ill refines Alas yet as you burne My pitie smarts and groanes to turne Your paines away and yet you must consume Content in me must beare no plume Dust-like Dispaire may with me liue Yet shall your memory out-driue These paines wherein I mourne You reliques of pure loue To sacred keepe with me remooue Purg'd by this fire from harme and iealous feare To liue with me both chast and cleare The true preserueresse of pure truths Who to your graue giues a youth In faith to liue and mooue Famous body's still in flames Did anciently preserue their names Vnto this funerall nobly you are come Honour giuing you this tombe Teares and my loue performe your rights To which constancie beares lights To burne and keepe from blame This did not satisfie her grieuing for the losse of those kind lines but each day did shee say the Letter to her selfe which so much shee loued as shee had learned by heart then looking on the Ashes wept and kissing them put them vp againe and thus continued shee till Ollorandus himselfe came to whom these daylie offerings were made for hee after hee had settled his Kingdome longing as much to see her as shee desired his presence put the Gouernment to the charge of a president and his Counsell assuring them that nothing should haue so soone parted him from them but that hee must now performe his part of friendship to Amphilanthus which was required of him who had so louingly and brauely accomplished his None were against that all honouring and louing him so much as hee had much adoe but with kind quarrels to leaue the Countrie without some of them to attend him yet by his milde perswasions and the new Kings commanding power they two tooke their iourney the Dwarfe againe returning the very day before they left Prage Towards Hungarie they then haste passing through Morauia where they met a strange encounter and a sad spectacle which was a company of men all on foote being apparrel'd in long mourning Gownes and after them a Chariot beeing drawne by sixe Horses they beeing couered with blacke and in the Chariot was a bodie beeing couer'd with a blacke Veluet couering and at the feet of this Body sate a Ladie her face beeing towards it and most pitifullie weeping many more in mourning likewise walking by the Chariot round about it and behind it This lamentable and dolefull spectacle mooued the hearts of the Knightes who beeing verie passionate quickly felt pitie and riding presently to one of the followers desiring to bee resolu'd of this matter the Gentleman courteously answered that the businesse was of so long a times discourse as would demaund more leysure then hee thought their businesse would well allow them therefore hee besought to bee excused vnlesse they meant to succour that distressed Lady who most iustly might claime assistance and reuenge for a murdered Knight vniustlie and treacherouslie slaine for loue Loue their Master commanded their seruice so as they said they would willingly doe their best to redresse such an iniurie Then the Gentleman going to the Lady told her what the Knights said she casting vp her eyes which before she held on the Coarse the body and soule of her affections Alas Sirs said shee what misfortune hath brought you to ingage your selues to true misery as in ioyning with me you must do for a more wretched neuer liued to die so Our fortunes said Ollorandus speaking in her owne language is the best we could couet if they may prooue auaileable to you nor doe we desire any more then to know how we may serue you Then Sir said shee let mee bee so bold as to demaund first who you are that I may discouer my estate the more freely and willingly to you My name said hee is Ollorandus King of Bohemia and this is Amphilanthus King of the Romans Happinesse beyond all hope cry'd shee Alas my Lord this is the King that of all the World I haue desired to meete and now trauell to seeke in Italy then kneeled shee vnto him beseeching him to graunt her what hee had of himselfe so nobly promised Hee vowed to performe any thing whatsoeuer that lay in his power to doe then comming forth of the Chariot and they lighting they retired into a little tuft of Thornes by the way side shee beginning her storie thus Most braue and renowned of Kings and you great King bee pleased to giue eare to the saddest storie that euer loue and louers end hath produced I am that miserable vnfortunate woman Sydelia passionately louing and being beloued of the excellent and veâ—tuous Antonarus long wee loued but a hate betweene my brother called Terichillus and my loue growne in their youth hindred our enioyings my brother so curiouslie watching mee himselfe or others neuer or seldome from mee as I was able onely to see my afflictions and wants but not the Sunne of my content for my Brother being the Heire of Morauia and the other the Prince of Silesia that kept him from venturing into his Countrie knowing the infinite malice hee bare vnto him alas no way deseruing it But at last my brother was to marry Orguelea daughter to the Duke of Bauaria and going thither to performe it left mee guarded by his seruants whom in his absence so well I wrought with as I compassed the sight of my Deare who in the habit of a Hunts-man came vnto me we married priuatly and so enioyed the time till my brothers returne with his new Ladie as full of spite and ill nature as a Spider with poyson to her he had disclosed this matter with his hate to Antonarus and to her gaue the charge of mee my Father hauing before giuen ouer the world and was retyred into a religious house hauing left me and all his estate to my brother yet during his life my brother would not take the title vpon him but the authority of the County of Morauia Now was my Hunts man to returne small safetie being where such hatefull spies inhabited no more surety then a poore hare hath in the hands of the hounds who haue long hunted to prey vpon it so did they seeke to ruine vs the extreame hate my brother bare to Antonarus rising from this cause When they were youthes and both in the Emperous Court there liu'd at that time a young Lady of the house of Austria â—xcellently faire and as fairely condition'd whose vertues were such as most prizing worth for Vertues sake she made choice wholy of worthinâ—sse in conuersation choice of companions and the whole course of her life ranne that way which made her chooce Antonarus and so much to affect him as nothing but death could be ender of her affection and yet I know not how I can say so since dying shee express'd her affection to him she loued and no question but his goodnesse requited it in his wishes to serue her but friendship wrought so in him as he would not seeme to receiue it my brother being so
that time to aduenture and hauing rid two dayes iourney without let or any kind of hazard the third day he vnfortunatly hapned into a house belonging to a Keeper and standing in a great Forrest this Keeper had in his youth beene an Esquire to an Epirian Knight slaine at Mantinia at a great iust there held after whose death he return'd and putting himselfe vnto the Queene hee gain'd the keeping of this Forrest this man fell into discourse being crafty and so fitt for so ill an imployment as he was vsed in by discourse hee gain'd knowledge that this was one belonging either in place or affection to the Morean Court then hauing enough to worke vpon as if he had eaten much poyson hee must breake so brake he into the open way of destroying Selarinus for sending his boy to the Court which was then but ten miles off by the next morning he had forty Knights to secure him and conduct the Prince trecherously made a prisoner to the Queene who mistrusting no Treason vnder greene clothes nor falshood where so faire language and welcome dwelt at night being weary vnarm'd himselfe and went to bed where hee slept till hee was awaked with the paine which hard cords cast about his armes brought him he did after confesse he heard some noise but thought it had only beene his Squire puting vp his Armour or making it ready and fitt against the morning but when he saw how he was deceiu'd and heard his poore seruant cry also out against them he only with Princely patience said this suffer imprisonment with mee poore boy said he as well as thou hast enioyed freedome and content witnessing that Fidelius can serue Infortunius in all estates faithfully By that the youth knew his Lord would not be knowne by other name then Infortunius wherefore hee resolu'd to dye rather then betray him Till morning hee was thus held then deliuered to to the Knights who straight carryed him to their Queene shee hating all that had but seene Morea or any of those Countryes belonging to them she cal'd enemies went into her Hall and with all magnificent state sate to behold so to scorne the vnfortunate Knight who was brought in chaind the Queene sitting with a setled resolution to manifest hate scorne and contempt but seeing his sweetnesse and louelynesse his tender youth his modest countenance tryumphing as it were ouer his misery with noble patience only shewing stoutnesse in bold suffering and giuing way to Fortune as subiect in that tyranny yet inwardly his estate molested him shame to see those braue armes fetterd and bound brought some blood into his face which though shewed vpon such occasion yet it prouoked an other conclusion for he being naturally some what pale this made his beauty appeare more delicate as if of purpose to purchase his libertie thus was hee forced to be beholding to that womanish part to restore his manly power to liberty that working for him which his worth held least worthy in him for the Queene though most ambitiously raised in conceit of her selfe now found there was a greater Prince and a higher authority which might and would command She gazed on him shee blam'd the small respect their rudnesse had shewed to a Knight to bring him like a theife chain'd shee caused his bands to be taken off and strictly corrected them who expected thanks telling them the disarming had beene an honor but their taking him naked was a shame vnto them and to all braue spirits Then called shee the Prince to her desiring to know his name and Country kindly smiling on him holding him by the hand the softnesse and fairenesse of which she grieued should handle a sword or be vsed in fights fitter to bee held by her like-louing selfe withall she assured him his imprisonment should be no other then content if he would but yeeld to her desires Hee answered his name was Infortunius nephew to the Lord of Serigo who was killed at the King of Morea's Court in his presence and many more hauing thither brought a faire Lady whose loue he was to winn by fight but he was slaine by Selarinus younger brother to Steriamus for whom the great preparations were now made to winn Albania Are you of their party said she Truely Madam said he I wish good to all iust causes otherwise I being but one am little able to asist any therfore dare I not venture to say I am of any side but I did intend to see the warrs If you did but intend that you may said she still continue that purpose nor will I hinder you yet I must enioyne you to some things for my sake Hee answered her his life was in her hands to command Not but to saue and cherish it replied she therefore goe with this Gentleman who shall direct you and conuey you to a chamber fitt for you then did one of her cheife officers conduct him to a maruellous rich roome which she had appointed him to carry him vnto where hee had all things necessary and braue saue his armes then did he leaue him there and his owne Squire to attend him with many more whose respects and officiousnesse was such as mou'd trouble and proued such liberty a true imprisonment yet at night he had freedome for by the Queen's appointment they were not to lye in his Chamber but in an other roome where for his safety no way to trouble him they might conueniently remaine Supper was serud vnto him with all seruicable duty infinite rich and sumptuous fare glorious plate and nothing wanting that so proud a woman could to satisfie that humour thinke of to gloryfie her selfe and obleige him He fed and after supper went to bed the doores were shut and hee layd downe to rest but what quiet could he enioy fearing all these faire beginnings would turne to his greater harme for no end could he see but dishonour to him as himselfe and certaine danger as Infortunius abuse and what was most as Philistella's seruant shame and iust reproach if hee falsified her trust or his affection Tormented thus he did remaine til towards midnight when a doore opened at his beds head out of which came sixe Ladyes each carrying two white wax candles which they set downe vpon a cupbord placed of purpose before the bed then they returned when the Queene as rich and glorious as Iuno came in her mantle was Carnation sattine embroder'd with gold and round pearle fastned with a faire Ruby her wastcoate of the most curious worke could bee made with needle her petty coat suitable to her mantle her head dressed with a dressing fram'd of the same worke with her wastcoate through which her haire was delicately drawne in many places daintely she was apparrel'd able to winne any but such a spirit as Selarinus for neuer did curious carelesnesse better adorne creature then it did this Queene who with care sought to bee neglectiue in her apparrell To the bed side she came and
made happy with that they most on earth required A braue Fleete of Ships were straight prepared for their Voyage feasts continuing till that time in all the Kingdome ioy now like the Summer flourishing brauely among them Amphilanthus hauing bin long enough in Germany so lawful an occasion offer'd him for his return into Morea established Ollorandus whoÌ„ he made his Deputy with the Princesse to gouerne in his absence which hee promised should bee but short aud his returne speedy his way he tooke of purpose through Dalmatia to see the King and the Lady had been offer'd him for wife being after many aduentures arriued there hee was entertain'd like himselfe which is expression enough for the rarest entertainments Dauncing there was among the Ladies one appearing as much excelling as she deseru'd admiration for her beauty and that quality All the Kings and Princes beheld her with one fauourable opinion but Amphilanthus did enquire who she was and how bestow'd in marriage He was informd that she was Daughter to the Master of the horse married to a great man but wedded in affection to a young noble-man in the Court who also had a brother that lik'd her they both loued her shee vs'd them both so indifferently as they could not in two yeares tell whether she loued The elder doubted the younger he feard his brother both were affraid to offend her and so remain'd vnsatisfied till at last whether more boldnes or truer and cleerer affection grew in the elder hauing beene beloued and likewise louing one another though desiring this Lady out of a couetous humour of enioying all that worthy was in loue he found it was himselfe shee affected he embraced it she then liberally declared her selfe and so they were both happy The younger from the first doubting could not be more then formerly since now he saw but what hee fear'd and by this might the better auoid a furâ—â—er danger which he did choosing an other leauing this couple most contented in themselues though discontented with many others for his other Mistris grew spitefull his wife froward and suspitious her husband iealous and troublesome yet what were all these only meanes to make them loue the better their loues to be the more pleasing like stoln fruit which is alwayes sweetest In this estate they then were but the question may be asked how these secrets were knowne it may be easily answer'd and not vniustly said that surely it came from the happy louer who with fulnesse of ioy and content could not be so neere miserablenesse as to keepe such a treasure hid to kimselfe and thus doe many times such discoueries come The Emperour commended them all and especially the Lady whose part he was apt to take the newes of his being there brought Dettareus to kisse his hands and to see his fellow-Hermite Parselius with the other two his good companions but one of them he miss'd for Dolorindus was gone to Antissia againe He had not beene long there when one day the royall assembly being in the Hall and ready to see dauncing there came in a graue old man of good fashion and birth as he after proued his beard and hayre white his face something with sorrow and age wrincled resembling a faire tree in frost he kneeled vnto the King beseeching iustice hee promised it and bound it with an oath being vrg'd vnto it by this Gentleman then rising Sir said he hee that hath done me iniury and the man I seeke reuenge of is Dettareus who I know will not nor can forget the wrong he did me which although I will not particularly name not louing to take vp the ashes of the dead or staine a long quiet graue with guilt or infamy I will onely touch thus farre as to remember him of the breach of hospitality and the noblest band of friendship in trust this is that I call reuenge for and these I must bee satisfied in The King call'd Dettareus forth who couered with shamefull sorrow appear'd like the sonne had rob'd his father of his greatest treasure holding his eyes on the ground as iustly condemn'd The King was sorry to see him so deiected but his word was ingaged wherefore hee demanded of him what he woâ—ld answer to this He replied that is life was not sufficient to satisfie so foule a fault as he confessed himselfe guilty in yet he was to answer none for that businesse since the wrong'd was dead Dead indeed cryed the other to all content and yet saw his honour dye before him otherwise Dettareus I am the man iniur'd by you not kil'd as you imagin'd but recouered againe by skilfull Chirurgions from all your blowes but one which cannot bee cured but by the balme of your heart bloud or mine I therefore desire that you will in the presence of these braue Princes then before whom none can haue a noblier end fight with mee and honour mee with death which I assure you shal be as welcome to me as your ouerthrow we are neither so young as to vndertake a rash businesse our age hath made vs perfect and free from that nor are we so old that death should claime our suddaine yeeldings let then the life and strength wee haue bee spent before this royall company and let Iustice at last haue sway Dettareus casting his eyes vp beholding him knew him and wept yet would not deny what the other demanded so they went forth and arm'd themselues the King and all the Court did greatly pitty them and especially Dettareus who appeared already dead to their eyes kil'd by his owne foretelling ill Instead of dancing they went into the lists where the strangest Combaâ— was fought that euer in Dalmatia was seene yet did they seeme but like braue old armes of trees whose fruite was yet faire and good so was their strength and the maner of their fight so exact and perfect as young men had more cause to admire and learne then scorne their skill or courage but Dettareus though in sight and fight continued a good space with the better yet a conscience he had gnawed within him and made his outward powers like an inward taken poyson shake and faint so as the other got the victory and life of Dettarreus This had been hard and much to be lamented if Iustice came not in to tell vs 't was her act and right which made the Court satisfied yet did they lament and mourne for his losse the Emperour and the other Princes his old friends going with his body to the graue The other with as much content as could be for such an accident where honour was gain'd from the death of an once loued friend return'd with liberty from the Court but soone after in Apulia from whence he strayed after the certaine tidings of Dettareus liuing was discouer'd and neuer stayed any where till hee learn'd where he remain'd hearing his religious life he would not molest him nor call him out of charity from his Beads to the sword
was by them found hard by the sea-side not farre from these rocks laid in a cradle with very rich clothes about me a purse of gold in the cradle and a little writing in it which warn'd them that should take me vp to looke carefully to me to call me Vrania and when I came to sixeteene yeeres of age to tell this to me but by no meanes before this they haue truely performed and haue deliuered me the mantle and purse that by them if good fortune serue I may come to knowledge inioyning me besides not to keepe this my story secret from any since this sweet place intising many into it may chance to bring some one to reâ—ease me from this torment of Ignorance It could not be otherwise said he since such sweetnes and peerelesse louelynesse are match'd together But now said Vrania let me know I beseech you who I haue discouer'd my selfe vnto Let vs sit downe said he vnder these Rockes and you shall know both who I am and the cause of my comming hither Nay answered Vrania if it please you let vs rather goe into a Caue hard by where I haue left an olde weake man ready to tell me his Story hauing with him two of the finest youths and a Maide of the rarest beauty that eye can behold and desirous he is to speake for long he cannot endure So together they came into the Caue the graue man reuerently with bowing downe his head saluting him thus Braue Sir for Maiestie doe I perceiue in your countenance which makes me giue you this title Welcome to my poore abiding and most welcome since now I trust I shall dispose of my Sonnes according to my long wish and desire sit I beseech you downe and tell me who you are that then I may discourse to you the lamentable fortune I and these my children are fallen into The stranger sate downe betweene the old man and the excellent Shepherdesse beginning his Tale thus My name saâ—d he is Parselius Prince of Morea being eldest Sonne vnto the King thereof which Countrie I left with a deare friend of mine who besides the vntying band of friendship we liue linked in is my kinsman and heire to the Kingdome of Naples called Amphilanthus resoluing not to returne till wee had heard newes of a lost Sister of his who in the first weeke after her birth was stoâ—ne away since which time an old man whether by diuination or knowledge assured the King her Father shee is liuing Wherefore the most braue of Princes Amphilanthus resolu'd to seeke her my selfe louing him as well or better then my selfe would not be denied to accompany him for hauing bene euer bred in neerenesse of affections as well as in conuersation together it could not be but we must like the soule and body liue and moue so we betooke our selues to the Sea leauing Morea passing many aduentures in diuers Countries still seeking the least freqâ—ented and priuatest places keeping to the West for that way wee were directed by the wise man At last we arriuâ—d in Sicilie which Country we found in great trouble warres being broke out againe after the departure of Perissus Nephew to the King who had setled the State in good peace and quiet But their hearts either not fully reconcil'd or only reconciled to him after his departure which as we heard was strange and sudden being neuer since heard of they rebelled againe but we soone appeas'd the busines setling the King in his seat with all quiet and safety Then did Amphilanthus and I though against my heart part our bodies but neuer shall our minds be parted he in one ship taking I know not iustly what course but I trust the happiest my selfe guided by fortune not appointing any one place to bend to was brought hither promising at our parting to meete at his Fathers Court in Italie within twelue moneths after But shorter I hope now my iourney will bee since I verily beleeue you most faire Shepherdesse are the lost Princesse and rather doe I thinke so because you much resemble Leonius the younger brother to Amphilanthus whose beautie in man cannot be equall'd though surpassed by you When he had concluded the old man with teares thus said O Almightie God how great are thy blessings to me that before I die thou doft thus bring the most desired happinesse I could wish for in sending hither that Prince who onely can restore our good vnto vs. Most mighty and worthilie honourd Prince see here before your royall presence the vnfortunate king of Albania who in the warres betweene Achaya and Macedon taking part with Achaya was beaten out of my country and forced to wander seeking safetie far from the place where my safety ought most to haue been I came to your fathers Court it is true poore and vnlike a Prince which sight tooke away so much as pitie Courtiers rather out of their brauery contemning then compassionating extremitie besides your Mother being Sister to the Macedonian king then liuing would not permit me any fauour my kingdome in the meane while spoild and parted among such as could preuaile by strength and policy to get shares When I found my selfe in this misery with my wife and some few friends we went away leauing Morea and al hope of gaining any good in Greece following what course our stars would guide vs to we came hither where it pleased God to blesse vs with these two boies and this daughter after whose being seauen yeares old she died Yet for all it is and was a ioy to me to see of my owne for my posterity finding that likelihood of princely vertues as I hope shal be one day manifested it hath grieued mee to thinke how I should leaue them but now my hopes are reuiued since I trust that danger is past your noble and magnanimous vertues being such as to take pitie of any how much more then wil your honor be to assist distressed Princes And now may you well do it since a seruant of mine who I haue oftâ—n sent thither to see how things passe doth assure me your Vncle is dead and a mighty Lord being next heire-male which by the lawes of the country was otherwise hath got the Crowne hauing inclosed your faire young cosin right heire to the kingdom of Macedon being only daughter to the late king in a strong tower til she be of age then to marry her or if shee refuse to keep her there stil and this is the best she can expect Wherefore sir thus you are bound to rescue her then I beseech you take these two young men into your protection who till now knew no other then that they were meane boies I not daring to let them know their birth lest those great spirits which liue in them should haue led theÌ„ into some dangerous course but still I haue kept them vnder making them know hardnes and misery the better still to endure it if so crosse their fortunes be or if
sensibly doe know the blessing you inioy But what will you doe when she shall leaue you leaue this pleasure pine starue and die with so great miserie Alas I pity you for such a change will bee And what wilt thou sweet Iland doe let in the sea be drown'd and lose thy pleasant solitarines Hauing thus said he left the desolate rock and went to meete her who with equall loue and kindnesse met him such indeed was their affection as can be expressed by nothing but it selfe which was most excellent When the first passion was past which ioy gouern'd for sight loue taking the place of speech Ah Vrania said he how did the Sun show himselfe in his brigâ—teâ—t and most glorious habits to entertaine thee in these meades coueting to win thy fauour by his richnesse triumphing in his hope of gaine What mou'd thy sight then in my soule Think you not it grew to rauishing of my sences The Sunne said she shin'd mee thought most on you being as if so fond as he did giue himselfe to be your seruant circling you about as if he meant that you should be the body and himselfe serue for your beames With that he tooke her hand and with an affectionate soule kissed it then went they together to the Caue where the two yong sauage Princes and their Sister attended them then did they priuately bury the old King promising if businesses went well that they by Parselius fauour might recouer their right to fetch his worthy body and lay it with the other famous Kings of Albania This being agreed vpon they went out of the Caue Steriamus and Selarinu for so the yong Princes were called went first in their sauage habits which they resolued to weare till they came where they might fit themselues with apparell and Armes befitting their Estates Parselius then promising to knight them Next after them went the Morean Prince leading Vrania and she holding Selarina by the hand Being come into the Plaine Parselius againe speaking to Vrania vrged the likely-hood of her being the lost Princesse besides assuring her howsoeuer of no lower an Estate if she would goe with him She made him this answer A Prince said she can demand or promise but Princely things I beleeue you to be so because you say so and that face me thinkes should not dissemble out of this I credit you and so consent to goe with you then nobly and vertuously as I trust you dispose of me He casting vp his eyes to Heauen Let me nor my attempts prosper said he when I breake faith and vertuous respect to you now let vs to the Ship Nay I beseech you first said shee permit me to take my leaue of my good friends and formerly supposed Parents lest my absence bring their death if ignorant of my fortune besides wee will carry the mantle and purse with vs. He soone agreed vnto it and so together they went to the house the late abiding of the matchlesse Shepherdesse where they found the good old folkes sitting together before the doore expecting the returne of Vrania But when they saw her come so accompanied they wondred at it and though poore yet were they ciuill wherefore they went towards them and hearing by the faire Shepherdesse who the Princes were kneeled downe and would haue kissed the hand of Parselius but he who respected them for their care of Vrania would not permit them to doe so much reuerence lifting them vp and imbracing them told them the same story of his trauell and cause thereof as he had done to Vrania and then concluded that the likelihood of her being that sought for Princesse was the reason why they agreed to goe together he promising to conduct her safely into Italy and if she proued the Princesse to deliuer her to her father which verily he beleeued he should doe and seldome doe mens imaginations in that kind faile especially hauing so good grounds to lay their hopes vpon The old folkes sorry to part with Vrania yet knowing she was not ordain'd to tarry with them would not seeme to contradict their wills wherefore fetching the mantle and purse with the little writing deliuered them to Vrania whose good disposition was such as she could not refraine from teares when shee parted with them they wishing their age would haue permitted them to haue attended her but being feeble it was not for them to trauell especially to go so vncertaine a iourney but in their place they desired their daughter might serue her which she willingly consented to Thus euerything concluded they tooke their leaues and way to the Ship which they found where Parselius had left her but not as hee had parted from her for much more company was in her and a strange encounter he found his Seruants Prisoners his Armes possess'd and all his goods in the hands of a Pirat yet had he gouern'd it so as this mis-aduenture was not dicouer'd till they were aboord Parselius alone in regard of his company and some women would neuerthelesse haue ventured his life to haue kept Vrania free such was his loue by none to be surpassed his compassion likewise was great on the other Princesse in himselfe feeling the iust cause as he thought they had to mistrust him and his promises to be value-lesse this accident being the first of their hoped for ioyes But shee whose truth in beliefe would not permit her to haue the least part of suspition to enter much lesse lodge in her breast against him hindered that braue but doubtfull attempt vsing these speeches to him Be satisfied my dearest friend said she and hazard not your selfe in this kinde seeking to alter what is ordain'd by Fate and therefore not to be changed but rather giue vs example as confidently and mildly to suffer this aduersity as happily we might haue enioyed the other we expected He onely with a languishing but to her louing looke answer'd her when the Pirat contrarie to their expectation came and kneeling downe before Vrania vsed these words Let not fairest Princesse this accident trouble you since your imprisonment shall bee no other then the command of mee and mine neither most noble Sir be you or these other offendedâ— for sooner will I doe violence on my selfe then any way wrong those that come with this Lady Bee patient and you shall soone see the cause of my taking this noble prey this said he rose and placing them all on fine seats in the Cabine where lately the Prince had sate free from both the bands of loue and imprisonment himselfe sitting before them began his discourse in this manner while the ship vnder saile was guided the way which he directed the Pilar My name said he is Sandringall borne and bred in the land of Romania being seruant to the King thereof this King liued long as one may say the fauorite of fortune being blest in his gouernment with peace and loue of his people but principally happy in two children a son and a
which shee perceiuing yet out of pitty not willing too curstly to deale with me shewd me in her countenance dislike of my speeches And yet not to put mee too much besides my selfe called other to her to adde as she faign'd to her company With a bleeding heart I suffered this disgrace which yet was by her so handled as none but my owne soule could witnesse it to any Thus that day past sorrow increasing in me and little mirth growing in her Oft times would she be ready to sigh but louing that breath which shee drew for so loued a cause she did striue to fetch it backe againe or else it was to couer her long breathing Many daies this continued till one night standing in a round window in a great Galerie a Lady who did much vse to accompany the Princesse though she be of the Queenes Chamber standing by her Madam said she did you euer see so silent a Prince as this is Surely if he were to winne his Kingdome by words as it must be done by swords the Countrey might remaine a long time without the lawfull King Pamphilia looked O me a deadly wound that sweetest looke did proue pleasingly vpon me saying My Lord you see this Lady finely begs discourse from you Alas Diuine Princesse said I what discourse can proceed from a dead man I neuer heard till now said shee that dead men walk'd and spake Yes Madame cry'd I as you haue seene trees continue greene in their branches though the heart be quite dead and consum'd away hollownesse onely remayning And so is nothing left in me but empty hope and flourishing despaire Is there no cure said she Yes that there is said I. Shew it said she I looking about and seeing the other Lady parted from me besides hard by a faire Glasse many hanging as ornaments in that Gallery I tooke it vp turning it to her mine eyes onely speaking for me She with seeing her face saw my cause of torment said as little as I onely taking the Glasse turn'd the other side which was dull like my gaines and with as much scorne and contempt as could appeare in so much beauty like as if the Sun would in spite shew himselfe in a storme she turnd from me I stood still for indeed I could not moue til for my last comfort sense came to mee to shew me I was in no fit place so to betray my passions wherefore getting so much strength although no more then as men after a long sicknes gaine when they goe with feeble ioynts the length of a roome so much had I and that little with much ado brought me to my chamber where I opened my brest to al sorrow and let mine eies make ful sea of teares Thus I remaind till this resolution took me to wander I car'd not whither so it were far from knowledge of any and to leaue that most cruell beauty to her owne content which yet I feare she hath not though I truly wish shee had I call'd my brother to me telling him he must be secret to me as he did hope for loue from mee which hee vowed not mistrusting what I meant till 't was too late to goe backe With sobs and teares hee besought mee to alter but I told him there was no remedie nor must he breake his oath Then against his heart he said he must obay My charge was this neuer to reueale my manner of going nor euer to seeke after me or suffer any that he could hinder Then went I to Pamphilias chamber where I humbly desired to speake with her shee gaue me leaue but when I was ready to say something she preuented me If you haue said she any busines I shal be ready to do you any seruice in it but if it be concerning your glasse discouery know this you shall doe best to bee silent for a greater offence you cannot doe mee Alas Madam said I haue you no pitie for me I haue pity for any said she leaue this folly and I shall wish you well That was so cold a fauour for my desires and my dutifull affection such to her as not to giue her the least cause of dislike besought her she would honour me but so much as I might kisse her hands before my departure which was forc'd by an aduenture calling me away she nobly grāted that and said she wisht me good fortune I told her my fortune could only be made by her Then can it proue little said she With trembling and death-like palenes I left her lodgings hauing yet the fauour which my lips receiu'd in touching her fairest hand which kisse shall neuer part from me till these my lips doe kisse with death Then wandred I away till I came hither neuer finding any place to please me nor alas doth this or can any thing but her pity please only this is lesse distastefull then those where greater noises be Here I am quiet but for my owne quiet but for my griefe which neuer giues mee rest In a little caue in the ground is my lodging one Squire attending mee who from a Towne not farre hence fetcheth me prouision this Lute a quality I learnd in the Court since my comming thither misfortune and my Mistrisses disdaine my discourse and companions and thus liues and daily dies the reiected Steriamus Hauing finished his tale his eies flowed againe with teares as if it were their office to giue the full stop of his discourse Amphilanthus embracing him Steriamus said he leaue these lamentations for a fury in one who how worthy soeuer yet being a woman may change How many haue bin condemnd for cruely that after haue prou'd kind enough yet speak I not this of Pamphilia who hath still kept a constant resolution to her selfe But sure some strange occasion makes her so full of iudgement and sweetnesse carrie so strict a course in your affections yet let not that make you forget your selfe The poore Albania poore in missing you calls vpon you the rest of the world hath need of such Princes then let not passion ouerthrow a braue spirit absence can bring no hope presence and desert may if any thing Or say she neuer loue you there are other faire Ladies who will be liker themselues pitifull and louing Neuer shall other loue possesse my heart cride he and that O heauens still witnesse for mee and behold this vow That when I change it shall be vnto death Then shutting his hands one fast within the other he groaning said Nor euer let these hands part if I part from this my loue Time said he will giue you I trust vnexpected cause of cōfort in the meane time let vs talk of somthing els Then Steriamus inuited Amphilanthus to the Caue dearely louing him for his braue aduice but most for his cosins sake There they sat together lay together pass'd some dayes together till the Albanian was ouercome with the Italians neuer-fayling perswading speeches so as they tooke their course towards the sea
themselues so low as to looke on her my creature and fauour her with my liking She whom I might command I haue bin contented to woe she who shuld obay ignorantly refuseth yet â— Master of worth will not force her but haue compell'd my selfe to consent to satisfie a fond request she hath made to me which is to come into this Court with her and this knight my Cosen whom she loues and is the barre from my enioying her and here if she can find a Knight who for her sake will enter into this quarrel which she calls The deâ—ence of true Loue he must obserue this to giue her to one of vs and fight with the other if it happen he chuse him as well it may be he wil defend Ladies he will dispose of her to her beloued he must combate me if he ouercome shee shall bee free else yeelded to me which I make no question of since I neuer yet knew any had the fortune how stout valiant or hardy could hold out with me These bound men are Knights and her Brothers two of them the rest her friends and kindred who vpon her vaine complaint fearing violence would haue been by me iustly vs'd vpon her made an insurrection which soone I appeased and for the loue of her would not yet put them to death but haue brought them with mee likewise on this condition that when I haue fought and vanquisht that bold and fond man whosoeuer that will aduenture to combate with me I shall strike off all their heads This Sir is the cause of my comming wherefore I desire leaue of you that shee may haue one if any Knight will vndertake it or dare maintaine her cause which shee accounts so faire and good The King was sorry for the Ladies sake his Court was so vnprouided of those braue Knights which were wont to honour it especially that his famous Nephew and braue Sonnes were all absent who he knew would defend a Ladies cause especially a louing Lady as she seem'd wherefore hee made this answere Lansaritano I am troubled so braue a man should fight in so ill a matter since if I were as you shee that would not by my worth bee wonne should not be thought worthy to be gaind by the hazard of my self into which you must run if you encounter Knights of my Court for surely no braue man will giue her from her owne affection but now indeede is your fortune good in comming when the Worthies of our parts are absent yet doubt I not but I haue still some here who honour Ladies so much as they will venter to deliuer them from force in loue therfore I giue yoâ— free liberty to pronounce your challenge I am sorry said he that all your Worthies be not here that I might for my glory ouercome them one after another but since they are absent any one here take her part that will or giue her to mee if none will aduenture combate otherwise I am ready to meete him with the Launce three courses and then end the Combat with the sword if no one dare vndertake itâ— you must sweete Lady bee mine for want of a knight for your Championâ— Shee lookt sadly and wept so loue-likely as all pittied her but none offered their seruice the valour being knowne and the strength much feared of Laâ—saritano till Selarinus disdaining such a man should haue though so little a cause to adde more fuell to the fire of his pride stept forth and said Most mighty King may it please you to honour mee so much as to permit mee the libertie of this aduenture wherein I doubt not but to doe iustly and to lay Lansaritano's pride as low as the eaâ—â—h will suffer his body to lie vpon it The king glad to see the fine young Prince so forward but loth to venture him in so dangerous a businesse told him That the true noblenesse and bounty of the kings of Albania his Predecessours did againe liue in him to maintaine which hee was very willing to grant his request but his tender yeares made him loth to aduenture him alone Then Sir said hee should I both shame my selfe and the braue Princes before by you mentioned but as I am alone left here of my bloud I will alone aduenture Then hee asked the Lady if shee would accept him and stand to his censure Shee answered Most willingly shee would Hee then gaue her to her beloued saying Prepare your selfe and know Lansaritano that you shall finde enough to doe when you encounter Iustice and resolution which are the two I take with mee in this Combate against you The furie of the vaine man was such to see so young a man answer him as hee could scarce giue one word againe but at last his breath smoked out these words Alas poore Boy I pitie thee wherefore pray thee be aduised and hereafter when thou hast a Beard come and it may be I will grace thee with fighting with thee vnlesse thou dost hope I should haue some pity on thy faire face and so forbeare to hurt thee in the fight 〈◊〉 â—ince you haue no brauer Knights Great King of Morea farewell I will returne and now faire Lady what thinke you of your seruant my selfe will you loue me or let this smug Youth be your Champion The king was infinitely offended with the proud speech of Lansaritano the like was all the company yet none aduentured to answer but braue Selarinus himselfe who againe couragiouslie yet mildlie told him That hee neede not learne to know words were not the weapons to bee vsed in fight therefore hee would answere him no further in that kinde but hee should giue him satisfaction with his Sword and Speare for the Ladies sake before his parting thence whether hee would or no and then haue occasion to speake better of him if hee left him to speake at all The King embraced the young Prince and straight sending for an Armour which was the first that euer Amphilanthus had worne hauing left it there taking another which was brought him from Italy after his first Victorie of fame which was there performed against two Knights in the defence of an iniured Ladie this hee put on which was all White saue iust against the Heart hee had the figure of a heart wounded curiously made and so artificially as one would haue thought his heart had been seene to bleed through the Armour with these Armes Selarinus was arm'd the King girting the sword to him and kissing him wisht as good fortune to him as the first Lord of those Armes had and to prooue as worthy to weare them Hee on his knee humbly gaue him thankes then turning to the Lady will'd her to take her loued Seruant if shee accepted him for her Knight Shee ioyfully beholding him and smiling on her loue who equally exprest his ioy followed him who now appeared a young Mars yet was her ioy mixt with feare of falling againe into his hands till which time shee
freedome and lesse ouer-seers of my actions To a Maske that wee had there wherein I was a Lady came whose ill 't was to fal in loue me and so violently did it flame as it grew dangerous if she were refus'd a womans hate which is the deadliest I was to expect if I consented iust disdaine from my deare selfe I was to merit Hate could not stirre mee to such ill but feare lest it would blaze vnto her hurt made me yeeld some content In these two straites I was if I would haue asked leaue and told the cause it yet might purchase doubt if I denied certaine hurt ensued To auoid both I did kindly vse her and such words spake before my onely loue as I did wish that she should vnderstand while still the other tooke them to her selfe Thus it was well but how could well long last with me from this well grew my worst ill and that ill all my woe for my loues husband grew to doubt his wife which well he might for though she were assured or truly might be of my faith to her yet could shee not but sometime shew dislike that she sought to win me or that she should aspire to be her riuall loue this made that secret deare affection seen which so long had laine close wrapped vp alone in knowledge of our soules Hee had no sooner found this but hee straight studdied by skill to be reueng'd and yet to seeme still ignorant of the plot and thus his wicked practise he began A solemne feast hee made which was to last for twelue whole dayes the reason he alleaged was this an old man once did say whose skill was very great in the Art of Diuination as 't was held that he should neuer liue to fiftie yeares of age which time being then expired this feast for that cause was appointed Many Ladies thither were inuited with their Lords and many knights who were to win faire Ladies and with the rest this amorous Lady came whose welcome to my loue was like hers vnto me I grieud that shee was there because I saw shee did displease her eyes who firmely held my heart The Lord whose name was Redulus neuer shewed better cheere his heart neuer more foule nor thoughts more â—ulled with base fram'd tricks At the first show which was by candle light and neither Masque nor properly any one thing but a mingle of diuers sorts I sate betweene those two whose loues in seuerall kindes I held my Ladies intruth mix'd with a little feare the other in violence heated with dislike I had but one loue yet of force shew'd two faith and sincere affection to my choyce dissembled and a faign'd respect to her had chosen me The husband watching all and catching with as many seuerall watches our close looks as spiders flyes with numbers of her webs then did his wit begin to play that part allotted to it selfe which was to throw a spitefull iarre among vs three which was effected by this diuiliâ—h meanes flouting the Lady whom my soule best loued telling her how shee had made such a choyce hee could not blame her for since hee a Prince a dainty youth a neate and courtly Knight delicate amorous how can hee bee sâ—ene without admiring and then louing yet truely wife said he I better doe deserue your loue since I haue loued but you and you haue many partners in his loue I speake not this for iealousie nor am I angry with it or displeased but onely pitty you who are deceiu'd Courtiers you know will loue choyce of Mistresses alas what lucke haue you to fall into this snare to loue and to be couzened of your loue by one you make your friend and sweet companion iustly yet this is done that you afford your friend a part in all Selinea for so was she deere shee my Lady cal'd knew not at first with what face or in what kind to receiue these words the husband first was the informer the businesse his dishonour the losse hers the fault her louers these call'd her sharpest and best pleased wits to ayde at last shee thus did say My Lord you say you pity me in this kinde were I guilty you had more iust cause to hate me for truth in men except your selfe their truths and falshoods are indifferent to me hauing no further reason to commend prize or dislike them but for vertues sake and so am I in my owne opinion blessed in your loue as I should despaire of blessing if I deseru'd it not in the same height of loyalty for the Prince he hath it is true many noble parts able to win womens affections but yet none such where true worth remaines as to diuert them from a vertuous life since that leaues the name property when it runs to change If I were single it might be I should as soon like him as any other but I lou'd you and loue you neuer to change from that loue therefore I pray you take home your before-giuen pitty and bestow it where it wants since I haue yet no vse of it and continue that loue you did beare me which shall be requited with as lasting a faith in me He who expected rather a curst and sharpe answer then so milde an one tooke her in his armes and kissing her swore hee lou'd her well before but now his heart was wholly hers thus shee as shee hop'd had satisfied him who seem'd contented but his minde was no more then before quieted for then hee went to Melinea and talking with her discoursed how infinitely hee was afflicted with the wrong that Dolorindus did him in his reputation and honour courting of his wife so publikely and striuing to discredit him vnto the world and so vndoe his happinesse at home which hee enioyed while Selinea louâ—d him but now such power had the earnest and importunate loue of the Prince gained ouer her weake powers to resist as hee had made her his But yet sayd Melinea he loues her not assuredly as you imagine Bee not deceiu'd sweet Melinea said Redulus for neuer did man more passionately affect then Dolorindus doth did you but see his sleights nay his passions if they faile you would sweare no man did violently loue but hee his sighs with folded armes and stealing lookes discouers what hee feeles How haue I seene him when he talk'd with you and kiss'd your hand throw euen his soule out at his eyes to her Surely my Lord said shee you cannot see this but you doe speake it onely to trye if I would proue so vnworthy as to ioyne with you in doubt of her who is as good as faire No I protest said hee I speake as I belieue and know but yet I am assur'd that his loue is the greater and the cause that shee did euer bend to thinke of loue A Princes name is able to attract a chast-borne â—aide to know loues heate and force what then can loue and strong affection ioyn'd win on a woman Take
him since his departure for your loue it is so rare a thing to bee found in one of your sexe in such constant fury as to procure and continue such a iourney as that of it selfe without the mixâ—ure of such perfections as you see in your selfe were enough to conquer one that could be ouercome but for his loue to my daughter there she is to answer you if she please and cleare that doubt since it is more then euer I knew that the Albanian Prince did loue her more then in respect vnto her greatnesse Nereana turning to Pamphilia earnestly and one might see curiously and like a riuall therefore spitefully beholding her thus spake Well might hee braue Princesse bestow his affections where such vnusuall beauties do abide nor now can I blame him for prostrating his heart before the throne of your excellent perfections Pamphilia blushed both with modesty and danger yet she gaue her this answer Madam said she I know you are a Princesse for before your comming hither I heard the fame of you which came swifter then your self though brought by loue and in truth I am sorry that such a Lady should take so great and painefull a voyage to so fond an end being the first that euer I heard of who took so Knight-like a search in hand men being vs'd to follow scornefull Ladies but you to wander after a passionate or disdainefull Prince it is great pitie for you Yet Madam so much I praise you for it as I would incourage you to proceede since neuer feare of winning him when so many excellencies may speake for you as great beauty high birth rich possessions absolute command and what is most matchlesse loue and loyaltie besides this assurance you may haue with you that to my knowledge hee loues not me and vpon my word â— affect not him more then as a valiant Prince and the friend to my best friends Thus are you secure that after some more labour you may gaine what I will not accept if offered me so much do I esteeme of your affectionate search These words were spoken so as though proud Nereana were nettled with them yet could she not in her iudgement finde fault openly with them but rather sufferd them with double force to bite inwardly working vpon her pride-fild heart and that in her eyes she a little shewed though she suffered her knees somewhat to bow in reuerence to her Answere shee gaue none scorning to thanke her and vnwilling to giue distaste hauing an vndaunted spirit she turned againe to the King vsing these words For all this said she great King I cannot thinke but Steriamus loues this Queene for now doe I find a like excellent mind inclosed within that all-excelling body such rarenes I confesse liuing in her beauty as I cannot but loue his iudgement for making such a choice and the rather do I belieue he loues her because he affects hardest aduentures and so impossible is it I see to win her heart as it may prooue his most dangerous attempt yet brauely doth he in aspiring to the best Then braue king and you faire Lady pardon me and iudge of my fault or folly with mild eyes since neither are mine wholly but the Gods of loue to whom I am a seruant The King told her more cause he had to commend and admire her then to contemne her since for a woman it was vnusuall to loue much but more strange to be constant After this and some other passages Amphilanthus and Ollorandus came and saluted her giuing her many thankes for their royall welcome she kindly receiued them desiring them to giue her some light how to find Steriamus they answered her that from Delos he was directed to an Iland called St Maura but more they knew not nor heard of him since his going thither with another good Prince calld Dolorindus Hauing this little hope of finding him she gaue them thankes and so took her leaue nor by any meanes could they perswade her stay in her soule hating the sight of her who though against her will had won and then refused that which shee for her onely blessing did most seeke after yet would she honour her worth which openly she protested but neuer affect her person Thus the strange Princesse departed neither pleased nor discontented despising any passion but loue should dare to thinke of ruling in her but because she must not be left thus this story shall accompany her a while who tooke her way to the sea thinking it better to trust her selfe with Neptune then the aduentures which might befall her a longer iourney by land She taking ship at Castanica meant to passe among the Ilands and by power commanded the Saylers to bend their course for St. Maura which they did but in the night the wind changd and grew high turning towards day to a great storme not meaning to be curst but when the fury might be seene thus were they with the tempest carried another way then they intended and at last safely though contrary to their wils being in the Mediterran sea were cast vpon Cecily at a famous place cald Saragusa Then she who saw there was no way to contend against heauenly powers would not in discretion chafe though blame her fortune on land shee went to refresh her selfe and so passed toward the Citie of Seontina where shee determined to stay some dayes and then proceede or rather returne in her iourney the weather being hot and trauell tedious One dayes iourney being past shee wild her seruants to set vp her tents hard by a Wood side where shee had the benefit of that shade and before her a delicate greene Playne through the which ran a most pleasant Riuer shee liking this place which as shee thought humbly by delights sought to inuite her stay in it as a Woman that would take what content shee could compasse for that time laid aside State and to recreate her selfe after her owne liking went into the Wood pretending her thoughts would not bee so free as when shee was alone and therefore bid her seruants attend her returne they willing to obay her and best pleased when t was for their ease let her goe who taking the directest way into the heart of the Wood and so farre not for the length of the way but the thicknes and the likenesse of the paths and crossings as she wandred in amaze and at last quite lost her selfe straying vp and downe now exercising the part of an aduenturous louer as Pamphilia in iest had call'd her a thousand thoughts at this time possessing her and yet all those as on a wheele turnd came to the same place of her desperate estate One while she curs'd her loue then dislike of her folly for aduenturing and rashly leauing her Country she raild at the vncareful people who permitted her to haue her fond desires without limiting her power but that she check'd againe for said she rather would I be thus miserable then not
breake shee thus did wander in her rauing thoughts then did sleepe couet place but she was calld to goe a hunting with the King and Queene which she obayed and as her manner was as soone as the Stagge was roused and Doggs let in vnto his ouerthrow she followed them and left the rest that either were not so well hors'd or lese affecting such a violent sport behind and brauely in followed the pleasant chase which did continue till the Sun was set Then did they with much glory view their spoyles ioying as in a conquest of great gaine but what did most content the fairest Queene was the sweete euening in which she inioyed all the content the dainty Ayre could giue which was as cleere as her cleere heart in loue and that as cleere as cleerest sweetest ayre But as she rode softly to coole her selfe a delicate sweete voyce inuited her to stay and so to see the owner of that musique the voyce did draw them to a pleasant Groue and then vnto a swift sweete Riuers side where on the brinke amonst the seges sate a Nimph of all perfections that were chast hard by her on the banke her quiuer lay her bow by that and she vndressing was to bath and wash her in that pleasant streame Pamphilia was almost amas'd to see so rare and exquisite a creature as shee was wherefore commanding all the men to stay shee and her Ladyes only went to her whose modesty and bashfullnes was such as she euen quaked to see those women there and well might shee who neuer saw her selfe in shaddow but shee diued to hide her selfe from her owne eyes yet had shee lou'd The Queene perceiuing that she was afraid most mildly spake thus to her Sweete Nimph bee not thus dismaid wee are none such as will giue cause of any harme to you wee are your friends and following the sport which you oft do by chance or hunters fortune are benighted going vnto the Court wee heard your voyce which hath a power sufficient to attract all creatures like the sweete youths Harpe that drew dumbe things to admire his choysest tunes let me not now disturbe you sweetest Nimph nor barre vs from such heauenly harmony then did shee sweetly make this fine replye Great Princesse pardon I beseech this rudnesse in mee which hath made me dumbe till now vnable to giue answer but my lipps vnseald by your great Grace my speech made fâ—ee to satisfie your will I must confesse when I did see you first I was amas'd and did wish my selfe againe in this faire Riuer so to hide my worthlesse selfe from your all iudging eyes Oft haue I seene you hunt in these faire plaines and somtimes taste of this then blessed brook behinde the seges I did once lye hid when you dry and farre from all places fit to entertaine your vertues in sate downe and drank of this cleere water O said I how blessed wert thou if thou couldest but know into what happinesse thou shalt arriueâ— first to bee touched by those best deerest lipps and so to passe into her royall breast How did I thinke I saw the â—treames which were below haste as for sorrow they had miss'd that fate and those aboue come hastely to catch if not to touch yet one kind looke on them this while I lou'd and so was sencible but since Dispaire had marryed mee and I wedded my selfe to chast Dianas life Let me intreat you sweete Nimph said the Queene to tell me all your story and this night will be more pleasing to me if so spent then any that my fortunes yet haue knowne she then with reuerence due to her state thus did beginne her tale My name great Queene said shee is Allarina a Sheepheardesse by birth and first profession and so had still beene had I not lucklesly profess'd a Louers name and left my former happy because contented life At fourteene yeares of age I first felt paine but young and ignorant I scarce did know what was my torment â— distempered was slept not nor fed my coulor waxed pale my mirth decayed and sighs did wholy breath my breathâ— admire my change the Sheepheards generally did bewaile my ill the sheepherdesses would my parents grieued for me I for my part knew only that I knew not what I ayld till one day walking to a pleasant wood which was vpon a hill I did consider with my selfe what was the first originall of all this paine I could not suddenly find out the ground till at the last considering well each thing I found his name most pleasing was to mee and so as I did in my heart euer thanke the meanes that did bring him to bee but spoken of None in my thoughts appeard so excellent none spake like him none sung like him nothing could hee doe that did not seeme best and nothing done by others but did shew dull and quite voyd of any pleasingnes so excellent appeard he vnto mee When this came to my mind then straight I sight blush'd and layd my hand vpon my panting heart and then cryd out I hope this is not loue but loue no sooner was by poore me nam'd but as if cald he straight possess'd my heart alas I yeelded then to know I lou'd and loue ioy'd I confess'd I was his slaue and such a slaue was I alas soone growne as but that slauery â— did affect my health then alterd and my mother put me into the hands of a Phisitian to bee recouered as shee hop'd by him but all in vaine it was not in his power the cure was not ordaind for him Then came my loue to visite me which gaue me life and comfort thus I did remaine and fiue yeares loued him yet hee ignorant that my affection so was placed on him I surely borne for this conclusion could not permit my selfe to say or shew I lou'd more then in poore sad lookes blushing when he did aske me of my sheepe vnsteddily and with a downe cast looke not daring to behold what most I loued for feare of burning what was scorched before I gaue my answers vnresoluedly hee by all this perceiued that I lou'd for t was not sillines he saw that made that innocent-like fashion shew in me wherefore he meant to watch me and so find where my loue was but then it was too late for not imagining it was himselfe hee marryed After this I grieued and almost dyed but remedy was past and I vndone yet one night blessed night for me my desires he came fetched me to his sisters house where being set betweene vs two hee fell into discourse of many pretty things and all of loue and all as I did finde to gayne by arte to know were I did like at last we fel vnto a foolish sport which was to tell truly what we were asked and so to draw a lot who should demand it fell to him who pretily to couer his intent he first demanded of his sister what life shee thought the
he had rather in his opinion done him honor to match with him nor did he do it for other cause then his affection which begun in our youths had growne to this perfection therefore he intreated him rather with loue then Armes to end the businesse if not hee would prepare to attend his comming as hee pleased Within some few moneths Terichillus with an army entred Selesia but onely enterd it when an army led by Polisander brother to Antonarus met him giuing him batâ—aile and life also for he in an encounter might haue killed him but mercy more then iudgement gouernd him so as he spared him on condition the warres should cease which he promised and a firme league should be made between vs which Polisander should haue the glory of Thus agreed hee came with him where wee were Armes dismist and swords laid downe he was nobly entertaind and receiued by Antonarus who ment truth and after some dayes were passed an oath of friendship was taken of both sides Then Terichillus returnd into his Country of Morauia Polisander bringing him to the confines thereof there committing him to his owne safetie Antonarus was glad of this conclusion because it ioyed me and I for his quiet did reioyce One whole yeare this lasted in which time we had a sonne after whose birth and my recouery againe Terichillus inuited vs vnto his Court with all loue or better to say show of it we belieuing went thither trusting as not meaning to bee false Into Polisanders hands my Lord put the gouernment of the State and also to him gaue the charge of his sonne and well might he doe it for a more noble honest man liues not then he is Into Morauia we went met we were in the confines by noble men and Ladies and still by more and greater till wee arriued at the Court where at the gate my brother and his wife met vs no state nor welcome wanted which outward testimony could expresse nor doubted we but like the silly birds who hearing the sweet singing of other birds set for stales thinking by that mirth they had no imprisonment fall by innocent beliefe into the nets so did we seeing smiles and hearing nothing but welcome and ioy speake grew confident and bold vpon our harmes Some daies wee staid there Feasts Tiltings and all brauerie that the Court could yeeld shewed it selfe vnto vs. After those sports were past Terichillus would haue vs goe a hunting which we did for two daies hauing excellent good great variety of sport the third day we also were to goe and conclude our delights which indeede wee did for in a great Wood and the same where my Antonarus was accustomed when hee was a Huntsman to bide in and from whence I heard his Horne which was the signe of his being there and of call for me to him this vnnaturall man Terichillus for longer I cannot call him brother had laid traytors in ambush with command to execute his will he in the meane time telling vs that a mighty Stagge was within harbored of purpose for vs. Then carried he vs into the thickest of it placing the traine on the out-side farre enough from helpe or hinderance with him wee went to rouse the Deere and so we did the too costly beasts that murdered my content for then they shewd themselues suddenly rushing on Antonarus who had onely a little hunting sword by his side with which he killed one but they many soone possest themselues of his sword and him Then Terichillus reuiled and scoffed at him and me telling vs that here was a youth had wont to walke those Woods and call a Nimph vnto him by his Horne but Satyrs found their wantonnesse and so had vowed reuenge and thus doe we said he Then those men who were disguised in that shape and the fittest for so sauage an act murdered him making mee behold the cruelty for the greater torture When all was done which ended with his life they went away lifting the body only vp vpon a horse and setting me vpon mine owne againe gaue me the bridle of the other to leade with me as the substance and demonstration of my miserie Out of the Wood I went with this pitifull and yet my beloued companion excessiue sorrow had so shut vp my senses as I wept not at the instant nor till I was to tell the Tragedy which was presently after my comming into the Plaine meeting some of the Selesians who accompanied me in mourning little else we could doe for in the County where the murderer ruled and alas our company a handfull in comparison of his people what could we doe but weepe and wish Then got we our small troope together and with as much hafte as our heauinesse could allow vs wee gained the Country of Selesia to Polisander we related this villany whose sorrow and sadnesse was such as hee was not able to giue or take counsell sometimes hee did purpose to râ—uenge this treachery himselfe cursing himselfe for sparing the murderer when he might haue killed him blaming his Fortune that let him liue to slay his brother lamenting the time he made the reconsiliation accusing himselfe as much as Terichillus for hauing been the vnfortunate instrument of this mischiefe Alas said de how happy had Selesia been if I had been slaine in the battaile and how more blessed I that had not liued to see this day deare Antonarus hath thy brother beloued so much of thee been cause of thy losse accursed creature that I am yet pardon mee deare brother I lament thy death as much as heart can doe Selesia yours is the losse vnrecouerable in loosing such a Prince punish me then I am ready and dearest Sister cry'd he take this life from mee how can you see mee who brought your worthy Lord into this misfortune O Antonarus my soule dies for thee His infinite griefe was such as most were forced to watch him lest he made himselfe away yet such was and is his vertue as I hope will protect him from vsing violence on himselfe Much adoe we had to perswade him from going into Morauia to reuenge his brother but at last I gained thus much of him to leaue the reueng to meâ— whose loâ—se was greatest and cause demaunds most pitty to gaine some braue Prince to right me vpon counsell and my petition he granted it whereupon I put on these robes he prouiding this Chariot and all other things necessary for our iourney appoynting the mourning in this kind The same day that I tooke my iourney hee proclaimed my sonne heire and Prince of Selesia himselfe protector and so haue I traueled now two months Terichillus giuing me leaue to passe through this part of his Country to goe to finde a Knight whose vallour and pitty will assist me To find you most braue and excellent King I tooke my way with hope to beg such a fauor of you whose compassion and worth all toungs speake of and harts admire none but magnifying Amphilanthus
will I liue and moue forsaken creatures liue and loue Doe you proceed and you may well confesse you wrong'd my care while I care lesse With great spleene against him and affection to her selfe for her brauenesse she read these lines ouer againe but then whether iudgment of seeing them but poore ones or humble loue telling her she had committed treason to that throne moued her I cannot iustly tell but some thing there was that so much molested her as she leap'd from her stoole ranne to the fire threw in the paper cryd out pardon me great Queene of loue I am guilty I plead no other mercy take on me thy poorest vassall I loue still I must loue still and him and only him although I be forsaken The sweete Riuers she visited and on their banks continually did lye and weepe and chid her eyes because they wept no faster seeing them but drop vnto the streame My heart said she yeelds more plentifull deere shed teares then you Alas Antissia how doe I pitty thee how doe I still lament thy hap as if a stranger for I am not she but meere disdaine yet then she stayd soft fury cry'd she I must not permit your harshnesse to creepe into my heart no I shall neuer hate I lou'd too much and doe to alter now Then tooke she forth a picture hee had giuen her willingly when she did aske it that she wept on kiss'd it wip't it wept and wip't and kiss'd againe Alas that thou alone said she the shadow should be true when the true substance is so false cold Cristall how well doth thy coldnesse sute his loue to mee which once was hot now colder then thy selfe but were it chast like thee I yet were bless'd for 't is not losse alone but change that martyrs me The picture she then shut and put it where it was which was vpon her heart she there continually did cherish it and that still comfort her when by it shee did see hee had loued her and though now quite bereaued of happines in that yet did that cleere her from the folly idle loue without reward had else condemned her in Oft would shee read the papers she had gaind from him in his owne hand and of his making though not all to her yet being in that time she did not feare shee tooke them so and so was satisfied Read them she did euen many millions of times then lay them vp againe and as her greatest priz'd and only blessing left kept them still neere apt many times to flatter her poore selfe with hope he had not cleane left her who did so kindly let her keepe those things contrary to his manner with others as he reported to her self for from them he tooke at vâ—rying all they had of hisâ— as from Lucenia who hee told shee could not esteeme of his shadow so little prizing the substance but theÌ„ as many bold assurances told her she was deceiued The Meads she much frequented walking in their plaines especially shee did affect one more then all the rest a Willow tree growing in the midst and plentifully spreading branches witnessing forsakennes round about so as she might be held in that sad shade from the heat of Sun-hope-ioy Miserable Antissia waild she her selfe in how few yeares hast thou made a shift to see the whole world of misfortune yet of the worst and the only worst is disdaine and losse in loue Then carued she in the trunke of that tree till she had imbroiderd it all ouer with characters of her sorrow in the crowne of this tree she made a seat big enough for her selfe to sit inâ— the armes and branches incompassing her as if shee were the hat to weare the Crowne of Willow or they were but the flowers of it and her selfe the forsaken compasse out of which so large and flourishing a crowne of despised loue proceeded so as take it either way shee was either crownd or did crowne that wretched estate of losse a pitifull honor and griefefull goueâ—â—ment but this was the reward for her affection and which most poore louing women purchase Melysinda was yet more fortunate for within some two moneths after Amphilanthus his departure her husband by a bruise he receiued at the Iusts held there had an Impostume bred within him which was not discouerd till helpe was past so as he died leauing her a braue and faire Widdow Good nature made her sorry for him but shee tooke it not so heauily though teares she shed as to giue cause to the world to lament the marring of so excellent beauty for the losse of a husband who if he could haue been by sorrow brought againe there had been reason for it but otherwise shee must haue run into the danger of being thought vnreasonable too much to sorrow and as if dislike what heauenly powers willd wherefore obediently to them and discreetly to the world she grieued sufficiently for him keeping as strict a course of mourning as the most curious could not thinke it in any place or manner too little She saw no man in two moneths after his death the first were the Counsell in which time they had gouernd then came shee forth to them into a priuate roome where they onely were her face couerd below the eyes with a Scarfe throwne carelessely ouer not a Vaile for so much finenesse had been much and too little mourning another piece of mourning came and couered her chinne to her lippes and a little past her Gowne made with a wide long sleâ—ue to the ground was of blacke Cloth a Mantle ouer it of the same to which was a Traiâ—ie carried by two Ladies of her Bed-chamber likewise in cloth but their faces bare the whole Court hung with Cloth no Roome that mourned not as if each had a particular losse no people of the Court or that came to the Court but were in that dolefull liuery Embassadours from all kingdomes to condole And thus she liued till Ollorandus came vnto her six moneths after which hindred his going to the army in Albania loue euer hauing or taking the liberty to coÌ„mand scorning then but to be obayd which the faire cosins Vrania and Philistella made experience of to whom the newes of Selarinus his imprisonment came and presently after the happy deliuery and Coronation of him to mitigate the â—ury of her sorrow which was such as tormented Vrania to see whose heart was perplexed especially for parting and absence often bursting into passions like these Can you tell mee you poorest eyes where my loyall heart remaines haue you not perceiued it in his louing and still answering lookes from which and in which truest beauty smiles did it not there descry the ioy it selfe striuing to let you knowe the place it happily obtained playing and making baby pastimes as it lay closed in that shrine of glory but much more triumphed it when you might knowe his breast embraced it surprising the run-away as by sweet force made his while
businesse while hee went vnto his wife whom hee found in her chamber in bed attending not his Maiestie but the King of her heart Shee rose vp in her bed and opened the Curtaine with loue and ioy in her face and eyes Hee tooke it meant to him when hee perceiued it for hard was such a ioy as shee expected to bee drawne backe on the suddaine but when like violence followed for her smile was frowning her ioy displeasure her rising to embrace him to turning her face from him her speech to welcome him to crying out I wonder said shee mâ— maids haue thus betrayed me leauing the Chamber open to my shame Alas my Lord I wonder what you meane to come this way it is an ill one and vnfit for you I haue not mistaken said hee I come to visit you and to intreate you What to doe my Lord said she To pittie mee said hee To dishonour my selfe cryd she Why if you can but pittie mee you may answered hee Pittie of my selfe makes mee refuse you replyed shee What can you pittie in your selfe said hee to denie mee for The honour answered shee which calls to mee for respect and care which borne with me is my fathers and my brothers and my houses these claime my care and pitey None neede know your fauour to mee but your selfe and my selfe who with all affection aske it and with all truth will keepe it close I cannot nor will not trust mine owne soule with vnworthinesse lest accusation iustly merited fall on mee and inwardlie afflict mee therefore my Lord I beseech you said shee bee satisfied and as you protest to loue mee make demonstration of it and leaue mee pure from touch of any ill but your discourse which so farre hath troubled mee as I truly sweare I neuer was more molested in my dayes Hee with that drew his sword whether to threaten her with harme if shee consented not or to make her yeeld by offering violence on himselfe I know not but shee was distemperd with the manner and wished her loue or husband the worse of the two by much had been present The better happened for her seruant came at the instant hindred it seemed onely by higher powers to stay to serue her his affection else bringing him vsuallie rather before then after time and so soone some times as hee hath been forced to vse his best wits for his excuse yet now hee came late but in best time for her His comming in made the King start and straight put vp his Sword making some faind and so idle cause for drawing it Hee straight left the roome and the other attended him till hee saw him horsed then returning to his loue came to excuse and to bee certaine excuse himselfe for stay and to bee resolued of his being there in that sort She wept for both tâ—lling him that hee had betrayed her hee grieued to bee taxed so yet with much adoe gaind the truth then was hee ioyed and tormented ioyed with her loyaltie vexed that his negligence had giuen such aduantage to his Riuall All or both causes of trouble at last were ended and concluded with the summe of blessednesse content in affection The King yet left it not thus but pursues with faire words and letters what hee sought Shee with as faire but not so kinde replies gain'd that hee troubled her not in some moneths with such importunitie At last hee writ some Verses to her wherein hee commended varietie in loue as inuiting her vnto it being the most pleasing and fruitfull telling her whom hee could loue on all causes and reasons as either beauty greatnesse wit or for varieties sake it selfe could moue him The coppie of his I haue not but most excellent Madam said shee by hers you may see what hee hath said and hers bee these and these your most excellent Sonne hath sent me for Nicholarus is his prisoner taken and saued by him in the last Battaile that Countrie wholly by the matchlesse King of Naples conquered and won for by his comming Polidorus was vanquished and Nicholarus quite ouerthrowne now remaining but one more to be subdued and then Steriamus hath all and for that all must thanke Amphilanthus And hee your loue said the Queene who thus commendeth him She blushed to heare her iudgement so free with her She kissed her and willd her not to feare though she discouerd her but proceed sweet Neece said shee The Verses Madam said she were these THe ioy yon say the Heauens in motion trie Is not for change but for their constancy Should they stand still their change you then might moue And serue your turne in praise of fickle loue That pleasure is not but diuersified Plainely makes proofe your youth not iudgement tried The Sunnes renewing course yet is not new Since t is but one set course he doth pursue And though it faigned be that he hath chang'd T was when he from his royall seate hath raing'd His glorious splendor free from such a staine Was forc'd to take new shapes his end to gaine And thus indeed the Sunne may giue you leaue To take his worst part your best to deceiue And whereof he himselfe hath been ashamd Your greatnesse praiseth fitter to be blamd Nothing in greatnes loues a strange delight Should we be gouernd then by appetite A hungry humour surfetting on ill Which Glutton-like with cramming will not fill No Serpent can bring forth so foule a birth As change in loue the hatefullst thing on earth Yet you doe venture this vice to commend As if of it you Patron were or Friend Foster it still and you shall true man be Who first for change lost his felicitie Riuers t is true are clearest when they run But not because they haue new places won For if the ground be muddy where they fall The clearenesse with their change doth change with all Lakes may be sweet if so their bottoms be From rootes not from the leaues our fruit we see But loue too rich a prize is for your share Some little idle liking he can spare Your wit to play withall but true loue must Haue truer hearts to lodge in and more iust While this may be allow'd you for loues might As for dayes glory framed was the night That you can outward fairenesse so affect Shewes that the worthier part you still neglect Or else your many changings best appeares For beauty changeth faster then the yeares And that you can loue greatnesse makes it knowne The want of height in goodnesse of your owne T was not a happinesse in ancient time To hold plurality to be no crime But a meere ignorance which they did mend When the true light did glorious lusture lend And much I wonder you will highly rate The brutish loue of Nature from which state Reason doth guide vs and doth difference make From sensuall will true reasons lawes to take Wer 't not for Reason we but brutish were Nor from the beasts did we at all differ
those Knights maintaine the passage said hee To defend poore mee cryd shee who since now left vngarded on that side I beseech you will conuey me to my house which when you see you will find likewise cause of pitty there Then brought she them vnto her dwelling which was in a Caue of great bignesse and large proportion a Monument in the mid'st of it of the most pretious stone of that time wherein shee liued being the Tombe of her sweete and last deere loue her sonne Deuided the Caue was into pretty roomes finely furnished but such as seemed rather to affect delicate cleanlines then sumptuous ornament yet were they rich enough Her attendants few but their seruice shewed them sufficient for that place with a modest and sad kindnesse shee bad them wellcome thither and instantly asking pardon that she must leaue them for such a tyme as she might performe her vow of mourning ouer the Tombe which hauing finished with numbers of sigh's groanes and teares she returnd to them againe Amphilanthus was not yet satisfied with the discourse wherefore againe he vrg'd her Then Sir said she you shall haue all I was borne to be betrayâ—'d for before this cunning ill man came I was vndone in former hops by one that had beene with my Lord almost from his birth who with flatterings had seald vp my heart to his vse neuer hiding any thing not my loue it selfe from his knowledge he making the greatest shew of obligâ—tion to me for my confidence that might bee expressed by so rare a witt striuing by subâ—ill meanes to make me thinke hee vsd all wayes hee might to make me happy still vrging me who needed no inticement to thinke how worthy the loue was how fit the match and then shewed me the liknesse of it our loues being so perfectly and reciprocally embraced the strong bond of friendship twixt our fathers and the continuance of that betweene him and my father as inheriting it from him lastly of our breeding together which though in our infancies yet the more naturally bred loue and increased it adding to loue as the smalest sticks doe with momber to the fiâ—rs of triumph but what aboue all indeed was the earnestest moouer as he treacherously protested was the true euen consent of our dispositions which seem'd so neere being one as though by birth made two yet created so as to be ioyned in one for the more direct and vnpartiall strength of perfectnesse and thus were you made to be one said hee in all fortunes and beings Heauen I confesse I held his louâ— Father Mother friends all were strangers to me in respect of the nearnesse of my affection to him and next to that did I thinke my best spent time was with those he most affected in his absence in that kinde seruing him Fortunate I thought my selfe and honour'd when his companions accompanyed me and so much I loued him as being forsaken I now the more am tortur'd with iust cause of coÌ„playning This Creature loath I am to name by other title and yet grieued to giue him his due and to call him spoyler of my blisse too diligently attended me neuer left me when any time might be permitted for man to see me in I embraced his conuersation but it chang'd to my affliction and contents destruction seeing oft times my passions which were too vehement for mee to hide or my weakenesse couer hee aduised yet still inticed mee on At last a match was offered me many had beene so before but all refused my conscience being such as neuer to marry any that I could not loue especially knowing it before yet was this more earnestly pursued then any other before the Gentleman himselfe too much and vnhappily affecting mee My Parents looked without loues eyes or rather saw while that child was blind the goodnes and greatnesse of his estate the hopefullnesse of the man his vertues and noble conditions much perswaded mee vnto him yet could not more mooue me then it is possible to stirr the most renowned Albion Rocks and in as much chast whitenesse remain'd my loue to my Lord while this Diuell who promis'd his helpe aymed at a farre fowler end beeing gaind I will not say by bribes to the friends of a great Heire whose estate might make one how vnworthy soeuer before a couetous minde seeme beautifull This was his fire and by this hee wrought destilling the offence of Villanie through the Limbeck of his wickednesse and this was the beginning My only loue being gon a iourney with the King loued infinitely by Deterius my father and hee staying had left his chamber and seruants to his dispose and command a stranger came in the plot ordained so by this Villaine while my Lord was dressing him hee desired to speake with the Traytor he went vnto him coÌ„ming in againe with a paper in his hand amazednes in his face which made my deerer selfe demand the cause he teÌ„derly louing the wretch because he had instructed himâ— froÌ„ in his tender youth He counterfetted loathnes to speake as if vnwelcome newes would follow his words the more he was troubled silent the more perplexed was my deere wherefore he priuately called the messenger to him of whom he demanded the newes he answered he knew none but that with much ioy and content Bellamira was betrothed to her long louing friend though not till then beloued of her he then loued and so may youâ— the better iudge of his paine When he heard I had giuen my selfe to another yet thus discreetly heâ— caryed it that hee spake not any thing vnto it though some while after heâ— demaunded of his fauour'd seruant as if but by chance if he heard any thing of Bellamira he would not answere but with a sigh and these words It is impossible I now find for any woman to be true Why said my Lord is Bellamira marryed No answered hee but as ill for shee is betrothed O women O loue how fickle and false are you both My deere hearing the death of my loue confirmed in this likely but vntrue manner saiâ— little only turned himselfe to a window where some teares he shed yet hauing the noblest spirit in the world would not suffer himselfe too long tâ— be gouernd vnder sorrow turned againe and so walked into an Orchardâ— where they conferred and at last he gained his consent to his desired end I ignorantly liued not daring to make other expressions then by looks or humble and willing seruices offered him which with as much affection were embraced yet was I grieued I heard not of him which still till then I did by euery one that saw him he as willing to send as I to receiue kindnesse The earnest suiter and falsely supposed betrothed man still did pursue and so hotly as at last I resolued to stretch the limits of modesty and to acquaint my Lord withall by letter and so ambitiously hoped to gaine one from him but considering many dangers I
fell into the greatest fearing the deliuery of my letter I sent it to him who was the only bar of the deliuering of it or theÌ„ I sent as at his death I found in a Cabinet deliuered by his owne hands vnto mee with teares and humble petition for pardon that so hee might die quietly which as he lamentably protested hee could not doe nor peaceably leaue this world I forgaue him and in that Cabinet found three of my letters which close me in the misery I now suffer thereby I saw manifestly I was betrayed loosing the enioying of what the losse brought my vtter ruine for I assuredly confident in him sent my letters still to him trusting him contrary to iudgement neuer receiuing answere of them but excuses from him selfe as since I find were framed by him sometime saying he could not then write but in short time he would send one of purpose to me I remained as louers enioying their like quiet But many weekes hauing passed I writ againe setting downe how I was solicited by him hee knew of almost threatned by my parents yet had they nor should they gaine more then this that he like all others should be refused for his sake if it would please him to accept of me and my truest affection wholly dedicated to him This vnfortunately I sent as the others and so kept comming the same morning before hee was by his Villany contracted to the great Heire of the Forrest Twise I was sending it by a trusty seruant of my mothers but Desteny preuailed and I destined to mischiefe could not withstand my ills Perplex'd I was with my fortune when I saw or thought I saw my faith reiected mad at my patience that forced me to beare such iniuries cursed the harme yet loued the harmeâ—maker till one night my father and many of his friends at supper the procurer of my miserie came in who was beloued and respected by my father for his learning and for his seruice to his friend and so was entertained by him placing him next vnto himselfe while I with vncertaine lookes and doubtfull blushings cast mine eyes on him yet stayed them not long there lest they might bee vnderstood my heart guiltie of the loue my soule bare to his Lord causing such a mistrust of discouerie in my owne conscience as that modestie hindred mee from discouering my harme which his countenance had else been ready to bewray as since I vnderstood by some that marked him as they sat at meate My father asked how his most noble Lord did fare Well my Lord said he but growne of late too cunning for vs al for would you thinke it he hath finely got a wife This made me boldly to looke vp for what would not such a deadly wound cause in one if it were but only to look boldly on their end life lasting in mee but to know certainely my death being so eager of it as I my self had demanded it had not my father soone preuented me asking who it was Why said hee the fly Youth hath got the mighty Heire of the Forrest I hearing it discernd my hast to bee like theirs that run to the top of the highest Rock to throw themselues from thence so did I for those words strake me dead my spirits falling and failing me encountred with the depth and bruise of fortune aduerse to me I fell from the table in a swound All ran to me or about me none because none thought I loued being able or willing to guesse the reason except the Serpent whose poyson strake me I was with care and diligence brought to my selfe againe which when I had sense to know I blamd that sense that brought that knowledge to me condemning fortune who would not permit one of her owne sex so much fauour as to die hauing such cause Then came my speech againe which I onely employd to this purpose to desire some of the seruants to leade me to my chamber beseeching the company not to stirre assuring them that there was no danger for vsually I had had such fits my father and mother especially whose loues were most vnto me and dearest to me would haue gone with mee but I preuaild the moouer of my torment looking on me with as much pitie as the Master of a good Dog doth on him when he is hurt by his owne setting on vpon either Bull or Beare When I came to my Chamber I pretended a desire to rest which made me abler to dwell in any vnrest Sir if euer you haue felt loue so perfectly as to deserue your name imagine to your selfe what I felt seeing scorne disdaine presented to mine eies nay what of all is cruelst vnkindnes Vnkindnes to a perfect louing heart is indeed said he of all miseries the cruellest and most murthering Haue you alas Sir said she felt that griefe That only said he perplexeth me I cannot say I was disdain'd for I was cherished I was not scorned but receiued I lou'd and was beloued but now I feare she is vnkind Let not feare without assurance said shee molest you lest it make you indeed loose by mistrust what is yet but mistrusted to be lost I beseech you said hee proceede and let my misfortunes remaine in me by none else thought on Yet said shee being forsaken is a greater miserie for such a losse is losse of all hope or ioy in life the other may bee helped againe with kindnesse and this I finde for had I not enioyed a heauenly happinesse I neuer had complained But to goe on being come to my chamber and hauing liberty by priuatnesse to exercise my sorrow in the absence of all but it selfe I thus began to mourne O loue cride I was it not enough that thou didst win mee to thy power and that thou didst possesse me in those yeares when first it was possible for maiden thoughts to entertaine thee to make mee chuse guiding mine eyes to the choice of one where perfections linked themselues to chaine my powers and enuy from all such that thinking I loued thee maliced my happinesse as if I had enioyed Yet cruell you cannot thinke all that I suffered by passion hatred of others enuy paine torment and all miserie sufficient but you must turne crosse and find a greater to afflict me Why did you grant me Paradise of hope to throw me downe to bottoms of despaire Why did you glory to inuite my heart to yeeld vnto the winning power of eyes eyes which were able to gaine moreâ— then hearts thrice doubled could repay with loue Fie intising eyes why wan you mee onely of set purpose to kill me with your frownes this was pretended murder your sparkling conquest seemd to gaine by vnresistable darts soules to your will and their smiles promised vnresistable darts soules to your will and their smiles promised to saue when won but triall proues you win alone to spoile Was it a victory sufficient to get and worthlesse of keeping It seemes so since you leaue
their friends being ingaged for them Then I reclaimed him from ill company I meane inferiour to him which he naturally had best loued and as if a new molded him so as in troth he deserued and doth respect from me and that hee shall haue the Court I confesse I loued well I brought him though not to like it himselfe to let me be there when I would and priuately he would come vnto me the Princesse I serued a Lady faire and louing but something variable and changing as her fauour was to me for I being of her chamber in great fauour and grace fell into the most bitter dislike and disgrace that euer any did Causes she alleaged but an easie thing it is to frame such yet the worst thing she did to me and which I tooke indeed to the heart was shee mistrusted I loued a brother of hers who she neither much cared for nor esteemed my honour shee made a young braue Lady likewise acquainted with all whom she did command to attend on her and in the last part of the euening or rather in the night they came into the Garden where if I had been gone to his chamber as shee imaginedâ— I must needs to my owne lodging passe through in my returne All the doores they locked double and bolted the others that had not such locks on them walking vp and downe to catch me who surely they imagined a very kind woman to goe so farre to a seruant whose part it had rather been to come to me but they watched and the truth is I was in another garden on the other side but not with him yet being that way suspition said I was guilty so vpon likelihoods I was condemnd To the doore I came and thinking to find the place as I left it I boldly put my key to vnlock it but it would not doe mine was but single my enemies double I at first found it not but seeing I could not open it I tried againe and then plainly discernd some had been there after me yet I did not dreame of the Princesse Presently my tampering hauing giuen them the allarum I might heare them whisper the Lady spake a little louder as of purpose that I should speak to her I did iust as she desired and fell into the trap as they wished for I cried Who is there T is I said she I pray open the doore said I. I will do you more seruice then that said she where with she opened it the Princesse of this plot and place standing close by her I started when I saw her How doth my Brother said she I told her her Highnes was deceiued in me I am not answered she but I haue been for I tooke you to haue been good and vertuous the contrary this action shewes you to be I protest cryed I I am innocent of ill and free from this wrong you accuse me of The way time your attire condemnes you said she why should you vndrest in night habits at this late houre and alone walk abroad iust this way towards his lodgings none els lying in those parts were it not to him the world besides had such a conceit and you knowing it your part had bin to auoid al cause or shadow of cause to mistrust you rather then to runne into the open mouth of danger and plaine discouerie I saw her so violent I besought her yet in mercy and pity of womens honour which could be no fame to her to ruine whatsoeuer she conceited of me yet to spare me to the world Shee smild scornefully and said she was not of the trade of my counsell-keepers who knew of â—y going to him in mans apparrell before that time and so flung away I was in truth troubled exstreamely with it and spake to the Lady to bee my friend in it Shee protested freely and brauely shee would doe me any seruice in that or any other thing and that it was first vnknowne to her what the pretence was â—onely dutie taught her to obay after vtterly against her will to proceede in it But what mends had I the Princesse told it to euery one and which madded mee most to this braue Gentleman you saw with me who at that time and by her meanes wholly had not so good an opinion of me as now he hath nor had I so much respect to him yet I loued him euer shee I thinke did so too and in no better a kind then shee thought I did her brother But I am charitable and I thinke no ill was done for I am sure he is noble and good Vpon this I left the Court and with me or presently after me fearing tricks for who how vertuous soeuer can preuent so odde and deuillish a plot as this was all or the greatest part of the Ladies went from thence euen she who then was so deare vnto her in little more grace then my selfe leauing her attended on with her chamber and those enough to be vsed ill She then grew melancholly and at last sought company some she got together but of what sort those that were of the age before who hauing young minds rumbled vp their old carcases and rubd ouer their wrinckling faces like old wainscot new varnished and little sweeter was some of their beauties But these serued to fill vp places and adorne a chamber of state like ill Pictures yet brauely guilt and set forth make as good a shew though but glassed as the cunningst piece of worke if not to iudging eies an noise they also made of mirth banqueting and inuiting company but all would not serue the glaringst signe or greatest bush drawes not in the best company no more did they make the Court much the fairer Dance they did and all ridiculous things that ancient but young made women could inuent to do I came again hauing liberty to behold theÌ„ but neuer any more to serue in ordinary Lord how I admird the alteration and the place being changd from what it was as much as from a Court to a Play-house She vsd me indifferently wel and I took it so enuying none but the Lady whom I was a little in aw of but not for that I did grudge at her but repined to see her blest as I imagind since I haue gaind what I fear'd she had or if she had I haue gaind it from her yet alwaies braue Princesse be confident I am chast and vntoucht of ill action how euer they haue laid my reputation low but I forgiue them now nor iudge amisse of my liberall discourse your freedome hauing inuited me to it My Lord good man was glad of my disgrace because it brought me home as he thought yet I so tampred with him as he thought at last it was not in earnest but a plot betweene vs so to the Court I went when I pleased or told him I would go though sometime another way I went yet lately I haue liued most at home and stil resolue to doe though with
and mourne which she vowed during her life to doe and Polarchos to liue in some remote place neuer to see man nor creature more the excellentest being gone they saw out of holes in the stones smoake and fire suddenly to flie out with it Pamphilia aduentured and pulling hard at a ring of iron which appeared opned the great stone when a doore shewed entrance but within she might see a place like a Hell of flames and fire and as if many walking and throwing pieces of men and women vp and downe the flames partly burnt and they still stirring the fire and more brought in and the longer she looked the more she discernd yet all as in the hell of deceit at last she saw Musalina sitting in a Chaire of Gold a Crowne on her head and Lucenia holding a sword which Musalina tooke in her hand and before them Amphilanthus was standing with his heart ript open and Pamphilia written in it Musalina ready with the point of the sword to conclude all by razing that name out and so his heart as the wound to perish Faine she would nay there was no remedy but she would goe in to helpe him flames fier Hell it selfe not being frightfull enough to keepe her from passing through to him so with as firme and as hot flames as those she saw and more brauely and truly burning she ran into the fire but presently she was throwne out againe in a swound and the doore shut when she came to her selfe cursing her destinie meaning to attempt againe shee saw the stone whole and where the way into it was there were these words written FAithfull louers keepe from hence None but false ones here can enter This conclusion hath from whence Falsehood flowes and such may venter Polarchos attempted likewise but could only for being vnconstant passe the flames but not come within reach of the Emperour but then was cast out also The Queene then perceiued what this was and so as sadly as before resolued shee returned to the Court where more like a religious then a Court life she liued some yeares Polarchos presently prouided long gray Roabes like a Hermit and on the outside of the Armes-crowned Crowne he made a Cell where he liued daily beholding the Armes and lamenting for his Lord kissing the stone wherein he thought he was inclosed and thus liued he guarding the Armes of his Lord till the aduenture was concluded The other eleuen Princes that came with Amphilanthus into Pamphilia and were as Polarchos hath told you scatterd and deuided in the Desart it was the fortune of the Prince of Transiluania to come within two daies after to the same Lodge where the Queene had laine with the dainty sad Nimph but hearing of Pamphilias being well and safe onely perplexed for the want of Amphilanthus staied not but followed the search of them both till hee came to the sea-side where beholding the waues and comparing mens fortune to the rising falling and breaking of them he saw a little Bote come towards the land and in it a faire Damsell weeping and pitifully complaining The Prince tooke great compassion of her demanding the cause of her sorrow Alas Sir said she shall I tell you and you prooue like other Knights I may well then accuse my forwardnesse and paine but if you will promise to succour my Lady who is so faire worthy and great as will take away the shew of my imperfections perfect in nothing but duty to her I will then tell you what you aske Speake faire and sad Lady said he and I vow to serue your Lady and your selfe with my best indeauours although I must tell you I am in search of such as vnwillingly I would be diuerted but compassion compells me to serue you She thanked him and thus proceeded Blessed may you and all your enterprises be who for a distressed Ladies sake will lay aside your own occasions and let me know I beseech you to whom she is thus much ingaged I am said he Prince of Transiluania seruant to the Emperour Amphilanthus from whom I was parted in yonder Desart and haue since sought him and was yet in the quest of him and the Queene of this Country with eleuen Princes more his seruants all seuered from one another and seeking each other God send they may happily meete said she and you braue and courteous Prince be for euer happy for your noblenâ—sse The businesse which vrgeth mee to demand your helpe is this my Lady and Mistris is the Princesse of Lycia only daughter to the King of that Country next neighbor to this place so as your stay shall not bee very long from your search with this Lady the Lord of the Mountaines called Taurus an vnworthy man rude proud ill-fauourd sauage and rough as well in person as in maners but wonderfull powerfull and mighty of body meanes and people fell in loue shee being as delicate as hee abominable which made her hate him as much as he sought her but her father a good Prince louing peace would not prouoke warre but rather yeeld her to him This brought the sweete Princesse into desperate melancholly and dispaire but a Noble man as well in truth of vertue as descent and honour to defend her from so much harme tooke her into his protection the same day she should haue beene giuen to the Mountaine Lord venturing life honors and estate to keepe her free This being discerned by the cruell proud man and her father the good old King troubled withall vtterly disclayming any knowledge of it they raised men to take her backe by force and catch him who should certainely suffer for such an attempt but the place is strong the cause good and the defence iust and honest so as none I hope will doe other then pitty her and seeke to redresse her wrongs this hath continued eight moneths and now the King hath sent directly to her to yeeld her selfe into his hands to be bestowed on the feirce Montaltanus or to bee forsaken for euer of him and disinherited This message was heauily receiued by the poore Princesse yet she resolued to dye disinherited and be the poorest in estate rather then the vnhappiest by marryage wherefore after an humble answer and dutifull refusall of yeelding to be wife to Montaltanus she demanded one request of her father which was to let it bee lawfull for her to send forth in search of some Knight who would defend her quarrell against him whom if he ouercame she should be yeeded vnto his Maiestie if her Knight got the victory then she should be free and inherit what she was borne vnto and this to be performed in two months and peace in the interim These things were agreed on and granted with much vaine-glory on the assured Champions side then did the Lady send foure Damsells abroad of which number I am one three are returned without finding any and now are but three dayes left of the perfixed time the Nobleman hath also his
euill with a show of good While in faire showes their malice so is spent Hope kill 's the heart and Tyrants shed the blood For Hode deluding brings vs to the pride Of our desires the farther downe to slide 36. HOw well poore heart thou witnesse canst I loue How oft my grief hath made thee shed forth teares Drops of thy dearest blood and how oft feares Borne testimony of the paines I proue What torments hast thou suffer'd while aboue Ioy thou tortâ—r'd wert with racks which longing bears Pinch'd with desires which yet but wishing reares Firme in my faith in constancie to moue Yet is it said that sure loue cannot be Where so small shew of passion is descri'dâ— When thy chiefe paine is that I must it hide From all saue oneâ—y one who should it see For know more passion in my heart doth moue Then in a million that make shew of loue Song 6. YOu happy blessed eyes Which in that ruling place Haue force both to delight and to disgrace Whose light allures and tyes All hearts to your command O looke on me who doe at mercy stand 'T is you that rule my life 'T is you my comforts giue Then let not scorne to me my ending driue Nor let the frownes of strife Haue might to hurt those lights Which while they shine they are true loues delights See but when Night appeares And Sunne hath lost his force How his losse doth all ioy from vs diuorce And when he shines and cleares The Heauens from clowdes of Night How happy then is made our gazing sight But more then Sun's faire light Your beames doe seeme to me Whose sweetest lookes doe tye and yet make free Why should you then so spight Poore me as to destroy The only pleasure that I taste of ioy Shine then O dearest lights With fauour and with loue And let no cause your cause of frownings moue But as the soules delights So blesse my then blest eyes Which vnto you their true affection tyes Then shall the Sunne giue place As to your greater might Yeelding that you doe show more perfect light â—â—en but grant this grace Vnto your Loue-tide slaue To shine on me who to you all faith gaue And when you please to frowne Vse your most killing eyes On them who in vntruth and falshood lies But Deare on me cast downe Sweet lookes for true desire That banish doe all thoughts of faigned fire 37. NIght welcome art thou to my minde distrest Darke heauy sad yet not more sad then I Neuer could'st thou finde fitter company For thine owne humour then I thus opprest If thou beest darke my wrongs still vnredrest Saw neuer light nor smallest blisse can spye If heauy ioy from mee to fast doth hie And care out-goes my hope of quiet rest Then now in friendship ioyne with haplesse me Who am as sad and darke as thou canst be Hating all pleasure or delight of life Silence and griefe with thee I best doe loue And from you three I know I cannot moue Then let vs liue companions without strife 38. WHat pleasure can a banish'd creature haue In all the pastimes that inuented are By wit or learning Absence making warre Against all peace that may a biding craue Can wee delight but in a welcome graue Where we may bury paines and so be farre From loathed company who alwaies iarre Vpon the string of mirth that pastime gaue The knowing part of ioy is deem'd the heart If that be gone what ioy can ioy impart When senslesse is the feeler of our mirth No I am banish'd and no good shall finde But all my fortunes must with mischiefe binde Who but for misery did gaine a birth 39. IF I were giuen to mirth t would be more crosse Thus to be robbed of my chiefest ioy But silently I beare my greatest losse Who 's vs'd to sorrow griefe will not destroy Nor can I as those pleasant wits inioy My owne â—ram'd wordes which I account the drosse Of purer thoughts or reckon them as mosse While they wit-sick themselues to breath imploy Alas thinke I your plenty shewes your want For where most feeling is wordes are more scant Yet pardon me liue and your pleasure take Grudge not if I neglected enuy show 'T is not to you that I dislike doe owe But crost my selfe wish some like me to make 40. IT is not Loue which you poore fooles doe deeme That doth appeare by fond and outward showes Of kissing toying or by swearings gloze O no these are farre off from loues esteeme Alas they are not such that can redeeme Loue lost or winning keepe those chosen blowes Though oft with face and lookes loue ouerthrowes Yet so slight conquest doth not him beseeme 'T is not a shew of sighes or teares can proue Who loues indeed which blasts of faigned loue Increase or dye as fauours from them slide But in the soule true loue in safety lies Guarded by faith which to desert still hies And yet kinde lookes do many blessings hide 41. YOu blessed Starres which doe Heauen 's glory show And at your brightnesse make our eyes admire Yet enuy not though I on earth below Inioy a sight which moues in me more fire I doe confesse such beauty breeds desire You shine and clearest light on vs bestow Yet doth a sight on Earth more warmth inspire Into my louing soule his grace to know Cleare bright and shining as you are is this Light of my ioy fix't stedfast nor will moue His light from me nor I change from his loue But still increase as th' earth of all my blisse His sight giue life vnto my loue-rould eye My loue content because in his loue lies 42. IF euer loue had force in humane brest If euer he could moue in pensiue heart Or if that he such powre could but impart To breed those flames whose heat brings ioyes vnrest Then looke on me I am to these adrest I am the soule that feeles the greatest smart I am that heartlesse Trunck of hearts depart And I that One by loue and griefe opprest None euer felt the truth of loues great misse Of eyes till I depriued was of blisse For had he seene he must haue pitty show'd I should not haue beene made this Stage of woe Where sad Disasters haue their open show O no more pitty he had sure bestow'd Song 7. SOrrow I yeeld and grieue that I did misse Will not thy rage be satisfied with this As sad a Diuell as thee Made me vnhappy be Wilt thou not yet consent to leaue but still Striue how to show thy cursed diuelish skill I mourne and dying am what would you more My soule attends to leaue this cursed shoare Where harmes doe onely flow Which teach me but to know The saddest houres of my lifes vnrest And tyred minutes with griefes hand opprest Yet all this will not pacifie thy spight No nothing can bring ease but my last night Then quickely let it be While I vnhappy see That time so