of this accident arose to goe comfort Ariana and after having spent some time in that duty he recommended it to the sage Lepantus with the guard of what they had both most deare in the City while he himselfe thought of nothing but fighting He parted before day to goe finde Palamede whom at the same time he told very sad newes learning him the death of Dicearchus and other as agreeable relating how Epicharis was his sister This intelligence made him lose the griefe for his uncles death and he was so ravish'd with knowing this good fortune for his deare Epicharis wherein he had a great participation that he embrac'd Melintus a thousand times and prayed him to promise him she might be his wife Melintus esteem'd himselfe very happy for having wherewith to acquit himselfe towards him for the assistance he had given him besides Ariana and after some other discourse upon this rejoycing and some regrets for Epicharis losse they gave over that entertainment to think of araying their troops in good order and preparing themselves that day to atchieve actions worthy the great reputation they had acquired ARIANA. The sixth Booke ALready had the Scouts beene sent from all parts to know what countenance the enemy held and they reported how the Scythians look'd as if they expected the combat for not daring to scatter any more into severall troops to goe a foraging because the Romans were now a body of an army they had gather'd all their forces together which appear'd to be of about forty thousand foot without any horse at all The Towne of Larissa is situate betweene two hills the valley whereof inlarging it selfe by degrees towards the Sea ends at last in a spacious campagnia This situation afforded the commodity of chusing the just extent that was necessary to containe the front of an Army and for this cause after they had taken up that space they were resolv'd to goe assaile their enemies by some skirmishes of horse to draw them thiâ—her in feining a flight to the end they might afterwards have such advantage of place to fight in as they desir'd Alcydamas and Polydore were that day armed with the rich Armes those of Larissa had presented them with and had not forgot to dresse them in rich skarfes and to be cover'd with plumes that they might be the more remarkable to those they commanded and in an estate worthy of the brave actions they desir'd to performe The Army presently tooke up the place that was destin'd for the fight and the troops being embattell'd the Chiefs began to walke about the ranks to encourage their souldiers The valiant Alcydamas seem'd that day higher than usually and had a certaine sparkling in his eyes and splendour upon his face that made him appeare like unto some god descended from heaven for the succours of Greece and the Roman Empire They saw waving his white and carnation plumes over the ranks he exceeded by the head and his mine alone seem'd to inspire a part of his great courage into those that were ready to fight under his command At length willing to speake to his men before sending out a party to the skirmish he commanded silence and with an agreeable and assured voyce spake thus to them FEllow Souldiers if I speake to you 't is not that I doubt of your courage nor that I desire to provoke it more but rather to expresse to you the contentment I receive in seeing my selfe assisted with so generous troops I hope this day to make the Romans confesse what their good fortune is to have the Thessalians for guards to the limits of their Empire for I am assured seeing the ardour of fighting which appeares on your faces they will be beholding to us for this dayes victory Remember you that we are in that Thessaly which hath alwayes beene fatall for great exploits of warre which hath seene heretofore decided the quarrell for the Empire of the Vniverse betweene two of the greatest Captaines of the world Let us shew as much valour this day as those famous warriers did in fighting for causes farre more just than theirs They ruin'd the world to remaine Masters of it but your fight is to preserve your Countrey from the fury of Barbarians They were not moved but by a violent ambition but you are animated with a generous piety desirous to conserve your Altars your parents and your dearest Countrey Let us goe then fellowes in Armes let us on to goe swim in the rivers of bloud we shall make these bruitish Nations shed whose number will but serve to augment our trophees and our glory Let us make them feele with our swords a regret for having dared to assault so warlike a province Follow me companions But what is this You will be gone already I will follow you then and labour by imitating you to serve the valiant Thessalians in the acquisition of an immortall glory When Alcydamas had thus spoken all his company lift up their swords on high to expresse to him the desire they had he should lead them on to the combat presently he commanded some of his troops to goe charge the Scythians and feine by little and little to flye that they might draw them to the place where they were The Barbarians received them with great cries and seeing they were so few a number pursued them by shot of arrowes with all the body of their Army that approached the Romans within shot Then Maxentius sent to command Alcydamas and Polydore to goe charge them to the end the Barbarians should not have the honour of the first chocque They both parted in the head of their troops and with such fury rushed upon the Scythians that they brake through the two wings of their Battalion which they had formed in the figure of a Crescent Alcydamas having foreseene that it was necessary for him to make a great slaughter had provided a broad sword of fine mettall that no kinde of Armes was able to resist so as being manag'd by a strong and able arme it cut off all it reached and the field was spread all over with heads armes legs and trunked bodies Polydore also on his side gave no little proofes of his valour and the Thessalians courageously followed so valiant Leaders and cut in peeces whatsoever presented it selfe before them The Romans seeing so happy a beginning avanc'd their point and went to set upon that part of the Scythians Army that was opposite to them for to second the happy successe of the horse Alcydamas in the meane time continued his great blowes and put all the encountred either to the edge of the sword or into disorder in the end with the assistance of his companions he was come to the middest of the enemies left wing from whence he began to perceive somewhat a farre off a troop of Scythians that stood close round about one that surpassed them by the head and had all the marks of being their King There it was he set
of revenge resolv'd our death and would serve himselfe with the presence of the Emperour to cover his assassinate In the evening being at supper with Nero seeing that Prince somewhat inflam'd with wine and singing some verses he had made he said all alowd that some dayes agoe he was not able to endure the insolence and ingratitude of that Sycilian who mock'd at the Emperours verses and every where vanted his owne for all acknowledgement of so many favours he had receiv'd of him Nero incens'd at these words for there was nothing that so sensible prick't him as to be slighted in a thing where he affected the greatest glory In what places sayes he does this companion thus use me I heard him also answered Marcelin but two dayes since when he spake of this matter with a strange impudence at a Ladies house that every night entertain's him Can we not said Nero entrappe this same gallant This very night replies he it will be very easie to be done we need but goe to waite for him and hide us some where there abouts you may punish him your fill for the crime he commits every day against the honour of your Majesty This was instantly resolv'd on and Nero with those of his ordinary troup went to put himselfe in ambush at a place whither he was conducted by Marcelin and staied for us with a purpose to sacrifice us to his vengeance We failed not to come at the houre and presently as we had order'd the matter together we beganne to draw our swords in making a noyse and to cry kill kill the murderers Nero and the rest thinking they had beene discover'd and fearing to be all massacred in their Ambuscado if they issued not out shewed themselves and came to us but so much astonish'd as we were surpriz'd not looking that our play should be turn'd into so true a combat We omitted not to receive them with much assurance and hurt many of them Neverthelesse because their number was the greater we receiv'd many wounds which made us resolve to sell our lives dearely but they considering we were desperate were in the end forc'd to cry out to us It was the Emperour Then we drew our selves further off to let them passe yet after they had retired themselves I fell downe all along being no longer sustaind by the heat of the fight and having foure great wounds out of which I lost all my bloud Melintus came to helpe me but for all he was not so much hurt he could not but fall in a swoone also upon my body In this state were wee found by these Ladies who came out to see that which had passed before their house and who were greatly astonish'd to see us handled on that fashion Then they caus'd us to be brought hither to succour us with the affection they have made demonstration to us where being in despaire of my life I was willing to see my father and you before I dyed But the gods have shewed me more favours than my indiscreet youth deserv'd and have spar'd my life it may be to serve you and that deare Melintus to whom I have so many obligations whose sicknesse that now keeps him in his bed was not caus'd but by the daily cares he tooke for me during mine Ariana fully pleas'd to have learn'd the extreme fidelity of Melintus dissembled that joy to answer her brother It is true that in all that you have told me he hath witness'd a most perfect friendship to you which oblig'd us to eternall acknowledgements And I would have the occasion one day presented to acquit us of them then she spake on But to leave this businesse of Melintus you have not told me how you came to know it was Cyane that discover'd all to Marcelin This is the thing replied Palamede I forgat to speake of We knew it was he assisted by Nero that made the Ambuscado for us and chiefly we gather'd his ill will by an oyntment he sent me which was poyson and then when we were in paine to discover from whence hee could have notice of our appointment by night I went to averre before Melintus and Camilla that I had communicated it to Cyane Camilla crying out then told me we need not any more inquire for the originall of this disaster that this mayd was wholly Marcelin's and causing her to be corrected because she was now too much inrag'd for all Marcelin's treasons shee made her in the end confesse her villany I make no report to you of the resolution of our faithfull slaves in pursuing the designe Nero had taken to put us to death because you have heard that of Arcas It remaines onely that I tell you how Marcelin two or three dayes since hee was wholly cur'd came to visitus and shew us much affection to remove the opinion we might have of him But Camilla could not forbeare to give him so strange a reception that he began to suspect the cause of that usage I perceive replide Ariana that by the speciall favour of the gods you have beene able to escape out of that adventure for in that sort your destruction was plotted I tremble still to imagine how it was possible for you to avoyd it Neverthelesse you are not yet out of danger having alwayes for enemies the Emperour and Marcelin whose revenge is unsatisfied and whose fury shall be increas'd by the cares Camilla has express'd to have of you The gods said Palamede that have hitherto preserv'd us will not abandon us yet we are not to sleepe but employ the wisdome of yours and Melintus counsels to advise of the meanes that may for ever secure us from those miseries that threaten us I beleeve said Ariana that a speedy retrait to Syracuse will be the most expedient this is that makes mee wish the perfect cure of both of you that we may enjoy together the repose and sweetnesse of our Country and flye from a City where vice and insolence reigne with such authority ARIANA. The third Booke WHile they were entertaining themselves thus Melintus satisfied what he could the desire Aristides had to heare of all had passed and employed the greatest cunning of his discretion to find out causes of their misfortune and conceale the true and principall occasions of every thing that had happened many times when he was not well prepar'd to answer all the good old mans questions he feined a difficulty of speech by reason of his sicknesse to have leisure to consider But when he had scap'd that passage and came to report Palamede's extreme sicknesse that his wounds caused and all the accidents that had put him into such feare he forgat not so much as one point thereof that he might spend the time in that discourse and deliver himselfe from demands he was in trouble to satisfie Emilia and Camilla sometimes laugh'd seeing in what fashion hee disguis'd the truth and did oft divert the matter of the discourse to ayd him Aristides was
to you in such sort as I tooke my leave of them instantly and came to embarque mee with him you had sent who made me an account of all that happened to you since I left you and how for feare of being discovered you made your selfe be call'd Alcydamas and Palamede Polydore he shewed mee a place where wee might land in the Countrey without being seene of the Scythians and you see I am here arriv'd without danger I sent him backe in the same Vessell to the end hee might direct Eurymedon that way when hee came I make no doubt but they will very soone be here because there is no mistrust at all of the disguiz'd Hermione and Archelaus is so blinded with her love as he permits her whatsoever shee desires so as it will be very easie for them to make their escape and I hope when they are once arriv'd with their forces we shall have meanes to hinder the Scythians from carrying away Ariana if they stay but here so long and finde some occasion or other to take her out of their hands either by subtilty or open force Amyntas thus ended his discourse which would have beene regarded with a great deale of more pleasure in another season neverthelesse it gave some remission to the paines they endur'd for the losse of Ariana But when he had ended they could scarce declare their opinion upon what they had heard so afflicted were they and every one return'd to his complaints as before ARIANA. The seventh Booke WHile Amyntas recited the adventures of the generous Eurymedon and the faire Pasithea Alcydamas was in great paine to give him attention being so cruelly diverted with his misfortune which entirely possest his minde that he divers times made him begin his narration againe to the end he might be perfectly informed of the issue because his thoughts were still wandring after Ariana But when he had made an end he drew him aside and desired him to goe with him to the Castle to speake with Arimine Polydore was advised to keep his bed by reason of his wounds so that it was easie for Alcydamas to conceale his purposes from him in the present businesse and having acquainted Amyntas with his designe he carried him to Arimin whom he informed that he was a friend of his addressed to him in private from Eurymedon of whom he had told him at the beginning of the siege to let him know that he had sent him by sea three thousand men who were at Anchor in a road somewhat removed from that where the Scythians Fleet rode and which should that night come into the Towne by severall ports to the end their marching in one body might not cause them to be discovered by the Barbarians Arimin was well pleased to heare of this supply and Alcydamas intreated him to give order to all the Commanders and guards at the Ports to doe what he should require of them Presently Arimin sent directions all about that for that night they should obey all the commands of Alcydamas and within a while Alcydamas left him to goe and put in frame that which he intended Onely Amyntas and Arcas were of his privy counsell with whom when night was come on he went and drew fifty horse out of every troop of the Thessalians which none of the Captaines refused to give way to perswading themselves that he had order for it In this sort he made up a squadron of about five hundred men then he tooke thirty Trumpets and having drawn them all out of the Towne without any noyse he told his company he had promis'd Arimin to give a defeat to the whole Scythian Campe that night and could not endure to see them depart carrying away so many persons as they had taken in Larissa without endevouring to recover them out of their hands againe that he had chosen out all of them being perswaded they had courage enough to goe charge the Barbarians in their very Camp when they should be oppress'd with wine and sleepe and that a few men falling upon them on the sudden would doe more good than if there were a multitude of the plot that they would therefore expresse their willingnesse to him if they had a desire to follow him and gaine as great honour as men of warre were able to attaine These Gentlemen of Thessaly so lov'd the valiant Alcydamas and were so confident in his direction that they all cryed out to him to lead them on Then he signified to them how this enterprise had beene conceiv'd by him in particular to save certaine Ladies that were taken prisoners by the Scythians so as entring their tents they were to spare this sex and to take them out of their hands onely and because the chiefest of them was called Ariana he gave them this cry to terrifie the Barbarians at their first assailing them all at once and prayed them to cry without ceasing Ariana Ariana where are you when they should once be mingled in the fight with them It being thus ordered he went himselfe and placed twenty of his Trumpets two by two round about the Scythians Campe with command to sound when he began the charge on his side He reserved the other ten to goe in the head of his five hundred men when he should enter with them into the Campe. After hee had well encouraged them once againe he made but one whole troop of them marching very close together and at the entry of the Camp he bade his Trumpets sound the others answered at the instant from all sides giving a fearefull allarme and suddenly he began to enter the tents every where and to make a strange butchery of the affrighted Scythians who thought all the Devils of hell were met together to their confusion Melintus and his companions had no other trouble but to kill every where as they went crying out incessantly Ariana Ariana and all places ecchoed with that faire name Melintus searching in the very secrettest corners of all cried still Ariana my deare Ariana where are you Ariana 't is Alcydamas that seekes you faire Ariana where are you In the meane time he slew as many Scythians as appeared before him and he engaged himselfe so farre in this search that he encountred a body of Scythians that were gathered together having then none but Amyntas and Arcas on each side of him His courage suffer'd him not to retire but contrariwise he spurr'd his horse into the very middest of them and scattered them in an instant His valour the more provoked by his love made him give blowes that were prodigious imagining to himselfe that every Scythian he strucke was he that had stollen away Ariana Presently he slew or put to flight this number that had rallied together and afterwards there was not a man that made any more resistance He clave heads he strucke off shoulders and his enemies cried out that it was Mars himselfe that came to destroy them Amyntas and Arcas killed in like manner as
I found meanes to escape out of his house whilest his wife his children and his servants were all in desolation and disorder I went to Maximus his who by good fortune had not bin accus'd by any of the conspiracy and he was very joyfull to see me for it was noysed and certainly beleev'd in the City that I was dead after having testified an admirable constancy in suffering the racke two dayes together without declaring any thing and that I had strangled my selfe But not willing to stay at Rome any longer my honour having run so many fortunes since I had bin knowne for a Mayd I re-assum'd the habit of a man to save myselfe in I tooke leave of Maximus who gave me a little money and an horse to goe and embarque me in some Port or other and returne into Sicily where I hoped to heare newes of Ariana I made a fortunate voyage and arriving at Syracuse I found no body at Dicearchus house that could tell me any newes of you but going to Telephus his he was much astonished with Erycine to see me in that estate and I learn'd of Telephus that the ship that carried us into Epire was newly arriv'd and how you had sent it backe againe being desirous to goe by land as farre as the Egean Sea and from thence to passe into Asia and withall to advertise Telephus and those that had charge of the affaires of Dicearchus Palamede and Ariana to send you what money they were able for the need you had of it being purposed to remaine in Asia Telephus told me he went to gather together what he was able to bring you as well out of Melintus his as his owne estate and that he was resolv'd to goe finde you out himselfe with Erycine who would not abandon him Very glad was I at so fit an encounter to come away to you and two dayes after we departed with some of Dicearchus servants that brought him many commodities The wind was so favourable that we soone arriv'd in Epire and having landed all our goods we hir'd a wagon whereinto we loaded them and went our selves on horsebacke with a purpose to goe the same way you had taken according to the advice you gave us We were resolv'd not to forsake the wagon for the riches it was charg'd with so as we thus passed through the Epire the mount Pindus and all Thessaly going still about it with Telephus and Dicearchus men without ever making an ill encounter but onely this day when we met with certaine insolent souldiers who were pleas'd at Erycina's beauty and followed us into this City never ceasing to come about her to touch her and affront us with many injurious speeches We had much adoe Telephus and I to make opposition to them yet we did it with gentlenesse for feare their impudence should have proceeded further and thus we came into the City where our wagon having bin stayed at the gate to be visited by reason of the common practice during the wars as I beleeve we were constrain'd to leave our men to gard it come our selves away to put Erycine in safety Those souldiers seeing we were now but three followed us still and here hard by seeing themselves before their lodgings and back'd with the presence of their companions they would have forced Erycine to goe in with them and shamelesly made her come downe off her horse Instantly we allighted Telephus and I to hinder this violence and had our swords in our hands but to abridge the recite of what you know as well as we Palamede and Amyntas gave us a timely assistance without whom we could not have long time resisted And now you have all that hapned to me since I was separate from you for the present it will not be amisse to send some body to have in our men and baggage and afterwards we will advise together in what place the gods will afford us a retreat after so many strange fortunes for there is no doubt but as long as Nero lives we are to have a care that the names of Melintus Palamede and Epicharis come no more to his eares Epicharis ended thus and they all wondred at her that she should conceive so hardy an enterprise onely for the safety of Melintus and Palamede and that in so short a time she had so greatly endangered the most redoubtable power upon earth They sent Arcas who was very well knowne of those that guarded the Ports to make Telephus people enter with those of Dicearchus that knew nothing yet of the death of their Master After they were come and all of them provided of goods and servants advertisement being given to those that were newly arriv'd of Melintus his taking on him the name of Alcydamas and Palamedes that other of Polydore they resolv'd to depart all together out of Thessaly and to goe live in some place within Asia so to order themselves that no more newes should be heard of them at Rome ARIANA. The eighth Booke BUt Pisistratus who had beene hindred from going to Maxentius by reason of a great wound receiv'd of Palamede one night as soone as he was cur'd understood that this Pretor was gone with all the men of warre he had towards Larissa He enquired afterwards at the house where Melintus and Ariana had lodged in Nicopolis what was become of them and knew they had taken the way of Thessaly He resolv'd with himselfe to follow them and goe give advice to Maxentius in Larissa that search might be made after Melintus and Palamede to put them to death He arriv'd there just at the time that Melintus who call'd himselfe Alcydamas returned laden with so many spoiles and brought backe Ariana As he stayed a while to have that little triumph passe he soone knew Melintus and Ariana who went besides him He heard all was said of them and learn'd that Melintus under the name of Alcydamas had done great exploits the day of the battell and afterwards utterly defeated the Scythians Camp with five hundred men only The testimonies of the peoples joy for his returne augmented the envy and rage of Pisistratus who having enquir'd particularly in what sort all had passed came to know that this Alcydamas without any consideration of the oath was taken by the Captaines not to fight or regard to the punishment was to follow the contempt of his Generall had gone out by night to assault the enemies that carried away Ariana and had beene so valiant and happy as to defeat all that remain'd of the Scythians within Thessaly Pisisratus in stead of admiring the faire effect of so brave a courage resolv'd in his minde to make that valour ruinous to him that possessed it and when evening came he went to Arimin and represented to him what fault he committed to let the crime of this Alcydamas goe unpunished of what consequence it was to suffer the lawes of the Roman Discipline to be violated which untill then was not maintain'd but