THE FIRST PART OF PARISMVS THE RENOVVmed Prince of Bohemia His most famous delectable and pleasant Historie Containing His Noble Battails fought against the Persians His Loue to Laurana the Kings Daughter of Thessalie And of his strange Aduentures in the Desolate Iland Dum spiro spero VERITAS VIRESSIT VVLNERE TC LONDON Printed by Thomas Creede 1615. AA TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE Sir Robert Ratcliffe Knight Earle of Sussex Viscount Fitzwaters Lord Egremond and Burnell E. F. wisheth health honour and happinesse THe most mighty Monarch Alexander aswel beheld the crooked counterfetit of Vulcan as the sweete picture of Venus Philip of Macedon accepted a bunch of Grapes presented by a simple Countrey Swaine The Widowes mite was as graciously esteemed as the great gifts of the wealthie So I Right Honourable and my verie good Lord haue presumed to present your Honour with this Fancie intituled Honours Triumphe Imboldened thereunto by the viewe of those admired giftes of true Nobilitie that abundantly adorne your Vertuous inclination vouchsafe the acceptance of this poore present not for the worthinesse thereof but for the good intent of the writer who most humblie sueth for your fauorable protection to countenance the wel intending labours of a Scholler that hath dedicated himselfe in all dutifull regard to your Honors command with the poore Countrey-man presenting somwhat to shew my dutie afffection willing to giue a worthier gift if it consisted in my poore abilitie Apollâ—… giues Oracles as well to the poore as to the Rich. The Noblest mindes haue alwayes as well esteemed the intents of the well meaning as the performance of the best able Euen so I trust your Honour in whom the Essence of true Nobilitie and vertue are vnited wil vnder the Protection of your Wisedomes fauourable Censure regarde my dutifull meaning herein Which hath not bene satisfied with admiration but longtime desirous to bee one of the participants of your Honours most laudable dispositious whereunto I doe wholly submit my selfe Resting in hopefull assurance that notwithstanding whatsoeuer wanteth in mee or the workes worthinesse yet your Honour will daine to accept this small present or rather therein my good will which will yeeld to none in respect of dutifull douotion though vnable to compare with the least of the Learned writers that haue past their woorkes vnder the Title of your Honourable Patronage Which fauour I humbly desire your Honor of your abundant liberalitie to impart to my poore talent as to one that of dutie intermitteth not to sollicitie the Almighty that hee would alwaies direct you in the commendable race of vertue inrich you with all spirituall and temporall blessings augment your Honors to the highest degree and in the ende reward you with immortall selicitie Your Honors most bounden and obedient in all dutie Emanuel Forde TO THE COVRTEOVS READER EVen as an vnskilfull Pylote lying in safe Harbour should in time of fowle weather launch into the deepe and so bring his Shippe in daunger So I Courteous Reader haue aduenturously thrust foorth this Fancie to abide your Censure which if kinde care is past If otherwise to abide Shipwrack by your discontent But howsoeuer I relie vpon your courtesie that although the matter procure you not that delight my trauels did expect yet you will allow the writers good intent And although the phrase be not altogether agreeable to your fancie yet you will fauourably iudge thereof as the first fruites of my labours If my selfe were present to answere all Obiections those that are discontented should rest better satisfied But in mine absence I craue your kinde opinion wishing no other shelter wherevnder to shrowde the defects then your Courtesie This Knight was long since bred in Bohemia but in Thessalia hee wanne his Title of Honour where first beganne his Famous deedes which if they please my reward is sufficient if not yet pardon and by your Clemencie adde life to the second part whose beeing resteth in your power Expect not the high stile of a refined wit but the plaine description of Ualiant Knights and the constant truth of Loyall Friendes Condemne not vnkindely but Censure fauourably and impute the defects to my want not my will that my desire may take wished effect which is to please all and giue offence to none yet carelesse to satisfie the curious discontented who contemne all things but amend nothing And thus for my recompence let me haue your kinde words and lawfull fauour and I aske no more Farewell E. Forde THE FIRST PART OF THE MOST DELECTABLE and pleasant Hystorie of Parismus the famous Prince of Bohemia his noble Battailes fought against the Persians his loue to Laurana the Kings daughter of Thessaly and his straunge Aduentures in the desolate Iland CHAP. I. How Parismus Sonne and Heyre to the King of Bohemia arriued in Thessaly how hee was entertained by Dionisius the King who kept his Court at the Citie of Thebes and of a straunge aduenture that befell to Osiris one of Dionisius Knights IN the most rich and famous Countrey of Thessaly raigned one Dionisius whose discretion in gouernment and singular wisedome in ruling so mightie a Nation made the splendant fame of his renowne to spread it selfe to the vttermost confines of the world and most Countries made continuall traffique thither by reason of the good and equitable lawes hée had instituted for the quiet of his Countrey Among the rest of his externall blessings whereof hée enioyed abundance his Court was much renowned by the exceeding beautie and vertuous gifts of Oliuia his Quéene by whome hee had one onely daughter named Laurana whose beautie so farre excelled all other Ladies that 〈◊〉 was esteemed in those partes of the world the onely Paragone for beautie asides the vertuous qualities and precious giftes of nature wherewith her minde was abundantly adorned did so much extoll her high commendations that many Princes of farre Countries did trauell thither to attaine her leue In so much that by continuall accesse of many strange Knights the Court of Dionisius daily increased in dignitie who gaue most coueteous entertainment to all as fitted to their honour and accorded with his most bountuous wisedome Amongst the rest of the Knightes that came to be eye-witnesses of the beautie of Laurana it fortuned the yong Prince Parismus Sonne and heire to the King of Bohemia to arriue in the confines of Thessaly being accompanied with diuers Nobles of his Fathers Court. Who hauing before heard of the fame of Dionisius the courteous entertainment hee gaue to strangers and the exceeding beautie of his daughter Laurana determined to trauell either to trie his fortune to winne her loue as also to be partaker of his bountie being thereto drawne by a vertuous inclination to imitate his honourable examples And calling to him one of his Knightes named Oristus willed him to goe to Dionisius Court and signifie vnto his Maiestie that hée was desirous to visit him if it please him to accept him as a guest
desired the blacke knight to spare his life which hee obtained and vnlacing his Helmet to giue him breath found that it was not Sicanus but another Knight that hee had hyred in his stéede for that himselfe durst not meete so valiant a knight hand to hand which Parismus séeing in great rage would haue slaine him but hee was disswaded by Pollipus This cowardly Iest was so odious that euer after Sicanus was accounted the most recreant knight liuing but being of a shamelesse disposition he nothing regarded the same CHAP. XV. How Parismus and Pollipus were conducted to the Court in tryumphant manner and how Parismus discouered himselfe And of the ioy Lauerana made for his returne And how Oristus was the occasion of his owne death THe blacke Knight hauing ended this combat to his vnspeakeable commendatio was with Pollipus in moste braue and tryumphant manner conducted vnto the Pallace with the noyse of Drummes Trumpettes and ringing of Belles by the Kinges of Thessalie and Bohemia and by the Persian kings who so well liked the blacke knights behauiour that they resolued to stay some dayes there as well to be acquainted with this valiant knight as also to do him al the honour they could thought by his valour they had lost the victorie The stréetes where they passed whereby the Citizens strowed with flowers the windowes doores and house tops were filled with abundance of people that they séemed like stages they came to behold these conquerours Some presented them with garlands of Bayes in token of victorie some with roses some with gifts some with commendation euery one with excéecting prayses of their valour that it were a tedious toyle to rehearse the manifolde honours that were done them as they passed along the stréetes and as they passed by the Marchants house where Parismus had lately escaped the danger of the dogs hée espyed Violetta standing in her fathers doore attended by thrée or foure maides very neatly apparelled who presented Parismus with a most rich embroydered scarffe so artificially wrought that it excelled all the most curious workes in Thessaly wherein wee had most exquisitely drawne out of the whole manner of Parismus aduenture with her in her fathers house which gift hee most kindely accepted being by that time hée had vowed the same come to the Pallace where they were welcommed by the Quéene and her Daughter Laurana with soundes of Musicke and excéeding ioy after the Quéene had vsed some spéeches Lauarana most heartily thanked him that he vouchsafed to be her Champion but her countenance be wrayed her inward care and her sadde behauiour her mournfull thoughts her minde being drawne to the extreamest limits of respite and giuen ouer it selfe to the most bitter pangs of sorrowfull meditation that Parismus maruailed to see her constant resolution that could be altered by no meanes of ioy nor once forgette him that had bene so long missing Dionisius likewise welcommed thither the King of Persia and the rest of the kings in his companie whose royall entertainment was mâ—…uailously liked and commended of all The Champions according as the custome was were seated at a table ordained for the same purpose with great state and Dionisius and the King of Bohemia came vnto them as the manner was with them to disarme them for their more honourable entertainement But Parismus seeing his Father comming to doe an office of dutie to him rose from his seate and knéeling downe requested a voone at his hands the King of Bohemia séeing him kneele willed him to aske what hee would My Lord said he my sute is that you would forgiue Parismus enemies the King of Bohemia little thinking that would haue beene his request wondred what reason he had to aske pardon for his sonnes enemies and said vnto him Sir knight I would gladly know why you aske pardon for them that haue murdered my sonne My Lord answered he because Parismus is liuing wherewith he pulled off his Helmet and the King his father knew him and caught him in his armes with such excéeding ioy that the teares ran downe his white beard in aboundance Dionisius and Oliuia likewise espying him embracing him with a thousand hearty welcomes and the whole Court was filled with excéeding ioy for his returne The king of Persia and all the rest of his partâ—… likewise came vnto him and desired him to remit all discontent that had passed betwixt them for that now they did repent them for the iniury thâ—…y had done to him the like honour was done to the Phrigian Pollipus al admiring the wonderfull vertues of Parismus and recounting the famous acts he had done seemed to be rauished in minde with ioy that it was he that had so honourably defended himselfe against all knights that did combat with him Presently they were all seated at a most royall feast Where Parismus before the King of Persia and all the Kings present rehearsed the whole truth of Sicanus conspiracie against him and how he was perserued and how that he had liued euer since in the caue amongst the Outlawes and how he came by the blacke armor which discourse did so much disgrace Sicanus and extoll his owne commendations that euery one reioyced at his good fortune and contemned Sicanus falshoode Parismus hauing ended his discourse maruelled that hee could not see Laurana to welcome him but shee being nothing delighted with any newes but of his returne and nothing at all thinking he had béen her companion all that while absented her selfe from their company for that her fancies were otherwise busied and had withdrawne her selfe to her chamber only accompanied with Leda her maide Dionisius séeing that Laurana was not there willed one of his gentlemen in the hearing of Parismus to signifie vnto her that her champion staied for her welcome Parismus hearing his spéeches desired him the fauour that hee might goe and visit her himself wherwith Dionisius was well contented and he Pollipus with him being vnarmed went to Lauranaes lodging which they found fast shut but Parismus longing to behold her perfections whereby his life was maintained knockt at the doore and Leda came opened the same who seeing him was so surprised with ioy that shee ran in againe without speaking a word and told her Mistresse that Parismus was at the doore at which word Laurana started saying I pray thee doe not torment mee with these newes of ioy for I know they cannot bee true for â—…ull often thou hast kindly deceiued my expectation Deere Mistris said she beleeue me it is most true and againe ran to the dore telling Patismus that her Mistris would be very glad to see him Parismus entred the Chamber and with such seruency delighted himselfe to behold her presence that his wits were rauished with a heauen of ioy and Laurana hauing espied him was so surprized with vertuous amazement to behold his person that the teares fell from her eies and her heart lept in her breast Who being met most louingly kist each
before her that with as much spéede as shee could shee ranne quite out of the Woodde but yet not setting eye on him the night approaching shée was drawne into an exdéeding feare of his welfare and her owne daunger For to goe backe by the Wood she durst not fearing least shée might againe méete the Furious Beast and to goe further shée thought it in vaine for she saw no likelyhood hée was come out of the Woodde and there what with griefe and wearinesse shée sate downe vpon a banque encombred and ouerwhelmed with a thousand cares and giuing her minte some respit to ponder on her miserable estate for feare of her most déere Knights daunger she entered into such heauie plaints and lamentations that euen the very woods and meddowes whereinto she was wandred seemed to impart her sorrowes yéeld pittie to her cries scorching fighes At which very instant I knowe not by what vnluckie destinie Archas the cruel so called for his cruell tiranny came to the hearing of her lamentations and drwing nigh to her demaunded her cause or sorrow Sir knight quoth shée I am a stranger that lately came â—…om Thessalie with the Prince of this Countrie and this day comming into these woods with my Lord husband Pollipus a mighty Beare encountred vs whom he pursuing I haue â—…ost and am wandred hither not knowing whâ—…h way to retire Archas all this while well noting her excéeding beautie and swéet deliuery of spéech the gratious moouing and disposition of her eyes which had power to pierce millions of hearts felt such an inward effect of transitorie confusion in himselfe that he resolued hauing so fit oportunitie offered him to trie his wittes to win her loue or exercise by that meanes some reuenge against Parismus whom he mortally hated vttering these spéeches Most swéete Ladie my heart is so much tormented to sée the sorrow you néedlesly make for no doubt your Knight is in safetie pleaseth it you to accept of my seruice my seruants shall guard you to the Bohemian Court where you shall find him and my selfe will searche the Wood to giue him knowledge of your returne Violetta kindly thanked him for his courtesie who presently mounted her behinde one of his seruants giuing them â—…ete warning to conuey her to his owne Castle which was scituate in the mountaine himselfe tooke her Scarffe which he said he wold deliuer vnto Pollipus as a token that shée was in safetie wherewith he departed back into the Wood and tare the same into many peeces heere scattering one and there confusedly casting an other with all hast rode an other way to his Castle All which was effected before any of the Bohemian Knightes were come by which meanes their diligent search was al in vaine which draue Pollipus to such an extacie of sorrow that he was almost mad whom Parismus comforted with many perswasions vntill Pollipus vttered these spéeches My louing L. neuer shall quiet possesse this brest rest giue case to my body nor sléepe refresh my sences vntill I haue found my beloued whose loue is my life whose safetie is my welfare whose quiet is my chiefest content At which very instant came Tellamor bringing the torne scarffe which Archas hadde strewed which when Pollipus beheld a chill colde dispearst through all his vaines and his vitall breath began to leaue his troubled brest and all his fences forgat their wonted vse Which when Parismus behelde hée caught him in his armes saying Most noble knifiht where is now your patieÌ„ce wherewith you wontedly endured extremities no doubt for all this Violetta is in health onely wandred out of the way gotten â—…o some house where we shall heare of her to morrow then comfort your selfe and be not thus ouercome with griefe for be you assured nâ—… harme hath betide her O my Lord quoth hee my vertuous Violetta my constant friend the most truest loue that euer wretch inioyed is perished What comfort what quiet what rest what content what respit or what ease can I giue to my troubled minde since she is fallen into decay shee most purest most sweetest most kindest and truest Lady that euer liued how can I recouer this lesse how can I plague my selfe sufficiently for my misdeeds these woods condemne me her ghost accuseth mée and all the world will hate mée miserie wayteth my steps sorrow pincheth my heart griefe compelleth me and care inforceth mée to be thus impatient Whilest I stand here she may be in danger whilest I am negligent the wilde beasts may deuoure her body then stay me me not for I am resolued eyther to finde her or loose my selfe and therewith in a great furie flung into the Woodde Parismus séeing his sorrowe and this mishap stoode like one in a traunce not knowing how or which way to remedie the least of these euils and in that most sad and heauie estate returned to the Court with his heauie newes which turned all their ioy into heauinesse especially Laurana and all in generall that had knowledge of Violettas vertues made great lamentation for her losse CHAP. II. How Violetta arriued at Archas Castle and what befell to Pollipus afterwards ARchas seruants with great spéede hasted towards their Maisters Castle and soone arriued there before whose comming their Maister had caused all thinges to bée prepared in good order for Violettaes entertainment who béeing entred the perceiued her selfe to bée in a strange place which draue her into an extreame feare and enquiring of them why they had not conueyed her to the Bohemian court they told her being instructed before that they had mistaken their Maisters meaning and withal intreated her to pardon them also to be a meanes to pacifie his wrath whom they were assured would bée greately offended with them Which words of theirs altered that feare and added some little comfort to her minde Presently two Gentlewomen welcommed her with great courtesie comforting perswading and intising her to remit all care vntill Archas returne whom they assured was so honourable and vertuous a knight as shee needed not any way doubt of his diligence There was great store of â—…licates prouided for her which seemed more loathsome then gall to her sight Long they séemed to stay for Archas returne who absented himselfe to colour his treacherie but when in a great while hée came not they intreated her to taste of that meate which was prouided they saide for his supper But she poore soule could not eate one bit but all things séemed to be hatefull their sweete Musicke harsh their courteous entertainment rude and barbarous and that well adorned place more lochsom then a prison nothing but care and griefe 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 perswasions that Archas was at the Bohemian Court to expect her comming and by reason of the nights approach could not come back that night but should early
his knowledge was not to be séene that by constrained mirth hée past away the time in such Banquetting and other pastime as the King entertained him withal which were such as he much wondred at And night being come with all statelinesse that might be hée was by them conducted to his Lodging which was most sumptuously adorned with most precious and rich hangings that the place séemed a new Paradice for there wanted nothing that might either delight the eare or eye Lodgings for his Noblemen Knights and seruants were placed in such manner that they séemed by their scituation to be gardiants to their Lords person hauing then taken his leaue of the King and Quéene he betooke himselfe to his rest CHAP. II. How Parismus hauing soiourned some dayes in the Thessalian Court being frustrated of seeing the Princesse Laurana imparted his mind to Oristus one of his Knights by whose meanes afterwards he came to to a fight of her And what befell afterwards AFter Parismus was come to his Chamber hee called to him Oristus the onely man whome he trusted and asked him how hée liked the Court of Dionisius My Lord quoth hée the small continuance I haue had therein might be suficient to excuse me from sensuring thereof but to satisfie your demaund I doe estéeme and thinke of it as a most renowned and Honorable place But said Parismus what if thy Lord shal here purchase that which shal be worse theÌ„ death vnto him vnlesse hee haue remedie what wouldest thou then thinke I would my Lord said he speake my opinion if I knewe whence the originall of that euill should procéede From my selfe said Parismus for thus it is Thou I am sure hast heard of the renowned Lauarana and of the Hnoourable report that is spred of her Beautie and vertues which driueth me into manifolde thoughts because I cannot beholde that beautie therefore I impart my minde to thee as to the onely man I trust that vnlesse I can by thy meanes haue some hope of comfort I will both curse the houre of my Natiuitie and remaine hereafter in continuall griefe therefore counsell mee what I were best to doe herein My Lord saide Oristus since it pleaseth your Highnesse so much to fauour me as to chuse mee to be your ayde herein I wil most faithfully speedily do to my vttermost to accomplish your desire I pray thée then doo it said Parismus with all speeds for my restlesse passions require counsaile I haue said Oristus some acquaintance with Lord Remus who is greatly fauoured of the King continually Resident in the Court and well beloued of all by whose meanes I do not doubt but both to haue some certain knowledge of the Princes as also soone to bring you to her speech according as you haue put me in trust so I will vse all the meanes I can to purchase your content Much part of the night being past Parismus betooke himselfe to his rest and Oristus to his lodging In the morning Dionisius being early vp vsed his accustomed maner to visit his guests and coÌ„ming to Parismus Chamber he found him not there but walking in a gallery thereto adioyning and saluting him said Noble Prince if you are not weary of your late iourney I would request your company to goe â—…n hunting this day for that I haue appointed to maetâ—… a noble friend of mine at the Forrest of redde Déere for so it was called for the abundance of those beasts that the Country breedeth where you shall sée what pastims the Houndes can make Which Parismus kindly accepted Oristus he staied behinde to the ende to brng his purpose to effect and walking into the Gardein he chaunced according to his desire to méete with Lord Remus who hauing saluted him said he was glad to finde him at leisure to haue some conference with him about their acquaintance so that walking into a solitary Arbour talking of diuers matters it chaunced the Princes Laurana thinking to recreate her selfe in the Gardein for that she thought all the Nobles had bene gone with the King her Father on hunting to come accompanied with her mayden Leda vnto the solitary place where Lord Remus and Oristus were then talking espying Lord Remus who she presenly knew My Lord quoth she I had thought you had bene on huÌ„ting this day but I see your mind is busied with some other excercises Most noble Princes quoth he if I had goÌ„e on hunting I shuld haue left this honorable Lord without company so that I thought if my dutie to kéepe him from better studies with my homely talke so thée kindly saluting them told Oristus he was welcome to her fathers court and therewith departed Quoth Oristus My Lord is this the Princes Laurana of whome I haue heard such rare commendations in Bohemia it is said hée the very same and the most vertuous and courteous Lady that liueth this day who very seldome commeth abroad but continually giueth her mind to practise excellent qualities amongst other vertuous Ladies During this there talke they had walked about the Place to the end that Oristus might behold the statelynesse thereof who hauing séene all things and knowing which was Lauranas lodging was in some measure comforted by that knowledge Thus the day being spent and the King returned from hunting Parismus came to Oristus and required of him if hée had heard of Laurana and what comfort there was for him My Lord quoth he I haue beheld her and heard her heauenly voyce which is able to astonish any man with her exceeding beautie relating vnto him all the conference hée had with the Lord Remus which did greatly reioyce him to heare and so betooke himselfe to his rest where he spent the most part of the night in meditating how to come to talke or haue a sight of her Uery early the next morning taking a booke in his hand hée went into the Garden that was vnder Lauranas Chamber window where hauing walked a while hee spied her looking out that hée stood as one halfe amazed to behold her wonderfull beautie for though hée had neuer séene her before yet his fancie perswaded him it was shee which perceiuing slipping backe called Leda vnder her asking herif shee knewe the Knight that walked vnder her windowe who certified her it was the Prince of Bohemia whereat Laurana blusht so excéedingly that her heart séemed to leape within her then secretly looking out she diligently beheld him taking such general view of his comelinesse that presently her fancie began to commend his person féeling in her selte a kinde of delight to behold him but Parismus séeing her gone began to reprous himselfe of â—…olly that by his rashnesse had depriued himselfe of her sight By that time he had walked there a short space Oristus came to tell him that the King expected his comming into the grâ—…t Chamber which caused him to depart giuing a sadde looke to the window as very vnwilling to leaue the sight therof recounting to Oristus how
espying her begane to be somewhat abashed saying Most noble Quéene I desire your pardon hauing taken me thus on a sudden I did certifie his hignesse that I was not well to the intent to bring our maske vnlooked for Noble Prince replied the Queene I am glad that you are in the good estate of health and thus readie to honour vs with your vertuous exercises promising you to keep your intent secret to my selfe And if you want any furtherance that I can pleasure you withall it shall be readie at your commaund wherewith she departed to Laurana telling her that she intended to make the new come states a banquet and therefore willed her to giue order to haue the same performed which newes reioyced Laurana to heare for that she hoped there to see the Prince of Bohemia to whom she â—…are an inward loue and desire of acquaintance so that hasting all things to a readinesse and adorning her selfe in most comely ornaments shée expected the wished time of their comming When supper was endde the Quéene coÌ„maunded a gentleman to inuite Dionisius the king of Hungaria the Prince of Sparta and all the rest vnto a banquet in an excéeding stately Gallery where they were by the Quéene most royally entertained all in generall admiring the excéeding beautie and comely statelinesse of the Princesse Laurana that almost they fed theÌ„selues as much with her surpassing beautie as with the dainties that were there prepared Laurana on the other side maruailed that amongst all those knights she could not behold the prince of Bohemia which drawn her into maÌ„ifold thoughts only resting in hope to be afterwards assured of the truth By that time the banket was ended and all readie to depart they were staied by the sound of most swéete musicke which vnexpected noise made Dionisius wonder but to driue him froÌ„ those thoughts the maskers eÌ„tred in this sort first entred two torch-bearers apparelled in white satten beset with spingles of gold after whome followed two Eunuches apparelled all in gréene playing on two instruments then came Parismus ateired all in Carnation saften most richly beset with precious stones that the glistring restection thereof with the light of the Candle did dazle the eyes of the beholders next followed two other torch bearers Eunuches apparelled as the former and playing on seuerall instruments when came two knights apparrelled in tawny most richly adorned next them followed two other torch bearers and Cunuches apparelled as the first after whome followed two other Knights apparelled in tawnie as the other and last come two torch bearers two Eunuches apparilled and playina on seurall instruments after whom followed Lord Remus apparelled in Carnation like Parismus but not in such gorgeous maner al togither marching thrice about the Gallery whiles their musick sounded all the assembly wel liked this maske especially Dionisius wondred of whence they were for that hée wes altogither ignorant nothing suspecting that they were of his owne Court saying to the Prince of Sparta there is a yong Prince in my Court that is now ficke otherwise I should think he had bene chiefe amongst them the eyes of the whole company were busied with beholding their comely persons and their eares delighted with the swéet sound of their musicke Laurana aduisedly beheld those knights thinking verily that Parismus was one in the company for shée knew not of the message he had sent the king her father While she was in the midst of this meditation Parismus came with great reuerence to take her by the hand to dance which shée courteously accepted Lord Remus tooke the Princesse of Spartaes sister Lord Oristus and other Lady of Sparta and likewise the rest The first measure being ended Parismus reuerently saluted Laurana with these spéeches Most vertuous Princesse pardoÌ„ me for presuming to trouble your sacred eares with my spéeches for the vertue of your beautie hath ouermastered my affections and my poore life is diuoted to your seruice desiring you to accept me for your poore seruant though altogether vnworthy And though the smal tryall you haue of my truth may discourage you to credit me yet notwithstanding my vnworthinesse I desire you to imploy me any way thereby to try how willing I will be to merit your fauour Sir quoth Laurana I thanke you for your kindnes neither can I blame your spéeches if your meaning be good But as I am vnworthy to entertaine such a seruant so would I not willingly trust him I know not but heareafter when your disguise is banished as I shall sée good I will entertaine you Noble Lady said Parismus I haue taken this habit only thereby to be so happy as to make manifest my affectioÌ„ to deserue your fauour that if you wil vouchsafe to conceiue a right of my good meaning you would say he that profereth his seruice would refuse to do it to any but to your most worthy selfe Sir qd she as I knowe you not so I am ignoraÌ„t of your meaning and therefore count mée not vnmannerly to make no more estimation of your profered curtesie Parismus being ready to speake the second measure sounded which being ended Lord Remus began to parlie with Lady Isabella sister to the Prince of Sparta Courteous Lady I being vnknowne profer my humble seruice vnto your selfe vnto whose perfections I am so wholly bound that vnlesse it pleaseth you to accept of my loyaltie I shall consume my wearisome dayes in sorrowe Sir quoth Isabella your vndeserued kindnesse I knowe not how to requit and I would be sorie thaâ—… by mâ—… occasion you should be grieued and I promise you as occasion serueth hereafter I will entertaine you All this while Parismus was talking with Laurana vsing these speeches Most worthy Princesse because I am disguised you may count my woordes to proceede rather of course then of true affection but assure you neuer did any with truer zeale vtter his fainting wordes nor more abborre vnfaithfulnesse then my selfe doth being also vnknowne to you you may thinke my boldnesse to proceede of hope not to be knowne but to acquaint you with my name it is Parismus who haue forsaken my Countrey and friends onely to serue your vertuous selfe and doe you seruice But since my comming into your fathers Court I could neuer be so happy vntill this happy houre as to enioy your presence which is the only comfort whereon my happinesse dependeth therefore vertuous Princesse weigh my intent in the ballance of equitie and let mee by your comfortable speech be reuiued My noble Lord replied Laurana I hartily thanke you for taking so much paines for my sake being vnworthy thereof and also vnable to be sufficiently thankful vnto you for the same and for that you say your happinesse resâ—…eth in my power if I can any way worke yourcontent to the vttermost of my endeuour I will do it Parismus was so rauished with the heauenly voyce of Laurana that hee could haue wisht no other happinesse then to enioy her presence and
protestations procéeding from his vnfained affection that Laurana being wounded with his intreaties could not chuse but accept of his loue vttering these speeches My Lord for that I am perswaded of the constancy of your loue and for that you vouchsafe to profer such kindnesse to me that haue not deserued the same I will manifest that which rather I should conceale for that you may suppose my yéelding so soone might proceed of light bred affection but my Lord I assure you that at such time as I sawe you comming first into this Court my heart was then suprised procured as I thinke by the Destinies that euer since I haue vowed to rest yours assured to commaund so that you way pretend my wrong and therefore committing all that is mine to giue into your handes I here giue you affurance of truth and true constant loue Thus they spent the night in kinde salutations and curteous imbracings to the vnspeakeable ioy and comfort of them both Leda all this while walking about the gardens and carefully looking about her espied a light in Oliuiaes Chamber whereof shee gaue those two Louers intelligence Parismus thought that newes vnwelcome whereby being compelled to depart which was done with much heauinesse Parismus desired to know when shee would vouchsafe him her presence againe which shee told him should be at his appointment for that she now was his to dispose of so with many a sweet embracing they parted Laurana going into her chamber said in that she had so soone lost his companie and could not tell what misfortune might befall him and glad in heart to recount and think of his passed promise Parismus quickly got ouer the wal and was soone safely come to his chamber where he recounted to Oristus his happy successe in loue asking his counsell how hee might procure Dionisius good liking to effect the mariage betwixt them which first he thought to motion himselfe then he thought that Dionisius would not like thereof without the consent of his father first had and also might blame Laurana of vndutifulnesse if he knew it were with her priuity Againe he thought it best to send Oristus into Bohemia to giue his father knowledge thereof and to entreat him to send Embassadors to that effect Contrarily he thought that in the meane time some other of greater birth then himselfe might demand her in marriage of the King and so haue the first grant though he were sufficiently assured that Laurana should neuer yeelde her consent Being in this perplexity he could not resolue vpon any thing but walking in the garden to ease his heart with some recreation he met the King with him were the King of Hungaria the Prince of Sparta and Sicanus sonne to the King of Persia though vnknown The King for the more honourable entertainment of his guests made one most royall banquet for all in general the Quéen a gallant traine of beautifull Ladies were there likewise which was not a custome amongst the rest it fell so out that Parismus was seated right opposite to the Princesse Laurana which agreed to his hearts desire wherby he had meanes to satisfie himselfe with beholding that inestimable Iewell which as farre excelled all the rest of the Ladies as the Sunne doth the Moone or white his contrary who with such comely modesty behaued her self that her looke did rightly resemble a countenance ful of mild vertuous pitty able to rauish a multitude being also not a little glad that she had occasion to bestowe a kind looke on her Parismus Sicanus more narrowly marked Lauranaes behauiour then any other because his comming was onely to request her in marriage of her father and though both the young Princes were very circumspect yet Sicanus curious eye found or at lest suspected that there was some loue betwixt them which they full little thought of hauing their hearts busied with more pleasant meditations and euer after that Sicanus inwardly malised Parismus in his heart Dinner being ended the Knights spent some part of the afternoone in dauncing when being ended euery man betooke himselfe to what exercise liked him best Dionisius and Lord Remus accompanied the Princesse Laurana and the Lady Isabella to their lodgings which made Sicanus to fret inwardly to thinke that Parismus his onely enemy as he thought had gotten such possession in Lauranaes loue which might debarre him of his wished hope Parismus séeing Lord Remus talking to Isabella saluted Laurana with these speeches My deare Lady although I confesse my selfe farre vnworthy that kindnesse you haue already granted me yet I humbly request one farther fauour at your hands which is that you would vouchsafe to meet me tomorrow night in that happy place where I receiued the first assurance of your comfortable kindnesse for my passions are so extreame that my life would perish were it not onely maintained by enioying your loue where I would impart a secret to you that now I haue no time to vtter My Lord said Laurana you need not vse such intreaties to her that is not vnwilling neither hath she power to deny your request The Queen comming into the place where they were caused Parismus with a heauy sigh to depart and Lord Remus with him betwixt whom there began a firme league of friendship Now Lord Remus beare great affection to the Lady Isabella and had oftentimes solicited his suit vnto her which she in a manner yeelded vnto which made Parismus the rather chuse him for his companion by kéeping him company to haue the oftner accesse vnto Laurana The King of Hungaria the Prince of Sparta and Sicanus were walked into the Garden where they were encountred by the king vnto whom the king of Hungaria began to declare how that the Prince of Sparta and himselfe had a matter to treate with his Maiestie if hee would vouchsafe them audience from the mighty King of Persia who hauing a great desire to be allyed to him and hauing hard manifold reports of the vertuous Laurana had sent them to intreat a marriage betwixt her and Sicanus his sonne and heire of Persia who was there present with them though vntill this time vnwilling to make himselfe known Dionisius most kindly embraced him telling him that he thought himselfe much honoured with his company and that since it pleased his father to treat of alliance betwixt them he would giue his consent willingly so that he would first get his daughters good will whom he would not willingly match contrary to her liking promising to vse his commandement vnto her for performance thereof For which Sicanus thanked him Thus hauing spent the day in this and such like talke supper was ready which being ended they betooke themselues to their lodgings CHAP. V. How Dionisius sent for Laurana and declared to her the cause of Sicanus comming which she sought occasion to make knowne to Parismus and how she gaue him assurance of her loue EArely in the morning Dionisius sent a messenger to will Laurana to come to him
sée no body but might perceiue the earth troden all to be smeared with blood and the mosse torne vp and remooued from his naturall place and looking attentiuely he sawe the lumpe of mosse leaues where vnder Parismus lay couered which was the onely preseruation of his life for the mosse lying close about him kept the ayre froÌ„ foorth his woundes otherwise he had perished The knight remoouing the leaues found the body of the goodliest man that euer he beheld most gréeuously wounded and gasping foorth his latest breath of life which mollified the knights hart that he vsed al the meanes he could to recouer him but laboring in vaine to bring him to his senses yet hée might perceiue the breath to steal forth by litle litle out of his mouth that he was perswaded he was not past helpe therefore taking Parismus in his armes he conueied him vnto the place of his abode which was within those woods now you must vnderstaÌ„d that this knight was one of the company of those outlawes that kept in that wood being driuen to liue in such obscure sort for feare of punishment for diuers outrages they had committed and taking felicitie in that kinde of life continued a great fraternitie amongst them being the very same that had wounded Osiris one of Dionisius knights as is before rehearsed amoÌ„gst whome we wil leaue Parismus to declare what hapned to Dionisius who greatly maruelled that when the day was ended Parismus was not returned which made him the rest Sicanus excepted diuerâ—…y coniecture most thinking that he was gone astray being vnacquainted might be gone to the palace not knowing which way to return to the place where he left theÌ„ Sicanus likewise séemed as carefull as the rest At last by the nights approach they all departed towards the Cittie where when they were arriued Dionisius enquiring very earnestly for Parismus returne could heare no newes thereof That hauing no other thought to be pacified withal he was perswaded that he might be gone so farre in search of his hawke that hée could not attaine to the Cittie that night and therefore might lodge by the way and so come home the next morning Thus with this hopefull perswasion being perswaded for the time they betooke theÌ„selues to their rest Sicanus being gladded with the newes of Perismus want called those thrée actors of his most desperate and wicked confederacie vnto him and inquired what they had done who certified him of all their villanous exployt being no way suspected of any such fact to whome hée yéelded many dishonourable thankes for so impious a déede Thus all continued in good hope vntill the next Morning which being come and most of the day spent there was no succesfull newes of Parismus returne but all his men were come and no man but himselfe alone mussing that Dionisius being therewith wonderfully greeued and vexed in his minde speedily caused a hundred knights to make all diligent search and inquirie that might be to heare of him who were all most willing bearing an inward loue to the yong Prince aboue al the knights that euer arriued in Thessaly The Bohemian knights likewise made such lamentation for their Lord that it was snooe blazed to the hearing of all the Court and Cittie that Parismus was not returned from hawking which at last came to the hearing of Laurana who at the fist newes thereof was so tormented in her thoughts that shee could not containe her selfe from bewraying her loue by extreame complaints as also by the manifolde questiones and enquiries shée made with whome hée went how long they mist him and where when and how they lost his company shewing an extraordinarie care of his welfare that being driuen into a thousand sundrie doubts of his welfare as also to thinke what should become of him she could inioy no quiet nor content but her greatest coÌ„fort was that shée still hoped she should heare some newes of his returne by such knights as were gone in search of him amoÌ„gst whom were his owne knights whose care she thought would be greater then any others for his preseruation Oristus likewise tooke his want in such heauinesse that hée séemed to be out of his wits by extreame sorrow Sicanus hauing now accomplished the thing hée purposed vsed oftentimes to visit Laurana and earnestly prosecuted his former sute wherewith Laurana was so much grieued to remember any other loue then Parismus or to thinke that any other should offer Parismus that wrong that she shewed her selfe so vertuously disdainfull to the Persians sute and séemed so little to regard his words and protestations that hée began to dispaire of obtaining her good will yet he was still comforted in this that he had her parents consent which might be a mean to procure her liking besides he thought the greatnesse of his birth might be a great helpe to his furtherance Dionisius Oliuia and the rest were diuersly gréeued to thinke of Parismus losse whome they all déemed to be fallen into some disaduenture otherwise they could not imagine what might be the occasion of his stay so that the whole court in generall was driuen into such sadnesse that it séemed not like the same it was wont to be especially the King and Quéene tooke it so heauily that their ioy was wholly turned to sorrowe and their pleasant countenances into sad lookes but yet all continued in hope to heare some newes of him by the returne of such as were gone in search of him who most of them returned within some thrée or foure dayes Oristus being yet behinde at last returned hauing by diligent enquiry found the stéed wheron Parismus rode who was taken vp some twentie miles distant from the place where these villaines had left him this augmented their griefe when they saw all that were in search of him returned with no good newes and Oristus the last of their hope in stéed of ioyfull tidings bringing further cause of sorrowe in that they were fully assured by finding the Horse whereon he rode and he by no meanes to be heard of that hée was fallen into the hands of such as had murthered him or by some misaduenture might be deuoured by some wilde beast that had seized on him vnawares that in generall al made such sorrow for the losse of so vertuous a Princes that it was to be wondred at that a man in so short a time of acquaintance could behaue himselfe so vertuously as to be so well beloued of all Laurana exempting her selfe from all quiet and banishing from her mind all mirth and ioy withall hearing the newes Oristus had brought fell into such an extreame passion of griefe for that a good space she continued as one wholly depriued of life and notwithstanding Leda and the rest of her maydes vsed all the skill they had yet could by no meanes bring her againe that with wringing their hands tearing their haire and with gréeuous acclamation they made such an outcrie that the
in whereby the Uirgin left off her speech bringing in with them good store of money which they had taken from honest passengers Parismus lying very weake yet marked wel their behauiour which made him maruell that men could be so inhumane as by their owne reports they seemed to be wishing himselfe with Laurana who he thought would accuse him of disloialty or that hee made choise of some other if shee did not so misdoubt him then the sorrow he thought she endured for his losse which might some way come to her knowledge so galled him to the heart that his inward passions would not suffer his outward physicke to doe him any good and the continual care he was in did much hinder his health being likewise as much tormented with remembrance of the grant that Dionisius had made to Sicanus concerning the marriage twixt him and Laurana who he thought might now be inforced to yeelde her consent when she was out of hope of recouering him this griefe farre exceeded all the rest that all the whole company began to note his sorrow for he was scarce able to containe himselfe within the bounds of reason In these perplerities he continued by the space of three months in all which time he could not fully recouer his health Where we will leaue him to speake of Dionisius who by tract of time hauing somewhat mittigated the remembrance of Parismus want most of his Knights being departed home into Bohemia Oristus onely excepted who by no meanes could be drawne to leaue Thessaly because there he had lost his Lord began to conferre about the marriage of Laurana being often importuned by Sicanus who caused the King of Hungaria and the Prince of Sparta to be earnest solliciters in his behalfe at whose instance Dionisius promised to giue them answere the next day therefore sending for Laurana he demanded of her how shee fancied Lord Sicanus who was a most honourable Gentleman and one euery way worthy to be beloued telling her that he had giuen his sul cōsent and therefore it stood not with her vertue to séeme strange or shew her selfe vndutifull Laurana hearing her fathers speeches being much amazed stood still and gaue no answer a good space at last kneeling downe shee began in this sort I most humbly intreat your Maiesty to vouchsafe to heare my words with patience and not to impute any thing I shall desire at your highnesse hands to vndutifulnesse I cannot as yet fancy the Prince though I confesse my selfe farre vnworthy the honour you proffer me but haue presumed vpon your fauourable promise not to marry me to any without my liking to fuse the offer Sicanus maketh for that my fancy perswaded me he shall bring some sorrow to your highnesse and al the rest of this Court and Countrey as also for that I am vnwilling to this with my better but would intreate your maiesty if your highnesse will needs haue me marry rather to bestow mee on some honourable Gentleman of my degree but most of all my desire is to continue this my happy life wherein I entend with your gracious liking to spend the length of my daies Dionisius wondring to heare her answer began to waxe somewhat angry with her and told her that it was his pleasure shee should marry with him and he would haue it so My deare Lord and Father quoth shée because I am yours wholly to dispose of I humbly craue that I may haue a monthes respite to aduise my selfe and then I will accomplish your demand which he granted and so left her Laurana being alone began to weigh in what estate she was and how to auoid this iniurie the should doe to her selfe for her honourable promise past to Parismus and to him for his loue that she determined rather to destroy her selfe then yéeld to marry him whom she accounted her deare loues enemy and with this resolution went to her lodging Sicanus the next morning attended Dionisius answer who told him that his daughter had giuen her consent vpon condition he would grant her a months respite to consider of her duty therein wherewithall he was highly contented being now fully assured as he thought of his desire and began more boldly to visit Laurana who little esteemed his friendship though he vsed her kindly but farre from any shew of loue to the intent to breed no suspition in him of that shee intended CHAP. VII How Sicanus treason was discouered who suddainly fled into his Country and how Diomsius departed towards Bohemia vnknown to any in the disguise of a Palmer and what sorrow Oliuia the Queene made for his absence who created Lord Remus Regent in the Kings absence WHilest these things were acting it happened contrary to Sicanus expectation who now thought all things so buried in forgetfulnesse that his treachery could by no meanes be reuealed that the Tarrrians which murthered Parismus beganne to contend about the money Sicanus had giuen them in so much that one of them strooke the other such a blow on the head that he had wel-néere slaine him and would haue strucke him againe but that by chance Oristus comming by reprooued the other that had strooke his fellow and defended him that was already wounded from further harme and diuers other of Dionisius knights comming together they conueied him that was hurt into a Chamber and the other was carried before the king to be examined vpon what occasion hee did strike him who answered Diomsius that he would not be examined of any but his owne Prince which made Dionisius the more earnest to know the cause therefore willed Lord Remus to intreat Sicanus to come vnto him to end a doubt which none but he could decide Sicanus maruelling what the cause should be immediatly came but seeing one of the Tartarians that he had hired to murther Parismus standing before the King began to feare according to the guiltinesse of his conscience that his treason was bewraied notwithstanding he demanded why he had so wounded his fellow the villaine being amazed to see his master so ready to examine him and not rather to excuse him could not readily tell what to say but in that little respit of deliberation he answered that he had done him wrong that was the cause he had strooke him which words he vttered with great feare staring vpon Sicanus as if he should haue instructed him what to say Dionisius noting Sicanus countenance the villaines answer whom Sicanus would examine no further began to misdoubt some former mischiefe had bred this contention commanded the other Tartarian that was wounded to be brought before him who feeling himselfe almost past estate of life confest the cause why thy fell out and how that they had the money of Sicanus for murthering Parismus whose want was procured by their meanes Sicanus standing by and hearing his speech suddenly drew his dagger and stabbed him before he could vtter any more of his treachery Which so amazed all the company that a good
to strike the knight so vehemently with the pommel of his sword that he fell downe halfe dead and séeing himselfe in that estate desired Parismus to be contented and he would declare the whole truth vnto him I am quoth he of Persia my name is Toledo belonging to the king of Persia am now come in this country with my Lord the Persian king and his sonne Sicanus and his contributary Kings who are come hither to reuenge theÌ„selues on king Dionisius who fally accused Sicanus for murdering Parismus prince of Bohemia who I think is run away froÌ„ his Court for some notorious fact he hath committed and since they haue accused my Lord for his death as also hee is come to fetch from hence the Kings daughter by forcâ—…f armes and therefore my Lord is himselfe now before the walles of the Citie with a hundred thousand armed Persians and the rest of his forces haue encamped themselues heere hard by on the plaines of Pharsalia Parismus being moued into extreame choller could not containe himselfe but his minde being ouercharged with fury burst forth into these spéeches Traitor that thou art quoth he though vnknowne to any but thy selfe Behold Parismus whom thou hast so falsly belyed and whom the Traitor Sicanus did intend to murther though I was reserued by the Almighty to be the death of twenty thousand Persians and since I see thy gracelesse minde so farre from piety that in this extreame perill of thy death thou wilt scandalize that honorable King of whom thy base tongue is not worthy to speake thou art the first that shalt die by the hand of Parismus wherewith drawing out his sword he soone ended his life And pulling the armour from his dead corpes armed himselfe therewith and mounting his Horse set his speare in his rest and made towards the City CHAP. X. How Parismus slew three of the Persian Knights in three seuerall Combats And how the Persians had taken him prisoner if he had not beene rescued by the Knights of Thessaly All which was done in the sight of the Queene and the princesse Laurana WHen Parismus came to Sicanus Campe he waued his speare about his head thereby challenging the Knights in Sicanus company wherewith one singling himselfe from the Armie came with his speare ready coucht against Parismus who setting spurres to his Horse ranne at him with such force that his speare passed quite through the knights body wherewith he feldown dead and catching with such nimblenesse as it made the whole Armie admire at him the vanquished knights speare he waued the same the second time aboue his head at the sight whereof an other Persian knight ranne at him whom Parismus likewise so valiantly encountred that he ouerthrew both horse and man to the ground in which fall the knight burst his legge whereof he died Sicanus séeing two of his Knights thus foiled commanded one Bruster a mighty huge proportioned man and estéemed to be one of the best knights in Persia except his two brethren to encounter that Knight who comming foorth on a mighty horse met Parismus with violence that shiuering the spelles of their Launces into the aire Parismus left one of his stirrops and Bruster lay senselesse backeward vpon his horse rumpe but with the springing of the horse was raised into his saddle and by that time he came to himselfe he saw Parismus flourishing his sword which made him draw also and betwixt them began so braue a combate that their Armour began to flie in péeces and the bloud by reason of their wounds issued out of many places especially from the Persian knight whom Parismus so firecely assailed that he draue him onely to ward such such blowes as Parismus lent him which Parismus espying taking the aduantage strooke a forcible blow at his arme and parted the same quite from his body The Persian séeing himselfe brought to that lowe estate turned his Horse and fled towards Sicanus Camp which so amazed Sicanus that he thought the blacke Knight for so they called him to be some monster in the shape of a man sent to torment them who notwithstanding these their combats séemed to be as fresh as he was in the beginning still attending if any durst make any further combate The Quéene of Thessaly Laurana the young Queene of Hungaria Lord Remus Oristus and Osiris hauing knowledge of the comming of these Persians to the Citie were gotten to the toppe of a tower to behold their Campe and at their first comming they beheld the arriuall of Parismus in the black armour and the thrée noble combats hee had fought with the Persian knights which made them maruell greatly who that knight might be that had so valiantly slaine three of their enemies While they were in this meditation Laurana hauing wel markt the black knight began to suppose that it might be Parismus but againe she thought that was impossible at last shee saw a great troupe of Knights assaile him all at once which made her call and cry helpe helpe her sences being so farre drawne with feare and remembrance of Parismus that shee neither thought of the place where shee was nor in whose company Lord Remus and Oristus seeing this braue and worthy knight in such distresse issued forth of the City with twenty thousand horsemen and commanded forty thousand of the best Souldiers to come out an other way on the backe of the Persians vnder the conduct of another braue Noble man all this while the blacke Knight so brauely and couragiously defended himselfe that before the Thessalians were come to his rescue hee had slaine aboue forty Persians but being vnable to striue with so many hee was constrained to lose his weapon Contrarily Lord Remus sudden issuing out so amazed the Persians and made such slaughter amongst them that they quickly set the black knight at libertie who hauing recouered his horse being cheared with the comfortable sight of Lord Remus and his trusty knight Oristus with his sword made such hauocke amongst the Persians that none durst abide his comming but wheresoeuer hee went hee made a large lane for the rest to follow him The Persians by this time hauing ioined all their forces together thronged by such multitudes vpon the Thessalians that they were constrained somewhat to retire but in their retreit the blacke knight sent the Ghosts of many Persians to hel and behaued himselfe with such magnanimity that all the whole army were amazed at his valour By this time the Thessalian footmen assailed the Persians on the other side which draue them into such a feare that thousands of them were determined to flie but seeing no hope of safety by flight were so amazed that their force was quite turned into cowardise which the Thessalians perceiuing assailed theÌ„ with such fury that they had destroied in a short space a great number of them that al the earth was stained with the blood The black knight still followed his enemies with such furie that by the death of
tyrannous that by his trechery in fight he had subdued many thousand knights in his trauels This Pollipus was desirous to trie his force against the Blacke knight and soone mounted himselfe being a most gallant proportioned and comely knight The blacke knight being still ready for any incounter met Polipus with such force that both their staues were shiuered in peeces the blacke knight not once moouing in Saddle but Pollipus with the focre of his blâ—…w lost one of his stirrops The blacke knight not once moouing in his saddle but Polippus with the force of the blow lost one of his stirrops the blacke Knight hauing drawne his sword ready to combat Pollipus espied vpon his Armour the deuise of three Falcons and suddainly put vp his sword againe which when Pollipus perceiuing he maruelled thereâ—…t and asked him the combate the black knight said pardon me worthy sir for I am bound not to combat any that weareth that Armor and without any more words departed Polippus wondring thereat at last remembred that when he was with the Persian king besieging Bohomia he made a couenant with Parismus neuer to combat any that had the deuise of the branch of roses vpon his armour which was Parismus armor Parismus likewise promised him the like therfore he thought that the blacke knight was either Parismus himselfe or some knight whom Parismus had bound by the like oath The occasion of which vow passed betwixt Parismus and Pollipus was growne through the excéeding loue and kindnes that had passed betwixt them from their youth being brought vp together in the vniuersity Wherefore Pollippus studying what he might be and reioycing that hee had so worthy a knight to his friend rode backe to the Persians tent who stood gazing to sée euent of this Combat but maruelled that they parted so friendly Pollipus beeing returned told the Kings of Persia and Natolia that hee refused the combat the reason was as hee thought the blacke Knight knewe him otherwise hee knewe not what might be the cause Adonius the King of Bohemia Oliuia Laurana and the rest all this while wondred at the blacke Knights behauiour but most of all to sée him part so friendly with the Phrigian Knight Whilest they were in this admiration they beheld the most valiant Zoylus ready to encounter the blacke knight the Persians now thinking to see the blacke Knights downefall for that Zoylus had vowed neuer to depart vntill hee had destroied him with whom the blacke Knight mette with such aduantage that maugre the force of Zoylus he ouerthrew him to the ground and himselfe had lost both his stirrups Zoylus soone recouered his Horse and with furious rage they both mette with their swords drawne when beganne a most terrible and cruell battell that all that behelde the same were amazed at the valour of both the knights in which cruel manner they contined for two houres space both being grieuously hurt but neuer weary nor willing to leaue off at last the blacke Knight séemed weary and only warded the furious strokes that Zoilus gaue him Zoylus thinking indeede that hee had fained laide on such blowes with such swiftnesse and force that all the whole company of the beholders déemed the black knight almost vanquished Zoylus still pursued him with forcible blowes and the blacke Knight still warded so long they continued in this manner that the Phrygian beganne to waxe wearie and also to suspect the blacke Knights pollicie therefore staying his hande he said Knight I giue thee leaue to aske pardon for thy life or else be sure thou art but dead The blacke Knight casting his eies towards the Tower where his beloued Laurana stoode beholding the combatte and wauing his sworde most couragiously about his heade answered No dastard Phrygian quoth hee I scorne thy proffer with which words he so freshly assaulted the Phrygian that in short space he draue him to deuise how to saue his life for hee had mangled and cut his body in many places that his Steede was all coloured with the bloud that ranne from his woundes which caused the Phrygian to thrust at the blacke Knight with such force and furie that hee wounded him most grieuously on the left side which wound and withall the remembrance the blacke Knight had who beheld the combatte caused him with both his handes to strike such a deadly blowe at the Phrygian that lighting full on his Beauer the force and vigour thereof both vnbuckled the same and his Sword cut off his right eare and wounded him so sore in the face that he fell on his Horse necks senselesse the blacke Knight strooke another blow at him with such a maine force that had not the Phrygians Horse started with the glimmering sight of his sword comming he had there parted his head from his shoulders and the Horse ranne loose about the fields at last the Phrygian beganne to recouer himselfe and looking about him hee espied Parismus with his sword put vp and himselfe without a weapon that what with shame and furie he was almost madde These Combattants were no sooner parted but the Thessalian horsemen by a priuie Watch-word from out the Citie rushed suddenly vpon the Persians at vnawares who expected no such matter and had their mindes otherwise busied so that before they could be in Armes to defende themselues the Thessalians had made a great slaughter amongst them which the black Knight perceiuing though he were gréeuously wounded made such hauock among the Persians that al men déemed him rather to be a Diuell then a mortall creature with whom Pollipus met but would not once offer to offend him Dionisius the Bohemian King the King of Hungaria the Prince of Sparta Lord Remus Osiris and Oristus likewise issued out vpon the Persian forces in seuerall Troupes which so amazed the Natolians Phrigians and the other Nations of the Army that they maruelled whence the Thessalians could haue such aide but their comming amongst them on such a suddaine made so cruell and mighty a slaughter that by that time the day was ended they had slaine of the Persians fifty thousand which caused them euer after to be more circumspect and wary All the Souldiers beeing retired into their places the blacke Knight likewise withdrewe himselfe towards the Wood Pollipus hauing al this day very diligeÌ„tly followed him being almost come to the Woods side set spurres to his horse and ouertooke the blacke Knight who espying him stayed his comming knowing him to be the knight with whom he had combatted that day by the thrée Faulcons on his Armor most kindly saluted him and demanded what might be the cause of his comming vnto him Who replyed thus Most worthy Knight quoth hee my humble suit vnto you is that you would vouchsafe me so much fauour as to let me vnderstand the cause you refused the Combat with me this day Gentle Knight quoth Parismus you must needs pardon me for that vntill I know whether you are the worthy Pollipus of Phrygia
whom I iudge you to be by those Armes Indeed quoth hee I am the same Pollipus and the chiefest cause of my comming vnto you is my earnest desire to bee acquainted with you though vnworthy for that I know you could not come to the knowledge of mee but by the vertuous Parismus who is now dead in whose defence if you beare armes I will with you doe my endeudur to reuenge his death against mine owne Countrey for I am thereunto bound Worthy knight quoth he if you will vouchsafe to take such simple entertainement as my poore lodging doth afford I will make knowne vnto you my whole desire which Pollipus willingly accepted and being come to the Caue Pollipus maruelled to sée so worthy a knight in such an obscure place but being come in he was soone vnarmed and then Parismus knew him to be his friend and taking him by the hand led him aside and then made himselfe known vnto him whereat Pollipus wondred and so with excéeding ioy most louingly embraced him and after supper was ended which was prouided by the Outlawes cleanly drest by the Damsel Parismus declared vnto him the whole circumstance of this tragedy wherwith Pollipus was so inwardly vexed to heare of Sicanus falshood that he vowed for euer to remaine his professed enemy they continued in the caue al the night the one recounting vnto the other their forepassed friendship at last it was coÌ„cluded betwixt them that Pollipus should still continue there and therfore prouided him other Armour that thereby he might not be knowne It was some three wéekes space before Parismus could recouer his wounds during which time the Thessalians had receiued much dammage by their enemies growing into feare of Famine for that their victuals beganne to waxe scant their courage being likewise somewhat abated for that they saw not the black knight in all that time come into the field as his wonted manner was therefore they concluded by a generall consent to Parley with the king of Persia and appointed Lord Remus to be the messenger who comming to the Persian king told him that Dionisius king of Thessalie did desire to parley with his Highnes whom he knew not that he had any way offended Whose message the Persian King kindely accepted and vpon his Kingly promise protested to continue a truce for that day appotniting the place of meeting to be on the Greene before the west gate of the City whither he came with the Kings that were with him and Sicanus his Sonne whither also Dionisius and the King of Bohemia with all the rest of the Potentates on the Thessalian party likewise came Many things béeing alleaged on both sides the one in accusation of Sicanus the other in defence of his innocency at last by consent of all a peace was concluded for twenty daies and on the twentieth day it was concluded that this Controuersie should be decided by battel and the conditions were these That if Dionisius could not bring thrée knights to combate with thrée of the Persians that then he should acknowledge himselfe subiect to the Persian king and also should deliuer vnto Sicanus his faire daughter Laurana to be at his disposition and Sicanus to enioy the Crowne after his death and if the Thessalians should conquere the Persian knights then immediately the Persian should remooue his Forces and Sicanus should acknowledge the truth of the Fact vpon which conditions the peace was concluded and firmely ratified by the generall Oathes of both the kings of Persia and Thessalia During which time of peace Parismus Pollipus would vsually come abroad both armed in white Armour with Plumes of white feathers and white Steedes gallantly attired be held the Persians and Thessalians continually euery day combatting for triall of their manhood but stil the Phrygian Zoylus and the two Persians Brandor and Ramon bore away the victory that the Thessalians would no more encounter with them which draue Dionisius into such a deep study what Knights to prouide against the appointed day of combat altogether dispairing of the Blacke Knight for that he has not beene séene a long time amongst them and also for that Oristus Osiris were so gréeuously hurt that it was impossible for them to recouer their health by the time appointed Parismus hearing of this conclusion told Pollipus that if he would accompany him to be one of Lauranaes Champions he would be for euer â—…ound to requite that curtesie which gentle request Pollipus kindly accepted The third that Parismus had appointed was one of the Out-lawes that perserued his life whose valour exceeded most of the Kinghts in Thessalie though he endured some secret disgraces Laurana maruelled that during the time of those warres being so famous as they could not choose but bee spread through most part of the world she could heare no newes of Parismus iudging him now for a certaine truth to be dead for otherwise she thought it could not be for she knewe if the least report of those wars were but come to his hearing he would returne to aide her from Sicanus whom she so much abhorred that it was a griefe to her to heare him named withall remembring in what peril both her Father her Countrey and her selfe were brought by his tyranny and that this misery exceeding all the rest was now fallen vpon her that shee must finde Champions to defend her or else she must be thrall to him which was â—…ore gréeuous vnto her then ten thousand deaths the remembrance of which extremities caused her to brust forth into these exclamations Most vnhappy and accursed wretch that I am how can I exclaime sufficiently against my hard destinies that haue brought me in danger of him whom I mortally hate whose very name is odious in my hearing who by his treachery hath robbed me of my hearts delight and continually workes my endlesse torment had my vnlucky starres allotted me to some vntimely death or otherwise wrought my misery then could I haue endured this martirdome with patience and quietly haue suffered the extreamest calamitie but my euill destiny farre exeedeth all misery and hath shut mee from all hope of comfort in this my affliction by the death of my vertuous Lord and deare friend Parismus whose ghost is busied with diuine contemplations and not tormented as I am with temporall vexations I would willingly follow him to Elizium there to retaine the fruition of his heauenly company but my destinies likewise haue allotted mee a cowards heart not daring to execute my will vpon my selfe my forward minde likewise disswadeth mee by many impossible perswasions that in this extreamity I know not whose aide to implore my Parismus is dead my Fathers Knights mangled for my sake and all things so contrary to good successe that vnlesse I bee deliuered from this tyrant Sicanus by some admirable and strange meanes I must of necessity fall into his loathsome power whose serpentine breath doth infect my heart with deadly feare With these and such
other so much surfetting with delight each of others presence that their speech was turned into a delightfull embracing of hearty content not to be expressed which being ended Laurana came to Pollipus and welcomed him with so sweet a kisse that had she not beene the beloued of Parismus he would haue vowed himselfe her continuall seruant At last Laurana being rauished with beholding her déere Parismus taking him by the hand vttered these words Most vertuous Prince your presence and preseruation hath brought vnto mee that content that I am not able to expresse your welcome is a maidens huÌ„ble and hearty thankes for your paines taking in my behalfe which is all the reward that I can make you I acknowledge my selfe so farre bound vnto your vertues as I shall endeauour during my life to require your kindnesse to my power I can count my selfe to haue receiued my life at your hands the preseruation of my parents and welfare of my Country that all that may be ascribed vnto happinesse is mine onely by your vertuous power that I protest wherein soeuer I may bee in any degree thankfull vnto you I here offer to be ready at your disposition I had entertained sorrow but you haue banished the same from my heart and brought me that happy content that I acount my selfe so farre indebted vnto you for the same as I shall neuer be able to requite which words she sealed vpon his lips with many kisses Parismus answered my déere Lady whatsouer I haue done I account as nothing in respect of that my willing hart would haue attempted for your sake and my deserts nothing worthy the thankes you render to me for the same being so far bound to you in the bonds of perfect duty as I account my life and al that I haue vnworthy to be spent in recompence of the least of your fauours humbly thanking you for reteining so good opinion of my vnworthinesse Laurana knowing that her Father and the King of Bohomia staied for Parismus returne with a ioyfull countenance accompanied them down into the Hall and being come to the King My Lord and Father quoth she I desire your Maiesty that these worthy knights may be committed to my charge to haue their wounds cured which they haue receiued in my behalfe Daughter said Dionisius I commend the regard thou hast of their health and commit them into thy hands being a charge of an high account praying thee to vse them in the kindest sort for they haue worthily deserued to bee well esteemed And my Lord Parismus quoth hee sithence it is my Daughters request I hope you are contented to be her Guest My Lord said Parismus else I should shew my selfe much ingratefull Laurana presently conducted them vnto two most rich adorned chambers which shee had most sumptuously beautified with iewels and costly furnitures wought of the most richest worke in the world all of greene and crimson sattin bordered with Gold and Azure his bedde was framed most curiouslie standing in maner of a Pauillion the postes that bare it were of Iuory beset with Rubies the câ—…rds of gréene silke the couer of the rich Arabian silke beset with Pearle the curtaine of the same the Chambers adorned with most beautifull Pictures to delight the eie the statelinesse of this lodging séemed in riâ—…hnesse nothing inferiour to the monument of Mansolus beeing one of the worlds wonder they had not there remained long admiring the beauty of the place but their eares were delighted with the sound of most pleasant musicke vnto which hauing a while listned Laurana desired Parismus to accept of this for his lodging telling him that Pollipus lodging was likewise adioyning vnto his that at their pleasures they might enioy each others company whither Pollipus was honourably directed Parismus most kindely thanked her whose heart was exceedingly delighted with beholding her beauty the Kings Physâ—…ions were by this time come which caused Laurana with a kind Farewell to bid Parismus Adieu for that night whose heart began to waxe sad at her departure the Phisitians had soone drest his wounds which were many but none morâ—…all and being wearied with his daies exercise these two worthy Knights willingly gaue themselues to rest where for that night we leaue them Oristus hearing that Parismus his Lord was returned being then in the extreamest danger of his life by reason his wounds were then fresh could by no meanes bee perswaded but that he would goe to see him and therefore the next morning very earely without the knowledge of any â—…ole down to goe to his masters lodging beeing weake and â—…eble but he receiued a fall which made a rupture of his wounds in such extreame sort that they fall againe to bleeding afresh but â—…auing a strong heart he againe recouered his feet and with much adoe goâ—… to Parismus lodging by which time the Physiâ—…ians that attended him mist him and suspecting the truth following him by the tract of blood to the Princes chamber where â—…augre the best skill of all the Kings Physitians his blood could not be stanched that there hee dyed in his Lords armes whose death strooke such a passionate sadnesse to Parismus heart that in many daies he could not banish the remembrance thereof out of his minde This newes was soone come to the knowledge of the King of Bohemia and all the rest who generally lamented his death for that he was a Knight of good and honorable qualities Parismus continued many daies in this Heauenly Paradice where he wanted nothing that â—…ight bring comfort to his disquiet heart being so diligently tended by the vertuous Laurana vntill that he had fully recouered his health During which time hee often enioyed the Princesse presence and recounted vnto her the whole truth of that which hee had passed sithence his departure from the Court only leauing out the discourse of the MerchaÌ„ts Daughter reioycing much the Lady Laurana to heare the same who with kinde and louing kisses blamed him for that hee would not make himselfe known to her in the Palmers wéeds with many other kinde conferences CHAP. XVI Of Sicanus death How Parismus wedded the princesse Laurana and of a generall triumph that was held for seuen daies MAny daies continued the King of Persia with the rest of the Kings of his party in Dionisius Court in which time many were intrapped in the snares of Lauranaes beautie which was such as would dazle the eyes of the beholders and astonish the hearts of no simple iudgements with a diuine conceite that the king of Natolia was determined to require and demand her in marriage of her Father had he not béen kept backe by Sicanus who caused his father the Persian King earnestly to sollicite Dionisius to that effect whose answer was that his promise relyed vpon his Daughters choise though indeede he neuer meant she should marrie the Persian for that his behauiour and trechery had made him hated and odious in all mens sight Parismus now in like sort determined to
pompe of the mightie Monarch Alexander Amongst the rest Laurana was seated in a Chaire of state Crowned with an Emperiall Diademe as Ladie of the Reuels who had prepared seuerall giftes for the Conquerours shining like golden Phoebus and her eyes twinkeling like two bright shining starres that her beautie made the whole assembly of straunge Knights admire her excellencie The Prince of Sparta had his Tent pitcht at the first entring into the Listes being as white as milke shewing his single estate on the toppe whereof was artificially framed a Golden Sunne which with his splendor beautified the Listes This dayes tryumphe was performed by the Prince of Sparta and his Knightes with excéeding valour himselfe hauing vnhorsed aboue fortie Knights of straunge Countries and had giuen to him by the Bride a payre of siluer Gloues made by the cunningest workman in the world Thus in great royaltie to the excéeding pleasure of the beholders was the first day spent till the darke euening caused the knights to giue ouer and betake themselus to their nights repose Early the next morning the knights were summoned to the Listes by the sounde of Trumpets the chiefe Champion for that daye was Lord Remus of Thessalie richly mounted vppon a Thessalian stéede of Iron graye his Tente pitcht néere vnto the other being of the colour of the Raine-bowe on the top whereof was artificially tramed a swift running Hart whereby the countrey of Thessaly was famous before him went foure Pages richly attired carrying some seuerall scutchions on the first was portraited his Mistresse picture on the second thrée siluer Doues signifing his innocencie farre from vaine ostentation on the third a bleeding hart and on the last a man séeming desperate who behaued himselfe with no lesse valour then the Prince of Sparta to the great ioy of his Lady Isabella The third day the worthy knight Pollipus was chiefe challenger who had his tent richly picht ouer against the Stage being of the colour of blood on the top whereof stoode a Lion Rampant his stéede furnished with costly abilaments of beaten Gold his armour after the Phrigian maner whose matchlesse chiualry vnhorsed that day an hundred knights and woon the prize from all the knights that encountred him The fourth day Lord Osirus of Thessaly was chief challenger whose tent was pitcht in maner of a hollow trée from whence hee issued so artificially ouerspred with mosse that hee seemed to be nothing but a lumpe thereof running vp and downe the fielde but so honourably hee behaued himselfe that hee was allotted that dayes conquest The fift day Prince Lemulus sonne to the King of Persia was chiefe challenger whose tent was of the colour of the skie his abilaments was of the colour of Azure beset with starres of Gold who behaued himselfe with great honour most part of that day but at last he was encountred by the valiant King of Frize by whome he was vnhorsed by reason that his stéede stumbled so the conquest returned to the aduerse partie The King of Frize vnhorsed afterwardes many worthy knightes to his excéeding commendation The sixt day the King of Frize was challenged ouer the aduerse partie who had not continued long but hee was vnhorsed by the King of Libia who most part of that day bare away the Prize vntil he was encountred by Guido of Thrace and by him vnhorsed Guido for that day bare away the Prize hauing vnhorsed many hundred Knights and was likelie to atchiue the chiefest honour of the Turnament The seuenth day Guido of Thrace came with great triumph into the Listes hauing his Tent pitcht in full view of the whole assembly being of the colour of the bright gold supported by foure Elephants himselfe mounted vpon a coloured steede most richly behung with abiliments of beaten gold who behaued himselfe most part of that day to the shame of the Thessalian and Persian Knights that the whole assembly admired his valiantnesse Which Pollipus seeing notwithstanding his daies trinumph was past yet hee armed himselfe and encountred Guido most brauely The first cariere they met and broke their staues onely likewise they had some fiue or sixe courses more in which maugre all the force Guido vsed he could not once moue or disaduantage Pollipus Pollipus likewise was extreamely vexed that he could not vnhorse Guido that each of them being sufficiently stirred to wrath addressed themselues for an other encounter when they met with such furie that they were both vnhorsed which Guido seeing forgetting where he was and disdaining to bee encountred by Pollipus any longer drew his sword and Pollipus did the like when they began to combat which Dionisius espying commanded his Heralds to part them and being both mounted againe ready to make further triall for the victory the Iudges considering the mischiefe that might arise for that there beganne to be a tumult in the field sought to appease the Champions and disswaded them to giue ouer and so let the honors of those triumphes rest to both of them which Guido in great disdaine refused without hearing what answer Pollipus would make Laurana by the aduise of Parismus sent messengers to Pollipus to request him for her sake to giue Guido leaue to ende that daies challenge for that he himselfe had sufficiently shown his Knightly chiualrie withall she sent him one of her gloues Whose command Pollipus presently obeyed being a Knight of excéeding courtesie whereby he wan more honour then Guido could atchiue by the conquest The rest of that day Guido vnhorsed many Knights and was like to carrie away the honour of the Triumph maugre all all Knights that afterwards encountred him which gréeued Parismus to behold With all noting his pride he secretly stole from the stageand presently armed himselfe in armor which he had caused to be made of purpose seeming to be olde torne rustie but yet of as good proofe as might bee being made of the purest Lydian stéele his abiliments furniture seemed to be such as had lyen vp vnvsed seuen winters and all to bee eaten with Moathes his stéede he made to trotte like a countrey Cart horse and his plume was of russet feathers accompanied with some thirty of his knights attired like rude Countrey fellowes with battes and staues on their necks and in a manner in the midst of the Thracians victories hée entereth suddainly and rudely into the Lists séeming indéede to be a very naturall Countrey peasant elected by a companie of rude fellowes to make pastime and being espyed of the people hée was welcomed with exceeding showts and laughters that now the eyes of all the beholders were bent vpon him being come to the list he offered to run but Guido disdained to cope with one so base to whom Parismus Knightes came and tolde him their Maister came to runne with one but himselfe and therefore hee should either breake a Launce or else they would beate him out of the fielde Wherewith Guido with a scornefull laughter tooke a staffe and
such disdainfull sort that euer after he deuised to doe me mischief and ioined himself to Bellona my greatest enemy which dwelt in a neighbouring Iland the most wickedest hag liuing vpon the face of the whole earth vsing with crafts sorceries and inchantments to further their purpose against mee and came vnto this my Countrey hauing many friends first wonne many of my Subiects hearts and afterwards made open wars against me and by their strength put mee to flight When hauing gotten my Crown they imprisoned my Quéen and two sonnes and a daughter which I had liuing but notwithstanding they could neuer quietly enioy the gouernment but were oftentimes disturbed by my subiects who vtterly refused to liue vnder his tyranny for that hee daily grew more odious amongst them that by continuall warre his Countrey was almost wasted and by the counsell of that wicked Hagge Bellona he with his consederates betooke themselues vnto a Mountaine heere hard by and there Fortified themselues and by witchcraft framed an inuincible Castle from whence they continually issued forth and vanquished and slew most of my noble men the rest remaining now in their custody in most miserable seruitude But not contented with this cruelty they were so much giuen to Diuellish furie that they destroied all this whole countrey not suffering man woman or childe to liue neither can any creature land heere but by their sorceries they will destroy them In which kinde of cruelty they haue continued many yeeres my selfe haue beene secretly hidden in this place from whose hands I haue beene preserued all this time by diuine operations and by the vertue of a Iewell that was giuen mee by an old Artâ—…man of Tartaria The Castle wherein they remaine is distant from hence some three miles being the goodliest thing to the outward shew that euer eye behelde where Druball and Bellona without dreade liue in great mirth continually formenting my Queene and poore Children with continuall torments Now most worthy Knights quoth he vnlesse you can by some meanes ouercome these Furies there is no other hope to escape from hence for long you cannot remaine but they will knowe of your being heere for all passengers do vtterly shun this place as a hatefull and ominoue coast They hauing heard this Hermits strange discourse wondered at the cruelty of Bellona and were confounded in their thoughts with the danger they should endure to conquere their inchantments that suddenly they could not tell what to determine off but crauing pardon of Antiochus for their rude behauiour towards him whoÌ„ before they knew not most louinglie saluted him Parismus said that hee would the next morning without delay trauell thitherwards My Lord quoth Pollipus were I sure to abide a thousand deaths I would beare you company for I would not now loose your sight nor abstaine any hazard for your sake The next morning they were earely vp determining to leaue Adonius with Antiochus in his Caue but notwithstanding all their perswasions he would not stay but what with teares and humble intreaties he obtained Parismus consent who was vnwilling to haue him goe least hee might bee hurt in this attempt Antiochus conducted them vntill they were within the sight of the Castle but then left them returning to his Cell Inuocating and praying after his manner for their good successe When they had well viewed the Castle which was beautifully seated vpon a strong Rocke incompassed with a mighty huge déepe Lake they sought round about the same but could finde no passage thereto hauing neither bridge nor other way to goe on foot At last they heard a little Bell ring within the Castle which was by the Watch by the sound thereof giuing warning to those that were appointed to keepe the same vpon which noise they saw a boat with six armed Knights in it comming towards them assoone as they were landed Parismus demanded of theÌ„ who was lord of the castle one of the knights answered come with vs quoth he thou shalt soon sée wherwith they began to lay hold on them Stay said Parismus let mee aske you one question say on said one of them Is the Lord of this castle amongst you said he No said the other I would hee were quoth Parismus for I vow were he heere I would haue his traitors head before he returned wherewith Pollipus and he drew their swords being otherwise vnarmed and so valiantly assailed those sixe Knights that they were al slaine within a short space they themselues hauing very little dammage or hurt The Ferrie men séeing their sixe Champions lie weltring in their purple gore ranne towards their boate but Adonius seeing his Master and Pollipus had slaine their enemies was before gotten down into the same and seeing the Rowers comming towards him and Parismus and Pollipus pursuing them thrust the same past their reach by which meanes they had soone taken these slaues and put them to death who by no meanes would manifest any thing of the secrets of the Castle And Parismus comming to Adonius most kindly embraced him and with exceeding praises extolled his wisdome in performing this exploit to Pollipus who admired to sée so great wisdome in so yong yéeres but his wit and wisdome was such that had they knowne the party they would haue more admired his vertue By meanes of this boate they had passage vnto the other side of the riuer where they were no sooner landed but they heard such a hideous noise within the Castle such Thundring and ratling in the Skies that it would haue amazed the stoutest Champion in the world but they were nothing abashed thereat sauing Adonius stood quaking and shaking with extreame feare when issued out of the Castle two mighty huge proportioned Monsters séeming rather to be Diuells then naturall men who assailed these two worthy Knightes with such fury that had they not nimbly auoyded their blowes they had at that very instant perished who prosecuted their strokes with such fiercenesse that the very earth séemed to shake therewith and what with labour and rage that they could not offend those Knights they were so hotte the Sunne being then at the highest that their eyes were dazeld with sweate that fell from their browes which aduantage these Champions soone espyed and with their swordes hauing gotten within compasse of their mightie Maces soone ended their wretched liues who gaue such groanes that all the Castell wrâ—…ng with the noyse thereof which crye so amazed Druball and Bellona being then at their pleasure that they came hastily running to beholde these two worthy Knights who were then entering the Castle and no sooner come into the inner Court but they behelde the most excellent beauty of the Castle being the most gorgious and stately buildings that euer they had seene where they had not long stayed but they behelde Bellona comming towards them whome they thought to haue béene some Quéene inclosed in that Castle for that she was crowned with an Imperiall Diademe who with her sorceries so
will meaning intention which was to please al and displease none So shall you winne him to finish what hee hath promised that is the second part which I protest I will hasten him to doe with as much speede as may bee Fare yee well Your Friend L. P. THE SECOND PART OF THE MOST FAMOVS DElectable and pleasant Hystorie of Parismus the renowmed Prince of Bohemia THE ADVENTVROVS TRAVELS and noble Chiualrie of Parismenos the KNIGHT OF FAME in diuers Countreyes The fourth time Imprinted and amended VERITAS VIRESSIT VVLNERE TC LONDON Printed by Thomas Creede 1615. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE NOBLE PRVdenc and vertuous Ladie the Countesse of Essex the Almightie graunt euerlasting Honour and Happinesse ANimated by the view of your manifolde vertues Right Honourable Ladie I haue presumed to shrowde this simple worke vnder the Harbour of your protection resting in confidence your Honour will vouchsafe to accept the same although not for the worthinesse yet for the well meaning intent of the Writer who in all dutie Dedicateth his endeuors to deserue your Honourable fauour Trusting your fauourable and prudent Censure will extinguish the blemish of my ouer boldnesse and your wisedome receiue with fauour what is offered with affection Pythias Apollo reâ—…used not to drinke in woodden dishes Alexander the great and mâ—…ghtie Monarke disdained not to Trauell to visite simple Diogenes in his Cell Not the giftes value but the giuers good will hath bene alwaies esteemed Euen so I rest in hopefull assurance that of your owne Most Honourable and vertuous inclination to fauour Learning you will daine to take this small gyfte proceeding from my heartie good will Which I am bolde to present to your protection thereby in some sort to expresse my humble dutie which bindeth me to giue your worthinesse a farre better present then this if my abilitie were correspondent The dutyfull regard I beare to your laudable gyfts being such that I am vnable hauing no other meane to expresse the same Humbly beseeching your Honour to accept this gyft in place of a better and my humble and dutifull meaning in steede of a better performance And according to your vertuous Bountie vouchsafe to protect this Talent of my poore Labours vnder the title of your Honourable Patronage Which shall binde me to inuocate the Almightie to indue your Noble minde with innumerable vertues increase your Honours inrich you with all blessings and reward you with eternall happinesse Your Honours in all dutie Emmanuell Forde TO THE COVRTEOVS READER GENTLEMEN according to my promise I haue set foorth this Second parte of Parismus which I wish may prooue worthie your Fauour and kinde Estimation the Anckors whereon my Hopes depende and though it deserue not so much yet let my good meaning therewith purchase the same If you finde any imperfections passe them ouer with a carelesse respect and if ought please your Fancie let it ceunteruaile that which is amisse If neythâ—…r well nor amisse then I pray rest indifferent and let your courtesie be greater then my boldnesse and your Fauour beyond my desert My intent was to please but if not my labours are ill bestowed and my happe the harder If I may breede any delight to the well-minded or purchase any good opinion of the Well-willers to Learning then I haue the reward I expect One peraduenture will say the inuention is barren another the English is harsh a third all is naught Yet let me answere in mine owne behalfe that which is lightly discoÌ„mended is not easily amended and the worke well done that pleaseth all and that very harsh that none liketh But I submit my selfe to the wise courteous and learned whome I trust will vouchsafe to esteeme fauourably of my good intent that though I am not able to compare with any yet I am willing to prooue worthie and haue taken some paines to procure their good opinion vnto which I submit my selfe As for Momus mates that are contented with nothing yet desire most I let them passe as regardles whom I neyther care to please or displease but if my fortune be so aduerse that I cannot procure their delight I would then I plead penitencie protesting I was in good hope of their fauor Knowing this that which disagrees with ones fancie may delight anothers So that I am in hope this poore Treatise may passe with the fauourable opinion of some thâ—…gh not of all yet especially of the courteous That I stâ—…l rest in hope I shall not be frustrated in all my expectation but reape your courtous Censure for my good meaâ—…ng And so I comâ—…tte you to the Heauens protection Your Friend E. Ford. AA ⧠THE SECOND PART OF THE MOST FAMOVS delectable and pleasant Historie of Parismus the renowmed Prince of Bohemia his trauels with the valiant Knight Pollipus in search of Violletta CHAP. I. How Parismus after Pollippus Marriage departed from Thessalie And of a strange aduenture befell them in Bohemia AFter that Pollipus hadde wedded Violetta as is declared in the first part of this Historie and euerie one in Dionisius Court enioyed his owne hearts content Parismus againe desired to see his natiue country of Bohemia from whence hee had beene long time absent as also to comfort his aged Parentes who languishded with extreame sorrowe doubting that he was perished Parismus now determined to take his iourney by land the rather for that Lauranacould not brooke the Seas the passage being long and dangerous that within fewe dayes Parismus hauing with Laurana Pollipus Violetta Tellamor Barzillus and two hundreth Knights being honourably accompanied onward of their iourney by Dionisius and Oliuia the King of Hungaria the Prince of Sparta and his beloued Clariana Lord Remus and Lady Isabella with thousands of the citizens of Thebes left the bounds of Thessalie to the exceeding griefe of all especially to the King and Queen whose farewelles were exprest with exceeding sorrowâ—…s and hearts replenished with sadnes whose care for their welfare and praiers for their prosperous successe were vttered with a bundance of teares They on the other side with like heauie discontentment and sad sighes left their delightful company with whom they could euerlastingly haue remained if waightiâ—… occasions had not withdrawn them To recount their trauailes and the countries they ouerpast would be tedious the rather for that they were neither crost by misfortune nor any way indaungered but atchieued the tediousnesse thereof with prosperous successe and within few daies they arriued in the wished country of Bohemia whither Parismus welcommed Laurana with these spéeches Now most deare Lady you set foote on the Bohemian sâ—…ile whither I haue long time wished to conduct you desiring you to account both it and all therein as yours to dispose of and though by your departure you left your parents in heauinesse your friends in care and your subiects discontented yet heere shall you â—…inde parents whome you shall raise from heauinesse friends whom you shall comfort and subiects whose pensiue hearts will
be reuiued with your presence Then I beséech you let no disquiet thought trouble your kinde harts content but estéeme your selfe both welcome and beloued in Bohemia for thousands of my subiects haue already deuoted their liues to your command And deare friends quoth he as my selfe I esteeme you and as my selfe esteeme your selues welcome hither for your kindnesse hath deserued that estimation and recompence that I am not able to make And deare friend Pollipus my faithful partner in woe make you account of all mine as your owne for well haue you deserued all kinde estimation and friendship of me whom you haue infinitly bound to you in all league of affection The Bohemians soone had knowledge of their arriuall and by infinite troupes came to méete them Among the rest Aurestes an ancient noble man desired Parismus to vouchsafe him such honor to grace his poore mansion with his presence to expect of his vnworthy entertainment to refresh himself after his tedious trauailes whose kind offer Parismus courtiously accepted where he and the princesse Laurana were so honorably and louingly entertained as that the the rest that were strangers exceedingly maruailed there at The aged King Queene hauing intelligence that Parismus was arriued in safety cast off their former habit of sadnes and bannished cares which long had tormented them and with exceeding ioye vnwoonted state and inexplicable Maiesty went foorth to meete him Royallie accompanyed with gallant troupes of Estates Parismus seeing his aged parents with all reuerence humbled himself to them who could haue spent many houres onely embracing him but séeing Laurana they both came vnto her most louingly welcomming her expressing the same with teares procéeding from the depth of kindnes withall vttering these words Most vertuous kinde and honorable Princesses our wordes cannot expresse your welcome nor our deedes shew our good will our ioye for your presence is not to be described our entertainemnt too simple to entertaine you according to our desires Which said the aged Queene after a louing embrace tooke her by the hande and all the Ladies of high estate saluted her with most reuerent behauiours The good King knowing Pollipus embraced and welcommed him with great kindenes likewise the Queene welcommed Violetta and on euery side all exprest their ioy for their happie arriuall Bonfires were made in the Citie the Bells â—…oong in the Countrey and triumphes in the Court some welcomed them with giftes some with myrth some with praises and all with ioy and excéeding reioicings which my dulled pen is altogither vnskilfull to describe the King and Queene exceedingly reioyced in their Sonnes vertuous choise in Lauranes presence Laurana was affected with great delight to see their kindnesse Parismus had his still of coÌ„tent and altogither greatly admired Lauranaes beautie did their best to welcome and entertaine the whole company that came with Parismus with all Courtesie that the Bohemian Court which lately had beene darkened with the mists of sorrowe was now beautified with the pleasant assemblies of Knights and Ladies that repaired thither to welcome home Parismus and behold the Princesse Laurana In which place they continued many dayes after But Fortune whose constancie was neuer permanent but dispeâ—…th their content Pollipus and Violetta vpon a day walkt foorth for recreation some halfe mile from the Courte into a most pleasant shadie gâ—…ne wooâ—… which by meanes of the coolenesse and aboundance of sweete smelling flowers wherewith it was adorned and by naturall sleight was so pauised with the assistance of lâ—…le tâ—…igges and sprayes that neither the heate of the Sunne nor vehemencie of winde could molest it that the place seemed to 〈◊〉 ease to their delight where they louingly sat downe recreating themselues with great pleasure and at last fell both a sleepe in middest of which slumber a rauenâ—…us wilde Beare that hauâ—…ed those Woods whom extreame hunger had forced to wander so neare the Court winded them and guided by vnluckie Fate came to the place where they laye ready to seize vpon the tender bodie of kinde Violetta who at the verie instant by the Diuine prouidence awaked and espying the vglie Beare suddainly shâ—…ked Pollipus amazed with her crie started vp and drewe out his sword and rescued her from the beastes violence pursuing him with such vigor and dexteritie that the Beare being greuously wounded shund his blowes and made hast to get away from him but hee intending to win honour by his conquest regardlesly pursued the Beare vntill hee was quite out of Violettas sight Who likewise feaâ—…ing his harme and pricked forward with a tender care of his welfarefollowed after him but not knowing which way he was gone tooke a quite contrarie way and with eger â—…eppes laboured to ouertake him He hauing with much trauell slaine the Beare smoâ—…e off his head and intending to present that spoyle to his Loue came backe to the place where hee had left her and missing her â—…ee could not well tell what to thinke béeing perswaded shee waâ—… gone to seeke him wherewith he was â—…pt into an extreame perplexitie and doubt fearing that if he should go to the Court to seeke her she might in the meane time wander out of the way and runne into daunger Contrarily hee thought if hée should séeke her in the Wood and shée bée in the Court his long tariance might bring her in some feare of his welfare that in these extreamities he could not determine of any thing at last calling her with a lowde voyce by name and not hearing her answere with all hasâ—…e he ranne to the Court with his spoyle vpon his Swords pointe and running hastily hee enquyred if anie sawe Violetta returne but shee was not there heard off which made him cast downe the Beares head and without speaking a word returned towards the Wood againe Which strange behauiour of his draue the Courtiers but especially Parismus into a woonderfull doubt Parismus séeing the Beares head and hearing som spéeches of Violettaes absence presently mounted a goodly Stéede and with hast rode that way hée was directed pollipus went Tellamor Barzillus and many of the Knights followed after him neither of them knowing wherefore they made such haste Parismus hauing ouertaken him demanded if any mischance had befallen Violetta My Lord qd he as shée and I lay slumbering in this Woodde the Beare whose head I brought to the Court was ready to seize vpon her but shée with a shrike awaked mée and I pursued him vntill I had slaine him and returning to the place where I left Violetta she was gone neither can I suppose whither vnlesse shée be wandred to séeke mée the haste I made was to come backe to séeke her Doe so qd Parismus and my selfe and these Knights will search the Wâ—… throughout So euery one tooke a seuerall way Violetta in the meane time still wandered on without regarde whither she went her feare perswading her that still she heard Pollipus blowes and the Beare going right
willing to doe my thing that might agâ—… to his Fancie 〈◊〉 purchase his content that if he desired to trauell and hazard himselfe by Sea he way ready to goe with him Or if he were determined to seeke strange Aduentures by Land hee would likewise trauell with him and forsake no perill for his sake Parismenos hearing his courteous replye could not chuse but embrace him yéelding him many thankes Tyresus effected all things with such speed and so well ordered his affaires to further his intent that within few dayes they departed into a Ship well manned victualled hoysing vp their Sailes with a mery gale committing themselues to the mercies of the Seas They sayled many dayes without any aduenture which inwardly fretted parismenos for his mind longed to performe some exployt At last they kenned a Saile a farre off and towards it they stirred amaine and coÌ„ming nigh the ship laid her aboord which was of Barbaria well manned with stout Moores who seeing the Pyrates and knowing that either they must resolutly fight it out or become Captiues valiantly resisted them betweene who 〈◊〉 began a most fierce and cruell fight where Parismenos had meanes enough to exercise his valor who behaued himselfe with such courage that many Moores that day last their liues by his Infant blowes Egtadam Captaine of the Moores being a man of exceeding courage seeing the cruell slaughter parismenos made came to him vttered these speeches Proud Pyrat thou shalt deerly buy these Moores liues for I am determined to bring thy cursed life to an end that thinkest by Robberie to enrich thy selfe Wherewith hee assailed him so fiercely that he wounded him in many places not withstanding such was his valor that with great force he likewise so valiantly defended himself and offending Egradam that it was doubtful which of them would haue the conquest In middest of this truell Fight a mightie storm began suddenly to arise and the winds began to blow with violence that their Cables burst both light of day and Sun was shadowed by thick Cloudes the Seas began to rage and swell that they were enforced to giue ouer their fight the Thunders roared and the Lightnings flasht about their ears their ship 〈◊〉 violence of the surging seas was so tost that there was none but expected present death The Northern blast rent their Sailes one way goes theyr Helme an other way swims their Maste with violence forne from the ship and waue vpoÌ„ maâ—…e rusht in ready to ouerturn the ship who now tossing vpon the Seas at libertie was driuen vppon a 〈◊〉 Rocke and split in â—…under Then began a hydeous crie amongst the souldiers Some cursing Parismenos the causer of that Iourney some exclaiming on Tyresus and some banning their own destinies Some whelmed vnder the gaping water yéeld vp their ghosts here three at once are cast vpon the rocks againe deuoured by the waues there others sunke in the quicksands and down falls the Maister he adlong then might you behold men swimming in their Armour here and there striuing to make their deaths tedious Here might you sée one seated vppon a planck ouerthrowne with a waue there another tumbling with his heeles vpward Parismenos by good Fortune was gotten vp to the Masse whose length had some power to endure the waues with his swore drawn in his hand Tyresus he was gotten on to a chest wherewith a while he applyed himselfe from drowning but in the ende the raging waues drenched him deep in their spatious gulfes Within a while the raging Seas began to ceaseâ—…nd war calme the sunne began to shine and the clowds to vanish that darkned the skies and the mast whereon Parismenos satte began to sâ—…de along with the calme tide When he looked about him and espyed all his followes drowned and exceeding sorrowe ouer whelmed his heart especially for his louing friend Tyresus that had not the feare he was in reuiued his sences he would haue waxt carelesse of his owne life But the remembrance of his perill made him recall his better sences to their former vse and to studie for his owne safetie to whom the Seas were so mercifull that with a gentle and calme 〈◊〉 he was driuen to shore where getting to a Sâ—…y banke he sat hiâ—… 〈◊〉 to refresh his wearyed limmes and poâ—…der his most happy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his gaping Wounds with such lâ—…n as hee had about him who with the falte water smarted exceedingly CHAP. IIII. ¶ How Parismenos being east on shore in Thrace was taken vppe by Duke Amasenus who named him The Knight of Fame Of two Combats hee sought with Corus and Argalus AS Parismenos was sitting vpon the banâ—…e after his shipwracke in heauie estate for the losse of his deere Friend Tyresus it happened an ancient Duke of Thrace named Amasenns that day was come into a forrest adioyning to the sea to hunt accompanied by a gallant troupe of Knights who sheltring 〈◊〉 from the storme vnder the craggie cliffes behelde the miserable 〈◊〉 and sawe Parismenos swim to shore and so strangely preserued from drowning vnto whom he came as hée was sitting vppon a sunnie bancke and demaunded of whence he was Parismenos beholding his reuerend age and the troupe of Knights that attended him rose from the ground and with great humilitie bowed his bodie making this aunswere I am a miserable man by crueltie of the seas cast on this shore hauing lost my faithfull friend drenched in the spacious gulfes being my selfe reserued to furthr miseries my name is hidden from my selfe neither know I certainely in what countrie I was borne nor where my Parents remaine now am cast into an vnknowne place and miserably left to the wide world to indure such hard fortune as my vnluckie starres haue allotted me Amasenus hearing his answere and withall noting his tall and comely proportion and beautifull countenaunce though by his spéech that his sences were altered with feare of them tempest care for the losse of his friends that he thus replyed I perceiue feare of drowning hath made you forget both your selfe your name and countrie which feare now shake off since all the perill is past and leaue to greeue for their losse that are inrecouerable and go with me to my Castle and to such entertainment as the same yeeldeth you shal be welcome I most humbly thanke you quoth he for this kindnesse but whereas you thinke that feare hath made me forget myselfe you altogither ayme amisse for I haue reported of my selfe nothing but trueth Then stept foorth Corus a suspitious and enuious Knight my Lord quoth he it is some Pirate that liueth by spoyle of passengers and hath heeretofore done you some mischiefe which maketh him thus cunningly dissemble Parismenos hearing his spéeches could not containe himselfe but made this answere Most discourteous knight neither thy selfe nor any of this countrie whatsoeuer shal make me disseÌ„bld or once falsifie my word and were it not that the strangers of this place and the
for Violettas sake Where we wâ—… leaue him to speake of Parismus Parismus heart was opprest with such griefe for the losse of the vertuous Violetta and the abâ—…ence of his deare friend Pollipus that day nor night he could neither by sleepe or other recreation giue any ease to his troubled head therefore he determined likewise to indure some trauell for their sakes that bâ—… suffered much miserie in his behalfe and when Laurana and hee were one night sweetly solacing themselues each in the others pleasant loue he tolde her his full intent desiring her not te be discontented therewith but to take his departure patiently Laurana hearing his spéeches was so ouercome with griefe that a flood of teares distilled from her precious eyes and twiâ—…ing her tender armes about his necks impressing a sweete kisse vpon his lips shee vttered these speeches Most noble Lord are you wearie of my company that you seeke to estraunge your selfe from mee by Trauell do you thinke I shal be able long to endure your absence well knowing how many dangers may hazard your person detaine your heauenly presence from my sight Thinke you that I can attaine anâ—… quiet without the fruition of your heauenly companie or euer suffer steepe to seize vpon my eyes while you are absent No sweet Lord with your departure all ioy and delight shall part from mee and neuer will I suffer any content to harbour in my brest Then most deare Loue which words shee vttered intermingled with a number of sweete kisses doe not leaue me in care doo not withhold my content doe not take away my sweetest delight but stay you still with mee and commaund your Knights to go in Violettas search who at the least beck will Post through the Worlde to doe you seruice and hazard not your person in strange Countreys nor amongst forâ—…aine enemies which may by somâ—… treachery worke your griefe my selfe wil here shrowd you from harm my armes shall inclose you from danger and my loue shall be the Forâ—… you shall conquer I will expell the sad remembrance of their losse with delightfull communication my selfe will rock your sences aseep with Musicke and my endeuours shall labor to purchase your content Then doo not séeke to leaue me comfortlesse to be waile your absence but makâ—… abode with me still and my loue shal shelter you from all perill Whicâ—… words being ended the ouerflowing of her Teares stopt the passage oâ—… her speech and sobbing foorth sighes she hung about his necke Parismus was exceedingly grieued to see her heauinesse that folding her precious bodie in his armes with a strict imbracing he laboured by delightfull Familiarities to expell her sadnesse which beeing somewhat mittigated he vttered these speeches Why deare Ladie what néede you make these complaintes considering you know nothing is so precious in my sight nor of so deere estimation with me as your sweet loue Or what neede you make spéech or take such feare of dangers when you see no cause of disquiet Why are you vnwilling that I shuld take a little paines for their sakes that wold haue haue many waies indangered their liues endured extream miserie for your sake How can I excuse my self of ingratitude to that courteous Knight Pollipus if whilest he passeth his time in sorrowfull care I should liue heere in ease not séeming to regard his miserie that would haue shunned no danger to procure my comfort How will all the Knights of the Cour esteeme of me but as of an ingratefull person if I shuld so much neglect the dutie of a Friend Then sweete Loue be not you the cause of my stay but let me obtaine your swéete consent and expell those confused cares that trouble your quiet for be you assured nothing can be more gréeuous vnto me then your discontent and nothing more pleasing then your accord the dangers accurrant to trauel are by wisedome easily auoided then be you assured that I will shun al hazard of mishap for your swéete sake and leaue you off to sorrow thus for that which you cannot with equitie contradict my stay shall not be long nor my iourney far then be you contented to vouchsafe your agréement and you shall thereby satisfie my content his speeches being ended with silence she gaue consent spending some time in sweet dalliance and in the ende â—…ell fast a sleepe Early in the morning Parismus with many swéet kisses took his leaue of Laurana who bedeawed her bed with a bundance of feares for his departure and falling into a déepe passion of feare she presently started vp arraying her selfe came downe into the court where Parismus was readie to take his horse running to him caught hold of him who maruelling thereat tooke her most louingly in his armes who was so far ouergon with griefe that shée could not speake a word but bestowing many swéete tear-wet kisses on her he left her amongst her maids and departed With him were Tellamor and Barzillus keeping company together some three dayes without aduenture at all at last they came to a goodly plaine whereinto a common beaten path conducted them vntill comming in the middest thereof there stooâ—… a brazen pillar from which parted three seuerall waies there they stayed deuising amongst themselues which of those wayes to take at last they concluded that each of them should take a seuerall way and solemnly taking theirleaues with kinde farewells they betooke each other to their good or bad fortunes CHAP. VII How Parismus called the knight of Fame woon the chiefe honor of the Tourney at the Court of the king of Thrace And hauing won Phylena the kings daughter was commaunded in a vision to giue her to Remulus PArismenos no otherwise known but by the name of the knight of Fame vnder which name he did passe till he came to the knowledge of his parents being as is before said in another Chapter coÌ„ueied by Amasenus to his castle sore wounded in the battel he had with Argalus and Thenudes was so carefully tended by the Dukes Phisitians that in a few daies they had brought him to his perfect remem brances and within short time after that to his perfect health which greatly reioyced the good old Duke who tooke great felicitie in his company for the many honourable parts he saw to abound in him And vpon a time in the presence of all his Court demaunded the cause of the combate betwéen him Argalus which he requested as well to knowe the truth thereof himselfe as to satisfie the suspitious mindes of many that inwardly maligned the discontented Knight vnto whom he declared the truth in manner as is before set downe saying This my lord is the truth of his misaduenture whom I neuer iniured but alwaies esteemed as my friends Amasenus was glad that no cause of discontent could be conceiued against him by any other of his Knights who enuied him because his noble gifts darkned their glories but yet his curteous and kind behauiour in
short time expelled that roncor and they that before were his enemies began to make good estimation of him his fame began to spread it selfe in most parts of Thrace and all that euer behelde him grew into admiration of his strength accōpanied with such bewtie as his youth yéelded that had they not knowne the contrarie by his prowesse they would haue taken him for some disguised La-Ly Whilest the knight of Fame remained in Amasenus court the King of Thrace appointed a generall triumph to be heldfor certaine daies the occasion whereof is this He had one onely daughter named Phylena whose beautie was inferiour to none and her gifts of nature were such as made her much spoken of in many countries insomuch that many knightes came as sutors to obtaine her loue but she had secretly betrothed her selfe to Remulus one of the knights of her fathers court without her parents consent by meanes of whose beautie the Court of Thrace was full of gallant knights that sought her lone that the King was much troubled in minde how to bestow her and séeing that she did not fancie one more than another he appointed a general triumph to be held for seuen daies and whosoeuer bare away the prize the last day shuld marry his daughter Intending thereby to ende his doubt and care that way thinking that though his daughter had not a rich and Princely husband yet shee should haue a valiant Champion to defend the price of her beautie Amongst the rest of the Knights there was Guido who had long time sued to obtayne her Loue who now reioyced at this Decrée hoping by his valor to beare away the Bride There was Trudamor of Candie who thought none equall to him in strength and therefore none more forward against the time of the appointed triumph There was Drio of Scicil who had sayled from his owne Countrey thither who likewise by his strength at seuerall times slue thrée Lyons who came with resolution to winne Phylena for his Wife And many other Knightes of high account The report of this great Triumph came to to the knowledge of the Knight of Fame whose minde was kindled with an earnest desire to goe thither that he requested Amasenus consent who being desirous any way to pleasure him gaue him sufficient Coyne to furnish him of all things fit for such an attempt Who caused a most rich Armour of gréene to be made shadowed with Trées of golde presenting a Forrest In his shielde he bare this deuise A naked man leading a Lyon with this Motto vnderneath Ouergone with Discontent Wherein the expert Artsman had so cunningly imitated his Fancie that a man by his Armour and shielde might easily vnderstand his meaning The appointed time of Triumphe drawing nigh Amasenus with a gallant troupe of Knightes amongst whome the Knight of Fame was chiefe came to the Thracian Court whome the King honourably receiued Amasenus hauing don homage to che King pitched his Tent without the Court-Gates vpon a little hill hard by the appointed place for Triumph where likewise hard by him were the Tents of Guido Trudamor Drio and the three valiant knightes of Candie Tristramus Tennulus and Babulus in whose companie were a number of valiant knights that came thither Some to make tryall of theyr valour and some of purpose to winne the faire Phylena Likewise there were the Tents of the young King of Arragon who came accompanied with a number of valiant knights hoping to beare away the Prize that all the Plains were filled with Tents There might you see knights breaking staues practising themselues against the day of Triumph Here might you see others recreating themselues in Martiall exercises there might you heare the Neighing of Horses clattering of Armour cracking of staues and such companies of Knights assembled as if the richest prize had bene appointed for reward Whilest these things were acting Phylena was in great care for Remulus whome she loued so dearely that rather then shee would part with him she would endure any misery whatsoeuer who likewise addressed himself to trie his Fortune amongst the test And the day before the Triumphe Phylena secretly getting opportunitie to speake with him gaue him this assurance of her constancie My deare Loue qd shee since my Father hath decréed this publicke Triumph for the bestowing of mee in Marriage because amongst so many Knightes as haue sought my Loue I haue Affianced my selfe to none of them but haue chosen you as the chiefest Load-starre of my life and Loue be you yet assured that though Fortune may allot me to be anothers by Conquest yet none but your selfe shall enioy my Loue and though another may challenge mee by right of my Fathers decree yet none but your selfe shall haue true interest in mee And rather then I will yeelde to like of any Knights loue but yours I will endure either death or any other torment shall be inflicted vpon mee for you are the Knight that shall conquer my Loue you haue by courtesie woonne my Loue and you shall weare it Nor King nor Knight shall robbe me of that which I haue giuen to you Then be not you discomforted or any way disquieted but trye your Fortune amongst the rest and Fate may happily allot you the Conquest as well as any other Remulus hearing his Ladyes constant Resolution was ouercome with exceeding ioy resoluing to aduenture as much as any to attayne the desired Conquest and Solacing himselfe so long as theyr stolne time would permitte in her companie beeing by necessitie compelled they parted The next Morning the King of Thrace accompanyed by a number of Personages of Estate brought foorth the beautifull and faire Ladie Phylena most richly adorned with costly Ornamentes wearing vpon her head a Crowne of golde attended by an hundreth Damzells clad in white and seated her on a Scaffolde in the open view of all the Knights there assembled whose harts were enamoured with the sweet attainte of her shining Beautie and theyr courages reuiued with the hope of so rich and precious a Prize Amongst the rest there was the Lorde Remulus whose heart was opprest with distrustfull care to see the Ladie hee most estemed and his secret protested loue set as a Prize to wring him from his possession yet comforted by her faithfull promise he tooke great felicitie to see that Beautie made famous which he made account to enioy The Knight of Thrace beganne the Triumph and the first that entred the Listes was Andreas who was at two Courses vnhorsed by Cleanthea who continued Conquerour by the ouerthrowe of manie Knightes vntill Bubulus one of the thrée Brethren of Candie with violence draue him from his horse and burst one of his ribbes Bubulus vnhorsed many Knightes afterwardes both of Thrace and other straunge Countreys and in the ende was vnhorsed himselfe by Remulus who behaued himselfe so valiantly in the sight of the Princes that by the foyle of many knights he ended that dayes Triumph to his exceeding honour resting
be contented to consent to Violettas escape but thou must also betray my loue to thy lothsome lust Was not the fauour I daily shewed thée sufficient to deferre thy mind from offering me that abuse deceiuing my expectation betraring my life by her escape I could peraduenture haue remitted the one if thou haddest not bene guilty in both but neuer shalt thou reioyce in my Fall and little Pleasure shalt thou reape by thy Nightes worke Wherewith not suffering her to make him answere assuredly perswaying himselfe she was guiltie in both he thrust his sworde quite through her body and there in that vndecent sort left her giuing many a grone with the date of her life The seruants séeing this couered her body and afterwardes buryed it Archas presently Arming himselfe giuing speciall charge to the Gardiants to kéepe diligent Watch posted that way he thought best in her search Violetta by this time was wandred a great way care hastning her stoppes and feare to be again by him surprized tooke away the tediousnes of Trauell At last forsaking the beaten way she wandrd aside into a most Desart and vnfrequent place being so full fraught with Trées and little springs that there she thought was the safest harbour wherein to remaine vndescryed Being tyred with Trauell and possest with care she sate downe vpon a banke side to refresh her selfe Shée had not long stayed in that place but thee behelde an Aged man whose yeares made him stoupe to the Earthwards carrying a few drye sticks vnder his arme Violetta thinking she might repose some confidence in his vertues because of his years drew towards him Who séeing so beautifull a Lady in that vnfrequented place vnattended excéedingly maruelled to whom she saide Ah good Father whose yeares beares Reuerence will you vouchsafe a distressed Ladie succour who by extreame miseries compulsion am wandred to this vnknowne place sore wearied with Trauell and in requitall of your kindnesse my prayers shall inuocate the Heauens to graunt you Felicitie and my Reward sufficient to content you for your paines The old-man hearing her spéeches made this answere Faire Lady my homely Cell is not worthy to receiue your person but such as it is you shall be hartily welcome thereto For I desire to liue no longer then to extend my small assistance to such as are in distresse but especially to such harmles creatures as your selfe Therefore pleaseth you with kindenesse to accept what succour my abilitie will affoord What counsell my Experience can giue you you shall receiue both with a willing heart And for that I sée your trauell vpon what occasion to mée as yet vnknowne hath both wearyed you and this colde Earth whereon you sat may endanger your health giue me your hand I will yéeld you what aid my weake strength wil permit to guide you to my Cell which is hard by Doo so good Father quoth she and I thanke you most heartily Where I will disclose to you my vnfortunate mishap That saide shae leand her selfe vpon his aged arme so weary with Trauell that she scarce could set her féete vpon the grassie earth for hurting them His Cell it was no other but a hollow Caue which the poore Did-man by his owne industrie had cut and vndermined vnder the side of a Rocky-hill Which was well contriued hauing his lodging seuerall from the rest And so artificially had he framed his Chimney that through a hollow Uawt he conueyed the smooke at the foote whereof ran a most pleasant spring where the cleare Water striuing with the smooth pibbles made a burbling noise where the comfortable beams of golden Phoebus had full force On the other side was a swéet spring where the birds kept continuall pleasant recording Harmonie Assoone as Violetta was entered this olde mans Paradise he seated her soft vpon a chayre giuing her all the courteous entertainment he could and presently brought foorth such cates as he was prouided of Which was White bread chéese and apples Her drinke being the cleare brooke Water that ran by his Cell doore Whereto because hee would amend the taste to her liking he mingled Aquauitie Violetta being hungrie thought his poore prouision in that quiet place dainty fare wherewith she stenched her hunger and in the mean time the old-man had heat Water and hearbs for to bathe her ouertrauelled féete in which the kindly accepted perceiuing that it came as willingly from the old-mans hart as euer good déed came from any and therwith bathed her féete This done Violetta desired the olde man to seat himselfe down by her who taking a stoole sat downe right against her fixing his eyes vpon her Face whilst she began to speake as followeth Good Father qd she the kindenesse I finde in your entertainment sheweth the Uertues that rule your heart which maketh mee no whit doubt to commit the dangerous report of my Tragicall misfortune to your secrecie neyther neede I require any stricter assurance then your promise alreadie past to extende 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 but 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 stayd long in the Bohemian Court with great ioy but thus our felicitie was crost my Lorde and I one day inticed by the heate of the Sanne to seeke some coole shadow wandred from the Court into a pleasant Groue where haunted a Wilde-beare whome my louing knight espying pursued And I fearing least some harme might betide him compelled by desire of his Welfare thought to haue followed him but wandred a quite contrary way and being gotten â—…ot of the Wood fearing to returne backe was by Archas to mee before vnknowne by cunning deceyt conueyed to his Castle his promise being to haue carryed mee back to the Bohemian Court. Where when he had remained some two dayes hee certified me falâ—…y which I afterwards perceyued that Pollipus was dead which I beléeuing took it so heauily that I was often in daunger of my life thereby but in small time I plainely found his falsehood and vnderstood his intent which was to detaine me in his kéeping 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 shreeks and cries repaired to the place where I was and thereby preuented him Whome I made priuie to all my secretes by whose meanes late yester night I stole from the Castle Nowe good Father qd she counsell me how to escape his hands who I know maketh all diligent search for mée and vnlesse you helpe mée I am like to fall into his handes againe Which rather then I will doe I will endure a thousand deaths The Old-man had all this while diligently noted euery circumstance of her discourse making this answere Lady I perceiue by
Knights to their iourney towards Brandamors castle wher at Sunne-set they arriued and for that night tooke vp their Inne vnder the couert of a spreading Oke deuising amongst themselues by what means they might archieue theyr desire Early the next morning Argalt issued foorth of the Castle intending as his custome was to search if any Knights were in the Forrest for euer since Venolaes imprisonment diuers Knights of Lybia tame to trye their Fortune against Brandamor whom these three Knights supposed to haue beene the Gyant himselfe And Tellamor being the forwardest went toâ—…d him whom Argalt thus greeted Knight of whence art thou or Wherefore commest thou on this forbidden ground Gyant qd Tellamor I come to defâ—…e thée that vsurpest such priuiledge to examine Passengers and my intent is in despight of thée to keepe my standing on this Ground which is free for all men What is thy Quarrell quoth Argalt I come qd hee to reâ—…eeme a Knight whome contrary to equitie thou detaynest and a Ladie whose Lorde thou lately fluest that dwelt in a Castle heereby Argalt hearing his spéeches burst out into a laughter saying Thinkest thou poore knight to doo more then many thy betters could accomplish No Knowe thou art so farrre from attaining the least of thy desires that thy selfe art like to beare them companie Wherewith Tellamor ranne at him and in the incounter burst his speare Whom the Gyant valiant y resisted Panuamus and Barzillus regarding to performe no actes of Knightly Chiualrie to him that was without regard of Humanitie presently both at once with Tellamor assailed him and within little space hadde brought him conformable to the mercie of their swords When Argalt saw himselfe so shrewdly handled and his life in that danger he vttered these spéeches Ualiant Knightes spare my life that neuer yet offended you and let me vnderstand wherein I haue done you wrong and I will doe my best to make you restitution Tyrant qd Panuamus haddest thou a thousand liues all of them could not make vs restitution for any of the least iniuries thou hast done vnto vs but now thou seest thy self in danger thou treatest for pittie When otherwise thou entendest nothing but violence Thinkest thou our minds are so easily drawne to vse mercie towards thée that hast fild the World with thy tyrannies and yéeldest no fauour to any that come within thy power No know wicked Homicide that this is the last houre thou shalt breathe Wherewith he aduanced his Sword to haue thrust it through him Argalt fearing his resolution cried vnto him to heare him speake and said as followeth Woorthy Knights qd he before you finish my daies know whom you put to death I am not Brandamor whom you 〈◊〉 me to bee but his Brother my name is Argalt that neuer in my life offended you therfore I beséech you spare my life and whatsoeuer you impose vpon mee I will perform to my vttermost power Barzillus hearing his spéeches told Panuamus that hee might be a meanes to saue their further Trauell if he would set the the Lady Madera and Pollipus at libertie therefore he thus said Argalt We know not how to trust a man of thy nature and disposition which thinkest euery disloyall action lawfull to further thy diuellish driftes and regardest neyther vertue nor Knighthood but onely thy will therefore if we should enioyne thée to any thing thou wouldst disloyally break thy Oath and soone forget what thou vowedst to vs to performe and contrary to honestie rather betray vs to thy Treacherie but if thou wilt saue thy life assure vs to set at liberty the Lady Madera and the worthy Knight Pollipus and on that condition we will let thée goe frée Argalt being glad of his spéeches vowed and protested with infinite Protestations to fulfill theyr request within thrée dayes vpon which condition they let him depart Algalt being gone beganne to consider what promise hee had made them and by what meanes he had escaped death and how courteously vpon his Oathes they had saued his life and gaue credence to his spéeches Which with intended resolution he purposed to accomplish and being entred the Castle comming to Brandamor Wounded and faint with bléeding he declared to him all that had happened requesting his conset to accomplish theyr demaund which hee had bound himselfe by Oath to performe Brandamor hearing his Wordes fell into a bitter rage against him and vttered these spéeches Why Brother qd hee consider you not what daungers might ensue if I should accomplish your request and withall doo you not remember the Ualour that is in this Knight Pollipus which might by his Libertie bring vs all in danger As for the Ladie Madera I regarde not if I send her hence For now I esteeme her Daughters beautie which was the cause I haue so long time detained her Then if you please send her vnto them and let them seeke the performance of the rest how they can For what néede you regarde your Promise being out of theyr danger Argalt hearing his spéeches perceyuing hee could perswade him no way was content with that And withall being easily drawne sleightly to forget his solemne Oaths to them made thought that Maderas releasement would satisfie them and be more then he néeded to performe Therefore he resolued to send her to them presently with a Message and that Pollipus by no meanes could be set at libertie And coming to Madera who still continued in her her heauy dumps he told her that her time of Libertie was come and that shee should 〈◊〉 no longer detained in that place Madera at the first gaue little credence to his speeches perceiuing hee meant as he spoke thought that newes very Welcome and so let her goe out at the Gate only attended by her two Damzels desiring her to tell the Knightes that sought her Libertie that Pollipus could by no meanes bee released but that they might speake with him if they would whome they should sée at a Windowe right ouer the Castle-bridge Madera was soone espyed of Panuamus who knowing her with dutifull reuerence saluted her with his knée on the ground whilest shée with Motherly teares reioyced to sée him And being mette with Tellamor and Barzillus shee declared to them what Argalt had said concerning Pollipus Which when they hearde they were exceedingly tormented with vexation of the Gyants disloyaltie yet notwithstanding setting all doubts apart they determined to trye if the Giant ment true that they might come to his spéech which was some comfort to them and though they knewe he would omit no opportunitie to betray them yet they went to the Bridge hauing a carefull respect to theyr danger Where according to Argalts message they found Pollipus who knowing them with great ioy Welcommed them with these spéeches Déere Friendes qd hee you sée how I am inclosed by treacherous meanes comming to rescue the faire Ladie Venola Daughter to the King of Lybia Here am I well vsed therefore I pray tell mée the occasion
Thrace and how by the way he ariued in Libia and from thence came to Brandamors Castle AFter that the knight of Fame had wonne the chiefe honour of the triumph in the Court of the king of Thrace and had giuen away the Kings daughter to Remulus with her Fathers consent therto and the solemnization of the wedding past and performed with great royalty the king calling to minde the valour of the knight of Fame and how prodigally he gaue Phylena to another whose beauty might haue satisfied a mighty Potentates liking and withall how little he regarded his heire by which meanes afterwards hee might haue come to the highest type of dignity and to the high honour to bee King and Quéen of so mighty a nation wondred what might moue him to refuse those offers sometimes thinking it proceeded from want of wisdome then againe he supposed a Knight endued with such bountiful and rare gifts of prowesse could not chuse but likewise enioy sufficient wisdome to consider the valew of such gifts And entring into a further consideration thereof he began to coniecture that he was sprung of some great personage which might be the cause thereof and for that hee was vnknowne he thought that to be the very truth Then againe he called to remembrance what Amasenus had told him about his comming into that country that he was by these thoughts grown into such a desire to be satisfied therin that he sent for the Knight of Fame and in the presence of the Queen Amasenus Remulus Phylena and al the assembly of gallant knights that came to the triumph he said as followeth Worthy knight whom I so much affect that if it in my power lye to doe you any more honour then I haue heretofore proffered I would willingly do it for you valour deserueth euerlasting commendations I haue offered you my Daughter in marriage and withall intended to haue adopted you my Sonne and heire both which you haue refused yeelding your interest in my daughter to Remulus and therewith left the inheritage I adioyned to her marriage which were both worthy of regard for that such gifts are seldome giuen which maketh me send for you desiring to be satisfied for your comming in the one and also to knowe of whence and what you are if I can without offence to you obtaine the same The Knight of Fame made this reply Most high and mighty King I will vnfold the truth of all to satisfie your demand I confesse your Maiestie did so much honour me as my life shall bee alwaies ready at your command in quitall of the same and your Princely gifts are of such estimation as I confesse my selfe farre vnworthy to possesse them but that they might haue beene bestowed of the greatest Potentate in the world which I neither refused nor lightly esteemed but alwaies regarded as of precious and inestimable valew not drawne thereto by any want of consideration of their worthinesse but for the honourable respect I beare to loyalty For should I haue presumed to haue wed your Princely daughter I should haue done her great iniurie and thereby parted the vnited hearts of true and loial friends For pleaseth your Maiesty at the first I intended with a ioyfull heart to haue claymed my interest in that sweet Princesse loue but I was commanded the contrary by an vndoubted meane which if it so please you I will in priuate vnfold as also perceiuing the true friendship betwixt her and that noble knight Remulus past with consent of both their harts I should haue esteemed it either in my selfe or in any other an acte of great dishonour and impietie to part those firmed bands of friendship which if I had dissolued might haue turned their sweet intent into discontented miserie neither could I so rudelie presume to challenge interest in so sweet a Ladies loue without desert which is not attained by armes but by loyaltie which was the cause that I yeelded my interest vnto him that had taken possession in her gentle heart before my comming and for my birth I know not my Parents but the truth of all that is manifest to me the noble Duke Amasenus hath made you priuie vnto The King hearing his answer greatlie commended his honourable minde saying Thou worthy knight if there bee any meanes left wherein I may pleasure you doe but aske and you shall assuredly obtaine whatsoeuer it bée for which kinde and kingly proffer the knight of Fame with all humanitie gaue him thankes Whilest they were in this Communication there suddenly entred into the Hall foure Knightes in mourning Attyre carrying on theyr shoulders a Coffin couered with blacke by theyr countenances pretending the discouerie of some tragicall euent The King of Thrace seeing this sadde Spectacle greatly maruelled of whence they should bee and what heauie Newes they hadde brought And they being come to the place where the King was setting downe their Hearse spake as followeth Most High and Mightie King of Thrace Wee are Knightes belonging to the King of Lybia Who kindely gréeteth your Maiestie by vs requesting you to take no offence at our rude Message the occasion whereof is this It is not vnknowne that the King our Lorde hath but one onely Daughter named Venola Who on a day riding foorth on Hunting being by a Tempest seuered from her Traine beeing accompanied by many Knights amongst whome was Tyrides a Knight of Thrace vnto whose custodie the King committed her and was vnawares surprized by the Gyant Brandamor that dwelleth in a Castle in the Forrest of Arde and by him by violence carryed away Whome the Noble knight Tyrides pursued but the Gyant too mightie a Foe for him to cope withall slue him and so conueyed the Princesse into his Castle Whose corps wee haue according to our Kings commaund brought hether Amasenus hearing this sadde report ranne vnto the dead bodie of his Sonne breathing foorth such Lamentations that it would haue made the very Rockes to haue rent at his sorrowes Whom the king comforted by all possible meanes hee could but griefe for his Sonnes vntimely death ouer-whelmed and opprest his heart with such Passions of desperate care that hee fell into an extreame Sicknesse which his olde-Age not being able to out-weare within fewe dayes after ended his life Amasenus death who was generally beloued turned their myrth into sorrowe and theyr Ioy into sadde preparation for mournfull Funeralls for the two dead Knightes Which was afterwardes performed in most stately manner The Knight of Fame séeing his déerest Friende Amasenus dead hearing of Venolaes Imprisonment resolued in requitall of some parte of Amasenus his Friendship to reuenge Tyrides death on the Gyant besides his minde was affected with such a desire to sée the Ladie Venola that giuing no respite to delay hee presently after the right of Amasenus Funeralls was performed made his intent knowne to the King and with all Reuerence tooke his leaue of him Likewise diuers that came to the triumph and still remained
Angelicas loue whereon his life depended and comming to him seeing him in talke with his daughter said Knight quoth he what maketh thee thus bold so farre to presume aboue thy desert to intrude thy selfe into my daughters company which thou knowest is contrarie to my decree Then taking Angelica by the arme hee thrust her from him commanding Collimus who was ready at hand to commit her to safe custody and vpon paine of death not to suffer any not so much as his Sonne Marcellus to come to her speech by whose meanes Collimus had tolde him the knight of Fame was brought into her companie Collimus hauing this charge which was his owne séeking immediately conueyed Angelica from their presence Who notwithstanding her Fathers presence and displeasure turned back and gaue the knight of Fame a kinde lâ—…ke at her departure Which he wel noted and therewith conceiued more ioy then he tooke griefe at Maximus vnkindnesse By this time Marcellus was come to his Father who cast such a displeasant countenance vppon him as that hee well perceyued hee was someway incenst against him Wherwith the King in a great rage departed not speaking a Word to him After he was gone Marcellus comming to the Knight of Fame whose hart was nipt with griefe and noting his sad countenance departed with him downe into the garden Where being come Marcellus saide as followeth Deare Friend qd hee for by other name I will neuer call you be not disquieted with my Fathers displeasure who giueth too much credite to vntrue reportes and that causeth him both to be offended with any that speaketh to my Sister and also suspicious of all that come into his owne company whereby he dishonoureth his owne name liueth a troublesom life and also kéepeth her as it were in Prison which I am sure can bréed no little tâ—…e care in brest Whose hard happe I hap much pittie and would any way ease if it lay in my power Most honourable Knight quoth he I am most heartely sorrie that my ouer-boldnes hath caused your fathers despleasure and that diuine Ladies disquiet which is more grieuous vnto me then death Which it was my accursed misfortune to procure beeing drawne to that presumption by attractiue beautie Wishing that I had some way ended this my accursed life before my approach in this place that thereby I might not haue beene so vnfortunate as to be a meanes of her care and your disquiet For that I see the King is displeased with you As for that take no care qd Marcellus nor be so much grieued for my Sister for these troubles will be soone calmed Which to effect let mee alone In the meane time whatsoeuer inward thoughtes you conceyue yet smoother your discontent and shew your self chéerfull as heretofore you haue bene for I perceiue that some of enuie hath incensed my Father the truth whereof I will finde out Marcellus hauing endured these spéeches left the Knight of Fame walking in the garden and presently without any shew or signe of discontent went into the presence where â—…ee found the King in companie of Camillus according to his woonted manner dooing his reuerence and taking his vsuall place The King maruelling how he durst so boldely presume into his presence without reconcilement thought that eyther want of duetie hadde procured the same or else hee did not perceiue hee was displeased with him to ease himselfe of which doubt he saide as followeth Marcellus I had thought your care would haue beene greater to regarde my good then any mans else considering you knowe the depth of my secrets as concerning Angelica on whose Beautie my life doeth depende and not so negligently and disobediently not onely to suffer that straunge Knight to proffer Loue to her but also bee a meanes to bring him into her sight and helpe him to her spéeche wherein you haue shewen your selfe vndutifull Which maketh me rather to suspect you as one ready to séeke my life then carefull to preserue the same My Lorde and Father replyed Marcellus I trust your Maiestie doe conceyue no such thought of mée Which haue in no degree deserued the same Much lesse euer in thought disagréed in the least poynt of dutie to your decrée Besides my Lord I doo assuredly belieue you are misinformed of the strange Knights meaning Whose intent is honorable and from the least thought of Loue to my Sister But there are some in credite with your Highnesse who disquiet you too much with their flatteries will rather reioyce to sée all things fall out according to their reports then be any way sorry to sée the same whose spéeches and false informations I trust shall not alter your good opinion of my loyaltie Whose constant loue duety obedience shall continue firme when their treacheries shal be reuealed and they found traytors therefore I beséeche your Highnes both alter your conceiued displeasure against me and the Knight of Fame of whom so honorable report hath bene spred in most places For it will be accounted an Acte of great discourtesie to vse him vnkindly Maximus hearing his Sonnes spéeches in accusation of them hee most fauoured and in defence of the Knight of Fame against whom he was heynouslie incenst was turned into such choller that he gaue him this rebuke Darest thou both enuiously accuse my Friends and disloyallie pleade for my enemie Hencefoorth presume no more into my sight without my licence for I will rather estéeme thée as a priuie enimie then as my naturall sonne Which when he had sayde turning aside Marcellus departed maruelling who it should be that had incensed the King against him being so inwardly grieued in his minde that hee thought to leaue no meanes vnassayed to learne the trueth thereof Angelica before saide being conueyed by Collimus to faâ—…e custodie began to conceiue such sorrow for her Fathers displeasure taken aganst the Knight of Fame vnto whome she beganne to beare an excéeding Loue Such effect had his perswasiue spéeches wrought in her gentle heart that she entred into excéeding sorrowes coniectururing diuersly what disquiet that discontent might bréede by reason of her Fathers iealous suspect alreadie begunne And how the Knight of Fame might be abused in that straunge place hauing no Friend to take his part Which thought strooke a sudden pensiuenesse to her heart Contrarily she thought that would be a meanes to trye his loyaltie which somewhat would haue eased her heart so that no other daunger would haue ensued thereon At last hauing no other meanes of comfort nor Friend to impart her minde vnto she called Anna vnto her and willed her to learne how the Knight of Fame had ouerpast her Fathers displeasure but so discréetly that none might perceiue the same Who presently went about the businesse Angelica had enioyned her Thus will wée leaue them all in diuers cogitations CHAP. XVIII ¶ How the King of Lybia hearing that the Knight of Fame was in Natolia by Flauias false accusation sent messengers to Maximus to intreate him
beeing as thou seest preserued by Diuine prouidence by the Kings cruelty by him vniustly cast into this place without any cause of offence but wrongfully as thou maiest perceiue by my preseruation for if my facte had deserued punishment no doubt I could not haue escaped the crueltie of these executioners hauing endured great danger of famishment Now my request vnto thee is that thou wouldest but suffer me to depart from hence without descrying me for I haue no reason to trust to Maximus courtesie and hauing already endured this miserie by his crueltie which thou maiest well doe without endangering thy selfe any kinde of way for there is none but doth assuredly thinke I am dead The Keeper hearing his spéeches and withall seeing how admirably hee was preserued and also fearing his owne death assured him by many vowes and protestations not onely doe that which hee had desireâ— but also would most faithfully execute what other thing soeuer he should command to his vttermost power Will thou then quoth he doe this for me Giue me the keyes and make fast the doore so that thou canst not goe from mee and then call downe thy boy and send him to Marcellus to request him to come to thee but in such sort that the boy may not see me and also to doe his message secretly which the Keeper told him he would most willinglie performe Then directing the Knight of Fame how to locke the doore that he could not escape hee called downe the boy who presently came to him whom he commanded to séeke out Marcellus secretly and to desire him that he would vouchsafe to come and speake with him about a matter of great importance The boy hauing receiued his message immediatly hasted to execute the same and most fortunatly met him in the outer Court to whom he declared the cause of his comming Marcellus maruelling why the Keeper had sent for him presently began to remeÌ„ber the knight of Fame with which his heart began to throb but hasting down to the den the keeper commanded his boy to depart and humbling himselfe to Marcellus told him that the knight of Fame was stil liuing Which said he ran in vnto him who had shrowded himselfe from his sight and told him Marcellus was come then presently hee came foorth whom Marcellus espying with great reioicing caught him in his armes and most louingly embraced him seeming to be reuiued with ioy in respect of the care opprest his minde before hee had knowledge of his safetie Manie courteous greetings past on either side Marcellus desired the Keeper not to reueale this secret to any for if it should come te my Fathers hearing it were impossible then to preuent his rigour and withall promised him that if he would let him lodge in his house but that night he would reward him most bountifullie and withall promised him to higher dignity and to such place of account as that hee would haue good cause to reioice that euer the Knight of Fame came within his house The Keeper both drawne by his owne good inclination and also by the hope of reward and preferrement beeing but poore promised his vttermost aide and assistance to pleasure him and withall to performe his full desire with such security that none should conceiue any suspition thereof with that they altogether departed vp into his Lodge where the knight of Fame refreshed himselfâ—… with comfortable meates beeing exceeding glad as hee had good cause of this successe and â—…endring many thanks to Marcellus who well deserued the same Marcellus being yet somewhat troubled in his minde about the Letter the King of Lybia had sent and desirous to be satisfied of the truth therein taking the Knight of Fame aside from the hearing of the keeper said as followeth Sir Knight although I haue shewen you this fauour and friendship which my fancie often perswaded mee to refnse yet vrged by the good will I beare you and for other considerations which I will yet conceale from you I could not choose but reioice at your safety and worke what meanes I can for your preseruation yet there remaineth a grudging in my conscience against you vntill you assure me by your faithfull oath to satisfie me of the truth of my doubt without fraud for if that be true which is alleaged against you by the affirmation of a king you deserue the punishment my Father inflicted vpon you and rather to be generally hated then beloued at all Most honourable Knight quoth he I know my selfe so cleare from all such villany as that I sweare and protest by my life by Heauen and by all the good that euer I expect which I desire to turne to my destruction it I tell you not the very truth Then quoth Marcellus the same day that the King my Father caused you to be throwne into the Lyons den the king of Lybia sent hither certaine of his Knights with a Letter wherein he accused you to haue most shamefully dishonoured his Daughter Venola desiring my Father to dispatch you out of the way for your life and nothing else might appease his ire which was the cause of his cruelty My Lord quoth the knight of Fame vpon mine honour my former oath and by all other truth and fidelity this accusation is most vniust false and vntrue which if I may by your fauour in whose hands my life now resteth haue liberty to approue I will maintaine the contrary euen in the gates of the king of Lybia and cause my accusers to confesse the contrary neither did I euer seeke loue at that Ladies hands by whose dishonourable meanes this false accusation is raised against mee Deare friend qd Marcellus you haue said inough and I rest assuredly satisfied of your loialty The knight of Fame was so inwardly vexed with this accusation that he was halfe mad with griefe but chiefly for that hee thought it was come to Angelicas hearing and might bee a meanes to cause her vtterly to forsake him which appalled his sences with extreame vexation that he stood like one transformed Marcellus perceyuing his Discontent desired him not to bee grieued but to ouerpasse the same vntill hee hadde meanes to prooue the con trarie My Lord replyed he How can I chuse but be sorrie when thereby I am dishonoured in euery mans opinion Which I account more dearer then my life Besides with what impatiencie may I shew my selfe before any Knight liuing but rather rid my hated selfe out of this miserable life which is the next way to salue this blemish But if you will vouchsafe câ—… heare the true reporte of the miseries I haue endured euer since my byrth you would say that I am the onely Mappe of sorrow and borne to perpetuall calamitie I desire nothing more quoth Marcellus With that hée rehearsed to him all that hee could of his bringing vppe in the Iland of Rockes his departure from thence and Shipwracke at Sea How hee was entertained by Duke Amasenus in Thrace and the treacherie
doubts that possesse my Fathers minde ridde their Countrey of the scandall it is likely to runne into and worke both mine owne yours and Angelicaes content for so dearely doo I loue her that had I many liues to loose I would hazard them all to worke her releasement For were she once marryed then should the date of the foolish Prophecie haue an ende The Knight of Fame hearing his spéeches which only tended to worke the content hée aboue all things in the World sought could not well containe himselfe from expressing immeasurable ioy but yéelding many humble and harty thanks to Marcellus both commended his deuise and also intreated him to goe forward with the same Then Marcellus called the Kéeper asking his counsell if he knew any way whereby the Knight of Fame might getont of the Castle promising him a good reward and withall pulling from his necke a Chaine of gold gaue him the same The Kéeper being inticed with this reward Gold hauing that force to make thimgs impossible come to effect presently tolde them he hadde a Deuise that might goe for Currant if the Knight would vndertake the same I haue my Lord quoth he a Uessell of great largenesse which sometimes sorted for other vses which if wée could deuise to let downe into the Lake he might easily in that get ouer vnto the other side Which deuise Marcellus and the Knight of Fame both liked And about Midnight when all things were at rest they put the same in practise and by a Rope lette the Uessell downe Which swamme most currantly Then fastening a Rope about the Knight of Fames middle and after that With many fayre promises and protestations of perpetuall Friendship they had taken theyr leaues the Kéeper and Marcellus lette him downe Who was so heauie by reason of the waight of his owne bodie and his Armour that they had much adoo from letting him fall and being in the Uessell was like to sinke in the same But with much adoo and great daunger of Drowning by reason of the tottering and vnsted fastnes of the Uessell which with euery little Weyght more on one side then on the other was ready to ouerturne hee got on to the Bancke which was so stéepe vpwards that hée had much adoo to clime vp the saine but was oftentimes readie to fall downe backwardes into the Lake vnder him which was of an excéeding great and huge depth but hauing happily escaped both those daungers hée departed towards Saint Augustins chappell according to such dyrections Marcellus had giuen him to finde the same Marcellus and the Kéeper drewe vp the Uessell and betooke themselues to theyr rest The Knight of Fame had not well remembred Marcellus spéeches and therfore hauing gone some halfe mile from the Golden Tower fearing to wander out of the way he tooke vp his lodging vnder a Cipresse Trée spending the whole Night in manifolde meditations of the successe of his businesse Being oftentimes in great doubt and dispairing of neuer séeing Angelica again drawne to that feare by reason of Maximus Iealousie and the diligent Watche hee had set in euery corner of the said Tower but especially at the entrance Where none went out and in but the Gardiants searched them that his minde was sometimes wrackt with dispaire and sometimes animated to comfort by the assured trust he had in Marcellus The Night béeing by him in this sort spent in the Morning hee betooke himselfe againe to his Iourney and with ease found out Saint Austins chappell and knocking at the chappell doore it was iong before any came but at last he beheld olde Iabin standing behinde him Who had bene abroade very early and then returned whome the Knight of Fame most kindely saluted Iabin maruelling to sée one in Armour demanded what he would haue Right reuerend Father quoth hée I am sent hither vnto you by Marcellus Whose request is that you would for his sake vouchsafe my secrete abode with you vntill his cōming which wil be this day if other contrary occasion hinder him not Iabin noting his comely proportion willing to doo any thing for Marcellus sake brought him into his Cell adioyning to his chappel and welcomed him so kindly as he could CHAP. XX. ¶ How Marcellus entending to carrie Angelica to Saint Austines Chappell was preuented by Camillus And how the Knight of Fame departed to seeke his Parents MArcellus early in the Morning came to Angelica who still continued pensiue to whome he declared what hadde passed betwixt him and the Knight of Fame and withall of the promise he had made him to bring her to Saint Austins Chappell Which when Angelica hearing she said Brother How can this be effected when you sée so many impossibilities to hinder our intent that we shall but spend much labour to little effect and also rather bring my Fathers heauy displeasure against vs then reape any comfort Whose crueltie you sée is such that hee will if hée should finde out our drifte punish vs with seueritie Besides if it should come to that passe What excuse could you finde to pacifie his ire Therefore I thinke it best that wee neuer hazard our selues but rather be contented with our quiet estate least a worse mischaunce light vpon vs thereby Syster quoth Marcellus your counsell is good but yet heare what I shall say The life you leade is but miserable being kept like a Prisoner Whereas if you could but winne this liberty you should enioy your fill of hearts content and be a meanes to rid my Father and vs all from the doubts we may now endure Besides if you loued that worthy Knight Whose constancie to you-wards is without compare you would for his fake refuse no perill Why brother qd she what néede you make any such doubt when I haue said sufficient alreadie vnlesse you thinke me to dissemble For such is my loue and good Will that I will more willingly vndertake any means to attaine his company then he can desire not drawne by your perswasion but of my own voluntary will which haue made some doubt of this attempt because I am fearefull of your ill and carefull of your good but whatsoeuer you shal counsaile me vnto I will execute Which said they began to studie and consult how to bring their businesse about but were so confounded in their thoughts that they thought it altogether impossible Now Maximus being ridde of Camillus company and assured of the Knight of Fames death gaue his minde to more quiet then during the time of their being there hée had done and being wearie with care thought to recreate himselfe by some exercise therefore hée appointed the very same day to ride on hunting and to that intent hée was early vp sending for Angelica to goe with the Quéene euen at that instant when shée was deuising with Marcellus which opportunitie fell out most conueniently to further their intent which Marcellus told her he would determine of Angelica immediately went downe with the messenger and with
very soone they arriued Now it hapned that Parismus at that very instant was in the court who espying Violetta accompanied by two knights the one of them being greeuously woūded and as it were by his countenaunde manner 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 being ignorant of the cause of their cōming he demāded 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 Queene Pollipus Laurana many others Pollipus seeing Violetta amōgst those strange knights maruelled thereat but she comming before the king vpō her knees desired instice against the woūded knight the king told her that shee should haue iustice Violetta then said as followeth Most mightie king I beseech you regard my complaint reuenge the monstrous wrong don me by this most wicked and abhominable homicide who hath offered monstrous outrage for this afternoone attended by my damozell 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 discurteous Uillaine 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 by violence and halling and pulling me most rudely and discourteously would haue conueyed me I know not whither vntill this valiant Knight by good fortune hearing my complaints redeemed me from his tyrannie The King hearing her speeches commanded the knight to discouer himsefe but he being exceedingly ashamed and loath to be knowne refused the same but at last by some of the Bohemian Knighs was vnarmed when presently Violetta knew him wherewith she gaue an exceeding start as if she had beene affrighted at his sight Parismus and Pollipus likewise knewe him certifying the King that it was Archas that had before offered the like villanie to Violletta which the King well remembred Then he said Cruell tyrant what excuse canst thou inuent to shelter this villanie what canst thou alleage in thy defence but that thou oughtest to suffer the most reproachful death that can be inuented but this censure will I giue of thee not to fauour thee but to deale iustlie with that Knight whose Prisoner thou arte and therefore as hee by right hath conquered thee so wee will that hee shall be thy iudge The Knight of Fame had all this while diligently viewed Lauranaes bewtie her countenance and euery part of her behauiour that he tooke great delight in viewing her but hearing the kings speech he vnarmed his head whom Parismus soone knew and most louingly embraced likewise Pollipus Violetta knowing him saluted him with many courtesies when presently Parismus declared vnto his father that it was the famous knight that was called the Lnight of Fame The King hearing that it was he of whome he had heard so many honourable reports rose from his kingly seat and embraced him most louingly and euery one in generall seemed to be most exceedingly delighted with his presence Laurana beholding his countenance felt an exceeding throbbing suddainly possesse her heart withall such a violent blushing flasht in her face that she wondred whence such sudden motions should proceed and was constrained to turne aside least any should perceiue her changing countenance and withdraue himselfe to a Window This alteration being wrought in her by a naturall instinct which shee was altogether ignorant of The Knight of Fame not vnmindfull to satisfie Violettaes wrong by some reuenge against Archas most humbly thankt the King for honouring him so much by giuing him authority to giue his Doome but qd he I most humbly intreat your Highnes to pardon mee and desire your Wisedome to whome hee hath bene offensiue to vse him as you please For it were great presumption for mee in this straunge place to censure of him in your Maiesties presence Then the King called Archas commaunding him to declare what mooued him to commit that outrage to Violetta but hée assuring himselfe of no lesse then death would make no answere Wherevpon the King commanding him to bee had to Prison appoynted that the next day he should loose his head Which was accordingly performed Who might peraduenture haue bene pardoned but that his owne conscience accused him more then those whome hee had offended and so according to his owne follie which had brought him to commit all those Wicked acts euen so hee was his owne Iudge For that his guiltie conscience would not suffer him to aske pardon After this iudgement giuen euery mans minde was in quiet hauing sufficiently scanned the circumstance of Violettaes misfortune The Knight of Fame was Royallie entertained and honourablie feasted by the King of Bohemia but especially Parismus and Laurana vsed him with excéeding kindenesse being for that night driuen to part from him without any conference But Laurana was so excéedingly troubled with his remēbrance that she could scarce take any rest at all that Night for thinking on him not knowing what should mooue her to such vnwoonted alteration that in the morning when Parismus and shée were in some conference about the Knight of Fame she saide My Lord I know not what should mooue me to thinke any such thought but I am perswaded that his arriuall will bring vs either some vnexpected ioy or sudden sorrow For since I first sawe him my heart hath neuer bene quiet neyther can I though I striue to the contrarie once put his remembrance out of my minde Which hath so fully possest my fancie that I could take no rest this night Myselfe qd Parismus haue felt the selfe-same Passion not onely nowe but also at my first méeting with him in the Forrest of Arde Which maketh mee partly of the selfe same opinion with you and also desirous to knowe of whence he is In this and such like communication they continued some time till Parismus left her and went to the Knight of Fame who was already in companie of Pollipus Whome Parismus most kindely vsed and afterwardes being at a most Royall Feast which was prepared onely for his more honourable Welcome After dinner being requested by Parismus who was desirous to know of whence he was there being the King and Quéene Parismus Laurana Pollipus and Violetta and diuers others he beganne to declare the whole discourse of his trauells to them in this sort If I should declare my Name and Byrth qd hee I know not how to beginne For that I my selfe am ignorant thereof but so much as I can remember I will hide no part from you I was brought vp in a
immediately alighted from his Stéed and with a kinde behauiour saide Most noble and courteous Prince I desire to haue some few words in priuate conference with you from the Knight of Fame Marcellus hearing his Name the Knight of Fame desired him to say on For there were none then present but such as hee trusted My Lord qd Parismenos because I know not whither I may discouer my selfe or no with safety I am the Knight of Fame and now altered in name but not in good-will to you Marcellus hearing his words had much adoo to refraine from embracing him but yet for that he would not haue any note the same he abstained but said Most noble Knight nothing could hauâ—… brought that ioy to my heart your presence doth béeing a long time seuered from you by Fortunes vncoÌ„stant 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. Austines 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 me you were departed I desire you repose that assured confidence in my trustinesse that I will labor to procure your content euery way to my vttermost power your safety and returne will bring no little ioy to my Sister Angelica which is impossible to giue her knowledge of for my Father hath now Guarded her more strictly then euer before neither is shée heere in this Court as the common report goeth but still remaineth in the Golden Tower which I will declare to you hereafter In the meane time because you shall not be descride I will send my Esquyre with you vnto an ancient Ladies house of good estimation where you shall be kindely entertained for my sake whither I will repaire vnto you Where you shall if so please you stay vntill I can worke some means how to bring you that you may speake with my Sister Angelica Parismenos hearing his courteous speeches yeelded him most heartie thanks and so for that Marcellus was fearfull of his Fathers suspition without any more speeches hee sent Parismenos with the Squyre vnto the Ladies house whose name was Madame Panora who taking Parismenos by the hand conducted him in and vsed him most kindely After dinner was past Marcellus came thither to him thanking Panora for entertaining his friend then hée most louingly embraced Parismenos who by reason of his long trauell and excéeding cares was so much altered that had Marcellus met him in the stréetes without anie former knowledge that it was hée hée would hardlie haue knowne him who with the like behauiour gréeted him againe declaring to him his whole trauelles in search of his Parents Marcellns hearing that hée was Sonne vnto the most noble Princes Parismus Laurana heyres of the two famous Kingdomes of Thessalie and Bohemia said Most noble Knight how miserable should Natolia haue bene estéemed if it had béene the destruction of so honourable blood and what cruelty might haue bene imputed to my Father to haue giuen you the sentence of your death how vnfortunate had our blood bene in missing to be affianced to so honourable and Kingly houses but notwithstanding all this my Father too much ouerburdened with conceit regardeth no such honour but rather dishonoureth his house and stocke with his fearefull suspeâ—… who since your departure from the Mayden Tower grewe into such furious conceit of Angelica that euery day hée was in a manner her kéeper and in the night he caused her to lodge in his owne chamber the doores whereof hée would locke with his owne hands and kéepe the keyes which was procured by the vaine surmise of a dreame wherein hée drempt that Angelica should be stolen from him this miserable life continued not many daies which well I may terme most miserable being intangled with so many cares as I knowe possest his heart till at the last hee wrought this deuise thinking vnder that to ease his cares and preuent all those mischiefes which hée feared hée gaue out spéeches many dayes before hee came to the Golden Tower that hee would depart to this Cittie and withall it was reported in euery mans voyce that Angelica should no more be kept in that Tower but that shee should likewise depart with him which all the Nobles and Lords of the land were glad of the knights and Ladies her attendants reioyced thereat and the Fame thereof was soone spred through the hearing of bordering Nations and from thence to farre countries my self amongst the rest was excéedingly glad especially Angelica most of all reioyced thereat Now my Father séeing the ioye that was made thereat was the more troubled in his sences that comming to a damzell of meane birth yet of much beautie who in countenance much resembled Angelica he wonne her by many protestations of great preferment and with many threates of great seueritie if shee would not condiscend to follow his counsell to do whatsoeuer he commaunded her her did hée cause to come into his own chamber and secretly without the priuity of any but the Quéene to attyre her selfe in Angelicas richest ornaments appointing certaine Damozells to attend her that knew not Angelica or at least knew her not from Angelica As for Angelica the very same day when he ment to depart hée committed her to the custodie of foure Ennuches who vowed not to let any come eyther to the sight of her or spéech of her with out he brought his Fathers letter to that effect signed with his owne hand and signet remoouing all her former gardiants and appoynting newe that knew nothing but that Angelica was departed with the King from whose knowledge likewise hée had giuen the Eunuches es peciall charge to kéepe her being there All the Ladies likewise that attended her came away with him knowing no other but that Angelica was in his company leauing no other to attend her but one Damzel named Anna which she obtained of my Father with many instant intreaties And hauing effected euerie thing according to his fancie hée departed hitherwards the Damozell so artificially behauing her selfe that neither my selfe nor any other perceiued but that it was Angelica indéede And beeing arriued in this place hée committed this supposed Angelica to such strict custodie as before hée vsed committing her to be kept by those Damozells that indéede thought it had beene Angelica whome hée bound by manie promises not to suffer any to come to her spéech But I longing to haue some conference with my Sister whose heart I knew was oppressed with many cares for your absence sought meanes to come to her spéeche which I was long without obtaining but at last by meanes of one of the Damozells whom with many intreaties I had wonne I came to her and taking her by the hand I began to vse many spéeches to comfort her
Parismus the rest to know their aduice before hée went from them which Marcellus had a great care of him for t hat he knew his griefe was such that hée would neuer returne vntill he had found for whome likewise they should take as much care for him being absent Parismus hearing the report of the knights that had bin euery way in her searche could not tell what to say or what to thinke but first hée desired those that loued Angelica to poste euery way in her searche and speaking to thousands of his knights hée commanded them to depart presently both in the furthermost parte of Natolia and also into the neighbouring Countreys in her searche which he thoughée was the best meanes to finde her for hée was sure they could not bâ—…trauelled farre in that short space Promising to rewarde him most richly that could find her or could heare of her abode with that the knights departed euery way Parismenos was excéedingly tormented with griefe and thought himselfe negligent to stay there and not to be in her searche but not knowing which way to take his sences were dulled with that gréeuous conceit To whom Parismus said Be of good coÌ„fort Parismenos for we shall heare of Angelica againe therefore I pray doo not you leaue vs too least our care be as great for your absence for there are so many knights in her search that she cannot by any means be so secretly conueyed hence nor so spéedily but we shall heare thereof My Lord and Father quoth he I beséech you let me make some diligent searche for her otherwise my minde will not be satisfied and I beseech you to returne to the Court with these Nobles and leaue me alone in her search that amongst the rest I that haue most cause may according like a friend doo my best to finde her As for my safetie take you no care for be you assured I will preserue my selfe from danger onely for her sake which liberty if you graunt me by leauing me here alone it shall bee a great deale more pleasing to my minde then to be pend in the Court in idlenesse If you promise mee quoth hee faithfully to returne againe I will giue my consent but yet goe with vs to the court this night and to morrow depart I will my Lord quoth he returne to morrow for this night I may sooner finde her then hereafter for that notwithstanding our searche she may be in this Desart which if it be so they will conuey her hence this night Parismus and the rest seeing his resolution and trusting to his promise to returne lefte him and departed backe to the Court with Irus for that the night drewenigh Marcellus would haue stayed with Parismenos but that hée sawe hée â—…ather desired to be alone that he likewise hauing as heauy heart as any of the rest depariâ—…d Parismenos being alone by himselfe began to studie what to doe sometimes thinking shée was within the Desart where shee might be for that it was of an excéeding compasse then heremembred that one of Irus Knights tolde him that they left the wood which bred a contrary perswasion in him that they were departed and gone some whither else that in a multitude of thoughts not knowing what to doo and hauing in these cogitations spent most part of the night without the least hope at last tyred with griefe and filled with care he alighted from his Stéed whom he fastened to a bush sat himselfe downe vnder a Trée as one that had bene quite giuen ouer to carelesse dispaire where we will leaue him to speake of Angelica The Knight that had rescued Angelica from Irus presently conueyed her to the thickest of the Desart in the middest whereof he had a Caue or rather Labyrinth most artificially framed wherein were diuers roomes vaultes and turnings not made by nature but by the Art and Industry of skilfull workemen and with great coste In which place in times past the Giant Malachus kept his secret abode Into this place they brought Angelica and comforting her with many faire spéeches which were most sharpe to her hearing refusing all comfort denying to taste any foode which they offered her and shunning their company till at last the chiefest of them saide Ladie be not thus impatient nor vse me not so discurteously as to shunne my company that haue deserued no such hatred vnlesse it were in dooing you good for I haue released you from the bondage you were in by meanes of those that had you in their custodie that had as it séemed by Damozels complaints with violence brought you to that place For my selfe I will vse you so honourably as your heart can wish neyther shall you haue any violence offered you but rest in as good securitie as you can desire for this place harbâ—…reth no tyrants nor discurteous creatures but such as are of vertuous inclination although by the crosse mischances of hardâ—… Destenie we are driuen to liue in this place And not so much by destenie as by the crueltie of Maximus king of this countrey to whom neuer any offence was giuen by any of vs for knowe Ladie that my name is Iconius sometimes Duke of Sextos but nowe bannished by your Father Maximus from my Dukedome by the false accusation of Pridamor and the Kings malice Who accused mee of Treason and Conspiracie with the King of Tunis Who long since attempted by Treason to betray his life and to attaine your Possession Wherein the Heauens knowe how Innocent I was And not contented with my banishment and confiscation of my Goods hee also sought my life with great crueltie promising great Rewards to those that could finde mee out or bring him my head This is the cause of my desolate Life Wherein I finde greater quiet then in Courtly-pompe Therefore I pray you bee contented with such homely entertainment as my poore habitation yéeldeth whither you are as Welcome as you should be to the place you would desire to be in Angelica hearing his spéeches was more grieued then before for that shee feared hee would in Reuenge of her Fathers crueltie still detaine her there that with the feare shee had taken by these outrages such a passion opprest her heart that shee fell downe deade and Anna séeing the same cryed out most lamentably and did her indeuor the best shee could to recouer her Which when they had done Iconius helped to conuey her to one of those Roomes very sicke and in great danger of her life being diligently tended by Anna Who hadde all things necessarie to comfort her in that extreamitie where there was no want of any thing Iconius hauing leâ—…t Angelica with Anna came amongst the rest of his companie hauing bene sometimes Knightes of estimation likewise by miserie driuen to that Societie hauing liued in that place manie yeares Where they were as secure as in the safest place in the World where they kept themselues close Not once styrring abroade for that they knew the
reuerance I beare to this curteous Lord withholdeth me I would euen presently make thée eate that word turne it backe into thy dishonorable throat Corus being a knight of a proude courage was so vexed with that reply that he intreated Amasenus to giue him leaue to reuenge those iniurious words Stay quoth Amasenus and leaue â—…ff â—…his discourteous behauiour to straungers héere is neither place nor time for you sée hée is wearied with shipwracke and faint with 〈◊〉 of blood thy pride and discourteous behauiour will one day be thy death had he done me wrong yet he hath not offended thée Then hée said to Parismenos Sir Knight I pray cease this discontent and goe to my Castle for so well do I estéeme of you and so farre am I from the least suppose of any such thought as my selfe will vndertake his accusation is false So they departed togither Parismenos by the way so wel as he could declared his birth which made Amasenus make greater estimation of him for by all tokens he thought he should be sprung of kingly race that Amasenus entertained him most honourably and kindely and welcommed him in the best sort hée could deuise which mad him disdained amongst many of the knights that attended the Duke and séeing him so highly estéemed began to suspect by that meanes that they were but slightly accounted of by Amasenus that euer after that they beganne to enuie him and to consult which way to do them a mischiefe thinking Corus quarrell alreadie begun a fit occasion to further their intent they vrged him to prosecute the same who being ready of himselfe and the rather by their instigatioÌ„ sent him this challenge Knight for so I must call thee thou remembrest what past betwixt vs at our first meeting which thou thinkest I haue forgot but so farre is it from my thought as courage is from thee to performe that which thou threatnedst thy feare of drowning is now and thy deepe woundes I am sure well cured therefore if thou darest maintaine the words thou hast spoken in my disgrace send me word where I shall meete thee and there we will ende the controuersie So farewell As thou wilt Corus Parismenos hauing read this braue challenge smiling thereat sent this reply Corus by the name of the vnknowne Knight I will answere thee and maintaine my wordes wishing thee to be prrswaded that I so little feare thy vaunts as thâ—…t euen now I will come to thee or when thou wilt if not now But if thou intendest to auonch this challenge thou shalt finde mee readie for thee at the South side of my Lord Amasenus parke And so adue The Rnight of Fame Corus hauing receiued this reply presently went and armed himselfe and came to the appointed place where hée found the Knight of Fame gallantly mounted staying for him whom he little estéemed as that he assured himselfe the conquest before he begunne for Parismons was young and of tender yeares and nothing comparable to him in growth nor skill notwithstanding of such vndaunted resolue that he would not haue refused to cope with him had he bene another Hercules Corus séeing him in that readinesse came to him vttering these spéeches Knight I like well thy forwardnesse and commend thy resolution but by that time thou departest hence thou wilt repent thy folly Parismenos thus answered If I repent mée the worst will be mine but if I ayme not amisse thy folly wil be the greatest for know that I so lightly estéeme thy spéeches that I account them ridiculous and this time spent in prate too tedious With that Corus went back and Parismenos retired himselfe to take their carrier which was performed so gallantly as that they shiuered their lances passing by without any other harme preseÌ„tly drawing their kéene swords beginning fight with gallant brauerie sometimes offending and sometimes defending which continued so long vntill their armour began to yéeld to their fierce blowes and the blood to issue out at many places In which cruell rage they coÌ„tinued for an houres space without any disaduantage on either partie sometimes taking breath and theÌ„ againe redoubled their blowes with fresh courage that Corus fretting at his enemies valour and calling to minde his former spéeches strooke so mightie a blow at him that with the force thereof he made him stagger which turned Parismenos sences into such a furie that aduaÌ„cing himselfe in his stirropes he strooke Corus so full and so valiantly on the Crest that he was astonisht therwith yet notwithstanding with quick corage soon recouered his memorie again prosecuting his blows with great fortitude vntill that both their armours stéeds beganne to be coloured with the purple blood that issued from their â—…ds hoth of them waring saint yet neither willing to yéeld Sometimes the one dryuing his enemy to retyre and he againe returning with new courage But Parismenos being the nimbler of body warded many of Corus blowes and in the end wounded him so sore that he beganne to stagger too and froe to saue himselfe from his surie who stil pursued him with such violence that Corus with faintnesse sell on his horse necke which he espying was lifâ—…ing his swoord to fetch a fresh blew to ende his life but that he heard one calling him to sâ—…y and looking backe saw that it was Amasenus who missing him being told that he departed from the Castle in Armour followed him to that place and had all that while stayed couertly and beheld the combat and seeing the daunger Corus was in desired Parismenos to spare his life who according to his request desisted Amasenus then caused the Knights to take vp Corus fallen from his horse in a trance who receiuing fresh ayre came to himselfe againe but when he saw the Duke present and his enemie still mounted and in good estate his heart was readie to burst with inward greefe which malicious ranâ—…kout filled vp all his sences that cursing himselfe and his ill fortune he yâ—…lded vp his fainting â—…host Farewell quoth Amasenus the most proud and discourteous Knight that euer liued in Thrace thy insolence and malicious discontented enuy hath wrought thine owne downe-fall And most noble Knight quoth he to Parismenos I both honour your valour and applaude your â—…ie wherein you haue behaued your selfe so valiantly as I shall for euer loue you and since you eâ—…maine victor I pray returne with mâ—… to haue your wounds cured Parismenos humbly thanking himdeparted and the rest of Amasenus Knightes tooke vp Corus bodie which afterwards they buried with great solemnitie After Corus death the Knights that enuied Parismenos now beganne to imagine assuredly that the Knight would darken all their glories and the more account they saw they made of him the more their malicious enuy encreased that they deuised al the meanes they â—…ould to contriue his death whatsoeuer ensued thereon waiting al opportunites But hée hauing his wounds fully cured forsooke his chamber betook himself again to his wonted