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
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
communicate they lay that night together which they spent in pleasing talk till next day administred more ample cause of joy for though this pleasure seemed to have respect alone to Ariomant Callistenus who so intirely loved him participated also of it and so much as very neer to shew the same impatience and desire If now Prince Ariomant for his part languisht in that amorous expectation The fair Orazia lived in a sweet unquietness on hers little that night she rested and the dry once come she numbred every hour and minute of the same she thought a thousand times the sun had slack'd his wonted course and dream'd on nothing but the silence of a night more happy than the former that with more conveniency she might again behold him whose gracefulness and sweet behaviour form'd themselves a thousand times that day to her imagination Her wishes when the Sun had set were granted for insteed thereof she saw her deerest Ariomant appear whose sight was more pleasing unto her eyes and warmth more acceptable to her soul he with his friend thought first to have been at the place but found himself prevented by the Princess great impatience who had scarce given Lisimena time to end her Supper for her hast to draw her to that pleasing and delightfull place She was of brown but clear complexion as all the beauties commonly of Asia are But in all Europe was not found a favour more exact nor delicate than hers she had no part of all her face which was not accompanied with speciall graces and eyes which for their sweetness might be feared had yet more boldness to acquire mens hearts than others When she went to find the Princess Lisimena in her Chamber she had cast carelesly about her a kind of Indian garment of black Sattin without any other Ornament than a cutwork very delicate wherewith her smock was edged and turn'd back upon her garment about her neck she only wore a bobbin her hair was black and curl'd by nature into slaves hung in some places on her neck whose lustre was the more set off and though it was in careless manner that it hung yet seem'd it not without a kind of art 'T is true her mourning did require more modesty than at that time her habit shew'd and yet did Lisimena think her too severe Sister said she so much mourning does not become you well on this occasion where nothing but content should be exprest and therewithall rather in jest than earnest she untied her string from her neck and in its room hung on a string of costly Pearl which lay upon her Table next under colour of the heat which was not over she trust her foresleeves up unto her elbowes and delivered her a rich Bracelet of Diamonds which she wore her self pull'd off her Gloves that her fair hands might shew themselves and took away the Handkerchief that hid her neck and would not conceal from Ariomant a part of her perfections After this manner Lisimena accompanied her deer Orazia to her closet wraped with leaves without more company than little Aquilant whom they distrusted not and bore his Mistress train for that she had not time enough for haste to make her self unready A very little time had they been there when Ariomant together with his faithfull friend Callistenus slid secretly into the door which lay towards the City and whereof he had the key delivered him Many and happy were the complements that past on either side But though there be no excellency wherewith they were not accompanyed and all their words selected such as love form'd in their mouths delighting to propose and answer for our Lovers I forbear repeating of them lest the Readers take offence and because Ariomant perceiv'd by Orazia's discourse that she yet knew not his extraction and that she long'd to know it from his mouth which he would gladly have excused if manners would have let him But seeing no way how he could refuse at length being all four sat and that their silence witnessed their defires to hear he thus began to say THE HISTORY OF ANAXANDER AND OF ORAZIA The second BOOK MOst fair and vertuous Princess seeing you desire to know who I am and from my own mouth to learn the History of mine and the companion of my misfortunes my deer Friend Callistenus his Life I am most willing to obey you and although our Crosses have been great and perillous our voyage more than common yet find I more contentment than displeasure in reflecting on them when I call to mind how you are the sole object of our hazards and that for your love only we have undertaken them But ere I ship me in that long discourse 't is fit I justifie the good opinion you have of my birth that if our merits be not equall you may at leastwise find our qualities as like as our affections and that you may be able to make good the honour you have done me to accept my service ere you very well had known me It cannot be but you have often heard of Alcidaris who being descended from the great Tamberlin and only remainder of his race hath to the Empire of Cambaye joyn'd the Kingdoms of Dulcinde Candahar and Mandao and who at present with your Father shares the Soveraignty of all the Indes From him 't is Madame whence I derive my self who hath bred me in the hope of all his Kingdomes which surely I should scorn but for the hope I have to reign in them one day with you Hereat the Princess Orazia could not conceal her joy of heart to be beloved by so great a Prince but interrupting him did say that both the greatnesse and deservings of Alcidaris were as the Sun so known unto her But reply'd Ariomant because we are not so neer neighbours but that many Hills and Rivers separate us and for it may be you have never heard of all the passages of my Fathers Life which do concern my Story I must briefly tell you that this Prince at five and twenty yeares of age was Heir unto the Kingdome of Guzarat which you call otherwise Cambaye he married more for policy of state than force of love the Princess Berenica who was only daughter and heir unto the King of Candahar and of Mandao his neighbour and his tributary who shortly after died and by that match enlarged his limits to the Northern parts even to the Mountain of Nogrocot which the Greeks call Paropamisse from whence the famous River Indus springs which but for only watering our Lands gives name to all the Indes But this unhappy Queen who did Idolatrise her Husbands vertues liv'd but a short time with him after her fathers death but on whole year wherein she gave him all imaginable proofes of perfect love and so far forth as having in her self free power she gave him be it whether the child wherewith she went did live or otherwise her two fair Crowns and just as soon as she
that the poor for knew it was in earnest they mockt him and that they restrained not themselves as when he was taken for the Prince and Heir of Goâ—zarate Admire the weaknesse inconstancy of men it was not two bours before that this young man was adored of all the People and followed of the whole Court and however extravagant he were on the belief men had that he was born a Prince they honoured him as a god although they knew he was a shame and reproach to the Kingdom and behold in one hour Fortune overturning in him what soever was thought she had establih'd everlastingly every body leaves him and that supposed rank which they feared and disguis'd their faces with a feigned approbation of his follies being known for counterfeit they freely scoff'd at the poor wretch who soon became the sport of the whole Court The King however had some kinde of pitty on him and truly were it only but for that this poor unhappy creature had had the honor to carry the title of Prince and to passe some years for the Kings only son it was just this that somewhat should be assur'd him during his life which might take him out of that abject condition where it to his rudenesse had east him again The King then finding that he was half in dispence concerning his greatnesse resolv'd to put him wholly out of his errour and to tell him how that supposal grew But said he Eurimedes for you must retain that name henceforth which is you fathers because I will be known to be kinde and charitable and that I will nor forsake what I have once set in honor and credit Ask me any title or other thing which may be fit for you in my Kingdom and you shall gladly have it Every man expected he should have craved some high condition where profit might be joyn'd with honor but he deceiv'd the company when above all things with a smiling countenance and see ling nothing at all of his past sorrow he desired he might have that poor wench of the Town whom he had in times past so well liked The great Aleidarts could not abstain from laughing and turning him towards the Queen and Lisimantus Truly said he Nature doth what she doth very well giving ordinarily mean thoughts to low souls as noble hearts she maketh capable of glory and of high desires Yes said he Eurimedes take her but when thou are married to her upon what wilt thou live for I believe my son will not let thee enjoy his revenue nor those other things which thou usurpedst from him Hereat the poor blockhead lost his joy again and not knowing what to answer the King assur'd him of a good Pension and his father for his faithfulness a better and the better to please the whole Court which could not enough honor his dear Lisimantus he sent one of his guard to fetch the Maid and all her friends and presently gave her to Eurimedes who as easily forgot all his greatnesses as if he never had possessed them and bounded all his glory and ambition with the possession of that woman his equal Lisimantus was yet very pale as well by reason of the wounds he had received from his brothers hand as for the little rest he had had in that dark prison where the Cambaiansâ— fury had some daies detained him yet was he a subject of all the Ladies admiration of the Court who sinding him as exquisite in spirit as shape could no less praise his courtesie than countenance and blessed heaven that truth was manifest to their advantage and that they were to live under so fine and gallant a Prince But although he was as kinde to them all as civility and good manners permitted him his mind forbare not to wander other where and the sight of so many beauties served but to awake more fervently the remembrance of his dear Lisimena As soon as he knew himself a Prince that adorable beauty was the first object which came into his thoughts and presently apprehended that inequality would be no longer an obstacle to his Love If he were joyed at that quality and if his heart were touched to the quick it was only because it promis'd him a freer accesse to Lisimena for otherwise he was too generous to prize that present of Fortune and be proud of it he knew his courage was above the highest Thrones and that he had enough wherewithall to obtain those Crowns and greatnesses which his birth might have denyed him He found he had a Princes soul and illustrious blood was the least matter he accounted of in such as governed with equity and who by sweetness rather than Tyranny made themselves more absolute in their Dominionâ— The King his father could not enough admire his actions whenever he remembred his past Victories and thought upon the glory which his young son Anaxander had gotten and the courage they both had to meet so many encounters and dangerous occasions he could not chuse but thank the gods and flatter himself with that sweet vanity that he was the happiest father and most redoubted King of all Asia in such children His Physicians very provident for their new Princes health fearing lest after so ill usage and so little rest as he had had in eight or ten daies misery before his felicity he might fall sick desired his Majesty to perswade him to keep his bed a while that they might purge him of the evill humours which might have grown in him But it being by the King proposed to Lisimantus Sir said be if you will set my mind at rest and purge it of all melancholy that troubles it I conjure you in the name of the gods whom you worship to send instantly an Embassadour to the King of Zeylan When you shall have assured him that I have the honor to be acknowledged your son I know he will nor deny me his daughter which is the only content of my soul and thing in the world which can make me happy Son said the King unto him I have no other meaning than yours and I am only sorry that you have prevented me by your request foâ—â— intended to propose it to you for your good But do not you desire to have your first name of Alcidaris restored to you which you lost by so strange a fortune me thinks my Subjects will have greater cause of joy when they shall see you inherit my name as well as a good part of my Crown and will thereby the better know you for their lawful Lord. Let them Sir replyed Lisimantus know me only by the honor I have to be issued from you and the actions I intend to perform for their advantage and suffer use to wear the brave name of Lisimantus so solemnly given me by the fairest mouth of the world and being the first mark of credit which I got abroad It may suffice if you think fit that I write my self Alcidaris like you and name my self