THE FAMOVS HISTORIE OF MONTELYON KNIGHT of the Oracle and Sonne to the Renowned PERSICLES King of ASSYRIA SHEWING His strange Birth Vnfortunate Love Perilous Adventures in Armes and how he came to the knowledge of his Parents Interlaced with much variety of Pleasant and delightfull Discourse LONDON Printed by B. ALSOP and T. FAVVCET dwelling in Grubstreet neere the lower Pumpe 1640. TO THE GENTLEMEN Readers health GENTLEMEN your well tryed favours hâ—ve set mee so farre on fire in my further proceedings that I that ever hitherto followed the endeavors of Pierce Plainnesse seeme now â—or your pleasures to become even a bowe-fellow prodigall spending the summe of my store to the uttermost as long as possibly it lasteth If you find any crackt coyne in these my liberall expences yet for FOORD's sake affoord them starling and winking at small faults excuse me to bee mistaken and so amongst Friends may it passe for currant I am not of the humour of the new-Fangling Taylor that for every new-wrought Suite frames a new fashion Nor of â—heir presumptuous Nature that of themselves being but Vixins face out their attempts with heroicall Lyons lookes but I alway the same rest ever forward to intreat carefull to request and daily addicted devoutly to attend Humility Against biting Theon's tooth I remaine alway patient proofe and the rather considering the singular sentence of one of the seaven Sages viz. That even as for a man of understanding being praysed to be led thereby unto a selfe-loved opinion of his owne laudable parts or as selfe-willed presuming on his high deserts may seeme an especiall argument of no small folly so likewise for being discommended to remaine even amort with heavy cheere and drooping mind figuring his sad lookes like to the Anatomy of death is a plain proofe of his scarcity of counsell want of patience which Phylosopherâ— hold the soveraign'st vertue that belongs to the qualified indument of mortality and which is worse penury of reason Affectus temporare suos I propose not this Gentle Reader as if Stoycally I regarded your judicious censure but rather portray a Preludium how indifferently I can endure the divers taunting reports of the envious as for your ever regarded judgements I account it the sanctuary wherein my tyred sconce may finde refuge the chiefe gresse onely whereby my feeble invention ascendeth the Colosse that wholly supporteth my endeavours yea I reckon it all my being all my essence all my good As therefore with a favourable smile you ere-while entertained Parismus and Parismenos my elder off springs with so cheerefull an aspect now cast your lookes on my Montelyon whose forwardnesse to winne fame you shall perceive nothing inferiour to the promptnesse of the former although by birth and course of time the younger Oh he can acquaint you with the wonders of Chivalry with admirable acts and doubty deeds supported alway with a Fayery suffrage as was Vlysses in his ten yeares venture by the ayde of Pallas Your well-wishing acceptance and kind conceit of him is all the recompence I aske for my travell and I wish no more so I trust you will no lesse grant this and make my endeavours prosperous Deny that and leave mee so utterly infortunate as hopelesse for ever of every good successe ever found bountifull in giving the one so my selfe will not rest ingratefull for the other that both in one and one in both may not onely augment your longing pleasures which I heartily wish but also inrich my lasting content which I hope you as courteously will Your Well-willer EMANVEL FOORD In praise of the Author SHould Monuments of vvorthy deeds Be svvallovved of Oblivion What Honour vvhereon Vertue feeds Remembred reâ—ts for Merits done Whence shall proceed that sparke of Fame That sets on fire the Noble-Heart For Honour of his Birth and Name In Valours Field to act his part Had not great Alexander vievv'd The blazons of Achilles praise Whereat vvith envious Eye he revv'd The vvorld beyond him vve should raise He scarcely to subdue had sought The World vnder his Command Nor had his Conquests Honour bought According to his Minds demand Had not his acts beene Registred By Memorie in vvorthy Write And Name by Fame forth queristred Maugre Obliuions misty spite Stout Hectors valour vvho could tell Who could rehearse Vlisses skill With thousands vvhose Exploits excell If not portrai'd by soveraigne Quill Hovv vvorthy praise are Writers then Whose vvorkes shevv to this vile-grovvne Age The vvorthy liues of Valiant men For Vertues Freedome layd in gage Then vvell desâ—rues he that reviues The Age-vvorne records of Renovvne Contemning Envie that depriue's The vvell deserv'd of Lavvâ—ell Crovvne Thanke Foord thus offring at free cost His Talent for our hearts delight And reckons not his labour lost If it vvith kâ—ndnesse vve requite THE HISTORIE OF MONTELION KNIGHT of the Oracle CHAP. I. How Persicles was created King of Assyria and travailed into Persia to the Marriage of his sister Piera to the Emperours Sonne Deloratus How he was enamoured of Constantia and returned into Assyria AN ancient King named Pius ruled the Land of Assyria in great peace as well Fortunate by the loue of his Subjects and other outward blessings as with two faire children a Sonne and aDaughter that after his death should succéed in that Empire And by reason Age was now so much growne vpon him that he found himselfe wearied and vnable to exercise the care that belongeth to the government of so mighty a Nation also beholding in his Sonne more then ordinary grauity and so forward a mind to vertue as that he might well commit a matter of such weight to his care he determined to giue himselfe to rest which well agréed with his Age and therefore caused all the Péeres of his Land to be assembled Which being effected and all set in Parliament the olde King uttered his minde which was to establish his Sonne Persicles in the Kingdome The Péeres before that as well by common report as of their owne experience having perfect knowledge of his manifold vertues gaue their generall consents And so Persicles within few dayes was crowned King Pius having effected this according to his mind yet could not bâ— at quiet vntill he had provided a marriage for his daughter befitting her estate To further which good intent it fortuned that Deloratus Son and heyre to the King of Persia hearing of Pieraes beauty for so was she called came into the Country of Assyria and by long sute at last obtained her good will and her fathers consent being assured to her in the presence of most of his Péeres but for that certaine conditions were to be ratified by the King his Father the solemnization of the marriage was deferred vntill that was performed and for that time should not belong protracted which Deloratus with earnestness hastened Persicles with the consent of his Father accompanied his Sister Piera into Persia attended by a number of Gallant Knights as well to sée the
and Houses vnto the Persian Souldiers and also gaue commandement that the women children olde men had impotent people should be brought into the City and euery one possesse his owne house wherein hée dwelt before This being performed for that day order being taken for the wounded the souldiers enriched with spoyle the Citizens in quiet in their houses diligent watch set at each gate and a strong guard without in the Tents for that it drew to night and their labour required ease after much joy they betooke themselues to their rest Earely the next morning they forsooke their Pauilions first appointing certaine scowtes to watch about the borders of the Country for the approach of the King of Armenia which as they suspected would be very shortly for it was now two moneths since Althesus departed By that time the day was aged the space of thrée houres the inhabitants of Assyria that had liued vnder the subjection and tyranny of the Armenians hearing of Palians ouerthrow and being assured of Persicles safety which before that their doubtfull hearts would not beléeue came by great multitudes to submit themselues vnto their lawfull King who rejoycing thereat commanded them in signe of their obedience to arme themselues and returne to their owne dwellings and to destroy all the Armenians that inhabited the Land of Assyria not suffering neither man woman or child to liue It was a wonder to beholde with what gréedinesse the heady multitudes bent themselues to their Enemies destruction euery one thinking to be foremost and hée that was last yet thinking himselfe happy that hée could graspe a Sword to séeke his owne liberty Which they effected within thrée dayes that there was not any of the Armenian Progenie left for if they chanced to finde an Assyrian woman married to an Armenian woman both shée and all her Children dyed And if they found a Woman with child or hauing any children that shée could not shew an Assyrian was the Father of them they had all of them dyed In the meane while all those that were Prisoners were brought foorth Persicles by the whole consent of all his Nobles People and Counsell appointing them to dye onely Palian excepted who like wise had that day abode a shamefull death if hée had not béene a Kings sonne being onely committed to safe custody where he was honourably vsed These tragicall Stratagems ouerpast and all things in security notwithstanding the beauty of the Land was destroyed by the Armenians yet now the Nobles and Péeres of the land that for a long time durst not looke ouer the Castle Walles assembled themselues vnto their King making all preparation they could for his more honourable welcome the Bels rung for joy and the people with excéeding rejoyâ—ings applauded his victory Within few dayes Persicles was with great royalty twice crowned King of Assyria and Montelyon honoured with such excéeding commendation as his worthinesse deserued Euery one as of right they should attributed that honoured victory to his valor All men growing into déep affection towards him and with rejoycing manifest their loue CHAP. XVI Of the King of Armenia's arriuall with a new Army How Montelyon set Palian at liberty and of a Peace that was concluded CErtaine of the Spyes had knowledge of the approach of the King of Armenia and brought newes thereof vnto the Court which stirred vp a new disquiet amongst them for then they began on all sides to arme themselves a fresh but that haste was soone stayed by the arriuall of certaine Ambassadours from the King of Armenia who deliuered their message in these words Persicles of Assyria the mighty King of Armenia commandeth thée to deliuer his sonne Palian in safety whom hée vnderstandeth thou hast taken prisoner Withall hée requireth restitution to be made oâ— the Crowne and Kingdome of Assyria which by right of ancient inheritance iâ— his otherwise he will bring so puissant and inuincible an Army against thée that shall waste and consume this â— and not leauing City Towne nor house vndestroyed by fire he will make the Inhabitants perpetuall bond-slaues and he will cause thée to slye or abiding his comming hée will take thée captiue and leade thée into Armenia where thou shalt remaine his vassaile This is the summe of that he requireth therefore let vs haue answere I will not study sayd Persicles what to say but thus say to him His sonne is my prisoner and I will detaine him as for his threats I feare them not vtterly denying his false title to my Crowne which in my absence hée seazed vpon not by valour but trecherie And tell him moreouer that I demand restitution for the wrong hée hath done mée and my Countrey which if he deny nothing shall make me satisfaction but his sonnes death And tell him thus let him with haste returne least my fury ouertake him and so he féele the mischiefe he intendeth to me for I meane to méete him presently and worke such destruction among his Souldiers as shall cause them to séeke his death for betraying them into his hands Persicles spake these words with such fury as made the Ambassadours assuredly beléeue hée meant it that with this answere they departed The King of Armenia little thinking to receiue such an answere but rather performance of his demand was so enraged that hée commanded his Souldiers to march towards the City vowing to redéeme his sonne or be taken prisoner himselfe Persicles likewise had collected a mighty band of Persians and Assyrians to méete him that it was likely this would proue the hottest battell that euer was fought in that part of the world In the meane time Palian was brought before Persicles who was seated vpon the Kingly throne in great Majesty thus saying to Palian what canst thou alledge to excuse thy selfe from death hauing rightly deserued the same Thou knowest that it now resteth in my power to set thée frée or put thée to death which the just Heauens haue inflicted vpon thée as a due punishment for thy tyrannie 〈…〉 Palian made this reply I am a King as absolute as thy selfe therefore I know thou darest not put me to death which if thou shouldest presume to attempt know that the King of Armenia is hard at thy elbow to reuenge the same whose power thou canst not escape Therefore I defie thée and dare thée to doe the same for I know thée to be of so cowardly a disposition that if thou once commest within my Fathers sight thou wilt runne away The people standing by hearing him vtter such opprobrious words cryed out Let him dye let him dye It was long before the multitude could be appeased but at last Persicles thus said standing vp in a great rage Traytor darest thou vtter these words in my presence Thou shalt dye the death not all the world shall redéeme thée With that he commanded his guard to hew him in pieces with that they began to wound him but Montelyon stepping betwixt them humbling himselfe vpon his knée
thou wouldst not request it but to satisfie her of that which peradventure she will not credit by thy report and at thy request I will come to her this evening Till then farewell quoth he Philotheta being parted from him by the way vttered these spéeches O that fortune would favour me so much and blesse me with that felicity to be the party this worthy Knight so constantly loveth By this she was come to the Pavilion where even then there entred foure Knights in black Armour gallantly mounted by their outward habit portended some fatall stratagem which were Palian and the thrée Sons of the King of Macedon who had vowed either secretly or openly to plot the death of Montelyon taking vp their Lodging there to complot their treason The day being past which the Knight of the Oracle overpast in many solitary meditations to the great griefe of Persicles and Constantia who wondred thereat he went to his Chamber apparelling himselfe in the habit of one of the Kings Servants onely gyrding his Sword to his side went vnto the Pavilion concealing himselfe as closely as he could but the Heavens ordaining him to endure some misery and as the eyes of enuy and suspition discovering him to Palian who espyed his comming thither and being entred the Pavilion he was met by Philotheta who with such carefulnesse expected his comming conducting him into the place where Praxentia was which went so sore against her heart to doe that with very griefe she was ready to dye whither treacherous Palians eyes watcht him Praxentia espying him could not abstaine from blushing excéedingly her owne heart accusing her of immodesty to reveale that which we would haue concealed Hée saluted her vttering these words Most noble Princesse to fulfâ—ll your desire and shew my gratitude vnto you for your Friendship bestowed on him that is not worthy thereof I am come to you desiring you not to misconceiue of me nor condemne me of inhumanity that am not mine owne and therefore I cannot giue my selfe vnto you I haue vttered vnto the Palmer that which I will now conceale as loath to offend you yet constrained thereto desiring you to command my life if you please for that shall be at your disposition otherwise I cannot imploy my selfe to your liking I haue long since knowne of your good will to me which Palian by his subtilty increased of whose Loue and procéedings I know so much that I thinke I shall wrong him to fulfill your request my selfe was the man that should haue joyned your hands when he tooke my habit and name vpon him which I presume here to vtter that thereby you may remember my innocencie in that complot and how constantly I haue vowed my selfe to another Praxentia what with anger shame and griefe stood like one mute vexed that he knew of Palians act shame to make loue contrary to the propertie of her kind and grieved to be disappointed all which together not suffering her to speake vntill at last these passions and her burning Loue so overcame her that knéeling downe she said Good Knight blame me not nor doe not condemne me of immodesty but grant pitty to my torment He taking her vp desired her not to knéele to him that was not worthie thereof nor able to deserue it then taking him by the hand she desired him to sit downe by her upon the bed beckning Philotheta to depart the roome To repeat what manner of behaviour Praxentia vsed and the words he spake would haue made any modest eare to blush to heare of but séeing that nothing could prevaile rage and lust so over ruled her that in bitter exclaimes she cryed out Inhumane disloyall and dishonourable Knight doest thou require my Loue with this disdain Or thinkest thou I will liue to beare the blot of thy refusall At the conclusion of which words Thetus entred the roome and with his Sword drawne ran at him who by good Fortune beholding him started aside otherwise he had béene slaine yet he was sore wounded wherewith he drew his sword striking at Thetus and at every blow wounding him Philotheta hearing the noyse came in and séeing the Knight of the Oracle wounded with feare grief and amazement cryed out helpe helpe the Kings Son â—ill be murdered The Eccho oâ— her shrill voice sounded throughout the whole Pavilion and both the Servants and other Knights came running thither but before they came he had gotten Thetus and overthrowne him thrust his Sword into his Bodie By this time Palian and his two Brethren came in who séeing Thetus slaine cryed out Stay the Traytor he hath murthered Thetus Son to the King of Macedonia Praxentia hearing that tore her haire rent her Garments and disfigured her face in such fort as was Lamentable to behold Some began to lay hands on the Knight of the Oracle but his Fathers Servants knowing him stood in his defence Then began there a hote Combat on both parts and many were slaine Praxentia being now discovered was knowne to Palian and her two Brethren to whom she cryed Revenge my shame and my Brothers death on this wicked Knight who séeketh by violence to dishonour me hath slaine my Brother What griefe was this to Philotheta you may judge and how much it vexed him to be thus betrayed cannot be vttered standing in his owne defence against such as would haue apprehended him that knew him not vntill he was grievously wounded and many of them slaine in which time newes thereof was come to the hearing of Persicles the Emperour of Persia and the King of Macedonia who with all hast came thitherwards The Souldiers like wise hearing of the Knight of the Oracles distresse brake the conditions of the concluded Peace and by Multitudes ran forth of the Citie to preserue them Persicles first entred the Tent next him the Kings of Persia and Macedonia giving commandement vpon paine of Death that no man should strike a blow Yet notwithstanding rashnesse and heady force so overcame them that it was long before they were appeased And the Emperour séeing Praxentia there in such sort disfigured demanded if any could tell the cause of that mischiefe First Praxentia spake being most guilty yet first thinking to excuse her selfe Noble Emperour my brother you sée is slaine in rescuing me from that Knights violence The Knight of the Oracle knéeling downe before the Emperour said My noble Grand father I slew him in mine owne defence neither did I know what he waâ— being my selfe trained hither to my death More he would haue said but the Souldiers having entred the Pavilion râ—sted not vntill they had gotten vnto him and he to satisfie them and avoid further mischiefe departed with them to the City Then did the Emperour and Persicles comfort the King of Macedonia but he vexed with his Sonnes death and his Daughters disgrace and vrged by his others Sonnes importunacy said Emperour of Persia I am now much wronged and too much abused by thée and thy Progenie by whose
prevent these evils to sit here and vtter sad words auaileth me not to bewaile her estate helpeth her nor to destroy my selfe will benefit her should I sit still here so shall I never finde her and to séeke for her out of this place is to spend my Labours without hope of comfort For I feare me she is dead and then may I sooner méete her Ghost in this place then her Body in another Well since neither comfort nor counsell is left to further my hopes I will forever dwell in this vnfortunate place and fill the same with my Laments neither shall my body rest in bed nor my stomacke tast of other meate then wilde fruit vntill I finde my Loue or be assured of the place of her abode Thus liued he in those Woods many dayes and many yéeres making every Trée a monument of Constantias vâ—â—â—â—tunate losse though he were often disswaded by Pisor who afterwards trauelled most parts of all those Countryes in search of her but could neuer heare of her The King of Persia had likewise giuen over all care of Constantia as supposing her to be dead greatly lamenting the misfortunes of Persicles and maruelling at his absence beléeving verily that he was murthered according to the accusation made by Oretus against Parenus and Thrureus Whom we will all leaue for a while to speake of the misfortunes befell to Constantia CHAP. VIII How Selia was married to Helyon and of the miseries Constantia endured by her jealousie How Constantia was delivered of a goodly Boy whose life was preserved by the policie of Palia and how Selia vexed thereat HElyon was no sooner arrived in Arabia but hée was informed of his Fathers death which for a time he lamented of common course not of piety or affection in the meane time causing Constantia to be kept in the old Monasterie vnder the government of an ancient Ladie that lived not onely by the gifts of the King bestowed vpon her for many badde actions but also of many Gentlemen that hauâ—â—ed the Company of the Kings Concubines by stealth In this place did he put Constantia neither her Kéeper nor any other knowing what she was Who by this time had â—esolued to endure aduersity for many dayes giuing her selfe to quiet for that by reason of his counterfeit mourning he came not at her But the time being come that he was crowned King and on the same day likewise married Selia causing poore Constantia as one of her Handmaides to attend her Which he did of a malicious intent onely to vexe her but she was well contented to doe any thing to rid her of his hatefull Loue whom she abhorred in the very depth of her Soule But when he saw she endured the same with such patience he againe caused her to be closely kept in that Monastery giuing commandement that none but the old Lady named Palia should come at her Thus did she continue vntill she began to féele her selfe with Child by Persicles which draue her to the vttermost exigent of care how to preserue her Infants life Sometimes purposing to make her estate knowne to Palia but hauing sufficient tryall of her wicked disposition she durst not trust her least she should reueale the same to the King Selia like wise at that very instant was great with Child by Helyon both conceiuing at one instant the one in the Persian Court and the other in the Shepheards cottage Selia made Helyon acquainted therewith desiring that she might be deliuered thereof in some private place where the Ladyes of the Court might not know thereof which would turne to her euerlasting scandall Helyon well knowing the nature of the people in what detestable sort they held adultery in their Queene thought no place so fit for the accomplishment thereof as in the Monastery where Constantiâ— was vnto which place she was soone conueyed report being giuen out by the Kings command that she was for the preservation of her health secretly departed into the Countrey The Quéene being come into the Monastery asked for Constantia who was presently brought before her whom Selia now began to hate mortally being very Iealous of her and supposing that the King still Loued her whâ—â— she vsed so disdainfully vpbrayding her with many vndecent spéeches Which Constantia tooke most patiently onely with Teares lamenting her misfortunes And so proudly and scornefully did she behaue her selfe towards Palia and all that attended her that they began to dislike of her Palia séeing the pride of the Quéene and in what disdainfull sort she vsed her accusing her to be priuy to the Kings secret loue to Constantia vsing her so distrustfully and with such euill tearmes began to hate her Which Constantia perceiued by some doubtfull spéeches she gaue out against her Whereupon finding a fit opportunity when she was vexed with her vnkindnesse she came to Palia and said I perceiue the Quéen vseth you but vnkindly regarding to vse none well though they giue her no cause at all She likewise misuseth me that neuer in my life offended her but haue béene the greatest cause of her good I would gladly intreat your ayd and withall reveale many things vnto you that you yet know not if I were assured of your secrecy which I am the more fearefull to reveale for that they are matters of importance wherein notwithstanding if you would vouchsafe your assistance to pitty my miserable estate you shall doe a déed of euerlasting merit Palia hearing her spéeches sayd if I may likewise without feare make my minde knowne vnto you be your assured I doe so mortally hate her that rewardeth my dutifull seruice with disdaine that I will not leaue any thing vnattempted to vexe her and pleasure you therefore if an Oath may assure you of my secrecy hauing no other meanes at this instant to giue proofe thereof I vow by all the good I euer expect never to reveale what you disclose to me but most faithfully labour to pleasure you to my power Then know qd Constantia that I am Daughter to the King of Persia sometimes brought vp in this Court and your Quéene but the Daughter of a Countrey-Swaine in Persia that being exalted to dignity though basely borne behaueth her selfe thus proudly I fearing my Father would haue married me to Helyon against my will having betrothed my selfe to the King of Assyria with him stole from the Court in this Apparell of Selia that is now your Quéene much search was made for me but they could neuer finde me for I lived with my Lord in this disguise in a Shepheards house vntill one day I missing him strayed so farre from the House that I could not returne but by misfortune was found by Helyon and thus as you sée brought into this Countrey either to my death or to a worser end I am likewise great with Child and within short space shall be delivered My earnest desire is that you would vse some meanes to preserue my Babe from death which no doubt it is
likely to endure by her malice and his cruelty Palia having heard her Spéeches Reverenced her comforted her and promised her with many Vowes and Protestations to fulfill her desire thereby to worke some revenge against the Quéene In her heart pittying the distresse of Constantia of whose Vertues she had before times some knowledge With this Promise did Constantia somewhat comfort her selfe hoping yet in the end to escape from that Bondage being daily cherished by old Palia who behaued her selfe towards Selia with such duty and obedience notwithstanding her often vpbraydings that she still kept her selfe in most place of credit about her The day being now come that the Quéene was delivered of a goodly Boy and Constantia the next Night of another none being priuy thereto but Palia who handled the matter with such cunning that she conveyed Constantiaes Child to Selia and hers to Constantia making her acquainted with her intent therein The next day declaring to Helyon how that the Damzell in her custody was deliuered of a Boy Helyon hearing that willing her to kéepe the same secret from any vpon paine of death Not so much as once to reueale it to the Quéene vowing ere many dayes to destroy it Giuing Order to haue his owne Christened naming him Perus And comming to the Quéene told her it were best to be Nursed in the Countrey who was contented to be ruled by him Then calling to him Palia he told her that shée must needs provide a Nurse for his Sonne who already hauing complotted what she intended told him that she knew a kins-woman of hers that was lately brought to Bed some twenty miles off in the Countrey to whom she would if it liked him conuey the Infant Helyon was glad of her promise appointing her all things fit for her departure the next morning Late in the Evening when Palia was sure none could sée her shée went to Constantia telling her what she had intended Withall asking her counsell what hée should doe Aye me quoth Constantia I know not in this extremity what to resolue vpon fearing never to see my Sonne againe and if thou goest I loose my greatest comfort Then taking the Chiloc in her armes and bestowing many Teare-wet kisses thereon she said Palia I pray thee let me know what thou intendest to doe with it Lady quoth she if you perswade me not to the contrary after I am departed this Court I will never leaue trauelling vntill I arriue in Assyria where I doe not doubt but to find Persicles vnto whom I will declare your misfortunes But if I finde him not there I will then Trauell into Persia to the place where you lost him where I shall then assuredly find him that he knowing your estate may seeke to release you And wilt thou doe this for in said Constantia that am neuer likely to make thée amends I will qd Palia and with such faithfulnesse execute the charge I vndertake as shall turne to thy everlasting quiet Many speeches past betwixt them before they parted but yet in the end shee was constrained to leaue Constantia almost dead with griefe but afterwards somewhat comforted with the good hope she had of her faithfull dealing Of two evils thinking it the best to commit the Babe to her custody who by all likelyhoods intended well thereto Early the next Morning Palia departed hauing none in her Company with all the hast she could trauelling towards Assyria Helyon now beganne to meditate on Constantiaes Fortune and who should be the Father of her Childe and whereas before he determined to penne her vp in that Cloyster vntill she would yéeld to his desire he now resolued to revenge the disdaine she had showne in refusing his Loue with all Cruelty that finding occasion when none could interrupt his spéeches being alone with her in her chamber he thus sayd Disdainefull and discourteous Lady did you estéeme so basely of my Loue in my contempt to choose some base-borne Peasant to possesse that which I long sought with such deuoted affection and refusing my Honorable proffer to chuse rather to become anothers Harlot Who would euer haue thought thy comely person shadowed with so faire a pretext had inwardly nourished such ignoble affections Doe you thinke the King of Persia will rejoyce to heare that his faire Daughter Constantia that may well be termed Incontinency hath so vildly stained her Princely blood and defamed her Royall stocke with so infamous a fact or not rather dye with griefe Therefore to prevent so great a mischiefe as will come by his death I will be the meane to kéep thy fact from comming to his knowledge and in his behalfe worke such Revenge as shall be agréeable to so great an offence Yet let me know the cause of thy contempt against mée and who is the Father of thy bastard Which if thou refusest to doe by gentle meanes to vnfold I will by force compell thée thereunto Constantia with Patience heard out his spéeches and with as great Patience answered him Helyon I can well beare your Opprobrious spéeches neyther will I impugne how scandalous they are For the Father of this Infant is as good as your selfe and him I Loue farre more honourable and vertuous then Helyon King of Arabia who ensureth me according to the quality of his owne disposition The reason I left my Fathers Court was to avoyd your importunate suite which was vnpleasing to me in respect of the honorable Loue I imbraced therefore beware you abuse not Constantia For though the King of Persia will not revenge my wrongs yet there is a King as mighty as hée claymeth my possession and will not suffer me to be injured What is a King the Father of that Bastard qd he No thou shalt never perswade mée to that for it looketh not like a King but is the perfect Image of a Foole. Yea said Constantia and yet a King as wise as thy selfe and that ere long thou shalt know for the Father thereof is priuy to all thy Actions although thou thinkest me safely kept And if thou doest murther it I care not for thy selfe will be the first that shall repent the déed And for me vse me well for the Father of this Child loueth thée well and yet thou wilt be thine owne destruction in séeking his death Helyon vnderstood not her meaning maruelling who it should be she meant that he sayd I thinke thou art madde or counterfeytest some deceyt by the ambiguity of thy spéeches for how can the Father of that Brat loue me Or what cause should there be to make me repent any thing that I should doe to it Which the rather shall suffer my wrath because of thy derisions Therefore resolue me or be assured of my euerlasting hatred I neither said she regard thée nor thy hate vtterly denying to fulfill thy request in any respect Yet if thou hadst not demanded it I would peraduenture haue told it thée Doe the worst thou canst I care not for misery it selfe
which he had entred ascended a high Mountaine whose lofty top discovered to his sight the faire Turrets of the Enchanted Tower which glistered as if they had béene framed of Massie Gold which draue him into an admiration but viewing well the Scituation thereof he discerned the Valleyes round about overspred with Tents as if the same had béene encompassed with a Host of Enemies Thither hée intended to travell forsaking the gallant prospect to be acquainted with the cause of that Assembly making the more hast for that it grew towards night but ere he could attaine thither it grew to hée darke therefore for that Night he tooke vp his Lodging vnder the covert of a tuske of trées pleasantly seated in the middest of a gréene Meddow CHAP. XXVI Of the Conference betweene Constantia and Philotheta in Penthrasus Castle THe History hath long discontinued to speak of the Lady Constantia that remained Enchanted and of Helyon that like wise lay their inthralled in great misery rightly rewarded for his treacherous dealing Her eyes shedding continuall teares for the absence of Persicles on whom she continually meditated resolving that nothing but death should abolish his remembrance that had not Ila comforted her with promises of her release the extremity of her Sorrow had soone ended her life withall thinking that Persicles and her young Sonne might both bée in safety and yet she by no meanes could heare thereof which also added some comfort to her heauy heart Oftentimes she would intreat her to behold the valiant adventures of Noble Knights that hazarded their owne Persons in the adventure for to attaine her Loue and in private tryallâ— amongst themselues with whom they were déepely in loue onely with the sight of her Picture but she still refused it accounting it no pleasure to her to sée their misfortune that spent their labour in vain for in the continuance of so many yeares as she had béene there inclosed the fame of her beauty was spred into most parts of those Countries and many thousand Knights had béene their to try their Fortunes but all failed the recitall whereof would be ever tedious but many of them lay their imprisoned by the Enchantresse who now being in despaire of her owne safety sought to bring all to miserie as well as her selfe At such time as Philotheta was carried from Montelyon in the Hermits Cell Constantia remained in such extremity of sorrow that had not Ila wrought that device to bring Philotheta thither to accompany her it had béene impossible her Sences could haue overgrowne the extremity of the passion tormented her but sitting alone in a darke corner best fitting her sad disposition she vttered such lamentations as would haue turned the flintiest heart of a most cruell Tyrant to remorse but suddainly espying Ila entred and with her so beautifull a Damzell with chéekes bedewed with Christall teares that in aboundunce trickled downe her face with that object she left her owne laments to pitty hers and séeing them draw nigh to her she arose after a sad fort saluting their sad aproach Ila without speaking a word left them together Though they were both women yet both admiring each others beauty either thinking the other to exâ—ell all and yet had they beheld their owne perfections they might inwardly haue conceived as well of themselues as they did of the outward obiect Constantia being more familiar with sorrow then Philotheta was first brake silence saying Lady I perceiue your teares that constraint not your consent hath brought you to this place beautifull to the eye but fill'd with discontents which long experience hath taught me therefore if you want a companion in care accept of my company but if you séeke for comfort abandon me for my chiefest solace is sorrow and my very thoughts and meditations of nothing but discontent I haue not said Philotheta béene long subject to this misfortune but being now plunged therein I know not how to release my selfe or how to shun the same neither knowing who is the cause thereof where I am or when I shall be released that my Sorrowes are such as may well entertaine a sorrowfull companion accepting your proffered kindnesse with hearty thankes Lady said Constantia as you vouchsafe me your company so let me know what misfortune hath brought you hither which will shorten some of the tedious time that we are like to overpasse in this place Which done you shall know to whom you haue imparted your mind the recitall whereof will be tedious Philotheta sitting downe by her vttered these spéeches My name is Philotheta Daughter in law to Amphiador Vpon a day as I was walking in my Fathers Garden vpon what pretence I know not thrée Gyants surprised me and by force carried me thence none to my knowledge séeing their cruelty when they had travailed with me vntill it waxed late a Knight armed all in white gallantly mounted came to my rescue and entred Combate with the Gyants his valiant heart not refusing to copâ— with all thrée of them But one of them thinking himselfe too strong for him stayed to combate with him the other two with hast carrying me away but in short space one of them ranne back to rescue his fellow whom the Knight had slaine himselfe likewise returning with losse of one of his armes haling me forwards with violent force vntill they came into the midst of a Wood where they meant to stay that night This Knight directed by good fortune alighted on the place where they lay and by his Valour and pollicie slue them both yet so sore hurt himselfe that he lay breathlesse vpon the earth which afflicted my heart with Sorrow fearing his death that I could not comfort him in ought by my teares and laments accounting it more misfortune for mée to be the cause of so worthy a Knights Death then I my selfe had béene still Prisoner to those Monsters the Heavens favouring my sorrowes and his mishaps directed an old Hermit to the place who with the juyce of certaine hearbs recovered him and with my weake assistance brought him to his Cell within short space curing him In which time I noted every part of his perfections and found them such as I want skill to decipher comparing thereto his behaviour which bred a perswasion in me that as he was valiant so he was vertuous and as he excelled all that ever I beheld in person so he did in courtesie Much conference past betwixt vs which I omit The Subject whereof was Loue which he averred to be as constant in him though new begun as it was in any by long continuance Amongst the rest of his spéeches he told me that he knew not his Parents his name was Montelyon the cause of his travell was in search of a Lady named Constantia betrothed Wife to Persicles King of Assyria who parted from him that day he rescued me in Arabia Constantia hearing of such good newes of the safety of Persicles could not withhold her selfe from bewraying what