sisters help said she who remembers it better then I I will declare vnto you and first of Erona being the chiefe Subiect of this discourse this storie with more teares and exclamations then I liste to spende about it hee recounted Of late there raigned a King in Lydia who had for the blessing of his mariage this onely daughter of his Erona a Princesse worthie for her beautie as much praise as beautie may be prayse-worthy This princesse Erona being 19. yeeres of age seeing the countrie of Lydia so much deuoted to Cupid as that in euery place his naked pictures and images were superstitiously adored ether moued thereunto by the esteeming that could be no Godhead which coulde breed wickednes or the shamefast consideration of such nakednes procured so much of her father as vtterly to pull downe and deface al those statues pictures Which how terribly he punished for to that the Lydians impute it quickly after appeared For she had not liued a yeare longer whē she was striken with most obstinate Loue to a young man but of meane parentage in her fathers court named Antiphilus so meane as that hee was but the sonne of her Nurse and by that meanes without other desert became knowen of her Now so euill could she conceale her fire and so wilfully perseuered she in it that her father offering her the mariage of the great Tiridates king of Armenia who desired her more then the ioyes of heauen shee for Antiphilus sake refused it Many wayes her father sought to with drawe her from it sometimes perswasions sometimes threatnings once hiding Antiphilus and giuing her to vnderstand that he was fled the countrie Lastly making a solemne execution to be done of another vnder the name of Antiphilus whom he kept in prison But nether she liked perswasions nor feared threateninges nor changed for absence and when she thought him dead she sought all meanes as well by poyson as knife to send her soule at least to be maried in the eternall church with him This so brake the tender fathers hart that leauing things as he found them hee shortly after died Then foorth with Erona being seazed of the crowne and arming her will with authoritie sought to aduance her affection to the holy title of matrimonie But before she could accomplish all the solemnities she was ouertaken with a war the King Tiridates made vpon her only for her person towards whom for her ruine Loue had kindled his cruel hart indeed cruell and tyrannous for being far too strong in the field he spared not man woman and child but as though there could be found no foile to set foorth the extremitie of his loue but extremity of hatred wrote as it were the sonets of his Loue in the bloud and tuned them in the cries of her subiects although his faire sister Artaxia who would accompany him in the army sought all meanes to appease his fury till lastly he besieged Erona in her best citie vowing to winne her or lose his life And now had he brought her to the point ether of a wofull consent or a ruinous deniall when there came thether following the course which Vertue and Fortune led them two excellent young Princes Pyrocles Musidorus the one Prince of Macedon the other of Thessalia two princes as Plangus said and he witnessed his saying with sighes and teares the most accomplished both in body minde that the Sun euer lookt vpon While Philoclea spake those words O sweete wordes thought Zelmane to herselfe which are not onely a praise to mee but a praise to praise it selfe which out of that mouth issueth These 2. princes said Philoclea aswell to help the weaker especially being a Ladie as ta saue a Greeke people from being ruined by such whom we call and count Barbarous gathering to gether such of the honestest Lycians as would venture their liues to succour their Princesse giuing order by a secret message they sent into the Citie that they should issue with al force at an appointed time they set vpon Tiridates campe with so well-guided a fiercenes that being of both sides assaulted he was like to be ouerthrowen but that this Plangus being Generall of Tiridates hors-men especially ayded by the two mightie men Euardes and Barzanes rescued the footmē euen almost defeated but yet could not barre the Princes with their succoures both of men and victuall to enter the Citie Which when Tiridates found would make the war long which length seemed to him worse then a languishing consumption he made a challenge of three Princes in his retinue against those two Princes and Antiphilus and that thereupon the quarrell should be decided with compact that neither side should helpe his fellow but of whose side the more ouercame with him the victorie should remaine Antiphilus though Erona chose rather to bide the brunt of warre then venture him yet could not for shame refuse the offer especially since the two strangers that had no interest in it did willingly accept it besides that he sawe it like enough that the people werie of the miseries of war would rather giue him vp if they saw him shrinke then for his sake venture their ruine considering that the challengers were farre of greater worthinesse then himselfe So it was agreed vpon and against Pyrocles was Euardes King of Bithinia Barzanes of Hircania against Musidorus two men that thought the world scarse able to resist them and against Antiphilus he placed this same Plangus being his owne cousin germain and sonne to the King of Iberia Now so it fell out that Musidorus slewe Barzanes and Pyrocles Euardes which victory those Princes esteemed aboue all that euer they had but of the other side Plangus tooke Antiphilus prisoner vnder which colour as if the matter had bene equall though indeed it was not the greater part being ouercome of his side Tiridates continued his war and to bring Erona to a compelled yeelding sent her word that he would the third morrow after before the walles of the towne strike off Antiphilus head without his suite in that space were graunted adding withall because he had heard of her desperate affection that if in the meane time she did her selfe any hurt what tortures could be deuised should be layed vpon Antiphilus Then lo if Cupid be a God or that the tyranny of our owne thoughts seeme as a God vnto vs. But whatsoeuer it was then it did set foorth the miserablenes of his effectes she being drawne to two cōtraries by one cause For the loue of him commaunded her to yeeld to no other the loue of him commaunded her to preserue his life which knot might well be cut but vntied it could not be So that Loue in her passions like a right makebate whispered to both sides arguments of quarrell What said he of the one side doost thou loue Antiphilus ô Erona and shall Tiridates enioy thy bodie with what eyes wilt thou looke vpon Antiphilus when he shall know that an other
brest saying O miserable wretch whether do thy destenies guide thee The voice made Zelmane hasten her pace to ouertake him which hauing done she plainly perceaued that it was her deare friend Musidorus whereat maruailing not a little she demaunded of him whether the Goddesse of those woods had such a powre to transforme euery body or whether as in all enterprises else he had done he meant thus to match her in this newe alteration Alas said Musidorus what shall I say who am loth to say and yet faine would haue said I find indeed that all is but lip-wisdome which wants experience I now woe is me do try what loue can doo O Zelmane who will resist it must either haue no wit or put out his eyes can any man resist his creation certainely by loue we are made and to loue we are made Beasts only cannot discerne beauty and let them be in the role of Beasts that doo not honor it The perfect friendship Zelmane bare him and the great pitie she by good triall had of such cases could not keepe her from smiling at him remembring how vehemently he had cryed out against the folly of louers And therefore a litle to punish him Why how now deere cousin said she you that were last day so hie in the Pulpit against louers are you now become so meane an auditor Remember that loue is a passion and that a worthie mans reason must euer haue the masterhood I recant I recant cryed Musidorus and withall falling downe prostrate O thou celestiall or infernall spirit of Loue or what other heauenly or hellish title thou list to haue for effects of both I finde in my selfe haue compassion of me and let thy glory be as great in pardoning them that be submitted to thee as in conquering those that were rebellious No no saide Zelmane I see you well enough you make but an enterlude of my mishaps and doo but counterfaite thus to make me see the deformitie of my passions but take heede that this iest do not one day turne to earnest Now I beseech thee said Musidorus taking her â—ast by the hand euen for the truth of our friendship of which if I be not altogether an vnhappy man thou hast some rememberance and by those secret flames which I know haue likewise neerely touched thee make no iest of that which hath so ernestly pearced me thorow nor let that be light to thee which is to me so burdenous that I am not able to beare it Musidorus both in words and behauiour did so liuely deliuer out his inward griefe that Zelmane found indeede he was thorowly wounded but there rose a new ielousy in her minde lest it might be with Philoclea by whome as Zelmane thought in right all hartes and eyes should be inherited And therefore desirous to be cleered of that doubt Musidorus shortly as in hast and full of passionate perplexednes thus recounted his case vnto her The day said he I parted from you I being in mind to returne to a towne from whence I came hether my horse being before tired would scarce beare me a mile hence where being benighted the light of a candle I saw a good way off guided me to a young shepheards house by name Menalcas who seing me to be a straying stranger with the right honest hospitalitie which seemes to be harboured in the Arcadian brests and though not with curious costlines yet with cleanly sufficiencie entertained me and hauing by talke with him found the manner of the countrie something more in particular then I had by Kalanders report I agreed to soiourne with him in secret which he faithfully promised to obserue And so hether to your arbour diuers times repaired and here by your meanes had the sight O that it had neuer bene so nay O that it might euer be so of the Goddesse who in a definite compasse can set forth infinite beauty All this while Zelmane was racked with iealousie But he went on For saide he I lying close and in truth thinking of you and saying thus to my selfe O sweet Pyrocles how art thou bewitched where is thy vertue where is the vse of thy reason how much am I inferior to thee in the state of the mind And yet know I that all the heauens cannot bring me to such thraldome Scarcely thinke I had I spoken this word wheÌ„ the Ladies came foorth at which sight I thinke the very words returned backe againe to strike my soule at least an vnmeasurable sting I felt in my selfe that I had spokeÌ„ such words At which sight said Zelmane not able to beare him any longer O said Musidorus I know your suspition No no banish all such feare it was it is and must be Pamela Then all is safe sayd Zelmane proceede deare Musidorus I will not said he impute it to my late solitarie life which yet is prone to affections nor to the much thinking of you though that cald the consideration of loue into my mind which before I euer neglected nor to the exaltation of Venus nor reuenge of Cupid but euen to her who is the Planet nay the Goddesse against which the onely shield must be my Sepulchre When I first saw her I was presently striken and I like a foolish child that when any thing hits him will strike himselfe againe vpon it would needs looke againe as though I would perswade mine eyes that they were deceiued But alas well haue I found that Loue to a yeelding hart is a king but to a resisting is a tyrant The more with arguments I shaked the stake which he had planted in the ground of my harte the deeper still it sanke into it But what meane I to speake of the causes of my loue which is as impossible to describe as to measure the back-side of heauen Let this word suffice I loue And that you may know I doo so it was I that came in black armour to defende her picture where I was both preuented and beaten by you And so I that waited here to do you seruice haue now my selfe most need of succor But whereupon got you your selfe this aparrell said Zelmane I had forgotten to tell you said Musidorus though that were one principall matter of my speech so much am I now master of my owne minde But thus it happened being returned to Menalcas house full of tormenting desire after a while faynting vnder the weight my courage stird vp my wit to seeke for some releefe before I yeelded to perish At last this came into my head that very euening that I had to no purpose last vsed my horse and armour I tolde Menalcas that I was a Thessalian Gentle-man who by mischaunce hauing killed a great fauorit of the Prince of that country was pursued so cruelly that in no place but either by fauour or corruption they would obtaine my destruction and that therefore I was determined till the fury of my persecutors might be asswaged to disguise my selfe among the shephards
needed to haue waited the tedious worke of a naturall end of Basilius when the heauens I thinke enuying my great felicity then stopt thy fathers breath when he breathed nothing but power and soueraigntie Yet did not thy orphancie or my widdowhood depriue vs of the delightfull prospect which the hill of honour dooth yeeld while expectation of thy succession did bind dependencies vnto vs. But before my sonne thou wert come to the age to feele the sweetnesse of authoritie this beast whom I can neuer name with patience falsely and foolishly married this Gynecia then a young girle and brought her to sit aboue me in al feasts to turne her shoulder to me-warde in all our solemnities It is certaine it is not so great a spite to bee surmounted by straungers as by ones owne allies Thinke then what my minde was since withall there is no question The fall is greater from the first to the second then from the second to the vndermost The rage did swell in my harte so much the more as it was faine to bee suppressed in silence and disguised with humblenes But aboue all the rest the griefe of grieues was when with these two daughters now thy prisoners she cut of all hope of thy successioÌ„ It was a tedious thing to me that my eies should loke lower then any bodies that my self being by anothers voice then mine should be more respected But it was in supportable vnto me to think that not only I but thou shouldst spend al thy time in such misery and that the Sun should see my eldest son lesse then a Prince And though I had ben a sainct I could not choose finding the chaunge this chaunge of fortune bred vnto me for now from the multitude of followers sileÌ„ce grew to be at my gate absence in my presence The guesse of my mind could preuaile more before then now many of my earnest requests And thou my deare sonne by the fickle multitude no more then an ordinary person borne of the mud of the people regarded But I remembring that in all miseries weeping becomes fooles and practize wise folks haue tried diuers meanes to pull vs out of the mire of subiection And though many times Fortune failed me yet did I neuer faile my selfe Wild beastes I kept in a caue harde by the lodges which I caused by night to be fed in the place of their pastorales I as then liuing in my house hard by the place and against the houre they were to meet hauing kept the beastes without meate then let them loose knowing that they would seeke their food there and deuoure what they founde But blind Fortune hating sharpe-sighted inuentions made them vnluckily to bee killed After I vsed my seruant Clinias to stir a notable tumult of country people but those loutes were too grosse instruments for delicate conceits Nowe lastly finding Philanax his examinations grow daungerous I thought to play double or quit and with a sleight I vsed of my fine-witted wench Artesia with other maids of mine woulde haue sent these goodly inheritrixes of Arcadia to haue pleaded their cause before Pluto but that ouer-fortunatly for theÌ„ you made me know the last day how vehemeÌ„tly this childish passion of loue doth torment you Therfore I haue brought them vnto you yet wishing rather hate then loue in you For Hate often begetteth victory Loue commonly is the instrument of subiection It is true that I would also by the same practise haue entrapped the parentes but my maides failed of it not daring to tary long about it But this sufficeth since these being taken away you are the vndoubted inheritor and Basilius will not long ouer-liue this losse O mother said Amphialus speak not of doing them hurt no more theÌ„ to mine eyes or my hart or if I haue any thing more deare then eyes or hart vnto me Let others finde what sweetnes they will in euer fearing because they are euer feared for my part I will think my selfe highlye intitled if I may be once by Philoclea accepted for a seruant Well said Cecropia I would I had borne you of my minde as wel as of my body then should you not haue suncke vnder these base weaknesses But since you haue tied your thoughts in so wilful a knot it is happie my policy hath brought matters to such a passe as you may both enioy affection and vpon that builde your soueraigntie Alas said Amphialus my hart would faine yeeld you thanks for setting me in the way of felicitie but that feare killes theÌ„ in me before they are fully borne For if Philoclea be displeased how can I be pleased if she count it vnkindenes shal I giue tokens of kindnes perchance she condemnes me of this action and shall I triumph perchance she drownes now the beauties I loue with sorrowfull teares and where is then my reioycing You haue reason said Cecropia with a fained grauitie I will therefore send her away presently that her contentment may be recouâ—red No good mother saide Amphialus since she is here I would not for my life constraine presence but rather would I die then consent to absence Pretie intricate follies said Cecropia but get you vp and see how you can preuaile with her while I go to the other sister For after we shal haue our hands full to defend our selues if Basilius hap to besiege vs. But remembring herselfe she turned back and asked him what he would haue done with Zelmane since now he might be reuenged of his hurt Nothing but honorably answered Amphialus hauing deserued no other of me especially being as I hear greatly cherished of Philoclea and therfore I could wish they were lodged together O no said Cecropia company confirmes resolutions and lonelines breeds a werines of ones thoughts and so a sooner consenting to reasonable profers But Amphialus taking of his mother Philocleas kniues which he kept as a relique since she had worne theÌ„ gat vp and calling for his richest apparell nothing seemed sumptuous inough for his mistresses eyes and that which was costly he feared were not daintyâ— and though the inuention were delicat he misdoubted the making As carefull he was too of the colour lest if gay he might seem to glory in his iniury her wrong if mourning it might strike some euil presage vnto her of her fortune At length he took a garmeÌ„t more rich then glaring â—he ground being black veluet richly embrodered with great pearle precious stones but they set so among certaine tuffes of cipres that the cipres was like black clowds through which the stars might yeeld a dark luster About his neck he ware a brode gorgeous coller whereof the pieces enterchaÌ„geably answering the one was of diamoÌ„ds pearle set with a white enamell so as by the cunning of the workman it seemed like a shining ice and the other piece being of Rubies and Opalles had a fierie glistring which he thought pictured the two passions of Feare Desire wherein he
as that she perceiued in her certaine flawes of il-concealed discontentmeÌ„t Insomuch that wheÌ„ Zelmane would sweeten her mouth with the praises of the sisters especially setting forth their noble gratefulnes in neuer forgetting welintended seruices inuoking the iustice of the gods not to suffer such treasures to be wroÌ„gfully hidden somtimes with a kind vnkindnes charging Artesia that she had ben abused to abuse so worthy persons Artesia though falsly wold protest that she had bin beguiled in it neuer meaning other matter theÌ„ recreatioÌ„ yet withall by alleaging how vngratefully she was dealt with it was easie to be seene it was the vnrewarding and not the euill employing her seruice which grieued her But Zelmane vsing her own bias to bowle neer the mistres of her own thoughts was content to lende her beleefe and withall to magnifie her desert if willingly she would deliuer whom vnwillingly she had imprisoned leauing no argument which might tickle ambition or flatter reuenge So that Artesia pusht â—orward by Clinias drawne on ward by Zelmane bound her selfe to that practise wherin Zelmane for her part desired no more but to haue armour and weapons brought into her chamber not doubting therwith to perfourme any thing how impossible soeuer which longing Loue can perswade and inuincible Valour dare promise But Clinias whose faith could neuer comprehende the misteries of Courage perswaded Artesia while he by corruption had drawne the guard of one gate to open it when he would appoint the time to the enemie that she should impoyson Amphialus which she might the easier do because she her selfe had vsed to make the broaths when Amphialus either wearied or wounded did vse such diet And all things alredy were ready to be put in execution wheÌ„ they thought best to break the matter with the two excellent sisters not doubting of their consent in a thing so behoofefull to theÌ„selues their reasons being that the Princesses knowing their seruice might be sure to preserue them from the fury of the entring souldiers whereof Clinias euen so could scarcely be sufficiently certaine and withall making them priuie to their action to binde them afterwardes to a promised gratefulnes towards them They went therefore at one time when they knew them to be alone Clinias to Philoclea and Artesia to Pamela and Clinias with no fewe words did set forth what an exploite was intended for her seruice But Philoclea in whose cleere minde treason could finde no hiding place told him that she would be glad if he could perswade her cosin to deliuer her and that she would neuer forget his seruice therein but that she desired him to lay downe any such way of mischiefe for that for her part she would rather yeeld to perpetuall imprisonment then consent to the destroying her cosin who she knewe loued her though wronged her This vnlooked-for answere amazed Clinias so that he had no other remedie in his minde but to kneele downe to Philoclea and beseech her to keepe it secret considering that the intention was for her seruice and vowing since she misliked it to proceed no further therein She comforted him with promise of silence which she perfourmed But that little auayled for Artesia hauing in like sort opened this deuice to Pamela she in whose mind Vertue gouerned with the scepter of Knowledge hating so horrible a wickednes and streight iudging what was fitte to doo Wicked woman said she whose vnrepenting harte can finde no way to amend treason but by treason now the time is come that thy wretched wiles haue caught thy selfe in thine owne nette as for me let the Gods dispose of me as shall please them but sure it shall be no such way nor way-leader by which I will come to libertie This she spake something with a lowder voice then she was woont to vse so as Cecropia heard the noise who was sooner then Artesia imagined she would come vp to bring Pamela to a window where she might see a notable skirmish happened in the Campe as she thought among themselues and being a cunning fisher in troubled waters streight found by their voices and gestures there was some matter of consequence which she desired Pamela to tell her Aske of her said Pamela and learne to know that who do falshoode to their superiours teach falshoode to their inferiours More she would not say But Cecropia taking away the each-way guiltie Artesia with feare of torture gat of her the whole practise so as Zelmane was the more closely imprisoned and Clinias with the rest of his corrupted mates according to their merites executed For as for Artesia shee was but lockt vp in her chamber Amphialus not consenting for the loue hee bare to Ismenus that further punishment should be laide vpon her But the noyse they heard in the campe was occasioÌ„ of the famous Prince Anaxius nephewe to the Giant Euardes whom Pyrocles slew A Prince of body exceedingly strong in armes so skilfull and fortunate as no man was thought to excell him of courage that knew not howe to feare partes worthie praise if they had not beene guyded by pride and followed by vniustice For by a strange composition of mind there was no man more tenderly sensible in any thing offered to himselfe which in the farthest-fette construction might be wrested to the name of wrong no man that in his owne actions could worse distinguish betweene Valour and Violence So proud as he could not abstaine from a Thraso-like boasting and yet so vnluckie a lodging his vertues had gotten he would neuer boast more then he would accomplish falsly accounting an vnflexible anger a couragious constancie esteeming feare and astonishment righter causes of admiration then Loue and Honour This man had foure sundrie times fought with Amphialus but Mars had bene so vnpartiall an arbiter that neither side gate aduauntage of the other But in the end it hapned that Anaxius found Amphialus vnknowen in a great danger and saued his life whereupon louing his owne benefite began to fauour him so much the more as thinking so well of himselfe he coulde not choose but like him whom he found a match for himselfe which at last grewe to as much friendship towardes him as could by a proud harte conceiued So as in this trauaile seeking Pyrocles to be reuenged of his vncles death hearing of this siege neuer taking paines to examine the quarrell like a man whose will was his God and his hand his lawe taking with him his two brothers men accounted little inferiour to him selfe in martiall matters and two hundred chosen horsemen with whome hee thought him selfe able to conquere the world yet commaunding the rest of his forces to follow hee himselfe vpon such an vnexpected suddainnesse entred in vpon the backe of Basilius that many with great vnkindnesse tooke their death not knowing why nor how they were so murdred There if euer did he make knowne the wonderfulnes of his force But the valiant and faithfull Philanax with well gouerned speed
spite All waywardnes which nothing kindly brookes All strife for toyes and clayming masters right Be hence aye put to flight All sturring husbands hate Gainst neighbors good for womanish debate Be fled as things most vaine O Himen long their coupled ioyes maintaine All peacock pride and fruites of peacocks pride Longing to be with losse of substance gay With retchlesnes what may thy house bâ—tide So that you may on hyer slippers stay For euer hence awaye Yet let not sluttery The sinke of filth be counted huswifery But keeping holesome meane O Himen long their coupled ioyes maintaine But aboue all away vile iealousie The euill of euils iust cause to be vniust How can he loue suspecting treacherie How can she loue where loue cannot win trust Goe snake hide thee in dust Ne dare once shew thy face Where open hartes do holde so constant place That they thy sting restraine O Himen long their coupled ioyes maintaine The earth is deckt with flowers the heau'ns displaid Muses graunt guiftes Nymphes long and ioyned life Pan store of babes vertue their thoughts well staid Cupids lust gone and gone is bitter strife Happy man happy wife No pride shall them oppresse Nor yet shall yeeld to loathsome sluttishnes And iealousie is slaine For Himen will their coupled ioyes maintaine Truly Dicus sayd Nico although thou didst not graunt me the price the last day when vndoubtedly I wan it yet must I needes say thou for thy parte hast soong well and thriftelie Pas straight desired all the companie they would beare witnes that Nico had once in his life spoken wisely for sayde he I will tell it his father who will be a glad man when he heares such newes Very true sayd Nico but indeede so would not thine in like case for he would looke thou shouldest liue but one houre longer that a discreate word wandred out of thy mouth And I pray thee sayd Pas gentle Nico tell me what mischaunce it was that brought thee to taste so fine a meate Mary goodman blockhead sayde Nico because hee speakes against iealousie the filthie traytor to true affection and yet disguising it selfe in the rayment of loue Sentences Sentences cried Pas. Alas howe ripe witted these young folkes be now adayes But well counselled shall that husband be when this man commes to exhort him not to be iealous And so shall he aunswered Nico for I haue seene a fresh example though it be not very fit to be knowen Come come sayde Pas be not so squeamish I knowe thou longest more to tell it then we to heare it But for all his wordes Nico would not bestowe his voyce till he was generally entreated of all the rest And then with a merry marriage looke he sang this following discourse for with a better grace he could sing then tell A Neighbor mine not long agoe there was But namelesse he for blamelesse he shall be That married had a trick and bonny lasse As in a sommer day a man might see But he himselfe a foule vnhansome groome And farre vnfit to hold so good a roome Now whether mou'd with selfe vnworthines Or with her beawtie fit to make a pray Fell iealousie did so his braine oppresse That if he absent were but halfe a day He gest the worst you wot what is the worst And in himselfe new doubting causes nurst While thus he fear'd the silly innocent Who yet was good because she knewe none ill Vnto his house a iollie shepeheard went To whome our prince did beare a great good will Because in wrestling and in pastorall He farre did passe the rest of Shepheards all And therefore he a courtier was benamed And as a courtier was with cheere receaued For they haue toongs to make a poore man blamed If he to them his dutie misconceaued And for this Courtier should well like his table The goodman bad his wife be seruiceable And so she was and all with good intent But fewe dayes past while she good maner vs'de But that her husband thought her seruice bent To such an end as he might be abus'de Yet like a coward fearing strangers pride He made the simple wench his wrath abide With chumpish lookes hard words and secret nips Grumbling at her when she his kindnes sought Asking her how she tasted Courtiers lips He forst her thinke that which she neuer thought In fine he made her gesse there was some sweet In that which he so fear'd that she should meet When once this entred was in womans hart And that it had enflam'd a new desire There rested then to play a womans part Fuell to seeke and not to quench the fire But for his iealous eye she well did finde She studied cunning how the same to blinde And thus she did One day to him she came And though against his will on him she leand And out gan cry ah well away for shame If you helpe not our wedlocke will be staind The goodman starting askt what did her moue She sigh'd and sayd the bad guest sought her loue He little looking that she should complaine Of that whereto he feard she was enclinde Bussing her oft and in his hart full faine He did demaunde what remedy to finde How they might get that guest from them to wend And yet the prince that lou'd him not offend Husband quoth she go to him by and by And tell him you do finde I doo him loue And therefore pray him that of courtesie He will absent himselfe least he should moue A young girles hart to that were shame for both Whereto you knowe his honest harte were loath Thus shall you show that him you do not doubt And as for me sweete husband I must beare Glad was the man when he had heard her out And did the same although with mickle feare For feare he did least he the young man might In choller put with whom he would not fight The Courtlie shepheard much agast at this Not seeing earst such token in the wife Though full of scorne would not his duty misse Knowing that euill becommes a houshold strife Did goe his way but soiourn'd neere thereby That yet the ground hereof he might espie The wife thus hauing settled husbands braine Who would haue sworne his spowse Diana was Watched when she a furder point might gaine Which little time did fitlie bring to passe For to the Courte her man was calld by name Whither he needes must goe for feare of blame Three dayes before that he must sure depart She written had but in a hand disguisde A letter such which might from either part Seeme to proceede so well it was deuisde She seald it first then she the sealing brake And to her iealous husband did it take With weeping eyes her eyes she taught to weepe She told him that the Courtier had it sent Alas quoth she thus womens shame doth creepe The goodman read on both sides the content It title had Vnto my only loue Subscription was Yours most if you will
how Daiphantus not without danger to himselfe had preserued him from the furious malice of the Helots and euen that day going to conclude the peace least in his absence he might receiue some hurt he had taken him in his companie and geuen him armour vpon promise he should take the parte of the Helots which he had in his fight perfourmed little knowing that it was against his father but saide Clitophon here is he who as a father hath new-begotten me and as a God hath saued me from many deathes which already laid hold on me which Kalander with teares of ioy acknowledged besides his owne deliuerance onely his benefite But Daiphanius who loued doing well for it selfe and not for thanks brake of those ceremonies desiring to know how Palladius for so he called Musidorus was come into that companie and what his present estate was whereof receiuing a brief declaratioÌ„ of Kalander he sent him word by Clitophon that he should not as now come vnto him because he held himselfe not so sure a master of the Helots mindes that hee would aduenture him in their power who was so welknowen with an vnfriendly acquaintce but that he desired him to returne with Kalander whether also he within fewe dayes hauing dispatched himselfe of the Helots would repaire Kalander would needes kisse his hand againe for that promise protesting he would esteeme his house more blessed then a temple of the gods if it had once receiued him And then desiring pardon for Argalus Daiphantus assured them that hee would dye but hee would bring him though till then kept in close prison indeede for his safetie the Helots being so animated against him as els he could not haue liued and so taking their leaue of him Kalander Clitophon Palladius and the rest of the Arcadians swearing that they would no further in any sorte molest the Helots they straight way marched out of the towne carying both their dead and wounded bodies with them and by morning were already within the limits of Arcadia The Helots of the other side shutting their gates gaue theÌ„selus to burye their dead to cure their wounds and rest their wearied bodies til the next day bestowing the cheerefull vse of the light vpon them Daiphanâ—us making a generall conuocation spake vnto them in this manner We are first said he to thank the Gods that further then wee had either cause to hope or reason to imagine haue deliuered vs out of this gulfe of daunger wherein we were alredie swallowed For all being lost had they not directed my return so iust as they did it had beene too late to recouer that which being had we could not keepe And had I not happened to know one of the principal men among them by which meanes the truce beganne betweene vs you may easily conceiue what little reason we haue to think but that either by some supplie out of Arcadia or from the Nobilitie of this Country who would haue made fruits of wisdom grow out of this occasion we should haue had our power turned to ruine our pride to repentance and sorrow But now the storme as it fell so it ceased and the error committed in retaining Clitophon more hardly then his age or quarrell deserued becomes a sharply learned experience to vse in other times more moderation Now haue I to deliuer vnto you the conclusion between the kings with the Nobilitie of Lacedaemon and you which is in all points as your selues desired aswell for that you would haue graunted as for the assurance of what is graunted The Townes and Fortes you presently haue are still left vnto you to be kept either with or without garrison so as you alter not the lawes of the Countrie and pay such dueties as the rest of the Laconians doo Your selues are made by publique decree freemen and so capable both to giue and receiue voice in election of Magistrates The distinction of names betweene Helots and Lacedaemonians to bee quite taken away and all indifferently to enioy both names and priuiledges of Laconians Your children to be brought vp with theirs in the Spartane discipline so you framing your selues to be good members of that estate to bee hereafter fellowes and no longer seruants Which conditions you see cary in themselues no more contentation then assurance For this is not a peace which is made with them but this is a peace by which you are made of them Lastly a forgetfulnesse decreed of all what is past they shewing them selues glad to haue so valiant men as you are ioyned with themâ— so that you are to take mindes of peace since the cause of war is finished and as you hated them before like oppressours so now to loue them as brothers to take care of their estate because it is yours and to labour by vertuous doing that the posteritie may not repent your ioyning But now one Article onely they stoode vpon which in the end I with your commissioners haue agreed vnto that I shoulde no more tarry heere mistaking perchance my humor and thinking me as seditious as I am young or els it is the king Amiclas procuring in respect that it was my ill hap to kill his nephew Eurileon but how so euer it be I haue condiscended But so will not we cried almost the whole assemblie councelling one an other rather to try the vttermost euent then to loose him by whom they had beene victorious But he as well with generall orations as particular dealing with the men of most credit made them throughly see how necessary it was to preferre such an opportunity before a vaine affection but yet could not preuaile till openly he sware that he would if at any time the Lacedaemonians brake this treatie come back againe and be their captaine So then after a few daies setting them in perfect order he tooke his leaue of them whose eyes bad him farwell with teares and mouthes with kissing the places where he stept and after making temples vnto him as to a demi-God thinking it beyond the degree of humanitie to haue a witt so farre ouergoing his age and such dreadfull terror proceed from so excellent beautie But he for his sake obtained free pardon for Argalus whom also vpon oath neuer to beare armes against the Helots he deliuered and taking onely with him certaine principall Iewells of his owne he would haue parted alone with Argalus whose countenance well shewed while Parthenia was lost he counted not himselfe deliuered but that the whole multitude would needs gard him into Arcadia Where again leauing them all to lament his departure he by enquirie gotte to the well-knowne house of Kalander There was he receiued with louing ioye of Kalander with ioyefull loue of Palladius with humble though dolefull demeanor of Argalus whom specially both he and Palladius regarded with gratefull seruisablenes of Clitophon and honourable admiration of all For being now well veiwed to haue no haire of his face to witnes him a man who had done acts
I liue must continue in fewe wordes while he pleaded for another he wanne me for himselfe if at least with that she sighed he would account it a winning for his fame had so framed the way to my mind that his presence so full of beautie sweetnes and noble cōuersation had entred there before he vouchsafed to call for the keyes O Lorde how did my soule hang at his lippes while he spake O when he in feeling maner would describe the loue of his frend how well thought I dooth loue betweene those lippes when he would with daintiest eloquence stirre pittie in me towarde Philoxenus vvhy sure said I to my selfe Helen be not afraid this hart cannot vvant pittie and vvhen he vvould extoll the deeds of Philoxenus vvho indeede had but vvaited of him therin alas thought I good Philoxenus hovv euil doth it become thy name to be subscribed to his letter vvhat should I saie nay vvhat should I not say noble Knight vvho am not ashamed nay am delighted thus to expresse mine ovvne passions Dayes paste his eagernes for his friend neuer decreased my affection to him euer increased At length in vvay of ordinarie curtesie I obteined of him vvho suspected no such matter this his picture the onely Amphialus I feare that I shall euer enioy and grovven bolder or madder or bould vvith madnes I discouered my affection vnto him But Lord I shall neuer forget how anger and curtesie at one instant apeared in his eyes vvhen he harde that motion hovv vvith his blush he taught me shame In summe he left nothing vnassayed vvhich might disgrace himselfe to grace his friēd in svveet termes making me receiue a most resolute refusall of himselfe But when he found that his presence did far more perswade for himselfe then his speeche could doo for his frend hee left my court hoping that forgetfulnesse which commonly waits vpon absence woulde make roome for his friende to whome hee woulde not vtter thus much I thinke for a kinde feare not to grieue him or perchance though he cares litle for me of a certain honorable gratefulnes nor yet to discouer so much of my secrets but as it should seeme meant to trauell into farre countryes vntill his friends affectiō either ceased or preuailed But within a while Philoxenus came to see how onward the fruites were of his friends labour when as in trueth I cared not much how he tooke it he found me sitting beholding this picture I know not with how affectionate countenance but I am sure with a most affectionate mind I straight found ielousie and disdaine tooke holde of him and yet the froward paine of mine owne harte made mee so delight to punish him whom I esteemed the chiefest let in my way that when he with humble gesture and vehement speeches sued for my fauor I told him that I would heare him more willingly if hee woulde speake for Amphialus as well as Amphialus had done for him he neuer answered me but pale quaking went straight away and straight my heart misgaue me some euill successe and yet though I had authoritie inough to haue stayed him as in these fatall thinges it falles out that the hie-working powers make second causes vnwittingly accessarie to their determinations I did no further but sent a foot-man of mine whose faithfulnes to me I will knew from place to place to follow him and bring me word of his proceedings which alas haue brought foorth that which I feare I must euer rewe For hee had trauailed scarsea dayes iorney out of my Countrey but that not farre from this place he ouer-tooke Amphialus who by succouring a distressed Lady had bene here stayed and by and by called him to fight with him protesting that one of them two should die you may easily iudge how straunge it was to Amphialus whose hart could accuse it selfe of no fault but too much affection towarde him which he refusing to fight with him woulde faine haue made Philoxenus vnderstand but as my seruant since tolde me the more Amphialus went back the more he followed calling him Traytor and coward yet neuer telling the cause of this strange alteration Ah Philoxenus saide Amphialus I know I am no Traytor and thou well knowest I am no coward but I pray thee content thy selfe with this much and let this satisfie thee that I loue thee since I beare thus much of thee but hee leauing wordes drew his sworde and gaue Amphialus a great blow or two which but for the goodnes of his armour would haue slaine him and yet so farre did Amphialus containe himselfe stepping aside and saying to him Well Philoxenus and thus much villany am I content to put vp not any longer for thy sake whom I haue no cause to loue since thou dost iniury mee and wilt not tell me the cause but for thy vertuous fathers sake to whom I am so much bound I pray thee goe awaye and conquer thy owne passions and thou shalt make mee soone yeeld to be thy seruant But he would not attend his wordes but still strake so fiercely at Amphialus that in the end nature preuailing aboue determination he was faine to defend him selfe and with-all to offend him that by an vnluckye blow the poore Philoxenus fell dead at his feete hauing had time onely to speake some wordes whereby Amphialus knew it was for my sake which when Amphialus sawe he forthwith gaue such tokens of true felt sorrow that as my seruant said no imagination could conceiue greater woe But that by and by and vnhappye occasion made Amphialus passe himselfe in sorrow for Philoxenus was but newelie dead when there comes to thesame place the aged and vertuous Timotheus who hauing heard of his sonnes sodaine and passionate manner of parting from my Court had followed him as speedily as he coulde but alas not so speedily but that hee founde him dead before hee coulde ouertake him Though my heart bee nothing but a stage for Tragedies yet I must confesse it is euen vnable to beare the miserable representation thereof knowing Amphialus and Timotheus as I haue done Alas what sorrowe what amasement what shame was in Amphialus when hee sawe his deere foster father finde him the killer of his onely sonne In my heart I knowe hee wished mountaines had laine vpon him to keepe him from that meeting As for Timotheus sorrow of his sonne and I thinke principally vnkindenesse of Amphialus so deuoured his vitall spirites that able to say no more but Amphialus Amphialus haue I he sancke to the earth and presently died But not my tongue though daily vsed to complaints no nor if my heart which is nothing but sorrow were turned to tongues durst it vnder-take to shew the vnspeakeablenes of his griefe But because this serues to make you know my fortune he threw away his armour euen this which you haue now vppon you which at the first sight I vainely hoped hee had put on againe and then as ashamed of the light hee ranne
With hear-say pictures or a window looke With one good dawnce or letter finely pend That were in Court a well proportion'd hooke Where piercing witts do quickly apprehend Their sences rude plaine obiects only moue And so must see great cause before they loue Therfore Loue arm'd in hir now takes the fielde Making hir beames his brauery might Hir hands which pierc'd the soules seau'n-double shield Were now his darts leauing his wonted fight Braue crest to him hir scorn-gold haire did yeeld His compleat harneis was hir purest white But fearing lest all white might seeme too good In cheeks lipps the Tyran threatens bloud Besides this force within hir eies he kept A fire to burne the prisoners he gaines Whose boiling heat encreased as she wept For eu'n in forge colde water fire maintaines Thus proud fierce vnto the hearts he stept Of them poore soules cutting Reasons raines Made them his owne before they had it wist But if they had could shephookes this resist Klaius streight felt groned at the blowe And cal'd now wounded purpose to his aide Strephon fond boy delighted did not knowe That it was Loue that shin'de in shining maid But lickrous Poison'd faine to her would goe If him new-learned manners had not stai'd For then Vrania homeward did arise Leauing in paine their wel-fed hungry eies She went they staid or rightly for to say She staid in them they went in thought with hyr Klaius in deede would faine haue puld a way This mote from out his eye this inward burre And now proud Rebell gan for to gainsay The lesson which but late he learn'd too furre Meaning with absence to refresh the thought To which hir presence such a feauer brought Strephon did leape with ioy iolitie Thinking it iust more therein to delight Then in good Dog faire field or shading tree So haue I sene trim bookes in veluet dight With golden leaues painted babery Of seely boies please vnacquainted sight But when the rod began to play his part Faine would but could not fly from golden smart He quickly learn'd Vrania was her name And streight for failing grau'd it in his heart He knew hir haunt haunted in the same And taught his shepe hir shepe in food to thwart Which soone as it did batefull question frame He might on knees confesse his faulty part And yeeld himselfe vnto hir punishment While nought but game the selfe-hurt wanton ment Nay eu'n vnto hir home he oft would go Where bold and hurtles many play he tries Her parents liking well it should be so For simple goodnes shined in his eyes There did he make hir laugh in spite of woe So as good thoughts of him in all arise While into none doubt of his loue did sinke For not himselfe to be in loue did thinke But glad Desire his late embosom'd guest Yet but a babe with milke of Sight he nurst Desire the more he suckt more sought the brest Like dropsy folke still drinke to be a thyrst Till one faire eau'n an howr ere Sun did rest Who then in Lions caue did enter fyrst By neighbors prai'd she went abroad therby At Barly brake hir swete swift foot to trie Neuer the earth on his round shoulders bare A maid train'd vp from high or low degree That in her doings better could compare Mirth with respect few words with curtesy A careles comelines with comely care Self-gard with mildnes Sport with Maiesty Which made hir yeeld to deck this shepheards band And still beleue me Strephon was at hand A field they goe where many lookers be And thou seke-sorow Klaius them among In dede thou said'st it was thy frend to see Strephon whose absence seem'd vnto thee long While most with hir he lesse did kepe with thee No no it was in spite of wisdomes song Which absence wisht loue plai'd a victors part The heau'n-loue lodestone drew thy iron hart Then couples three be streight allotted there They of both ends the middle two doe flie The two that in mid place Hell called were Must striue with waiting foot and watching eye To catch of them and them to hell to beare That they aswell as they Hell may supplie Like some which seeke to salue their blotted name With others blott till all do tast of shame There may you see soone as the middle two Do coupled towards either couple make They false and fearfull do their hands vndoe Brother his brother frend doth frend forsake Heeding himselfe cares not how fellow doe But of a straunger mutuall help doth take As periur'd cowards in aduersity With sight of feare from frends to fremb'd do flie These sports shepheards deuiz'd such faults to show Geron though olde yet gamesome kept one ende With Cosma for whose loue Pas past in woe Faire Nous with Pas the lott to hell did sende Pas thought it hell while he was Cosma fro At other end Vran did Strephon lend Her happy-making hand of whome one looke From Nous and Cosma all their beauty tooke The play began Pas durst not Cosma chace But did entend next bout with her to meete So he with Nous to Geron turn'd their race With whome to ioyne fast ran Vrania sweet But light-legd Pas had gott the middle space Geron straue hard but aged were his feet And therfore finding force now faint to be He thought gray haires afforded subtletie And so when Pas hand-reached him to take The fox on knees and elbowes tombled downe Pas could not stay but ouer him did rake And crown'd the earth with his first touching crowne His heels grow'n proud did seme at heau'n to shake But Nous that slipt from Pas did catch the clowne So laughing all yet Pas to ease some dell Geron with Vran were condemn'd to hell Cosma this while to Strephon safely came And all to second barly-brake are bent The two in hell did toward Cosma frame Who should to Pas but they would her preuent Pas mad with fall and madder with the shame Most mad with beames which he thought Cosma sent With such mad haste he did to Cosma goe That to hir breast he gaue a noysome blowe She quick and proud and who did Pas despise Vp with hir fist and tooke him on the face Another time quoth she become more wise Thus Pas did kisse hir hand with little grace And each way luckles yet in humble guise Did hold hir fast for feare of more disgrace While Strephon might with preatie Nous haue met But all this while another course he fet For as Vrania after Cosma ran He rauished with sight how gracefully She mou'd hir lims and drew the aged man Left Nous to coast the loued beauty ny Nous cri'de and chaf'd but he no other can Till Vran seing Pas to Cosma fly And Strephon single turned after him Strephon so chas'd did seme in milke to swimme He ran but ran with eye ore shoulder cast More marking hir then how himselfe did goe Like Numid Lions by
lesse daungerous But after that yeares began to come on with some though more seldome shewes of a bloudie nature and that the prophecie of Musidorus destenie came to his eares deliuered vnto him and receiued of him with the hardest interpretation as though his subiects did delight in the hearing thereof Then gaue he himselfe indeede to the full currant of his disposition especially after the warre of Thessalia wherein though in trueth wrongly he deemed his vnsuccesse proceeded of their vnwillingnes to haue him prosper and then thinking himselfe contemned knowing no countermine against contempt but terror began to let nothing passe which might beare the colour of a fault without sharp punishment and when he wanted faults excellencie grew a fault and it was sufficient to make one guiltie that he had power to be guiltie And as there is no humour to which impudent pouertie cannot make itselfe seruiceable so were there enow of those of desperate ambition who would build their houses vpon others ruines which after should fall by like practises So as seruitude came mainly vpon that poore people whose deedes were not onely punished but words corrected and euen thoughts by some meane or other puld out of them while suspition bred the mind of crueltie and the effects of crueltie stirred a new cause of suspition And in this plight full of watchfull fearefulnes did the storme deliuer sweete Pyrocles to the stormie minde of that Tyrant all men that did such wrong to so rare a stranger whose countenaunce deserued both pitie and admiration condemning themselues as much in their hearts as they did brag in their forces But when this bloudy King knew what he was and in what order he and his cosin Musidorus so much of him feared were come out of Thessalia assuredly thinking because euer thinking the worst that those forces were prouided against him glad of the perishing as he thought of Musidorus determined in publique sort to put Pyrocles to death For hauing quite lost the way of noblenes he straue to clime to the height of terriblenes and thinking to make all men adread to make such one an enemie who would not spare nor feare to kill so great a Prince and lastly hauing nothing in him why to make him his friend he thought he woulde take him away from being his enemie The day was appointed and all things appointed for that cruell blow in so solemne an order as if they would set foorth tyranny in most gorgeous decking The Princely youth of inuincible valour yet so vniustly subiected to such outragious wrong carrying himself in all his demeanure so constantly abiding extremitie that one might see it was the cutting away of the greatest hope of the world and destroying vertue in his sweetest grouth But so it fell out that his death was preuented by a rare example of friendship in Musidorus who being almost drowned had bene taken vp by a Fisherman belonging to the kingdome of Pontus and being there and vnderstanding the full discourse as Fame was very prodigall of so notable an accident in what case Pyrocles was learning withall that his hate was farre more to him then to Pyrocles hee found meanes to acquaint him selfe with a noble-man of that Countrie to whome largely discouering what he was he found him a most fit instrument to effectuate his desire For this noble-man had bene one who in many warres had serued Euarchus and had bene so mind-striken by the beautie of vertue in that noble King that though not borne his Subiect he euer profest himselfe his seruaunt His desire therefore to him was to keepe Musidorus in a strong Castle of his and then to make the King of Phrygia vnderstand that if he would deliuer Pyrocles Musidorus would willingly put him selfe into his hands knowing well that how thirstie so euer he was of Pyrocles bloud he would rather drinke that of Musidorus The Nobleman was loath to preserue one by the losse of another but time vrging resolution the importunitie of Musidorus who shewed a minde not to ouer-liue Pyrocles with the affection he bare to Euarchus so preuayled that he carried this strange offer of Musidorus which by that Tyrant was greedelie accepted And so vpon securitie of both sides they were enterchanged Where I may not omitte the worke of friendshippe in Pyrocles who both in speache and countenance to Musidorus well shewed that he thought himselfe iniured and not releeued by him asking him what he had euer seene in him why he could not beare the extremities of mortall accidentes as well as any man and why he should enuie him the glorie of suffering death for his friendes cause and as it were robbe him of his owne possession But in this notable contention where the conquest must be the conquerers destruction and safetie the punishment of the conquered Musidorus preuayled because he was a more welcome praie to the vniust King and as chearefully going towardes as Pyrocles went frowardly fromward his death he was deliuered to the King who could not be inough sure of him without he fed his owne eies vpon one whom he had begon to feare as soone as the other began to be Yet because he would in one acte both make ostentation of his owne felicitie into whose hands his most feared enemie was fallen and withall cut of such hopes from his suspected subiects when they should knowe certainly he was dead with much more skilfull crueltie and horrible solemnitie he caused each thing to be prepared for his triumph of tyrannie And so the day being come he was led foorth by many armed men who often had beene the fortifiers of wickednes to the place of execution where comming with a minde comforted in that he had done such seruice to Pyrocles this strange encounter he had The excelling Pyrocles was no sooner deliuered by the kings seruants to a place of liberty then he bent his witte and courage and what would not they bring to passe how ether to deliuer Musidorus or to perish with him And finding he could get in that countrie no forces sufficient by force to rescue him to bring himselfe to die with him little hoping of better euent he put himselfe in poore rayment and by the helpe of some few crownes he tooke of that noble-man who full of sorrow though not knowing the secrete of his intent suffered him to goe in such order from him he euen he borne to the greatest expectation and of the greatest bloud that any Prince might be submitted himselfe to be seruant to the executioner that should put to death Musidorus a farre notabler proofe of his friendship considering the height of his minde then any death could be That bad officer not suspecting him being araied fit for such an estate and hauing his beautie hidden by many foule spots he artificially put vpon his face gaue him leaue not onely to weare a sworde himselfe but to beare his sworde prepared for the iustified murther And so Pyrocles taking his time when Musidorus
onely in age and affection followed his suite with all meanes of vnhonest seruants large promises and each thing els that might help to counteruaile his owne vnlouelines And she whose husband about that time died forgetting the absent Plangus or at lest not hoping of him to obtaine so aspiring a purpose lefte no art vnused which might keepe the line from breaking whereat the fishe was alredy taken not drawing him violently but letting him play himselfe vpon the hooke which he had so greedily swalowed For accompanying her mourning garments with a dolefull countenaunce yet neither forgetting handsomnes in her mourning garments nor sweetenes in her dolefull countenance her wordes were euer seasoned with sighes and any fauour she shewed bathed in teares that affection might see cause of pity and pity might perswade cause of affection And being growen skilful in his humors she was no lesse skilfull in applying his humors neuer suffering his feare to fall to a despaire nor his hope to hasten to an assurance shee was content he should thinke that she loued him and a certaine stolne looke should sometimes as though it were against her will bewray it But if thereupon hee grewe bolde hee straight was encouÌ„tered with a maske of vertue And that which seemeth most impossible vnto me for as neere as I can I repeate it as Plangus tolde it she could not only sigh when she would as all can doo weep wheÌ„ she would as they â—ay some can doo but being most impudent in her heart she could when she would teach her chekes blushing make shamefastnes the cloake of shamelesnes In sum to leaue out many particularities which he recited she did not only vse so the spurre that his Desire ran on but so the bit that it ran on euen in such a careere as she would haue it that within a while the king seing with no other eys but such as she gaue him thinking on other thoughts but such as she taught him hauing at the first liberal measure of fauors theÌ„ shortned of theÌ„ wheÌ„ most his Desire was inflam'd he saw no other way but mariage to satisfie his longing and her minde as he thought louing but chastly louing So that by the time Plangus returned from being notably victorious of the Rebels he found his father not onely maried but alredy a father of a sonne and a daâ—ghter by this woman Which though Plangus as he had euery way iust cause was grieued at yet did his griefe neuer bring foorth ether contemning of her or repining at his father But she who besides she was growen a mother and a stepmother did read in his eies her owne fault and made his conscience her guiltines thought still that his presence caried her condemnation so much the more as that she vnchastly attempting his wonted fancieâ— found for the reuerence of his fathers bed a bitter refusallâ— which breeding rather spite then shame in her or if it were a shame a shame not of the fault but of the repulse she did not onely as hating him thirst for a reuenge but as fearing harm form him endeuoured to doo harme vnto him Therefore did she trie the vttermost of her wicked wit how to ouerthrow him in the foundation of his strength which was in the fauour of his father which because she saw strong both in nature and desert it required the more cunning how to vndermine it And therefore shunning the ordinary trade of hireling sycophants shee made her praises of him to be accusations and her aduancing him to be his ruine For first with words neerer admiration then liking she would extoll his excellencies the goodlines of his shape the power of his witte the valiantnes of his courage the fortunatenes of his successes so as the father might finde in her a singular loue towards him nay shee shunned not to kindle some fewe sparkes of ielousie in him Thus hauing gotten an opinion in his father that shee was farre from meaning mischiefe to the sonne then fell shee to praise him with no lesse vehemencie of affection but with much more cunning of malice For then she sets foorth the liberty of his mind the high flying of his thoughts the fitnesse in him to beare rule the singular loue the Subiects bare him that it was doubtfull whether his wit were greater in winning their fauours or his courage in imploying their fauours that he was not borne to liue a subiect-life each action of his bearing in it Maiestie such a Kingly entertainement such a Kingly magnificence such a Kingly harte for enterprises especially remembring those vertues which in successor are no more honoured by the subiects then suspected of the Princes Then would shee by putting-off obiections bring in obiectioÌ„s to her husbands head already infected with suspitioÌ„ Nay would she say I dare take it vpon my death that he is no such sonne as many of like might haue bene who loued greatnes so well as to build their greatnes vpon their fathers ruine Indeed Ambition like Loue can abide no lingring and euer vrgeth on his owne successes hating no thing but what may stop them But the Gods forbid we should euer once dreame of any such thing in him who perhaps might be content that you and the world should know what he can do but the more power he hath to hurte the more admirable is his praise that he will not hurt Then euer remembring to strengthen the suspition of his estate with priuate ielousie of her loue doing him excessiue honour wheÌ„ he was in presence repeating his pretie speaches and graces in his absence besides causing him to be imployed in all such dangerous matters as ether he should perish in them or if hee preuailed they should increase his glorie which she made a weapon to wound him vntill she found that suspition began already to speake for it selfe and that her husbands eares were growne hungry of rumours and his eies prying into euery accident Then tooke she help to her of a seruant neere about her husband whoÌ„ she knew to be of a hasty ambition and such a one who wanting true sufficiencie to raise him would make a ladder of any mischiefe Him shee vseth to deale more plainely in alleaging causes of iealousie making him knowe the fittest times when her husband already was stirred that way And so they two with diuers wayes nourished one humour like Musitians that singing diuers parts make one musicke He sometime with fearefull countenaunce would desire the King to looke to himselfe for that all the court and Cittie were full of whisperinges and expectation of some soddaine change vpon what ground himselfe knew not Another time hee would counsell the King to make much of his sonne and holde his fauour for that it was too late now to keepe him vnder Now seeming to feare himselfe because he said Plangus loued none of them that were great about his father Lastly breaking with him directly making a sorrowful countenance and an
thing in trueth neuer till this time by me either heard or suspected for who could thinke without hauing such a minde as Antiphilus that so great a beautie as Eronas indeed excellent could not haue held his affection so great goodnes could not haue bound gratefulnesse and so high aduancement could not haue satisfied his ambition But therefore true it is that wickednesse may well be compared to a bottomlesse pit into which it is farre easier to keepe ones selfe from falling then being fallen to giue ones selfe any stay from falling infinitely But for my Cosen and me vpon this cause we parted from Erona Euardes the braue and mighty Prince whom it was my fortune to kill in the combat for Erona had three Nephewes sonnes to a sister of his all three set among the foremost rancks of Fame for great minds to attempt and great force to perfourme what they did attempt especially the eldest by name Anaxius to whom all men would willingly haue yeelded the height of praise but that his nature was such as to bestow it vpon himselfe before any could giue it For of so vnsupportable a pride he was that where his deeds might wel stir enuie his demeanor did rather breed disdaine And if it bee true that the Gyants euer made war against heauen he had bene a fit ensigne-bearer for that company For nothing seemed hard to him though impossible and nothing vniust while his liking was his iustice Now he in these wars flatly refused his aid because he could not brooke that the worthy Prince Plangus was by his cosen Tiridates preferred before him For allowing no other weights but the sword and speare in iudging of desert how-much he esteemed himselfe before Plangus in that so much would he haue had his allowance in his seruice But now that he vnderstood that his vncle was slaine by me I think rather scorne that any should kil his vncle then any kindnesse an vn-vsed guest to an arrogant soule made him seeke his reuenge I must confesse in manner gallant enough For he sent a challenge vnto me to meete him at a place appointed in the confines of the kingdome of Lycia where he would proue vpon me that I had by some trecherie ouercome his vncle whom els many hundreds such as I could not haue withstood Youth and successe made mee willing enough to accept any such bargaine especially because I had heard that your cosen Amphialus who for some yeares hath vniuersally borne the name of the best Knight in the world had diuers times fought with him and neuer bene able to master him but so had left him that euery man thought Anaxius in that one vertue of curtesie far short of him in all other his match Anaxius still deeming himselfe for his superiour Therefore to him I would goe and I would needs goe alone because so I vnderstood for certaine he was and I must confesse desirous to do something without the company of the incomparable Prince Musidorus because in my hart I acknowledge that I owed more to his presence then to any thing in my selfe whatsoeuer before I had done For of him indeed as of any worldly cause I must grant as receiued what euer there is or may be good in me He taught me by word and best by example giuing mee in him so liuely an Image of vertue as ignorance could not cast such mist ouer mine eyes as not to see and to loue it and all with such deare friendship and care as ô heauen how can my life euer requite vnto him which made me indeed finde in my selfe such a kind of depending vpon him as without him I found a weakenesse and a mistrustfulnes of my selfe as one strayed from his best strength when at any time I mist him Which humour perceiuing to ouer-rule me I straue against it not that I was vnwilling to depend vpon him in iudgement but by weakenesse I would not which though it held me to him made me vnworthy of him Therefore I desired his leaue and obtained it such confidence he had in me preferring my reputation before his owne tendernesse and so priuately went from him hee determining as after I knew in secret maner not to be far from the place where we appointed to meete to preuent any foule play that might be offered vnto me Full loth was Erona to let vs depart from her as it were forefeeling the harmes which after fel to her But I ridde fully from those combers of kindnesse and halfe a dayes iorney in my way toward Anaxius met an aduēture which though in it self of smal importance I wil tel you at large because by the occasion thereof I was brought to as great comber and danger as lightly any might escape As I past through a Laund ech side whereof was so bordred both with high tymber trees and copses of farre more humble growth that it might easily bring a solitarie minde to looke for no other companions then the wild burgesses of the forrest I heard certaine cries which comming by pawses to mine eares from within the wood of the right hand made mee well assured by the greatnesse of the crie it was the voice of a man though it were a verie vnmanlike voice so to crie But making mine eare my guide I left not many trees behinde me before I sawe at the bottome of one of them a gentle-man bound with many garters hand foot so as well he might tomble and tosse but neither runne nor resist he coulde Vpon him like so many Eagles vpon an Oxe were nine Gentle-women truely such as one might wel enough say they were hansome Eche of them held bodkins in their handes wherewith they continually pricked him hauing bene before-hand vnarmed of any defence from the wast vpward but onely of his shirte so as the poore man wept and bled cried and praied while they sported themselues in his paine and delighted in his praiers as the argumentes of their victorie I was moued to compassion and so much the more that hee straight cald to me for succour desiring me at lest to kill him to deliuer him from those tormenters But before my-selfe could resolue much lesse any other tell what I would resolue there came in cholericke hast towards me about seuen or eight knights the foremost of which willed me to get me away not to trouble the Ladies while they were taking their due reuenge but with so ouer-mastring a maner of pride as truly my heart could not brooke it and therefore answering them that howe I woulde haue defended him from the Ladies I knew not but from them I would I began a combat first with him particularly and after his death with the others that had lesse good maners ioyntly But such was the ende of it that I kept the fielde with the death of some and flight of others In so much as the women afraid what angrie victorie would bring forth ran all away sauing onely one who was so flesht
the prisoner by Musidorus set free and thither came Plexirtus of Trebisonde and Antiphilus then King of Lycia with as many mo great Princes drawen either by our reputation or by willingnes to acknowledge themselues obliged vnto vs for what we had done for the others So as in those partes of the woild I thinke in many hundreds of yeares there was not seene so royall an assemblie where nothing was let passe to doo vs the highest honors which such persons who might commaund both purses and inuentions could perfourme All from all sides bringing vnto vs right toyall presents which we to auoide both vnkindnes and importunitie liberally receiued and not content therewith would needes accept as from vs their crownes and acknowledge to hold them of vs with many other excessiue honors which would not suffer the measure of this short leisure to describe vnto you But we quickely aweary thereof hasted to Greece â—ward led thither partly with the desire of our parents but hastened principally because I vnderstoode that Anaxius with open mouth of defamation had gone thither to seeke me and was now come to Peloponnesus where from Court to Court he made enquyrie of me doing yet himselfe so noble deedes as might hap to aucthorize an ill opinion of me We therefore suffred but short delayes desiring to take this countrey in our way so renowmed ouer the worlde that no Prince coulde pretend height nor bigger lownesse to barre him from the sound thereof renowmed indeede not so much for the ancient prayses attributed thereunto as for the hauing in it Argalus and Amphialus two knights of such rare prowes as we desired especially to know and yet by farre not so much for that as without suffering of comparison for the beautie of you and your sister which makes all indifferent iudges that speake thereof account this countrie as a temple of deities But these causes indeed mouing vs to come by this land wee embarked our selues in the next porte whether all those Princes sauing Antiphilus who returned as he pretended not able to tarry longer from Erona conueied vs. And there found we a ship most royally furnished by Plexirtus who had made all thinges so proper as well for our defence as ease that all the other Princes greatly commended him for it who seeming a quite altered man had nothing but repentance in his eies friendship in his gesture and vertue in his mouth so that we who had promised the sweete Zelmane to pardon him now not onely forgaue but began to fauour perswading our selues with a youthfull credulitie that pechance thinges were not so euill as wee tooke them and as it were desiring our owne memorie that it might be so But so were we licensed from those Princes truely not without teares especially of the vertuous Leonatus who with the king of Pontus would haue come with vs but that we in respect of the ones young wife and both their new settled kingdomes would not suffer it Then would they haue sent whole fleetes to to guard vs but we that desired to passe secretely into Greece made them leaue that motion when they found that more ships then one would be displeasing vnto vs. But so committing our selues to the vncertaine discretion of the wind we then determining as soone as we came to Greece to take the names of Daiphantus Palladius as well for our owne promise to Zelmane as because we desired to come vnknowne into Greece left the Asian shore full of Princely persons who euen vpon their knees recommended our safeties to the deuotion of their chiefe desires among whome none had bene so officious though I dare affirme all quite contrarie to his vnfaithfulnes as Plexirtus And So hauing sailed almost two daies looking for nothing but when we might looke vpon the land a graue mâ—n whom we had seene of great trust with Plexirtus and was sent as our principall guide came vnto vs and with a certaine kinde manner mixt with shame repentance began to tel vs that he had takeÌ„ such a loue vnto vs coÌ„sidering our youth fame that though he were a seruant a seruant of such trust about Plexirtus as that he had committed vnto him euen those secretes of his hart which abhorde all other knowledge yet he rather chose to reueale at this time a most pernitious counsel then by councealing it bring to ruin those whom he could not choose but honour So went he on and tolde vs that Plexirtus in hope therby to haue Artaxia endowed with the great Kingdome of Armenia to his wife had giuen him order when we were neere Greece to finde some opportunitie to murder vs bidding him to take vs a sleepe because he had seene what we could do waking Now sirs said he I would rather a thousand times loose my life then haue my remembrance while I liued poysoned with such a mischiefe and therefore if it were onely I that knewe herein the Kings order then should my disobedience be a warrant of your safetie But to one more said hee namely the Captaine of the shippe Plexirtus hath opened so much touching the effect of murdering you though I think laying the cause rather vpon old grudge then his hope oâ— Artaxia And my selfe before the consideration of your excellencies had drawn loue and pittie into mind imparted it to such as I thought fittest for such a mischiefe Therefore I wishe you to stand vpon your garde assuring you that what I can doo for your safetie you shal see if it come to the pushe by me perfourmed We thanked him as the matter indeed deserued and from that time would no more disarme our selues nor the one sleepe without his friendes eyes waked for him so that it delaied the going forward of their bad enterprize while they thought it rather chaunce then prouidence which made vs so behaue ourselues But when we came within halfe a daies sayling of the shore so that they sawe it was speedily or not at all to be done TheÌ„ I remember it was about the first watch in the night came the Captaine and whispered the Councellour in the eare But he as it should seem disswading him from it the Captaine who had bene a pyrate from his youth and oâ—ten blouded in it with a lowde voice sware that if Plexirtus bad him he would not sticke to kill God him selfe And therewith cald his mates and in the Kings name willed them to take vs aliue or dead encouraging them with the spoile of vs which he said and indeed was true would yeeld many exceeding rich iewels But the Councellour according to his promise commanded them they should not commit such a villany protesting that hee would stand betweene them and the Kings anger therein Wherewith the Captaine enraged Nay said he then we must begin with this traitor him selfe and therewith gaue him a sore blow vpon the head who honestly did the best he could to reuenge himselfe But then we knew it time rather to encounter
hath the preheminence so that in that preheminence Nature counteruailes al other liberalities wherein she may bee thought to haue dealte more fauourably towarde mankind How doo men crowne thinke you themselues with glorie for hauing either by force brought others to yeelde to their minde or with long studie and premeditated orations perswaded what they would haue perswaded and see a faire woman shall not onely commaund without authoritie but perswade without speaking She shall not neede to procure attention for their owne eyes will chaine their eares vnto it Men venture liues to coÌ„quere she conqueres liues without venturing She is serued and obeyed which is the most notable not because the lawe so commaund it but because they become lawes themselues to obey her not for her parents sake but for her own sake She need not dispute whether to gouerne by Feare or Loue since without her thinking thereof their loue will bring foorth feare and their feare will fortifie their loue and shee neede not seeke offensiue or defensiue force since her onely lippes may stande for ten thousand shieldes and tenne thousand vneuitable shot goe from her eyes Beautie Beautie deere Neece is the crowne of the feminine greatnes which gifte on whom soeuer the heauens therein most nigardly do bestowe without question she is bound to vse it to the noble purpose for which it is created not onely winning but preseruing since that indeede is the right happines which is not onely in itselfe happie but can also deriue the happines to another Certainly Aunt said Pamela I feare me you will make me not only think my selfe fairer then euer I did but think my fairenes a matter of greater valew then heretofore I could imagine it For I euer til now conceaued these conquests you speake of rather to proceed from the weakenes of the conquered then from the strength of the conquering power as they say the Cranes ouerthrow whole battailes of Pygmees not so much of their Cranish courage as because the other are Pygmees and that wee see young babes thinke babies of woonderfull excellencie and yet the babies are but babies But since your elder yeares abler iudgement finde Beautie to be worthy of so incomparable estimation certainly me thinks it ought to be held in dearnes according to the excellencie and no more then we would do of things which we account pretious euer to suffer it to be defiled Defiled saide Cecropia Mary God forbid that my speech shoulde tend to any such purpose as should deserue so foul a title My meaning is to ioyne your beauty to loue your youth to delight For truely as coulours should be as good as nothing if there were no eyes to behold them so is Beauty nothing without the eye of Loue behold it and therfore so far is it from defiling it that it is the onely honoring of it the onely preseruing of it for Beauty goes awaye deuoured by Time but where remaines it euer flourishing but in the hart of a true louer And such a one if euer there were any is my son whose loue is so subiected vnto you that rather theÌ„ breed any offence vnto you it will not delight it selfe in beholding you There is no effect of his loue answered Pamela better pleaseth mee then that but as I haue often answered you so resolutely I say vnto you that he must get my parents consent and then he shall know further of my minde for without that I know I should offend God O sweet youth said Cecropia how vntimely subiect it is to deuotion No no sweet neece let vs old folks thinke of such precise considerations do you enioy the heauen of your age whereof you are sure and like good housholders which spend those thinges that will not bee kept so do you pleasantly enioy that which else will bring an ouer-late repentance when your glas shall accuse you to your face what a change there is in you Do you see how the spring-time is full of flowers decking it selfe with them and not aspiring to the fruits of Autumn what lesson is that vnto you but that in the april of your age you should be like April Let not some of them for whom alredy the graue gapeth and perhaps enuy the felicity in you which theÌ„selues cannot enioy perswade you to lose the holde of occasion while it may not onely be taken but offers nay sues to bee taken which if it bee not now taken wil neuer hereafter be ouertaken Your selfe know how your father hath refused all offers made by the greatest Princes about you wil you suffer your beauty to be hidden in the wrinckles of his peuish thoughts If hee be peuish said Pamela yet is he my father and how beautifull so euer I be I am his daughter so as God claimes at my hands obedience and makes me no iudge of his imperfectionsâ— These often replies vpon conscience in Pamela made Cecropia thinke that there was no righter waye for her then as shee had in her opinion set her in liking of Beautie with perswasion not to suffer it to be voide of purpose â—o if she could make her lesse feeling of those heauenly conceipts that then shee might easilie winde her to her croked bias Therefore employing the vttermost of her mischieuous witte and speaking the more earnestly because she spake as shee thought shee thus dealt with her Deare neece or rather deare daughter if my affection wish might preuaile therein how much dooth it increase trowe you the earnest desire I haue of this blessed match to see these vertues of yours knit fast with such zeale of Deuotion indeede the best bonde which the most politicke wittes haue founde to holde mans witte in well doing For as children must first by feare bee induced to knowe that which after when they doo know they are most glad of So are these bug-beares of opinioÌ„s brought by great Clearks into the world to serue as shewelles to to keepe them from those faults whereto els the vanitie of the worlde and weakenes of senses might pull them But in you Neece whose excellencie is such as it neede not to be helde vp by the staffe of vulgar opinions I would not you shoulde loue Vertue seruillie for feare of I know not what which you see not but euen for the good effects of vertue which you see Feare and indeede foolish feare fearefull ignorance was the first inuenter of those conceates For when they hearde it thunder not knowing the naturall cause they thought there was some angrie body aboue that spake so lowde and euer the lesse they did perceiue the more they did conceiue Whereof they knew no cause that grew streight a miracle foolish folkes not marking that the alterations be but vpon particular accidents the vniuersalitie being alwaies one Yesterday was but as to day and to morrow will tread the same footsteps of his foregoers so as it is manifest inough that all thinges follow but the course of their
owne nature sauing onely Man who while by the pregnancie of his imagination he striues to things supernaturall meane-while hee looseth his owne naturall felicitie Be wise and that wisedome shal be a God vnto thee be contented and that is thy heauen for els to thinke that those powers if there bee any such aboue are moued either by the eloquence of our prayers or in a chafe at the folly of our actions caries asmuch reason as if flies should thinke that men take great care which of them hums sweetest and which of them flies nimblest She woulde haue spoken further to haue enlarged and confirmed her discourse when Pamela whose cheeks were died in the beautifullest graine of vertuous anger with eies which glistered foorth beames of disdaine thus interrupted her Peace wicked womā peace vnworthy to breath that doest not acknowledge the breath-giuer most vnworthy to haue a tongue which speakest against him through whom thou speakest keepe your affection to your selfe which like a bemired dog would defile with fauning You say yesterday was as to day O foolish woman and most miserablely foolish since wit makes you foolish What dooth that argue but that there is a constancie in the euerlasting gouernour Woulde you haue an inconstant God since wee count a man foolish that is inconstant He is not seene you say and woulde you thinke him a God who might bee seene by so wicked eyes as yours which yet might see enough if they were not like such who for sport-sake willingly hood-winke themselues to receaue blowes the easier But though I speake to you without any hope of fruite in so rotten a harte and there bee no bodie else here to iudge of my speeches yet be thou my witnesse O captiuitie that my yeares shal not be willingly guiltie of my Creators blasphemie You saie because we know not the causes of things therfore feare was the mother of superstitiō nay because we know that each effect hath a cause that hath engendred a true liuely deuotion For this goodly work of which we are in which we liue hath not his being by Chaūce on which opiniō it is beyōd meruaile by what chaūce any braine could stumble For if it be eternall as you would seeme to conceiue of it Eternity and Chaunce are things vnsufferable together For that is chaunceable which happeneth and if it happen there was a time before it happned when it might haue not happened or els it did not happen and so if chaunceable not eternall And as absurd it is to thinke that if it had a beginning his beginning was deriued from Chaunce for Chaunce could neuer make all things of nothing and if there were substaunces before which by chaunce shoulde meete to make vp this worke thereon followes another bottomlesse pitt of absurdities For then those substaunces must needs haue bene from euer and so eternall and that eternall causes should bring forth chaunceable effectes is as sensible as that the Sunne shoulde bee the author of darkenesse Againe if it were chaunceable then was it not necessarie whereby you take away all consequents But we see in all thinges in some respect or other necessitie of consequence therefore in reason we must needs know that the causes were necessarie Lastly Chaunce is variable or els it is not to be called Chaunce but wee see this worke is steady and permanent If nothing but Chaunce had glewed those pieces of this All the heauie partes would haue gone infinitely downward the light infinitely vpwarde and so neuer haue mett to haue made vp his goodly bodie For before there was a heauen or a earth there was neyther a heauen to stay the height of the rising nor an earth which in respect of the round walles of heauen should become a centre Lastly perfect order perfect beautie perfect constancie if these be the children of Chaunce let wisedome be counted the roote of wickednesse But you will say it is so by nature as much as if you saide it is so because it is so if you meane of many natures conspiring together as in a popular gouernemēt to establish this faire estate as if the Elementishe and ethereall partes shoulde in their towne-house set downe the bounds of each ones office then consider what followes that there must needes haue bene a wisedome which made them concurre for their natures beyng absolute contrarie in nature rather would haue sought each others ruine then haue serued as well consorted partes to such an vnexpressable harmonie For that contrary things should meete to make vp a perfection without a force and Wisedome aboue their powers is absolutely impossible vnles you will flie to that hissed-out opinion of Chaunce againe But you may perhaps affirme that one vniuersal Nature which hath ben for euer is the knitting together of these many partes to such an excellent vnitie If you meane a Nature of wisdome goodnes prouidence which knowes what it doth then say you that which I seeke of you and cannot conclude those blasphemies whith which you defiled your mouth mine eares But if you meane a Nature as we speake of the fire which goeth vpward it knowes not why and of the nature of the Sea which in ebbing and flowing semes to obserue so iust a daunce and yet vnderstands no musicke it is but still the same absurditie superscribed with another title For this worde one being attributed to that which is All is but one mingling of many and many ones as in a lesse matter when we say one kingdome which conteines many citties or one cittie which conteines many persons wherein the vnder ones if there be not a superiour power and wisedome cannot by nature regarde to any preseruation but of themselues no more wee see they doo since the water willingly quenches the fire and drownes the earth so farre are they from a conspired vnitie but that a right heauenly Nature indeed as it were vnnaturinge them doth so bridle them Againe it is as absurde in nature that from an vnitie many contraries should proceede still kept in a vnitie as that from the number of contrarieties an vnitie should arise I say still if you banish both a singularitie and pluralitie of iudgement from among them then if so earthly a minde can lift it selfe vp so hie doo but conceaue how a thing whereto you giue the highest and most excellent kind of being which is eternitie can be of a base vilest degree of being and next to a not-being which is so to be as not to enioy his owne being I will not here call all your senses to witnes which can heare nor see nothing which yeeldes not most euident euidence of of the vnspeakeablenesse of that Wisedome each thinge being directed to an ende and an ende of preseruation so proper effects of iudgement as speaking and laughing are of mankind But what madd furie can euer so enueagle any conceipte as to see our mortal and corruptible selues to haue a reason and that this
most places His shield was beautified with this deuice A greyhound which ouerrunning his fellow and taking the hare yet hurts it not when it takes it The word was The glorie not the pray But as soone as Amphialus landed he sent his squire to Phalantus to tell him that there was the Knight redy to know whether he had any thing to say to him Phalantus answered that his answere now must be in the language of launces and so each attended the warning of the trumpets which were to sound at the appointment of foure iudges who with coÌ„sideration of the same had deuided the ground Phalantus-his horse young and feeling the youth of his master stood coruetting which being well gouerned by Phalantus gaue such a glittering grace as when the Sunne in a cleare day shines vpon a wauing water Amphialus-horse stood panting vpon the ground with his further foot before as if he would for his masters cause begin to make himselfe angry till the trumpet sounding together Together they set spurres to their horses together took their launces from their thighes conueied them vp into their restes together together let them sinke downward so as it was a delectable sight in a dangerous effect and a pleasant consideration that there was so perfect agreement in so mortall disagreement like a musick made of cunning discords But their horses keeping an euen line their masters had skilfully allotted vnto them passed one by another without encountring although either might feel the angry breath of other But the staues being come to a iust descent but euen when the mark was ready to meet them Amphialus was runne through the vamplate and vnder the arme so as the staffe appearing behind him it semed to the beholders he had bene in danger But he strake Phalantus iust vpon the gorget so as he battred the lamms thereof and made his head almost touch the back of his horse But either side hauing staied the spur vsed the bit to stop their horses fury casting away the troncheons of their staues drawing their swords they attended the second summons of the death-threatning trumpet which quickly folowed and they assoone making their horses answer their hands with a gentle galop set one toward the other till being come in the neernes of litle more then a staues length Amphialus trusting more to the strength then to the nimblenes of his horse put him foorth with speedie violence and making his head ioyne to the others flanke guiding his blow with discretion and strengthning it with the course of his horse strake Phalantus vpon the head in such sort that his feeling sense did both dazell his sight and astonish his hearing But Phalantus not accustomed to be vngratefull to such benefites strake him vpon the side of his face with such force that he thought his iawe had bene cut asunder though the faithfulnes of his armour indeede garded him from further damage And so remayned they awhile rather angry with fighting then fighting for anger till Amphialus-his horse leaning harde vpon the other and winning grounde the other horse feeling himselfe prest began to rise a little before as he was woont to doo in his coruette which aduantage Amphialus taking set forward his owne horse with the further spurre so as Phalantus-his horse came ouer with his master vnder him Which Amphialus seeing lighted with intention to helpe Phalantus But his horse that had faulted rather with vntimely arte then want of force gatte vp from burdning his burden so as Phalantus in the fall hauing gotten his feete free off the stirrop could though â—omething bruised arise and seeing Amphialus neere him he asked him Whether he had giuen him any help in remouing his horse Amphialus said No. Truely sayd Phalantus I asked it because I would not willingly haue fought with him that had had my life in his mercie But now said Phalantus before we proceed further let me know who you are because neuer yet did any man bring me to the like fortune Amphialus listing to keepe himselfe vnknowne told him he was a Gentlemen to whom Amphialus that day had giuen armour and horse to trie his valour hauing neuer before ben in any combat worthy remeÌ„brance Ah said Phalantus in a rage And must I be the exercise of your prentis-age and with that choler tooke away either the bruse or the feeling of the bruse so as he entred a fresh into the coÌ„bat and boiling into his armes the disdaine of his hart strake so thick vpon Amphialus as if euery blow would faine haue ben foremost But Amphialus that many like trials had taught great spending to leaue small remnants let passe the storme with strong wards and nimble auoidings till seeing his time fit both for distaunce nakednes he strake him so cruell a blow on the knee that the poore Gentleman fell downe withall in a sowne But Amphialus pittying approued valoure made pretious by naturall curtesie weÌ„t to him taking off his head-piece to giue him aire the young Knight disdaining to buy life with yeelding bad him vse his fortune for he was resolued neuer to yeeld No more you shall said Amphialus if it be not to my request that you will account your selfe to haue great interest in me Phalantus more ouercome by his kindnes then by his fortune desired yet once againe to know his name who in his first beginning had shewed such furie in his force and yet such stay in his surie Amphialus then named himselfe telling him withall he would think his name much bettred if it might be honored by the title of his friend But no Baulme could be more comfortable to his wound then the knowledge thereof was to his minde when he knew his mishap should be excused by the renowmed valour of the other And so promising each to other assurednes of good will Phalantus of whom Amphialus would haue no other raunsome but his word of friendship was conueyed into the campe where he would but litle remaine among the enimies of Amphialus but went to seeke his aduentures other-where As for Amphialus he was receaued with triumph into the castle although one might see by his eyes humbly lifted vp to the window where Philoclea stood that he was rather suppliaunt then victorious which occasion Cecropia taking who as then stood by Philoclea and had lately lefte Pamela in another roome whence also she might see the combate Sweet Lady said she now you may see whether you haue cause to loue my sonne who then lies vnder your feete when he standes vpon the necke of his brauest enemies Alas said Philoclea a simple seruice to me me thinkes it is to haue those who come to succour me destroied If it be my dutie to call it loue be it so but the effects it brings foorth I confesse I account hatefull Cecropia grew so angry with this vnkinde answere that she could not abstayne from telling her that she was like them that could not sleepe
And then melancholie only rich in vnfortunate remembrances brought before him all the mishaps with which his life had wrestled taking this not only as a confirming of the former but a presage of following miserie and to his harte alredy ouercome by sorrowfulnes euen trifling misfortunes came to fill vp the rolle of a grieued memorie labouring only his wits to pearce farther â—arther into his owne wretchednes So as all that night in despite of darknes he held his eyes open and the morning when the light began to restore to each body his colour then with curtaines bard he himselfe froÌ„ the enioying of it neither willing to feele the comfort of the day nor the ease of the night vntil his mother who neuer knew what loue meant but only to himward came to his bed side and beginning with louing earnestnes to lay a kind chiding vpoÌ„ him because he would suffer the weaknes of sorow to conquere the strength of his vertues he did with a broken peece-meale speach as if the teÌ„pest of passion vnorderly blewe out his words remember the mishaps of his youth the euils he had ben cause of his rebelling with Shame that shame increased with shamefull accidents the deaths of Philoxenus Parthenia wherein he found himselfe hated of the euer-ruling powers but especially and so especially as the rest seemed nothing when he came to that his fatall loue to Philoclea to whom he had so gouerned himselfe as one that could neither conquer nor yeeld being of the one side a slaue of the other a iaylor and with all almost vpbrayding vnto his mother the little successe of her large hoping promises he in effect finding Philoclea nothing mollified and now himselfe so cast downe as hee thought him vnworthy of better But his mother as she had plentifull cause making him see that of his other griefes there was little or no fault in himself and therfore there ought to be little or no griefe in him when she came to the head of the sore indeed seeing that she could no loÌ„ger patch vp her former promises he taking a desperat deafnes to all delaying hopes she confest plainly that she could preuaile nothing but the fault was his owne who had marred the yong Girle by seeking to haue that by praier which he should haue taken by authoritie That as it were an absurd cunning to make hie ladders to go in a plaine way so was it an vntimely and foolish flattery there to beseech where one might commaund puffing them vp by being besought with such a selfe-pride of superioritie that it was not forsooth to be held out but by a denial O God said Amphialus how wel I thought my fortune would bring forth this end of your labors assure yourself mother I wil sooner pull out these eies then they shall looke vpoÌ„ the heauenly Philoclea but as vpoÌ„ a heauen whence they haue their light to which they are subiect if they wil power downe any influeÌ„ces of comfort O happy I but if by the sacrifice of a faithful hart they wil not be called vnto me let me languish wither with languishing and grieue with withering but neuer so much as repine with neuer so much grieuing Mother ô Mother lust may wel be a tyrant but true loue where it is indeed it is a seruant Accursed more then I am may I be if euer I did approch her but that I friezed asmuch in a fearefull reuereÌ„ce as I burned in a vehemeÌ„t desire Did euer maÌ„s eye looke thorough loue vpoÌ„ the maiesty of vertue shining through beauty but that he becam as it wel becam him a captiue is it the stile of a captiue to write Our will and pleasure Tush tush sonne said Cecropia if you say you loue but withall you feare you feare lest you should offend offend and how know you that you should offend because she doth denie denie Now by my truth if your sadnes would let me laugh I could laugh hartily to see that yet you are ignorant that No is no negatiue in a womans mouth My sonne beleeue me a woman speaking of women a louers modesty among vs is much more praised then liked or if we like it so well we like it that for marring of his modestie he shall neuer proceed further Each vertue hath his time if you command your souldier to march formost and he for curtesie put others before him would you praise his modesty loue is your Generall he bids you dare and will Amphialus be a dastard Let examples serue doo you thinke Theseus should euer haue gotten Antiope with sighing and crossing his armes he rauished her and rauished her that was an Amazon and therfore had gotten a habite of stoutnes aboue the nature of a woman but hauing rauished her he got a child of her And I say no more but that they say is not gotten without consent of both sides Iole had her owne father killed by Hercules and her selfe rauished by force rauished and yet ere long this rauished and vnfathered Lady could sportfully put on the Lions skin vpon her owne faire shoulders and play with the clubbe with her owne delicate hands so easily had she pardoned the rauisher that she could not but delight in those weapons of rauishing But aboue all marke Helen daughter to Iupiter who could neuer brooke her manerly-wooing Menclaus but disdained his humblenes and lothed his softnes But so well she could like the force of enforcing Paris that for him she could abide what might be abidden But what Menelaus takes hart he recouers her by force by force carries her home by force inioies her and she who could neuer like him for seruiceablenesse euer aftâ—r loued him for violence For what can be more agreable then vpon force to lay the fault of desire and in one instant to ioyne a deare delight with a iust excuse or rather the true cause is pardon me ô woman-kinde for reuealing to mine owne sonne the truth of this mystery we thinke there wants fire where we finde no sparkles at lest of furie Truly I haue knowen a great Lady long sought by most great most wise most beautifull most valiant persons neuer wonne because they did ouer-superstitiously sollicite her the same Ladie brought vnder by an other inferiour to all them in all those qualities onely because he could vse that imperious maisterfulnesse which nature giues to men aboue women For indeede sonne I confesse vnto you in our very creation we are seruants and who prayseth his seruaunts shall neuer be well obeyed but as a ready horse streight yeeldes when he findes one that will haue him yeelde the same fals to boundes when he feeles a fearefull horseman Awake thy spirits good Amphialus and assure thy selfe that though she refuseth she refuseth but to endeere the obtaining If she weepe and chide and protest before it be gotten she can but weepe and chide and protest when it is gotten Thinke she would not striue but that
onely opprest her with a storme of amazement but when her eies sawe that they did see as condemning themselues to haue seene it they became weary of their owne power of seeing and her soule then drinking vp woe with great draughts she fell downe to deadly traunces but her waiting iaylors with cruell pitty brought lothed life vnto her which yet many times tooke his leaue as though he would indeed depart but when he was staied by force he kept with him deadly Sorrow which thus exercised her mourning speech Pamela my sister my sister Pamela woe is me for thee I would I had died for thee Pamela neuer more shall I see thee neuer more shall I enioy thy sweet companie and wise counsell Alas thou arte gone to beautifie heauen and hast left me here who haue nothing good in me but that I did euer loue thee and euer will lament thee Let this daye be noted of all vertuous folkes for most vnfortunate let it neuer be mentioned but among curses and cursed bee they that did this mischiefe and most accursed bee mine eyes that behelde it Sweete Pamela that head is striken of where onely wisedome might be spoken withall that bodie is destroyed which was the liuing booke of vertue Deare Pamela how haste thou lefte me to all wretchednesse and miserie Yet while thou liuedst in thee I breathed of thee I hoped O Pamela how much did I for thy excellencie honour thee more then my mother and loue thee more then my selfe Neuer more shall I lie with thee neuer more shall we bathe in the pleasant riuer together neuer more shall I see thee in thy shephearde apparell But thou arte gone and where am I Pamela is dead and liue I O my God And with that she fell againe in a soune so as it was a great while before they could bring her to her selfe againe but being come to her-selfe Alas said she vnkind women since you haue giuen me so many deathes torment me not now with life for Gods sake let me goe and excuse your hands of more blood Let me follow my Pamela whom euer I sought to follow Alas Pamela they will not let me come to thee But if they keepe promise I shall treade thine owne steppes after thee For to what am I borne miserable soule but to be most vnhappie in my selfe and yet more vnhappie in others But ô that a thousand more miseries had chanced vnto me so thou haddest not dyed Pamela my sister Pamela And so like lamentable Philomela complained she the horrible wrong done to her sister which if it stird not in the wickedly closed minds of her tormentors a pittie of her sorrow yet bredde it a wearinesse of her sorrow so as onely leauing one to preuent any harme â—he should doo her selfe the rest went away consulting againe with Cecropia how to make profite of this their late bloodie act In the ende that woman that vsed most to keepe company with Zelmane tolde Cecropia that she founde by many most sensible proofes in Zelmane that there was neuer woman so loued another as she loued Philoclea which was the cause that she further then the commandement of Cecropia had caused Zelmanes curtaines to bee also drawne because hauing the same spectacle that Philoclea had shee might stand in the greater feare for her whom she loued so well and that indeed she had hit the needle in that deuise for neuer saw she creature so astonished as Zelmane exceedingly sory for Pamela but exceedingly exceeding that exceedingnes in feare for Philoclea Therefore her aduice was shee â—houlde cause Zelmane to come and speake with Philoclea For there being such vehemencie of friendship between them it was most likely both to moue Zelmane to perswade and Philoclea to be perswaded Cecropia liked well of the counsell and gaue order to the same woman to go deale therin with Zelmane and to assure her with othe that Cecropia was determined Philoclea should passe the same way that Pamela had done without she did yeeld to satisfie the extremitie of her sonnes affection which the woman did adding thereunto many as she thought good reasons to make Zelmane thinke Amphialus a fit match for Philoclea But Zelmane who had from time to time vnderstood the cruell dealing they had vsed to the sisters and now had her own eies wounded with the sight of ones death was so confused withall her courage still rebelling against her wit desiring stil with force to doo impossible matters that as her desire was stopped with power so her conceit was darkned with a mist of desire For blinde Loue and inuincible valure still would cry out that it could not bee Philoclea should bee in so miserable estate and she not relieue her and so while shee haled her wit to her courage shee drew it from his owne limits But nowe Philocleas death a worde able to marshall â—ll his thoughts in order being come to so short a point either with small delay to be suffred or by the giuing her selfe to another to be preuented she was driuen to thinke and to desire some leasure of thinking which the woman granted for that night vnto her A night that was not halfe so blacke as her minde not halfe so silent as was fit for her musing thoughts At last he that would faine haue desperatly lost a thousand liues for her sake could not finde in his harte that she should loose any life for her owne sake and he that despised his owne death in respect of honour yet could well nye dispense with honour it selfe in respect of Philocleas death for once the thought could not enter into his harte nor the breath issue out of his mouth which could consent to Philocleas death for any bargaine Then how to preuent the next degree to death which was her being possest by another was the point of his mindes labour and in that he founde no other way but that Philoclea shoulde pretend a yeelding vnto Cecropias request and so by speaking with Amphialus and making faire but delaying promises procure libertie for Zelmane who only wisht but to come by a sword not doubting then to destroy them all and deliuer Philoclea so little did both the men and their forces seeme in her eyes looking down vpon them from the hye toppe of affections tower With that minde therefore but first well bound shee was brought to Philoclea hauing already plotted out in her conceite how she would deale with her and so came she with hart and eyes which did each sacrifice either to Loue vpon the aultar of Sorrow and there had shee the pleasing displeasing sight of Philoclea Philoclea whoÌ„ alredy the extreame sense of sorrow had brought to a dulnesse therein her face not without tokens that beautie had bene by many miseries cruelly battered and yet shewed it most the perfection of that beautie which coulde remaine vnouerthrowne by such enimies But when Zelmane was set downe by her and the women gone away because she might be the
shall make Basilius willing or vnwilling to knowe his owne happe in graunting you Philoclea then I will cheerefullie goe about this my most desired enterprise and shall thinke the better halfe of it alreadie atchieued beeing begunne in the fortunate houre of my friendes contentment These wordes as they were not knitte together with such a constant course of flowing eloquence as Dorus was woont to vse so was his voice interrupted with sighes and his countenaunce with enterchanging coulour dismayed So much his owne hearte did finde him faultie to vnbende any way the continuall vse of theyr deare friendshippe But Zelmane who had all this while gladlie hearkened to the other tydings of her friends happye successe when this last determination of Dorus strake her attentiue eares she stayed a great while oppressed with a dead amazement Ther came streight before her mind made tender with woes the images of her own fortune Her tedious longings her causes to despaire the combersome follie of Basilius the enraged Iealousie of Gynecia her selfe a Prince without retinewe a man annoyed with the troubles of woman-kinde lothsomely loued and daungerouslie louing And now for the perfecting of all her friend to be taken away by himself to make the losse the greater by the vnkindnes But within a while she resolutely passed ouer all in warde obiections and preferring her friends proffitt to her owne desire with a quiet but hartie looke she thus aunsweared him If I bare thee this Loue vertuous Musidorus for mine owne sake and that our friendshipp grew because I for my parte might reioyce to enioye such a friend I shoulde nowe so thorowly feele mine owne losse that I should call the heauens and earth to witnesse howe cruelly yee robbe mee of my greatest comforte measuring the breach of friendshippe by myne owne passion But because indeede I loue thee for thy selfe and in my iudgement iudge of thy worthines to beloued I am content to builde my pleasure vppon thy comforte And then will I deeme my happe in friendshippe great when I shall see thee whome I loue happie Let me be onely sure thou louest me still the onely price of trew affection goe therefore on worthye Musidorus with the guide of vertue and seruice of fortune Let thy loue be loued thy desires prosperous thy escape safe and thy iornye easie Let euery thing yeeld his helpe to thy deserte for my part absence shall not take thee from mine eyes nor afflictions shall barre mee from gladding in thy good nor a possessed harte shall keepe thee from the place it haâ—h for euer allotted vnto thee Dorus would faine haue replied againe to haue made a liberall confession that Zelmane had of her side the aduantage of well performing friendshippe but partelie his owne griefe of parting from one he loued so dearely partly the kinde care in what state hee shoulde leaue Zelmane bredd such a conflicte in his minde that many times he wished he had either neuer attempted or neuer reuealed this secreat enterprise But Zelmane who had now looked to the vttermoste of it and established her minde vpon an assured determination my onely friend said shee since to so good towardnes your courteous destinies haue conducted you let not a ceremoniall consideration of our mutuall loue be a barre vnto it I ioye in your presence but I ioye more in your good that friendshipp brings foorth the fruites of enmitie which preferres his owne tendernes before his friendes domage For my parte my greatest griefe herein shal be I can bee no further seruiceable vnto you O Zelmane saide Dorus with his eyes euen couered with water I did not think so soone to haue displayed my determination vnto you but to haue made my way first in your louing iudgement But alas as your sweet disposition drew me so farre so doth it now strengthen me in it To you therefore be the due commendation giuen who can conquere me in Loue and Loue in wisedome As for mee then shall goodnes turne to euill and vngratefulnes bee the token of a true harte when Pyrocles shall not possesse a principall seate in my soule when the name of Pyrocles shall not be helde of me in deuout reuerence They would neuer haue come to the cruell instant of parting nor to the il-faring word of farewell had not Zelmane sene a farre off the olde Basilius who hauing perfourmed a sacrifice to Apollo for his daughters but principally for his mistresse happy returne had since bene euery where to seeke her And nowe being come within compasse of discerning her he beganne to frame the loueliest couÌ„tenance he could stroking vp his legges setting his bearde in due order and standing bolte vpright Alas said Zelmane behold an euill fore-token of your sorrowfull departure Yonder see I one of my furies which doth daylie vexe me farewell fare wel my Musidorus the Gods make fortune to waite on thy vertues and make mee wade through this lake of wretchednes Dorus burst out into a floud of teares wringing her fast by the hande No no said he I go blindfold whither the course of my ill happe caries me for now too late my harte giues me this our separating can neuer be prosperous But if I liue attend me here shortly with an army Thus both appalled with the grieuous renting of their long Combination hauing first resolued with theÌ„selues that whatsoeuer fell vnto them they should neuer vpon no occasion vtter their names for the coÌ„seruing the honour of their Royal parentage but keep the names of Daiphantus Palladius as before had ben agreed between theÌ„ they tooke diuerse waies Dorus to the lodg-ward wher his heauy eyes might be somthing refreshed Zelmane towards Basilius saying to her selfe with a skornefull smiling yet hath not my friendly fortune depriued me of a pleasant companion But he hauing with much searche come to her presence Doubt Desire bred a great quarrel in his mind For his former experience had taught him to doubt true feeling of Loue made doubts daungerous but the working of his desire had ere long wonne the fielde And therefore with the most submissiue maner his behauiour could yeeld O Goddesse said hee towardes whom I haue the greatest feeling of Religion be not displeased at some shew of deuotion I haue made to Apollo since he if he know any thing knowes that my harte beares farre more awful reuereÌ„ce to your self then to his or any other the like Deity You wil euer be deceaued in me answered Zelmane I wil make my selfe no competitor with Apollo neither can blasphemies to him be duties to me With that Basilius tooke out of his bosome certaine verses he had written and kneling downe presented them to her They contained this PHaebus farewell a sweeter Saint I serue The high conceits thy heau'nly wisedomes breed My thoughts forget my thoughts which neuer swerue From her in whome is sowne their freedomes seede And in whose eyes my dayly doome I reede Phaebus farewell a sweeter Saint I serue
indeede you shall haue the ende you shoote at for in steede of one death you shall geue me a thousand and yet in the meane time depriue me of the helpe God may sende me Pyrocles euen ouerwayed with her so wisely vttred affection finding her determinacion so fixed that his ende should but depriue them both of a present contentment and not auoyde a comming euill as a man that ranne not vnto it by a sodayne qualme of passion but by a true vse of reason preferring her life to his owne nowe that wisedome did manifest vnto him that waye woulde not preuayle he retired himselfe with as much tranquillitie from it as before he had gone vnto it Like a man that had set the keeping or leauing of the bodye as a thing without himselfe and so had thereof a freed and vntroubled consideracion Therefore throwing away the barre from him and taking her vp from the place where he thought the consummating of all beawties very vnworthely lay suffring all his sences to deuoure vp their chiefest foode which he assured himselfe they should shortly after for euer be depriued of well said he most deere Lady whose contentment I preferre before mine own and iudgement esteeme more then mine owne I yeeld vnto your pleasure The gods send you haue not woon your owne losse For my part they are my witnesses that I thinke I do more at your commaundement in delayeng my death then another would in bestowing his life But now sayd he as thus farre I haue yeelded vnto you so graunt me in recompence thus much againe that I may finde your loue in graunting as you haue sound your authoritye in obteyning My humble suite is you will say I came in by force into your Chamber for so am I resolued now to affirme and that will be the best for vs both but in no case name my name that whtsoeuer come of me my house be not dishonored Philoclea fearing least refusall would turne him backe againe to his violent refuge gaue him a certayne countenance that might shewe she did yeeld to his request the latter part whereof indeed she meant for his sake to performe Neyther could they spend more wordes together for Philanax with twentie of the noblest personages of Arcadia after him were come into the Lodge Philanax making the rest stay belowe for the reuerence he bare to womanhood as stillie as he could came to the dore and opening it drewe the eyes of these two dolefull louers vpon him Philoclea cloasing againe for modestie sake within her bed the ritchesse of her beawties but Pyrocles tooke holde of his barre minding at least to dye before the excellent Philoclea should receyue any outrage But Philanax rested awhile vppon himselfe stricken with admiracion at the goodlie shape of Pyrocles whome before he had neuer seene and withall remembring besides others the notable acte he had done when with his courage and eloquence he had saued Basilius perchaunce the whole state from vtter ruyne he felte a kinde of relenting minde towardes him But when that same thought came waighted on with the remembraunce of his maisters death which he by all probabilities thought he had bene of Councell vnto with the Queene compassion turned to hatefull passion and lefte in Philanax a straunge medley betwixt pittie and reuenge betwixt lyking and abhorring O Lorde sayde hee to himselfe what wonders doth nature in our tyme to set wickednesse so beawtifully garnished and that which is straungest out of one spring to make wonderfull effectes both of vertue and vice to issue Pyrocles seeing him in such a muse neyther knowing the man nor the cause of his comming but assuring himselfe it was for no good yet thought best to begin with him in this sort Gentleman sayde hee what is the cause of your comming to my Lady Philocleas chamber is it to defende her from such violence as I might goe about to offer vnto her if it be so truly your comming is vayne for her owne vertue hath bene a sufficient resistaunce there needes no strength to be added to so inuiolate chastetie the excellencie of her mind makes her bodie impregnable Which for mine own part I had soone yelded to confesse with going out of this place where I found but little comfort being so disdainefully receiued had I not bene I know not by whom presently vpon my cōming hether so locked into this chamber that I could neuer escape hence where I was fettred in the most gilty shame that euer mā was seing what a paradise of vnspotted goodnes my filthy thoughts sought to defile If for that therfore you come alredy I assure you your arrāt is performed but if it be to bring me to any punishmēt whatsouer for hauing vndertaken so vnexcusable presumption Truly I beare such an accuser about me of mine own conscience that I willingly submit my selfe vnto it Only this much let me demaund of you that you will be a witnesse vnto the King what you heare me say oppose your selfe that neither his sodaine fury nor any other occasion may offer any hurt to this Lady in whome you see nature hath accomplished so much that I am faine to lay mine owne faultines as a foile of her purest excellency I can say no more but looke vppon her beawtie remember her bloud consider her yeares and iudge rightly of her vertues and I doubt not a gentlemans mind will then be a sufficient enstructer vnto you in this I may tearme it miserable chaunce happened vnto her by my vnbridled audacitie Philanax was content to heare him out not for any fauour he owed him but to see whether he would reueale any thing of the originall cause and purpose of the kings death But finding it so farre from that that he named Basilius vnto him as supposing him aliue thinking it rather cunning then ignorance Yong man said he whome I haue cause to hate before I haue meane to know you vse but a point of skill by confessing the manifest smaller fault to be beleeued hereafter in the deniall of the greater But for that matter all passeth to one end and hereafter we shal haue leisure by torments to seke the truth if the loue of truth it selfe will not bring you vnto it As for my Lady Philoclea if it so fall out as you say it shall be the more fit for her yeares comedy for the great house she is come of that an ill gouerned beawtie hath not cancelled the rules of vertue But howsoeuer it be it is not for you to teach an Arcadian what reuerent duty we owe to any of that progeny But said he come you with me without resistance for the one cannot auaile and the other may procure pitie Pitie said Pyrocles with a bitter smiling disdained with so currish an answere no no Arcadian I can quickly haue pitie of my selfe and I would think my life most miserable which should be a gift of thine Only I demaund this innocent Ladies securitie which vntill
him and you shall not want a childe A childe cried out Musidorus to him that killes Pyrocles with that againe he fell to intreate for Pyrocles and Pyrocles as fast for Musidorus each employing his wit how to shew himselfe most worthy to die to such an admiration of all the beholders that most of them examining the matter by their owne passions thought Euarchus as often extraordinarie excellencies not being rightly conceiued do rather offend then please an obstinate hearted man and such a one who being pittilesse his dominion must needes be insupportable But Euarchus that felt his owne miserie more then they and yet loued goodnesse more then himselfe with such a sad assured behauiour as Cato killed himselfe withall when he had heard the vttermost of that their speach tended vnto he commaunded againe they should be carried away rising vp from the seate which he would much rather haue wished should haue been his graue and looking who would take the charge whereto euerie one was exceeding backward But as this pittifull matter was entring into those that were next the Dukes bodie might heare from vnder the veluet wherewith he was couered a great voice of groning Whereat euerie man astonished and their spirites appalled with these former miseries apt to take anie strange conceite when they might perfitly perceiue the bodie stirre Then some beganne to feare spirits some to looke for a myracle most to imagine they knew not what But Philanax and Kerxenus whose eies honest loue though to diuerse parties held most attentiue leapt to the table and putting of the veluet couer might plainly discerne with as much wonder as gladnesse that the Duke liued For so it was that the drinke he had receiued was neither as Gynecia first imagined a loue potion nor as it was after thought a deadly poyson but a drinke made by notable Arte and as it was thought not without naturall magicke to procure for thirtie houres such a deadly sleepe as should oppresse all shew of life The cause of the making of this drinke had first been that a Princesse of Cyprus graundmother to Gynecia being notably learned and yet not able with al her learning to answere the obiections of Cupid did furiously loue a yoong noble man of her fathers Court. Who fearing the kinges rage and not once daring either to attempt or accept so high a place shee made that sleeping drinke and found meanes by a trustie seruaunt of hers who of purpose inuited him to his chamber to procure him that suspected no such thing to receiue it Which done he no way able to resist was secretly carried by him into a pleasant chamber in the midst of a garden she had of purpose prouided for this enterprise where that space of time pleasing her selfe with seeing and cherishing of him when the time came of â—â—e drinks end of working and he more astonished then if he had falne from the cloudes she bad him choose either then to marrie her and to promise to flie away with her in a bark she had made readie or else she would presently crie out and shewe in what place he was with othe hee was come thither to rauish her The noble man in these straightes her beautie preuailed he married her and escaped the Realme with her And after many strange aduentures were reconciled to the king her father after whose death they raigned But she gratefully remembring the seruice that drinke had done her preserued in a bottle made by singular Arte long to keepe it without perishing great quantitie of it with the foretold inscription which wrong interpreted by her daughter in law the Queene of Cyprus was giuen by her to Gynecia at the time of her marriage and the drinke finding an old body of Basilius had kept him some houres longer in the trance then it would haue done a yoonger But a good while it was before good Basilius could come again to himself in which time Euarchus more glad then of the whole worldes Monarchie to be rid of his miserable magistracie which euen in iustice he was now to surrender to the lawful Prince of that countrie came from the Throne vnto him and there with much adoe made him vnderstand how these intricate matters had fallen out Many garboiles passed through his fancie before he could be perswaded Cleofila was other then a woman At length remembring the Oracle which now indeede was accomplished not as before he had imagined considering all had fallen out by the highest prouidence and withall waying in all these matters his owne fault had been the greatest The first thing he did was with all honorable pompe to send for Gynecia who poore Ladie thought she was leading forth to her liuing buriall and when she came to recount before all the people the excellent vertue was in her which she had not onely maintained all her life most vnspotted but nowe was contented so miserably to die to follow her husband He told them how she had warned him to take heede of that drinke and so withall the exalâ—inges of her that might be he publikely desired her pardon for those errours he had committed And so kyssing her left her to receiue the most honourable fame of anie Princesse throughout the world all men thinking sauing onely Pyrocles and Philoclea who neuer bewraied her that she was the perfit mirrour of all wifely loue Which though in that point vndeserued she did in the remnant of her life daily purchase with obseruing al dutie faith to the example glorie of Greece So vncertain are mortall iudgments the same person most infamous and most famous and neither iustly Then with Princely entertainment to Euarchus and many kinde words to Pyrocles whom still he dearely loued though in a more vertuous kinde the marriage was concluded to the inestimable ioy of Euarchus towardes whom now Musidorus acknowledged his fault betwixt these peerelesse Princes and Princesses Philanax for his singular faith euer held deare of Basilius while he liued and no lesse of Musidorus who was to inherite that Dukedome and therein confirmed to him and his the second place of that Prouince with great increase of his liuing to maintain it which like proportion he vsed to Kaledulus in Thessalia Highly honouring Kalander while he liued and after his death continuing in the same measure to loue and aduannce this sonne Clitophon But as for Sympathus Pyrocles to whom his father in his owne time gaue the whole kingdome of Thrace held him alwaies about him giuing him in pure gift the great Citie of Abdera But the solemnities of these marriages with the Arcadian pastoralles full of many comicall aduentures hapning to those rurall louers the straunge stories of Artaxia and Plexirtus Erona and Plangus Helene and Amphialus with the wonderfull chaunces that befell them The shepheardish loues of Menalcas with Kalodulus daughter the poore hopes of the poore Philisides in the pursuite of his affections the strange continuance of Klaius and Strephons desire Lastly the sonne of Pyrocles named Pyrophilus and Melidora the faire daughter of Pamela by Musidorus who euen at their birth entred into admirable fortunes may awake some other spirite to exercise his penne in that wherewith mine is already dulled FINIS LONDON Printed for William Ponsonbie dwelling in Paules Church yard neere vnto the great north doore of Paules Anno Domini 1593.