owne auaile Marcellus séeing him falne into that heauâ—e dumpe reuiued him from the same with this comfortable spéech My deare friend abandon this habit of care and reuiue your drouping hart with hopeful comfort for my selfe will worke a meanes how you shall haue the custodie of Angelica which I will effect very spéedily if you will stay here but while I can bring the same about Parismenos being comforted with his curteous promise gaue him thankes in these spéeches Most noble Knight how may I expresse sufficient thankes to you for becomming so kinde and faithfull a friend to me vnwoorthie or which way may I recompence the least of your good deeds that haue in all abundance tasted of your honourable bouatie for which I render you thanks as all the recompence I am able to make vowing if euer you neede my helpe in any thing neuer to desist to hazard my life for your sake And since you haue of your own vertuous disposition voluntarily neither drawne by intreatie nor hope of recompence promised me your assistance which onely may be the meane to worke my euerlasting felicity I beseech you goe forwards therein that I may thereby bee much more indebted as well for that as for infinite other your Princely courtesies which though they passe vnrewarded yet they shall neuer rest vngrâ—tified in my duâ—ifull deuotions which by good right are eternally bound to requite your good will Worthy friend quoth Marcellus leaue off so to vse such thankes to mée that request nothing at your hands but loue and friendeship which am vnable to merit any such recompence as you kindly yeelde but I pray be you merrie yet in my absence with this kinde olde Ladie whilest I put my purpose in practise which so soone as I haue brought to perfection I will returne and not before till when I take my leaue committing you to your owne hearts desire which I wish Which words being ended with many courteous farewels he deparâ—ed the chamber and comming to Panora who before had beene his Nurse and loued him most dearely whom he requested in most earnest sort to vse his friend as kindly as she would vse himselfe who promised so to do and likewise performed it in euer vsing Parismenâ—s so kindly that hée could not chuse but greatly to ettoll and commend her courtesie Now let my muse returne to speake somewhat of Angelica who after she sawe that she was frustrated of her desire which was to depart with the King according as himselfe had giuen out spéeches and not to be any longer inthralled as she had of long time before béen and now perceiuing that her father had both deceiued her in that taken away all her damzels chaunged her guard and appointed her to bée guarded by such â—ealous sâ—aues as would neuer scarce day nor night suffer her to be out of their sight thought her selfe not onely in as bad case as before but rather in a thousand times worâ—e being depriued of many pleasures which she enioyed but neuer estéemed of them vntil now she was restrained missing the comfortable presence and sweet conference she was woont to enioy with Marcâ—llus and especially fearing neuer to sée the Knight of Fame again she wholly gaue her mind to sorrowe spending all her time commonly in teares and bewailing her sad estate that had not Anna in some measure comforted her shée would haue ouerwhelmed her tender heart with those cares and haue shortned the date of her precious life thinking euery houre a day and euery day a yeare till she were released from that bondage in which carefull estate she continually remained CHAP. XXIII How the Knight of Fame carried Angelica fâ—om the golden Tower to labines Chappell AS soone as Maximus was come to the Court hée presently got himselfe to his chamber and there began to studie how to compasse that which hee had vndertaken to effect at last he bethought himselfe that if he could deuise any meanes to get his fathers Signet hée would write a letter vnto the kéepers of the Maiden Tower in the behalfe of Parismenos that they should admit him as one of the Gardiants which presently he contriued in this sort THis trustie knight on whose fidelitie I repose my confidence I haue chosen and appointed to be one of your fellowes and to that effect I haue sent him to you with this letter signed by my selfe whom I require you to admit without any deniall and keepe this as your warrant to doe the same Maximus When Marcellus had wrote this letter and immitated therein so neare as he could his fathers hand which hée knewe they were not greatly acquainted withall he wrought such meanes that hee gate Maximus sâ—gnet and sealed the same which when he had signed the next morning he went to Parismenos and told him what he had done who liked thereof very well and quoth he if I may once be admitted amongst them let me alone with the Eunuches to come to Angelica neither will I be denied since I haue this good meanes that presently he armed himâ—elf for that he would not vâ—e any not the least which oftentimes bringeth things well begunne to an vntoward end and taking his leaue of Marcellus and the Lady â—anora with abundance of heartie thankes he departed with a merrie heart towards the maiden Tower hoping now to enioy the swéet sight of his beloued which hee neuer beheld but twise in all the time he had sought her loue Marcellus he departed backe againe to the court very sadde for the absence of Parismenos and Angelica being likewise much gréeued that Maximus hiâ— father should withhold any of his secrets from him which did both disgrace him to such as were strangers and especially to those Ladies that were Dulcias attendaâ—ts which thogh he knew wel â—â—ough yet that tooke away no part of his conceit of vnkindnesse but most of all he was troubled with grieâ—e to bâ— restrained from Dulcias company on whom his thoughts had continually run euer since he had bin last with her for her bewâ—ie excelled all the Ladies of the court Angelica excepted of her vertue he had good conceit by that which he had found in her good dispositions when shée refused to thrust her selfe into the knowledge of his secrets but rather committed all that the King had commaunded her to his secrecie which if Maximus should know of would be as much as her life were worth These cogitations so much altered his countenance that whereas before hée was of a pleasant disposition â—e now began to giue his minde wholely to melancholy sadnesse often shunning the company of those he was wont to deâ—ight in which Maximus noted especially the Quéene both maruelled and was gréeued thereat and finding him out when hée was in that heauie vaine she earnestly demaunded his cause of sadnesse to whom he made this aâ—nswere My father I know not vpon what occasion accounteâ—h me I thinke rather as one that would betray him then as his sonne
shee might againe méete the furious beast and to go further she thought it vaine for shée sawe no likelyhood hee was come out of the wood and there what with griefe and wearinesse she sate downe vpon a banque encombred and ouerwhelmed with a thousand cares and giuing her mind some respit to ponder on her miserable estate for feare of her most deare Knights danger shée entered into such heauy plaints and lamentations that euen the very woods and medowes wherinto she was wandred seemed to impart her sorrowes yéeld pitie to her cries scorching sighes At which very instant I know not by what vnluckie destinie Archas the cruel so called for his cruell tyrannie came to yâ— hearing of her lamentations and draâ—â—ing nigh to her demaunded her cause of sorrow Sir knight quoth shée I am a stranger that lately came froÌ„ Thessalie with the Prince of this country and this day coÌ„ming into these woods with my Lord husband Pollipus a mightie beare encouÌ„tred vs whom he pursuing I haue lost am wandred hither not knowing which way to retire Archas all this while well noting her excéeding beautie and swéete deliuery of spéech the gracious mouing disposition of her eyes which had power to pearce millions of harts felt such an inward effect of transitory confusion in himselfe that he resolued hauing so fit oportunitie offered him to trie his wita to win her loue or exercise by that meanes some reuenge against Parismus whom he mortally hated vttering these spéeches Most swéet Lady my heart is much tormented to see the sorrow you néedlesly make for no doubt your knight is in safetie pleaseth you to accept of my seruice my seruaÌ„â—s shal guard you to the Bohemian court where you shall find him and my self wil search the woodde to giue him knowledge of your returne Violetta kindly thanked him for his curtesie who presently mounted her behinde one of his seruants giuing them secret warning to conuey her to his owne castle which was scituate in the mountaines himselfe tooke her scarffe which he said he wold deliuer vnto Pollipus as a tâ—ken that she was in safetie wherewith he departed backe into the wood and tare the same into many péeces here scattering one and there confusedly casting another withall hast rode an other way to his Castle All soule could not eate one bit but all things séemed to bée hatefull their swéete musicke harshe their curteous entertainment rude and barbarous and that well adorned place more loathsome then a prison nothing but care and gréefe could take place in her vnquiet brest After supper they brought her to a most pleasant chamber where all things were most neatly prouided comforting her with many perswasione that Archas was at the Bohemian Court to expect her comming and by reason of the nights approach could not come backe that night but would early in the morning bring her newes intreating her to betake her selfe to her rest which she did the rather to be rid from their company that being alone she might enter into consideration of her estate and being by her selfe she began to reuolue in her minde her miscrable condition Pollipus perill and Archas intent for her selfe shée careâ— not if Pollipus were in safetie neither feared shee what Archas entended if her Knight were in health that so many cares concurring togither so many doubts clogged her mind and such feare possest her hart that her words burst into a sloud of teares and the warme blood seemed to issue from euery vaine of her body that with their abundance she bedeawed the bed where she laie When she had wept her fountaines drie she then began to accuss her selfe of folly that would not stay in the place where he left her then a certaine perswasion entred her heart that he was dead which tooke such déepe roote that of a long time no other thought would take place which made her thinke the Tapers which gaue her light burnt blew which likewise added a further setled resolue in her fancie that it was so indéed In this carefull estate she lay tumbling and tossing her selfe giuing no quiâ—t to her minde no rest to her cares no ease to her pensiue heart no respit to her sences nor sléepe to her head but being ouercome with sorrowe shée continually rather augmented then diminished the same In this sad and heauie estate she sâ—ent the night not suffring her eyes once to slumber In the morning the two gentlâ—women came to her again offring her al dutiâ—ul seruice which she kindly accepted And shortly after came Archas counterfaiting a sad countenance with his eyes cast downe to the earth whom when Violetta beheld a suddaine feare infused it selfe into euery part of her bodie and she stood shakiâ—g and quaking like one transformed to heare the news he had brought which shee thought to be but bad by his looke who with a shamelesse face and impudent dissimulation tolde her that Pollipus was not yet returned to the Court nor heard of but all supposed him to bee dead Which words strooke such griefe to her heart that there shée fell downe at his feete in a traunce but when by their industry she came to her selfe againe her amazed countenance and lamentable grones made the teares trickle downe her chéekes and séeing her in that daungerous estate conueyed her to her bedde whose vitall sences were so abated and extinguished that for a long time notwithstanding their vttermost indeuours shee seemed no otherwise then as one quite bereft of sense and in that lamentable estate shée continued many dayes Pollipus all that night raunged vp and downe the woodde in euery corner searching eache thicket and vnfrequented place calling Violetta by name and tearing both his flesh and apparell with the bushes and brambles that encountred his madde steppes sometimes making haste this way then returning backe with perswasion that hee heard her shrike behinde him being so fully possest with feare and desire to finde her that euery fancie that rose in his braine altered his former thoughts that whereas in other mens afflictions hée séemed most patient and prouident by his owne hée was quite bereft of reason In this vnquiet sort hée spent the most part of the night vntill towardes morning what with wearinesse and care that opprest his heart he laide him downe leaning vppon his elbowe neither vttering word nor teare but inwardly stuft with extreame vexation séeming no other then the forme and picture of discontent But when he sawe Phoebus â—isplay his brightnesse he againe betooke himselfe to his earnest seaâ—ch vttering such inward grones as would haue melted a rockâ—e heart into liquid teares Parismus bâ—ing early vp that morning gaue commaundement to all the Bohemian knights to arme themselues and to post throughout alâ— Bohemia in her search and to make proclamations with great promises of reward to them that could bring any newes of Violetta that by time the Sun was vp there were a great number of knights
comfort left for him euer to sée her againe neither knowing nor any way supposing what shuld be become of her his heart was so inwardly ouercome with troublesome cogitations and doubtfull cares that he could neither resolue to seeke her nor take any course to ease his minde but rested like one vtterly giuen ouer to forlorne and carelesse miserie daylie frequenting those sollitary walkes where he left her and hourely renewing his sorrowes by the sad remembrance of her absence vttering such mournfull plaints and sad lamentations that the birds that haunted those vnfrequented places séemed to mourn and lament with him Sometimes accusing himselfe of negligence to leaue her to pursue the Beare blaming her that would not stay his returne and then againe fretting his heart for accusing her Sometimes thinking she was dead and then againe perswading himselfe shée was aliue then musing why she did not returne to him if she were aliue that by contrarieties of doubts he could adde no ease to his cares nor rest to his heart at last hée determined to search throughout all Germanie and Greece but hée would find her for he assuredly thought she was not dead being therto induced for that he could not finde no likelihood thereof being perswaded by Parismus that some discurteous knight had met with her and so withheld her returne that within fewe dayes arming himselfe in a gréene armour which he made of purpose bearing this deuice A knight pursuing a wilde Beare he left the Bohemian Court making none priuie to his departure but Parismus who determined not to stay long behinde him whom we wil leaue onwards of his iourney and speake of Violetta whom we left weake in Archas Castle Assoone as the two gentlewomen had conueyed her to her bed with the comfortable meanes they vsed she began to be somewhat reuiued and calling her sences to their wonted vses began to make such dolefull lamentations that no hart was able to indure to heare them without effusion of teares oftentimes offering to do her selfe violence but that she was hindred by the two gentlewomen especially one of them named Sorana was so carefull ouer her that she left not so much as a pinne about her wherewith she might do her selfe harme but when some thrée dayes were past and the extremitie of her desperate passion somewhat calmed she began to dâ—sire that Archas would conuey her to the Bohemian Court if not to finde Pollipus yet to enioy the comfortable presence of Parismus and Laurana but notwithstanding her manifold intreaties they vsed some excuses or other to frustrate her expectation telling her that it was dangerous for her to trauell yet by reason of her late sicknesse and that since it was certaine Pollipus was no more to be enioyed she might stay with them some few daies vntill shée were better able to endure so long a iourney for that the Bohemian Court was not so neare as she thought Which excuses rather increased her desire and the more she séemed desirous to goe thither the more they defrauded her by excuses many dayes In which time shée being endued with an extraordinary wisedome hauing well weighed each circumstance of her bringing thither and their friuolous excuses to detaine her there and withall noting their behauiours and spéeches began to suspect Archas dissimulation to finde out the truth thereof she beganne contrary to her inward thoughts to frame a chéerfuller countenance and comfortabler disposition thereby to féele their intents which wrought such effect that within a while Archas would oâ—ten frequent her company and in the end profered loue to her vsing her most kindly câ—refully and tenderly seeming aboue all things to regard her quiet and content whose speeches shée endured quietly and tooke in good part as he thought that vpon a time amongst many spéeches taking her by the hand he said Most beautifull Lady I haue euer since the first viewe of those excellent bewties béene tormented with the passions of entire loue that I could take no quiet but in the sweete remembrance of your perfections which haue bounde my deuotions to your seruice in such firme and constant leagues that my resolution is to spend my life if it were a thousand times dearer to mée then it is onely to procure your content therefore thus boldlie I presume to reueale my affections trusting your clemencie will adde some ease to my carefull heart by shewing some curteous signe of your fauourable acceptance of my humble suite and though my merit hath no way deserued such fauour yet I beséech you make tryall of my loyaltie and you shall finde I will be inferior to none in good will nor violate myprotested loyaltie in any vndutifull respect I haue the boldlier presumed to detaine you here because with your absence my life would depart then consture not amisse of that true loue and sincere affection which hath caused me to offend in but no offence at all if you vouchsafe not to take it so here shall you inioy you fill of content in as ample sort as any other place can yeelde then I beseech you graunt some ease to my troubled heart and by your clemencie release mée of those cares that possesse my brest onely procured by the piercing dart of your sacred beautie Which wordes beeing ended hée offered to haue kist her but shée gentlie refusing the same made this replie Syr knight my sorrows will not suffer me to beléeue your spéeches nor my late losse permit me to entertaine your loue for then might you estéeme me light and so lightly wonne as little regard mee but to put you out of suspence my resolution is neuer to loue any but my deare Pollipus wherewith the Christall teares with a violent passage fell from her griefe swollen eye-balls That griefe quoth he is remedilesse therefore banish the sad remembrance thereof from your heart and entertaine a perswasion of my constancie and true affection which shal euerlastingly remaine inuiolable without intermission How can I quoth she in conscience and without euerlasting staine to my honour when I haue neither performed his funerall nor shewed any token of dutie to his dead corpes who loued me most dearely in his life time But shew me this fauour as to let me but returne to the Court to bewaile his death and a while enioy my deare friendes company and I promise and protest next Pollipus to loue none but your selfe Archas hearing her reasonable demaund stoode like one amazed not knowing what aunswere to make her thinking that if hee shoulde denie her that request béeing so small shee might thinke his loue but slender and if hee should promise her and not performe it that might bee a meanes to breede a suspition in her that his reports to her were false that he stoode musing a great while confounded in his thoughts what to deuise for a readie aunwere Nay studie not so for that quoth Violetta but answere me another time Which said she withdrew her selfe vnto her chamber where she
the old man had heat water and hearbes for to bath her ouertrauelled féete in which shée kindly accepted perceiuing thaâ— it came as willingly from the old mans heart as euer good déed came from any therwith bathed her féete This done Violetta desired the olde man to seat himself down by her who taking a stoole lâ—t down right against her fixing his eyes vpon her face whilst she began so 〈◊〉 as followeth Good Father quoth she the kindnesse I finde in your entertainment sheweth the vertues that rule your heart which maketh me no whit doubt to commit the dangerous report of my tragical misfortune to your secrecie neither néed I require any stricter assurance then your promise alreadie past to extend your ayde to my distresse Therefore thus it is I was borne in Thessalie and there wedded to the noble and courteous knight Pollipus who came lately to Bohemia with the most noble and famous Prince Parismus who hath brought hither the kings daughter of Thessalie the vertuous Princesse Laurana we had not stayed long in the Bobemian Court in great ioy but thus our felicitie was crost my Lord and I one day intised by the heate of the sunne to seeke some coole shadow wandred from the Court into a pleasant grâ—ue where haunted a wilde Beare whome my louing knight espying pursued and I fearing least some harme might beâ—ide him compelled by desire of his welfare thought to haue followed him but wandred a quite contrarie way and beeing gotten out of the wood fearing to returne backe was by Archas to mée before vnknowne by cunning deceit conueyed to his Castle his promise being to carry mee backe to the Bohemian Court where when hee had remained some two daies he certified me falsly which I afterwards perceiued that Pollipus was dead which I beléeuing tooke so heauily that I was often in daunger of my life thereby but in small time I plainly found his falsehood and vnderstood his intent which was to detaine mee in his keeping to satiate his lust which grew to such furie that surprising me vnawares in his Garden he would haue forced me had not a Gentlewoman by my cries repaired to the place where I was and thereby preuented him Whom I made priuie to all my secrets by whose meanes late yesternight I stole from the Castle now good father quoth she counsell me how to escape his hands who I know maketh all diligent search for me and vnlesse you helpe me I am like to fall into his hands againe which rather then I will do I will endure a thousand deaths The old man had all this while diligently noted euery circumstance of her discourse making this answer Lady I perceiue by your spéech what miseries you haue vndergone by Archas treacherie whose infamous déeds hath made his name famous being the chiefe Gouernour of thesâ— mountaines indéede extreamly and generally hated who delighteth in no vertuous action but continually addicts his minde to villanie and vnknightly déedes out of whoâ—â— hands you are most 〈◊〉 to haue escaped neither are you in the coâ—ntrey of Boâ—â—mia aâ— you suppose but far distant from thence and the best meanes for you to gâ—t thither is to change your habit whither my selfe so pleaseth you wil be your weake yet trustie guide Violettaes heart leapt within her for ioy to heare his spéeches which the presently put in practise giuing him a Iewell which â—e at thâ— next towne exchanged for such homely â—â—eedes as they deuised to â—ée fittest to shrowd her from being discried Wherewith hauing apparelled her selfe shée departed with the olde man who left his Cell to the kéeping of his sonne who was seruant to a wealthie Boore dwelling thereby The first dayes iourney they ouerpast with ease shortning the tediousnesse of the way with the olde mans discourses and at night rested themselues as conueniently as they might vpon the colde earth and in this sort they iournied on some thrée dayes vntill their prouision began to decay and they were without hope of getting any more to supply their want for that they were entered into a desolate Wildernesse which they could not ouerpasse in thrée or foure of their short dayes iourney Violetta of the twaine was the best teaueller for the old man by reason of his withered age was soone tyred hauing no such inward conceit to driue him forwards as shée had procured by a longing desire to see her deare knight Pollipus that she wisht a thousand times that her guide had beene young and of better strength to indure their iourney But thus contrary it fell out the olde mans time of death then approched who hauing taken a surâ—et with lying on the colde earth began to be sickly and in the ende so weake that he could indure no further trauell but sitting downe vpon a banke side feeling an extreame faintnesse possesse his heart hee vttered these spéeches Vnfortunate wretch that I am that am not able to performe my promise made to you most curteous Lady but must héere leaue you in asstresse and without comfort would that my desteny had not suffered me to liue vntil this instant for that your good fortunâ— had bin so fauourable to haue lighted vpon a safer guide that you might haue escaped the desolation I am most vnhappily like to leaue you in this vnfrequented wildernesse affordeth no â—elease â—o your cares but after my death your trauels are to begin a fresh being without a guide which may chance to bring your vertuous perfections into some further dâ—nger onely this comfort remaineth to my carefull dying heart that your habit may be a meane to bring you safe from all dangers This vnfrequented place is so full of vncertaine wayes that I know not almost which of them to counsell you to follow onely this kéepe the Sunne at his setting right before you for that way lyeth the Bohemian Court and so sweete Lady I commit you to all good fortune for I see the date of my wretched life is at an ende wishing all prosperous successe to your iourney all happie escape out of daunger and your owne sweete hearts content desiring you to make no tarriance to prouide my Funerall but leaue me in this place for little account do I make of my aged bodie And so againe I wish you all happie felicitie with a blessed and ioyfull ende of your cares which words being ended he gaue vp the ghost Violetta séeing the good olde man dead was ouercome with such infinite multitudes of cares that shée had much adoo to keepe her selfe from following him that she sate there sheading abundance of teares and what with the remembrance of the desolatenesse of the place the dead bodie of the olde man which was a fearefull coarse to looke vpon her sences were drawne into such amazed terror that shée was halfe beside her selfe therewith and béeing agast with the sight of the olde man hasted with all the speede shee coulde onwards her iourney but darke night approaching her minde
was then rackt with such confused feare that sometimes shee thought the olde mans Ghoast haunted her which appalled her sences with deadly ghastfull terror then shée thought shee heard some wilde beast behinde her readie to seize vppon her which made her forsake the place where shée hadde shrowded her selfe and séeke an other in her fancie more safe and in a multitude of these cares shée ouerpast that tedious night vttering many a sighe for the mornings chearfull approach which being come she againe betooke her selfe to her sollitarie trauell inwardly sorrowfull for her late misfortune but most of all terrified with feare to méete Archas thinking to beâ—d her steppes towardes Bohemia But Fortune entending to augment her cares and lengthen her trauailes caused her to wander a quite contrarie way and shee nothing misdoubting but supposing shee was in the best way kept on her steppes some thrée dayes without intermission and at last espyed an auncient Castle whose craggie walles were readie to fall to the earth by reason of age where she was constrained by reason of extreame hunger to séeke for succour and comming to the gate she saw an aged old man with a sad countenance kéeping the entrance to whom Violetta spake in this sort Good aged sir vouchsafe a poore distressed woman some reliefe being wandred far out of my way and for want of foode am like to perish He lifting vp his head made this aunswere this place affordeth small comfort because euery part thereof is repleate with sorrow but come in and what entertainment it yeeldeth you shall be welcome vnto that saide hée shut the gate and brought her into the Castle where were a fewe seruants in mourning attire séeming by their habit and sad countenances to be quite ouergrowne with discontent and in a roome seuerall by it selfe sate a beautiful Daâ—zel with her eyes swolen with griefe to whom the porter brought Violetta and said Madame Carina this distressed woman craueth some succour being wandred far from her way whom I wil leaue with you because I must returne to my charge Clarina rising vp tooke Violetta by the hand and desired her to sit downe by her to whom she said This place by reason of our misfortune may rather adde care to augment your sorrows then comfort your distresse for the misery that hath lately befallen vs is such as hath expeld all ioy from our hearts And because you shall be acquainted with the truth of all I will relate the circumstance of our tragedie There remaineth a Gyant not far from this place called Brandamor in a castle of such inuincible strength as it is impossible to be vanquished by legions of souldiers who taketh delight in nothing but crueltie and vnlawfull attempts Who vpon a time chanced to atriue at this Castle and by euill fortune espied me walking abroad in companie of my parents my brother Panuamus and two of my fathers seruants And I knowe not by what desire thereto drawne his mind beâ—â—g apt to any mischief he viewing me liked my beautie such a disordinate desire stirred in his brest to obtaine the same that he shrowded himselfe in secret vntill he espied his fittest opportunitie and suddenly set vppon my father offering to take me away by violence my father denying him vntill the Gyant béeing inraged drewe his sworde and assailed him whom in short time he slewe which my mother and I perceiuing â—led towards this Castle and in the mean time my brother Panuamus continued fight against him a good space but béeing vnable to cope with so mighty an enemie was by reason of many gréeuous wounds in the ende left by him for dead which done Brandamor seeing our slight hasted after vs but before he could come at vs we attained the Castle and rescued our selues from his possession But when he saw himselfe disappointed he made as though he had departed from hence and contrarie to our thoughts he hid himselfe secretly amongst the bushes My mother being ouercome with extreame sorrow for my fathers death neither regarding doubt nor daunger went back with hope to recouer him whom Brandamor surprized and carried away with him hoping by her imprisonment to win her consent to yéeld me into his hands My brother Panuamus within a while recouered his féet not knowing of my mothers misfortune with great danger of his life crawled home whom I had much adoo to preserue from death and now he is departed towards the Forrest of Arde where the giants castle standeth to inuent means to set my mâ—ther at libertie and this night is the promised time of his returne And thus haue you heard the whole circumstance of our sorrow which when she had said abundance of teares issued from her eyes which made Violetta whose tender heart was readie to relent at euery sad discourse accompanie her lamentations with watrie eyes withall remembring how vnfortunately she was still crosâ— in her desires which was to attaine to Bohemia and how contrary to her expectation she was wandred quite an other way and brought both in danger of her life and to that poore and distressed estate her heart was prest with such inward sorrow that she could not stay the passage of her teares already begun but such a violent floud distilled from her precious eye-balles that Clariana could not chuse but note them and withall grew into an earnest desire to know the cause of that extraordinarie passion withall wel viewing her beautie and swéete countenance collecting into her fancie euerie circumstance shee beganne to suppose that Violetta was no suche as her apparell shewed but of better byrthe and bringing vppe then by her attire was shewen that desiring to bée reâ—â—lued of those doubts which rose in her fancie she vttered these spéecheâ— I know not quoth shée what title to ascribe vnto you for that I am ignorant of whence and what you are but if you will commit the report therof â—o me I promise you both to coÌ„ceale the same if any such néede be and also to do my vttermost to pleasure you any way Therefore I desire you to impart the recital thereof to my secrecie that knowing your estate I may know how to vse you according to your woorthinesse Violetta being desirous to séeke any meanes for to comfort her selfe made this reply I most hartily thank you for offâ—ing me so large a proffer of your assistance which I staÌ„d in need of now for that my endlesse trauel craue some ease for my lucklesse stars haue allotted me such aduersities as would soone cut off the wretched liues of many but neither death nor ought else will be so fauourably as to ridde me from further calamities but I am still plunged into their intricate labyrinth for know most courteous Ladie that my selfe of late was promoted to all felicitie but now am contrarily plunged in all distresse and that this habit I haue onely put on to shrowd my self from many petils that I was formerly subiect vnto For I am an
sâ—gh and sad teare thinking that with each others sight each others life had parted Tellamor according to his promise arriued in Libia euen at the time of Parismus departure whome we will leaue onwardes of his iourney towardes Bohemia The Knight of Fame hauing slept his fill and longer a great deale then he determined awaked within two daies after Parismus departure little thinking the Prince had béene gone but beginning to arme himselfe Flauia comming to him said as followeth Worthie Knight quoth she I am glad to sée that you are well which vntill now I doubted The knight of Fame wondring at her speeches saide Gentlewoman as yet I haue not bene sicke then why do you make any question of my health Indeed sir quoth she I sée now you haue not béene sicke but you haue slept very long for I haue bene your kéeper heere this two dayes euer since the Prince of Bohemia departed who thought to haue had your company some part of the way but séeing your sleepe from which you could not be wakened hée imparted his minde to the Ladie Venola who hath giuen me especiall charge to attend you diligently Hée hearing her spéeches was amazed in his thoughts to thinke of them entring into many cogitations what should be the cause of his sléepinesse which hée perceiued was the potion which hée had tasted that he was excéedingly inraged with himself that he thereby was disappoynted of Parismus company whom hée estéemed aboue all the knights that euer he had met withall and making a vertue of necessitid blaming himselfe for his sléepinesse he went downe into the company of other knights making the best excuse he could thereof Flauia in the meane time went to Venola and tolde her all that had happened and what she had told him of Parismus departure wishing her to deuise what she thought best to satisfie his minde The Knight of Fame being desirous to know what message Parismus had left with Venola méeting with Flauia desired her to certifie her Mistresse that he attended her pleasure to know what the Prince of Bohemia had tolde her as concerning him Flauia hearing his spéeches brought him into a gallerie where shée desired him to stay and she would go bring him answere presently so comming to Venola she tolde her thereof Venola then hauing ridde her chamber of all company willed her to bring him in whom shee welcommed with vnwoonted kindnesse and taking him by the hand desired him to sit downe by her vppon the beddes side to whom shée said as followeth Most courteous knight the Prince of Bohemia willed me to certifie you that he would within foure daies returne to this place to desire your company in executing a secret of importance desiring me that I would intreate you to stay here some fewe daies and at his returne hée will requite that kindnesse therefore I pray quoth shée bée my guest for so long time for I haue receiued such benefits by your courtesie as I would willingly if it lay in my power requite the same I thanke your excellencie quoth hée for proffering mee such kindnesse acknowledging my self both vnwoorthie thereof and vnable to requitâ— the same being so much the more willing to stay Parismus returne thereby to shewâ— my dutie to your request and séeing you vouchsafe mée to bée your Guest hauing yet deserued no suche kindnesse pleaseth you to commaunde or imploy mée any way and I will most willingly vndertake any trauell to procure your content which wordes hee spake little knowing what passions had possest her heart whome shee vsed so kindely and entertained with such louing glaunces that hee beganne greatlie to commende her courtesse and maruailed why shee vsed him with such kindenesse that would haue pearced the heart of any other Knight but onelie himselfe whose affections were setteled on his inward deuoted Ladie that Venolaes loue was but bestowed in vaine and shee spent her sighes and her good will in a barraine soile where she s wept in hope of recompence which draue her to such extreamitie of griefe that shee was often in minde hauing him so fittely in her companie and fearing to loose so swéete opportunitie to reueale her loue to him of her selfe but that purpose was suddainely altered by contrary thoughts that shee satte rackt with so manie and so extreame cogitations that the gréefe on the one side that hee could not conceyue of her good liking by so manie euident tokens as shee hadde shewen thereof and her owne passions ouerwhelmed her heart with such care that shee suddainly burst into aboundance of teares and so rose from the bedde and went to a window The Knight of Fame maruailing what should bee the cause of her saddenesse thinking that his companie could but disquiet her departed her chamber which shee perceiuing was ouercome with such passion that shee fell downe dead wherewith Flauia gaue such shriekes that the knight of Fame hearing her outcrie suddainely returned and finding Venola in that estate did the best hee could with the Nurse to recouer her sences which at last beganne to turne to their woonted vses Venola lifting vp her eyes and espying the knight of Fame holding her in his armes wisht that shee might for euer haue continued in that trance who carrying her to the bedde there laid her downe and Flauia and other Damzelles by that time tooke her into their custodie which caused him to depart againe after whome Venola cast such a gréedie looke accompanied with such scalding sighes that Flauia feared shée would haue fallen into the like trance againe After that shée was well recouered and all her attendants departed Flania saide as followeth Why deare Mistresse quoth shée how immoderately doo you gouern your selfe to fall into these extreames I beshrew my heart if I doe not repent that euer I vndertooke to bée an acter héerein What haue you no more wisedome but so fondly to dâ—aâ—e on a stragling knight that cannot or at the least will not vnderstand your meaning taking a delight to sée your torment for it is impossible but that hee should perceiue your loue towards him then be not so affectionate towards such a one as neither regardeth loue nor knoweth what belongeth to courtly ciuiltie Peace peace quoth Venola either fill my eares with the sound of better words or else hold thy tongue for I tell thee it is more odious vnto me then death to heare thée so much disgrace the Prince of courtesie for in him remaine all honourable parts whose presence is more pleasant vnto me then al the proffered seruices of the knights in the world and if thou canst comfort me no better then by these spéeches kéepe secret what thou knowest and hereafter thou shalt know no more of my minde For I imparted the same to thée thinking to haue comfort by thy counsell but thou contrarily addest care â—o my griefe Sweet Mistresse quoth shée I beséech you do not conceiue so hardly of my meaning for I speake nothing but with intent
to the Quéene that shée should banquet the Ladies by themselues which was so done that neither Camillus nor any else perceiued his drift therein which made Camillus extreame angry with himselfe that he had not the day before when he enioyed both her sight and full libertie of spéech in some measure giuen her knowledge of his loue The Knight of Fame on the contrary side gouerned himselfe with more moderation for he hauing attained such good successe as his heart did wish was therewith for the present contented hoping that fortune that had béene so fauourable to him would not suddainely alter her countenance but still contiune her ayde to his furtherance whom Maximus likewise diligently noted hauing suspition that hée likewise came for Augelicas loue though hée dissembled the contrary of which he could perceiue no likelihood by his merrie countenance which caused him onely to suspect Camillus and not him The Feast being ended with great royaltie euery one after some Courtly pastime past betooke themselues to what exercise liked them best Camillus still accompanied the King shewing for griefe of Angelicus absence such a kinde of behauiour as though his sences were bewitched with carelesse passions which he noted diligently therby bréeding in his minde an assurance of his suspition The Knight of Fame had withdrawn himself into a Garden and séeking the solitariest place hée coulde finde began to recall the swéete remembrance of Angelicas beautie into his minde whereunto hee was more firmely inthralled then hée was before he had seene her though euen then his loue was firme hauing but séene her in a Vision that he was now not onely contented with that fauour shée had already shewen him but also deuised and studied how to become more gracious in her sight and attaine some better hope of her loue which as yet hée had not likelihood to attaine Whilest he was in the depth of these cogitations Marcellus missing him and séeing him before enter into the garden neuer left vntill he had found him out to whom he said Syr Knight I am somewhat bolde to interrupt your quiet meditations by my approach béeing desirous of your company therefore if I may without intrusion accompany you I will stay otherwise I would be loth to bréede your disquiet Most noble Marcellus quoth the Knight of Fame I am not troubled with your presence but thinke my selfe most happy to enioy the same as farre vnworthie such kindnesse being a straunger here thinke my selfe so highly honoured by your fauour that I shal account my selfe for euer bound vnto you for the same thinking my selfe more happie thereby then I could haue wisht being before subiect to all euil forâ—itude account my selfe exceedingly fortunate by your kindnesse and friendship I would it were in my power quoth Marcellus to deserue so wel of you béeing more willinger then able to pleasure you for the report of your honourable gifts hath made me long since desirous of your acquaintance that if you please to stay with mée in my fathers Court I will labour to shewe my good will towards you and if you will accept of my plaine meaning without further tryall I will hereafter prooue your faithful friend Most courteous Knight quoth hée I can yéelde no other recompence but hartie thankes for your kindenesse which hath extended it selfe farre beyond my desert with so willing a heart accepting your kinde proffers â—hat before I prooue disloyall I wil teare my heart from out my brest Then quoth Marcellus lette vs conclude this suddaine consent of good will which for my parte shall neuer while life doth last bee dissolued Desiring you hence forwards to make such account of mee that wherein soeuer I may in any degree pleasure you I will as assuredly doo my best as in my power consisteth With that they embraced each other betwixt whom such good will began to grow as was both constant and indissoluable CHAP. XVII How Angelica was imprisoned and how Maximus rebuked his sonne for suffering the Knight of Fame to speake to Angelica MArcellus hauing a while walked with him in the garden desired him to accompanie him into the Court to visit the Ladies who quoth he are this day feasting by themselues The Knight of Fame glad thereof willingly gaue his consent being the onely thing that contented his minde and being come into the presence where the Quéene was and hauing done his reuerence shee most kindly welcommed the Knight of Fame telling Marcellus that his comming was to sée the young Ladies whereat Marcellus smiling departed into a gallery wher were a multitude of swéet beauties exercising themselues at seuerall pasâ—imes some at Chesse some at Cardes and some in pleasant communication whom Marcellus kindly embraced but the Knight of Fame by reason he was a straunger was not so bolde but hauing his minde dedicated to serue no other Saint but Angelica looked for her whom he espied at the further end of the Gallery in a heauie dumpe leaning vpon her elbowe who hearing Marcellus voyce looked backe and cast her eye first on the Knight of Fame on whom she fastned a stedfast eye a good space but remembring her selfe with an excéeding blush she withdrew the same because shee sawe his eye setled on her Marcellus by this time came towards Angelica and perceiuing her blushing countenance caused him to note how melancholly shee was alone saying How now sister what sollitarie studiâ—â—â— that which hath withdrawne you from yonder peasant company My mind quoth shée is better exercised by béeing sometimes alone then in their companie but since your presence hath broken my meditation I can bee well content to forsake the same to enioy your companie which me thinkes is very rare I thanke you good Sister quoth hee assuring you that I take it wondrous kindely that you thinke so well of mée which hereafter you shall at your commaund enioy withall I desire you for my sake to bid this Knight welcome whome I esteeme as déerely as my selfe with that Angelica turned towards him and hee with humble reuerence kissed her hand to whom Angelica said Syr by my brothers commaund I bid you welcome the knight of Fame most humbly thanked her béeing so excéedingly rauished in his minde with ioye that no ioy might be compared to that hée endured Angelica on the other side was euery way affected with as swéetâ— content by that oportunitie to take a more precise view of his comelinesse entertaining the same with such surffetting delight that shée not onely augmented the heate of her former affection but also was now fettered in the dissolueable bands of loue Marcellus and shee continued sometime in conference together in which time Angelica cast many a sweete looke towardes the knight of Fame which hee well perceiued by reason his eye was neuer off her which shée likewise noting striued not to shew the like kindnes againe but notwithstanding contrary to her purpose her hearts inward affection constrained her to behold him which made her colour
Natolians pursued so farre vntill they might discrie a band of Souldiers wherwith they returned with all expedition possible and certified the King thereof who presently hasted to the Golden Tower with the Queene Marcellus and Angelica in his companie and by reason of the straungers hée saw in fight with Marcellus hee hadde not the least suspition of Angelicaes entended flight and maruailing what that Armye should meane hee â—ent out spyes to viewe of what â—orce they were who hauing done in all poynts accordingly they went and certified him that they were tenne thousand Souldiers but they could not discerne vnder whose conduct Maximus fearing the woorst presently sent letters to the Nobles of his Land with all expedition to muster vp theyr forces and to conuey them to the Golden Tower and also caused most diligent watch and warde to be kept Marcellus being most gréeuosly wounded was likewise with all care tended by the Kings Physitians to whom Angelica repaired and being with him alone she said as followeth What misery awayteth my hard destenie that am thus desasterly deteined from my wished content my euill presaging minde did foretell this misfortune which hath thus frustrated our desire and which is more miserable brought you to this dangerous estate but most of all withheld me from the sight of my beloued and causeth him both to augment his cares and suspect our loyaltie What will he thinke when he seeth no performaunce of that which was promised but still stayeth for our comming and yet bee frustrated for the knowledge of our mischance can by no meanes come to his hearing Would to God that I had ended my accursed life by the handes of those enemies rather then to haue suruiued to endure this extreame care No hard fortune can be compared to that I endure no care comparable to my griefe First to sée you thus gréeuously wounded next to bee disappoynted of our desire and lastly to frustrate the knight of Fame of his expectation What shall wee now doo how shall we recure this mishap or what meanes is there left that may adde the least comfort to our harts in this extremitie In stead of the content I expected by enioying his presence I am returned to my woonted bondage and see my friendes almost murdred and enuyroned with foes Peace peace quoth Marcellus good Angelica ceasse these complaints and in this extreamitie immitate the olde phrase make a vertue of necesssâ—tie and with patience awayâ—e for better successe for now in these perplexities there is small hope of present amendâ—ent for that worthy knight no doubt is of such wisedome and prudent gouernement that bee will iudge the best of our state and carefully prouide for his owne safetie With that Angelica burst forth into aboundance of tâ—aâ—es sâ—ying Aye mée poore wretch I wall neuer then see him againe With that shee departed wringing her handes and making great lamentation that Marcellus seeing her sorrowe was readie to worke his owne decaye by his vexation Nowe those bandes of Souldiers belonging to Camillus who presentlie after his departure from the Golden Tower enduring manie restlesse Passions for the want of Angelicas presence with whome hee was full greatly in loue with all spéede mustered vppe those forces and brought them by shipping towards the Tower with intent to besiege the same and suddainly to surprâ—se Maximus vnawares and so to get the possession of Angelica and comming towards the Golden Tower with a fewe in his company whilest the rest marched after him he met Marcelâ—us and Angelica and knowing them thought without any more trouble to take her away but was disappoynted as is declared The Knight of Fame being with olde Iabine spent much part of the day in conference with him maruelling that he heard not from Marcellus but when it was darke night his minde was rackt with exceeding care and vexation and being without any hope of his comming he was as much gréeued how to satisfie Iabine whom hée thought would now suspect him of falsehood and might suppose hée came not from Marcellus Therefore he said as followeth Father I maruell that I haue not heard frâ—m Marcellus according to his promise which maketh me thinke that some crosse mischance hath hindred him that may bréede in you some misconceit of me that haue in his name come vnto you which if you do you shall much iniurie me for it was hée that sent mée hither as I could assure you by diuers probable reasons Sir knight quoth he I pray be not troubled with any such thoght for you are welcome to me though Marcellus had not sent you which I make no doubt of but so well do I loue him as that whosoeuer commeth in his name shall by the strickt obseruance I beare to that name commaund me any seruice Afterwards they went to their repast with such sparing diet as the Priest vsed and after supper to bedde where the knight of Fame could take no rest at all but yet lay very quietly because he was loth to trouble his Host with which restraint of libertie of spéech and other passions that opprest his sences he indured that tedious night in great forment which séemed longer then many nights would haue done if hée might haue had libertie to vtter his lamentations which boyled in his breast like the violence of a mightie flame pend within a small compasse Early the next morning Iabine went forth for to prouide foode and left the knight of Fame alone who then vttered many complaints but at last finding fault with himselfe for vrging that effeminate kind of lamentation he striuing to ouermaister his passions which the more he laboured to asswage the more they â—ncreased In this sort he continued all that day and the next and many daies after still being in good hope of Marcellus approach but when he saw so long time past and he could heare no newes from him he beganne to accuse him of discourtesie and disloyaltie for breaking his promise and withall grew into a setled perswasion that both he and Angelica had quite forsaken him which added griefe to griefe and more care and vexation to his minds not knowing what to do nor which way to shape his course that arming himselfe one day hée mounted himselfe and wandred in a melancholly studie towardes the golden Tower and by chance met with two of Maximus knights who were excéedingly astonisht at his sight taking him to be a ghost but he drawing nigh to tham they beganne to flye which hée perceiuing thought to stay the one of them to haue some further spéech with him that charging his launce at him and hitting him full ouerthrewe him to the ground the other being therewith exceedingly terrified fledde The Knight of Fame alightiâ—g comming to him that he had ouerthrowne thus said Knight thou néedest not to haue stedde from me for I intended thée no harme but was destrous to knowe some newes of thee which if thou wilt tell mée I wil let thée depart otherwise
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
him selfe vpon his elâ—ow who espying her raised himself from the ground blushing at hâ—r presence to whom she said Why how now Parismenos what sadnesse is that which possesseth your mind that maketh you estrange your selfe from company to delight in sollitarinesse is there none so highly in your fauour that they may know the truth thereof or is your cause of care such as none can remediâ— or not counsel you for your ease I am sure there are many would not refuse to vse their endeuours to pleasure you especially my self would both willingly do my best to comfort you and know the cause if it be not too secret Parâ—smenoâ— with humble reuerence made her this aunswere I beséech you do not thinke me so vndutifull nor my cause of care so secret that I would conceale the same from you but were it of much more importance I would willingly reueale it to satisfie your minde which I haue omitted as vnwilling to trouble you therwith and for no other respect Then I pray quoth she let me knowe is it not loue yes most deare mother quoth he it is loue and to that beautiful Lady Angelica who beareth me the like affection but so farre am I from enioying her loue as that iâ— attainteth my heart with care to thinke thereof which is the cause of my sadnesse which will encrease rather then diminish if I do not shortly trauel thither being now assured of all other doubts and hauing finished my trauell in search to finde you out Therefore I most humbly beseech you to procure my Lord and fathers consent to my spéedie departure for without the fruition of her heauenly sight my liâ—e will be but wearisome Laurana hearing his spéeches perceiued indeed that his affection was great and therefore not to be remooued and well knowing by her owne former experience that loue was incurable she was the more ready to pittie his passions that she promised to further him in what she could beeing now assured of the cause of his sadnesse CHAP. XXII How Parismenos after the knowledge of his parents departed towards Natolia How hee met with Marcellus and what afterwards befell to him WIthin fâ—we daies after Parismenos returned againe towards Natolia but with much sorrow in the Bohemian court for his departure spending much time in trauell vntill he arriued at S. Austins Chappell hauing gotten him other armour because he would not be knowne and knocking at the Chappell doore presently olde Iabin came out to whom he discouered himselfe who knowing him reioyced exceedingly at his presence and safetie desiring him â—o come in for that he had newes of importance to tell him Parismenos comming to him for no other intent but to heare newes from Angelica willingly went in with him And â—abin began as followeth Most noble knight I wil declare vnto you all that I haue â—arned of â—he estate oâ— Marcellus so â—â—are as I can After that you were departed from hence the Natolian hauing conâ—inued theyr deligent search some thrée dayâ—s in the end returned to the Court frâ—sâ—rated of their desire whereby Maximus gaue no credence to that report â—â—t soone forgot the same remaining in great quiet Marcelâ—es by this time had recâ—uered his health lettâ—â— passâ— no time came hither thinking to haue sonnâ— you â—éere but hearing by â—y report of your departure â—ee seemed to be quite ouâ—rcome with grâ—â—fe and declared vnto mee all that had happened to you in the Golden Tower which you had declared vnto mee before and withâ—ll manifested what had happened vnto him and Angelica and how hee was so greeuously wounded then â—aâ—in declared the same 〈◊〉 as Marcellus had tolde him in the very same manner as is before â—â—â—lared when hée determined to haue conueyed Angelica to S. Ausiens Chappell the day his Father was on hunting And quoth hée Marcelius hauing tolde mee this withall shewed mee with what sorrow Angelica endured your absence Parismenos hauing heard his wordes which yéelded him full assurance of Marcellus â—riendship and Angelicas constant loue was therewith excéedingly comforted rehearsing to him how fortunately hee had found his Parents Iabin then began to vse him with more reuerence and more feruently to affect his company and good that at Parismenos request hée went towardes the Golden Tower to sée if hee could by any meanes speake with Marcellus which hée willingly at his requesâ— did and brought newes backe that Maximus was departed with the Quéene Marcellus and Angelica towards the Gittie of Ephesus which he learned of such as were gardâ—ants at the Golden Tower Parssmenos hearing that immediateâ—y departed thitherwards and entring the Cittie rode presently vnto the Court where â—ée met a Knight whome hée desired of courtesie to câ—rtifie Marcellus that there was a Knight who would speake with him which at his request hée presently went and performed and finding Marcellus in the kâ—ngs great hall hée told him there was a sâ—range knight at the Court gatâ— that was desirous to speake with him Marcellus maruelling who it should bee immediately went out vnto him being a Knight of excéeding vertue that hée would not refuse any courtesâ—e and though hée were sonne vnto a mightie King yet hée disdained not to fulfiâ—l his request though hée neither knew him nor the cause of his comming Parismenos beholding him immediately allighted from his stéed and with a kinde behauiour said Most noble and courteous Prince I desire to haue some few words in priuate conference with you from the knight of Fame Marcellus hearing him name the knight of Fame desired him to say on for there were none then present but such as hee trusted My Lorde quoth Parismenos because I knowe not whether I may discouer my selfe or no with safetie I am the knight of Fame and now altered in name but not in good will to you Marcellius hearing his wordes had much adoo to refraine from embracing him but yet for that hée would not haue any note the same hée abstained but said Most noble knight nothing could haue brought that ioye to my heart your presence doth beeing a long â—ime seuered from you by Fortunes vnconstant mutabilitie who altereth the estate of things according to her variable disposition trusting you haue not misdoubted of my good will though I came not to S. Austins Chappell according to my promise which I was about to performe but that my intent was crost But séeing you are thus happily returned and haue as I hope attained the knowledge of your parents in whose search olde Iabine tolde mee you were departed I desire you repose that assured confidence in my trustinesse that I will labour to procure your content euery way to my vttermost power your safetie and returne will bring no little ioy to my Sister Angelica which is impossible to giue her knowledge of for my father hath now garded her more stricktly then euer before neither is shée héere in this Court as the common report goeth but still remaineth in the Golden Tower
that he restraineth me Angelicas presence and kéepeth his counsels from me to intrude my selfe into his counsels I will not presume onely my desire is that I may but be admitted to the sight of my sister Angelica Marcellus quoth the Quéene I pray thée bée contented for a time for thou seest thy fathers minde which will impart his secrets to none who if hee should knowe that your sadnesse were for that cause would be the more fearefull to imparte tâ—em to you which can no way pleasure you but rather fill your minde with greater â—ares which now is more happy then it would be then for Angelica so long as shâ—e is â—n health what neede you be so carefull for her then good Marcellus rest your selfe contented and desire not that which will rather adde more trouble to your head The Quéene hauing ended these spéeches departed and lest Marcellus where shâ—e found him Assoone as the Quéene was gone hâ—e â—egaâ— againe to ponder these things not knowing why his head shâ—ld be thus troubled for he knâ—w all that hee desired and yet his minde was troubled therewith that at last with more aduised consideration hee weighed euery conceit of his thoughts and found that neyther his Fathers vnkindnesse Angelicaâ—s absence nor his feare of disgrace was theâ— that troubled him but only a good conceyt of Dulcias kindenesse which caused him to enter into a viewe of her perfections which his fancie began so much to commend her that hée thought her worthy to bée beloued withall thought why he might not loue her which very thoghts â—rew to such insight into his owne fancies that he perceyued that loue had alreadie taken possession in his heart then hée began to consider what displeasure if might procure him if he should set his fancie on one so faâ—re his inferior and not rather seeke the loue of some Kings daughter that might adde honor to his title and not diminish the same which thought was no sooner begun but it ended being dasht by an other conceyt that Dulcia was as beautifull as any as vertuous as any as courtâ—â—us as any and therefore as worthy to be beloued as any that iâ— hee should marry with his equall she might rather marrâ—e him for his dignitie and of a haughtâ—e minde to keepe her owne high dignitie still then for any true loue and if she were his equall hée should rather be subiâ—ct to her will then shee any way obedient to him that Dulcia would bee a louing kinde and â—uetifull wife that shée would honour him rather then desire to bée his equall and that shée would refuse no perrill daunger nor hazardâ— for his sake that hauing spent some time in these cogitations hée resolued to loue Dulcia whatsoeuer ensued thereon though hee incurred his Parents displeasure or anie other hazard of his honour whatsoeuer and with resolution hée went immediately vnto the place where shee was guarded in steed of Angelica and by the Damzells meanes who before had done him the like fauour he came to her chamber where he found Dulcia all alone very sad to whom he said How now Angelica what are you sadde can I neuâ—r come but that I must alwayes finde you in this melancholy dispoâ—â—â—ion what are you sorry to be thus pend from a husband My Lorde quoth Dulcia though I am otherwise sadde it doth mee good to see you merrâ—e You are deceyued Dulcia I am not merrie My Lorde quoth shee if I should giue credite to your words they shewe that you are merrie that call me Angelica yet knowe the conâ—rarie Oh Dulcia quoth he neither doth wordes nor countenance alwayes bewray the inward thoughts for this which you take to bée myrth in mée is but a forced habite which I haue taken vppon mee euen now but knewe you the thoughtâ— of my heart you would say I were sadde My Lord quoth shée I beséech you pardon my boldenesse which I presumed séeing your pleasant disposâ—tion wherein if I was deceyued I hope you will not bee offended with for indéed oftentimes the heart meditates of many things the mind cannot vtter So doth mine Dulcia quoth hée for I wish thée more good then I am able â—e vtter and the cause that my heart is sadde is because I am not able to do â—hée so much good as my heart doth wish and cannot vtter I most humbly thanke you quoth Dulcia acknowledging my selfe farre vnwoorthie such faâ—our and vnable to deserue such good which maketh mee thinke you still continue in that forced habit which maketh you vtter those spéeches Indéede well replyed Dulcia quoth he but as I suddainly tooke that habit vpon me it was gone again before I had vttered the words therfore you may bée assured now that my words procéede from a true heart and not from a forced habit My Lord quoth she againe where there is such often change of disposition there can bee no constant resolution Yes quoth hée that which is of purpose taken to shew myrth is forced but the naturall disposition still continueth firme In déede in â—ewe quoth she but not in all Then quoth hee thinke mee one of those â—ewe My Lord quoth shée I beséech you pardon me if I do not for it is giuen to all by nature to be more confâ—dent then prouident And I aunswere I haue receyued more fauour at your hands in suffering mée to be thus familiar with you then I am worthy or euer haue deserued therefore I craue pardon hoping â—hat you will beare wish my rudenesse Dulcia quoth hée doe not aske pardon when you haue not misdone but beléeue my words without any question to proceede from the deapth of my true heart which entendeth and wisheth you no lesse good then I haue vtâ—ered for I haue found such vertue in you that I am inthralled to that vertue and desire to be partaker and possesse thy bewtie which hath made mée your affectionate friende and intreate your loue then that which I desire nothing more My Lord replyed Dulcia my loue and duetiâ— is such that I will not refuse any commaund you shall impose vpon mée Dulcia quoth hée it is not such loue as is commaunded by dutie nor such friendship as riseth from feare but such kinde loue as procéedeth betwixt faithfull friendes from the yéelding consent of a true heart and such a loue as hath a further respect then that common duâ—y for if you knewe with what feruencie I desired your swéete consent to this loue you would pittie my torments My Lord replyed shée I beséech your Honour do not séeke to en thrall mée in loues bands that am frée and am assured your fancie cannot like of one farre vnworthie that high fauour you speake of but suffer me rather to continue in my peacefull estate that estéeme my selfe farre from euer enioying such happinesse as to be belâ—ued of my superiour being alreadie so farre bound vnto you in all humblenesse that you shall not commaund me any thing that