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
his comely personage and stately countenance were suddainly drawn into a great affection towards him that they saluted him most kindly demaunding the cause of his arriuall in that place and of whence he was who séeing their behauiour to be more gentle then the others with whom he had encountred before made answere so wel as he could yâ— he knew not which blunt answere of his made them muse Withall noting his attire they tooke him either to be a mad-man or that he had bene Sauagely brought vp which they were the rather perswaded vnto for that he was very young Notwithstanding they entertained him and vsed him most kindly But his countenance calling to remembrance the noble Knight Parismus whome hée so much resembled that they were halfe perswaded he was his sonne that the nurse fled withal One amongst the rest named Tyresus vsed him most kindly apparelled him decently and instructed him in all points belonging to crueltie teaching him to manage a horse and vse armor whereunto he was so apt and tooke therein such delight that in short space he grew to such perfection that he excelled his instructor in all warlike behauiours And was so generally beloued that nothing they had oâ— could deuise was too deare for him Many daies remained Parismenos amongst the Tartarians increasing in many excellent qualities not finding occasions inough amongst them to make triall of his manhood Vpon a time certaine Pyrates returning from sea in his hearing made report of their battailes skirmishes and the huge slaughters they had made reporting how tragically they murdred some of the resistance and how valiantly some withstood them and with what trauell they indured the â—â—ght Making particular rehearsall of one Captaine amongst the rest who so valiaâ—â—ly withstood them that before they could vanquish him hée had slaine aboue twentie of them but in the ende séeing that by reason of their multitude hée must néedes either be taken prisoner or die hée rather chose an honourable death then to become their captiue and indured the fight vntill with faintnesse he fell downe dead euen as hee was aduancing his sword to resist them Which report of theirs kindled such honourable sparks in Parismenos brest that hee extreamely thirsted to see those braue skirmishes accounting it dishonourable for him to spend his dayes in that obscure plate his thoughts still ayming at higher matters and his fancie perswading him that he should rather so and his time in heroicall exercises in Kings courts then in that vnfrequented place where no pleasing attempt of martiall déedes was exercised which thoughts took such effect that he presently determined to seeke aduentures abroad and comming to Tyresus who loued him deately â—he told him his whole intent asking his aduise therein Tyresus séeing such resolued valour in him tolde him that he was both ready and willing to doe any thing that might agrée to his fancie or purchase his content that if he desired to trauaile and hazard himselfe by sea he was readie to goe with him or if he were determined to séek strange aduentures by land he would likewise trauaile with him and forsake no peril for his sake Parismenos hearing his curteous reply could not chuse but embrace him yeelding him many thankes Tyresius effected all things with such speede and so well ordered his affaires to further his intent that within fewe dayes they departed into a shippe well manned and victualled hoâ—sing their sailes with a mery gale committed themselues to the mercies of the seas They sayled many dayes without any aduenture which inwardly fretted Parismenos for his minde longed to performe some exployt At last they kenned a sayle a farre off and towards it they stirred amaine and comming nigh the ship laide her aboord which was of Barbaria well manner with stout Moores who seeing the Pyrates and knowing that either they must resolutely fight it out or become captiues valiantly resisted them betwéene whom began a most fierce cruel fight where Parismenos had means inough to exercise his valour who behaued himselfe with such courage that many Moores that day lost their liued by his infant blowes Egradam Captain of the Moores being a man of excéeding courage séeing the cruell slaughter Parismenos made came to him and vttered these spéeches Proude Pyrate thou shalt dearely buye these Moores liues for I am determined to bring thy cursed life to an end that thinkest by robbery to enrich thy selfe Wherewith hée assayled him so fiercely that he wounded him in many places notwithstanding such was his valour that with great force he likewise so valiantly defended himselfe and â—ffending Egradam that it was doubtfull which of them wold haue the conquest In middest of this cruâ—l fight a mightie storme began suddainly to arise and the windes began to blow with violence that their Cables burst and both light of day and Sunne was shadowed by thicke Cloudes the seas began to rage and swell that they were inforced to giue ouer their fight the thunders rored and the lightnings flasht about their eares and their ship with violence of the surging seas was so test that there was none but expected present death The Northerne blast rent their sayles one way goeth their Helme an other way swimmeth their mast with violence torne from their ship waue vpon waue rusht in readie to ouerturne the ship who now tossing vpon the seas at libertie was driuen vppon a flintie rocke and split in sunder Then beganne a hideous crie amongst the souldiers some cursing Parismenos the causer of that iourney some exclaiming on Tyresus and some banning their owne destinies Some whelmed vnder the gaping water yeeld vp their ghostes here thrée at once are cast vppon the rockes and againe deuoured by the waues there others â—unke in the quicke sands and dawne fals the Maister headlong then might you behold men swim in their armour here and there striuing to make their death tedious there might you sée one seated vpon a planke ouerthrown with a wane here another tumbling with his héeles vpward Parismenos by good fortune was gotten vp to the maste whose length had some power to indure the waues with his swoord still drawne in his hand Tyresus he was gotten on to a chest wherewith a while hée applied himself froÌ„ drowning but in the end the raging waues dreÌ„ched him déep in their spations gulfes Within a while the raging seas begaÌ„ to cease and ware calme the sunne beganne to shine and the cloudes to vanish that darkened the skies and the maste whereon Parismenos sate beganne to slide along with the calme tide when hée looked about him and espied all his fellowes drowned an exceeding sorrow ouerwhelmed his heart especially for his louing friend Tyresus that had not the feare he was in reuiued his sences hée would haue waxt carelesse of his owne life But the remembrance of his peril made him recall his better sences to their former vse and to studie for his owne safetie to whom the seas were so
blowes with fresh courage that Corus fretting at his enemies vâ—lour and calling to minde his former spéeches strooke so mightie a blow at him that with the force thereof he made him stagger which turned Parismeuos sences into such furie that aduancing himselfe in his stirropes hée strooke Corus so full and so valiantly on the Crest that he was astonish therewith yet notwithstanding with quick courage soon recouered his memorie again prosecuting his blows with great fortitude vntill that both their armour and stéedes beganne to be coloured with the purple blood that issued from their wounds both of them waxing faint yet neyther willing to yéelde Sometimes the one driuing his enemie to reâ—yre and hée againe returning with new courage But Parismenos being the nimbler of bodie warded many of Corus blowes and in the end wounded him so sore that hee beganne to stagger too and â—ro to saue himselfe from his furie who still pursued him with such violence that Corus with faintnesse fell on his horse necke which hee espying was lifting his sword to fetch a fresh blowe to ende his life but that hee heard one call to him to stay and looking backe saw that it was Amasenus who missing him being tolde that hee departed from the Castle in Armour followed him to the place and had all that while stayed couertly and beheld the combat and séeing the daunger Corus was in desired Parismenos to spare his life who according to his request desisted Amasenus then caused his Knightes to take vp Corus fallen from his horse in a trance who receiuing fresh ayre came to himselfe againe but when hée saw the Duke present and his enemie still mounted and in a good estate his heart was ready to burst with inward gréefe which malicious ranckour filled vp all his sences that cursing himselfe and his ill fortune hee yeelded vp his fainting ghost Farewell quoth Amasenus the most proude and discorteous Knight that euer liued in Thrace thy inâ—olence and malicious discontented enuie hath wrought thine owne downe fâ—ll And most noble Knight quoth hée to Parismenos I both honour your valour and applaude your victorie wherein you haue behaued your selfe so valiantly as I shall for euer loue you and since you remaine vâ—ctor I praye returne with mee to haue your wounds cured Parismenos humbly thanking him departed and the rest of Amasenus Knightes tooke vp Corsus bodie which afterwards they buried with great sosemnitie After Corsus death the Knights that enuied Parismenos now beganne to imagine assuâ—redly that the Knight would darken all their glories and the more account they saw the D. make of him the more their maliciouâ— enuy increased that they deuâ—sed all the meanes they coulde to contriue hir death wâ—â—â—soever insued thereon waiting all opportunities But hée 〈◊〉 his woundes fully cured forsooke his chamber and betook himsâ—â—f again to his wonted exercisâ—s which was sometimes to mannage â—â—e â—â—urdie stéede and sometimes to sport himselfe in companie oâ— his vnknowne enemies amongst the Ladies and Gentlewomen who liked his behauiour and courtesie so well besides his comeâ—y proportion the swéete youth so greatly pleased their fancies that they accounted the Thracian Knights rude in respect oâ— him all both liking louing and commending him and that so openly that his enemies might heare their spéeches which wrought such a violent effect of rancor that no thought could harbour in their brests but tragicall deuises to worke his downfall One amongst the rest neare kinsman to Corus named Argalus was forwardest in this exployt who to further his intent with one Themides dissembling a friendly countenance iâ—sinuated themselues into his familiaritie vsing such kind behauiour towards him and entertaining his company with such curtesie that he hauing no insight into their dissimulation beganne to make account of their friendship and to take delight in their company oftentimes imparting his secrets vnto them and without suspition making them priuie to most of his actions Argalus vpon a time came to Parismenos telling him that a squire of his had found a mightie wild Bore and could bring them to his den desiring his company to goe with them to hunt him Parismenos hearing that was as forward as any of them and the next morning appointed to meete them in the midst of the Forrest at the Pooles side And early the next morning he got vp according to his appointment being ready to depart his chamber some fiue or sixe droppes of blood suddenly fell from his nose with which he started and staying felt a suddaine drowsie heauinesse and throbbing possesse his heart which draue him into a déepe studie what should be the cause of that vnwonted pâ—ssion at last he began to think with himself May not these fewe drops of blood deuine some bad successe to my enterprise this day I am here in a strange Country amongst such as I know not how to trust for I sée apparantly many of them do enuy me which they manifest by their lowring countenances and Corus behauiour may be a patterne of their dispositions therefore I were best not to go at all Then again he began to thinke Argalus and Themides are my friends then what néede I feare any mishap All which doubts would not stay him but arming himselfe and resoluing to endure all mischaunces be departed towards the Poole By the way as he rode he met a damsel posting towards him with great spéed wringing her hands and making greâ—t lamentation Parismenos maruelling at her sorrow asked the cause of her complaint Sir knight quoth she I was going to Duke Aamsenus court carrying a present and a letter from my mistresse vnto a strange knight that lately arriued there but by that way I met with two knights in gréene Armour who dispoyled me thereof and most disâ—oyally effered to abuse me had I not fled Damsell quoth he bring me if you can where they are and I will do my best to cause them make you restitution Wherewith the Damiell turned her horse and rode back againe Sir Knight quoth she they tooke downe this narrow Lane Parismenos set spurs to his horse and with great spéed rode that way He was not farre entred but he espied the two knights in greene Armor readie mounted staying in a pleasant valley incompassed round with woods vnto whom he thus saide Is it the maner of you Thracians to offer violence to sille Damsels Render me those things you haue taken â—â—oÌ„ her or I protest I will not leane you vntil I haue compeld you to doit by force Vnto whom one of them replied If thy selfe art no Thracian what doest thou here or what interest hast thou in that Damsels quarrell that maketh thée so bold to controâ—ll our doings That interest I haue quoth he as all knights should haue which is to succor distressed Damsels wherewith turning back to take scope for his race he ran at one of them and at the encounter ouerthrew him backwards who by mischance in the fall burst one of his
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
the sight and company of her deare friend Remulus that she was drawn into such a sadde conceit that her heart séemed to meâ—â—â—hereat Trudamor séeing Guido so foyled with great brauerie entred the listes and encountred the knight of Fame who likewise charged him with many braue courses that in the ende the conquest remained in great doubt betwixt them still continuing their encounters with exceeding courage that Trudamor with all his strength could not any whit disaduantage the Knight of Fame nor he by his force get any addes of Trudamor that in the ende Trudamor thirsting for the honour of the title and longing to enioy Phylena for his Bride tracing softly to his races ende went towards the knight of Fame who with the like behauiour met him â— whom Trudamor said as followeth Knight I sée we haue no aduantage against each other by this â—â—ercise let vs then finish the doubtfulnesse of this strife with our swords which is the readiest meane to make one of vs conquerour With all my heart answered he againe your proffer so well agreeth with my fancie as I neither can nor wil deny the same wherewith they drew their swords and charged each other with furious blows whose courage each beholder greatly commended The King of Thrace beholding the noble valour of the Knight of Fame was excéedingly well affected towards him in so much that he desired none might enioy his daughter but he betwéene whom Trudamor continued a most braue combat till in the ende the knight of Fame had so gréeuously wounded him and in so many places that all the beholders accounted Trudamor as halfe vanquished and what with effusioÌ„ of blood and ouermastred by the knight of Fames strength his armour giuing way to euery blowe was readie to fall from his horse which the knight of Fame perceiuing stayed vttering these words Most noble knight quoth he I see the danger you are in therfore I wish you to yeeld your selfe for it is not your death that I séeke and rather then I wil be guiltie thereof I wil yéeld vp the praie I shal winne by your conquest Trudamor hearing his spéeches excéedingly admired his courtesie and being readie to speake his sences by weaknesse beganne to fayle and he was taken from his horse to haue his gaping wounds stenched The whole multitude of beholders noting the singular valour of the knight of Fame and how courteously he had abstained from killing Trudamor whose life was in his power were so wel affected towards him that they shouted and reioyced exceedingly at his victorie The king séeing the day growne to an end came from the scaffolde and with great intreaties got the knight of Fame to go with him to the Court where hée was most honoâ—uably entertained and had his wounds carefully searcht by the Phisitians who sound none of them daungerous Amasenus séeing the knight of Fame had won the chiefest honour of the triumph for that day came to the king and reported to him how long he had bene with him and the manner of his first arriuall in that countrie séeking to increase the kings affection towardes him by entring into many excéeding commendations of his valor vertue and courtesie that the king did him all the honour that might bee for that night intending after the triumph ended to expresse his loue toward him by all meanes he could deuise Early the next morning being the last day of the triumph the king was sommoned to the fielde by the shrill sound of the knight of Fames trumpet who was gallantly mounted attended by an infinit number of people that came to glut their eyes with beholding him there was now no talke but of the knight of Fame his same had fedde the eares of all in so much that such a number of people thronged to sée the last daies triumph that the place could not containe their multitude The knights of Thrace maruelled what hée should be and for that he was vnknowne â—he straunge knights somewhat reioyced that the prize should be carried â—â—om Thrace Amongst the rest Remulus noting his excéeding courâ—esie and pâ—â—ing more narrowly then any of the rest into his behauiour â—eioyced in his mind that so honourable valiant and courteous a knight should possesse his deare Phylena and aboue all the knights of the Court he was most readie to entertaine the knight of Fame with all courtesie and wiâ—â—t that none but he might beare away the câ—iefest honour of the triumph The king hauing againe in most sumptuous and royal sort seated his daughter vpon the scaffold attended the first encounter that should be giuen to the knight of Fame which was performed by Parrus a knight of Cicill with great brauerie but the second course hée measured his length on the earth as others had done before him Next him came a knight of Libia who had like fortune to Parrus Guido being not satisfied with desire of victorie but in putting the cause of his lost ouerthrow to his horse not himselfe changed his armour and came into the listes againe intending to reuenge his foyle but before he came Drio of Cicill had broken two staues with the knight of Fame and before he could take the third course Guido instigated by rage ranne against the knight of Fame and intercepted him Drio disdaining thereat strooke Guido such a forcible blowe on the head with the trunchion of a staffe that he made him stagger Wherewith Guido drewe his sword and assayled Drio with great furie betwéene whom began a most braue combat vntill the knight of Fame stept betwixt them and parted them vttering these speeches Knights quoth he what meaneth this outrage why contend you betwixt your selues and leaue me with whom you should principally deale vnassayed thinke you I am not of sufficiencie to deale with you both but that you must thus dishonourably seeke with priuate quarrels to disturbe our triall But notwithstanding his speeches they began to assayle each other againe which so inraged him that drawing his sword he first strooke at Guido and then at Drio offering to combat with them both that the issue of this combat séemed to be most intricate Sometimes the knight of Fame assayled Guido and he resisting when Drio lent his blowes to both and the knight of Fame intending to reuenge him on Drio was againe assayled by Guido The King perceiuing what danger this tripartite fight might bréed commanded the Champions to be parted which being done the Iudges gaue order that the knight of Fame should continue his course with Drio This conclusion being made the knight of Fame sheathing his sword went to the races end so fully incenst with rage that his eyes smarted with vexation Drio likewise was so fully puft with fury that he vowed at that course to ende the triall of the combat that both of them taking scope ynough to méete with the greater swiftnesse set spurs to their stéeds sides and with excéeding violence and shiuering their Lances into a thousand spelles
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
and to desire him that hée would vouchsafe to come and speâ—ke with him about a matter of great importance The boy hauing receiued his message immediately hasted to execute the same and most fortunately met him in the outer court to whom he declared the cause of his comming Marcellus maruelling why the kéeper had sent for him presently began to remeÌ„ber the knight of Fame with which his heart began to throb but hasting downe to the den the keeper commanded his boy to depart humbling himselfe to Marcellus told him that the knight of Fame was still liuing Which said hée ran in vnto him who had shrowded himselfe from his sight and tolde him Marcellus was come then presentlie hee came foorth whom Marcellus espying with great reioycing caught him in his armes and most louingly embraced him seeming to be reuiued with ioye in respect of the care opprest his minde before hee hadde knowledge of his safetie Manie courteous gréetings past on eyther side Marcellus desired the kéeper not to reueale this secrete to any for if it should come to 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 hée would reward him most beâ—utifully and withall promised him to higher dignitie and to such place of account as that hée should haue good cause to reioyce that euer the knight of Fame came within his house The kéeper both drawne by his owne good inclination and also by the hope of rewarde and preferment béeing but poore promised his vttermost ayde and assistance to pleasure him and withall to performe his full desire with such securitie that none should conceyue anie suspition thereof with that they all together departed vp into his Lodge where the Knight of Fame refreshed himselfe with comfortable meates being excéedingly glad as hee had good cause of this successe and rendring many thankes 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 bre satisfied of the trueth therein taking the Knight of Fame aside from the hearing of the kéeper said as followeth Syr knight although I haue shewen you this fauour and friendship which my fancie often perswaded mée to refuse yet vrged by the good well I beare you and for other considerations which I will yet conceale from you I could not choose but reioyce at your safeite 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 satiâ—fie me of the truth of my doâ—bt without fraude for if that be true which is alleadged against you by the affirmation of a King you deserue the punishment my Father inflicted vpon you and rather to bée generally hated then beloued at all Most honourable knight quoth hée I know my selfe so cleare from all such villanie 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 if 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 Lions den the king of Lybia sent hither certaine of his Knights with a Letter wherein hee accused you to haue most shamefully deshonoured his Daughâ—er Venola desiring my Father to dispatch you out of the way for your liâ—e nothing else might appease his ire which was the cause of his crueltie My Lord quoth the knight of Fame vpon mine honour my former oath and by all other truth and fidelitie this accusation is most vniust false and vntrue which if I may by your sauor in whose hands life now resteth haue libertie to approoue I will maintaine the contrary euen in the gates of the king of Lybia and cause my accusers to confesse the contrarie neyther did I euer séeke loue at that Ladies hands by whose dishonourable meanes this false accusation is raised against mee Deare friend quoth Marcellus you haue said ynough and I rest assuredly satisfied of your loialty The knight of Fame was so inwardly vexed with this accusation that he was halfe madde wiâ—â—h gréet but chiefly for that hée thought it was come to Angelicas hearing might bee a meanes to cause her vtterlie to forsake him which appalled his sâ—nces with â—xtreame vexation that hee stood like one transformed Marcellus perceiuing his discontent desired him not so bee gréeued but to ouerpasse the same vntill hée hadde meanes to prooue the contrarie My Lord replyed hée 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 to heare the true reporte of the miseries I haue indured 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 hée could of his bringing vp in the Iland of Rockes his departure from thence and shipwracke at Sea how he was entertained by D. Amasenus in Thrace and the treacherie that was intended against him there by Corus and Argalus then of his successe in the Kings Court of Thrace and the occasion why hée departed from thence to the Forest of Arde and how there he met the Prince of Bohemia and released Venola then how Venola sought his loue and how shée gaue him by subtiltie a somniferous potion to withholde his departure with Parismus which hee purposed and how afterwards perceyuing her intent departed from thence Withall hee declared the manner of the vision that appeared vnto him in Thrace and how that hee was thereby enioyned to seeke out the Lady that appeared to him and sue for her loue which was the cause that hée both refused Phylenas marriage and Venolas proffer of kindenesse and also hée declared how hee first arriued in that countrie and met Angelica which was the very same Lady that appeared vnto him in the vision and also told him that hee was likewise enioyned to séeke out his Parents which the vision told him were of great birth This quoth hee is the true discourse of my forepassed life which I neuer yet manifested to any but your selfe whose fauour hath farre surmounted my desert into whose hands I commit my life to bee disposed of desiring you not to conceyue amisse of mée for that false accusation being most vntrue Marcellus againe embracing him in his armes desired him likewise not to thinke that hée did any way conceiue the least euill opinion of him but that he did estéeme of him as of the dearest friend he had in the world and that
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
departed dowing to search all places to finde her that all the whole country was filled with report of her losse Parismus Tellamor Barzillus presently rode to the wood to Pollipus whom they found in suche heauie plight as it made their manlike hearts to melt with griefe But Pollipus espying them would haue fled from their â—â—ght that loued him most dearely vntill Parismus ouertooke him and said Most deare friend how can you bée so vnkinde as to shun my companie whose care is no lesse then yours and who tendeth your welfare as much as mine owne haue you forgotten manhood knighthood and curtesie where is that vertue now become that was wont to rule your affections good Pollipus for my sake for all the friendship by all the curtesâ—es promises and good will that euer past betwixt vs leaue off this desperate follie and listen to my counsaile â—â— not for all this yet for Violettaes sake pittie your selfe and recal your former sences and let vs determine how to recouer her that is but straied out of the way many hundred knights are already posted into most places of this countrey and will coast all Germanie throughout but they will finde her then do not you increasâ— our further care by this desperate sorrow but according to your wonted wisedome wherewith you haue counsailed me in my afflictions let vs study how to recouer this miserie Oh my Lord quoth Pollipus my Violetta is dead at which word extreame hearts sorrowe and inward griefe stopt the passage of his spéech and was restrained with heart-swelling sighes which being a little asswaged he againe said If I were sure shée were not dead then would I willingly immitate your direction or were I but sure death had seized vpon her tender heart then would I neuer part from this place though millions of diuels should séeke to driue me hence Why quoth Parismus how can you thinke shée is dead when there is no likehood signe nor mention to bée seene thereof neither her apparell nor any part of her body torne or any other circumstance to perswade vs to any such conceit then why will you suffer any such perswasions to possesse your fancie Quoth Pollipus how then came the scarffe so torne it may be the wilde beasts haue some secret dens whereinto they haue drawne her body and many other mischaunces befallen her that shee was subiect vnto and yet still bee hidden from our knowledge neither let that trouble you quoth Parismus but rest contented and your care that way shall soone bée cased but â—epart with mée to the Court to comfort your selfe with some foode and I will presently giue order to haue this woodde so throughly searcht that you shall plainely finde shée hath not miscaried Pollipus with his perswasions though vnwillingly went backe with them mounting on Tellamors horse for that he was sore trauailed and wearie of that disquiet nights trouble Thus for a time wée wil leaue Pollipus returned to the Court with Parismus Violetta very sicke and weake in Archas Castle and many of the Bohemian and Thessalian Knights in her search to turne my sences to write of an other Subiect long time buried in forgetfulnesse the chiefest subiect of whereon this Historie dependeth CHAP. III. How Parismenos was brought vp in the Iland of Rockes in Tartaria How his nurse was slaine by a Lyon How he liued many yeares like a wilde man and afterwards arriued at Andramarts Castle AT such time as Laurana was imprisoned in the Iland of Rocks vnder the gouernment of Adamasia Andramarts sister as is declared in the first part of this Historie the nurse vnto whose custody the young child Parismenos was committed fearing his vntimely death which Adamasia threaned because his mother would not consent to Andramarts lust secretly to saue the child from her crueltie fled by fight into a desolate wood where she carefully educated him according to the condition of the place which was with such wild fruite as she gathered making many a hard shift to stanch her hunger and defend the swéete babe from famine vntill at length hearing of Andramarts death she determined to returne to the Castle and there present him to his mother and to that intent forsaking her poore habitation she went as she thought thitherwards but most vnfortunately wandred into a desolate and vnfrequented Wildernesse where she had not long stayed but met a fierce and cruell Lyon who slew her which when Parismenos beheld notwithstanding his infancie hée laboured with his weake resistance to preserue her but the Lyon refusing to hurt him withdrew himselfe to his denne whither Parismenos boldly pursued him and being entred therein the Lyon began to wag his taile and fawne vpon him gently which made him maruaile why he had slaine his nurse and would not hurt him and made him the more bolde that béeing wearie with trauell he laide himselfe downe to sléepe and when he awooke being very hungrie he gathered wilde fruite whereof there was plentie which was his foode and the cleare water his drinke This was his habitation a long time taking great pleasure to hunt and chase the wilde beasts from whose furie he was still preserued by the Lyon Afterwards when he was growen to riper age in his sléepe he drempt that his nurse appeared vnto him willing him to forsake that vnfrequented place and to seeke out Andramarts Castle where he should finde people in whose companie he should bée brought vp When he awaked he could not tel what to thinke of his dreame nor what she ment by Andramarts Castle nor which way to goe thither being therewith drawne into a deepe studie but suddainly hée espied a young Beare whose sight made him quite forget his dreame and taking excéeding delight to chase such beastes he caught vp his stafie and followed her and pursued her so fiercely that at length hee slewe her wherewith he was wandred so farre that getting to the top of a mountaine and looking round about him he espied the Castle thinking that was the place his nurse had tolde him of in his dreame that hee went thitherwardes It chanced one of the knights that Parismus had left to kéepe the Castle espied him and béeing of a sadde disposition séeing Parismenos begin to withdraw himselfr ranne to him and offered to lay hands on him But Parismenos being afraid of his behauior strook at him with his staffe so fiercely that had he not quickly auoyded his blowe he had beaten out his braines The Tartarian beeing angrie drewe his sword and therewith wounded Parismenos in the thigh the smart whereof so inraged him that notwithstanding all his resistance he left him for dead Afterwards entring the Castle his winde was drawne into an excéeding delight to behold the goodly buildings and beautie thereof The Tartarians beholding one in such straunge disguise for he was clad in the skinnes of such beasts as he had slaine and his hayre growne to a great length much maruelled how hee came into that countriâ— withall noting