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. XV.

I How the Knight of Fame arriued in Natolia: And by what meanes hee found the Ladie he sawe in the Uision: And of the Combat he fought with Collimus.

AFter the Knight of Fame was departed the King of Lybiaes Court, to andyde the Loue of Venola, hee trauelled many daies without any aduenture, tyred with extreame care and desire to come to the knowledge of his Parents, and to finde his deuo∣ted •…•…adie, that when the Sunne was at the high∣•…•…t, and by that meanes the season very hote, hee a∣lighted from his horse in a pleasant valley: Where sitting vnder the shadow of a Chestnut-Tree, he entred into this com∣munication to himselfe.

What varieties of crosses do still prosecute my stéppes, that I can in no place bee at quiet, but am still troubled with that which I would not, but cannot finds the thing I desire? My Byrth-day was the be∣ginning of my sorrowes: Since which time, nothing but Care and •…•…ration hath befallen to my share; Whereas I sée other Knights en∣ioy theyr hearts content, &c.

As •…•…cerning my Parents, they are so hidden from my know∣ledge, as tha•…•… my selfe Trauelling to finde them, Peraduanture goe ra∣ther a great wa•…•…from them, then to them: For the Iland of Rockes, from w•…•…nce I came, and where I was brought vppe, is very farre di∣stant from this place 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 I thinke if I woulde come to their know∣ledge,

it is my best course to returne thither againe. Was I not ouer∣foolish to refuse the marriage of Phylena, the kings daughter of Thrace, vpon the vaine confidence of a Dreame? Uppon whose certaintie I can no way builde: Which might bee procured by some Sorcerie of Remulus, to make me refuse that high Honour, onely to the intent hée might install himselfe therein: and cause mee to doate on the Beautie of a Ladie that is no where to be found; For the whole Worlde con∣taines not such an Essence of perfect beautie, as that which I behelde▪ then, What shall I doo? or, Which way shall I shape my best course? shall I giue ouer her search, since Dreames are so vncertaine? I but this was more then a Dreame, it was a Uisien: For I beheld the god∣desse Venus, Who enioyned me this Taske, holding that swéete Ladie in her hand: Whose forme so perfectly is printed in my remembrance, that I cannot forget the same: Which assuredly is liuing and to be found: And therefore I will neuer desist vntill I haue found her, al∣though I should spend the whole race of my life in that Quest: Which if it were ordained for my endlesse torment, then how should I auoyde the same? Neither care I what paine to endure, if I may after all my Trauells finde her.

In this sort he spent much time, vntill he fell in a deepe study, lea∣ning his backe to a Tree, hee fell fast a sleepe. Whilest he was in this sweete sleepe, (by happy fortune) Angelica the faire, that day hadd forsaken the Golden Tower, (which was not farre from the place where the knight of Fame lay) to meete the king her Father, who with the Queene was comming from the City of Ephesus, where he kept his Court, to soiourne certaine daies for his disport in the Gol∣den Tower, that yeelded all kind of delights. Angelica passing along this pleasant valley, gallantly attended by an vnwonted traine of La∣dies, and guard of knights, espied the knight of Fame, supposing that he had beene dead: to ease which doubt, shee willed one of her knights to see what hee was. The knight comming to him, awaked him, who suddenly starting vp, beganne to lay hand on his sword, but casting his eye aside, hee behelde Angelicaes gallant Traine, and amongst the rest, her selfe, whose countenance hee present∣ly knewe to bee the very same Lady hee had scene in the Uisi•…•…n: whose beauty and sudden presence strooke such an amazement to his

sences, that he stoode like one in a traunce. Angelica séeing that he was aliue, and not dead as shee supposed, past on her intended Iourney, not regarding him. He séeing her departed, thus said to the Knight. Cour∣teous Syr, I pray let me craue that gallant Ladies name. Syr, (re∣plyed hée) her name is Angelica, Daughter to the most mighty King of Natolia: Who passing this way to méete the King and Quéene, (Who are comming towards the Golden Tower,) and séeing you lying vnder this Trée, sent me to sée whether you were aliue or dead: Which saide, he departed.

The Knight of Fame reioycing that he had séene his long expected Mistresse, was presently rapte into a heauenly conceit of Ioy, that hee thought himselfe as it were transformed into pleasure, such comfort re∣uiued his drouping heart from sadde dumpes, with her delectable sight, euen then beginning to studie how to come to her spéech, to purchase oc∣casion to giue her knowledge of his best dutie, finding out so many lettes and impossibilites betwéene him and his intent, that hée beganne to dispaire thereof: at last resolued vppon nothing, but determining to doo something, he mounted his Steed, and followed that way Angelica went: purposing to take a more precious view of her perfections, being hopelesse of any other comfort.

He had soone ouertaken her Traine, not yet resolued by reason of his strangenesse, what to doo, or what meanes to vse to speake to her, being incompassed by such a number of Knightes: At last hee thus thought with himselfe: I that haue refused the good will of Kings Daughters, onely to finde this beautifull Ladie, and in her Search haue indured so many mischances: Shall I now when I sée her, be afraid to speake to her•…•… Or may I not hereafter be disappoynted of such F•…•…rtunate occa∣sion, as is now offered mée? What though shee be Guarded by these Knights, being alone, it can no way breed offence to them, that I speake to her. With this resolution hee passed by the hindermost of her com∣pany, without speaking to them: who greatly maruelled what he shuld be•…•… and comming right against Angelica, who he easily knew from the r•…•…st, by his former little view of her forme in the Uision, he kindly drue •…•…eere her. And with a submissiue signe of Reuerence first giuen, hée said •…•…s followeth.

Most sacred Ladie, pardon my boldnesse, Which I beséech you do not account •…•…denesse: I haue trauelled many a mile, to attaine the height

of his felicitie, to beholde your diuine perfections, which maketh mee conrrary to that dutifull reuerence my heart hath vowed, to intrude my selfe thus rudely into your presence, being voide of other meanes to demonstrate my depth of deuotion: therefore I humbly once againe desire your pardon, that hath offended against my will: desiring you withall, to enter into this opinion of my meaning, that (notwithstan∣ding what perswasion my rudenesse may bréed in your heauenly heart) it is both loyall, honourable and vertuous, and no way intending to presume aboue my desert, yet my life shall be alwaies imploied to de∣serue as well as the best.

Angelica hearing his spéeches, sadly noting his countenance, and being of a most singular w•…•…t, admired his courage, that notwithstan∣ding all her guard, he durst so boldly presume into her presence, which caused her the better to regard both his speeches and propor•…•…ion, made this reply. Sir Knight, it may be you are deceiued, for you haue not found that which you haue so long sought, which maketh mee account your speech flatteries, and your boldenesse folly: entring into no other conceit of your meaning, for be it either good or bad, I care not, for the one cannot arme me, nor the other pleasure me: but for your good will, I take that kindely, though in my fancie you professe more then you will performe.

Diuine Lady (quoth he) vouchafe but to imploy me, and then shall you make triall of my forwardnesse, which shall be no lesse then I haue promised: for my speech, nor bold approach into your presence, hath not proceeded from want of respect of your worthynesse, but from a strickt command, long since enioyned me to become your dutifull ser∣uant: therefore I humbly beseech you, iudge fauourably of my meaning, for I will rather heereafter consume my heart with silent care, then by my speech purchase your displeasure, if you command the contrarie. Hee had not scarce ended those words, but shee let fall her gloue, which he seeing, presently alighted and tooke it vp, with reuerence kissing the same, •…•…ffered it her againe.

Knight (quoth she) take it for your labour, wherewith she turned a∣way from him, for that she esp•…•…ed her Father comming: which caused him, being glad of that fauour, to withdrawe himselfe. One of Angeli∣cas knights named Camillus, to whose principall custodie the King had committed his daughter, aboue all the rest noted the Knight of Fames behauiour, and disdaining that a stranger should carrie away the

gloue, which he esteemed a fauor sar •…•…ond his •…•…esert, himselfe hauing been her seruant a long time, yet could neuer attaine any such kindnes: withall, supposing hee was some Knight Anglica knew, presently ha∣sted after him, trusting too much to his owne valour, and bluntly bade him render backe the Princesse gloue. Sir (quoth he) againe, the Prin∣cesse gaue it me, and for her sake I will keepe the same. Wherewith Collimus without any more words, retired backe to encounter him: and he did the like, and remembring it was the best deede of Chiualrie he could performe in his Ladies presence, thought with himselfe, that if he sate not fast, he would quaile his courage: presentlie, they met each other, the one with brauery, the other with force, for Collimus measu∣red his length on the ground.

By this time the King and Quéene had met Angelica, and all grée∣tings ouerpast, their Traines met, which almost filled that pleasant valley: in company of Maximus, was Camillus, Sonne to the king of Slauonia, attended by a number of gallant Knights, who hearing of the exceeding beautie of Angelica, was lately come into the countrie as a suter, to whom Maximus said, (beholding the braue course betwéen the two Knights,) What Knight is yonder, that hath •…•…uerthrowne his aduersarie with such agility? A comely Knight he is (quoth Ca∣millus) but it séemes he is a stranger. With that, another Knight of Angelicas attendants, vpon the former quarrel, incountred the knight of Fame, who tasted of his valour, as his predecessour Collimus had done, after him another, which when Maximus beheld, hee called a Gentleman to him, willing him to request the strange Knight to come and speake with him, which fell out well for the Knight of Fames quiet, for had not the King béene present, the Knights of Angelicaes guard had taken such a secret indignation against him, that they by violence would haue sought his death. The messenger Maximus sent, told the Knight of Fame that the King did request to speake with him. Sir (quoth he) I am readie at his command: to whom Maximus said, as followeth.

Sir Knight, you are it seemeth to me, a stranger in this place, but notwithstanding somewhat bolde with my knights, both whose quar∣rell against you, and your cause of arriuall, I desire to know. Most renowned king (quoth he) I am a stranger in this place, or in any else: in my trauels méeting with this gallant troupe, to any of whom I I haue as yet giuen no cause of offence, which should make them trou∣ble

me. Sir (quoth Maximus) they haue reapt shame for their discon∣tent: but I pray let vs without offence know your name, and of whence you are: neither feare to disarme your selfe: for vpon my promise, you shall haue no wrong offred you: which said, the Knight of Fame pulled off his helmet, making this answer. By name, most noble King, I am called the knight of Fame, my birth to my selfe vnknowne, by no ill in∣tent drawne into this Countrie, but onely to finde out my Parents, which are likewise vnknowne: my selfe subiect to miserie, by the want of knowledge of my selfe. Marcellus sonne to Maximus, a knight of exceeding courteous and honourable parts, hearing his speeches, hum∣bling himselfe vpon his knee before his father, said, I humbly craue your Maiesties fauour, to entertaine this knight honourably, for that I haue some knowledg•…•… of him, which I will declare to your Highnesse heereafter.

Maximus hearing his Sonnes spéeches, said: Rise vp Marcellus, for thy sake, and for his owne too, he shall be welcome: whom doe thou vse according as shall seeme good, and be agreeable to his honourable deserts. The knight of Fame hearing his speeches, most humbly than∣ked him: and Marcellus presently embraced him, shewing many to∣kens of hearty good will.

Angelica all this while noted euery circumstance of this knights a∣riuall, as first, how shee found him a sleepe: and next, of his speeches to her: then, how valiently he had ouerthrowne three knights: then her brothers speeches: and lastly, his gallant youth, and comly •…•…person: which altogether wrought such a kind of admiration in her, that shee beganne with a curious eie to marke all his actions: and to affect his company more then she had done any mans: oftentimes casting a looke vpon him, she perceiued his eie was still vpon her: which made a rud∣die blush beautifie her cheekes. In which time, the King intreated him to stay somtime with him, if his important businesse did not withdraw him: which offer he willingly and kindly accepted: which fell out ac∣cording to his owne hearts content.