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. XXII.

¶ How Maximus found out Angelica, with the rest, at Saint Au∣stines Chappell, and banisht Marcellus, imprisoned Angelica, and Dulcia, and cast Parismenos into a deepe Dungeon: con∣demning him to be burnt, where he was ready to be famisht, And afterwards he escaped out, and met with Pollipus.

WHile these things were acting in Bohemia, Paris∣menos with Angelica, and Marcellus, with his swéete Loue Dulcia, remained in great safetie, and content, beeing voyde of feare to be now descried: seeing they had remained there in safety in all th•…•…se Troubles, and being pende within a little Roome, were desirous of some Recreation, and in an Eue∣ning, when they thought none were styrring, they went out of the Cell into a swéete Groue, hard adioyning therevnto: Where they walked vp and down, and at last, Parismenos taking An∣gelica aside, vnto a pleasant Banke, bedeckt with many swéet summer Flowers, and Marcellus likewise Dulcia, rested themselues not farre from them, recreating themselues with sweete embracings.

Parismenos had no sooner seated himselfe, but Angelica sate downe •…•…n his left Knée, clasping her right arme about his necke, with a kinde and swéete gesture, hiding her other in his manly Bosome, which was vnbuttoned, by reason of the heate: First, making many kisses a Pro∣logue to her spéech, she saide; My louing Knight, how happy should we be, if wée were in Bohemia, from the suspition of my Father? and how great should our pleasure be, if wee might enioy this happines without feare: but since wee cannot attaine that blessednesse, and are hindered from it by many daungers, let vs yet reioyce each in others company, which I account a ioy without compare: and a felicitie excéeding all fe∣licities. Most vertuous, kinde, and déere Lady (qd. be) how much fortu∣nate am I to enioy such excéeding fauour as you vouchsafe me? without the least merit, that haue refused no danger for my sake, that haue forsa∣ken your Parents fauor to yéeld me comfort: and most of all, that are contented, nay rather pleased with the fearfull and solitary estate of my vnworthie sake, that haue neuer bene meritorious, and that can neuer recompence such excéeding kindnesse. Parismenos (qd. she) miserie with your company is my pleasure: solitarinesse when I enioy you, is more pleasant then all the delightful pleasure in Kings Courts: and without I account all pleasure pain, all cōpany tedious, and all pompe excéeding penurie. In these and many other such like spéeches, sweet embracings, and superabūdant euerflowing of swéet contēt, they recreated thēselues vntill old Iabin came to them, and they deparced togither to their Cell.

Now it happened (according to the vnfortunate resolution of harde

Destinie, that one of the Eunuches that before was Angelicaes kéeper, being fled from the Mayden-Tower, after Angelica was missing, for feare of Maximus displeasure, which hee knewe well could bee no lesse then death, was hidden in that Woodde, where he euer since his flight shrowded him, liuing vppon such foode as the place yéelded: which was Wild fruite, and (by most euill fortune) lay close in a heape of thicke bu∣shes, and heard Parismenos and Angelicaes spéeches, and knewe them, and at theyr departure secretly followed them vnto S. Austines Chap∣pell: Where after he had seene them enter, with all spéed that might be he hasted towards the Cittie, and in the morning got thither, where at the first hee was admitted to Maximus presence, to whome hee declared how that Angelica was at Saint Austines Chappell, where Iabin was Priest, relating the whole truth of all that he had séene and heard.

Maximus by his speeches perceiued that it was the vnknown Knight that was with her, which very thought kindled new sparks of ire in his brest, which before he had calmed: that in a monstrous rage hee •…•…ed if euer hee caught that vnknowne Knight, to be reuenged on him with seueritie. Then presently he assembled all the Noble Pée•…•…es & Knights together againe, commaunding them with all spéede to be ready to goe with him, not making the cause knowne to any: Who with all spéede buckled on their Armor, and at his comming down departed with him: Who hasted with all spéed towards S. Aust: Chappell, where he arri∣ued with more then ordinary spéed. Angelica at the very instant of their arriuall, was fallen into a slumber, and dreamed that her Father Maxi∣mus had compassed the Chappell with Armed-men, wherewith her sen∣ces were so affrighted, that she suddenly started vp from the place where shee lay, and with a sudden shrike leapt to Parismenos, and caught him in her armes. Parismenos maruelling, and beeing amazed at her sud∣den crie, demaunded what shee ayled? Which for feare shee could not vtter: that he halfe astonisht, ranne to his Armor, and armed himselfe therewith, clasping his bright Sworde in his hand: Which hee had no sooner done, but he heard one knock at the Chappeil-doore, which made him knowe that it was not Iabine, and looking out at the Windowe, he saw thousands of Getulians in Armor, which so appalled his Sences, that he was ready to fall do•…•…n dead. Angelica seeing his sudden sad∣nesse, likewise stepping vp to the Window, beheld the Souldiers with∣out, that she fell downe w^t griefe: Which Dulcia séeing, she with Anna tooke her vp, and conueyed her into the Cell. Then Parismenos opened

the doore, and the Getulian knightes offered to enter, but Parismenos setting himselfe in the doore, with his Sword point bent against them, told them, that whosoeuer entred first should die. With that Maximus asked him what hee was? I am (qd. hee) inferiour to none, and there∣fore as good as any. Art thou Marcellus? (qd. he) I am not Marcellus, but his friend. Tell me what thou art (qd. Maximus) or I vowe thou shalt die. Maximus (qd. hee) I am Sonne to Parismus of Bohemia, my name Parismenos, sometimes called the vnknowne Knight. Maximus hearing his spéeches, wondred at them, and said: Is not Angelica with you? Yes (qd. be) both Angelica and Marcellus are within. Deliuer them (qd. Maximus) to •…•…ée, I will (qd. hee) vppon condition you will take them into fauour, and remit all former displeasure you haue taken against them, and graunt mee Angelica in marriage. Otherwise, I stand here to defend them from all the force of Getulia.

Maximus was so enraged with his spéeches, that hee aunswered: What madnes doth possesse thy minde, that standest vpon such termes of resistance, when thou seest thousands of Armed Souldiers to incom∣passe thy life? thinkest thou with boasting spéeches to auoid my displea∣sure, and disappoint my reuenge? no, wert thou the greatest Potentate in the World, thou couldest not escape my hands: With that he com∣manded his Knights to apprehend him by force; Who presently began to enter vpon him, but hee (by reason of the narrownesse of the Way) stoode in his owne Defence, and flewe the first that came; and after him another, and behaued himselfe so couragiously, that which of them first entred, first dyed: and had they all assayed to enter that way, he would haue slaine them all.

Marcellus séeing what a mischiefe this slaughter might bréede, and withall, knowing that it was impossible for them any way to escape, but rather to increase Maximus to more desire of reuenge, stept betwéen Parismenos and the Getulians: Who knowing him, would not offer a blow at him, whilest hee spake to Parismenos, desiring him to be ruled by him: Who likewise considered that in this extremitie it was best to yéelde, for there was no hope of escape, therfore he agréed to doo according to his direction. Marcellus then vpon his knée, submitted himself to his Father. By this time the Getulians had beaten downe a great part of the Chappell, and rushed violently vpon Parismenos: Who disdained to be forced to yéeld, before they could ouercome him, sent many of their ghosts to hell, but in the ende by their multitude, hee was so thronged,

that he could not lift his armes to strike another blow, and so was con∣strained to yéelde, whome Maximus commaunded to be first bound.

Angelica seeing this, with wéeping eyes humbled her selfe vpon her knee to her Father, and saide; I beseech your Maiestie vse that Knight honourablie, on whose safetie my life dependeth: More she would haue said, but Maximus cut her off with these spéeches; Poore, shamelesse, and disobedient creature, Pleadest thou for him, and not rather for pardon for thy owne shamelesse déedes? Holde thy tongue: for I will not heare thée speake a Word more. With that hee commaunded them all to be apprehended, and so he departed with them to the Court: first impriso∣ning Parismenos, and Gyuing him withboltes and fetters of Iron, ca∣sting him into a most leathsome, stinking, and darke Dungeon. An∣gelica he caused likewise to be discrobed of her Ornaments, and cast in∣to a Prison, with Anna and Dulcia, vntill they had more leysure to de∣fermine of them. Marcellus at the instant intreaties of the Quéene and Nobles, he did not Imprison, but with many rebukes and reproa∣ches banisht him his presence: vowing if that euer he came in his sight, he should loose his head.

To rehearse the seuerall complaintes Angelica and Dulcia made, would bee tedious to reccount, and too grieuous to recite, for they were such as would force salte teares from Tyrants eyes, pierce the stonie Rockes, and mollifie the hardened-Hearts of the most rude, cruell, bar∣barous, and inhumane monsters in the whole Worlde, being hardly v∣sed, scantly Dieted, and badly Lodged: That Maximus often hearing theyr plaints, pittied their Laments, yet therewith was rather drawne to more seueritie, then any way mollified.

Parismenos misery likewise, was nothing inferiour to theyrs, or ra∣ther ten times worse, being alone (they hauing the benefit of each others company: which is a great comfort in miserie) without light, for the Uault or Dungion whereinto he was thrust, had not so much as a cre∣uice, where through any light appeared, being large and wide, far from any company, that he could not heare any creatures voyce, hauing but once a day food, which was Bread and Water, and of that so little, that it would scarce preserue life: Clagd and ouerloden with the burdenous weight of Chaines and bolts: in which sort he continued many dayes, without hope euer to escape from that place: Where you may suppose, his cares were great, and his comforts small.

Many dayes being past, Maximus assembled all his Noble Péeres, and Estates of the Countrey togither, to determine what to doo with Parismenos, against whome many Accusations were layde, which ten∣ded to the breache of their Lawes, especially that of Angelicaes Rape: Which was amongst them punished with death, and that so seuerely, as that none escaped; whom the King in open Audience condemned to dye the same death that theyr Lawes yeelded, which was to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 burnt.

Dulcia likewise they condemned to perpetuall imprisonment: but for the Kings children, by the Lawes, they were to stand at their Parents disposition.

This Newes was soone conueyed to Marcellus knowledge, which strooke an exceeding torment to his heart: Which rather then he would endure to sée, hée would execute his owne death desperately, to saue his Friend, that hee fared like a Madde-man, and wheresoeuer he became, hee made those that beheld him wonder, to sée him so altered in gesture, and so suddenly that hee quite forsooke the Court, and continually re∣mained in Lady Panoraes house, so secretly, that none knew what was become of him.

Parismenos hauing continued many daies in the loathsome dungeon, maruelling that he could heare no newes from Angelica, and also that Marcellus had forgotten to yéeld him comfort in his greatest extremity, thought that eyther they were imprisoned, or else that the King in his Furie, had executed some cruell reuenge vpon them. These cares on the one side were sufficient torments, and his harde imprisonment and cruell vsage on the other side, enough to kill the stoutest heart, that had he not bene preserued by admyrable and strange operation, he could ne∣uer haue endured those calamities. At last hee beganne to dispaire of all hopes, and suddenly to recall his Sences, and with more comfort to studie howe to release himselfe: And amongst many thousands of de∣uises which came into his Fancie, he deuised how to entice the Keeper to come into the Dungeon, which hee thus contriued. The next time the Iaylor came to bring him his vsuall Dyet, he fained himselfe to bee excéedingly sicke, and groaned as though hee had gasped for his latest breath. The Iaylor hearing him make such moane, asked him what hee ayled. To whome Parismenos saide: Good Iaylor, the date of my life is now at an ende, so that I neuer looke to sée the day light againe, béeing of all men most vnfortunate, to ende my wretched life in this place, that might haue liued in great dignitie in mine own Countrey:

but now past hope of all comfort: onely to thée am I able to doo good be∣fore I die, I haue good store of Golde and Iewells about mée, which I will giue vnto thee, if thou wilt but doo thy endeuour to saue my life, for that I am yet in hope of his mercie: and withall, I will declare vnto thée, where thou shalt haue more Riches then thou wilt euer be able to spend. All this will I doo for thée, if thou wilt helpe me out of this mi∣serable life, to yéelde me same of thy helpe, for that I am fallen, and am not able to rise. Manie other perswasions Parismenos vsed, which wrought so effectually with the Iaylor, that inticed with hope of fin∣ding Wealth, and past feare of him that was so weake, hee opened the Dungion without any feare or doubt, (being thereto guided by the Di∣niue prouidence) and came to Parismenos; Who no sooner sawe him within reach of his armes, (retaining a most manly courage notwith∣standing his Weakenesse) gathering all his strength together, caught holde on him and ouerthrewe him, and getting vppon him with swifte crawling, for that he was not able to stand by reason of his Boltes, and hauing him vnder him, neuer left strugling and striuing with him, vntill he had strangled him. Then taking the Bunch of Keyes vp, hee loosened and vnlockt all the Bolts that were fastened to his legs, necke, and other parts of his bodie: Which when hee had done, prostrating himselfe vpon his Knées, he praised God for that happie successe: Then presently without delay, hee stript off all the Iaylors Apparell, and ap∣parelled himselfe therwith, casting his body into the further ende of the Dungion, and so went out, and locked the Dungion doore after him.

By this time it began to be darke: Which was a meanes to further him in his escape, that in the Iaylors apparell he went into the Court, with the keyes at his gyrdle, and the Iaylors Fanchion, which he con∣tinually ware about him, and met with diuers, passing by them with∣out suspition, and from thence hee got out at the Court-gates, beeing of euery one taken for the Iaylor.

And being without the Court, hee neuer stayed vntill he was out of the Cittie, •…•…nging the Keyes into a poole of Water harde without the Cittie-Gates, tooke his Iourney directly to Saint Austines Chappell, thinking there to finde Iabin, whom the King had mist, for that he was not in the Cell when Maximus had apprehended Parismenos. Early on the next morning hee arriued there, where at his comming he found an Army of Horsemen, that spred all the fields with theyr Troups, and presently he knewe them to be Bohemians, some of them espying him,

taking him to be a Spie, carryed him before Pollipus, who was their Generall.

Parismenos being come before Pollipus, was by him stricktly exa∣mined, to whome hee said. Wherefore haue you brought this armie in∣to Getulia? (Why quoth Pollipus) haste thou not heard how Parisme∣nos is imprisoned by Maximus wrongfully? and moreouer, hath iud∣ged him to a vile and shamefull death, which hee is to suffer sixe dayes hence? Parismenos hearing his speeches, maruelled how hee should come to the knowledge of that newes, which olde Iabin had told them. With that hee said: Parismenos is not in prison, but now is at liberty, which I came to giue you knowledge of, for whome you neede not take more care Uillaine (uqoth Pollipus) what sayest thou, is Parismenos dead? With that his colour began to goe and come, and his heart was excéedingly formented. Parismenos then discouered himselfe, whom Pollipus espying, caught him in his armes with a feruent embrace, the rest of the knights thronging about him with excéeding ioy. This newes was soone spredde through the whole campe, who flung vppe, some their staues, some their helmets, and euery one something, yéel∣ding foorth many a shout for ioye, then presently commaundement (en∣termingled with kinde intreatie (was giuen, that none should vpon no occasion whatsoeuer, discouer Parismenos being among them: being assured of the truth of his escape by his owne report.