themselues so low as to looke on her my creature and fauour her with my liking She whom I might command I haue bin contented to woe she who shuld obay ignorantly refuseth yet â— Master of worth will not force her but haue compell'd my selfe to consent to satisfie a fond request she hath made to me which is to come into this Court with her and this knight my Cosen whom she loues and is the barre from my enioying her and here if she can find a Knight who for her sake will enter into this quarrel which she calls The deâ—ence of true Loue he must obserue this to giue her to one of vs and fight with the other if it happen he chuse him as well it may be he wil defend Ladies he will dispose of her to her beloued he must combate me if he ouercome shee shall bee free else yeelded to me which I make no question of since I neuer yet knew any had the fortune how stout valiant or hardy could hold out with me These bound men are Knights and her Brothers two of them the rest her friends and kindred who vpon her vaine complaint fearing violence would haue been by me iustly vs'd vpon her made an insurrection which soone I appeased and for the loue of her would not yet put them to death but haue brought them with mee likewise on this condition that when I haue fought and vanquisht that bold and fond man whosoeuer that will aduenture to combate with me I shall strike off all their heads This Sir is the cause of my comming wherefore I desire leaue of you that shee may haue one if any Knight will vndertake it or dare maintaine her cause which shee accounts so faire and good The King was sorry for the Ladies sake his Court was so vnprouided of those braue Knights which were wont to honour it especially that his famous Nephew and braue Sonnes were all absent who he knew would defend a Ladies cause especially a louing Lady as she seem'd wherefore hee made this answere Lansaritano I am troubled so braue a man should fight in so ill a matter since if I were as you shee that would not by my worth bee wonne should not be thought worthy to be gaind by the hazard of my self into which you must run if you encounter Knights of my Court for surely no braue man will giue her from her owne affection but now indeede is your fortune good in comming when the Worthies of our parts are absent yet doubt I not but I haue still some here who honour Ladies so much as they will venter to deliuer them from force in loue therfore I giue yoâ— free liberty to pronounce your challenge I am sorry said he that all your Worthies be not here that I might for my glory ouercome them one after another but since they are absent any one here take her part that will or giue her to mee if none will aduenture combate otherwise I am ready to meete him with the Launce three courses and then end the Combat with the sword if no one dare vndertake itâ— you must sweete Lady bee mine for want of a knight for your Championâ— Shee lookt sadly and wept so loue-likely as all pittied her but none offered their seruice the valour being knowne and the strength much feared of Laâ—saritano till Selarinus disdaining such a man should haue though so little a cause to adde more fuell to the fire of his pride stept forth and said Most mighty King may it please you to honour mee so much as to permit mee the libertie of this aduenture wherein I doubt not but to doe iustly and to lay Lansaritano's pride as low as the eaâ—â—h will suffer his body to lie vpon it The king glad to see the fine young Prince so forward but loth to venture him in so dangerous a businesse told him That the true noblenesse and bounty of the kings of Albania his Predecessours did againe liue in him to maintaine which hee was very willing to grant his request but his tender yeares made him loth to aduenture him alone Then Sir said hee should I both shame my selfe and the braue Princes before by you mentioned but as I am alone left here of my bloud I will alone aduenture Then hee asked the Lady if shee would accept him and stand to his censure Shee answered Most willingly shee would Hee then gaue her to her beloued saying Prepare your selfe and know Lansaritano that you shall finde enough to doe when you encounter Iustice and resolution which are the two I take with mee in this Combate against you The furie of the vaine man was such to see so young a man answer him as hee could scarce giue one word againe but at last his breath smoked out these words Alas poore Boy I pitie thee wherefore pray thee be aduised and hereafter when thou hast a Beard come and it may be I will grace thee with fighting with thee vnlesse thou dost hope I should haue some pity on thy faire face and so forbeare to hurt thee in the fight 〈◊〉 â—ince you haue no brauer Knights Great King of Morea farewell I will returne and now faire Lady what thinke you of your seruant my selfe will you loue me or let this smug Youth be your Champion The king was infinitely offended with the proud speech of Lansaritano the like was all the company yet none aduentured to answer but braue Selarinus himselfe who againe couragiouslie yet mildlie told him That hee neede not learne to know words were not the weapons to bee vsed in fight therefore hee would answere him no further in that kinde but hee should giue him satisfaction with his Sword and Speare for the Ladies sake before his parting thence whether hee would or no and then haue occasion to speake better of him if hee left him to speake at all The King embraced the young Prince and straight sending for an Armour which was the first that euer Amphilanthus had worne hauing left it there taking another which was brought him from Italy after his first Victorie of fame which was there performed against two Knights in the defence of an iniured Ladie this hee put on which was all White saue iust against the Heart hee had the figure of a heart wounded curiously made and so artificially as one would haue thought his heart had been seene to bleed through the Armour with these Armes Selarinus was arm'd the King girting the sword to him and kissing him wisht as good fortune to him as the first Lord of those Armes had and to prooue as worthy to weare them Hee on his knee humbly gaue him thankes then turning to the Lady will'd her to take her loued Seruant if shee accepted him for her Knight Shee ioyfully beholding him and smiling on her loue who equally exprest his ioy followed him who now appeared a young Mars yet was her ioy mixt with feare of falling againe into his hands till which time shee
whom they called to them and so together went from that place meaning to ascend the mountaine but then came the seruant of Mellissea to them intreating their companies from her Mistrisse to the Pallace where they should meete their companion They soone consented to that inuitation whither being come they told all their aduentures one to another then were they brought into a faire roome where after they had eaten Mellissea againe thus spake My Lords the time calls vpon you occasions being such as your presences are required in seuerall places wherefore first to you my Lord Steriamus I must say you must haste hence and as you desire your owne happie ends in loue obserue what I aduise you Goe from hence into Arcadia feare not for nothing shall encounter you of harme Dolorindus doe you the like for much is your being there requisite from thence goe to Saint Maura and in a rocke which lies iust against it towards Cephalonia priuately remaine till fortune call you thence by helpe which shall appeare death this may seeme hard and terrible but feare it not since it shall bring your happinesse then goe into Greece againe and helpe your friends and your selfe in the Conquest of Albania They tooke her hand and kist it on it swearing to obey her Counsell Amphilanthus was sorry for his vow especially that his iourney was staid to Morea but hee made the cause of his griefe for parting with his friends Then to Ollorandus shee thus spake The good that shall come to you must proceede from this braue King who shall giue vnto you both securitie of life and your onely loue life hee shall venture for you and saue yours by the hazard of himselfe keepe then together and still be your loues firme and constant assisting one another for a time will bee when you shall merit this from Amphilanthus giuing him as great a gift And credit what I say for it is as true as by my meanes you receiued the Armour in the Forrest when you were fast sleeping it being laid by you from which you haue taken the name of Knight of the Forrest For you my Lord thinke not but I am as carefull or more of you then any though I haue left you last for as yet I can say little but feare nothing except what I haue already warnd you of my Art shall attend you and I neuer faile to serue you make haste then to Cyprus and be carefull Then all promising to performe her will with teares in their eyes they tooke leaue of each other Steriamus and Dolorindus demanding what seruice Amphilanthus would command them He answered They should honor him much in remembring him to the King and Queene to whom by Steriamus hee sent the olde Dwarfes and the youngest Sonne called after his Fathers name hee desired Dolorindus to present to Pamphilia from him Thus they parted and Amphilanthus Ollorandus and the other two dwarfes who seru'd them for Squires tooke their way for Cyprus Quicke was the iourney of the other two arriuing in Laconia and so hasting to Mantinea where then the King was but being neere Steriamus began to faint fearing the sight of her he most desired to see yet incouraged by Dolorindus to performe what he had ingaged his word to doe they went on comming to the Court when the King and all the Princes were assembled to iudge the Traytors But Steriamus whos 's same was now farre spread for his noble Acts at Constantinople and diuers others was soone knowne in the Hall and as soone with great ioy brought before the King to whom he deliuered the Present and seruice of Amphilanthus The King infinitly reioyced to heare of his braue friend and taking the Dwarfe the Queene with as much loue accepting the other desired before they passed to the Iudgement to heare of their aduentures Then did Steriamus openly relate all that had happened him after his depart vntill their comming thither in so good words and Princely a maner as all admired and loued him especially for doing it with such affection and truth to the eternall renowne of incomparable Amphilanthus Then presented he Dolorindus to the King whose name and presence was welcome to at that time especially assuring himselfe now to haue an end and true knowledge of the Traytours who were lead at their comming in aside so as they neither sawe them nor heard the relation of the aduenture at Sio which was extreame strange and wondred at by all the more the cause of admiration was the more still increased their honours that atcheiued it Then went the Princes to Pamphilia who much commended Steriamus for his discourse kindly of Dolorindus accepting the Dwarfe promising to loue him for his Lords sake then were all placed againe Rosindy taking Steriamus and setting him betweene him and his friend Selarinus who was true ioy it selfe to see Steriamus againe the traytors then entrâ—d to whom the King thus spake Without any more falshood truly declare vnto me who you are and your true names for those you tooke vpon you I know are false then discouer the cause of taking my daughter deale truly if any pitie be expected by you to be shewed vnto you The old man curstly replied Hee wondred a King should haue so ill a conceit of another of his owne ranke as to thinke falshood could be in a royall breast and more did he admire that the King of Morea who before had beene counted iust would offer that iniustice to the King of Negropont who hauing beene ill vsed by an vngratefull Childe and comming thither for succour should be made a Prisoner like a Traitor and vsed like theeues Then answered the King behold my Lords before you the vildest of men and falsest of Traitors to proue which Dolorindus stand forth and witnesse against him Dolorindus indeed came foorth the Traytor seeing him straight too well knew him wherefore roring out hee cryed I am vndone for now all is betray'd Then did Dolorindus againe tell the manner of his trecherous taking and imprisoning him and withall the winning and destroying of the Castle and his seruants the burning of his wicked wife and the bestowing of the Island vpon Berlandis and the other two their Squires whom they had matched to the three Sisters These creatures being past helpe to be saued fell downe on their faces confessing the truth which was this The Sonne to this wicked man seeing the picture of Pamphilia which was sent some two yeeres before by Pamphilia to her Vncle but taken away by Pirats who after landed at Sio and among other things sold that He fell in loue with it and so longed to enioy her as nothing but death appear'd in him which the deuill his Father perceiuing plotted all waies hee could to which end he inuented that false Bridge hoping to get some of her brothers or friends if not some that might bring them meanes to finde a tricke to gaine her Tenn monethes this continued then came the poore
performed for I buried her with her busband and then vpon the Tombe my selfe the Captaine and the Seruants to the lost Antissius tooke a solemne oath to haue reuenge but by the brauest Princes whose worths must needs abhorre so detestable practises other meanes though they diseru'd the worst and basest honest and noble hearts did detest them This done we parted euery one a seuerall way and to a seuerall King to make our misery more manifest out of Iustice demanding their ayde to pull downe wickednesse and againe settle worth in Romania my selfe remaining one whole yeare after nere the Hellispont disguised and almost begging my lyuing with this my last hope Still they sought vs while wee were among them but then perceiuing the continuall hazard and ablenesse in this latter Antissius to trauell We left Greece my selfe alone going with him But how this was difcouer'd or that this young man must inherite his Fathers misfortunes we hardly did escape taking Vpon the missing of vs Ambassadours were sent in all haste to all the neere Princes to whom with much falsehood their false fault was couered with as foule a vaile working so farre as beliefe or feare of warre made shew of so much as preuented the succour we had hoped for Finding this we tooke this Boate coasting not daring to stay any where till we could be secure Many places we haue seene but found none to rescue misfortune not caring whither we went so we were freed from her malicious power Hither Fate hath brought vs and here we haue found and seru'd some Noblemen and good Princes who haue promis'd their helpe so as if you braue Prince Parselius and these with you will likewise assist vs I feare not but assure my selfe of our hoped-for comfort Thus if pitty dwell in you you will pitty vs and this Allimarlus is your Lord and Prince Parselius then embraced him so did Steriamus and Selarinus all promising their former vowes and businesse ended they would attend and rescue them in the meane time they would aduise them to leaue that shore for feare of danger considering the Charmes which yet to any but such as aduentured the Towres or vnfortunatly dranke of the Riuer were nothing yet that scarce knowne made cause of doubt So they resolu'd and betooke themselues to the Sea when they saw floating vpon the water a man past sense or power to helpe himselfe being now subiect to the Sea and the disposition shee might bee in to destroy him or succour him Parselius in Charitie willed them to goe towards him the Tyde bringing him a pace as in loue of him that way Being neare hee perceiued the man to be his deare Friend Leandrus who in the same fury they had before falne into but wanting such helpe as they had ran into the Sea misâ—ing a Boate to conuay him but not fury to cast away himselfe crying out he would haue Antissia in spite of the valiantest blacke Knight But quickly was he cool'd with losse of strength to saue himselfe from losse senses were come to him but alas too soone to lose them againe and life with them if this happy aduenture had not come vnto him For then cryâ—d out Parselius O take vp that worthy body saue that noble person from such losse with this they made to him taking him vp and after much care getting life againe to put it selfe into the Cage of the body when knowing his friends but forgetting all things else they embraced as soules would if not by a greater ioy hinder'd reioyce in the other world for encountring their best friends On they rowed sometimes Parselius and the other Princes ayding the old man taking their turnes till they discouer'd a Morean Ship to which they haled She comming and her rulers knowing their Prince with all ioy and dutie receiu'd him and his company into her Then securely they sayled towards Greece where being landed in Morea they determined that since instant ayde could not be giuen them they should there in a strong Castle remayne not Prisoners but Commanders of that place being an impregnable Fort and in such a place as none could land without their fauour so might they vse the opportunitie of place and time The Romanian Knight after this place was by the Prince deliuer'd to Seleucius and his Nephew Antissius in the same ship had thither brought them tooke againe to the Sea intending to goe into Romania and so hired them for Constantinople But soone were they alter'd for meeting another ship which desir'd to know something the cause of that ships iourney being for discouerie hee found in her the ancient seruant and the same faithfull Captaine who had so loyally seru'd the first Antissius Finding him and by him that the Prince was to be found he with him returned to the Castle where being receiu'd and ready to make his discourse I will leaue him and goe againe to Parselius who tooke the directest way to the Court which was then kept in Arcadia being a time the King had in pleasure made a iourney that way to delight himselfe in that most delightfull Countrey Being there arriu'd no ioy could be compar'd to the Kings and Queenes seeing their deerest Sonne return'd but little ioy felt he Vrania being lost which onely to Pamphilia he discouer'd who out of a deere and sisterly affection the like bewayled absence Sports and pleasures were euery day offer'd while he still knew of none being in them as in another World onely wherein his owne person was required there his valour failed not though his Soule which gouern'd that was otherwhere Some dayes this lasted but Parselius whose loue still vrg'd him could haue no rest colouring his paine with the losse of his friend and cousin which indeed was the cause but in the feminine gender The King was the lesse displeas'd because it was on so worthy a subiect yet he was sorry being the louingest of Fathers that his deerest sonne should be displeas'd and most troubled when hee saw hee would not stay but againe goe seeke his Friend Yet before his depart he gayn'd the promise of his Father to rayse men to assist Steriamus in his iourney to conquer his right which was granted both for that iust Cause and likewise because the faire young Princesse Meriana Queene of Macedon by right should be vnto her right restor'd Thus departed Parselius leauing Steriamus and his Brother to attend their businesse and see the men rays'd himselfe promising within fit time to take their iourney to returne Leandrus likewise accompanying Parselius to the Court gaue his word to vse his best power in gayning forces from his Father to assist in this deseru'd occasion they hauing suffer'd for their Parents loues To which end he went into Achaya giuing his hand to Parselius to be with him in Morea within six moneths which was the time appointed for their marching forwards towards Macedon or Albania as at their next meeting they would agree on Thus they parted Parselius as his
that time to aduenture and hauing rid two dayes iourney without let or any kind of hazard the third day he vnfortunatly hapned into a house belonging to a Keeper and standing in a great Forrest this Keeper had in his youth beene an Esquire to an Epirian Knight slaine at Mantinia at a great iust there held after whose death he return'd and putting himselfe vnto the Queene hee gain'd the keeping of this Forrest this man fell into discourse being crafty and so fitt for so ill an imployment as he was vsed in by discourse hee gain'd knowledge that this was one belonging either in place or affection to the Morean Court then hauing enough to worke vpon as if he had eaten much poyson hee must breake so brake he into the open way of destroying Selarinus for sending his boy to the Court which was then but ten miles off by the next morning he had forty Knights to secure him and conduct the Prince trecherously made a prisoner to the Queene who mistrusting no Treason vnder greene clothes nor falshood where so faire language and welcome dwelt at night being weary vnarm'd himselfe and went to bed where hee slept till hee was awaked with the paine which hard cords cast about his armes brought him he did after confesse he heard some noise but thought it had only beene his Squire puting vp his Armour or making it ready and fitt against the morning but when he saw how he was deceiu'd and heard his poore seruant cry also out against them he only with Princely patience said this suffer imprisonment with mee poore boy said he as well as thou hast enioyed freedome and content witnessing that Fidelius can serue Infortunius in all estates faithfully By that the youth knew his Lord would not be knowne by other name then Infortunius wherefore hee resolu'd to dye rather then betray him Till morning hee was thus held then deliuered to to the Knights who straight carryed him to their Queene shee hating all that had but seene Morea or any of those Countryes belonging to them she cal'd enemies went into her Hall and with all magnificent state sate to behold so to scorne the vnfortunate Knight who was brought in chaind the Queene sitting with a setled resolution to manifest hate scorne and contempt but seeing his sweetnesse and louelynesse his tender youth his modest countenance tryumphing as it were ouer his misery with noble patience only shewing stoutnesse in bold suffering and giuing way to Fortune as subiect in that tyranny yet inwardly his estate molested him shame to see those braue armes fetterd and bound brought some blood into his face which though shewed vpon such occasion yet it prouoked an other conclusion for he being naturally some what pale this made his beauty appeare more delicate as if of purpose to purchase his libertie thus was hee forced to be beholding to that womanish part to restore his manly power to liberty that working for him which his worth held least worthy in him for the Queene though most ambitiously raised in conceit of her selfe now found there was a greater Prince and a higher authority which might and would command She gazed on him shee blam'd the small respect their rudnesse had shewed to a Knight to bring him like a theife chain'd shee caused his bands to be taken off and strictly corrected them who expected thanks telling them the disarming had beene an honor but their taking him naked was a shame vnto them and to all braue spirits Then called shee the Prince to her desiring to know his name and Country kindly smiling on him holding him by the hand the softnesse and fairenesse of which she grieued should handle a sword or be vsed in fights fitter to bee held by her like-louing selfe withall she assured him his imprisonment should be no other then content if he would but yeeld to her desires Hee answered his name was Infortunius nephew to the Lord of Serigo who was killed at the King of Morea's Court in his presence and many more hauing thither brought a faire Lady whose loue he was to winn by fight but he was slaine by Selarinus younger brother to Steriamus for whom the great preparations were now made to winn Albania Are you of their party said she Truely Madam said he I wish good to all iust causes otherwise I being but one am little able to asist any therfore dare I not venture to say I am of any side but I did intend to see the warrs If you did but intend that you may said she still continue that purpose nor will I hinder you yet I must enioyne you to some things for my sake Hee answered her his life was in her hands to command Not but to saue and cherish it replied she therefore goe with this Gentleman who shall direct you and conuey you to a chamber fitt for you then did one of her cheife officers conduct him to a maruellous rich roome which she had appointed him to carry him vnto where hee had all things necessary and braue saue his armes then did he leaue him there and his owne Squire to attend him with many more whose respects and officiousnesse was such as mou'd trouble and proued such liberty a true imprisonment yet at night he had freedome for by the Queen's appointment they were not to lye in his Chamber but in an other roome where for his safety no way to trouble him they might conueniently remaine Supper was serud vnto him with all seruicable duty infinite rich and sumptuous fare glorious plate and nothing wanting that so proud a woman could to satisfie that humour thinke of to gloryfie her selfe and obleige him He fed and after supper went to bed the doores were shut and hee layd downe to rest but what quiet could he enioy fearing all these faire beginnings would turne to his greater harme for no end could he see but dishonour to him as himselfe and certaine danger as Infortunius abuse and what was most as Philistella's seruant shame and iust reproach if hee falsified her trust or his affection Tormented thus he did remaine til towards midnight when a doore opened at his beds head out of which came sixe Ladyes each carrying two white wax candles which they set downe vpon a cupbord placed of purpose before the bed then they returned when the Queene as rich and glorious as Iuno came in her mantle was Carnation sattine embroder'd with gold and round pearle fastned with a faire Ruby her wastcoate of the most curious worke could bee made with needle her petty coat suitable to her mantle her head dressed with a dressing fram'd of the same worke with her wastcoate through which her haire was delicately drawne in many places daintely she was apparrel'd able to winne any but such a spirit as Selarinus for neuer did curious carelesnesse better adorne creature then it did this Queene who with care sought to bee neglectiue in her apparrell To the bed side she came and
Crimson her armes fingers and necke adorn'd with the richest Iewels her buskins were of white laced vp with Rubies her hayre comb'd downe and a Crowne of infinite valew on her head a Scepter in her hand which at the opening of the Tombe she cast downe raysing her selfe a little vp and throwing her armes abroad ready to welcome her heart vnto her as if before gone thence The sudden light to so much darkenesse at the first daseled her eyes but when she recouer'd and saw in stead of Polidorus two strangers she crossed her armes lay downe againe seeming so like a dead body as they were afraid they had but heard a voyce which caused their search but that she had beene dead that spirit which shee once had had guided them to her But soone were they put beyond that amazednes by her speech If said she you be of Polidorus seruants directed by him to bring me his death quickly giue me mine likewise and then most welcome or doe but fauour me so much as to shut me vp againe this is the Throne and Tombe which I must haue and only will enioy The Kings whose hearts were mollified with loue were so tempered to pitty as they were not able to know what to doe but gazed on her who appeard the most peerelesse Tombe their eyes had euer beheld and the strangest they saw shee lay still like her owne monument curiously cut Alas said Amphilanthus what comfort can a victory bring that finds such a conclusion to accompanie it selfe with all A victory cryd shee then raised she her sweete saddest selfe a little on one arme I beseech you both or either said she bee so charitable to tell me the truth they loath to tell her what must bring her death yet still besought and that implor'd with teares they look'd on one another sigh'd and with their eyes intreated each to speake at last braue Amphilanthus as kind as excellent in all other vertues gaue these words Madam said he to obay you whom we must after sue to for a fauour I will discouer that which my soule as for you doth grieue for The Army is ouerthrowne and your beloued Lord who wee haue heard you so much speake ofâ— slaine said shee I see it in your face though you will not in pitty speake it Charitable Sir how am I bound to you but I beseech you add one fauour more vnto your first and then an other as the last to that where is his body Laid said he in the cheife Church among the other Kings by Steriamus owne command It was an noble act of him said shee whom Heauens protect for it mercy in Conquerors being as excellent as their fortunes the last request I le make Sir is this that by your fauours I may bee layd by him since I will not aske to haue him brought to mee I amâ— and was his wife deerely beloued of him and heere for safety and by mine owne petition left by him I was Daughter to a King the vnfortunate Plamergus but my greatest happinesse I euer gloryed in was his true loue lay me then braue Sir with my Lord and only deere Polidorus and thus my deere my soule to thine doth flye Amphilanthus did beseech Selarinus weept to her all would not serue shee stretched her selfe straight out and by curious Art laid her selfe forth fit to be carryed to her buriall dying as if the word dead had kild her excellent griefe and most excellent strength of passion that can bring so resolute and braue an end The Kings then chang'd their discourse from loue to sorrow they stayed by her seeking all meanes to recouer her but finding she was gone and so all hope of life in her they went into the Court where they found the King new risen from Councell and all his Princes and Lords about him He went to meete them but seeing such sorrow in their faces wondred and a little feard but soone he was brought out of that they telling him the cause and sad aduenture Then he sent for the Guard who had kept the late King Polidorus of whom he vnderstood how he with teares intreated to be laid in a Tombe made by himselfe in the Orchard but they though he besought them to goe to the Conqueror as he calld Steriamus and beseech that honor from hiÌ„m to performe a vow which hee had made they vnwilling to busie themselues fearing to distast the King had neuer let his last request be knowne some said they thought his wounds and paines of them had made him raue others that being dead what matter was it where his body lay comparing him vnto himselfe who being gone said he what care I where my body is bestowed But these things Steriamus liked not being so infinitely offended with themâ— as had it beene a fault they might haue dyed for they had surely payd their liues for such neglect but not ascending to that height he banished them hating neglect to any creature dying imagining his soule that dyes vnsatisfied must part with trouble from the body and for that was grieued and this Iustice did he vnto loue for which loue must be iust to him Then made he Proclamation for their banishment and straight himselfe went with the whole assembly of Kings and Princes fetching her and went as the cheife mourner with her weeping to her graue the other Kings did carry her and were as they thought honourd with the waight of such worth and constancy she seeming on their shoulders like her Efâ—gie carryed to her owne Funerall The Tombe was graced that night with her lying on it the next morning with solemne state opened and she layd by her Lord this noble act did Steriamus as the first in Albania the beginning to his famous life This being past and a Commander left in that towne which was the chiefe seate of the Kings of those parts and from whence all the Auncesters tooke their claime the new and rightfull King marched againe towards the third king guided by his new seruants and followed with many great men of Albania who like the world ranne with the streame of Fortune and left the ouerthrowne party as soone as it was made miserable with that knowledge Antissius had had his time for leading Leaâ—drus now desired to haue the next it was granted him and so they marched Amphilanthus now in the head of his owne troups Steriamus hauing a Guard of them next his person as their Country woman guarded his heaâ—t safe from hurt or change the Albanians next to them which were in number that went forth with him after the two victories as many as were lost so the Army was of the same bignesse as when it came into Albania Perissus after hee had left Neraena in all her rages for his neglect yet saluing it as desirous to deceiue her selfe with saying that the danger hee found him selfe in of change to his first and only loue made him for feare leaue her not being able
an vnlook'd for meanes for Amphilanthus at his first comming into the Caue being confident of not being knowne pulld off his Helme while Bellamira was gone to the monument at her returne seeing his face she fell on her knees blushing at her errour My Lord said she the afflictions which make me ignorant of all â—hings but themselues haue caused my forgetfullnes vnto you which I most humbly craue pardon for He admired how she knew him desiring to bee made certaine of the cause and meanes of her knowledge being extreamely sorry to be discouered Be not displeased great Prince said she that your seruant my poore selfe knowes your excellency since heere you shall command what it shall please you and be knowne but as you name your selfe only giue me leaue to expresse what ioy my afflicted heart did little expect in beholding in this my sad dwelling the most matchlesse Prince the earth carryes and may glory in bearing But Madame said hee how doe you I beseech you know me My Lord said she I attended on the Kings Neece in â— iourney she was pleased to make out of too much pride and conceit of her beauty being enough to be liked but too little to be defended in field Into Italy among other places shee went and then it was my happines to see you and the honor of chiualry in you which the poore Prince my Ladies seruant found for after you had cast him to the ground she cast him out of her fauor scorning any after but your selfe yet not louing you because you wonne the prize from her beauty to your Mistris The King did very well remember that accident and so discoursing a little more to that purpose they concluded with her promise not to disclose him or to know him to be other then the Lost Man and that was the reason she so freely disclosed her passions to him Shâ— tooke her way towards Saint Maura the two Kings higher into the Country though no way likely to finde the Ladyes yet first for them who could lay those memories apart trauelling through the delicate parts of Greece till they came to Romania passing many aduentnres vnder the name of the Lost Man one being necessary to be remembred On the skirts of Romania they came into a place Rockey and hilley nothing but Heath and some small shrubs to shelter rayne Sunne or any thing from one the mighty Rocks which shewed their swelling sides appeard like Swannes in their neasts when breeding and angry at passengers for troubling them white as they and fringed with Holly trees the wayes stony and troublesome so as they walked on foote and their Squires led their Horses Defirous to see rarities Olorandus went among them Amphilanthus keeping on in a path The braue Bohemian seeking among them at the last hapned to one which was wonderfull to behold a Rocke of great height and bignesse the midst of which was cleft to the bottome so euen and iust as if cut by hands yet was it impossible for hands to doe it Nature shewing how neere she can come to Art and how far excell it Beyond this was an other Rocke in which was a little Caue and in that a man lying it was so shallow in the body of it as he might discerne him to lye on his left side his face from the light in Pilgrims cloathes his staffe and bag by him and to add to this sad sight his voyce agreed to make him knowne miserableâ— breaking into these complaints Vngratefull wretch monster of manâ—kinde why liue I still to poyson the sweete Aire with my vild breathing what wickednesse is there that I abound not in and haue committed false trecherous and vngratefull I haue beene dye then with shame wrap'd round about thee dye Dolorindus and neuer let thy vnworthy face be more beheld nor thy false eyes behold the light let darkenesse not so blacke as thy sinne infold thee and be as thou art a creature vnfit for Heauen to looke vpon Olorandus knew he had beene lost strangly the manner and cause was vnknowne the other Kings keeping his councell til they could finde meanes to worke for his good He stole away softly and calld Amphilanthus who presently came with him where they heard him continue in his moanes crying out O Villaine that had a thought to wrong thy worthyest friend to be vngratefull to al-deseruing Amphilanthus nay more to plot his ruine and conspire his death Antissia thou art the cause of this and I the more miserable to be brought by a woman to be a Beast Amphilanthus pardon me my soule begs it let the fault be where it is laid iustly on vniust commands in loue But what excuse can I make say Antissia bad mee kill Amphilanthus is that enough O noe truth tels me that he saued mee from ruine from staruing from death shall a woman then make me forget these benefits and only because I loued her loue should not extend to hurt or procure murther I haue offended beyond pardon mercy must be shewed if I continue but mercy cannot I aske so far hauing forgone truth as my offence flyes higher then any hope can ascâ—nd to Antissia I now hate thee more then once I loued thee and more iustly for thy loue hath made me worth-lesse and spoyled my name honor and content shame is the reward I haue gain'd for my loue to thee and the heauy waight of vngratefulnesse lyes on my heart They were both amazed to heare these words not being able to coniecture whence they came the voyce they knew and the name but how this sorrow was could not imagine In the end they concluded to speake to him and Olorandus began Repentance said hee merits pardon for the greatest ill if you truely repent doubt not but you shall receiue what you seeke and the neerest way to that is to confesse freely your fault and then pardon will follow Pardon cry'd he I cannot be pardon'd I cannot hope I cannot be forgiuen You may said he And for that I will ingage my honor if you will be ruld said Amphilanthus With that hee rose and looking on them knew them which so much oppressed his weake body as he fel to the ground in a swound Amphilanthus took him vp and Ollorandus went to the next Spring for water wherwith they rubd his temples and brought him to himself but to what end only to die again for so was he afflicted as impossible it was for him to liue as they doubted then Amphilanthus vowed vnto him at his second comming to himselfe that whatsoeuer he had done or thought against him was then forgiuen desiring onely to be resolued of the griefes cause My Lord said he how shall I dare to tell you what I haue done when no shame is so great so infinite so ill as my faultâ—â— I am a Traitor to you take reuenge or let me giue it you Stay Dolorindus said he fall not from one ill to a greater speake to me plainely tell me
and mourne which she vowed during her life to doe and Polarchos to liue in some remote place neuer to see man nor creature more the excellentest being gone they saw out of holes in the stones smoake and fire suddenly to flie out with it Pamphilia aduentured and pulling hard at a ring of iron which appeared opned the great stone when a doore shewed entrance but within she might see a place like a Hell of flames and fire and as if many walking and throwing pieces of men and women vp and downe the flames partly burnt and they still stirring the fire and more brought in and the longer she looked the more she discernd yet all as in the hell of deceit at last she saw Musalina sitting in a Chaire of Gold a Crowne on her head and Lucenia holding a sword which Musalina tooke in her hand and before them Amphilanthus was standing with his heart ript open and Pamphilia written in it Musalina ready with the point of the sword to conclude all by razing that name out and so his heart as the wound to perish Faine she would nay there was no remedy but she would goe in to helpe him flames fier Hell it selfe not being frightfull enough to keepe her from passing through to him so with as firme and as hot flames as those she saw and more brauely and truly burning she ran into the fire but presently she was throwne out againe in a swound and the doore shut when she came to her selfe cursing her destinie meaning to attempt againe shee saw the stone whole and where the way into it was there were these words written FAithfull louers keepe from hence None but false ones here can enter This conclusion hath from whence Falsehood flowes and such may venter Polarchos attempted likewise but could only for being vnconstant passe the flames but not come within reach of the Emperour but then was cast out also The Queene then perceiued what this was and so as sadly as before resolued shee returned to the Court where more like a religious then a Court life she liued some yeares Polarchos presently prouided long gray Roabes like a Hermit and on the outside of the Armes-crowned Crowne he made a Cell where he liued daily beholding the Armes and lamenting for his Lord kissing the stone wherein he thought he was inclosed and thus liued he guarding the Armes of his Lord till the aduenture was concluded The other eleuen Princes that came with Amphilanthus into Pamphilia and were as Polarchos hath told you scatterd and deuided in the Desart it was the fortune of the Prince of Transiluania to come within two daies after to the same Lodge where the Queene had laine with the dainty sad Nimph but hearing of Pamphilias being well and safe onely perplexed for the want of Amphilanthus staied not but followed the search of them both till hee came to the sea-side where beholding the waues and comparing mens fortune to the rising falling and breaking of them he saw a little Bote come towards the land and in it a faire Damsell weeping and pitifully complaining The Prince tooke great compassion of her demanding the cause of her sorrow Alas Sir said she shall I tell you and you prooue like other Knights I may well then accuse my forwardnesse and paine but if you will promise to succour my Lady who is so faire worthy and great as will take away the shew of my imperfections perfect in nothing but duty to her I will then tell you what you aske Speake faire and sad Lady said he and I vow to serue your Lady and your selfe with my best indeauours although I must tell you I am in search of such as vnwillingly I would be diuerted but compassion compells me to serue you She thanked him and thus proceeded Blessed may you and all your enterprises be who for a distressed Ladies sake will lay aside your own occasions and let me know I beseech you to whom she is thus much ingaged I am said he Prince of Transiluania seruant to the Emperour Amphilanthus from whom I was parted in yonder Desart and haue since sought him and was yet in the quest of him and the Queene of this Country with eleuen Princes more his seruants all seuered from one another and seeking each other God send they may happily meete said she and you braue and courteous Prince be for euer happy for your noblenâ—sse The businesse which vrgeth mee to demand your helpe is this my Lady and Mistris is the Princesse of Lycia only daughter to the King of that Country next neighbor to this place so as your stay shall not bee very long from your search with this Lady the Lord of the Mountaines called Taurus an vnworthy man rude proud ill-fauourd sauage and rough as well in person as in maners but wonderfull powerfull and mighty of body meanes and people fell in loue shee being as delicate as hee abominable which made her hate him as much as he sought her but her father a good Prince louing peace would not prouoke warre but rather yeeld her to him This brought the sweete Princesse into desperate melancholly and dispaire but a Noble man as well in truth of vertue as descent and honour to defend her from so much harme tooke her into his protection the same day she should haue beene giuen to the Mountaine Lord venturing life honors and estate to keepe her free This being discerned by the cruell proud man and her father the good old King troubled withall vtterly disclayming any knowledge of it they raised men to take her backe by force and catch him who should certainely suffer for such an attempt but the place is strong the cause good and the defence iust and honest so as none I hope will doe other then pitty her and seeke to redresse her wrongs this hath continued eight moneths and now the King hath sent directly to her to yeeld her selfe into his hands to be bestowed on the feirce Montaltanus or to bee forsaken for euer of him and disinherited This message was heauily receiued by the poore Princesse yet she resolued to dye disinherited and be the poorest in estate rather then the vnhappiest by marryage wherefore after an humble answer and dutifull refusall of yeelding to be wife to Montaltanus she demanded one request of her father which was to let it bee lawfull for her to send forth in search of some Knight who would defend her quarrell against him whom if he ouercame she should be yeeded vnto his Maiestie if her Knight got the victory then she should be free and inherit what she was borne vnto and this to be performed in two months and peace in the interim These things were agreed on and granted with much vaine-glory on the assured Champions side then did the Lady send foure Damsells abroad of which number I am one three are returned without finding any and now are but three dayes left of the perfixed time the Nobleman hath also his
consideration that it was the roote of it selfe that the Deuill inuented it and then pitty her and mee who vniustly suffered or indeed onely her since shee alone deserues pitty being iniur'd and for one so vnworthy yet to her iust This was none of my least aflictions since it was the course whereby her fate was gouern'd leading her to her end and making me part of the mischiefe The State on this imprison'd me shut her vp in her lodgings suffering no accesse to her but such as they permitted hee might and would against her will haue liberty this so gall'd her sweet nature a staine in reputation being so terrible to her as shame to another was not neere it besides knowing my imprisonment And lastly seeing how shee was and had beene betrayed none being neere her that shee had not found farre from faith to her ouerpressed with griefe and grieued with oppression shee writ vnto the State finding meanes to haue it deliuer'd safely looking often to that end out of her window and at last seeing a Gentleman whose faith shee thought vntouch'd threw the letter to him not commanding but beseeching him to deliuer it the nxet Sunday when the Counsell sate and not to giue it to any one but to them all nor to nominate the person so vnfortunate that sent it lest the knowledge of the sender might hinder the reading of it The Gentleman promised to doe it and with honest care and carefull honesty performed it as shee could haue wished Much dispute there was about it the Counsell were diuided and seuerall opinions held the iâ—solent wooer who would hee said for all the knowledge of her ill take her to wife if shee would bee good and true to him afterwards was much against the granting her request but most voyces carried it and her desire was consented to in part which was that being accusâ—d and as shee protested falsly and shamefully wrong'd by slander none being able to accuse her but by wicked surmises shee might haue the law that no ordinary subiect was deny'd which was that shee might bee clear'd by Combat that he whosoeuer it were who would maintaine that shee was guilty might bee encountred by one whom shee should nominate which was my selfe but that was refused for they said so it might bee but a too honourable concluding of my dayes who had so iniur'd the State in her dishononr as no punishment could bee sufficient for mee but if shee could finde one who would defend her shee should haue leaue to send in search of one whom if by the Champion ouercome shee should be left to his disposing and I should bee deliuered to him to haue what seuere punishment hee should inâ—lict on mee these were hard conditions yet shee yeelded vnto them rather then still remaine in the ill opinion of the world and both of vs as prisonâ—rs Three Gentle-women were then sent forth to seeke a Knight that would venter in her defence none in the Countrey would either so frighted they were with the strength of the Prince or doubtfull of the cause he hauing made it so foule on her side so as abandoned of her seruants strangâ—rs must relieue her and from such must her good as her hope proceed The time grew on halfe being expired when one of the women fortunately met the vâ—lâ—ant but proud King of Celicia a young man haughty and ambitious of honour And who lately dyed for his ambitions said Perineus if I bee not deceiu'd seeking the Starre of women the Queene of Pamphilia for wâ—fe It may bee so said Alarinus but this was some yeares before that misfoâ—tune could befall him being in the spring of his aduentures the blossomes but appearing scarce blowne of his valour or the discouering of it this being the first great tryall of his strength But is he then dead said he Yes truly said Peryneus I saw him slaine by my Master the Emperour Amphilanthus being in Pamphilia and in the sight of the Queene whom hee much loued or seemd to doe so but I pray goe on This King comming and hearing the truth still spread by euery good tongue vndertooke the businesse partly for Iustice partly for gaine of honour Being arriued at the Court the insolent wretch the robber of my Ladies honour and my blisse made little account openly of him though I vnderstood afterwards he wished any other of those parts had vndertaken the quarrell and indeede hee had reason for hee was a braue Gentleman for strength valour and all things required in a Prince no fault in him but that he had too much for his pride might haue beene spared The day was appointed and the two Combatants came foorth my Lady and Mistris was in a strong Towre placed onely to see my selfe right ouer against her able to see but not discerne her perfectly though such were our loues as our eyes pierced further then any oâ—hers could haue done so as wee sawe each other and clearely discern'd our miseries with open eyes to misfortune the Combat beganne betweene them while imprisonments our eyes beheld each other as greedily and earnestly the continuall Combate indured in our hearts against our vniust as those did who contended for victory we striuing but to giue expression her due I saw me thought in her imprisonment Vniustice Wrong Iniurie Slaunder nay all wickednesse and so I call'd them all by their names and reuiled them but what answere had I Wickednesse is strong and hath a more powerfull command in this age then honesty or worth O me cryd I must I liue and onely hope that this man shall giue vs life or shamefull death her honour already is dead killed by that yet liuing Villaine whose death can neuer re-giue life or recouery to that murdered honour O deare Honour how nice art thou and precious yet how soone harmd Like the daintiest skinns soonest Sunne-burnd Shall these Lockes cryde I combat for such a Iewell Can shee not or may shee not liue without these rude helps Must her sacred vertue bee tryed like other questionable or shee be named as if in a Romancy that relates of Knights and distressed Damosells the sad Aduentures O Myra thou art and wert euer without compare wherefore should thy honour bee calld on but for Honours sake thy deare breast being the richest tabernacle for it but what auailed this Alas nothing I might sigh and grieue they fight and bleed but what of all all came at last to one ende the Villaine was kill'd by the braue King but my Lady dyed also for such a deuice they had as the battell being hard and questionable who should haue the victory the King fell but soone recouered at which instant it seem'd that I threwe my selfe out of the windowe which was high and the Ditch infinite deepe into which I was to fall so as no hope could be of escaping for any that fell there Myra might and did see it but as most it concernd her so did it worke in her for shee
seruing his Sonne to haue a iust and fit requitall for such a wickednesse on those shamefull murderers They came with this body of the most beloued Prince while he liued and the most pittied and honourd after death to my house Iust as I return'd did I encounter this sad and disastrous aduenture In stead of a braue couragious and with it pleasing presence I met his bloudlesse pale and martyrd body There I saw the hope of our Country and comfort of mine age chang'd againe into our first being So much it afflicted mee as I stood amazed with griefe speechlesse and senselesse of sense but sorrow till sorrow being pleasd to make me haue more feeling of her power gaue me leaue to let these words come from me O Antissius hath life beene lent me to see this day Miserable man miserable Countrey wretched age wherein such cruelty doth raigne O Antissius but then by their honest good perswasions telling me the necessity and ensuing dangers if not preuented that the rest liuing might fall into I stroue to endure this calamity with as much patience as so miserable a man could let sinke into him and indeed for this young youthes sake who is the young Antissius heire to these miseries and the ouerthrowne estate of Romania But then followed a second cause of griefe For his vertuous wife came to vs who hearing such lowd cries and distracted noyses left her Chamber following the cries till they brought her to that most lamentable spectacle When she saw the cause of their wailing she put them aside going to the body and kneeling downe by it vsed these words My deare was it for this that vnnaturall Father and monster of women sent for thee That no sooner thou shouldest see thy Fathers house but with it thou must see thy house of death Alas wert thou too good too hopefull too full of all vertues to liue among vs who can now but assist thee with our teares But long shall not this worldly sorrow triumph ouer me in thy losse for I must and will be with thee with that kissing the pale lips of her dearest loue and as it were breathing her though not last but fortelling last breath into him she rose and rising a little seemed to smile ioy within her for assured going to him hauing caused that Countenauce which by some was disliked not being to their weake apprehensions sad enough for such a cause of woe As soone as she had left the body she came to me earnestly entreating me that I would suffer none to trouble her shee hauing some priuate deuotions to performe which being ended I should be welcome to her For my part I so little mistrusted her intent or imagined a Woman had so strong a spirit as to dye when shee would granted what she asked being confident her goodnesse would keepe her from doing any violence on her selfe Hauing left me she went to the roome where her young Sonne lay and then fast sleeping when as weeping ouer him as the Maides â—ince tolde me well maist thou sleepe deare heart said she for long I feare thy quiet will not last thy being Sonne to so worthy a Father and vnfortunate a Mother must cast some stormes on thee it being fault enough in thee to haue such Parents at least thy wicked Grandmother will thinke so who hating truth will make thee suffer for thy Fathers sake Sleepe then quietly my sweet and lost Antissius nor now looke vp to see thy woefull Mother or to take her last farewell but thus receiue her blessing which as the blessing of her owne soule shee wishes may come and stay vpon thee God sending thee a more happie life then thy valiant Father had let his guifts of vertue courage and magnanimity liue in thee and his misfortunes take their graue in mee Alas Antissius my onely sweet Babe I must leaue thee then againe kissing him shee said This is the difference in affection twixt a Husband and a Childe otherwise no feare of misfortune â—hould carry me from thee but my sweetest I must goe leauing Antissius to flie to Antissius And good maids said she haue a kind and iust care of this young Prince he may liue to requite your paines and reuenge the wrongs done to his distressed Parents They vowed all faith and dutifull seruice to him then againe as loath it must be the last she kissed him and so went to her Chamber yet at the dore turning backe affectionatly and with watry eyes cast her last and kindest fare-well looke on him When she came into her Chamber Shee lockt the dore not suffering any to stay or come to her where she continued till I thinking her stay long besides hauing businesse with her concerning the dead Prince I went to her Lodgings where long I knocked and indeed so long as it vexed me but after feare possessed mee when I considered what the danger might be and her freedome and liberty such as none had euer receiued that dishonor of being barr'd her presence Wherefore I sent for some of my Seruants who by my command brake open the dore Entring the roome We found her laid vpon her bed newely dead yet her owne accustomed sweetnesse in her lying as straight and vnmou'd as if death had onely then showne he could in his panges be milde yet receiue his gaine so as well it may be said he depriu'd her of her life yet left her owne beauty and grace to triumph ouer his fury By the bed side stood a Table couer'd with a Carpet of Crimson Veluet and on the board a Letter which I tooke vp and seeing it directed to me I read it and here braue Princes you may see the very same my dearest Neece left to me which neuer will I pâ—rt with till time giue end vnto my dayes or life to accomplish her desires The Letter was this SInce it hath pleasâ—d God for the ouerthrow of this Land and griefe of all good hearts among which you and I hold the neerest places in sorrow to cut this thread of admiration in sunder and leaue the heauy burden of lamentation vpon vs taking away our ioy our comfort our onely Hope Antissius I feele my selfe altogether vnable to sustaine so great and killing a losse then let me craue this of you which the assurance of your loue to your dead Nephew and dying Neece imboldeneth me to aske that you will grant these three things and see them accomplished Let the loue you bare to your dead Nephew continue and liue in the same strength to your liuing Nephew Let nothing hinder you from seeking a deadly reuenge on his Murderers Lastly let me be here priuately buried with him Let these requests be welcome to you my dearest Vncle and not deny the dying Lucenia No Stranger I thinke would haue denied so iust requests proceeding from a Lady of her worth and being dying what then wrought in me who wanted not loue or resolution of reuenge One of her desires I instantly
after a delicate and strange aduenture finishing and being directed by him how to know you I was the better instructed to present my seruice to you which the fame of your worth had long since dedicated to you Leaue complements deere friend said Amphilanthus it is not now time to vse them our loues hauing sealed them vp in truth giue such delicate phrases to your next Mistris My next why thinke you I will change If you bee wise said Amphilanthus and would my fate would change then were I happy one such minute wherof it seemes you haue had seasons would be more welcome to me then the Crowne of Naples yet would I haue her chaste still and then I hope I should with truth and seruice win her Is shee yet to be won said the Bohemian ◠Yes said the Italian by me she is and what tormenteth me is I feare she loues my friend He is no friend that wil not yeeld to you said he I should not loue him said Amphilanthus if his loue to mee should exceed that to so incomparable a creature How know you she doth loue said the Prince ◠I only feare said he and dare not hope it is my selfe but surely she doth loue Hope and beleeue said he and that will make you bold to shew yours to her and then who can refuse you Would this were true and then had I the only victory I seeke Aduenture braue Prince said the Bohemian neuer yet faild your conquest on men and women are the weaker and gentler besides you are the world sayes happy in those wars so fortunate and so louing as you cannot faile nor she resist I am no coward though mistrust my strength in her sight her lookes said Amphilanthus are to me if frowning more terrible then death yet come what will I must aduenture if I obtaine I will be as free with you as you haue been with me else keepe my disgrace my fortune and affliction from discouery made by my tongue Will not your face declare it thinke you therefore to auoide such inconuenience woe brauely and resolutely and then win ioyfully and blessedly Morning being somewhat spent they rose and so tooke on their way Steriamus hauing yeelded to Amphilanthus earnest perswasion to goe with him into the pleasant Morea Parselius after he had left his Fathers Court and friends together with his sad thoughts he betook himselfe to Elis and so to ship for Italy to fetch his friend to assist the two Princes and after to goe and redeeme his heart out of the enchantment as he past along in the country of Elis one day being so busied as his thoughts had chāgd him into thēselues his horse carying him which way he best lik'd he was cald vpon by a rude voice which wild him to know himselfe better then so proudly to carry himself before a Princesse Looking vp to see what and who this was he perceiued close by him a troope of Ladies all on horseback and many Gentlemen and Knights attending them but one who had aduentur'd to instruct him a little more then the rest to whom he thus spake Truly sir said he this fault was caused by melancholy not by rudenes for I haue bin too wel brought vp to be vnciuil to Ladies It appeares so indeed said he that thus you stand prating to me and do no reuerence to her who best deserues it The Prince angry at his boldnes but vnwilling to wrangle with him only turnd to the Ladies made a reuerence to thē offring to passe by thē but the first Knight seeing that Stay Sir said he you haue not done all 't is not a curtesie shall serue for we must see if your valour be equall to your manners They haue commonly gone together said Parselius but where are your Armes Hard by said the other and that you will too soone find I 'm sure said he I haue found words enough which may make me hope to scape the better from your blowes He went and arm'd himselfe the like did all the rest while the Prince stood beholding the Lady who was of great beauty and brauery apparreld in a hunting garment of greene cut with red the vpper and lower part of her gowne embroydred with gold and red afeather of red and greene in her head the furniture to her horse of the same colour and richnes to whom Parselius thus spake Madam if I had offended you the least of your corrections had made me submit without the furie of your Knights who me thinkes were very confident of the due respect you may challenge els vnarm'd they would not haue bin so forward to the combate Sir said she you are deceiu'd in this for such is their valour as none yet euer equall'd them especially him that first spake nor haue they reason to trust any further on me then their owne swords will warrant them in but indeed the cause of all this is a vow which I haue made which is this My selfe being daughter to the Prince of Elis which Countrie is in homage subiect to the king of Morea it was my ill fortune to fall in loue with the scornefull and proud Prince of that Countrie called Parselius who did not content himselfe with disdaining me but boasted of my subiection and to my selfe when I with humilitie besought his fauour he told me he was no subiect to Loue. This hath made me vow reuenge to which end I keepe these knights about me and neuer meete any stranger that they encounter not nor shall till we meete him and if good fortune fall that we win him by combate I will then win him by loue or obtaine my will by force By this the Knights were come who setting on the braue Prince one after another he ouerthrew them all and left them most not able to goe thence some starke dead the best leggs or armes broken This done the Lady againe spake Sir since fortune and your power hath left mee guardlesse I hope you will conduct me to the Towne besides let me know who you are Madam said hee as I take it by the course of Armes you are mine for if you were to win mee by their conquest by the same reason you must be lost if they be vanquished T is true Sir said she and such indeed were the conditions yet I had hop'd you would neuer haue called that in question Nor truly Madam said he doe I it with any meaning to keepe you though my victory giues you to me but to shew I am ciuill and not vnmannerly I will deliuer you here to your Ladies and Pages that I am not proud or scornfull I kisse your hands but to let you see I disdaine an vnworthy loue or a forc'd one Parselius bids you thus farewell and will yet pray that your senses may tell you a lower choice and an humbler mind will proue more fit and happie for you and such I wish you since for mee you haue been distempered Thus hee departed leauing
forgot first to cleere it But I pray Antissia what doe you see in mee that I should loue Amphilanthus more then respectiuely This said she that all perfections hauing ioynd and vnited their strengths to make you wholly excellent it cannot bee but you in all things must manifest it and in iudgement are you not cald to expresse it And if in iudgement wherein can there be more discern'd then in the choice of friend or Loue If so can you chuse other then the most deseruing and then must it not bee the most excellent of men and is not Amphilanthus that most excelling Prince In truth answered Pamphilia I confesse this latter part to be true for assuredly there liues not his equall for all vertues which well might make me if I were such a one as you say to haue that ambition in mee to affect the worthiest but so much perfection I waâ—â— as that part hath faild also in me yet this I will say I loue him as hee merits long conuersation as from our youthes besides our bloud claiming an extraordinary respect You will not deny you are in loue with him then Why should I not said shee I 'm sure I know my owne heart best and truly so farre is it from suffring in this passion as it grieues mee you mistake mee so much but Lord what strange and dangerous thoughts doth this bring into our brests Could any but a Louer haue so troublesome a conceite Why sweet Antissia when did this opinion first possesse you or what gaue you occasion to conceiue it Hath my speech at any time betray'd mee Hath my fashion giuen you cause to suspect it Did I euer enuiously like a Louer seeke to hinder your enioying him Did I vnmannerly presse into your companies Some of this surely I must haue done or you vniustly accuse me None of these could you faile in cride shee so great a wit and matchlesse a spirit would gouerne themselues better then to offend in such fond parts but the reason I haue already giuen being equall excellencies and the beliefe proceeds from this that mee thought you did with as feeling an affection accompany my sorrow when he went away and more neerely I imagined by your fashion it toucht you then pity of my griefe could haue procured Then I considered my eyes had been so fortunate as to looke vpon the best why then should not the best of our sex also looke on the rarest obiect and looking so must not the same conclusion be that beholding as I did loue must come in and conquer as on me so then looking with my eyes of force you must loue him What a progrâ—sse said Pamphilia hath your troubled imagination made to find a poore cause to forge a poorer vexation If all these things were true and that I lou'd Amphilanthus what then were it any more then my extremest torment when I should see his affections otherwise placed the impossibility of winning him from a worthy loue the vnblessed destiny of my poore vnblessed life to faâ—l into such a misery the continuall affâ—ictions of bâ—rning loue the fier of iust rage against my owne eies the hatred of my brest for letting in so destroying a guest that ruines where he comes these were all and these alone touching me in all disquiets Whaâ— need should they haue to molest you since so perfectly you are assur'd of his loue as you need feare no occasion nor any body to wrong you in that wherein he will not wrong his worthy choice and constancy What harme then could it be to you if you should loue him The losse of my content since that your loue said Antissia must not be refus'd but sought and if obtaind wo be to any other that aspires to that place better neuer to be borne then know the birth of so much folly as to aduenture to be a riuall with the rarest Princesse Pamphilia therefore knowing this harme I had rather you did not loue him Well then be satisfied said the sweet but sad Pamphilia my loue to him procâ—eds from his neuer enough praised merits but not for loue otherwise then I haue already exprest Aâ—tissia was with this answer thorowly satisfied taking the Princesse in her armes protesting her life too little to pay for requitall for this royall freedome she had found in her and theâ— fauour receiued from her expressing then her loue in the best manner she could plainely making confession of all to her concluding that had not her incomparable vertue bound her best respects to her yet the resemblance which shee had in her face of that famous Prince and her onely beloued would haue forced her to loue her The delicate Lady told her shee could not better please her then in telling her she did resemble him since then she was sure she was like to true vertue for he was of that the onely body but this loue and his dependances doe so vex vs as they take away all other societie to amend which let vs returne to the Court said she I am contented said Antissia So rising and holding each other by the arme with as much loue as loue in them could â—oyne they tooke their way backe towards the Palace but in the great Garden they met the King and Queene so they attended backe on them into the Hall whither they were no sooner come and setled in their places but they were entertained with this aduenture Tenne Knights comming in russet Armours their Beaâ—ers vp their Swords in their hands who comming more then halfe way to the State making low reuerence stood still parting themselues to either side of the Chamber to let the followers better be discerned Then came tenne more but in blacke Armours chain'd together without Helmets or Swords After them came sixe armed like the first three carrying Speares of infinite bignesse one the Sheild and the other two the Sword and Helmet of a Knight who for countenance seem'd no louer his colour like a Moore his fashion rude and proud following after these sixe who as the first diuided themselues Then came this man to the State leading by the hand as sweete a Ladie as hee was vgly shee as milde in countenance as hee insolent shee as fearefull as hee bold on the other hand of her another Knigâ—â— sad but it seem'd amorous The King and all the Court beholding and expecting the issue of this busines when the stout man in a hollow and hoarse voice deliuered these words King of Morea I am Lansaritano whose fame I doubt not hath spread it selfe to your eares Lord I am of the Ilands of Cerigo Dragonero and other lesser circkling my chiefe Iland as subiects to my greatnes This Lady you see here is my vassall by birth but by my choice honour'd with my loue which she foolishly refuseth iudgement so farre failing her as not to be able to discerne the happinesse and vnspeakable good blind Fortune hath giuen her in letting my high noble thoughts abase
though abus'd by her and sham'd in her Leandrus went to him and kindly offerd his seruice if he needed it Hee casting vp his weeping eyes in teares thankt him but said One man was enough to suffer in so slight a cause and so vndeseruing a creature He desired to know the matter He answerd he had lou'd a Lady she had done the like to him or made him thinke so but hauing what shee would she had changed and not only so but giuen her selfe to his enemy being first betrothed vnto him and in that time he was prouiding for the marriage married the other and this is the cause of my torment hither I am come to reuenge my selfe of him and in him of her if shee loue him still They are in a strong Castle of his where they merrily liue while I am miserably vexed with tortures and dishonour the worst of torments What was the originall cause of his malice Truly Sir this cruelty hee vseth but to mee as belonging to my destiny Neglected I haue been of my friends for bearing this disgrace from mine enemy and the hater of all my Countrie the reason of his hatred to vs proceeding from this The King of Morea in his youth was a braue man at Armes and followed and finished many aduentures by chance at a great Iust held in Achaia for ioy of the birth of the Kings son cald Leandrus as after I heard he was and proou'd a Prince worthily deseruing the ioy then shewed for receiuing of him This Lords father was likewise there and encountring the King was by him throwne to the ground which disgrace hee took so heauily as he would haue reuenged it with his sword but that being forbidden the end of those triumphes reaching no further then sport discontented and burning in rage hee went thence watching when the King returnd in his iourney in this very place he set vpon him troopes of his comming all these seuerall waies and at once charging him who onely for his pleasure had sent his greatest company before him following with two Knights and their Squires but in this conflict the King got so much of the victorie as hee slew his Enemie with his owne hands but could not keepe himselfe from being taken prisoner and carried almost to the Castle whither if hee had gone without doubt hee had thence neuer returnd But the Squires seeing his distresse and the death of the other two their Masters ran euerie one a seuerall way till they got a good number of the traine together who with all speed and fury pursued them ouertaking them hard by the Castle and taking their Lord from them most being kill'd some few got into the hold where relating their vnlucky aduenture the wife of the slaine Lord and Mother to this Lord hauing as great a spirit as any woman breathing made a vow to bee reuenged of all the Court of Morea of the King and his posterity especially And this she hath hitherto performed with great cruelty her sonne hauing beene nursed in this hatred doth likewise continue it with more violence as his spirit is so much greater as commonly a mans is in respect of a womans and this is the cause why hee hateth all the Moreans of which countrey I am borne in Corinth my heart truely scorning him for his other iniury done mee am inuited hither for these two reasons to bee reuenged on him Leandrus thank'd him for his discourse but told him hee had by it made him long to try if hee could bee made a Prisoner also for so iust a cause or deliuer those so vniustly inclosed and the rather said hee to serue one so much iniuried as your selfe whose quarrell lay on mee and doe you defend the honor of your King and Country shee not being worth fighting for Hee answered that was true yet his honor hee esteemd worth cleering and that calld vpon him While they were thus discoursing the Lord and the false Lady came louingly hand in hand together downe one of the paths shee smiling in his eyes and want only courting him seeking to giue him occasion of mirth but hee went on like a man to whom ill was succeeding hee had some seruants with him arm'd and his owne armour was likewise carried by him if hee should haue any occasion suddenly to vse it hee was of a cleere and pleasing complexion a person amiable and louâ—ly curld hayre fayre eyes and so iudiciall a countenance as might haue made the worthiest woman like him and so well hee deseru'd as it was pitty hee fell into her hands who vndid both his minde and bodie making him as wicked as her selfe which was the worst of her sex He looked vpon her with loue but his speech was sparing either that naturally he had not store of words or his inward heauinesse at that time made him silent When he came neere the fountaine Clarimatto approched to him My Lord said he I am sure you know the cause of my comming into these parts if not examine your heart and that will tell you the iniuries you haue donâ— me or if that be so impure or partiall as it will not for offending bee true to so false a master behold this creature by you your shame and mine and in her forehead the faire field of our disgrace you shall see it written in spots of infamy and wrong The Lord knew his face and with it the offence therefore answered him thus Sir said he if on these conditions I acknowledge the vnderstanding of your rage I should make my selfe guilty of what I am free from to my knowledge I neuer wronged any if vnwillingly I made amends and am ready so to doe Can you giue mee my honour againe throwne to the ground by you and your inâ—atiable Loue cride he You wrong vs both said he and this shall be the Ground of my reuenge and answer to you with that he arm'd himselfe shee crying to him not to aduenture his deare selfe against that stranger whom she knew full well shee kneeled to him held him by the leggs kissed them gazed on him in termes call'd him dearest All would not serue he encountred his enemy and truly was he iustly made so by his owne ill deseruing They fought like two one hauing got and earnest to keepe a Mistris the other hauing lost and reuengfull to gaine his honour and kill his Riuall and Vndoer in his Loue at last the true cause got the vpper hand and the Lord came to the lower side of Victory which the seruants perceiuing rushed all vpon Clarimatto Leandrus finding the wrong they offer'd and the other was like to suffer stepp'd in to his rescue A fight was among these performed fit and onely the prize of Loue fit to be the end of it Clarimatto nimble valiant and hauing Iustice on his side fought accordingly and so as the Lord hauing lost much bloud out of two wounds giuen him by his foe nor had he escaped free but was hurt in
as many dayes iourneyes as wee could still to win of time at last wee there arriued where want was none if fault onely I found the continuall company of her good man that which I disliked yet wee conuersed freely as well wee might before him hee being as free as noble courtesie could desire expression in but we were not fully contented with this wherefore wee would venture for more which cost all for hee lying from his Wife that night by reason of care to her lest continuall businesse might disquiet her I hauing notice of it when all were in their beds and sweete silence spread with sleepe ouer all the house I rose out of my lodging and softly went vnto her Chamber where I found her sleeping at my comming to the bed side shee awaked but how did shee blame mee and yet truly I belieue it was the hazard I had put my selfe in shee more accused and chid then my selfe for shee did not too cruelly reiect mee though earnestly she intreated nay coniurd my sudden retyring which I after some howers yeelded vnto taking my leaue of her with as sad and dying affection as if I had foreseene the ensuing harme which thus happened I had at my rising lighted a Candle which careleslie my mind onlie on my aduenture I left burning on the Cubbord in my Chamber this light by miserable mischance wasting it selfe to my ruine burned so into it selfe as not being able to sustaine or in mallice falling downe to throw mee to the bottome of all destruction tooke hold of the Carpet so setting that on fire the blaze aspiring to my ende fired the hangings they hating the iniurie the guest they honoured had done to their owne Lord in angrie flames made testimony of their loyaltie to their Master giuing him knowledge by their light to see my fault and to bee as torches for the conducting him vnto my misery The fire great the smoke greater and which more hastily flew about to call witnesses of their innocencies raised the seruants they their Master he carefull of me sent to my chamber to call me to safetie but more respecting his wife as dearest to him went himselfe to saue her when at the doore how vnwelcome a meeting had he encountring in mee the robber of his honor Hee stood still and in truth I must euer say hee beheld mee rather with â—orrow then fury nor would he suffer any to be witnesse of his ill but seeing me vnarm'd and onely in my Cloake he intreated me to passe into the next roome which I did and seeming cheerefull enough to all els tooke care of his House to preserue it if possible Then brought he vnto me a suit of Cloathes and hauing caused me to make my selfe ready together we went forth vnnoted by any as well wee might considering the businesse they had to saue the place from destruction When wee came into a faire Field he with teares thus â—aid Till now had I neuer the misfortune to be acquainted with the worst of offences which is breach of the true law of Friendship but since I am falne into the wretchedest experience of it I must like the most miserable seeke a way out of it You cannot deny but you haue deseru'd death and in the worst kind yet though I may haue it yet will I leaue the fault where it is and in the brauest manner wipe away the staine which cannot be washed but with your bloud or cleansed by my ende Take then this Sword throwing one to mee and said he defend your selfe I besought him not to put me to such a triall I had deseru'd no fauour nor wishd I any to my selfe onely that hee would honor me with giuing me my death and spare his wife who was for all my shamefull attempt vertuous and vntouch'd He onely shooke his head and fetching a deepe groane bid me leaue speach and goe to the conclusion which must bee death Wee fought for my part with so much foule guiltinesse as me thought strength cunning all good and vnderstanding had abandon'd me hee furious reuengefull and as I preceiu'd greedy of ende pursued me who onely held my Sword not to offend but to defend me till some who I descern'd not farre off could come to part vs but he likewise seeing them ran â—o fiercely at me as I must either lay my selfe open to take death or holding but my Sword out giue him his end which I most vnwillingly did forc'd to it by the frailty of the Flesh which in the apparent dangers is alwaies kindest to it selfe Those I saw came and iust to take vp his body and who alas followed them but the poore Lady extremity of shame bringing her to shew her shame She seeing him slaine cry'd out O spare not me who am the wofull cause of all this misery let me at last be thus farre blessd as by your hand to be sent againe vnto him from whom your sinne and mine haue parted me neuer let so detestable an offence rest vnpunished Shame calls vpon you and calls to me for satisfaction The seruants amazedly beheld vs till she neuer ceasing accusing her selfe nor vrging death seeing she could not get it kneeled downe and taking a cold kisse from his lips that were to her doubly dead in affection and pale death suddenly rose vp and in rising taking his sword with furious and hatefull spite to her selfe and wrong done him threw her selfe vpon it falling downe vpon him ioyning in that manner her broken vow againe in a new one with their ends Then did the seruants finde the cause whereupon they set on me for I would not yeeld to goe with them choosing and deâ—iring rather to dye with them then outliue them in such shame but too happy and contrary to my wish was my destinie for I slew them Being then left with the two dead bodies I fell into such complaints as sorrow and shame could procure in me crying out where affliction hath iudg'd it self in being excell'd as in my misery why should it not haue end in death then gaue I my selfe many wounds neuer ceasing wounding while my wounded soule abided in my body at least the soule of humane sense for so it onely prou'd for others following their Master and Mistris found vs all in the entertainment of wounds palenesse mixt with bloud in the outside in stead of the more naturall habitations the veines hauing made open flouds to drowne themselues in as a riuer may swell against it selfe to loose her owne name and yeeld it to a greater by her owne Pride Their bodies they carried away mine remain'd like a tatter'd Ensigne rather a glory of gaine then losse and so poore a thing was I but a charible man more louing goodnesse then me and yet louing me for goodnesse sake to make me haue a better ending then in bloud tooke my martyr'd body away with bathings and many more fine curiosities he brought mee to know I liu'd to be more knowing my dayly
greater taking away the inheritance of others as from me your friend who haue as much right to misery as any liuing in as great excesse of it and hauing as large possessions in that gouernment then spare me liberty to complaine with you permit mee to say misfortune is as much mine as yours and then like fellow subiects let vs bewaile the weight of that vniust tyranny Pardon mee deare friend said heâ— if I would wholly take ill to my selfe since it is to free you and all worthy people from that which I am fittest to beare as a creature fram'd for the vassalage of Loue and his crueltie but since you aske liberty to bewaile take it and let that bring your freedome while it redoubles on my breast as being mine and yours tell mee then all your woe and know you speake to woe it selfe in speaking vnto me Then Dolorindus beginning with the set order of louers which is with sighes and teares began his discourse thus Free from the knowledge of harme it was my hap to meete a Lady hunting in a great Forrest attended on by many braue Gentlemen and Knights but being more then woman-like excellent in riding she had left her Ladies or rather they had left her not able to attend her in that surpassing quality I young and affecting sport fell into the company marking more that braue Diana then the chase shee followed which was of a Stagge who though hee tooke pride in being so pursued and that it was in him to make her follow stoutly commanded her attendance yet cowardly flying from her thinking it better to trust to his speed then her mercy yet was he rewarded at last fit for his merit for standing at bay as if to threaten her doggs and euen before her face gazing on her she stroke him with a Crossebow to the heart then weepingly hee fell downe at her feete groaning for her vnkindnesse yet was not this the cruelst blow she gaue for O me shee did likewise wound my breast Then came they all about her admiring the hurt while I admired any seeing her could liue vnwounded Some prais'd the hounds that so truly hunted I prais'd mine eyes that neuer were at fault till they brought home the honor of the day which was the losse of my poore heart hunted by mine eyes vnto that bay When all the rights were done and doggs rewarded I alone vnsatisfied for my great gift shee nobly intreated the company to goe with her vnto her house which all agreed vnto and my selfe vnknowne to any there tooke my way with them boldly aduenturing on that inuitation We sat downe at dinner all the discourse was still vpon the sport that morning the Stagge afforded them to which I gaue a poore assistance for hauing been bred abroad to learning and to armes I was an vnexperienced hunts-man which she marked and accordingly made vse of telling mee that sure the hunting was not pleasing to me or the want of that exercise had made me vnskilfull in the discourse I said the latter was the true reason for till that day I neuer saw that sport though I had knowne the field delights in many sorts Then fell she to discourse of martiall things being excellently learned in all the Arts knowledge no way scanting her Thus dinner past when horses againe were brought forth and she waited on by vs went forth to see Haukes flee spending the after-noone in that delight inuiting vs againe with her when before supper choyce of musique was bestowed vpon vs all these did well and best to serue her best beloued selfe but these alas prou'd but more hurts to mee making mee by them see my greater losse loue like a seâ—pent poysoning my ioyes and biting my best daies venomd all my blisse making my new pris'd wound death to my hopes and sorrow to my soule Pitie I wanted pitie I sought but pity durst not ask and thus did griefe take me in me make abiding commiseration was the mark I aimed at but feare held my hand I saw her faire and delicate and therfore imagined soft pity to be within so sweet a cage yet had her eies such powerful might as gaue command that none should dare to claime so rich a blisse ouerwhelmed with the cruelst spite that Nature could inflict vpon a man I remaind which was fild with a youthfull bashfulnesse which ouerswaied my humblest heart disasters glorying in my patient suffering excessiuenesse of sorrow flowing in me for now was the time to part or if I would remaine I must not hide my selfe or longer stay vnknowne for then was her husband to returne from a iourney made vnto the neighbour I le wherefore I thought it not amisse the company all gone to take my time and thus I spake vnto her If that which I must say should turne to giue offence accursed would I thinke the time and words I go about to vtter but comming from a man wholly deuoted to your seruice I hope they will produce such ends as they are now directed to and so may make me blessed if blessing can descend on one so much vnblest yet as my self this time wherin I haue enioied the full of outward ioy beholding you hath yet brought loues attendants losse feare with it losse of my libertie tyed wholly to your wil feare in my heart if you despise my loue cause of affection I can challenge none for me if not in gratitude to me who giue my self for it a strangers name may make you scorne me not knowing worth in me but boldnesse fitting all contempt these yet you may cast by for this stranger your seruant am sonne to the King and your humblest louer Dolorindus She who before did in her lookes manifest the breeding of a curst reply a little smoothed the tempest of her rage and wiâ—h sober reuerence demanded pardon for her vsing me with no more respect and yet my Lord said she the fault may sooner be pardoned since 't was you which were the cause of it Then did I againe solicit she modestly but confidently much refus'd Her husband then arriued who knowing mee gaue free and noble welcome I sought how still to induce the man to loue my company and to seeke it which hee did also hauing his ends which surely he might gaine so I might compasse mine to which for all her chast replies and curious preseruing of her honour in her words at last I did obtaine and so her loue in as equall measure as mine was to her which was without compare had hers not equald it Thus it continued for some yeeres all the mirth and sports that were in Negropont were still at her Castle Maskes Iusts Huntings nothing can bee thought on that was not in plenty at her house My selfe though sonne vnto the king yet my sister being to inherit the kingdome was not so much lookt after if not by noâ—le minds as shee who was to rule so as I gain'd by that meanes both more
gouernd at thy birth what plague was borne with thee or for thee that thou must but haue a vertue and loose all thereby Yet 't is all one deere loue maintaine thy force well in my heart and rule as still thou hast more worthy more deseruing of all loue there breaths not then the Lord of my true loue Ioy then Pamphilia if but in thy choice and though henceforth thy loue but slighted be ioy that at this time he esteemeth me Then went shee to the Ash where her sad sonnet was ingraued vnder which she writ TEares some times flow from mirth as well as sorrow Pardon me then if I againe doe borrow Of thy moist rine some smiling drops approouing Ioy for true ioy which now proceeds from louing As she past on she heard some follow her wherefore looking backe she discernd Vrania and Amphilanthus to whom she straight returnd and with them walked as while vp and downe the wood til Amphilanthus aduised them to sit downe so laying his Mantle on the grasse the two incomparable Princesses laid themselues vpon it the king casting himselfe at their feete as though the only man for truth of perfection that the world held yet that truth made him know that they were so to be honourd by him then laying his head in Vrania's lap and holding Pamphilia by the hand he began to discourse which they so well liked as they past a great part of the day there together Pamphilia still desiring him to tell of his aduentures which hee did so passing finely as his honour was as great in modestly vsing his victories in relation as in gaining them but when hee spake of Steriamus his finding him and his passions he did it so pretily as neither could procure too much fauor for him nor offend her with telling it yet still did she hasten the end of those discourses which he no whit dislikt but Vrania desird stil to heare more particularly of him as if she had then known what fortune they were to haue together at last the king proceeded to the comming to the Iland now cald Stalamine anciently Lemnos where said he the Lady is called Nerena a woman the most ignorantly proud that euer mine eyes saw this Ladies ill fortune was to fall in loue with Steriamus who poore man was in such fetters as her affection seemd rather a new torture then a pleasure to him yet left she not her suite telling him she was a Princesse descended from the kings of Romania absolute Lady of that Iland and for his honor if he knew truly what honour it was to him his loue He told her 'T were more credit he was sure for her to be more sparingly and silently modest then with so much boldnesse to proclaime affection to any stranger Why said shee did euer any man so fondly shew his â—olly till now as to refuse the profferd loue of a Princesse and such an one as if a man would by marriage bee happy should bee onely chosen as that blessing I am said hee truly ashamed to see such impudent pride in that sexe most to be reuerenced but to let you know that you too farre exceede the limits of truth and vnderstanding by vainely ouer-esteeming your selfe I will assure you that I loue a Princesse whose feete you are not worthy to kisse nor name with so fond a tongue nor see if not as the Images in old time were with adoration nor heare but as Oracles and yet this is a woman and indeed the perfectest while you serue for the contrarie How call you this creature said she Steriamus was so vext that plainly she cald you so as he in very fury flung out of the house nor for the two daies which wee staid there afterwards euer came more in shee perplexing him still leauing him in no place quiet till she got your name Then made shee a vow to see you and follow him till shee could win him letting her proud heart bow to nothing but his loue wherein the power of loue is truely manifested I would be sorry said Pampilia to see her vpon these termes since she must fild with so much spite against me with all malice behold me I wish she were here said Vrania since it is a rare thing surely to see so amorous a Lady Thus pleasantly they passed a while till they thought it time to attend the King who about that houre still came forth into the Hal where they found him and the aduenture soone following which he last spake of for the kings being set there entred a Lady of some beauty attended on by ten knights all in Tawny her selfe likewise apparreld in that colour her Pages and the rest of her seruants hauing that liuerie The knights being halfe way to the State stood still making as it were a guard for the Princesse to passe through who went directly to the king then making a modest but no very low reuerence she thus spake Although your Maiesty may well wonder first at my comming then at the cause yet I hope that excuse I bring with it will pleade for my iustification It is not I am most assured vnknowne to you although one of the greatest Christned Kings that loues power is such as can command ouer your hearts when to all other powers you scorne so much as yeelding This hath made me a subiect though borne absolute for whatsoeuer I seeme here to be yet I am a Princesse and Lady of the sweet and rich Stalamine but alas to this Iland of mine came three knights knights I call theÌ„ because they honor that title with esteeming it higher then their own titles for Princes they were the rarest some of them of Princes as when you heare them namd you wil confesse with me One of these my heart betraying me it self neuer before toucht vnto the subiectioÌ„ of his loue wherof if he had bin so fortunat as to be able to see the happines was falleÌ„ vnto him in it he might haue iustly boasted of it But hee slighting what his better iudgement would haue reuerenc'd refused my affection mine which onely was worthy of gaine being so well knowing as to dispise liberty in giuing it selfe to any of meaner qualitie then Steriamus whose proud refusall yet makes me loue him and take this iourney in his search comming hither where I hop'd to find him both because I heard he liued much in this Court and that hee had bestowed his loue vpoÌ„ your surpassing daughter Pamphilia these brought me assurance to win him hauing giuen my selfe leaue to show so much humility as to follow him next to see that beauty which he so admired and as if in scorne contemned mine in comparison of it which I thinke Sir if you well behold you will iudge rather to merit admiration then contemptâ— Faire Lady said the King that Prince you speake of hath been much in my Court and not long since but now indeed is absent not haue we heard any thing of
what could be wished to giue true delight contrarily wrought against them The morning come they rose and as one parted not but together went to the top of the Castle whence they saw their ruine then kissing her and gently weeping on her face hee said My deere mistake not you these tears which now I shedd onely in tendernesse vnto your state and for you who was sauer of my life How can life better be disposed of then to her seruice who did once preserue it when I a stranger hurt and mangled was conducted to your house how was I there relieued and cherished by your care this was but to this end and this end is more welcome then a life which without you I otherwise had gained Farewell deere loue more kind and sweete then blessings in distresse I le fight for thee and this must be my last yet feare I not for doe but see my end and that will make me liue with ioy in death when I see thee beholding me from hence my courage will increase and make my blowes more terrible and fatall then the harme which falls in stormes from high Farewell once more my deere my life my ioy and my last comfort sweete weepe not for me nor marre those deere eyes which wound mee more to see them harme themselues then stroaks that from the enemie can come and bee assured the victory will turne to vs if you but let their cleernes shine on me but dimme them and I die The sweetest soule did weepe yet wip'd away the tears to fauour him and shew them bright farewell my life said shee if thou dost die for after thee I le neuer more see day then kiss'd they once againe and so did part hee to the gate whereout he sallied then arm'd in â—edd his sheild with the old deuice which was an Azuer Speare vpon his â—rme a scarfe of Azuer colour giuen him by his loue and thus against the enemie he came who neuer stay'd to meete him but with troops incompassing him round who fought with rage against all hope more then a hope â—o dye like to himselfe and to renowne his blood that though shedd by such â—orce yet so well shedd would write his fame eternally to times and witâ—esse worth with valour ioyn'd made loue the crowne whereat they leiâ—el'd still To say what courage he did show how many slew what wounds what â—roaks it were but tedious and most vaine but so much did hee there as â—ade a way through the thickest so pass'd in spite of what their furyes or â—heir numbers could doe to hinder him A path he made of men and paâ—ed the ground with bodyes while their bloods sought how to bath them â—leane and wash their wounds which giuen on so ill grounds did blush or shame Hee beeing pass'd and on the other side cast vp his eyes to see if â—ee beheld which when he saw and that she made a signe to him to scape â—nd euen with hands held vp and knees bent downe shee did beseech hee â—rauely answered with his sword wau'd round about his head as who â—â—ould say no heere I le dye or set my Lady free With that behind him â—â—me a gallant Knight and fifty more who neuer speaking word as he aâ—aine did charge his enemie charg'd in with him and did so brauely helpe 〈◊〉 in short time the conquest was dispos'd to braue Philarchos and his new come friends then did they seeke among the prisoners where they might finde the spring of all this ill at last they got the Duke and then with guards brought him into the Castle when kind Orilena came vnto her Knight and holding him fast in her tender armes wellcomd him to his owne and her command but as she did embrace him she perceau'd the blood to runne along his arme wherefore shee went and speedily did fetch an excellent baulme and then disarming him did dresse his wounde but when his helme was off the stranger Knight caught him with all true loue into his breast and louingly thus said My Lord how bless'd am I to see the Prince I seeke he also hauing pulld off his helme but young Philarchos knew him not wherefore my Lord said he the honor you haue done this day is to your selfe in rescuing a poore distressed Lady and restoring her vnto her birth-right which shee else had lost for me this fauour and the aide I had from your braue selfe and these your followers shall euer binde me to be still your friend and faithfull seruant when you shall dispose of me and mine which still you freely may and shall command yet let mee know I doe beseech you who you are and how that you knew me My name said he is honoured most by this braue title of your friend my selfe am calld Antissius King of Romania setled and restored by your excellent cousen and the worlds greatest worth Amphilanthus the knowledge that I haue of you is this I saw your picture in the famous Court of your father the Morean King and withall your name and many of your acts were there related while you passd vnknowne but as the bare Knight of the Speare ioyes infinitly did possesse the Court to heare the fame which all parts holds of you besides so like you are to that braue King whom heauen doth fauour for the earths best good as for his sake if for no other cause I should affectionatly loue you The honors which you lay on me said he great King are such as I but weake in worth can hardly beare the waight of yet the last affects me most that I am something like that matchlesse King whose worth ambitiously I seeke to imitate though sure to come as much below the reach of it as 't is from me vnto the cleerest starre Then did they bring the King into a roome where they disarmd him and then went backe vnto the Duke whom they had put into a gallerie well guarded and respected like himselfe him they found not ouerthrowne with griefe for neither was hee sad nor any way dismay'd but seem'd to beare his ouerthrow patiently to him Philarchos thus began My Lord for so you are to mee since I am husband to your elder child who fondly and no way humanely for loue to Erinea you forget and would disinherit but shee borne to more good was first releiud by me lastly and most by this great King heauen so much fauoring her as to haue succour sent her from farr parts before his comming we were marryed determining to die if such our fates in holy wedlock Now you may discerne what wrong you did and if you please accept me for your sonne and pardon what without your knowledge wee in loue and great extremity haue done nor thinke shee hath dishonored her selfe or you in making me her husband for I am a Prince and sonne vnto a mighty King my name Philarchos my Country Morea third sonne vnto the King thereof Then did the Duke embrace him speaking
and did view his eyes if on me cast but in a cruell sort so farre I was from any power or true ability to touch of wrongs or to beg poore compassion as I stood amazed trembling and euen as one cast vnto death Then did I silently lament this harme and mournefully bewaile my misery speaking vnto my selfe as if to him and frame his answers like vnto his lookes then weepe and spend whole nights in this distresse my heart almost vnable to sustaine so curst a Dialogue as I had framd millions of times to vexe my soule withal at last I writ a letter I remember these being the contents and almost the same words IF what I write may prooue displeasing vnto you I wish my hand had lost the vse to write when I writ this my eyes sight for seeing it and my heart had then rent with sorrow for punishment in so offending you who for al your cruelty can do no other then loue you still But the affliction that I am fallen into by your change makes me send these lines vnto you to beseech you by the loue you once bare me to let me know the cause of your great strangenesse towards me if proceeding from my part be iust and tell it me who will not onely curse my selfe for doing it but with all true humilitie demand a pardon for it my soule is purely yours in loue vntoucht vnstaind of any blame or spot faith was the ground whereon I placed my loue loyalty the hope I held it with and my selfe your most vnfained louer the poore creature to bee looked vpon with reward for these but you giue scorne alas once looke on me that beautie which decayed now in me once pleas'd you best when wasted it but in those yeares I still was true and chast to you if my face be not so faire my mind is fairer cloath'd in truth and loue and thus will I euer deserue you more then any pity me alas I craue it and most iustly from your hands Did I neglect at any time what I did owe to pay vnto your will if so my confidence might make me erre but neuer did I willingly commit such fault blame then the trust I had and iust assurance of my confidence in you will you reiect me since I pine for you the teares which still for you I shed haue marr'd and dull'd mine eyes and made me worthlesse to behold looke then but on my faith and pitty me who will die as I was and am which is sincerely yours This I read this I corrected and often staind with blots which my true teares in falling as I writ had made I sent it by a youth who still had lou'd me and did serue my loue he gaue it him one morning as he waked his answere was that he would speake with me The next day he did come and found me in my bed bathing my self in my poore yet choice teares he most vnkindly onely sat him downe not once so much as looking on my woes or me speaking these words with eies another way voice displeasd You writ a hansom letter did you not said he Alas said I what should I do opprest I am half mad distracted with your scorne I could not silent be nor yet could speake You wrong'd your self said he Wherein cri'd I With that he rose not giuing me so much as kind or vnkind looks spake to another whom he cald in and so together left me and my woe After that time hee stroue by all plaine waies and craftie slights and all to make me see how I was cast away and left by him I patiently did seeme to beare my losse but oh my heart could not let me doe so though in the day I stroue to couer griefe in night time I did open all the doores and entertaine each seruant that woe had Once I remember after many moneths that this disaster had befallen mee hee merrily did speake among vs all and also to me as one among the rest and the greatest stranger to his thoughts I ioyed that so he fauoured me for though he vsed mee as but if in triall of my truth I earnestly loued him and ioyed to see him my poore cold heart did warme it selfe to thinke of what had past and leapt when I saw him but yet that leape was like or did resemble a strong conuultionat the latest gaspe for then it fell downe dead in my despaire but being thus together hee was pleased to say some verses to mee which were good and truly such as I did much affect I thought they were his owne and so was vext because to me they did not then belong as once all that he made or framed were He did commend them very much himselfe and said he liked the strength that was in them I said they were most good and like him which made them much the better so discoursing on I tooke the boldnesse to say something to him knowing that they might speake in kind for me and yet my selfe not beg againe they were these WHen I with trembling aske if you loue still My soule afflicted lest I giue offence Though sensibly discerning my worst ill Yet rather then offend with griefe dispence Faintly you say you must poore recompence When gratefull loue is force I see the hill Which marrs my prospect loue and Oh from thence I tast and take of losse the poison'd pill While one coale liues the rest dead all about That still is fire so your loue now burnd out Tells what you were though to deceiuing led The Sunne in Summer and in Winter shewes Like bright but not like hot faire false made blowes You shine on me but you loues heate is dead He made no answere but onely said they were very fine ones after this he continued in his peremptory course of hating me and I in my poore way of suffering all till so ill I did grow as though not in him yet in each one els I did obtaine what I did claime from him for they did sorrow for my miserie and he still triumph as if in a gaine to ouerthrow a soule giuen to his will At last extremitie of griefe and paine brought me vnable to doe any thing those that best did consider my mishape iustly did know the cause others smile and say 't was for I was forsaken others laugh and say I was growne dull some said my prose was gone and that I onely could expresse my selfe in verse These I did heare and this in truth had troubled me if greater matters had not shut my eares and heart from weighing such slight things as these I gaue my selfe then wholly to the fields nor kept I any company but with my flocke and my next kindred which would visit me With my poore sheepe I did discourse and of their liues make my descipherd life rockes were my obiects and my daily visits meekenesse my whole ambition losse my gaine and thus I liu'd and thus still
her right He laughed and said the gloue did well become his hatt hauing put it into it in that time and that there he would weare it in despite of him or the best Knight Steriamus strake his hat off with all giuing him such a blow in the face as he made him stagger then took out the gloue and kissing it told Vrania that thereby hee had the happines to begin his seruice to her being long before ingaged vnto it if she would take it from him she had the power to doe that and what else she pleasd since he desired to be but accounted her humblest seruant yet his desire was so much to be honourd as to bee permitted to weare it as her fauour till he brought him humbly to submit for so great a presumption She who had euer loued Steriamus from his youth and by this was ingaged besides his aduenturing to saue her in the sea to gratifie him yet tender of being cause of harme to him she only spake thus My Lord said she your merits so farre beyond my deserts make me amazed in what manner to carry my selfe I am doubtfull yet I will rather offend in the good then ill weare not this I beseech you too meane for you since taken from so ill a place but let me haue it and accept from me a more worthy and a fitter fauour and one vntoucht by any hands but those that present it with all true respect vnto you He gaue her the gloue and tooke from her a scarfe which with infinite content he tyed assisted by her also about his arme then went she to the fire into which she threw the gloue wishing that there the danger of Steriamus might end with the consumption of that leather Then did the disgraced Prince goe out and instantly send to Steriamus t o giue him satisfaction which he presently did yeeld vnto and kissing Vrania's hand went downe to arme himselfe in a priuate place and in an armour not known being ruâ—set and as plaine an one as could be his riches consisting in his worth and his Mistrisses fauour Straight was the Court fild with the newes that two braue combatants were entring the Lists the King Amphilanthâ—s though weake and all the Court came except Parselius who could not so well stirre abroad as Amphilanthus by reason he had lost much more bloud his staying within made Steriamus not missed so all assembled the proud Prince comes in suted to his humour his attendants many and shewed they had receiued their education from him the other had none with him but carried his speare himselfe the Iudges were made the Prince of Sauoy his Cosin-german chosen by him and Amphilanthus desired by the other the Trumpets sounded and they encountred Steriamus was struck backe on his horse and the other his horse fell with him so they fought on foote fierce and cruel was the fight lamentable was the sight of it for except those choice Princes none could equall this Piemountois and that he knew which did incourage or made him more prize his power then his worth as one might say a Horse were a brauer Creature then a man because he draweth or beareth more Steriamus fought for honor and that to be receiued from Vrania the other to repaire his honour touch'd for Vrania thus they past no fury no strength no harme shun'd or spar'd which was not calld to the highest accompt nor any skill wanting which was not if a little stirr'd renewed and payed with iudgement and discretion Most sayd no combate except the last could compare with this yet in some sort did this exceed as being one more bloudy ground hate and all curst additions being ioynd together in them to be at heigth and gouerne nay spend themselues in the furious and deadly conclusion At last much care was had to saue them when euen their eyes dasled and their legges grew false to their bodies no longer willing to support them Then fell the Piemount Prince and Steriamus vpon him not of purpose but by weakenesse his helme he puld off and would haue killed him but his spirit ended in shew with his fury for then he fell off from him in a swound appearing as dead as he The Iudges came in and finding it was the braue Prince Amphilanthus fell downe by him the King came from the window Vrania ran to him and wiping his face rubbed his temples with her hand when life againe possest him and how could it be otherwise being in her armes where life of loue did dwell When he beheld where he was and remembring what hee had began for her fearing he had lost his honour by the others victory he offerd to get vp and being on his knees scarce able to rise higher crying out Miserable Steriamus to liue to see thy shame and before her where honour striues to be and from whom all my honor must proceed he cast his eies and saw where the other lay dead then was he satisfied and well might he bee so since this was none of his smallest but one of his chiefest victories the strength valour and skill of the other being so well knowne as none could yeeld him conquered but by an vnconquerable spirit Steriamus gaind the victory and so as great honor as could be giuen to any in a single fight he was not the strongâ—st but as valiant as any and except the cosin and brothers equall with any This past they were taken vp in the raising them the Prince breathed and looked vp wherupon Steriamus would stay and heare him speake he vnwilling yet by him before he would be drest was forst to confesse his folly and in as humble maner as he demanded asked pardon for presumption to Vrania then he for gaue him and kindly reconciled themselues so embracing the proud Prince departed proud now that he had liued to goodnesse shaking off the other pride with his life Steriamus was conducted to his lodging where Vrania visited him often the body of the other to a place appointed till his buriall the Prince of Sauoy taking order for him not with excessiue sorrow for his death who in his life time neuer cared for him nor any that had so much vertue for this was a fine young Gentleman vertuous and valiant and now by his cousins death Prince likewise of Piemount Euery day were new showes and triumphes and by reason these braue Princes could not be any of the number martiall exercises were for a while layd aside and Court sports gain'd the place Amphilanthus Parselius and within few dayes Steriamus beeing spectators but one afternoone with sound of Trumpets there entered into the hall a braue Knight and with brauery vnusuall hee was attended with many seruants all in one colour liuery which was Sea greene and crimson as coats of seagreene veluet embroderd with crimson silke in the fashion of hearts stroke through with darts twenty of these he had euery one of them carrying a picture then came two richer
louing care to vs both but how canst thou performe this If that be all said he let mee alone nor take you care for it shall be my charge which I will honestly discharge and deliuer it with mine owne hands as if it came from her father which shall be the meanes to haue the roome priuate for our discourse what shal then hinder me from discouering your desires and her happines This agreed vpon they parted for that time the youth to his flock Alanius to his pen paper that euening meeting again according to appointment and then leauing Alanius to prepare al things ready against my cōming to cōuey me to the next town there to be maried himself comming to me leauing the fals shepherd who fairly like the falsest betraier of blis promised to be in readines for vs the honest lad did his part telling my aunt that he was to speak with me presently and in great priuate She mistrusting little and glad to let any of my fathers men see how circumspectly she kept his orders brought him vp instantly after she had afflicted me with iron rods When I saw the Youth Alas said I are you come with more torments for pities sake let me now haue an end and take my life the best and last prize of your tirannies His answer was he could not alter his Masters will nor be a messenger of other then he was intrusted with all as hee was with a secret message vnto me wherefore intreating mine Aunt and the rest by to leaue the roome they left vs together they gone and wee free from danger he began thus Thinke not sweet Liana that I am now come with any matter of griefe but with the welcome tidings of the long desir'd blisse of enioying if you wil not your selfe marre your owne content Is it possible cry'd she that I can liue to see happinesse Reade this said he and then tell me whether you may resolue to be happy or no or so refuse it I tooke the letter and with excessiue ioy said shee I opened it finding in that his firmenesse for what was there wanting which might content me loyalty professed in large protestations affection expressed in the dearest kind and sweetest manner besides a meanes for our happinesse most of all belieued and sought What can you imagine then Madam said she that I did I kist the letter wept with ioy too soone fore-telling the greater cause which for his sake I suffered teares proouing then but slight witnesses for my far deeper suffering when I found all this contrary and my Alanius false the heauens I thought would sooner change and snow lie on AEtna then he would breake his faith or be vngratefull to me who then for him ventured life and fortunes for to fulfill his desire I went with the Youth cald Menander hauing gotten such things as were necessary for my escape assisted by a maid in the house who much pitied my estate but more loued Menander who made vse of it that night for my benefit In a disguise which he had brought thither vnder colour of necessaries we left the house and soone arriu'd at the appointed Groue which was at the Hilles foote All the way feare possessed me left I had too long staid and so giuen him cause of vnkindnes that I no faster hasted to him who alone could truly giue me life in comfort and desire to see him made me accuse my selfe of long tarrying especially when I saw him there but what saw I with that death to my ioy and martirdome to my poore heart for there I saw him in anothers armes wronging my faith and breaking his made vowes I stood in amaze not willing to belieue mine eyes accusing them that they would carry such light to my knowledge when to bring me to my self or rather to put me quite from my selfe I heard him vse these speeches It is true I lou'd Liana or indeed her fortune which made me seeke her but in comparison of thee that affection borne to her was hate and this onely loue rather esteeming my self happy in enioying thee and thy delights then if endowed with this whole Iland What is riches without loue which is in truth the only riches and that doe I now possesse in thee These words turnd my amazednes to rage crying out O false and faithlesse creature beast and no man why hast thou thus vildly betrayd thy constant Liana Hee looking vp and perceiuing me and his fault said nothing but as fast as guiltines stor'd with shame could carry him hee fled his delight or wanton following him which way they tooke when out of the Groue I know not nor the honest Lad who would not leaue mee bearing part with mee in griefe and I with him of shame infinitely molested that hee was made an instrument in my betraying When I had endured a little space like a Cabinet so fild with treasure as though not it selfe yet the lock or hinges cannot containe it but breake open so did the lock of my speech flie abroad to discouer the treasure of my truth and the infinitenesse of his falshood not to bee comprehended Passions grew so full and strong in mee I swounded and came againe to feele and increase misery hee perswaded I was willing to heare him who I saw had been in goodnesse to me cosned as I was We left the Groue accursed place and in it my cause of curses comming into a faire meadow a dainty wood being before it and another on the side of it there did my vnfortunate eies againe meete with Alanius vnlucky encounter where I saw such falshood which yet boldly venturd towards mee hee running with greatest haste after me but sending his voyce before him coniuring me by the loue I bare him to heare him calling mee his Liana but as I saw him so did his error appeare vnto me and yet did griefe rather then hate hold the glasse to me◠for though he had neglected and deceiued me and so forsaken my truth to ioy in the loose delights of another yet I mournd that he was deceitfull for God knowes I loue him still I fled from him but sent my hearts wishes for his good to him like the Parthian arrowes which by his cries seemd to wound him and my words though few to strike him which as I ran from him I threw back to him It is true I was yours while I was accounted so by you but you haue cut the knot aud I am left to ioine the pieces againe in misfortune and your losse of loue all happinesse attend you the contrary abiding in me who am now your forsaken and so afflicted Liana With this I got the Wood to shelter me and the thickest part of it at my petition to grant me succour coueting now the greatest shade to hide me from him to whom and into thick shades I lately ran In this manner I liu'd a while there neuer seeing company or light but against my will still haunting
excuse himselfe the more he proceeded in that the greater grew her insolency so as at the last she answered his complements with vnmannerly replyes and in the end flat reuilings Hee noble and courteous would not be seene to wrangle with her nor suffer her follies to offend him wherefore he Ship'd himselfe and his company commanding the Mariners to saile for Greece When she was with all her greatnes thus left on the Shoare with a trayne of twenty instead of a King and fiue hundred Knights which she flatterd her selfe should haue waighted on her she storm'd extremly within her selfe hauing such a tempest of rage as it could not be told whether prid or scorne blew highest in her fury but time brought a little calme to her so as cursing Ceicili Perissus and all men but such vassals as were to serue her and almost her selfe for hauing need of such vassals she ship'd with resolutioÌ„ to exercise her iust anger vpon her people where she found a new businesse for being landed in Lemnos and going to the Citty where she expected solemne entertainment bon-fires and such hot triumphs for her welcome contrarywise she encounterd the cold face of neglect and losse of her Country being possess'd and gouernd by a younger sister of hers who she had so contemned in times past as she disdaind to let her appeare before her presence but held her inclosed in a strong Tower many times to molest her making her prepare her selfe to dye This had so temperd her who it may be had some sparks of the fire of pride which flamed in Neraena as she was as humble and mild as her sister excelld in the opposite and so had she wonne the harts of the people who after Neraena was lost quickly fetched out the other and as soone acknowledged her their Princesse But now she is return'd what diuersity of opinions were among them some out of honest dispositions and good plaine conscience would haue their true Lady restored others for feare wished the same but all ioyning together and euery one hauing spoken the chosen resolution was shee should no more gouerne pride could not gaine obedience nor scorne command but what most vrged against her was the pollitique feare they apprehended of her reuenge on them who had giuen them selues to an other Gouernesse in her absence so as they chose rather to commit a fault vnpardonable then to venture vnder her pardon as if one should burne all the furniture of a House because one Roome was infected with the Plague Now Neraena where is thy greatnesse but in miserie where the so often named title of Princesse but in bondage where all thy glorie but in subiection and where thy subiection but in thy braue Stalamina and vnder thy dispised Sister punishment iustly allotted for such excessiue ouer-weening but how shee was imprisoned in the same place she had made her sisters abode attended on but by one Iaylor fed neately anÌ„d â—oorely to keepe downe her fancy told still shee was mad and threatned â—o bee vsed accordingly if shee raued accused of fury and that made â—he cause to satisfie the people who ignorant enough had sufficient â—ause to belieue it seeing her passions which though naturall to her yet â—ppeared to their capacities meere lunatick actions how these things proâ—eeded and increased after some time was expired shall bee related The end of the second Booke THE COVNTESSE OF MOVNTGOMERIES VRANIA THE THIRD BOOKE AMphilanthus being now to be spoken of after he had left Pamphilia past along the sea purposing to goe to Morea and so to Albania but one in the Ship aduised him rather to take a nearer course and vndertooke to be his guide so he resolued knowing him to be of Macedon and one who knew all those parts perfectly wel besides a seruant to his Cosin the King and Queene thereof gaue credit and trust vnto him and so they sailed directed by him yet Amphilanthus remembring the aduenture in Cyprus called to mind his acquaintance and friend Polarchos wherfore he would needs put into Rodes to visit him and take him along if he could with him This was a happy thought for that poore Prince who all this while continued in the Iron Cage weather-beaten and almost starued by the crueltie and ingratitude of his once best and only beloued When the King landed he demanded of one that hee met where Polarchos was he being of a good nature though a Rodian answered Alas Sir said hee where hee hath been euer since his returne from Greece in an Iron tower prisoner The King admired at that neuer hauing heard one touch of it so as desiring to bee resolu'd hee particularly demanded the causes and reasons hee as freely answered so as the truth and manner being knowne the King altred his purpose of going like himselfe and a Visitor changing it to goe as a Knight of Ciprus and one of purpose come hearing of his imprisonment to release him vpon any condition Then changed he his Armor taking one of Azure colour his Plume Crimson and one fall of Blew in it the furniture to his horse being of those colours and his Deuice onely a Cipher which was of all the letters of his Mistrisses name delicately composed within the compasse of one and so was called the Knight of the Cipher Being arriued at the Court and his comming made knowne to the Princesse she gaue him hearing and after some words deliuered with neglect enough she told him that he should haue the honor to encounter a Knight of her appointing whom if he could ouercome Polarchos should be deliuerd him free out of prison if not hee should yeeld himselfe if vanquished to her power and that I rather belieue said she will happen and that my Knight will make you as little and of as little account as your Deuise and name signifieth He made her answere that although a Cipher were nothing in it selfe yet ioyned to the figures of her worth whose name was therein it was made aboue the valew of her selfe or Country She was mad to heare him so bold with her yet hauing giuen licence before to his demand shee could not by the lawes of that Country doe him any affront so as shee was forced to content her selfe with hope of his ouerthrow and vow of the cruellest reuenge that might bee inflicted on any who had so much offended a vaine woman The day come which was the next that followed the night she had passed with so many frets and distempers against the stranger as she thought him who had been once so neare of her acquaintance as shee confessed onely from him to haue receiued her content and happinesse when he gaind her fathers liking to Polarchos now her enemy then her friend She came forth in all the magnificence that Country could afford to serue her foolish pride with all the Court as glorious as if going to a wedding not a funerall as that was likely to prooue Poore Polarchos was led forth
in his chaines and by them fastned to a Pillar not hauing so much fauour allowed him as to be permitted to sit or lie to ease himselfe griefe onely shewed in his face to be predominate Amphilanthus beholding him Alas braue Prince said he must those excellent armes and hands be bound to her cruell ingratitude and inhumane vnkindnesse must thy worth bee chained by her vnworthinesse and thy excelling selfe a prisoner to her pride Then hasted he the combat wherein he encountred a valiant and strong Gentleman being one fit to defend an ill cause by reason that strength is most required when weakenesse gouern'd by Iustice will be strong enough but his strength though Iustice had been ioyned would haue faild against this King who had so soone ended the businesse as it appeared rather a thought of a combate then the executing of one The Princesse in infinite furie flung from the window commanding that the strangers with their gaine quickly left her Country least they obtained Polarchos Cage The King was offended with her arrogancy yet being slightly attended to oppose a whole Country went quickly thence glad of his happy aduenture to haue his friend with him and in that manner redeemed by his hand from such a bondage On they passe towards Greece determining to hold that name the Princesse had been so bold with all hauing had so great fortune with it in the beginning and so to goe vnknowne towards the Army where with some prety fine aduentures they arriued one being this Not farre from Athos where they landed by a delicate Woods side they saw a Forrest Nimph lie on the ground and hard by her a youth who as he beheld her with as much amorosnesse as his young yeares could entertaine or loue be pleased to inrich him with all sang this Song LOue among the clouds did houer Seeking where to spie a louer In the Court he none could find Townes too meane were in that kind At last as he was ripe to crying In Forrest woods he found one lying Vnder-neath a tree fast sleeping Sprit of Loue her body keeping Where the soule of Cupid lay Though he higher then did stay When he himselfe in her discrying He hasted more then with his flying And his tender hand soft laying On her breast his fires were playing Wak'd her with his baby game She who knew loue was no shame With his new sport smild as delighted And homeward went by Cupid lighted See the shady Woods bestowing That which none can aske as owing But in Courts where plenties flow Loue doth seldome pay but owe Then still giue me this Country pleasure Where sweet loue chastly keepes his treasure She was faire and he louely being apparreld in greene made so neately and fit to him as if he had been a Courtier or one of those finer people had had his cloathes might haue been calld curious his legges straight and of the curiousest shape were in white stockins Garters he had none his Hose being fastned aboue his knee vnder his Girdle stuck his Arrowes his Bow he held in his left hand in stead of a Scarfe he had the line and coller where with he was to leade his hound baudrick-wise athwart his slender body the Dog lay at his feete waiting on him it appear'd willingly he attended for he needed no bands to tie him to his seruice his haire was thick somthing long and curld the Sunne had made it something yellower then it naturally was as if he would haue it nearer his owne beames so much hee loued the Lad vsed to hold him neare for he had kist his cheekes too hard leauing the remembrance of his heate which yet did well with him manifesting the better his manner of life and the practice of hunting wearing that liuerie Such quicknesse he had in his eyes which were full and blacke as they looked like sparks of Diamonds set in Iet his lipps red his teeth white and such an one as might truly bee called a louely youth She euery way meriting such an one being as delicate as he hansom she was partly in Greene too as her vpper garment white Buskins she had the short sleeues which she woare vpon her armes and came in sight from her shoulders were also white and of a glistering stuffe a little ruffe she had about her neck from which came stripps which were fastned to the edges of her gowne cut downe equally for length and breadth to make it square the strips were of lace so as the skinne came stealinglie through as if desirous but afraid to bee seene knowing that little ioy would mooue desire to haue more and so shee might bee wooed to show her necke more bare Shee was as curiouslie proportioned as all the Artists could set downe to make excellent Her haire was not so white or yellow as others but of a dainty and loue-like browne shining like gold vpon blacke her eye browes thick and of so braue a compasse threatning that the arrowes which those bowes would shoote were not to be resisted but yeelded to as a Deere shot to the hart falls downe and dyes so they must ouerthrow and conquer her eyes gray and shiâ—ing like the morning in each of which a Venus Starr did rise and dwell her lipps as delicate and redd as if they were angry at him and would haue no other satisfaction but by meeting for shee did loue as much as hee So fine a couple these were as Loue did glory in them and they ioy in him happines beyond all others louing and blessedly being beloued againe When he had finished his song she smild vpon him asking him how he came to be acquainted so perfecty with loues wants or gaines My heart saith he hath so long serued him as that tels me what my Master doth when he conquers when he failes as not being able to subdue your breast he cryes for want of power but martyrs me in fierce reuenge of his vnwinning force Yeeld then deeâ—e Nimph if but in pitty and that pitty will proceede to loue Loue then did speake so liuely in his eyes and made it selfe come forth of such deere lipps as she poore she could not though armd with womans greatest strength resist so good a charme she look'd and blush'd and was about to speakeâ— then cast her eyes vpon the ground but straight look'd vp againe and faine would say I must requite your loue but loath shee was to speake it and yet kind pitty mooued and so at last with pitty loue and Mayden blushing modesty shee said If you proue iust I will yeeld to your loue but bee so since I leaue this habit and the chaâ—test life to liue with you and in a forrest staâ—e Those eyes that first had won her hee cast vp to heauen before which he did vow truth and pure loue then brought them to his blisse beholding her as timerous as louing not knowing what she had done innocent and passionate was betweene those two a delicate vnknowing
where they more freely discussed of the matter which was this Antissia after her returne filled with hate in stead of loue neuer left plotting for reuenge till this came as often it doth in her sexe into her mind whereupon she writ to her Nephew but if that failed shee trusted on her seruant and therefore likewise did she write to him a letter from her was a comfort sufficient but a command his honour and happinesse This was the cause and nothing but death would satisfie her as at that time her furie was nothing being so reuengefull as a forsaken woman shame like loue prouoking her and that he freely granted her though it had fallen out to be his owne to haue paid her Antissius mistrusting as much by his distemper led him foorth of the Towne to this place the same day the Army marched thence toward Nicolarus there they had remained till Perissus his finding them Antissius striuing to diswade Dolorindus persisting in his resolution which had end by this adventure They stayed there till he was something recouered in which time the Sicilians arriued with whom they all followed the Army but Dolorindus afflicted doubly left them to their will hee following a course to redeeme his honor quenched They arriuing found the Kings ready to giue battell the Army was ordered before their comming wherefore those troops stood by them selues to watch when they might assist and not trouble them Antissia after shee had fedde her selfe with this fury was more then satisfied for Enuy being a little appeas'd shee came to her good nature againe or loue or feare or and indeed all passions whirling about like a wheele they draw wyeâ— out with all so drew shee painefull thoughts longer then before lengthned with dispaire for now said shee wretched Antissia what hope can be so flattering as to shew it selfe in any colour like it selfe to helpe thee Amphilanthus must for euer hate thee and all his friends dispise thee Thou hast engaged a louing King who will I am assured bee so oreruled by thy commands as hee will loose his life for thee How can Nâ—gropont forgiue mee but most I haue offended mine owne Country deere Romania in seeking to make thee a widdow by loosing her King who if hee meete Amphilanthus in the field is sure to dye for it if not yet haue I sought to murther his honor in desiring to make him vngratefull either way I am a Traytor to my Country and deserue the sharpest punishment Yet I hope they will consider what vnquiet passions may produce and like men haue stayder iudgments about them then on my request to indanger themselues or let their honors perish for my wil. This hope pleaseth me but now againe I doubt O fond Antissia wicked Antissia to let so vilde a thought inhabit in thee it had beene too much to bee nourished and brought to the ripenesse of so much mischiefe Alas sweetest Pamphilia how maist thou curse me for hauing a thought to hurt thy loue much more to plot his ruine and so thine in his yet thou art the cause for had hee not changed from me to thee all had been safe yet I may wrong thee this way too how know I that hee loued mee first may it not bee that hee did loue thee long before I saw Morea His fashion at the first encounter 'twixt you when wee came to Mantinea expressed a deare respect and familiar loue then I wrong'd thee to purchase him If from thee he did change the blame is there and I aske pardon for it but pardon cannot bee where so much ill remaines What shal I do most miserable creature wretched beyond all women and not fit to liue How euer businesses passe thou art a meere shame to thy sex and the disgrace of louers Die cruel Antissia and abuse not this place with thy vild liuing in it How can this earth beare without swallowing thee vp considering that he brought quiet peace the blessing of a Country vnto it But thy hate is such to me as thou wilt not let mee lodge within thee but rather doth cast mee out like the worst weeds to ease thy selfe of the poyson I am fild'd withall and to expose me to the end worâ—t serpents are brought to which ought to be destroyed least they infect the earth and should I bee slaine for my venomous practice and haue no buriall I were iustly vsed who could not bury a little losse without the graue were lined with murther A little losse said I noe sure it is the greatest yet loue should still be loue not let malice be the Hyaena to so sweet a Prince Perplexed wretch what shall I doe wander away abide not heere for shame the ayre cannot afford thee breath the grownd rest nor thine owne lost selfe quiet Curs'd be thy dayes and thou the most accursed soule liuing end or be transformed to miserie it selfe and be any thing rather then Antissia Sought I to make Antissius vngratefull curs'd was the act and I accursed in it Would I haue Dâ—lorindus kill Amphilanthus why did not that desire murther or indeed iustly execute me Hate is aboue all and highlyest to be hated and if that to be misprized what must the Nurse bee that nourished it As a mother of a braue good sonne is reuerenced and sought so may I be hated and shun'd for this birth Romania I am a Traitor to thee thou canst not but abhor me I am guilty accuse my selfe and know what thou must doe in Iustice to bee reuenged on me I will flye from thee and euer blame my selfe Then went she downe out of her chamber taking to the walke she had describ'd to Amphilanthus and Pamphilia there shee walked like a hurt Deere staying no where vexed and tormented thinking stirring and running would helpe but all proou'd contrary she must yeeld to her hurt and lye downe with her harme There she pass'd vp and downe till a boat came in she asked of what place they were they said of Metelin when they returnd they answer'd instantly when they had vnladed In conclusion shee agreed with them and so return'd better quieted because businesse employed her She was now resolu'd to goe who to take with her she must thinke of what manner to goe in what prouision to carry with her These employd her wits so as shee grew to be a little pacified and these things to put the other out of minde at least the mindes trouble with perpetuall vexation But when she was ready to take her iourney many great Ladies came to visit her as if sent to hinder her she tooke it so and although a Princesse who loued noble conuersation yet comming vnwished for it now perplexed her her iudgement commanded and she entertained them discharged her Bark and staid with them Her sorrow she couer'd or masked with the absence of her Nephew but Lucenia was one and one bred in Loues Schoole she knew her paine and the cause of it and wrought so well
businesse while hee went vnto his wife whom hee found in her chamber in bed attending not his Maiestie but the King of her heart Shee rose vp in her bed and opened the Curtaine with loue and ioy in her face and eyes Hee tooke it meant to him when hee perceiued it for hard was such a ioy as shee expected to bee drawne backe on the suddaine but when like violence followed for her smile was frowning her ioy displeasure her rising to embrace him to turning her face from him her speech to welcome him to crying out I wonder said shee mâ— maids haue thus betrayed me leauing the Chamber open to my shame Alas my Lord I wonder what you meane to come this way it is an ill one and vnfit for you I haue not mistaken said hee I come to visit you and to intreate you What to doe my Lord said she To pittie mee said hee To dishonour my selfe cryd she Why if you can but pittie mee you may answered hee Pittie of my selfe makes mee refuse you replyed shee What can you pittie in your selfe said hee to denie mee for The honour answered shee which calls to mee for respect and care which borne with me is my fathers and my brothers and my houses these claime my care and pitey None neede know your fauour to mee but your selfe and my selfe who with all affection aske it and with all truth will keepe it close I cannot nor will not trust mine owne soule with vnworthinesse lest accusation iustly merited fall on mee and inwardlie afflict mee therefore my Lord I beseech you said shee bee satisfied and as you protest to loue mee make demonstration of it and leaue mee pure from touch of any ill but your discourse which so farre hath troubled mee as I truly sweare I neuer was more molested in my dayes Hee with that drew his sword whether to threaten her with harme if shee consented not or to make her yeeld by offering violence on himselfe I know not but shee was distemperd with the manner and wished her loue or husband the worse of the two by much had been present The better happened for her seruant came at the instant hindred it seemed onely by higher powers to stay to serue her his affection else bringing him vsuallie rather before then after time and so soone some times as hee hath been forced to vse his best wits for his excuse yet now hee came late but in best time for her His comming in made the King start and straight put vp his Sword making some faind and so idle cause for drawing it Hee straight left the roome and the other attended him till hee saw him horsed then returning to his loue came to excuse and to bee certaine excuse himselfe for stay and to bee resolued of his being there in that sort She wept for both tâ—lling him that hee had betrayed her hee grieued to bee taxed so yet with much adoe gaind the truth then was hee ioyed and tormented ioyed with her loyaltie vexed that his negligence had giuen such aduantage to his Riuall All or both causes of trouble at last were ended and concluded with the summe of blessednesse content in affection The King yet left it not thus but pursues with faire words and letters what hee sought Shee with as faire but not so kinde replies gain'd that hee troubled her not in some moneths with such importunitie At last hee writ some Verses to her wherein hee commended varietie in loue as inuiting her vnto it being the most pleasing and fruitfull telling her whom hee could loue on all causes and reasons as either beauty greatnesse wit or for varieties sake it selfe could moue him The coppie of his I haue not but most excellent Madam said shee by hers you may see what hee hath said and hers bee these and these your most excellent Sonne hath sent me for Nicholarus is his prisoner taken and saued by him in the last Battaile that Countrie wholly by the matchlesse King of Naples conquered and won for by his comming Polidorus was vanquished and Nicholarus quite ouerthrowne now remaining but one more to be subdued and then Steriamus hath all and for that all must thanke Amphilanthus And hee your loue said the Queene who thus commendeth him She blushed to heare her iudgement so free with her She kissed her and willd her not to feare though she discouerd her but proceed sweet Neece said shee The Verses Madam said she were these THe ioy yon say the Heauens in motion trie Is not for change but for their constancy Should they stand still their change you then might moue And serue your turne in praise of fickle loue That pleasure is not but diuersified Plainely makes proofe your youth not iudgement tried The Sunnes renewing course yet is not new Since t is but one set course he doth pursue And though it faigned be that he hath chang'd T was when he from his royall seate hath raing'd His glorious splendor free from such a staine Was forc'd to take new shapes his end to gaine And thus indeed the Sunne may giue you leaue To take his worst part your best to deceiue And whereof he himselfe hath been ashamd Your greatnesse praiseth fitter to be blamd Nothing in greatnes loues a strange delight Should we be gouernd then by appetite A hungry humour surfetting on ill Which Glutton-like with cramming will not fill No Serpent can bring forth so foule a birth As change in loue the hatefullst thing on earth Yet you doe venture this vice to commend As if of it you Patron were or Friend Foster it still and you shall true man be Who first for change lost his felicitie Riuers t is true are clearest when they run But not because they haue new places won For if the ground be muddy where they fall The clearenesse with their change doth change with all Lakes may be sweet if so their bottoms be From rootes not from the leaues our fruit we see But loue too rich a prize is for your share Some little idle liking he can spare Your wit to play withall but true loue must Haue truer hearts to lodge in and more iust While this may be allow'd you for loues might As for dayes glory framed was the night That you can outward fairenesse so affect Shewes that the worthier part you still neglect Or else your many changings best appeares For beauty changeth faster then the yeares And that you can loue greatnesse makes it knowne The want of height in goodnesse of your owne T was not a happinesse in ancient time To hold plurality to be no crime But a meere ignorance which they did mend When the true light did glorious lusture lend And much I wonder you will highly rate The brutish loue of Nature from which state Reason doth guide vs and doth difference make From sensuall will true reasons lawes to take Wer 't not for Reason we but brutish were Nor from the beasts did we at all differ
must not haue it lent thee but loose more A ship at last came towards him to demaund newes and if they came from Greece of Amphilanthus He made answere himselfe that he was the man they sought My Lord said he your brother by me salutes you and desires your speedy returne the cause you shall by these letters vnderstand He tooke them and found that a great warre was begun betweene two famous and great houses in Italy by reason that the Duke of Milans younger sonne had stolne away the Duke of Vrbins onely daughter the businesse at first was but betweene themselues then grew further all neighbours taking part with them so as Italy was all on fiâ—e and the Regent no more respected then as their kings brother but power he had none or very little so as hee remained at Rome in the Castle and thence sent to his brother to returne and gouerne whose sight they all thought would appease the fury He was grieued to goe from seeking her and them he loued so dearely yet this was an occasion to bee looked vnto nor could it bee long that it was likely to hold him wherefore by Ollorandus his aduise and the care hee had of his poore Countrie for her sake more then his owne to preuent the ruine hee bent his course that way Alas vnfortunate Lady what will become of you this is the last time for some moneths hee shall come so neare but yeares before his affection bee so much Vnluckily did Fortune prouide for thee when blessings only kisse like strangers but haue their dwellings other where Hee arriued in Italy presently letting his comming be knowne all flocked vnto him and as when a ciuill warre in a Country hath made parties yet when a common enemy comes they all ioyne against him so did they flee now from the partakings but runne to happinesse and welcome He examined the cause found matters ill on both sides yet at last with power loue and iudgement appeased them all and setled Italy in as braue peace and quiet as euer it was flourishing now doubly as in riches and the ioy of such a King While he remained there much people frequented thither and the fame of his acts brought most eyes to behold him and as he returned so flew the report of his being there with them whereupon the King of Dalmatiâ— sent Embassadors to treat of a marriage twixt his daughter and Amphilanthus a thing long before spoken of and wished but this father would neuer heare of it during his life now reuiued againe and with much earnestnesse pursued The King made a courteous and ciuill answer to the Embassadour but said for marriage hee did desire to be excused till he knew by his owne labour certainely what was become of his Sister and Cosin then hee would come himselfe into Dalmatia and satisfie the King to his full content This answer was sufficient for the time thus resolued he to goe in the search appointed and to that end hauing called the Princes together who were all met and those from Albania returnd gaue charge of his estate to the Counsâ—ll making an old graue man of much reuerence in the Country and of the house of Florence President of the Counsell his brother he would haue setled againe but he desired to bee excused and to haue the order of Knighthood that with the rest of the braue Princes hee might seeke his sister and Cosins The King refused him not but himselfe gaue him the order and then parted he one way with Ollorandus the young Leonius another way by himselfe hauing none but an Esquire with him Amphilanthus changed his armour and colours making all tawny as if forsaken which was but the badge of the Liuerie hee gaue her soone after who best deserued from him and therefore least merited that reward he also gaue himselfe another name and was cald the Lost Man Ollorandus must likewise alter else one would make the other knowne wherefore he contrariwise cald himselfe the Happy Knight carrying in his Sheild Victory crownd with Loue. Thus they trauelled vncertainely where to stay or land letting the Marriners guide them as they pleased who were strangers to them and of Dalmatia whither they carried them they asked no more questions but landed and so went vp into the Countrie comming into a Wood which was great and euery way thicke and desart they yet traueld when they came to a way that parted in three they stood in question what to doe at last they resolued to take the middle way and by no meanes to deuide themselues The course they tooke brought them to a mighty Hill whose curled sides were so thick with trees as no possibility was to go downe being so steepe as they must hope to do a miracle and walke on the crownes of trees or els fall to their ruine like Icarus melted for presumption so they might bee bruised for proud hope and broken in their fall They lighted from their horses to trie if so they might goe on but all was in vaine so as they kept the Hill till they came to a place where trees had bin cut this was little better for their horses yet some thing more easie for them Here with much difficulty and paine which to aduenturous Knights is called pleasure their life being a meere vexation wilfully disguised to content they got downe and then came into a most louely Vally which had been the perswasiue part to their descending louelinesse being as attractiue as the Adamant hauing a property in loue to Iron so louelinesse hath to affection In this vally they rid a prety space but â—ot one word past betweene theÌ„ to a Riuer they came fierce and violent in the streame no way might bee found to passe it in many miles riding till at last they came vnto a Bridge which was defended by two Knights They would passe the Guarders refused vnlesse they would fulfill the orders there They desired but to know what they were and they as willingly would obey as they demand The orders said they are these you must iust with vs two one after another if you ouercome the first you must proceed to the next and if vanquish both the passage is free but one must venture first nor his companion helpe but stay his turne and so fight with both The vnmatchable King would take that taske on him his companion standing by he began and brauely concluded it with the Victorie Then seeing no more to be done he tooke the Swords of the vanquished and hung them on a Pillar hard by commanding them not to touch them but to goe to the King of that Country from him and to â—ell what had befallen them and sweare to carry no swords for two yeares nor euer more to defend so slight a cause They desired first to goe to the Lady who had set them there and tell her then to doe the rest desiring to â—now who had ouercome them Hee answered the Lost Man
fell into the greatest fearing the deliuery of my letter I sent it to him who was the only bar of the deliuering of it or theÌ„ I sent as at his death I found in a Cabinet deliuered by his owne hands vnto mee with teares and humble petition for pardon that so hee might die quietly which as he lamentably protested hee could not doe nor peaceably leaue this world I forgaue him and in that Cabinet found three of my letters which close me in the misery I now suffer thereby I saw manifestly I was betrayed loosing the enioying of what the losse brought my vtter ruine for I assuredly confident in him sent my letters still to him trusting him contrary to iudgement neuer receiuing answere of them but excuses from him selfe as since I find were framed by him sometime saying he could not then write but in short time he would send one of purpose to me I remained as louers enioying their like quiet But many weekes hauing passed I writ againe setting downe how I was solicited by him hee knew of almost threatned by my parents yet had they nor should they gaine more then this that he like all others should be refused for his sake if it would please him to accept of me and my truest affection wholly dedicated to him This vnfortunately I sent as the others and so kept comming the same morning before hee was by his Villany contracted to the great Heire of the Forrest Twise I was sending it by a trusty seruant of my mothers but Desteny preuailed and I destined to mischiefe could not withstand my ills Perplex'd I was with my fortune when I saw or thought I saw my faith reiected mad at my patience that forced me to beare such iniuries cursed the harme yet loued the harmeâ—maker till one night my father and many of his friends at supper the procurer of my miserie came in who was beloued and respected by my father for his learning and for his seruice to his friend and so was entertained by him placing him next vnto himselfe while I with vncertaine lookes and doubtfull blushings cast mine eyes on him yet stayed them not long there lest they might bee vnderstood my heart guiltie of the loue my soule bare to his Lord causing such a mistrust of discouerie in my owne conscience as that modestie hindred mee from discouering my harme which his countenance had else been ready to bewray as since I vnderstood by some that marked him as they sat at meate My father asked how his most noble Lord did fare Well my Lord said he but growne of late too cunning for vs al for would you thinke it he hath finely got a wife This made me boldly to looke vp for what would not such a deadly wound cause in one if it were but only to look boldly on their end life lasting in mee but to know certainely my death being so eager of it as I my self had demanded it had not my father soone preuented me asking who it was Why said hee the fly Youth hath got the mighty Heire of the Forrest I hearing it discernd my hast to bee like theirs that run to the top of the highest Rock to throw themselues from thence so did I for those words strake me dead my spirits falling and failing me encountred with the depth and bruise of fortune aduerse to me I fell from the table in a swound All ran to me or about me none because none thought I loued being able or willing to guesse the reason except the Serpent whose poyson strake me I was with care and diligence brought to my selfe againe which when I had sense to know I blamd that sense that brought that knowledge to me condemning fortune who would not permit one of her owne sex so much fauour as to die hauing such cause Then came my speech againe which I onely employd to this purpose to desire some of the seruants to leade me to my chamber beseeching the company not to stirre assuring them that there was no danger for vsually I had had such fits my father and mother especially whose loues were most vnto me and dearest to me would haue gone with mee but I preuaild the moouer of my torment looking on me with as much pitie as the Master of a good Dog doth on him when he is hurt by his owne setting on vpon either Bull or Beare When I came to my Chamber I pretended a desire to rest which made me abler to dwell in any vnrest Sir if euer you haue felt loue so perfectly as to deserue your name imagine to your selfe what I felt seeing scorne disdaine presented to mine eies nay what of all is cruelst vnkindnes Vnkindnes to a perfect louing heart is indeed said he of all miseries the cruellest and most murthering Haue you alas Sir said she felt that griefe That only said he perplexeth me I cannot say I was disdain'd for I was cherished I was not scorned but receiued I lou'd and was beloued but now I feare she is vnkind Let not feare without assurance said shee molest you lest it make you indeed loose by mistrust what is yet but mistrusted to be lost I beseech you said hee proceede and let my misfortunes remaine in me by none else thought on Yet said shee being forsaken is a greater miserie for such a losse is losse of all hope or ioy in life the other may bee helped againe with kindnesse and this I finde for had I not enioyed a heauenly happinesse I neuer had complained But to goe on being come to my chamber and hauing liberty by priuatnesse to exercise my sorrow in the absence of all but it selfe I thus began to mourne O loue cride I was it not enough that thou didst win mee to thy power and that thou didst possesse me in those yeares when first it was possible for maiden thoughts to entertaine thee to make mee chuse guiding mine eyes to the choice of one where perfections linked themselues to chaine my powers and enuy from all such that thinking I loued thee maliced my happinesse as if I had enioyed Yet cruell you cannot thinke all that I suffered by passion hatred of others enuy paine torment and all miserie sufficient but you must turne crosse and find a greater to afflict me Why did you grant me Paradise of hope to throw me downe to bottoms of despaire Why did you glory to inuite my heart to yeeld vnto the winning power of eyes eyes which were able to gaine moreâ— then hearts thrice doubled could repay with loue Fie intising eyes why wan you mee onely of set purpose to kill me with your frownes this was pretended murder your sparkling conquest seemd to gaine by vnresistable darts soules to your will and their smiles promised vnresistable darts soules to your will and their smiles promised to saue when won but triall proues you win alone to spoile Was it a victory sufficient to get and worthlesse of keeping It seemes so since you leaue
pleasant sweet flowers naturally growing there among the stones as Pancies and Violets and others what could be there shewed him concerning the place she willingly let him see and told him it did belong to the Lord of Corsu an Iland not farre off but within sight of it more it seem'd she was vnwilling to tell but this the truth of the story was shee was by birth a great Lady in the before-named Iland belou'd and wooed by many but shee lou'd onely one who lou'd her as much for many yeares she was married to a Knight but her affections were wedded to her owne choyce He whom shee lou'd was also married but like her to one he car'd not for Their loue for what loue can be kept secret where such barres bee for enioying was seene and spoken of by many yet few blam'd them but wish'd they were free and married together there was another Lady in the same Country with whom shee did much keepe company and at her house had the happinesse to meete her loue shee being acquainted with their affections for what could shee hold from this Lady who was her chosen friend carefull shee was to keepe their counsels desirous to aid them in their desires and as kinde a friend as a true one but heere began the harme to smother like wet hay in fire smokes but the flame was longer in breaking forth This Lady call'd Siluarina had a cousen whom shee did dearely loue deseruing from her what loue could bee express'd from one to such a kinsman who was both that and a loyall friend to her nothing so deare to him as her loue nor of what did hee take care in comparison of her but being young and young men bee wanton he fell in liking with a seruant that belonged to the Lady where they lay cald Diania shee had others fairer but this was by him chosen for louelinesse shee was of as passionate a disposition as hee apt to receiue which was to the height of loue he gaining as it seem'd what he required as it also was found he did not sparingly demaund after this he was perswaded by his friends to go see a Lady a great marriage and to wooe hâ—r he consented to it and brake with his Cousen about it she very wel liked of it incourag'd him in it the spiteful woman seeing that thought she would haue her time to act her part therfore hauing got a false key one night when the louers had appointed a meeting as many they had though still chast she opened the dore and going into the chamber being certaine by the watch she made that she was gone forth tooke the lampe which hung on the wall at the beds feete and hung it in a chayre hard by the beds side of purpose to giue her at her returne occasion to looke on the remouing of it and to take a paper which she had laid at the bottome of it wherin she had written the most vilanous letter for threatnings reuilings of her for her sin as she cal'd it as it a little troubled Siluarina though she had a great spirit but that told her she had a husband and so the knowledge would be dangerous she had honour that would she be ouerthrowne lastly her loue might suffer which most greeu'd her for if all the harme had fallen on her shee had the lesse cared to auoid this and keepe all safe she resolu'd to speak with her the next morning for the hand she knew but first her seruant comming into the room to see her before he went a iourny he was determined to make for some daies she shewed him the paper Hee was vexed withall being afflicted that she should be in hazard for him and in such a kinde as his paines and stirring in it would bee the worse for her reputation Shee was more grieu'd to see him perplexed then with the businesse wherefore shee did comfort him and assur'd him shee would finde a meanes to salue all Hee tooke his leaue of her enioyning her to send him word how things passed Shee promised that and willingly would shee doe it had it beene for no other cause then so to heare from him whom so dearely she lou'd Hee gone she rose and being ready sent for the Gentlewoman to her to whom she brake forth into these words What offence did I euer giue you or what cause of malice haue you against me to worke such a treacherous practise seeking to ruine me and my honour She replyed that her Cousen was assur'd to her and therefore she did it that you said shee hauing such power with him should not seeke to marry him to the Lady mention'd to him or to any but my selfe which if you doe assure your selfe I will not spare you either to your husband or any els but the whole world shall bee fill'd with your shame Threaten not base woman said shee I feare not nor thinke thou shalt make mee so neere thy selfe wicked as to wrong my Kinsman or bloud so much as to let him fall to such mischiefe as to bee thy husband I know you wrong him for he cannot haue that litle worth to be so fond of so vile a creature or forget himselfe so farre as to thinke of marrying you or were it so neuer thinke tricks can fright mee of any ill knowne by you that I haue committed I am as cleere as ayre onely suspition you may vrge and that was brought to light by you and the cause knowne to be malice who will beleeue you my life hath gained a settled opinion in the world not to be stirr'd by your ill tongue my husband is so iust as when he shall heare you and me he wil I know right me so farre as you shall be punished and whipp'd for slandering me What good then can you hope for if you doe talke which doe if you haue a minde to it and beleeue it you shall bee no more spar'd then you threatned me What witnesse can be brought against me an enuious railing woman your selfe onely What will that worke against me when differences will be iustly made betwixt you and me and malice ouerbalance the report Shee hearing her so fearelesse and knowing those things she spake to be true found shee was deceiu'd in her plot and Diania in her inuention encountring another manner of woman then she look'd for shee therefore turn'd her speech protesting how much shee had euer honour'd her that there should be nothing to the value of her life neglected to serue her withall desiring pardon for what she had said excusing her selfe with madnesse that possessed her for feare her Cousen would forsake her Thus they parted shee carelesse of her danger in outward show to her in whom the danger lay yet wished she for all her great spirit that shee were fairely dead and so her honour safe it continued thus her seruant returning backe againe and meeting her at the same place Siluarina hauing in the meane time
visited her husband and her Kinsman the Lady hee was to court at her louers returne they discoursed of all the passed businesse shee contented because hee was pleas'd and hee to finde her faith and affection best contented the Gentlewoman affraid who thought to bring the braue Lady vnder her power but her spirit was onely to submit to loue happy she accounted her selfe euen to blessednesse in her loues requitall but within one yeere after whether fully satisfied with her loue or inamoured which if I might speake what I thinke was the truer cause of another in that place led him astray from his first and fell into the other as violently if not lesse discreetly Shee sweete Lady first condemned the choyce but when she saw she could not by strong hand hold him she fell to petitioning his returne of loue to her she writ to him she spake to him she did all that a perplexed woman could doe but all prospered alike To her companion and friend she complained she wept to her she comforted her nor would she beleeue a long time that it was so but chid her as if guilty of false accusing but when she sawe it as plainly as all others did she then pitied her but could not helpe her when she found no hope nor helpe she vow'd to die a constant though vnfortunate louer griefe made her loose all rest that made her distemper'd and so sicke as none had hope of her life her husband was tender ouer her and tooke such paines as hee himselfe fell as sicke or worse then she who recouered but he died then did she sorrow for him whom before she scarce cared for but noblenesse made her gratefull and to haue that vertue in herselfe the want of which at that time in her other selfe caused her torment When she had performed those rights belonging to her dead husband and held her selfe according to the manner vnseene for such a time she was visited and by her friend and louer who came together bringing likewise his new loue her Riuall who neuerthelesse she vsed well though she loued her not in that respect but as her selfe she held a kind opinion of her but her losse made her seeme vnpleasinger in her eyes especially to see him as if in cruelty so cherish her before her face which he continued in to the height of neglecting and scorning her who best deserued him before the other as if to merrit the more from her but herein was his fault not for louing that being a passion cannot be resisted but for hating where he was sought beloued and had loued for if he had not he could not haue vsed that fashion he did some will say it was to make himselfe free from her importunity he might haue sued from that and haue dealt more iustly and plainely told her what he stroue by fashion to expresse publikely yet when some time he came to visit her priuately he vsed her better showing hy that he would not loose any thing though he did esteeme of it as nothing this more then cruelty and she suffered wiâ—h more then patience a rare but ill example that a woman who could contemne all passions must yet be such a slaue to one and one that slauishly vsed her What could be lost she parted from content quiet honour rest reputation fortunes to succeed for no match was offered her that was not resolued of refusall nor at last any all agreeing her loue was so fixed as it was but vanitie to seeke to remoue it or gaine it from the place She being in this estate setled what meanes she had by friends and her owne suite to the Lord of Corsu this little Island or Rocke was bestowed vpon her whither she came there liued in solitarinesse once not long before Steriamus his arriual her stil loued though not louing Lord by a storme was cast there she not at first knowing it to be him tooke him vp halfe dead tumbled with the Sea and wracke she restored him to life and health againe bringing him home to her house and with her wonted affection as forgetting all vnkindnesse or rather to make her vertue in constant louing approued she cherished him and without showe of discontent entertained him but nice she was to speake or touch of loue He vsed her with all respect and much kindnesse seeing her fashion to him and hauing as he might well doe seene her teares for his harmes which she with care repaied he staied there till he was well but thence was fetched by another Lady who hearing of his being there and the danger hee had escaped came thither she was kindly made welcome to her although that she knew she at that time was his Mistris and this knowledge she had from her traine-layer who out of hate I imagine rather then loue told it her but the storme of her tormeÌ„t was passed now loued this Lady for louing him her quarrell being but to her that had wonne him immediately from her so as this Lady was embraced by her and as a friend receiued for so she counts all that loues him or that he loues a strange expression this is of a loue yet true it is for this the Lady doth she brought them to the Boate bid them farewell cheerefully he told her the former strangenesse should be no more she said then should she forget it euer had beene thus without passion but with true friendship they parted who could not in times pass'd haue said farewell but in teares and such end hath likely so hot and passionate beginnings to end in ashes what began in flames and therefore this last is the surest loue which will hold while the truth of friendship is esteemed This Steriamus got knowledge of by peâ—ces from her who would not complaine nor tell the story her selfe for feare of misconstruction of the hearers least the relation so rare should haue beene taken for an Allegory and not a story wherein her vertue should be painted and not found or indeede the true cause was that although she had with all earnestnesse care and study striuen to forget her loue and miserable fortunes hauing at last obtained all but hating him which her soule would neuer consent to so wel she still loues him as she will not let her tongue accuse him nay it is so to be feared she will rather blame her selfe then him were it not for making her selfe by that vnworthy and so that way likewise wrong his iudgement the eare she hath is to preserue his worth no reuenge in her but what her owne heart indured certainly she resolues to loue and respect him most she did with excellent discourse and respectiue fashion vse him who told her all the aduentures of the lost Ladies which he gained by the seruant of Rosindy who was sent to tell him of it and after as iust as he landed also arriued to his great comfort perswading her so perfect a louer to goe also and
heauen bring her not to murder mee lade your selues with pitie and compassion then come apace and giue life to the most peâ—plexed louer All this while she was comming while he attended as a passionate man doth the breaking of the day when he is to visit at that time his loue Dawning and leasurely shee came hee thought shee made small haste yet came too fast if loue did not accompany her and that loue to him like a delicate young Courtier who is to make his estate by the marriage of a great heire when hee comes before her is at first timerous loth to offend yet dressed vp in all richnes and finenes so was hee his Helme hee tooke off rubd vp his Haire wiped his face set on his most manly yet amorous countenance knowing women loue not childish men how much soeuer they commonly like louelines and the choicest beauties Poore man to see what a busines he kept with himselfe were strange that hee who but newly come to know passion should bee in so much variety and skilfull manner of learned knowledge to win as those who after their naturall inclination change and wooe daily but to such it is pleasure and delight to this young man torture He sighed he looked he prayed he wished he did all and yet nothing that might helpe him for so long he was in these distempers as either ignorance neglect or ill manners were like to be laid to his charge who indeed was an exact fond louer taken and spoild at first sight the louing Country of Italy could neuer make him thus passionate the beauties there were as ones owne Country esteemed nothing so pleasing to one as the thought of others till they be tried Arcadia is the place can onely captiuate his heart and there must he tast the paines makes him wish to be in Italy with freedome O sweet place heauenly Paradice said he what delights be in thee but what serpents keepe them from enioying stories I haue heard of waters and trees kept by Monsters but what rarenes was euer thus kept as loue keepes her and mee from asking pity while he stood letting his imagination twine out the time which he might if acquainted with loue or bred in his cunning Schoole haue vsed to farre more gainefull purpose She past feare of danger secured by the death of the Beare her before threatner turned back and came to thanke him but what with her sight and words he stood in as still a Posture as if the Beast in death had also wounded him which made that excellent Shepherdesse take him by the hand and kindly demaund how he felt himselfe but the touch of her dainty skin with the rare softnes gaue a more cruell hurt to his heart then the hard sword had giuen though death vnto the Beast Hee could not answer but with sighs his eies raining showers of teares and yet as through a wet cloud gazed on her She was sorry for his sorrow and wished her helpe might pleasure him it was she alone that could doe it but he duâ—st not hope for it nor aduenture to demand it then were the rest come vnto them who stirred not but looked like metamorphosed creatures their hands fast in one anothers she pittying and hee that had what he could wish yet fearing it enioyed it not which the Shepheard Youth perceiuing louing Leonius as much as man could loue another with no more acquaintance stepped to him Sir said he it appeares that the sudden ioy of this braue victory with the releasing of this rare beauty before you from such danger doth too much possesse you or else the same fit which this day I found you in hath againe ouercome you He now who shame instructed to be carefull starting as children doe at Bugbeares told him that it was true his fit had taken him and held him worse then it had done before which had caused that stilnesse in him for which he asked pardon of the most faire Shepherdesse and kissing her hand assured her that nothing was more comfort to him then the rescuing of her nor any thing more grieuous then that he had been so rude as not to acknowlâ—dge the fauour she did in comming back to thanke him for that wherein he did but the due of any one to serue and preserue such beauty thinking himselfe most fortunately borne and brought thither at that time so to doe her seruice She mildly and modestly blushing told him the good fortune was hers which had gained not onely safety but that from the noblest hand and heart so taking away her hand which was a death-like blow to him courteously bid him farewell with millions of kind thanks and sweet words vnto him euery one of which were wounds vnto his soule because with them she left him They gone he alone but for the Shepherd began his complaints partly to himselfe partly to his new friend in this manner Is it possible O Arcadia the most sweet and delicate of all these Prouinces that in thee there should liue so dangerous a creature as at first sight should wound and kill with the first touch alas my friend what peril doth abide in these most dainty dwellings were these places ordained excellent and alluring to draw men to their ends are you made happy with seeing delicasies only to see them but to taste none other then sharp murders O my father how hast thou left thy son in thine owne friends dominions to bee slaine and by a woman how will you brauest brother disdaine my bloud vanquished by a looke O Arcadia in your sweetnes I am martyrd and one of your Kings blood thus you kil are you not then guilty of treason The Shepheard who now perceiued this Knight to bee a Prince and by his words an Aliance of that Country hee kneeled downe and thus spake My Lord said hee blame not this place for that for which I doubt not but you shall haue cause to loue it accuse not your friends since if they saw your vallour and braue destroying that fierce Beast they would without question glory in your vertue nor be displeased with your fortune or loue since fortune hath brought you to loue one the most loue-worthy and I beseech you what cause haue you thus to complaine not knowing whether you may be fauourd or disgraced I see no reason you should bee discontented if not that you would not receiue kindnesse she so mildly and sweetly affording it Loue Loue it was and is cryd he makes mee thus wretched what can I doe when my senses in her sight faile me how can I haue comfort when deadly dispaire makes me not dare to hope what shall I ioy in when I scarce may venture to looke on her who must deliuer mee from this bondage noe I see no remedy when I am not able to aske or take it I am lost and only found by dispaire and desperate loue Then did his teares follow those words and groanes those teares till the Sheephard
ignoble when ioyed with feare basestealing a life or if he meant really how it might be effected These coÌ„trarieties put me into a great perplexity yet I stil held conuenient discourse with him who finding me vncertaine in my answers and suspitious of my selfe brake out in these termesâ— I see my Lord my fortune to be so ill as you whom I most desire to serue mistrust me alas if loue moou'd mee not what plot should I haue to put my selfe into so eminent a danger it is onely that hath wrought mee to this and yet I am mistrusted by you I sought to appease his passion he then went on I haue my Lord said he layd the way and a youth of my acquaintance stayes below with the cords shall if you please deliuer you from death and this place it is more then time wee were about it therefore resolue what you will doe and that speedily I hearing this and looking on a clocke was in my chamber found it past midnight straight led by a bold beliefe gaue consent to goe vp and downe at all houres went forth telling the watch hee was sent for a Gowne for mee to weare the next day at my death vnder colour of this within a long robe hee brought the ropes which hee fastened to the barres of the windowes which were not so thicke placed but one might easily get out the reason was the heighth made the feare of getting thence nothing At the bottome stood the youth hee spake of and made the lower ends fast out hee went first to shew mee the way and try if the cordes were fast then came vp againe and helpd mee forth staying till I was safely on the ground then vntyed the cordes and the youth loosed them below so hee drew them vp and in a fire in my chamber burn'd them shutting the window and himselfe comming downe the ordinary way againe without suspition to any Gate hee duâ—st not bring mee for they were all so strongly guarded as no safety would be there but knowing all the passages brought mee to a little Garden then vpon the wall and there was a Posterne doore low and little but bigge enough but then another danger was how to goe downe on the outside the Castle standing on a maine Rocke but the danger wee soone passed for with some scrambling wee got downe holding by one another the youth though weake yet hauing a strong heart to saue mee help'd beyond expectation this man my keeper had a brother dwelt hard by this place thither he led vs and telling his brother hee was sent of earnest busines concerning the State got horses of him and so wee posted the youth riding behinde me holding me with so much affection as I imagin'd it had beene his care for feare of slipping but I iniur'd him in that for his worthy selfe could neuer slip Wee rid thus till wee arriu'd at a Castle of mine but that not being of strength sufficient wee left it and our wearied horses furnishing our selues better the youth rid well and I was carefull though hee still besought mee to heede my safety hee weary as weake his horse being little lesse they fell wherein hee was hurt but at last hee sure wounded and tyred I pittied him and more when I saw his teares which were not for his approching end as after I saw letting some from mee to accompany his hee seeing them my Lord said hee weepe not for mee nor shed those deare teares for one who once might haue had a life giuen by one of them but those dayes are passed and now my ending as fast as may bee the bruise and death this fall brings mee not being yet so cruell to mee as the fall of your fauour was nor vnwelcome since chanced to mee in your succour I am to tell now the cause of my seruice Loue my Lord hath brought me to this and all other miseries your scorne neuer hauing had power sufficient to make mee leaue louing you which procur'd this action censure me then a louer and not immodest no disguise could euer disguise me but still I lou'd you nor put I any on but for your good and so forced to alter my habits what haue I taken but habits of the much worthier Sexe the noblier to serue you not out of any wantonnesse which heauen can witnesseâ— for had I ecaped this harme and you once safe you should not haue knowne mee but as a poore youth affectionate to your safety I would againe haue returned after the time of your imprisonment I tooke this resolution putting my selfe to waite on one of the guard and neuer left prying vp and downe to finde how I might assist you till happy fortune brought me to this man whose affection I saw such towards you as I ventur'd and hee likewise to attempt what now I ioy to see perform'd and more that my end is brought by so louing an occasion farewell my Lord and I beseech you mourne not for mee whom you thought so little worthy of your loue couer any fault in this I haue committed with the vaile of feruent affection then shall I bee secure and you noble Weepe not deare Lord for mee I must bee gone and in going shall bee molested to see you sorrow for mee bury mee I beseech you not heere but in some of your owne commands that as I am yours my dust may bee also held in your ground and then lest you shall grieue for mee I can now giue you leaue to forget mee then did shee faint for this was my first and truest Loue. I got her with much paine againe to life shee blam'd mee for it yet told mee such kindnesse had preserued vs both if timely giuen then with many prayers for my safety wishing all the blessing that heauen granted to any to bee powred on me shee dyed in mine armes breathing her last into my breast for I kiss'd her when her breath left her I buried her as she desir'd at a Castle of mine whither we rid that night and there remained till my peace was made with the King which hee was willing to and honour'd me so much as I had satisfaction oâ— my enemy but what was this to my losse hauing lost the wonder of her Sexe for loyalty Besides my second Lady for whom I had left the faire patterne of vertuous loue did shew me my ill by requiting me according to my merit but not from her for of her I had deserued well she neuer sent to me neuer seem'd as I heard by all sorry for me but superficially quickly chose another and like the worst of her Sexe thought sorrow would hurt her complexion and so she might liue vnlou'd grew merry and thought no more of me though at the first she wept but why onely to shew how sweetly shee could looke in teares not shedding more then became her were safe from hurting her though euery one because they were hers had if seene wounded mee When I
one and one as both I was against this I confesse in other times but now thinke no such loue as when we may discourse of it and in our discourse know how she behaues her selfe and so be able to discouer which she most affects and so striue to gaine the others part but she most louing most discreet iudicially carried her hand euenly when he kissed one I had the other shee faâ—e betweene vs still and euer gaue vs euen and indifferent graces but now being cloyde I thinke with this blessing we must diuide and she take one which she cannot doe therefore Sir you must decide the question shee sayes she will take either with equall loue we will with equall content take or misse She then was to say something for her selfe who thus did speake My Lord said she you heare by these two the story related of my loue I cannot but confesse it is true onely I beseech you not to thinke any lightnesse was more in these aâ—â—ections then in the indifference of my choice I loued this faire man I confesse first I had not then seene the other but when I perceiued his louelines beauty me thought was more ordinary and therefore I prized him dearer but when the faire youth came againe brownnes appeared nothing so pleasing both together mee thought they were both fit to be beloued and the rather both because different complexions would hold one still to loue one of them whâ—n affection to swâ—etnesse and delicatenesse possessed me I looked on him when loue to fairenes and whitenes claymed place I turned to the other thus mee thinkes I loued equally and so it was but one loue being still to one end content and to be contented wâ—th those had made themselues one in all things euen loue to me It is most true I am now brought to choose one for my father will haue me marry I cannot find in my heart to refuse either or haue power to choose whether I hope this freedome which hath continued with vs will not be a cause now to make mee lesse esteemed my loue is the same it was and therefore Sir which you will allot me to I must take The first then spake againe doe not great Iudge I beseech you fauour me although I first did tell my tale and first did loue to wrong my friend hee more deserues her then my selfe and him she chose I did choose her therefore bestowe her Sir on him No said the other I lou'd her for your sake and loue to you made my affection grow to her therefore Sir as hee first did loue and chose for loues sake onely of her selfe be not so cruell to bestow her from him he most and best deserues her let him haue her This while she cast her eyes between them as they spake so amorously as it seem'd she cryd within her selfe sweet Iudge adiudge mee both hee sate a while still at last he brought forth this iudgement Both louing both beloued treason it were to part such blessednes nor am I able to cut so euenly by a threed as to goe iust in the middle way between these affections to giue her to either I can hardly doe it since they beg for either You faire indifferent creatures are not it seemes to bee displeased nor will I offend either therefore this shall be my iudgement Take the Garland and you who hold it now tye her scarfe ouer her eyes then both shall come at once to you and to which you giue the Garland hee shall bee your husband blinde Loue made this equality blinde fortune is onely fit to decide it She tooke the Garland when the other two both at once kneeld to the Iudge and at once spake these words all one and so iustly deliuer'd as shewed their hearts one beseeching him that since the Garland did so well in her hand she might keepe it still and crowne her selfe as Lady of the oddest passion they would as before passionatly louing equally leaue her and now faire Mayde said they to auoid your trouble in choyce or after choosing we will both leaue you seeke and take a third and crowne him with a single loue if you can Ollorandus liked the oddnes of this best of all she blush'd and faine would haue spoken but they went away and left her like all-changing women to glory in her owne folly or to couer her selfe with her owne shame yet shee â—ooke a changers boldnesse on her My Lord said she I humbly thanke you for your iudgement and your noble care of me I am no more troubled with their leauing then I should haue ioyed in hauing them onely I am sorry that you must be a witnesse that the fault lyes on your sexe when you come if euer againe to censure Louers be more pittifull to vs and this is all I liu'd before I loued them and shall I trust liue and loue againe without them So they parted Ollorandus hauing had sport for his paines in sitting so long and the standers by satisfied with vncertainty and so all partâ—d The King towards Prague he met his Melysinda three daies iourney neerer hauing knowledge of his comming by the messenger that brought him the newes of the Emperours death Then they together went to that ancient braue City thence to a place where all the Princes by a generall consent met and chose Amphilanthus their Emperour who by being King of the Romanes might claime it not one voice was against him but all like one cracke of Thunder sounded his name Then was the Prince of Transiluania dispatched to him who met him as is before said and returnd with the answere whereupon Ollorandus was his Deputy till his arriuall which was not long after the fine Nimph and delicate Veralinda liued together this time passing the heate of the day at the Fountaine and in the shadow the rest abroad neuer weary of any time but night which they accused of too great cruelty in holding theÌ„ asunder which faire Veralinda often would haue helped in her wish but her Father would not permit it One day as shee was sitting alone expecting her deare companion the graue Shepherd her Father came vnto her and looking steedily on her wept she was amazed and sweetest soule weept too to see his teares he then embracing her my dearer heart said he I must leaue thee and this makes my teares Alas Sir said shee let mee neuer see that day or heare those bitter words againe It is most true said he I am commanded and I must obey the God that gaue mee thee appointeth this grieue not for this it will I hope bee for eternall ioy to you I am warned in my sleepe to send you hence vnto an Island where you shall be blessed with happiest successe goe then and take this Cabinet with you but open not the Boxe vntill the aduenture you shall see be ended then open it and remember me She was amazd but he did comfort her How shall I goe said shee
our imaginations to powerful seruants of his will as the strength of ones body in a hot disease works against it self thus experience the truth of knowledge teacheth vs. I once thought what a foole am I to seeke where I am reiected to sue where I am scornd and petition where I am disdaind shall I sink to this basenes shal I forget my own merits and beg of an vngrateful creature who triumphs in my wrongs no I wil let him see scorne can haue children as truly borne as loue those are bred in me I wil make him see my sencible disliks and his false eies by my despising them shall find his error in my truth and resolutenesse These braue conceits I liked and meant to practise but when I saw him O me I was like a thiefe caught in the act I hung downe my head asham'd of mine owne thoughts I hated my selfe and pleaded guilty ready standing to be condemn'd as I was in his opinion wee are fine creatures alone in our owne imaginations but otherwise poore miserable captiues to loue Flatter not your selfe deere Princesse for belieue it the greater your minde is and the brauer your spirit the more and stronger are your passions the violence of which though diuersly cast and determined will turne still to the gouernment of loue and the truer your subects are to you the firmer will your loyalty be to him I grant all this said Pamphilia but these things concerne not me further then the gladnesse I haue for your good since I protest truely that no scorne nor any cruell course whatsoeuer he can vse or hath vsed though to the extremity of ill could or shall alter my heart from being his or from fulnesse of content with all true and affectionate acceptance of his loue if hee would blesse me againe with it But I cannot hope my despaire out-weighs all such thoughts and makes me dryer in losse then blasts doe trees though they kill them Alarina stroue to comfort her assuring her that she could not haue more cause to sorrow lament then she had had nor be further from hope or colour of it then she once was yet said she now I haue pass'd all those sad misaduentures and am arriu'd at the happy harbour of enioying Long may you so be blessed said Pamphilia and soone may like blessings befall you said Alarina from this they grew to discourse of Poetry the Shepheardesse saying merry songs of her making since the turne of fortune the Queenes continued in the same straines they were of lamentation Some dayes were thus passed till her iourney call'd her thence when taking leaue of Alarina the Queene went towards the Shipping all the next Port and soone after arriu'd in Pamphilia where no â—ooner the newes of her arriuall was spread but the people from all parts came to see her and ioy in her presence while she ioyed in nothing nor communed with any but her owne sad selfe which she cal'd her losse and passions for it the saddest places were the most pleasing to her the solitariest Caues or Rockes her chiefe abiding places yet she lost not her selfe for her gouernment continued iust and braue like that Lady she was wherein she shewed her heart was not to be stirr'd though her priuate fortunes shooke round about her Leonius this while with his faire Veralinda trauel'd towards Phrygia where being arriu'd they sent vnto the King as strangers to beseech liberty to see him and to present some things that they knew would be most acceptable to him He was an excellent wise Prince and as any courteous wherefore he soone consented and they apparel'd her after the manner of Italy as his Country and she according to the Greeke fashion for Shepheardesses as hauing had her breeding there and from those habits would not be altered till she was receiued as a Princesse They enter'd the Hall where the King was being a braue old man holding as maiesticke a countenance as his state requir'd Leonius beheld him curiously theÌ„ made this speech vnto him holding his eyes fix'd on him the Lady of his soule by the hand Great K. of Phrigia whose renown hath spread it selfe vnto all eares giue your seruant leaue to say this vnto you I am stranger borne farre hence son vnto the King of Naples and brother to Amphilanthus Emperour of the Romanes of whom after I had receiued Knighthood I gained leaue to goe abroad to try my fortune Into Morea I went to visit the King thereof who for my honour I haue the grace to be his neere Cousin but in Arcadia it was my happines as I hope to meete this Shepheardesse whose true and loyall seruant I vowed to be for her sake I chang'd my habits and from a Knight became a Nimph with her I conceald liu'd she nor any other mistrusting me for other then my outward shew gaue them cause to thinke me to bee Still my affection increased and the daily conuersation made this beautifull creature affect my company at last she was by the Kings Shepheard whom she had till then taken for her father sent thence my selfe discouered to him only went with her into an Iland in the Gulfe of Venice wherein were inchanted the greatest brauest valiantest men and the excellentest Ladies of the whole world by this diuine creature they were released the charmes finished At the coÌ„clusion of theÌ„ a book of gold vpon a Pillar of the same appear'd which being taken down read therin was found the whole story of this rare Shepheardesse which brought her to the knowledge that shee is your daughter I am hither come as hers your humblest seruant to conduct her to your presence The King rose and with moderate ioy kiss'd them both ioyfull of the newes yet hauing had so much misfortune could not but doubt the truth of what was so much desird She then on her knees deliuer'd the Booke vnto him wherein he found what Leonius had related to be true the Prince deliuer'd likewise vnto him letters from his brother the Emperour to desire the marriage The graue old King heartily reioyced at this blessing but bore it as he had done his afflictions with equall temper then tooke he Leonius by the one hand and his daughter by the other calling his Lords round about him to whom hee deliuered these glad newes withall the Emperours desire concludiug that his consent was gained and therefore demanded their allowance to the marriage They consented and ratified it with full ioy and contentment then ioyn'd he their hands in that assembly contracting them and promising himselfe to accompany them back to Morea where they should be married as Amphilanthus had intreated for the honour of the other great Kings and Princesses Robes of state were soone brought to Veralinda in which she appear'd like Venus when she won the Apple from the other two Goddesses Triumphs were presently made and she proclaim'd heire apparant to the Crowne Thus was Leonius and Veralinda
but still attended her lying when shee sate or lay on the ground at her feete when shee stir'd hee followed seruant-like her motions When shee was out of her Prison which should haue beene after her death and buriall like one come forth of a fainting fit shee look'd about and star'd like a Hauke that had beene hooded when shee comes first to sight againe a decent and yet Princely salutation shee gaue to Orilena which was repayed her with the like and much courtesie Philarchos commanded to put off from the other Barque Two of his Knights that were brothers begged her and went away in her vpon an aduenture with his consent while they sailing towards Mytelin gained so much of the sad true Lady as shee brake silence so long as to deliuer this discourse My natiue Land though vnnaturall because such cruelty was in the Countrey is the sweet Iland of Nycaria my parentage of the best bloud next the chiefe Lord and his childâ—en and of his house I am though not of the same name I fell in loue with a young Noble-man much esteemed and as any honour'd for his brauery and courage no spirit in the Island excelling his if equalling no wit comparable to his nor no Nobleman endued with more vertues as learning horsemanship and what els can bee required in such an one whose noble descent answer'd or demanded these excellencies Hee loued mee like wise as passionately and fondly which at last was and is my ouerthrow I liu'd with my father most commonly but oftentimes I went to the Court more I confesse to see him and ioy in his presence then to see any vanity there yet I both saw those sports the Court affects and are necessary follies for that place as Masques and Dauncings and was an Actor likwise my selfe amongst them though neuer affecting them further then to content him I lou'd who I saw well pleased with all many banquets I was the cause of when we met and to my Fathers hee ordinarily did come a strict friendship betweene them neuer was hee if absent quiet if still one or other of my seruants were not wth him nor was I without some of his perpetually with mee not that I thought or could let so wronging a concipt come into mee that hee mistrusted mee but out of sincere affection to haue euer some of his followers with mee to giue occasion when I durst not else to speake of him none neede bee kept to make mee thinke of him for my thoughts neuer strayed from him or staid one minutes space At my Fathers which was as fine pleasant and sweet a seate as any in that Countrey there ran a delicate wanton Riuer twining it selfe into euery dainty meadowes armes not deepe but fit for Dianaes Nymphes to haue vsed in imitation of whom my selfe and Sisters often went into itâ— this Riuer came fauourably to grace the place close vnder the Orchard wall A backe way wee had through the Gardeus out of which wee went and there bath'd our selues an old Gentleman a seruant to my Lord watched vs and so neatly carried his businesse as wee neuer doubted him but not being able to continue truer to himselfe then to vs hee told mee of it describing so truely all our fashions being eight of vs maner wordes and actions as I knew hee spake truth and said hee had it not beene for one thing I could haue wish'd my master in my place I ask'd him what that was He said because one of vs kept her smocke on them he would he was sure most haue wish'd to see I knew her whom he ment for none but my selfe did so and priuately I said in my heart I did beleeue him and wish'd it too so it had beene by the like chance This old man whose thoughts were young and toung-nimble in such a kinde louing the remembrance of what he was then past at his Lords next comming told him of it Hee straight wish'd his fortune So did I said hee wish it for you and told my Lady for so hee call'd mee What said she answer'd my Lord Nothing replyed hee but smil'd and walk'd on Hee came imediatly to mee telling mee what hee had heard and vrging mee to know what I thought when I smil'd I truely confest and hee as truely louingly tooke it louing ioyfull thankfulnesse shining in his eyes Twenty of these passages wee had and as many seuerall Ladies and of as seuerall complections and dispositions almost fell in loue with him in that time hee loued mee thousands of curses I had among them but as long as I prosper'd in his loue I cared for none of them but sped mee thought the better rather wishing so still to bee prayed for so I enioyed the righter way Such pretty testimonies hee gaue mee as I must haue beene vnlesse I had beene vnreasonable forc'd to bee assur'd of his loue shewing almost contempt to all others I was so and with all faith imbrac'd and cherish'd it so modest hee was besides as I lou'd that in him and saw it there a greater vertue then it is ordinarily esteemed Proofes I had of it for being alone hee neuer was vnciuill nor did offer what I as willingly consented not vnto yet at last my father finding as easily hee might of any hauing beene a great Louer that I was intirely his hee coniecturd that I could deny nothing therefore would rather seeme to trust him or els it was to binde him to him if any such bonds can serue or preuaile where true loue is As one day when hee was to goe a iourney leauing him with me farewell daughter said he and the like to you my Lord and I pray you bee honest Hee blush'd what did I then coniecture noble Lord and Lady truely I was heartily asham'd and yet soone got courage againe when I remembred wee were not guilty but the word honest made mee thinke of the contrary that thought moou'd my blood inâ—o my cheekes and stir'd occasion in him to discourse with mee of it so as I feare that did more harme which should haue preuented if but in thought then before was thought on for beleeue it it is a dangerous matter to bee forbidden a sweet in loue as I haue heard it credibly said and know it in some kind exercised but wee did fulfill his desire and hee found vs as hee left vs chast but affectionately louing which all forbiddings could neuer haue hinder'd or lessened my father himselfe euen enuying vs for his loue though to many had neuer brought him so true an one as I was This lasted as long as it was possible for a man to bee iust and longer then except few any haue beene and yet I thinke truely hee had slip'd sometimes but I knew it not or had no cause out of want to mee to finde fault But this fault came on his side how easie was it for him then to take exceptions who before would be readier to answer for mee or my friendes then
our selues yet hee did not absolutely in two yeares giue ouer his former fashion though alasse his loue was dryed and like Roses by mee kept for the colour they had and sweetnesse the remembrance still held but wither'd and not themselues to bee knowne by sight At last such a quarrell hee had against himselfe as if for euer louing mee as hee grew discontented in my company snapt mee vp if I aduentur'd to speake frown'd if hee caught mine eyes on him and withall plotted disgrace carryed himselfe to mee that his brother and his owne friends said it was too much I bore it and truely for all that left not louing nor grieuing for it yet at last I got so farre as my sorrow exprest it selfe not so openly in show though as neere in acquaintance for it was an houshold guest with mee But so it happened at last that this Lady hee had taken and cast mee off for loued another which was to him discouer'd hee liked it not yet made no show of it because hee had said when euer hee mistrusted his loue hee should hate her and that might hee for heere hee was assur'd or might bee but other reasons held them together yet it gaue him leaue to look on me a little again and to me those lookes were like the sweet euenings wherein the Larke delights her selfe so much as shee flyes into it neuer satisfied with the delicacie till at the height shee is forced to retire bidding that farewell So did I for I was forced to part againe from that but in that halfe day of blisse hee tooke occasion to speake of old matters I was as willing to that as hee and so wee discoursed temperately in the end hee said for that cause said hee speaking of a friuolous and vnwaighty businesse God knowes I lost you all You had left vs said I before that time with that hee sate a little neerer to mee and it seem'd would haue proceeded which I wish'd for I made no question then of satisfying him if euer wee came to speake but one of the wicked Ministers of my ouerthrow as destin'd to spoyle mee had such a spell as in absence shee had a spirit able to ruine mee sent for him hee went but promised to come againe I attended as resolu'd neuer to giue cause of dislike but hee was stayed and I in a mighty fret return'd to my lodging Another time he tooke occasion being inuited which then he must haue beene if he were desir'd at my fathers which before had been his ordinary table to a dinner my father made to many of his friends and hee esteemd by him so hee was solemnly inuited He came and at dinner sitting by me fell into discourse of loue and of womens inconstancie as if I had beene guilty I knowing my innocencie spake like that and so vnderstood him not in shew Then hee fell to other kindes yet on the same theame and at last hee came to say how poore Paris was vs'd for choosing well for said he Iuno because a Queen wonld be belou'd Pallas a boystrous woman would fight if not chosen poore Venus onely loued and for Louessake wan the Aple thus was he punished for loue I thinke not for that so much replyed I by your Lordships fauour that he was distresse but for being false before to Enona He said no more and by that I saw he vnderstood me yet after againe he had another Ierke at it but in another sort speaking of loue and returning to their former loues There may be hope then said I. Introth little said he for if euer I shall come tatterd and torne not worth looking on Yet then said I if to me you come I will welcome and cloath you He looked pleased with me for yet it opportunitie gained by the other lost by mee held him as shipps tossing in a Hauen but winde-bound Well I grew desperate and indeed heeded nothing that befell me in the conclusion I spake something or something was said for me which brought me vnder the compasse of the law as farre as life came to I was condemned but he though an Officer sat not on my Iudgement some thought out of pitie yet I tooke it not so for his presence in such a cause wherin I protest I was altogether wrongd might haue ayded me at least his sight would haue comforted me in the condemnation so much I loued him but he was absent and my misfortune so present as I was adiudged to death yet the Prince of Nicaria being mercifull would not take my life according to the Countrie Law but after another fashion would haue it as hee meant for hee censured me to this from whence you haue relieued me When I was to be put into this Tombe as was meant me the chiefe Lords and Officers came to see me according to the Prince his order committed to the Sea into the Ship they put me with meate for three dayes no man nor creature with me but my Dog which would not forsake me and they allowed with me not for loue but hope of harme to me for my Victuals they imagined he would haue share of and at last deuoure mee being one of the fiercest in all the Country But in this they deceiued themselues for since wee came aboard which is now eight dayes he hath satisfied himselfe with very little and neuer troubled me A Fisherman came by and would haue had the Dog he entised him but his faith to me more then I euer found in man his distressed Mistris held him with me hee threw him then a large piece of meate which though stale was good enough for a Dog he tooke that and fed a little on it but as if weighing his estate left part for other times the man also gaue mee something pittying my case but not daring to helpe mee left me Among the Officers that came to my liuing execution my Lord was one though he stayed not to see it performed but came among vs hastily stept to me whispered and bad me farewell and be like your selfe said hee resolute die confidently and cherfully this will comfort you and honour your end I heard him but could not answere him onely I looked vpon him and with teares told him his censure was harder then the Prince his for I loued him the cause of all my miserie but he scarce looking on me as hastily went away againe leauing mee to the fauour of the Windes his constant Rulers to the Seas furie and Fortunes hazard yet all kinder then hee haue ioyned for my good and I am saued by you braue Princesses yet would I beseech you again to let me obay his commands which because his I would doe They refused that yet so neare they came to fulfilling it as they left her on a Rock in a little Iland with an old religious father there shee remained and spent the rest of her dayes in prayer her Dog still garding her which at her death brought her who out-liued
little content in him and because you shall see I haue not too much cause to be fond of him when you come into the house seeme earnest to see him for that he loues and then shal your highnes on my word behold a man fit only to make a good husband of so far to be belou'd as not contemnd They went in the Princesse hauing her lesson desiring earnestly to see the Master of the Horse before her going He came but such a creature t was his pace so vncertaine going towards her but looking backe as if asking his men if he did well or no a wide smile he had which if a little noise had been added to it might haue been a plaine laugh When he was close by her he took her hand and put it to his mouth but his teeth instead of lippes met it shee gaue him many thankes for her entertainement he tooke her thanks it seemd well but replyd onely with his former girningâ— at last with a great businesse and champingâ— as if on the Bit he brought out as many words as he askt her how she liked Hunting She answerd very well and best of any sport hee was so ioyed with that as he laughed right out and with gladnesse driueld that none could blame the Lady if she liked not much to kisse that Ganimead As thus they were some beholding him the Princesse admiring his foolish ignorance and ill-fauordnesse some others marking the power she had ouer her selfe to hold from so little scorne as to smile at him a great noise was heard below in the Hall and an Esquire of the old Frigian King came in crying out for helpe his Lord was taken prisoner and carried towards the Sea Leonius cald to arme Veralinda for her horses the delicat disquieted would aâ—tend them till they saw freedom on al parts flourishing again the Lady of the house tooke her leaue of them there and so they past Leonius poasting after the King the Princesse accompanied with her Knights and the Noble DiscoÌ„tent held on towards the sea to gaine her ships but being to passe a thickest wood it was their fortunes first to light vpon the Aduenture for in the thick of that place they heard voyces and Veralinda led by perfect knowledge or naturall affection knew her fathers tongue when vpon the telling her fine sad companion he with some fiue or six of her Knights rushed in they found the King bound a great ring of armed men about him and some sixe or seuen women for Gentlewomen I cannot call those vsed such cruelty with great rods whipping him hauing stripped his vpper part he complaining and pitifully crying the strips being sore and painefull to his royall body This timely rescue flew in among them who were much amased at the surprise yet being many bolder on their number then any other cause they had to hope of their victory encountred our daintie distressed so rudely as he was put to his best in armes but then so brauely did he behaue himselfe as he had with his own hands disarmd and ouercome three but his fiue assistants were ouerthâ—owne he then himselfe fought against the rest not without great hazard but such were the blowes and fury among them as they cald helpe assisted with the Kings cryes who all this while the fight lasted was tormented excessiuely with those Furies as meaning to take their full reuenge or as much as they could Leonius was brought in to the place but what fury came he possest with all those women altogether could not imitate much lesse equall yet women inraged they say are Deuils Happy this arriuall was to the valiant as exquisite Solitary both being ioynd the rest fainted and so the victory came on their side Then Leonius and his to be admired companion went to the King taking away his Baiters and Chaines clothing him againe and dressing the stripes he had receiued which had wept blood for vnkindnesse both pulling off their Helmets to take aire the sad Knight shewing so delicate a hand as if his blowes had not been witnesses of his strength one would haue fear'd so Ladi-like a beautifull and dainty shapt hand could not haue sufferd such stresse but the wonder was taken away then when conclusion was made that the noblest hart commanded the fairest and fiercest hand he had such a hart and so valiant and happy a hand to execute his commands with al. Veralinda came in also and with teares manifested the sorrow she had for her fathers mishap couering his stripes with soueraign ointments she neuer went without then they examind the cause of this outrage One of them the chiefe it seemd among them telling her story thus I am said she of this Country and haue a Castle hard by whither this vngratefull King should haue gone had not your accursed succor and my too rash beginning of his iustly merited punishment hindred me he knowes my name and quarrell yet some part I wil tel you to auoid thought of vnreasonablenes in me I lou'd this king not I do protest for his being a king but mearely out of affection my loue growing to him at my being in his Court at a great triumph there whither the Princes of this country went I waited on He cast his eies vnluckly on me also and gaue me such inuitations to his loue as I could not but accept and yeeld opportunity yet serued not I being to wait so neare my Lady and she who liked the king as well but not so truly as I did watching me feaâ—ing that she desird to haue her self Thus vnfortunatly I was again to part and so without any more then amorous looks such manifestings as outward shew could giue we were deuided when I came back how did I curse my fortune for my loue was run beyond the tye of chastity and I was a meere louer I accusd my self for thus thought I I might haue enioyd him by this meanes I could if I had not bin a natural foole haue compast my desires none could haue preuented this plot had I not bin a ranke coward the night was left me why did I loose so many and gain nothing but restles times tossing and tumbling in my own fansies and so many did I then get together as made a maâ— of vanity calling infinites of conceits together In al these vnquiets a match was offerd me I was mad and knew nothing but mine owne passions in that distemper I gaue consent and was maried but stil my affection was tied and wedded to this king this king of vngratefulnes and cruelty A wife I liued and yet a maid my husband somtimes chafing somtimes telling me he thought I kept that Iuell for another many suspitions this bred in him and furnished as many crosses for me at last at the end of three yeeres this vnconstant and vnworthy king came hither he was feasted and welcomd by the Prince and Princesse who saw not me with strait looks doubting me still but
no way but their eies followed as part of their Armes and then the most curious part The King of Celicia first put vp his hand to his hat but that motion was enough to make the noble Amphilanthus ready as soone as hee to giue and take salutation The King said it was not vnknown vnto him he was sure why he came and in that sort but the desire and reason of this meeting was that he might see his Person before the fight who was held the brauest Prince liuing and his Riuall but with greater happines because beloued by her If this be true replide the Emperour your cause is the more vniust since you would force so excellent a Queene to take you contrary to her owne affection as you confesse and mine must needs be more irreconciliable since heere you pronounce a quarrell neuer to be taken vp seeking to take my Mistris from me therefore if this be your end of meeting let vs part to meete on surer tearmes The King gaue consent hauing now said he seene the man so much admired I am satisfied till I haue conquered him With that they turn'd and arm'd them selues the Drums and Trumpets making such harmony as were enough to lift the hearts of Cowards vp to spirit this little needing to the Emperour whose heart and body was all worth and valour the King was likewise soone arm'd and the Armies by order commanded to vnarme being left only as Court beholders no shew of warr except in the fashion of their cloathes and bands The King of Celicia was in Oring couler the Emperour in crimson Spite on the one side Reuenge on the other The encounter was faire and terrible both their horses at the breaking shrinking vnder them but the Celician after falter'd and reel'd so as hee leap'd from him Amphilanthus lighted and so they met on foote when no Art or vallour procured by iust disdaine and rage was wanting The King had with a blow clouen the Emperour's sheild so as vnvsefull he threw it from him in requitall making such a breach in his armour on the right side as there sparng out so much blood as might wash away the others losse Both fearelesly and furiously fighting for themselues not fearing only tending the cause that brought them thither At last Amphilanthus found an aduantage by the Kings lifting vp of his right arme to giue him a deadly blow which though he failed of the Emperour missed not the oportunitie but ran his Sword into him crosse-wayes through his body the King stood still with the blow the Emperour beheld him sorry he had kill'd him as his sword goar'd he perceiued hee had then suddenly and reelingly he ran with his last fury vpon him Amphilanthus could haue auoyded him but he only strake downe the thrust and caught him in his armes casting him selfe downe with him in the falling yeeld said Asdrusius thou art deceiued poore man said Amphilanthus with that Asdrusius lifted his arme vp as to haue one blow more but death then ceased on him so as embraced with an enemies curtesie he dyed Amphilanthus rysing and putting the body from him the Princes of both sides came in and the victory easily iudged the body was deliuered to the Celicians with liberty to depart Melisander being deliuered the Emperour with all honor conducted towards the Queene who with more then ioy or gladnes met him where she parted from him with delicate musique and tryumphant glory bringing him into the Castle and so to the Galleryes where he was vnarm'd and his wounds most gently tenderly and affectionately looked on by her selfe they were some in number nonâ— either dangerous or troblesome to his liberty of walking abroad When they were dressed the Councell standing all before them and his Princes with her Nobility they two sate downe vnder a cloath of estate loue expressing it selfe not only liuely but perfectly in their eyes he tooke her hand kiss'd it beheld her earnestly as amorously ready to make expression of what was expected and hoped for she as yeelding sate ready to grant while he still holding her hand in his and as passionately gazing in her affectionately requiâ—ing eyes and such were his excellent expressions and her louing entertayning those passions as command needed not to his followers who by outward sight knowledge by long acquaintance growing in the degree with experience knew their masters mind and so left him to expresse what his eyes promised leauing the place as free as their soules desired to be which would be granted only by rest and what rest on earth like the quiet enioying them selues which but with them selues they could doe her seruants by her respect to the Emperour learnt obedience and so to their owne happyest wishes left them They all gone Amphilanthus Master of the greatest part of the Westerne World and once as he assured him selfe Monarch of her heart before shee knew Asia or much more or scarce so much as her selfe much lesse her power ouer him would like a confident man and commanding louer neuer shewing as if an account were to be had from him for former faults vse the time and take the opportunity offer'd him so as his eyes fixt as they were and shee obseruing his he most louingly or rather passionately caught like a man drowning catching at the next thing to him to saue himselfe the Queene in his armes and as no offender except in boldnesse embraced her She would haue violently refused any other nay his neglect in an other person had forc'd the curstest punishment but heere shee onely blushd and receiu'd his loue as at first without expostulation discourse they also familarly did the wonted phrases of kindnesse in sweet familiarnesse were as free as if neuer laid aside Thus that day passed night being come and all retyrd to rest the Queene most happy and blest being againe enriched with his loue or the show it had before although the true fire was clearer and warmer this now suffised and was insteed of the truth filld vp to the like heate by the vnexpectednes of it Being in her bedd what Pamphilia said shee Is it possible that thou hast liued to see Amphilanthus kind againe Can he smile on these wrincles and be louing in my decay When hee told mee I was alterd for the worse and sleightly regarded me I fear'd but when he quite forsooke mee wretch what did I yet is he returning Truely I must confesse this to be as strange as his other change which I could not but like a blinde man be ledd to beleeue it was sung in my eares and blazed in mine eyes ere I could take off the Scarfe of credulity and vnblinde my hopes to see plainely my despaire and iust cause thereof when I haue sate sighing nay weeping for his disdaine wishing he might but see my teares which from strangers haue gain'd compassion He hath come in then how haue I cheerd vp my heart or rather my loue to him done it for me Wiped
were intrusted to him and he would not for loues sake breake a trust but as passionatly for his Lady as this for her loue read the pretty Pastorall thus in Sheapardesse names to couer her owne ill fortune the better 1 A Sheephard who no care did take of ought but of his flock Whose thoughts no pride could higher make Then to maintaine his stock Whose sheepe his loue was and his care Their good his best delight The Lambs his ioy their sport his fare His pleasure was their sight 2 Till Loue an enuier of mans blisse Did turne this merry life To teares to wishes which nere misse Incombrances with strife For whereas he was best content With looking on his sheepe His time in woes must now be spent And broken is his sleepe 3 Thus first his wofull change beganne A Lamb he chanc't to misse Which to finde out about hee ran Yet finds not where it is But as he past O fate vnkind his ill led him that way Whereas a willow Tree behind A faire young Maiden lay 4 Her bed was on the humble ground her head vpon her hand While sighs di'd shew her heart was bound In Loue 's vntying band Cleere teares her cleerest eyes let fall Vpon her Loue-borne face Which Heauenly drops did sorrow call proud witnes of disgrace 5 The Shephard stay'd and fed his eyes no farther might he passe But there his freedome to sight tyes His bondage his ioy was His Lambe he deemes not halfe so faire Though it were very white And liberty he thinkes a care Nor breath's but by her sight 6 His former life is alter'd quite His Sheepe feede in her eyes Her face his feild is of delight And flocks he doth despise The rule of them he leaues to none His Scrip he threw away And many â—e forsakes for one One he must now obey 7 Vnhappy man whose loosing found What better had bin lost Whose gaine doth spring from such a ground Whereby he must be crost The worldly care he now neglects for Cupids seruice tyes Care only to his fond respects where waue-like treasure lyes 8 As this lost man still gazing stood Amaz'd at such a sight Imagining no heauenly food To feede on but her sight Wishing but her beames to behold Yet grâ—iu'd he for her griefe When mournfully he did vnfold Her woes without reliefe 9 His new Sun rose and rysing said Farwell faire Willow tree The roote of my estate decay'd The fruit for haplesse me What though thy branch a signe be made Of labour lost in loue Thy beauty doth no sooner vade Then those best fortunes proue 10 My songs shall end with willow still Thy branches I will weare Thou wilt accompany my ill And with me sorrow beare True friend said she then sigh'd and turn'd Leauing that restlesse place And Sheephard who in pasâ—ions burn'd lamenting his sad case 11 Ths Maid now gone alone he left Still on her footsteps gaz'd And heartlesse growne by loue bereft of mirth in spirit rais'd To satisfie his restlesse thought He after her will hye His ruine to be sooner brought And sooner harme to try 12 Then thus his latest leaue he tooke My Sheepe said he farwell Let some new Shepheard to you looke Whose care may mine excell I leaue you to your freedome now Loues-lawes so fast me bind As no time I can you allow Or goe poore flock and find 13 The Maid whom I so dearely loue Say it was her deare sight Which from your keepe doth me remoue And kills my first delight Goe you my Dog who carefull were To guard my Sheepe from harme Looke to them still no care forbeare Though loue my senses charme 14 But you my Pipe that musick gaue And pleasd my silent rest Of you I company will craue Our states now suteth best For if that Faire no pity giue My dying breath shall cry Through thee the paines wherein I liue Whereby I breath to dye 15 Madly he ran from ease to paine Not sicke yet farre from well Heart robd by two faire eyes his gainâ— Must prooue his worldly Hell After his heart he fast doth hie His heart to her did flie And for a biding place did crie Within her breast to lie 16 She that refusd when he her spide Her whom he held most deare Lie weeping by a Riuers side Beholding papers neare Her ruling eyes must yet be dimbd While pearle like teares she shed Like shadowes on a Picture limbd At last these words she read 17 When I vnconstant am to thee Or false doe euer proue Let happinesse be banisht me Nor haue least taste of loue But this alas too soone cryd she Is O by thee forgot My hopes and ioyes now murtherd be And falsehood is my lot 18 Too late I find what t is to trust To words or oathes or teares Since they that vse them prooue vniust And colour but our feares Poore fooles ordaind to be deceiu'd And trust to be betrayd Scornd when our hearts are vs bereau'd Sought to a while delayd 19 Yet though that thou so false hast been I still will faithfull be And though thou thinkst to leaue no sinne I le make my loyalty To shine so cleare as thy foule fault To all men shall be knowne Thy change to thy changd heart be brought My faith abroad be blowne 20 This hauing said againe she rose The papers putting by And once againe a new way chose Striuing from griefe to fly But as she going was along That pleasant running streame She saw the Sallow trees among The Shepheard Aradeame 21 For so this wofull Lad was call'd But when she him beheld What witchcraft hath thee now inthral'd And brought thee to this field What can the cause or reason be That thou art hither come Where all must tast of misery And mirth with griefe intombe 22 If mirth must heere intombed be Faire Sheephardesse said he This place the fittest is for me If you vse cruelty For know I hither come to see Your selfe wherein now lyes My life whose absence martir'd me Whose sight my power tyes 23 Giue me but leaue to liue with you It is the life I craue To you I bound am to be true My life to you I gaue When first I did behold you lye In shade of willow tree That time my soule did to you tye Those eyes did murther me 24 Is this the reason ah cryd she The more I waile your case Who thus partaker needs will be In griefe and in disgrace I pitty you but cannot ayd You nor redresse your ill Since ioy and paine together pay'd Scarce satisfies the will 25 If I doe tye you I release The bond wherein you are Your freedome shall not find decrease Nor you accuse my care The paine I haue is all my owne None can of it beare part Sorrow my strength hath ouerthrowne Disdaine hath killd my heart 26 And Sheepheard if that you doe loue This counsell take of me This humor fond in time remoue Which can but
torture thee Take it from her who too too well Can witnesse it is so Whosâ— hope seem'd Heauen yet prou'd a Hell And comfort chang'd to woe 27 For I was lou'd or so I thought And for it lou'd againe But soone those thoughts my ruine brought And nourish'd all my paine They gaue the milke that fed be'eife Till wean'd they proued dry Their latter nourishment was griefe So famish't I must dye 28 Then see your chance I cannot change Nor my affection turne Disdaine which others moues to range Makes me more constant burne My sighs I 'me sure cannot you please My griefe no Musicke prooue My flowing teares your passions ease Nor woes delight your Loue. 29 If my sight haue your freedome wonn Receiue it backe againe So much my selfe I finde vndone By gifts which proue no gaine As I lament with them that loue So true in Loue I am And liberty wish all to proue Whose hearts waste in this flame 30 Yet giue me leaue sigh'd he with teares To liue but where you are My woes shal waite vpon your feares My sighs attend your care I le weepe when euer you shall waile If you sigh I will cry When you complaine I le neuer faile To waile my misery 31 I will you guard and safely keepe From danger and from feare Still will I watch when you doe sleepe And for both sorrowes beare Make me not free I bondage craue Nor seeke else but to serue This freedome will procure my graue These bonds my life preserue 32 For life and ioy and ease and all Alasse lyes in your hands Then doe not cause my only fall I ty'd am in such bands Part hence I cannot nor loue leaue But heere must euer bide Then pitty let my paine receiue Doe not from mercy slide 33 If that said she you constant are Vnto your comming ill I le leaue this place yet let all care Accompany me still And Sheepheard liue and happy be Let iudgment rule your will Seeke one whose hart from loue is free And who your ioy may fill 34 For I loue 's bond-slaue am and ty'd In fetâ—ers of Disdaine My hopes are frozen my Spring dry'd My Sommer drown'd with paine I lou'd and worse I said I lou'd Free truth my ruine brought And so your speech the like hath mou'd and losse for gayning bought 35 With that away she hasted fast Left him his cares to holde Who now to sorrow make all hast Woes driue his hopes to fould Now he can see and weeping say His fortune blind he finds A heart to harbour his decay A state which mischeife binds 39 This now he feeles and wofully His birth and life he blames Yet passions rules when reasons lye in darke or quenched flames That place he first beheld her in his byding he doth make The Tree his liberty did win He cals his Martyr stake 37 And pleasingly doth take his fall his griefe accoumpts delight Freedome and ioy this bitter thrall His food her absent sight In contraryes his pleasures be While mourning giues him ease His Tombe shall be that haplesse Tree Where sorow did him ceaze 38 And thus did liue though daily dy'd The Sheephard Arideame Whose causlesse teares which neuer dry'd were turnd into a streame Himselfe the head his eyes the spring Which fâ—d that Riuer cleere Which to true harts this good doth bring When they approch it neere 39 And drinke of it to banish quite All fickell thoughts of change But still in one choyce to delight And neuer thinke to range Of this sweete water I did drinke Which did such faith infuse As since to change I cannot thinke Loue will death sooner chuse She that was before wonne what wrought this in her seeing loue seeking loue expression moouing admmiration and that so much as to admire him in her choyce at first sight so well to chuse but the truest worke or weft of her Loome was to doe which was to winne him winne shee would and at last as nothing or very little is hard to purchase in a mans breast a kind pitty or rewarding loue as if but exchanging and the latter part of that their marchandize She compassed her desires like her selfe the worst way for she made the poore louing Cauterino be the meanes to his losse vrging very much and earnestly shee replied that if hee loued so much as hee said hee should expresse it by bringing Dorileus to speake with her framing the cause to be concerning a Sister of hers in the house whom she said was farre gone in loue with him Hee gladdest of this that thus hee might serue her seuerall wayes went straite to his friend and most friendly brought him vnto her into a Garden appointed for it going away as kindly as shee wished leauing them together who then priuate she began My Lord said she you may well taxe me of boldnes but impudence I beseech you cleere me off since Loue the powrefull god of hearts commands mee to this adventure in which yet I blush least you should otherwise iudge of me then of feruent affection which hath stirred this vnusuall manner contrary to a womans modesty in seeking you but my Lord my loue is so violent to you as that blinds me to any course but this which is to beg pitty of you and compassion for my paine The hardest heart could hardly denye such a request much lesse his which was neuer in that kind cruell wherefore he went the neerest way to content her granting her request and appointing that night to waite vpon her what a busines shee kept then her Chamber was so perfumed and sweetely furnished her selfe so delicate to entertaine as when hee came hee thought it a braue Iourney and dainty conquest of himselfe for shee wooed and he had now the labour saued of Courting louing and all other troubles but yeelding which is easie on such conditions for the best of that Sexe to doe The night is come and hee prepared went to his Mistris the other amorous Duke being extremely molested with his passion could not sleepe but vexed with doubt and loue rose from his bed and went to his friends chamber to discourse and so ease his burdned burning breast but thither arriued he found only a light burning his Page asleepe in the chayre at the beds feete and the Duke absent this strake him into a iealous passion as thinking none so worthy as his Mistris none so likely there fore to be serued and so concluded none other then this wrong to him Then he complained against his friend for breach of friendship since hee knew how much he loued but straite came this againe that that tye without breach might be broken for loue cannot be resisted and none can command that power so as force not will did heere offend but all women for this tricke he reuiled and cursed himselfe for being the meanes and helpe for thus betraying him making him the instrument as in scorne for her satisfaction in loue and