will you never love me and shall all I can do to win your affection prove useless no 't is impossible were you as incensible as those pictures which I have of you My pictures replyed Policrite Yes added Philoxypes I am not so unfortunate as you think for in despight of you and without your consent I have the contentment of seeing you daily Ah! said Policrite I perceive Mandrocles hath betrayed me and hath falsified his word Philoxypes askt her then how she came to know Mandrocles She told him how that famous Painter walking daily when his leisure would permit him amongst those rocks to draw some lanskips had one day by chance light upon their house where having seen her he had begg'd leave of Cleanthes to draw her pictâ—re which Cleanthes would have refused him but that seeing his importunity he was afraid lest he might speak of her to him at Claria and that therefore he gave way unto his desire upon condition that he should not make use of this picture in any of his pieces but as of a head made by fancy and imagination and making him take a solemn oath never to speak with any body whosoever of any acquaintance he had with them That since that time as long as Mandrocles tarryed at Claria he came to teach her to design and had drawn her picture in twenty several postures She then enquired of Philoxypes whether Mandrocles had spoken to him of her or no And he told her the whole truth but you may perceive said Philoxypes that the Goddess whom you represent intends not that you should always be inhumane since she would her self appear in your vizage Sir said she not being of your Isle my devotion leads me rather to be a Votress to Diana then to worship Venus Urania therefore it is not this your reason that will prevail with me to boot that his Goddess approving only of such passions as are innocent will certainly never councel me to admit of yours Vertues self replyed Philoxypes would advise you to it and did you know my heart you would need no other Councellor then your self It would take up so much time replied she to make me know it as I shall advise you not to undertake the work But said he if I do undertake it and if I make it evident to you that never man loved any thing as I love you what will you then think I would think said she that you were very unfortunate in having so passionately loved one who is unworthy of so much honor But said he would you think your self any waies obliged unto me I should be sorrie for you said she and would wish your cure either by absence or by forgetfulnesse Ah! cruel maid said he wish it rather by your compassion and charity and promise me only that you will afford me leisure to perswade you that I am the most in love of all men To do as you say said she would be to be somewhat perswaded thereunto already therefore and with this she walked towards her Cottage I will listen no longer to you After this manner did Philoxypes pass away his time having but very few moments of delight amongst many howres of anguish This mean while he could not endure to tarry at Paphos and when he went thither all he could do was only to visit the Princesse Aretephile which the King compelled him to do but he appeared so melancholly and so changed as he was hardly to be known The King who loved him dearly was much afflicted to see it he together with the whole court sought what might be the occasion of this alteration but they could not finde it The King askt it of Philoxypes self but could learn nothing Philoxypes answering alwaies that it was some melancholy which proceeded certainly from his temper and from some little indisposition of health But said the King solitariness is no usual cure for such incommodities wherefore you ought not to go any more to Claria Yet affairs went still on thus yea even when Winter was come which did the more astonish the whole Court they knew he built no more at Claria that the Painters and Engravers who had been so long there were all gone that the season was foul that when he went thither 't was but with a small train and that he walked alwaies alone they saw a strange sadnesse in his face and a wonderful alteration and all this without any appearing cause The King heaped favours and honours upon him he askt him an hundred times what he vvould desire of him he had not any one enemie the whole Court loved him hee was exceeding rich he appeared not to have any sicknesse as the Physitians could perceive In fine his melancholie and retirednesse were things which could not be guest at The whole Court talkt of nothing else and the King was strangely troubled at it who not knowing how to inform himself of what Philoxypes ailed he bethought himself of me whom he knew this Prince did love particularly and in whom he did more confide then in any other Thus upon a day when Philoxypes was gone to Claria the King sent for me and after having assured his Majestie as it was true that I knew nothing of particular concerning this Prince his melancholy he did me the honour to command me to go to him and to use all my cunning to discover what it was that was in his minde For said he Leontidas I doe so love Philoxypes as I cannot live content unlesse I see he do so likewise and were it to give him half my Kingdom I would doubtlesly do it rather then not to give him satisfaction I then departed reallie intending to endeavour to satisfie the Kings curiositie who certainlie stood in need of Philoxypes presence to counsel and comfort him concerning Aretephiles behaviour for I think there was never known a stiffer combat between ambition and love I went then to Claria where I found Philoxypes in his usual melancholie the which I made the greater because I hindred him from going that daie to Cleanthes At first sight of me he endeavored notwithstanding to inforce himself to honor me so much as to seem glad to see me but it was after a fashion which made me easilie see that his heart gainsaid his words and that notwithstanding any friendship he had for me he wisht I had tarried still at Paphos Leontidas said he I am much beholding to you for coming to visit me in a season when the Countrie hath lost all its ornaments and when the Court is fullest of diversions Sir said I you commend me with less reason then the Court complains of you for to forgo Paphos for Claria when you are there 't is to forgo the Court for the Court nay for the most pleasing part of the Court but to forgo Paphos only to seek out solitarines at Claria as you do Oh Sir said I not suspecting him notwithstanding of any passion 't is all that a Prince in
Kings discourse felt two contrary agitations at the same time he was grieved to finde his odd opinion and joyed that he knew not the true cause of his love as he thought he had done And believing that he might easily disabuse him in a thing so false as the former was he resolved to continue the concealment of his true passion The King then had no sooner said what I have told you but Philoxypes stepping back a little said what Sir does your Majesty suspect me of so much boldness as to be your Rivall Confess said the King for I know your misfortune hath been such as not to be able to resist Aretaphiles charms But Phyloxipes I blame you not for it t was I that first made tryall thereof I know how inevitable they are you have done more then I my self should have done it may be had I your part to play I should have betrayed my master instead of resolving to die of grief and sorrow as you have done for my sake Thus Phyloxypes I am not displeased with you for loving Aretaphile Sir said Phyloxypes to witness unto you that I am not in love with her I promise you never to see her more nor yet ever to come within Paphos or at least never to speak to that Princess I very well know said the King your Generosity rather leads you to resolve on death rather then to be failing in your duty But Philoxypes to the end you may not object unto me That I have done nothing to vanquish my self I am come to stay at Claria as well as you that I may endeavor to cure my self of this passion and to yeild up Aretaphile to you You on your side shall do the like and he that is first cured shall surrender his part in her to the other But my dear Phyloxypes said he you are yet more unhappy then you think for for when I should cease to love Aretaphile you would not have wonn her heart you know how ambitious she is that her soul is onely sensible of greatness and when I should have yeilded up my mistress to you unless I should also yeild my Crown unto you you would not winne much upon her inclination But in fine said he not affording Philoxypes leasure to answer him if I yeild up Aretaphile to you it will not be hard for me to yeild you up my Crown And in a word I will not be upbraided with your death I will do what I can to cure my self to the end that you may cure your self and if we can neither of us cure our selves we will at least die together Sir said Philoxypes I vow by whatsoever I hold most sacred and most holy that I have not the least pretence to the Princess Aretaphile What then said the King who did not believe him is the cause of your retreat and Melancholly I confess Sir I was a hundred and a hundred times ready to break my word which I had past to Philoxypes but seeing the trouble he was in end that in fine he could not resolve to all the King the truth I with held whilst Phyloxypes answered That what his Majestie did command did not deserve his curiositie and that he could not tell it him Being by this time late we returned to Claria where the King spoke still after the same manner to Philoxypes as Philoxypes did also to him Having found a moment of time to entertain Philoxypes alone I would have perswaded him to have acquainted the King with the truth but he could never resolve to do so saying it would be sufficient to let him see he was not in love with Aretaphile if he should never see her more This mean while the more obstinacie and grief the King found in Philoxypes the more did he compassionate him and the more he laboured to overcome his own passion And to this purpose he stayed eight daies at Claria all which time Philoxypes readie to go mad as well in consideration of the Kings opinion and more for that he could not get to see Polycryte I do not think the King would so soon have left this retiredness had he not been advertised that an Ambassador from Amasis King of Egypt was come to Paphos which forc't him to return But Philoxypes do he what he could must needs go along with him No said the King I will not see Aretaphile without seeing you at the same time The Melancholy which I shall see in your eyes must be to me an antidote against the Charms which I shall see in hers We went then to Paphos but good gods how little delightfull was the Court then and how much troubled did the Ambassador finde the King who was three daies without seeing Aretaphile and Philoxypes being in unimaginable pain for the abovesaid reasons seemed to grow still more melancholy whereat the King was still more and more afflicted Ambitious Aretaphile was this mean while not without her perplexity as well by reason of the Kings journey to Claria as that he came not to visite her and for that shee heard he was returned wonderfully sad But at last the King desirous stil to confirm himself in his belief brought Philoxypes with him to Princess Aretaphile hoping to discover his passion better there then in any other place Philoxypes who thought there was no better means to undeceive the King then in leting him see that he took no pleasure in looking upon this Princess was stil careful to look another way but that which he did to dis-deceive the King did the more deceive him for said he to himself unfortunate Philoxypes cannot indure the sight of her whom he loves and whom he will not love He accused himself then of too much inhumanity in exposing him to so great a punishment and seeing how strangely perplext he was his visit was not long This mean while he having during this visit eyed his pretended Rivall as much as his mistress and having been much disquiet the Princess was not much satisfied with his conversation and knew not whereunto to attribute the cause of the change which she saw in him At his coming forth he said a thousand obliging things to Philoxypes and Philoxypes made as many protestations to him of his being unconcerned in Aretaphile But at last that I may shorten my discourse as much as I may Philoxypes being persecuted by the Kings conceit anger'd at Cleanthes discourse much afflicted at what Policryte had said and much more that he could see her no more and that he durst not return to Claria fell dangerously sick all the Physitions gave up their opinions that unless some cure were found for his Melancholy he would infaliblie die The feaver continued seven daies upon him very violently during which time the King was greatly disconsolate and during which time I had tane a little journey to Amathuse about some business that I had there for I think if I had been at Paphos I should have had much adoe to have kept
Philoxypes who appeared to her to be so struck mute as if he had been in love with her is it you Philoxypes said shee that have lost your reason or is it the King for I confess unto you I know not whether of the two it is and that I cannot comprehend either of you I confess Madam said Phyloxipes that I am not master of my reason but Madam t is a maladie which you are no waies cause of and whereof I accuse you not had you any design then said she to make me lose the Kings good opinion or is it that the King seeks some bad pretext to bereave me of it But if it be so Philoxypes there needs not so far a fetch about the bush You need but give me reason of the least suspition and I assure you I shall not long lament the loss of so divided a heart as his is For til now the King did alwaies love his Crown better then Princess Aretaphile and by his this daies discourse he will make me believe that he loves you better then me Madam said Philoxypes I beg it as a favour from you not to blame the King upon so small reason and not to blame in him the compassion he is pleased to have of an evill which he believes you to be the cause of engage my self Madam to free him from the error of his opinion for though your charms be without compare the respect which I have alwaies born to you and that which I shall alwaies bear to the King have assuredly warranted me from almost an inevitable danger for those who have not had so powerfull reasons to withstand your beauty therefore Madam do not disquiet your self and do me the honour as to promise me to pardon the Kings injustice in desiring that I should share with you in a heart where you ought onely to reign But Madam the King had given me the place which I now enjoy before he loved you you ought not therefore be troubled thereat No no replied ambitious Aretephile you will not easily be able to justifie the King he is Generous I confess but he is but a bad lover and whosoever can yeild up his interest in the party beloved his love is certainly very indifferent This being said shee bid him farewell and left Philoxypes so much grieved as his maladie encreased Fearing then least he might die and leave the King in the opinion he was in he sent to desire him that he might speak with him and this was just as I returned from Amethusa I happened to be by the King when he received this message who instantly went to Philoxypes but with so much discontent as I pitied him he had repented himself more then once of what he had said to Aretaphile and not knowing whether she might not have said somewhat of obliging to Philoxypes after he had left them together he returned unto him much disquieted When we came thither he enquired whether the Princess Aretaphile had tarried there long after him or not and being told not he entered into Philoxypes chamber who was glad to see me with the King Sir said he I see it is time that I confess my weakness to you and that I disabuse you The King who could not reconcile these two things answered him onely with a sigh and being set down by his bed side Philoxypes ask'd him pardon for the trouble he had put his Majesty to and desired me to acquaint the King with what I knew of his adventure desiring him not to be offended that I had not told his Majesty the truth since unless I should have drawn down the anger of Heaven upon me for perjury I could not have revealed his secret after the Oaths that he had made me take to the contrary I then began to acquaint the King with all that I knew touching Philoxypes love but all I could say to him appear'd to bee so incredible as it was a long time before he could beleeve it At last he told Philoxypes that unlesse he should let him see Policrite he would not beleeve what hee had heard Philoxypes perceiving the Kings obstinacie told him that though he was very ill he would be carried to Claria in case he were any thing better the next morning imagining he should sooner recover his health being near Policrite then if he should stay at Paphos All this while the King did not believe what I had told him sometime a man might see some sign of rejoycing in him ha my dear Philoxypes would he say is it possible that you were not my Rival and that I was deceived if it be so I think I shall adore that Policrite you speak of instead of blaming the love you bear her since thereby I shall not be inforced to yeild up what I hold dearer then my life and that my confident will not prove my rival But observe sir the extraordinary effects of love Philoxypes was very sick when he sent to desire the King to come unto him but when once he had any thought of returning to Claria hee grew better hee slept all the next night quietly enough and the next day was carried in a Litter to Claria whither the King went to lie that night The next day Philoxipes left his bed and the following day notwithstanding all his weakness he got on horseback together with the King waited on but by very few and came to the foot of the mountains where they were to light Being there the King followed by none but Philoxypes and my self went towards Cleanthe's Cottage which as soon as we discovered Philoxypes who had need enough howsoever to rest staid a while and shewing it to the King Sir said hee strangely confused see the place which made me forgo Paphos see the inch of all the earth that likes me best and where you go to see one who peradventure will rather make you Philoxypes his Rival then Philoxipes shall prove yours He spoke this with a smile by which it visibly appeard that the hope of reseeing Policrite had brought joy into his heart yet did he fear displeasing her and to anger Cleanthes by bringing the King thither but there being no remedy he resolved to do it neither did this fear justle out his joy When the King had sufficiently considered the greatness of Philoxypes his affection in respect of the meanness of Policrites Cottage and that he had notwithstanding acknowledged that there was somewhat of wilde in that desert which was not displeasing we went on and came at last to that little Palisadoe of of Lawrels wherewith Cleanthes his Court was inclosed We entered thereinto and Philoxypes stepping before the king went to the house where he found the dore shut he knock'd but no body answered which made him at first believe that Cleanthes his whole family was gone to the Temple where hee once saw Policrite Yet since there might be some body there who might not hear he knock'd again and knock'd so hard that a
more of incommodity then content I shall not alter my minde replyed Philoxypes for what you say but must once more affirm that doubtlesly the Gods have in a moment inspired you with what others have much adoe to learn in their whole lives For that you should be the fairest maid in all the world and fairer in a Cottage then Queens are in their Palaces though this be very much yet is it not impossible but that living amongst Woods and Rocks you should behave your self and speak as you doe 't is this fair Philocrita that I cannot comprehend nor can I imagin that you were born here amongst these savage Rocks 'T is true Sir said she I am not of this Island by birth but was so young when I parted from Creta as I hardly remember any thing thereof T is true the conversation which I have here cannot have given me the accent of the Countrey for I speak with none but those of this family who are no more of Cyprus then I. What Policrite said Philoxypes do you spend your whole time without speaking and yet speak as you do Once more this Cottage is unworthy of you and some means must be found out to draw you hence I am so well contented here Sir said she as I should thereby receive an injury and I imagine you have no such design therefore I conjure you to leave me in that solitariness that you found me for neither will I say much more unto you not being able to speak any thing of mine own experience Philoxypes who observed that this yong maid was indeed troubled to see him tarry so long with her though it were in no dis-obliging manner was loth to anger her so as with much violence used upon himself after having saluted her with such reverence as if she had been upon a Throne he offered to be gone But Sir said she with much candour you know my name is Policrite and I cannot tell my Father what his name is that hath done him the honour to enquire after him You may tell him replyed this Prince transported with love my name is Philoxypes Alas Sir answered Philocrita I beg your pardon if I have not used you with such respect as I ought Is not then said he my name unknown unto you No Sir said she and I have heard my Father though he knows you not himself say such things of you by the report of others as I am sure will make him rejoyce exceedingly when he shall know that you will do him the favour to command him any service Philoxypes inchanted to hear Policrite speak in such sort said unto her a thousand passionate and obliging things if she would have understood them to which she still replyed with such readiness and modesty as he still became in love with her more and more He then took his leave of her and departed from this Cottage with an unconceivable sorrow being come to the same place where he first saw her he stayed and beholding on the one side his goodly and magnificent Palace of Claria and on the other side this little Countrey Cottage Ah Philoxypes cryed he who would believe that in the condition thy soul is in thou canst prefer this unlucky Cottage before that stately Palace and that thy heart so insensible of love and so ambitious of true glory can abase it self before Policrite's feet But then said he again is it possible that Philoxypes should love any thing which is not the handsomest thing in the world And if it bee so Policrite ought to be the object of his desires and love I say Policrite in whose looks is no art whose words are sincere all whose thoughts are innocent who knows not what a sin is whose heart is not prepossest with any passion who as yet loves nothing but the Woods Fields Flowers and Fountains who is hardly conscious of her own beauty and whose inclinations are doubtlesly all vertuous But when all is done said he after a little pause love is a weakness from whence I have till now defended my self onely because I did verily believe that it was handsome not to be capable thereof but to love a personage of so unequal birth is a folly which I ought by all means to withstand For in fine with what face shall I dare to appear at Court How fair soever Policrite bee I dare not shew the irons shee makes me wear they must either be broken by force or so cunningly conceald as no man may ever discern them With this resolution did Philoxypes return home and from thence to Paphos but he was so possest with melancholy as hee was forced to fain himself sick The King who saw him that very night both with himself and with the Princess Aretephile perceived his perplexity and pressed him to know the cause But Philoxypes answered him as he had done the rest The Court was very great that day and all that was gallant was there which occasioned Philoxypes in his ravings to inquire of himself an hundred and an hundred times why since he was to love it was not some of those illustrious personages Yet though he would use violence upon himself and endevor to love by reason he could never cōpass it And Policrite's image was so deeply imprinted in his heart as nothing could eface it He passed over 3 days thus with very much disquiet and on the 4th maugre himself he returned to Claria and from thence to Cleanthes whom at his first approach he found leaning upon that little Pallisado of Lawrels which incompassed his Court. As soon as this wise Old man saw him he stept unto him and received him with such Civility as had nothing of Rustick in it Sir said he I thought my Daughter had been deceived when she told me your Name which kept me from coming to Claria to receive your Commands to boot that 't is hard to imagine that a Man of my Fortune and Age may be any wayes serviceable to such a Prince as you Vertue and worth said Philoxypes makes friends unto it self of all Ages and of all Conditions But Cleanthes the only thing I desire to know of you is whether it be out of necessity or out of choice that you inhabit this little House for if it be the former you shall not tarry long here and if the latter I will come and live with you sometimes at which Cleanthes smiled and said Poor Cottages Sir are no proper abodes for great Princes 'T is very true said Philoxypes neither ought great Worth to be confin'd to little Cottages but doth much better become great Palaces I therefore proffer you my House Claria where you and your Family may live more commodiously then here Sir replyed Cleanthes 't is handsome for a personage of your condition and worth to be willing to relieve the distrested but it were not just to abuse that Goodness which may be better employ'd on some better occasion For in fine Sir I suffer no want
young slave who served Cleanthes came and opened the door who very well knowing Philoxypes told him after that Philoxypes had ask'd him where his master was that he could not tell him what he desired to know and that all that he knew was that Cleanthes Megisto Polycrite and Dorida were gone from thence and were not to return thither any more that they had carried along with them the women which they had brought from their own Countrey and that his Master had commanded him to wait his further directions there not knowing wherefore he was gone nor why he left him there Philoxypes surpriz'd and afflicted at this Discourse was a good while without speaking The King thought at first that there was some trick in it and that Philoxypes had made me say what I had said only to abuse him but at last this young Slave being stept into the House and returning presently Sir said he to Philoxypes when Policrite was ready to depart from hence she drew me aside unseen by any one and gave me this which I give to you ordaining me so to doe if you should come hither Philoxypes taking immediately what the Slave presented him with opened the Letter whilst the King did me the honour to speak with me and read these ensuing words Policrite to Philoxypes I Know not Sir whither it is that Policrite is convey'd but I very well know that Philoxypes is the cause of her exile not being peradventure likely ever to have the Honour to see him I thought I might without blame let him know my minde by this Letter which I refused to acquaint him withall the last time which I spoke with him He may then be pleased to know that at first not esteeming my self worthy of his affection by reason of my birth I with-held mine from him as much as I was able but that having learnt since that I am not of the condition I appeared to be and that there have been Kings of my Race I confess I was gladded that I could not reproach Philoxipes for having an inclination too disproportionable for his degree and that I thought it became me to let him know what I am to the end he may not think he doth any thing unworthy of himself if he sometimes think upon Policrite who wil alwais with much contentment think upon his worth whether his fortune be to lead his life in a Cottage or in a Palace POLYCRITE PHILOXYPES as soon as he had read this Letter came to the King and presenting it unto him Sir said he your Majesty may read in this Letter my innocency and my misfortune The King began then to read aloud what Policrite had written but good God in what pain was the unfortunate Philoxypes that he could not interrupt him but as soon as he had read it out looking upon him with a fixt and grieved eye how say you now Sir said he am I yet in love with Princess Aretaphile or am I not the most unfortunate man in the world the King imbracing him asked him pardon for his suspitions and of the trouble he had given him but my dear Philoxypes said he I shall be sufficiently punished for it as well in respect of your sorrow which shal alwaies be mine as for Aretaphile who will not easily forgive me yet said he you have wherein to rejoyce since you learn two things at once of great importance and of great consolation For now you know that Policrite loves you and that she is of Princely descent Could you have asked more of the Gods if you had been to have had your wishes granted you Ah! Sir said Philoxypes that which you alleadge to comfort me is the greatest part of my misfortune For t is true I finde that Policryte does not hate me and that shee is of birth equall with my self but at the same time this lovely and cruel personage tells me shee shall never see me more and that shee knows not whither shee is carried Oh! Sir I should be more to blame were I in love with Princess Aretaphile but I should be less miserable I should have reasons to gainsay my passion but here I see nothing which doth not fortifie and augment it In fine after Phyloxypes had sufficiently bemoned himself he left the King and went to ask a hundred things of the young slave without being able to learn any thing either of Policrites birth nor whither Cleanthes Megisto were gone all he could learn was only that t was above a fortnight since they were gon nothing els could be gotten out of this young Slave neither by prayers promises nor threats whose fidelitie Philoxypes for all his rage could not chuse but approve of but not being able to learn any more he waited back upon the King to Claria For my part I was never more at my wits end for the king was so sad as well for his own occasion as for those of PHILOXIPES as he could not resolve to say any thing neither by way of bemoning himself nor yet of comforting PHILOXIPES whom he so dearly loved PHILOXYPES on his part was more perplex'd he was sorry to forgo that Cottage though his beloved was no longer there he sometimes looked back upon it sometimes he looked upon Policrites Letter which the king had given him back He would somtimes lift up his eies to heaven then again fix them on the earth and walking sometimes without speaking sometimes fetching deep sighs he seemed not to know whether the king were there or no or whether he were alone so deep was his melancholy At last we came to Glaria but good Gods how sad was the conversation the rest of that day At last said the king to Philoxypes you have this advantage to know that Policryte is much obliged to you that she hath nothing to reproach you withall that you have not offended her and that wheresoever she is if she think of you t is onely to bewail your absence where on the contrary I have incen'st Aretaohile whose aspiring soul does doubtlesly accuse me of want of affection and who will take it very ill that I preferd your life before my love to her But Sir said the afflicted Philoxypes you know where the Princess Aratephile is you may make your reasons known to her you may ask her pardon for that fault which an excess of Generosity made you commit you may sit and sigh by her and may appease her anger But for my part Sir should I complain should I sigh should I pour forth torrents of tears amidst these Rocks would all this restore to me my Policryte should I thereby learn where shee lives It may be Cleanthes is put to sea and it may be I shall never know neither who Policryte is nor where shee is Ah! Sir said this disconsolate Prince if you knew the cruelty of my adventure you would easily know that I am the most unfortunate man in the world for if I loved one that did hate me despight
I conjure you since I have onely adored Solons virtue and worth in Policrite's person for t is her virtuous minde which I am more enamor'd of then of her personal beauty yet do I deserve to be punish'd for doubtlesly my frequent visits have caused Cleanthes to change his abode Hee knew not Philoxypes and Imagined he might have abused him in Policrite But to prove said he that I lived respectfully with her and that I never received a favourable word from her see said he Sir shewing him the letter which hee had received the innocent and cruell sign of acknowledgement that this Divine Personage hath given me since that at the same time when shee saies she will remember me shee saies also she shall never see me more yet Sir said he if my passion do displease you you shall see how ready I will be to die as soon as you shall have given me the least occasion so to do since that is the only way whereby I can pluck her from out my heart but on the contrary if you do truly love me you will rather bewail me then accuse me you will promise me not to oppose me if the Gods restore Policrite to you and you will suffer her to be Mistress of that stately town which was built by your directions I wish Sir I were able to offer her sundry Scepters but I think not that he who refuseth them will stick much to bestow his daughter on a Prince who thinks himself happie in being but near a Throne and to assist his King to sustain the weight of his Scepter When Philoxypes had made an end of speaking and Solon had read Policrite's letter my Daughter said he is yet wiser then I thought her to have been and since she hath been able to resist the charms of Philoxype's greatness and worth J finde Epimenides had reason to speak of her as of a miracle Be you then assured said he Sir That if the Gods restore my Daughter to me I shall bring no other obstacle to your designes then my humble desire that you will seriously consider whether shee be worthy or no of the honour you would do her for if you continue in your resolution and that I shall know that shee doth indeed deserve a part of the favours which you vouchsafe her I shall be ready to command her to look on you as on him whom the gods have chosen to make her happy and glorious I do not tell you Philoxypes that the famous Excestides my Father who left me poor onely out of his own Magnificencie was descended from the illustrious bloud of King Chodrus for these are not things which I think men ought much to boast of But I will assure you that all those of my House since they have left the Crown have been as good Citizens as their Forefathers were good Kings and that for my particular I had alwaies rather oppose my self to Tyrannie then be a Tyrant In fine said he as it is not to your greatness that I give Policrite I pretend also that Policrite's virtue shall supplie the place of a Crown But alas said Philoxypes how will you give me this Divine Policrite if we know not where shee is She must be begg'd of the Gods replied Solon since t is from them alone that we are to expect all the good that can befall us In fine sir Philoxypes conceived an unexpressable joy to finde Solon so favourably disposed towards him But also his grief was no less extream to think that Solons good intentions would prove of no use if Policrite were not found Yet was he somewhat comforted with the sight of so famous a man and the conversation of one so perfectly wise made his sorrow appear at least more moderate though really it was alwaies very great Nay I remember he told me that notwithstanding all his sadness he forgot not you sir but entertained Solon with the discourse of you as of a very extraordinarie Personage This mean while the King having heard of Solons arrivall and how that Policrite was his daughter was exceeding glad and would have him and Philoxypes to come to Court so as this Prince his love was no longer so great a secret Imagining that Cleanthes was not gone out of the Island command was sent again to all the Towns and Vilages to give an account of what strangers lived in them but do what they could they could learn no acceptable news This mean while the Court grew very melancholy for Princess Aretaphile not able to put on a resolution of pardoning the King the King by an odd phansie of Love resolved also to winne this Princess her heart before he would assure her to make her his Queen Philoxypes on his part was mad to think he could not finde out Policrite and that he had been the cause why Solon had lost her and Solon was also very sad that hee could hear no newes of his daughter especially at a time when he vvas of necessitie to return to Athens where he had learned that there was great disorders and that all things tended towards Sedition He knevv that there vvere three severall Factions there that one Licurgus vvas chief of those that inhabited the plains that Megacles sonne to Alcmeon commanded over those of the sea coast and that Pisistrates whom certainly you knew when you went to Athens was chief of the mountaineers So as though all that numerous people had punctually observed his Laws since his departure yet the face of affairs was likely soon to alter Solon being then necessitated to be gone within a few daies told Philoxypes That the interest of a mans country was to be preferd before all things else and that he who chose rather to conceal his daughter then to expose her to the love of a Tyrant would not abandon his Countrey to expect in vain to hear of one whom certainly the Gods would preserve if she were worthy of their care so as he had no more to do then give him full leave to marry her if he should finde her Philoxypes being at that same time both much afflicted and much joyed thankt Solon for the honour he did him but the winde not serving for his departure and his ship not being ready he must have patience for a while During this interval of time Solon understood that there was a famous Temple about some forty miles from Paphos dedicated as were almost all the rest in the Island to Venus Urania where 't was said this Goddess delighted more to be honour'd then in any other Temple because the custom there was that all the Ceremonies were performed by maids of good discent who dedicated themselves to the service of that Goddess and who were to serve her three years in her Temple before they were to marry Solon who believed he could not imploy the time better which much against his will he was to stay in Cyprus then in praying to the Gods moved Philoxypes to go thither who