which did not rather seeme naturall than affected In the meane time to make that knowne unto one which hee would have invisible unto the other hee every day made matches with Cleander and other Knights of Tiltings and other noble Exercises where the two friends were alwayes of a side and alwayes vanquishers In the morning they were together at the Church after dinner together in their houses after supper in their gardens and alwayes Calista is the starre which lightneth the place Time passing in this manner Lisander consumes occasion of speaking unto his love being not offered It is true that every day he spake unto her but not of love nor of any thing relishing thereof so that in every mans eye hee languishingly decayed of an unknowne passion in the midst of all the contentments which could be imagined And although hee intended to dissemble his evill covering his true griefe with feigned joy yet did the dying colour of his face discover yea even unto those of small knowledg that there was some passion in him which with much griefe lay at his heart Cleander is the onely man who doth not perceive it beleeving that he should wrong his friend in thinking so Hee discerned plainely how the lively flowers of his face did daily wither but he thinks that it proceeded from accident and would have imagined that it sprung from any other than from the true cause They were then at the Court in the great city of Paris which so proudly raiseth her head above all the Cities almost of the world when as Cleander said that Lisanders indisposition proceeded from the unwholesome aire of the City wherefore he was resolved to lead him into the countrey Now he had a house a dayes journey from Paris built in a Lake within the middle of a great Parke called Beauplain the situation whereof being pleasant beyond expressing would have rejoiced sorrow it selfe Thither did he invite Lisander together with three or foure friends and Calista also without whom the feast was of no value went along with them It was then in the Spring when the earth more beautifull than at any other time of the yeare reneweth her countenance and decketh herselfe in her richest apparell There Cleander and Calista continuing unto Lisander their acustomed loving entertainment made triall that the country recreations which they gave him together with all other honest delights were no better remedies for his languishing than the pleasures of the city The exercise of Hunting which was ordinary with them could not divert his fantasie variety of company wherewith hee was every day visited did but increase his evill and gave him occasion to steale out of their companies to entertaine himselfe alone with his thoughts which he durst not communicate to any body living One day they having made a match to hunt an out-lying Stagge Calista having stayed at home with a young brother of Cleanders called Berontus after some time walked out with her brother in law to see their returne from the hunting and as she was at the side of a wood in the middle of the Parke so thicke that solitarinesse perpetually resides there in the shadow of an impenetrable leafinesse she heard a voice which in bewailing manner proceeded from the bottome of this wood In the beginning she could not understand the complaint but going somewhat neerer with Berontus who onely conducted her she heard these words Poore Lysander must thou consume in these woods the miserable remainder of thy youth and unprofitably lose thy life both in absence and unknowne unto her who is the cause thereof Must thou needs dye obscurely without having the contentment to let her see in thy death the sacrifice which thou offerest unto her of thy life O faire Calista is it possible that such a divinity as yours should be ignorant of those extreame affections which you stirre in me and have no feeling of those flames which you so lively kindle in my soule Can it be that a cause so faire should be ignorant of so necessary an effect as my love O God suffer not this want of knowledge in her to be a punishment unto me for my ingratitude unto Cleander O Lisander thou dost violate together with the law of Hospitality the most perfect friendship in the world Neither canst thou hope for pardon in any respect but onely in this that thou art forced by a beauty which bendeth every thing under the violence of its sweetnesse and whose excellency not alone lesseneth thy fault but maketh thee worthy of pardon and also of merit By these words they knew not onely the subject of this complaint which was love but also the person that made it who was Lisander and her for whom it was made who was Calista It is not to be spoken who was more abashed of Calista or Berontus for this passion was equally unknowne to them both But Calista was most ashamed and most grieved although her innocency was sufficiently witnessed by this complaint And indeed it was enough to have troubled a very able and wise woman for she did not know whether she ought to entreat her brother in law to hold his peace or tell her husband or whether she were best to hide or discover that which might bee told by his brother and where there was no lesse danger to conceale it than scandall to declare it Neverthelesse dissembling her thought shee went on as if she had not heard any word of this discourse Berontus who was none of Lisanders bestfriends jealous of the overmuch love which his brother did beare him had a faire occasion to divide them but he considering that hee should wrong his sister and not willing to imbroile his brothers heart with so miserable a passion as Jealousie nor to ruine the affection which he ought unto his wife in destroying that which he unduly bare unto Lisander resolved in himselfe to say nothing But all these considerations were apart and in silence without communicating any word one unto the other In the end Berontus seeing that Calista returned without saying a word spake unto her in this manner I doe not wonder Sister at Lisanders languishing but I rather wonder at your cruelty who so ungratefully suffer a Knight of his merit to dye without taking any care or knowledge of the wounds which your beauty giveth him Brother said Calista you shew as much folly in entertaining me thus with his evill as he doth in complaining if it be true that he hath forgotten himselfe so much for I am unwilling to heare either your discourse or his complaint But because we may have no more cause of suspition thereof and that the house may be as well free from suspition as from crime I doe conjure you to remove away the cause and to finde some meanes so to drive him away that I may have no more cause to complaine of the good which you say he wisheth unto mee Sister said Berontus it is a businesse wherein I cannot
but Clarangeus distrusting his cause would not referre himselfe unto the judgement of a woman already gained by his adversary yet Alcidon and Cleander used so many perswasions unto him that hee yeelded if Olinda made choice of Lidian for her servant Clarangeus should leave her service and should never pretend any interest in her love and in like manner if she should rather chuse Clarangeus Lidian should forbeare any further suit and never come in any place where he might hope for grace or favour from her Commission to deliver this agreement unto Olinda was given unto those who had made it and their honours were ingaged to the performance of these conditions declaring themselves enemies unto the first breakers thereof Olinda being equally offended with them both beleeving also that she had power to call backe Lidian when she pleased and not thinking it fit to make choice of one and offend the other resolved to bee rid of them both entreating both the one and the other to absent themselves and promising to choose him for her husband who should last come unto her The Oracle proceeding from this mortall goddesse so unexpected by those who asked it so astonished Clarangeus but most Lidian that the next morning without communicating their designe or taking leave of any person they got to horse leaving the Court and all their friends in great sorrow In the meane time feeble Lisander by little and little recovered his strength and no lesse by Calista's charmes than by the Operators skill who onely applyed his salves unto the doublet lost the paine of his wounds The contentment which he received in her company was so great that fearing to lose that he was unwilling to be healed out of which respect when she asked of him how his wounds were he answered Better than I would Madam because the happinesse which I receive in your most deare company doth infinitely surpasse the paine which they put me to and I doe so much feare the losing of this glory when I shall bee healed that to preserve it eternally I could wish them incurable Calista gently smiled at these words and told him that hee should onely take care for the healing of them and after they should enjoy more pleasure being whole than in being sicke But what pleasure Madam answered Lisander can I hope from your rigour if you use mee alwaies according unto your accustomed manner You complaine without cause replyed Calista knowing as you doe well unto what extremity I have beene reduced to please you but as it is said to bee willing to be healed is a beginning of health only be willing to be healed that I may see you once doe what I desire With these sweet words Lisander thought that Calista did but deferre the remedy of his love untill the healing of his wounds did make him capable of the receiving thereof And thus deceiving his hope with his evill unsensibly he was reduced to his former health But then when Lisander thought to gather the fruit of this love for which hee had suffered so many rigorous absences travels and wounds and that Cleanders Alcidon and Berontus riding after Lidian and Clarangeus who being gone this very day as wee said put them all in feare that they were gone to fight made him hope of a favourable occasion to enjoy his Mistresse She entring with Clarinda into his chamber spake thus unto him Sir since the time that I suffered you to see mee at Beauplaine unknowne to my husband I have beene alwaies followed with a multitude of torments which have never left mee in peace and I doe beleeve that God hath justly suffered them to punish in me the wicked designe which you have had to dishonour a person who entirely loveth you although I have committed no other offence but suffering that which I could not hinder and that I did not give notice of an injury which you procure unto him who ought to be more deare unto me than you are and who ought to bee more deare unto you than I am This hath beene confirmed unto me in this last affliction which I have had for your wounds in which time I made a vow to God that if he shewed you so much mercy as to suffer you to escape I would never draw his anger upon my head by having any connivence with your crime I doe entreat you therefore Sir and conjure you by that love which you say and I beleeve you beare me that if you will love mee you would love mee honourably and according to the love which I owe unto Cleander and the friendship which hee beares you if not I doe most humbly entreat you to pardon me if in paying the vow which I have made unto God and in satisfying the just obligations which are amongst men I am constrained to entreat you to retire your selfe and use that great courage which you make appeare in every danger to suffer constantly the losse of a person who cannot be acquired lawfully by you I would faine have all those who are apprehensive of love think with what patience Lisander could heare a speech so little looked for at the instant when hee expected the possessing of a pleasure so long and so vainly followed Ha Madam answered he is it possible that in the midst of so many faire hopes which you have made me conceive of your pity you should use mee so cruelly Is this the recompence of so many services which I have done you of so many dangers whereinto I have throwne my selfe of so many wounds which I have received and so many passions which I yet suffer Had it not beene better you had then suffered mee to dye when I was so neere death when I should have felt no paine it being a kinde of pity to kill those quickly which of necessity must dye rather than to make me suffer it with so much violence after so much sweetnesse having prolonged my life to prolong my torment Alas it was not without cause I feared to bee healed too soone seeing that in recovering my health I lose your favour and then to faine a counterfeit vow to excuse your ingratitude and cover your cruelty with the cloake of Religion will not heaven punish this hypocrisie Lisander said Calista I will speak but one word after which I entreat you not to hope for any other I take the same heaven to witnesse which you doe invoke against me that I grieve that I cannot love you as you love me and doe wish that I may be punished according to your desire if I use either hypocrisie or dissimulation You wrongfully accuse mee of ingratitude and cruelty seeing I cannot satisfie you without being ungratefull unto Cleander nor have pity upon you without being cruell unto my selfe I have told you that I loved you and with so perfect a love that it could not bee encreased nor lessened since the first birth thereof neither am I ignorant of your merits towards me but
windowes just opposite unto a window of a house and so neere unto it that there was nothing but the breadth of a narrow street which did separate them although the grillis was a little higher Lisander comming unto this house found the Mistresse thereof at the doore not yet ready who wondred to see a man of that appearance in this street so earely With her he stayed and intreating her to hearken â—nto one word which he would say for her profit for a Preface unto his discourse gave her a Purse with some â—ore of Grownes in it which did more captivate her good will and raised more attention than all the eloquence in the world could have done Afterwards he said Madam there is in this Prison a Lady who is my Kinswoman whose affaires are solicited by no man but my selfe and whereof I can neither give nor receive from her any instruction That which I desire of you is nothing which can either hurt you or prejudice any person for I doe not desire any other thing but that you would for a day or two lend me the chamber in your house which is over against the prison window thereby onely to see if I can convey her a letter and it is for this favour that I do entreat you to take the hundred crowns which are in the purse assuring you if it please God I justifie her innocency which I hope to doe shee and I will give you more She who was a woman and more of Paris and beyond of that common sort which will give themselves unto the Devill for money hearing him speake of a hundred crownes in ready money and a promise to have more for lending her chamber two dayes in receiving the crownes said unto him Jesus Sir this cost need not the house is at your command and I hope also you have not much failed for this barred window which you see a little higher than ours is one of the best chambers in the Castle and where they are accustomed to lodge their prisoners of the best quality so that I am much deceived if this Lady whereof you spake doth not lodge there and with this gracious speech she brought him into the chamber which was a beastly one The husband who saw a Courtier as hee thought goe so early into his house with his wife being not used to such visits rudely asked of him what hee came for into his house Man said his wife he is an honest Monsieur who hath entreated me to stay here onely one day How stay here said hee how long have you accustomed to lodge guests Sir sir you may get you into some other place it is time enough for here is no lodging To this Lisander answered nothing letting the wife alone whom hee had payed so well that hee doubted not of her speaking for him she drawing her husband aside and shewing him the hundred crownes which shee had received in earnest for so short a hyring out of her chamber made him more gentle than a glove so that changing both his countenance and voice hee said unto Lisander that he should dispose not alone of his chamber but of all the house and of himselfe who was at his service excusing his rudenesse upon two Gentlemen who having taken their meate and lodging with him upon credite had gone away without paying which had put him into this humour but God forbid said he that I should take you for such a kind of man for upon the sight of your countenance I would lend you all my wealth Although Lisander was vexed yet could he not forbeare laughing at this Butchers speech who was a true Parisian so thanking him for his honest courtesie he intreated him to lend him an inkehorne and paper which was presently brought him and having written a short letter he tyed it with pen and inkehorne of the least size he could get to cast it into the window thorow the barres thereof which being double made the entrance very difficult But because the letter should not fall into the street and that he might pull it unto him untill it went in hee tyed it with a thread of the length the street was broad and somewhat more and so flinging it and drawing it againe he continued it so long till hee flung it in Calista was then upon her knees at her prayers before this window and was not then risen but when she saw this letter fall she thought it fell from heaven whose help she then emploâ—ed at the first shee could not imagine what the inkehorn and pen meant untill opening the letter she found this which followeth Lisanders Letter unto Calista MAdam I have felt your misfortune not as mine but as mine and yours together the first and chiefest is to get out of prison to which I am resolved Madam easier than to dye and rather to dye than suffer either your life or honour to runne any hard fortune have onely patience and courage and beleeve that God will never forsake our innocency I have tyed this Pen and this Inkehorne unto the letter that you might wâ— back and command him who in obeying you can finde nothing impossible you need but cast the letter through the window without caring for the taking it up or for any other thing but for your selfe Farewell Calista knowing the letter both by the writing and by the stile felt strange motions in her soule for although shee rejoiced to see that Lisander took her cause into his hands therby hoping for a happy successe according to that great fortune which did accompany him in all his actions yet remembring the common opinion which was had of his killing Cleander shee had as willingly dye as preserve her life by his meanes who was accused of her husbands death although hee were innocent for she thought as it was true that the succours which she should receive from him would bee a proofe of his love and consequently confirme the opinion that he had murdered him so that if shee had seene any other doore of safety open she would never have passed that way but necessity which is a hard and intolerable mistress constrained her to take that part which she could not refuse without a most unevitable ruine and thereby hazzard her reputation in appearance to assure it together with her life in effect wherfore after she had consulted some time with her selfe having told the woman who waited upon her whose good will and love shee had already gained for Calista had such admirable graces that she did easily take the most churlish hearts that it was a kinsman of hers who moved with pitty and compassion of her miserable fortune endevoured to comfort her She wrote backe Calista's Answer SIR I doubt not you doe lively feele a misfortune whereof in part you are the occasion although I thinke you as innocent as I know my selfe to be The chiefest as you say is to get out but withall it is the most difficult the enterprize is
A TRAGI-COMICALL HISTORY OF OUR TIMES VNDER THE BORROWED Names OF LISANDER AND CALISTA LONDON Printed by R.Y. for G. Lathum at the Bishops head in Paules Church-yard Anno Domini â—635 TO THE VERTUOUS AND NOBLY DISPOSED Gentlewomen Mistris FRANCIS FORTESCU wife unto Ma. JOHN FORTESCU And Mistris ELIZABETH DUNCOMB wife unto Master WILLIAM DUNCOMB of Badlesden My most Honoured THis French Knight and his Lady being importuned contrary to their designe and the fashion of this time which is almost all French to appeare to publick view in this their English habite and knowing how subject strangers are to malignant humours a disposition growne so common that like a contagious disease it hath infected almost the whole world they have made humbly bold to expose themselves abroad under your auspicious and candide names hoping they may be more free from censure and more boldly tell their Loves their Feares their Dangers their Imprisonments their Jealousies and their Joyes They have in their native country served under the protection of a great King where the gentlenesse of their spirits had a generall approbation and now their hope let it not be accounted presumption is that you according to your accustomed noble goodnesse will not refuse it unto them here where they are poore strangers at the least that they may resting by you await your leisure when by their conversation they may endevour to rob away tediousnesse though but from one houre to which the greatest mortals are at sometime subject This is their highest ambition and my only end not capable of greater expression is to witnesse my affection to your services from intending whereof onely death shalâ— divide Your most humble and most devoted servant W.D. A TRAGI-COMICALL HISTORY OF these Times THE FIRST BOOKE UNder the reigne of our great HENRY the valorous father of our invincible Monarch there lived in France a young Lord whose Heroick Noblenesse was more recommended through the glory of his Vertue than by the antiquity of his Race Hee was called Cleander rich both in the goods of Fortune and Nature being no lesse beloved for his Beauty than feared for his Valour If hee were valiant hee was also more wise and if hee were wise hee was also more happy But his chiefest happinesse was in his marriage for in his first youth his merits had gained him a wife one of the fairest that France ever brought forth The East had never so many Pearles as shee had Beauties and the morning did blush to behold any thing fairer she was called Calista neither was there any thing wanting but an apt name to expresse her perfections With this woman did Cleander passe the sweetest life that ever fell into mans imagination enjoying a happinesse which cannot bee comprehended but by mindes capable of the glory of such thoughts The Sunne did never looke upon the earth but he beheld these two Lovers embracing Neither did night ever kindle so many fires in Heaven as they felt within their soules Their desires were not like unto those which were drowned in their pleasures but contrariwise their loves were sharpned by enjoying for the more they did possesse that which they did desire the more they did desire that which they did possesse But darke night followed this bright day and this cleerenesse was clouded yea even whilst Cleander made the earth envious and the heavens jealous of the favours hee received from his Mistresse There was another Knight called Lisander who in courtesie and valour gave place to none of his yeares who had beheld Calista's excellent beautie with the lightning whereof hee was so amazed that hee cleane lost the remembrance of himselfe Hee was now no more that Lisander whose free and warlike mind was wont to apprehend no disturbance but ambition for in stead of breathing forth an honourable desire of glory hee was so possest with the Idea of this perfection that it was not possible for him to receive any other thought nay hardly could hee finde a place in all his minde for himselfe This new guest thus lodged in Lisanders heart counselled him to see his Lady Now this Knight was a most absolute Gentleman and a most acceptable companion especially among Ladies of a sweet and courteous conversation full of attraction and recommended with so many excellent parts as well of body as of minde that it seemed Love had stollen into this man of purpose if it were possible to ruine Calista's chastity for there was appearance that if shee could love any thing it must needs be him who loved nothing but her and that if she had not a heart of stone shee must needs be apprehensive of his torment But for as much as hee could not well acquaint himselfe with this woman without accosting the husband he first sought Cleanders friendship who held it for an honour and prevented his suit recompencing Lisanders feigned with true affection He seldome spake but of him nor ever made any good relation if Lisander were not the subject thereof Calista her selfe who saw not but by her husbands eyes nor judged but by his knowledge could not choose but honour that which shee saw Cleander loved she being otherwise by Lisander adored with so much respect that she should have wanted humanity if shee had been with out discerning thereof Behold here a faire beginning for our Lover but this is nothing without perseverance His care was now to make knowne unto her the great passion which hee suffered for her and to let her know it in such a fashion that Cleander might not perceive it Hee was cleare sighted like a Linx and although he were not jealous yet he was a husband and unto a wife whose admirable beauty did deserve to be preserved If he once did discerne of this love all was lost there could be no more friendship nor acquaintance and otherwise to resolve to dye in a silent griefe so neere unto his remedy hiding his death from her who was the cause thereof hee could never consent thereto And indeed it is better never to see that which one loveth than seeing it not to dare to expresse ones love for the object stirreth up the desire Neither is there any evill in the world like unto the presence of a forbidden good Which the Poets the better to expresse did not represent Tantalus his thirst in a Desert void of waters but in the middle of waters not being able to drinke To prevent then the husbands distrust and to keepe suspicion from entring into his minde hee ruled his actions his words and his lookes in such sort that in his sight hee never came neere unto the wife hee never spake unto her nor ever looked upon her but as upon a thing indifferent neither â—oo free nor too reserved fearing lest if hee were too much composed or not enough hee might discover his designe in the guiding thereof He held therefore a meane betweene both with that dexterity that there was no gesture nor motion of his
Pilot and if he had not used his skill I know not what hee would have done but his friends sorrow was no lesse beleeving certainly that he was cast away so suddenly they had lost the sight of the skiffe amongst the waves After this unhappy accident Neptune as satisfied with this revenge contented to have punished those audacious persons who had rashly contemned his power by Lisanders losse shewed himselfe lesse terrible by little and little appeasing the fearefull motions of his Empire The skie waxed cleere the sea calme and the windes having strove all day against the waves now retired into their dennes leaving in some rest the miserable ship who all broken with the tempest in the end came to Callis having beene a whole summers day making a three houres voyage with a good wind Then did Lidian Alcidon and Berontus who now had altered his opinion conceived against him for his brothers death renew their complaints for Lisanders losse especially when they saw his Armes his Horse his rich Sword and the collar which hee had gained at the tilting resolving to keepe them safe untill they could heare more certain newes of him and staying only one night at Callis the next morning very early they tooke their way towards Paris hoping to be there at the day of Lucidans combate with whom every one of them had a particular designe to fight in Lisanders quarrell who then being in the skiffe alone with the Pilot ran a fortune all that day and the next night tossed upon the waves at the pleasure of the windes through the darknesse of the night in the greatest misery that ever he had seene The day following the light appearing the aire being cleere and the sea quiet they were carried upon an Iland which the Pilot knew to be Gersey where landing with great danger in a place amongst cragged and desert rocks rarely frequented by any man they found a young Hermite who not seeing them complained so loud that they easily heard all his lamentations which you shall understand in order after we have related the memorable combate which about that time was fought in the most famous City and before the greatest King in the world We left three Knights pretending all to fight with Lucidan with great impatience expecting him whom fortune should chuse for that purpose when a fourth entring into the field stayed the childes hand as he would have drawne the lot out of the Caske This Knight was mounted upon a Spanish Jennet as white as milke his Armes also were white having for his device a naked Cupid which passed through Pikes Launces Swords and Darts with this word Spresoogin rischio by which hee made knowne that there was no danger which hee did not despise to follow his end After hee had humbled himselfe before the King without discovering himselfe more than any of the others he made it known unto him that having more interest in this combate than any of those who had presented themselves he required if not to be preferred at the least to be put to the casting of lots with the rest which being granted him and having called his name Lisanders Knight it was put into the Caske with the other where having beene shaken together every one expected with great unquietnesse unto whom fortune would dispose the battell It was wondred at by all when the childe drew forth the Knight named Lisanders Knight to the extreme griefe and sorrow of the other three whom the Judges causing to depart the field and having equally for advantage of some placed the combatants the Trumpets gave the token of the battell and the Knights spurring their horses and couching their staves met with such fury that their launces breaking flew into pieces and their horses astonished with the blow set their cruppers unto the ground from whence with bridle and spurre being raised they bravely perfected their careere without advantage and setting their hands unto their swords began a combate no lesse strange for the novelty than admirable for the combatants valour Lucidan who was esteemed and justly one of the best Knights in France and consequently of the world striking his adversary sometimes with the edge and somtimes with the point made him bend sometime to his horse necke and sometime backe upon the crupper The other who gave not place unto him pressing upon him with strokes like a fury made him also swerve sometimes upon one side then upon the other with the gesture and motions of a man falling unto the ground yet he held firme and when he was thought to fall he recovered himselfe with more vigour and strength reducing his adversary to many great extremities Thus the combate without advantage was continued the space of two houres before they stayed to breathe while they thus rested themselves they looked one upon another through their visers in great fury themselves being beheld by all the assistants in great admiration who expected the end uncertaine and doubtfull unto which of them the victory would happen But above all the faire Calista Dâ—rilas her father and Adrastus were in great paine not knowing who hee was that so valiantly maintained the justice of Lisanders cause It was about foure of the clock in the afternoone when three unknowne Knights entring into the field and passing through all the multitude went to doe their reverence to the King of whom one of them craving leave to speake said in this manner a generall silence being amongst the multitude and a generall attention unto his words out of curiosity of the novelty Sir these two Knights who are here fighting have entred into this combate rather out of passion the one desiring to revenge his kinsmans death the other to serve his friend than out of any certaine reason which they have both of them grounding their actions upon the good opinion which they have of those for whom they are armed There is none in France but my selfe and one Knight more who I thinke is not here now that can cleere your Majesty in this action and maintaine unto Lucidan with certainty that Lisander killed Chrisantes and Cloridon like a valiant Gentleman for I knew it from Chrisantes himselfe who told it unto me at his death being gone out with Leon who is the absent Knight of whom I spake to part them and having found him even upon the point of death with the losse of his arme he had onely the power to tell me succinctly the combate and afterwards gave up the ghost commending his enemies vertue and blaming Cloridons passion and their evill cause for which both of them lost their lives and of this Sir Leon wheresoever he is to be found will be my witnesse and many other persons unto whom the very same day I made the relation although I was not then nor have been since any great friend unto Lisander in regard of some accidents which have mischievously fallen out But my conscience Sir obligeth mee to utter this truth and my
grieved for my men who are either all lost or dead For those which are dead answered Lisander there is no calling of them againe but for the rest they cannot be lost so neere the Court whither I thinke you are going It is true said the old Gentleman that I am going thither but not to make any stay for it is long since my age and the contentment of a free life which I have accustomed my selfe unto at home have exempted me from that honourable servitude But leaving this discourse unto another time I would faine see if among those which lye for dead there is none of mine yet alive Saying this he alighted and Lisander also whose men by this time were comn unto them and eased them of this labour They looking amongst them who lay upon the ground found two of the old mans servants still breathing although wounded in many parts of their bodies as well with shot as with swords They called the other with lowd cryes which sounding through the Forrest helped by the silence of the night and solitarinesse of the place came unto theiâ— eares who hearing themselves called by their names and by their Master whom they thought dead returned to the place where they had left him Lisander no lesse content with the good service which he had done unto this Knight than he himselfe was joyfull for the recovery of his servants the two first which were found wounded among the dead were Gentlemen as such had rather dye at their Masters feet than save their lives by shamefull flying whom he caused to be lifted upon their horses setting the others behinde to hold them up and so they proceeded in their journy toward Fountain Bleau By the way which was a good league and more Lisander intreated this Knight to pardon his curiositie if it did stretch so farre as to desire to know the cause of this accident at least if this his request might not seeme too much importunitie The old man looking Lisander stedfastly in the face as much as the darkenesse of the night would give him leave and thinking him the bravest and best fashioned Gentleman that ever bee beheld answered him in this manner Not alone of this accident whereof I cannot tell you the cause but also of all my life which you have saved obliging mee thereby to hold it next after God of your Sword I will give you such an account that although I cannot satisfie my obligation I will satisfie at least your curiosity My countrey is Normandy my house called Bellayre I am named Dorilas I have spent the most part of my life in the warâ—es and few memorable actions have beene in my time in Christendome wherein I have not had the honour to bee I followed the fortune of Monsier du Mayne in that famous battell of Lepantho where Don John of Austrige and the Venetians made the Easterne Sea looke redde with the Turkish blood A long time after I was with old Monsier de Guise in that fearefull battell of Anneau when with a handfull of Volentiers hee defeated many thousands of Reisters which were come from Roane unto the bankes of Loiere Afterwards I was with the late Monsier de Mercure when hee made that great and never-enough celebrated retraict of Cavise where he retired many leagues in Hungary before a hundred thousand horse with an army of fifteene thousand men Finally willing to retire my selfe I married a wife in mine own country whole name is Otranta who hath borne unto me a sonne whosâ— name is Liddian and a daughter who is called Calista and not long since married to a Knight of this countrey called Cleander It is now eight dayes since I departed from my house and my wife out of a desire which I had to see my children one of whom I have seene but once since his comming out of Italy Now he followes the King and the other lives about a dayes journey hence with the Knight her husband whom even now I named This afternoone I departed from Paris where I have stayed these three dayes and as I came from thence on this side of Aussone the theeves set upon me they having followed me untill I came into this wood where I had met with my grave if you had not happily succoured me Thus briefly you have what I can say of my fortune and my life But gentle Knight if it please you I pray tell mee your name that I may know unto whom I may give thankes for my preservation for it is unreasonable that I should not know him unto whom of all men in the world I am most obliged nor that you should refuse this courtesie unto him unto whom you have not refused to expose your life for the safety of his Sir answered Lisander I am a poore Souldier so little knowne in the world that though I should tell you my name you would never the better know my person yet thus much I will say that I am come out of those parts whither you are going and doe know by good intelligence that those whom you goe to see are in good health And I have heard so much good of their merits and vertues that I account the small service which I have done you exceeding well employed although the onely consideration and fame which I have heard published of your valour whereof you have made large proofe in this encounter doth oblige mee to render you more signall offices which with time I hope to performe And then Sir I will not onely declare unto you my being but I will let you see that I am in no lesse degree of love unto you than one of your children By this meanes Lisander did thinke that hee should have avoyded the telling of his name unto good Dorilas who did intreat him with a passion so great as the refusall of so just a demand did augment his desire But one of his footmen in the meane time holding speech with one of Dorilasses and not knowing that his Master had a designe to hide his name did nakedly tell without thinking whatsoever his Master did endevour to dissemble yet because they did not understand what their Masters said nor their Masters what they said it came not at this time to the old mans knowledge Shortly after they came unto Fountaine Bleau but it was late and the Court being very great they could get but two chambers in one house which Lisander left unto Dorilas and unto his people going himselfe with his servants unto a friends lodging of his to Dorilas his great griefe who did much desire that they might accommodate themselves in one lodging Let us leave him among his wounded servants whom he causeth to bee dressed with great diligence and no lesse danger of their lives and returne wee unto Lisander who retiring of himselfe as we have said to one of his friends called Clarangeus he was received with all loving entertainment At supper he told the adventure which had happened
the which the most impossible things are easie unto mee I will not relate the torment which I suffer the evils are contagious and that which I could say may peradventure cause griefe in you suffer onely that I entreat you to save my life in preserving your honour which you cannot well refuse to your very enemy and which you may yeeld unto me in giving me the meanes to see you without scandalizing or injuring of any man I doe also intreat you to beleeve that my life is not so deare unto mee that I would preserve it with the least prejudice unto you and if I should sorrow for the losse thereof it would bee rather in respect of you than my selfe and out of the griefe I should have to see my end before I had testified the beginning of my service To conclude Madam all these words are too weake to witnesse so strong an affection as mine and doe rather lessen than expresse it therefore I intreat you not to judge it by their weake eloquence but by your owne perfections who are the faire cause and beleeve that there is not any kinde of service which I could not easilier yeeld than offer I shall expect the sentence of my life or death in your answer and will remaine so perfectly yours that I cannot say any thing neare to it when I say I am your most faithfull most obedient and most affectionate servant Calista having read this Letter and being no lesse combated with the obligation which shee had unto Lisanders love than with the duty unto her owne honour and Cleanders love discoursed long in her selfe whether shee ought to answer her honour representing that an honest wise vertuous woman as she would bee accounted and as shee was ought not to doe any thing in secret ftom her husband much lesse give him any answer and already did her heart reproach her with the audience which shee had given him and made her alone in her Closet blush with shame for receiving it But Love pleading Lisanders cause and representing his admirable qualities his incomparable affection testified with such signall and late services accused her for suffering with no lesse cruelty than ingratitude a life to bee lost which ought to bee so deare unto her if not for the love which shee bare him at least in that hee had saved both her fathers and her brothers and the rather because shee might preserve it by a word or by a looke which would oblige Lisander without any way offending Cleander Following then this last opinion and knowing that Dorilas was resolved to take Cleander Berontus and Lidian along with him the next day she concluded not alone to write backe againe unto Lisander but to take this occasion to see him in their absence without any bodies privity yet with this resolution not to yeeld him any favour but only sight and speech wherfore she answered thus CALISTA's Answer I Have received your letter against my will and answere now against my duty which is to advertise you of yours and to have you forbeare any further suit in a matter which cannot chuse but be dangerous unto you and not to promise to your selfe from mee any more than such good will as my honour and your vertue may make you hope You are not now to begin to doe me services which you offer me for you have already performed them and so binding in the persons most neere unto me that I cannot chuse but bee sorry at the griefe which you suffer by my meanes and by your absence but I doe beleeve you love me with so much honour and are so perfect a friend unto him whom I onely can love that you would not that I should remedy it to his prejudice neither if you would were it availeable seeing it is impossible yet forasmuch as you onely demand to see me and that those obstacles which you your selfe have raised doe hinder mee from permitting it openly I had rather run a fortune in giving way unto your desire than refuse you so small a mattter as my fight To the end then that you may know if I do not yeeld all that which I owe unto your merit it proceedeth not from ingratitude but from a former obligation which hindereth mee from satisfying that which I am indebted unto you I doe advertise you that if this letter may come to your hands this day I hope to bee here alone to morrow you shall find the little gate of the Garden open and Clarinda not farre from thence who shall attend you Be there about eleven of the clocke and see if I doe not hazzard more in this assignement than you do in keeping it Farewell It is true Calista you hazzard more in this than he for hee could but lose his life and you both life and honour neither doe I thinke it will be long before you repent it although you are not guilty of any offence either in effect or will But not to digresse this letter closed and given unto Clarinda that she might as from her give it unto the woman of the Village to send unto Lisander Calista went into the Hall where dinner was ready and the company onely staying for her which she excused as well as she could After dinner Cleander would needs give Dorilas and Lidian the sport of hunting of a Stagge whereupon they went all together a hunting neere unto the Village where this woman dwelt who was Lisanders messenger It fortuned whilest they were going to their sport a most violent storm of raine fell so vehemently upon them that they were constrained to seeke shelter and finding none neerer than this womans house who as I said was ordinarily at Beauplain they ran thither so fast as their horses would go all together and so suddenly that Lisanders Lacquey who was within waiting for his dispatch could not hide himselfe from being found and knowne by Cleander Berontus and Lidian who asked newes of his Master The footman who was not prepared for this surprize remained so astonished that he wished himselfe dead neverthelesse making a vertue of necessity and not being able to hide his amazement hee disguised the subject telling them that hee was not now with his Master who had put him away for a slight occasion when after so many faithfull services which he had done him hee ought to have expected a recompence so that not knowing what to doe and not having the heart to serve any other man he resolved to come to Beauplaine to entreat their favour to write in his behalfe unto Lisander to take him againe seeing the cause for which he had put him away was onely for giving a boxe on the eare unto a fellow of his who had not served him above three dayes whereas he had served him sixe yeeres But seeing this storme falling hee had come thither as well for shelter as also to entreat the woman of the house who had well knowne him at Beauplaine and had beene well acquainted
they came victoriously off The first who atchieved any thing in revenge of Lisander was Lidian who entring with a point upon his enemy lighted just betweene his arme and the curats and run him cleane thorow almost in the same time Alcidon having closed with his adversary and overthrowne him disarmed his head and without pity cut his throat Clarangeus and Berontus casting themselves desperately upon those two who were against them got them downe and killed them with the very Poniards wherewith they had wounded though most cowardly the most valiant Lisander who being found by Cleander after he had broken down the hall doore in the plight we have spoken of was carried unto a bedde having lost his knowledge with his blood without moving and almost without breathing There Cleander who besides the perfect love which hee bare him was obliged for his liberty Alcidon to whom hee had spared it being in his power to kill him Lidian whose life hee had twice saved and Clarangeus whom he had served against Lidian began to make such lamentations as are not to bee expressed Above all Olinda and Argire wept as bitterly as a little before they had heard him sing sweetly But the faire Calista seeing the most lovely Knight and best loving her of all others carried all bloody and pale though lovely as if death had taken that shape to make her in love with it received so feelingly his wounds into her heart that without complaint or teares immoveable as a Statue the violence of the evill taking away all sense she fell downe into a swoune as far from shewing any token of life as her friend was in which plight she was carried unto another bed The Surgeons who in all diligence were sent for having searched Lisanders wounds were not able to resolve of his recovery and lesse able to stanch the blood or keepe him from his swouning which made every body despaire of his life onely Lidian remembring himselfe of an Operator who had formerly cured him so excellent in his skill that he not only stayed the blood with a word but healed the most mortall wounds with an incredible facility went out of the house in all haste without speaking a word to any man and stayed not before hee was with this Operator but hee found him in his bedde and so sicke that it was not possible for him to rise Yet sir said he send me the wounded mans doublet and if he bee not absolutely dead when I receive it I will assure you his life Lidian being unable to comprehend this and fearing to lose time together with his friends life he returned with the same diligence wherewith hee went and brought him the same doublet which was taken off from Lisander whom he found in the same estate wherein he left him but being returned the second time unto Cleanders he found that Lisanders wounds were closed and his bloud stopped neither could the Surgeons more than any of the company tell the cause Then did he tell them what hee had done whereat they all wondred But the old Gentleman whom Cleander had left with Calista when he went into Holland told them that he had seene the very like practised in the person of the father of S. Andrew de Vins a brave Gentleman of Provence knowne by them all who being at the siege of Rochel Squire unto Monsieur afterwards Hen. the third cast himselfe before his Mr. when he saw a Harquebush levelled and discharged at him whereby hee received the shot in his breast and was healed by a man who never saw any thing but his doublet Shortly after Lisander came unto himselfe which Cleander ran presently to tell unto Calista who being a little before recovered received with this new cause of joy for hope of Lisanders life a new occasion of affliction out of feare that she had discovered her love Neverthelesse it was received by Cleander as an honest and pitifull affection which she truely bare unto the vertues and merits of Lisander who having recovered knowledge with so feeble a voice that he could hardly be heard had yet lost the memory of all that was past neither did hee know why or whereof he was sicke The Surgeons forbad him to speake and after they had considered of all things that were fit for his recovery they bethought themselves of the cause of this assasination No body could imagine from whom it should proceed for Lisander had no enemies at the least which were discovered and those who had so wickedly wounded him being disarmed after they were dead could not be knowne In the end the Page whom they had at first sent was found hid behinde a doore who being brought unto Cleander confessed that this match was set by a couzen of Cloridons who was first killed by Lidian hee desiring to revenge upon Lisander the blow which was given in the tilting had with those three others who were all Cloridons servants or friends sworne Lisanders death Cleander and all the company were extremely offended and went all the next morning at the Kings rising to complaine of the attempt and to demand justice against those whom they had killed but Cloridon demanding it also with them and witnessing more sorrow for Lisanders wounds than for the others death testified that he knew nothing of so divellish an enterprize And the King who loved them all desiring to make them friends expressed that for the love hee bare Cloridon he should be glad if they would content themselves with their deaths who had worthily received it as a chastisement for their fault wherefore all things so rested the dead were dead Cloridon and Lisander wounded were afterwards made friends by the Kings command The End of the third Booke A TRAGI-COMICALL HISTORY OF these Times THE FOURTH BOOKE THe haste which I made to have Lisander cured and the necessity of his evill remedied made me forget in my last part how Olinda and Argire having watched at Cleanders almost untill day retired to their houses the one conducted by Alcidon the other by Lidian and Clarangeus who with the first flames of their love felt also those of jealousie Olinda who by that which had happened judged what might happen fearing to bee the cause of a second mischiefe determined to goe no more unto Calista who never stirring from Lisander continually kept him company and shewed the best countenance unto him that she could feeding him with sweet hopes and raising in him an imagination that assoone as hee was recovered of those his bodily wounds shee would also ease those of his minde which hee said shee had made In the meane time Lidian and Clarangeus not able longer to endure Olinda's absence went both of them to her at her house where shee intreated them not to take it in evill part if for some important reasons which she would not speake she did conjure them for some time to deprive her of the honour which she received by their company This shee said
withall I told you what hindered me from acknowledging them and to let you see that you lose the glory of your good turnes by the recompence which you require is there any appearance of justice or reason that for having saved my fathers my brothers and my husbands lives you should bind me to make them lose their honour Do you think that if I should forget my selfe so farre I could excuse my selfe upon the obligations wherein I am tyed unto you and justifie the injury which I should doe them by the services which you have done unto me Content your selfe that I have no lesse griefe to give you this command than you have to receive it and the same passion which you feele because you cannot obtain that which you unlawfully desire I suffer because I cannot lawfully yeeld it unto you At this word Calista went out of the doore leaving Lisander in that confusion and perplexity which may easily bee imagined Hee went three or foure times about the chamber sat down and rose cast himselfe upon his bedde and not finding in any place the rest which he every where sought for after a thousand discourses in his imagination as little resolved as he was at the first hee used these words O ungratefull woman and I more foole to thinke the earth could beare other Well Calista death shall free mee from thy cruelty if thy tyranny doth not stretch after death and so thou shalt avoide the sight of mee but not of my Ghost which together with the Furies revengers of my blood shall alwayes hang about thy necke yet I will not dye before I my selfe have enjoyed the contentment of my revenge and doe shew thee that I am as able to hurt thee as to oblige thee Was there no meanes but a pretence of courtesie like a gentle bit in a horse mouth to constraine me to endure this womans indignities But stay thy madnesse Lisander thou thy selfe art both ungratefull and disloyall whereof thou complainest base as thou art thou doest with infidelity and treachery go about to deceive thy friend thou doest also injurie Calista because she will not consent unto thy wickednesse Alas who shall punish mee for these crimes and if I be not punished who shall ever pardon me Thus Lisander sometimes injuring Calista and then crying her mercy digested his bitternesse with so much anguish that hee thought hee should end his life with the day insomuch that Cleander who in the morning left him in good disposition comming home at night with Alcidon and Berontus without hearing newes either of Lidian or Clarangeus found him sicke in his bed Yet he rose early in the morning before Sun and went unto Cleander who was a bed with Calista unto whom having given him good morrovv hee said that resting better this night than hee had done although with terrible disquiets out of the feare hee had that Clarangeus and Lidian might fight againe he found himselfe so well that he was resolved never to rest untill hee had either found the one or the other But my deare friend said Cleander the weake estate wherein you are will not permit you Lesse will my care suffer mee to take rest answered Lisander for if it should happen so unfortunately that they should fight againe I should never enjoy my life When replyed Cleander will you come againe So soone as I shall find them answered Lisander who having embraced him went from him unto the side of the bedde where Calista lay unto whom in saluting her he said aloud Madam I should leave you with more sorrow if I did not know how acceptable the service will be which I goe about to doe unto you Cleander beleeved that hee spake this in respect of Lidian but Calista better apprehending his speeches referred them to his departure yet faining to understand them in the other sense answered thus Sir you have tyed us in so many bonds that although you bring backe my brother hardly can wee bee more obliged for debts being infinite cannot bee encreased and from this infinitenesse it followes that not onely your services are agreeable but all your other actions in respect of them although they were not so in their owne nature but onely your departure which in regard it doth deprive us of the contentment wee receive in your company cannot bee pleasing unto us Lisander said nothing unto this but having kissed her went his way speaking to himselfe O treacherous Calista how artificially dost thou hide thy malice and minglest sweetnesse with cruelty From thence he went to take leave of Alcidon and Berontus who would at any hand accompany him but he remonstrated unto them that it was much better for them to separate themselves the easier to finde their friends So going alone hee tooke his way towards Burgundy and stayed not before he was come unto a sister of his called Ambrisia who had beene married in that countrey and then was a young widow rich of a great spirit and of an excellent beauty who receiving her brother as the dearest thing in the world could not so divert his melancholy but that after hee had strove the space of a moneth against his love hee yeelded to the violence thereof and fell from this melancholy into a strange sickenesse which produced the most admirable effects that ever memory hath heard In the meane time Cleander having a journey to make into Italy to dispose of some possessions which hee had in Naples into which place for the like effect hee was accustomed to goe every three yeeres left Berontus with Calista and Calista accompanied with the heaviest solitarinesse that ever she was reduced unto And unto him there happened this accident so memorable that I think the like is seldome found in any history He being gone a great way in Italy to a place called Aquapendent at which place alwaies in his journey to Naples hee was accustomed to lodge the place was inconvenient enough and Cleander came so late that the lodgings were all taken and hee forced to travell further or lye in the streets He asked to speake with his old Host who said hee before hee would have suffered mee to bee thus unprovided would have lyen out of his owne bedde for me Answer was made that his old Host was dead yet there was a chamber where a bedde if he pleased should be made for him but of late time it had beene frequented with spirits for which cause no man durst lye there Let me have a bedde there said Cleander I had rather lye there with them than in the streets with my men A bedde was then made in a chamber which he knew to be the very same wherein he was accustomably lodged in the life time of his old Host where having supped with his people and being readie for his bedde his servants retired to looke for such lodgings as the straitnesse of the house would affoord leaving him with the doore shut unto him sitting by the fire side
a redde Wast-coate of poore Cotton a paire of Breeches of course cloath and a blew Cap which hee had in his hand not being able to imagine that it was his brother-in-law who was reduced to this fortune asked him with a troubled countenance and an unassured voice in what part of France he was borne how he was taken and whither he was going when this misfortune happened Wee are borne in the I le of France answered Cleander at least I am those whom you may see in this habite for this Pilgrim and those who accompany him they are of another part we were taken comming from Italy whither wee went in quest of a Knight whom the cruelty of a Lady hath banished out of France While hee was thus speaking both hee and Lisander had alwayes their eyes fixed upon Lidian who with an unconstant countenance often changing colour confessing what he could not deny in embracing him said Oh brother you have found him for how can I hide my name from you from whom I could never hide my heart It is not possible to describe the first motions of this meeting yet after long embracing in silence Cleander said Brother embrace this Pilgrime who is also of the countrey and will tell you newes which will bee no lesse welcome unto you than my comming The joy wonderfully encreased by Lidians knowledge of Lisander who in few words told him how his almost mortall sickenesse had wrought in him this heavenly vow In which sickenesse he had been visited by Clarangeus who had changed the worldly pompe and his vaine pretences to Olinda's love into a Capuchins habit which brought so great admiration into Lidians mind that he did not know whether hee should thinke them dreames or truthes For who would have thought young men so ingaged in love that they thereby had ruined the foundations of an ancient friendship and had beene carried unto such dangerous extremities through such small occasions should in one and the same time choose for their retraict the one the Cloister of so austere a profession as the Capuchins and the other the Cells of so retired an Hermitage Who also could have beleeved that two friends whom the Alpes and Perrenian Mountaines had divided by wayes and designes so distant and contrary one unto the other should meet in one time in a place so remote from their affaires and in habits so differing from their conditions But to returne unto our disguised Knights who seeing the other Pilgrims assemble about them as curious to know how these extraordinary embracings would end retired themselves into the Covent where dining together after many discourses they resolved to leave the Hermitage and Mount Serrat and the next morning to take their way towards France After dinner Lidian made another Sermon at the end whereof praying God to blesse the assembly and graciously to accept of those vowes which were paid in the Temple hee tooke leave first of the holy Virgin of the religious Order and of the holy Mountaines where hee had ledde a life so solitary and so sweet delivering his last farewell in such pitifull words and with demonstrations of so tender an affection that they pierced the very Rockes and the walls of this devout house The next morning together with their people all three of them began their journey and because Lisander could not leave his Pilgrims habite without breaking his vow Cleander and Lidian also determined to weare theirs untill they were come home so one under the habite of an Hermite and the other of a Slave accompanied our Pilgrime with as much contentment in their returne as they had sorrow at their going out They entred France by Languedock and by easie journyes they came in a month into Burgundy Ambrisia was then at Paris with Calista who loved her both for her owne merit and her brothers sake although shee knew nothing of their affections But Clarangeus was in the same Covent where Lisander left him who together with his companions going one afternoone to see him they found him walking alone in a Garden Now it was not hard for him to know Lisander because he knew the vow which hee had made in his sickenesse but when he saw him accompanied with an Hermite and a Slave he knew not what to thinke of either but saluted both without knowing of them Afterwards turning himselfe unto Lisander I thinke said he in a low voice that in steed of amendment by your Pilgrimage you debauch others and have reduced this young Hermite from the solitary life of Mount Serrat to intangle himselfe againe with the world It is true answered Lisander but it is upon so good occasion that there is more merit in the action than offence What merit replied Clarangeus can you finde in causing him to breake his vow made unto God and yeeld himselfe to the service of his enemies Vow hee hath made none answered Lisander and so broken none for he hath not taken this habite but to leave it when the evill influence of a starre the onely cause why hee tooke it is passed over And of merit it cannot be said that I have lesse than is acquired by reconciling of two persons who were alwayes one lately upon a light occasion divided You have reason answered Clarangeus not imagining of whom he spake for Charitie is recommended unto us above all vertues and without it all other are unprofitable For this cause are we commanded to leave our offering at the foote of the altar and reconcile our selves unto our brother and then returne to our offering void of all passion I am well assured answered Lisander that you know this better than I doe but dispute with this man whom you will not finde ignorant and I thinke it is with a religious man of this house with whom he desireth to be reconciled This word comming neere unto Clarangeus made him remember the difference hee formerly had with Lidian and in the instant earnestly beholding him hee cryed out O God how marvellous are thy workes Lidian approaching unto him they embraced not without sorrow for their past follies yet mingled with such joy that it brought shew of teares into their eyes Sir said Lidian by that love which you beare unto the religion which now you have undertaken I doe entreat you to pardon those displeasures which I have done you and beleeve that the sorrow which I apprehend doth farre exceede the punishment due unto my fault It is I said Clarangeus who doe cry you mercy for the griefe which I have foolishly raised unto you and if I have received any from you I am so much the more obliged unto you as unto the cause of this celestiall happinesse which I enjoy in this Cloister and it maketh mee hope for the glorious life which is in heaven Enjoy therefore O Lidian your love without feare ever to bee troubled by Clarangeus and suffer me to possesse the contentment which I have in my soule
gate for the other Verasco perceiving this caused all the servants of the house to come into that alley whose feet hee measuring with the prints which were made in the sand there was none found any way agreeing but onely Clarinda's whose shooe did perfectly fit the lesser print which served as a great proofe at the least for a violent suspicion against her who otherwise accused and convinced by her owne conscience did not deny the fact But alas it had beene much better that she had disavowed this truth than to have added so execrable and notorious a lye For it is very true shee said it was I who opened the gate notwithstanding it was by my Mistresses command Verasco not willing to proceed further in examination of a cause so criminall made Clarinda fast and sent for the Justice strictly forbidding every body to speake of it unto Calista who was so plunged in sorrow and drowned in griefe that her sickenesse moved no lesse pity than Cleanders death The Judges who for the most part are like Surgeons seeking for nothing more than for wounds and swellings quickly came unto the place visited the body and examined Clarinda who persevering in what shee had formerly said added that Lisander was the man who had killed her Master as might easily bee seene by the sword which hee had left that she had let him into the house by Calista's command as formerly shee had done although to her extreme sorrow which she no longer able to beare had discovered to Berontus whom she called to witnesse these words Calista being upon this accusation heard for the fulnesse of her misfortune saw her selfe accused of her husbands death by her who was the cause thereof and for her last calamitie that shee might the more lightly passe this troublesome passage was carried unto prison in the little Castle in this proud City of Paris where in former times shee had beene often seene in so much pomp and glory The End of the sixth Booke A TRAGI-COMICALL HISTORY OF these Times THE SEVENTH BOOKE CALISTA being thus in prison the very centre of misery and a sepulchre unto those who live therein must not be forgotten nor suffered to lye long there yet her comming forth cannot bee so soone for innocency doth not easily appeare in darke dungeons neither is the getting out of prison so easie as the entrance thereinto Clarinda was also placed in another chamber and in her stead there was a strange woman appointed to waite upon Calista whom she had never before seene in appearance to serve her but in truth to observe her words and espy her actions As for Verascus hee remained at Beauplaine unto which place having sent for Berontus and there celebrated Cleanders funerall and setled his houshold he afterward went unto Paris to become Calista's adversary who being brought into this pitifull estate began first to teare her haire and to doe mischiefe against her selfe after having remained in silence a long time without speaking one word as one whose griefe tooke away her sense at the length her present mischiefe bringing unto her minde her former fortune brought teares into her eies and these words into her mouth stirring pity in that place where it never had beene O Calista where art thou what are become of all thy pleasant dayes unto what is all thy glory and vanity reduced O Cleander my onely joy and comfort was it not affliction enough to lose thee without being accused for thy losse Ah Lisander the services which you have done mee heretofore are now dearly sold unto me and I pay those honest acknowledgements of your love with a high price O Lisander why doest not thou know of my imprisonment And you my Judges why doe you not know mine innocency And thou Clarinda why dost thou accuse mee In the middest of these complaints much more grievous than I can expresse nothing comforted her but the hope of death which was preparing for her which shee would have much more desired than her liberty if she could have received it without incurring infamy for the crime whereof she was accused But not to be long upon so grievous a subject I will briefly say that Berontus being come from Burgundy and being no lesse astonished than sorry for those accidents since his departure was heard by the Provost and confronted with Clarinda unto whose former speeches his being conformable it seemed that Calista was sufficiently attainted and convicted of her husbands death so that her processe was in the worlds opinion judged both to the losse of her life and honour I must not forget the griefe which this misfortune brought unto Olinda Alcidon Argire who were then at Paris the sorrow which Ambrisia had who was in Burgundy and that which was suffered by Lidian and his Parents in Normandy when they knew of it Argire and Olinda imployed all their friends to speake with Calista but were not able to obtaine it All the world wondred that Lisander had so fouled the glory of so many brave deeds by so dishonourable an act There was none but Cloridons friends who beleeving that hee was cowardly murdered rejoiced that hee had committed this last base act as a proofe of the former Lisander was then at Brusels farre from thinking upon such an act where a faithfull Poste whom Alcidon had sent let him understand the newes of this deplorable disaster When he heard of Cleanders death he uttered great sorrow as for a person whom next unto Calista he truely loved above all creatures but when he knew that the common beliefe was that he had killed him with his wifes privity who was for that cause a prisoner and upon the point of her punishment he was strooke with silence the newes taking from him both his feeling and all his senses like a great stroake which is not felt at the instant but some time after it is received When he had gathered his spirits unto him which were wandred away with the violence of the first motion and that griefe had given place unto his words O God what did he not say his griefe cannot be represented but by that of Calista for never two soules were so equally wounded with one stroak and their wounds unlike unto all others had nothing to paralell either the others but themselves yet being a man and having his liberty he did resolve to lose it together with his life or else to assure Calista's Now if hee durst appeare he had done his Lady a great service for his flight was one maine argument against her and his presence would have much served for their justification But Cloridons murder being fresh and his blood almost warme representing it selfe every day to the Kings memory who would never grant him his pardon he thought that his presence in stead of satisfying things would exasperate them and that unprofitably he should carry his head to bee lost at Paris without saving Calista's but what cannot love doe in a gentle heart hee
be so mercifull unto me said she that I may verifie my innocency it is the least good which you shall hope for from my liberality but if it please God to dispose otherwise of me this little at the least shall remaine with you that you may pray for me cherish the memory of one who is extremely grieved that she cannot binde you further In saying this Calista wept and by her words and teares raised such pity in their hearts besides that which the present gifts which as the Spanish proverb saith breaketh downe rockes and the hope to have more wrought that they themselves prevented the request which shee would have made unto them and encouraged her to save her selfe offering their persons and their lives to serve her the Porter offering further to deliver her so that shee had any trusty friend who would convey her out of the City after he had delivered her out of the prison Calista who saw she had touched them and perceived plainly that it was not counted it to betray her added unto her former stroaks saying My friends although you should lose the miserable gaine which you so wretchedly and with so much pain get here by setting me at liberty yet you should have no cause to complaine for besides that which you may hope for promise yours selves from me I have a friend who will give you this very night five hundred Crownes if you will at your delivering me into his hands will give you a thousand more and be not affraid that hee will deceive you for you shall receive it all before you deliver me but withall take heed you doe not deceive him for if you should doe so no place in the world would assure your lives and you should bee most wicked which I will never beleeve of you if you should procure hurt unto them who intend so much good unto you for by doing this good work and binding so many persons as have interest in me by this act in one day without labour or running any danger you may raise a fortune worthy of your selves and live honourably either with us or else where you please all the rest of your lives without being constrained to practise this course of life in my opinion too base for your hearts With these words and many others Calista being assured of the Porter and drawing from him the strongest oaths he could give she shewed him Lisanders letter whereupon it was concluded that he should goe out that night about ten of the clocke to receive the five hundred Crownes and agree upon a day for her deliverance As they had agreed it was done the Porter going about ten of the clock without the barre of the gate saw two men who walking up and downe on horseback some twenty or thirty paces from the gate one of them who was Lisander seeing him without the bar left his companion who was Alcidon with two footmen who followed him and going unto him asked him if hee were not the man which carried meat unto the Lady who was prisoner there Yes Sir answered he Hath not she advertised you replied Lisander that I would be here at this time about her business She hath told mee answered the Porter that a Gentleman would about this time come hither to speake with me but I doe not know that it is you Lisander hereby knowing that Calista had made the bargaine said hold friend here is five hundred Crownes in gold in this purse which I give for a token that it is I and if thou canst deliver her to me to morrow I will give thee a thousand more which shee hath promised unto thee before thou put her into my hands But do not think to deceive me for if thou doest I vow to kill thee though I fall into all the hangmens hands in France Sir said the Porter taking the Crownes I will not deceive you but I cannot promise to deliver her before the feast of Kings How answered Lisander what if the processe should be judged between this and that Sir said the Porter I will doe what I can to deliver her sooner but to assure you that I can infallibly doe it before that time I will not Thou doest promise said Lisander to bring her then hither into this place in the night before that day at the furthest Yes Sir said the Porter I do promise you to bring her hither about ten of the clock at night upon pain of my life and untill that time let mee heare no newes from you nor expect any from mee for feare we should be taken speaking together Tell my Lady then answered Lisander what we have agreed upon and so farewell In saying this hee turned towards Alcidon and both together wâ— unto their lodging where they told unto Olinda and Argire what they had done who received an unspeakable contentment to see Calista's deliverance proceed so well although the length of the time bred some griefe made them fear some crosse But lest the processe in the mean time might be judged they concluded that Olinda who was betrothed unto Lidian Calista's brother and might openly declare her selfe for her sister in law should goe and intreat the Reporter not to report her processe untill the comming of her Parents lest the innocency of this Lady might run some danger for want of a defence forasmuch as she was so afflicted with her husbands death and with seeing her selfe accused that she wished nothing more than to bee quickly out of this world which was the cause as indeed it was that shee had not thought upon any justification nor any person for her but her friends being come they might peradventure bring Lisander who being heard would wonderfully cleer Calista's right These words full of consideration and weight with the credit and grace of the Speaker had so much power over the Reporter that hee promised to stay the comming of Calista's friends untill the feast of Kings were past and rather go into the Countrey with the Processe than be constrained to deliver it into the Court. Thus the feast passed happily amongst these foure persons Lisander never stirring abroad but once under his beggars weeds to let Calista understand what Olinda had done for her and to know from her also whether the Porter had faithfully told her what was resolved to be done the night before the feast of Kings whereof being satisfied hee expected the Eve of the feast of Kings with great longing In the meane time Berontus knowing that Olinda had solicited for the deferring of Calista's judgment went upon that occasion to visit her made offer to joyne with her in her request desiring not only a delay therein but Calista's freedome so that hee who was guilty of his brothers death might appeare And although Olinda was in a faire way of agreeing them and that Berontus for Ambrisia's love did desire it yet Calista was so farre in the hands of justice that it was not thought
with griefe and pity in his minde which neverthelesse hee dissembled and giving backe the letter unto Lisander for answer said My friend tell Calista that if she were innocent as she writeth unto me she need not to aggravate her crime rather than justifie her selfe breake prison nor flie with him who is the cause of her doing this wickednes but if she be so assured of her innocency as that she can verifie it let her returne into the place from whence shee is escaped I will become her Solicitour and will employ all that I am worth to recover her honour and assure her life shewing my selfe as good a Father as I have beene in former times when shee lived according to that blood and nobleness from whence she is issued but to thinke that shee living in the opinion of having killed her husband and now conversing with his murderer I ought to account her my daughter or regard her letters of teares she is much deceived and so I pray tell her Lisander never heard words so grievous as those not daring to answer again yet he was constrained to say that he knew Calista Lisander so well that the quality of a murderer was no way fitting to the one nor of an adulteresse unto the other that hee would sweare they were both innocent of what they were accused but by that which he had heard the cause which hindred them from justifying themselves was Lisanders not daring to present himselfe And why doth he not present himselfe if hee be innocent answered Dorilas Because replied Lisander hee had some small time before killed Cloridon and Chrisantes and thereby incurred the Kings displeasure and he you know is astrong adversary Dorilas with pleasure hearing this discourse and being glad to understand Calista's justification especially Lisanders unto whom hee was so exceedingly obliged entreated him to relate all that hee had heard reported Lisander then told him how hee had left his sword after hee had killed Chrisantes which was found by Leon who was since gone out of the way he being in love with Clarinda had beene the cause of this pitifull tragedy as you have heard with this discourse Dorilas was much pleased yet was not resolved to send for his daughter Calista neither did hee know that shee was so nigh Lisander having told him that she was in Frisland but asking if Lisander were with her and the same Lisander assuring him that he was not hee said hee was the onely man of the world unto whom hee was bound and that hee should receive no lesse contentment to understand his innocency than his daughters that in truth hee did wish him all being carried away with the common beliefe of this false report But seeing it was so hee would goe speedily to the Court whither hee had seen Lillian to employ all his friends to restore 〈◊〉 to the Kings 〈◊〉 to the end that purging himselfe together with Calista from the murther of Cleander hee might receive them both into his house as his children And that in the meane time Calista in the place where shee was should expect newes from him and should endevour to preserve that which he did assure himselfe she had not lost Whilest Dorilas thus spake unto Lisander without knowing him Otranta not marking him read Calista's letter which contained these words Calista's Letter unto her Mother MAdam when Fortune had so wounded mee as to take from me together with my husband the contentment the glory and the liberty which I had in the world one of my greatest comforts next unto that which I had in God in my Conscience was to remember that yet I had left a pitifull Mother who according to those deare affections which she had ever witnessed would never abandon me in so great a desolation beleeving that I had not lost all and that if God had taken from mee the best husband in the world yet he had left me the best Mother under Heaven and a Father who had ever shewed himselfe kinde unto his daughter and yours Neverthelesse Madam I have been driven to fall from this comfort to my extreme griefe when I knew that you had not only left me but for the top of all my misfortunes that those whom nature had given me for my Parents were become mine enemies Those things which are most to bee esteemed are such as ought most to bee sorrowed for when they are lost and I have not onely lost your affection Madam which of all things in this world is most deare unto mee but it is turned into hatred towards mee and from being honourable and profitable as it hath beene it is become so ruinous unto me that I should have been buried in the miserablest reputation that ever poore woman was if my honour and my life had not miraculously beene preserved by him who is falsly accused of Cleanders death Calista's overthrow I have said and doe most humbly entreat you Madam to pardon me that your hatred doth mee injury many waies for besides that it maketh every one beleeve that I am justly accused of that which is imputed unto mee or at the least hath confirmed the beliefe which was already had of my guiltinesse seeing that my Parents would not embrace my defence it hath constrained me if I would not dye without justifying my selfe and in the opinion of an infamous Adulteresse and Murtherer of my Husband to receive succour refuge from him who is yet all bloody with my husbands death if it be true that he is guilty which is the fairest pretence and the most lively appearance wherewith mine enemies have been able to colour the falsenesse of their imposture and whereat I cannot complaine but onely at the hardnesse of my Parents Madam I doe once againe intreat you to pardon me my just and incomparable griefes cannot frame small complaints If you knew what I have suffered you would abhor that ever you had brought into the world so miserable a creature if you will not take pity of my life at the least take knowledge thereof be not more cruell than my Adversaries nor more criminall than my Judges Shall it be said that a Mother refuseth her eyes to the deportments or her eares to the justification of her daughter and if you would not that I should have recourse unto you Madam unto whom would you then that I should have recourse Tell mee from whom I should hope for more or in whom I may better rely than in you who are my Mother And let fortune shoot all the arrowes of her anger upon mee if shee hath any remaining which I have not felt yet shee shall never doe so much but that Madam I will be alwayes your most humble and most obedient daughter Calista It cannot be said that two letters so pitifull from a daughter so faire did not touch hearts so noble as those of her Parents for they were pierced even to the very soule but it may be truly said that
themselves expecting newes from Otranta who failed not to give them notice immediately after Dorilas his departure which was within three dayes that Lisander had delivered Calista's letters The day of his departure being come Lisander conducted Calista within the view of Bellaire not willing to goe in with her fearing lest the over much sorrow which would possesse him at his departure might give more knowledge of his love to Otranta than hee desired she should have and there as they would have bid one another farewell the faire words which were accustomed to have birth in their mouthes dyed now there and that which they had premeditated to speake vanished witnessing that a meane griefe sharpneth the spirit but an excessive one astonisheth it In the end Lisander said this departure should be lesse cruell than it is if it did leave mee power to bid you farewell and my griefe would be lesse if it would suffer me to complaine that which comforteth mee is that I suffer for you who merit more and the cause of my martyrdome allaieth the cruelty receiving also so great glory in obeying you that there is no kinde of torment which my obedience and your service would not make agreeable And I conjure you my faire one by the eternall lights of your faire eies the onely Sun whose raies and eclipses I am not able to beare yet whose light I am now constrained to lose that you will forget me the least you can in these darknesses wherein I goe to inwrappe my selfe during your absence Lisander said Calista you see this great light which shineth over our heads I doe call it to witnesse that it shall sooner cease to lighten the world than I will cease to love you you have obliged mee too much and when my ingratitude should come to this height of forgetfulnesse your valour is so necessary that it would cause it to be sought for unto the worlds end Farewell since the influence of the starres doe condemne us to this separation preserve mee alwayes in your memory and beleeve mee your name and representation shall bee alwayes the dearest jewels of my life In speaking these words Calista lovingly kissed her Lisander with more liberty than ever shee had done and Lisander embraced her with feelings of joy almost incomprehensible In the end almost forceably they snatcht one the other out of their armes separating themselves with sorrow no lesse pitifull than the love which produced it was true Calista followed her way to Bellaire and Lisander being on horsebacke followed her with his eyes fixed upon her as stedfastly and as immoveably as if they had been of a Statue untill he saw her Coach enter into the Castle and when he had lost his North-starre O God what darknesse what trouble what confusion rose in his minde I make a conscience to abandon him in this solitarinesse more pursued and more torne by his own affection than Acteon by his dogges Calista being come to Bellaire was received by Otranta with great testimony of love sorrow and pity of her misfortune There were their teares renewed there motherly affections succeeded amorous and amorous gave place to motherly cleane contrary unto poore Lisander who onely entertained himselfe with imaginations and lived onely with hopes of love Hee after he had lost his faire Beare tooke his way towards Paris determining to enter by night and see his friends as hee passed by or else to learne some newes although it were with hazzard of his life And as he passed S. Germyn it being late travailing in the fresh of the evening upon the bankes of Seine softly as well because he would spare his horse as because he would not come by day light to Paris he perceived foure Archers of the Provost Marshall who came upon a trott after him and amongst them hee perceived a souldier a prisoner upon horsebacke with his legges tyed under the belly Lisander had no sooner beheld him but hee remembred hee had seene his face yet hee could not call to minde where wherefore a little mending his pace he entreated the Archers to tell him who hee was and whither they carried him Wee carry him to prison answered one of them unto the Castle at Paris where hee was sometime Porter and to tell you more wee should have something to doe if wee should render an account of all wee take unto all that aske us By this answer Lisander knew that it was the Porter who had delivered Calista who by ill fortune was fallen into those Archers hands and being desirous to deliver him hee said unto them Friends this poore man if you carry him unto Paris will be hanged and it will but breed sorrow unto you for having beene the cause of his death but if you will give him unto mee I will give you twenty crownes to goe drinke and he shall be bound to pray for you all his life We neither care for his prayers nor your crownes answered another and it may be it had been better for you you had been lesse officious and not so charitable How said Lisander will you also take me prisoner because I am charitable Not so answered the Archer but if the party who causeth him to be taken prisoner knew the care you have to deliver him it may be hee would make you be further examined Leave that care unto the party said Lisander and deliver mee your prisoner for I desire much to have him You doe but jest answered an Archer we will answer him unto the Justice By your leave replied Lisander you shall not have him to prison before I know whether hee be willing or no to goe and withall he said unto the prisoner speake unto me friend Is it willingly or by constraint that thou goest to prison By force Sir answered the prisoner Truly then said Lisander this is a great injustice in this manner to force free persons Well my masters seeing you will not let him goe for mony free him for nothing or else resolve to dye by my hand The Archers at the first thought hee had beene in jest or that hee had beene mad but seeing him come violently upon them with his sword in his hand they beganne to defend themselves which served them to little purpose for Lisander was well horsed and knew so well to take advantage by the nimblenesse of his Horse and with the goodnesse of his sword that hee layed two of the stoutest along upon the ground the rest betooke them to their heeles leaving him the prisoner who knowing by whom hee was freed could not give thanks sufficient Lisander made his Flemmish boy speedily unbinde him and both of them to follow him who in stead of going to Paris as hee projected left it upon the left hand and taking his way towards Gascoigne rode so hard all night that before day he came unto Estampes where having rested himselfe a while he tooke Poste with the Porter who never forsooke him after that day and his good
horse with the Flemming to come after by easie journeyes unto Tholose In the meane time Dorilas being at Court emplored the Kings mercy for Lisander urging his valour and the fidelity of this Knight heretofore so remarkable for his combats and by his services hee touched as in passing by the pension which he had refused from the Arch-Duke although he had no meanes from his Majesty but contrary that he was in disgrace having lost the honour of his favour I do intreat you Sir said hee in compassion of this old age and of the disaster wherewith I am miserably afflicted in my last dayes in the persons of Cleander and Calista to adde unto so many favours which you have bestowed upon your nobility that which I demand in Lisanders name for the death of Cloridon and Chrisantes slaughters which are the most pardonable that ever were seeing that Lisander being first almost murthered by Cloridons friends and after challenged by Chrisantes hee alone had killed them both not only by his valour and fortune but by the justice of his cause which had beene manifestly assisted by the hand of God The King possessed with the love which he had born unto Cloridon and with the false report which ran of the combate so much to the disadvantage of Lisanders free and noble heart and wondring that Dorilas with so much earnestnesse should sue for the pardon of a man who was accused for the murther of his sonne in law said unto him that he had granted pardons unto his Subjects for combates nobly decided but for Murtherers hee never gave any marvelling further that he would begge pardon for a man who had branded his reputation with so foule a fault and who had so mortally offended him in the person of one most neare unto him wherby he had deserved to have his condemnation pursued It is for this cause Sir answered Dorilas that I demand Lisanders pardon touching Cloridon and Chrisantes deaths whereof I accompt him innocent that hee may be punished for the murther of Cleander if it be true that hee be guilty Cleane otherwise replied the King Cloridon and Chrisantes friends thinke him guilty of their deaths and innocent of the other so either of you is transported with his particular passion But I who am or ought to be guided with reason onely will give unto every one that justice which is due unto him Sir answered Dorilas to the doing of justice first belongs the knowing of the cause and to the knowing of the cause belongs the hearing of the parties Your Majesty cannot justly condemne Lisander without first hearing his justification but agreeing that hee killed Cloridon and Chrisantes it followes that hee did well or ill kill them if well it followes that your Majesty may pardon him and if ill you may punish him after you have given him pardon for justice doth not allow of pardons gotten upon a false suggestion so your Majesty may in time bee cleare of Lisanders innocency in respect of the combat For I am sure he will offer himselfe not onely to prove that he killed them like an honest man but also to purge himselfe from Cleanders murther which I the rather desire Sir because upon his justification dependeth Calista's But how should he justifie himselfe said the King of two crimes both coÌ„mitted without witnesse Sir said Dorilas it is for his adversaries to convince him and for him to defend himselfe I doe not know what proofes they can have against him But in respect of the combat Chrisantes before he died spake with Leon and with â—erontus who have told the truth to Lisanders great advantage although they were his enemies as the events have since shewed As for Cleanders murther it is certaine that Lisander was at Bruâ—els when it was committed and that he left his sword by which circumstance they would convince him of the murther in the field where he killed Chrisantes having broken it in the hilts with the reverse blow wherewith he cut off Chrisantes his arme and accommodated himselfe both with Cloridons horse and sword which he yet hath But Sir though this did not nor could appeare what better course can your Majesty hold than that which your progenitors have held alwayes when such cases have hapned so doubtfull that the truth could not bee knowne they have granted the combate to the accusers or the accused who did demand it There was standing by at the Kings dinner where Dorilas pleaded Lisanders cause a young Knight called Lucidon who was Chrisantes his Nephew and one of the activest Gentlemen of France who hearing pardon asked for his Uncles death and fearing lest Dorilas his reasons might bee of force with the King prostrated himselfe at his Majesties feet most humbly beseeching him that the death of two such Knights as Cloridon and Chrisantes might not go unpunished for want of proofe seeing it was well knowne such actions were alwaies performed with the fewest witnesses that could bee brought and that Lisander had killed all that could witnesse yea even unto the foot-boyes thereby as it was most likely to hide the foule play of the combate That in case it could not be verified according to the ordinary forme of justice hee did require that according to the custome alledged by Dorilas hee might be suffered to challenge Lisander and decide this combate by a second combate Whereunto Dorilas answered The Kings presence Lucidon makes you speake and me hold my peace but if the inviolable respect which we owe unto his Ma. were not this white beard such as you see it would enforce it selfe to shew you that there was no foule play in that action and if the King please without entring into further proofe I doe offer to maintaine it in the field my person against yours I had rather said Lucidon that it were with your Sonne neverthelesse I hope having done with you I may then finish with Lisander himselfe of whom question is made at this time wherefore I will not refuse you Dorilas was much provoked with this answer and would have answered againe but the King coÌ„manded them both to silence forbidding them upon paine of his displeasure to proceede any further And having granted Lisanders pardon upon condition that hee did come and procure it to bee allowed within one moneth and that he might safely come and justifie himselfe of Cleanderâ— death he did assure him from being troubled for any thing but murthers It was thought that next unto the justice of the cause nothing disposed the King so much to the granting of this pardon as Lisanders refusing the Arch-Dukes pension With this expedition Dorilas returned to Bellaire where being received by Calista with teares which drew them mutually from his aged eyeâ— after the first motion of this encounter having informed himselfe of Lisanders retrait hee dispatched a Gentleman to him in Post with his pardon and with a letter which said thus Dorilas his Letter to Lisander SIr having understood that
last order by which not presenting himselfe within three weekes hee was to be declared guilty of the crimes whereof he was accused That all France wondred at his not appearance in this needfull occasion and did thinke him convicted That his friends could not tell what to thinke nor what to doe but onely to present themselves at the last day to fight with his accusers in his absence But what a shame would that be said he in the sight of so great a King that Lisanders friends should enter combate for his cause he in the meane time being idle in the countrey Adrastus more vexed at this last newes than at the former knew not what answer to make unto Lidians speeches but that they had neither heard of Gentleman nor any man else that brought letter from Dorilas that this was the first word hee had heard of his pardon And as for Lisander see what is written unto me which I received but now and saying this hee shewed him Hippolita's letter Lidian marvelling that there was no newes of the Gentleman and sorry that he had missed of Lisander comforted himselfe with hearing that hee was gone unto the Court and giving unto Adrastus and Hypermestra Ambrisia's letter wherewith they were much rejoiced hee stayed only one night at Miramont departing the next morning early and determining to see Hippolita as he passed by as well for the estimation was made of her as to make a true discovery of Lisanders waies hee found her such as she was described unto him exceeding faire and having understood by her that Lisander was gone towards Bourdeaux and by easie journies he thought if he did goe Poste he might come thither as soone as Lisander for which cause hee tooke his leave being much satisfied with her fashion and behaviour and presently tooke his way after his friend Neverthelesse Lisander had made such haste thinking his father was still at his heeles that he was departed from Bourdeaux the very day that Lidian came thither wherefore beleeving that it was not Gods will out of some secret judgement which hee understood not that he should meet him he resolved to ride no more after him esteeming it unprofitable seeing he travelled to bring him unto a place whither it was said he was gone before And hearing of the great tilting which was to bee in England hee resolved to breake a Launce there a consideration worthy of a rash man rather than of Lidian who knew well the great griefe wherein he had left his parents neither would he ever have undertaken this journy but through the assurance which was given him in so many severall places that Lisander was gone unto the Court. Let us now returne unto Calista whom we have left wandring alone so long and see what became of her After that shee was gone from Clarevall her horse which was accustomed to Paris way brought her about breake of the day unto the gates of that great City and then remembring the times which she formerly spent there in the glory of her fortune and comparing it unto her present misery her heart was likely to melt in her breast and come forth at her eyes Ah Calista said shee what meanest thou to doe what designe hast thou taken unto what extremity hath thy misfortune reduced thee darest thou ever returne before the face of thy parents having thus injured them But coward as thou art why speakest thou either of comming in thy parents sight or of living in the world after this affront No no Calista thou must dye once for all and in dying tye about the necke of thy ungratefull Lover the revenging furies of this death In saying this she entred into the city covering with her cloake her face which was all wet with teares and went to seeke for a lodging toward the Temple the most retired part of all Paris lest she should be knowne Having rested a little if the griefe which did continually racke her may be called rest she called her Hoste and intreated him to get her a servant who was an honest fellow could dresse a horse and to cause an Armorer to come unto her An Armorer answered my Hoste you shall presently have but an honest servant is not found in a small time yet I will get you such a one for whom assurance shall be given Saying this he caused an Armorer to be sent for of whom shee bespake an armour complete all blacke with a devise of a wheele like unto one of those used in watring of gardens incompassed with water-pots some full and others empty his word was Los llenos de dolar ylos vazios de Speransa and entreated him to make it as speedily as was possible Now shee knew the combate which the King had granted unto Lucidan in case Lisander did not appeare within three weeks or some other for him which she beleeving he would not do considering the ingagement of his new love did resolve to fight with him for Lisander whom she accounted her enemy certainly determining to die in the fight and cause therby sorrow and griefe unto Lucidan for killing of her in thinking to kill Lisander and make Lisander repent that ever he had left her seeing that although he had despised her and betrayed her yet she would lose her life for him All being fantasticke passions of a woman blinded with love and jealousie Now let us make a steppe into great Britaine waiting for the tilting day We left Lisander on his way thither and Lidian following him shortly after But to relate all things in their order Lisander being come unto London keeping himselfe secret caused Armes to be made for him of an ashie colour which hidde the sparkles of a lively fire spotted with Flower-de-luces of silver his device was a Love tied to a pillar in the middle of a faggot kindled by a Lady the word was Alwayes constant his Feather was Gree de liu and white his Coate of Armes and caparison of his horse Gris de liu embroidered with silver Lidian comming the next day to the towne caused Armes to bee made of Azure colour spotted with starres of gold without number his Device was a Love holding a Dart in the mouth an Olive branch in the hand and having a goose at his feete holding a stone in the bill the word was Leale secreto a devise which he had made in the time when Clarangeus his jealousie made him love no lesse secretly than faithfully his Lady Olinda His feather was yellow and blew his coate armour and the caparison of his horse was of blew Velvet embroidered with gold The tilting was begunne before the Armes of our Knights could bee finished The Tourney was in this manner with Launces having steeled and sharpned heads and in open field hee who was overthrowne at the tilting might not demand the combate with the sword but if they both fell unto the ground or that after the breaking of three launces they remained unhorsed it was
the end of the last Booke after the manner of Architectures who as it is said make their buildings with the greatest beauty and glory towards the streete hiding their errours of contriving within the house for if wee looke neere and judge not by outward appearance but by truth we may find that among their sweetnesse and joy there was a great deale of bitternesse and sorrow All the contentment which Lisanders friends had to see him absolved and in the Kings favour no waies equalling the sorrow which they had for his losse or that which those who knew not thereof as Adrastus and Hippolita had for his absence And Dorilas his joy which he had to see his sonne and Lidian his Father did no way ballance the griefe which one suffered for his sister and the other for his daughter Alcidon and Berontus who in reason had least cause to complaine or desire were not contented because they could not see Argire and Ambrisia shine at the Court yet the webbe of these evils were mingled with some prosperities which made them some way sufferable only Calista was uncapable of comfort her whole reason and wisedome serving but to augment her griefe We left her within Longchampe sad wandring and desperate all in teares and fury not knowing what to doe but to dye whereunto shee fought all occasions but found none unexorable death which with so many sensible and violent sorrowes taketh away life from others would not doe her that favour In the meane time the Porter who amongst Alcidons and Lidians followers had seene Lisanders Flemming and footman and from them having learned the sad newes of his Master oppressed with his losse and with the despaire wherin hee had left Calista resolved to goe seeke for one and discover the other wherefore having spent this night with his fellowes he rose early the next morning and going unto Alcidon who instantly knew him told him that the Knight who offered to fight with Lucidan together with Dorilas and Adrastus having such a device and such armes and who afterwards stole away without making her selfe knowne was the faire Calista so â—arre transported not onely out of love unto Lisander but of jealousie unto Hippolita whose sight had carried her backe unto Longchampe with the same despaire wherein he had first found her That although he had promised not to discover her unto any body yet he beleeved he should erre lesse in breaking his word than in leaving her in this discomfort Alcidon wondring yet glad at this newes left the Porter at Paris who departed immediatly from thence towards Normandy to see if upon the Coast he could have any newes of his Master and not speaking a word either unto Dorilas or Lidian of what he had heard of Calista went unto Longchampe where she was still a bed with her chamber doore so fast shut upon her that it was impossible to open it without breaking He first found her Lackey with her horse who brought him directly unto her chamber where knocking at her doore Calista who thought it had beene her boy or the Porter who having lost her when she stole out of the throng at Paris was come to seeke her asked who was there Alcidon answered a Friend What seeke you said she knowing by the voice that it was neither of them whom she thought it to be I seeke you answered Alcidon Stay without replied shee and I will speake with you presently In the meane time shee arose and not content to cloath her she also armed her selfe beleeving by these meanes to passe unknowne amongst all men When shee was come out of her chamber and that she saw it was Alcidon who was not armed shee was like to fall downe dead yet not knowing what he would say nor thinking that he knew her she dissembled her astonishment as well as shee could and disguising her voice and behaviour shee asked him what hee would Alcidon making as if hee did not know her asked if she were the Knight of the Buckets who yesterday had presented himselfe with Dorilas and Adrastus to combate Lucidan Whereunto shee answered yes It is then replied Alcidon with you that I would speake but I would desire it might bee private As much as you please replied Calista who presently commanded her boy to make ready her horse When Alcidon saw himselfe alone with her hee spake in this manner You doe well to command your horse to bee made ready for hee must now serve you to escape away or else to goe unto the King who commands a straight search to be made for you forasmuch as that after your going from Paris remembring that you are the onely man who did not discover your selfe he commanded that you should bee followed to know who you were but hee was told by some that you were Lisander and that you would not discover your selfe in regard of Calista's processe whereupon his Majesty more expressely commanded to finde you out of a desire he had to marry you to Hippolita at Adrastus his request unto whom hee hath promised to pardon Cleanders murther in favour of that marriage Now if you be Lisander I beleeve according unto that great affection which we have born unto one another you will not hide your selfe from me I will counsell you freely as a friend no longer to dwell upon that wretched and unfortunate love of Calista who is lost both for you and her selfe but looking more seriously into your affaires not to lose with the Kings favour and your parents so advantageable a match as Hippolita is Hardly had he uttered the last word when Calista looking upon him in disdaine and setting her hand upon her sword interrupted him with this answer Ah thou impudent Traitor who hath given thee boldnesse to use this speech unto me doest thou use thus to counsell thy friends to betray that which they ought to hold most deare in the world for a simple appearance of a petty commodity But why hast thou not thy armes about thee to maintaine that which thou counsellest now will I shew thee unto whom thou addressest thy selfe and before thee kill my selfe to the end that the griefe and horror of thy having been the cause thereof may torment thee all thy life Saying this shee pulled off her Cask transported with fury she drew out her sword but Alcidon catching her in his armes said thus unto her Madam pardon me if it please you this invention whereunto I have beene constrained to flye thereby to make you discover your name seeing you resolved to hide your selfe from mee It is true that the King hath sent after you and if you turne not your selfe out of the way you will see him but too soone not that he doth thinke you are Lisander not that any body hath told him so and lesse that hee hath any intent to marry him unto Hippolita but I my selfe have contrived it knowing by the Porter whom you had yesterday with you the pitifull misery into
advertised of their comming had left her cloake and sword and being apparelled in the ordinary habit of her sexe received them with a shame which did raise unto a higher lustre her incomparable beauty wherewith shee excelled the fairest which above all others astonished Adrastus who had never before seene her and made him not onely excuse Lisander but also thinke that hee had a great deale of reason to disobey him for which he formerly blamed him Madam said he in saluting her I doe not now wonder if those who have had the honour to see you do despise all other glory for I my selfe whose age ought now to dispence me from that servitude whereunto you bring all the world would not wish a greater good than to be deprived from all others to have that of your service Calista knowing who he was made a great reverence unto him saying shee would receive these praises from him more for the respect which she bare him than any wayes presuming that shee could merit them And seeing Dorilas and Otranta who stretched out their armes unto her she kneeled at their feet humbly entreating them to pardon her the displeasure and sorrow which she had raised them But they lifted her up intreating her not to bring into their mindes a thing which might trouble the contentment which they had to finde her againe Furthermore said Dorilas thank this good Knight for with a faire Amazon who is at Paris and Berontus his faithfull testimony which hee gave before the King of your innocency they are all three cause that without fear of any castle or prison but the Court you and Lisander may now enjoy your liberties which heretofore you have had in Paris having the King himselfe for Judge onely Calista together with the joy of this newes felt a secret motion in her heart at the name of this Amazon which wrought an alteration in her face But Berontus advancing himselfe then with Ambrisia whom he conducted afterwards Alcidon with Argire and last of all Lidian with Olinda saluting her put it from her minde for the present and raised in her a contentment to expresse which I am uncapable After they had a little rested and refreshed themselves within the Nunnery and thanked the Abbesse and the religious women they all departed toward Paris where comming before night they alighted at the Louure Adrastus led Calista Dorilas Otranta Alcidon Argire Lidian Olinda and Berontus Ambrisia The King being then in the Queenes chamber they were all brought in to their Majesties unto whom Adrastus presenting Calista spake unto the King in this manner Sir behold the Knight whom a desire to justifie Lisander concerning Chrisantes and Cloridons death to the end that hee might afterwards justifie them both for Cleanders hath made her cover her selfe with blacke Armes which your Ma hath committed unto Hippolita's keeping We are not now come humbly to entreat you that they may be rendred unto her she having more power thus disarmed than all the Knights in the world armed but to offer you her together with our humble service to lay her honour with out meanes and our lives into your hands giving you most humble thankes that it hath pleased your Majestie to take knowledge of our cause and to entreat your Majesty to doe her justice which yet you never refused to any person Adrastus having spoken these words Calista kneeled down before the King who having never seene her in Cleanders life in regard it was much retired from the Court much lesse since his death was kindled with the lightning of this beauty which having lifted up and graciously saluted he presented her unto the Queene saying What thinke you of this Knight Madam was it not great pity that such a jewell should be shut up in the Castle Shee seemeth unto mee rather an Angell than a Knight answered the Queene and that those who tooke her from thence had more reason than those who imprisoned her These words and the presence of their Majesties invironed with a great company whose eyes were all fixed upon Calista raised no lesse blushing in her than she kindled fires in their mindes The Court at this time resembled bled a cleere heaven set full of bright starres whereof their Majesties were the principalâ— lights and Calista Ambrisia Olinda and Argire foure of the lesser Planets to perfect whose number the faâ—re Hippolita came who being led by Lucidan knowing that this Calista of whom she had heard so much speech was not onely come but knowne to be the Knight of the black armes which she had undertaken to defend left them in the guard of Erifila her maid to be her selfe at this assembly So soone as the King perceived her hee said unto her You must now faire Amazon render the armes or fight with this faire Lady unto whom they doe belong Sir answered Hippolita not onely these armes but all others ought to be yeelded up unto her beauty What shall then be given unto yours said Calista which doth shine with so much advantage over the fairest I am not able to utter all the faire words which then proceeded from their faire mouthes But what contrary thoughts were in the meane time hidde in their hearts with what different spirits from their outward shew did these faire Rivalls behold one the other with what confusion did Hippolita looke upon the advantage of Calista's incomparable beauties with what grace Calista drawing her glasse sometimes by stealth seemed to enquire of it about the victory which she presumed to have over Hippolita's perfections how many torments did Lucidan suffer between the new fires which Hippolita had kindled in his breast and the lively sparkles which having beene raked up in the ashes of Calista's absence did now become flaming by her presence In the meane time night descending covered with her large mantle poudered with stars licenced this faire company every one departed contented except Hippolita who seeing Calista conducted backe by Adrastus as if hee had already accompted her for his daughter despaired ever to bee so her selfe All night she could not sleepe Calista's faire face and the admirable attractions of her surmounting beauty swome in her minde shee saw her selfe overcome by Calista she thought her selfe despised by Lisander and called him traitour for speaking of love unto her being ingaged in another place and ungratefull for leaving her for any other then againe would shee excuse him for having made so worthy a choice which she her selfe was enforced to approve In these disquiets having passed a great part of the night shee called Erifila and arming her selfe in Calista's Armes leaving her own hanging in the place she departed early in the morning taking no leave of any body Whilest these things thus passed in France Lisander who by the tempest was cast upon the I le of Gersie together with his Pilot as we have already said hearkened unto the man yet unknowne whom wee left complaining in this manner Ah wretch unworthy
vouchsafing to looke upon her face her goodly tresses of haire died in blood made him first see his errour and afterwards know that the person whom hee intended to kill with so much hatred was the faire Hippolita who having lost her knowledge and sense was in a swound in his armes It is not possible to tell the least part of the confusion which was in his soule hee knew not what to doe nor what to say nor what to thinke sometimes hee was angry with the Porter who had made him take Hippolita for Calista sometimes hee blamed Hippolita her selfe for hiding her selfe under the name of Lucidan and under the pretext of Calista's death had given way and exacted this disgrace but Erifila told him that he himselfe was the cause forasmuch as Hippolita justly offended after the demonstration of love which hee had made unto her and the great bonds wherein she had tyed him as well in enterprising the voyage unto the Court the combate with Lucidan and now in going in quest of him hee had neverthelesse spoken so disadvantageably of her and had so highly raised Calista's perfections before hers and shee not able to suffer that one who had offered so much love unto her as in excuse thereof should say and to her face that hee had loved her to satisfie another had upon purpose faigned Calista's death that the desire of revenge might incite him to fight with her beleeving that shee had killed Calista and that falling under his armes as shee had done shee might leave with him together with the horrour of her death an eternall sorrow and repentance of his ungratefulnesse and perfidiousnesse This redoubled Lisanders perplexity and astonishment who seeing her lose a great deale of blood and losing no lesse himselfe caused her to be carried unto the next village where having gotten a Surgeon with much difficulty and finding that Hippolita's wounds were not mortall he caused his own to be dressed and then put himselfe againe upon his way to Paris not so much as taking leave of the Lady whom hee had so much injured nor having the courage to aske pardon of her whom hee had the heart not knowing her so mortally to offend as well fearing that his presence should cause some alteration in her as out of shame he had for the words which hee had spoken thinking her to bee Calista yet hee did intreat Erifila to excuse his departure without seeing her fearing the danger which the trouble of his sight might bring unto her assuring that he never had so sensible a sorrow as that which he carried with him for the offence which innocently he had done in satisfaction wherof there was no kinde of torment or paine which hee would not undergoe to content her and to recover the honour of her favour Wee will now let the sorrowfull Hippolity rest a while unto whom speech was forbidden for feare of a feaver and wee will follow unfortunate Lisander who went from her no lesse sorrowfull than she After that hee had rid the rest of the day meditating of that which had hapned and the estate wherein he left her together with griefe for these mischiefs fallen he arrived in the evening at Pontoise which is some seven leagues from Paris no lesse weary and travailed in his body than disquieted in his minde and as his ill fortune did guide him hee alighted at an Inne the Master whereof was but newly come from Paris and with him a Gentleman belonging unto Dorilas who knew Lisander well by report and not by sight although he were one of the two whom Dorilas had with him when he was set upon in the forrest of fountaine Bleau and saved by the same Lisander as you have heard in the beginning of this History Lisander who desired some divertion from his thoughts was glad to sup in their company where his curiosity made him intreat this Gentleman to tell him some newes from the Court who knowing none more memorable nor fresh than that whereof Calista had beene lately the argument discoursed unto him what had hapned since the combate betweene Hippolita and Lucidan First with Alcidon then how her armes had been brought into the Louure and put under Hippolita's guard in the field where the battaile was fought untill they should bee knowne how Dorilas knew his horse and how Hippolita and Adrastus offered to combate against Lisanders and Calista's accusers for the murder of Cleander how the King having heard Berontus his answer who discharged them had taken the cause from the Judges into his owne hearing how Adrastus and Berontus having carried this newes unto Dorilas they went together with Alcidon Lidian and the Ladies which were with them to find Calista at Longchampe from whence they had brought her to Paris finally the words which had past before their Majesties with Hippolita and the contentment whereunto all things had happily succeeded all which was matter of joy and comfort to Lisander But when following his discourse hee came to touch the love betweene Lucidan and Calista which he took upon him to know as being a houshold servant unto Dorilas especially since Lidians and Lucidans attonement and that he added hee beleeved verily his young Ladies misfortunes would end in a marriage with Lucidan which being most earnestly sought by him and as closely followed by Adrastus out of a desire hee had to marry his sonne unto Hippolita it could not be refused by Calista nor by her parents principally in Lisanders absence who had witnessed so little feeling of this last occasion that shee was extremely provoked Then Lisander turning into tragicall the comicall subject of this newes lost together with his stomacke to eat all rest and quiet in his minde his very countenance changing sometimes red as scarlet then pale as death astonished all the company with his sudden alteration yet all the company thought that it proceeded from weakenesse and paine of his wound in his arme and counselled him to goe to bed But he well knowing that this remedy was not apt for his evill intreated this Gentleman to proceed in telling what hee knew of these Lovers faigning that his griefe would be diverted by his discourse I can say no more unto you said hee but that this morning before I came away to goe to Bellaire whither Dorilas hath sent mee for money hee together with Otranta entred into Calista's chamber to propound unto her the advantageable conditions offered by Lucidan one of which was That the King promised in favour of this marriage absolutely to free her concerning Cleanders death Besides they did not thinke it agreeable with Calista's reputation to marry a man who was accused of the death of her husband But if he be innocent said Lisander what then It is all one replied the other he is still accused and that leaveth an aspersion as a bite or a wound doth a scarre although it be healed Besides it is verily beleeved that Lisander is drowned at sea or that
if hee be not hee hath witnessed so little affection unto Calista that she ought not to thinke that ever there was any such in the world But is it possible said Lisander that a Knight who hath saved Dorilas his life and Lidians many times and unto Calista both her life and honour should now be forgotten for Lucidan who not onely was never their servant but hath alwaies beene their capitall enemy As for Lidian answered the other he holds for Lisander and as well he as Alcidon and Berontus will leave the kingdome rather than be present at Calista's marriage with Lucidan and she for her part hath not yet made any demonstrations that shee doth incline either unto one part or other but Dorilas Adrastus and Otranta doe stir heaven and earth for Lucidan and which is greatest the King himselfe favours the match and he can doe more than all All these words were like daggers at Lisanders heart who being able to endure them no longer bid all the company good night and retiring into his chamber went to bed While he rests there if a man tormented with so many furies can enjoy any rest we will returne unto Hippolita who being recovered from her swound and awake from a short sleepe which a generall numming of all her spirits had brought upon her not seeing her mortall enemy who had so cruelly wounded her whom neverthelesse shee loved more than she loved her selfe shee demanded of her maid where he was Shee told her his going away and his excuses together How said shee is hee gone without speaking to mee and hath hee thus left mee in this pitifull estate whereunto I am brought by his cruelty O Tiger although I were unknowne unto him I thinke meere humanity should oblige him to stay with one afflicted set apart that I am for his sake and by himselfe thus wounded and that deceived by his faigned affections I am come into this countrey moved by my true affection unto him have preserved his honour with the losse of my blood and the hazzard of my life and if wee onely speake of common good will which is amongst the most barbarous men were not that bond enough upon him to make him see the successe of the wounds which he hath given me Madam said Erifila hee was so afflicted that it would rather have encreased your evill than lessened it and therefore he went away fearing that his sight should cause some alteration in your wounds Afflicted said Hippolita what proofe of affliction hast thou seene him shed one teare or only fetch one sigh for me yet Erifila I must love him and if thou also lovest me and wilt binde mee to love thee more thou must ride speedily after this ungratefull Knight and conjure him not to flie from Hippolita who seeketh and would runne after him if the wounds which hee hath given mee did not hinder me Tell him I pretend nothing in all that affection which hee hath vowed unto mee but common good will that I quit him of his promises and that not only I will not constrain him in the love which hee beareth unto Calista but that I will mediate his peace with the King and his marriage with her and will take upon mee to solicite her against my selfe let him vouchsafe onely to see mee and suffer me but to accompany him I am none of those who have accused him for killing of Cleander but cleane contrariwise I am she who have defended his innocency and for his sake his Ladies But dispatch Erifila and reply not if thou lovest me or if thou desirest I should live Erifila who knew with what spirit shee had to doe said onely shee would not stay but would make such haste that she would finde him and shee would lose her life or bring him backe But Madam said shee againe who shall have care of your wounds in my absence Care not you for my wounds said Hippolita they are neither mortall nor dangerous onely goe thy waies and take heed thou doest not try Lisander in armes for therein hee is no lesse invincible than in grace and comlinesse incomparable Erifila departeth although it were night and upon a speedy gallop followes after Lisander where leaving her there is a necessity now we should relate what is done at Paris Besides the instant pursuits of Lucidan to marry with Calista Verascus who was advertised of the propositions which Hippolita and Adrastus had made unto the King about Cleanders murder and also what the King had ordained as well upon their offers as upon Berontus his declaration in favour of the accused came Poste to Paris and addressing himselfe unto the Court of Parliament obtained a sentence against Calista containing that most humble remonstrances should be made to his Majesty to be pleased that justice might freely bee executed upon the persons of those who were accused of Cleanders death which sentence being gravely pronounced yet vainely because the King had already given his word although they did not hide that this crime scaping humane justice could not scape divine neither could this innocent blood unjustly shed upon earth crying vengeance in heaven fall in any other place but upon his Majesties head or his childrens Verascus addresseth himselfe unto the King and intreateth him to grant unto him the like combate against those who had offered to defend Lisander and Calista as he had granted unto Lucidan a request not onely just but also favourable for besides that the combate granted to Lucidan served him as a prejudged case there was no reason to deny or refuse Verascus upon a cause already judged and against persons condemned having suffered it unto Lucidan against a man who was not in apparance furthermore hee required nothing but what the friends of the adverse part had already demanded and besides the cause of his kinsman for whose justice he sued hee was injured in his honour by Hippolita's words The King granted that which in justice hee could not deny Thus was Adrastus his life and Calista's honour once againe in tryall and all the joy of the dayes passed turned into griefe and desolation Lidian Alcidon and Berontus were all mad to dispute this difference with Verascus who in all their opinions was like discord let loose by envie out of hell to trouble all their quiet But God forbid said Adrastus that any other but my selfe being in health and present should undertake the defence of my sonne and of my owne offer I have demanded this combate against Verascus and if it please God I wil be the first that shall maintain the innocency which hee would oppresse Who is able to utter Dorilas his anger Otranta's complaints Ambrisia's griefe Olinda's teares Argires sorrow and the deadly confusion of unfortunate Calista who can declare Lidians fury to see his sisters cause and his friends hazzarded under the defence of a feeble old man whose age might justly bee dispensed from Armes finally who can speake the universall discomfort of all
or if I doe not endeavour to make you an example and so goes out of the doores Judge you in what plight our Lovers were by their owne folly which 〈…〉 to torment themselves Calista began to 〈◊〉 wrong which shee had done unto Lisander and beginning to repent hee selfe desired onely that hee would come unto her and shee would repaire it I she would have come halfe way if shee could have found some honest occasion to goe unto him But Lisander who knew hee could not goe from her but to his death not so much moved with his Fathers anger and threatnings as with love although he could have been contented to have urged his merit and desired to have knowne his fault as also to have beene pardoned yet not knowing her minde but setting before his eyes the scorne which she did him publikely and in favour of his arrivall hee willingly gave himselfe to death and rather than he would any more sue unto an ungratefull woman who had paied all his signal services with such an affront hee swore he would never see her but leave the countrey First intending to write a bitter letter unto her which his trusty Porter should carry her unto which end he went unto an Inne with resolution toward the evening to depart but halfe his letter was not written when there comes one of the Kings Guard who having enquired him out told him that the King had sent for him and that hee must presently goe with him unto his Majesty for Adrastus incensed by Lisanders disobedience as hee conceived it hasteth to the Court and findes out the King unto whom not so much out of sound judgement as out of petulancy of age resolving to force his sonnes will or remove all things under Heaven being admitted into his presence kneeling downe with grievous sighes and lookes to move the King unto compassion hee said Sir I have formerly come unto you to beg pardon and mercy which was in your pleasure to give but now Sir I come with much more sorrow at my heart to beg for justice which you may not deny and against my sonne that sonne for whom my feeble age carried more with strength of affection than body hath made so long a journey undertaken such dangers and in this place implored mercy wherefore Sir have pity of the just griefe which maketh me complaine and thinke how great it is since it maketh a father demand justice against his sonne who unlesse your Majesty be a helper unto me will be the affliction of my miserable age Bee pleased therefore Oh Sir to command him to be brought before you that to his faced may urge my accusation The King together with all the standers by wondred what new accident was fallen out as well out of curiosity as out of a desire to do justice to the complaints of his subjects presently gave command that Lisander should be sought for and brought before him hardly had the King made an end of commanding to bring Lisander when Dorilas came into the presence and witnessing as much hast anger and griefe as Adrastus had done kneeled downe before the King begging the like justice against his daughter Calista urging the cause of his complaint to bee such as was beyond a Fathers suffering and such as ought by punishment to bee made an example humbly entreating that shee also might be commanded to come before his Majesty where if she had any thing to alledge in her behalfe she might then speake This encreased the Kings wonder and desire to heare the cause and therefore gave order to have her also fetcht before him Shee was found as soone as Lisander and came accompanied with her Mother Ambrisia Argire and Olinda as also with Lidian Berontus and Alcidon all wondring what the occasion of their sending for should bee When Lisander and Calista were come before the King for they came almost together and both beheld one the other Oh! how soone had Calista's lookes which were with more gentlenesse dispersed Lisanders anger and utterly ruined his resolution hee commanded Adrastus to declare the cause of his complaint against his sonne whereupon Adrastus began that besides the common duty of a good Father which hee had alwaies performed unto his sonne he called his Majesty to witnesse what hee had lately enterprised for him in this his old age to the extreame perill of his life yet neverthelesse having twice offered him marriage with parties more worthy of him than he of them he was so faâ—re from yeelding any kinde of obedience that first having stolne from him and by the flight having put both him and his friends unto such unevitable dangers of utter ruine if by a particular care and admirable providence God had not miraculously preserved them Hee was now about the same course under pretence of a feined vow making religion a cloake to palliate his disobedience He had hardly proceeded thus farre in his complaint when Dorilas advanced himselfe and interrupting his further discourse began his complaint against Calista in this manner As much Sir can I say against this ungratefull Calista who knowes not or at least will not respect the sorrowes and the travailes which she hath given me the afflictions and evils wherewith shee hath so often broken the course of my life I need not abuse your Majesties patience in relating the story it is but too manifest Neverthelesse Sir she is not ashamed to disobey me in that which above all things in the world shee hath most earnestly desired how then Sir would she have obeyed me in any other matter which should have beene contrary unto her minde Sir you having setled order in the estate ought also to do the like in families and as you are a great father of the kingdome exacting obedience maintaining the paternall authority of the Royalty so I hope you will and we do humbly entreat you to render the ancient power of fathers over their children who will not obey The end of these complaints were not lesse pleasing unto Lisander than the beginning had beene displeasing seeing they concluded in the marriage of Calista who silent yet with lookes full of pity and love upon him hee spake in this manner Sir it cannot be denied but that my fathers words are most true and if I had yeelded all kind of obedience unto him yet his benefits and fatherly goodnesse are so great unto me that I ought not to be ungratefull although I cannot satisfie them yet Sir if I have but deferred and not refused his commandements the injury is not irreparable wherefore I doe humbly entreat your clemency and his to forgive mee upon condition I repaire my fault And you faire one said the King then unto Calista what answer make you unto your fathers complaint Calista seeing things brought to the point which shee did desire and being glad that her fathers command or rather the Kings might constraine her to pardon Lisander and to marry him absolutely beleeving that