secretly he promis'd me to do But t is impossible to tell you her excesse of joy when with a smiling countenance at his return he yielded her account of his so fortunate negotiation but chiesly when he gave her this deceitful testimony of my love which thus was written Cleontus letter to the Princesse Orixa IF I have any cause to wonder at the honour you were pleas'd to do me by the favour of your letter t is rather through the meanness of my own deserts than any way the freedom of your words But since without accusing your choice I cannot condemn the meanness of my merit I must think or else accuse of errour your opinion of me that I am worthier than others are and that the favour I receiv'd is not a dream or an illusion since I keep its markes I will reserve the full expressions of the honour you have done me untill we meet if heaven do so much favour me as that for excess of joy I die not by your side and send you these but to advertise you I look for Callias with impatience and that your faithfull Taxilus with closed eyes is ready to obey you Thus Piroxenus and the Princess passed the rest of that day in sweet disquiets for their amorous expectation and when the night was come Callias whom I had promised to finde me in my door and by a certain sign exchanged by us took Piroxenus in my stead who only in his nightgown followed his faithfull guide untill they came unto the foot of a Ladder made of Cords and fastned at Orixas Chamber window and after notice taken by him of the places he had passed that he might not in returning misse his way Callias delivered him the key of the little Garden and so softly took his leave of him This happy Lover who as yet proceeded in some trouble for the fear he had of being known was more than ever bold when he perceiv'd the room was without light and that he saw a hand out of the window making sign to him to hasten up which with incredible diligence he did and found the Nurse who did receive him in whose presence he cast himself upon his knees before the Princesse bed and after having kist her hand and thankt her for the extream honour she had done him to elect him for her husband he protested to her all the faith and perfect love that could be thought on and did tell her that it may be she would lesse repent her of her choice when she should know his birth Here Madam you will pardon me if I omit to tell you of the transports and the sweets of their embraces for besides that manners may forbid me how should I well enough discribe a pleasure which even he who tasted it confest he could not worthily enough expresse I only think it fit to tell you how that Love to be reveng'd upon them for the sweet deceipt they us'd towards him was often on the point to kill them both with joy They spent five or six nights in such contentments whiles Piroxenus fearing to convert Orixa's love which taking him for me she witness'd to him into hatred dar'd not tell her who he was Mean time my heart which did aspire but to your love liv'd in continuall pain and daily must my eyes belie it and by stoln embraces make the Princesse think 't was really my self that did enjoy her as her husband I never for complacency us'd so great art and though I should a thousand times expose my life for Piroxenus he could not ow me more than for the part I play'd in Visaporus to advance his love whiles my soul languisht after you and with impatience burnt to go my voyage to Narsingus But as impossible it is that mans prosperity and pleasures can last in one condition long without disturbances of fortune it hapned at the end of ten or twelve daies that our poor Lovers were discover'd by a treason very strange Callias had used since this secret imployment often to frequent our house he play'd for much and was a man of wit enough but of small judgment and lesse courage Now it fell out that being on a time at dice with Almerin and Neander who are those two Gentlemen that went the voyage with us they dissred on a cast Callias and Almerin which as all truth of reason was Neander being third judg'd on his fellows side at which Callias who was arrogant and of a naughty humor at play was moved in such sort as he fell into insolent and injurious terms and though ignoble and of low descent he was he fell into comparisons Thou poor fellow said Almerin to him if thou were out of my Masters Lodgings whom I honor I would both kick thee and pull out thy Tongue My gallant seeing himself so ill handled went away in great rage and made complaint to a certain camrade of his who was indeed a man of valour that such an affront was offred him and pray'd his help to take revenge by killing his enemy That young man who would for nothing of the world have committed such a baseness advis'd him to revenge himself in way of honor and offred that he would call Almerin to meet him with his sword which he was fain to accept but notwithstanding all the power he used on his cowardly disposition he never had the heart to meet him at the place appointed for which his camrade who had challeng'd Almerin excus'd himself extreamly to him and Neander also who had serv'd as second protesting whiles he liv'd to have no more to do with such companions But Callias who was stuck as well the man may be that loses honor and good name contriving deadly vengance in his thoughts but wanting boldness to perform it thought at last to use the power he believ'd he had with me by reason of his trust and that undoubtedly he had my life honor in his hands to make me put off Almerin for this cause he came to me and concealing his quarrel made me a long discourse which for troubling you I will not repeat but issued from a great and notable subtility of wit to make me understand that Almerin betrayed me that he had discovered my Loves and that it was expedient without more inquiry to put him out or doors I promis'd him to do it but having learnt the passages betwixt them I was far from giving Callias his desire and was amazed at his baseness I told not Piroxenus of it for the fear I had of angring him and I confess my folly not foreseeing what misfortune might arise This wicked man seeing that notwithstanding my promise to him I had yet kept Almerin by me enrag'd to see himself dishonored be those whose fortune and whose credit he esteem'd himself the author of was so much troubled and his anger so prevailed over him as he went to Prince Demonax whom he knew lov'd me not very well and told him he was bound to
found it no hard matter to perswade their resolutions thereunto We therefore purposed to assemble only two or three thousand of the best and ablest men of the City to make a fully by night upon the enemies out at the Port of Goa where they wre with least strength entrenched But when the Visaporians knew their Princes went in person they would all go and left to guard their walls women and children only and old men among the which was sage Evander to whom what ever good or evill might become of us we bid farewell desiring him that if he could get out from thence he would return to Cambaye and that he would endevour to regain Alcidaris his favour to us whom we assur'd him we would see as soon as we had seen a little of Narsinga in case the Gods preserv'd us in the hazard we were falling into he therefore with all possible regret imbraced us because he did believe he never more should see us and much ado we had to change his wilfull purpose to accompany us in that sally The Princes had design'd to follow us and go the voyage to Narsinga with us if we could scape out of the multitude and for that cause we took for rendezvous an old decayed Temple which lies upon the â—ode to Goa a league out of the City but otherwise the Gods had ordered for in that memorable issue which we made upon the enemy both brothers after great and worthy actions of their valour by them done were slain at our fees As for our selves Madam we hew'd our way through those that followed us and slew what ever from that side opposed us The Moon was lightsome and heaven so much favoured us that Pirox nus and I sound our selves neer to one another and but lightly hurt poor Neander was wounded with a dart in his thigh and was carried back into the City ready to die that we must go without him and Almerin who lost not sight of us pursued us when we had given Neande charge and some other of our Souldiers to spread a moyse that we were slain with the twoi Princes lest we might draw a blame upon us for forsaking the besieged We therefore secretly with-drew our selves else where not willing to be witnesses of that poor Cities misfortunes which could not long hold our and which by the losse of those two Princes who beyond all other reasons had oblieg'd us to that service had lost her finall hope Three things before we went we recommended to Neander the first was that he should not fail to cause the bodies of Demonax and Araxus to be buried in their Fathers grave and that he likewise should be carefull of interring the Princess Orixa their Sister The second was that notwithstanding he was hurt he should not leave the poor besieged people who did already want provision and that he should assist them to make as honourable composition as he could a thing which we indeed held far unfit for us and which to farther the great service they had newly done would much import And thirdly that he should help all he could the good Evander to return unto Cambaye and assure him of our safeties that as for him as soon as he were whole he should not fail to come unto us and that he should hear of us in the King of Narsinga's Court under the names of Ariomant and Calistenus for fear we might be known by those of Taxilus and Cleontus and we had given the same directions to the good Evander before we parted from him Thus Madam left we that unfortunate City and I must confess the willingness wherewith Piroxenus followed me without despair is not the smallest argument of that extreme affection which he bears me The Image of that unhappy Princess presented it self evermore before his eyes he had no other pleasure than to afflict himself with the remembrance of her death That was the sole meditation of his dayes the only dream of his nights and the continuall trouble of his soul and yet among so many peircing griefs and bloody discontentments hee compell'd himself to live to bear me company We then put off our Arms and Almerin who knew full well the Countrey made us go that night on foot as then we were brought us to a little City named Foya some four Leagues off from Visaporus upon the rode to Bisnagar because he knew that none of Rosalcans Troops lay on that quarter We found there the inhabitants quite lost and vext with fear not knowing of which side to be not where to rank themselves however after having taught them that they must give place to force that all their Princes were dead and that their great City was threatned with approaching ruin we after we were furnished with horses and what else we wanted for our money left them resolv'd to send towards the two usurpers The wounds we had receiv'd did not hinder us from proceeding onward and therefore we went right to Bisnagar well provided both of Money and Jewels to rub through such extremities as might befall us I will not spend my time Madam in relating you all the adventures which we met on the way for fear of abusing your patience I will only mention that which gave me the honour of your acquaintance which was the reason why at first we were received happily into the King your fathers Palace When we were come within two Leapues of that great City of Bisnagar where we had learn'd the King made then his six moneths residence passing along by a Forest of Palm Trees in the middle of the rode which leadeth strait to the City we spied a hunter of a goodly countenance and richly clad who being mounted on a horse as swift as was the beast he followed had left his fellow hunters far behind him Scarce had he passed us an hundred paces rushing again into the thick without more train than one page only who never left him but that a dozen Robbers who had lain in ambush in a thicket by the which he passed cast themselves suddainly upon him and held his reigns to stop his passage ere he scarce perceived them As soon as he had found himself infested with this rascall rout nimble and active as he was he flung himself out of his saddle to the ground and drawing out his sword cleaved his head who first aborded him but seeing that hismatch was too hardly made and that he must at length be overcome he was resolv'd to sell his life full dear By good luck as he passed we were turned about towards him and his rich furniture caused that curiosity in us and was the means that even about the very instant we perceiv'd him in this trouble we ran unto him hastily and found the Page thrown to the ground by a hurt in his thigh and the hunter sorely wounded yet having set his back against a tree did most couragiously defend himself The aid we lent him redoubled his
few dayes conducted hither drawn in a triumphant Chariot which shall accompany his pompous funerals It cannot be long ere they returne for the Decanians ravished with joy to be delivered from two slaves who have driven out all their blood Royall from their government came every day to yeeld themselves unto the valiant Ariomant and bring him still their City keyes and Castles likewise And that poor people incapable of defending themselves with pleasure rank them under the Kings dominion whose clemency they know as surely as his justice The fair Orazia not able at that time to learn more newes of her deer Ariomant with much impatience look'd for his return and still she sought her common comforts from Lisimena from whom she could not hide the new occasions of her joy nor yet conceal her Lovers birth which from her Brothers Letter which the Gods would not allow an end to she began to know But she conjur'd her she should keep it secret and make no mention of it till a fitter season Mean while for her diversions and to beguile the time of Ariomants absence she often talked with Saradin and made him repeat the prayses which she already had tasted with so much content in his behalf whom more than all the world she lov'd And because she would make Saradin entirely hers whose faithfulnesse she knew unparallel'd her chief squire being slain in the battell she chose Saradin to succeed him to which she got the King her Fathers consent who was much pleas'd to give him that reward as worthy of his long good services If hitherto I have not spoken of that great Monarchs sorrow and excessive grief for losse of his dear son upon whose magnanimity and valour he had built his rest and hopes 't is to speak truly that I hold his woes unspeakable Besides in telling you the little strength he had to meet that unexpected newes and the despair which more than once had tempted him to do violence on himself I fear to lay a blemish on the other actions of his life Let us forget his sorrows and his over-passion then and call to mind the constancy wherewith he shortly after arm'd himself and resolution which he took to honour as his army had desir'd his deer Arontus memory and funerals He alwayes kept the brave Lisimantus with him and so much valued the courage of that invincible Knight as that he dar'd not in his presence shew his great resentments and truly 't was from him he had more comfort than from any other being a man who had despis'd a thousand deaths and one who though his life were glorious for a thousand brave exploits yet found no sweetness in it for the bloody discoutentments he each day received in the scorn of beautious Lisimena But whiles accommodations are preparing to solemnize the funerall pomps of that Prince whom they expect and whose body glorious though without a soul craves the honour of a triumph 't is requisite that by the way I tell you somewhat of this Lisimantus who for his vertue merits in this place to have a short abridgement of his life recorded He was a Souldier under fortunes banner who from his infancy being given a Page unto the Princess Lisimena and after given again unto the King of Zeilan her father as you shal see in the sequell of this story from step to step advanc'd him by his courage and by his excellent conduct rose to the greatest charges in the Kingdom and so far forth as after Arbiran's death he followed him and was made generall of that great Army which hath of late triumphed over the King of Maldives All the Indian Chronicles are full of memorable actions by him done in that long war and you shall by and by learn from his own mouth the reason why to take upon him the name of Lisimantus he forsook his own a name he borrowed from the King his Masters only daughter to whom from his first rising he was bold to send sighs and amorous aspects The fair Lisimena so was the Princess cald besides a private inclination which she had to cherish that accomplisht Knight for his own merits sake did yet besides account her self oblig'd thereto for great and noted services which every day he did unto the Crown of Zeilan whose chief support and prop he was but the great courage of her heart and honour which she valued more than all things else caused her to undervalue in her thoughts the secret love of that unknown young man whom she had seen to come so poorly fitted to the King her Fathers Court who knew no more than she his birth and could not enough wonder at the boldness which he took not only to send forth his looks towards her but even to sigh in presence of her whiles the whole Court saw and knew it because it was a Law throughout the Indes that a Princess could not marry but her equall nor without much dishonour suffer the addresses of a man who were not Kingly born And in some parts the Law was more severe than others as in the Kingdome of Decan where death was added to the shame of that Princess who should unequally dispose her self Which is at present yet the Custom among the Negres as well of the Kingdome of Cambaye as Calecut and all the parts of Malabar Not one however dar'd to speak his thoughts of Lisimantus open love envy it self was silent as well for that they knew the greatness of his humour as the respect which they were bound to owe the power of his command wherein he did so worthily acquit himself The King observed him as well as others but that his wisdome did oblige him to distemble what he saw because in truth he was very necessary as the chiefest instrument of that revenge he had ordained for his greatest enemy the King of Maldives who had for wantonnesse assaulted him and sworn his ruin But for fear of causing greater passion which he daily saw to grow in Lisimantus it seem'd him best to separate his daughter for some time and send her to his brothers in Law and friend the King of Narsingus Court to keep her Cousin Orazia company He wanted not a colour for this act for they had lately understood by an intelligencer that the King of Maldives who was then lately beaten in two sea fights by Lisimantus made great preparation to besiege the City of Colombo where the King of Zeilan commonly held his Court and he conceiv'd he should have lesse cause to fear when as his daughter who was the greatest treasure that he had though in his Countries Pearl and Emeraulds Saphires are found aboundantly should remain in safety This resolution he no sooner took but put in execution and sent his only daughter who long since lost her Mother to Narsinga with an equipage which well became her greatnesse Lisimantus would most gladly have diverted that voyage had he dared and had opposed his courage to the Kings
had brought that little Prince into the world with pains incredible she choaked in her Convulsions and the first hower of her childbed gave the last unto her life Now though Alcidaris were not ensirely so much tender of her at she of him nor had the just same feelings that she had yet could not chuse but by that unexpected death receive most strong impressions great was the grief he shewed and whatsoever pomp the quality of so great and vertuous a Princesse as she was requir'd did wait upon his mourning and her Funerals But as there is no wound however it may seem incurable but time may heal this which Alcidaris received was not so great as that there needed a whole age to comfort him for after one year ended he became most passionably enamored of the Queen Anaxareta who by the death of her brother Spimantus newly being arriv'd was heir unto the Kingdom of Dulcinda which does on the one side border on the King my fathers Countries and on Persia on the other The reason why so passionately he pursu'd that Love was that besides his pleasure there was profit in it and thought that by uniting Dulcinda to his other Kingdoms he should be an equal powerful neighbour to the Persian Perswaded by these reasons but more by love that forced him he sent one named Pirobus and of the ablest of his Kingdom in Embassage to the Queen Anaxareta He was receiv'd as coming from so great a Prince with much magnificence but wondred greatly that the answer he received was no more favorable She only told him thus that the King of Cambaye had done her a great deal of honour but that the King her brother being so lately dead and having scarce wip'd off her tears it could not be she should so soon forget him nor in such haste run from his Funerals to her own espousals and therefore pray'd the King his Master not to hold it strange that she desired more time to think thereof This Embassador who was a man of great discretion and knew the extream passion of Alcidaris resting but poorly satisfied with this answer and knew his Master would be likewise so bethought him that of Force some greater reason must restrain the Queen than of her brothers death who almost two years since had died and should have caus'd her greater joy than sorrow for which cause he makes adresses to the chiefest Statist there and dives into him to discover if he could his Mistriss meanings he shews him how the King of Cambaye was her neer neighbour and one of the most powerful Monarchs of the Indies That over and above his greatness and his wealth he had all qualities which might commend a man to a fair Ladies acceptation that in all Asia his Mistresse could not finde a fitter match that there needed no long time to think upon a matter which depended only on her will And that he knew not what to infer by the coldness of her answer save that she loved some other since she neglected the desires of a Prince so mighty and one who could not be but a great strength unto her This States-man who desired to pay him with more solid reasons than the Queen had done thought t was no matter of importance if he told him what he guest she thought which was that being of a mighty spirit and knowing that Alcidaris had had a son by the Queen Berenica who as himself was call'd Alcadaris and should when he were dead possesse his Kingdoms she could not abide that those that should proceed from her should ever happen to be seconds or in rank or in affection and being able to dispose of the Kingdom of Dulcinda she thought she might do better to chuse out a Gentleman her Subject who should be her creature and by whom she might have children heirs to her possessions than to match a King of whose inheritance she could not see a hope for hers And this said he in my opinion is the cause that backs the Queen for she is not so ignorant both of the qualities and vertues of the King your Master but that she holds him for the man of most advantage for her choice save only that his heir is born already Pirobus more satisfi'd herewith than by the reasons given him from the Queen though very little notwithstanding seeing how far from giving comfort to his Master returns towards him and from point to point gives him account of his Embassage Alcidaris as well as possible he could dissembled the disquiet this il news procur'd him and I know not if his love oblig'd him or that as yet some little hope remained for him But as if heaven would favour his desires about eight or ten months end report ran all about that the young Prince Alcidaris was very sick and that his tender age not able to defend it self against the strong assaults of a continued Feavor death had delivered him The sorrow which the King put on was so great that for the space of forty daies he suffred not himself to be seen by any creatures except Pirobus his faithful Counsellour The noise of his great losse immediately was spread throughout and came to the Queen Anaxaretas ears who seeing that great obstacle remov'd desir'd no greater thing in all the world than that alliance and in a word to end Pirobus being sent the second time had his desire and some few daies after did Alcidaris possesse both Anaxaretas beauties and her Kingdoms peacefully Now Madam from that happy Marriage I am sprung and named Anaxander from my Mothers name Almost about the same time I was born Ametista Queen of Citor and only sister to the King my father was delivered of Piroxenus whom you see here under name of Callistenus we were bred up and taught together and besides our age and blood which knit us in a perfect friendship nature augmented it by so exact a correspondency of humours as never was observed the least disparity in our opinions and truly since our friendship hath foundation but on vertue only t is not to be admired that from a cause eternal such effects of everlastingness are seen The wise Evander from my tendrest youth had me in government and Alcidaris who much desired to frame me after the example of that honorable man drew him from the Province of Carmanie on very great expence for he was Master of some nine or ten Languages and ignorant of nothing that another man did know He had not only care of me but likewise had an eye to Piroxenus whom he found exceeding capable of his good doctrines and we both so well profited by his instructions as we soon learned all the secrets of the Persian and Arabique tongues which travel mostly throughout all the Indies this side Ganges Besides the recreations of our minds we exercis'd our bodies likewise and familiarly disguising our selves on daies of ceremony or delight we got the prizes with our Lances and at Fencing too and
and more he was confirm'd in his belief and apprehension when he understood that that same night wherein we had departed a Ship having the wind at large had from the Port of Cambaye hoysed Sail towards the Isle of Zeilan Where the War was hot against the King of Maldives that either for renown we would go serve under one of those two Kings or else land iâ— some one of the King of Narsingas havens whose neighbour and allâ—â— and friend the King of Zeiland is Having a good while thought thereon he went and told the King of his opinions who presently believ'd we had indeed that way escaped and protested that the Captaines life should answer as he thought for carrying us away without his leaves Wherefore a Post was preently dispatch'd from Campanel to Cambaye with directions that hee should set forth with speed a light Vessell to seek afer that which three or four dayes past had put to Sea and for more surety he dispach'd another Messenger by Land to Bazaim to send out another Vessell to surprize that which he thought had wafted us and that if happily the first might not light on him the other should not chuse but meet him however they were charg'd to go as farre as zeilan in their chace and that before he could have doubled the Cape of Commorin they should have some newes of him Here Madam you may see what news Neander brought us from the Court for which cause having call'd a Councill among us we resolv'd to put off our journey to Narsinga for a while and spend delightfully some time in the King of Decans Court which sometimes is at the City of Bider and otherwhiles in the great City of Visaporus and because those goodly cities are far in the Countrey we conceiv'd they would not come and seek us there and that after the time were past wherein those that were gone in quest of us had in vain enquired in Narsinga we would freely go on our jouruey under the names which we had newly taken of Taxilus and Cleontus Wherefore we departed from Pala and us'd such industry as we arived at Bider where we thought to find the King of Decan as being the chiefest City of his Kingdom But we understood that he was but a little while before retir'd to Visaporus which over and above that it is better fortified with men and walls is likewise seared in an air more temperate and pleasing And here Madam it is fit I tell you something of this poor Prince who not long ago was Master of so many Countreyes and such mighty wealth and through his own default hath caused the ruine of himself and them I doubt not but you know the whole story of his life and therefore will I say no more of his behaviours nor his doings than to the purpose of my History This miserable King who car'd for nothing more than how in ease and quietnesse to spend his time and buried in voluptuousnese being both lasie in his nature and distrustfull even to fear his own Children whose names were Demonax the one as he himself was called and Araxus the other that at greater case hee might enjoy his soft contentments cast the burden of his State from off himself and gave the charge of his twelve great Provinces to twelve of his free'd slaves upon condition that each of them should send his Eldest Son into the City of Visaporus there to remain as pledges to him where for greater safety he retir'd He had besides those Sons a Daughter of exceeding beauty who as the Kingdom and the City she was born inâ— was call'd Orixa for in former time King Demonax his father and the Queen his wife went thither great with child as then she was to wash her in the River Ganges which passeth through the Kingdom of Orixa and hath this secret vertue that it clenseth from all sorts of sins and I have understood the King your father whose it is draws a large tribute from it for the Pilgrimage is famous through the Indes But for it does not appertain to my discourse I say no more thereof to tell you only in the pursute of my History that we went from Bider unto Visaporus where we were sure to finde the King of Decans Court and just as we arrived at the great City we heard many Trumpets sounding flourishes with distinct pauses betwixt each flourish and three times renew'd and this within the great place where stands the Royal Palace and after saw a great man clad in a rich Coat of Arms accompanied by four Heralds and because after having gone three or sour times about at the sound of those Trumpets and brazen Drums they at length stayed about the middle of that place we drew us neer to understand what they would say and heard that one of them with louder and resounding voice than the rest uttered these following words Be it known unto all Princes Lords Knights * Are amoÌ„g the Indians as the Janizaries among the Turks Naires their Chiefs throughout the whole Kingdom of Decan and Malabares adjoyning and of whatever Kingdom or Country else excepting such as have been banished or are enemies unto our Sovereign Lord King Demonax that the eighth day from this being he twentieth of the Moon in this same place shall be a great defiance at arms amost noble and magnificent Combate sought with Darts and Lances in their fit caparisons with Crests Coats of Arms Foot-cloaths and Targets garnished with sine devices as braâ— Combatants according to the antient customs of this Kingdom and as Chiefs Prince Demonax defendant on the one side and Araxus as assâ—ilant on the other all for the glory of the King and celebration of the happy day of his nativity which falls to be the twentieth of this Moon And for those causes know ye moreover Princes Lords and Knights and Capains of Naires as well of this Kingdom as whatever Country else who for the love of honor shall desire to excrcise themselves and for the pleasure of the Ladies that they must think thereon and chuse them God-fathers that their names may be written down before the Judges of the Combate of whom they must be taught the rules and that they will be more encouraged to glory when they knew the Ladies purpose to bestow most fair and costly prizes as well upon the Darts and Persian Lances as the Fencing after the custom of Molabar which will be exercis'd the following daies As soon as this Proclamation by the Herald was concluded we withdew our selves out of the throng that compassed him extreamly pleas'd that an occasion should so soon be offered after our arrivall wherein our skill might be commended and knowing very well the Language for the great conformity it hath with ours having enquired of the first we met where we ruight be conveniently lodged we were conducted by one of them unto a house of his which was both great and spacious where certain other
reveal a secret to him which concern'd the Crown In a word he told him that almost every night I lay as husband by the Princesse Orixa and that after the matter was concluded between us she had made choice of him for hee friend to relie on how that he had seemed very willing but that he could not chuse but presently come and give him notice of it that it was very easie to surprize us in bed together where he assured him I came three or four times a week by a Ladder of ropes fastned at her Chamber window He moreover for securing his mothers life protested that she was no way accessary to that shameful act He likewise did all he could to palliate the Princess crime and swore most horribly to make the Prince believe I had suborned her but could not for all that divert the tempest which that night fell on her For Demouax who though at the dishonor of his house was very glad to have that subject of revenge against his sister whom he extremely hated fail'd not to surprize them in bed together conducted by perfidious Callias who knocking at the door of the outward Chamber where lay the Nurse he waked her and having told her that he had some business of importance to her the poor woman opened it unto him and was amaz'd to fee the Prince come in with her son and eight or ten men following him Wonder not mother said the traytor to her Prince Demonax is advertised of a disorder which the Princess uses whereof he knows you are not guilty deliver me the key of her Chamber for he intends to finde her in bed with her minion The Nurse more dead than living for thus seeing herself by her own son betrai'd aplying herself to the Prince Alas Sir said she what can your sister Orixa have done nay can you have any ill opinion of her honor Sweet heart answered Demonax be not you troubled I know you are free give me but the key and you shall see you are betray'd as well as we and that my sister hath dishonored your grave conduct as well as her own birth Piroxenus whose errant there was not to sleep although they spake with voices low enough heard a confused noise of words and thought at first the Nurse was talking to some of the Princess women who were come it may be to watch with her in the outward Chamber but when he perceived they came neer the door and that the key was put into the Lock Ah Madam cry'd he out we are discover'd we are betrayed and without giving the Princess leave to answer him leaving his night Gown behinde him which would but cumber him besides that he had not the leasure to take it with him he made but two springs from the bed to the window and just when as his foot was on the first stop of the Ladder to save himself Demonax came in who seeing the poor Lover flying with incredible haste Take him take the gallant but take him alive said he if possible that justice may be done upon him Presently three of them went to go down the Ladder to obey the command but Piroxenus who carried his sword in his hand had so much reason left him as in going down to cut as many of the rounds of the Ladder as he could in so much as those who followed him finding no footing fell from the top to the bottom and had so ill speed as one of them burst out his brains and tother two so crusht their bones as that our Lover had good leasure to get to his Lodging Meanwhiles Orixa was in wofull case That most unhappy Lover seeing herself surprized so and no way able to deny an action whereof there was such testimony being with shame confounded and possest with horror believing that her Nurse had betrayed her instead of replying to Demonax abuses and endeavouring to disswade him by entreaties she furiously beholding him snatch'd at a Daggar by his side having taken it thou cruell Tiger and unnatural whom once I called Brother I will glut thy rage said she and since the losse thou think'st my honor hath sustain'd must be accompanied with my lifes catastrophe I shall at least have thus much comfort that my own hands shall be my executioners which said she would have stab'd herself but was prevented by the Prince and those of his company whose power she was not able to resist That night therefore they kept her safe during which time she uttered complaints which might have mov'd the most inhumane hearts and I believe the Prince himself whatever hatred he had borne her or purpose taken to revenge himself had sure relented if he had remaiued in the Chamber But he retir'd because her tears should not importune him and in his person would take order for imprisoning Piroxenus and left the sorry Lady in the custody of five or six who gladly would have hazarded their lives for hers if so their duties and their faiths would have permitted them The traytor Callias had no mind to stay among them he too much fear'd the Princess accusations and his mothers curses that poor woman seeing her Mistress in such case though she were no way made a party in her crime would yet accuse her self and die with her left being free and her son author of the Treason her sidelity might be suspected Bind me said she to those that kept her I am as guilty as Orixa and might it please the gods the little life I have might satisfie for both our crimes yea cannot spare me without cruelty nor think I can out-live her life who only is the cause I care to live No Mother no said one of them Callias hath cleared you sufficiently and we perceive what ere you say proceeds from your affection to the Princess your true feeling of her great misfortune The Prince hath too great justice to entangle you in her mischance however you desire to follow her But notwithstanding all their reasons she was so resolv'd to taint herself of guilt by tearing off her hair and knocking her brest as the unfortunate Orixa though so troubled knew she had no hand in that foul treachery and that her son alone was author of it she therefore in her rage had so much wisedom as not to destroy her but beheld her with mixt eyes of love and fury Then as an instant cursing her ill fortune which had lead her to the push of losing life and honor both together she spake to those that watched her and with wrung hands and watred eyes conjured them that if they had not heart enough or rather piety to kill her they would at leastwise suffer her own hands to do that last act on her and prevent thereby the shamfull death was threatned her When as she saw she obtain'd nothing and that her begging drew no other issue from them than their tears refuse me not however said she to them this request to tell
astonish d and though she were recover'd from her swounding yet the freedom of her actions was so hindred as she could nor comprehend nor relish any testimony which was given before her of our births The Captain of the Guard whom the King had sent us was not in less amazement than our selves to see a thing so strange and extraordinary He had till then given such way unto Evanders passion as he had not dar'd to hinder his embraces or his tears but when he saw us silent and in admiration of our misfortunes looking one upon another he came and with this complement saluted me Great Prince said he for such we now acknowledge you and soon enough the Gods have by this sage old mans arivall cleer'd the truth of your extraction The King my Master hath in his behalf commanded me to wait on you and tell you that enough he cannot wonder why you should choose death rather than his alliance which so many Princes have made sute for That to excuse the usage you have had he thinks not fit seeing by concealing your names and blood and having knowledge of the Kingdom Lawes you have your selves occasioned the trouble you leave had and may accuse no other And besides he hopes you will acknowledge what degree he holds among the Asian Mâ—narchs and that if for his daughters love you will not at lest for love of him and honour to his quality you will repair the fault committed by a lawfull marriage Mean while he hath commanded me to guide you and your friend to certain lodgings in his Palace I would not trouble my self to give him any answer because it could avail me nothing I only followed him where he conducted me and we parted from Orixa both Piroxenus and my self not daring to say ought unto her for fear of grieving her a new or waking of her anger This most unhappy Princesse in despair for that her crime was known to all the world and for affronts so publickly receiv'd but more again for my pretended infidelity which she could not possibly forget would not be carryed to her Chamber and her extreme affliction reduc'd her to such pass as that a thousand times she griev'd for leaving the fire behind her as the only comfort left her and solt remedy to end her miseries I was impatient to entertain Evander that I might as well learn from him who so happily had thither guided him as to be told some news from Guzarat and the good man who had the same desires to be at freedom with us as soon as we repos'd a little and had rested in the lodgings were allowed us to satisfie my curiosity began in this sort his discourse My deer Children for so although ye be my Lords and Masters I from hence conjure yee to allow my age and deer affection to call ye many sad tears and sighs your absence hath drawn from me and little rest and comfort have I had since that unhappy day ye stole so inconsiderately from the King of Cambaya's Court where ye were adored of all how are the Gods most just in sending ye the troubles ye have had to punish ye in some sort for afflicting those who brought ye into the world and with such tender care have bred ye up Know then my Children that as soon as your departure was discovered in Campanel the King affâ—cted both with grief and anger having been told how that same night wherein ye had departed a Ship had gon out of the Port of Cambaye and made her course towards the Coast of Zeilan he doubted by reason of hot Wars late made in that Countrey against the King of Maldives that ye might have thither gone to seek occasions whereunto your Courage called ye for this cause he immediately sent after that great Vessell two light Saylers from two divers Ports and sent as well to seek ye over land But long they were not without newes from her which they thought had carryed you away for she was scarce gone out of the Gulf of Cambaye to enter into the great Arabique Sea when threatned by a tempest and finding her self neer the Heaven of Bazaim which is one of the securest of that shore the Pilots thought it fit to cast Anchor there and shelter themselves so long as till the storm were over This stay gave opportunity to that Post who had been sent from Campanel to Bazaim to send out a Ship to meet that same which had put all the Court in trouble But when it was known that you were not therein rage in the King increast so much and the Levity of your flight touch'd him so to the quick as all the love he bare ye he turn'd to hate and indignation I went about to tell him how I had from certain pieces of your discourse with one another in your privacies collected that ye had purposed a voyage to Narsinga and told him 't would be very good to send there after you and that in case you were not met upon the rodes it would be very fit to dispatch an Embassader to the King of Narsinga that at least ye might not pass as unknown people but be receiv'd like Princes No no Evander said he to me they have shewn themselves unworthy of mâ— care or trouble and I am asham'd for having so much already grieved my self for them let thâ—m even pass for inch as they will There declare my self from henceforth not to own them Come go with me into the Queens closet and you shall see that Anaxander hath play'd more the fool than he is ware of The Gos be thank'd I have another Child and Heaven is just in robbing me of him whom I alone did love and upon whom I built all my delight and hope As soon as we were come into the Queens Cabinet the King caus'd Pirobus to come unto him who had negotiated his last marriage with that fair Princess who brought you into the world and who had alwayes served him so faithfully And sure I was exceedingly amazed when turning to the Queen he made her in our presence this discourse Madam said he to her I know the sorrow you conceive for your Sons Levity is so great as that to understand he were no more alive would no more grieve you than his slight wherefore because it cannot add a jot unto your present forrow I intend to tell you of a thing which does exceedingly concern me and which these twenty years I have conceal'd from all the world and most especially from you You may remember Madam when first I sent you Pirobus in Embassage to seek you for my wife you after having courteously received him gave him an answer somewhat cold by framing an excuse touching your brothers death Spimantus who because he had been dead two years before finding that reason insufficient to oppose my just demand he was desirous to instruct him better in your truer meanings and understood by one of your chief States-men that the
disavowed for rude or evill natures and I think truly we shall seem excusable it being considered that if we have been faulty t is but for having too much loved and when it shall be seen that we have not been so foolish nor so stupi'd but by our industry we have obtained each of us a Kingdom Gothen Pirobus and the gods favour you we will shortly follow as soon as Anaxander is recovered of his hurts in the interim do not for get to tell the King and Queen all that hath befallen us they will undoubtedly be much pleased at it and especially when they shall know that my Orixa lives and that her Kingdom which we have helped to recoven from the two slaves Usurpers will be hers without dispute when the King of Narsinga shall as you do know the strange History of her life Pirobus would fain have seen Anaxander before his return but seeing that Piroxenus thought is not best he went right to the port of God to pursue his way to Gouzarat and there to embark himself for saving much travel and with tears in his eyes departed from Piroxenus who returned to his Cousin with all speed at Saradins Cafile where we will leave him recovering his hurts to tell you what passed in the Kingdom of Cambaya About eight or ten daies after Pircbus departure from Cumpanel the ordinary aboad of Alcidaris in his Embassage to the King of Narsinga the good Evander who long since went from Visaporus and had been hardly used on the way by a great sicknesse from which he had much a do to recover being at length by the gods permission restored arrived happily at the Capitall City of Gouzarat had there been nothing considerable but his person which was dear to the whole Kingdom all the Court had received an exceeding contentment at his comming but when from him in was known that the two Princes were living and that from the time they were supposed to be dead they had performed a thousand goodly actions Bonefires were kindled through the City and there was not one from the greatest to the least who did not witness one equall impatience for their return upon which they already established all the hope and safety which the rudeness of young Alcidaris had even ravish'd from them But that publique joy however great was nothing in comparison of the Kings and Queen Anazarettes who weary of the impertenencies of that Prince ill affected by every body which they had still before their eyes and having forgotten all their anger and resentments caused by the idle absence of Anaxander and Piroxenus whom indeed they had believed dead sailed not from that instant to make vows and prayers for their preservation and return They caused their adventures to be told them a thousand times over wherein they could not enough admire the goodness of the gods which had preserved them their greatest wonder was that Orixa yet lived and had they heard it from others mouth then Evander who had been witnesse of her resurrection they might had cause to doubt it for Alcidaris had understood by report that her pretended death had been one of the principall causes that had obliged our two young Princes to make that great sally wherein it was believed they were slain but when they knew by Evander how contrary to all hope she was recovered out of that deadly swound and that she was alive and well in a private quality under the name of Asteria in the City of Visaporus which had been yield to the two slaves and in which capitulation he had assisted they wondered more than ever for they had known all that had past since that Siege during Evanders sickness in Decan they had learnt how Rozalcan and Zahain having in pursuit of their tyrannical victory usurped the Province of Canara from the King of Narsinga had been castised by the Prince Arontus in short they were not ignorant that that Prince aided by two valliant Persian Cavalliers whom they had heard named Ariomant and Calistenus had regained whatsoever was unjustly usurped by the slaves which were in Battel defeated the gain whereof had cost the generous Prince Arontus life Sir said Evander interrupting him he who hath done so many wonders under the name of Ariomant is no other than your son Anaxander and that Calistenus is his Cousin who hath given no lesse testimony of himself by his arms That word so much redoubled the joy of the Kings heart as it shewed plainly in his countenance and the good Evander ravish'd to see their Majesties so attentive to his discourse continued it as followeth When they purposed to disguise themselves under those two names because they had been too well known by those of Taxilus and Cleontus which besides had been so satal to them they acquainted but their Gentlemen Almerin and Neander and my self with that secret and caused Neander who was carried sorely hurt into the besieged City to entreat me that I would hasten to you obtain your favor for them which they believed lost but my misfortune stay'd me on the way in a remote place from all commerce where 't was impossible to let you know what was become of me or of the Princes Undoubtedly they are yet with the King of Narsinga unknown to any save the fair Orazia to whom your dear Anaxander before he went from hence did vow himself He afterwards told them whatsoever he knew of the History of the Loves of those two generous Princes which was likely to have made Alcidaris to send another Embassadour instantly to the King of Narsinga but Evander diverted it for seeing the War was ended he assured the King that they would return at soon as Arontus Funerals were solemnized for which they had under stood so many sad preparation were making in the City of Baticalus The King and Queen then ezpect Pirobus his return who could not be long ere he came intending to send him instantly back again in case they learnt that some new obstacle stayed those two Hero's in Narsinga And to expresse the great contentment which they had received from Evanders news and the other great services he had done them they gave him the Government of Bazain which had of late been vacant and as soon as the good old man had a little reposed himself at Campanel he departed by the King and Queens leave to take possession of it promising to be with them again by that time Pirobus should be returned to resolve with their Majesties of what were best to be done for Anaxanders contentment for they were already resolved fully to give Orazia to him in case that Pirobus had obtained the promise of her and thought the change would not be unacceptable to the King of Narsingas who had been witness of the fair deeds of their young Prince Not above three daies after the good Evanders arrival at Bazain about the evening out of the Port guard came to tell him that there was arrived a forein
Immediately the guard that was with Evander bound the poor Lisimantus as he lay in bed so weak but half recovered of his hurts and seaz'd on Zenobus as well whom with his friend they put into a Chariot to carry them without delay to the City of Catupanel where the King of Cambaya was The people of Bazain when they knew that those two prisoners which passed in the Chariot had slain their Prince Anaxander for the acceptable news of whose safety they had lately made Bonefires were so provoked as had it not been for Evanders authority which restrained them I verily believe they had stoned to death those two unhappy ones or else dismembred them alive On the other part the generous Lisimantus having from the first known for what cause he had been used so rigorously by a man from whom be had received so much countesse â—epented him but too late for having named him whom he abought he had seperated from the world and whom till that time he had taken but for an ordinary Knight but seeing that after the Laws of hospitality so sweetly observed in favor of him so great inhumanity was used towards him his great courage could no longer commin and addressing himself to Evander who accompanied him on horseback compassed about with Halberts What means all this my father said he must I be like those ancient sacrifices which were wont to be crowned with flowers before their being slain do you believe that all those praises you have given me and flowers of Rhetorick which you have prodigally wasted in my behalf do make your cruelty the sweeter what cursed custom is it you practise to make such fair appearance to those you do design for punishment like those Sea-monsters who seeming amiable charm the passengers with their pleasing voice for no other end but to destroy them Is' t after that sort you are hospitable to strangers Is' t so you use the afflicted who seek their shelter in your arms when they are under persecution of their evill fortune Evander withdrew himself behinds the Chariot for fear he might be forry his heart was in such manner wounded as he considered but his own grief and in that sense of his Lords death was nothing moved by Lisimantus reproaches or complaints But in the mean time that the false news of Anaxanders death shall with him be carried to the King of Cambaya at Campanel le ts make a turn into Narsinga to see how he does of his wounds and the Kings departure from Baticalus to return for Bisnagar As soon as that magnanimous Prince had answered Pirobus his demand and that he had sent him back laden with presents and honors and having no more to do in the Province of Canara and finding that notwithstanding the strict search of the Combatants no news was to be had after having placed a new Governor over Baticalus in Zenobus his stead he departed with his whole Court but carried with him his resentment and wrath against those who with so much impudence had violated his Edict and resolv'd where ever they were found to punish them with rigor The fair Orazia who saw him willfull in that bloody resolution was much disquieted and her heart troubled with divers and sundry motions when she perceiv'd the Court drew neer to Saradins Castle wherein was hid the richest treasure of her soul if on the one side her fear of his discovery did trouble her the pleasure of her hope to see him was so acceptable as both compar'd her joy was greater than her sorrow and her hope prevail'd above her fear At worst she thought the danger of his being found in that place would not be great because it would be easie for her to prove his birth as well by Arintus declaration whose letter she kept as by Lisimena's testimony who had heard all the adventures of his life However though she found much safety in all these proofs shew was not with out fear when the King whom she saw so severe entred the Castle she at first imagined that some of Saradins people who had seen the two Princes comming might for hope of recompence betray them but she was soon assured by the Master of the house who answered for the truth of those that guarded them and who promis'd she should see them if she might trust one off her women for they were lodged over her Chamber He had forbidden the way to that retired part of the house making the harbengers believe that they were Store-houses where he had set certain Houshold-stuff and reserv'd it for himself alone and those who had care of the princes and the way to go unto them when he pleased In so much as when night came the Princesses who would lye together they often did feigning to be weary of their journey retired betimes and would not suffer any of their women to lie that night in their Chamber they only call'd for a watch light for Orazia seemed as if she would read in her bed When they were laid they sent away their women not daring to trust any one of them and when every body was asleep they rose softly cloathed one the other to go to Saradin who expected them at the door and was to conduct them where the two Princes were Orazia would never endure that any other should have knowledge of that important secret which she would have conccaled even from her dear Lisimena however well she was assured of her faith fulness had not her company been then so necessary to her This fair stranger Princess had never been at ease since Lisimantus combat for as I have already said she Iov'd him secretly in her heart although her glorious courage never suffered her to shew it and for she had understood nothing of him she feared somewhat worse had besaln him than had to Anaxander and what was grievous to her was that she dar'd not openly enquire after him besides that very few were able to say what had become of him But Orazia promis'd her to enquire of Piroxenus who better than any other could tell whiter hee were alive or not being he who had advanced himself to purt them and who had found them in the lamentable case which I have told you Each then cast a robe about her and fitted their hair as well as they could and their naturall graces surpassing all that art could adde unto them they thus went to the sick Princes Lodgings where Saradin conducted them As soon as Anaxander saw appear before his eyes the onely beauty of the world which hee adored accompanyed with her dear and faithfull Lisimena My Ladies cryed he out is it possible that you have done me this honor take so much pains for a subject of so mean importance Recover your self once brave Anaxander answered Orazia and you shall see of what importance your health is to my contentment But I conjure you to conceal your self as much as you can whiles you are in our Countreys for
revenged on him who had slain her Brother goes boldly to the King tells him where our Masters were and that at hazard of her life he should finde them alive in Saradins Castle where they laught at his authority and skorn'd the rigor of his laws The King who had been offended and who kept his anger still in force found it renew within him by this unhappy notice he by and by commanded an Officer to seize on Saradin and to be answerable for him untill he had seen whether it were true which Corisba had told him and to be throughly satisfied he dispacht the Provost of Bisnagar with a great many of the guard to bring our Princes to him either alive or dead that however they came they might serve as a memorable example to posterity of his despis'd authority Saradin who presently found himself guilty of his little secresie sound means to advertise the Princesse Orazia of this disorder that she might seek to remedy it and accused himself of having revealed the secret to one whom he accounted as his other self not remembring that he kept his sister whom Anaxander had slain The Princesse incontinently writ all she knew to my Master and advis'd him by her letter that he should not stay till those of the guard came that if he were in cas to save himself he should do it speedily how that she thought it not meet that he should on that occasion declare himself what he was for that he would run hazard not to be believed and that that would be a double cause of disgrace that if he were so unhappy as to be tâ—â—en by them she should never be comforted for that unawares she had let her Cosin Lasimena carry with her the dead Prince Arontus his letter which might happily have served to have verisied his birth and that she wanted all other proof if braven did not send them some one or other in that present and dangerous necessity The poor Princesse relyed on the Post for that road but when her Post was ready to be gone â—o horse could be gotten for that the King had forhidden all men from being furnished Mean time the Provost went with all diligence and the best Orazia could do was to send a Foot-man which went excellent well with promise of great reward if he came first to the Castle The man was subtle and crafty but notwithstanding all his eare in seeking by-waies that those of the Guard might not see him he came unto us but a half quarter of an hour before the others Admire the extravagancy of Fare and the malice of Fortune we were ready the very next day to be gone from that place the Prince my Master was perfectly well of his hurts and we were in the pleasure of our approaching journey when this messenger came to us At first without complement he pressed us to be gone because he assur'd us that those who sought our lives were not far from us Anaxander had scarce read the Princesses letter to Piroxenus and me when behold the Castle beleagured with that rabble of Archers which in number were above two hundred they so surprized us as already twenty of them had gotten in by a little door of the outer Court before we had perceiv'd them we cry'd out to shut that door and pull pu the draw-bridge which was presently done by our people and then presently we rushed upon those unfortunate people which remained all on the place Anaxander nor Piroxenus gave one stroak in vain they seem'd two angry Lions which breathed nothing but revenge and I may truly say they alone did that great execution for eight or ten of us that we were of their people besides my self being but waiters and Grooms lent them but little aid Meanwhile the rest kept loudly beating at the great gate of the base Court saying that they came from the King and that we must follow them When we had dispatch'd the forwardest we consulted what we had to do and on the other side those roagues having heard the clashing of our swords incensed by our resistance threatned to burn us if we came not forth and yield our selves to them The generous Anaxander seeing us reduc'd to that extremity he who never feared in danger nor never dreaded the greatest threats of fortune seeing we were to weak to resist that multitude of armed men and that as it would be weaknesse in us to suffer our destruction without resistance so it would be rashnesse to set upon them with so small a number as we were He directed the little gate to be opened again whereby they could not enter but two and two which passage we three would well enough maintain and should they be so unwise as to hazard themselves we might kill a good many of them and by so many lessen the number of our enemies His opinion was presently put in execution but when the first five or six came short the rest retired insomuch as we shut the gate again to see what the gods would counsel us and truly in that eminent danger I was very sorry for Neanders absence whom Piroxenus had sent to Orixa for being a man skilful and valiant he would by one means or another have been very helpful to us We were by this time weary of slaughter where we had so good fortune as but one of ours were slain and of us three Anaxander only had a light hurt in his shoulder but indeed the Princes behaved themselves so couragiously that if they had had to do but with a score of them I believe they would have made no more resistance to their fury than the former did The Provost discerning that by force he could not so soon possess himself of us in that Casile by the advice of his companions assembled the Peasants of the next Village who being commanded to bring with them store of straw and dry fagots they set fire to the gate of the base Court and Stables belonging to the Castle with intention to burn it or compel us to come forth when we perceived the fire to encrease towards us we thought it better became us to disputâ— our lives couragiously than die unworthily without any resistance The Princes therefore took each a Lance which they found and got upon two of the swiftest horses in the stables purposing rather to try to save than to defend themselves there being no Lance for me I took my sword in my hand and our people opening the gate as the Princes commanded them which was already half consumed we set spurs lively to our horses and past through the flame which was more favorable unto us than those that looked for us Anaxander who was best mounted would passe first and flying like lightning ran three or four of them through with his Lance which in one body waited for us in the passage and gave leave to Piroxenus and me to save our selves but as our unhappy Prince thought himself free from those hangmens
Arontus life when they had held such rank and kept such state among the Courtiers of Narsinga as they had got more jealousie than friendship One only Saradin had been able to have helped them in that extremity and seconded the Princesse good endeavour if himself for his innocent ofsence had not partaken with them When the King came to know that he was guilty of concealing the breakers of his Edict he commanded him to be carried from his house where he was detayned to the same prison where the unhappy Anaxander was shut up All that Piroxenus with the Princesse could do was to scatter a murmur through the Court that he whom they had used with so great in humanity was the Prince Anaxander Alcidaris the King of Cambayas Son but very few were found that believed it and the King himself who heard thereof laught at it because he had long time believed the common report that he with Piroxenus was slain together with the two Princes of Decan in that sally they made during the siege of Visaporus besides the assurance they had lately received from Pirobus his mouth that the King of Cambaya had but one Son alive That had not retarded his condemnation one minute had there not hapned a contestation between the Ministers of Justice The Grand Provost pretended that he ought to give Judgement on him because he had taken and brought him by the Kings command and on totheer side because he had commanded in Armies and till that time done things becomming a Gentleman and a man of quality The Chief Justice of the Naires disputed that it belonged to him to make his processe and spent two or three dayes in this debate the one undoing and disanulling what the other commanded insomuch as the King was fain himself to regulate it He was then of opinion that seeing there had been certain of the guard slain by Ariomant there was no reason that their Chief should be both Judge and Party and that it was reasonable that the Court of Nayres knew that it was a very easie matter to proceed against a man convicted and that they should hasten his Judgement that he might quickly serve for an example The Princesse had some small hope that the King her Father would not so wholly yeeld himself up to his passions but that he would cast an eye to the many services which her Anaxander had formerly done the dead Prince Arontus as well as the Crown under the name of Ariomant besides she hoped for some good from the journey Almerin had made into Cambaya but when she saw that the King hastned so very much the Judgement of the cause and that purposely for that reason he had sent to the Chief of the Judges she thought he would run great hazard and that when it may be her Fathers nature might incline to Pitty and Compassion he ight be too much engaged to this honour and his word not to give such example to his people The greatest part of hte Judges were very sorry for that poor offenders misfortune and seeing when they came to give Judgement that there was no liklihood of saving him there was not one but did it against his will and with sorrow condemned a man of so great merit but the reverence of the Laws and the honour they bare unto the Princes authority oblig'd them rather to save his Oaths than him who had despis'd them and seeing they must do Justice they pronounced the sentencce of death against Anaxander and condemned him to have his Head struck off in the great place before the Palace When this sad sentence was read unto him in the Prison he was marvelously surpris'd for beside that he hoped for deliverance by Pirexenus and Almerin and from the Princesse favour he did not expect that the severity of the Laws would have extended to that last rigor and thought when they had only frighted him with punishment they would have let him go But when he saw it was in good earnest they condemned him to death Friend sayd he to him that came as Deputy from the Court of Nayres does the King know who I am and that he hath no power of right over my life Sir Answered the Judge there hath been a report spred here that you are the King of Cambayas Son but the King will not believe it and himself told us he had a thousand arguments to convince that falsehood heâ— ought at least said Anaxander to have known the truth before he had thus precipitated my condemnation and he should have found that report very true Remember my Friend that this sentence passeth against himself and his own blood because I am his Daughters husband and if he be so barbarous and unnatural as to proceed farther to the execution of an unjust sentence tell him that besides the revenge I expect from heaven he shall draw on his head all the powers of the King my Father who will never indure so foul an action to escape unpunished Is this the welcome that Strangers receive in this country which come to do is honour although I were not as I am born a Prince yet ought my person to be safe even by the Law of Nations your Laws cannot by right extend themselves beyond the limits of this Kingdom nor punish crimes of honour in those whom you have not forbidden and are not subject to the observation of your Lawes Must I serve as an example and be the first man chastis'd for an action never yet by any man seen punish'd in Narsinga though Ducls frequent in it and Edicts chang'd a thousand times Ah pray bid the King he look more than once to what he does and that a Kings Son ought not to be the first mark of his vengeance Go to him presently if you love his honour and ask the Princesse whether in disgrace she will abandon those whom in Prosperity she hath made shew to love The Judge was much astonished at his words and thought himself oblig'd to tell them the King wherefore he came knocking to the chamber door to acquaint him w i th what he had learnt from Ariomant but the Door keeper would not admit him because the King was private with his Daughter and had forbidden any whasoever to be let in till she were gone That amorous Princesse having known of Anaxanders condemnation and seeing that all her vain hopes of his liberty promised no good overcome by her sorrow and most earnestly importun'd by Love forgot all respect and shame and believing that that very day he whom she so tenderly loved should unhappily end his dayes and be a shamefull spectacle for all the Court jealous of his Vertues and past Victories went and cast her self at the King her Fathers feet and full of tears told him the reason she had to beg Anaxanders life of him whom she boldly avowed for her Husband and with a thousand oaths and by the testimony of her dead brother Arontus she confirm'd the noyse that