and again got him Horse and weapon which done he left him and euen at that time that Persicles wisht for him came and espying thrée knights assailing him alone ayming his sword point at Petrons brest who was next him and running at him with all the force his horse could make run the same through his body and with the like intent ayming the same at Palion he ran at him that had he not avoyded his Encounter he had either slaine or sore wounded him but missing he let driue at hâ—m with his sword with such force that in short space he gaue him many wounds Persicles like wise hauing none but Althesus to resist Combated with him brauely who with like valour resisted him In the end Palion finding himselfe so overmatcht began to retire which Montelyon perceiuing gaue him no respit to flye Then was their Battaile most terrible to behold the Persians comforted by the only valour of Montelyon ran vpon their Enemies with vnresisted fury And the Armenians séeing one of theis chiefe Champions dead and their Generall retire were amazed and rather ready to flye then to stand out which animated their Foes with courage to pursue theâ— euen as long as the day lasted Montelyon still porsued Palion in whose Rescue many of his Knights interset themselves and dyed by his Sword and notwithstanding bée withdrew himselfe yet Montelyon followed him so neare that he often put him in danger of his life vntill he was so farre past iâ— amongst thâ—ir Troupes that he was compelled with his Sword to make his way to get out againâ— In which Retyre many of the Armenians dyed The Night now drawing nigh whilest the Armenians sound Retraâ— and the Persian Generals busie in gathering together their scattered Followers Montelyon had time to consider what was best for him to doe and whether it were convenient to discover himselfe or no at last determining to depart in secret he espyed Persicles bare hy him who of purpose had watched him misdoubting that which he intended who came vnto him and sayd Sir Knight the kindnesse I haue found in you emboldneth me to desire your company and intreat you to accept of my Tent to ropose your selfe in For that I suppose you are a Stranger and it were incovenient for you to Iourney after so great labour having this day with such Honour defended me that I account my selfe yours and my life preserved by your onely Valor Therefore deny me not that I may in some sort requite your kindnesse Montelyon hauiâ—g heard Cothanes oftentimes excéedingly commend the King for Valour and curtesie likewise hauing knowledge how to behaue himselfe as well to the meanest as to the greatest personages being by Cothanes nobly educated and of his owne Inclination more apt to conceiue then they are able to instruct knowing it to be the King himselfe bowing his body sayd Most honoured King I am vnfit the honour you proffeâ— me and my deserts no way deseruing the commendations you giue them therefore I beséech you not to attribute to me more then is befitting my meane estate but rather licence me to attend you in all humble duty My Life and all vttermost endeavors being vowed to be spent in your service and my selfe ready to be at your disposition This sayd Persicles and he departed into the Campe whether they were welcommed with the shoutes and rejoycing of the Persian Souldiers Deloratus hearing that applaud came forth of his Tent to sée what was the cause thereof and espying Persicles and the strange Knight together came vnto them they both alighting to salute him Deloratus would by no meanes suffer them to depart but intreated them to lodge in his Tent that night which Persicles could not deny and therefore taking Montelyon in kinde sort betwéene them they entred the same where he was vnarmed but when they beheld his youth they wondred thereat to be accompanyed with such excéeding valour both Deloâ—atus and Persicles vsing him with great kindnesse Then presently the principall Commanders of the Campe assembled themselves to their Generals Tents to know what they did determine Amongst the rest Cothanes who at the first entrance into the Tent espyed his sonne Montelyon his head being onely disarmed and by his armour knowing it was he that had so honourably preserved his life and defended himselfe had much a doe to containe himselfe from rejoycing likewise Montelyon séeing him vpon his knée intreated him to pardon his boldnesse in comming to the Campe without his consent Cothanes with great joy tooke him vp and imbraced him Persicles séeing that sayd to Cothanes My friend is this thy sonne My Lord sayd he he is my sonne and he calleth me Father and yet I am vnworthy to be father to such a sonne that hath this day showne himselfe rather to be the sonne of some Heroicke King And my Lord because his worthinesse shall not be darkened with the ignoble Title of Cothanes his sonne I will declare to you all that I know of him Indéed hée is not my sonne but my Lady and I being one day a hunting found him vpon the top of a Mountâ—in swadling clothes which were such as shewed hée was not of meane parentage but of honourable race his Nurse as it should séeme being distrâ—ssed for want of food was wandred from him whose carkasse and clothes we found not farre off destroyed by a Lyon since which time with carefulnesse I haue brought him vp estéeming him aâ— mine owne sonne This my Lord in briefe is the whole summe of all that I know of him They all maruelled at his words especially Montelyon was strucken into such a sudden meditation that for a while stood like one metamorphosed Persicles taking him by the hand said Although I know not what title to giue you yet borne you cannot be lesse then of noble bloud as may well appeare by the manifest tokens of your heroicke dispositions therefore remit the care of that vntill hereafter and vouchsafe to stay with vs who are now both comforted with your presence béene preserued by your valour My Lord replyed Montelyon were my desire a thousand times greater then it is yet the desire I haue to doe you seruice would surmount the same being in the depth of inward affection loue and duty wholly addicted and entirely deuoted to your worthinesse which no desire of reward hope of praise or wordly respect hath bred in me but onely the instinct of nature that hath effectually engraffed the same in my heart therefore I humbly desire you vouchsafe to entitle me with the honour of Knight-hood where with if I be dignified by your vertuous hand I shall both remaine with you and endeauour to deserue the same Persicles highly estéeming him and kindly imbracing him told him he should that night be his bedfellow and the next day haue his desire With many other spéeches they ended that nights conference every Ruler departing with carefulnesse to set the Watches CHAP. XIII How the Armenians
she was but taking Philotheta by the hand said deare Lady this newes addeth much comfort to my dispayring Heart I am that vnfortunate Constantia that till this time haue dispayred of ever séeing that noble King againe accounting my selfe so much bound to you for being the happy reporter of this welcome newes that I protest my selfe your everlasting Friend assuring you that if that worthy Knight that rescued you be Companion to Persicles hée is indued with all Heroicke vertues but I pray you tell me out the rest The worthy Knights spéeches said she wrought so effectually with me that I could haue béene contented to haue lived there with him for ever In the end the Hermit brought in newes that Amphiador was hard by in my search at which newes I was very glad yet also displeased with knowing his rude behaviour would not suffer him to vse the strange Knight kindly Whilst I was in this thought thrée Knights in gréene Armour entred the Cell two of them without speaking a word by force carrying me forth whilest the third stayed the Knight in Combate who hastily followed to my rescue but of a suddaine before I could bethinke me what they should be I was within this Garden where I met her that brought me vnto you who willed me to feare nothing for here I should remaine in safety With that such a flood of teares gushed from her eyes that they stopt the passage of her spéech turning the same into silence Lady said Constantia to adde more care to my Heart would overwhelme it with griefe therefore I will omit the Relation of my Tragicke History till another time neither fearing nor féeling care now I heare of my Lords safety who will set me at liberty from the thraldome I haue here endured almost these twenty yeares Ila comming to them brake of their conference After Supper convaying them to a Chamber where they both lay continuing some dayes in much conference of their estate which for brevity sake is omitted CHAP. XXVII How Montelyon Knight of the Oracle arrived at the Enchanted Tower called Penthrasus Pallace And of the controversie that fell betweene him and the Knights that were come to try the Adventure THe Knight of the Oracle as it is aforesaid having lodged all night in the Wood earely the next Morning before Golden Phaebus had beautified the Earth with his brightnesse mounted his Stéed with an earnest desire to know whose Tents those were and what Tower it was they had encompassed he had not rode halfe an houre but he approached néere vnto them passing amongst them without stay because he met none to conferre withall he drew towards the entrance of the Bridge where Constantiaes Picture hung which when he had well viewed he judged by the outward shew thereof what perfections were adherent to the Lady that was owner thereof thereby calling to remembrance his Philothetaes perfections which in his conceit farre surpassed that but yet the Spell that Ila had cast thereon wrought so with him that had not the Vertue of his Armour and other gifts the Nymphes had bestowed on him which had power against all Enchantments prevailed hée had surely doted thereon when he had read the Verses an earnest desire possest his heart to redéeme that Lady that neither regarding Danger nor omitting Opportunity he tooke the Horne and winded the same the Sound thereof made many Knights start from forth of their Tents being but even then vp and newly Armed the first that was mounted and came to the Bridge was a noble Knight of Parthia named Menon who calling to the Knight of the Oracle said Knight enter no farther before thou know whom thou hast offended by thy bold intrusion He hearing his words turned his Stéed saying if I haue offended any it is more then I know but yet I am resolved to try the adventure who so ever sayes no. Menon said thy strangenesse doth priviledge thée because thou knowest not what is concluded among the Knights that are héere assembled Sir said he whatsoever agréeth with the Law of Armes I yéeld vnto and whatsoever courtesie bindeth me to I will performe therefore let me know what it is I must performe before I passe further By this time he was incompassed with Armed Knights and one of them named Linseus of Arabia that thought himselfe too good for all and vanquished many that had Combated with him said Before thou passe further thou must Combat with vs For the meanest of many that are here assembled thinketh himselfe able to performe as much as thée The Knight of the Oracle wondring at their rudenesse and moved with his discourteous words said I am not to be controlled by any but stand frée in mine owne choise to doe what I thinke good therefore if thou or any here be offended with that I haue said or done Challenge me I doe Challenge thée said Linseus and I said Menon and after them many other every one desirous to deale with him first The Prince of Parthia named Nessus stept forth and said Fellow Knights wée being all prosessours of Armes and every one a Partner in this Quarrell let vs cast Lots and to his share that the Lot first falleth let him begin and the rest fellow With that they all agréed The Knight of the Oracle thought he should not be Idle rejoycing that he had so good occasion to make tryall of his Valour The Lot fell to Arnon of Persia to begin The place a goodly Plaine in the full view of the Tower and the time was within an houre This being agréed vpon the Knight of the Oracle in the meane time rode about the Tower to behold the beauty and Scituation thereof which he admired and casting his Eye vp he beheld on the Battlement a farre off thrée Ladies walking together whom he could scarcely discerne◠much lesse if he had béene acquainted with them know These Ladies were Constantia Philotheta and Ila that came to behold the Tilts and Turneys that were daily acted betwéen many and divers Knights before the Tower Constantia hearing of Persicles safety and of his being in that Countrey hoping thereby in time to bée released desired to behold the Combatants which before she had alwayes refused to doe The Knight of the Oracle little thinking Philotheta had béene one of the thrée after he had a while stood to behold them returned to the appointed place of Combate where Arnon was then but newly entred with great Pride and the Sound of Trumpets and a number of followers Whom the Knight of the Oracle notwithstanding all his bravery overthrew at the first Encounter to Arnons amazement and his owne glory That done the next that encountred him was Linseus who held out two courses but at the third both he and his Stéed lay on the earth The Knights that beheld this commended his Valour yet enuyed his Fortune After that he encountred thrée Knights of Aegypt Then came Nessus Prince of Parthia thinking to recover that his Precedents
mind was possest with such desire to sée her againe for that he stood as a man without sence When suddainly such a Mist darkened all the place that he could scarcely sée his hands which continued by the space of halfe an houre Whilest he remained in such thoughts sometimes of perswasion it was Philotheta which troubled his very heart to thinke what should be become of her that he séemed to haue lost her Sences by the sight of her remaining in many meditations the Myst vanished and the Sun with excéeding Splendor disclosed the beauty of Penthrasus Pallace When he saw no further expectation of danger approaching he entred further towards the thrée Gates of Brasse beholding the curious workes thereof through which he entred into the Court which drew his mind into much admiration thereof Entring the Hall he beheld the two Lyons which kept the Passage that with a faire prospect discovered the beauty of the Garden The Lyons no sooner espyed him but they presently made such a noyse with their Roring that all the Pallace rung thereof And Constantia hearing the same cryed out as excéedingly affrighted The Knight of the Oracle attempted to passe by them expecting no other but cruell resistance yet contrary to his thoughts they laid themselues downe at his féet as it were reverencing him Which when he beheld of his owne inclination he loosed both their Chaines and they ran forth of the Pallace with excéeding swiftnesse which amazed him to behold Passing through the Hall he entred the Garden looking round about to behold the beauty thereof when suddainly he began to wonder that he had beheld never a living creature since he entred which draue him into an excéeding Admiration marvailing that he could not behold the Lady of whose Picture he had beheld at the entrance to that finding himselfe over-wearyed with labour purposing to rest his Body he returned into the Hall and there seated himselfe in a most rich and costly Chayre Constantia being in the Arbour beheld when he entred the Garden and when he went backe marveling what he should be and little thinking the Enchantment was ended not daring her selfe to goe forth of the Arbour her heart was so possest with amazement desired one of the Damzels if she loved her to goe sée what he was and learn the cause of that vprore which they had heard in the Pallace One of the Damzels being more hardy then the other told her how for the Loue she bare her she would adventure though it cost her her life Passing on towards the Pallace with such hasty steps as if something had pursued her and yet going forwards as if an evill had béen before her that she could neyther tell whether wherefore nor why she went vntill of a sudden she mounted the passage into the Hall and was right before the Knight of the Oracle Whom when she saw she stood looking vpon him trembling as if she had béene distraught The Knight of the Oracle rising from his seate said Damzell feare not I will defend you from danger héere is none intendeth your harme The Damzell hearing his voyce was revived saying Sir Knight I marvell what strange accident hath brought you hither where no Knight hath béen these many yeares Lady said he Fortune and my good Destinies that haue béene imployed to set you at Liberty Sir said she it is not I but my Mistris you meane by whose command I haue adventured to sée what was happened to whom if you will vouchsafe to goe I will conduct you He could remember it was not her Picture he had beheld therefore he blusht to be so deceived but told her his comming was to doe her Lady Service With that they entred the Garden Constantia soone espying them and séeing the Knight come in such peaceable sort with the Damzell went forth to méet him hée likewise séeing her sheathed his Sword his Heart trembling at the first sight of her by a naturall inclination bearing such a Reverend regard to her majesticall person that when he came nigh her he did her reverence vpon his knée vttering these words Most Noble Lady be not disquieted with feare of restrained liberty for the Date of the Enchantment of thisCastle is finished Constantia stepping to him tooke him by the hand desiring him not to knéele to her who was vnworthy but rather had cause to vse him with the like reuerence Most Noble Lady said he I haue all the Reward I expect yet grant me one favor which is to tell me your Name Constantiaes heart at that word leapt within her which caused an excéeding blush to possesse her chéekes saying Most Honourable Knight I were too blame to deny you so small a Request my Name is Constantia Then haue the Heavens quoth he made mée Fortunate with beholding you whom my heart hath ever honoured Constantia wondred what he should be assuring her selfe it was not Persicles for he would not haue asked her name yet she thought that Sorrow might so much haue altered her in the long time of her separation that on the suddain he could not know her that her heart was much troubled with those thoughts till he interrupted them with these spéeches Lady it may be you suppose me for other then I am to rid you of which ambiguity my name is now Knight of the Oracle which I haue but lately béene knowne by for before I was called Montelyon brought vp in Persia but whether I was borne there or who my Parents were as yet I know not the cause of my travell into this Countrey was in your search in the Company of my noble Lord Persicles who for your absence liveth in continuall griefe Therefore I beséech you reviue your heart from care and put your confidence in my fidelity for I will never part from you vntill I haue brought you to his presence Constantiaes Heart with these words was possest with such joy as is not to be exprest And remembring that Philotheta had told her of Montelyon she said Most honoured Knight I haue long before this heard of your Honourable friendship shown to my deare Lord Persicles which maketh me without doubt resolue my whole confidence in you which came to my hearing by the report of a Lady whom you lately succoured in this Countrey named Philotheta With that he fetcht a déepe sigh from the bottome of his heart saying Indéed I did once enjoy her presence but whether I shall ever sée her againe or where she is I know not Yet if I were not deluded I did behold her departing out of this Castle It may be so said Constantia for she was with me this day and hath béene here this many dayes but the Enchantresse in great hast and by violence tooke her from my company carrying her I know not whether by whose kind report of your vertues I conceiue such comfort in their assurance that I entreat your promise of assistance and with that shall my heart rest as void of feare as if I
Delfurno that he had gotten his Signet as their warrant to passe through the Campe entreating her to be in a readinesse to goe with him desiring her to feare no danger for his life should shield her She granted to goe with him desiring him to stay there vntill the time appointed which he performed passing the time in private conference with her to both their likings The time being come and all things silent Montelyon armed himselfe leading Philotheta out of the Court passing all the guards watches and garrisons by shewing the Emperours Signet and comming where the Souldiers lay they likewise let him goe vntill they were without the City gates Montelyon having without danger effected this turned his steps directly towards his owne City which was not farre off and therefore with ease they got thither Being come to the City gates the watch espying them demanded who was there Montelyon had them come downe and sée they came downe and tooke them in beginning to examine them but Montelyon discovered himselfe as loath to stay there yet commanding them to conceale it and to carry him as a Prisoner to Delatus which they performed where they knocked and were let in Delatus and Alfala knowing him did him humble reverence rejoycing in their hearts to see him so safely returned But Montelyon vnvailing Philotheta Alfala presently knew her with teares of joy welcomming her whilest the old Duke melted with passion to behold his Daughter whom from her infancy he had not séene embracing her in his armes and a thousand times kissing her tender cheeke These embracings being past Montelyon said Lady since you are now in safety with your Parents my promise is performed desiring you to haue regard to the passions I endure which time will not now permit me to vtter but leaue to your courteous consideration therefore I beséech you in mine absence let my loyalty be regarded and your gentle heart willing to pitty me Which said with a second kisse he left her to submit himselfe to his Parents CHAP. XLV Of the discord that befell betwixt the Emperour of Almaigne the Emperour of Macedonia and the King of Armenia about Philothetaes departure Of a merry jest that befell the two Ladies And of the desolation of the Armenian Hoast FIrst the Emperor choosing vnto him some few trusty Knights that he meant should convay Philotheta into Almaigne secretly went vnto Bernards Cell where he shrowded himselfe vnder a tuft of Cipresse trées staying the comming of Philotheta but it was an houre before any came and the first was the Quéene of Macedonia who attended by one Gentlemen came towards the Cell whom when Delfurno beheld he alone stept vnto her saying My deare Philotheta I am sorry that for my sake you should take such paines as at this vnseasonable time to be abroad for which I render all the thankes that a constant heart can She hearing that taking him to be her Lord yéelded him many thanks purposing to try the vttermost conclusion before she revealed her selfe saying Had I not assured my selfe of your Loue I would not haue come hither but being here I rest at your disposition Delfurno then embraced her oft times kissing her and being of a quicke conceit presently bethought himselfe if she would condiscend to call vp the Fryer and be married Lady qd he since you haue vouchsafed to grant me loue enrich me also with possession which the more lawfully to effect we will be married by Fryer Bernard My Lord replyed she I am contented then did he call at the Fryers Cell who arising Delfurno taking him aside told him what he was and the cause of his comming who hearing that presently joyned their hands Delfurno then purposed not to convay her thence but returne to the Campe which he performed They were no sooner gone but the King of Macedonia commeth to the Cell and ere he could turne him about the Quéen of Armenia according to Montelyons directions came taither The King himselfe taking her for Philotheta at the first méeting embraced her with a swéet Congee vttering many â—péeches to the setting forth of his loue which she answered as kindly that he grew so bold as he would haue had present possession of her loue but she denyed that alleadging that he had a Quéene who hearing of his Loue to her would séeke her death Feare not that deare Loue quoth he for ere long I meane to make her sure enough for ever troubling of you therefore deny me not but yéeld me the fruition of thy loue I will not quoth she without further assuranâ—e for my mind presageth some ill Here is quoth he a Fryer hard by will you consent that he shall marry vs To that she agréed and he called vp the Fryer the second time who much marvelling thereat demanded the cause of his comming Fryer quoth he the cause of my comming is to be marryed to this Lady therefore I pray thée doe it without delay The Fryer thinking that some mad spirits were abroad or that some franticke dreame had overcome his sences without asking any more questions marryed them and sent them away The King of Macedonia carryed her into his Tent in the field for that he durst not goe to the Pallace for feare of his wife where he stayed with her all night Last of all the King of Armenia premeditating what spéeches to vse to set forth his life resting himselfe vpon a bankes side hard by Barâ—ards Cell staying there comming the space of an houre with great patience but when an houre was past and then another and a third neare ended he waxed impatient fearing to be disappointed but séeing they came not at last he misdoubted he had mistaken the time and stayed too long that being much troubled he knockt at Bernards Cell who started from his Bed as one affrighted wondring what accident had driven so many to his Cell that night And comming to the doore the King of Armenia demanded if there had béene a Lady that night Yes qd be here hath béene two but what they were I know not It was assuredly Philotheta and with her Delfurno to whom I marryed her but what the other two were I know not The King hearing that in a rage ran back to the king of Macedoniaes Tent desiring to speak with him the Guard knowing him let him in and he standing by his beds side said Brother of Macedon the Lady whom we determined to marry to Delfurno is this Night fled and for that déed we shall loose his friendship for ever The K. of Macedonia hearing that lay as one halfe amazed not knowing what to say and the Quéen hearing her husband there whom she thought she had embraced trembled with feare The K. of Macedonia séeing there was no remedy but that his déed must of necessity be discouered said King of Armenia it is so I haue Philotheta in my custody and her I will enjoy for she lyeth folded in mine armes By Heaven qd the King of Armenia