is done for a fair person before a man discovers himself to be a Lover is lookt upon but as testimonies of esteem and friendship at most and till after such declarations she does not look upon the services render'd to her as testimonies of love What you say is no doubt very well spoken said I to him but it must be added that when people are forbidden to speak 't is taken for no great offence if they break that prohibition in case they be esteem'd and they knew how to do it handsomely But Amiclea answer'd Terentia I think you have lost your reason in accusing women of such a defect as this For I conceive a deserving person can never be more oblig'd than when she sees her displeasure is dreaded and that she is fear'd and respected 'T is true repli'd I but if a Lover do not profess himself to be such how will he ever be lov'd I know not whether he will be lov'd or no answer'd Terentia but I know well that a Lover who should tell me rudely that he lov'd me should be hated When Amiclea repli'd Aemilius maintains it fit for a lover to declare his passion she does not mean he should do it after an unhandsome manner As I was going to answer the Lady which Theanor had lov'd so long arriv'd with two others her name was Menesile and it is not to be doubted but she is a very confident person and passionate This visit very much surpriz'd the company for she did not use to visit Elynissa But jealousie exciting a desire in her to see what pass'd in this cabal she caus'd her self to be introduc'd by one of Tolumnius's friends Nevertheless Theanor the better to make known his love to Terentia continu'd with her tho he did not speak to her apart for should he have desir'd it she would not have given him occasion When Aurelisa beheld this Lady enter she well understood that a sentiment of jealousie induc'd her to make this visit so that perceiving she still lov'd Theanor this redoubled the inclination she had for him as well as the envy she bore to Terentia for she was extremely sorry that she was not the person to whom he prov'd unfaithful A quarter of an hour after three of Aemilius's ancient Mistresses arriv'd but he saluted them so coldly and lookt upon them so little that it could scarce be thought he had ever seen them before Whereupon Terentia observing that this unfaithful person was become constant was extreamly perplexed it was not for her sake that he despis'd all his former Mistresses And so she became as melancholick as Aurelisa However civility obliging them to entertain those that came to visit them they fell to discourse of several things after which the conversation being chang'd on a sudden they inveighed very much against men in general It was affirm'd that they were very frequently unjust vindicative inconstant insensible and given to detraction Theanor and Aemilius then maintain'd the cause of their own sex defended themselves the best they could But at length I know not how it came to pass but one of the new-come Ladies who did not love Menesile askt me if I believ'd that a woman whom a man ceas'd to love ought to be more offended than another who could not gain the affection of a man she lov'd This proposition made Menesile Terentia and Aurelisa blush which nevertheless was observ'd only by my self Menesile recollecting her self in a moment had confidence enough to make good her own cause 'T is so easie to answer to what you demand said she that tho many persons be present here who have more wit than my self I think I shall have enough to convince you that 't is greater shame not to be able to makes one's self be lov'd than to be abandon'd For the shame reflects upon the desertor and not on her that is forsaken I know not whose the shame is repli'd I but I believe the anger is on her side that is relinquisht if she persists to love I believe said Menesile the cause of the anger is for having been deceiv'd but however a person that cannot make her self be lov'd is not only angry but ashamed of her own weakness and whereas a woman that has been lov'd and is so no longer is possessed onely with despight hatred and contempt of her Renegade she that loves without being lov'd comes at length when she has any heart to hate and despise her self which no doubt is the cruellest thing in the world While Menesile was speaking thus Terentia Aurelisa and Theanor were extremely perplext being inforc'd to hear an unpleasing discourse without answering to it I observing their trouble answer'd Menesile and desiring to make a third party In truth said I to her whether a woman loves without being lov'd or whether her Lover forsakes her she is worthy of pity if she be vertuous for as for such as are not they ought never to be pitied But I would know further said she who made this proposition who suffers most of the two She that loves most answer'd Terentia That is likely repli'd a Lady of the company to be the forsaken Lady for I cannot understand that he that is not lov'd can love very ardently For my part said another I do not conceive a woman can love if her affection be not answer'd when she gives some Testimony of it but I do not believe it impossible but a vertuous person may have a secret and hidden inclination which may lead her to love rather one man than another tho without testifying any thing of it If it be so answer'd Menesile I believe really she that is forsaken suffers more than she that is not lov'd but if she believes that her eyes have betray'd the secret of her heart and that he that she loves understands her affection without answering to it I conceive she undergoes the torment of a shame of greater pain to her than the blackest infidelity can cause For in this case the remedy is at hand by scorning him from whom the injury is receiv'd Whil'st Menesile was speaking thus Aemilius talk't low to Aurelisa who at that instant lik't rather to hear him than to be oblig'd to answer Menesile You are very melancholick to day Madam said he to her altho I do not complain of your silence for it being a kind of consent I presume you agree that Amilcar had reason to say There is greater love in not being able to contain from discovering that passion than in being silent out of respect and therefore to avoid giving you leisure to change your sentiments it is best for me to tell you in the most respectful manner possible that of the most inconstant of all men you will make the most faithful Lover in the World provided you will please to fasten the Knots which tye me to your service I beseech you Aemilius answer'd Aurelisa much astonish'd do not force me to speak more rudely to you than I would
assembly it was and whether any thing was suspicious against his Authority But since the marriage held not no company came and Emilius was gone out at a back door so as having no further order the Lieutenant returned as soon as Valerius had shewed him that there was no assembly in his house But after he was gone Valerius concluded that it was not safe for Herminius to stay long in his house they brought him out of the place where he was hid and when Valerius asked for Emilius he was much surprised to hear by his men that he was gone Domitia feared lest his amorous despair should move him to acquaint Tarquin that Herminius was there But Herminius did not apprehend that danger no more than Valerius knowing Emilius had more generosity than to be capable of such a base action However since his departure made it plainly appear that he abandoned his pretensions unto Valeria Herminius was extremely joyed for he saw that Valeria had given him cause to despair in his good fortune Herminius then asking leave of Valerius to stay at his house until to morrow at night he made his peace so well with his dear Valeria who protested that what e're she said she had only thoughts of Amity for Emilius that he esteemed himself most happy yet he could not alter her from the proposition which Valerius had made for as things were it was not likely he should marry Valeria Valerius also told him that he would not send unto Rome to advertise Sivelia lest some ill chance should happen which might discover him and all he could do was to get so much liberty as to spend one day with Valeria 'T is true Valerius told him in private that perhaps he would not be long an exile because there were some secret plots against the Tyrant which would at last break out into a flame However Herminius told his Mistress so many particular passages concerning the love of Aronces and Clelia that she did believe him innocent but in restoring her heart wholly unto him she conjured him to continue his amity towards Emilius After this Herminius being inquisitive into the matter he made the servant confess how he came by those Letters which he brought unto him so as Valeria understanding thereby that Spurius and Mutius did know that Herminius was not dead she apprehended the more danger unto him by being in her Fathers house therefore Flavia and she did never let him rest until he was gone He departed then as happy as before he came he was afflicted yet it grieved him to see that Valerius should not make any positive promise unto him and that Emilius had not renounced his pretensions before his face But for all seeing himself upon good terms with Valeria it may well be said that he went with abundance of satisfaction unto Artemidorus and Zenocrates who expected him as well as I. Since that we met with Aronces with whom we joyned society So that Madam I have no more to say unto you for you know all that hapned since unto Herminius unless that Emilius not appearing Valerius would not let Herminius marry his Daughter until his friend consented thereunto so as this invincible Rival did much more trouble Herminius than Mutius did as brave as he was After this Amilcar holding his peace Clelia gave him thanks Cesonia and Plotina did the same and the company parted referring it untill the next day to talk of the pleasant adventure which had hapned unto them because it was too late to begin a story which contained so many particulars as it was likely to be a long and pleasant discourse The End of the First Book of the Third Part. CLELIA The Third Part. BOOK II. WHile the Adventures of Herminius and Valeria took up the memories of so many excellent persons and that Clelia comparing them with her own wanted not a little envy to Valeria who at that time seem'd to be in far greater hopes to arrive it happiness with much more ease than she and who had always the comfort of seeing him by whom she was best beloved and honour him with thousands of expressions of affection Titus and Tiberius were considering of the resolution they were to take But after a large consideration Honour and Nature getting the upper hand of Love they repaired that evening to the place appointed them by Aquilius absolutely resolved not to engage in the conspiracy On the other side Aquilius and his friends had manag'd Tarquin's interest so well that they had cajoll'd into his party a great number of young Gentlemen of quality so that they were with the first at the place where they were expected There they found those envoys of Tarquin to whom they gave an account of what they had done adding that if they could but draw in Brutus his Sons as such as had abundance of friends they might be in a capacity to accomplish something more than ordinary Nay they came so far as to acquaint these Envoys that the main business was to engage Tiberius it being then easie to bring in Titus as one that rely'd very much on the others judgment and was guided by him To this the Envoys reply'd that they were sure of some of the Senate though there were no such thing so to enflame their hopes and courage to the sudden undertaking of any thing they had a mind to put them upon For the posture of Tarquin's affairs at that time consider'd there was nothing to be done by consultation Things being at this point and the young Gentlemen contriving how to get Tarquin's Troops into the City by night Titus and Tiberius came into the place But having no thoughts at all of engaging in the conspiracy but coming hither meerly out of a fear that Ocrisia and Teraminta might take it ill if they did nothing at all the concernments of their loves put them into some trouble and accordingly they were at first very cold as to the design The moon shin'd very bright so that it was not hard to discern very distinctly the air of the faces of some who were in a spacious walk which a high fence kept from the sight of such as out of the windows of the house of the Faeciales which stood on the other side of the Garden might have looked into it They were no sooner in sight but the Envoys of Tarquin went to meet them and Aquilius attended by ten or twelve of their common friends embracing them asked whether they would not participate of the glory they were in hope to attain telling them confusedly one after another and sometimes all together that they would be accountable to them for the life and fortunes of Brutus adding withal that in civil Wars it was policy that families should be divided that so where-ever the victory fell it might be some way or other advantageous To these and many other things Titus and Tiberius made answer that the power of Brutus and the impossibility of the design proposed
which by some intelligence which he had in Elis and even in the Army of Melanthus by reason of being born his Subject he contrived that several pourtraitures of Elismonda being hidden in great baskets of fruit Soldiers in the disguise of simple Gardiners should carry the same to Elis and to the Camp of the Prince of Messenia and deliver them to those with whom he had intelligence together with several Copies of the Manifesto which he had set forth He also sent some to Olympia and gave order the same thing should be done at Pisa which he caused to be done in the places I now mentioned So that having been succesful in his design and served with fidelity one morning there was found both in Pisa and Olympia and in Melanthus's Army and in Elis and even at the Gate of the Palace wherein the Prince of Messenia lodg'd several Pictures of Elismonda She was drawn in a Mourning habit for I forgot to tell you that the Prince of Cyparissa amongst all the pictures of Elismonda which he found at Pisa had chosen one to be an Original for the Copies which had been drawn upon the death of the Princess her Mother and besides she being fair and bright hair'd and mourning best becoming her it was thought fittest to draw her in that dress Which was also otherwise sutable to her present condition and consequently the Prince of Cyparissa believed this Picture would be more proper than any other to incite compassion in the hearts of those that should behold it Besides she having been sad the day on which it was taken the pourtrait had a kind of lovely dejectedness in it which seemed to implore assistance from those which beheld it for her that was represented by it So that they were extreamly surprised both in the Army of Melanthus and at Elis upon seeing this extraordinary adventure For some of these pictures were laid at the Gate of the principal Temples some in the publick Piazza's and most noted streets and as I said before at the Gate of Melanthus's Palace A thing yet more remarkable was that the Prince of Cyparissa had caused several things to be written at the bottom of these pictures according to the divers places wherein they were to be layd For under that which was found at the Palace Gate where Melanthus lodged there were only these words Melanthus behold her against whom you make War and if you are wise fear lest the Gods avenge her cause and you repent of your injustice Under those which were taken up in the Piazza's of Elis it seemed as if the Princess spoke to the people in these words only Is it possible unjust Subjects that you can endure an Usurper in a City consecrated to the Gods Those which were at the Gates of the Temples were underwritten as follows as if Elismonda had spoken to the Gods adored there Since Men abandon me I implore of you a Sanctuary against your own enemies Those which were in the principal Streets had these words Disloyal Subjects can you have the heart to forsake me And for them which were dispersed in the Camp of Melanthus they contained no more but this Valiant Soldiers consider whether it will be any great glory to you to overcome a Princess who hath nothing but tears wherewith to resist you But for them which were carried to Pisa and Olympia I do not distinctly remember what was writ under them but I know this invention which Love put into the mind of the Prince of Cyparissa had many extraordinary and different successes and that by a priviledge of beauty the Picture of Elismonda found respect in the minds of the least faithful of her subjects and in those of the most insolent Soldiers But that which deserves more Remarke was that Melanthus who rose very early in the morning to go to the Camp having been advertised there were several Pictures of Elismonda in divers places of the City and one also at the Gate of his Palace commanded it should be brought to him He had heard reports of Elismonda's beauty but had never as yet seen her and the furniture and ornaments of the Palace where he lodged having been removed from thence when there was a necessity of surrendring up the City there was not left as much as one of Elismonda's pictures in it Besides his heart was so wholly taken up with ambition that he never inquired much whether the Princess were fair or no. Hence it was that he became extreamly surprised when he beheld the picture of Elismonda Hortensius and Eumenes were both present at that time and were also charmed at the sight for there being but few Beauties of fair complexion in Greece this of the young Princess caused in them the greater admiration Melanthus without staying first to peruse the Manifesto of the Prince of Cyparissa which was brought him at the same time beheld this picture very attentively and silently Till at length turning towards Hortensius I perceive said he by this I have a prisoner that is sufficiently powerful to make Captives 'T is true my Lord answered Hortensius this picture is very handsome but sometimes painters are great Flatterers and 't is credible the Princess of Elismonda has not been injured in the draught of the picture which you see I assure you my Lord interposed an Elaean Gentlemen who sided with this Prince the Princess Elismonda is nothing beholding to the painters hand for she is fairer than he could make her Image But presently after this the Prince of Messenia observing the words I repeated to you at the bottom of the Portraiture he read them with an indifferent loud voice Melanthus behold her against whom you make War and if you are wise fear least the Gods avenge her cause and you repent of your injustice Whereupon with a pensil he took off the Table and which he had newly made use of to trace out the platform of the Fortifications which he intended to make at Elis he writ these words beneath the other as answering to the Prince of Cyparissa I have seen her against whom I make War but if you had been wise you would never have suffered me to see her since she is too handsome ever to be parted with to you After which the Prince out of an impetuous humor would have the picture carried back and laid in the same place whence it was taken up imagining that they who had intelligence with the Prince of Cyparissa would take notice what he had writ under it and send it away to that Lover Hortensius and Eumenes endeavored to divert him from so doing but without effect In the mean time they consulted together what was requisite to be done in order to prevent least those pictures might occasion any commotion Melanthus first proposed that course should be taken to discover who had dispersed them that they might be severely punisht in the sight of all the Inhabitants of Elis. But Hortensius represented to him that this
those of others I could never have believ'd said Hesiode's Confident your Love could have so well taught you morality You deride me answered Hesiode but did you know what sweetness I feel being free from ambition you would judge I have cause to hold my self extreamly obliged to Clymene Alas my dear Hesiode replyed he A person that begins to love sees only delightful things hope renders all easie he is so glad that he loves and so delighted only in thinking that he may be loved again that his heart abandons it self to joy without having cause to do so but if you continue to love Clymene you will soon tell me other news Do not doubt my dear friend said Hesiode whether I shall continue to love Clymene for I find I shall love her till death and I take no other care but to be loved again by her To which purpose Hesiode omitted nothing that might conduce of all the diligences which an ingenious amorous and gallant person is capable of using when he designs to be beloved But though Clymene esteem'd him infinitely notwithstanding her reluctancy for the desired to hate all men and lived with such reservedness that there was no reasonable ground to hope to become happy yet it s true hope so easily arises in the heart of a Lover who loves ardently that he can never absolutely despair besides Belintha loving Clymene very dearly could have wished she did not hate Hesiode to the end she might have loved her Desart less and moreover having much kindness for Hesiode she could have been glad that the love he had for Clymene would more straitly have confined him to Locri than he was by the favors of the Prince and Lysicrates who being always desirous to establish himself more in the reputation he was in was not unwilling to fasten Hesiode to his interests to the end he might converse with the Prince and have a faithful friend to accompany him in all his pleasures when he could not himself But this was so far from giving Hesiode contentment at that time that he was disgusted with it and ambition became so weakned in his heart that he resented no other than that of being loved He had also so great a contempt of Lysicrates in regard of what had passed between him and Clymene that if prudence had not with-held him he had rejected his friendship for he not only undervalued all the agreeable qualities of Lysicrates but hated him as if it had been himself that had been offended by him Yet he perceived this sentiment was something strange for said he one day to himself though unworthiness may be found in the procedure of Lysicrates yet it does not concern me to hate him for if he were not guilty of this crime he would be loved and happy and I a thousand times more miserable than I am 'T is not added he but that he contributes to my unhappiness another way for he is the cause that all men are suspected by Clymene and that she defends her heart against me as she would do against him if he should attempt to reconquer it However I ought not to despair though I have no cause of hope given me for as it is out of a sentiment of glory that Clymene hates Lysicrates so its possible out of a sentiment of equity she may love a man who is totally contrary unto him In the mean time though Hesiode visited Clymene ry often there was scarce any besides she that understood he had no more ambition for he frequently attended upon the Prince too and Lysicrates and deported himself so prudently that there was none but Clymene and Belintha who observed the great passion he had in his Soul So that Antiphanes and Ganetor Clymene's Brothers looking upon him as a person that was much respected by the Prince and his Favorite went to see him every day and testified much friendship to him On the other side Hesiode to render them favorable to him ingratiated himself a little more in the Court to the end he might do them some good office there and have the more liberty to visit Clymene But when this fair Lady in the beginning of the Spring returned to her Desart it was easie to observe that the cares of Hesiode were divided for he did nothing but make appointments to go see her sometimes with her Brothers very often with Belintha and sometimes alone no longer caring for Favor or Fortune nor any thing but to see Clymene to write to her and to make Verses upon her under the name of a Shepherdess For his inclination leading him to speak of Countrey matters in his Verses he conceived Love in Poetry had something more charming and more sweet with that resemblance of simplicity than with that of Nymph or Goddess Clymene taking good notice of his sentiments intreated Belintha several times to indeavor to make Hesiode change his intentions but his Friend told her smiling that till she forsook her solitary humor she would rather send her a thousand Lovers than free her from one Things being in this posture Hesiode went for two days to the House of Clymene's Aunt with her Brother during which the Prince was gone to one of his houses in the Countrey and had dispensed with him for following him Belintha was likewise of this Company with two other handsome Ladies her friends so that the Desart was then very delightful When Hesiode was ready to set forth a Packet was brought him from Lysicrates and delivered to one of his attendants he was minded to read it presently but being told the Company waited only for him to depart with them he referred the reading of it till he came upon the way Yet he did not perform his intention for Clymene so took up his mind that he never remembred the Packet he had received though he did not question but there was something in it which concerned the Prince's interest So he went to Clymene's house in this forgetfulness and which was more strange was there till very late the next day without thinking of it and 't is likely he would have returned to Locri in the same manner had not an accident befallen him The house where Clymene dwelt being seated in a pleasant Countrey walking was the chiefest delight it afforded So as soon as the Sun permitted the Ladies to injoy that divertisement commodiously Clymene obliged her friends to take the ayr The company being one evening in a Meadow beset round with Willows and divided by a River whose Banks were all covered with various sorts of flowers they divided themselves insensibly so that Clymene and Hesiode found themselves alone separated from all the rest about thirty paces some walkt others sate down and others sung As for Clymene having found a little flowry place on the bank of the River where the little Dog she loved was layd down she leaned against a Willow and shewing Hesiode the goodliness of the Countrey endeavored to hinder him from speaking to her
of all hearts and be ignorant of not one of all the commendable Sciences of which occasion may be sometimes offer'd to speak by the way But above all things he must know how to take away plainness and driness from Morality and set it off in a dress so natural and so agreeable that it may divert all those to whom it gives instruction and as Ladies break not their Looking-glasses which show them the defects which they amend when they know so they may not hate a Work wherein they oftentimes see things which none durst speak to them of and which they would never speak of to themselves Whence it is easie to judge that it is much more difficult to make a Work of this nature than to write a History You discourse admirably well answer'd Anacreon I am of your opinion added Amilcar but that which seems strange to me is that if it were possible to find one that had compos'd a Fable of this nature yet there would also be found a great number of people who would speak of it but as of a meer trifle and an unprofitable amusement and I know divers antient Senators here and also several Roman Matrons who would be so affrighted with a Love-story that they would absolutely forbid their Children from casting their eye upon any such That conceit answer'd Herminius seems very unjust for Love is not learnt in Books nature teaches it all men and in all places through which I have travell'd I have found love every where But I have found it more gross brutish and criminal amongst people of no politeness and such as are wholly ignorant of handsome gallantry than amongst persons of worth and civil education And besides if it were unfit to read Books wherein Love is treated of we must forbear reading of Histories in which we find examples of all crimes and wherein oftentimes the Criminals are happy and cause desire in some to imitate them One day History will record the abominable action of Sextus the miserable death of Servius Tullus the unjust Loves of Tarquin and Tullia and a thousand other things of dangerous example which need not be in a Fable according to the way I understand for therein modesty may always be joyn'd with love and no criminal loves be ever related which prove not in the end unhappy For my part said Clelia I think it more important than is believ'd to shew that there may be innocent loves and delightful together for there are but too many who think this can never be No doubt Madam you have reason answer'd Herminius wherefore those good Senators and severe Matrons are too blame for hindring their Children from reading a Work wherein they might find wherewith to understand the practice of all Virtues and by the advantages of which they might spare the pains of travelling to become persons of worth and accomplisht since there may be made so handsome a Map of the World that it might be seen in Epitome without going forth of their Closet And as for Ladies I conceive likewise that the reading of such a Work as I am speaking of would rather hinder them from admitting of Gallants than induce them to entertain them for if they would compare the love pretended to them with that they found describ'd in a Book of this Nature they would apprehend so much difference between them that they would never suffer themselves to be mov'd with it I add moreover confidently that such a Book might not only teach all Virtues blame all Vices and reprove all the little defects the World is full of but it might also teach to reverence the gods by the example given in the persons of Heroes propos'd for a pattern and that of whatever Nation or Religion the Reader be of he might be profited by it For when I behold a Roman adore the gods of his Countrey I am not backward to improve by the example though I am an African and thereby to remember I ought to worship those of my own Countrey Therefore I do not weigh the morosity of some unreasonable people who blame a Work of this nature but at the venture of undergoing their injustice I wish I were the Author of one For I being contented with my own intention should comfort my self against the severity of a few persons with the general applauss of the World and the peculiar knowledge I had of the profitableness of this kind of Work in which may be had experience without the assistance of old age precepts without severity innocent Satyrs judgement which costs nothing and the means to learn that art of the World without which it is unpossible ever to be acceptable If you make one said Plotina I promise you to read it with pleasure For my part added Clelia I promise my admiration to Herminius I promise him more than you added Valeria for I promise him to reform many defects which I have For what concerns me said Anacreon I engage my self to sing his glory And for my part answer'd Amilcar I promise him to read it with delight to esteem it highly to commend it in all places and to do nothing which he shall say for I never do any thing but what I say to my self And besides he has such an inclination to constant love that I should never conform to it After this all the company uniting again the Musick began and then the Collation was serv'd which was as magnificent as the harmony was melodious after which the conversation was extreamly agreeable But it being sufficiently late the company separated themselves with the sorrow of knowing they should lose Telanus the next morning because the Figure which the Veientines were to deliver was to arrive at Rome the day following Clelia indeed was exempted from this discontent though she very highly esteem'd Telanus because thinking of nothing but what might have some correspondence with the passion she had in her Soul she only mus'd upon the death of Hesiode imagining what grief she should resent if during the War which was beginning between Porsenna and Rome her dear Aronces should happen to perish in it The end of the Second Book of the Fourth Part. CLELIA A New Romance The Fourth PART The Third BOOK THE people of Rome understanding the figure made at Veii by Tarquin's command was arriv'd testified an extream joy thereupon Nothing so easily communicating it self as superstition in the minds of the Multitude The Consul Horatius in the absence of Publicola caus'd the figure to be plac'd in the Temple of Jupiter and gave permission to Telanus to return So that having no pretext to continue longer at Rome he was constrain'd to depart from thence and take leave of those illustrious persons with whom he had pass'd some dayes so delightfully 'T is true he lest his heart with the aimiable Plotina and return'd with his mind so fill'd with the excellency of his Lady that as couragious as he was he heartily wisht the war would
Prince's mind against her I have put fury into his heart and weapons in his hand against the Prince his Brother the Princess his sister and wretch that I am after that I had seen Artemidorus perform the greatest actions in the world I went about to kill him with the shot of an Arrow But moreover the Gods to punish me for it have permitted that unfortunate Arrow to wound mortally both an innocent friend and the only person for whose sake life could be acceptable to me And nevertheless they will not let me dye they force me to live they keep me too as if I still deserv'd that any care should be taken of my life But 't is in vain added he that I am watcht and that every thing which might procure my death is remov'd from me I need neither steel nor poyson my grief alone will be sufficient to dispatch me For when I reflect that I am he who have brought my Princess into danger and that in attempting to kill a man whom I believ'd my Rival perhaps I have slain my Mistress I resent a torment a thousand times more cruel than death a torment greater than can be apprehended and which I cannot wholly conceive my self since at the same time I am overwhelmed with shame repentance grief and abhorrence of my self as much love as is needful to render my fault for ever unpardonable and as much rage as is necessary to make life odious and death desirable every moment Besides what have I to do longer in the World the Princess did not love me whilst I did nothing but studied to serve her judge therefore what sentiments she will have if she escapes for a man that would have blemished her honour taken the Prince Artemidorus's life away after an unworthy manner and who has endanger'd her own Had I gone about to kill this Prince as a man of courage may kill an Enemy it would be more pardonable but jealousie so transported me when I beheld Lysimena hazard her life to save that of a man whom I believ'd my Rival that in that accursed moment I abandon'd my reason and cast off all sense of virtue and honour to mind only a speedy revenge But alass the Gods have already reveng'd the cause of Lysimena for I hate my self so horribly that I never had a more ardent affection for her than I have now detestation for my self In this manner reasoned the unfortunate Meleontus whilst the wise Cleanthus endeavour'd to pacifie matters at the Castle where he stay'd Cleanthus said Plotina interrupting Amiclea has done me a pleasure in arriving and I should be glad to know a person who has so excellently educated the Prince Artemidorus For my part said Clelia I fancy him to be like one of the Sages that are so much spoken of For I have heard him so extoll'd by Merigenes the young King of Phaenicia and the Prince his brother whom he instructed that I imagine him to be a very excellent person To testifie the submission of my will to yours answer'd Amiclea I shall describe him to you and indeed I am something of such an humour that I am loath to pass over my Friends without commending them a little when I speak to persons that do not know them and I conceive generosity requires as much from all people and that there is some pleasure when we are alone to remember we have done justice to our friends when they were mention'd I beseech you said Plotina let us speak of Cleanthus and leave the pleasures that we find in our selvs for as for my part I am perswaded they are the saddest pleasures in the world Yet they are the most solid answer'd Clelia Believe me added Plotina agreeably solidity is not to be requir'd in pleasures 't is sufficient if they be sprightly and jovial if they dazle reason and follow one after another if they be various and deceive us and amuse us agreeably and to put the thing in practise after having had the pleasure to relieve my self from a long silence by what I have said tell us amiable Amiclea what a person the wise Cleanthus is Know than reply'd Amiclea he whose description you desire is a man of transcendent merit and his eminent vertue has plac'd him above envy and the envious His lineage is very good and it would be easie to find wherewith to commend him in many things which are extrinsical to him but not to speak of ought but himself I shall content my self with telling you that tho Cleanthus be arriv'd to that age wherein time is wont to efface part of the lineaments that compose handsomeness in a face yet he has still a serene aspect full of spirit and sweetness which pleases infinitely His eyes partly discover his wisdom and goodness and tho he is not tall yet he has a good personage and the absolute air of a Phylosopher that practices more vertue than he teaches There appears so modest a joy in his converse so prudent a complacency in all his discourse and a goodness so real in all his actions that his conversation begets a love of vertue in all that are capable of it Moreover he has been chosen as I told you before to instruct two of the greatest-Princes in the World in several considerable kinds of knowledge besides the Prince of Leontium and Artemidorus He has all his life so passionately lov'd study that it may be said he never spent day without learning something so that he has compos'd an infinite number of excellent works which are indubitable testimonies of his knowledge and vertue For there is scarce any thing of which he has not written plausibly with intention to profit the publick and render the Readers of his works either better or more knowing which in my judgement is a very great commendation But tho Cleanthus be very learned and his works deserve to live immortally yet I admire his vertue more than his knowledge especially having preserv'd it immaculate in the midst of a great Court where for the most part such as are most vertuous find it something difficult to persist exactly in the purity of their own sentiments But as for Cleanthus nothing changes him he is so solidly vertuous but his vertue is sociable far from asperity or savageness which perswades rather by sweetness than impetuosity and which by the calmness of his mind renders it sufficiently manifest apparent that he has been a long and happier Studier of Wisdom for he is none of those who know vertue without following it and teach the vertues which they never practice On the contrary Cleanthus speaks more morality by his actions than his discourses and instructs no less by his manners than by works Thus you see what a person the wise Cleanthus is whose presence calm'd so great a tempest But to proceed as soon as the Princess came out of her swoon she thought upon Artemidorus Zenocrates and seeing me in her chamber with tears