and more he was confirm'd in his belief and apprehension when he understood that that same night wherein we had departed a Ship having the wind at large had from the Port of Cambaye hoysed Sail towards the Isle of Zeilan Where the War was hot against the King of Maldives that either for renown we would go serve under one of those two Kings or else land iâ— some one of the King of Narsingas havens whose neighbour and allâ—â— and friend the King of Zeiland is Having a good while thought thereon he went and told the King of his opinions who presently believ'd we had indeed that way escaped and protested that the Captaines life should answer as he thought for carrying us away without his leaves Wherefore a Post was preently dispatch'd from Campanel to Cambaye with directions that hee should set forth with speed a light Vessell to seek afer that which three or four dayes past had put to Sea and for more surety he dispach'd another Messenger by Land to Bazaim to send out another Vessell to surprize that which he thought had wafted us and that if happily the first might not light on him the other should not chuse but meet him however they were charg'd to go as farre as zeilan in their chace and that before he could have doubled the Cape of Commorin they should have some newes of him Here Madam you may see what news Neander brought us from the Court for which cause having call'd a Councill among us we resolv'd to put off our journey to Narsinga for a while and spend delightfully some time in the King of Decans Court which sometimes is at the City of Bider and otherwhiles in the great City of Visaporus and because those goodly cities are far in the Countrey we conceiv'd they would not come and seek us there and that after the time were past wherein those that were gone in quest of us had in vain enquired in Narsinga we would freely go on our jouruey under the names which we had newly taken of Taxilus and Cleontus Wherefore we departed from Pala and us'd such industry as we arived at Bider where we thought to find the King of Decan as being the chiefest City of his Kingdom But we understood that he was but a little while before retir'd to Visaporus which over and above that it is better fortified with men and walls is likewise seared in an air more temperate and pleasing And here Madam it is fit I tell you something of this poor Prince who not long ago was Master of so many Countreyes and such mighty wealth and through his own default hath caused the ruine of himself and them I doubt not but you know the whole story of his life and therefore will I say no more of his behaviours nor his doings than to the purpose of my History This miserable King who car'd for nothing more than how in ease and quietnesse to spend his time and buried in voluptuousnese being both lasie in his nature and distrustfull even to fear his own Children whose names were Demonax the one as he himself was called and Araxus the other that at greater case hee might enjoy his soft contentments cast the burden of his State from off himself and gave the charge of his twelve great Provinces to twelve of his free'd slaves upon condition that each of them should send his Eldest Son into the City of Visaporus there to remain as pledges to him where for greater safety he retir'd He had besides those Sons a Daughter of exceeding beauty who as the Kingdom and the City she was born inâ— was call'd Orixa for in former time King Demonax his father and the Queen his wife went thither great with child as then she was to wash her in the River Ganges which passeth through the Kingdom of Orixa and hath this secret vertue that it clenseth from all sorts of sins and I have understood the King your father whose it is draws a large tribute from it for the Pilgrimage is famous through the Indes But for it does not appertain to my discourse I say no more thereof to tell you only in the pursute of my History that we went from Bider unto Visaporus where we were sure to finde the King of Decans Court and just as we arrived at the great City we heard many Trumpets sounding flourishes with distinct pauses betwixt each flourish and three times renew'd and this within the great place where stands the Royal Palace and after saw a great man clad in a rich Coat of Arms accompanied by four Heralds and because after having gone three or sour times about at the sound of those Trumpets and brazen Drums they at length stayed about the middle of that place we drew us neer to understand what they would say and heard that one of them with louder and resounding voice than the rest uttered these following words Be it known unto all Princes Lords Knights * Are amoÌ„g the Indians as the Janizaries among the Turks Naires their Chiefs throughout the whole Kingdom of Decan and Malabares adjoyning and of whatever Kingdom or Country else excepting such as have been banished or are enemies unto our Sovereign Lord King Demonax that the eighth day from this being he twentieth of the Moon in this same place shall be a great defiance at arms amost noble and magnificent Combate sought with Darts and Lances in their fit caparisons with Crests Coats of Arms Foot-cloaths and Targets garnished with sine devices as braâ— Combatants according to the antient customs of this Kingdom and as Chiefs Prince Demonax defendant on the one side and Araxus as assâ—ilant on the other all for the glory of the King and celebration of the happy day of his nativity which falls to be the twentieth of this Moon And for those causes know ye moreover Princes Lords and Knights and Capains of Naires as well of this Kingdom as whatever Country else who for the love of honor shall desire to excrcise themselves and for the pleasure of the Ladies that they must think thereon and chuse them God-fathers that their names may be written down before the Judges of the Combate of whom they must be taught the rules and that they will be more encouraged to glory when they knew the Ladies purpose to bestow most fair and costly prizes as well upon the Darts and Persian Lances as the Fencing after the custom of Molabar which will be exercis'd the following daies As soon as this Proclamation by the Herald was concluded we withdew our selves out of the throng that compassed him extreamly pleas'd that an occasion should so soon be offered after our arrivall wherein our skill might be commended and knowing very well the Language for the great conformity it hath with ours having enquired of the first we met where we ruight be conveniently lodged we were conducted by one of them unto a house of his which was both great and spacious where certain other
fear if that he should not have too openly declared himself and with insolency abused the prosperity of his fortune and his Armes this made him hide his discontent and yeelding to necessity permitted her to go away who had fomented still his courage and was cause of all the goodly actions he had done It was indeed the King of Maldives project to besiege the City of Colombo that in some sort he might repair his severall assronts receiv'd in many Sea fights But by the impatient courage of Lisimantus he was prevented who sinding they were slow in comming and perceiving how the King his Masters Forces were augmented by the late ayd sent by the King of Narsinga his Brother in Law thought sit to prevent the enemy and go lay battery to Bandos his chiefest fortresse which was not far from the Isle of Male where then he made his war-like provisions And that which put him upon the enterprize was that he had intelligence within the place he proposed it to the councill of warre who approv'd thereof and was so happy as his plot succeeded for the King his Masters advantage he took that Castle under the King of Maldives nose who was come to succour it sunck divers of his great ships and in a word to finish all his victories he defeated absolutely the King of Maldives who fled into the farthest parts of the Isles of Palandurus he got all his Countries wherewith he enlarged his Masters and did such notable things and worthy of admiration as will never be forgotten as you shall more at large perceive in the fifth Book of this History for I mean now to tell you only what adventures brought him to the City of Baticalus No sooner was he return'd victorious into the Island of Zeilan but the King had notice that the two revolted slaves the faithlesse Rozalcan and his Brother Zabain who had usurp'd the Kingdome of Decan and driven out of all their lawfull Princes not contented with the Signiories of those twelve mighty Provinces would yet augment themselves at the charges of the King of Narsinga from whom already they had taken the Country of Canara which bordered on them and lay convenient for their purpose As soon as the King of Zeilan knew hereof having no more to fear now from the King of Maldives whose pride was well abated though nothing more than how to succour and revenge his friend his neighbour and allie the King of Narsinga to whom he sent back his Troops adding as many of his own subjects under the conduct of Lisimantus whose service by the same occasion he presented him if in the present necessity of his affairs he thought him needfull You may imagine if our Heros who did seek but new occasion to employ his courage in was very glad to find it in a place where he was sure to see the sweetest object of his thoughts he did not run he flew unto it and being arriv'd at Bisnagar where then the King of Narsinga was he had the honour to divide the Royall Army with the Prince Arontus only heir to those great Kingdoms of Narsinga Bisnagar and of Orixa But Arontus as great reason was did choose and took the greatest and the hardest task to undergo Lisimantus then with those Troops which he brought out of Zeilan were sent to re-obtain the Country of Canara from the enemies and the Prince Arontus led his Army into the Kingdome of Decan resolving to root out those two slaves which had revolted from their Prince and caus'd so many and so divers mischiefs he therein bore himself so bravely that having met them in the field and with the pride of all their Army he gave them battail he slew Zabain with his own hand and aided by the valour of Ariomont and Callistenus had so glorious a success as that he rooted out those Monsters of whom the one as I have said with his own hand he slew but from the other had his mortall wound who was then presently tane prisoner by and by shall serve to adorn the Funerall Triumph of that Prince falln in his victory and whom to sorrow for we begun already Before those passags in Decan Lisimantus had already done so well his duty as he regain'd the Province of Canara so famous for those three Cities Onor Mangalor and Baticalus and after he had put to death or banisht far enough from thence all those who had been constant to those slaves who faith-less had oppos'd themselves against his power he sent a post to give knowledge of it to the King of Narsinga which when he understood as well because he would enjoy the fruits of that valiant Cavaliers victory as for his neer being to Decan and sooner having advertisements from his Son he left the great City of Bisnagar removed his whole Court to Baticalus wich heretofore had been the antient burying place of the first Kings of Narsinga when they aboad in the Country of Canara and shall serve shortly in the same stead unto the generous Arontus There 't was that Lisimantus saw again the dearest object of his passion there 't was that all his great desires awaked and where he thought having orecome his enemies he should obtain fair Lisimena But though that beautious Princess knew sufficiently Lisimantus merits and was not ignorant of one of all those services he did her Father the evill relish of his petty birth diverted her from loving him and from his conversation too for fear lest those perfections which she noted in his mind and body might at length gain on her and light a fire which was already kindling in her heart which then she might not know to quench The fair Orazia knew all the secrets of her soul as she had likewise opened hers to Lisimena and whiles each entertained other with their amorous resentments there came a Post from the King of Zeilan who crav'd again his daughter and pray'd the King of Narsinga to send her back because there was no stir or trouble now within his Countries But this news greatly grieved Orazia who was like to lose and may be lose for ever that deer Princess unto whom besides so neer a bloud so great and perfect friendship had united her However little was that sorrow to another which befell her shortly after by the arivall of a Post come from Decan who as I said brought her the wofull newes of her only brother Arontus death But for we have already mentioned the honours meant unto him although dead and the provisions fitted for his triumph Let us go on in our story and renew no more the plaints and griefs which but too oft already I have for a losse so generall repeated Scarce had a Month been spent since that sad news had entred Baticalus when a Post from Ariomant came to the King to give him notice of his Victorious Armies coming home which waited on the glorious body of his Son Immediately that valiant King forgetting or dissembling
had brought that little Prince into the world with pains incredible she choaked in her Convulsions and the first hower of her childbed gave the last unto her life Now though Alcidaris were not ensirely so much tender of her at she of him nor had the just same feelings that she had yet could not chuse but by that unexpected death receive most strong impressions great was the grief he shewed and whatsoever pomp the quality of so great and vertuous a Princesse as she was requir'd did wait upon his mourning and her Funerals But as there is no wound however it may seem incurable but time may heal this which Alcidaris received was not so great as that there needed a whole age to comfort him for after one year ended he became most passionably enamored of the Queen Anaxareta who by the death of her brother Spimantus newly being arriv'd was heir unto the Kingdom of Dulcinda which does on the one side border on the King my fathers Countries and on Persia on the other The reason why so passionately he pursu'd that Love was that besides his pleasure there was profit in it and thought that by uniting Dulcinda to his other Kingdoms he should be an equal powerful neighbour to the Persian Perswaded by these reasons but more by love that forced him he sent one named Pirobus and of the ablest of his Kingdom in Embassage to the Queen Anaxareta He was receiv'd as coming from so great a Prince with much magnificence but wondred greatly that the answer he received was no more favorable She only told him thus that the King of Cambaye had done her a great deal of honour but that the King her brother being so lately dead and having scarce wip'd off her tears it could not be she should so soon forget him nor in such haste run from his Funerals to her own espousals and therefore pray'd the King his Master not to hold it strange that she desired more time to think thereof This Embassador who was a man of great discretion and knew the extream passion of Alcidaris resting but poorly satisfied with this answer and knew his Master would be likewise so bethought him that of Force some greater reason must restrain the Queen than of her brothers death who almost two years since had died and should have caus'd her greater joy than sorrow for which cause he makes adresses to the chiefest Statist there and dives into him to discover if he could his Mistriss meanings he shews him how the King of Cambaye was her neer neighbour and one of the most powerful Monarchs of the Indies That over and above his greatness and his wealth he had all qualities which might commend a man to a fair Ladies acceptation that in all Asia his Mistresse could not finde a fitter match that there needed no long time to think upon a matter which depended only on her will And that he knew not what to infer by the coldness of her answer save that she loved some other since she neglected the desires of a Prince so mighty and one who could not be but a great strength unto her This States-man who desired to pay him with more solid reasons than the Queen had done thought t was no matter of importance if he told him what he guest she thought which was that being of a mighty spirit and knowing that Alcidaris had had a son by the Queen Berenica who as himself was call'd Alcadaris and should when he were dead possesse his Kingdoms she could not abide that those that should proceed from her should ever happen to be seconds or in rank or in affection and being able to dispose of the Kingdom of Dulcinda she thought she might do better to chuse out a Gentleman her Subject who should be her creature and by whom she might have children heirs to her possessions than to match a King of whose inheritance she could not see a hope for hers And this said he in my opinion is the cause that backs the Queen for she is not so ignorant both of the qualities and vertues of the King your Master but that she holds him for the man of most advantage for her choice save only that his heir is born already Pirobus more satisfi'd herewith than by the reasons given him from the Queen though very little notwithstanding seeing how far from giving comfort to his Master returns towards him and from point to point gives him account of his Embassage Alcidaris as well as possible he could dissembled the disquiet this il news procur'd him and I know not if his love oblig'd him or that as yet some little hope remained for him But as if heaven would favour his desires about eight or ten months end report ran all about that the young Prince Alcidaris was very sick and that his tender age not able to defend it self against the strong assaults of a continued Feavor death had delivered him The sorrow which the King put on was so great that for the space of forty daies he suffred not himself to be seen by any creatures except Pirobus his faithful Counsellour The noise of his great losse immediately was spread throughout and came to the Queen Anaxaretas ears who seeing that great obstacle remov'd desir'd no greater thing in all the world than that alliance and in a word to end Pirobus being sent the second time had his desire and some few daies after did Alcidaris possesse both Anaxaretas beauties and her Kingdoms peacefully Now Madam from that happy Marriage I am sprung and named Anaxander from my Mothers name Almost about the same time I was born Ametista Queen of Citor and only sister to the King my father was delivered of Piroxenus whom you see here under name of Callistenus we were bred up and taught together and besides our age and blood which knit us in a perfect friendship nature augmented it by so exact a correspondency of humours as never was observed the least disparity in our opinions and truly since our friendship hath foundation but on vertue only t is not to be admired that from a cause eternal such effects of everlastingness are seen The wise Evander from my tendrest youth had me in government and Alcidaris who much desired to frame me after the example of that honorable man drew him from the Province of Carmanie on very great expence for he was Master of some nine or ten Languages and ignorant of nothing that another man did know He had not only care of me but likewise had an eye to Piroxenus whom he found exceeding capable of his good doctrines and we both so well profited by his instructions as we soon learned all the secrets of the Persian and Arabique tongues which travel mostly throughout all the Indies this side Ganges Besides the recreations of our minds we exercis'd our bodies likewise and familiarly disguising our selves on daies of ceremony or delight we got the prizes with our Lances and at Fencing too and
sole consideration which you stuck on was that by the Queen Berenisa my first wife I had a Son and that my heir already born you would not suffer that your Children should be second in affection or degree to any This being return'd me by my faithfull Pirobus I seem'd to take no notice of it but after some time was past wee both agree'd together that if I meant to compass my desire in that sute where-on depended all my happiness I must needs send away my Son and spread a noyse that he was dead And judge you Madam to what extremity I loved you being compell'd to take so contrary a resolution to the lawes of nature For this cause I commanded a Coffin to be laid with Royall pomp into the earth and suffered none in forty dayes to see me that I might better act the part of a lost Father Mean while I gave my Son in charge to Pirobus whose name was like mine own Alcidaris not to be sent so far away but that I might when I desir'd hear often of him He had acquaintance with an Arabian Merchant and an honest man named Eurimedes who was most frequent in the City of Deu one of the best havens of my Kingdom and teaded to Cambaye where at that time he was To him he went and gave that pledge into his custody which for your love I had abandoned He told the Merchant how he had receiv'd that child from a woman of great quality commended him to his best cate and that he might be bred among his own and told him one day it m ight happen that a worthy recompence might grow unto him In the inferior because he might be known again and for he had no mark about him Pirobus made one upon his arm where he imprinted the Arms of Cambaye with a needles point and the joyce of a certain herb wch never wears away which done he does again commend him to the Merchant whom that he might the better love the child and be more carefull of him he enjoyned to beslow his own name of Eurimedes upon him In so much as very often I have heard of him also known the Merchants care as well for the great pâ—yâ— cause him every year to receive as for the love he bears to Pirobus to whom he thinks he is obliged for that favour But Madam said the King moreover the Gods can bear me witness I had tane your deer Anaxander into so great affection as I forgot the love I ought his Brother and if he had well behav'd himself I think his humor which beyond all others that I know delighted me together with my wonderfull affection to your self had so much won upon me as I had made him heir to all my three Crowns but seeing he hath shewn himself so giddy-headed and so ill advised as to leave me to pursue his foolish fantasies as well as his Cousin whom so deerly I had loved having no other prop to rest on left me Think not a miss Madam that I send Pirobus to Diu to seek me out Alcidaris 't is now no longer fit he should be hid nor that on my part I should more conceal the love I bear my proper Son These my deer children said Evander are the very words the King himself delivered who without alteration at the Queens complaints and tears dispatched Pirobus immediately Being ariv'd at Diu he wonderfully amazed the Merchant when he told him that ye child whom he so long had bred was heir unto the King The noise hereof was spread incontinently through the City and all the inhabitants came in throngs to kisse their Princes hands Pirobus who had not seen him since his first delivery into the Merchants hands could know him only by the mark he graved on his arm The young man more than any other grew in admiration at the honors which were done him For he believ'd he was that Merchants son and look'd for nothing lesse than to be honor'd as a Prince He was by Pirobus conducted to the City of Campanel and carried both the Merchant and his children with him on whom he afterward caus'd goodly Offices to be conferred As soon as his arrival was but known the greatest of the Court went forth to meet him and the King with testimonies of exceeding joy received him but this did not long endure For that young Prince was so ill bred and had among those people of inferiour quality who had kept him gotten such evill habits as that his presence served but to make you more lamented but above all the Queen could not endure that in your stead a beast should have such worship who by his filthy carriage had made himself contemptible to all the world The King commanded me to take him to my Government But finding in him no appearance of common sense and seeing him too old to form his mind to any good I did despair ever to make of him a civill man and you may think my dear children whether I finding in that poor Prince spirit nothing but thornes and briers instead of goodly seeds of vertue which I found in you I had great cause to be delighted with my charge The King who in that ill made Picture could not know himself made Pirobus a thousand times to swear he was the same which he had from him As for my self seeing I lost my labour and my time in teaching him besides the finall d fire or none at all I had thereto being afflicted as I was for losse of you and dreaming nothing â—â—sse than ere again to see you I aâ—th last resolv'd to go and seek ye out in what part of the World soever ye might be And that which more old god me thereto was that knowing all the secâ—eâ—s of Astrology and having by that Art foreseen that at two severall times ye should run hazard of a violent death I would make tryall if by my diligent and carefull seeking after you I might divert the mischiefs which the Sâ—â—rs had threatened yeâ— withall Besides my own affection thereunto I was incited by the general complaints of all the better sort of people in the Kingdom who could not without sorrow yield obedience to a Prince of so ill making and so evill doings and who already did begin to apprehend his future domination Therefore as soon I had known no news was to be hâ—d of you at sea and that as many as had gone after you were come again no wiser than they went remembring I had in secret heard your meditations on the Princess Orizâ—a's Picture and that I had often heard ye though in and out to name the word Narsinga I imagined you might be gone disguised thither and have passed over land that you might crosse through that unhappy Kingdom of Decan whereof I remembred to have heard you mention so many wonders of their gallantry But unfortunate as ye are by what I see ye have met nofavored me by my arrivall here at Visaporus just
renew that bloody edict against Duels not able resolve to expell his imaginary enemy but by honorable waies without more ado because his jealous fury would admit of no delay he purposed to watch him from that very evening when he should return unto his amorous appointment that he might assign an other and provoke him to sight with him He had understood from Aquilant by what way he had accustomed to enter the Garden of Fountains and because he had also learnt that he came alwaies accompanied with his friend without farther enquiry and dissembling what he thought before Aquilant he went to one Zenobus whom he had made Governor of Baticalus and of whose courage he had great assurance having seen in severall occasions his performance and drawing him aside discours'd thus to him Brave Zenobus thou knowest the love I bear thee and after what manner I have ever trusted my important secrets to thy judgement and courage wherefore I intend no longer preamble to tell thee that I need thy sword to aid me in the demanding of reason for an affront I have receiv'd It troubles me to take thee from that place so soon so proper for thee and which thou oughtest longer to enjoy because undoubtedly the rigor of the late Edict will force thy absence But I would swear so well am I assored of thy bravery that better fortunes could not hinder thee from running hazards with me A man that had not been very generous would have been much amaz'd at this discourse for one of these he must resolve either to quit the Land or else expose himself to an exemplary punishment to appease the Kings anger But Zenobus whose hears was good and who besides his obligations to Lisimantus found himself engagd to serve him for his honor sake answer'd him freely that he held it for great honor that he would elect him for that occasion how that it was one of the greatest proofs he ever had receiv'd of his esteem and friendship and that he should not so much as mention the Government of Baticalus for that he never did account thereof but as he had received it of him and that he should gain more by following him than by a constant residence in one place where he after could not be eye-witnesse of his fair exploits Lisimantus very much pleased at that freedom nam'd him the man with whom he was to do and having a neer guess at Anaxander and Piroxenus his swords they fitted two of equall length But Zenobus who was not so blinded with passion as Lisimantus whiles the hour that should be favorable to his friends revenge approached had the care to make provision for his surety and his own and forasmuch as they had purposed to fight by the light of the Moon upon the Sea shore he caused a Bark to be ready to transport them into Zeylan a sure sanctuary for them when they should have slain their enemies over whom they hoped for a suddain victory Lisimantus approv'd of that design because if after that Duel he should fall into the King of Narsinga his hands a most severe observer and beyond imagination of his Edicts he must run a great hazard although a stranger as he was to serve as an example and his services done the Crown might not it may be have assured him The heat of the day was over and night by its sweet humidity began to invite all the world to rest except our Lovers whom for severall respects it doubly disquieted For Anaxander who on the one side came accompanied with his friend to bid fare well unto his Princess seared to be too late at his amorous randezvous and on the other side Lisimantus feared his too late arrival whose impatience scarce permitted any longer to defer his taking revenge He kept himself concealed in a by corner of the street every minute complaining to his faith-full Zenobus that his adversary was too long a comming when he spied him appear with his dear Piroxenus walking a little before going as t were the round surveighing every quarter thereabout to see if he could discover any body Lisimantus and his second instantly retired themselves to give them leave to come neerer the Princesses Garden door which stood betwixt shut and open to receive them And when they were neer enough stay Ariomant cry'd Lisimantus who therewithall stept forth stay thou persidious man thou hast too long enjoy'd a happinesse which I have better than thy self deserved and is refused me by ungratefull Fortune I have prepar'd thee other Cates than those thou goest to in the Garden let us but draw aside a little that we may not be interrupted and I shall tell thee my resentments Anaxander who distrusted nothing was much astonished to see himself discovered and believed that treason had been contrived for him by some one of the Princesses domestiques but when by the brightnesse of the Moon which was by this time well advanced he discovered Lisimantus he was more than formerly surpriz'd for he knew he was in love with Lisimena and thought his jealousie deceived him however finding himself offended at the injurious words which inconsiderately he spake that he had greater merit than himself instead of more courteous saluting him which undoubtedly he had done if he had come with mildnesse to him Lisimantus said he to him had not thy choler too much at first transported thee I would have plaintly shewn thee thy mistake but seeing thy presumption renders thee unworthy of excuse I mean to shew the presently that in ill time thou hast delighted to offend a man of greater justice than thy self Le ts talk no more reply'd Lismantus and that as sew may see us as we can le ts fight upon the strand which is not above two hundred paces hence thou hast no reason to defer it till another time because the Moon is bright and I have brought a man to entertain your friend Le ts go said Anaxander I am not so good at words as actions Meanwhile that this was doing the Princesses who heard confusedly the murmure of their voices though ignorant of the cause for fear of scandal shut the door which was but little open and when they found that Anaxander came not they imagined a part of the misfortune which had hapned and thought that some one had watched the two Princes and pricked onward with some just sense had sought for reason and that undoubtedly that was the cause from which the noise they heard proceeded Immediately the fair Orazia caus'd Saradin to be call'd to her and with her eyes laden with tears conjured him to run to Anaxanders lodging and that if there he found him not he should seek every where and try if he could discover no body on the strand because she was assiu'd she heard some quarel at the Garden door Saradin made all the haste he could to finde our combatants but he had too late notice of it for the businesse was dispatched ere he found
death The word wounded her heart as soon as her ear and as a sharp dart peirced it on every side she strove to resist the unhappiness which surprized her but she was taken at an instant in so much as staggering in Saradins arms who held her up he was at length constrain'd to let her fall upon the Velvet floar clean lost he was ready to call her women to her aid but considering the accident requir'd but sew witnesses and finding in her Closet some cold water he cast thereof upon her face and caused her eyes to half open Madam cryed he suddenly to her come to your self despair not before time happily Anaxander may not be dead and that which makes me think he is not is because you were your self even now just in his plight and I perceive you breath again then presently he unlaced her bodies and when she had more liberty she opened broad her eyes which suddainly were drowned in a multitude of tears and when she would have unclos'd her mouth to have seconded the with her complaints and griefs she could not uster more than two or three sight which she drow from the bottom of her heart and were as many witnesses of her most deadly sorrow Saradin conceived by that action that she was not yet perfectly come to her self and though her fair eyes were exceedingly troubled he saw as clearly as in her heart the second seebleness that threatned her and cast water again upon her face and wrung her hands and cryed in her car and us'd such means as that at length he got her perfectly out of her swoundings When she was ready to begin her complaints one of her women took the boldnesse to enter her Chamber to give notice that a Gentleman desiring to speak with Saradin about matters of great importance expected him at the door Saradin imagining it to be one of those whom he had left with Anaxander went forth with leave of the Princesse and found it to be Almerin who was come hastily to tell them that his Mastet lived yet and that some order or other must be speedily taken to perserve him for that there ran already through the City a whisper of that Duel Saradin intreated his patience a little and ran into the Closet to repair the evill which his first intelligence had caused The Princesse commanded that Almerin should he let enter who recounted to her his Masters adventure whom they had lamented dead how God be praised he was come again to himself how they had brought him out of the way and upon their cloaks carried him unto a green bed where he was much better than upon the strand but where the moistnesse of the night might however do him great harm in case he were not suddainly succoured Hereof they all three consulted and Saradin having proposed to have him conveighed unto a Castle which he had some ten leagues off upon the road to Bisnagar the Princess held it fit without considering in the trouble she was in as well as the rest that that Castle was the first lodging the King meant to take who within two daies intended to depart from Bacicalus to return for Bisnagar and having made choice of a very excellent Chirurgion and the Princess furnishe the Litter they went to take Anaxander and together with Piroxonus and Neander convaighed him all the night as far as the Castle where Saradin at first conceal'd him in a Chamber very private for fear the King in passing might discover him As soon as he had sitted him with what was necessary he left him in the company of his dear Piroxenus and his two Gentlemen and returned upon the gallop to Baticalus which was already full of that Duel And to prevent a search the Princesse thought good to spread a noise that Anaxander was slain for that Lisimantus was seen fly and that the fishermen who had reported it had seen Anaxander stretched out in his own blood without any appearance of life lamented of his people and be wailed of his friends which gave an easie credit of his death It was the absence only of those valiant Cavalliers and of their friends which gave suspicion they had fought for not withstanding the noise of their Duel which had run through the City had they returned safe there being no man to accuse them they had run no hazard nor fallen into any kinds of trouble But when the King found them all four away and that he knew that those from whom he expected greatest supports in the maintainance of his Edict had been the first infringers he raged and swearing deeply that he would be revenged even upon the dead commanded that Ariomants body should be sought for to expose it to the shame of punishment I perceive said he my authority is very openly scorned and I were very worthy to be laughed at by my neighbours if I endured the violation of an Edict made but three daies since for whose execution I have so solemnly sworn upon the Altars I vow again even by my Fathers Soul that Lisimantus though a stranger as he is shall repent him of it and that he shall not so close keep himself in Zeylan but I will one day sinde him our to be revenged on him As for Ariomant who hath been as it were naturaliz'd among us and who hath lived under my pay I will that he endure our justice and that his body dead as it is be dismembred by the ministers of justice and I proclaim him an enemy to my State and Crown whoever shall conceal or assist to the close keeping of Galistenus in continuance of this protestation he promised the Government which Zenobus had of Baticalus to whomsoever should bring him any one of those four either alive or dead immediately every man sets himself upon the quest but there was too faith-full a care had of Anaxanders surety whose wounds however great being found not deadly Piroxenus and he made but sport of that adventure they promised themselves to spend the time merrily one day with the King of Narsinga when they should return to Gonzarat in Princes equipage having sent their Embassadors before them In the mean while for fear lest the noise of that Duel and the pretended death of Anaxander spread through all parts might not cause Orixa whom they had left unknown in Visaporus to suspect some disaster they dispatched Neander toward her for her satisfaction and to tell her the cause of their delay assuring her that as soon as Anaxander should be recovered they would travel for Gouzarat and return with all expedition in the quality they had promised her taking with them only faithful Almerin to serve them as occasion offered it self On the other side the King causing so exact a search to be made for Ariomant sent every moment to Oyazias soul most deadly fears who doubting that her Ariomant was not enough conceal'd was a thousand times tempted to discover his name and birth unto her
for that his arrivall must 〈◊〉 have pleased them and rather have obliged the King of Cambaya to Aispatch Pirabus in Anaxanders behalf than on the part of young Alcidaris whose unfortunate birth a thousand times a day he cursed But continuing her discourse she asked him what assurance there was of the two Princes death which he lamented Madam answered Pirabus the common report hath instructed us in that unfortunate adventure they had in Visaporus where they so beastlike were condemn'd to death I know of each particular said Orazia but certainly they died not there T is true Madam replyed Pirobus that they died not in that conflict but when Visaporus was besirged where the fair Orixa died of her Feavor a little after the King of Decan her father was murthered in his flight by a serving-man and that that cruell end which was not yet come to her knowledge had caused that of the Queen her mother who sunk under the burden of her sorrow you have understood how the two Princes Araxus and Demonax finding themselves put hardly to it fearing the two staves who desired but their lives caused Anaxander and Piroxenus our Maslers to think fit to hazard a sally upon the enemy it being the only way they could attempt to avoid the funy of Rozinloan and Zabain who would reign without impediment Now we are told Madam of all those who escaped living from that fatal sally that our Masters were there slain together with the two Princes of Decan had it not been so we should undoubtedly have since heard of them but their deaths have been confirmed to us by so many that 't were too great mincredulicy to doubt thereof The beautiful Orazia seeing that this supposed death of Anaxander and Piroxenus wrought so real a sorrow in Pirobus did think it charity to tell him the truth however not willing to do any thing without Anaxanders consent and seeing that the King her father had yet three daies to remain in Baticalus where the Embassidour had stayed him she dispatched Saradin whom she could only trust and gave him charge to hasten to her Lover with this advertisement and to come back ere Pirobus who was to do part the day following should return for Gouzarat Meanwhile when the Embassadour taking his leave kissed her hand she could not forbear saying to him that she believed those he sorrowed son were alive Saradin immediately mounted on an excellent Courser galloped with all speed to his own home and finding the two Princes together for that Piroxenus since Anaxanders hurts had not stirred out of his sight he related to them the comming of Pirobus the subject of his Embassage and the discourse he entertain'd the Princess with which much astonish'd them and made them believe that poor Evander was dead on the way They deliberated sufficiently what to do hereupon and whether it were not best to discover themselves upon that occasion seeing that if they endured the Prince Alcidaris his sute it might be feared that the King of Cambaya resolute upon that match might in very few daies hasten the accomplishment On the other side Anaxander held it no way safe to declare himself so soon after that Combat which had so much displeased the King and did most wisely foresee that they might be blamed by an imputation that being by reason of the greatnesse of their bi ths assured from the punish neut they had most rashly broken am Edict which themselves ought to have preserved inviolable within the Dominions of a King whom they loved and to whom they sought to be allied â—t length after full consideration knowing hat Pirobus was the next day to depart from Baticalus they resolved that Piroxenus should go all that night to way-lay him at his first daies lodging and make himself privately known to him and trust with his discretion the truth of all their adventures Saradin took leave of them in this resolution and very glad that Anaxander did so well of his hurts there being hope that three weeks time would make him well returned to him Mistresse who on her side rejoyced infinitely as well for the recovery of her Love as for the purpose Piroxenus had taken As soon than as the Embassadour had received the Kings commands and the two Princesses of Narsinga Zeylan and that he was departed for Baticalus he was amazed to finde at his first journeys end the King his Masters Nephew the generous Prince of Citor expecting him he at first took it for an illusion which deceived his eyes but when by his face and action and speech he knew him to be Piroxenus he cast himself up â—n one knee and weeping for joy strove to have kissed his hand But Piroxenus raising him up venerable Pirobus said he my Cousin Anaxander and my self have understood the cause of your journey by a Gentleman whom the Princess Orazia sent unto us and because the request you have made the King of Narsinga is utterly opposite to the contentment of your young Prince who contrary to the belief you have had is still alive I am as well in my own as his behalf come hither to salute you and to acquaint you with the reasons obliging us to remain yet unknown in this Kingdom And here Piroxenus made him an ample rehearsall of all their adventures and whatever good or evill had befallen them since their sally out of Visaporus where so many men thought they had both come short The good Pirobus felt so great astonishment at this recitall and so great a joy as with much difficulty could he make him answer at length having recollected his senses and the liberty of his tongue Sir said he is it possible that two great Princes as ye are would for meer pastime endure so many troubles and crosses Ah how the gods have been favourable to us contrary to all expectation in restoring us the true props of our Crown and disengaging our spirits from the just fear we had to yield in subjection all our lives unto a vicious Prince And than he would have told him of the evill nature of Alcidaris but that Piroxenus let him know that they had understood the whole story Well than Sir said Pirohus what please you that I do will you have me go back and change my errant to Anaxanders behalf I think the King his father will never disavow it and the King of Narsinga who hath been a witnesse of his vallour will be glad to conclude the match without drawing breath and specially when I shall let him know his daughter whom he loves so dearly shall be desirous of it No father said Piroxenus seeing is hath so fallen out that sage Evander to whom we declared our intensions and whom we have desired to regain the Kings good graces for us hath met with some misfortune go you with speed and supply his room and obtain that the acts of our youth may be forgotten thanks to the gods we have committed nothing worthy to be
Vessel weather beaten seemed to be rather forced in by contrary winder than come voluntary wherein were two Cavalliers of good countenance who craved leave to refresh themselves in the Town the most eminent of them was in ill case being hurt in divers places of his body Now by reason that place was of great importance to the King of Cambaya they accustomed to keep a good guard and to suffer none to enter whose name and quality and business thither was not known and because those two Gentlemen who arrived then newly in that Vessel being ignorant of the custom had refused to name themselves advertisement was given the Governor and his farther pleasure demanded Evander imagining that it might happily be the two young Princes his Pupels who it may be would not discover themselves till they came to Court and surpriz all people he went himself unto the Haven and borded the Bark wherein he found a young Knight lain all his length upon a Matteresse who althuogh he seemed greatly suffering by his hurts which the tempest had augmented shewed notwithstanding a certain majesty in his eyes and face which made him reverenced of all that saw him Evander knew well enough that t was some personage of note and as he was extremely full of charity and hospitable seeing the Gentleman who accompanied him would not tell his name he thought however that the laws of civility did command and oblige his succour and to offer them not only the Town but his Castle also for their better accomodation The strangers accepted his offer and so much care was had of him that was hurt as that in eight or ten daies he gave undoubted signes of an approaching health Now as he was very generous and infinitely sensible of the good entertainment and usage shewn him by Evander her thought he could not do lesse in gratitude than discover himself unto him that he might know he had obliged Lisimantus that vallorous Lisimantus who had got so great a fame and whose glorious name was renowned through all Asia Poor Lisimantus how much had it been better that thou hadst not discovered thy self than to have payed so dearly for the honor given thy excellent vertues at thy first comming at lest shouldest thou have been contented to have told thy name without particulars of thy quarrel which will set thee into the strangest confusion thou yet ever sawest Evander knowing that this stranger was the valiant Lisimantus who had so worthily served the King of Zeylar and who so lately had perform'd so brave exploits in the Kingdom of Narsinga had a double cause of being glad not only for that he had it in his power to oblige a man of that condition but that the assured himself he should learn news of Anaxander and Piroxenus under the borrowed names of Ariomant and Calistenus but before he enquired seeing that the Cavallier disposed himself to recount unto him his adventure and how after being so grievously hurt he came to the Port of Bazain being very glad to be enformed willingly gave his attension and Lisimantus innocently began his discoarse without considering what manner of man he was to speak unto or what kinde of people he was to have to do with Know said he most reverend father that alter my triumph over the King of Maldives and if I had set all the Island of Zeylan at quiet and been very helpful to the King of Narsingas peace I quitted the Wars and finding again in Baticalus the only object of my passion that adorable Lisimena who had alwaies payed my love with ingratitude and but whose name I well perceive I shall alone possess my flames renewed and I felt my self so to the quick sollicited by my amorous desires as I used all manner of subtilties and invention to be in private with her but she ungrateful who never sufficiently acknowledge the services which I have done her Crown augmenting her disdains as my pains grew instead of enduring me neer her as my fidelity alone obliged her enough rebuking and repelling whosoever spake to my advantage she at length committed the most notable Treason against me that was ever contrived against a miserable Lover There was in the King of Narsinga Court a young Knight of Persia very accomplished indeed and worthy of great praise who having by much industry the honor to be known by her was notwithstanding preferred before my long and faithfull services I understood by a little Page of the Princessers that every night he was brought secretly into her company and spent six hours together with her and how that ungratefull Princess breathed nought but love for him I will not deny but that hereat so jealous a madness in such sort transported me as not able to endure the happinesse of that Rival I waited for him on an evening where he vsed to passe towards his amorous randezvous and not able for my anger to understand his reasons I call'd him instantly to fight with me Evander who with impatience looked that he should name that young Knight and finding that he was too long about it interrupting him demanded it His name was Ariomant said Lisimantus and well said Evander full of fear what is become of him I slew him said Lisimantus and truly I have since lamented it for a more valiant Knight I never met He was about to continue on his discourse and tell them how after the death of Ariontant whom he verily believed was slain because Zenobus had assured him that he saw him stretched out in his blood without warmth or motion being in but little better case himself he was carried to a Bark which attended him and how thinking to avoid the coast of Zeylan to shun the King of Narfinga his anger whose Edict they had broken a contrary winde arising which begot a furious tempest had cast them on the Coast of Cambaya neer the Haven of Bazain He was I say about to have recounted all these particulars but that he was prevented by an accident which did surprize him and which no lesse a mazed all that were about him that himself for at the recital of Ariomants death Evander fell into a swound on Lisimantus bed They all ignorant of the reason of this suddain change threw water in his face and when he was come to himself which a deep sigh cry'd out my friends we have embraced the murtherer of your and my Master and uttering these words he gave plain evidence of a second weaknesse which grew on him but being prevented by the ready help administred Unhappy and most cruel hospitallity said he we shew kindenesse and are civil unto one who vaunts that he hath cut our Princes throat and who unjustly stirred his courage and without cause provoked it Let the wicked man be set safe added he and seaze upon his second in the quarel and as they are let them be instantly conveighed towards the King that even himself may order what he please concerning them
sometimes I met her in the Palace I saluted her a far off with certain gestures which equally witnessed my passion to serve her and my fear to discontent her and that beauty who had still the signs of my foolish passion fresh in her memory look'd over from me whether out of scorn or judgment I cannot tell Forgive me Sir if I busie my self in telling you a thousand needlesse circumstances but most pleasing to my remembrance which are nothing to our matter but contrary do set me off from the design I had to tell you the fust and principal cause which so absolutely goâ—me the King of Zeylans favour That Prince who is exceeding pious and alwaies delighted in serving the gods according to the custom of his Country and devotion of his fathers having understood that that new sect of Mathometans was lately slid into his Island which is the fairest and fruidfullest of all the Inde desirous to banish that strange religion which was able to undo his Subjects and to disunite them from their lawful obedience unto him he made an Edict by which he proclaimed guilty of high Treason to his the Divine Majesty all those that should be convicted of adhering to those new opinions and as such he ordained that their goods should be consiscate and banished within a months space out of his Country There were a number of those Infidels dwelling in the Port Tanadarus who as soon as they heard a breath of this Ordinance seizâ—d on the Castle which is one of the best in the Kingdom and expecting that they should be assâ—ulted deputed three or four of them to go speedily to the King of the Maldives to seek his aid seeing he was of their Law and had embraced the sam unhappy belief which they had done This King of the Maldives who was Lord but of several pieces of land seperated by arms of the Sea and envious of the King of Zâ—ylans prosperity was very glad of so fair an occasion offered to enter upon his Countries so convenient for him And that he might not want pretext not be unprovided to answer the blame which his nâ—â—ghbours might lay on him he dispatch'd an Embassidor to the King of Zeylan by whom be prayed him to use his Subjects with more faver and to permit them the liberty of their religion in his Island if otherwise he should be obliged to protect them as his brethren united with him in belief toward the god he worshiped according to the Divine Laws of Mahomor his great Prophet The King of Zeyland gave a generous answer to that Embassador that he very much wondred at his Masters extravagancy and rashnesse who Impertinently thrust himself into the knowledge of his Subjects affairs that if his threat did stir him unto any thing it should be to a greater rigor towards those who without any good ground had miserably forsaken their fathers gods and for his own particular he should instantly depart out of his Countries lest his anger might make him violate the Laws of Nations and in his person punish his Masters insolence whom he would prevent That Embassador who look'd not at all for so rough an answer so exasperated the King his Masters courage which was enough irritated before that he immediately sent forth a hundred Ships and more from the Port of the Maldives to go succour the Rebels of Tanadarus In the mean time as the Sectaries of that cursed law think they cannot do God better service nor finde a shorter way to heaven than by murthering those that oppose their belief they plotted a furious conjuration against the Kings person twelve of the most resolute of his Rebel Subjects drink each others blood to encourage themselves and take a firm resolution to go kill the King in his Palace Hal and in the middle of his Guards This open and generous Prince who till that time had arm'd himself with no defence gave liberty to all sort of people as accustomed to be in his Palace where four of the conspirators entred without notice taken of them and as the formost of them lift his arm to strike the King it was my happy fortune only of the company to perceive him for that Traytor not at all troubled at his damnable design had so well taken his time that if the Tutelary gods of Zeylan had not directed my cies unto him undoubtedly the King had died As soon then as I spied the action and motion of that perfidious murtherers arm I threw my self at all hazard betwixt 〈◊〉 and the King and taking his hand to put by the blow which slightly hurt me in the face hold Traytor said I to him and fearing lest he might redouble it I took him by the coller The King who saw my check bloody and with what rage I opposed that Ruffin whose design be know not ask'd what was the matter Ah Sir said I doubtlesse some great Treason plotted against your Majesty then by and by he saw the Dagger which the murcherer had let fall he was instantly set on the Pâ—ack where he confess'd â—he number of the parties sworn who were found out and quartered alive as well as himself The King was so much pleas'd with me for this action as he embrac'd me before them all and praising what I had done to save him I swear said he Euribaldus that I will not be unthankful for the service you have done me but posterity shall know thou hast oblig'd a thankful Prince wherefore dispatch and ask me any thing in my power and I protest to thee again by the tutelary gods of this Kingdom it shall begranted thee of whatsoever price it be I being dazled by so great a sevâ—â—â— made him this answer on my knee which 〈◊〉 than what had past oblig'd his love of me It is your only noblenesse Sir which makes the sinall service I was obliged to do you acceptable although at hazard of my life the gods forbid that I should ever pretend to deserve an acknowledgment from you for what my duty bound me to and for a thing I ought my self t is only Fortune whom you are to thank for having happily addrest mine eyes unto the murtherer to turn his stroak and I a ssure my self there is not any Subject you have but would have shewn the same zeal to save you admitting him the same good fortune The King seeing how gracefully I refused the good he offered me Observe truly said he turning towards Arbiran a great deal of youth accompanied with a great deal of vertue and I intend not that this service shall be unrewarded Say then Euribaldus what thou askest of me I protest to take thy silence as a scorn if thou crave nothing of me When I saw my self thus put to it Great Prince answered I I should be wholly ignorant if I did not acknowledge the graâ—â—ity which your Majesty offers me to proceed from your alone goodnesse and I should injuce heaven which hath caused me favour