as the best of Models The circumference of her visage shewed the extremes of an imperfect Circle and almost formed it to a perfect Oval and this abridgement of marvels was taper'd by a pair of the brightest stars that ever were lighted up by the hand of Nature as their lustre might justly claim the title of Celestial so their colour was the same with Heavens there was a spherical harmony in their motion and that mingled with a vivacity so penetrating as neither the firmest eye nor the strongest soul could arm themselves with a resistance of proof against those pointed glories their very languishing dejection darted more charms through the clouds of griefs that darkned their brightest glory than all others could boast in their clearest Sunshine nor were they ever so dim'd with woe but they had still vigour enough left to open themselves a passage to hearts defended with the greatest insensibility her head was crowned with a prodigious quantity of fair long hair whereof the colour as fitly suited the beauty of her eyes as imagination could make it To these marvels of face were joyned the rest of her neck hands and shape and there seemed a contest betwixt the form and whiteness of the two former which had the larger commission from Nature to work wonders and if she was not so tall of stature as Candace in revenge of that she was far more slender and her face much less than the fair Queen of Aethiopia's In fine her beauty was miraculous and though the Queen 's had something more majestick and more powerful to imprint respect yet the fair strangers was far more delicate and possible more exactly conformed to the nice rules of proportion the regards of these two fair ones were equally tyed to contemplate each others perfections by a serious attention their actions quickly confessing their mutual astonishment reading over those marvels in a few moments that merited as many years for a fit perusual they had much ado to restrain their wonder from breaking out into loud interjections the fair unknown at first obliged by the Queens civility was disposing her self to repay it in acknowledgement when the Queen whose courage was more unshaken and whose mind and body kept a neerer degree to health began the Complement and accosting her with an action that confessed the effects of the strangers beauty and partly accounted for the pity her Soul had already promised to her miseries Cornelius said she would have given me cause of complaint had he longer debarred me the view of so admired a person I come Madam continued she saluting and embracing her with an affection that seldom rises to such a height at the first interview I am come if possible to bring comfort to your Calamities and either to interweave my misfortune with yours or augment mine own by suffering my share of those that compose your affliction The fair unknown whom the Majesty of Candace's mind and the gentle proffer of so much courtesie had already touched with a deep respect and a tender resentment received her Caresses in as graceful a manner as her sad condition would suffer and strugling with her grief that she might not appear either stupid or ingrateful after she had silently staid some time in her arms and tenderly striven to pay back part of her kindness in the dumb Elegance of embraces Madam said she the confusion I borrow from these deserved marks of your goodness has left me no liberty to express as I ought how my Soul resents it and I should now learn to believe my self less unfortunate could I find out a way to merit the Compassion of so excellent a person I think the world has few replyed the Queen that would refuse to bear a part in your afflictions nor can such aspects as yours want the power to stamp all the passions even upon those hearts that are able to make the rudest resistance I am sure mine cannot hide the sensible effects it wrought within me since my memory urging so ample an incitement intirely to employ all my thoughts upon the consideration of mine own disasters I have taken them from their task to interess my self in yours and to offer you my promise that if my power falls short of a capacity to give you comfort at least my affection shall inable me to go halves in your sufferings If my mishaps reply'd the Stranger were of a nature to receive what you offer I would come to you for a cure without the least scruple of a doubt but however the Gods have plac'd my despair beyond the reach of redress I should prove my self very unworthy of the favours you have given me should I wrestle with my woes to accept as I ought these generous effects of your pity 't is of them pursu'd she sighing I implore a continuance and I may safely assure you for truth it self avers it repeating her imbraces with an action capable to soften the rockiest hearts the wrath of heaven cannot point you to a subject that has better claim to your compassion nor a Soul that can receive it with a deeper acknowledgment As she finished these words some unruly tears broke away from her eyes which yet she strove to hide as much as possibly and stopping the current of her discourse to present a Chair to the Queen she seated her self at the feet of her bed beauty and handsomness had here got reason on their sides to produce their usual effects and these two excellent Ladies in whom the knowledge of each others quality was yet limited to the mutual construction of their eyes and the remembrance of their selves might well have dispensed with all that respect that was not due from their grandeur to private persons did yet render all that concealed justice required to each other and only took a mutual esteem from view which does not use to give such intelligence to other persons So soon as they had seated themselves they reassumed their discourse and if the fair unknown found abundance of charms in Candace's language the Queen encountred so much bewitching sweetness in the strangers Genius as it perfectly compleated what her beauty had begun with much advantage and whether caus'd by the conformity of their Fortunes or the encounter of those admirable qualities they equally possessed which indeed alone were capable to produce as prompt and sudden effects but never did new-born amity shoot up to such a stature in so short a time After they had given some moments to the enlargement of their first discourse the Queen desirous to lay the grounds of a greater confidence with the beautiful stranger Think not Madam said she that Fortune has us'd me more civilly than you the age of Time is not much increased since with a loss that possible was not designed in the frowns of your Fortune I have sighed for another that may fill the other scale against your afflictions and if a few days since my Soul did receive some solace there
him in an estate which doubtless will plead pity enough to overthrow all the resentments your Passion can arm against him but in such an estate as bids me fear that the assistance which my hopes promise from your goodness will arrive too late for his recovery Cleopatra who truly lov'd my Master grew tender at this discourse which Marcellus understood from her aspect yet desirous to dissemble it Come I know your friend said she with a forced smile cannot be so sick as you would make him He is fallen so low answer'd Marcellus with a sadder gravity than his looks had yet exprest as I fear his life is in the hands of a merciless danger and though I know it is in your power to apply the remedy yet I doubt it will not come time enough to heal the wounds you have given him He brought forth these words with so serious an Emphasis as the Princess convinc'd of the truth and knowing by divers marks to what extreams my Masters passion was capable to carry him she suffer'd his danger to soften her heart and turning towards Marcellus with a gentle look My quarrel to Coriolanus said she is of no such nature to call his life in question or provoke me to refuse him a remedy if it may be found within my power and apply'd with the safety of my honour At these words Marcellus fell upon his knee before the Princess and redoubling the force of his reasons the length of which perswades me to leave them out at last he vanquish'd her and wrought so powerfully as he dispos'd her to write him a Letter which if I mistake not spoke in these terms The Princess Cleopatra to Prince Coriolanus MArcellus who has endeavoured to excuse you will justifie me to you and witness there is more innocence on my side than yours yet I do not cherish such implacable resentments against you as not to desire the return of your health make haste to be well then as soon as possible and your recovery shall give me as much joy as your impatience did displeasure Marcellus having obtain'd this Letter for my Master was desirous to take yet a greater strain for his satisfaction and assay'd by the most pressing arguments his reason could urge to gain him the Scarf which the Princess had taken from Tiberius but he found it impossible to prevail as well upon the aversion that high spirit cherish'd to the grant of such favours as the fear she had wisely entertain'd of giving cause of complaint to Tiberius which might kindle a quarrel betwixt the two Princes In the mean time it fell out that Marcellus had spoken truer of my Masters malady than he believed for the torments that he infflicted upon himself that night had enrag'd his Feaver to such a height as the next day it manifestly threatned his life yet he persevered notwithstanding the earnest entreaty of his friends in a resolution to refuse all remedies and the opinion he had of Cleopatra's inconstancy had made so cruel an impression in his spirit as he sought after nought but death and certainly had soon found it it Marcellus had not seasonably arrived with the remedies that were requisite for his cure so soon as he approached his bed whence the other visitants were then with-drawn Rise Coriolanus said he you must be no longer sick after I have told the news I bring you at these words of Marcellus Coriolanus turned his head that way and regarding him with a languishing look Ah! Marcellus said he what pleasure do you take to sport with misery If you call it sport reply'd Marcellus sitting down upon his bed I believe you will not think the game unpleasant and before we part I hope to have better entertainment of your face than it now affords me all you have to do is to get up as fast as you can and go and ask Cleopatra's Pardon for the offence you committed or rather to pay your thanks to her goodness that has so easily remitted an injury that merited a longer penance My Master listened to this language in a suspence betwixt joy and diffidence but Marcellus no longer willing to detain his happiness wrapt in uncertainty after he had prepared his attention began to relate what befel him with Cleopatra and repeated word for word all the Discourse he had with her My Master abandon'd himself to a painful joy when he learned that Tiberius received not the favour from Cleopatra but when the sequel told him of his unluckly adventure with the rigorous treatment he receiv'd from the Princess it seiz'd his soul with a ravishment too deep to be put into words but suddenly returning from these transports to converse with some distrustful thoughts that insinuated there was more design than truth in Marcellus words on purpose to reconcile him to the care of his own health he intreated him with a serious look not to abuse his credulity nor raise him with Romantick hopes to an estate from whence a relapse would threaten more danger than the former malady What proofs would you ask said Marcellus to avouch this truth I would have a confirmation replyed my Master under Cleopatra's hand You shall have it then said Marcellus and no longer willing to defer his contentment he delivered him Cleopatra's Letter at the sight of which with the knowledge of the Character and the reading of the words my Master had like to have lost his Senses and by an excess of joy which he was not able to contain he staid a long time motionless and mute as if he had been dazled with his happiness When he came again to himself he first stretched out his arms and greedily seized upon Marcellus elegantly expressing his resentments in the humble language of embraces from these his joy succeeds to words wherewith he confirm'd it in a discourse so passionate as it drew tears from Marcellus eyes it would make my story tedious to repeat the whole Dialogue of kindness betwixt them In fine by the vertue of this delicious remedy his mind was perfectly cur'd but his body was not so and the Physitians that were called presently after judged that the extremity of his joy had redoubled his Feavour yet we were encouraged to hope the best by my Masters ready disposition to suffer the Medicines were prescribed him in effect he resigned himself up to their disposal that took care of his recovery but his body could not take example by his mind for his Malady visibly increasing in a short time it menaced much danger the Prince having now no farther cause to hate his life did all that he was able to gain a recovery and restore himself to a condition of visiting his Princess but his will found little obedience in his body for the violence of his grief to which he had given himself up a willing prey had contaminated all his blood and his Feaver grew at last to such a height as the Physitians with a common consent expressed more feare
than hope of his recovery All the Persons of quality in Rome interessed themselves in this Princes disaster the Emperor himself came often to see him and of the Principal Countiers there was not a man but Tiberius who had the sting of his last affront still sticking in his memory that did not render him a visit Marcellus who never stirred from his pillow and did him all the offices could be hoped from a most affectionate brother was excessively afflicted at it and the Princess Cleopatra what ever violence she did upon her self to keep her griefs at home could not totally hide the displeasure she resented this was first betrayed to my Master by a letter she sent him two days after the former in which after he had opened it with a trembling feeble hand with much pain he read these words The Princess Cleopatra to Prince Coriolanus I Would not have hoped so little obedience from you and I thought I had well enough exprest my desires of your care to engage yours upon the same score if you have any design to please me endeavour your recovery 't is the greatest proof I demand of your affection and the most agreeable news I can receive for my own repose These words had alone been capable to restore his health if the clear contentment of his spirit could have advanced it a thousand times did he kiss that agreeable command and obeyed it with all the industry our wishes could ask but the disease had taken too deep a root and from thence force enough to go on in its course in spight of all the care we took to arrest it The poor Prince desired nothing with so much ardour as the sight of Cleopatra and the Princess made no scruple in that extreamity to avow before Marcellus and my self the affection she bare him professed an equal desire to see him and waited for nothing but the means to do it with Decorum She durst not adventure to make the visit by her self and the Empress whom she would have accompani'd had she done him that favour preserving some resentment against him in behalf of Tiberius was contented to understand his condition by the return of her messages at last Marcellus advis'd her to go with the Princess Octavia who had been once already with him and he knew would not be sorry to meet an occasion of rendring that test of her amity to Coriolanus the children of Antony respected Octavia as their Mother and she them with such a tenderness as fell not short of a Parents Indulgence and though the Princess Cleopatra liv'd at Court with the Empress yet even by her injunction she daily visited Octavia ever remembring to pay a submissive reverence to her person Octavia was acquainted with my Masters passion which she did not disapprove and her Son Marcellus no sooner mention'd his desire of her tendring that office to his friend but she readily undertook it and the next visit Cleopatra made she intreated her company to go see the Prince of Mauritania The Princess who knew she might go any way with her as her Mother without the least fear of blame since the high reputation of her vertue and the rank she held as the Sister of Caesar and widow of Antony might authorize all the visits she made in her company obey'd her without repugnance Marcellus by a pre-intelligence dispos'd my Master to expect this happiness for feare the surprisal of an immoderate joy should work the same effects it had formerly done to the prejudice of his health yet my Master had a hard task with all the effects he could make to contain himself and he no sooner saw the Princess enter the Chamber but the sight had like to have made a Rape upon his sense Octavia came first to the beds side after some words full of sweetness and Majesty which was as natural to her as beams to the Sun protesting the displeasure she took at the continuance of his malady she was contented her Son who had feigned a pretence to speak with her should lead her to the window leaving the Princess alone with him by the beds side and the Maids of her Train at the other end of the Chamber though Cleopatra had prepar'd her self to see him in that estate yet she could not see him there and hide her blushes and she had much a do to make her self mistris of that scrupulous nicety that taught her to Criticize too severely upon that action however she sate her down upon the Chair Octavia had quitted while the Prince whose confusion had rob'd him of the strength and confidence to open his mouth strive to express himself at the eyes with regards though wholly languishing yet full of fire Cleopatra advancing her head towards his that she might not be heard by those on the other side the Chamber Coriolanus said she I have reason to complain of you and if you truly lov'd me you would cherish more care to improve the interest I take in your recovery you were told of this by my letters and I have vanquish'd some scruples which I would not have combated upon a feeble consideration to come and confirm it to you with my own mouth yet I find you still in a condition that shews me no proofs of the power I have in you The Prince daunted as he was took courage from these sweet words and sending some looks before his language that spoke more passion than the former You have reason Madam said he to condemn the estate wherein you find me since instead of seeing me in this unbecoming posture so disproportion'd to the respect I owe you I should be prostrate at your feet asking pardon for the offence I committed this repugnant body to your commands has suffered for its disobedience nor has my Soul scap'd with a milder punishment but neither one nor the other would ever have been capable of expiating the crime if your excellent nature had not assisted their impuissance Speak no more reply'd the Princess not willing he should strain his spirits with too long a discourse speak no more of an error which I have remitted indeed your easie belief engag'd you to some precipitation but you have suffer'd more for it than I should have doom'd you to and if I still retain any pique against you 't is because you struggle too faintly for your health which is very dear to me and which I recommend to your care for my sake exile all thoughts that may afflict you and believe it I shall never be satisfied till your mind and body are both recovered I am so confounded Madam answered my Master with the favours you heap upon me receiving from your mouth the confirmation of your goodness in a place so unworthy to receive you and where I have so little cause to expect the grace you have done me as I cannot regret the loss of that life which is now about to abandon me but for fear it should fail me before Stay
and Desolation put on their true shape and if the whole Camp groaning for the losse of so many thousands that had been slain that day for the death of the Prince of Bithinia and the King of the Nomades and for that of a great number of principal Officers who had left their Bodies in the Field as Trophies of Scythian Valor The Queen to the great cause she had to regret this loss joyned the grief she resented at Menalippa's despair She caused her to be carried off the Field to be disarm'd and her wounds drest and though they were but light yet the unconsolable grief of the Princess would have put the least bodily distemper into a capacity of indangering of life In vain had the Queen imbraced her and bedewed her face with tears in vain had she conjured her by the most pressing words affection could put into her mouth to declare the cause of her despair and funest resolution The desperate Princess answered not but by sobbs and tears which flowed incessantly from her fair eys or if the afflicted Mother could sometimes force a few words from her they so savoured of rage and fury that they easily discovered her Soul to be possest with a mortal sadness But though Menalippa could not conceal her grief yet she would her love choosing rather to suffer the perpetual demands of the Queen than confesse she had loved Alcimedon and that it was for him she fought with Alcamenes and was faln into despair Notwithstanding the pre-occupation of her Soul she caused Belisa to order the Body of Alcimedon secretly to be buried which was very easie amongst so many thousands that kept him company and this Maid who with Leander had carried it to the Camp according to her orders would nevertheless divulge nothing of this adventure having not yet received the Princesses commands so she put the Body of Cleomenes in an unfrequented place where it could not be known by reason of the wounds in his face and being stript of Alcimedon's Arms which might have made him observed Menalippa in her design of concealing her love from the world received some satisfaction from this discretion of Belisa charging her to recommend the secret to Leander and all those who knew ought of this adventure The Queen pressed her uncessantly to reveal the truth partly to understand the cause of her despair and also to know how she came by Alcimedon's Armour and what was become of that valiant man and how he permitted her to fight in his place yet he could never draw the least word out of her mouth that might give any satisfaction in what she desired and all that she could obtain was a promise to declare the truth within six days on condition that till then she would give her the liberty of her tears without troubling her for a clearer knowledge The Queen who even adored her and placed in her only all her affections and hopes was constaained to be satisfied with this promise and though she disapproved and condemned the furious resolution and Combate of her Daughter which she could not attribute but to a violent despair yet durst she not blame her for this action as she would doubtless have done had she been in a condition capable of reproof Yet was not Menalippa's heart so replenisht with her own misfortunes but there was room left to resent the Queen's and seeing her drowned in tears at her Pillow Madam said she I render my self unworthy by my folly of that bounty you testifie towards me In the Name of the Gods allay the troubles of your spirit and hope with me from the bounty of Heaven that mine will repose it self when yours becomes more serene Ah Menalippa reply'd the Queen with a sigh You have little reason to imagine my spirit can be at rest whilst yours remains in the condition it now appears and you have little valued my repose when you exposed a Daughter more dear to me than my own life to the conquering Sword of the valiantest man upon Earth I am not reply'd sadly Menalippa the first person of my sex that hath drawn a Sword against men and you your self have inspired me with Warlike inclinations by the education you gave me however this action may partly be excused to you by the hatred which with my milk you have made me suck against the Fâmily of Orontes and which I believed might reasonably transport me to this extremity against the Son of my Fathers Murtherer against a man who robbs us of the hopes of revenge and of the possession of Scythia which the Gods hath promised us and against a man to whom for other reasons also I have an irreconcileable aversion It must be Menalippa reply'd the Queen and shaking her head that these desperate resolutions against Alcamenes have some deeper causes than those that are common to us both and were he not born of your Father's Murtherer he hath done nothing in this War nor in the Combate against you but what might rather cause esteem than aversion Pardon me Madam repli'd Menalippa brisquely in that my resentments are not conformable to yours and if I have not generosity to love enough vertue in mine Enemies Amalthea knew by the manner of pronouncing these words that she could not contradict her without augmenting her affliction and a little after going out of the Chamber she permitted her to passe the night through her instant intreaties without any other company save that of Belisa During the remainder of this night which she gave wholly to sighs and tears for unhappy Alcimedon she made often reflections on the actions and words of Alcamenes in the Combate and observing amongst those cruel ones whereby he owned the death of Alcimedon that he was in love with her and offered himself to her with all the marks of a passionate man she became astonisht at the quick birth of his love and flattered her self possibly notwithstanding her mortal grief with the glory of such a conquest and of the quick and marvellous effects of her beauty After a long revery If it be true said she that Alcamenes loves me I praise the gods for the occasions they have given me of revenging his cruelty by that I will exercise against him and if the Barbarian be so happy to escape the death which I prepare for him I will make him feel from this heart pre-occupied by a passion so just all that a just resentment can inspire me with of most cruel and most conformable to the hatred I bear him In these furious thoughts she passed the night and part of the next day receiving some nourishment and permitting them to dresse her wounds not out of love to life but of design to imploy it wholly in revenging Alcimedon Part of the day was past when they came to advertize the Queen that the Prince of the Tauro-Scythes desired admittance from the King of Scythia What hatred soever she bare his Master yet knew she how to treat Ambassadours
could utter one word by this action clearly confirming the suspition my words had given her Oh Gods how sensibly she was touched how violent were her first apprehensions to proceed from so sweet a Soul She took a long time to weigh the resolution was fittest to be taken and I in the mean time the advantage of her silence and immobility to rally my scatter'd Spirits Madam said I keeping my hold at her feet without daring to lift my eyes to her Visage if my Tongue have betrayed my Soul and contrary to my intent displayed a Passion which my whole Life should have preserved a Secret ordain me all the pains that are due to it and I vow by all the Gods to suffer them without a murmur to you I will not justifie a Passion which otherwise might call to its own purity to defend it I will not tell you 't is impossible to look upon you and not incur the fault I have committed nor that the silence of divers years have given some proofs of my respect No I am Criminal if I have contracted your Anger and am worthy of the most cruel Punishments if I have been capable to displease you I had gone further if the now resolved Queen had not stayed my Progress and repulsing me with one hand while she carried the other to her Face to hide some changes there Tyridates said she you are yet more culpable than you believe and if you had known me well you would never have granted your self the License to give me the Displeasure I have now received I will not noise your Folly because I know Herod 's Humour which doubtless would destroy you for it and I pardon him the bloudy injuries he hath so often done me so I forgive the Offence you have so lately committed At these words she rose from her Chair and calling Sohemus who was discoursing with her Maids in the Anti-chamber commanded him to conduct me presently back and so resolving to hear me no more she retir'd into her Mothers Cabinet Oh Gods in what an estate was I when I saw my self thus deserted in what a strange fashion I followed Sohemus when he led me out of the Castle the same way we enter'd it I had scarce the power to embrace him at our parting or to give him thanks for the Courtesie he had done me I found my men got to horse and return'd to Hierusalem with a melancholy darker than the nights blackest shades and with a countenance which I think little differ'd from that of a Condemned man I would scarce hear the comforts Arsanes offer'd me to whom I had recounted my disaster but passed the rest of the night in the most cruel inquietudes that ever tore a Soul I could not remember the incensed looks of my Divine Princess without calling in the same fear that seiz'd me at the first effects of her anger nor think of the displeasure I had given her without letting my self sink almost under the sorrow I resented all the words she spake came flocking to my memory but it galled me to think she should put my offence in the same ballance with Herod's villanies Ah unjust Mariamne said I how unskilful you are in discerning Injuries Could you have judged aright you would have found little cause to associate the cruelties of Herod with the oversights of Tyridates Herod hath wrested the Crown from your Family Herod still blushes with the blood of your nearest Kindred Herod gives daily orders for your own Death and Tyridates gives you his Heart his Soul and himself entire Sure this Offence is not of a Nature so hainous as those you have receiv'd of that Miscreant and methinks you need not the same patience to endure them but why said I repenting my words why do I justifie my Crime Is it not true that I am faulty since my rashness hath merited Mariamnes anger I ought to consider her as a Divinity sublim'd above the reach of humane thoughts I should tremble before her virtue and if it were impossible to see her without falling in love with so much beauty both of Soul and Body yet I should have suffer'd those glorious pains without publishing and not have improved my Misfortune by my indiscreet and rash discovery In such thoughts as these I passed the Night and divers other dayes that followed it in which space I often saw Salome Pheroras with the chief of the Judean Court who strove among themselves who should treat me with most Caresses for the service I had done their Countrey but neither their company nor their kindness could ease the evils which my love inflicted nor sweeten the sorrow I took for the choler and captivity of Mariamne But about that time there came News to Jerusalem that Herod was triumphantly return'd from Augustus that by an artificial Oration full of an affected generosity he had so gain'd upon the spirit of that great Emperour as it procur'd him a specious entertainment and got him little less in his amity than he had before in the affections of Antony Those that had an interest in his good success were more overjoy'd at the news in which a few dayes after they were confirm'd when they saw him arrive with a proud train at his heels and read in his erected looks the satisfaction he receiv'd in that Voyage There was made him a magnificent reception and I mingling my self with those that went to meet him he received me with extraordinary caresses called me the valiant Defender of Judea and promised a grateful remembrance of the services I had rendred to his Crown But alas how little was I sensible of his Offers and Civilities And though indeed I could not but confess he had put me in his debt yet the love of Mariamne and the resentment of her wrongs stifled all his obligations The same day he arrived he restorâ—â— her liberty and burning with Love could not forbear to visit her in the same place which had been her Prison where he spent the night with her and the next day brought her back with him to the City with many open professions of a most ardent affection I understood by Sohemus that at that interview he had made her a most passionate Discourse and after he had excus'd the death of Hircanus with a necessity that constrain'd him so to prevent the design he had to ruine him he deeply protested that the abridgment of her freedom was only meant to secure her person from the attempts of such whose disaffection in his absence might hazard her safety and to disarm the designes of some persons that were likely to make use of hers and her Mothers presence whose turbulent spirit he was well acquainted with to authorize seditiòn and stir up troubles in the State The wise Queen receiv'd this discourse with a becoming temper and if she could not entirely hide her distastes she dissembled part of them lest they should prove as fatal to Sohemus as they had been to Joseph The
Court was then more glorious than ever the King highly pleas'd with the success of his Affairs and having nothing else to subdue that might keep him from getting above the reach of Fortune but the spirit of Mariamne he sought all sorts of occasions to divertize her but if the Queen whose griefs were gone too deep to be sweetned with the vain shadow of pleasure took little notice of it I was not less incapable than she of tasting any jollity and my remembrance kept the deep graven Characters of my Love and her Anger so fresh in my Soul as all the splendor and pomp of Herod's Court wanted power to charm them I still saw her every day because she forbad it not but I scarce durst open my mouth in her presence scarce lift up my eyes to her Face instructing all my actions to inform how deeply the fear to displease her was engraven in my heart yet neither her looks nor her actions exprest any sign of aversion indeed she had a Soul too beautiful too sweet an inclination to loath a man who had only offended with Affection since she had much ado to return hatred where it was deserv'd by such bloody Injuries but believing she could not hear my Love plead farther without offending Virtue she avoided all occasions of Discourse as much as possible and though she still spake to me with much affability yet she never did so but in Company and so contriv'd it that we never exchang'd words without a witness though this behaviour of hers could not give me an entire satisfaction yet it left me no cause of complaint and the knowledge I had of her admirable Virtue having extinguisht with my hopes a part of those flames her Beauty had kindled I learn'd to think my Passion sufficiently rewarded by the esteem she had of me Indeed there was never any person loved with less interest and with Truth I may say I loved Mariamne for her self alone nor in all the process of my Passion did I ever consider Tyridates In this manner I liv'd a whole year and though my eyes did all the Messages of my Love yet she might easily read in all my Actions that it had lost no ardour and that my sufferings were therefore more cruel because they stood in awe of Respect At last my perseverance link'd with discretion which she knew by a thousand marks touched her with compassion I say compassion for Love could never be admitted And what she did since in my favour did all proceed from a motion so purely generous as the most perfect Virtue was engaged to commend it nor could it be censured by any without Injustice Her heart which was neither Stone nor Brass suffer'd it self to be softned with pity but it was never capable of an impression not conform'd to the severe Rules of her Duty she could not see a Prince languishing so many years a Prince dying for her but dying in a fashion so respectful and obliging and dying without complaining of the cause of his death or of death it self and not give some proofs that Nature made her sensible but she would rather have suffer'd him to die nay died her self than let in the least thought to her Soul of pitying him to the prejudice of her virtue I was so happy in the conduct of my Passion and had carried so much caution in all my Actions that Herod the most jealous and distrustful of all men had not yet the least suspition of me and this discretion was not undervalued by the Queen I was one day in her Company with the King Pheroras Salome and some other of the chief Courtiers in the Palace-garden where we had walked a long time and where I had done my best to evade the pursuits of Salome who had then been trying having too much courage to give me her naked Passion to make me spy it in her Actions and understand it by a thousand ambiguous Discourses when the King who had walked all this time with the Queen alone being oblig'd by some important Affairs to retire he call'd me to him and giving me the Queens hand which till then himself had held I leave you to Prince Tyridates saith he and I cannot put that which I tender more dearthan my self into better hands than his Try if you please to divert her from her deep Melancholy To these words I returned no other Answer but an action â—â—ll of reverence and respect and considering how my condition stood with the Queen I durst not adventure to take her hand till she tender'd it her self with a countenance that did put on a world of sweetness And thus I helped her to walk without daring either to open my mouth or to look upon her Her behaviour was a long time like mine but at last she broke silence and took this opportunity to declare what her heart had for me Tyridates said she if the King knew your intentions he would not put me into your hands with so much confidence and since they were known to me I ought to have hindred it I could easily have done so if my will had consented and probably I had too if I had not believ'd I might permit your converse and acquaint you with my thoughts without interessing what I owe to him or my self Know then Tyridates that the first notice I had of your malidy gave me some resentment against you but the progress of it compassion I have truly pitied the estate you are in and cannot without grief see a Prince to whom Heaven hath given such excellent qualities pass his life in a condition so miserable But in fine Tyridates what are your pretences and if you have judged me worthy of your esteem what can you hope for of me Think you I can license in your favour the least Act that may satisfie your Passion I say the least for I did believe you could harbour a thought to my Dishonour I would look upon you as a Monster as a mortal Enemy Do you think the little content I have with Herod and the remembrance of the wrongs he hath done me can turn my affections upon another because less worthy of my aversion Is it upon this thought you build your hopes if so Tyridates disabuse your self and believe that if Heaven hath made me miserable by submitting me to this cruel man I will never consent to merit my misfortunes by my actions though my forlorn hap hath married me to him it shall never match me to his Crimes I would not be so ungrateful to the goodness of Heaven that is ever sending Comfort to my Miseries nor so unworthy of your estimation For my sake Tyridates consider these Truths since they are represented with as much mildness as much affection as I can keep for you with Reasons leave call up the greatness of your courage to give a brave assault upon your self and propose this ruinous passion to your thoughts as an Enemy you ought to fear as an
Enemy that would destroy you and probably me too unless you vanquish it The Queen ended with these words which I heard with admiration and during the Discourse having ralli'd part of the confidence fear had scatter'd I made it serve me to answer these terms I am unworthy Madam of this favour you have given me and since I have merited your Displeasure 't is fit I should perish for the expiation rather than reserve my self for such a pity as you lately mentioned nor should my tongue ever hazard a second purchase of your indignation if that generous bounty which keeps company with the rest of your admirable Virtues did not allow me liberty to justifie my thoughts before you I will adventure then to tell you That Love as I apprehend it can neither be odious nor considerable to the person beloved but by the effects it produceth since of it self it is obliging and advantageous even to the Creatures least capable of apprehension if my passion had hatched any desire within me contrary to your virtue you might detest it as a Criminal as an Enemy that would poison the purity of your Soul But if it shall never inspire any other than such as shall instruct me to revere those admirable qualities the Gods have given you to interest my self in your fortune and sacrifice my self for your interests where will you find a just occasion to condemn it Is it a Crime for Tyridates to do the homage of a pure veneration to the divine Beauties and Perfections of Mariamne Is it a Crime for Tyridates to give up all his thoughts and dedicate his whole time to this employment And is it a Crime for Tyridates to long for an occasion with the price of his Bloud and Life to buy repose for Mariamne Madam if I have other Thoughts other Desires than these punish me with all the rigour your first Resentments inspir'd you with and let the Divine Powers joyn with yours to compleat me the most miserable of all men But if you find in my Affection all the Innocence you require in the Gods name Madam give me leave to carry it to my Tomb it is a necessity which will never endure to be dispenc'd with a Favour which I conjure you by the remembrance of all that you hold most dear to grant me And if the place were clear'd of witnesses that I might be permitted to ask it at your feet I would never rise from thence till I had obtain'd it These words and the vehemence wherewith I pronounced them wrought upon the generous and tender Spirit of the Queen and stirred up such Thoughts as took her some time before she could get them out into Answer at length she dispos'd her self to it and as she was beginning we found our selves at the end of an Alley where turning to continue our Walk we spied Salome and the rest of the Company so near us as the Queen saw she should not have time to discharge her heart and seeing her Company staid to let us pass before we quitted the place she thus reply'd Tyridates If your Thoughts be such as you say I can find no just cause of Offence but were they yet more innocent I must counsel you and do with all my Soul crave of you if it be possible to discard them from your Heart since they cannot be but ruinous to your Repose and mine She said no more and whether it were that she was willing to pursue this Discourse no further or that she suspected the malicious spirit of Salome might ptobably raise a bad comment upon our privacy she joyn'd with the rest of the Company and would separate no more From this day I dated a happy change in my condition and believed my estate much more advantagious than formerly The Queen though she disapproved my research and saw the continuance of it with displeasure yet she endured it with a most noble patience that would neither suffer her to banish nor hate a Prince who ador'd her with a Devotion so pure and unbyassed as nothing in it could be found fit to censure and never hoping to advance farther in her favour I learn'd to stay my content upon what I had This began to restore my spirits and recal my colour and if my Face still shew'd some discontent it had a root in the Queens miseries and not mine The condition of this great Princess was deplorable and though the King loved her with an almost enraged passion such was her aversion to all the endearing passages of his love as She took them for so many effects of Heavens indignation and though her virtuous resolution held her to the severe rules of her Duty her great courage could not be pliable to such caresses as she believ'd not due to the destroyer of her Family and a man yet crimson'd with the blood of her nearest Kindred these disdains sometimes raised such tempests in the King as he was often ready to poure them upon her as the last effects of his fury but then would Love step in to check Anger and taking the reins from those raging Transports which he had suffer'd to get uppermost render'd him more soft and submiss than ever and sent him to seek that with Prayers and Tears which he could not obtain with all his menaces We were one day in the Kings Chamber whither he had invited the Queen and they standing together at a Window after some discourse which we heard not he proffer'd to kiss her but the Queen whether she thought such condescention injurious to Modesty in so great a Company or in effect follow'd the motions of a just Hatred recoil'd some steps back and turn'd away her head with disdain enough The King was so gall'd with this Action especially appearing before so many witnesses as all the power he could make was not capable to hide his Passion and beholding the Queen with eyes sparkling with rage and a Countenance on which Fury had spread it self You are unworthy said he both of the Honour was offer'd you and all those that went before it Go get you out of my Chamber and if you do not remember the destiny of your Fathers remember that I promise to make you know him for your King whom you now scorn to acknowledge for your Husband The Queen return'd no other answer to these cruel words than a disdainfull look which more provok'd him and saluting the Company without change of countenance quitted the Chamber to retire to her own The Kings Choler which had often produced horrid effects made the whole Company tremble only in me it missed that influence for all the prudence and discretion I could make had much ado to hinder my discontent from breaking loose and it was the consideration I had for the Queen and not my self that bridled it Yet not in such a manner but when I saw the Queen retire I hasted after and offer'd my hand to lead her to her Lodging But as her spirit was less
held the reins of his passions as he could not so well contain himself but I discover'd much coldness and change in the discourse and entertainment he made me indeed I should have apprehended all these things with such a spirit as his and doubtless had so if the powerful love of Mariamne had not stifled that in my Soul which nature places there for our proper safety and forc'd a neglect of all that care I should have carried about me for the preservation of my life The Queen perceiv'd this which she always suspected as soon as I and though her conscience witnessed to her self the innocence of her carriage yet she was desirous to avoid the danger she apprehended by treating me with a more reserv'd behaviour if possible than she had done formerly I studied a more specious dissimulation but it was too late the tempest was already risen and at last made it self known by most dangerous flashes One day the remembrance of which I must preserve as the most remarkable of my life the very same whereon the Jems celebrate that which they call the Feast of Tabernacles being desirous through curiosity though of different Religion to assist at their Ceremonies I accompany'd the King to that famous Temple which from the Name of its Founder they call the Temple of Solomon and which for Riches and admirable structure may pass with more justice than that of Diana at Ephesus or that of Jupiter the Olympian for one of the Worlds wonders at first the Ceremonies borrowed my attention for methought they were very specious but in fine no longer able to keep them off I transported all my thoughts to Mariamne and with those tyed my eyes to her face with so attentive a regard as though Arsanes who stood behind me often endeavour'd to call me to my self and made me mark in what manner the King observ'd me I had much ado to retire them for a few moments while the Sacrifice lasted nor was I ignorant of the fault I committed but I believe the Gods struck my Reason blind to punish my offence of assisting at the Sacrifices of a Religion which was enemy to theirs whatever the cause was that was the day wherein the King abandon'd himself to his Jealousie though possibly he had not yet determin'd upon the resolution he was to take Coming back from the Temple he went to visit the Queens Lodging full of furious thoughts his Face carried the Copy of his troubled Soul and his eyes sparkled Messages of Death Yet they were no sooner encountred by the Queens but all their storms clear'd up and those tempests which rage had rais'd against her by that marvellous ascendent she had upon his Spirit did homage to the charms of her beauty and grew calm in a moment of one terrible as a Lion in a few minutes he became mild and tractable and in stead of uttering the threats he had prepar'd his disarmed Anger gave place to Kindness which rendred his Spirit pliable to Caresses and Flatteries He made the Queen a discourse full of Affection which she receiv'd with her usual modesty but then offering to take some liberties with her which he might have lawfully believ'd his due if by so many cruelties inflicted upon her and hers he had not violated the Rights and lost all those advantages of which Marriage had possest him that couragious Princess who could never tamely hide her resentment in a disguise disdainfully repulst him Herod that was not ignorant of the true cause of this though he suspected others would not take a denyal from her first coldness but perceiving she resisted with an invincible resolution and being no way able to obtain these favours from her which his desires were greedy of he recall'd that Choler that had so lately shook him and beholding her with Eyes that sparkled fury Ingrateful Woman said he do not longer think to abuse me by thy specious pretences but know I am not ignorant that it is the love of Tyridates and not the memory of Hircanus or Aristobulus that renders thee inflexible to thy Husband's Kindness Though the Queen had ever fear'd these things from Herod's humour yet she could not be less than surpriz'd at this language and appear'd as if she had been struck with a Thunderbolt her Tongue remain'd mute her Visage chang'd colour and from the profound astonishment which Herod there observed he received cruel confirmations of his Jealous thoughts This apprehension redoubled his fury and now not doubting but the Queens powerfull surprisal rose from the reproaches of her Conscience and the shame or fear she might have to see her Passion discovered he gave himself up to the most furious transports that rage could inspire and had much ado to keep it from committing outrage upon her Person but he upbraided her with the most injurious words that Choler could invent How now Traitress said he must I then be rob'd by a Barbarian's witchcraft of what is only due to my self And thou that wouldst fain pass for a demure Zealot does it suit with the Law of thy God or the repute of the World that thou findest more sweetness in the shameful embraces of an Infidel than the Legitimate affections of a Husband Ah! disloyal Woman unworthy of a Love which has preserved thee in a rank from whence thou hast deserved to fall with thy Family a Love that hath exposed me too to the Contempt of my People is it by these infamous passions thou makest good thy claim to the Macchabean blood of which thou hast so often boasted Thinkest thou those illustrious Asmoneans with whose glory thou hast still reproached me should they return to the World could approve of the ignominious preference thou makest of an exiled Parthian to a King whom the latest of thy Ancestors gave thee for a Husband or rather who honoured thee with the Title of his Spouse when he might have used thee as his subject He accompanied these words with a torrent of others more cruel and injurious during which the fair Queen having had time to restore her self from her first astonishment began to regard with all the assurance that innocence could give her and neither able to make her spirit flexible to his Flatteries nor her own justification of which she believ'd him unworthy after that he had given some truce to his invectives Finish said she thou cruel Man finish thy rage and believe that after the exercise of so much brutish cruelty upon mine thou may'st give it leave to let fall its last effects upon my self there only remains the last part of it to be acted upon me for having had by the murther of my dearest friends by a miserable Captivity and the bloudy orders thou gavest for my own my repose so often tortured there rests no more but to assault my Honour which by the favour of Heaven I have till now defended from thy horrid persecutions do tear my Reputation which hath maintained it self pure and spotless in
their City dispute their lives so couragiously but in fine our Enemies strength increased to such a measure and ours grew so feeble as we soon perceived without some miraculous assistance the wayes to safety were all block'd up My Governour Politis who till then had accompanied and served me in all my disgraces with a marvellous affection bravely fighting by my side was forced by a multitude of wounds to breath his last his death was succeeded by one of my faithfull Parthians and sure I had not long staid behind him if Arsanes who is endowed with a dexterous Wit and that temper'd with a marvellous Prudence bethought himself in the very midst of danger of a way to save us and approaching to me as near as possible Sir said he I beseech you follow me I have discovered a secure Retreat And at these words in stead of spurring towards the Gate as we did before where the thickest throng of Enemies and difficulty withstood us he caused me to face about towards the Temple Gate which was behind us and on that side having but few enemies to combat we soon clear'd the passage and were no sooner arrived there but we readily quitted our Horses and threw our selves into the Temple which was then open because of the Feast of Tabernacles the Celebration of which lasted three whole days That Temple had always been a Sanctuary for Criminals but at that Feast the most considerable of any the Jews Religion celebrates it was so assured a refuge as the Jews would rather have suffered the entire ruine of their Nation than permitted any to be forced from the Temple that had there taken Sanctuary whatever Crime they were convicted of this cool'd the heat of their pursuits and when they saw us entred they stop'd at the Gate and stood with Arms a-cross without the least offer to follow us Indeed some there were of the most mutinous among them and the most interessed in the hurt of Alexas and the death of their Companions that cryed out to the Priests to put us out That I was the Kings Enemy That it was by his Order and express Command they pursued us But the Priests in stead of listening to their clamour received us with much humanity and protested they would rather perish than suffer the Temples Priviledges to be violated The dignity of Priesthood among the JEWS was very eminent That of High-Priest had heretofore been only exercised by Kings themselves after the Kings Hircanus and Aristobulus the Grandfather and Brother of Mariamne had discharged it and then it was in the hands of one the nearest allyed to the Crown And thus we saw our selves in that sacred Fortress and our Enemies only content to environ it without daring to advance one step to force an entrance but as soon as day shewed it self the King having learn'd the truth after he had sent divers Messages to the Priests in vain he came himself wholly transported with sury in such a Tempest as gave belief to those that were next him it would hurry him to the most violent extremities The Priests inform'd of his Arrival came to the Gate to meet him but so soon as they saw him in the name of their GOD they forbad him to put a Foot into the Temple if he brought any other intention than to render that respect which was as due from him as from the meanest Iew to that Holy Place and the DIVINITY within it Herod though deeply in rage and possibly not over-zealous in the service of his God as he was very politick fear'd that being already hated and but weakly assur'd of the Jews fidelity should he venture to violate their Customs and infringe their Priviledges it might provoke some revolt besides news was brought him that in divers parts of the City the Pharisees that were the greatest Zelots in their Religion and the most considerable among the People began to murmur He considered that there was then cause to fear every thing the Feast having filled the City not only with its own Inhabitants but with the greatest part of all Judaea which the Solemnity had summoned thither These considerations staid Herod at the Gate but the trouble of his Soul exprest it self at the Eyes and in the disjoynted words his Rage let fall yet time having reconciled him to some Reason he represented to some Priests that the Asylum of the Temple was not to protect us that we were Infidels and of a contrary Religion that they ought the rather to put us out lest our presence should prophane the places Holiness but the Priests replyed That Gods Asylum was equally for all men That if our Opinions did not tread the right path we might there find it through the conduct of his Grace That probably having made us incur the Kings displeasure he had therefore called us thither Herod answered that I had violated the chief rights of Hospitality that were as ancient as Temples themselves That no Nation ought to contain a refuge of the Man that had directly abus'd the proper Person of the King and mortally wounded his Brother in Law but all the Arguments he could urge were not strong enough to batter the Priests resolution neither his Menaces nor Promises could dispose them either to remit me into his hands or suffer him to enter into the Temple without thundering against him with all their Authority wherewith their Office had invested them which enjoyn'd the conservation of their Priviledges The Gods can witness that I did not love my life so well to bestow all the care they made me take upon its preservation but I condescended much to to the entreaties of Arsanes and my Servants and indeed to the Priests themselves who would not permit me to leave the Temple though I had desired it Whatever resentment I had entertain'd against Herod as the persecutor of my life and Mariamne's repose yet I could not quit the thought of his first Reception and the shelter that he had so many years given me against my Brothers Barbarism this remembrance made me desire to see and speak to him to testifie that I was neither ingrateful to his former kindness nor had ever injur'd him in the least particular he could imagine upon this score forcing this resistance of Arsanes disswasion I approached within eight or ten paces of the Gate where he contested with the Priests and so soon as I could be seen or heard King of the Jews cryed I I am neither thy Subject nor inferior and the Gods who have given me birth from the noblest Family in the World have not left me to acknowledge any Superior Power but theirs for this reason I have little cause to justifie my self to thee that wouldst have taken my life both by Sword and Poyson and hast pursued me against all Divine and Humane right even to the Temple of thy God but the satisfaction I owe to my Conscience and to the memory of that Entertainment wherewith thou hast formerly treated
her partage and for the future resolv'd to treat her like a Brother Cleopatra forgot all the cause she had to complain and thus accorded divers dayes were consumed in triumphant and magnificent Festivals But the Soul of mighty Caesar wholly invincible as it was could not defend it self from the Charms of Cleopatra That glorious Conquerour that made the World his Trophy was now become Captive to a Womans Eyes and took more wounds in his Treaties with her Looks and Discourse than he got in all the dangers of so many Combates This cannot seem strange to those that knew this great Queen for when she was pleas'd to set her enticements at liberty it was hard for a man to try his strength and come off untaken before he discovered his passion to the Princess he endeavour'd to give intelligence by his looks and gestures and when he thought he had prepar'd them audience he trusted his Tongue to tell her what she had made him feel Cleopatra was one of the most ambitious Persons on Earth and that Passion then beginning to gain an Ascendent upon her spirit made her regard the submissions of that Heroe not unwillingly she had conceived an opinion of her self high enough to believe that few hearts were so well fortified to hold out against her Batteries and observing Caesars Behaviour she doubted not but he was struck before his Discourse assur'd her the first time he stripp'd his thoughts to her was in the Palace-Gallery where he walked along time discoursing of her Affairs and the order his intention had contriv'd to put them in The Princess return'd her acknowledgment for his Courtesies in expressions full of Civility and upon these terms they were when finding that no unfit Occasion to unveil his thoughts after the preparative of some amorous looks that fore-ran the discovery I should never have believed said he you would thus have requited the Service I render you were you just you would not ruine my repose while I endeavour to restore yours be not amazed at this Discourse pursued he in a more serious accent in procuring your Liberty I have let my own fall at your feet and humbled my self from the principal Authority in the Empire that I might give it to you in Egypt I had rouz'd the same Courage to defend my self from you that preserv'd me from the Foes that were of Fortunes stirring up had I not foreseen it would prove too weak to withstand your Assault and found more Glory in the Defeat than disputing the Victory Fair Cleopatra I am your Prisoner but with this satisfaction that I yield my self to the fairest Victor upon Earth to such a one from whom I may implore mercy without shame or baseness use your Victory as Virtue shall advise you and remember that you cannot still be Generous and abuse it These were Caesars first expressions and to this Declaration the Princess listened without displeasure for she could not desire more glorious proofs of her own merit than in the Conquest of so great a man and after she had studied a while for a becoming answer she reply'd in these terms My Lord I never cherished so good an opinion of that little beauty the Gods have lent me or those other qualities that may make me a pretence to the esteem of common persons to believe them able to subdue him who has taught the whole World Obedience 't is not easie to imagine that the Vanquisher of Mankind should hook himself upon so weak a Bait at least too feeble to hold such a Soul as his the Gods have formed him of a Nature so approaching to theirs that vain were the Ambition of mortal Beauties to aim at such a Conquest nor were it just that after having ty'd your victorious Chains upon the Universe you should lose your own liberty to a Princess that owes you for hers with all that repose you have so nobly restored her Nevertheless my Lord I receive this Discourse full of nobleness with a respect due to great Caesar and my particular Benefactor and if his Spirit has made choice of this kind of divertisement to unweary if self from his grand employments I am contented to afford him matter for it on condition he takes notice that I suffer all from him as my Protector and my Master Cleopatra finished these words turning her Eyes upon the Face of Caesar with a smile capable to perswade him that her words and thoughts were not of the same piece and with an action so sweet and yet so Majestick as if the Graces themselves had compos'd it her Eyes brandishing such an extraordinary brightness as they shot new flames into great Caesars soul who by his fresh wound became so transported as he had much ado to hinder his amorous Feaver from breaking out into the hottest proofs However though with much constraint he retained it and regarding the Princess with Eyes in which Passion was not ill represented I should be angry with you said he if I did not know that your Tongue wronged your heart when it mispiz'd those bright powers that conquered me for they are able to perform greater feats the Advantages which my Arms with the aid of Fortune have given me over men are all too weak to guard me from you I will give my Life if you disdain it not for the confirmation of this Truth and with it submit at your feet all the Vows and thoughts not of your Protector and your Master but of him that consecrates the rest of his days to the Divine Cleopatra with an entire obedience and submission 'T is like he had said more if he had spy'd King Ptolomee whose approach to salute him hinder'd the pursuit of that Discourse But the next day he again renew'd it and as well by words as actions gave Cleopatra such clear proofs of his passion as she found not the least scruple to frame a doubt of This knowledge she manag'd with much prudence and reservation not willing to give cause of complaint to a Man from whom she expected all and on whom her fortune and tranquility absolutely depended yet she govern'd her self in such sort as he could never take the least advantage upon her nor find cause to blame her for too much rigour or facility But she would pleasingly flatter her self with the glory of overcoming him whom the world had not power enough to resist The knowledge she took of her own high birth and admirable qualities gave her belief she might pretend to all things and she fostered no meaner thoughts than such as aim'd at the Empire of the Earth Besides the glory that shined in the greatness of his actions Caesars Person was very capable of inviting affection and though he was not young enough to keep all those charms upon his face undiminished that are Lovers Torches yet he was not so short of those graces to want much of his primitive vigour for his Countenance displayed such brave and erected looks as it imprinted
possession would put him in a fair path to the Empire a design that especially toyl'd her working thoughts all the perswasions she could urge were employed upon her Son to change the object of his passion endeavouring to make him feel the stings of Emulation against Marcellus who by the enjoyment of Julia would strengthen his pretences to the Soveraign Authority and doubtless carry the Imperial Crown by the double advantage of Nephew and Son in Law to the Emperor Tiberius was the most aspiring man upon earth yet then more amorous than ambitious which arm'd him with an obstinate defence against Livia's Importunities and after he had assur'd her they were all in vain he press'd so hard for her assistance protesting his repose and his life depended on it as that indulgent Mother to the passions of her Son gave over her perswasions and began to set her subtleties a work to content him losing no occasion to sollicite Augustus in his behalf and practising all those Charms upon him which she knew had greatest influence to perswade his preferrence of Tiberius his services to those of Coriolanus The Emperor long resisted her persecutions and remembring what was due as well to his Royal word as the friendship of Marcellus who publickly prop'd my Masters Interests and my Princes services who was then strugling with death and danger for the glory of his Empire he shut his Ears to the slie insinuations of Livia which incessantly tormented him this perseverance lasted some months during which he often protested to determine the difference 'twixt the two Competitors with an impassionate equity and decide the price of their Actions by such a general Judgment as neither should have cause to suspect partiality but in fine what could not Love do upon a Soul when he had once disarm'd it and what might not Livia hope from him who for her sake had violated the sacred Laws of Marriage and beyond all President had ravished her great with child from her Husbands arms well that subtile spirit ply'd him so perpetually as his easie soul at last consenting to believe that Coriolanus mouth might be stop'd with rewards more important than Cleopatra to please the importunate Livia he declared against him and promised to pronounce his judgement to her Sons advantage Of this the whole Court had present notice and it quickly flew to the ears of Marcellus and Cleopatra the Princess received this news with a most violent displeasure yet supported it with more moderation than Marcellus who burst into a loud and haughty passion at the injury was offered his friend vigorously disputed his Interests in the Emperours presence and went so far with Tiberius upon that subject meeting with him at the door of the Capitol and exchanging some warm words they drew their Swords one at another this quarrel might have raised dangerous disorders in Rome if Caesars authority had not step'd between and forced them to a mutual embrace charging Marcellus to keep his resentments to himself My Master had advice of his misfortune that same day that he fought the last battel with the Asturians and Cantabrians and was giving orders at the head of his Army when two Letters were brought him one from Marcellus and the other from Cleopatra whatever his employment could then alledge to dispence with their present perusal was all over-born by the passion he preserved for those two persons and opening the Letters he found these words in that of Marcellus which he first read Marcellus to Juba Coriolanus Prince of Mauritania I Would stay till you received the troublesome news I send you from some other hand were it not dangerous to retard the Intelligence the Emperour declares for Tiberius if your presence does not scatter those advantages that Livia's perswasions have gained upon ours come away my dear Brother if it be possible and attend all things from the affection of a Friend who would not have told you this mischief but with a purpose to serve you against it at the price of his Fortunes his Blood and his Life This was Marcellus his Letter and Cleopatra spoke thus The Princess Cleopatra to Prince Coriolanus YEsterday I understood from the Princess Octavia that Augustus intends me for Tiberius The previous discovery of my intentions will tell you how I relish the design however I know his authority as big as it is shall never change my inclinations your sudden return will possibly befriend you more than all the power we can stir in your favour and if you apprehend me right no consideration will be able to defer your coming My Master as I told you received and read these Letters just as he was at the point of giving the last signal for the Battel and his eye had no sooner arrived at the period when stopping the forwardest with a loud cry and commanding their stay till the signal was given he remained in a confused perplexity with his thoughts at a loss what resolution he should take his resentments of this injury no sooner took fire in his Soul but it presently flew into such a flame of anger as the first thought that presented it self was to give away the Victory and punish the ingratitude of Augustus by the loss of his Army and the ruine of his affairs in a Country where his valour had established them then distasting the Treason in that design and passing thence to another that clash'd not so much with his generosity he took up a thought to abandon the Roman Troops carry over his Sword to the Enemies party and raise them by that to the same height from whence he had thrown them While this irresolution kept him buried in a profound study som of the Commanders that were neerest his Person had asked him divers questions touching their employment without gaining the least word of answer from his mouth at last awaking from his deep cogitations he lifted up his head which all this time he had hung down as low as his Saddle bow and turning his eyes round wherein Choler was lively represented Let us go said he whither our duty calls us and prefer our honour before such resentments as cannot be justified by the event of this day we may possibly reverse Caesars intention or at least find out a death to guard us from the injustice is offered Finishing these words after he had sent all the Commanders to their several charges he first gave the last signal and was the first that flew in among his Enemies I shall forbear the particulars of this Battel which was the most cruel and bloudiest of all the rest only after the dispute had hotly held a part of the day there fell to our lot so entire a Victory as of more than 50000 Barbarians that faced us in the morning scarce the tenth of that number were alive at night the General Theopistus was there slain with all the most considerable persons of his party and thus this root of Rebellion was cut up without the
first that began the parley and taking a hint from those sad looks which had dwelt upon his face What Marcellus said she will you wast the rest of your days in such a sullen humour as is insupportable to all those that come near you will you never dissipate these melancholly clouds that render your society ingratefull to all your friends Marcellus sigh'd at this dicourse and darting a passionate look at the Princess Ah Madam said he how easily your self is able to answer this question and how well you are acquainted with the source of that woe which changes my face and leads me to my Tomb had I a spirit that could efface these impressions as easily as yours I should have already found out a way to comfort and you no more have seen the marks of displeasure either in my face or actions I have ador'd you with a Religion that has taught you to understand your own puissance and the Gods are witnesses that since the moment I began to be yours I have tyed my thoughts so entirely to your service as I could never admit any other consideration you have by your former bounties which indeed were justified by the Emperors intentions favoured this rashness that has ruin'd me nor did you block up my way with an impediment that might wake the knowledge of my self or stay me upon the brow of that precipice from whence I am tumbled you suffered me to hope you permitted me to believe my self beloved by you and when that unlucky Errour had got such authority within me as I thought my self mounted to the tallest stair of my fortune without any apparition of a cause you have suddenly thrown me down ill-treated abandoned and banished me for a man who worthy as he is of your affection did never seek after it after this the greatest or rather the only mischief that could tread upon my spirit you wonder I can be sad and seem amazed at the appearance of a change in my visage no rather think it a miracle that so grand a disaster should do so little execution conclude it strange that the grief you have seen and caused should not ease me of this deplorable life which I still drag along and for default of that my own hands should not sacrifice all that is left of it to your inconstancy Marcellus could go no farther in his complaint it being stopped by a torrent of tears that drown'd the passage of his words at which the Princess was so tenderly touch'd as she had no power to refuse him those affections which before she had so liberally given him and though indeed she made use of Deceit and Artifice to excuse her levity I really believe she did then let her self go down the stream of compassion to her first inclinations she took one of Marcellus hands which she press'd between hers and after she had darted him a glance that penetrated his heart and freshly set loves wounds a bleeding Marcellus said she I find great cause by your discourse and actions to accuse you and had I a soul as prompt and prone to resentment as yours I should plot a revenge upon your unjust suspition and punish the vexations it has inflicted on my repose as well as yours but because the affection I bare you can neither consent to nor consist with vengeance and your jealousie had render'd me surer proofs of your affection than I should ever have drawn from your calmer thoughts I will forgive your reproaches and cure your distrust What added she with a milder sweetness in her looke than before did you think I could renounce you for Coriolanus for Coriolanus I say who cannot boast more favours from Nature than your self and is far your inferiour in all those of fortune should I quit Marcellus a Roman Prince Son to the Sister of Caesar dear to the Emperor as his own child and design'd my Spouse from our infant years for the Son of Juba an Affrican whom fortune has despoiled of all but his Sword and at whom I could level no such aims that would not be criminal before the Emperor nay more who neither loves me nor was ever affected by me How replyed Marcellus did you never love Coriolanus why did you then display so many testimonies of it as were interpreted by a thousand persons at the same time when you treated me with so much coldness and contempt as nothing less than an entire blindness could have made me misconstrue your change Was it from Coriolanus mouth added Julia that you understood the particulars of this affection you lay to my charge Coriolanus reply'd Marcellus has too much Discretion and respect for persons of your Sex condition to divulge any language that might wound their repute but besides that he had little power to disavow what appeared so openly his confession was necessary to confirm that knowledge which was but too clearly shown me by a thousand proofs At this the subtil Julia put her hand before her face feigning to hide a blush that was newly mounted thither I am sorry said she you force me to discover my weakness but the design I had to hide it from you is much out-valued by the price of your quiet know then that allowing you as much affection or more than my reason told me was due or your own could justly desire I was willing to believe that it merited the entire gift of your heart when I perceived or at least I thought I perceiv'd that you shar'd your affections to Cleopatra the visits you render'd her frequent as those I receiv'd your regards discourse and all your actions on which 't is confessed my interest might pass an interpretation too criminal joyn'd to what I have heard you confess and the love you once bore to that beautiful Princess stir'd me up a Jealousie against you which a little observation might easily have made your discovery Indeed I avow that when I had once admitted the belief of your ingratitude and inconstancy I endeavoured with all my power to chase you from my thoughts and then it was you began to apprehend those cold distempers in my carriage the cause of which I was resolv'd to conceal all my life from your knowledge supposing if you were really changed that my Jealousie instead of reducing would but augment your insolence and expose me to your scorn by the knowledge of my immoderate passion but these marks of my anger and not as they were construed of my oblivion wrought not the effects upon you I desir'd and finding you as my suspition told me still more sedulous in the service of your Passion to Cleopatra then before I could bethink my self of no other way than to try if I could touch you with Jealousie and finding no fitter person to drive my design than Coriolanus I feigned to love him pretending by this Hypocrisie a revenge upon you and Cleopatra together endeavouring to possess you with a belief that I had chang'd you for the
faithless people from whom he had already gained three Battels and taken in a great part of their strongest Garrisons and without staying the result of a farther deliberation or asking the advice of any person I wrote to him in these terms Candace Queen of Aethiopia to Prince Cleomedon THE victory that inseparably waites upon your Sword to those places where occasion invites you to draw it cannot defend you at this distance from that injustice your Enemies and mine are plotting against you Tiribasus would rob you of what is due by the triple title of the Kings last will your services and my inclinations and I find my self too weak to resist a puissance he has injuriously wrested from me by usurpation Come away then my dear Caesario with all the Forces are left you to dispute pretences of more importance than the recovery of Nubia against Enemies more cruel than any you have there to encounter I had rather loose that part of my Dominion than prove a sad witness to the loss of those hopes you have just conceived of Candace's affection I trusted this Letter to the carriage of one of my own Servants whose fidelity I knew deserved no suspition but it never arrived at Cleomedon's hands and understood a long time after that not only my first messenger had been intercepted and imprisoned by Tiribasus but all the rest that I sent besides which denied me a possibility of receiving any news from Nubia In the mean time Tyribasus was not ready to improve these beginnings to a progress and since the last undisguising of his ayms pretermitted no occasion that might openly shew his designs and acquaint every common eye with his amorous addresses as if he had entered the lists of Love upon equal terms and borrowed his boldness from a parity of condition I had almost dyed with despight at his effrontrey and he no sooner opened his mouth to resolicite his suit but I still gave him a rude repulse in terms so sharp and galling as would have infallibly urged any spirit but his to have raised his Siege as doubtless himself had done if his Love and Ambition had not drawn in the same yoak and his desire of possessing me been freshly supplyed with new heats from his aspiring design to set a proud Crown upon his head One day offering me his hand to lead me to the Temple and perceiving that after a disdainful rejection of his I had taken my Squire I see my services said he are very distastful though I know no other reason than because they are offer'd with more zeal and ardour than all you receive beside from the rest of mankind and possible the same reason that your Majesty takes for a just incitement of your censure would prefer them to estimation and acceptance in another Spirit I should not refuse to receive them of you reply'd I as they are due from my Subject if you would only pay them upon that score but if they are brought to back any other ayms I know you not because you have forgot to know me as you ought It shall be the lesson of my whole life answered he to know you as my Soveraign Queen at whose feet my Soul lyes prostrate by the command of a double authority nor will I ever entertain one single wish to get a dispensation of that homage I here freely quit you reply'd I of all you owe me provided you will see me no more and 't is that Tyribasus the best and most agreeable service I shall ever receive at your hands Tyribasus perceiving I began to kindle at this discourse would press it no further but losing all hope in his designs to vanquish my aversions in these weapons he resolved to work his ends with ruder instruments than Love and Sweetness which he plainly saw had done him no service suspecting the prejudice Delay might produce and fearing that Cleomedon returning from Nubia and winning all the honest party to espouse his quarrel might give a dangerous shock to his ill-gotten authority he concluded from the arguments of an impulsive necessity to defer the blow no longer He was ready assured of all the strong places in the Kingdom to the command of which he had still observed the caution to prefer no others but such as were all at his own devotion the treasure was wholly in his hands or in those of his creatures and without his order neither Garrisons nor standing Troops could receive any payment he had so perfectly brought the Officers hearts with his liberalities that still came from my Coffers as they were all at his disposal and when he flew at the highest pitch of his Masters favour having made it his care to gain himself a popular esteem by procuring some royal grants that carried the face of a publick good he thrived so strangely by those sly insinuations as there were few persons among the Aethiopians and those of the best quality who because of their Birth and Vertue would not be corrupted by his Gifts and Flatteries that he had not engaged to favour his ambition besides finding a pretext of making grand Levies to send into Nubia where Cleomedon's forces by fighting so often were much enfeebled he had raised in divers parts of the Kingdom above six score thousand men which disposed into several bodies instead of marching towards Nubia he had lodged in Garrisons and caused them to be exactly paid by which mean he made himself sure of their hearts and held them readily disposed to act his commands without ballancing any thoughts upon the cause or quarrel These traiterous practises were not so secretly carried but I had notice of them from some that suspected his drift and still preserved his unpoisoned fidelity yet I found my condition too weak to countermine his plots besides I had cause to fear that if I first declared I should but spur him with a greater speed to his haughty Enterprize from which a little patience might possible divert him till Cleomedon's arrival in whom I had circled all my hopes But I received not one answer to all the letters I had written and then ignorant how the treachery of Tyribasus had used them I injustly accused my dear Caesario for taking so slight and supine a notice of my affairs and his own When Tyribasus had ripened all his Contrivances for the purpose he intended he resolved to stay the execution no longer and one morning before the birth of day there entered there by his Orders into Meroe at seven or eight several gates about 30000 Souldiers under the Command of his brother Antenor and two other of his friends and presently seized upon the cross ways the ends of streets and all other places that were most fortificable in the City to prevert or oppose the peoples rising if any such thing should happen The City was no sooner reduced to this condition when Tyribasus appeared in the streets with a throng at his heels of his chiefest Partisans whereof
Artemisa may be ranked among the meaner beauties Compare said he as he was drawing out the box wherein the picture was inclosed compare the imperfect draughts of a young child with the completest points of perfection see if you can still find there the marks of that which seemed so beautiful in your eies and judge if you have not some obligation to your fortune that it did not make you sensible of her forces but when they were not great enough to wound incurably Artamenes had not quite finished this discourse whereby in discovering to me his wounds he made mine bleed afresh but I had already opened the box and greedily cast mine eyes upon the pourtraiture of Artemisa True it is that the Idea of the former beauties of that Princess which remained in my memory made me expect some what very handsome yet that which then presented it self to my eies appeared to me very different from what I had imagined and the beauty of Artemisa had received such a wonderful growth with her age that I could not behold so much as her picture without being dazled at it I easily discovered the same lineaments that I had formerly seen and the same sweetness in her eyes that she had in her infancy but all was admirably heightned by a lustre which eight years time had added to it and to the former sweetness there was joyned a Majesty capable of imprinting respect and love in most insensible souls I could not untye my sight from this dear image which unperceivably recalled all my old affections and if I had not feared to displease Artamenes by keeping his picture so long I should have passed the whole day in this agreeable conversation at last he took it again out of my hands which did not quit it without some violence and looking upon me with an action which seemed only to require my judgment of what I had seen Well Alexander said he do you find the Princess of Armenia such as you left her at your separation Ah Artamenes answered I with a sigh how fair is Artemisa and what a marvellous encrease hath that Beauty received which she had at the time of our first acquaintance Take heed replyed Artamenes with a smile that you do not find her too fair for your own repose and if you will take my counsel do not imbark your self upon that dangerous Sea where I have suffered shipwrack Lions and Panthers have nothing in them so cruel as the disposition of Artemisa and pity which is natural to persons of her Sex hath no access to her She hath reason to be cruel answered I if extraordinary advantages may create haughtiness in any there is no person in the World in whom it may be more justly placed than in the Princess Artemisa We had spoken more to this purpose but that our discourse was interrupted by some of our friends I was not at all displeased at it for I thought it long before I was alone to entertain my self with the fair Image which did re-assume its former place in my heart I passed the rest of that day and all the night following in a deep musing which would not let me sleep and never possibly was any spirit more troubled than mine was at this rancounter Artemisa presented her self to me then in a condition which could hardly find any resistance in a mind which had been prepossessed with affection for her at a time when her powers were much different from what they were then and the natural disposition I had to love made my soul incline to that relapse with such forces as it would have been in vain for me to oppose Whatsoever advantages there were in the Princess Artemisa the sight of the picture was not capable to give birth to my passion if I had known them only by that and the impressions of love which I had received in my fancy were not strong enough to kindle that fire in my Soul if they had not been otherwise assisted but my former inclinations being joyned to the view of the picture to my former inclinations and my destiny as I believe having operated above all these natural causes that passion whereof I had made essayes in my infancy insensibly possessed it self of my soul All the most sweet and agreeable passages which had happened in the beginnings of my love returned then into my memory and all the proofs I had received of the innocent amity of that Princess presenting themselves to my memory I began to condemn my self either of lightness or negligence in slighting a fortune which well deserved that I should entirely engage my self therein Why did I not continue said I what I had so happily begun and why having loved according to my power when I was not capable why do I cease to love now when I am so Ah without doubt the Gods by their just decree reduce me to my duty which I had ungratefully forgotten and they have permitted me to have knowledge of the present beauties of Artemisa only to make me acknowledge my fault and to bring me back into the way which without any reason I had forsaken they remember better than I that I have promised that Princess a thousand times to love her eternally and I remember very well my self that I promised her at our separation to come and see her one day in Armenia and that she required this promise of me as a proof of my affection Why shall I not acquit my self of a word which I gave voluntarily and what reason can dispence with me for the many and deep protestations of eternal fidelity which I made to that Princess as young as I was Ah Alexander rouze thy self out of this sleep which hath possessed thee so many years pursue thy former inclinations thy duty and thy destiny it self as thou may'st judge by so uncommon an adventure calls thee to the service of Artemisa she will not possibly be so cruel to thee as Artamenes represents her if by what is past thou may'st judge of her inclination she is not so inaccessible to pity as she hath appeared to this repulsed lover and possibly she will call to mind her own promises when she shall see thee perform thine By this kind of reasoning which flattered me I introduced love into my heart with precipitation but yet I wanted not another counsellor within me which represented such difficulties to me as might have been able to divert me from my enterprise if I had been capable my self to consider them I knew that I was the son of Anthony and Cleopatra who against all right both divine and humane had cruelly put to death the Father of that Princess and besides that I might justly fear lest the Princess her self being come to more maturity of age might bear regret against the children of her Father's murtherers I was not ignorant that the King of Armenia her brother had conserved that irreconcilable hatred against the memory of Cleopatra that he publickly
differences which in his former surpize he had not discerned he perceived his mistake but he perceived it with such a grief as he was not able to support and lifting his eyes to heaven in a pittiful manner O Gods said he with a feeble voice O fortune will you eternally make your selves sport with this miserable wretch He hardly uttered these words and from the posture wherein he was letting himself fall to the ground his face became pale his eyes closed up and he continued sensless at Artemisa's feet At this sight pity took full possession of the Princesses soul and sitting down by the Unknown to give him assistance she her self threw upon his face divers times the water which Tideus and Leucippe brought her from the fountain the Unkown continued a great while before he recovered his spirits and in the interim those that employed themselves in his succour had the leisure to consider him and they viewed him with a very particular attention Through the mortal paleness which had overspread his countenance they perceived as gallant a Mine as ever their eyes had beheld all the lineaments of it were formed with a compleat and just proportion and when his eyes were freed from those dark clouds wherewith at present they were inveloped with a sweetness that was natural to them they breathed something noble and great enough to imprint respect in the beholders his hair that was long and neglected by reason of his afflictions which took from him all cares of small importance did admirably well become his visage and he was of the tallest streightest cleanest making that can be imagined his age seemed to be about two or three and twenty but they perceived well that his complexion which was naturally very fresh had received great changes by his toils and troubles After that he had been some while in the hands of those that succoured him that the Princess making a comparison between this rancounter and that she had a few days before with Caesario officiously interessed her self on his behalf he came again to himself and turning his eyes round about him he perceived together with the truth which was past the obligation he had to that fair person which a few moments before he had taken for Delia. If upon the first Idea he formed to himself of her he had her in veneration at the second view he conceived no less respect for her and after he had beheld her a while with an attention which confirmed him in all the thoughts he might have of her raising himself out of the posture wherein he was to accost her in another less unhandsome I know not said he but you may be a Divinity descended from Heaven to my assistance in regard of the first errour whereinto I am fallen concerning you I am afraid to commit new faults and those beauties that dazled me at the first sight have more conformity with the heavenly beauties than those of mortal persons This Beauty replyed Artemisa modestly is too mean to express any more than its own nature and 't is the resemblance it may have to that of the person you love which causes you to judge so advantagiously of it 'T is true replyed the Unknown that I have seen some features in your face which in a soul totally possessed with the memory of Delia immediately brought back her whole Idea and certainly the resemblance is not so small but that in a troubled imagination as mine is it might very well produce these effects 't is that which made me commit a fault which possibly hath created you some trouble and put me into a condition of having need of those assistances which you have tendred me with so much goodness out of the acknowledgment I owe you I would present you with this life in the preservation whereof you have so officiously employed your self if it were not too unhappy to be offered to your service and he that should offer it too unfortunate to hope from heaven any occasion of expressing his acknowledgment to you The Unknown uttered these words with such a grace that Artemisa was extraordinarily taken with them and desiring to answer his civilities according to the esteem she had already conceived of him The assistance I have rendred you said she is due to all men and particularly to those who carry in their faces the marks that appear in yours but if you believe that I have an obligation upon that account which permits me to require any recompence of you I would only desire of you that you would use some moderation in that excessive grief which we have observed in your discourse and actions and take some pains to search out in your own courage and the examples of those who are more unfortunate than your self the consolation that is necessary for you Alas replyed the Unknown with a sigh alass how just is this grief that is the cause of my death and how difficult will it be to banish it out of a soul over which it hath possessed it self of a most lawful Empire I do not require that attempt from you replyed the Princess and the cause of it may be such as it might be difficult for you to make an absolute conquest of it but yet your reason may furnish you with remedies to sweeten it and if you be not afflicted by some loss wherein all hopes are extinguished you may expect favourable changes in your condition with more likelyhood possibly than divers persons whom I my self have seen raised up contrary to their expectation from the uttermost extremities of misfortune to their highest selicity Examples of that kind are not so rare but that you may set a good number of them before your eyes and by all likely conjectures I believe you have courage enough to serve your self successfully with them if you will employ you self about it I am too much obliged replyed the Stranger to the judgement you make of me by marks not altogether infallible but though the Gods had given me the courage to enterprise the highest difficulties I have had so much occasion to employ it in the crosses which my bad fortune hath raised me that in the miseries wherein I am now engulphâ—d I receive but small assistance from it 't is not because my last hopes have abandoned me nor that I am assured of a loss after which all humane considerations would not be able to preserve my life one moment It may be my good Fortune may be still in the hands of the Gods but after so much unprofitable pains as I have taken I have so little likelyhood to hope it from them that I have no rational ground to do it 'T is a difficult thing added the Princess to see a man in your garb in so great an affliction without taking a great share with him or without desiring a more perfect knowledge of a person concerning whom our first sight and this first discourse hath given us very advantagious impressions
I should not dare to express my curiosity any farther but I can really assure you that it is less upon that account than out of a desire of comforting you in your displeasures if it be possible for us that I desire this knowledge The Unknown at these words held his eyes a while fixed upon the ground and afterwards raising them up to Artemisa's face Since my misfortunes have made me said he I have not declared them to any person and besides that the secrecy of them hath been of importance to me in many places where I have passed 'T is somewhat sensible to me to recal to mind by this discourselthe cause of my displeasures but a person so unordinary as you may expect extraordinary differences from me and besides the obedience which those divine beauties may hope for from the most savage souls I know too well what I owe to your generous goodness which you have expressed both in the consolation and the assistance you have given me to avoid or neglect any occasion of complying with your desires I will acquaint you without dissimulation both with my name and birth but the relation of my adventures if you desire it should be any thing large it may possibly be of too tedious a length for you and I fear I shall put you to some inconvenience by detaining you here with a discourse in which you are not certain to find any divertisement Without doubt I abuse your patience replyed Artemisa in exacting this of you but you may pardon it if you please upon the account of the interest I take already in your fortune and if this place be inconvenient for the relation I desire of you there is a house hard by at your service where you may repose your self as long as you please and possibly find some consolation to your sorrows in very agreeable company The Unknown humbly thanked the Princess for this offer and after some words of obliging contestation The condition wherein I am said he doth not permit me to receive the favor you do me I can neither stay nor take any repose in the most agreeable companies in the world though such as you offer me so long as I am possessed with these tormenting cares but since you desire to understand the Fortunes of this miserable person if you please I will satisfie your expectation here in this place The Princess having accepted his offer the Unknown after he had called his two Squires which looked to his horses hard by and given some orders to one of them came back and sate down by her upon the brim of the Fountain Sarpedon Leucippe and Tideus did the same some paces from them by Artemisa's order who prayed the Unknown to give leave that they might be present at his Narration and a little after the Stranger having mused a while upon the discourse he was to make he began in this manner The HISTORY of PHILADELPH I Would tell you Madam that by the relation which you desire of me and whereunto I dispose my self without repugnance in obedience to a person for whom I feel so extraordinary a respect you go about to revive my resentments if I could not say with greater truth that nothing is capable to asswage them and that of all the moments of my life there is not one wherein they are not present to my memory neither my long travels nor those accidents which possibly would have produced this effect in a soul less prepossessed were ever able to do it and I shall infallibly cease to live when I shall part with a remembrance which entirely possesses me and whereunto all my thoughts are chained by an eternal obligation Tarchoudemus King of Cilicia well known for his puissance and the amity and alliances he had with Anthony as long as he lived is he that sent me into the world and not having any other children living by the Queen my Mother but the Princess Andromeda my Sister and my self I am now the lawful and sole heir of his Grown This reason hath obliged him to cause me to be brought up with such great care that never possibly had any Prince greater advantages in his education than I nor more means to second good inclinations if I received any from nature my first years whereof I might tell you the employments were it not for troubling you were spent for the exercises of the mind and body whereunto my youth was formed and when the King my Father thought that I had made a passable progress in them to frame my self to a greater perfection to renew the alliances he had made with Augustus after his coming to the Empire he was about to send me to Rome to spend some years there with divers young Princes which were brought up there and to refine me from the barbarism of our own Provinces but he was diverted from this design by a report of a War wherein he found himself strongly interessed Artaxus the young King of Armenia inheriting the hatred which had along time been between his Family and the Kings of the Medes made war against Tygranes newly come to the Crown and conserving the same resentments against him as he had done against his Father by whose sollicitations as they say the Queen Cleopatra was obliged to put Artibasus to death he began to enter his Dominions and to ruine all that came in his way with a great deal of cruelty Tygranes is the King my Father's Sister Son and besides this proximity there hath always been so streight an alliance between our Families that in the affairs that have happened to either there was never known a separation of interests After two years of the War which passed so equally that Tygranes had no need of our assistance in the third fortune began to be contrary to him and having reduced him to the necessity of our succour the King my Father went to aid the King his Nephew in person I attended my Father and in this War I served my first Apprentiship in Arms There were many Battels fought and many memorable Rancounters passed wherein I had the happiness to give good hopes of my future progress by my beginnings and success did so accompany our arms that we chased Artaxus out of Media and got very considerable advantages upon the frontier Artaxus being extraordinarily exasperated and of an inclination naturally very cruel wasted all he could without pity with fire and sword and more fully to express his humour two Princes of the greatest proximity to our Family being by fortune fallen into his hands without any regard either to their birth or to humanity it self he cruelly put them to death and sent their heads to Tygranes By this cruelty the King my Father was so enflamed with choler against the King of Armenia that he solemnly sware to be revenged and in all that passed afterwards he endeavored to execute it without any consideration At last the weakness of either side did somewaâ—aâ—swage
She never inspired me with any thoughts which were not very conformable to it and I shall never have more respectful conceits nor more advantageous intentions for the greatest Princess upon earth than I have for Delia. And what are your intentions added the King with a more severe countenance than before have you a design to Marry her I know too well answered I the difference I owe to the will of my Father and my King to form these designs without his permission but I will tell your Majesty plainly that if I had obtained your consent I would Marry Delia before all the Princesses upon Earth The King stept two or three paces backward at these words and looking upon me with eyes full of the marks of his indignation O Gods said he what is this that I understand and what baseness do I now find in a Prince whose Father I am and of whom I had conceived such fair hopes What Philadelph could you cast your eyes upon Delia with a design to Marry her I have told your Majesty replyed I that I would never have that design if it were contrary to yours but I will tell you again if you please to give me leave that without doubt I should marry Delia if I had your consent and I judge her worthy of more sublime advancement than to be the Queen of Cilicia The King was more amazed than before at this confirmation and in a crowd of things which he had to say not being able to express himself without disorder and confusion he made divers turns about the Chamber without speaking casting his eyes upon me every moment with an action which sufficiently expressed his choler and after he had kept silence a while in this manner composing his countenance upon a sudden I know Philadelph said he that I ought to inflict such punishments upon you for your fault as might make you sensible of it and you have not so slightly offended me but that I might without blame let you feel the effect of my resentments against you but I will content my self to give you such a punishment as may possibly reduce you to your duty and I will cure you of this passion which is destructive to your repose and honour by removing the cause of it out of your fight to morrow without any farther delay I will send away this stranger from my Court where she hath been the cause of disobedience and disorder and I shall do her no wrong when I shall send her out of this Country and cause her to be safely re-conducted into her own These words pierced my very soul with grief but yet they increased my boldness and I answered the King without much trouble It is in your power Sir to drive Delia out of your Country but I will not stay behind her and into what part of the world soever she retires I will follow her to the last moment of my life and will never be torn from her by any violence or consideration I shall hinder you from that well enough added the King enraged with choler and I shall possibly put you in such a place where you shall have little liberty to run after Delia. That is likewise in your power replyed I but you shall never be able to make me live without Delia and if you deprive me of the liberty of following her all the authority you have cannot hinder me from dying as without doubt I shall do if you exercise this rigour against me The King was almost besides himself at this declaration and in the violence of his choler he threw so many reproaches upon me that the length and disorder of them hinders me from relating them at last when his passion had a little spent it self Philadelph said he your insolence and your baseness render you unworthy of the affection I have for you but I shall bridle that to reduce you to your duty get you gone out of my sight and come no more into it till you have disposed your self to render what you owe me as your Father and as your King In this manner he drave me out of his presence and I retired in such a confusion of thoughts that for a long time after I could not calm my spirits yet for all that I made a firm resolve either to conserve my interest in Delia or to perish and not to recede from the desigh I had for her for any menace or any usage that I might receive from the King That very evening I made a relation of all to Delia and to the Princess Andromeda and upon this discourse Delia renewed the requests she had formerly made to my Sister to give her permission to retire but I hindred the progress of her requests when I said to her with a countenance wherein through the marks which a violent passion imprinted there she might perceive the signs of a strong resolution Delia I have often told you that it is in your power to leave me but I protest to you before all the Gods that if you show so much inhumanity to a Prince who hath given you no cause and if contrary to what you owe to acknowledgment and pity you can resolve to leave me in the shipwrack whereinto you have thrown me this sword shall pierce my heart in your presence and I shall possibly mollifie yours by my blood if I cannot do it by the proofs of a passion which upon those terms I am at with you would not possibly be so cruelly disdained by any other person but your self Delia if she had no sence for love she had some for compassion and always when I made her this discourse she seemed to be moved at it and did very much slack the design she had to quit us but it was not without the testimonies of a smarting grief that she saw her self to be the cause of our troubles and without grand protestations of the little desire she had to contribute to them In the mean while the King out of the affection he had for me fearing the effect of what I had threatned either to follow Delia or to make an attempt upon my own life if he deprived me of my liberty had a design to cross me some other way and seeing divers of his Courtiers or almost all of them enflamed with love for Delia he inspired them with courage to serve her and promised them all manner of favour and assistance upon that account He had a mind particularly to employ Antigenes one of the most amorous and most capable to make himself beloved He was handsome enough of his person and he had a nimble and bold Spirit and the King judging him fit to serve his turn in his intended purpose promised him that if he could prevail upon Delia's spirit and break the union which he believed was between that Maid and I he would not only make a Match between them but amply repair by his munificence whatsoever the stranger wanted so that he
my violent passion was genuinely represented Julia who hath a spirit of another temper than mine did much sooner compose her self than I and beholding me with eyes of expressing some choler and disdain I take it ill said she to me that you take the liberty to read my Letters without my permission all the interest you take in them cannot acquit You of the respect you owe me and if you your self have not found in your discretion part of the punishment which you deserve I shall make you sensible of my resentments in such a manner as shall make you learn to be more reserved with me I was too well fortified by my conscience and by the justice of what I could reproach Julia with to fear her choler as I should have done upon another occasion wherein she had been more reasonable and beholding her with a visage which ordinarily shews the difference between those which are innocent and those that are culpable I owe you replyed I much more respect than love and if nothing can dispence with my respect my love finds in the cruel cheats you have put upon me reasons great enough to withdraw it self from you for ever I shall do what I can possible not to trouble his felicity any more who acknowledgeth himself so reduable to your goodness and what glory soever I find in serving you I should be the basest of men if I did not endeavour to recover out of your power an heart so ungrateful and unworthily abandoned You will do me a pleasure briskly answered Julia and I suffer too much by your humour to be sorry for the loss of a thing which makes me subject to tyranny Ah! Madam replyed I you have no cause to complain and whatsover usage I have received from you I should be very sorry that you could reproach me with an action wherein I have not together with Princess Julia to whom I have given my soul considered the Daughter of Caesar to whom I owe all If I have committed any fault of this nature the Gods are my witnesses that it is neither in my knowledge nor according to my intention and to hinder me from falling into it though I cannot give you an exact account of my abilities I will do whatsoever I can possible to give you the satisfaction you desire Having spoken these words I went from her and departed out of her Chamber in the saddest condition that ever I was in my life In effect this visible proof of her inconstancy did so nettle me that I could hardly be more moved by the most cruel accidents that could happen to me and when I was retired into a place where I might disgest my adventure I found in it so much cause of grief that I could hardly receive any consolation Ah! said I I should be a meer sool I should be blinder than ever yet I have been if I could any longer be ignorant of the infidelity of Julia and the tricks she hath put upon me heretofore now appear in their true shape Her love to Coriolanus which she would have pass but for a fiction was but too real and if that Prince had not disdained the affections of this unfaithful creature neither the memory of all my services nor the authority of Caesar had been capable of conserving Julia for me The demonstrations of amity she hath since made to so many persons and which she would artificially make to pass with me for effects of civility and gallantry are the real effects of her lightness and if my passion had left me any remainder of common sense onely I could not have been mistaken Return then to thy self Marcellus out of this profound senslessness which hath unman'd thee remember thy self that thou art not born to be despised and that thou art fit for something better and more great than to be the eternal object of the inconstancies of Julia. The interest which may joyn with her beauty to fix thee to her service is not capable to engage a noble soul and though in not beeing the Son-in-law of Caesar thou wilt lose the hopes he hath given thee thou art born in a dignity sufficiently eminent and thou maist possibly mount up to a very sublime degree if thou dost not degenerate from the vertue of thy Ancestors nor disgrace the beginnings of thy life Abandon then this ungrateful creature which abandons thee every day by a lightness without example and consider that this base sufference to which she hath subjected thee by her artifices is unworthy of thy courage All those for whom she now withdraws from thee the affections she had given thee are it may be both by birth and quality of person inferiour to thee and by the preference she gives them above thee she possibly wrongs her self as much as she can offend thee leave her then in this condition wherein without doubt she will quickly find cause to repent and though after some reflection which will make her come to her self again she would recall thee by her ordinary artifices confirm thy self in thy just resentments and let her know that thou canst live without her seeing she cannot live for thee alone These were the resolutions to which my just resentments carried me but I was a little too weak to put them in execution and this inconstant Princess to my misfortune had gotten such a Dominion over my spirit that it was impossible for me to dis engage my self My grief quickly made it self be taken notice of by those persons with whom I was most familiar and though I could not entirely conceal it from the Princess Octavia my Mother nor from my Sisters she to whom I did most confidently discover it was the Princess Cleopatra I found in her likewise more consolation than in all the rest and though there remained no more of the passion which I had once for her than thoughts conformable to those I had for my Sisters I found in her so much sweetness of spirit so much freedom and greatness of courage that there was no person in the World to whom I should have opened my heart with more confidence Upon the first complaints I made to her concerning this last displeasure I had received from Julia Brother said she to me for it was Octavia's will that we should alwayes use this name between us I heartily participate in your just resentments and if Julia had confidence enough in me to regulate her actions by my counsel I would take an order for the future that you should see your self no more subject to the displeasures which she hath made you sensible of This is not the first time that I have taken notice of the lightness of her mind and have foreseen with grief part of that which is befallen you but if you believe me and if it be possible for you you will not excessively afflict your self part of this volatile humour of Julia will be dissipated by a little more maturity in years and though
Mecenas that together with reproaches which had pierced his heart he had received from a Maid such instructions how to reign that he should be obliged to her for them as long as he lived he continued divers daies much netled and troubled and without scarce seeing the persons who would have caused him to lay constraint upon the Daughter of Anthony This accident is remarkable and the greatness of Caesar's courage certainly produced in this rancounter an effect worthy of his actions Livia remained much afflicted and full of confusion and Tyberius was no less a few daies after when with a like resolution to that which she had shewed before Caesar Cleopatra protested to him that if he did obstinately seek to espouse her by any other waies than by his services she would infallibly destroy her self and that he ought to be very certain that the very day of her Marriage should be the day of her Funeral By this couragious resolution in favour of Coriolanus Cleopatra recovered the liberty which they had deprived her of upon the point that it was most desperate and I saw this unexpected change with a joy as great as was the confusion of Tyberius He almost died with the grief he took at it and whether it were that he had no hope to make Caesar change his resolution or whether he himself feared the effect of Cleopatra's threatnings and would not expose himself to the danger of seeing her execute them but he used no more any authority to acquire her and employed only submissions and testimonies of his love The affairs of Coriolanus were in this condition at Rome when the repose of my mind was ruined there by the ingratitude and inconstancy of Julia. This Princess as I told you either to vex me with jealousie or to pursue her real inclinations made no difficulty of bestowing publick testimonies of affection upon Drusus and she having a spirit which is not troubled with the report and opinion of the vulgar carried her self so that scarcely any person at Rome made any doubt but that Drusus possessed that place in Julia's heart which was destined for me and which sometime I enjoyed At first I endeavoured to receive this change with indifferency and to let Julia know that I did not envie Drusus his Fortune and to that end I forced my self to put the best face upon it I possibly could before her and to appear as little moved at her inconstancy as if I had not been concerned in it but I could not long lay this constraint upon my self and though I was incensed I was still a lover and a very passionate one too To my misfortune all my resolution proved vain against a power to which I had too much submitted my self and in spite of my heart I could not behold the advantages of Drusus without being heartily sensible of them The violent grief I conceived thereupon quickly made it self remarkable and not only the Princess Octavia my Sisters and my most familiar Friends perceived it but the Emperour who took more interest in me than I deserved took notice of it with regret and pressed me every day to acquaint him with the real cause of it In discovering it to him I had an assured means to satisfie my self upon Julia and Drusus in ruining the pretensions of my rival and declaring the Daughters infidelity to a Father who would not have approved of it I and all the Romans knew that the intentions of Caesar were entirely for me and though Drusus were Son to the Empress he could not hope to do me any prejudice but I would not make use of this advantage in a case wherein I thought I could not do it without baseness and seeing that by the merit of my person I could not conserve the affections of this volatile Princess I would not employ the authority of a Father for a thing which seemed due to my personmy love and services I alledged to Caesar sometimes the indisposition of body and at other times other causes of sadness and I was not only unwilling that he should learn the truth from my mouth but when I saw Octavia my Mother and his Sister who was interessed in my afflictions as much as a good Mother could be in a resolution to discover that to him which I kept concealed and to make complaint to him of his Daughter with a great deal of resentment after I had in vain requested her not to render me that displeasure I protested to her that if she would not condescend to his desire I would be gone from Rome so far from her that possibly in divers years she should have no news of me the fear of it restrained her against her design but she sharply blamed me for my vain considerations and could not forbear upon divers occasions to testifie her particular resentment to Julia but if Octavia were ill satisfied with her the Empress in revenge had all the cause that might be to be contented and seeing her designs proceed with all the success she could wish she made so many demonstrations of amity to Julia that if she had been her own Daughter she could not have received more All these things stung me at last in a part where I was very sensible and according to my judgement my honour finding it self interessed was more impatient than my love I could not endure that it should be believed that I had quitted a place to Drusus which I had first possessed and which by all reason was more due to me than to him and when I sought means to make my resentments appear without injuring the consideration which was due to Caesar in the person of his Daughter she gave me so great occasions that I thought it impossible any longer without baseness In all the assemblies and all the publick spectacles that the Emperour often exhibited to the people Drusus was always with her and if at any time by coming late he was distant from her she called him in my very presence and made him take the nearest place to her he could possible There is a sacrifice yearly offered in the Capitol the same day that the City was delivered from the Gauls wherein amongst other Ceremonies one of the principal Roman Ladies elected for that action by the voices of the people goes to make an offering to Jupiter of some gifts of acknowledgement in behalf of the Common-wealth and causes her self to be conducted to the Altar by one of the chiefest Romans and ordinarily by one of her nearest Relations whom she most esteems This year Julia was entreated to perform this office and the Emperour as it is ordinary with the Empress all the Senate and the whole Court was present at the Capitol and assisted at the Sacrifice When it was time that Julia should approach to the Altar all the company cast their eyes upon me as the man who infallibly should accompany her and what misunderstanding soever was between us the Emperours will being publickly
wherewith he was engaged were willing to give him free liberty to entertain her and looking upon her with eyes almost sparkling with the ardency of his affection Divine Delia said he Delia the only aym and the only cause of my life where shall I begin to declare to you the thoughts of my soul or desire to know yours upon which my days are inseparably fixed Shall I blame you for that cruel flight by which you have made me wander so long in the most deplorable condition that ever an unfortunate Lover was reduced to Shall I represent to you the grievous sufferings wherein I have passed my life occasioned by the loss of your sight and almost all my hopes Or rather shall I ask of you if there remains still in your Spirit any remembrance of my love any reliques of pity or any favorable intention for your faithful Philadelph Alas 't is upon this last point only that I ought to insist my complaints will work no more effect upon your Spirit than they did heretofore in Cilicia you will apprehend nothing of the pain which your absence hath made me suffer but what you know already by the knowledge you have of my love All that is past is pleasing to my memory when I call to mind that 't is for you that I have suffered all and in stead of calling it to mind by my discourse 't were much better Delia that I should ask you and expect from your mouth the destiny of Philadelph But O Gods here it is that my courage fails me and I continue without resolution or assurance in expectation of a sentence upon which my life or death doth certainly depend I am still ignorant whether amongst the thoughts of acknowledgement which work some effect upon such a soul as yours there was formerly intermingled any motion of a particular affection I know not whether those thoughts whatsoever they might be continue in the same condition in relation to me as they were discovered to me in Cilicia whether your departure out of our Country was not caused by something that destroyes all the hope which my love had permitted me to conceive whether that heard-heartedness which you always had for me be not increased by absence or rather Delia and I tremble in speaking it to you both for fear of offending you and for fear lest my suspicions should be too true whether all the avenues of that heart which I have so vainly attempted with so much love be not blocked up against me by some other affection which received its birth since our separation or before our acquaintance Philadelph spake these words with some pain and finished them with his eyes cast down to the ground with an action that signified to Delia a great deal of fear and confusion the fair Lady looked upon him a while in that condition without returning him any answer and a little after smoothing her countenance with a little more than ordinary sweetness and serenity and giving the passionate Prince a look able to recal him from the grave Be pacified Philadelph said she and believe that if my Spirit was ever capable of any affection or may be so for the future it never was nor ever shall be but for you by this assurance you may be secured against all your fears with part of which I could find some occasion to be offended if the obligation I have to you did not make me easily pass over slight considerations As to the reproach you make me concerning my departure out of Cilicia I thought I had been partly justified by the reasons which I alledged you for it in the paper which I gave you at our parting and I believe that you would find enough there to excuse a procedure which appearances made you condemn Ah! Madam cryed the Prince interrupting her I understood nothing upon that account and if the Gods had left me that means to let me know my fortune it may be I had not wandred so long in search of you with so much misery and grief that sacred paper wherein the secret of my life was inclosed was taken from me by an incredible misfortune and the religious observation of the prohibition which you made me when you gave it me caused me a loss whereof I was more sensible than I should have been of the loss of my Fathers Crown Upon that he related to her how he lost the Cabinet where the paper was inclosed and he made her that discourse in such terms as made her more and more acquainted with the violence of his passion and when he had done speaking Delia who had quietly hearkened to him taking up the discourse with a smile You have lost nothing said she since by our meeting the address I gave you to inform your self of me is rendred unnecessary If you might be accused of the negligence for having ill kept a thing which in regard of the interest you take in it ought to be of some importance to you yet the respect you had to the request I made you when I gave it you ought to satisfie me and I receive it as no slight proof of your affection which shall always be as dear to me as you can desire I did a little wonder to hear you talk in such a manner as might make me judge that you were still ignorant of those things which you might have understood by that means you shall shortly understand them from the mouth of a person who is too much obliged to you to use any disguise with you whilst she lives and then I will acquaint you with the adventures which have besallen me since our separation which weer the cause that you failed of finding me in the Country where I was born which I did not conceal from you Philadelph even surfetting with a joy which his soul was hardly able to contain was about to answer Delia's obliging discourse when the brave unknown who looked upon him with a countenance full of all the marks of amity rode up to his side and came to participate in their conversation Philadelph who upon another account would have looked with love and admiration upon the wonders that appeared in his person and who naturally had a soul as full of sweetness and courtesie as any man in the world beheld this man with a repugnance which he could not dissemble and seemed as little sensible of the testimonies of esteem which he gave him as if he had lost his judgement and knowledge The meeting of a man as highly accomplished as ever any nature framed in Delia's company and the familiarity that seemed to be between them was so much suspected by him that had it not been for the respect he bare to Delia he had made the effects of his jealousie appear against him without any farther delay and whilst Agrippa and Cornelius looked upon him as an admirable man and as one that did equal at least all the compleatest persons that ever they saw all
is stretched to its uttermost dimensions and I will know this day whether a heart which is invincible by love and pity can be tamed by any other ways Upon these wordâ— I know not whether his action was premeditated or not as in probability it was or whether the occasion prompted him to the design having made a sign to his Brother and another of those which followed him they came at the same time to pull Ericlea and Melite from off my arms who held by me on both sides and Antigenes putting himself in Ericlea's place began to lead me by force towards the most private part of the Wood whilst his Brother and one of his Men held my two Women by violence This action made me desperately afraid and believing that in such an extremity a disguise was no longer necessary Antigenes said I think of what thou goest about and look no more upon me as an Unknown Delia but as the Daughter of a great King and as a Princess who in what part soever of the world thou shalt retire to will make the vengeance of thy crime light heavy upon thy head I believe that Antigenes gave no credit to these words which he thought I was inspired with by the pressing necessity wherein I was to draw him off from his design by the respect which they might imprint in him Howsoever it was he did not seem to be moved at them and not vouchsafing so much as to give me a reply and continued dragging me with all his force towards the most solitary part of the wood In this extremity I made the wood to Eccho with my cryes and my Women whom they hindred from coming to my assistance were as loud as I Their cryes and mine without doubt did us more good than our resistance could have done and they drew a man to us who was retired into that thick and solitary place whom we presently knew to be the same whose complaint we had heard a little before He came out from between the trees where he sought for silence and obscurity and casting his eyes upon us he presently saw the cause of our cryes and the violence they offered to us and his grief not being capable to extinguish generous resentments in his soul and the remembrance of the succour that was due to oppressed Maids he ran to us with more speed than could have been expected from the languishing and dejected condition wherein he appeared to us Antigenes seeing him come and fearing the hindrance of his design more than any other harm he could do him being accompanied as he was called his brother who leaving my women in the hands of two of his men came to Antigenes with the rest This number did not trouble the Unknown but addressing himself to Antigenes without so much as looking upon the rest Base fellow said he with an impetuous voice stay and do not oblige me to give thee thy death for a punishment of thy crime Antigenes seeing himself fortified by the number of his companions mocked at the pride of the Unknown and not vouchsafing to forbear from his design for him he made a sign to his brother either to stay him or punish him but he had to do with a man who was not easily corrected in that manner and though he had no more then Antigenes and his companions had only his sword without any other arms he presently presented it to the eyes of his enemies and fell upon them with as much assurance as if he had been backed by a greater number than theirs O Gods Philadelph what proofs of valour did he give us in a few moments and what speedy execution did he make before our eyes of five or six men who seemed as nothing in his single hands The first that fell under his sword was the brother of Antigenes whose right arm he cut off at one blow and made a large passage in his side through which his soul bare his blood company and almost at the same time having avoided a blow which another enemy made at him he thrust his bloody sword into his body up to the hilts I could see that action and those he did afterwards because perfidious Antigenes no sooner saw his brother fall but leaving me with a cry he ran either to revenge his death or to bear him company These two which were left to guard my women ran to Antigenes at his cry and these three enemies fell upon the valiant Unknown just as he had cloven the head and half the face of the last of the others with a back blow He cared as little for these as he had done for the former and picking out Antigenes between his two companions he gave him a mortal wound into the throat with which he fell at his feet and presently after was choaked with his blood and dyed My valiant defender received at the same time a slight wound upon his side which did but encourage him the more and hastened the death of him who gave it for as he was just turning his back to run away he thrust his sword into his reins and laid him dead close by Antigenes The last seeing so bloody an execution had not confidence any longer to resist so terrible an enemy and committing his safety to the nimbleness of his heels he ran cross the wood in a deadly fright I cannot tell you whether was greater in me the astonishment at so prodigious a valour or the joy of seeing my self delivered from the hands of my treacherous ravisher or the horror of being amongst so many dead men who had lost their lives upon my occasion I was so amazed and so troubled that I had not so much as power to return thanks to my valiant deliverer and I continued in a confusion not knowing how to begin to speak to him when he approaching to me with his bloody sword in his hand and with a colour which the heat of the combat had raised in his face Your enemies are dead Madam said he and if there remains any thing to do for your service I have strength enough still to free you out of a greater danger He spake no more because astonishment cut off the thread of his discourse and he had no sooner cast eyes a little nearer upon my face but he was full of amazement and confusion My surprize was no less than his when having looked upon him with attention and discerned the tone of his voice manger the change which three or four years and an extraordinary paleness might have wrought upon his countenance I thought I knew him for that brave and valiant Britomarus of whom I made some small mention to you in my discourse who by his miraculous actions of valour in a few months attained to the highest martial employments in the service of the King my brother and quitted it out of a generous resentment against the cruelty which caused the King your Father's hatred against our family the very same who being
Fortune in the minds of two persons so strongly and so justly prepossessed with their own and 't is certain that Elisa and Candace had cause enough absolutely to employ their memory upon the consideration of their own mishaps and in the care of their own affairs but their souls were of the most exquisite temper and they were not so totally taken up with the natural sense of their own misfortunes but that there was room left still for compassion towards a person of Olympia's birth and merit Besides by that affection which bound them up to her interests they had given entrance to a curiosity which upon the score of a less extraordinary person and more common adventures it would not have easily found in their spirits and they could not call to mind the admirable beginning of that Princesse's Fortunes and the passage wherat her Relation had been interrupted without being moved with a great desire to understand the Sequele which according to apparences could not but be composed of very strange Accidents and in particular to know the name of the Unknown which Olympia had at her Tongues end when she was forced to break off the Thread of her Discourse This Reason though indeed more weak than the former made them resolve to steal that Evening from Agrippa and Cornelius whose Visits they much feared to give it intirely if they could possibly to this afflicted Princess and upon this design having taken a light Supper together in Elisa's lodging they charged the Maids that waited upon them to say That the Princess of the Parthians being a little indisposed they were gone to Bed together not doubting but by these means to secure themselves from being interrupted by persons full of discretion and well-versed in all the Rules of Civility After they had given this order wherein in regard of the Quality of the persons whom it concerned they observed a great deal of Circumspection they went into Olympia's little Chamber and as the gods would have it they found her in a better Condition than they hoped This Princess who naturally had as gallant a spirit as any person of her sex and who solidly relied upon a real vertue and an absolute resignation to the will of the gods had made a reflection upon the transports wherinto the first ebullitions of her Passion had cast her and by an endeavour not very usual in a spirit strongly prepossessed she had found room to combat with that cross-opinion which at first had made such a disorder in her soul contrary apparences to the return of her repose had very much tormented her and she had found cause enough in Ericia's report to suspect the infidelity of the person which she loved but other considerations and other more important remembrances wherby she had reason to be confirmed in a quite contrary opinion had powerfully taken his part and if they could not cure her of those cruel impressions which those apparences had wrought upon her they had at least disposed her to seek without precipitation a more evident clearing up of the Truth and in expectation of the knowledge which the next day might afford her to incline her spirit rather towards hope than towards a deadly fear the first effects whereof had been so contrary to the quiet of her mind the health of her body and her ordinary moderation Certainly few spirits would have so readily submitted to the Empire of reason but indeed few spirits were like to hers and in all the course of her life she had given examples of her gallantry wherein her constancy and admirable resolution had no less appeared than in this last Adventure By this little calm which she gave her mind her body likewise received ease and in fine she was so sensible of it that when the Princesses came into her Chamber her Feaver was gone They were very joyful to understand by Ericia as they approached the Bed this change of her health and they had no sooner opened their mouth to enquire of it but the fair Princess looking upon them with a much more composed countenance than before My fair Princesses said she I have had a great Combat against those cruel apparences which hurried me to despair and if I have not gotten the Victory over them at least I have disposed my spirit to wait for a more certain assurance of my mishap before it fall into those extremities from which I should hardly keep it if I had received any confirmation of it Whatsoever report they have made me of the beauty of that person whom the Prince which I have loved so well accompanies and though I have been told of their mutual Caresses I can hardly believe that a Prince in whom I have observed so much Vertue and who by so many great and dangerous difficulties which he hath gone through with an admirable Courage hath given me such fair proofs of his Love could in the time which is past since our separation fall so lightly into an infidelity so contraryto the sense of that sublime Vertue which he practises And though he could become unfaithful I doubt whether he would come to shew his perfidiousness in a place where certainly he had hope to find me where I expected him and where I would bid him seek me if it should please the gods that he still continues faithful I would perswade my self to imagine that Ericia 's eyes were deceived or that the person which she saw him embrace is related to him by some ancient Amity which might engage him in other Tyes than those of Love And however it be I will still expect from Heaven to which I have absolutely abandoned my self what it shall Decree concerning my destiny and not hasten my misfortune by a promptitude which might make me commit such faults as possibly might be hard to repair The two Princesses extreamly approved of Olympia's resolution confirming themselves more and more in the esteem they had for her and whil'st Elisa sitting down in a Chair which was at the Beds-head felt her pulse with one of her fair hands Candace being sate upon the Beds-side My dear Princess said she You do sufficiently assure us both by all your Discourses and by all the marks which you give us of your thoughts that your Vertue is not ordinary and those gods to whom you have abandoned your self with so much Courage and Piety must needs be cruel and unjust if by an unfortunate success they should deceive the confidence you have in their goodness I confess that upon the like occasion I should do the like if it were possible And I do so approve of your Resolution That I do almost certainly promise you the most happy success you can desire I have the same hope that you have added the Princess Elisa and 't is upon a ground very far from Envy that I foresee that of us three I only shall remain unfortunate I have some confidence replied Candace for you in your Fortune and my heart
not renounced Do not undervalue your self then before me who prize and esteem you more than half the Senate but believe that with the advantages you possess and the respect you observe you may have the liberty to look upon any thing Neither is it for the difference that is between a Roman Knight and Cesars Daughter that I have obliged you to be secret I should have dealt in the same manner with the greatest Princes of Europe if I had esteemed them so far as to have any secrecy with them for 't is from Marcellus only that I am permitted to receive Services in Publick and it may be I might expose them to Augustus 's displeasure if I should favour any with a particular affection I express my thoughts to you with a great deal of freedom continued she looking upon me with a smile and thereby I sufficienly signifie to you the esteem I have of you and the confidence I repose in you The presence of those persons which followed us and beheld all our Actions could very â—ardly hinder me from throwing my self at Julia's feet and if I had been in a place â—here I might have had my own liberty I should have continued whole hours at her knees â—â—ender her a small part of what was due to the grace she did me but not having the â—â—â—eniency of doing what I did desire I was content to make her this Reply with a proâ—â—â—d Reverence The Favours which I receive from your Grandeur are so unproporâ—onable to the merit of my person and the strength of my understanding that if your justice doth not moderate them for ought I know they may absolutely deprive me of the knowledge I should have of my self I am the most happy and the most glotious of men and I conceive my Fortune to be better than Prince Marcellus's to whom the gods and Cesar have designed the most sublime amongst Mortals since that notwithstanding the Engagements you have to the excellent qualities of that Prince who is as great in all things else as in his Fortune you can reserve one of your precious moments to think upon poor Ovid whose acknowledgment is so great for those blessings which are above all value that he will not conceive Marcellus to be more happy in the possession of you than he shall be in yielding up his last breath in the Service of the Divine Julia. I pronounced these words with an Action full of vehemence which was observed by the Princess and made her judge that I was touched with a real passion She put on a more pleasant countenance than before and bestowing a few moments in viewing of my face You are in earnest then said she and I need not any longer be in doubt but that Ovid hath forgot Cipassis I will never forget said I what is due to the Merits of Cipassis but the may content her self if she please with my esteem and henceforth leave my Adorations for the goddesses I should have had the happiness of a longer Conversation with the Princess who hearkned very favourably to me if we had not seen the Empress appear whom Julia went to wait upon out of Civility and if Marcellus had not come a little after who proffered his hand to the Princess and deprived me of the opportunity of entertaining her for the rest of that day But I retrived it often enough through Julia's goodness who receiving my respectful Vows with as much indulgence as I could desire put me into the most happy condition according to my humor that if ever I durst aspire to yet she always preserved the Dignity of Augustus's Daughter and her Favors never extended farther than favourable looks and obliging expressions But that which from another Lady would have been inconsiderable was so great coming from Julia that I could not look upon it nor receive it otherwise than as a thing of the highest value alwayes judging it to be the greatest Glory I was capable of to see my self favoured with a particular good will by the greatest Princess of the Universe They that would make the world believe that I made such advantages of it as gave me occasion to write those Elegies which some of the Romans have seen under Corinna's Name do it malitiously to bring me into disgrace with Cesar and Prince Marcellus and since I am come to mention it one day or other for your diversion I will acquaint you with the adventures and passages which concern Corinna and my self though neither her name nor person be known at Rome because she was never there and 't was in a very remote Province that I knew her in the Expedition which Vincius made into Germany where I bare Arms under him I will not repeat to you all the Conversations I had with Julia whom I saw and entertained every day with all facility as often as Marcellus left her liberty or when she was not engaged in the Company of so many great Princesses as silently sighed at her feet and whose sighs though her chiefest affectionr were for Marcellus were not disagreeable to her As she was indued with a very excellent wit so our Conversations were pleasant and meerly ingenious and for that reason having discoursed with her one day upon a very subtile Subject she told me that Marcellus could have no cause to be jealous if she had some affection for a man whose Soul she loved and who did not pretend to any thing that concerned the body But it may be you will ask me what I conceive of her thoughts for Marcellus And as for that I will tell you as far as I can judge That certainly the Prince alwayes possesses the supream place in her heart above all others who have onely made attempts and the real foundation of love which it may be is in her Soul is for him only to the prejudice of all the rest and yet 't is true that she is no lover of constraint nor is she willing to be bound up to him by such an exact and rigous fidelity but that she may be permitted to let her mind a little range towards those objects which might please her yet she alwayes reflects upon the former passion which hath the deepest foundation and I believe too that she would never absolutely flie from it but would confine all her inclinations to the merits of that brave Prince if love only without any other interest had been the cause of their Engagement and if the Emperor had not interposed his Authority and Endeavours to tye up their affection with a Design to unite them by Marriage So certain it is that Love is an Enemy to every thing that wears but the Vizard of Tyranny and it will act with liberty it self though it destroy all liberty besides its own To this purpose one day when she had had some Quarrel with Marcellus who could not choose but give her some Testimonies of Jealousie which he had ground enough for I remember that she said
you imagine that my Captivity alone compleats my Grief And judge you that I bestow not on Coriolanus whom you have seen it may be dye in our defence an equal portion of tears with yours for Alexander If you consult my thoughts replied Artemisa you will be doubtless more affected than I thought you had been for the marvels which I have observed in his person during the little time that I have seen him assisted by those you a few moments before related to me of the great actions of his life and Noble proofs of his love makes me judge that you ought to deplore his loss at least as much as I deplore my Alexanders but after the Treatment you have given him in my presence and the complaints I have heard you utter against his Infidelity whereof you have given me no light by your Discourse I imagined your Soul so over-charged that there remained not the least favourable inclination for him and though you were touched with the danger whereunto we saw him exposed and whereof I my self was very sensible yet generosity alone I supposed to be the cause and not any reliques of affection Generosity alone replied the afflicted Cleopatra might certainly have produced this effect and had my Soul never been touched with the least affection for the son of Juba or had all that which his great Services could have introduced been torn up by his Infidelity to the last root I could not have seen him in the condition wherein we left him for our interests without suffering great inquietudes for his safety and without expending many tears for his death if my cruel destiny commands that he suffer it for the love of me But Artemisa believe that besides what we owe to generosity and compassion the ancient and only affection which my Soul hath ever received hath not left it tranquill enough nor sufficiently dispolyed of all the tender resentments wherewith it inspired her to see Coriolanus perish upon my account with the same sensibility I should have for the rest of mankind By his Infidelity he may root out of my Soul the sweet and acknowledging thoughts I bare him and possess me with horror for his Perfidy and cast me into a resolution of addicting my whole life to the consideration of my misfortune without ever turning to the remembrance of the tokens of his love unless it were to render his Treason more odious to me yet scarce could it intirely blot out of my Soul the Character of an innocent affection which I thought I had with reason received and which I cannot retain but to my misfortune But my Sister added the fair Artemisa will you not tell me what Infidelity this is wherewith you reproach him and whereof I have seen so little appearance in your Discourse and much less in this Incounter and the last actions of that Prince I intended answered the Princess to have given you a Relation yesterday in the Wood where we passed almost the whole day and where we had this fatal meeting I learnt in that place replied Artemisa part of your Noble adventures and you forgat nothing as I believe of the most memorable passages which hapned until the wounding of Tiberius and the leave which Coriolanus took of you in the Garden of Octavia and his departure from Rome for Mauritania to conquer the Kingdom of his Ancestors it was just at this separation that our Discourse was interrupted so well as our walk by meeting the sleeping Prince and to a less adventure I believe I had never consented to remit its continuation Since my Discourse answered Cleopatra finished where you mention it is certain you have heard nothing but what speaks advantagiously of the love of Coriolanus and would to Heaven that the gods had here terminated the course of my life but in that part whereof you are ignorant whose Relation I will no longer defer if I have strength enough to make it and you patience enough to give this intermedium to your grief you will but too clearly behold this Infidelity which composeth all the misfortune of my life and which I should more bitterly detest did I not fear that he who committed it is dead for my sake and if this fear did not make some part of my legitimate resentments give place to compassion At these words the fair Princess was silent and Artemisa having not only testified that she would hearken with attention but that her displeasures by this Discourse would receive a sensible allevation she bethought her self some momencs on the order of her recital which a little after she began on this manner The Continuation of the History of the Princess Cleopatra IT is certain that before the unfortunate Voyage wherein the Fidelity of Coriolanus was ship wrack't I had reason to be satisfied with all the Actions of his life and even in those whereunto glory seemed to pretend with the greatest right He alwayes reguarded me as his only mark no! Glory it self could not rival me in his heart for he in such a manner despised the powers which govern the Earth and the offer which Emperor made him of the Crown of his Ancestors and threw himself for my sake into perils so great and manifest thatany one less easie than me would have been perswaded of the grandure and verity of his affection I can also say that I appeared not insensible at these proofs of his love believing that the point to which it was come and the vertue which I had always observed therein might secure my acknowledging thereof without blame So great it was and so true that Coriolanus himself reasonable as he then was durst not demand more I had so well as he refused very considerable establishments and I had so well as he irritated the soveraign powers without considering what I ought to fear or hope It is true his love made all the fortune and all the designs of my life and as I caused all my felicity to consist in the knowledge which I had of his affection so I made it the whole imployment of my thoughts to render him what I thought was his due and to second with all my care the strong inclination which I had for him Alas how many tears did this true affection cost me at that mournful departure How many did it cause me to expend during the time of his dolorous absence And what a Spring hath it for ever establish't in these eyes which seem not to have been conserved but for this use only What proofs gave I not to this ungrateful person of an inviolable affection and fidelity when after the cure of Tiberius I saw the persecutions of Livia begin again arming against me more than ever the whole Authority of Augustus With what constancy did I resist their flatteries promises and threatnings And with what Resolution armed I not my self at last when being reduced to the utmost extremities by the power of Cesar I feared not to declare openly how much I
she her self had not given me the least notice of a thing she knew so well I continued it with a relation of the adventure which Ptolomey and my self had met with in the Gardens of Lucullus which had given birth to my passion of the design we had to follow them and to over-hear their discourse when they were retir'd into the Arbour and where they had had that conversation out of which we discover'd Tullia's Love whose very expressions I gave her as also the last words of the Song which Tullia had sung and which I had well remembred ever since Emilia interrupting me and crying out at that passage of my discourse What Lentulus said she to me is it then certain that Ptolomey heard as well as your self all the conversation we had together in the Arbour and that as well as you he knows what sentiments Tullia hath for him He knows fully as much as I do said I to her nor did he miss a syllable of all you said one to another though he had not been so attentive but upon my intreaty and seem'd not to be any thing moved there at O unfortunate Tullia replies Emilia how would thy affliction multiply if thou knew'st this cruel circumstance of thy misfortune Lentulus continued she turning towards me for Heaven's sake make not the least discovery to Tullia of what you have acquainted me with since you may be confident that if she knew but what I have understood from you she will never entertain the least comfort After what you have written in her Letter it cannot be be said you are ignorant of her affection for Ptolomey but it shall be my business to perswade her that you have it partly from Thrasyllus who hath by his Art discover'd many thinge as she may be likely to imagine from what he said to her himself and that you guessed at the rest by her countenance and actions as well at the first meeting with her in Lucullus 's Garden when she fell into a swound between us as in the visit which Ptolomey made us since with Octavia There 's probability enough in these suggestions and it is known that interessed persons such as you are may well take notice of such things as those that are indifferent make not the least reflection upon Having so said she took occasion to commend my Prudence and reservedness in keeping so well the secret of her Friend and that one I was my self so much concerned in but her astonishment was much greater when I acquainted her with my intention to oblige Ptolomey to love her as choosing rather to be deprived of all my hopes and with them of my life then any longer to be a spectator of the miseries of a person I adored And when I afterwards gave her an account of the discourse I had had with Ptolomey the day before she cries out looking on me with a certain admiration This Goodness said she this perfection of Love is beyond all example and if Tullia comply not with your desires upon the representation I shall make her of it I think her the most unfortunate person in the World I shall not fail to press very home to her this strange effect of the truest Love that ever was yet some palliation must be used as by perswading her that you have obliged Ptolomey to see her and to demean himself with all civility and complaisance towards her though he knew not any thing of the affection she hath for him And be confident Lentulus that in doing much you have hazarded nothing and that Tullia will be highly engaged to you for your good intentions But if I know any thing of her humour it is not to be feared you will receive any prejudice thereby she being resolved never to see Ptolomey I neither can nor will deny that she hath that affection for him which is known to you as well as my self and could I have done it without betraying the trust reposed in me by my Friend I had discovered this secret to you long since But I can assure you that what effects soever that Passion may produce it will onely prove her torment yet so as that he who is the cause of it shall not make any advantage there of and that she would rather die then make the least discovery of it to him To this Emilia added some other discourse whereby she made a perfect representation of the nature of Tullia's Passion and the state of her soul such as I have already describ'd it I insist too much on the relation of particulars of little consequence and to shorten it therefore I am to tell you that she went the same day to see Tullia satisfi'd her it was I had written at the bottom of her Letter and so gave her an account of all things not indeed punctually according to the truth but as we had concluded together to afflict her the less This Tullia look'd on as a ray of comfort darted from above and it was a great abatement of her affliction to understand that her Passion was unknown to Ptolomey and that I had no other knowledge of it then what I derived from the words of Thrasyllus and appearances remarkable onely by a person concerned as I was Upon the assurances which Emilia gave her of it she was in some measure appeased and recovered out of the fear she had been in and was not a little satisfi'd I had entertained an opinion that might cure me of my Passion as she had ever desired But when afterward she came to hear that instead of diverting Ptolomey from loving her as in all reason and prudence I ought to have done I would needs out of a motion of generosity as Emilia represented it to her have sacrificed my own quiet that she might enjoy hers and condemned my self to eternal miseries to put a period to hers by endeavouing to oblige Ptolomy to love her in a word that without discovering to him the affection she had for him I had made him promise to visit her and addresse himself to her with all submissions and civilities leaving the rest to the influence of her Beauty the rarity of such a demonstration of Love wrought in her more passionate sentiments for me then she had conceived at all those I had made her before So that having looked on Emilia for some time with a silence that proceeded from her present astonishment You acquaint me said she with an effect of Lentulus 's Love no less extraordinary then my own fortune such as it would be as hard a matter to find examples of as of my misfortune I was never so sensible of it as I am upon this occasion since it leaves me not in a capacity to acknowledge as I ought and indeed as I wish so unheard of a discovery of Love and Goodness of Lentulus Whence you may safely assure him that he shall suffer no prejudice by it and that instead of desiring Ptolâ—mey should come to see me
wrought upon my spirit and running to the chamber door like a mad man I learned that after strong agonies Delia had begun to vomit up the poison and that by the vertues of the remedies which they had given her they hoped shortly to expel it all This success was conformable to their hopes and not to detain you any longer with this tedious passage I will tell you that a little after Delia having cast out all the poison found her self in so good a condition that the Physitians assured me of her life Certainly never was a Prince's pardon more sweet to Criminals who already beheld the sad preparations of death than that assurance was to my spirit which they gave me of the safety of my Delia and those from whom I received it received testimonies of it which might make them remember my acknowledgement as long as they lived Delia saw her self restored to a quiet condition those violent pains wherewith she had been tormented ceased by little and little her eyes partly recovered their accustomed brightness the pale wan colour wherewith her fair face was covered went away and if she did not presently regain all her beauties at least all the designs of death dis-appeared and we saw such a change in her as put us out of all apprehensions of danger O Gods how was I ravished at that time and what discourse can be able to make you comprehend the transports of joy to which I abandoned my self I was in such an extasie that I could not frame any rational discourse and embracing Delia's knees with passion much different from those I felt a little before Delia said I my dear Delia you are restored to me and the Gods have snatched you out of the arms of death to leave you entirely to me I know not replyed Delia to what intent they preserve me but the affliction you had for my death makes me receive the life they leave me with more satisfaction than I should have received it upon my own single interest These words full of acknowledgement and goodness transported me to new ravishments and looking upon Delia with eyes enflamed with love Ah! Delia said I with a sigh seeing the Gods render you to me and that 't is at my prayers rather than yours which were less ardent and less passionate that they restore your life will you render the miracle which they do only in my favour useless to me and will you henceforward oppose any obstacle to a felicity for which Heaven hath openly declared it self Do you not see that the pity of Heaven hath exceeded yours and would shew you by its example what compassion you should shew to me I had some other disdiscourse with her upon this subject and Delia having patiently hearkned to me gave me her hand and with a favour which she was not won't to do me pressing one of mine Prince said she to me I am obliged to your affection and I have received such pregnant proofs of it this day that I should be the most ingrateful person in the world if ever I should lose the remembrance of it Assure your self I will preserve it more dearly than my life and whensoever it shall be in my power to express my acknowledgment I shall do it with all my heart Some reasons oppose it at the present which you would not condemn if they were known to you but if I ever find my self in a condition that I may declare my thoughts to you without reproach I promise you before the Gods that I will free you from all those subjects of complaint which you suppose you have against me I satisfied my self with these words the best I could but I did not understand them and calling to mind by the likeness of it the discourse which she had begun when she supposed she was ready to die and was interrupted by the violence of her pain I requested her to proceed and prayed her as earnestly as I could possibly that she would perfect the discovery of her heart to me and not repent her self now I might make use of them of the good intentions she had for me at that moment when by reason of our approaching death I had lost all hope of enjoying them Delia continued a while without reply and then on a sudden turning her eyes upon my face with a sigh Philadelph said she I know not what it is you desire of me and I if made you any more particular discourse either the force of my distemper disturbed my sences or took away the memory of it since for I do not remember it Whether she spake truth or would not trust me any farther with her secret I did not press her any farther for fear of displeasing her and immediately after the Physitians having told me that by reason of the violent fits she had had she had need of some repose we retired into the Princess's Chamber who was little less interessed in the sickness and cure of Delia than my self The night was already come and all that day I had eaten nothing but then I supped with Andromeda and a little after I retired to my apartment where I took some repose The next day Delia grew a great deal better and we understood with much joy that within a few daies she might leave her bed Though I was moved with a just resentment at the attempt they had made upon her life and burned with a desire of revenging my self upon the Authors the fear I had to discover the shame of our house and to find the King culpable of so black an action hindred me from making strict inquisition after it and the King whom I believed thenceforth to be innocent of it and who had protested to do justice suspecting the Queen for it not without great probability was affraid of the success of the business on her behalf if he should prosecute it any farther but not being able to take my revenge upon those cruel persons I resolved at least to hinder the new effects of their cruelty and as long as Delia kept her bed I would not suffer her to take any nourishment but what I first tasted of my self letting those poisoners know by that precaution that they could not attempt upon her life without taking away of mine In the mean time I saw not the King and the resentments which my suspicions had caused in me against him would have lasted a long time if the same day that Delia left her bed in the effects which my displeasures had produced both in my body and mind had not thrown me into a violent Fever I neglected my distemper at first but within a few daies it so augmented that the Physitians began to be in fear of my life In effect I had so tormented my self for Delia's sickness that my body could hardly chuse but suffer for it and I had continued too long subject to such passions as deprived me of repose not to receive some alteration in my health
However it was or whatsoever might be the cause but I was so ill within a few daies that they were in no less fear for me than before they had been for Delia. The King out of the real affection he had for me dissipated the hardness of his heart and came to visit me every day but as I accused him alone for my sickness and all the displeasures which had caused it so I could not willingly see him and I received his visits with little satisfaction The Queen her self to please him visited me divers times and the Princess Urania who bare her company whatsoever cause of resentment she might have against me out of an inclination worthy of her self and purely generous was afflicted at my sickness and interessed her self in the return of my health Andromeda never stirred from my pillow and for my greater comfort Delia pale as she was after her late sickness was often other with her One day that she was by my bed-side desiring to animate me to a recovery What Sir said she will you make no resistance against your disease for their sakes who desire your health and did you only interess your self so much in mine to cause me a too just displeasure by the absence of your own Ah! Delia replied I with divers sighs the Gods have taken notice that my sufferings were uncapable of prevailing with you and it hath been their will at last to put me into a condition which might move your pity I will not tell you that I die for you that discourse would have some appearance of a reproach and Heaven is my witness that I have no intention to make you any but I will tell you and truly too that I should receive death from what cause soever it might proceed with a great deal of resignation if by it I should not lose the means of seeing and serving you or if thereby I might draw from you more particular thoughts for me than those which you have discovered to me and if they were expressed to me by some efforts which proceeded from a little love as now they proceeded from your goodness only Delia at these words looked upon me with an eye full of the marks of her compassion and laying one of her fair hands upon mine which I held out of the bed Sir said she in the name of the Gods do not accuse me that the reasons which might justifie me to you are unknown to you you shall know them as soon as I shall be permitted to discover them to you and in the mean time believe with all manner of certainty that I will rather lose my life a thousand times than fail in the acknowledgement of your affections I only desire you to have a little patience if you love me you will prevail so far with your self for my sake and I protest to you before the Gods who hear us that as soon as I shall be in a capacity to declare so much to you without meriting your disdain you shall know that all my inclinations have not proceeded from good nature and compassion only I tell you more than with decency I may continued she with a little blush but I will pass by that for the repose of a Prince to whom I owe a great deal more The real love and respect I had for Delia made me find some comfort in these words and lifting her hand to my mouth though she endeavoured to hinder me I will not die said I seeing there is some hope left I will preserve my life if it be possible since you do not esteem of it as a thing indifferent Delia was not willing to make me speak any more for fear of doing me hurt and after she had confirmed to me what she had said by a gracious look she retired her self She was scarcely out of the Chamber but the King came in and having understood before he came near my bed that my disease grew every day worse and worse and that without flattering him they could not conceal from him that I was in great danger he drew near me full of tenderness and having found me in a worse condition than they had represented to him after he was fate by the side of my bed and had taken one of my hands which he pressed a great while between his without speaking My Son said he is it possible that you will let your self die 'T is time to die answered I since my life is odious to you Ah! Philadelph cried the King with tears that came into his eyes with that approach take heed the Gods do not punish you for the outrage you do me and believe the protestation which I make you before them that my own life is not so dear to me as yours Ah! Sir said I if that were so you would not have abandoned it those torments which have reduced it to that extremity you see and you would not see your Son ready to die under the cruel persecutions you have made him suffer No Sir continued I strugling with my weakness to express my resentments No Sir I could not live without Delia and seeing I was not permitted to think upon her without disobeying you and throwing her into the danger wherein I saw her a few daies since I have been willing to prevent this misfortune and the continuance of my disobedience by a death which is the dearer to me and which I heartily embrace since by that I shall be freed from the miseries to which my life was exposed I leave it without any other regret than this that it hath been disagreeable to you and I quit it the more willingly because it would be impossible for me to preserve it without the hope of bestowing it absolutely upon Delia. I uttered these words with a vehemence above my strength and the King having hearkned to them with a great deal of grief and tenderness fixed his eyes upon the ground and continued a long while without being able to reply At last after a great contest in his spirit having taken his resolution and turning his eyes towards me Philadelph said he 't is true I opposed the passion you had for Delia after I knew she did not only divert you from the designs I had for you but likewise that you had an intention to marry a strange unknown Maid of so different a birth from your own the reasons I had for it were so great that if you had never so little reason left your self you could not dis-approve of them and they are so well known to you that it is not necessary for me to repeat them No Philadelph there is no Father but would have done as much at least and would have employed his authority more publickly to divert his only Son and the Heir of a great Kingdom from a Marriage so unequal and unsuitable to his dignity Philadelph I would still give part of my Dominions to wean you from this resolution if it were possible and if you