the whole circumstance of all that hée had heard of Tellamor and of Pollipus in the Castle of Brandamor Violetta hearing of a certaintie that Pollipus was yet liuing and not dead as she before that suspected for though she perceiued the contrary before in Archas Castle yet a scruple remaining in her minde thereof was somewhat comforted and in some better hope to come to him againe but calling to minde the daunger hée was now in was excéedingly againe ouerwhelmed with care of his welfare and hearing of his imprisonment determined to endanger her owne libertie to enioy his company if other meanes could not be wrought for his release Panuamus séeing her ouerwhelmed with such a chaos of confused cares said as followeth Most vertuous Ladie since Fortune hath brought you into this place that you haue thus happily heard of your knight Pollipus release your selfe from the bonds of those cares which disturbe your quiet for here you shall want nothing that accordeth to your will and my selfe will do the best I can to set Pollipus at libertie which whilst I goe about so pleaseth you my sister Clariana shall kéepe you company whose griefes are as great as may be Sir quoth Violetta might I obtaine this fauour at your handes that you would geue the knight you met knowledge of my béeing here then I am sure hée will soone come to mée with whom I would gladly speake for I knowe he is one of the knights of Bohemia That will I do quoth Panuamus or any thing else you shall commaund me and because I will not be disappointed of meeting him I will early in the morning follow him for that he is gone to the Forrest of Arde where I shall be sure to finde him Eâ—…rly the next Morning according to his word hee mounted himselfe and departed after Tellamor leauing Clarina and Violetta together vsing the best perswasions they could to comfort one another CHAP. IX I How Panuamus met with Tellamor and how hee and Tellamor met Barzillus at the GoldenTower and returning altogether to Panuamus Castle Tellamor was enamoured of Clarina PAnuamus hauing left Violetta and Clarina together with all speede hasted to finde Tellamor and Ryding an vnwoonted pace hee ouertooke him entring into the Forrest vnto whome he saide Syr Knight let me be so bold as to aske you one question Tellamor hearing his wordes and knowing him to be the same Knight he had met withall before courteously bad him aske what he pleased Are you not a Knight of Bomemia qd he Tellamor maruelling why he askâ—… him that question told him that he was indéed belonging to Parismus Prince of Bohemia Then said Panuamus a Ladie that remaineth not farre hence named Violetta hath sent mee backe vnto you and desireth to speake with you Tellamor hearing his wordes was affected with exceeding ioy thereat making this replie Syr Knight in a happy houre did I méete with you by your meanes to come to knowledge of theyr abode I most desire to finde indeede Violetta is the Lady I goe in search of and also wife to the Knight you told me of yesterday who by your report remaineth Prisoner in the Forrest therefore I will returne with you to visite that Ladie vnto whose seruice my life is whoâ—…y Dedicated This saide they returned backe together but the Night beeing approached and they without any place to lodge in thought it as good to trauell all Night as take vp their lodging vpon the cold ground therefore Panuamus vndertooke to guide them â—…sting to his owne knowledge and contrary to his expectation wandred a quite contrarie way and when Phoebus beganne to illuminate the Earth with his golden brighnesse they were come into a pleasant valley where they behelde two Knights continuing a most sterce combat and drawing neare vnto them Tellamor presently know the one of them to be Barzillus the occasion of which combat was thus After Barzillus had parted from Parismus and Telamor taking the middle way he wandred many dayes without any aduenture and at last arriued at a moste goodly Pallace most excéedingly beautified with inumerable Turreis of exceeding height that their toppes seemed to equall the cloudes of such curious Workmanshippe as the like hath not ben seen whose glistring reflection procured by the sunnes bright beames dazeled the eyes of the beholders with an admirable glittering In the midst of this stately Pallace stood a gallant Building in forme of a Temple seeming to the view of such as beheld the same to be made of the most purest and burnished gold on the toppe wherof stood the forme of a most goodly Lady with a crowne of gold vpon her head whose liuely proportion forme of exceeding beautie would haue detained a most constant minde in a wandring delight to behold the same Barzillus beholding the exceeding beautie of the Pallace and the stately forme of the pictured Lady was desirous to know who inhabited there and to that intent drawing nigh thereto at the entrance thereof he beheld a Tent with those verses written thereon Passe not this Bridge before thou knocke Least thou to late repent thy pride Leaue not obtained thou mayest go backe For entrance is to all denide A Knight within must know thy name Thy boldnesse else will turne to shame Barzillus reading the Superscription smoâ—…e the Tent with his lunce when presently issued out a Knight in euery poynt readie armed to whome Barzillus said as followeth Knight I reading the superscription ouer the entrance into the Tent according to the direction thereof haue called thee forth demaunded thy meaning thereby and what goodly Pallace this is the like whereof I neuer behelde for beautie Knight aunswered hee againe this Pallace is called the Golden Tower belonging to Maximus the most mighty and famous King of Natolia wherein is his onely daughter Angelica for beautie without compare for wit forme and vertuous Ornament excelling all the Ladyes in the world whose equall was neuer heard of nor can be found within the spatious continent of the earth The King hath places her in his most rich and gorgeous Pallace whose walles are of Brasse and framed of such inuincible strength that no power of man is able so subdue the same she hath to attend her a hundreth Ladies of great dignitie and a thousand of the most valiant Knights in all the world The occasion why he guardeth her person is this At her byrth an olde Inchauntresse prophecied that her beautie should set Kings a discord and be the cause of her fathers death A childe is borne whose beautie bright Shall passe each forme of other faire As doth the Sunne in perfect light Each little Starre fixt in the ayre For whom great Kings shall enter strife And warre shall shed Natoliaus blood Whose Ire shall spill Maximus life Yet wisedome oft hath harme withstood A mightie Prince her loue shall gaine Though vice doe seeke to crosse their blisse He shall her winne with restlesse paine And she of sorrow
sléepe and leauing Panoraes house with his Sword in the one hand and his Doublet in the other ran out into the open stréetes to sée what might be the cause of this vprore By this time the stréetes were filled with Souldiers and Parismenos was gotten to the Court-gates Where he met with Maximus the King but would not offer to touch him Who like a furious mad and desperate man ranne amongst the Bohemian Souldiers brandishing his sword and slaughtering such as stood next him where he met with Marcellus ranging about starke mad with griefe Who desired him to withdraw himselfe least he were destroyed by the common-Souldyers but he refusing his counsell and ouercome with mad Frenzie rushed in amongst the thickest of them â—…out consideration Wounding some and slaughtering those that offered not to touch him being before commaunded by Parismenos not to lay violent handes on him but his carlesse surie wrought his owne downefall and his owne follie confirmed the Prophesie that he had long time feared For most lamentablie in throng of the Bohemian Horsemen he was troden to death By this time Marcellus was come to the Court fearing least the Souldiers should enter and affreight the Quéene and Angelica Where hee found Parismenos though vnknowne kéeping the Entrance running at him most furis ously To whom Parismenos saide Marcellus holde thy hands here is none but Friends With that word he saide Who art thou that knowest me I am qd he a friend to Marcellus and wish you withdraw your selfe into the Court least you be hurt amongst my souldiers Marcellus hearing his spéeches stept within the Court-Gates By this time the Prince of Bohemia and Pollipus had put the Natolian forces to fleight and taken Santodelodoro and Pridamor prisoners the king of Lybia was fled the common-Souldyers had ransackt the Campe and beganne to sacke the Citty vntill the day began to appeare and the Prince of Bohemia and Pollipus hauing attained victorie gaue commaundement that none vpon paine of death should offer to enter any of the Citizens houses The Nobles séeing what slaughter the Bohemians had made how the Moores and Lybians were fledde and the Cittie ready to be sackt came to the Quéene and certified her the trueth of all Who missing Maximus carelesly ranne into the Cittie to séeke him renting her garments and making excéeding mone and at last found him troden to death and not slaughtered by mans force but by the brute Beasts casting her selfe carelesly and desperately vpon his dead Corpes vttering many lamentable spéeches vntill the Nobles withheld her from dooing her salfe violence which shee often intended and taking vp the dead kings corps carried him to the Court with great lamentation Marcellus camming to Parismus with a kinde behauiour said Most Noble Prince of Bohemia I beséech you stay your incensed wrath and séeke not the Ruine and Destruction of this Cittie and vs For Maximus being dead there is none that will make resistance but rather entertaine you with willing harts being alwaies vnwilling to haue moued you to séeke this Reuenge but that it was not in vs to contradict Maximus will Who was rather ledde and ouerruled by rags then aduise Therefore we yéelde our selues to your mercie Parismus beeing certified that it was Marcellus whome loued Parismenos and was alwayes his deare Friende saide Noble Prince thinke that I sought no way to iniure you but to redéeme my Sonne and reuenge his wrong Which now the iust Heauens haue executed in my behalfe but what restitution can be made me for his lesse Whose vntimely death was noted by Maximus crueltie I séeke not your harme but his recouerie Therefore be you assured of Peace and that I will at your request cease all further strife vpon your Princely promise of securitie Marcellus then said I haue alwayes honored your Name much more doo I affect your presence desiring nothing more then to be well estéemed of you that now Maximus is dead and my selfe next to succéed in the Kingdome Whosoeuer shall offer iniurie to the worst Bohemian Souldier I will hate him whilest I liue Therfore I beséech you rest in assurance vpon my promise and vouchsafe such Entertainment as this Court can yéelde too vnworthy to giue you Welcome Which wordes Marcellus spake in the hearing and presence of all the Nobles and Péers of his Land who likewise notwithstanding the slaughter the Bohemians hadde made willingly ratified his spéeches with their vnconstrained consent Parismus then alighted and embraced Marcellus and Pollipus did the like First appointed what the Souldiers should doo And then went into the Court with Marcellus The Souldiers that were dispearsed to euery corner of the Cittie returned to the Campe sauing onely a sufficient Guarde of Bohemian Knightes that stayed to Guarde the Prince Marcellus sent out messengers to gather togither all the scattered Troupes of the Getulian Campd and gaue them great Rewards those that were maimed and Wounded hee also caused to bee brought to a place where they were very diligently looked vnto by skilfull Physitions And euery one notwithstanding theyr former discontentes were by Marcellus highly satisfied CHAP. XXXI ¶ How Sicheus sonne to the Emperour of Constantinople Remulus king of Thrace and others landed in Natolia Of Parismenos discouery How hee was elected Angelicaes husband by the consent of the Peeres And how Angelica performing Hymens rytes was stolne away by the King of Tunis from whom she was againe taken by certaine Out-lawes MArcellus hauing ordered these affaires then beeing with Parismus Pollipus the newes was brought that Remulus the King of Thrace was landed with a mightie Bande of Thracians and that Camillus was likewise Landed with a Band of well armed Souldiers With whome Sycheus Sonne to the Emperour of Constantinople had mette hauing with him a mightie Band of Grecians Marcellus hearing this newes sent out Heralds to know the cause of theyr comming Who returned and certified him that Camillus came to aide the K of Natolia and that Sycheus and Remulus had brought those forces in the aide of Parismenos but being certified of the victory the Bohemians had attained and beeing assured of the Peace was concluded and of Maximus death had sent backe their Bandes but themselues with Troups of gallant Knightes were comming to the Court Marcellus then sent out his Nobles to giue them good entertainment Angelica being now at libertie came downe attended by a gallant traine of beautifull Ladies her sad countenance bewraying her hearts sorrow and with a most comely and kinde submisse gesture Welcommed Parismus vttering these fewe words Honourable Prince regarding the denoted duety wherein I am bounde to your Worthinesse in that you are Parismenos Father I reioyce to sée your safetie though I haue cause inough to sorrow my selfe being the chiefest meane of your disquiet and by my vnlucky Destinies haue bene the greatest procurer of these griefes And since your noble Sonne Parismenos for my sake and my Fathers crueltie hath endured manie miseries and death too
in whereby the Uirgin left off her speech bringing in with them good store of money which they had taken from honest passengers Parismus lying very weake yet marked wel their behauiour which made him maruell that men could be so inhumane as by their owne reports they seemed to be wishing himselfe with Laurana who he thought would accuse him of disloialty or that hee made choise of some other if shee did not so misdoubt him then the sorrow he thought she endured for his losse which might some way come to her knowledge so galled him to the heart that his inward passions would not suffer his outward physicke to doe him any good and the continual care he was in did much hinder his health being likewise as much tormented with remembrance of the grant that Dionisius had made to Sicanus concerning the marriage twixt him and Laurana who he thought might now be inforced to yeelde her consent when she was out of hope of recouering him this griefe farre exceeded all the rest that all the whole company began to note his sorrow for he was scarce able to containe himselfe within the bounds of reason In these perplerities he continued by the space of three months in all which time he could not fully recouer his health Where we will leaue him to speake of Dionisius who by tract of time hauing somewhat mittigated the remembrance of Parismus want most of his Knights being departed home into Bohemia Oristus onely excepted who by no meanes could be drawne to leaue Thessaly because there he had lost his Lord began to conferre about the marriage of Laurana being often importuned by Sicanus who caused the King of Hungaria and the Prince of Sparta to be earnest solliciters in his behalfe at whose instance Dionisius promised to giue them answere the next day therefore sending for Laurana he demanded of her how shee fancied Lord Sicanus who was a most honourable Gentleman and one euery way worthy to be beloued telling her that he had giuen his sul cōsent and therefore it stood not with her vertue to séeme strange or shew her selfe vndutifull Laurana hearing her fathers speeches being much amazed stood still and gaue no answer a good space at last kneeling downe shee began in this sort I most humbly intreat your Maiesty to vouchsafe to heare my words with patience and not to impute any thing I shall desire at your highnesse hands to vndutifulnesse I cannot as yet fancy the Prince though I confesse my selfe farre vnworthy the honour you proffer me but haue presumed vpon your fauourable promise not to marry me to any without my liking to fuse the offer Sicanus maketh for that my fancy perswaded me he shall bring some sorrow to your highnesse and al the rest of this Court and Countrey as also for that I am vnwilling to this with my better but would intreate your maiesty if your highnesse will needs haue me marry rather to bestow mee on some honourable Gentleman of my degree but most of all my desire is to continue this my happy life wherein I entend with your gracious liking to spend the length of my daies Dionisius wondring to heare her answer began to waxe somewhat angry with her and told her that it was his pleasure shee should marry with him and he would haue it so My deare Lord and Father quoth shée because I am yours wholly to dispose of I humbly craue that I may haue a monthes respite to aduise my selfe and then I will accomplish your demand which he granted and so left her Laurana being alone began to weigh in what estate she was and how to auoid this iniurie the should doe to her selfe for her honourable promise past to Parismus and to him for his loue that she determined rather to destroy her selfe then yéeld to marry him whom she accounted her deare loues enemy and with this resolution went to her lodging Sicanus the next morning attended Dionisius answer who told him that his daughter had giuen her consent vpon condition he would grant her a months respite to consider of her duty therein wherewithall he was highly contented being now fully assured as he thought of his desire and began more boldly to visit Laurana who little esteemed his friendship though he vsed her kindly but farre from any shew of loue to the intent to breed no suspition in him of that shee intended CHAP. VII How Sicanus treason was discouered who suddainly fled into his Country and how Diomsius departed towards Bohemia vnknown to any in the disguise of a Palmer and what sorrow Oliuia the Queene made for his absence who created Lord Remus Regent in the Kings absence WHilest these things were acting it happened contrary to Sicanus expectation who now thought all things so buried in forgetfulnesse that his treachery could by no meanes be reuealed that the Tarrrians which murthered Parismus beganne to contend about the money Sicanus had giuen them in so much that one of them strooke the other such a blow on the head that he had wel-néere slaine him and would haue strucke him againe but that by chance Oristus comming by reprooued the other that had strooke his fellow and defended him that was already wounded from further harme and diuers other of Dionisius knights comming together they conueied him that was hurt into a Chamber and the other was carried before the king to be examined vpon what occasion hee did strike him who answered Diomsius that he would not be examined of any but his owne Prince which made Dionisius the more earnest to know the cause therefore willed Lord Remus to intreat Sicanus to come vnto him to end a doubt which none but he could decide Sicanus maruelling what the cause should be immediatly came but seeing one of the Tartarians that he had hired to murther Parismus standing before the King began to feare according to the guiltinesse of his conscience that his treason was bewraied notwithstanding he demanded why he had so wounded his fellow the villaine being amazed to see his master so ready to examine him and not rather to excuse him could not readily tell what to say but in that little respit of deliberation he answered that he had done him wrong that was the cause he had strooke him which words he vttered with great feare staring vpon Sicanus as if he should haue instructed him what to say Dionisius noting Sicanus countenance the villaines answer whom Sicanus would examine no further began to misdoubt some former mischiefe had bred this contention commanded the other Tartarian that was wounded to be brought before him who feeling himselfe almost past estate of life confest the cause why thy fell out and how that they had the money of Sicanus for murthering Parismus whose want was procured by their meanes Sicanus standing by and hearing his speech suddenly drew his dagger and stabbed him before he could vtter any more of his treachery Which so amazed all the company that a good
assurance of his Sisters safety and his owne happy Fortune to haue so fit an occasion to rid himselfe from bondage hee euer after indeuoured by all dutifull means to grow further into his good fauour Parismus and Laurana remaining in happie and peaceable contentednesse by meanes of theyr good successe hauing respite to viewe others griefes began to note the sadde countenance of Pollipus which before they did not marke which caused Parismus suspect that his olde Sore was not cured which was his Loue to Violetta wherein hee aymed aright for Pollipus seeing his trauells for Laurana were at an ende beganne to desire to heare some newes of Violetta And though there was no likelyhood fore him to attaine her Loue yet the extreamitie of his affections were such that hee thought he could no way content himselfe better then to spend the rest of his life in her seruice still purposing according to a most noble and constant Resolution neuer to desist from shewing the true zeale he bare to purchase her fauour Oftentimes hee could spend many houres in secrete complaintes and Protestations of his true and loyall Loue wherin according to the humours of Loue-sicke people hée thought hee did in some measure ease his heart Which behauiour of his Violetta well noting as beeing infected with the selfe-same disease would oftentimes interrept him in his sadde Lamentations with such conceytes that Pollipus woondered to sée such wisdome in a Boy but by reason that shee was taken to be no other then a Boy he entred into no déeper consideration of her actions In the silent Night time Violetta did with such kindnesse affect his complaintes that when hée sighed shée likewise sighed and if hée chanced at any time to complaine of his hard Fortune Violetta would as often blesse the happie time and houre when shee first saw him and that shee was so happie to be beloued of so honourable a Knight The variable difference of whose Ioyes were contrarie For Pollipus little thinking his Violetta had bene so néere him continually spent his time in heauinesse not being any way able to comfort himselfe with any hope of attayning his wished desire being eftsoones terrified with the remembrance of her last doome and deniall to his sute as also the manifolde mischaunces that might befall her or that shee hadde so wilfully thrust herselfe into with a thousand other displeasant thoughtes sufficient enough to discourage anie from presuming vpon any good successe By meanes whereof hee continually remained in most heauie and sadde Estate still deuising how to ease his heart of that care it endured wherein hee greatly excelled in constancie the fickle and wandring thoughtes of diuerse which are discouraged from persisting in theyr first Resolutions for euery small discomâ—…ture Violettaes Ioyes were as excéeding as his sorrowes were extreame For â—…hee behelde continually behelde the constancie that raigned in his heart to her wards the noble gifts wherewith his minde was indued the comlines of his goodly proportion which might well please a curious Ladyes eye his vnconquered Ualour and prowesse whereby hee atchieued incredible victories with great Fame the friendship and courteous behauiour that abundantly flowed from his gentle hart wherby it was apparant that hee did not disdaine the meanest persons Besides hearing the continuall complaints hée made of her hard sentence and the constancie of his Resolution for that he determined to spend his life in her seruice and all the pleasure shée tooke in his company being neuer from him in the day time and his Bedfellow in the night that she was priuy to all his actions vsing many kindnesses which he full little thought procéeded from such affection And nothing déeming Violetta had bene so priuie to all his Cogitations though shée poore soule neuer touched his bodie but with a trembling feare remembring her owne Nakednes still vsing such a Modest kinde of bashfulnesse in her actions as if many Eyes had beene priuie to her Disguise and watchfully noted her behauiour wherewith her ioyes continued in such a secrete content as is not to be expressed And one night when she hadde shrowded her selfe within the Bed as Pollipus lay tossing and tumbling by reason of the restlesse thoughtes hee endured In the midst of his heauinesse Violetta pittying his sorrowes and to drawe him from remembring them vttered these spéeches Syr knight qd she I maruell what passion that is which so distempereth your quiet Sleepes and if my talke be not offensiue vnto you I beseeche you make mee acquainted with the same for in all my life time I neuer beheld the like in anie man Poore Boy qd Pollippus it were but follie for mee to expresse that to thée whereof thou canst not iudge for that thy yeares are not of sufficiencie to entertaine such diuine cogitations Diuine qd shee Can diuine cogitations so distemper mens wits Yea quoth Pollipus for Loue is a diuine and heauenly gift and Loue it is that so tormenteth mee Not that I Loue but that I am not beloued againe For in Thessalie I loued a Damsell named Violetta whose excellent Beautie and vertuous gifts haue so inthralled my Senses that I feare me Boy it will be to mée a cause of perpetuall heauinesse Whose absence is cause of my griefe and not onely that she is absent but that I knowe not where to beholde her Attractiue beautie for euen at my comming from Thessalie she was I know not by what misaduenture missing to my great sorrowe in whose continuall search I am determined to spende the rest of these my wearysome dayes It is very much mee thinkes quoth shée that you will so much regarde her good that hath showne her selfe so discourteous towards you and surely you are not of my minde in that you will take such paines to finde her out and in the ende peraduenture reape nothing but disdaine for your good will For it is likely shee hath made choyce of some other Knight not so worthy to be beloued as your selfe with whom shee is departed Then why will you hazarde your person in the daungers incident to trauell and spend your time in purchasing nothing but your owne discontent Well replyed Pollipus howsoeuer I am rewarded a thousand more perills then I can imagine shall not discourage me For were I but so happie as once to finde her then would I commit the rest to my good Fortune which shal be sufficient if I can but once againe make my Loue knowne to her that shée may haue some further triall of my seruice If shée should not regard you qd she according to your hearts content I should account her the most discourteous Lady liuing and were I in her case I would indure a thousand deaths rather then shewe my selfe ingratefull to so honourable and kind a friend and because I would see the issue of your loue I desire you that I may be partaker with you in your Trauells For though I am altogether vnworthie to be estéemed of you yet if you
how immoderaâ—…ely doe you gouerne your selfe to fall into 〈◊〉 extreames I 〈◊〉 my heart if I doe not repeâ—… that euer I â—…ke in hand to be an Aâ—…tor herein What haue you no more wisdome but so fondly to dote on a stragling Knight that cannot or at the least will not vnderstand your meaning taking a delight to see your torment for it is impossible but that hee should perceiue your loue towards him then be not so affectionate towards such a one as neither regardeth loue nor knoweth what belongeth to Courtly ciuility Peace peace quoth Venola either fill my eares with the sound of better words orelse hold thy tongue or I tell thee it is more odions vnto me then death to heare thee so much disgrace the Prince of courtesie for in him remaine all honourable parts whose presence is more deare vnto me then all the proffered seruices of the knights in the world and if thou canst comfort me no better then by these speeches keeps secret what thou knowest and hereafter thou shalt know no more of my minde For I imparted the same to thee thinking to haue comfort by thy counsell but thou contrarily addest care to my griefe Sweet Mistresse quoth shee I beseech you doe not conceiue so hardly of my meaning for I speake nothing but with intent to procure your good and rather will I teare my accursed tongue from foorth of my head then it shall vtter a word to displease you Then qd Venola 〈◊〉 againe counsell me what do too for thou séest how farre I am tyed in thâ—…nds of Loue to that worthy Knight that without some hope of comfort my 〈◊〉 wâ—…the excéeding and more then my poore heart will be able to iâ—…e This I thinke qd Flauia is the best to be done eyther doo it your selfe or let mee giue him knowledge of your loue and then you shall soone sée whether he will accept thereof or no. Doo so then qd Venola I commit all to thy discretion The Knight of Fame being departed to Venolaes chamber was as farre from conceiuing the cause of her Passion as hee was from the knowledge of all things and being walkt into a Garden alone by him selfe Flauia came to him 〈◊〉 hee kindely gréeted asking her how her Mistresse did Syr Knight quoth shée in the same case you left her and yet rather Worse the cause of whose disquiet is procured by no disease but by an extraordinarie 〈◊〉 which none but one can remedie Which I would willingly giue the partie knowledge of but that I knowe not whether hee will take the same kindely or no Else â—…ere hée much too blame q. he â—…or hâ—… 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 that would not pittie the distresse of so diuine a creature Gentle sir quoth she thus it is My Lady hath euer since the first sight of your person beene greatly tormented with loues passions which is the cause of her sicknesse which resteth onely in your power to salue The Knight of Fame hearing her speeches was so suddenly aâ—…nisht and therewith drawne into such cogitations that he stood a good while like one in a trance at last he said the harder is her happe and the worse my misfortue for I am vnworthy of such kindnesse and vnable to yeeld her recompence which words being spoken he turned himselfe from her being drawne into such a deepe meditation that hee regarded not nor scarce heard some words Flauia spake to him afterwards who thinking that he had of purpose contemned her departed in a monstrous rage and being alone by himselfe cogitating vpon these euents perceiued that her former kindnesse had proceeded from the same roote of affection greatly condemning himselfe of dulnes that could not before that conceiue the same wishing that he had departed with the Prince of Bohemia for that his fancy could by no meanes be drawne to the least good conceit of her loue for his heart was wholly imployed another way Then he beganne to call to remembrance the somniferous potion he had tasted by which meanes he was disappointed of Parismus companie reuoluing euery consideration and circumstance of the same and these Euents was in the ende fully perswaded that it was purposely done by Venola or some by her appointment to stay him there which thought was so fully grounded in his fancie that he assuredly perswaded himselfe that was the very truth and none else Which draue him into many studies how to rid himselfe from thence At last he determined to depart in secret and vnknowne to anie And with this resolution all that day he accompanied the rest of the Knights thereby to shun all occasions of hearing any further spéech of Venola Who hearing how scornefully he receiued Flauiaes Message Which Flauia had told her entred into such extream complaints against her hard fortune and shed such abundance of teares that the Bed whereon she lay was Watered therewith In which estate shee continued tormenting her selfe with extreame cares Early the next morning the knight without the knowledge of any departed clogged with such a chaos of confused cares as that he wisht the date of his wearie life subiect to so many crosses were expyred intending neuer to returne thithâ—…r whom Flauia soone mist The newes whereof shee conueyed to the hearing of Venola Who tooke the same se heauily so that many dayes shee continued as one likelyer to entertaine death then to suruiue Which draue her Parents into an extreame sadnesse From whome she still concealed the cause of her griefe In which estate for a while we will leaue her and the Knight of Fame onwards on his Iourney and Clarina in great carâ—… for the absence of Tellamor in the Forrest of Arde. CHAP. XV. I How the Knight of Fame arriued in Natolia And by what meanes hee found the Ladie he sawe in the Uision And of the Combat he fought with Collimus AFter the Knight of Fame was departed the King of Lybiaes Court to andyde the Loue of Venola hee trauelled many daies without any aduenture tyred with extreame care and desire to come to the knowledge of his Parents and to finde his deuoted â—…adie that when the Sunne was at the highâ—…t and by that meanes the season very hote hee alighted from his horse in a pleasant valley Where sitting vnder the shadow of a Chestnut-Tree he entred into this communication to himselfe What varieties of crosses do still prosecute my stéppes that I can in no place bee at quiet but am still troubled with that which I would not but cannot finds the thing I desire My Byrth-day was the beginning of my sorrowes Since which time nothing but Care and â—…ration hath befallen to my share Whereas I sée other Knights enioy theyr hearts content c. As â—…cerning my Parents they are so hidden from my knowledge as thaâ—… my selfe Trauelling to finde them Peraduanture goe rather a great waâ—…from them then to them For the Iland of Rockes from wâ—…nce I came and where I was brought vppe is very farre distant
beeing as thou seest preserued by Diuine prouidence by the Kings cruelty by him vniustly cast into this place without any cause of offence but wrongfully as thou maiest perceiue by my preseruation for if my facte had deserued punishment no doubt I could not haue escaped the crueltie of these executioners hauing endured great danger of famishment Now my request vnto thee is that thou wouldest but suffer me to depart from hence without descrying me for I haue no reason to trust to Maximus courtesie and hauing already endured this miserie by his crueltie which thou maiest well doe without endangering thy selfe any kinde of way for there is none but doth assuredly thinke I am dead The Keeper hearing his spéeches and withall seeing how admirably hee was preserued and also fearing his owne death assured him by many vowes and protestations not onely doe that which hee had desireâ— but also would most faithfully execute what other thing soeuer he should command to his vttermost power Will thou then quoth he doe this for me Giue me the keyes and make fast the doore so that thou canst not goe from mee and then call downe thy boy and send him to Marcellus to request him to come to thee but in such sort that the boy may not see me and also to doe his message secretly which the Keeper told him he would most willinglie performe Then directing the Knight of Fame how to locke the doore that he could not escape hee called downe the boy who presently came to him whom he commanded to séeke out Marcellus secretly and to desire him that he would vouchsafe to come and speake with him about a matter of great importance The boy hauing receiued his message immediatly hasted to execute the same and most fortunatly met him in the outer Court to whom he declared the cause of his comming Marcellus maruelling why the Keeper had sent for him presently began to remeÌ„ber the knight of Fame with which his heart began to throb but hasting down to the den the keeper commanded his boy to depart and humbling himselfe to Marcellus told him that the knight of Fame was stil liuing Which said he ran in vnto him who had shrowded himselfe from his sight and told him Marcellus was come then presently hee came foorth whom Marcellus espying with great reioicing caught him in his armes and most louingly embraced him seeming to be reuiued with ioy in respect of the care opprest his minde before hee had knowledge of his safetie Manie courteous greetings past on either side Marcellus desired the Keeper not to reueale this secret to any for if it should come te my Fathers hearing it were impossible then to preuent his rigour and withall promised him that if he would let him lodge in his house but that night he would reward him most bountifullie and withall promised him to higher dignity and to such place of account as that hee would haue good cause to reioice that euer the Knight of Fame came within his house The Keeper both drawne by his owne good inclination and also by the hope of reward and preferrement beeing but poore promised his vttermost aide and assistance to pleasure him and withall to performe his full desire with such security that none should conceiue any suspition thereof with that they altogether departed vp into his Lodge where the knight of Fame refreshed himselfâ—… with comfortable meates beeing exceeding glad as hee had good cause of this successe and â—…endring many thanks to Marcellus who well deserued the same Marcellus being yet somewhat troubled in his minde about the Letter the King of Lybia had sent and desirous to be satisfied of the truth therein taking the Knight of Fame aside from the hearing of the keeper said as followeth Sir Knight although I haue shewen you this fauour and friendship which my fancie often perswaded mee to refnse yet vrged by the good will I beare you and for other considerations which I will yet conceale from you I could not choose but reioice at your safety and worke what meanes I can for your preseruation yet there remaineth a grudging in my conscience against you vntill you assure me by your faithfull oath to satisfie me of the truth of my doubt without fraud for if that be true which is alleaged against you by the affirmation of a king you deserue the punishment my Father inflicted vpon you and rather to be generally hated then beloued at all Most honourable Knight quoth he I know my selfe so cleare from all such villany as that I sweare and protest by my life by Heauen and by all the good that euer I expect which I desire to turne to my destruction it I tell you not the very truth Then quoth Marcellus the same day that the King my Father caused you to be throwne into the Lyons den the king of Lybia sent hither certaine of his Knights with a Letter wherein he accused you to haue most shamefully dishonoured his Daughter Venola desiring my Father to dispatch you out of the way for your life and nothing else might appease his ire which was the cause of his cruelty My Lord quoth the knight of Fame vpon mine honour my former oath and by all other truth and fidelity this accusation is most vniust false and vntrue which if I may by your fauour in whose hands my life now resteth haue liberty to approue I will maintaine the contrary euen in the gates of the king of Lybia and cause my accusers to confesse the contrary neither did I euer seeke loue at that Ladies hands by whose dishonourable meanes this false accusation is raised against mee Deare friend qd Marcellus you haue said inough and I rest assuredly satisfied of your loialty The knight of Fame was so inwardly vexed with this accusation that he was halfe mad with griefe but chiefly for that hee thought it was come to Angelicas hearing and might bee a meanes to cause her vtterly to forsake him which appalled his sences with extreame vexation that he stood like one transformed Marcellus perceyuing his Discontent desired him not to bee grieued but to ouerpasse the same vntill hee hadde meanes to prooue the con trarie My Lord replyed he How can I chuse but be sorrie when thereby I am dishonoured in euery mans opinion Which I account more dearer then my life Besides with what impatiencie may I shew my selfe before any Knight liuing but rather rid my hated selfe out of this miserable life which is the next way to salue this blemish But if you will vouchsafe câ—… heare the true reporte of the miseries I haue endured euer since my byrth you would say that I am the onely Mappe of sorrow and borne to perpetuall calamitie I desire nothing more quoth Marcellus With that hée rehearsed to him all that hee could of his bringing vppe in the Iland of Rockes his departure from thence and Shipwracke at Sea How hee was entertained by Duke Amasenus in Thrace and the treacherie
towards the maiden Tower hoping now to enioy the sweete sight of his beloued which he neuer beheld but twise in all the time he had sought her loue Marcellus he departed backe againe to the court very sadde for the absence of Parismenos and Angelica being likewise much gréeued that Maximus his father should with hold any of his secrets from him which did both disgrace him to such as were strangers and specially to those Ladies that were Dulcias attendants which thogh he knew well inough yet that tooke away no part of his conceit of vnkindenesse but most of all he was troubled with griefe to be restrained from Dulcias company on whom his thoughts had continually run euer since he had bin last with her for her beautie excelled all the Ladies of the court Angelica excepted of her vertue he had good conceit by that which he had found in her good dispositions when she refused to thrust her selfe into the knowledge of the secrets but rather commited all that the king had commaunded her to his secrets which if Maximus should know of would be as much as her life were worth These cogitations so much altered his countenance that wheras before hée was of a pleasant disposition he now began to giue-his minde wholely so meancholy sadnesse often shunning the company of those he was wont to delight in which Maximus noted especially the Quéene both maruelled and was grieued thereat and finding him out when hée was in that heauy vaine she earnestly demaunded his cause of sadnesse to whom he made this aunswere My father I knowe not vpon what occasion accounteth me I thinke rather as one that would betray him then as his sonne that he refraineth 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 fight of my sister Angelica Marcellus quoth the Quéene I pray thée be contented for a time for thou féest thy fathers minde which will impart his secrets to none who if hée should knowe that your sadnesse were for that cause would be the more fearefull to impart them to you which can no way pleasure you but rather fill your minde with greater cares which now is more happy then it would be then for Angelica so long as shee is in health what néede 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 left Marcellus where she found him Assone as the Quéene was gone hée began againe to ponder these things not knowing why his head shuld be thus troubled for he knew all that hée desired and yet his minde was troubled therewith that at last with more aduised consideration hée weighed euery conceit of his thoughts found that neyther his Fathers vnkindnesse Angelicaes absence nor his feare of disgrace was that that troubled him but only a good conceyt of Dulcias kindnesse which caused him to enter into a viewe of her perfections which his fancie began so much to coâ—…mend her that hée thought her worthy to be beloued withall thought why he might not loue her which very thoghts drew to such insight into his owne Fancies that he perceiued that Loue had already taken possession in his heart then he began to consider what displeasure it might procure him if he should set his fancie on one so farre his inferiour and not rather séeke the loue of some Kings Daughter that might adde honour to his Title and not diminish the same Which thought was no sooner begun but it ended being dasht by another conceyt that Dulcia was as beautifull as any as vertuous any as courteous as any and therefore as worthy to be beloued as any that if he should marrie with his equall shee might rather marrie him for his dignite and of a haughtie minde to kéepe her owne high dignitie still then for any true loue and if shee were his equall hee should rather be subiect to her Will then shée any way obedient to him that Dulcia would bee a louing kinde and duetifull wife that she would honour him rather then desire to be his equall and that she would refuse no peâ—…ll daunger nor hazarde for his sake that hauing spent some time in these cogitations hae resolued to loue Dulcia whatsoeuer ensued thereon though hee incurred his Parents displeasure or anie other hazard of his honour whatsoeuer and with resolution hee went immediately vnto the place where she was guarded in stéed of Angelica and by the Damzells meanes who before had done him the like sauour 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 neuer come but that I must alwayes finde you in this mel ancholy disposition what are you sory to be thus pend from a husband My Lord quoth Dulica though I am otherwise sadde it doth me good to see you merrie You are deceiued Dulcia I am not merrie My Lord quoth shee if I should giue credit to your words they shewe that you are merrie that call me Angelica yet knowe the contrarie Oh Dulcia quoth he neither doth wordes nor countenance alwayes bewray the inward thoughts for this which you take to bee myrth in mee is but a forced habite which I haue taken vppon me euen now but knew you the thoughts of my heart you would say I were sadde My Lord quoth shee I beséech you pardon my boldnesse which I presumed séeing your pleasant disposition wherein if I was deceyued I hope you will not be offended with for indéed oftentimes the heart meditaes of many things the minde cannot vtter So doth mine Dulcia quoth hée for I with thee more good then I am able to vtter and the cause that my hart is sadde is because I am not able to do thée so much good as my heart doth with and cannot vtter I most humbly thanke you quoth Dulcia acknowledging my selfe farre vnworthie such fauour and vnable to deserue such good which maketh me 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 therefore you may be 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 be no constant resolution Yes quoth hée that which is of purpose taken to shew myrth is forced but the naturall disposition still continueth firme Indéede in fewe quoth she but not in all Then quoth hée thinke me one of those fewe My Lord quoth she I be seech you pardon me if I do not for it is giuen to all by nature to be more confideÌ„t then prouident
close that though shée made great lamentation yet she could not be heard and causing Anna to mount vp behinde a knight they carried them away with the Priest which they did so closely and with such expedition that they escaped away vndsecried by reason the Temple stood on the outside of the Citie Now this Knight that carried away Angelica was the barbarous King of Tunis named Irus who long time before Parismenos arriuall in Getulia had bin a sutor to Angelica but was denied her by Maximus and departed from thence in a discontented vaine who hauing soiourned many daies in Getulia was well aquainted with their customes and hearing all that befallen in the Court and of Maximus death had manie daies awaited this opportunitie well knowing before that she would come to Hymens Temple to offer the acustomed sacrifice came at the very instant and surprized them and hauing past without suspition out of the suburbs of the Citie hasted with all spéede hée could towards his countrie And by the way as hée went they entered at thicke wood where Irus purposed to rest himselfe to determine which way to take fearing to be surprised for that he knew she should be soone mist he had not stayed there long but he was descried by certaine Knights that ltued in those woods the cause of whose abode in that place shall be declared in the next Chapter who hearing many lamentatons that Anna made set vpon Irus whome they thought to be a personage of great estate and by the richnesse of his Armour which was on the skirts and sides enamelled and besette with rich stones all ouer besette with bléeding hearts of Azure Irus séeing himselfe thus beset drew his sword in his defence with that one of the companie blew a horne wherewith there suddenly came out tenne in Armour with the rest of their fellowes equalling the number that was with Irus betwéene whom began a most sincere combat which continued so long that there were some flaine of both parties Hymens Priest in this time secretly stole away And Angelica being in the Litter looked out thereat beholding that cruell fight maruelling what those should be that had stolen her from the Temple and what those should be that sought to rescue her from them but shée was so excéedingly opprest with terror that her vitall sences were readie to yéeld vp her latest breath By this time Irus Knights were most of them slaine and some gréeuously wounded sauing Irus who being a Knight of resolued courage continued the combat with great valour against his assailliant who seemed to be a Knight of exceeding courage as he was indeed and by his strength soone brought Irus within his mercie who fearing his death desired the Knight to holde his hand Tell me then what thou art quoth he I will not quoth he tell thée my name but I am of Tunis Angelica hearing that word gaue a sudden shrike wherewith the Knight looking backe beheld her most excéeding beautie which was beautified with her Garland of flowers that hée stoode as one amazed thereat taking her rather to be a diuine then a mortall creature that he said What Lady is this that is fearefull to heare thy name It is quoth he Angelica with that he fell downe for faintnesse by effusion of blood The Knight then stepping to Angelica said Lady you now are mine by conquest therrfore feare not his name and goe with me where you shall not want any thing that you will desire with that he tooke her out of the Litter and carried her and Anna away with him and left Irus amongst his Knights almost wounded to death but thrée of them hauing escaped that cruell massacre CHAP. XXXII How Marcellus finding Irus knew him Of Parismenos sorrowe How hee departed in a disguise from Ephesus How Parismus departed towards Thessalie How Irus and Parismenos met in the desart and what afterwards befell HYmens Priest hauing escaped hastted with all speede vntill hée came to the Citie he Citizens séeing him there running as though hée were agaste whom they thought had bene at the Temple for that Angelica was supposed to be there euen then wondred thereat and many of them ran after him who being come towards the court met the Bridegroome and all the rest of the states going toward the Temple who séeing him in that case were driuen into admiration but hee casting himselfe before them breath not suffering him to vtter any longer spéech cried out Angelica Angelica and after that hée recouered a little more breath hee cried againe Angelica is betrayed stolen away by treason With that Parismenos was so confound in his sences that hée was like one senslesse and all the rest were dismaid with feare of this doubt till the Priest to satisfie them declared the truth of all that happened and how that hee had left Angelica in the wood called the desart Parismenos hearing his speeches saide What knight will bring me to that place with that euery one ranne for their steeds and Parismenos amongst the first was first mounted and with Marcellus posting toward the desart Parismus Sicheus and all the rest with enraged fury betooke themselues to their stéeds that on a sudden the whole Countrey was bespred euery way with Knights This newes likewise came to the Behemian Came that the horsemen posted euery way the Ladies ranne to the Temple where missing Angelica they filied the hollow Uaultes thereof with their cryes the Courtiers were amazed the Citie in an vprore and the Quéene in great feare Parismenos and Marcellus first gate into the desart where according to the Priestes spéeches with little searche they found Irus amongst his fewe wounded knights almost dead whose head they had vncouered to giue him breath Marcellus soone knew him and by his Armour which Hymens Priest had deciphered so well as hée could hée knewe that it was he that carried away Angelica Parismenos comming to him being excéedingly enraged offered to thrust his sword thorow him But Marcellus staying his hand said This is Irus the king of Tunis With that likewise he said to Irus who knew Marcellus King of Tunis What dishonour is this thou hast done to Angelica That which I haue done said he I repent not but for that I haue lost her With that Parismenos said Where is shée which way went shée then one of the wounded Knights said shée was rescued from vs in this place and the knights that haue her departed out of the wood that way By this time Parismus and Sicheus was come and Parismenos Marcellus againe hasted that way the knight directed them By this time all the desart was beset searched throughout with knights and Marcellus and Parismenos were stayed from the hast they made for that they met with thousads of knights that had bin in euery place of those parts of the country but could not once hear of her or of any knight but of their owne company that Parismenos at Marcellus intreatie returned backe to
Parismus the rest to know their aduice before hée went from them which Marcellus had a great care of him for t hat he knew his griefe was such that hée would neuer returne vntill he had found for whome likewise they should take as much care for him being absent Parismus hearing the report of the knights that had bin euery way in her searche could not tell what to say or what to thinke but first hée desired those that loued Angelica to poste euery way in her searche and speaking to thousands of his knights hée commanded them to depart presently both in the furthermost parte of Natolia and also into the neighbouring Countreys in her searche which he thoughée was the best meanes to finde her for hée was sure they could not bâ—…trauelled farre in that short space Promising to rewarde him most richly that could find her or could heare of her abode with that the knights departed euery way Parismenos was excéedingly tormented with griefe and thought himselfe negligent to stay there and not to be in her searche but not knowing which way to take his sences were dulled with that gréeuous conceit To whom Parismus said Be of good coÌ„fort Parismenos for we shall heare of Angelica againe therefore I pray doo not you leaue vs too least our care be as great for your absence for there are so many knights in her search that she cannot by any means be so secretly conueyed hence nor so spéedily but we shall heare thereof My Lord and Father quoth he I beséech you let me make some diligent searche for her otherwise my minde will not be satisfied and I beseech you to returne to the Court with these Nobles and leaue me alone in her search that amongst the rest I that haue most cause may according like a friend doo my best to finde her As for my safetie take you no care for be you assured I will preserue my selfe from danger onely for her sake which liberty if you graunt me by leauing me here alone it shall bee a great deale more pleasing to my minde then to be pend in the Court in idlenesse If you promise mee quoth hee faithfully to returne againe I will giue my consent but yet goe with vs to the court this night and to morrow depart I will my Lord quoth he returne to morrow for this night I may sooner finde her then hereafter for that notwithstanding our searche she may be in this Desart which if it be so they will conuey her hence this night Parismus and the rest seeing his resolution and trusting to his promise to returne lefte him and departed backe to the Court with Irus for that the night drewenigh Marcellus would haue stayed with Parismenos but that hée sawe hée â—…ather desired to be alone that he likewise hauing as heauy heart as any of the rest depariâ—…d Parismenos being alone by himselfe began to studie what to doe sometimes thinking shée was within the Desart where shee might be for that it was of an excéeding compasse then heremembred that one of Irus Knights tolde him that they left the wood which bred a contrary perswasion in him that they were departed and gone some whither else that in a multitude of thoughts not knowing what to doo and hauing in these cogitations spent most part of the night without the least hope at last tyred with griefe and filled with care he alighted from his Stéed whom he fastened to a bush sat himselfe downe vnder a Trée as one that had bene quite giuen ouer to carelesse dispaire where we will leaue him to speake of Angelica The Knight that had rescued Angelica from Irus presently conueyed her to the thickest of the Desart in the middest whereof he had a Caue or rather Labyrinth most artificially framed wherein were diuers roomes vaultes and turnings not made by nature but by the Art and Industry of skilfull workemen and with great coste In which place in times past the Giant Malachus kept his secret abode Into this place they brought Angelica and comforting her with many faire spéeches which were most sharpe to her hearing refusing all comfort denying to taste any foode which they offered her and shunning their company till at last the chiefest of them saide Ladie be not thus impatient nor vse me not so discurteously as to shunne my company that haue deserued no such hatred vnlesse it were in dooing you good for I haue released you from the bondage you were in by meanes of those that had you in their custodie that had as it séemed by Damozels complaints with violence brought you to that place For my selfe I will vse you so honourably as your heart can wish neyther shall you haue any violence offered you but rest in as good securitie as you can desire for this place harbâ—…reth no tyrants nor discurteous creatures but such as are of vertuous inclination although by the crosse mischances of hardâ—… Destenie we are driuen to liue in this place And not so much by destenie as by the crueltie of Maximus king of this countrey to whom neuer any offence was giuen by any of vs for knowe Ladie that my name is Iconius sometimes Duke of Sextos but nowe bannished by your Father Maximus from my Dukedome by the false accusation of Pridamor and the Kings malice Who accused mee of Treason and Conspiracie with the King of Tunis Who long since attempted by Treason to betray his life and to attaine your Possession Wherein the Heauens knowe how Innocent I was And not contented with my banishment and confiscation of my Goods hee also sought my life with great crueltie promising great Rewards to those that could finde mee out or bring him my head This is the cause of my desolate Life Wherein I finde greater quiet then in Courtly-pompe Therefore I pray you bee contented with such homely entertainment as my poore habitation yéeldeth whither you are as Welcome as you should be to the place you would desire to be in Angelica hearing his spéeches was more grieued then before for that shee feared hee would in Reuenge of her Fathers crueltie still detaine her there that with the feare shee had taken by these outrages such a passion opprest her heart that shee fell downe deade and Anna séeing the same cryed out most lamentably and did her indeuor the best shee could to recouer her Which when they had done Iconius helped to conuey her to one of those Roomes very sicke and in great danger of her life being diligently tended by Anna Who hadde all things necessarie to comfort her in that extreamitie where there was no want of any thing Iconius hauing leâ—…t Angelica with Anna came amongst the rest of his companie hauing bene sometimes Knightes of estimation likewise by miserie driuen to that Societie hauing liued in that place manie yeares Where they were as secure as in the safest place in the World where they kept themselues close Not once styrring abroade for that they knew the
doo so mortally hate thée that I will haue thy life before I part With that he assayled him most furiously and gaue him so many mortall Wounds that with much effusion of blood hee fell downe dead Parismenos hauing brought him to this estate espied another Knight comming out of the wood which made him leaue Irus and follow him and ouertooke him at the woods side to whome he saide Knight Who art thou The Knight looking backe seeing his swoord bloodie and his Armour battered seeming to haue come from some cruell skirmish and disdaining at him to be so peremptorily examined answered What art thou that examinest me in this place Parismenos being exceedingly enraged before by the smart of some Wound he had before receiued saide I am one that will knowe what thou art before I leaue thée and with that word strooke at him The Knight likewise drawing his swoord to reuenge that blowe but he was farre vnable to withstand Parismenos that he was soone by his vnconquered Chiualrie most grieuously Wounded and in some parte disarmed Parismenos striking another forcible blowe at him hit him right where the Armour was broken and with violence the Sworde pierced his heart and hée fell downe dead without speaking a word Which done Parismenos pulled off his Helmet to see if he knewe him but he knew him not Syr Iconius hearing the noyse of the clashing of theyr Armour being then abroade drewe towards the place where Irus lay gasping for breath Whome hee presently knewe to bee the same Knight from whom he had before rescued Angelica and putting off his Helmet presently knew him to be his déere friende Irus for whose sake he was banished So that taking him vppe he conueyed him to the Caue with great diligence labouring to reuiue him which by his Industrie hée at last attained Anna comming to haue a sight of this Knights comming in presently knewe him by his Armour to be the same that had with violence taken both Angelica and her out of Hymens Temple and enquiring of the Knights his name they answered none of them knew him for none but Iconius knewe him Angelica being now somewhat better recouered Anna made knowne to her what shee had séene but could not learne the Knights name Anna qd she neuer enquire his name but viewe him well and thou shalt soone finde him to bee Irus King of Tunis For diddest thou not heare him say how that he was of Tunis when Iconius rescued mee from him Being much more miserable by his approach For Iconius and hee are of such familiaritie that whereas before I had almost woonne his consent to conuey mee to the Getulian Court I am now out of all comfort of that for Irus will rather seeke to conuey me into Tunis So that now I feare mee I shall neuer see my beloued Knight Parismenos but must bee subiect to his power Who I know will according to his barbarous disposition vse me badly that I know not Anna what to doo in this extreamitie but rather then I will subiect my selfe to his Will I will sooner bee the executioner of mine owne death and first rippe my accursed heart out of my troubled brest Anna then comforted her by many perswasions putting her in some hope yet in the ende to attaine a happie issue to all these vnfortunate Euents Parismenos hauing slaine the Knight returned to the place where he left Irus but found him not Which made him maruell what was become of him thinking that he was escaped and fled And againe being weary and somewhat Wounded he got himselfe to his secret couert to rest where he determined to spend the remnant of his life Where he continued many dayes after In which time Irus being in the Caue with Iconius had recouered his health and knewe Iconius his olde Friende to bee the man that had before endaungered his life by taking Angelica from him and leauing him to Parismenos for which hee had now made him amends by bringing him to his Caue that was likely to perish so that when he came first to the knowledge of these things he vttered these speeches How fortunate am I good Iconius to fall into your kinde handes that otherwise could not haue suruiued I haue long since heard of your Banishment from the Getulian-Courte and onely for my sake And withall hearde how strictly Maximus sought your life Who beeing come to my knowledge I sought diligently to find you out with intent to haue carryed you with me into Tunis but since I haue now so happily found and haue much more cause to loue you let me intreate you to leaue this Desart and depart with mee to Tunis where I meane to preferre you to greater Dignitie and honour then euer you haue had in Getulia I thanke you qd Iconius but I maruell what misaduenture hath nowe brought you into this Countrey and especially into this place vnacquainted with such hazard of your life Good Friende Iconius quoth he I will declare vnto you the truth of all Then he declared the truthe how hee had stolne Angelica out of Hymens Temple and how she was rescued from him in that place And withall declared all that he knewe of the estate of Getulia and of his latest comming from thence and how he met with a Knight in that Woodde that had brought him by his valiant behauiour néere his death Iconius hearing the report of the varietie of his Aduentures made him this answere Pardon mee Noble Irus for it was my selfe that tooke the Lady Angelica from you not knowing who you were who is within this Caue Irns hearing his spéeches caught him in his armes for ioy saying My deare Friende Iconius Was it you that tooke Angelica from me How was it that I knewe you not nor you mee And how fortunate and tenne thousand times blest may I bee by your meanes if you will but continue my trusty friende as heretofore you haue bene by letting me onely haue a sight of Angelica My Lord quoth he againe I haue not forgotten nor yet once diminished my former friendship but will commit the custodie of Angelica to none but your selfe For none but your selfe are Woorthy of her or none so Woorthie only if you please to follow my counsell doo not at the first motion your former sute vnto her but vse her kindely and rather for a time dissemble the extremitie of your passion for I perceiue shee is most déepely inthralled to the Bohemian Knight Parismenos that to make any other Loue to her at the first will rather increase her Affections but when shee is without hope of finding him againe then time will soone alter her minde for Womens affections are subiect to varietie Irus then tolde him that he did like his counsell excéedingly well and withall yéelded him manie thankes for that hee hadde so found his most true and loyall friendship Iconius beeing parted from Irus came presently vnto Angelica Whome he vsed most kindely And taking occasion for that he