his courtship of Palanice as he put Seleines Cercineas elder brother to abundance of pain This Seleines as you know was a very brave Cavelier none excelled him and few equall'd him in feats of Arms or any thing belonging to a Cavalier At Barriers and Tiltings he always got the advantage And as he had the esteem of every one so had he no ill opinion of himself yet curteous and full of respect to his friends but a little imperious in his affection and thought that he obliged a Lady if he loved her This Cavalier being brought up in the Court of King Gondebaut and being very young he cast his eyes upon Palanice Their houses being near adjoyning and she being oft in the Queens Court he had frequent opportunities of seeing her This affection grew so great by degrees that Sileines and Palanice also became both perfect Lovers yet because the Prince Sigismond who was about the same age fell in love at the same time with that Lady respect made them dissemble their loves and move Sileines to keep at a distance And though this at the first was more in appearance then in effect yet continuing in this dissimulation Sileines turned his eyes upon Dorisa and though he deny it yet it was generally thought that his jesting proved to be in earnest Palanice as young as she was consented unto this Artifice to remove from Prince Sigismond all cause of withdrawing that affection which he professed unto her and never resented the losses of Sileines as long as Sigismond continued loving her But it hapned a while after that this young Prince whose humour was not unalterable did for some cause or other withdraw his affection I believe said Hylas and interrupted that the occasion was not great for being then at Lions I heard as much The relation of it replyed Alcander is various but the most common report is that Palanice being with the Queen Prince Sigismonds mother as she was helping to dress her this young Prince came to her and took her fingers to play with them Palanice fearing left the Queen should see pull'd back her hand two or three times and because he continued still Sir said she I beseech you let me alone and because she pronounced these words somthing sharply he said unto her Would you indeed have me let you alone Then she answering in the same words and tone I promise you replyed she and blushed you shall never have occasion to bid me the third time and upon that he left her so as ever since he looked upon her only as a person indifferent The cause indeed of this separation was very trivial but it served to divorce this affection so as it never since knit again A while before Sileines making shew of love unto Dorisa a very fair and handsome Lady he became fettered in good earnest shewing by this experience that fictions in love are very dangerous for Love is but a play and by playing one may come to love in earnest Palanices vexing at the loss of Sigismond and being displeased at the diversion of Seleines made the way easie for Rosiliander who no sooner began to wooe then to win her and the more easily because she being weary of the Court and desirous to be far from the place where she found nothing but displeasures she entertained Rosiliander whose habitation was the most remote parts of the Sebusians But see whether Love be not a very child Sileines no sooner saw Palanice gone but he began to remember that heretofore he had loved her and grieved more for her absence then he cared for her presence Now began Letters and Messages to pass apace betwixt them and Love found more heat at a distance then near hand But it must needs be confessed that both of them did well deserve the pains they endured Love shewed himself just in punishing Inconstancy or rather the imprudency of these two Lovers by a two-years absence during which time there passed good correspondency betwixt them and they heard from each other very oft At last heaven which does ordinarily favour those that love and continue loving did deliver Palanice from the obligations of marriage by the death of Rosiliander She seeing her self now free and weary of the Sebusians she returned into her native air where she found Prince Sigismond married and though he was presently after a widdower yet no sparks of that old affection which once he extinguished were seen to revive But Seleines who expected her with extream impatience receaved her with abundance of contentment I make a brief relation of these things unto you Hylas that you may the better understand what a task Amilcar undertook when he addressed himself to serve Palanice since she was already engaged another way long before and that to a person of very rare and high accomplishments yet the observances of my brothers were such and he addressed with so much prudence and discretion that Seleines could not defend himself against apprehensions of jealousie a thing very common amongst lovers and such as have not a very full assurance of the good will of those they court At first Palanice seemed as if she were afraid to cast any eye of love upon him but afterwards whether it was that some friend had given her advice or whether she disgusted something in Selienes but so it was that she received the services of Amilcar very favourably making it appear that she gave such counsel unto Cercinea as she would not follow her self for she advised her to make Clorian jealous One day when Amilcar and Silienes both were with her at her house and neither of them for fear of each other durst talk a sillable of their affections they began to hint at it after such a manner as slaves do for fear of beating and fell into a discourse of slaves I wish said Sileines that I might as slaves are for fear of loving be marked under that notion by your fair hand Truly said she if you will I will satisfie your desire Then taking his hand shall I said she with the point of a needle set my mark upon your arm If you should said he I should not keep it long for it would wear out No no said she after she had begun to scratch it a little I will put a little ink upon it and it will continue long Sileines then consenting she began with the point of a needle to rase the skin by little and little but he impatient of so much pain could not any longer indure it Then Amilcar holding out his arm here Madam said he honour this arm with what mark you please and you shall see the pain shall not deprive me of that contentment Palanice who was not so familiar with my brother no no Amilcar said she I dare not do you so much harm and yet replied he you dare do it for Sileines 'T is true answered she but it is by way of revenge for he did me an injury long since and I
shall never see him again That time in which I saw him cast himself headlong into Lignon his head down his arms spread as if he were desirous to embrace that element which was more kind unto him then I was That time I say that Fatal time was it which taking him out of my sight did also take away all my hopes of his ever loving me again Do not ask me said she unto me whether or no it be impossible I should give you that contentment leave the care of that unto me and the thing perhaps will not be so difficult as you imagine only tell me whether or no you have any desire to see him for to tell you truly I am able to do it this very book which my Uncle gave me is it which will help me to shew you the Image of your so much loved Celadon In saying so she opened a book which she held in her hand wheae I saw a great number of figures and characters which were unknown to me so as when I cast my eyes upon it I knew not whether it was only a meer effect of my own imagination or really some kind of virtue contained in it but certain it is I found my self seized with an unaccustomed fear and my blood began to rise therefore it was a long time before I spoke a word which Leonide observing Astrea said she have a good heart and put on a strong resolution for this is the summ of all you do either love Celadon or you do not love him if you do love him commit your cause unto the god of love he is a puissant god and able to give good successe unto all our enterprizes if you do not love him then blot his very name out of your memory and save me the labour of shewing him unto you for I have no desire unto it further then as coaducing unto your contentment Ah fair Nymph answered I you touch upon the most sensible part of my soul Alas why do you make any doubt whether or no I do love the memory of Celadon if you have of late read the secrets of my life certainly Leonide you know that if you do find in me any repugnancy unto your motion it is not but that I have a most earnest desire of seeing Celadon again but it is because I am afraid I have not courage enough to observe all that you shall perhaps command me but if you will be pleased to tell me first what you would have me to do I shall prepare my spirit for it In that answered she I shall easily satisfie oou and tell you that in the first place you and I must retire our selves into some place within the wood where none can come to molest our armorous mistery O heavens said I and interrupted her I am certain this is impossible for me to do if you do put me to go alone with you unto the place where you will make your figures and characters and where perhaps you will use some black inchantment I am afraid my spirit will be troubled as well as the air which you perhaps will darken and the images which you present unto my eyes will be so affrighting that they will make me die before I can see poor Celadon Let that be the least of your fears said she unto me for what I shall do will not offend the air nor shall the Sun grow dark but on the contrary the flowers shall appear more beautiful and you shall see every thing smile at the pleasure which you will receive but you must be alone for it is to be feared that in the habit wherein Celadon will appear unto you he will be ashamed to be seen by any strang eye why sage Nimph said I unto her do you think the goast of Celadon will be offended at the presence of Alexis Leonide seeming as if she thought letter upon it I beleive replied she that the good will you have unto her will rather be pleasing unto Celadon then offensive and therfore I think though you should invite her unto this ceremony it will be no hindrance unto it well said I unto her so my Mistress be there I will go wheresoever you please nor shall I fear any thing as long as you will let me be in her Company Let us then see said Leonide whether she will consent unto it and afterwards we will go about the business Upon this I went unto her as you might observe I did I protest sister said Diana I did not observe it For as I believe it was at the same time when I was talking with Silvander right sister replied Astrea I saw Silvander then with you but to continue the discourse which I began I told you that I went unto Alexes who as you heard before was walking about the Room and looking upon some Pictures As soon as I came unto her Mistress said I unto her I come to aske your aduice and beseech your assistance in a business which much concern me Servant answered she you may command me any thing and you need not doubt but I shall do it with all my heart But I am afraid said I unto her that the prayer which I shall make unto you will not be pleasing because perhaps you will think that it does something contradict my duty unto you Noe said she for be certaine I shall take any thing in good part that proceeds from you will you promise me Mistress said I that it shall not displease you and that you will lend me a little of your courage to execute my design I doe promise answered she to give you not only my courage but my self also if it will any thing conduce unto your contentment Is is most essentially necessary said I unto her for Mistress be pleased to know That Leonide having read perhaps in my soul that there are yet some of those flames which Celadon kindled unextinguished and seeing that I am to go with you amongst the virgine Druides so for ever leave those places where the presence of my shepheards were so pleasing unto me she is resolved before my departure to give me the delight of once more seeing his Image I observed dear sister that as soon as ever Alexis heard my proposition she blush't and presently after those Roses in her cheecks vanishing she grew as pale as one upon whom the doom of death had passed but not being able to divine the reason I asked her from whence that alteration which I observed in her might proceed at the first she was extreamly put unto it for an answer but at last she said unto me I assure you servant the design of Leonide does exceedingly affright me and I cannot comprehend what invention she can use to satisfie your curiositie Oh Mistress said I unto her did you but know what things she has already tole me and how she can when she pleases panetrate into the most hiden secrets of a soul you would cease your wonder I was
Your sorrows replied she and smiled are doubtless to be condoled but I do not see which way I am any addition unto them or if I be I am sure it is very innocently That innocency said he is not enough to repair my loss which you have caused without some other cordial Doubtless their discourse had continued longer had they not been interrupted by the same accident which severed Cercinea and me And judge whether destiny did not drive us both unto this affection since the words by which we made the first overtures of our loves unto these Ladies were almost the very same although we did not consult together about it Now though these few words wrought no great effects yet they served at the least to open the eyes of Cercinea and Palanice and let them know that we were in love with them And upon the next opportunity of discourse with them we found not the difficulty so great to make them understand us It was not long before we had that opportunity for when the first dayes of mourning are past it is customary to return those visits which we received and you may well imagine that my brother and I were not very backward in paying such debts unto those fair ones with whom we might have what opportunity of speech we pleased Florice who accompanied us thither and observed that I had talked very long unto Cercinea when we were returned she took me aside and said unto me I forgot brother to advertise you when I shewed you Cercinea that you should have a special care of being surpised by her beauty for she is so engaged another way as I fear you will take abundance of pains for very small contentment O my dear sister answered I your councel comes too late for I am already so deeply engaged that there is no hopes of any retreat till death O Heavens brother cried she I pity you extremely and am very sorry that I was the cause of your seeing her for there is not a beauty in all the countrey more likely to make one in love then she You must know that Clorian brother unto Palanice does so possess her as I believe none whomsoever can divert her from him Sister said I unto her you astonish me extremely in telling me she is so engaged unto a man perhaps answered she I do not mean as you do when I say that she is engaged unto Clorian my meaning is that he being brother unto Palanice and Palanice the most intimate friend of Cercinea and besides the husband which Palanice had for you must know she was married being uncle unto Cercinea and as long as he lived she was alwayes with his wife these considerations hath caused Cercinea to honour her as much as if her husband was living so as Palanice has a great command over her and she loving her brother Clorian extremely well she gives him such access unto Cercinea and has such a hand over her that she dare hardly turn her eye without her leave Not that I will say she loves him or that any thing has passed between them that is unhandsome for she is esteemed to be a very virtuous and discreet Lady But certain it is that she being without father or mother she suffers the sister of Clorian to have so much authority over her as it is not credible any else can be entertain'd If it be so said I that Clorian loves her and that Palanice has all the power why is not the marriage compleated very many answered she who are ignorant of the cause and yet see their affections have asked the same question but in answer to it you must know that Cercinea has two brothers the one of which is extremely in love with Palanice and because he loves him not and to colour it pretends she will not marry again he is resolved that Cercinea shall never marry Clorian unless Palanice take him for her husband and Palanice being obstinate is the cause why Clorians contentment is retarded This sister replied I is the best news you could tel me for certainly if I had no hopes of Cercinea there was no hopes in my life But Sister if you love me let me be acquainted with the Brother of Cercinea that I may if it be possible gain him Brother answered she and smiled I would acquaint you with another secret if I durst and which perhaps may be more advantagious to you Dear Sister said I unto her I conjure you as you love my life conceal nothing that may advantage me in this business for heavens sake out with it since nothing ought to be hidden betwixt us Florice smiled since you desire it so seriously said she I will tell it unto you but Brother upon condition you receive this testimony of my affection to you as the greatest that I can do you Know then that Cercinea has two brothers the elder is called Selenes and the younger Lucindor The elder as I told you is desperately in love with Palanice and Luciâ—dor at this word she stopped and smiled and Lucindor said I is in love with Palanice too Nay nay replyed she and smiled it is not so and then laying her hand upon her eyes which made her more confident to speak she said and Lucindor says he loves me though I do not believe him but I dare boldly say that at my entreaty he will do you the best service he can for I am confident he will not deny me any thing I ask Oh dearest Sister said I and took her hand my life and my death is in your hands and if you do not help me in this condition which you your self have caused you are the most merciless Sister that ever was Oh Heavens Alcander said she unto me what a task do you put upon me And what will Lucindor say of me Do you not consider how I shall engage my self unto him Sister said I very seriously I beseech you hear me and mistake me not but be assured that if my affection to Cercinea were not qualified with all the conditions of a vertuous Love I would rather die then employ you in it I do love her with intention to marry her not abuse her And as for Lucindor he being the Brother of Cercinea I will think him to be a man of merit and if he be why may he not marry you Your young years will not let you continue long in a widowed habit and for my part I will never advise you should Oh Brother replyed she talk no more of that I beseech you for Theombres is yet too fresh in my memory to entertain any such thoughts Oh the grossest piece of folly that ever was replyed I Do not I know that you married him only out of obedience to my Father and yours And what great affection could you therefore have unto him Ah Alcander answered she and smiled you are very pleasantly disposed why might not I conceive affection unto Theombres in three moneths space as well
unto him The truth is Sir you have to do with stronger enemies then ever you imagined to meet with Is it not a miracle that a Princess whom we thought destitute of all humane assistance should in so short a time have her Town so full of valiant men as it is impossible to take it without the favour of some Forrain help Ah Ligonias said Polemas 'T is true indeed I have very potent enemies but those whom I most fear are the Gods and Galathea I am not so well read in the book of Fate answered Ligonias as to know what destiny the Gods have ordained you but the very truth is Galathea has no great cause to love you for can you think to oblige her by doing the very same things that are proper to make a mortal enemy Does slaves use to hold their Lords in captivity Why you do kill her people strike at her and are as careless in observing her Laws as any Satyre I must confess and I beseech you pardon the freedom of my language that this designe has too geat a tincture of tyrannie and your cause having no pillars of Justice to underprop it you had need be very careful that it fall not upon your head and ruine you Upon this Ligonias held his peace and Polemas spoke I should think said he that I have greatly offended the Gods if the greatest of them all had not connfessed me to use these violences against Amasis Love is the only Author of all these disorders and since a god cannot sin the actions which he hath done in me cannot without blasphemy be called crimes and therefore I hope they will regard my passion and pity my sufferings for Galathea since certainly they would never adorn her with so many perfections unlesse they had desired she should be adored As concerning the strength of Amasis I have resolved upon your departure tomorrow with Alerantes to conjure and solicite Gondebaut about hasting away those Auxiliaries which he hath promised for if they come in time it is impossible she should resist us perhaps we shall do something in the mean time for if my designe with Meronthes hit handsomly doubtless before your return I shall be master of the place and of Galathea also Nothing goes so near my heart as the taking of Peledontes and certainly it had been better if he had been less valiant and more prudent for he was much to blame in fighting with the enemy when I sent him only to discover especially having not above thirty or fourty horse and the enemy doubtless six times the number Perhaps said Ligonias he was constrained to fight and being dark may be he went nearer then he determined and was first assaulted so as he cou'd do no lesse then defend himself Well replied Polemas I will think upon his deliverance in the interim make your self ready for I go presently about your dispatch upon this Polemas went into his closet and began to write In the mean time Amasis was in her chamber with Godomar Damon Alcidon and almost all the Nymphs and Ladies that were then in Marcelles and because it was yet too soon to go to bed the Nymph commanded Silvia to relate the particulars of her imprisonment and how she liked the entertainment of Polemas The young Nymphs interceded to excuse her because they thought she could not make a right relation without interweaving the causes of her complaint against Ligdamon But being obliged to obey the command of Amasis and solicited by Godomar she made a relation of it unto them yet with so much discretion as she did not at all touch upon her relation to Ligdamon but that Cavalier by chance coming in to do his reverence unto her for he had not yet seen her since the recovery of her liberty she changed colour two or three times and afterwards retired her self into another room none taking any notice of her but Leonide for the eyes of all the company were wholly upon Ligdamon whose handsome grace and becoming carriage did wheresoever he came beget esteem and admiration At last Amasis intending to present him her self unto Silvia she rose up and took the Cavalier by the hand but when she turned about to look for Silvia and saw her not she was extreamly astonished the turning to Leonide what have you done with your companion said she and smiled have you imprisoned her again I do not think Madam answered Leonide that she is far from hence go then replied Amasis and command her from me to return Leonide went into the next chamber where finding Silvia sitting in a sad and serious study how now said she unto her does your heart fail you Truly answered she and blushed for anger my heart is vexed to see Ligdamon live after so many testimonies of his infidelity There is something said Leonide which I do not understand but since my Lady asks for you let us go in and in the mean time consider that you ought not to condemn before you hear I hear replied Silvia ah sister I will never neither see nor hear him again by my good will and I beseech Amasis to pardon me if I do not obey her command as long as he is in the room for I cannot endure the very sight of the Traytor Leonide knowing that she had a spirit that was not easily bended did not importune her any longer but returned into the chamber and told Amasis in a low voice that Ligdamon could not hear how angry her companion was at which Amasis knowing how much Silvia was obliged unto that Cavalier she could not chuse but wonder yet not being willing to enquire any further then well said she I will for this time content her melancholy humour Madam said Ligdamon perhaps Leonide has failed in her commission or else may be she is troubled at something in which I may satisfie her I beseech you give me leave to go and see what it is It may be said Amasis she may receive a remedy from him that hurt her hurt her replied Ligdamon what hurt have I done unto Silvia unlesse you give that phrase unto the love I bear unto her I know not answered Leonide but I am most certain that your presence at this time cannot cure her Ligdamon being astonished at this alteration in Silvia and a little offended at her action if this be an effect of my absence I will suffer it as long as her cruelty is pleased to appoint and to begin my submission to her will she shall not now be offended at the sight of him whom she cannot endure upon this he retired but being impatient to know the cause of Silvias discontent he turned back again and finding the door of the closet which belonged to the chamber open he got as near as he could behind the hangings supposing they would be talking of his affairs And indeed Amasis sending again for Silvia she entred and being importuned by Godomar to tell the cause of that hatred which
vanish and Palemon wakening took notice that day began to dawn At the first he durst not speak for fear of disturbing me which I perceiving I seemed to awake also and therefore be casting his eyes upon me though he could not perfectly see me he told me that I was very restlesse all the night long to which I answered that indeed the night was not very delightfull unto me but that it had enabled me to continue on our intended design In saying so I got up and Palemon doing the like we wakned Halladine and departed before the sun was up This fit of a feavour which I had besides my natural complexion which was never good did make me look so pale and meager that Palemon could not chuse but tell me that it was my best course to return and that our journey being long I was never able to go through with it since I found my self so ill the first day but I who desired no better Fate then to die by the way did so contend with him that he was forced to yield unto my desires of going forward and so we came to Lions unto which we were no sooner come but Palemon knowing that it could not be a single fit of a feavour that could cause in me such a profound melancholly he took me aside in a chamber and sitting both down upon a bed he used this discourse which I shall relate unto you that I may not omit the least circumstance relating unto the interest of Doris and me and so he began it thus Dear Adrastes said he unto me I beseech you pardon me if I be so inquisitive as to ask you what the cause is which makes you so extreamly melancholly and sad I know very well that you are something indisposed and that travel may something trouble you but I cannot believe it possible all this can cause you to be of so sullen a temper If any memory of the last sad accident which hapned unto you be the cause of it and if that thought do nourish a sorrow in it for not being alwayes in your perfect senses I beseech you consider that such a sorrow ought not to trouble your mind by reason of your joyes at your perfect recovery besides that were to grumble at the will of heaven which was pleased to deprive you of your reason only for a time to render you afterwards a more eminent measure of it I heartily beseech you my dearest Adrastes to tell me what it is which troubles you I do conjure you unto it by the torments which I suffer to see you so sadly afflicted by the affection which I bear unto you and which I desire you should bear unto me I beseech you do not hide the cause of it from me and to believe that if it do lie within the compasse of my power to apply any remedy unto it I will not spare my own contentment or my life to procure it This was the first discourse that Palemon and I had of it unto which I answered in these terms It does grieve me extreamly my dear Palemon to see that my malady is so contageous and that my sorrows should be any cause of yours I wish for your own contentment that you had lesse compassion of me and wish for my own sake that I were lesse sensible then I am but since you your self do confesse it extream imprudence to grumble at the will and pleasure of heaven I think that you are no lesse to blame in taking so much pains to know my disease then I should be did I hope ever to be cured of it Therefore dear Palemon I do most heartily beseech and conjure you even by that which you love best to cease all this improfitable care which you take for my preservation and not to mingle my bitter sorrows with those contentments which heaven does give you I spoke this with such an accent that Palemon was moved to drop some tears in fine embracing me my dear Adrastes said he unto me why will you still offer to conceal that which pale looks do force you to tell me if it be because you know me unable to remedy your misery do not discover it unto me as unto a Physician from whom you expect some remedies but tell them unto me as unto a friend who will be ready to lessen your pain by partaking of it with you I answered that the argument which he used to induce me unto it was the only thing which restrained me since I loved his contentment so much as I would never consent that the relation of my miseries should ever make him a sharer in them But in conclusion Palemon was fully resolved to know the cause of my affliction or else never to let me rest in quietnesse Adrastes said he unto me or rather my brother for I will never suffer you to call me otherwise I do once more conjure you even by my affection and by the love that you hear unto Doris to ease my mind of that impatiency which is caused by your silent reservednesse and to believe that if any man living can give you any comfort in your misery I will rather die then suffer any other but my self to do you that good office I must needs confesse Father that at the name of Doris all my blood did rise and now thinking it a crime against her not to satisfie the desires of Palemon being conjured unto it by her name Dear Palemon replied I you have such a commanding influence over me that you may obtain any thing in my power and you not use any other asseverations by your command and therefore I will no longer defer the satisfaction of your desires for I know that it were a crime punishable to oppose whatsoever you desire Let me tell you therefore in the first place that I do most gladly accept of that alliance which you offer unto me and next I do most ingeniously confesse that the very same thing by which you have conjured me to discover my grief unto you is the only thing which is the cause of my griefs Do not wonder dear brother to hear me say that though I do love Doris yet I love Palemon too and that though my affection unto her be never so great yet it is not able to make me forget those respects which I do ow unto you I would it had pleased God continued I that the first day my eye ever saw her had been the last of my life as it was of all my happinesse and tranquillity then should I have avoided a thousand deaths by suffering one and should not as now I do be forced to nourish a flame which burns but does not consume me Believe it Palemon the arrow that first wounded me was shot from the fair eyes of Doris but it was shot by the hand of a God which did communicate part of his own Nature into it and made my wound immortal and therefore it is that though I do despair of
therefore as she went thither she looked about her very circumspectly on all sides to see whither she could spy him and seeing nothing of him she came in the midst of the night unto the same place where she had lodged him a little before at the first standing still at the mouth of the cave she listned with her ear to hear whether or no he was a sleep with she was no sooner assured off but recommending her self unto love and to the god of sleep and dreames she began to name Tircis three times at that name the shepherd half wakned and fetching a deep sigh he turned towards Laonice who began to hope well in her design Know Tircis continued she in the same tone that I do come from the gods to command thee that thou cease thy unjust hatred against the beauty of Laonice her love ought to be the sole object of all thy desires upon paine to incur the wrath and anger of that diety who commands it and that thou mayest more clearly know that this is the will of the supream powers be assured that to morrow thou shalt find this shepherdess near unto this place so disposed to pardon all thy rigours as thou oughtest to repent of them Faile not therefore to comply with her never fear offending Cleon since it is she her self who brings this command unto thee Upon this Laonice retired and Tircis who at the name of Cleon began to open his eyes he had so much time only as to see her vanish For at that instant the Moon shined so clear into his Cell that the shepherd not being able to endure the light was constrained to turn the other way He had confusedly heard what Laonice said and retained the sence in his memory but as if he were not well wakned he fell a sleep again after he had sighingly pronounced the name of Cleon twice Which Laonice distinctly heard for she had no sooner retired her self out of the Cell but she listned with her ear at the mouth of the Cave to hear what Tircis said Being certain then that she was heard she retired her self to her own Cell and rested her self as well as she could untill it was day Tircis on the other side he got up very early and having nothing more present in his thoughts then the love he preserved for the ashes of Cleon it was not long before he fell to muse upon the passage in the night time at the first he fancied it only a dream But then remembring what he had heard he made not doubt but that was a Vision Also never thinking upon any such fallacy as was put upon him but infallibly beleiving that it was the ghost of Cleon which he saw But dearest ghost said he with teares in his eyes is it possible thou shouldst be so soon weary of my sighes and teares is that inviolable passion I have entertained with such holy purity become so far troublesome as to displease and anger thee If in that felicity which thou dost enjoy and whereof this great splendour which waits upon thee even in the horrours of night is a most undeniable proof unto me If I say in that happy estate it does grieve thee to see that I can give but poor and weak testimonies of my love Consider I beseech thee dearest Ghost that in this the effects are far different from their cause and these poor testimonies of my affection do perish almost in their conceptions yet my love which produceth them will last to all eternity Upon this he was silent for a while and afterwards beginning again But Cleon continued he who is pleased to put thee upon things the most difficult does command thee to love Laonice knowing well thou mightest as well attempt an impossibility If thou dost disobey her though it be the first fault thou didst ever commit against her it is a crime no lesse punishable then if it were committed against a Diety And if thou dost obey her who will dispence with thee for all the vowes and oathes which thou hast so often sworn never to have any inclination unto any but only her Doubtless she her self said he for as she had so much power to make me swear them so has she the power to make me break them after such an absolute command Ah dearest Cleon said he and reprehended himself how intollerable is this last rigour which thou dost inflict upon me It were far more just to command me to die then to live with Laonice Upon this he went out of his cave not to go and seek for this Shepherdesse but only to divert himself and to see which way he should dispose of himself to do as he thought Cleon had commanded him But as it was impossible that now Laonice should have no room in his thoughts there was not one testimony of love which ever she had given him but it came into his remembrance And this wrought more effect upon his soul when he considered that she continued her love notwithstanding all his hatred and disdain After this she being very fair the remembrance of the features in her face seemed to inspire him with pity and as often as he thought upon those cruelties wherewith he requited her affection he was moved unto a kind of repentance the only thing which did most of all retain his anger was the memory of that revenge which she took upon Silvander and Phillis thinking such premeditated wickedness and carryed with so much art did argue a trayterous and malitious spirit But as if he would not condemn her without a hearing yet said he to himself revenge is sweet in what mind soever it be and how is it possible a weak woman should defend her self against it since the greatest persons which our Histories mention found more ado to resist the motions of this passion then to conquer Kingdomes It were unreasonable to think that Laonice had not her imperfections as well as other mortals and perhaps this was it which made Hylas say lately unto me that were he at leasure he would make me confess that Shepherdess was not so much to blame as I imagined Doubtless he would have told me that her resentment was advantageous to me and that I was obliged to her since she had made it appear that in losing me she had lost the only thing that could force her to commit a treason He would have represented unto me that she had imitated those desperate persons who not knowing how to regain that which death or Fortune had taken from them they would be revenged upon the gods and break down those Statues which before they had erected unto their honour With such or such like discourse as this Tircis entertained himself Sometimes condemning the subtilties of Laonice and otherwhiles excusing them and sometimes condemning himself for being the principal Authour of the evil which she had done but as soon as ever Cleon came into his thoughts the memory of her transported him and kept
unto him take heed of the fury of a King Dearest answered he we will use all the prudence that we can but the very truth is I value not any misery that can full out so Dorinde be not comprised in it Upon this without stay for any answer he went away to enquire what news of the King who in the mean time was in close counsel with that arch Traytor Ardilan for as soon as ever Sigismonds intelligencer was gone the King turning about and seeing Ardilan still there How now said he unto him are not you gone yet whither I commanded you Sir answered be I stay to know whether you will please to command me any thing else No no replied he but go immediately and execute my Will Ardilan then drawing neerer him But Sir said he unto him If the Prince should ask me the reason why you send him this command what shall I say Tell him replied Gondebaut It is for his dis-respect of me in the business concerning Dorinde and to stop his mouth if he offer to deny it take that paper that lies upon the Table shew it him Sir said Ardilan and took the paper I know what answer he will make and if you please I will tell you What answer can he make said the King but only confess his fault or tell a lye No Sir replied Ardilan not lye neither for he will say that he never knew of your love to Dorinde if he had that he would never have offered it And truly Sir it is impossible he should for the matter has been carried so close that I believe none in the world knows it but only You Dorinde Dariana and I and since it is so me-thinks his crime not so great as at the first you thought it What then said the King would you have me to do Upon this he began to walk again but a little more calmly then at the first Ardilan seeing the Kings anger begin to cool Sir said he unto him and smiled I could never have believed that great Kings could ever have loved so perfectly as I see you do I am confident you are not a little sensible of it for I see a little blow makes a great wound in you else you would never let a poor silly paper of verses which perhaps were writ without designe only to pass away the time to put you into such a strange disorder Pardon me Sir if I say you were a little too hasty Well well said the King but Ardilan you have no reason to blame me for a fault which you are guilty of your self for was it not you that told me first Sigismond loved Dorinde and that this was the only reason of her rejecting me True Sir said Ardilan I did say so but it was only out of opinion and I must confess had I thought it would have thus offended you I should not have acquainted you with it till I was better informed for Sir see into what a strange confusion you are ready to bring every thing for to ruine all your hopes in the main business Secondly to blast the honour of Dorinde and all her Family Thirdly To scandal the house of the Princess Clotilda And lastly To ruine your own Son But now I hope your goodness and prudence which hath furmounted the fury of this violent passion will denote this day to be the happiest of all your Raigne for on it you have obtained the greatest victory that ever youd id in all your life for you have overcome your self Ardilan continued on his flatteries and as we understood by Sigismonds Intelligencer at last concluded thus Now Sir this is my opinion upon the whole matter If you should advertise the Prince of his affection unto Dorinde and desire him for your sake to retire himself from that affection and keep the matter secret if he after this overture should still continue then had you just cause to complain against him for his small respect of you But however you have no cause nor colour of a cause to blame Dorinde before you know whether she loves him or no for Lovers do often convey such papers unto their Mistrisses and they not know from whence they came I should advise therefore that Clotilda forbid her from you from having any more talk with him or receiving any more presents from him after this they are both without excuse if they continue This was the advice of Ardilan who added still more expressions by way of explanation and the King who had a great confidence in him after some consideration did approve of it and thereupon commanded him to go presently and put what he had proposed in execution which he did with more alacrity then he should the first commands He went therefore first to the Princess unto whom he made known the opinion which the King had of Sigismonds address unto Dorinde and to shew her upon what grounds it was he shewed her those verses which Dariana lost at which the Princess was much amazed yet like a wise and prudent Princess she answered That perhaps those verses were composed without any designe but however she would obey the Kings commands As fortune was Sigismond was not then in the Town being gone after dinner to hunt towards the Forrest of Eriâ—u and at his return it was always his custom to alight from his horse at Clotildas house And because it was very late before he did return Ardilan could not speak with him that night In the mean time Clotilda who loved the Prince no less then he did her as soon as Supper was done she took him aside and acquainted him with the Kings message by Ardilan Then Brother said she and smiled I should be angry with yuu if I thought you had thus deceived me Sister answered he very faintly you have very much obliged me in this but be pleased to let me answer unto this in the presence of Dorinde her self Clotilda who had an opinion that he would clear all doubts did presently call me and drawing us as far off as she could from the rest that were in the chamber The Prince began thus in as low a voice as he could left any should hear Sister said he I had no mind to answer unto your question but in the presence of her who is most interessed in it to the end the answer which I shall make may be sooner credited and she exempted from all suspition of dissimulation You are let understand that the King knows I love Dorinde and that she entertains my affection and thereupon will have you to forbid this fair one not only from entertaining my love but also that I must never speak unto her and that the ground of all this is some Verses which I writ and which Dariana lost I think this is all the message which the King did send unto you upon which you have grounded your question to wit whether it be true that we do love each other or no Unto this I can return no
those frights which you were in Sir answered she I am now in the protection of such persons as have power to banish all fears but I must needs confess that never woman so affrighted as I was when a souldier seized upon me in Florices Cabin And had you seen us you would have said there was a wolf was seizing upon a lambe and how said the Prince did you escape out of his hands Alâ—xis answered she the daughter of wife Adamas who was in that place gave him such a blow with her fist upon his temples as so astonished him that he was forced to let me go but I believe if you had seen me running in the fields and a great number of men following after me you would have said that fear had fixâ—d wings unto my feet and yet for all that but for Bellimartes Merindor and Periander they had carried me away for one of them had seized upon me but those Cavalieâ—s taught them what it was to injure a woman I wish that I had been there replied the Prince for if I had I promise you not one of them should have escaped with his life Sir said she had you seen them run away I believe you would have pittied them for I who had most reason to be offended with them I protest I had compassion upon them when I was told what haste they made to return unto the place from whence they came why said Amasis did you not see him when they fled I Madam answered she I was so affrighted that I ran and hid my self in the closest corner of the Cabin and crowded my self into as lettle room as ever I could But Sir I beseech you consider the malice of my fortune who in denying me the honour of your enterprise would afflict me so for as to give me my deliverance from them that next Ardilan I hated the most of any men in the world and to oblige me the more unto them the one of them was killed another lost a brother and the third a Cosen germane I swear I was so sensible of this displeasure that I hardly resented any contentment in my deliverance By this replied the Prince and smiled heaven shews us that hatred ought not to be perpetual nor obligation forgotten O Sir replyed she be pleased to know that I had good cause to hate those unto whom I am now in spite of my teeth obliged At this Alcidon began to speak In this Madam said he you shew the nature and humour of all Fair ones for I never yet saw one of your beauty that did not always prefer offences before services and which is worst of all those offences are commonly imaginary yet have as much force in them as if they were real I cannot tell Sir answered she of what nature and humour fair ones are but only by hear-say but I have had sufficient experience of the nature and humour of men out of whom hitherto I never yet found but one who did not deceive her unto whom they promised fidelity I would gladly know said the Prince and smiled who that Phaenix of Lovers is It is Hylas Sir answered she Hylas said Madonthe why he is the most inconstant Lover that ever was So he is said Dorinde and therefore I think him the least Deceiver for he will say freely and ingeniously that he will change as soon as he finds another that will please him better and in doing so he deceives no body whereas others will swear and promise the contrary yet afterwards do as he doth I beseech you said Godomar in what rank do you hold the Prince Sigismond I assure you Sir answered she that upon a sudden I am much put to it for an answer yet I will tell you that till I had the honour to see you I placed him in the rank with other men But Fair one replyed Godomar what do you now Now Sir said she I have heard you speak highly in his behalf But Sir I consider that you are his Brother and perhaps are partial in your relations You are very incredulous answered the Prince if you believe neither words nor deeds I will believe said she whatsoever you pleese but I am afraid to be deceived again by any man That shall never be by Godomar replyed he for if I should I should too much injure the affection which my Brother bear unto you At the same time Periander and all his company whom Clindor had carried with him returned and came into the great chamber and because ' Dorinde was desirous to break off discourse with the Prince Sir said she unto him if you do not know Hylas cast your eye upon that plain Shepherd whose hair is a little inclinable to red and you may see the man that of all Lovers living is the least dissembler Upon this Godomar and all those that heard Dorinde say so did cast their eyes upon Hylas who seeing so many look upon him did think that somthing was amiss about his clothes and therefore began to look on himself round about But Daphnide who observed him No no Hylas said she unto him they do not look at any thing in your habit but at somthing in your soul My soul said he then they must have more piercing eyes then ever Lyâ—x had if they see it I believe it so said Dorinde to see the inside of any other but Hyla Hylas replyed he is the son of a woman Then Shepherd said Godomar if you delight in changing you have some to resemble Sir said Hylas I leave the Ladies to draw the conclusion which you intimate But Hylas said Dorinde I hope you will confess with me that there are more men persidious unto women then there are women perfidious unto men For there is not one woman which does not complain against some infidelity or other but I never find any man that complains he hath been deceived Your argument Madam is very naught replyed Hylas for if men do not complain against your infidelities it is because they are ashamed to complain against a thing so common and ordinary Godomar began to laugh and so did Amasis at this merry answer of Hylas and interrupting Dorinde who was about to answer me thinks said he unto her this Shepherd has in a few words very well defended our cause She would have replyed When Amasis and the Prince did rise from the Table so as this discourse was referred until another time But Godomar drawing to Dorinde Believe it fair one said he unto her in a low voice the Prince my Brother loves you above his life and when I have leisure to talk with you or you know what message he hath sent you by me you will confess that he deserves to be ranked in the number of those who do most perfectly love and because he turned suddenly towards Amasis he gave her not so much time as to answer him yet she blushed not being able to hear this news without much resentment and turning
perform all my commands as to be out of that place where he had received so sad a loss Now you must know that this Amerina and this Lideas were of them of the best Families amongst all the Neustrians and exceedingly beloved and allied so as the noise of this accident was presently spread through all Rothomagues and the Temple was so full of people that one could hardly stir in it for it was an accident of such admiration as moved every one to come and see us They had laid us upon the ground one by another and cast a cloth over our faces whilst all about us wept some for love some for pity and many for company They were ready to carry us into a Vault where the Ancestors of Amerina and Lideas were entombed when a Physitian came thrusting through the croud and addressed himself unto one that stood by us Friend said he in a loud voice is this Lidies who lies under that cloth The same answered the man By what accident did he die asked the Physitian Alas answered he both he and this woman who lies by him did voluntarily poyson themselves No no said the Physitian they are not dead let some water and vinegar be fetched and by the help of Tautates I shall recover them Many were ready to run for these remedies and when they were brought the Physitian rubbed our Temples with Vinegar and put some into our Noses and afterwards threw water into our faces This did awake us presently as out of a deep sleep but so astonished that we knew not where we were the candles about us for it was grown night and the admiration of all the people who came to see us that for half an hour together we still seemed to be out of our wits At last we were carried to our Lodgings where we understood from the Physitian that it was he from whom I had the potion and because he feared I intended some hurt in lieu of poyson he gave this Dormative for which he was much commended by all that heard him But though this composition was not mortal yet it made us very ill many days and Anderina worse then I being of a weaker constitution This sickness was a great contentment unto me for it gave me time to think what I should do Amerinas kinred were all extreamly offended that I should rather chuse death then living with their Cosin conceiving that this disdain could proceed from no other cause but from an ill opinion which I had of Amerina so as addressing themselves unto her they asked her what occasion she had given me to hate her so extreamly And told her that our Qualities were equal that she had given me my life and that formerly I loved her so very passionately as they could not imagine that this alteration in me proceeded from some fault which I had discovered in her and that it could be no less then the loss of her honour if it were so and that if they came to know of it let her expect no less then severe punishment for being a stain unto a Family so noble They added many other menaces unto which Amerina answered rather with tears then words yet excused her self from all those imputations as well as she could and assured her self that her innocence would defend her against all calumny so as the next morning she came unto me and acquainted me with all these reproaches of her kinred By fortune my thoughts were at that time upon Silvia and grieving at her absense I spoke so loud that when she came to the door she heard me complain of my absense from her and name Silvia several times Amerina had so much patience as to hearken and durst hardly breath for fear of being perceived so desirous was she to know the cause of that alteration which she thought to be in me And when she heard me lament the absense of a Lady and name Silvia she presently conceived that some new affection had blasted mine unto her and being more offended at this then at all the reproaches of her kinred she violently pushed open the door and entred into the chamber so troubled that she could hardly bid me good morrow and yet civility rather then any good will invited her unto it and to reply thus never staying for the return of her salute Why said she should I salute a person who is the cause of so much sadness to my soul Cruel Lidias if there be any spark of that name remaining in me as when thou didst once love me Is it possible thy inconstant humour should thus separate thee from me as to deprive thee both of judgement and reason Hast thou thus forgot all thy oaths and vows of fidelity Dost thou not consider how thou art obliged unto me for thy life Can thy new taken-up affection unto Silvia thus blind thy eyes But tell me most insensible mad man for that 's the name best suits with thy nature why shouldst thou not marry me since thou canst not live without me Must I refer thee again to the claws of Lyons from whence I have once rescued thee Dost think thy valour can keep thee always alive Oh Lidias didst thou know how many there are and how fierce and cruel the very thought would make thee tremble they will pull thee in a thousand pieces thy heart and thy intrals will be viewed by all the spectators oh Lidias What a most horrid and gastly sight will this be and how impossible is it to avoid it Canst thou think fortune will alwaies fight for thee Oh Lidias Do not deceive thy self Consider that she is a woman and that thou wert always wont to say that inconstancy is a quality inseparably incident unto our sex and though she be a goddess yet is she subject unto that imperfection Alas Lidias dost thou not know that as a goddess she is just and since so she will most infallibly punish thy injustice O heaven defend my dearest Lidias from such misfortunes at least to favour me so far as to take me first out of the world that I may never see it upon these words she broke into a flood of tears and with much ado uttered these words However cruel man though thou wilt not take me to be thy wife yet seem as if thou didst to save thy life afterwards do with me what thou wilt have some pity upon thy own self and assure thy self thy approaching torment does more trouble me then does thy scorn and I shall endure that better then thy death She uttered these words with so many sighs and tears that I understood her better by her meaning then by them At last when she was silent I answered her Fair and mistaken Amerina said I all those horrid torments of which you have spoken can never make me break that faith which I have promised I will not now mention that gross errour wherein you are for I see it is to no purpose I have said so much
Ligdamon at that time did testifie that the man escaped and though they saw him when he went away yet they had so many other prisoners in their hands that they could not follow him O most omnipotent Tautates cried out the stranger lifting up his eyes to heaven and would have done so his hands had they not been tyed is it possible I should be so happy and that my despair should help that person to escape Certainly said all the company we saw him out of the ditch I am very glad on 't said Ligdamon But to see the strange effects of inward joy one might perceive the eyes and the countenance of this man so to change that he seemed not the same he was a minute before and addressing his speech unto Ligdamon Cavalier said he unto him with a mild and temperate voice in giving life unto one you have given it unto two for if she of whom I complained had died nothing could have kept me alive I say she for you must know that though you saw her in the habit of a man yet she is the most generous and brave woman that ever was upon the earth and that you may see what cause I had to love and admire her give me leave to relate the history of all my troubles Ligdamon who saw him much changed and his speech more moderate and discreet he had an opinion that this news had settled his mind and pittying to hear him talk so tyed Stranger said he unto him I should be very glad to hear you but am sorry to see you in that condition and yet I dare not suffer you to be untyed lest you should do some act of inhumanity against your self No no Sir answered he your courtesie has more obliged me then so and the assurance of so many persons that she is alive whom I so much lamented does command me to live that I may serve both you and her Upon this assurance said Ligdamon I will command you shall be untyed you shall go with me to my lodging where you shall find better accomodation then in this place This unask'd for favour said the stranger obliges me to pass my word never to forsake you until you dismiss me and to tell you that being neither any Officer nor Souldier unto your enemies nor having passed any promise to serve them I would never whilst I live bear arms against you nor ever go into your enemies army but with a sword in my hand to fight your quarrel were it not that she for whose sake I am your prisoner is in their Camp and I cannot dispose of my self until I have found her Upon this the corporal untyed him and he went with Ligdamon unto his lodging where he was put into good clothes for his own were plundered from him by those who took him and those which remained upon him he had torn to pieces in his rage afterwards Ligdamon causing him to sit down and they two being alone in the chamber he began thus The sequel of the History of LIPANDAS THose who never knew the Grandure and Puissance of that god which is called Love ought to learn by my example how to honour and reverence him unless they will incur the same punishments which I have for abusing those who did adore him and for not doing so great reverence unto that great Deity as is due for know Sir that as soon as I left my Nurse I began so much to despise love and all that followed him that to tell me one was a lover was enough to make me scorn him when at any time I chanced to hear of any extraordinary effect of that passion I used by way of mockery to say that they changed the name of things and that this which they called love was indeed madness and so ought to be called When I was at any meetings where I saw many idolizing a fair face and were so tyed by the eyes that they could not move out of the presence of those fair ones I was wont to say that the men did but mock the women and the women the men when some would needs prove that he was forced to a beauty and that her charms were inevitable I presently concluded him to be only a Sophister that to shew his wit would argue for or against any argument that was propounded Nay more then al this from my very infancy to the Autumn of my age I could never find in any of those who were cryed up for such high beauties any thing more amiable then in other women So as I may say that as there are some who are born blind others deaf others without a taste or at least a taste different from others so was I born without any sentiment of love or beauty and all my delectation at that time was in hunting or in wars which I followed wheresoever I could see the seat was Now Sir I lived in this contempt of love and beauty until of very late when that God who would not suffer any mortal to trample his honour and his laws so under foot did make me know his power by a way as extraordinary as my crime Those who knew me called me by the name of Lipandas born in a city of the Neustrians called Rothomagues and of Parents who there held the prime rank And whereas my countrey maintained great wars against the Romans and they against the Franks I had occasions enough of shewing my valour without stirring out of the Neustrian limits or at least out of our Army and therefore a place of great concernment being in the power of our Lords which was called Callice the government of it was committed unto me and I kept it several years About a month since one whose name was Lidias coming from great Brittain unto which he was fled for Sanctuary landed in this place Ligdamon upon this laying his hand upon the strangers stay a while Cavalier I beseech you said he unto him are you the same Lipandas who being Governour of Calais did imprison Lidias for the death of Arontes I am the very same answered he but what knowledge could you have of me in a place so distant from the Neustrians Content your self replyed Ligdamon that I know what you tell me and more that a young woman of great Britain called Melander armed like a Cavalier did fight with you about the liberty of that Lidias afterwards to deliver him did put her self into prison and when the Franks surprized Calais was delivered out of your hands I perceive replyed the stranger that you do know almost all I have to tell you and therefore my discourse will be shorter then I intended Then looking upon him a little better Oh heavens cryed he out why do I make any relations of it unto you for if I be not much mistaken it is Lidias unto whom I speak To Lidias answered Ligdamon No but to one that has paid very dear for his resemblance unto that Lidias as you shall understand
own motion quit the interest which they have in this affection Therefore since the Gods have inspired me with the desire of it and have now given me the courage I do intend never to give Lidias any cause to hate me but will for ever love him only in the degree of a Brother I beseech you therefore Madam to let them enjoy that contentments which fortune hath many years denied them and which now I do most earnestly wish unto them Thrice happy shall I think my self in contributing any thing to their contentment Upon this Melandre was silent and made an humble reverence unto the Nymph All the company admired to hear this language proceed from her but above all Lidias and Amerina who seeing themselves at a higher pitch of felicity then ere they expected made an humble reverence unto Amasis and after they had asked leave to thank Melandre they expressed themselves unto her with all testimonies of acknowledgement and affection This being done Amasis offered to rise but was hindred by Ligdamon who holding Lipandas by the hand and presenting him unto the Nymph beseeched her to determine somthing for the satisfaction of that Cavalier Lipandas cast himself down upon his knees and after a relation of his love and adventures beseeched her to dispose the will of Melandre to receive him into the room of Lidias Amasis found so much Justice in the desire that she made the proposition unto Melandre who after some modest refusal remembring what he had done for her upon several occasions especially when to relieve Lidias he leaped down the walls of Marcelles she obeyed the commands of the Nymph and granted the desires of Ligdamon Thus these four Lovers did in one hour reap the fruit of all the pains which Love and Fortune had made them endure These two marriages were consummated before the Truce was ended and in the mean time Lindamore lost no opportunities of advancing his Troops and having met with Philâ—nder who acquainted him with the affairs of Amasis and the intentions of Gondebaut against her he determined not to go into Lions but to cross over the Rhosue about half a league from them and the next morning to go unto Vienna On the other side Gondebaut who thirsted to be revenged upon Amasis for the affronts which he had as he conceived received from her and being pressed by Ligonias who every minute presented unto him the inconveâ—iences which would happen in case Polemas was not relieved according to promise he issued out his Commissions and raised thirty and two thousand men which he committed unto the conduct of Ligonias with command unto all the Officers to obey Polemas unto whom he writ this Letter GONDEBAUTS Letter unto POLEMAS I Have sent thirty and two thousand men unto Polemas not out of any ambition to enlarge the limits of my Empire but only out of a desire to raise his glory unto the highest pitch of glory that he can wish I have made choice of such Souldiers for him as best know how to obey from whom I do expect even wonders to be done being under the conduct of a man who knows most perfectly how to command them But how great so ever the victories be which they shall get they are still less then the hopes I have in your courage the Grandeur whereof may assure any one of the conquest of the world if he will be pleased to employ it Fight therefore presently brave Polemas or rather vanquish presently for I know that with you to fight and to overcome is one and the same thing Whilst affairs went thus Sigismond had but a very dull time of it Gondebaut had locked him up in a strong Tower the better to secure his person it being doubted that if he were at liberty he would not have suffered any designs to be against Amasis Godomar or Dorinde without opposing it with all his Interest Thus this Prince thought his detention insupportable for hearing of this Armies departure he was sensible of the danger wherein his Brother was he was so extreamly displeased that he was not able to help himself that all those who saw him might read in his countenance the marks of a most violent sorrow At last heaven who reserved him for a more glorious end then to languish in prison did permit him to make an escape in this manner Amongst those whom Gondebaut had set over him to prevent his escape there was two kinsmen of Ardilan who also carried the same name the one of which finding more favour with the King then the oâ—her he had obtained the sole donation of his deceased Cofin which the other extreamly stomaking yet not daring to murmure at the injustice which was done him he resolved to be revenged by favouring Sigismond and freeing him from the Tyrannie of his father He made the overture of it unto him the same morning that the Army was drawn into the field and Sigismond being confident of his fidelity since said he unto him you do offer me your assistance and your own good will hath prevented my requests I do swear by all that 's sacred that if you do help me to escape to raise thy fortune above any Subject in all the Kingdome but be sure you fail me not for if thou dost deceive me I will most infallibly be thy utter ruine Upon this the Prince began to walk up and down the chamber and the young Ardilan fearing lest some should hearken at the door he came nearer and said unto him in a low voice You never need Sir to doubt either of my affection or my fidelity and I will contrive the matter with so much prudence as if it shall not miscarry As soon as he had said so the hour which Ardilan was to stay with him was expired and he quitted his place unto another who came for the same purpose he was no sooner gone but to lose no time he provided one of those small boats which they used upon the River Arar and also providing two Fishermens habits some nets and a rope long enough to reach from the Tower where Sigismond was detained and at the entrance of the night he carried them himself unto the Princes chamber where he was to watch that night with one of his Comrades Sigismond was no sooner in bed but he seemed as if he were asleep and Ardilan who also brought a great bottle of wine with him did so entertain his companion that he was constrained to trust the keeping of the Prince unto him so soon as Ardilan perceived his Comrade to be so fast asleep that he could not be awaked he pulled the Fishers habits out of a sack and putting one of them on beseeched the Prince to put on the other then fastning the rope to the window they both wenâ— down by the rope without any noise As soon as they were down Ardilan carried him to the boat and throwing their nets into the water with more fear of being taken then desire to
answer for hearing Godomar name the one Sigismond and knowing Rosilion she ran to embrace them with more joy then is possible for any tongue to expresse Adamas had no sooner done what was due at the arrival of these two Princes and return of Lindamor but he went to advertise Clindor of the joyes which Amasis had received He found with him all the Shepherds and telling them the name and quality of the Conquerours Children said he unto them I am most heartily glad that all our enemies are dead in the person of Polemas and that by the blood which Lindamor hath drawn from the veins of this Rebel the gods have preserved yours I protest Father said Hylas and interrupted him I am as glad of it as you for I was ever more apprehensive of an arrow from our enemies though it did but hit my little toe then I am of a hundred arrows which they say love shoots at our hearts Yet let me tell you answered Adamas the wounds of the soul are much more dangerous then those of the body Yes yes replied the inconstant man unto melancholly people but I who can in a moment find a hundred remedies to cure my self of such wounds I had rather have twenty wounds in my soul then a little scratch upon my body Heaven said the Druide has out of its abundant goodnesse freed you from all fears of any harm and as well a wisher as I am unto the safety of Amasis I am as glad of your preservation as of hers Heaven said Astrea has shewed unto us the effects of her piety but is it not as much to be ascribed unto the supplications and prayers of Alexis since by her pious intention only of praying she hath obtained our deliverance The gods answered Alexis have hasted their helping hands to shew that the just cause of Amasis has more prevalency with them then all my prayers the power whereof is so little as it is almost impossible they should ever obtain any thing they ask Ah Mistresse said Astrea pardon me if I say that then they must be made into marble for if they be directed unto any that have reason it is absolutely impossible you should be denied any thing you ask and for my part I must tell you without flattery that there is nothing in the world which you can require from me but I shall most freely and willingly grant it Take heed Servant answered Alexis that you do not engage your self further by promises then you are willing to perform No no said Astrea I will not except any thing and I say it again nay swear it by all that is sacred that you have the absolute command of my life and all I have and there is nothing which I would not most willingly do to please and obey you We shall see that one day said Alexis and in the mean time do not forget what you say and remember that you have promised it before all this good company so as you cannot go back without being blamed for too much Levity After some other discourse the Druide returned unto the Castle to put Amasis in mind of the Liberty which she had promised unto Peledontes and as soon as ever he made mention of him the Nymph sent to release him out of prison and so graciously pardoned his crime that this Cavalier for ever after was faithfull unto her Adamas also presented unto the Nymph the suffering of subjects ever since the rebellion of Polemas began and the extremity under which they were still pressed having at the least sixty thousand Men quartering upon them of whom the Nymph had so much compassion that she resolved to take some course for their consolation she communicated the matter unto Sigismond Rosilion and Godomar who the very same hour took such good order in the businesse that the next morning most of the troops were dismissed and ready to depart the countrey Sigismond disposed Ligonias to take upon him the conduct of those forces which he brought from Polemas and gave him a Letter unto Gondebaut Rosilion also writ unto the Queen Argira intimating the successe which they had After this the Nymph carried them unto the Temple to be witnesses of those thanks which she would render unto the gods for their goodnesse in delivering her from the fears of captivity to the enjoyment of perfect Liberty in so short a time The rest of the day was spent iâ— feasting and joyes so as in the excesse of this publick jollity Amasis did quite forget all her past miseries the death of Clidemant only remained in her memory and therefore she took Lindamor aside to acquaint her withal that he had done since the death of her son This Cavalier desiring nothing with more passion then to testifie his obedience did prepare himself to satisfie his curiosity and whilst the Cavaliers were discoursing with the Ladies and Nymphs in the Chamber he held this discourse The Sequel of the History of CHILDERICK of SILVIANA and of ANDRIMARTES I Do not know Madam whether that Cavalier whom I sent unto you after the death of Clidemant did well acquit himself of that commission which I gave unto him and whether he made a faithful relation unto you of all those circumstances which happened concerning the disgrace of Childerick He did relate unto us answered Amasis the passion of that young King unto Silviana his designes of breaking the marriage between Andrimartes and her The violences he committed in the house of a new married woman in the absence of her husband The flight of Silviana in the habit of a boy and lastly the revolt of the people and the loss of my son which was almost seconded by the losse of your self for he told me that you were extreamly wounded in the same encounter Then Madam replied Lindamor he hath neglected nothing which he was to relate unto you but because you do not know after what manner Silviana and Andrimartes met nor what befel them since they came into Gaul Armorique whereof Semnon hath made them superiours I shall relate the particulars unto you having received them from themselves For Andrimartes who honoured me with his love passing by the city of Rhemois to complain unto Queen Methina of the extravagancies of her son was pleased to visit me as I lay in bed by reason of my wounds and related unto me these accidents which you shall hear after this Lindamor was silent a while afterwards he began his relation in this manner The good advice which Guyemant gave Childerick did work so well upon the spirit of this young King that he was fully resolved in his very soul and protested a thousand times never to relaps into the same or the like sin again but the commotion of a people being much resemblant unto Torrents which in their first fury carry all before them that makes any resistance Childerick was forced to yield unto that enraged multitude that were risen up against him and to acknowledge
I tell you my fidelity will not suffer me to give you lesse but if it be my presence which vexes you you shall not long languish in that displeasure for I do protest not to present my self before you until I be well assured that you desire my company In saying so he went from her and would have gone out of the chamber but Palanice who followed him with her eye called him back as he was opening the door As soon as Sileines heard himself named he turned back and coming to her she said unto him with a scornful look since you intend to retire your self Sileines it is not reasonable you should keep a companion with you that may trouble you in your solitude therefore said she pray râ—store me back my bracelet for I will have it again I wish with all my heart answered Sileines that I were able to give you that contentment but having sworn never to part with it as long as I have life you must if you would have it back command me to die Die or live said Palanice I am indifferent so I can but obtain what I ask and have my own hair again Fair peice of cruelty replied the young Cavalier can your rigour find a heart to kill me before I know the cause of it Will you use me with more Tyranny then those whom they use to doom unto death before they be convinced of any crime Do not accuse any for the treatment which you receive answered Palanice but the shallownesse of your own merit and unlesse you will most mortally displease me restore unto me immediatly the bracelet which you had of me But Madam replied Sileines you gave it unto me freely without any condition therefore replied Palanice I would have it freely again without any condition As long as I have done nothing said Sileines which renders me unworthy to enjoy it is it not extream injustice to ravish it from me tell me no more of injustice replied Palanice all the reason in the world allows me to take my own where ere I find it I am afraid replied Sileines that you will have much ado to unty it for there are a thousand knots upon it No matter no matter answered Palanice I have a pair of Scissers which will do that office excellently well if you will but hold out your arm Well well persidious woman said Sileines in a rage and holding out his arm satisfie your fury and take your fill in ruining me I will not give you so much advantage as to say hereafter that ever I opposed your will in any thing Upon this Palanice did cut the ribband which tyed it together and having put it into her pocket Go now said she unto him even whether you please and say that you are beholding unto me for cutting your chains and setting you at liberty in saying so she went to the window not so much as casting a look upon him and poor Sileines sunk in sorrow went away but quite cured of his lamenesse for his rage had made him forget his staffe and to counterfeit a cripple as he did when he came His humour said Hylas who sat and said not a word till now point blank contrary unto mine could I with any patience ever endure she should call me troublesome and accuse me of too little merit for her Let me dy if I would not have given her not only the bracelet but dublet shirt and all to be delivered from the Tyranny of such a peevish piece Sileines did not so replied Florice but being enraged at such treatment from that fair one he resolved to come no more where she was and began to prepare himself for travel so find some remedy against his sorrows As soon as the running at the ring was ended Palanice came to give me an accompt of all she had done and because I knew by her looks and speech that she repented of it I advised her to think upon a remedy We went therefore to see Cercinea and though that fair one was his sister yet she knew nothing of his secrets for Palanice durst never trust her because she was very young Though we had known nothing of what had hapned unto her brother yet we might well have imagined it by the disorder in the house for the inquietude wherein Cercinea was and those tears which somtimes fell from her eyes did give us sufficient knowledg of it yet seeming to be ignorant of all we beseeched her not to conceal from us the cause of her sorrow She was not at all shie in telling us all very freely how about two hours ago she had seen her brother so extreamly troubled and offended that it greived her very heart for said she he asked some money of me which he gave me to keep he caused all his clothes to be packed up he commanded his horses to be made ready and I saw him in such strange disorder as it troubled my very soul I wish said Palanice that he were here for he would not hide from me the cause of his discontent Alas said Cercinea innocently never believe that I think he loves me very well and that I have as much power with him as any in the world but all my prayers and desires could not get one word from him In saying so they saw Sileines enter and passed by not seeing who was in the chamber Palanice thinking all that Cercinea said of her brothers despair was true she seemed to have something to do out of the chamber and went unto the Hall dor out of which Sileines must of necessity passe before he could go out of the house Sileines so troubled in mind that he never took any notice of me he took his cloak and sword but when thinking to go out he saw Palanice at the door he was extreamly astonished She who stood in the midst of the door-stead and held out both her arms to stop the passe with her face from the house as soon as she heard him coming who is there said she and turned a little about Sileines then not so much as lifting up an eye it is I answered he that would go out Out said Palanice what out of my heart or out of the house out of the world replied Sileines since your cruelty will not suffer me to live after this striving a little wiâ—h her as being desirous to passe whether she would or no Palanice catched hold of his arm I wonder said she you should so much forget the Laws of civility as to force those that have taken the pains to come and visit you No no replied Sileines you love your own contentment better then to take any pains to come and visit a man that is so troublesome and of so shallow merits as I am Palanice who knew well enough what he meant whether you be troublesome or welcome unto me said she unto him I will not now dispute but be it which it will I would have you stay in the house and if I
sutable unto the will of the gods Their intention is that I should cease to live and since they would have it so both you and I are obliged to be also conformable Therefore Diana do not hinder me from that benefit by it I shall have the accomplishment of my desires if you love me you will not deny that which end all my miseries and begin all my delights should I follow your inclination and prolong the course of my miserable dayes what would it advantage you further then to be a witnesse of your violated faith and Diana what do you think would become of me Do you think me able to survive that fatal sight of seeing you in the power of another Alas alas Diana assure your self I should run stark mad and do such strange things as posterity should wonder at It is therefore better for me to distance my self from you betimes and by one sudden death avoid ten thousand which your marriage would put me to and so testifie to the world that I have more love and more courage then you have Silvander expressed himself in such a manner as made Diana extreamly pity him and because it vexed her to see him in such a fury it was long before she answered him in any other language but that of tears at last clearing up her voice and looking him in the face did I think Silvander said she unto him that death were an argument of my affection and courage perhaps I should open my veins sooner then you imagine but I am afraid it would be in me a mark of infamy and would give unto my survivers a subject to accuse me of some greater fault then that of loving you Life is not so dear unto me as my honour and were it possible to leave the one and not the other Paris should nere triumph over Diana nor would I ever be forced to receive any other husband then you Believe this Silvander for a most certain truth I do invoke the gods to be witnesse of it and let heaven never pardon me if I would not execute that design with as much courage as now I do mention it I perceive for all this replied Silvander dejectly that all you say is only to assure me that I must not pretend any more unto you and since so can you think that I can ever receive any comfort after such a losse O my dearest Diana do not injure me so much as to think I can live in this world after all hopes of you is gone Let what arguments be alledged that will or can I will not stay in it nor do I think any can be found strong enough to condemn my despair Upon this Belinde entred into the room which did not a little surprize Diana who being infinitly afraid to lose Silvander was very desirous to sweeten in some sort those bitter displeasures which she saw him resent She hasted therefore to say unto him in a low voice Servant if I have any power over you I do command you to live at the least until you hear for certain that my marriage is consummated upon this word she rose up to go unto her mother who made a sign unto her so to do Alexis Leonide and Astrea who had also discoursed upon their affairs did rise up at the same time and joyning themselves with Diana went altogether unto Belinde who carrying them into the garden desired that she might have some privacy with Diana to tell her of some particular businesse which she had to communicate unto her Upon this they severed themselves Leonide Astrea and Alexis went into the thick of the Grove whilst poor Silvander not knowing which way to go went out of the house and took the first way that his foot stepped into He came by Fortune unto the place where formerly he had taken delight in discoursing unto the rocks concerning the beginning of his Love and leaning himself against the trunk of an old willow which the river had insensibly undermined he stopped a while to look upon the roots of it and finding them to be almost all quite bare and out of the earth he compared the state of that tree unto that of his love Poor stump saist he upon how small a thred does thy life and mine now hang thou art sustained only by two or three small strings of a root which the swelling of the river Lignon will loosen from the earth and carry thee away So likewise miserable I who only do subsist by one bare command of Dianas and cannot live any longer until the anger of heaven do put me out of all hopes to enjoy her Afterwards casting his eyes upon the little waves which dashed against the banks and presently retired back Clear waves said he is it not me whom ye call unto you and do not you invite me to follow you This sweet murmure wherewith you flatter my griefs does it not assure me that you will be more kind unto me then Diana do you not tell me that you are so pitiful that you will most willingly receive me into your bosome Ah Celadon continued he how happy thou art in finding amongst these waves a remedy to all thy sorrows For let them talk what they will in lieu of falling into the water to help Astrea I believe thou didst cast in thy self only to help thy self and be safe from those storms which her anger or perhaps jealousie had raised against thee O Heavens O Celadon why should not I do the same Lignon does offer me the same help Diana does give me the same cause but cruel woman that she is she takes away from me the power of doing it and most unjustly does oblige me unto the observation of a vow which I have made to obey her After this leaving unto his thoughts the liberty of wandering whither they would he stood near an hower studying upon the several accidents of his life but after a thousand thoughts he fixed them all upon his love and comparing all the pleasures that ever he received with his present pains he found so great a disproportion as he had much ado to remember that ever he enjoyed any contentment this made him curse his first flames and not being able to check the first motion made him repent that ever he lived yet calling to memory the perfections of Diana and considering that since it was his Fate to die he could not lose his life in a better cause he condemned his first thoughts and as if he would professe himself an enemy unto himself in loving this Shepherdesse still he wished more misery upon himself that he might be the more her Martyr Probably he had spent all the rest of the day in these imaginations unlesse by Fortune he had coughed and a neighbouring Eccho returned the noise back again unto him and though he knew well enough from whence that hollow voice came yet would he needs consult with it upon the present condition of his life and therefore
fortune offers you some hopes of contentment But whether I do marry Celadon or never see his face again yet still I must bear all the faults that every evel spirit can charge me withall But said she and sighed I am resolved ere long to find out the remedy which dispair uses to teach such souls as cannot bear them Upon this she was silent and Diana began Companion said she unto her you do find your misery to be greater then mine because you think it so But I do find mine to be greater then yours because I know them to be more stinging assure your self the causes which make any calamity intolerable are more easily to be found in my affliction then in yours For as the state stands with me I have the same displeasure which you have which is not to enjoy the person whom I love yet I have one which you know not which is that I am constrained to submit my self unto the tyranny of her who can dispose of me yet sister I am resolved as well as you to have recourse unto that common remedy which cannot be denied unto any and I will sooner die then pronounce that fatal word Yes which will be the first munite of my misery With such discourse as this these fair ones came so nere the Druides house that they perceived Lycidas coming out with Phillis and seemed by his countenance to have some very earnest business in hand Astrea desired Diana to step a little aside and avoide the meeting them which Diana easily consented unto and they went into a by walk on the side of that where they were to pass and hiding themselves behind a bush It was not long before they heard Lycidas walk a great pace and say but Phillis do you not know from that cruel woman in what place this tragedy is to be I protest answered she it is the only thing I have forgot But look well about you perhaps we shall meet Leonide and she can tell us all Oh heavens replied Lycidas and hasted away if Astrea would she might spare me all this pains But I think she was born to be the ruine of our house This was the last word they could hear and when they thought them out of sight they came out again And were no sooner entred into the great walk but they saw Phillis returning alone They therefore stayed for her and as soon as the was come unto them Well Phillis said Astrea unto her I beleive Lycidas is very angry with me has he not good reason answered Phillis do you think he has so little interest in Celadon as not to hate all those that are the cause of his ruine Alas sister replied Astrea I must confess that I was the cause of his first being lost and that I was to blame in condemning him so lightly But now he may blame himself for his misfortune unto whom can be impute any fault but unto his own scurvy humour which moved him so indiscreetly to obtain a thousand favours from my innocency under a false disguisement Indeed Phillis the preservation of this shepherd ought to be very dear unto me But my honour ought to be no less considered you have seen how oft he has imbraced and kissed me insolently abusing the liberty which I gave him under the notion of Alexis and whereof I might have been blamed had it been from the person of Celadon Not but that I beleive I should in a little time have pardoned the offence But when I call to memory the Image of things past I am so transported as I could ordain him a worse punishment then I have if I could think upon it sister said Phillis is this your repentance for distroying Celadon before Come come Astrea you had better abate something of your rigour then be put to the pains you were before Sister replied Astrea those that can temper their passions and motions are more then Men we are all too weak to have that dominion over our selves we must whether we will or no observe such lawes as our passions will impose upon us we cannot upon a sudden foresee such accidents as may happen Do you think if at that instant honour had told me Celadon was unworthy to live can you think I say that I should repent bidding him die No no beleive me but on the contrary I should have thought that I owed such a revenge unto my reputation and should have been glad to have preserved it at the rate of that very shepherds life But on the other side said Phillis perhaps you would not have been angry with him but have received him with Joy a little before Leonide presented him unto you I wish answered Astrea that he had never undertaken to delude and deceive me that I might without any harm unto my self have paid what I owed unto that affection which he bore me but since that misfortune is hapned I must confess that what regret soever I resent I cannot condemn my self for whaâ— I have done In saying so Astrea went forward as being desirous to retire into the house because it began to grow late But Diana who observed it and who had no less horror to that place then to a dark Dangron having no mind to go into it till the obscurity of night did force it Companion said she unto her me thinks we have yet time and light enough to go as far as the labyrinth I beseech you let us go and walk so far as it I will go answered Astrea whither you please Then they turned a little upon the left hand and being entred into the walk which led that way presently they spied Leonide coming a great pace and having the countenance and garb of one that had some great cause of sorrow This wrought a strange effect upon the soul of Astrea for she being in some hope that Leonide would hinder Celadon from attempting any harm unto himself as soon as the saw her return alone she was even ready to fall down for greif First her greif appeared in her face and afterwards beginning to sigh Oh my Companions said she yonder is Leonide coming to tell of Celadons death That answered Phillis does not much trouble you because you desired it and did absolutly command him to die In saying so the Nimph came so neare unto them that they could easily perceive the trouble wherein her mind was And because Leonide was a little angry with Astrea for treating Celadon so ill as soon as she perceived her she offered to turn into another walk to avoid meeting with her But Phillis ran after her and entreated her to stay which she condescending unto as soon as she came into the presence of Astrea You have reason sage Nimph said the shepherdess unto her to shun the Company of a miserable woman who yet has more cause to complain against you then you have to hate her You have reason to complain against me said Leonide a little faintly as against one who
spend her time there whilst they were merry at the house of Adamas Galathea having made an humble Coage unto her she would have gone away but the Nymph called her back again and after she had looked a little seriously upon her Galathea said she tell me truly If Lindamor should take part with Gondebaut and forsake my service as he intends would you not accuse him of extream ingratitude I cannot believe Madam answered Galathea that he has any such intention for he sets a greater value upon your Interest then so But replied Amasis I have now no great need of him since Gondebaur and I am friends No matter for that Madam replied the Nymph it is enough he once served you to make him never serve Gondebaut unlesse you do expresly command him you think so very well of him said Amasis that I do believe you bear some good will unto him Truth is Madam answered Galathea and blusht a little I have no reason to hate him Well well said Amasis go and look unto your flocks since you are all resolved to become Shepherdesses and we will talk more of this another time Amasis smiled as she spoke these words and Galathea who observed all her motions did from thence draw good hopes of success to her desires As she went out Thamires came to the closset dore and Galathea taking him by the hand carried him to the Nymph who knowing that he came purposly to receive her commands charged him to tell the grand Druide that she was very sorry she had not his presence at the conclusion of peace yet if any news of consequence fell out she would advertise him Thamires humbly bowing himself promised to do all her commands and after he had bid adieu unto the rest of the Ladies he went to see his dear Celedea who thought one dayes absence from him an age He was no sooner come within a hundred paces of the Druides house but he met her yet with so sad a countenance that he was exceedingly troubled at it and desired to know the cause The shepherdess who loved him as her own soul and had no other desires but to please him The sadness which you see in my looks said she unto him proceeds more from the interest of others then my own and if you take so much paines as to go into the house of Adamas unless you be very insensible you will be as sad as I am All are there in extream disorder almost all those whom you left there went away yesterday presently after you and there is such an confusion amongst those shepherds and shepherdesses that remain as is impossible to be expressed unto you Alexis is lost Silvander never was heard of since yesterday Diana and Astrea went out of their chambers this morning before day and no news can be told of them Paris is gone to look them Leonide Phillis Licidas Stella Hylas Doris Adrastes and the rest are gone to do the like and had I not thought that you would have returned about this time I would have gone after them This is a strange alteration indeed said Thamires but that they may not think we have less good will unto them then the rest Let us do the Druide the best service we can after I have given him an accompt of what Amasis has particularly commanded me to tell him All we can do answered Celedea is to seek out Astrea and Diana for his greatest cares are for them well said Thamires wee will do our best In the mean time rest your self here under this shade of trees and I will return as soon as possible I can so Celedea kissing him she sat down and Thamires went to the Druides house He went first to the chamber of Adamas without meeting any living soul and because he found the dore shut whilst he was disputing with himself whether he should knocke or no he heard Adamas say in a loud voice but Bellinde to what purpose are all these teares They will not do any good at all but are displeasing unto the gods These few words made Thamires listen the more attentively and he heard Bellinde answere with a deep sigh Alas alas all the teares in the world cannot wash away the crime which Diana hath comitted but I will make her resent it as well as I do and make it appear unto the world how much I disapprove of 〈…〉 and that I did not expect such bad fruit from such good education as I gave her Yet replied the Druide I dare not accuse her for she has been but half a day absent from you and perhaps when she returns has a just and lawfull excuse for it Oh Heaven answered Bellinde was it such a heard matter to have asked my leave before she went But when I call to memorie her shifting answeres which she gave me yesterday when I founded her mind concerning her marriage with Paris of whom she is not worthy I easily apprehend that she had some design in her â—ancy which is dangerous to disclose because happly it might be prejudiciall unto her reputation and mine we shall see ere long said Adamas whether she be to blame or no mean time have no reason to afflict your self as you do in saying so the Druide went a little towards the dore and Thamires fearing to be surprised he knocked as one that had some earnest business Adamas therefore opened the dore and Thamires seeing him alone with Bellinde he retreated two or three paces as if he were afraid to disturbe them but the Druide desiring him to enter did ask him what news from Marcelles to whom Thamires answered thus Reverend Father the Nimph Amasis commanded me to tell you that now she enjoyes a perfect peace by the solemn treaty which she had with Ligonias who came expresly from to Burgudian King to conclude it she has deferred the day which once she had appointed for the sacrifice untill the return of Rosilion who as she beleives will be back within these five or six dayes And the Princes commanded me to assure you from them that they will be ready to serve you upon all occasions I do hartily rejoyce said the Druide at the happy estate wherein the affaires of that great Nimph are and I am very glad she has deferred the sacrafice by reason of some accidents that are faln upon me Celedea replied Thamires told me something confusedly concerning Diana and Astrea but I did not understand her meaning it is answered Adamas that those shepherdesses have not been within all the day and we are now in quest to know what is become if them I will go then said Thamires and do my endeavours to find them upon this he humbly bowed himself and whilst the Druide returned unto his discourse with Bellinde he returned to Celedea As soon as she sawe him coming she rose up and taking his hand they went both togeather in quest of these shepherdesses But it had been strange if they had found them for
the Gods should never let you see her again I should think them just in it since you have already treated her with so much disdain as they may think they are kinde unto you in it But Father replied the shepherdesse would you have mee pardon the offence which I have received from her disguise You have told mee so much of her innocence that I do consent to love him no lesse then formerly I did and since they know that I am not now angry against her nor can live without her why do they not restore her unto mee When I told you of her innocence replied the Druid I told you but what I thought obliged mee not to conceale knowing her discretion so well and you have not known since that I said nothing but truth Since the Unicornes were seen by you and it is a most infallible truth that those Animals never come near a woman who is in the least blemished in her Chastity But the greater the innocency of Alexis is the greater is your crime and therefore I am afraid that the Gods do intend to punish you for it and will never suffer you to enjoy a person whom you have without any reason twice banished from your presence I perceive Father said Astrea faintly that Alexis is dead and that the Gods are just in punishing mee so But they will not be just if they let mee live or at least will not suffer mee after I have been punished for the unjust anger I conceived against Celadon to be recompenced for the Love which I preserved for him in the midst of our greatest misfortunes In saying so her eyes gushed out with Tears And Adamas having compassion upon her Daughter said hee do not thus immoderately afflict your self until you hear more particulars of the losse of Alexis my cares of bringing you hither were a cause of my not knowing what was hapned unto her but if you will promise to stay untill I returne with patience I will promise to bring you a faithfull relation Father answered Astrea though the condition wherein I saw her makes mee more certain of her death yet since you command it I will stay till you return that you may afterwards think my design of following her the more just But Father continued shee even for pities sake do not slatter mee in thinking to comfort mee you will make mee the more desperate Adamas did promise to do whatsoever shee desired and seeing Bellinde in talk with Diana hee would not interrupt them but went straight into Celadons chamber where finding Silvander out of bed and his countenance not so sad as before hee seemed to rejoyce much at it Afterwards going unto Celadon How comes it to passe said hee unto him that you are not up as well as Silvander Is not your couragâ— as good or are you not so well as hee Lycidas prevented his brother in his answer Father said hee neither of those are the reason of it but because I cannot finde his cloaths Then Adamas remembring that hee had locked them up hee went and brought those that hee was wont to wear before his disguisement and giving them unto him Here son said hee unto him may you be happy in that habit and enjoy her whom you love best Celadon did take them with a thousand thanks for his good wishes and as soon as hee began to cast his eies upon them so many thoughts came into his minde that hee could not chuse but fetch a deep sigh which the Druid observing How now Celadon said hee had you rather continue in your disguise then assume this habit I cannot tell Father answered the shepherd faintly which of the two make me the more happy For under the habit of Alexis Astrea commanded mee to die and under that of Celadon shee banished mee her presence Adamas who saw that the memory of these things did trouble him and having no minde to talk any more of them but withdrawing a little to give him the more time to dresse him Celadon said hee do not dispute upon the choise any longer but weare this that I have brought unto you and if you will referre all the rest unto mee I will finde out a way to make you happy Upon this Celadon dressed himself and when hee was ready Adamas embraced him Then Lycidas did the same with so many tears and expressions of Love as it was easie to judge that the affection which tyed them together proceeded from some stronger causes than consanguinity Silvander was extreamly joyed to see it and as handsome as hee had appeared under the disguise of a Druides daughter hee appeared much handsomer in the habit of a shepherd Adamas took him by the hand and carrying him out of the chamber Sonne said hee unto him you must know that Astrea does infinitely desire to know what is become of you and because such welcom newes will be best from your own mouth I think it most fit you should carry it your selfe At this Celadon changed colour But Father said hee shee has commanded mee to die and though I did endeavour to obey her yet it is to be feared shee will not take my endeavour for good payment Never let that trouble you replied the Druid I have so well prepared her minde in your absence as shee is resolved never to give you any more cause of discontent If you do love her you must not refuse to see her for all the hopes shee has is now only that you are alive In saying so hee entreated Silvander and Lycidas to accompany them unto her chamber Celadon did tremble at every step till hee came to the beds side of that shepherdesse and then began to sigh and was not able to speak one word Astrea did mildly cast her eyes upon the Druid and seeing him so silent did think at first that hee brought her bad newes Ah Father said shee your silence does speak my ill fortune Tell mee truly is Alexis dead Then Adamas looking upon her with a seeming sad eye Daughter said hee I should never be the messenger of such sad newes but that I am forced unto it Upon this Astrea began to tremble Good Father said shee hold mee no longer in suspence speak plainly and relate unto mee all the accidents that have hapned unto Alexis as shee said so shee seemed to be so sadly afflicted as if shee had not a minute to live Good Astrea said Adamas why should I relate the successe of a thing that will but displease and trouble you You your self knowes more concerning Alexis then I do you saw her in combare with the Lions and by that may judge what is become of her But good Father answered Astrea did the Lions turn their fury only against her Could not I as well have satisfied their rage and hunger Oh most cruel Fate continued shee with eyes flowing in teares Miserable Astrea Poor unfortunate Alexis art thou dead and my rigour the cause of it Then shee began to
in the composition of this salve which I brought in a little box for Olimbres I had not omitted any ingredient which would not make extreamly subtil and by good Fortune when I came from Carthage it was not above a month before I had finished that making of it though it was a whole year before I began it for besides the oyles which were to be extracted as the oyl of Flax and the oyl of Roses there was yet required Bol-Armianian Mans blood Mummy Mans grease and the moss which grows in the scull of a man long exposed to the air So I had no sooner dressed those little sticks but we parted and the man who had relieved me hearing me name Forrests unto Halladine he beseeched us to let him go with us but because I thought every moment upon the danger from which he had released me as soon as we were got into the way I asked him as civilly as I could what good Fortune had brought him thither so opportunely and from whence proceeded that rapture wherein I saw him he lifted up his eyes presently to heaven and afterwards casting them upon me with a deep sigh Alas said he unto me that which you do call a rapture is rather a just punishment which the gods have inflicted upon me for the expiation of my sins But since you desire the discourse of it though my disease be beyond all hopes of cure I will obey you provided you permit me to stay no longer upon the relation of it then I desire left the remembrance of it do drive me into the same extremities wherein you saw me Upon this whilst Halladine was in deep study some thirty paces from us he began his relation thus Know Father that my name is Azahides the place of my birth is amongst the Allobroges My Father was one who ever held a considerable rank in that Town which stands upon the Lake of Leman When I was hardly capable of reason and when that Province was involved in many troubles because they would take from Gondioch all that he had on this side the Rhyne they did put arms into my hands when I had hardly so much strength as to sustain them After the expiration of some time a truce was made which lasted some yeares During which my Father considering that he had no child but me for the stay of his Family and age he resolved to marry me and so indeed he did unto a very fair and handsome wife whom I kept not above a year for the died in child-bed after she had left me a daughter as a pledge of her love Presently after the great captain Aetius had the government of Gaul and renewing the first designs which the Romanes had against us he prepared himself for the execution of them This was the reason that Abariell for that was my fathers name could never keep me with him for my humour which found some particular satisfaction in blood and slaughter was stronger them all the perswasions he used to hinder me from leaving him So I parted from him and until the time that Aetius had command to leave us in peace I was alwayes in every combate at the taking of all Towns and in every dangerous enterprize that was to be executed One time amongst the rest much plunder falling to my share I gave it all in exchange of a young boy called Silvander about five or six yeares of age and who they told me was stollen from some place beyond the Rhosne and in the Province of Vienna The aspect of this child did please me so exceedingly well as I resolved to give him as good education as possibly I could and afterwards to take him home unto me as a man that was obliged unto me for his life In order hereunto peace was no sooner concluded but I sent for him to my house and shewed him unto my Father as the best booty that ever I got But here I beseech you observe a very strange effect of divine Providence This child whom I destiny'd unto perpetual servitude no sooner appeared in my Fathers eye but considering the little comfort he had in me by reason of my turbulent and stirring Nature he resolved to bring up this boy and to establish upon him the foundation of all his hopes This resolution was not so close but it came to my knowledge so as beginning to foresee what might afterwards happen I began also to use all my Art for stopping the course of this growing good will But all my plots and devices were in vain for my Father taking him from me as his own did send him to the Massilian schools where he grew so good a proficient and so every way accomplished as for all my envy of him I could not chuse but confesse that my Father could not place his affection upon an object more worthy of esteem Yet all my Fathers estate being in his own free disposition and fearing left he should dispose of it as well as of his affection to my disadvantage I designed not only to oppose his Fortune but against his life also if occasion did offer it self In the mean time the daughter which I had was no less grown in beauty then she was in body and wit so as then being fit for marriage my Father made a proposition to marry her unto Silvander And indeed I took this as an occasion of my revenge for having commanded my daughter to make my Father believe that I would never give my consent unto it and told her that it was better for her to marry him secretly I contrived it so that poor Silvander appointed a certain hour in the night when he would come and that he should come up a rope-ladder in at a window which is over the Lake At the hour appointed I came into the chamber I cut the rope when he was half up and let him fall into the water like a stone so he was never heard of since You may well judge Father that though I had no other sin but this yet this was enough to merit from the gods a most severe punishment but as if heaven would set me out unto men as an example of avarice and cruelty I was loadned with other burthens more heavy and intollerable Know then Father that as soon as Silvander was drown'd I was the first that would needs run unto the place where the noise was and commanding my daughter upon pain of death to say that the cord did break of it self I did cast the fault upon the effect whereof indeed I my self was the sole cause My daughter did not fail me and after I had looked out at the window I went unto Abariel and acquainted him with this sad accident At the first he broke out into tears and cries and afterwards finding his sorrows to be remediless he fell into such a deep swound as I thought he would have rendred up his spirit We put him therefore into his bed where reviving again he fixed
a little in her bed she crossed her arms and had such evident signs of transport in her face that Silvander after he had a little considered them began to feel all his courage and his strength to fail That great resolved soul which he had shewed till now was vanisht and he was not able to resist those sorrows which the presence of Diana caused Thus this poor shepherd was no sooner gotten into the midst of the Chamber but his legges failed him upon which falling and finding himself to swound he fell upon his side some two paces from the bed of his Mistresse Diana in the mean while seeing him lie as if he were dead was grieved to the soul that she could not help him yet thinking it no time to stand upon nicities she rose out of bed in her smock and would have helped him to rise but finding no motion in him she was ready to tender up her soul her dispair was then at the last point and doubtless if grief could have killed her she had dyed but being still reserved for more miseryes this accident did not deprive her of speech for after she had laid her mouth close to the face of Silvander Poor shepherd said she aloud am not I a most miserable woman in being the cause of all thy misfortunes Without me the destinies had spared thy life and if my interest had not been enterwoven with thine they would never have made thee miserable Upon this she was silent and love succeeding pity after she had looked about her and saw none to observe her actions she kissed him as if she would inspire new life into his lippes or as if she would waken him with the water of her tears but which soever it was the shepherd opened his eyes as a sign he was not dead And though Diana had not taken all that paines but only to revive him yet was she surprised because of the condition wherein she was that she rose up in all hast and went into bed but never minding what she did she made more hast then good speed and knocked her head so hard against one of the bed posts as she fell a cross over the body of Silvander Her crye and the noise she made brought Astrea and Phillis into the room and seeing such a pityfull spectacle they made no question but they were both dead for the love of each other yet comming nearer they saw Silvander move his arm as if he endeavoured to get it from under the body of Diana and therefore they took up their Companion and put her into bed as they were lifting her up she returned out of her swound but because she lay her hand upon her forhead where she felt pain they took a handkercher and pressed it so hard to the place where she began to swell as little or no mark appeared afterwards Silvander also returned perfectly to himself and comming near Dianas bed as soon as Astrea and Phillis were gone to the window I thought fairest Diana said he unto her I should have been so happy as to die in your presence But I see the doom of heaven is irrevokable and I must die by the hand of Adamas This last action which seems to oppose my felicity would not much trouble me did I not see a trouble unto you But dearest Mistresse of my soul do not let it trouble you at all that I am to be sacrificed the gods would have some part of me as well as you and as I have already sacrificed my soul unto you so they would have me this day sacrifice my body unto them In this division the best part is yours for you having my heart my will my soul and all its faculties they have nothing but a bare carcasse which is meat for worms or crows Oh dear answered Diana with a deep sigh yet in this they take part of my happinesse from me for when you did sacrifice your soul unto me it did not imply any such condition that I should not pretend unto your body you did give it unto me without any manner of reservation and gave me full power to do what I would with it and though I have no power to make you live yet they do most tirannically usurp it from me but Silvander since they are sole Arbitrators of our lives I will yeild this right unto them and will not grieve for your death if you will but grant me one consolation the hope of which is all the happiness I have The shepherd who desired nothing but to please her did promise to deny her nothing Then said Diana I would have you let me die as soon as ever I hear that you are out of the world Diana uttered these words with great resolution and Silvander was so charmed with this last testimony of her love that for a while he was not able to open his lips At last taking her hand and kissing it Ah my fairest would you sign your affection and my misfortune with your blood have you so much courage as to follow me in this fatal passage and does it not grieve you to leave Paris and your life Cruel Silvander replied Diana and interrupted canst thou doubt but that my passion dare attempt any thing In saying so she seemed to be a little troubled and the shepherd knowing that she had reason to be angry with him Dear Diana replied he pardon my love if any sparks of jealousie seemed to appear in it It is the will of the Gods that you should be the wife of Paris and if I do fear it has not my fears a very lawful ground I know reylied Diana that they have so ordained it But in this matter I swear that I will be my own destinies You know Silvander that I can be no bodies but yours and you shall never go into the Elizian fields without me I will go then said Silvander and die with content in hopes that our absence will not be long I will go my fairest Diana and offer unto the God of Love that which belongs unto you happy shall I be in ending my days if by my example you be not afraid to follow me Adieu my fairest Diana for pities sake spend these last munites in remembrance of my services and confess that Heaven is too barbarous in consenting to our separation Then Silvander embraced Diana ond that Shepherdess was so moved with these last words that hardly being able to speak Adieu said she and broke out into tears Adieu dear Silvander be constant unto thy Diana and leâ— her see thy love can last longer then life Upon this her voice failing she offered to embrace him but had not strength to lift up her Arm Silvander in the mean time got up and seeing Astrea and Phillis near Oh dear companions of my fairest Mistress said he unto them I leave you possessors of all that happiness which the presence of Diana afforded me And as you have been the only Confidents of her secrets and
pity her and to wonder that Belinde should so tyrannize over her will In the mean time Adamas who was very desirous to hear of Leonides negotiation and hearing what successe she had O heavens Astrea cried he out what do you mean will you be the cause of the losse of the most amiable and faithful Shepherd that ever lived upon the banks of Lignon Father answered Astrea it will not be long before you will be rid both of him and me for if I be the cause of his death he shall be the authour of mine only it angers me that his way of treating me hinders me from dying with honour for I am extreamly afraid there will be such a blame upon me for permitting him so many favours unto which he would never have aspired unlesse he had been faulty both in his love and discretion Daughter replied Adamas these faults whereof you accuse him are the perfections which might well make him hope for a better entertainment then he hath received from you but he never failed either in his respect or in his love and were you well acquainted with the actions of his life doubtlesse your opinion would concur with mine Father replied Astrea I never enquired after him since he threw himself into Lignon for never thinking he had escaped that danger I thought upon him only as a person whom I did esteem and unto whom I had a greater inclination then the enmity that was between our Parents required Well said the Druide I will better inform you as soon as I have commanded some to follow him Lycidas said Astrea is already gone to that purpose it is enough replied the Druide for that Shepherd will not neglect any course that is requisite for his preservation in saying so he took Astrea by the hand and leading her into a corner of the room he commanded Leonide to go and entertain Diana and Phillis and then began his diâ—â—â—urse thus I have told you my dear Daughter so many passages of this shepherds passion that though you had no other testimonies of his love then such as I shall give you it were enough to make you love him above all Men living you think him deficient in his love and in his discretion but in the relation which I shall make you will observe such strange testimonies both of the one and the other as you will admire his constancy and wonder at his virtue You must not think Astrea that I am ignorant of any accident in the whole course of your life I have been instructed by him who caused and resented them and who would not tell a lie for a world And that you may not wonder why I have been so carefull for his preservation you must know that the gods have linked the happiness of my old age unto that which this shepherd is to enjoy and the tranquility of my dayes is to be such as I procure unto Celadon Judge therefore whether I have not good cause to complain against you since you have ruined all my hopes and under a scrupulous pretence of honour you have put me into such a condition as never to enjoy any contentment in the world Yet I dare not despair of the goodness in the gods least they should render me unworthy of their blessings and therefore I take all in good part and resign my self wholly unto their wills But that you may not accuse Celadon as any way accessary unto the misfortune that may happen unto me but that on the contrary all the fault may be imputed unto your rigour I will acquaint you with her life ever since you banished him from you You know very well Astrea that then he threw himself into Lignon But yet he was no drownd for the current of the stream having cast him upon the sand on the other side of the river he was ayded by Galathea Silvia and Leonide who carried him secretly into the Pallace of Isaures then he related unto her the passionate affection of Galathea unto him the lamentations which Celadon made when his letters were filched from him his constraint in not knowing how to avoid the offers of the Nimph his sickness his relappes and in fine his coming in the habit and under the name and notion of Lucinde After which he told her the life he began to lead in his caâ—â— the stratageâ—â— which Leonide invented to get him out The laborious industry he used in erecting the Temple of the goddess Astrea his ravishments that morning when she erected an emptie monument for him in the Company of all the shepherds and and shepherdesses of Lignon and lastly by what meanes he perswaded him to pass in the habit and name of Alexis Now said Adamas and continued you know better then I all that has hapned unto him since But that you may be no longer angry at him and your self for permitting so many privacies let me tell you that those things which another would have taken for high favours he received them as extream punishments and I have seen him so often afflicted and greived as I have wished a thousand times that you had not so much affection to him as you expressed And indeed Astrea if you will but take so much paines as to examine your memorie you will find that it was you alwayes which began to Carress and to kiss for I dare lay my life he had rather have dyed then ever offer it and he did restrain himself least you should suspect any thing of his disguisment This Daughter has been the life of Celadon whom you have most earnestly desired to enjoy and of whom you have set so great a value though now make no accompt of him when it is permitted you to obtain him If heaven do help Lycidas to bring him backe good Astrea promise me to look upon him with a kind aspect and that you will forgive and forget all the injuries which you think he has comitted against you Astrea who did not forget one syllable of all the Druides discourse and who by the consideration of so many successes was confirmed in a belief that her shepherd was really innocent Father said she unto him if Lycidas do bring him backe which I do not expect knowing how sudden he is in all his resolutions I do promise to behave my self towards him as you will appoint me and upon the least sign that I shall see of his repentance I shall be ready to acknowledge that as severe as I have been towards him I will not here after be difficient in the remuneration of all his services Upon this promise Adamas kissed her cheek and carried her backe unto Leonide Phillis and Diana then went into Bellindes Chamber to entreat her that the marriage might be deferred until the next day when he thought he should not have any cause of sorrow in hopes to hear good newes of Alexis Unto which Bellinde consenting Diana was presently advertised of it who seeing his misery one night further off
did a little lessen that extream grief which hung upon her soul Thus did this day pass in the house of Adamas whilst love produced contrarie effects in Marcelles Amasis was every day in hopes to obtain a firm and universall peace very shortly Sigismond was ravished with those charmes with he found in the face and affection of Dorinde Rosilion fully assured of Rosaniras constancy and love was restless till he went to enjoy those favours which she could not grant him but in the presence of her Argira Damon was even upon the point of marriage with Madonthe who thought she owed her self unto the merits and valour of her Cavelier Alcidon found nothing in the mind of Daphnide to contend with and waited for nothing but the disenchantment of the foutain to commemorate his joyes Ligdamon and Silvia also held good correspondency But amongst all these felicities the happiness of Lindamor might pass for extream This Cavelier being resolved to follow the Counsel which Adamas gave him he was no sooner out of bed but he went into Sigismonds Chamber where finding Rosilion who came to go a hunting with him he was very glad to meet with this opportunity of talking with them when they were both together So after he had bidden them good morrow and told them that he would shew them the best places to find sport But Sirs said he unto them and smiled If I do take upon me the honour to wait upon you in this chase may I not hope you will be pleased to favour me in that which I do intend to pursue Sigismond who partly knew his meaning for Dorinde had told him some particulars of the Caveliers love for my part answered he you need not doubt but I shall be most ready to serve you and give all the assistance that possibly I can provided you will but direct me which way And for my part said Rosilion presently I am most confident that Lindamor makes no doubt of me For he knows how much I esteem him Sirs replied Lindamor I do embrace your good wills as my most Soveraign happiness and I will assume the boldness to acquaint you with my business that you may judge whether the assistance which I desire from you be fit to be obtained If I mistake not said Sigismond we have now leasure to tell you for I do not think we shall see the Nimph untill it be late Yet Sirs replied Lindamor that is not the principal cause of my coming hither for my design was only to come and present my most humble service unto you But since you are pleased I should make use of this time and that in relating unto you the most secret actions of my life I shall let you know such thoughts as my heart has harboured this two or three years last past I do most humbly beseech you not to condemn my presumption in suffering my ambition to soar far higher then eyther my merit or my birth ought to aspire but rather to believe that it is an effect of Galatheas power who robbing me of my reason has not left my judgment so sound as it ought to be but yet sound enough to know that I am no way worthy of her Give me then leave to tell you great Sirs that Adamas being pleased to take so much pains at to come unto my Chamber this morning and like an officious and charitable friend having propounded unto me some expedients to render me the prossession of this fair Nimph the more easily he found none more necessary nor more likely to prove effectuall then your favours upon which he advised me to build the foundation of my fortune For said he unto me if those Princes will but honour you so far as to become your advocate and intercede for you unto the Nimph most certainly she will deny them nothing they can ask This great Sirs was the advice of this grave Druide which without any farther dispute I am resolved to follow though I must confess how great soever the necessity be of your assistance yet it is grand presumpsiton in me to offer so much trouble unto you But since your flowing goodness towards me bids me hope for the honour of your assistance let me freely tell you that the happiness or the misery of my life does meerly depend upon the confession or deniall of Amasis unto the request which you shall prefer unto her in my behalf for the possession of Galathea And that you may know your only difficulty is to obtain the consent of that great Nimph though it be a little vanity in me to say it yet I must tell you that her fair complasence towards me does put me into great hopes of gaining her consent Upon this Lindamor began to relate some arguments of Galatheas good will after he had hinted upon the most probable and remarkable accidents Generous Lindamor replied Rosilion you need no other mediators in your behalf but those qualities which are eminent in your courage and virtue they alone are able to acquire Empires since they do adorn you with illustrious merit However I am most willing to take upon me this commission with Sigismond and Godomar who doubtless are better able to serve you then I am but however I am infinitely desirous to have the glory of contributing something unto your contenment T' is true indeed answered Sigismond I do not think that my brother and I are altogether unproffitable but I cannot grant that we have more prevalency then you unto whom Amasis is highly beholding However it be said Godomar we do all owe this office unto the valour of Lindamor and I conceive it requisite that upon the first opportunity we find we sound the mind of Amasis who doubless will be inclinable unto it by way of recompence for all the great services which she hath received from him Lindamor having committed the matter to them he accompanied them into the Nimphes Chamber where Rosanira Galathea Daphnide Madonthe Silvia and many others were already come Afterwards all went unto the Temple and stayed there till dinner time After which Amasis was very desirous to take the air and shew unto her princely guests the sport of hunting and many other delightfull diversions On the other side Clotilda desiring to strike when the iron was hot and to take Gondebaut when he was in a good mind least he should forget the promises which he had made in Sigismonds favour she went unto him in his closset in hopes to make all friends She found him with that Princes lettet in his hand yet his browe seemed as if his mind was not well satisfied But she in a surprised manner said unto him think no more upon it Sir The promise which you have already made must without more thinking upon it be out of hand performed Do not suffer this seperation of your two sons Sigismond and Godomar from you to be laid in your dish or accused as a bad father And let not the world look upon