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. XIX.

Of the Knight of Fames preseruation. How he got out of the denne, and departed the Tower.

THe next day after Camillus departure, which Maxi∣mus perceiued was with a discontented minde, the kéeper of the Lyons denne, came to make cleane the same, and vsed his wonted manner, which was to set open those places that were cleane, into which the Lions would soone enter, and hauing fast bol∣ted the dores, and beeing owner of the Lyons, er∣tred into the denne, where the knight of Fame was, who suddenly caught hold on him, hauing before secertly shrow∣ded himselfe from his sight, and beeing carefull to prouide for his owne safty, snatcht from his side a hanging Sword: the Keeper knowing him, maruelling to see him aliue, and exceedingly astonished at his sight, held vp his hands for mercy, to whom the Knight of Fame saide. My freinde, I séeke not thy life, but mine owne safety, beeing as thou seest, preserued by Diuine prouidence by the Kings cruelty, by him vniustly cast into this place, without any cause of offence: but wrongfully, as thou maiest perceiue by my preseruation: for if my facte had deserued punishment, no doubt I could not haue escaped the crueltie of these executioners, hauing endured great danger of famish∣ment. Now my request vnto thee is, that thou wouldest but suffer me to depart from hence, without descrying me, for I haue no reason to trust to Maximus courtesie, and hauing already endured this miserie by his crueltie: which thou maiest well doe, without endangering thy selfe any kinde of way, for there is none but doth assuredly thinke I am dead.

The Keeper hearing his spéeches, and withall, seeing how admi∣rably hee was preserued, and also fearing his owne death, assured him by many vowes and protestations, not onely doe that which hee had desire••, but also would most faithfully execute what other thing soeuer

he should command, to his vttermost power. Will thou then (quoth he) doe this for me? Giue me the keyes, and make fast the doore, so that thou canst not goe from mee, and then call downe thy boy, and send him to Marcellus, to request him to come to thee, but in such sort, that the boy may not see me, and also to doe his message secretly: which the Keeper told him, he would most willinglie performe. Then directing the Knight of Fame how to locke the doore, that he could not escape, hee called downe the boy, who presently came to him, whom he comman∣ded to séeke out Marcellus secretly, and to desire him, that he would vouchsafe to come and speake with him, about a matter of great im∣portance. The boy hauing receiued his message, immediatly hasted to execute the same: and most fortunatly met him in the outer Court, to whom he declared the cause of his comming. Marcellus maruelling why the Keeper had sent for him, presently began to remēber the knight of Fame, with which his heart began to throb: but hasting down to the den, the keeper commanded his boy to depart: and humbling himselfe to Marcellus, told him that the knight of Fame was stil liuing. Which said, he ran in vnto him (who had shrowded himselfe from his sight) and told him Marcellus was come: then presently hee came foorth, whom Marcellus espying, with great reioicing, caught him in his armes, and most louingly embraced him, seeming to be reuiued with ioy, in respect of the care opprest his minde before hee had knowledge of his safetie. Manie courteous greetings past on either side, Marcellus de∣sired the Keeper not to reueale this secret to any: for if it should come te my Fathers hearing, it were impossible then to preuent his rigour: and withall promised him, that if he would let him lodge in his house but that night, he would reward him most bountifullie: and withall promised him to higher dignity, and to such place of account, as that hee would haue good cause to reioice, that euer the Knight of Fame came within his house. The Keeper both drawne by his owne good in∣clination, and also by the hope of reward and preferrement, beeing but poore, promised his vttermost aide and assistance to pleasure him, and withall, to performe his full desire, with such security that none should conceiue any suspition thereof: with that they altogether departed vp into his Lodge, where the knight of Fame refreshed himself•…•… with comfortable meates, beeing exceeding glad (as hee had good cause) of this successe: and •…•…endring many thanks to Marcellus (who well deser∣ued the same.)

Marcellus being yet somewhat troubled in his minde about the Letter the King of Lybia had sent, and desirous to be satisfied of the truth therein, taking the Knight of Fame aside, from the hearing of the kee∣per, said as followeth.

Sir Knight, although I haue shewen you this fauour and friend∣ship, which my fancie often perswaded mee to refnse, yet vrged by the good will I beare you, and for other considerations which I will yet conceale from you, I could not choose but reioice at your safety, and worke what meanes I can for your preseruation: yet there remaineth a grudging in my conscience against you, vntill you assure me by your faithfull oath, to satisfie me of the truth of my doubt without fraud: for if that be true which is alleaged against you by the affirmation of a king, you deserue the punishment my Father inflicted vpon you, and rather to be generally hated, then beloued at all. Most honourable Knight (quoth he) I know my selfe so cleare from all such villany, as that I sweare and protest by my life, by Heauen, and by all the good that euer I expect, which I desire to turne to my destruction, it I tell you not the very truth.

Then (quoth Marcellus) the same day that the King my Father caused you to be throwne into the Lyons den, the king of Lybia sent hi∣ther certaine of his Knights, with a Letter, wherein he accused you to haue most shamefully dishonoured his Daughter Venola, desiring my Father to dispatch you out of the way: for your life and nothing else might appease his ire: which was the cause of his cruelty.

My Lord (quoth the knight of Fame) vpon mine honour, my former oath, and by all other truth and fidelity, this accusation is most vniust, false, and vntrue: which if I may by your fauour in whose hands my life now resteth) haue liberty to approue, I will maintaine the contrary, euen in the gates of the king of Lybia, and cause my accusers to con∣fesse the contrary: neither did I euer seeke loue at that Ladies hands, by whose dishonourable meanes this false accusation is raised against mee.

Deare friend (qd. Marcellus) you haue said inough, and I rest assured∣ly satisfied of your loialty. The knight of Fame was so inwardly vexed with this accusation that he was halfe mad with griefe, but chiefly, for that hee thought it was come to Angelicas hearing, and might bee a meanes to cause her vtterly to forsake him: which appalled his sences, with extreame vexation, that he stood like one transformed.

Marcellus perceyuing his Discontent, desired him not to bee grieued but to ouerpasse the same, vntill hee hadde meanes to prooue the con trarie.

My Lord (replyed he;) How can I chuse but be sorrie, when there∣by I am dishonoured in euery mans opinion; Which I account more dearer then my life? Besides, with what impatiencie may I shew my selfe before any Knight liuing, but rather rid my hated selfe out of this miserable life, which is the next way to salue this blemish. But if you will vouchsafe c•…•… heare the true reporte of the miseries I haue endured euer since my byrth, you would say that I am the onely Mappe of sor∣row, and borne to perpetuall calamitie. I desire nothing more (quoth Marcellus;) With that hée rehearsed to him all that hee could, of his bringing vppe in the Iland of Rockes, his departure▪ from thence, and Shipwracke at Sea: How hee was entertained by Duke Amasenus in Thrace, and the treacherie that was intended against him there, by Corus and Argalus; then of his successe in the Kings Court of Thrace, and the occasion why he departed from thence to the Forrest of Arde: and how there hee mette the Prince of Bohemia, and released Venola: Then how Venola songht his Loue: and how she gaue him (by subtil∣tie) a somniferous Potion, to withhold his departure with Parismus, which he had purposed: and how afterwards perceiuino her intent, de∣parted from the•…•…e.

Withall, hee declared the manner of the Uision that appeared vnto him in Thrace, and how hee was thereby enioyned to seeke out the faire •…•…adie that had appeared vnto him, and sue for her Loue, which was the cause that he both refused Phylenas marriage, and Venolaes proffer of kindnesse: and also he declared how he first arriued in that Countrey: and met Angelica, which was the very same Lady that appeared vn∣to him in the vision; and also told him, that he was likewise enioyned to seeke out his Parēts, which the vision told him were of great birth. This (quoth he) is the true discourse of my forepassed life, which I ne∣uer yet manifested to any but your selfe, whose fauour hath farre sur∣mounted my desert, into whose hands I commit my selfe to bee dispo∣sed of: desiring you not to conceiue amisse of mee, for that false accu∣sation being most vntrue.

Marcellus againe embracing him in his armes, desired him like∣wise, not to thinke that hee did any way conceiue the least euill opinion of him, but that he did esteeme of him, as the dearest friend he had in

the World, and that he did both loue and honour him as himselfe, and would neuer forsake him whilest hee liued, but continue his faithfull friend for euer. Hauing in this sort made a new league of amitie, Mar∣cellus left the Knight of Fame to his priuate meditations, promising to returne to him very shortly, going directly to Angelica, whome hee found continuing her woonted sadnes: For shee could by no meanes be comforted, but still augmented her Loue, by remembring the Knight of Fames person, to whom she bare such intire affections, that she resolued neuer to Loue any other Knight, but determined to spende the whole date of her life in single estate.

Marcellus sudden Approach brake off her silent pensiuenesse, by his countenance shewing a heart replenisht with ioy, which hee vttered in this sort. Angelica (qd. hee) cast off this sadde countenance, for I bring you newes of more comfort: for the Knight of Fame is liuing, and pre∣serued by admirable meanes. Oh Brother (quoth she) this newes can∣not be true, which will nip my heart with griefe to heare of, and be dis∣appointed therein. Sister (qd. he) it is so, neither maruell thereat, for his innocencie in the fact laide to his charge, hath I thinke caused the Gods to pitty him: besides, thereby you may be assured, hee is borne of royall blood, who is now in the Kéepers house in safety, with whome I haue bene these two hours: Now cast off these discontents and clowds of care, for there is no further cause of disquiet for his supposed death.

Angelica then verily belieuing his wordes, saide: Good brother tell me how he doeth, for whose safetie I reioyce? For of all the Knights that euer I behelde, I neuer liked nor loued any so well: desiring you withall, to kéep my counsell, (hauing bewrayed my secrets to none else) and not let him know so much as I haue tolde you. Then should both you and I doo him wrong (qd. he) for he hath well deserued loue, and es∣pecially at your hands: to whom by his owne report, he hath long ago dedicated himselfe, and not onely of his owne inclination, but of a high command: for the truth of which, he hath vpon trust of my secrecie, re∣uealed vnto me, which you shall likewise heare: then he discoursed the whole truth, euen as the Knight of Fame had before done: which when she heard, she said: What a discourteous Lady is that Venola, to séeke the ouerthrow of so Woorthy a Knight? and how may I estéeme him, that before he knew mee, was so constant in his Loue, without hope of my fauour, and refused the proffred loue of two such Ladies for my sake; besides the perill he hath endured in my search: and peraduenture is

sprung of greater byrth then my selfe. And now also by my Parents doome was put in that hazard of his life. Good Brother be you careful•…•… of his good, and whatsoeuer you shall counsell me too, I will doo: If my Father should know of his safety, then were there no means for him to escape death: For such a hard conceit of suspect doth possesse his minde, that he hateth all those that beare me any shewe of good Will.

Well (quoth Marcellus) rest you contented, and still continue your louetowards him, to increase and not diminish the same, who is by de∣stiny alloted to be your husband: the care of whose welfare let be my charge: for I so much loue and esteeme him, both for his own and your sake, that I will leaue no meanes vnassayed, whereby to do you good: which said, hee againe departed to the Knight of Fame. By this time the darke night approached, and Marcellus and the knight of Fame were deuising what meanes to vse for his safetie, and to procure the desired content Angelica expected, who before had giuen herconsent to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ruled by her Brother: that by the assurance he had of her, hee put the knight of Fame in assured comfort of her loue, by relating in some sort (the contents of Angelicas conference before had with him, which af∣fected his heart with greater ioy, thē euer before he had endured griefe: that his escape from death did not comfort his heart so much as this happy news. At last Marcellus said: Noble knight you see how strictly my father gardeth Angelica, that there is no meanes lef•…•…t to ease your greefe or her care by tarrying here: neither can you without great ha∣zard of your life, remaine within the circuit of this Tower: for that my Father suspecteth euery one, yea his owne children, whereby we are tired with those troubles, and would willingly worke any meanes to ease our selues, & especially Angelica hath ben mewed vp so closely, that shee I am sure would vndertake any thing to enioy her libertie, were it in neuer so poore estate, wherein in my opinion is many thousand of sweete contents to bee found, rather then in this troublesome Pompe, which is repleat with infinit cares.

Therefore this is my censure, that you shall this night (as I will direct you) depart from hence, and go to Saint Austins Chappell, not farre hence, and there stay for mee, vntill to morrow morning, where remaineth an olde religious Priest, named Iabine, who if you say you come from mee, wil assuredly giue you entertainement: which when you haue done, I will so worke with my Sister Angelica,

that hee shall condescend by such meanes as I will worke for her secret escape, to come to you: by which I hope I shall end the doubts that pos∣sesse my Fathers minde, ridde their Countrey of the scandall it is likely to runne into: and worke both mine owne, yours, and Angelicaes con∣tent: for so dearely doo I loue her, that had I many liues to loose, I would hazard them all to worke her releasement: For were she once marryed, then should the date of the foolish Prophecie haue an ende. The Knight of Fame hearing his spéeches, which only tended to worke the content, hée aboue all things in the World sought, could not well containe him∣selfe from expressing immeasurable ioy, but yéelding many humble and harty thanks to Marcellus, both commended his deuise, and also intrea∣ted him to goe forward with the same.

Then Marcellus called the Kéeper, asking his counsell, if he knew any way whereby the Knight of Fame might getont of the Castle promi∣sing him a good reward: and withall, pulling from his necke a Chaine of gold, gaue him the same. The Kéeper being inticed with this reward, (Gold hauing that force, to make thimgs impossible come to effect) pre∣sently tolde them he hadde a Deuise that might goe for Currant, if the Knight would vndertake the same. I haue my Lord (quoth he) a Ues∣sell of great largenesse, which sometimes sorted for other vses, which if wée could deuise to let downe into the Lake, he might easily in that get ouer vnto the other side: Which deuise Marcellus and the Knight of Fame both liked. And about Midnight, when all things were at rest, they put the same in practise, and by a Rope lette the Uessell downe: Which swamme most currantly.

Then fastening a Rope about the Knight of Fames middle, and after that (With many fayre promises and protestations of perpetuall Friendship) they had taken theyr leaues, the Kéeper and Marcellus lette him downe: Who was so heauie, by reason of the waight of his owne bodie, and his Armour, that they had much adoo from letting him fall, and being in the Uessell, was like to sinke in the same. But with much adoo (and great daunger of Drowning) by reason of the tottering and vnsted fastnes of the Uessell, which with euery little Weyght more on one side then on the other, was ready to ouerturne, hee got on to the Bancke, which was so stéepe vpwards, that hée had much adoo to clime vp the saine, but was oftentimes readie to fall downe backwardes into the Lake vnder him, which was of an excéeding great and huge depth:

but hauing happily escaped both those daungers, hée departed towards Saint Augustins chappell, according to such dyrections Marcellus had giuen him to finde the same. Marcellus and the Kéeper drewe vp the Uessell, and betooke themselues to theyr rest.

The Knight of Fame had not well remembred Marcellus spéeches, and therfore hauing gone some halfe mile from the Golden Tower, fea∣ring to wander out of the way, he tooke vp his lodging vnder a Cipresse Trée, spending the whole Night in manifolde meditations, of the suc∣cesse of his businesse: Being oftentimes in great doubt, and dispairing of neuer séeing Angelica again, drawne to that feare by reason of Maxi∣mus Iealousie, and the diligent Watche hee had set in euery corner of the said Tower, but especially at the entrance: Where none went out and in, but the Gardiants searched them, that his minde was sometimes wrackt with dispaire▪ and sometimes animated to comfort by the assu∣red trust he had in Marcellus. The Night béeing by him in this sort spent, in the Morning hee betooke himselfe againe to his Iourney, and with ease found out Saint Austins chappell: and knocking at the chap∣pell doore, it was iong before any came, but at last he beheld olde Iabin standing behinde him; Who had bene abroade very early, and then re∣turned, whome the Knight of Fame most kindely saluted. Iabin mar∣uelling to sée one in Armour, demanded what he would haue?

Right reuerend Father (quoth hée,) I am sent hither vnto you by Marcellus; Whose request is that you would▪ for his sake vouchsafe my secrete abode with you vntill his cōming, which wilbe this day, if other contrary occasion hinder him not. Iabin noting his comely proporti∣on, & willing to doo any thing for Marcellus sake, brought him into his Cell, adioyning to his chappel, and welcomed him so kindly as he could.