ill refines Alas yet as you burne My pitie smarts and groanes to turne Your paines away and yet you must consume Content in me must beare no plume Dust-like Dispaire may with me liue Yet shall your memory out-driue These paines wherein I mourne You reliques of pure loue To sacred keepe with me remooue Purg'd by this fire from harme and iealous feare To liue with me both chast and cleare The true preserueresse of pure truths Who to your graue giues a youth In faith to liue and mooue Famous body's still in flames Did anciently preserue their names Vnto this funerall nobly you are come Honour giuing you this tombe Teares and my loue performe your rights To which constancie beares lights To burne and keepe from blame This did not satisfie her grieuing for the losse of those kind lines but each day did shee say the Letter to her selfe which so much shee loued as shee had learned by heart then looking on the Ashes wept and kissing them put them vp againe and thus continued shee till Ollorandus himselfe came to whom these daylie offerings were made for hee after hee had settled his Kingdome longing as much to see her as shee desired his presence put the Gouernment to the charge of a president and his Counsell assuring them that nothing should haue so soone parted him from them but that hee must now performe his part of friendship to Amphilanthus which was required of him who had so louingly and brauely accomplished his None were against that all honouring and louing him so much as hee had much adoe but with kind quarrels to leaue the Countrie without some of them to attend him yet by his milde perswasions and the new Kings commanding power they two tooke their iourney the Dwarfe againe returning the very day before they left Prage Towards Hungarie they then haste passing through Morauia where they met a strange encounter and a sad spectacle which was a company of men all on foote being apparrel'd in long mourning Gownes and after them a Chariot beeing drawne by sixe Horses they beeing couered with blacke and in the Chariot was a bodie beeing couer'd with a blacke Veluet couering and at the feet of this Body sate a Ladie her face beeing towards it and most pitifullie weeping many more in mourning likewise walking by the Chariot round about it and behind it This lamentable and dolefull spectacle mooued the hearts of the Knightes who beeing verie passionate quickly felt pitie and riding presently to one of the followers desiring to bee resolu'd of this matter the Gentleman courteously answered that the businesse was of so long a times discourse as would demaund more leysure then hee thought their businesse would well allow them therefore hee besought to bee excused vnlesse they meant to succour that distressed Lady who most iustly might claime assistance and reuenge for a murdered Knight vniustlie and treacherouslie slaine for loue Loue their Master commanded their seruice so as they said they would willingly doe their best to redresse such an iniurie Then the Gentleman going to the Lady told her what the Knights said she casting vp her eyes which before she held on the Coarse the body and soule of her affections Alas Sirs said shee what misfortune hath brought you to ingage your selues to true misery as in ioyning with me you must do for a more wretched neuer liued to die so Our fortunes said Ollorandus speaking in her owne language is the best we could couet if they may prooue auaileable to you nor doe we desire any more then to know how we may serue you Then Sir said shee let mee bee so bold as to demaund first who you are that I may discouer my estate the more freely and willingly to you My name said hee is Ollorandus King of Bohemia and this is Amphilanthus King of the Romans Happinesse beyond all hope cry'd shee Alas my Lord this is the King that of all the World I haue desired to meete and now trauell to seeke in Italy then kneeled shee vnto him beseeching him to graunt her what hee had of himselfe so nobly promised Hee vowed to performe any thing whatsoeuer that lay in his power to doe then comming forth of the Chariot and they lighting they retired into a little tuft of Thornes by the way side shee beginning her storie thus Most braue and renowned of Kings and you great King bee pleased to giue eare to the saddest storie that euer loue and louers end hath produced I am that miserable vnfortunate woman Sydelia passionately louing and being beloued of the excellent and veâ—tuous Antonarus long wee loued but a hate betweene my brother called Terichillus and my loue growne in their youth hindred our enioyings my brother so curiouslie watching mee himselfe or others neuer or seldome from mee as I was able onely to see my afflictions and wants but not the Sunne of my content for my Brother being the Heire of Morauia and the other the Prince of Silesia that kept him from venturing into his Countrie knowing the infinite malice hee bare vnto him alas no way deseruing it But at last my brother was to marry Orguelea daughter to the Duke of Bauaria and going thither to performe it left mee guarded by his seruants whom in his absence so well I wrought with as I compassed the sight of my Deare who in the habit of a Hunts-man came vnto me we married priuatly and so enioyed the time till my brothers returne with his new Ladie as full of spite and ill nature as a Spider with poyson to her he had disclosed this matter with his hate to Antonarus and to her gaue the charge of mee my Father hauing before giuen ouer the world and was retyred into a religious house hauing left me and all his estate to my brother yet during his life my brother would not take the title vpon him but the authority of the County of Morauia Now was my Hunts man to returne small safetie being where such hatefull spies inhabited no more surety then a poore hare hath in the hands of the hounds who haue long hunted to prey vpon it so did they seeke to ruine vs the extreame hate my brother bare to Antonarus rising from this cause When they were youthes and both in the Emperous Court there liu'd at that time a young Lady of the house of Austria â—xcellently faire and as fairely condition'd whose vertues were such as most prizing worth for Vertues sake she made choice wholy of worthinâ—sse in conuersation choice of companions and the whole course of her life ranne that way which made her chooce Antonarus and so much to affect him as nothing but death could be ender of her affection and yet I know not how I can say so since dying shee express'd her affection to him she loued and no question but his goodnesse requited it in his wishes to serue her but friendship wrought so in him as he would not seeme to receiue it my brother being so
those Knights maintaine the passage said hee To defend poore mee cryd shee who since now left vngarded on that side I beseech you will conuey me to my house which when you see you will find likewise cause of pitty there Then brought she them vnto her dwelling which was in a Caue of great bignesse and large proportion a Monument in the mid'st of it of the most pretious stone of that time wherein shee liued being the Tombe of her sweete and last deere loue her sonne Deuided the Caue was into pretty roomes finely furnished but such as seemed rather to affect delicate cleanlines then sumptuous ornament yet were they rich enough Her attendants few but their seruice shewed them sufficient for that place with a modest and sad kindnesse shee bad them wellcome thither and instantly asking pardon that she must leaue them for such a tyme as she might performe her vow of mourning ouer the Tombe which hauing finished with numbers of sigh's groanes and teares she returnd to them againe Amphilanthus was not yet satisfied with the discourse wherefore againe he vrg'd her Then Sir said she you shall haue all I was borne to be betrayâ—'d for before this cunning ill man came I was vndone in former hops by one that had beene with my Lord almost from his birth who with flatterings had seald vp my heart to his vse neuer hiding any thing not my loue it selfe from his knowledge he making the greatest shew of obligâ—tion to me for my confidence that might bee expressed by so rare a witt striuing by subâ—ill meanes to make me thinke hee vsd all wayes hee might to make me happy still vrging me who needed no inticement to thinke how worthy the loue was how fit the match and then shewed me the liknesse of it our loues being so perfectly and reciprocally embraced the strong bond of friendship twixt our fathers and the continuance of that betweene him and my father as inheriting it from him lastly of our breeding together which though in our infancies yet the more naturally bred loue and increased it adding to loue as the smalest sticks doe with momber to the fiâ—rs of triumph but what aboue all indeed was the earnestest moouer as he treacherously protested was the true euen consent of our dispositions which seem'd so neere being one as though by birth made two yet created so as to be ioyned in one for the more direct and vnpartiall strength of perfectnesse and thus were you made to be one said hee in all fortunes and beings Heauen I confesse I held his louâ— Father Mother friends all were strangers to me in respect of the nearnesse of my affection to him and next to that did I thinke my best spent time was with those he most affected in his absence in that kinde seruing him Fortunate I thought my selfe and honour'd when his companions accompanyed me and so much I loued him as being forsaken I now the more am tortur'd with iust cause of coÌ„playning This Creature loath I am to name by other title and yet grieued to giue him his due and to call him spoyler of my blisse too diligently attended me neuer left me when any time might be permitted for man to see me in I embraced his conuersation but it chang'd to my affliction and contents destruction seeing oft times my passions which were too vehement for mee to hide or my weakenesse couer hee aduised yet still inticed mee on At last a match was offered me many had beene so before but all refused my conscience being such as neuer to marry any that I could not loue especially knowing it before yet was this more earnestly pursued then any other before the Gentleman himselfe too much and vnhappily affecting mee My Parents looked without loues eyes or rather saw while that child was blind the goodnes and greatnesse of his estate the hopefullnesse of the man his vertues and noble conditions much perswaded mee vnto him yet could not more mooue me then it is possible to stirr the most renowned Albion Rocks and in as much chast whitenesse remain'd my loue to my Lord while this Diuell who promis'd his helpe aymed at a farre fowler end beeing gaind I will not say by bribes to the friends of a great Heire whose estate might make one how vnworthy soeuer before a couetous minde seeme beautifull This was his fire and by this hee wrought destilling the offence of Villanie through the Limbeck of his wickednesse and this was the beginning My only loue being gon a iourney with the King loued infinitely by Deterius my father and hee staying had left his chamber and seruants to his dispose and command a stranger came in the plot ordained so by this Villaine while my Lord was dressing him hee desired to speake with the Traytor he went vnto him coÌ„ming in againe with a paper in his hand amazednes in his face which made my deerer selfe demand the cause he teÌ„derly louing the wretch because he had instructed himâ— froÌ„ in his tender youth He counterfetted loathnes to speake as if vnwelcome newes would follow his words the more he was troubled silent the more perplexed was my deere wherefore he priuately called the messenger to him of whom he demanded the newes he answered he knew none but that with much ioy and content Bellamira was betrothed to her long louing friend though not till then beloued of her he then loued and so may youâ— the better iudge of his paine When he heard I had giuen my selfe to another yet thus discreetly heâ— caryed it that hee spake not any thing vnto it though some while after heâ— demaunded of his fauour'd seruant as if but by chance if he heard any thing of Bellamira he would not answere but with a sigh and these words It is impossible I now find for any woman to be true Why said my Lord is Bellamira marryed No answered hee but as ill for shee is betrothed O women O loue how fickle and false are you both My deere hearing the death of my loue confirmed in this likely but vntrue manner saiâ— little only turned himselfe to a window where some teares he shed yet hauing the noblest spirit in the world would not suffer himselfe too long tâ— be gouernd vnder sorrow turned againe and so walked into an Orchardâ— where they conferred and at last he gained his consent to his desired end I ignorantly liued not daring to make other expressions then by looks or humble and willing seruices offered him which with as much affection were embraced yet was I grieued I heard not of him which still till then I did by euery one that saw him he as willing to send as I to receiue kindnesse The earnest suiter and falsely supposed betrothed man still did pursue and so hotly as at last I resolued to stretch the limits of modesty and to acquaint my Lord withall by letter and so ambitiously hoped to gaine one from him but considering many dangers I
was by them found hard by the sea-side not farre from these rocks laid in a cradle with very rich clothes about me a purse of gold in the cradle and a little writing in it which warn'd them that should take me vp to looke carefully to me to call me Vrania and when I came to sixeteene yeeres of age to tell this to me but by no meanes before this they haue truely performed and haue deliuered me the mantle and purse that by them if good fortune serue I may come to knowledge inioyning me besides not to keepe this my story secret from any since this sweet place intising many into it may chance to bring some one to reâ—ease me from this torment of Ignorance It could not be otherwise said he since such sweetnes and peerelesse louelynesse are match'd together But now said Vrania let me know I beseech you who I haue discouer'd my selfe vnto Let vs sit downe said he vnder these Rockes and you shall know both who I am and the cause of my comming hither Nay answered Vrania if it please you let vs rather goe into a Caue hard by where I haue left an olde weake man ready to tell me his Story hauing with him two of the finest youths and a Maide of the rarest beauty that eye can behold and desirous he is to speake for long he cannot endure So together they came into the Caue the graue man reuerently with bowing downe his head saluting him thus Braue Sir for Maiestie doe I perceiue in your countenance which makes me giue you this title Welcome to my poore abiding and most welcome since now I trust I shall dispose of my Sonnes according to my long wish and desire sit I beseech you downe and tell me who you are that then I may discourse to you the lamentable fortune I and these my children are fallen into The stranger sate downe betweene the old man and the excellent Shepherdesse beginning his Tale thus My name saâ—d he is Parselius Prince of Morea being eldest Sonne vnto the King thereof which Countrie I left with a deare friend of mine who besides the vntying band of friendship we liue linked in is my kinsman and heire to the Kingdome of Naples called Amphilanthus resoluing not to returne till wee had heard newes of a lost Sister of his who in the first weeke after her birth was stoâ—ne away since which time an old man whether by diuination or knowledge assured the King her Father shee is liuing Wherefore the most braue of Princes Amphilanthus resolu'd to seeke her my selfe louing him as well or better then my selfe would not be denied to accompany him for hauing bene euer bred in neerenesse of affections as well as in conuersation together it could not be but we must like the soule and body liue and moue so we betooke our selues to the Sea leauing Morea passing many aduentures in diuers Countries still seeking the least freqâ—ented and priuatest places keeping to the West for that way wee were directed by the wise man At last we arriuâ—d in Sicilie which Country we found in great trouble warres being broke out againe after the departure of Perissus Nephew to the King who had setled the State in good peace and quiet But their hearts either not fully reconcil'd or only reconciled to him after his departure which as we heard was strange and sudden being neuer since heard of they rebelled againe but we soone appeas'd the busines setling the King in his seat with all quiet and safety Then did Amphilanthus and I though against my heart part our bodies but neuer shall our minds be parted he in one ship taking I know not iustly what course but I trust the happiest my selfe guided by fortune not appointing any one place to bend to was brought hither promising at our parting to meete at his Fathers Court in Italie within twelue moneths after But shorter I hope now my iourney will bee since I verily beleeue you most faire Shepherdesse are the lost Princesse and rather doe I thinke so because you much resemble Leonius the younger brother to Amphilanthus whose beautie in man cannot be equall'd though surpassed by you When he had concluded the old man with teares thus said O Almightie God how great are thy blessings to me that before I die thou doft thus bring the most desired happinesse I could wish for in sending hither that Prince who onely can restore our good vnto vs. Most mighty and worthilie honourd Prince see here before your royall presence the vnfortunate king of Albania who in the warres betweene Achaya and Macedon taking part with Achaya was beaten out of my country and forced to wander seeking safetie far from the place where my safety ought most to haue been I came to your fathers Court it is true poore and vnlike a Prince which sight tooke away so much as pitie Courtiers rather out of their brauery contemning then compassionating extremitie besides your Mother being Sister to the Macedonian king then liuing would not permit me any fauour my kingdome in the meane while spoild and parted among such as could preuaile by strength and policy to get shares When I found my selfe in this misery with my wife and some few friends we went away leauing Morea and al hope of gaining any good in Greece following what course our stars would guide vs to we came hither where it pleased God to blesse vs with these two boies and this daughter after whose being seauen yeares old she died Yet for all it is and was a ioy to me to see of my owne for my posterity finding that likelihood of princely vertues as I hope shal be one day manifested it hath grieued mee to thinke how I should leaue them but now my hopes are reuiued since I trust that danger is past your noble and magnanimous vertues being such as to take pitie of any how much more then wil your honor be to assist distressed Princes And now may you well do it since a seruant of mine who I haue oftâ—n sent thither to see how things passe doth assure me your Vncle is dead and a mighty Lord being next heire-male which by the lawes of the country was otherwise hath got the Crowne hauing inclosed your faire young cosin right heire to the kingdom of Macedon being only daughter to the late king in a strong tower til she be of age then to marry her or if shee refuse to keep her there stil and this is the best she can expect Wherefore sir thus you are bound to rescue her then I beseech you take these two young men into your protection who till now knew no other then that they were meane boies I not daring to let them know their birth lest those great spirits which liue in them should haue led theÌ„ into some dangerous course but still I haue kept them vnder making them know hardnes and misery the better still to endure it if so crosse their fortunes be or if
with Hilles or rather Mountaines of such height as no way was possible to bee found to come at it but thorow the same vault the King came Diuers Gardens and Orchards did surround this pallace in euery one was a fountaine and euery fountaine rich in art and plentifully furnished with the vertue of liberalitie freely bestowing water in abundance These places hee past staying in a large stone Gallerie set vpon pillers of the same stone there hee sat downe complaining still of his Mistrisse whose heart was stored with paine and loue equally oppressing her O cride he my dearest loue the sweetest cruell that euer Nature fram'd how haue I miserable man offended thee that not so much as a looke or shew of pity will proceede from thee to comfort mee are all thy fauours lockt vp and onely sad countenances allotted mee Alas consider women were made to loue and not to kill yet you will destroy with cruell force while I changed to a tender creature sit weeping and mourning for thy crueltie which yet I can hardly terme so since thou knowest not my paine Further hee would haue proceeded when a doore opened into that roome and out of it came a graue Ladie apparreld in a black habit and many more young women attending her shee straight went to him saluting him thus Braue King welcome to this place being the abiding of your friend and seruant Hee looking vpon her perceiued wisdome modestie and goodnesse figured in her face wherefore with a kind acceptance hee receiued this salutation desiring to bee informed of the place but most to know how he came knowne to her Sir said shee my name is Mellissea and hauing skill in the Art of Astrologie I haue found much concerning you and as much desire to doe you seruice Can you find good Madam said hee whether I shall bee happie in my loue or not In loue my Lord said shee you shall bee most happy for all shall loue you that you wish but yet you must bee crost in this you now affect though contrarie to her heart But shall I not enioy her then miserable fortune take all loues from me so I may haue hers Shee loues you said Mellissea and it will prooue your fault if you lose her which I thinke you will and must to preuent which if possible beware of a treacherous seruant For this place it is that anciently reuerenced and honoured Iland of Delos famous for the birth of those two great lights Apollo and Diana the ruines of Apollo's and Latona's Temples remaining to this day on the other side of that mountaine called Cynthus once rich and populous now poore and peoplelesse none or very few inhabiting here besides this my family the sharpe and cruell rockes which girdle this Iland guarding it selfe and vs from dangerous robbings But must I loose my Loue said Amphilanthus Accursed fate that so should happen I yet doe hope if I may be assured shee loues mee this will neuer bee Well my Lord said shee to let you see that hope is too poore a thing in comparison of truth to trust to I wil giue you these tokens to make you truly see my words are true you haue lately had a wound by a woman but this a greater and more dangerous you must suffer which will indanger your life farre more then that last did yet shall the cause proceede from your owne rashnesse which you shall repent when 't is too late and when time is past know the meanes might haue preuented it but to doe what I may for your good I aduise you to this alter your determination for your iourney to Morea and in stead of it goe straight to Ciprus where you must finish an Inchantment and at your returne come hither and with you bring that company that you release there then shall I bee more able to aduise you for this doth yet darken some part of my knowledge of you Hee remaind much perplext with those words yet as well as such affliction would permit him hee made shew of patience Then did Mellissea send one of her Maides to bring his companions to him hoping their sights and the discourse of their fortunes would a little remoue his melancholie from him in the meane time hee with crossed armes walkt vp and downe the Gallerie musing in himselfe how hee should so farre and deadlily fall out with himselfe as to be the cause of his owne miserie not being able though hee had the best vnderstanding to reach into this misterie Sometimes the Lady discoursed to him and he for ciuilitie did answere her yet oft-times she was content to attend his owne leisure for his replie so much power had his passions ouer him Thus hee remaind molested while Steriamus following his right hand way was brought into a fine plaine and thence to the foote of a mountaine where hee found rich pillers of Marble and many more signes of some magnificent building which sight wrought pitie in him remembring how glorious they seem'd to haue been now throwne downe to ruine And so said hee was my fortune faire and braue in shew but now cast low to despaire and losse O Pamphilia Goddesse of my soule accept mee yet at last if not for thy seruant yet for thy Priest and on the Altar of thy scorne will I daily offer vp the sacrifice of true and spotlesse loue my heart shall bee the offering my teares the water my miserable body the Temple and thy hate and cruellest disdaine the enemy that layes it waste Once yet consider greatest beautie mightiest riches sumptuousest buildings all haue some end brightest glory cannot euer dure and as of goodnesse must not ill haue so grant this and then thy rage must needs conclude Yet thus did not his paine find conclusion but a little further hee went among those ruines where hee laid himselfe not downe but threw himselfe among those poore and destroyed reliques of the rarest Temples where hard by hee heard Ollorandus likewise complaining My Melasinda said hee how iustly maist thou blame thy Ollorandus who still trauels further from thee who stroue to bring thy loue still neerest to him Canst thou imagine thy immaculate affection well bestowed when so great neglect requiteth it Wilt thou or maist thou thinke the treasure of thy loue and richest gift of it well bestowed when absence is the paiment to it If against mee and these thou do'st but iustly except yet what doth hold thee from killing that slaue and setting thy deare soule at libertie No thy vertues will not like a murderer it must bee as it is Destiny must onely worke and despairing sorrow tyre it selfe in me Steriamus wanting pitie knew the misse and therefore would bee as charitable as hee could to shew which goodnesse he rose and went to Ollorandus to put him from his mourning who was then againe entring into his waylings telling him they were too long from Amphilanthus As hee start vp behold Dolorindus who came sadly towards them
breake shee thus did wander in her rauing thoughts then did sleepe couet place but she was calld to goe a hunting with the King and Queene which she obayed and as her manner was as soone as the Stagge was roused and Doggs let in vnto his ouerthrow she followed them and left the rest that either were not so well hors'd or lese affecting such a violent sport behind and brauely in followed the pleasant chase which did continue till the Sun was set Then did they with much glory view their spoyles ioying as in a conquest of great gaine but what did most content the fairest Queene was the sweete euening in which she inioyed all the content the dainty Ayre could giue which was as cleere as her cleere heart in loue and that as cleere as cleerest sweetest ayre But as she rode softly to coole her selfe a delicate sweete voyce inuited her to stay and so to see the owner of that musique the voyce did draw them to a pleasant Groue and then vnto a swift sweete Riuers side where on the brinke amonst the seges sate a Nimph of all perfections that were chast hard by her on the banke her quiuer lay her bow by that and she vndressing was to bath and wash her in that pleasant streame Pamphilia was almost amas'd to see so rare and exquisite a creature as shee was wherefore commanding all the men to stay shee and her Ladyes only went to her whose modesty and bashfullnes was such as she euen quaked to see those women there and well might shee who neuer saw her selfe in shaddow but shee diued to hide her selfe from her owne eyes yet had shee lou'd The Queene perceiuing that she was afraid most mildly spake thus to her Sweete Nimph bee not thus dismaid wee are none such as will giue cause of any harme to you wee are your friends and following the sport which you oft do by chance or hunters fortune are benighted going vnto the Court wee heard your voyce which hath a power sufficient to attract all creatures like the sweete youths Harpe that drew dumbe things to admire his choysest tunes let me not now disturbe you sweetest Nimph nor barre vs from such heauenly harmony then did shee sweetly make this fine replye Great Princesse pardon I beseech this rudnesse in mee which hath made me dumbe till now vnable to giue answer but my lipps vnseald by your great Grace my speech made fâ—ee to satisfie your will I must confesse when I did see you first I was amas'd and did wish my selfe againe in this faire Riuer so to hide my worthlesse selfe from your all iudging eyes Oft haue I seene you hunt in these faire plaines and somtimes taste of this then blessed brook behinde the seges I did once lye hid when you dry and farre from all places fit to entertaine your vertues in sate downe and drank of this cleere water O said I how blessed wert thou if thou couldest but know into what happinesse thou shalt arriueâ— first to bee touched by those best deerest lipps and so to passe into her royall breast How did I thinke I saw the â—treames which were below haste as for sorrow they had miss'd that fate and those aboue come hastely to catch if not to touch yet one kind looke on them this while I lou'd and so was sencible but since Dispaire had marryed mee and I wedded my selfe to chast Dianas life Let me intreat you sweete Nimph said the Queene to tell me all your story and this night will be more pleasing to me if so spent then any that my fortunes yet haue knowne she then with reuerence due to her state thus did beginne her tale My name great Queene said shee is Allarina a Sheepheardesse by birth and first profession and so had still beene had I not lucklesly profess'd a Louers name and left my former happy because contented life At fourteene yeares of age I first felt paine but young and ignorant I scarce did know what was my torment â— distempered was slept not nor fed my coulor waxed pale my mirth decayed and sighs did wholy breath my breathâ— admire my change the Sheepheards generally did bewaile my ill the sheepherdesses would my parents grieued for me I for my part knew only that I knew not what I ayld till one day walking to a pleasant wood which was vpon a hill I did consider with my selfe what was the first originall of all this paine I could not suddenly find out the ground till at the last considering well each thing I found his name most pleasing was to mee and so as I did in my heart euer thanke the meanes that did bring him to bee but spoken of None in my thoughts appeard so excellent none spake like him none sung like him nothing could hee doe that did not seeme best and nothing done by others but did shew dull and quite voyd of any pleasingnes so excellent appeard he vnto mee When this came to my mind then straight I sight blush'd and layd my hand vpon my panting heart and then cryd out I hope this is not loue but loue no sooner was by poore me nam'd but as if cald he straight possess'd my heart alas I yeelded then to know I lou'd and loue ioy'd I confess'd I was his slaue and such a slaue was I alas soone growne as but that slauery â— did affect my health then alterd and my mother put me into the hands of a Phisitian to bee recouered as shee hop'd by him but all in vaine it was not in his power the cure was not ordaind for him Then came my loue to visite me which gaue me life and comfort thus I did remaine and fiue yeares loued him yet hee ignorant that my affection so was placed on him I surely borne for this conclusion could not permit my selfe to say or shew I lou'd more then in poore sad lookes blushing when he did aske me of my sheepe vnsteddily and with a downe cast looke not daring to behold what most I loued for feare of burning what was scorched before I gaue my answers vnresoluedly hee by all this perceiued that I lou'd for t was not sillines he saw that made that innocent-like fashion shew in me wherefore he meant to watch me and so find where my loue was but then it was too late for not imagining it was himselfe hee marryed After this I grieued and almost dyed but remedy was past and I vndone yet one night blessed night for me my desires he came fetched me to his sisters house where being set betweene vs two hee fell into discourse of many pretty things and all of loue and all as I did finde to gayne by arte to know were I did like at last we fel vnto a foolish sport which was to tell truly what we were asked and so to draw a lot who should demand it fell to him who pretily to couer his intent he first demanded of his sister what life shee thought the
he had rather in his opinion done him honor to match with him nor did he do it for other cause then his affection which begun in our youths had growne to this perfection therefore he intreated him rather with loue then Armes to end the businesse if not hee would prepare to attend his comming as hee pleased Within some few moneths Terichillus with an army entred Selesia but onely enterd it when an army led by Polisander brother to Antonarus met him giuing him batâ—aile and life also for he in an encounter might haue killed him but mercy more then iudgement gouernd him so as he spared him on condition the warres should cease which he promised and a firme league should be made between vs which Polisander should haue the glory of Thus agreed hee came with him where wee were Armes dismist and swords laid downe he was nobly entertaind and receiued by Antonarus who ment truth and after some dayes were passed an oath of friendship was taken of both sides Then Terichillus returnd into his Country of Morauia Polisander bringing him to the confines thereof there committing him to his owne safetie Antonarus was glad of this conclusion because it ioyed me and I for his quiet did reioyce One whole yeare this lasted in which time we had a sonne after whose birth and my recouery againe Terichillus inuited vs vnto his Court with all loue or better to say show of it we belieuing went thither trusting as not meaning to bee false Into Polisanders hands my Lord put the gouernment of the State and also to him gaue the charge of his sonne and well might he doe it for a more noble honest man liues not then he is Into Morauia we went met we were in the confines by noble men and Ladies and still by more and greater till wee arriued at the Court where at the gate my brother and his wife met vs no state nor welcome wanted which outward testimony could expresse nor doubted we but like the silly birds who hearing the sweet singing of other birds set for stales thinking by that mirth they had no imprisonment fall by innocent beliefe into the nets so did we seeing smiles and hearing nothing but welcome and ioy speake grew confident and bold vpon our harmes Some daies wee staid there Feasts Tiltings and all brauerie that the Court could yeeld shewed it selfe vnto vs. After those sports were past Terichillus would haue vs goe a hunting which we did for two daies hauing excellent good great variety of sport the third day we also were to goe and conclude our delights which indeede wee did for in a great Wood and the same where my Antonarus was accustomed when hee was a Huntsman to bide in and from whence I heard his Horne which was the signe of his being there and of call for me to him this vnnaturall man Terichillus for longer I cannot call him brother had laid traytors in ambush with command to execute his will he in the meane time telling vs that a mighty Stagge was within harbored of purpose for vs. Then carried he vs into the thickest of it placing the traine on the out-side farre enough from helpe or hinderance with him wee went to rouse the Deere and so we did the too costly beasts that murdered my content for then they shewd themselues suddenly rushing on Antonarus who had onely a little hunting sword by his side with which he killed one but they many soone possest themselues of his sword and him Then Terichillus reuiled and scoffed at him and me telling vs that here was a youth had wont to walke those Woods and call a Nimph vnto him by his Horne but Satyrs found their wantonnesse and so had vowed reuenge and thus doe we said he Then those men who were disguised in that shape and the fittest for so sauage an act murdered him making mee behold the cruelty for the greater torture When all was done which ended with his life they went away lifting the body only vp vpon a horse and setting me vpon mine owne againe gaue me the bridle of the other to leade with me as the substance and demonstration of my miserie Out of the Wood I went with this pitifull and yet my beloued companion excessiue sorrow had so shut vp my senses as I wept not at the instant nor till I was to tell the Tragedy which was presently after my comming into the Plaine meeting some of the Selesians who accompanied me in mourning little else we could doe for in the County where the murderer ruled and alas our company a handfull in comparison of his people what could we doe but weepe and wish Then got we our small troope together and with as much hafte as our heauinesse could allow vs wee gained the Country of Selesia to Polisander we related this villany whose sorrow and sadnesse was such as hee was not able to giue or take counsell sometimes hee did purpose to râ—uenge this treachery himselfe cursing himselfe for sparing the murderer when he might haue killed him blaming his Fortune that let him liue to slay his brother lamenting the time he made the reconsiliation accusing himselfe as much as Terichillus for hauing been the vnfortunate instrument of this mischiefe Alas said de how happy had Selesia been if I had been slaine in the battaile and how more blessed I that had not liued to see this day deare Antonarus hath thy brother beloued so much of thee been cause of thy losse accursed creature that I am yet pardon mee deare brother I lament thy death as much as heart can doe Selesia yours is the losse vnrecouerable in loosing such a Prince punish me then I am ready and dearest Sister cry'd he take this life from mee how can you see mee who brought your worthy Lord into this misfortune O Antonarus my soule dies for thee His infinite griefe was such as most were forced to watch him lest he made himselfe away yet such was and is his vertue as I hope will protect him from vsing violence on himselfe Much adoe we had to perswade him from going into Morauia to reuenge his brother but at last I gained thus much of him to leaue the reueng to meâ— whose loâ—se was greatest and cause demaunds most pitty to gaine some braue Prince to right me vpon counsell and my petition he granted it whereupon I put on these robes he prouiding this Chariot and all other things necessary for our iourney appoynting the mourning in this kind The same day that I tooke my iourney hee proclaimed my sonne heire and Prince of Selesia himselfe protector and so haue I traueled now two months Terichillus giuing me leaue to passe through this part of his Country to goe to finde a Knight whose vallour and pitty will assist me To find you most braue and excellent King I tooke my way with hope to beg such a fauor of you whose compassion and worth all toungs speake of and harts admire none but magnifying Amphilanthus
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