producing a fair effect resembled the rainbow or rather those various shadowings which you see on the necks of pigeons His Buckler was bordered with Opalls in the midst was seen a Fountaine like to that marvelous one in Daulphine which from time to time casts out flames This Knight was so renowned for his valour and courtesie and so known for the many fair actions he had done that all the Spectators promis'd to themselves an extreame pleasure in the Combat Abdelmelec lov'd him with all his heart and if he could have suffer'd himself to be overcome so that the glory of Alcidiana had not receiv'd a diminution by it I doubt not but he would himselfe have contributed to his owne deafeat But Love being alwayes stronger then freindship suspended the Princes affection and oblig'd him to satisfie his owne passion And that of the whole Assembly and therefore taking his place and Algazair his they parted both at once and met in the midst of their Cariere with such an extreame force that they lifted up one another and sent the splinters of their Lances all about the fields The two next courses were not lesse faire nor unequall to the first and so ravish'd the Spectators that they clapped their hands and signified by their acclamations that they had not yet seen any like it But the fourth decided the businesse and caused the Picture of the young Elserifa to be placed immediatly under that of Alcidiana This faire Encounter was follow'd by another which gave no lesse admiration to all there present 'T was undertaken by a French Prince that was expressely come from Naples to be at this Turney He was the worthy inheritor of his Predecessors eminent virtues and from his Infancy had equally made profession of love and the warres If they were astonished at the richnesse of his Armour and the pomp of his equipage they admir'd not lesse the novelty which appeard in the picture of his Lady Shee was clad in such a fashion that they might easily know the greatnesse of her condition But two little Loves which were painted over her head held a Veyle before her face and kept her from being known Abdelmelec drew neer to complain of that sleight and thought he had the more cause because looking on the hands of that Lady and taking them for Nose-gayes of Lillies and Roses he told the Prince that hee wrong'd so excellent a beauty in not shewing her in so famous an Assembly The Prince answer'd him that he was of the same opinion and that his Lady deserv'd to be seen by the Eyes of all the World but that he fear'd the chance of Armes and dar'd not expose the fairest creature of the Vniverse to the extravagancies of fortune Abdelmelec approv'd of the brave French-mans just apprehension and would not that the veyle of his Lady should retard the contentment of the Company They ran at one another and in their first courses brake their lances without any advantage at the fourth our generous French-man strook and was not touched at the fifth he made Abdelmelec quit one of his stirrops and at the sixth they fell both men and Horses together Presently they got up againe and put their hands to their Swords to decide the difference but the Judges of the Field came instantly in to them and separating them according to the Lawes of the Turney proclaym'd them both Victorious Abdelmelee return'd to his Tent and the French Prince to his lodging with his veyld Picture This Iust so ended there entred two Knights clad as the Ianizaries which are of the Guard to the great Turke They were two Flemish Renegados who were in great esteem among the Warriors of Argier and were no lesse famous for their valour then for their fantasticalnesse Of extraordinary Enemies which they had been they were become friends and their amity had produc'd a love which hath for a longtime been the talk of all Barbary The one was calld Abdear and the other Raman Abdear had married a Moore who passed among the Ladyes of her Nation for a beauty perfectly accomplish'd and yet her extravagant humour and eight or ten dayes enjoying had made her so displeasing to him that he had much adoe with himselfe to refraine from repudiating her Her black haire her complexion that shew'd the Eye a mixture of pure incarnadine with a brown that had nothing of the Olive her stature tall and slender the quicknesse of her Eyes and of her wit were not sufficient charmes to allure him But on the contrary the yellow Locks of Ramans wife who was a Brittaine and by him made to deny her faith the whitenesse which she borrowed as well from art as Nature and her green Eyes which made some beleeve that she saw not a glimpse were to Abdear such miracles and perfections as were not found in all the Sex of Woman besides Raman was as he said himselfe in the publick place of his friends humour and yet they had different palats He noted every day some new defects in white-flaxen hair'd Woemen to the end he might find cause to contemne his owne He cal'd that red which was but halfe flaxen and never cal'd the extreame white complexions but relicks of Sicknesse and Images of Playster For the haires and black eye-browes he spake of them as of the Master-peeces of Nature and said they were made to compose of them those powerfull bowes by which Love hath got to himselfe the Empire of the world The black and sparkling Eyes in a cleare and well-colour'd face seem'd to him more faire then the brightest Stars in a calme Evening In a word Raman was in love with the Wife of Abdear and Abdear with the Wife of Raman and their passion was come to such a point that after they had made themselves confident of one another they were come together to maintaine publickly the beautie of their Mistrisses Raman came first into the Lists and first felt that Abdelmelec had more strength then needed to orethrow him and if the Grecian and African beauties had left their defence to him they had lost that fame which they had gotten among all the Nations of the world Abdear thought that the flaxen should be more beholding to him then the brown had been to his companion But he kept his Horse no better then his friend but blemishing as much as he could by his fall the great lustre that subjects us to the power of the flaxen-hayrd beauty made all the Assembly say that Causes are good or bad according as they find good or bad Defenders Assoone as the noysethat follow'd the defeat of these two Extravagants was over there were seen appeare at the Barres a Troup very proudly but very sadly accroutred The Trumpetters were clad as those of Europe paint the Phantasms and shadowes of the dead Their Trumpets were made as t were of bones and had a sound so dolefull that many imagin'd they were to see some Funerall in Iesu of Iusting But
one to signifie to him that there was at the Gate a man sent from the Cacique of Thevic that desired to speake with him Zelmatida that would not in the presence of the Queene make use of his authority of Generall intreated her permission for the entrance of the Thevicien Hismalita who in this novelty imagined to her selfe some overture of peace was willing to see him Zelmatida therefore sent two of his guard to receive him and to conduct him to the Pallace Streight after he came and was presented to the Queene As soone as he had made his entry with incivility enough he demanded leave to deliver his charge and that he might see him who commanded the men of warre Hismalita shewing him my deare Master See said she the Man you seeke At that word Isatida changed colour and if all the company had not beene attentive to the Herald no doubt at that time the change of her countenance had discovered the secret of her heart This while Zelmatida came neere the man and told him that he might speake boldly since the Queene did him the honour to thinke it fit the other told him he was sent by Accapouzalco Cacique of the rich City Xochmilco and Soveraigne of the mynes of gold and of the lake of delights to defie ten of the most valiant men that were among the Mexicans The king tooke pleasure in the boldnesse of this Barbarian and how many said he will this invincible man have with him My Prince replyed the Souldier makes too little esteeme of men to make any account of their assistance he alwaies fights alone and alone carries the victory He will have no more seconds in this little occasion then he hath had in the greatest and conjures thee if thou be as brave a man as thou art reputed that thou wilt make one and choose to thy selfe among thy friends ten nay twenty which are worthy to assist thee in this combat Zelmatida began to laugh at this proposition and was a long while ere he could get the Queenes good will to accept of the challenge at last he had it and sent back the Herauld with an assurance that the next day he would be without the towne with his friends to give his Master a little exercise Imagine into what trouble and perplexity those words out Isatida and what disquiets she underwent all the rest of the day As long as she was with the Queen she was in those anxieties and constraints as are imaginable she looked on Zelmatida with eyes that witnessed at once both her anger and feare The close of the day was the end of that torture she withdrew into her owne lodgings as soone as she was permitted and began to figh at liberty Oftentimes she accused my deare Master that he loved her not since he feared not to displease her and sought without her permission occasions to lose himselfe He left her not long in this ill humour but came to her as soone as he had left Hismalita When he saw how coldly she intertained him and by a serious aspect intimated how much she was displeased he came neere her with a great deale of submission and witnessing his feare to her shall I said he be enough unhappy to have brought you to doubt of my respect or my faith I confesse I have somewhat enlarged my selfe beyond the boundes of my servitude but Isatida what language would you have used to your slave and with what face durst he to have presented himselfe before you if he had refused so faire an occasion to serve you The Princesse that could not be angry with a person in whom she discovered dayly more signes of love respect and generosity I will not said she treate you so rudely as your disobedience deserves and I forget for this time the boldnesse that you have taken to dispose of your selfe without my consent and am not angry that you have met with so faire a Subject to make you yet so considerable But I permit you not this combate but on condition that you undertake it with ten of your friends and more if my prayers be heard that is if you returne victorious I command you upon paine to run the hazard of my indignation not to engage your selfe ever in any dangerous enterprise till you have advertised me of it that I may see whether I ought to permit you to put in execution Zelmatida answered that since he had the honour to see and to tender her his service and liberty He had relinquished and put off all power on himselfe and reserved only that which was to serve her eternally Be pleased then to beleeve that I will never undertake any thing without your permission Nor had I accepted the defiance of Accapovealco if on the suddaine when I cast mine eyes on yours I had not knowne that you gave me your consent and that your all-generous soule granted me secretly a favour which was not permitted to be asked you But Isatida give over these troublous objects and reflect on my new felicities Doe you not admire the goodnesse of Hismalita and the affection that she shews me even in those things wherein I still thought to have found her my enemy The Princesse made well knowne by her answer that she was not accorded with my deare Master and a little casting down her eyes Zelmatida said she you have your weakenesse as well as other men You beleeve with too much facility those things which you desire with so much passion The favours which you receive are too great not to be suspected I know Hismalita and finde that she hath done too much to perswade my selfe that she will follow her now inclination Feare may be hinders me from judging aright and t is possible I may wrong the best Princesse of the world but you Zelmatida are the cause of it see then if I have not subject enough to hate you since that for your sake I live not as I ought that by little and little I become unnaturall to make me seeme good Our Lovers spent most part of the night in this conversation Isatida in dismissing Zelmatida told him that he ought to leave to him that doth all with justice the ordering of things to come and to expect from his goodnesse such events as should be worthy him In the meane while he should retire to take that rest whereto the combate he was to undertake the next day obliged him and that he might assure himselfe that either her prayers should not be heard or else be very advantageous to him Zelmatida that used to obey the Princesse without long consideration or delay gave her the good night and so went to his bed By day breake he was up and had already walked above two houres in a garden into which opened the windowes of Isatida's chamber when one of the principall Officers belonging to Hismalita came and told him that the Queen desired his presence He went to her and she found him
against other enemies Two or three dayes after this last resolution of the King Diceus assured him Alcippus might get on horseback and they all three departed from their Inne and the same day betimes arrived at Copenhagen They lodged neere the Pallace and understood the very next day Phelismond was by the Kings command brought into the City and being absolutely out of danger was seene and visited by every one This newes exceedingly pleased Polexander yet resolved to attend his certaine health before he would make knowne to Phelismond the cause of his voyage and thought it fit withall to restore him his boxe and disclose himselfe that so at his returne he might intimate to him that which lay on his heart One morning therefore taking Alcippus with him he went streight to the Favorites lodging as soone as he came in he noted there was nothing in that man but savoured of the greatnesse of his courage His house was open to all men No person hindred the entrance into his chamber no not of his withdrawing roome T is true he was so generally beloved and the respect the whole Court had alwaies borne him was so strong a guard to him that neither great nor lesse came to disturbe him but upon some very just cause The first to whom Polexander addrest himselfe to know whether that Prince was to be spoken with offred to conduct him into his chamber and Polexander accepting his courtesie followed him He went through great Halls very stately furnished through chambers and anti-chambers far more magnificent wherein he saw none but Phelismonds domesticall servants This sollitude so much ravished him that he could not hold from telling his Conductor the Courtiers of Denmarke were either very negligent or little ambitious since they gave so much ease and quiet to the man who only next the King might make them a fortune You see answered his Guide that our Poââ¦ters have no greate imployment and there is no great crouding in our chambers Yet t is not because our Couriers are not the most diligent and ambitious of all men but the Prince long since told them once for all that he pretended not to be the most unfortunate in all Denmarke because his Master did him the honour to love him more particulaly then others That he engaged himselfe to serve them as often as his credit could adde any thing to their merrit or their Princes will but he would not promise it but on condition they would suffer him to live at liberty Truely replied Polexander I understand dayly there are most eminent virtues in Phelismond though he be of their number with whom they have been thought even till this day to be incompatible The mindââ¦s of the multitude must needes be very bad since some of them have been to wicked as to finde fault with the actions of so great a personage It may be said the guide some one may have cause to complaine of the Prince yet I intreate you to believe they are much in the wrong who make him the cause of their publick miseries He dayly toiles to put a period to them and when he thinkes to be at the point of relieving the people some spirits borne for their ages affliction alter those good designes and inforce him whether he will or no to raise the charges and impositions to deter the intire desolation of the Kingdome But let it suffice I have not in command to justifie his actions nor condemne other mens and see we are at the chamber doore I intreate you then said Polexander to see what the Prince doth and if you thinke it fitting to tell him that the Gentleman to whom he gave a picture boxe is come to restore it to him At that word the Guide smiling left him and presently returning said that Paelismond intreated him to come in At his first step into the chamber divers Gentlemen came and saluted him and all with a great deale of civility led him to the Prince his bed side He raised himselfe halfe to embrace him and received him with so great expressions of joy and sensibility that Polexander had not been worthy to have lived had ââ¦e not been moved with his courtesie He began his compliments by the boxe he presented him and often besought his pardon for the long unacquitting himselfe of what he owed him Phelismond embracing him againe tooke him from the continuing those civilities and wringing his hand I see well said he that you have no better an opinion of me then of custome men have of such who are in the same degree of fortune with me Every one believes that no man can be a Favourite but he must instantly forget himselfe But if I might have the happinesse of seeing you often I hope you would change your opinion and finde that I left not to be rationall when I came to be a Favourite I aske your pardon for this ill discourse but I am so much afraid to be taken for another that by this declaration I begin my acquaintance and friendship To this Polexander answered with so much freedome and gentlenesse as if he had not beene Polexander or the other Phelismond he felt within him an extraordinary debaââ¦e and his virtue opperating her accustomed effect compelled him to love his Rivall and Alcidiana's enemy At last his passion and that Princesses command got the upper hand Hereupon he resolved his owne ruine or to avenge both and for that cause would be but a little with Phelismond who did all he could possibly to stay him But Polexander came off so gently that without any incivility he had the liberty he wished When he was returned to his lodging he began to muse on his fortune and passing and repassing through his memory all Pââ¦elismonds endowments I am said he to himselfe reduced to two extremities far differing from one another If I put not in execution what Alcidiana commands me I am a coward a traytour and ought to thinke no more on the meanes to finde the Inaccessible Island On the other side hath any man seene an example of brutallity equââ¦ll with mine if I yield not my selfe captivated by all those generous actions wherewithall Pââ¦elismond obligeth me to love him But what of this Alcidiana shall not then have satisfaction Instead of excuting her commands I shall become the censurer of her will and have the impudence to accuse her of injustice when it accords not with my opinion No no she must be obeyed Let those who know not how to love aright reprove my ingratitude Let them convince me of extravagancy and take me either for some inââ¦m us person that cannot indure the lustre of extraordinary virtues or for an execrable fellow who would make himselfe immortall by some signall villany Alcidiana is more to be feared then all these accusers I will act what I ought Phelismond cannot blame me for it and whosoever is truely generous shall at the same instant he deplores the misfortune of so accomplished a
all alive seeing her funeralls perform'd and notwithstanding Mahomets forbidding to receive such honours as are reserv'd for men onely wept as much for joy as griefe and even ravish'd to see how deare her memory was to Zabaim When the prayers were ended Zabaim arose from his place as pale and wan as he had been ready to give up the ghost and made a signe that he would speake Presently there was a great silence and the Prince beginning his speech with teares continued with these words I should rather let you know by the effusion of my bloud then my teares how guilty I am All that former ages have seen of cruelty of barbarisme of inhumanity cannot parallel but the least part of my actions I have violated all manner of Lawes I have by execrable courses blotted out the Character which heaven had imprinted on my brow and the Majesty of Kings which hath been hitherto the love and safety of all Nations is become by being communicated to me the terrour of Innocents and abomination of all men 'T was I my friends 't was I who thrust the sword into the bosome of the incomparable Almanzaira I am the unnaturall father who consented to the death of him to whom I gave life Yes I have depriv'd you of your legitimate Prince I pluck'd him out of his Nurses armes and to glut the ambition of a wicked woman have not trembled to abandon that Innocent to the outrages of fortune Had I alone contributed to his birth as I have to his misery I would esteeme you happy in being delivered from the race of such a monster as I. But alas Almanzaira gave him you and you beleeve as well as my selfe she being the perfect rendezvous of all royall vertues could produce nothing but what was worthy to governe Lament therefore and bewaile that great losse make the Author of your misfortunes feele your just anger Remember how dearly Almanzaira lov'd you and suffer not her executioner to be any longer your master At that word Zabaim was constrained to stop because his weaknesse being neither answerable to the vehemency of his action nor the excesse of his griefe he stood suddenly without voyce or motion This accident causing a great trouble among the people every one arose to help the Prince and the noise increasing with the opinion they had of his death Almanzaira left her place and thrusting her selfe in amongst the prease without any other consideration then to get neere the King made so good shift that she came close to the Kings throne when he came out of his faintnesse Every body seeing him recover'd tooke their places againe and Almanzaira hiding her selfe behinde some of the Guard would attend till her Lord descended to cast her self at his feet He in the meane time all dying and wet with teares What my friends said he have you no resentment Will you let me live since Almanzaira is dead She is not cry'd out the Queene breaking forth from behinde those which hindred her from being seen she is not for heaven would not suffer her to be so soon depriv'd of her Lord. Zabaim affrighted to heare that voyce and to see a woman come creeping on her knees towards him arose from his chaire and presently fell backe againe and there lay long without stirring In the meane while those who were neerest the King look'd on Almanzaira and knew her though she seem'd to them much chang'd and ask'd one another if what they saw were not some new inchantment of Zelopa Whilst Zabaim came out of his insensibility and that all the world press'd and cry'd out to see the Queene Almaid declar'd himselfe and intreated them to make way for him At this new cause of astonishment the multitude redoubled their acclamations throng'd together and seeing Almaid could not passe lifted him up and from hand to hand carried him to the King Art thou descended from heaven deare Almaid said Zabaim to confirme the good newes I heare and dare not beleeve He staid not for an answer but certainly crediting that she before him could be none other then Almanzaira he fell on his knees and taking her by the hands Doe I then said he see you againe deare Almanzaira and have your enemies been lesse cruell to you then I But do you not return to upbraid me of my inhumanity and aske Justice for it from all the World My Lord repli'd the Queen forget if you please the griefes I have throwne on you and let me see that my returne and life is not displeasing to you All the assistants lifted their hands to heaven throng'd about the King and Queen to congratulate so miraculous a re-union and understanding it was an effect of Almaid's fidelity they call'd him aloud the Redeemer of Senega This worthy Favorite to satisfie the King his master and the rest of the company declar'd in few words all that we have knowne before At which recitall their admiration increased and the multitude which takes pleasure in framing to themselves causes of astonishment added miracles and prodigies to Almanzaira's adventures to the end to give new nourishment to their greedinesse of deceiving themselves In the meane time the Priests changed their prayers and requests into giving thankes They praised Heaven for this happy and unexpected successe and sent backe Zabaim with as much comfort and joy as he had of despaire and sorrow when he came into the Temple Almanzaira for all her being re-established in her former fortune and environ'd with such glory as any other but her selfe had been lost in it forgot not Polexander She besought the King he might be look'd after to render him what she ought as the person whom the eternall Providence had made use of to denounce the end of her miseries Polexander straight presented himselfe and doing reverence to the King without making knowne who he was follow'd him to the Palace with Almaid and many others of the chiefe in Court The people on their parts renew'd with their fires the joy they had so long smother'd and running as their manner is from one extreame into another spent the rest of that night in sports in feastings in musicke and other jocundnesse Zabaim spent it more seriously for assoone as he had bid good night to all the Court he shut himselfe in his privy chamber with Almanzaira Polexander and Almaid and accusing himselfe in their presence of all those crimes his love had made him commit ask'd the Queen pardon a thousand times and mov'd her so much by his submissions as she thought so good she was there was no body guilty but her selfe But to divert Zabaim from his sad thoughts My Lord said she the same Goodnesse which hath preserv'd your Almanzaira from the power of all the Devills hath not onely had care of the true Almanzor's life but hath many times sent him you as a tutelar Angell to defend you against your ill-affected Subjects Rebellion and to re-conquer those Countries which divers tyrants had
the grand Canary and the fortunate at last he arriv'd in the new Isle of Alcidiana The good order he had left at his departure continued still the Vice-roy had neither abused his Authority nor his Masters absence and though he thought him dead he oppos'd all kinde of alterations Our Heroë welcom'd Melicerta and Cydaria into a Palace which had beene finish'd since his depart and which by the managing of the intelligent and trusty Bias was adorn'd with all those rich ornaments which make weake mindes admire the quality of Kings The newes of that Prince his returne flew straight into Spaine and stai'd in the haven the navall Army which the ambitious Ferdinand had provided for the reconquering the Canaries France which had a share in Polexanders adventures since he was of the bloud of her Kings welcom'd the newes of his returne with a great deale of joy and Lewes the Twelfth was advis'd by the great Cardinall of Amboise to send him an Embassadour to congratulate his good fortune and offer him his alliance and power The Princes of Africa friends and foes testified either their loves or feare by their many Embasses Amongst others those of Zahara sent Deputies to intreat him to accept of their Crowne They had lately freed themselves from a tyrannie which was insupportable and when they were about the election of a new King they were so divided and so exasperated that to uphold those whom they had chosen they would have hazarded a battle But the newes of Polexander's returne presently made the weapons fall out of the hands of both parties and they began all to cry Heaven save the King of the fortunate Islands And straight strangling both those they had chosen to command them sent with all humility to intreat Polexander to crosse the sea and come receive that new Crowne which his incomparable merits had in his absence acquired him The principall of that Deputation was a Priest of Mahomet's Law no lesse a Politician then a great Theologist He was to speake in the name of the Province and indeed when hee came before Polexander he made knowne by his demeanour as well as by his words that hee well merited the first place in a Councell of State These were the motives he used to dispose our Heroë to the accepting the Crowne of Zahara If it were a fundamentall Law in Elective States that none should ascend the Throne but such a one as was called to it by unanimous suffrages and the universall consent of all private men I dare maintaine Sir before your Majesty that such a manner of choosing Kings would be a meanes of never chusing any The multitude which is but seldome in accord with it selfe hath no great mind to be so in a matter whereto they have not much lesse repugnancy then love and we must therefore goe against the option of the most when the question is of chusing a Master to a whole Nation You are the first Sir and I shall not speake a falsity should I say the sole person who by your incomparable qualities have put an exception to this generall rule which is no lesse glorious to your Majesty then beneficiall to your new Subjects They have had but one minde but one same voice and iâ⦠I dare say it but one and the same soule assoone as I propos'd to them the electing you for their King Their ancient enmities and hatreds which seem'd to be irreconcileable have ceas'd even in the beginning of battle so much did they feare lest their disunion might retard their common felicities 'T is your vertue great King which hath wrought this miracle in the mindes of a people who not to flatter them seem'd not capable of so much wisdome the Zaharians come to you as to their deliverer have pity on the many miseries they have indured and since Heaven hath given you to the world to distribute without favour those treasures it hath left in your hands dispose of them every where equally and conforming your selfe to that will which gave you them reserve not for one Nation alone that which is destinated for the generall good of the whole world Polexander finding his speech so rationall and so urging was troubled what answer to make and neither oblige himselfe nor discontent a Nation which had testified so much love to him His brave spirit which like his courage had surmounted alwayes the most difficult obstacles presently furnish'd him with this judicious reply The Obligation which bindes me to you for your coming so farre off to offer me the Crowne of Zahara is no common tie but your judging me worthy is infinitely greater I will not by a confession which should be true and yet seem to you artificiall shew you I am not the man you deeme me but since you will have it so leave you in your errours and accepting with joy a Present you so frankly give me I will strive to live in such a manner that my government shall give no cause for you to repent of your election The Embassadours of Zahara obtaining this favourable Audience and seeing their negotiation succeed so well dispatch'd one of their company to carry home the good newes in the meane time they were entertain'd with an incomparable magnificence and after eight or ten dayes refreshing some of them tooke their leaves of Polexander and the rest abode with him as well to instruct him in the Affaires of the Kingdome as to hasten his journey That famous Priest of whom we have before spoken was one of those which stai'd As one day Polexander entertained him in the presence of Cidaria and Melicerta he fell to talk of the Africans Warres the Priest who was perfectly instructed in them Sir said he it is not long since your Kingdome was threatned by the Armes of Morocco Ambitious Abdelmelec had an intent to place the bounds of his command beyond the River of Abernia and to get to himselfe by his power such Nations as he was not able to acquire by his vertue our AIarums and his Enterprises vanish'd both together Of an Invader which he would have been he hath beene inforc'd to stand on his owne defence and at this very present is besieged in Morocco with his father and by two such Captaines as are not wont to vanquish by halfes Pray said Polexander tell me what those Captaines be and what designe hath engag'd them in this Siege Sir repli'd the Priest 't is not past three moneths since that generous and invincible Commander of the Pirates call'd Bajazet was inform'd that Hely the father of Abdelmelec hath gotten into his custody a slave or as others assure us a Princesse which he before-time passionately loved but whether it be that this valiant Pirate be enamour'd of that beauty or out of a true effect of his noble and great courage that he will deliver her from that dangerous slavery so it is he hath drawne his most forces out of his Island and assisted by a puissant succour
and downe the vessell his sword in his hand and striking some and menââ¦ing others gave them at least a just cause of feare and perceiving that this new terrâ⦠made them forget their first and that all had recover'd themselves from that extremity whereinto the voice of a poore Mariââ¦er had throwne them Well my companions quoth he that hath hap'ned to you which hath betided the valiant'st Souldiers and you hââ¦ve learnt by a violent but short experience that men how hardy soever are not mastââ¦s of their first apprehensions Certainely it should be a monstrous prodââ¦gy that even ââ¦hose men who shew'd so much courage to obtaine their liberty should have none whâ⦠there is question of conserving it No no it shall never be said that we fell vnder ââ¦uch a misfortune with the same courage we broke our chaines in peeces and in spitâ⦠of all the Moores resistance open'd our prisons we should endure their brunt and reveââ¦e our selves of their barbarousnesse Without all doubt that all mighââ¦y hand which prââ¦ects all just causes will strengthen ours and may be that it is it selfe which brings us ââ¦r tyrants that we may make them our slaves by a lawfull retribution But whence ââ¦mes this new terror that I see in your faces Hath the name now of your enemes more power over your soules then had their fetters flames and hangmen I am deceiââ¦d my companions and am an ill interpreter of the caââ¦nge of your countenance Tââ¦a gââ¦nerous anger and an impatient desire of revenge which heats your bloud and ââ¦ives you these warlike emotions Conserve your brave fury and consider that after we had broke our prisons slaine our guards and got this vessell if we should not now hââ¦ve a full resolution to exterminate these Barbarians which are desperately mad at our escape we shall make our condition farre worse then it was before Hap what may let the worst come yet let us set them a deare rate on our lives and envelloping them in our owne losse make them uncapable of remembring their victory or that without teares they may never call it to memory There was no bloud so frozen which this eloquence heated not no mariner so fainthearted which wished not already to be at handy strokes with the enemy Presently the faire Turke commanded them all to armes and plac'd every one in his station The Pilot receiving what order he was to keepe in a fight so unequall put off from the Island of Iron and to satisfy the generous impatience of his Captaine got before the enemies and into the open Sea and the advantage of the winde The eight vessells which with full sayles came on him dispos'd themselves with so much order for fight as if they had been the weakest They separated and cast themselves into the forme of a halfe moone and advanc'd in such soâ⦠that they seem'd to enclose that ship which sailed foremost This vessell alwaies kept ââ¦e advantage it had of the other seaven and leaving them a pretty way behind made ãâã Turkes beleeve that she would first begin the fight But they were no sooner within canon shott when those within her strooke sayle and by all fashions us'd at Sea ââ¦timated to the Turkes that they came not to fight with them but to put themselves under their protection The generous Captaine deliberated not what was the most sure to be done in so dangerous a conjecture straight granted those suppliants the assistance they desired and advancing to shelter them told them in passing that he would defend ââ¦em against all the world They thanked him by long shouts and confused voices anâ⦠got to the backside of the Isle of Fer whiist he ravished that so many rare adventures ââ¦hould present themselves all at once tooke a head peece and a buckler and turning ââ¦o his companions Acknowledge quoth he deare consorts in my bonds and liberâ⦠that fortune comes fairely to reconcile herselfe to us We thought that to witnesâ⦠the continââ¦ance of her hatred she would have enforc'd us to a necessity of our defeââ¦ce and behold to make her love appeare she invites us to the protection of others Let each of us receive as he ought her first favours and since she is usually in love wiâ⦠great darings shew in this occasion that it is with justice she should now affect us This said he put his hand to his sword and commanded his gunners not to shoot till ââ¦s enemies had first discharg'd But the strangers in stead of falling all at once on his vââ¦ell opened on the right and left and let them see that they had no other intent theâ⦠to follow their prey that was escap'd them The faire Turke was not satisfied with this declaration He causââ¦d his ship to be steered foreward as he ment to stop the way to ââ¦at of his enemies which was the foremost and greatest Before he came close he saâ⦠appeare on the ââ¦oope a man arm'd at all poins who by his action seem'd to be no orââ¦nary person Assoone as he thought the Turke might heare him I have respected the said he thinking thee one of the Subjects of Alcidiana but thy habit shewes that I ââ¦s deceivââ¦d what art thou then that being so weake dar'st undertake the defence of ohers and do'st it without knowing whether thou mai'st doe it with justice or no Th voice of the afflicted which cries and askes succour answered the Turke against the violence of their persecutors is alwaies accompanied with Justice But whence i it quoth he that knowing Justice so well thou do'st practise it no better and wilt ãâã on the weake the tyranny which thy force adviseth I impute thy injuries to tâ⦠gââ¦nerosity replied the other and should be glad if I had time to know who thou art that shââ¦l be at an other time quoth he in the meane while stay me no longer if thâ⦠intend'ââ¦t not to expose thy selfe to those violences wherewith thou reprochest me Thââ¦ââ¦ire ãâã touched with those threatnings and enflam'd with that fire which honor ââ¦ndles in young courages No no said he I cannot forsake the miserable whom ââ¦aven hath given me in protection since henceforward I am answerable to it for their ââ¦erties and lives And think not that I will leave thee till I see thee leave to pursue theâ⦠For the rest learne that audacious threatnings never affââ¦ight those who know ââ¦ll how to chastice the authors Thy resolution is faire replied the other but if thy actââ¦ons be answerable to the greatnesse of thy words use no other arme then thine owne in this glorious correction and command thy companions to be only the spectators of oââ¦r combate I assure thee that all those which are with me shall exactly obey the order I shall prescribe them The young Turke in lieu of answering him turn'd to his followers and to oblige them to lay downe their armes my companions said he you have heard the enemies proposition if you love me accept it and permitt me to
to him of which Fortune onely is guilty Farewell my deere Master live and by undergoing my death with a true constancy practise that faire doctrine which thou hast so profitably taught me and with these words he pierced himselfe to the heart with his sword and by so speedy and bold a blow surmounting his haplesse fortune he got that victory for which she had so long contested with him I threw my selfe on him but too late and stopping his wound with my hand strove to stop the bloud which gushed out in great bubbles and clots he thrust away my hand and falling on his bed with a countenance wherein you might behold a mixture of extraordinary joy and death got together at least said he do thou Almandrian keepe thy pro Hee dyed before he could finish the word and left me with a powerfull example for the contemning of life I had not heart enought to make use of it but my cowardise covering it selfe with a specious pretext of my faith made me beleeve that I could not kill my selfe without suffering in hell those tortures which are reserved for the unfaithfull I resolved then to live till I had fully executed the last will of the King my Master and though my despaire oftentimes opposed me in it I am yet so happy that before my death I see my promises accomplished There remaines some part of the will of that Prince not performed but it is from thy noblenesse that Almanzor expects the execution Be then sensible of his supplications of his teares and bloud Polexander ended not the fluxe of his teares with the period of this sad story but turning to Iphidamantus who was no lesse afflicted then himselfe and wooing him to teares and sorrow Let us bewaile my deare brother said he Let us weepe for the losse of Almanzor and since t is not in our power to restore him his life let us deerely preserve that which remaines of him And in thus saying he tooke the Princes heart and fixing his eyes on it As cold as thou art said he poore heart thou yet retaynest thy first fire and shewest by thy rich prison that thou wilt still weare the glorious setters of Alcidians be confident that if I become fortunate thou shalt have a share of me that thy vowes shall be accomplished and that faire Princesse shall know how farre both living and dead thou hast religiously adored her Polexander finished this promise just as his trustfull Diceus for so they called him of his domestiques whom he best loved entered his Cabin and the excesse of his zeale and joy not permitting him to observe all the duties befitting his condition he stept nimbly to his Master and Sir said he I am certainely blinde or just now I have discovered the vessell of Alcidiana Polexander lost no time in asking him questions but comming out of his Cabin got on the upper deck and by that propriety which seemes to be fastened to the eyes of all lovers cast his sight presently on the vessell of Alcidiana He knew her and seeing her take a course contrary to his tack about tack about cryd he to his Pilots and at this time let every one testifie how much he affects me His command and the execution of it was one same thing But the winde that complyed not so well with him as they changed not but was the cause why his great ship made but slow way after that belonging to Alcidiana He was all the rest of the day in wrestling against a North-East winde and raging for being so neere his happinesse and not obtaining it The night changed the winde and gave it him so favourable that he doubted not the taking of Linceus though the darkenesse tooke from him the sight of his vessell He might easily have overcome this difficulty if a greater and more powerfull had not yet once more envyed his good fortune in the very instant when he thought himselfe most assured For at breake of day instead of the vessell of Alcidiana he saw a great fleet of Turkish Gallies and Affrican ships After he had mused a while he called his brother and concealing his resolution from him we must said he seperate and by divers courses try to make our way through so many enemies Iphidamantus approved of his councell because his friends and himselfe had mutually bound themselves not to leave one another till they were in a place of safety Getting then aboard his owne ship he found all those there in an equall astonishment His presence heartened them and the speech he used to them wrought upon their wavering minds the same advantage he got by his first Oration Hereupon they armed themselves and despising danger in confidence of the valiant Iphidamantus resolved themselves to what sad disaster soever fortune should prepare for them The Mariners perceiving that the vessell of Polexander plyde to the South-west took a contrary way and taking downe the Christian colours which they carryed put the halfe Moone in the place to try if in this occasion a little cunning might not be more advantagious then power The successe of their enterprise was conformable to their conceived hope They were taken for Turkes and as such were neither fought withall nor staied but without any hinderance sailed through the fleet When they were in the Van they saw another Army composed of many great Gallions and of all kind of vessells aswell with oares as sailes over which waved the Standdards of Castile and Portugall Iphia mantus rââ¦vished with this encounter t is now said he to his companions that we have no more cause of feare See the accomplishment of our ordinary prophesies and the Army which we saw though far off from the place where we were prisoners hath without doubt broaken our chaines and finished our slavery Yet let us not be reproched to have seene the enemy so neere without fighting shew them that we know how to make a retreate but not how to fly Whilst he spake thus his ship got farther off the vanguard of the Turkes and to tell them that he was none set up the Crosse upon his vessell and with his owne hands in sight of the enemy threw the halfe moone overboord and commanded to salute them with all his Artillery The Turkes no sooner knew the trick that had deceived them but they gave them from their fleet above two hundred Canon shot Foure Galliots by the command of the Generall were sent out to seise on that Christian Vessell but all the industry of the Turkes was but to their owne confusion for Iphidamantus retired fighting behind the vanguard of the Christian fleet Presently as it he had attended but that signall they put themselves in Batalia The Turke made his cressant without stirring from the place he had chosen and both the one and the other receiving command to fall on began the fight in a marvelous good order The wind as messenger of that absolute power which almost continually causeth
his feet which made shew of an extreme sorrow and seemed to solicit him that was half laid to think of his safety as soon as they saw the Pirate they made signes to him to draw neere and getting him to kneel as they did made him to kisse the skirt of their Masters robe This ceremony done the eldest of the strangers asked the souldier who he was and who commanded the ship that fell upon theirs The Turk answered to all his demands and loth to keep Bajezet longer from the sight of those rarities went out to carry him the newes Bajazet came presently down into this rich chamber and civilly drew neer to him that seemed to be the Master of it The stranger went not out of his deep musing by his approaching so neer him but on the contrary with a downcast look and still laid intimated that he was sensible of nothing but of his secret sorrow one of those two at his feet arose and making a reverence to Bajazet with a grace that savoured nothing of the Barbarian Sir said he in Arabick he whom you see here almost dead with sorrow is called Zelmatida and hath for his father the great Inca Guina Capa son of the Sun comforter of the miserable and Monarch of the Fountains of gold but all this greatnesse hath not been able to avert the misfortunes which have brought my Lord the Inca into a contempt of his life and the hatred of himself Bajazet pitied the fate of Zelmatida and more in consideration of that then of his great titles and magnificence he came to him and used some complements in Arabick Zelmatida hearing the Pirate speak and I king the man broke off his silence and made him understand by five or six words that he was not aââ¦le to recompence his courtesies Bajazet admired the greatnesse of courage that this Prince made shew of in his captivity and judging of his wisdome by the little he had said protested that he had never seen man who under the load of his great ãâã preserved a minde in more tranquility nor was lââ¦sse diveââ¦ed by the favours he received of those from whom he was to expect nothing but rigour and violence This admiration obliging him to the continuance of his discourse he ââ¦old Zelmatida that his condition was not changed in effect though it were in appearance and that his good aspâ⦠and vertue were so favourable pastports that there was not a nation in the world ãâã barbarous soever that had inhumanity enough to violate them The Prince all ââ¦uried as he was in his melancholy yet answered Bajazet in such sorâ⦠that he gave hââ¦m new desires to serve him The Rover yet left him as soon as he could do it with civility and found out Iphidamantus Coming to him My deare friend said he I professâ⦠I am iââ¦finitly obliged to Fortune although shee is the cause that I have lost the onely thing that could make me happy to her I owe your amity and see yet she hath now put into my power a Prince who hath more amazed me by the greatnesse of his soule then that of his birth Herewith he related to him all he had seen and ãâã him to deââ¦cend into the Princes Cabin I must said he have the contentââ¦ent to bring ââ¦gether two men who best of any know how to joyn those things whicâ⦠from all timââ¦s have been incompatible I mean youth and wisdome a great courage and a ãâã moderation Iphidamatus blushed at these pââ¦ises and not willing to make him a reply besought Bajazet that he would bring him to the sight of a person of that excellency They both went into his Cabin and assoone as they came in Iphidamantus drawing to him by his extraordinary beauty the eyes of Zelmatida overcame his long sadnesse He rose to salute him and shewing him to his companions twice or thrice pronounced the word of Isatida These compliments were interrupted by the noise of the Pirates and report of the Canon and Bajazet doubting what it might be made Zelmatida to understand the cause of his voyage and intreating him to rest himselfe went with Iphidamantus whether he was called by the necessity of his command He was no sooner aboord his owne vessell then he saw whiten the sailes of the Spanish fleet and that his owne had put themselves in order for fight He changed a little in the disposing of the vessells He put some in the vanguard which were in the battell and going from one to another encouraged the old Pirates by the glory of their past actions and the young by the emulation they should have to equall their companions and all by the assurance of victory and the greatnesse of the booty We goe not to expose our lives for some proud and brutish Master who lookes on with an insensibility the losse of those who by their hazard and travell secure his idlenesse and with their bloud maintaine his tyranny If we have the day we shall not share the profit with any but our selves and the fruits of our fighting shall not be devoured by those that tooke no paines in their gathering Let this pleasant thought run still in your minds and to stirre you up to do bravely say often to your selves that your sufferings incomodities and wounds shall have a fairer recompence then that which is justly reserved for Cowards who for a small pay prostitute their courages and lives This said he put himselfe in the front of his fleet and lead them to the combate The Spaniards on the other side discovering this powerfull obstacle unexpectedly were long before they could resolve what to doe At last seeing their enemies drawe neere they thought they must with iron defend that gold which they by iron had got together They soone cast themselves in batalia and that valour which is naturall to them being enflamed by the extremity to which it was reduced made them performe such actions as could not be compared but with themselves At first they stood as ready for defence and unwilling to mingle unlesse they were inforced fought with their Canon Bajazet perceiving their intention commanded that with full speed they should fall on them The Captaines quickly obeyed and presently sunck three or foure little ships Bajazet and Iphidamantus went to back them and after a furious fight Roland Ximenes was slaine by the one and Torrez by the other The Admirall Francis Bovadilla was taken prisoner but he died the same day of the woundes he received in the fight The combate lasted till night by whose favour six Spanish ships got away the rest were eiââ¦her sunck or taken and every where this cruell and brutish broode of Pirates which have no consideration when they see their prey dealt alike with those that begged their lives and those that begged them not The heate of the combate so long time disputed was no sooner cold but Bajazet remembred Zelmatida He found him in hââ¦s ship in the same state he left
him He asked him whether he would goe any where said he where I may finde death This answer touched Bajazet and made him resolve to get the Prince out of that place whose solitude more fed and encreased his melancholy He so fitly made him the proposition that streight he accepted of it and went presently to Iphidamantus Cabin where leaving them together he went to take a view of his men and vessells He had lost many but being accustomed to the like mischances he bethought him of those were left and comforting them for the death of their companions by considerations answerable to their nature he made them steere towards their owne Island and gave the valiant Hally the charge of Vice-admirall The night after this bloudy fight had its disorders and batteries The weather altered and the winde grew so furious that the victors failed little of running the fortune of the vanquished They were foure and twenty houres in a tempest and had they been neerer the Land then they were without doubt they had saved nothing of that which with so much labour and bloud they had gotten They were driven by the violence of the winde to a desert Island scituated almost under the Tropick of Cancer and were constrained to lie there till the storme was past They set saile with the first faire winde and the second day of their navigation the tempest began againe and made them run a greater danger then they had escaped The bold Bajazet for all this forbad his Pilots to stand for the Port they came from and beleeving that the Elements were not harder to be overcome then men he opposed the skill and strength of his Mariners to the violence of the contrary windes and strove to make the very storme to be part of his victory His daring or rather rashnesse had all the successe he could desire and after a many daies and nights striving against the tempest he came at last within sight of his Island with all his owne vessells and his prizes He dispatched presently one of his men to the Governors of the Port and the Fortresse and by the same letter letting them know the fortunate successe of his voyage sent them word withall in what manner he would be welcomed home This being done he came againe to Iphidamantus and Zelmatida who were walking in their ship and thence shewed them right against his Isle two ships that plaied furiously on each other with their Canon The Princes seeing they were grapled signified to Bajazet that they had a great minde to part them Bajazet to please them commanded his Pilot to make up instantly to those two vessells and comming neere to one of them he knew her and told the Princes that she was commanded by Cid Hamet his principall Captaine Iphidamantus discrying the other O said he that is Polexanders ship t is his infallibly But Bajazet not beleeving so great and so good newes came up to the Combatants to see if Iphidamantus were not mistaken At his neere approching them he saw Cid Hamet fall The losse of a man whom he knew to be so exceeding valiant touched him neere and in such a sort that casting by all consideration he threw himselfe into his vessell to be revenged Iphidamantus followed him and presenting himselfe first to Polexander intreated him to give his enemie his life Polexander knowing him yes brother said he he shall have his life though his brutishnesse deserves to be punished He might with one words speaking have freed us both from a great deal of trouble we have had and yet by a malicious obstinacy he would neither tell me his name nor his country T is the same we followed before we were severed I found him among the Turkish ships and thinking he belonged to Alcidiana used him with all the mildnesse you can imagine But his arms and habite made me suspect I was deceived besides his vessell which carries for her devise the Phenix with a double A. confirmed me that it was Lynceus or some other of Alcidiana's Pilots and therefore I would be no longer in this ignorance I intreated him then to tell me who he was but all my prayers and promises were in vain I was therefore constrained to come to threatnings and from threats to blowes This Barbarian got among the great number of vessells that fought and put me to trouble enough to find him out at last I espied him standing out to Sea I got after and have still given him chase so hotly that I have at last brought him to that passe in which you now see him Iphidamantus she wing Bajazet to Polexander His Generall said he whom you see there will free you of the vexation you are in and tell you wether he belong to the Queen Alcidiana or no. Polexander gazed on Bajazet so did Bajazet on him and after a long silent considering one another Bajazet intimating to Polexander the great contentment he received in seeing him Let Fortune said he hence forward handle me as she pleaseth without a murmure I will receive all her persecutions and acknowledge that since she cannot give me all the blisse I ask her yet she hath at last given me a part of it Yes Polexander you are you and Iphidamantus the two persons I have most wished to see next to one whom my duty and affection commands me to set in the first place Believe no more then if it so please you that it was the incivility of this Rover which hath drawn you into these rude places but the strength of my desires and the power of my good fortune For this wretch at your feet he hath been alwayes at my command and hath followed me ever since he was ten yeers old and the reason why you took him for another is certainly by means of the vessell which he took about a yeer since from a valiant commander who lost his life before he lost his ship In a trunck I found some letters by which I understood that that Captain belonged to Alcidiana Queen of the Inaccessible Iland I ever thought said Polexander smiling that fortune laughed at my credulity and that she only gave me false hopes but to bring me to a most certain dispair Here with he fainted and losing all his strength in a moment made it appear that the wounds of the soule are little lesse dangerous then those of the body he came quickly to himselfe and taking Bajazet by the hand in one selfsame time said he we have had a very contrary intention for I followed you as my enemy whilest you searched all occasions to make me your friend But I am now recovered and cured of that unjust pusuit and desire your pardon for believing you capable of an ill action Iphidamantus here interposing Bajazet said he knowes the ground of your choler and is not ignorant for what cause you accuse him for the theft done by Almanzor Bajazet seeing Zelmatida coming neer interrupted Iphidamantus and intreated that he
them enforced the rest to lay down their arms and be subject to his lawer When he had reduced these Savages to peace and obedience he commanded a cessation of all hostility and to win them more easily deprives them not of any of their ancient liberties save of their men-eating and sacrificing them to Idols by little and little he drew them from the woods and made them build houses He gave them Legislators to govern and Priests to instruct them in the worship of the true Gods And desiring to make their servitude not irksome told them that the Prince whom he intended should command them was not a stranger but a Prince borne amongst them and might call himself their countreyman He meant the childe the Queen went withall and to keep his word with them would that the Queen should lie in at Quito The Savages rather more cunning by their misfortunes then won and made more pliable by the Inca's milde treating gave him thanks for his favours but in a little time after they made known by their horrible and bloody actions that they were the same men they had been The Queen daily expected her houre of delivery when these inhumane villains made themselves masters of Quito They streight ran to the Palace slew the guards and meeting with Guina Capa ran him thorow divers times and left him for dead in his chamber They had no more respect either for the sex or beauty of the Queen then for the Majesty of the King but pulling her out of her bed they drew her unworthily and bruitishly by the haire out of the city and exposed her to the rage of two Tigers which accustomed to such sacrifices followed those Barbarians and were adored as their tutelary gods Those beasts which better deserved the name of gods then those barbarous villains did of men stopped by a power truly divine began to crouch and fawn on the Queen and having nothing of their first nature shewed either a feare of or a respect to that body which for a prey was thrown to them Those signes of humanity it I dare say so were not alone the cause of those bruites astonishment for they kept themselves as guards about the Queen and tore in pieces whosoever durst come neer her This while the Princesse who had but life sufficient to bring her childe into the world died as soon as she was delivered the Tigers took it and licked the Infant and by their pitifull howlings seemed to say that they were much afflicted for not being able to succour it In the same instant appeared a great troop of men armed with great targets bows and arrows the Tigers were no way afraid at their sight but letting them come so neer till they had discovered the Queens body they withdrew and ran out of sight among the rocks Those which were in the front of that troop having noted the action of the Tigers began to cry out that their great Prophet was to be believed and ran to take up the body of the Queen they laid her on their targets took up the little Inca and gave him to some women that were in the midst of their troop As soon as the childe was dressed those unknown men turned their backs to Quito and witnessing by their shouts the excesse of their contentment marched alwaââ¦s in batalia to the foot of the mountains which divide the kingdome of Quito from that of the King Quasmez Before I go further be pleased that I let you know the Infant of the generous and deplorable Amazon but what need is there that I should tell you since the illustrious and unfortunate life of my Lord the Inca may make you cleerly see that no other then he could have so tragicall and fair a birth It was Zelmatida who before he was borne gave both love and terror to the most furious animalls and was the object of Prophets the desire of Kings and the hope of nations But I perceive not that I wander and leave the charitable troope which carryed away my young Prince Suffââ¦r me to follow them and according as things happened discover to you those mysteries which I see you would have me to let you understand Those who so opportunely came to save my Lord the Inca were sent thither by the great Quasmez who raigns over the one and the other sea and whose Empire extends it self from the territories of Mexico to those of the Inca's As soon as those men were on the mountaines they chose twelve of the swiftest among them and sent them to their King with the newes of their returning Goe said the Captaine of the Troupe aloud and relate to our Prince what you have seen assure him that his praiers are heard and that we have found the body of the dead Princesse and the newborne Child in the pawes of mercifull Tigers These posts departed and performed their Commission with an extraordinary diligence The others the while marching by little Journeis for feare of endangering the health of my Lord Inca got through the Mountaines and entred into the Country of one of the Ca ciques tributary to Quasmez When they had made a daies Journey or two in that Kingdome they began to publish that the Child which they conducted was he by whom as their gââ¦eat Prophet Tisnatidez made them hope they should recover the treasure they had lost This newes was no sooner knowne among the people but all strove who should doe most honour to Zelmatida In all places where he passed the Inhabitants brought him presents and bowing their faces to the ground seemed to expect their protection from a little Infant that was not able to defend it selfe nor to oppose the least injuries that any would enterprise against him Those which with so much respect carried him after many daies journey in this fashion at last arrived at the Court of Quasmez Assoone as he heard of their arrivall you might see breake from his countenance an unusuall joy but it is unpossible to tell you how much he expressed when his people delivered the Inca into his hands He looked on him he kissed him and embracing him as strictly as he had been his owne Son O cause said he of my future rest though he understood him not I hope one day to see the end of my afflictions since the holy Interpretor of my Gods hath promised me that the returne of my happinesse is to be the masterpeece of your valour The Queen his wife who was present at all these things would not suffer Zelmatida longer in the armes of her husband but tooke it and carried it away and taking all the care that a good mother ought to doe of those she brought into the world kept him neer her to his age of twelve yeares He grew so tall and so strong at that age that Quasmez began to have him taught all the exercises that the children of Kings are accustomed to learne His excellent inclination had soone drawne dry all the
victory he obtained brought into the number of his slaves many Princes which before by meanes of a small and inconsiderable tribute were absolute Lords of their estates Of those Zelmatida brought him twelve prisoners with thirty thousand of their Subjects and gave him a particular accompt of what he had done Two daies after his arrivaââ¦l being alone with him My Lord said he the Gods present you a faire occasion to imitate their clemency and to a way to attaine to that supreame dignity whereto their good deeds have raised them You have in your prisons Princes whom you may retaine as slaves or put them to death without injustice for humane Lawes would that Malefactors should be punished But if you give them their lives and forget their faults shall you not doe an act more glorious for your selfe and so much the more just the neerer it resembles that mercifull goodnesse wherewith the Gods support us and pardon our offences Beleeve me send back these wretches to their owne homes to doe pennance for the fault they have committed against their faith as well as against your Majesty And to leave them an eternall sorrow for it free them from the servitude of tribute which they were wont to pay to your Crowne Quasmez was so exceedingly movedwith the extreame noblenesse and wisdome of Zelmatida that the very next day he called before him all the Caciques and mounted on a Theater with Zelmatida commanded a Herauld to proclaime the deliverance of the prisoners The Herauld after silence made spake thus Quasmez Soveraigne Monarque of the Lands between the two Seas of the Mines of Emeralds and of gold and of the fishing for pearles after that by the victories of his Son he hath made slaves all the Caciques which were before but tributary to him declares that he gives them all their liberty which justly they had lost and discharges them and their successors from all the tributes to which their Provinces were engaged Thinke with your selves what the joy was as well of the Princes as their people after this Proclamation They all fell on their knees to signifie their resentment of this grace and when they were risen againe engaged themselves to pay double the tribute that Quasmez had taken from them Eight daies together they celebrated a feast for this peace so glorious to the Conquerors and so profitable to the conquered and the Caciques being all returned to their severall homes filled their Provinces with the praises of their deliverers Quasmez this while tormented with an unknowne griefe languished in the midst of his triumphes and the more cause of content he found in the person of my Lord the Inca the more still his displeasures and disquiets increased At last the Gods touched with the humility and the zeale which accompanied the prayers of that religious Prince heard him then when he began to leave off all hoping One day while he was talking with Zelmatida there came one to advertise him that the great Prophet Tisnatidez whom he tought so many yeares dead was newly arrived and desired his permission to see him Quasmez no sooner heard this newes then he commanded that he should be brought The while lifting his eyes and his hands to Heaven Great Gods cried he I confesse I have of late murmured and distrusted your providence I have offended but you know that never crime was more remissible then mine since I committed it not in doubting of your all-sufficiency but in thinking my selfe unworthy of your protection The King was not a little troubled to see Quasmez in such extraordinary transports without his knowing the cause but he was not in it so long He saw enter into the place where he was a man of the age of fourescore yeares white as a Swan leane as a Skeliton clad with the skin of a wild Beast and girt with a great chaine of gold This old man regarding the King with eyes that shewed an inward joy and without saying ought to him addressed himselfe to Quasmez and speke thus I know great Prince how many times you have beleeved me a lyer or to say better how often you have not beleeved your selfe enough happy to hope for that good successe that our Gods have promised you by my mouth But the long time that you have passed without seeing me since the losse of the innocent and unhappy Xaira hath caused you to thinke nothing which I had not foreseen and for which you may well be pardoned And our Gods have not so much remarked what you spake through the diffidence you had of your selfe but that they tooke notice through your frailty of the greatnesse of your zeale and the opinion you had of their all-powerfullnesse For this they promise you this day the accomplishment of all your desires and they advertise you not to feare to expose this young Prince to the hazards of a most difficult enterprise By him the prison of the infortunate Xaira shall be burst open the hopes of your enemies deceived and your Realme more flourishing then ever At this word turning him to the Inca goe said he whether the goodnesse of the King invites you who hath been to you in lieu of a Father The enterprise to which you are destinated is perillous but it is one of those that is preserved for such as have your courage and fate When the Prophet saw that Zelmatida gazed on him with amazement no no added he you are not the Son of Quasmez but by adoption and love and though he hath bred you as his owne childe yet t is another that was the Author of your life Doe not aske me who he is he only knowes it to whom nothing is hidden and who taught me the time and the place where the guard of this King should finde you Content your selfe that your birth is illustrious and that another day leaving the name of Zelmatida which Quasmez hath given you for another which shall not be lesse famous you shall attaine the Throne of an Empire which shall be as great as the Earth if it were not ordayn'd in Heaven that it must soone fall into the hands of a Nation which is yet unknown to us But before this misfortune befall you shall fill both the one and the other World with the same of your great actions and shall restore to the virtuous Monarch that hath bred you that incomparable treasure which his enemies have as vainly as perfidiously forc'd and stoln from him Whilest this old Prophet spake thus Quazmez wept at once both for hope and feaââ¦e The love he bore to his owne blood strove with that he bore to the King and no sooner had he put himselfe in case to thanke his gods that they had heard his prayers but that he afflicted himselfe for their being heard He fear'd all the perills by Sea and Land and some times even wished he could forget the thralldome of his daughter that he might not be constrained to expose my deare Master to such
concealing from him part of what I knew intreated him that for his owne quiet and the content of his Subjects he would cause the Princesse to be nursed in some safe place and to put so many guards about her that it might not be in the power of any of his Subjects much lesse of any stranger to see her The King would know particulerly what I gave him this coucell but beseeching him to cause Xaira to be brought before I passed further he commanded five or six of his principall Officers to goe fetch her from the Queen As they who were thus commanded were about to obey him they heard a great noise and at the same time saw the Queen enter into Quasmez chamber all undressed and so transported from her selfe that had she not hapned on the Kings bed she had fallen in a swound on the planching Quasmez astonied as well by the Queens swounding as by the councell I late gave him knew not whether I would conceale from him the death of his wife in shewing the feare I was in for that of his Daughter And in this doubt he bewayled his wife as if she had been dead and looking on me now and then with his eyes full of teares I feare said he my Father lest the gods be incensed against me to see that I have neglected them to bestow all my cares and affection upon a creature I had noâ⦠leasure to answer him for five or six women all bloudy with dishevelled haires rushed at the same time into his chamber and casting themselves about his bed even terrified us to see them teare their faces and beate their heads against the floore This tragicall beginning was ended by yet more bloudy actions Foure men with stating eyes and foaming mouthes presented themselves to Quasmez and speaking all at once Since said they to him we have not been vigilant enough to preserve our happinesse we will not be cowardly enough to out live it And in so saying they turned the pointes of the arrowes they bore in their hands upon themselves and sticking them with violence into their throates so amazed us with their desperation that they tooke from us the meanes to succour them They fell all foure dead at my feet and confirmed me in the opinion I had of the losse of the Princesse The King transported with griefe and choler threw himselfe out of his bed and went into another Chamber to give time to his guards to take away the bodies of those desperate men and to stay the madnesse of the women that would follow their example For my part I staied by the Queen and seeing her recovered gave her by my discourse some kind of consolation I told her that she must force her selfe from this sorrow and not be the cause of the losse of the Father after that of the Daughter The love which she had still borne to Quasmââ¦z was sufficient to overcome all her other affections and to suspend for a while the thought of the rape of Xaira After I saw her so well recollected I intreated her to walke to her husband and to endeavour by her perswasions to make him constantly to endure and suffer the losse of the little Princesse She punctually observed all that I desiââ¦ed her and so winningly gave Quasmez this bitter potion that he tooke it with a great deale of patience I saw then that it was time to apply the plaister I had provided for that wound and I therefore told them that the will of the gods was that their Daughter should be nursed up by their greatest enemy That the designe the Miscreant had to wrong them should result cleane contrary to his intention That they should not engage nor trouble themselves to make any pursuite after those that had stolen her thence since nothing but ill would come of it But said I if in this disaster as well as in the rest of your life you will conforme your selfe to the will of the gods without a murmure patiently undergoe what they have thought fit to be done I promise you from them that one day you shall see your Daughter in that great fortune you reserve for her There is by a prodigious accident a childe to be borne from whose valour you must expect not alone the deliverance of Xaira but withall the enlarging and establishing of your Throne If the presence of a thing that should be so deare to you can sweeten the bitternesse of your losse I know by what meanes you may obtaine it Till then I speake so loude that all might understand me but at that word comming more neere to them I told them in their eare that they should presently cause to march to the City of Quito three or foure thousand of his most hardy and affectionate Subjects and after that I acquainted them with that which I had been taught from the mouth of the gods They were pleased to be advised by me and to follow my counsell and execute this enterprise made so good an election that those whom they sent to Quito found you as I foretold and tooke you thence so fortunately that without any perill they delivered you into the hands of Quasmez This Prince would willingly have kept his losse from the knowledge of his Subjects but being instantly spread abroad and knowne even to the furthest parââ¦s of his Kingdome he thought it was not fit to leave his people in this dispaire He published therefore through all his Provinces that which I had foretold of Xaira and to assure them discovered to them somewhat of his designe on you This newes was the cause that all those who saw you in the hands of the Souldiers that brought you doubted no more of the truth of my predictions and consequently though you were but an infant gave you all the honours they conceived they ought to their deliverer That which remaines for you now to know is not what you should doe for you understand that already by what I have told you but the place where your valour must be seen and the meanes whereby you may come off with renowne Know then that you must goe as far as to the foote of a great Mountaine called Popocampecho You may easily know it by the flames it sends forth day and night There shall you find against whom to exercise your courage Tread under foot all difficulties and when you shall have overcome your enemies march on till you come before a City that gives name to the great Kingdome of Mexico T will be in that place that you shall need to use all your strength but if you doe not betray your selfe I assure you that you shall come off victor from the combate which you must there undergoe Yet among so many good fortunes I see a disastrous accident may betide you but I dare not make it knowne to you so openly as is fitting for feaâ⦠lest in striving to make you avoyde it I my selfe throw you headlong into it If you
therefore look'd on him and knowing him what said he shall Zelmatida be so unfortunate that his deare Tumanama will not know him These words brought Tumanama back againe from the deepe meditation wherein he was in undoing his Mistesses chaines and made him turne his eyes on Zelmatida After he had earnestly looked on him he knew him though the lightsomnes of the place was not sufficient to make them well knowe their countenances and rising to embrace him O my deliverer said he hath the providence of the gods brought you into these Deserts to save my life a second time and to preserve to the faire Coriza this unworthy cause of her afflictions as well as of her love Zelmatida embrac'd him often times before he made answere and hiding from him the truth of his voyage told him that the service of the King his father oblieged him to goe to the Court of the King of Mexico unknowne he came thither by chance where five men would have murthered him whom he had kill'd But tell me said he by what strange accident the Princesse Coriza came to be in that estate I found her and why you have flayne a man who seem'd to take on him her defence That story is long reply'd Tumanama yet I will not forbeare to relate it as succinctly as I can But first bee pleased that I unloade my faire Princesse of those chaines with which the perfidious Maranita hath shewed her more his bruitishnesse then his affection When he had said thus he kneeled down and was in that posture till he had broken all the faire Coriza's bonds This done he presented Zelmatida to the Princesse and adressing his discourse to her See said he Coriza the generous Prince that for your sake forgetting my revolts and insolencies would not only give me my life and preserve my honour but withall disdain'd not to receive me into the number of his frends You see what he hath done for your deliverance give me leave to relate to him by what mishap you came to have neede of his courage and that I may justifie my selfe for the death of the traytor that fought for you Coriza here began to speake and told Zelmatida that the perplexities wherein she was gave her not the liberty to satisfie the obligations in which she was bound to him as well for her owne conservation as for her lovers but said she untill a better fortune give mee abler meanes to acknowledge your favours accept the recytall of my mishappes for a beginning of my payment Here Tumanama began and making use of the permission that Coriza gave him I was at the point said he to Zelmatida to receive not the recompance of my services for they are not considerable but the greatest proofes of the goodnesse of Coriza when as Maranita whom I had bred up as my brother and made partaker of all my secrecies as the best of my friends resolv'd himselfe on a treason so bruitish that it is not possible love should be the cause of it I had sent him to accompany the Princesse and to receive her out of my commands but he most perfidious having long before combyn'd with some others like himselfe for the taking away of Coriza surprized her one night and carried her away from the midst of her guards and chayning her as you saw brought her into this place with an intent to goe further even to the Court of Montezuma to finde there a Sanctuary for her perfidy The news of this attempt being brought me imagine if possible you can the complaints I made the blasphemies I threw out against the providence of our gods and the horrible actions my despaire made me resolve on I flew after the ravisher of my blisse without the knowledge or my advertizing of any of my subjects and fearing no danger but that which threatned Coriza I ran through the Woods and Mountaines and got into the countrey of my greatest enemy I was so happy in my search that yesterday at Sun-set I descry'd Maranita's troupe That object transporting me with ãâã I neither considered the number of my enemies nor the inequality of the combat I was about but desperately fell in among the traytors to have atleast the contentment to die in the sight of my Coriza Maranita eyther not induring to see mee or persecuted with the remorse of his Conscience made ten or twelve of his associats to turne on me and kept forth his way whilest I strove to rid me of those that would stop me I spent all the rest of the day to bring them in case that they should no more contest with me for my passage and party of the night to follow the ravisher You saw how I found him and you must now informe me who were those that fought with him and what oblieged you to fight in his defence Therewith Coriza spake Zelmatida said shee to her lover cannot satisfie your demand I alone knowe the true cause of that combat not only because it was done in my presence but that by my endeavââ¦ur it was undertaken You shall know that among those whose service Maranita made use of for my rape there were two who not being able to see mee without loving me at least they strove to perswade me so gave me their fayths that they would free mee from the hands of that Traytor But they asked me for my ransome that which I could not grant them I feyn'd yet to consent and did so dexââ¦rously keepe them in their resolution that seeing my selfe at the point to lose that person which of all in the world is most deare to mee and incomparably more precious then my life I would try this last remedy and by all meanes ââ¦ee mee from the tyranny of Maranita I call'd then for my two lovers and having conjur'd them to leave me no longer at the mercy of our common enemie I perswaded them so effectually that presently under some ill pretext they quarelled and fell on him Truly on this occasion he shewed a great deale of courage Two of his enemies he slew and though his owne had not come to helpe him I beleeve hee had beene able enough to have dispatch'd all the rest Amongst the five bodies you see lying there on my right hand are my unfortunate lovers This while those that remayned of the conspiracy desirous to revenge their deaths let drive at Maranita but being stoutly repuls'd they were constrayned to take them to their heeles Maranita transported with fury followed them with those of his owne party and was an houre before I saw him againe For my self I was not in a little trouble for I saw an occasion present it selfe to get me away and when I would have put it in execution I knew that by reason of the chaines on my heeles I was not possibly able to goe I threw my selfe then on the ground againe and calling oftentimes Tumanama to helpe me I would needes try whether my fetters were not strong enough to
assistance Confirme there the honour which the Queene your Mother hath done me and be good enough to perswade your selfe that I will acquit my selfe worthily of the charge that is imposed upon me If you beleeve thus much you will oblige me to lose that ill opinion I have of my selfe and by that happy deceipt you will make me like those who transported by the force of their imagination have alone gotten battells and made their way through ruine it selfe Whilst Zelmatida spoke thus affectionately Isatida looked on him her eyes halfe shut and unable to answer she being so neere touched stood as one that was neither halfe awake nor well asleepe At last she came to her selfe and seeing my deare Master at her feet conjured him to have more reason then her selfe After these few words she held her peace and was yet sometime silent But when she could speake indeed she made it well appeare by her discourse that the truest love is accompanied with feare She imagined difficulties which could not betide her otherwise then by the apprehension of those dangers to which she saw her lover exposed After that love had expressed all that hath of tendernesse feare and disquiet Reason became Mistris and shewed Isatida how far her councells and feares were unjust She condescended to these remonstrances and was constrained by her good disposition not only to consent to what the King desired of her but oftentimes to entreate him to forget what was passed and to be yet once more the Defender of the empire of Montezuma Zelmatida that knew very well how to husband with a great deale of discretion the wit and favour of Isatida and who for her sake feared so much that most commonly he avaided the occasions of entertaining her and beleeved that he ought no more to wrong her facility He therefore retired and t was well he did so for he was no sooner in his lodging but Hismalita sent for him He went to the Pallace and understood that the Quene was retired into her Cabinet with the chiefe of her Councell There was order left for his entrance and that was the cause he attended not at the doore As soone as Hismalita saw him she arose to receive him and seating him in a chaire next below her owne T is fit said she that we make you a partner of the ill newes which are newly brought me and that by the Picture which the King my Lord hath sent me you should know the deplorable estate into which his great heart and unfaithfull fortune have precipitated him Praysed be the gods he is not dead as I feared but the perfidious Tyrant of Thevic detaines him prisoner and so unworthily useth him that as I understand by his posts he wisheth himselfe a thousand times in a day in the stately Tombe that he hath caused to be built for the glory of those Monarques from whom he is descended His cruell enemy threatens him continually with death and to make it more full of griefe and infamous he thinks to bring him to the spacious towne place of Mexico and to execute him in the sight of his wife and children But wretched and unfortunate Hismalita thine eyes shall never behold this horrible spectacle or thine armes shall not be strong enough to pluck thee from so sad a destiny After a showre of teares shed by the Queene in ending this complaint abode a while in silence and her eyes shut at last she opened them and extending her hands to Zelmatida deare stranger said she or rather some visible god that art descended from heaven for the safety of Mexico be favorable to my just prayers hearken to those of all my Subjects looke on the fetters and bondage of Montezuma and suffer not the impious Coatelicamat confidering his powerfull offences to have cause to confirme himselfe in his abhominable intentions Goe on with your weapons drawne to meete this Monster make him to feele the weight of that arme under which the mighty Gyant Popocampecho fell and by the like stroake avenge a wife unjustly persecuted avenge those children whose innocence would make the most barbarous to relent avenge millions of Soules which are guiltlefly tormented and avenge the gods in avenging your selfe Zelmatida blushing at the flattery and impiety of the Queene was twice or thrice about to answere but judging it a crime to contest with them he tooke another Subject to talke to her and comforted her for the imprisonment of Montezuma in promising to expose his life for his delivery I accept of all your offers replyed Hismalita and feele from them I know not what hope that seemes to assure me of the returne of my prosperities But bethinke you as well of your owne conservation as of ours beleeve lesse to your courage then judgement execute not that by your selfe which your Souldiers may performe and lose not us by your too much hazarding your selfe There is no danger to be run answered Zelmatida when a good cause is defended and that Justice goes along with our armes The disloyall Coatelicamat shall feele that remorse and those terrors wherewith traytors are tortured and his unfortunate end shall be an eternall and most fearfull warning to all Rebells to keepe those Lawes inviolable which the gods have ordayned them This discourse ended Zelmatida and some of the Mexican Princes went forth from the Queene and resolved that instantly they should advance to meete the rebells The two or three next dayes were imployed in the viewing and mustering of the Troopes and the king found that he had above a hundred thousand men Of those he left part for the guard of the City and as soone as he had taken leave of Isatida marched out of Mexico with all the presages that might assure him of the victory After he had put his Army in batalia beyond the lake he tooke the way of Culhuacan which is foure miles from Mexico and sent forerunners to learne newes of the enemy and knew at their returne that the Rebells marched as men that knew how to make warre and that on the hearing that they were come out of Mexico their vantguards had entrenched themselves in a village whence it was very hard to force them Zelmatida very glad of this news kept on his way and made his men march day and night Some Thevician Couriers came to meete him and began light skirmishes The Inca caused them to be undertaken to the end to advance his troopes the most he could when he came to certaine Hillocks which covered the bourg he encamped and advised to lodge there all night At day breake he resolved to force the enemy and therfoe chose out of his Army ten thousand of his best men and of them composed five batalions which he led himselfe where he intended they should fight and after he had given such order every where that it was hard if the onset thrived not he made all to fall on at the same time Those which were led by
not well yet had she not the patience to have her absent but sent an absolute command that she should dresse her that nothing of sadnesse might be intermingled with the publique rejoycing Isatida came where she was expected but at her entry they might perceive in her lookes such a kinde of coldnesse that she had beene generally condemned if the pretext of her sicknesse had not repressed the indiscreete zeale and reproaches of all the people She never cast an eye on her victorious servant and by that entertainment so little expected taught him a faire lesson of that humility of minde wherewith we should receive those disgraces that betide us then when we thinke we have least deserved them He was much troubled at it and detesting all the honors they did him put this day into the number of the most unfortunate in his life Presently he called to minde all that he had done nay all that he had thought on since he left the Princesse And seeing that the witnesses of his Conscience set his minde at rest he tooke this indifferency of Isatida as a remedy which she had found to allay that vanity which possibly so many happy fortunes joyned together might have caused in him As soone as Hismalita was retyred Isatida that tooke notice of her servants discontent sent him word by Galtazis that she desired his company to her chamber that she might know from him that which her indisposition had not suffered her to behold Zelmatidaes heart leapt at this welcome command and was so transported with it that his wound opened and notwithstanding all that they could apply to it bled such a great quantity of blood that the Princesse tooke notice of it and grew as pale and feeble as if her owne blood had run from the wound of my deare Master He came neer her and taking her by the arme to assist her You see said he how my heart it selfe gives you a testimony of its fidelity It hath alwaies feared that my words were by you suspected and that you doubted of the assurances which my mouth for its part gave you It knowes that it is an interpreter artificiall and cryed downe and that all ages have attainted it of treason and flashood It is long since too that it hath stroven by all meanes to make it selfe knowne to you At last Fortune is come to his ayde and facilitating things which seemed impossible hath given it that which it could not obtayne from nature 'T is faire Isatida that it speakes by my wound and the drops of blood that fall thence are so many words by which it makes knowne to you its infinite love and protests that my mouth hath said nothing to you till my heart had given it a most expresse commandement Isatida comming to her selfe whilest my deare Master spoake to her thus passionately could no longer hold that little anger which she had resolved he should undergoe I must confesse said he that you have a great power over our mââ¦des surely we sh ould not thinke it strange that you overcome Giants since you shew your selfe of suffi ci ency to vanquish that which is naturally invincible Triumph then Zelmatida since you deserve it triumph over my choler as well as of the second Popocampecho But be not like those unfortunate Conquerors that have found their grave in their triumphant Chariot Goe thinke on your woundes and when you are in case to be seene I will tell you the cause of my anger In the meane time I command you to feare it no more it is now as unable to hurt you as the Giant you have overcome My deare Master would needs perswade Isatida that his wounde was nothing not considerable But as soone as the Princesse opened her lips to repeate the commandment she had given him he obeyed according as was accustomed and that seperation was an ill farre more sensible then that he had received in his combate After his being in his Chamber they closed his wounde and though indeed it was but little yet for all that it incommodated him extreamely The next morning he came forth and had almost the whole daies liberty to see Isatida He besought her a thousand times to tell him the cause of her anger You beleeve said the Princesse to him that I have no cause to complaine But know that I have subject enough since against my command and your promise you have not feared to hazard that which is mine and to fight alone against a Monster who thought himselfe strong enough to defeate a whole Army My deare Master seeing the pleasing indignation of the Princesse shall I beleeve said he that any thought of me could at any time possesse a minde so much divine as yours Certainely though hitherto I have found goodnesses in you which are no where else seene Yet did I not imagine them so infinite that they could extend to the care of my preservation But I know whence this tendernesse comes You looke on me as the worke of your owne hands and would retard my losse since you beleeve that your power would suffer some diminution if you should suffer to perish the least thing that is if it bore any marke of yours This nimblenesse of wit answered Isatida wherewith you put off any thing that might hurt you hinders not me yet from being offended and that I beleeve not but you esteeme litle of my friendship since you make no more difficulty to put me into a perplexity I know what you can say to justifie your action and will not give so much to my fancy but I will give more to your considerations Therefore I forget what is past and looke no more on your last actions but on that side where they are to you most glorious and honorable But if ever it happen that you neglect my intreaties and doe not tie your selfe scrupulouââ¦ly to those necessities I shall enjoyne you know that I shall not be alwaies good and that I shall have power enough over my selfe to take from you those favours which by you shall be neglected This convââ¦rse had lasted longer but an extraordinary noise arising about the Pallace engaged Zelmatida to preferre the safety of strangers before his owne He ran where the clamour and confusion was greatest and saw that on all ââ¦ands the Mexicans fled and ran into the Towne with an incredible terrour and disorder He stopped these Runawaies and suffring himselfe to be transported with the just anger that so generall a cowardize had lightned in his soule Have you resolved cried ââ¦e to them to deliver your selves your Wives and Children to the fury of your enemies Must the proââ¦d and triumphant Mexico which neither feares the force nor the subtleties of so many people banded against her be this day turned into ashes by the infamous treachery of ãâã ãâã Inhabitants What a shame is it yee Mexicans You call the Rebells within yââ¦ur ãâã and abandoning to them all your entrances signifie to your
free them from it went foreight to Isatidaes chamber It was told him that Montezuma had sent for her and that she should be that night with the Queene What a friend had that fatall Messenger beene to Zelmatida if he had given him his death when he brought him this unwelcom newes My deare master had not suffered but one death when since that unfortunate day he is passible of all and passible without seeing any end of them He was not content with an answere to him so fatall but enquired after the causes of that novelty but learning nothing that could give him satisfaction he retyr'd himselfe to his lodging not to take any rest but to increase his vexation by the agitations of his Soule The day following so sad a night was far more sorrowfull My deare Master could not see the King nor the Queen and that which afflicted him more he could not possibly either know where the princesse Isatida was nor to see any of her attendants It was late night when Galtazis came to him from Hismalita and signified that her religion and certaine vowes which she and her daughters had made during the imprisonment of Montezuma oblieged them to a long retyrement and she therefore besought him that he would not thinke it strange and would not beleeve that without very great and lawfull causes they would deprive themselves of the contentment of seeing him But added Galtazis I am to informe you or some things more true and more important too then these Retyre to your owne lodgings and doe me the honour to expect me there In the meane time recall that vigour and great courage by which we have knowne Gyants to be so easily over com With those helps you must encounter such as are more redoubtable then those that you have vanquish'â⦠Galtazis in leaving him gave a paper into his hands and prayed him by way of diversion that he would take the paines to reade it Zelmatida retyred and commanding all to leave him alone and willing to see what the dwarfe had given him He unfolded the paper and read that which followeth Mirzenia unworthy Archiculti of the sacred Ziamacazques and least servant of the gods To Montezuma Image of their Benediction AFter the sacrificing the three hundred Panucien slaves which thy soveraigne valour destinated for the Gods on the day of thy tryumph after the besprinkling their holy Images bathing the feete of their Altars and washing the tyles of their Chappell 's with so much blood as was consecrated to them After the filling the Censers royall with the precious gumme of Copââ¦llii and perfumed the heavenly nosthrills with so sweete an odor I have poured out mine owne blood from all parts of my body and by my purifications have merited the sight of the great Zezcatlipuca whose providence watcheth alwaies over the Empire of Mexico His presence hath rent the vayles that hid from me what was to come hereafter I have seene the shadow of future things more cleere then the beames of the Sun and behold that which they reserve for thee both of good and evill Thy Raigne shall be lesse remarkable by thy conquests then by thy imprisonment and thy life which is to be unfortunate shall be farre lesse so then thy death Thou shalt be despoiled of thy Empire without losing the Title of King and though it be transported into a strange family thou shalt yet have successors of thine owne race I see comming from another world Monsters that fly on the sea and and throw fire every where They shall disgorge on the shoares unknowne men who by their presence alone shall destroy those people that obey thee and thy selfe consenting to their losse shalt suffer one of those men to take thee prisoner in thine owne Pallace and to lead thee in triumph through proud Mexico These great revolutions have their prefixed terme The time is neer Thy calamities approch Thy enemies leave their aboades and already some of those Monsters that are to produce them have beene seene on our coastes The only remedy which I finde for thy ills is that thou get a Virgin Princesse Daughter to a great King whose power thou redoubtest By her intercessions thou shalt avert thy misfortunes confirme thy tottering Throne and make thy Children to raigne many ages after thee But who can give thee knowledge of that royall Virgin and by what good hap without example canst thou ravish her out of the armes of her Father If ever thou possesse that treasure keepe it more carefully then thy life be more jealous of it then of thine Empire hââ¦ve a carâ⦠it be not stollen from thee and above all keepe it hidden from that redoubted Stranger who under pretext of offring thee his service and armes will come to steale her from thee This Conqueror of Nations will enter thy Territories as a man unknowne but by his valour he shall soone make himselfe Master of thy Subjects and by her also he shall pluck thee from a shamefull death prepared for thee At that time thou shalt lose the Virgin which thou hast so carefully kept and that losse shall be followed by all those wherewith the gods threaten thee Zelmatida having ended the reading of the scrole would have given it an explication that might not be displeasing to him He therefore justified himselfe in his owne thoughts from all that which might make him to be that stranger which this prediction deciphered and speaking as if some Judge had questioned him My conscience said he my passed actions and my designes absolutely bely this false prophet I neither pretend tâ⦠the Crowne of Mexico nor to the life of Montezuma T is true I love Isatida and ãâã deprive me of the happinesse of seeing her is to force me to strange extreamities As ãâã was further thus going on Galtazis came in and surprised him in his deepe meditations My Master said the little One to him he was wont to call him so I bring you the cruell explication of the Prophesie I left with you but I bring it you imperfect since I could ãâã understand but the end of the discourse which on that subject Montezuma had with Hismalita Be assured said she to him that the time is come in which we and our Empire are to fall into the hands of strangers My delivery is a great and a certaine ãâã of it and the love which all my Subjects beare to the invincible stranger agââ¦eing with the inclination of Isatida makes it so evident that unlesse I will betray my selfe I can no more doubt of it I know that the fatall Virgin is in our custody and that we may shut her up in a place where none shall see her But to whom shall we ââ¦ust that may hinder her being stolen and forced from us We will not resolve nor you nor my selfe to keepe her during both our lives and those others which we shall chuse as the most faithfull for this important deposit may be t is possible
the first that shall deliver the Maiden into the hands of our enemy Hismalita at that word interââ¦upting the King her husband I know said she an expedient far more easy then all that T is fit that the death of one single person should save the lives of a whole Nation and that we secure our owne and our Empire by cutting off those that are to deprive us of them O never have so horrible a thought replied Montezuma it is expresly forbidden us to lay violent hands on the Virgin She ought to be more pretious to us then our owne lives and I have learnt from the very mouth of the great Mirzenia that in the very same instant that this Innocent shall die I shall meet the full period of my daies Know then what we must doe answered Hismalita let us send her to my Brother and conjure him to keepe her for us as carefully as he doth the valiant Inca which those of Quito put into our hands after the death of Guina Capa We shall have cause to live at quiet when this misfortunate Protectresse shall ââ¦e so far from all mens knowledge and seeing that the captivity of Alisma who without doubt is the to-be-feared stranger with whose fury the gods doe threaten us hath made us live these twelve yeeres in a tranquââ¦y which hath not beene interrupted but by your bondage let us be confident that the imprisonment of our Daughter will make our good daies everlasting I should be of your minde replied Montezuma if Mirzenia had spoken to me but of one stranger but I take notice of two in his prediction and when I shall beleeve that Alisma may passe for one of them I must yet feare a second And that second is no other then that invincible stranger who may terme himselfe more then I the absolute Master of my Empire To put him to death besides that it is expresly forbidden me I cannot consent to it since I have no moââ¦e life nor other Crowne then what his valour hath given me I am not said Hismalita swaied by these considerations unworthy of a royall soule but I am resolved by the menaces of Mirzenia Make me see that that stranger cannot die without the losse of our selves and I will make you soone knowe that Kings ought not to have any consideration but for themselves and as they are above all the services that can be rendred them they are so too above all the conceptions that nature gives to common persons May the gods this very day accomplish all their threates said the King to her rather then I consent to those mischievous Maximes No no the stranger shall never perish by my will nor shall the life that he hath given me be the cause of his death Thââ¦t which we have to doe is to intertaine him in such sort that our people may know that we are neither so weake spirited to be jealous of him nor so ingrate to deny him the recompence of his labours T is possible that time may cleare our doubts and make us see that we interpret ill the will of our gods Galtazis after he had thus faithfully related the discourse between Montezuma and Hismalita advised him to stand on his guard and not to trust so much in the goodnesse of the husband but that he should be alwaies armed against the malice of the wife My deare Master thinking lesse on his owne conservation then that of Isatida but Galtazis said he where is the faire Mistris What doth she with Hismalita is it impossible for me to see her And should she be taken for the Virgin mentioned in this impertinent prediction To all this said the Dwarfe I can give you but little satisfaction My faire Mistris is more strictly guarded then her Sisters she lies with the Queene her Mother and goes not out of her Chamber She weepes she sighes she pities your misfortune more then her owne and knowing in what perplexity you are she sends me to entreat you either that you will goe out of Mexico or secke not the meanes to see her As for that which belongs to the prediction I cannot tell you whether Isatida be the Virgin so necessary for the conservation of Montezuma but I will tell you that I most passionately wish it for if she be the Maiden I feare not any more that terrible anger which I read in the eyes and all the actions of Hismalita For other things prepare you selfe for the honours that Montezuma resolves to conferre on you and faine so well that he may not perceive that you doe dissemble I will informe you to morrow if I can the councells which the night shall give to my faire Mistris Galtazis tooke back againe the letter after he had given this advise to Zelmââ¦ida and returned to the Pallace The Inca was left alone and knowing not what to resolve on passed in a moment from pity to indignation and from love to all hatred At last reposing all his affaires in that providence which had never forsaken him let us suffer Zelmatida said he to himselfe and prepare our selves for all the injustices that fortune is capable of provided that the hope to see Isatida again be not taken from us we may vaunt our selfe sufficiently strong to overcome all things These speeches and others the like intertaining him all night he rose without taking the least rest He was no sooner out of his bed when five or six of those old Princes who during the siedge of Mexico had beene witnesses of his noble actions came to him and said that Montezuma had sent them to accompany him to the triumph that all Mexico did owe to his incomparable vaiour Zelmatida much surprised at so great a change begun his discourse by very obliging demeanures and continued it by as humble thanks which he besought the Princes to present to Montezuma I know said he that all that which comes either from gods or Kings ought to be received by men with as much amazement as glory and t is a most proud humility to reject their presents under pretext that they doe not deserve them The king yet I hope will have so much goodnesse as not to constraine me to a thing which I refuse not because I am unwotthy of it but I would refuse it because my condition of a banished man and the calamity of those that brought me into the world permit me not to be fortunate Those Princes used aâ⦠their eloquence to get him to receive that honour and grew so earnest in it that they deputed one from among them to give notice to Montezuma of Zelmatida's refusall The weake King if ever there were any going from one extreamity to another came himselfe to the lodging of my Lord the Inca and after he had asked his pardon for his retirement told him that he had not kept himselfe alone two daies but to the end that he might passe all the rest of his life in the others company Your
greatnesse to abandon your throne and to put your person into the hands of a Prince who sometimes would have given the halfe of his Empire to whosoever would have brought him your head Zelmatida stopping Axiaman my deare friend said he the beleefe that our Divines have gotten to themselves through the superstition of weake spirits rather then by the truth of their predictions exerciseth at this day its tyranny over the councell of Kings as absolutely as over the Assemblies of the common people The most wise amongst the Caciques preoccupated with these vaine errors have no more hope neither in the abilities of their Ministers nor in the valour of their Armies but regulating all their affaires by the melancholy visions of their false Prophets draw on their ruine in striving to divert it Montezuma is not the man alone strucken with this dangerous malady The contagion hath even reached Quasmez and hath to himselfe made his owne happinesse ââ¦o insupportable that some have beene enforced to use strong oppositions to hinder him from going out of his owne Territories to put himselfe into the mercy of his mortall enemy The pity to see so good a Prince in so strange a phrensy hath caused me to come alone into this Kingdome and heere makes me live unknowne T is true I had gone hence long since if a cause sufficient to stay me eternally forced me not to put all things else in oblivion rather then to part hence And I must tell it thee Axiaman and in so doing I make thee the depositary of my fortune of my life and of mine honour Axiaman hearing Zelmatida talke thus threw himselfe at his feete and embracing his knees no no my Lord said he I recall that indiscreet request I made to you Discover not so great secrets to me Their importance makes me mistrust my selfe I begin to feare the weakenesse of humane mindes for it may chance that by one of those mishaps which troubles the judgement and makes the most innocent to offââ¦nd that striving to keepe my faith inviolated to you I fall into some perfidy Zelmatida raising up the Prince I know Axiaman said he better then Axiaman knowes himselfe and I thinke that neither hope nor feare which can doe all shall be ever able to make him guilty of an ill action Heare then deare Axiaman my deplorable fortune and have pity on a wretch to whom both life and death are equally funestous I am come to Mexico to seeke out a treasure which Montezuma hath stollen from Quasmez and in lieu of finding it I have lost my selfe That eternall and sovereigne power which raignes over all men hath made me loue Isatida and my will yet more absolute then destiny hath imposed on me a necessity of serving her all my life and to conceive of her as of something farre more to be valued then either the Empire of Quasmez or that of Montezuma Axiaman staied not to answer till Zelmatida had made an end of his discourse but interrupted him and said that he needed to know no more of it to be satisfied of many things that were passed and especially of the causes of Isatida's imprisoning I aske you no more said he your businesse on the Lake I have discovered that designe and I see whither you would goe but to cut you off from a fruitlesse labour I will tell you newes the most pleasant that you can receive in your ill fortune and t is that I am the sole man intrusted by Montezuma for the guarding of Isatida On the suddaine the Prince gave way to be transported with his first conceptions But presently reason and noblenesse opposed themselves against the fury of those pernicious Councellors and represented to Zelmatida that he ought to exact from Axiaman nothing that was unworthy of either of them He suppressed therefore in himselfe the unjust requests that he intended to make him and sighing often Is it possible said he to Axiaman that you are Isatida's Guardian I am so replied he and judge you to what Montezuma's opinion of my fidelity obligeth me That 's my despaire cried Zelmatida that Montezuma hath made so good an elect ion All the waies to get Isatida are shut to me and I may obtaine from the most brutish and cruell of all the Mexicans that which I neither can expect nor desire especially from you Axiaman continued this poore Lover with a sad tone you have then Isaââ¦ida in your power and you may when you please taste the sweets of her sight and converse I have that good fortune replied Axiaman and if the prison of the Princesse were not to me a continuall cause of discontent I should thinke my selfe happier in keeping heâ⦠then in commanding all Mexico How cried againe Zelmatida you keepe Isatida Axiaman you guard Isatida Axiaman interrupting him for feare he should intreat somewhat which he could not graunt my Lord said he suppose your selfe in my place ãâã you please and wrest not from a person that can deny you nothing till you have considered what an honest man owes to his word owes to those that trust him and owâ⦠to himselfe I aske nothing of you replied Zelmatida but that you will deplore of fortune I will doe more said Axiaman without being fââ¦lse to Montezuma or to my ââ¦fe I will bring you to the sight of Isatida Adde not said Zelmatida adde not any condition to what you offer Yes deare Axiaman I promise to aske you nothing nor to eââ¦terprise ought after so deare a sight If you feare that my passion is likely to ãâã me charge me with fetters binde my armes and hands and let me have nothing ãâã ãâã the use of speech I will endure all on condition to have yet once the happinesse to behold my faire Princesse and to know from her owne mouth what she hath resolved of my life I will get me farre away from Mexico amongst places not habitable to end my deplorable destiny Axiaman resolute to give my deare Master that contentment t is enough said he to him I know that Zelmatida can doe nothing that is not worthy of himselfe Be then my deare Lord to morrow at this houre at the foot of the great Tower of the Castle and assure your selfe that you shall see Isatida if she expresly forbid it not Zelmatida a thousand times embracing Axiaman and calling him as often the Author of his reviving tooke leave of him and retired to his lodging He could not shut his eyes all night but to execute what he had resolved he went out of his chamber at breake of day and was at the rising of Montezuma After diverse discourses he fell on that of his house and inventing to the King divers most important newes told him that he was called home by his Father and that the Cacique his Uncle by the mariage of his Daughter with him would make an end of all those differences which had almost ruined their Family Montezuma seemed to take no great pleasure in
the royall blood of the Incas and that have beene thought dead above twelve yeeres I am the same answered Alisma and owe the honour of seeing you to the valour of that Prince in so saying he shewed my deare Master who after many yeeres of fearefull slavery gave me at once both my life and liberty The Queene unable to suppresse the perplexity wherein she was Must I cried she ââ¦ither violate a law which I have so justly established or that I must cause its execution by the death of that man to whom I am most obliged of all men living After this she commanded Alisma to kneele againe and Zelmatida to arise and answer in his turne and did it of purpose to see whether in condemning him she might not save the other Zelmatida arose and standing fixed lifted his eyes to behold the Princesse She gazed on him as earnestly and presently striking her hands together O gods cried she is it not an Apparition I see Certainely I have either lost the remembrance of my Daughters face or this is the same she had when I delivered her into the possession of Guina Capa After this exclamation she held her peace and kept her eyes long fixed on my deare Master Atlast not longer aââ¦le to hide her astonishment she arose and cried out this is my Daughter unfortunate that I am or I am Inchanted Those words caused a great confusion in the Assembly but Telesmana imposing silence commanded my deare Master to tell her who he was Great Queene said he you enjoyne me that which the unfortunatenesse of my birth permits me not to give you satisfaction in To this present hath it beene to me impossible either to know my Parents or my Country This worthy King whose justice and integrity makes him beloved even of the most impious the incomparable Quasmez I say whom you have beleaguered pardon me if I say without any just cansâ⦠bred me up as his Son Yet I know I am not so but only in affection and the propitious care of the gods gave me that good Father when I was abandoned by those who gave me life Heere Zelmatida held his peace and expected without any shew of feare what Telismana would pronounce touching his life But the Queene had not then time for it a suddaine noise of trumpets and other instruments wherewith the Amazons heartned themselves for fight being heard through all the Campe. The shouts and tumlts of those warriours joinde with the noise of the trumpets gave not over till the Authors of those rejoycings were come into Telesmana's Tent. They put us on one side of her Throne and presently we saw enter Quasmez Embassadors They observed all those ceremonies used in such Audiences and came with a gravity mixed with respect to the Queen's Throne She stood up to receive them and witnessed by her actions that she was full of contentment but that it was accompanied with some disquiet By chance the chiefe of the Embassadors casting his eyes on Zelmatida was seised on with an exââ¦reame astonishment His desire not to be long in doubt of a thing that was to him of so great consequence made him gaze on the Lord my Inca with as much earnestnesse as he could Now he looked on him then cast his eyes on Telesmana as if he would aske who her prisoner was and then back againe on him and doubting no more but that it was Zelmatida Great Queene said he to Telesmana the gods the ââ¦avourers of virtue have this day made appeare a wonderfull act of their providence We came from the King our Master to intreat you to receive his excuses and for you to justifie the actions that with a violent and armed hand have beene executed within his Territories But I finde ââ¦eete that which shall give satisfaction to your just indignation wherewithall to appease yââ¦ur anger to make you lay downe your armes to comfort your afflictions and in short to make you turne the hatred you beaââ¦e the just Quasmez into an eternall friendship I bring you or to say more properly I finde in your owne hands that treasure for which you undertooke this warre and give you this intelligence that you have in your power that victorious Prince which you aske from us Yes Madam under the name of Zelmatida you have the worthy successor of the great Guina Capa the precious Issue of your admirable Daughter and that Son to whom the pitifull Tigres were both Guardians and Nurses And with this the Embassador went and taking Zelmatida by the hand and shewing him to the Queene see said he Quasmez love and delighâ⦠Behold the Prince by whom the gods are pleased that he shall recover the felicity he hath lost in a word Behold your Son No man can speake of it more certainely then my selfe for t was I that tooke him out of the pawes of the pitifull Tigres that brought him with the body of the Queene his Mother from the midst of the Quitonians and gave him into the Armes of Quasmez Telesmana cleered by this discourââ¦e of those doubts which had obliged her to resist all respect and force of bloud descended from her Throne and falling on the neck of my Lââ¦rd the Iââ¦a Mine eyes then said she my Son which have beene so long time steeped in teares for your losse and your Mothers give me now that comfort wââ¦ich the gods have alwaies promised me I will now no more beleeve that my Daughter is dead since intirely living in you she hath but only changed her sexe But O worthy Heire of the great Guiâ⦠Capa miraculously preserved should you be thus presented to me What thinke I oâ⦠that I suffer you to stand thus long as a criminell Cut cut ãâã cordââ¦s and let us ãâã more complaine of men since their very wickednesse hath laboured ââ¦or the consolation of all the rest of my life The Queene in saying so unbound Zelmatida and Zelmatida marked all this withââ¦ut the least transport of pleasure in ââ¦eing knowne the ãâã of sâ⦠great a Priâ⦠On the contrary he stood afflicted among all thââ¦se causes of rejoycing gââ¦ieved to see Alisma and my selfe in danger And resolving to renounce ââ¦ll advantage rather then to suffer us to receive the least displeasure he staââ¦ed ãâã Queene and told her he would neither enjoy life nor liberty if the companionâ⦠in ãâã ãâã were not too pertakers of his good fortune But what hinders you from ãâã ãâã brave man pointing to Alisma He is a King Guina Capa declared him ãâã ãâã ãâã you cannot be just and suffer Alisma to be thus in bonds Alisma on ãâã ãâã ââ¦ide saâ⦠that the Queene ought not to be forsworne for the saving of his ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Master had done him that honour to declare him King but it was ãâã ââ¦tion that he had never a Son that therefore she should end what she had beguâ⦠ãâã ãâã that for ãâã favour he would desire her only the stay of execution
a little while that he might at ââ¦is pleasure embrace the King his Master and for some ãâã enjoy the ââ¦ght of the yong Guina Capa And that after so much contentment he wouâ⦠walke to his ãâã ãâã with all joy and glory and esteeme himselfe the happiest of all men living The King insisted to aske Alismaes life The spectators of eyther sex made resound againe their joy and wonder and her Pallace was all in rejoycings and confusion such as I thinke the History of all ages cannot give us an accident comparable with it The Queene when the tumult was over entertayning the while Zelmatida particularly sent to command every one to take his place and when all were ranged she went againe into her Throne and pronounced these words aloude The supposed death of the great Guina Capaes lawfull Heire wrought by the malice of men wonne me not only to make a lawe which condemned to death all men that fell into my hands but likewise to denounce a warre against the King Quasmez my brother and ancient Ally But this finding againe my sonne by the helpe of men I will That lawe be for ever abolished and putting a period to the war I undertooke I acknowledge my selfe answerable to Quasmez and give him most particular thanks for so charitably gathering together the remainder of my desolate house When she had thus made knowne her will she descended from her Throne and taking Zelmatida by the hand gave Alisma and my selfe the best entertainment we could wish Quasmez Embassadours ravished with so incredible and such an unexpected revolution of businesse did their complements to Zelmatida as to the rightfull successour of the Incaes and besought Telesmana that she would be pleased they might send their Master these good news I my selfe said he will be the Messenger of our common happinesse let therefore some one of you returne to Quasmez and without giving him intelligence of what hath happened tell him that I am on the way to visite him The youngest of the Embassadours had that Commission and presently departed to put it in execution A little after the Queene went out of her Campe holding Zelmatida by the one hand and Alisma by the other Quasmez Embassadours were on each side of her and the Queenes guard crowned with chaplets of flowres encompassed that illustrious company In this manner we marched to the gates of the City where Quasmez expected us and in the incertainty he was failed not of that extreme quietnes of minde which even the most miserable find in the testimony of a good conscience and firme confidence every one ought to have in the goodnesse of the gods Telesmana at her comming to him presented Zelmatida and after their salute See said she the cause of the warre and the cause of peace See what hath made me take up armes and that which hath made me lay them downe I know just and charitable Quasmez that Zelmatida is my sonne as well as yours and if your love and care have made you taken for his Father blood and nature oblige me to declare my selfe his Mother Quasmez not knowing where first to expresse his joy and the proofes of his aââ¦ction whether to the Mother or to the Sonne would have beene glad at once to have parted himselfe betwixt Telesmana and Zelmatida Your imagination better then my relation can represent to you all the particularities of this interview I will not therfore speake of the Sacrifices nor magnificencies wherewithall Quasmez caused the returne of Zelmatida and the peace to be celebrated Let it suffice I tell you the Queene of the Amazons was a moneth with Quasmez and after she had witnessed to him an extreame resentment for those obligations she was bound to him in the behalfe of Zelmatida she with a royall pompe and convoy tooke thence the body of the Queene heâ⦠daughter tooke leave of him and stayed not till she came to the City of Quito Zelmatida who followed her by Quasmez appointment after two daies stay in that town was importuned by Alisma to goe to the Caverne of the Javelyn He consented and we three parted thence with our ordinary servants beginning that journey which the generous old man had beene so long desired We travelled night and day and tooke but little rest till we came to the Cave that concealed so many marvels We found not the entry so easy as Alisma had told us but contrarily as soone as we came neere it were set on by a great Troop of Quitonians who by their howlings enraged actions signified an extreame apprehension of our arivall Zelmatida making use of the good Sword I gave him at Calcicoëca which the Amazons had restored to him slew so many of those desperate people that what he did even passeth all likelyhood Alisma old as he was made shew of his former vigour and I that was willing to defend my life tryed to make use of those advantages that I had fetcht so farre off But the wonderfull valour of Zelmatida and his consorts strength had beene vaine against so many enemies iâ⦠the wisedome of Telesmana had not seconded the boldnesse of her sonne For as soone as she knew of his private departure she caused two thousand Amazons to follow him and commanded they should not returne without him Those generous Ladies fell in on the Quitonians when we were covered with wounds and round beset on all sides and drove them to the entry of the Caverne Zelmatida much moved with his owne disgrace put himselfe in the front of the Amazons and did so wonderfull deeds of armes that since they called him the God of warre At last he forced the caves enââ¦t left not one of the Quitonians alive Alisma entred next after him and ââ¦an ââ¦o the place where he had hid the fatall Iavelin He had much a doe to draw it out Yet at last he got it but he was much astonished when he returned to Zelmatida and sawe him busied in delivering a Prisoner He gazed on the man and presently letting fall the Iavelin out of his hand cryed out am I asleepe or doe I wake Is this a truth or a illusion that I see my Lord my deare Lord is it your selfe or your shadowe doe you know your Alisma or wot you who t is that vndoes your bonds Zelmatida was about to ask Alisma the reason of his astonishment when said the Prisoner takeing the generous old man by the hand t is even I Alisma who after so long imprisonment and a hundred times escaping the death prepared for me see my selfe freed by the valour of this brave yong man Doe you live then my Lord replyed Alisma Have you escaped the rage of your enemies Have the Gods preserved you among so many Executioners shall I beleeve it Yes O yee just Gods I will said he falling on his knees and acknowledging more and more that your incomprehensible providence governes by unknowne meanes the accidents of the worlde I will employ all
lesse he would not have much cared for hiding himselfe But for our sakes he resolved not to stirre but by night And indeed failed not the next following to steale from us to goe and continue his lamenââ¦ations neere that fatall Sepulchre The care we had of him sufferedus not to sleepe long We waken'd as he went forth and followed him for feare some mishappe might beââ¦de him As soone as he came into the Temple he ran to Isatidaes Tombe as one mad and draââ¦ing his sword stood a while speechlesse Presently he threw himselfe on the grounâ⦠and after he had above a hundred times called on the name of Isatida spoke these words aloud What have I now to doe faire Soule but to follow you and aââ¦andon those places that are deprived of the onely thing which made them amiable But how can I resolve to leave a place that is filled with your selfe You are not dead Isatida I see every where heere the lustre of your faire eyes T is their preââ¦ence that gives me the beames that enlighten me All this gold shines not but because it encompasseth you and these diamonds have none other fire but that which you lend them But O vaine consolations O discourse unworthy a reasonable man Thou ãâã now no more Isatida but gone for ever That faire body which charmed ââ¦e Sences is separated from that sweet soule which so imperiously reigned over mine That complexion so fresh and lively hath but one of is colours or to say true haââ¦h lost ââ¦hem all and those eyes that could not be seene without love are shut up that their change should not be noted for in lieu of being the throne of love ãâã they were living are ââ¦ow become his tombe for he is dead with them Come see what ãâã ãâã done inhumane Father And thou barbarous mother approach and see how weâ⦠ãâã knââ¦w ââ¦o end what you have begun This is the instaâ⦠that shall free you from those ãâã which your unhappy jealousies threw on you And thou Isatida whose name ãâã have for the last time in my mouth if it be not a horror to thee to ââ¦urne thâ⦠eyes from heaven where thou dwellest and cast them on this abhominable Earth behold thy Zalmatida ready to follow thee and to follow thee in such a sort that there shall be no more any consideration noâ⦠tyrany able to divide him from thee Come then ãâã thâ⦠pââ¦as faire Soule and receive the other halfe of thy selfe and thinke it noâ⦠ãâã to accomplish the promise you have so solemnly made me After he had said thus he arose and chusing the place where he intended to strike was falling on the point of his Sword when I caught him behinde and turning away the unfortunate weââ¦pon hiââ¦dred the greatest death that all the foregoing ages have bemoaned He fell ãâã iââ¦o a great choler but as soone as he had recollected himselââ¦e my deare ãâã said he I beleeved not that after your testimoniall of so much affection to me you would have discovered your haââ¦red at a time when I desired to make use of your courage What would ââ¦ou should become of me and why think you it not fit that one sole moment effect that which doubtlesly some houres shall or at least some dayes which you will needs add to my miserable life I made no answer at all but Bereamis representing the wrong he would doe his reputation to kill himself in lieu of resolving on a revenge worthy himselfe and his Mistris knew so well to make him waver by so many different reasons that he wonne him and brought him out of the Temple When we were returned to our lodging and that we saw him fit to heare us we strove to lenify his afflictions and a little to divert his cogitations intended to get him to depart the next day But when we proposed it to him he forbad us to speake of it and was eight daies intire to hearken after nothing but his griefes and to doe nought else but moysten with his teares the gold and pretious stones on Isatidaes tombe At last overcome by our importunities he resolved to be gone Yet upon this condition that wee should not speake to him either of Kingdomes nor of warre nor other matters that might divert his sorrow and wee on the contrary told him that he could not sufficiently lament his losse and so by little and little flattering his affliction wee tooke of all that it had most dangerous and made us capable to be hearkned to From Vacipala even to the Port where in coming from Cuba we had left our vessell wee had none other discourse but of Isatida Zelmatida recounted to us all the Graces she had living then told us the charms of her conversation anon the vivacity of her wit He extolled the knowledge she had in what ever was good and forgot nothing of all that which might make her to be beleeved for more then mortal At last after we had long traveled with much affliction wee came to the Port I last spoke of Our Mariners ravished with joy to see us after so long absence ran to salute Zelmatida to expresse their contentment but he looked on them as strangers nay even as enemies and could scarce abide the prayers they made for his preservation He went aboord and entred into the same Cabine wherein Bajazet first saw him I acquainted the Mariners in few words with all that which had befalne us and then went to Zelmatida to know what he intended Let 's be gone said he and lose our selves farre enough from a World wherein I finde nothing but new causes of despayre Let us fly from the unfortunate Quasmez from the happy Guina Capa and never more see those that may hereafter give us a sillable of consolation In a word let us seeke out death I perceived by his speeches that to irritate his melancholly was to lose him I therefore commanded my Mariners to steere for the Island of Hayty and did it of purpose to finde amongst the Spanyards some diversion that might be sufficient to cure the despayre of my Master In the meane while I was still with him and intended for feare of offending not to speake a word but when he should command me Our shippe was no sooner in full Sea but the winde shifted and made the Saylors feare a great Tempest For how could our voyage be happy when the good fortune of my Lord the Inca forsooke him at his comming forth of Quito It continued foule all night and the day following we lost sight of land and our Martiners now no more Masters abandoned the shippe to the mercy of the Sea The king was insensible of whatsoever was spoke to him But when one told him that we were certainly like to perish and that there was no more hope of safety I aske nought else said he and am where I have long wished me the only thing that grieves me in this accomplishment of my
as if he had doubted the truth of what he spoke and beginning to him a long recitall of all the misfortunes had betided him strove to perswade him that he was only borne but to be miserable The slave harkned to all these adventures with an extreame attention and answered thereto with so much judgment that he brought Polexander to doubt of some things which till that time he held most veritable and certaine Whilst these two different slaves thus entertained themselves the day broake and with the day the tempest redoubled But the bad weather could not hinder the Rovers to come out of their Quarters and assembled at the entry of the Fort to invite Bajazet to the dividing of the booty He came from his chamber and thinking not that what he went about worth the paines of advertising his Guests came where he was expected As soone as he was in place where his Army might heaââ¦e him he spake thus This is the day my companions that you shall receive a part of that which your valour and industry have deserved Nothing shall be partaged by authority or favour Every one shall have that which by justice he can hope for the priviledges shall be considered Therefore who ere hath any just pretentions let him present himselfe without raysing any tumult and make them knowne to those who are appointed for their Examination After he had left all the Piratts in this pleasing expectation and ordayned sixe of the eldest to receive their petitions and inquire the merit of those that presented them he went with the rest of the Captaines right to the Magazines By the way he met Iphidamantus and stopping to give him the complement asked him whether he had so much curiosiy as to see the Magazines and the riches which his valour had given them Iphidamantus answering this civilitie with his accustomed sweetnesse told Bajazet that he would waite on him They went then to the storehouses and wondred to see so much treasure Those that kept it presenting the Inventory to Bajazet did not only cause his wonder to redouble but made every one that heard it read beleeve himselfe more rich then all the Princes of Africa Presently Bajazet called a Councell to resolve in what manner they might preserve the value of so many rarities without discontenting the Souldier or losing the most part of so fayre Jewels All those of the councell being of divers opinious at last stuck to the opinion of Bajazet which was that they should take out of the old Treasure and the new all that they could finde or money coyned to divide it among the Souldiers and if that were not sufficient they might add to it some Ingotts of gold and silver that they might have cause to confesse that they had given them more then they ought to have promised themselves Bajazet seeing so generall a consent in the Captaines and desirous besides to signify to Iphidamantus the esteeme that he would all should have of his courage arose and taking his friend by the hand spake thus to all the Assembly T is at this time my Companions that we joyntly acquit our selves of a part of the debt we owe this valiant Christian. You have divers times already solicited me to give him that liberty which he hath so gloriously deserved I approve of your justice and am of opinion that it be done as soone as possibly may be But to accompany that action with some thing illustrious let us give him some considerable Present to make appeare to him that we make a far greater esteeme of men of valour then of great riches and may be by that meanes we may so winne him that he will have no desire to forsake us This generosity being approved in apparence by all them that heard it Bajazet arose to goe chuse amongst all that was rarest amongst the treasure some piece worthy of his liberality and Iphidamantes virtue Scarce had he gone two steps but he was staied short by the insolence of one of the Assistants Thalemut an old and valiant Pirat but the most brutish and insuportable of all those that beleved not God and feared not man was the cause of this tumult Long before this time had the beauty of Iphidamantus bred abhominable thoughts in this Divell and that prodigious affection breeding in him a jealousy of Baiazet he durst not tââ¦l then make that breake out which was so long brooding within him But when he sââ¦w that his Generall amplified too much as he list Iphidamantus merits and made shew of an extraordinary ââ¦ffection to have presents presented he was not able to containe himselfe nor to give bounds to his fury he therefore came streight to Baiazet his mouch even foming and his eyes on fire and art thou not content said he putting his hand on his Cimiter to robb us of this slaves ransom But that thou wilt have us pay for thy infamous actions with that which we have gotten by the expence of our lives If thou be so amorous of this womanish fare buy his honour with that which is thine owne and doe not I know not under what vaile of feigned noblenesse make the salary of a prostitute to be inroled with the reward of so many valiant men At that word Baiazet wholy transported from himselfe and Iphidamantus unwilling to live longer then to be avenged set hands to their Swords never considering into what danger the credit which Thalemut had with his companions might throw them Never saw ye two men equally offended run more alike to be revenged The one would prevent the other and each beleved that how great soever the reparation of this iniury might be yet it could not be satisfactory unlesse it were done by his owne hand On the other side Thalemut threatned aloud and seing the dispute of those two valiant men gave him time to doe any thing collected from the silence and coldnesse of his companions an assurance that his boldnesse pleased them These two occasions swelling him in pride gave him the daring to strike a blow with his Scimiter at Bajazers head and with such a violence that without heavens particular providence they had seen expire by an infamous weapon one of the most glorious lives of the world Baiââ¦zet avoiding this blow and looking on Iphidamantus What said he are you confederate with this Assasin and become enemie to your selfe Will you be this Barbarians second Whilst he spoke thus more then twenty or thirty of his Captaines interpose themselves betwixt him and Thalemut When hee saw they went about to pacify him in few words hee made knowen his just griefe to them and by his eloquence thought to obtayne the liberty of avengeing himselfe on his Enemy And in that impatiency he was not enduring the excuses wherewith the pirates would have moderated his anger t is in vaine said he I will hearken to no consideration to the preiudice of mine honour since my interest can win nothing on you I
command by the oath of fidelity you have made me by the respect you owe to my place and by the fresh memory of those victories I have gotten you that you will not suffer me to live wronged Next if there remaine in you any desire of your owne preservation get you from before me and keeping off this Christian that cannot be else so by reason make your selves not guilty of a crime whereof you are yet innocent Scarce had he ended these words but those Barbarians stood astonished and instead of continuing their requests grew silent and gave him way And Iphadamantus without any unjust obstination unable to take from his frend the liberty of doing what he resolved put off his revenge to another time and somewhat retyred with all the Pyrats that were about him The roome where this disorder happened was so spatious that it was fit enough for fight You might have seene all the spectators playstered against the walls and as unmoveable and affrighted stood impatiently expecting the event of so important a quarrell Thalemut was at one end of the Hall and Bajazet at the other They ranne at one another Bajazet his Cymeter in his hand prevented that abhominable Corsary and bore him a blow that in all likelyhood should have bereft his life The resolute Pyrat put it by and threw himselfe on Bajazet with a resolution that made Iphidamantus feare the successe of the combat T is true if Bajazet would have beene carefull of himselfe he had not runne any great hazard but lying open with his body at all times the sooner to decide the difference he could not avoide a great wound which Thalemut gave him on his right side We are to judge equally of all things there was a proportion in these two courages but despayre had reduced Thalemut to sell his life at a high rate and Bajazet to take a way the cause of a new sedition by the death of his Enemy threw himselfe on headlong Let none any more accuse the Poets for inventing so strange blowes that their falsitie is visible I dare say that in this combat was seene one so prodigious that the history being very true and very scrupulous hath made me fearefull to leave it to posterity Yet t is most certaine that Bajazet gave Thalemut such a back-blowe with his Cymiter that taking him on the right side he almost cut him in two as if he would have sought for his revenge even in the heart of his enemy and follow into his Center the abhominable bruitishnesse of that Monster The fearefull sight of so great a blowe comming from ae man extreamly wounded seazed on the harts of all those Barbarians and confirmed them in the opinion they had that Bajazet was somewhat more invincible then the rest of men And in lieu of fearing the like handling and by consequence wishing no good to the Author they never shewed more affection to the Vanquisher then at that time norlesse sorrow for the party overcome With one voice they proclamed Thalemut guilty and by usuall formes of their justice presently attainting and condemning him of treason and felony adjudge him dead as he was to have his head cut off and to be placed in the number of those that were set as incorruptible guards at the entry of the Fortresse Bajazet the meane while not able any longer to resist the weakenesse caused by his so much lââ¦sle of blood fell into the armes of Iphidamantus and lost at once his sight and speech The Prince thought him dead and transported with his friendship spake words sufficient to have caused him to be murthered by the Pirats They yet with muttring let him alone and seeing Polexander Zelmatida haste thither went to meet them as to cleare themselves from the death of Bajazet Those Heroës witnessing no such an occasion their sweetnesse of nature as well as the height of their soules tooke their friend themselves and assisted by Alcidiana's slaves Garruca and Bereamis carried him into his chamber Polexander afterwards taking his brother aside inquired how this mischance betided but Iphidamantus dissolved in teares and could give Polexander no other information of the businesse but what he could get by his sorrowes and sighes At last perceiving how much it afflicted his brother he forced himselfe and told him in few words the cause of the combate betweene Bajââ¦zet and Thalemut But said he to him let us not stand on complaints for our friends disaster let us rather seeke to some remedies and not suffââ¦r him to be lost since wee have yet time enough to save him Polexander reserving to himselfe those resolutions he had taken to avenge the death of his friend intreated his brother to make use of all his credit he had with the Pirates to assist Bajazet and not leave him to the mercy of those Barbarians who may be would be glad to be rid of him That Prince had an excellent Chyrurgion with him called Diceus who twice or thrice by his art and remedies had saved his life On his care he beleeved he might intrust the life of his friend and therefore called him and signifying the feare he was in for the helpe of Bajazet commanded him to looke on his woundes and to neglect nothing that might be available for his recovery Diceus expected no second command He unclad Bajazet and by the helpe of other Chyrurgions laid him on a bed The greatnesse of his woundes much amazed them yet unwilling to make shew of what they conceived they stanched his bloud and did it with the promptitude that was admited by all them that were present Though this lessing of paine was very great yet was it not enough to bring Bajazet from his fainting He came not to himselfe till two or three houres after his first dressing and towards evening beginning to know those that were about him amongst others he knew the three Princes He would willingly have used his accustomed civilities but Diceus forbad him to speake and intreated his friends to retire for feare that in their desire of comforting him they might aggravate his malady The first night passed in feare and disquiet and the two daies following gave no lesse sorrow to the Cortaries then to Polexander and the two other Princes The third day Bajazet rather chusing to dye then not to see his friends intreated Diceus that they might come to him To give him content Diceus promised to send for them on condition that he spoke not at all or at most but five or six words The Princes who were in one next to Bajazets chamber to the intent to see what passed went to see him as soone as they thought by Diceus order they might fitly doe it Scarce had Bajazet seene them but that he expressed a joy not to be hoped for from a man so sick and wounded and intreating Polexander to come neere spoke to him a pretty while in his eare after which he raised his voice and began to excuse himselfe
to Zelmatida but the Prince unwilling to give him that time he held his peace and a while thence calling by their names five or six of the principall Rovers that were come to visit him he spake to them in this manner My Companions since in the estate I am I cannot promise to serve you any more I have entreated Polexander not to forsake you You cannot doubt of his courage nor experience The only thing you are to feare is that he loves you not enough But be assured of the contrary He hath promised me to doe in all as my selfe if he find that his government please you Make your selves worthy of a protection far more powerfull then mine and be confident that you will have no cause to lament my death But said he turning to Polexander I yet aske you one favour and t is that you will let me know in what case I am and be not so cruell under the shadow of pity to let me dye without setling my affaires I have such things in my minde that the rest I expect in the other life depends absolutely on them and I protest as being ready to give up my soule that if I dye without time to discharge my selfe of one thing I never yet told I shall dye desperate There hapned then in the persons of those Pirates a novelty that their nature might make passe for a prodigy They were moved to pity and as if from wild beasts which they were wont to be they had beene suddainely turned to men they felt themselves sensible of griefe and wept in beholding the constancy of Bajazet Fame that gets in every where and hath wings to fly over the walls when the gates are shut against her published this sad newes in the Army and knew to paint it to the Souldiers in such lively colours that the desire of booty was neither their only nor the strongest passion whereof they found themselves capable Their shouts of joy were changed into lamentations their laughter into teares and the hopes of their safety being on the suddaine utterly extinct they were strucken with the apprehension of a thousand different tortures Yet since it was the custome during the sicknesse of their Generalls that the Pirates incamped and abode day and night in a body of an Army they stirred not from the place where Bajazet had left them in going to the Magazins Notwithstanding to give them some refreshing during so long a toile it was advised to execute all that Bajazet had appointed T is true that the largesse was a great ease to their sorrow and brought them to themselves by the greatnesse of the present liberality and promise of a second that should surpasse the first On the other side Bajââ¦zet being left to rest for the space of foure and twenty houres begun in good earnest to feele how extreame great his wound was Yet as weake and pained as he was it was but little more perceived then in the Princes They were so cast downe with griefe and feare that it was hard to be judged who was the sickest of them or Bajazet When they were about to take open the greatest tent there was not a man in the chamber whose feare gave him not severall conjectures though they were all sad ones and deadly The Chyrurgions were not the last that doubted of the vertue of their remedies and power of their art since Bajazet had had withall a Fever above thirty houres They already heard him talke idely and now and then sigh and lament Sometimes he seemed to threaten and then that he tooke leave with a great deale of sorrow from some one whom he called his soule and his life By reason of this they duââ¦st not meddle with his wound but when they saw they were not to deferre it any longer Diceus and his Companions put their hands to the worke As soone as the hurt place felt the paine there gush't out a streamâ⦠of blood by whose losse Bajazet fell againe into his first swoundings Yet they gave not over to finish what they had begun and when t was done neere all the Chyrurgions confessed that they had seene signes of a dangerous wouââ¦d and said openly that if within twelve houres the accidents which began to appeare ceased not there was no more hope of him Diceus only despaired not assuring Polexander tââ¦t if bsides the Fever there happened not some other thing he promised himselfe to save Bajazet Whilst every one according to his severall passion was of the one or the others minde the wounded man came out of his swound and began to sigh so often that they well judged some great thing afflicted him As soone as they saw him well come to himselfe they gave him something to strengthen him and perceiving he had a minde to speake every one retired to take from him that desire All the night passed in this manner and the next day till evening they thought he would have dyed He knew it well enough and fearing least death might prevent him commanded paper and incke to be brought Zelmatida and Polexander intreated him and the Chyrurgions threatned to divert him from those strainings which they foresaw he must undergoe if he began to write But neither of them could doe any thing There was no remedy but to give him what he called for but he had not writ above two or three lines but the extreame paââ¦ne he had put him to was like to cast him into a swound He grew setled againe and resolute to what he had undertaken and making a little Roll of the paper in which he had writ drew from under his shirt a Picture boxe that was enamelled with green incarnation and white As soone as he had opened the boxe his strength failed the cover fell out of his hand wiââ¦h the Roll that he held and himselfe fell backward on his bolster senselesse Iphidamantus was the first hat ran to him who putting his arme under Bajazets head for ease saw the Picture in the box The sight had almost done him as much hurt as to Bajazet He made shew of a great alteration retired two or three paces changed colour and as if he was become Bajazets enemy had no more care of his recovery and was a long while in withdrawing his eyes from that portract Those that tooke of the novelty at first wondered But ignorant of the true cause took Iphidamantus transport for an effââ¦ct of friendshippe At last he became recollected and impossible to hide all his concââ¦ptions O God said he must mine eyes deceive me Reason would not have me beleeve what they see Bajazet then opening his eyes as if he had awakened with Iphidamantus words and comming to himselfe just heaven said he with a dying voice must it needs be that after you had obliged me in occasions such as I most desired not you would forsake me in the principall Permit not if it be your pleasure that I perish under the burthen that orewhelmes me
wound I have given my selfe but it can never take away the scarre I would say that you might well get mee the Letter which Polexander hath received from me but it is not in your power to make it so that he hath not had it I feare not his vanity but his memory and whilest that hath a being yet should I not be freed of my feare though I had that which you might promise me Let him enjoy then that acknowledgment of the services he hath done mee and hence forward let us have no more commerce with him then with Spanyards and other strangers which some tempest or chance hath sometimes throwne on our Coastes You were then by this command as it were buried in the memories of those that loved you But it was only in shew for in effect you lived there in spight of all Inhibitions Alcidiana first violating her Lawes entertayned her selfe with you alone and thinking to remove out of her fancy and Idea that discontented her not but in that it seemed too pleasing to her perceived not that her thoughts and the intention of her thought were directly contraââ¦y At the same as you know the winning Cephalus Prince of the bloââ¦d of Alcidiana and her publique adorer proclaimed a Turney to which your courage and judgement furnished you with that admirable meanes by which it was permitted you to fight with Cephalus without offending Alcidiana You conserv'd ââ¦o him the honour which your incomparable dexterity or to speake more conformably to your passion and my duty which the weakenesse of Cephalus might have made him lose This new victory brought new disquiets on the Queene and made her knowe that it was in vaine for her to essay to acquit her selfe towards you The very evening that the justs ended she shut her up with Amintha and beginning anew what a moneth of silence had interrupted See us now said she in worse case then before I thought Polexander had beene in my debt and I finde my selfe behinde-hand with him more then I am able to pay him Were I answerable for no more then for my kingdome and liberty I have both to give him satisfaction But since hee hath preserved to me the honour which rash Cephalus had hazarded can I acknowledge that great service but by the thinge it selfe which he hath preserved And if that must be what will become of the wretched Alcidiana Canst thou live deprived of that glory which thy predecessors left thee and which thou maist say without boasting was gotten thee by the practise of all the virtues Amintha seeing the Princesse griefe to be so excessive that it drew teares from her eyes was very much moved at it and forgetting your interests for those of her good Mistresse Your Majesty said she must not any longer suffer a sicknesse which insensibly gets on the heaââ¦t and may become deadly if in time there be not applied to it fire and sword I was the first that neglected it since I thought it not considerable but now I know its greatnesse and foresee what may ensue I am the first that runne for remedies and throwing my selfe at the feete of your Majesty humbly to beseech you to employ all and not to reject the most violent The honour I have to be intrusted with your secrecies forbids mee to have other consideration then of you and I cannot bee silent without sinning against that Soveraigne lawe which commands me to expose my life for the safety of your Majesty The innocent and faire Alcidiana hearing Amintha speake so seriously thought her self ill of some exââ¦reame dangerous sicknesse and feare which commonly accompanies ignorance bringing on her extraordinary troubles and disquiets shee fell on Aminthaes neck wet her face with her teares and conjured her by her friendshippe to give her such advice as might be most safe for her Heale said she a malady of which in some sort you have beene the cause I finde it more troublesome then grievous but you know it better then I and I had rather trust my selfe to your experience then to mine owne feelings Let us therefore be industrious Amintha in a businesse so urgent and not putting off our cure to the succour that may come with time let us try all those meanes that heaven hath put into our power Amintha judging by this discourse that the Queene knew nothing at all of her sicknesse or to speake more truly that she had no other ill but that which was begot by that high and imperious humor in which she was bred saw well that it was not necessary to urge your depart nor to make your stay suspected She therefore insensibly diverted Alcidianaes feares and resolutions and repenting what her affection had made her say against you assured the Princesse that you had not undertaken to combat with Cephalus but with the same intention that he had done the justs that was you had a resolution to make your skill and gallantrie appeare and not to engage the honour of the Princesse And that you expected no other repute then that which is gotten by the like exercises Cephalus said shee had published that you were the fairest Princesse in the World Hee tooke armes to maintaine it against all those that professe to love what is fayre Polexander would rayse the price upon him more then he He therefore maintained against him his armes in his hand that you were yet somewhat more then the other imagined and the successe of the justs hath made it seene that his proposition was true What doe you thinke Madam that you owe him for it Nothing but what the Sunne owes them that call him the Author of life the Father of light and the fayrest of all inannimate Creatures If Polexander had beene suddainly changed into some other and become so vaine to looke for a reward after this last Combat it should be then from the truth which he hath defended and not from you that he was to expect it Set your minde then at rest and driving farre from your fayre Soule those thoughts that disturbe it hold it for an infallibility that your Majesty cannot be beholding to any one since the honour to serve you is so great a recompence to those that doe it that they are payd for all their services even before they have begun them The Queene whose extreme youth could not afford her those experiments that Amintha had gathered by the benefit of more yeeres felt her selfe no lesse peacefull and at rest after the second discourse of her Confident then the first had put her out of order She then rested her minde in its first seate and retayning no other thoughts for you then she had for other Princes was glad to giue you occasion to abide in her Court and by your presence obliege her people to stifle for ever all causes of revolting After that resolution two or three moneths slid away during which time you had often the honour to see the Queene and obtayned by your
us a great favour when they use us but as slaves Teach me dear Pallantus what my reason and I should do to get us the Mastery since thou wilt not have us give way to their tyranny Persever in that feare and adoration which till now you have witnessed for Alcidiana answered Pallantus Be not weary of suffering and leave to your desires that absolute Empyre they have usurp'd over your reason They will be of a different nature from ordinary desires if time opposition and despaire do not weaken their impetuosity Ah! Remedyes more cruell and insupportable then the ill it selfe saide Polexander Am I brought to that extremity to make use of you yes insensible friends I receive and imbrace you since you are so happy to have the resentments of Alcidiana for the Authors of your being Pallantus heere imposing him silence Be pleas'd sayd he that I end the history of your disfavours and that finally I banish you from the place wherein is inclos'd all your hopes and happinesses Polexander replying nothing gave occasion to the faire slave to continue thus his discourse Your sorrow solitude and your complaints having too long lasted for your quiet Amintha resolv'd to have pitty on you and to redeeme you from you despaire by false hopes You followed her advice and suffring your selfe to be easily perswaded to what you so extreamly desired you began againe your illustrious and magnificent way of living whereby you had acquir'd the affections of the most part of Alcidiana's subjects She understood of your returne and wanting sufficient knowledge of worldly affaires to judge of the ââ¦rue cause of your change she called for Amintha to discourse with her about it I thought said she that having hitherto made a particular profession of friendshipp with Polexander you are not ignorant of those causes which he hath had heretofore to afflict himselfe and those he hath now to rejoyce in I honour Polexander replied Amintha but I have no part in his trust Yet not so that I am ignorant of that which your Majesty desires to know His griefe and joy are too publick to make a secret of them Every one speakes of it and if it be not known to your Majesty you are without doubt the onely person in your Kingdome that is ignorant of it But to give it you it behooves if you please to think it fit that I pronounce to you a word which to you is very odious Alcidiana confident of Amintha's discretion told her that she might speake since your Majesty commanded me replyed Amintha I will tell you that Polexander is in love The Queen was surprised with that word and so surprised that she could not refrayne from blushing But loath to rest mute on that occasion is it possible sayd she to Amintha that a spirit so strong as Polexander should be capable of so extreame a weaknesse 'T is possible Madam answerd Amintha and your Majesty would have the pleasure to know the cause aswell as the effects of this passion you will be confirmd in that true opinion that love is nothing but blindnesse and folly Stenelica who hath nothing left eiââ¦her of youth or beauty is the cause of Polexanders vexations He adores her loves hââ¦r burnes for her and is desperate when he cannot see her and as his dispaire comes from the rigours of Stenelica his contentments likewise proceed from the favours he receives thence But that which is most strange is there passeth not a day but he wââ¦ites to her and in such humble and passionate termes as if he writ to the fairest Princesse in the world Aââ¦cidiana tooke no pleasure in this jesting and you went neere to lose the good opinion she had of you even by that which you had plotted with Amintha to get you into it Polexander bindes me to returne to my first opinion sayd she to her Confident Truely Nature and Radiotez have not deceiv'd me when they assured me that men were full of imperfections and how those which had been estem'd freest from deserts and neerest approaching to a divine condition had by diverse actions of their lives made it appeare they were truely men subject as the meanest to the most low and ridiculous extravagancies Amintha saw well that t was nothing to the purpose to prosecute what she had begun she therefore put it off to another time and applying her selfe to the Queenes humour did so well by her colloguing and wit that in lesse then eight dayes wrought in Alcidiana an extreame desire to see the letters you had written to Stenelica Presently she shew'd her aboue fifty and wouââ¦d have given her a great many more but that she was wearyed with your supposed extravagancyes Stenelica punctually receyved two or three a daye and assoone as she had them had order to bring them to the Queene Five or six moneths slid away yet the Queene discovered not the mystery of your Letters nor of your maskes and turnaments But by little and little her understanding comming on with her age and her seventeenth yeere instructing her in that which the former sixteene were ignorant of she made long and deepe reflections on all that you had done since you came into her Territories and by those things conjectured that infallibly Stenelica was but the pretext and coverture of a more high affection This thought engaged her to reade all your Letters over againe But scarce had she read the first when she saw her selfe so lively pictured that she called her blinde for being so long from discovering it Streight an indignation for being deceived by Amintha made her cast by all the effââ¦ction she bore her and made her resolve to punish you both for one crime whereof she judg'd you were equally guilty And not to defer her vengeance she called for Stenelica and shutting themselves in her owne Closet and accommodating her selfe to the weakenesse of that poore Soule hardly reasonable told her that she understanding how Polexander writ to her only to passe away his time she would not have her to be any longer the object of his sport and jeasting I command you therefore said she to receive no more of his Letters nor any more to endure hiscompany 'T is a shame for one of your age and condition to lose your time in the fopperies of youth Breake absolutely the commerce you have with this stranger burne all his letters send him back his Jewells and suffer him not to talke to you any more hearken to none that comes from him and above all converse with Amintha as with your greatest enemy The Queene was not thus contented to cut from that meanes of expressing your affection But she would take from you all others and punish you and your complicâ⦠for your temerity She therefore remoââ¦ved from her ordinary place of abiding and went to that stately Castle which the King her Father built on a point of Land that lookes toward your fortunate Islands All the Court followed her in that Journey
and Amintha with the rest though she tooke notice of a visible diminution in her favour My faire Princesse had not beene above foure or five dayes in that faire Pallace when fortune willing to obliege her by your losse stirred up that disorder which drew you from the Inaccessible Island Amintha as you know was stolne away one night by Pirates which the winde had driven neere to the Queenes Pallace As soone as she heard newes of this rape she shewed a great deale of sorrow though she had great cause to be glad of it And I verily beleeve that by her selfe she gave the heavens and fortune thankes that they had evenged her and she had no hand in it and that she was wonderfully well satisfied to see the offenders punished without her being forced to any violence She caused two ships to be made ready and armed to pursue the Pirates that had stolne Amintha and as she would have had them set sayle it was told her that in the very instant wherein the Lady was surprised you had cast your selfe into a barke which by chance you found ready at the foote of the Castle and that without doubt you had already overtaken the Pirates Alcidiana seeing herselfe so fully and quietly avenged caused her two ships to put off to give to all the Court an opinion contrary to her meanings and in this manner she put a period to all her cares and perturbations Be pleased to let me imitate so great an example and that finishing my discourse as I begun it I may tell you that your despaire is unjust and you are an ill esteemer of your good fortune since you acknowlede not the greatnesse of it not only to have obliged the prime Princesse of the world to except you with that generall indifferency which she hath for all men but to have made it appeare by publique testimonialls that you have beene able to make her capable of passioÌ Flattering Pallantus cryd Polexander in interrupting him how thou canst abuse thy Eloquence and disguise by thy smooth and winning tearms a rigour which is insupportable Tell me not that I have made thy Queene capable of passion Say she hates me and not being able to endure my presence hath banished me from a place whereto she knowes well it is altogether impossible for me to returne But what do'st thou abominable and sacriligious Polexander Darest thou murmure against that wisdome that doth nothing but with justice though it be not according to thy wishes Respect respect the arme that darts the thunder at thee and receiving Alcidiana's stripes with a benediction make all the world know that there are no felicities like those of suffering much for her Polexander ended this speech with sighes and being risen began to walke with a gââ¦eat pace without hearkning to any thing that Pallantus advised him for his comfort and ease Their converse had not ended but with the day if Zelmatida by chance had not met them in their way and obliged them to returne to the Fort. They retired thither all three together and gave the rest of the day to Bajazet and Iphidamantus Pallantus that would not stay any longer in that place tooke his leave that same Evening and promised Polexander that in his return from Africa he would passe by the Canaryes Polexander left him not tell he imbarked and when he saw he must needes be gone remember deare Pallanââ¦s sââ¦id tâ⦠Prince imbracing him that those consolations thou wouldest give me have increased my dispaire and if ever thy good fortune bring thee back to the place where thy divine Mistris reigneth Tell her thou hast seene the deplorable Polexander at the point to finish by some new kinde of death the incredible torments that her absence throwes on him That is not it which you have promised me replide Pallantus neither expect that I will ever speake of you to my faire Mistris if you doe not persever in the resolution to suffer for her I will then said our Heroë since t is for her glory and preserving my selfe even in the height of my torments I will hazard nothing but what I shall be inforced by the just desire of reseeing that incomparable Marvell Polexander after he had spoake thus imbraced Pallantus againe and giving him the last farewell returned to the three Princes that staied in the Isle Much adoe he had to remaine the rest of the day with them He spoake of nothing but of going away and asking sometimes Iphidamantus and otherwhiles Zelmatida what they intended to doe would willingly have left them both in the compââ¦y of Bajazet But Zelmatida whose griefes made him as full of anguish as Polexander intreated him to be received as a companion of his fortune and that he would obtaine his liberty from Bajazet speake no more of liberty said the illustrious Corsary to him t were to offend the friendship we have begun to use tearms which are not practised but amongst enemies Know then you are free if I be so and though it be very distastfull to me to lose so deare company yet preferring your content bââ¦fore mine owne I yeeld to your separation But added he addressing himselfe to Polexander as well as to Zelmatida doe not leave me alone in my affliction and since Iphidamantus hath no passion that presseth him intreat for me that he will vouchsafe to abide here that by his presence I may preserve to me a part of your selfe Iphidamantus who among these so sensible and despairing Lovers seemed content and unpassionate Stood not to be intreated neither by his brother nor Zelmatida to grant Bajazet what he requested But saide he since there is or ought to be charity in those that are in health to be industrious for the cure of such sick persons that are not altogether desperate 'T is just that I forsake Polexander and Zelmatida to abide with Bajazet This last hath great wounds but they are not incurable and by consequence time and remedies are not lost in assisting him But for you two said he turning himselfe to his brother and Zelmatida there is no helpe at all for you but in the speedy losing your selves Go then generous afflicted men goe search for shipwracks precipices poysons and death This discourse ended The foure Princes often imbraced one another and gave so equall thankes that it had beene very hard to know who were those that had obliged or those that received the obligation After these compliments succeeded the protestations of their eternall friendship and reciprocall promises to let one another know of their affaires as often as they had meanes Polexander and Zelmatida unwilling to depart without paying their Hostes sent two chaines of Diamonds and two of Emeraulds to the Corsaries and by that Present left with them a more advantageous opinion of their merits then the miracles of their valour had beene able to make them conceive Bajazet forgot not that he owed his life to Diceus but gave him a triangle
Father to send his Embassadors to mine to treate of his marriage with me In the meane while he negotiated so dextrously or rather so detestably with those that governed the will and estate of good Muley that they made him jealous of my Lover and made them resolve to ruine him The weakenesse of my poore Father exceedingly advanced the plots of that traitour For scarce had his Ministers represented to him that for the safety of his estate and the conservation of his Authority 't was fit that the yong Prince were dismissed the Court but that he consented to it as easily as if he had never knowne nor loved him For my selfe that had far lesse passion for the State then for my Lover no sooner heard the newes but I tore my haire scratched my face blasphemed against heaven and violating all that I owed to the best Father in the world accused his Councell and himselfe of treason and tyranny But understanding from whence my affliction had his beginning I turned all my rage on the perfidious Nephizus I told him such things and spoake to him in such a manner as might well have put him from the desire of possessing me if he had not had that desire of obtaining me for no other cause but to make me prodigiously miserable Muley Hassen had received commandment to retire himselfe to the Towne of Mezila which confines with the deserts of Numidia and to depart without seeing the King nor my sister nor my selfe Yet he obeyed not the last of these commands For the same night that he was to be gone deceiving his spies and guarde he came into my closet where I staied for him with my deare Atalida As soone as he came in he cast himselfe rather as dead then alive at my feete and when I went to raise him I fell a side and so on my bed in a swound Atalida had much ádoe to make us come to our selves At last by vertue of some Essences I came from my fainting and seeing Muley stretched as dead I lay downe by him and did whatsoever my griefe and love advised me But what said I No no I did nothing of what they ordained me to doe since I dyed not with griefe for such a separation When he had recoliected his spirits he was ashamed to see himselfe as he was He presently arose and setling him on his knees Madam said he if those that banish me from the Court had considered how far unworthy I am of the honour I receive from your goodnesse I should be the first that would approove their sentence and receive with a benediction a thing which they had done with so much justice But since neither the greatnesse of your merit nor the defects in me have not beene the motives of their condemnation be pleased that I complaine of their viââ¦lence and that seperating the interest of my Lord the King from those of his enemies I say aloud that to deale with me as I am dealt withall is to abuse the regall power O how those jealous and ambitious Officers had obliged me if in putting me from the troubles of the State they had not banished me from you T is the losse of the sight of yourfaire eyes and not my credit that I lament I shall see you no more Ennoramita and in the dreadfull Deserts whereto I am exiled the feare to be blotted out of your memory as a fearefull Monster will continually war with me Let that feare cease with your teares I replyde weeping what ever becomes of Ennoramita she will be alwaies yours O how advantagious are my disgraces said he presently and how happy doe my misfortunes make me since by their meanes I have obtained that which I hoped not to have gotten by the services of all my life Yes Muley said I in interrupting him Ennoramita is thine and beleeve for certaine that she will never be any others Wee parted after reciprocall protestations of constancy and fidelity and whilst my deare Muley got to the Deserts of Numidia the Embassadours of Morocco hastened their Journey and arrived at Thunis They had divers Audiences of the King and his Ministers after the DeclaratioÌ that Heley Abdelmelec had sent by which Nephizus was put in possession of the Kingdome of Fez I was sacrificed to the rage of that Monster and to the establishment of the greatnesse of the elder Sister I neglected nothing to deliver me from the miseries prepared for me I would have killed my self but 't was not ni my power I tryed to have fled away but I was hindred I fell sick even to the losse of my sences but time tooke me from the one and the other malady At last my Sister that never forsooke me representing me that which duty birth virtuâ⦠and fitnesse required from me I indured to be drawne to Fez. Muley truely postest my minde and heart Yet I assure you I lived with my husband as an honest woman should and unwilling to doe any thing unworthy my spirit I gave to Nephizus the enciââ¦e disposition of my body I looked on him as a Tyrant but as a Tyrant who by a just title had gotten to be the absolute Master both of my life death I obeyed him therefore punctually and did that out of duty which I could not out of love After I was at home with him he askd me most unworthily every day gave me so unreasonable commands that I beleeve he did it not but of purpose to make me disobey him so by consequence to have cause to abuse me But I was so ready and obedient that he was put to his wits to finde a pretext to make me feele his fury I spoke not to any one of the Knights of his Court I was invironed with a circle of black slaves that watched after my shortest treadings I went not out of my chamber and had no diversion but the remembrance of my deare Muley Sometimes my hangman would come where I was with a sole designe to afflict me and then he entertained with slave infamous prostitute and seeing me melt into teares I knew would he say that one day I should bring downe that pride which hath so often abused me and avenge my selfe at pleasure of thy impudence and scorne Weepe wretch weepe not out of anger to see thy selfe subjected to my command but rather out of griefe for rendring thy selfe unworthy of my love One day when he had extraordinarily abused me what then said I enough resolutely obliged thee to charge thy selfe with me The longing I had to be avenged on thine insolence replide he I desired to raigne absolutely over thee that so by a long punishment I might chastice thy disdaines and scoffs Never hope to regaine that which thou hast so brutishly disdained The time is past wherein I was so weake as to suffer my self to be caught by thy so little beauty I am thy deadly enemy expect no other usage from me but that which hatred and
brutishnesse of the Mahometans that hold those for the beloved of God from whom the ill disposition of their Organs or the vapours arising from their spleene have taken away the use of reason Wee came thence late home to the Pallace and because I found my selfe much disquieted I presently retyred into my chamber There began I deepely to muse on the Dervis his discourse and finding nothing in it extravagant nor ought that seemed to me very mysterious I resolved to see him often and to goe thither so fewly accompanied that he might have the freedome to discover to me those mysteries which he had yet concealed Nephizus gave me the occasion two dayes after for he receiving letters from Abdelmelec by a Mute who served him in those great imployments he was of necessity to goe to Fez and from Fez to Morocco He left me in the custody of an old Ethiopian Eunuque who was the most favoured of all his Confidents and the depositary of all his secrets commanding him at parting not to let me be out of his sight nor to suffer me to go abroade but very seldome Narcissus so was the name of the Ethiopian witnessed a great faithfulnesse to his Master but he did it with so much judgement and respect that he never gave me cause to complaine of him and still concealed all newes that might increase my afflictions Now one day thinking on my Hermit and presently urged with a desire to see him and to understand the secret of his adventures I intreated Narcissus to bring me to his Grot. He was so confident that I would never undertake any thing against that which I ought to Nephizus that he would not deny me a thing which was not precisely forbidden him I went therefore to the Hermit with five or six of my women and the Eunuques which garded me As soone as the poore solitary man could speake to me a part I expected said he to me nothing but death and seeing my selfe deprived of that light which should dissipate the obscurity of this place I wished even with passion to see my selfe inveloped with that darkenesse which shall never have end But I know now that the visible Angell that hath so often given me his assistance is resolved to continue it to me Surely Madam I promise my selfe new favours of his goodnesse and confesse I have offended in suspecting that divine Essence to be as mortall creatures subject to change and forgetfulnesse With this the Hermit held his peace and I that had an extreame desire to know what was hidden under his mysterious speech told him that if I understood well the meaning of his discourse that his fortune was not altered since he complained then as he had done other times before How replied he should the effects of my misfortune cease since the cause of it still endures I complaine and lament far lesse then I suffer But since that beyond all hope my tutelar Angell restores to me that light that he hath so long hid from me I make a vow never to be weary of expecting it and how long soever his absence be to hope still for the end If my curiosity said I may be satisfied without your discontent I intreat you by that which is most deare to us to let me know what Angell that is which you mention so often and what that passion is which obligeth you to draw out so miserably your life among these Rocks and places of fearefull solitude At this intreaty the Hermit sighed oftentimes and being a while silent whereto am I brought said he in Spanish if my Angell knowes not what I suffer and doth not know it selfe He had scarce ended these words when I gave so fearefull a shreeke that all my servants came running to me and asked what I ailed O heaven said I how have I beene affrighted Me thought I saw at the foote of the Hermit a Lyon who awaking at our discourse was ready to leape at me The old Narcissus began to laugh at my vision and advised me to take the aire to divert me I presently arose to put in action that which he proposed but the Hermit holding me bâ⦠the skirt of my gowne what said he in Spanish faire Princesse doe you beleeve that by inhabiting these solitary Cavernes I am become one of the furious beasts of the Wildernesse Those words were so powerfull a charme to stay me that I stood as unmooveable But the Hermit not perceiving it can it be said he in the same language that you who have been moved with my afflictions when you knew me not should leave to be pitiââ¦ull in the same instant when you knew me Consider Ennoramita ô be pleased to take notice that I am not permitted before so many suspected persons to beseech and solicit you further to have commiseration on my miseries Our common enemies have their eyes over us and I lose you if I continue to petition you Stay yet but a moment and say what shall become of me I can but answere thee to be lamented Muley said I in Spanish for indeed 't was he I am too much interdicted to take or to give thee any good councell yet expect in this place to heare from me Farewell With that word the teares came into mine eyes and I came out of the Caverne with so extraordinary a sadnesse that Narcissus besought me to seeke no more so unpleasing a diversion I confesse said I to him there is nothing but discontent in so sad a conversation I have my minde filled with horrour and find that my communication with the afflicted increaseth my afflictions in lieu of lest'ning them This said I returned thence speedily to my Prison and being shut into my chamber with my faithfull Atalida Ah my friend said I what have I heard What have I seen this day Why Madam she replyde are you yet in feare of your imaginary Lyon Why do'st not thou know said I what I doe My astonishment proceeds from a more just cause If you should have found said she the unfortunate Muley under the habit of the Hermit you had not beene more desolate then you are Thou hast divined cryde I 't is he Atalida t is Muley himselfe I knew him when hee spake Spanish to me But who hath brought him into these Deserts What will he doe here What will become of him If you would calme your perturbation answered Atalida I will reply to your questions and without the preventing your wit with any passionate counsell will leave you the liberty to deliberate your selfe in a businesse so important For al that Atalida could say to me yet my transporting must have its course Above an houre was I in admirations and turning in my disordered minde a thousand thoughts farre more confused At last I setled my selfe and then said Atalida speaking very low for feare of being heard T is fit that I discover that which great considerations have forc'd me to conceale from you I confesse I knew
to your knowledg and besides having oftentimes examin'd it I found in it so much I know not what of incredible and so prodigious that I call it doubt so often as I thinke on it though have had the confirmation from a thousand witnesses worthy of faith See what t was and Judge whether I have cause to speake as I doe Nephizus inflam'd with love with Despite Anger and Shame arm'd more powerfully and openly then he dar'd doe till then and having gotten the principall Townes to give colour to his detestable rebellion publish'd a Manifest against Hely which I Cannot remember but my hayr riseth an end with the horror thereof Among the great number of crimes whereof he accused that poore Prince he reproach'd him with the stealing of you away to satisfy his execrable lust and maintayned that she whom they cunningly call'd the stranger Iphidamanta was the true Perselida Amatonta Ennoramita Princess of Tunis The people were not the sole who suffering themselves to be corrupted by that malignity which is but too naturall to them gave credit to so prodigious a calumny but many of the principal in the state either beleev'd it or to have cause to take up armes made shew to beleeve it Abdelmelec said in good Company that for the manner of all his Fathers living there was nothing in matter of love but might be credited of him And the too-Amorous Hely hearing this accusation was in doubt of the truthes which the stranger Iphidamanta had assured to him But being againe confirm'd by her selfe in his former beliefe he caused an answer to be made to his Sons Manifest to justify him from so black a supposition and thinking to avenge himselfe commanded all his followers not call the faire stranger by any other name then Ennoramita and he observ'd the same he commanded others and by this trick of youth made that name so famous that the people of Morocco will not in a long time forget it So if it be lawfull for mee to speake with that boldnesse by the folly of Hely and the malice of Nephizus your Name Madam and imagination became as the fatall firebrand which the Enemy Demon of our peace put into the hands of the Father and Children to make desolate the most flourishing Provinces of all Africa In a word after their writings they came to blowes The Sonnes gave the Father Battle overcame him thrice made him fly shamefully from Morocco and compell'd him to seeke for refuge in Guargetssem to escape from their fury Yet could he not be secure for a little time after he was beââ¦eig'd and in spight of all his mens valour and resistance reduc'd to the lamentable necessity of seeing himselfe and what he loved more then himselfe at the discretion since in the power of Nephizus The ill advised Prince entred Victoriously into Guargetssem Yet gather'd he not by so deplorable a Victory the fruit he promis'd himselfe Assoone as he was Master of the fortress he would needes visit it all He found his father in a Bed dangerously wounded but seeing not Iphidamanta with him he went to search for her even to the bottom of the Casamatts He was not like to meet her for shee fled by sea with one Osmin who within these few yeares by meanes of his excessive favour had been the pertext of all the revolts and all the Warres of the two Brothers The flight of that stranger had neere been the death of Hely for Nephizus enraged at her losse came with his Cymiterre in his hand even to the Bed of that miserable King and vomiting against him all that his sury fild him with he threatned to passe his Weapon through his Body if he would not restore to him his wife Abdelmelec staid that blow and pulling his Brother thence by force forsooke him not til he saw him in a great repentance for the parricide he would have Committed But the passion he was in for the faire stranger and on the other side the remorse of Conscience not suffering him to stay longer at Morocco he got some one to intreate his Father to give him one of his great ships of warre and assoone as he had gotten it he imbarqued himselfe with forty of fifty of his Complices To tell you whether he intended or what became of him is not in my Power for what enquiry soever I have made I have not been able to know any thing of him for a certaine Some have told me that he was shipwrack'd neare the Canaries and that there were found in the Isle of Fer certaine Arabick Characters engraven on the barke of a tree which said that the miserable Nephizus after he had lost all was come to seeke his death in that place Others averred that he had been taken by Pyrats in the same Isle of Fer and that after he had in diverse occasions made shew of his valour among them they had thought him worthy to command them However t is but too true that Nephizus is dead I thought to have been one of the first that had heard of it and assoone as 't was brought me I deem'd it fitting to advertize secretly Abdelmelec of all and not to give you any suspition of it I made you beleive that Hely commanded me to come to him Vnder this pretext I left you at Liberty and by great Journeys came to Arsile where Abdelmelec kept his Court. He knew nothing of the death of his brother when I told it him He gave me great thankes for it and for many reasons conjur'd me to keepe this newes secret He in the meane while that would make his benefit of it came to the King his father and made shew to him of so great a greife for his passed offences and such a desire to repaire them by his fidelity and obedience that the mild Hely not only restored him to his favour but almost resign'd to him all his authority Those two Princes might now have named themselves perfectly happy if the one could have cured himselfe of that passion whereof he still languished and kept for the pretended Ennoramita and if the other had heen wise enough to free his mind from a fantasie the most unreasonable that love is able to produce And now since that love is the cause of my voyage 't is not from the purpose if I tell you what is permitted me to publish Know then that above four yeares since Abdelmelec is falne in love with a Princesse which he never saw but in Picture and which he shall never see otherwise This Princesse is called Alcidiana and is Queene of an Island farre separated from these heere and incomparably more fair then these are This little peice of land is called by some the celestiall Island by others the Inchanted Isle but the most proper name is that of the Innaccessible Island because all the Arte of Navigation nor the best steerage of the most experienced Pilots of the world can bring a vessell to any Port
speedy returne Assoone as he was in his lodging he sent for an old Knight that had been his Governour and since by him made Vice-Roy of the Canaries Him he commanded to observe Zelmatida as himself and to do nothing without his ordering His Vice-Roy answered that he would not faile in what he had prescrib'd him and that he would endeavour to behave him in such an observance that he should have no cause to be discontented I intreat you Father said the King to perform it and with that went to the Princess of Tunis who had sent to looke for him whilst he was with Zelmatida He wondred to see her ready so early and wanting time to imploy those obliging termes which comlacency hath made men invent to ââ¦atter the Sloth of women he set himselfe to finde fault with the incommodity of her Chamber and the illness of the bed whereon she lay I was never better said Amatonta and if the Newes I heard last evening had not hindered my rest I had been yet deepely in my first slumber But not to keepe from you longer the resolution I have taken this night I will tel you that I should think my self guilty of an ingratitude the most base and Signall ââ¦f I did not destinate all the time and Liberty which heaven hath vouchsafd to give meto the contentment of Muley Hassen I therefore though abruptly take my leave of you and converting into actions of thankes those prayers and intreaties I intended to make you I promise to preserve eternally the memory of your courtesies and that if I ever arrive at any happinesse I will impute it to the felicity of meeting with you since in the same instant I found the end of a part of my misfortunes You should ascribe it to the Iustice of heaven answer'd Polexander for after it had tried your constancy by a great many of crosses and persecutions it was obliged to give that virtue the Crown it had deserved Do not doubt Madam but that you shall find Muley-Hassen againe overcome the insensibility of the King your Father and moving him with the recital of your disgraces you shal find even in Tunis the desired haven wherein your vertue shal rest safe and free from al Tempests Set on-wards then assoone as you can since that your happinesse attends you on the coasts of Africa and if you thinke it fit to honour me in waiting on you thither I promise to my selfe that I shall be a witness of your good fortune Ah Polexander answered Ennoramita I doubt not but that if my felicity depended on you it should be very neere and certaine But when I thinke on the difficulties that yet oppose it it is almost impossible for mee to hope for it T is aboue 2 yeares since Muley hath heard from me and by consequence knows not whether I be alive or dead His affection hath certainely perswaded him that I am dead and imagin to what dispaire that beliefe hath carried him Alas that poore Prince hath done violence to himselfe not to survive me Quite contrary replied Polexander he lives and desires to reveng your death hath certainely made him resolve to seeke after Nephizus even to the end of the world and not to attempt ought against himselfe till he hath found his Enemy But will you say if by chance he heare of his death he will give over to search by consequence to live No such matter Madam he wil without doubt have heard from some one how you are gotten from your prison and may be not knowing now where you are he wanders through the Kingdome of the King your Father to Learne what is become of you My first thoughts said Ennoramita would have me beleeve you but when I advise with my reason it tells me that I doe but take pleasure in deceiving my selfe to flatter me with these vaine hopes Yet happen what may I beleeve what I Desire and promise to my selfe that after I may being so long time unfortunate I shall be as long againe happy Let us then Madam said Polexander ship our selves with that good presage and doubt no more of the successe of our enterprise If you will do me the honour to be advis'd by me I would have you goe to Morocco It is impossible that amongst the great number of Africans which are to meet at Abdelmelec's Turney wee should not meet with some one that knowes Muley-Hassen And who knowes whether that Prince wearied with so many journeys which he hath so unprofitably taken should not come to Movocco to enquire after you from some of the Domesticks of the late Prince of Fez. Perselida Amatonta overcome by reasons so conformable to her wishes consented to goe to Morocco and understanding that the wind was fit for that crossing over would not even give her selfe the time of a repast And Polexander having given command that his great vessell of Warre should follow him with those domesticall servants he could not missebrought the Princesse of Tunis to the haven and shipped himselfe with her The first houres of their imbarquing were imployed in diverse imployments Polexander much perplex'd for his taking a course so opposite to that which should conduct him to his intended happinesse complayn'd as he was wont of the Injustice of Fortune and not without reason reproach'd her that there was not a day wherein she raisd him not up new hindrances and new Enemies Ennoramita on the contrary made vowes to that imaginary Power and to obtaine a happy successe to her designes besought her to conduct Muley-Hassen to Morocco or at least to preserve his life and take out of his minde the distrust of her not being yet among the living She her selfe granted her own request and taking on her the place of fortune assured her selfe that all her misfortunes were ended that Muley-Hassen was alive and that her Father who had so long time forgotten her repented him of his obduracye and sigh'd for her returne This Princess having wearied her Imagination with too much troubling it was inforc'd to make an end of her musings she sent to know what our Heroe did and that Message being an advertisement to the Prince to go see her He came from his Cabinet and to entertaine her with what was most welcome to her I know not sayd he whence the beliefe comes to me but I cannot let it slip out of my fantasie that you shall meet with Muley at Morocco and that your content shall begin in the very same place where your afflictions had their Originall If that bliss betide me replied Amatonta I Will as much blesse Morocco as I have heretofore curs'd it and that to make it suffer some part of those miseries which I have endured unjustly through the cruelty of her Prince the fire of Heaven would consume it to ashes But t is fittest that the memory of what is passed should be blotted out and to bury with Nephizus all causes that have made me hate him Your
did and intreated him to be pleas'd that she might serve him at least as a slave since Fortune had depriv'd her of the meanes to serve him as a Princesse The cruell Nephizus losing all sence of humanity goe infamous Princesse said he go and run after thy Mescenarez and Tyndarache Thou hast chosen them to glut thy lascivious desires go find them out and never shew thy self to him that hates thee more then death At those words of lascivious and infamous Benzaida grew pale as if she had been ready to swoon and almost assoone the fire flying into her face and flaming forth her eyes Monster cried she more dreadfull then all those thy Affrica ever produc'd Hangman that inhumanly dashest a ponyard into my brest is this the effect of thy promises and assurances which thou gavest me by Alalita and Zamaella O dismall Names to my remembrance pernicious councellors who are the causes of my afflictions as well as of my faults Come and see that Nephizus which you represented to me so generous and so worthy of the quality of a Prince But I accuse you unjustly you were the first deceived and the forsworn man who would make use of you to throw me headlong where I am first put out your eyes before he employed you in that office Pardon me my reproaches too-dear too-credulous freinds T is thee alone Nephizus which I ought to accuse for all my misfortunes and all my offences But shew not so much scorne and aversion to me I shall not be much longer troublesome to thee T is fit only that for my justification I make thee know that I am innocent and guiltlesse of those impurities which thy unclean mouth chargeth me withall and that the execrable Mescenarez and the too-faithfull Tindarache never shared in that which I only reserv'd for thee Heare then my Innocence And should'st thou reject her testimony thy vanquisher and thy Love whom I beseech to receive my deposition will publish for the discharge of my memory the truthes I am about to tell them Know then and thou knowest it but too well that wonne by the perswasions of Alalita and Zamaella I lov'd thee and without regard to my reputation which I hazarded made thee absolute Master of the better part of my selfe But alas that joyes are but of a short continuance and felicities are but ââ¦ll upheld that have no other foundation but the faith of such traytors as thee No sooner had I a Lover but I found my selfe expos'd to the outrages of an Enemy and mark that in the same time when I thought my self at the Port an unexpected tempest shipwrack'd me Thy unthought-of departure or rather thy pre-mediated flight overthrew al my designes and ruin'd al my hopes I found that I was truly robd of al my former fortune and that the Tyrants of Castile triumphed over Benzaida even before they had set on the miserable Granada Thy absence after it had taken from me my hope and comfort deprived me of my Judgement and after my judgement of the Love which I had alwayes borne to my parents and subjects I wish'd the loss both of the one and the other Boabdilez himselfe good heaven shall I speake it became odious to me and holding for Enemies all the Princes and Knights that served me I discharg'd my choler on them but particularly on the ambitious and rash Mescenarez He returned from the frontiers of Granada a little after thou hadst forsaken me and would have taken the boldnesse to entertaine me as othertimes he had done But becoming almost furious in seeing him chid him for his impudence and rashnesse and told him that his impudence should have been long since corrected But when he was gone and I had permission to speak freely what said I not against the providence of our great Prophet against the starrs against love against fortune in briefe against all nature And that Traytor to the end I might say nothing against thee Yet I was quickly in spight of me compeld to make thee a partner The terrible object of thy treason presented it selfe before me and I saw thee so horrible that I could not look on thee without hatred nor to hate without reviling thee as thou hadst deserved It may augment thy rage to repeat them But how excessive soever I make them by my words they will never be equall to the miseries which thy ingratitude hath made me suffer And now Traytor cri'd I thou hast left Africa and cross'd the Sea only to abuse an Innocent and betray the facility of a maid whose love and age made her capable of beleeving all What do'st thou hope for for thy treason VVhat recompence is there reserv'd for so shamefull an action Art thou so much degenerated from thy Ancestors or is Africa that was late the retreat of loyalty and truth perverted that thou canst not there keepe the place that thy birth gave thee without making thy selfe famous by some extraordinary treason But is it not some old hatred that obligeth thee to treate me so unworthily Canst not indure that the Race of the Great Mansor should reign in some corner of the world Art thou not content that thy predecessors drove him out of Africa Art thou leagu'd with the Enemies of our Religion to exterminate the Beleevers and ravish from the Alcoran that power which is left it in Spaine Assure thy selfe that I never took part in the quarrells of our houses Assoone as I saw thee I gave thee my heart and made no distinction between the Race of Marin and that of Mansor But I invented reasons to justifie thy disloyalty which can have no other but that thou art a man and an African that is that thou art doubly disloyall Would to Heaven that the ambition and avarice of our Fathers had been confined within the limits of their Provinces and that their darings had not violated the sacred bounds with which Nature had seperated their Regions The Prince of Fez had not then ever heard speak of the Princesse of Granada and the honor of that poore Mayden should not be as it is now the sports of thy inconstancy and subject of calumnies But why stick I at these vaine considerations Go Miscreant triumph at thy pleasure over my heart and reputation Leave nothing undone to make the horrors of thy life without Example and vaunt thee in the presence of thy Africans who may be are as simple as I that 't was for the love of them thou falsifiedst thy faith to a Granadine Lady and neglected that which Spaine had in most adoration Without doubt thy vanity brought the like discourse within thee But what 's that to me if it were so Is it not enough that I too truely know that thou hast betraid me Neither the great Mahomet on whose Prophesies thou swor'st to be true to me nor the feare which the black Angells should imprint in the Soules of the perfidious nor my innocency nor my love nor in briefe
that watchest for the generall good of the world what have I done to thee that I should be the party belov'd of Benzaida After he had ended this exclamation he turn'd himselfe towards me and ask'd me whither I would go T is no matter where I replied provided it be there where I may find the Prince of Fez. Provided that it be where you may find the Prince of Fez replied Tindarache O Too happy Prince if thou knew'st thy happinesse Let s go Let 's go Madam after that ingratefull Man Let us search for that enemy of his owne good Let 's compell him to accept the good Fortune he refuseth and if there want but my life to make him true I am content that you bestow it on your passion The love and Noblenesse of that Prince touch'd me so to the heart that I was forc'd to impose him silence for feare least his speech should make me too sensible He was no lesse obedient to me in that then in all other things and I beleeve that wee cros'd the seas and a part of Fez and Morocco without any talke aboue five or six times I found thee not in either of the Kingdomes but I understood that the love thou barest to Ennoramita Princess of Tunis had made thee undertake a voyage on the Ocean I therefore left Morocco and went to imbarque my selfe at Azafi to see if I could meet thee at Sea or at least to passe the streights and finde thee at Tunis but being ingaged to stay at Azafi to attend a Portugall ship I was I know not by what odnesse of Fortune seen and desired by four Castilian Knights who seem'd to be very Inquisitive of mee And not contented to have entertain'd me in their Inne shipped themselves with me and did what they could to win me not to forsake their conversation I avoyded it yet as often as it was possible and heaven hearing my prayers Stir'd up so furious a Tempest that it gave the Spanyards farr other thoughts then those of pratling to me After our ship had bin three dayes and three nights beaten with the Tempest it came to shyde on to an Island which is now famous by the stately Tombe of a Prince called Almansor There wee went on shore to expect fairer weather and give time to the Mariners to trym their ship and I that would avoid the sight of the four troublesome Spanyards I caus'd me to be conducted by Tindarache to a village which is not farre from the sea But I could not keep me from the curiosity of those mad men They followed mee and stopping me between a wood and a many rocks told me that they were come to serve me and not to offer me any outrage Wee are said they four Cozens who are equally in love with you and because our affection is too violent to endure any companions we are resolved to fight in your presence to give an end to the cause of our jealousy and leave you the prize for the vanquisher Though my minde was busied about nothing but the remembrance of thy ingratitude perjur'd Nephizus yet the extravagancy of those men was capable to stay my musings I gave Heaven thankes that it made me see a folly which was not lesse extraordinary then mine and told those Lovers that I found their loves so unreasonable and the person who was the cause of it so unworthy the fortune they would run for her that I advis'd them to continue freinds and give over an enterprize that could be no other then very unfortunate to them That must not stay us if you please they replyed since of four that we be there will be no mishap but for him that shall survive his companions and in ending these words they threw off their doublets and came to meet one another with their Swords drawn The Combat was very short though very bloody and indeed it could not be otherwise since 't was done by the advice and guidance of so murderous and furious a passion as that of love Three presently fell down dead and the fourth his sword red with the blood of his Cozens came and cast himselfe at my feet to aske me the prize for his victory Tindarache till then had shewed so little feeling that not being able to doubt of his courage after the proofes that he had given me of it I thought that by the remembrance of thy false promises I was not to give any more trust to his faire words But when he saw the Spanyard at my feet Knight said he to him you make too much hast and having not yet done but the halfe of your businesse you stick not to aske the salary for the whole Doe you think that I am lesse Jealous or not so cleare-sighted as you Spanyards Truely answered the other you surprize me Your leane and disfigur'd countenance your reeling and weak walking and the feeblenesse of your armes made me beleeve that you rather look'd for some Physitian to cure you then for an Enemy to cut off some one or two of those dayes that were yet to live Notwithstanding since you beseech me for it in so good a manner I am pleased not to have you to languish any longer but to kill you a little more speedily then your melancholy would have done Tindarache in lieu of replying to that arrogant answer did but smile and taking his Sword in his hand told his enemy that he besought him to make an end of his Cure The other whose new victory had made him more proud then he was by birth went on very resolutely to Tindarache The Prince met him as bravely and at first gave him such a dangerous wound that he forc'd him to put one knee to the ground The Spanyard seeing his strength go away with his blood furiously rose up to avenge himselfe of his vanquisher but he who knew how much his preservation imported me recoyl'd still in warding in that manner let him lose the rest of the strength blood that was left him Atlast that unfortunate Castilian fel backwards not being able to speak by reason of the blood which came out of his mouth he took a handkercher which he steep'd in his wound and after he had kissed it threw it towards me Tindarache who was not wounded came to me and seeing me affrighted Away Madam said he let 's away from this dismall Island wherein Love hath been the cause of shedding so much blood and let us go find out the happy Prince of Fez. I took the advice of that generous Lover and after I had given order to the Inhabitants of that Bourg whereinto I was retyr'd for the buriall of the Spanyards I re-imbark'd my selfe in the same Ship which had brought me thither The violence of the tempest had put the Portugull Ship to that necessity that they were forc'd to return to Azafie and there I left them and came back to Morocco where I understood that thou wert at Fez. Presently
they soone changed their opinion for presently after they saw come in divers foot-boyes and many horses which among the black that cover'd them made some shew of flames The Captaine of this Brigade was mounted upon a Roane horse with Caparisons of black Velvet imbroider'd with Gold and Silk of the colour of fire The Armes he bare by the industry of the Workman represented a furnace wherein the fire was nourished by a little mizling raine that fell into it His shield was black in many places and the rest bloodied with the long tresse of a Comet This Devise had for motto to it these three Latin words Vt perdat lucet Polemander so was the Knight call'd so deadly inflamed came to the place prescrib'd and easily obtaining the Audience he desired said that he was come out of the Mountaines which separate Spaine from France to give to the faire Infeliciana the last testimony of his love Truely his constancy deserves from us extraordinary prayses For though the object of his passion was during her life full of grace and merit yet we must confesse that there was a miracle in so long a perseverance Infeliciana enjoyed in the highest degree all that which the fairest Ladies either Greek or Spanish had of allurement or fire yet whoever di-sinteress'd should Judge will acknowledge the beauty of that Lady to be nothing in comparison of the wonders of her wit and the sweetnesse of her conversation This magnanimous Knight charm'd with so many divine qualities had neither soul nor life but what he receiv'd from the Eyes or discourse of Infeliciana When he was absent from her he did nothing but languish His melancholy and heavinesse made both the Court and the light odious to him and made the King of Navarre of whom he was passionatly belov'd to take notice of it That Prince by all manner of offers and favours would faine have won him to discover the cause of his disquiet but all in vaine After he had long time mused on it he doubted that the sadnesse of his favorite came from love and himselfe being then extreamely in love with a young Lady call'd Ismenia who wanted no allurements he imagin'd that Polemander kept not his love private for any other thing but because it had originall from her beauty Presently the King grew jealous and so extreamely jealous that to free him of all his suspitions he made use of all the wit and subtlety wherewith his love could furnish him But it was all in vaine that he made use of his great promises his feined compassion and his other artifices The discretion and silence of Polemander triumph'd over all those enemies and confirmd the King in that opinion he had too lightly conceiv'd He secretly look'd on Polemander as his Rivall He forgot what he was to him He threatens him and suffering himselfe to be transported by his former motions deliberated already on the execution of him which but lately he lov'd as his owne person On the other side his fury made him think strange things of Ismenia He accused her for being crafty to desire more then one Lover and but to feine as often as she promised him her affection some dayes passed during which the Prince was able to containe him but the excessive torments which his silence added to those his jealousie made him undergoe compel'd him at last to make known his sufferings and discover to all Navarre the cause of his vexation He brake out in the end even against Polemander and not content to revile him for those things whereof he never thought told him that if he gave not over his love he would make him feele all that which could be expected from the just indignation of an offended Monarch This perfect lover seeing himselfe thrust at tott'ring on all sides would not give place to violence but abiding in his first resolution intended to perish rather then to faile of that secrecy he had promised to Infeliciana Whilst all the Court was troubled at the Melancholy and Chââ¦'ler of the King and that the Enemies of POLEXANDER accusd him aloud to be too indiscreet Infeliciana admir'd the generousnesse of her Lover She confesseth that he only is worthy to be beloved and laugh'd at the blindnesse of those cowardly and perfidious minds that have no other light but what they have from Envy and detraction Polemander who well saw how much his discretion made him miserable protested to Infeliciana never to forsake her and rather to lose the Kings favour then to violate his faith or those commands which she had justly impos'd on him He kept his word so truly that the most crafty and curious Courtiers of them all were as well caught as the rest and made no difficulty to beleive that Ismenia was the true cause of Polemander's passion But if their preoccupation had not made them see things far otherwise thenthey were it had been very easie for them to have been dis-beguild when Infeliciana was taken from the Court to be given to a German Prince to whom she had been promis'd by her parents Truly death is not so horrible as the departure of Infeliciana was to Polemander He fail'd but little of being lost to himselfe and had infallibly done injury to his owne person if that beautie's forbiddings and the hope of re-seeing her had not staid his Tragicall resolution In spight of himselfe he therefore gave himselfe life but unwilling to keep it but as an Enemy which he would persecute he did him those ills and went on to such extremities that none would ever beleive it but such as have lov'd so truly as he The day that Infeliciana parted he went out alone from the City and taking on him the habit of a Begger put himselfe in the way she was to pass As farre off as He saw her Chariot he tore his hair gave most fearfull shriekes and beating his head against the trees and stones lay as dead in the midst of the high-way Those that rid before Infeliciana pittied him and taking him for a man afflicted with some strange sicknesse commanded their Servants to remove him those that were chosen to doe that worke of charity were so base that they had almost kild him in Lieu of assisting that poor Lover They did him a many mischiefes in drawing of him and with the extremity of their dragging made him recover his senses Presently he rose up as a man enraged and getting out of the hands of those unpitifull men ran even to Infeliciana's Chariot In her presence he renewed his cries and fury and spake such things that the most barbarous mindes could not hear without releââ¦ting On an instant he cast himself under the Chariot which the Charioteer had stop'd and as he lay there besought them to crush his head in peices under the Wheeles to terminate by so glorious a death a life that was odious unto him in this speech he intermingled the Name of Infeliciana and repeated it so often
value At last with much adoe he had leave to enter and comming to the place where the Prince of Morocco used to receive and hear his Rivals Abdelmelec said he t is needlesse that I should tell thee who I am This Picture shall speake for me and in thus speaking he discovered that Buckler he had taken from the Prince Abdelmelec presently knew it and had not power enough at his first perturbations to see without trouble the man which he expected with so much impatiency He trembled and favourably to interpret that trembling I will say 't was out of Joy and feare at least he made it seeme so For being recollected from his first agitation I never hoped to see thee more said he audaciously to Polexander ' and beleeved that the Cowardize wherewith all ill actions are accompanied would not suffer thee to shew thy selfe in this place of Honour But since thou hast no lesse impudence to maintaine thy Thefts then thou hadst boldnesse to do them I find that Fortune is not all together unjust in making thy rashnesse happy Yet see here a place wherein she hath but little Authority And therefore thou shouldst feare least she forsake thee at thy need and leave thee to suffer that punishment which thou hast deserved Thou art replied Polexander either poorely in Love or very senceles to suffer for so long a time the Portraict of Alcidiana in the hands of another and of such another as hath so shamefully made thee quit it On Abdelmelec Run on to thy revenge do not Evaporate thy Choler in idle Narrations When our Heroe had ended his speech he turned his back to Abdelmelec and rid to attend him at the end of the Liââ¦t The Prince of Morocco re-collecting all his force and all the opinion of his Courage came thundring on Polexander and broke his Lance with a great deale of strength Our Hero struck his on the Princes Casque and turning him over on the Crupper of his Horse astonished him so that he was carried to the end of the Cariere sencelesse yet he recovered and tooke a second Lance Polexander met him with his first and so impetuously lifted him above his Horse that almost in the very instant of the shock they saw him extended on the Gravell Presently he got up and on all sides hearing the noyse of the people and the hand-clappings of all the principall Spectators he thought himselfe lost in his reputation if he did not hazard his Life to regaine what he had so lately lost He call'd for and 't was brought him a fresh Horse and sent two Pole-axes and two Cimyters to Polexander that he might take his choyce of two Polexander tooke the first he met withall under his hand and sending the two other to his Rivall bad them tell him that he was not his Enemy though his Challenges had extreamely offended him even to the taking away of his life that he should look to himselfe and undertake nothing beyond his power Those words made Abdelmelec lose all the little reason was left him He ran on Polexander with the sury but not with the courage of a Lion Polexander presently stopp'd him and unwilling to make use of his armes because they were dangerous made it appeare to all the Assembly that he came to the Turney rather to reprove Abdelmelec for his daring then to punish him for it The inequality noted between them took away all the pleasure the Spectators promised themselves in seeing the Combat Even Polexander being ashamed of so much advantage retired often and besought Abdelmelec to have a care of his life But that weak and wilfull Prince neither being able to vanquish nor to yeeld gave Polexander a great deale more trouble then if he had farre better defended himselfe Whilst our Heroe sought a meanes to be rid of him without killing him He heard a great noyse of Trumpets at the principall Gate of the field and took that occasion to oblige Abdelmelec at that time not to be killed Let us at least see said he before we end our Combate who comes so boldly to violate the Lawes of the Turney Abdelmelec gave a deafe Ear to these words but seeing a great many Trumpetters enter the field he tooke off his Casque and went from Polexander to chastise those that had contemn'd his countermands A man clad in a long robe after the Persian maner covered with Plates of silver cut and imbroydered in scales streight appear'd mounted on a brave horse He was attended by twelve black Slaves who had all Collars of silver and long chaines of the same mettle The Knight himselfe seemed a Slave for he had chaines on his legs which though of Gold were yet the tokens of his servitude Polexander at first knew not what to thinke of that novelty but casting his eyes on the Banners which were tyed to the trumpets of that Slave-Knight and noting on them a Phoenix which arose out of its Cradle or if you will it's Tombe he imagined that 't was one of Alcidiana's Slaves His astonishment was no lesse then his joy He grew pale he trembled and passing in an instant from one extremity to another became all on fire His first perturbances were followed by other more temperate and re-collecting his Spirits and making use as he ought of his reason perswaded himself that Alcidiana had not without some important cause sent that illustrious Slave to the Court of Morocco Being more nerely approached to see him distinctly he knew 't was the same Pallantus who had pronounc'd the sentence of his condemnation in Bajazets Island He was oftentimes tempted to go and embrace him but the considerations of the Iust not permitting his discovery he expected with a great deale of impatiency what Pallantus had to say The trumpets imposing silence and the famous Slave being conducted to the place for the Orations spake thus Alcidiana Queen of the most happy Island hath understood that divers bold men have taken to themselves such Licence as hath been disadvantagious to her honor and have dar'd not only to take her for the object of their diversions but to stile themselves the Knights and defenders of her beauty These Insolencies have troubled the peace of her mind and have made her capable of choler After she had long complain'd of the pride of men she hath pleas'd to divulge her just indignation and given me command to be at this Assembly to the end that by a publick disavowing I should make known to all the world that she holds all those for her enemies who have the impudence to name themselves her Lovers She therefore forbids the continuation of these Iusts and her will is that the Prince himselfe of Morocco be compriz'd within the rigour of her Law And for asmuch as she heares how a certaine Barbarian call'd Phelismond dares in the Deserts of Denmark to vaunt himselfe only worthy of her service She invites to the ruine of that Monster all those who think them
condition you ought to take into consideration the Queen your Mother you ought to give her the Example of comforting her selfe and by your constancy facilitate the meanes of supporting her mis-fortunes All things sort well with you to go render her this necessary proofe of your good disposition She now bewayls your absence as well as your Sisters Go and ease her of one part of her feares and disquiet and since 't is impossible for you to give her all she desires give her yet at least all which she desires with reason I know t is vexatious and irksome to you to signifie to her the death of your Sister But it is not of necessity that you should your selfe bring her that unwelcome and heavy newes Besides Axiamira's virtue is no common virtue She is of proofe against the greatest Accidents and Fortune who hath often violently justled her hath not been able to stirr her At that word Polexander interrupting me Governour said he I yeeld to so many reasons and will not be ââ¦pbrayded that for being too nice I forsook one sick who might have receiv'd comfort by my care and diligence Presently the Pilot had command to returne to the Canaryes and as if the wind had been govern'd by that Prince it shifted in a moment from East to West and so fresh a gale that the second day we discry'd the prodigious Mountaine of the Isle of Teneriffe There we met with an obstacle which was as the presage of those hind'rances where withall Fortune went about to oppose the prosperities of Polexander Four-Pyrateââ¦hips which domineer'd in those Seas discharg'd all at once on our two Vessells and not thinking to meet with any great resistance came close up to us without any more My generous Master finding in this occasion wherewithall to exercise his great courage made it appeare to the Rovers they had been very ill advised He so affrighted them by the terror of his blowes but particularly by the death of their Captaine that they gave over the fight and contented themselves with the losses they had sustained Polexander was more hard to be pleas'd and would not overcome by halfes He hotly pursued the Run-awayes sunck two of their ships and but for the ill weather which seem'd to envy his victory it had not been unperfected But of this I intended not to accuse Fortune if by a pernicious sequell that Jealous-one had not made it appeare she had a designe not to save the Prince's Enemies but to ruine the Prince himselfe To bring it to passe she arm'd the Sea and the Winds and commanded them to wage Warr with him and after she had held him many dayes and nights without hope of safety cast him into a Port wherein he made a more dangerous shipwrack then if his Vessell had been split upon some Rock His ship then open and leaking in many places and unfurnished in her principall parts hazardously entred the mouth of a little River which our Pilots knew not and not finding water enough insensibly ran in on the owze The generous Polexander presently came to assist Alcippus Diceus and my selfe that could no more and assuring us we were out of all danger said that if we had yet but a little courage we might instantly enjoy our good fortune Get out my friends let 's get out of this sad abode and let 's see whether the Land will be more kind to us then the water and whilst our Mariners resume their Spirits let us take the benefit of that rest which an extream pleasant shore presents us Alcippus overcame his sicknesse to follow Polexander went a land with him Diceus follow'd presently after and I who had rather dye then be from my Prince caus'd my selfe to be carryed on shore by foure of our slaves The ayre of the Land streightwayes dissipating a part of our sicknesse we found our selves comforted and ââ¦as'd in lesse then nothing Polexander and Alcippus climb'd to the top of a Rock not farre from us to see whether we were arriv'd in a place that was inhabited But seeing neither men nor houses and the night too approaching they return'd where they had left me and told me we must set up Tents on the shore to passe the comming night better then we had done the eight or ten precedent Diceus receiving this order from me went back into the ship and commanded the Officers of the Kings Cabin to go set up the Kings pavillion in the most commodious place they could find All which was don with so much diligence that in lesse then an houre we found our selves very well lodg'd When every one had eaten we set Sentinells on the parts that lead to us for feare of being surpris'd and gave them expresse order not to disperse themselves for what cause soever This done we went to Bed Scarce had the Sun begun to whiten the top of the Rock at whose feet we had pitch'd our Tent when Polexander call'd Alcippus and my selfe and told ââ¦s we slept as profoundly as if we were in a friends Country We streight clad us and that while the Prince went to relieve the Sentinells and put some little Court of Guard about his Tents to make some little resistance in case we were set on and forbad us on paine of death to observe him as a King before any person whatsoever that should hap to come neer him This being thus ordered he commanded his horses to be landed but they had been so Sea-beaten they could hardly uphold themselves Yet there was a Barbary white as Snow which Polexander had bought to combate with Abdelmelec that took heart assoone as he was landed and refreshing himselfe on the Grasse seem'd by his neighing to assure the King his Master that he might make use of him The Prince after he had taken a little repast amongst all his followers took horse and Alcippus and Diceus following him a foot travers'd a plaine which stretch'd it selfe along by the River and grew broader in other Lands as farr off as the eye could extend After he had ridden three or four miles he descended by a pleasant slope hanging of a hill into so delight some valleys were it for the little Brookes which divided them for the Fountaines which slid from the top of the little hills for the meadow coverd with a thousand severall kindes of flowers or for the little woods which invirond them so that oftentimes considering them I have said to my selfe that the ancient Grecians had good cause to chuse the abode of their Heroes Soules in the Islands of the Atlantick Sea If Polexander were ravished at so faire a Scite he was farre more in meeting with those that inhabited it They were Shepheards so handsome and Shepheardesses so fayre and neatly clad that in seeing them Polexander thought on the Knights and Ladies of the French Court beleeved he saw them represent act some Pastoral in their rurall habits The first he met withall not a jot wondred to
he had a mind to lose himselfe he could not doe it in a more high enterprize But how I pitty him for not having seen but through a very obscure veyle this so shining and lively a light which makes him contemn all others Certainly those pictures of Alcidiana which he hath are the works of ignorance or envie and I may say after what I have seen that Prince adores a Divinity to him unknown Alcippus desirous to qualifie the disquiet of this new Lover Me thinks said he that instead of lamenting Abdelmelecs fortune you ought to extoll your own and give thanks to Love that since he hath inspir'd you with a desire to serve ALCIDIANA He hath not only made you worthy of her but by a singular priviledge hath conducted you as by the hand where your service may receive their reward Ah flatââ¦erer replyd Polexander dar'st thou who hast seen that Princesse make me beleeve I am worthy to serve her The love thou bear'st me suffers the not well to consider me Thou representeââ¦t to thy selfe all things to my advantage and I doubt not but thou beleev'st thou doest it justly But I who am freed from the love of my selfe and can be a good Iudge in mine own cause I look on my fortune on that side it ought to be regarded and am not dazled as thou art with I know not what luster which a false light casts on it Know my friend that I am absolutely unworthy of Alcidiana's chaines that the least of her slaves hath those qualities to which I can never pretend and that fortune hath thrown me on these inaccessible coasts for no other end but to engage me in a dispaire which surpasseth the dispaire of all that have been unfortunate from the beginning of the world Wouldst thou have morâ⦠palpable or more visible proofes oâ⦠this truth then the contempt wherewith Alcidiana cast her eyes on me Think on the circumstances of her meeting Examine alâ⦠that passed in that little time she permitted me to see her Weigh seriously her precipitated departure and thou wilt confesse with me that her eyes and silence have declar'd me unworthy of the honour to be reckned amongst her slaves I intend to contest with your Majesty replyd Alcippus For having not your light and knowledge I stop at things which sence makes me see and cannot as you penetrate into soules and discover the secrets of thoughts And not to lye to you if your discourse had not taken off somewhat which hood-winkd mine eyes without perceiving it I should yet have drawn very advantagious consequences from the meeting with Alcidiana and maintaine stifly my beliefe of your giving her more cause of admiration then contempt All her Nymphes forgetting the chase and even not seeing the Hynde which fell at their feet press'd to come neer you and pointing with their fingers seemd to say to one another that they had never seen your equall As you love me Alcippus said Polexander interrupting him make an end of this discourse Thou makest me madde in thinking to comfort me I know what my destiny is but as sadde as t is t is to me deare t is to me glorious since t is perfected by the hands of Alcidiana By this answer he impos'd silence on Alcippus and beginning to walke in his Chamber was about an houre in that exercise At last he remembred himselâ⦠and calling Diceus askd him whether he had brought Abdelmelec's bucklers They are in your Majesties trunââ¦kes replyd Diceus I would faine have them said the Prince We must goe for them then replyd Diceus The place where I have left them is not so farre hence but that I can be quickly backe againe But Sir said he if the Viceroy presse me upon your staying what shall I say to him Thou shalt tell him replyd the Prince all that thou thinkest fittest to keep him where he is Diceus presently took one of his hosts Horses and in full speed came to the Towne where I was retyred I was wonderfully astonish'd at so quick a returne and askd him the cause T is nothing said he nor no other then the curiosity of a great Lord of this Isle He desires to see Abdelmelecs bucklers and I have ridden all last night that he might not long expect his desir'd contentment After he had told me this tale he took the two bucklers and returnd with as much speed as he came Polexander seeing him come back commended his love and diligence and with an excesse of joy forgetting what he was embrac'd him a long time in his armes Then he set Alcidiana's Pictures in their best light and considering them well I am confirm'd said he to Alcippus in my first opinion These Pictures are nothing like Alcidiana I saw the Princesse so little replyd Alcippus that my memory represents her not to me but very confusedly Yet if that Idea of her which I retain hathany conformity with the Original I find not these Coppies any way do resemble her Assuredly said Polexander with a litle passion they are nothing at all like her Where find you that sweet and majesticall livelinesse which sparkles in her eyes or that fresh and cleere whitnesse of her complexion and brest No no there is nought here of Alcidiana Only a man may see by some strokes that t is the portraict of some excellently faire creature In this discussion was the Prince when the Shepheard who two dayes before had left him entred his Chamber and presenting to him another Shepherd of a very good aspect for an old man made him understand by signes that that was it which he had promised him The old Shepheard presently beginning to speake saluted Polexender in Arabian and by that language made him sufficiently conceive the good office done him by the young Shepheard The Prince went and imbrac'd him to signifie how sensible he was of that obligation After that satisfaction he streight did the like to the old man and told him in Arabicke that he was too happy in meeting with one to whom he might make himselfe understood This venerable old man answered him his joy was not lesse and should he reap no other fruit of his travells then the tafting the sweetnesse of his conversation he would all the rest of his life blesse that curiosity which at first made him to undertake them T is for me Father replyd Polexander to give thanks to fortune for shipwracking me on this Iland Scarce had I set foot on this Land but that I was ãâã of the happinesse it enjoyes as one of its naturall proprieties In three dayes I met with a thousand causes of contenââ¦ment but there are few of them on which I set so high a price as on the happinesse of your acquaintance The old Shepheard thinking in his opinion he had not words good enough to answer these replyd by the teares which joy drew from his eyes and to make an end of all Compliments besought Polexander to beleeve that if he could
might advance his intention and yet ran two moneths more up and downe the sea to try his fortune He put in execution all that love advised he observed all that the Priests of the Sun had prescribed him and notwithstanding did nothing but increase his afflictions and ruinate the remainder of his hopes In this vaine travell having spent almost all the yeere which was the fourth since he came out of Alcidiana's Island he came to winter in this Island and in the beginning of the spring put to sea with seaven good ships of consort In this last voyage he perceived that perseverance might overcome the malignity of fortune and the starres for being a dayes saile from the Island of the Sun he discovered three great vessells and for feare of terrifying them commanded his Pilot to steere a contrary course to theirs till the beginning of the night which was executed with so much art that the three ships sailed without any suspition At sun set Polexander hoysed up all his sailes and was so fortunate that at day breake he was come up so close to them as he knew them to be of the Inaccessible Island He saw Alcidiana's new arising Phoenix painted on the sailes of the tallest and judging thereby it was the sacred vessell Companions said he at last wee have found that wee have sought for these foure yeeres but that we may not perish in the Haven we must joyne wisdome to valour and ability to affection Let every one of you therefore contribute to my contentment and make it appeare in this occasion the same obedience they have testified in all those that have preceded I particularly desire from you this obedience said he because by it I will suspence with your valour hold your hands and take from you that wonted fervency wherewithall you were accustomed to assaile mine enemies You know these are none and 't is only the reverence they beare to their Lawes of their Countrey and their Queenes command which makes them turne their armes against us After he had thus spoaken he caused five of his ships to make up and commanded the Pilots to get the winde Himselfe with two other made right to those of Alcidiana They instantly severed one tooke towards the South another towards the East and the last Northerly This stratagem angred Polexander and made him afraid of losing them either in following them severally or if he should give chase but to one He deliberated a while what to doe and thought it best to get his ships together and follow all that which tooke her course to the North. It was the greatest and therefore he thought her to be that wherein Lynceus was Well after her he made but the first and second day he could not come up within reach of the Canon The third day he got to her but that the night made him lose sight of her and was the cause why all the next day she could not be seene of them The fift he discovered his Canaries and a Marriner which was in the scuttle of the Mast cried out he discried Alcidiana's ship This newes infused new life into Polexander and his followers They hasted all after the cunning Lynceus and having singled and found him out among so many turnings the sea makes by reason of the Islands laid him aboard in sight of that of Iron He could no more have escaped us but must be taken Polexander was now as he thought the Master of fortune when a great vessell which lay in the roade of the foresaid Isle came out met with him and staied him and withall gave testimony that the inequallity of their forces should not binder him from fighting Polexander cryed out to his men that they should not amuse themselves about that new enemy but closely follow Lynceus But the Turkes in the great vessell forced them to fight for their passage The King inraged at this obstacle layd the Turkes aboard and being unable to compell them to a retreat came to handy stroakes with their Captaine I will relate to you an admirable adventure In the heate of the fight some of our people crying out that Polexander had the victory scarce had the Captaine of the Turks heard that name but he came and threw himselfe at the feete of the King my Master presented him his armes petitioned to be chastised for his insolency and in a word made himselfe knowne to be the same Iphidamantus whom the Sultan Bajazet forced away the same day he caused Periander to be strangled Polexander astonished at the adventure witnessed how much he rejoyced in seeing him againe but remembring he lost Lynceus intreated him to goe and expect his returne at the Canaries and suffer him to follow the ship wherein his fortunes were inclosed Iphidamantus after he had craved pardon for his errour would repaire it in assisting him to take Lynceus They did all they could to fetch him up again but in vaine and in lieu of it found themselves pestred betweene two Navall Armies which were ready to give battle The one was Spanish and the other made up of part Turkes and part Moores The Vice-roy of Argier commanded in chiefe who having passed the streights at the request of Abdelmelec and other Africans to make an enterprize on the Portugall saw himselfe compelled after a bloody fight to returne into the Mediterranean and dispute no more for the Empire of the Ocean with a Nation who by their late discoveries and mighty fleete were gotten Masters of it 'T is fit before I proceed further that I relate to you Iphidamantus life as he himselfe told it his brother Polexander whilst they were together Do not put your self to that trouble Father replied Zelmatida I know it all He himself made it known to me in the Pirats Iland I know how he was bred by the Basha Achomat under the name of Soliman that Melicerta and Histeria daughters of the Basha fell in love with him and am not ignorant how the insensibility of Achomat caused the death of the one and the banishment of the other In briefe I know all that hath ââ¦ided him to the very day he was taken by our deare Bajazet Since 't is so replied the Vice-roy I have no more to tell you but that Polexander after the battle betwixt the Turkes and Spanyards finding againe the pretended ship of Lyncens did what he could to winne her by faire meanes But that being bootelesse he followed her to the Pirats Island fought with her and at last understood he had taken all that paines only for an apparition and Chymera For in effect 't was not Lynceus but a Rover called Cid Hamet which scoured through the seas in a ship which a little before he had taken from one of Alcidiana's Pilots Judge now great Prince if love be not a dangerous thing or rather a malediction which heaven in its anger powres downe to chastice the sinnes of the earth Certainly t is the greatest scourg it can inflict
Prince set downe among his first examples of Loyalty the excesse of my blinde obedience After this discourse with himselfe he began to thinke on the meanes of bringing his resolution to a good issue and after a long meditating on it came forth with Alcippus to revisit Phelismond and met with his first Conductor who assured him his Master was impatient till he saw him againe and that all the afternoone he had entertained his visitants with nought but his ingenuity and couââ¦age Polexander answered as he ought and so ascended to Phelismonds Chamber He found him up and was received with a great deale of joy and gentlenesse behaviors raââ¦e in men of that condition Long time the Prince embraced him speaking as he had knowne the secrets of his soule When said he shall I have the happinesse to see you as really my friend as I wish it Polexander who could not betray his conscience nor indiscreetly offend so generous a Prince studied an answere that might satisfie him and yet be no prevarication in what concerned Alcidiana The sole cause replied he which deters me from receiving the honour you doe me is a feare that when I shall be more particularly knowne to you then I am you will be inforced to cut off a great deale from those favours you doe me Phelismond at that word stopping him assure your selfe said he that neither you nor all men breathing can by any action whatsoever take from me my intention and will to be entirely yours But fearing least you may imagine that rather some other consideration then that of your virtue hath obliged me to woe your friendship I asked it you without the knowledge of what you are not what you can doe These courtesies of Phelismond so distracted Polexander that but with a great deale of trouble could he frame an answere to so many noble speeches In the meane time Phelismond who had a designe to gaine him absolutely smiled to see him at a nonplus and thus came on againe Beââ¦ide what may yet must I have what I intreate for Doe you not know that Love hath the priviledge to be resisted by nothing See then what you intend to doe If you be so good a husband of your friendship as you will sell it either it is inestimable or I have that which will buy it Or if you ââ¦e so liberall as to give it I am ready to be wholly obligeâ⦠to you for it Polexander confounded with these new chargââ¦s was even desperate of ever contenting Pââ¦elismond and admiring his generosity sââ¦id to himselfe Alcidiana was unjust in desiring the death of so perfect a Prince At last he overcame the agitations of his minde and resolved not to discover himselfe but to declare to Pââ¦elismond the cause of his journey and by consequence what 't was which hindred him from accepting his friendship See how he came off from so difficult a straite and under what tearmes he hid the truth of his life Since said he to Phelismond you will have me absolutely accept the honour you doe me or give you reason for my refusall I will make use of the liberty you give me and freely tell you I cannot receive your offers how advantagious soever they may be to me nor yet promise you my service till I am disingaged from an affaire wherein your selfe is in some sort interrested Of what nature soever that businesse be replied Phelismond I sweare to you if you please to doe me the favour to trust me I will ever conforme my selfe to what shall be most agreeable to you This protestation full of candor and affection obliged Polexander to trifle the time no longer but thus to goe on with his Declaration I am a French man said he and my birth good enough for satisfaction I have been bred up among the troubles wherein my Countrey hath laboured within these few yeeres and fortune hath been so favourable to me that I have had thence more then I expected But when I adapted me to tast the fruites of my labours she hath raised me a fearefull enemy and would have put him in possession of all that good I promised my selfe Yet when she was in hand to put him the enjoying she found her selfe too weake to performe it That Favourite hath met with more obstacles in that he would deprive me of then the greatnesse of his quallity could imagine He hath seen his hopes as well as mine take their end when they should have had their beginning and when I should have complained of his violence he obliged himselfe to give me satisfaction by waies that were not honourable Pardon me if you please continued Polexander if I name not my Usurper for he is so well knowne in this Court and you have so much cause to affect him as I have been told that I feare for his sake you will forget all your promises to me Believe it not replied Phelismond I heere againe engage my selfe to make good what I have promised Since you are so generous said Polexander I will lay open the summe of all my businesse My enemy unwilling to have our quarrell decided otherwhere then before the King your Master sent that he would meet me heere to give me full satisfaction and that at farthest I should heare of him within a Moneth See Phelismond my fortune the cause of my voyage and wherefore I dare not believe you can love me You may perceive by this that I am come into Denmarke to fight by the Kings permission and to petition him that in his presence I may force satisfaction for an injury which will not suffer me to live without its resentment After this last overture if you have yet remaining disposition to oblige me suffer me not to have made an idle journey My Adversary is not now in case to make a joynt petition with me to the King but he is a person so noble that he would not for any thing faile of his word If I therefore dare to hope ought from your goodnesse or rather if my fantasticall designe hath made no change in your opinion I conjure you once more by that virtue which is so habituall to you to free me from my continuall molestation and to imploy a part of that power you have with the King in getting me his permission for a combate Phelismond observing in all Polexanders discourse the mildnesse and well temperature of his speech answered him thus I will make you see how much I value this your greatnesse of courage which no lesse apeares in your resentment then in all the rest of your actions I therefore promise to serve you at what hazard soever and either to lose all my reputation or give you that content which you hope for by your combate But if you please it shall be on condition that you finding nothing in this which may hinder your being my friend you will grant me that which I have often sued for When Polexander saw his businesse goe on
strange as the spectacle which astonied him When hee was come so far as the maine mast hee saw a most faire Lady richly clad ty'd to it by the hands and the feet before her were four posts on which were nayled the heads of four men so fresh that it might easily be guess'd they had not been long severed from their bodies The miserable spectatresse on these dreadfull objects pitifully turned her eyes now on one and then on another of them and though Polexander presented himselfe before her shee interrupted not her mournfull exercise The Prince noting her admirable beauty even through her afflictions and teares was extreamly mov'd to see her in so deplorable an estate and imagining because of the neernesse to France shee might understand him if hee spake French told her in that tongue that hee was come to offer her all his utmost ability either for her consolation or revenge The poore distressed Lady made no shew of hearing him but kept still her eyes fixed on the distruncked heads This attention and fixednesse doubled Polexander's astonishment and commanded some of his followers to goe into the Cabines and descend under hatches to see if there were any that might understand him Alcippus and Diceus searched every where and neither finding any one dead or alive returned and assured the King their Master hee should learne nothing of that adventure if hee had it not from the mouth of the bound Lady Hee therefore came againe to her and employing the best words his desire to make her speake could furnish him with besought her to take heart to think of avenging her on the cruelty of her enemies to make use for that revenge of the assistance which heaven had sent her and promise to her selfe from his arme a part of the satisfaction which the resentment of her griefs ought to make him wish for He added many other considerations to these and so pressed the miserable woman that shee cast her eyes on him but in such a manner that a man might say shee saw him not and after shee had often sighed Why said she sadly come you againe to fore-slow the end of my miseries Are you sent by that pernicious enemy who hath brought me to the extremity I am in to the end she may glut her malice in making me die often Madam reply'd Polexander I know not the monster of whom you speake and would your griefe give you leave to heare mee you should know I come not hither for any other cause then to free you from all your torments Your generosity is great reply'd the Lady but it can availe me nothing unlesse you could give back againe the lives of those unfortunate wretches whose heads you see here I wish them their lives because I have been the cause of their deaths and desire it because they would disapprove my most cruell enemy and justifie my innocence before a Prince too credulous and too easie to be deceiv'd Polexander would faine have insensibly drawne her on and engaged her to relate him her fortunes had hee not been hindred by the approach of a tall ship which streight denounc'd warre against him Our Heroë therefore went back into his owne vessell but kept still the desolate Lady 's grapled with his owne and made answer to the enemies signes by others which stay'd the fury of those which would have assaulted him Initantly they sent him one of theirs in a shalop who coming up to them asked who hee was and for what end hee had stay'd the English ship Polexander made reply by Alcippus hee was a French man and an enemy to those that would not joyne with him in the avenging a Lady whom some accursed miscreants had expos'd to the mercy of the sea When the Messenger heard that answer hee reply'd with a great many injuries and after divers threatnings hee return'd towards his companions No sooner was hee got on boord againe but they fell on Polexander and quickly repented them of their rashnesse for our Heroë giving them at two vollyes an hundred Cannon shot brought them to implore his mercy Polexander promising their lives commanded the conquered vessell to come neere and entring her found there so few souldiers that hee was neere to put them to the sword for daring to assayle him but at last his clemency getting the upper hand of his resentment he pardoned all and seeing one of a better aspect and presence then the rest called him aboord his owne ship Hee asked him in particular why hee would not accept of friendship when hee had offer'd it him and what interest hee claimed in the barke that floted before them The other humbly besought that before hee reply'd hee would doe him the honour to make known whether the Lady in the other ship were yet alive our Heroë assured him shee was when hee left her Try then said hee to get to her againe that you may the second time preserve her life for had you not broken the designe for which wee set to sea shee had been by this time at the bottome of the Ocean Goe then goe if you please and finish what you have begun and doe not think in succouring that unfortunate Lady you doe onely an act of Charity for you execute likewise another of Justice You will protect innocence against Calumny and a wretched and disarmed goodnesse against a powerfull and redoubtable villany Polexander unwilling to heare any more of that discourse till hee had freed from danger the persecuted Lady got her bark againe which had but turned and by consequence was not gone farre off As soone as hee had her hee went aboord and his prisoner with him who presently ran to the Lady and making himself knowne Be of good heart Madam said hee your innocence is acknowledged the accusations of your stepmother are found untrue and the Prince your husband is even desperate for not knowing how fortune hath disposed of you The Lady by a modest smile seeming to be pleased with what was spoken lifted her eyes to heaven since she could not her hands and after shee had some time kept them fixedly open sweetly let fall their lids and droop'd her head on her incomparable breast Polexander thinking shee was swounded cut the cords from her armes whilst the Prisoner did the like to those on her legs and whââ¦n shee was unbound laid her all along Diceus presently came in and looking on her told his Master shee was dead The King could hardly beleeve that ill newes but being confirmed by his owne sense hee could not otherwise then bewaile the losse of that innocent Lady and wish from heaven a just punishment on her persecutors which instantly hapned And thus Polexander's mariners descrying an English ship bearing up to them called out they were like to be set on Before our Heroë was disengaged from his pious and charitable endeavour hee saw the English vessell fall fiercely on his His Prisoner infallibly doubting the businesse My Lord said hee to
his Soveraigne to go testifie himselfe to that visible Angell with what flames of love shee environed him without the seeing her But those who had power over his inclination and principally his mother restrained his first agitations and strove even to smother this growing passion He grew angry at their remonstrances and without neglecting the respect which nature obliged him to preserve he discreetly made knowne to his mother that love was a thing more imperious and of greater power then maternity In briefe he wrote to his Agents they should make all necessary overtures but not engage themselves till they had sent and he received her picture He was obeyed in it and so conformably to his intention that he accus'd his Confidents of stupidity or envy for describing the faire French Lady far lesse attractive then hee found her He presently sent them commission to treat with the Parents of that beauty and the conditions he propos'd being infinitely beyond their hopes he was received with a great many thankes and the faire and innocent Eolinda being delivered into the hands of the English was soone after presented to her lover I will not speak of his overjoyednesse his transports and extasies at the sight of that beauty I cannot better expresse the greatnesse of it to you then in telling you it cannot be done Once the admirable Eolinda was brought to London and receiv'd not onely by private persons but by the King and Queen with so many tokens of estimation that she could conceive her happinesse to be but a dreame or an enchantment Oh how happy had she been had shee dy'd in those fortunate times Truely for her quiet sake 't is to be wished it had hapned then but it had not been so much for her glory For the proofes of constancy and generousnesse she hath since made evident to the world if we consider well of things is the most faire and noble part of her life Within a little while of her arrivall her marriage was celebrated and that with such justs turnies maskes and other gallantries as the Kings owne was not more magnificent You may well imagine what the Prince's joy was for that day 't was incomparable and followed by a satisfaction which had lasted till this day if it had been possible a man extreamly in love and exceeding knowing in the worlds corruption had been capable of possessing without jealously a Lady so wonderfully desired Yet this poore Prince at least I will beleeve so had been free from that cruell fate in marriage if even those who were obliged to divert his suspicions had not fomented them He had not been married a yeer I speak according to mine owne accompt for according to his 't was not a day when his mother who was a Scottish woman and who with her milk had suck'd in all that could be of hair-braind savage and cruell in Scotland became jealous of the power of her daughter in Law and enraged with the diminution of her authority She kept it secret or made it known but to her most particular Confidents For to undertake any thing against Eolinda was to put her self to the hazzard of her owne ruining and in that this stepmother placed the height of her misfortune But after she had a long time undergone it she resolv'd to quit her self of it at what price soever and falling into all those extremities whereto a wicked woman is incident intended either to perish her self or to ruinate the authority of her rivall In the meane time this young Princesse was admir'd of all desired of many and serv'd but without her consent by two young Lords who flattered themselves with the hope of winning her either by the profusion of their riches or by the greatnes of their services constancy They are now dead and I may therefore speak of them without being accused of flattery I will say then take from their lives the fault of attempting against the honour of a married woman there could be nought found in them but exceeding rare qualities and most eminent vertues This unhappy love which disturbes the most perfect harmony and makes desolate the most flourishing families with one selfe-same arrow pierced the hearts of these two young Lords They sighed one griefe they burnt in one desire they attempted one designe and yet concealed that from one another and never spoke of the disease which they equally suffer'd The youngest was an Earle of an high heart daring spirit and so free an humour that hee thought he committed an offence not in affecting any faire subject but to affect it and not make it knowne The other who was two yeeres elder then he was no lesse free and generous but he affected fame lesse then vertue and so that he performed worthy actions it imported him not whether it came to the knowledge of any man or no. Being of this humour 't was no hard matter for him to hide his passion observe silence and keep that respect whereto Eolinda's vertue and the quality of her husband ought to oblige him The one then by a prudent boldnesse and the other by a generous timorousnesse advanced unperceiveably his designe and let no day passe without trying to make knowne to Eolinda there was in their civilities something more then that which is spoken onely by way of discourse and cometh from franknesse of humour She no sooner doubted of their intention but she dextrously avoided their converse and behav'd her selfe more coldly towards them then the agreeablenesse of the Court permits But when she saw these remedies were not strong enough to cure so great an ill she feign'd she was sick her selfe and was neere two moneths from visiting the Queen that her long absence might heale those whom her presence had wounded But 't is bootlesse to pretend by resisting to have the upper hand of generous spirits Those two young Lords perceiving that Eolinda's sicknesse was a disease that might prove mortall to their affection had recourse alike to preservatives and speciall remedies They prepar'd themselves to suffer for a long time to dissemble much and to grow obstinate against all difficulties They even gave thanks to love that in Eolinda they met with a vertue able for a long time to exercise their great courage On the other side Eolinda beleeving they thought no more on her left her chamber return'd to the Queen who could not almost live without her and came againe with a lustre which she had not before her feigned malady If the ordinary gallants did redouble their sighes at the sight of this new Sun imagine what the two true Adorers did Their quality gave them accesse every where where the King was and their gentlenesse had acquired them so much familiarity amongst the Ladies that the Queen her selfe missed them as often as they were not in her matches and associations These priviledges were the cause why Eolinda could not avoid the occasions of seeing them She must in spight of her selfe endure it
his quality Some time he spent in the Court of the King of Guinea from thence he went to that of Benin and came at last to ours at Congo Almanzor welcom'd him as a potent Prince and his ancient Allie Some few dayes after his arrivall some body spake to him of my beauty and wit and those relators told him those tales lyed the more boldly because they were certaine I was not to be seene and by consequence Zabaim could not convince them of imposture At first that young King heard those praises without shew of any desire to see me nor any great discontent if he had not seene me yet But assoone as he heard how my Father caus'd me be kept in a Palace whereinto none had accesse he seem'd presently troubled and growing in love on heare-say or rather following the error of most young people who affect nothing so much as what is forbidden resolved to see me When he had set that designe on foote all others were suspended and without foreseeing the difficulties of his enterprise therein imbark'd himselfe with all the indiscretion which commonly accompanieth those of his age and quality He might have made knowne his desire and have asked the King my Fathers leave to present his service but he thought it would be no glory to him to take those wayes which should be common to him with Princes of lesse value He therefore concealed his intention from him strove to win some one of my domesticks set his Confidents on worke walk'd at all times neere my lodgings and by a young mans imprudency no day past without talking to Almanzor of his depart and yet staid without any appearance of a just hinderance Some time past before my father had any suspicion of Zabaim but so soone as he had reflected on his discourses he perceiv'd the cunning He therefore set his confidents as spies over him and watched him with such care himselfe as one evening he found him with one of my women Be pleas'd to imagine whether he were offended at it he who was the most severest Prince of the world and the most jealous of his reputation His first thoughts were to kill Zabaim But loath to draw so powerfull enemies on his armes or at least pardoning the Princes youth he thought it best to be freed of him without any noise To that purpose the next morning he writ a note to him in the name of the Prince his Confident and sent him word his designe was discovered the King was advertis'd of it and that if he did not quickly save himselfe he ran the hazard of never seeing his owne Kingdome againe This letter was so nimbly thrust into the Princes bed that he perceiv'd it not though he was present When he was laid he found it and calling for a torch to see what 't was was much amaz'd when he saw his designe thrive no better His courage yet fail'd him not A day or two longer he staid in Court with as good a cheere as before and inventing a specious pretext to colour his departure took leave of the King my Father Almanzor somewhat troubled for thus making him quit his Kingdome sent spyes after him with charge to see what way he tooke At their returne they said for certaine he was gone towards Guinea He thought then that the Princes passion would go no further and that it was rather a Caprichio of youth then a designe well framed Time confirmed him in that opinion and his minde was quite at rest when the King of Benin sent his Ambassadors to him to renew their ancient Alliance and intreat him to be pleas'd that the Princesse his daughter might passe some time in my company Almanzor thinking himselfe much oblieged to the intreaties and civilities of that Prince dispatch'd two of the principall Lords of Congo to restore his complements ratifie the treaty of their Alliance and to offer him aswell as to his daughter all that was in his command Not long after the returne of my fathers Ambassadors arrived Palmira so was the Princesse of Benin called and was receiv'd with all magnificence and the first day lodg'd with two of her Ladies within some of my lodgings Our first interview was accompanied with all that which courtesie makes use of in the like occasion but there was this difference betwixt my complements and those of Palmira that mine were all heart and freedome and hers mix'd with so much feare and humility that I knew not how to behave my selfe to her She had not been with us above fifteen dayes when a strange accident discover'd to me the cause of her submissions and differences The King my Father who punctually visited me twice a day had let slip foure without either seeing or sending to me I wondered at his neglect but I did it more when one evening I saw him come into my chamber dragging after him a man who had his hands bound behind him As farre off as he saw me Almanzaira said he to me with the tone of a voice which witnessed at once both his choler and griefe where is Palmira I answered she was retir'd Let her come to me said he and turning to one of my women commanded that servant to call her Whilst she was gone Almanzor did nothing but walke with hasty strides up and downe my chamber Some times he lifted his eyes and hands to heaven then he stamped on the planching and afterwards stopping short before me O heaven which seest all cryed he and art justâ⦠why wouldst thou suffer so horrid a treason But since 't is thy wil that I must punish it posterity shall know my honour hath ever beene more ãâã to me then my life or my Crowne After that he turn'd him to my Governesses and with an angry brow 'T is you said he unusefull and perfidious women which one way or other are become confederates with mine enemies and you shall receive the deserv'd punishment of your negligence and disloyalty As he ended these threatnings Palmira entred my chamber She neither trembled nor look'd pale and though in her conscience she knew her selfe guilty yet shew'd such a height of courage as is not usuall with maidens Assoone as she saw the Prisoner which my father held she knew him to be her principall Confident and judging by his surprisall her cunning was discovered in lieu of being troubled at it she spake thus to the King my father Think more then once on what thou intend'st to do Thy precipitation may work more mischiefe then my rashnesse hath done Give no eare to it then if thou wilt preserve the name of discreet and give thy selfe patience to heare me I call to witnesse that eternall Providence which reades my heart and beseech it to be never auspicious to me if I hide from thee the truth of ãâã things as have passed since I have beene with Almanzaira I sweare to thee that neither she nor any of her women ever knew me for other then Palmira Princesse
great apprehensions that both sleeping and waking me thought I still saw that deare Prince in his grave Had I not fear'd his displeasure I had gone to see him in his Army But rather willing to be unfortunate then to undertake ought he might dislike I had recourse to my vowes and prayers and did then nothing but beg from heaven either to take me from the world or preserve to me the friendship of my deare Lord without which my life was a torment to me In lesse then three weeks I sent above twenty Postes into Guinea Those who most truly loved me return'd with that haste I commanded them and brought me the Kings letters I receiv'd them with that transport of joy you may imagine But when I saw not in them those termes of love I had read in the former Alas cried I I have lost my Lords affection Unfortunate that I am some one of my actions or of my words have receiv'd an ill interpretation I confesse deare Zabaim I have erred but how great soever my offence be it merited not so rigorous a punishment since my heart never consented to it My griefe had even carried me to despaire if my women had not used all kinde of reasons to suppresse it Sometimes they accused me for suffering my self to be deceiv'd by vaine imaginations then they put me in minde that time and businesse had changed the Kings amorous thoughts into others more serious These considerations did a while master my sorrow but a little after I rejected them and would receive no more comfort At last after I had well wept written much long expected and made many prayers and sacrifices my deare Lord return'd to me I did not think to see him of eight dayes when he came into my chamber This suddaine welcome surprisall so transported me that going to meet him I lost at once my strength my knowledge and my sight What did not that good King doe seeing the excesse of my love He kissed me a thousand times and wetting my cheekes with his teares stood a while without turning his eyes from me When he saw I came not againe he caused me to be carried and laid on my bed where joyning his mouth to my cheeks Poore Princesse said he aloud that my Nurse might heare him can I be rationall and betray thee as I do With that he held his peace and stirr'd not from my boulster till some remedies had recovered me which by little and little I did and the first thing I took notice of were some teares which were yet on my deare Lords face That sight presently blotting out all displeasing imaginations that remain'd yet behinde and making me believe I had ill conceiv'd them I gently let fall my head on Zabaims cheek and thus bespake him Your Almanzaira then is yet pleasing to you She may yet glory she enjoyes your favour and time hath not depriv'd her of that which love had given her The King could not answer me His Speech was restrained by I know not what hinderance but his silence and teares assured me of his love farre better then his words would have done I besought him to go take a little rest and after so long and painefull a journey not to give himselfe new vexations To these words I added a many more and entreated him so often to looke to his preservation that he arofe from me but in rising said Ah Almanzaira how happy should we be if we might be alwayes together Though that Speech made me feare some new disaster yet I made all other thoughts give place to that of the Kings health and pressed him so hard to go repose himselfe that he gave me that contentment He was not above two houres away when he came again to me where he passed the evening and part of the night In all which time he left not to entertaine me in the same manner he was wont before his voyage Nay me thought he had in his speeches more of tendernesse and of passion then I had noted in those I had from him when his love was most violent I know well these particularities doe but weary you and you may laugh at my simplicity but pardon if you please for this troublesome remembrance a woman who loves nothing in the world but her husband and yet cannot have the contentment to be with him Five or sixe dayes together the King was in his good humour and I already esteemed my selfe the most fortunate Princesse of my time when I found my feares were just my suspitions reasonable and the Kings kinde usage but forced He fell without any apparent cause into so deep a melancholy and was mov'd with so much impatience and disquiets that in all the Court there was none but I who found him supportable My entertainement grew troublesome to him all companies displeas'd and not suffering himselfe to be seene but seldome he abode whole dayes retired in his Cabinet His anxiety went yet further It made him hate his Palace the aboade in townes and the frequency of his Courtiers He retir'd him to a Castle which his Predecessors had built for their pleasure in hunting and seem'd to be delighted with that Sport to have some pretence and meanes to muse and plod at his liberty and wander the woods alone This life made me feele my first griefes and search all the imaginable meanes to know the cause of it and thereto to apply a remedy Before I had recourse to those extraordinary I would try the most speedy and facile I therefore went to the King in his retirement and besought him by his first affection to tell me the cause of his melancholy Deare Almanzaira said he if it be true that thou yet lovest me doe not enquire after my affliction Get thee from me and let me undergoe the punishment I have deserved The feare I had to displease him kept me from pressing him any farther or staying longer with him With mine eyes drown'd in teares I left him and promised in that to shew my obedience as well as in all other things Believe what I am now about to tell you and thereby judge of my Lords noble nature He could not refraine from weeping when I went from him and the griefe he had to see me afflicted made him to teare his haire and oftentimes beg his death from the Deities When I was come back to Senega my first sorrowes renewed and feare representing to me the future more unfortunate then I have found it made me leade a life so retired as if with the Kings favour I had for ever lost the hope of seeing him againe At last I threw my selfe into the armes of the afflicteds Comforter and thence supplicated for sufficient strength to resist so prodigious a calamity Truly that Bounty that would not have a teare of theirs lost who are conformable to its will suffer'd not mine to be fruitlesse but granted all I petitioned for See how it hap'ned You may please to know that
among those who came with me to Senega there was a Prince of my bloud who became so pleasing to Zabaim as he made him his Confident in spight of all jealousies from the Principals of his Kingdome That Prince so wisely husbanded his favour and so gentilely oblieged even those who had professed themselves his enemies that by little and little he quell'd their envy and fill'd all the Court with admiration of his vertue In this generall approbation he had beene a yeare when he was engaged to follow Zabaim into Guinea At his returne he avoyded all occasions of comming where I was durst not come to give me an account of those commands I had given him I presently therefore thought him guilty though was innocent and not knowing on whom to throw Zabaims change I imagin'd Almaid so was the favourite call'd had wrong'd me to him that he might solely possesse him With this beliefe I returned to Senega and gave it not over till I understood the true subject of all my afflictions Zabaim one day sending to me Almaid to make knowne the affection he preserv'd me in midst of his melancholy or rather to hinder my complaining of his ill treatment I conjur'd him by our neerenesse of bloud by my sad fortune and by the authority which heaven had given me over him not to conceale from me any longer the causes of Zabaims hatred When I perceiv'd he strove to put me on some other discourse without answering me I redoubled my entreaties and commands and led him into a little closet whereto I usually retir'd me to weepe more freely When he saw himselfe alone with me he was not a little perplexed and much doubted I was not come to that extremity without having taken some strange resolution I shut the doore and fell on my knees before him with an intent to move him by those extraordinary submissions Straight he kneeled too and almost not daring to looke on me Madam said he let not your Majesty doe any thing unworthy your birth and vertue and suffer not a curiosity which cannot but be prejudiciall to you encrease a malady which it cannot cure No no replied I I will not lose the occasion I have to get out of my miseries by one meanes or other I cast me at your feet Almaid not as your Queen but as a poore afflicted Lady who hath need of your assistance Take pity therefore of so many teares which I have vainely spent and suffer her not to languish out her whole life whom you can comfort by one onely word Almaid moved by my teares could not hold his first constancy in so great a cause of compassion and falling to weepe as well as I call'd himselfe a thousand times unfortunate and wish'd he were dead I left him to his raving a long while and spake to him all that my griefe prompted me to winne him to discover to me the cause of all my miseries But when I had long expected and saw his pity extend no further then to bewaile and not to succour me I arose as one furious and getting out his sword Barbarous and inhumane wretch said I which hast but a false and seeming pity on my afflictions and who takest pleasure in persecuting of Innocence by thy feigning comforts thou wouldst have me with mine owne hand perfect that murder which thy calumnies have begun Almaid hearing me speake in that fashion and knowing I was resolute enough to fall on his sword had he gone about to take it from me Madam cried he preserve that vertue which hath made you hitherto victorious over your enemies and know your wrongs are lesse dangerous then the remedy you will apply to them I will not propose to you these considerations to release me from that absolute command you make me Know Madam I will obey it But you must please first to promise me secrecy to be of good heart and to have power enough over your selfe to suffer without resenting the most unjust contempt in the world Were I now replied I to heare my Sentence of death and that I should be engaged to execute it my selfe I am ready prepared I refuse no kinde of torment so I may know what 't is that troubles the King and makes him hate the sight of me You shall be satisfied said Almaid and I sweare to you by that which is greatest in heaven I will conceale nothing of what you desire to know on condition you first render my sword There 't is said I and do not believe if thou deceiv'st me but there are meanes enough to deliver me from my miseries and make thee repent thy treachery Almaid judging by my actions as well as words he must either ruine me or discover Zabaims secret resolv'd to save my life even with the losse of his fortune He arose then and assoone as he saw me set beginning his discourse by a long Preface which tended to nothing but the justification of mens inconstancy told me it betided even the most wise to have extravagant humours and to preferre the most abject things which they possest not before the more excellent they enjoy'd After that preparation he related to me as succinctly as he could how Zabaim in his conquest of Guinea was falne in love with a white Slave and so fondly amorous that to behold the alterations she wrought on him 't was necessarily believed she had bewitched him This Sorceresse Madam hath not onely made him forget his first affection but made him insensible of his owne honour and not left him so much discretion to hide the excesse of his folly Most commonly the like passions are of small continuance and though they are even strong enough to last in spight of time yet have they not such ability as to bicker with absence This love of Zabaim is quite contrary Time strengthens it absence in lieu of quenching feeds and augments it Those mad men which are chain'd up have not more fearefull agitations then this Prince hath every day He finds no ease but in his self-vexations He hates all company where his griefe is restrain'd He flies into the forrest before day and most commonly there spends intire nights He scarce eates or drinks He hath ever in his mouth the name of Zelopa so is that Sorceresse nam'd and if he see her not againe the sooner I will not promise you his life Here Almaid ended and I who was prepar'd to heare matters more prodigious found my selfe in heaven when I heard this I look'd on Almaid with a cheerefulnesse he expected not and desirous to let him know how I tooke it This is then said I all the cause of my Lords melancholy and his aversion to me Truly you are not to be pardon'd for being so reserv'd in a businesse which hath not troubled me but onely while it was conceal'd from me Your extraordinary silence had been excusable if Zabaim had intended to have repudiated me or to immure me to be starv'd betwixt foure walls
he was borne for the ruine and extirpation of Monsters I in that adventure followed him but was so unfortunate as to be taken by the Portugals and carried prisoner into Gama's ship I offred him gold and pearles for my ransome and even told him I was Abrinzia's brother and omitted nothing of what might make him capable of a resolution to set me at liberty But the losse of his best Souldiers and the dishonor to be beaten back againe to shipping by Almanzor working him to a revenge made him inexorable The night after his defeate he weigh'd Anchor and unmov'd by my teares and supplications carried me into Spaine and presented me to the King his Master for Abrinzia's brother Those three yeares I passed in that servitude hindred me from being a spectator of Almanzor's great adventures But heaven infallibly permitted it for some good and if I deceive not my selfe to the end my Prince living unknowne to himselfe as well as to his Enemies might retard their ruine without taking paines for his owne Know then after he had repuls'd the Portugals and seene their ships farre from the coasts of Benin he muster'd his men but finding me wanting he was so afflicted and witnessed such resentments as I shall never recompence by any service or the losse of my life A hundred times exclaim'd he on his fortune cast his armes away and running where the slaughter had beene greatest searched all the dead to see whether I were of their number But not finding me he ran to the Sea and his griefe transporting him Theeves and villaines cried he to the Portugals give me back Almaid and if your avarice cannot be satisfied by an ordinary ransome I engage my selfe to conquer for you all the golden countrey for the liberty of my second father But in uneffectuall petitions I lose that time which I should imploy for Almaids redemption Therewithall he sent a servant of his to Abrinzias to advertise him of my losse and to beseech him humbly he would be pleased to command the Royall vessell to be made ready and arm'd to pursue those who had carried me away prisoner That ship was carefully kept in the River of Benin and as a thing consecrated to their Deity was not us'd but to saile some dayes in the yeare to carry those offerings which the Crowne of Benin owed to the great Temple of Congo Almanzor went to the Captaine of that ship and perswading him that the succouring of the miserable and giving liberty to those which had lost it was a pleasing Offering to heaven obliged him to arme his vessell and keepe it ready to weigh Anchor assoone as the Kings permission came to him The very same day leave came and though Abrinzias writ to Almanzor not to hazard himselfe in that voyage yet he imbark'd himselfe and followed the Portugals His ship being not so good a sayler nor so well governed as those he chased could never fetch them up But on the contrary in the first tempest being forsaken by the Pilot he was eight or ten dayes at the mercy of the Sea and at last ran on a bank on a coast farre distant from that of Benin Almanzor saved himselfe in a little boate that was in the ship and armed with his usuall armour landed on that unknowne shore No sooner was he on land but he saw himselfe environed with many armed men who infallibly taking him for another cast themselves at his feet and shew'd by their clapping of hands and their shouts they were exceedingly delighted The most apparent of the Troupe standing a while as ravish'd with admiration or joy Welcome said he O most happily return'd is this worthy Prince which was borne for the safety of Nations for the destruction of Tyrants and the protection of the afflicted O my deare Country dry thy teares revive thy hopes acknowledge thy happinesse behold thy tutesar Angel and come meet this powerfull defender who is going to pluck thy Princes out of Captivity and breake the chaines of their servitude Almanzor was much surpris'd with this mans acclamations and to know the cause of it would not take him out of that error On the contrary he entreated him to relate what had hapned who were the enemies he was to fight with and what was become of those should defend them Great Prince replied the man I should be too tedious if I recounted to you all the miseries that have betided us since your absence Know that the untameable King of Tombut the furious tyrant of Temian and the hardy Prince of Agadez renewing the wars they had other times begun out of meere ambition and yet under pretext of avenging our first Queene came thundring on this Kingdome with a powerfull Army and to make the people revolt publish'd all about that the King by the advice of the Queen now reigning had caus'd his first wife to be poysoned and poniarded his Son My King who without flattery hath all the qualities of a great Prince did what he could to repell force by force but seeing himselfe forsaken by most of his Subjects he was constrain'd to shut himselfe up in a strong place he hath on the River of Senega and to expect there the aide was coming to him from Melley and Guinea That succour was vainely look'd for for the Kings fault which grew not out of mens memories and his second marriage which was contracted by a murther and a sacriledge were the reasons why no body would take Armes for our defence The King seeing himselfe out of hope to be relieved resolved to dye like a man of valour He made a salley on his enemies but after he had lost many of his people and received divers great wounds he was taken and ignominiously led before the King of Tombut Zelopa so is our Queen called advertis'd of that mischance did not what another wife would have done She had no recourse to teares and cryes but got out of her Palace with a manlike heart and taking the place of the King her husband made a speech to the people and souldiers and wonne them to a defence even till death The Enemy in the meane time sent her a Herauld and word that if within eight dayes she resolv'd not to render her selfe to their discretion they would cut off the Kings head Those eight dayes expire to morrow Judge my Lord if hitherto we have not had great cause of affliction and seeing you return'd whether we have not more reason to rejoyce The man thus ending his discourse besought Almanzor to take some course instantly for the safty of his father and mother Almanzor somewhat troubled with the novelty of this adventure knew not what to resolve but his innate generosity dissipating all those cloudy made him see how honourable this occasion might be to him and the interest he had not to disbeguile those who tooke him for what he was not He resolv'd therefore to assist the imprisoned King and the afflicted Lady and intimating so
liberty I take and do not think I would wrong your present condition because I have saved your life or as your Enemies triumph on your misery I doe no lesse esteeme you tied to this shamefull post then if you were seated in your throne but that which gives me the boldnesse to deliver my thoughts to you is a desire I have you may henceforward live happy and by a true change of life avert the vengeance of heaven which yet groanes over your head Zabaim to these words answered nothing but holding his eyes fixed on the earth confessed by his silence the enormity of his faults Almanzor having wholly unbound him brought him to the three Kings who presently restor'd his royall robe Almanzor put on his Diadem with his owne hands and the peace being presently proclaimed the gates of Senega were set open Those who had beene such deadly foes imbrac'd each other and made appeare by so quick a change that the Subject hath neither hatred nor love but when they are forced to those passions by those who command them Zelopa came downe from the wall from whence she had beheld what was pass'd and came to meet the King The King of Tombut who could not forget his causes of hatred intreated Almanzor not to engage him to see her who thinking his request very just not onely consented he should retire into his campe but accompanying him to his tent intreated his wounds might be search'd He saw them dress'd and being assured they were not dangerous tooke his leave of the King after he had by many vowes renewed the assurance of his friendship He return'd to Zabaim who was in great care for him and reconducting the King to his Palace through the applauses and acclamations of the people besought him to have perpetually in minde the businesse of that day Polexander not able to abide longer in that impatiency Almaid's relation gave him What said he intetrupting him Is this Zabaim of whom you talke the same whose adventures the Queen hath bin pleas'd to make known to me The very same answered Almaid and judge whether Almanzor did not gloriously avenge himself unwittingly on that ingratefull and unnaturall father who would have murther'd him in his cradle Almanzaira could not refraine from teares at those words but pleas'd her selfe in exhaling her griefes by her weeping and sighes Almaid perceiving Polexanders astonishment That which you have heard of Almanzor said he is well but 't is nothing in comparison of what you are to know you shall see this out-cast Sonne give twenty times life to his Father for that one which he would have taken away and not onely re-establish him in all his estates but re-settle in the Throne that Fury who had driven him thence and robb'd his mother of it Polexander had yet more questions to aske but he let them passe for not hindring the contentment he expected from the rest of Almanzors adventures Almaid perceiv'd his intention and thus went on For five or sixe dayes together Zabaim seem'd more sad and afflicted then hee was even in his imprisonment and spoke of nothing but repentance of change of life of recalling those whom hee had unjustly banished and banish those whom hee had more unjustly retained Imagine what thoughts these demeanours might worke in Zelopa and what revolutions she foresaw in her fortune if she did not oppose the rebellion of her slave She did it and so effectually that Zabaim trampling under-foot his word his honour and his proper interest threatned the King of Tombut and his allies and made insolent protestations to wash off with their blouds the staine they had cast on his reputation Whilest he was acting his new extravagances Zelopa was perpetrating new villanies she look'd on Almanzor at once with the eyes of concupiscence and hatred she lov'd him for his person and gracefulnesse but she hated him because she knew 't was his advise and admirable vertue which troubled the harmony of her designes and pluck'd off the muffler she had wound over Zabaims eyes Yet Love preserv'd his Empire and Ambition reduc'd it to its former servitude was compell'd together with hatred and cruelty to submit to their ancient Conquerour Zelopa then reconciles her selfe unwittingly to her mortall enemy she adores him whom shee would before time have strangled with her owne hands and equally sinnes both against heaven and her owne intention But Almanzor who under the name of Perseus had gotten the love of all Senega fled from the monster he was not permitted to destroy and threw himselfe among thornes to avoyd the walking on flowres which hid invulnerable Serpents Whil'st Zelopa was agitated with this new Fury there came divers Postes which made her change or at least suspend her criminall affection They brought Zabaim newes that all Guinea had taken armes that the Kingdome of Melly was ready to denounce warre and the most part of the Commons of Senega leant to Rebellion This Advertisement was slighted for some few dayes but that thunder after it had rumbled awhile broke out and Zabaim saw himselfe reduced to the estate of being King of one onely Towne Almanzor got into the field and sent Couriers to the King of Tombut to intreate him to keep his word that King forgetting Zabaims follies came to assist him for Almanzor's sake and brought with him a mighty Army whereby the Rebelis of Senega were quickly brought backe to subjection Assoone as Zabaim had left his wicked Angell that great courage of his manifested it selfe with which hee had conquered the halfe of Africke His wisdome accompanied his valour and even made the King of Tombut to admire him whithersoever he marched he became victorious and Almanzor farre more affecting fame then spoyle or prey gloriously out-went the steps of his Father in one same day he redeem'd the King of Tombut whom the Rebells had taken prisoner and dis-ingag'd Zabaim who having lost his horse and armes was going to satiate the fury of his rebellious Subjects A few dayes after this glorious action Zabaim was inforc'd to resolve on a battle the revolted were joyn'd and had composed an army able to amate such hearts as had not beene truely couragious But Almanzor representing to Zabaim and the King of Tombut the fortune and honour of their former actions made them contemne the great number of their Enemies The battle was fought and prov'd so bloudy that from both sides there dyed on the place fourescore thousand men That memorable day Almanzor sav'd his fathers life five times and twice the King of Tombuts the better cause at last had the victory and by an entire defeate of the rebellious party corfirm'd that important verity which sayes The Power of Kings is a Power derived from above and that the bonds which binde Subjects to their duties being made by the proper hand of heaven cannot be broken without violating the divine Lawes as well as humane This battle intombing all the Rebels of Senega did the like
to bridle the mad man But Abdelmelec letting himselfe loose to his naturall impetuosity and presently knowing his vanquisher came up to him with an insupportable insolency and told him without deigning to looke on him that hee could not hide himselfe so close but he had at last found him out Zabaim would have answered willingly to those audacious words but Almanzor approaching Abdelmelec with a temper that witnessed the power of his soule I am sorry said he for putting you to so much pains had I knowne your minde you should sooner have had satisfaction This answer infallibly asswaging the Barbarians fury he changed both his action and voice and as if hee would have capitulated the businesse by an explanation instead of coming to handy-stroaks No man said he to Almanzor shall ever undertake to wrong me but hee shall repent his undervaluing my courage or my friendship I have alwayes esteem'd them both repli'd Almanzor but you have not made so long a journey to be contented with words I will not therefore goe about to excuse my former actions Abdelmelec seeing himselfe not where he thought put on againe his haughty lookes and the former tone of his voice and eying Almanzor with an insupportable contempt It seemes said he you would prevent the Challenge I come to make you certainely in that you give me more cause to pity you then to be offended Yes Sir you shall give me other satisfaction then by words and ere foure and twenty houres be past I will make you feele that I know how to confound the ridiculous dexterity of breaking a Lance. We shall see what you say repli'd Almanzor and I shall be glad to take forth lessons under so excellent a Master in the meane time if you please let 's leave this discourse which cannot but be irksome to Zabaim and forget our difference till we be in case to decide it Zabaim who thought it fit not to interrupt them began to speake when he perceiv'd Almanzor would change discourse and addressing him to the Prince of Fez You are very generous said he to beare so much love to a personage who glory 's to be insensible and by a title as proud as redoubtfull calls her selfe the irreconcilable enemy of mankinde The faire Alcidiana repli'd Abdelmelec is just in her mislike with all men of whom hath she ever heard spoken that hath not deserv'd her contempt or hatred Certainly though the publike report which is alwayes the report of fooles hath plac'd some even among the gods yet it is most true there is none that is worthy of Alcidiana Such a one hath the repute of valiant who may be daily accuseth himselfe for the contrary and that 't is but artificiall Another seemes magnificent whose conscience upbraides him with many secret basenesses A third is profuse and makes shew of extraordinary liberalities yet a hidden avarice gnaws out his heart in a word Men are publike cheaters and this age in particular brings forth almost no others and this being true I leave it to your consideration to thinke whether Alcidiana be not exceedingly judicious in publishing her hatred to them and for remaining in a place not to be infected by the arrivall of such monsters But said Almanzor to him if wee are all so imperfect if wee are all such monsters as Alcidiana cannot abide can there bee found any man so idle as to thinke himselfe exempted from that generall imperfection and that he alone enjoyes such parts as are not to be found againe in the whole race of men besides Abdelmelec who looked not on Almanzor but asmew with one corner of his eye 'T is for your selfe said he to resolve the question you make us I have long since answered to it for as much as concernes me repli'd Almanzor but I would very faine know your opinion and learne where that Phoenix is which deserves to be burnt by so faire a Sun Almanzor could not so well containe himselfe but that by his action he made knowne that he jeer'd at Abdelmelec's vanity That Prince as quicke of apprehension as full of pride perceiv'd his pretended Rivall's gybing and the fire flying into his face The resolution we have taken said he stayes my just anger and retards the chastisement your indiscretion merits Goe young man added he shaking his head goe make ready your armes and renounce in time the insolence which dazles you if with the enjoying of Alcidiana's favour you will not likewise lose so many yeares you have yet to live Almanzor was no way mov'd with all those indiscreet words but keeping him still in his merry humour You wish me too much ill said he to the Prince of Fez to follow your counsell therefore be you not displeased if I give no heed to it and deferre your imposing such shamefull necessities upon me till you have overcome me Zabaim not being able any longer to endure Abdelmelec's violent passion broke off their conversation and excusing himself on his troubles gave civilly a Congey to the Moorish Prince Night straight came on and Almanzor retyr'd betimes not to be the last in bed At day-breake he arose and consecrating his first actions to that Bounty from whence he had his being strength and courage prepar'd himselfe to satisfie the jealous Abdelmelec The time of Combate being come Zabaim who was ingaged to renounce all his inclinations to take on him the indifferency of an Arbitrator came into a place appointed for all Shewes and Exercises Assoone as he was set Almanzor appear'd on the one side and Abdelmelec on the other They divided the Winde and the Sunne equally betwixt them and presently the Trumpets signifi'd to them they were at liberty to doe what they would I will not lose time in relating to you how these Combatants were arm'd what their Devises were what their Horses and how the rest of their equipage I will onely let you know Abdelmelec carried on his Buckler the picture of Alcidiana and was so unfortunate that with the first blow Almanzor cut it in two pieces That stroake was not to be spoken on but for the extreame griefe Abdelmelec conceiv'd at it hee accus'd heaven for his ill fortune and in lieu of complaining for his want of addresse he accus'd the Sunne of choler and jealousie Almanzor who accompted for extravagances all the transports which proceeded of Love laugh'd at his enemy and to mad him indeed told him if he could keep the Originall no betterahen he had done the Copy he thought him one of the miserablest Lovers in the world The Prince of Fez stung with his losse and the others words repli'd not but thrusting his Horse on Almanzor's made knowne by his valour that his pride and ambition were not absolutely unjust The Combate lasted above two houres without any perceivance to whom the Victory would incline but a little after Fortune declar'd her selfe for Almanzor He pursued his Enemy so hard with blowes that he fell'd him under his horses feet and
that I never aspir'd to your Crowne whence is it then you make to me pardon me if I say so unjust propositions For it seemes you offer me your Crowne but to bridle and chaine in my fury and so take away the cause of my attempting against your life That which I owe you the care you have taken for my breeding and the love you have alway shown me are such strong bonds that they are capable to regulate a nature more ingratefull and ambitious then mine If you please Sir to honour me with your love cast that designe from your fancy or permit me to punish my selfe for being the cause of it and avenge you of a monster that could not glut his appetite bââ¦t by devouring his owne benefactors Abrinzias and Andromeda hearing how Almanzor interpreted their thoughts or rather admiring his incomparable vertue imbrac'd him one after another and told him that the knowledge they had of his good nature and not the feare either of losing or ill treatment from him had made ââ¦hem resolve to quit the Throne to place him in it with his brother Perseus Perseus repli'd Almanzor hath right to it alone when heaven for his punishment shall deprive him of you At those words Andromeda could not refraine from teares and casting her self on Almanzors neck Why Cry'd she hath not that just heaven permitted Perseus to cal himselfe rightly Almanzors brother These words were follow'd by many others but I omit them as ââ¦oo tedious and unnecessary for your satisfaction and will onely let you know that this interparlance or some other cause which Almanzor would never discover cast him into so deep a melancholy as he hated himselfe for it and yet could not for his heart suppresse it He forsooke the Court and all company and spent whole dayes either iâ⦠the Desarts or on the Sea shore This strange kind of life made the King and Queene of Benin feare some new disaster and their affection perswaded them that his pensivenesse presaged some dangerous sicknesse Hydaspes who almost never forsooke the Prince was the first that tooke notice of his alteration he did what he could to divert him but perceiving ordinary remedies were not powerfull enough to extirpate so extraordinary a distemper he had recourse to more violent Finding therefore one day Almanzor weeping With what Justice said he to him dares a Prince so wise in counsââ¦ll so valiant in execution and so happy in the successe complaine either of heaven of fortune or himselfe What will not your enemies say Almanzor if your discontent comek to their eares Will they not have cause to make the world beleeve that you see with griefe the age of the King your Father that you meditate some plot against Perseus and in briefe that you are tortur'd either by some crimes you have committed or by those you have a desire to perpetrate Almanzor was very sensible of those last words and imagining that some other might have Hydaspes thoughts intended to overcome his melancholy and to seeke in the toyles of war that quiet which he could not meet withall among the delights of peace Almaid here staying as to take breath Polexââ¦nder who had a desire to speake turn'd towards the vertuous Almanzaira and shewing to her into what admiration the adventures and vertues of her Son had drawne him collected in briefe all the points of Almaids relation That done he discours'd much with the Princesse and remonstrated that all the misfortunes of her life had nothing in them so mortall but that she might finde their remedy in the birth of Almanzor That good Mother fail'd not to confirme Polexander's words and confess'd to him that if Zabaim and Almanzor could be preserv'd to her she would account her selfe infinitely obliged to that Goodnesse which had made her the wife and mother of two so great Princes The end of the Second Booke of the third Part. THE THIRD PART OF POLEXANDER The Third Booke ALmaid seeing Almanzaira and Polexander whom he knew not seem'd by their silence to intreat from him the continuance of Almanzors adventures was willing to satisfie their curiosity and thus proceeded Hitherto we have been Spectators if I may say so of Almanzors glorious troubles and triumphs we must now be the same of his Weaknesses Discredit and Servitude He continued in that irksome Melancholy of which I have spoken and as if his ill Genius had in spight of himselfe thrust him on the precipice where he was to be ruin'd he went every morning out of the Palace to passe the most part of the day on the point of a rocke where he had for his prospect but an open desert of waters as vaste as his thoughts Hydaspes almost daily waited on him thither and knowing his Masters malady was a disease which came further then from the in temperance of bloud or of other humours strove to sweeten the bitternesses of that Prince and to prepare him for those accidents wherewith he was threatned by that supernaturall sicknesse One day as they were together on the top of their rocke and had their eyes fix'd on the Coasts of Guinea they saw a far off a ship which with a favourable wind came with full sailes sailing from the West Eastward They thought her at first to be a Portugall Almanzor whom I may call the best Master of the world at that instant thought on me and that remembrance drawing him from his melancholy It may possibly be Almaid said he to Hydaspes who after his long captivity hath found a meanes to returne to us Let us goe downe and see whether my conjecture be true or no with that he arose and shewing a joy beyond appearance Surely said he to Hydaspes this Vessell comes to us and brings great cause of comfort Alas how was that poore Prince deceiv'd if not in all at least in the principall part of his hopes For my selfe his expectation was not frustrated for I was in the ship which he looked on with so much joy but traytor and unfortunate that I am I brought with me bolts and chains under whose weight the courage of that Prince was to lie fainting I will no longer hold from you the successe of that adventure I came and cast anchor where Almanzor was and making my excesse of joy and actions of thankes to which the happy successe of my voyage obliged me to resound againe by many Cannon shot I lanch'd a Shalop and first went downe into her that none before me might kisse that Land which was as deare to me as my native soyle No sooner had I set foot on shore but Almanzor came to me presently knew me cast himselfe on my necke and weeping for joy My Father said he and have I then recovered you againe after so long time of your losse and hath that misericordious Goodnesse from whom I have so often petition'd you granted me even that for which I durst not supplicate You may well beleeve without my telling you that my
considerations the overflowing of that passion but Almanzor cutting me short Do not said he imitate Hydaspes and speake against your owne thoughts through a desire to hinder a matter already resolv'd on Your Son Almaid must love he must heaven will absolutely have it so and that love Axiamira But said he how unfortunate am I in that I must give an account of my life to others then my selfe I am overtyr'd with visits and businesse and for a little vanity which the power of Commanding gives me I must deprive my selfe of my contentment yeeld my selfe a slave to other mens passions and for the accomplishment of all misery have all my labours and industry rewarded with perfidy and ingratitude They are not suspitions and doubts which make me speake thus No they are truths Almaid and such truths as you have unwittingly told me Ah! ingratefull Zabaim King incident to all crimes must thou needs after so many services which I will not remember be the author of my just complaints and the object of a yet more just indignation But he went on addressing him to me to the end we may proportion the punishment with the fault bring me hither Osmin I will from his mouth understand the wrongs Zabaim hath done him I very attentively gave eare to all these words and knowing they proceeded from an extreame affection and hatred I fear'd lest the power of love might be able to violate that of nature and winne Almanzor to breake with Zabaim These feares made me oppose against the complaints of my deare Master all that I thought availeable to get him from that opinion he had of Zabaim I therefore besought him to do nothing hastily nor upon the relation of parties interessed dissolve an amity which seem'd to be immortall I know said he what I owe to Zabaims favour He knows too how I have serv'd him Notwithstanding he hath sayl'd of his word and endeavour'd to rob me of the treasure wherewith I intrusted him Judge to what a resentment so great a contempt and so base a treason obligeth me Yet I will not doe what love adviseth me It shall never be reproach'd me that I neither know how to make or preserve friendship If Zabaim have injur'd me his fault shall not make me commit another but it shall teach me how to demeane my selfe with him that so hereafter I may cut off all causes of sayling in our amity Go then Almaid fetch me Osmin and let us see how farre Zabaim is guilty Presently I went and brought Osmin to Almanzors chamber The presence of that old man extreamely comforted the Prince and made him seeme farre lesse unquiet then he was before He spake to him with a very temperate spirit and intreated him to relate all his fortunes but before you begin said he you must satisfie me in one thing which troubles me and make knowne how Zabaim hath treated you since my absence I know you had rather lose your life then preserve it by an untruth Therefore I intreat you not to forget the injuries Zabaim hath done you no nor so much as to suspend the resentment of them to the end that without preoccupation you may make me a plaine and true recit all of what hath befalne you in Guinea Begin then and without considering that Zabaim is my friend tell me the truth purely Osmin whom I have alwayes knowne most sincere taking heaven to witnesse what he was to speake Two dayes said he to Almanzor after your departure Zabaim took the paines to come to my lodging where he staid a while with Axiamira but seeing her in a silence and sadnesse not to be surmounted he left her and taking me by the hand Father said he let us leave this faire maiden to her selfe I follow'd him and when he was come to the Sea side he made me a long Speech of the obligations in which he was ingag'd to you and repeated all the requests you had made him in behalfe of my daughter and my selfe Hee added that for your sake and particularly for mine hee would alwayes respect mee as his owne Father and that hence forward hee would put no difference betwixt his wife and my daughter I rendred thankes for his proffers and telling him they were too advantagious for a stranger like my selfe and a poore maiden as mine was I humbly besought him to contract all his liberalities into one which was to give me the meanes by which I might returne into mine owne Countrey Father repli'd the King I am ready to grant what you have desired but I must not for the infinite love I beare you become mine owne enemie and in preferring your content before mine owne leave an ill opinion of my selfe in those who looke not on the actions of Kings but to finde fault with them yet let us passe by the conceptions of the multitude which commonly are most unreasonable and fasten on that of Almanzor Will not he have cause to beleeve that I have abus'd you when he shall understand that contrary to what we had agreed together you have staid so short time with me Stay therefore here yet a few dayes and have patience till I can send him your resolution You are too generous and too good I repli'd and if the love you beare were not founded on the worthiest cause in the world I could not but still thinke on the excesse of your courtesies But Sir as I imagine your Majestie needs not use so much circumspection in so inconsiderable a businesse We are three poor Wanderers that have no name but by our miseries and who cannot receive the least favour but we must acknowledge it to be beyond our expectations Suffer us then to accomplish the course of our calamities and let not your goodnesse be so sensible as it is of those outrages which Fortune is not yet wearie of making us undergoe I made this long speech to Zabaim to the end that mov'd with compassion or overcome by my reasons he might give way to our departure I cannot tell you whence those impatiencies of parting which I discovered proceeded but I confesse to you they were very extreame and yet my wife's and Axiamira's were greater For all that my prayers my solicitations and intreating Zabaim in your name could not obtaine the leave I demanded He oppos'd so many shewes of amitie and so many reasons to my request that at last to comply with him I went against mine owne thoughts and yeelded to stay yet with him That conformitie of mine was so pleasing unto him as imbracing me with the transport of a man very passionate Father said he I will make you confesse that Almanzor is not the sole man deserves to be beloved and raise you to that happinesse that with the one part of your affection you beare to him you shall lose all that other which you beare to your native soile After all these artificiall promises he return'd to the Palace and leading me by the hand made his
Courtiers take notice of my extraordinary favour From that day he demean'd himselfe towards me as if truly I had been his father and added a many more slaves to those he had given us before your departure The more my credit increased the more I suspected him and knowing well it came not out of any respect to you nor from any merit in me I imputed and laid all the cause of it on the love Zabaim bore to Axiamira Nor was it long conceal'd from me The Kings frequent visiting us the excessive presents which hee continually sent my wife and the submissions wherewith he presented himselfe before Axiamira were to me too certaine proofes of his follie and too assured presages of our approaching ruine At last he resolv'd to put off the maske he had long worn and imagining Axiamira lov'd you he thought there was no better way to settle himselfe in her thought then by driving thence the memorie of you To that end he spoke to her of you but in such a way as taxing was subtlely intermix'd with praise contempt with estimation and envie with acknowledgement I will not my Lord relate the particulars of his discourse for Axiamira would never tell it me know onely that after Zabaim had well prais'd you he made an ample declaration of his extreame love Then hee told my daughter that if she would give him some assurance of her affection he would promise her no lesse a recompence then the three Crownes which Zelopa wore on her head Axiamira incens'd at his detestable propositions was ready to breake out but the greatnesse of her heart and that scrupulous vertue whereof she hath alwaies made profession neither permitted her to make shew of her spirit nor to answer Zabaim's words She would avenge it on her self and by teares watchings and other austerities ruinate the innocent cause of that Princes offences He for all that did not give over his enterprise for so comfort lesse a beginning On the contrary the difficultie of it adding to his desires he resolv'd to carrie away that victorie either by force or cunningâ⦠'T was then we began to see the infallibilitie of our destruction When it was permitted us to be alone and all three together could freely disclose the thoughts of our hearts we broke forth into infinite sorrowes and lamentations We invok'd heavens Justice to assist us against the impudicitie of so often and many wayes guiltie a Prince Wee call'd for it's thunder We besought you to be yet once more our deliverer but seeing our selves for saken of gods and men and growing desperate of your returne we fell from plaints and teares into a resolution to die Axiamira shewing her brave spirit in ââ¦hat extremitie Father said she my constancie hath now beene long in contestation with fortune I feare it may faint and after so high a flight have an ignominious stouping deliver it then from those new enemies which assaile her and if your power extend not so farre I pretend not to engage you on impossibilities Your example makes me but too well know by what way we must generously enfranchise our selves from a place where we cannot live with honour Let us get hence and make Zabaim know we were born free But if all passages are stopt us and we be no more permitted the use of our libertie let us trie our courage Death is alwayes ready to succour such who call on her as they ought It shall be it my deare Protectors it shall be it which in spight of all the tyrants chaines and guards shall put a period to our feares and slaverie When we heard Axiamira speake so generously my wife and my selfe stopped the teares which had so long time distill'd from our eyes and prepar'd our selves by a mutuall constancie to a glorious death Yet before our putting that last resolution in execution I had a mind to attempt some new meanes to save Axiamira I tri'd but in vaine to corrupt some of our slaves I writ to you divers letters which I gave to divers persons whom I thought very trustie I especially hop'd you would come and relieve us but I know wel now that my letters never came to your hands and that Zabaim had them from the traitor who promis'd me to deliver them to you I wonder'd no more why he was so jealous of me nor why he plac'd neer my daughter so many blacke Eunuches who not content to prie into all our actions would even heare out words too At last he tooke away that little libertie was left us Hee himselfe forbad us the going forth from our lodging and told me one day in choler that his love being too much contemn'd would turne into furie To this lamentable estate were we brought when Vice it selfe tooke armes for the defence of Vertue and though it was not its intention imploi'd all that could be of force and furie to make her victorious Zelopa who for six moneths had been sicke as they said of love and despaire understood by some of her confidents that Zabaim had forgotten her and passionately in love with a young maiden which had been sold him by her owne father note my Lord how wicked the vulgar are in their judgement was ready to seat her in Zelopa's place These newes getting her out of the bed wherein she languished made her leave Senega Into Guinea she came more furious then a Lionesse that pursues the hunters which have stolne her whelps She call'd to her succour all those Devills which the publicke voyce gave her altogether for her gods and slaves She sacrific'd to her furie three of her principall Officers for not advertising her presently of our arrivall or rather for not imploying fire and poyson against the father and daughter Zabaim hearing of his wife's frenzies was terrified with her threatnings and cruelties and as an offender escap'd out of prison seeing himselfe ready to fall into the hands of them who are doubly irritated by his flight he growes pale loseth his resolution repents him for breaking his fetters and lookes on those that advis'd him to escape as on so many enemies Axiamira who lately was his sole delight his happinesse his life and somewhat more then even Zelopa with all her Philters and Spirits was become to him a subject of horrour and hatred and if I know not what remainder of dying vertue had not opposs'd it selfe against the outrage of his bewitch'd soule he had doubtlesse himselfe to obtaine remission for his inconstancie cut the throat of Axiamira before Zelopa's eyes In the meane time that Witch like another Furie broke loose from hell came by great journey 's to fill the Court with massacres and impoysonings The blinded Zabaim hearing of her coming resolv'd to goe meet her and by that submission aswell as by his teares to pacifie the furie of his tyrannesse Before he parted he would yet once more see Axiamira and by that view give a secret and new aliment to the fire he
with all the freenesse and bounty we could hope from him and for mine owne particular I was with him in that esteem as had not the remembrance of the King my master and the love I bore him continually crossed my repose I had met wherewithall to lose the memory of my countrey and blesse the houre of my banishment You have seene that Prince His two Sons have felt the weight of your armes and all that Court amaz'd at your valour have expos'd to you all that it had of most magnificent This being so I might justly be accused of the imperfection incident to those of my age if I should make you a description of it I must therefore go on and tell you that after I had beene two or three months with Hely so was the good King of Moroccoes name I got so farre into him that there passed nothing in the State nor in his royall house wherein he tooke not my advise The second year of my service with him began those bloudy tragedies which ambition and love exhibited to his two Sons and I presently foresaw the unhappy Catastrophes I presently gave that Prince such counsell as had sav'd him his Crowne and life had he not lesse lov'd them both then he did two the most ingratefull and vicious children of the world Nephisus so was the youngest called being retir'd from the Court with a resolution to have by fire and sword what was due to him by birthright made himselfe Master of Guargetsem which is seated on a point of the Mount Atlas and thrusting farre into the Ocean shelters the mouth of the River of Sus from all the North winds The Portugals who had not cherished the divisions of the Kings house but for their own gaine offered Nephisus both men and Armes and put into the Fortresse all things necessary to defend it against the whole force of Morocco The good Prince Hely earnestly put on by his Priests remonstrances and the counsell which I thought my selfe bound to give him departed from the City of Morocco and with a potent Army falling into the countrey of Sus beleaguer'd Guargetsem But when he thought on Nephisus whom he dearely lov'd he let fall his armes and shewing himselfe to be too good a father would not have his Army oppose themselves against the fury ââ¦f that unnaturall Son Presently he sent such as had beene beforetime most pleasing to him to intreat him to acknowledge his fault to breake off instantly with the enemies of his greatnesse and religion and not to give over for a prey a Country which should be so much the more deare to him because it was to be a part of his Dominions But Nephisus insensible of that excesse of goodnesse attributed his fathers extreame love to him to a weakenesse of spirit and want of courage and like some beasts that grow more furious when they are claw'd and strok'd he became very ragefull because he was no more powerfully set on Every day he made sallies and bragg'd among his confederates that the Corps of the King his father should shortly serve him for a step to the throne But see an example of that to be dreaded Justice which never lets passe unpunished so prodigious crimes as those of Nephisus At one of his Sallies the Governour of Taradant a bold and trusty Knight as ever was in Mauritania met bustled overthrew him and tooke him prisoner The good Hely no sooner heard these newes but he came out of his tent ran to meet his Son and finding him in the midst of an armed troupe embrac'd him wept on him called him his best beloved and his heire and intreated him to pardon the Governour of Taradant for his daring to lay hands on him Nephisus intimated his distraction and stomach by his silence and though a Prisoner threatned those who hindred him from executing his pernicious resolutions But the respect they bore to the father made them patiently indure the insolencies of the Son I was one of those that stood stiffely for his detention and by a just boldnesse withdrawing Hely from his fatall debonarity made him know that he was father of his people before he was so of his Son and by consequence that he could not be indulgent to the crimes of the one without becomming culpable of the miseries of the other Hely who was not lesse judicious then facile confessed with a great deale of mildnesse that my remonstrances were just and my counsell wholesome but said he what shall become of my Son 'T is better that I perish in the age I am then you should be bound to deprive my Estate by the death of Nephisus of those felicities it attended from his government The Kings principall Officers would have gladly pleased but not lost him but foreseeing that Nephisus liberty would be the death of Hely they were strongly resolved against his clemency and told him that if he would not doe his Subjects justice his Chieftaines were resolv'd to forsake him To this he answered nothing unIesse it were they should remember he was a father and his silence passing amongst us for a secret consent Nephisus was remitted into his hands who had taken him Whilst he conducted him to Taradant he assail'd Guargessem and the Commander's captivity taking away the Souldiers hearts the place was rendred within a moneth of it's beleaguring The Portugals failing in their plot retir'd and Hely presently entred the fortresse At first he was insensible of his good fortune but the continuall representing to him the unnaturalnesse of his Son and denoting the defects he fell into against his owne estate through his too much clemency he grew sensible of his errour and gave those men thankes who maugre his countermands had appli'd a remedy to it We were both one evening discoursing of those occurrences when on the sudden a surious winde mingled with lightning and thunder drew the good Hely to his chamber window either to divert his sad cogitations or rather to intertaine them with so fearfull and dismall an object Whilst he stood as it were buried in his musings I descri'd a far off at Sea two great fires which sometimes approached and then againe went off from one another At the noyse I made in seeing them the King came out of his meditation and perceiving the cause of my astonishment stood very heedfull to see what would become of those fires The winde which blew from the West Easterly made them make a great deale of way in a small time and brought them so neer us that we distinctly saw they were two ships which may be had fir'd one another because they could not otherwise get a victory Hely who was of the most sensible and humane nature I ever yet knew presently shar'd in the calamity of those that were confin'd to those burning vessels and though he deem'd them Portugals and by consequence his Enemies yet he shew'd his desire to relieve them He sent divers of his guard to take all the
agitations but imputing them to that impatient and inconsiderate curiosity which extraordinary adventures and events raise in the most solid and retir'd mindes I will said he presently satisfie your demand and relate to you very wonderfull verities at least if Osmin made not my dear Master beleeve so Know that Spimantus had no sooner done speaking but suddenly plucking away his arme which Osmin held he strook his ponyard deep into his brest but so happily for him that he was assoon dead as wounded Osmin very much griev'd for not being the stronger mingled his tears with that unfortunate Prince his bloud and after a long bewailing his sad disaster commanded his slaves to cleanse the body and carry it to his lodging In the meane time he went up to the fortresse to give an account to Hely of what he had seen and acquit himself of that the Prince of Scotland at his death incharg'd him yet he could not performe it for at his entring the King's chamber he saw tovvard tvventy of those men half Shepheards half Fishers vvhich inhabite on the bankes of the River of Sus and he heard the eldest of the company in presenting a young maiden clad like a Shepheardesse to Hely speake thus The feare which I and my companions had least some of your Souldiers or others might by force take from us this excellent beauty is the cause that made us intreat her to quit the rich habillements she wore and to conceale her selfe under the simplicity of those she hath now on At breake of day we being imbark'd for fishing saw very farre in the River somewhat which cast up a thick smoake We made to it with our boates and perceiv'd it had beene a great ship which by fire was burnt downe to the water That cruell enemy seem'd not content with the mischiefe it had done but search'd into the bottome of the ship for new subjects whereon to execute its fury It flew every where and consuming the bodies of those it had smothered cast up such a stinking fume as it was almost impossible for us to approach it We were returning very sorrowfull for not being able to succour any body when most pitifull shrikes and cries which seem'd to implore our ayde made us alter our resolution We entred the smoake and some twenty paces from the ship we perceiv'd some women who imbracing one another floated on five or six great bundles of corke which had beene lincked together Pity made us cast away all feare Through fire and sword we came to the women and taking them into our boates left the fire to make an end of that ravage it had so farre advanced Assoone as those poore creatures saw themselves out of that danger which they had as it were miraculously escaped they testified by their teares and actions how much they were obliged to us Wee asked them by what accident they had beene reduced to that extremity but they could not answer because they did not understand us Their language was no lesse unknowne to us then ours to them Yet that hindred not but we continued our assistance Wee conducted them to our Cotes where commending them to the care of our wives we returned to the River to try if we could save any thing out of the burning vessell Our paines was not unfruitfull for fastning a cable to a piece of timber on which the staffe or handle of the ships rudder rested we drew the rest of the vessell on the sands and opening it by the keele found therein much rich furniture which the fire had not yet touched At our returne home we more heedfully considered then we had done at first the women you see and were strooke as with lightning at the fight of this new Shepheardesse Her robes which shone againe with gold and silver and the Diamonds she wore on her head made us imagine her to be some personage of an elevated condition and so we entertain'd her and instantly resolv'd to come and present her to you We could not make her understand our intention nor she us her will First of all I thought fit to disguise her for my former reason and assoone as my wife had shewne her the garments she weares she shew'd a great deale of contentment and retyring with her to put them on gave her in exchange her rich robe and Diamonds But we thought it not fit that we should make our benefit of them Therefore Sir I have brought them with me not onely for that consideration but to the end you may not doubt of my words See here they are both With that he delivered to the King as 't were a halfe Crowne of Diamonds and unfoulded a robe which for the richnesse as wel as the fashion would merit a particular description but that other matters of more importance oblige me to put it off till another time Hely tooke no heed neither to the Jewels or robes of the stranger because his eyes were so fixed on her face that he was incapable of all things else In the meane time the Prince of Scotlands adventure winning Osmin to believe this Shepheardesse was Iphidamanta he came to her and when he had long time regarded I know not said he whether I be deceiv'd but I have ill understood what the Prince of Scotland told me or you are Iphidamanta The Shepheardesse blushing at Osmins speech looked on him with a modesty full of majesty and presently fell a weeping Hely losing the object which had held him so long inchanted came out of his extasie and seeing Osmin before him Doth not said he this adventure much amaze you Sir replied Osmin you would your selfe be farre more if you knew it all Thereupon Osmin related to him the death of the Scottish Prince and the requests he made him dying and never believe me said he if this Shepheardesse be not the Princesse Iphidamanta Hely touched with some inward motions not proper to his age made knowne to that faire Shepheardesse how pleasing her coming was to him and spoke to her with such respects and submissions as seem'd to undervalue regall Majesty Osmin thought at first his civilities so full of affection proceeded onely from the Prince's goodnesse which was extended to all his Subjects and many times made him forget what he was But that very day Hely made him lose that opinion and let him know though he had a great deale of goodnesse he had far more love He bought Iphidamanta's robes and jewels at six times more then they were worth and by so excessive a liberality changed the fortune of a great many poore people The Fisher-men inriched beyond their hopes returned to their Cottages and the faire Shepheardesse abode in the fortresse with those women but so sad and desolate that shee moved them to pity who were the most insensible Hely not induring so great sorrow in a person so deare to him did all he could to comfort her and besought her to make knowne to him the cause of
to him with his prize He accoasted him after his wonted fashion and presently falling to matters more essentiall I cannot said he yeeld thee a greater proofe of my allowance of their choise then by offering thee this prisoner Imagine the transport of my deare Master in seeing himselfe so neere that Princesse for whose sake he had expos'd himselfe to so many dangers but his affliction was farre greater when Thalemut had taken off the vaile wherewith she was covered and made knowne to the Prince so much transported with joy that he had no cause at all for it In effect it was not Iphidamanta but as Almanzor understood from her owne mouth an Egyptian whom Perseus had gotten from some Ethiopian Merchants Certainly he was like to have died with griefe for seeing himselfe so farre from his hopes and but for the power which Hydaspes had over his thoughts to divert his tragicall resolution Iphidamanta had in lesse then one month stuck a ponyard in the brests of two of the most famousest Princes of Africa I could now relate to you all the brave actions done by Almanzor since he was Generall of the Pirates tell you of the laudable alterations hee hath brought in their Common-wealth and the important Services he hath done the ingratefull Zabaim since the Pirates changed his name from Almanzor to Bajazet Polexander breaking out at the name of Bajazet Ah Almaid said he how cruell hast thou beene in concealing from me so long that whose knowledge would have been so acceptable to me Why then your Almanzor is that generous Bajazet who by his incomparable vertues and gââ¦atnesse of his courage having of a Society of theeves created a lawfull Common-wealth governes with so much Justice and magnificence that his quality deserves the envy of all the Princes in the world After thus much he turned to Almanzaira continuing his Speech Madam said he what great cause have you to rejoyce in the midst of your ill fortune if Bajazet prove to be your Almanzor Almanzaira looking on him with a pleasing countenance I confesse replied she without this comfort which betides me at that time when my miseries seem'd to me at the worst and desperate Zelopa's cruelty had beene long since satiated Knight said Almaid to Polexander you knowing Bajazet as your discourse informes me I have nought else to relate further but what I have done since his command forc'd me to leave him I went to Abrinzias and Andromeda assoone as he was gone and declaring his resolution I staggered that wonderfull constancy wherewithall they were wont to receive the stroakes of fortune They both complain'd of Almanzors vehemency of courage rather then of himselfe but presently resigning themselves to the will of heaven which with so much ardour they lov'd and with so much respect ador'd Almanzor said they to me hath given credit to a passion and an age which most commonly are very ill Counsellours But we hope the infinite goodnesse of heaven will have compassion on that Prince and having already drawne him out of so many dangers it will not abandon him in those whereunto he hath so inconsiderately cast himselfe When those good Princes had said thus I told them my thoughts and the next day taking my leave of them I besought them in Almanzors name to continue to Osmin and his Lady the good entertainement they had begun to give them The same day I imbark'd me in that vessell which brought me out of Portugall and after a long voyage by Sea to hearken after my deare Master I was so fortunate as to finde him in his Island where he liv'd in continuall melancholy for his losse of Iphidamanta and was preparing with his fleet to search and inquire aââ¦ter her in all the parts of Africa After I had beene a while with him I resolv'd to returne to Senega to hearken after Zabaim and redeeme the Queene from her long captivity That voyage I perform'd so fortunately that I arriv'd at Melly in a time when Almanzaira's Guardian could no longer keepe her The Queene hath recounted to you how I got her out of the hands of her enemies and how by a feigned death preventing her true one I brought her into the Island where you found her Thus ended Almaid the pleasant recitall of those Princes adventures and left Polexander in such meditations as wholly taking him up would neither permit him to thanke the Relator nor yet make shew of his admiration The end of the third Booke of the third Part. THE THIRD PART OF POLEXANDER The Fourth Booke THe Sea and Winde which seem'd to have had silence impos'd them for the not disturbing Almaid broke it assoone as he had ended his relation and as if they had been sensible of Almanzaira's sufferings and impatiency would not make her languish any longer in expectation of her happinesse The calme therefore giving place to a more favourable season the vertuous Queene's ship was driven from North Southerly with a great speed and the third day entred a Gulfe made by two overtures through which the river of Senega emptieth it selfe into the Sea Almanzaira troubled with hope and feare every moment changed countenance and shewing the love she bore her husband by her tremblings and disquiets oftentimes question'd Almaid of such things as he could not reply to and sometimes holding her eyes fix'd on Polexander My deare deliverer said she I begin to doubr of those things which your presence hath made me hitherto hold for infallible and feare lest I come too late to restore the unfortunate Almanzaira to her deare Zabaim Put out of your thoughts Madam repli'd Polexander such thoughts as proceed from nothing but the long custome of your hoping for nothing Zabaim lives yet or to say better Zabaim is no more and in lieu of him you shall finde that faire and generous Palmira who neither feared the severity of the King your father nor the rigour of your Countreys Lawes nor death it selfe to merit the honour of entring the prison whereinto you were shut Almanzaira sighing to remember her former felicities That pleasant time said she to Polexander is for ever slid away it will no more returne then my youth nor doe I wish for it but onely that I might once againe enjoy the sight of my deare Lord and not be altogether unpleasing unto him Whilst they thus intertain'd themselves their ship floated up the river of Senega with the tide and flew as I may say so swiftly that in lesse then foure and twenty houres it came within sight of that stately City which hath given name to all the Province of Senega Night was far come on when Almanzaira Polexander Almaid and their people went a shore They fail'd not to make an end of their voyage and that which made them most desire it was a great light which flying high in the aire above the walls of Senega made the City seeme as it had been all on fire When they came to the gates they found
perceive that my griefe which is very sore when I looke on him is farre worse when I see him not Sister said I though I am the last that speake I am not the last that suffered I have long since examined my selfe of the reason of that change I noted in me and how I should feele my selfe sicke and yet not discover the cause nor the quality of my malady but your discourse hath freed me of my ignorance I know now that my sicknesse comes from the eyes of the faire slave the delight I take in seeing him is followed with so sensible a griefe that whether I see him or see him not I finde my selfe divided betwixt a delicious torment and a disquieted contentment See the first discourse that a growing and almost unknowne passion made two Maidens of thirteene hold together Age which is a great master in love chiefly when it is seconded by those which of old have beene instructed in it quickly taught us both by the example of our parents and the conversation of those faire slaves which waited on us not onely what we should call our sicknesse but how strange the effects of it were Solyman in the meane time not onely seem'd ignorant of it but shew'd himselfe so extreamely insensible that he was neither mov'd with our lookes our blandishments no nor with our speeches amongst many other proofes of his insensibility I remember one which as young as we both were made us see that our affection prepar'd strange afflictions for us The Sultanesse our mother being retir'd from Constantinople during a voyage of Achomat's into Egypt to a Seraglio which the Emperour had given her on the Channell which runs into the blacke sea we in that pleasant solitude passed our time in all the sports and merriments our Governesses thought fit for our exercise The Sultanesse our mother was usually a Spectatresse of our pastimes and noting that my sister and I passed them over with a negligence and pensivenesse not befitting our age was afraid left it might presage some great fit of sicknesse Had she been a little more informed she would have knowne our disquiets were not the presages but the effects of that ill which she feared Notwithstanding we conceal'd it not onely from her but even from those that were our greatest confidents and did our utmost endeavours to communicare or at least to discover it to the impassible Solyman His respect to the Sultanesse having one day whether he would or no forc'd him to stay betwixt my sister and my selfe that Princesse who tooke much pleasure in hearing the first proofes of our wit commanded us to speake to him and he had the like to answer us Our discourse at first was of meer franknesse of humour and principally of the neglect of men to which Solyman answered with so much discretion and vivacity that the Princesse confess'd aloud she could not heare any thing more witty but being diverted by a Poste from her deare Achomat she left my sister and my selfe in that liberty we had so oftentimes wish'd for As Solyman was about to follow her we staid him against his will and my deare Hysteria spoke thus You have good cause to quit us if you beleeve we spoke as we thought our misprising of men might make you doe the same to us but doe not beleeve Solyman that we are so wicked as to offend that All whereof you are a wonderfull part our injuries were but a sport and we cunningly made use of that artifice to conceale from our mother the too true affection we bear to the fairest of men With that poor Histeria blush'd and her languishing eyes stood fix'd on Solyman to let him comprehend that hee alone merited that glorious title Solyman blush'd too either for his owne shamefac'dnesse or Histeria's and unwilling to answer a speech that troubled him did what he could to get from us yet his discretion not suffering him to goethence by violence he saw himselfe obliged to stay yet a little longer with us I then began and casting down mine own eyes as to not see my selfe Why flyest thou us Solyman said I Are wee so unworthy thy company or is thy mislike of us so great as thou canst not indure our sight nor heare us speake to thee Thou may be valuest thy selfe by the miseries of thy fortune and quite forgetting the greatnesse of thy birth wilt observe that low submission which thy Tutors have prescribed thee and slaves should owe to their masters Is it not out of feare of making thy condition worse then it is in trying to make it better If such a timidity seale up thy lips and casts thine eyes downewards thou art as weake a valuer of our thoughts as thou art of thy selfe we could looke on thee as on a Prince which should one day sit on a Throne and not as a slave who hath lost for ever all hope of his liberty But our affections are too purely sublim'd to fixe themselves on such grosse and base considerations we love thee because heaven would have it so because thy gracefulnesse forceth and thy vertue obligeth us Wee intreate thee now to divide that love betwixt us and to be pleased that by kinde and mutuall exchanges thou wilt give us a part of thy servitude and accept as much of our liberty Histeria hearing I expressed her thoughts so well Deare Solyman said she interrupting me accept I beseech thee my sisters proposition command with us and we will be slaves with thee Solyman would have been overjoyed to have heard us speake on though it pleas'd him not because at least our continuall talke had freed him from the trouble of answering us but wee impos'd our selves silence of purpose to heare what he would say sometime he was consulting with himselfe at last seeing he was forc'd to an answer Faire Princesses said he you have shut my mouth even by that which you have made use of your selves for the liberty of breaking the silence is commanded me you say I am thought on and regarded by you as a Prince which should once governe and that consideration tels me I am but a wretch who with the title of Prince have lost all the priviledges of Principality though your proffers came from a true feeling you have of my miseries and that you should be so good as to contribute somewhat to the consideration of my birth yet beleeve not I beseech you that I can by such a charme beguile the knowledge I have of my misfortunes You may faigne being as you are to be slaves without making triall of any of the rigours of servitude but if the strength of imagination deprive me not of that of judgement 't is impossible for me in conceiting my selfe to be among the sweets of liberty that I should forget the bitternesse of slavery Give over then faire Princesses give over the presenting me with imaginary good since it doth but put me in minde of those true ones I want
themselves You are not here in the quality of a Combatant but of a Judge and a Master Consider then what Justice would have you doe with an offender and the authority of a Master with a fugitive slave Polexander interrupting the unknowne Knight Solyman said he either be silent or speake so as you may cleere Achomat from that error whereinto you have brought him Make knowne to him by what unfortunate chance he lost Histeria and Melicerta But I shall do better to speake for you With that he turn'd to Achomat thus Generous Basha said he Solyman is guilty but 't is not of too much love as you beleeve 't is of neglect and insensibility If he be the Author of the disasters befalne in your family 't is as the Sun is the cause of darknesse I will say he hath ruin'd the Princesses your daughters in refusing what they requested from him and if I may say so in hiding from them that light without which their young hearts were perswaded there was none at all But not to hold you any longer in expectation of the cleering a doubt which must either appease or at least alter the face of your displeasure I will in few words declare what your daughters affections were and what the insensibility of the Prince your Slave Know that those Princesses Twins in their affection as well as in their birth turn'd at once their eyes on Solyman and though he alwayes insolently neglected them yet was he so happy as to be desperately belov'd Some other lesse skill'd in the power of that passion then I am would justifie Solyman in telling you that his duty and respect forbad him to cast his eyes on the daughters of his Master But I intend not to bring you such excuses If Solyman were so indiscreet as to make use of them I should be the first would condemne them either as absolutely false or more criminall then his owne insensibility In a word this young Prince hath beene ignorant of what is knowne to beasts and plants and all Nature which cries out that we must love and inspires that passion when first our life is breath'd into us hath found a monster in your Slave who in the very height of his bloud in the fire of his youth and in the midst of all the allurements and beauties of your daughters hath belied his birth and made appeare to the shame of his Sexe that a man might be borne incapable of all love Histeria and Melicerta could not indure this prodigy The one died of it with griefe at the siege of Lepanto and the other is buried alive in a tombe that she may never more see that unjust heaven which knowes so great a crime and doth not punish it Achomat who had diligently hearkened to all that Polexander had said was a while without answering as if he was asking himselfe whether all that which the Prince would perswade him could be true At last thinking well that this accident was not impossible he addressed his speech to our Heroe and interrupting it with sighes You have said hee judiciously forseene that your narration would change the face of my afflictions I perceive Solyman is not so guilty as I thought him but withall I know that I am not lesse miserable then I imagined Whilst these two Princes were talking thus the unknowne Knight tooke off his helmet and displaying his admirable countenance which could not bee seen without wonder You said hee coming neerer to Polexander are not deceived 'T is true my Lord I am that monster who by my ingratitude and insensibility have violated the most holy and sweet lawes of nature and who in stead of acknowledging Achomat's favours and goodnesse have by my excessive contempt hastened the tragicall end of the Princesses his daughters But by what chance have you come to the knowledge of things so private and for what cause doth Achomat deferre his revenge The Basha's indignation seeing it selfe strip'd of all that which had so long time nurs'd it yeelded at last to Iphidamantus Innocence and reason taking her place which passion had usurp'd made Achomats weapons to fall out of his hands With teares in his eyes he turn'd to Polexander and witnessing to him his sorrow and noblenesse Since said he at last I know Solyman to be guiltlesse and that 't is the cruell destiny of my race which alone hath produc'd my misfortune and shame tell me I intreat you Sir where I shall finde my daughters bodies that by rendering them to their desolate mother I may give her that deplorable consolation which she can expect from so sad and lamentable a restitution Since your equitable love repli'd Polexander makes you alike wish for your two daughters dry from henceforth the halfe of your teares or let the one part testifie your griefe and the other be an evidence of your joy Histeria is dead but her sister liveth and were it not for the obstinacy wherewithall she opposeth all that may conduce to her happinesse and avenge her of Iphidamantus insensibility she would have as well as I the content of seeing her deare father and that lover who as barbarous as he is is no lesse wished for At those words Iphidamantus shew'd well he had not so hard a heart as Polexander upbraided him withall but made knowne by his sighes and teares he knew how to love and casting himselfe at Polexanders feet sadly besought him to discover where Melicerta was and what he was to performe for the freeing her from her miseries Is it repli'd our Heroë an intent to be a spectator of the ills thou hast made her undergoe that thy curiosity breeds that desire in thee or to say better by a humanity too inhumane to sticke thy ponyard in that Innocents breast to free her from her further languishment Ah my Lord said Iphidamantus be more indulgent to an offender that repents him And since I had the honour as well as you to have the generous Periander for my father doe him not that wrong to beleeve he was the Author of producing a creature monstrous in all his qualities I confesse I have been long incapable of that desire they call Love and I have laugh'd at Achomat Bajazet at the King of Morocco and at your self as often as your passion hath made you act something not conformable with my opinion But if I have been impassible and to use your owne words disdainfull and without pity yet have I never beene cruell nor unjust I have endeavour'd many and many a time to suppresse Melicerta and her sister's madnesse I offered them all the remedies reason furnished me withall I have not taken pleasure in their sorrowes but if I had thought my death could have made them happy they had long since beene so I will not yet by these justifications lessen the enormity of my offences whatsoever I have done I have deserv'd death since the misfortune of two the fairest Princesses of the East had their Originall
felt none so cruell as to be absent from you A hundred times in my hearing hath she wished her selfe able to give her whole life for one instant of your sight and sometimes when the excesse of sorrowes had reduced her to an extremity O death hath she cryed how sweet shouldst thou be unto me so that thou wouldst not take me hence before I had regain'd the favour of my honour'd Achomat Cydaria spoke those words in a tone so fit to move compassion that the Basha could not refraine from teares but whilst he gave this tribute to nature Iphidamantus rendred farre greater to love he was come up to Melicerta and standing in the posture of an offender which strives to get pardon for his faults Faire Princesse said he in kissing her hand scorne not this fugitive slave who prosecuted by the remorse of conscience offers himselfe voluntarily to all that your anger shall denounce against him 'T is not the insensible Solyman you see at your feet that monster hath long agoe been out of the number of things existing 't is the repenting and sensible Solyman he yet intreates you to be lesse good then the Basha your father and not to forget such crimes as would make Mercy it selfe worthy to be punish'd had she sealed them a pardon Melicerta in lieu of answering to this incessantly sighed she tooke Iphidamantus hand put it to her mouth and with kisses or to speake things as love hath inspired mee with characters of fire imprinted on it the pardon which Iphidamantus beleev'd he had not merited She contented her selfe with that mute eloquence not onely to assure her lover of the extremity of her affection but to have him beleeve that all the miseries she had indured were deare and pleasing to her since they had produc'd such a height of felicity Achomat interrupted the mysterious interparley of those lovers and to refresh the spirits of all in Melicerta't cabin I wonder now no more said he to Cydaria and Iphidamantus which stood one before the other at those errours which have been occasioned by your two faces The King of Morocco is not so blinde as we beleeve him and for my owne part I confesse that were I from you but one quarter of an houre I should not know which were Solyman Melicerta desirous to give to Cydaria all that she owed to her affection This dayes miraculous accidents said she command you to give thankes to the King of Morocco's mistakes you had been as well as I in your discontents had that Prince been more cleere sighted or Bajazet's spies not lesse deceiv'd then that amorous old man But fitly said she changing her voyce now I talke of Bajazer what important reason of State hinders him from coming to taste those sweets for whose fruition be indures so many ills and exposeth himselfe to so many dangers Achomat repli'd had not our care of you daughter put by all others we had either been yet in quest of that Prince or he here with us When Polexander came and intimated how extreame ill you were we sent to Bajazetstents to let him know the cause of your sudden departure but our Messenger found him not nor could any of his guard or slaves tell to what quarter of the Camp he was gone The haste we made to see you may be our excuse if not towards this faire Princesse he spoke it turning to Cydaria yet at least to others why we forsooke that Prince in his discontent As Achomat ended his speech there arose a mighty noise in the midst of the Pirates fleet The trumpets and other instruments of brasse which serve to warne the Souldiers what to doe disturb'd the silence of the night and the calmnesse of the elements They cryed Arme arme on all sides and the mariners whose toile is all in confusion blended their clamours and cryes with the Souldiers uproare Polexander not knowing what the cause of this Alarme should be sent Diceus to inform him who was no sooner out of the Kings ship but the noise was husht yet loath to returne with nothing he got to the place where the Pirates fleet was yet in battalia he staid the first he met to know what had happened some told him the arrivall of the King of Senega whom they thought friend to the King of Morocco had engag'd the whole navy to put themselves in order to fight with him Others told him but uncertainly of Bajazets losse and gave him a great desire of cleering so important a newes as he was in that trouble he met with the Rover Hamet who knowing him in the darke Hoe Diceus said he if thou lovest Bajazet bring me quickly to the King thy master Diceus told him he was in his ship and for himselfe he was come by his Masters command to know the cause of the Alarme 'T is a strange one said Hamet sighing but thou mayest know that Bajazet is dead if Polexander save not his life Diceus imagining Hamet to be too much afflicted to speake got him into his shallop and so carried him aboard the Kings ship Assoone as he was in Melicerta's cabin where Cydaria was with the Princes her brothers and Achomat he cast himselfe at the feet of our Heroë and witnessing his feare by his faultring speech Sir said he you have gone neere within these two houres to lose Bajazet and if your company get not the suppressing of his resentments I verily beleeve he will meet with that death between the armes of Zabaim and Almanzaira which he would have found in the sea Knowest thou what thou sayest asked Polexander in a tone expressing his affright Yes very well repli'd the Rover and know more that the onely griefe of meeting with Iphidamantus where he thought to have found Axiamira hath made him to confine by a quick despaire his vaine and long hopes Relate that strange resolution repli'd Polexander whilst we goe to succour that desperate man presently he call'd for Diceus and commanding him softly to cause his ship to be steer'd neere to Zabaim's bid him with-draw and he himselfe shut the dore to Melicerta's cabin whilst he was speaking to Diceus Cydaria was stolne behinde the sicke Princesses bed and set her selfe on it to heare Hamet and not be seene Our Heroë thought it so and beleeving the Pirate's relation might contribute much to his sisters satisfaction intreated him to make known very particularly what he knew of his master's misfortune Hamet being a little recollected began his discourse thus Some quarter of an houre after the newes of our General 's victory came to our Navy our Sentinels gave us notice there were a many sailes descri'd at the mouth of this River this being confirmed by the fires on the coast and by those in guard at the entrance our Admirall made ready and put the ships in battalia But this alarme lasted not long as you have heard for presently two ships brought our Admirall newes that the discovered fleet was the King of Senega's
who as Bajazet's friend had for his aid arm'd all the vessels he could make ready Our Admirall who was absolute in his command sent not to Bajazet for his direction but presently dispatch'd Telisman and my selfe to Zabaim We made to him and coming aboard perform'd those complements whereto his assistance and quality obliged us he seem'd very sad and perceiving we tooke notice of it Pardon me said he if I entertaine you not with all the joy I ought to shew you As you came my wife and my selfe were busied about the cleering to our selves somewhat which even now makes me not able to speake to you but with some disturbance the adventure is such as you must beare a share in it but that you may the more freely understand it let us retire to some roome in the place where we are both more commodious and quieter then here among so many Souldiers and Mariners equally affrighted Zabaim having received us with these civilities and excuses brought us into his cabin and spending not long time in speaking of his forces and the cause of his getting them together My ship said he with some few others staid at the foot of that dangerous rocke which over-hangs the entrance into this River and I attended the Moone rising for my setting saile againe when I heard a voyce over my head which in words the most lamenting I ever heard besought heaven and earth things sensible and insensible to be witnesses after his death of his faith and constancy Whilst I was attentive to those complaints there grew a great bustling among the sailes and ropes of my ship and running to see what it was I found a man hung in the tackling I commanded to have him straight taken downe and seeing that the height from whence he fell had depriv'd him of his senses have caus'd him to be brought into a cabin neere to this no sooner cast I mine eyes on him but I know not what remembrance fill'd me with feare and horrour my wife coming in to practise that charity which hath gotten her the name of Mother to the afflicted earnestly look'd on him and was no lesse troubled then I. We have for these two houres done all we can to get out of our astonishment and o'recome the long trance of that unfortunate man but as effectlesse in the one as in the other this is the cause you have not been entertain'd as you might expect When Zabaim had ended Sir said I may 't is fit our Generall were advertis'd of the accident therefore we both beseech your Majesty to let us see that desperate person My thoughts said the King which are not yet well setled made me forget that which particularly I had a desire to tell you 't is that I am much deceiv'd if the man we have succour'd be not one of the principall of your Army By something he weares he seemes to be a man of command and if my wife mistake not it must necessarily be your Generall himselfe Here Zabaim stopp'd and we who found no likelihood in this conjecture besought him to let us see the man and to put him out of the opinion he was in we related to him what Bajazet had done that very day but assoone as he shewed him to us lying yet stretched out as dead I knew him and cried out 't was my Generall My companion as much afflicted as my selfe thinking Bajazet had beene dead cast himselfe on him and kissing his hands began to call to him in his eares as all the Sectaries of Mahomet use to hollow in the eares of their dead In the meane while whether Nature after it had beene so long time dull'd awaked suddainely or the Princes strength recall'd by their applying of remedies had disengaged his spirits which his fall had as ' were suffocated so it was that Bajazet came to himselfe The first signes of life he gave us were his sighes which being not well perfected perished in the place of their conception and were not perceiv'd but by their heavings about the seate of his heart These halfe-sighes were followed by others which seem'd to flye headlong to get forth At last after he had a while mutter'd what none could understand yet came he out distinctly with this I will no more depend on the injustice of fortune and my soule unloaden of the weight of my body may freely goe in quest and finde thee faire Axiamira in what corner of the earth soever my cruell destiny hath hidden thee Almanzaira recovering from her deadly sorrow by degrees as her Son came out of his swoon ceas'd not to invoake that eternall Pity which had so often and so miraculously redeem'd her out of her afflictions and to beseech thence with her teares an end to those miseries which continually travers'd her life Her prayer ended she oftentimes kissed Bajazet whose head she kept on her breast and calling him sometimes Almanzor and othertimes Bajazet intreated him to know her and to come out of his reaveries To strike his imagination with some name well knowne to him she intreated him to looke on Almaid and Hydaspes who infinitely grieved for him At those names he strove to open his eyes but the brightnesse of the lights forcing him to shut them againe Almaid said he and Hidaspes are with me for their fidelity would not permit them to survive my death You are welcome deare Companions of my many miseries and since in your life-time you have lov'd nothing more deare then my company and contentment continue that affection and joyning for ever your shadowes with mine let us goe together in quest of faire Axiamira Whilst Bajazet mov'd all that heard him to compassion and Zabaim with Almanzaira melted into teares I came to that incomparable lover and so talk'd with him as he came out of his musing Yet no sooner was he come to himselfe but he began to cry out as he had felt some great torture and afflicting himselfe for being alive How Bajazet said he thou liv'st then and yet hast for ever lost the hope of finding Axiamira Ah Polexander Ah Iphidamantus what will you say of me To get him from this new affliction I said you were in great care and search'd for him every where With that I came away and had so good fortune as to meet with Diceus when I was out of hope of finding you If therefore you regard the friendship of Bajazet save his life while it is in your power Here Hamet ended and Polexander replied to comfort him that his Generall should soone have satisfaction But what doe you the while faire Cydaria You sigh in secret you beare a part in the griefes you conferre on the loyall Almanzor and repent for suspecting so wonderfull a constancy I see well your scrupulous vertue growes angry with your disposition and it is not lesse griev'd then your lover to be compell'd to receive so sensible a blow and not have sufficient armes to defend it selfe from it But let her
death nor Melicerta's miseries when the quietnesse of my minde and the mirthsomenesse of my humour forsooke me without any apparent cause That which till then pleas'd me began to be distastfull and the pensivenesse sighes and Bajazet's disquiets which I could hardly indure became my most pleasing diversions I found delights in solitude company was irksome to my melancholy and restlesse thoughts I learnt to sigh in earnest and found pleasure in it sleep left me and I knew by my long and troublesome watchings how cruell the nights are to the sicke and unfortunate Though I grew angry at this new manner of living yet I found some sweetnesse in it one night when certainly I slept though I thought my selfe awake a great flash of light dash'd all obscurity from my chamber and strooke into mine eyes at first I took it for lightning but the same lustre having as it were dazeled me the second time I opened my bed-curtaines to see what it was and perceiv'd walking with an incredible sadnesse and slownesse a young mayden which had her breast open'd with some blow of a sword the bloud gush'd out in great clots from the wound and the faire apparition inlieu of being terrifi'd look'd on it running out with a great deal of pleasure holding her eyes thus fix'd on her wound she drew neere me and shewing it to me with the point of her bloudy sword Looke on it said she as well as I insensible Solyman we have no lesse contributed to it the one then the other 'T was indeed this hand and this sword that made it but 't was thy disdaine and inhumanity which drove both to this desperate action Make thy selfe drunke with this bloud since thou hast so thirsted for it draine out all that rests in my veines I will indure thy cruelty so it extend no further and that my poore sister who languisheth in a desert Island be not compell'd to have recourse to my violent remedy for the cure of that malady whereof thou art the inflicter With these reproaches the Ghost vanished and I awaking found my selfe as cold as ice and as wet as if I had newly come out of a river Alas cry'd I presently faire soule which accusest me of thy death thou knowest well that I am but a farre distant cause and though my inclination would have drawne me to love thee yet my reason must have hindered me from it I confesse yet that I am guilty since thou condemnest me and would to heaven my ruine could restore thy life againe thou shouldst see me runne to my death with joy and alacrity but since these wishes and vowes are but bootlesse and vaine I will make one more just and solid and from this day engage my selfe never to be at rest till I have given Melicerta satisfaction I cannot tell you whether it were the effect of the vision or my vow that wrought my alteration but presently of impassible I began to be all passion and felt all those torments which Polexander and Bajazet had so often described to me I cast my selfe out of my bed and scarce having the patience to dresse me went to Bajazet not knowing well what I did Brother said I all amazedly I love and my desire to finde the worthy object of my affection will not permit me to stay longer with you Bajazet will tell you if you please that hearing me talke thus he thought me out of my wits and asked oftentimes to what end I held a discourse with him so out of all appearance 'T is very true though said I and that you may not doubt of it hearken to such things as I never yet disclos'd to any Thereupon I related to him all which had happened to me at Constantinople and Lepanto and ending with the vision I had lately seen I fill'd him with as much astonishment as commiseration Besides knowing my sicknesse by his owne experience Away away said he deferre it no longer 't is not justice that you should be exempted from the fate of your family He gave me a good tall ship with all such as I would chuse to accompany me and taking his leave My dear brother said he I will quickly follow you and but for Almaid and Hydaspes whom I daily expect I would be as well a companion in your voyage as I am in your fortune thus we parted and 't was after our separation that all those accidents betided me which I have recounted After I had been some while with Polexander and saw him as well as my selfe in a longing to attempt his fortune againe I left him steering for the inaccessible Island and bore up for the Straights of Gibraltar to get into the Mediterranean Sea and enquire after Melicerta either in France or Italy The winde driving me on the coast of Barbary I landed in the territory of Argier and went into the Towne with an intent to see whether Melicerta had not been so unfortunate as to be taken by those Barbarians and enchained among their slaves But my search was as effectlesse there as it had been in other places and for being too curious in those parts I lost the hope of seeing Melicerta againe That Towne being peopled with a many severall Nations and of all kinde of wits amongst others feeds a great sort of men and women which make profession of calculating nativities to divine of things lost and foretell of what is to come I went to one of these Cheaters which was of most reputation 't was a Marabou called Cid Amatonis which dwelt without the gates of Argier after that false Prophet had done a thousand superstitious Ceremonies wherewithall he was wont to deceive poore people he told me that which I searched after was not to be found but among the dead Polexander interrupting his brother Had you said he understood the true sense of those words you would not accuse your Mirabou of ignorance and lying for 't is very true insensible Solyman that the treasure you look'd for was shut up among the habitations of the dead and the constant and generous Melicerta had chosen for her retreate the Tombe of her dead sister Melicerta was a little moved at Polexanders reproving his brother and therefore speaking with her accustomed sweetnesse My Lord said she to our Heroe you know that Iphidamantus hath made his peace and by consequence we must not revoke to memory things passed The company could not heare these milde remonstrances without admiring the goodnesse of that Lady that made them and ravish'd with Iphidamantus strange accidents intreated him to proceed which he did from where his brother had interrupted him thus I confesse said he when Cid Amatonis had made me this fatall reply I laughed at his art and told him I was sure the person was alive whom I sought for My art said the Mirabou deceives me not and however assures me that personage is inclos'd in a Tombe and for confirmation of that verity Know with young man too faire
The tokens you have received of my affection are as unworthie it selfe as of that which I owe to the greatnesse of your courage and the beautie of your mind yet beleeve not that I can be ingratefull or so ill an esteemer of occurrences as not to understand how to give them their just value my griefes are in part the cause that I have not hitherto performed what I ought and partly the little need I saw of precipitaââ¦ing a businesse which would receive no impairement by a short deferring But now when I know by divers presages that the true Sunne my father calls me to the fruition of that place which he hath design'd for me above the starres I will acknowledge by two presents alike valuable the love you have shewed me The first is my crowne and the second a servitude and chaines which in truth are of more estimation then my Crowne I will not speake to you of the first since you might well know since your being here whether my estate be of worth sufficient to satisfie the hopes of a man of your extraordinary vertue and deserving it shall be of the other that I will discourse to you Know therefore that farre off from the mouth of this river which runs through this towne there is an Island no lesse wonderfull for its perpetuall spring then for the proprietie it hath by inchantment or nature to make it selfe invisible to all such as seeke after it There raignes a Princesse the miracle of our age the shame of times past and the envie of those to come Her portraicts make it well appeare that she is the lively image of the Sunne her father or to say better she is truely a Sunne her selfe I have endeavoured as you may see to represent by the fairest of all metalls the lustre of that Sunne but the unskilfull hands which have wrought it in stead of making the image of it have onely made knowne how unworthie the hand of man is to imploy their paines on so faire a subject In a word 't is the Queene Alcidiana whom to satisfie the most religious passion that shall ever inflame an innocent soule I have beene willing to adore in private under the figure of that starre to whom we owe our being and preservation I may say that my love was borne with that Princesse and that she knew not the power of her charmes many yeares after I felt them Heare how that wonder betided it was not above a yeare after the suffrages and generall votes of all this kingdome had seated mee on the same throne whence they had expelled my cruell predecessor when I resolv'd to make a voiage to the chiefe of the Temples dedicated to the Sunne to give thankes to the Deitie he represents for the blessings his liberall hand had so largely showred on me This Temple is in an Island which stretching towards the Meridionat part of the sea is seated some fiftie leagues from the mouth of the river Niger The voiage I made visited the holy Island admired the riches and magnificence of the Temple and by my offerings and sacrifices strove to make appeare to the Power I worshipped some little acknowledgement of those benefits for which I was redevable On the very point of my departure and imbarking thence for my returne the Embassadours of Alcidus King of the inchanted Isle landed in that holy Island To the Temple hee came loaden with so great and so rich presents that the Priests who were accustomed to receive divers of great value confessed that Alcidus had outgone the magnificence of all other Kings Among these offerings one was a statue of gold representing a maiden of some nine or ten yeares O fatall sight to my libertie I had the curiositie to inquire who that young Ladie was and Alcidus Embassadours told me she was the divine Alcidiana their Prince's daughter The relation they made me of the wonderfull beautie and incomparable wit of that visible Angell so inly touched me that I returned hither with a wound which is not yet closed up My love grew to such a height that it made me forsake my kingdome under a pretext of returning to the Island of the Sunne but indeed it was to saile to that of Alcidiana A whole yeare was I at sea and yet could not discover it then I came backe to that of the Sunne and saw in the Temple a portraict of that Princesse drawne to the life which her States had sent thither since the death of her father Many dayes abode I fixed on that picture but when I understood that that Princesse was so strictly guarded that she did not so much as communicate her presence to her most affectionate and considerable subjects and that her guard consisted of a great number of strangers whom Chance had throwne on the coasts of her Island I made a vow to be one of their band and all my life time to weare the chains of so glorious a servitude Yet for all my industrie have I not been able to accomplish my protestation but imagining by the invincible difficulties I found that Heaven esteemed me not worthie the service of so admired a Princesse I betooke me to a course for this kingdome with an intent to perfect by some other that which I could not performe in mine owne person I had a sonne of Alcidiana's age with that hee listed his hands to his eyes and the same whom you saw so cruelly murthered him I consecrated to Alcidiana and with mine owne hand having put a chaine of gold about his necke in token of his servitude sent to Morocco and Fez to finde out able masters to instruct him in all that which might equalize him with the great King of the Canaries the Princes Abdelmelec and Nephizus or the invincible Bajazet I dare say his actions answered what I expected from him and but for that not to be exceeded misfortune which hath robbed me of him in the flower of his youth I had been now in case to have acquitted in mine owne thoughts that which I had promised to Alcidiana yet doe I not despaire of performing it if so be my ill Fate hinder you not from beleeving your owne generositie But why doe I indeavour by my sollicitation to force you to a businesse which can gaine no repute unlesse the undertaking be extreamely voluntary Polexander who had more desire to accept the condition propos'd to him then Apheristidez had a will he should accept of it would have interrupted that Prince to let him understand his intentions but Apheristidez intreating his leave to finish his discourse I will never give way said he that you suddenly put on any resolution for an affaire of so great importance I give you eight dayes libertie to consider on it and that tearme expired you shall make knowne to me without complaysancy whether you had rather be King of Gheneoa then Alcidiana's slave Polexander repli'd there needed not so long a time to answer to it there
laid waste my deare Countrey But what remembrest thou perfidious and abominable Menocenarez Impose thy sorrowes an eternall silence and involve if it be possible in that darknesse which shall never have end those horrible treasons by which thy unbridled passion deliver'd thy King and Countrey into the hands of the Usurpers With that the Slave was silent and not able to suppresse his teares cover'd his face with his hand that he might weep at more liberty Polexander desirous to take him out of that agony I said he have knowne your name in the city of Fez. I have heard Benzaida utter against you all that the anger of a wronged Lady could make her invent yet rather pity then hate her For if her love have brought you into this servitude that which shee bare to the ingratefull Prince of Morocco made her turne on her selfe the point of that ponyard which shee had provided to avenge her selfe on that Infidell 'T was that traytor said the Slave who after he had strook the steele into the heart of Benzaida for he was the cause continually whetted that knife which is prepared to cut my throat But since you know the generall misfortunes of my Countrey I will relate the principall causes and tell you that Ferdinand and Isabella are beholding to my treason more then to their owne power for the conquest of the kingdome of Granado The unfortunate King under whose government that brave Province was lost was one of those timerous Princes who are so far from any intention of extending the limits of their kingdomes by forcible incroaching on their neighbours Territories that they scarce have courage to oppose the enterprises of their owne enemies Two yeares before the truce was broken betwixt the Spanyards and the Moores my ill fate made me cast mine eyes upon Benzaida I saw her faire for she was then in the prime of her age and may well say that in the very instant I began to die of a death which is not yet ended When I lost my liberty I lost my reason and not considering that I was but onely on ordinary knight my ambitious thoughts made me beleeve that my Nation owéd not the Empire and States it possessed to men of a royall extraction but to great invincible and persevering courages such as were Masters of the fortunes of Monarches themselves I therefore sought out the most fit meanes to get me the favour of Benzaida and knowing her to be of an exceeding high spirit and particularly esteemed men of valour I betook me to the Warres I dare say and so will my greatest enemies too that for eighteen moneths together I was plac'd as an inexpugnable Fort on the Frontiers of Granado against the invasions of Ferdinand My name was spread throughout all Spayne The Court of Granado was fill'd with it and the King my Master seeing himselfe secure under mine arme omitted nothing that might oblige me to the continuance of a service that was so advantageous unto him The affaires of Castile recalling Ferdinand and Isabella into their owne Territories our frontiers were left in peace I then returned to Granado and the honours I received there rather beseem'd a King that triumphes then a Subject whose services had made him usefull I was not only admitted to the Princes particular pleasures but to his Counsels and I dare say that if my my love to Benzaida had not troubled my senses and taken away courage I had put the Granadians in an estate of regaining on the Spanyards all those Kingdomes which they have lost within six hundred yeares But that furious passion possessing all the functions of my soule I was not able to reflect on any thing My thoughrs my designes and my wishes had onely the enjoying of Benzaida for their object I betray'd the publique affaires to adjust and fit them to my private contentment and subverted the Counsells of the Sages by the authority which my pass'd-actions had gain'd me In the meane while I burnt in secret and durst not make known to Benzaida that she had kindled the fire But at last the violence of my disease forcing me to forget all consideration I imagined that I should not be more unhappy then so many others who had ventur'd on the like boldnesse One day therefore as Benzaida walk'd in the Palace Garden only accompanied with her maides of honour I met her as it were by chance and feigning to be much surpris'd at the encounter made a low reverence and retired She smil'd at my astonishment and calling me What said she if I were a Castillian you cannot witnesse a greater mislike of me I repli'd even trembling Madam you may please to pardon me if I say your Highnesse doth your self a great deale of wrong by so unjust a comparison I have indeed an extreame aversion to the enemies of your state but their presence shall never amaze me For you Madam whom I am not to look upon but with respect I confesse that as often as I have the honour to see you my soule is full of dread and astonishment but of such a religious astonishment and devoute feare as our Alphaquies command us to feele when we approach things divine and holy Your words repli'd Benzaida more surprise me then my encounter did you I never thought that a man train'd up in warre and who all his life time breath'd nought but blood and battles was capable of so much and so high a jeering I answered that brutishnesse whereof your Highnesse accuseth me under such words as may seeme obliging is not that which hath hitherto made me delight in the acts of warre A fairer cause compell'd me to so noble effects and did I not feare to violate the lawes prescrib'd me by my subjection I would bring your Highnesse to confesse that till now I have not been happy enough to be well known of her I will never said Benzaida take you for my Interpreter since you come no clearer off in your explications I would have onely said that I thought it very strange how a man accustom'd to the serious discourse of warre could be so skill'd in those effeminate termes wherewithall both delicacy and idlenesse have compass'd the Courtiers language Your Highnesse then said I must hate that which is most to be beloved amongst us if you condemne a language which Love himself hath invented to render all things faire and eminent the testimony they deserve from all mens acknowledgements This language repli'd Benzaida is as ridiculous as its Author and though Spaine had nothing strong enough to make you give up your armes yet I will undertake to have the better when you dare defend so bad a cause You have already carried away one part of the victory I repli'd but since I am sure of the other be pleas'd Madam that I leave your Highnesse lest I may be engaged either to ore'come you or to waive all verity and my self With that I made her a low Reverence and went away that
she might have the more time to meditate at pleasure and may be to comprehend the meaning of what I had spoken All things hap'ned as I had fore-thought For the first time that I saw Benzaida againe she darted such looks on me as were answerable to lightning and when I came neere her Goe said she very softly goe bold and rash Man and if you value your life beware lest your extravagancy be known to any whosoever Before I could open my mouth to reply she retir'd and to expresse to you well at this instant what I then felt I must needs say that from the height of heaven she threw me into the depth of hell For a moneth together I assai'd all meanes that were to be imagined for the bringing her to understand the integrity and innocency of my affection but that perseverance was in her thought a new fault and the more I endeavoured to come neere her the more I augmented her desire of flying me After all my patience was quite exhausted and that I knew I was hated for no other cause then the not being a Prince I resolv'd on the most bold and rash designe that ever entred the thought of a Lover I intended to make my selfe King of Granado But well fare thinking that such an Enterprise could have no successe but by great revolutions I thought it was best to begin them by drawing the warre into the Kingdome Presently I sent undeââ¦hand to solicite the King of Spaines Officers and represented to them the facility of making themselves Masters of Granado if so be they would make me of their party To this advice of mine they gave care and I was promis'd no lesse then a Crown if I brought it to passe To witnesse therefore to the Spanyards that I promis'd nothing but what I would make good I went and surpris'd one of their Townes and by that breath engaged Ferdinand to besiege Malago Whil'st I thus laid the foundation of my imaginary Kingdome the Granadians accelerating their owne ruine took armes against one another and during their intestine broyles gave way for the common enemy to fortifie himselfe So well had I provided all things that I had been King of Granado and the possessour of Benzaida if the Moores had persevered in the revolt I had engaged them But Boabdilez after he had subdued his enemies and made himself strongest in Granado compell'd me to follow his fortune that I might not give over my designe Some little time before the young Prince of Fez was come to Granado and obtain'd by his quality that which I could not get by my many and important services and actions of such fame as might have obscur'd the birth of that barbarous Prince Assoone as I came to Court I understood that Benzaida was passionately in love with him but the insolent Prince as a proud Conquerour who mispriseth a victory easily gotten thought he should humble himself too much in contributing but a cold complacency to that Princesse's affection Assoone as I heard that unwelcome newes my love became a furious jealousie and I presently resolv'd with my selfe the death of my Rivall but before I could be in a fit place where I might freely be permitted to challenge him I was commanded by the King to oppose the progresse of the Spanish Army and retaine in obedience those Townes which since the taking of Baza would have yeelded to the conquering party I was in all places of importance and reducing all to their devoyr return'd to Granado to satisfie my Jealousie but the Prince of Fez was gone Hee had repass'd the sea without taking any leave of Boabdilez Benzaida seem'd to me so sad and disconsolate that I doubted no more of her passion For mine owne part I strove to suppresse my griefe and smother my first motions to let her know her fault or at least to entreat some pity for that offence which her beauty had been the first cause of She seem'd extrremly enraged when I durst come neer her and upbraiding me more then ever for my impudence and rashnesse told me boldly that my malipertnes should have been chastised long agone The griefe and vexation to see my selfe so ill treated by the Princesse made me resolve to combine with Spaine for the ruine of my Countrey that I might have the comfort to see a great many Companions in my misery Besides I thought that when Benzaida had lost her Crowne she would give over her pride and stand not so obstinatly in desiring none but Kings for her Lovers I straight sent my Agenââ¦s to Valedolid and my information putting all Spaine in armes Ferdinand and Isabella came and besieg'd the city of Granado But I was not so fortunate as to have the sad contentment to see that Towne in the flame I had lighted to avenge me of its Princesse For at the beginning of the Siege Benzaida stole out of the city in a mans habit with a Moorish Prince called Tyndarache and sail'd into Africa to follow shamefully the perfidious Prince of Fez. Her losse made me take new counsell I renounc'd all my abominable pretentions and abandoning my Countrey went to Morocco to stab if I could in his very throne the Traytor which triumph'd o're all my hopes and travells But I neither found Benzaida nor her Lover there and after I had enquir'd of all such as were likely to tell me newes of him I understood that he was put to sea to follow a faire young Canarian call'd Ennoramita with whom he was passionately fallen in love I imbarck'd me againe in the same vessell that brought me out of Europe into Africa and was about six moneths searching on all sides for that infamous Ravisher of my happinesse But all my diligent inquisition being bootlesse and a tempest shipwracking me on this Isle I was whether I would or no pluck'd out of the sea by two flaves which fish'd by the sea side To this house they brought me and then was I presented to the Chief priest At the very first I made known to him my intent of mischieving my selfe but he instructing one how pernicious my resolution would be to my soul put me clean off from committing homicide on my self Yet was I above three moneths in overcoming my despair Continually I griev'd for Benzaida as ingratefull as she was to me and when I call'd to minde her love to an Infidell I grew so enraged that to hinder off the effects of my fury they were forc'd to put me into the custody of two Priests They told me that if I had so eager and violent a desire to die there was no speedier nor more innocent meanes then to make my selfe the slave of that God whom they adored and attend the lot which should give a period to my life and miseries I was surpris'd with their proposition But a little while after seeing with what bravenesse and jollity one of this Temples slaves came to his death I made a vow to weare the chaines
the respect which Ambition and Impiety would have robb'd them of Let us on then said I my brethren and friends and forgetting all of us our owne interests labour for the glory of our great Master That very day I took leave of mine Hermitage and the blessed Ghost of the holy Hermit and imbarquing my selfe in the Vessell of the Sun happily arriv'd in this Island Here was I receiv'd by all the Clergy as some great Saint and install'd with a great deale of ceremony in the dignity of Soveraigne Sacrificator Since I exercis'd this charge I have seen the catalogue of all the Princes and Nations which have used to visit the Temple of the Sun and noting that the Princes of the Inaccessible Island came hither to celebrate the sacrifice of Alliance whereof we have spoken I not onely more lamented then ever your losse but I let my selfe fall into mutterings and speeches injurious to that Providence But it hath out of pitie and infinite wisdome subverted them and rendring me that blisse which I thought utterly lost ingaged me to convert my griefes and lamentations into thanksgivings Alter Alcippus had thus ended his discourse he humbly besought his Master to let him know how he fell into the hands of the King of Gheneoa Diceus said Polexander will at leasure informe you of all that The businesse is now to take order how I must hereafter demeane my selfe in this Island Alcippus having confirm'd him in all that Pisander had related touching the arrivall of Alcidiana's ship and made known the facility of sending to that Princesse for his being inroll'd in the number of her Slaves intreated he would not discover himselfe to any but expect with patience the houre of his good fortune Polexander approving Alcippus advice retir'd to his chamber as privately as he came thence When he was laid instead of sleeping he began to muse on the contentment he was to receive at his up-rising But as if his memorie had been jealous of his satisfaction though it was but imaginary it represented to him Alcidiana's anger farre greater and more mortall then it was and bringing him to meditate on that bloudy Declaration she had publish'd against his life made him conceive that he could not without disobeying her dare to set foot on the Inaccessible Island With that thought crying out as if hee had indeed committed some execrable crime Let me perish said hee since Alcidiana commands it nor let me by any subterfuge dispense with the necessitie of dying since the Lawes of this Temple ingage mee to it Throw in againe Alcippus throw in againe the ball to the vessell of death and doe not betray thy conscience for the sparing of a life which I cannot lose too soone since Alcidiana will not have it last any longer But may be thou wilt say You but little know that Princesses intention Those things which she hath made publick are different from those she retaines in private Her thoughts are not altogether answerable to her words You must interpret Alcidiana by Alcidiana and beleeve that she hath not pronounc'd the sentence of death against you for any other end then that she might have cause to make you sensible of her pitie Amintha and Pallante have said that you cannot doubt of Alcidiana's goodnesse without obliging her to doubt of your fidelity 'T is true Alcippus I have infallible testimonies of that Princesses favour If her Edicts affright me her thoughts re-assure me if I see my death in the one I meet my life in the other Let us therefore cast off all kind of settled will and resting in a generall indifferencie as to our selves goe and heare from the mouth of our Judge whether we must live or die With this resolution Polexander fell asleep and it caus'd it so soundly that the Sun was got far above the Hemisphere before he awak'd Diceus who durst not make any noise was as long in bed too But assoon as hee heard his Master stirre he arose and came and drew his curtaine Friend said the Prince wee doe ill observe the diligence prescrib'd us If our superiours come to know what we are doing and find us yet in bed I doubt we shall receive sharp reprehensions from them Your Majesty may give them leave to talk repli'd Diceus and laugh at the severity of a government under which you are so little while to live Thou sayest true said Polexander smiling Therefore help me up and expose me not to a displeasure which I may avoid Hee was no sooner clad but the usuall cry obliged him to goe to the common Hall There he found the King of Gheneoa's Embassadors which came to take their leave and to aske him in the name of their Master whether hee were fully resolv'd to persevere in the service of the Sunne and Alcidiana After Polexander had imbrac'd them all one after another Relate said he to the King your Master that I am more obliged to him then he can imagine and ere it be long I will send to give him thanks proportionable to the favours I have received The Embassadors tooke their leaves with teares in their eyes and went presently to imbark themselves with all the Pilgrims Assoon as the guards of the Isle saw they were out of sight the chiefe Priest with his Clergie and all the Slaves went to the Temple to make their accustomed prayers for the good successe of the Pilgrims voyage That day Alcippus had a long discourse with Polexander and ingaged Diceus to related to him in particular the adventures which had betided their Master since hee was left for dead in the Island of Astramadan Diceus forgot nothing in his relation but gave Alcippus so many new causes of astonishment that he could not chuse but cry out O great Prince by whose valour we see renewed againe the true age of the ancient Hero's what thanks and Altars doest thou owe to the Power that hath rais'd thee so high above all other Princes For a whole moneth intire Polexander Alcippus and Diceus did nothing every night but entertaine themselves with their adventures and prepare for the happy day whereon Alcidiana's ship was to be descri'd on the coasts of the Island of the Sun The very day they expected her there was a great Vessell by them discover'd which came steering the course from Alcidiana's Island The guards gave notice of it to the chiefe Priest and after the wonted ceremonies done they caus'd the ship to enter the Port. Those who were within her confusedly got to shore and thereby made the guard suspect somewhat Yet their habit of Pilgrims re-assuring them they brought them to the entry to the Temple But by chance one of the Priests being there and judging by their wilde and curst looks that they hid some wicked designe under their devout habit had the curiositie to come neerer and view them better But his prying cost him his life for those disguis'd theeves perceiving they were discover'd inhumanely murdered the
it the first evening he perceiv'd the cunning for he mark'd how the birds obeying to Linceus voice suddenly stopp'd their flight and incontinently after soaring very high they made an impetuous stoop on the ship He imagin'd by their returne that the art of man and not the power of a God had made them capable of a subjection which went for a miracle and had some of the generousnesse of those famous birds which forget their nature and libertie for the pleasure of men or from the docilitie of those which are the ordinarie postes from Alexandria or Cairo and from Aleppo to Tripoly in Syria Being confirm'd in this opinion by the going off and returning of those birds he admir'd the cunning and wit of the Inhabitants of the Inaccessible Island and no more doubted of what he had so often heard spoken that Common-wealth's being compos'd of a small number of able and an infinite multitude of impertinent men the wiser sort as lesse powerfull had been constrain'd to have recourse to miracles and to imploy strengths more redoubtable then their owne to keep in obedience such as being naturally the stronger were in all likelihood to become their masters These meditations tooke up for foure dayes Dicens thoughts the fifth at sun-set he came to the King his master and told him that he heard from Linceus they were the next day to discover the Inaccessible Island and if the wind did not faile then at even they should land about two or three houres within night Our Heroe receiving this newes with as much feare as hope Courage said he to his servant we are now on the point of deciding the great difference that is betwixt us and Fortune we can no more recoile but must either now have the victorie yeelded us or she absolutely take it to her selfe He began not this speech to make an end of it straight but as he was about to continue it he that stood as sentinell in the top of the mast put all the ship in confusion by his fearfull out-cryes he call'd to the Mariners to take care of the ship and to eschew two great fires which being in their course seem'd to beare up right upon them At this newes every one awoke and Polexander amongst the rest coming out of his cabin went up on the poup and was one of the first which descry'd that wonderfull blazing presently he thought it could not proceed from any other cause then the setting some ships on fire and beleev'd it so much the more certainly because a little while after he saw the fire divide it selfe in two and assoone joyne againe His generous soule fââ¦ll of compassion made him thinke on the safetie of those wretches which were like to be burnt in the midst of the waters and to effectuate that charitable thought he besought Alcidiana's Embassadors not to be pitilesse and cruell spectators in an occasion where they might make knowne their goodnesse and courage Linceus was call'd to give his opinion he would gladly have afforded that which he ought to those of his own condition but knowing whereto his charge oblig'd him Humane consideration said he demands one thing and Alcidiana's service requires another If I were Master of this ship I would hazard her rather then see poore miserable wretches perish before me whose cryes even coming to our eares seeme to implore our assistance but I have command to bring backe againe this ship into the Port of Eliza and have none to goe succour these which are in this disaster 'T is true said Polexander approving what Linceus had said 't is not fit to hazard so many persons of qualitie as are in this vessell to satisfie a zeale which as just as it is yet may possibly not be reasonable let 's doe better some eight or ten of us may get into the shallop and rowing neere the burning ships may at least testifie that we are not insensible of other mens calamities This proposition was presently approv'd of and almost assoon put in execution Polexander was not satisfi'd with the good counsell he gave but he would have his share in the danger which accompanied it and though Alcidiana's Embassadors did their utmost to divert him they could get nothing but the satisfaction of following him they therefore put themselves all into one barque and commanding their sailers to get the wind they drew neer the burning vessels and saw two which like furnaces halfe quench'd threw out no fire but what was wrapt up in a thick smoake On all sides they might heare fearfull groanes and clamours and when Polexander had commanded the Mariners to betake them to their oares he thought he heard others which strucke the sea very neere him he made them row towards the noise and presently descry'd a little shallops in which there were onely two women the one laid all along seem'd rather dead then alive and the other strove with oares to get off from the burning vessels but through too much feare and too little experience she did cleane contrary to her intention and when Polexander staid her shallop she was falling againe into those flames from which she had escap'd When she saw her boat stopp'd she cry'd out taking our Heroe for another at first he spoke not to her to the end he might know by what she would say to whom he was to addresse himselfe instantly hee heard the woman make use of a language particular to the Kingdome of Thombut and Galatia and the understanding it gave some I know not what emotion which amaz'd him But he was farre more when she who lay as dead opened her mouth and after many long and frequent sighes in these termes made knowne her lamentable fortune Thou hast O too amiable and cruell stranger pluck'd me out of the executioners hands Thou hast led me from slaverie to a throne and when I had lost all hope of Government plac'd more then one Crowne on my head but to what end were all these obligations and benefits except to make me more miserable in denying the chiefest which was thy companie and affection that height of greatnesse whereto thou hadst rais'd me onely made me more capable of a greater down-fall if thy intention was so thou shouldst rest satisfi'd since my obedience hath been made apparent to thee by mine own ruine and precipitating my selfe into such downe-falls as thou hadst digg'd for me have witnessed to the world that when there was question of giving thee contentment there was nothing too hard for me for this the unfortunate Philesia is pleas'd to die and the more contented since she consecrates to thee with her life that first puritie which neither the Prince of Galatia's solicitations nor the violence of pirates have beene of force to deprive her of Those last words struck Polexander almost to the heart for he felt in himselfe that he was the cause of those just lamentations He call'd to mind the love which the Princesse of Thombut had made knowne
of his birth or his many services The Prince of Sidonia after divers conferences with him made a League betwixt them by which they equally ingag'd themselves for the conquest of this Island under conditions very pleasing to Tautalus and not disadvantageoââ¦s to our Kings They shall be reply'd Polexander as little pleasing to the one as advantageous to the other it is easie to make those audacious deliberations but they are not with that facilitie executed By this answer the Prince confirming the opinion the Spaniard had of him sent him away with the other prisoners and presently calling together all that were in the holy ship as well Priests and Officers as Souldiers he thus bespoake them If you had time to deliberate it would be most fitting that you should weigh with all the best of your wisdome such things as my zeale would make you undertake but in the extremitie whereto matters are reduced to hearken to that circumspect and timerous providence which will leave nothing to fortune were to betray your Queene and countrey You must suffer your selves to be lead by the motions of my rashnesse you must dare more then wise men should and at least have the honour of not surviving your Princesse and libertie as for my selfe unfortunate slave that I am bred in the depth of Africk I doe here vow to die with my sword in my hand for the service of Alcidiana and when by a prodigy which is not to be imagined it shall happen that a just cause shall be abandon'd and you compell'd to be false to your Soveraigne and your selves I alone will ingage my selfe to oppose the Spanish usurpation After Polexander had ended the eldest of the Priests casting up his eyes Thanked be Heaven said he since I see approach the accomplishment of such things as it deign'd to reveale unto us That Priest by such exclamations troubled all his auditors but presently addressing his discourse unto them What my friends said he it seemeth you have let slip from your memorie the Prophesie which for this eighteen or twenty yeares hath been the terror of all this Kingdome if you can call to mind the threatnings it contain'd you cannot doubt of its truth since you this day see the rebellion of our brethren becoming a slave to the ambition of strangers violates all the lawes of duty and discretion layes waste the whole countrey with fire and sword and for the height of all impietie shakes our very Altars in going about to overthrow the throne of our Soveraigne These strange revolutions amaze you and truly not without cause but quiet your selves and be setled hope from the propitious care of heaven those favours which the offences of your lives permit you not to aske if the thunder roare 't is rather to threaten then to beat you to dust nay the storme was no sooner form'd but the calme appear'd and the wound no sooner given but you have wherewithall to close it In a word if your Isle be abandon'd to the mercy of strangers by the treason of your fellow Subjects see here this fatall Slave come from the depth of Africa with that he shew'd them Polexander for whose valour Heaven hath reserv'd the ruine of your enemies and the re-establishment of your former fortunes The reverend and discreet Priest thus ended his speech and by the praises he had given Polexander put him into as much disorder as if he had been convicted of having intelligence with the Spaniards or had attempted against the honour of Alcidiana In the meane time the Queenes Embassadors and her other subjects who were alike fill'd with the threatnings and promises of the Prophesie we spoke on fell all at Polexander's feet and imbracing his knees besought him by the powerfull name of that Deitie which ingaged him to their defence and by the interests of honour to take in hand the exterminating sword of Tyrants and to hasten to the succour of their distressed and even perishing Countrey You cannot doubt of my willingnesse reply'd our Heroe since first I am dedicated to the safetie of this kingdome but if you wish our armes should be prosperous leave off the irritating that supernaturall assistance from whence you are to expect so much happinesse by your irrationall imaginations I am indeed a slave come out of the inmost of Africa yet doe not imagine me to be the man is promised you by such solemne Prophesies Polexander could goe no further all that heard him cry'd aloud that if they durst call in question so cleare a veritie they should make themselves unworthy the felicity it propos'd for the Salary of their beliefe What hinders us then cry'd the Embassadors and since we all equally see our safety what deterres us that we doe not all hand in hand run to imbrace it Polexander unwilling to contest any longer told those that urg'd him he would absolutely put off that power which they desir'd to conferre againe on himselfe and confining him to his condition of a slave he was ready to obey whatsoever should be commanded Hereupon the Priests and Embassadors made knowne what was fit to be done to hearten the people to their owne defence to keep backe such as were not yet in rebellion and to withdraw those who either through ambition or ignorance were ingaged in it To effect it 't was thought fit to send first into the city of Arzilea and from thence through all the Provinces to advertise the people that the time of the Prophesie's accomplishment was come and to perfect it the slave which it foretold was arriv'd in the Island and had begun the important businesse for the common good by the defeat of part of the strangers These who were chosen for that Commission presently departed with command to be heard from assoone as they had had audience of the Arzileans Whilst they were in their voyage the rest prepar'd all things fitting in the three ships that our pretended slave might enter into Arzilea in such a pomp as might be able to astonish the vulgar and by consequence of power to perswade them to what was needfull they should beleeve The rest of the day and part of the night was imploy'd in those preparations and it was almost done when one of them that had been sent to Arzilea return'd and made knowne with how much longing the Arzileans desir'd to be clear'd of their doubts and suspitions Assoone therefore as the flood entring the river had made it navigable for great vessels Polexander and his companie set saile the fourth part of the mariners belonging to Alcidiana's ship which had beene put into the two Spaniards having taken from them the little remainder of their ancient braverie made them attend the victor Alcidiana's stately vessell besides her purple sailes her flagge of azure and gold and an infinite number of lesse and longer streamers which on all sides waved with the winde were inrich'd with trophies so much the more magnificent since the Spaniard themselves contributed
desires and thine own will to the safetie of thy Countrey 'T is a businesse resolv'd in heaven thou must swallow this potion which hath no bitternesse but whilst thou refusest it on then and let not thy brave heart faile thee at need taste those sweets thy vertues have deserv'd O new age of gold O Island truly fortunate O Slave worthy the regall throne O Princesse happily deceived O glorious alliance O illustrious posteritie In all likelihood Alcidiana at the reading of this Prophesie might have receiv'd some contentment but she renew'd her sighings and unable any longer to refraine from tears even let them fall down on the Prophesie in such an excesse as if she had beleev'd she could with the Characters have drown'd all the misfortunes they seem'd to threaten her Rhadiotez seeing her discontent spoke all he thought fitting to quiet her afflicted minde but Alcidiana not induring his discourse Retire father said she and assure your selfe that I have not so little profited in your schoole but that I know well how we must die when we can live no longer but with dishonour I was borne free and you propose to me something worse then death when you propound I am not to live but by making my selfe the slave of a Slave Rhadiotez willing to give the Princesse time to advise with her selfe and more seriously to meditate on the Prophesie return'd to his palace and Alcidiana seeing her self then at libertie began again her lamentations and turning to her confident Come Amintha said she am I not now at last arriv'd at that utmost point of misfortune which long since my visions my disrests and melancholy foretold me O cruell Fate certainly thou too tyrrannically abusest that soveraigne power which is given thee from above on us poore mortalls What wilt thou shall become of me But doe what thou list my good or ill shall not depend on thee the command I have over my selfe is no lesse absolute then thine I will keep it in spight of all thy violence and since death hath depriv'd me of all that could make me in love with life 't is in vaine by the object of greatnesse and felicities to bustle with my resolution and tempt my courage Cast thine eyes on me deare and worthy subject of my sorrow turne thine eyes on me and upbraid me of falshood if thou read'st in my soule any motion that counsels me to forsake thee for another The Princesse's confident seeing her teares and sighes had taken away her power of speech Polexander said she to her is worthy of these testimonies of love you bestow on his memorie and Madam he having lov'd you what said I lov'd having ador'd you as he hath done I doubt not but amidst all the pleasures which inviron him hee resents your displeasures and seeing you afflicted is even pensive and sad in the very source of all happinesse Ah deare Amintha cry'd the Queene how doe thy words pierce me and mournfully re-imprint in my memorie the remembrance of my folly and ingratitude She could not speake further for word was brought her the multitude was round about the palace and threatned to breake the gates if they were not let in All conspires against us Amintha said she to her confident but let us resist to the last and at least shew that faire soule which lookes on us from heaven that we abandon not his party though it be to the weakest With that she went out on a great Terrasse which ran along the first court of her palace and commanded the gates to be opened Presently the people rush'd in headlong but at sight of the Princesse whom they never look'd on without respect and wonder they rain'd in their fury and fell all on their knees Alcidiana seeing them in such a reverence commanded them to stand up and declare the cause of the tumult the multitude after their wonted manner speaking in confusion began to cry out that the Deliverer which had beene promis'd the State even from Heaven was at the towne gate and they besought the Queen's permission to goe meet him to see him and petition him for an end of their present calamities Alcidiana unable to indure the continuation of their discourse How my subjects said she all inraged you doe not thinke of me then otherwise then as of an enemie or at least as of one without power What doe you expect from a wretched stranger what you hope not from my vigilancie from my forces nor your owne courage who is the seducer that hath impoison'd your minds with a prediction as idle as it is intricate You see at hand the safetie my care hath acquir'd you and yet you tread underfoot what is sensible to run after Chimera's and meer leasings Assure your selves the date of your misfortune is pass'd the revolt is buried in the graves of the authors and the strangers are no more in case to annoy us have a little patience and you shall soone see them shamefully quit our coasts and carrie nothing of their crimes with them but their griefe for committing them The people repli'd she promis'd no happinesse but what was most certaine but that she might not be unworthy of it 't was fitting the person should be honour'd who had wrought it That reply absolutely angring the Queene she withdrew without giving the people any contentment and shutting her selfe up in her closet with Amintha onely O ingratefull people cry'd she that have neither thought of me nor my predecessors Reeds shaken with all winds minds adoring novelties you are then wearie of my Government and without the knowledge of what is beneficiall or hurtfull to you desire a Slave for your King and that Alcidiana who would not bestow her chaines on Polexander should offer her Crowne to Araxes Here she was silent and after a little musing threw her selfe weeping on her confident's neck And my poore Amintha said she see I pray thee with what eagernesse my misfortune pursues me and thinke what I should resolve on to avoid the accomplishment of our dismall Prophesie Doest thou imagine that Alcidiana hath so base a spirit as to preferre before death a Slave who without doubt is come from among that barbarous nation which wretchedly inhabits the in-land deserts of Africa No no let Fortune arme the whole universe to force me to that necessitie I will see my kingdome all of a flame if my bloud cannot quench the fire rather then undergoe the reproach of doing an act unworthy of Alcidiana Amintha desirous to intertaine the Queen in this just aversion There is nothing said she but your Majestie is bound to suffer rather then the dangerous beliefe which is slid in among your subjects Weak minds as your Majestie knowes are susceptible of all we need but propose things to them beyond their understanding to fill them with foolish admirations and from those idle wondrings carry them to beliefes more ridiculous and extravagant If once your subjects strongly conceive that their fafetie
lastly for the preservation of him which it had sent for their defence After she had ended her praier all the people confirm'd it by their acclamations and applauses and so went out of the Temple blessing the Queen and waited on her to the Palace with such testimonies of affection as were farre beyond all that had preceeded As she entred the second Court of her palace Diceus who had plotted that action with his Master presented himselfe and humbly besought her to have pity on a Canarian who had lately escap'd out of the Spanish fleet Alcidiana was so troubled and diverted that shee took no heed to what the man said But Amintha who attended her thought she should know the Supplicant and staid to look on him Ah madam said Diceus if the memorie of a personage whom you have somtimes affected be yet deare to you have compassion on that miserable estate whereto his losse hath reduc'd me Amintha knowing Diceus by his voice better then by his countenance and unable to suppresse that violent passion which she alwaies had in any thing concerning Polexander How Diceus cri'd shee art thou yet alive Arise and follow me Alcidiana at Amyntha's noise turned her head and saw the Lady talking to Diceus but not imagining whom he might be kept on her way and retir'd to her chamber where she presently ââ¦eil on a Couch and commanding all to withdraw fell to her usuall reveries An houre after she awoak and call'd Amintha They told her she was gone Let her be fetch'd hither said she and after that Commandement fell again into her former imaginations Amintha came presently after and approaching the Queen your Majestie said she may be knowes not the man who this morning fell at your feet The Queen answering that shee had not taken notice of him 'T was said Amintha that faithfull servant of Polexander who was only with him when he was murthered by Astramadans Subjects He was about to tell me in what manner hee escaped after his Masters death and by what accident hee arriv'd in this Island when your Majestie vouchsafed the honour to send for mee At these words Alcidiana coming as it were out of a deep sleep How said she is Diceus here O you thou lov'st me Amyntha let me see him The recitall he will make me of his Masters death will serve me for a great diversion A sad and dismall diversion replid ' Amyntha I doe not think Diceus can relate any thing more particularly to you then I have done 'T is all one said the Queen I shall be glad to see him and hear the reproaches he will throw on me for the death of his Master Hee hath been too well bred repli'd Amintha to take such libertie as shall not please you I am in such an humour said the Queen that whatsoever he shall say will not be able to displease me Therefore without losing more time let me see him With that Amintha making a low reverence went out of the chamber and calling for a Squire commanded him to go call Diceus The Squire obey'd the command and Diceus presently after entring the Queenes chamber Amintha brought him where she lay Alcidiana trembled at his sight and finding her selfe more troubled thââ¦n she thought she could be Alas poor Diceus said she thy Master is then dead Diceus continuing on his kneees though the Queen bad him arise Madam said he my Master dy'd because your Majestie thought his life was not worth the preserving Neither his life nor death depended on my will repli'd the Queen The will of your Majestie said Diceus hath alwayes had more power over him then that soveraign law on which depends the destinie of all other men It seemes then by what thou saiest answered the Queen that thou wouldst make me guiltie of thy Masters death Heaven said Diceus who can make us immortall was never accus'd but by blasphemers for confining the course of our life to so short a date Nor hath the King my Master who alwaies look'd on you though not as a Deity yet as its living image otherwise then with a benediction receiv'd the sentence of death you pronounc'd against him And the last time he did me the honour to speake to me Diceus said he let my death come when it will I will take it for a speciall favour from heaven since 't is the onely thing iâ⦠left me whereby I may witnesse my obedience to the greatest Queen in the world Alas repli'd the Queen how knew he that I bore so great a hatred to his life Hee hââ¦d read it quoth Diceus in the declaration which Pallantus shew'd him in the Pirates Island but he read it more clearly in the effects of your anger I mean by the warre which nature her-selfe had denounc'd against him and by the ill successe of ââ¦ll the voyages he undertook to have the happinesse of continuing to you the testimonialls of his most humble Servitude I should condemne my Declaration answered the Queen though it were justly done if it hastened the death of your Master But 't was his valour and not Alcidiana that slew him Hee thought himselfe immortall as he was invincible and judging of his enemies by himselfe imagin'd there was none base enough to commit a murther Hee had too much loved life said Diceus or to speake better he had been as he was the superstitious observer of your commands if he had thought on the preservation of a life which he knew pleas'd you not He is dead Madam and died the more happily since he was perswaded in dying he should give you a strong and unquestionable proofe of the greatnesse of his love and obedience These last words touch'd Alcidiana to the heart so that spight of her selfe she sigh'd and feeling her teares in her eies turn'd her head towards Amintha that her too lively resentment might not be perceiv'd Assoon as her amorous teares were wip'd off she beganne again and would know of Diceus by what meanes he sav'd himselfe after the death of his Master I will not relate to your Majestie said he for what cause the King my Master came to the Isle of Astramadan Amintha was by when he was ingag'd to sight with him and I doubt not but she hath entertain'd your Majestie with it I will therefore content my selfe with the narration of the most strange and diversified Combate that ever was seen since weapons have been us'd He related how Polexander had sent to defie Astramadan with how many Knights he had to do till he came to haââ¦die stroakes with the Gyant in brief all that which we have descri'd at large heretofore But when he came to that part wherein we spoke of Tisiphone's arrivall and the firing of Astramadans City I had said he to the Queen the honour that day to serve my Master in the place of his Squire and to doe somewhat worthy my new quality assoon as the Tyrants Guard assail'd the King I fell in amongst them and wââ¦s so
from me and I would finish before you what Achomat hath begun if my desire of restoring Melicerta to him did not imperiously command me to live Achomet interrupting the two brothers discourse If said he to Polexander I could be happy the sight of you which I have so long wish'd for would be the end of my misfortunes The name of Polexander which hath stirr'd in me so much emulation and that high vertue which I have propos'd for the Idea of my actions would fill my soule with such delights as would not be found neither in the favour of Princes nor the reputation and fame of a great Command nor the possession of riches But I am too miserable to taste of any felicity and therefore 't was necessary my daughters losse should betide that the pleasingnesse of meeting with you might be as it were poysoned by so great a sorrow I accept your civilities repli'd Polexander since they are so many witnesses proclaiming your generous soule hath preserv'd her purity in the corruption of a Court where the greatest fortunes are not usually rais'd but by villanies farre greater But what doe Iâ⦠in lieu of contemplating you by what you are I consider you by what you seeme Achomat is but the maske under which is hidden Antenor the Prince of Montevera The favour nor alliance of the Turkish Emperour have not been able to pervert that incomparable heart which nothing hath been able to conquer but love and I know well these alterations which some indiscreet man would construe to be ambition or lightnesse are signes of his moderation and constancy But since love hath sway'd the father to things so incredible could he without injustice condemne that which the same passion had made his daughters undertake You are just Achomat doe not then punish that in another which you approve in your selfe and thinke two young Ladies being but weaknesse ignorance and infirmity were not able to resist the most sweet and contagious of all maladies since he could not doe it who by his valour as well as by his wisdome had infallibly ruin'd the Ottoman's if the misfortune of Christendome had not arm'd them for their preservation Attribute therefore to Fortune or if you will to Nature the disasters of your house and bury in eternall oblivion the errours of two young Ladies who could not almost avoid them since they had the amorous Antenor for their father Would to heaven repli'd Achomat that Histeria and Melicerta were in case to receive that pardon you intreate for them you should get it though nature and bloud would not force me to that indulgence but death makes your intreaties and my love effectlesse and may be you would have me beleeve Melicerta alive to accustome me to a misery before I know the greatnesse of it I have said Polexander related to you matters as they are Melicerta lives and since my brother is become rationall I doubt not his redeeming her from the hands of that Tyrant who to tire her constancy puts her daily to new tortures At those words the fire flew into Iphidamantus face and his action full of impatiency witness'd sufficiently hee was no more an enemy to love I shall beleeve said he to Polexander you are of intelligence with that insensibility wherewith you upbraid me if you doe not without delay let me know where Melicerta is For the Tyrant that keeps her his captive either he is invisible or I am most certaine that Princesse shall be reveng'd for his wronging her That Tyrant repli'd Poleaander is to be seen but he is almost invincible He goes alwayes arm'd and lives in a place so strong and so well furnished with resolute Souldiers that of those which have hitherto assaultââ¦d him some have lost their honour others their lives or liberties and generally all have repented their undertaking to vanquish him The successe said Iphidamantus will make it appeare whether I am happier then the rest but hap what hap may be confident I will not repent me of my enterprise The onely griefe that ââ¦ickes by me is that I have but one life to lose and out of my poverty I cannot acquit my selfe to Melicerta but I must remaine in debt to Histeria But that faire soule which amongst the eternââ¦ll lights that inviron her may be penetrates into the obscurity of our hearts and discovers their secret'st thoughts knowes Solyman's intention and repentance and no more accuseth him of his forepast ingratitude she already receives for a full satisfaction my will which hath no bounds nor sees no impossibilities and considers not my power which is limited by obstacles too powerfull to be surmounted Why deferre you Sir said he addressing him to his brother Why conceale you Melicerta from me Are you become jealous assoone as you saw me sensible And have you not presented me with my happinesse but then when you thought me incapable of knowing it No brother repli'd our Heroë I am neither jealous nor cunning but will give you even more then you could hope Yet shall I but vainly intimate how you may be happy if Achomat consent not to your felicity My Lord said Iphidamantus let not the thought of that hinder you I thinke not of inriching my selfe my intent is onely to pay my debt Let Achomat doe what he pleaseth with me I owe him all that I owe not to Periander when he shall use me as his slave he shall doe nothing unjustly leave therefore in his hands my good and ill fortune and let him dispose of either as he pleaseth whatsoever hee shall deliberate I can never be unhappy if I but once suppresse Melicerta's miseries Achomat was about to speake and may be to testifie to Iphidamantus that he held him not in the quality of a slave when Bajazet who had left Abdelmelec in as ill a case as Polexander had the Moorish Knight came to know the cause of so long an interparley and who the stranger Knight was but he no sooner look'd on him then he alighted and with open arms astonished and overjoyed went to imbrace him with all the kindnesse his accustomed noblenesse could cause any to expect from him A hundred times he kiss'd him and had not given him over but that the faire Prince said Polexander was jealous of his imbraces Straight he left him to salute Polexander and because he had heard from Hydaspes and Almaid what that Prince had done for Zabaim and Almanzaira he cââ¦t himself at his feet call'd him his protector and said aloud he had sav'd his Parents lives preserv'd his State and ruin'd the fatall cause of all the disasters befalne his house Polexander not induring him in that posture nor to heare him speake so tooke him in his armes and willing to make knowne he had heard all his life Is it possible said he that you reserve yet some cause of hatred against Zabaim and that the love of incomparable Almanzaira hath not been more powerfull over your resentments then the ill
nature of the King your father Had you seen him as I did ready to expiate by the effusion of his bloud those faults which Zelopa had made him perpetrate you would be more sensible then you are of his repentance and not deny him the comfort he expecteth in your returne But what doe you here Are you not satisfi'd with the death of Nephisus and may be with that of Abdelmelec Would you have their unfortunate father to be ranged in the number of those sacrifices which Axiamira demands from your amorous anger and that it shall be deadly for all Princes to have had any affection for that happy infortunate one Bajazet deeming by this discourse that Polexander knew all his designes would againe have falne at his feet to have ask'd pardon for the love he bore the Princesse his sister but Polexander who look'd on him as on something more then a King retain'd him in his armes and after often calling him brother If said he your discretion had not so long time contested with your quiet and not given to Iphidamantus and my selfe thoughts unworthy to be related to you we had both contributed all we could and may be more reclaim'd the untractable humour of that Princesse which sometimes under the name of Axiamira then under that of Iphidamantus or againe of Ennoramita set on fire all the Kingdomes of Africa Is not she the cause of this warre too have you not mistaken her brother for her Bajazet waxing pale at that question There is no doubt of it said he my misfortune is as great as ever and I know too well for my peace that Almaid being deceiv'd next the King of Morocco tooke Iphidamantus for Axiamira This discourse had infallibly continued but the Sentinels seeing a great Troupe of horse sallying out of Morocco gates advertis'd the Princes they were to be set on Achomat instantly commanded foure Squadrons of foot to advance which had stood to their armes since the beginning of the combate and placing himselfe in the front of a Troup of Cavalry rid to force the enemy backe againe into the Towne The three Princes got on horsebacke to assist him though he had no need of them and were Spectators of that incomparable valour which had rais'd him to the supreame greatnesse of all the Ottoman Court Assoou as feare and night had shut up the last Enemy within the walls of Morocco Polexander and the three other Princes return'd to the place of their Combate and scorning to intermingle ought of base or cruell with their victory commanded fires and torches to be lighted to see in what case Abdelmelec and the Moorish Knight were Our Heroë found the last sighing for his misfortune and cursing the stars which seem'd to affect the dishonour and ruine of the Princes of Grenada by the same charming humanity he comforted him wherewithall he was wont to suffer himself to be overcome by such as he had vanquish'd and without any importunate soliciting either to tell him his condition or name commanded some Arabians to take him up and carry him into Morocco In the meane while Bajazet who found Abdelmelec dead lamented that the chance of Warre was not able to make him a vanquisher without depriving so valiant a Prince of his life Iphidamantus came just as he was bewailing and seeing his friend all over wounded and drown'd in his blood was almost at the losse of his judgement and life at last reason recollected him and then his sorrow breaking forth Unfortunate Prince said he how fatall have thy fathers errours been to thee And what a dangerous Enemy hast thou had of thy great courage Thou art dead Abdelmelec and I live and avenge not thy death But the same law which seemes to engage imperiously forbids me to undertake it My duty is oppos'd by my duty my friendship by my friendship and my faith by my faith I am Polexanders I am Achomats I owe my selfe to Bajazet I cannot be thine Thou knowest it now deare Abdelmelec and thy soule which reads my heart sees well whether I be so perfidious as to faile of my word I have sworn to thee an amitie not to be terminated but by the one of us thy misfortune hath disingaged my word and ââ¦y interests ceasing by thy death give me the libertie on thinking on mine owne Farewell then Abdelmelec and since 't is the will of heaven enjoy for ever the glory thy vertues have deserved Achomat and the two other Princes were extreamly sorrowfull for the losse of their Enemie and would not have been so indisconsolate but onely for taking off Iphidamantus discontent Bajazet by the advise of the rest sent the body of Abdelmelec to the King his father and intimated by Hydaspes they had been both deceiv'd and their errours being equally lamentable the griefe of the one should not be lesse then that of the other Hydaspes performed his Commission but whilst the too amorous and inraged Hely bewailed the losse of his pretended Ennoramita more then the death of his son and ruminated in his long watchings all the tragicall events wherewithall the beautie of one same person had laid waste his Estate the foure Printes retir'd into the Campe and without giving themselves any rest after so much travell meditated on the execution of some new designes Polexander that thought on nothing but how to see Alcidiana againe would not cause Bajazet and Iphidamantus to languish any longer nor put off till any other time the contentments he was able to give them But how extreame soever his owne longing was that of the two other Princes was no lesse Iphidamantus came and cast himselfe at his feet and embracing his knees My Lord said hee if without impudence I may dare take the boldnesse of calling you brother and if any one action of my life hath made mee worthy that honour I intreate you even by that or rather by Alcidiana not to leave mee any longer in my offence and infamy Let mee not be guilty even after my repentance nor let Melicerta continue her reproaching my ingratitude when I have given over my being ingratefull Get leave of Achomat repli'd Polexander to goe and free that Princesse and assure your selfe you shall no sooner have that granted but you shall obtaine all the rest too Achomat over-heard what our Heroe spake to his brother and desirous to witnesse to them both that hee remitted all his resentments to their merits and his affection Goe said he to Iphidamantus goe my deare Solyman gather up if it be possible the remainder of my shipwrack and assure your selfe that what you can save of it you preserve that for your selfe After this declaration which not onely included the leave Iphidamantus requested but withall a cleere assurance of enjoying her whom he was to deliver he tooke Achomat's hands and moystning them with his teares My Lord said hee is it possible that you will forget those offences which my mishap hath made me commit