into the Roome where they were plotting my destruction Magorre in a rage rose to strike me when I ere he was well up with two wounds deprived him both of defence and life Ferrardo in this while lanched out and crying he was betrayed and upbraiding the souldiers of Cowardise that without defending him would suffer him to perish he fortified himselfe with a good part of the Souldiers in the Castle of Prora which either for necessity or love undertook his defence With their Bows they shot at those that durst approach any whit neare and the death of foure rendred the rest more fearefull and cautious of their Lives There was not any meanes which I did not assay I went notwithstanding with a kind of reservation not willing to make use of fire lest it might offend Arnalta and the Damzels that stood in a Tent under the Castle They were a Fortification to themselves and not knowing the cause of the Tumult and being certaine of nothing but feare with their lamentations and schreekes they implored my aide not knowing what to resolve griefe almost made me mad Scarce there was a thought entred into my mind but refuting it I suddenly fell into new designs which not perfected I also rejected It was about day-break when the schreeks of Arnalta distinctly came to my eares who invoked all the Deities of Heaven A little while afterwards I plainely found she was thrown into the water Although anger and sorrow took away my senses I endeavoured nevertheless with the power of prayers and promise of rich gifts to procure her life Three without delay leapt into the sea many got into the Cock-boat others cast in Beames of wood and Tables All was in vaine the skies were cloudy the waves big so that with difficulty we recovered them that had gone out If a desire of revenge had not something counterpoised my fury I had flung my selfe into the sea But finally I resolved to try my last endeavour I made an Engine of boards stuffed with some packs of wooll to secure us from their flings and Cross-bows And so some of mine that hoped for their liberty and that found an opportunity to pull down some of their Rampiers made an approach and shot at the Pyrates who soone finding themselves in an ill condition aimed at nothing but to defend themselves Ferrardo while he was rayling at and upbraiding my men was shot with an Arrow which wounding him in the mouth tooke from him I know not first whether his tongue or life His men now grown heartless threw down their Armes craving mercy which had not been given them if the returne of those Ladies had not pacified my wrath For seeing Arnalta whom I imagined drowned I ran to embrace her afresh as if I had only known her now I understood that Ferrardo having forced the Tent and requiring Arnalta by name who for feare and at the horrible sight of that Pyrate was falne in a swoone upon a Bed one of her Damsels answered him He being deceived by a voice he knew not thinking to throw Arnalta into the sea flung in another who either for feare or affection assumed her name I made them cast the dead into the water and then thought of repairing my Galley which being brought into an ill plight made me resolve to put in at the next Port. Coming thither and dividing our booty among my Companions counterfeiting my name and birth with that beard which you saw me in first I procured from the King Vassileo a retiring Place and security and obtained my desire He being about to sell this Palace falne to him by Confiscation belonging formerly to the Duke of Mesimoran either through envy or desert proclaimed Traytour and who upon an infamous Theater had terminated the Glories of his Life and Fame I at any price got my selfe into the possession of it Then Celardo with a great curiosity desired to know some more particulars of the Life of that Duke Oleandro replied That the Actions of a Prince so great could not be penetrated into but with a thousand uncertainties agreeing to the opinion of him that should deliver them That some discourse though we be not concerned in it is dangerous That great men would have the remembrance of those things buried that might render them over either to the pitty or scorne of others That they suffer not themselves to be talked of either not to be liable to the censure of common discoursers or that a reverence is due to him whose power is unlimited To talke of Princes is not without danger because ordinarily truth is hatefull in great mens eares I that live remote from State Affairs can but guess at uncertainties which have no other foundation but the opinion of the Vulgar who oft argue of that they understand the least That judgement cannot be right given but by the effects The wisdome and the justice of so great a King pretends to no other end but the safetie of his own Life the defence of his State and the preservation of his Honour Curiositie the more increased upon Celardo by reason he heard these things so farre from his knowledge but being satisfied by Oleandro's promise that at his better leisure he should participate of all he knew in it he hearkned to the end of the former Relation He therefore proceeded Here I lived enjoying the deliciousness of the scituation the fertilitie of the fields the wholsomness of the Aire and accounted at a great shelter to my misfortunes after so many yeares of miseries once againe to enjoy my selfe in despite of Destiny The ambitions for my Kingdome spent in the course of so many infelicities had lost their appetite in tormenting me Accomodating my mind to my present Fortune far from me I cast all those imaginations that might molest me A Kingdome although so desired by all renders Princes as unhappy as servitude is often unsupportable to Subjects The fruition of Libertie depends not in ruling over others but in commanding our selves The regulating our own affections is that which can only make a man happy My Sister Arnalta had been able to have altered my deliberations if wearie with the afflictions of the world she had not accommodated her heart to my resolutions I now thought my selfe truly hid from the eyes of Fate far from the negotiations of Court and from those ambitions that are accustomed to provoke furies Deceiving my selfe with this shadow of Felicity I was certified that some had laid snares to entrap my life If the duty I owed to my birth and the generousness of my heart had been capable of Cowardize I sweare to you Celardo by the Obligements I owe you I had by my own death sacrificed my selfe to their hatred who desired it I cannot imagine to my understanding a greater misfortune than to live in a continuall feare of enemies and not know them One day I discovere their Plots and knew the Traitours They were sent by the usurpers of my
hath betrayed me A Father in the tendernesse of whose affections I can have no desire but it will obtaine its end hath been wronged by me in his reputation and honour and shall I live Who counsels me to it loves me not who deserves to be tormented then may live All things are determined with life and who lives not cannot at all languish The Dutchess although in a worse condition than I did not leave to comfort me She told me despaire was the last of evills and that to do so was undecent in all but most blameable in them that should have greater hearts than misfortunes who will triumph over Fortune she said must let it run how it please Those waies are too base for a Princess that are even practised by Slaves The greatness of your spirit should not submit to such ordinary Paragons which consists in sustaining ill encounters not in flying them shew the bravery of your mind in living in despite of Chance A Lover hath forsaken you because he was unworthy of you You will find a thousand others of them that will sigh for the favour of your looks you ought to comfort your selfe thanking the Gods that an immodest sister hath got from you an unfaithfull Lover She could not do you a greater service than to remove far from you those dangers which accompany a heart that deceives Besides you could not have wished her a greater punishment than the fellowship of so perfidious a servant If you have trangressed against the satisfactions of your Father the fault is Loves which easily renders all errours excusable Will you then after you have offended him in opinion for Reputation Honour and Fame are for all things offend him also in sense deprive him of a great part of himself by being your own murtherer You lament that you have offended him in an imaginary thing will you redouble the injury making him mad by killing your selfe To go for some time far from hence will be the best now too when we have an honourable invitation We may retire our selves to your Aunt in Egypt where with greater security we may make our defences To trust to an angred Prince though he be a Father is not a safe determination She added so many other reasons and so many entreaties that I rather overcome than perswaded made ready for a departure Therasia hearing of the Princes death and my resolution seeing that to despaire was the only remedy for her miseries stuck her selfe two or three times into the breast with a Stiletto without any body being able to prevent her The Dutchess that knew not the cause had become distracted but that I briefly informing her of what was past made her cast aside that pitty which truly so unhappy a chance deserved Opening Therasias Chamber doore I retired into my Lodgings where taking those Jewels which were of least weight and greatest price arming me to counterfeit my Sexe and the Dutchess being apparelled like a Page we went to the Sea-side For there was nothing that hindred us There finding the Count that stay'd for us we went aboard the best Galley of the Kingdome and doubling the Slaves we put the Oars to the water whiles it seemed that the sea with an un-before-seene tranquility emulated the heaven We directed our voyage in the Atlanticks towards Egypt to the Queen my Aunt Our desire failed us for being willing to shun a fleet of two hundred saile we went far into the sea so that being surprised by a Tempest it was not possible for us to reach Land Being tost a fortnight by the waves and winds we were alwaies in danger to be cast away But the goodnesse of the Vessell and the strength of the Rowers brought us at last to shore in an Island unknown even to the Marriners themselves We were in that state we could not have continued longer not only all things necessary for life but also for a voyage being spent Our hast to depart allowed us not time to make that provision which the Navigation of a sea inexorable to all things required Being disbarqued in the Island whilest the Rowers made provision of Wood and Water we walked a little forward to seeke out lodging The incommodities of our voyage made us desire to find an house to repose us in without trouble and feare In ascending a little hill we discovered some buildings which made in forme of a Pallace served also for a Fortresse We presently went thitherward where we were received with very great kindnesse Two Ladies of a venerable Age came to meet us and with so many welcomes offered us Lodging that we wanted words to express so great Obligations They were waited on by many Damzels one of the which supposing me a man began to look on me with so much affection that I took no ordinary pleasure at it telling the Count and Dutchess of it that they might hold their tongues I applyed my selfe to her with so much love that I perswaded my selfe she would grow mad But afterwards I repented me of it remembring me that I was not in the condition to cure her malady Though we endeavoured to understand the quality and the name of the Island we could get no answer to purpose Supper time being come my Favourite the Damsell found opportunity to say to me Faire Knight these wicked women lay snares for your lives Within a few houres you will either be slaine or made a Prisoner I that take compassion on the beauty of your face and the tendernesse of your yeares have thought it expedient with danger to my self to release you from yours They intend to set before you meats mingled with Opium to seize on you with the more security But being retired to your appointed Lodgings make use of this Preservative which shall preserve you from their treacheries So saying she gave me a little pot full of a certaine Antidote against sleepy poysons Afterwards added Since I adventure my life to do you this favour I desire no other reward but your love which I would enjoy flying with you hence from places so impious I then grown extreamely fearefull promised her more than I could performe protesting an Obligation to her not to be circumscribed by Ages The meat came up of which I tasted so sparingly that I even did nothing but talke The Tables being removed our Quarters were assigned us We feigning our selves weary presently bad good-night to those that waited on us and I revealed to the Count and Dutchesse the Damzels secret we tooke the Preservative with so much feare of being surprized that every little noise made us believe it was Souldiers that should assault us All the soporiferous poysons of the world would not then have had the power to have made us sleep in that feare Halfe the night being past the Damzell came to call us we followed her with all possible secresie who through a private gate led us forth of the Pallace There mounting upon foure horses which
and my Brother and that it is not buried in the ruines of my house Perchance thou hast stolne me from the Thracians because thou fearest that to torment me they had not instruments more inhumane than those of thy perfidiousnesse Wicked Traitour unfaithfull to thy Prince and heaven and thy selfe preserved till now alive to accomplish only the high judgements of the Gods who with the cruelty of the impious exercife the patience of the good I cannot conceive how the the earth rendred execrable by the excesses of thy infamies prepares not for thee at every step either a Precipice or a tombe You Thunders of Jove that exercise the furies of your anger upon towers and mountaines infensible of your chastisements why strike you not this perfidious this wicked this sacrilegious man Prodirto growne furious at these words which reproaching him for his enormities could not be but displeasing comming against her villanously gave her many blows on the face saying to her Learne impudent one to injure those who so many times have preserved thee free from wrongs Receive now the fruits of my anger having not had the will to try those of love Let your Duke of Filena come now to free you from him who hath an heart more cruell against those he hates than he hath it amiable to those he loves Enjoy now my indignation of the which I have shewed my selfe so anxious Because you have abhorred my embraces having given up your selfe to those of others Now to thy double vexation I will take them more to triumph over thy obstinacy than to gather the most vile leavings of thy immodesties Thou lyest O wicked man replied Floridea for there is not any that can boast himselfe over my honesty But it is no wonder that a Traitour should take away the fame of those Princes whom he will murther I care not that thou hatest me equally despising both thy love and hatred Distaine cruell man thy hands in my bloud For I only remaine a Remnant of the barbarismes of thy Infidelity Thou hast reason to kill me that I may not witnesse to the world that thou art the most infamous Traytour that lives Then added Prodirto interrupting her shall I neither have power nor punishment to bridle thy mordacious insolency Dares then the Temerity of an impudent woman thus far So saying he began to strike her with so much anger that the bloud ran from many places She schreeched out as loud as ever she could rather to incence him more than for any reliefe she might receive to her sorrow were she secure of her honour she would not have shewed a resentment for all the mischiefes of the world she much more feared the love of Prodirto than the offences and injuries Whilest Floridea with bitings blows words and schreeches fomented the furiousnesses of Prodirto Astidamo the Prince of Creete was brought into a griefe not inferiour to hers In a short time he was carried to Creete having in his voyage received no other discommodity than that which the absence of Dianea occasioned Hefound them just a celebrating the Funerals of his Father and Mother who both died in one day He shewed a passion only to deceive the observation of Subjects who rejoyce in the tendernesse of their Princes They seldome weepe that by the death of their Parents obtaine a Kingdome Great gainings would stop teares in the eyes of pity it selfe He suddenly appeased the alterations of the Kingdome occasioned by those who by being of the bloud royall had had ambitious hopes for the Crown The deaths of some the most culpable terrified the boldnesse of others He forgot not to exercise his mercy towards the penitency of those which ran to his feet He well knew that those Kingdomes were not stable which were builded upon bloud He had under the pretence of reducing his Subjects to obedience raised an Army worthy of his greatnesse All hastened to serve him with Armes Money and Men to gaine a place in the affection of their new Prince He thanking every one gave the highest Commands to those who had the vastest thoughts not thinking himselfe safe by leaving them in Creete lest in his absence they should attempt any Innovation Making afterwards with the greatest celerity possible all the Ships and Galleys of the Kingdome to be prepared in readinesse and embarquing all his Militia he made them direct their Prores towards the Island of Cyprus To avoid the injuries of heaven he was compelled to take land in an Island uninhabited with so much impatiency that his complaints against the aversenesses of heaven was the least of his ravings Eight daies were past wherein the sea continued his fury when a Long-Boat guided by foure Marriners who fled from shipwrack entred the Port There was within it a Knight of no ordinary presence who with two Squires rendred thankes to the Gods that they had escaped out of the hands of death Astidamo went quickly to see them and there knew the Knight who was the Baron of Cormio a Subject to King Vassileo He enquired of him the news of Cyprus and the causes of his voyage He answered That the King of Thracia being displeased at the justice of King Vassileo against his daughter was departed from Cyprus with a resolution to returne back with a powerfull Army That he had been sent in all haste into Egypt to procure Aide from that King upon any condition that he had obtained it the King of Egypt promising in less then two months either to enter into Thracia to call back Dorcone to the defence of his or else to come to Cyprus with a potent Flect That returning joyfull with this answer he had been many daies tossed by the seas against which having neither force nor instrument to resist perceiving themselves neare that Haven they were abandoned beyond the hope of Fortune who having spent all her rigours with the Ship which carried them it being swallowed by the waves afforded me here a landing place and security Astidamo could hardly suffer that he should give a period to his discourse but he asked of what justice he spoke exercised against his daughter by King Vassileo I Sir replied the Knight would not weary you with a new Relation supposing you had been fully informed of it it being every where knowne that King Vassileo understanding from his owne Daughter her self that without the assent of her Father she was denated to a Marriage he had made her be put to death in prison with a sorrow even to those who loved her not You have killed me replyed Astidamo with a report so miserable He had scarce said these words but he fell down halfe dead between the Armes of his Being returned to his senses he gave himself over to teares and lamentations with such a resentment of those that waited on him that they would have esteemed to dye the least expression of their sorrow Fortune he said how dost thou know to torment this heart which believed it selfe neare
a private Gate disguis'd in poor cloths while he put on mine and made himselfe taken by a deceit that my escape being known I should not be pursued Death will be the least of his evils for besides the envy of his Emulatours he had the hate of the Tyrants who infinitely often at any price had requested my life of him my disguise carried me safe from every danger nor mist I any thing that offended me I departed from Morocco deploring my misfortune that would not permit me an occasion to exercise the undauntednesse of my heart or the strength of my sword I embark'd for Numidia to tug if Fortune would change by the alteration of Climes The injuries of Tempests of Heaven of Lightnings accompanied me in my Voyage When one is once made the scope of the miseries of fate he only knows what 't is to be unhappy I came ashore in Dana a Region of Numidia because destiny there had provided for me greater miseries Afoot I walked toward Tesset the Metropolis of the Kingdome accompanied by the sorrow of those thoughts which had almost made me beyond my selfe the Heaven served for my Canopy and my griefe for a Centinell which admitted me not to have the multiplicity of wild Beasts which Africke breeds I was foure miles short of Tesset when I felt my eares struck with schreekes and lamentations of a faire woman Shee fled from Death which the trechery of four privy Murtherers menaced her with Her cloths were extreamely rich which shewed her to be a Lady of no ordinary descent Her embroideries pearle and gold were out-vide by the comelinesse of her Face and the beauty of her haire which stirr'd up and downe by the wind and raining it seems they were moved towards Heaven to contend for splendour with that of Ariadne her beautie not at all diminished by feare made me admire how it did not stirre up aide in the cruelty of those hearts Shee scarce saw me but both with her love and by signes shee implor'd my aide Her entreaties were delivered with such an inbred statelinesse that they seem'd rather commands then prayers I sodainly laid hand on my sword and justice favoring me in despight of my ill fortune they all there lost their lives Shee ranne to render me thanks having seen vengeance taken of her enemies without hurt to my selfe After some few short complements she told me the danger her Father was in shewing me the way to him I went to him with all speed and saved his life who was incompass'd with most eminent dangers Their kind embraces and the honours they did me amaz'd me These were the King of Numidia and his daughter that tracing a Stag had lost themselves and were assaulted by those Arabians who with their Nurses milk sucke in hatred to that Crown I rendred thanks to the gods and Fortune who now grew weary to afflict me with an infelicity of successes I accounted my selfe blest onely for preserving from Death so great a King and so faire a Princesse No body can be thought happy or miserable who hath not tride all accidents The fairenesse of a day is not despair'd of for the Cloudes which are seen before Sunne-rising Our wounds were hardly bound up but the Courtiers came upon us who with abundance of care pour'd forth their vowes for their Princes safety They conducted us into Tesset where we were encountred with those applauses wherewith Subjects manifest their affections At the foot of the Palace staires was the Queen accompanied with a daughter attended by a multitude of Ladies They rain'd from their eyes two most lively showers of teares which issue not alwaies from the fountaine of sorrow whom they had lamented for dead with his daughter they cannot yet be satisfied to see alive and embrace Thank said the King this Knight pointing to me from whose Valour next to the gods I acknowledge my safety and life I profess my selfe in so high a manner beholding to him that should I give him my Crown I should not in part have paid what I owe him for it is his and I receiv'd it from him both through his good fortune and courtesy The modest conceit I had of my selfe forced me with blushes to answer his good opinion of me I was made his companion in the Palace and a while after one of his Royall Councell and by many that flattered their own hopes in my greatness I was almost reverenc'd as the Heire and successour of the Kingdome My mind exalted by the beginning of these felicities lost within a few dayes the remembrance of its misfortunes The thoughts of regaining my Fathers Kingdome and to ease my subjects of their miseries the love that I took to the Infanta Ariama at that time I freed her from the ravenousnesse of the Arabians drove out of my mind The benignity of her favours the comliness of her countenance the continuation of seeing her would have subdued the obduratenesse of any heart not onely mine easy to receive any impression through the weakness of youth and in experience Dissemblings some few daies conceal'd my fire which presently after becomming insupportable made me subject to a most dangerous sicknesse The King carefull for my recovery assisted at my bed comforted me in my undiscovered sorrows and bemoan'd me as if it were his own disease The Physitians despairing to find out the cause refus'd to visit me having no hope at all left them of my life I did receive no other comfort but from the Presence of my faire Infanta Not only my recovery but life depended on the sight of her One day the Queen and the Princesse attentive at the consultation of the Physitians or because shee saw in the sadnesse of my countenance the bitternesse of my sorrowes or because she read in my eyes the indeleble Characters of my affection with much adoe refraining from teares shee said to me Then O Knight shall your obstinacie deprive us of your Person Is it possible that dissimulation is more prevalent over your will then my entreaties If you deny this not to receive redresse for your Maladie confesse it to comfort me I love you Sir for the debt of gratitude I owe you and by the election of my will without you I cannot neither will I live Discouer then your griefs either that they may meet with remedy or to comfort them with the companie of my teares I that was troubled with no other griefe but with doubtfull thoughts of her affection and the poornesse of my Fortune although borne a Prince and whom feare of repulse had made rather choose death then her disdaine at the sound of these words felt my spirits recover'd and believ'd my selfe well Not containing my selfe for joy I thus answered Faire Infanta my griefes have had originall from your beauty I have conceal'd in the cinders of dissimulation those fires that turne my heart into ashes My poor merit compar'd to your reall greatness rendred the desires of my affection impossible
of those times were skilfull in all the Sciences and in this in particular as most necessary in the Pallaces of Princes who will not trust their healths to the infidelity of others hands but because from her childhood her Genius had inclined her to it Oleandro in this while with an impetuous beating of the heart met with the Count of Silinera to whom he had given knowledge of his Arrivall Divers Complements passed which alwaies abound in the mouths of Great men Sitting down in a Chamber of the Pallace and dismissing his Attendants who for the most part use to spy into the Actions of their Patrons the Count of Salinera spoke thus Prince Oleandro it transfixes my soule that the first day in which I have had the fortune to reverence you should be funeralized with things most molestfull to him who is to execute them and with sorrow to him that commands them But I having to talke with a Prince who counterpoiseth all actions with reason and treating of the reason of State which is the soule that quickens the body publike you will receive those Offices in good part which though they appeare unpleasant are neverthelesse necessary I will not remember you of the miseries of this Kingdome which at the present enjoyes no other quiet nor other felicity than that which an ideall and an imaginary hope can promise us It is known to all and I suppose to you in particular that being borne to command you are obliged to observe the Customes of people and the misfortunes of Princes more than any other Laws are here either neglected or abused Justice set to sale hath rendred interessed Rewards and Punishments The Nobility are become Tyrants over the Commonalty The people fomentated by the Chances of Fortune have forgot their Obedience Honours are dispenced at randome Desert and Vertue are suppressed by favour and riches The power of King Vassileo in a manner is restrained so that he is scarce the Mastor of himselfe Some that have gained the chiefe Offices keep his eares as it were so besieged that he suspects not ill though he prove it And yet he hath beene advised by many who have not feared to ruine themselves to save the Prince This Advertisement hath been if not too late at least untimely so that to apply a Remedy was to encrease not to remove the Evill The successes in the Kingdome have constrained his Majestie to suffer the wicked because they should not grow worse He that for Wisedome knowes neither a Superiour nor equall hath been unwilling to stirre those humours which before they can be dissolved will destroy the Body The Death of the Count of Cithera a young man that by his Liberalities had won the Affections of all have so alienated them from the King that the most seditious now attend but for a new occasion to disguise the Impiety of their Designes To our Domestick miseries externall are joyned The King of Thacia and Armenia unite their Armies to invade us the one to revenge the death of his Brother and the other that of a son as if King Vassileo himselfe had been the Author of them The Chance although it was of pure Fortune is without reason ascribed to his Majestie but to those that have an intention to wage warre all Appearances become Causes Kings that have innumerable men and money make that lawfull which they will and under a mantle of Justice conceale their Ambition and Cruelty In summe this Commotion hath put his Majesty into grave deliberations for he shall at once be combated with enemies he knowes not and have occasion to feare his owne as much as he doth the Armenians and Thracians To withdraw himselfe from so imminent dangers he hath procur'd to make friendship with Princes his Neighbours and those farther off Some of them he hath awakened with this universall Maxime That the greatnesse of the Armenians and Thracians cannot be but with perill to them To give way that the forces of others should exceed their owne endangers their Liberty to the discretion of an insolent for such are Conquerours Many he hath perswaded by the ties of bloud and others he hath put in minde of injuries received from these two Kingdomes Some also he hath remembred of the Services hee done them In briefe hee hath not omitted any occasion nor notice to gaine him the hearts of those who though they cannot aide him at least shall doe him no harme In Africk he hath sounded the Affections of all and hath there found such a forwardnesse that the King of Egypt with his Cousin the new King of Morocco have offered themselves to fall upon the Kingdome of Thracia to divert him or take from him the occasion to invade us knowing their State-Tenents not to maintaine two warres at one time This fell out gratefull to his Majestie because the onely forces of Armenia could not daunt ours to whom for a long continuance of yeares they have alwayes yielded obedience so much the more being under the command of a King who never had combated with other but wilde Beasts But this joy of King Vassileo's was mortified by notice given him that the King of Morocco dispatched Embasladours to have your Person delivered him imagining himselfe whilst you lived neither secure nor King His injustices are so detestable to his Subjects that they dayly pray Heaven for your Returne If the present state of things did not necessitate my master to any agreement though unjust for the Lawes of necessity are without Law and it is allowable to doe every thing rather then fall you should have no cause to feare any and hee with as much Resolution would undertake your defence as now it grieves him to desire your Departure He hath committed to my charge to informe you of the state of things and that he himselfe not being safe can much lesse secure others He knowes that daily there are Treacheries woven against you and knowes that not long since you were dangerously wounded He heard it with as much sorrow as can be imagined in a just Prince constrained to support injustices He entreats you therefore with the greatest privacy possible to goe hence that he be not compell'd to doe wrong either to you or himselfe He for feare of having it discovered conceiving it dangerous to appoint you Vessells for your Transportation as a Present hath sent you these Jewels inferiour to your merit but perhaps needfull in the Encounters of your new fortune Though you were resolved to have continued here his Majestie desires you to goe and assures you you shall doe it with safety and will maintain that faith which he promised you when first he knew his condition and birth He is confident your wisedome will apprehend this Counsell as the securest for the safety and reputation of you both Cyprus is not worthy to possess such a Prince You may with security promise to your selfe that these feares of Warre being ceas'd this Kingdome shall serve you as a
without cause who serves me and to deprive me of that which I justly possessed are things that would take away patience even from Marbles He that aimes to deprive me of that Picture must first take my life Having spoke this he drew his sword and strooke at me whilest I did the same Our blowes were so thick and accompanied with so much anger that those that followed us had not the courage to interpose themselves At last perceiving us both wounded and that my intention was that my brothers life should satisfie for the bloud I shed they drew their Swords and threw themselves between us with danger to some of them who were recompenced with some wounds My brother being retired whilest I would not be pacified I saw him fall down in a swoone I know not whether for the paine of his wounds or the loss of the Picture I supposing him dead had not the heart to undergoe the justice of my Father severe to all but inexorable against those of his house I withdrew my selfe into a Castle nigh to the Sea where being cured of my hurts I spent all my houres in Contemplation of that Object which I used to call the Compendium of my Felicities All my ends all my desires all my hopes determined in those lines and those colours One day by craft being tempted forth of the Castle the Picture was stolne from my eyes not heart Not being able to appease my mind for griefe at such a loss I unknown imbarqued me for Cyprus The time of the yeare was contrary but gaining the Owner of one with a good sum of Gold I promised my selfe a secure voyage confident in the goodness of the Vessell I landed in Cyprus And would have no other company but that of my thoughts After much Travell I staied at a Fountaine which they call the amorous Fountaine And there being surprized by night I took up my rest My thoughts had scarce given place to sleep but I was seized upon by divers phantasmes Me thought I saw Dianea assaulted by two most fierce Dragons and that the one strove with the other which should drinke her bloud I heard her reprove me of cowardize in this danger that I did not aide her whom I affected more than my selfe She her selfe implored with redoubled entreaties my assistance She said Prince of Creete why are you come to visit me if you will not succour me Doth not then my presence merit the protection of your sword Have you passed the sea only to see me dye A shadow of my beauties have had the power to bow your heart and shall not Dianea her selfe perswade you to defend her Friend I am yours afford me your help The Gods have made you arrive in this Kingdome for my defence it being but reason that you should come to guard her who expects it from you At this I awakened oppressed with so much sorrow that I know not whether the veritie of the success could have been able to have tormented me more I afterwards fell asleep againe for awhile but being againe awakened by the same Illusions I began to complaine of my Fortune which disquieted me even in the Reposes of Night I imagined my selfe the worst of all Creatures for Beasts at least by night have a Truce from the Miseries of day Amidst these thoughts I heard some voices which arrived at my eares no otherwise then a Whisper I approached nearer and heard the name of Dianea redoubled being unable to understand the rest I resolved to chastise those that durst profane that name A curiosity to understand the end stai'd my hand I presently then heard that Dianea was to come suddainly to the Fountaine for so it was appointed with other words which gave me not leave to conceive the End because I had not understood the beginning I felt the greatest alteration in the world in hearing that within a while I should see her who had made me abandon our Kingdome and Countrey I received it as a most auspicious Omen that she whom I adored should come to meet me at my arrivall in Cyprus I counted the Moments and many times blamed the Sunne that not hastning his course retarded my joyes Aurora now was come forth and the Birds deafned the Aire with their Songs when Dianea made a Scene of her beauties to my eyes I pardoned the slownesse of the Sunnes Approach for it was reason he should give place to her I blamed the boldnesse of Art that durst endeavour with pencils to emulate so faire a Worke that surpassed all Ideas The Image of the Picture was like the true as a shadow the Light I had time to behold her at my pleasure And it was perchance to blesse my eyes which could never be wearied with looking on her Two Moores followed her I know not whether to make more shine forth the splendour of her Beauty or that they had assumed that Colour to approach the nearer to her eyes As soon as she came she put her hands into those waters which ran with a strife to kisse them And it seemed that growne Ambitious they swell'd more then usuall to touch her face as if they desired to be changed into that lively colour which impurpled the Cheeks of Dianea In this while foure Assassins appear which ran suddenly to Dianea I that was unable to see her injured whom I accounted part of my self came against them with so much Courage that with two blowes three lost their lives At the presence of an Object which I esteemed Divine I could not but shew a valour miraculous The fourth attempted his safety by flight but in vaine for I quickly overtaking him immediately killed him although Dianea cryed out that I should let him live She would know the originall of these treasons who had plotted them who had any hand in them that they might receive punishment accordingly Of all which hitherto she had not received the least knowledge I would needs kisse her hand beseeching her to pardon me if the desire to see her avenged had not allowed me to grant life to that Murtherer for which there was much reason for I being come to do Sacrifice to her Beauties I could not but at the least offer up the lives of those so unmannerly people she thanked me with a Garb so repleat with gentlenesse that every word seemed a Dart which transfixed my soule She solicitously enquired my name in which I did not satisfie her adding That I was not to be knowne untill I had some merit to render me worthy to be knowne That I had pass'd the Sea to no other end but to serve her enamoured by Fame which I had found infinitely inferiour to truth With such Discourses I waited on her to the Pallace which is even that which stands adjoyning to the Cave There I received most signall Honours and this successe being published in the Court King Vassileo used me with a demonstration of so much affection that I envyed not the highest
of a base mind and yet then I had not the courage to lay hand on my sword I know not if the imagination that Dianea's beauty was superiout to that of Doricia occasioned that aversion in me or rather that some Devill diverted me from that fight Neverthelesse I enforced my selfe to convince Doricia with words not having the heart to give her satisfaction by my actions I said to her Doricia you mortifie my affection whilest being engaged in marriage you have an ambition to entice eies with your beauties and whilest you have a desire that they should be published The face of a wife should not pretend to more than to meet the satisfaction of her husband She is not more comely but by that heart by which she hath been judged and chosen for the most handsome your beauty henceforth is not to be submitted to opinion nor censure If I should maintaine it against the follies of the Prince of Hibernia the danger will be greater than the profit If I should conquer I should gaine nothing but a confirmation of my own thought which hath made choice of you as the most beautifull of this Age. If Fortune should rob from me the Palme of victory what a griefe would mine be I should be accused of imprudency for being more willing to give credit to the force of my sword then to the undeceivable judgement of my eies I should imagine my self worthy of reproaches from all mouths whilest I should defend the beautie of those things which are mine Give way to others to speake your praises The Encomiums of those that are interessed render merit suspected Woe be to that husband who desires that the Piazza should be the Theater of his wives beautie and would that an universall Fame should servefor an Eccho to the Glories of her Countenance He loves that beautie little who publishing it makes it more coveted and subject to Rapine He is very poore of desert who thinkes not himselfe alone sufficient to comprehend the beauties of his wife Who so publishes the comlinesse of her whom he loves or would have Companions or is distrustfull of himselfe or his own opinion had need of testimony from others That Face wants not proofes nor defences which can receive no greater prejudice than to see it selfe exposed to doubt If I should maintaine your beautie against the Prince of Hibernia I should render you equall to Dianea whilest by all others you would be accounted much her superiour I affect not so little the Delicacies of Doricia as I would gaine them Paragons nor adventure them in a battell which for the most part is over-ruled by Fortune Those things are vile which are hazarded to the Arbitrements of Conquerours If you be wise argue my affection from hence who not to put your beauty into a doubt am content in your opinion to be reckoned for a Coward With these and such like conceits I endeavoured to satisfie her She had no mind to answer me being doubly afflicted both with her griefe and my words And stuck in an opinion that I affected Dianea and could not find any meanes to undeceive her After he had staid sixe daies in a vaine expectation of Combatants the Prince of Hibernia departed And soone after I likewise determined upon going Doricia went with me in obedience to the Laws of Matrimonie and the Commands of her Father She would rather have died than departed thence if she had not scared the Censure of the World Being arrived in Island there was not any thing I omitted whereby I might rejoyce her and free her from her so vaine suspitions She was even convinced and thenceforward laying aside the sadnesses of her mind she was pleased with the expressions of my affection attending her abroad a Fishing of which our Island abounds above all other things To this she would come with much content we lying purposelie for some daies upon the shore Then also she took pleasure to view the wonders of the Island which even puzzle Faith and render the relation of them suspitious All the Crows there are milke-white and the Jay's utter an humane voice Island hath there high hills on the tops of which lies a perpetuall snow and the bottomes give nourishment to a continuall fire There are likewise foure Fountaines a stones cast distance one from the other all of contrary qualities The water of one is hotter than fire And of another so cold that it cannot be endured The third is pleasant to the taste and physicall and the fourth ranke poyson But all these Marvels of which Nature may glory yield to a voraginous place about the banks of which those men appeare that have perished by a violent death One morning but against my will Doricia stay'd there looking on a Damsell who with a loud voice called brother He suddenly appeared and had not been thought a Ghost if she had not embraced him He was demanded by her the cause of his death And answered that to performe an acceptable service to Prince Ossirdo he with some friends went to the Kingdome of Cyprus to steale Dianea thence That they having got notice she was to repaire to a Fountaine there waited to have taken her The performance had crowned the Designe if the unexpected comming in of a Knight had not deprived them all of their lives Doricia her old jealousies being awakened at these words perhaps perswading her selfe that this man by my appointment went into Cyprus began to provoke me with injuries so perspicuous that I could not abstaine from cursing my Fortune which I found daily in a readinesse to molest my Reposes I often offered to interrupt her and plead my excuses but her out-cries gave not an opportunity to my reasons Finally the unhappy Doricia not longer able to endure her sorrow ran for what ever I could do to the Fountaine of poyson and taking a draught of it fell presently down dead I although it be a species of Felicity to be rid of a jealous wife took so great a discontent at it that I fell into a sicknesse that endangered my life These newes being brought into the King of Norway's Court he was so offended that for all my Embassadours could say raising a powerfull Army he came to the harrowing of our Island I having in the first battell found Fortune averse fled away disguised esteeming it as a folly to tempt againe that Destinie who had evermore declared her selfe my enemy My Father yielded having not Forces to resist The Conquerour mollified by his teares or rather assured of my innocencie confirmed his Kingdome to him reserving to himselfe the Homage for it I had no mind afterwards to returne into Island but travell up and down the world with an hope to see the malignitie of those influences changed which have hitherto continuallie designed me to misery Whilest Ossirdo made this Relation of his adventures they heard some voices which broken between those Trees allowed not a distinction whether they were the effects
of State and the command of your Father Dianea suffered not these words without displeasure Yet she was unwilling that any externall signes should appeare to her Father desiring noâ— to oppose her Discontents though very reasonable For a while she deferred her Answer as if she premeditated words or rather because shee was to declare an Opinion remote from that of her Father she was willing to prolong as much as was possible her angring him Lastly the Ensignes I know not whether of Shame or Discontent unfolded in her Countenance shee thus answered him Sir in some things I supposed my selfe not obliged to obey your Majestie above once you commanded me that I should respect the Duke of Filena as my Husband and in despite of my heart I assented which perchance was very unwilling to submit to Matrimonie Now I would humble my selfe to your resolutions if I could do it or if it lay within my power to do it I find my selfe engaged to the Duke of Filena and am not in a condition to receive affections nor to love another Let the tendernesse of a Father commiserate the weaknesse of his Daughter who with the losing of my selfe have been willing to obey my Father I do not call to your memory the infelicious remembrances of the Thracians infidelitie because this ought to be a consideration of discretion which some should propose to me I have not an ambition for the multitude of Kingdomes This of Cyprus is sufficient to satiate the vastitie of these thoughts which peradventure would not be wooed into a content with the Dominion of a World The valour of the Duke of Filena allowes us not an oceasion to dread the hostilitie of enemies The Kingdome of Negrepont speakes too much otherwise of his virtue I know not who would resist a ship when he should assist at the sterne She would have added other reasons but was interrupted by King Vassileo who said to her Dianea I am not come to dispute with you but only to acquaint you with my resolvs As a daughter you should reverence them as disercet commend them The interests of the State and Kingdome appertaine not to your Age nor to your Sexe It concernes me to make you obey and acknowledge the Obligation you owe to the Gods and to a Father so affectionate and so indulgent Dianea perceiving him full of anger threw her selfe at his feet and there speaking and lamenting united her teares and supplications to perswade him and overcome him at the same time All was in vaine for with a rigorous severitie he determined the Nuptials should be solemnized without delay Whereupon Dianea despaiting altogether of her life would not any longer conceale her affections Prostrating her selfe againe at his feet with sobs and sighs and all her cunning she said to him Father Behold the unhappy Dianea compelled languishing at your feet to confesse the errours and follies of her heart I deny not to deserve the most severe rigours of your indignation not for any fault I can discerne in my Election but for having made it without the approbation of your Majestie But now torments and crosses are prepared for I cannot assent to a new Marriage having given my Faith to Astidamo Prince of Creete Let not your Majesty thinke that I will justifie the demerit of my disobedience for I will have no reason against a Father who hath been pleased to love me to such an excesse Much lesse can I beseech you for pardon because my mind cannot imagine an offence having made choice of a Prince so great and so worthy nor can I admit of repentance for having elected him King Vassileo in a moment changed colour a thousand times That countenance which through age was nothing but palenesse he apparelled with so many flames that it well preclaimed the fire which he nourished in his breast He would have thrust Dianea from him who held him embracing his Knees if a sudden feare had not brought a trembling both into his feet and hands Recovering in some measure his strength and growing into a fury he gave command for the imprisonment of Dianea There was not any that durst contradict him nor enquire of him the cause shewing himselfe so highly displeased that it was not with securitie of life to speake to him About an hour after dissembling the flames of his perturbation he sent for the Thracian to whom he related his miseries with resentments so lively that Dorcone himselfe was enforced to accompanie him in weeping After wards breaking the silence he was compelled to by griefe he began to say O what prodigies are these that reward me with inventions of impossibilitie only to render me miserable Father you have slaine me How can it be that Dianea who beares bashfulnesse and simplicity in her countenance should be disobedient to her Father Can she be immodest Your Majesty must excuse me if I beleeve it not For my affection would not receive an impression on of things which might prejudice the honour of Dianea But yet let it be how it will I beseech your Majesty to bestow her on me because my affection is not capable of any thing but the possession of her I hope by serving her I shall dispoyle her of all those loves which have rendered her engaged to another King Vassileo setting aside the interests of his Kingdome answered Friend I am unwilling she should be anothers who would not be mine She shall receive from me double punishment as from a Judge and as from a Father Having abused the effects of my love she shall prove those of my indignation The Thracian replied suggesting to him That he could not more worthily supply the Interests of her honour than by placing her in marriage That otherwise she would ever live with that blemish of shame on her Reputation King Vassileo becomming impatient by the provocations of sorrow unable to suffer that others should appoint him Rules to his Affaires returned him a sharpe answer which Dorcone taking great exception at parted from him repleat with anger The voices of the people encreased it upon him who alwaies ignorant in their Furies supposing him the author of Dianea's miseries followed him through the streets with a thousand reproaches The Thracian was become odious to all the Court his vices being discovered appearing the greater because for a time he had dissembled them Many times he held himselfe but little assured of his life perceiving the clamours multiplied in such a manner that they exprest evidences of an insurrection Dorcone resolved upon his departure unwilling to render himself lyable to the Precipices of the Vulgar alwaies blind in their Judgements and ever rash in their Resolutions He scarce arrived at the Port when he saw the burning of his two Galleys consumed with fire before the Marriners could provide any remedy A few by swimming escaped the danger the fire at one and the same time having deprived them both of preventions and an escape It was an impossibility to