since he can never hope to be againe re-established in his rightfull authority but either by the humours and inconstancy of the common people who when they finde the Kings absolute oppression brings no prosperity to them will probably become exasperated against the Senates proceedings and power or by an unreconcilable difference betweene the Senators themselves who may most command when they shall finde no other jurisdiction to oppose them both which in all likelihood will conduce to the Kings benefit if he sit quiet sometime under his injuries which I conceive to be the reason that he hath in outward appearance yielded so much to their demands And for the Myssians perhaps by this opposition they would perswade the world to a beliefe of their integrities as if at the first they consented not to the Kings hard usage whereby to obtaine a greater party not only in the Kingdome of Lydia if they have an intention to dispute their own profit but in other Countries if they meane to make Warre upon our people because they cannot be sharers in the government as they hoped the only cause certainly of the now seeming quarrell so that in my opinion Euarchus hath done like a wise and politick Prince in seeming not to contend where he was sure not to prevaile especially since by the dispute he might have endangered those hearts that will now be of his side if the occasion be offered either out of pitty to his sufferings or our of hate to the Senates government And besides it is to be considered that no act he shall passe in this condition of constraint can binde either himselfe or posterity by all humane and divine lawes if his Sword ever become more powerfull in the meane time the Senate will seek to preserve the Kings life and person with their best care since their own authority falls entirely by his death which as I say is the reason they desire more a terme of yeares in the continuation of thier required government then the determinable fate of the Princes life because they may have alwayes the liberty to presse him to new conditions if they finde by experience they have not yet obtained sufficient since they shall not need to feare the vexations of his person may bring any hazard upon him I cannot deny said Roxana but these reasons are sufficient to render me wholly satisfied in my doubtfull opinions but the gods are only capable to foresee the event of things And with that looking upon the Sun she perceived the time of the day called her to the attendance of the Princesse which made her for the present take her leave Upon her arrivall she found Cloria only accompanied by her Lute in a small withdrawing room belonging to her own chamber where none but her selfe had permission to be admitted not long after she had saluted the Princesse she discovered she had been weeping by the red circles about her eyes that gave the old woman occasion further to be inquisitive after her imployment untill she spyed this complaining ditty lying written before her upon the Table that quickly gave her satisfaction of the occasion though her excellent voyce and rare skill rendred the Musick heavenly Is Justice could some favour finde Or were not rather truly blind Ambition sure durst never weare The spoyles of such a vertue heare When every houre Doth need her power To set both Crownes and Kingdomes free For love I see is but a flame That onely beares a constant name And is by interest as a wave Tost here and there as others crave If objects seeme Of more esteeme To summon sense unto the call But whatsoever dwells more high Shoote but your Commets from the skie Against the hate that mortalls beare To such as lawfull Scepters weare And wee 'l adore For evermore That action as a Diâ—â—â— Yet whilst that fate and pride contend Whether shall conquer at the end The Gods themselves have cause to feare A revolution of the Spheare And then like we May Martyrs be In the vast Chaos of the fall But the Princesse after she had made an end of her Musicke began with many complaints and more sighes to blame absent Narcissus for his too much negligence in his love since in all this time of her last restraint he had not found as she said some disguise to visit her person though he might want the power to procure her liberty which she continued with a certaine passion untill Roxana not only chid her for those sad expressions that as she told her had destroyed in part the ravishing delight of her song but seemed unjust in accusing her servant that had in so many dangerous adventures shewed alwayes the entire constancy of his affection who was no doubt at the present retired into some region where he might best advantage her service However Cloria was willing upon any hopes to be satisfied with the proceedings of Narcissus and much more with his intentions yet could she not but tell Roxana that although she was pleased to be his advocate that seemed to have a powerfull perswasion in her beliefe yet were the loves she feared from Farezius and the importunities she expected of Cassianus in her apprehension arguments sufficient to make her think Narcissus wanted much diligence at leastwise violence that he did not endeavour to scale the very Walles where she remained a prisoner rather then to endure her to be so injured Truly Madam answered Roxana as I cannot tell why you should expect miracles instead of services so have you no cause to doubt the importunities you mention since I am not certaine Farezius love was ever presented to your liking either from himselfe or any of his instruments And for the Addresses of Cassianus you have been already so accustomed to refusals that I conceive you have not any other hard part to play then to continue the same course still Besides you may well remember by Cassianus own Letter that his affections are not so hot as to presse you upon over great inconveniences and therefore in my opinion you may very well quiet your thoughts concerning his courtships O Roxana said the Princesse you are much deceived in both these particulars for as to my knowledge which I have understood since I saw you last Farezius hath already intimated his desire to my father whom you may be sure will comply almost in any thing that concernes the Generall So doth Cassianus labour the Senate underhand to be propitious to his love since as he sayes their own honours are ingaged in the issue for that the world takes notice of their protestations which are to see him established in a prosperous condition both in power and affection And the rather as â—retends for that they formerly sent for him according to their professions to see them put in execution Roxana replyed as there be many reasons of sufficient force to make me give way to your opinions since your own beauty honour and vertues are loadstones
active parts that are and have been obvious to all the world no man can accuse him of cruelty or pride his deare affections to his wife and children are beyond the patterne of all his predecessors his activity and solicitation almost not to be imitated his moderation in Dyet and Apparell scarce equals any of his subjects if his parcimony can be imputed to him for a fault let his numerous issue and the small extent of his own revenues make for him at leastwise a probable if not a sufficient excuse besides and over and above these specified vertues I must commend his discreet valour and entire patience since as in the one he never declined any engagement when the necessity of his fortune did any way stand in need of the demonstration of his courage so did he never yet appeare overcome by passion when he tasted the greatest bitternesse of what affliction soever with these words the Priest as if he had been transported with the very apprehension of his suffering seemed to end his discourse both in tears and sighes and certainly had so continued for a long space in a certaine kinde of extasie if an old woman and a little youth the whole family with himselfe of his private habitation had not interrupted his sorrowfull contemplation by bringing into the Parlour Wine and other junkets to entertain Narcissus who notwithstanding after he had tasted sufficiently of that civility put him in mind againe of his promised relation in the field which was to make an end so farre of his information concerning King Euarchus fortunes that he might be instructed in the reasons of the joyfull assembly of the people dancing about the Altar and Statue of god Pan. The Priest after he had acknowledged in some sort his own digressions from the matter intended he let him know that as it was no part of his meaning to deprive him of his due according to his own obligation so he desired him to excuse his passion in the Kings behalfe occasioned only by the sight of the picture that suddenly brought into his mind a certaine kind of representation of his heroicall vertues proceeding from his nature and education whereupon presently leading Narcissus into his Garden furnished him with many dainty flowers of all sorts in which curiosity he seemed to take an extraordinary delight at last they both seated themselves in one of the Arbours neatly contrived to defend the inward part of the habitation from Phoebus oppression which afforded a sufficient conveniency for discourse and that joyned with the opportunity quickly entered him into his new relation after this manner Euarchus said he being as I told you retired to Philadelphia after the Battle as soon as he came into the Towne he went presently to his Garden without speaking one word to any person although many Troopes followed him with passion to know some particulars concerning his fortunes the rather for that they conceived themselves also to be sufficiently interested in his fate There he walked with a quick pace according to his custome sometimes casting his arme abroad and otherwhiles againe beating his breast with no small violence then would he look up to the heavens as if a little he accused the gods determinations to suffer him that intended nothing but justice and goodnesse to be so cruelly persecuted by his owne Subjects without any known cause whatsoever so that in truth the whole company with teares in their eyes began more to consider his inward sufferings then their own outward state and condition thus I say he continued untill Prince Thyasmus his unfortunate Nephew who not long before had retired thither with his beaten and scattered Troopes came also with a few Attendants into the Garden when he had saluted the King with a sad look walking with him in that manner two or three turnes he at last humbly desired him to let the company understand a little of his unfortunate passages since they could not be worse as he said then they imagined them to be and for ought they knew they might be better then they supposed the King went presently and seated himselfe upon a Bench whilst all the company flockt about him though he only made a discourse to them in this nature Gentlemen said he you now behold Euarchus tumbled from his Throne it is apparant the gods are displeased with our actions neither doe I well know what will become of this unfortunate Kingdome for however they punish and demonstrate their indignation oftentimes by evill and wicked instruments yet they never shew their displeasure and indignation but where offences are apparant enough to deserve that chastizement whether these faults for which for the present we are scourged abound most in my own Court or the poyson hath too much dilated it selfe over all my dominions I will not say only sure we are that sinnes of all sorts are encreased in such a measure that it is probable the gods no longer could abstain from demonstrating the very height of their fury and wrath I could be contented to suffer for you all so that would be sufficient to pay the score of our obligations we owe the heavens justice for our crimes but I feare me we are designed to be more generally involved whereby to satisfie the divine exasperated indignation who can be no more cozened in its knowledge then restrained in its power In my opinion the best way is instantly to take asunder by way of profitable consideration all our particular actions and thoughts and so by wholsome and true repentance if it be possible to give some stop to the furious Torrent of our misfortunes before they come to such a Sea of confusion that necessarily a generall destruction must follow when I consider the pride covetousnesse and dissimulation of my own family I am partly convinced in my thoughts that the ills we have suffered wholly proceed from that originall againe when I look upon the disobedience luxury and atheisme of the whole Kingdome I may suppose from the peoples impieties have come our misfortunes If I have been too blame for either I must rather implore the gods pardon for my omissions then overmuch accuse my own intentions that made them so since however my nature may be too passively indulgent in such particulars yet my disposition was not at all prone to give them allowance and approbation I must confesse I cannot altogether free my selfe from every imputation that hath been cast upon my government for it is no small fault to be remisse in punishments where crimes may be encouraged to example though much more to be countenanced in oppression And where inferiour officers are permitted though not commanded to be unjust the Prince ought to beare a share in the active part for that he had the power to have restrained the mischiefe which perhaps is the occasion of my present suffering with the rest of my Subjects and what more indignation the gods have in store I cannot be certaine to prevent
their sufferings the people will not be content to trust strangers with their liberty but yet the assistance that is desired from forraigne Princes needs not to consist wholly in numerous Armies but in small and frequent supplies both of men and moneyes which joyned with the Kings party and laying hold of the many discontents already ingendred in the hearts of most cannot but conduce exceedingly to the overthrow of this new government Besides there is another benefit that may be expected from other Countreyes being at open difference with the Senate of Lydia and that is denying their Merchants the liberty of Trade within their dominions which at last must of necessity discontent and impoverish the rich City of Sardis from whence the Souldiers are if not mainteined at leastwise supplyed upon all urgent occasions But why answered Cloria may not these Princes and especially the two great Monarchs of Aegypt and Syria as well forbid the free commerce you speak of in the time of their own differences as when they shall be at peace between themselves if they have any intention to right my father as I have heard they doe pretend Because replyed Roxana they are both so full of their own ambition that neither dares offend the State of Lydia as yet untill their Warres be at an end between themselves least they might give too much advantage to each other by the assistance of so powerfull a Kingdome as this is Then said the Princesse there may be some hopes to better my fathers affaires when these Kings shall thinke it good to put up their bloudy swords and not before I conclude not so Madam answered Roxana for although these exasperated Princes against their own quiet should have neither temper in their actions nor finde wisedome in their councellours untill meere necessity should constraine their Subjects to seek peace with violence which were too dangerous a president yet it is to be hoped that the Myssians with the Cretan Forces joyned to the discontents of Lydia by reason of diversity of Religions and interests would in time restore the King to his ancient dignity Pish Roxana replyed Cloria for the Myssians I have so little confidence in their assistance that what countenance soever their actions put on I can scarce be perswaded of their intentions since they once sold my father to this misery he now undergoes when they had a gallant Army in the Field to have redeemed both his person and his Crowne And for the Cretans besides that they are of a different profession to ours concerning the worship of the gods there are also so many factions amongst them by way of private ambition that they rather goe backe daily in their own affaires then shew any probabillity of helping others And for the discontents of Lydia which you mention with their diversities of Religions I doe not finde upon all occasions but they can very well lay downe their own spleenes when there appears a necessity to oppose my fathers prosperity Lastly concerning the common peoples sufferings I am perswaded they are resolved to endure any subjection or almost bondage it selfe rather then to be willing the King should recover againe his lost rights by force and power of the sword without making first some conditions with his prorogative notwithstanding he hath divers times given them by protestations what assurances could be desired from a just and a religious Prince Madam answered Roxana your opinion I must confesse is grounded upon a great deale of probabillity considering how the Myssians not onely sold the King to the power of the Senate but at the first beginning of these troubles came into Lydia to dispute your fathers rights But yet if you please to consider that the reason of their actions then proceeded from the extreame covetousnesse of some eminent persons amongst them who finde now they can expect no more gaine the Senate having already compassed their ends upon them you will easily believe that they are resolved to change the sceane for your fathers advantage since by that meanes they may come to play a double game and winne by the bargaine Next concerning the Cretans although I must confesse their foolish divisions amongst themselves have not only much hindred the Kings affaires and in a manner indangered the whole frame of their own designes yet is there such a disparity betweene them and the people of Lydia not only in regard of the difference of Religion but in that we have outed them formerly of much of their Lands that they will dye to the last man rather then suffer the Senate to beare rule over them Thirdly I must desire you not to dwell too strictly upon your beliefe that the common people of Lydia will so easily accord their difference and pacifie their discontents upon the appearance of a strange Army in regard it will only bring with it the right of the cause with a promise of amendment especially when they shall by a little more experience finde that their present grievances have neither termination nor limitation For I say that as at the first they were perswaded to entertaine the assistance of the Myssians whom they most hated and feared of all other Nations against their King who oppressed them in nothing however their fancies did injure their judgements so will they as well accept of any forraigne assistance against the Senate when they can no longer endure the burthen of their oppressions And last of all give me leave to tell you that the divisions within the Army and Senate house cannot but produce strange effects since no spleen is so great as what is in gendred by the same faction when once they fall at odds either by reason of gaine or prerogative But as she was further proceeding in her discourse the dwarfe enformed them that there was newly arrived in the Castle hall a young Maid of an excellent beauty who desired with much earnestnesse to be brought presently into the Princesse presence as pretending she had some secret to discover not convenient to be imparted to any other eare he also said that as her eyes sparkled forth a kinde of youthfull Majesty so did her neglectfull dresse seeme to have been disordred by her late journey which made her appeare more Amazon like This strange advertisement put them both into a sollicitous consideration as well concerning the person of the party as the occasion of the adventure And many loving desires would gladly have perswaded poor Cloria that Narcissus had borrowed another disguize to have given her a new visit but having more exactly examined her little servant concerning all particulars she found the stranger neither in stature or countenance could agree with the proportion or features of her absent Lord Wherefore after some more displeasing consideration with a kinde of a sad voyce as if her thoughts were troubled at the mistake she commanded the Page to conduct the Maid to her presence As soon as the damosell entred the room with confidence enough