father Which Lisimantus perceiving to satisfie his desire and curiosity thus presently began his discourse THE INDIAN HISTORY OF ANAXANDER AND OF ORAZIA The fift BOOK I Confesse great Monarch I have heretofore been proud of some things I have done because I thought them high considering my mean extraction as I thought mine own to be but at this present knowing certainly the honour I have to be issued from your loynes I grow asham'd for having done so little and that I am no more worthy of the glory you afford me in acknowledging me your son However to satisfie the dence you have to know how I obtain'd honor and advantages abroad I will tell you in a few words that though I thought my self Eurimedes his son and kept in equal breed and habit with his own in the City of Diu I forbare not in those tender years to aspire to nobler and more generous exercises than he caus'd us to be taught If I saw a goodly horse I long'd to be upon him I delighted alwaies more to see a sword than a feather and Eurimedes here present can assure you they found me oftner at the Manage and the Fencing school than at my Grammar Besides all this I had so strong a passion to be gone out of that little City where I was shut up to see strange parts which I had heard of as being one day walking a good way off the City on the Sea shoar a private ship having there landed I was not at all astonished when they took me because they us'd me kindely and after having much prais'd my prettynesse and beauty they promis'd they would give me to their King who was one of the most generous Princes of the world In part they kept their words with me for indeed they carried me into Zeilan which was the place of their birth but instead of making a present of me as they had promised they sold me to one of the greatest Lords of that fair Island They perswaded him I was a poor Child whom they had found and bred up for Charity because seeing me so pretty and spritely they might hope to make somewhat of me and made me believe that if I would gain my self a fortune and be bred among the great one should say as they did This Lord who was called Arbiran found me so pleasing for my words and actions which he said were more than of a Child and seeming as it were somewhat noble that at the end of three Weekes or a Moneth that he had had me having put me into very good Clothes commanded me to wait on him to the Palace and ask'd me whether I would talk as well before the King as I had done to him I had at that time a great liberty of the Arabick tongue which is the Mother Language of my reputed father and which passeth with estimation through all India in so much as Iassuring him that I would do yet better and that he should discern as much difference as between the King and himself he was so touch'd with the grace I uttered those words as he acquainted the Queen therewith who desired to see me which having done she would have me presently from him to place me with the Princesse Lisimena her onely daughter who at that time was not above six years of age Although I were unknown to all men because I rather chused to confirm what the Pirats had said of me than confesse I was a Merchants Son my face and the gentlenesse of my actions together with my discourse begot me much honour from all people and to such a degree as they held me fit to wear the Princes livery wherein I was the first and only Page a pretty while And because I had according to the Pirates assured them that my Parents were as unknown unto me as my name the Queen named me Euribaldus which in that Country language significs a found Child The Princesse who at that innocent age had found the secret of making her self feared appeared the most beautifull thing that was ever seen and already ravish'd all eyes with admiration of so many graces and perfections as nature had bestowed upon her She commanded me to be ever near her and to follow her alwaies as well because she saw every body lov'd me as for I was the first Creature over whom she had an absolute power But alass she in time knew that she had got much more than she desired I found my self so ready for her commandt and took so great contentment in her service as although I had known at that time my extraction I should have held my self very happy in the quality of her Slave I was as ready to obey her as she gracefull in commanding me and though that age did not allow me knowledge of the force of Love I could not but perceive my cares and my affections passed common duties She had perceived it as well as I when on a day that she had praised me for somewhat I had done to her minde Euribaldus said she to me well done but I fear this passion will not last Madam said I I purpose it shall not end but with my life And were my happiness such as to be the greatest Monarch of the world I would desire to be ever at your feet nor should any consideration loose me from your service Truly said she your services are not like those I expect from Princeâ— That 's my grief Madam answered I with tears in my eyes that I find not my self worthy to come near you and that I cannot by important services recommend my self unto you But how said she smiling by what services wouldst thâ—n make thy self more commendable unto me by such replyed I as proceed from my own inclinations and my free will when I do that which you command me I do but what I ought and what a threat of punishment may force me to But if the gods had made me of so free and elevated a condition as that I could of my self have given you my self and put me in such case as you might like my services that I might free lydie for you and where there might be quedion of obeying you I should finde but few things impossible Although she were but full ten years of age her spirit forward and her judgement formed which supply'd the want of years made her sufficiently to apprehend my words I observed that when she would reply she stuck twice or thrice upon the utterance an assured note that she had understood me I believe her first purpost was to answer me sharply to teach me more respect afterwards and not to aspire to things out of my reach but that thought was soon sweetned by a feigned ignorance that she understood my discourse proceeded from the true affection I already bare her Thus you see how I took boldnesse betimes to discover a thing unto her which I did not understand For how at thirteen years of age could I apprehend
communicate they lay that night together which they spent in pleasing talk till next day administred more ample cause of joy for though this pleasure seemed to have respect alone to Ariomant Callistenus who so intirely loved him participated also of it and so much as very neer to shew the same impatience and desire If now Prince Ariomant for his part languisht in that amorous expectation The fair Orazia lived in a sweet unquietness on hers little that night she rested and the dry once come she numbred every hour and minute of the same she thought a thousand times the sun had slack'd his wonted course and dream'd on nothing but the silence of a night more happy than the former that with more conveniency she might again behold him whose gracefulness and sweet behaviour form'd themselves a thousand times that day to her imagination Her wishes when the Sun had set were granted for insteed thereof she saw her deerest Ariomant appear whose sight was more pleasing unto her eyes and warmth more acceptable to her soul he with his friend thought first to have been at the place but found himself prevented by the Princess great impatience who had scarce given Lisimena time to end her Supper for her hast to draw her to that pleasing and delightfull place She was of brown but clear complexion as all the beauties commonly of Asia are But in all Europe was not found a favour more exact nor delicate than hers she had no part of all her face which was not accompanied with speciall graces and eyes which for their sweetness might be feared had yet more boldness to acquire mens hearts than others When she went to find the Princess Lisimena in her Chamber she had cast carelesly about her a kind of Indian garment of black Sattin without any other Ornament than a cutwork very delicate wherewith her smock was edged and turn'd back upon her garment about her neck she only wore a bobbin her hair was black and curl'd by nature into slaves hung in some places on her neck whose lustre was the more set off and though it was in careless manner that it hung yet seem'd it not without a kind of art 'T is true her mourning did require more modesty than at that time her habit shew'd and yet did Lisimena think her too severe Sister said she so much mourning does not become you well on this occasion where nothing but content should be exprest and therewithall rather in jest than earnest she untied her string from her neck and in its room hung on a string of costly Pearl which lay upon her Table next under colour of the heat which was not over she trust her foresleeves up unto her elbowes and delivered her a rich Bracelet of Diamonds which she wore her self pull'd off her Gloves that her fair hands might shew themselves and took away the Handkerchief that hid her neck and would not conceal from Ariomant a part of her perfections After this manner Lisimena accompanied her deer Orazia to her closet wraped with leaves without more company than little Aquilant whom they distrusted not and bore his Mistress train for that she had not time enough for haste to make her self unready A very little time had they been there when Ariomant together with his faithfull friend Callistenus slid secretly into the door which lay towards the City and whereof he had the key delivered him Many and happy were the complements that past on either side But though there be no excellency wherewith they were not accompanyed and all their words selected such as love form'd in their mouths delighting to propose and answer for our Lovers I forbear repeating of them lest the Readers take offence and because Ariomant perceiv'd by Orazia's discourse that she yet knew not his extraction and that she long'd to know it from his mouth which he would gladly have excused if manners would have let him But seeing no way how he could refuse at length being all four sat and that their silence witnessed their defires to hear he thus began to say THE HISTORY OF ANAXANDER AND OF ORAZIA The second BOOK MOst fair and vertuous Princess seeing you desire to know who I am and from my own mouth to learn the History of mine and the companion of my misfortunes my deer Friend Callistenus his Life I am most willing to obey you and although our Crosses have been great and perillous our voyage more than common yet find I more contentment than displeasure in reflecting on them when I call to mind how you are the sole object of our hazards and that for your love only we have undertaken them But ere I ship me in that long discourse 't is fit I justifie the good opinion you have of my birth that if our merits be not equall you may at leastwise find our qualities as like as our affections and that you may be able to make good the honour you have done me to accept my service ere you very well had known me It cannot be but you have often heard of Alcidaris who being descended from the great Tamberlin and only remainder of his race hath to the Empire of Cambaye joyn'd the Kingdoms of Dulcinde Candahar and Mandao and who at present with your Father shares the Soveraignty of all the Indes From him 't is Madame whence I derive my self who hath bred me in the hope of all his Kingdomes which surely I should scorn but for the hope I have to reign in them one day with you Hereat the Princess Orazia could not conceal her joy of heart to be beloved by so great a Prince but interrupting him did say that both the greatnesse and deservings of Alcidaris were as the Sun so known unto her But reply'd Ariomant because we are not so neer neighbours but that many Hills and Rivers separate us and for it may be you have never heard of all the passages of my Fathers Life which do concern my Story I must briefly tell you that this Prince at five and twenty yeares of age was Heir unto the Kingdome of Guzarat which you call otherwise Cambaye he married more for policy of state than force of love the Princess Berenica who was only daughter and heir unto the King of Candahar and of Mandao his neighbour and his tributary who shortly after died and by that match enlarged his limits to the Northern parts even to the Mountain of Nogrocot which the Greeks call Paropamisse from whence the famous River Indus springs which but for only watering our Lands gives name to all the Indes But this unhappy Queen who did Idolatrise her Husbands vertues liv'd but a short time with him after her fathers death but on whole year wherein she gave him all imaginable proofes of perfect love and so far forth as having in her self free power she gave him be it whether the child wherewith she went did live or otherwise her two fair Crowns and just as soon as she
THE INDIAN HISTORY OF ANAXANDER AND ORAZIA WHEREIN Are mingled the Adventures of ALCIDARIS of Cambaya and the Loves of PIROXENUS Written in French by Monsieur de Boys-Robert and Translated into English By W. G. Esq CONCERNING The excellency of this History read the Letter of Monsieur du Balzac next after the Preface LONDON Printed by S. G. for J. Kirton and are to be sold as his Shop at the Kings Armâ— in S. Paul's Church yard 1657. AN ADVICE OF THE AUTHOR OF THE ORIGINAL Which may serve as a Preface to the Reader ALthough I list to passe here but as a bare Translator of Anaxanders Loves Alcidaris Adventures and to make my self more recommendable to thee seek my authority from the Arabians and Indians I assure my self Reader thou wilt be hardly perswaded that this History is true However it be seeing my aim is but to please thee and with pleasure to divert thee I care not much whether thou read my Book as a History or Fable so it do content thee If I did love to say much I would easily prove that there are in those brave Romances which are after the nature of Epique Poems instructions fit for all States that vice may be abhorred and vertue cherish'd as well as in Histories and in Romances so much the more as he that writes them proposes ever perfection to himself and sets those vertues in a more eminent degree whereof examples are presented us by Histories Besides there are but few Histories which do not either lie or flatter as they forget troublesome truths they publish lies that do oblige and commonly discover other mens imperfections to comply with some malicious minds and sacrifize to envy But the composers of Epique Poems and Romances are exempt from that black malice and most base complacency They describe things not as they are but as they ought to be T is without interest that they condemn foul deeds and Treasons and that they honor Justice Wisdome and Valor They make the guilty blush in their Consciences as well as true Historians and can tell better how than they to animate mens hearts in the defence of right and reason even to the last breath of life Besides that their design is but to be acceptable and stir up divers passions in the Readers they instruct them nevertheless and edifie them so as after reading them they grow much greater friends to vertue than before As for my self who cannot brag of those perswasive moving gifts I boast at lest to come thus neer a true History that I observe the justness of times that I describe exactly the Situation of Countries and Regions and that I relate the customs and ceremonies of the people at least of such as may give any pleasure to the Readers estranging my self from such things as may be harsh to their minds or trouble them As many as have been in the eastern voyage seen the Mogul's Court who is call'd great Achebar of his Subjects know that of all Asia they are the best men on horseback that they are great makers of Carrouzels but that at their publick feasts they mostly use the sports of Fencing Those who have seen as well as those that have described the Kingdom of Narsinga agree all of them that duels are more used there than in any part of the world that in times past they have been condemn'd and the duellists grievously punished but that of late years they were fain to suffer them hoping by that means to abolish them What I have said of the nuptials and interments of their Princes is confirmed likewise by divers as well antient as modern Historians So as Reader it rests only that I satisfie thee of the time amnd true race of Tamberlain from whom I make Anaxander to be descended Thou shalt know then if thou pleasest to believe what Albacen an Arabian Historian says who liv'd in Tamberlains time and who in two different Volumes hath writ his two childrens lives that after the death of that great Captain who was the Prince of Zaguetays son all his Countries which were of a great extent were divided between the two children Santochio and Letrochio and his chief Captains Axallo Odmar Synopes Colonel of his Infantry and the Prince of â—â—â—aiâ— his kinsman that Santochio had for his share being the â—â—dest son Zaguetay which was his fathers inheritance and Letrochio the younger took possession of a good part of the Indes on this side Ganges A hundred years after Alhacen another Arabian called Ologbet who hath written the History of the Kings of Gouzarate says that Letrochio Tamberlains son left his Countries and possessions to his only son Hâ—mar who was able to preserve Cambaya only by reason his other Subjects revolted from his obedience This Hamar had divers children of whom the eldest was called Alagmet who died very young and from the second called Abduli came the great Alcidaris the father of Alcidaris and Anaxander which he had by two wives He was surnamed the great because he had done many memorable actions from his youth up chastis'd many of his rebel Subjects having overcome them in sundry Battels and recovered much Land and many Provinces which had been taken from his father Hamar among others the Kingdom of Candahar otherwise called Sablestan situate on the North of the Kingdom of Cabul and that of Mandoa situate between the Kingdoms of Cambaya and Cytor Neverthelesse he left the enjoyment of them to King Babor he paying the accustomed Tribute imposed on him by his ancestors This Babor had one only daughter called Berenica whom Alcidaris married from her came the young Alcidaris and our Anaxander came from Anaxarette Queen of Dulcinda These two brothers being well united regained by their valour in time whatsoever Hamar had lost and conquered a part of those countries possessed this day by the great Mogul who boasheth to be the sole remainder of their race But I describe their Loves only and their first adventures purposing to do some better thing hereafter if I understand Reader that this little work hath pleased thee And now I intreat thee not to blame me for sundry faults escaped by misfortune in the impression I have corrected such as have come to my knowledge and if I have been so happy as to have stolen some importunate hours from thee I crave no other reward but that thou wilt amend what I have not observed Farewell A letter written by Monsieur du Balzac To a Lady of quality accompanied with the Indian History of Anaxander and Orazia Madam BEing not able to wait on you according to my promise when you went from hence I believe I shall not do you injury if I commend you better company T is that book I send you which you heard so much prais'd and which you thought to carry with you into those parts for a comfort in your absence from the Court It is certainly worth your estimation and as great impatience as I knew