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. XVIII.

¶ How the King of Lybia hearing that the Knight of Fame was in Natolia, by Flauias false accusation, sent messengers to Ma∣ximus, to intreate him to put him to death. And how Maxi∣mus threwe him into the Lyons denne.

AFter that the Knight of Fame was departed front Lybia, and Venola had knowledge thereof by Fla∣uia, she continued many dayes in great sorrow, but afterwards by tract of time calming her griefe, but no whit her affection, by Flauiaes perswasions, who was priuie to all her Actions: Turned her former good Will that was grounded vpon Uertue, to lust, and mad desire: That séeing she could not by fayre meanes winne him to loue her, shee thought to leaue no meanes vnaf∣sayed, eyther by force to compell him thereto, or else in some measure to be reuenged on him for his discourtesie. The minde being alwayes readie by euery perswasion, to yéelde to worke any meanes for to pro∣cure desired content: euen so casting about many deuises with Flauia, one day (finding fit opportunitie when the King was in his dumpes)

for Venolas sickenesse) came vnto him, and told him that the cause of his Daughters sickenesse, was procured by an exceeding flight she had taken by the discourteous vsage of the Knight of Fame, who for that cause was lately fled from the Court, which vntill that day she had con∣cealed from her, neither should she euer recouer her selfe vntill she were in some hope to be reuenged of him.

The King willed her to declare the same vnto him. Flauia then be∣gan as followeth. My Lord, this Knight presuming often into my Mistresse presence, by reason of the kindenesse she shewed him, for wor∣king her relase in Brandemors Castle, (which hee well deserued) be∣gan oftentimes to make loue to her, whom sheé answered in good sort, being vnwilling to make choise of any, but by your appointment: but in the end, his sute grew to that importancy, that he would haue no de∣niall, but comming into her Chamber, chusing his fittest opportunity, when my Mistres was in her bed, and surprising her vnawares, offred her excéeding shame and villany, but being by her striuing and out-crie disappointed of his full intent, he presently fled away.

The King hearing Flauias speeches, was exceedingly enraged with furie, commanding his Knights to poste euery way, to learne where he made his abode. This newes being spread, at last came to a Knight of Natolia, who by occasion was then in the Lybian Court, who present∣ly came to the King, and told him that he needed not to make inquirie for the Knight of Fame, for that he was at the Golden Tower. The King hearing that newes, was exceedinglie glad thereof, commanding his Knights to stay their iourney, writing a Letter to Maximus to this effect.

MOst mighty King, I salute you: requesting you to worke re∣uenge in my behalfe vpon a traitor, who now remaineth with you, who hath dishonoured my Daughter: hee is called the Knight of Fame: assuming that name to colour his wicked practi∣ses, who no doubt will soone deuise some mischiefe against your per∣sōn: let him not escape your hands, but rather send him to mee, that I may reuenge that monstrous iniury he hath done me, by his life: which onely shall satisfie me. Thus remembring my loue to you, and desiring your secrecie, I cease.

Your brother of Libia.

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Hauing written this letter, and sealed it with his signet, he present∣ly sent the same by certaine of knights to the Golden Tower, who as effectually dispatched their iourney, as he had giuen them straight charge, and arriuing at the Golden Tower, deliuered the Letter to Maximus, who hauing read the same, and well considered the circum∣stance, which augmented his hatred and suspition already begunne a∣gainst the Knight of Fame, presently comming to the place where hee was in talke with Marcellus, he caused him to bee apprehended, and without any other iudgement, caused him presentely to be cast into a denne of Lions, to be deuoured.

The Knight of Fame was no sooner put into the denne, but the Ly∣ons made an exceeding roaring, that those without assuredly iudged him deuoured, and himselfe expected nothing but that terrible and feare∣full death: but the Lyons, who by nature will not harme those of Roi∣all bloud, spared his life, and not so much as offered to touch him, but were rather terrified with his presence. He being glad of this happy e∣scape, began to assure himselfe that he was sprung of kingly race, which greatly comforted his heart, and added a perswasiue hope to comfort himselfe withall, that by that occasion hee should attaine to Anglicaes loue, if he could worke meanes for his releasement out of that place: most of all he wondred why Maximus had offered him that outrage. In these and such like cogitations he spent the rest of the day.

Marcellus séeing the knight whom he most dearely loued destroied, without iudgement, equity, or cause, was so inwardly inraged, that he was in minde oftentimes to work himselfe iniurie, and seek meanes of reuenge, if he knew who had been the causer therof: and not know∣ing what to doe, nor in whose company to spend his time, he presently thought to goe to Angelica, whom he thought bare some good will to the knight of Fame, with her to bemoane his vntimely death: but comming to the place where she was, he would haue entred therin, but Collimus according to Maximus command, den•…•… him, and that the more obstinately, for that he knew none fauoures the knight of Fame so much as he, wh•…•… he mortally hated.

Marcellus beeing before sufficiently inraged, was now so much more vexed, that hee drewe his dagger, and with a violent blow stab∣bed the same to Collimus heart: and withall going to Angelica, hee found her very sad, little thinking of these mischances, who seeing him

in that rage, which shee soone perceiued by his behauiour, she came vn∣to him, (hauing seated himselfe downe in a chaire) and desired to know the cause of his wrath.

O Sister (quoth he) this place is the harbour of cruelty, tyrannie, and dishonour, which in times past hath beene famous, and a receipt of honour, but shortly will be hated and shunned, as odious and ominous, and all procured by the foolish Diuining of a wicked Harlot, that hath filled my Fathers head with such fancies, that hee forgetteth himselfe, his Honour, and Kingly behauiour, and giueth credit to none but flat∣terers and parasites, imprisoning his children, murthering his friends and séeking the subuersion of honour, and honourable knights. Oh Angelica, what should I say, or to whom should I complaine? he hath slaine Uertue, he hath destroied Honour, he hath murthered my deere Friend, that kinde and courteous knight: he hath cast the vnknowne (most honourable though vnknowne) Knight of Fame, into the Lions denne: without iudgement, iustice, right, or triall. Angelica hea∣ring his words, was readie to swound with griefe, but that feare to dis∣couer her loue, withheld her: but beeing not able to refraine from teares, shee withdrew her selfe aside to conceale the same, which Mar∣cellus espying caught her in his armes, and said. Nay deare Sister, doe not conceale your griefe for his death from me, that loue you so much the better: and if you euer conceiued any good liking of him, I shall ho∣nour you for the same: for he was worthy to be beloued of the best La∣die in the world: for in him shined all points and parts of true knight∣hood and honour. I cannot (quoth Angelica) denie, but that I liked •…•…d loued him too: neither shall I euer doe otherwise whilest I liue, though he knew not so much: for whose death, my heart shall neuer harbour quiet, nor neuer shall thought of other loue sinke into my breast: for him had I vowed to loue, and that vow will I keepe inuio∣lable, whilest life doth last.

Oh Angelica? (quoth Marcellus) had I knowne you had loued him so well, I would haue died with him, but I would haue saued his life, which was so suddenly acted and so vnexpected, that before I could recouer my sences from amazement, hee was past my reache. What cause had my Father thinke you, to seeke his destruction, but because he saw him in speech with you? Aye me (quoth Angelica) was I the cause of his death? I will then goe to him: with that such griefe op∣prest her heart, that she fell downe in his armes.

Marcellus called to her Maides, who presently came thronging a∣bout her, maruelling at her suddaine sickenesse: and especially Anna, who was priuy to her thoughts, and hearing Marcellus spéeches, made great lamentation. This newes was soone come to the Queenes hea∣ring, who presently came running vnto the place, and hauing by her labour recouered her, entred into these speeches: Why how now An∣gelica, what meanest thou to doe thy selfe this wrong? What mis∣chance or sudden passion hath caused this disquiet? Then turning to Marcellus, Or can you tell Marcellus, (quoth shee) for you were by? I know not (quoth he) but I am sure wee haue all cause of little ioye, when we that are the Kings children, shall be imprisoned vpon the flat∣tering report of euery dissembling Sycophant. Why (quoth shee) who hath abused you? That did Colimus (quoth hee) and him haue I re∣warded. Besides, my Lord and Father hath destroied that honourable strange knight, because I loued him, who neuer deserued the least cause of such cruelty, but was alwaies honourablie esteemed in euery Kings Court, vntill it was his ill happe to arriue in this vnfortunate place, to end his life by Tyranny not by Iustice. Take heede Marcel∣lus, Scandalize not your Fathers honour, which may bring you in danger: for that he hath done nothing but right, and with good con∣sideration, for behold that Letter, and thou shalt soone see what a coun∣terfet that Knight of Fame was.

Marcellus hauing read this Letter, was at the first suddenly amazed thereat, but yet notwithstanding, he said: vpon my life this accusati∣cusation is most false and vntrue. Angelica taking the letter and re•…•… ding the same, was exceedingly astonisht thereat, to whom Marcellus said. Angelica beleeue it not, for if you doe, you shall too much wrong that honourable Knight, that is too much abused already, who if hee were liuing, would soone reprooue these accusations: but hee good Knight is now dead, and past recalling, whose death will bring more dishonour to the Natolians, then euer will be recouered. Why (quoth the Quéen) what maketh thée Marcellus thus inconsiderate, by taking a strangers part, to indanger thy owne life, which knowest the Kings humor? Loue (quoth he) to that stranger, maketh mee bewaile his vntimely death, whom I would that I had excused.

The Queene seeing Angelica somewhat well recouered, departed vnto Maximus, who by that time had knowledge of Collimus death, and was meditating how to chastise Marcellus for that presumption:

But the Queene vpon her knees intreated him to pardon him, allea∣ging that Collimus had greatly abused him, that with much adoe the King was pacified.

Marcellus hauing somewhat comforted Angelica, in a heauie and sadde estate, departed to his chamber, and left her with her Damzell Anna, rather ready to yeelde vp the Ghoast, then otherwise likely to suruiue: and night being come, the refusing meat, went to her bed, not to sleepe, but to bewaile the Knight of Fames vntimely death.

The knight of Fame all this time remained in the Lions denne, carefully deuising which way to get out of that place tyring his senses, but finding no meanes of release. One while accusing his hard fortune, and then Maximus for his cruelty. Sometimes fearing to be famished in that place: and then comforting himselfe with perswasions of im∣possible deliueries. Now dispairing to be vtterly exempt from the swéet sight of Angelica, whose absense and restraint of liberty (procured as he thought by his boldnesse) pinched his heart with extreame feare.

In this sort he continued so long, vntill he was ready to be starued, and constrained to eate such vnsauory foode as was daily cast to the Lions. Angelica likwise no whit mittigated her griefe, but rather aug∣mented the same: being much comforted by Marcellus, whose minde was not yet satisfied with sufficient consideration of these mischances, both hee and Angelica continued as it were in a further hope in their fancies of the Knight of Fames safty: though when they beganne to comfort themselues with any perswasions, they were quite past hope. Maximus likewise hauing considered with what seueritie hee had vsed the Knight, and that he had condemned him without any triall of the accusation that had been vsed by his Knights, euer since his death, (be∣ganne to tell a remorse in his conscience of vniustice) but by the set∣led opinion that was stirred in his heart by those false Prophesies, hee soone shooke the same off.

Camillus all this time, likewise noted what iealous suspition the King heard of him, and hauing heard the report why he kept his daugh∣ter so strongly guarded, and of set purpose withheld her from his sigh•…•…, and noting how suddenly the Knight of Fame was made away, with∣out any cause of offence giuen, he began to feare himselfe, and b•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 meanes, durst not shew any signe of desire to sée Angelica, •…•…st b•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 meanes hee should seeke some occasi•…•… of quarrell with him, and •…•…se

him like the stanger: within a while departed from the Golden Tower, ••••••tending notwithstanding, either with force or faite meanes, to at∣taine her possession.