severitie yet it vvas fit to please Rinatus one who had deserv'd vvell and had the power if otherwise he vvere dealt vvith to revenge his injurie Others the more in number and esteem'd the vviser because the King held vvith them oppos'd this sentence alledging so inconsiderate an act might call the safetie of Laconia in question for said they shall wee thinke the Corinthians so degenerate that being justly incenc't against us they will not endevour to revenge the death of their Prince in shade of whose raigne they enjoy that peace plentie their neighbours envie them for and if they stirre in it what people is so barbarous whom the justnesse of their cause will not procure into the societie of this warre See then if a private mans satisfaction be to be compar'd to these ensuing dangers no let her live when the Gods doe otherwise disposâ— of her let her death come without the ruine of Laconia This determined a new doubt arose how I should be dispos'd of They that before thought it expedient I should dye now that opinion vvas put by concluded that it was best to send me to Corinth with an honourable convoy so to tye them by a perpetuall bond of gratitude to be their friends whom they so much fear'd to bee their enemies the rest to gratifie the king whose affection they perceiv'd to leane that way and well assur'd it was an advice too profitable to be rejected that gain'd a kingdome though his promise after the Q. death who not long before left him a widower had bin pas't to Lemnia a fair vertuous La daughter to my keeper Partinax yet they wisht if so he pleas'd my crown might vvin me to his bed little doubting but I had thought it an egregious felicitie to be so grac't The King after manie protractions at length as if he were wrought to it by a desire to satisfie the Nobility rather then selfe-will declares his mind to be directed by them which once known behold the flatterie of Court began to fawne upoÌ„ me who more observ'd who more admir'd onely Rinatus much impatieÌ„t of this my greatnes in Court uttered some words in choler which made known by further enquirie a conspiracie of his against the King so as soone after the rather to give me whom they studied to please satisfactioÌ„ he was beheaded But long it was not before Fortune neither constant to my happie adversitie nor adverse felicitie had brought thither sent by the usurper Tenarus a wise but wicked instrument whoÌ„ he call'd his Ambassador who laboured by the policie of his high reaching braine and the secret practises of his undermining gold so farre for his Masters ends that now in an instaÌ„t the stil-changing face of Court-respect began to frowne upon me my death was decreed and untill the time vvere appointed for it my selfe made a close prisoner in my accustomed gaole But the King chiefly mov'd vvith the hope of my crowne and drawn by a selfe-conceit of liking to my sorrow vvhich perhaps had a sympathie vvith his melancholy vvould needs continue the suit of his affection to me though he durst not interpose his overrul'd authoritie for my libertie Thus for a time did I live accompanied by some few vvhoÌ„ the king might trust vvith his inteÌ„ts he in shew courting his first love Lemnia and making that a pretence to come private to her â—athers house neer adjoyning to Court But indeed as at that time he could have no reason to dissemble vvith me this kindnesse came another way vvhich Lemnia suspecting and being as farre gone in affection to this double-dealing King as he was in the profession of a little-regarded love to me her vvatchfull eye soon found the advantage of a happie opportunitie to heare himselfe speake his own deceipt with such a heart-burning vehemencie that Lemnia who had plac't her selfe unknown to eyther of us behinde the hangings scarse could suppresse her entry to play a part in our Comedie of affection But to his demaÌ„ds truth answered for me plainly that death in whose expectation I liv'd vvould be farre more pleasing then the marriage he thought so reasonable adding vvithall to my speech much of Lemnia's praise which she deserv'd to instruct his eyes that indeed vvere blinde in his choyse But when he parted vowing to be severe in my punishmeÌ„t unless I resolved better at his next comming behold Lemnia with teares in her eiâ—s fell at my feet and vvhen she saw amazemeÌ„t in my lookes with a kinde bashfulnesse taking my hand rising with that helpe Vertuous Lady said she if ever you have beene acquainted with the tyrannie of all-commanding affection to that Iudge I appeale who though courtesie and good maners oppose him wil find my fault excusable This man who in your presence hath beene the trumpet of his owne inconstancie first with the vehemeÌ„t protestatioÌ„ of his sincere affection won me in gratefulnes to meet him in the recoÌ„pence of his unknown dissimulatioÌ„ if such then it vvere and now vvith the good liking of the State vvere the solemnities appointed for our marriage wheÌ„ your arrivall croft those hopes and drew his thoughts to their naturall temper of unstayednes But since I have found by this fortunate unmanerlinesse your answers so resolutely oppos'd to his demands henceforth I vow to vvorke your freedome or bring my selfe to perish vvith you Her fault found an easie pardon at the tribunall shee appeal'd too I thank't her as there vvas good cause for her desire of my good onely I wisht if my freedom could not be procur'd without danger to her she vvould not heape miseries upon me by joining her selfe a companion in my disaster She comforts me vvith the hope of a better event to bring her intention to a wished successe she vvins my unvvillingnes to shew som favour to the King which next day I did having plac't Lemnia vvhere shee had plac't her selfe the day before to be a witnesse to our conferenceâ— for otherwise perhaps her love this second time might have egg'd her suspition already prone that vvay to the distrust of a practise betwixt us And happie vvas this forc't dissimulatioÌ„ for the king not long before his comming to me had receiv'd advertisement that the usurper of Corinth had levied an armie set forth manie ships to invade Laconia making the delay of my promised execution the pretence of this vvarreâ— vvhich being also knowne to the Nobilitie they who together vvith this forreine enemie feared the rebellion of the Helots vvho alway lay in vvait for an opportunitie of such advantage now more then ever began to solicite the king to satisfie so potent an enemie in so just a demaÌ„d The king vvel vveighing the iminent dangers that vvere to be prevented by my death and seeing the little comfort he did enjoy by prolonging of my life likely everie day to encrease my obstinacy being none of those lovers that would die for his disdaining Masters vvas ready to deliver me
seeing I might not trust my â—elfe vvith mine owne government I chose manie friends and being by nature given to hate pride to eschue a vice so loathâ—ome thinking it might not be done otherwise I began to affect popularitie But I had scarce liv'd thus a twelue-month vvhen my cousin the kings sonne a yong man who besides the hope of succession for vvhich the Courtiers did adore him had nothing more then ordinary in him grew suspicious of my practises as he term'd them to which humor besides the mistrust of his owne little desert his Sycophants the bellowes of this fire did daily add further causes to encrease his jealousie But seeing the discoverie of his suspicion vvould little please the king vvho ever since the death of my father had doubled his care upon me he vvas compel'd to dissemble a good liking towards me In meane time a truce made for some few yeares vvith the Duke of Amasia being expir'd the vvar grew hote on both sides at length after the triall of manie changes in fortune necessitie mediating a peace betweene them my selfe being given as hostage for performance of certain coÌ„ditions of my uncles part a perpetuall league vvas concluded onâ— 't was now and not before mischiefe began to unmaske her selfe and take a pride to grow terrible There vvas at Court during my abode there attending upoÌ„ the Dutchesse a Lady by name Alcida whose many excellencies won as many hearts as she had beholders nature making her beautie shape but the most faire Cabinet of a farre fayrer mind To her mine eyes at first sight gave up my heart with so fortunate an encounter in affectioÌ„ that this surrender vvas but a mutuall exchange she having in a mercifull gratefulnes fixt her love one mine But her parentage though not base was so meane in respect of my birth that thence vvhole armies of afflictions did invade my mind equally distracted betweene my desire to enjoy this my best of happines and feare of my uncles displeasure on whom this match for his care and love of me I was sure vvould draw on an untimely death But before I could determine a doubt of â—o great consequence the conditions of the league being faithfully performed I was safely at a day prefixt sent back to Natolia desirous even in my soule desirous I am sure rather by their breach of covenant to have hazzarded my life then thus cruelly to be taken away from her presence vvho far beyond my life was most deere to me Soone after my returne the king as if the Gods had stay'd him to see the quiet of his State now that vvas brought to passe worne vvith age and much broken vviâ—h travell care in his last warrs left his kingdome to his degenerate sonne successor who had no sooner seized upon the government but meaning to begin his raigne vvith an admirable act of policie now his power vvas unrestrain'd limits me to the absence from my countrey declaring my bloud for ever uncapable of succession and not content vvith this to such a height his undeserved malice to me vvas raised that he dealt vvith some bad ministers of his wickedness secretly to make me away To prevent therfore vvhat vvas plotted against me disguising my selfe I hastily fled away making use of necessity to further my affection I put my self into the service of a Nobleman here in the Court of Amasia easily remaining undiscovered among them who vvould sooner fall out vvith their eyes then beleeve that the greatnesse wherein they lately had seene me could admit so great a change By meane vvhereof I enjoyed the presence of my Alcida whose constancie neither time nor abseÌ„ce the mothes of affectioÌ„ nor vvhat is more this my change in fortune could alter Thus vvhile I liv'd in this happinesse of servitude Mermidon brother to the Duke having commanded with fortunate successe against the Dazians returned to Court vvhere seeing this Lady he became enamoured of her to no other end then to satisfie his lust and thinking at first because he vvas in good esteemâ— vvith himselfe she vvould have strain'd her modestie to sue for the acceptaÌ„ce of a present so gratefull to him a while he was silent but when he perceived the vanitie of his fruitlesse expectation found that this delay encreas'd the fury of his passion dispensing with the Matie he had taken on he began to make known his love to her for such a title did he give to so base a desire forgetting not vvithal to tell her that to excuse her modestie he had first spoken her wishes But the vertuous Alcida loathing as much the thought of such a sinne as shee loved the memorie of me together with a â—esolute deniall let him know how base his minde was that made so injurious a request Wherat Mermidon because this answer came unexpected was so much the more amazed But bringing arguments from his late practise in the warre he began to think his honor would be the greater if after long resistance he did surprise a well defended for t therefore daily both by rich gifts the base enamell of affection manie promises which to win the more upon her were sent by one of her owne sexe who if example might move her could tell of such a president in her â—elfe did he seeke to undermine her resolution Meane time my constant Alcida seeing the inteÌ„perance of Mermidons lust to bring the threats of force with it not daring to speake with me because our conference began to be suspected sent me a letter to hasten her carrying away appointing this the fatall place of our meeting I much rejoyc'd to be so neere my happinesse the rather that since our last conference I received intelligence that my young cousin of Natolia being made away by one whom he had rais'd to an undeserved height in his favour the countrey was in great distresse by the factious ambition of the Nobilitie and that the best affected to the State much desired my presence But these meanes how well soever as I thought conducing to my happinesse by the unmercifulnesse of my hard destinie were prevented as one of those whom 't was my fortune to kil at his death revealed for Mermidoâ— having intercepted the messenger mad with rage to finde his hopes crost by so meane a man as he tooke me to be having again seal'd up the letter he caus'd it to be delivered and determining to be reveng'd sent these men to apprehend me himself intending to follow presently leading with him my deerest Alcida whom in my presence to ad a glorie to the execrablenes of the offence he means to ravish And now sir you have heard said he all what my selfe knowes of my birth fortune ever till this time when I am well assur'd my end is neere at hand kept secret He scarce had clos'd up this lamentable storie with a heartie sigh the compendious abridgment of his sufferings when we might discerne Mermidon with twentie
the Gyant Tithius maw That doth encrease to feele a Vulturs paw No day runnes over but my loves deepe sore Renues his paine and festers more and more Kla. No day runs over but our loves deepe sore Renues his paine and festers more and more Alas where 's pittie then belike it flyes The place we come too frighted with our cryes Str. Pittie why friend 't is certaine that their eyes Vvho know they can or ' come learne to despise Yet Klaius why should we repine our Saint Is pleas'd sometime to heare our loves complaint And if mine eyes to ease my inward paine Become not flatterers she doth not disdaine Kla. Disdaine that were a blisse so great a waight Might lift our sorrowes to their utmost haight And then perhaps our owne despaire would mend Our lingring hopes that must or breake or bend O no ours is a worse calamitie A heedlesse care and carelesse courtesie Then Klaius pawsing a while with crost armes and a down-cast look began againe these following Verses to Strephon whom he spake to as representing the person of sorrow Kla. Foule sorrow wilt thou alway build thy nest In the wilde mountaines of my care-swolne brest Str. O yes I finde it happy for my breed And neere your heart whereon I use to feed Kla. But gentle griefe if not for pittie spare Me for Vrania's sake she hath a share In these my wounds and she must feele the smart Vvhose image's carv'd so lively in my heart Str. O no she shares no paine from whose faire eyes The wound did first and now the cure must rise Kla. Vvhy gentle griefe thou' rt witnesse of my love Then alway sigh my plaints untill you move Str. O no there 's too much rigour in such lawes They binde a man to speake against his cause Suppose I move this is my recompence Ioy must succeed and I am banisht hence Kla. Then must I dye unpittied no help 's found Since you my spoksman do conceale my wound Str. O no let not that make us to despaire Shee knows we love her but she knows she 's fayre When they ended Musidorus in whose memorie their courtesie to him had ingraven a beholdnes forgot not to approve what they had said But the audience had little time to determine whether they deserv'd what the Prince thoght them worthie of wheÌ„ CoridoÌ„ who long'd to hear the debate between him Menalcas for Kalidolus daughter ended clapping him on the shoulder thus said Cor. Fond beardlesse boy now shall the chastisement Fit for thy rash youths unweighed attempt Fall heauie on thee but you may relent I 'le not be crnell if you do repent O no you will not you 'l be alway blinde That gracelesse smile bewrayes thy scornfull minde Sing then and show these goodly dotes in thee Vvith which thy brainlesse youth can equall mee Menal Gray bearded frenzie what canst thou alledge To shun my blowes but thy age's priviledge Thy tongue may safely snarle while his offence Is still protected by that reverence The dotes old Dotard I can bring to prove My selfe deserves that choyce are only love A prizelesse Treasure not to be exprest A guest too great for thy cough-breeding brest Corid Yong man thou speak'st as if thy braines were wood Vvho can determine of that inward good I say I love and will Menalcas grieve That all the world should Coridon beleeve But that 's not it these flames will soone decay If they be not maintayn'd some other way A thousand sheepe I have whose snow-white fleece Do adde a lustre to these parts of Greece On whom as many lambes doe waite hard by That weare their damms white curled livery O what a joy wil't be to her I love Each morne and even to see her sheep remove From field to fold while she may freely say That Lamb is fat that Lamb I 'le eate to day Menal Blinde fortune I 'le confesse hath given you more Yet I am richer my content's my store A thousand sheep thou hast t is very like But thy diseasâ—s want arethmetick Nature between our yeares a marriage made Vve bloome together and at once may fade But your old age is gone too farre before Time beates you on and you 'l returne no more Cor. Hasty young man do not despise the end To which your selfe as to a center bend Vvhat if I want your bodies active toyes My setled minde a greater good enjoyes Menalc Old man thou speak'st as if thy braines went wood Vvho can determine of that inward good Thinkst thou will that sweet beauty take delight To heare thee cough a proverb in the night O no there are some other joyes in bedd They must partake whom you desire to wedd Coridon inwardly out of countenance to heare his owne words byte so sore upon him would have shrunke away but hoping he had found a Iudge whom the cause concern'd stood a while to attend what Basilius would have said But the king put it over to Musidorus who glad to find an occasioÌ„ to pleasure Minalcas his first Master in the practise of a Shepheards life thus ended it Coridon said he could I as well lop away some of your overgrowne yeares to make your maâ—ch with Kalidolus daughter equall as I can adde to Minalcas state I would for a time suspend my judgement for readily I know not vvhether of you two deserves best but in the one my power seconds my will as in the other my will overgoes my power Kalidolus daughter I therefore adjudge to Menalcas and I will make him worthie of her the rather that I know his rash youth vvould impatiently beare a repulse where your experience vvhen it reflects upon it selfe vvith more discretion may consider she vvaâ— but a vvoman Glad vvas Menalcas to speed so vvell nor vâ—as Coridon displeas'd because the Prince as he conceiv'd had entertain'd a good opinion of his wisedom Thus vvhen they ended Pyrocles who mark't Agelastus his silent pensivenesse desir'd to heare him disburthen his mind of the thoughts that brought him to so deep a studie thinking that Agelastus stood fixt with the eye of his mind cast upon the beautie of some faire Mistris but he who thought of nothing lesse thus answered his expectation Agel Nor fate nor fortune whose inforcing power Man still complaines upon his state to lower Do worke these changes man himselfe 's the cause They be but wheeles that keepe their movers lawes Yet alway when he sees his fault too late He turnes it over upon chance or fate Each man is borne a King his passions be The practise of his soveraignetie Vvho though they stil their soveraign's good pretend â—onspire his ruine for their private end The love of skin-thick beautie drawes his eye To yeeld to love his reasons Majestie His feare throwes Bugbeares in his way his state Is still infested by revengefull hate His idle griefe for what he might prevent Or might not doth usurp his government Thus he whom God ordain'd a
over as a sacrifice for the State countrey vvhen behold his sayles vvere fill'd vvith a selfe-opinion in my favour Born up therefore vvith the vvings of hope he returnes to Court where love or some indulgent Fate inspired this project into his head He calls the Nobilitie and after a long narration of the mischiefes that hung over Laconia he desires their advice for prevention They glad that the onely opposer as they thought of their designes vvould have recourse to their directions in that cause vvherein they vvere jealous of his partaking after a flatteâ—ring insinuation the coÌ„mon Exordium to men of his place they concluded that it vvas fit Hellen should dye I doubt it not said he nor was it to that end I sought your counsaile that the necessitie of the times the welfare of our person the preservation of our state required her death but it much perplext me that our fame should bleed with her or that the world should say the threats of the king of Corinth had inforc't us to behead her whoÌ„ lately we vvere to take to wife 'T was this my Lords that caus'd my misinterpreted resolution hang in suspence for this I have turn'd my invention into all formes and now behold I have found an even way to lead me between the perrils of a threatned war the ill-bought quiet of an ignominious peace My will is she be brought to Court for Partinax his house I think not convenient for this project and plac't here with such about her as I know most trusty in such a secret then that her keepers at farthest within two dayes poyson her which done wee le give it out she dyed of a disease and to confirme this opinion in the vulgar wee vvill honour her death vvith such funerall pomp as the state of her life required Thus shall our cause of dissention with Corinth be taken away and vve freed from that imputation the vvorld might justly lay upon us The Nobilitie with silent admiration began to applaud vvhat he had determined chiefly Partinax who making the coÌ„moÌ„ cause his pretence labour'd by all meanes to confirm a resolution so necessary for his daughter Lemnia's happinesse The king having dismist the Councel acquaints me with these his proceedings setting forth with no meane pride the pregnancie of his owne vvit who had found a way to over-reach such gray-bearded dotards for said he you shall that night when you are thought to be poisoned be conveyed hence by two of chiefest trust about me unto my Castle of Nicos then will I cause a statue form'd to your proportion to be coffin'd up on which forsooth my grave Councell shal solemnly wayte and performe the obâ—equies in that ceremonie requisite meane time you shal live live beloved of him vvho hath undergone this dangerous enterprise and will do many more to indeer his affection to you And when the limms of this dis-joynted State be set againe you shal be restor'd to be your selfe and to enjoy this Crowne of Laconia so much envied you till when I lock these projects in the closet of your secrecie The good king was scarce gone froÌ„ me vvhen I made Lemnia of counsaile with me vvho seâ—ing the fitnesse of the time being my journey to Nicos was to be perform'd in the night and the easie execution oâ— so dangerless an enterprise my guard being only two of the kings servants she gives in charge to a sufficient number of such vvhoÌ„ she knew faithfull to her to meet them midway and after they had well beaten my convoy to discharge them of the suspicion of their consenting to the fact to carry me to the next sea port where there stay'd a ship bound for Delphos to vvhich I needs would beÌ„d my course This being resolv'd upon the Lady equally troubled with the care of my safetie and the losse of my presence wept manie teares which I confesse had beene ingratitude in me not to second so as a vvhile sorrow seem'd to have flowen thither to bathe her selfe in our eyes but love at length in both of one anothers good had vvell neere calm'd this passion when the guard appointed by the king was come and readie to carrie me to Court But why should I great Sir anie longer stay you in a storie whose tediousnes I am well assur'd hath tyr'd you know therfore that this meanes of my safetie vvas as fortunately executed as happily contriv'd the king not once daring to send to seeke me lest he should by that discover his own craft us'd in this dangerous deluding of the Laconian Noblemen But I vvas scarce a moneth absent vvhen hee vvhose eyes held the raines of his constancie the object being remov'd married as it vvas before determined the beauteous Lemnia who now in possessioÌ„ of his love stick't not to make knowne to him this whole matter which otherwise in her behalfe I was bound to keep secret Thus sir if my desire to obey your commands hath made the story of my misfortunes tedious you may excuse me since all is done for your satisfaction Faire Queene replied Basilius the sweetly delivered strangenesse of the storie would still ravish the hearers with a desire of a further cause of attentivenesse did not a greater desire in us vvho know your vertues hasten to heare the end of your much pittied distresse and so calling Amphialus to him having agreed on the day of marriage betweene the Queen him they all arose for now their appetites growing jealous of the satisfaction their minds received by the former discourse began to solicite them in the behalfe of their stomacks After dinner when most of the companie began to impe the wings of time with the feathers of severall recreations Amphialus and Hellen privately went together into an arbor in the gardeÌ„ where first vvith teares the coÌ„mon apologie of over-joy'd affection they spake their mindes in sileÌ„ce their panting hearts as they imbrac't with mutuall desire beating their envious garments that gave them not lâ—ave to meet At length Hellen gracefully shaking her head as if shee vvould shake away the drops that like the morning dew on full-ripe Cherries hung on her rosie cheekes O Amphialus said she then kist him as loath to leave so perfect a sentence without a comma I wil not say you were unkind but and there with his lips loath belike to accuse him she clos'd up her speech My sole happinesse replied Amphialus softly wringing her hand though the foulenes of my fault be no fit subject for her to speake of who breathes nothing but goodnes yet I vvaÌ„t not an accuser my soule sets forth my ingratitude nor can I yet conceive how mercie can be so farre remov'd froÌ„ justice as to finde a pardon for my offence but you have given it and if it be any requital it shal be my after lifes studie to love honor your vertues as it was hitherto to offend you It is fit therefore said Hellen with the counterfeit setlednes of
no such mischiefe should after happen They well weighing whence it arose being fully satisfied by the Oracle enact this law That neyther private nor publick respect shall detaine a virgin from revealing her love if her friends or pareÌ„ts thinks another then she hath chosen more fit for her the combate between them two shall determine the Gods pleasure How unwilling I was to hazzard my Persidas in this triall love that bleeds in the thought of a danger can best assure you but his earnestnesse that it might be so and the hard constraint that it could not be otherwise won me to it The day therefore being appointed Fluento upon whoÌ„ Fame the flatterer of greatnesse had pin'd the opinioÌ„ of valour entred the lists mounted on a bay Courser whose armour all over represented a greene Plaine through which ran little rivelets of bloud that sprung froÌ„ the wounds of manie Centaures dispearc't over all the field In his shield he bore the counterfeit of Hercules Deianira with this word â—ndeer'd by Conquest From him my Persidas drew the eyes hearts of all the company his horse was a fierie sorrell his armour like the azure skie curiously spotted with manie starres vvhose glimpse the vvell set Diamonds by reflection of the Sun represented shewed as if night had flowen thither to end in that assembly some controversie betweene her her brother In his shield he caus'd Andromada and Perseus to be ingraven vvith this vvord Never too deerly bought But I must hasten to the event said she for long I finde you may not enjoy your Historian Know therefore that my Persidas contenting himself only with the victorie vvhen he might have taken wo is me that he vvas so mercifull Fluento's life vvas accepted by my father for his sonne in law good fortune as I then thought changing my husband not my day of marriage In meane time Fluento repining at his disgrace and desirous even upon the basest teaâ—mes to be revenged plotted a treacherie unheard of against him This morning having before heard we were to hunt in this forrest Fluento with that companie your valor hath brought to their deserved ends lay in wait for us and when my selfe my Persidas Count Bruniâ— my father and the rest having followed the chase were left alone behold these bloudie villaines coÌ„ming unawares upon him with manie vvounds sent hiâ— soule to that place vvhither mine hoping to finde a more lasting union in that life then our loves hath found in this doth also hasten with this word her dull languishing eyes began to roll as if they strove to reserve motioÌ„ in spite of death yet raising her selfe a little her love found breath to say this Let me be buried by my Persidas and so grasping my hand as it vvere to put me in mind of her last words alas she dyes But manie teares I could not have bestowed as obsequies upon her vvhen some of her fathers traine vvho by chance crossing that way vvhere Persidas lay dead guided by Fidutio who vvith their helps had now taken my horse came to this place to whom vvhen I had related all vvhat I learn'd from Leaucade of Persidas his death together vvith her last vvill vvee all join'd hands in carrying her to the next village vvhither also certaine of their fellowes vvhom they had left behinde to that end conveyed the bodie of Persidas from whence soone after Count Brunio having begg'd of griefe a little respite of life to fulfill his daughters testament brought them both with all funerall pomp to his chiefe citie Coniga vvhere he â—aus'd a stately Tombe to be built for them on which this Epitaph vvas ingraven Love Beauty Valour when their death drew nye Consulted long where they should buried lye At length with one consent they hastned hither And chose this place to be intomb'd together Leaving the wofull kingdom of Argos no better accoÌ„panied then with Fidutio yet better guarded by Satibarsis armor my sorrow I think that bore infection with it made all places where I came fit stages for tragedies for descending unto a green valley where of each side the rocky mountains threatned the humble earth with the frowns of their downe-cast browes I might see a young man leaning with both hands on his sword breathing as overtoyl'd with labour and round about him foure or five cast prostrate at his feete who vvere dead or thoght their counterfeiting so to be vvould prove their best defence against this young mans furie But the clashing of my armor had no â—ooner made known my approach then he came running towards me uttering vvords whereby I might gather his quarrell to me brought the excuse of mistake with it Not to draw on therfore his misconceived opinioÌ„ that his breathlesse companions did witnes would be dangerous for me Sir replyed I I am so farre from maintaining their cause vvhose revenge upon a lone man being so manie mine owne eyes do perswade me vvas injurious that had I come at the beginning of your fight though this event shewes I should but have rob'd you of part of the honour of this action I vvould have joyn'd my selfe to you Alas sir said he to oppose your selfe against me though it vvere the more unjust would be the most secure vvay for vvhat you see is but a fore-runner of a certain destructioÌ„ soon at hand Leave me therfore courteous â—ir seek for safety death to me is so gratefull that I envie you should be a partner in so great a gaine But it were a fault unpardonable to have abandoned the most accomplisht man that ever mine eyes before that time beheld my resolution therefore though hard against his will must have prevail'd vvith him so that intreating to know the cause of his former fight further doubt I found his courtesie as forward in the relation of his own danger as it was obstinate in the care of my safetie Sir said he seeing my storie will be but a heape of misfortunes I shall do wel to lay the foundatioÌ„ my selfe then vvhom the Sunne looks not upon a more miserable creature My name is Cariâ—lio nephew by his brother Castor to the king of Natolia brought up in my youth in the good opinion of my uncle and the great expectation of manie Fortune then belike proroguing my miseries until a more serious age should make me more sensible of themâ— vvhich time had no sooner brought on but that my ill fate to traine me up for the burden of the mischiefe that vvas prepar'd for me began by little little to make me acquainted with the course I vvas to run first taking away my father vvhose vertuous age deserved if that may be thought a recompence for desert a longer time in this life vvhen he vvas dead that the slipperie steps of my rash youth vvanted the stay of his fatherly advice presently not knowing vvhat one mans hands I should put the raynes of my then unbridled youth into and yet well