agreeth with modestie but I will performe the same Speake you from your heart quoth Marcellus I do my Lord quoth she Then saiâ— hee I commâ—und you to loue me and if that be too harsh a word I intreate and desire you yéeâ—â— me loue for that true loue I beare you being such as is grounded vpon vertue and without spot or blemish of dishonours staine entending nothing that may disagrée wâ—th your modestie but to make you my equall my companion and my dearely espoused wife therefore do but yéeld 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 me one that will indâ—uour in all dutie to deserue that honour you entend me which I sâ—e so many impossibilities to hinder that it quite discouragâ—th meâ— 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 hée embraced her in his armes who gaue a silent consent intermingled with teares proceeding from her tender heart with whom Marcellus staied some time spending the time in many friendly conferences that Dulcia was constrained by his entreaties and her owne yéelding heart to giue her consent both theyr intents being grounded vpon no other purpose but that which is vertuous and chaste Parâ—smenos beeing departed from Marcellus soone arriued at the Maiden Tower where hée alighted and comming to the gardiants thet kept the gate hee saluted them with a courteous behauiour tolde them that hee was sent by Maximus theyr King to be one of the gardiants whom at the first they denyed him then he deliuered his Letter which they hauing read accepted him for one of theyr fellowes without any doubt or mistrust When hée had obtained his desire in this with such prosperous successe he began to comfort himselfe with hope of turther good fortune continuing all that night amongst the râ—st of the gardiants not once offering any behauiour which might bréed suspition but behaued himselfe most carefully both in all his words and déeds as hée had a good reason for that they were very â—ircumspect and almost by reason of the strickt charge the King had giuen them ready to suspect each other All the next day continued hée in that sorte without anie méeting of the Eunuches but on the third day hée met two of them tdgether in a place most conuenient and saluted them most kindely who maruelling what he should bée for that he was a stranger began prosently to be iealous of him but he perceyuing the same told them that hee 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 quoth hée the King hath sent me with this message that you shall admit mée at all times to Angelicas presence whome you haue the custodie off though vnknowne to any but your selues which hée told me likewise hée gaue you a speciall charge to conceale from the rest of the gardiants and hath vppon the trust hée hath reposed in mée giuen mée authoritie with you to haue her custodie The Eunuches hauing heard his message and withall the kings priuie seale to the Letter written in his behalfe could not chuse but giue credence so the same supposing that none was priuie to Angelicas béeing there but the king that they made no doubt but that hée was sent by him but would not trust him vntâ—il they had consulted with the rest of their fellowes to whom they delared the truth of all he had told them who in generall admitted him to their societie Parismenos thought himselfe most happie to haue â—attained this felicitie where likewise he behaued himself most carefully telling them that hee had a message of secrecie to declare to her from the King which they made no doubt of nor neuer denied When he spied his fittest opportunitie which was when Angelica was walking alone in a priuate garden béeing all the libertie she had and the Eunuches were gone to disport 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 he 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 girt to his side which he neuer left off being in euery poynt armed but his head maruelled what he shuld be to whom he said Faire Damozel maruel not to see me in Armor which shal 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 Lady Angelica from Marcellus All this time Anna had diligently beheld him perswading her selfe she had séene him before that she made him this answere Sir knight if you come from Marcellus you shall bée welcome to my Lady therefore I pray you come in and I will conduct you to the place where she is Then she brought him down a paire of stayres into the garden where Angelica was who sate at the farther end thereof in a most heauie and discomfortable sort séeming to be quite giuen ouer to sorrowe leaning her elbowe vpon her knées and her head vpon her hand with her backe towards them and hearing them comming behind her with a suddaine start raised her selfe from her seate wherewith her heart panted within her and Parismenos humbling himselfe vpon his knée said â—use not diuine Lady to behold the mappe of sorrow created to eâ—â—â—â—e euerlasting miserie the most worthie knight Marcellus hath senâ—â—e hither whose fauour hath caused me to be thus bold who hartily saluteth himselfe to you by me Angelica all this while diligently behâ—â—d him oft changing her countenance being procured by the diuersitie of thoughts for she supposed it should be the Knight of Famâ— for that â—ée came from Marcellus but he was so mightily altered that she was in doubt thereof Assoone as he had ended those fewe words she saide Are you not the knight of Fame I am the same most deare Lady quoth he with that her heart leâ—pt for ioy and shée tooke him most louingly by the hande desiring him to arise saying I am glad to sée you againe which I feared I should neuer haue done Then presently procured by ioy for his sight and griefe to thinke of her owne bondage a sâ—ood of Christall teares issued from her eyes which attainted his heart with extreame grief that he stood like a man senselesse and coÌ„founded in his thoughts and such passions opprest her heart that she was scarce able to vphold her selfe from falling which caused the water with violence drawne from his manly heart stand in his eyes which neuer before by no accident were assent and séeing her
comming toward her lifted vp her head from the place where she rested it and carelesly let the same fall on the heauie pillowe againe Pollipus séeing her excéeding beautie and withal uoting her heauie estate was strooken into a suddaine compe that he stood like one in a studie Brandamor thnking that was the Ladie he came to redeeme saide Knight if this be the Ladie thou séekest to release thy labour is in vaine for her do I estéeme more then all the world whose presence I so highly honour that no force shall redéeme her from hence whom I both loue and honour as much as thou and all the Knights in the world besides whose loue hath caused my languishing formeÌ„ts this long time which now I purpose to enioy to the extinguishing of my inward vexations for her sake haue I indured much trauel then do not thinke that I wil easily or willingly leaue her heauenly companie but wil approue and maintaine that I am worthier of her loue then any Knight liuing and since I haue my desire in attaining her custodie I will likewise enioy her loue before she part hence Venola hearing his proude boasting so much disdained them that she could not refraine from answering him but rising from the ground where she sate she vttered these spéeches Impudent miscreant why presumest thou so much of thy selfe that art able to performe nothing but bragges thinkest thou my loue of so small â—â—timation as to be controlde and conquered by thy vaine spéeches or any way to yéeld liking to thy detested karcasse No I account the basest trull in Libia too good to bée thy Paramour much lesse my selfe do so much scorne thée that I will rather execute mine owne death then suffer thee to defile me so much as with a touch and thinkest thou because thou hast betraied this one knight by treacherie there are no other that will séeke my release Yes be thou assured that the violence thou haste offered mée by bringing me hither against my will one day will turne to be the occasion of thy cruell death Thou foule detested villaine leaue off to vtter such bosting spéeches in my presence for nothing can bring more gréefe to my heart then thy ill pleasing sight Brandamor hearing her heauenly voyce sound forâ—h such bitter taunts against him was excéedingly inraged therewith but dissembling a pleasant countenance hée departed with Pollipus whom after some spéeches past betwixt them hée commaunded to bée conueyed to a chamber from wheÌ„ce he could as hardly get as from the strongest prison in the world who séeing that Violetta was not in the Castle wisht he had not attempted to haue come there but making a vertue of necessity he indured such imprisonment as patiently as might be thinking all misery nothing being vndergone for Violetas sake Where we will leaue him to speake of Parismus Parismus heart was opprest with such griefe for the losse of the vertuous Violetta and the absence of his deare friend Pollipus that day nor night hee could neither by sléepe or other recreation giue any case to his troubled head therefore he determined likewise to indure some trauell for their sakes that had suffered much miserie in his behalfe and when Laurana and he were one night swéetly solacing themselues each in the others pleasant loue he tolde her his full intent desiring her not to 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 twining her tender armes about his necke impressing a swéete kisse vpon his lips shée vttered these spéeches Most noble Lord are you wearie of my company that you séeke to estraunge your selfe from mée by trauell do you thinke I shall be able long to endure your absence well knowing how many dangers may hazard your person and detain your heauenly presence from my ssght thinke you that I can attaine any quiet without the fruition of your heauenly company or euer suffer sleepe to seize vpon my eyes while you are avsent No swéet Lord with your departure all ioy and delight shall part from me and neuer will I suffer any content to harbour in my brest Then most deare Loue which words she vttered intermingled with a number of swéete kisses do not leaue me in care do not withhold my content do not take away my swéetest delight but staie you stil with me and commaund your knights to go in Violettas search who at the least becke wil poste through the worlde to do you seruice and hazard not your person in strange Countries nor amongst forraine enemies which may by some trecherie worke your griefe my selfe wil here shrowde you from harme my armes shall inclose you from danger and my loue shall be the Fort you shall conquer I wil expel the sad remembrance of their losse with delighfull communication my selfe wil rocke your sences a sléep with Musicke and my indeuours shall labor to purchase your content then do not séeke to leaue me comfortlesse to bewaile your absence but make abode with me stil and my loue shall shelter you from all peril Which words being ended the ouerflowing of her teares stopt the passage of hiâ— spéech and sopping forth sighes she hung about his necke Parismenos was excéedingly gréeueâ— to sée her heauinesse that sowlding her precious bodie in his armes with a strict imbracing he laboured by delightful familiarities to expel her sadnesse which being some what mittigated he vttered these spéeches Why deare Ladie what need you make thâ—se complaints considering you know nothing is so pretious in my sight nor of so déere estimation with me as your sweete loue Or what neede you make spéech or take such feare of dangers when you sée no cause of disquiet Why are you vnwilling that I should take a litle paines for their sakes that wold haue many wayes indangered their liues and endured extreame miserie for your sake How can I excuse my selfe of ingratitude to that curteous knight Pollipus if whilest he passeth his time in sorrowfull care I should liue here in ease not seeming to regard his misery that would haue shunned no danger to procure my comfort How wil all the knights of this Court esteeme of me but as of an ingrateful person if I should so much neglect the dutie of a friend Then swéete Loue be not you â—he cause of my stay but let me obtaine your swéet consent and expâ—â—l those confused cares that trouble your quiet for be you assured nothing can be more gréeuous vnto me then your discontent and notâ—ing more pleasing then your accord the dangers accurrant to trauel are by wisedome easily auoyded then be you assured that I wil shun al hazard of mishap for your swéete sake and leaue you â—ff is sorrow thus for that which you cannot with equitie contradict my stay shall not bée long nor my iourney far then be you contented to vouchsafe your agréement and you shall thereby
call you be not disquieted with my fathers dispeasure who giueth too much credite to vntrue reports and that causeth him both to be offended with any that speaketh to my sister and also suspitious of all that come into his owne company wherby he dishonoureth his owne name liueth a troublesome life and also kéepeth her as it were in prison which I am sure can bréed no litle care in her brest whose hard hap I much pittie and would any way ease if it lay in my power Most honourable knight quoth he I am most hartily sorrie that my ouer boldnes hath causeth your fathers displeasure that diuine Ladies disquiet which is more gréeuous vnto me then death which it was my accursed misfortune to procure being drawn to that presumption by attractiue beautie wishing that I had some way ended this my accursed life before my approach in this place that therby I might not haue béene so vnfortunate as to be a meanes of her care and your disquiet for that I sée the King is likewise displeased with you As for that take no care quoth Marcellus nor be so much gréeued for my sister for these troubles will be soone calmed which to effect let me alone In the mean time whatsoeuer inward thoughts you conceiue yet smother your discontent and shew your selfe chearefull as héeretofore you haue bin for I perceiue that some of enuie hath incensed my father the truth whereof I will soone find out Marcellus hauing ended 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 he found the King in company of Camillus according to his woonted manner doing his reuerence and taking his vsuall place The King maruelling how hée durst so boldly presume into his presence without reconcilement thoght that either want of duety had procured the same or else he did not perceiue hée was displeased with him to ease himselfe of which doubt hee said as followeth Marcellus I had thought your care would haue béene greater to regard my good then any mans else considering you know the depth of my secrets as concerning Angelica on whose beautie my life doeth depend and not so negligently and disobediently not onely to suffer that straunge Knight to proffer loue to her but also to bee a meanes to bring him into her sight and helpe him to her speech wherein you haue shewen your selfe vndutifull which maketh me rather to suspect you as one readie to séeke my life then carefull to preserue the same My Lord and Father reâ—lied Marcellus I trust your Maiestie do conceiue no such 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 deserued the same much less◠〈◊〉 in thought 〈…〉 â—utie to your 〈◊〉 besides my Lord I do alluredly beleeue you 〈…〉 straunge knights meaning whose intent is both honorable and from the least thought of loue to my Sister but there are some in credit with your Highnesse who disquiet you too much with their flatteries and will rather reioyce to sée all things fall out according to their reportes then bée any way sorrie to sée the same whose speeches and false informations I trust shall not alter your good opinion of my loyaltie whose constant loue duety and obedience shall continue firme when theyr treacheries shall be reuealed and they found traytors therefore I beséeche your Highnesse both alter your conceyued displeasure against mée and the knight of Fame of whom so honourable report hath bene spred in most places for it will bee accounted an acte of great discourtesie to vse him vnkindely Maximus hearing his sonnes spéeches in accusation of them hée moste fauoured and in defence of the knight of Fame against whom hée was mightily incenst was turned into such collor that he gaue him this rebuke Darest thou both enuiously accuse my friends and disloyally pleade for my enemie hencefoorth presume no more into my sight without my licence for I wil rather estéeme thée as a priuie enemie then as my naturall sonne Which when hee had said turning aside Marcellus departed maruelling who it should bee that had incensed the King against him being so inwardly gréeued in his minde that he thought to leaue no means vnassayed to learne the truth therof Angelica as before is saide being conueyed by Collimus to safe custodie beganne to conceiue such sorrow for her fathers dsipleasure taken against the Knight of Fame vnto whom shée bâ—gannâ— to beare an excéeding loue such effect had his perswasiue speeches wrought in her gentle heart that she entred into exceeding sorrowes coniecturing diuersly what disquiet that discontent might breede by reason of her fathers iealous suspect already 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 suddaine 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 danger would haue â—usued thereon At last hauing no other meanes of comfort nor friend to impart her minde vnto shâ—â—â—lled Anna vnto her and willed 〈…〉 â—ow the 〈…〉 so discrâ—â—â—â—â— that 〈…〉 presently went about thâ— businesse Angelâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 we leaue them all in diuers cogitations CHAP. XVIII How the Knight of Libia 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 How Maximus threw him into the Lyons den AFter that the Knight of Fame was departed from Libia and Venola had knowledge thereof by Flauia she continued many daies in great sorrow but afterwards by tract of time calming her gréeâ—e but no whither affection by Flauias perswasions who was priuie to all her actions turned her former good will that was grounded vpon vertue to lust and mad destre that séeing shée could not by faire meanes winne him to her loue she thought to leaue no meanes vnassayed either by force to compell him thereto or else in some measure to be reuenged on him for his discourtesie The minde béeing alwaies readie by euery perswasion to yeelde to worke any meanes for to procure desired content euen so she casting about many deuises with Flauia one day finding fit opportunitie when the King was in his dumps for Venolas sickenesse came vnto him and tolde him that the cause of his Daughters sicknesse was procured by an excéeding flight shee had taken by the discourteous vsage of the knight of Fame who for that cause was lately fledde from the Court which vntill that day shée had concealed from her neither should shee euer recouer her selse vntill shée were in some hope to be reuenged of him The King willed her to declare the same vnto him Flauia then beganne as followeth My Lord this Knight presuming oâ—ten into my Mistresse presence by reason of the kindenesse shee shewed him for working her release in Brandamors Castle which hee well deserued beganne oftentimes to make loue to her whom shee answered in good
him selfe vpon his elâ—ow who espying her raised himself from the ground blushing at hâ—r presence to whom she said Why how now Parismenos what sadnesse is that which possesseth your mind that maketh you estrange your selfe from company to delight in sollitarinesse 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 remediâ— or not counsel you for your ease I am sure there are many would not refuse to vse their endeuours to pleasure you especially my self would both willingly do my best to comfort you and know the cause if it be not too secret Parâ—smenoâ— with humble reuerence made her this aunswere I beséech you do 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 quoth she let me knowe is it not loue yes most deare mother quoth he it is loue and to that beautiful Lady Angelica who beareth me the like affection but so farre am I from enioying her loue as that iâ— attainteth my heart with care to thinke thereof which is the cause of my sadnesse which will encrease rather then diminish if I do not shortly trauel thither being now assured of all other doubts and hauing finished my trauell in search to finde you out Therefore I most humbly beseech you to procure my Lord and fathers consent to my spéedie departure for without the fruition of her heauenly sight my liâ—e will be but wearisome Laurana hearing his spéeches perceiued indeed that his affection was great and therefore not to be remooued and well knowing by her owne former experience that loue was incurable she was the more ready to pittie his passions that she promised to further him in what she could beeing now assured of the cause of his sadnesse CHAP. XXII How Parismenos after the knowledge of his parents departed towards Natolia How hee met with Marcellus and what afterwards befell to him WIthin fâ—we daies after Parismenos returned againe towards Natolia but with much sorrow in the Bohemian court for his departure spending much time in trauell vntill he arriued at S. Austins Chappell hauing gotten him other armour because he would not be knowne and knocking at the Chappell doore presently olde Iabin came out to whom he discouered himselfe who knowing him reioyced exceedingly at his presence and safetie desiring him â—o come in for that he 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 â—abin began as followeth Most noble knight I wil declare vnto you all that I haue â—arned of â—he estate oâ— Marcellus so â—â—are as I can After that you were departed from hence the Natolian hauing conâ—inued theyr deligent search some thrée dayâ—s in the end returned to the Court frâ—sâ—rated of their desire whereby Maximus gaue no credence to that report â—â—t soone forgot the same remaining in great quiet Marcelâ—es by this time had recâ—uered his health lettâ—â— passâ— no time came hither thinking to haue sonnâ— you â—éere but hearing by â—y report of your departure â—ee seemed to be quite ouâ—rcome with grâ—â—fe and declared vnto mee all that had happened to you in the Golden Tower which you had declared vnto mee before and withâ—ll manifested what had happened vnto him and Angelica and how hee was so greeuously wounded then â—aâ—in declared the same 〈◊〉 as Marcellus had tolde him in the very same manner as is before â—â—â—lared when hée determined to haue conueyed Angelica to S. Ausiens Chappell the day his Father was on hunting And quoth hée Marcelius hauing tolde mee this withall shewed mee with what sorrow Angelica endured your absence Parismenos hauing heard his wordes which yéelded him full assurance of Marcellus â—riendship and Angelicas constant loue was therewith excéedingly comforted rehearsing to him how fortunately hee had found his Parents Iabin then began to vse him with more reuerence and more feruently to affect his company and good that at Parismenos request hée went towardes the Golden Tower to sée if hee could by any meanes speake with Marcellus which hée willingly at his requesâ— did and brought newes backe that Maximus was departed with the Quéene Marcellus and Angelica towards the Gittie of Ephesus which he learned of such as were gardâ—ants at the Golden Tower Parssmenos hearing that immediateâ—y departed thitherwards and entring the Cittie rode presently vnto the Court where â—ée met a Knight whome hée desired of courtesie to câ—rtifie Marcellus that there was a Knight who would speake with him which at his request hée presently went and performed and finding Marcellus in the kâ—ngs great hall hée told him there was a sâ—range knight at the Court gatâ— that was desirous to speake with him Marcellus maruelling who it should bee immediately went out vnto him being a Knight of excéeding vertue that hée would not refuse any courtesâ—e and though hée were sonne vnto a mightie King yet hée disdained not to fulfiâ—l his request though hée neither knew him nor the cause of his comming Parismenos beholding him immediately allighted from his stéed and with a kinde behauiour said Most noble and courteous Prince I desire to haue some few words in priuate conference with you from the knight of Fame Marcellus hearing him name the knight of Fame desired him to say on for there were none then present but such as hee trusted My Lorde quoth Parismenos because I knowe not whether I may discouer my selfe or no with safetie I am the knight of Fame and now altered in name but not in good will to you Marcellius hearing his wordes had much adoo to refraine from embracing him but yet for that hée would not haue any note the same hée abstained but said Most noble knight nothing could haue brought that ioye to my heart your presence doth beeing a long â—ime seuered from you by Fortunes vnconstant mutabilitie who altereth the estate of things according to her variable disposition trusting you haue not misdoubted of my good will though I came not to S. Austins Chappell according to my promise which I was about to performe but that my intent was crost But séeing you are thus happily returned and haue as I hope attained the knowledge of your parents in whose search olde Iabine tolde mee you were departed I desire you repose that assured confidence in my trustinesse that I will labour to procure your content euery way to my vttermost power your safetie and returne will bring no little ioy to my Sister Angelica which is impossible to giue her knowledge of for my father hath now garded her more stricktly then euer before neither is shée héere in this Court as the common report goeth but still remaineth in the Golden Tower
that he restraineth me Angelicas presence and kéepeth his counsels from me to intrude my selfe into his counsels I will not presume onely my desire is that I may but be admitted to the sight of my sister Angelica Marcellus quoth the Quéene I pray thée bée contented for a time for thou seest thy fathers minde which will impart his secrets to none who if hee should knowe that your sadnesse were for that cause would be the more fearefull to imparte tâ—em to you which can no way pleasure you but rather fill your minde with greater â—ares which now is more happy then it would be then for Angelica so long as shâ—e is â—n health what neede you be so carefull for her then good Marcellus rest your selfe contented and desire not that which will rather adde more trouble to your head The Quéene hauing ended these spéeches departed and lest Marcellus where shâ—e found him Assoone as the Quéene was gone hâ—e â—egaâ— againe to ponder these things not knowing why his head shâ—ld be thus troubled for he knâ—w all that hee desired and yet his minde was troubled therewith that at last with more aduised consideration hee weighed euery conceit of his thoughts and found that neyther his Fathers vnkindnesse Angelicaâ—s absence nor his feare of disgrace was theâ— that troubled him but only a good conceyt of Dulcias kindenesse which caused him to enter into a viewe of her perfections which his fancie began so much to commend her that hée thought her worthy to bée beloued withall thought why he might not loue her which very thoghts â—rew to such insight into his owne fancies that he perceyued that loue had alreadie taken possession in his heart then hée began to consider what displeasure if might procure him if he should set his fancie on one so faâ—re his inferior and not rather seeke the loue of some Kings daughter that might adde honor to his title and not diminish the same which thought was no sooner begun but it ended being dasht by an other conceyt that Dulcia was as beautifull as any as vertuous as any as courtâ—â—us as any and therefore as worthy to be beloued as any that iâ— hee should marry with his equall she might rather marrâ—e him for his dignitie and of a haughtâ—e minde to keepe her owne high dignitie still then for any true loue and if she were his equall hée should rather be subiâ—ct to her will then shee any way obedient to him that Dulcia would bee a louing kinde and â—uetifull wife that shée would honour him rather then desire to bée his equall and that shée would refuse no perrill daunger nor hazardâ— for his sake that hauing spent some time in these cogitations hée resolued to loue Dulcia whatsoeuer ensued thereon though hee incurred his Parents displeasure or anie other hazard of his honour whatsoeuer and with resolution hée went immediately vnto the place where shee was guarded in steed of Angelica and by the Damzells meanes who before had done him the like fauour he came to her chamber where he found Dulcia all alone very sad to whom he said How now Angelica what are you sadde can I neuâ—r come but that I must alwayes finde you in this melancholy dispoâ—â—â—ion what are you sorry to be thus pend from a husband My Lorde quoth Dulcia though I am otherwise sadde it doth mee good to see you merrâ—e You are deceyued Dulcia I am not merrie My Lorde quoth shee if I should giue credite to your words they shewe that you are merrie that call me Angelica yet knowe the conâ—rarie Oh Dulcia quoth he neither doth wordes nor countenance alwayes bewray the inward thoughts for this which you take to bée myrth in mée is but a forced habite which I haue taken vppon mee euen now but knewe you the thoughtâ— of my heart you would say I were sadde My Lord quoth shée I beséech you pardon my boldenesse which I presumed séeing your pleasant disposâ—tion wherein if I was deceyued I hope you will not bee offended with for indéed oftentimes the heart meditates of many things the mind cannot vtter So doth mine Dulcia quoth hée for I wish thée more good then I am able â—e vtter and the cause that my heart is sadde is because I am not able to do â—hée so much good as my heart doth wish and cannot vtter I most humbly thanke you quoth Dulcia acknowledging my selfe farre vnwoorthie such faâ—our and vnable to deserue such good which maketh mee thinke you still continue in that forced habit which maketh you vtter those spéeches Indéede well replyed Dulcia quoth he but as I suddainly tooke that habit vpon me it was gone again before I had vttered the words therfore you may bée assured now that my words procéede from a true heart and not from a forced habit My Lord quoth she againe where there is such often change of disposition there can bee no constant resolution Yes quoth hée that which is of purpose taken to shew myrth is forced but the naturall disposition still continueth firme In déede in â—ewe quoth she but not in all Then quoth hee thinke mee one of those â—ewe My Lord quoth shée I beséech you pardon me if I do not for it is giuen to all by nature to be more confâ—dent then prouident And I aunswere I haue receyued more fauour at your hands in suffering mée to be thus familiar with you then I am worthy or euer haue deserued therefore I craue pardon hoping â—hat you will beare wish my rudenesse Dulcia quoth hée doe not aske pardon when you haue not misdone but beléeue my words without any question to proceede from the deapth of my true heart which entendeth and wisheth you no lesse good then I haue vtâ—ered for I haue found such vertue in you that I am inthralled to that vertue and desire to be partaker and possesse thy bewtie which hath made mée your affectionate friende and intreate your loue then that which I desire nothing more My Lord replyed Dulcia my loue and duetiâ— is such that I will not refuse any commaund you shall impose vpon mée Dulcia quoth hée it is not such loue as is commaunded by dutie nor such friendship as riseth from feare but such kinde loue as procéedeth betwixt faithfull friendes from the yéelding consent of a true heart and such a loue as hath a further respect then that common duâ—y for if you knewe with what feruencie I desired your swéete consent to this loue you would pittie my torments My Lord replyed shée I beséech your Honour do not séeke to en thrall mée in loues bands that am frée and am assured your fancie cannot like of one farre vnworthie that high fauour you speake of but suffer me rather to continue in my peacefull estate that estéeme my selfe farre from euer enioying such happinesse as to be belâ—ued of my superiour being alreadie so farre bound vnto you in all humblenesse that you shall not commaund me any thing that
for her beautie vertue and good parts do please mée so much that if I liue to enioy the Getulâ—an â—rowne shée shal be my Quéene withall I am glad you haue met your knight of whose company I am sure you are not a little glad With that Angelica blusht and hée saide Nay Sister blush not for hée hath better deserued your loue then Dulcia hath mine In these and such like communications they spent the rest of that day studying and deuising what might bée their best course to take in these troublesome affaires After that Marcellus had stayed some time with Parismenos and Angelica in Saint Austines Chappell hee againe departed in Portellus armour towards Dulcia where hée arriued to her excéeding comfort without suspition wishing that shée had beene with Angelica that hee might haue enioyed both her and their companie togither After Marcellus was departed Parismenos and Angelica beganne to studie which way they might escape Maximus crueltie béeing both destrous to go into Bohemia but they knewe not how to passe without béeing discouered for that the King still continued his diligâ—nt searche and besides if that let had not béene yet the iourney was so long and daungerous that Parismenos was vnwilling to indaunger her person and health thereby that hée was drawne to an excéeding astonishment what were best to bée done that béeing vnskilfull of themselues what to determine off they asked olde Iabines counsell wâ—â— present lie told them that if they liked his simple fare and that â—emely â—â—ll where though they were not daintilie serued yet they were quiet that hée thought it their best course to staye there still vntill Maximus were out of hope to finde them and had giuen ouer his search or at the least vntill Marcellus were returned whose counsell they both allowed and followed Maximus still remeained in the Maiden Tower fretting his heart with vexation and griefe béeing put out of all comfort by his Knights that daily returned without any newes that in the ende hée was tyred with griefe and fared like one in a desperate estate but by the counsell of his Nobles after much trouble and long searche hée returned to the Court where the Queene was to comfort her who at his comming he found verie sicke and in very weake estate beeing procured by the greefe shée had conceiued for her childrens losse Maximus séeing her in that dangerous estate began to comfort her with manie perswasions but shée was so impatient and â—o full of griefe that shee vâ—tered these spéeches Comfort my Lord commeth now out of season when our gréefes are past remedie which you might haue saâ—ued when time serued it is your curiositie and too fonde suspect that hath bred these mischaunces you giue too much credit to that â—oule enchauntresse spéeches which your selfe desire to prooue true or else you would neuer take those cruell courses you haue done with your children Might you not often haue married Angelica according to your desire to many Honourable and great personages what iâ— shée be now married can that indaunger your life vnlesse you will bee the wilfull actor thereof your selfe but by your seueritie you haue done this which is now impossible to be recouered Maximus heart at these spéeches began to melt with lenitie and his owne conscience began to condemne himselfe that now hée repenteth the seueritie hée had vsed and accused himselfe of follie to giue such credit to the enchauntresse spéeches that hée protested if hee had his children againe hée would not restraine them so much of their libertie but that hée would let them make choyce according to their owne fancies and in this heauy estate wee will leaue him deuising what meanes to worke by gentlenesse to call them home againe Marcellus all this while continued with Dulcia in Lady Paâ—oras house and nowe hearing that Maximus was returned from the â—aideâ— Tower and had giuen ouer searche as hopeles to finde either Angelica 〈…〉