and Freneta which when Parismus vnderstood he told him that she was an honourable Lady and that in his opinion he should do her wrong to reiect her loue which should proceede from a vertuous inclination vsing manie perswasions to that effect Which when Pollipus heard hee saide My Lord I cannot so much wrong my deere Violetta as so soone to yeelde ouer my fancy to loue another and forget her perfections in whose seruice I haue vowed to spend the rest of my life Then good my Lord do not so much iniurie that vertuous maiden who in Thessalie hath so much honored you for I will neuer yeeld to loue any but her most worthie selfe so long as my life both last Parismus then answered frend Pollipus I would not any way wrong Violetta nor your selfe if I saw any likelihood that you should euer see her againe and yet so much I commende your resolution as that I shall euer extoll those honourable parts that rule your heart where by I my selfe haue beene preserued and obtaine the height of all felicitie neither do I vtter any worde to alter your affection from Violetta but to make triall of your vertues which still continue perfect And since our abode in this place may againe turne to our disparagement and hinderance I will by all meanes possible hasten our departure towardes Thessalie whereby by good happe you may finde the partie that withholdeth your happie ioyes vnto whom I will vse all the perswasions I can to purchase your content And also during our staying here I will labour all that I can to stay the rash increase of Frenetaes loue Adonius standing and hearing their spéeches and much a doo to refraine from teares which melted in his tender heart to see the kindnesse of these two friends and the care they tooke to finde her in Thessalie who was continually in their presence Pollipus euer after shunned all occasions that Frenetta most earnestly sought to haue some further conference with him but when she plainly saw that he nothing regarded her loue but still eschewed her companie she fell into such heauinesse and set the greefe therof so neere her heart that in short time she grew so weake that she kept her Chamber not once vttering to any the cause of her sadnesse though her parents earnestly laboured to know the same which turned their ioy into care and their former pleasure into he aninesse Pollipus hauing knowledge thereof would neuer come at her vntill the verie day of their departure and choosing a conuenieÌ„t time when she was alone onely attended by a damosell hee entred her Chamber she no sooner espied him but her poore heart began to leape for ioy expecting some kindnesse but Pollipus taking her by the hands saide Courteous Lady I am at length come to your presence to satisfie your mind for that which I would haue you to know Your loue to me that am vnworthy thereof and the little account I seeme to make of the same hath brought you to that weakenesse you remaine in which if so it be I am most heartily sorrie but for that I am now departing this countrey I would now satifie you in any thing I could therefore I intreate you to mitigate the extremity of your passions which I cannot salue for that long since I vowed my seruice vnto a Lady in Thessalie vnto whom I am bound by many inuiolable bonds of passed promises neither can I be disloyal to her without impeachment of mine honour which is the only Iewell I most estéeme then let me perswade you to abstaine from louing him that cannot shew himselfe so kind as he would and you deserue but banish from your minde all good conceit or opinion of me that must against my will be ingrateful and if in any other sort I may do the thing with hazard of my life that may content you I
delude me with fond spéeches for thou canst not performe any thing that can further mee heerein My Lord said shee doe but trie me once more and if I faile then let mee endure the most heauy doome of your euerlasting displeasure Adonius quoth hee if it bee to pleasure thée any way I will galdly do it for the friendship I haue found in thée then I pray thee as thou louest me and tendrest the sorrowes I indure do not delay me with thy spéeches for I know they proceed from kindnesse to make me forget my sadnes and not to do me any benefit in the thing thou speakest of for I shall neuer be so happie as to be beloued of her who I feare me left her fathers house to shun my company But notwithstanding the little hope of comfort I conceiue by thy meanes to pleasure thée before I depart tell me what it is thou demandest and if it bee in my power thou shalt obtaine it Violetta was ashamed to vtter her minde in that place but being sure he could not behold her blushing Chéekes said the request that I make is this that you will giue mee your faithfull promise that at such time as it is you hap to meete Violetta and obtaine her good will that the first night you will not offer to doe any thing that may tend to her dishonour Upon mine houour said Pollipus I will not doe any thing whatsoeuer disagreeable to her will for so deare doe I esteeme her that I would rather destroy my selfe then shee should be any way displeased with me Then know worthy knight quoth she I am that Violetta you so earnestly enquire after I am the party that haue so long time procured your discontent and I am shee whose absence you haue so oft bewailed and now I am constrained to manifest my selfe vnto you desiring you to pardon my hard hartednesse that haue so long concealed my selfe and thereby procured your disquiet Pollipus hearing her speeches could not tell what to say being halfe perswaded it was she by remembring her countenance and the behauior she had vsed in al their trauels as also calling to minde her kindnes now at length her owne speeches could not resolue what to do for that his fancy still perswaded him it was not Violetta And on the other side he had a mighty perswasion it might be she at last he said I know not what to coniecture nor how to behaue my selfe nor whether I should call you Adonius or Violetta considering how vnlikely it is she should be so kind to me and how certaine I am that Adonius hath done me manifold pleasures Then sweet Violetta if you are she resolue mee of this my doubt being thereby driuen to that hopefull despaire that I know not whether my fortune be better or worse then it was Violetta shrinking a little back said Pardon me déere Polipus for I am your vnworthy friend Violetta that haue in this disguise made triall of my fortune and your friendship Pollipus then tooke her most louingly in his armes not offering other then his former promise did permit Yet he was in a doubt still and could not be quiet vntill he had vsed such kind meanes yet farre from dishonour as thereby he found shee was a virgin and no Page and therefore assured himselfe it was Violetta and folding her delicate and tender body in his manlike armes which he had oftentimes before imbraced but not with such kindnesse banishing all sadnesse from his sorrowfull heart with sweet and delightfull tontent he embraced her with that kindnesse that long parted Louers enioy when they so pleasantly meete spending the rest of the night in pleasing and delightfull communication and remembrances of their former kindnesses which augmented their ioyes to an exceeding height Oftentimes Pollipus would haue exceeded the limits of his former promise but shee reserued that fauour for the more honourable delight of their Nuptiall Bedde but with many pleasures such as true and loyall kindnes yeeldes Thus these two kind friends spent the time Violetta accounting her selfe most happy so enioy so constaut a friende as shee had found him by certaineties in their trauell and hee esteemed himselfe as happie that hee was beloued of Violetta that had not refused to hazarde her selfe in many dangers for his sake At last their minds being both at quiet and satified with blisfull content these two faithfull louers fell fast a sleepe Parismus enduring much heauinesse for his friends departure could scarcely entertaine a minutes rest to his troubled head therefore he was earely vp with intent to perswade Pollipus if he could from vndertaking that iourney and presently after these louers were a sleepe hee entred his Chamber where contrarie to his premeditated expectation he found him fast a sleepe and Adonius in most louing sort laying one hand vnder Pollipus head and the other embracing his manly breast séeming in his conceit the delightfullest sight that euer he beheld the supposed page being so beautifull that had hee not knowne him hee would haue iudged Venus her selfe had been there to comfort Pollipus with her sweet embracings But seeing his deare friend in such quiet and sweet rest he withdrew himselfe to meditate how to worke his friends comfort and stay his iourney By which time the Sun had lightned all the Chamber with his golden brightnesse the clearenes of whose splendor shining full vpon these louers awaked Pollipus but Violetta still lay sweetly slumbring and Pollipus shadowing her with the curtaines arose and soone found Parismus walking at his chamber doore who seeing him said My deare friend Pollipus I had thought to haue found you ready armed to depart according to your resolution yesterday but I hope you are rather determined to alter that purpose and stay with vs who desire nothing more then your companie and were not Adonius well known to me I should thinke you had embraced some diuine Goddesse in that kinde sort but notwithstanding let me intreate you stay some longer time with vs which was the onely cause of my comming vnto you at this instant And I desire you for all the friendship that hath passed betwixt vs bring mee so much more in your debt by obtaining this fauour at your handes My Lord quoth Pollipus I must confesse I am too sluggish to bee found sléeping at this instant while my minde should bée busied with more weightie matters Indéede according to your saying my Lord I thinke I haue either imbraced some goodnesse or a more diuine creature for my former resolution to trauell is quite dissolued and my heart at more quiet then it hath bin for my deare Violetta hath bene so kind as to visite me this night shewing my heart that cause of ioy as for euer while I liue I shall account my selfe bound to her and because your honor hath both bin acquaintd with my loue and al my intents haue vouchsafed me that fauour that I shall neuer requite I wel shew yon the
I haue sued to obtaine your loue being thereto compelled by the extremities of Loues euerlasting â—…ame which boyleth in my troubled Brest but hitherto you haue obdurated your heart against mee and not vouchsafed to yeeld any pittie to my distresse but contrary to the kinde nature that shuld abound in you séeme not at all to regard my Passions which hath added sorrowe to my torment Now swéet Lady seeing with what deuotions I haue attended your pleasure deferre me no longer but let me obtain that fauor which with such care I haue expected and you so vnkindely withheld which would both ease my comfortlesse hart and adde no small content to the remedilesse sorrowes you so impatiently endure Violetta hearing his speeches made this replie Syr I haue long since told you my resolution which might be a sufficient answer to any reasonable crdature besides my vows passed to my déer Knight pollipus haue bound mee from yéelding my spotlesse Honour to be stained with the blot of infamy Then I pray leaue off to prosecute your sute which you ground vpon loues foundation being indeed nothing but the inâ—…tiable desire of filthy concupiscence the remembrance whereof addeth new care to my carefull heart and euery way affrighteth mee with discontent and if you so much regard my content as you protest desist to trouble mee with your Loue and giue mee leaue to depart from hence that I may spend the rest of my dayes in sorrow for his losse that was more dearer vnto me then all the worlds treasure I but Lady qd Archas calme this discontent with remembrance of an impossibilitie in obtaining ought at his hands and goe not 〈◊〉 tâ—… consume those heauenly perfections with sorrow seeme not 〈◊〉 then reason requireth to him that loueth you as well as Pollipus 〈◊〉 did And now that occasion hath so â—…tly offered the sweete opportunitie of time and place let vs spend this time in loue and not in these â—…ntentions these vnfrequented paths adde meanes to further our ioyes Here are no eyes to behold vs nor any to bewray our secrets but theâ—…lent trâ—…s sweet smelling flowers and that which is vnknown is in a manner vncommitted and in requitall of your kindenesse I will performe whatsoeuer you shal command me were it to run through thousands of deaths to procure your content then sweet loue be not so vnkinde but yéeld some pitty to my restles cares and detaine not from me that pleasant delight which will extinguish my bitter griefs When he had ended his spéeches he stricctly caught her tender body in his arms imprinting a compelled kisse vpon her tender lippes twining her curled locks about his grosse fingers and boldly fingring her tender brests offering other forced behauiour whilst she striued to vntwine her body of his armes which when shee had obtained casting a disdainfull countenance vpon him like as Diana cast vpon the wofull Acteon with her chéekes as red as scarlet she vttered these speeches Most discourteous villaine hath my lenity inforced thée to offerime this abuse or is thy minde so far from pietie as not to desist from prosecuting thy detested Lust Knowe this that rather then I will yéelde my honour to be blemished by thy appetite I wil teare these eyes from foorth my head and ende my wofull life which thou soughtest to spill Is this the friendship thou hast protested Was it thy pollicy to traine me hither to dishonor me Hadst thou left me in the place where I lost my beloued then had I bene happie if some wilde beast had ended my life I now perceiue thy Protestations are but filthy actors of thy intended villanie and all which thou hast told me of Pollipus death to be most false and vntrue for no doubt he is yet liuing whom thou seekest to dishonour by spoyling mee of that which I reserued for him Accursed wretch that I was to fall into thy odious hands which art voyd of Knightly behauiour Archas hearing himselfe thus reuiled abandoned shame and pitty violently pulling her to him told her that she shuld submit her selfe to his will offering by force to attaine the fruition of her spotlesse body When Violetta felt her selfe so handled shee laboured by all meanes to disappoint him of his will but in the ende séeling her selfe too weake long to withhold his force she yéelded foorth such shrikes as all the Castle roong with the noyse of her outerye that Sorana hearing the same knowing the place where she vsed came thitherwards Archas beholding her withdrue himself and Violetta rose from the place tyred with resistance and swolne with inward veration and disdain to be so vsed casting her countenance downe to the earth To whome Sorana said How now Lady What causeth your sorrow Hath Archas offered you violence Violetta with teares trickling downe her crimzen chéekes answered yea that villaine Archas would haue done me violence had not you so Fortunately come to my rescue But I thinke the Diuine prouidence hath sent you hither so happily to preserue me from his deuouring lust whose dishonorable minde is fraught with all villanies accursed be the day that first brought mee to this hatefull place to fall into his loathsome power that contrary to Nature hath done mee this outrage Swéete Sorana quoth she conuey mee secretly into the Castle that there I may in sorrow end my accursed life rather then again abide his loathsome sight which will be as pestilent as deadly Poyson to my heart Sorana taking her by the arme to support her weake bodie led her to her Chamber Archas likewise seeing himselfe so frustrated of his desire with an impudent and vnshamefaste Countenance went into the Castle vowing in his heart neuer to desist vntill he had accomplished his desire Violetta being come to her Chamber related to Sorana the whole manner of Archas vsage intreating her counsell which way to auoyde his sutes which shee knew hee would still prosecute who vttered her minde in this sort Lady I pitty your estate but I am so farre from adding release thereto as I know no meanes at all how to comfort you For Archas disposition I too well know is farre from any spark of honesty who hath in iike sort behaued himself to me at my first comming hither which was in the Prime of my youth neither giue any credite to his reports for he hath told me that Pollipus is yet liuing and long since I suspected hee would vse you in this sorte and escape from hence you cannot For this Castle is continually guarded hauing but one entrance therto whereby none can escape vndescried therefore I think it best for you to yeeld to his loue and then you may liue in quiet otherwise I know your life will be miserable enough Violetta was striken into a sudden amazement to heare her detested counsell thinking to haue found some comfort in her spéeches In somuch that with extremitie of Passions shee was readie to giue vp the ghost Which Sorana beholding
Thrace and how by the way he ariued in Libia and from thence came to Brandamors Castle AFter that the knight of Fame had wonne the chiefe honour of the triumph in the Court of the king of Thrace and had giuen away the Kings daughter to Remulus with her Fathers consent therto and the solemnization of the wedding past and performed with great royalty the king calling to minde the valour of the knight of Fame and how prodigally he gaue Phylena to another whose beauty might haue satisfied a mighty Potentates liking and withall how little he regarded his heire by which meanes afterwards hee might haue come to the highest type of dignity and to the high honour to bee King and Quéen of so mighty a nation wondred what might moue him to refuse those offers sometimes thinking it proceeded from want of wisdome then againe he supposed a Knight endued with such bountiful and rare gifts of prowesse could not chuse but likewise enioy sufficient wisdome to consider the valew of such gifts And entring into a further consideration thereof he began to coniecture that he was sprung of some great personage which might be the cause thereof and for that hee was vnknowne he thought that to be the very truth Then againe he called to remembrance what Amasenus had told him about his comming into that country that he was by these thoughts grown into such a desire to be satisfied therin that he sent for the Knight of Fame and in the presence of the Queen Amasenus Remulus Phylena and al the assembly of gallant knights that came to the triumph he said as followeth Worthy knight whom I so much affect that if it in my power lye to doe you any more honour then I haue heretofore proffered I would willingly do it for you valour deserueth euerlasting commendations I haue offered you my Daughter in marriage and withall intended to haue adopted you my Sonne and heire both which you haue refused yeelding your interest in my daughter to Remulus and therewith left the inheritage I adioyned to her marriage which were both worthy of regard for that such gifts are seldome giuen which maketh me send for you desiring to be satisfied for your comming in the one and also to knowe of whence and what you are if I can without offence to you obtaine the same The Knight of Fame made this reply Most high and mighty King I will vnfold the truth of all to satisfie your demand I confesse your Maiestie did so much honour me as my life shall bee alwaies ready at your command in quitall of the same and your Princely gifts are of such estimation as I confesse my selfe farre vnworthy to possesse them but that they might haue beene bestowed of the greatest Potentate in the world which I neither refused nor lightly esteemed but alwaies regarded as of precious and inestimable valew not drawne thereto by any want of consideration of their worthinesse but for the honourable respect I beare to loyalty For should I haue presumed to haue wed your Princely daughter I should haue done her great iniurie and thereby parted the vnited hearts of true and loial friends For pleaseth your Maiesty at the first I intended with a ioyfull heart to haue claymed my interest in that sweet Princesse loue but I was commanded the contrary by an vndoubted meane which if it so please you I will in priuate vnfold as also perceiuing the true friendship betwixt her and that noble knight Remulus past with consent of both their harts I should haue esteemed it either in my selfe or in any other an acte of great dishonour and impietie to part those firmed bands of friendship which if I had dissolued might haue turned their sweet intent into discontented miserie neither could I so rudelie presume to challenge interest in so sweet a Ladies loue without desert which is not attained by armes but by loyaltie which was the cause that I yeelded my interest vnto him that had taken possession in her gentle heart before my comming and for my birth I know not my Parents but the truth of all that is manifest to me the noble Duke Amasenus hath made you priuie vnto The King hearing his answer greatlie commended his honourable minde saying Thou worthy knight if there bee any meanes left wherein I may pleasure you doe but aske and you shall assuredly obtaine whatsoeuer it bée for which kinde and kingly proffer the knight of Fame with all humanitie gaue him thankes Whilest they were in this Communication there suddenly entred into the Hall foure Knightes in mourning Attyre carrying on theyr shoulders a Coffin couered with blacke by theyr countenances pretending the discouerie of some tragicall euent The King of Thrace seeing this sadde Spectacle greatly maruelled of whence they should bee and what heauie Newes they hadde brought And they being come to the place where the King was setting downe their Hearse spake as followeth Most High and Mightie King of Thrace Wee are Knightes belonging to the King of Lybia Who kindely gréeteth your Maiestie by vs requesting you to take no offence at our rude Message the occasion whereof is this It is not vnknowne that the King our Lorde hath but one onely Daughter named Venola Who on a day riding foorth on Hunting being by a Tempest seuered from her Traine beeing accompanied by many Knights amongst whome was Tyrides a Knight of Thrace vnto whose custodie the King committed her and was vnawares surprized by the Gyant Brandamor that dwelleth in a Castle in the Forrest of Arde and by him by violence carryed away Whome the Noble knight Tyrides pursued but the Gyant too mightie a Foe for him to cope withall slue him and so conueyed the Princesse into his Castle Whose corps wee haue according to our Kings commaund brought hether Amasenus hearing this sadde report ranne vnto the dead bodie of his Sonne breathing foorth such Lamentations that it would haue made the very Rockes to haue rent at his sorrowes Whom the king comforted by all possible meanes hee could but griefe for his Sonnes vntimely death ouer-whelmed and opprest his heart with such Passions of desperate care that hee fell into an extreame Sicknesse which his olde-Age not being able to out-weare within fewe dayes after ended his life Amasenus death who was generally beloued turned their myrth into sorrowe and theyr Ioy into sadde preparation for mournfull Funeralls for the two dead Knightes Which was afterwardes performed in most stately manner The Knight of Fame séeing his déerest Friende Amasenus dead hearing of Venolaes Imprisonment resolued in requitall of some parte of Amasenus his Friendship to reuenge Tyrides death on the Gyant besides his minde was affected with such a desire to sée the Ladie Venola that giuing no respite to delay hee presently after the right of Amasenus Funeralls was performed made his intent knowne to the King and with all Reuerence tooke his leaue of him Likewise diuers that came to the triumph and still remained
the liquor and finding the same pleasant being perswaded that it was conueied by some diuine operation to procure content he dranke it quite off and presently went to his bedde which when Flauia saw with a ioyfull heart she went to Venola and declared vnto her what she had done and afterwards leauing Venola to her selfe she came to an old acquaintance of hers who at her request wrote a letter to Parismus in the name of the Knight of Fame which the next morning shee deliuered to him the contents whereof were these Most noble Prince of Bohemia my full intent was for the vndeserued kindnesse I haue found in you to haue attended you toward Bohemia but a contrary occasion hath withdrawne me therefore I desire your honour both to pardon mee and make no enquirie after me for I will assoone as I haue ènded my businesse repaire to shew my duty to you in the Bohemian Court so in all reuerence I commit your worthinesse to all good fortunes A poore Knight vnknowne Parismus reading the Letter maruelled what occasion had withdrawne him but being therewith contented and trusting accordingly to see him in Bohemia he made no other speech of him but taking his leaue of the King and Queene hauing in his campany Pollipus and Violetta with some 40. Knights of Lybia he departed towards Bohemia Tellamor all this while remained in the Forrest of Arde in company of his deare M. Clarina so cunningly handling his businesse that none could perceiue but that he was very sicke indeed in which time Clarina was his Physitian carefully tending him and vsing a most extraordinary diligence whose company was more pleasant to him then any thing else that therewith and other sweet fauours he receiued from her kindenes he forgot his sicknes and prosecuted his loue which in time of his sicknesse had that good issue that Clarina was no lesse tyed in the bandes oâ—… Loue then hee was And vpon a time when Clarina was in her chamber vnaccompanied by any he amongst other kindnesses vttered these speeches My swéete M. quoth hee how much is your poore seruant beholding vnto you that haue so tenderly regarded me and taken such infinite paines about me which maketh me so much bound vnto you that my life is and shall beforeuer dedicated to deserue this kindnesse besides the affection which I beare to your diuine excellencies maketh mee presume to prosecute my sute vnto you thereby to bring my selfe further into your debt desiring you to yeelde pitty to my distresse and ease to my restlesse passions procured by your beautie which if you withhold soone will care consume my wearie life neither can my heart attaine to any quiet or content without your loue which I more esteeme then either life or other thing that Ienioy therefore sweet M. deferre my sute no longer but now extend your fauour to my distresse and grant me loue for my loue whereon my chiefest felicity dependeth Good seruant quoth Clariana were I assured of thy constancie soone shouldst thou know my mind but some crosse or misfortue will soone alter they affection and so thou wilt leaue me in distresse then what miserie may I incurre by granting to thy sute Sweet M. quoth Tellamor if euer Knight were true then will your poore seruant prooue trustie if euer heart harboured constancie then be you assured that constant loue possesseth my heart for so intire are my deuotions to remaine immooueable that no misfortune calamitie c. shall cause me falsifie my faith but rather let all plagues and vnfortunate miseries light vpon my head Clarina hearing his spéeches made this reply Well deare seruant since I see thy faithfullnesse and how diligent thou hast beene to winne my fauour I yeelde both my loue and my selfe into thy possession which heereafter account as thine own to dispose of and bee thou assured notwithstanding my strangenesse my loue hath euery way equalled thy affections and with so free a heart I giue my life and loue into thy hands as willingly as thou desirest to haue the same Tellamor hauing receiued this assurance of her loialty to reuiue his sences withall entertained that comfort and her sweet presence with great delight leauing off his sute and spending the time in impracings Many daies continued these true louers in great pleasure being growne to that familiaritie that often times such kind fauours past betwixt them that Clarina ouercome vp his intreaties yéelded vp her fortres of virginity vnto him oftentimes frequenting each others companie in that kinde sort 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 pleasure with great delight vntill the newes of Parismus returne came to their knowledge and Tellamor bound thereto by oath 〈◊〉 needes depart which strooke an extreame saddenesse to both their hearts But especially Clarina tooke the same so heauily that no perswasion could adde comâ—…ort to her heart The remembrance of whose departure ouercâ—…e her with such passions of griefe that being in her Chamber alone shee vttered many mournefull plaints and withall such aboundance of teares that a heart of the hardest Adamant would haue resolued at her lamentations to ease which griefe she deuiâ—…ed how to enioy his company if it were possible to the last houre of his departure and by the counsell of one of her Daâ—…zels named Ancilla shee wrought such meanes that she enioyed his company that night Tellamor beeing a Knight of honourable conditions laboured all that hee could to leaue her contented and performe his faithfull promise to Parismus then before his departure taking his leaue oâ—… Madera and Panuamus who so well liked his company that they were vnwilling to leaue the same After which he went to bedde thinking to take his â—…rewell of Clarina beâ—…imes in the morning when none but themselues should bee priuie thereto but shee poore Lady being 〈◊〉 fettered in the snares of loue hauing contriued euery thing for her security when hee was in his dead sleepe approached to his bed side with a cleare burning Taper in her hand where shee stood a great while beeing vnwilling to interrupt his quiet sleepe reuoluing many thoughts in her troubled head At last shee could not choose but touch his manly hand which hung ouer the beddes side wherewith shee awaked him who being scarcelie out of his droâ—…e sleepe espying his beloued standing by his beddes side could not of a sudden conceit her beeing there but at length hauing reuiued his senses by rubbing his eies hee tooke her by the hand and wanne her consent to come into the bedde where hee entertained her with many sweete embracings and pleasant conference who tooke no small delight in his company after much time which they thought too short spent in kindsse Clarina demanded when he would returne for quoth shee my selfe is nothing without your presence neither shall I attaine the least quiet in your absence therefore I beseech you haue regard of my honour Which I haue yéelded into your handes and when you are amongst your Friends in Bohemia be not vnmindefull
vsed him whose acquaintance and friendship might be a meanes both of his stay in that place and also of obtaining Angelicaes loue Then againe considering how strange it was that hee would stay in the very place where his Lady should see him and how luckily he had left the Court of the king of Lybia and thereby he was ridde from Venolas rash loue which might haue both endangered his honour and person that with the remembrance of all these happy concurrences his minde was exceedingly contented and he seemed to haue attained more happy successe then hee would haue wisht that in that Sunne-path of sweete delight accompanied with quiet sleepe he spent that night Angelica was likewise no whitte inferiour to him in contrariety of passions but hauing likewise spent the day in company of her mother when the time of rest drew nigh shee soone gat from out of all company which she thought troublesome being much disquieted in her thoughts feeling a kinde alteration to her former liberty of of minde being desirous to be alone shee gatte to her Chamber where was none but her Damzell Anna that was her bedfellow to whom she said I pray thee good Anna leaue me alone for a while for my thoughts are possest with such disquiet that I desire by solitarinesse to ease my passonate heart Anna hearing her speeches maruelling what might bee the cause thereof and being in all respect dutifull departed She was no sooner gone but Angelica sitting downe vpon the rushes leauing her head vpon the beddes side beganne to study whence the occasion of that suddaine alteration she felt in her selfe should proceede sometimes deeming this and then that but still shee could not certainely what to iudge thereof that her minde was drawne to an extreame torment which so opprest her sences that presently she called Anna againe who maruelling at her strangâ—… 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 at her sadnesse knéeling downe by her vttered these speeches My deare Mistresse I beseech you conceale not from me the occasion of your disquiet to whose secrecy you neede not 〈◊〉 to commit the â—…ame for I hope you are sufficiently perswaded of my truth that doe esteeme my duty to you more deare then my life which I would most wiâ—…ingly spend for your sake 〈◊〉 if you will vouchsafe to 〈◊〉 me any way or in what sort so 〈◊〉 so it please you to command I will hee most willing to vse my vttermost endeauours as 〈◊〉 as euer did seruant to purchase your content Aâ—… mee wretched creature quoth Angelica it is not mistrust of thy secresie nor doubt of thy aide nor ought else that I misdoubt in thee that maketh me withhold any part of my counsell from thee for if I would shew it thee I cannot for this passion is so newly begunne that I cannot rightly coniecture what the cause thereof should be or why my thoughts should be thus suddenly disquieted and such assured confidence doe I retaine in thy fidelity that I would conceale no part of my thoughts from thee Anna hearing her Mistresse speeches began presently to suspect that she had enâ—…rtained some good conceit of some of the knights that were arrined that day whom she thought to be the yong Prince Camillus which caused her make this answer Deare Mistresse quoth she I beleeue the approach of some of the gallant Knights that came with the King is the cause of your alteration Why quoth Angelica doest thou thinke their approach should disquiet me Marry quoth Anna because many Ladies haue been suddenly ouertaken with loue wherâ—… with Angelica blusht saying Doest thou thinke my affection so light to looke of euery one I see Pardon me deare Madame quoth shee I doe not thinke so Well quoth Angelica suppose thou hast iumpt vpon the right which of those knights doest thou suppose it is Will you pardon me said Anna if I giue my opinion I will said shee I thinke quoth Anna it is the braue Prince Camillus Camillus quoth she it is rather the stranger Indeed quoth Anna that strange Knight farre surmounteth all the knights that euer I beheld for comlinesse courtesie and prowesse I am assured said Angelica breathing forth a sadde sigh thou spakkest this rather to flatter me then according to that thou thinkest for otherwise why didst thou speake of Camillus Faith Mistresse quoth shee I named Camillus not for any thing I see in him comparable with the strange Kinght but for that I would therby know your mind which now that I vnderstand if you would follow my cousell you should not onely like him but also loue him for therâ—… is no doubt but the cause of his comming hither was onely for your sake who in my rash opinion will proue both constant and loyall for his very countenance bewraieth the vnited essence of true Nobilitie and vertue to be placed in him O Anna quoth shee thou woundest we to the heart before I had 〈◊〉 a suspition of loue but by thy speeches I beginne to be inthralled therein Do not I pray thée seeke to augment that which is impossible to come to perfection which if I should entertaine as I shall I feare me against my will thou knowest how many impossibities doe threaten my euerlasting torment thereby therefore I pray thee doe not once name him to me againe for if thou doest I shall bee more intralled to that very name then to all the humble sutes of the most noblest knight in the world Diddest thou not heare my brother Marcellus report how prodigally hee gaue away the Kings daughter of Thrace and what paines he tooke to redeeme Venola that beautifull Lany from Andramarts Castle I know thou didst but likewise I know thou didst not heare what he said to me to refell these doubts that he was long since enioyned to my seruice and was the thing hee had long time sought to attaine Didst thou not sée how I found him a sleepe and yet notwithstanding all the Knights that guarded me how resolutely yet with humilitie he approched my presence where he told me that no want of regard had bredde that rudenesse but feare of missing that fit occasion considering how straightly I am kept and pried into by my Fathers decree Didst thou not see how brauely and valiantly he ouerthrewe three stout Knights together that would haue taken my gloue from him Doest thou not see how dearely my brother Marcellus loued him and all in generall are well affected towards him These I thinke are occasions sufficient to refell all suspect of his good intent and meaning Quoth Anna Truely most gracious Madame I thinke verily all things considered hee hath not his equall neither for valour nor for Uertue you may doe as you please whome I will not so much as once speake of heereafter since I shall offende you thereby Yes I pray thee speake of him quoth Angelica for nothing can please me better though I feare mee nothing will doe mee more harme And well maiest thou thinke me ouerâ—…ond so soone
And I aunswere I haue receyued more fauour at your hands in suffering me to be thus familiar with you then I am worthy or euer haue deserued Therefore I craue pardon hoping that you shill beare with my rudenesse Dulcia quoth he doe not aske pardon when you haue not misdone but beleeue my Words without any question only to proceed from the depth of my true hart Which entendeth and wisheâ—…h you no lesse good then I haue vâ—…ered For I haue found such vertue in you that I am inâ—…hralled to that vertue and desire to bee partaker and possesse that beautie which hath made mee your affectionate Friend and intreate your Loue then that which I desire nothing more My Lord replyed Dulcia my Loue and dutie is such that I will not refuse any commaund you shall impose vpon me Dulcia qd hee it is not such Loue as is commanded by dutie nor such Friendship as ariseth from feare but such kinde Loue as procéedeth betwixt faithfull Friendes from the yeelding consent of a true heart and such a loue as hath a further respect then that common duty for if you knewe with what feruencie I desired your sweete consent to this Loue you would pittie my torments My Lord replyed shee I beseech your Honour doe not séeke to captiuate or enthrall me in Loues bands that am free and am assured your Fancie cannot like of one farre vnworthy that high fauour you speake of but suffer me rather to continue in my peacefull estate that esteeme my selfe tarre from euer enioying such Happinesse as to bee beloued of my superiour being already so farre bound vnto you in all humblenes that you shall not commaund mee any thing that agreeth with Modestie but I will performe the same Speake you from your heart qâ—… Marcellus I doe my my Lorde quoth she Then saide he I commaund you to Loue me and if that bee too harsh a Word I intrease and desire you yéeld me loue for that true loue I beare you being such as is grounded vpon vertue and without spot or blemish of hishonours staine entending nothing that may disagree with your Modesty but so make you my equall my companion and my dearely espoused Wife Therefore doe but yeeld to loue me and thou shalt thereby expell many cares from my heart Which otherwise will increase to my euerlasting torment Oh my Lord quoth Dulcia I beséech you account mee one that will indeuour in all dutie to deserue that honour you entend me which I see so many impossibilities to hinder that it quite discourageth me from the least hope of that felicitie So you will loue me I care not for impossibilities neyther shall anie miserie alter my constant resolution With that he embraced her in his arms who gaue a silent consent intermingled with teares procéeding from her tender heart With whom Marcellus stayed some time spending the time in many friendly conferences so that Dulcia was constrained by his intreaties and her owne yéelding heart to giue her consent both their intents being grounded vpon no other purpose but that which is vertuous and chaste Parismenos being departed from Marcellus soone arriued at the Maiden Tower where hee alighted and comming to the Gardiants that kept the Gate hee saluted them with a courteous behauiour and tolde them that hee was sent by Maximus theyr King to be one of the Gardiants Whome at the first they denied him then he deliuered his Letter which they hauing read accepted him for one of theyr fellowes without any doubt or mistrust When hee had obtained his desire in this with such a prosperous beginning hee began to comfort himselfe with hope of further good Fortune continuing all that Night amongst the rest of the Gardiants and not once offering any behauiour which might bréed suspition but behaued himselfe most carefully both in all his words and déedes as he had good reason For that they were very circumspect and almost by reason of the strict charge the King had giuen them ready to suspect each other All the next day continued hée in that sort without any méeting of the Eunuches But on the third day he met two of them together in a place most conuenient and faluted them most kindely Who maruelling what he should be for that he was a stranger began presently to be iealous of him but he perceiuing the same told them that he had a secret message vnto them from the King and withall a letter vnder his hand and signet to the Gardiants which he shewed them But to you qd hâ—… the King hath sent me with this message that you shall admit mée at all times to Angelicaes presence whome you haue the custodie of though vnknowne to any but your selues which he told me likewise he gaue you a speciall charge to conceale from the rest of the Gardiants and hath vppon the trust hee hath reposed in mee giuen me authoritie with you to haue her custody The Eunuches hauing heard his message and with all the Kings priuy seale to the Letter written in his behalfe could not chuse but giue credence to the same supposing that none was priuie to Angelicaes being there but the King that they made no doubt but that he was sent by him but would not trust him vntill they had consulted with the rest of their fellowes vnto whome they declared the truth of all hee had tolde them who in generall they admitted him to their societie Parismenos thought himselfe most happie to haue attayned this selicitie Where likewise hee behaued himselfe most carefully selling them that hee had a message of secrecie to declare to her from the King which they made no doubt of nor neuer denyed When he spied his fittest opportunitie which was when Angelica was walking alone in a priuate Garden being all the libertie she hadde and the Eunuches were gone to disporte themselues and had put him alone in trust with the Key that conducted to her Chamber he vnlocked the doore and shutting the same againe he came to her Chamber Where hee durst not be so bolde as enter before he had knockt Anna being alone in the Chamber hearing one knocke came to the doore and espying Parismenos in Armor with his sword gyrt to his side which he neuer left off being in euery point armed but his head maruelled what he shuld be to whom he saide Faire Damzell maruell not to sée mee in Armor which shall neuer offend you but still be imployed in your defence I haue knockt presuming no further without licence the cause of my comming is to deliuer a message vnto the Ladie Angelica from Marcellus All this time Anna had diligently behelde him perswading her selfe shee had séene him before that she made him this answere Syr Knight if you come from Marcellus you shall be welcome to my Ladie therefore I pray you come in and I will conduct you to the place where shée is Then she brought him downe a paire of staires into a Garden where Angelica was
went into the place where Angelica was who expected no other preffer of behauiour but that which he had before vsed suffered him to sit downe by her and entered into communication with him as formerly she had done but he hauing his minde meditating how to satifie his desart behold her excéeding beautie with a greedie eye and deuoured the piercing power of her conquering beautie with such desire that it augmented his affections and set one fire his newe intended purpose to attaine the conquest of her loue and the possession of her person that bée seized his hand vpon hers grasping the same sometimes strictly and then againe playing with her dainty fingers selling his eyes vpon hers making a sad sigh a Prologue to his spéech he said Most diuine Ladie pardon me if I presume beyond the bounds of your fauourable license to touch your precious hand or if I enter into spéeches that may disagrée with your fancie or shewe the integritie of my deuotion but for that I relye vppon your benignitie and haue long time by feare to be offensiue rather indured inward and secret torment then vpon presumption to procure you any disquiet haue concealed my loue duty and affection to your perfections Now finding you at leasure and féeling my owne torments increase humblie beséech you pittie my long continued griefes and graunt mee some fauour to reuiue my heart with comfort for you knowe that I haue béene long time inthralled to your beautie and bound to applye my fancie to merit your fauour which loue hath euer since continued constant and immoueable and will still so continue whilest mylife doth last Which loue compelled mée to that boldnesse to bring you from the Natolian Court with intent to carrie you into my Countrie and there to make you the Gouernesse and ruler of me and mine And now that you haue had this tryall of my 〈◊〉 what neede you deny me your fauour considering there is no knight liuing hath attended your liking with more feruencie Angelica hearing his speeches would haue taken her hand from him but he still held the same whilest she answered I had thought you had forgotten your former desire would not haue troubled mee with the same but especially now when you see I am not to make any change of the choise I haue already made Therefore I should account it great wisedome in you to abstaine from desiring that which you haue bene so often denied and see so much vnlikelihood to obtaine for would I now yeelde my selfe to please your fancie I should dishononr my name my stocke and reape perpetuall ignominie and scandale to my selfe and you and besides by my disloyaltie breed euerlasting discord and war betwixt you and the noble Prince of Bohemia who is of such force and inuincible strength that hee would wast your countrey and neuer giue ouer vntill hee had wrested me out of your possession therefore I pray you giue ouer your sute which may it obteined bring so many adherent miseries and inconueniences as you will soone repent you I beseech you quoth he let not vaine suppose of Parismus strength or Parismus reuenge procreastinate my desires for I estéeme them as nothing in my Countrey beeing of sufficient strength to beate a mightier foe backe Therefore swéete Lady grant me your loue without the which I cannot liue and armed therewith I shall be of sufficient strength to refell any foe therefore deny me not Which said hauing her hand still in his he pulled her to him suddenly clasping her in his armes he by his strength tooke from her a swéete kisse with which she was so much vexed that with a suddaine start she sproong from forth his armes and fearing to be againe so surprised would haue departed out of the roome which he perceiuing hauing armed himselfe with impudencie ran after and caught her in his armes by force brought her backe whilest she strugled to get from him but he being too strong for her held her so fast that she could not stir but with chéekes as red as scarlet said If euer you expect fauour at my hands leaue off and do not seeke to attaine my loue by violence for if you do I sweare by heauen I will rather suffer you to teare my heart in pieces then yeelde you any fauour therefore if there be any vertue humanitie good nature or courtisie in you let me goe Irus was nothing disswaded with her spéeches but now that hée had begunne lust and immoderate desire vrged him on that he held her the more strictly and by constraint bereft her of manie kisses with that shee gaue such shrikes that the hollow vaults of the Caue rung therewith and Anna came running in before whose comming hée vsed her so vndecently that shée cryed out vnto Anna for helpe who vsed her vttermost endeuour to rescue her mistresse from foorth his power and shrouded her from dishonour which with most violent and vndecent behauior he proffered and ta last she gat from foorth hâ—…ands wearied with resistance and falling downe vpon her knées said Irus be not so inhumaine as to dispoyle me of my honor but desire from this shameâ—…esse impudencie which will make you odious in the sight of heauen What will my life do you good which with that is lost what pleasure can you reape by this violence Or what benifit can it be to you to spill my blood Séeke not my loue in this sort which will turne that good opinion I had of you to hatred and if you will néeds haue the fruition of my loue let it be in honourable sort and not with such vnreadinesse with that a flood of brinish teares ranne downe her chéekts whilest hée stoode ouer her like a furious Lyon ouer a silliy harmelesse Lambe readie to deuour the same Euen so Irus stood readie to seize vpon her againe his heart painting with striuing and his vaines swolne with desire no more mollified with her lamentations then the hardest Adamant with the fall of soft snowe And casting a most bitter countenance on Anna who stood not far off and only hindred his lust he sudenly caught his dagger in his hand and ranne after her to haue stabd her which caused her with an excéeding outcrie to runne out of the roome and he after her And Angelica calling after him stay good Irus stay and when he was returned she as fast flying from him And séeing Anna out of the roome he caught holde of her and pulled her to him holding his dagger in his hand whilest shee lay trembling at his féete said Angelica my resolution is to obtaine thy loue either by force or faire meanes therefore giue consent or I vowe I will neuer desist though it cost thy life Angelica hearing his spéeches said Irus good Irus let me alone and vse mée not thus shamfully and vndecently and I will tell thée my mindo for were it not for thy vsage and the vnciuill rudenesse beeing neuer in my life before
fortunately hee had beheld Laurana By this time they were come to the King who saluting Parismus desired his company to goe visit Osiris at their comming they found him very chéerfull which reioyced Dionisius to see and comming to him tolde him that hée with the young Prince of Bohemia was come to visit him and to be assured of the accasion of his hurt I yéeld my humble thankes said Osiris to your highnesse and to that noble Prince for the care you haue of my welfare being sorie that by my misaduenture you haue bene all disquieted But to satisfie your highnesse herein thus it was The same day that your excellency â—…ounde me so wounded I being vp somewhat earely walking at the nether ende of my Orchard espied an armed Knight haling pulling a beautiful yong maiden in most rude and discurteous maner and notwithstanding the manifold intreaties she vsed would not leaue his crueltie but vsed these spéeches vnto her Content thy selfe to be thus vsed at my hands and take it for a fauour that I vse thée not worse for the iniury thy brother hath done me will I reuenge on thée Why said she it was not my offence nor procured by my knowledge he is a knight beareth armes reuenge your selfe on him and do not attempt to dishonor me that am a maiden but rather take my life that thereby I may be rid from the shame you intend to my honor Nay proud damzel quoth he if thou thinkest the vsage I intend a shame I wil the rather doe it to vexe thée I listned so long as I could to heare their talke and marking which way they tooke I went in and with all spéed I could armed my selfe and followed after them but could not ouertake them before they were gotten in the wood where by the cry of the damzell I found him ready to accomplish his villany threatning most gréeuously to torment her if shée did not yeelde vnto him Traytor said I what moueth thée to vse this Lady thus discurteously â—…t ill beséemeth a gentleman and a knight as thou seemest to bee to vse such rygor to a distressed virgin Sir begone said he againe or I will quickly send thée against thy will and then tell thee my reason Wherewith the maydeÌ„ desired me I would pittie her estate telling me that she was daughter vnto a knight belonging to the King of Salmetia and was by this knight violently taken sorth of her fathers garden none being by to aide her and brought vnto that poore estate by the crueltie of that wicked homycide who ment to dishonor her desiring me if I were a knight and not â—…ent to be inhumane that I would release her from his tyrannie Wherwithall his mind being puft with villany he ran vpon me and Idefended my selfe we had not continued long but there issued forth of the wood two other in armor being as it séemed of the firsts acquaintance and violently running vpon me not speaking one word left me in that estate you found me but when the two last came forth the mayden fled away and whether they found her againe or no I knowe not This my soueraigne is the true occasion of my mischance Parismus all this while stood very sadly musing hauing his minde more busied on his Loue then to listen to Osiris spéech being far inthralled to the beauty of Laurana on whom hée placed all his felicitie till that Dionisius wakened him from his dumps wich this spéech My Lord said he how was it possible that these men should escape our hands we comming so néere and besetting the wood presently vpon the noyse and I maruel how the damâ—…zell could escape vnséen we hauing so néerely searched the wood throughout My Lord quoth hée either they haue some priuie Caue wherein they conuey themselues or I cannot thinke how they should so secretly depart not knowing that there was any at hand so rescue Osiris Thus hauing conferred and euery ones censure diuersly giuen Dionisius said My heart earnestly desireth to know how this is come to passe and to find that poore distressed mayden CHAP. III. How Sicanus son to the king of Persia the king and Queene of Hungaria the Prince of Sparta and the Lady Isabella arriued at Dionisius Court and how Parismus in a maske accoâ—…panied by Lord Remus and diuers other knights of Thessalia courted the Princesse Laurana and how she became enamoured of him WHen Dionisius and Parismus had visited Oristus and returned to the Court they heard the sound of most swéete according Musicke which maide Dionisius woonder but it was soone certified him that there was come to his Court diuerse Ladies of great account from forth of Hungaria and Sparta in great mirth and royaltie whom the Quéene had entertained not knowing what they were because they concealed themselues and that there were diuerse knights hunting in the Forrest of red Déere and intended that night to come to the Pallace which made Dionisius both admire what these newe come guests should bée and studie how to entertaine them on such a suddaine Therefore leauing Parismus to bee accompaned with others of his nobles hée gaue order for the entertaining that company of straungers When Parismus was alone he got himselfe to his Chamber and began to think that now there was such a companie of states that concealed themselues coÌ„ming to the court hée being so infortunate as not yet hauing made knowne his loue to Laurana some of them might become his riuall and make first sute vnto her and so be first accepted and hée disappointed of his chiefest felicitie therefore hée determined that euening to vse all possible meanes hée might to make knowne his affection hauing spent most part of the afternoone in these and such like mâ—…ditations hée was certified by Oristus thâ—… straunge knights were come to the Court and tâ—…t â—…ée knewe them to be Antenor the young King of Hungaria and the young Quéene the kings sonne of Sparâ—…a named Turnus and one young knight that concealed himselfe who séemed to be the greatest personage in the company and that the Ladies that came before â—…ere the Quéene of Hungaria Ladie Isabella sister to the Prince of Sparta and with them diuerse Ladies of account which made Parismus muse what that vnknowne knight should bée and began to bée iealous of that which as yet hée had no likelihood himselfe to obtaine Being thus troubled in minde hée resolued that night by a maske to honour Dionisius his guests thereby to winne occasion if it might possible be to court his mistâ—…esse Therefore hée willed Oristus to make some of the young Nobles of the Court acquainted with his intent and so to certifie Dionisius that hée was scarce well and desired to kéepe his Chamber which when Dionisius heard hée desired Oliuia to sée that he wanted nothing for hée was the onely guest hée estéemed The Quéene comming to Parismus Chamber to visit him founde him very busie with the other knights about their maske who
was by her kind and modest answere so much comforted that hee resolued no miserie or calamitie whatsoeuer should alter his affection Laurana on the other side whose minde was neuer before in thraldome began now to bee so farre lied in the bonds of friendship good liking to Parismus that she was altogether vnwilling to leaue his coÌ„pany by this time the rest of the maskers hauing ended their speeches the sound of the musick made them remember their third measure which being ended Parismus kissing the Princesse hand with a heauy sigh left her in the place where he found her and being ready to depart Dionisius comming vnto them said Most courteous Knights I know not what entertainement to giue you for that you are to me vnknown but request this at your hands that you take a banquet my daughter hath prouided which words caused Parismus to bee willing vnto because it was the Princesse doing whose presence was the sweet preseruatiue of his life Your Maiestie answered Parismus maketh vs so kinde a proffer that wee cannot beeing bound at your command deny your request so vnmasking himselfe hee came with great reuerence to Dionisius who knowing him imbracing him said hee was glad he had no worse sicknesse then that and that he was much indebted vnto him for honouring his Courts with his pastime So saluting all the company the Knight that concealed himselfe suddenly departed the presence vpon occasion as shall heereafter bee declared All the assembly greatly commended Parismus being much delighted to behold his vertuous behauiour and was indeed worthy to be accounted the Prince of curtesie The Queene then told him she had beene his secret counsell keeper and he humbly kissing her hand thanked her and being come to the place where the banket was prouided Dionisius told them he would leaue them to be welcommed by the Queene and Laurana whilest â—…ent to accompany his other guests which Parismus was very glad of Laurania both who al this while had so furfeited with beholding his comly person that the deep impression of lone was now fully setled in her heart But Parismus not forgetting to salute that saint he serued with reuereÌ„ce kiss her thanking her that shee vouchsafed to take such paines to prepare entertainement for such vndeseruing guests vsing many others speeches which delighted her to heare and him to vtter that they were so farre delighted one in anothers company that it was death for them to part she not knowing that his loue was grounded vpon such firme resolue nor he thinking she would so kindely accept his proffred seruice During the time of the banquet a simple iudging eie might discerne their loue by their lookes that all the company began to déeme that which afterwards proued true Euery one with kinde salutations being parted to their seuerall lodgings Parismus told Oristus what kind and vndeserued fauour hee had receiued at Lauranaes hands which Oristus was very glad of the very recitall whereof affected the Princes heart with an exceeding ioy Laurana making all the haste she could to be rid from the company of Isabella and other Ladies that accompanied her because her heart was desirous to meditate of her loue went into her chamber where being alone much troubled in her thoughts she votered these speeches How happy am I to bee thus disquieted with the sight of Parismus not knowing whether his words proceed of custome or affection I that was earst at liberty am now become captiue to mine owne affections and inthralled to a stranger What of that peraduenture he is in the same mind I am neither haue I any cause to doubt but that his words proceed from the good will he beareth me and that the intent of his comming to my Fathers court was onely for my sake as he saith might I be happily assured of the truth of these doubts then would my disquiet mind rest highly contented and vntill that time I shall but spend my time in endles care and heauines if these words proceeded from the depth of true meaning then will he stil prosecute the suit heee hath begun neither haue I any cause to suspect his honorable meaning Well I will content my selfe so well as I can and séeke some meanes whereby to be assured and rid my pensiue heart of these doubts Earely the next morning she called Leda vnto her saying that she had a secret to impart vnto her that did concerue her life and honour and therefore willed her to be secret telling her all that had passed betwixt Parismus and her and how that vnlesse she might be certaine of his intent she should but consume her selfe with care CHAP. IIII. How Parismus by meanes of Leda Laurananes waiting-maide came to the speech of the princesse and how they met in an Arbour in the garden And how Sicanus described the loue betwixt Parismus and the princesse Laurana and fearing to be disappointed declared the cause of his comming to the King and what ensued thereon DIonisius was earely vp as his custome was to visit his guestes and busie in entertaining them with all roialty that might bee Parismus being as busie in his minde more then any knewe got himselfe into the Garden vnder the windowe of Lauranaes lodging beeing frustrated of all other hope to see his beloued where he had not long walked but was soone espied of Laurana who beeing delighted with his sight called Leda and willed her to make some excuse into the Garden where hee was walking to see it his comming into that place were for her sake or no. Leda therefore taking a faire cloath in her hand went into the Garden as if shee entended to gather some hearbes and had not seene him When shee came neere the place where hee was sitting vnder an open Arbour in deepe study hauing a sight of her hee suddenly started and knowing her to bee the seruant to Laurana kindly saluted her saying faire Damosell quoth hee if I bee not deceiued you are attendant on the Princesse Laurana Sir answered Leda I am I pray you saith hee how fareth your Mistris for I am in doubt our last nights â—…cise disquieted her which if I knew I wold not hereafter attempt such boldnesse Indeed quoth Leda I know not but I heard my Lady much commend the Prince of Bohemia to be a gallant Knight and that she was much beholding vnto him and vsed many gracious words in his commendation Do you not quoth he know Parismus if you saw him no sir said Leda I am the man said he and thou bringest me that comfort by reporting that my mistris thinketh well of mee as if thou hadst saued my life I am to entreat a fauour at thy hands which if thou grant I shal rest bound vnto thee for the same My Lord said Leda I humbly desire you to command me and I will both faithfully and secretly accomplish your request Then this is my request quoth he that thou wouldest commend me vnto thy Lady and deliuer
protestations procéeding from his vnfained affection that Laurana being wounded with his intreaties could not chuse but accept of his loue vttering these speeches My Lord for that I am perswaded of the constancy of your loue and for that you vouchsafe to profer such kindnesse to me that haue not deserued the same I will manifest that which rather I should conceale for that you may suppose my yéelding so soone might proceed of light bred affection but my Lord I assure you that at such time as I sawe you comming first into this Court my heart was then suprised procured as I thinke by the Destinies that euer since I haue vowed to rest yours assured to commaund so that you way pretend my wrong and therefore committing all that is mine to giue into your handes I here giue you affurance of truth and true constant loue Thus they spent the night in kinde salutations and curteous imbracings to the vnspeakeable ioy and comfort of them both Leda all this while walking about the gardens and carefully looking about her espied a light in Oliuiaes Chamber whereof shee gaue those two Louers intelligence Parismus thought that newes vnwelcome whereby being compelled to depart which was done with much heauinesse Parismus desired to know when shee would vouchsafe him her presence againe which shee told him should be at his appointment for that she now was his to dispose of so with many a sweet embracing they parted Laurana going into her chamber said in that she had so soone lost his companie and could not tell what misfortune might befall him and glad in heart to recount and think of his passed promise Parismus quickly got ouer the wal and was soone safely come to his chamber where he recounted to Oristus his happy successe in loue asking his counsell how hee might procure Dionisius good liking to effect the mariage betwixt them which first he thought to motion himselfe then he thought that Dionisius would not like thereof without the consent of his father first had and also might blame Laurana of vndutifulnesse if he knew it were with her priuity Againe he thought it best to send Oristus into Bohemia to giue his father knowledge thereof and to entreat him to send Embassadors to that effect Contrarily he thought that in the meane time some other of greater birth then himselfe might demand her in marriage of the King and so haue the first grant though he were sufficiently assured that Laurana should neuer yeelde her consent Being in this perplexity he could not resolue vpon any thing but walking in the garden to ease his heart with some recreation he met the King with him were the King of Hungaria the Prince of Sparta and Sicanus sonne to the King of Persia though vnknown The King for the more honourable entertainment of his guests made one most royall banquet for all in general the Quéen a gallant traine of beautifull Ladies were there likewise which was not a custome amongst the rest it fell so out that Parismus was seated right opposite to the Princesse Laurana which agreed to his hearts desire wherby he had meanes to satisfie himselfe with beholding that inestimable Iewell which as farre excelled all the rest of the Ladies as the Sunne doth the Moone or white his contrary who with such comely modesty behaued her self that her looke did rightly resemble a countenance ful of mild vertuous pitty able to rauish a multitude being also not a little glad that she had occasion to bestowe a kind looke on her Parismus Sicanus more narrowly marked Lauranaes behauiour then any other because his comming was onely to request her in marriage of her father and though both the young Princes were very circumspect yet Sicanus curious eye found or at lest suspected that there was some loue betwixt them which they full little thought of hauing their hearts busied with more pleasant meditations and euer after that Sicanus inwardly malised Parismus in his heart Dinner being ended the Knights spent some part of the afternoone in dauncing when being ended euery man betooke himselfe to what exercise liked him best Dionisius and Lord Remus accompanied the Princesse Laurana and the Lady Isabella to their lodgings which made Sicanus to fret inwardly to thinke that Parismus his onely enemy as he thought had gotten such possession in Lauranaes loue which might debarre him of his wished hope Parismus séeing Lord Remus talking to Isabella saluted Laurana with these speeches My deare Lady although I confesse my selfe farre vnworthy that kindnesse you haue already granted me yet I humbly request one farther fauour at your hands which is that you would vouchsafe to meet me tomorrow night in that happy place where I receiued the first assurance of your comfortable kindnesse for my passions are so extreame that my life would perish were it not onely maintained by enioying your loue where I would impart a secret to you that now I haue no time to vtter My Lord said Laurana you need not vse such intreaties to her that is not vnwilling neither hath she power to deny your request The Queen comming into the place where they were caused Parismus with a heauy sigh to depart and Lord Remus with him betwixt whom there began a firme league of friendship Now Lord Remus beare great affection to the Lady Isabella and had oftentimes solicited his suit vnto her which she in a manner yeelded vnto which made Parismus the rather chuse him for his companion by kéeping him company to haue the oftner accesse vnto Laurana The King of Hungaria the Prince of Sparta and Sicanus were walked into the Garden where they were encountred by the king vnto whom the king of Hungaria began to declare how that the Prince of Sparta and himselfe had a matter to treate with his Maiestie if hee would vouchsafe them audience from the mighty King of Persia who hauing a great desire to be allyed to him and hauing hard manifold reports of the vertuous Laurana had sent them to intreat a marriage betwixt her and Sicanus his sonne and heire of Persia who was there present with them though vntill this time vnwilling to make himselfe known Dionisius most kindly embraced him telling him that he thought himselfe much honoured with his company and that since it pleased his father to treat of alliance betwixt them he would giue his consent willingly so that he would first get his daughters good will whom he would not willingly match contrary to her liking promising to vse his commandement vnto her for performance thereof For which Sicanus thanked him Thus hauing spent the day in this and such like talke supper was ready which being ended they betooke themselues to their lodgings CHAP. V. How Dionisius sent for Laurana and declared to her the cause of Sicanus comming which she sought occasion to make knowne to Parismus and how she gaue him assurance of her loue EArely in the morning Dionisius sent a messenger to will Laurana to come to him
Laurana maruelling at her Fathers suddaine sending for her suspected that hee had heard some newes of her loue to Parismus otherwise she could not tell what the cause might be but making her selfe ready presently came to him hauing reuerently done her duty he vsed these speeches vnto her Laurana my chiefest care is to sée thee married according to thy state which hath made me send for thee to know whether that thou hast already placed thy affection or no otherwise there is come into this Country a King of great estate and honourable parts sonne and heire to the King of Persia who concealed himself vntil yesterninght in whose behalfe the king of Hungaria and the Prince of Sparta are come from his Father to craue thee in marriage Now if thou canst fancy him thou shalt highly honour thy self haue an honourable husband and reioice my heart to see thee so well matched before my death which will come very shortly I haue giuen my consent so it be with thy liking for so dearely I loue thee that I would as well haue thy fancy pleased as mine owne minde satisfied therefore let me know thy minde Laurana answered My deare Lord and Father I humbly thanke you for the manifold benefits receiued by your fauour being yet at libertie from all knowing it my dutie to haue your consent before I would presume to match my selfe trusting that I shall so place my affections as shall be agréeable to your pleasure Well do so then said her father and this was the cause I sent for you Laurana departed with a heauie heart wishing that the time of Parismus comming were at hand that she might impart this newes vnto him which grieâ—…d her and she knewe would not please him resoluing with her selfe neuer to giue consent After dinner Laurana by the commaundement of Oliuia the Quéene accompanied the Ladie Isabella by meanes whereof Sicanus had occasion to court her whome hée found of so milde behauiour and yet so farre differing from his minde that hée saw no likelihood of attaining her loue His importunate demaunds which he builded vpon her fathers promise and his owne hope of assurance she answered so wisely and curteously that his loue thereby encreased but his hope was no whit augmented that séeing such a vertuous resolution or in maner absolute deniall to his sute he was perswaded Parismus was the onely man that hindered his loue which the rather vexed him because hée sawe his vertues of euery man commended and himselfe by the beauty of his excelent gifts disgraced that euer after he sought all meanes he could to worke his harme And fearing that he should be frustrated of his expectation began very narrowly to prie into the behauiour of Laurana towards Parismus that they coulde at no time talke if hée were in companie but would still bée attentiue to their spéeches nor seldome were they at any time togither but hée would be in their companie dissembling a countenance of great frindship to Parismus hauing tha greater occasion to crosse their loues because of the motion hée had made to Dionisius and of the kings spéech to Laurana In this sort he continued his iealous behauiour yet farre from the least hope of procuring Lauranas fauour The wished time of these two Princesse appointed méeting being come Parismus secretly leaping the wall which parted him from his delight â—…ound Leda all alone attending his comming and asking her where her mistresse was she told him shée staied in her chamber for him which she thought to be the fittest place for their priuate conference for that she was now fully assured of his honourable meaning so directing him the way he quickely found Laurana who was come to the staites head to meete him whom he kindly saluted and she as louingly welcomed him spending their time in sweet gréetings but farre from any thought of vnchastenesse their imbracings beeing grounded vpon the most vertuous conditions that might be and sitting together vpon the beddes side Laurana taking Parismus by the hand the teares standing in her eies told him all the speeches her father had vsed vnto her and of Sicanus loue repeating to him all that had passed betwixt them which extreamely gréeued Parismus to heare not that hee doubted her change but for that hee was thereby disappointed of the first grant from Dionisius whom he was fully perswaded would haue giuen his consent Deare Lady said Parismus since these mischances are vnfortunately happened I know not how to remedy them but it resteth only in your power either by granting him loue and so to destroy me or still continue your sauorable kindnesse towards me and thereby purchase displeasure of your parents which would be more greeuous vnto me then death My Lord replied Laurana you néede not vse these speeches or any way trouble your mind for I promise and protest that the losse or displeasure of my friends nor any other misery or torment whatsoeuer shall make me any way infringe that promise I haue made to you for your loue is more dearer vnto me then my life but I desire you to tell me how I may any way worke your content and I will doe it More shee would haue spoken but the Christall teares that fell from her eies and extreame hearts sorrow to sée Parismus so sad stopt her speech who likewise was drawn into such admiratioÌ„ to think of her kindnesse that he could vse no words to comfort her but with his chéeke wiped away the wet teares that bedeawed her face and bestowed swéet kisses on her corall couloured lips At last he said Deare Laurana deare Laurana I would desire you not to thinke that I any way cal your loyalty in question but vsed those spéeches only to assure you that whatsoeuer pleaseth you I count my greatest blisse but since you vouchsafe to grant me that fauour to be content to endure your Parents displeasure for my sake that am vnworthy of that kindnesse I will heereafter so fully rest at your command to doe whatsoeuer lieth in my small power that you shall say Parismus is not vnwilling though vnable to be sufficiently thaÌ„kful Thus thinking too much of their stole time speÌ„t about those vnpleasant newes they began to vse words of more comfort which were such as porceeded from the kindest friendship that might be For so pleasantly swéet were their louely ioies and true hearted meanings that it far surpassed the admirable kindnes of Louers but might be tearmed the true substance of perfect pleasure wherein these two harmelesse soules continued the greatest part of the night with such ioy that had Sicanus who most enuied Parismus séene and beheld them he would neuer haue attempted to part such knide friendship Now the dismall houre of their parting being approached by reason of the light that the Sunne began to giue vnto the Chamber Parismus taking Laurana in his armes drawing sweete breath from her lippes told her that now to his griefe he most leaue her to be courted by
in whereby the Uirgin left off her speech bringing in with them good store of money which they had taken from honest passengers Parismus lying very weake yet marked wel their behauiour which made him maruell that men could be so inhumane as by their owne reports they seemed to be wishing himselfe with Laurana who he thought would accuse him of disloialty or that hee made choise of some other if shee did not so misdoubt him then the sorrow he thought she endured for his losse which might some way come to her knowledge so galled him to the heart that his inward passions would not suffer his outward physicke to doe him any good and the continual care he was in did much hinder his health being likewise as much tormented with remembrance of the grant that Dionisius had made to Sicanus concerning the marriage twixt him and Laurana who he thought might now be inforced to yeelde her consent when she was out of hope of recouering him this griefe farre exceeded all the rest that all the whole company began to note his sorrow for he was scarce able to containe himselfe within the bounds of reason In these perplerities he continued by the space of three months in all which time he could not fully recouer his health Where we will leaue him to speake of Dionisius who by tract of time hauing somewhat mittigated the remembrance of Parismus want most of his Knights being departed home into Bohemia Oristus onely excepted who by no meanes could be drawne to leaue Thessaly because there he had lost his Lord began to conferre about the marriage of Laurana being often importuned by Sicanus who caused the King of Hungaria and the Prince of Sparta to be earnest solliciters in his behalfe at whose instance Dionisius promised to giue them answere the next day therefore sending for Laurana he demanded of her how shee fancied Lord Sicanus who was a most honourable Gentleman and one euery way worthy to be beloued telling her that he had giuen his sul cōsent and therefore it stood not with her vertue to séeme strange or shew her selfe vndutifull Laurana hearing her fathers speeches being much amazed stood still and gaue no answer a good space at last kneeling downe shee began in this sort I most humbly intreat your Maiesty to vouchsafe to heare my words with patience and not to impute any thing I shall desire at your highnesse hands to vndutifulnesse I cannot as yet fancy the Prince though I confesse my selfe farre vnworthy the honour you proffer me but haue presumed vpon your fauourable promise not to marry me to any without my liking to fuse the offer Sicanus maketh for that my fancy perswaded me he shall bring some sorrow to your highnesse and al the rest of this Court and Countrey as also for that I am vnwilling to this with my better but would intreate your maiesty if your highnesse will needs haue me marry rather to bestow mee on some honourable Gentleman of my degree but most of all my desire is to continue this my happy life wherein I entend with your gracious liking to spend the length of my daies Dionisius wondring to heare her answer began to waxe somewhat angry with her and told her that it was his pleasure shee should marry with him and he would haue it so My deare Lord and Father quoth shée because I am yours wholly to dispose of I humbly craue that I may haue a monthes respite to aduise my selfe and then I will accomplish your demand which he granted and so left her Laurana being alone began to weigh in what estate she was and how to auoid this iniurie the should doe to her selfe for her honourable promise past to Parismus and to him for his loue that she determined rather to destroy her selfe then yéeld to marry him whom she accounted her deare loues enemy and with this resolution went to her lodging Sicanus the next morning attended Dionisius answer who told him that his daughter had giuen her consent vpon condition he would grant her a months respite to consider of her duty therein wherewithall he was highly contented being now fully assured as he thought of his desire and began more boldly to visit Laurana who little esteemed his friendship though he vsed her kindly but farre from any shew of loue to the intent to breed no suspition in him of that shee intended CHAP. VII How Sicanus treason was discouered who suddainly fled into his Country and how Diomsius departed towards Bohemia vnknown to any in the disguise of a Palmer and what sorrow Oliuia the Queene made for his absence who created Lord Remus Regent in the Kings absence WHilest these things were acting it happened contrary to Sicanus expectation who now thought all things so buried in forgetfulnesse that his treachery could by no meanes be reuealed that the Tarrrians which murthered Parismus beganne to contend about the money Sicanus had giuen them in so much that one of them strooke the other such a blow on the head that he had wel-néere slaine him and would haue strucke him againe but that by chance Oristus comming by reprooued the other that had strooke his fellow and defended him that was already wounded from further harme and diuers other of Dionisius knights comming together they conueied him that was hurt into a Chamber and the other was carried before the king to be examined vpon what occasion hee did strike him who answered Diomsius that he would not be examined of any but his owne Prince which made Dionisius the more earnest to know the cause therefore willed Lord Remus to intreat Sicanus to come vnto him to end a doubt which none but he could decide Sicanus maruelling what the cause should be immediatly came but seeing one of the Tartarians that he had hired to murther Parismus standing before the King began to feare according to the guiltinesse of his conscience that his treason was bewraied notwithstanding he demanded why he had so wounded his fellow the villaine being amazed to see his master so ready to examine him and not rather to excuse him could not readily tell what to say but in that little respit of deliberation he answered that he had done him wrong that was the cause he had strooke him which words he vttered with great feare staring vpon Sicanus as if he should haue instructed him what to say Dionisius noting Sicanus countenance the villaines answer whom Sicanus would examine no further began to misdoubt some former mischiefe had bred this contention commanded the other Tartarian that was wounded to be brought before him who feeling himselfe almost past estate of life confest the cause why thy fell out and how that they had the money of Sicanus for murthering Parismus whose want was procured by their meanes Sicanus standing by and hearing his speech suddenly drew his dagger and stabbed him before he could vtter any more of his treachery Which so amazed all the company that a good
of Thessaly aliue and therefore assuredly thought hee was dead which so inwardly tormented her that shee gaue her selfe onely to mourning not giuing her minde one minutes respit of quiet in which estate for a time we will leaue her CHAP. VIII How Parismus in Palmers weedes found meanes to see the Princesse vnto whom he would not discouer himselfe hearing of Donisius absence and what befell to Dionisius in Bohemia AFter that Parismus had well recouered himselfe being able to walke vppe and downe hee was desirous to heare some newes from Dionisius Court but coulde not deuise how to bring the same to effect but thus fortunately it fell out those outlawes were so farre in loue with him that they with one consent intreated him that hée would vouchsafe to continue among them and be their captaine for that they were without a guide and thought so well of him as that aboue all men they were desirous he would bée the man which hée beganne to refuse alleaging that hée being a stranger in that countrey and vnacquainted with their customes was altogether vnfit vsing many reasons as excuses but considering with himselfe that it might much auaile him to his purpose at their intreaties was contented and so behaued himselfe that within a very short time his worde and counsaile was an Oracle amongest them and by his wisedome hée kept them from dooing much harme and yet seemed in their fancie to further them greatly Oftentimes hée was in mind to go make himselfe knowne at the court and so enioy his mistresse sight which grieued him to want but being diuersly minded at last this was his resolution he fitted himselfe on a day in Palmers wéedes and disguised himselfe so artificially that by hiâ—… disguise and long sicknesse which had somewhat altered his complextion none could any way know him telling the Out-lawes that he was determined to sée the Court which he had heard was so famous and that he would returne at night When hée was somewhat néere the Cittie hée might sée vppon a plaine hard by great preparation for war which made him much maruaile at last comming to the Kings Pallace he got himselfe vnto the place where Laurana euery morning vsually at her comming from Chappell gaue her almes and put himselfe amongst the rest of the Palmers and being taller then any of them he was much noted of many when the princesse came to giue her almes being in mourning attire shée called them all vnto her and beganne to demaund of whence they were what Countries they had trauailed and whether they had heard any newes of Dionisius the King who was missing or whether they heard any in their trauaile speake of the dead bodie of the Prince which by chance might be found being murthered by Sicanus of Persia which wordes she vttered with such sorrow that the teares ran abundantly downe her chéekes Parismus being rauished with the sight of his precious Iewell and séeing her wéeping for his losse and withall hearing from her mouth that heanie newes of Dionisius want could not though he striued to the vttermost of his power refraine from letting fall a few teares which Laurana perceiuing and viewing him withall began to feele a suddaine alteration in all her parts that shee was not in quiet till she had found meanes to commune with him and giuing all the rest their almes they departed but to him she would giue nothing to the intent hee should stay but hee seeing the rest gone was departing with them till Leda being by her Mistresse commaunded called him backe whom hee very well knewe and being returned Laurana demaunded of him what was the cause that he wept when hee heard her speake of Dionisius losse and Parismus death Parismus sayde Most vertuous Ladie I wept not to heare Parismus named but to heare of Dionisius losse for Parismus I knowe is at this present liuing and in good estate of health with whom I had some talke within these three weekes in the Countrey of Salmatia which was the cause of my comming hither being sent by him vnto a Ladie in this Court whom I know not how to speake withall nor will not name to any Laurana hearing the Palmers words blushed exceedingly and withall intreated him to tell out his newes for that it might be she was the partie Lord Parismus meant for I am Laurana quoth she whom Parismus did thinke well of with that she wept againe Parismus knéeling downe saide then to your Highnesse I will do my message for vnto you I was sent Lord Parismus growing into some good liking of me and hauing receiued my oath to be his faithfull messenger willed me to giue your highnesse this Iewel whereby you should be assured he was liuing but constrained to absent himselfe for causes that hereafter hée will let you vnderstand hée desired you to let him though vnworthy enioy but the least of your vertuous promises and he shal euer hereafter account himselfe to haue receiued his life and libertie from you Laurana séeing the Iewell which shée well knewe to bée the same shée had before giuen him and hearing the Palmer credible report that hée was in perfect health and beeing fully assured of the truth of that message by the certaine and firme protestation of the most Noble Parismus himselfe in the disguise of a Palmer shee was so surprised with ioy that she could not refraine from kissing the iewell saying welcome swéete token from a faithfull friend and calling Leda vnto her told her the newes the Palmer had brought reioycing with such vertuous kindnesse that Parismus thought himselfe the happpyest man liuing to enioy the loue of so vertuous a Lady Laurana comming to him tolde him that she was so much bound vnto him for bringing her those happie newes that she did not know which way sufficiently to recompence him for his paines and were it not quoth shée but that I stand in some doubt hereof as being too good to be true I should rest in such happy content by thy newes that no aduersitie whatsoeuer should cause my sorrow but onely his absence though my fathers losse doth neeerely concerne my happinesse The Palmer vsed such proâ—… stations that Laurana could not chuse but beléeue him as also by reason of the Iewel which she knew she had giuen Parismus So taking a Iewell from forth her bosome she gaue the same to him which he willingly receiued and kissing her hand departed When he was out of sight hée began to meditate of the vertues of Laurana and therein tooke such felicitie that before he was aware hée met with Oristus who had bene walking solitarily abrode in such heauinesse that it would haue caused any to pittie him Parismus séeing him was in minde to haue reuealed himselfe vnto him onely but being passed by him hée could not chuse but turne and looke after him his minde was touched with such kindnesse but the remembrance of Dionisius losse did so much grieue him that wasting the time with those
thoughts vnawares in a heauie dumpe hee was suddenly arriued at the Caue where hee was kindly welcommed of the Out-lawes who vsed such commendation of the Court as it liked them to heare and tolde vnto them how the king was missing and no man could tell what was become of him and that he thought there was some preparation for warres by the mustring of souldiers that he saw before the Citie When he was alone he beganne to condemne himselfe of hard heartednesse that seeing the most vertuous Lady liuing to mourne for his losse yet he being safe and in her sight would not make himselfe knowne to her thereby to rid her from her griefe but yet his comfort was great on the other side that he sawe her loue so firme being past all hope of euer seeing him againe that hee accounted himselfe farre vnworthy the fauour she shewed him growing so farre in admiration of her constancie that no thought was pleasant but the remembrance of her loue Dionisius as before is saide hauing met with many of his Knightes that went in search of him was almost through remembrance of the sorrow he knew would arise by his absence altered from his former determination yet remembring Parismus murther which he knew could not chuse but come to the knowledge of his old friend the King of Bohemia whereby his honour might be called in question of which he was iealous he therefore resolutely determined to trauel thither and hauing iourneyed many dayes he arriued in Bohemia where lighting into company with anancient Palmer of that Countrey he enquired of him what were the newes at the Bohemians court who taking Dionisius to be but a Palmer tolde him that the newes was chiefely of the Prince Parismus who being in the Court of Dionisius King of Thessaly was there murthered or by some other treason destroyed but by whom or how it was not knowne by meanes whereof there was such heauy lamentation in that Countrey and especially in the Court that he thought the like had neuer bene heard of in any place Which report caused Dionisius to greeue excéedingly and was so much tormented in minde that hee resoulued there to bide vnknowne to any vntill he sawe how the King of Bohemia would digest this griefe and also to heare the generall report would be giuen of him for that he did not reuenge the death of the Prince on Sicanus when he had him in Thessaly as also to sée the entent of these stratagems hauing good store of money and Iewels he gate him a lodging in an auncient Burgomaisters house where for his money hée was kindly vsed His wanted costome was euery day to goe to the Kings house where he heard nothing to comfort him withall but sawe the King his olde friend in most heauy plight for his sonnes death all the ioy hée had was that he heard all men notwithstanding the death of their Prince report very honourably of him that hée continued as hée thought secure being not knowne or of any suspected to be the man hee was but at the last thus contrarily it happened The Burgomaster hauing diligently marked the behauiour of his guest found him farre differing from all other Palmers in person and quallities and besides séeing the dayly charge hée was at began to suspect him hauing such store of coyne to maintaine that charge that when Dionisius went to his lodging hee would listen at his Chamber doore to heare his spéeches and marke his behauiour where he oftentimes heard Dionisius bewayling his estate in most heauie plaints naming himselfe and oftentimes naming Parismus and on a time declared the same to a Noble man of the Kings Court who comming secretly to the Burgomaisters house and hauing marked the Palmers behauiour did suspect him to be some spye apprehended him and caused him to be cast in prison without any examination which made Dionisius to wonder fearing lest he should be known but yet he thought thâ—…t could not be therefore with patience he endured this imprisonment where hée continued in the most vildest place amongst roagues and rascals being exempt from the cleare light of the Sunne to comfort him withall by the space of some sixe daies by reason that the noble man which laide him there was gone about affairs of his owne but at his returne he certified the King of such a suspicious person that he had found Wherefore Dionisius was sent for who being examined told the king that the occasion of his comming into that Countrey was to no ill intent but if it liked him to heare him priuately he would declare vnto him the whole intent of his comming The King hearing his spéeches commaunded all to depart wherevppon Dionisius disclosed himselfe The King of Bohemia knowing him being amazed at his straunge disguise suddenly caught him in his armes and embraced him with great kindnesse Dionisius discouered vnto him the heauie lâ—…sse of Parismus and his owne sudden departure out of Thessalie requesting him that he would ioyne with him aganst Sicanus to reuenge the death of so noble a Prince which the Bohemian King most willingly yéelded vnto so with many other spéeches that passed betwixt them let vs leaue Dionisius to be entertained by the King of Bohemia CHAP. IX How the King of Persia at his sonnes intreatie brought a mighty army of Persians into Thessalie and how Lord Remus slew a multitude of them at their landing And how Parismus wanne Horse and armour from a Knight of Persia. AS sâ—…ne as Sicanus was returned into Persia hée fully resolued either to obtaine Laurana in marriage or waste Thessaly with continuall warre wherefore hée came vnto his Father and told him that being in Dionisius Court hée was accused by two periured villaines for the death of Parismus sonne to the King of Bohemia whereupon Dionisius hauing before promised him his daughter both denied her vnto him and also had he not escaped by flight he had bene slaine in the presence of Dionisius with thrée of his Knights that were slaine in his rescue and knéeling downe most humbly intreated his Father to grant him a bande of Persians to reuenge the disgrace and wrong hée had receiued The King of Persia by his countenance bewrayed the inward fire of the heart that without giuing any consideration to the truth of his sonnes report he presently vowed to redresse those wrongs or else bring perpetuall infamie to his posteritie and to that effect commaunded a mightie armie to be made in a readinesse which was so innumerable hauing called all his contributories together that it was the mightiest hoste that euer went out of Persia and also prouided a mightie nauie of ships which being soone in a readinesse they with all the haste that might be hauing winde and weather at will hoysed saile and made for the Countrey of Thessaly A poore Fisherman of Thessaly that was abroad at sea hauing espied such a mightie nauie of ships with al speed brought word to the Court to Oliuia the Queene
my sake such torments doth endâ—…re As hath or will soone bring his life to 〈◊〉 Parismus hearing the contents of this heauenly Harmony and knowing the voice to be the vertuous Laueranes was so contentedly pleased with the same that his spirits were drawn into a diuine contemplation of her perfections wherein hee continued a great space at length when hee heard that swéet delighting Harmony to cease he cast vp his eye to the windowe to see if hee could haue a sight of his beloued through the Glasse weereof he was disappointed by reason the candle was suddainly extinct which draue him into sundry cogitations how hee might giue any instance vnto her of his being there but sawe no possible meanes being a thousand times in minde to knocke at the staires doore that came into that garden from which hee was discouraged by as many contrary doubtes least hee should putte herin some suddaine feare by such vnwoonted noyce Againe hee knewe not who might bee in her companie which might be a meanes to bring her name in question if hee should be seene there Whilest hee continued in these doubtfull thoughts the night was farre spent the cleere day beganne to appeare which draue him into another studie which way to get out of that place again for he was loth to linger there all the next day and so by misfortune be discouered At last being driuen to take any shifte for currant he got to the top of the backe wall which incompassed the Pallace and thought that was the best way to escape without suspition for if hée hadde attempted to haue gone backe by the same way hée came in hée could by no meanes haue escaped vnespyed so aduenturously leaping from the hight of the wall by great misfortune the same being farr heigher then he thought he had a most grieuous fall and by the noice thereof awaked two mightie fierce Mastyffes which were vsually kept for to defend that place wherein a Rich Cittizen continually layed great store of Warre and Marchâ—…dize which no sooner espyed him fallen downe but they ran vpon him with open mouth the Dogges in Thessalie being so strong and fierce by Nature that they feare not to encounter with the mightiest Lyons which draue Parismus to his vttermost shifts hauing no weapon to defend himselfe withall but a little pocket dagger drewe backe vnto the corner of the wall by which meanes the Dogge could not come behinde him that with ease hée slewe them both and hauing espied this daunger being bitten in diuers places before he could kill them he knocked at the marchants doore thinking to make some excuse to passe by that way through which hée must néedes goe for there was no other way for him to get out the Marchants Daughter hearing one knocke looked out at the windowe and taking Parismus for another came running downe to the doore and kindely taking him in locked the doore againe and being in the darke entrie clasping her tender armes about his necke Swéete Friende quoth shée how could you escape the danger of the Dogges that you aduentured to come in on this side of the House but as I wonder so I am gladde you haue escaped them and most louingly kissed him an hundreth times Parismus maruelled much at this great kindenesse and willingly dissembled as if hée had bene the man shee tooke him to be for her tender and kinde empracings were sufficient enticements to procure his consent That night shée had appointed a young Gentleman vnto whome she bore affection without the consent of her Parents to come vnto her and with the ioy of his comming she made no doubt how hee could come in on that side which caused him to vse the like kinde Salutation to her reioycing in his minde to sée how suddainely hee was fallen into such a sweete labyrinth of Loue hauing so lately escaped a mischiefe The Marchaunts Daughter thinking verilie it had bene her accustomed Louing Friende vsed all courteous and most kinde welcomes that might be with wonderfull protestations other Loue being such indeed as proceeded from deepe grounded affection which made Parismus vse the like courteous imbracings and thankfull gratulations finding by her speeches and by many other likelyhoods that shee was none of the â—…sest but might be of better parentage then he tooke her to be which somewhat inticed his minde to a wandring delight in her kindnesse that he determined with her to taste what loue was By that time they had continued their kindnesse a good space shée desired him to come vp into her Chamber whether shée ledde him in the darke the poore soule hauing no other intent but chast and vertuous and nothing suspecting him to be a stranger which Parismus well perceiued by her behauiour Assoone as they were come thither shée kindely desired him to sit down on the beddes side whilest shée went to light a candle as well to be delighted with beholding his person as otherwise Shée was no sooner gone but Parismus secretly stepped to the doore with purpuse to behold if her beautie and person were agréeable to her other conditions and sawe her to be a most gallant and beautifull Damosell which sight so inticed his mind that assoone as shée was comming to him with the candle hée blewe the same out and tolde her that a light fitted not at that time for it might be a meanes to bewray their secret méeting which shee allowed for a sufficient excuse wherewith Parismus béeganne to entertaine her with such kinde dalliance as earst hée neuer tasted she kindly reprouing his behauiour yet had no power to resist at which time to both their delights he depriued her of the Iewell she was vnwilling to losse but with his pithy perswasions yeelded vnto he vsing such a sweete attractiue vertue as was able to conquere the chastest Parismus reaped such sweete content from this Uirgins pure delightfull bodie that he was altogether vnwilling to leaue her pleasant imbracings but at last remembring his estate told her that he would work such meanes for sauegard of her honour as she should wel like of she poore soule with weeping eyes and heartie sighes badde him adiue Kindly kissing at the parting he gaue her a rich Iewell which he desired her to were for his sake and tooke from her finger a King which he promised he would euerlastingly weare as her fauour Assoone as he was forth of doores comes the appointed louer who hauing staied somewhat long feared some displeasure but yet knockt which made Violetta for so was she called open the doore againe maruelling that he should be so soone returned but hee at his comming saluted her with a fresh salutation and kissed her excusing himselfe for his long tariance which draue her into such a perplexitie that shee could not tel what to say nor what to think at last she said what need you vse such excuses when you were so lately with me Deare Loue quoth he account you it so lately when I protest
worke both his owne and Lauranaes contentment and to that purpose on a certaine time walking very solitarily in the Kings garden studying how to moue his Fathers good will to this match in thâ—… middest of his dumps hee was encountred by the Princessâ—… Laurana who only attended by Leda was come downe also into the Garden to take the ayre who awaking Parismus froâ—… his dumps with a courteous gréeting vttered these speeches My déere Parismus quoth she may I be so bold as beare yoâ—… company in this your solitarines or would you but vouchsafe to impart the cause of your sadnes vnto me that I might bee partaker of your sorrow then should you soone perceiue that whatsoeuer can procure your disquiet shall likewise purchase my discontent Parismus most reuerently taking her by the hand said Most vertuous Lady I acknowledge my selfe so farre bound vnto you for many worthy fauoures vndeseruedly bestowed vpon mee that I know not which way to yeelde you sufficient thankes for the least of them much lesse to requite them and if I should deny to fulfill your request heerein vnto whom I am perpetually bound I should shew my selfe altogether void of manners Therefore know most vertuous Lady that my supposed discontentment was a pleasant and delightfull meditation And calling to remembrance your manifold vertues and vndeserued fauourable assurance you haue giuen me of your affection that I was now determining to speake to the King my Father to request a consummation of our happinesse at the King you Fathers hands so it stand with your good liking My Lord said Laurana I wholly commit the matter to your wisdome whom I am bound to obey by the choise I haue made of you to be my Lord and Husband therefore I desire you to vse that prerogatiue ouer me that by right belongeth vnto you In these and such like kind conferences they continued talking in the Garden to both their vnspeakable ioies being so vnited in the bondes of perfect amitie that it was impossible to remoue their setled friendship But Dinner time beeing come they departed to their seuerall waies being both highly contentented with the others faithfull promise Parismus no sooner found opportunity but hee made his loue to Laurana knowne to his Father who was glad of his sonnes vertuous choise and promised him to motion the same to Dionisius which he presently did by this occasion As hee was walking alone hee was encountred by Dionisius and Oliuia the Queene not accompanied by any and hauing kindely saluted each other Dionisius beganne to talke of the worthinesse of Parismus and telling him that he estéemed him the most fortunate man liuing to be the father of so vertuous a child enting so farre into commendation of him that the King of Bohemia thought he could haue no fitter time to motion the marriage then that and therefore answered My Lord I thanke you for entring into such good liking of my Sonne whom I cannot discommend for that he hath well deserued honor but I haue an humble sute vnto you and the Queene heere present in his behalfe which if you will vouchsafe to grant both he and I shall be bound vnto you for the same Dionisius and Oliuia earnestly requested him to manifest the same My Sonne saith hee intreated me to request your honourable fauour to contract a marriage betwixt him and your most vertuous Daughter vnto whom hee hath wholly dedicated his affections that I am now become an humble sutorin his behalfe Dionisius and the Quéene hearing his request were so exceeding glad thereof beeing the onely thing they desired that taking the King of Bohomia by the hand they told him they were highly contentedit should be so Thus al things falling out to their contentments they parted for that time Dionisius the next day assembled al his counsell and noble men together and there meÌ„tioned the contract vnto them who most willingly consented therto by meanes whereof the newes of this marriage was soone published that it came to the hearing of Sicanus who being inraged with griefe and shame abandoned the company of all Knights and in short time grew to such a desperate conceit of his impaired honour that with griefe thereof hee died which brought some heauinesse to the King of Persia and the rest but his death was soone forgotten for that his Father estéemed him not worthy the name and estimation of a King and had lately growne into great dislike of him and altogether fauoured the next Sonne Lennilus who farre excelled his brother Sicanus in vertuous qualitie The solemnization of Parismus marriage was appointed to beginne within forty daies to the vnspeakeable ioy of Thessalie but especally of the two yong Princes in which time Dionisius sent messengers to inuite thither many Kinges and Potentates by meanes wherof the Fame of these nuptialls was spred in most places of the world and many hundreth Knights determined to méete there to doe honour to Dionisius whose vertues by report had bene made knowne vnto them To this marriage came the famous Emperour of Constantinoble with many other worthy knights The Emperours sonne of Greece named Siches with many valiant Knights Prolomie the kings sonne of Egypt the King of Frize famous for Chiualry and the most famous Champion of the world Guido of Thrace with many others too tedious to rehearse who all vpon the appointed day were royally entertained by Dionisius Parismus and Laurana were with all solemnitie brought vnto the Temple of Diana where their rites were performed with admirable pompe the Bridegroome being accompanied with aboue eight Kings and the Bride being led by two Emperours and attended by Quéenes and many Ladies of great account the rites and solemnities being performed with such dignitie that it excelled the statelinesse of Hecuba Quéene of Troy Thus all things being ended for that day the night approched most part whereof was spent in Maskes and many other courtly pastimes néedlesse to rehearse and at last the bride was conducted to her Bride-chamber by the Quéene of Hungaria and the Quéene of Sparta Where we leaue her to her excéeding content to entertaine her beloued Parismus who behaued himselfe so kindly thatnight that Lauranaes fortresse of virginitie was battered downe and hée had the scaling of that sweete Fort and spotlesse puritie and of a vertuous virgine she became a chaste wife and that night hée made her the happie mother of a goodly boye as shall hereafter be declared Dionisius for the more royall entertainment of the States there assembled caused a most stately Tilt to be erected on a goodly gréene before the Pallace gate the stages being most cunningly made by expert workemen and proclaimed a Tryumphe to be made there for seuen dayes against all commers The first dayes tryumph the Prince of Sparta and his knights helde as chiefe Challengers who appeared before the whole assembly of States who were seated vpon the Scaffoldes in such royall manner that the glorie of them séemed to excell the stately
who hauing knowledge thereof immediately went vnto the Prince who vsed such intreaty that although very vnwillingly he yéelded to his request and comming backe told his daughter to what effect he was sent for which shee was glad of though outwardly shee made a shew of vnwillingnesse Pollipus hauing vnderstood the cause why Parismus sent for her Father Parismus louing him so dearely that he would not conceale any thing from him reuealed vnto Parismus the loue that he bare to Violetta who promised to further him in what he could by this time the banquet was ended and the King departed to the Pallace with great ioy and excéeing triumph and soone tooke order to haue Violetta sent for but her father séeing the messenges come began to take such sorrow for their departure that it would haue melted a heart of stéele into teares to heare his complaints that the messengers pittying the sorrowes olde Andrugio made returned without her which draue Pollipus to such an extasie of desperate sorrow that he seemed altogether impatient to endure want but seeing on another furtherāce to his loue he oftē repaired to old Andrugios house and manifested his sute vnto her who vsed him most kindly but still delayed his sute with such excuses that hee was thereby further intrapped in the snares of loue and yet nothing the neerer of obtaining his sute At last it was concluded betwixt Parismus and him that Parismus should accompany him in some disguise and make himselfe knowne to none but Violetta thereby the sooner to procure her good liking to Pollipus which shee was the more willing to doe for that he thought vpon manifesting himselfe vnto her she would not denie Pollipus request and therefore finding a conuenient time they went to olde Andrugeos house where they were kindely vsed of Andrugio and his Daughter Violetta who welcommed these more kindly then euer shee had done Pollipus comming alone beeing thereunto drawne by an inward forwardnesse which she felt contrary to her former disposition where they had not long continued but Parismus found opportunity to greet Violetta in this sort Faire damosell quoth he I am come vnto you an humble petitioner in the behalfe of my friend Pollipus whose loue is such and so feruent towards your selfe that vnlesse you pitty him yeeld some comsort to his care you will be the death of the worthiest knight liuing therefore I desire you that I may be the happy Oracle to declare vnto him his happy Fortune pronounced from your sacred lips Violetta all this while stood as one amazed feeling such an excéeding throbbing at her heart that shee could not well tell what to answer at last being touched with remembring of his loue that had reapt the fruits of her virginitie she replied in this sort Gentle knight quoth she I would not willingly be any mans death if I could otherwise choose but to grant to this sute I cannot without doing another as great wrong as might be for so it is I haue already placed my affections and haue already vowed neuer to alter them whilst life doth last in me Which sodaine and resolute reply of hers Parismus much commended yet vsed many perswasions in the behalfe of Pollipus and began to demaund of her to whom she had vowed her loue vsing many intreaties that at last she said it was but a folly to aske the question for that she was resolutely determined not to declare who it was Said Parismus what would you say if I name the man wherewith Violetta blushed exceedingly and Parismus puld out of his bosome the scarfe which she had before giuen him Quoth he behold in this scarfe your self haue set down a description of your loues first comming vnto you which was the Prince of Bohemia himselfe vnto whom you presented this who leaping downe the Pallace wall slew your Fathers dogges and what kindnesse he receiued at your hands your selfe know best and since it is impossible to obtaine any recompence at his hands being wedded to the Princesse Laurana let Pollipus who in Chiualry is inferiour to none be the man that shal possesse the second roome in your good liking Violetta hearing him make so true a rehearsall of her aduenture so affirme by many reasons that it was Parismus was strooken with such a sudden feare and shame to sée her secrets disclosed that she was ready to swound with grief and knéeling down with the teares standing in her eies began to intreate him not to reueale the same to any for she was fully resolued not to loue any but him although it were Parismus and although it were impossible to attaine any fauouror recōpence at his hands I wil not quoth he reueale it to any for none but Parismus knoweth thereof who is heere present with thee wherewith hee most louingly tooke her in his armes and kissed her shee yet beeing in some doubt that it was not he vntill at the last Parismus made himselfe knowne vnto her and by such priuate tokens as she both certainely and assuredly knew that it was hee which so reioyced her heart that she most humbly vpon her knees intreated him to pardon her boldnesse and vowed neuer to loue any but himselfe which protestation so grieued him that he began to perswade her not to wrong her selfe so much for that hee was no way to breake his Wedlocke vowes to pleasure her My déere Lord quoth she if I had a thousand liues and euery life tenne thousand times dearer then this my life I would most willingly spend them in meditating on the first fruits of your kind nesse towards me Hee séeing her firme resolue could not tell what other meanes or perswasions to vse to alter her stedfast resolution but passing some time with her in that priuat talk till he saw Pollipus expected with heauie sighes his happy or vnhappy newes therefore he departed and came vnto him telling him that there was some hope of obtaining her loue vpon which comfortable spéech Pollipus still earnestly proscecuted his sute vnto Violetta who hearing that Parismus was departing towards his owne Countrey determined to aduenture her life credit to goe with him and therefore fitted her selfe in Pages Apparell which so well became her that she seemed to be the most excellentest workmanship that euer Nature had framed her sute being gréen Satten her buskings of the finest Spanish Lether fastned to her dainty legge with Christal buttons her haire wreathed with a carnation Ribbin and all things else so neate and decent vpon her delicate body that she was most comely to view and behold and so in this changeable sort apparalled shee secretly stole away from her Fathers house and soone gate to the Pallace where although there were a generall search made by Andrugios means who soone mist her and the report of her losse came to Parismus hearing yet she was not in that habite any way suspected where she continued many daies together in which time she laboured by al meanes to be
knéeling told her that he had prouided her dinner if shée pleased to tast thereof which she willingly consented vnto began consideratly to recall her former sences but yet so inwaidly sorrowfull as it was a rare vertue in her so suddenly to ouermaister her intemperate grief yet still remaine so â—…ul of griefe that the very substaÌ„ce of her sences was perfect sorrow By this time the pirats had safely landed their ships in the Iland where their maisâ—…er Andramart was which was incompassed with such mightie rocks of stoÌ„e that it was impossible but only one way in which way a few were of power safficient to keepe out a whole armie of men and soone they coÌ„ueied Laurana Leda to the castle where they presented her with such iewels as they had with her to Andramart who being a maÌ„ of a most proud and hautie disposition and maiestically seated in an imperiall seat was so rauished at the first view of Lauranaes bewty that he stood aduisedly beholding her at last he came to her to haue imbrast her tender bodie in his rough arms but she abhorring him thrust him froÌ„ her with a disdainful scorne â—…herewith hâ—… began to fawn vpoÌ„ her like as a dog wil do on his master whé he hath bin newly beateÌ„ and began to make shewes to them of great welcome and kindly brought theÌ„ to stately and gorgeous chambers most richly furnished and seene all thinges néedefull were therepresented vnto her by such women as were in the Castle Laurana séeing her selfe thus kindely vsed and not euil intreated was therewith somewhat comforted and vsed her selfe according to the condition of the time and place and kindly accepted all their courtesies but the loue which Andramart made vnto her séemed so hatefull in her eyes that it was worse vnto her then a thousaÌ„d deaths to endure his sight The night being come and after they had Supped being serued in most stately maner and with most costly and delicate cates she with Leda her maide who lodged with her betooke themselues to their rest where she could by no meanes giue one minutes respit to her sorrowes by sléepe but vttered most heauie playnts and lamentations bewayling the losse of her déer Lord that the verie walles séemed to groue forth the Ecchoes of her complaints in which sort she coÌ„tinued most part of the night Early the next morning she was saluted by Andramart who could giue his minde no rest nor quiet but in her company and his loue was so excéeding towardes her that hee could not doe any thing that was offensiue vnto her In this miserable kinde of happie estate Laurana continued by the space of a moneth in which time shée had knowledge of a number of prisoners that this tyrant kept within the castle by the grieuous cryes they made some for want of foode some with paines of tortures that hee inflicted vpon them being himselfe hated of all men and therefore hee hated all mankinde but such whose minds accorded to his wickednesse Lauerana in this time vsed her selfe so that shee still deferred his importunat sute and had him so tied in the snares of loue that what she commaunded he could presently execute but so odioue was his loue vnto her heauie hart that shee was oftentimes ready to swound with the remembrance thereâ—… but still by the counsell of Leda she helde it the best course to keepe themselues in his fauour vntill they could by some meanes escape out of his cruell hands where we will leaue poore Lauarana in this comfortlesse place amongest rude and vnciuill people by night and by day her musicke being the dismall noise of pittiful cries of poore prisoners and clogd with lothsome loue of Andramart without hope how to escape from that miserable place of bondage where you may iudge the sorrow she endured was such as no tongue is able to expresse CHAP. XX. The miserable trauell Parismus endured in the desolate Iland and how he was succoured by Antiochus and afterwards how they were imprisoned in the Inchanted Castle by the Inchantresse Bellona PArismus trauelled many daies along the coasts of the desolate Iland their food being wilde fruite that grewe vpon trees and their drinke the cleare fountaine water their lodging the hard and cold earth in which trauell they beheld many goodly auncient townes but altogether vnpeopled the houses being for the most part stored with many rich and costly ornaments which caused these two knights greatly to maruell and desired to know the cause thereof and remembring what the Pirates had tolde them that in a stately Castle scituate in the midst of the Countrey it was likely there were some that inhabited they determined next to trauell thither for they saw no hope how to get from that Iland being growne very weake by reason of their faint foode and hard lodging which trauell poore Adonius most willingly endured thinking all paine a pleasure in his masters company vnto whom hee behaued himselfe with such tender care that Parismus would oftentimes extol and commend him to Pollipus For when Parismus at any time slept he would couer his face with his thinnest garment made a pillow of the rest for his head oftentimes driue from his mind many heauy thoughts by his sweet songs that Parismus thought hee could neuer haue endured that tedious iourney with patience if Adonius had bin absent These worthy knights hauing continued a long while in this their solitary walk tooke their iourney by gesse towards the midst of the country in which trauel they continued some 3. weeks in which time they were often in danger of drowing by reason of many deceitfull quicksands and often like to be famisht for want of sustenaÌ„ce and often in danger to be deuoured by wild beasts that were abundaÌ„tly in this country yet neuertheles they were nothing the neerer their wished expectation At last Parismus Pollipus beguÌ„ vtterly to dispaire of euer accomplishing the means of getting from that vnfrequeÌ„ted place and they trauelled all a day and a night ouer a mighty plain wher there was neither water to stanche their thirst nor fruit to asswage their hunger Early in the morning they espied a mighty wood where they thought although there were no other comfort yet there they should find fruit but being come thither their expectation was frustrated for there was nothing but thorns briers and so sâ—…ick that they could by no means enter the same that there they surely expected nought but famishment And Parismus what with extremity of hunger and grief for the losse of Laurana and lastly for Pollipus Adonius sake sate him down vnder a mighty oake with a heauie hart vttered these plaints How vnfortunate am I aboue all men to be driuen to this exigent of miserable calamity that by my ill fortune haue betraid the most chast vertuous beautiful Lady liuing into the hands of tyrants to her endlesse griefe by my means haue brought these my friends in
restrained from her mistresses presence which was an insupportable gréefe to her Next she caused young Parismenos with his Nurse to be kept from his Mothers knowledge and such things as Laurana had before enioyed for her vse were now quiet kept from her and her diet scanted being serued of such as ill agréed with her stomacke Laurana seeing her selfe thus vsed began to feare some harder measure which very shortly fell out true for Adamasia longing to execute her crueltie vpon the vertuous Ladie came vnto her and asking whether as yet she would condiscend to yeeld her loue to Andramart for said she it is now no dallying for I will either purchase his content by thy consent or work thy sorrow Laurana would make her no answere at all but with silence heard her talke raile stamp and rage in such extreame sort that she thought she wold with fury at that instant haue run mad for Lauranas silence inraged her more then the sharpest answere she could haue giueÌ„ would haue done that in an extreame rage she lockt the chaÌ„ber doore depated presently deuising how to torment her And choosing vnto her two olde women fitte to execute any euill action hauing instructed them what they should doe sent them to her where they were no sooner come but they behelde her sitting vpon the ground hauing elected the darkest place in the chamber as fitting to her mournfull disposition with her chéekes besmeared with old dryed teares and fresh drops resembling the purest christall pearles ready to fal leaning her arme vpon her knée and her head vpon her hand her haire being carelesly attired and al her ornaments so diffusedly hanging but yet so delightfull to beholde that the old hagges could not deuise how to find any occasion to execute their intent but were so abashed at her countenance that they were oftentimes in minde to returne without once offering to trouble her Laurana séeing theÌ„ stand gazing vpon her rose from the place where she sate and demanded what they would haue whom they answered not but shée suspecting that they were sent by Adamasia for no good intent beganne to vtter these spéeches Feare not quoth shée to execute the wil of her that sent you who séeketh for that at my hands shée shal neuer obtaine it is not all the torment shée can deuise shall cause me alter my vow for I am resolutely determined to endure them death too if it be her will to giue it me Cruell fortune hath wrought my sorrow inflicted greater punishment vpon me then she caâ—… deuise by the losse of my deere Lord husband whom I know not what fortune keepeth thus long from redéeming his poore Laurana nor into what place of the world he is wandred in search of mee that in all this time I can heare no tydings of his happy arriuall But why doe I wish his comming hither when there is no meanes to escape death if he once fall into the hands of these tyrants Worthy and vertuous Lord all happinesse attend his royal person and shield him from harme all woe sorrow belong to me Come furies come eâ—…ecute your will or returne to the cruel Beldam that sent you and tell her that Laurana scorneth to entreat any fauour at her hand Shee had no sooner ended her spéeches but they began to bestrip her delicate body disrobed her of all her ornaments sauing her white smocke which they vnfolded downe to her tender waste and scourged her with whipâ—… vntill the pure purple blood began to trickle downe her precious body which torment she indured so patiently as it was a most rare vertue in her so quietly to enduce griefe in defence of her honour And hauing executed their crueltie in most extreame sort left her alone who couered her bleeding bodie which was such a lamentable spectacle to beholde that had Andramart seene her distressed estate hée would haue runne mad with extreame furie and gaue her selfe to continuall sorrow expecting more hard vsage for she knew vnlesse she would yeeld her bodie to be imbraced by the hatefull Andramart shée should endure many other torments which shée would not in any wise yeelde vnto though shee endured ten thousand deaths The next day comes to her againe Adamasia whose countenance bewrayed the guiltinesse of her conscience demaunded whether as yet shee would giue answere to her demaunde Laurana was so inwardly tormented to heare any more motions that tended the breach of her loyaltie that she would not indure the thought thereof and knowing that this wicked fury would continue a long circumstance of odious perswasions she interrupted her with this answere Wicked woman quoth she thinkest thou by thy cruell vsage to purchase my dishonour No were I so intended for thy sake would I reuoke my disposition and tell the tyrant Andramart that he shall sooner see my body torne into a thousand peeces by his detested crueltie then yeeld to his beastly desire Execute thy rage and practise all the diuellish deuises thy hatefull heart can inuent they shall no whit feare me for thy tamned selfe thy hearse voyce and abhominable sute are as deadly poysons to my Sences and the thought of them so odious that doe what thou canst I will neuer condiscend to the least thought of graunting thy request therefore trouble me no more with thy serpentlike hissing forth of Hellish protestations for my soule hath vowed in despite of all the cruelties and vttermost deuises of detested tyrannie to giue thee no other answer Proud disdainefull trull quoth Adamasia I sée thou art willing to worke thine owne sorrow being some stragling mate or base borne huswife that art not worthy the loue of Andramart and thinkest to esape my hands by thy resolute replies and denials No know foolish contemner of thine owne good that nothing shall satisfie me but thy consent which thou wilt yeeld I feare me when it will bee too late The downefull of thy selfe thy sonne and al that is thine shall not appease my furie but thy consent to loue Andramart and since thou wilt by no intreaties bée perswaded all this and more will I inflict vpon thy proud heart that so wilfully denyest his request and therefore either speedily yeelde thy vnworthy fancy to attend his liking or resolue to behold the tragedy of thy infant With which words she departed and left Laurana so terrified with her speeches that her senses were ouercome with feare and shee fared like one without sense but reuiuing her selfe from that heauy dumpe with aboundance of teares she bedewed her Crimson cheekes and in silent sorrow spent her time still expecting the heauy newes of Parismenos tragedy which within few daies the wicked tyrannous Adamasia effected in this sort She caused the nurse that kept Parismenos to bring him to his mother with this message that vnlesse shee would in all respects fulfill the request that Andramart hadde made she must presently destroy him before her face who hearing the nurse
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
for Violettas sake Where we wâ—… leaue him to speake of Parismus Parismus heart was opprest with such griefe for the losse of the vertuous Violetta and the abâ—…ence of his deare friend Pollipus that day nor night he could neither by sleepe or other recreation giue any ease to his troubled head therefore he determined likewise to indure some trauell for their sakes that bâ—… suffered much miserie in his behalfe and when Laurana and hee were one night sweetly solacing themselues each in the others pleasant loue he tolde her his full intent desiring her not te be discontented therewith but to take his departure patiently Laurana hearing his spéeches was so ouercome with griefe that a flood of teares distilled from her precious eyes and twiâ—…ing her tender armes about his necks impressing a sweete kisse vpon his lips shee vttered these speeches Most noble Lord are you wearie of my company that you seeke to estraunge your selfe from mee by Trauell do you thinke I shal be able long to endure your absence well knowing how many dangers may hazard your person detaine your heauenly presence from my sight Thinke you that I can attaine anâ—… quiet without the fruition of your heauenly companie or euer suffer steepe to seize vpon my eyes while you are absent No sweet Lord with your departure all ioy and delight shall part from mee and neuer will I suffer any content to harbour in my brest Then most deare Loue which words shee vttered intermingled with a number of sweete kisses doe not leaue me in care doo not withhold my content doe not take away my sweetest delight but stay you still with mee and commaund your Knights to go in Violettas search who at the least beck will Post through the Worlde to doe you seruice and hazard not your person in strange Countreys nor amongst forâ—…aine enemies which may by somâ—… treachery worke your griefe my selfe wil here shrowd you from harm my armes shall inclose you from danger and my loue shall be the Forâ—… you shall conquer I will expell the sad remembrance of their losse with delightfull communication my selfe will rock your sences aseep with Musicke and my endeuours shall labor to purchase your content Then doo not séeke to leaue me comfortlesse to be waile your absence but makâ—… abode with me still and my loue shal shelter you from all perill Whicâ—… words being ended the ouerflowing of her Teares stopt the passage oâ—… her speech and sobbing foorth sighes she hung about his necke Parismus was exceedingly grieued to see her heauinesse that folding her precious bodie in his armes with a strict imbracing he laboured by delightfull Familiarities to expell her sadnesse which beeing somewhat mittigated he vttered these speeches Why deare Ladie what néede you make these complaintes considering you know nothing is so precious in my sight nor of so deere estimation with me as your sweet loue Or what neede you make spéech or take such feare of dangers when you see no cause of disquiet Why are you vnwilling that I shuld take a little paines for their sakes that wold haue haue many waies indangered their liues endured extream miserie for your sake How can I excuse my self of ingratitude to that courteous Knight Pollipus if whilest he passeth his time in sorrowfull care I should liue heere in ease not séeming to regard his miserie that would haue shunned no danger to procure my comfort How will all the Knights of the Cour esteeme of me but as of an ingratefull person if I shuld so much neglect the dutie of a Friend Then sweete Loue be not you the cause of my stay but let me obtaine your swéete consent and expell those confused cares that trouble your quiet for be you assured nothing can be more gréeuous vnto me then your discontent and nothing more pleasing then your accord the dangers accurrant to trauel are by wisedome easily auoided then be you assured that I will shun al hazard of mishap for your swéete sake and leaue you off to sorrow thus for that which you cannot with equitie contradict my stay shall not be long nor my iourney far then be you contented to vouchsafe your agréement and you shall thereby satisfie my content his speeches being ended with silence she gaue consent spending some time in sweet dalliance and in the ende â—…ell fast a sleepe Early in the morning Parismus with many swéet kisses took his leaue of Laurana who bedeawed her bed with a bundance of feares for his departure and falling into a déepe passion of feare she presently started vp arraying her selfe came downe into the court where Parismus was readie to take his horse running to him caught hold of him who maruelling thereat tooke her most louingly in his armes who was so far ouergon with griefe that shée could not speake a word but bestowing many swéete tear-wet kisses on her he left her amongst her maids and departed With him were Tellamor and Barzillus keeping company together some three dayes without aduenture at all at last they came to a goodly plaine whereinto a common beaten path conducted them vntill comming in the middest thereof there stooâ—… a brazen pillar from which parted three seuerall waies there they stayed deuising amongst themselues which of those wayes to take at last they concluded that each of them should take a seuerall way and solemnly taking theirleaues with kinde farewells they betooke each other to their good or bad fortunes CHAP. VII How Parismus called the knight of Fame woon the chiefe honor of the Tourney at the Court of the king of Thrace And hauing won Phylena the kings daughter was commaunded in a vision to giue her to Remulus PArismenos no otherwise known but by the name of the knight of Fame vnder which name he did passe till he came to the knowledge of his parents being as is before said in another Chapter coÌ„ueied by Amasenus to his castle sore wounded in the battel he had with Argalus and Thenudes was so carefully tended by the Dukes Phisitians that in a few daies they had brought him to his perfect remem brances and within short time after that to his perfect health which greatly reioyced the good old Duke who tooke great felicitie in his company for the many honourable parts he saw to abound in him And vpon a time in the presence of all his Court demaunded the cause of the combate betwéen him Argalus which he requested as well to knowe the truth thereof himselfe as to satisfie the suspitious mindes of many that inwardly maligned the discontented Knight vnto whom he declared the truth in manner as is before set downe saying This my lord is the truth of his misaduenture whom I neuer iniured but alwaies esteemed as my friends Amasenus was glad that no cause of discontent could be conceiued against him by any other of his Knights who enuied him because his noble gifts darkned their glories but yet his curteous and kind behauiour in
short time expelled that roncor and they that before were his enemies began to make good estimation of him his fame began to spread it selfe in most parts of Thrace and all that euer behelde him grew into admiration of his strength accōpanied with such bewtie as his youth yéelded that had they not knowne the contrarie by his prowesse they would haue taken him for some disguised La-Ly Whilest the knight of Fame remained in Amasenus court the King of Thrace appointed a generall triumph to be heldfor certaine daies the occasion whereof is this He had one onely daughter named Phylena whose beautie was inferiour to none and her gifts of nature were such as made her much spoken of in many countries insomuch that many knightes came as sutors to obtaine her loue but she had secretly betrothed her selfe to Remulus one of the knights of her fathers court without her parents consent by meanes of whose beautie the Court of Thrace was full of gallant knights that sought her lone that the King was much troubled in minde how to bestow her and séeing that she did not fancie one more than another he appointed a general triumph to be held for seuen daies and whosoeuer bare away the prize the last day shuld marry his daughter Intending thereby to ende his doubt and care that way thinking that though his daughter had not a rich and Princely husband yet shee should haue a valiant Champion to defend the price of her beautie Amongst the rest of the Knights there was Guido who had long time sued to obtayne her Loue who now reioyced at this Decrée hoping by his valor to beare away the Bride There was Trudamor of Candie who thought none equall to him in strength and therefore none more forward against the time of the appointed triumph There was Drio of Scicil who had sayled from his owne Countrey thither who likewise by his strength at seuerall times slue thrée Lyons who came with resolution to winne Phylena for his Wife And many other Knightes of high account The report of this great Triumph came to to the knowledge of the Knight of Fame whose minde was kindled with an earnest desire to goe thither that he requested Amasenus consent who being desirous any way to pleasure him gaue him sufficient Coyne to furnish him of all things fit for such an attempt Who caused a most rich Armour of gréene to be made shadowed with Trées of golde presenting a Forrest In his shielde he bare this deuise A naked man leading a Lyon with this Motto vnderneath Ouergone with Discontent Wherein the expert Artsman had so cunningly imitated his Fancie that a man by his Armour and shielde might easily vnderstand his meaning The appointed time of Triumphe drawing nigh Amasenus with a gallant troupe of Knightes amongst whome the Knight of Fame was chiefe came to the Thracian Court whome the King honourably receiued Amasenus hauing don homage to che King pitched his Tent without the Court-Gates vpon a little hill hard by the appointed place for Triumph where likewise hard by him were the Tents of Guido Trudamor Drio and the three valiant knightes of Candie Tristramus Tennulus and Babulus in whose companie were a number of valiant knights that came thither Some to make tryall of theyr valour and some of purpose to winne the faire Phylena Likewise there were the Tents of the young King of Arragon who came accompanied with a number of valiant knights hoping to beare away the Prize that all the Plains were filled with Tents There might you see knights breaking staues practising themselues against the day of Triumph Here might you see others recreating themselues in Martiall exercises there might you heare the Neighing of Horses clattering of Armour cracking of staues and such companies of Knights assembled as if the richest prize had bene appointed for reward Whilest these things were acting Phylena was in great care for Remulus whome she loued so dearely that rather then shee would part with him she would endure any misery whatsoeuer who likewise addressed himself to trie his Fortune amongst the test And the day before the Triumphe Phylena secretly getting opportunitie to speake with him gaue him this assurance of her constancie My deare Loue qd shee since my Father hath decréed this publicke Triumph for the bestowing of mee in Marriage because amongst so many Knightes as haue sought my Loue I haue Affianced my selfe to none of them but haue chosen you as the chiefest Load-starre of my life and Loue be you yet assured that though Fortune may allot me to be anothers by Conquest yet none but your selfe shall enioy my Loue and though another may challenge mee by right of my Fathers decree yet none but your selfe shall haue true interest in mee And rather then I will yeelde to like of any Knights loue but yours I will endure either death or any other torment shall be inflicted vpon mee for you are the Knight that shall conquer my Loue you haue by courtesie woonne my Loue and you shall weare it Nor King nor Knight shall robbe me of that which I haue giuen to you Then be not you discomforted or any way disquieted but trye your Fortune amongst the rest and Fate may happily allot you the Conquest as well as any other Remulus hearing his Ladyes constant Resolution was ouercome with exceeding ioy resoluing to aduenture as much as any to attayne the desired Conquest and Solacing himselfe so long as theyr stolne time would permitte in her companie beeing by necessitie compelled they parted The next Morning the King of Thrace accompanyed by a number of Personages of Estate brought foorth the beautifull and faire Ladie Phylena most richly adorned with costly Ornamentes wearing vpon her head a Crowne of golde attended by an hundreth Damzells clad in white and seated her on a Scaffolde in the open view of all the Knights there assembled whose harts were enamoured with the sweet attainte of her shining Beautie and theyr courages reuiued with the hope of so rich and precious a Prize Amongst the rest there was the Lorde Remulus whose heart was opprest with distrustfull care to see the Ladie hee most estemed and his secret protested loue set as a Prize to wring him from his possession yet comforted by her faithfull promise he tooke great felicitie to see that Beautie made famous which he made account to enioy The Knight of Thrace beganne the Triumph and the first that entred the Listes was Andreas who was at two Courses vnhorsed by Cleanthea who continued Conquerour by the ouerthrowe of manie Knightes vntill Bubulus one of the thrée Brethren of Candie with violence draue him from his horse and burst one of his ribbes Bubulus vnhorsed many Knightes afterwardes both of Thrace and other straunge Countreys and in the ende was vnhorsed himselfe by Remulus who behaued himselfe so valiantly in the sight of the Princes that by the foyle of many knights he ended that dayes Triumph to his exceeding honour resting
surrender to your 〈◊〉 to be reuoked or stablished Ppylena hearing his wordes with teares standing in her eyes made this replie Most curteous Knight howsoeuer I haue setled my fancie héeretofore that is nowe countermaunded by my fathers promise and your interest that I am not mine owne to dispose of but must in all humblenesse rest at your disposition And if any other had my promise of loue yet nowe I must reuoke that promise and labour to attend your liking therefore I wholely commit my selfe according to your right of conquest into your curteous hands Déere Lady quoth he knowe this that I account my selfe vnworthy of that honour and am vnwilling any way to contradict your will or disturbe you quiet but knowing that which you vnuertuously conceale will surrender my estate to the knight you most sancie for the honour I haue wonne shall be my suficient reward therefore I beséech you conceale no part of your minde from me for I will not deny to performe any thing you shall command but will hazaed both life and honour to satisfie your fancie and any way procure your content Phylena with a blushing countenance made this short replie Most noble knight Remulus is the knight I haue long esteemed but must now forsake him or purchase my parents discontent and denie you the right of your conquest The knight of Fame smiling at the inward conceit of his Uision made this answere And déere Lady I will yéelde my interest to Remulus onely to worke your conteÌ„t for he hath worthly deserued to be beloued of you besides the honour he hath done me notwithstanding I might be the onely man to hinder his content sheweth thé abuÌ„dant vertues that rule his heart He had not scarce ended those words but Remulus feeling his eares to glow thinking all time tedious out of his La. sight came into the gallery wher they were in Priuate conference but séeing them half repenting his intrusion would haue slept backe towards whome the Knight of Fame came leading the Princesse by the hand and contrary to Remulus expectation saide Curteous Knight your interest in this Ladly is greater then mine for you haue her heart and I but her hand which I surrender vnto you with al the state I can claime in her by right of conquest and so effectually will I deale with the King to your liking that hée shall confirme that to you which I should possesse by his graunt Remulus hearing his speeches was so reuiued with ioy that he could not tell what answere to make him and Phylenas heart lept within her being most glad fortune had affected that meanes for her to enioy her déere knight Remulus The Knight of Fame hauing his thoughts troubled with the remembrance of his trauels in search of his vnknowne Lady and willing to leaue them to their secret content with all courtesie after many spéeches past departed from them who tooke such felicitie in the assurance he had giuen them of obtaining the Kings consent that their ioy was without compare spending their time in swéete pleasant communicatioÌ„ Afterwards the knigh of Fame grew into great familiaritie with Remulus and the day for the solemnization of the wedding being come hée with Phylena in great pompe were conducted to the Chappell to be affianced togither where the Knight of Fame knéeling downe desired the King to grant him one request who sware by his Crowne and kingdome to grant it him whatsoeuer it were Most no ble king quoth he my humble desire is that you wold without further doubt ratifie that which I shal performe in the behalfe of the Princesse Thou shalt not be denied quoth the King Then the Knight of Fame rising vp tooke Phylena by the hand and gaue her to Remulus the King being astonished thereat yet remembring his oath said Since by right she is yours and this being with hir liking I giue her fréely to thée Remulus withall adopt thée mine heire with her after my death Remulus knéeling thankt his Maiestie and presently they were affianced together and the rightes and solemnitis of the wedding performed with admirable pompe to their ioy and the high honour of the knight of Fame CHAP. VIII I How Archas discouered Soranaes deceit and missing Uioletta slue her And how Uioletta lighted on a Hermites Cell who conducting her towards Bohemia died and of the miseries shee indured afterwards vntill shee was entertained at Panuamus Castle neare the Forrest of Arde. ARchas as before isdeclared in the fifth Chapter hauing coucht himselfe by Sorana whome hée supposed to haue bin Violetta â—…out speaking a word and hauing somewhile embraced her in his armes beganne his dalliance Whom Sorana so cunningly handled that notwithstanding his former familiarity hée perceiued nothing but that it was Violetta indéed At the first shee made a shew of a strangenesse but afterwards indured whatsoeuer he proffered with whoÌ„ he spent that night giuing no respite to sleepe but gréedily satisfying both their desires vn-the morning approching Archas according to his Mistrisse command departed and left his Paramour in his bedde his Fancie perswading him that shee was the most swéetest Ladie in the Worlde which so reioyced his heart that he spent that forenoon in much mirth but missing Sorana for that he had not séene her all that day he went to her chamber where being entred he saw some of Violettaes Attires and Ornaments confusedly cast about all things in such disorder that he could not tell what to thinke At last hee enquired of euery one for her but none could tell what was become of her vntill comming to the Gardiants they tolde him that Sorana went out of the Castle the last Night and that she had left with them his ring Archas seing the ring knowing that he had giuen it to none but Violetta was so inraged and astonished with doubt that he presently suspected Violetta was escapt and comming to the Chamber where she should haue bene softly drawing the Bed-curtaines found that Sorana had bene his bedfellow in stéede of Violetta who after her Pastime was fallen a sléepe Archas now perfectly knewe that Violetta was escaped in Soranaes Disguise and thought that it could not be but that she must be consented therevnto which caused him to fetch his sword determined to end her life but by that time he was returned shée wâ—…s awaked and seeing him comming towards her with his Sword bent to her Death being terrified therewith she gaue such shrikes as manie of the seruants hearing the noyse came ruÌ„ning into the chamber but he being incenst with excéeding rage for Violettaes losse and inwardly fretting at his deceyte with repentance that he had bestowed his Loue on that loathsome creature Who now séemed most vgly in-respect of the diuine and swéete Lady hee supposed he had embraced caught hold on her and by the haire of the head dragd her out of the Bed into the midst of the Chamber vttering these words Most detested strumpet couldst thou not
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
in the kings Court being growne into great familiarity with the Knight of Fame and desirous to make tryall of their valour against the Gyant departed likewise toward Lybia With the Knights that brought the dead bodie of Tyrides amongst whome was the King of Arragon named Archilacus Guydo of Thrace Trudamor of Candie Drio of Scicile and Tristamus one of the thrée brethren and within thrée dayes arriued in Lybia Where the King hearing of their intent and cause of comming entertained them most Roially The Knight of Fame remained in the Court of the King of Lybia some two dayes Where his entertainment was most courteous and honourable Which might haue drawne a resolute determination to haue taken delight therein But hée thought all time though entertained with all varieties of pleasure tedious All delicate fare and costly banquetting superfluons and all company wearisom hauing his cogitations opprest with care his minde filled meditating on his Ladies swéete Beautie and his heart thyrâ—…ing for reuenge of Tyrides death respect no pleasure nor affecting no delight but to find some knowledge of his vnkinde Mistrisse making preparation to besiege Brandamor and thirsting for honor secretly departed towards the Forrest of Arde Where he arriued most fortunately to preserue his Princely Fathers life though to him vnknowne as is declared in the former Chapter CHAP. XIII 〈◊〉 How Pollipus and Tellamor departed from Brandamors Castle to Uioletta and Clarina And how as they were againe returning backe with them they met with Brandamor whome they supposed had bene dead and of the arriuall of the King of Lybia in the Forrest of Arde. PArismus the Knight of Fame and all the rest being in Brandamors Castle began with good aduisement to determine what to doe and at last concluded because Parismus and Panuamus were grieuously Wounded and thereby not able to endure Trauell they should staye and with them the Knight of Fame to Guarde Venola Pollipus and Tellamor should depart towards Panuamus Castle who taking kinde Fare-wells of Parismus and the Knight of Fame betooke themselues to theyr Iourney towardes the place that harboured theyr chiefest delights Pollipus being drawne with an excéeding desire to sée his constant Ladie Violetta from whence hee had bene long time seuered and to recreate his Sences ouer-rulde with care in the swéete solace of her pleasant companie The remembrance of which delight filled his hart with excéeding affectionate content Tellamor likewise had taken such a surfet with beholding Clarinas swéete Beautie that no Physicke but her beauty could cure the same neither could a thousand perills detaine him from thence Which hopefull conceyte fedde his heart with inward delight that in these Meditations entermingled with pleasaunt communications they spent theyr time vntill they were come neare to the Castle Where within short time they arriued And dismounting themselues they came to the Porter Who knowing Tellamor admitted their entrance Being conducted in by some of the Seruants into the Hall and asking for the Ladie Clarina the Wayting-mayde tolde them that shée was in the Garden accompanied by Violetta offering to conduct them to the place Nay quoth Tellamor fare Damzells I pray let vs goe alone With that Pollipus and hée entred the Garden and espying where they were seated vpon a gréene Bancke in communication And pacing softly towards the place they sheltred themselues from their sight by a Rose-bush that was close by them and hearde theyr conferences which was this Violetta leaning sadly vpon her Elbowe her countenance bearing shew that a multitude of cares possest her hart and Clarina was seated a little distance off tearing and dismembring the swéet Flowers that she had carelesly cropt from theyr stalkes Violetta answering to some spéech that Clarina had before vttered saide Yea my misfortunes haue bene too extreame and such as I thinke no creature euer bid the like but my most vnhappy self Which now being ouerpast would soon be banisht froÌ„ my remébrance might I once enioy the sight of my déere knight Pollipus which hope hath bene the onely preseruer of my life Oh qd Clarina happy and ten times more then happie in my infancie are Ladies that are Wedded to such constant knights but I feare mee there are too many of the contrarie part But I wish my Brother and these two other courteous Knightes such good successe as to set him at libertie so that I might behold him whom you so highlie commend Yea qd Violetta that would be a happie day to mée but I greatlie misdoubt that will not suddainly come to passe and I haue bene so often crost in my desire that my doubtfull heart will not suffer mee to entertaine the least conceit of such felicitie Which saide the Teares in aboundance fell from her eyes Which caused Clarina to doo the like and wept for coâ—…anie Pollipus hearing Violettaes spéeches and seeing her Teares could no longer withholde himselfe but intreated Tellamor to discouer himselfe and comming towardes them both of them espying them at the first maruelled what they shuld be but Violetta knowing Tellamor thought the other had beene Barzillus Tellamor comming to Clarina gréeted her ruddie Lippes with a swéete kisse saying Most vertuous Ladie Wee bring you happie Newes of the safetie and releasement of your good Friendes and the death of Brandamor Violetta well noting the other Knightes Shielde had a mightie perswasion that by his Deuise â—…ee should be Pollipus Withall marking his Proportion her Heart sometimes fainted and sometimes a pale colour appeared Which straight was ouerspredde with a Rostate blush and such perplexities One while of Ioy and other while of sorrowe ouer-whelmed her heart that the â—…rinish salte teares ouer-flowed her Eyes and shée turned backe to Wipe them off thinking to haue concealed the same In which time Pollipus had vnbuckled his Helme and discouered himselfe Violetta hauing Wiped off the deaw of her Salte tearés lifting vp her head espied him Which sudden ioy fâ—…lled vp her sences that she fell into his arms not being able to vtter a word whilest he louingly embraced her reâ—…ining her sences with many swéete kisses Which done he said Welcome my swâ—…ete delight After so many cares let vs now bid â—…ue to griefe and forget sad mischances â—…y deare Knight quoth Violetta my Trauells are now conuerted to carefull quiet Reâ—…t and the conclusion of my miseries so swéete as all the Worldes ioyes cannot be compared therewith Since that I haue my déere Loue folded within the circuite of my Embrace since I enioy your Companie which I haue long time wanted since after my griefes I am possest with such delightfull felicitie Whose Pleasure may be compared to mine What delight may equall my contenâ—… My care is banisht to comfort Woe with Weale is controld Paine conquered by pleasure Ioy vnited with ioy and Pleasure with delight possesse my heart Which Words being ended she entertained him with such a swéete Labyrinth of kinde Welcomes that it would haue rauisht a discontented heart with surfetting
content to beholde the same Which ended Pollipus with great kindenesse saluted Clarina and hauing not yet satisfied his Fancie with ioy of Violettaes Welcome Sight and sweete presence he led her aside delighting in each others company with inexplicable content Which sorted to Tellamors desire Whose heart was inflamed with Louesburning fire that comming to Clarina with a submisse gesture tooke her by the precious bande saying Most vertuous Ladye How happie are those that enioy such content as these two louers embrace Which maketh mée estée me my selfe vnfortunate that haue not yet tasted those delights but haue bene tormented with Louers restles desire neither could I euer settle my Fancie to entertaine that diuine Deitie vntill I behelde your Beauty which hath tyed my heart in the strickt bands of Loues obseruance which hath seized my hart with vnwoonted Passions procured by the entire affections of my earnest deuotion to your perfections that I humblie sue to your courtesie for pittie to my cares beseeching you to conceiue aright of my meaning and to moderate my grifes with the sweet salue of your clemency I presume thus boldly to commit my passions to your remembrance procured by my restlesse desire to be acceptable in your sight I cannot beast of loyalty because hitherto you haue had no triall of my truth nor any cause to commend my desert because the want of meanes to be imploied hath kept me from performing any such duties but I protest and promise as much as any true heart dare affirme or the constantest friend may performe therefore I beseech you sweet Mistresse grant your seruant some fauour wherewith to comfort his poore heart which hath deuoted it selfe euerlastingly to your obedience Clarina hearing his speeches hauing before growne into some good liking of them and hauing some sparkes of infant loue kindled in her breast and beeing somewhat willing to yeeld to loues assault yet doubting his constancy made this answer Good seruant what further fauour doe you require then that which I haue already granted For such passions as you speake of I know not what they are and withall I thinke such sudden loue cannot proceed from any firme foundation neither could I wish you to make any such protestations or promises to mee that am neither worthy thereof nor expect any such beeing the ordinary speeches of light Louers with which I pray trouble not my quiet sences for it cannot pleasure you to disturbe my cogitation with loues vanities when you your selfe are farthest off from the least respect of loyalty therefore as I haue vouchsafed you the fauour which with modesty I can afford I pray râ—…st contented therewith I but deare Mistresse quoth hee loue which you terme vanity is of such power that it bringeth the free mindes subiects to her obedience who hath taken such full possession of my heart that no misery or torment can remoue the same then I beseech you impute not me to be one of them that entertaine loue of custome but let your clemencie conceiue a better opinion of my sute which is grounded vpon the firmest foundation of perfect loialty and though I confesse the fauour which you haue alrearie granted me is more then I haue deserued or euer shall be able to requite yet extend your courtesie so farre as to consider of my Affection that it may mooue your gentle heart to yéelde me Loue Foor otherwise I assure you my life without that will be but grieuous and my sorrowes so excéeding that in the ende you will repent the crueltie you vsed but I trust your Uertues will not containe such rigour but according to the courteous Pietie that aboundeth in your gentle heart you will yéelde my humble Request Which shall both shewe your pittie and binde mee to you in all bondes of perfect Constancie Clarina thus Answered him againe Well Seruant your requests pierce so déepe into my breast that I promise you this further fauour that according as I â—…de your deserts I will giue credite to your speeches and in the meane time take this comfort that none shall remgue my good liking from you vntill my selfe finde you false Tellamor hearing the sweete content of those Nectar-breathing Wordes ended the rest of his spéech vppen her Lippes Which Pollipus nor Violetta had no time to take notice of being themselues euery way delighted with as swéete content And afterwardes comming all together they went into the Castle delighting eache in others swéete companie especially Clarina began to conceiue such good liking of her seruant Tellamor that she tooke no other felicitie but onely in his sight Where Pollipus declared to Clarina their happy victory and how that it was Maderaes will she should depart with them to Brandamors Castle Which shee willingly yéelded vnto the rather thereby to enioy Tellamors companie and so the Night approching Pollipus and his sweet Violetta betooke themselues to their rest and Tellamor and Clarina to theyr seuerall lodgings Whose heartes wisht themselues the like happy content they knewe the other two should enioy iâ—… their Honour would haue permitted them Early the next Morning the departed towards the Forrest of Arde being accompanyed by twenty trustie Seruants belonging to Clarina passing away the time in many delightfull speeches Two of Clarinas Seruants by occasion stayd behinde the rest of their companie and as they were newly entred the Forrest they espyed the Gyant Brandamor crossing the way Which draue them into such feare that like men beâ—…traught of their Wits they fledde from him Brandamor séeing that pursued them vntill hee ouertooke one of them and slue him the other making the more haste ouertooke his Companie being so affrighted that for a good space he could not vtter his minde Which draue them all into an admiration Afterwards breathing he said that the Gyant Brandamor was aliue and had slaine one of his fellowes Pollipus hearing his spéeches Wondred whence they should procéede for that hée and all the rest thought the Gyant had beene drowned wherein they were deceyued for hee hauing receiued the Fall by the Kinght of Fame with much adoo scrambled out of the water which was not déepe enough to drench his huge bodie but giuing some credite to the Fellowes spéeches Pollipus and fiue or sixe of the seruants went backe with him and presently espied Brandamor bearing in his hand a strong young plant which he had pluckt vp by the root for his Weapon Who séeing Pollipus and his company knowing him would haue fledde but Pollipus ouertaking him beset him with such strickt besiege that notwithstanding he layd about him with his mighty staffe hée soone brought him to his subiection causing his Armes to be fast bound with cordes And in that sort they draue him before them vntil they arriued at his Castle Whither they were kindely welcommed by Parismus who reioiced to see Pollipus and Violetta so happily met againe And séeing Brandamor they all both maruelled how hée had escaped death and were glad they had him
how immoderaâ—…ely doe you gouerne your selfe to fall into 〈◊〉 extreames I 〈◊〉 my heart if I doe not repeâ—… that euer I â—…ke in hand to be an Aâ—…tor herein What haue you no more wisdome but so fondly to dote on a stragling Knight that cannot or at the least will not vnderstand your meaning taking a delight to see your torment for it is impossible but that hee should perceiue your loue towards him then be not so affectionate towards such a one as neither regardeth loue nor knoweth what belongeth to Courtly ciuility Peace peace quoth Venola either fill my eares with the sound of better words orelse hold thy tongue or I tell thee it is more odions vnto me then death to heare thee so much disgrace the Prince of courtesie for in him remaine all honourable parts whose presence is more deare vnto me then all the proffered seruices of the knights in the world and if thou canst comfort me no better then by these speeches keeps secret what thou knowest and hereafter thou shalt know no more of my minde For I imparted the same to thee thinking to haue comfort by thy counsell but thou contrarily addest care to my griefe Sweet Mistresse quoth shee I beseech you doe not conceiue so hardly of my meaning for I speake nothing but with intent to procure your good and rather will I teare my accursed tongue from foorth of my head then it shall vtter a word to displease you Then qd Venola 〈◊〉 againe counsell me what do too for thou séest how farre I am tyed in thâ—…nds of Loue to that worthy Knight that without some hope of comfort my 〈◊〉 wâ—…the excéeding and more then my poore heart will be able to iâ—…e This I thinke qd Flauia is the best to be done eyther doo it your selfe or let mee giue him knowledge of your loue and then you shall soone sée whether he will accept thereof or no. Doo so then qd Venola I commit all to thy discretion The Knight of Fame being departed to Venolaes chamber was as farre from conceiuing the cause of her Passion as hee was from the knowledge of all things and being walkt into a Garden alone by him selfe Flauia came to him 〈◊〉 hee kindely gréeted asking her how her Mistresse did Syr Knight quoth shée in the same case you left her and yet rather Worse the cause of whose disquiet is procured by no disease but by an extraordinarie 〈◊〉 which none but one can remedie Which I would willingly giue the partie knowledge of but that I knowe not whether hee will take the same kindely or no Else â—…ere hée much too blame q. he â—…or hâ—… 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 that would not pittie the distresse of so diuine a creature Gentle sir quoth she thus it is My Lady hath euer since the first sight of your person beene greatly tormented with loues passions which is the cause of her sicknesse which resteth onely in your power to salue The Knight of Fame hearing her speeches was so suddenly aâ—…nisht and therewith drawne into such cogitations that he stood a good while like one in a trance at last he said the harder is her happe and the worse my misfortue for I am vnworthy of such kindnesse and vnable to yeeld her recompence which words being spoken he turned himselfe from her being drawne into such a deepe meditation that hee regarded not nor scarce heard some words Flauia spake to him afterwards who thinking that he had of purpose contemned her departed in a monstrous rage and being alone by himselfe cogitating vpon these euents perceiued that her former kindnesse had proceeded from the same roote of affection greatly condemning himselfe of dulnes that could not before that conceiue the same wishing that he had departed with the Prince of Bohemia for that his fancy could by no meanes be drawne to the least good conceit of her loue for his heart was wholly imployed another way Then he beganne to call to remembrance the somniferous potion he had tasted by which meanes he was disappointed of Parismus companie reuoluing euery consideration and circumstance of the same and these Euents was in the ende fully perswaded that it was purposely done by Venola or some by her appointment to stay him there which thought was so fully grounded in his fancie that he assuredly perswaded himselfe that was the very truth and none else Which draue him into many studies how to rid himselfe from thence At last he determined to depart in secret and vnknowne to anie And with this resolution all that day he accompanied the rest of the Knights thereby to shun all occasions of hearing any further spéech of Venola Who hearing how scornefully he receiued Flauiaes Message Which Flauia had told her entred into such extream complaints against her hard fortune and shed such abundance of teares that the Bed whereon she lay was Watered therewith In which estate shee continued tormenting her selfe with extreame cares Early the next morning the knight without the knowledge of any departed clogged with such a chaos of confused cares as that he wisht the date of his wearie life subiect to so many crosses were expyred intending neuer to returne thithâ—…r whom Flauia soone mist The newes whereof shee conueyed to the hearing of Venola Who tooke the same se heauily so that many dayes shee continued as one likelyer to entertaine death then to suruiue Which draue her Parents into an extreame sadnesse From whome she still concealed the cause of her griefe In which estate for a while we will leaue her and the Knight of Fame onwards on his Iourney and Clarina in great carâ—… for the absence of Tellamor in the Forrest of Arde. CHAP. XV. I How the Knight of Fame arriued in Natolia And by what meanes hee found the Ladie he sawe in the Uision And of the Combat he fought with Collimus AFter the Knight of Fame was departed the King of Lybiaes Court to andyde the Loue of Venola hee trauelled many daies without any aduenture tyred with extreame care and desire to come to the knowledge of his Parents and to finde his deuoted â—…adie that when the Sunne was at the highâ—…t and by that meanes the season very hote hee alighted from his horse in a pleasant valley Where sitting vnder the shadow of a Chestnut-Tree he entred into this communication to himselfe What varieties of crosses do still prosecute my stéppes that I can in no place bee at quiet but am still troubled with that which I would not but cannot finds the thing I desire My Byrth-day was the beginning of my sorrowes Since which time nothing but Care and â—…ration hath befallen to my share Whereas I sée other Knights enioy theyr hearts content c. As â—…cerning my Parents they are so hidden from my knowledge as thaâ—… my selfe Trauelling to finde them Peraduanture goe rather a great waâ—…from them then to them For the Iland of Rockes from wâ—…nce I came and where I was brought vppe is very farre distant
Angelicas loue whereon his life depended and comming to him seeing him in talke with his daughter said Knight quoth he what maketh thee thus bold so farre to presume aboue thy desert to intrude thy selfe into my daughters company which thou knowest is contrarie to my decree Then taking Angelica by the arme hee thrust her from him commanding Collimus who was ready at hand to commit her to safe custody and vpon paine of death not to suffer any not so much as his Sonne Marcellus to come to her speech by whose meanes Collimus had tolde him the knight of Fame was brought into her companie Collimus hauing this charge which was his owne séeking immediately conueyed Angelica from their presence Who notwithstanding her Fathers presence and displeasure turned back and gaue the knight of Fame a kinde lâ—…ke at her departure Which he wel noted and therewith conceiued more ioy then he tooke griefe at Maximus vnkindnesse By this time Marcellus was come to his Father who cast such a displeasant countenance vppon him as that hee well perceyued hee was someway incenst against him Wherwith the King in a great rage departed not speaking a Word to him After he was gone Marcellus comming to the Knight of Fame whose hart was nipt with griefe and noting his sad countenance departed with him downe into the garden Where being come Marcellus saide as followeth Deare Friend qd hee for by other name I will neuer call you be not disquieted with my Fathers displeasure who giueth too much credite to vntrue reportes and that causeth him both to be offended with any that speaketh to my Sister and also suspicious of all that come into his owne company whereby he dishonoureth his owne name liueth a troublesom life and also kéepeth her as it were in Prison which I am sure can bréed no little tâ—…e care in brest Whose hard happe I hap much pittie and would any way ease if it lay in my power Most honourable Knight quoth he I am most heartely sorrie that my ouer-boldnes hath caused your fathers despleasure and that diuine Ladies disquiet which is more grieuous vnto me then death Which it was my accursed misfortune to procure beeing drawne to that presumption by attractiue beautie Wishing that I had some way ended this my accursed life before my approach in this place that thereby I might not haue beene so vnfortunate as to be a meanes of her care and your disquiet For that I see the King is displeased with you As for that take no care qd Marcellus nor be so much grieued for my Sister for these troubles will be soone calmed Which to effect let mee alone In the meane time whatsoeuer inward thoughtes you conceyue yet smoother your discontent and shew your self chéerfull as heretofore you haue bene for I perceiue that some of enuie hath incensed my Father the truth whereof I will finde out Marcellus hauing endured these spéeches left the Knight of Fame walking in the garden and presently without any shew or signe of discontent went into the presence where â—…ee found the King in companie of Camillus according to his woonted manner dooing his reuerence and taking his vsuall place The King maruelling how he durst so boldely presume into his presence without reconcilement thought that eyther want of duetie hadde procured the same or else hee did not perceiue hee was displeased with him to ease himselfe of which doubt he saide as followeth Marcellus I had thought your care would haue beene greater to regarde my good then any mans else considering you knowe the depth of my secrets as concerning Angelica on whose Beautie my life doeth depende and not so negligently and disobediently not onely to suffer that straunge Knight to proffer Loue to her but also bee a meanes to bring him into her sight and helpe him to her spéeche wherein you haue shewen your selfe vndutifull Which maketh me rather to suspect you as one ready to séeke my life then carefull to preserue the same My Lorde and Father replyed Marcellus I trust your Maiestie doe conceyue no such thought of mée Which haue in no degree deserued the same Much lesse euer in thought disagréed in the least poynt of dutie to your decrée Besides my Lord I doo assuredly belieue you are misinformed of the strange Knights meaning Whose intent is honorable and from the least thought of Loue to my Sister But there are some in credite with your Highnesse who disquiet you too much with their flatteries will rather reioyce to sée all things fall out according to their reports then be any way sorry to sée the same whose spéeches and false informations I trust shall not alter your good opinion of my loyaltie Whose constant loue duety obedience shall continue firme when their treacheries shal be reuealed and they found traytors therefore I beséeche your Highnes both alter your conceiued displeasure against me and the Knight of Fame of whom so honorable report hath bene spred in most places For it will be accounted an Acte of great discourtesie to vse him vnkindly Maximus hearing his Sonnes spéeches in accusation of them hee most fauoured and in defence of the Knight of Fame against whom he was heynouslie incenst was turned into such choller that he gaue him this rebuke Darest thou both enuiously accuse my Friends and disloyallie pleade for my enemie Hencefoorth presume no more into my sight without my licence for I will rather estéeme thée as a priuie enimie then as my naturall sonne Which when he had sayde turning aside Marcellus departed maruelling who it should be that had incensed the King against him being so inwardly grieued in his minde that hee thought to leaue no meanes vnassayed to learne the trueth thereof Angelica before saide being conueyed by Collimus to faâ—…e custodie began to conceiue such sorrow for her Fathers displeasure taken aganst the Knight of Fame vnto whome she beganne to beare an excéeding Loue Such effect had his perswasiue spéeches wrought in her gentle heart that she entred into excéeding sorrowes coniectururing diuersly what disquiet that discontent might bréede by reason of her Fathers iealous suspect alreadie begunne And how the Knight of Fame might be abused in that straunge place hauing no Friend to take his part Which thought strooke a sudden pensiuenesse to her heart Contrarily she thought that would be a meanes to trye his loyaltie which somewhat would haue eased her heart so that no other daunger would haue ensued thereon At last hauing no other meanes of comfort nor Friend to impart her minde vnto she called Anna vnto her and willed her to learne how the Knight of Fame had ouerpast her Fathers displeasure but so discréetly that none might perceiue the same Who presently went about the businesse Angelica had enioyned her Thus will wée leaue them all in diuers cogitations CHAP. XVIII ¶ How the King of Lybia hearing that the Knight of Fame was in Natolia by Flauias false accusation sent messengers to Maximus to intreate him
to put him to death And how Maximus threwe him into the Lyons denne AFter that the Knight of Fame was departed front Lybia and Venola had knowledge thereof by Flauia she continued many dayes in great sorrow but afterwards by tract of time calming her griefe but no whit her affection by Flauiaes perswasions who was priuie to all her Actions Turned her former good Will that was grounded vpon Uertue to lust and mad desire That séeing she could not by fayre meanes winne him to loue her shee thought to leaue no meanes vnafsayed eyther by force to compell him thereto or else in some measure to be reuenged on him for his discourtesie The minde being alwayes readie by euery perswasion to yéelde to worke any meanes for to procure desired content euen so casting about many deuises with Flauia one day finding fit opportunitie when the King was in his dumpes for Venolas sickenesse came vnto him and told him that the cause of his Daughters sickenesse was procured by an exceeding flight she had taken by the discourteous vsage of the Knight of Fame who for that cause was lately fled from the Court which vntill that day she had concealed from her neither should she euer recouer her selfe vntill she were in some hope to be reuenged of him The King willed her to declare the same vnto him Flauia then began as followeth My Lord this Knight presuming often into my Mistresse presence by reason of the kindenesse she shewed him for working her relase in Brandemors Castle which hee well deserued began oftentimes to make loue to her whom sheé answered in good sort being vnwilling to make choise of any but by your appointment but in the end his sute grew to that importancy that he would haue no deniall but comming into her Chamber chusing his fittest opportunity when my Mistres was in her bed and surprising her vnawares offred her excéeding shame and villany but being by her striuing and out-crie disappointed of his full intent he presently fled away The King hearing Flauias speeches was exceedingly enraged with furie commanding his Knights to poste euery way to learne where he made his abode This newes being spread at last came to a Knight of Natolia who by occasion was then in the Lybian Court who presently came to the King and told him that he needed not to make inquirie for the Knight of Fame for that he was at the Golden Tower The King hearing that newes was exceedinglie glad thereof commanding his Knights to stay their iourney writing a Letter to Maximus to this effect MOst mighty King I salute you requesting you to worke reuenge in my behalfe vpon a traitor who now remaineth with you who hath dishonoured my Daughter hee is called the Knight of Fame assuming that name to colour his wicked practises who no doubt will soone deuise some mischiefe against your persoÌ„n let him not escape your hands but rather send him to mee that I may reuenge that monstrous iniury he hath done me by his life which onely shall satisfie me Thus remembring my loue to you and desiring your secrecie I cease Your brother of Libia Hauing written this letter and sealed it with his signet he presently sent the same by certaine of knights to the Golden Tower who as effectually dispatched their iourney as he had giuen them straight charge and arriuing at the Golden Tower deliuered the Letter to Maximus who hauing read the same and well considered the circumstance which augmented his hatred and suspition already begunne against the Knight of Fame presently comming to the place where hee was in talke with Marcellus he caused him to bee apprehended and without any other iudgement caused him presentely to be cast into a denne of Lions to be deuoured The Knight of Fame was no sooner put into the denne but the Lyons made an exceeding roaring that those without assuredly iudged him deuoured and himselfe expected nothing but that terrible and fearefull death but the Lyons who by nature will not harme those of Roiall bloud spared his life and not so much as offered to touch him but were rather terrified with his presence He being glad of this happy escape began to assure himselfe that he was sprung of kingly race which greatly comforted his heart and added a perswasiue hope to comfort himselfe withall that by that occasion hee should attaine to Anglicaes loue if he could worke meanes for his releasement out of that place most of all he wondred why Maximus had offered him that outrage In these and such like cogitations he spent the rest of the day Marcellus séeing the knight whom he most dearely loued destroied without iudgement equity or cause was so inwardly inraged that he was in minde oftentimes to work himselfe iniurie and seek meanes of reuenge if he knew who had been the causer therof and not knowing what to doe nor in whose company to spend his time he presently thought to goe to Angelica whom he thought bare some good will to the knight of Fame with her to bemoane his vntimely death but comming to the place where she was he would haue entred therin but Collimus according to Maximus command denâ—… him and that the more obstinately for that he knew none fauoures the knight of Fame so much as he whâ—… he mortally hated Marcellus beeing before sufficiently inraged was now so much more vexed that hee drewe his dagger and with a violent blow stabbed the same to Collimus heart and withall going to Angelica hee found her very sad little thinking of these mischances who seeing him in that rage which shee soone perceiued by his behauiour she came vnto him hauing seated himselfe downe in a chaire and desired to know the cause of his wrath O Sister quoth he this place is the harbour of cruelty tyrannie and dishonour which in times past hath beene famous and a receipt of honour but shortly will be hated and shunned as odious and ominous and all procured by the foolish Diuining of a wicked Harlot that hath filled my Fathers head with such fancies that hee forgetteth himselfe his Honour and Kingly behauiour and giueth credit to none but flatterers and parasites imprisoning his children murthering his friends and séeking the subuersion of honour and honourable knights Oh Angelica what should I say or to whom should I complaine he hath slaine Uertue he hath destroied Honour he hath murthered my deere Friend that kinde and courteous knight he hath cast the vnknowne most honourable though vnknowne Knight of Fame into the Lions denne without iudgement iustice right or triall Angelica hearing his words was readie to swound with griefe but that feare to discouer her loue withheld her but beeing not able to refraine from teares shee withdrew her selfe aside to conceale the same which Marcellus espying caught her in his armes and said Nay deare Sister doe not conceale your griefe for his death from me that loue you so much the better and if you euer conceiued any good liking of him
I shall honour you for the same for he was worthy to be beloued of the best Ladie in the world for in him shined all points and parts of true knighthood and honour I cannot quoth Angelica denie but that I liked â—…d loued him too neither shall I euer doe otherwise whilest I liue though he knew not so much for whose death my heart shall neuer harbour quiet nor neuer shall thought of other loue sinke into my breast for him had I vowed to loue and that vow will I keepe inuiolable whilest life doth last Oh Angelica quoth Marcellus had I knowne you had loued him so well I would haue died with him but I would haue saued his life which was so suddenly acted and so vnexpected that before I could recouer my sences from amazement hee was past my reache What cause had my Father thinke you to seeke his destruction but because he saw him in speech with you Aye me quoth Angelica was I the cause of his death I will then goe to him with that such griefe opprest her heart that she fell downe in his armes Marcellus called to her Maides who presently came thronging about her maruelling at her suddaine sickenesse and especially Anna who was priuy to her thoughts and hearing Marcellus spéeches made great lamentation This newes was soone come to the Queenes hearing who presently came running vnto the place and hauing by her labour recouered her entred into these speeches Why how now Angelica what meanest thou to doe thy selfe this wrong What mischance or sudden passion hath caused this disquiet Then turning to Marcellus Or can you tell Marcellus quoth shee for you were by I know not quoth he but I am sure wee haue all cause of little ioye when we that are the Kings children shall be imprisoned vpon the flattering report of euery dissembling Sycophant Why quoth shee who hath abused you That did Colimus quoth hee and him haue I rewarded Besides my Lord and Father hath destroied that honourable strange knight because I loued him who neuer deserued the least cause of such cruelty but was alwaies honourablie esteemed in euery Kings Court vntill it was his ill happe to arriue in this vnfortunate place to end his life by Tyranny not by Iustice. Take heede Marcellus Scandalize not your Fathers honour which may bring you in danger for that he hath done nothing but right and with good consideration for behold that Letter and thou shalt soone see what a counterfet that Knight of Fame was Marcellus hauing read this Letter was at the first suddenly amazed thereat but yet notwithstanding he said vpon my life this accusaticusation is most false and vntrue Angelica taking the letter and reâ—… ding the same was exceedingly astonisht thereat to whom Marcellus said Angelica beleeue it not for if you doe you shall too much wrong that honourable Knight that is too much abused already who if hee were liuing would soone reprooue these accusations but hee good Knight is now dead and past recalling whose death will bring more dishonour to the Natolians then euer will be recouered Why quoth the Quéen what maketh thée Marcellus thus inconsiderate by taking a strangers part to indanger thy owne life which knowest the Kings humor Loue quoth he to that stranger maketh mee bewaile his vntimely death whom I would that I had excused The Queene seeing Angelica somewhat well recouered departed vnto Maximus who by that time had knowledge of Collimus death and was meditating how to chastise Marcellus for that presumption But the Queene vpon her knees intreated him to pardon him alleaging that Collimus had greatly abused him that with much adoe the King was pacified Marcellus hauing somewhat comforted Angelica in a heauie and sadde estate departed to his chamber and left her with her Damzell Anna rather ready to yeelde vp the Ghoast then otherwise likely to suruiue and night being come the refusing meat went to her bed not to sleepe but to bewaile the Knight of Fames vntimely death The knight of Fame all this time remained in the Lions denne carefully deuising which way to get out of that place tyring his senses but finding no meanes of release One while accusing his hard fortune and then Maximus for his cruelty Sometimes fearing to be famished in that place and then comforting himselfe with perswasions of impossible deliueries Now dispairing to be vtterly exempt from the swéet sight of Angelica whose absense and restraint of liberty procured as he thought by his boldnesse pinched his heart with extreame feare In this sort he continued so long vntill he was ready to be starued and constrained to eate such vnsauory foode as was daily cast to the Lions Angelica likwise no whit mittigated her griefe but rather augmented the same being much comforted by Marcellus whose minde was not yet satisfied with sufficient consideration of these mischances both hee and Angelica continued as it were in a further hope in their fancies of the Knight of Fames safty though when they beganne to comfort themselues with any perswasions they were quite past hope Maximus likewise hauing considered with what seueritie hee had vsed the Knight and that he had condemned him without any triall of the accusation that had been vsed by his Knights euer since his death beganne to tell a remorse in his conscience of vniustice but by the setled opinion that was stirred in his heart by those false Prophesies hee soone shooke the same off Camillus all this time likewise noted what iealous suspition the King heard of him and hauing heard the report why he kept his daughter so strongly guarded and of set purpose withheld her from his sighâ—… and noting how suddenly the Knight of Fame was made away without any cause of offence giuen he began to feare himselfe and bâ—… 〈◊〉 meanes durst not shew any signe of desire to sée Angelica â—…st bâ—… 〈◊〉 meanes hee should seeke some occasiâ—… of quarrell with him and â—…se him like the stanger within a while departed from the Golden Tower â—â—â—tending notwithstanding either with force or faite meanes to attaine her possession CHAP. XIX Of the Knight of Fames preseruation How he got out of the denne and departed the Tower THe next day after Camillus departure which Maximus perceiued was with a discontented minde the kéeper of the Lyons denne came to make cleane the same and vsed his wonted manner which was to set open those places that were cleane into which the Lions would soone enter and hauing fast bolted the dores and beeing owner of the Lyons ertred into the denne where the knight of Fame was who suddenly caught hold on him hauing before secertly shrowded himselfe from his sight and beeing carefull to prouide for his owne safty snatcht from his side a hanging Sword the Keeper knowing him maruelling to see him aliue and exceedingly astonished at his sight held vp his hands for mercy to whom the Knight of Fame saide My freinde I séeke not thy life but mine owne safety
that was intended against him there by Corus and Argalus then of his successe in the Kings Court of Thrace and the occasion why he departed from thence to the Forrest of Arde and how there hee mette the Prince of Bohemia and released Venola Then how Venola songht his Loue and how she gaue him by subtiltie a somniferous Potion to withhold his departure with Parismus which he had purposed and how afterwards perceiuino her intent departed from theâ—…e Withall hee declared the manner of the Uision that appeared vnto him in Thrace and how hee was thereby enioyned to seeke out the faire â—…adie that had appeared vnto him and sue for her Loue which was the cause that he both refused Phylenas marriage and Venolaes proffer of kindnesse and also he declared how he first arriued in that Countrey and met Angelica which was the very same Lady that appeared vnto him in the vision and also told him that he was likewise enioyned to seeke out his PareÌ„ts which the vision told him were of great birth This quoth he is the true discourse of my forepassed life which I neuer yet manifested to any but your selfe whose fauour hath farre surmounted my desert into whose hands I commit my selfe to bee disposed of desiring you not to conceiue amisse of mee for that false accusation being most vntrue Marcellus againe embracing him in his armes desired him likewise not to thinke that hee did any way conceiue the least euill opinion of him but that he did esteeme of him as the dearest friend he had in the World and that he did both loue and honour him as himselfe and would neuer forsake him whilest hee liued but continue his faithfull friend for euer Hauing in this sort made a new league of amitie Marcellus left the Knight of Fame to his priuate meditations promising to returne to him very shortly going directly to Angelica whome hee found continuing her woonted sadnes For shee could by no meanes be comforted but still augmented her Loue by remembring the Knight of Fames person to whom she bare such intire affections that she resolued neuer to Loue any other Knight but determined to spende the whole date of her life in single estate Marcellus sudden Approach brake off her silent pensiuenesse by his countenance shewing a heart replenisht with ioy which hee vttered in this sort Angelica qd hee cast off this sadde countenance for I bring you newes of more comfort for the Knight of Fame is liuing and preserued by admirable meanes Oh Brother quoth she this newes cannot be true which will nip my heart with griefe to heare of and be disappointed therein Sister qd he it is so neither maruell thereat for his innocencie in the fact laide to his charge hath I thinke caused the Gods to pitty him besides thereby you may be assured hee is borne of royall blood who is now in the Kéepers house in safety with whome I haue bene these two hours Now cast off these discontents and clowds of care for there is no further cause of disquiet for his supposed death Angelica then verily belieuing his wordes saide Good brother tell me how he doeth for whose safetie I reioyce For of all the Knights that euer I behelde I neuer liked nor loued any so well desiring you withall to kéep my counsell hauing bewrayed my secrets to none else and not let him know so much as I haue tolde you Then should both you and I doo him wrong qd he for he hath well deserued loue and especially at your hands to whom by his owne report he hath long ago dedicated himselfe and not onely of his owne inclination but of a high command for the truth of which he hath vpon trust of my secrecie reuealed vnto me which you shall likewise heare then he discoursed the whole truth euen as the Knight of Fame had before done which when she heard she said What a discourteous Lady is that Venola to séeke the ouerthrow of so Woorthy a Knight and how may I estéeme him that before he knew mee was so constant in his Loue without hope of my fauour and refused the proffred loue of two such Ladies for my sake besides the perill he hath endured in my search and peraduenture is sprung of greater byrth then my selfe And now also by my Parents doome was put in that hazard of his life Good Brother be you carefulâ—… of his good and whatsoeuer you shall counsell me too I will doo If my Father should know of his safety then were there no means for him to escape death For such a hard conceit of suspect doth possesse his minde that he hateth all those that beare me any shewe of good Will Well quoth Marcellus rest you contented and still continue your louetowards him to increase and not diminish the same who is by destiny alloted to be your husband the care of whose welfare let be my charge for I so much loue and esteeme him both for his own and your sake that I will leaue no meanes vnassayed whereby to do you good which said hee againe departed to the Knight of Fame By this time the darke night approached and Marcellus and the knight of Fame were deuising what meanes to vse for his safetie and to procure the desired content Angelica expected who before had giuen herconsent to 〈◊〉 ruled by her Brother that by the assurance he had of her hee put the knight of Fame in assured comfort of her loue by relating in some sort the contents of Angelicas conference before had with him which affected his heart with greater ioy theÌ„ euer before he had endured griefe that his escape from death did not comfort his heart so much as this happy news At last Marcellus said Noble knight you see how strictly my father gardeth Angelica that there is no meanes lefâ—…t to ease your greefe or her care by tarrying here neither can you without great hazard of your life remaine within the circuit of this Tower for that my Father suspecteth euery one yea his owne children whereby we are tired with those troubles and would willingly worke any meanes to ease our selues especially Angelica hath ben mewed vp so closely that shee I am sure would vndertake any thing to enioy her libertie were it in neuer so poore estate wherein in my opinion is many thousand of sweete contents to bee found rather then in this troublesome Pompe which is repleat with infinit cares Therefore this is my censure that you shall this night as I will direct you depart from hence and go to Saint Austins Chappell not farre hence and there stay for mee vntill to morrow morning where remaineth an olde religious Priest named Iabine who if you say you come from mee wil assuredly giue you entertainement which when you haue done I will so worke with my Sister Angelica that hee shall condescend by such meanes as I will worke for her secret escape to come to you by which I hope I shall end the
Bohemian Court honourablie entertayned and highly estéemed of the Bohemian States Who grue into an excéeding loue towards him and was kindly beloued of the King and Quéene but especially of his Parents who thought themselues moste happie and blessed to haue such a Sonne Whose fame was spredde through most places of all the Worlde and that euery mans eares were filled with the report of his most honourable déedes Now that Parismenos had thus happily attained the knowledge of his Parents the want whereof had long time filled his minde with care no other thought but of Angelicas Loue could take place in his heart which though his cause of ioy otherwise was sufficient filled his sences with sadnesse and quite extinguisht those delights that they séemed to trouble his minde rather tedious then coÌ„fortable adding no ease to his cares which were augmented to an excéeding height by reason of Maximus cruelty which he saw was so much aggrauated against him that he knew it a thing impossible for him to attaine the least fauour at his hand Who likewise kept Angelica Guarded so strongly and so narrowly pryed into all her actions that it was impossible any way eyther to come to her spéech or send to her that with diuersitie of the cogitations his hart was tormented his countenance darkned and hée spent his time most commonly in sadnesse beeing séeldome drawne to any myrth Which was generally noted of all men but especiallie of Laurana who could neuer be quiet but onely in his company And one a day missing him shée rested not vntill she had found him out being gotten into the most solitariest place in the Garden leaning himselfe vpon his Elbow Who espying her raised himselfe from the ground blushing at her presence to whome she said Why how now Parismenos What sadnesse is that which possesseth your minde that maketh you so eâ—…range your selfe from company to delight in solitarinesse is there none so highly in your fauour that they may know the truth thereof or is your cause of care such as none can remedie or not counsell you for your ease I am sure there are many would not refuse to vse their endeuors to pleasure you especially myselfe would both willingly doo my best to comfort you and knowe the cause if it be not too secret Parismenos with humble reuerence made her this answer I beséeth you doo not thinke me so vndutifull nor my cause of care so secret that I would conceale the same from you but were it of much more importance I would willingly reueale it to satisfie your minde which I haue omitted as vnwilling to trouble you therwith and for no other respect Then I pray qd she let me know is it not Loue Yes most déere Mother qd he it is Loue and to that beautifull Ladie Angelica who beareth me the like affection but so farre am I from enioying her loue as that it attainteth my heart with care to thinke thereof which is the cause of my sadnes which will increase rather then diminish if I doe not shortly trauell thither being now assured of all other doubtes and hauing finished my trauell in search to finde you out Therfore I most humbly beseech you to procure my Lord and Fathers coÌ„sent to my spéedy departure For without the fruition of her heauenly sight my life wil be but wearisome Laurana hearing his spéeches perceiued indéede that his affection was great and therefore not to be remooued and well knowing by her owne former experience that Loue was incurable thee was the more ready to pitie his passions that shee promised to further him in what the could being now assured of the cause of his sadnesse CHAP. XXII ¶ How Parismenos after he came to the knowledge of his Parents deeparted towards Natolia Aow he met with Marcellus and what afterwards befell to him WIthin few dayes after Parismenos returned backe againe towards Natolia but with much sorrow in the Bohemian Court for his departure spending much time in trauell vntill hée arriued at S. Austins Chappell hauing gotten him other Armour because he would not be knowne and knocking at the Chappell doore presently olde Iabine came out to whome he discouered himselfe Who knowing him reioyced excéedingly at his Presence and safetie desiring him to come in for that hee had Newes of importance to tell him Parismenos comming to him for no other intent but to heare Newes from Angelica willingly went in with him And Iabine began as followeth Most noble Knight I will declare vnto you all that I haue learned of the estate of Marcellus so neere as I can After that you were departed from hence the Natolians hauing continued their diligent search some thrée dayes and in the end returned to the Court frustrated of their desire Wherby Maximus gaue no credit to that report but soone forgot the same remaining in great quiet Marcellus by this time had recouered his health letting passe no time came hither thinking to haue found you héere but yet hearing by my report of your Departure hee séemed to be quite ouer-come with griefe and declared vnto mée all that had happened to you in the Golden Tower which you had declared vnto me before and withall manifested what had happened vnto him and Angelica and how he was so grieuously Wounded then Iabine declared the same euen as Marcellus hadde tolde him in the very same manner as is before declared when he determined to haue conueyed Angelica to S. Austines Chappell the day his Father was on Hunting And quoth hée Marcellus hauing tolde me this withall shewed mee with what sorrow Angelica endured your absence Parismenos hauing heard his wordes which yéelded him full assurance of Marcellus friendship and Angelicas constant Loue was therewith excéedingly comforted rehearsing to him how fortunately he had found his Parents Iabin then began to vse him with more reuerence and more seruently to affect his company and good that at Parismenos request hee went towards the Golden-Tower to sée if hee could by any meanes speake with Marcellus which hee willingly at his Request did and brought newes backe that Maximus was departed with the Quéene Marcellus and Angelica towards the Citie of Ephesus which hee learned of such as were Gardiants at the Golden-Tower Parismenos hearing that immediately departed thitherwardes and entring the Citie rode presently vnto the Court where hee met a Knight Whome hee desired of courtesie to giue notice vnto Marcellus that there was a Knight who would speak with him Which at his request he presently went and performed and finding Marcellus in the Kings great Hall he sold him there was a strange knight at the Court Gate that was destrous to speake with him Marcellus maruelling who it should be immediately went out vnto him being a Knight of excéeding vertue that he would not refuse any courtesie and though hée were Sonne vnto a mightie King yet hée disdained not to fulfill his request though hée neither knewe him nor the cause of his comming Parismenos beholding him
so vsed thou mightest peraduenture haue hadde a greater fauour with my consent therefore I pray be not so inhumaine and thou shalt sée I will do more with gentlenesse then all thy rudenesse can compell me too With that he turned himselfe from her whilest she rose from the ground she was no sooner vpon her féete but her sences failed her and the liuely redde faded out of her crimson chéekes euen whilest Anna cried helpe helpe shee sell downe in her armes dead then Irus with Anna did the best he could to recouer her beginning to waxe madde with griefe for within short space she began to drawe in her swéete breath againe and lifting vp her eyes with a gréeuous sigh she said Oh Irus cruell Irus Then Anna seated her vpon the bed and shée said Irus I had not thought you would haue vsed me thus cruelly but haue showne some signe of vertue in you And rather then you shall offer me any more such violence I promise you that I will depart with you to Tunis and I will yéelde my selfe to be in honourable sort at your direction Angelica quoth he giue me possession of your loue which is that I desire and without that I cannot be satified Why Irus quoth she will nothing satisfie you but my dishonour what rage ruleth your minde what lust is that possesseth your heart Is this the honourable minde should be in a King Good Irus be not so cruell I am not cruell and it is but folly to stand vpon termes of deniall Irus quoth she then let me request this one fauour leaue me alone some space to conferre with my minde and I will send her for you eare it be long Irus being in some hope to attaine his desire finding her spéeches so gentle thought that her maide would perswade her rather to yeeld then to hazard his furie tolde her he would doo that at her request and so departed Hee was no sooner gone but Angelica with wéeping eyes wringing her hands and making excéeding lamentation intreated Anna to counsell her what to doo Mistresse quoth she if you could with faire promises cause him to desist vntill more conuenient time or that you could delaye him off vntill Iconius returne then there were some hope to escape Oh Anna quoth she if he come in againe it will be impossible for his fierce and desperate beaâ—…ly rage is such therefore if thou louest mee doo one thing at my request and I shall thinke my selfe satisfied Mistresse quoth thee whatsoeuer it bee I will doo it Nay but Anna thou shalt sweare or else I will not trust thée neither will I reneale it vnto thée Deare Mistresse quoth shée I sweare by Heauens and all happinesse I will performe the vttermost of your will Then Angelica taking vâ—… Irus Dagger which hée had carelesly left on the floore gaue it her and said I account my honour dearer then my life and had rather die in this place then liue in continuall shame and reproach hereafter Therefore Anna I charge thée thee by all the dutie and loue thou bearest mee by the honour thou owest to Chastitie and by the oath thou hast made to sheathe that Ponyard in my breast to ridde mee from his tyrannie which if thou refusest to doo my selfe will without intermission execute With that Anna clasped fast the Dagger in her hand with her eyes ouerflowing with teares said Mistresse I vowe by Heauen I will neuer execute that déede neither shall your selfe doo it but first giue me leaue to trie if I can perswade Irus from his purpose with that taking the Dagger in her hand shee went to séeke him but hée beeing gone from Angelica swolne with lust and panting with striuing layde himselfe downe vppon his bedde meditating on that hée had done and what further pleasure hée should reape if shee gaue her consent his desire beeing somewhat asswaged by his late striuing with her and his Sences ouercome with these meditations hee was fallen a sleepe lying vpon his backe his doublet vnbuttoned and he yet sweating in which sort Anna found him and comming to his beds â—…de seeing him fast a sleeue hauing his dagger in her hand thought to stick the same to his heart with that an exceeding trembling affrighted her heart and all her bodie and ioynts shooke for feare but remembring how cruelly he had vsed her Mistresse and what a desperate case hee had left her in what outrage he might intend hauing giuen them but litle time of consideration and withall that Angelicaes life and her owne were likely to satifie him and nothing else but most of all finding so fit an opportunitie to be for euer ridde of him shee lifted vp her hands thinking the Heauens faâ—…dured her and alotted thet as a meanes to preserue Angelicas honour praying the Heauens to strengthen her ayming right in the middest of his brest which was vnbuttoned with both her hands she smote the dagger so farre into his brest that the poynt appeared at his backe with which he gaue an excéeding grone and starting vp whilest shée fled he pursued her séeing himselfe mortally wounded and followed her euen into the roome where Angelica was by which time his vitall sences decayed and he fell downe dead tumbled at his geare with that Angelica gaue an exceeding shrike not knowing what Anna had done But viewing him she perceiued the dagger goring his brest and Anna tolde her what she had done With that Angelica was exceedingly affrighted and said Anna how shall we now be rid of his hatefull carkasse Sweete Mistresse quoth Anna be you of good comfort and lette mee alone and with that arming her selfe with vnwoonted boldenesse whilest her hnnds shooke and trembled with feare shee tooke him by the heeles snd bragged him foorth of the Caues mouth and tumbled him into a pitte harde by casting a great many of Leaues and Mosse vppon him that his body was quite couered from sight which done shee returned and told Angelica what shee ad done Angelica seeing her selfe thus fortunately rid of Irus whose furie had brought her selfe in daunger said O Anna what power was it that animated and strengthened thee to that boldenesse how shall we satisfie Iconius at his returne who loueth Irus so well that hee will soone misse him and if hee knewe what wee haue done we shal be in som danger of his furie Thus do my misfortunes daylie increase and one miserie followeth in an an others necke to augment my cares What thinkest thou is become of Parismenos doest thou not thinke hee taketh my absence greeuously yes I feare me Anna hee is too ready to surfet with griefe and thereby may much indaunger his health and besides I perswade my selfe hee is wandred from the Natalian Court into farre Countries in my search If Iconius finde how we haue vsed Irus then will hee for euer detaine vs here How often haue I bene crost in my Loue being now in worse case then euer I was and more vnlikely to
know that Damzell that thou standest so peremytorily in her defence I doo nothing but that which euery Knight is bound vnto Which is to defend Ladies wrong Neither doo I know this Damozell but will defend her for that shee is a Lady vntill I may know Whether you offer this outrage against her wrongfully or by iust desert Which once tryed doo then what thou wilt with her Then Iconius said Damozel tell me why thou sluest him Anna made this answere Hee offered violence to Angelica and with his ponyard attempted to slay her Who will tell you the truth of all With that they altogether went into the roome where Angelica was Parismenos beholding her hadde much a doo to withholde himselfe from bewraying what hee was but yet with constrained forbearance be stood still and heard her declare Irus Wicked behauiour and in what manner she hadde wrought reuenge against him With that Iconius saide Wicked Woman couldest thou not haue wrought some other meanes to disappoint his intent which I can hardly belieue but that thou must murther him Heauen nor Earth shall not throwde thée from my furie For being the vntimely death of that louing kinde and couragious King neither shall any thing but thy destruction appease my wrath for the losse of my deare friende Irus Parismenos hearing him name Irus saide Was it that treacherous and disloyall villaine Irus that slaue Damozell thou hast well reuenged the wrongs he hath done me vpon his own accursed head and therefore will I be thy defence and shielde thée from harme For had I met him my selfe I would haue done no lesse then thou haste for he was the most dishonourable Knight that euer drewe breath But tell mee quoth hee to Iconius What art thou that offerest such cowardly violence to resistlesse Ladies and imprisonest them in such sort and also bearest so disloyall a minde as to vpholde him in his villanie Iconius was so enraged with his Words that hee saide Base Uillaine Did I but lately take thée vp as a Runaway and brought thée to my Cell of pitty to succour thy distressed estate and doest thou thus requite my kindenesse to become my examiner Parismenos hearing his spéeches so much disdained them that he let driue at him with irefull violent blowes and with such furie that he draue Iconius backwards out of the roome and withall gaue him so many Woundes that had not some of his Associates stept to him he had bene slaine When thrée of them at once assailed Parismenos but by his inuincible valour first one of them and then another lost their liues Which Iconius séeing he would very faine haue stayed to haue spoken to him but his hart being set on reuenge and desirous to haue the Possession of Angelica againe followed his fight with such rigour that he had well neere slaine Iconius By this time some of the other came in Who séeing Iconius in such danger by the valour of that one Knight admired his Chiualrie and stept to rescue him from his violence Which when they had done Iconius saide Knight tell mee what thou art that knowing thy Name I may know whome it is I resist My name quoth he is Parismenos With that Iconius floong away his sword and said Most honourable Knight I yeeld my selfe to your mercie for that very Name doo I honour vowing that it is against my Will that euer I offended you Parismenos hearing his words saide And if thou béest my friente quoth he I am sorie not that I met thée but that I haue hurt thée Which saide hee entred into the Roome where Angelica was and comming to her not being able to vse any delay but forced by desire to comfort her heart by giuing her knowledge of his safetie pulling off his Helmet that she might behold his face he saide My deare Ladie Angelica behold your poore Friende Parismenos Angelica then knowing him with a modest behauiour clasping her Arms about his necke and sealed a number of swéete kisses vpon his Lippes Whth done and withdrawing her armes againe her Eyes melted into a riuer of teares and afterwards saide Welcome my deare Lorde Parismenos ordeyned yet to be my blisse Well haue I now preuailed against calamitie for your sight hath banisht him my brest how miserable and daungerous was my Estate once this day and how happie and tenne thousand times blest am I by your presence If you doo account your selfe happie by my presence quoth hee for euer shall you be happie for neuer will I depart from your sight But ten thousand times more then happie doe I account my selfe to bee so esteemed of you that haue neuer deserued such fauour but by my euill Fortunes haue brought you into these calamities Nay good Parismenos say not so for not you but my vnluckie Destinies haue ordained me to some forrow but in the ende haue repaide mee doublefolde with swéete content In these and such like spéeches did they expresse their ioyes for eache others presence and preseruation till Parismenos buckling on his Helmet againe went out to sée whether Iconius did pretend any treacherie against him but him he found vnarmed and his knightes dressing his Wounds and séeing Parismenos still armed as fearing to disarme himselfe he gaue him such assurance of quiet both by his owne â—…me vowe and the protestations of all the rest that Parismenos rested in some assurance of peace and Iconius after that hee had his Woundes dressed came with him into the place where Angelica was and saide Most diuine Ladie I beséeche you pardon my offence I confesse I loued Irus well because hee was my deare friende and finding no such misbehauiour in him since I first knew him I could not belieue her report vntill I saw you iustifie the same and for amends I offer my selfe to be at your disposition desiring you to remitte my proffered offence for Irus death And withall I beséech you make no doubt of my good meaning For that I haue bent my whole indeuors with truth to be at your commaund Neyther harbour any further conceit of violence to be offered you in this place Hauing ended those spéeches hee presently caused good meate to bee prepared for them and they were serued in as decent and cleanly sorte as could possiblie be affoorded in that place CHAP. XXXIIII ¶ How Parismenos gote shipping for Germanie How they were betrayed by Theoretus And howe after a stormiâ—… Tempest and hard escape from drowning they were preserued by a Fisher-man of Thessalie PArismenos now hauing againe attained Angelicaes possessions the want whereof hadde before long time opprest and vexed his troubled heart with care and hauing refreshed themselues with the repast Iconius had prouided whilest Iconius and his Seruants went by Annas direction to the place where the deade bodie of Irus lay to burie the same he tooke Angelica in his armes solacing himselfe in the viewe of her attractiue Beautie amongst the rest vttering these speeches My dearest Loue I trust you will