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
armes The other seeing his fellowes mischance assailed Parismenos with his sword drawne whome Parismeuos so ouerlaid with fierce blowes and wounded so gréeuously that hee fearing his death and séeing no other come to his rescue was ready to yéelde Euen at that instant another Knight came who séeing one of them dead and the other in great danger ranne at Parismenos with inâ—ent vnawares to pierce his speare through his body But hee hearing the noise of his horse feete behinde him nimbly spurâ— his horse forwards by which meanes the knight lost his course passing by without doing him any harme Parismenos looking about him and espying two enemies more and missing the Damsell that had brought him thither began to suspect some treachery which thoughts and the remembrance of the drops of blood yâ— fel froÌ„ him that morning added new courage to his valor that reaching a â—urions blow at the wounded knight the sword lighting on a broken place in the armor rusht into his body and ended his life By which time the two knights lately come assailed him both at once betwéene whom began a most cruell and dangerous fight that al the earth was coloured with yâ— blood that issued from their wounds and notwithstanding Parismenos was before sore wounded yet hée defended himselfe so couragiously that his new come enemies could not indanger him but with their owne disaduantage who séeing his valour and calling to mind Corus death forsooke knightly chiâ—alty and vsed al villainous cowardly fight the one sometimes behind him offring him a thrust when he turned to reuenge that intâ—râ—ous â—éed the other did the like that hée perceiued they intended to murther him which so inraged that gallaÌ„t knight that dashing his spurs into his trâ—stie steeds sides he rusht with such violence against one of them that he bare him quite out of his saddle whose foote stil hung in his stâ—â—rop and his horse dragd him with violence vp down the field vntil the stirrâ—p burst and he lay dead dismounted The other knight seeing his â—rieâ—â—s misfortune would haue â—led but Parismenos strook such a violent blâ—w vpon his head that he lost his sences but soone recouering himselfe againe thinking it better to dye by his enemies sword then to yéeld â—o his mercy turned to Parismenos vttring these spéeches Knight if thou art well giue ouer otherwise know that notwithstanding my former shew of fight it is yâ— least part of my thought but I intend â—o try it out with thée to the vâ—â—comost Quoth he again no dissembling Thracian account not me so base minded to leaue such a villain to breath any longer that art not worthy of knighthood much lesse to be estéemed amongest men was it thy pollicie by subtiltie â—o be tray my life If I be not deceiued I knowe thée by thy voyce and thy name is Argaâ—us my counterfaited friend Am I the Bore thou intendest to flaie No traytor Thracian doo not thinke mée so simple but I perceiue thy trecherie and well vnderstand thy drifts nor do thou thinke to escape my hands This Knight indéede was Argalus who hearing his words was so ouercome with rage that marking where his Armour was most broken he gaue him such a violent thrust that the purple blood followed his keene sword which wounde was more deadly then all that he had before receiued that bending all his forces to reuenge the same hee sâ—ote so fiercely and nimbly at Argalus that in the ende with many grieuous woundes he beate him from his horse and lighting puld off his helmit and knew him with that he said Argalus what offence haue I done thée that thou shouldest séâ—k my death or wherein did I euer merit other then friendship at thy hands mest vnkind dissembler thou shalt receiue a fit reward for thy vilany wherwith féeling the smart of the wound he had lately giveÌ„ him opprâ—sse his heart he thrust his sword into his body which ended his â—â—â—e and sate downe weary with trauell and so saint with â—ffusion of â—ood that his eyes began to dazle and he fell downe vpon the earth as one â—erell of sence Amasenus all that day missing the knight of Fame beganne to suspect that some other chaâ—lenge had caused him to depart so secretly but hearing that Argalus and Themides were in his companie whom he thought loued him dearly his care was somewhat diminished but wheÌ„ it grew towards night and none of them yet returned hée then began vehemently to feare the worst that calling for his stéede hée presently rode forth well accompanied commaunding one to post this way and another that way about the Forrest to seeke the Knight of Fame himselfe rode which way his fancie best parswaded him vnto and by chaÌ„ce directed by good fortune be tooke directly towards the place where the Combat was fought and as he passed by the narrow Lane that went downe the valley hée espied one of the steedes all bestained with blood wandring without the Rider which strooke a sodaine feare to his hart that ryding downe that Lane he espied the dead bodies of mangeled knights lie confusedly scattered vpon the earth with gastly countenances being the fearfullest spectacle that euer eye beheld The first that he beheld was Themides almost torne to péeces by his owne stéede with his soote stillin the stirrope Next he vewed the other two knights so gréeuously mangled and wounded that the teares with griefe gusht from his eyes in abundance Next he came to Argalus whose face was vncouered whom he soone knewe And last of all he came to Parismenos who lay groueling with his face to the earth still grasping his bloody swoord in his hand whom he perceiued to gaspe for breath that in all hast lifting vp his Beuer to giue him fresh aire hée knew him to be the knight of Fame and perceiuing some life yet to remaine in him he vnarmed him with his own hands and gently wrapt him vp close that his woundes might not take aire causing him to be carried to his Castle The rest of the dead knights hee likewise caused to bee carried backe which was done with great lamentations and afterwards by his pointment were honourably buried CHAP. III. How the Knights returned without any newes of Violetta Of the sorrows Pollipus made for her absence departing in her search How Violetta hauing indured many miseries in Archas Castle at last escaped from thence in Soranas disguise THe Bohemian Knights by commandement of Parismus and the Thessalian knights for the affection they bare to Violetta hauing posted through euery part of Bohemia and made all diligent search leauing no place vnsought no means vnattempted nor labour vnperformed to finde her yet notwithstanding all their faithfull diligence at last returned without any newes of her at all which renewed Pollipus sorrowes afresh that but euen then had entertained a little quiet by Parismus perswasions But when he sawe Violetta was by no meanes to be heard of nor any likelihood or
he did both loue and honour him as himselfe â—and would neuer forsake him whilest he liued but continue his faithfull friend for euer Hauing in this sort made a new league of amity Marcellus left the Knight of Fame to his priuate meditations promising to returne to him very shortly going directly to Angelica whom hee found continuing her woonted sadnesse for she could â—yâ—e meanes bee comforted but still augmented her loue by remembring the knight of Fames person to whom she bare such intire affâ—â—ctions that she resolued neuer to loue any other Knight but determined to spende the whole date of her life in single â—state Marcellus suddaine approach brake off her silent pensiuenesse by his countenance shewing a heart replenisht with ioy which he vttered in this sort Angelica quoth he cast off this sadde countenance for I bring you news of more comfort for the knight of Fame is liuing and preserued qy admirable meanes Oh brother quoth she this newe a cannot be true which will nip my heart with greefe to heare of and be disappoynted therein Sister quoth hee it is so neither maruell thereat for his innocencee in the fact laâ—d to his charge hath I thinke caused the Gods to pittie him besides thereby you may bee assured he is borne of royall blood who is now in the keepers house in safetie with whom I haue béene these two houres now cast â—ff those stormy discontents and cloudes of care for there is no further cause of disquiet for his supposed death Angelica then verily peléeuing his words said Good brother fell me how he doth for whose safetie I reioyce for of all the knights that euer I beheld I neuer liked nor loued any so well dâ—siring you withall to kéepe my counsell hauing bewrayed my secrets to none else and not to let him know so much as I haue tolde you Then should both you and I do him wrong quoth he for he hath well deserued loue and especially at your hands to whom by his owne report hee hath long ago dedicated himselfe and not onely of his owne inclination but of a high command for the trueth of which he hath vpon trust of my secrecie reuealed to me which you shall likeâ—ise heare then hee discourâ—ed the whole trueth euen as the Knight of Fame had before doneâ— which when she heard she said What a discourteous Lady is that Venola to séeke the ouerthrow of so woorthie a Knight and how may I estéeme him that before hee knewe mee was so constant in his loue without hope of my fauour and refused the proffered loue of two such Ladies for my sake besides the perill he hath indured in my search and peraduenture is sprung of greater birth then my selfe And now also by my Parent doome was put in that hazard of his life Good brother be you carefull of his good and whatsoeuer you shall counsell me too I will doo if my Father should know of his safetie then were there no meanes for him to escape death for such a hard conceit of suspect doth possessed his minde that hee hateth all those that beare mee any shewe of good will Well sister quoth Marcellus rest you contented and still continue your loue towards him to increase not diminish the same who is by destinie allotted to be your husband the care of whose welfare let be my charge for I so much loue and estéeme him both for his owne and your sake that I will leaue no meanes vnassayed whereby to doo you good which said hée againe departed to the knight of Fame By this time the dark night approched and Marcellus and the knight of Fame were deuising what meanes to vse for his safetie and to procure the desired content Angelica expected who before had giuen her consent to be ruled by her Brother that by the assurance he had of her hee put the knight of Fame in assured comfort of her loue by relating in some sort the contents of Angelicas conference before had with him which affected his heart with greater ioy then euer before he had indured gréefe that his escape from death did not comfort his heart so much as this happy news At last Marcellus said Noble knight you sée how stricktly my Father gardeth Angelica that ther is no means left to ease your gréefe or her care by tarrying here neither can you without great hazard of your life remaine within the circuit of this Tower for that my Father suspecteth euery one yea his own children wherby wée are tired with those troubles and would willingly woâ—ke any meanes to ease our selues especially Angelica hath bene mewed vp so closely that shée I am sure would vndertake any thing to enioy her liberâ—ie were it in neuer so poore estate wherein in my opinion is many thousands of swéete contents to bee found rather then in this troublesome Pompe which is repleat with infinit cares Therfore this is my censure that you shall this night as I will dyrect you depart from hence and go to S. Austins Chappell not far hence and there stay for mée vntâ—l to morrow morning where remaineth an olde religious Priest named Iabine who if you say you come from mée will giue you entertainment which when you haue done I will so worke with my Sister Angeâ—ica that he shall condiscend by such meanes as I will worke for her secret escape to come to you by which I hope I shall ende the doubts that possesse my fathers minde ridde their Country of the scandall it is likely to runne into and worke both mine owne yours and Angelicas content for so dearely do I loue her that had I many liues to loose I would hazard them all to worke her releasement for were shee once married then should the date of the foolish prophecie haue an ende The Knight of Fame hearing his speeches which onely tended to worke the content he aboue all things in the world sought could not well contain himselfe from expressing immeasurabâ—e ioy but yeelâ—ing many humble and hartie thankes to Marcelâ—us both commended his deuise and also intreated him to goe forward with the same Then Marcellus called the keeper asking his counsell if he knew any deuise whereby the Knight of Fame might get out of the Castle promising him a good reward and withall pulling from his neck a chaine of gold gaue him the same The kéeper being intised with this reward golde hauing that force to make things impossible come to effect presently tolde them he had a deuise that might goe for currant if the knight would vndertake the same I haue my Lord quoth he a vessell of great largenesse which sometimes sorted for other vses which if we could deuise to let downe into the Lake he might easily in that get ouer on to the other side which deuise Marcellus and the Knight of Fame both liked And about midnight when all things were at rest they put this same in practise and by a Rope let the vessel down which swam most
in that you are easily knowne and I haue one within that is euery way of as good proofe The knight of Fame liked his deuice excéedingly well and armed â—imselfe in that armour which was very rich and costly guilded all ouer with Golde and Amell without any deuise to bée knowne by and in that armor the next night hée departed taking his leaue of olde Iabine with many courtesies beeing most vnwilling to leaue his companie and parting with a heauy heart for that hée went to vndertake â—â—â—ewe trauell which might detaine him long from returning to Angelica and by good fortune that night hée gat out of the countrey and past the search of the Natolians whom hée did not care to méete withall but that hée would not thereby hinder the spéede of his iourney CHAP. XXI How the Knight of Fame arriued in the Countrey of Bohemia and redeemed Violetta from Archas. How Archas was put to death How the Knight of Fame came to the knowledge of his Parents and after that departed againe towards Natolia AFter that the Knight of Fame was past the bounds of Natolia hée arriued in an exceeding great plain where hée saw many readie pathes but knew not which of them to take at last a suddaine thought and remembrance of Parismus entred his fancie which so fully possest his minde that the thought thereof would by no meanes remooue which was so effectually wrought in him by a naturall effect for there were his Parents and no where else which caused nature it selfe to pittie his restlesse Passions and no longer to procastinate his felicitie that hée fullie and resolutely determined to trauell thither Whither afterwards with long trauell he attained hauing great desire to see Parismus againe to whom his heart had vowed euerlasting friendship And now drawiâ—g nigh the court in the afternoone when the sunne had with his scorching beames made the season hotte he heard a gréenous complaint as it seemed to his hearing of some distressed lady which made him stay to listen which way that crie came and by the voyce drawing nigh to the place hee espied vnder the shadowe of a heape of Elâ—es a knight in Armour and a Lady at his â—éet who were the same that made that mone The knight of Fame comming neare them they both espied him to the Ladies comfort but the Knight presently tooke vppe his shield and addressed himselfe for his defence The Knight of Fame well noting the Ladies countenance remembred that he had séene her but hée could not remember where which caused him the more willing â—â— helpe her being otherwise of his owne vertuous inclination ready to succour any distressed Lady that comming to her demanded her cause of sorrow but she being readie to make him aunswere and holding vp her hands to craue his pittie the other Knight setting his sword against her brest vowing that if she spake one word he would thrust the same throught her body which the knight of Fame séeing thinking he went about to slay her with his sword drawne rusht violently against him and ouerthrew him but giuing him leaue to recouer his â—â—ete he said Traiterous villaine why offerest thou this Lady such discourtesie being ashamed she should declare thy treackery which mauger thy hart I wil know before we two part with that he lent him such a blow that he made him stagger the Knight thought himselfe now in worse case then euer he had bene but notwithstanding he resâ—sted the knight of Fame most couragiously for a space but he being the most â—allantest knight in the world soone brought him in great daunger of his life which when the knight saw and felâ— he staied himselfe and said Knight before the combat continue any â—onger let mée know your name I will not shew thée that fauour quoth the knight of Fame but wish thée yeelde thy selfe neither will I shew thée that fauour quoth hée with that hee began the combat againe beeing scarce able to lift vp his sword by reason of his faintenesse by effusion of bloud intending to ende his life which the knight of Fame perceiuing clasped him in his armes a with violence wroong his sword out of his hands and by force made him yeelde hauing no weapon to offend himselfe nor his aduersary The Lady seeing her selfe thus fortunately deliuered comming to the knight of Fame desired him to pittie her estate and not to forsake her vntil she were come to the Bohemian court With that the knight of Fame was excéedingly glad saying Lady I will not forsake you but see you there in safetie for thither am I bound But I pray you quoth he let me know your name for that I haue I am sure seene you about the Forrest of Arde Violetta with that was drawne into a great admiration what he should be at last she said my name is Violetta that am ordained to perpetuall miserie béeing indéede by the trecherie of a dislayall knight named Archas driuen to wander thitherwards The knight of Fame then immediately remembring her but béeing vnwilling to discouer himself questioned no more with her but only asked her what that knight was Sir knight quoth she I know him not nor why he hath offered me this outrage Which said the knight of Fame forced him to go with them and so they all departed towards the court where very soone thâ—y arriued Now it hapned that Parismus at that very instant was in the court who espying Violletta accompanied by two knights the one of them being gréeuously wouÌ„ded and as it were by his countenance and maner of forced comming seeming captiue to the other and not knowing of any misaduenture that had befallen her wondred thereat and comming to her not wel knowing in what sort to salute those Knights beeing ignorant of the cause of their coÌ„ming he demaÌ„ded where she had bin My Lord quoth she this knight meaning the knight of Fame hath preserued me from the dishonor of this most discourteous knight intended against me as I will declare vnto you presently With that Parismus most kindly embraced the knight of Fame departing altogither into the presence where was the king quéene Pollipus Laurana and many others Pollipus seeing Violetta amongst those strange knights maruelled thereat â—ut shâ— coÌ„ming before the king vpon her knes desired iustice against â—he we â—ided knight the king told her that she should haue iustice Violetta then said as followeth Most mightie king I beséech you regard my complâ—int reueng the monstrouâ— wrong don me by this most wicked and abhominable hâ—micide who haâ— offred monstrous ouâ—rage foâ— this afternoone attended by my damozoll I went forth of the court into the groue adioyning to the garden to recreate my selfe in the cooly shade where I had not long stayed but this discourteous Villaine surprised me and caught hold of my damzel who made great exclamation fearing my harme whome he bound both hand and foote threatning if she made any noyse to murther her Which done he tooke me
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
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
mercifull that with a gentle and calme tide he was driuen to shore where getting to a sunnie bancke he sate him downe to refresh his wearied limmes and ponder his happie escape from drowning drying his gaping wounds with such linnen as hée had aboue him who with the salt water smarted excéedingly CHAP. IIII. How Parismenos being cast on shore in Trace was taken vp by Duke Amasenus who named him the knight of Fame of two compats hee fought with Corus and Argalus AS Parismenos was sitting vpon the banke after his shipwrack in heauie estate for the losse of his deare friend Tyresus it happened an ancient Duke of Thrace named Amasenus that day was come into a forrest adioyning to the sea to hunt accompanied by a gallant troupe of Knighte who â—hâ—ltring himselfe from the storme vnder the craggie 〈◊〉 behold the miserable shipwracke and sawe Parismenos swim to shore and so straungely prescrued from drowning vnto whom he came as hee was sitting vppon a sunnie bancke and demaunded of whence he was Parismenos beholding his reuerend age and the troupe of Knights that attended him â—ose from the ground and with great humilitie bowed his bodie making this aunswere I am a miserable man by cruelâ—ie of the seas cast on this shors hauing lost my faithfull friend drenched in the spacious gulfes beeing my selfe reserued to further miseries my name is hidden from my selfe neither know I certainly in what countrie I was borne nor where my Parents remaine and now am cast into an vnknowne place and miserably left to the wide world to indure such hard fortune as my vnluckie starres haue allotted me Amasenus hearing his answere and withall noting his fall and comely proportion and beautifull countenance thought by his spéech that his sences were altered with feare of theÌ„ tempest and care for she losse of his friends that he thus replyed I perceiue feare of drowning hath made you forget both yourselfe your name and countrie which feare now shâ—ke off siâ—ce all the perill is past and leaue to greeue for their lost that are irrecouerable and go with me to my Castle and to such entertainment as the same yeeldeth you shal be welcome I most humbly thanke you quoth he for this kindnesse but whereas you thinke that feare hath made me forget my selfe you altogither ayme amisse for I haue reported of my selfe nothing but trueth Then stept foorth Corus asuspitious and â—nuâ—ous Knight my Lord quoth hee it is some Pirate that liveth by spoyle of passengers and hath heeretofore don you some mischief which maketh him thus cunningly dissemble Parismenos hearing his spéeches could not containe himselfe but made this answere Most discourteous Knight neither thy selfe nor any in this countrie whatsoeuer shal make me distâ—ble or once falsifie my word and were it not that the strangers of this place and the reuerence I beare to this curteous Lord withholdest we I would euen presently make thée eate that word turne it backe into thy dishonorable throat Corus beeing a Knight of a proude courage was so vexed with that reply that he intreated Amasenus to giue him leaue to reuenge those iniurious wordes Say quoth Amasenus and leaue off this discourteous behauiour to strangers héere is neither place nor time for you sée hée is wearied with shipwracke and faint with effusion of blood thy pride and discourteous behauiour will one day be thy death had he done me wrong yet he hath not offended thée Then he said to Parismenos Sir Knight I pray cease this discontent and goe to my Castle for so well do I estéeme of you and so farre am I from the least suppose of any such thought as my selfe will vndertake his accusation is false So they departed togither Parismenos by the way so well as he could declared his birth which made Amasenus make greater estimation of him for by all tokens he thought he should be sprung of kingly race that Amasenus entertained him most honourably and kindely and welcommed him in the best sort hée could deuise which made him disdained amongst many of the knights that attended the Duke and séeing him so highly esteemed beganne to suspect by that meanes that they were but slightly accounted of by Amasenus that euer after that they beganne to enuie him and to consult which way to do them a mischiefe thinking Corus quarrell already begun a fit occasion to further their intent they vrged him to prosecute the same who being ready of himselfe and the rather by their instigation sent him this challenge Knight for so I must call thee thou remembrest what past betwixt vs at our first meeting which thou thinkest I haue forgot but so farre is it from my thouâ—ht ' as courage is from thee to performe that which thou threatnedst thy feare of drowning is now and thy deepe woundes I am sure well cured therefore if thou darest maintaine the wordes thou hast spoken in my disgrace send me word where I shall meete thee and there we will ende the controuersie So farewell As thou wilt Corus Parismenos hauing read this braue challenge smiling thereat sent this reply Corus by the name of the vnknowne Knight I will aunswers thee and maintaine my wordes wishing thee to bee perswaded that I so littlle feare tby vaunts as that euen now I will come to thee or when thou wilt if not now But if thou intendest to auouch this challenge thou shalt finde mee readie for thee at the South side of my Lord Amasenus parke And so adue The King of Fame Corus hauing receiued this reply presently went and armed himselfe and came to the appointed place where hée found the Knight of Fame gallantly mounted staying for him whom he little â—steemed as that he assured himselfe the conquest before the begunne for Parismenos was young and of tender yeares and nothing comparable to him in growth nor skill netwithstanding of such vndaunted resolue that he would not haue refused to cope with him had he béen another Hercules Corus séeing him in that readinesse came to him vttering these spéeches Knight I like well thy forwardnesse and commend thy resolution but by that time thou departest hence thou wilt repent thy folly Parismenos thus answered if I repent mée the woorst will bée mine but if I ayme not amisse thy folly wil be the greatest for know that I so lightly esteemed thy speeches that I account them ridiculous and this time spent in prate too tedious With that Coras went backe and Parismenos retired himselfe to take their careir which was performed so gallantly as that they shiuered their lances passing by without any other harme presently drawing their keene swords beginning fight with gallant brauerie sometimes offending and sometimes defending which continued so long vntill their armour beganne to yeeld to their fierce blowes and the blood to issue out at many places In which cruell rage they continued for an houres space without any disaduantage on either partie sometimes taking breath and then againe redoubling their
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
bedde which she had neatly drest for Archas perfuming her selfe with many odoriserous waters deuising al meanes she could to kéep her selfe vnknown from him being affected with great desire for his approach Assoone as the appoynted time was come Archas secretly conueyed himselfe in the darke into Violettas chamber without speaking a word whom when Sorana heard russing vppon the rushes her heart leapt for ioy and she prepared her selfe to entertaine him in the kindest sort who approaching the beds side softly lifting vp the cloathes laide himselfe downe by her side who séemed to shrinke thereat and with such cunning behaued her selfe that he â—o whit supposed he embraced his woonted Sorana Violetta béeing sure of Archas with all haste attired her selfe in Soranas apparrell which so well became her that had Archas himselfe séene her he would not haue discerned her disguise taking with her the ring he had giuen her she came to the Gardiants telling theÌ„ she must goe out about a little businesse for Archas and gaue them the ring as her warrant to passe by The Gardiants maruelled whither she went so late yet taking her for no other then Sorana accepting her warrant let her depart Violetta being past the entrance beganne to studie which way to take but knowing that the time now yéelded no respite to delaye tooke any way came into her fancie fittest as shée thought for her escape and with all hast arâ—ing her selfe with as much courage as could possibly be in a woman forsaking the mountaines which she thought daungerous for wilde beastes she trauelled all that night sometimes running and sometimes going as if Archas had bin hard at hand pursuing her and by that time Phoebus beganne to illuminate the earth with his brightnesse she was gotten a great way from Archas Castle towards Greece reioycing at her happy escape not caring which way she went so she might get from him and applauding Soranes counsell which had forted to that vnexpected issue for her escape CHAP. VI. How Pollipus was taken prisoner by the Gyant Brandamor in the Forrest of Arde. And of Parismus departure with Tellamor and Barzillus in search of Violetta AFter that Pollipus was departed from Parismus he came to the place where he left Violetta and tâ—ere vttered these spéeches This is that blessed place where my Loue lay last foulded in mine armes whose preâ—ence was the sollace of my sweete content whose perfections exceld the rarest gifts of other Ladies as farre as good doth bad or any vertue his contrarie which way should I take to recouer that inestimable iewell of my delight here lost or whither should I trauell to finde her considering I know not whether she be dead or aliue Dâ—ad I am persâ—â—â—ed she is not but by some discourteous Knight withheld from returning or conueyed far hence vnto some vnknowne place froÌ„ whence she cannot send me word or any way giue me knowledge in what estate the remaineth then what resteth for me to do but to search the world throughout to find her and either to recouer her to my comfort or spend my life in that pursuite and since I vndertake a trauell without knowledge which way to take or whither to conuey my stâ—ppes sweet Fortune be so fauourable as to guide me in my tranels that by thy aide I may come to the place of her abode and attaine the fruition of her heauenly presence who by thy appoyntment hath fallen into these mischances and I will for â—uer dedicate my indeuours to thy seruice and continually adore thy name Which words being ended hée mounted himselfe on his stéede and rode the way his fancie first chose trauailing towards the mountaines that incompasie Bohemia but not finding her being vnacquainted in those countries wandred towards Grecia traualed without any more hope to finde her then at the beginning continuing his trauels without intermission passing many places without any misaduenture At last he came to the great Forrest of Ardea wherein stoode the Castle of the mightie Gyant Brandamor the place being inuincible by reason of the scituation and strength whose cruelties committed by him and his brother Argaletus made him much feared and his walkes eschued of all men Which Forrest Pollipus was no sooner entred but hée espied the bodâ—e of a goodly Knight that had lately giuen vp his ghost lye weltred in his blood which when he had wel viewed and perceiued to be quite past recouerie he maruailed what sad aduenture had bene cause of his death perswading himselfe those that had done the same were not far off that he withdrew himselfe into a thicket of bushes where he could not be discerned to stay vntil he might discrie those that had done that déed Hée had not béen long shrowded there but he sawe a damzell and a squire comming to the dead knight with great lamentations bewailing his vntimely death séeming by their behauiour to be quite ouercome with extreame miscrie After their lamentations ended they hasted to take vp the dead Knight to whom Pollipus came and demaunded what Knight that was and what misaduenture had brought him to that vntimely death The damzel easting her eyes vp to him which before were sadly fixed on the earth said Sir Knight to discouer the whole circumstance of our mishap would aske more respite then the time will now permit because if we be surprised by our tariance we are like to be partners with him in death This Knight was named Tyrides sonne to the noble Duke Amasenus of Thrace being brought vp in the Court of the renowmed King of Libia who bring with the Princesse Venola the kings onely daughter on hunting in the midâ—â—â— of their pastime she was seuered from the rest of her company and being wet with following the game alighted in a pleasaunt valley to coole her selfe and lay downe on the flowring bankes of a swéete burbling brooke where shee had not long stayed but shée was surprized by a Gyant who with rude behauiour brought her away wherewith I being amazed ranne backe to this worthie Knight Tyrides who with mée and this Page pursâ—ed him vntill wée came to this place where this noble Knight charged him to redeliuer the Ladie to him who laie panting with extreame feare of her life vnder this guard but the Gyant presently set vpon this Knight and in long continuance of terrible fight slewe him by which time many of her damzels had found vs out whom hée with Venola notwithstanding their earnest intreaties conueyed to a Castle not farre hence whither we secretly followed him and arè now returned to carry backe this knight with this heauie newes to the King Do not so quoth Pollipus but bring me to the Castle and thou shall soone sée I will set her at libertie or venter my life Sir quoth the damzell if I thought your trauel would sort to any good issue I would conduct you thither but the Gyant is now within the Castle the night neare approached therefore we wil
comming toward her lifted vp her head from the place where she rested it and carelesly let the same fall on the heauie pillowe againe Pollipus séeing her excéeding beautie and withal uoting her heauie estate was strooken into a suddaine compe that he stood like one in a studie Brandamor thnking that was the Ladie he came to redeeme saide Knight if this be the Ladie thou séekest to release thy labour is in vaine for her do I estéeme more then all the world whose presence I so highly honour that no force shall redéeme her from hence whom I both loue and honour as much as thou and all the Knights in the world besides whose loue hath caused my languishing formeÌ„ts this long time which now I purpose to enioy to the extinguishing of my inward vexations for her sake haue I indured much trauel then do not thinke that I wil easily or willingly leaue her heauenly companie but wil approue and maintaine that I am worthier of her loue then any Knight liuing and since I haue my desire in attaining her custodie I will likewise enioy her loue before she part hence Venola hearing his proude boasting so much disdained them that she could not refraine from answering him but rising from the ground where she sate she vttered these spéeches Impudent miscreant why presumest thou so much of thy selfe that art able to performe nothing but bragges thinkest thou my loue of so small â—â—timation as to be controlde and conquered by thy vaine spéeches or any way to yéeld liking to thy detested karcasse No I account the basest trull in Libia too good to bée thy Paramour much lesse my selfe do so much scorne thée that I will rather execute mine owne death then suffer thee to defile me so much as with a touch and thinkest thou because thou hast betraied this one knight by treacherie there are no other that will séeke my release Yes be thou assured that the violence thou haste offered mée by bringing me hither against my will one day will turne to be the occasion of thy cruell death Thou foule detested villaine leaue off to vtter such bosting spéeches in my presence for nothing can bring more gréefe to my heart then thy ill pleasing sight Brandamor hearing her heauenly voyce sound forâ—h such bitter taunts against him was excéedingly inraged therewith but dissembling a pleasant countenance hée departed with Pollipus whom after some spéeches past betwixt them hée commaunded to bée conueyed to a chamber from wheÌ„ce he could as hardly get as from the strongest prison in the world who séeing that Violetta was not in the Castle wisht he had not attempted to haue come there but making a vertue of necessity he indured such imprisonment as patiently as might be thinking all misery nothing being vndergone for Violetas sake Where we will leaue him to speake of Parismus Parismus heart was opprest with such griefe for the losse of the vertuous Violetta and the absence of his deare friend Pollipus that day nor night hee could neither by sléepe or other recreation giue any case to his troubled head therefore he determined likewise to indure some trauell for their sakes that had suffered much miserie in his behalfe and when Laurana and he were one night swéetly solacing themselues each in the others pleasant loue he tolde her his full intent desiring her not to be discontented therewith but to take his departure patiently Laurana hearing his spéeches was so ouercome with griefe that a flood of teares distilled from her precious eyes and twining her tender armes about his necke impressing a swéete kisse vpon his lips shée vttered these spéeches Most noble Lord are you wearie of my company that you séeke to estraunge your selfe from mée by trauell do you thinke I shall be able long to endure your absence well knowing how many dangers may hazard your person and detain your heauenly presence from my ssght thinke you that I can attaine any quiet without the fruition of your heauenly company or euer suffer sleepe to seize vpon my eyes while you are avsent No swéet Lord with your departure all ioy and delight shall part from me and neuer will I suffer any content to harbour in my brest Then most deare Loue which words she vttered intermingled with a number of swéete kisses do not leaue me in care do not withhold my content do not take away my swéetest delight but staie you stil with me and commaund your knights to go in Violettas search who at the least becke wil poste through the worlde to do you seruice and hazard not your person in strange Countries nor amongst forraine enemies which may by some trecherie worke your griefe my selfe wil here shrowde you from harme my armes shall inclose you from danger and my loue shall be the Fort you shall conquer I wil expel the sad remembrance of their losse with delighfull communication my selfe wil rocke your sences a sléep with Musicke and my indeuours shall labor to purchase your content then do not séeke to leaue me comfortlesse to bewaile your absence but make abode with me stil and my loue shall shelter you from all peril Which words being ended the ouerflowing of her teares stopt the passage of hiâ— spéech and sopping forth sighes she hung about his necke Parismenos was excéedingly gréeueâ— to sée her heauinesse that sowlding her precious bodie in his armes with a strict imbracing he laboured by delightful familiarities to expel her sadnesse which being some what mittigated he vttered these spéeches Why deare Ladie what need you make thâ—se complaints considering you know nothing is so pretious in my sight nor of so déere estimation with me as your sweete loue Or what neede you make spéech or take such feare of dangers when you sée no cause of disquiet Why are you vnwilling that I should take a litle paines for their sakes that wold haue many wayes indangered their liues and endured extreame miserie for your sake How can I excuse my selfe of ingratitude to that curteous knight Pollipus if whilest he passeth his time in sorrowfull care I should liue here in ease not seeming to regard his misery that would haue shunned no danger to procure my comfort How wil all the knights of this Court esteeme of me but as of an ingrateful person if I should so much neglect the dutie of a friend Then swéete Loue be not you â—he cause of my stay but let me obtaine your swéet consent and expâ—â—l those confused cares that trouble your quiet for be you assured nothing can be more gréeuous vnto me then your discontent and notâ—ing more pleasing then your accord the dangers accurrant to trauel are by wisedome easily auoyded then be you assured that I wil shun al hazard of mishap for your swéete sake and leaue you â—ff is sorrow thus for that which you cannot with equitie contradict my stay shall not bée long nor my iourney far then be you contented to vouchsafe your agréement and you shall thereby
Then turning to Marceâ—lus Or can you tell Marcellus quoth shee for you were by I know not quoth hée but I am sure wée haue all cause of little ioye when wee that are the Kings children shall be imprisoned vpon the flattering report of euery dissembling Sâ—cophant Why quoth shee who hath abused you That did Collimus qd hee him I haue rewarded Besides my Lorde and Father hath destroyed that honorable straunge knight because I loued him who neuer deserued the least cause of such crueltie but was alwayes honourablie estéemed in euery Kings Court vntill it was his ill happe to arriue in this vnfortunate place to ende his life by Tiranny not by Iustice Take heede Marcellus scandalize not your Fathers honour which may bring you in daunger for that hée hath done nothing but right and with good consideration for beholde that letter and thou shalt soone see what a counterfait that Knight of Fame was Marcellus hauing redde the letter was at the first suddainlie amazed thereat but yet notwithstanding he sâ—id vpon my life this accusation is most false and vntrue Angelica taking the letter and â—â—ating the same was excéedingly astonished thereat to whome Marcellus saide Angelica beléeue it not for if you doo you shall too much wrong that honourable Knight that is too much abused alreadie who if hée were liuing would soone prooue these accusations false but hée good Knight is now dead and past recalling whose death will bring more dishonour to the Natolians then euer will be recouered Why quoth the Quéene what maketh thée Marcellus so inconsiderate by taking a strangers part to indaunger thy owne life which knowest the kings humour Loue quoth hee to that straunger maketh mee bewaile his vnâ—imely death whom I would that I had excused The Queene séeing Angelica somewhat well recouered departed vnto Maximus who by that time had knowledge of Collimus death was meditating how to chastise Marcel for thâ—t presumption But the Quéene vppon her knées intreated him to pardon him alleaging that Collimus had greatly abused him with much a doo the King was pacified Marcellus hauing somewhat comforted Angelica in a heauie and sadde estate departed to his chamber and left her with her Damozell Anna rather readie to yéelde vppe the Ghoast then otherwise likelie to suruiue and night beeing come shee refusing meat went to her bedde not to sleepe but to bewaile the kâ—ight of Fames vntimely death The knight of Fame all this time remained in the Lyons denne carefully deuising which way to gette out of that place â—yring his sences but finding no meanes of releâ—se Our while accusing his harde fortune and then Maximus for his crueltie Sometimes fearing to bee famished in that place and then comforting himselfe with perswasions of impossible deliueries Now dispairing to bee vtterly exempt from the sweete sight of Angelica whose absence and restrainte of libertie procured as hée thought by his boldnesse pinched his heart with extreame forture In this sort hée continued so long vntill that hée was ready to be starned and constrained to eate such vnsauory â—oode as was daily cast to the Lyons Angelica likewise no whit mittigated her greefe but rather augmented the same being much comforted by Marcellus whose minde was not yet satisfied with sâ—fficient consideration of these mischaunces but both hée and Angelica continued as it were in a further hope in their fancies of the knight of Fames safetie though when they beganne to comfort themselues with any perswasions they were quite past hope Maximus likewise hauing considered with what seueritie hée had vsed the knight and that hee had condemned him without any triall of the accusatiâ—n that had bene vsed by his knights euer since his death beganne to tell a remorse in his conscience of vniustice but by the setled opinion that was stirred in his heart by those false Prophesies hée soone shooke the same off Camillus all this time likewise noted what iealous suspition the king heard of him and hauing heard the report why he kept his daughter so stronglie guarded and of set purpose withheld her from his sight and noting how suddainly the knight of Fame was made away without anie cause of offence giuen he began to feare himselfe and by that meanes duâ—st not shewe anie signe of desire to see Angelica least by that meanes hée should séeke some occasion of quarrell with him and vse him like the straunger within a while departed from the Golden Tower intending notwithstanding either with force or faire meanes to attaine her possession CHAP. XIX Of the Knight of Fames preseruation How hee gat out of the denne and departed the Tower THe next day after Camillus departure which Maximus perceiued was with a discontented mind the kéeper of the Lyons denne came to make cleane the same and vsed his woonted manner which was to set open those places that were cleane into which the Lyons would soone enter and hauing fast bolted the doores and being owner of the Lyons entered into the den where the Knight of Fame was who suddainly caught holde on him hauing before secretly shrowded himselfe from his sight and being carefull to prouide for his owne safetie snatcht from his side a hanging sword the kéeper knowing him maruailing to see him aliue and excéedingly astonished at his sight held vp his hands for mercie to whome the knight of Fame said My friend I séeke not thy life but mine owne safetie being as thou séeest preserued by Diuine prouidence from the Kings crueltie by him vniustly cast into this place without any cause of offence but wrongfullie as thou mayest perceiue by my preseruation for if my fact had deserued punishment no doubt I could not haue escaped the crueltie of these executioners hauing endured great daunger of famishment Now my request vnto thee is that thou wouldest but suffer mee to departe from hence without discrying mée for I haue no reason to trust to Maximus curtesie hauing alreadie eâ—bured this miserie by his Crueltie which thou mayest well doo without endaungering thy selfe anie kinde of waye for there is none but dooth assuredly thinke I am dead The kéeper hearing his spéeches and withall séeing how admyrably hée was preserued and also fearing his owne death assured him by many vowes and protestations not onely to doo that which hée had desired but also would most faithfully execute what other thing soeuer hée should commaund to his vttermost power Wilt thou then quoth hée doo this for mée giue me the keyes and make fast the doore so that thou canst not goe from mée and then call downe thy boye and sende him to Marcellus to request him to come to thee but in such sorte that the boy may not sée mée and also to do his message secretly which the kéeper tolde him he would most willingly performe Then dyrecting the Knight of Fame how to locke the doore that hée could not escape he called downe his boy who presently came to him whom hée commanded to séeke out Marcellus secretlie
thou shalt neuer escape my hands The knight maruelling to heare him speake whom he thought had béene a ghost made this reply Pardon me good sir for I tooke you to bée another then I see you are but if I may know what you will commaund me I will doe it Quoth he tell me how fareth Marcellus Sir quoth he at this instant he lyeth very weake by reason of many grieuous wounds he receiued not long since where hée declared the whole trueth of that which had happened by Maximus meanes since which time quoth hée the King hath set such secrete watch about the Tower that none goeth in nor out without his priuitie The Knight of Fame hauing heard his spéeches departed backe to Iabine to whom he declared the trueth of all that he had heard béeing very sorry for Marcellus hurt and well wâ—ying euery circumstance of that report thought that when Marcellus was gotten with Angelica out of the Parke so slightly atâ—ended it was to come to him which added some comfort to his heart being fully assured thereby that Angelica had not forsaken him By this time the Natolian that escaped from the Knight of Fame was come to the Golden Tower and comming before the King told him that hee had met the knight of Fame whereat hee beganne to laugh but presently came the other who iustâ—fied the same words alleadging that it was the knight of Fame and that hee had both talked with him and knew him affirming the same most constantly Maximus woondring thereat was almost astonisht at their words that hée determined to send all his knights to search for him and the occasion now must fitly serueâ— for the Nobles had according to his commaund gathered a number of forces together which Camillus swing béeing vnprouided to withstand such force but comming for another intent immediately returned with his souldiers towards his countrie and Maximus now séeing the coast cleare of enemies presently sent foorth Knights euery way to finde the Knight of Fame Thus newes was soone come to Marcellus and Angelicas hearing which filled their hearts with excéeding care and feare leaste hée should bee apprehended this bredde new sorrowes in theyr troubled thoughts buâ— principally in Angelicas whose loue was growen to such perfection that it was impossible for to remooue the same that getting to her chamber shee â—ntred into many heauy complaints able â—o haue rent the stoniest harts of the cruellest tyrants whom Anna comforted by all means she could deuise to whom Angelica said Oh Anna quoth shee little doest thou know the forments my heart doth indure for wert thou so much inthralled as I am to so worthy a knight as hee is thou mightest then haue some insight into my sorrowes but bring ignorant therin how caâ—st thou giue me counsell haue I not cause to sorrow nay rather to runne mad with sorrow to sée the danger that woorthie knight is now in hauing so lately escaped a most miserable death by my Fathers censure and without cause who not contented therewith nor satisfied in his minde hath now sent out many knights to search for him who if they finde him will bring him back oâ— by violence destroy him whose death shall bee the end of my life for I haue vowed if my Father séeke his ruine hée shall also sée my death for I will not liue one houre after him in which complaintes shée still continued without intermission It fortuned most happily that Iabine was gone foorth of S. Austines Chappell left the Knight of Fame in his Cell méeting with many of the Natolian knights who demaÌ„ded if hée saw not such a K. describing so well as they could the knight of Fame whom he answered al after one sort that he had not séen any such but maruelling at their earnest inquirie hee demaunded what that knight might bée One of them tolde him that he was called the knight of Fame who lately arriued in that countrie and was kindly entertained by Maximus but especially of Marcellus and hauing in some sort offended the King was by him afterwards thrown into the Lyons den by reason of a letter the king of Libia sent wherein he accused him to haue dishonoured Venola his onely daughter whom that day was seene and spoken withall Iabine hearing his speeches wondred thereat yet notwithstanding was carefull least the knight of Fame should be â—ound abroad whom hee now beganne greatly to estéeme both that he déemed him to bee sprung of royall blood and also for that Marcelius made estimation of him who he thought knew him cleare of those accusations or else he would not haue fauoured him so mâ—â—â—h that with all speed he hasted to his Cell where being entred he â—ound the Knight of Fame very sadde and fast bolting the Chappell doore he came to him saying Worthie Knight I am glad that I haue found you heere for were you abroad there are such a number of Knights in search of you that it were impossible to escape them For me quoth he I thinke you are deceiued Yea quoth he if you are called the Knight of Fame and lately escaped out of the Lyons denne With that his colour changed Nay quoth â—abine feare not for you shall be héere as safe as your heart can wish for this place is no way suspected therfore thinke your selfe secure then Iabine declared vnto him all that had happened and what hée had heard Wherevpon the knight of Fame likewise finding him faithfull and secret declared vnto him the whole discourse of his trauels onely leauing out the vision which appeared to him in Thrace Asking his counsell what to do and entring into many sadde discourses how hée was still crossed in his expectation and withall tolde him that he knew not which way to trauel in search of his Parents which if he could attaine then he would not doubt but to reuenge those iniurious wrongs done him Sir Knight quoth Iabine I thinke it best that you trauell in search of them and that presently in the meane time these troubles by forgetfulnesse will be well ouer blowne and then you may haue the better opportunitie to go forwards with any intent you shal afterward put in practise for if you stay heere you may vnfortunately be descried for the Kings iealousie is such that he will leaue no means vnattempted to worke your death Father quoth he your counsell is good which I will put in practise not voluntarily but forced thereto in regarde of mine owne preseruation requesting this one fauour at your handes that you woulde by some meanes remember my humble duetie to that honourable knight Marcellus and tell him that it shall not be long ere I returne desiring him in the meane time according to his former courtesie which hath bin extended farre beyond my desert to remaine my friend and remember mée to Angelica I will quoth Iabine fulfiâ—l your request in euerie respect But first quoth hee I thinke it most conuenient you change your armor for that