sée no body but might perceiue the earth troden all to be smeared with blood and the mosse torne vp and remooued from his naturall place and looking attentiuely he sawe the lumpe of mosse leaues where vnder Parismus lay couered which was the onely preseruation of his life for the mosse lying close about him kept the ayre froÌ„ foorth his woundes otherwise he had perished The knight remoouing the leaues found the body of the goodliest man that euer he beheld most gréeuously wounded and gasping foorth his latest breath of life which mollified the knights hart that he vsed al the meanes he could to recouer him but laboring in vaine to bring him to his senses yet hée might perceiue the breath to steal forth by litle litle out of his mouth that he was perswaded he was not past helpe therefore taking Parismus in his armes he conueied him vnto the place of his abode which was within those woods now you must vnderstaÌ„d that this knight was one of the company of those outlawes that kept in that wood being driuen to liue in such obscure sort for feare of punishment for diuers outrages they had committed and taking felicitie in that kinde of life continued a great fraternitie amongst them being the very same that had wounded Osiris one of Dionisius knights as is before rehearsed amoÌ„gst whome we wil leaue Parismus to declare what hapned to Dionisius who greatly maruelled that when the day was ended Parismus was not returned which made him the rest Sicanus excepted diuerâ—…y coniecture most thinking that he was gone astray being vnacquainted might be gone to the palace not knowing which way to return to the place where he left theÌ„ Sicanus likewise séemed as carefull as the rest At last by the nights approach they all departed towards the Cittie where when they were arriued Dionisius enquiring very earnestly for Parismus returne could heare no newes thereof That hauing no other thought to be pacified withal he was perswaded that he might be gone so farre in search of his hawke that hée could not attaine to the Cittie that night and therefore might lodge by the way and so come home the next morning Thus with this hopefull perswasion being perswaded for the time they betooke theÌ„selues to their rest Sicanus being gladded with the newes of Perismus want called those thrée actors of his most desperate and wicked confederacie vnto him and inquired what they had done who certified him of all their villanous exployt being no way suspected of any such fact to whome hée yéelded many dishonourable thankes for so impious a déede Thus all continued in good hope vntill the next Morning which being come and most of the day spent there was no succesfull newes of Parismus returne but all his men were come and no man but himselfe alone mussing that Dionisius being therewith wonderfully greeued and vexed in his minde speedily caused a hundred knights to make all diligent search and inquirie that might be to heare of him who were all most willing bearing an inward loue to the yong Prince aboue al the knights that euer arriued in Thessaly The Bohemian knights likewise made such lamentation for their Lord that it was snooe blazed to the hearing of all the Court and Cittie that Parismus was not returned from hawking which at last came to the hearing of Laurana who at the fist newes thereof was so tormented in her thoughts that shee could not containe her selfe from bewraying her loue by extreame complaints as also by the manifolde questiones and enquiries shée made with whome hée went how long they mist him and where when and how they lost his company shewing an extraordinarie care of his welfare that being driuen into a thousand sundrie doubts of his welfare as also to thinke what should become of him she could inioy no quiet nor content but her greatest coÌ„fort was that shée still hoped she should heare some newes of his returne by such knights as were gone in search of him amoÌ„gst whom were his owne knights whose care she thought would be greater then any others for his preseruation Oristus likewise tooke his want in such heauinesse that hée séemed to be out of his wits by extreame sorrow Sicanus hauing now accomplished the thing hée purposed vsed oftentimes to visit Laurana and earnestly prosecuted his former sute wherewith Laurana was so much grieued to remember any other loue then Parismus or to thinke that any other should offer Parismus that wrong that she shewed her selfe so vertuously disdainfull to the Persians sute and séemed so little to regard his words and protestations that hée began to dispaire of obtaining her good will yet he was still comforted in this that he had her parents consent which might be a mean to procure her liking besides he thought the greatnesse of his birth might be a great helpe to his furtherance Dionisius Oliuia and the rest were diuersly gréeued to thinke of Parismus losse whome they all déemed to be fallen into some disaduenture otherwise they could not imagine what might be the occasion of his stay so that the whole court in generall was driuen into such sadnesse that it séemed not like the same it was wont to be especially the King and Quéene tooke it so heauily that their ioy was wholly turned to sorrowe and their pleasant countenances into sad lookes but yet all continued in hope to heare some newes of him by the returne of such as were gone in search of him who most of them returned within some thrée or foure dayes Oristus being yet behinde at last returned hauing by diligent enquiry found the stéed wheron Parismus rode who was taken vp some twentie miles distant from the place where these villaines had left him this augmented their griefe when they saw all that were in search of him returned with no good newes and Oristus the last of their hope in stéed of ioyfull tidings bringing further cause of sorrowe in that they were fully assured by finding the Horse whereon he rode and he by no meanes to be heard of that hée was fallen into the hands of such as had murthered him or by some misaduenture might be deuoured by some wilde beast that had seized on him vnawares that in generall al made such sorrow for the losse of so vertuous a Princes that it was to be wondred at that a man in so short a time of acquaintance could behaue himselfe so vertuously as to be so well beloued of all Laurana exempting her selfe from all quiet and banishing from her mind all mirth and ioy withall hearing the newes Oristus had brought fell into such an extreame passion of griefe for that a good space she continued as one wholly depriued of life and notwithstanding Leda and the rest of her maydes vsed all the skill they had yet could by no meanes bring her againe that with wringing their hands tearing their haire and with gréeuous acclamation they made such an outcrie that the
vertuous selfe withall but if all this wil not suffice then shall I spend my daies in endlesse sorrow and your selfe purchase thereby your owne discontent Therefore sweet Lady let me receiue some comfortable answer to mittigate these my sorrowes Laurana hauing heard his spéeches was so surprised with a vertuous disdaine to heare his flattering that she was resolued not to answer him at all but at last she replied in this sort It is in vaine Tyrant quoth she for thee to think to purchase any loue at my hands by thy flatteries there fore desist thy sute which is as odious to me as thy selfe which thinkest because by trechery I am brought into thy cruel haÌ„ds I will yeeld to thy allurements no Tyrant no inflict what punishment thou canst vpon me I wil neuer yéeld to shew thee any fauour that deseruest to be hated of all men besides thou seest my estate vnfit to listen to the allurements of loue therfore if thou hast any vertue in thee as thou she west thy self to haue none shew that thou louest me by desisting to trouble me any more with the harsh sound of thy odious instrumeÌ„ts wherwith she turned from him and he in a monstrous rage departed the chamber Afterward comming vnto a sister which he had with him named Adamasia he began to vnfold vnto her the sum of his affection to Laurana how disdainfully she had vsed him requesting her counsel to further him therin who being an euil disposed creature and rather ready to intice him to euil then to dissawaded him frâ—… the same she promised him that if she might haue the custodie of Laurana shée would not doubt but soone to bring her to consent vnto his desire which Andramart was in som doubt to suffer for that he was loth any should haue the kéeping of her but himselfe But at last being intised by hope of obtaining her good will gaue his consent and the wicked Adamasia had the charge of the most vertuous Laurana vnto whoÌ„ shée vnfolded the cause of her comming vsing manie perswasions to Laurana to consent to loue Andramart telling her that shée was vnwise to refuse the good will of him that was so mighty a man Laurana séeing a worse plague then euer shée before endured to be now befallen her by being troubled with such an impudent solliciter was so ouercome with sorrow and griefe that this last vexation seemed more gréeuous then all that euer she endured would giue no answere vnto her impudent sollicitings by which meanes Adamasia was frustrated of al hope to obtaine her liking but many daies she vsed the vertuous Laurana very kindly and séemed so loth to offend her that she would not long time after motion any thing in the behalfe of her brother which the wicked hag did only to feele the disposition of the vertuous Laurana and also perceiuing that she was great with child told Andramart that it was to no effect to deale any further in their suit vntill she were deliuered Wherfore with all diligence they ministred all things necessarie and the time of her deliuery being come she was inriched with a goodly boy whom she named Parismenos whom Andramart caused to be nursed and to be most delicately brought vp many daies in that castle After a few daies Andramart grew so impatient in his loue that with many intreaties he requested Adamasia either speedily to work his content by obtaining Lauranaes liking or else he told her she should soon see his death for without the same it was impossible for him to liue Wherwith Adamasia beganne to settle her selfe to the taske she had vndertaken and finding as she thought a conuenient time when Laurana was alone she began to féele her minde in this sort Uertuous Lady quoth she I haue long diligently marked the doleful plaints you secretly vtter which maketh me muse that you hauing no cause at al shuld spend your daies in such heauie sort wheras you might if you plesed inioy such happy delights as many thousand ladies wold wish for You are here in a happie place in my opinion where nothing is wanting that might procure your content where no iniurie is offered you that vnlesse you indure some secret griefe I know not what to coniecture of your discontent and the loue of Andramart in my iudgement faire Lady should bring you that happie consent that yet you neuer enioyed the like who in all respects beareth such an intire affection to your selfe that whatsoeuer he hath or can coÌ„mand resteth wholly at your dispositioÌ„ But if it be so that you haue som friend already vnto whom you are any way tyed in the bands of loue for him you indure this pensiuenes that by some mischaunce is perished then let the famous Andramart possesse the second roome in your gentle heart and let me be the messenger to carrie these happie tidings to ease his torment Laurana hauing heard this cunning insinuation of Adamasia wel vnderstood her meaning therfore told her that her gréefes were best knowne to her selfe which she determined not to reueale and as for Andramart she told her she esteemed his loue worse then his hatred and that she had rather indure the greatest force of his malice then the loathsome profers of his loue and therfore willed her not to prosecute any further her vnwelcommed sute which should make her lesse welcome vnto her companie Adamasia hearing Lauranaes resolute answere was so kindled into anger with the same and being of a proude disposition could not refraine from vttering her inward rancor but replyed as followeth Proude Lady quoth she know that Andramarts more fauoring thée then thou deseruest hath appointed me to intreat thy fauor but thou disdainfully reiectest his profered courtesie and makest scorne of my speeches which I cannot indure for thou shalt well know that I am the better and I tell shee that thou shalt yeelde vnto his iust sute or repen the time that euer thou wert so coy therfore let me haue thy answere to morrow which is the vttermost respit that I will giue thée Auant foule Hag quoth Laurana my answere thou shalt now receiue that for thy detested sake I will neuer yeeld vnto his sute Which words so inraged the rude Adamasia that coÌ„ming to Laurana she strooke her such a blow on the face that the blood ran aboundantly froÌ„ her mouth wherwith she departed and left Laurana in that sort bléeding with her bloud mingling her Christall teares which in abundance ran from her eyes This hag was so inragde with the sharpe answere of Laurana that presently she came to Andramart and told him that there was no dealing with hir in gentle sort rehearsing how disdainfully she refused all the proffers and sutes she could make vsing such perswasions that Andramart consented to be wholly ordered by her nothing regarding what she intended so hée might haue his desire Adamasia therfore purposing to bring her businesse to effect first caused Leda to be prisoned and
in whereby the Uirgin left off her speech bringing in with them good store of money which they had taken from honest passengers Parismus lying very weake yet marked wel their behauiour which made him maruell that men could be so inhumane as by their owne reports they seemed to be wishing himselfe with Laurana who he thought would accuse him of disloialty or that hee made choise of some other if shee did not so misdoubt him then the sorrow he thought she endured for his losse which might some way come to her knowledge so galled him to the heart that his inward passions would not suffer his outward physicke to doe him any good and the continual care he was in did much hinder his health being likewise as much tormented with remembrance of the grant that Dionisius had made to Sicanus concerning the marriage twixt him and Laurana who he thought might now be inforced to yeelde her consent when she was out of hope of recouering him this griefe farre exceeded all the rest that all the whole company began to note his sorrow for he was scarce able to containe himselfe within the bounds of reason In these perplerities he continued by the space of three months in all which time he could not fully recouer his health Where we will leaue him to speake of Dionisius who by tract of time hauing somewhat mittigated the remembrance of Parismus want most of his Knights being departed home into Bohemia Oristus onely excepted who by no meanes could be drawne to leaue Thessaly because there he had lost his Lord began to conferre about the marriage of Laurana being often importuned by Sicanus who caused the King of Hungaria and the Prince of Sparta to be earnest solliciters in his behalfe at whose instance Dionisius promised to giue them answere the next day therefore sending for Laurana he demanded of her how shee fancied Lord Sicanus who was a most honourable Gentleman and one euery way worthy to be beloued telling her that he had giuen his sul cōsent and therefore it stood not with her vertue to séeme strange or shew her selfe vndutifull Laurana hearing her fathers speeches being much amazed stood still and gaue no answer a good space at last kneeling downe shee began in this sort I most humbly intreat your Maiesty to vouchsafe to heare my words with patience and not to impute any thing I shall desire at your highnesse hands to vndutifulnesse I cannot as yet fancy the Prince though I confesse my selfe farre vnworthy the honour you proffer me but haue presumed vpon your fauourable promise not to marry me to any without my liking to fuse the offer Sicanus maketh for that my fancy perswaded me he shall bring some sorrow to your highnesse and al the rest of this Court and Countrey as also for that I am vnwilling to this with my better but would intreate your maiesty if your highnesse will needs haue me marry rather to bestow mee on some honourable Gentleman of my degree but most of all my desire is to continue this my happy life wherein I entend with your gracious liking to spend the length of my daies Dionisius wondring to heare her answer began to waxe somewhat angry with her and told her that it was his pleasure shee should marry with him and he would haue it so My deare Lord and Father quoth shée because I am yours wholly to dispose of I humbly craue that I may haue a monthes respite to aduise my selfe and then I will accomplish your demand which he granted and so left her Laurana being alone began to weigh in what estate she was and how to auoid this iniurie the should doe to her selfe for her honourable promise past to Parismus and to him for his loue that she determined rather to destroy her selfe then yéeld to marry him whom she accounted her deare loues enemy and with this resolution went to her lodging Sicanus the next morning attended Dionisius answer who told him that his daughter had giuen her consent vpon condition he would grant her a months respite to consider of her duty therein wherewithall he was highly contented being now fully assured as he thought of his desire and began more boldly to visit Laurana who little esteemed his friendship though he vsed her kindly but farre from any shew of loue to the intent to breed no suspition in him of that shee intended CHAP. VII How Sicanus treason was discouered who suddainly fled into his Country and how Diomsius departed towards Bohemia vnknown to any in the disguise of a Palmer and what sorrow Oliuia the Queene made for his absence who created Lord Remus Regent in the Kings absence WHilest these things were acting it happened contrary to Sicanus expectation who now thought all things so buried in forgetfulnesse that his treachery could by no meanes be reuealed that the Tarrrians which murthered Parismus beganne to contend about the money Sicanus had giuen them in so much that one of them strooke the other such a blow on the head that he had wel-néere slaine him and would haue strucke him againe but that by chance Oristus comming by reprooued the other that had strooke his fellow and defended him that was already wounded from further harme and diuers other of Dionisius knights comming together they conueied him that was hurt into a Chamber and the other was carried before the king to be examined vpon what occasion hee did strike him who answered Diomsius that he would not be examined of any but his owne Prince which made Dionisius the more earnest to know the cause therefore willed Lord Remus to intreat Sicanus to come vnto him to end a doubt which none but he could decide Sicanus maruelling what the cause should be immediatly came but seeing one of the Tartarians that he had hired to murther Parismus standing before the King began to feare according to the guiltinesse of his conscience that his treason was bewraied notwithstanding he demanded why he had so wounded his fellow the villaine being amazed to see his master so ready to examine him and not rather to excuse him could not readily tell what to say but in that little respit of deliberation he answered that he had done him wrong that was the cause he had strooke him which words he vttered with great feare staring vpon Sicanus as if he should haue instructed him what to say Dionisius noting Sicanus countenance the villaines answer whom Sicanus would examine no further began to misdoubt some former mischiefe had bred this contention commanded the other Tartarian that was wounded to be brought before him who feeling himselfe almost past estate of life confest the cause why thy fell out and how that they had the money of Sicanus for murthering Parismus whose want was procured by their meanes Sicanus standing by and hearing his speech suddenly drew his dagger and stabbed him before he could vtter any more of his treachery Which so amazed all the company that a good
mightie force but Pollipus sometime nimbly auoiding one and eunningly warding another kept himselfe from any great harme and in the end tyred Argalt who seeing that all his strength little auayled to his enemies disaduantage and with all feeliâ—…g himselfe almost wearied beganne to abate his blows which Pollipus perceiuing gaue him so many blows and withall such deepe wounds that hee was in great daunger of his life and turning his backe fled towards the Castle whome Pollipus persuing gaue so many wounds that â—…e beganne to rore and crie exceedingly yellâ—…g forth such a hideous noyse that all the Castle rung therewith Brandamor hearing the same presently hasted to his rescue and lifting vp his mighty mace vâ—…wares strooke so forcibly therewith vpon Pollipus Crest that it made him to stagger withall saying Why offâ—…est thou this outrage to my brother Pollipus séeing his mightie proportion being somewhat dazeled with the blowe retired a little backe and being recouered made this answere I néede not tell thee wherefore for that thy guiltie conscience repleat with vice can bear witnesse of thy degenerate crueltie offered to all that come within thy power but especially to the faire Lady Venola whome thou or thy brother haste brought to this Castle whome I am come to redéeme Brandamor hearing his spéeches most cowardly assailed him being before almost wearied and greeuously wounded who notwithstanding resisted him so valiantly that Brandamor in short time had receiued many greeuous wounds yet staying himselfe said I pittie thy estate and therefore I wish thee to yéeld thy selfe before I chastise thy boldnesse any further for I see thou art already wounded and vnable to withstand my strength besides I scorne to cope with one alreadie vanquished then take my offer of mercie or else I will soone giue that weake body of thine to be deuoured of wilde beastes Uaine boasting monster quoth Pollipus know that I disdaine thy friendship and disclame thy proffer desiring rather to die by thy accursed hand then yéeld to thy curtesie therefore do thy worst Brandamor hearing this resolute reply being inraged with coller strooke at him most violently but Pollipus auoiding his blowe thrust at him and wounded him so déepe that the blood ranne down vpon his white stéede Argalt séeing this Knight so valiantly withstand his brother called forth a great sort of seruants in Armour who rushing all at once vpon him with their throng beate him from his horse and carried him into the Castle where hée was vnarmed and for that night put into a close prison hauing an olde woman to dresse his wounds Early the next morning hée was brought into the Hall before Brandamor who had Maiestically seated himselfe in a chaire with â—…erie redde eyes swolue with rage vttering these spéeches Presumptuous and ouerdaring Knight what frenzie hath caused thée to commit this vnaduised folly whereby thou hast incenst my wrath against thée and brought thy selfe in daunger Wherein haue I wronged thee that thou shouldest offer to molest me Pollipus disdaining to be so perempterilie examined made this reply I liâ—… not tell my name because thou knowest me not the cause of my comming hither is in search of a Lady that I suppose thou vniustly detainest making thy infamous name so ignominious by thy outrages that both heauen and earth will shortly hate thee Doest thou seeke a Ladie quoth he come with me and thou shalt see all the Ladies I haue Then he brought him into a goodly Hall hung with auncient cloathes of Tapistrie out of which he went into a most pleasant Gallerie furnished with al sorts of most beautifull pictures of excellent workmanship from thence he came into a chamber of great largenesse so rarely furnished as Pollipus maruelled at the richnesse thereof at the ende whereof sate the most beautifull and faire Lady Venola with her golden hayre hanging about her shoulders her rich and costly ornaments all betorne her crimzen cheekes sprinckled with olde dryed teares and fresh droppes flowing from her pure eyes heauily leaning her carefull head vpon a cushion with her hands hanging downe folded one in another seemed so sadde and heauie a spectacle of a distressed Ladie as neuer eye beheld who feeling Brandamor and Pollipus comming toward her lifted vp her head from the place where she rested it and carelesly let the same fall on the heauie pillowe againe Pollipus seeing her excceding beautie and withall noting her heauie estate was strooken into a suddaine dump that he stood like one in a studie Brandamor thinking that was the Ladie he came to redeeme saidâ—… Knight if this be the Ladie thou seekest to release thy labour is in vaine for her do I esteeme more then all the world whose presence I so highly honour that no force shall redeeme her from hence whom I both loue and honour as much as thou and all the Knights in the world besides whose loue hath caused my languishing tormeÌ„ts this long time which now I purpose to inioy to the extinguishing of my inward vexations for her sake haue I indured much trauell then do not thinke that I will easily or willingly leaue her heauenly companie but will approue and maintaine that I am worthier of her loue then any Knight liuing and since I haue my desire in attaining her custodie I will likewise enioy her loue before she part hence Venola hearing his proude boasting so much disdained theÌ„ that she could not refraine from answering him but rising from the ground where she sate she vttered these speeches Impudent misâ—…reant why presumed thou so much of thy selfe that art able â—…o performe nothing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thou my loue of so small estimation as to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…y thy 〈◊〉 speeches or any way â—…o 〈◊〉 liking to thy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 No I accouâ—… the bâ—…est 〈◊〉 in Libia too good to bee thy 〈◊〉 much lesse my seâ—…se do so much â—…orne thee thaâ—… will 〈◊〉 execute mine owne death then 〈◊〉 thee to 〈◊〉 â—…e so much as with a touch and thinkest thou because thou 〈◊〉 beâ—…d this â—…e knight by treacherie there are no other that will seeke my 〈◊〉 Yes 〈◊〉 thou assured that the violence thou hast offered mee by bringing me hither against my will one day will turne to be the occasion of thy cruell death Thou foule detested vâ—…aine leaue off to vtter such bosâ—…ng speeches in my presence for nothing can bring more griefe to my heart then thy ill pleasing sight Brandamor hearing her heavenly voyce sound forth such bitter â—…aunts against him was exceedingly â—…aged therewith but dissembling a pleasant countenance hee departed with Pollipus whom ofter some speeches past betwixt them hee commaunded to be conueyed to a hamber from whence â—…e could as hardly get as from the strongest prison in the world who seeing that Violetta was not in the Castle wisht he hâ—… not attempted to haue come there ut making a vertue of necessity he indured such imprisonment as patiently as might be thinking all misery nothing beeing vndâ—…gone
Oristus making spéede soone arriued at the Cittie of Thebes where the King then kept his Court and being admitted his presence deliuered his message Which when Dionisius vnderstood he told Oristus that he would very wilingly gratulate the Princes kindnes desiring him to certifie his Lord that he shuld be most hartily welcome wherewith Oristus departed Dionisius willing his Noble men to be in readines the next day for hée purposed to méete the Prince himselfe In the meane time hée commaunded all preparation that might bée deuised to be made for his more honorable entertainement Early the next morning Dionisius attended by his noble men rode forth to méete the Prince some thrée miles from the Citie whome he most louingly imbraced and welcommed with excéeding courtesie Parismus maruelling at this vnexpected kindnesse in him said Most high and magnificent King I being altogether vnworthy of this your excéeding fauour most humbly intreate your pardon to my presumption desiring you to impute my rashnesse to my youth which hath attempted this boldnesse without any hope in the least degrée how to deserue such kindnesse Dionisius taking him by the hand desired him to leaue off those spéeches for that hée estéemed his Court and Countrey insufficent to entertaine him according as hée desired telling him that hée was the most welcome guest to his Court that might be wherewith they ioyfully departed towardes the Cittie but as they roade they heard a most gréeuous grone in the Thicket of a Woode hard by Whereupon Dionisius commaunded his Knightes to beset the Wood on euery side himselfe Parismus and diuers Noble men entered the Thicket where they found an Armed Knight most grieuously wounded At which pittifull spectacle Dionisius alighted from his Horse viewed his face and knew him to be his trustie Knight Osiris whome hée most dearely loued Wherefore hée commaunded him to bee conueyed to the Court that his owne Phisitians might looke to him and binde vp his wounds In the meane time the King Parismus and diuers Knightes made diligent searche in the wood but coulde finde no creature there and thereby no certaintie how Osiris should be thus wounded That departing discontented the King was certified that there was great hope of his recouery who speaking to Parismus said Most noble Prince I hope this mischaunce hath not disquieted you for I would be sorie you should conceiue any occasion of sadnesse thereat but I trust by that time Osiris be recouered wée shall easily come to the knowledge hereof My Lord replied Parismus I haue no cause to be gréeued for my part but to see your Maiestie hereby disquieted Indéed said Dionisius it some what gréeueth me because Osiris is one that I loue being well worthy thereof for his vertues do farre excéed many mens of whose faith and fidelitie I haue had sufficient triall that a more loyall Knight cannot be found By this time they were come to the Pallace gate where was the Quéene with all her traine of Ladies to welcome Parismus which was a most pleasing sight to beholde that the Prince with the suddaine viewe of theyr beautie was driuen into a déepe studie from which hée was reuiued by the Quéene who most gratiously welcommed him saying In all kindnesse I bid your honour welcome into Thessaly where we will indeuour to requite your friendship in comming to vs. Most vertuous Quéene quoth hée for this your honourable fauour both my selfe and all that is mine shall be continually bound to do you dutifull seruice The glory of the Pallace made Parismus maruaile this honourable entertainment the sumptuous banquets the rare Musick and gallant showes too tedious to rehearse made him thinke that Fame had altogether darkened the glory of that place that all his sences were replenisht with varietie of delight At such time as Dionisius and the Prince entered the Court Laurana hearing of the Princes comming standing at her Chamber windowe viewed them well and knew or at least thought that to be Parismus that came with her father noting well his gallant comely proportion said to one of her maides named Leda Is not yonder Knight that accompaineth my father the Prince of Bohemia Yes quoth Leda I thinke so for a more gallant Knight did I neuer beholde Wherewith the crimzin colour in Lauranaes cheeke began to reuiue which Leda perceiuing said it would become our Couâ—… wel to haue his presence continually for it cannot chuse but a Knight of so faire prrportion must needs be endued with as excellent gifts Why quoth Laurana this Court cannot long containe such guests wherewithall she went to dinner féeling a kinde of alteration in al her parts which séemed strange to her for euen then loue began to kindle in her tender heart which yet shee did not well vnderstand but afterwards grewe to a burning heate as shall be declared She vsed sildome to come abroâ—…d but sometimes priuately for recreation for such was her chaste resolue that she delighted in nothing but vertuous meditations To relate the conference the King and Parismus had were tedious and imperitinent to the Historie But the Prince maruailed he could not sée Laurana so famous for her beautie being hereby drawne into many déepe cogitations by which thoughts and remembrance of the long iourny hée had passed onely to behold her person and now could not be assures hâ—…e had seene the beautie hée expected was drawne into such a sad studie that in a manner he neither heard what was spoken nor cegarded where he was At last reuiuing his sences that were dulled with passion hée suddenly sighed and smiling said fearing his heauinesse had bene noted your Maiestie may peraduenture note my sadnesse the remembrance of your Knights iniury maketh me study how he should be so gréeuously wounded and no man found that should act the same which words hée onely spake to excuse himselfe Surely answered the King some man by secret treachery hath wrought him that harme which at more conuenient time we shall finde the truth thereof which I would effect with all spéed but that I hope to be ascertained by himselfe whom my Physitions say is in good estate of amendment With these and many other spéeches Dinner being fully ended Dionisius Parismus and the Quéene walked into a most pleasant Garden where after a while he was entertained with a most costly and rare banquet prouided in an Arbour or banqueting House adioyning to a Groue fraught with many pleasant Birds whose swéete harmonie much augmented the pleasure of the place all things being most artificially contriued for delight which when Parismus beheld hee then began to thinke with himselfe how shall I sée the Princesse Laurana for whose sight I haue vndertaken this trauell whose delightfull presence shall refresh my tired sences and expell those inward cares wherewith I am thus perplexed But when he sawe none but the King and Quéene hée was much troubled in his minde to thinke what might be the cause that thée whose fame had long since come to
Laurana maruelling at her Fathers suddaine sending for her suspected that hee had heard some newes of her loue to Parismus otherwise she could not tell what the cause might be but making her selfe ready presently came to him hauing reuerently done her duty he vsed these speeches vnto her Laurana my chiefest care is to sée thee married according to thy state which hath made me send for thee to know whether that thou hast already placed thy affection or no otherwise there is come into this Country a King of great estate and honourable parts sonne and heire to the King of Persia who concealed himself vntil yesterninght in whose behalfe the king of Hungaria and the Prince of Sparta are come from his Father to craue thee in marriage Now if thou canst fancy him thou shalt highly honour thy self haue an honourable husband and reioice my heart to see thee so well matched before my death which will come very shortly I haue giuen my consent so it be with thy liking for so dearely I loue thee that I would as well haue thy fancy pleased as mine owne minde satisfied therefore let me know thy minde Laurana answered My deare Lord and Father I humbly thanke you for the manifold benefits receiued by your fauour being yet at libertie from all knowing it my dutie to haue your consent before I would presume to match my selfe trusting that I shall so place my affections as shall be agréeable to your pleasure Well do so then said her father and this was the cause I sent for you Laurana departed with a heauie heart wishing that the time of Parismus comming were at hand that she might impart this newes vnto him which grieâ—…d her and she knewe would not please him resoluing with her selfe neuer to giue consent After dinner Laurana by the commaundement of Oliuia the Quéene accompanied the Ladie Isabella by meanes whereof Sicanus had occasion to court her whome hée found of so milde behauiour and yet so farre differing from his minde that hée saw no likelihood of attaining her loue His importunate demaunds which he builded vpon her fathers promise and his owne hope of assurance she answered so wisely and curteously that his loue thereby encreased but his hope was no whit augmented that séeing such a vertuous resolution or in maner absolute deniall to his sute he was perswaded Parismus was the onely man that hindered his loue which the rather vexed him because hée sawe his vertues of euery man commended and himselfe by the beauty of his excelent gifts disgraced that euer after he sought all meanes he could to worke his harme And fearing that he should be frustrated of his expectation began very narrowly to prie into the behauiour of Laurana towards Parismus that they coulde at no time talke if hée were in companie but would still bée attentiue to their spéeches nor seldome were they at any time togither but hée would be in their companie dissembling a countenance of great frindship to Parismus hauing tha greater occasion to crosse their loues because of the motion hée had made to Dionisius and of the kings spéech to Laurana In this sort he continued his iealous behauiour yet farre from the least hope of procuring Lauranas fauour The wished time of these two Princesse appointed méeting being come Parismus secretly leaping the wall which parted him from his delight â—…ound Leda all alone attending his comming and asking her where her mistresse was she told him shée staied in her chamber for him which she thought to be the fittest place for their priuate conference for that she was now fully assured of his honourable meaning so directing him the way he quickely found Laurana who was come to the staites head to meete him whom he kindly saluted and she as louingly welcomed him spending their time in sweet gréetings but farre from any thought of vnchastenesse their imbracings beeing grounded vpon the most vertuous conditions that might be and sitting together vpon the beddes side Laurana taking Parismus by the hand the teares standing in her eies told him all the speeches her father had vsed vnto her and of Sicanus loue repeating to him all that had passed betwixt them which extreamely gréeued Parismus to heare not that hee doubted her change but for that hee was thereby disappointed of the first grant from Dionisius whom he was fully perswaded would haue giuen his consent Deare Lady said Parismus since these mischances are vnfortunately happened I know not how to remedy them but it resteth only in your power either by granting him loue and so to destroy me or still continue your sauorable kindnesse towards me and thereby purchase displeasure of your parents which would be more greeuous vnto me then death My Lord replied Laurana you néede not vse these speeches or any way trouble your mind for I promise and protest that the losse or displeasure of my friends nor any other misery or torment whatsoeuer shall make me any way infringe that promise I haue made to you for your loue is more dearer vnto me then my life but I desire you to tell me how I may any way worke your content and I will doe it More shee would haue spoken but the Christall teares that fell from her eies and extreame hearts sorrow to sée Parismus so sad stopt her speech who likewise was drawn into such admiratioÌ„ to think of her kindnesse that he could vse no words to comfort her but with his chéeke wiped away the wet teares that bedeawed her face and bestowed swéet kisses on her corall couloured lips At last he said Deare Laurana deare Laurana I would desire you not to thinke that I any way cal your loyalty in question but vsed those spéeches only to assure you that whatsoeuer pleaseth you I count my greatest blisse but since you vouchsafe to grant me that fauour to be content to endure your Parents displeasure for my sake that am vnworthy of that kindnesse I will heereafter so fully rest at your command to doe whatsoeuer lieth in my small power that you shall say Parismus is not vnwilling though vnable to be sufficiently thaÌ„kful Thus thinking too much of their stole time speÌ„t about those vnpleasant newes they began to vse words of more comfort which were such as porceeded from the kindest friendship that might be For so pleasantly swéet were their louely ioies and true hearted meanings that it far surpassed the admirable kindnes of Louers but might be tearmed the true substance of perfect pleasure wherein these two harmelesse soules continued the greatest part of the night with such ioy that had Sicanus who most enuied Parismus séene and beheld them he would neuer haue attempted to part such knide friendship Now the dismall houre of their parting being approached by reason of the light that the Sunne began to giue vnto the Chamber Parismus taking Laurana in his armes drawing sweete breath from her lippes told her that now to his griefe he most leaue her to be courted by
bruite thereof came to the hearing of the King and Quéene and all the rest by which occasion a new sorrow began farre aboue compare by that time the King and Quéene were come into her Chamber the Princesse began somewhat to come to her selfe when heauily lifting vp her eyes with a gréeuous sigh looking vpon her father and mother with such a pittifull countenance that they could not refraine from teares still looking earnestly about her to sée if Parismus were yet returned at last being fully recouered Dionisius asking her what might be the cause of this her suddaine sicknesse and if it laye in his power to comfort her she might be fully assured he would not deny her any thing Laurana knéelingdowne thinking to haue spoken somewhat was so ouercome with the remembrance of her deare friends want and extreame sorrowe so fully possest her hart that her spéech was turned into teares which abundantly fell from her eyes which draue the King and Quéene into such sorrow that their hearts could not indure to sée her heauinesse and therefore left her with the maides When all were departed and she alone with Leda she began to lament in this manner Unhappie wretch that I am to what a miserable staie am I brought that haue lost my greatest comfort the onely maintainer of my blisse without whose comfortable presence I neither can nor will enioy my vnfortunate life Noble and most vertuous Prince what is becoÌ„e of you what misaduenture hath befallen you what tyrant coulde be so barbarous as to do you iniurie what creature so inhumaine as to wish your harme or what minde so malicious as not to wish your good Woe is me for the losse of my Parismus heauinesse is my delight care and sorrowe shall be welcome to me till my Parismus returne O no my heart giues me hée will neuer returne hée is surely dead by some vntimely accident or hée would not thus long haue bene absent from me My deare Parismus would I were with you wheresoeuer you are then would my heart be at quiet then should I be happie then should I be rid from feare from griefe care sorrow and paine for in you onely is my comfort ioy pleasure quiet and delight In these and such like plaints shée would haue continued still but that Leda comforted her with all the perswasions that shée could deuise telling her that shée ought not to gréeue so much for that hée might safely returne againe and that hée might absent himselfe for sundrie and speciall causes not yet knowne to her vsing many other deuices to drawe her from that extremitie of sorrowe in whiâ—… estate she continually remained but yet somewhat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with hope of his returne being thereto perswaded by the spéeches of Leda who vsed the same onely to asswage her mistresse sorrowe though her selfe had no hope at all euer to sée him againe Parismus being all this while amongst the Out-lawes who kept themselues in a Caue that they had secretly and artificiall made vnder the side of a hill in the middest of the â—…ood where they coulde hardly bée founde by any and therefore there they thought themselues very secure which were the same that had wounded the Knight Osiris and had with them Dina the virgin in whose rescue Osiris was hurt yet by Osiris meanes shée was preserued from the outrage that was intended to her for whose Outlawes were without a cabtaine and therefore thought themselues equalles which happened wel for the virgin for one of them that came forth with the noise of Osiris and the others fight tooke such liking of her that hée reprooued the others cruelty telling him that it were a villainous act to defloure a virgin that had not offended him by whose perswasions he resisted from further crueltie and carried the maiden to their caue where shée was appointed to dresse such prouision as they brought in which she willingly did to defend her selfe from further iniurie Parismus comely proportion made him so wel liked of all of them who séemed to them to bée a man of good account by his apparell and in time they thought might do them many pleasures therefore they commaunded this virgin to vse all her skill and indeuoures to recouer him and heale his woundes who within two daies by her diligent indeuour had brought him to his sences that hée began to speake to them which reioyced them to heare who being thus well recouered wondred into what place hée was brought because it was darke and in a caue hauing in his presence a company of rude and â—…hag haired fellowes and onely one woman could not fully perswaide himselfe but that he was metamorphosed but being of a manly courage he boldly demaunded of them how hée came to that place and what they were that had thus preserued his life At last he that had broght him thither told him that walking into the wood being directed by a noyse that he heard hée found him couered with mosse and leaues almost past all hope of life and pitying his distresse hée had brought him vnto that place being all the habitation they had for that they were such as wanted wealth and were driuen to take that course of life to maintaine theÌ„selues withall and that hée was by the diligent paines of that virgine brought vnto the good estate hée was in and that their purpose was to elect him for their Captaine for that they thought very well of him Parismus thanked him telling them withall that hee was a Trauailer and had lost his way in those woods and meeting with some of their company as hee thought was by them leâ—… in the case they found him without any cause of offence that he had done theÌ„ Thus ceasing to commune any further with them he began to meditate how fortunately God had ordained him to be preserued by them that had destroied many to liue in hope to be reuenged on Sicanus that had so dishonourably pretended his ruine that seeing himselfe in good estate of recouery he vsed all kinde meanes hee could to purchase the good opinion of all those Outl-awes whom he durst not trust because their mindes were addicted to villany but most of all he maruelled why so beautifull a Damosell should frequent their company On a time when Parismus saw all the Out-lawes gone out of the Caue and hee left alone with Dina he enquired of her of whence shee was and why shee liued there hauing also marked her behauiour towards them he did wonder at her vertues whereby she refelled the wicked behauiour of those rude people Shee told him that shee was daughter vnto a Knight of the Prouince of Salmatia whom one of those Outlaws had violently taken forth of her fathers Orchard in reuenge of a wrong he said her brother had done him withall she told him the whole manner of her comming thither Whereby Parismus vnderstood that she was the very same in whose rescue Osiris was hurt By this time the Outlawes were come
of Thessaly aliue and therefore assuredly thought hee was dead which so inwardly tormented her that shee gaue her selfe onely to mourning not giuing her minde one minutes respit of quiet in which estate for a time we will leaue her CHAP. VIII How Parismus in Palmers weedes found meanes to see the Princesse vnto whom he would not discouer himselfe hearing of Donisius absence and what befell to Dionisius in Bohemia AFter that Parismus had well recouered himselfe being able to walke vppe and downe hee was desirous to heare some newes from Dionisius Court but coulde not deuise how to bring the same to effect but thus fortunately it fell out those outlawes were so farre in loue with him that they with one consent intreated him that hée would vouchsafe to continue among them and be their captaine for that they were without a guide and thought so well of him as that aboue all men they were desirous he would bée the man which hée beganne to refuse alleaging that hée being a stranger in that countrey and vnacquainted with their customes was altogether vnfit vsing many reasons as excuses but considering with himselfe that it might much auaile him to his purpose at their intreaties was contented and so behaued himselfe that within a very short time his worde and counsaile was an Oracle amongest them and by his wisedome hée kept them from dooing much harme and yet seemed in their fancie to further them greatly Oftentimes hée was in mind to go make himselfe knowne at the court and so enioy his mistresse sight which grieued him to want but being diuersly minded at last this was his resolution he fitted himselfe on a day in Palmers wéedes and disguised himselfe so artificially that by hiâ—… disguise and long sicknesse which had somewhat altered his complextion none could any way know him telling the Out-lawes that he was determined to sée the Court which he had heard was so famous and that he would returne at night When hée was somewhat néere the Cittie hée might sée vppon a plaine hard by great preparation for war which made him much maruaile at last comming to the Kings Pallace he got himselfe vnto the place where Laurana euery morning vsually at her comming from Chappell gaue her almes and put himselfe amongst the rest of the Palmers and being taller then any of them he was much noted of many when the princesse came to giue her almes being in mourning attire shée called them all vnto her and beganne to demaund of whence they were what Countries they had trauailed and whether they had heard any newes of Dionisius the King who was missing or whether they heard any in their trauaile speake of the dead bodie of the Prince which by chance might be found being murthered by Sicanus of Persia which wordes she vttered with such sorrow that the teares ran abundantly downe her chéekes Parismus being rauished with the sight of his precious Iewell and séeing her wéeping for his losse and withall hearing from her mouth that heanie newes of Dionisius want could not though he striued to the vttermost of his power refraine from letting fall a few teares which Laurana perceiuing and viewing him withall began to feele a suddaine alteration in all her parts that shee was not in quiet till she had found meanes to commune with him and giuing all the rest their almes they departed but to him she would giue nothing to the intent hee should stay but hee seeing the rest gone was departing with them till Leda being by her Mistresse commaunded called him backe whom hee very well knewe and being returned Laurana demaunded of him what was the cause that he wept when hee heard her speake of Dionisius losse and Parismus death Parismus sayde Most vertuous Ladie I wept not to heare Parismus named but to heare of Dionisius losse for Parismus I knowe is at this present liuing and in good estate of health with whom I had some talke within these three weekes in the Countrey of Salmatia which was the cause of my comming hither being sent by him vnto a Ladie in this Court whom I know not how to speake withall nor will not name to any Laurana hearing the Palmers words blushed exceedingly and withall intreated him to tell out his newes for that it might be she was the partie Lord Parismus meant for I am Laurana quoth she whom Parismus did thinke well of with that she wept againe Parismus knéeling downe saide then to your Highnesse I will do my message for vnto you I was sent Lord Parismus growing into some good liking of me and hauing receiued my oath to be his faithfull messenger willed me to giue your highnesse this Iewel whereby you should be assured he was liuing but constrained to absent himselfe for causes that hereafter hée will let you vnderstand hée desired you to let him though vnworthy enioy but the least of your vertuous promises and he shal euer hereafter account himselfe to haue receiued his life and libertie from you Laurana séeing the Iewell which shée well knewe to bée the same shée had before giuen him and hearing the Palmer credible report that hée was in perfect health and beeing fully assured of the truth of that message by the certaine and firme protestation of the most Noble Parismus himselfe in the disguise of a Palmer shee was so surprised with ioy that she could not refraine from kissing the iewell saying welcome swéete token from a faithfull friend and calling Leda vnto her told her the newes the Palmer had brought reioycing with such vertuous kindnesse that Parismus thought himselfe the happpyest man liuing to enioy the loue of so vertuous a Lady Laurana comming to him tolde him that she was so much bound vnto him for bringing her those happie newes that she did not know which way sufficiently to recompence him for his paines and were it not quoth shée but that I stand in some doubt hereof as being too good to be true I should rest in such happy content by thy newes that no aduersitie whatsoeuer should cause my sorrow but onely his absence though my fathers losse doth neeerely concerne my happinesse The Palmer vsed such proâ—… stations that Laurana could not chuse but beléeue him as also by reason of the Iewel which she knew she had giuen Parismus So taking a Iewell from forth her bosome she gaue the same to him which he willingly receiued and kissing her hand departed When he was out of sight hée began to meditate of the vertues of Laurana and therein tooke such felicitie that before he was aware hée met with Oristus who had bene walking solitarily abrode in such heauinesse that it would haue caused any to pittie him Parismus séeing him was in minde to haue reuealed himselfe vnto him onely but being passed by him hée could not chuse but turne and looke after him his minde was touched with such kindnesse but the remembrance of Dionisius losse did so much grieue him that wasting the time with those
tyrannous that by his trechery in fight he had subdued many thousand knights in his trauels This Pollipus was desirous to trie his force against the Blacke knight and soone mounted himselfe being a most gallant proportioned and comely knight The blacke knight being still ready for any incounter met Polipus with such force that both their staues were shiuered in peeces the blacke knight not once moouing in Saddle but Pollipus with the focre of his blâ—…w lost one of his stirrops The blacke knight not once moouing in his saddle but Polippus with the force of the blow lost one of his stirrops the blacke Knight hauing drawne his sword ready to combat Pollipus espied vpon his Armour the deuise of three Falcons and suddainly put vp his sword againe which when Pollipus perceiuing he maruelled thereâ—…t and asked him the combate the black knight said pardon me worthy sir for I am bound not to combat any that weareth that Armor and without any more words departed Polippus wondring thereat at last remembred that when he was with the Persian king besieging Bohomia he made a couenant with Parismus neuer to combat any that had the deuise of the branch of roses vpon his armour which was Parismus armor Parismus likewise promised him the like therfore he thought that the blacke knight was either Parismus himselfe or some knight whom Parismus had bound by the like oath The occasion of which vow passed betwixt Parismus and Pollipus was growne through the excéeding loue and kindnes that had passed betwixt them from their youth being brought vp together in the vniuersity Wherefore Pollippus studying what he might be and reioycing that hee had so worthy a knight to his friend rode backe to the Persians tent who stood gazing to sée euent of this Combat but maruelled that they parted so friendly Pollipus beeing returned told the Kings of Persia and Natolia that hee refused the combat the reason was as hee thought the blacke Knight knewe him otherwise hee knewe not what might be the cause Adonius the King of Bohemia Oliuia Laurana and the rest all this while wondred at the blacke Knights behauiour but most of all to sée him part so friendly with the Phrigian Knight Whilest they were in this admiration they beheld the most valiant Zoylus ready to encounter the blacke knight the Persians now thinking to see the blacke Knights downefall for that Zoylus had vowed neuer to depart vntill hee had destroied him with whom the blacke Knight mette with such aduantage that maugre the force of Zoylus he ouerthrew him to the ground and himselfe had lost both his stirrups Zoylus soone recouered his Horse and with furious rage they both mette with their swords drawne when beganne a most terrible and cruell battell that all that behelde the same were amazed at the valour of both the knights in which cruel manner they contined for two houres space both being grieuously hurt but neuer weary nor willing to leaue off at last the blacke Knight séemed weary and only warded the furious strokes that Zoilus gaue him Zoylus thinking indeede that hee had fained laide on such blowes with such swiftnesse and force that all the whole company of the beholders déemed the black knight almost vanquished Zoylus still pursued him with forcible blowes and the blacke Knight still warded so long they continued in this manner that the Phrygian beganne to waxe wearie and also to suspect the blacke Knights pollicie therefore staying his hande he said Knight I giue thee leaue to aske pardon for thy life or else be sure thou art but dead The blacke Knight casting his eies towards the Tower where his beloued Laurana stoode beholding the combatte and wauing his sworde most couragiously about his heade answered No dastard Phrygian quoth hee I scorne thy proffer with which words he so freshly assaulted the Phrygian that in short space he draue him to deuise how to saue his life for hee had mangled and cut his body in many places that his Steede was all coloured with the bloud that ranne from his woundes which caused the Phrygian to thrust at the blacke Knight with such force and furie that hee wounded him most grieuously on the left side which wound and withall the remembrance the blacke Knight had who beheld the combatte caused him with both his handes to strike such a deadly blowe at the Phrygian that lighting full on his Beauer the force and vigour thereof both vnbuckled the same and his Sword cut off his right eare and wounded him so sore in the face that he fell on his Horse necks senselesse the blacke Knight strooke another blow at him with such a maine force that had not the Phrygians Horse started with the glimmering sight of his sword comming he had there parted his head from his shoulders and the Horse ranne loose about the fields at last the Phrygian beganne to recouer himselfe and looking about him hee espied Parismus with his sword put vp and himselfe without a weapon that what with shame and furie he was almost madde These Combattants were no sooner parted but the Thessalian horsemen by a priuie Watch-word from out the Citie rushed suddenly vpon the Persians at vnawares who expected no such matter and had their mindes otherwise busied so that before they could be in Armes to defende themselues the Thessalians had made a great slaughter amongst them which the black Knight perceiuing though he were gréeuously wounded made such hauock among the Persians that al men déemed him rather to be a Diuell then a mortall creature with whom Pollipus met but would not once offer to offend him Dionisius the Bohemian King the King of Hungaria the Prince of Sparta Lord Remus Osiris and Oristus likewise issued out vpon the Persian forces in seuerall Troupes which so amazed the Natolians Phrigians and the other Nations of the Army that they maruelled whence the Thessalians could haue such aide but their comming amongst them on such a suddaine made so cruell and mighty a slaughter that by that time the day was ended they had slaine of the Persians fifty thousand which caused them euer after to be more circumspect and wary All the Souldiers beeing retired into their places the blacke Knight likewise withdrewe himselfe towards the Wood Pollipus hauing al this day very diligeÌ„tly followed him being almost come to the Woods side set spurres to his horse and ouertooke the blacke Knight who espying him stayed his comming knowing him to be the knight with whom he had combatted that day by the thrée Faulcons on his Armor most kindly saluted him and demanded what might be the cause of his comming vnto him Who replyed thus Most worthy Knight quoth hee my humble suit vnto you is that you would vouchsafe me so much fauour as to let me vnderstand the cause you refused the Combat with me this day Gentle Knight quoth Parismus you must needs pardon me for that vntill I know whether you are the worthy Pollipus of Phrygia
knéeling told her that he had prouided her dinner if shée pleased to tast thereof which she willingly consented vnto began consideratly to recall her former sences but yet so inwaidly sorrowfull as it was a rare vertue in her so suddenly to ouermaister her intemperate grief yet still remaine so â—…ul of griefe that the very substaÌ„ce of her sences was perfect sorrow By this time the pirats had safely landed their ships in the Iland where their maisâ—…er Andramart was which was incompassed with such mightie rocks of stoÌ„e that it was impossible but only one way in which way a few were of power safficient to keepe out a whole armie of men and soone they coÌ„ueied Laurana Leda to the castle where they presented her with such iewels as they had with her to Andramart who being a maÌ„ of a most proud and hautie disposition and maiestically seated in an imperiall seat was so rauished at the first view of Lauranaes bewty that he stood aduisedly beholding her at last he came to her to haue imbrast her tender bodie in his rough arms but she abhorring him thrust him froÌ„ her with a disdainful scorne â—…herewith hâ—… began to fawn vpoÌ„ her like as a dog wil do on his master whé he hath bin newly beateÌ„ and began to make shewes to them of great welcome and kindly brought theÌ„ to stately and gorgeous chambers most richly furnished and seene all thinges néedefull were therepresented vnto her by such women as were in the Castle Laurana séeing her selfe thus kindely vsed and not euil intreated was therewith somewhat comforted and vsed her selfe according to the condition of the time and place and kindly accepted all their courtesies but the loue which Andramart made vnto her séemed so hatefull in her eyes that it was worse vnto her then a thousaÌ„d deaths to endure his sight The night being come and after they had Supped being serued in most stately maner and with most costly and delicate cates she with Leda her maide who lodged with her betooke themselues to their rest where she could by no meanes giue one minutes respit to her sorrowes by sléepe but vttered most heauie playnts and lamentations bewayling the losse of her déer Lord that the verie walles séemed to groue forth the Ecchoes of her complaints in which sort she coÌ„tinued most part of the night Early the next morning she was saluted by Andramart who could giue his minde no rest nor quiet but in her company and his loue was so excéeding towardes her that hee could not doe any thing that was offensiue vnto her In this miserable kinde of happie estate Laurana continued by the space of a moneth in which time shée had knowledge of a number of prisoners that this tyrant kept within the castle by the grieuous cryes they made some for want of foode some with paines of tortures that hee inflicted vpon them being himselfe hated of all men and therefore hee hated all mankinde but such whose minds accorded to his wickednesse Lauerana in this time vsed her selfe so that shee still deferred his importunat sute and had him so tied in the snares of loue that what she commaunded he could presently execute but so odioue was his loue vnto her heauie hart that shee was oftentimes ready to swound with the remembrance thereâ—… but still by the counsell of Leda she helde it the best course to keepe themselues in his fauour vntill they could by some meanes escape out of his cruell hands where we will leaue poore Lauarana in this comfortlesse place amongest rude and vnciuill people by night and by day her musicke being the dismall noise of pittiful cries of poore prisoners and clogd with lothsome loue of Andramart without hope how to escape from that miserable place of bondage where you may iudge the sorrow she endured was such as no tongue is able to expresse CHAP. XX. The miserable trauell Parismus endured in the desolate Iland and how he was succoured by Antiochus and afterwards how they were imprisoned in the Inchanted Castle by the Inchantresse Bellona PArismus trauelled many daies along the coasts of the desolate Iland their food being wilde fruite that grewe vpon trees and their drinke the cleare fountaine water their lodging the hard and cold earth in which trauell they beheld many goodly auncient townes but altogether vnpeopled the houses being for the most part stored with many rich and costly ornaments which caused these two knights greatly to maruell and desired to know the cause thereof and remembring what the Pirates had tolde them that in a stately Castle scituate in the midst of the Countrey it was likely there were some that inhabited they determined next to trauell thither for they saw no hope how to get from that Iland being growne very weake by reason of their faint foode and hard lodging which trauell poore Adonius most willingly endured thinking all paine a pleasure in his masters company vnto whom hee behaued himselfe with such tender care that Parismus would oftentimes extol and commend him to Pollipus For when Parismus at any time slept he would couer his face with his thinnest garment made a pillow of the rest for his head oftentimes driue from his mind many heauy thoughts by his sweet songs that Parismus thought hee could neuer haue endured that tedious iourney with patience if Adonius had bin absent These worthy knights hauing continued a long while in this their solitary walk tooke their iourney by gesse towards the midst of the country in which trauel they continued some 3. weeks in which time they were often in danger of drowing by reason of many deceitfull quicksands and often like to be famisht for want of sustenaÌ„ce and often in danger to be deuoured by wild beasts that were abundaÌ„tly in this country yet neuertheles they were nothing the neerer their wished expectation At last Parismus Pollipus beguÌ„ vtterly to dispaire of euer accomplishing the means of getting from that vnfrequeÌ„ted place and they trauelled all a day and a night ouer a mighty plain wher there was neither water to stanche their thirst nor fruit to asswage their hunger Early in the morning they espied a mighty wood where they thought although there were no other comfort yet there they should find fruit but being come thither their expectation was frustrated for there was nothing but thorns briers and so sâ—…ick that they could by no means enter the same that there they surely expected nought but famishment And Parismus what with extremity of hunger and grief for the losse of Laurana and lastly for Pollipus Adonius sake sate him down vnder a mighty oake with a heauie hart vttered these plaints How vnfortunate am I aboue all men to be driuen to this exigent of miserable calamity that by my ill fortune haue betraid the most chast vertuous beautiful Lady liuing into the hands of tyrants to her endlesse griefe by my means haue brought these my friends in
bewitched their sences that immediately they fell into a dead and sound sléepe presently shee commaunded them to be conueyed into a strong prison and there fettered them wich Irons At such time as they awaled they were excéedingly amazed to see themselues in that manner imprisoned and Parismus was so enraged with extreame sorrowe that hée tare his haire reÌ„t his garments rayled on his misfortune cursed his destinies and vexed his owne hart with extreme passions of sorrowe that his spéech was returned into bitter sighes and his sences forgot their former vertue and he was so desperately sad that no griefe might be compared to that he endured Pollipus on the other side continued his wonted manner of enduring afflection which was presently to studie howe to ridde himselfe and his friend from the same which might be accounted the rarest vertue that euer was in knight he only studied for his release and neuer raged nor railed against himselfe nor otherwayes distempered his sences but ouercame his inwarde sorrowes which were excéeding with such patience that Parismus would highly extoll him for the same and poore Violetta woondered at his gouernment as a most rare vertue which shée neuer behelde in any but himselfe which made her oftentimes accuse her selfe of vnkindnesse that shée had so vngently refused so courteous a Knightes loue which very thoughts touched her so neare the quicke that shée was oftentimes in minde to yéelde to loue him and beganne afterwardes to affect his vertuous qualities excéedingly They continued in that darke Dungeon all that night so laden with Chaines and Irons that they could not one helpe the other without sustenance not able to take any rest with the care they endured at the pittifull grones and cries of a number of poore distressed people which were imprisoned hard by them that it séemed more terrible to Violletta then death it selfe But they were still comforted by Pollipus who hearing the sorrowe poore Adonius made and seeing the heauinesse of Parismus vttered these comfortable spéeches My Lord do not discomfort your selfe neyther be discouraged or so much as disquieted with their crosses for I doe not doubt but in shorte space wée shall frée our selues of these bandes and therefore beare the losse of Laurana with more patience then you haue done what though she be in the hands of Pirats and Uillaines Assure your selfe that there is none so barbarous or in humane as wil once offer to iniury her And were it not for the care she hath taken for your absence I durst assure my selfe shée is in good health and for your owne safety or ours you neede not greeue your selfe so extreamely as it seemeth to mee you doe for that is not so greatly to bée feared as wee neede any way to dispaire for doe but followe my counsaile in this to contemne these pittie miseries for a while and regard them as they were not and you shall soone sée by that meanes we shal come by our fréedome much rather then by our effeminate lamentation which will make our enemies reioyce at our affection and not pittie vs. Deare friende quoth Parismus your comfortable spéeches were of force to reuiue a dying hart but so great griefe attaineth my minde for the losse of the fayre Lady Laurana that felt you but the inwarde griefe of such a sweete Friendes absence and feare neuer to see her againe you would say that I did not greeue sufficienly My Lord replyed Pollipus I haue often made triall of your Uertues which maketh me the bolder to trie your patience I confesse that the losse of such a Friend as Laurana is cannot be sufficiently lamented for my selfe doe feele such sorrowe for the losse of my deere Violletta that my heart endureth that torment my tongâ—…e is not able to expresse which maketh me silent in my griefes for that I would not put you in remembrance of yours by mine for my Violetta is as deere to me as ten thousand liues if I had them and I doe not doubt but one day I shall see her vertuous beautie for whose sake my heart will neuer be at rest the remembrance whereof restraineth mee from many desperate attemptes that otherwise I would inflict vppon my selfe that haue not deserued the Loue of so vertuous a Damosell But why doe I vtter these speeches when shee is not by to heare them and little regardeth the torments I endure by her vnkindnesse But I beseeche you comfort your selfe in these afflictions for a comfortable heart is now necessarie wherewith the water appeared in his eyes and poore Violetta hearing his speeches so much pittied his sighes and sadnesse that for very kindnesse she wept for company and resoluted to graunt his sute which had well deserued to be beloued but the loue she bare to Parismus so altered and changed her thoughts that she could not determine what to do at last she began to consider that in louing Parismus she did wrong to Laurana in some degree and that she might no whitte alter her true friendshippe to him being onely vertuous and yet accept Pollipus offer and yeeld him loue for good will In these and a thousand such like thoughts she spent the night and the Knights continued busie bethinking themselues how to worke their deliuery Early the next morning fast bounde in Irons they were brought by a company of ragged hunger-starued fellowes into a goodly Hall most richly furnished with stately hangings at the vpper ende whereof sat Druball Belona before whom they wefe no sooner come but Druball with a tyrannous looke demaunded of whence they were and what was the cause they had so euill intreated and slaine his seruants Parismus so much disdained to be examined by so base a Uillaine that hee coulde not for extreame anguish of minde speake nor coulde he would hee haue answered him but Pollipus stepping forwards answered we are straungers that haue suffered shipwracke and were vnluckily cast vppon this hatefull Iland made so by thy treacheries where we haue bene often in daunger of Famishment and comming to this Castle thy seruants offered vs violence and we haue rewarded them and thou like a Tyrant hast vniustly imprisoned vs not vsing vs as all Knights should be vsed and not by valour but by Sorceries hast brought vs into thy subiection which if not our selues the Heauens will reuenge Which words hee vttered with such a disdainfull countenance that the Tyrant was amazed at his resolution and tolde him that hee would soone abate his haughtie minde commaunding them to Prison againe CHAP. XXI How Bellona the Inchauntresse fell in loue with Pollipus by which meanes hee released himselfe and Parismus out of prison and finished the inchauntment And how afterward Antiochus was restored to his kingdome And how Adonius the page fellsicke and was restored by Pollipus BEllona all this while tooke such viewe of their personages that shee thought them the goodliest men that euer she beheld and at that instant vowed eyther to obtaine their loues by
them thinking because there were but two hee should easily ouercome them but the first that offered to lay hands on Parismus had his arme parted from his body and he ran about the court anothers leg was by Pollipus lopt off and he compelled to lie and tumble on the earth some lost their heads some had their bodies pierced quite through by the vnconquerable hands of these worthy Knights and happy was hee that came not within compasse of their weapons that by that time the Sunne was mounted to the highest Zodiaâ—…e the greatest part of Drubals seruants lay weltring in their bloud and these valiant knights still continued their Masâ—…acre among them that the rest séeing themselues also likely to perish by the matchlesse Chiualrie of these Champions with a generall consent cast away their Weapons and yeelded to their mercy which when Druball saw being of a traiterous disposition ranne at Parismus with all the force hee had thinking either desperately to kill him or die himselfe but Pollipus with a quicke eye marking his intent strooke him so mighty a blow vpon the head that hee ranne staggering vp and downe and by the commandement of Parismus his owne men had taken away his weapon whom Parismus caused to bee laid in the most vildest Prison in the Castle which so vexed Drubal that there he grew to such a desperate rage that hee would haue slaine himselfe but that hee was in the hope still to bee releeued by Bellona Most part of his Seruants they likewise committed to safe custodie and beeing more at quiet demanded if Antiochus Queen and his two Sonnes Daughter were liuing who told him that they were liuing in wonderfull poore and miserable estate Wherefore by the direction of one of Drubâ—…lls Seruants they were brought vnto the Prison where they were no sooner come but they heard the most greeuousesâ—… groanes câ—…ies and lamentation that euer Eare heard and being entred they beheld a number of Prisoners in the most gréeuous and pittifullest manner lying on the earth that their hearts were wonderously gréeued to behold the same Amongst the rest they beheld an auncient woman Fettered and chained vnto a poste and right opposite against her a comely young Maiden chained in many chaines their apparell beeing all torne from their bodies sauing some little that shadowed their middle parts whom the seruant tolde him was the Quéene and her daughter and two that lay chained with their backes together were Antiochus two Sonnes Parismus and Pollipus commanded them to fetch some Apparell to couer their bodies In the meane time they beganne to commune with the Queene who was much ashamed at her nakednesse but séeing some comfort in their lookes told them that she was sometime Quéen of that Countrey but had long continued imprisoned in that sort by the treacherie of Druball Parismus told her that now the time of her deliuery from that bondage was come which so reioyced the poore Queene that with a chéerefull countenance she smiled on her daughter the messenger being returned Parismus couered the Quéenes body with rich apparell and with his owne hands loosed her bands Pollipus did the like to Freneta her daughter and all the rest of the prisoners were set at liberty Parismus and Pollipus ledde the Quéen and Freneta vnto conuenient lodgings being scarce able to stand they were growne so feeble where they had all things conuenient ministred vnto them by Adonius who was willing to vndertake that office and there left them whilest they tooke order to release the rest of the Prisoners from their misery which were a great number amongst whom were many knights of strange countries that they admired the cruelty of the Tyrant Druball which excéeded the compasse of reason Afterwards they viewed the whole Castle where they beheld in sundry places the dead carkasses of thousands of Men Women and children consumed to ashes for assoone as the tyrants had satisfied their appetites in sundry â—…bominable sorts with them they burnt their bodies At last they came vnto the maine castle wherin the seruants of Druball told them they neuer saw any to enter which they found fast shut assayed by all meanes they could to open the same but their labour was in vaine which caused them to maruell what might be the cause therof But they were no sooner departed determining to go sée where Bellona lay dead but immediately the windes began to blow with such vehemeÌ„cy that with much adoo they could stand vpright wherewith such thuÌ„drings teÌ„pests began to arise that all the whole Rock shooke wheron the castle stood the buildings quaked in such maner that such as were within the compasse of the roofes ran forth into the opeÌ„ court the lower wherinto Parismus and Pollipus would haue entred seemed to turne into a mighty flame froÌ„ whence came such a smoke as darkned the whole place where they stood that they could not sée one another In which sort it coÌ„tinued a good space when presently the smoke vanished away the Tower buildings of the castle were neuer after that any more séene which so amazed the worthy Knights that with the fearfulnes thereof they stood like men agast Neither was the body of Bellona any where to be found for the tearme and date of her Inchantment then tooke end The riuer ouer which they had passed was not to be séene nor any other goodly thing that before séemed most admirable for beauty Wherefore Parismus commanded a Tent to be picht for their habitation being no other there to be had Druball being as before I said in prison hearing this noise and séeing the darkenesse that ouerspred the Castle soone knew for Bellona had reported the secret thereof vnto him before that Bellona was dead he by that meanes desperately without any hope of aide beate out his owne braines against the stone walles and his body being found in that sort murdered Parismus commanded to bee cast as a pray to the beasts of the field for that he was not worthy of buriall After which the two Knightes came to the Queene who was in the Tent accompanied by her two sonnes and daughter who by Adonius good tendance were wel strengthened they no sooner saw them come in but with a thousand commendations they began to applaud their magnanimious vertues that had wrought the downfall of those two wicked Tyrants that had long time kept them in thraldome yeelding vnto them so many harty thanks that Parismus requested them not to vse such Ceremonious thanks to them that were altogether vnworthy thereof and began to demand of the Queene whether the king of that Iland were liuing or no wherwith she told him that he was slain in a battel by Drubal many yeares since the remembrance of whose death caused the teares to trickle downe her chéekes in aboundance Wéepe not deere Queene quoth Parismus for things past recouery are no way to be lamented but quoth he this comfort is yet remaining that
Laurana to see her friend caused them to break off and walke out to him who had quicklie mist Parismus and beganne earnestly to enquire for him in which time of his absence hee had sought in most places of the Castle but still mist the darke passage wherein hee was entred which draue him into a carefull woonder what should bée become of him Wherwith he began greatly to feare that he was by som treachery endangered but suddenly in the midst of this perplexity hée espied him with Laurana coming towards him which sight exceedingly reioyced his heart with an vnexplicable ioy When comming to Laurana hee reuerenced her with all humilitie and shee most kindely saluted him yeelding him many hearty thankes for his honourable Loue and kindenesse showne in the manifold paines hee had taken for her behoofe Likewise speaking to Adonius shee greatly commended and kindely thankt him for his diligent seruice to Parismus promising to reward him with all kindenesse So with exceedinâ—… ioy on al sides they spent the rest of that day in pleasant communications hauing all things necessarie readily prouided by Tellamor and diligently ministred by such prisoners as had receyued theyr libertie who had now so well refresht themselues with wholesome meates that they were of sufficient strength both for theyr owne defence and the safety of those that had set them at libertie whom they exceedingly tendred Parismus presently sent a messenger to Barzillus to certifie him of theyr happy successe who leauing the custodie of the Passage to his trustiest Souldiours came to be partaker with them in theyr reioycings But not withstanding when all thought there was no more cause of sadnesse theyr quiet and pleasures were darkned by the heauie countenance of Laurana who could not forget the death of her yong sonne Parismenos but still was purposed to conceale the same from Parismus which made them greatly to maruell And vppon a day when Pollipus by the intreatie of Parismus hadde rehearsed the whole discourse of all theyr Aduentures in the Desolate Iland and the occasion of theyr arriuall in that place Laurana with these sad remembrances was put in minde déepely to compare her owne miseries with theirs and found them to be greater for that they were all in safety but shee missed her young Sonne who was vntimely lost which strooke such a sadnesse into all her Sences that suddainely shee burst into aboundance of teares Which draue them all into an admiration that Adonius and Leda seeing her teares could not refraine from partaking with her in that sadnesse but as the custome of Women is wept for company Parismus maruelling what was the cause of her sorrowe and desirous to knowe the same for that his heart therewith was excéedingly tormented most earnestly intreated her to vnfolde the cause of her griefe that he might iâ—… it were possible comfort her therein Laurana beeing vnwilling in the least degrée to shewe her selfe vndutifull to his will began to declare the manner of her bringing to that place by the Pyrates after they had betrayed him on the coast of the Desolate Iland as also the kindnesse she had found at Andramarts handes and how that from time to time he had vsed her in most honourable sort But my Lorde quoth shee Andramart had a Sister named Adamasia who many times vrged mée to yeelde to Loue her Brother Which when shee could effect by no perswasions First shee imprisoned my Seruant Leda next shee withhelde from mee the cause of this my sadnesse my young Sonne that was borne in this vnluckie place whome I caused to be named Parismenos and with cruell torment afflicted my bodie and daylie caused two Olde-Women to whippe me in most cruell sort which I was contented to endure But when shee sawe that all this would not preuaile she caused the Nurse that kept Parismenos to come vnto mee with a Message in this sort That vnlesse I would in euery respect fulfill her demaunde â—…hée would before my face strangle that tender Babe And being about that cruell déede I intreated her to referre his punishment and vnnaturall Doome vntill the nexte day since which time I neuer saw my tender Babe nor is hée or his Nurse any where to be founde and afterwardes againe shee centinued her former manner of crueltie Nowe Andramart all this while by perswasions of his Sister absented himselfe from mée for that shée had promised him to obtaine my consent to his request nothing misdoubting the crueltie shée daylie vsed to mee But at length séeing his sute still frustrated and finding as well by mine owne report as by other manifest prooses her treacherie and my miserie hee would with his Sworde haue slaine her but shée running away to auoyde his rigour burst her necke downe a payre of stayres The two Olde-Women hée likewise slue with his owne hands my Seruants he sent vnto mee and euer after againe vsed me in most kinde and good sorte And the very day when you entered in fight in this Court he caused mee to be lodged in the place where you found mée The greatest cause of this my sadnesse is the losse of my young Sonne whose death was vntimely and whose presence would haue expelled such sadde thoughts as haue possessed my minde and disquieted the happie content I should receiue by your honourable presence Parismus hauing heard the summe of her Tragicall report could not chuse but grieue especially to think of the miserie she had indured and the death of his young Sonne whom he had neuer seene that what with his and Lauranaes sadnes all the whole company were growne into heauinesse But with the comfortable perswasions of pollipus the remembrance of these griefs were somwhat mittigated Many dayes after they stayd in this Castle in good and quiet estate vntill the longing desire Parismus had to returne into Thessalie caused him to make prouision for his Departure Tellamor hauing knowledge thereof desired that hée would vouchsafe hée might attend on him in his Trauells for that himselfe was of Salmatia who trauelling in the searche of a Sister that hee had lost was taken by those Pyrates rehearsing the whole trueth thereof whereby Parismus knewe him to bee brother vnto the Damosell in whose rescue Osiris was wounded as hath beene before declared which caused him make greater account of him then before he had done and enter into a deepe insight of his former courteous behauiour and with all the best kindenesse he could yeelded him thankes for the great Friendship hee had showen him and his friend Pollipus since theyr arriuall telling him that hee néeded not make any further search for his Sister for that shée was in the Court of Thessalie in good health repeating the whole circumstance of the Fauours hee had found aâ—… her handes and the manner how shee was taken by the Outlawes Which newes much gladded Tellamors heart as also that hée had liued to be so happie as to be esteemed oâ—… so worthie a Knight as Parismus was that hauing
trauelled and wearie of that disquiet Nights trouble Thus for a time wee will leaue Pollipus returned to the Court with Parismus Violetta very sicke and weake in Archas Castle and many of the Bohemian and Thessalian Knights in her search to turne my Sences to write of an other Subiect long time buryed in forgetfulnesse the chiefest Subiect of whereon this History dependeth CHAP. III. ¶ How Parismenos was brought vp in the Iland of Rocks in Tartaria How his Nurse was slaine by a Lyon How hee liued many yeares like a wilde Man and afterwardes arriued at Andramarts Castle AT such time as Laurana was imprisoned in the Iland of Rocks vnder the gouernment of Adamasia Andramarts sister as is declared in the first part of this History the nurse vnto whose custody the young childe Parismenos was committed fearing his vntimely death which Adamasia threatned because his mother would not consent to Andramarts Lust secretly to saue the Child from her cruelty fled by night into a desolate wood wher she carefully educated him according to the condition of the place which was with such wild fruite as the gathered making many a hard shift to â—…aÌ„ch her hunger and defend the swéete Babe from Famine vntill at length hearing of Andramarts death she determined to returne to the Castle and there present him to his Mother and to that intent forsaking her poore habitation she went as she thought thitherward but most vnfortunately wandred into a desolate and vnfrequented Wildernes where she had not long stayed but met a fierce and cruell Lyon who slewe her which when Parismenos beheld notwithstanding his infancie he laboured with his weake resistance to preserue her but the Lyon refusing to hurt him withdrue himselfe to his denne whither Parismenos boldly pursued him and being entred therin the Lyon began to wag his taile and fawne vpon him gently which made him maruell why hee had slaine his Nurse and would not hurt him and made him the more bolde that being wearie with trauell hée layde himselfe dowâ—… to sleepe and when he awooke being very hungrie he gathered wilde fruite whereof there was plentie which was his foode and â—…he cleare water his drinke This was his habitation a long time taking great pleasure to hunt and chase the wilde beaâ—…s from whose furie he was stil preserued by the Lyon Afterwards when he was growen to riper age in his sleepe he drempt that his Nurse appeared vnto him willing him to forsake that vnfrequented plaâ—…e and to seeke out Andramarts Castle where hee should finde people in whose companie he should be brought vp When he awaked he could not tell what to thinke of his dreame nor what she meant by Andramarts Castle nor which way to go thither being therewith drawne into a deepe studie but suddenly hee espyed a young Beare whose sight made him quite forget his dreame and taking exceeding delight to chase such Beasts hee caught vp his staffe and followed her and pursued her so fiercely that at length â—…e slew her wherewith he was wandred so farre that getting to the top of a Mountaine and looking round about him he espyed the Castle thinking that was the place his Nurse had told him of in his dreame that he went thither wards It chanced one of the Knights that Parismus had left to keep the Castle espied him and being of a sadde disposition seeing Parismenos begin to withdrawr himselfe ran to him and offred to lay hands on him But Parismenos being afraid of his behauiour strooke at him with his staffe so fiercely that hadde he not quickly auoyded his blowe he had beaten â—…ut his braines The Tartarian being angrie drew his sworde and therewith wounded Parismenos in the thigh the smart wherof so inraged him that notwithstanding all his resistance he left him for dead Afterwards entring the Castle his minde was drowne into an excéeding delight to behold the goodly buildings and beautie therof The Tartarians beholding one in such strange disguise For he was clad in the skinnes of such beasts as he had slaine and his haire growne to a great length much marueled how he came into that countey withall noting his comely personage stately countenance were suddenly drawne into a great affection towards him that they saluted him most kindely demanding the cause of his arriuall in that place and of whence he was who séeing their behauior to be more gentle then the others with whom he had encountred before made answer so well as he could that he knew not which â—…lunt answere of his made them muse Withall noting his attyre they tooke him eyther to be a mad-man or that he had bene Sauagely brought vp which they were the rather perswaded vnto for that hee was very young Notwithstanding they entertained him and vsed him most kindly But his countenance calling to remembrance the Noble knight Parismus whome hee so much resembled that they were halfe-perswaded hee was his Sonne that the Nurse fled withall One amongst the rest named Tyresus vsed him most kindely apparelled him decently and instructed him in all points belonging to chiualrie teaching him to manage a Horse and to vse Armour wherunto he was so apt and tooke therein such delight that in short space hee grew to such perfection that he excelled his instructor in all warlike behauiours And was so generally beloued that nothing they had or could deuise was too deare for him Many dayes remained Parismenos amongst the Tartarians increasing in many exelleÌ„t qualities not finding occasions inough amongst them to make triall of his manhood Upon a time certaine Pyrates returning from Sea in his hearing made report of their battells and skirmishes and the huge Slaughters they had made reporting how Tragically they murdered soine of the Resistants and how valiantly some withstood them and with what trauell they endured the fights Making particular rehearsall of one Captaine amongst the rest who so valiantly withstood them that before they could vanquish him hee had slaine aboue twenty of them but in the end séeing that by reason of their multitude he must needes eyther be taken Prisoner or die he rather chose an honorable death then to become their captine and indured the fight vntill with faintnesse he fell downe dead euen as hee was aduancing his sword to reâ—… them Which report of theirs kindeled such honorable sparkes in Parismenoes brest that he extreamly thirsted to see those skiâ—…ishes accounting it dishonorable for him to spend his dayes in that obscure place his thoughtes still ayming at higher matters and his fantie perswading him that he should rather spend his time in Heroycall exercises in kings courts then in that vnfrequented place where no pleasing attempts of Martiall déedes were exercised which thoughts tooke such effect that he presently determined to seek aduentures abroad And comming to Tyrefus who loued him dearely he told him his whole intent asking his aduise therein Tyresus seing such a resolued valor in him told him that he was both ready and
excercises which was sometimes to mannage the sturdie stéede and somtimes to sport himselfe in companie of his vnknowne enemies amongst the Ladies and Gentlewomen who liked his behauiour and courtesie so well besides his comely proportioÌ„ the sweet youth so greatly pleased their fancies that they accounted the Thracian Knights rude in respect of him al both liking louing and commending him and that so openly that his enemies might heare their speeches which wrought such a violent effect of raâ—…or that no thought could harbourâ—… their brests but tragicall deuises to worke his downefall One amongst the rest neare kinsman to Corus named Argalus was forwardest in this exployt who to fureher his intent with one Themides dissembling a friendly countenance insinuated themselues into his familiaritie vsing such kind behauiour towards him and entertaing his rompany with such curtesie that he hauing no insight into their dissembulation beganne to make account of their frienship and to take delight in their company oftentimes imparting his secrets vnto them and without suspition making them priuie to most of his actions Argalus vpon a time came to Parismenos telling him that a squirâ—… of his had found a mightie wild Bore could bring them to his den desiring his company to go with them to hunt him Parismenos hearing that was as forward as any of them and the next morning appointed to méete them in the midst of the Forrest at the Pooles side And early the next morning he got vp according to his appointment being readie to depart his chamber some fiue or sixe droppes of blood suddainely fell from his nose with which hée started and staying felt a suddaine drowsie heauinesse and throbbing possesse his heart which draue him into a déepe studie what should be the cause of that vnwonted passioÌ„i at last he begaÌ„ to thinke with himselfe May not these fewâ—… drops of blood diuine some bad successe to my enterprise this day I am herein a strange Country amongst such as I know not how to trust for I see apparantly many of theÌ„ do enuy me which they manifest by their lowâ—…ng countenance and Corus behauiour may be a patterne of their dispositions therfore I were best not to go at all Then again he began to thinke Argalus and Themides are my friends then what néede I feare any mishap All which doubts would not stay him but arming himselfe and resoluing to endure al mischaunces he departed towards the Pole By the way as he rode he met a damzell posting towards him with great spéed wringing her hands dan making great lamentation Parismenos marueling at her sorrow asked the cause of her coÌ„plant Sir Knight quoth she I was going to Duke Amasenus court carrying a present a letter from my mistresse vnto a strange knight that lately arriued there but by the way I met with two knights in gréene Armour who dispoyled me thereof and most disloyallie offered to abuse me had 〈◊〉 not fled Damzel quoh he bring me if you can where they are and I will do my best to cause them make you restitution Wherewith the damzel turned her horse and rode barke againe Sir Knigh quoth he they tooke downe this narrow Lane Parismenos set spures to his horse and with great spéed toâ—…e that way he was not farentred but he espied the two knights in gréene Armour readie mounted staying in a pleasaÌ„t valley encompassed round with woods vnto whom he was said It is the manner of you Thracians to offer violence to silly Damzels Render me those things you haue takeÌ„ froÌ„ he or I protest I will not leaue you vntill I haue compeld you to do it by force Unto whom one of them replied If thy selfe art no ThraciaÌ„ what doest thou here or what intrest hast thou in that Damzel quarrell that maketh thée so bold to coÌ„troule onr doings That interest I haue quoth he as al knights should haue which is to succor distressed Damzels wherewith turned back to take scope for his race he ran at one of them and at the encounter ouerthrew him backwards who by mischance in the fall brake one of his armes The other séeing his fellowes mischaunce assailed Parismenos with his sword drawn whom Parismenos so ouerlaid with fierce blowes wounded so gréeuously that he fearing his death and séeing no other come to his rescue was readie to yéelde Euen at that instant another knight came who séeing one of them dead and the other in great danger ranne at Parismenos with intent vnawares to pierce his speare through his body But he hearing the noise of his horse foote behind him nimbly spurd his horse forward by which meanes the knight lost his course passing by without doing any harme Parismenos looking about him and espying two enemies more and missing the Damzel that had brought him thither began to misdoubt some treachery which thoughts the remembrance of the drops of blood that fel from him that morning added new courage to his valor that reaching a furious blow at the wounded knight the sword lighting on a brokeÌ„ place in the armor rusht into his body and ended his life By which time the too knights lately come assailed him both at once betwéene whom began a most cruel and dangerous fight that al the earth was coloured with the blood that issued from their wounds and notwithstaÌ„ding Parismenos was before sore wounded yet he defended himselfe so couragiously that his new come enemies could not indanger him but with their owne disaduantage who seeing his valour calling to mind Corus death forsooke knightly chiâ—… and vsed al villainous cowardly fight the one somtimes behâ—… offering him a thrust when he turned to reueng that inâ—… 〈◊〉 the other did the like that he perceiued they intended to murâ—… 〈◊〉 which so inraged that gallaÌ„t knight that dashing his spurs into 〈◊〉 â—…stie steeds sides he rusht with such violence against one of theÌ„ that he bare him quite out of the saddle whose foote will hung in his stirrop his horse draged him with violence vp down the field vntil the stirrop burst he lay dead dismounted The other knight séeing his friends misfortune wold haue fled but Parismenos strook such a violent blow vpon his head that he lost his sences but soone recouering himselfe again thinking it better to dye by his enemies sword then to yéeld to his mercy turned to Parismenos vttering these speeches Knight if thou art wel giue ouer otherwise know that notwithstaÌ„ding my former shew of fight it is the least part of my thought but I inâ—…eÌ„d to try it out with thée to the vttermost quoth he agine no disembling Thracian account not me so base minded to leaue such a villaine to breathe any longer that art not worthy of knighthood much lesse to be estéemed amongst men was it thy pollicie by subtiliie to betray my life If I be not deceiued I knowethée by thy voice and thy name is Argalus my counterfaited friend Am I the
to your seruice and though by right of conquest I may iustly callenge you for my owne yet be you assured I will request nothing at your hands but what shall be granted with your frée consent but I rest yours to command and dispose of in all humble duty Which words being ended hée that neuer before kist Ladies lippes with a great reuerence tooke of her a swéet kisse and she with a heauy heart and milde behauiour yéelding her selfe as his to dispose of which she was constrained to do by her fathers promise and the knights worthie deserts though inwardly in her heart shée denoted all kinde loue and affection to Remulus on whom being by shée cast many a milde and modest looke inwardly wishing hée were the man might claime her by right of conquest as well as by the true affection shée bare him That night the Knight of Fame was honourably feasted by the King and afterwards conducted to a most Princely lodging And being now alone he began to meditate of his estate and to ponder how happily hée had escaped shipwracke and was preferred to such high dignitie as to marry the daughter and onely heaire of a king withall he beganne to call to minde euery particular thing hée could remember of his birth and bringing vp in the Iland of Rockes his fancy perswading him that hée was sonne vnto some greater personage then he yet knewe of withall well viewing a iewell which hée had kept euer since his nurse was slaine which she gaue him in charge to kéepe charilie which thoughts and withall a secret instinct of nature which hée felt in himself ayming at higher matters setled a perswasioÌ„ in his thoughts that hée was borne of royall race and therefore méete to match with a kings daughtee And calling to minde the excéeding beautie of Phylena imprinting in his fancy a perfect remembrance of her graces sweet countenance and milde behauiour he felt a secret stirring and throbbing at his heart which disturbed all his sences that he was as it were transformed into a kinde of pleasant delight wherewith hée fell into a dead slumber In the middest of his sléepe the Goddesse Venus pittying the troubled thoughts of her denoted subiect Phylena willing to extoll the fame of this knight appeared vnto him a vision standing by his beds side with a cleare burning taper in her one hand and holding a most beautifull Ladie in the other of such diuine perpfections that heauen nor earth could not in his fancie frame a more diuine essence of puritie the Lady Venus vttering these words Thou Knight of Fame Regard the words I speak Seeke not by force Loues constant bandes to breake Phylena fai The beautifull heyre of Thrace Her constant loue On Remulus doth place Desire not then Her liking to attaine But from her loue Thy fantasie refraine Thy conquest right Giue him that hath her loue And from their hearts The cares they bide remoue This Lady bright thy fansies shalt subdue Then to her loue be constant iust and true Frst seeke her out then to her pleasure tend To winne her loue thy whole affection bend Of Royall race thy selfe art rightly sprung Lost by thy friends when as thou werte but young Thy fathers fame hath sild the world with praise Thy mothers gifts her lasting honours raise Bend thy desires Their comfort to procure That for thy losse Sad sorrowes doe endure Whilest the Goddesse vttered these words the Knight of Fame diligently beheld the excéeding beautie of the Lady shée held in her hand and thinking to haue demaunded her name shée presently vanisht wherewith hée awaked The remembrance of this Uision draue him into a confusion multitude of thoughts one while perswading himselfe it was but a dreame and not to bee regarded and then againe assuring himselfe it was a Uision like to that which appeared to him in the Iland of Rocks but chiefly such a secret impression of the Ladies beautie was fixed in his remembrance that hee quite forsooke and forgot the least thought of Phylena whose beautie in his fancie was nothing comparable to her diuine perfections that calling to minde euery particular note hée had seene the perfect Idea of the Ladies countenance fauour and beautie was so deeply imprinted in his heart that no other thought could sinke in his braine but that she was the Lady he should honour that he vowed to search the world throughout to finde her and come to the knowledge of his parents In these cogitations hée spent the rest of that night Earely in the morning hée was honoured with all diuersities of curiefies and most royally feasted of the the King and by his appointment should be affianced to Phylena within sixe dayes The Knight of Fame remembring the Uision being most commonly in company of Phylena diligently noted which might be the knight Phylena loued and soone perceiued that it was Re mulus who amongst the knights of Thrace had sought most meanes to honour him Who little thought the knight of Fame hadde noted the kindnesse betwixt him and Phylena but he noting all circumstances perceiued that Phylena was déeply inthralled in the bands of constant love for though thée were in talke with him yet her eye was continually on Remulus glaunsing so many swéete lookes intermingled with sighes towards him that hée thought it a most discourtesie and inhumaine déede to part them And once taking occasion when Phylena was in a déepe studie he said Déere Lady may I be so bolde as breake off your sad studie wherewith you adde heauinesse to your minde and expell this carefull disposition and rather spend your time in mirth and pleasure I haue often noted your heauinesse which maketh me suppose my vnworthinesse to be the cause thereof but seeing my intrest is such as that I may claime you for my owne I beseech you doe not so much disgrace my trauailes as not to vouchsafe me that kindnesse belongeth to the condition of my conquest and your fathers decrée and if you estéeme me because vnknowne as yet not to haue deserued your loue impose mée any taske and I will vndertake it for your sake and not onely labour to winne your loue by desert as by the tryumphe I haue attained the interest of your person But I perceiue yourcares are such for some other great occasion that I am an vnwelcome guest to your company and an other hath alreadie attained your swéete loue which if it be so swéete Ladie hide not the same from mée but make me priuie thereto for I am not of that rude disposition to challenge any thing at your handes or inforce you to any thing but what shall stand with your likâ—…ng and though your vertues force you to yeelde consent to your fathers decrée yet considering that loue is not wonne with the swoorde but with a mutuall consent of the heart I yéeld my selfe to bee censured by you and giue my right of triall into your handes and the interest I attained by conquest I
Knights to their iourney towards Brandamors castle wher at Sunne-set they arriued and for that night tooke vp their Inne vnder the couert of a spreading Oke deuising amongst themselues by what means they might archieue theyr desire Early the next morning Argalt issued foorth of the Castle intending as his custome was to search if any Knights were in the Forrest for euer since Venolaes imprisonment diuers Knights of Lybia tame to trye their Fortune against Brandamor whom these three Knights supposed to haue beene the Gyant himselfe And Tellamor being the forwardest went toâ—…d him whom Argalt thus greeted Knight of whence art thou or Wherefore commest thou on this forbidden ground Gyant qd Tellamor I come to defâ—…e thée that vsurpest such priuiledge to examine Passengers and my intent is in despight of thée to keepe my standing on this Ground which is free for all men What is thy Quarrell quoth Argalt I come qd hee to reâ—…eeme a Knight whome contrary to equitie thou detaynest and a Ladie whose Lorde thou lately fluest that dwelt in a Castle heereby Argalt hearing his spéeches burst out into a laughter saying Thinkest thou poore knight to doo more then many thy betters could accomplish No Knowe thou art so farrre from attaining the least of thy desires that thy selfe art like to beare them companie Wherewith Tellamor ranne at him and in the incounter burst his speare Whom the Gyant valiant y resisted Panuamus and Barzillus regarding to performe no actes of Knightly Chiualrie to him that was without regard of Humanitie presently both at once with Tellamor assailed him and within little space hadde brought him conformable to the mercie of their swords When Argalt saw himselfe so shrewdly handled and his life in that danger he vttered these spéeches Ualiant Knightes spare my life that neuer yet offended you and let me vnderstand wherein I haue done you wrong and I will doe my best to make you restitution Tyrant qd Panuamus haddest thou a thousand liues all of them could not make vs restitution for any of the least iniuries thou hast done vnto vs but now thou seest thy self in danger thou treatest for pittie When otherwise thou entendest nothing but violence Thinkest thou our minds are so easily drawne to vse mercie towards thée that hast fild the World with thy tyrannies and yéeldest no fauour to any that come within thy power No know wicked Homicide that this is the last houre thou shalt breathe Wherewith he aduanced his Sword to haue thrust it through him Argalt fearing his resolution cried vnto him to heare him speake and said as followeth Woorthy Knights qd he before you finish my daies know whom you put to death I am not Brandamor whom you 〈◊〉 me to bee but his Brother my name is Argalt that neuer in my life offended you therfore I beséech you spare my life and whatsoeuer you impose vpon mee I will perform to my vttermost power Barzillus hearing his spéeches told Panuamus that hee might be a meanes to saue their further Trauell if he would set the the Lady Madera and Pollipus at libertie therefore he thus said Argalt We know not how to trust a man of thy nature and disposition which thinkest euery disloyall action lawfull to further thy diuellish driftes and regardest neyther vertue nor Knighthood but onely thy will therefore if we should enioyne thée to any thing thou wouldst disloyally break thy Oath and soone forget what thou vowedst to vs to performe and contrary to honestie rather betray vs to thy Treacherie but if thou wilt saue thy life assure vs to set at liberty the Lady Madera and the worthy Knight Pollipus and on that condition we will let thée goe frée Argalt being glad of his spéeches vowed and protested with infinite Protestations to fulfill theyr request within thrée dayes vpon which condition they let him depart Algalt being gone beganne to consider what promise hee had made them and by what meanes he had escaped death and how courteously vpon his Oathes they had saued his life and gaue credence to his spéeches Which with intended resolution he purposed to accomplish and being entred the Castle comming to Brandamor Wounded and faint with bléeding he declared to him all that had happened requesting his conset to accomplish theyr demaund which hee had bound himselfe by Oath to performe Brandamor hearing his Wordes fell into a bitter rage against him and vttered these spéeches Why Brother qd hee consider you not what daungers might ensue if I should accomplish your request and withall doo you not remember the Ualour that is in this Knight Pollipus which might by his Libertie bring vs all in danger As for the Ladie Madera I regarde not if I send her hence For now I esteeme her Daughters beautie which was the cause I haue so long time detained her Then if you please send her vnto them and let them seeke the performance of the rest how they can For what néede you regarde your Promise being out of theyr danger Argalt hearing his spéeches perceyuing hee could perswade him no way was content with that And withall being easily drawne sleightly to forget his solemne Oaths to them made thought that Maderas releasement would satisfie them and be more then he néeded to performe Therefore he resolued to send her to them presently with a Message and that Pollipus by no meanes could be set at libertie And coming to Madera who still continued in her her heauy dumps he told her that her time of Libertie was come and that shee should 〈◊〉 no longer detained in that place Madera at the first gaue little credence to his speeches perceiuing hee meant as he spoke thought that newes very Welcome and so let her goe out at the Gate only attended by her two Damzels desiring her to tell the Knightes that sought her Libertie that Pollipus could by no meanes bee released but that they might speake with him if they would whome they should sée at a Windowe right ouer the Castle-bridge Madera was soone espyed of Panuamus who knowing her with dutifull reuerence saluted her with his knée on the ground whilest shée with Motherly teares reioyced to sée him And being mette with Tellamor and Barzillus shee declared to them what Argalt had said concerning Pollipus Which when they hearde they were exceedingly tormented with vexation of the Gyants disloyaltie yet notwithstanding setting all doubts apart they determined to trye if the Giant ment true that they might come to his spéech which was some comfort to them and though they knewe he would omit no opportunitie to betray them yet they went to the Bridge hauing a carefull respect to theyr danger Where according to Argalts message they found Pollipus who knowing them with great ioy Welcommed them with these spéeches Déere Friendes qd hee you sée how I am inclosed by treacherous meanes comming to rescue the faire Ladie Venola Daughter to the King of Lybia Here am I well vsed therefore I pray tell mée the occasion
in the kings Court being growne into great familiarity with the Knight of Fame and desirous to make tryall of their valour against the Gyant departed likewise toward Lybia With the Knights that brought the dead bodie of Tyrides amongst whome was the King of Arragon named Archilacus Guydo of Thrace Trudamor of Candie Drio of Scicile and Tristamus one of the thrée brethren and within thrée dayes arriued in Lybia Where the King hearing of their intent and cause of comming entertained them most Roially The Knight of Fame remained in the Court of the King of Lybia some two dayes Where his entertainment was most courteous and honourable Which might haue drawne a resolute determination to haue taken delight therein But hée thought all time though entertained with all varieties of pleasure tedious All delicate fare and costly banquetting superfluons and all company wearisom hauing his cogitations opprest with care his minde filled meditating on his Ladies swéete Beautie and his heart thyrâ—…ing for reuenge of Tyrides death respect no pleasure nor affecting no delight but to find some knowledge of his vnkinde Mistrisse making preparation to besiege Brandamor and thirsting for honor secretly departed towards the Forrest of Arde Where he arriued most fortunately to preserue his Princely Fathers life though to him vnknowne as is declared in the former Chapter CHAP. XIII 〈◊〉 How Pollipus and Tellamor departed from Brandamors Castle to Uioletta and Clarina And how as they were againe returning backe with them they met with Brandamor whome they supposed had bene dead and of the arriuall of the King of Lybia in the Forrest of Arde. PArismus the Knight of Fame and all the rest being in Brandamors Castle began with good aduisement to determine what to doe and at last concluded because Parismus and Panuamus were grieuously Wounded and thereby not able to endure Trauell they should staye and with them the Knight of Fame to Guarde Venola Pollipus and Tellamor should depart towards Panuamus Castle who taking kinde Fare-wells of Parismus and the Knight of Fame betooke themselues to theyr Iourney towardes the place that harboured theyr chiefest delights Pollipus being drawne with an excéeding desire to sée his constant Ladie Violetta from whence hee had bene long time seuered and to recreate his Sences ouer-rulde with care in the swéete solace of her pleasant companie The remembrance of which delight filled his hart with excéeding affectionate content Tellamor likewise had taken such a surfet with beholding Clarinas swéete Beautie that no Physicke but her beauty could cure the same neither could a thousand perills detaine him from thence Which hopefull conceyte fedde his heart with inward delight that in these Meditations entermingled with pleasaunt communications they spent theyr time vntill they were come neare to the Castle Where within short time they arriued And dismounting themselues they came to the Porter Who knowing Tellamor admitted their entrance Being conducted in by some of the Seruants into the Hall and asking for the Ladie Clarina the Wayting-mayde tolde them that shée was in the Garden accompanied by Violetta offering to conduct them to the place Nay quoth Tellamor fare Damzells I pray let vs goe alone With that Pollipus and hée entred the Garden and espying where they were seated vpon a gréene Bancke in communication And pacing softly towards the place they sheltred themselues from their sight by a Rose-bush that was close by them and hearde theyr conferences which was this Violetta leaning sadly vpon her Elbowe her countenance bearing shew that a multitude of cares possest her hart and Clarina was seated a little distance off tearing and dismembring the swéet Flowers that she had carelesly cropt from theyr stalkes Violetta answering to some spéech that Clarina had before vttered saide Yea my misfortunes haue bene too extreame and such as I thinke no creature euer bid the like but my most vnhappy self Which now being ouerpast would soon be banisht froÌ„ my remébrance might I once enioy the sight of my déere knight Pollipus which hope hath bene the onely preseruer of my life Oh qd Clarina happy and ten times more then happie in my infancie are Ladies that are Wedded to such constant knights but I feare mee there are too many of the contrarie part But I wish my Brother and these two other courteous Knightes such good successe as to set him at libertie so that I might behold him whom you so highlie commend Yea qd Violetta that would be a happie day to mée but I greatlie misdoubt that will not suddainly come to passe and I haue bene so often crost in my desire that my doubtfull heart will not suffer mee to entertaine the least conceit of such felicitie Which saide the Teares in aboundance fell from her eyes Which caused Clarina to doo the like and wept for coâ—…anie Pollipus hearing Violettaes spéeches and seeing her Teares could no longer withholde himselfe but intreated Tellamor to discouer himselfe and comming towardes them both of them espying them at the first maruelled what they shuld be but Violetta knowing Tellamor thought the other had beene Barzillus Tellamor comming to Clarina gréeted her ruddie Lippes with a swéete kisse saying Most vertuous Ladie Wee bring you happie Newes of the safetie and releasement of your good Friendes and the death of Brandamor Violetta well noting the other Knightes Shielde had a mightie perswasion that by his Deuise â—…ee should be Pollipus Withall marking his Proportion her Heart sometimes fainted and sometimes a pale colour appeared Which straight was ouerspredde with a Rostate blush and such perplexities One while of Ioy and other while of sorrowe ouer-whelmed her heart that the â—…rinish salte teares ouer-flowed her Eyes and shée turned backe to Wipe them off thinking to haue concealed the same In which time Pollipus had vnbuckled his Helme and discouered himselfe Violetta hauing Wiped off the deaw of her Salte tearés lifting vp her head espied him Which sudden ioy fâ—…lled vp her sences that she fell into his arms not being able to vtter a word whilest he louingly embraced her reâ—…ining her sences with many swéete kisses Which done he said Welcome my swâ—…ete delight After so many cares let vs now bid â—…ue to griefe and forget sad mischances â—…y deare Knight quoth Violetta my Trauells are now conuerted to carefull quiet Reâ—…t and the conclusion of my miseries so swéete as all the Worldes ioyes cannot be compared therewith Since that I haue my déere Loue folded within the circuite of my Embrace since I enioy your Companie which I haue long time wanted since after my griefes I am possest with such delightfull felicitie Whose Pleasure may be compared to mine What delight may equall my contenâ—… My care is banisht to comfort Woe with Weale is controld Paine conquered by pleasure Ioy vnited with ioy and Pleasure with delight possesse my heart Which Words being ended she entertained him with such a swéete Labyrinth of kinde Welcomes that it would haue rauisht a discontented heart with surfetting
vsed him whose acquaintance and friendship might be a meanes both of his stay in that place and also of obtaining Angelicaes loue Then againe considering how strange it was that hee would stay in the very place where his Lady should see him and how luckily he had left the Court of the king of Lybia and thereby he was ridde from Venolas rash loue which might haue both endangered his honour and person that with the remembrance of all these happy concurrences his minde was exceedingly contented and he seemed to haue attained more happy successe then hee would haue wisht that in that Sunne-path of sweete delight accompanied with quiet sleepe he spent that night Angelica was likewise no whitte inferiour to him in contrariety of passions but hauing likewise spent the day in company of her mother when the time of rest drew nigh shee soone gat from out of all company which she thought troublesome being much disquieted in her thoughts feeling a kinde alteration to her former liberty of of minde being desirous to be alone shee gatte to her Chamber where was none but her Damzell Anna that was her bedfellow to whom she said I pray thee good Anna leaue me alone for a while for my thoughts are possest with such disquiet that I desire by solitarinesse to ease my passonate heart Anna hearing her speeches maruelling what might bee the cause thereof and being in all respect dutifull departed She was no sooner gone but Angelica sitting downe vpon the rushes leauing her head vpon the beddes side beganne to study whence the occasion of that suddaine alteration she felt in her selfe should proceede sometimes deeming this and then that but still shee could not certainely what to iudge thereof that her minde was drawne to an extreame torment which so opprest her sences that presently she called Anna againe who maruelling at her strangâ—… 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 at her sadnesse knéeling downe by her vttered these speeches My deare Mistresse I beseech you conceale not from me the occasion of your disquiet to whose secrecy you neede not 〈◊〉 to commit the â—…ame for I hope you are sufficiently perswaded of my truth that doe esteeme my duty to you more deare then my life which I would most wiâ—…ingly spend for your sake 〈◊〉 if you will vouchsafe to 〈◊〉 me any way or in what sort so 〈◊〉 so it please you to command I will hee most willing to vse my vttermost endeauours as 〈◊〉 as euer did seruant to purchase your content Aâ—… mee wretched creature quoth Angelica it is not mistrust of thy secresie nor doubt of thy aide nor ought else that I misdoubt in thee that maketh me withhold any part of my counsell from thee for if I would shew it thee I cannot for this passion is so newly begunne that I cannot rightly coniecture what the cause thereof should be or why my thoughts should be thus suddenly disquieted and such assured confidence doe I retaine in thy fidelity that I would conceale no part of my thoughts from thee Anna hearing her Mistresse speeches began presently to suspect that she had enâ—…rtained some good conceit of some of the knights that were arrined that day whom she thought to be the yong Prince Camillus which caused her make this answer Deare Mistresse quoth she I beleeue the approach of some of the gallant Knights that came with the King is the cause of your alteration Why quoth Angelica doest thou thinke their approach should disquiet me Marry quoth Anna because many Ladies haue been suddenly ouertaken with loue wherâ—… with Angelica blusht saying Doest thou thinke my affection so light to looke of euery one I see Pardon me deare Madame quoth shee I doe not thinke so Well quoth Angelica suppose thou hast iumpt vpon the right which of those knights doest thou suppose it is Will you pardon me said Anna if I giue my opinion I will said shee I thinke quoth Anna it is the braue Prince Camillus Camillus quoth she it is rather the stranger Indeed quoth Anna that strange Knight farre surmounteth all the knights that euer I beheld for comlinesse courtesie and prowesse I am assured said Angelica breathing forth a sadde sigh thou spakkest this rather to flatter me then according to that thou thinkest for otherwise why didst thou speake of Camillus Faith Mistresse quoth shee I named Camillus not for any thing I see in him comparable with the strange Kinght but for that I would therby know your mind which now that I vnderstand if you would follow my cousell you should not onely like him but also loue him for therâ—… is no doubt but the cause of his comming hither was onely for your sake who in my rash opinion will proue both constant and loyall for his very countenance bewraieth the vnited essence of true Nobilitie and vertue to be placed in him O Anna quoth shee thou woundest we to the heart before I had 〈◊〉 a suspition of loue but by thy speeches I beginne to be inthralled therein Do not I pray thée seeke to augment that which is impossible to come to perfection which if I should entertaine as I shall I feare me against my will thou knowest how many impossibities doe threaten my euerlasting torment thereby therefore I pray thee doe not once name him to me againe for if thou doest I shall bee more intralled to that very name then to all the humble sutes of the most noblest knight in the world Diddest thou not heare my brother Marcellus report how prodigally hee gaue away the Kings daughter of Thrace and what paines he tooke to redeeme Venola that beautifull Lany from Andramarts Castle I know thou didst but likewise I know thou didst not heare what he said to me to refell these doubts that he was long since enioyned to my seruice and was the thing hee had long time sought to attaine Didst thou not sée how I found him a sleepe and yet notwithstanding all the Knights that guarded me how resolutely yet with humilitie he approched my presence where he told me that no want of regard had bredde that rudenesse but feare of missing that fit occasion considering how straightly I am kept and pried into by my Fathers decree Didst thou not see how brauely and valiantly he ouerthrewe three stout Knights together that would haue taken my gloue from him Doest thou not see how dearely my brother Marcellus loued him and all in generall are well affected towards him These I thinke are occasions sufficient to refell all suspect of his good intent and meaning Quoth Anna Truely most gracious Madame I thinke verily all things considered hee hath not his equall neither for valour nor for Uertue you may doe as you please whome I will not so much as once speake of heereafter since I shall offende you thereby Yes I pray thee speake of him quoth Angelica for nothing can please me better though I feare mee nothing will doe mee more harme And well maiest thou thinke me ouerâ—…ond so soone
I shall honour you for the same for he was worthy to be beloued of the best Ladie in the world for in him shined all points and parts of true knighthood and honour I cannot quoth Angelica denie but that I liked â—…d loued him too neither shall I euer doe otherwise whilest I liue though he knew not so much for whose death my heart shall neuer harbour quiet nor neuer shall thought of other loue sinke into my breast for him had I vowed to loue and that vow will I keepe inuiolable whilest life doth last Oh Angelica quoth Marcellus had I knowne you had loued him so well I would haue died with him but I would haue saued his life which was so suddenly acted and so vnexpected that before I could recouer my sences from amazement hee was past my reache What cause had my Father thinke you to seeke his destruction but because he saw him in speech with you Aye me quoth Angelica was I the cause of his death I will then goe to him with that such griefe opprest her heart that she fell downe in his armes Marcellus called to her Maides who presently came thronging about her maruelling at her suddaine sickenesse and especially Anna who was priuy to her thoughts and hearing Marcellus spéeches made great lamentation This newes was soone come to the Queenes hearing who presently came running vnto the place and hauing by her labour recouered her entred into these speeches Why how now Angelica what meanest thou to doe thy selfe this wrong What mischance or sudden passion hath caused this disquiet Then turning to Marcellus Or can you tell Marcellus quoth shee for you were by I know not quoth he but I am sure wee haue all cause of little ioye when we that are the Kings children shall be imprisoned vpon the flattering report of euery dissembling Sycophant Why quoth shee who hath abused you That did Colimus quoth hee and him haue I rewarded Besides my Lord and Father hath destroied that honourable strange knight because I loued him who neuer deserued the least cause of such cruelty but was alwaies honourablie esteemed in euery Kings Court vntill it was his ill happe to arriue in this vnfortunate place to end his life by Tyranny not by Iustice. Take heede Marcellus Scandalize not your Fathers honour which may bring you in danger for that he hath done nothing but right and with good consideration for behold that Letter and thou shalt soone see what a counterfet that Knight of Fame was Marcellus hauing read this Letter was at the first suddenly amazed thereat but yet notwithstanding he said vpon my life this accusaticusation is most false and vntrue Angelica taking the letter and reâ—… ding the same was exceedingly astonisht thereat to whom Marcellus said Angelica beleeue it not for if you doe you shall too much wrong that honourable Knight that is too much abused already who if hee were liuing would soone reprooue these accusations but hee good Knight is now dead and past recalling whose death will bring more dishonour to the Natolians then euer will be recouered Why quoth the Quéen what maketh thée Marcellus thus inconsiderate by taking a strangers part to indanger thy owne life which knowest the Kings humor Loue quoth he to that stranger maketh mee bewaile his vntimely death whom I would that I had excused The Queene seeing Angelica somewhat well recouered departed vnto Maximus who by that time had knowledge of Collimus death and was meditating how to chastise Marcellus for that presumption But the Queene vpon her knees intreated him to pardon him alleaging that Collimus had greatly abused him that with much adoe the King was pacified Marcellus hauing somewhat comforted Angelica in a heauie and sadde estate departed to his chamber and left her with her Damzell Anna rather ready to yeelde vp the Ghoast then otherwise likely to suruiue and night being come the refusing meat went to her bed not to sleepe but to bewaile the Knight of Fames vntimely death The knight of Fame all this time remained in the Lions denne carefully deuising which way to get out of that place tyring his senses but finding no meanes of release One while accusing his hard fortune and then Maximus for his cruelty Sometimes fearing to be famished in that place and then comforting himselfe with perswasions of impossible deliueries Now dispairing to be vtterly exempt from the swéet sight of Angelica whose absense and restraint of liberty procured as he thought by his boldnesse pinched his heart with extreame feare In this sort he continued so long vntill he was ready to be starued and constrained to eate such vnsauory foode as was daily cast to the Lions Angelica likwise no whit mittigated her griefe but rather augmented the same being much comforted by Marcellus whose minde was not yet satisfied with sufficient consideration of these mischances both hee and Angelica continued as it were in a further hope in their fancies of the Knight of Fames safty though when they beganne to comfort themselues with any perswasions they were quite past hope Maximus likewise hauing considered with what seueritie hee had vsed the Knight and that he had condemned him without any triall of the accusation that had been vsed by his Knights euer since his death beganne to tell a remorse in his conscience of vniustice but by the setled opinion that was stirred in his heart by those false Prophesies hee soone shooke the same off Camillus all this time likewise noted what iealous suspition the King heard of him and hauing heard the report why he kept his daughter so strongly guarded and of set purpose withheld her from his sighâ—… and noting how suddenly the Knight of Fame was made away without any cause of offence giuen he began to feare himselfe and bâ—… 〈◊〉 meanes durst not shew any signe of desire to sée Angelica â—…st bâ—… 〈◊〉 meanes hee should seeke some occasiâ—… of quarrell with him and â—…se him like the stanger within a while departed from the Golden Tower â—â—â—tending notwithstanding either with force or faite meanes to attaine her possession CHAP. XIX Of the Knight of Fames preseruation How he got out of the denne and departed the Tower THe next day after Camillus departure which Maximus perceiued was with a discontented minde the kéeper of the Lyons denne came to make cleane the same and vsed his wonted manner which was to set open those places that were cleane into which the Lions would soone enter and hauing fast bolted the dores and beeing owner of the Lyons ertred into the denne where the knight of Fame was who suddenly caught hold on him hauing before secertly shrowded himselfe from his sight and beeing carefull to prouide for his owne safty snatcht from his side a hanging Sword the Keeper knowing him maruelling to see him aliue and exceedingly astonished at his sight held vp his hands for mercy to whom the Knight of Fame saide My freinde I séeke not thy life but mine owne safety
next morning Iabine went foorth for to prouide food and left the knight of Fame alone who then vttered many complaints but at last finding fault with himselfe for vrging that effeminate kind of lamentation he striuing to ouermaster his passions which the more hee laboured to asswage the more they increased In this sâ—…rt he continued all that day and the next and many daies after still being in good hope of Marcellus approach but when he saw so long time past and he could heare no newes from him hée beganne to accuse him of dicourtâ—…e and diâ—…yaltie for breaking his promise and withall grew into a setled perswasion that both hée and Angelica had quite forsaken him which added griefe to griefe and more care and vexation to his minde not knowing what to do nor which way to shape his course that arming himselfe one day hée mounted himselfe and wandred in a melancholly studie towards the golden Tower and by chance met with two of Maximus knights who were excéedingly astonisht at his sight taking him to be a ghost but he drawing nigh to them they beganne to flye which hée perceiuing thought to stay the one of them to haue some further spéech with him that charging his launce at him and hitting him full ouerthrewe him to the ground the other being therewith excéedingly trrified fledde The Knight to Fame alighting comming to him that he had ouerthrowne thus said Knight thou néedest not to haue fledde from me for I intended thee no harme but was desirous to knowe some newes of thée which if thou wilt tell me I will let thee depart otherwise thou shalt neuer escape my hands The knight maruelling to heare him speake whom he thought had bene a ghost made this reply Pardon me good sir for I tooke you to be another then I sée you are but if I may know what you will commaund me I will doe it Quoth he tell me how fareth Marcellus Sir quoth he at this instant helyeth very weake by reason of many grieuous wounds hée receiued not long since where hée declared the whole trueth of that which had happened by Maximus meanes since which time quoth hée the King hath set such secrete watch about the Tower that none goeth in nor out without his priuitie The Knight of Fame hauing heard his spéeches departed backe to Iabine to whom hee declared the trueth of all that he had heard being very sory for Marcellus hurt and well waying euery circumstance of that report thought that when Marcellus was gotten with Angelica out of the Parke so slightly attended it was to come to him which added some comfort to his heart being fully assured thereby that Angelica had not forsaken him By this time the Natolian that escaped from the knight of Fame was come to the Golden Tower and comming before the King â—…elde him that hee had met the Knight of Fame whereat hee beganne to laugh but presently came the other who iustified the same words alleadging that it was the knight of Fame and that he had both talked with him and knew him affirming the same most constantly Maximus woondring thereat was almost astonisht at their worâ—…s that he determined to send all his knights to search for him and the occasion now most fitly serued for the Nobles had according to his commaund gathered a number of forces together which Camillus séeing being vnprouided to withstand such force but comming for another intent immediately returned with his souldiers towards his country and Maximus now seeing the coast cleare of enemies presently sent foorth Knights euery way to finde the Knight of Fame Thus newes was soone come to Marcellus and Angelicas hearing which filled their hearts with exceeding care and feare leaste hee should bee apprehended this bredde new sorrowes in their troubled thoughts but principally in Angelicas whose lone was growne to such perfection that it was impossible to remooue the same that getting to her chamber shée entred into many heauy complaints able to haue rent the stoniest harts of the cruellest tyrants whom Anna comforted by all means she could deuise to whom Angelica said Oh Anna quoth she little doest thou know the torments my heart doth endure for wert thou so much inthralled as I am to so worthy a knight as he is thou mightest then haue some insight into my sorrowes but being ignorant therein how canst thou giue me counsell haue I not cause to sorrow nay rather to runne made with sorrow to see the danger that worthy Knight is now in hauing so lately escaped a most miserable death by my Fathers censure 〈◊〉 without cause who not contented there with nor satisfied in his minde hath now sent out many Knights to search for him who 〈◊〉 they finde him will bring him back or by violence destroy him whose death shall be the end of my life for I haue vowed if my Father seeke his mine hee shall also see my death for I will not liue one houâ—… after him in which complaintes we still continued without intermission It fortuned most happily that Iabin was gone foorth 〈◊〉 S. Austines Chappell left the knight of Fame in his Cell meeting with many of the Natolian knights who demaÌ„ded if he saw not such 〈◊〉 describing well as they could the knight of Fame whom he answered al after one sort that he had not seen any such but maruelling at their earnest inquirie he demanded what that knight might bee one of them tolde him that hee was called the Knight of Fame who lately arriued in that Country and was kindly entertained by Maximus but especially of Marcellus and hauing in some sort offended the King was by him afterwards throwne into the Lions den by reason of a letter the King of Libia sent wherein he accused him to haue dishonoured Venola his onely daughter whom that day was seene and spoken withall Iabine hearing his spéeches wondred thereat yet notwithstanding was carefull lest the knight of Fame should bee found abroad whom hee now beganne greatly to esteeme both that he deemed him to be sprung of royall 〈◊〉 and also for that Marcellus made estimation of him who he thought knew him cleare of those accusations or else he would not haue fauoured him so much that with all speed hee hasted to his Cell where being entred he found the Knight of Fame very sadde and fast bolting the Chappell doore he came to him saying Worthy knight I am glad that I haue found you here for were you abroad there are such a number of Knights in search of you that it were impossible to escape them For mée qd he I thinke you are deceyued Yea qd he if you are called the Knight of Fame and lately escaped out of the Lyons den With that his colour changed Nay qd Iabin feare not you shall be here as safe as your hart can wish for this place is no way suspected therefore thinke your selfe secure then Iabin declared vnto him all that had hapned and what he had heard
Wherevpon the Knight of Fame likewise finding him faithfull and secret declared vnto him the whole discourse of his Trauels only leauing out the vision which appeared to him in Thrace Asking his counsell what to doo and entring into many sad discourses how he was still crossed in his expectation and withall told him that he knew not which way to trauel in search of his Parents which if he could attaine then he would not doubt but to reuenge the iniurious wrongs done him Syr Knight qd Iahin I think it best that you trauell in search of them and that presently in the mean time these troubles by forgetfulnes wil be well ouer-blowne then you may haue the better opportunity to go forwards with any intent you shall afterward put in practise for if you stay here you may vnfortunately be descryed or the Kings iealousie is such that hee will leaus no meanes vnattempted to worke your death Father quoth he your counsell is good which I will put in practise not voluntarily but forced thereto in regard of mine owne preseruation requesting this one fauour at your handes that you would by some meanes remember my humble dutie to that honourable knight Marcellus and tell him that it shall not be long ere I returne desiring him in the meane time according to his former curtesie which hath bin extended farrebeyond my desert to remaine my friend and remember mée to Angelica I will quoth Iabine fulfil your request in euery respect But first quoth hée I think most conuenient you change your armor for that in that you are easily knowne and I haue one within that is euery way of as good proofe The Knight of Fame liked his deuice excéedingly well and armed himselfe in that armour which was very rich and costly guilded all ouer with gold and Amell without any deuise to be knowne by and in that armour the next night hée departed taking his leaue of olde Iabine with many courtesies being most vnwilling to leaue his company and parting with a heauy heart for that hee went to vndertake a newe trauell which might detaine him long from returning to Angelica and by good fortune that night hée gat out of the countrey and past the search of the Natolians whom hée did not care to méete withall but that he would not thereby hinder the speede of his iourney CHAP. XXI How the Knight of Fame arriued in the county of Bohemia and redeemed Violetta from Archas. How Archas was put to death How the knight of Fame came to the knowledge of his Parents and after that departed againe toward Natolia AFter that the Knight of Fame was past the boundes of Natolia hee arriued in an exceeding great plaine where hee sawe many readie pathes but knew not which of them to take at last a suddaine thought and remembrannce of Parismus entered his fancy which so fully possest his minde that the thought and rembembrance of Parismus entred his fancie which so fully possest his minde that the thought thereof would by no meanes remooue which was so effectually wrought in him by a natural effect for there were his Parents no where else which caused nature it self to pitty his restlesse Passions and no longer to procrastinate his felicitie that hée fully and resolutelie determined to trauell thither Whither afterwards with long trauell he attained hauing great desire to sée Parismus againe to whom his heart had vowed euerlasting friendship And now drawing nigh the Court in the afternoone when the sunne had with his scorching beames made the season hotte hée heard a gréeuous complaint as it séemed to his hearing of some distressed ladie which made him stay to listen which way that crie came and by the voyce drawing nigh vnto the place he espied vnder the shadowe of a heape of Elmes a knight in Armour and a Lady at his féete who were the same that made that mone The knight of Fame comming neare them they both espyed him to the Ladies comfort but the Knight presently tooke vppe his shield and addressed himselfe for his defence The Knight of Fame well noting the Ladies countenance remembred that hée had seene her but hée could not remember where which caused him the more willingly to helpe her being otherwise of his owne vertuous inclination readie to succour any distressed Ladie that comming to her demanded her cause of sorrowe but shée being readie to make him answere and holding vp her hands to craue his pittie the other knight setting his sword against her breast vowing that if the spake one word he would thrust the same through her body which the Knight of Fame séeing thinking he went about to stay her with his sword drawne rusht violently against him and ouerthrew him but giuing him leaue to recouer his féete he said Traiterous villaine why offerest thou this Lady such discourtesie being ashamed she should declare thy treachery which mauger thy hart I will know before we two part with that he lent him such a blow that he made him stagger the Knight thought himselfe now in worse case then euer he had bene but notwithstanding hée resisted the knight of Fame most couragiously for a space but hée being the most gallantest Knight in the world soone brought him in great daunger of his life which when the knight saw and felt he stayed himselfe and said Knight before the combat continue any longer let me know your name I will not shew thée that fauour quoth the knight of Fame but wish thée yéelde thy selfe neither will I shew thée that fauour quoth he with that hée began the combat againe being scarce able to lift vp his sword by reason of his faintenesse by effusion of blood intending to ende his life which the Knight of Fame perceiuing clasped him in his armes with violence wrung his sword out of his hands and by force made him yeelde hauing 〈◊〉 weapon to offend himselfe nor his aduersary The Ladie seeing her selfe thus fortunately deliuered comming to the knight of Fame desired him to pittie her estate and not to forsake her vntill she were come to the Bohemian court With that the knight of Fame was excéedingly glad saying Lady I will not forsake you but sée you there in safetie for thither am I bound But I pray you quoth he let me know your name for that I haue I am sure séene you about the Forest of Adre Violetta with that was drawne into a great admiration what hée should bée at last shée said my name is Violetta that am ordained to perpetuall miserie beeing indéede by the trecherie of a disloyall knight named Archas driuen to wander thitherwards The knight of Fame then immediately remembring her but béeing vnwilling to discouer himselfe questiōed no more with her but only asked her what that knight was Sir knight quoth she I know him not nor why he hath offered me this outrage Which said the knight of Fame forced him to go with them and so they departed towards the court where
Bohemian Court honourablie entertayned and highly estéemed of the Bohemian States Who grue into an excéeding loue towards him and was kindly beloued of the King and Quéene but especially of his Parents who thought themselues moste happie and blessed to haue such a Sonne Whose fame was spredde through most places of all the Worlde and that euery mans eares were filled with the report of his most honourable déedes Now that Parismenos had thus happily attained the knowledge of his Parents the want whereof had long time filled his minde with care no other thought but of Angelicas Loue could take place in his heart which though his cause of ioy otherwise was sufficient filled his sences with sadnesse and quite extinguisht those delights that they séemed to trouble his minde rather tedious then coÌ„fortable adding no ease to his cares which were augmented to an excéeding height by reason of Maximus cruelty which he saw was so much aggrauated against him that he knew it a thing impossible for him to attaine the least fauour at his hand Who likewise kept Angelica Guarded so strongly and so narrowly pryed into all her actions that it was impossible any way eyther to come to her spéech or send to her that with diuersitie of the cogitations his hart was tormented his countenance darkned and hée spent his time most commonly in sadnesse beeing séeldome drawne to any myrth Which was generally noted of all men but especiallie of Laurana who could neuer be quiet but onely in his company And one a day missing him shée rested not vntill she had found him out being gotten into the most solitariest place in the Garden leaning himselfe vpon his Elbow Who espying her raised himselfe from the ground blushing at her presence to whome she said Why how now Parismenos What sadnesse is that which possesseth your minde that maketh you so eâ—…range your selfe from company to delight in solitarinesse is there none so highly in your fauour that they may know the truth thereof or is your cause of care such as none can remedie or not counsell you for your ease I am sure there are many would not refuse to vse their endeuors to pleasure you especially myselfe would both willingly doo my best to comfort you and knowe the cause if it be not too secret Parismenos with humble reuerence made her this answer I beséeth you doo not thinke me so vndutifull nor my cause of care so secret that I would conceale the same from you but were it of much more importance I would willingly reueale it to satisfie your minde which I haue omitted as vnwilling to trouble you therwith and for no other respect Then I pray qd she let me know is it not Loue Yes most déere Mother qd he it is Loue and to that beautifull Ladie Angelica who beareth me the like affection but so farre am I from enioying her loue as that it attainteth my heart with care to thinke thereof which is the cause of my sadnes which will increase rather then diminish if I doe not shortly trauell thither being now assured of all other doubtes and hauing finished my trauell in search to finde you out Therfore I most humbly beseech you to procure my Lord and Fathers coÌ„sent to my spéedy departure For without the fruition of her heauenly sight my life wil be but wearisome Laurana hearing his spéeches perceiued indéede that his affection was great and therefore not to be remooued and well knowing by her owne former experience that Loue was incurable thee was the more ready to pitie his passions that shee promised to further him in what the could being now assured of the cause of his sadnesse CHAP. XXII ¶ How Parismenos after he came to the knowledge of his Parents deeparted towards Natolia Aow he met with Marcellus and what afterwards befell to him WIthin few dayes after Parismenos returned backe againe towards Natolia but with much sorrow in the Bohemian Court for his departure spending much time in trauell vntill hée arriued at S. Austins Chappell hauing gotten him other Armour because he would not be knowne and knocking at the Chappell doore presently olde Iabine came out to whome he discouered himselfe Who knowing him reioyced excéedingly at his Presence and safetie desiring him to come in for that hee had Newes of importance to tell him Parismenos comming to him for no other intent but to heare Newes from Angelica willingly went in with him And Iabine began as followeth Most noble Knight I will declare vnto you all that I haue learned of the estate of Marcellus so neere as I can After that you were departed from hence the Natolians hauing continued their diligent search some thrée dayes and in the end returned to the Court frustrated of their desire Wherby Maximus gaue no credit to that report but soone forgot the same remaining in great quiet Marcellus by this time had recouered his health letting passe no time came hither thinking to haue found you héere but yet hearing by my report of your Departure hee séemed to be quite ouer-come with griefe and declared vnto mée all that had happened to you in the Golden Tower which you had declared vnto me before and withall manifested what had happened vnto him and Angelica and how he was so grieuously Wounded then Iabine declared the same euen as Marcellus hadde tolde him in the very same manner as is before declared when he determined to haue conueyed Angelica to S. Austines Chappell the day his Father was on Hunting And quoth hée Marcellus hauing tolde me this withall shewed mee with what sorrow Angelica endured your absence Parismenos hauing heard his wordes which yéelded him full assurance of Marcellus friendship and Angelicas constant Loue was therewith excéedingly comforted rehearsing to him how fortunately he had found his Parents Iabin then began to vse him with more reuerence and more seruently to affect his company and good that at Parismenos request hee went towards the Golden-Tower to sée if hee could by any meanes speake with Marcellus which hee willingly at his Request did and brought newes backe that Maximus was departed with the Quéene Marcellus and Angelica towards the Citie of Ephesus which hee learned of such as were Gardiants at the Golden-Tower Parismenos hearing that immediately departed thitherwardes and entring the Citie rode presently vnto the Court where hee met a Knight Whome hee desired of courtesie to giue notice vnto Marcellus that there was a Knight who would speak with him Which at his request he presently went and performed and finding Marcellus in the Kings great Hall he sold him there was a strange knight at the Court Gate that was destrous to speake with him Marcellus maruelling who it should be immediately went out vnto him being a Knight of excéeding vertue that he would not refuse any courtesie and though hée were Sonne vnto a mightie King yet hée disdained not to fulfill his request though hée neither knewe him nor the cause of his comming Parismenos beholding him
And I aunswere I haue receyued more fauour at your hands in suffering me to be thus familiar with you then I am worthy or euer haue deserued Therefore I craue pardon hoping that you shill beare with my rudenesse Dulcia quoth he doe not aske pardon when you haue not misdone but beleeue my Words without any question only to proceed from the depth of my true hart Which entendeth and wisheâ—…h you no lesse good then I haue vâ—…ered For I haue found such vertue in you that I am inâ—…hralled to that vertue and desire to bee partaker and possesse that beautie which hath made mee your affectionate Friend and intreate your Loue then that which I desire nothing more My Lord replyed Dulcia my Loue and dutie is such that I will not refuse any commaund you shall impose vpon me Dulcia qd hee it is not such Loue as is commanded by dutie nor such Friendship as ariseth from feare but such kinde Loue as procéedeth betwixt faithfull Friendes from the yeelding consent of a true heart and such a loue as hath a further respect then that common duty for if you knewe with what feruencie I desired your sweete consent to this Loue you would pittie my torments My Lord replyed shee I beseech your Honour doe not séeke to captiuate or enthrall me in Loues bands that am free and am assured your Fancie cannot like of one farre vnworthy that high fauour you speake of but suffer me rather to continue in my peacefull estate that esteeme my selfe tarre from euer enioying such Happinesse as to bee beloued of my superiour being already so farre bound vnto you in all humblenes that you shall not commaund mee any thing that agreeth with Modestie but I will performe the same Speake you from your heart qâ—… Marcellus I doe my my Lorde quoth she Then saide he I commaund you to Loue me and if that bee too harsh a Word I intrease and desire you yéeld me loue for that true loue I beare you being such as is grounded vpon vertue and without spot or blemish of hishonours staine entending nothing that may disagree with your Modesty but so make you my equall my companion and my dearely espoused Wife Therefore doe but yeeld to loue me and thou shalt thereby expell many cares from my heart Which otherwise will increase to my euerlasting torment Oh my Lord quoth Dulcia I beséech you account mee one that will indeuour in all dutie to deserue that honour you entend me which I see so many impossibilities to hinder that it quite discourageth me from the least hope of that felicitie So you will loue me I care not for impossibilities neyther shall anie miserie alter my constant resolution With that he embraced her in his arms who gaue a silent consent intermingled with teares procéeding from her tender heart With whom Marcellus stayed some time spending the time in many friendly conferences so that Dulcia was constrained by his intreaties and her owne yéelding heart to giue her consent both their intents being grounded vpon no other purpose but that which is vertuous and chaste Parismenos being departed from Marcellus soone arriued at the Maiden Tower where hee alighted and comming to the Gardiants that kept the Gate hee saluted them with a courteous behauiour and tolde them that hee was sent by Maximus theyr King to be one of the Gardiants Whome at the first they denied him then he deliuered his Letter which they hauing read accepted him for one of theyr fellowes without any doubt or mistrust When hee had obtained his desire in this with such a prosperous beginning hee began to comfort himselfe with hope of further good Fortune continuing all that Night amongst the rest of the Gardiants and not once offering any behauiour which might bréed suspition but behaued himselfe most carefully both in all his words and déedes as he had good reason For that they were very circumspect and almost by reason of the strict charge the King had giuen them ready to suspect each other All the next day continued hée in that sort without any méeting of the Eunuches But on the third day he met two of them together in a place most conuenient and faluted them most kindely Who maruelling what he should be for that he was a stranger began presently to be iealous of him but he perceiuing the same told them that he had a secret message vnto them from the King and withall a letter vnder his hand and signet to the Gardiants which he shewed them But to you qd hâ—… the King hath sent me with this message that you shall admit mée at all times to Angelicaes presence whome you haue the custodie of though vnknowne to any but your selues which he told me likewise he gaue you a speciall charge to conceale from the rest of the Gardiants and hath vppon the trust hee hath reposed in mee giuen me authoritie with you to haue her custody The Eunuches hauing heard his message and with all the Kings priuy seale to the Letter written in his behalfe could not chuse but giue credence to the same supposing that none was priuie to Angelicaes being there but the King that they made no doubt but that he was sent by him but would not trust him vntill they had consulted with the rest of their fellowes vnto whome they declared the truth of all hee had tolde them who in generall they admitted him to their societie Parismenos thought himselfe most happie to haue attayned this selicitie Where likewise hee behaued himselfe most carefully selling them that hee had a message of secrecie to declare to her from the King which they made no doubt of nor neuer denyed When he spied his fittest opportunitie which was when Angelica was walking alone in a priuate Garden being all the libertie she hadde and the Eunuches were gone to disporte themselues and had put him alone in trust with the Key that conducted to her Chamber he vnlocked the doore and shutting the same againe he came to her Chamber Where hee durst not be so bolde as enter before he had knockt Anna being alone in the Chamber hearing one knocke came to the doore and espying Parismenos in Armor with his sword gyrt to his side which he neuer left off being in euery point armed but his head maruelled what he shuld be to whom he saide Faire Damzell maruell not to sée mee in Armor which shall neuer offend you but still be imployed in your defence I haue knockt presuming no further without licence the cause of my comming is to deliuer a message vnto the Ladie Angelica from Marcellus All this time Anna had diligently behelde him perswading her selfe shee had séene him before that she made him this answere Syr Knight if you come from Marcellus you shall be welcome to my Ladie therefore I pray you come in and I will conduct you to the place where shée is Then she brought him downe a paire of staires into a Garden where Angelica was
Parismus the rest to know their aduice before hée went from them which Marcellus had a great care of him for t hat he knew his griefe was such that hée would neuer returne vntill he had found for whome likewise they should take as much care for him being absent Parismus hearing the report of the knights that had bin euery way in her searche could not tell what to say or what to thinke but first hée desired those that loued Angelica to poste euery way in her searche and speaking to thousands of his knights hée commanded them to depart presently both in the furthermost parte of Natolia and also into the neighbouring Countreys in her searche which he thoughée was the best meanes to finde her for hée was sure they could not bâ—…trauelled farre in that short space Promising to rewarde him most richly that could find her or could heare of her abode with that the knights departed euery way Parismenos was excéedingly tormented with griefe and thought himselfe negligent to stay there and not to be in her searche but not knowing which way to take his sences were dulled with that gréeuous conceit To whom Parismus said Be of good coÌ„fort Parismenos for we shall heare of Angelica againe therefore I pray doo not you leaue vs too least our care be as great for your absence for there are so many knights in her search that she cannot by any means be so secretly conueyed hence nor so spéedily but we shall heare thereof My Lord and Father quoth he I beséech you let me make some diligent searche for her otherwise my minde will not be satisfied and I beseech you to returne to the Court with these Nobles and leaue me alone in her search that amongst the rest I that haue most cause may according like a friend doo my best to finde her As for my safetie take you no care for be you assured I will preserue my selfe from danger onely for her sake which liberty if you graunt me by leauing me here alone it shall bee a great deale more pleasing to my minde then to be pend in the Court in idlenesse If you promise mee quoth hee faithfully to returne againe I will giue my consent but yet goe with vs to the court this night and to morrow depart I will my Lord quoth he returne to morrow for this night I may sooner finde her then hereafter for that notwithstanding our searche she may be in this Desart which if it be so they will conuey her hence this night Parismus and the rest seeing his resolution and trusting to his promise to returne lefte him and departed backe to the Court with Irus for that the night drewenigh Marcellus would haue stayed with Parismenos but that hée sawe hée â—…ather desired to be alone that he likewise hauing as heauy heart as any of the rest depariâ—…d Parismenos being alone by himselfe began to studie what to doe sometimes thinking shée was within the Desart where shee might be for that it was of an excéeding compasse then heremembred that one of Irus Knights tolde him that they left the wood which bred a contrary perswasion in him that they were departed and gone some whither else that in a multitude of thoughts not knowing what to doo and hauing in these cogitations spent most part of the night without the least hope at last tyred with griefe and filled with care he alighted from his Stéed whom he fastened to a bush sat himselfe downe vnder a Trée as one that had bene quite giuen ouer to carelesse dispaire where we will leaue him to speake of Angelica The Knight that had rescued Angelica from Irus presently conueyed her to the thickest of the Desart in the middest whereof he had a Caue or rather Labyrinth most artificially framed wherein were diuers roomes vaultes and turnings not made by nature but by the Art and Industry of skilfull workemen and with great coste In which place in times past the Giant Malachus kept his secret abode Into this place they brought Angelica and comforting her with many faire spéeches which were most sharpe to her hearing refusing all comfort denying to taste any foode which they offered her and shunning their company till at last the chiefest of them saide Ladie be not thus impatient nor vse me not so discurteously as to shunne my company that haue deserued no such hatred vnlesse it were in dooing you good for I haue released you from the bondage you were in by meanes of those that had you in their custodie that had as it séemed by Damozels complaints with violence brought you to that place For my selfe I will vse you so honourably as your heart can wish neyther shall you haue any violence offered you but rest in as good securitie as you can desire for this place harbâ—…reth no tyrants nor discurteous creatures but such as are of vertuous inclination although by the crosse mischances of hardâ—… Destenie we are driuen to liue in this place And not so much by destenie as by the crueltie of Maximus king of this countrey to whom neuer any offence was giuen by any of vs for knowe Ladie that my name is Iconius sometimes Duke of Sextos but nowe bannished by your Father Maximus from my Dukedome by the false accusation of Pridamor and the Kings malice Who accused mee of Treason and Conspiracie with the King of Tunis Who long since attempted by Treason to betray his life and to attaine your Possession Wherein the Heauens knowe how Innocent I was And not contented with my banishment and confiscation of my Goods hee also sought my life with great crueltie promising great Rewards to those that could finde mee out or bring him my head This is the cause of my desolate Life Wherein I finde greater quiet then in Courtly-pompe Therefore I pray you bee contented with such homely entertainment as my poore habitation yéeldeth whither you are as Welcome as you should be to the place you would desire to be in Angelica hearing his spéeches was more grieued then before for that shee feared hee would in Reuenge of her Fathers crueltie still detaine her there that with the feare shee had taken by these outrages such a passion opprest her heart that shee fell downe deade and Anna séeing the same cryed out most lamentably and did her indeuor the best shee could to recouer her Which when they had done Iconius helped to conuey her to one of those Roomes very sicke and in great danger of her life being diligently tended by Anna Who hadde all things necessarie to comfort her in that extreamitie where there was no want of any thing Iconius hauing leâ—…t Angelica with Anna came amongst the rest of his companie hauing bene sometimes Knightes of estimation likewise by miserie driuen to that Societie hauing liued in that place manie yeares Where they were as secure as in the safest place in the World where they kept themselues close Not once styrring abroade for that they knew the
found her wéeping he saide Faire Angelica I much maruell why you torment your selfe with these griefesâ—… when you sée your selfe in safetie and out of daunger Haue I yet deserued no better opinion at your hands that haue bene so carefull for your health and safety I beséeche you abandon this your sadnesse and entertayne some rest to your vnquiet breast Which I see is ready to be ouer-whelmed with griefe Iconius quoth shee What heart opprest with so many cares and vexations as I haue endured could refraine from griefe What eyes that haue beheld such Crueltie can abstaine from sheadding infinite floods of brinish salt teares Or what creature subiect to miserie could contayne her Sences within the boundes of reason And when all these are happened and so any occasions of discontent concurred togither yet in the middest one mischiefe greater then all the rest is befallen to mee Is not Irus that cruell King of Tunis within this Caue my great enemie my liuing Foe that hath brought mee to this miserie Who is your professed Friende To whose councell you will rather yéelde then any way conrfime your promise vnto mee past to conuey mée to the Getulian Court But if you remaine constant then I haue the lesse cause to feare Irus but if you condiscend to bee ruled by his wicked perswasions then I know my sorrowes will be euerlastingly lengthened Iconius hearing her spéeches thought it best to glose with her and therefore made her this answere Good Ladie cast aside all such feare for Irus shall not so much ouerrule mee as once to make me falsifie my Word Neyther doo I thinke hee is of any such disposition but if hee bée I care not For what I haue promised I will vndoubtedly performe and would haue done it before this time but that your health would not permit the same Many other spéeches past betwéene them till at last Iconius left her and going to Irus tolde him all the spéeches that had passed betwéene him and Angelica Who by Iconins counsell dissembled his affection and though he were often in Angelicaes company he made no shew of such earnest Loue yet carelesly made recitall of his former deuotions Which he so cunningly dissembled that Angelica began to rest in assurance of Iconius fidelitie and in a perswasion that Irus had also giuen ouer his hote Loue and by that meanes she began to gather more comfore to her abated spirits Which by reason of those great troubles she had past and her late Sicknesse were brought into a weake operation And manie dayes after it was before shee hadde recouered her health which Iconius still made his excuse to the frustrating of her desired departure Parismenos likewise all this time wandred vp and downe the Desart liuing poorely vpon hard and wilde fruite and lying vpon the earth in his armor that the haire which then begun to bud had with a carelesse groweth shadowed some parte of his face which was growne to a great length and his complexion so much altered by care that hée could hardly be knowne of those that were familiarlie acquainted with him before In which time of his continuance in that place hee had at seuerall times met with Iconius consorts and slaine them because they refused to yéelde to him and denied to declare what they were hauing taken an oath and made a firme vow with Iconius before not to reueale which they Religiouslie kept though in other matters they obserued no ciuilitie At last Parismenos met with another of their fellowes which hée set vpon and soone brought in hazard of his liâ—…e but hée being of a more cowardly disposition then the rest fled and with much adâ—… escaped from Parismenos And â—…omming to Iconius told him what he had séene and how hée was handled by a strange Knight or rather a Sauage man that hunted the Desart then Iconius willed him to declare what Armour he had on That can I not doo quoth he for the same is so ouerworne olde and battered that neyther the colour nor other deuice therein can be discerned Assuredly quoth Iconius it is this knight that hath slaine so many of our companie as wee haue found dead which maketh mee thinke that hee is some distressed knight or banished as my selfe is which maketh mee pittie his case and could wish hee were with vs which paraduenture might giue him some comfort Many other spéeches they had of him beeing yet of no minde to séeke him out which Iconius determined to doo afterwards And thus continued Iconius consulting with Irus howe to winne Angelicas fauour Angelica likewise rested in hope that Iconius would conuey her to the Court and Parismenos continuing his sollitary and austere life in the Desart CHAP. XXXIII How treacherouslie Irus vsed Angelica How he was murthered by Anna. And of Parismenos arriuall at Iconius Caue How hee rescued Anna from a most violent death and of other accidents that befell AFterwardes when Angelica had fullie recoured her health Irus thought the time now most fitlyest serued to insinuate himselfe into her fauour for the fierce flames of his restrained affections did furiouly boyle in his brest by Iconius counsell would hée oftentimes frequent her company but in such sort as that hée séemed to pittie her Passions and would oftentimes enter into discourses of great penitencie for his outrage commited against her but in such sorte that hée craued her good opinion of his good intent towards her This behauiour hée vsed so long that Angelica beganne to conceyue well of him and to remitte some parte of her conceiued displeasure and also her feare of his further crueltie And many times Iconius and all the rest of their company béeing out of the Caue left Irus alone with Angelica who behaued himselfe in such decent sort and with such kinde behauiour towards her that Angelica thought hée had vtterly abandoned his former rude and vnciuill behauiour Iconius afterwardes one day béeing in talke with Irus eespyed one of his associate come in gréeuouslie wounded who declared that hée had mette with a straunge Knight from whome hée had hardly escaped with his life Iconius hearing this his spéeches was much troubled in his minde to know what hee should bée that within some thrée dayes after making Irus priuie to his intent went out of the Caue accompanied by all the rest of his fellowes to him and left Irus alone in the Caue Who after Iconius departure seated himselfe downe in a melancholie studie thinking himselfe too foolish to liue so long in the sight of his beloued Angelica without any hope of her sauour and also began to perswade himselfe that Iconius had some other intent then he made shewe of which might disappoint him of obtaining her custodie and then beganne to recall to his secret viewe her diuine perfections which thought inflamed his heart with such desire that the loue and earnest affection which hée had by Iconius good counsell restrained burst out into an excéeding inflamed lust that hée presently
come to enioy my Parismenos then when my Father imprisoned mee so closely in the Mayden Tower No time yéelds me any rest from trouble No place giueth me securitie nothing but sorrow is allotted to my portion and nothing but endlesse and perpetuall miserie awaiteth my steppes Deare Mistresse quoth Anna I beséeche you adde comfort to your heart for I will vndertake to satisfie Iconius and make a currant excuse for Irus absence and howsoeuer it falleth out you shall be no way troubled therewith In diuers such spéeches they continued vntill the Night drue nigh and they expected Iconius returne Where we will leaue her Iconius being gone out of the Caue with intent to finde out the straunge Knight tracing vp and downe most part of the day before he could finde him But at last passing by the place where he had rescued Angelica from Irus Parismenos espyed him hauing but two knights at that time with him and came out vnto him Iconius espying him comming to him said Knight I haue wandred all this day to séeke you but was frustrated till now the cause was for that my Knights were sometimes slaine and often Wounded by your valor that maketh me desirous to know the cause of your discontent being Willing to doe you what pleasure I can and also to bee acquainted with you therefore I pray you let me know what you are I am quoth he a miserable Wretch ordained to euerlasting torment banished from ioy exiled from Content Wretched and vnfortunate I séeke no companie nor desire acquaintance I care not for ease but discontent pleaseth mee best This life I leade not by constrainte but that none so well agreeth with my fancie Care kéeps me company and this Desart is fittest for mee to dwell in Syr quoth Iconius it séemeth some great mischaunce hath driuen you voluntarily to take this course or else the crueltie of Friends hath exiled you their companie Both qd he But what are you that séeke so much my acquaintance and knowledge I am quoth he a man as miserable as your selfe subiect to as manie misfortunes as your selfe and euery way filled with discontent if I should Name my selfe you knowe mee not hauing liued many yeares in this Desart a disconsolate and disquiet life my habitation being but simple Whither I come of purpose to bring you for that your Noble Chiualrie maketh mee honour you Where if you loue to liue in Discontent that place yéeldeth nothing but sadnesse yet with securitie Parismenos hauing well noted his spéeches beganne to maruell what hee should bee hearing him say hee had liued manie yeares in that Desart thought it good to sée his habitation and therefore saide Syr Knight although I know not whether I may with security giue credite to your spéeches or no yet if you will vouchsafe me such kindenesse I will accept thereof and for a time contrarie to my purpose take some ease Syr quoth Iconius you shall vppon my faithfull promise rest voyde of treacherie and be as secure as my selfe These spéeches past they departed towardes the Caue continuing as they went in some conference Where they arriued euen at such time as Angelica had ended her spéeches And being entred Iconius told Parismenos that was his habitation whether he was Welcome Then stepping into Angelicaes roome he thought to haue found Irus there but séeing her heauinesse and in what sort both shee and Anna by her sate Wéeping he came vnto her with kinde behauiour demaunding her cause of sorrowe But she casting downe her eyes to the Earth made no answere With that hee beganne to suspect Irus had done her some wrong and maruelling that hee could not see him with her nor in the other roome he returned to Anna and asked her if she could tell where he was Who made him answere that she knew not where he was now but that he had bene there not long since With that casting his eyes downe to the earth in 〈◊〉 studie hee espyed the Floore stayned and besprinckled with gore-blood that therewithall his heart began to swell And looking with a fearfull countenance hee asked what blood that was With that Angelica cast downe her eyes and Anna blusht but hee being earnest to know demanded againe What blood it was Anna then answered It is some of Irus blood spilt by himselfe Why quoth he did hee that déede Because quoth she Angelica would not giue consent to his wicked Lust. Where is he now saide hee I know not answered Anna neyther doe I care With that Iconius perceiuing the tract of blood that went out of the Chamber followed the same to his bed Which he found all bestained therewith and againe followed the blood to the Caues mouth that hee was assured that Irus was slaine that in a monstrous rage he ranne in againe to Anna saying Irus is murthered and you haue done the déede Anna then knowing her selfe guiltie stoode as one confounded with feare but at last reuiuing her selfe from her dumps shee said If I did murther him I did it but to saue my owne life and Angelicaes honour With that hee was so enraged that hee drue his Sword and in a furie would haue slaine her but that she with spéede ranne out of the roome and hee after her ready to strike her dead Parismenos hearing that noyse and séeing Iconius pursuing the Damzell being of a quicke conceit euen as the blow was descending stept vnder the Sword and caught the blow Which otherwise had partēd her life Iconius being inraged strooke another at him vntill Parismenos drawing his Sworde saide Holde your hands and knowe whome thou strikest or I will gore my Sworde in thy heart blood Pardon me good Knight quoth hee Rage made me forget my selfe What Damozell is that quoth Parismenos you would haue slaine It is quoth hee one that hath murthered my deare friend By this time some of them had caught Anna and brought her backe Whom Iconius offered againe to haue slaine but that Parismenos hauing séene her countenance knewe her and staying Iconius againe saide Be not so rash without aduisement to lay such violent handes on a sillie Damozell and before you execute reuenge be better aduised and first knowe the truth of the fact she hath committed and vpon what occasion shée was vrged thereto I will not quoth Iconius followe your counsell but now shee hauing confest the déede I will be seuerely reuenged by her life and nothing else shall make me satisfaction for his blood which shee hath shead Discourteous Knight qd he art thou voyde of humanitie or doo I wish thée to doo any thing that disagreeth to reason I sweare by Heauen let but a haire of her head perish by thy accursed hand and thy death shall be the ransome Here doe I stand in her defence and therefore the prowdest of you all touch her and if you dare With that Iconius said Doest thou requite my friendship in this sorte to take part with my enimies or tell me Doost thou
his knowledge was not to be séene that by constrained mirth hée past away the time in such Banquetting and other pastime as the King entertained him withal which were such as he much wondred at And night being come with all statelinesse that might be hée was by them conducted to his Lodging which was most sumptuously adorned with most precious and rich hangings that the place séemed a new Paradice for there wanted nothing that might either delight the eare or eye Lodgings for his Noblemen Knights and seruants were placed in such manner that they séemed by their scituation to be gardiants to their Lords person hauing then taken his leaue of the King and Quéene he betooke himselfe to his rest CHAP. II. How Parismus hauing soiourned some dayes in the Thessalian Court being frustrated of seeing the Princesse Laurana imparted his mind to Oristus one of his Knights by whose meanes afterwards he came to to a fight of her And what befell afterwards AFter Parismus was come to his Chamber hee called to him Oristus the onely man whome he trusted and asked him how hée liked the Court of Dionisius My Lord quoth hée the small continuance I haue had therein might be suficient to excuse me from sensuring thereof but to satisfie your demaund I doe estéeme and thinke of it as a most renowned and Honorable place But said Parismus what if thy Lord shal here purchase that which shal be worse theÌ„ death vnto him vnlesse hee haue remedie what wouldest thou then thinke I would my Lord said he speake my opinion if I knewe whence the originall of that euill should procéede From my selfe said Parismus for thus it is Thou I am sure hast heard of the renowned Lauarana and of the Hnoourable report that is spred of her Beautie and vertues which driueth me into manifolde thoughts because I cannot beholde that beautie therefore I impart my minde to thee as to the onely man I trust that vnlesse I can by thy meanes haue some hope of comfort I will both curse the houre of my Natiuitie and remaine hereafter in continuall griefe therefore counsell mee what I were best to doe herein My Lord saide Oristus since it pleaseth your Highnesse so much to fauour me as to chuse mee to be your ayde herein I wil most faithfully speedily do to my vttermost to accomplish your desire I pray thée then doo it said Parismus with all speeds for my restlesse passions require counsaile I haue said Oristus some acquaintance with Lord Remus who is greatly fauoured of the King continually Resident in the Court and well beloued of all by whose meanes I do not doubt but both to haue some certain knowledge of the Princes as also soone to bring you to her speech according as you haue put me in trust so I will vse all the meanes I can to purchase your content Much part of the night being past Parismus betooke himselfe to his rest and Oristus to his lodging In the morning Dionisius being early vp vsed his accustomed maner to visit his guests and coÌ„ming to Parismus Chamber he found him not there but walking in a gallery thereto adioyning and saluting him said Noble Prince if you are not weary of your late iourney I would request your company to goe â—…n hunting this day for that I haue appointed to maetâ—… a noble friend of mine at the Forrest of redde Déere for so it was called for the abundance of those beasts that the Country breedeth where you shall sée what pastims the Houndes can make Which Parismus kindly accepted Oristus he staied behinde to the ende to brng his purpose to effect and walking into the Gardein he chaunced according to his desire to méete with Lord Remus who hauing saluted him said he was glad to finde him at leisure to haue some conference with him about their acquaintance so that walking into a solitary Arbour talking of diuers matters it chaunced the Princes Laurana thinking to recreate her selfe in the Gardein for that she thought all the Nobles had bene gone with the King her Father on hunting to come accompanied with her mayden Leda vnto the solitary place where Lord Remus and Oristus were then talking espying Lord Remus who she presenly knew My Lord quoth she I had thought you had bene on huÌ„ting this day but I see your mind is busied with some other excercises Most noble Princes quoth he if I had goÌ„e on hunting I shuld haue left this honorable Lord without company so that I thought if my dutie to kéepe him from better studies with my homely talke so thée kindly saluting them told Oristus he was welcome to her fathers court and therewith departed Quoth Oristus My Lord is this the Princes Laurana of whome I haue heard such rare commendations in Bohemia it is said hée the very same and the most vertuous and courteous Lady that liueth this day who very seldome commeth abroad but continually giueth her mind to practise excellent qualities amongst other vertuous Ladies During this there talke they had walked about the Place to the end that Oristus might behold the statelynesse thereof who hauing séene all things and knowing which was Lauranas lodging was in some measure comforted by that knowledge Thus the day being spent and the King returned from hunting Parismus came to Oristus and required of him if hée had heard of Laurana and what comfort there was for him My Lord quoth he I haue beheld her and heard her heauenly voyce which is able to astonish any man with her exceeding beautie relating vnto him all the conference hée had with the Lord Remus which did greatly reioyce him to heare and so betooke himselfe to his rest where he spent the most part of the night in meditating how to come to talke or haue a sight of her Uery early the next morning taking a booke in his hand hée went into the Garden that was vnder Lauranas Chamber window where hauing walked a while hee spied her looking out that hée stood as one halfe amazed to behold her wonderfull beautie for though hée had neuer séene her before yet his fancie perswaded him it was shee which perceiuing slipping backe called Leda vnder her asking herif shee knewe the Knight that walked vnder her windowe who certified her it was the Prince of Bohemia whereat Laurana blusht so excéedingly that her heart séemed to leape within her then secretly looking out she diligently beheld him taking such general view of his comelinesse that presently her fancie began to commend his person féeling in her selte a kinde of delight to behold him but Parismus séeing her gone began to reprous himselfe of â—…olly that by his rashnesse had depriued himselfe of her sight By that time he had walked there a short space Oristus came to tell him that the King expected his comming into the grâ—…t Chamber which caused him to depart giuing a sadde looke to the window as very vnwilling to leaue the sight therof recounting to Oristus how