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. XXXIII.

How treacherouslie Irus vsed Angelica. How he was murthered by Anna. And of Parismenos arriuall at Iconius Caue. How hee rescued Anna from a most violent death: and of other accidents that befell.

AFterwardes when Angelica had fullie recou∣red her health, Irus thought the time now most fitlyest serued to insinuate himselfe into her fa∣uour, for the fierce flames of his restrained af∣fections did furiouly boyle in his brest: by Ico∣nius counsell, would hée oftentimes frequent her company, but in such sort, as that hée séemed to pittie her Passions, and would oftentimes enter into discourses of great penitencie, for his outrage commited against her: but in such sorte, that hée craued her good opinion of his good in∣tent towards her.

This behauiour hée vsed so long, that Angelica beganne to conceyue well of him, and to remitte some parte of her conceiued displeasure, and also her feare of his further crueltie: And many times Iconius and all the rest of their company, béeing out of the Caue, left Irus alone with Angelica, who behaued himselfe in such decent sort, and with such kinde behauiour towards her, that Angelica thought hée had vtterly abandoned his former rude and vnciuill behauiour.

Iconius afterwardes, one day béeing in talke with Irus, e∣espyed one of his associate come in gréeuouslie wounded, who de∣clared that hée had mette with a straunge Knight, from whome hée had hardly escaped with his life. Iconius hearing this his spéeches, was much troubled in his minde to know what hee should bée, that within some thrée dayes after, making Irus priuie to his intent, went out of the Caue, accompanied by all the rest of his fellowes to him, and left Irus alone in the Caue. Who after Iconius departure, seated himselfe downe in a melancholie studie, thinking himselfe too

foolish, to liue so long in the sight of his beloued Angelica, without any hope of her sauour, and also began to perswade himselfe, that I∣conius had some other intent then he made shewe of, which might disappoint him of obtaining her custodie, and then beganne to recall to his secret viewe her diuine perfections, which thought infla∣med his heart with such desire, that the loue and earnest affection which hée had by Iconius good counsell restrained, burst out into an excéeding inflamed lust: that hée presently went into the place where Angelica was, who expected no other preffer of behauiour, but that which he had before vsed, suffered him to sit downe by her, and entered into communication with him as formerly she had done, but he hauing his minde meditating how to satifie his desart, behold her excéeding beautie, with a greedie eye, and deuoured the piercing power of her conquering beautie, with such desire, that it augmen∣ted his affections, and set one fire his newe intended purpose, to at∣taine the conquest of her loue, and the possession of her person, that bée seized his hand vpon hers, grasping the same sometimes strictly, and then againe playing with her dainty fingers, selling his eyes vpon hers, making a sad sigh a Prologue to his spéech, he said.

Most diuine Ladie, pardon me if I presume beyond the bounds of your fauourable license, to touch your precious hand: or if I enter into spéeches that may disagrée with your fancie, or shewe the inte∣gritie of my deuotion: but for that I relye vppon your benignitie, and haue long time by feare to be offensiue, rather indured inward and secret torment, then vpon presumption to procure you any dis∣quiet, haue concealed my loue, duty, and affection, to your perfecti∣ons. Now finding you at leasure, and féeling my owne torments in∣crease: humblie beséech you pittie my long continued griefes, and graunt mee some fauour to reuiue my heart with comfort: for you knowe that I haue béene long time inthralled to your beautie, and bound to applye my fancie to merit your fauour, which loue hath euer since continued constant and immoueable, and will still so con∣tinue whilest mylife doth last. Which loue, compelled mée to that boldnesse, to bring you from the Natolian Court, with intent to carrie you into my Countrie, and there to make you the Gouernesse and ruler of me and mine.

And now that you haue had this tryall of my 〈◊〉〈◊〉, what neede you deny me your fauour, considering there is no knight liuing hath attended your liking with more feruencie.

Angelica hearing his speeches, would haue taken her hand from him, but he still held the same, whilest she answered: I had thought you had forgotten your former desire, & would not haue troubled mee with the same: but especially now when you see I am not to make any change of the choise I haue already made. Therefore I should account it great wisedome in you, to abstaine from desiring that which you haue bene so often denied, and see so much vnlikelihood to obtaine: for would I now yeelde my selfe to please your fancie, I should dishononr my name, my stocke, and reape perpetuall ignomi∣nie and scandale to my selfe and you: and besides by my disloyaltie, breed euerlasting discord and war betwixt you and the noble Prince of Bohemia, who is of such force and inuincible strength, that hee would wast your countrey, and neuer giue ouer vntill hee had wre∣sted me out of your possession: therefore I pray you giue ouer your sute, which may (it obteined) bring so many adherent miseries and inconueniences, as you will soone repent you. I beseech you (quoth he) let not vaine suppose of Parismus strength, or Parismus re∣uenge, procreastinate my desires: for I estéeme them as nothing in my Countrey, beeing of sufficient strength to beate a mightier foe backe. Therefore swéete Lady grant me your loue, without the which I cannot liue: and armed therewith, I shall be of sufficient strength to refell any foe: therefore deny me not. Which said, hauing her hand still in his, he pulled her to him suddenly, & clasping her in his armes, he by his strength, tooke from her a swéete kisse: with which she was so much vexed, that with a suddaine start, she sproong from forth his armes, and fearing to be againe so surprised, would haue departed out of the roome, which he perceiuing, hauing armed himselfe with impudencie, ran after and caught her in his armes, & by force brought her backe, whilest she strugled to get from him, but he being too strong for her, held her so fast y^t she could not stir, but with chéekes as red as scarlet, said. If euer you expect fauour at my hands, leaue off and do not seeke to attaine my loue by violence, for if you do, I sweare by hea∣uen, I will rather suffer you to teare my heart in pieces, then yeelde

you any fauour: therefore if there be any vertue, humanitie, good na∣ture, or courtisie in you, let me goe.

Irus was nothing disswaded with her spéeches, but now that hée had begunne, lust and immoderate desire vrged him on, that he held her the more strictly: and by constraint bereft her of manie kisses: with that shee gaue such shrikes, that the hollow vaults of the Caue rung therewith: and Anna came running in, before whose com∣ming, hée vsed her so vndecently, that shée cryed out vnto Anna for helpe, who vsed her vttermost endeuour to rescue her mistresse from foorth his power, and shrouded her from dishonour, which with most violent and vndecent behauior he proffered, and ta last she gat from foorth h•…•…ands, wearied with resistance, and falling downe vpon her knées, said. Irus be not so inhumaine as to dispoyle me of my honor, but desire from this shame•…•…esse impudencie, which will make you odious in the sight of heauen. What will my life do you good, which with that is lost? what pleasure can you reape by this violence? Or what benifit can it be to you to spill my blood? Séeke not my loue in this sort, which will turne that good opinion I had of you to hatred, and if you will néeds haue the fruition of my loue, let it be in honou∣rable sort, and not with such vnreadinesse: with that a flood of brinish teares ranne downe her chéekts: whilest hée stoode ouer her like a furious Lyon ouer a silliy harmelesse. Lambe, readie to deuour the same. Euen so Irus stood readie to seize vpon her againe, his heart painting with striuing, and his vaines swolne with desire, no more mollified with her lamentations, then the hardest Adamant with the fall of soft snowe. And casting a most bitter countenance on An∣na, who stood not far off, and only hindred his lust, he sudenly caught his dagger in his hand, and ranne after her to haue stabd her, which caused her with an excéeding outcrie to runne out of the roome, and he after her. And Angelica calling after him, stay good Irus, stay: and when he was returned, she as fast flying from him: And séeing Anna out of the roome, he caught holde of her, and pulled her to him, holding his dagger in his hand whilest shee lay trembling at his féete said; Angelica, my resolution is to obtaine thy loue, either by force or faire meanes: therefore giue consent, or I vowe I will neuer de∣sist though it cost thy life. Angelica hearing his spéeches, said. Irus,

good Irus, let me alone, and vse mée not thus shamfully and vnde∣cently, and I will tell thée my mindo, for were it not for thy vsage, and the vnciuill rudenesse, beeing neuer in my life before so vsed, thou mightest peraduenture haue hadde a greater fauour with my consent: therefore I pray be not so inhumaine, and thou shalt sée I will do more with gentlenesse, then all thy rudenesse can compell me too. With that he turned himselfe from her, whilest she rose from the ground, she was no sooner vpon her féete but her sences failed her, and the liuely redde, faded out of her crimson chéekes: euen whilest Anna cried, helpe, helpe, shee sell downe in her armes dead: then Irus with Anna, did the best he could to recouer her, beginning to waxe madde with griefe, for within short space she began to drawe in her swéete breath againe, and lifting vp her eyes, with a gréeuous sigh, she said. Oh Irus, cruell Irus. Then Anna seated her vpon the bed, and shée said. Irus, I had not thought you would haue vsed me thus cruelly, but haue showne some signe of vertue in you: And rather then you shall offer me any more such violence, I promise you that I will depart with you to Tunis, and I will yéelde my selfe to be in honourable sort at your direction.

Angelica (quoth he) giue me possession of your loue, which is that I desire, and without that I cannot be satified. Why Irus (quoth she) will nothing satisfie you but my dishonour? what rage ruleth your minde, what lust is that possesseth your heart? Is this the honourable minde should be in a King? Good Irus be not so cru∣ell. I am not cruell, and it is but folly to stand vpon termes of deni∣all. Irus (quoth she) then let me request this one fauour, leaue me alone some space to conferre with my minde, and I will send her for you eare it be long. Irus being in some hope to attaine his desire, fin∣ding her spéeches so gentle, thought that her maide would perswade her rather to yeeld, then to hazard his furie, tolde her he would doo that at her request, and so departed.

Hee was no sooner gone, but Angelica with wéeping eyes, wringing her hands and making excéeding lamentation, intreated Anna to counsell her what to doo. Mistresse (quoth she) if you could with faire promises cause him to desist vntill more conuenient time, or that you could delaye him off vntill Iconius returne, then there

were some hope to escape. Oh Anna (quoth she) if he come in againe, it will be impossible, for his fierce and desperate bea•…•…ly rage is such, therefore if thou louest mee, doo one thing at my request, and I shall thinke my selfe satisfied.

Mistresse (quoth thee) whatsoeuer it bee I will doo it. Nay but Anna, thou shalt sweare, or else I will not trust thée, neither will I reneale it vnto thée. Deare Mistresse (quoth shée) I sweare by Hea∣uens and all happinesse, I will performe the vttermost of your will. Then Angelica taking v•…•… Irus Dagger, which hée had carelesly left on the floore, gaue it her, and said. I account my honour dearer then my life, and had rather die in this place, then liue in continuall shame and reproach hereafter: Therefore Anna, I charge thée thee by all the dutie and loue thou bearest mee, by the honour thou owest to Chasti∣tie, and by the oath thou hast made, to sheathe that Ponyard in my breast, to ridde mee from his tyrannie: which if thou refusest to doo, my selfe will without intermission execute. With that Anna clasped fast the Dagger in her hand, with her eyes ouerflowing with teares, said.

Mistresse, I vowe by Heauen I will neuer execute that déede, neither shall your selfe doo it: but first giue me leaue to trie if I can perswade Irus from his purpose: with that taking the Dagger in her hand, shee went to séeke him, but hée beeing gone from Angelica, swolne with lust, and panting with striuing, layde himselfe downe vppon his bedde, meditating on that hée had done, and what further pleasure hée should, reape, if shee gaue her consent, his desire beeing somewhat asswaged by his late striuing with her, and his Sences ouercome with these meditations, hee was fallen a sleepe, lying vp∣on his backe, his doublet vnbuttoned and he yet sweating, in which sort Anna found him, and comming to his beds •…•…de, seeing him fast a sleeue, hauing his dagger in her hand, thought to stick the same to his heart: with that an exceeding trembling affrighted her heart, and all her bodie and ioynts shooke for feare: but remembring how cruelly he had vsed her Mistresse, and what a desperate case hee had left her in, & what outrage he might intend, hauing giuen them but litle time of consideration, and withall, that Angelicaes life and her owne were likely to satifie him, and nothing else, but most of all, finding so fit an

opportunitie to be for euer ridde of him, shee lifted vp her hands thin∣king the Heauens fa•…•…dured her, and alotted thet as a meanes to pre∣serue Angelicas honour, praying the Heauens to strengthen her: ay∣ming right in the middest of his brest, which was vnbuttoned, with both her hands, she smote the dagger so farre into his brest, that the poynt appeared at his backe, with which he gaue an excéeding grone, and starting vp whilest shée fled, he pursued her, séeing himselfe mor∣tally wounded, and followed her euen into the roome where Ange∣lica was, by which time his vitall sences decayed, and he fell downe dead, tumbled at his geare: with that Angelica gaue an exceeding shrike, not knowing what Anna had done: But viewing him, she perceiued the dagger goring his brest, and Anna tolde her what she had done. With that Angelica was exceedingly affrighted, and said. Anna, how shall we now be rid of his hatefull carkasse?

Sweete Mistresse (quoth Anna) be you of good comfort, and lette mee alone: and with that arming her selfe with vnwoonted boldenesse, whilest her hnnds shooke, and trembled with feare, shee tooke him by the heeles, snd bragged him foorth of the Caues mouth, and tumbled him into a pitte harde by, casting a great many of Leaues and Mosse vppon him, that his body was quite couered from sight: which done shee returned and told Angelica what shee ad done.

Angelica seeing her selfe thus fortunately rid of Irus, whose furie had brought her selfe in daunger, said. O Anna what power was it, that animated and strengthened thee to that boldenesse? how shall we satisfie Iconius at his returne, who loueth Irus so well, that hee will soone misse him▪ and if hee knewe what wee haue done, we shal be in som danger of his furie. Thus do my misfortunes daylie increase, and one miserie followeth in an an others necke, to augment my cares.

What thinkest thou is become of Parismenos? doest thou not thinke hee taketh my absence greeuously? yes I feare me Anna, hee is too ready to surfet with griefe, and thereby may much indaunger his health: and besides, I perswade my selfe, hee is wandred from the Natalian Court, into farre Countries in my search. If Iconius finde how we haue vsed Irus, then will hee for euer detaine vs here.

How often haue I bene crost in my Loue? being now in worse case then euer I was, and more vnlikely to come to enioy my Parisme∣nos, then when my Father imprisoned mee so closely in the Mayden Tower? No time yéelds me any rest from trouble: No place giueth me securitie: nothing but sorrow is allotted to my portion: and no∣thing but endlesse and perpetuall miserie awaiteth my steppes.

Deare Mistresse (quoth Anna,) I beséeche you adde comfort to your heart, for I will vndertake to satisfie Iconius, and make a cur∣rant excuse for Irus absence: and howsoeuer it falleth out, you shall be no way troubled therewith. In diuers such spéeches they conti∣nued vntill the Night drue nigh, and they expected Iconius returne: Where we will leaue her.

Iconius being gone out of the Caue, with intent to finde out the straunge Knight, tracing vp and downe most part of the day, before he could finde him: But at last, passing by the place where he had res∣cued Angelica from Irus, Parismenos espyed him, hauing but two knights at that time with him, and came out vnto him. Iconius espy∣ing him, comming to him, said: Knight, I haue wandred all this day to séeke you, but was frustrated till now: the cause was, for that my Knights were sometimes slaine, and often Wounded by your valor, that maketh me desirous to know the cause of your discontent, being Willing to doe you what pleasure I can, and also to bee acquainted with you: therefore I pray you let me know what you are?

I am (quoth he) a miserable Wretch, ordained to euerlasting tor∣ment, banished from ioy, exiled from Content, Wretched, and vnfor∣tunate: I séeke no companie, nor desire acquaintance: I care not for ease, but discontent pleaseth mee best: This life I leade, not by con∣strainte, but that none so well agreeth with my fancie: Care kéeps me company, and this Desart is fittest for mee to dwell in. Syr (quoth Iconius) it séemeth some great mischaunce hath driuen you volunta∣rily to take this course, or else the crueltie of Friends hath exiled you their companie. Both (qd. he.) But what are you that séeke so much my acquaintance and knowledge?

I am (quoth he) a man as miserable as your selfe, subiect to as ma∣nie misfortunes as your selfe, and euery way filled with discontent: if I should Name my selfe, you knowe mee not; hauing liued many

yeares in this Desart, a disconsolate and disquiet life, my habitation being but simple; Whither I come of purpose to bring you, for that your Noble Chiualrie maketh mee honour you; Where if you loue to liue in Discontent, that place yéeldeth nothing but sadnesse, yet with securitie.

Parismenos hauing well noted his spéeches, beganne to maruell what hee should bee, hearing him say, hee had liued manie yeares in that Desart, thought it good to sée his habitation, and therefore saide: Syr Knight, although I know not whether I may with security giue credite to your spéeches or no, yet if you will vouchsafe me such kinde∣nesse, I will accept thereof, and for a time, contrarie to my purpose, take some ease.

Syr (quoth Iconius) you shall vppon my faithfull promise, rest voyde of treacherie, and be as secure as my selfe: These spéeches past, they departed towardes the Caue, continuing as they went in some conference; Where they arriued euen at such time as Angelica had ended her spéeches: And being entred, Iconius told Parismenos that was his habitation, whether he was Welcome: Then stepping in∣to Angelicaes roome, he thought to haue found Irus there: but séeing her heauinesse, and in what sort both shee and Anna by her sate Wée∣ping, he came vnto her with kinde behauiour, demaunding her cause of sorrowe? But she casting downe her eyes to the Earth, made no answere. With that hee beganne to suspect Irus had done her some wrong, and maruelling that hee could not see him with her, nor in the other roome, he returned to Anna, and asked her if she could tell where he was? Who made him answere, that she knew not where he was now: but that he had bene there not long since. With that, casting his eyes downe to the earth in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 studie, hee espyed the Floore stayned and besprinckled with gore-blood, that therewithall, his heart began to swell. And looking with a fearfull countenance, hee asked what blood that was? With that Angelica cast downe her eyes, and Anna blusht, but hee being earnest to know, demanded againe, What blood it was? Anna then answered, It is some of Irus blood spilt by him∣selfe. Why (quoth he) did hee that déede? Because (quoth she) An∣gelica would not giue consent to his wicked Lust. Where is he now (saide hee?)

I know not, answered Anna, neyther doe I care. With that Ico∣nius perceiuing the tract of blood that went out of the Chamber, fol∣lowed the same to his bed: Which he found all bestained therewith: and againe, followed the blood to the Caues mouth, that hee was assu∣red that Irus was slaine, that in a monstrous rage, he ranne in againe to Anna, saying: Irus is murthered, and you haue done the déede.

Anna then, knowing her selfe guiltie, stoode as one confounded with feare: but at last reuiuing her selfe from her dumps, shee said: If I did murther him, I did it but to saue my owne life, and Ange∣licaes honour. With that hee was so enraged, that hee drue his Sword, and in a furie would haue slaine her, but that she with spéede ranne out of the roome, and hee after her, ready to strike her dead. Pa∣rismenos hearing that noyse, and séeing Iconius pursuing the Dam∣zell, being of a quicke conceit, euen as the blow was descending, stept vnder the Sword, and caught the blow: Which otherwise had par∣tēd her life.

Iconius being inraged, strooke another at him, vntill Parismenos drawing his Sworde, saide: Holde your hands, and knowe whome thou strikest, or I will gore my Sworde in thy heart blood. Pardon me good Knight (quoth hee) Rage made me forget my selfe. What Damozell is that (quoth Parismenos) you would haue slaine? It is (quoth hee) one that hath murthered my deare friend. By this time some of them had caught Anna, and brought her backe; Whom Ico∣nius offered againe to haue slaine, but that Parismenos hauing séene her countenance, knewe her: and staying Iconius againe, saide. Be not so rash without aduisement, to lay such violent handes on a sillie Damozell, and before you execute reuenge, be better aduised, and first knowe the truth of the fact she hath committed, and vpon what occa∣sion shée was vrged thereto.

I will not (quoth Iconius) followe your counsell, but now shee hauing confest the déede, I will be seuerely reuenged by her life, and nothing else shall make me satisfaction for his blood, which shee hath shead.

Discourteous Knight (qd. he) art thou voyde of humanitie, or doo I wish thée to doo any thing that disagreeth to reason? I sweare by Heauen, let but a haire of her head perish by thy accursed hand, and

thy death shall be the ransome: Here doe I stand in her defence, and therefore the prowdest of you all touch her, and if you dare. With that Iconius said: Doest thou requite my friendship in this sorte, to take part with my enimies? or tell me, Doost thou know that Dam∣zell, that thou standest so peremytorily in her defence? I doo nothing but that which euery Knight is bound vnto: Which is, to defend La∣dies wrong: Neither doo I know this Damozell, but will defend her, for that shee is a Lady: vntill I may know, Whether you offer this outrage against her wrongfully, or by iust desert: Which once tryed, doo then what thou wilt with her. Then Iconius said. Damozel, tell me why thou sluest him? Anna made this answere: Hee offered vio∣lence to Angelica, and with his ponyard attempted to slay her: Who will tell you the truth of all. With that, they altogether went into the roome where Angelica was.

Parismenos beholding her, hadde much a doo to withholde him∣selfe from bewraying what hee was: but yet with constrained for∣bearance, be stood still, and heard her declare Irus Wicked behauiour, and in what manner she hadde wrought reuenge against him.

With that Iconius saide: Wicked Woman, couldest thou not haue wrought some other meanes to disappoint his intent, which I can hardly belieue, but that thou must murther him? Heauen nor Earth shall not throwde thée from my furie: For being the vntimely death of that louing, kinde, and couragious King, neither shall any thing but thy destruction appease my wrath, for the losse of my deare friende Irus.

Parismenos hearing him name Irus, saide: Was it that treache∣rous and disloyall villaine, Irus, that slaue? Damozell thou hast well reuenged the wrongs he hath done me, vpon his own accursed head; and therefore will I be thy defence, and shielde thée from harme. For had I met him my selfe, I would haue done no lesse then thou haste: for he was the most dishonourable Knight that euer drewe breath.

But tell mee (quoth hee) to Iconius, What art thou that offerest such cowardly violence to resistlesse Ladies, and imprisonest them in such sort, and also bearest so disloyall a minde, as to vpholde him in his villanie?

Iconius was so enraged with his Words, that hee saide: Base

Uillaine: Did I but lately take thée vp as a Runaway, and brought thée to my Cell, of pitty to succour thy distressed estate, and doest thou thus requite my kindenesse, to become my examiner?

Parismenos hearing his spéeches, so much disdained them, that he let driue at him with irefull violent blowes, and with such furie, that he draue Iconius backwards out of the roome: and withall, gaue him so many Woundes, that had not some of his Associates stept to him, he had bene slaine: When thrée of them at once assailed Parismenos, but by his inuincible valour, first one of them, and then another lost their liues: Which Iconius séeing, he would very faine haue stayed to haue spoken to him, but his hart being set on reuenge, and desirous to haue the Possession of Angelica againe, followed his fight with such rigour, that he had well neere slaine Iconius.

By this time some of the other came in; Who séeing Iconius in such danger, by the valour of that one Knight, admired his Chiual∣rie, and stept to rescue him from his violence: Which when they had done, Iconius saide, Knight, tell mee what thou art, that knowing thy Name, I may know whome it is I resist? My name (quoth he) is Parismenos. With that Iconius floong away his sword, and said; Most honourable Knight, I yeeld my selfe to your mercie, for that ve∣ry Name doo I honour, vowing that it is against my Will, that e∣uer I offended you.

Parismenos hearing his words, saide. And if thou béest my friente (quoth he) I am sorie, not that I met thée, but that I haue hurt thée: Which saide, hee entred into the Roome where Angelica was, and comming to her, not being able to vse any delay, but forced by desire to comfort her heart, by giuing her knowledge of his safetie, pulling off his Helmet, that she might behold his face, he saide. My deare La∣die Angelica, behold your poore Friende Parismenos. Angelica then knowing him with a modest behauiour, clasping, her Arms about his necke, and sealed a number of swéete kisses vpon his Lippes: Whth done, and withdrawing her armes againe, her Eyes melted into a ri∣uer of teares, and afterwards saide; Welcome my deare Lorde Pa∣rismenos, ordeyned yet to be my blisse. Well haue I now preuai∣led against calamitie, for your sight hath banisht him my brest: how miserable and daungerous was my Estate once this day: and how

happie, and tenne thousand times blest am I by your presence? If you doo account your selfe happie by my presence (quoth hee) for euer shall you be happie, for neuer will I depart from your sight. But ten thousand times more then happie doe I account my selfe to bee so e∣steemed of you, that haue neuer deserued such fauour, but by my euill Fortunes haue brought you into these calamities. Nay, good Paris∣menos say not so: for not you, but my vnluckie Destinies haue or∣dained me to some forrow, but in the ende haue repaide mee double∣folde with swéete content.

In these and such like spéeches, did they expresse their ioyes, for eache others presence and preseruation, till Parismenos buckling on his Helmet againe, went out to sée whether Iconius did pretend any treacherie against him, but him he found vnarmed, and his knightes dressing his Wounds: and séeing Parismenos still armed (as fea∣ring to disarme himselfe) he gaue him such assurance of quiet, both by his owne •…•…me vowe, and the protestations of all the rest, that Paris∣menos rested in some assurance of peace, and Iconius after that hee had his Woundes dressed, came with him into the place where An∣gelica was, and saide:

Most diuine Ladie, I beséeche you pardon my offence, I confesse I loued Irus well, because hee was my deare friende, and finding no such misbehauiour in him, since I first knew him, I could not belieue her report, vntill I saw you iustifie the same, and for amends, I offer my selfe to be at your disposition: desiring you to remitte my proffe∣red offence for Irus death: And withall, I beséech you make no doubt of my good meaning; For that I haue bent my whole indeuors, with truth to be at your commaund: Neyther harbour any further conceit of violence to be offered you in this place.

Hauing ended those spéeches, hee presently caused good meate to bee prepared for them, and they were serued in as decent and cleanly sorte, as could possiblie be affoorded in that place.