before her that with as much spéede as shee could shee ranne quite out of the Woodde but yet not setting eye on him the night approaching shée was drawne into an exdéeding feare of his welfare and her owne daunger For to goe backe by the Wood she durst not fearing least shée might againe méete the Furious Beast and to goe further shée thought it in vaine for she saw no likelyhood hée was come out of the Woodde and there what with griefe and wearinesse shée sate downe vpon a banque encombred and ouerwhelmed with a thousand cares and giuing her minte some respit to ponder on her miserable estate for feare of her most déere Knights daunger she entered into such heauie plaints and lamentations that euen the very woods and meddowes whereinto she was wandred seemed to impart her sorrowes yéeld pittie to her cries scorching fighes At which very instant I knowe not by what vnluckie destinie Archas the cruel so called for his cruell tiranny came to the hearing of her lamentations and drwing nigh to her demaunded her cause or sorrow Sir knight quoth shée I am a stranger that lately came â—…om Thessalie with the Prince of this Countrie and this day comming into these woods with my Lord husband Pollipus a mighty Beare encountred vs whom he pursuing I haue â—…ost and am wandred hither not knowing whâ—…h way to retire Archas all this while well noting her excéeding beautie and swéet deliuery of spéech the gratious moouing and disposition of her eyes which had power to pierce millions of hearts felt such an inward effect of transitorie confusion in himselfe that he resolued hauing so fit oportunitie offered him to trie his wittes to win her loue or exercise by that meanes some reuenge against Parismus whom he mortally hated vttering these spéeches Most swéete Ladie my heart is so much tormented to sée the sorrow you néedlesly make for no doubt your Knight is in safetie pleaseth it you to accept of my seruice my seruants shall guard you to the Bohemian Court where you shall find him and my selfe will searche the Wood to giue him knowledge of your returne Violetta kindly thanked him for his courtesie who presently mounted her behinde one of his seruants giuing them â—…ete warning to conuey her to his owne Castle which was scituate in the mountaine himselfe tooke her Scarffe which he said he wold deliuer vnto Pollipus as a token that shée was in safetie wherewith he departed back into the Wood and tare the same into many peeces heere scattering one and there confusedly casting an other with all hast rode an other way to his Castle All which was effected before any of the Bohemian Knightes were come by which meanes their diligent search was al in vaine which draue Pollipus to such an extacie of sorrow that he was almost mad whom Parismus comforted with many perswasions vntill Pollipus vttered these spéeches My louing L. neuer shall quiet possesse this brest rest giue case to my body nor sléepe refresh my sences vntill I haue found my beloued whose loue is my life whose safetie is my welfare whose quiet is my chiefest content At which very instant came Tellamor bringing the torne scarffe which Archas hadde strewed which when Pollipus beheld a chill colde dispearst through all his vaines and his vitall breath began to leaue his troubled brest and all his fences forgat their wonted vse Which when Parismus behelde hée caught him in his armes saying Most noble knifiht where is now your patieÌ„ce wherewith you wontedly endured extremities no doubt for all this Violetta is in health onely wandred out of the way gotten â—…o some house where we shall heare of her to morrow then comfort your selfe and be not thus ouercome with griefe for be you assured nâ—… harme hath betide her O my Lord quoth hee my vertuous Violetta my constant friend the most truest loue that euer wretch inioyed is perished What comfort what quiet what rest what content what respit or what ease can I giue to my troubled minde since she is fallen into decay shee most purest most sweetest most kindest and truest Lady that euer liued how can I recouer this lesse how can I plague my selfe sufficiently for my misdeeds these woods condemne me her ghost accuseth mée and all the world will hate mée miserie wayteth my steps sorrow pincheth my heart griefe compelleth me and care inforceth mée to be thus impatient Whilest I stand here she may be in danger whilest I am negligent the wilde beasts may deuoure her body then stay me me not for I am resolued eyther to finde her or loose my selfe and therewith in a great furie flung into the Woodde Parismus séeing his sorrowe and this mishap stoode like one in a traunce not knowing how or which way to remedie the least of these euils and in that most sad and heauie estate returned to the Court with his heauie newes which turned all their ioy into heauinesse especially Laurana and all in generall that had knowledge of Violettas vertues made great lamentation for her losse CHAP. II. How Violetta arriued at Archas Castle and what befell to Pollipus afterwards ARchas seruants with great spéede hasted towards their Maisters Castle and soone arriued there before whose comming their Maister had caused all thinges to bée prepared in good order for Violettaes entertainment who béeing entred the perceiued her selfe to bée in a strange place which draue her into an extreame feare and enquiring of them why they had not conueyed her to the Bohemian court they told her being instructed before that they had mistaken their Maisters meaning and withal intreated her to pardon them also to be a meanes to pacifie his wrath whom they were assured would bée greately offended with them Which words of theirs altered that feare and added some little comfort to her minde Presently two Gentlewomen welcommed her with great courtesie comforting perswading and intising her to remit all care vntill Archas returne whom they assured was so honourable and vertuous a knight as shee needed not any way doubt of his diligence There was great store of â—…licates prouided for her which seemed more loathsome then gall to her sight Long they séemed to stay for Archas returne who absented himselfe to colour his treacherie but when in a great while hée came not they intreated her to taste of that meate which was prouided they saide for his supper But she poore soule could not eate one bit but all things séemed to be hatefull their sweete Musicke harsh their courteous entertainment rude and barbarous and that well adorned place more lochsom then a prison nothing but care and griefe could take place in her vnquiet brest After supper they brought her to a most pleasant chamber where all things were most neatly prouided comforting her with many perswasions that Archas was at the Bohemian Court to expect her comming and by reason of the nights approach could not come back that night but should early
to put him to death And how Maximus threwe him into the Lyons denne AFter that the Knight of Fame was departed front Lybia and Venola had knowledge thereof by Flauia she continued many dayes in great sorrow but afterwards by tract of time calming her griefe but no whit her affection by Flauiaes perswasions who was priuie to all her Actions Turned her former good Will that was grounded vpon Uertue to lust and mad desire That séeing she could not by fayre meanes winne him to loue her shee thought to leaue no meanes vnafsayed eyther by force to compell him thereto or else in some measure to be reuenged on him for his discourtesie The minde being alwayes readie by euery perswasion to yéelde to worke any meanes for to procure desired content euen so casting about many deuises with Flauia one day finding fit opportunitie when the King was in his dumpes for Venolas sickenesse came vnto him and told him that the cause of his Daughters sickenesse was procured by an exceeding flight she had taken by the discourteous vsage of the Knight of Fame who for that cause was lately fled from the Court which vntill that day she had concealed from her neither should she euer recouer her selfe vntill she were in some hope to be reuenged of him The King willed her to declare the same vnto him Flauia then began as followeth My Lord this Knight presuming often into my Mistresse presence by reason of the kindenesse she shewed him for working her relase in Brandemors Castle which hee well deserued began oftentimes to make loue to her whom sheé answered in good sort being vnwilling to make choise of any but by your appointment but in the end his sute grew to that importancy that he would haue no deniall but comming into her Chamber chusing his fittest opportunity when my Mistres was in her bed and surprising her vnawares offred her excéeding shame and villany but being by her striuing and out-crie disappointed of his full intent he presently fled away The King hearing Flauias speeches was exceedingly enraged with furie commanding his Knights to poste euery way to learne where he made his abode This newes being spread at last came to a Knight of Natolia who by occasion was then in the Lybian Court who presently came to the King and told him that he needed not to make inquirie for the Knight of Fame for that he was at the Golden Tower The King hearing that newes was exceedinglie glad thereof commanding his Knights to stay their iourney writing a Letter to Maximus to this effect MOst mighty King I salute you requesting you to worke reuenge in my behalfe vpon a traitor who now remaineth with you who hath dishonoured my Daughter hee is called the Knight of Fame assuming that name to colour his wicked practises who no doubt will soone deuise some mischiefe against your persoÌ„n let him not escape your hands but rather send him to mee that I may reuenge that monstrous iniury he hath done me by his life which onely shall satisfie me Thus remembring my loue to you and desiring your secrecie I cease Your brother of Libia Hauing written this letter and sealed it with his signet he presently sent the same by certaine of knights to the Golden Tower who as effectually dispatched their iourney as he had giuen them straight charge and arriuing at the Golden Tower deliuered the Letter to Maximus who hauing read the same and well considered the circumstance which augmented his hatred and suspition already begunne against the Knight of Fame presently comming to the place where hee was in talke with Marcellus he caused him to bee apprehended and without any other iudgement caused him presentely to be cast into a denne of Lions to be deuoured The Knight of Fame was no sooner put into the denne but the Lyons made an exceeding roaring that those without assuredly iudged him deuoured and himselfe expected nothing but that terrible and fearefull death but the Lyons who by nature will not harme those of Roiall bloud spared his life and not so much as offered to touch him but were rather terrified with his presence He being glad of this happy escape began to assure himselfe that he was sprung of kingly race which greatly comforted his heart and added a perswasiue hope to comfort himselfe withall that by that occasion hee should attaine to Anglicaes loue if he could worke meanes for his releasement out of that place most of all he wondred why Maximus had offered him that outrage In these and such like cogitations he spent the rest of the day Marcellus séeing the knight whom he most dearely loued destroied without iudgement equity or cause was so inwardly inraged that he was in minde oftentimes to work himselfe iniurie and seek meanes of reuenge if he knew who had been the causer therof and not knowing what to doe nor in whose company to spend his time he presently thought to goe to Angelica whom he thought bare some good will to the knight of Fame with her to bemoane his vntimely death but comming to the place where she was he would haue entred therin but Collimus according to Maximus command denâ—… him and that the more obstinately for that he knew none fauoures the knight of Fame so much as he whâ—… he mortally hated Marcellus beeing before sufficiently inraged was now so much more vexed that hee drewe his dagger and with a violent blow stabbed the same to Collimus heart and withall going to Angelica hee found her very sad little thinking of these mischances who seeing him in that rage which shee soone perceiued by his behauiour she came vnto him hauing seated himselfe downe in a chaire and desired to know the cause of his wrath O Sister quoth he this place is the harbour of cruelty tyrannie and dishonour which in times past hath beene famous and a receipt of honour but shortly will be hated and shunned as odious and ominous and all procured by the foolish Diuining of a wicked Harlot that hath filled my Fathers head with such fancies that hee forgetteth himselfe his Honour and Kingly behauiour and giueth credit to none but flatterers and parasites imprisoning his children murthering his friends and séeking the subuersion of honour and honourable knights Oh Angelica what should I say or to whom should I complaine he hath slaine Uertue he hath destroied Honour he hath murthered my deere Friend that kinde and courteous knight he hath cast the vnknowne most honourable though vnknowne Knight of Fame into the Lions denne without iudgement iustice right or triall Angelica hearing his words was readie to swound with griefe but that feare to discouer her loue withheld her but beeing not able to refraine from teares shee withdrew her selfe aside to conceale the same which Marcellus espying caught her in his armes and said Nay deare Sister doe not conceale your griefe for his death from me that loue you so much the better and if you euer conceiued any good liking of him
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
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
happie as to carrie any such good newes to my Ladie or were hee so happie as to arriue in this place that hee might be at your courteous disposition who I am sure for my Mistresse sake would â—…eate him well but had Andramart well marked her countenance it would haue bewrayed that which shee concealed and hee desired For thee thought the time very long vntill â—…hee were come to her Ladie with these ioyfull newes and hee being satisfied with her aunswere let her depart vnto her Mistresse Chamber where shee was no sooner entred but shee declared vnto her the cause why Andramart had called her foorth and that shee was assured Parismus and Pollipus were arriued rehearsing how they had slayne aboue twentie of Andramarts Seruants and that they were inclozed in a Yarde where they remained in very good estate Laurana was reuiued with such ioy to heare her déere Lord named that her heart leapt within her and a thousand times imbraced Leda for bringing that happie Newes Then shee began to consider of the estate they remained in being inclozed that they could not get out which thought was most grieuous vnto her but by the comfortable spéeches of Leda she was in great assurance of theyr happie escape out of all daungers in which gâ—…d hope shee remained with a most longing desire to heare some more Newes of them Andramart determining not to vse such rage as to famish them for that hee had in him some sparkes of Hâ—…nitie caused sufficent meate to be ministred vnto them fortifying his Castell so strongly as hee could possiblie deuise Hâ—…e was likewise giuen to vnderstand that the Passage towards the Sea was strongly fortified and defended that none could passâ—… that way which brought a great terrour to his minde The Imprisoned Knights continued in great care earnestlie studying to ridde themselues from that thraldome At last they concluded in the sâ—…ent time of the â—…ght to seâ—… Adonius on the Wall who could get downe 〈◊〉 goe â—…o Barzillus to will him send them some Cordes 〈◊〉 with they could make a Ladder which was the readyest meanes to further theyr intent which Violetta vndertooke most willingly nothing regarding the danger shee should put herselfe into thereby and so with much adoo they got her to the toppe of the wall whose heart began to faile when shee saw the height she should leape downe being vnaccustomed to such perills But remembring the parties for whose sake shee should vndertake that hazarde arming her selfe with an vnwoonted courage not agreeable to her Sexe and weake nature shee leapt downe and the Earth refusing to harme so sweete a Creature safely escaped the danger of the fall and with a ioyfull heart went towards the place where Barzillus remained which shee could scarcely finde by reason that it was darke and remembring the danger of the place she thought euery Bush that encountred her viewe had bene her enemie But with more then accustomed boldnesse in her Sexe shee soone arriued at the Passage where Barzillus was not slâ—…eping but carefully attending his chaâ—…ge Who espying Adonius requested to knowe howe his dâ—…re Lord and Pollipus fared who declared vnto them effectually the estate they remained in and the cause of his comming which Barzillus presently performed hauing good sâ—…ore of such prouision aboord his Shippe and leauing the custodie of the Passage to such of his Companie as â—…ee knewe to be both Couragious and faithfull he departed and went with Adonius vnto the Castle wall and with their Ladder mounted the toppe of the same so that both of them went ouer vnto the Knights who most ioyfully welcommed Barzillus Who hauing saluted them and conferred about theyr Exploytes at theyr intreatie hee departed againe vnto his charge whereon depented the chieâ—…est staye of all theyr safeties for that they knewe diuerse of Andramarts Seruants were abroade whose arriuall might much endamage them To preuent which it behooued them to haue an especiall regard being gladde that they had gâ—…tten this dâ—…ce they presently put the same in execution and gotte ouer into the next Court the statelinesse of which place in their opinion excelled for sumptuousnesse all the buildings that euer they beheld In the midst of the Court stood a most stately erected Fountaine whereon werr placed many beautifull Images of most curious ingrauen worke the pleasantnesse of which place much delighted theyr troubled cences to behold vnder which fountainet hey stayed to behold the gallant buildings stately Turrets and sumptuous walles that outwardly adorned the place expecting the cheerefull light of the Sunne to comfort them in their distresse which presently began to shew his splendant beames which glistered vppon the glasse windowe that the place seemed another Paradice and there they attended the conclusion of their attempt either to their comfort or confusions The first that entred the Court they layed hands on and by compultion vrged him to declare what force was in the Castle Who vppon promise that they would not offer him violence tolde them that lately there ariued at the Castle two of Andramarts Brethren being esteemed men of great courage which inhabited the further parts of that Iland who were determined to make tryall of their strength that day the eldest named Guilmor the other Bramon And that Andramart determined if that his Brothers failed himselfe would make triall of his fortune but if all of them failed hée had a hundred seruants readie in Armour to ayde him Parismus hearing his spéeches began greatly to dispaire of victorie considering that suâ—…d a number were in readinesse onely against them two but such was the constant resolution of these two Knightes that choosing the â—…test place for their furtherance in Fight they detemined to trye the vttermost of their Fortune Andramart being early vppe and discoursing with his Brethren about their affaires by chance lookt out at a window and espied where the Knights that hée thought had beene sure enough were walking at libertie which strook such a terror to his minde that at the very sight thereof his heart failed him which so altered his former purposes of crueltie that he thought it his best course to vse himselfe towards them as agreed with an honourable minde For notwithstanding that oftentimes in tyrannicall manner hee persecuted such ss neuer offended him yet hee often shewed many tokens of a courteous and vertuous minde though altogether darkened by his crueltie which together with the feare he had of these Knights valour and séeing their resolution caused him to come to his Brethren with these spéeches Behold quoth hée yonder are the Knights that haue escaped out of the place I had inclosed them in and are come to worke my further daunger hauing alreadie by their valour slaine twentie of my best seruants two more goodlier knights did I neuer behold which maketh mee pittie the estate they are in béeing likely now to suffer death by your Inuincible strength and were it not that I had sent for you to aide mée herein
delude me with fond spéeches for thou canst not performe any thing that can further mee heerein My Lord said shee doe but trie me once more and if I faile then let mee endure the most heauy doome of your euerlasting displeasure Adonius quoth hee if it bee to pleasure thée any way I will galdly do it for the friendship I haue found in thée then I pray thee as thou louest me and tendrest the sorrowes I indure do not delay me with thy spéeches for I know they proceed from kindnesse to make me forget my sadnes and not to do me any benefit in the thing thou speakest of for I shall neuer be so happie as to be beloued of her who I feare me left her fathers house to shun my company But notwithstanding the little hope of comfort I conceiue by thy meanes to pleasure thée before I depart tell me what it is thou demandest and if it bee in my power thou shalt obtaine it Violetta was ashamed to vtter her minde in that place but being sure he could not behold her blushing Chéekes said the request that I make is this that you will giue mee your faithfull promise that at such time as it is you hap to meete Violetta and obtaine her good will that the first night you will not offer to doe any thing that may tend to her dishonour Upon mine houour said Pollipus I will not doe any thing whatsoeuer disagreeable to her will for so deare doe I esteeme her that I would rather destroy my selfe then shee should be any way displeased with me Then know worthy knight quoth she I am that Violetta you so earnestly enquire after I am the party that haue so long time procured your discontent and I am shee whose absence you haue so oft bewailed and now I am constrained to manifest my selfe vnto you desiring you to pardon my hard hartednesse that haue so long concealed my selfe and thereby procured your disquiet Pollipus hearing her speeches could not tell what to say being halfe perswaded it was she by remembring her countenance and the behauior she had vsed in al their trauels as also calling to minde her kindnes now at length her owne speeches could not resolue what to do for that his fancy still perswaded him it was not Violetta And on the other side he had a mighty perswasion it might be she at last he said I know not what to coniecture nor how to behaue my selfe nor whether I should call you Adonius or Violetta considering how vnlikely it is she should be so kind to me and how certaine I am that Adonius hath done me manifold pleasures Then sweet Violetta if you are she resolue mee of this my doubt being thereby driuen to that hopefull despaire that I know not whether my fortune be better or worse then it was Violetta shrinking a little back said Pardon me déere Polipus for I am your vnworthy friend Violetta that haue in this disguise made triall of my fortune and your friendship Pollipus then tooke her most louingly in his armes not offering other then his former promise did permit Yet he was in a doubt still and could not be quiet vntill he had vsed such kind meanes yet farre from dishonour as thereby he found shee was a virgin and no Page and therefore assured himselfe it was Violetta and folding her delicate and tender body in his manlike armes which he had oftentimes before imbraced but not with such kindnesse banishing all sadnesse from his sorrowfull heart with sweet and delightfull tontent he embraced her with that kindnesse that long parted Louers enioy when they so pleasantly meete spending the rest of the night in pleasing and delightfull communication and remembrances of their former kindnesses which augmented their ioyes to an exceeding height Oftentimes Pollipus would haue exceeded the limits of his former promise but shee reserued that fauour for the more honourable delight of their Nuptiall Bedde but with many pleasures such as true and loyall kindnes yeeldes Thus these two kind friends spent the time Violetta accounting her selfe most happy so enioy so constaut a friende as shee had found him by certaineties in their trauell and hee esteemed himselfe as happie that hee was beloued of Violetta that had not refused to hazarde her selfe in many dangers for his sake At last their minds being both at quiet and satified with blisfull content these two faithfull louers fell fast a sleepe Parismus enduring much heauinesse for his friends departure could scarcely entertaine a minutes rest to his troubled head therefore he was earely vp with intent to perswade Pollipus if he could from vndertaking that iourney and presently after these louers were a sleepe hee entred his Chamber where contrarie to his premeditated expectation he found him fast a sleepe and Adonius in most louing sort laying one hand vnder Pollipus head and the other embracing his manly breast séeming in his conceit the delightfullest sight that euer he beheld the supposed page being so beautifull that had hee not knowne him hee would haue iudged Venus her selfe had been there to comfort Pollipus with her sweet embracings But seeing his deare friend in such quiet and sweet rest he withdrew himselfe to meditate how to worke his friends comfort and stay his iourney By which time the Sun had lightned all the Chamber with his golden brightnesse the clearenes of whose splendor shining full vpon these louers awaked Pollipus but Violetta still lay sweetly slumbring and Pollipus shadowing her with the curtaines arose and soone found Parismus walking at his chamber doore who seeing him said My deare friend Pollipus I had thought to haue found you ready armed to depart according to your resolution yesterday but I hope you are rather determined to alter that purpose and stay with vs who desire nothing more then your companie and were not Adonius well known to me I should thinke you had embraced some diuine Goddesse in that kinde sort but notwithstanding let me intreate you stay some longer time with vs which was the onely cause of my comming vnto you at this instant And I desire you for all the friendship that hath passed betwixt vs bring mee so much more in your debt by obtaining this fauour at your handes My Lord quoth Pollipus I must confesse I am too sluggish to bee found sléeping at this instant while my minde should bée busied with more weightie matters Indéede according to your saying my Lord I thinke I haue either imbraced some goodnesse or a more diuine creature for my former resolution to trauell is quite dissolued and my heart at more quiet then it hath bin for my deare Violetta hath bene so kind as to visite me this night shewing my heart that cause of ioy as for euer while I liue I shall account my selfe bound to her and because your honor hath both bin acquaintd with my loue and al my intents haue vouchsafed me that fauour that I shall neuer requite I wel shew yon the
for Violettas sake Where we wâ—… leaue him to speake of Parismus Parismus heart was opprest with such griefe for the losse of the vertuous Violetta and the abâ—…ence of his deare friend Pollipus that day nor night he could neither by sleepe or other recreation giue any ease to his troubled head therefore he determined likewise to indure some trauell for their sakes that bâ—… suffered much miserie in his behalfe and when Laurana and hee were one night sweetly solacing themselues each in the others pleasant loue he tolde her his full intent desiring her not te be discontented therewith but to take his departure patiently Laurana hearing his spéeches was so ouercome with griefe that a flood of teares distilled from her precious eyes and twiâ—…ing her tender armes about his necks impressing a sweete kisse vpon his lips shee vttered these speeches Most noble Lord are you wearie of my company that you seeke to estraunge your selfe from mee by Trauell do you thinke I shal be able long to endure your absence well knowing how many dangers may hazard your person detaine your heauenly presence from my sight Thinke you that I can attaine anâ—… quiet without the fruition of your heauenly companie or euer suffer steepe to seize vpon my eyes while you are absent No sweet Lord with your departure all ioy and delight shall part from mee and neuer will I suffer any content to harbour in my brest Then most deare Loue which words shee vttered intermingled with a number of sweete kisses doe not leaue me in care doo not withhold my content doe not take away my sweetest delight but stay you still with mee and commaund your Knights to go in Violettas search who at the least beck will Post through the Worlde to doe you seruice and hazard not your person in strange Countreys nor amongst forâ—…aine enemies which may by somâ—… treachery worke your griefe my selfe wil here shrowd you from harm my armes shall inclose you from danger and my loue shall be the Forâ—… you shall conquer I will expell the sad remembrance of their losse with delightfull communication my selfe will rock your sences aseep with Musicke and my endeuours shall labor to purchase your content Then doo not séeke to leaue me comfortlesse to be waile your absence but makâ—… abode with me still and my loue shal shelter you from all perill Whicâ—… words being ended the ouerflowing of her Teares stopt the passage oâ—… her speech and sobbing foorth sighes she hung about his necke Parismus was exceedingly grieued to see her heauinesse that folding her precious bodie in his armes with a strict imbracing he laboured by delightfull Familiarities to expell her sadnesse which beeing somewhat mittigated he vttered these speeches Why deare Ladie what néede you make these complaintes considering you know nothing is so precious in my sight nor of so deere estimation with me as your sweet loue Or what neede you make spéech or take such feare of dangers when you see no cause of disquiet Why are you vnwilling that I shuld take a little paines for their sakes that wold haue haue many waies indangered their liues endured extream miserie for your sake How can I excuse my self of ingratitude to that courteous Knight Pollipus if whilest he passeth his time in sorrowfull care I should liue heere in ease not séeming to regard his miserie that would haue shunned no danger to procure my comfort How will all the Knights of the Cour esteeme of me but as of an ingratefull person if I shuld so much neglect the dutie of a Friend Then sweete Loue be not you the cause of my stay but let me obtaine your swéete consent and expell those confused cares that trouble your quiet for be you assured nothing can be more gréeuous vnto me then your discontent and nothing more pleasing then your accord the dangers accurrant to trauel are by wisedome easily auoided then be you assured that I will shun al hazard of mishap for your swéete sake and leaue you off to sorrow thus for that which you cannot with equitie contradict my stay shall not be long nor my iourney far then be you contented to vouchsafe your agréement and you shall thereby satisfie my content his speeches being ended with silence she gaue consent spending some time in sweet dalliance and in the ende â—…ell fast a sleepe Early in the morning Parismus with many swéet kisses took his leaue of Laurana who bedeawed her bed with a bundance of feares for his departure and falling into a déepe passion of feare she presently started vp arraying her selfe came downe into the court where Parismus was readie to take his horse running to him caught hold of him who maruelling thereat tooke her most louingly in his armes who was so far ouergon with griefe that shée could not speake a word but bestowing many swéete tear-wet kisses on her he left her amongst her maids and departed With him were Tellamor and Barzillus keeping company together some three dayes without aduenture at all at last they came to a goodly plaine whereinto a common beaten path conducted them vntill comming in the middest thereof there stooâ—… a brazen pillar from which parted three seuerall waies there they stayed deuising amongst themselues which of those wayes to take at last they concluded that each of them should take a seuerall way and solemnly taking theirleaues with kinde farewells they betooke each other to their good or bad fortunes CHAP. VII How Parismus called the knight of Fame woon the chiefe honor of the Tourney at the Court of the king of Thrace And hauing won Phylena the kings daughter was commaunded in a vision to giue her to Remulus PArismenos no otherwise known but by the name of the knight of Fame vnder which name he did passe till he came to the knowledge of his parents being as is before said in another Chapter coÌ„ueied by Amasenus to his castle sore wounded in the battel he had with Argalus and Thenudes was so carefully tended by the Dukes Phisitians that in a few daies they had brought him to his perfect remem brances and within short time after that to his perfect health which greatly reioyced the good old Duke who tooke great felicitie in his company for the many honourable parts he saw to abound in him And vpon a time in the presence of all his Court demaunded the cause of the combate betwéen him Argalus which he requested as well to knowe the truth thereof himselfe as to satisfie the suspitious mindes of many that inwardly maligned the discontented Knight vnto whom he declared the truth in manner as is before set downe saying This my lord is the truth of his misaduenture whom I neuer iniured but alwaies esteemed as my friends Amasenus was glad that no cause of discontent could be conceiued against him by any other of his Knights who enuied him because his noble gifts darkned their glories but yet his curteous and kind behauiour in
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
beeing as thou seest preserued by Diuine prouidence by the Kings cruelty by him vniustly cast into this place without any cause of offence but wrongfully as thou maiest perceiue by my preseruation for if my facte had deserued punishment no doubt I could not haue escaped the crueltie of these executioners hauing endured great danger of famishment Now my request vnto thee is that thou wouldest but suffer me to depart from hence without descrying me for I haue no reason to trust to Maximus courtesie and hauing already endured this miserie by his crueltie which thou maiest well doe without endangering thy selfe any kinde of way for there is none but doth assuredly thinke I am dead The Keeper hearing his spéeches and withall seeing how admirably hee was preserued and also fearing his owne death assured him by many vowes and protestations not onely doe that which hee had desireâ— but also would most faithfully execute what other thing soeuer he should command to his vttermost power Will thou then quoth he doe this for me Giue me the keyes and make fast the doore so that thou canst not goe from mee and then call downe thy boy and send him to Marcellus to request him to come to thee but in such sort that the boy may not see me and also to doe his message secretly which the Keeper told him he would most willinglie performe Then directing the Knight of Fame how to locke the doore that he could not escape hee called downe the boy who presently came to him whom he commanded to séeke out Marcellus secretly and to desire him that he would vouchsafe to come and speake with him about a matter of great importance The boy hauing receiued his message immediatly hasted to execute the same and most fortunatly met him in the outer Court to whom he declared the cause of his comming Marcellus maruelling why the Keeper had sent for him presently began to remeÌ„ber the knight of Fame with which his heart began to throb but hasting down to the den the keeper commanded his boy to depart and humbling himselfe to Marcellus told him that the knight of Fame was stil liuing Which said he ran in vnto him who had shrowded himselfe from his sight and told him Marcellus was come then presently hee came foorth whom Marcellus espying with great reioicing caught him in his armes and most louingly embraced him seeming to be reuiued with ioy in respect of the care opprest his minde before hee had knowledge of his safetie Manie courteous greetings past on either side Marcellus desired the Keeper not to reueale this secret to any for if it should come te my Fathers hearing it were impossible then to preuent his rigour and withall promised him that if he would let him lodge in his house but that night he would reward him most bountifullie and withall promised him to higher dignity and to such place of account as that hee would haue good cause to reioice that euer the Knight of Fame came within his house The Keeper both drawne by his owne good inclination and also by the hope of reward and preferrement beeing but poore promised his vttermost aide and assistance to pleasure him and withall to performe his full desire with such security that none should conceiue any suspition thereof with that they altogether departed vp into his Lodge where the knight of Fame refreshed himselfâ—… with comfortable meates beeing exceeding glad as hee had good cause of this successe and â—…endring many thanks to Marcellus who well deserued the same Marcellus being yet somewhat troubled in his minde about the Letter the King of Lybia had sent and desirous to be satisfied of the truth therein taking the Knight of Fame aside from the hearing of the keeper said as followeth Sir Knight although I haue shewen you this fauour and friendship which my fancie often perswaded mee to refnse yet vrged by the good will I beare you and for other considerations which I will yet conceale from you I could not choose but reioice at your safety and worke what meanes I can for your preseruation yet there remaineth a grudging in my conscience against you vntill you assure me by your faithfull oath to satisfie me of the truth of my doubt without fraud for if that be true which is alleaged against you by the affirmation of a king you deserue the punishment my Father inflicted vpon you and rather to be generally hated then beloued at all Most honourable Knight quoth he I know my selfe so cleare from all such villany as that I sweare and protest by my life by Heauen and by all the good that euer I expect which I desire to turne to my destruction it I tell you not the very truth Then quoth Marcellus the same day that the King my Father caused you to be throwne into the Lyons den the king of Lybia sent hither certaine of his Knights with a Letter wherein he accused you to haue most shamefully dishonoured his Daughter Venola desiring my Father to dispatch you out of the way for your life and nothing else might appease his ire which was the cause of his cruelty My Lord quoth the knight of Fame vpon mine honour my former oath and by all other truth and fidelity this accusation is most vniust false and vntrue which if I may by your fauour in whose hands my life now resteth haue liberty to approue I will maintaine the contrary euen in the gates of the king of Lybia and cause my accusers to confesse the contrary neither did I euer seeke loue at that Ladies hands by whose dishonourable meanes this false accusation is raised against mee Deare friend qd Marcellus you haue said inough and I rest assuredly satisfied of your loialty The knight of Fame was so inwardly vexed with this accusation that he was halfe mad with griefe but chiefly for that hee thought it was come to Angelicas hearing and might bee a meanes to cause her vtterly to forsake him which appalled his sences with extreame vexation that he stood like one transformed Marcellus perceyuing his Discontent desired him not to bee grieued but to ouerpasse the same vntill hee hadde meanes to prooue the con trarie My Lord replyed he How can I chuse but be sorrie when thereby I am dishonoured in euery mans opinion Which I account more dearer then my life Besides with what impatiencie may I shew my selfe before any Knight liuing but rather rid my hated selfe out of this miserable life which is the next way to salue this blemish But if you will vouchsafe câ—… heare the true reporte of the miseries I haue endured euer since my byrth you would say that I am the onely Mappe of sorrow and borne to perpetuall calamitie I desire nothing more quoth Marcellus With that hée rehearsed to him all that hee could of his bringing vppe in the Iland of Rockes his departure from thence and Shipwracke at Sea How hee was entertained by Duke Amasenus in Thrace and the treacherie
very soone they arriued Now it hapned that Parismus at that very instant was in the court who espying Violetta accompanied by two knights the one of them being greeuously woūded and as it were by his countenaunde manner of forced comming seeming captiue to the other and not knowing of any misaduenture that had befallen her wondred thereat and comming to her not wel knowing in what sort to salute those Knights being ignorant of the cause of their cōming he demāded where she had bin My Lord quoth she this knight meaning the knight of Fame hath preserued me from the dishonor of this most discourteous knight intended against me as I will declare vnto you presently With that Parismus most kindly embraced the knight of Fame departing altogither into the presence where was the king Queene Pollipus Laurana many others Pollipus seeing Violetta amōgst those strange knights maruelled thereat but she comming before the king vpō her knees desired instice against the woūded knight the king told her that shee should haue iustice Violetta then said as followeth Most mightie king I beseech you regard my complaint reuenge the monstrous wrong don me by this most wicked and abhominable homicide who hath offered monstrous outrage for this afternoone attended by my damozell I went forth of the court into the groue adioyning to the garden to recreate my selfe in the cooly shade where I had not long stayed but this discurteous Uillaine surprised me and caught hold of my damzel who made great exclamation fearing my harme whome he bound both hand and foote threatning if she made any noyse to murther her Which done he tooke me by violence and halling and pulling me most rudely and discourteously would haue conueyed me I know not whither vntill this valiant Knight by good fortune hearing my complaints redeemed me from his tyrannie The King hearing her speeches commanded the knight to discouer himsefe but he being exceedingly ashamed and loath to be knowne refused the same but at last by some of the Bohemian Knighs was vnarmed when presently Violetta knew him wherewith she gaue an exceeding start as if she had beene affrighted at his sight Parismus and Pollipus likewise knewe him certifying the King that it was Archas that had before offered the like villanie to Violletta which the King well remembred Then he said Cruell tyrant what excuse canst thou inuent to shelter this villanie what canst thou alleage in thy defence but that thou oughtest to suffer the most reproachful death that can be inuented but this censure will I giue of thee not to fauour thee but to deale iustlie with that Knight whose Prisoner thou arte and therefore as hee by right hath conquered thee so wee will that hee shall be thy iudge The Knight of Fame had all this while diligently viewed Lauranaes bewtie her countenance and euery part of her behauiour that he tooke great delight in viewing her but hearing the kings speech he vnarmed his head whom Parismus soone knew and most louingly embraced likewise Pollipus Violetta knowing him saluted him with many courtesies when presently Parismus declared vnto his father that it was the famous knight that was called the Lnight of Fame The King hearing that it was he of whome he had heard so many honourable reports rose from his kingly seat and embraced him most louingly and euery one in generall seemed to be most exceedingly delighted with his presence Laurana beholding his countenance felt an exceeding throbbing suddainly possesse her heart withall such a violent blushing flasht in her face that she wondred whence such sudden motions should proceed and was constrained to turne aside least any should perceiue her changing countenance and withdraue himselfe to a Window This alteration being wrought in her by a naturall instinct which shee was altogether ignorant of The Knight of Fame not vnmindfull to satisfie Violettaes wrong by some reuenge against Archas most humbly thankt the King for honouring him so much by giuing him authority to giue his Doome but qd he I most humbly intreat your Highnes to pardon mee and desire your Wisedome to whome hee hath bene offensiue to vse him as you please For it were great presumption for mee in this straunge place to censure of him in your Maiesties presence Then the King called Archas commaunding him to declare what mooued him to commit that outrage to Violetta but hée assuring himselfe of no lesse then death would make no answere Wherevpon the King commanding him to bee had to Prison appoynted that the next day he should loose his head Which was accordingly performed Who might peraduenture haue bene pardoned but that his owne conscience accused him more then those whome hee had offended and so according to his owne follie which had brought him to commit all those Wicked acts euen so hee was his owne Iudge For that his guiltie conscience would not suffer him to aske pardon After this iudgement giuen euery mans minde was in quiet hauing sufficiently scanned the circumstance of Violettaes misfortune The Knight of Fame was Royallie entertained and honourablie feasted by the King of Bohemia but especially Parismus and Laurana vsed him with excéeding kindenesse being for that night driuen to part from him without any conference But Laurana was so excéedingly troubled with his remēbrance that she could scarce take any rest at all that Night for thinking on him not knowing what should mooue her to such vnwoonted alteration that in the morning when Parismus and shée were in some conference about the Knight of Fame she saide My Lord I know not what should mooue me to thinke any such thought but I am perswaded that his arriuall will bring vs either some vnexpected ioy or sudden sorrow For since I first sawe him my heart hath neuer bene quiet neyther can I though I striue to the contrarie once put his remembrance out of my minde Which hath so fully possest my fancie that I could take no rest this night Myselfe qd Parismus haue felt the selfe-same Passion not onely nowe but also at my first méeting with him in the Forrest of Arde Which maketh mee partly of the selfe same opinion with you and also desirous to knowe of whence he is In this and such like communication they continued some time till Parismus left her and went to the Knight of Fame who was already in companie of Pollipus Whome Parismus most kindely vsed and afterwardes being at a most Royall Feast which was prepared onely for his more honourable Welcome After dinner being requested by Parismus who was desirous to know of whence he was there being the King and Quéene Parismus Laurana Pollipus and Violetta and diuers others he beganne to declare the whole discourse of his trauells to them in this sort If I should declare my Name and Byrth qd hee I know not how to beginne For that I my selfe am ignorant thereof but so much as I can remember I will hide no part from you I was brought vp in a
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