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. XVI.

Of Sicanus death. How Parismus wedded the princesse Laurana, and of a generall triumph that was held for seuen daies.

MAny daies continued the King of Persia, with the rest of the Kings of his party, in Dionisius Court, in which time many were intrapped in the snares of Lauranaes beau∣tie, which was such as would dazle the eyes of the beholders, and astonish the hearts of no simple iudgements, with a di∣uine conceite, that the king of Natolia was determined to require and demand her in marriage of her Fa∣ther, had he not béen kept backe by Sicanus, who caused his fa∣ther the Persian King, earnestly to sollicite Dionisius to that effect: whose answer was, that his promise relyed vpon his Daughters choise, though indeede he neuer meant she should marrie the Persian, for that his behauiour and trechery had made him hated and odious in all mens sight.

Parismus now in like sort determined to worke both his owne and Lauranaes contentment: and to that purpose on a certaine time walking very solitarily in the Kings garden, stu∣dying how to moue his Fathers good will to this match, in th•…•… middest of his dumps, hee was encountred by the Princess•…•… Laurana, who only attended by Leda, was come downe also into the Garden to take the ayre, who awaking Parismus fro•…•… his dumps, with a courteous gréeting, vttered these speeches My déere Parismus (quoth she) may I be so bold as beare yo•…•… company in this your solitarines, or would you but vouchsafe to impart the cause of your sadnes vnto me, that I might bee partaker of your sorrow, then should you soone perceiue, that

whatsoeuer can procure your disquiet, shall likewise purchase my discontent. Parismus most reuerently taking her by the hand, said: Most vertuous Lady, I acknowledge my selfe so farre bound vnto you for many worthy fauoures vndeserued∣ly bestowed vpon mee, that I know not which way to yeelde you sufficient thankes for the least of them, much lesse to re∣quite them: and if I should deny to fulfill your request heere∣in, vnto whom I am perpetually bound, I should shew my selfe altogether void of manners: Therefore know (most vertuous Lady) that my supposed discontentment, was a plea∣sant and delightfull meditation. And calling to remembrance your manifold vertues, and vndeserued fauourable assurance you haue giuen me of your affection, that I was now deter∣mining to speake to the King my Father, to request a consum∣mation of our happinesse, at the King you Fathers hands, so it stand with your good liking.

My Lord (said Laurana) I wholly commit the matter to your wisdome, whom I am bound to obey, by the choise I haue made of you to be my Lord and Husband, therefore I desire you to vse that prerogatiue ouer me, that by right belon∣geth vnto you.

In these and such like kind conferences they continued talking in the Garden, to both their vnspeakable ioies, being so vnited in the bondes of perfect amitie, that it was impossible to remoue their setled friendship. But Dinner time beeing come, they departed to their seuerall waies, being both high∣ly contentented with the others faithfull promise.

Parismus no sooner found opportunity, but hee made his loue to Laurana knowne to his Father, who was glad of his sonnes vertuous choise, and promised him to motion the same to Dionisius, which he presently did by this occasion. As hee was walking alone, hee was encountred by Dionisius, and Oliuia the Queene, not accompanied by any: and ha∣uing kindely saluted each other, Dionisius beganne to talke of the worthinesse of Parismus, and telling him

that he estéemed him the most fortunate man liuing, to be the father of so vertuous a child, enting so farre into commenda∣tion of him, that the King of Bohemia thought he could haue no fitter time to motion the marriage then that, and therefore answered; My Lord, I thanke you for entring into such good liking of my Sonne, whom I cannot discommend, for that he hath well deserued honor, but I haue an humble sute vnto you and the Queene heere present, in his behalfe, which if you will vouchsafe to grant, both he and I shall be bound vnto you for the same. Dionisius and Oliuia earnestly requested him to manifest the same. My Sonne (saith hee) intreated me to re∣quest your honourable fauour, to contract a marriage betwixt him and your most vertuous Daughter, vnto whom hee hath wholly dedicated his affections, that I am now become an humble sutorin his behalfe. Dionisius, and the Quéene hearing his request, were so exceeding glad thereof (beeing the onely thing they desired) that taking the King of Bohomia by the hand, they told him, they were highly contentedit should be so. Thus al things falling out to their contentments, they parted for that time: Dionisius the next day assembled al his counsell and noble men together, and there mētioned the contract vnto them, who most willingly consented therto, by meanes where∣of the newes of this marriage was soone published, that it came to the hearing of Sicanus, who being inraged with griefe and shame, abandoned the company of all Knights, and in short time grew to such a desperate conceit of his impaired honour, that with griefe thereof hee died, which brought some heaui∣nesse to the King of Persia, and the rest: but his death was soone forgotten, for that his Father estéemed him not worthy the name and estimation of a King, and had lately growne into great dislike of him, and altogether fauoured the next Sonne Lennilus, who farre excelled his brother Sicanus in vertuous qualitie. The solemnization of Parismus marriage was ap∣pointed to beginne within forty daies, to the vnspeakeable ioy of Thessalie, but especally, of the two yong Princes, in

which time Dionisius sent messengers to inuite thither many Kinges and Potentates, by meanes wherof, the Fame of these nuptialls was spred in most places of the world, and many hundreth Knights determined to méete there to doe honour to Dionisius, whose vertues by report, had bene made knowne vnto them. To this marriage came the famous Emperour of Constantinoble, with many other worthy knights. The Emperours sonne of Greece, named Siches, with many vali∣ant Knights, Prolomie the kings sonne of Egypt, the King of Frize, famous for Chiualry, and the most famous Champion of the world, Guido of Thrace: with many others too tedious to rehearse, who all vpon the appointed day, were royally en∣tertained by Dionisius.

Parismus and Laurana were with all solemnitie brought vnto the Temple of Diana, where their rites were performed with admirable pompe, the Bridegroome being accompanied with aboue eight Kings, and the Bride being led by two Em∣perours, and attended by Quéenes and many Ladies of great account: the rites and solemnities being performed with such dignitie, that it excelled the statelinesse of Hecuba, Quéene of Troy.

Thus all things being ended for that day, the night appro∣ched, most part whereof, was spent in Maskes and many o∣ther courtly pastimes. néedlesse to rehearse: and at last, the bride was conducted to her Bride-chamber by the Quéene of Hun∣garia, and the Quéene of Sparta. Where we leaue her to her excéeding content, to entertaine her beloued Parismus: who be∣haued himselfe so kindly thatnight, that Lauranaes fortresse of virginitie was battered downe, and hée had the scaling of that sweete Fort, and spotlesse puritie, and of a vertuous virgine she became a chaste wife and that night hée made her the happie mother of a goodly, boye, as shall hereafter be declared.

Dionisius for the more royall entertainment of the States there assembled, caused a most stately Tilt to be erected on a goodly gréene before the Pallace gate, the stages being most

cunningly made, by expert workemen, and proclaimed a Try∣umphe to be made there for seuen dayes, against all commers. The first dayes tryumph, the Prince of Sparta and his knights helde, as chiefe Challengers, who appeared before the whole assembly of States, who were seated vpon the Scaffoldes, in such royall manner, that the glorie of them séemed to excell the stately pompe of the mightie Monarch Alexander. Amongst the rest, Laurana was seated in a Chaire of state, Crowned with an Emperiall Diademe, as Ladie of the Reuels: who had prepared seuerall giftes for the Conquerours, shining like golden Phoebus, and her eyes twinkeling like two bright shi∣ning starres, that her beautie made the whole assembly of straunge Knights admire her excellencie. The Prince of Sparta had his Tent pitcht at the first entring into the Listes, being as white as milke, shewing his single estate, on the toppe whereof, was artificially framed a Golden Sunne, which with his splendor beautified the Listes. This dayes tryumphe was performed by the Prince of Sparta, and his Knightes, with excéeding valour, himselfe hauing vnhorsed aboue fortie Knights, of straunge Countries, and had giuen to him by the Bride a payre of siluer Gloues, made by the cunningest work∣man in the world.

Thus in great royaltie, to the excéeding pleasure of the beholders, was the first day spent, till the darke euening caused the knights to giue ouer, and betake themselus to their nights repose.

Early the next morning the knights were summoned to the Listes, by the sounde of Trumpets, the chiefe Champion for that daye, was Lord Remus of Thessalie, richly mounted vp∣pon a Thessalian stéede of Iron graye, his Tente pitcht néere vnto the other, being of the colour of the Raine-bowe: on the top whereof, was artificially tramed a swift running Hart, whereby the countrey of Thessaly was famous: before him, went foure Pages richly attired, carrying some seuerall scut∣chions: on the first, was portraited his Mistresse picture: on

the second, thrée siluer Doues, signifing his innocencie, farre from vaine ostentation: on the third, a bleeding hart: and on the last, a man séeming desperate: who behaued himselfe with no lesse valour, then the Prince of Sparta, to the great ioy of his Lady Isabella. The third day the worthy knight Pollipus was chiefe challenger, who had his tent richly picht ouer against the Stage, being of the colour of blood, on the top whereof stoode a Lion Rampant, his stéede furnished with costly abilaments of beaten Gold, his armour after the Phrigian maner, whose matchlesse chiualry vnhorsed that day an hundred knights, and woon the prize from all the knights that encountred him. The fourth day Lord Osirus of Thessaly, was chief challenger, whose tent was pitcht in maner of a hollow trée, from whence hee is∣sued, so artificially ouerspred with mosse, that hee seemed to be nothing but a lumpe thereof, running vp and downe the fielde, but so honourably hee behaued himselfe, that hee was allotted that dayes conquest.

The fift day Prince Lemulus, sonne to the King of Persia, was chiefe challenger, whose tent was of the colour of the skie, his abilaments was of the colour of Azure, beset with starres of Gold, who behaued himselfe with great honour most part of that day: but at last he was encountred by the valiant King of Frize, by whome he was vnhorsed, by reason that his stéede stumbled, & so the conquest returned to the aduerse partie. The King of Frize, vnhorsed afterwardes many worthy knightes, to his excéeding commendation,

The sixt day the King of Frize was challenged ouer the aduerse partie, who had not continued long, but hee was vn∣horsed by the King of Libia, who most part of that day bare away the Prize, vntil he was encountred by Guido of Thrace, and by him vnhorsed: Guido for that day bare away the Prize, hauing vnhorsed many hundred Knights, and was like∣lie to atchiue the chiefest honour of the Turnament. The seuenth day Guido of Thrace came with great triumph into the Listes, hauing his Tent pitcht in full view of the whole

assembly, being of the colour of the bright gold, supported by foure Elephants, himselfe mounted vpon a coloured steede, most richly behung with abiliments of beaten gold, who be∣haued himselfe most part of that day, to the shame of the Thes∣salian and Persian Knights, that the whole assembly admired his valiantnesse. Which Pollipus seeing, notwithstanding his daies trinumph was past, yet hee armed himselfe, and encoun∣tred Guido most brauely. The first cariere they met and broke their staues onely: likewise they had some fiue or sixe courses more, in which maugre all the force Guido vsed, he could not once moue or disaduantage Pollipus. Pollipus likewise was extreamely vexed, that he could not vnhorse Guido, that each of them being sufficiently stirred to wrath, addressed them∣selues for an other encounter, when they met with such furie, that they were both vnhorsed, which Guido seeing, forgetting where he was, and disdaining to bee encountred by Pollipus any longer, drew his sword, and Pollipus did the like, when they began to combat, which Dionisius espying, comman∣ded his Heralds to part them, and being both mounted againe, ready to make further triall for the victory: the Iudges con∣sidering the mischiefe that might arise (for that there beganne to be a tumult in the field) sought to appease the Champions, and disswaded them to giue ouer, and so let the honors of those triumphes rest, to both of them, which Guido in great dis∣daine refused, without hearing what answer Pollipus would make.

Laurana by the aduise of Parismus, sent messengers to Pol∣lipus, to request him for her sake, to giue Guido leaue to ende that daies challenge, for that he himselfe had sufficiently shown his Knightly chiualrie, withall she sent him one of her gloues. Whose command Pollipus presently obeyed, being a Knight of excéeding courtesie, whereby he wan more honour then Gui∣do could atchiue by the conquest. The rest of that day Guido vnhorsed many Knights and was like to carrie away the honour of the Triumph, maugre all all Knights that

afterwards encountred him, which gréeued Parismus to be∣hold. With all noting his pride, he secretly stole from the stage∣and presently armed himselfe in armor which he had caused to be made of purpose, seeming to be olde, torne & rustie, but yet of as good proofe as might bee, being made of the purest Lydian stéele, his abiliments & furniture, seemed to be such as had lyen vp vnvsed seuen winters, and all to bee eaten with Moathes, his stéede he made to trotte like a countrey Cart horse; and his plume was of russet feathers: & accompanied with some thirty of his knights, attired like rude Countrey fellowes with battes and staues on their necks, and in a manner in the midst of the Thracians victories, hée entereth suddainly and rudely into the Lists, séeming indéede to be a very naturall Countrey peasant, elected by a companie of rude fellowes to make pastime, and being espyed of the people, hée was welcomed with exceeding showts and laughters, that now the eyes of all the beholders were bent vpon him: being come to the list, he offered to run, but Guido disdained to cope with one so base, to whom Paris∣mus Knightes came and tolde him, their Maister came to runne with one but himselfe, and therefore hee should either breake a Launce, or else they would beate him out of the fielde. Wherewith Guido (with a scornefull laughter) tooke a staffe and ranne at this rustick Knight, who notwithstanding his outward showe, encountred Guido so valiantly, that had hee not beene an approued good Knight, hee had measured his length on the ground, which so vexed the Thracian, that hee ranne the second time, thinking then verily to ouerthrowe him: but it fell out contrary to his expectation, for hee coulde not with all hi•…•… power mooue this countrey Champion in his saddle: but at the third course, he was himselfe vnhorsed with such violence, that both horse and man lay tumbling on the grounde. Cuido hauing receiued this exceeding foyle, in a great rage departed the fielde, and none of the contrary party encountred this Knight, but they were all foyled and ouer∣throwne, that at last there was none would runne against

him any more: which hée perceiuing, lighted from his Horse, and went vp the Scaffolde, whereas the Bride sate, and rudely offered to haue kissed her, but thée courteously reprooued his boldnesse, with that all began to laugh at his rude behauiour, and so•…•…e beganne to thrust him backe: at last hée discouered himselfe, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 knowing him, woondred to sée him ar∣med. Thus the whole honour of the triumph redouned to Pa∣rismus, as most worthie of the same, whose behauiour was so highly commended, that all men much applanded this his last deuise: and Guido knowing him, was not greatly discontented to be foyled by so worthy a Knight. By this time the nightes blacke mantell began to ouerspread the whole earth, that Dio∣nisius with the rest of the Kings, conducting Laurana in trium∣phant manner, hasted to the Pallace, where after supper was ended, they continued a good parte of the night in Dauncing, and other Courtly pastimes, their entertainment being so ho∣nourable, that they admired the exceeding Royaltie of Dio∣nisius Court, where they afterwardes continued many dayes, spending the time of many Martiall exercises.