them thinking because there were but two hee should easily ouercome them but the first that offered to lay hands on Parismus had his arme parted from his body and he ran about the court anothers leg was by Pollipus lopt off and he compelled to lie and tumble on the earth some lost their heads some had their bodies pierced quite through by the vnconquerable hands of these worthy Knights and happy was hee that came not within compasse of their weapons that by that time the Sunne was mounted to the highest Zodiaâ—…e the greatest part of Drubals seruants lay weltring in their bloud and these valiant knights still continued their Masâ—…acre among them that the rest séeing themselues also likely to perish by the matchlesse Chiualrie of these Champions with a generall consent cast away their Weapons and yeelded to their mercy which when Druball saw being of a traiterous disposition ranne at Parismus with all the force hee had thinking either desperately to kill him or die himselfe but Pollipus with a quicke eye marking his intent strooke him so mighty a blow vpon the head that hee ranne staggering vp and downe and by the commandement of Parismus his owne men had taken away his weapon whom Parismus caused to bee laid in the most vildest Prison in the Castle which so vexed Drubal that there he grew to such a desperate rage that hee would haue slaine himselfe but that hee was in the hope still to bee releeued by Bellona Most part of his Seruants they likewise committed to safe custodie and beeing more at quiet demanded if Antiochus Queen and his two Sonnes Daughter were liuing who told him that they were liuing in wonderfull poore and miserable estate Wherefore by the direction of one of Drubâ—…lls Seruants they were brought vnto the Prison where they were no sooner come but they heard the most greeuousesâ—… groanes câ—…ies and lamentation that euer Eare heard and being entred they beheld a number of Prisoners in the most gréeuous and pittifullest manner lying on the earth that their hearts were wonderously gréeued to behold the same Amongst the rest they beheld an auncient woman Fettered and chained vnto a poste and right opposite against her a comely young Maiden chained in many chaines their apparell beeing all torne from their bodies sauing some little that shadowed their middle parts whom the seruant tolde him was the Quéene and her daughter and two that lay chained with their backes together were Antiochus two Sonnes Parismus and Pollipus commanded them to fetch some Apparell to couer their bodies In the meane time they beganne to commune with the Queene who was much ashamed at her nakednesse but séeing some comfort in their lookes told them that she was sometime Quéen of that Countrey but had long continued imprisoned in that sort by the treacherie of Druball Parismus told her that now the time of her deliuery from that bondage was come which so reioyced the poore Queene that with a chéerefull countenance she smiled on her daughter the messenger being returned Parismus couered the Quéenes body with rich apparell and with his owne hands loosed her bands Pollipus did the like to Freneta her daughter and all the rest of the prisoners were set at liberty Parismus and Pollipus ledde the Quéen and Freneta vnto conuenient lodgings being scarce able to stand they were growne so feeble where they had all things conuenient ministred vnto them by Adonius who was willing to vndertake that office and there left them whilest they tooke order to release the rest of the Prisoners from their misery which were a great number amongst whom were many knights of strange countries that they admired the cruelty of the Tyrant Druball which excéeded the compasse of reason Afterwards they viewed the whole Castle where they beheld in sundry places the dead carkasses of thousands of Men Women and children consumed to ashes for assoone as the tyrants had satisfied their appetites in sundry â—…bominable sorts with them they burnt their bodies At last they came vnto the maine castle wherin the seruants of Druball told them they neuer saw any to enter which they found fast shut assayed by all meanes they could to open the same but their labour was in vaine which caused them to maruell what might be the cause therof But they were no sooner departed determining to go sée where Bellona lay dead but immediately the windes began to blow with such vehemeÌ„cy that with much adoo they could stand vpright wherewith such thuÌ„drings teÌ„pests began to arise that all the whole Rock shooke wheron the castle stood the buildings quaked in such maner that such as were within the compasse of the roofes ran forth into the opeÌ„ court the lower wherinto Parismus and Pollipus would haue entred seemed to turne into a mighty flame froÌ„ whence came such a smoke as darkned the whole place where they stood that they could not sée one another In which sort it coÌ„tinued a good space when presently the smoke vanished away the Tower buildings of the castle were neuer after that any more séene which so amazed the worthy Knights that with the fearfulnes thereof they stood like men agast Neither was the body of Bellona any where to be found for the tearme and date of her Inchantment then tooke end The riuer ouer which they had passed was not to be séene nor any other goodly thing that before séemed most admirable for beauty Wherefore Parismus commanded a Tent to be picht for their habitation being no other there to be had Druball being as before I said in prison hearing this noise and séeing the darkenesse that ouerspred the Castle soone knew for Bellona had reported the secret thereof vnto him before that Bellona was dead he by that meanes desperately without any hope of aide beate out his owne braines against the stone walles and his body being found in that sort murdered Parismus commanded to bee cast as a pray to the beasts of the field for that he was not worthy of buriall After which the two Knightes came to the Queene who was in the Tent accompanied by her two sonnes and daughter who by Adonius good tendance were wel strengthened they no sooner saw them come in but with a thousand commendations they began to applaud their magnanimious vertues that had wrought the downfall of those two wicked Tyrants that had long time kept them in thraldome yeelding vnto them so many harty thanks that Parismus requested them not to vse such Ceremonious thanks to them that were altogether vnworthy thereof and began to demand of the Queene whether the king of that Iland were liuing or no wherwith she told him that he was slain in a battel by Drubal many yeares since the remembrance of whose death caused the teares to trickle downe her chéekes in aboundance Wéepe not deere Queene quoth Parismus for things past recouery are no way to be lamented but quoth he this comfort is yet remaining that
of Persians destroying all that he mette that his horse and armour was all to bee stained with the Persians bloud and would haue continued longer to the terrour of the Persians but that the day was ended whereof the Persians were glad and sounded retrait hauing lost so many of their men that all the earth was couered with dead bodies The Persians hauing recouered their tents in heauinesse began to curse the blacke knight who had made such slaughter that all the army was almost discomforted with the remembrance of him Dionisius because it was night conueied his souldiers vnto the wood againe The Bohemians Hungarians and Spartaâ—…es being gone to their tents the Thessalians to the City and Osiris backe to the place from whence he came where I leaue them to speake of the Quéene and Laurana who all this while had viewed the whole campe being amazed to see the slaughter that was made amongst the Persians but especially by the blacke knight they also maruelled what force that should be that came from the wood but most of al they wondred that the blacke knight concealed himselfe which made Laurana so desirous to know that shee sent out a Page to marke his going from the Campe to tell him that shee entreated him to lodge within the City that the Queene and she might yeelde him some part of amends for his kindnesse for comming to aide them The Page diligently attending his businesse espied the blacke knight hasting from the field and calling vnto him told him that the Princes Laurana had sent vnto him to request him to lodge within the City that they might shew some thankefulnesse vnto him for the paines he had taken to defend them The blacke knight willed him to â—…ender all dutifull thankes vnto his Mistris whose request he would most willingly fulfill but that he was bound to the contrarie by a solemne vowe but within a short time he would most diligently atteÌ„d her pleasure for that he had dedicated his life to be spent in her defence which he would not desist to hazard whilest she had an enemy liuing wherewith rewarding the Page very bounâ—…ifully he departed and by the way he beganne to consider that if he should not manifest himselfe all men would thinke that Sicanus had been wrongfully accused and his own honour called in question therefore yet againe he once more resolued not to manifest himselfe vntill such time as Sicanus had confest the fact that was laid to his charge and with this resolution went to the Caue Laurana expected the returne of her Page with such an earnest desire that she could not be quiet vntill he was come who deliuered his message according as Parismus had willed him which draue her into a thousand sun dry imaginations one while she thought it was some strange Knight that sought her loue by his valour and an other while she thought it was Parismus but that cogitation was soon extinguished by a thousand doubts that with extremity of passion shee burst forth into these laments What distresse and terror is this that I endure by want of my deere Parismus who I cannot suppose to be liuing because he is thus long aâ—…sent who I know would not be out of my Company if hee might enioy the same but my Destinies by his want doe intend to worke my ouerthrow yet neuerthelesse were I but assured he were liuing then should my heart be at quiet for I know he would preserue his life for my sake or were I but assured that hee were dead then would I soone resolue to follow him that my fainting Ghost might enioy his companie and knew he but how deerely I loued him then I am sure that he would soone returne but he hath heretofore mette with some false Creâ—…ed and therefore he only absenteth himselfe to make triall of my Truth were I but sure that this were the effectual cause of his absence then would I rest in quiet but my lucklesse Stars bode me no such good Fortune And to my griefe I feare me he poore soule is destroyed by the trechery of that wicked homicide Sicanus who is not contented with his tragedie but also séeketh my destruction Well with what patience I may I will liue in hope once againe to see my Lord for I doe not doubt but the Palâ—…ers newes were true or else how should he come to possesse that Iewel which my deare Parismus sent me In these and such like complaints shee spent all that night refusing to be comforted that the pure Christall teares ranne from her eyes aboundantly that it would haue forced a stony heart to relent at her dolefull lamentation CHAP. XII How Donisius discouered himselfe to the Queene and of the ioy was made in the City how Parismus determining to see Laurana in his palmers disguise lighted vpon a prettie aduenture at the first dangerous but in the ende pleasant and what battels hee afterwards fought with the Persians DIonisius very earely the next day after the battell fought against the Persians came marching with his troupes of whom very few were missing towards the Citie from whence hee found the Persians remoued further by halfe a mile for they hauing viewed their forces found them so much weakened by the last daies infinite slaughter that they thought themselues scarce able to resist an other assault and therefore began to intrench themselues by which meanes those of the Thessalian party had free accesse to the City and by the appointment of Dionisius al the souldiers were conueied into the same euery band lodged seuerally by themselues al things being ordered for a sudden assault if need should require The Bohemian king requested the king of Hungaria and Prince of Sparta to go with him to the palace to visit the Quéene amongst whom was Dionisius not yet knowne to any but the Bohemian King they marched in â—…heir armour with Drummes and Trumpets The Quéene â—…auing knowledge of their comming came to meete them in mourning attire and with her Laurana and the Thessalian Ladies the faire young Queene of Hungaria and the Ladie Isabella who had all this while remained with Oliuia and all the Thessalian Lords shewing by their outward habite their inward sorrow for want of him that was amongst them by this time they were met and most kindly saluted each other the Quéene giuing them most harty thankes for their friendship and they protesting neuer to forsake her in time of neede Oliuia maruelled who that might be that concealed himselfe which both Laurana and all the rest diligently marked and being drawne by that meanes into heauy cogitation of her lost Lord she vttered these speeches Most worthy King of Bohemia I am sorry that the King of Thessalie is wanting to giue honour to your simple encertainement whose absence is most greeuous vnto vs being our onely defence comfort by which meanes wee cannot giue you such a ioyfull welcome as wee should if our Sun were not darkned but are compelled by our plaints to
conueyed far hence vnto some vnknowne place froÌ„ whence she cannot send me word or any way giue me knowledge in that estate she remaineth then what resteth for me to do but to search the world throughout to find her and either to recouer her to my comfort or spend my life in that pursuite and since I vndertake a trauell without knowledge which way to take or whither to conuey my steppes sweet Fortune be so fauourable as to guide me in my trauels that by thy ayde I may come to the place of her abode and attaine the fruition of her heauenly presence who by thy appointment hath fallen into these mischances and I will for euer dedicate my indeuours to thy seruice and continually adore thy name Which words being ended hee mounted himselfe on his steede and rode the way his fancie first chose trauelling towards the mountaines that incompasse Bohemia but not finding her being vnacquainted in those countries wandred towards Grecia and trauailed without any more hope to find her then at the beginning continuing his trauels without intermission passing many places without any misaduenture At last he came to the great Forrest of Ardea wherein stoode the Castle of the mighty Gyant Brandamor the place being inuincible by reason of the scituation and strength whose cruelties committed by him and his brother Argaletus made him much feared and his walkes eschued of all men Which Forrest Pollipus was no sooner enterd but hée espied the bodie of a goodly Knight that had lately giuen vp his ghost lye weltred in his blood which when he had wel viewed and perceiued to be quite past recouerie hee maruailed what sad aduenture had bene cause of his death perswading himselfe that those that had done the same were not farre off that he withdrew himselfe into a thicket of bushes where he could not be discerned to stay vntill hee might descrie those that had done that déed Hée had not bene long shrowded there but hée sawe a damzell and a squire comming to the dead knight with great lamentations bewailing his vntimely death seeming by their behauiour to be quite ouercome with extreame miserie After their lamentations ended they hasted to take vp the dead Knight to whome Pollipus came and demaunded what Knight that was and what misaduenture had brought him to that vntimely death The damzel casting her eyes vp to him which before were sadly fixed on the earth said Sir Knight to discduer the whole circumstance of our mishap would aske more respit then the time will now permit because if we be surprised by our tariance wée are like to be partners with him in death This Knight was named Tyrides sonne to the noble Duke Amasenus of Thrace being brought vp in the Court of the renowned King of Libia who being with the Princesse Venola the kings onely daughter on hunting in the middest of their pastime she was seuered from the rest of her company and being wet with following the game alighted in a pleasant valley to coole her selfe and lay downe to the flowrie bankes of a swéete burbling brooke where she had not long stayed but she was surprised by a Gyant who with rud e behauiour brought her a way wherewith I being amazed ranne backe to this worthie Knight Tyrides who with me and this Page pursued him vntill we came to this place where this noble Knight charged him to deliuer the Lady to him who lay panting with extreame feare of her life vnder his guard but the Gyant presently set vpon this Knight and in long continuance of terrible fight slewe him by which time many of her damzels had found vs out whom he with Venola notwithstanding their earnest intreaties conueyed to a Castle not farre hence whether we secretly followed him and are now returnec to carry backe this knight with this heauy newes to to the King Do not so quoth Pollipus but bring me to the Castle and thou shalt soone sée I will set her at lebertie or venter my life Sir quoth she damzel if I thought your trauel would sort to any good issue I would conduct you thither but the Gyant is now within the Castle the night â—…éere approached therefore we will depart with this dead knight and if you please to goe thither you may easilie finde it Pollipus seeing her so vnwilling left her and rode towardes the Castle which he found fast shut whereto was one passage by a bridge ouer a mightie huge déepelake the Castle it selfe being scituated vpon a loftie rocke so well fenced by nature and strengthned by the art of man that it was vnconquerable and not to be subdued by force and comming to the bridge he found the same drawn vp by meanes wherof he thought it vaine to account of any thing that night but contented himselfe to take the cold earth for his bed and the large Forrest for his Chamber where hée could take no rest beeing troubled with many thoughts hauing likewise some hope to â—…ude Violetta in that place which added though it were verie vnlikely great courage to his resolution That viewing the inuincible strenght of the Castle and well considering how he might disaduantage the Dyant if he could get him to single fight in these and such like thoughts hée spent most part of the night vntill at last he laid him downe and gaue a little slumber to his eyes Early in the morning he buckled on his armour and mounting his stéede throwded himselfe vnder the shadow of an oake not farre fâ—… the Castle where he might easilie see who went out and in thereat The first that came out that morning was Argalt mounted vpon a goodly Courser and armed in very rich Armour whom Pollipus thought had beene the Gyant that the Damzel had tolde him of whom he thus greeted Traitor art thou the Gyant of this Castle which hast stolne the Ladie Venâ—…la Argall hearing his peremptorie demaund made this answere I haue the Lady Venola in my custody whome I esteeme aboue all the world but no traitor as thou termest mee Yes quoth Pollipus thou art a traitor and worse then a villaine that disloyally offerest outrage to resistlesse Ladies that hast not so much valour as to shew thy selfe before an armed Knight but since my destinies haue allotted me to meete thee thus conueniently I will abate thy pride and correct thy tyrannâ—…e and make thee repent the out rages thou hast committed Argalt hearing his spéeches was so enraged that suddainly hâ—… drew foorth his mightie Fawchion and as suddainely strooke a violent blow therewith at Pollipus which by the vnexpected approach being vnresisted glaunced on his thigh and pierced the Armour that the blood appeared Pollipus seeing how treacherously hée had smitten him drew his sword and reuenged that blow beginning a braue and faire combate which continued for a good space vntill they had giuen each other many veepe wounds Argalt marueling at his enemies valour beeing neuer before so roughly handled laid on his blows with
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