and his bending downeward with a heauy aspect Which draue Praxentia into many cogitations sometimes thinking he disdained to looke on her openly who had showne her selfe so affable in priuate then she thought it was care to discover her loue which is easiliest discerned by the eyes but when againe she saw he made no shew at all of regard to her her colour often changed sometimes with griefe sometimes with anger sometimes with feare fixing her eyes stedfastly on him and then glauncing about to sée if any noted her Palian noted her and well vnderstood her meaning as earnestly noted her behaviour as she did Montelyons often changing his countenance sometimes with feare to be séene then with a jealous conceit then againe with an amorous thought and againe with accusing of himselfe for disloyall dealing towards her and him Pieraes minde was most at leisure to note all which shée performed with diligence but séeing their eyes placed vpon contrary objects she thought there was as contrary a Simpathy in their affections both perceiving Palians double conceit Praxentiaes disquiet and Montelyons carelesse regard of either By a priuy token vnséene of any giuing Persicles an instance thereof who quickly conceited her meaning and jumpt with her in opinion all the dinner time noting them Which being past and musicke filling the roome with pleasant harmony Persicles pulling Montelyon by the sléeve whispered these words softly in his eare Friend rowse your selfe from this sad dumpe doe you behold how you are noted Vpon my life the Princesse Praxentia is in Loue with you and if it be so may you not then account your selfe moâ—â— happy My Lord said hée you are disposed to jest no such good fortune will fall to my lot and yet if it did I know I should never enioy it Why quoth Persicles had you but séene so much as I and noted her looks you would thinke so much as I follow my counsell doe but try and you shall find it so What if she were the Empresse of the Vniversall World would you not venture and were she not the better to bée beloved and you the lesse cause to despaire if she would refuse your loue all the doubt you haue is her Fathers dislike neither feare that Time may bring things vnthought of to good effect Doe but follow my counsell for this time and after I will tell you more By this time the Musicke was ended and even with that Montelyon cast his eye vpon Praxentia who stedfastly looked on him her heart being so much grieved with contrariety of thoughts that the water was ready to overflow her eye-lids When Montelyon saw that he presently began to conceiue hope and by little and little loue stole the possession of his heart Withall he remembred what Palian had before said to him all which séemed likelyhoods that it was so Whilest he continued in these thoughts and with more boldnesse had viewed her well whose eyes were never off him the Musicke began to sound againe and the old King of Persia being pleasant and merry with feasting tooke the Quéene by the hand to dance Persicles séeing that tooke Piera Then said the King is there none will make a third With that Piera desirous to shew Monteyon any favour desired him to doe it but hee with mildnesse and low courtesie made a refusall in regard of his duty to the King of Persia but suddenly Palian stept vp and tooke Praxentia to dance with him who being of a mild behaviour refused not and the rather that none should note her affection to Montelyon which she assured her selfe he could not call in question Montelyon was exceedingly vexed to be so prevented yet smothering the same with a pleasant countenance the musicke being ended the King of Persia with the Quéene departed leaving them to their recreation Then Palian began to be disquieted with feare least Montelyon by conference with Praxentia would make knowne his last deceit and he by that meanes be prevented of all future hope that he vsed such meanes that Montelyon could haue no conference with her which he by reason of his feare durst not with boldnesse séeke nor â—ore greatly expect thinking to haue â— time of more convenience to méete All this time Montelyon did but intangle himselfe faster in the snares of affection still looking to like and liking to loue and the more he looked the more he loved being for that time onely contented to looke for other hope he attayned not by reason of Palians prevention and his owne feare to be accounted over bold which she thought she might well impute to his meane estate The time of departure being come and every one ready to bid adew Praxentia gaue him a floud of her loue with a gentle and kind loue and he her of his duty with a low courtesie Every one parted Praxentia troubled with doubt of she could not well tell what for waying his behaviour she could not compare it to be like the behaviour of an assured Lover neither could she account it disdaine nor want of government for she knew him wise nor want of auâ—â—â—ity for he was bold enough in other matters nor to inconstancy for she could not perceiue his lookes â—ent vpon any other Troubled with a multitude of these passions by reason of her little suspect of the truth she made the best construction of all things wishing Palian haâ— béene further off that day whom she thought of purpoâ—e intercepted their conference But to ease her of these troubled thoughts Lanula comes in with a message from Palian who as soone as the company was parted went to her and noting with what little respect Montelyon had that day regarded her he thought some misconceit might crosse hée purposed intent and fearing withall lest she should send to him he â—ent this message that withall humility he desired her not to misconceiue his meaning for the little respect he gaue to her was with no other intent but to avoid suspition his he art being entirely bound in all duty to her command This message pleased her well and banished all mists of care from her heart deviding with Lanula for a convenient time to haue conference with him Montelyon likewise had taken such a view of her beauty that hée now yéelded to be Loues thrall and according to his distempered mind could â—e pleased with nothing but solitarinesse in â—ilence to meditate vpon his fortune on his loue and on his likelyhood to at faine thereto on Palians prevention on his vnknowne estate and on his vowed Iourney in seâ—â—â—â— of Constantia troubled with such contrarieties that he could not resolue himselfe of any comfort tiring his Sences with meditating wearying his heart with griefe and weakening his body with abstinence voyd of hope meanes or comfort and yet neither able to dispaire nor scarce daring to go forward then he thought to write but he wanted a feereâ— Messenger then he thought himselfe to speake with her but he storeâ— a deniall would be his
affliction that is likely to ensue I know qd Piera my Brothers Loue is so constant that nothing can alter the same which he related to me at large which maketh me testifie y◠assurance thereof Which would you but accept of or giue me some comfortable hope in his absence I should think my selfe bound to you for ever and to haue done him an excéeding pleasure for nothing but the happy tidings of your favour can comfort him The King of Persia will not compell you to marry Helion when he vnderstandeth that you are otherwise bent for that were cruelty And I think Helion himselfe beareth not so dishonourable a mind as to séeke your Loue by constraint for that were inhumanity But would you yéeld to like of my Brothers loue that is every way as good as y◠Prince of Arabia the knowledge thereof would soon make him returne to aske your fathers consent which may peradenture stand as well affected to him as to Prince Helyon Ay me go Constantia sister I néed not doubt to reveale my greatest secrets to you that I know for Persicles sake will conceale them I confesse without further circumstances that I loue that worthy King Persicles which is the cause of these disquiets neither did my fancy ever yéeld the least conceit of liking Helyons loue which I tooke to be rather grounded upon common familiarity then pretence of Marriage Therefore now that you are assured of that which you request I beséech you not to conceiue amisse of my rash confession nor estéeme my loue light because of so short continuance for it shall be immoueable but rather comfort my poore disquieted heart with your counsell how to avoyd these inconveniences And if that worthy King be so affected towards me as your spéeches and his Letter here affirmeth I would wish his returne might be spéedy otherwise my sorrowes will be endlesse For I know my Fathers nature to be such that whatsoever he will haue must be performed though equity would perswade the contrary Grieue not so much quoth Piera with premeditated conceit of feare which peradventure shall never come to passe I will presently send messengers vnto my Brother which shall carry such newes as will comfort his heart and cause spéedy returne in the meane time I will make Deloratus acquainted with Helyons practise not Persicles Loue who shall perswade the King all that may be not to consent to marry you against your minde Be then of good comfort and in assurance of Persicles Loyalty let no feare disquiet your sences or impaire your health For things now at the worst may haue a good end These spéeches ended they parted All this while Prince Helion was meditating how to hasten the Marriage but most of all to find the cause of Constantias discontent which he thought was aggravated against him by some good conceit we had lately entertained of some other then himselfe which made him prosecute the same with more feruency and dealt so effectually with the King that he swore Constantia should be ruled by him And thereupon the next day sent for her to whom he said Daughter I thinke it is not vnknown to you that I haue promised you in Marriage to Prince Helyon one that is every way worthy to match with you both for Noblenesse of Birth vertuous qualities and comelinesse of person Withall I am given to vnderstand that you like not our choice nor estéeme our command which if you neglect you shall not onely displease me but also loose my favour for ever For as you are mine I purpose to dispose of you but if you refuse my counsell refuse me too for I will not regard a disobedient child The manifold reasons I could alleadge that perswade me to the confirmation of this Contract are of such waight as I might séeme carelesse of your welfare and your selfe enuious of your owne good to deny them therefore let me know your answer Constantia well knew that if she denyed hée would be offended and his froward nature to be so much disposed to wrath that before she could speake she shooke with feare yet resolution so hazard the worst humbling her selfe vpon her knée she made this answer My reverend duty to you most loving Father perswadeth my consent to fulfill your command though my Loue bindeth me to the contrary that I stand perplext twixt two extreames the one fearing to offend you the other to procure my everlasting discontent for in refusing to doe according to your will I shall incurre your indignation and in performing the same my everlasting sorrow For as yet my heart could never yéeld to loue that worthy Prince who farre too worthy to be matcht with me Most humbly beséeching you to consider that inforced Loue never bringeth content but disquiet which with Helyon will be my portion Therefore I beséech you reuoke your determination Is it even so quoth he shall my command be countervaild by your péevish conceit Is this the regard you giue to my good will Are you wiser then I Or are you willing to displease mée Shall my will stand at your direction Is this the duty you owe to your Father or feare you no more to offend me Haue I so carefully brought you vp and tenderly regarded you for this Henceforth never come in my sight for I will not estéeme thée as a Child but as a bastard and withall I vow that if thou dost not yéeld to marry him vse him kindly and apply thy devotions to his liking I will vse thée in such sort that all Persia shall lament thy case Having given her this bitter reproofe he departed leaving her wéeping the fountaines of her precious eyes dry wringing her hands and like one in a dead trance overcome with griefe cast vpon the Earth The first that entred the roome was Helyon who séeing her in that agony tooke her by the hand to haue raised her from the earth but she refusing his help vttered these spéeches Vntill this time I alwayes estéemed honourably of you but now my good opinion is altered for that you onely séeke my torment my Father hath given me charge to Marry with you which I must against my heart fulfill but be assured never to possesse my Loue for that I haue bequeathed another onely my outward parts may be yours but my inward affections shall continually estéeme you as the onely occasioner of my endlesse miseries With that shée rose vp from the ground giving him neither better words nor other kind behaviour but left him standing still as one astonisht Piera made Constantia's estate knowne to Deloratus who so farre as he durst perswaded her Father not to constraine her to marry the Prince but such wilfulnesse possest him that the more they intreated him the more contrarious he was and therefore appointed the day for the Marriage to be within two moneths And in the mean time doubting the King of Arabiaes consent he sent his Ambassadors to that effect Piera hearing this presently sent
she knew Whereby he then perceiued that Constantia was fled by reason that he could not finde the damzels Apparell that taking her by the hand he said Damzell I perceiue Constantia still rejeâ—teth me and therefore as thou in her stead hast taken possession of my Loue that good will and Affection which formerly I haue borne to her will I beare to thée and hereafter preferre thée to such dignity as otherwise thou shouldest neuer attaine vnto Withall requesting thée to conceale my being with thée this night from any For if it should be knowne it would redound to my shame and thy punishment but when question shall be made for Constantia tâ—ll thou all that thou knowest of my comming hither but nothing of me and in signe of my goodwill I drinke to thée in this Cup of Wine which I had thought Constantia should haue tasted This said he left the Damzell and so secretly as might be he went to his owne Lodging so much grieued in minde fretting with vexation and desperate with anger that he vowed to be revenged were it by neuer so cruell meanes In his heart now hating her whom before he doted on Which is a signe of an inconstant disposition for true Loue could by no meanes be altered It was not long before Constantia was mist and the Newes thereof came to the King her Father who with the Quéene maruelled thereat causing all diligent enquiry to be made but no other newes was heard of them but that she was gone and a strange Damzell left in her stead Who being brought before the King told them the cause of her comming and how she was vsed after by a Gentlewoman that wayted on Constantia Whereupon the King caused all the Ladyes and Gentle women in the Court to be brought before him but amongst them all she could not tell which was she for Dela had altered her Apparell in such sort that the Damzell was as ignorant of knowing her as of any of the rest The King was so excéedingly inraged that he was ready to teare the haire from his head commanding that the Damzell should be punished but at the earnest intreaties of the Quéene she was onely in disgracefull sort turned out at the Court gates The King for that time in an excéeding rage betaking himselfe to his solitary Chamber to study which was the best way to find out his Daughter Helyon pittying the Damzell being now more in loue with her then euer he was with Constantia called vnto him one of his most trustiest Servants willing him in secret sort to follow the Damzell and to deliuer her a Purse full fraught with Gold telling her that Prince Helyon sent it her and withall to conduct her home to her Fathers house that he might know where to finde her Which done he presently went to the King desiring him spéedily to send foorth Messengers to finde Constantia Who thinking Helyon had requested him thereunto with his former pretence of Loue caused twenty of his Knights priuily to be brought before him to whom hée imparted his intent which was that not making any privy thereunto they should that Night depart severall wayes in search of Constantia All things being complotted according to his minde the Knights having taken their Oathes of Fidelity and Secrecy and departed the King rested calming his disquiet with so merry a countenance as none supposed but that he had remitted all regard of Constantia Which was so closely effected that the Knights were dispersed every way in the Countrey before there was any question made of Constantiaes absence Helyons Servant surnamed Aldrus soone overtooke the Damzell delivering her the gift his Lord had sent which she received with many thankes telling her like wise that he had sent him to attend her home Which she was likewise glad of fearing her Parents displeasure for staying so long who knew her not at the first sight but afterwards were satisfied by Aldrus who learning her Name which was Selia left her CHAP. V. The pleasures that passed betweene the two faithfull Lovers Percles and Constantia in the Shepheards Cottage How a Knight that was sent in their search found them and what thereon ensued THe Day being farre spent the old Shepheards Wife returned with Provision which shée had brought dressing the same very cleanly though after her Country fashion whereon Persicles and Constantia fedde heartily spending the rest of the day in talke with the old Woman vntill at Night the old Shepheard and his sonne returned who wondred to sée such Guests in his House and such cheare at the fire that was woont to sup with a Crab put into sowre Wigge and calling aside his Wife before hée would enter demanded What they were Husband qd she they came hither in the morning desiring me to let them haue but House-roome For that loosing their way they had wandred about all that night and were sore weary They are the kindest people that euer I saw Good Husband bid them welcome The good old man waxed so kind by his Wiues intreaties that hée came in telling them they were most heartily welcome and that both himselfe and all that he had were at their command Persicles gaue him many thankes being much comforted with their kindnesse which he found disagréeing with the humours of Rusticke people Supper time was come and ended and then the old Woman called her Husband aside asking him where they should lye Marry quoth he in our owne Bed And we for this time will make other prouision and therefore I pray make the same ready in the best sort you can Which sayd the old Woman went about the same and the olde Man comming to them said Because I know you not I know not what Title to giue vnto you but lesse then borne of Gentle blood I am sure you are not I am sorry my wealth affoordeth me no better entertainement to welcome you withall But such as our homely Cottage yéeldeth shall be at your disposition Desiring you to accept this our disable good will in stead of better performance my wife is making ready your Bed which though homely yet it is cleanly wée hauing no choyce but onely that desire you to accept it as the best I thanke you good Friend quoth Persicles but wée shall be vnmannerly to thrust you foorth of your owne Rest therefore we will rather sit vp then disquiet you Not so quoth the old man I haue all my life time béen brought vp to hardnesse and can endure it well which I am sure you cannot doe without the hazard of your healths Then came the old Women bringing a light to conduct them vnto the Chamber which she had drest so finely with gréene Rushes and swéet flowers that it was most pleasant though nothing costly And leaving them there departed Constantia séeing them gone began to blush to thinke she must be Persicles his Bedfellow which he perceiuing folding her in his armes said Now Constantia you must be a Wife before you are
prevent these evils to sit here and vtter sad words auaileth me not to bewaile her estate helpeth her nor to destroy my selfe will benefit her should I sit still here so shall I never finde her and to séeke for her out of this place is to spend my Labours without hope of comfort For I feare me she is dead and then may I sooner méete her Ghost in this place then her Body in another Well since neither comfort nor counsell is left to further my hopes I will forever dwell in this vnfortunate place and fill the same with my Laments neither shall my body rest in bed nor my stomacke tast of other meate then wilde fruit vntill I finde my Loue or be assured of the place of her abode Thus liued he in those Woods many dayes and many yéeres making every Trée a monument of Constantias vâ—â—â—â—tunate losse though he were often disswaded by Pisor who afterwards trauelled most parts of all those Countryes in search of her but could neuer heare of her The King of Persia had likewise giuen over all care of Constantia as supposing her to be dead greatly lamenting the misfortunes of Persicles and maruelling at his absence beléeving verily that he was murthered according to the accusation made by Oretus against Parenus and Thrureus Whom we will all leaue for a while to speake of the misfortunes befell to Constantia CHAP. VIII How Selia was married to Helyon and of the miseries Constantia endured by her jealousie How Constantia was delivered of a goodly Boy whose life was preserved by the policie of Palia and how Selia vexed thereat HElyon was no sooner arrived in Arabia but hée was informed of his Fathers death which for a time he lamented of common course not of piety or affection in the meane time causing Constantia to be kept in the old Monasterie vnder the government of an ancient Ladie that lived not onely by the gifts of the King bestowed vpon her for many badde actions but also of many Gentlemen that hauâ—â—ed the Company of the Kings Concubines by stealth In this place did he put Constantia neither her Kéeper nor any other knowing what she was Who by this time had â—esolued to endure aduersity for many dayes giuing her selfe to quiet for that by reason of his counterfeit mourning he came not at her But the time being come that he was crowned King and on the same day likewise married Selia causing poore Constantia as one of her Handmaides to attend her Which he did of a malicious intent onely to vexe her but she was well contented to doe any thing to rid her of his hatefull Loue whom she abhorred in the very depth of her Soule But when he saw she endured the same with such patience he againe caused her to be closely kept in that Monastery giuing commandement that none but the old Lady named Palia should come at her Thus did she continue vntill she began to féele her selfe with Child by Persicles which draue her to the vttermost exigent of care how to preserue her Infants life Sometimes purposing to make her estate knowne to Palia but hauing sufficient tryall of her wicked disposition she durst not trust her least she should reueale the same to the King Selia like wise at that very instant was great with Child by Helyon both conceiuing at one instant the one in the Persian Court and the other in the Shepheards cottage Selia made Helyon acquainted therewith desiring that she might be deliuered thereof in some private place where the Ladyes of the Court might not know thereof which would turne to her euerlasting scandall Helyon well knowing the nature of the people in what detestable sort they held adultery in their Queene thought no place so fit for the accomplishment thereof as in the Monastery where Constantiâ— was vnto which place she was soone conueyed report being giuen out by the Kings command that she was for the preservation of her health secretly departed into the Countrey The Quéene being come into the Monastery asked for Constantia who was presently brought before her whom Selia now began to hate mortally being very Iealous of her and supposing that the King still Loued her whâ—â— she vsed so disdainfully vpbrayding her with many vndecent spéeches Which Constantia tooke most patiently onely with Teares lamenting her misfortunes And so proudly and scornefully did she behaue her selfe towards Palia and all that attended her that they began to dislike of her Palia séeing the pride of the Quéene and in what disdainfull sort she vsed her accusing her to be priuy to the Kings secret loue to Constantia vsing her so distrustfully and with such euill tearmes began to hate her Which Constantia perceiued by some doubtfull spéeches she gaue out against her Whereupon finding a fit opportunity when she was vexed with her vnkindnesse she came to Palia and said I perceiue the Quéen vseth you but vnkindly regarding to vse none well though they giue her no cause at all She likewise misuseth me that neuer in my life offended her but haue béene the greatest cause of her good I would gladly intreat your ayd and withall reveale many things vnto you that you yet know not if I were assured of your secrecy which I am the more fearefull to reveale for that they are matters of importance wherein notwithstanding if you would vouchsafe your assistance to pitty my miserable estate you shall doe a déed of euerlasting merit Palia hearing her spéeches sayd if I may likewise without feare make my minde knowne vnto you be your assured I doe so mortally hate her that rewardeth my dutifull seruice with disdaine that I will not leaue any thing vnattempted to vexe her and pleasure you therefore if an Oath may assure you of my secrecy hauing no other meanes at this instant to giue proofe thereof I vow by all the good I euer expect never to reveale what you disclose to me but most faithfully labour to pleasure you to my power Then know qd Constantia that I am Daughter to the King of Persia sometimes brought vp in this Court and your Quéene but the Daughter of a Countrey-Swaine in Persia that being exalted to dignity though basely borne behaueth her selfe thus proudly I fearing my Father would haue married me to Helyon against my will having betrothed my selfe to the King of Assyria with him stole from the Court in this Apparell of Selia that is now your Quéene much search was made for me but they could neuer finde me for I lived with my Lord in this disguise in a Shepheards house vntill one day I missing him strayed so farre from the House that I could not returne but by misfortune was found by Helyon and thus as you sée brought into this Countrey either to my death or to a worser end I am likewise great with Child and within short space shall be delivered My earnest desire is that you would vse some meanes to preserue my Babe from death which no doubt it is
Charme vpon them that they presently followed him vnto the Castle which he afterwards named Penthrasus Pallace by his Charmes and Spells binding them to kéepe the first entrance of the Bridge and by his Sorceries guarding every entrance in such strong sort as it was impossible to be overcome When he had performed every thing according to his minde hée brought thither his Wife named Ila determined to spend the rest of his life there Within few yeares he fell sicke and by his Art found the date of his life to be nigh an end Whereupon he went vnto the Oracle of the Hesperian Nymphs in the Desart which he was stricktly enjoyned vnto by a Vision which he saw in his sléepe to know what he should determine as concerning those charme she had set vpon the Castle Whose answer was this Penthrasus because by thine Art thou hast not attempted any wickes Action and to disclose the Destinies many a Knight of sundry strange Countries shall heare of the beauty of Constantia and shall come to try their Adventures to set her at Liberty but yet none shall performe it neyther shall it be Revealed that shée is Daughter to the King of Persia vntill shée be released by the valour of her owne Sonne The manner and meanes how is as yet hidden and vnrevealed vntill which time Ila shall liue and by our Directions governe the Castle vntill the Enchantments be ended Penthrasus having received his Answer returned home and within few dayes dyed Thus was Constantia enclosed enjoying all the Delights her heart could desire but nothing could comfort her but the Remembrance of Persicles for whose absence she liued in continuall sorrow Helyon kept that which he had done concerning Constantia from the knowledge of Selia determining never to see her againe but within short time such discord beganne betwixt him and Selia that by meanes thereof the whole Court was in an vprore and he found such disquiet with her that then he began to hate her abandon her company and beganne excéedingly to dote with remembrance of Constantia repenting him of the evill he had done her and resoluing againe to set her at Liberty or else to obtaine of Penthrasus to liue for ever with her in the Castle and by extraordinary meanes to attaine her Loue. And vpon a time he rode thither determining to haue a sight of her Where when he came he found the Gate at yâ— entrance of the Bridge fast shut and nothing but a horne hanging thereat fastned to a Chaine which he Winded and with that one of the Giants came forth with whose sight he stood affrighted till he asked him what he sought I would said Helyon speake with Penthrasus With that the Gyant had him come in and shutting fast the Entrance brought him before Ila who presently knew him saying I know the cause of thy comming which thou shalt never obtaine For which disloyall thought and other ignoble déeds thou shalt never depart from hence vntill the Lady thou causedst to be inclosed here be set at Liberty With that not suffering him to reply she caused him to be bound and carryed into a darke Dungeon where he was hardly Dyeted and worse intreated Ila hauing him in her custody knowing that none else was priuy to Constantiaes being there caused these Verses to be written in Letters of Gold and hung ouer the outtermost Gate and by the same Constantiaes Picture whereon she had cast such a Spell that all that beheld it were in Loue with it The Verses were these Within this Castle is inclos'd The Daughter of a King Whose Beauty caus'd a Traytor fell Her from her Countrey bring Here must she bide vntill a Knight By Sword doth set her Free And by his valour end the date Of crooked Destinie The World shall Fame him for that deede And great shall be his gaine Her lasting Loue shall he enjoy That rids her out of paine When Ila had written these Verses and placed them vnder the picture she withdrew her selfe into the Castle staying the comming of the first Knight for the Adventure CHAP. X. What befell to Palia how she was devoured by Wilde Beasts How the young Infant was found by a Lady who cherished him and afterwards named him Montâ—lion NOw returned wée to speake of Palia and what befell to the Infant After she had trauelled out of Arabia resoluing with a faithâ—ull heart to execute what she had vndertaken and attained to the bounds of Assyria shée soone vnderstood those evill Newes of the Armenians victorie whereby she was assured it would be in vaine to séeke Persicles there and therefore she returned towards Persia intending to follow Constantiaes directions to find him but being wearied with continuall travelling she sat herselfe downe vpon a Mountaine standing in a vaste and Desolate place on the top whereof grew a tuft of Trées that shadowed her from the heate of the Sunne where she had not long rested but the Boy fell fast asleepe and she being very hungry began to séeke for Fruit no other foode being there to be gotten leaving him vpon the Mount Palia wandring into the Thicket by misfortune was deuoures of a Lyon and so the poore Infant left ready to be destroyed but the Destenies that had alotted him to better fortune thus preserued him Not farre off their dwelt an ancient Knight named Cothanes who with his Lady the same day had beene Hunting and now she being weary of the sport with two servants in her company chanced to alight at the very place where the Babe lay who by that time awaked and missing his Nurse began to cry The Lady hearing the noyse searched among the Trées and presently found the Child which she tooke vp in her armes commanding one of her servants to take vp a bundle of cloathes that lay by the same and to 〈◊〉 his Horne that Cothanes hearing it might come vnto them Who according to her desire came asking what was the matter You haue said she all this day Hunted after Wild beasts and lost your labour but I haue found a richer Prize yet by what misfortune left in this place I know not With that they both viewed the Child well noting his excéeding beauty and swéet countenance with great joy carrying him home by the way naming him Montelyon finding in the fardell many rich Iewels and a faire Embroydered Scarffe whereby they knew him to be of no meane Birth educating him carefully and after he was come to knowledge teaching him many commendable and vertuous qualities When he came to the age of fourtéene yeares Cothanes taught him how to Ride and manage a Horse taking him forth with him many times on Hunting delighting wonderfull in his forwardnesse Wherein he shewed such aptnesse that he could not offer to teach him any thing but he soone grew to be as perfect therein as himselfe Whom we will leaue to be Educated by Cothanes and returne to speake of Persicles and what befell to him after the losse of
Army with exceeding losse was discomfited EArely the next morning Deloratus Persicles Cothanes and all the rest of the chiefe Commanders of the Persian Army were assembled who gaue order that euery battell should be planted in such sort as if they expected a present assault which being performed Montelion in great triumph was brought into the field and by Persicles inuested with the order of Knight-hood which when he had received the Souldiers gaue such shoutes as made the ayre resound with their Ecchoes The Armenians hearing the noise could not judge what might be the cause thereof some censuring one thing some another Palian fretting with excéeding vexation at the last dayes discomâ—iture which went the néerest his heart for that in all the time of warres he had not endured the like called vnto him the chiefest Knights in his Campe which were Althesus Golgron Mulatus and Lamdelyon Knights of Honourable birth great wisedome and appointed valour vttering to them his hearts griefe and his earnest desire of revenge desiring them with all spéed to counsell him which way to suppresse the Persians courage onely reuiued with the ayde the strange Knight had brought them Amongst whom it was agréed and generally held best to surprize them at vnawares in the middest of their joy that with all spéed and as spéedily as might be they detained their Forces and without the noyse of either Drum or Fife issued the City gates Certaine Persian Spyes perceiving their intent posted to the Camp and certified their Generall thereof who gaue commandement that without making any kind of suspition they should continue their mirth so that thereby the Armenians might be heartned to their owne dustruction Montelyon with a company of Horsemen departed out of their Campe a contrary way to that the Armenians came with intent to get betwixt them and the City which afterwards sorted to effect The Armenians thinking to make a sudden slaughter of them and nothing at all suspecting their readinesse to receiue them with carelesse hast approached the Campe with gréedy desire of conquest running vpon their Enemies Whom they found in such orderly sort ready to welcome them that within an houres space they wisht themselves againe within the City Walls To recite every particular of their Conflict and with what terror the battell continued would dull my wits with confusion Principally my pen shall barely recite the admirable déeds of the most honourable of both Armies Persicles considering what just cause he had and with what equity he might challenge his right wrongfully detained vp his vsurping Foe bent his Sword point with the vnrelenting Fury to the destruction of his Enemies pittying their deaths who dyed by his Sword ayming the same rather at Palians owne heart then against them that were by constraint enforced to hazard their dearest liues Which when he had coloured and made drunke with many of their deaths bloud he at last met with Palian whom at the first encounter he had surely berest of life had not his owne Stéed by great misfortune stumbled at a dead body that interrupted his steppes but notwithstanding his Swords point by that mischance missing his right ayme 〈◊〉 quite through his Stéeds necke who falling and Palian with him both lay groueling on the ground ready to be trodden to death Mulatus being next at hand rescued Palian and mounted him on his owne Stéed whereby he lost his owne life For Persicles with both his hands fetcht so full a blow at his head that with the force thereof his Armour yéelding some scales thereof pierced his Braine and he dyed Palian for a while continued Fight with Persicles with euery blow receiuing a déepe wound vntill he felt himselfe so vnable to hold out that he must eyther yéeld dye or retyre but euen then came Golgron fortunately to his ayde who with him maintained fight against Persicles who notwithstanding that oddes had neare hand brought them both to destruction had he not espyed Deloratus and Cothanes in distresse who were vnequally assailed by sixe valiant Knights two of them being Althesus and Lamdelyon vnto whom he hasted giuing them succour by the death of the first he met Whilest the Battell was maintained in the Fore-front by the chiefe Commanders of both Armies and Montelyon with his resolued Follewers whose hearts were enspired with fiery courage to be guarded by so valiant a guide was gotten behind them and began such a Massacre that multitudes of a suddaine were slaughtered by his approach whose déeds of valour amazed their sences with such feare and abated their courage with such terror that like as a flocke of fearefull shéepe espying the approach of a deuouring Lyon ranne with amazed feare from his pawes Euen so the Armenians fled from the destroying hands of Montelyon filling the empty ayre with such dismall cryes that the noyse thereof amazed the hearts of the stoutest Armenians Palian and Golgron then turned their backes making hast thitherwards to know the cause Althesus and Lamdelyon did the like whilest Deloratus and Persicles and the rest made such hauocke against the common Souldiers that had the fight continued long the whole Forces of the Armenian Army had béene destroyed Palian and Althesus met Montelyon not knowing him but supposing it was he had made such slaughter amongst them the last day both assailed him who in his heart rejoyced that he had met with two such Champions to make tryall of his valour continuing to braue a combat against them both as is not to be described By this time the cry beganne againe on the contrary side with such hideous noise that Palians heart was affrighted therewith and defended himselfe as if a flender youth should hold encounter against a strong Giant till both he and Althesus were so grieuously wounded that it had béene a pittifull spectacle to behold Both being driuen to retire amongst their scattered Troupes and withall the haste they could to preuent their vtter ouerthrow to sound a retrait and with all spéed haste vnto the City which could not be accounted a retyre but rather an absolute flight for it was done with such haste as if they had béene all amazed none hauing the power to resist and pursued by Persicles and Montelyon with such fury that their owne hearts relented at their owne hands cruelty which covered the earth with the dead bodies of their affrighted Foes The day being thus ended to the terror of the one and comfort of the other The Persians retyred as Victors and the Armenians halfe mad with griefe and despaire within their Wals not minding suddenly to issue again Persicles and Deloratus honouring Montelyon with their kinde embracings and the Souldiers applauded their valours with rejoycings Euery one according to the present occasion betooke themselues to their charges spending the time in more joy and security then earst they had done CHAP. XIIII How the Armenians sent two Knights into Armenia for more ayde who were met and one of them taken Prisoner and of other
but on hers with a contrary intent left her countenance should bewray his loue to me which she knew would bréed my disquiet by reason of Amphiadors perswasions who continually augmented my suspition I verily began to suspect them and grew to extreame jealousie assuring my selfe they dealt disloyally with me purposing to worke revenge against them but then he began to perswade me to be well advised and not to condemne them without manifest proofe as much perswading me from thinking so as he had before done to perswade me thereto but then nothing could alter my mind my vehement suspect neither suffering me to be quiet nor yet to find his deceit So that one day being alone ◠complained against my hard Fortune and her disloyalty in the midst of which complaints he found me out intending by my overthrow to worke his owne desire I séeking him so neare me after much conference desired him as a Friend to counsell mée the best way to salue these evils to be assured of the truth and yet to doe it without mine owne reproach or her scandall for that I was loth to accuse her without just proofe If I may quoth he presume to counsell you thus would I advise you to doe the King is now sicke and hath sent for many of his Nobles to come to him say you likewise that you haue received Letters from him and that you must thrée dayes hence depart towards the Court By this you shal easily find out the truth hereof at the time of your departure desire Pallesus to beare you company which if he refuse you may then judge of him accordingly My selfe will then accompany you vnto my Castle wherein you shall remaine in secret some certaine dayes and I in a disguise vnknowne of any will returne and by my faithfull diligence will from time to time note their behaviour and so find the truth thereof I liked well of his counsell and followed the same making my departure knowne to Alsala who with a heauy heart lamented to heare of my absence which then by reason of my suspect I estéemed to be dissimulation Amphiador in the meane time went to Pallesus and told him that I intended by reason of some conceit or suspition I had lately conceived to carry him with me vnto the Court and therefore he willed him to be absent at that instant The time of my departure being come I thought to try Pallesus but he was gone which augmented my suspition to a resolution but intending to try the vttermost of all and trusting to Amphiadors faithfull dealing I went with him vnto his Castle staying there some thrée dayes in the meane time I thinking he had béene returned to my Castle he went to an Enchanter named Penthrasus and brought him to my Castle shewing him Pilotheta promising him that if he would but worke meanes to rid me away that I might never returne when she came to yeares to procure her to consent to his loue Penthrasus at the first sight liked the proffer and promising to vndertake the same taking a solemne Oath never to discover the same Now fearing least some other should prevent him and to avoid his Wiues suspition who had great knowledge in Negromancy and often by her skill crost his practises and withall vnwilling to be any way guilty of blood after I was delivered to him he brought me into this place casting such charmes and incantations vpon me that I shall never be released which when he had done he told me the cause why he had done it and withall Amphiadors practice against me I then intreated him to release me promising him to fulfill whatsoever Amphiador had promised him but no perswasion could prevaile for he told me he had bound himselfe by a solemne Vow to performe it which he could not breake for if he did with that he should loose the vertue of his Art Then did I lament my Misfortune with bitter exclaimes but he told me it was in vaine and so departed Here did I liue many yeares vntill I was quite past all hope of comfort thinking to end my dayes in this place without euer hearing of them againe but at last Penthrasus came to me againe rehearsing the sequell of this History as followeth Amphiador being sure enough of me returned to my Castle and comming to Alsala after long circumstance and protestations told that the day that I went from thence Pallesus having before complotted such a Stratagem had set vpon me with an ambush of men and slaine me telling the same with such protestations and probabilities of truth that Alsala could not choose but beléeue him counselling her in secret to apprehend him and cast him in Prison Alsala had much adoe to kéepe life within her body having scarce breath enough to command her Servants to apprehend him whilest Amphiador laboured with such as were about her to kéepe life in her The rumour of my death was soone spread abroad and my Servants beléeving the same some posted to the Court some searched for my body neither finding me aliue nor dead for which Amphiador still had an accusation ready to satisfie any doubt Pallesus hearing that it was Amphiador accused him and for no lesse matter then my death according as he well might denyed the same by often intreaties desiring Alsala to let him be admitted to his tryall but shée overswayed by Amphiadors perswasions being before troubled with Pallesus Loue whereby he fought to dishonour me that was his friend which bred a perswasion in her that to attaine that he sought my life would giue no credit to him but resolved he would dye And within few dayes apparelling her selfe her Servants and all her attendants in mournefull wéedes she departed towards the Court craving Iustice of the King against Pallesus for murdering me the King told her she should haue justice Pallesus was brought before the King and there accused by Amphiador he alleadging what false accusations he could and the other still pleading his innocency that in the end Amphiador desired the King to grant him the Combate against Pallesus which should end the doubt of this Controversie The King granted it and appointed a day for the tryall In which cruell Fortune so ordered the issue that Pallesus was slaine and all men accounted him guilty and me dead yéelding much honour to Amphiador and the King in recompence of his supposed loyalty to me and for that I dyed without an Heyre created him Duke of it yet reserving the living to Alsala during her life This being done Alsala returned towards Ila and Amphiador with her but very sore wounded of whom he had a most speciall care tendring him as her selfe for the Loue he had showne her in becomming her Champion for revenge of my Death After he had recovered his Wounds he continued many dayes with her not once mentioning any Loue to her séeming with her to mourne for my losse But as all things by Time weare out of Remembrance so did her
Sorrow of me and she began to conceiue well of him Which he perceiving prosecuted his Loue with such successe that in the end he married her and ever since hath lived with her Which when Penthrasus declared vnto me it attained my heart with deadly griefe Then I desired him to release me from that misery Neither doe I intend to claime the performance of Amphiadors promise for that Philotheta was Faire Chaste and Vertuous Neither will I reveale this secret to any but your selfe nor shall you depart from hence vntill the adventure of the Enchanted Tower be ended built by Helyon wherein he hath shut Constantia Daughter to the King of Persia and betroathed Wife to Persicles King of Assyria Who shall be the first Knight that shall arriue in this place Neither shall that Enchantment be ended by any but Persicles Sonne begotten of Constantia For quoth he the date of my Life is neare an end and at such time as Persicles arriveth here Will him when he hath heard this report to returne into Assyria to establish his Kingdome in Peace For it will be in vaine for him to spend his Dayes in travell to Redéeme her the finishing thereof must be by his owne Sonne When he had spoken these words he vanished appointing me to a certaine Bound which I cannot passe nor any yet came into but onely your selfe which assureth me that you are Persicles and travell in search of Constantia You haue said Persicles filled my heart with Feare Hope and Comfort the one striving to over-master the other feare that the Enchanter dissembled For that I haue as yet no Sonne nor never shall haue by Constantia for she being still Enchanted how shall I attaine her company Yet againe I am somewhat comforted that he could as well tell who should finish the Enchantment he had made as of my comming to this place For I am the most forlorne King of Assyria that shall never enjoy comfort vntill she be released which doubt perswadeth me will never be For if I must now returne into Assyria how shall I hope to find comfort Yet hée of good comfort quoth Delatus for hope hath preserved my life many yeares assuring my selfe that Penthrasus told me nothing but what was true and shall assuredly come to passe both your comfort and my long looked for Releasement being appointed both to one houre Why should you then despaire more then I since both our comforts resteth on our release But according to his Counsell travell no further for it were faine to doe that which can yéeld no hope of comfort In doing that quoth Persicles I shall both dishonour my selfe and leaue my Friend vnkindly whose Deserts hath bound my life to requite his Loue he hath onely for my sake vndertaken to travell in Constantiaes search the cause of whose departure from me was in search of your Daughter Philotheta that is reputed Daughter to Amphiador who was this day stolne from Ila by certaine Gyants Then he declared how they came to knowledge thereof It did him good to heare that she was living insomuch that he rejoyced excéedingly thereat Withall enquiring of him what knight that was that was gone in her rescue Persicles then said it were too tedious to make Recitall of him for then I should rehearse the discourse of my misfortunes Were it not quoth Delatus troublesome to you I would earnestly require your favour to heare it To requite your kindnesse quoth he I will rehearse the same which yet I haue concealed from all men but Montelyon With that he declared the whole History from the beginning of his first Loue to Constantia vntill that houre Which when he had heard his heart was filled with Admiration who that Knight Montelyon should be his Fancy perswading him he should end the Enchantment had not the doubt that he was Persicles Sonne given likelyhood of the contrary The night was spent in these Discourses and bright Phoebus lightned the darknesse of that Desart Persicles neither willing to depart nor stay Sometimes minding to find out Montelyon and to bid him Farewell but at last perswaded by Delatus taking his leaue of him with many Farewels he mounted his Stéed and so departed directly towards Assyria CHAP. XXIII Of a Combate Montelyon fought against three Gyants and how he rescued Philotheta And what befell them in an Hermits Cell MOntelyon being parted from Persicles hasted with more then ordinary pace after Philotheta still having intelligence which way they went by such as met them he overtooke them about the setting of the Evening vsing few words vntill he had dealt some blowes running at the hindermost with so fierce a carriere that he overturned him with his héels vpwards the other two looking behind them began to laugh at their fellowes fortune thinking that he had received that fall by chance but looking further they espyed Montelyon running so violently against the secoÌ„d that had he not avoided the point of his Lance he had seconded his fellow or light on worse fortune With that one of them said This fellow is very bold now but he will trust to his héeles anone This said the first that was overthrown ran towards Montelyon offering such a forcible blow at him that had he not spurd his Stéed to avoid him he had either slaine him or his Horse but he knowing it better to fight on foot then on horsebacke alighted whilest the Gyant came towards him againe thinking at one blow to beate him in péeces the other two séeing him on foote went away laughing but the Gyant missing his ayme by reason of Montelyons nimblenesse was ready to turne about with the force of his compasse blow in which time Montelyon leapt within him and thrust his Sword so farre into his Body that he fell downe dead the other two hearing that one of them came running backe to rescue him whom Montelyon soone espyed being ready to receiue him and séeing no more Ods but one to one thought his Combate was not vnequall The Gyant séeing the other dead thought at once to end Montelyons life that he strooke at him with all his force but he avoided his blow not yet daring to come within him vntill he was somewhat out of breath being furious for revenge but more mad to misse so many blowes he strooke so full and violently at Montelyon that his masâ—y Clubbe stucke in the Earth which whilest he laboured to pull out Montelyon strooke him so full a blow on the Arme that he cut the same quite from his body wherewith he gaue such an excéeding groane that all the place rung with the noyse thereof running away as fast as he could towards Montelyons Stéed whom he affrighted much with his grissy and blustering approach that he brake in sunder the reynes of his Bridle and ranne away with great swiftnesse Montelyon was excéedingly vexed for want of his Stéed not knowing for want of him what to doe and by reason of the Nights approach he still pursued the
life and all that I haue resteth at your command Sir Knight replyed she I thanke you for your kindnesse past and now proffered which hath rid me from that I was in and out of feare of other mishaps to come for your Vertues haue authority against wicked actions and your valour a sufficient defence against your enemies Before any further spéeches past the Hermit came bringing in his hand the hearbes he had gathered some of which he stamped into juyce and strained giuing Montelyon to drink others he boyled on the fire making thereof a most dainty Dish which when they had tasted the Hermit said though I know you find your selfe of sufficient strength yet by my counsell travell not this day for that therby you may much impaire your health My selfe if pleaseth this Lady will send a Messenger to Ila to report her safety in this place Not so replyed Montelyon my selfe if please her to accept of my Service will attend her thither which if it please her I will presently doe Sir said she I would not haue you endanger your health for my sake that am in safety vntill such time as you are perfectly recovered Then said the Hermit you shall not in this place want any thing nor feare disquiet for héere hath security dwelt many dayes being my selfe glad my poore Cell can yéeld you any content The Hermit went forth to get Provision leaving them together in his Cell whose eyes were drunke with a surfetting survay of each others perfections her beauty being such as might not bée equalled by any And his proportion besides his youths beauty and other comelinesse of such forme as would please any Ladies eye which superficiall view of the eye conducted an instant of Loue into each others part which setled it selfe in that vertuous harbour with such constancy that it was impossible to be removed neither déeming each others so fortunate to agrée in such a Sympathy of Loue hée thinking she would not loue and she perswading her selfe he had already setled his Loue on that Lady he went in search of Hée not knowing which way to frame his Sute on so small acquaintance nor shée how to shew him favour without further tryall Shée first breaking silence with a heart-breathing sigh bred from the depth of meditation whereupon he tooke occasion to stay Lady that sigh be wrayeth some disquiet of mind that troubleth you the occasion whereof my small acquaintance and vnworthinesse to bée so bold withholdeth me from enquiring but if you would yéeld mée such favour as impart your Secrets to me I would proue so faithfull and diligent to pleasure you that you would commend my willingnesse though not my ability For my heart wisheth my tongue to vtter that which my Fancy perswadeth me from not for that they disagrée but for that my heart harboureth that which my fancy biddeth me not â—tter because it feareth you will not beléeue it and yet you might beléeue it if it were of more antiquity for it is commonly holden for truth that all things of Antiquity are permanent which never would haue béene if they had not first begun in youth youth being the first Foundation the Foundation is then constant then things though young of growth containe circumstancy which being cherished grow to perfection So Lady if I might without your misconceit discover the constant zeale of â—â—ur perfections that is rooted in my heart and find some sparke of your gentle favour to comfort it it would grow to such setled resolution that nothing should remoue it but if in the first Spring it be blasted with Disfavour it will then spread it selfe into all parts of my Sences tormenting every part of me vntill it be cherished by the dew of your kindnesse I cannot protest nor vow nor sweare that I haue loved long yet if your suspect convert not the truth of my well meaning Words into distrust I durst protest vow and sweare that loue to your Perfections is setled in my heart anâ— nothing can remoue it Sir replyed she should I credit your Words or impart my Secrets to you it might be accounted too much credulity yet without blame I might it relying on your Vertues or should I grant it were as you say that Loue began in a moment being the roote is the substance and therefore permanent yet how would you thinke of one if vpon so small probability I should thanke you for your goodwill and accept thereof not measuring me by your selfe if you are constant but measuring me by inconstancie would judge mée light as I may well account your Words of course yet as much good Will as may grow in so short an acquaintance I beare you measuring the same by your owne for if you find cause to loue me I haue more cause to be thankfull vnto you for your kindnesse that haue received good by you But neither estéeme me light for being so familiar nor easily to be won because I am courteous for should I be coy you might account me vnmannerly and not woâ—thy to be assisted as I haue béene by you Lady replyed Montelyon would I harbour a thought that might impeach the least title of your compleat Vertue I were worthy to be hated for I know that truth is plaine and néedeth no coloured Phrases nor Curiosâ—tie which animateth me to enâ—er into this bold conference with you not framing my words of course but of true devotion trusting that your vertue will pardon my boldnesse and your courtesie censure my meaning aright for I find in my selfe an vnwonted alteration which desire to be gracious in your sight hath bred in me Nature now 〈◊〉 fâ—aming it which I neither know how to manifest nor dare by reason of the small continuance a vow though my soule knoweth my hearts purity and consent thereto fearing to be misconceived of you yet if you will vouchsafe to make triall of me and grant me but to be your Serâ—ant in time to be tryed and censured according to my truth I shall account my selfe most fortunate that yet hope may be anchor of my comfort one day to be gracious in your sight Sir replyed she how could I but blame my selfe if I should yéeld you any favour other then for your late paines which shall bind me to requite it to my power but loue being another subject how should I giue you any credit being a stranger altogether vnknowne to me Lady said he you may doe it if your gentle heart will yéeld thereto though I am a stranger both to you and to my selfe vnknowne for that I am you can witnesse but who are my Parents the Heavens haue yet concealed My name if ever you heard thereof is Montelyon my cause of comming into this Countrey was with Persicles King of Assyria in search of Constantia Daughter to the King of Persia his betrothed wife by misfortune lost many yeares since all that I know of my selfe I haue told you and would I had never knowne my selfe vnlesse
which he had entred ascended a high Mountaine whose lofty top discovered to his sight the faire Turrets of the Enchanted Tower which glistered as if they had béene framed of Massie Gold which draue him into an admiration but viewing well the Scituation thereof he discerned the Valleyes round about overspred with Tents as if the same had béene encompassed with a Host of Enemies Thither hée intended to travell forsaking the gallant prospect to be acquainted with the cause of that Assembly making the more hast for that it grew towards night but ere he could attaine thither it grew to hée darke therefore for that Night he tooke vp his Lodging vnder the covert of a tuske of trées pleasantly seated in the middest of a gréene Meddow CHAP. XXVI Of the Conference betweene Constantia and Philotheta in Penthrasus Castle THe History hath long discontinued to speak of the Lady Constantia that remained Enchanted and of Helyon that like wise lay their inthralled in great misery rightly rewarded for his treacherous dealing Her eyes shedding continuall teares for the absence of Persicles on whom she continually meditated resolving that nothing but death should abolish his remembrance that had not Ila comforted her with promises of her release the extremity of her Sorrow had soone ended her life withall thinking that Persicles and her young Sonne might both bée in safety and yet she by no meanes could heare thereof which also added some comfort to her heauy heart Oftentimes she would intreat her to behold the valiant adventures of Noble Knights that hazarded their owne Persons in the adventure for to attaine her Loue and in private tryallâ— amongst themselues with whom they were déepely in loue onely with the sight of her Picture but she still refused it accounting it no pleasure to her to sée their misfortune that spent their labour in vain for in the continuance of so many yeares as she had béene there inclosed the fame of her beauty was spred into most parts of those Countries and many thousand Knights had béene their to try their Fortunes but all failed the recitall whereof would be ever tedious but many of them lay their imprisoned by the Enchantresse who now being in despaire of her owne safety sought to bring all to miserie as well as her selfe At such time as Philotheta was carried from Montelyon in the Hermits Cell Constantia remained in such extremity of sorrow that had not Ila wrought that device to bring Philotheta thither to accompany her it had béene impossible her Sences could haue overgrowne the extremity of the passion tormented her but sitting alone in a darke corner best fitting her sad disposition she vttered such lamentations as would haue turned the flintiest heart of a most cruell Tyrant to remorse but suddainly espying Ila entred and with her so beautifull a Damzell with chéekes bedewed with Christall teares that in aboundunce trickled downe her face with that object she left her owne laments to pitty hers and séeing them draw nigh to her she arose after a sad fort saluting their sad aproach Ila without speaking a word left them together Though they were both women yet both admiring each others beauty either thinking the other to exâ—ell all and yet had they beheld their owne perfections they might inwardly haue conceived as well of themselues as they did of the outward obiect Constantia being more familiar with sorrow then Philotheta was first brake silence saying Lady I perceiue your teares that constraint not your consent hath brought you to this place beautifull to the eye but fill'd with discontents which long experience hath taught me therefore if you want a companion in care accept of my company but if you séeke for comfort abandon me for my chiefest solace is sorrow and my very thoughts and meditations of nothing but discontent I haue not said Philotheta béene long subject to this misfortune but being now plunged therein I know not how to release my selfe or how to shun the same neither knowing who is the cause thereof where I am or when I shall be released that my Sorrowes are such as may well entertaine a sorrowfull companion accepting your proffered kindnesse with hearty thankes Lady said Constantia as you vouchsafe me your company so let me know what misfortune hath brought you hither which will shorten some of the tedious time that we are like to overpasse in this place Which done you shall know to whom you haue imparted your mind the recitall whereof will be tedious Philotheta sitting downe by her vttered these spéeches My name is Philotheta Daughter in law to Amphiador Vpon a day as I was walking in my Fathers Garden vpon what pretence I know not thrée Gyants surprised me and by force carried me thence none to my knowledge séeing their cruelty when they had travailed with me vntill it waxed late a Knight armed all in white gallantly mounted came to my rescue and entred Combate with the Gyants his valiant heart not refusing to copâ— with all thrée of them But one of them thinking himselfe too strong for him stayed to combate with him the other two with hast carrying me away but in short space one of them ranne back to rescue his fellow whom the Knight had slaine himselfe likewise returning with losse of one of his armes haling me forwards with violent force vntill they came into the midst of a Wood where they meant to stay that night This Knight directed by good fortune alighted on the place where they lay and by his Valour and pollicie slue them both yet so sore hurt himselfe that he lay breathlesse vpon the earth which afflicted my heart with Sorrow fearing his death that I could not comfort him in ought by my teares and laments accounting it more misfortune for mée to be the cause of so worthy a Knights Death then I my selfe had béene still Prisoner to those Monsters the Heavens favouring my sorrowes and his mishaps directed an old Hermit to the place who with the juyce of certaine hearbs recovered him and with my weake assistance brought him to his Cell within short space curing him In which time I noted every part of his perfections and found them such as I want skill to decipher comparing thereto his behaviour which bred a perswasion in me that as he was valiant so he was vertuous and as he excelled all that ever I beheld in person so he did in courtesie Much conference past betwixt vs which I omit The Subject whereof was Loue which he averred to be as constant in him though new begun as it was in any by long continuance Amongst the rest of his spéeches he told me that he knew not his Parents his name was Montelyon the cause of his travell was in search of a Lady named Constantia betrothed Wife to Persicles King of Assyria who parted from him that day he rescued me in Arabia Constantia hearing of such good newes of the safety of Persicles could not withhold her selfe from bewraying what
mind was possest with such desire to sée her againe for that he stood as a man without sence When suddainly such a Mist darkened all the place that he could scarcely sée his hands which continued by the space of halfe an houre Whilest he remained in such thoughts sometimes of perswasion it was Philotheta which troubled his very heart to thinke what should be become of her that he séemed to haue lost her Sences by the sight of her remaining in many meditations the Myst vanished and the Sun with excéeding Splendor disclosed the beauty of Penthrasus Pallace When he saw no further expectation of danger approaching he entred further towards the thrée Gates of Brasse beholding the curious workes thereof through which he entred into the Court which drew his mind into much admiration thereof Entring the Hall he beheld the two Lyons which kept the Passage that with a faire prospect discovered the beauty of the Garden The Lyons no sooner espyed him but they presently made such a noyse with their Roring that all the Pallace rung thereof And Constantia hearing the same cryed out as excéedingly affrighted The Knight of the Oracle attempted to passe by them expecting no other but cruell resistance yet contrary to his thoughts they laid themselues downe at his féet as it were reverencing him Which when he beheld of his owne inclination he loosed both their Chaines and they ran forth of the Pallace with excéeding swiftnesse which amazed him to behold Passing through the Hall he entred the Garden looking round about to behold the beauty thereof when suddainly he began to wonder that he had beheld never a living creature since he entred which draue him into an excéeding Admiration marvailing that he could not behold the Lady of whose Picture he had beheld at the entrance to that finding himselfe over-wearyed with labour purposing to rest his Body he returned into the Hall and there seated himselfe in a most rich and costly Chayre Constantia being in the Arbour beheld when he entred the Garden and when he went backe marveling what he should be and little thinking the Enchantment was ended not daring her selfe to goe forth of the Arbour her heart was so possest with amazement desired one of the Damzels if she loved her to goe sée what he was and learn the cause of that vprore which they had heard in the Pallace One of the Damzels being more hardy then the other told her how for the Loue she bare her she would adventure though it cost her her life Passing on towards the Pallace with such hasty steps as if something had pursued her and yet going forwards as if an evill had béen before her that she could neyther tell whether wherefore nor why she went vntill of a sudden she mounted the passage into the Hall and was right before the Knight of the Oracle Whom when she saw she stood looking vpon him trembling as if she had béene distraught The Knight of the Oracle rising from his seate said Damzell feare not I will defend you from danger héere is none intendeth your harme The Damzell hearing his voyce was revived saying Sir Knight I marvell what strange accident hath brought you hither where no Knight hath béen these many yeares Lady said he Fortune and my good Destinies that haue béene imployed to set you at Liberty Sir said she it is not I but my Mistris you meane by whose command I haue adventured to sée what was happened to whom if you will vouchsafe to goe I will conduct you He could remember it was not her Picture he had beheld therefore he blusht to be so deceived but told her his comming was to doe her Lady Service With that they entred the Garden Constantia soone espying them and séeing the Knight come in such peaceable sort with the Damzell went forth to méet him hée likewise séeing her sheathed his Sword his Heart trembling at the first sight of her by a naturall inclination bearing such a Reverend regard to her majesticall person that when he came nigh her he did her reverence vpon his knée vttering these words Most Noble Lady be not disquieted with feare of restrained liberty for the Date of the Enchantment of thisCastle is finished Constantia stepping to him tooke him by the hand desiring him not to knéele to her who was vnworthy but rather had cause to vse him with the like reuerence Most Noble Lady said he I haue all the Reward I expect yet grant me one favor which is to tell me your Name Constantiaes heart at that word leapt within her which caused an excéeding blush to possesse her chéekes saying Most Honourable Knight I were too blame to deny you so small a Request my Name is Constantia Then haue the Heavens quoth he made mée Fortunate with beholding you whom my heart hath ever honoured Constantia wondred what he should be assuring her selfe it was not Persicles for he would not haue asked her name yet she thought that Sorrow might so much haue altered her in the long time of her separation that on the suddain he could not know her that her heart was much troubled with those thoughts till he interrupted them with these spéeches Lady it may be you suppose me for other then I am to rid you of which ambiguity my name is now Knight of the Oracle which I haue but lately béene knowne by for before I was called Montelyon brought vp in Persia but whether I was borne there or who my Parents were as yet I know not the cause of my travell into this Countrey was in your search in the Company of my noble Lord Persicles who for your absence liveth in continuall griefe Therefore I beséech you reviue your heart from care and put your confidence in my fidelity for I will never part from you vntill I haue brought you to his presence Constantiaes Heart with these words was possest with such joy as is not to be exprest And remembring that Philotheta had told her of Montelyon she said Most honoured Knight I haue long before this heard of your Honourable friendship shown to my deare Lord Persicles which maketh me without doubt resolue my whole confidence in you which came to my hearing by the report of a Lady whom you lately succoured in this Countrey named Philotheta With that he fetcht a déepe sigh from the bottome of his heart saying Indéed I did once enjoy her presence but whether I shall ever sée her againe or where she is I know not Yet if I were not deluded I did behold her departing out of this Castle It may be so said Constantia for she was with me this day and hath béene here this many dayes but the Enchantresse in great hast and by violence tooke her from my company carrying her I know not whether by whose kind report of your vertues I conceiue such comfort in their assurance that I entreat your promise of assistance and with that shall my heart rest as void of feare as if I
were in the Court of the King my Father in Persia. My heart said she rejoyceth to heare your kind spéeches vowing to imploy my life and all my being to be at your command Then they departed into the Pallace with purpose not to tarry there but instantly to leaue the same but comming into the outer Court hée remembred that he had heard the voyces of men that lay in misery his heart willing to succour them desiring her not to be offended if he had made â—ome stay to release them out of Bondage which hée might soone doe when there was none to resist them She willingly consented and he in little search found the Keyes that opened the Entrance into the Prison leaving Constantia in place of security for that he would not trouble her Sences with the smell of the Prison being entred he found a great number there inclosed many of them in such poore and distressed estate that his heart lamented to behold so fast as he could pulling of their Fetters at last he beheld Helyon though to him vnknowne whose flesh séemed to be incorporate with the Earth whereon he lay from whence he could not rise vntill hée was holpen who now knew the Enchantment to be finished repenting himselfe of the folly he had committed when he had set them at liberty and they were come out into the cleare light they with one assent yéelded him thanks vowing themselues his perpetuall boundeâ— friends Constantia likewise séeing them wept with griefe that so many should be endangered to set her at liberty They all proffered their Service vnto her but she desiring not to be knowne of any in courteous sort refused the same reposing her whole confidence in the Knight of the Oracle who presenting according to her desire left the Pallace and without the Bridge found his owne Stéed grasing in company of others that had lost their Riders amongst them hée tooke thrée on which he mounted Constantia and her two Damzels hasting to travell so farre as the dayes length would permit from the Pallace Lodging that Night in a Village some sixe Miles distant from the same The Knights that were released séeing them departed likewise betooke themselues to travell except Helyon who was so Féeble that he could not travell CHAP. XXIX How the Knight of the Oracle departed with Constantia How they arrived at Delatus Castle and how she knew him to be her Sonne FOr Constantia found such courteous behaviour and kind assistance in the Knight that she remained in great quiet but noting his countenance she perceived the same to be darkned with some misty Cloudes of discontent which she supposed to be for the losse of Philoâ—heta but yet she concealed her opinion from him wherein she jumpt right on his affirmity for his heart was pincht with such care for her losse and safety that it could endure no quiet But in the Morning when they should depart they began to consider which way they should travell or whether they should stay to heare of Persicles there or goe directly into Assyria Amongst many doubts they agréed to travell directly into Assyria where he told Constantia they should assuredly find him for that the time of the appointed méeting of him and the King of Armenia drew nigh after many dayes travell they came to the place where he remembred he first saw Philotheta and parted from Persicles which he revealed not to Constantia as vnwilling to make her priuy to his Loue yet he purposed in his Iourney to visit Amphiador hoping to find her there and comming to the Castle he was welcommed thither by Delatus that was againe restored to his Dukedome Sir said the Knight of the Oracle I had thought this had béene Amphiadors Castle Amphiador did possesse it but indéed the right was mine and though I haue no acquaintance with you yet I beséech you accept such entertainment as it yéeldeth and if not longer yet for this night that I may know whom I have Lodged and you have some knowledge of my affection vnto They both noting with what hearty affection he spake being weary with travell alighted to rest themselues being kindly welcommed by him and Alsala After Supper Delatus began these Spéeches Worthy Knight should I rehearse the whole circumstance of my misfortune and Amphiadors wickednesse I should both trouble you with the tediousnesse and renue my owne sorrowes onely this he wrought meanes to depriue me of this Dukedome and caused Penthrasus to Enchant me in the Desart with purpose I should never returne yet he favouring me bound me there no longer then Constantia should remaine Inchanted in the Tower built by Helyon Prince of Arabia revealing vnto me many Secrets that I will hereafter discover Not many dayes since I found my selfe fréed from this Bondage whereby he knew that the Enchantment was finished The same day the Enchantresse Jla favouring Amphiador séeing the date of her power grew to an end came to this Castle and with her brought Philotheta not his but my Daughter declaring to him my release with whom hée is fled carrying Philotheta with them but whether I knew not Which I feare me will turne to her great sorrow for his mind is so apt to cruelty and mischiefe that he careth not to act any villany to satisfie his owne mind I rehearse this vnto you though I know it concernes you not yet to let you vnderstand that by finishing the Enchantment I was released Which Ila knowing gaue him knowledge of and that is the cause of his flight and also I intreat you to grant me one favour That is to let me know whether your Name be not Constantia for my mind giveth me you are the same I am said she that most vnfortunate Creature and by this Knights noble Valour was I set at liberty to whom am I most infinitely bound My heart said Delatus rejoyceth that I ever had cause to doe you any courtesie and that it was my good fortune to sée you in this place having long wished for your Releasement not onely for mine owne good but for that Noble King Persicles sake who was with me in the Desart where I lived inthralled since his comming into Arabia who with earnest resolution determined to spend the date of his life in your search From which I disswaded him and by my directions he returned into Assyria for the Sequell of your Releasement was revealed vnto me by Penthrasus himselfe Which none could atchieue but your owne Sonns which is this Noble Knight Nay said he doubt not of this for what he revealed and I haue published is true though it râ—steth not in my knowledge to â—ilate the circumstance thereof They both wondred at his spéechâ—s and the Knight of the Oracle said Can I be more fortunate or heare better Newes or receiue any comfort that can comfort my heart more then this O Heavens grant that my joyfull hope may not be frustrated but that I may bée assured I am discended of such
Noble Parents Which may be true for Cothanes often times told me that he found me vpon the top of a Mountaine lying in swadling cloathes and not farre from the body of a Woman torne and dismembred by Wild Beasts and many Iewels about me One of which I haue ever since worne about my Necke When Constantia saw it she knew the fame embracing him in her armes and kissing him whilest he with humble behaviour did him reverence I should be over tedious to recite their joyes and how much Delatus and Alsala made of them who would not so leaue them but promised to Travell with them into Assyria where they were assured to méete Persicles but in such sort that none might know them for that yet Constantia feared her Fathers displeasure They stayed there but that Night and earely the next Morning betooke themselues to travell Notwithstanding this joy the Knight of the Oracle left some sparkes of discontent which troubled all his Sences and turned his quiet into disquiet which was with remembrance of Philotheta whose mishap pincht him to the very heart Who likewise was not frée from the like disquiet fearing never to sée him againe little thinking his Name had béene changed and as little thinking it was he that ended the Enchantment not onely troubled with this Dispaire but also vexed with Ilaes dealing who hauing brought her to Amphiador fled and was never séene of them againe Amphiador being alone with Philotheta thought it not good for him to discover himselfe least he thereby should hazard his life but disguising himselfe and Philotheta he left Arabia and travailed into Persia thinking to liue there vntill his death vndescryed And finding out an Habitation fit for that purpose he told Philotheta what he intended perswading her to abide with him This troubled her very heart fearing some greater mischiefe would follow Which like wise according to her misdoubt fell out For now that he saw no meanes to recover his Dignity nor attaine other Felicity then to liue in obscurity his mind being like wise much addicted to Licencious desire began to dote on Philothetaes beauty which burst out into a flame and he revealed the same iâ—â—his sort Philotheta said he if you knew what I would say or if you could conceiue my meaning without words I would refraine to speake but since there is no hope for me to liue without I attaine that I desire I will vtter to you the depth of my good Will and the thing that I desire so much you should know which is that I loue you this I hope cannot be grievous vnto you Neither will you I trust deny to loue me considering how tenderly I haue alwayes regarded you Should I not said she Loue you I were to be accounted very ingratefull and vnworthy to haue found you so kind which bindeth me to yéeld you thankes Then said he Let me enjoy that Loue for your Beauty hath pierced my heart and nothing but the swéete thereof can ease my torment Here wée may liue together voyd of disquiet enjoying each others Loue with content which excéedeth the pleasure that more dignified Honour yéeldeth Philotheta at the first knew his meaning replying with mildnesse but her heart so much disdained to yéeld to that he desired that she could not containe her selfe but gaue him this answer Amphiador Doest thou thinke thy wickednesse can overmaster my Vertue Or doest thou thinke I can like to heare thy odious Spéech that bewrayeth the inward rancour of thy heart or hast thou beheld such loosenesse in me that should animate thée to this dishonourable attempt or canst thou but conceiue an opinion that I will yéeld to thy wicked lust which is the fruit of thy ill devising Heart No know that I so much abhorre thée that I shall account the worse of my selfe to haue knowne thée and curse my cruell destinies that haue made me to sée thée and rather will end my life most desperately then suffer my Sences to conceiue one good thought of thée Then leaue off where thou hast begun for thou shalt rather sée me massacre my selfe then yéeld to the least part of thy desire CHAP. XXX How Amphiador Philotheta and Praxentia met How the two Ladies preventing Amphiadors lust and departed towards Assyria AMphiador walking alone in a solitary place heard the wofull Lamentation of a distressed Lady who vttered these words What misery am I brought into mine owne doting folly vpon that vnknowne Knight which neither regardeth me nor I shall never sée him againe Fond woman that I am thus to abandon my Fathers Court to liue in obscurtty where I was renowned for vertue For who heard the name of Praxentia that did not adore the fame And who was more reverenced then my selfe that now haue brought my Honour into disgrace and for the loue of a stranger haue refused the loue of so mighty a Prince as Palian O Persicles thée may I curse for by thy meanes is he thus absent and thou hast lost him or left him where he will never returne Amphiador wondred much to heare her name Persicles Palian and Praxentia which severall names he knew marvelling who that should be but séeing her silent he drew neare to her saying Lady hearing your Laments I could not choose but pitty you which maketh me thus bold to approach into our company proffering my assistance to aid you in what I can My friend said Praxentia against my will you are priuy to my estate which if you doe pitty then also succour me for I am brought low by too much griefe and weake for want of sustenance Lady quoth he my Habitation is not farre hence whether I will bring you where you shall not want any thing you will desire Being come thither they found Philotheta drowned in teares the cause whereof he well knew but Praxentia wondred at it containing another inward Sorrow to sée so swéet a creature in such sadnesse Philotheta likewise marvailed what she was hoping by her comfort to receiue some comfort which might hinder his practice He on the other side went forth againe to meditate leaving them together meaning nothing lesse then to pitty either of them but devising meanes to attaine both their loues which he was fully resolved to enjoy though the déed were never so wicked and the meanes never so hainous Praxentia having well refresht her selfe with such good food as she had received demanded Philothetaes cause of sorrow Aye me said she none so miserable as I this Tyrant that brought you hither is my Father in law whose mind is so wicked that he attempteth to winne me to his lust which addeth much sorrow to my heart as I am weary of my life my name is Philotheta Daughter to the Duke of Ila whom all men had thought to haue béene since dead but he being informed of the contrary by the Enchantresse fled bringing me hither by force where he intendeth to kéepe me as his Bond-slaue but the Heavens I hope will
ordaine some succour to my distresse your helpe I cannot desire for that I suppose your selfe in the same state I am in that is in distresse to remedy which evill you are fallen into a place that yéeldeth no content but rather contrarily to insnare me into more misery Before Praxentia could reply Amphiador came in entertained her with many counterfeit courtesies comforting her with many faire Spéeches protesting so many Services duties and promises as none but one of so impudent a disposition could haue found occasion on such a suddaine to proffer the intent of which words Praxentia as fore warned well vnderstood fearing some further mischiefe would follow thereon That day she could haue no farther conference with Philotheta for he was still in their company That Night they thought to haue lodged together but hée ordered the contrary by which meanes both that night and for some thrée dayes after they could find no opportunity to vtter their minds each to other In the meane time he was never out of one of their companies perswading Philotheta to yéeld her liking so that he had proffered and vsing such spéeches to Praxentia as might draw her to a good opinion of him which when he thought he had affected one night when Praxentia little thought of such treachery being overwhelmed in drowsie sléep he entred her Chamber by a secret way and comming to her bed side perceiving her sléepe so soundly without any more adoe crept into the bed to her she féeling one in the bed was so amazed and affrighted on the sudden that before he could embrace her as he intended she leapt out on the other side and running to the doore opened the same to whom he called saying I beséech you stay I meant you no harme by Heaven I will not offer you injury What villain art thou said she that séekest my dishonour or what wicked pretence driues thée hither at such vnseasonable time and in such audacious sort to affright me neither intending your dishonour nor vnder other pretence then vertuous came your poore Servant Amphiador into your presence but onely with thankfulnesse to make manifest vnto you my hearts true affection therefore I beséech you shun me not nor suspect me not for my heart will sooner sée it selfe torne in pieces then thinke a thought to wrong your worthinesse would I be so madde as trust thée said she thou mightest well repute me for immodest and well might I blame my selfe if I sustained wrong therefore for this time I will leaue thée With that she made fast the Doore and hasted to Philothetaes Lodging knocking very hastily withall calling aloud Philotheta Philotheta let me in she being a sléepe was halfe amazed with the noyse not daring at the first or second call to open the Doore but when she perceived it was a womans voyce she opened the doore which was no sooner open but Praxentia stept in desiring to make fast the same againe Which done feare made Praxentia so muse that vntill she had reassumed her memoriall Sences to their proper vse she could not speake a word Whilest Philotheta with much sorrow beheld her extasie of demanding the cause thereof At last she declared how Amphiador had vsed her O most detestable Villaine said Philotheta will the Fates suffer him to procéed in his blindnesse and not cut him off Or can we devise no good meanes to avoyd his intent Lady said Praxentia doe but ioyne with me and you shall soone see that betwixt vs we will rid our selues out of his tyranny O Lord said Philotheta I shall thinke my selfe the most happiest woman living and for ever honour you if by your counsell and helpe I may attaine this felicity Then said Praxentia doe but this next night by some meanes convey his Swords into my Chamber and there hide your selfe in secret vntill I come in the mean time I will deale so with him this day that he shall againe come to my Chamber without suspect of our intent but with méere hope to attaine my loue where when he is come I will so worke with him that either wée will by cunning out reach him or sheath the same into his Bowels All this said Philotheta will I constantly performe Earely the next Morning Philotheta fetcht Praxentiaes Apparell which when she had put on she went downe where she knew Amphiador was who espying her presently came to her desiring her to pardon his last Nights oversight Sir said she I was disquieted therwith more then I néeded considering you meant me no violence as you protest but it was a great folly in you to come at so vnseasonable a time and not make the party acquainted therewith Pardon me I humbly desire you said he and withall pitty me that am ensnared in the bands of Loue to your beauty which will be most pleasing to my sences and preserue my life and whatsoever you shall demand mée in recompence thereof I will performe Many such spéeches he vsed and she counterfeited many faint denials which yet was intermingled with such hope that he perceiued she would yéeld and therefore he the more earnestly intreated vowed swore and protested to win her consent which at last according to her appointment she granted but with such conditions as furthered the purpose of their intended revenge He joyfull thereof left her and she went to Philotheta declaring every circumstance how she had dealt with him When Night approached he left their company and went walking abroad to meditate on his ensuing pleasure thinking by that he returned they would be parted to their severall Lodgings In which time Philotheta conveyed into the Chamber two Swords which was all the Weapons which was in the House and hid her selfe closely from being séene When he thought it time he came to the Chamber doore where he found Praxentia very ready to let him in whose heart faintly trembled with feare at the sight of him but yet she shooke it off with as much courage as might be in a Woman When he was entred and the doore made fast having first embraced her with a lascivious kisse which we patiently endured void of doubt by reason of her promise he went to Bed whilest she stood trifling as if she had béene most buisily vndressing her selfe When she saw him in Bed she came to the Bed-side giving him a betraying Kisse vttering these words Amphiador said she How much doe I now differ from Chastity that must yéeld to violate the same without the holy Rites of Marriage wherein I shall cast away my selfe and make my Name in Oblique in the whole World if you forsake me of whose faith I haue no assurance Tush quoth he feare not but come to Bed then will I make thée so faithfull a Promise that thou shalt rest there with contented That were said she to yéeld possession before and afterwards repent By my Soule said he I will dot doe so much as touch you before I be licensed by your frée consent Then said
falsehood I sée my Children lye dead before my face How should I then be contented By Heaven I sweare I will revenge this villany King of Macedonia said Persicles I defie thée for accusing me or mine of any dishonour and thou shalt sée and find this Accusation is false why else are thy Sonnes here disguised with my enemy Palian by whose complot this mischiefe was pretended against my Sonne though the punishment lighted vpon themselues CHAP. XXXVI Of the griefe Philotheta endured for this misfortune How she was taken and carried to the Armenian Hoste Of Raleaes misfortune And the Message she delivered to the Knight of the Oracle PHilotheta séeing how vnfortunately all things fell out withdrew her selfe out of sight and in bitter exclaimes lamented her hard fortune but most of all that she was the cause of Montelyons comming thither which had so néere endangered his life Therefore she shrowded her selfe vntill it was night which being come she travelled further into the Country and there by selling a Iewell and good fortune not being discryed she altered her old habit into her right forme staying certaine dayes in a Village some sixe miles distant from the City of Pisos in the house of an ancient Lady named Ralea to whom she related her misfortunes procured by Amphiador concealing her Loue to Montelyon which she durst not commit to her serresie This Ralea being a woman of great wisedome vsed Philotheta wondrous kindly promising in words and her déeds shewing it that if shée would stay with her shée would as dearely tender her as her owne Daughter whom she caused continually to accompany Philotheta She rejoyced at this good Fortune and being alone she vttered these spéeches Praxentia thée onely may I accuse for this misery for whom I vndertooke a taske which my heart even then abhorred and now repent not so much inteâ—nding to procure thée that thou desiredst as to satisfie my owne disquiet Sences by the same means having drawne the most loyall Knight into danger of his life whose blood thou didst séeke to spill else wouldst thou not so dishonourable and fasly haue accused him The consideration of which stratageme drew such a flood of teares from her eyes that she could not stop their passage Which Ralea espying demanded the cause thereof but séeing Philotheta make no reply she said Philotheta I pitty your estate and would gladly know the cause that I might vse my indeavour to comfort you Philotheta trusting to vertue disclosed to her the loue he bare to Montelyon and all that passed betwixt her and Praxentia as is before rehearsed Ralea thereby noting her beauty commended the same promising her that if with patience she would quiet her selfe some few dayes she would vse all meanes possible to comfort her Montelyon having recovered his wounds gathered together a mighty host and brought them vnto the City of Pisos whither were assembled the choice Souldiers Noblemen Knights and Gentlemen of Persia to fight in their Emperours behalfe who entrencht themselues without the City The King of Macedonia and Armenia likewise had gathered togetheâ— so mighty an Army as might haue béene thought able to make a Conquest of the World who pitched their Tents about the City in Armenia where â—he King of Macedonia and Armenia lay Montelyons heart was fixed with desire to driue backe those foes not staying to giue them leaue to make the first challenge but humbling himselfe vpon his knée before the Emperour and his Father vttered these spéeches Most mighty Emperour and my Noble Father I haue already I hope satisfied you of my innocency being trained by some subtilty to my intended death by Praxentia and her brethren but for that mine honour hath béene blemished by that infamous accusation and the common people rest vnsatisfied and my Foes vnrevenged I humbly craue you licence that I may send destance to my false accusers and by challenge acquite my selfe which am constrained thus hastily to desire for that my heart will abide extreame torture vntill it be finished The Emperour rejoycing at his forwardnesse and séeing Persicles willing to haue it so gaue his consent Which done Montelyon left them and arming himselfe in an Armour of white which he had caused to be made of purpose that no man should know him rode into the field betwixt both Campes and by a Herald sent deffence into the Campe of the Armenians King of Armenia theâ—e is a Knight whom you may behold in the field that hath sent dâ—stance to all the Knights in this Army especially to Palian whom he accuseth to bée a most disloyall and dishonourable Knight not worthy to be named a Knight that he most falsly sought to betray Montelyons Life and withall he offereth by combate to proue against all Knights that Montelyon is a Knight both Honourable and vertuous and that Praxentiaes accusation is most false and vntrue This message was no sooner delivered but thousands of Knights made sute to combat him first but Palian to whom it principally belonged to defend his owne honour desired his Fathers consent and obtained it presently Arming himselfe and gallantly mounted rode into the field to him Montelyon desirous of revenge and his heart inwardly tormented with griefe met Palian with a furious encounter he answering him with the like breaking their Lances with great comelinesse then drawing their Swords began the combat which was soone ended for within few blowes Montelyons Sword burst that hee was enforced to close with Palian with such force wrinking his Sword from him and with the puâ—mell thereof striking him so violently on the head that he bruised his head and overthrew him every one thinking he had béene dead Which was no sooner done but Mensus eldest Son to the King of Macedonia being ready armed greeted Montelyon with these words Knight thou hast vndertaken a tedious taske to combate all the Knights in this Campe yet I hope thou shalt never doe that for my selfe will abate thy courage If they were as many more quoth Montelyon I â—eare not all if thou commest to combat me hold thy tongue and be stirre thy hands for I will haue about witâ— thée With that they gaue each other many cruâ—ll blowes and received some wounds till Montelyon againe overe arging his Sword with his vnmeasurable strength brake the same which so vexed him that he rusht vpon Meâ—sus to haue closed but he knowing his intent avoided him and before he could turne about gaue him some bloâ—es which pierced so his Armour and flesh the bloud ranne downe Montelyon hauing the hilt of his broken Sword still in his hand flung the same with such violence that lighting short on Mensus Horse head strookâ— him downe dead his master having much adoe to get from him without harme whilest Mensus was mounting himselfe on a fresh Stéed Montelyons Squire had brought him the Sword that was given him by the Hesperian Nymphes which when he grasped he said Had I armed my selfe with thée my Foes had felt
liberall yet neither pleasing nor acceptable to me for I liue in this place by constraint not by consent by which meanes my mind can thinke on nothing but to be released from hence desiring to liue in another place CHAP. XL. How the Knight of the Oracle knew Philotheta and how she was by the King of Armenia committed to his charge ALl this while Montelyon stayed below among other Knights in the Hall at such time as Philotheta came to goe into the Garden with a gallant traine of Damzels attending her Montelyon noting her well suddenly remembring he had séen her felt such a Passion oppresse his heart that he thought it melted within him When she was past he demanded what Lady that was that was so gallantly attended Her name quoth one is Philotheta Daughter to a Duke in Arabia that was so lately surprised in Assyria and brought thither with intent to be married to Delfurno the Emperor Montelyon hearing that held his peace getting from the company into a solitary place where being alone he vttered these Meditations And can it be that Philotheta was in Assyria in her owne person and an others name to bring a Message to me That néed I not doubt of for Raleaes spéeches confirmed it but may it not be that she sent some other that cannot be for they tell me she was surprized in Assyria Moreover Ralea told me that she came in the Disguise of a Palmer which Palmer I am assured was even the very same that trained me to Praxentiaes presence Whom I now presently remember had the selfe-same countenance of Philotheta which made me affect him so much These remembrances may be assurances that she rather hateth then loveth mée for otherwise I cannot be perswaded and then the taske I haue vndertaken over tedious for it will be in vaine to séeke her loue that regardeth me not Besides did she loue me yet having thrust my selfe amongst such a multitude of mine Enemies that if they knew mée would end my life it is impossible for me to make my Loue knowne to her yea or so much as to speake to her What hope is there then left for me but to Despaire or returne to my Parents séeke to win her possession by force of Armes Whilest he yet continued in these Meditations he espyed the King of Armenia comming towards him to whom he vsed great Reverence The King suddainly séeing him as soone remembred he told him he was of Arabia which made him vtter these spéeches Well met Honorius I thinke thou toldest me thou wert of Arabia and therefore it commeth in my mind that thou art the onely man may'st pleasure me if thou wilt vndertake for me being a matter of small labour but much importance Which if thou wilt but vndertake and with secrecy conceale thy reward shall be so great as thy heart can wish My Lord quoth he whatsoeuer it be I will vndertake it doing my vttermost indeavour therein with such secrecy and diligence as you shall like of I doe both trust and beléeue thée said he for in thy face I sée the sparkes of Honour therefore this it is There is in my Court a Lady of thy Countrey named Philotheta whom I had thought to haue matched with the Emperour Delfurno but now my Mind is altered and I purpose to enjoy her my selfe and for that thou art her Countrey-man I thinke thou mayst prevaile more to perswade her then any other therefore I haue chosen thée as my Friend yea my deare Friend to sollicite my sute vnto her But thou must not be knowne but that thou doest onely speake in the behalfe of Delfurno for so will I tell him This is that I would haue thée performe therefore tell me art thou resolved to doe it Were the Taske farre greater I would vndertake it but in this I thinke my selfe excéedingly honoured by your Highnesse hoping to prâ—vaile so much that you shall attained your desire Then come with me quoth he Then did he bring him to Philothetaes Lodging whether she was newly returning and vttered these spéeches to her Lady for that you are a stranger sollitary and vnacquainted with the Armenians guise I haue brought this Knight not to be your Gaurdiant for I make you no Prisoner but to accompany you and defend you if any should offer you wrong whom I hope you will accept of Philotheta liked his proffer well hoping he would proue a meanes for her to scape by accepted his proffer with hearty thankes CHAP. XLI Of the first Conference betwixt Philotheta and the Knight of the Oracle MOntelyon being alone with the Lady he had so long desired to sée and being now her Kéeper that she so dearly loved thought himselfe most fortunate doing humble reverence to Philotheta Who demanded his name My name said he is Honorius Then did she demand whose Son he was for which he had not an answer ready but stood silent not caring to be taken in a lye for that he was vnwilling to maintaine a lye Philotheta séeing that said I perceiue I shall haue small comfort by thy company for I sée you are not of Arabia Lady said he whatsoever I am I rest wholly to doe whatsoeuer you shall command me Then should you not quoth she please him that brought you to me for his mind and mine are quite contrary else would he not haue trusted you Admit I did quoth hée yet having no intent to doe it but thereby to enjoy your presence your haue no cause to suspect me Yet I thinke you are deceived in his intent for none but my selfe knoweth it which I care not to reveale to you if you will conceale it from him for I came hither to doe you pleasure not to further him Tell it me quoth she and I promise you I will conceale it Thus it is whereas he with great earnestnesse hath sued vnto you in the behalfe of Delfurno he hath appointed me to be a more earnest solicitor in his behalfe for that he himselfe is déepely in loue with you but he intendeth that Delfurno shall thinke I am onely imployed to pleasure him Which when hée imparted vnto me and willingly vndertooke not to doe it but to doe you all the humble service and duty that I can being neither of this Court nor of Arabia but a Knight of Assyria that haue vowed never to leaue searching vntill I had found you the occasion whereof was this Vpon a day walking in a Groue adjoyâ—ing to the Pallace Garden I heard a Knight whom afterwards I well knew making much lamentation for your absence that nothing but newes of your safety could ease his heart I disclosed my selfe vnto him and for the loue that I bare him vowed to travell in your search first arriving in this Court where to my excéeding Ioy I haue found you with all humility faith and constancy proffering you my service being ready to vndertake any Taske and vndergoe any perill to doe you service I know not how to trust