backe And cries O Gods what hap is this Alacke W' are quite vndone Chariclia here is slaine And downe the candle cast and wept amaine Theagenes as smit downe by some force Fell and embrac'd the bloud-embrued corse And long so lay that Cnemon lest he should Himselfe doe hurt came softly and was so bold As draw his sword that hung downe by his side And went for light Then lamentably cry'd The Knight and said O griefe vnsufferable Malignant Starre or Furie vnsatiable Was 't not enough to banish me from home All vp and downe the world to make me rome To cast me where no comfort man releeues At sea to Pyrats and at land to theeues Yea more than once and take my ioyes away Of all but one was left and that to day Is also lost my deare Chariclia Slaine in defence of vertue dare I say To keepe her selfe for me These eyes of thine That all men cheer'd as with a light diuine Be darke and nothing see nor he them saw Who thee assail'd or hand had staid for awe But this of mine shall ioyne vs and this Caue Our bodies both shall keepe in hidden graue Then felt he where he thought his sword had hung And said O Cnemon this is double wrong Both vnto her and me As thus he said A slender voyce as 't were of boy or maid Was heard to call Theagenes and he Full well it heard and answer'd Call'st thou me Sweet soule I come then Cnemon came with light And plainely heard the voyce of such a sprite As call'd Theagenes O God quoth he Chariclia liues that was her voyce 't is she O Cnemon quoth Theagenes O leaue And doe me not thus often times deceiue I both deceiue quoth he and am deceiu'd If this dead-one be she and therewith heau'd The head from ground and to them turn'd the face Whereat amaz'd he started backe a space And cry'd O wonder this the countenance Of This be should be what concealed chance Should bring her hither then Theagenes Came to himfelfe and feeles at heart some ease And comforts Cnemon almost out of winde That with his helpe he might the sooner finde His deere Chariclia this now Cnemon knew For Thisbe chiefly by a ribban blue Which with a scroule from off her necke he tooke And as he would vpon the writing looke Theagenes him bids forbeare as then And seeke Chariclia further in the den So he 's content but I had nigh forgot The sword of Thyamis that in the plot Was also found well hatcht and richly guilt Which Cnemon said he knew well by that hilt Who sits in darke sees such as come with light And knowes them sooner than is knowen this might Excuse Chariclia that came first t' embrace And kisse Theagenes with modest grace The fairest thing is Iustice Health the best And most delightfull that we loue possest And haue I got th'againe quoth she And liues My Deere quoth he thus each vnt'other giues The kinde salute and count'r embracing fell For sudden ioy aswound there was a well And Cnemon sprinkled wat'r vpon their faces Which brought againe their rosie-blushing graces For now asham'd they were and chiefly she That Cnemon did what past betweene them see Though all but well yet as they had offended They pardon craue for that which he commended But you Theagenes he said for that You did before I cannot praise for what Embrace a stranger hauing no relation To you at all and in so foule a fashion While I stood by and told you plaine that she Your best Beloued liued yet quoth he O charge me not before Chariclia I tooke that course for her But can you say Ought for your selfe who first the same mistooke And wail'd my case and started backe and shooke For feare of woman dead an armed man O Souldiour stout O braue Athenian Hereat they smil'd a little but with teares As more to sorrow bent amid their feares And yet Chariclia scratching at her eare As if sh 'had then concein'd some iealous feare By thinking on 't broke out thus Happie she Whom he so wail'd and kist what ere she be And but you both will thinke of iealousie I aske thereof faine would I know if thee Sweet heart what one it was that so for me Was kist vnknowen You maruell will quoth he For Cnemon saith 't was Thisbe that Athenian The Minstrellesse that wrought so with a wenian 'Gainst him and Demenet Chariclia scar'd With newes thereof askt Cnemon how it far'd That Thisbe's brought from Greece into this den And neither he nor she perceiu'd her when They thither came That who can tell quoth he But that of her I know is this when she Had circumuented Demenet the plot Against me knowen at first my father got Himselfe a pardon and my home-recall And me to seeke prepar'd a ship and all This while the queane had leisure t'exercise her In minstralsie Arsinoe enuies her Chiefly because the Merchant Nausicles Became her loue before Arsinoes She vnto friends of Demenet relates The plot of Thisbe they vnto the States And cause to plead procure with great expence The men of greatest wit and eloquence They cry that Demenet was cast away Vniudged vnconuict and further say This crime of wed-breach was deuis'd for shame And way to death where is he what 's his name That should commit this foule adulterie Him bring aliue or dead or else to trie The cause aright that Thisbe let be rackt My father promis'd but she closely packt Herselfe away what like to fall vpon her Fore-seeing well and then with much dishonour My father cleer'd of murder by the lawes As one that had related right the cause Yet lost his goods and was himselfe exil'd For ouerthrowing so his guiltlesse childe And helping Thisbes plot against his wife That better had he led still widdow life The man that buries wife and weds againe Doth after ship-wrack lanch into the Maine But this same Thisbe here that hath her due Now in my sight from Athens came I knew By Anticles at Aegin therefore twice With him in t ' Aegypt sail'd I with aduice To finde her there that by her meanes I might Releeue my father State enforming right But how to Lake or how into this Den She was conuey'd I cannot tell nor when But if you please let 's see what 's in the writ I found about her thus beginneth it Vnto my master Cnemon Know you Sir My mistres death and I procur'd it her For your reuenge but how because forsooth 'T were long to write I le tell by word of mouth If you be pleas'd your hand-maid to receiue And while I tell the manner giue me leaue Ten dayes I haue beene here captiu'd t' a theefe Who vaunts himselfe Shield-bearer to the Chiefe So close he keepes me that I cannot moue Vnt'any doore and saith it is for loue I rather thinke and liker 't is for feare Lest any take me from him yet mine Here Some pow'r diuine
put her out of hope Then present mischiefe must vpon vs fall Prepare you for 't quoth she and therewithall Comes Cybel in late hauing comforted The loue-sicke Lady left yet on her bed This Gammar Bawd this all-enticing spright Yet lets Theagenes alone to night And labours what she can Chariclia To helpe her suit as they together lay But in the morning sets on him againe And prayes him put her Mistris out of paine If yet he be resolu'd he flat denies her And she againe vnto Arsace hies her With sad report The Lady gaue her checke In such a sort as neere had broke her necke Thrown down the staires her selfe both heart and head Now like to burst with griefe rowles on her bed And all to teares her cloths her haire her brest Nor all that day could take a minutes rest The Bawd no sooner left the Nurserie But meets her sonne who saw her sadly crie And askt the cause thus of her sudden damp What ailes Arsace What newes from the camp Hath Lord Orondates receiu'd a blow Or lost the field good mother let me know And instant is to learne the reason why Nor will her leaue though she would put him by Then him she conjur'd and by hand him tooke And led him forth aside t' a secret nooke And said My sonne this vnto none I would But vnto thee mine only childe haue tould Our Lady loues the Grecian here and thence Come all her fauours and beneuolence The vaine and foolish youth will not comply Doe what we can her minde to satisfie Which her distracteth in so high degree I thinke 't will make her kill her selfe and mee Then helpe vs sonne if thou know wherewithall Or else prepare for mothers funerall What shall the man haue quoth he that procures To be fulfill'd my Ladies minde and yours Aske what thou wilt quoth she Cup-bearer late I made thee and daily can encrease thy state Then he I thought at first it would be so But held my peace to see how game would goe I le worke my Ladies will or lose my life If I may haue that Greeke wench to my wife And aske no more for mother I so loue her That liue I cannot long except I proue her Away with honour and away with pelfe And let Arsace iudge me by her selfe Why sonne quoth she of this make you no doubt I thinke my selfe can well nigh bring 't about Bed-fellowes are we by some tricke or gin Not now to seeke I quickly shall her win But how can you so bring about this geare A word not I quoth he vntill she sweare And mother deale not you in Greeke nor French Nor any language with my daintie wench Lest hurt you doe for I already finde She lookes aloft and beares a haughtie minde But let my Lady assure her selfe I will On that condition all her minde fulfill With this Dame Cybel vnt ' Arsace runs And tells her this faire promise of her sons Let call him in quoth she except you faine And as before will me delude againe Achaemenes comes-in and him t' assure The Lady sweates if he her loue procure He shall Theagens sister take to wife Then here quoth he shall ended be the strife The man your slaue is and he must obay How so quoth she I had him th' other day In charge quoth he as sent from Mitranes Vnto your husband Lord Orondates And tooke he was from me by strong impresse Of Thyamis and Malecontents of Besse Whom if you aske he can it not deny And yet a much more pregnant proofe haue I My Captaines letters firme and vnder seale Which here behold will all the case reueale And how he should to Babylon be sent This rude relation gaue her great content She makes no more adoe but straight bids call Her learned Councell to the Iudgement hall And there on loftie Throne she stately bore her And will'd Theagenes be brought before her He comes and Achaemen him standing by Know you that man quoth he she answer'd I. And were you captiue left vnto his charge Confest it too Then how quoth she at large By Thyamis quoth he Then she my slaue You are and please me or no mercie craue And of your sister thus I doe dispose She shall be wife to him that did disclose This first to me my seruant Achamen So well deseruing eu'rie where and when As for solemnities and marriage-day When things be fit no longer shall we stay It strook Theagenes to th' heart yet he Made answer thus Althovgh our fortune be To serue free-borne and of no parent base Yet herein may we bett'r account our case And frownig fortunes bad intent conuince To serue so braue and gracious a Prince That will be pleas'd doe justice which we craue My sister yet nor captiue is nor slaue Well quoth Arsace let him be brought vp Among the slaues that wait vpon our Cup And Achaemen him teach in cu'rie thing That may him fit to serue the mightie King So forth they went Theagenes distrest In minde and thinking what to doe were best Achaemenes to haue him at his becke Insultingly and thus began him checke Ah ha Sir youth you thought your selfe so free As no man else now must you wait on mee I le make you bend that beare your head so high Or knocke y'about the sconce Authoritie In base mens hands is neuer well employ'd Arsace then commands the rest auoyd And thus to Cybel saith now all excuse Is tane away this proud boy for th' abuse Me done to-fore shall well and surely pay You tell him so except he soone obay Which if he doe then will I set him free And honour adde and wealth to libertee She tels Theagenes the Ladies minde And of her owne some reasons more doth finde Him to perswade he craues to pause that day And talks alone first with Chariclia Then saith my Deere now are we cleane vndone I must obey before the morrow Sunne Hath ran his course or suffer seruitude Yea both of vs among this people rude With all disgrace that on the kept-in strict May scorne inuent or barbarisme inflict This could I beare but that far worse than this I neuer shall though past her promise is That Achaemen forsooth should marrie thee While I haue life and sword it shall not be Necessities are suttle Councellers I haue a tricke Then thus with Cyb conferr's I am resolu'd goe tell her now you Krone Alone-I wish to talke with her-alone She glad he was so bold with her as signe Of yeelding minde her Lady told in fine That night he sent-for was and softly led In darke by Cyb when all were gone to bed But Lady her selfe and these and when they came Within the chamber doore the little flame That there was left she takes and would away Nay Madame quoth he let kinde Cybel stay For she 's no blab Then Lady tooke by th' hand And said thus long fore-slow'd I your command Deere Lady and
gaue Euphrates should torment him like a slaue As for some fault in waiting Eunuchs all Are giu'n to jealousie and he the more Theagenes afflicts for that before He well obseru'd and all the signes had seene Of loue him-to that shew'd the wanton Queene With knottie whips he teares his tender skin While manacles and shackles hold him in With hung'r and thirst him pinches and no light By day him shewes nor lets him rest at night Not so Arsace meant yet worse than so Did Gammer Cyb pretend her minde to know For none but she came there though with pretence To bring him meat 't was for intelligence And when she saw him so maintaine the field Against her plot and by no meanes would yeild The more his body is beaten downe the more His minde was rais'd with chaster loue to soare And thought if this Chariclia did but know It tooke away the paine of eu'rie blow And cri'd in torment either night or day My loue my light my life Chariclia When this the Gammer heard and saw she thought This Virgin liuing all their plot was nought And now she feares if by Achaemenes As like it was be told Orondates Lest she be soundly paid for all and left Arsace kill her selfe wherefore the beast Is all on killing set now to remoue What euer hinder'd her sicke Ladies loue To bar intelligence to saue her hide And one day to her Lady thus she cri'de Madam we worke in vaine as long as she On whom builds all his hope this stubborne he Is suffer'd still to liue but were she gone We should doe well enough with him alone The louesicke Lady on this laid present hold In ang'r and jealousie for that was told You tell me true quoth she and I ere night Will order take she stand not in my light But how quoth Cybel By the Persian Lawes You may not kill but shew and proue the cause Which asketh time to plot but I le to day If you thinke good her rid quite out of way By draught of poys'n it likes Arsace well About-it goes this Chamberlaine of Hell She found Chariclia weeping bitterly And more than so deuising how to dye For now she gan suspect the cruell case Theagenes was in that all space Came not at her though Cybel fain'd excuse And said he was restrain'd for some abuse Or little fault in seruice but by my Most earnest suit was dealt with graciously And shall be still and out of doubt ere night At libertie therefore plucke-vp your sprite And doe not thus with mourning pine away My Lady makes her marriage-feast to day Refresh your selfe that when your Louer comes You may with ioy receiue him and the Groomes Behold some dainties haue I brought you heere Come let 's fall-to 't is of my Ladies cheere You vse quoth she so much me to deceiue That what you say I hardly can beleiue Th'equiuocating witch deuoutly sweares She should to day be rid of all her cares So downe they sit and eat and lesse in feare Chariclia now for that she heard her sweare And hope of that she promis'd What we wish We soone beleeue Then ate they flesh and fish And other dainties Aura giues the cup Made ready for Chariclia to sup To Cybel-selfe she drinkes it off mistooke And felt it straight and cast a cruell looke Vpon her Maid I wish there might vnt ' all That goe about such wickednesse befall The like mistake the poyson was so strong Prepar'd for youth that soone it laid along That aged witch Yet she amids her maine Convulsing swelling staring twitching paine While belly bursts and sinewes cracke and shrinke Declares a minde more poys'nous than the drinke For signe she made to some then standing-by As if Chariclia made her so to dye Poore innocent amas'd at such a stound And oft attempting her to raise from ground But helpe of man or woman littl'auailes When poyson strong the vitall part assailes Her skin was blacke and out start both her eyes And with her mouth awry there dead she lyes The guiltlesse Virgin neuer vs'd to bands But silke vnti'de and ti'de with softest hands In case she was is rapt from off the ground And with rough cord t' Arsace carri'd bound The iealous Lady threatens with excesse Of paine to force her but she would confesse Her poys'ning Cybel Marke what innocence Can make one doe and guiltlesse conscience She came not drooping but with cheerfull grace Of Princely courage Feare attends the base And glad to see that where through griefe she thought To kill her selfe it should by them be wrought Said goodly Princesse if Theagenes Be yet aliue then set your heart at ease I did it not but if by your designe He 's made away the deed was only mine I flue your Nurse that hath so well you taught And in these honourable wayes vp-brought Come take reuenge you cannot better please Your refractorie man Theagenes O noble he that could so well withstand So wicked purpose and so cruell hand With this enrag'd the lust-sicke Lady spent Some blowes on her and presently her sent Bound as she was t' her chiefe Eunuch Euphrate There to behold her louers like estate And safe be kept vntill the morning come When heare she should the Iudges deadly doome And as she 's led away that Aura came Dame Cybels Maid and lowdly gan exclame Alas poore innocent the standers-by Constraine her plainly speake she said 't was I The poyson'd cup mistooke and gaue the same Which vnto this I should vnto my Dame T' Arsace carri'd there she sayes the like The raging Lady was about to strike Yet held and said this also had conspir'd My Nurses death thereto by th' other hir'd Away with her away with her and let her Be safely kept in manacle and fetter T' abide the doome Then for the Iudges sent And next day shew'd the cause of their conuent She cri'd my Nurse alas my Nurse is gone Yea poyson'd poyson'd by this wretched one Whom I receiu'd with all humanitie My Lords you know and yet this thanke haue I. And sobbing sighing weeping wringing hand Such women haue their teares at their command She said what could be said in such a mood And yet Chariclia made her saying good Nay more confest she would Arsace selfe That wicked wretch that lust-sicke wanton Else Haue made away but that she was preuented And that she mist her purpose much lamented Although in truth she ne're had such a thought But miserie t' auoid her death so sought As was in their conceit most like to speed And so in prison were they both agreed When hardest heart constraine it would to rue The lamentable sight of their adiew Her Iewels all the Cradle-band wrapt-in Were ti'd about her twixt her smocke and skin That at her death pretended criminall They might supply the want of funerall But now the Iudges hearing her confesse The crime at large and rather more than lesse According false Arsaces hearts desire
Iu'rie this when saw the King He was perswaded and Persina then Forgetting state among so many men Ran from her Throne as if sh 'had beene halfe wilde Embras'd and kist and hugg'd so fast her childe That through so sudden ioyes extremitie With mourning mixt she fell in t ' extasie Hydaspes pittied her yet like affect He felt in minde with manly courage checkt But when he saw them both together fall He rais'd them vp and kist them both withall And on his daughter wept to make amends For hard beleefe Yet thus said You my frends And loyall people see this strange euent And will I thinke if I desire consent To saue the life of this vnhoped Heire Apparent to my Crowne although so faire But for your sake and safetie for the Law I may not spare her so began to draw Her toward th' Altar All cry-out on high The Gods haue well declar'd she should not die This cruell death O saue the Royall Bloud And stept betwixt and crowding stiffly stood To stay his passage and yet further cry You fath'r of people fath'r a family I thanke you for your loue quoth he and staid And turn'd about and to the Princesse said That you so faire one yet my daughter are Howeuer call'd the Gods and these declare But what is he that was with you surpris'd And stands at th' Altar to be sacrifiz'd How hapt you call'd him brother heretofore For but your selfe I children had no more Chariclia bent her eyes downe to the ground And blushing said it was that fearfull stound Constrain'd me so but what he is indeed Please you him aske himselfe can best arreed I crie you mercie smiling quoth he than That blush I made you speaking of the man But stay and keepe your mother companie And of your fortunes tell her th'historie So may you bring her now more ioy and mirth Than at the day of your admired birth Of solemne Sacrifice I must haue care And in your stead another Maid prepare To die with him The Princesse at that word Was like to skreame yet held and said my Lord And royall father sith the peoples minde Is for my sake to spare the femall kinde They looke not for another or if need Require a paire must on your Altar bleed 'T were good you had another man for he Cannot be sacrificed but with me The Gods forbid quoth he why say you so Because with him quoth she I stay or goe I liue or die as Destin hath defin'd I like quoth he your charitable minde To saue your fellow-pris'ner but in truth It cannot be to th' Altar must this Youth And that the people were content to spare Mine only thee was heau'nly Powers care O King quoth she the Gods that had the care This body of mine so little worth to spare Will spare my soule and what that is they know That haue ordain'd before it should be so If otherwise and that this man must dye This one thing grant m'I pray that none but I Him sacrifise to shew these all about Your daughters heart like true bloud-royall stout The King was vext and said of this your minde So contrarie no reason can I finde At first this stranger sought you to defend And now as if he neuer were your frend But vtter foe you would your selfe him kill I see no good can thence arise but ill Nor can it with our reputation stand For you to take that office now in hand For none weilds here the sacrificing knife But Priest of Sun and Moone the man and wife That hinders not quoth she at mothers eare For I haue one that may that title beare You shall repli'd the Queene in softly voyce When for your good and ours we make the choyce There need no choosing one already had Quoth she Alas quoth he my daughter's mad Or ouerjoy'd with sudden change in chat As in a dreame she speakes she knowes not what Him brother cals that is not saue him would At first and kill him now She thinkes she could Be maid and wife at once Deere wife her take Into your Tent and see what you can make Of these her words or labour to recall Her wits againe before she lose them all I must send-out to seeke some other Maid For her to die and meane time shall be staid To giue Embassadours their audience That late are come I know not yet from whence I thinke our conquest to congratulate Soone after set himselfe in chaire of State And orderly them call'd Harmonias That for the time thereto appointed was Meroebus first the Kings owne brothers son Comes-in and with his present thus begun My Sou'raigne Lord and Father for entail'd The Crowne was on him if Kings Issue fail'd For safe returne of your high Maiestie And for our gladnesse of your victorie We all bring presents and my selfe this man That oft hath plaid his prize and euer wan At running wrestling cudgelling and cuffes Can none come neere him Then the fellow-puffes And makes a present challenge Come who dare And naked gan there round about him stare The King makes proclamation Come who would But not a man in all his Camp so bould So great his bulke was post-like his vpholders And taller he than all by head and shoulders I thanke you sonne Meroebu◠quoth the King And I will giue him such another thing So did and Elephant so growne with yeares That all the rest about him seem'd but Steares The beast was brought and like the man did stare And all the people laught at that compare Now next to these came in the men of Sere Who brought the King two silken robes to weare Of daintie sleaue drawne from their wormie trees And aske a boone vpon their naked knees And what it was is vtter'd be their Prime A pard'n of all their pris'ners for the time The King it grants then came-in th'Embassie Of such as dwelt in Happie Arabie Vnhappie since for bringing forth the sword Of Prophet false that fights against the Word They brought a present did such odours yeeld As sweetly soone perfumed all the field With Aloës Amomum Cassia Canella Stacte Nardus Pistica Mirrh Ambergris Mahaca Labdanum Keranna Stor and eu'rie precious gum Worth many tallents Then brought they that haue None other house but eu'rie man his Caue The Troglodytes of Countrey no where cold A yoke of Gryphons chain'd with that fine gold Which Emmots nigh as big as Norfolke sheepe At sand-hill-side are said to gath'r and keepe Then came that wore for Turban straw in net With arrowes round about the brim beset Point vpward feathers downe a radiant show They made and stucke still ready for the bow And bow with shafts of hurtfull Dragons bone These men of Blemmy brought and thus saith one In all our Countrey high and mightie King We haue no better present now to bring Than these but hope your Maiestie will say They did good seruice on the battaile-battaile-day They did indeed repli'd
the King and were The chiefest cause of other presents here Then aske what will you They be seeke his Grace T' abate their tribute He for ten yeeres space Remits it all At last come th' Axumates No Tributaries but Associates And they reioycing at this his victorie Present him with a Camelpardalie So strange a beast as neuer there was seene With Beuer-colour'd haire all dappled greene As Camell high before but low behinde Doth eu'rie way his small head nimbly winde With necke vpright and long and slender throte And great and rowling eyes that stare and glote As if he cruell were yet is to keepe As debonaire and tame as oxe or sheepe But sith his legs behinde both equall-short Both equall-long before could not consort With ambl ' or trot in pace his feet he sets Iust as an horse doth when he well curuets Hath higher bounds and turnings vp and downe And but a cord made fast vnto his Crowne To guide him by When this strange beast appeer'd And with his eyes so goggle-gloting leer'd At Horse and Bull that ti'd were fast to th' Altars They scar'd therewith broke suddenly their halters And snorting Horse and roaring Bull amaine Ran vp and downe that Army-closed plaine The people gaue a shout thereat and some For feare of harme the beasts so nigh them come And some cry-out and laugh for game and sport Not so to see their trod-downe fellowes hurt As more to thinke in accident so rare Of others harme how safe themselues yet are The noyse so great prouokt the Queene to draw Her curtaine so she and her daughter saw Theagenes at Altar kneel'd expecting The stroke of sword yet herewithall erecting Himselfe to see and seeing keepeâ—â— gone That other horse which lest was leapt vpon With faggot-sticke in hand from Altartane And for a bridle holding fast the mane And kicking hard him seâ— to run so fast That Bull they chase and ouertake at last At first attempt the standers by surmise The pris'ner sled to scape the sacrifice But when they see him touch the beast behinde And course him round they sudden change their minde Yea take delight to see the Bull in drift And held by taile and yet the man him shift So nimble at eu'rie turne and tame him so That close together side by side they goe As well acquainted now And all admire The man that made so Horse and Bull conspire And that which many there admiring spoke As 't were to draw had joyn'd them without yoke But other thoughts had then the royall Maid She of his hurt or fall was sore afraid And that perceiu'd the Queene and said my childe You seeme t' affect the stranger now so wilde My selfe doe wish him scapt these jeoperdies To keepe him sound and fit for sacrifice Good mother wish the man more graciously Quoth she than that he scape this death to dye Sith of your fauour this small signe you gaue him Doe somewhat more for my sake now and saue him Persina thought it sauour'd of some loue But knew not all and said what should you moue T' affect him so for sure you make me muse Then tell me plaine a mother can excuse Her daughters weaknesse and well with it beare Chariclia then downe dropping many a teare And sighing said I speake before the wise Yet am not vnderstood and then she cries And speakes againe I cannot so abuse My selfe to tell that shall my selfe accuse And as she thought t' haue vtter'd somewhat more They interrupted were with great vp rore And shout the people made For at the last Theagenes that horse let goe and cast Himselfe vpon the Bull and laid his head Betwixt the roarers hornes and roundly sored His armes about them clasping fast his hands Before the front and neither sits nor stands But on the beasts right shoulder hangs downe right And tires him so at length by daintie sleight When he had run him thrice about the ring And came to place now iust before the King In course him tript and on his backe with bound He laid him flat and pight his hornes aground They stucke so fast he could not wag his head But kicking lay with all foure quarters spred The man with left hand held him downe his right Held vp to Heau'n and made a cheerfull sight To King and people so much eke the more For that as trump the Bull began to rore And sound the praise of him that ouercame The roring multitude then did the same And cri'd now let him trie his skill at full Th'old-Elpen-man with him that cast the Bull Meroebus man they meane and for him call That this young Greeke and he may try a fall Then at their instance was the King content And for the Champion a Waiter sent Full soone came in the gyant Aethiops On tip-toe strutting without coat or â—â—ops And eu'rie way began to goggl and start To see the man that with him wrestle dare To th' other then in Greeke thus said the King You stranger 't is the will of all this ring To see a combat 'twixt this man and you I am content quoth he what shall we doe No more then wrestle quoth the King Nay nay Le ts fight at sharpe quoth he that I to day May doe some famous deed or with my death Content Chariclia that still holds her breath And all this while our cases would not tell Or hath alreadie bid me quite farewell I know not what you meanâ— by that same word Chariclia quoth the King but fight with sword You may not 't is against the Law and guise That bloud she shed before the Sacrifice Theagenes perceiuing King affraid He should be slaine before his offring said 'T is well you keepe me for the Gods and they I trust will thinke vpon my right to day But let him come then strid and strongly pight Hâ—s feet on chosen ground with armes out-right Backe necke and shoulders bent as I suppose To take the best aduantage at the close The Gyant comes as 't were at 〈◊〉 where can But playes at first the Boobie more than man For catch he meant not though he made a show But gaue Theagenes a waightie blow With arme on necke and laughing started backe And came againe to set his limbs in â—acke Then both together grappling tugging springing Aduancing crouching heauing shouing swinging Retiring spurning locking loosing make Both aire aboue and earth beneath them shake Theagenes that from a childe had ben Instructed well by cunning wrestle-men Not only in Greece among the Mercurites But in Great Britain with the Cornwallites Got-vp this heauie Slouch at last on hip And all-asudden gaue him such a trip His owne wait helping by a Cornish knacke That fetcht him o're and laid him flat on 's backe And as he fell was ecchoed equall sound To lump of flesh so thrasht against the ground As dead he lay at first stretcht out at full Then facing Heau'n shooke heeles as did the Bull. Where at