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. XXXV.

How Osirus hearing of Parismenos landing in Thessalie, carried him to his Castle. By what vnexpected meanes Dionisius, Parismus, Oliuia, and Laurana, met them at a banquet. How they were with pompe conueyed to Thoebe, and afterwards married with great royaltie.

ALl things béeing in as good order as might bee, and Theoretus as well cherished as could bée in that place, the night began to approach, when Parisme∣nos, béeing in the chamber with Angelica, drying himselfe by the fire, vttered these spéeches to the Fisherman.

Good Father, what recompence shall I euer bée able to make you for this kindnesse, by whose meanes our liues are preserued? but assure your selfe, that hence foorth I will proue so gratefull, that you shall not say, but your Guests were friendly in rewarding, as you ware kind and liberall in suc∣couring vs. And because you shall not bee ignorant to whom you haue done this friendship, know you, that you haue saued the liue•…•… of two young Princes. The olde man hearing his spéeches, told him, that all that he had should bee at his command. In these and many other spéeches they spent the euening, till Dorella had prouided their

supper, and drest the best meate she had, to comfort Angelica, who was well reuiued and chearefull, in whose company, Parismenos, and the Fisherman and his wife stayed all that night: bebause indéed there was no other bedding: in which time Parismenos comforted Angelica with many spéeches, who was onely glad to sée him in safetie.

Earely the next morning, Theoretus hauing with much adoo got∣ten into the roome where Parismenos and Angelica were, and fée∣ling himselfe past hope of life, vttered these spéeches. Most noble knight, I humbly beseech you, to pardon and forgiue that gréeuous and hanious offence I haue committed against you, and that most vertuous Lady, by the instigation? and inticement of Arenus, who was a knight of Slauoaia, with whom I had agréeed for a summe of mony, to conuey you to his country, whose intent was to betraie that Lady into his kéeping: but both his wicked intent, and my treason is now by the diuine prouidence preuented, and my selfe left to your mercy, beséeching you to pardon my monstrous misdéede: which when he had said, and they but a small time considered of his treacherie and there admyrable preseruation, euen when Parisme∣nos was readie to speake to him, hée gaue vp the ghost and died: which when they beheld, the olde Fisherman presently conueyed him out of the roome, and afterwards buried him.

Parismenos then growing into a déepe consideration of his estate, and withall, what hée had ouerpast, entered into these speeches. Was euer any man so vnfortunate as I anm, to bée to•…•…e with so many miseries, driuen from place to place, and yet can attaine no harbour of quiet? Were it my destenie to indure these torments alone, then could I with more patience ouerpasse them, but all that euer came in my company, are with mee subiect to the like misfortune: Woulde wee were nowe, againe in Natolia, for I am further from the hope of attaining to Bohemia now, then I was h•…•…en: wee are now driuen past our knowledge, into a straunge Countrie, and •…•…arre from all meanes of redresse. Coulde I but finde meanes to send to Bohemia, to giue my Noble Father knowledge of

my aboade, then might I be in some better hope of safetie.

Angelica seeing his sadnesse, accompanied his complaints with her wéeping teares, which augmented his heauinesse and sor∣rowes to a greater and higher degrée, that hée was readie with her to sh•…•…dde some teares, but that his manly heart would not suf∣fer him.

Dorella béeing by, and hearing his complaints, wherein he named Parismus (whom shee hadde heard married the Princesse Laurana) to be his Father, could not be in quiet, vntill her husband was come in, to whome shee declared what shée had heard. The olde man hearing that, presently came into the place where Paris∣menos was, and saids vnto him. My Lord, my wife telleth mee, how that you named your selfe Sonne to Parismus, which maketh mee bolde to aske you whether shee said true or not, whereof I most earnestly desire to be resolued.

Good Father (quoth Parismenos) I am Sonne to Parismus: but what maketh thée thus desirous to know that? Because (quoth hée, I knowe that Noble Prince, and would not doubt ere long, but sooone to bring you where he is: and to vse my best indeuours to further you in that behalfe. For knowe most Nable Prince, that now you are come into the land of Thessalie, where great Dionisi∣us is King. And moreouer I may boldely assure you, that both the famous & worthy Parismus, with the Princesse Laurana, are now in this Countrey, at the Court, in the Cittie of Thoebes. The oc∣casion of whose arriuall héere, wus by reason that Dionisius became extreamely sicke, and sent for them: who came thither not many dayes since.

Parismenos heart was so reuiued with his wordes, that hée embraced the olde man with exceeding ioy and gladnesse, beeing scarce able to containe himselfe within the compasse of moderate reioycing, then presently comming to Angelica, and taking her by the hand, hee most earnestly desired her to be of good comfort, for that their estate was farre better, then they before thought it had beene: whose heart was likewise reuiued in a sudden disposition, to a comfortable affectation: for whereas before shee was 〈◊〉〈◊〉

with the feare of drowning, possessed with a wearisome conceit of fur∣ther trauell, driuen into a strange and vnknowne place, farre from her desire, and contrarie to her expectation: and withall, saw Paris∣menos said and carefull heart opprest with much gréefe, which grée∣ued her more then all the rest. But now beeing in safetie, and in Thessalie, where she should soone méete Parismus and the Princesse Laurana, the thing shée most desired, and also séeing all her sadnesse turned to ioy, and euery thing fallen out most prosperouslie, euen according to her hearts content, shee séemed like one newly reui∣ued from death to life. And with Parismenos and the rest of that small companie, reioyced excéedingly, cas•…•…ing aside all further shewe of discontent, and spending the time they had to stay there, in great pleasure, the rather for that Angelica, Anna, and Iconius, were now in perfect health.

And on a time Parismenos séeing nothing to hinder his determi∣nation, demaunded of the Fisherman, how farre it was to the Citie of Thebes. My Lord (quoth he) it is some tewentie miles. Which is our best way to trauell thither (quoth Parismenos?) my Lord, it were much for that faire Ladie to trauell thither on foote, but if you would bee ruled by me, you should go to a Noblemans house within two miles, whose name is Osirus, the onely man that the King lo∣ueth, who I know will bid you welcome, and furnish you with all things necessarie and agreeable to your estate, being indeed the most kindest Nobleman in the world. Angelica (quoth Parismenos) of this Noble personage haue I heard my Father Parismus and the noble Pollipus giue many commendations, therefore so pleaseth you wee will goe to his house. I am exceedingly well contented (quoth Angelica.) My Lord (quoth the Fisherman) so pleaseth you, I will giue him knowledge of your beeing here. Doo so (said Parismenos.) The Fisherman then presently hasted towards Osirus Castle, and soone arrived there, and baeing brought before him, declared all that had happened.

Osirus at the first gaue no credence to his speeches, therefore hee said, My friend, thou bringest me newes that I can hardly beleeue: therefore tell me how thou knowest it is Parismenos? He hath told me that he is soone to Parismus, and the Ladie that is with him, is

Daughter to the King of Natolia. Osirus then presently comman∣ded his Gentlemen to mount themselues, his Ladie likewise named Vdalla, and her Ladyes and Gentle-women were suddenly in a rea∣dinesse, and all things necessarie in decent manner, to conduct them onwards of theyr way, with the most state that might bee, was pre∣pared, and in that sort, with excéeding ioye they rode to the poore Cot∣tage that shrowded such Noble personages: Which the Fisher-man soone gaue Parismenos knowledge of: Who presently went out to méete Osirus, and at the entrance of the doore he met him, and with a courteous behauiour they saluted each other. Osirus saying: My Lord, because I know you not, I beséech you pardon me, if I demand Whether you bée the Prince or no?

I am (quoth hee) the most vnfortunate Parismenos, neuer made happie, till this houre. Then said Osirus: In all dutie I bidde you most heartily Welcome into Thessalie: Which will account it selfe thrice happie by your Arriuall. Vdalla then came, and Embraced him, shewing by her courteous behauiour manifest tokens of ioy, for his presence.

Then they thrée together, went in vnto the Princesse Angelica, Whome both Osirus and his Ladie, saluted with most reuerend be∣hauiour, desiring her to leaue that place, and soiourne in their Castle: whither she should be as Welcome as hart could wish: Whose kind∣nesse both shee and Parismenos accepted with many thankes, and in most stately manner departed thitherwards. The Ladies attending on Vdalla, saluted the Princesse with great reuerence, growing into such admiration of her Beautie, the like whereof, they neuer beheld in any, but the Princesse Laurana.

Parismenos would by no meanes leaue the olde Fisherman, and Dorella behinde him, but tooke them along with him, hauing a spe∣ciall regard to reward them kindely, that had preserued his and An∣gelicaes life. Angelica and Parismenos soone arriued at Osirus Ca∣stle: Where they were so sumptuously and suddenly entertained, as that they excéedingly admyred the Noblemans bountie: and beeing entred the Hall, they beheld many stately descriptions of the famous acts of the Princes of Greece: and amongst the rest, the whole histo∣rie of Parismus warres, with the Persians, so liuely portraited, that it

would haue helde them with great delight to beholde the same, and comming into the inner roomes, beheld them so richly furnished, that they grew into admyration therof, whither Osirus and Vdalla Wel∣commed them with such heartie kindenesse, that they could not chuse but grow into an admirable conceyt of theyr honorable, liberall, and vertuous inclination to true honour.

There was a most costly Banquet, furnished with all sortes of precious Delicates made ready: Whither they were within shorte space inuited; There they heard the sound of much swéete Musicke, and behelde the hearts of the whole companie belonging to Osirus, as it were reuiued with ioy for their presence: Which filled their sences with an vnwoonted consent of delight, which by reason of the for∣mer miserie they had endured, séemed a Heauen of happinesse, and a Paradice of pleasure.

And in this sorte they spent the Day, and at Night were conduc∣ted to seuerall lodgings, Parismenos by Osirus, and diuers Knights, that soiourned in his Castle, and some that attended him. Angelica by Vdalla, and many other gallant Ladies and beautifull Damozels, with excéeding statelinesse, and courtesie.

And being alone by themselues, sauing that Anna was Angeli∣caes bedfellow, which roome shee was not to resigne, till Parismenos should take possession of the same: Hee on the one side meditated on his happy Fortune to arriue in that place, and admired Osirus cour∣tesie, and was most of all affected with ioye, that Angelica was so kindly Welcommed to that strange place, being farre from her owne Friends and Countrey, that he did not onely reioyce at their kinde∣nesse for his owne parte, but especially for hers: Whose content hee wisht, and desired more then his owne; And withall, being now in Thessalie, his heart was so fully possest with desired content, that hee séemed not to lacke any thing hee desired, but onely to enioy Angeli∣caes swéete, diuine, and pure Loues possession: Whith he was like∣wise in assurance to enioy within short space.

Angelica on the other side, spent some parte of the Night in communication with Anna: Which added a delight to her Sences, relating her misfortunas past, her happie preseruation, the Courtesie and gentle good nature shee founde in the Fisherman ane his Wife:

Which caused her to conceyue a perswasion by the kinde and bounti∣full entertainment shée hadde found in Osirus, that the Thessalians were people of an excéeding courteous disposition; Whereas many other People, both poore and Noble, were rude and barbarous, that she might thinke her selfe a thousand times blest, that shee had made choyse of so Honourable a Knight as Parismenos was, and one that was sprung from the Race of such noble Parents, and such naturall, kinde, and louing subiects, that her heart with these cogitations, sée∣med to be absolutely happie, and her Sences were filled with such de∣lightfull content, that in these heauenly Meditations, shee fell into a quiet and easefull rest.

The next norning Osirus and Vdalla were vp, readie to vse theyr best and vttermost indeuours, to expresse theyr liberall good Will? but the Princes kept theyr Beddes longer then vsuall: For that on the one side, they had spent much of the Night in the Meditations a∣foresaide: and on the other side, hauing bene so long time opprest with carefull cogitations, theyr Sences being now at rest, they slept with great quiet. And at such time as they were awaked, had all things in such Cerimonious kinde, and stately manner ministred vnto them, that they could not choose but admyre the same, being loath to motion theyr departure to the Court, least Osirus should thinke they did not accept of his kinde entertainment.

Whilest all remained in this great delight in Osirus Castle, re∣port had blazed into the hearing of diuers of the Nobles and knights of the Kings Court, the Ioy and great Feasting was kept by Osi∣rus: Which was made knowne in such sort, that they were assured some great Personages were arriued there, but none knewe who they were, that this newes was so open in the Court, that it came to Dyonisius hearing: Who most of all maruelling thereat, and ha∣uing now fully recouered his health, determined for his Recreation after his long Sicknesse, onely with Parismus, and some fewe of his Knights, to progresse secretly to Osirus Castle, both to recreate him∣selfe, to know what those should be he entertained, and especially, for that hee loued Osirus excéedingly well: Which determination hee made Parismus acquainted with, and the next day accordingly per∣formed the same. (Which was the thirde day that Parismenos had

bine with Osirus.) And being arriued at the castle euen about noone, hee and Parismus entered, whom the Porter well knewe, and pre∣sently Donisius (not suffering any of his seruants hee met, to giue Osirus knowledge of his approach) •…•…ted the stayres into the great chamber, where euen then Parismenos, Angelica, and all the rest, were seated at a most costly dinner.

Parismus still stayed with the rest of the knights without the doore, Osirus soone espyed Dionisius, and suddainelie starting from his seate, vppon his knee did his reuerence: Vdalla and the rest that knewe him did the like. Whilest Dionisius said: Osirus, you see a bolde guest comes without bidding, but it you had beene kinde, you would haue made mee pertaker of your mirth. Parismenos was so amazed, that a good while he could not tell how to behaue himselfe, but perceiuing that it was the King, hée with Angelica drewe to∣wards him, and humblie prostrated themselues before him vppon their knées, béeing vnable by the suddainnesse of their ioye to speake. Dionisius not knowing them, and maruelling to sée them knéele, was halfe astonisht, vntill Osirus to ridde him from that doubt, saide. My Lord this Knight is sonne to the Noble Prince Pa∣rismus. Before hée could say any more, or Dionisius once salute them, Parismus was entered, who at the first knewe Angelica, and by her his sonne, whom otherwise hée should not haue knowne, hée was so much altered, whose suddaine sight, so vnexpected, and so farre from his thought, and so contrarie to his expectation, and so impossible to his perswasion, made him tansformed into a kinde of admiration, whether it might be possible that it was they, or that it was some elusion: but Parismenos likewise espying him in such a studie, immediately rose from the ground, and vpon his knée did him reuerence, and Parismus embraced him with a most kinde, louing and ioyfull behauiour.

Angelica likewise knowing him, bent her deuotions with all humble reuerence to shewe her loue and dutie, whilest hee raised her from the ground, and embraced her in his ten∣ber armes, beeing vnable to expresse his ioye to see them there.

Dionisius likewise embraced them with great kindenesse, and

Welcommed them with teares of ioy. Oftentimes folding Paris∣menos in his armes with a louing behauiour, and holding Angelica by the hand, beeing loath to let the same goe, and vnable to expresse his inward ioy, that he, Parismus and all the rest, were possest with such content, as would aske a skillfull penne to describe.

Their welcomes, kinde embracings, gentle speeches, and other signes of contented ioy, were such as passeth my vttermost skill to relate, or decipher.

Dionisius then desired them to seate themselues againe at their banquet, and hee and Parismus would beare them companie: then they againe seated themselues and himselfe by Angelicas side, vsing her so kindly, so louingly, and so familiarly, and with such ex∣ceeding mirth, pleasantnesse, and merry countenance, that An∣gelicas heart was possest with ioy thereat: Parismus admired the same, Parismenos reioyced thereat: And Osirus and Vdalla tooke exceeding ioy thereat, hauing not a long time seene him so pleasant.

They would haue wayted, but he commaunded them to sit downe and be merie. The Noble men that came with him, which was Lord Remus, and diuers others, hee commaunded to sit downe, vttering these speeches. My Noble Children, the great ioy I conceyue for your presence is such, that it filles my sences with exceeding content. and were Oliuia and Laurana here, I would make account this were the best, most pleasing, most contented, most royall, and delightfull day that euer befell: but since they are absent, let vs be merrie: Osi∣rus bidde vs Welcome, for we are all your Guests. Parismenos and Angelica, Welcome into Thessalie: Welcome to your Grand-fa∣ther, and so exceedingly Welcom, as your hearts can wish. Parismus who would haue thought that these had bene with Osirus, what for∣tunate Destinie hath brought them hither? Or how are they so hap∣pily met, to méete vs here?

Well, did but Oliuia and Laurana knowe of theyr being heere, they would not be absent. He had no sooner ended that word, but O∣liuia the Queene, and Laurana entred the Chamber (the news of his secret departure from the Court, and his intent being tolde to them, they followed him to Osirus Castle.) To whom Osirus saide.

My Lord, it reioyceth me to see your Highnes so merrie. Dionisius

hearing her spéeches, suddenly started, and séeing her and Laura na, said.

No maruell though I bée merrie, haning the faire Lady of the Golden Tower by the hand. With that the whole company rose from the Table, and Parismenos knowing his mother, reuerenced himselfe before her vpon his kn•…•…, whilst she (knowing him) imbraced him most louingly, not knowing how suddēly to reioyce sufficiētly. Angelica not knowing, but supposing that was Laurana, her heart being onely vowed to Parismenos, thought it her duty to reuerence his parents so much as himselfe: therefore with him shée did reue∣rence to the Quéene and Laurana. And after many greetings sa∣lutations and welcomes past, Dionisius againe vttered these spoo∣ches.

I knowe that all here present are excéedingly glad for the safe∣tie of these two young Princes, then laying apart all salutations, which cannot suddenly be exprest, let vs once againe and this third time, seate our selues to this banquet, and leaue all other ceremo∣nies while afterwards, for w•…•… are determined to bid them welcome: and they shall know that we loue them. But first let vs refresh our stomackes with Osirus costly cheare, and afterwards we will desire to know the occasion and manner of their arriuall into the Country, which was neuer absolutely happy before this time. Then they all seated themselues againe in great content. Dionisius not suffering Angelica to sit from him, but close by his side, betwixt them and the Queene, euery one expressing exceeding ioy for their vnexpected safetie and arriuall in the Country. After dinner was welnie ended, which was ouerpast with pleasurable content on all sides, and was performed by Osirus in great pompe, Parismus desired Parisme∣nos to declare what misaduenture had befallen him, since his priuate departure from the Court at Ephesus: and by what occasion they arriued in the atplace.

Then Parismenos declared the truth of all, how he met with Angelica, of Irus death, Arenus and Theoretus treason, and of their preseruation by the Fisherman, which greatly delighted them all to heare. Dionisius then said, which is Iconius? Then Parismus called for Iconius, and he presently came: whom Dionisius, Paris∣mus

and the rest, vsed most kindly. And the Fisherman and his wife, were by Dionisius highly rewarded, and afterwards promo∣ted to great dignitie.

Some two dayes they altogether stayed in Osirus Castle, spen∣ding the time in exceeding mirth. And at last, with great Royaliie departed towards the Court at the Citie of Thoebes. Where there were infinite numbers of people with ioyfull hearts gathered togi∣ther to welcome them: expressing such ioy as is not to be described. And afterwards Parismenos and Angelica, in the presence and as∣semblie of Marceillus, Remulus, the King of Hungarie, the King of Sparta, and diuers other Noble personages, were with most excee∣ding Royaltie affianced together. And after Dionisius was dead, Pairsmenos was Crowned King of Thessalie, and liued all his life time in great quiet and blisful content, with the faire Angelica: Increasing the honourable fame and dignite of the Kings of Thessalie: hauing one onely Sonne and a daugh∣ter. Whose fortunes and aduentures, fil∣led the whole world with their Fame.