reception that it out-bad the indulgence and fondness of most Mothers I cannot express indeed what Respect and Affection this insprired in me towards her no more then I can tell you her tenderness towards me I was her dearest Daughter so She ever termed me and I was more Conversant and much more constantly attendant on her then on Pheretime But as the Queen loved me with so great Affection so the King fancy'd me with no less Passion and I was compelled at length to make the ones Amity a buckler to defend me from the others Amours Nor do I well know how to guess what had ere this been become of Birinthea if the Virtue and Discretion of so generous a wife had not shielded me from the violent attempts of so unsutable a Husband who yet practised a long reserved silence ere she would make her tongue my advocate We still were sharers in all the divertizements and past-times at Court no Assembly could be thought compleat that had not brought us in and those that had been unacquainted with our condition would sooner have judg'd us to be Princesses of his blood then distressed Captives and truly I must needs confess the Noble Vsage we then had made our condition very supportable and setting aside the liberty of residing at our own home my Mother still remain'd in the Rank of a Queen and her Children of Royal Princes The soft cords of our Captivity admitted but few Pressures or Regrets and Cyaxares took so hearty a delight in chearing and diverting us that we had scarce the leasure to reflect on our late troubles but as no excess or violence lasts long our fair dayes were soon over-cast with blackness and those early blossoms nipt at their first pretty blooming for I then began to know that Pheretime Phraorte and Arthemisa owed all the goodness and respect paid them in that Court to the wild passion Cyaxares till then kept clossested in his heart for me One day when the purity of the air had tempted me to walk with my Maids in those pleasant allies thorow the Royal park which lead toward the brook he hapned to be very neer me ere I was aware which gave him opportunity to overhear what I spake to my Maid named Diomar who has ever been my cheifest confident and taking occasion to continue the very same discourse rather then seem to interrupt what then my thoughts were busied with he presented me his hand and leading me still in the same walk as well as words cunningly wiredrawd them to his own ends which having engag'd me to attention he prosecuted thus If all these pleasing objects in this Park the pretty children and products of Art and Nature were not inanimate how glorious would they esteem themselves to be so honourd with your fancy and delight in them but give me leave to answer for them to all you say the satisfaction you express'd concernes me since I am Master of them who am too happy that there is any thing belonging to me has the power to please or content you Your Majesty reply'd I not knowing whither his discourse tended does almost rob me of the meanes to thank you for those favours you impart by indeavouring to perswade me that it is some advantage to you that I am so well satisfied with these objects But my opinâ—on must take the confidence to dispute this a little with your civility and you I know will pardon me when I dare tell you that t is some wrong to your own vertue to make your felicity consist in my sole approbation rather then seek for it in its own proper origine and center since none I humbly think can be expected from me sufficiently correspondent to your great bounty 'T is I that with more reason should value it able sing to be in such a Monarch's power who takes no other advantage of our Captivity then the frequent occasions to make known his generosity and who is so profuse of his grace and favours that we may reckon it a gain to have left our liberty which cannot be so highly prized by any one but they would freely forfeit it to enjoy what you so readily confer each moment Spare Madam reply'd the King spare this discourse for something that better deserves it and if I have been so fortunate as to oblige you to tell me so beleeve Birinthea that all the cheap observances you have yet met with are but the small effects of that greater inclination I have for the honour of your service But what must I now hope for after this declaration can you with justice disesteem a cause whose effects you praise so rarely Great King said I those two things have too far engaged me already but the acquaintance you have with my present condition and your own will tell you that it is less in my power to correspond with the one then the other and besides what can you rationally expect from a Princess that has not so much as her own liberty That she should answerd he to interrupt me accept of the present I now make of mine in retaliation that she would vouchsafe to be my Soveraign and suffer me to be her servant You have a mind to prove reparted I whether I am capable of presumption your Majesty delights in this tryall but I beseech you to beleeve that the honours you have baited your temptations withall are too weak to violate my Respect and Modesty and I shall borrow so much Humility from my Virtue as to assure you that I shall never own so great a vanity since I am instructed by my own defects to declare that I have not a stock sufficient to claime the merrit of the meanest favour I would now thank you for These evasions Birinthea are witty reply'd he and I perceive that I must court you rather with effectual services then words and I will follow that method hereafter and make good what I intend for your satisfaction by more authentique performances which shall write my affection in more noble characters since you beleeve but slightly when I speak them He left me with this compliment and Diamar who had taken notice that our converse was too eager to be of an ordinary concerne only came to me assoon as he was absented and desired to know what might be the discourse that had called so much colour into my face I would not hide the truth of it from her to prevent her judgement by my instructions from being seduced by the King who I was confident would endeavour to corrupt her and having summoned all our reason to aid us in our consultation what to doe in this case I resolv'd to dissemble and make the King know I reckned all this but as gallantry and formal complaisance and strictly commanded her not to discover it to any other and likewise to give me an exact account if ever the King made any discourse to her concerning it Many dayes past over in which Cyazares said no
tyed up in an unusual silence which put him into such a trouble as never till then had befaln him insomuch that he could not salute her without a stammering impediment and his sudden change would have been easily remark'd if some Ladies had not put him upon the discourse of his hunting and those other divertisements they imagined he had been to seek in the Country He indeavoured afterwards in many other encounters to behave himself more confidently in her presence and went sometimes prepared expresly to entertain her in particular but immediately a sudden inward diffidence controuled his strongest resolutions so that in two months time all he could do was rather to express his grief upon his face then proclaim it with his tongue He often complained to me that he knew not what respect hindred him from declaring himself openly In fine consumed inwardly with a flame he could not handsomely bring to light he resolved to extinguish it absolutely by not seeing her knowing her presence only nourished that heat But when the pleasant season had invited his Mistress to return into the Country not being able to indure her absence whose only memory excited such troubles in his breast he asked me if I would accompany him to Coupava that Castle being not far distant from Themira's I told him it would be a very great honour to me when ever he would vouchsafe to go there to receive him in the best manner that could be I sent my Father notice of his design two dayes after we went only with such attendance as might not too much discover us The whole journey he entertained me with his Amours and complained of the cruelty of his Fate in that he fore-saw his Father would never condiscend to it though Themira should fairly correspond which he likewise placed amongst his doubts I mildely told him he ought to attempt all means and remedies before he yeilded to dispair and that I could not believe Themira would refuse the honour of his noble affection she having too great a stock of wit not to discern the infinite advantages might follow provided she could clearly penetrate his just and honest intentions Ariving with the entertainment of these discourses at Coupava we were somewhat surprized finding Themira there who accompanied her Mother that was come to visit mine Senisra was extreamly joyful of that good fortune but it being already late the small portion of that dying evening pass'd in usual Complements and civilities The next morning all the Nobility and Gentry that inhabits near those parts come to pay their obedience to the Prince and they already talked of nothing but hunting to divert him when having told them that he was desirous to taste the sweeter repose of that solitude every one retir'd to their dwellings leaving him the free liberty to compleat his design The first time we attempted to visit Themira was with my Mother but their ceremonious respects and the splended treatment they made for him hindred him from making known any thing of his passion The next time we waited on her he began to discover some sparks of his great flame though sparingly and my Mother and Themira's being retir'd we remained alone with that beauty who had the charge to perform the honour of the House and shew us all the rarities of which Senisra took so little notice that although there were very many which deserved a curious survey and might have challenged our admiration yet he could hardly be so much the Master of his patience and reason as to vouchsafe to look on them Themira who quickly perceived his small complaisance told him she was extreamly sorry there was nothing worthy his view yet she wondered not he took so little delight therein because as it was unworthy of his nobler fancy so it was an abuse to his patience to strive to entertain him any longer in that dull solitude it being easie to judge his more choice contentments summoned him back again to Court This complement wakened the Princes silence which his soft passion had rocked into a musing slumber and obliged him to a reply rather that he might not be thought incivil then to shew himself amorous yet his passion favourably over-biassed his will and perswaded him to shape his answer in these words If as you tell me beauteous Themira my satisfaction were rather to be at the Court than in this place I cannot see what reason could oblige me to leave it the interest which called me hither be it what it will must needs be most powerful still detaining me here but I know not what strange enigmatical Fate mine is that having so happily found what I expresly came to seek my melancholly is nevertheless augmented Truly reply'd she It amazes me to think how it is possible you should be troubled with too much contentment for I cannot believe you came to seek out trouble Alas Madam answered he 'T is the nature of that charm which possesses me to find no more repose amidst my joyes than my afflictions I shall wonder now no more reply'd she since it is a cause not to be found in nature You have reason said he it is altogether divine if it were an ordinary thing I might withstand it but withal Themira if the Sun be not guilty of their blindness who too boldly expose their sight to his bright rayes if the Sea be not culpable of the wracks of those many vessels which voluntarily throw or launch themselves into its watery Empire what cause can I have to complain of that trouble which I have my self courted and cherished without the least of its allowance It belongs to you alone then reparted she to seek the remedy but said he my Cure as well as my Malady depends on the same Subject So that although I alone have brought my self into this straight yet does not the remedy thereof reside within my self If it be so answered she then disclose your grief perhaps 't is not a thing insensible like the Sea or Sun True said Senisra yet nevertheless it is more bright and resplendent then the one and more unbridled and tempestuous than the other in fine Themira it is Love Love But he stopt at that word proceeding no further and she resum'd the speech smiling and saying But what Sir Goe on I beseech you yet I must condemn my own curiosity since it may well suffice me to know that if this place does not contribute any thing to your delights no more does it adde to your Melancholly It is true answer'd he somewhat troubled the place of it self would be indeed very indifferent to me if it did not contain somewhat that might be the blessed subject of my joy as it is now of my griefe The Prince finding himself in so fair a path endeavour'd to expound his thoughts more intelligibly and let her know all this discourse pointed at her But she having a very ready wit sharpe judgement and present memory ever turned the sence
guiltiness which made her anger succeed in these harsh words which she utter'd in a discomposed tone Your visage Senisra betrayes your intentions it 's alteration and often shifted colour speaks your persidiousness nor can your conscience which writes its self upon your changing Countenance suffer your delusions to be hid any longer which to persist in were a weakness unworthy of any slave much less a Prince But what then I have been as highly presumptuous in my easie faith as you are reproveable for your hypocrisie had I never considered you as my Lover but beheld you alwayes as my Prince I should have no just cause to wonder as I do now in vain that your heart can adore and pay the full tribute of affection and veneration to this stranger Princess yet have I reason for complaint however that you forsake Themira after you have so solemnly engaged your faith to her But this is some consolation and retribution that I can strive to correspond with you in every particular and it shall suffice me that you cannot but know it is the noble heart and vertuous disposition rather makes a Gentleman a Prince then his Birth or empty Title whose blood if tainted and whose spirit if degenerate tumbles him beneath the meanest of his Subjects in the records of Fame and Honour I would have answered her but that cruell and unjust Lady stopt her car against all my speeches by which I might have wiped away the aspersion of ingratitude she stuck upon me and then suddenly quitted me in a place where I could neither conveniently follow her nor be moan my self The Prince entertained me with this his misfortune when Balden his Father entred into his Chamber and spake thus to me well Merame what preparations doe you make against Senisra's wedding you are sad me-thinks may it not be that having a long time associated with him as his most faithful compagnion and seeing him now provided of a Mistris and your self without any you mourn your solitary condition But if so or not I doe not intend that you should only be an idle assistant at the ceremony but rather help to make up one of the sweetest parts in the full harmony of joy and pleasure Come follow me he went forth as he spake these last words and lead us to his wives Chamber where catching me by one hand and taking Gerose the Daughter of his Favorite Hylebas by the other I doe not believe said he that you have any objections to make against my design and your Parents consent The choice could not be more equal then by this match nor can you according to the opinion of every one live happier then together may the gods bless you with as much felicity as your hearts can wish Neither of us made any other reply but a profound obeysance and I was very glad the many complements we received from those that were present exempted me from those I should have been obliged to make in particular to Gerose on whom in common civility I was obliged to waite upon to her own lodging where I quitted her coldly Being returned to my own apartment and freed from the importunity of those that did exalt and bless my good fortune I shut my self up within my Chamber where what I either thought or said during my first transports in that Melancholly Cell were too tedious to relate My resolutions in sine made me decree to give a cleer discovery of my passion to Vneria and profer her Marriage if she could but consent to love me as I did her fair self I left my chamber with this intent to seek her out and though the night were very much advanced and most persons retired to their repose I descended into the Garden by a back way and softly stealing along the wall to a place close by Vneria's chamber whose windows gave them the full prospect of a long alley I there made a stand hoping at least to have the blessing of being neer her person What can you think in fine Sybaris if the effects of my passion Though the night were muffled up in its thickest clouds yet I pryed every where hoping to meet the favour of some small beam of light whereby to discover her and hearing a voice I listned attentively and understood it was her Mother who was thus discoursing to her I thought Daughter that Fate had no more wayes left to afflict us and that we were arrived at the last Stage of all our miseries But I perceive cruell Fortune is not yet glutted with our sufferings He that had declar'd himself thy Protector is become thy enemy and if he espouse as 't is to be feared the Fathers quarrel with the daughters person we must resolve to perish Wherefore replyed Vneria If you have been but as religiously secret as my self we have nothing to fear Ah my dearest Daughter answer'd the Mother those two families being united together by that strict alliance thou canst no longer hide a face whose features though truly innocent are too too dangerous for thy safety Mother reparted she we must commit all to the goodness of the deities who have preserved us hitherto We must not pry into the book of destiny the Characters are not legible to Mortals and we find every day that what befals us is contrary to what we either feared or guessed Let us live in the mean time in hope and since our arms are too short to unty this marriage knot those knots it s said being all made fast in heaven we will reserve our complaints if it must be so till we ly under the Evil that shall fall on us Her Mother could not bar her tears from falling at this discourse and reaching to embrace her as I perceiv'd by a faint light she said Ah worthy Daughter no I cannot beleeve that heaven has given thee such a full stock of vertue and courage to let thee continue long in this condition They said something more afterwards but whispered it so softly it did not reach my eare perfectly then suddenly after they were wholly silent Yet I remained fix'd in the same place with a most greedy attention till day break and then fearing discovery I return'd to my Chamber Being thrown upon my bed I reflected on their whole discourse a thousand times without being able to comprehend or fathom the depth of it What said I shall I dare believe she spoke of me and may I flatter my self with this vanity to have had the rarest jewel of nature in my protection No no these words were meant of some other it being impossible but that I should love her alwayes tenderly so that if her Protector is become her Enemy they cannot be addressed to me Nevertheless I am he into whose fortunate arms she cast her blessed self at Coupava and I am also commanded to marry Gerose But what is that particular interest that makes her apprehend this alliance so much Thus was I weather-beaten 'twixt these
death to us since you believe it to be so just towards him or if you do conceive him to be alone guilty wherefore do you punish us more rigorously than him letting us live with the regret for loosing him which is a thousand times more sensible to us then death it self but I perceive what 't is causes his condemnation 't is not your self Sir nor the ressentment of Cyaxares that pittiless reason of State does murther him and you fondly believe there is no more cause to fear after the Leader of a Rebellion is thrust out of the world a poor consideration and weak argument of unadvised policy what then do you imagine the children of Kings have such low spirits and so small courage that in what state soever they remain they will not endeavour to revenge a Fathers death who was so dear and tender in his affection to them by all the means that hatred and dispair can store them with 't is true indeed the head of such a faction is thereby taken off but know Sir 't is a Hydra which still sprouts new ones forth and of all those you now behold in your presence as Artabans children expect the same fixt resolution either to dye with him or else perpetually to seek a full revenge Or if Sir we are not criminal in your judgement let your vertue appear in its full extent do not confine it generous Prince within such narrow and severe limits let the Father taste part of that mercy your clemency confers upon the children who humbly implore the life of Artaban which I perceive your own compassionate and noble soul prompts you to grant him vouchsafe it therefore Sir and bind a King by this immortal obligation to endeavour by his faithful services hereafter to testifie he holds the possession of it only by your extraordinary goodness And if you did believe he was able once to prejudice you you may as well think him not altogether useless by making him your friend Take away all the subjects of your apprehensions from him place your Souldiers in Garrison in all the places of strength in Armenia and only leave him and his children wherewith to serve you in their own persons and to the Armenians who love him too affectionately to suffer his loss without ressentment the power to testifie the obligation they shall so justly owe you for their Princes life Cyrus pressed betwixt the Amity he had for Tygranes and the obedience he ow'd to Cyaxares answer'd him that he took the gods for witness and wish'd they might punish him if it were not a real truth that he was as much griev'd for his misfortune as it was possible for a man to be for one he so dearly cherished and that without those pressing arguments he had alledged the friendship they had contracted together during their infancy was but too powerful to obtain all that he could in reason desire of him but in this occasion what he demanded depending not upon his will but the devoir of his charge and birth he beseeched him to accuse his hard fate and he should evidently finde by the treatment which the rest of the Family should receive at his hands that what he was compel'd to now was utterly against the inclination he had to serve him He had no sooner ended these Protestations but fore seeing that if he gave ear to their further complaints which had already awaken'd his heart to pitty he should not be able to resist their clamorous petitions he would have withdrawn himself within his Tent commanding those that held Artaban to conduct him where he had appointed and Chrysante to withdraw his prisoners But then their cryes and shreeks became most vehement and doleful and Birinthea who till then had only made her precious teares keep company with their fruitless prayers broke through the croud which throng'd about Cyrus and falling down at his knees which she embrac'd in her tender arms she stopt him with these words Do not fly my Lord nor stifle all the thoughts of mercy in your breast decide before you go whether the children shall follow their Fathers doom or the Father partake of the childrens fortune or rather sacrifice them all to your just anger to expiate Artabans crime and reserve only him since the gods will not gratefully accept a victime that is not truly pure and immaculate And we being innocent shall better satisfie their justice than he can because he is so guilty Then stoping her speech a while and finding he answered not a word Ha cruel pursued she lifting up the vail which cover'd her face and looking on him with a countenance whereon so many foot-steps of grief and sorrow appear'd as would have melted a heart of Brass into compassion thou reply'st nothing and nevertheless the proffer I make is fair to glut thy cruelty and if thou art so greedy after blood there is more plenty for thee in our youthful veins than in his aged body parched through time and labour speak cruel man and if ever thou knew'st what blessing a Father is or hast the least sentiment of nature in thee let that work some sence of pitty in thy soul This last assault could be no longer withstood it was too powerful not to prevail and therefore Cyrus yeilded up his severity to the stronger risings of compassion in his breast Birinthea had no sooner discover'd her divine face though it were bath'd in tears which bubbled from their chrystal springs but he ressented besides the motions of pitty all those other effects which such an afflicted beauty can inspire in a most generous and tender heart He revok'd the order he had given Chrysante concerning the person of Artaban and committed him together with his Wife and Children to Chrysantes Guard promising them to do his utmost to obtain his pardon from Cyaxares to whom he immediately wrot for that purpose When the Messenger whom he had dispatched return'd and brought him word that he might absolutely dispose of the life of Artaban according as he pleas'd to think convenient this news did so fill his mind with a particular joy and he found himself so puissantly interessed for Artabans preservation ever since Birinthea's mediation that he would be himself the bearer of it He went to the place where they were yet detained prisoners where their divided fears and hopes held them in a trembling suspence what would be the event concerning Artaban whom at that present moment they entertain'd in a conversation composed more of sighs and tears then words His unexpected visit surprised them extreamly and they were timorously weighing in their thoughts the reasons of it which he cleared to them by declaring the cause thereof This blessed news notwithstanding did not wipe off their tears they wept for joy as they had wept for grief and in this first transport whilst they tender'd him millions of thanks for his infinite goodness with all the submissive acknowledgement they were capable Birinthea mov'd him
represent with bitter reproaches that guilt which mov'd him the more sensibâ—â— because he was most innocent of it The small change it wrought upon the Prince abated the edge of his severity he reade the motions of just anger upon his visage and beheld the lineaments of persecuted vertue there but not the least character of a guilty conscience which usually imprints it selfs condemnation on the face and therefore he gave a very willing and patient eare to the discourse he made in his own defence And whether or no he were before perswaded of Theramenes fault he now return'd in some doubt of his innocency and was moreover inclining to a full beleefe of it if that imbecillity which so ordinarily prepossesses men to credit the first impressions had not yet suspended his opinion The relation he made to Ctesiphon found not the same success he rather would fasten the crime upon his son then his wife and Learchus had no small a doe to oppose the resolution he had taken to put him instantly to death by shewing him how necessary it was to have more certaine evidence and stronger proofes Erixone who well fore-saw that if he had the leasure to devest himself of passion and lure his reason to her seate again which now did wildly flutter he would scent out her secret projects and turn the horrid tempest of revenge upon her head mightily press'd to have him punished Learchus defer'd it alwayes and knew so wisely to interpose the importance of such a chastisement to Ctesiphon that he yeilded to the Princes friends and especially to the Princess Arthemisa's moving prayers to have him confronted with Erixone To this effect they brought Theramene forth of his prison who appear'd before his father and those that were assembled there with as much noble confidence as Erixone did with trembling feare this infamous wretch had woven her subtill accusation with so many soft expressions of love towards her husband and the Prince shaped his with such becoming respects for his dear Father that as I have already hinted every one having so faire an opinion of both their vertues would needs beleeve they were both innocent and could not tell on whom to lay the guilt The necessity hoever of deciding this controversy divided their opinions and as it is impossible our inclinations should be balanced so equally as not to weigh more towards one then another either of them had partisans who did suspect the others crime and defend their beleeved innocency Amongst those who more particularly interressed themselves one Tarsus embraced Erixone's cause and Learchus stood for the Princes the first insisted with more noise and heate but the second with more plenty of reason insomuch that the difficulty to give a certain judgement plung'd Ctesiphon into such strange perplexities that according to the various motions of his trouble he sensibly touch'd the Peoples hearts with pitty What said he have I summoned you here to leave me in the labyrinth of a doubt I thought your judgements would have soon unravil'd And if we have no cleerer proofes of the crime and innocency with what justice can we chastice the one and recompense the other Cruell inquietudes how am I involv'd what to judge of my wife or son Oh sad necessity which fatally ordains me to loose one or other if heaven would needs find me an enemy could it not with more justice have cul'd out any others but such as owes me as much love as I did cherish for them but what shall we deliberate in fine Speake wife reply my Son to which of you am I become so hateful which must I loose of the two that are so infinitely deare unto me and to whom I never wanted in my affection The love I beare to her makes him appeare as guilty and when I turne my thoughts on him she stands a criminal offendor in my eye â—ove Nature Come hither joyntly to defend your rights Nature thy plea is first but love thine is more pressing you both sollicite with extreme earnestness but which must I obey The one moves with more tenderness the other with more vehemency Shall I bow to compassion Or give the reines up to my raging anger Oh gods He gave passage to three or foure sighs which stop'd the further enlarging his complaints viewing them both with lookes which beam'd with love and hatred together whilst Theramene wholly interrupted him saying Cease deare Father cease these cruel moanes that torment you you may at the same moment satisfy both your compassion and revenge I am worthy of the one but am not culpable of the other and if nevertheless Erixone or Theramene must perish to appease you never make it a doubt to which of these you are to give the preheminence though I am clearly innocent of the crime I am accus'd of yet I will joyfully sacrifice a life to your repose of which I hold the lease only from heaven and you my death may justly expiate for Erixones crime since I am cause of it and if the consideration of loosing a child doe hinder she is young enough to bring you many more and perhaps you may never meete another woman that you could love with so much heate of passion Erixone would have spoken likewise who during his discourse had by her often shifted countenance given many infallible tokens of her crime if any one had studiously perus'd it but Ctesiphon starting up much troubled commanded the Officers to return with the Prince and retir'd himself to his Closet whence coming forth again Erixone who attended him threw her self at his feet and feigning a despair fearing her life in danger she sob'd forth these words before a great number of people Wherefore do you defer my death my Lord if you esteem me guilty Is it because you know that it would be a more welcome punishment than the suspition you have of my infidelity Yes my Lord I have plainly discern'd that Theramene 's artificial plea has gain'd more credit than my single vertue 't is fit you should ruine a woman to preserve a Traytor because he is your only Son and heir I shall appeal no farther but to give this last assured and becoming testimony of my love I am resolv'd to dye for him since in the doubt you dwell I can no longer be affected by you Ctesiphon would not suffer her to say any more but amorously embracing and raising her up he reply'd thus It is too true Madam that I offend your vertue extreamly by not punishing your false accuser but pardon a Fathers tenderness towards his Son I wrong'd my self most in this case since I oppos'd my own hottest desires which makes me languish to deserve as great returns of love from you as I cherish for you the evidences which you give me of your affection oblige me to a full retaliation and are sufficient to assert the crime of that perfidious child whose sudden chastisement shall satisfie your vertue and my provoked anger He told