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. III.

How Sicanus, son to the king of Persia, the king and Queene of Hungaria, the Prince of Sparta, and the Lady Isabella, ar∣riued at Dionisius Court, and how Parismus in a maske (ac∣co•…•…panied by Lord Remus, and diuers other knights of Thes∣salia) courted the Princesse Laurana, and how she became ena∣moured of him.

WHen Dionisius and Parismus had visited Oristus, and returned to the Court, they heard the sound of most swéete according Musicke, which maide Dionisius woon∣der, but it was soone certified him, that there was come to his Court diuerse La∣dies of great account, from forth of Hun∣garia and Sparta, in great mirth and roy∣altie, whom the Quéene had entertained, not knowing what they were, because they concealed themselues, and that there were diuerse knights hunting in the Forrest of red Déere, and intended that night to come to the Pallace, which made Dio∣nisius, both admire what these newe come guests should bée, and studie how to entertaine them on such a suddaine. There∣fore leauing Parismus to bee accompaned with others of his nobles, hée gaue order for the entertaining that company of straungers. When Parismus was alone, he got himselfe to his Chamber, and began to think that now there was such a com∣panie of states that concealed themselues cōming to the court, hée being so infortunate, as not yet hauing made knowne his loue to Laurana, some of them might become his riuall, and make first sute vnto her, and so be first accepted, and hée disap∣pointed of his chiefest felicitie: therefore hée determined that euening to vse all possible meanes hée might, to make knowne his affection: hauing spent most part of the afternoone in these

and such like m•…•…ditations, hée was certified by Oristus, th•…•… straunge knights were come to the Court, and t•…•…t •…•…ée knewe them to be Antenor, the young King of Hungaria; and the young Quéene, the kings sonne of Spar•…•…a, named Turnus, and one young knight that concealed himselfe, who séemed to be the greatest personage in the company, and that the Ladies that came before, •…•…ere the Quéene of Hungaria, Ladie Isa∣bella, sister to the Prince of Sparta, and with them diuerse La∣dies of account, which made Parismus muse what that vn∣knowne knight should bée, and began to bée iealous of that, which as yet hée had no likelihood himselfe to obtaine. Being thus troubled in minde, hée resolued that night by a maske to honour Dionisius his guests, thereby to winne occasion if it might possible be, to court his mist•…•…esse. Therefore hée willed Oristus to make some of the young Nobles of the Court ac∣quainted with his intent, and so to certifie Dionisius that hée was scarce well, and desired to kéepe his Chamber, which when Dionisius heard, hée desired Oliuia to sée that he wan∣ted nothing, for hée was the onely guest hée estéemed. The Quéene comming to Parismus Chamber to visit him, founde him very busie with the other knights about their maske, who espying her, begane to be somewhat abashed, saying: Most noble Quéene, I desire your pardon, hauing taken me thus on a sudden. I did certifie his hignesse that I was not well, to the intent to bring our maske vnlooked for. Noble Prince re∣plied the Queene, I am glad that you are in the good estate of health, and thus readie to honour vs with your vertuous ex∣ercises, promising you to keep your intent secret to my selfe. And if you want any furtherance that I can pleasure you withall, it shall be readie at your commaund: wherewith she departed to Laurana, telling her, that she intended to make the new come states a banquet, and therefore willed her to giue order to haue the same performed: which newes reioyced Laurana to heare, for that she hoped there to see the Prince of Bohemia, to whom she •…•…are an inward loue and desire of acquaintance: so that ha∣sting

all things to a readinesse, and adorning her selfe in most comely ornaments, shée expected the wished time of their com∣ming. When supper was endde, the Quéene cōmaunded a gen∣tleman to inuite Dionisius, the king of Hungaria, the Prince of Sparta, and all the rest vnto a banquet, in an excéeding stately Gallery, where they were by the Quéene most royally enter∣tained, all in generall admiring the excéeding beautie, and comely statelinesse of the Princesse Laurana, that almost they fed thēselues as much with her surpassing beautie, as with the dainties that were there prepared. Laurana on the other side, maruailed, that amongst all those knights she could not behold the prince of Bohemia, which drawn her into māifold thoughts only resting in hope to be afterwards assured of the truth. By that time the banket was ended, and all readie to depart, they were staied by the sound of most swéete musicke, which vnex∣pected noise, made Dionisius wonder: but to driue him frō those thoughts, the maskers ētred in this sort: first entred two torch∣bearers, apparelled in white satten, beset with spingles of gold, after whome followed two Eunuches, apparelled all in gréene, playing on two instruments, then came Parismus, ateired all in Carnation saften, most richly beset with precious stones, that the glistring restection thereof, with the light of the Can∣dle did dazle the eyes of the beholders: next followed two other torch bearers & Eunuches apparelled as the former, and play∣ing on seuerall instruments, when came two knights apparrel∣led in tawny, most richly adorned: next them followed two o∣ther torch bearers and Cunuches, apparelled as the first: after whome followed two other Knights, apparelled in tawnie as the other: and last come two torch bearers, & two Eunuches, apparilled, and playina on seurall instruments: after whom followed Lord Remus, apparelled in Carnation like Parismus, but not in such gorgeous maner, al togither marching thrice a∣bout the Gallery, whiles their musick sounded, all the assembly wel liked this maske, especially Dionisius wondred of whence they were, for that hée wes altogither ignorant, nothing suspec∣ting

that they were of his owne Court, saying to the Prince of Sparta, there is a yong Prince in my Court, that is now ficke, otherwise I should think he had bene chiefe amongst them: the eyes of the whole company were busied with beholding their comely persons, and their eares delighted with the swéet sound of their musicke, Laurana aduisedly beheld those knights, thin∣king verily that Parismus was one in the company: for shée knew not of the message he had sent the king her father. While she was in the midst of this meditation, Parismus came with great reuerence to take her by the hand to dance, which shée courteously accepted: Lord Remus tooke the Princesse of Spar∣taes sister, Lord Oristus and other Lady of Sparta, and likewise the rest. The first measure being ended, Parismus, reuerently saluted Laurana with these spéeches. Most vertuous Princesse, pardō me for presuming to trouble your sacred eares with my spéeches, for the vertue of your beautie hath ouermastered my affections, and my poore life is diuoted to your seruice, desiring you to accept me for your poore seruant, though altogether vn∣worthy. And though the smal tryall you haue of my truth, may discourage you to credit me: yet notwithstanding my vnwor∣thinesse, I desire you to imploy me any way, thereby to try how willing I will be to merit your fauour. Sir, quoth Laurana, I thanke you for your kindnes, neither can I blame your spéeches if your meaning be good. But as I am vnworthy to entertaine such a seruant, so would I not willingly trust him I know not, but heareafter when your disguise is banished, as I shall sée good I will entertaine you. Noble Lady, said Parismus, I haue taken this habit only, thereby to be so happy, as to make manifest my affectiō to deserue your fauour: that if you wil vouchsafe to con∣ceiue a right of my good meaning, you would say, he that profe∣reth his seruice, would refuse to do it to any but to your most worthy selfe. Sir (qd. she) as I knowe you not, so I am ignorāt of your meaning, and therefore count mée not vnmannerly to make no more estimation of your profered curtesie. Paris∣mus being ready to speake, the second measure sounded, which

being ended, Lord Remus began to parlie with Lady Isabella, sister to the Prince of Sparta. Courteous Lady, I being vn∣knowne, profer my humble seruice vnto your selfe, vnto whose perfections I am so wholly bound, that vnlesse it pleaseth you to accept of my loyaltie, I shall consume my wearisome dayes in sorrowe. Sir, quoth Isabella, your vndeserued kindnesse I knowe not how to requit, and I would be sorie tha•…•… by m•…•… oc∣casion you should be grieued, and I promise you as occasion serueth, hereafter I will entertaine you. All this while Paris∣mus was talking w^t Laurana, vsing these speeches; Most wor∣thy Princesse, because I am disguised, you may count my woordes to proceede, rather of course, then of true affec∣tion: but assure you, neuer did any with truer zeale vtter his fainting wordes, nor more abborre vnfaithfulnesse then my selfe doth: being also vnknowne to you, you may thinke my boldnesse to proceede of hope not to be knowne: but to acquaint you with my name, it is Parismus, who haue forsaken my Countrey and friends, onely to serue your vertuous selfe, and doe you seruice. But since my comming into your fathers Court, I could neuer be so happy vntill this happy houre, as to enioy your presence, which is the only comfort whereon my happinesse dependeth: therefore vertuous Princesse, weigh my intent in the ballance of equitie, and let mee by your com∣fortable speech be reuiued. My noble Lord, replied Laurana, I hartily thanke you for taking so much paines for my sake, being vnworthy thereof, and also vnable to be sufficiently thankful vnto you for the same: and for that you say your hap∣pinesse res•…•…eth in my power, if I can any way worke yourcon∣tent to the vttermost of my endeuour, I will do it. Parismus was so rauished with the heauenly voyce of Laurana, that hee could haue wisht no other happinesse, then to enioy her pre∣sence, and was by her kind and modest answere, so much com∣forted, that hee resolued, no miserie or calamitie whatsoeuer, should alter his affection. Laurana on the other side, whose minde was neuer before in thraldome, began now to bee so

farre lied in the bonds of friendship, & good liking to Parismus, that she was altogether vnwilling to leaue his cōpany: by this time the rest of the maskers hauing ended their speeches, the sound of the musick made them remember their third measure, which being ended, Parismus kissing the Princesse hand, with a heauy sigh, left her in the place where he found her, and be∣ing ready to depart, Dionisius comming vnto them, said: Most courteous Knights, I know not what entertainement to giue you, for that you are to me vnknown: but request this at your hands, that you take a banquet my daughter hath prouided: which words caused Parismus to bee willing vnto, because it was the Princesse doing, whose presence was the sweet pre∣seruatiue of his life. Your Maiestie (answered Parismus) ma∣keth vs so kinde a proffer, that wee cannot (beeing bound at your command) deny your request: so vnmasking himselfe, hee came with great reuerence to Dionisius, who knowing him, imbracing him, said, hee was glad he had no worse sick∣nesse then that, and that he was much indebted vnto him for honouring his Courts with his pastime. So saluting all the company, the Knight that concealed himselfe, suddenly depar∣ted the presence, vpon occasion as shall heereafter bee declared. All the assembly greatly commended Parismus, being much delighted to behold his vertuous behauiour, and was indeed worthy to be accounted the Prince of curtesie. The Queene then told him, she had beene his secret counsell, keeper, and he humbly kissing her hand, thanked her, and being come to the place where the banket was prouided, Dionisius told them, he would leaue them to be welcommed by the Queene and Lau∣rana, whilest •…•…ent to accompany his other guests: which Parismus was very glad of, & Laurania both, who al this while had so furfeited with beholding his comly person, that the deep impression of lone was now fully setled in her heart. But Paris∣mus not forgetting to salute that saint he serued, with reuerēce kiss her, thanking her that shee vouchsafed to take such paines, to prepare entertainement for such vndeseruing guests: vsing

many others speeches which delighted her to heare, and him to vtter, that they were so farre delighted one in anothers com∣pany, that it was death for them to part, she not knowing that his loue was grounded vpon such firme resolue, nor he think∣ing she would so kindely accept his proffred seruice. During the time of the banquet, a simple iudging eie might discerne their loue by their lookes, that all the company began to déeme that which afterwards proued true. Euery one with kinde sa∣lutations being parted to their seuerall lodgings. Parismus told Oristus, what kind and vndeserued fauour hee had recei∣ued at Lauranaes hands, which Oristus was very glad of, the very recitall whereof, affected the Princes heart with an ex∣ceeding ioy.

Laurana making all the haste she could to be rid from the company of Isabella, and other Ladies that accompanied her, because her heart was desirous to meditate of her loue, went into her chamber, where being alone much troubled in her thoughts, she votered these speeches. How happy am I to bee thus disquieted with the sight of Parismus, not knowing whe∣ther his words proceed of custome or affection: I that was earst at liberty, am now become captiue to mine owne affecti∣ons, and inthralled to a stranger. What of that, peraduenture he is in the same mind I am, neither haue I any cause to doubt but that his words proceed from the good will he beareth me, and that the intent of his comming to my Fathers court, was onely for my sake, as he saith: might I be happily assured of the truth of these doubts, then would my disquiet mind rest high∣ly contented: and vntill that time I shall but spend my time in endles care, and heauines: if these words proceeded from the depth of true meaning, then will he stil prosecute the suit heee hath begun: neither haue I any cause to suspect his honorable meaning. Well, I will content my selfe so well as I can, and séeke some meanes whereby to be assured, and rid my pensiue heart of these doubts. Earely the next morning, she called Leda vnto her, saying, that she had a secret to impart vnto her, that

did concerue her life and honour, and therefore willed her to be secret, telling her all that had passed betwixt Parismus and her: and how that vnlesse she might be certaine of his intent, she should but consume her selfe with care.