him selfe vpon his elâ—ow who espying her raised himself from the ground blushing at hâ—r presence to whom she said Why how now Parismenos what sadnesse is that which possesseth your mind that maketh you estrange your selfe from company to delight in sollitarinesse 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 remediâ— or not counsel you for your ease I am sure there are many would not refuse to vse their endeuours to pleasure you especially my self would both willingly do my best to comfort you and know the cause if it be not too secret Parâ—smenoâ— with humble reuerence made her this aunswere I beséech you do 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 quoth she let me knowe is it not loue yes most deare mother quoth he it is loue and to that beautiful Lady Angelica who beareth me the like affection but so farre am I from enioying her loue as that iâ— attainteth my heart with care to thinke thereof which is the cause of my sadnesse which will encrease rather then diminish if I do not shortly trauel thither being now assured of all other doubts and hauing finished my trauell in search to finde you out Therefore I most humbly beseech you to procure my Lord and fathers consent to my spéedie departure for without the fruition of her heauenly sight my liâ—e will be but wearisome Laurana hearing his spéeches perceiued indeed that his affection was great and therefore not to be remooued and well knowing by her owne former experience that loue was incurable she was the more ready to pittie his passions that she promised to further him in what she could beeing now assured of the cause of his sadnesse CHAP. XXII How Parismenos after the knowledge of his parents departed towards Natolia How hee met with Marcellus and what afterwards befell to him WIthin fâ—we daies after Parismenos returned againe towards Natolia but with much sorrow in the Bohemian court for his departure spending much time in trauell vntill he arriued at S. Austins Chappell hauing gotten him other armour because he would not be knowne and knocking at the Chappell doore presently olde Iabin came out to whom he discouered himselfe who knowing him reioyced exceedingly at his presence and safetie desiring him â—o come in for that he 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 â—abin began as followeth Most noble knight I wil declare vnto you all that I haue â—arned of â—he estate oâ— Marcellus so â—â—are as I can After that you were departed from hence the Natolian hauing conâ—inued theyr deligent search some thrée dayâ—s in the end returned to the Court frâ—sâ—rated of their desire whereby Maximus gaue no credence to that report â—â—t soone forgot the same remaining in great quiet Marcelâ—es by this time had recâ—uered his health lettâ—â— passâ— no time came hither thinking to haue sonnâ— you â—éere but hearing by â—y report of your departure â—ee seemed to be quite ouâ—rcome with grâ—â—fe and declared vnto mee all that had happened to you in the Golden Tower which you had declared vnto mee before and withâ—ll manifested what had happened vnto him and Angelica and how hee was so greeuously wounded then â—aâ—in declared the same 〈◊〉 as Marcellus had tolde him in the very same manner as is before â—â—â—lared when hée determined to haue conueyed Angelica to S. Ausiens Chappell the day his Father was on hunting And quoth hée Marcelius hauing tolde mee this withall shewed mee with what sorrow Angelica endured your absence Parismenos hauing heard his wordes which yéelded him full assurance of Marcellus â—riendship and Angelicas constant loue was therewith excéedingly comforted rehearsing to him how fortunately hee had found his Parents Iabin then began to vse him with more reuerence and more feruently to affect his company and good that at Parismenos request hée went towardes the Golden Tower to sée if hee could by any meanes speake with Marcellus which hée willingly at his requesâ— did and brought newes backe that Maximus was departed with the Quéene Marcellus and Angelica towards the Gittie of Ephesus which he learned of such as were gardâ—ants at the Golden Tower Parssmenos hearing that immediateâ—y departed thitherwards and entring the Cittie rode presently vnto the Court where â—ée met a Knight whome hée desired of courtesie to câ—rtifie Marcellus that there was a Knight who would speake with him which at his request hée presently went and performed and finding Marcellus in the kâ—ngs great hall hée told him there was a sâ—range knight at the Court gatâ— that was desirous to speake with him Marcellus maruelling who it should bee immediately went out vnto him being a Knight of excéeding vertue that hée would not refuse any courtesâ—e and though hée were sonne vnto a mightie King yet hée disdained not to fulfiâ—l his request though hée neither knew him nor the cause of his comming Parismenos beholding him immediately allighted from his stéed and with a kinde behauiour said Most noble and courteous Prince I desire to haue some few words in priuate conference with you from the knight of Fame Marcellus hearing him name the knight of Fame desired him to say on for there were none then present but such as hee trusted My Lorde quoth Parismenos because I knowe not whether I may discouer my selfe or no with safetie I am the knight of Fame and now altered in name but not in good will to you Marcellius hearing his wordes had much adoo to refraine from embracing him but yet for that hée would not haue any note the same hée abstained but said Most noble knight nothing could haue brought that ioye to my heart your presence doth beeing a long â—ime seuered from you by Fortunes vnconstant mutabilitie who altereth the estate of things according to her variable disposition trusting you haue not misdoubted of my good will though I came not to S. Austins Chappell according to my promise which I was about to performe but that my intent was crost But séeing you are thus happily returned and haue as I hope attained the knowledge of your parents in whose search olde Iabine tolde mee you were departed I desire you repose that assured confidence in my trustinesse that I will labour to procure your content euery way to my vttermost power your safetie and returne will bring no little ioy to my Sister Angelica which is impossible to giue her knowledge of for my father hath now garded her more stricktly then euer before neither is shée héere in this Court as the common report goeth but still remaineth in the Golden Tower
satisfie my content his spéeches being ended with silence she gaue consent spending some time in sweet dalliance and in the end fell fast a sléepe Early in the morning Parismus with many swéet kisses took his leaue oâ— Laurana who bedewed her bed with abundance of teares for his departure and falling into a déepe passion of feare she presently started vp and arraying her selfe came downe into the court where Parismus was readie to take his horse running to him caught hold of him who maruailing thereat tooke her most louingly in his armes who was so far ouergon with griefe that she could not speake a word but bestowing many swéete tear wet kisses on her he left her amongst her maide and departed With him were Tellamor and Barzillus kéeping company togither some thrée dayes without aduenture at all at last they came to a goodly plaine wherinto a common beaten path conducted them vntill comming to the middest thereof there stood a brazen pillar from which parted thrée 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 their leaues with kinde farewells they betooke each other to their good or bad fortunes CHAP. VII How Parismenos called the knight of Fame woon the chief 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 knowne but by the name of the Knight of Fame vnder which name he did passe till he came to the knowledge of his pareÌ„ts being as is before said in another Chapter coÌ„ueied by Amasenus to his castle sore wounded in the batâ—el he had with Argalus and Thenudes was so carefully tended by the Dukes Phâ—sitians that in a fewe daies they had brought him to his perfâ—ct remembrances and within short time after that to his former 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 demanded the cause of the combat between him Argalus which he requested as well to know the truth thereof himselfe as to satisfie the â—uspitious mindes of many that inwardly maligned the discontented Knight vnto whom he declared the truth in maner as is before set downe saying This my lord is the truth of our misadueÌ„ture whom I neuer iniuried but alwaies estéemed as my deare friends Amasenus was glad that no cause of disconâ—ent could be conceiued against him by any other of his knights who enuied him because his noble gifts darkned their glories but yet his â—rieous kind behauiour in short time expelled that rancor they that â—efore were his enemies began to make good estimation of him and his fame began to spred it selfe in most parts of Thrace and all that eeuer beheld him grew into admiration of his strength accoÌ„panied wiâ—h â—uch bewtie as his youth yéelded that had they not knowne the contrary by his prowesse they would haue taken him for some disguised Lady Wheilest the knight of Fame remained in Amasenus court the King of Thrace appointed a generall triumph to beheld for certaine dayes the occasion whereof is this He had one onelie daughter namâ—d Phylena whose bewtie was inferiour to none and her gifts of nature were such as made her much spoken of in many countries insomuch that many knights came as sutors to obtaine her loue but she had secretly betrothed her selfe to Remulus one of the knights of her fathers court without her pareÌ„ts consent by meanes of whose bewtie the court of Thrace was so full of gallant knights that sought her loue that the king was much troubled in minde how to bestowe her and séeing that she did not fancie one more then another he appointed a generall triumph to be held for seueÌ„ daies and whosoeuer bare away the prize the last day shuld marry his daughter Intending thereby to end his doubt and care that way thinking that though his daughter had not a rich and Princely husband yet shée should haue a valiant Champion to defend the price of her beautie Amongst the rest of the Knights there was Guido who had long time â—ued to obtaine her loue who now reioyced at this decrée hoping by his valour to beare away the bride There was Trudamor of Candie who thought none to equall him in strength and therefore none more forward against the appointed Tryumph there was Drio of Cicil who had sailed from his owne Country thither who likewise by his strength at seuerall times slew three Lyons who came with resolution to winne Phylena for his wife And many other knights of high account The report of this Tryumph came to the knowledge of the knight of Fame whose minde was kindled with a great desire to goe thither that he requested Amasenus consent who being destrous any way to pleasure him gaue him sufficient coyne to furnish himselfe of all things fit for such an attempt Who caused a most rich Armor of gréene to be made shadowed with trées of gold presenting a Forrest In his shield he bare this deuice A naked man leading a Lyon with this motto vnderneath Ouergone with discontent Wherein the expert Artsman had so cunningly immitated his Fancie that a man by his Armor and shield might easily vnderstand his meaning The appointed time of Tryumph drawing nigh Amasenus with a gallant troupe of knights amongst whom the knight of Fame was chiefe came to the Thracian Court whom the king honourably receiued Amasenus hauing done his hom age to the king pitched his Tent without the Court Gates vpon a little hill hard by the appointed place for Tryumph where likewise hard by him were the Tents of Guido Trudamor Drio and the three valiant knights of Candie Tristamus Tennulus and Babulus in whose companie were a number of valiant knights that came thither some to make triall of their valour and some of purpose to winne the faire Phylena Likewise there were the Tents of the young King of Aragon who came accompanied with a number of valiant knights hoping to beare away the prize that all the plaines were filled with Tents There might you sée knights breaking staues practising themselues against the day of Tryumph Here might you sée other recreating themselues in martiall exercises there might you heare the neighing of horses clattering of Armour cracking of staues and such companies of knights assembled as if the richest prize in the world had bin appointed for reward Whilst these things were acting Phylena was in great care for Remulus whom she loued so dearely that rather then she would part with him she would indure any miserie whatsoeuer who likewise addressed himselfe to trie his fortune amongst the rest And the day before the triumph Phylena secretly getting oportunitie to speake with him gaue him this assurance of
of this stately Pallace stoode a gallant building in forme of a Temple seeming to the view of such as beheld the same to be made of the most purest and burnisht gold on the toppe whereof stoode the forme of a most goodly Lady with a Crowne of gold vpon her head whose liuely proportion forme of exceeding beautie would haue detained a most constant mind in a wandring delight to beholde the same Barzillus beholding the exceeding be autie of the Pallace and the stately forme of the pictured Lady was desirous to know who inhabited there and to that intent drawing nigh thereto at the entrance thereof he beheld a tent with these verses written thereon Passe not this Bridge before thou knocke Least thou too late repent thy pride Leaue not obtained thou mayst goe baâ—ke For entrance is to all denide A Knight within must knowe thy name Thy boldnesse else will turne to shame Barzillus reading the superscription smote the Tent with his launce when presently issued out a knight in euery poynt readie armed to whome Barzillus saide as followeth Knight I reading the superscription ouer the entrance into the Tent according to the direction thereof haue called thée foorth demanding thy meaning thereby and what goodly Pallace this is the like whereof I neuer beheld for beautie Knight aunswered hée againe this Pallace is called the Golden Tower belonging to Maximus the most mightie and famous king of Natolia wherein is his onely daughter Angelica for beautie without compare for wit forme and vertuous ornaments excelling all the Ladies in the world whose equall was neuer heard of nor can be found within the spatious continent of the earth The King hath placed her in his most rich and gorgeous Pallace whose walles are of Brasse and framed of such inuincible strength that no power of man is able to subdue the same she hath to attend her a hundreth Ladies of great dignitie and a thousand of the most valiant Knights in all the world The occasion why he guardeth her person is this At her birth an old Inchauntresse prophecied that her beautie should set Kings at discord and be the cause of her fathers death A childe is borne whose beautie bright Shall passe each forme of other faire As doth the Sunne in perfect light Each little starre sixt in the ayre For whom great Kings shall enter stâ—ife And warre shall shed Natolians blood Whose Ire shall spill Maximus life Yet wisdome oft hath harme withstood A mightie Prince her loue shall gaine Though vice do seeke to crosse their blisse He shall her râ—inne with restlesse paines And she of sorrowe shall not misse Much barbrous blood reuenge shall spill And all of warre shall haue their fill All this sholl happen by degree Before this child shall weaded bee And because hée will match her according to her dignitie hée hath likewise made a vowe that none but the greatest Potentate in the world shall be her husband Which said the knight went into this Tent and brought out a most gallant picture this quoth he is the Ladies forme wherein the Artsman hath shewed some prettie skill but so farre is this picture vncomfortable to the perfect description of her celestiall perfections and as farre different in delicacie as is blacke from white or beautie from deformitie whose view would change the affections of the truest knight liuing from his former constant resolue to adore her beautie and forsake his former vowes onely to attend her person for so diuine are her liniaments and so rare her perfections that her â—ame is euen spred throgh all the regions of the world Barzillus hearing him enter into a newe discourse of her beautie and that in such affectionate sort hauing before in his fancie said ynough beganne to laugh at him saying Knight mée thinkest thou dotest or else art madde to enter into such commendation of this Ladies beautie hauing peraduenture neuer seene other faire Ladie or else for that thy selfe art affectionately deuoted to loue none but her for I haue séene a Ladie that as farre excéedeth this picture as thou reportest she doth all other which words Barzsllus spake onely to sée whether his valour and bostings were agréeable wherewith the knight that kept the Tent was so vexed that he vttered these spéeches What ill nurtured creature art thou quoth he that deridest the beautie that is rather to be admired haste thou no more maners then to make so litle estimation of that which all the world adores thou shalt dearely abide this discourtesie with that hée mounted himselfe and charged a speare at Barzillus who aunswered him with such courage that at two courses he ouerthrew him from his horse By which time a number of Knights were vpon the barâ—lements viewing their combat and séeing the knight that kept the Tent foyled burst into an excéeding laughter and so departed Barzillus hauing foyled the knight for that the night drewe nigh withdrew himself from the Golden Tower into a pleasant valley and there stayed that night The Knight that kept the Tent was belonging to the King of Candie who came with perswasion to win Angelicas loue with his prowesse and with much adoe had obtained leaue of the Gardiants to kéepe the passage but hée not contented with his foyle intending to reuenge his disgrace followed him to the valley where Tellamor found them combatting as is aforesaide who knowing Barzillus stepping betwixt them parted the fray Barzillus likewise knowing Tellamor with great kindnesse embraced him and vpon his request declared the cause of their combat Tellamor then speaking to the knight of the Tent gaue him this farewel Knight returne to your charge for your combat here is at an ende for businesse which I haue yéelded into your handes and when you are amongst your friendes in Bohemia be not vnmindfull of poore Clarinas loue who hath committed her life honour and chastitie into your gentle custodie Most deare Clarina quoth Tellamor my returne shall be as spéedie as may be for like as you my self shall neuer enioy one minutes respite of content without your heauenly company whereon my chiefest felicitie dependeth and as you haue yéelded all that I can desire or you grant into my vnworthy kéeping I will as carefully labour to preserue the same from all spot of dishonour hoping at my returne to enioy the possession of your loue as well by generall consent of your friendes as by your courtesie I haue attained their diuine fruition in priuate Then I beséech you let no disquiet disturbe your peace let no doubt trouble your fancie nor any suspence of my loyaltie take roote in your heart for sooner shall the Sea become drie land the Sunne and Moone loose their cleare light and all things turne to their contrary before Tellamor will any way falsifie his faith In these and such lyke speeches entermingled with many delights they spent that night taking their leaue each of other with many a ceremonious farewell and parting with many a heauy
to procure your good and rather will I teare my accursed tongue from foorth of my head then it shall hereafter vtter a word to displease you Then quoth Venola once againe counsell me what to do for thou séest how farre I am tied in the bonds of loue to that woorthie knight that without some hope of comfort my cares will bee excéeding and more then my poore heart will be able to indure This I thinke quoth Flauia is the best to be done either do it your selfe or let me giue him knowledge of your loue and then you shall soone see whether hee will accept thereof or no. Do so then quoth Venola I commit all to thy discretion The knight of Fame being departed to Venolas chamber was as farre from conceiuing the cause of her passion as he was from the knowledge of all things and being walkt into a Garden alone by himselfe Flauia came to him whom he kindly greeted asking her how her Mistresse did Sir knight quoth shée in the same case you left her and rather woorse the cause of whose disquiet is procured by no disease but by an extraordinarie occasion which none but one can remedie which I would willingly giue the partie knowledge of but that I knowe not whether he wil take the same kindly or no Else wer he much to blame quoth he for hard were his heart that would not pittie the distresse of so diuine a creature Gentle sir quoth she thus it is My Lady hath euer since the first sight of your person béene greatly tormented with loues passions which is the cause of her sicknesse which resteth onely in your power to salue The Knight of Fame hearing her spéeches was so suddainly astonisht and therewith drawne into such cogitations that he stood a good while like one in a trance at last he said The harder is her happe and the worse my misfortune for I am vnworthy of such kindnesse and vnable to yéeld her recompence which words being spoken he turned himselfe from her being drawne into such a déepe meditation that hée regarded not nor scarce heard some words Flauia spake to him afterwards who thinking that he had of purpose contemned her departed in a monstrous rage and being alone by himselfe cagitating vpon these euents perceiued that her former kindnesse had procéeded from the same roote of affection greatly condemning himselfe of dulnesse that could not before that perceiue the same wishing that he had departed with the Prince of Bohemia for that his fancie could by no meanes be drawne to the least good conceit of her loue for his heart was wholly imployed an other way Then he beganne to call to remembrance the somniferous pâ—â—â—on he had tasted by which means he was disappointed of Parismus company reuoluing euery consideration and circumstance of the same and these euents was in the ende fully perswaded that it was purposely done by Venola or some by her appointment to stay him there which thought was so fully grounded in his fancie that he assuredly perswaded himselfe that was the very truth and none else which draue him into many studies how to rid himselfe from thence at last he determined to depart in secret and vnknowne to any And with this resolution all that day he accompanied the rest of the Knights thereby to shun all occasions of hearing any further spéech of Venola Who hearing how scornfully hée had receiued Flauias message which Flauia had told her entred into such extream complaints against her hard fortune and shed such abundance of teares that the bed whereon shée lay was watered therewith in which estate she continued tormenting her selfe with extreame cares Early the next morning the knight without the knowledge of any departed clogged with such a chaos of confused cares as that he wisht the date of his wearie life subiect to so many crosses were expired intending neuer to returne thither whom Flauia soone mist the newes whereof she conueyed to the hearing of Venola who tooke the same so heauily that many dayes she continued as one likelier to entertaine death then to suruiue which draue her Parents into an extreame sadnesse from whom she still concealed the cause of her griefe In which estate for a while we will leaue her and the knight of Fame onwards on his iourney and Clarina in great care for the absence of Tellamor in the forrest of Arde. CHAP. XV. How the Knight of Fame arriued in Natolia and by what meanes hee found the Lady hee sawe in the vision and the combat hee fought with Collimus AFter the Knight of Fame was departed the King of Libias Court to avoyde the loue of Venola hee trauelled many dayes without any aduenture tired with extreame care and desire to come to the knowledge of his Parents and to finde his deuoted Lady that when the Sunne was at the highest and by that meanes the season very hotte hée alighted from his horse in a pleasant valley where sitting vnder the shadowe of a Chestnut-trée hee entered into this communication to himselfe What crosses still prosecute my steppes that I can in no place bée at quiet but am still troubled with that which I would not but cannot finde the thing I desire My birth day was the beginning of my sorrowes since which time nothing but care hath fallen to my share whereas I sée other Knightes enioye their hearts content My Parents hidden from my knowledge my selfe trauelling to finde them peraduenture goe rather a great way from them then to them for the Iland of Rockes from whence I came and where I was brought vppe is farre distant from this place and I thinke if I woulde come to their knowledge it is my best course to returne thither againe Was I not ouer-foolish to refuse the marriage of Phylena the Kings daughter of Thrace vpon vaine confidence of a dreame vpon whose certaintie I can no way builde which might be procured by some Sorcerie of Remulus to make me refuse that honour to the intent hée might install himselfe therein and cause mée to doate on the beautie of a Lady that is no where to be found for the whole worlde containes not such an essence of perfect beautie as that which I beheld Then what shall I do or which way shall I shape my best course shall I giue ouer her search since dreames are so vncertaine I but this was more then a dreame it was a Vision for I behelde the Goddesse Venus who enioyned mée this talke holding that swéete Lady in her hand whose forme so perfectly is printed in my remembrance that I cannot forget the same which assuredly is liuing and to bee founde and therefore I will neuer desist till I haue founde her though I spende the whole race of my life in that quest which if it were ordained for my endlesse forment then how should I auoyde the same neither care I what paine to endure if I may after all my trauels finde her In this sort he spent much
Then turning to Marceâ—lus Or can you tell Marcellus quoth shee for you were by I know not quoth hée but I am sure wée haue all cause of little ioye when wee that are the Kings children shall be imprisoned vpon the flattering report of euery dissembling Sâ—cophant Why quoth shee who hath abused you That did Collimus qd hee him I haue rewarded Besides my Lorde and Father hath destroyed that honorable straunge knight because I loued him who neuer deserued the least cause of such crueltie but was alwayes honourablie estéemed in euery Kings Court vntill it was his ill happe to arriue in this vnfortunate place to ende his life by Tiranny not by Iustice Take heede Marcellus scandalize not your Fathers honour which may bring you in daunger for that hée hath done nothing but right and with good consideration for beholde that letter and thou shalt soone see what a counterfait that Knight of Fame was Marcellus hauing redde the letter was at the first suddainlie amazed thereat but yet notwithstanding he sâ—id vpon my life this accusation is most false and vntrue Angelica taking the letter and â—â—ating the same was excéedingly astonished thereat to whome Marcellus saide Angelica beléeue it not for if you doo you shall too much wrong that honourable Knight that is too much abused alreadie who if hée were liuing would soone prooue these accusations false but hée 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 Quéene what maketh thée Marcellus so inconsiderate by taking a strangers part to indaunger thy owne life which knowest the kings humour Loue quoth hee to that straunger maketh mee bewaile his vnâ—imely death whom I would that I had excused The Queene séeing Angelica somewhat well recouered departed vnto Maximus who by that time had knowledge of Collimus death was meditating how to chastise Marcel for thâ—t presumption But the Quéene vppon her knées intreated him to pardon him alleaging that Collimus had greatly abused him with much a doo the King was pacified Marcellus hauing somewhat comforted Angelica in a heauie and sadde estate departed to his chamber and left her with her Damozell Anna rather readie to yéelde vppe the Ghoast then otherwise likelie to suruiue and night beeing come shee refusing meat went to her bedde not to sleepe but to bewaile the kâ—ight of Fames vntimely death The knight of Fame all this time remained in the Lyons denne carefully deuising which way to gette out of that place â—yring his sences but finding no meanes of releâ—se Our while accusing his harde fortune and then Maximus for his crueltie Sometimes fearing to bee famished in that place and then comforting himselfe with perswasions of impossible deliueries Now dispairing to bee vtterly exempt from the sweete sight of Angelica whose absence and restrainte of libertie procured as hée thought by his boldnesse pinched his heart with extreame forture In this sort hée continued so long vntill that hée was ready to be starned and constrained to eate such vnsauory â—oode as was daily cast to the Lyons Angelica likewise no whit mittigated her greefe but rather augmented the same being much comforted by Marcellus whose minde was not yet satisfied with sâ—fficient consideration of these mischaunces but both hée and Angelica continued as it were in a further hope in their fancies of the knight of Fames safetie though when they beganne to comfort themselues with any perswasions they were quite past hope Maximus likewise hauing considered with what seueritie hée had vsed the knight and that hee had condemned him without any triall of the accusatiâ—n that had bene 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 hée 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 stronglie guarded and of set purpose withheld her from his sight and noting how suddainly the knight of Fame was made away without anie cause of offence giuen he began to feare himselfe and by that meanes duâ—st not shewe anie signe of desire to see Angelica least by that meanes hée should séeke some occasion of quarrell with him and vse him like the straunger within a while departed from the Golden Tower intending notwithstanding either with force or faire meanes to attaine her possession CHAP. XIX Of the Knight of Fames preseruation How hee gat out of the denne and departed the Tower THe next day after Camillus departure which Maximus perceiued was with a discontented mind the kéeper of the Lyons denne came to make cleane the same and vsed his woonted manner which was to set open those places that were cleane into which the Lyons would soone enter and hauing fast bolted the doores and being owner of the Lyons entered into the den where the Knight of Fame was who suddainly caught holde on him hauing before secretly shrowded himselfe from his sight and being carefull to prouide for his owne safetie snatcht from his side a hanging sword the kéeper knowing him maruailing to see him aliue and excéedingly astonished at his sight held vp his hands for mercie to whome the knight of Fame said My friend I séeke not thy life but mine owne safetie being as thou séeest preserued by Diuine prouidence from the Kings crueltie by him vniustly cast into this place without any cause of offence but wrongfullie as thou mayest perceiue by my preseruation for if my fact had deserued punishment no doubt I could not haue escaped the crueltie of these executioners hauing endured great daunger of famishment Now my request vnto thee is that thou wouldest but suffer mee to departe from hence without discrying mée for I haue no reason to trust to Maximus curtesie hauing alreadie eâ—bured this miserie by his Crueltie which thou mayest well doo without endaungering thy selfe anie kinde of waye for there is none but dooth assuredly thinke I am dead The kéeper hearing his spéeches and withall séeing how admyrably hée was preserued and also fearing his owne death assured him by many vowes and protestations not onely to doo that which hée had desired but also would most faithfully execute what other thing soeuer hée should commaund to his vttermost power Wilt thou then quoth hée doo this for mée giue me the keyes and make fast the doore so that thou canst not goe from mée and then call downe thy boye and sende him to Marcellus to request him to come to thee but in such sorte that the boy may not sée mée and also to do his message secretly which the kéeper tolde him he would most willingly performe Then dyrecting the Knight of Fame how to locke the doore that hée could not escape he called downe his boy who presently came to him whom hée commanded to séeke out Marcellus secretlie
that he restraineth me Angelicas presence and kéepeth his counsels from me to intrude my selfe into his counsels I will not presume onely my desire is that I may but be admitted to the sight of my sister Angelica Marcellus quoth the Quéene I pray thée bée contented for a time for thou seest thy fathers minde which will impart his secrets to none who if hee should knowe that your sadnesse were for that cause would be the more fearefull to imparte tâ—em to you which can no way pleasure you but rather fill your minde with greater â—ares which now is more happy then it would be then for Angelica so long as shâ—e is â—n health what neede you be so carefull for her then good Marcellus rest your selfe contented and desire not that which will rather adde more trouble to your head The Quéene hauing ended these spéeches departed and lest Marcellus where shâ—e found him Assoone as the Quéene was gone hâ—e â—egaâ— againe to ponder these things not knowing why his head shâ—ld be thus troubled for he knâ—w all that hee desired and yet his minde was troubled therewith that at last with more aduised consideration hee weighed euery conceit of his thoughts and found that neyther his Fathers vnkindnesse Angelicaâ—s absence nor his feare of disgrace was theâ— that troubled him but only a good conceyt of Dulcias kindenesse which caused him to enter into a viewe of her perfections which his fancie began so much to commend her that hée thought her worthy to bée beloued withall thought why he might not loue her which very thoghts â—rew to such insight into his owne fancies that he perceyued that loue had alreadie taken possession in his heart then hée began to consider what displeasure if might procure him if he should set his fancie on one so faâ—re his inferior and not rather seeke the loue of some Kings daughter that might adde honor to his title and not diminish the same which thought was no sooner begun but it ended being dasht by an other conceyt that Dulcia was as beautifull as any as vertuous as any as courtâ—â—us as any and therefore as worthy to be beloued as any that iâ— hee should marry with his equall she might rather marrâ—e him for his dignitie and of a haughtâ—e minde to keepe her owne high dignitie still then for any true loue and if she were his equall hée should rather be subiâ—ct to her will then shee any way obedient to him that Dulcia would bee a louing kinde and â—uetifull wife that shée would honour him rather then desire to bée his equall and that shée would refuse no perrill daunger nor hazardâ— for his sake that hauing spent some time in these cogitations hée resolued to loue Dulcia whatsoeuer ensued thereon though hee incurred his Parents displeasure or anie other hazard of his honour whatsoeuer and with resolution hée went immediately vnto the place where shee was guarded in steed of Angelica and by the Damzells meanes who before had done him the like fauour he came to her chamber where he found Dulcia all alone very sad to whom he said How now Angelica what are you sadde can I neuâ—r come but that I must alwayes finde you in this melancholy dispoâ—â—â—ion what are you sorry to be thus pend from a husband My Lorde quoth Dulcia though I am otherwise sadde it doth mee good to see you merrâ—e You are deceyued Dulcia I am not merrie My Lorde quoth shee if I should giue credite to your words they shewe that you are merrie that call me Angelica yet knowe the conâ—rarie Oh Dulcia quoth he neither doth wordes nor countenance alwayes bewray the inward thoughts for this which you take to bée myrth in mée is but a forced habite which I haue taken vppon mee euen now but knewe you the thoughtâ— of my heart you would say I were sadde My Lord quoth shée I beséech you pardon my boldenesse which I presumed séeing your pleasant disposâ—tion wherein if I was deceyued I hope you will not bee offended with for indéed oftentimes the heart meditates of many things the mind cannot vtter So doth mine Dulcia quoth hée for I wish thée more good then I am able â—e vtter and the cause that my heart is sadde is because I am not able to do â—hée so much good as my heart doth wish and cannot vtter I most humbly thanke you quoth Dulcia acknowledging my selfe farre vnwoorthie such faâ—our and vnable to deserue such good which maketh mee thinke you still continue in that forced habit which maketh you vtter those spéeches Indéede well replyed Dulcia quoth he but as I suddainly tooke that habit vpon me it was gone again before I had vttered the words therfore you may bée assured now that my words procéede from a true heart and not from a forced habit My Lord quoth she againe where there is such often change of disposition there can bee no constant resolution Yes quoth hée that which is of purpose taken to shew myrth is forced but the naturall disposition still continueth firme In déede in â—ewe quoth she but not in all Then quoth hee thinke mee one of those â—ewe My Lord quoth shée I beséech you pardon me if I do not for it is giuen to all by nature to be more confâ—dent then prouident And I aunswere I haue receyued more fauour at your hands in suffering mée to be thus familiar with you then I am worthy or euer haue deserued therefore I craue pardon hoping â—hat you will beare wish my rudenesse Dulcia quoth hée doe not aske pardon when you haue not misdone but beléeue my words without any question to proceede from the deapth of my true heart which entendeth and wisheth you no lesse good then I haue vtâ—ered for I haue found such vertue in you that I am inthralled to that vertue and desire to be partaker and possesse thy bewtie which hath made mée your affectionate friende and intreate your loue then that which I desire nothing more My Lord replyed Dulcia my loue and duetiâ— is such that I will not refuse any commaund you shall impose vpon mée Dulcia quoth hée it is not such loue as is commaunded by dutie nor such friendship as riseth from feare but such kinde loue as procéedeth betwixt faithfull friendes from the yéelding consent of a true heart and such a loue as hath a further respect then that common duâ—y for if you knewe with what feruencie I desired your swéete consent to this loue you would pittie my torments My Lord replyed shée I beséech your Honour do not séeke to en thrall mée in loues bands that am frée and am assured your fancie cannot like of one farre vnworthie that high fauour you speake of but suffer me rather to continue in my peacefull estate that estéeme my selfe farre from euer enioying such happinesse as to be belâ—ued of my superiour being alreadie so farre bound vnto you in all humblenesse that you shall not commaund me any thing that