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How the Knights returned without any newes of Violetta. Of the sorrowe Pollipus made for her absence, departing in her search. How Violetta hauing indured many miseries in Archas Castle, at last escaped from thence in Scorans disguise,
THe Bohemian knights, by commaundement of Parismus, & the Thessaliā knights, for the affectiō they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Violetta hauing
Posted through euery parte of Bohemia, and made all diligent search, leauing no place •…•…sought, no means vnattempted, nor labour vnper∣formed to •…•…e her: Yet notwithstanding all their faithfull diligence, at last returned without any Newes of her at all: which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Polli∣pus sorrows afresh, that but euen then has entertained a little quiet, by Parismus perswasions. But when he saw Violetta was by no meanes to be hearde of, nor any likelyhood or comfort left for him euer to see her againe: Neyther knowing nor any way supposing what should be be∣come of her, his heart was so inwardly ouercome with troublesome ro∣gitations and doubtfull cares, that he could neither resolue to seeke her, nor take any course to ease his minde: but rested like one vtterly giuen ouer, to forlorne and carelesse miserie, daily frequenting those solitarie walkes where he last her, and hourely renuing his sorrowes, by the sad remembrance of her absence, vttering such mournefull plaintes and lamentations, that the Byrds that haunted those vnfrequented places seemed to mourne and lament with him.
Sometimes accusing himselfe of negligence, to leaue her, to pursue the Beare, blaming her that would not stay his return: and then again fretting his heart for accusing her. Sometimes thinking she was dead, and then againe, perswading himselfe she was aliue, then musing why shee did not returne to him, if shee were aliue: that by contrarieties of doubts, he could adde no ease to his cares, nor rest to his heart. At last he determined to search throughout all Germanie and Greece, but he would finde her: For hee assuredly thought shee was not deade, being thereto induced, for that he could not finde any likelyhood thereof, being perswaded by Parismus, that some discourteous Knight had met with her, and so witheld her returne: that within fewe dayes (Arming him∣selfe in a greene armour, which he made of purpose, bearing this deuice; A Knight pursuing a wilde Beare) hee left the Bohemian Court, making none priuy to his departure but Parismus, who determined not to stay long behinde him:) Whom we will leaue onwards of his iourney, and speake of Violetta, whom we left weake in Archas Castle.
Assoone as the 2. Gentlewomen had conuayed her to her Bed, wich the comfortable meanes they vsed, shee began to be somewhat reuiued, and calling her Sences to theyr woonted vses, began to make such dole∣full lamentations, that no hart was able to indure to heare them, with∣out effusion of teares: oftentimes offering to doe her selfe violence, but
that shee was hindred by the 2. Gentlewomen: especially one of them named Sorana, was so carefull ouer her, that shee left not so much as a Pinne about her, where with she might doe her selfe harme: but when some three dayes were past, and the extremitie of her desperate Passion somewhat calmed, she began to desire that Archas would conuey her to the Bohemian Court; if not to finde Pollipus, yet to enioy the comfor∣table presence of parismuss and Laurana; but notwithstanding her ma∣nifold intreaties, they vsed some excuse or other, to frustrate her expec∣tation, telling her that it was dangerous for her to Trauell yet, by rea∣son of her late sicknesse, and that since it was certaine Pollipus was no more to be enioyed, she might stay with them some few dayes, vntill she were better able to endure so long a Iourney: For that the Bohemian Court was not so neare as she thought. Which excuses, rather increa∣sed her desire, and the more shee seemed desirous to goe thither, still the more they defrauded her by excuses many dayes.
In which time, she being indued with an extraordinary Wisedom, hauing well weyghed eache circumstance of her bringing thither, and their friuolous excuses to detaine her there: and withall, noting theyr behauiours and spéeches, beganne to suspect Archas dissimulation: To finde out the truth therof, she began (contrary to her inward thoughts) to frame a cheerfuller countenance, and comfortable disposition, there∣•…•…y to féele theyr intents, which wrought such effect, that within a while Archas would often frequent her companie, and in the ende proffered Loue to her, vsing her most kindely, carefully, and tenderly, seeming a∣boue all things to regard her quiet and content, whose spéeches shee en∣dured quietly, and tooke in good part (as he thought) that vpon a time, amongst many spéeches, taking her by the hand, he saide:
Most Beautifull Ladie, I haue euer since the first viewe of those excellent Beauties, bene tormented with the Passions of entire Loue, so that I could take no quiet, but in the sweete remembrance of your Perfections, which haue bound my Deuotions to your seruire, in such a kinde of firme and constant League, that my onely resolution is, to sp•…•…nde my life (if it were a thousand times dearer to mee then it is) to procure your content: Therefore, thus boldely I presume to reueale my Affections, trusting your Clemencie will adde some ease vnto my carefull heart, by shewing some courteous signe of your fauourable ac∣ceptance of my humble Suite: and though my merite hath no way de∣serued such fauour, yet let mee beseech you to make triall of my loyaltie,
and you shall finde I will be inferiour to none in good will, nor violate my Protested-loyaltie in any vndutifull respect.
I haue the boldlyer presumed to detaine you here, because with your absence my life would depart: Then construe not amisse that true loue and sincere Affection, which hath caused me to offend in, but no offence at all, if you vouchfafe not to take it so: Here shall you enioy your fill of content, in as ample sort, as any other place can yéelde: Then I be∣seeche you graunt some ease to my troubled heart, and by your clemen∣cie release me of those cares that possesse my Breast, onely procured by the piercing dart of your sacred Beautie. Which words being ended, he offered to haue kist her, but shee gently refusing the same, made this replie.
Syr Knight, my Sorrowes will not suffer mee to belieue your spée∣ches, nor my late losse, permit mee to entertaine your Loue: For then might you estéeme me light, and so lightly wonne, as little regard mee: but to put you out of suspence, my resolution is, neuer to loue anie, but my deare Pollipus; wherewith the Cristall teares with a violent pas∣sage, fell from her griefeswolne Eye-balls.
That griefe (quothee) is remedilesse: Therefore banish the sadde remembrance thereof from your heart, and entertaine a perswasion of my Constancie, and true Affection, which euerlastingly remaine inuio∣lable, without intermission.
How can I (quoth shee) in Conscience, and without euerlasting staine to wine Honour, when I haue neither performed his Funerall, nor shewed any token of dutie to his deade Cerps, who loued mee most deerely in his life time. But shew mee this fauour, as to let mee but returne to the Courte to bewaile his death, and a while enioy my deere Frendes companie: and I promise and protest next pollipus, to loue but your selfe.
Archas hearing her make such an indifferent and reasonable de∣maund, stood like one amazed, as not knowing what sudden Answer to make her: Thinking that if hee should denye her that Request be∣ing so small, shee might thinke his Loue to be but slender; And if hee should promise her, and not performe, that might be a meanes to bréede a further suspition in her, that all his reporte to her were false: So that hee stoode musing a great while, confounded in his thoughtes, what to deuise for a ready Answere.
Nay, studie not so for that (quoth Violetta) but answere me another •…•…e, Which said she withdrue herselfe vnto her Chamber, where she •…•…egan to meditate of his speeches, and how he was astonisht, when she •…•…equested him to conuey her to the Court: Which draue her into ma∣•…•…y cogitations; When presently one of the gentlewomen came to her, Whom she vsed most kindely, and of purpose to feele her minde, grewe into familiar conference with her: And amongst many other spéeches (qd. she) I pray tell mee what Archas hath reported vnto you, concer∣ning Pollipus, for he seemeth vnwilling to vtte•…•… his minde vnto m•…•…. He told me nothing (qd. she.) Which words came from her with such •…•…ut∣tering and change of countenance, that Violetta began to suspect, that Archas had all this while disse•…•…led with her, and that pollipus, (con∣trary to his report) was yet liuing. And when •…•…orana came, shee like∣wise felt her minde: of whom she gathered some probability. And like∣wise when she next came into Archas company, she asked him so manie Questions, that shee found many contra•…•…eries in his sp•…•…ches, which setled such a perswasiue opinion in her minde, that Archas e•…•…orte of Pollipus was vntrue, that shee rested greatly comforted that way, but yet in great care, cog•…•…ating what he would suppose was become of her: How she should get out of that place, or giue him knowledge of her be∣ing there, and auoyde Archas odious Loue, which séemed as deadly to her heart, as infectious Uenome.
Archas still prosecuted his sute with great earnestnesse, making ma∣ny friuolous excuses to withhold her from the Bohemian Court, grow∣ing into such bold•…•…es, that oftentimes when she refused his offered em∣bracings and impudent behauiors, he would by force kisse her, and fold her in his armes, which rudenesse, he so often vsed, that she began so ex∣treamly to abhorre him, that his sight was odious vnto her.
Oftentimes Vloletta did walke into a pleasant Orchard adioyning to the Castle, as well to recreate her dulled Sences in those pleasaunt Sh•…•…des, as in solitarinesse to recount her m•…•…eries, and ease her carefull heart, by inuenting meanes howe to ridde her •…•…e from that Laby∣rinth of sorrow, and also to auoyd Archas odious sight, who inwardly •…•…usted to sat•…•…sfie his inordinate appetit, by obtaining the fruition of her delicate bodie, and though he knew pollipus were liuing, and heard the mones and sorrowfull complaints Violetta m•…•…de, able to exte•…•…ate a∣ny tirannous disposition, yet he persisted in his diuelish resolution, with such impudencie, that neither regarding har complaints, nor the lawes
of Nature, hee still sought all disloyall opportunities to dishonour her. And on a time, marking when she went into the Orchard, as shee was 〈◊〉〈◊〉, in middest of her silent cogitations, hee c•…•…me to the place wher•…•… she sa•…•…e, (whose heart began to pant with a kinde of feare, when she be∣helde him) and comming vnto her, seating himselfe closr by her sweete side, he vttered these spéeches.
You know deare Ladie, how long I haue sued to obtaine your loue, being thereto compelled by the extremities of Loues euerlasting •…•…ame, which boyleth in my troubled Brest, but hitherto you haue obdurated your heart against mee, and not vouchsafed to yeeld any pittie to my di∣stresse, but contrary to the kinde nature that shuld abound in you, séeme not at all to regard my Passions, which hath added sorrowe to my tor∣ment. Now swéet Lady, seeing with what deuotions I haue attended your pleasure, deferre me no longer, but let me obtain that fauor, which with such care I haue expected, and you so vnkindely withheld: which would both ease my comfortlesse hart, and adde no small content to the remedilesse sorrowes you so impatiently endure.
Violetta hearing his speeches, made this replie. Syr, I haue long since told you my resolution, which might be a sufficient answer to any rea∣sonable crdature: besides, my vows passed to my déer Knight pollipus, haue bound mee from yéelding my spotlesse Honour to be stained with the blot of infamy. Then I pray leaue off to prosecute your sute, which you ground vpon loues foundation, being indeed, nothing but the in•…•…∣tiable desire of filthy concupiscence: the remembrance whereof, addeth new care to my carefull heart, and euery way affrighteth mee with dis∣content: and if you so much regard my content, as you protest, desist to trouble mee with your Loue, and giue mee leaue to depart from hence, that I may spend the rest of my dayes in sorrow, for his losse, that was more dearer vnto me, then all the worlds treasure.
I but Lady (qd, Archas) calme this discontent with remembrance of an impossibilitie in obtaining ought at his hands, and goe not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 t•…•… consume those heauenly perfections with sorrow, & seeme not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then reason requireth, to him that loueth you as well as Pollipus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 did: And now that occasion hath so •…•…tly offered the sweete opportuni∣tie of time and place, let vs spend this time in loue, and not in these •…•…n∣tentions: these vnfrequented paths adde meanes to further our ioyes: Here are no eyes to behold vs, nor any to bewray our secrets, but the•…•…∣lent tr•…•…s & sweet smelling flowers: and that which is vnknown, is in a
manner vncommitted: and in requitall of your kindenesse, I will per∣forme whatsoeuer you shal command me, were it to run through thou∣sands of deaths; to procure your content: then sweet loue be not so vn∣kinde, but yéeld some pitty to my restles cares, and detaine not from me that pleasant delight, which will extinguish my bitter griefs. When he had ended his spéeches, he stricctly caught her tender body in his arms, imprinting a compelled kisse vpon her tender lippes, twining her curled locks about his grosse fingers, and boldly fingring her tender brests, of∣fering other forced behauiour: whilst she striued to vntwine her body of his armes, which when shee had obtained, casting a disdainfull counte∣nance vpon him (like as Diana cast vpon the wofull Acteon,) with her chéekes as red as scarlet, she vttered these speeches.
Most discourteous villaine, hath my lenity inforced thée to offerime this abuse: or is thy minde so far from pietie, as not to desist from pro∣secuting thy detested Lust? Knowe this, that rather then I will yéelde my honour to be blemished by thy appetite, I wil teare these eyes from foorth my head, and ende my wofull life, which thou soughtest to spill. Is this the friendship thou hast protested? Was it thy pollicy to traine me hither to dishonor me? Hadst thou left me in the place where I lost my beloued, then had I bene happie, if some wilde beast had ended my life. I now perceiue thy Protestations are but filthy actors of thy in∣tended villanie, and all which thou hast told me of Pollipus death, to be most false and vntrue: for no doubt, he is yet liuing, whom thou seekest to dishonour, by spoyling mee of that which I reserued for him. Accur∣sed wretch that I was, to fall into thy odious hands which art voyd of Knightly behauiour.
Archas hearing himselfe thus reuiled, abandoned shame and pit∣ty, violently pulling her to him: told her, that she shuld submit her selfe to his will, offering by force to attaine the fruition of her spotlesse body. When Violetta felt her selfe so handled, shee laboured by all meanes to disappoint him of his will: but in the ende, séeling her selfe too weake, long to withhold his force, she yéelded foorth such shrikes, as all the Ca∣stle roong with the noyse of her outerye: that Sorana hearing the same, knowing the place where she vsed, came thitherwards. Archas behol∣ding her, withdrue himself, and Violetta rose from the place, tyred with resistance, and swolne with inward veration, and disdain to be so vsed, casting her countenance downe to the earth: To whome Sorana said, How now Lady, What causeth your sorrow? Hath Archas offered you
violence? Violetta with teares trickling downe her crimzen chéekes, answered: yea, that villaine. Archas would haue done me violence, had not you so Fortunately come to my rescue: But I thinke the Diuine prouidence, hath sent you hither so happily to preserue me from his de∣uouring lust, whose dishonorable minde is fraught with all villanies: accursed be the day that first brought mee to this hatefull place, to fall into his loathsome power, that contrary to Nature, hath done mee this outrage. Swéete Sorana (quoth she) conuey mee secretly into the Ca∣stle, that there I may in sorrow end my accursed life, rather then again abide his loathsome sight, which will be as pestilent as deadly Poyson to my heart. Sorana taking her by the arme to support her weake bo∣die, led her to her Chamber. Archas likewise seeing himselfe so frustra∣ted of his desire, with an impudent and vnshamefaste Countenance, went into the Castle, vowing in his heart neuer to desist vntill he had accomplished his desire.
Violetta, being come to her Chamber, related to Sorana the whole manner of Archas vsage, intreating her counsell, which way to auoyde his sutes, which shee knew hee would still prosecute: who vttered her minde in this sort. Lady I pitty your estate, but I am so farre from ad∣ding release thereto, as I know no meanes at all how to comfort you: For Archas disposition I too well know, is farre from any spark of ho∣nesty, who hath in iike sort behaued himself to me at my first comming hither, which was in the Prime of my youth: neither giue any credite to his reports: for he hath told me that Pollipus is yet liuing, and long since I suspected hee would vse you in this sorte, and escape from hence you cannot: For this Castle is continually guarded, hauing but one entrance therto, whereby none can escape vndescried; therefore I think it best for you to yeeld to his loue, and then you may liue in quiet: o∣therwise I know your life will be miserable enough.
Violetta was striken into a sudden amazement to heare her detested counsell, thinking to haue found some comfort in her spéeches: In so∣much, that with extremitie of Passions, shee was readie to giue vp the ghost. Which Sorana beholding, reuiuing her with rubbing her pale chéekes, she said as followeth.
If you will followe my aduise and counsell, I may peraduenture ease you in some respect; Which is this, That the next time when Ar∣chas coms againe to sollicite his sute, condiscend to his request, condi∣tionally, that hee will come to you in the silent of the Night, so secretly
hat none may knowe thereof, and that onely hee satisfie himselfe with your Loue without asking questions, or entring into any talke, which may renue the remembrance of your former griefe: and when wt these conditions you haue agreed, my self will supplie your roome, and there∣by safegard your Honour, and satisfie him: which may well be perfor∣med, considering that his desire being nothing but Lust, he easily will be drawn to condescend to your conditions: which once done, let me alone to execute the rest: for I am so well acqnainted with his fashions, that it shalbe long before he descrie our deceit.
Violetta hearing the circumstance of her Talke, promised to doe all things according to her counsell, if shee herselfe meant faithfullie. Which Sorana assured her of, by many Protestations, and so left her in some comfort, hoping by this meanes to bee ridde from her Impu∣dent Louer.
Assoone as Sorana was departed, she presently goeth to Archas, (pric∣ked forward with as great a sting of foule Lust, as raigned in him) and told him, that shée had talked with Violetta about his sute, which shee was perswaded she would yeeld vnto, but that shee was bashfull: and by his speeches, rather hardned, then any way mollified: but (qd. shee) Trie her euen now, and whatsoeuer shee bindeth you vnto by conditi∣on, that promise you to performe: and when you know her minde, tell mee what shee sayes, and I may peraduenture counsell you what to do for your furtherance: for she is worthy to be beloued, and kindely v∣sed, and in my Iudgement, you did amisse, to vse her so rudely as you did in the Orchard; For forced kindenesse is not worth estimation, but consent in Loue breedes the sweetest delight.
Archas presently put her counsell in practise, and came to Violettaes chamber (who was then studying how to rid her selfe from his custody) and very kindly saluted her, crauing pardon for his last offence, excusing himself by many reasons, and alledging as many perswasions, that she could not in reason denie his request: his Loue being grounded vppon the truest foundation of perfect constancie, of Uowes, Oaths, and Pro∣testations, to dedicate himselfe, his life, and all that hee had to be at her command. Violetta (casting down her eyes to the earth, and wt a blu∣shing countenance, to think how much it went against her heart, to vse him kindly: asking pardon of Pollipus, in her secret thoughts, for dooing him that vnwilling wrong) at last made answer, that she could in some sort be contented to grant his request, if he would promise to performe
what she should inioine him too, which he vowed and protested to fulfil in euery respect. Then she concluded with him as Sorana had counsel∣led her to do, which liked him excéedingly well, & quoth she, for a pledge hereof, giue me that ring which you so much estéem, which he gaue vn∣to ber, and at his departure receiusd from her a gentle kisse, which she wisht might proue as deadly poyson to his heart, being greatly discon∣tented with her selfe for shewing him that fauour.
Archas presently with a ioyfull heart went to Sorana: and tolde her all that had passed betwixt him and Violetta: which she willed him in any wise to performe: and séeing shée hath bound you from talke, what néede you care for speaking, sith you may enioy what otherwise you desire: and she finding you so willing to condiscend to her requests, will bée the easiler drawne to yéelde you any courtesie. Sorana being parted from him, imediately came to Violetta, and tolde her all that he had made her priuie vnto, and withall saide, that for her sake onely she vndertook that taske, (which was nothing so, but of a most inor∣dinate desire to beastly lust, which Violetta well noted:) and thus they spent the day in much idle talke, vntill euening drawing nigh, shée left Violetta in her chamber, and went vnto that swéete bedde, which she had neately drest for Archas, perfuming her selfe with many odori∣ferous waters, deuising all meanes she could to kéep her selfe vnknown from him, being affected with great desire for his approach. Assoone as the appointed time was come, Archas secretly conueyed himselfe in the darke, into Violettas chamber, without speaking a word, whom when Sorana heard rus•…•…ing vppon the rushes, her heart leapt for ioy: and the prepared her selfe to entertaine him in the kindest sort, who approaching the beds side, softly lifting vp the cloathes, laide himselfe downe by her side, who séemed to shrike there at, and with such cun∣ning behaued her selfe, that he no whit supposed he embraced his woon∣thed Sorana.
Violetta being sure of Archas, with all hast attired herselfe in Soranas apparell, which so well became her, that had Archas him∣selfe séene her, he would not haue discerned her disguise, & taking with her the ring he had giuen her, she came to the Gardiants, telling thē she must goe out about a little businesse for Archas, and gaue them the ring as her warrant to passe by. The Gardiants maruelled whither she went so late, yet taking her for on other then Sorana, accepting her warrant, let her depart. Violetta being past the entrance, beganne to
studie which way to talke, but knowing that the time now yéelded no respite to delaye, tooke any way came into her fancie, fittest as shée thought for her escape, and with all hast, arming her selfe with as much courage as could possible be in a woman, forsaking the mountaines, which she thought daungerous for wilde beastes, she trauelled al that night, sometimes running, and sometimes going, as if Archas had bin hard at hand pursuing her, and by that time Phoebus beganne to illu∣minate the earth with his brightnesse, she was gotten a great way from Archas Castle, towards Greece, reioycing at her happyescape, not ca∣ring which way she went, so she might get from him: and applauding Soranas counsell, which had sorted to that vnexpected issue for her es∣cape.