impossibilities, neyther shall anie miserie alter my constant resolution. With that he embraced her in his arms, who gaue a silent consent, in∣termingled with teares, procéeding from her tender heart: With whom Marcellus stayed some time, spending the time in many friendly confe∣rences, so that Dulcia was constrained by his intreaties, and her owne yéelding heart, to giue her consent: both their intents being grounded vpon no other purpose, but that which is vertuous and chaste.
Parismenos being departed from Marcellus, soone arriued at the Maiden Tower, where hee alighted: and comming to the Gardiants that kept the Gate, hee saluted them with a courteous behauiour, and tolde them, that hee was sent by Maximus theyr King, to be one of the Gardiants: Whome at the first they denied him, then he deliuered his Letter, which they hauing read, accepted him for one of theyr fellowes, without any doubt or mistrust.
When hee had obtained his desire in this, with such a prosperous beginning, hee began to comfort himselfe with hope of further good For∣tune, continuing all that Night amongst the rest of the Gardiants, and not once offering any behauiour which might bréed suspition: but beha∣ued himselfe most carefully, both in all his words and déedes, as he had good reason: For that they were very circumspect, and almost by rea∣son of the strict charge the King had giuen them, ready to suspect each o∣ther. All the next day continued hée in that sort, without any méeting of the Eunuches: But on the third day he met two of them together in a place most conuenient, and faluted them most kindely: Who maruel∣ling what he should be, for that he was a stranger, began presently to be iealous of him: but he perceiuing the same, told them, that he had a se∣cret message vnto them from the King: and withall, a letter vnder his hand and signet to the Gardiants, which he shewed them. But to you (qd. h•…•…) the King hath sent me wt this message, that you shall admit mée at all times to Angelicaes presence: whome you haue the custodie of, though vnknowne to any but your selues: which he told me likewise, he gaue you a speciall charge to conceale from the rest of the Gardiants, and hath vppon the trust hee hath reposed in mee, giuen me authoritie with you to haue her custody. The Eunuches hauing heard his message, and with all, the Kings priuy seale to the Letter, written in his behalfe, could not chuse but giue credence to the same, supposing that none was priuie to Angelicaes being there but the King, that they made no doubt but that he was sent by him: but would not trust him, vntill they had