The first part of Parismus, 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.

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 ban•…•…e after his shipwracke, in heauie estate for the losse of his deere Friend Tyresus, it hap∣pened, 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 drow∣ning, vnto whom he came as hée was sitting vppon a sunnie bancke, and demaunded of whence he was. Parismenos beholding his reue∣rend age, and the troupe of Knights that attended him, rose from the ground, and with great humilitie bowed his bodie, making this aun∣swere. 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 for∣tune 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 heere∣tofore 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 dissēbld, or once falsifie my word, and were it not that the strangers of this place, and the re∣uerance I beare to this curteous Lord, withholdeth me, I would euen presently make thée eate that word, & turne it backe into thy dishono∣rable throat. Corus being a knight of a proude courage, was so vexed with that reply, that he intreated Amasenus to giue him leaue to re∣uenge

those iniurious words. Stay (quoth Amasenus,) and leaue •…•…ff •…•…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 honoura∣bly and kindely, and welcommed him in the best sort hée could deuise, which mad him disdained amongst many of the knights that atten∣ded 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 instigatiō, sent him this challenge.

Knight (for so I must call thee) thou remembrest what past be∣twixt 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 per∣forme that which thou threatnedst: thy feare of drowning is now, and thy deepe woundes I am sure well cured, therefore if thou da∣rest maintaine the words thou hast spoken in my disgrace, send me word where I shall meete thee, and there we will ende the con∣trouersie. 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 th•…•…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 him∣selfe, 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 Paris∣mons 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 re∣pent 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 per∣formed so gallantly, as y^t they shiuered their lances, passing by with∣out any other harme, presētly drawing their kéene swords, beginning fight with gallant brauerie, sometimes offending and sometimes de∣fending, 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 cōtinued for an houres space, without any dis∣aduantage on either partie, sometimes taking breath, and thē 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 stag∣ger, which turned Parismenos sences into such a furie, that aduācing himselfe in his stirropes, he strooke Corus so full and so valiantly on y^e Crest, y^t 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 •…•…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 cou∣rage. 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 lif•…•…ing his swoord to fetch a fresh blew to ende his life, but that he heard one calling him to s•…•…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 y^t 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 ran•…•…kout filled vp all his sences, that cursing himselfe and his ill fortune, he y•…•…lded vp his fain∣ting •…•…host. Farewell (quoth Amasenus) the most proud and discour∣teous 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 •…•…ie, wherein you haue behaued your selfe so valiantly, as I shall for euer loue you: and since you e•…•…maine victor, I pray returne with m•…•… 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 so∣lemnitie. After Corus death, y^e 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 •…•…ould to contriue his death, whatsoeuer ensued thereon, waiting al op∣portunites. But hée hauing his wounds fully cured, forsooke his chamber & betook himself again to his wonted excercises, which was sometimes to mannage the sturdie stéede, and somtimes to sport him∣selfe (in companie of his vnknowne enemies) amongst the Ladies and Gentlewomen, who liked his behauiour and courtesie so well, besides his comely proportiō, the sweet youth so greatly pleased their

fancies, that they accounted the Thracian Knights rude in respect of him, al both liking, louing, and commending him, and that so openly, that his enemies might heare their speeches, which wrought such a violent effect of ra•…•…or, that no thought could harbour•…•… their brests, but tragicall deuises to worke his downefall. One amongst the rest, neare kinsman to Corus, named Argalus, was forwardest in this ex∣ployt, who to fureher his intent with one Themides, dissembling a friendly countenance, insinuated themselues into his familiaritie, vsing such kind behauiour towards him, and entertaing his rompa∣ny with such curtesie, that he hauing no insight into their dissembu∣lation) beganne to make account of their frienship, and to take delight in their company, oftentimes imparting his secrets vnto them, and without suspition making them priuie to most of his actions.

Argalus vpon a time came to Parismenos, telling him that a squir•…•… of his had found a mightie wild Bore, & could bring them to his den, desiring his company to go with them to hunt him Parismenos hea∣ring that, was as forward as any of them, and the next morning ap∣pointed to méete them in the midst of the Forrest, at the Pooles side. And early the next morning he got vp, according to his appointment, being readie to depart his chamber, some fiue or sixe droppes of blood suddainely fell from his nose, with which hée started, and staying felt a suddaine drowsie heauinesse and throbbing, possesse his heart, which draue him into a déepe studie what should be the cause of that vnwon∣ted passiōi: at last he begā to thinke with himselfe, May not these few•…•… drops of blood diuine some bad successe to my enterprise this day? I am herein a strange Country, amongst such as I know not how to trust, for I see apparantly many of thē do enuy me, which they manifest by their low•…•…ng countenance, and Corus behauiour may be a patterne of their dispositions: therfore I were best not to go at all. Then again he began to thinke, Argalus and Themides are my friends, then what néede I feare any mishap? All which doubts would not stay him, but arming himselfe, and resoluing to endure al mischaunces, he departed towards the Pole. By the way as he rode, he met a damzell posting towards him w^t great spéed, wringing her hands, dan making great lamentation. Parismenos marueling at her sorrow, asked the cause of her cōplant. Sir Knight (quoth she) I was going to Duke Amasenus court, carrying a present, & a letter from my mistresse, vnto a strange knight y^t lately arriued there: but by y^e way, I met with two knights

in gréene Armour, who dispoyled me thereof and most disloyallie offe∣red to abuse me, had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not fled. Damzel (quoh he) bring me if you can where they are, and I will do my best to cause them make you restitu∣tion. Wherewith the damzel turned her horse, and rode barke againe. Sir Knigh (quoth he) they tooke downe this narrow Lane. Parisme∣nos set spures to his horse, and with great spéed to•…•…e that way, he was not farentred, but he espied y^e two knights in gréene Armour, readie mounted, staying in a pleasāt valley, encompassed round with woods, vnto whom he was said: It is the manner of you Thracians, to offer violence to silly Damzels? Render me those things you haue takē frō he, or I protest I will not leaue you, vntill I haue compeld you to do it by force. Unto whom one of them replied, If thy selfe art no Thraciā, what doest thou here? or what intrest hast thou in that Damzel quar∣rell, that maketh thée so bold to cōtroule onr doings? That interest I haue (quoth he) as al knights should haue, which is to succor distressed Damzels: wherewith turned back to take scope for his race, he ran at one of them, and at the encounter, ouerthrew him backwards, who by mischance in the fall brake one of his armes. The other séeing his fel∣lowes mischaunce, assailed Parismenos with his sword drawn: whom Parismenos so ouerlaid with fierce blowes, & wounded so gréeuously that he fearing his death, and séeing no other come to his rescue, was readie to yéelde. Euen at y^t instant another knight came, who séeing one of them dead, and y^e other in great danger, ranne at Parismenos, with intent vnawares to pierce his speare, through his body: But he hearing the noise of his horse foote behind him, nimbly spurd his horse forward, by which meanes the knight lost his course, passing by with∣out doing any harme. Parismenos looking about him, and espying two enemies more, and missing the Damzel that had brought him thither, began to misdoubt some treachery: which thoughts & the remembra∣nce of the drops of blood y^t fel from him that morning, added new cou∣rage to his valor, that reaching a furious blow at y^e wounded knight, the sword lighting on a brokē place in the armor, rusht into his body, and ended his life. By which time the too knights lately come, assailed him both at once, betwéene whom began a most cruel and dangerous fight, that al the earth was coloured with y^e blood that issued from their wounds: and notwithstāding Parismenos was before sore wounded, yet he defended himselfe so couragiously, that his new come enemies could not indanger him, but w^t their owne disaduantage, who seeing

his valour, & calling to mind Corus death, forsooke knightly chi•…•… and vsed al villainous & cowardly fight, the one somtimes beh•…•… offering him a thrust, & when he turned to reueng that in•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the other did the like, that he perceiued they intended to mur•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which so inraged that gallāt knight, y^t dashing his spurs into 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…∣stie steeds sides, he rusht with such violence against one of thē, that he bare him quite out of the saddle, whose foote will hung in his stirrop, & his horse draged him w^t violence vp & down the field, vntil the stirrop burst, & he lay dead & dismounted. The other knight séeing his friends misfortune, wold haue fled, but Parismenos strook such a violent blow vpon his head, that he lost his sences, but soone recouering himselfe a∣gain, & thinking it better to dye by his enemies sword, then to yéeld to his mercy, turned to Parismenos, vttering these speeches. Knight if thou art wel giue ouer, otherwise know, y^t notwithstāding my former shew of fight, it is y^e least part of my thought: but I in•…•…ēd to try it out with thée to the vttermost. quoth he agine, no disembling Thracian, account not me so base minded to leaue such a villaine to breathe any longer, that art not worthy of knighthood, much lesse to be estéemed a∣mongst men: was it thy pollicie by subtiliie to betray my life? If I be not deceiued, I knowethée by thy voice, and thy name is Argalus, my counterfaited friend. Am I the Boare thou intendest to slaie? No traytor Thracian, doo not thinke mee so simple. but I perceiue the treacherie, and well vndestand thy drifts, nor do thou thinke to escape my hands. This Knight indeede was Argalus, who hearing his words, was so ouercom with rage, that marking where his Armour, was most broken, he gaue him such a violent thrust, that the purple blood followed his kéene sword: which wounde was more deadly then all that he had before receiued, that bending all his forces to reuenge the same, hée smote so fiercely and nimbly at Argalus, that in the ende with many grieuous woundes, hee beate him from his horse, and lighting, puld off his helmet and knew him: with that he said, Arga∣lus, what offence haue I done thée, that thou shuldest seek my death? or wherein did I euer merit other then friendship at thy hands? most vnkind dissembler, thou shalt receiue a fit reward for thy vilāy, wher∣with, •…•…ling y^e smart of the wound he had lately giuē him oppresse his heart, he thrust his sword into his body, which ended his life, and sate downe weary with trauell, and so saint with effectiō of blood, that his eyes began to dazle, and he fell downe vpon the earth, as one bereft of sense.

Amasenus all that day missing the Knight of Fame, beganne to sus∣•…•… •…•…at some other challenge had caused him to depart so secretly, but •…•…ing that Argalus and Themides were in his companie, whom he thought loued him dearly, his care was somwhat diminished, but whē it grew towards night, and none of them yet returned, he then began vehemently to feare the worst, that calling for his steede, he presently rode forth wel accompanied, commaunding one to post this way, and another that way, about the Forrest to seeke y^e Knight of Fame, him∣selfe rode which way his fancie best perswaded him vnto, & by chance (directed by good fortune) he tooke directly towards the place where the Combat was fought, and as he passed by the narrow Lane that went downe the •…•…e, he espied one of the steedes all bestained with blood, wandring without his Rider, which strooke a suddain feare to his hart, that ryding downe y^e Lane, he espied y^e dead bodies of mangled knights, lie confusedly scattered vpon y^e earth, with •…•…astly countēan∣ces, being y^e fearfullest spectacle that euer eye beheld. The •…•…rst that he beheld was Themides, almost torne to péeces by his owne stéede, with his foote still in the stirrope. Next he vewed the other two knights so gréeuously mangled and wounded, that the teares with griefe gusht from his eyes in abundance. Next he came to Argalus, whose face was vncouered, whom he soone knewe. And last of all, he come to Pa∣rismenos, who lay groue•…•…ng with his face to y^e earth, stil grasping his bloodie sword in his hand, whom he perceiued to gaspe for breath, that in al haste lifting vp his Beuer so giue him fresh ayre, he knew him to be the Knight of Fame, & perceiuing some life yet to remaine in him, he vnarmed him with his own hands, & gently wrapt him vp close, that his woundes might not take aire, causing him to be carried to his Castle. The rest of the dead knights hée likewise caused to be car∣ried backe, which was done with great lamentations, and afterwards by his appointment were honourably buried.