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. XVII.

I How Angelica was imprisoned, and how Maximus rebuked his Sonne, for suffering the Knight of Fame to speake to Angelica.

MArcellus hauing a while Walked with him in the Garden, desired him to accompanie him into the Court, to visite the Ladies, who (quoth hee) are this day Feasting by themselues. The Knight of Fame glad thereof, willingly gaue his consent, being the onely thing that contented his minde: and being come into the Presence, where the Quéene was, and hauing done his Reuerence, shee most kindely Welcommed the Knight of Fame, telling Marcellus, that his com∣ming was to sée the young Ladyes; Whereat Marcellus smiling, de∣parted into a Gallerie, where were a multitude of swéete Beauties, ex∣ercising thēselues at seuerall pastimes: Some at Chesse, some at cards, and some in pleasant communication: Whom Marcellus kindely em∣braced: but the Knight of Fame by reason he was a stranger, was not so bolde; but hauing his minde dedicated to serue no other Saint but Angelica, looked for her, whome hee espyed at the further ende of the Gallery, in a heauy dumpe, leaning on her elbow: Who hearing Mar∣cellus voyce, looked back, and cast her Eye first on the Knight of Fame, on whome shée fastned a stedfast eye a good space: But remem∣bring her selfe, with an excéeding blush, she withdrew the same, because she saw his eye setled on her.

Marcellus by this time came towards Angelica, and perceyuing her Blushing countenaunce, caused him to note how Melancholly shée was alone, saying to her: How now Sister? What sollitarie studie is that, which hath so withdrawne you from yonder pleasaunt Com∣panie?

My minde (quoth shée) is better exercised, by being sometimes alone, then in theyr companie: But since your Presence hath broken my meditation, I wilbe content to forsake the same to enioy your good companie; Which me thinkes is very rare.

I thanke you good Sister (quoth hee) assuring you, that I take it wondrous kindely, that you will thinke so well of mee; Which here∣after you shall at your commaund enioy: Withall, I desire you for my sake to bid this Knight Welcome, whome I estéeme as dearely as my selfe. With that Angelica turned towards him, and hée with humble reuererence, kissed her hand, to whom Augelica said: Syr, by my bro∣thers command I bid you Welcom: The Knight of Fame most hum∣bly thanked her, being so excéedingly rauisht in his minde with ioy, that no ioy might be compared to that hée endured.

Angelica on the other side, was euery way affected with as swéete content, by that opportunitie to take a more precise view of his comeli∣nesse, entertaining the same with such surfetting delight, that shee not onely augmented the heate of her former Affections, but also was now fettered in the indissoluable bonds of Loue.

Marcellus and shee continued sometime in conference together, in which time Angelica cast many swéete lookes towards the Knight of Fame, which hée well perceiued, by reason his Eye was neuer•…•… her, which she likewise noted, striuing not to shew the like kindnes againe, but notwithstanding contrarie to her purpose, her harts inward affecti∣on constrained her to behold him, which made her colour goe and come excéedingly: oftenti•…•…es breaking off her speeches with such passionate studies, & somtimes breathing a silent sigh, which Marcellus noted, but yet séemed not to marke. In the meane time, in comes the Queene, who calling Marcellus vnto her, entred into cōmunication with him, which when Angelica beheld, her heart began to throh & pant with a kinde of delight: the Knight of Fame likewise was tormented with diuersitie of passion, being desirous to speake to Angelica, yet not daring to attempt such boldnesse in presence of the Queene, hauing before heard of Maxi∣mus decrée. Whilest she was in this cogitation, Anna seeing her Mi∣stresse alone, & the knight she so dearely loued hard by her, came and vsed some speehes vnto her on him, which he well noted, at last the Queene departed againe, & Marcellus went to sport amongst the rest of the La∣dies, hauing before noted his Sisters passions, which he was in some suspition, was by reason of the knight of Fames being there.

The Knight of Fame séeing the Quéene departed, and Marcellus amongst the Ladyes, not rashly attempting such boldnesse, but with a most submisse and comely behauiour, drue towardes Angelica (being surprized with such a feare to offend) and care what to say, that his hart shooke therewith, and humbly kissing her hand, with a trembling feare, still helde the same in his palme, and said: My diuine Lady, pardon my presumption, that ouer-boldly and contrary to my desart, presume to trouble your sacred eares with my spéeches: Which if I did suppose would be offensiue, I would bur•…•… still in the closet of my troubled heart, from whence they procéeded: but if I may be so gratious in your sight, as to gaine the swéet opportunity by your fauorable licence, as to declare the depth of my deuotion, and how and in what sort, and how long since I was enioyned to become your deuoted seruant, I shall rest so much more inthralled to your vertues, as my poore hart shall for euer be vna∣ble to yéeld sufficient thanks for, which I dare not presume to do w^tout your fauorable consent, which I desire you to graunt. Angelica all this while stoode as one tranformed into bashfulnnes, being possest with de∣light, yet vnwilling to make any shew thereof, which caused an excée∣ding blush beautifie her chéekes, which added some splendour to perfect beauty it self, which at all times appeared most liuely in her swéet coū∣tenance: At last withdrawing her hand, which now began to sweate, with his strickt em•…•…race, which he was vnwilling to let go, yet fearfull to hold without her consent, to whō she made this answer. Syr, where no harme is meant, there néedes no such entreatance for pardon, for the actual offence I sée none, but if any be intended, it is more then I know, and therefore without my power to forgiue: neyther doth your spéech much please nor offend me, but if spoken with good meaning, I cannot blame, nor will deny to heare another time, withall, wishing you not to thinke me tractable to euery perswasion, but haue yéelded you that fa∣uour, neuer yet had any at my hands: which peraduenture imboldneth you to vse your accustomed maner of flatteries, wherunto most mē are addicted, wherein you shall do greatly amisse: for though I condiscend to heare you, yet do not thinke my minde easily drawne to beleeue eue∣ry protestation. Most vertuous Lady (quoth he) neither doe my words proceed fr•…•… custome, but my speaches proceed frō the debth of my true and humble heart, that hath vowed neuer to start from the constant ve∣rity, which hath long nurced many bitter torments, proceeded by desire to find your vertuous selfe: which hath bin the cause of my long trauel.

Then I most humbly beséech you, estéeme of mée as one that can breath no longer then hée is in your fauour. For sooner shall all things be dis∣solued, then I faile in dutie to your seruice, and constancie, to continue deuoted to your command; Which if I may be in any hope to attaine, though it bee with the extreamest hazard that euer Knight indured, I shall account my selfe the most happiest man liuing. Therefore I be∣séech you, let no suspected conceyt of my truth, withdraw your vertues from pittying mee: For without the fruition of your sweete fauour, it is impossible for me to liue. Beséeching your Excellencie likewise, not to suppose my words to procéede from fained affection, but from a heart that hath vowed to be perpetually Constant, and will neuer start from truth, whatsoeuer miseries or crosses may happen to trie my constancy.

Angelica hearing his spéeches, Withall, noting with what motions and alterations his heart was oppressed, by the ofte change of his coun∣tenance: and withall, béeing herselfe euery way as much enthralled to Loue as himselfe, hoping that his heart, if it harboured true Loyaltie, would not déeme amisse of her courtesie, (for the Noblest mindes are soo∣nest drawne to pittie) gaue him this kinde replie.

Syr Knight, your earnest spéeches hath so much preuailed with me, that gladly I would shewe you what kindnesse resteth in mée, but that I still feare to be deceiued: Therefore if hereafter I sée you constant, make no doubt but I will be as kinde as you can wish, and yeelde you what recompence I can, in requitall of your good Will; Withall wi∣shing you to thinke that my heart hath yéelded you that fauour, which yet neuer any had from me.

Angelica had not ended those words, but in comes Maximus puf∣fing with vexation, to whom Collimus had declared, that the Knight of Fame was some disguised counterfeit, that came to seeke 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 Col∣limus had tolde him the knight of Fame was brought into her com∣panie.

Collimus hauing this charge, which was his owne séeking, immedi∣ately conueyed Angelica from their presence: Who notwithstanding her Fathers presence and displeasure, turned back and gaue the knight of Fame a kinde l•…•…ke at her departure: Which he wel noted, and there∣with conceiued more ioy, then he tooke griefe at Maximus vnkindnesse.

By this time Marcellus was come to his Father, who cast such a dis∣pleasant countenance vppon him, as that hee well perceyued hee was someway incenst against him: Wherwith the King in a great rage de∣parted, 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 t•…•…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 pre∣sumption 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 •…•…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 re∣garde 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 deser∣ued 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 hono∣rable, 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 shalbe reuealed, and they found traytors: there∣fore I beséeche your Highnes, both alter your conceiued displeasure a∣gainst 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 dis∣courtesie 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 dis∣loyallie pleade for my enemie? Hencefoorth presume no more into my sight, without my licence: for I will rather estéeme thée as a priuie eni∣mie, then as my naturall sonne. Which when he had sayde, turning aside, Marcellus departed, maruelling who it should be that had incen∣sed 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 fa•…•…e custo∣die, began to conceiue such sorrow for her Fathers displeasure taken aganst the Knight of Fame: vnto whome she beganne to beare an ex∣céeding Loue: Such effect had his perswasiue spéeches wrought in her gentle heart, that she entred into excéeding sorrowes, coniectururing di∣uersly what disquiet that discontent might bréede, by reason of her Fa∣thers 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. Con∣trarily, 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 dis∣pleasure: 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.