vtter that dismall doome of her Sonne shee fell into a deadly swound in which sort she continued a good space in which time the nurse was departed with yong Parismenos which when Laurana perceiued she began to vtter many heauy plaints that the very walles seemed to pittie her distresse but being diuersly tormented with feare to thinke what was become of her yong sonne she got to the windowe and there beheld Adamasia with the nurse ready to strangle the Infant before her face but the nurse pittying the infant who lookt with such a smiling countenance that the cruell Tigers would haue spared his life vpon her knées with aboundance of teares intreated the hard hearted Adamasia to spare his life who was no way guiltie of his mothers offence but all the intreaties she could vse nothing auailed but she taking the infant from the nurse adressed her selfe to execute her cruell intent Which Laurana espying beeing therewith terrified called aloude from the window vnto her and desired her to heare her speake before shee spilt the innocent bloud of her yong sonne which caused Adamasia to stay but still shee continued like a furious Lionesse standing ready to deuour her pray and Laurana from foorth her window vttered these speeches If thou wert euer borne of a woman be not so inhumane as so destroy that harmelesse infant which is of no power to worke thy discontent wherein hath it offended thee or how hath it any way deserued such an vntimely death What will it profit thee at all to see his destruction It is I that haue offended thee it is I that may appease thy cruell minde it is my blood that may suffice thy deuouring appetite then inflict thy wrath on my head reuenge thy selfe on mee that héere offer my selfe willingly to destruction What mercilesse creature would be so tyrannous as to destroy an harmelesse innocent when they haue in their power a fitter subiect to appease their ire Cruell Adamasia or let mee call thee gentle cruell woman let my plaints mooue thy heart from acting that cruell déede let my humble teares and remembrance of a mothers loue to her childe reuoke thy cruell doome let my paines and intreaties so much pricke thy flinty breast as to cause thy heart relent and stay thy hand from that mercilesse déede heere I am that haue offended why wilt thou not then reuenge thy selfe on mee that may satisfie thy will and spare that tender babe whose death will make thée so odious that the very earth will refuse to beare thy hatefull body the Sun will send noysome vapours to poyson thy soule the ayre will infect thy intrailes and the very foules will worke thy downefall Remember that his life may bee a meanes to alter my minde but his death wiâ—…harden my heart so much that it will be foreuer impossible for thee to attaine the thing thou seekest at my hand Then bee not so cruell as to spill the blood of that silly Lambe that is not altogether as yet ready for the slaughter Adamasia hearing the conclusion of Lauranaes spéeches perceiuing that they shewed some likelihood that shee would change her inclination wherein she was deceiued deliuered Parismenos againe to his Nurse with many oathes protesting that if Laurana did not the next day grant her request he should surely die Laurana was somewhat comforted by this short time of Truce she had gotten for Parismenos liâ—…e but stil rested in such caâ—…e and perplexity of griefe that she was in the most woefullest estate of miserie that euer any Lady was in her Senses beeing so stuffed with aboundance of sorrow that shee could neither resolue what to doe nor once study how to auoide these intollerable mischiefes The Nurse hauing receiued the young Parismenos with great ioy departed to the place of her aboad where she was no sooner come but she then began presently to deuise how to saue the swéete Babe from death for although she was a stranger to Laurana a woman of a rude and barbarous Nation and altogether voide of Ciuilitie yet by the Diuine operation she was so farre in loue with that most sweet countenance of the yong Infant and therewith she tooke such delight to educate so gallant a Childe that she determined either to saue him from Adamasias cruelty or thereby worke her owne destruction therefore in the middest of the darke night when all things were at silence she stole away from the Castle with Parismenos and by that time it was day she was trauelled some twenty miles from the same wher she gate into a woode and there made such prouision that she carefully brought vp Parismenos as conueniently as was possible for her to doe in that vnfrequented place of whom wee will speake more heereafter The next morning Adamasia came again to Lauranas chaÌ„ber demanding the accomplishment of her request who by that time had sufficiently determined what to doe and weghing the distressed estate she was in considered that if shee should condiscend to loue Andramart shee should both disrobe her selfe of chastitie and doe a most monstrous iniurie to the noble Parismus shee resolued rather to sée the destruction of her Sonne and endure death And therefore tolde Adamasia if nothing but her dishonour would content her minde she might doe all as pleased her for she was resolued neuer to yeelde to violate her chastity but yet most humbly intreated the hard hearted hagge to spare her Sons life shewing such manifold reasons that it would haue pierced the heart of the cruellest Tyrant liuing but Adamasia was rather inflamed to furie then any way mollified with her gentle intreaties that in an extreame rage she departed with full intent to excute her vnsatiate reuenge on Parismenos but comming into the nurses Chamber and not finding him nor his nurse she could not tell what to thinke and making further enquirie being thereby assured that they were not to bee found shee was inraged with such madde and Diuellish frenzie that shee came vnto the two olde hagges that had executed her commandement before on Laurana stamping and staring and discouered vnto them all that had happened and how that the nurse was fled with the yong Infant who by her wicked commandement for many daies after continually tormented the vertuous Laurana with such extreame tortures that it was impossible for her long to endure that extreame misery wherewith shee was brought into a most dangerous estate of death being voide of all comfort and continually she spent her time in bemoning the losse of her Lord and the vntimely slaughter of Parismenos whom shee thought assuredly to be dead CHAP. XXIII How Aadramart vnderstanding how Adamasia had vsed Laurana and missing young Parismenos would haue slaine her but shee hasting to auoide his furie burst her necke downe a paire of staires ANdramart all this while continued in good hope of Lauranas fauour which hee was in some sort assured of by Adamasias perswasion who continually vsed all the delaies she could to hinder
Who sate at the further ende thereof in a most heauie and discomfortabie sort séeming to be quite giuen ouer to sorrowe leaning herelbowe vpon her Knâ—… and her head vpon her hand with her backe towards them and hearing them comming behinde her with a sudden start raised her selfe from her seate Wherewith her heart panted within her and Parismenos humbling himselfe vpon his knée said Muse not diuine Ladie to beholde the mappe of sorrowe created to endure euerlasting miserie the most worthy Knight Marcellus hath sent me hither Whose fauour hath caused me to be thus bolde who hartily saluteth himself to you by me Angelica all this while diligently behold him ofte changing her countenance being procured by the diuersitie of thoughts for she supposed it shuld be the Kn of Fame for that he came from Marcellus but he was so mightily altered that she was in doubt thereof Assoone as hee had ended those fewe Words she saide Are not you the Knight of Fame I am the same most deere Ladie quoth he With that her hart leapt for ioy and she tooke him most louingly by the hand desiring him to arise saying I am glad to see 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 flood of Cristall teares issued from her eyes Which attainted her heart with extreame griefe that he stood like a man sencelesse and confounded in his thoughts and such Passions opprest his heart that she was scarce able to vpholde her selfe from falling which caused the Water with violence drawne from his manly heart stand in his eyes Which neuer before by any accident were absent and seeing her in that wofull estate could not chuse but folde his arme with a fearfull touch about her slender-Waste to vphold her whilest Anna ran for some comfortable-Water to reuiue her withall but comming to her selfe againe shee leant her head in his bosome Who put his hand betwixt her precious Temples to keepe it from touching his colde and hard Armour vttering these speeches Oh how vnfortunate am I that by my disquiet haue procured you this disquiet but before he could say more she answered But were you hence my griefe would be far greater It is not your presence hath done this but my owne hearts cares that are still allotted to be my greatest comfort but thinke your selfe most Welcome to me and your presence more delightfull then any others whatsoeuer Most vertuous Ladie qd hee your kindnesse is so farre beyond my desert that I knowe my selfe altogether vnable to render sufficient thankes for which I haue beene often made acquainted withall by the Worthie Marcellus and now finde kindely ratified by your owne heauenly voyce Which yeeld me that vndeserued fauour as shall binde me in all dutifull bonds of seruice to command If qd she I should do otherwise then loue you you might account me discourteous Or if I should denie my Words past to Marcellus who loueth you so well that hee will I know conceale nothing from you you might account me vntrue but seeing you haue well deserued the one and are by his meanes made priuie to the other I cannot now stand vpon new termes of denyall but yeelde my selfe in all honourable sort into your â—…stodie Most swéete Ladie qd he if I prooue not thankfull Heauens graunt my good déeds may be rewarded with ill If I remaine not euerlastingly true let comfort hate my soule the earth denounce my body terror afflict my conscience if euer I refuse perill hazard of life torment or other miserie for your sake let al peril hazard of life torment and miserie be my chiefest comfort if my loue continue not constant my faith firme and my thoughts cleare of disloyaltie let those I loue hate me let all men abborre me and euery creature séeke my destruction Gentle Knight quoth she your words I do constantly beleeue therefore be you assured likewise of my resolution which is to rest my selfe wholely vpon your vertues with that they parted so pure a maiden kisse betwixt them being the first that euer she had giuen or receiued that both their heartes séemed to tenterchange the others place and to part from their louing brest with a soft breathing sigh more swéete then if all the vnited perfumes in the world had bene met betwixt their rostate lips By this time Anna was returned hauing spent her labour in vaine for that Angelica was safe Then Parismenos taking her by the arme led her vp into her lodging which when he had done Angelica desired him to declare by what meanes he had attained that liberty to come to her And he said I am amongst the rest one of your kéepers for behold I haue the key that alone coÌ„ducteth to your lodging the Eunuches haue put me in trust withall who are now gone about some recreation they haue in hand then he declared vnto her the truth of all and of Maximus policie and how he had caused Dulcia to supply her roome at the Court who was of euery degree taken for her selfe Angelica hearing his report forced a smile from her cheareful hart which she had not done many a day before Desiring him likewise to declare his trauells after he had escaped out of the Lyons den which hée did in euery respect When Angelicia heard that hée was sonne to Parismus and Laurana whose fame resounded in euery place and that hée was sprung of two such kingly houses herr heat was filled with excéeding ioy which shée exprest by giuing him many kind welcomes vttering these spéeches My deare knight quoth she I reioice to heare that you haue found your princely parents But yet I would you had kept the same from my knowledge as yet because that you might haue had tryall of my good will in your vnknowne estate in which you were as deare to me as you shall be if you were the highest Monarch in the world But how happie should I be if I might in quiet enioy your presence which I know not how you will effect Deare Lady quoth he there resteth nothing but your consent which if you douchsafe to grant then I do not doubt but soone to bring you out of this place without any hazard of your person Oh swéete Parismenos the thraldome I haue long endured maketh me desirous of libertie that am almost tired with conceit of my fathers credulitie too much addicted to vaine report especially replying vpon your vertuous disposition and desirous to be ruled and gouerned by your wisedome whome I haue chosen for my onely delight I am most willing to do whatsoeuer you shall counsell me too resting in assured confidence that you will no way impayre my honor which I respect more then my life but rest at my disposition in séeking any other assurance then my promise I beséech you quoth he let no euil conceit of mée take place in your hart but be assured that so long
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
faire meanes or inflict such torments vppon them that they should yéeld by force to her lust wherefore she secretly commaunded her seruants to loade them with more Irons which they performed where these two worthie Knights laye by the space of a weeke in the most cruellest torment that might be their foode being bread and water their bedde the harde and cold earth in a most loathsome stinking prison Which paine they patiently endured but were both so gréeued for poore Adonius that their hearts were almost readie to burst with griefe who continuallie notwithstanding his weaknesse séemed to be of great comfort But being al his life time tenderly brought vp he began to wax very sick with ill sauour and hard fare in this loathsome prisoÌ„ that they thought hee would haue at that instantended his life but Pollipus what with deuices and forces wroong himselfe froÌ„ the place where he was fastened and made such meanes notwithstanding his heauy Irons that he came to poore Adonius and vnloosed many of his Boltes and Irons from his weake body and continually made him sit on his lappe being all the means he had to coÌ„fort him withall that he poore soule being almost dead with lying on the colde grounde felt great comfort by Pollipus warme body which kindnesse poore Violletta so kindly accepted that euer after shee began to loue him most entirely and remembring an impossible of enioying Parismus her affections was setled on the woorthy Pollipus thinking that since he was so kinde to her being taken as a Page hee would be much â—…ore kinde if hee knew her to bee Violetta Euery day they were serued by a rude vnciuill slaue in such sort that it would haue made daintie fare loathsome to be so handeled which Bellona did vpon pretence first to vse them hardly and then by better vsage to draw them to a good opinion of her gentlenesse for on a time shee came to visite these prisoners being no waies drawne thereto by a vertuous inclination but of a most vnchaste and beastlike disposition and colourably seemed to reprooue the Iaylor that he had vsed them so hardly commaunding him to remooue them into a more delightsome place where they had very softe bedding good aire and farre better diet which kindnesse of hers they both commended In which place they remained many daies during which time Pollipus and Adonius were bed-fellowes he full little knowing who it was hee so tenderly regarded for by reason that he was sickly Poilipus being drawne thereto by a vertuous inclination proceeding from milde pittie would oftentimes folde him in his armes and so kindely cherish him that by his meanes poore Violetta had recouered her former health which imbracements of Pollipus at the first séemed straunge to her but in continuance she tooke such vertuous delight in his swéete company that his presence was her whole delight and these kindnesses did so much reioyce her heart by the knowledge of her owne estate and remembrance that shee was vnknowne that she was a thousand times in minde to reueale her selfe to him when she lay soulded in his armes he hauing not the least thought that shée was a woman and a thousand times that determination was crossed by contrarie thoghts that kerioy seemed without compare had it not bin for remembrance of the estate they remained in but her hart was so chéered with these delights that by her pleasant deuices shée would driue many sadde thoughts from the vnchearfull hearts of these imprisoned Champions Which so greatly admyred their Pages vertues that they were both drâ—…wne into an exceeding loue of his qualities Bellona had all this while by remembring the comely proportions of her two new come prisoners kindled such sparkes of immodest loue within her loathsome breast that the burtheÌ„ thereof was intollerable to her to endure and therfore arming herselfe with an vnshamelaste countenance sheâ—… resolued eyther speedilie to worke her owne content by enioying one or both of their persons to satisfie her appetite or to worke their endlesse torment and her owne death which diuellish resolution tooke such deepe roole in her impure hearte that shee presently came vnto the place where these two Knightes were and with a fawning countenance saluted them beeing attired as she thought most gorgiously to delight their eyes but so vnséemely she became those rich attires that it would haue altered a deepe grounded affection to extreame disdaine to beholde rich attire on so vnseemly a carkasse Parismus nothing regarded her but Pollipus aduisedly marked her behauiour and his fancie iumpt rightly on her disease that at the very first he rightly conceited this her amorous passis Assoon as she was entred had saluted them she began to enquire of Pollipus for that he seemed to be the cheerfullest of what countrey they were how they arriued in that coast Pollipus tolde her that they were Knights of Phrygia that trauelled towards Tartaria but by a mightie tempest they were driuen vpâ—…n that Iland where their ship and men were all cast away but themselues and their little page being therby driuen to trauel by chance lighted on that Castle intending to trie if they could get passage into Tartaria for that the Country was no where else inhabited since our arriuall worthy Lady your selfe know what misery we haue indured being inflicted vpon vs for no offence that we haue giuen to the Lord of this castle therefore faire Ladie if there bee any vertuous pittie in you graunt our releasement from his bondage which can no way benefit you wee are such as neuer intended your harme any way but by necessitie were compelled by this place which hath prooued so miserable Bellona being tickled with this flattering spéech of Pollipus which séemed to agrée with her disposition made him this answere Worthy knight quoth she if it lye in my power to release you I will most willingly do it for such good will I beare you and such pitty I take for your hard vsage that I haue caused you to be remoued from the miserable prison wherein you were before and haue both bettered your lodging and your dyet and would doe all that you wish or venter my life in pursute thereof if you would condiscend to stay with me in this countrey for worthy knight though it ill beséemes my sere to begin the motion of loue and shew their beloued the depth of their affection yet for that paraduenture your inclination is not so bent I here but offer you fréedome and what else you will require so that you will yéeld to loue me For at the first view of your person my heart so surfetted with delight of beholding your perfection that euer since I haue enioyed no quiet but onely the hope to enioy my desired wish therefore gentle Knight resoule mée of my doubte and graunt this my sute and therby ease your selfe of further paine and set these your frendes at libertie Pollipus hearing her spéeches thought it the best course