over as a sacrifice for the State countrey vvhen behold his sayles vvere fill'd vvith a selfe-opinion in my favour Born up therefore vvith the vvings of hope he returnes to Court where love or some indulgent Fate inspired this project into his head He calls the Nobilitie and after a long narration of the mischiefes that hung over Laconia he desires their advice for prevention They glad that the onely opposer as they thought of their designes vvould have recourse to their directions in that cause vvherein they vvere jealous of his partaking after a flatteâ—ring insinuation the coÌ„mon Exordium to men of his place they concluded that it vvas fit Hellen should dye I doubt it not said he nor was it to that end I sought your counsaile that the necessitie of the times the welfare of our person the preservation of our state required her death but it much perplext me that our fame should bleed with her or that the world should say the threats of the king of Corinth had inforc't us to behead her whoÌ„ lately we vvere to take to wife 'T was this my Lords that caus'd my misinterpreted resolution hang in suspence for this I have turn'd my invention into all formes and now behold I have found an even way to lead me between the perrils of a threatned war the ill-bought quiet of an ignominious peace My will is she be brought to Court for Partinax his house I think not convenient for this project and plac't here with such about her as I know most trusty in such a secret then that her keepers at farthest within two dayes poyson her which done wee le give it out she dyed of a disease and to confirme this opinion in the vulgar wee vvill honour her death vvith such funerall pomp as the state of her life required Thus shall our cause of dissention with Corinth be taken away and vve freed from that imputation the vvorld might justly lay upon us The Nobilitie with silent admiration began to applaud vvhat he had determined chiefly Partinax who making the coÌ„moÌ„ cause his pretence labour'd by all meanes to confirm a resolution so necessary for his daughter Lemnia's happinesse The king having dismist the Councel acquaints me with these his proceedings setting forth with no meane pride the pregnancie of his owne vvit who had found a way to over-reach such gray-bearded dotards for said he you shall that night when you are thought to be poisoned be conveyed hence by two of chiefest trust about me unto my Castle of Nicos then will I cause a statue form'd to your proportion to be coffin'd up on which forsooth my grave Councell shal solemnly wayte and performe the obâ—equies in that ceremonie requisite meane time you shal live live beloved of him vvho hath undergone this dangerous enterprise and will do many more to indeer his affection to you And when the limms of this dis-joynted State be set againe you shal be restor'd to be your selfe and to enjoy this Crowne of Laconia so much envied you till when I lock these projects in the closet of your secrecie The good king was scarce gone froÌ„ me vvhen I made Lemnia of counsaile with me vvho seâ—ing the fitnesse of the time being my journey to Nicos was to be perform'd in the night and the easie execution oâ— so dangerless an enterprise my guard being only two of the kings servants she gives in charge to a sufficient number of such vvhoÌ„ she knew faithfull to her to meet them midway and after they had well beaten my convoy to discharge them of the suspicion of their consenting to the fact to carry me to the next sea port where there stay'd a ship bound for Delphos to vvhich I needs would beÌ„d my course This being resolv'd upon the Lady equally troubled with the care of my safetie and the losse of my presence wept manie teares which I confesse had beene ingratitude in me not to second so as a vvhile sorrow seem'd to have flowen thither to bathe her selfe in our eyes but love at length in both of one anothers good had vvell neere calm'd this passion when the guard appointed by the king was come and readie to carrie me to Court But why should I great Sir anie longer stay you in a storie whose tediousnes I am well assur'd hath tyr'd you know therfore that this meanes of my safetie vvas as fortunately executed as happily contriv'd the king not once daring to send to seeke me lest he should by that discover his own craft us'd in this dangerous deluding of the Laconian Noblemen But I vvas scarce a moneth absent vvhen hee vvhose eyes held the raines of his constancie the object being remov'd married as it vvas before determined the beauteous Lemnia who now in possessioÌ„ of his love stick't not to make knowne to him this whole matter which otherwise in her behalfe I was bound to keep secret Thus sir if my desire to obey your commands hath made the story of my misfortunes tedious you may excuse me since all is done for your satisfaction Faire Queene replied Basilius the sweetly delivered strangenesse of the storie would still ravish the hearers with a desire of a further cause of attentivenesse did not a greater desire in us vvho know your vertues hasten to heare the end of your much pittied distresse and so calling Amphialus to him having agreed on the day of marriage betweene the Queen him they all arose for now their appetites growing jealous of the satisfaction their minds received by the former discourse began to solicite them in the behalfe of their stomacks After dinner when most of the companie began to impe the wings of time with the feathers of severall recreations Amphialus and Hellen privately went together into an arbor in the gardeÌ„ where first vvith teares the coÌ„mon apologie of over-joy'd affection they spake their mindes in sileÌ„ce their panting hearts as they imbrac't with mutuall desire beating their envious garments that gave them not lâ—ave to meet At length Hellen gracefully shaking her head as if shee vvould shake away the drops that like the morning dew on full-ripe Cherries hung on her rosie cheekes O Amphialus said she then kist him as loath to leave so perfect a sentence without a comma I wil not say you were unkind but and there with his lips loath belike to accuse him she clos'd up her speech My sole happinesse replied Amphialus softly wringing her hand though the foulenes of my fault be no fit subject for her to speake of who breathes nothing but goodnes yet I vvaÌ„t not an accuser my soule sets forth my ingratitude nor can I yet conceive how mercie can be so farre remov'd froÌ„ justice as to finde a pardon for my offence but you have given it and if it be any requital it shal be my after lifes studie to love honor your vertues as it was hitherto to offend you It is fit therefore said Hellen with the counterfeit setlednes of
Matie we impose a penance upoÌ„ you for your oversight and this it shal be that henceforth you neither speake nor think of that you account your fault and to helpe you in obeying my commands I must intreat you to keep your mind and tongue for a time busied in telling me what befel you in your travel since our being at Corinth and do it not so niggardly as if you meant to conceale what fame hath so largely blowne abroad yet if you were expos'd at anie time to much danger dwell not there too long least I forget I have you heere Most deere Ladie said Amphialus to conforme my selfe to your last request would make me disobedient to your first command Shall I begin with my departure from you alas at vvhat time should I more imploy my memorie speech in discoverie of my faultie selfe than now But I see your eies begin to take anger into them I will no longer insist on mine owne accusation Know therefore most constant Ladie that accompanied onely with Fidutio my Page when I had past the limits of your dominion at that time of day wheÌ„ the high mounted Sunne makes least shadowes wearied with travell and desirous of some shelter from the Sunnes violent rayes I laid my selfe under the protection of an Olive tree thinking to set my mutinous thoughts at peace but it would not beâ— these outward signes could not appease the furie of an inward enemie Thus I lay deerly purchasing the little ease of my bodie with the affliction of my minde untill mine eares like faithfull servants desirous to end this dissension between their Master and himselfe caus'd all the powers of my mind to joine in attentivenes and mine eies loath to be out-gone in such good offices did look that vvay from vvhence the noise came where I might discerne sixe men arm'd on horseback carrie a faire Ladie vvith them vvhose teares out-cries vvell shew'd her indispositioÌ„ to that journey This sight mov'd compassioÌ„ in me pittie brought a desire to help her distresse but my horse devining belike my intent unwilling to leave his food could by no meanes be taken so that madd vvith anger I began to repeat over all the misfortunes that ever had befaln me to let this know it wanted no fellowes when there came posting that way one whoÌ„ by his hast â— I ghest to have been of the companie gone before Of him I intreated to know what fault could be so heinous that might take away the name of injurie froÌ„ so unmanly a violence as they offred to so beauteous a Ladie but he with a scornfull silence smil'd would be goneâ— and so perhaps he might had not the narrownes of the vvay his courteous horse that vvould not tread upon me compel'd him to stay Whereat his anger burst forth into these threats Villain thy vvant of armour shall not excuse thee from a death wilfully drawn upon thee and though there be no glorie there will be satisfaction in thy overthrowe Then drawing his horse a little backe he lighted without further complement runnes towards me but his furie broght him too hastily to his death for thinking belike his threatning mouth was able to defend it selfe he forgot to put by my sword that by good fortune was laid in his way so justly his death entred at his mouth whose life I think vvas in his tongue At his fall Fidutio came in vvho helping to fit on the armour of vvhich we had disfurnisht this unserviceable knight I mounted on his horse that seem'd to have regarded my hast more than mine owne and riding on the spurre I overtook my companie for so they vvould needs make themselves saluting me by the name of their frieÌ„d Satibarsis But their better observance soone put them out of that opinion so as ghessing indeed rightly that I had kil'd Satibarsis by that mean got his armour without desire to be further then by their owne conjecture satisfied they join'd all hands in his revenge But the Ladies cause vvas just whose rescue I came too the all-seeing provideÌ„ce that vvould not see justice overlai'd fought for me And now five of them had either receiv'd their wel-deserved paimeÌ„t of death or vvere kept by their wounds from further opposition vvhen the sixt who all this time had held Ladie and lookt on seeing my hand vvhose vveakenesse had left such presidents of the effects of a good cause now set against him alone took his prisoner by the hair with his sword gave her a deep wouÌ„d in the neck That inhumane act vvould have giveÌ„ desire to the most barbarous power of revenge to the most cowardly but he as if he meant to save me a labour making hast that their vvarme bloud should meet with the same sword runnes himselfe thorow dying as just a ludge as he was a traiterous offendor Amazement would have fixt mine eies upon him but the La vvound brought them to her succour Experience on my selfe made me skilfull and my faire patient officious so that tying up the wound for some time I â—tanch't the bloud Shee in meane time with her vvatrie eies bent to heaven-ward heartily praying for my good fortune manie times thanking her destinie that with her death had ended the miseries of her ever-dying life When I had done comforting her as I thought with my opinion of her safetie I intreated to know her name the cause of this injurie done to her No no replied she Courteous straÌ„ger the comfort of my neer-comming death in spite of the torment the memorie of my most vvretched life puts me too brings this cheerfulnesse I now present in my lookes though the least delay of my end is accompanied with a vvorld of sorrowes yet I am glad for satisfaction of your demand my breath is a while preserv'd My name is Leaucade the onely daughter to Count Brunio a man of large possessions in this countrie whom you may well think because in expectation of his lands manie sued for those not of the meanest esteeme but my carelesnesse of love had taught me such a carriage that further then of the favour of my courtesie of which they did all indifferently partake none could boast And this till about a yeare since was my daily practise disdaining as most that have not known it do so ridiculous a passion as I then esteem'd love At which time this Fluento vvhose happie hand hath done us both right came to my fathers Courtâ— a neighbour Prince with vvhom for incroaching upon the bounds of his territorie my father hath had much dissention But a reconcilement being made betweene them and both alike thinking the best meanes to perseâ—er in amitie were to have us two join'd in marriage without my knovvledge as iâ— it vvere fit I should be a stranger to their proceedings determine of the match But alas sir at this time I was so far from being at their dispose that I was not
severitie yet it vvas fit to please Rinatus one who had deserv'd vvell and had the power if otherwise he vvere dealt vvith to revenge his injurie Others the more in number and esteem'd the vviser because the King held vvith them oppos'd this sentence alledging so inconsiderate an act might call the safetie of Laconia in question for said they shall wee thinke the Corinthians so degenerate that being justly incenc't against us they will not endevour to revenge the death of their Prince in shade of whose raigne they enjoy that peace plentie their neighbours envie them for and if they stirre in it what people is so barbarous whom the justnesse of their cause will not procure into the societie of this warre See then if a private mans satisfaction be to be compar'd to these ensuing dangers no let her live when the Gods doe otherwise disposâ— of her let her death come without the ruine of Laconia This determined a new doubt arose how I should be dispos'd of They that before thought it expedient I should dye now that opinion vvas put by concluded that it was best to send me to Corinth with an honourable convoy so to tye them by a perpetuall bond of gratitude to be their friends whom they so much fear'd to bee their enemies the rest to gratifie the king whose affection they perceiv'd to leane that way and well assur'd it was an advice too profitable to be rejected that gain'd a kingdome though his promise after the Q. death who not long before left him a widower had bin pas't to Lemnia a fair vertuous La daughter to my keeper Partinax yet they wisht if so he pleas'd my crown might vvin me to his bed little doubting but I had thought it an egregious felicitie to be so grac't The King after manie protractions at length as if he were wrought to it by a desire to satisfie the Nobility rather then selfe-will declares his mind to be directed by them which once known behold the flatterie of Court began to fawne upoÌ„ me who more observ'd who more admir'd onely Rinatus much impatieÌ„t of this my greatnes in Court uttered some words in choler which made known by further enquirie a conspiracie of his against the King so as soone after the rather to give me whom they studied to please satisfactioÌ„ he was beheaded But long it was not before Fortune neither constant to my happie adversitie nor adverse felicitie had brought thither sent by the usurper Tenarus a wise but wicked instrument whoÌ„ he call'd his Ambassador who laboured by the policie of his high reaching braine and the secret practises of his undermining gold so farre for his Masters ends that now in an instaÌ„t the stil-changing face of Court-respect began to frowne upon me my death was decreed and untill the time vvere appointed for it my selfe made a close prisoner in my accustomed gaole But the King chiefly mov'd vvith the hope of my crowne and drawn by a selfe-conceit of liking to my sorrow vvhich perhaps had a sympathie vvith his melancholy vvould needs continue the suit of his affection to me though he durst not interpose his overrul'd authoritie for my libertie Thus for a time did I live accompanied by some few vvhoÌ„ the king might trust vvith his inteÌ„ts he in shew courting his first love Lemnia and making that a pretence to come private to her â—athers house neer adjoyning to Court But indeed as at that time he could have no reason to dissemble vvith me this kindnesse came another way vvhich Lemnia suspecting and being as farre gone in affection to this double-dealing King as he was in the profession of a little-regarded love to me her vvatchfull eye soon found the advantage of a happie opportunitie to heare himselfe speake his own deceipt with such a heart-burning vehemencie that Lemnia who had plac't her selfe unknown to eyther of us behinde the hangings scarse could suppresse her entry to play a part in our Comedie of affection But to his demaÌ„ds truth answered for me plainly that death in whose expectation I liv'd vvould be farre more pleasing then the marriage he thought so reasonable adding vvithall to my speech much of Lemnia's praise which she deserv'd to instruct his eyes that indeed vvere blinde in his choyse But when he parted vowing to be severe in my punishmeÌ„t unless I resolved better at his next comming behold Lemnia with teares in her eiâ—s fell at my feet and vvhen she saw amazemeÌ„t in my lookes with a kinde bashfulnesse taking my hand rising with that helpe Vertuous Lady said she if ever you have beene acquainted with the tyrannie of all-commanding affection to that Iudge I appeale who though courtesie and good maners oppose him wil find my fault excusable This man who in your presence hath beene the trumpet of his owne inconstancie first with the vehemeÌ„t protestatioÌ„ of his sincere affection won me in gratefulnes to meet him in the recoÌ„pence of his unknown dissimulatioÌ„ if such then it vvere and now vvith the good liking of the State vvere the solemnities appointed for our marriage wheÌ„ your arrivall croft those hopes and drew his thoughts to their naturall temper of unstayednes But since I have found by this fortunate unmanerlinesse your answers so resolutely oppos'd to his demands henceforth I vow to vvorke your freedome or bring my selfe to perish vvith you Her fault found an easie pardon at the tribunall shee appeal'd too I thank't her as there vvas good cause for her desire of my good onely I wisht if my freedom could not be procur'd without danger to her she vvould not heape miseries upon me by joining her selfe a companion in my disaster She comforts me vvith the hope of a better event to bring her intention to a wished successe she vvins my unvvillingnes to shew som favour to the King which next day I did having plac't Lemnia vvhere shee had plac't her selfe the day before to be a witnesse to our conferenceâ— for otherwise perhaps her love this second time might have egg'd her suspition already prone that vvay to the distrust of a practise betwixt us And happie vvas this forc't dissimulatioÌ„ for the king not long before his comming to me had receiv'd advertisement that the usurper of Corinth had levied an armie set forth manie ships to invade Laconia making the delay of my promised execution the pretence of this vvarreâ— vvhich being also knowne to the Nobilitie they who together vvith this forreine enemie feared the rebellion of the Helots vvho alway lay in vvait for an opportunitie of such advantage now more then ever began to solicite the king to satisfie so potent an enemie in so just a demaÌ„d The king vvel vveighing the iminent dangers that vvere to be prevented by my death and seeing the little comfort he did enjoy by prolonging of my life likely everie day to encrease my obstinacy being none of those lovers that would die for his disdaining Masters vvas ready to deliver me
and it will be the best part of my soules liâ—e to live in your memorie Then taking his hand and placing it on her heart that now proudly began to beate the loud alarum of death Feele heâ—e said she the batterie is begun and this Fort is abandoned of all the powers of lifeâ— only my desire to be with you desperately a while keepes the breach But ô my Plangus and at that word death clos'd up in eternall sileÌ„ce her tongue that yet stil mov'd as loath to leave her speech imperfect It was a desperate griefe wilde passion that seiz'd upon the heart of the poore Plangus Accursed earth did he say how darest thou support the burthen of these many mischiefs cast by the spitefull heavens into this sinke of miserie 'T was I Erona brought an untimely set to thy sun shine of goodnesse and doe the heavens meane I should breathe that have so much wrong'd them What do they do will they heare me speake that kill'd Erona But they would have me live to torture me with the memorie of my guilt No no I will prevent their project that were a punishment fit for an ill-meant offence not an infortunate And with these words drawing his sword lifting up his Bases he would have run himselfe through the belly but I stay'd his hand from so unmanly as I then alleag'd it a violence forcing wiâ—h the remembrance of our friendship my much-prevayling teares the sword but not his resolution from him Then did I begin to alleage all that I thought in reason might remove him from his purpose for well I might see in the unappal'd stayednesse of his countenance the greatnesse of some determination To all my objections for a time his eyes gave a more heedfull attention than did his eares But vvhen I came to call his valour in question whose unspotted memorie hitherto I said this last inconsiderate act vvould accuse of a little firme constancie in bearing the changes of fortune Alas said he and will you my friend be cruell to me Is it certaine Amphialus that it vvell becomes that courage you would have in your friend to bear an equal temper both in the frowns and smiles of fortune and is it not as certain that when the malice of heaven hath join'd with fortune in producing a monstrous effect there cannot be left in man so infinit a power of suffering which he dare oppose to such unlimitted works No I will not gyant-like bandy against the Gods such is their will I must die Then leading mee softly over to Erona as if he would perswade me the violence of passion had not beene his guide to this resolution See Amphialus said he this is shee whom you would have me to live afterâ— what can mine eyes now she is gone desire to look on Erona a woman could dye for Plangus vvould you have me wrong mankind vvith a greater fear of death or my love vvith a lesse desire to dye This said but with a countenance that promis'd no suddennesse in the execution especially to me vvho was Master of his sword his only offensive vveapon behold with a downe-cast look vvhich sorrow excus'd though deceit had then I am sure put it on to further mischiefe and such a pace as used slownesse to the same end he approach't the vvindow vvhere the remain of Erona's intercepted draught appointed by the destinies to be fatall to them both stood in a gilt cup this he hastily takes as hastily drinkes off I all confus'd pale and trembling as if the poyson had vvrought its effect in me made alas too slow speed to him But Plangus now first presenting an unfayned cheerefulnesse in his lookes as if this draught had given him life kneeling neer Erona Divine soule said he if confidence in thy Plangus constancie makes thee hover neere this sacred mansion of thine to see the end of his suffrings ô stay a while and beare me with thee thy presence vvhen I appeare before Radamanth will be a countenance to my cause Then turning himselfe to me Amphialus Revenge Amphialus Erona's death upon the vvicked Plexertus his blood vvill be the best sacrifice to my ghost Leade the Armie to ByzantiuÌ„ and restore the Amasian hostage Then putting his trembling lips to the pale lipps of Erona he coldly kiss'd away his life What my sorrow vvas to be a looker on these tragedies these teares even at the remembrance of that time may testifie yet leaving the bodies to be imbalmed vvith the Nobleman vvho in her life time had been faithfull to Erona dissembling the death of Plangus lest it should vvork an innovation among the souldiers vvith some choyse Troupes of light horsemen I followed Plexertus who posting to Court had received advertisemeÌ„t from thence how Arguto the admirable engine by whom he vvrought much mischiefe being lately falne from the faith vowed to his practises had reveal'd to Artaxia the purpose his Master had to dispatch her out of his vvay since now he had a soone by her to vvhom he might be guardian esteeming it more content to be great alone than to share the royalties of her own kingdom with Artaxia These newes made his flight as dangerous as would be his stay but vvhen he understood for the heavens had made this the rendevow vvhere his misfortunes should meete that the Princes of Thessaly and Macedon of vvhom his treacheries vvere to expect their just reward did live and should be happie in the addition of Arcadia to their greatnesse that Leonatus had seiz'd upon his seigniories in Trebisond for his treason to Pyrocles and Musidorus of which not long before he had gloriously boasted that there vvas no new forme of dissimulation left to which in this extremitie he might have recourse O then the uglinesse of his guiltie conscience that untill this time had made peace with his wickednesse presented before him the progresse of his ill-spent dayes drawne to life in the colours of despaire now his father now his friends Tideus and Telenor were summon'd by his soule to make partie against him In this affright he continued all that day which scarce was time sufficient for him to reade over his misdeedes and when the silent night drawne in heâ— Ebon Chariot had spred her curtaines to hide her brothers face Plexertus glad to see her flatter his mind in this likenesse of darknesse resolv'd by despaire that the Godds wanted mercie for his faults well assured men had lesse he secretly vvent into a Garden to vvhich a back doore from his chamber led him where loathing as much to die as wishing he vvere dead he spent some time in execrations on himselfe At length tying a cord newly taken out of his bed to the stump of an Elder tree that stood with such conveniencie as if it would invite him to that exercise he slipt into his death easing the earth untill morning of the burthen of so detestable a wretch But when the day appear'd made
knowne his death the magistrates of the towne striving vvho could be best sighted in the discoverie of the murther hoping to have the reward of their diligence from their Queene Artaxia soone found out as a man to be most suspected the messenger come from Court vvhom Plexertus had till late in the night kept in his chamber to know of him the particulars oâ— Arguto's revolt This fellow because none more likely in the vvilde form of their popular justice vvas to dye a thousand manner of deathes But he making just protestations of his innocencie being questioned vvhat occasion he had so long to stay the last night vvith the King if not for that end He plainly let them know vvhat Arguto discover'd which he then reported to Plexertus The many-headed multitude called not the truth much in question of vvhat they heard but vvith the same violence as before every one in this also thinking to gratifie the Queene ran to as uncertaine a forme of execution on the dead as they did before to a judgement of the living first they stript the bodie naked then dragg'd it through the streets now they open his belly and suffer his gutts to marke forth his progresse doing many mo indignities to him vvho had deserved many more I much rejoyc'd to heare Plexertus had beene so just to himselfe yet I determined to join Erona's revenge on Artaxia to Plexertus his judgemeÌ„t on himselfe but her an untimely death had freed from my revenge for taking to the heart Plexertus his treacheries her brother Teridates unrevenged death she calmely gave her selfe over to a life oppressing griefe leaving her kingdome young sonne to the care of Salindor vvhom she appointed Protector during the minoritie Returning therefore somewhat grieved that both Plangus and Erâ—na's death without my help had beene revenged I conveyed the bodies to Lycia vvhere the sumptuousnesse of their Tombes shewes their estates and their everlasting fame their everliving vertues From hence I vvould have parted private but remembring Plangus his last will I pass'd thorow â—masia restoring his son to the Duke and comming to Byzantium I gave up my charge into the hands of Lisantus a Macedonian leaving the souldiers full of heartie sorrow for the death of Plangus their Generall Soone after hearing of your death and resolv'd to sacrifice my blood to your memorie to disingage my selfe of some part of my faultinesse leaving Fidutio in Thrace lest by him I should be discovered disguising my selfe in an armour fitly as I thought presenting the massacre of my naked heart passing the Courts of Elis Argos lastly comming hither I met what should I more say with thee my Hellen reserv'd to be a blessing beyond vvhat most I could desire And so vvith a sincere fervencie kissing her hand they both walk't towards the Pallace where having ended Supper vvhile Basilius and Evarcus vvith the rest expected a Maske prepar'd for them the Queene of Corinth let them know what she had heard of Plangus Erona together vvith Plexertus deserved end and the death of Artaxia The audience greatly pittied their fortunes especially Pyrocles vvho much griev'd to heare of Plangus his death for the love he bore his vertues vvas no lesse troubled at Plexertus his mischance for his deere servant Zelmanes sake But the entry of the Maskers caus'd him put over those thoughts to more solitarines his eye being fed vvith a daintie varietie of representations and his eares vvith most harmonious well-agreeing musick to which the footing kept so good time that doubtfull it was whether the musick conform'd it selfe to the life of their motion or the Maskers their motion to the musicks livelinesse But night mask't in these sports crept on undiscover'd and though Pyrocles and Musidorus at other times would dispence with the length of the sports yet now in respect of the armfulls of joy they vvere to expect in bed they thought them tedious which once perceiv'd their dances were sooner at an end then was intended Thus dayes nights past over as if they had no other Spheare then delight to move in the appointed time for Amphialus his marriage was at hand to which Basilius invited the Shepheards both to chaÌ„ge their daily pleasures as also to shew Evarcus that though a greater cause had mov'd him to the solitarie course of life by him imbrac't yet the witts of Arcadia and the pleasantnesse of their harmelesse life might have drawne him to that retirednesse The Eclogves Kalydolus now minded to marrie his daughter and uncertain whether he should bestow her on the contented young Arcadian Menaleas or the much-having much-wanting Thessalian Coridon who both vvere then present hearing of this summons puts over their cause to be determined by Basilius And Strephon and Klaius no lesse desirous to bring Vrania's name to Court joined themselves to the rest Nor was Agelastus waÌ„ting who not for a Mistris but Heraclitus-LIKE thinking man was made to mourne repining at the vanitie of greatnesse had maintain'd a religious sorrow No sooner was the companie set and that their silence began to proclaime their expectation but Strephon who before his comming had prepar'd an Epithalanium began thus to sing Str. Sweet linck of hearts joyes surest anchor-hold Loves peacefull Crowne the harbour of desires Hymen approach but think not Pan too bold If to invoke thy name our love aspires Dwell heere for ever that this couple may Renew the blessings of their marriage day Firme be their roote of love and cause a blisse From forth this royall happie stock to spring That all the world may justly say he is Vvorthy to be and to succeed a king But shorten not their dayes for 't is decreed The best can be but worthy to succeed Amphialus thankt Strephon for his heartie wishes but he had scarce ended when Klaius looking upon him with as sower a countenance as their friendship could allow thus said Kla. I pray thee Strephon if these glorious showes Of Courts admired greatnâ—sse do not close Thy mind froÌ„ former thoughts where can thy layes Finde other subject then Vrania's prayse Or dost thou fondly thinke thou wert too blame To breathe among these Lords Vrania's name Or is it certaine that her flames in thee Are quench't that lately doubled were in mee Str. Nor so nor thus that verse I last day made As with my flock I sate in Hestars shade I studied it yet all my studie was I vow to strive to let Vrania passe For'twas the only name my pen would write My thoughts imagine or my lipps indite Am I not bold when nights vast stage is set And all the starres and heavenly audience met To speake my mind while their bright twinkling flame Seemes to rejoyce to heare Vrania's name And shall I feare that what the heavens approv'd By men though great men should be disallow'd But where you thinke that I have check't mine eye And freed your Strephon from their treacherie O no mine is
the Gyant Tithius maw That doth encrease to feele a Vulturs paw No day runnes over but my loves deepe sore Renues his paine and festers more and more Kla. No day runs over but our loves deepe sore Renues his paine and festers more and more Alas where 's pittie then belike it flyes The place we come too frighted with our cryes Str. Pittie why friend 't is certaine that their eyes Vvho know they can or ' come learne to despise Yet Klaius why should we repine our Saint Is pleas'd sometime to heare our loves complaint And if mine eyes to ease my inward paine Become not flatterers she doth not disdaine Kla. Disdaine that were a blisse so great a waight Might lift our sorrowes to their utmost haight And then perhaps our owne despaire would mend Our lingring hopes that must or breake or bend O no ours is a worse calamitie A heedlesse care and carelesse courtesie Then Klaius pawsing a while with crost armes and a down-cast look began againe these following Verses to Strephon whom he spake to as representing the person of sorrow Kla. Foule sorrow wilt thou alway build thy nest In the wilde mountaines of my care-swolne brest Str. O yes I finde it happy for my breed And neere your heart whereon I use to feed Kla. But gentle griefe if not for pittie spare Me for Vrania's sake she hath a share In these my wounds and she must feele the smart Vvhose image's carv'd so lively in my heart Str. O no she shares no paine from whose faire eyes The wound did first and now the cure must rise Kla. Vvhy gentle griefe thou' rt witnesse of my love Then alway sigh my plaints untill you move Str. O no there 's too much rigour in such lawes They binde a man to speake against his cause Suppose I move this is my recompence Ioy must succeed and I am banisht hence Kla. Then must I dye unpittied no help 's found Since you my spoksman do conceale my wound Str. O no let not that make us to despaire Shee knows we love her but she knows she 's fayre When they ended Musidorus in whose memorie their courtesie to him had ingraven a beholdnes forgot not to approve what they had said But the audience had little time to determine whether they deserv'd what the Prince thoght them worthie of wheÌ„ CoridoÌ„ who long'd to hear the debate between him Menalcas for Kalidolus daughter ended clapping him on the shoulder thus said Cor. Fond beardlesse boy now shall the chastisement Fit for thy rash youths unweighed attempt Fall heauie on thee but you may relent I 'le not be crnell if you do repent O no you will not you 'l be alway blinde That gracelesse smile bewrayes thy scornfull minde Sing then and show these goodly dotes in thee Vvith which thy brainlesse youth can equall mee Menal Gray bearded frenzie what canst thou alledge To shun my blowes but thy age's priviledge Thy tongue may safely snarle while his offence Is still protected by that reverence The dotes old Dotard I can bring to prove My selfe deserves that choyce are only love A prizelesse Treasure not to be exprest A guest too great for thy cough-breeding brest Corid Yong man thou speak'st as if thy braines were wood Vvho can determine of that inward good I say I love and will Menalcas grieve That all the world should Coridon beleeve But that 's not it these flames will soone decay If they be not maintayn'd some other way A thousand sheepe I have whose snow-white fleece Do adde a lustre to these parts of Greece On whom as many lambes doe waite hard by That weare their damms white curled livery O what a joy wil't be to her I love Each morne and even to see her sheep remove From field to fold while she may freely say That Lamb is fat that Lamb I 'le eate to day Menal Blinde fortune I 'le confesse hath given you more Yet I am richer my content's my store A thousand sheep thou hast t is very like But thy diseasâ—s want arethmetick Nature between our yeares a marriage made Vve bloome together and at once may fade But your old age is gone too farre before Time beates you on and you 'l returne no more Cor. Hasty young man do not despise the end To which your selfe as to a center bend Vvhat if I want your bodies active toyes My setled minde a greater good enjoyes Menalc Old man thou speak'st as if thy braines went wood Vvho can determine of that inward good Thinkst thou will that sweet beauty take delight To heare thee cough a proverb in the night O no there are some other joyes in bedd They must partake whom you desire to wedd Coridon inwardly out of countenance to heare his owne words byte so sore upon him would have shrunke away but hoping he had found a Iudge whom the cause concern'd stood a while to attend what Basilius would have said But the king put it over to Musidorus who glad to find an occasioÌ„ to pleasure Minalcas his first Master in the practise of a Shepheards life thus ended it Coridon said he could I as well lop away some of your overgrowne yeares to make your maâ—ch with Kalidolus daughter equall as I can adde to Minalcas state I would for a time suspend my judgement for readily I know not vvhether of you two deserves best but in the one my power seconds my will as in the other my will overgoes my power Kalidolus daughter I therefore adjudge to Menalcas and I will make him worthie of her the rather that I know his rash youth vvould impatiently beare a repulse where your experience vvhen it reflects upon it selfe vvith more discretion may consider she vvaâ— but a vvoman Glad vvas Menalcas to speed so vvell nor vâ—as Coridon displeas'd because the Prince as he conceiv'd had entertain'd a good opinion of his wisedom Thus vvhen they ended Pyrocles who mark't Agelastus his silent pensivenesse desir'd to heare him disburthen his mind of the thoughts that brought him to so deep a studie thinking that Agelastus stood fixt with the eye of his mind cast upon the beautie of some faire Mistris but he who thought of nothing lesse thus answered his expectation Agel Nor fate nor fortune whose inforcing power Man still complaines upon his state to lower Do worke these changes man himselfe 's the cause They be but wheeles that keepe their movers lawes Yet alway when he sees his fault too late He turnes it over upon chance or fate Each man is borne a King his passions be The practise of his soveraignetie Vvho though they stil their soveraign's good pretend â—onspire his ruine for their private end The love of skin-thick beautie drawes his eye To yeeld to love his reasons Majestie His feare throwes Bugbeares in his way his state Is still infested by revengefull hate His idle griefe for what he might prevent Or might not doth usurp his government Thus he whom God ordain'd a