and whose childe it was which I presented to him I satisfied his demands and gave him such an affright and terrour at the repetition oâ—… Zabaim's extravagancies that falling on his knees and lifting his eyes and hands towards the Sun Thou still-waking eye cryed he of that Divinity whose shadow I am and nomore irreproachable witnesse of all the actions of men call me to judgement before the throne of eternall Justice and deny me thy pure light if ever the tyranny of sense or the weakenesse of spirit force me to the like brutishnesse After he had made this holy protestation he tooke the young Almanzor and holding him in his armes Yes mercifull heaven said he I receive as from thy hands the prefeâ—… thou sendest me by this stranger and subscribing with joy to the decrees of thy will I will be this Innocents father and betwixt him and my Son divide all my love and care With these words he delivered me againe the young Prince and intimating to me how happy he thought him selfe in finding so faire an occasion to exercise his charity entreated me to follow him He commanded one of his Camels for baggage to be given to the Princes Nurse and would have her still before him We rode till Sun-set and then came to a royall house which is Abrinzia's usuall aboade when the necessities of his State and the love of his people permit him to leave the City and in retirednesse to taste the delights of a Private man I will not relate to you with what care that good King caused the young Almanzor to be bred but will onely say he respected and considered him as his owne Son and the vertuous Andromeda his wife finding in him those causes of satisfaction which she met not in the person she had brought into the world would even have given him the first place in her love if the feare of heaven had not obliged her to observe the order of Nature and not to bestow that on a stranger which was onely due to the childe of the family Almanzor's youth was as noble and faire as the Prince of Benin's was insupportable Perseus so was he called had a melancholy accompanied with a brutish fury which made him not onely incapable of submitting himselfe to his Governours or to the King his father but so awkeward and indisposed to all exercises both of minde and body that it seem'd heaven having so much exhausted its treasure at the birth of Almanzor had reserved nothing for that of Persâ—… This which I have spoken if you please shall suffice for the first foureteene yeares of Aâ—…life Come we to the fifteenth and by the apprentiship of his valâ—… judge what this Master-peeces should be In the season wherein the Sun swerves from the Equiâ—…tiall line to get up to the Tropique of Cancer there rush'd out of the Deserts of Zanâ—…ra a prodigious Serpent which having laid waste the Territory of Guangara by the death of more then a thousand men made himselfe an entry into the kingdome of Benin He came on even to the gates of the City Budis and marching as a hardy and judicious Conquerour came the soonest he could to the City of Benin as if he would have presented battle to the King himselfe He utterly left desolate all those Provinces through which he had pass'd by the justice of heaven The people assembled and armed themselves against this Monster as against a common enemy but their resistance was vaine for that puissant adversary overthrew whosoever presented himselfe before him No arrowes so great or weighty or sharpe soever could pierce him and there was no better way found by any for their security then to shut themselves up in townes After he had made a generall havock through the Kingdome he set him downe in the territory of Benin The wood and fountaine of the Sun he chose for his usuall abode and as if he had beene satisfied with his Conquests and would now stop their progresse he stirr'd not more away farre from a place the most holy most religiously kept in all the Estate of Benin From time to time he came even to the Towne Gates and kept the King in a manner besieged within his walls and wholly interdicted the peoples commerce and exercise In the meane time the devoute Abrinzias contemplating that Monster as a scourge which heaven would make use of for the chastisement of his offences thought this persecution would not cease but by a publique penitence He had therefore recourse to those remedies which were taught him by that eternall Law which the most barbarous have graven in their hearts He wept he fasted he punish'd himselfe for his people he added publique processions and solemne sacrifices to his private devotions and reclaiming the people from their Luxury and debauches went himselfe every where preaching teares repentance and amendment Whilst all the Court was in prayers and mortification a valiant and generous Knight had an intent to fight with that Monster He was called Bellerophon and had gotten so great a reputation through all Africa 〈◊〉 't was held for impossible that which he could not execute At all points arm'd he rode out of Benin mounted on an excellent horse and resolv'd to dye or to deliver his Countrey from that terrible slavery The people drawne by the hope of their safety followed that generous warrier but at sight of the Monster feare freezing their bloud made them abandon their deliverer and shut them up againe within their walls Bellerophon was left alone and his courage encreasing by the generall affright he went to search for his enemie even among the Palme trees wherewith it seem'd he would crowne himselfe The Serpent not being now so eager at his prey as he was at first would scarce lift up his head when he saw Bellerophon but by some hissings contented himselfe to make appeare how much he contemn'd his adversary Bellerophon came on for all the turbulency and furious frightments of his horse and making use of his agility in shooting answer'd the hissings of the Monster with those of his arrowes But none of his shafts could wound him He was every where invulnerable Yet Bellerophon gave not over shooting but hitting him above the eye made him reare up his red and blew crest which made on his head a kinde of a crowne and to unfold all those great circles in which he seem'd to have insconc'd himselfe He suddenly darted himselfe on Bellerophon and had infallibly inwrap'd him but for the extraordinary leape which out of feare the warrior's horse made The Knight seeing his Steed unserviceable alighted cast his horse off approach'd the enraged Serpent and by a good hap worthy his courage with an arrow which strooke out his right eye we learnt the Serpent was not invulnerable But alas that knowledge was dearely sold for Bellerophon could not avoid the coming to gripes with the Monster 'T was related to Abrinzias that the bold Knight defended himselfe to the
rob you of that part of honor which you might have gotten in this combate The Turkes may be well contented with this petition willingly obei'd the command of their Captaine and he addressing himselfe towards his Antagonist why â—…inger we said he See my friends are all as you desired and in so saying came one to give the first blowe but he was prevented and receiv'd so weighty a blowe on his headpeece that he knewe by this essay that he had met with an enemy such as he had often wished for He would instanly shew what his power was and with his full strength strooke at his enemy who putting it by gave the young Turke a second blowe This Lions-heart considering nothing but victory threw himselfe from his owne ship into the others and reveng'd himselfe of the blowes he had receiv'd He puts by presseth on strikes joines nimblenesse to strength and searcheth his enemy in every part where he thinks him unarmed The other who was glad to finde so valiant an adversary spar'd him let him not feele the weight of his arme but in that measure where to the necessity of overcomming obliged him yet letting fall a blowe on the head of the faire Turke more heavily then he was aware on he made him stagger and forc'd him to set one knee on the deck This fearfull stroake being seene by the spectators some grew pale and the others by an indiscretion of persons too affectionate cried out that Polexander was alwaies unequalled and ever victorious The young Turke no sooner heard the name of Polexander but he threw away his sword and buckler and cast himselfe at the feet of his enemy Polexander was astonish'd at this action but he was more when the young Turke put off his helmet yes said he Polexander is ever without a Peere and alwaies victorious and the rash Iphidamantus too much honor'd to be vanquished by an arme that may subdue the whole world My Lord said he you see at your feet that Iphidamantus who would call himselfe the most unfortunate of men if he had not the happinesse to be your brother Iphidamantus my brother Reâ—…epli'd Polexander that cannot be Iphidamantus is long since dead One of a good aspect hereat stepping in sir said he to Polexander after he had well looked on the young Turke the Prince Iphidamantus is not dead as the Queene your Mother would make you beleeve He was given to the Sultan Bajazet for the ransome of the King your Father And is this then cri'd Polexander that Iphidamantus whom I have so long bewail'd Ah my deare brother how happy and welcome to me is this meeting But and it please you we must not let that vessell escape whose taking you hindred If I loose her you loose Polexander the same day you found him She belongs to Alcidiana and the Pilot that governes her is the only man that knowes which way to get to the Island of that faire Princesse Iphidamantus very sorry to be the cause of Polexanders displeasure intreated pardon for his fault and hearing the Prince who held him imbraced to sigh I vowe said he never to rest till you have recover'd that which by my indiscression you have lost Polexander pressing him to his cheeke my deare brother said he I will not refuse your assistance but I am afraid least it come too late in thus saying he commanded his vessells to steere after that of Alcidiana They all set saile together and that of Iphidamantus with the rest whilst Polexander taking his brother apart and he who first entred conversation with them understood all the adventures that this faire Prince had run through in the Court of the Grand Seigneur and the occasion that made him forsake an Empire where he could expect no lesse place then that next to the Soveraigne On the suddaine the impatience and displeasure of Polexander breaking out doubtlessely said he we shall loose the vessell of Alcidiana Doe one thing said he to Iphidamantus which may take effect Goe backe into your owne ship and follow Linceus alone I imagine that in acknowledgment of the favour you have done him he will stay for you if you come in sight of him I follow him not but for his owne good as much as mine I thinke you will find nought amisse in a desire so innocent Iphidamantus yeelding to the desire of his brother went into his owne ship and meeting the Mute whom he had sav'd he made him understand by his signes that he would faine goe into Polexanders ship He asked him not his reason because it had been so much losse of time but set him a borde and made towards the north side of the Isle of Fez. Polexander pli'd to the other side and as he was commanding his men somewhat he perceiv'd the Mute in action of a man transported with griefe and choler He asked him the subject of his agitation But the Mute turning his head aside disdainfully presented him the lesser of his two rich boxes Polexander â—…o sooner sawe it but he knew it and taking it with a great fervency open'd it with as much unquietnesse Assoone as he sawe the faire picture therein inclos'd O glorious and onely relicks of my former happinesse said he deare treasure which I have recover'd after so long a losse is it to revive my hopes againe that heaven hath permitted me this review O faire picture me seemes thou answer'st me that my felicities are returned with thee I doe as assuredly beleeve it as if Alcidiana had spoken it from her owne mouth and will consult henceforward with thee as with that fatall starre by whose direction I hope once to arrive at the inaccessible Island After he had long regarded the portraict he began to rethinke on the meanes to gaine the originall Giving then many great thankes to the scornesull Mute and causing his ships to seperate and take divers courses he sailing alone the third day discried the vessell of Alcidiana He gave her chase two daies and mist bording her between the Isle of Teneriffe and the great Canaries But the famous Linceus adding by his arte a new swiftnesse to his ship that was an excellent sailer had alwaies the best of the more slug vessel of Polexander by favour of the night and winde got herselfe at last cleane out of kenne Polexander almost desperate at this ill successe began to take on at fortune the windes the sea and sometimes on Iphidamantus himselfe But being all foure equally deafe to him they gave no answer to either his injuries or prayers It is true that Iphidamantus employed all his care and wit to content his brother he search'd all the ports of all the Canaries and carried by his affection as violently as by the storme ran within sight of the coastes of Morocco never dreaming what punishments were there prepar'd for him and his companions Whilst he thus forgot himselfe and seemed to disvalue a treasure which was ever to
I was gotten on hoseback to go after when I perceiv'd him afar off coming in very slow pace O what an alteration saw I in him and how different from what he was wont to be instead of that mirthsomenesse which he had usually in his countenance and of that fire which sparkled in his eyes when he had killed some Lion I saw his face all clouded with sadnesse mingled with anger and marked how his eyes were all swolne with teares which he had lately shed I alighted as soon as he and embracing him as I was wont to do I told him I was glad of his sport and yet withall found fault that he held my requests in no more esteem My Master said he for so he called me I finde my self most unfortunate for the enjoying of so good a chase I say unfortunate in such a degree that to free my self from such an horrible mishap I am resolved to die I replied is it to renew my disquiets or to try the love I bear you that you talke to me in so sad a language What dream you on Almanzor or what prodigious melancholy hath made such a change in you in so short a time He answered My Master I shall never be so ingratefull to finde my diversions in your discontents nor so distrustfull as to put your affection to any new triall I know what I owe you and how well you love me but to perswade me to live after the misfortunes that are befallen me were to take pleasure and rejoyce at my shame What Monster cried I interrupting him what herbe or what Enchanter is there in these Forrests whose hidden power hath caused so extraordinary an alteration Almanzor my deare childe whither is your reason vanished which gave you so cleer an insight in all things Doth there remain no more of it then will serve for our destruction Will you ruine my hopes and recompence the pains I have undergone in your breeding by a dispair into which your resolutions will plunge me Live my deare Master answered he without being moved live content and let that wretch die who by one only act hath made it appear that he possest none of those vertues you taught him You have alwayes advised me to temperance and humility and I finde my self in the extremity of pride and ambition you have often told me that freedome and generosity were the first qualities of an honest man and I have comitted an act the most poor and crafty that can be spoken What should I say to you I have shamelesly robb'd a man of his treasure that could not defend himself and as if that theft had made me forget that I come of 〈◊〉 â—…ace as yet more obscure then the life which I lead in these Desarts I have not feared to aspire to crownes and to pretend to a thing yet more precious But said he I waste too much talk and time hold and marke see there my booty and withall the cause of my boldnesse and dispair herewith he delivered me this fatall box which hath cost already so many lives and so much blood I took it considered the Diamonds and the engraving I open'd it and by that it was an easie matter for me to explicate the meaning of the hidden discourse of my dear Almanzor Alas can I say what I saw without ending my miserable destiny I saw that picture so fair and dangerous whose originall is not lesse inaccessible then her place of abode where it seemes the gods gave her birth for the destruction of brave men You are now O Polexander the lawfull possessor of this portraict and grant O Fortune that it be not so deadly to you as it hath been to the constant Almanzor As soon as I knew his griefe I tried to cure him by contemning it if you love Diamonds said I I have at my command far fairer then those you have found and if this crowned picture make you affect crownes I can satisfie your ambition provided that by your vertue you will make your self worthy to weare them Ah my dear Master answered he if my soul be covetous it is neither of gold nor Diamonds and if it be ambitious it is not to possesse indifferently all sorts of crowns I love them but t is on the head or to say better in the possession of that faire Princesse What call you a fair Princesse I replied with a voyce that signified my displeasure The picture which you see is nothing but the vaine amusement of some idle man who joyning his colours to his proportions would expose to our view I know not what greable and pleasant fantasie which never yet had being in nature doe not continue your cunning said Almanzor I now conceive what hath been the end of your lessons and retirement But my deare Master fortune is more ingenious then you read this paper and you shall see that this is not the vaine strength of imagination of the painter I tooke the paper and found on it verses which had this superscription To the incomparable Alcidiana Queene of the inaccessible Island I read the praise of this Princesse without the consideration of any thing save the losse of my paines and time the ruine of all the preventions of the Queen of Senega and the sad but infallible accomplishment of those predictions which had driven us into the Forest. I protest that greife and anger tooke not only my speech from me but with it my discretion so that I had not enough left me to conceale my discontent Almanzor seeing me so transported What said he is this picture so dreadfull to Philosophers and made-up-men as to hunters and children Can the ridiculous fancy of a painter stagger that great soule which seem'd to have exhausted all the learning of the Doctors of Fez Thunis Would to the Gods I answer'd seriously O Almanzor that you had look'd on this picture with the same eyes I diâ—… You had found there both cause of a version and neglect whereas now for the generall misfortune of so many who expected their safety from your wisdome and valour you have met where withall to make you a slave to a brutish passioâ—… and may be to languish all your life in slavery sloth and despaire I will prevent 〈◊〉 shamefull brutalities and great disasters replied Almanzor and I had already taken tâ—… fâ—…re from you if before my death I had not desired to make use of your fidelity for the restitution of what I have stolen But my deare Master if it be a truth that you 〈◊〉 Almâ—…zor trouble not your selfe any furthâ—…r to make him alter his resolution He â—…st love and because he is unworthy prepares â—…imselfe for death Yes divine Alcidiâ—…a it shall not be spoken â—…at a barbarous fellow â—…orne in the Deserts of Africa hath unpunished dar'd to cast his eyes on your incomparable beauty The rash Almanzor shall perish and his bloud shed for the expiâ—…tion of hiâ—… offence shall serve for an admonishment to
his feet which made shew of an extreme sorrow and seemed to solicit him that was half laid to think of his safety as soon as they saw the Pirate they made signes to him to draw neere and getting him to kneel as they did made him to kisse the skirt of their Masters robe This ceremony done the eldest of the strangers asked the souldier who he was and who commanded the ship that fell upon theirs The Turk answered to all his demands and loth to keep Bajezet longer from the sight of those rarities went out to carry him the newes Bajazet came presently down into this rich chamber and civilly drew neer to him that seemed to be the Master of it The stranger went not out of his deep musing by his approaching so neer him but on the contrary with a downcast look and still laid intimated that he was sensible of nothing but of his secret sorrow one of those two at his feet arose and making a reverence to Bajazet with a grace that savoured nothing of the Barbarian Sir said he in Arabick he whom you see here almost dead with sorrow is called Zelmatida and hath for his father the great Inca Guina Capa son of the Sun comforter of the miserable and Monarch of the Fountains of gold but all this greatnesse hath not been able to avert the misfortunes which have brought my Lord the Inca into a contempt of his life and the hatred of himself Bajazet pitied the fate of Zelmatida and more in consideration of that then of his great titles and magnificence he came to him and used some complements in Arabick Zelmatida hearing the Pirate speak and I king the man broke off his silence and made him understand by five or six words that he was not aâ—…le to recompence his courtesies Bajazet admired the greatnesse of courage that this Prince made shew of in his captivity and judging of his wisdome by the little he had said protested that he had never seen man who under the load of his great 〈◊〉 preserved a minde in more tranquility nor was lâ—…sse diveâ—…ed by the favours he received of those from whom he was to expect nothing but rigour and violence This admiration obliging him to the continuance of his discourse he â—…old Zelmatida that his condition was not changed in effect though it were in appearance and that his good aspâ—… and vertue were so favourable pastports that there was not a nation in the world 〈◊〉 barbarous soever that had inhumanity enough to violate them The Prince all â—…uried as he was in his melancholy yet answered Bajazet in such sorâ—… that he gave hâ—…m new desires to serve him The Rover yet left him as soon as he could do it with civility and found out Iphidamantus Coming to him My deare friend said he I professâ—… I am iâ—…finitly obliged to Fortune although shee is the cause that I have lost the onely thing that could make me happy to her I owe your amity and see yet she hath now put into my power a Prince who hath more amazed me by the greatnesse of his soule then that of his birth Herewith he related to him all he had seen and 〈◊〉 him to deâ—…cend into the Princes Cabin I must said he have the contentâ—…ent to bring â—…gether two men who best of any know how to joyn those things whicâ—… from all timâ—…s have been incompatible I mean youth and wisdome a great courage and a 〈◊〉 moderation Iphidamatus blushed at these pâ—…ises and not willing to make him a reply besought Bajazet that he would bring him to the sight of a person of that excellency They both went into his Cabin and assoone as they came in Iphidamantus drawing to him by his extraordinary beauty the eyes of Zelmatida overcame his long sadnesse He rose to salute him and shewing him to his companions twice or thrice pronounced the word of Isatida These compliments were interrupted by the noise of the Pirates and report of the Canon and Bajazet doubting what it might be made Zelmatida to understand the cause of his voyage and intreating him to rest himselfe went with Iphidamantus whether he was called by the necessity of his command He was no sooner aboord his owne vessell then he saw whiten the sailes of the Spanish fleet and that his owne had put themselves in order for fight He changed a little in the disposing of the vessells He put some in the vanguard which were in the battell and going from one to another encouraged the old Pirates by the glory of their past actions and the young by the emulation they should have to equall their companions and all by the assurance of victory and the greatnesse of the booty We goe not to expose our lives for some proud and brutish Master who lookes on with an insensibility the losse of those who by their hazard and travell secure his idlenesse and with their bloud maintaine his tyranny If we have the day we shall not share the profit with any but our selves and the fruits of our fighting shall not be devoured by those that tooke no paines in their gathering Let this pleasant thought run still in your minds and to stirre you up to do bravely say often to your selves that your sufferings incomodities and wounds shall have a fairer recompence then that which is justly reserved for Cowards who for a small pay prostitute their courages and lives This said he put himselfe in the front of his fleet and lead them to the combate The Spaniards on the other side discovering this powerfull obstacle unexpectedly were long before they could resolve what to doe At last seeing their enemies drawe neere they thought they must with iron defend that gold which they by iron had got together They soone cast themselves in batalia and that valour which is naturall to them being enflamed by the extremity to which it was reduced made them performe such actions as could not be compared but with themselves At first they stood as ready for defence and unwilling to mingle unlesse they were inforced fought with their Canon Bajazet perceiving their intention commanded that with full speed they should fall on them The Captaines quickly obeyed and presently sunck three or foure little ships Bajazet and Iphidamantus went to back them and after a furious fight Roland Ximenes was slaine by the one and Torrez by the other The Admirall Francis Bovadilla was taken prisoner but he died the same day of the woundes he received in the fight The combate lasted till night by whose favour six Spanish ships got away the rest were eiâ—…her sunck or taken and every where this cruell and brutish broode of Pirates which have no consideration when they see their prey dealt alike with those that begged their lives and those that begged them not The heate of the combate so long time disputed was no sooner cold but Bajazet remembred Zelmatida He found him in hâ—…s ship in the same state he left
therefore look'd on him and knowing him what said he shall Zelmatida be so unfortunate that his deare Tumanama will not know him These words brought Tumanama back againe from the deepe meditation wherein he was in undoing his Mistesses chaines and made him turne his eyes on Zelmatida After he had earnestly looked on him he knew him though the lightsomnes of the place was not sufficient to make them well knowe their countenances and rising to embrace him O my deliverer said he hath the providence of the gods brought you into these Deserts to save my life a second time and to preserve to the faire Coriza this unworthy cause of her afflictions as well as of her love Zelmatida embrac'd him often times before he made answere and hiding from him the truth of his voyage told him that the service of the King his father oblieged him to goe to the Court of the King of Mexico unknowne he came thither by chance where five men would have murthered him whom he had kill'd But tell me said he by what strange accident the Princesse Coriza came to be in that estate I found her and why you have flayne a man who seem'd to take on him her defence That story is long reply'd Tumanama yet I will not forbeare to relate it as succinctly as I can But first bee pleased that I unloade my faire Princesse of those chaines with which the perfidious Maranita hath shewed her more his bruitishnesse then his affection When he had said thus he kneeled down and was in that posture till he had broken all the faire Coriza's bonds This done he presented Zelmatida to the Princesse and adressing his discourse to her See said he Coriza the generous Prince that for your sake forgetting my revolts and insolencies would not only give me my life and preserve my honour but withall disdain'd not to receive me into the number of his frends You see what he hath done for your deliverance give me leave to relate to him by what mishap you came to have neede of his courage and that I may justifie my selfe for the death of the traytor that fought for you Coriza here began to speake and told Zelmatida that the perplexities wherein she was gave her not the liberty to satisfie the obligations in which she was bound to him as well for her owne conservation as for her lovers but said she untill a better fortune give mee abler meanes to acknowledge your favours accept the recytall of my mishappes for a beginning of my payment Here Tumanama began and making use of the permission that Coriza gave him I was at the point said he to Zelmatida to receive not the recompance of my services for they are not considerable but the greatest proofes of the goodnesse of Coriza when as Maranita whom I had bred up as my brother and made partaker of all my secrecies as the best of my friends resolv'd himselfe on a treason so bruitish that it is not possible love should be the cause of it I had sent him to accompany the Princesse and to receive her out of my commands but he most perfidious having long before combyn'd with some others like himselfe for the taking away of Coriza surprized her one night and carried her away from the midst of her guards and chayning her as you saw brought her into this place with an intent to goe further even to the Court of Montezuma to finde there a Sanctuary for her perfidy The news of this attempt being brought me imagine if possible you can the complaints I made the blasphemies I threw out against the providence of our gods and the horrible actions my despaire made me resolve on I flew after the ravisher of my blisse without the knowledge or my advertizing of any of my subjects and fearing no danger but that which threatned Coriza I ran through the Woods and Mountaines and got into the countrey of my greatest enemy I was so happy in my search that yesterday at Sun-set I descry'd Maranita's troupe That object transporting me with 〈◊〉 I neither considered the number of my enemies nor the inequality of the combat I was about but desperately fell in among the traytors to have atleast the contentment to die in the sight of my Coriza Maranita eyther not induring to see mee or persecuted with the remorse of his Conscience made ten or twelve of his associats to turne on me and kept forth his way whilest I strove to rid me of those that would stop me I spent all the rest of the day to bring them in case that they should no more contest with me for my passage and party of the night to follow the ravisher You saw how I found him and you must now informe me who were those that fought with him and what oblieged you to fight in his defence Therewith Coriza spake Zelmatida said shee to her lover cannot satisfie your demand I alone knowe the true cause of that combat not only because it was done in my presence but that by my endeavâ—…ur it was undertaken You shall know that among those whose service Maranita made use of for my rape there were two who not being able to see mee without loving me at least they strove to perswade me so gave me their fayths that they would free mee from the hands of that Traytor But they asked me for my ransome that which I could not grant them I feyn'd yet to consent and did so dexâ—…rously keepe them in their resolution that seeing my selfe at the point to lose that person which of all in the world is most deare to mee and incomparably more precious then my life I would try this last remedy and by all meanes â—…ee mee from the tyranny of Maranita I call'd then for my two lovers and having conjur'd them to leave me no longer at the mercy of our common enemie I perswaded them so effectually that presently under some ill pretext they quarelled and fell on him Truly on this occasion he shewed a great deale of courage Two of his enemies he slew and though his owne had not come to helpe him I beleeve hee had beene able enough to have dispatch'd all the rest Amongst the five bodies you see lying there on my right hand are my unfortunate lovers This while those that remayned of the conspiracy desirous to revenge their deaths let drive at Maranita but being stoutly repuls'd they were constrayned to take them to their heeles Maranita transported with fury followed them with those of his owne party and was an houre before I saw him againe For my self I was not in a little trouble for I saw an occasion present it selfe to get me away and when I would have put it in execution I knew that by reason of the chaines on my heeles I was not possibly able to goe I threw my selfe then on the ground againe and calling oftentimes Tumanama to helpe me I would needes try whether my fetters were not strong enough to
understanding from himselfe a part of those adventures had befaln him and the persecutions wherewith fortune had crossed his virtue Her sisters and her selfe would willingly know the rest and that they intreated him to give them that contentment and not condemne for too much boldnesse a curiosity which grew only from the esteeme they had of him My deare Master from thence taking occasion to begin a discourse that might serve for his Love I have said he too much proofe of the Justice or rather of the hatred of the gods to beleeve that there hath ever any thing happened in my life may be worthy your esteeme or curiosity 'T is for you and those incomparable beauties about you that those powers reserve all that can be call'd glory value and admiration Men are for no other end in the world but that you might have slaves and that the Altars which you have merited may be perpetually laden with offrings and sacrifices O how happy may they esteeme themselves who have purity enough to be offered in so famous an oblation I but who dares vaunt of so much purity Izatida foreseeing what would ensue on this discourse broake it off and reviving the first You may have liberty of speech said she to Zelmatida but you cannot deprive us of that opinion which the publique voice hath given us of your valour and we know well I speake for my sisters and my selfe how to distinguish your humility from that which fame hath made us to admire in you before your arrivall What could report speake in my behalfe reply'd Zelmatida who being bâ—…t one most miserable whom fortune left to wander through the world to make her power to be feared am brought to that cruell necessity to end my dayes without a name without any rest or hope Izatida who questionlesse knew what he intended reply'd I have never heard that a man of spirit would so absolutely give himselfe into the hands of fortune but that he would reserve a meanes to be reveng'd when he found that he had her in his power You have hitherto done such things that they are so many witnesses whereby that enemy hath made you acquire more glory then shee hath been cause of the losse of your repose and by consequence hath given you more then ever she tooke from you Quit then that ill opinion which you have of your fortune and your selfe and assure your selfe thâ—…t there are not many felicities which your virtues may not with reason pretend to This discourse had longer continued if Izatida's sisters had not interrupted her and by their jealousies as it were ravished from Zelmatida the occasion to make himselfe knowne to be no lesse winning in his conversation then he was redoubtfull in his combats This while the Queene had perfected her dispatches and then returned where she left her daughters with Zelmatida and from thence going into her bed-chamber gave her new Guest the good-night As soone as he was gone forth ten or twelve Officers came and accompanied him to the lodgings provided for him He was brought into a chamber so faire and richly furnished that if he had not too well remembred the losse Izatida had made him 〈◊〉 he might there have refreshd and unwearied himselfe of all his former travells But his affections hindred him from enjoying that rest which his valour made him finde in the very midst of his Enemies Sometimes he entertaind himselfe with Izatidaes sweete eyes sometimes with the whitenesse of her complexion then with the beauty of her stature and after with the colour of her hayre But when he passed from the allurements of her body to those of her minde he was no more capeable to feare the disasters wherewithall Quasmez high-Priest had threatned him Prophet said he so lowd that he was heard by his followers give me leave to accuse you of injustice in your councells Why would you have me to defend my selfe when I see no enemie to assaile me if you give not that name to the sole Author of my lives felicity Certainely you little knew the power of Isatida's eyes when you thought me able enough to resist them But what said I No no you had a perfect konwledge of it and well foresaw my captivity when you foretold me that I should be victorious in this last combate if I were alwaies my selfe You were not ignorant that that would be impossible for me since to behold this wonder and to be master of himselfe was to trenche upon the wisdome of the very gods and to act something beyond their miracles In the like discourse he passed the rest of the night and without comforting himselfe with any of those hopes wherewithall Lovers are accustomed to flatter themselves made no other resolution then to force Xaira from her prison and himselfe to abide eternally in that of Isatida In this thought he called his servants Those that they had given to serve him dressed him whilst he entertained himselfe only with his passion He was in this melancholy till the Queen was up and when he knew that she was ready to goe to the Temple he came forth to accompany her Hismalita obliged him to spend most of the day with her and the houre being come at what time she was used to walke she brought him into those faire Meadowes where he saw her the first time and her Daughters were with them Isatida who that day had begun to borrow something of art to make her more lovely appeared to the Kings eyes as if beauty it selfe seated in her Throne imperiously commanded him neither to doe nor thinke any thing but for her As soone as those who carried the Queene and the Princesses had set them downe Zelmatida was engaged to be with Hismalita and constrained not to discourse with Isatida but with his eyes and thought The Queene intertained him a long time with the state of her affaires and the secret factions that the jealousie of divers Caciques and the arrivall of some unknowne men had hatched among her Subjects The nothing-to-thepurpose speeches wherewith Zelmatida interrupted the Queenes discourse and the councells out of all likelihood which he would have her accept as the safest made him so unlike himselfe that Hismalita had small cause to take him for that famous Heire of Quasmez who had made himselfe dreadfull to all the Potentates of our world And to say truth who would ever have thought that this great Prince who till then had never any passion but for fame who had so absolutely renounced all the pleasures of youth and sence and who by the strength and solidity of his deliberations had astonished the ancientest Councellors of the State of Quasmez had been capable of such an alteration Yet he was so and added so many extravagancies to those which had already weariedH ismalita that she diverted her speech to some others that were neere her to have no more on her hands a man that was such ill company This disgrace was to
one to signifie to him that there was at the Gate a man sent from the Cacique of Thevic that desired to speake with him Zelmatida that would not in the presence of the Queene make use of his authority of Generall intreated her permission for the entrance of the Thevicien Hismalita who in this novelty imagined to her selfe some overture of peace was willing to see him Zelmatida therefore sent two of his guard to receive him and to conduct him to the Pallace Streight after he came and was presented to the Queene As soone as he had made his entry with incivility enough he demanded leave to deliver his charge and that he might see him who commanded the men of warre Hismalita shewing him my deare Master See said she the Man you seeke At that word Isatida changed colour and if all the company had not beene attentive to the Herald no doubt at that time the change of her countenance had discovered the secret of her heart This while Zelmatida came neere the man and told him that he might speake boldly since the Queene did him the honour to thinke it fit the other told him he was sent by Accapouzalco Cacique of the rich City Xochmilco and Soveraigne of the mynes of gold and of the lake of delights to defie ten of the most valiant men that were among the Mexicans The king tooke pleasure in the boldnesse of this Barbarian and how many said he will this invincible man have with him My Prince replyed the Souldier makes too little esteeme of men to make any account of their assistance he alwaies fights alone and alone carries the victory He will have no more seconds in this little occasion then he hath had in the greatest and conjures thee if thou be as brave a man as thou art reputed that thou wilt make one and choose to thy selfe among thy friends ten nay twenty which are worthy to assist thee in this combat Zelmatida began to laugh at this proposition and was a long while ere he could get the Queenes good will to accept of the challenge at last he had it and sent back the Herauld with an assurance that the next day he would be without the towne with his friends to give his Master a little exercise Imagine into what trouble and perplexity those words out Isatida and what disquiets she underwent all the rest of the day As long as she was with the Queen she was in those anxieties and constraints as are imaginable she looked on Zelmatida with eyes that witnessed at once both her anger and feare The close of the day was the end of that torture she withdrew into her owne lodgings as soone as she was permitted and began to figh at liberty Oftentimes she accused my deare Master that he loved her not since he feared not to displease her and sought without her permission occasions to lose himselfe He left her not long in this ill humour but came to her as soone as he had left Hismalita When he saw how coldly she intertained him and by a serious aspect intimated how much she was displeased he came neere her with a great deale of submission and witnessing his feare to her shall I said he be enough unhappy to have brought you to doubt of my respect or my faith I confesse I have somewhat enlarged my selfe beyond the boundes of my servitude but Isatida what language would you have used to your slave and with what face durst he to have presented himselfe before you if he had refused so faire an occasion to serve you The Princesse that could not be angry with a person in whom she discovered dayly more signes of love respect and generosity I will not said she treate you so rudely as your disobedience deserves and I forget for this time the boldnesse that you have taken to dispose of your selfe without my consent and am not angry that you have met with so faire a Subject to make you yet so considerable But I permit you not this combate but on condition that you undertake it with ten of your friends and more if my prayers be heard that is if you returne victorious I command you upon paine to run the hazard of my indignation not to engage your selfe ever in any dangerous enterprise till you have advertised me of it that I may see whether I ought to permit you to put in execution Zelmatida answered that since he had the honour to see and to tender her his service and liberty He had relinquished and put off all power on himselfe and reserved only that which was to serve her eternally Be pleased then to beleeve that I will never undertake any thing without your permission Nor had I accepted the defiance of Accapovealco if on the suddaine when I cast mine eyes on yours I had not knowne that you gave me your consent and that your all-generous soule granted me secretly a favour which was not permitted to be asked you But Isatida give over these troublous objects and reflect on my new felicities Doe you not admire the goodnesse of Hismalita and the affection that she shews me even in those things wherein I still thought to have found her my enemy The Princesse made well knowne by her answer that she was not accorded with my deare Master and a little casting down her eyes Zelmatida said she you have your weakenesse as well as other men You beleeve with too much facility those things which you desire with so much passion The favours which you receive are too great not to be suspected I know Hismalita and finde that she hath done too much to perswade my selfe that she will follow her now inclination Feare may be hinders me from judging aright and t is possible I may wrong the best Princesse of the world but you Zelmatida are the cause of it see then if I have not subject enough to hate you since that for your sake I live not as I ought that by little and little I become unnaturall to make me seeme good Our Lovers spent most part of the night in this conversation Isatida in dismissing Zelmatida told him that he ought to leave to him that doth all with justice the ordering of things to come and to expect from his goodnesse such events as should be worthy him In the meane while he should retire to take that rest whereto the combate he was to undertake the next day obliged him and that he might assure himselfe that either her prayers should not be heard or else be very advantageous to him Zelmatida that used to obey the Princesse without long consideration or delay gave her the good night and so went to his bed By day breake he was up and had already walked above two houres in a garden into which opened the windowes of Isatida's chamber when one of the principall Officers belonging to Hismalita came and told him that the Queen desired his presence He went to her and she found him
not well yet had she not the patience to have her absent but sent an absolute command that she should dresse her that nothing of sadnesse might be intermingled with the publique rejoycing Isatida came where she was expected but at her entry they might perceive in her lookes such a kinde of coldnesse that she had beene generally condemned if the pretext of her sicknesse had not repressed the indiscreete zeale and reproaches of all the people She never cast an eye on her victorious servant and by that entertainment so little expected taught him a faire lesson of that humility of minde wherewith we should receive those disgraces that betide us then when we thinke we have least deserved them He was much troubled at it and detesting all the honors they did him put this day into the number of the most unfortunate in his life Presently he called to minde all that he had done nay all that he had thought on since he left the Princesse And seeing that the witnesses of his Conscience set his minde at rest he tooke this indifferency of Isatida as a remedy which she had found to allay that vanity which possibly so many happy fortunes joyned together might have caused in him As soone as Hismalita was retyred Isatida that tooke notice of her servants discontent sent him word by Galtazis that she desired his company to her chamber that she might know from him that which her indisposition had not suffered her to behold Zelmatidaes heart leapt at this welcome command and was so transported with it that his wound opened and notwithstanding all that they could apply to it bled such a great quantity of blood that the Princesse tooke notice of it and grew as pale and feeble as if her owne blood had run from the wound of my deare Master He came neer her and taking her by the arme to assist her You see said he how my heart it selfe gives you a testimony of its fidelity It hath alwaies feared that my words were by you suspected and that you doubted of the assurances which my mouth for its part gave you It knowes that it is an interpreter artificiall and cryed downe and that all ages have attainted it of treason and flashood It is long since too that it hath stroven by all meanes to make it selfe knowne to you At last Fortune is come to his ayde and facilitating things which seemed impossible hath given it that which it could not obtayne from nature 'T is faire Isatida that it speakes by my wound and the drops of blood that fall thence are so many words by which it makes knowne to you its infinite love and protests that my mouth hath said nothing to you till my heart had given it a most expresse commandement Isatida comming to her selfe whilest my deare Master spoake to her thus passionately could no longer hold that little anger which she had resolved he should undergoe I must confesse said he that you have a great power over our mâ—…des surely we sh ould not thinke it strange that you overcome Giants since you shew your selfe of suffi ci ency to vanquish that which is naturally invincible Triumph then Zelmatida since you deserve it triumph over my choler as well as of the second Popocampecho But be not like those unfortunate Conquerors that have found their grave in their triumphant Chariot Goe thinke on your woundes and when you are in case to be seene I will tell you the cause of my anger In the meane time I command you to feare it no more it is now as unable to hurt you as the Giant you have overcome My deare Master would needs perswade Isatida that his wounde was nothing not considerable But as soone as the Princesse opened her lips to repeate the commandment she had given him he obeyed according as was accustomed and that seperation was an ill farre more sensible then that he had received in his combate After his being in his Chamber they closed his wounde and though indeed it was but little yet for all that it incommodated him extreamely The next morning he came forth and had almost the whole daies liberty to see Isatida He besought her a thousand times to tell him the cause of her anger You beleeve said the Princesse to him that I have no cause to complaine But know that I have subject enough since against my command and your promise you have not feared to hazard that which is mine and to fight alone against a Monster who thought himselfe strong enough to defeate a whole Army My deare Master seeing the pleasing indignation of the Princesse shall I beleeve said he that any thought of me could at any time possesse a minde so much divine as yours Certainely though hitherto I have found goodnesses in you which are no where else seene Yet did I not imagine them so infinite that they could extend to the care of my preservation But I know whence this tendernesse comes You looke on me as the worke of your owne hands and would retard my losse since you beleeve that your power would suffer some diminution if you should suffer to perish the least thing that is if it bore any marke of yours This nimblenesse of wit answered Isatida wherewith you put off any thing that might hurt you hinders not me yet from being offended and that I beleeve not but you esteeme litle of my friendship since you make no more difficulty to put me into a perplexity I know what you can say to justifie your action and will not give so much to my fancy but I will give more to your considerations Therefore I forget what is past and looke no more on your last actions but on that side where they are to you most glorious and honorable But if ever it happen that you neglect my intreaties and doe not tie your selfe scrupulouâ—…ly to those necessities I shall enjoyne you know that I shall not be alwaies good and that I shall have power enough over my selfe to take from you those favours which by you shall be neglected This convâ—…rse had lasted longer but an extraordinary noise arising about the Pallace engaged Zelmatida to preferre the safety of strangers before his owne He ran where the clamour and confusion was greatest and saw that on all â—…ands the Mexicans fled and ran into the Towne with an incredible terrour and disorder He stopped these Runawaies and suffring himselfe to be transported with the just anger that so generall a cowardize had lightned in his soule Have you resolved cried â—…e to them to deliver your selves your Wives and Children to the fury of your enemies Must the proâ—…d and triumphant Mexico which neither feares the force nor the subtleties of so many people banded against her be this day turned into ashes by the infamous treachery of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Inhabitants What a shame is it yee Mexicans You call the Rebells within yâ—…ur 〈◊〉 and abandoning to them all your entrances signifie to your
generousnesse which is not lesse knowne to me then to my Subjects said he assures me that you have already forgotten those faults that my necessity brought on and that you will not impute them to neglect or ingratitude Zelmatida unmindefull of Galtazis advice thought that Montezuma spoke to him really and truely and on that opinion finding himselfe to be extreamely obliged to his courtesie My Lord said he I will beleeve since you will have it so that my services have not been altogether unprofitable to you But to have me perswade my selfe that they are equivalent to the recompence which I receive by the honour you doe me is to forget who I am and in what manner Kings are accustomed to converse with men of my ranck Montezuma would faine have found out some complements to have gone beyond those of Zelmatida but nature that had not so much â—…efriended him inforced him to carry that by his authority which he had never gotten by his eloquence He tooke Zelmatida by the hand and drawing him almost by strength out of his Chamber put him himselfe in the royall Chaire Well my Lord said Zelmatida in rising out of the Chaire I will receive this honour since t is your pleasure but I beseech your goodnesse not to exact any more from my complying It appertaines only to you to triumph since t was by the virtue of your Subjects and the fortune of your â—…mes that the Theviciens and their Allies have beene defeated Doe you triumph then and prophane not your renowne in communicating it to a miserable stranger My Master in this sort resisting the honorable violences of Montezuma brought him to that streight either to appeare himselfe alone in that triumph or to cut off the principall ceremonies The King besides desirous to make knowne that this triumph was not prepared but for Zelmatida commanded all those to march on that had beene chosen for the pompe and shew and taking my deare Master by the hand walked on foote to the Temple of their god of Battels He caused there to be celebrated the bloody Sacrifice of the immolation of Slaves and streight after were seene not only rivelets of blood glyding from all corners of the Temple but also the bodies of the poore Theviciens carried by hundreds to the places appointed for their buriall This abhominable devotion being ended Montezuma returned to the Palace as he came and made an exceeding great feast for Zelmatida where all the Caciques that were in his Court assisted the Princes of the blood and the chiefe knights When the tables were taken away the rest of the day was spent in musick playes and many other kindes of galantryes which plenty peace and voluptuousnesse had made the Mexicans Inventors The night had her particular rejoycings Hismalita gave Zelmatida a ball and brought in Isatida and her sisters in such ornaments and with such charmes as were capable to vanquish meere insensibility Zelmatida in lieu of fayning as Galtazis had advised him and to suspend his love to give place to his wisedome seemed as distracted at the sight of Isatida He left Montezuma that then stayed with him and passing through the company without heeding whom he thrust got thither where his passion transported him The Princesse perceiving it not only blushed but was so farre offended that fayning to haue some what to say to the Queene her mother she turned her back to her unfortunate slave and left him to make a long and cruell penance for the fault which he had committed against her commandement Montezuma noted both the one and the other action and Hismalita finding in it new cause of distrust and hatred had not power enough over her selfe to dissemble it Her ill humor broke out in such a fashion and principally against Isatida that my deare Master had almost lost all respect and had even a will to accomplish that part of the prediction which spoke of the ravishing of Isatida He was neverthelesse restrayned by the feare of displeasing the Princesse but he caused in himselfe so great an Effort by this constraint that with the excesse of griefe he fell as it were dead at the feete of Hismalita O how that Queene if I deceive not my selfe prayed that he might never come to himselfe againe But her malice was not heard for just heaven who sawe no offence nor crime in the passion of my deare Master sent him supernaturall strength to supply that which nature had lost in him Montezuma ran first to him and causing him to be taken by some young knights witnessed by his assistance that goodnesse is not incompatible with weakenesse Zelmatida recovered from his fainting and ashamed of what he had done beleeved he could not better justifie himselfe then in supposing some strange ill He therefore complayned and asking pardon of the King for his disturbance humbly besought his permission to retyre Montezuma consented and to shew how deare that Prince was to him broke up the assembly and gave command instantly that the high-priest should cause prayers to be said in all the Temples for the health of my deare Master Zelmatida who till then lay buried in his usuall musings awakened from so deepe a flumber and how said he to the three Princes have you beene able to endure the company of one so troublesome Garruca knowing the intention of his master arose and but for Polexander who stayed him had beene gone that he might not be constrayned to continue his discourse Thereupon Bajazet spoake and addressing himselfe to Zelmatida You have cause said he to deprive us of the content which the relation of your adventures gives us For our silence is a signe that we have not that feeling of it which we should And truly we are eyther jealous of your fame or insensible of brave actions since that so many miracles as Garruca hath made known to us seeme to have no more touched us then would the recitall of some vulgar accident Zelmatida blushing at the pratling of Bajazet tooke Garruca and making him sit downe againe goe on said he and speake of me what thou wilt I shall finde it more supportable then the explication Bajazet gives of my words Polexander unwilling to speake any thing to Zelmatida for feare of some new interruption intreated Garruca to continue his discourse He would have obeyed him but in the instant a noyse of drummes and trumpets hindred him and made Bajazet send to know the cause of this novelty The slaves which were on the Guard came and told him that there was newly arrived in the Island a man with an extraordinary attendance who desired to speake with him Bajazet sent to the Captaine of the Fortresse that he should doe his charge and having taken his pledges he permitted the stranger to enter These done were done almost in an instant and Barberossa brought the stranger to his Generall The good aspect of the young man was not the cause alone that drew the Princes eyes upon him He was
a little while that he might at â—…is pleasure embrace the King his Master and for some 〈◊〉 enjoy the â—…ght of the yong Guina Capa And that after so much contentment he wouâ—… walke to his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with all joy and glory and esteeme himselfe the happiest of all men living The King insisted to aske Alismaes life The spectators of eyther sex made resound againe their joy and wonder and her Pallace was all in rejoycings and confusion such as I thinke the History of all ages cannot give us an accident comparable with it The Queene when the tumult was over entertayning the while Zelmatida particularly sent to command every one to take his place and when all were ranged she went againe into her Throne and pronounced these words aloude The supposed death of the great Guina Capaes lawfull Heire wrought by the malice of men wonne me not only to make a lawe which condemned to death all men that fell into my hands but likewise to denounce a warre against the King Quasmez my brother and ancient Ally But this finding againe my sonne by the helpe of men I will That lawe be for ever abolished and putting a period to the war I undertooke I acknowledge my selfe answerable to Quasmez and give him most particular thanks for so charitably gathering together the remainder of my desolate house When she had thus made knowne her will she descended from her Throne and taking Zelmatida by the hand gave Alisma and my selfe the best entertainment we could wish Quasmez Embassadours ravished with so incredible and such an unexpected revolution of businesse did their complements to Zelmatida as to the rightfull successour of the Incaes and besought Telesmana that she would be pleased they might send their Master these good news I my selfe said he will be the Messenger of our common happinesse let therefore some one of you returne to Quasmez and without giving him intelligence of what hath happened tell him that I am on the way to visite him The youngest of the Embassadours had that Commission and presently departed to put it in execution A little after the Queene went out of her Campe holding Zelmatida by the one hand and Alisma by the other Quasmez Embassadours were on each side of her and the Queenes guard crowned with chaplets of flowres encompassed that illustrious company In this manner we marched to the gates of the City where Quasmez expected us and in the incertainty he was failed not of that extreme quietnes of minde which even the most miserable find in the testimony of a good conscience and firme confidence every one ought to have in the goodnesse of the gods Telesmana at her comming to him presented Zelmatida and after their salute See said she the cause of the warre and the cause of peace See what hath made me take up armes and that which hath made me lay them downe I know just and charitable Quasmez that Zelmatida is my sonne as well as yours and if your love and care have made you taken for his Father blood and nature oblige me to declare my selfe his Mother Quasmez not knowing where first to expresse his joy and the proofes of his aâ—…ction whether to the Mother or to the Sonne would have beene glad at once to have parted himselfe betwixt Telesmana and Zelmatida Your imagination better then my relation can represent to you all the particularities of this interview I will not therfore speake of the Sacrifices nor magnificencies wherewithall Quasmez caused the returne of Zelmatida and the peace to be celebrated Let it suffice I tell you the Queene of the Amazons was a moneth with Quasmez and after she had witnessed to him an extreame resentment for those obligations she was bound to him in the behalfe of Zelmatida she with a royall pompe and convoy tooke thence the body of the Queene heâ—… daughter tooke leave of him and stayed not till she came to the City of Quito Zelmatida who followed her by Quasmez appointment after two daies stay in that town was importuned by Alisma to goe to the Caverne of the Javelyn He consented and we three parted thence with our ordinary servants beginning that journey which the generous old man had beene so long desired We travelled night and day and tooke but little rest till we came to the Cave that concealed so many marvels We found not the entry so easy as Alisma had told us but contrarily as soone as we came neere it were set on by a great Troop of Quitonians who by their howlings enraged actions signified an extreame apprehension of our arivall Zelmatida making use of the good Sword I gave him at Calcicoëca which the Amazons had restored to him slew so many of those desperate people that what he did even passeth all likelyhood Alisma old as he was made shew of his former vigour and I that was willing to defend my life tryed to make use of those advantages that I had fetcht so farre off But the wonderfull valour of Zelmatida and his consorts strength had beene vaine against so many enemies iâ—… the wisedome of Telesmana had not seconded the boldnesse of her sonne For as soone as she knew of his private departure she caused two thousand Amazons to follow him and commanded they should not returne without him Those generous Ladies fell in on the Quitonians when we were covered with wounds and round beset on all sides and drove them to the entry of the Caverne Zelmatida much moved with his owne disgrace put himselfe in the front of the Amazons and did so wonderfull deeds of armes that since they called him the God of warre At last he forced the caves enâ—…t left not one of the Quitonians alive Alisma entred next after him and â—…an â—…o the place where he had hid the fatall Iavelin He had much a doe to draw it out Yet at last he got it but he was much astonished when he returned to Zelmatida and sawe him busied in delivering a Prisoner He gazed on the man and presently letting fall the Iavelin out of his hand cryed out am I asleepe or doe I wake Is this a truth or a illusion that I see my Lord my deare Lord is it your selfe or your shadowe doe you know your Alisma or wot you who t is that vndoes your bonds Zelmatida was about to ask Alisma the reason of his astonishment when said the Prisoner takeing the generous old man by the hand t is even I Alisma who after so long imprisonment and a hundred times escaping the death prepared for me see my selfe freed by the valour of this brave yong man Doe you live then my Lord replyed Alisma Have you escaped the rage of your enemies Have the Gods preserved you among so many Executioners shall I beleeve it Yes O yee just Gods I will said he falling on his knees and acknowledging more and more that your incomprehensible providence governes by unknowne meanes the accidents of the worlde I will employ all
lesse he would not have much cared for hiding himselfe But for our sakes he resolved not to stirre but by night And indeed failed not the next following to steale from us to goe and continue his lamenâ—…ations neere that fatall Sepulchre The care we had of him sufferedus not to sleepe long We waken'd as he went forth and followed him for feare some mishappe might beâ—…de him As soone as he came into the Temple he ran to Isatidaes Tombe as one mad and draâ—…ing his sword stood a while speechlesse Presently he threw himselfe on the grounâ—… and after he had above a hundred times called on the name of Isatida spoke these words aloud What have I now to doe faire Soule but to follow you and aâ—…andon those places that are deprived of the onely thing which made them amiable But how can I resolve to leave a place that is filled with your selfe You are not dead Isatida I see every where heere the lustre of your faire eyes T is their preâ—…ence that gives me the beames that enlighten me All this gold shines not but because it encompasseth you and these diamonds have none other fire but that which you lend them But O vaine consolations O discourse unworthy a reasonable man Thou 〈◊〉 now no more Isatida but gone for ever That faire body which charmed â—…e Sences is separated from that sweet soule which so imperiously reigned over mine That complexion so fresh and lively hath but one of is colours or to say true haâ—…h lost â—…hem all and those eyes that could not be seene without love are shut up that their change should not be noted for in lieu of being the throne of love 〈◊〉 they were living are â—…ow become his tombe for he is dead with them Come see what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 done inhumane Father And thou barbarous mother approach and see how weâ—… 〈◊〉 knâ—…w â—…o end what you have begun This is the instaâ—… that shall free you from those 〈◊〉 which your unhappy jealousies threw on you And thou Isatida whose name 〈◊〉 have for the last time in my mouth if it be not a horror to thee to â—…urne thâ—… eyes from heaven where thou dwellest and cast them on this abhominable Earth behold thy Zalmatida ready to follow thee and to follow thee in such a sort that there shall be no more any consideration noâ—… tyrany able to divide him from thee Come then 〈◊〉 thâ—… pâ—…as faire Soule and receive the other halfe of thy selfe and thinke it noâ—… 〈◊〉 to accomplish the promise you have so solemnly made me After he had said thus he arose and chusing the place where he intended to strike was falling on the point of his Sword when I caught him behinde and turning away the unfortunate weâ—…pon hiâ—…dred the greatest death that all the foregoing ages have bemoaned He fell 〈◊〉 iâ—…o a great choler but as soone as he had recollected himselâ—…e my deare 〈◊〉 said he I beleeved not that after your testimoniall of so much affection to me you would have discovered your haâ—…red at a time when I desired to make use of your courage What would â—…ou should become of me and why think you it not fit that one sole moment effect that which doubtlesly some houres shall or at least some dayes which you will needs add to my miserable life I made no answer at all but Bereamis representing the wrong he would doe his reputation to kill himself in lieu of resolving on a revenge worthy himselfe and his Mistris knew so well to make him waver by so many different reasons that he wonne him and brought him out of the Temple When we were returned to our lodging and that we saw him fit to heare us we strove to lenify his afflictions and a little to divert his cogitations intended to get him to depart the next day But when we proposed it to him he forbad us to speake of it and was eight daies intire to hearken after nothing but his griefes and to doe nought else but moysten with his teares the gold and pretious stones on Isatidaes tombe At last overcome by our importunities he resolved to be gone Yet upon this condition that wee should not speake to him either of Kingdomes nor of warre nor other matters that might divert his sorrow and wee on the contrary told him that he could not sufficiently lament his losse and so by little and little flattering his affliction wee tooke of all that it had most dangerous and made us capable to be hearkned to From Vacipala even to the Port where in coming from Cuba we had left our vessell wee had none other discourse but of Isatida Zelmatida recounted to us all the Graces she had living then told us the charms of her conversation anon the vivacity of her wit He extolled the knowledge she had in what ever was good and forgot nothing of all that which might make her to be beleeved for more then mortal At last after we had long traveled with much affliction wee came to the Port I last spoke of Our Mariners ravished with joy to see us after so long absence ran to salute Zelmatida to expresse their contentment but he looked on them as strangers nay even as enemies and could scarce abide the prayers they made for his preservation He went aboord and entred into the same Cabine wherein Bajazet first saw him I acquainted the Mariners in few words with all that which had befalne us and then went to Zelmatida to know what he intended Let 's be gone said he and lose our selves farre enough from a World wherein I finde nothing but new causes of despayre Let us fly from the unfortunate Quasmez from the happy Guina Capa and never more see those that may hereafter give us a sillable of consolation In a word let us seeke out death I perceived by his speeches that to irritate his melancholly was to lose him I therefore commanded my Mariners to steere for the Island of Hayty and did it of purpose to finde amongst the Spanyards some diversion that might be sufficient to cure the despayre of my Master In the meane while I was still with him and intended for feare of offending not to speake a word but when he should command me Our shippe was no sooner in full Sea but the winde shifted and made the Saylors feare a great Tempest For how could our voyage be happy when the good fortune of my Lord the Inca forsooke him at his comming forth of Quito It continued foule all night and the day following we lost sight of land and our Martiners now no more Masters abandoned the shippe to the mercy of the Sea The king was insensible of whatsoever was spoke to him But when one told him that we were certainly like to perish and that there was no more hope of safety I aske nought else said he and am where I have long wished me the only thing that grieves me in this accomplishment of my
as if he had doubted the truth of what he spoke and beginning to him a long recitall of all the misfortunes had betided him strove to perswade him that he was only borne but to be miserable The slave harkned to all these adventures with an extreame attention and answered thereto with so much judgment that he brought Polexander to doubt of some things which till that time he held most veritable and certaine Whilst these two different slaves thus entertained themselves the day broake and with the day the tempest redoubled But the bad weather could not hinder the Rovers to come out of their Quarters and assembled at the entry of the Fort to invite Bajazet to the dividing of the booty He came from his chamber and thinking not that what he went about worth the paines of advertising his Guests came where he was expected As soone as he was in place where his Army might heaâ—…e him he spake thus This is the day my companions that you shall receive a part of that which your valour and industry have deserved Nothing shall be partaged by authority or favour Every one shall have that which by justice he can hope for the priviledges shall be considered Therefore who ere hath any just pretentions let him present himselfe without raysing any tumult and make them knowne to those who are appointed for their Examination After he had left all the Piratts in this pleasing expectation and ordayned sixe of the eldest to receive their petitions and inquire the merit of those that presented them he went with the rest of the Captaines right to the Magazines By the way he met Iphidamantus and stopping to give him the complement asked him whether he had so much curiosiy as to see the Magazines and the riches which his valour had given them Iphidamantus answering this civilitie with his accustomed sweetnesse told Bajazet that he would waite on him They went then to the storehouses and wondred to see so much treasure Those that kept it presenting the Inventory to Bajazet did not only cause his wonder to redouble but made every one that heard it read beleeve himselfe more rich then all the Princes of Africa Presently Bajazet called a Councell to resolve in what manner they might preserve the value of so many rarities without discontenting the Souldier or losing the most part of so fayre Jewels All those of the councell being of divers opinious at last stuck to the opinion of Bajazet which was that they should take out of the old Treasure and the new all that they could finde or money coyned to divide it among the Souldiers and if that were not sufficient they might add to it some Ingotts of gold and silver that they might have cause to confesse that they had given them more then they ought to have promised themselves Bajazet seeing so generall a consent in the Captaines and desirous besides to signify to Iphidamantus the esteeme that he would all should have of his courage arose and taking his friend by the hand spake thus to all the Assembly T is at this time my Companions that we joyntly acquit our selves of a part of the debt we owe this valiant Christian. You have divers times already solicited me to give him that liberty which he hath so gloriously deserved I approve of your justice and am of opinion that it be done as soone as possibly may be But to accompany that action with some thing illustrious let us give him some considerable Present to make appeare to him that we make a far greater esteeme of men of valour then of great riches and may be by that meanes we may so winne him that he will have no desire to forsake us This generosity being approved in apparence by all them that heard it Bajazet arose to goe chuse amongst all that was rarest amongst the treasure some piece worthy of his liberality and Iphidamantes virtue Scarce had he gone two steps but he was staied short by the insolence of one of the Assistants Thalemut an old and valiant Pirat but the most brutish and insuportable of all those that beleved not God and feared not man was the cause of this tumult Long before this time had the beauty of Iphidamantus bred abhominable thoughts in this Divell and that prodigious affection breeding in him a jealousy of Baiazet he durst not tâ—…l then make that breake out which was so long brooding within him But when he sâ—…w that his Generall amplified too much as he list Iphidamantus merits and made shew of an extraordinary â—…ffection to have presents presented he was not able to containe himselfe nor to give bounds to his fury he therefore came streight to Baiazet his mouch even foming and his eyes on fire and art thou not content said he putting his hand on his Cimiter to robb us of this slaves ransom But that thou wilt have us pay for thy infamous actions with that which we have gotten by the expence of our lives If thou be so amorous of this womanish fare buy his honour with that which is thine owne and doe not I know not under what vaile of feigned noblenesse make the salary of a prostitute to be inroled with the reward of so many valiant men At that word Baiazet wholy transported from himselfe and Iphidamantus unwilling to live longer then to be avenged set hands to their Swords never considering into what danger the credit which Thalemut had with his companions might throw them Never saw ye two men equally offended run more alike to be revenged The one would prevent the other and each beleved that how great soever the reparation of this iniury might be yet it could not be satisfactory unlesse it were done by his owne hand On the other side Thalemut threatned aloud and seing the dispute of those two valiant men gave him time to doe any thing collected from the silence and coldnesse of his companions an assurance that his boldnesse pleased them These two occasions swelling him in pride gave him the daring to strike a blow with his Scimiter at Bajazers head and with such a violence that without heavens particular providence they had seen expire by an infamous weapon one of the most glorious lives of the world Baiâ—…zet avoiding this blow and looking on Iphidamantus What said he are you confederate with this Assasin and become enemie to your selfe Will you be this Barbarians second Whilst he spoke thus more then twenty or thirty of his Captaines interpose themselves betwixt him and Thalemut When hee saw they went about to pacify him in few words hee made knowen his just griefe to them and by his eloquence thought to obtayne the liberty of avengeing himselfe on his Enemy And in that impatiency he was not enduring the excuses wherewith the pirates would have moderated his anger t is in vaine said he I will hearken to no consideration to the preiudice of mine honour since my interest can win nothing on you I
to Zelmatida but the Prince unwilling to give him that time he held his peace and a while thence calling by their names five or six of the principall Rovers that were come to visit him he spake to them in this manner My Companions since in the estate I am I cannot promise to serve you any more I have entreated Polexander not to forsake you You cannot doubt of his courage nor experience The only thing you are to feare is that he loves you not enough But be assured of the contrary He hath promised me to doe in all as my selfe if he find that his government please you Make your selves worthy of a protection far more powerfull then mine and be confident that you will have no cause to lament my death But said he turning to Polexander I yet aske you one favour and t is that you will let me know in what case I am and be not so cruell under the shadow of pity to let me dye without setling my affaires I have such things in my minde that the rest I expect in the other life depends absolutely on them and I protest as being ready to give up my soule that if I dye without time to discharge my selfe of one thing I never yet told I shall dye desperate There hapned then in the persons of those Pirates a novelty that their nature might make passe for a prodigy They were moved to pity and as if from wild beasts which they were wont to be they had beene suddainely turned to men they felt themselves sensible of griefe and wept in beholding the constancy of Bajazet Fame that gets in every where and hath wings to fly over the walls when the gates are shut against her published this sad newes in the Army and knew to paint it to the Souldiers in such lively colours that the desire of booty was neither their only nor the strongest passion whereof they found themselves capable Their shouts of joy were changed into lamentations their laughter into teares and the hopes of their safety being on the suddaine utterly extinct they were strucken with the apprehension of a thousand different tortures Yet since it was the custome during the sicknesse of their Generalls that the Pirates incamped and abode day and night in a body of an Army they stirred not from the place where Bajazet had left them in going to the Magazins Notwithstanding to give them some refreshing during so long a toile it was advised to execute all that Bajazet had appointed T is true that the largesse was a great ease to their sorrow and brought them to themselves by the greatnesse of the present liberality and promise of a second that should surpasse the first On the other side Bajâ—…zet being left to rest for the space of foure and twenty houres begun in good earnest to feele how extreame great his wound was Yet as weake and pained as he was it was but little more perceived then in the Princes They were so cast downe with griefe and feare that it was hard to be judged who was the sickest of them or Bajazet When they were about to take open the greatest tent there was not a man in the chamber whose feare gave him not severall conjectures though they were all sad ones and deadly The Chyrurgions were not the last that doubted of the vertue of their remedies and power of their art since Bajazet had had withall a Fever above thirty houres They already heard him talke idely and now and then sigh and lament Sometimes he seemed to threaten and then that he tooke leave with a great deale of sorrow from some one whom he called his soule and his life By reason of this they duâ—…st not meddle with his wound but when they saw they were not to deferre it any longer Diceus and his Companions put their hands to the worke As soone as the hurt place felt the paine there gush't out a streamâ—… of blood by whose losse Bajazet fell againe into his first swoundings Yet they gave not over to finish what they had begun and when t was done neere all the Chyrurgions confessed that they had seene signes of a dangerous wouâ—…d and said openly that if within twelve houres the accidents which began to appeare ceased not there was no more hope of him Diceus only despaired not assuring Polexander tâ—…t if bsides the Fever there happened not some other thing he promised himselfe to save Bajazet Whilst every one according to his severall passion was of the one or the others minde the wounded man came out of his swound and began to sigh so often that they well judged some great thing afflicted him As soone as they saw him well come to himselfe they gave him something to strengthen him and perceiving he had a minde to speake every one retired to take from him that desire All the night passed in this manner and the next day till evening they thought he would have dyed He knew it well enough and fearing least death might prevent him commanded paper and incke to be brought Zelmatida and Polexander intreated him and the Chyrurgions threatned to divert him from those strainings which they foresaw he must undergoe if he began to write But neither of them could doe any thing There was no remedy but to give him what he called for but he had not writ above two or three lines but the extreame paâ—…ne he had put him to was like to cast him into a swound He grew setled againe and resolute to what he had undertaken and making a little Roll of the paper in which he had writ drew from under his shirt a Picture boxe that was enamelled with green incarnation and white As soone as he had opened the boxe his strength failed the cover fell out of his hand wiâ—…h the Roll that he held and himselfe fell backward on his bolster senselesse Iphidamantus was the first hat ran to him who putting his arme under Bajazets head for ease saw the Picture in the box The sight had almost done him as much hurt as to Bajazet He made shew of a great alteration retired two or three paces changed colour and as if he was become Bajazets enemy had no more care of his recovery and was a long while in withdrawing his eyes from that portract Those that tooke of the novelty at first wondered But ignorant of the true cause took Iphidamantus transport for an effâ—…ct of friendshippe At last he became recollected and impossible to hide all his concâ—…ptions O God said he must mine eyes deceive me Reason would not have me beleeve what they see Bajazet then opening his eyes as if he had awakened with Iphidamantus words and comming to himselfe just heaven said he with a dying voice must it needs be that after you had obliged me in occasions such as I most desired not you would forsake me in the principall Permit not if it be your pleasure that I perish under the burthen that orewhelmes me
religiously with you then with the gods Give him more respectfull regards and forbid him that he You ought divine Alcidiana cried Polexander you ought to forbid mee to live rather then to impose on me impossible conditions and command that my understanding knowing its happinesse should become a Tyrant to it selfe even to enjoyne my will not to desire it But you have beene more just and suppressing the bloody Lawes which your rigour had invented you have dispenced with us for the necessity of observing them He continued his reading after hee had made this reflection and met certaine words by which Alcidiana had expressed her thoughts in looking in her glasse They were these Doest thou know thy self well Alcidiana These eyes afflicted and languishing this complexion so unlike what it hath alwaies beene these pale lips this leaden breast in briefe this dying person which thou seest in this glasse hath it any thing of that thou lookst for Confesse that Alcidiana is no more but that she lost her selfe when shee lost the peace of heâ—… minde The cruell Demon that changed her heart not only altered her countenance but disfigured it in such sort that 't is no wonder if thou knowest it not Doe not accuse the glasse to be lesse true then t was wont It is still the same it was but thou art not what thou hast beene Call againe dead Alcidiana make the two last yeeres of thy life to returne againe in a word rayse thy selfe if it be possible out of the grave wherein thy errors have buried thee and by what is passed thou maist judge of the present But witlesse as thou art it seemes thou art pleased in thine ill fortune Thou inwardly comfortest thy selfe with thy losses Thou findest allurements in thy alteration and since thy glasse doth not flatter thee thou endeavorest to flatter thy selfe Breake this charme unfortunate Princesse and know thy sicknesse is at the height since thou art insensible of it Polexander after he had read this knowing not whether he should complaine on himself or some other yet neglected not to declare him for Alcidiana and to sweare inwardly the death of the Author of so many disquiets Hee turned then another leafe and found this The Reflection TO whom should I attribute the cause of my malady Shall I accuse the starres or men or mine owne temper What ill influence could insensibly ruine the vigour of my fayrest yeeres Shall I beleeve that some Sorcerer by the power of his Characters or venome of his lookes his fascination hath impoysoned my heart and by little and little drawes my life from me My temper seemes not to mee any way altred though my disposition be changed and by consequence it is not the Author of my Sufferings Shall I say t is my Melancholly But that being the very ill I endure I should then make the effect guilty of the malignity of the cause But may it not bee Love If Radiotez have not deceived me t is impossible that my disease should come from that passion How often hath he assured me that Love came from desire and if it be so I am not in Love or else in Love with all persons in the World For all fayre objects give me the same desires I looke on the heavens with admiration I number the Starres with a ravishment I delight in the diversitie of floures of fruites and all living creatures But of all these there is not any one which I wish to enjoy more particularly then I now possesse it What is then the cause of my griefe Alas how can I know it since I have not this ill but because I am ignorant of it Dye Polâ—…xander and give over at last to suffer thy selfe to be deceiv'd by false hopes said our Heroë Not only Alcidiana hath my love but the heavens and the earth men and beasts are all to thee as one same object Griefe here hindred his farther speech Yet stopped him not from pursuing his farther inquiry Hee was almost at the end of the tables when he found this The Anger HOw I hate thee perfidious Amintha to print againe in my thought the name of thy Polexander Since these eight dayes there hath not a moment passed but this troublesome name hath mixed it selfe with my meditations It persecutes mee by day and in the night it permits me not to take my rest If I call any one of my slaves would I name any other eyther Citizen or Stranger my tongue following the error of my imagination will pronounce that Polexander Some times it speakes it halfe and every foote I am forced to stay it for feare of continuing in this mistake O Name of Polexander said our Heroë more fortunate then Polexander himselfe I hast thou not so much charitie to impart some of thy happinesse to him without whom thou canst not bee I conceive thy answere deare Name But my little merit suffers me not to beleeve it nor my respect to entertayne my selfe with it And with these words turned to the last leafe of the Tables and there met with this The last Resolution IT must be so I am resolved of it audacious Stranger Thou shalt out of my memory as well as of my Territories The more thou hast sought for occasions to appeare amiable the more cause hast thou given me to make thee hated I hate thee because I have run the hazard to love thee I wish that an eternall punishment avenge me of the crime thou wouldst have committed The Sentence for it is pronounced Traytor as he is Hee shall not vaunt unpunished to have essayed by virtue of his submissions and services to establish his dangerous Tyrrany Thou mightst well doubt unhappy Polexander cryd our Heroë that the last calme should be followed by a great tempest Thou hast not long time sayled but to be ship wrack'd and the end of thy Navigation must be that of thy hopes Deliberate no longer after thy condemnation leave to live in leaving to hope Yet not so Preserve thy life since thy divine Alcidiana wills that thou indure as much as thou art capable to suffer When Polexander had shut up the table booke and made a new reflection on his fortune he knew but too well that Alcidiana's last Sentments had ruined the little hope which the former had given him He turned his eyes pittifully on Pallantus redilivering his booke and would signifie unto him the excesse of his despaire But Pallantus prevented him and sayd he wonder'd infinitely that he would persevere to afflict himselfe amidst so many causes of joy Ah Pallantus answered the Prince I know t is too much honour for me to be remembred in any way whatsoever by Alcidiana My Judgement avowes it but my passion will not I have such desires as perpetually struggle with my reason and when I would force them not to go beyond the limitts she prescribes them they boldly take armes against us both and their insolencyes go so farre that they even think to doe
us a great favour when they use us but as slaves Teach me dear Pallantus what my reason and I should do to get us the Mastery since thou wilt not have us give way to their tyranny Persever in that feare and adoration which till now you have witnessed for Alcidiana answered Pallantus Be not weary of suffering and leave to your desires that absolute Empyre they have usurp'd over your reason They will be of a different nature from ordinary desires if time opposition and despaire do not weaken their impetuosity Ah! Remedyes more cruell and insupportable then the ill it selfe saide Polexander Am I brought to that extremity to make use of you yes insensible friends I receive and imbrace you since you are so happy to have the resentments of Alcidiana for the Authors of your being Pallantus heere imposing him silence Be pleas'd sayd he that I end the history of your disfavours and that finally I banish you from the place wherein is inclos'd all your hopes and happinesses Polexander replying nothing gave occasion to the faire slave to continue thus his discourse Your sorrow solitude and your complaints having too long lasted for your quiet Amintha resolv'd to have pitty on you and to redeeme you from you despaire by false hopes You followed her advice and suffring your selfe to be easily perswaded to what you so extreamly desired you began againe your illustrious and magnificent way of living whereby you had acquir'd the affections of the most part of Alcidiana's subjects She understood of your returne and wanting sufficient knowledge of worldly affaires to judge of the â—…rue cause of your change she called for Amintha to discourse with her about it I thought said she that having hitherto made a particular profession of friendshipp with Polexander you are not ignorant of those causes which he hath had heretofore to afflict himselfe and those he hath now to rejoyce in I honour Polexander replied Amintha but I have no part in his trust Yet not so that I am ignorant of that which your Majesty desires to know His griefe and joy are too publick to make a secret of them Every one speakes of it and if it be not known to your Majesty you are without doubt the onely person in your Kingdome that is ignorant of it But to give it you it behooves if you please to think it fit that I pronounce to you a word which to you is very odious Alcidiana confident of Amintha's discretion told her that she might speake since your Majesty commanded me replyed Amintha I will tell you that Polexander is in love The Queen was surprised with that word and so surprised that she could not refrayne from blushing But loath to rest mute on that occasion is it possible sayd she to Amintha that a spirit so strong as Polexander should be capable of so extreame a weaknesse 'T is possible Madam answerd Amintha and your Majesty would have the pleasure to know the cause aswell as the effects of this passion you will be confirmd in that true opinion that love is nothing but blindnesse and folly Stenelica who hath nothing left eiâ—…her of youth or beauty is the cause of Polexanders vexations He adores her loves hâ—…r burnes for her and is desperate when he cannot see her and as his dispaire comes from the rigours of Stenelica his contentments likewise proceed from the favours he receives thence But that which is most strange is there passeth not a day but he wâ—…ites to her and in such humble and passionate termes as if he writ to the fairest Princesse in the world Aâ—…cidiana tooke no pleasure in this jesting and you went neere to lose the good opinion she had of you even by that which you had plotted with Amintha to get you into it Polexander bindes me to returne to my first opinion sayd she to her Confident Truely Nature and Radiotez have not deceiv'd me when they assured me that men were full of imperfections and how those which had been estem'd freest from deserts and neerest approaching to a divine condition had by diverse actions of their lives made it appeare they were truely men subject as the meanest to the most low and ridiculous extravagancies Amintha saw well that t was nothing to the purpose to prosecute what she had begun she therefore put it off to another time and applying her selfe to the Queenes humour did so well by her colloguing and wit that in lesse then eight dayes wrought in Alcidiana an extreame desire to see the letters you had written to Stenelica Presently she shew'd her aboue fifty and wouâ—…d have given her a great many more but that she was wearyed with your supposed extravagancyes Stenelica punctually receyved two or three a daye and assoone as she had them had order to bring them to the Queene Five or six moneths slid away yet the Queene discovered not the mystery of your Letters nor of your maskes and turnaments But by little and little her understanding comming on with her age and her seventeenth yeere instructing her in that which the former sixteene were ignorant of she made long and deepe reflections on all that you had done since you came into her Territories and by those things conjectured that infallibly Stenelica was but the pretext and coverture of a more high affection This thought engaged her to reade all your Letters over againe But scarce had she read the first when she saw her selfe so lively pictured that she called her blinde for being so long from discovering it Streight an indignation for being deceived by Amintha made her cast by all the effâ—…ction she bore her and made her resolve to punish you both for one crime whereof she judg'd you were equally guilty And not to defer her vengeance she called for Stenelica and shutting themselves in her owne Closet and accommodating her selfe to the weakenesse of that poore Soule hardly reasonable told her that she understanding how Polexander writ to her only to passe away his time she would not have her to be any longer the object of his sport and jeasting I command you therefore said she to receive no more of his Letters nor any more to endure hiscompany 'T is a shame for one of your age and condition to lose your time in the fopperies of youth Breake absolutely the commerce you have with this stranger burne all his letters send him back his Jewells and suffer him not to talke to you any more hearken to none that comes from him and above all converse with Amintha as with your greatest enemy The Queene was not thus contented to cut from that meanes of expressing your affection But she would take from you all others and punish you and your complicâ—… for your temerity She therefore remoâ—…ved from her ordinary place of abiding and went to that stately Castle which the King her Father built on a point of Land that lookes toward your fortunate Islands All the Court followed her in that Journey
either your paâ—…ience learning or chaâ—…ity Yâ—…u may finde in me cause sufficient to put all those perâ—…ctions in practise I am very ignorant in our mysteries and 〈◊〉 yet more unfortunate The Dervis beginning to speake with the tone of a voice so weake and trembling that I thougâ—…t him to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ick The esteeme said he which you deigne to make of me is a proofe of your goodnesse aâ—…d though 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ingenuously that I deseâ—…ve it not 〈◊〉 yeâ—… I 〈◊〉 that it is an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be well in the opinion oâ—… so wiâ—…e anâ—… so generous a Princesse But that which 〈◊〉 this good fortune the moâ—…e deare to me is that by a happy continâ—… 〈◊〉 obligeâ—… you to shew some compassion on my griefe 〈◊〉 said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 heaven iâ—… self put a hand to the recoveâ—… 〈◊〉 wâ—…l quickly 〈◊〉 incurable 〈◊〉 if you 〈◊〉 Madam that being 〈◊〉 and day to conâ—…est with such sensible griefes I can neither dispose of mine owne spirits 〈◊〉 yet be in case to instruct and comfort I have neede my selfe that some charitable friend should not only free me from many doubts and withdraw me from many errors which my malady begets in my minde but that he should likewise raise my courage by his consolations and give me the strength to resist the violence of my afflictions It I carry away nothing else I replyde by your communication yet at least I shall take with me this satisfaction that it is not my sexe alone that shewes so much weakenesse since that a man who by the greatnesse of his soule could dispose himselfe of all his affections and of himselfe could not yet uncloathe him wholy of all humanity noâ—… lose the sense of paine in losing that of pleasure It seemes well Madam answered he that I have not the honour to be well knowne to you I am quite otherwise then your charity imagineth I am a feeble weake man a man so tide to himselfe and to his affections that to preserve them more pretiously and to imploy his dayes and nights in so faire and delightfull an occupation hath banished him from the world and chasen a retreate in the horrour of these Mountaines But Madam I should never have done if I tooke the boldnesse to tell you the story of my infirmities I have intimated but too much already and you shall be exceedingly good if after the confession that I have made you will deigne to take the paines one day to revisit so deplorable a creature That which you have now told me I answered makes me desire to know more but it shall be for another day In the meane time get your health if you can or at least have the courage to suffer constantly and if you neede a very rare example to make you to make you resolve it study the life of Ennoramita and you shall finde that though she be a woman she is able couragiously to support faâ—… greater afflictions then yours and to expect without despaire those remedies that time will afford her I will strive to follow so generous councell replyde the Dervis but time must quickly bring me that succour it intends me if it prepare for me any other then death My heart begins to faile me with my hope and if the eternall wisdome which watcheth eternally for the good of his creatuâ—…es had not by a miracle vouchsafed to signifie to me this day that my life is yet deare to him I protest to you Madam that I would not have preserved it any longer The more I heard this Hermet talke the more my curiosity increased I thought that all his words were so many mysteries and that he concealed from me the knowledge of something that might be very availeable and pleasing to me Yet I tooke my leave oâ—… him and promised in going away that he should quickly here from me or I would come to see him my selfe Let it be as soone as may be Madam said he sighing â—…or if your presence renew not againe within few dayes the miracle that hath beene done since you entred into this Caverne assuredly you shall not finde me living I returned thâ—… 〈◊〉 the Pallace of the Desert for so they called my Prison and meeting there with Nepâ—…zus in a humour as I may say good If I compare it with that which was ordiâ—…y with him related to him the adventure of my walke He had presently a desire to vâ—…sit the desolate Hermit and appointing it for next day intimated that he desired to goe thither with me The time being come wee got to horsbacke and in lesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 houres came to the narrow passage by which only you could clime to the Dervis his Caverne He was in the same caâ—…e that I left him and though Nephizus had given him notice of his comming yet was he constrained if he would see him to goe to his bed-side He spoake to him with words obliging enough for a Soveraigne and reprâ—…nting the extreame desire some had given to gâ—…t to the knowledge of him asked 〈◊〉 what had forced him to make so rigourous a retirement The anger of heaven 〈◊〉 the Dervis and my despaire and the Authors of it But are you noâ—… 〈◊〉 Nephizus the same in these Mountaines that you were in the world Feeâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 your afflictions as you have felt them heeretofore Aâ—…e you more absolutely Master of yoâ—… passions Or doe you beleeve that since you have turned your back to forâ—… gives over to pursue you My Lord answered the Dervis I conâ—…e I am in this Deâ—…rt 〈◊〉 same I was in the City My griefes are as shaâ—…pe as ever My passions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 me as they were wont But I must confesse to you that since I â—…gan to leave 〈◊〉 â—…ing of â—…une she hath given over to be so averse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the woâ—…ld 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pleasure to affâ—…ct me but since I inhaâ—… among 〈◊〉 Roâ—… she seemes to have an intent to favour me I understand what you would say replyde Nephizus That fortune since she can take nothing from you leaves you somewhat at quiet and gives over working since she findes no more subject whereon to exercise her action There is something true answered the Dervis in your interpretation but the favours I receive from fortune if to accord with the ordinary manner of speech wee must call that fortune which is a pure effect of the providence which governes in heaven are more sensible then you can imagine them She doth only oblige me in ceasing to afflict me but she obligeth me effectively and gives me at least the sight of those felicities which I have heeretofore enjoyed That is said Nephizus because you now not being distracted among these obscure and solitary places your imagination so strongly represents you the happinesse which you enjoy no more that it seemes you enjoy them yet I have farre more then that said the Dervis for I recover in this Cave and really enjoy the good which
to your knowledg and besides having oftentimes examin'd it I found in it so much I know not what of incredible and so prodigious that I call it doubt so often as I thinke on it though have had the confirmation from a thousand witnesses worthy of faith See what t was and Judge whether I have cause to speake as I doe Nephizus inflam'd with love with Despite Anger and Shame arm'd more powerfully and openly then he dar'd doe till then and having gotten the principall Townes to give colour to his detestable rebellion publish'd a Manifest against Hely which I Cannot remember but my hayr riseth an end with the horror thereof Among the great number of crimes whereof he accused that poore Prince he reproach'd him with the stealing of you away to satisfy his execrable lust and maintayned that she whom they cunningly call'd the stranger Iphidamanta was the true Perselida Amatonta Ennoramita Princess of Tunis The people were not the sole who suffering themselves to be corrupted by that malignity which is but too naturall to them gave credit to so prodigious a calumny but many of the principal in the state either beleev'd it or to have cause to take up armes made shew to beleeve it Abdelmelec said in good Company that for the manner of all his Fathers living there was nothing in matter of love but might be credited of him And the too-Amorous Hely hearing this accusation was in doubt of the truthes which the stranger Iphidamanta had assured to him But being againe confirm'd by her selfe in his former beliefe he caused an answer to be made to his Sons Manifest to justify him from so black a supposition and thinking to avenge himselfe commanded all his followers not call the faire stranger by any other name then Ennoramita and he observ'd the same he commanded others and by this trick of youth made that name so famous that the people of Morocco will not in a long time forget it So if it be lawfull for mee to speake with that boldnesse by the folly of Hely and the malice of Nephizus your Name Madam and imagination became as the fatall firebrand which the Enemy Demon of our peace put into the hands of the Father and Children to make desolate the most flourishing Provinces of all Africa In a word after their writings they came to blowes The Sonnes gave the Father Battle overcame him thrice made him fly shamefully from Morocco and compell'd him to seeke for refuge in Guargetssem to escape from their fury Yet could he not be secure for a little time after he was beâ—…eig'd and in spight of all his mens valour and resistance reduc'd to the lamentable necessity of seeing himselfe and what he loved more then himselfe at the discretion since in the power of Nephizus The ill advised Prince entred Victoriously into Guargetssem Yet gather'd he not by so deplorable a Victory the fruit he promis'd himselfe Assoone as he was Master of the fortress he would needes visit it all He found his father in a Bed dangerously wounded but seeing not Iphidamanta with him he went to search for her even to the bottom of the Casamatts He was not like to meet her for shee fled by sea with one Osmin who within these few yeares by meanes of his excessive favour had been the pertext of all the revolts and all the Warres of the two Brothers The flight of that stranger had neere been the death of Hely for Nephizus enraged at her losse came with his Cymiterre in his hand even to the Bed of that miserable King and vomiting against him all that his sury fild him with he threatned to passe his Weapon through his Body if he would not restore to him his wife Abdelmelec staid that blow and pulling his Brother thence by force forsooke him not til he saw him in a great repentance for the parricide he would have Committed But the passion he was in for the faire stranger and on the other side the remorse of Conscience not suffering him to stay longer at Morocco he got some one to intreate his Father to give him one of his great ships of warre and assoone as he had gotten it he imbarqued himselfe with forty of fifty of his Complices To tell you whether he intended or what became of him is not in my Power for what enquiry soever I have made I have not been able to know any thing of him for a certaine Some have told me that he was shipwrack'd neare the Canaries and that there were found in the Isle of Fer certaine Arabick Characters engraven on the barke of a tree which said that the miserable Nephizus after he had lost all was come to seeke his death in that place Others averred that he had been taken by Pyrats in the same Isle of Fer and that after he had in diverse occasions made shew of his valour among them they had thought him worthy to command them However t is but too true that Nephizus is dead I thought to have been one of the first that had heard of it and assoone as 't was brought me I deem'd it fitting to advertize secretly Abdelmelec of all and not to give you any suspition of it I made you beleive that Hely commanded me to come to him Vnder this pretext I left you at Liberty and by great Journeys came to Arsile where Abdelmelec kept his Court. He knew nothing of the death of his brother when I told it him He gave me great thankes for it and for many reasons conjur'd me to keepe this newes secret He in the meane while that would make his benefit of it came to the King his father and made shew to him of so great a greife for his passed offences and such a desire to repaire them by his fidelity and obedience that the mild Hely not only restored him to his favour but almost resign'd to him all his authority Those two Princes might now have named themselves perfectly happy if the one could have cured himselfe of that passion whereof he still languished and kept for the pretended Ennoramita and if the other had heen wise enough to free his mind from a fantasie the most unreasonable that love is able to produce And now since that love is the cause of my voyage 't is not from the purpose if I tell you what is permitted me to publish Know then that above four yeares since Abdelmelec is falne in love with a Princesse which he never saw but in Picture and which he shall never see otherwise This Princesse is called Alcidiana and is Queene of an Island farre separated from these heere and incomparably more fair then these are This little peice of land is called by some the celestiall Island by others the Inchanted Isle but the most proper name is that of the Innaccessible Island because all the Arte of Navigation nor the best steerage of the most experienced Pilots of the world can bring a vessell to any Port
that watchest for the generall good of the world what have I done to thee that I should be the party belov'd of Benzaida After he had ended this exclamation he turn'd himselfe towards me and ask'd me whither I would go T is no matter where I replied provided it be there where I may find the Prince of Fez. Provided that it be where you may find the Prince of Fez replied Tindarache O Too happy Prince if thou knew'st thy happinesse Let s go Let 's go Madam after that ingratefull Man Let us search for that enemy of his owne good Let 's compell him to accept the good Fortune he refuseth and if there want but my life to make him true I am content that you bestow it on your passion The love and Noblenesse of that Prince touch'd me so to the heart that I was forc'd to impose him silence for feare least his speech should make me too sensible He was no lesse obedient to me in that then in all other things and I beleeve that wee cros'd the seas and a part of Fez and Morocco without any talke aboue five or six times I found thee not in either of the Kingdomes but I understood that the love thou barest to Ennoramita Princess of Tunis had made thee undertake a voyage on the Ocean I therefore left Morocco and went to imbarque my selfe at Azafi to see if I could meet thee at Sea or at least to passe the streights and finde thee at Tunis but being ingaged to stay at Azafi to attend a Portugall ship I was I know not by what odnesse of Fortune seen and desired by four Castilian Knights who seem'd to be very Inquisitive of mee And not contented to have entertain'd me in their Inne shipped themselves with me and did what they could to win me not to forsake their conversation I avoyded it yet as often as it was possible and heaven hearing my prayers Stir'd up so furious a Tempest that it gave the Spanyards farr other thoughts then those of pratling to me After our ship had bin three dayes and three nights beaten with the Tempest it came to shyde on to an Island which is now famous by the stately Tombe of a Prince called Almansor There wee went on shore to expect fairer weather and give time to the Mariners to trym their ship and I that would avoid the sight of the four troublesome Spanyards I caus'd me to be conducted by Tindarache to a village which is not farre from the sea But I could not keep me from the curiosity of those mad men They followed mee and stopping me between a wood and a many rocks told me that they were come to serve me and not to offer me any outrage Wee are said they four Cozens who are equally in love with you and because our affection is too violent to endure any companions we are resolved to fight in your presence to give an end to the cause of our jealousy and leave you the prize for the vanquisher Though my minde was busied about nothing but the remembrance of thy ingratitude perjur'd Nephizus yet the extravagancy of those men was capable to stay my musings I gave Heaven thankes that it made me see a folly which was not lesse extraordinary then mine and told those Lovers that I found their loves so unreasonable and the person who was the cause of it so unworthy the fortune they would run for her that I advis'd them to continue freinds and give over an enterprize that could be no other then very unfortunate to them That must not stay us if you please they replyed since of four that we be there will be no mishap but for him that shall survive his companions and in ending these words they threw off their doublets and came to meet one another with their Swords drawn The Combat was very short though very bloody and indeed it could not be otherwise since 't was done by the advice and guidance of so murderous and furious a passion as that of love Three presently fell down dead and the fourth his sword red with the blood of his Cozens came and cast himselfe at my feet to aske me the prize for his victory Tindarache till then had shewed so little feeling that not being able to doubt of his courage after the proofes that he had given me of it I thought that by the remembrance of thy false promises I was not to give any more trust to his faire words But when he saw the Spanyard at my feet Knight said he to him you make too much hast and having not yet done but the halfe of your businesse you stick not to aske the salary for the whole Doe you think that I am lesse Jealous or not so cleare-sighted as you Spanyards Truely answered the other you surprize me Your leane and disfigur'd countenance your reeling and weak walking and the feeblenesse of your armes made me beleeve that you rather look'd for some Physitian to cure you then for an Enemy to cut off some one or two of those dayes that were yet to live Notwithstanding since you beseech me for it in so good a manner I am pleased not to have you to languish any longer but to kill you a little more speedily then your melancholy would have done Tindarache in lieu of replying to that arrogant answer did but smile and taking his Sword in his hand told his enemy that he besought him to make an end of his Cure The other whose new victory had made him more proud then he was by birth went on very resolutely to Tindarache The Prince met him as bravely and at first gave him such a dangerous wound that he forc'd him to put one knee to the ground The Spanyard seeing his strength go away with his blood furiously rose up to avenge himselfe of his vanquisher but he who knew how much his preservation imported me recoyl'd still in warding in that manner let him lose the rest of the strength blood that was left him Atlast that unfortunate Castilian fel backwards not being able to speak by reason of the blood which came out of his mouth he took a handkercher which he steep'd in his wound and after he had kissed it threw it towards me Tindarache who was not wounded came to me and seeing me affrighted Away Madam said he let 's away from this dismall Island wherein Love hath been the cause of shedding so much blood and let us go find out the happy Prince of Fez. I took the advice of that generous Lover and after I had given order to the Inhabitants of that Bourg whereinto I was retyr'd for the buriall of the Spanyards I re-imbark'd my selfe in the same Ship which had brought me thither The violence of the tempest had put the Portugull Ship to that necessity that they were forc'd to return to Azafie and there I left them and came back to Morocco where I understood that thou wert at Fez. Presently
thee now the greifes the perplexities and despair which have been my constant companions ever since that Tragicall accident Content thy selfe in knowing that if I could have been beleived the Murderers of Tindarache had not spar'd me But their afflicted Commander returning to me more afflicted then at first How unfortunate am I said he I cannot avenge my selfe on those that have oâ—…ag'd me and I kill those that never wrong'd me I seeke the Trayterous Prince of Fez and when I thought I had met him ' â—…was then I found that he had escaped from me But I shall do better to tell you the cause of the accident which is betided to me as 〈◊〉 as to you and if you think me not worthy pardon when you understand through what Error I have offended you I submit my selfe to that punishment which your just sorrow shall impose upon me I have a Sister faire as you and which resembles you in stature coâ—…ntenance and action She is called Iâ—…ia My Father kept her as a thing not only precious but weak and therefore was not seen nor come to but by himself and I. Yet could not we be so carefull but that the infamous Nephizus so is the perfidious Prince of Fez called discover'd her Presently he suffer'd himselfe to be transported by his usuall lubricity and to satiate it resolved to imploy al his strength and cunning You know it may be what charmes and allurement accompany the quality of that Prince and how easie young Maidens cheifly when they are a little vaine and proud are to be caught in that kinde of trap Izilia flatter'd with the hope of being a Soveraign beguil'd the watchfullness of her keepers and never thinking of what might come after gave her selfe absolutely over to the discretion of her Enemy The Tyrant having quench'd his brutish heaâ—… repetted him of hiâ—… being intangled with Izilia presently bethought him how he might be rid of her But fearing â—…east his crime might come to my Fathers or to my hearing and that we might ingage him to give us satisfaction he resolv'd to continue his treason and to that end flatter'd still Izilia promis'd againe to marry her and intreated her to put off the consummation of it to another time Izilia had patience seven or eight moneths but having an excellent heart and wit she perceived at last that she was betrayed and instantly bethought her of revenge She therefore discovered to me how she had been abus'd and intreated my helpe for a remedy without giving notice of it to my Father I thereupon undertook her quarrell but you may imagine with what hope of successe I was alone and had to do with a world I was a Subject and was to contest with my my Soveraigne Yet for all this I gave not over to attempt my revenge and my plot failing me I was faine to forsake my Country and my house and to fly for refuge into the solitudes of Atlas I was not able to live there long but getting the love of those Arâ—…bians you see I have wrought them to undertake with me one desperate attempt We came all with one same resolution but arriving at my home I understood that Izilia was become more foole and wanton then ever and that she was fled away with a woman to run after the perjur'd Nephizus I enquir'd whither they thought she might be gone and I was told to Morocco Thither I came without making my selfe known the very day that Abdelmelec's Turney ended I went to the Pallace to find out mine Enemy and accosting one of the Kings Guard I learn't that all the Court was in an uproare because the night before Nephizus had stolne away a faire Stranger and was gone with her accompanied only with two or three slaves I presently beleiv'd that 't was Izilia whom he had met with at Morocco and to punish them both I parted from that City and with my Arabians took the way of Fez. Some dayes past I came thither and understanding that Nephizus was not yet return'd I retyr'd into a House not farre from hence and ever since have beaten up and downe the country and day and night have set Sentinells on the way of Morocco to be advertiz'd of Nephizus returne He that was in Guard last night without doubt discovering you came to give me intelligence that Nephizus and Izilia were coming I got to horseback with my companions and seeing you a farre off took you for Izilia This Error hath made me guilty of the wrong which I have done I am infinitely sorry for it and beseech you even with teares to pardon me the death either of your Brother or Husband If you can resolve on this favour and endure my presence I shall testifie by my services that J have as much love for vertue as J have Enmity for vice Benzaida staying at these words as to take breath saw that Nephizus lay insensible to all this narration Yet she went on and addressing her to that cruell Prince doe but reflect said she on all that I have related to thee and thou shalt see that thy perjury is the cause of all those ills which have betided me not only in mine owne person but in that of my freinds Yet I reproach thee not for them for after thy last injuries those deserved not to be thought on Hearken only to the remainder of my sufferings and afterward I will leave thee in peace When Scander Stianack had made me a recitall of thy new disloyalties and that I had a long time bewaild the loss of Tindarache I resolv'd to accept the offers he had made me and not to erre any more told him that since he had depriv'd me of him that was to me instead of a Father Brother a Husband I was wel pleas'd to have recourse to none other then to him that had made me so unfortunate and that he would conduct me to some place where I might live unknown and have my Honour in safety He promis'd me to take care of me as of his Sister and assoone as he had caus'd Tindarache to be interr'd brought me towards this lodging Assoon as I came hither I entreated him to let me live at mine own wll and obtaining that favour I tooke on me the habit you now see me in Zamaella clad her so too and for these ten or twelve dayes we have passed among the domestiques here for two Christian slaves which the Father of Izilia had bought The next day after our arrivall Scander Stianack came to see mee and seeing by his action that he was very much troubled Faire creature said he I am enforc'd to leave you The ancient Enemies of our family have besieg'd my father in a House which he hath in the Province of Temesna and I must needs goe to assist him I cannot be back againe in lesse then two moneths for I must have some time to get all My freinds together and that they may be in case to
producing a fair effect resembled the rainbow or rather those various shadowings which you see on the necks of pigeons His Buckler was bordered with Opalls in the midst was seen a Fountaine like to that marvelous one in Daulphine which from time to time casts out flames This Knight was so renowned for his valour and courtesie and so known for the many fair actions he had done that all the Spectators promis'd to themselves an extreame pleasure in the Combat Abdelmelec lov'd him with all his heart and if he could have suffer'd himself to be overcome so that the glory of Alcidiana had not receiv'd a diminution by it I doubt not but he would himselfe have contributed to his owne deafeat But Love being alwayes stronger then freindship suspended the Princes affection and oblig'd him to satisfie his owne passion And that of the whole Assembly and therefore taking his place and Algazair his they parted both at once and met in the midst of their Cariere with such an extreame force that they lifted up one another and sent the splinters of their Lances all about the fields The two next courses were not lesse faire nor unequall to the first and so ravish'd the Spectators that they clapped their hands and signified by their acclamations that they had not yet seen any like it But the fourth decided the businesse and caused the Picture of the young Elserifa to be placed immediatly under that of Alcidiana This faire Encounter was follow'd by another which gave no lesse admiration to all there present 'T was undertaken by a French Prince that was expressely come from Naples to be at this Turney He was the worthy inheritor of his Predecessors eminent virtues and from his Infancy had equally made profession of love and the warres If they were astonished at the richnesse of his Armour and the pomp of his equipage they admir'd not lesse the novelty which appeard in the picture of his Lady Shee was clad in such a fashion that they might easily know the greatnesse of her condition But two little Loves which were painted over her head held a Veyle before her face and kept her from being known Abdelmelec drew neer to complain of that sleight and thought he had the more cause because looking on the hands of that Lady and taking them for Nose-gayes of Lillies and Roses he told the Prince that hee wrong'd so excellent a beauty in not shewing her in so famous an Assembly The Prince answer'd him that he was of the same opinion and that his Lady deserv'd to be seen by the Eyes of all the World but that he fear'd the chance of Armes and dar'd not expose the fairest creature of the Vniverse to the extravagancies of fortune Abdelmelec approv'd of the brave French-mans just apprehension and would not that the veyle of his Lady should retard the contentment of the Company They ran at one another and in their first courses brake their lances without any advantage at the fourth our generous French-man strook and was not touched at the fifth he made Abdelmelec quit one of his stirrops and at the sixth they fell both men and Horses together Presently they got up againe and put their hands to their Swords to decide the difference but the Judges of the Field came instantly in to them and separating them according to the Lawes of the Turney proclaym'd them both Victorious Abdelmelee return'd to his Tent and the French Prince to his lodging with his veyld Picture This Iust so ended there entred two Knights clad as the Ianizaries which are of the Guard to the great Turke They were two Flemish Renegados who were in great esteem among the Warriors of Argier and were no lesse famous for their valour then for their fantasticalnesse Of extraordinary Enemies which they had been they were become friends and their amity had produc'd a love which hath for a longtime been the talk of all Barbary The one was calld Abdear and the other Raman Abdear had married a Moore who passed among the Ladyes of her Nation for a beauty perfectly accomplish'd and yet her extravagant humour and eight or ten dayes enjoying had made her so displeasing to him that he had much adoe with himselfe to refraine from repudiating her Her black haire her complexion that shew'd the Eye a mixture of pure incarnadine with a brown that had nothing of the Olive her stature tall and slender the quicknesse of her Eyes and of her wit were not sufficient charmes to allure him But on the contrary the yellow Locks of Ramans wife who was a Brittaine and by him made to deny her faith the whitenesse which she borrowed as well from art as Nature and her green Eyes which made some beleeve that she saw not a glimpse were to Abdear such miracles and perfections as were not found in all the Sex of Woman besides Raman was as he said himselfe in the publick place of his friends humour and yet they had different palats He noted every day some new defects in white-flaxen hair'd Woemen to the end he might find cause to contemne his owne He cal'd that red which was but halfe flaxen and never cal'd the extreame white complexions but relicks of Sicknesse and Images of Playster For the haires and black eye-browes he spake of them as of the Master-peeces of Nature and said they were made to compose of them those powerfull bowes by which Love hath got to himselfe the Empire of the world The black and sparkling Eyes in a cleare and well-colour'd face seem'd to him more faire then the brightest Stars in a calme Evening In a word Raman was in love with the Wife of Abdear and Abdear with the Wife of Raman and their passion was come to such a point that after they had made themselves confident of one another they were come together to maintaine publickly the beautie of their Mistrisses Raman came first into the Lists and first felt that Abdelmelec had more strength then needed to orethrow him and if the Grecian and African beauties had left their defence to him they had lost that fame which they had gotten among all the Nations of the world Abdear thought that the flaxen should be more beholding to him then the brown had been to his companion But he kept his Horse no better then his friend but blemishing as much as he could by his fall the great lustre that subjects us to the power of the flaxen-hayrd beauty made all the Assembly say that Causes are good or bad according as they find good or bad Defenders Assoone as the noysethat follow'd the defeat of these two Extravagants was over there were seen appeare at the Barres a Troup very proudly but very sadly accroutred The Trumpetters were clad as those of Europe paint the Phantasms and shadowes of the dead Their Trumpets were made as t were of bones and had a sound so dolefull that many imagin'd they were to see some Funerall in Iesu of Iusting But
Abdelmelec At the fourth he made him lose his Stirrops and if the Moor had not clasped his Armes a-about the neck of his horse without doubt he had gon to the ground Ennoramita saw that brave course and from thence conceived such a hope that her blood which was all got to her heart left the place that had no more need of defence and spread it selfe through all those parts which it had forsaken The Judges of the field hindred any further running and fearing least the successe might not be fortunate to their Prince for that by reason of â—…ight there might be some false play put it off to the next day Presently every one raâ—…ished and wearied with the Chances of the Day retir'd to their lodgings Ennoramita was no sooner got thither but she went to Polexander and calling him the Prophet of her happinesse and the Author of her true reviving She told him that she had found Muley and within a quarter of an houre she would know where he was lodged I have said she sent my faithfull Slave with a Charge to follow him and that assoone as he is â—…n his Lodging to intreat him in the Name of a Lady of this City to take the paines to walk hither Polexander had a great share in Ennoramita's content and obtaining leave to take the next day the place of Muley staid above an houre with her in talking of nothing else but the valour fidelity of that Prince As he ended his discourse Ennoramita's Slave entred the Chamber and at his entrance addressing him to his Mistresse See Madam said he the Knight you sent me to seeke Amatonta startled at that newes and was so surpriz'd that she could not arise from the place where she was seated Polexander undertook the entertainment He went to meet Muley at the Gate and after he had prais'd his Valour told him that a Lady of great quality was so ravished â—…ith it that she would assure him of it her selfe I should have purchas'd that thing which by me was not desired answer'd Muley If I have acquir'd any esteeme by this dayes Action I have not a long time pretended any way either to the Honor or favour of Ladies Yet should it be very hard replied Polexander if you have not a great deale of honor since all the world gives it you For the favours of Ladies I beleeve there are a great many who are indifferent to you but those that are to be offred you come from a creature â—…o rare lovely that I begin to feare you your â—…idelity and even dare beleive that for a Widow you will forget the Oathes you so solemnely swore to a Married Wife Good Sir replied Muley do me the favour to bring me quickly to the test I will doe it said presently Polexander and streight taking him by the hand lead him where Amatonta was still in her former perplexities The tried out in seeing Muley comming neere and making her self sufficiently known by that cry gave her Lover more then the halfe of her trouble He stood presently immoveable and abode befor Amatonta as if he had been strucken by a thunderclap She arose to recall him from that transport and told him aboue a hundred times with an action full of Sadnesse and Love that she was the unfortunate Perselida-Amatonta-Ennoramita Is it you Madam cried Muley-Hassen and are you free and alive Yes Muley answered the Princess I live and should say that I do but now begin to live since but of late I have recovered that life which Nephizus had deprived me of in taking from me the liberty of seeing thee Thereupon she related to him the death of the King of Fez the long time she had been kept a captive and the resolution she had at last taken to get out of her Prison and to search for some one which might deliver her from the servitude of him who had forsaken her for the love of another After this she made known to him that being not able to obtaine any protection from the King her Father she had sayled to the Canaryes tobeseech the King of those Islands to put an end to her mis-fortunes In the ending this Speech she made known to Muley who Polexander was and thereby obliging him and our Heroe too to new complements for the conclusion of this first interview made them promise to be mutuall freinds al their lives Muley-Hassen was not free for his already Narration of his adventures but was forced after supper to recite the particulars to Ennoramita That relation being ended the Princess intreated him to thinke no more of the Combat he had undertaken against Abdelmelec and to give himselfe the pleasure to see it ended by the valour of Polexander Muley who tasted too much of true content to tye himselfe to the prosecution of so vaine a victory as that which he might obtaine on the Prince of Morocco very easily consented to Ennoramita's intreaty and told Polexander that he yeilded to him his place Polexander that was out of all patience til he had left Africa accepted his offer with a great deale of content and beleeving 't was farre in night conducted Perselida into her Chamber and gave his owne to Muley Assoone as he was retyr'd into that of Alcippus he commanded both him and Diceus that all his Equipage should be ready the next day betimes and that his Ship should be in case to weigh Anchor the night following Therewith he went to bed and assoone as 't was day sleep which he had taken but by Intervalls left him He quickly clad himselfe and after he had addressed his first thoughts to the Author of all good Events went to Muleys chamber He commanded to be brought him very rich Clothes and very neere the fashion of the Knights of Morocco and the while that Ennoramita was dressing told him a part of his Adventures The Princesse was no sooner in case to be seen by a Lover so passionately desired but she sent to intreate him to her Chamber He came thither with Polexander and found her so dressed and clad that he had cause to have a good opinion of his fortune These two Lovers renewed the assurances of their affection and stood a long time parlying with their Eyes and hands not daring may be in the presence of Polexander to expresse that which the height of their love fill'd their mindes withall Our Heroe tooke notice of it and knowing that the mysteries of Love desire no beholders fitly tooke leave of them and went to prepare him for the Justs At the houre prescribed by the Laws of the Turney he rid out of his lodging accompanyed only with Alcippus and as an ordinary Moorish Knight came to the Gates of the Field Those who were appointed to give entrance to the Assailants looked on him with a great deal of Scorne and seeing him so ill followed Judged according to the impertinent custom of bruitish bred men that he was a man of no great
no other love then a judicious and just desire to do good actions to render to every one what is his due to acquire a Noble reputation by legitimate waies and by a wise contempt of a life of few yeares continuance to aâ—…chieve that which shall be everlasting By hearing you make this distinction 〈◊〉 Hyppolitus it seemes you comprehend not that which is properly to be called love I say that violent and imperious passion which proceedes either from inclination or knowledg and raignes â—…o imperiously over our understanding that it â—…braceth the object presented as it were its soveraigne felicity I meane not to admit of that love said the King for I have condemned it from the beginning of my discourse This may be added Hyppolitus because you feare the troubles and disquiets which accompany it But you would not be sorry to see some young beauty passionately in love with you and to give to another that passion you would not entertaine your selfe I have as little intention answered Polexander to give as to receive any love and since it falls fitly now to be spoken of I will tel you truly that if by any fantasticalnesse of Fortune it should betide me to be beloved as you would have me understand it there is nothing I would not doe either to dis-beguile her that had made so ill a choice or to hinder me from seeing her And I said Hyppolitus sighing alowd would leave nothing undone to be never seperated from such a person as you who knowes not so much as the name of love and would fly from me as if I were his Mortall Enemy I pitty you repli'd the King and advise you to what a generous man should doe If you cannot cure your selfe by any remedy may please you try those which seem to you the most dis-agreeable and yet which by their hidden virtue may be extreamely profitable unto you I meane if you cannot be holpen by the enjoying cure your selfe by contempt absence or oblivion Ah! Cruell and bunexperienc'd Councellor cri'd Hyppolitus O remedies more painefull then the disease it selfe I am in the wrong repli'd Polexander 't is true I should have stai'd the prescribing you those last remedies till you had lost all hope Forget them till there be need deare Hippolitus an in the meane time go on to relate to me your fortune I have told it you all repli'd Hyppolitus What have you told me repli'd Polexander That I loved added Hyppolitus and lov'd a personage as insensible and as great an Enemy to love as your Majesty I am very glad continued Polexander for having that conformity with your Mistris since without it I know well you would leave me as some Barbarian that could not polish or civilize himselfe in the abode of politenesse and civility it selfe Thus ended the first converse of Polexander and Hyppolitus and all the time of ouâ—… voyage they had at every foot the like and Polexander alwaies desirous to oblige Hyppolitus to relate his story to him could never draw other thing from him but that he Knew it as well as himselfe and how it consisted in this only that he lov'd an insensible beauty In the meane time Hyppolitus visibly lost that lustre and freshnesse which made him admired at the first meeting He did seldome sleep or eate He never sung but when Polexander pres'd him to it and towards the end he sung so weakly that we judg'd him entring into some dangerous disease Polexander strove to comfort and cheere him and to draw him from this depth of sadnesse made him hope his Mistris would not be so insensible as he imagined To make me hope with reason answered Hyppolitus it behoves your Majesty to make tryall on your selfe and acknowledg whither you may be capable of being sensible No no Sir do not make a proofe so difficult 'T is done already and in saying so he held his peace and after he had some while mused Dye dye said he unfortunate Hyppolitus and by death finde that which thou couldst not get ether by neglect absence or oblivion At last we came to Nantes where Polexander was receiv'd yet with a greate Magnificence then he had been in any of the other Townes on the River of Loire Hyppolitus was the one cause of his disquiet But he was too generous to abandon him in the State he was He besought him to think on his cure and call his courage and Fortune to second his love I would faine make use of your councell said the languishing Hyppolitus but my owne weaknesse opposeth it and the more I endeavour to bring my passion to obedience the more rebellious I find it 'T is your virtue Sir t is that alone which I call to the reliefe of my infirmity Have pitty on a wretch who implores your assistance Lend your hand to one from whom you have taken the strength of upholdding him selfe Be sensible by commiseration if you cannot be so by love and if you will not heale a heart which you have cover'd with wounds yet give a testimoniall at least that you have a feeling and participate of his misery I speak to your Majesty in this manner because I see so great a resembiance betwixt you and the Saint I adore that I continually perswade my selfe if I could but see you once touch'd with my afflictions my Mistris would at last become exorable Polexander who was exceedingly astonish'd at the beginning of this speech came out of it by the artificiall conclusion And to content Hyppolitus he protested to him he was extreamely sensible of his miss-fortunes and wish'd he knew the meanes to overcome them These promises brought back a little courage to Hyppolitus and in a moment He regain'd new strength and beseeching Polexander to stay for him at Nantes two dayes he parted thence with two Squires and a Page and was a day and a halfe in his Journey He return'd not more merry but more resolute then when he parted and then assur'd Polexander he had an intention to follow his first advice and to overcome by absence and forgetfullnesse what he could not otherwayes subdue He told him more that having vainly attempted divers meanes to mollifie his Mistris obdurate heart he intenended to forsake France and in His company to seek the recovery from his malady Polexander was so good that without thinking on what he was He oftentimes imbrac'd Hyppolitus promisd to make him happy and to confirme him in his designe I will said he propose to you an exchange of which 't is possible you may approve Leave an ingratefull Mistris for an acknowledging friend Let friendship take the place of Love and to give your mind an object worthy it make it amorous of honor and immortality Take the Exercise of Armes for a counterpoyson to that melancholy which devours you and in lieu of shedding teares poure forth the blood of your Enemies Surely 't is farre more honourable to command men then to serve a Child and to acquire
condition you ought to take into consideration the Queen your Mother you ought to give her the Example of comforting her selfe and by your constancy facilitate the meanes of supporting her mis-fortunes All things sort well with you to go render her this necessary proofe of your good disposition She now bewayls your absence as well as your Sisters Go and ease her of one part of her feares and disquiet and since 't is impossible for you to give her all she desires give her yet at least all which she desires with reason I know t is vexatious and irksome to you to signifie to her the death of your Sister But it is not of necessity that you should your selfe bring her that unwelcome and heavy newes Besides Axiamira's virtue is no common virtue She is of proofe against the greatest Accidents and Fortune who hath often violently justled her hath not been able to stirr her At that word Polexander interrupting me Governour said he I yeeld to so many reasons and will not be â—…pbrayded that for being too nice I forsook one sick who might have receiv'd comfort by my care and diligence Presently the Pilot had command to returne to the Canaryes and as if the wind had been govern'd by that Prince it shifted in a moment from East to West and so fresh a gale that the second day we discry'd the prodigious Mountaine of the Isle of Teneriffe There we met with an obstacle which was as the presage of those hind'rances where withall Fortune went about to oppose the prosperities of Polexander Four-Pyrateâ—…hips which domineer'd in those Seas discharg'd all at once on our two Vessells and not thinking to meet with any great resistance came close up to us without any more My generous Master finding in this occasion wherewithall to exercise his great courage made it appeare to the Rovers they had been very ill advised He so affrighted them by the terror of his blowes but particularly by the death of their Captaine that they gave over the fight and contented themselves with the losses they had sustained Polexander was more hard to be pleas'd and would not overcome by halfes He hotly pursued the Run-awayes sunck two of their ships and but for the ill weather which seem'd to envy his victory it had not been unperfected But of this I intended not to accuse Fortune if by a pernicious sequell that Jealous-one had not made it appeare she had a designe not to save the Prince's Enemies but to ruine the Prince himselfe To bring it to passe she arm'd the Sea and the Winds and commanded them to wage Warr with him and after she had held him many dayes and nights without hope of safety cast him into a Port wherein he made a more dangerous shipwrack then if his Vessell had been split upon some Rock His ship then open and leaking in many places and unfurnished in her principall parts hazardously entred the mouth of a little River which our Pilots knew not and not finding water enough insensibly ran in on the owze The generous Polexander presently came to assist Alcippus Diceus and my selfe that could no more and assuring us we were out of all danger said that if we had yet but a little courage we might instantly enjoy our good fortune Get out my friends let 's get out of this sad abode and let 's see whether the Land will be more kind to us then the water and whilst our Mariners resume their Spirits let us take the benefit of that rest which an extream pleasant shore presents us Alcippus overcame his sicknesse to follow Polexander went a land with him Diceus follow'd presently after and I who had rather dye then be from my Prince caus'd my selfe to be carryed on shore by foure of our slaves The ayre of the Land streightwayes dissipating a part of our sicknesse we found our selves comforted and â—…as'd in lesse then nothing Polexander and Alcippus climb'd to the top of a Rock not farre from us to see whether we were arriv'd in a place that was inhabited But seeing neither men nor houses and the night too approaching they return'd where they had left me and told me we must set up Tents on the shore to passe the comming night better then we had done the eight or ten precedent Diceus receiving this order from me went back into the ship and commanded the Officers of the Kings Cabin to go set up the Kings pavillion in the most commodious place they could find All which was don with so much diligence that in lesse then an houre we found our selves very well lodg'd When every one had eaten we set Sentinells on the parts that lead to us for feare of being surpris'd and gave them expresse order not to disperse themselves for what cause soever This done we went to Bed Scarce had the Sun begun to whiten the top of the Rock at whose feet we had pitch'd our Tent when Polexander call'd Alcippus and my selfe and told â—…s we slept as profoundly as if we were in a friends Country We streight clad us and that while the Prince went to relieve the Sentinells and put some little Court of Guard about his Tents to make some little resistance in case we were set on and forbad us on paine of death to observe him as a King before any person whatsoever that should hap to come neer him This being thus ordered he commanded his horses to be landed but they had been so Sea-beaten they could hardly uphold themselves Yet there was a Barbary white as Snow which Polexander had bought to combate with Abdelmelec that took heart assoone as he was landed and refreshing himselfe on the Grasse seem'd by his neighing to assure the King his Master that he might make use of him The Prince after he had taken a little repast amongst all his followers took horse and Alcippus and Diceus following him a foot travers'd a plaine which stretch'd it selfe along by the River and grew broader in other Lands as farr off as the eye could extend After he had ridden three or four miles he descended by a pleasant slope hanging of a hill into so delight some valleys were it for the little Brookes which divided them for the Fountaines which slid from the top of the little hills for the meadow coverd with a thousand severall kindes of flowers or for the little woods which invirond them so that oftentimes considering them I have said to my selfe that the ancient Grecians had good cause to chuse the abode of their Heroes Soules in the Islands of the Atlantick Sea If Polexander were ravished at so faire a Scite he was farre more in meeting with those that inhabited it They were Shepheards so handsome and Shepheardesses so fayre and neatly clad that in seeing them Polexander thought on the Knights and Ladies of the French Court beleeved he saw them represent act some Pastoral in their rurall habits The first he met withall not a jot wondred to
his Queene guilty of high treason and to condemn her to a prison unlimitable but by the ends of her life Nay she had woâ—… him to have strangled with his owne hands the Sonne 〈◊〉 had by that unfortunate Princesse but that Almaid a Lord of Senega hindered the murther and plucked the 〈◊〉 from the blinde fury of the Father and the sharpe sighted rage of his step-mother who for a long time knew not what was become of the Childe but her spies were so industrious that at last they discovered he was bred up in King Benin's Court. As soone as she heard it she resolved his death and chusing me for the executioner or at least the prosecutor she put in practice all that she knew might conduce to the perfecting of her damnable designe She forced Zabaim to write to Benin for the delivering his Sonne into my hands and in case he should refuse it forced to denounce war against him You may easily see all this wickednesse proved when you please to read the letter I gave you But in as much as the African Kings never make denuntiation of wars but they send the Ring which is the principall note of their dignity I found a way to steale it from Zabaim Now to tell you after so many villanies that which hath beene the cause of my being now your prisoner know I parted from Senega expressely on a message to King Benin and if that Prince had delivered into my hands the lawfull heire of Senega for certaine blinded as I was with ambition I had executed Zelopa's command and sheathed the sword I weare in the breast of that Innocent Polexander affrighted at so horrible a relation told his prisoner he gave thankes to heaven for his being mistaken and that in his misfortunes he found a great deale of consolation since the divine goodnesse had vouchsafed to make use of his errour for the hindring the death of the Prince of Senega It belongs to me answered the prisoner throwing himself at our Princes feete to give thankes to the fountaine of all mercy for the enlightning my soule with the raies of his love in spight of my obduratnesse I therefore make a vow not to abuse it any more nor ever to returne into my Countrey till it be freed from Zelopa's tyranny You shall doe very well replied Polexander and to quit you from the sorrowing for the losse of your fortunes by this resolution I engage my selfe to restore them to you The Prince infallibly had beene better then his word to him but heaven seeing the holy and rigorous penitence of that sinner was willing to recompence him more liberally then Polexander For it tooke him out of this world the very same day that wee arrived at the Canaries I will not relate to you the sundry fights Polexander had with the Pirates whilst wee strove to bring him back into his Kingdome I will only tell you he was there no more happy then he was at sea At his arrivall he heard of the death of the incomparable Axiamira He bewailed her losse as much as it deserved and after some moneths of mourning from one part of piety â—…ell to another He bestowed all his time in hearing the complaints of his Subjects to reconcile their differences and to free them from all feare of the Spanish forces After all this he deigned to cast his eyes on me declared me his Vice-roy in all his Isles and establishing me in that authority before his departure commanded that in his absence I should be obeyed as himselfe Scarce tooke he any time of repose after so many travells and disquiets Amintha's Confident whom he had brought from the Islands of mad men seeing him still to grieve for the losse of the picture strive said she one day to get the thing it selfe rather then the shadow That thought answered the Prince comes on me a hundred times in a day but I give no eare to it because it proposeth to me a thing impossible T is so indeed replied Elida by ordinary meanes but you must have recourse to such as are not so Alas and what are those asked the Prince I imagine to my selfe one added Elida that seemes to me infallible I prithee tell that me said the King It behooves you then added Elida either under pretext of religion or otherwise to get entrance into the Isle of the Sun and when you are permitted to abide there stay for the comming of Lynceus or some other of Alcidiana's Pilots I intend so much sadly answered Polexander but when I have attempted it what will be the issue for my consolation I make it no difficulty to get into the Isle of the Sun since it is never denied to such as come thither to sacrifice And I may too stay there nay and meete with those that come from Alcidiana's Island but all this is nothing for I am certaine the Queenes Pilots will never receive me into their vessell What ground have you for that feare said Elida to him From some what you have spoaken to me unawarres replied Polexander I thinke I know what you would say answered Elida Yet faile not to doe all that lies in your power and leave the rest to fortune If you gatâ—…er thence no other satisfaction yet you shall at least have thus much that you have not neglected any meanes of making your selfe happy Well I 'le believe you deare Elida said the Prince and indeed followed her advice so absolutely that the very next day he put to Sea and tooke with him that Maiden Alcippus and Diceus and though his Pilot knew not the scituation of the Island of the Sun yet he promised to finde it provided it were not inchanted as that of Alcidiana But the season being extreamely ill and the difficulty which the Pilot thought to orecome greater then he imagined he was above two moneths contesting with his ignorance and the frequent stormes At last he drew neere to that Island and Polexander being where he might discover a far off perceived a vessell which came away from the Isle He made up to her he carefully marked her and finding by assured tokens that she belonged to Alcidiana followed her but in such a manner as he believed he made them not jealous of him Yet Lynceus for t was he perceived the Kings designe and winding up and downe all the rest of the day thrust himselfe into the Haven of the Sun as soone as the obscurity of the night had made him lose sight of the Princes vessell The next morning he sought for her he pursued her he got with all the sailes he could make away from the place where he might have found her in short by often turning and traversing that sea Polexander returned to the place from whence he set saile Heere he spent a part of the winter for all his impatiences At last his strength being by little and little ore come by the weakenesse of his minde he fell sick of a languishing disease
Diamonds with a great deale of civillity Be pleased said he to accept this boxe for a remembrance of our meeting But doe not imagine I am so ignorant of the value of things that I thinke my selfe acquitted of the debt I owe you by the worth of the stones on it if I intreate you to accept it t is for no other consideration but that you may know if you come to the Court the name of the man whom you have obliged I dare not stay longer with you Thamiris command which calls me other where is too just to be obeyed At first Polexander was somewhat nice to take the boxe but perceiving by the Danes speech what a discontent that might have been to him had he refused it and besides conjecturing that token might be advantagious to him in his designe he tooke it and told him that going to the Court he would not faile to bring it him back aga he After this promise many great compliments passed assurd him that if any other then the Lady who had so well assisted him had commanded his carrying thence he would hardly have resolv'd to part with him The Dane besought him not to be troubl'd for him said that whither he went he raÌ„ no hazard Polexander expounded his words in the sence a Lover might give them and for feare of disobliging tooke his leave of him and the Lady and so with Alcippus and Dicâ—…us went streight to horse and recovering the high-way got quickly into a great Village at the end of the wood wherein he had met that bloody adventure Of necessity he was to alight there for Alcippus was so weake that he could ride no further He had him to be brought into the best Inne and commanded Diceus to treate him as himselfe It hapned as fate would that the Hoste was an old Souldier who after his bearing armes many yeares without bettering his fortune had retired himselfe thither and married an old Hostesse very well accommodated Polexander desirous to free the minde of his Hoste from the astonishment he had to see Alcippus in so ill an estate told him how in passing by the neighbouring forrest they had been set on by theeves You are not the first said he who have fallen into their hands There is none that passeth that way but he loseth his life or his money if he be not well accompanied Those are the inconveniences the wars usually leave behinde them and the disorders which happen through the negligence or purloining of such as are appointed the Souldiers pay masters This mans discourse made Polexander believe that he might informe him of what he so much longed to know He therefore in a small time grew to a great familiarity with him and to win him absolutely put himselfe to the trouble of inventing a thousand tales under whose probabillity he was got to be of his ancient acquaintance Some fifteene dayes he was in that Inne for Alcippus cure and one of them being wonderfull desirous to know who he might be whom he had ayded and finding his Hoste in a good humour asked him whether he went not sometimes to the Court He made answere he had beene there but too often and how after his unfortunately living there five and twenty yeeres he was constrained to retire to get his bread and play the begger no longer If so said Polexander there are then but few persons of quallity whose faces you know not 'T were happy for me said he if I knew them lesse then I doe and that their false semblances had not vainely abused my expectation and worne out the prime of my youth Whilst he was talking thus Polexander opened the boxe which the Dane gave him and taking out the picture shewed it to his Host. Scarce had he fully seene it but he cried out and clapping Polexander on the shoulder whence come you said he that you know not this face I come replied Polexander from wandring through most of Europe and am but newly come into Denmarke By chance found I this picture and imagining it belongs to some great Lord I would faine restore it and that bred my curiosity to know him You have good cause to prosecute your intention answered the Hoste for 't is the portraict of one who is likely to enrich you for the least service you can doe him his name is Phelismond our Kings Heire and Favourite or to speake more freely he is indeed the very King of Denmarke At the name of Phelismond Polexander was so supprised that he changed colour and was faine to sit downe to resettle himselfe His Host tooke notice of it and asked whether he were not well He replied t was the remaines of a late sicknesse and so cast himselfe on a bed as well to dismisse the man as to ponder seriously on so wonderfull an accident After a long times musing he rising addressed himselfe to his 〈◊〉 and told him he must participate of his astonishment and know who 't was whom they had 〈◊〉 from among the theeves T is said he Phelismond surely I know by this â—…at reaven delights in the confounding the judgements of men and laughing at 〈◊〉 deliberations will they nill they brings on them all which it had decreed from all eternity I came of purpose into this Kingdome to kill that Phelismond whom for Alcidiana's sake I have prosecuted as the chiefest of mine enemies and yet the first adventure which presented it selfe heere engaged me to hazard mine owne life to preserve his After this miracle I bow my head and see cleerely that heaven cannot suffer our rash thoughts to oppose themselves against the secrets of its providence My passion presented to me Phelismond as one of those happy Monsters whome fortune takes pleasure to raise aloft to shew how far pride and licence to doe any thing dare goe But I know quite contrary that this Prince is adorned with excellent quallities and his courtesie is no lesse winning then his valour is redoubtable without whose approbation there is not a virtue but is a vice nor courage but is unmanlinesse I am no lesse guilty then Phelismond since I have received other Lawes then those thou gavest me Tushe tushe I renouncâ—…e all these unlawfull motions for since thou hast resolved it Phelismond must perish When Polexander had ended Alcippus began and confessed there was something of he knew not what extraordinary good in this adventure neverthelesse said he to his Master I admire nought at all these strange accidents which betide in what you have undertaken You should not be the man you are if things did not befall you otherwise then to other men Well well said Polexander interrupting him t is enough once either Phelismond or I must dye The sentence of our deaths hath been given by the mouth of a Judge from whom it is neither lawfull for him or I to appeale Come let 's see whether he have as much courage against love as we have been witnesses he had
against other enemies Two or three dayes after this last resolution of the King Diceus assured him Alcippus might get on horseback and they all three departed from their Inne and the same day betimes arrived at Copenhagen They lodged neere the Pallace and understood the very next day Phelismond was by the Kings command brought into the City and being absolutely out of danger was seene and visited by every one This newes exceedingly pleased Polexander yet resolved to attend his certaine health before he would make knowne to Phelismond the cause of his voyage and thought it fit withall to restore him his boxe and disclose himselfe that so at his returne he might intimate to him that which lay on his heart One morning therefore taking Alcippus with him he went streight to the Favorites lodging as soone as he came in he noted there was nothing in that man but savoured of the greatnesse of his courage His house was open to all men No person hindred the entrance into his chamber no not of his withdrawing roome T is true he was so generally beloved and the respect the whole Court had alwaies borne him was so strong a guard to him that neither great nor lesse came to disturbe him but upon some very just cause The first to whom Polexander addrest himselfe to know whether that Prince was to be spoken with offred to conduct him into his chamber and Polexander accepting his courtesie followed him He went through great Halls very stately furnished through chambers and anti-chambers far more magnificent wherein he saw none but Phelismonds domesticall servants This sollitude so much ravished him that he could not hold from telling his Conductor the Courtiers of Denmarke were either very negligent or little ambitious since they gave so much ease and quiet to the man who only next the King might make them a fortune You see answered his Guide that our Poâ—…ters have no greate imployment and there is no great crouding in our chambers Yet t is not because our Couriers are not the most diligent and ambitious of all men but the Prince long since told them once for all that he pretended not to be the most unfortunate in all Denmarke because his Master did him the honour to love him more particulaly then others That he engaged himselfe to serve them as often as his credit could adde any thing to their merrit or their Princes will but he would not promise it but on condition they would suffer him to live at liberty Truely replied Polexander I understand dayly there are most eminent virtues in Phelismond though he be of their number with whom they have been thought even till this day to be incompatible The mindâ—…s of the multitude must needes be very bad since some of them have been to wicked as to finde fault with the actions of so great a personage It may be said the guide some one may have cause to complaine of the Prince yet I intreate you to believe they are much in the wrong who make him the cause of their publick miseries He dayly toiles to put a period to them and when he thinkes to be at the point of relieving the people some spirits borne for their ages affliction alter those good designes and inforce him whether he will or no to raise the charges and impositions to deter the intire desolation of the Kingdome But let it suffice I have not in command to justifie his actions nor condemne other mens and see we are at the chamber doore I intreate you then said Polexander to see what the Prince doth and if you thinke it fitting to tell him that the Gentleman to whom he gave a picture boxe is come to restore it to him At that word the Guide smiling left him and presently returning said that Paelismond intreated him to come in At his first step into the chamber divers Gentlemen came and saluted him and all with a great deale of civility led him to the Prince his bed side He raised himselfe halfe to embrace him and received him with so great expressions of joy and sensibility that Polexander had not been worthy to have lived had â—…e not been moved with his courtesie He began his compliments by the boxe he presented him and often besought his pardon for the long unacquitting himselfe of what he owed him Phelismond embracing him againe tooke him from the continuing those civilities and wringing his hand I see well said he that you have no better an opinion of me then of custome men have of such who are in the same degree of fortune with me Every one believes that no man can be a Favourite but he must instantly forget himselfe But if I might have the happinesse of seeing you often I hope you would change your opinion and finde that I left not to be rationall when I came to be a Favourite I aske your pardon for this ill discourse but I am so much afraid to be taken for another that by this declaration I begin my acquaintance and friendship To this Polexander answered with so much freedome and gentlenesse as if he had not beene Polexander or the other Phelismond he felt within him an extraordinary debaâ—…e and his virtue opperating her accustomed effect compelled him to love his Rivall and Alcidiana's enemy At last his passion and that Princesses command got the upper hand Hereupon he resolved his owne ruine or to avenge both and for that cause would be but a little with Phelismond who did all he could possibly to stay him But Polexander came off so gently that without any incivility he had the liberty he wished When he was returned to his lodging he began to muse on his fortune and passing and repassing through his memory all Pâ—…elismonds endowments I am said he to himselfe reduced to two extremities far differing from one another If I put not in execution what Alcidiana commands me I am a coward a traytour and ought to thinke no more on the meanes to finde the Inaccessible Island On the other side hath any man seene an example of brutallity equâ—…ll with mine if I yield not my selfe captivated by all those generous actions wherewithall Pâ—…elismond obligeth me to love him But what of this Alcidiana shall not then have satisfaction Instead of excuting her commands I shall become the censurer of her will and have the impudence to accuse her of injustice when it accords not with my opinion No no she must be obeyed Let those who know not how to love aright reprove my ingratitude Let them convince me of extravagancy and take me either for some inâ—…m us person that cannot indure the lustre of extraordinary virtues or for an execrable fellow who would make himselfe immortall by some signall villany Alcidiana is more to be feared then all these accusers I will act what I ought Phelismond cannot blame me for it and whosoever is truely generous shall at the same instant he deplores the misfortune of so accomplished a
and utmost power to see whether his Kings minde might be changed and to that end made to him a long and well laboured Oration desirous to remonstrate by all waies of reason as well of State as of what was seemely and behoofull that he ought very honorably to send home Polexander The King answered according to his custome and Phelismond replied according to his owne so that at last they grew both so hot that they were long time in contestation But when the King saw his reasons were too obstinately disputed and opposed by those of Phelismond he arose all in choler and being unable to containe himselfe any longer Content your selfe said he to him that you have displeased me and never speake to me more of a man who shall feele how heavy that Kings arme is who will not be wronged without a just punishment Phelismond then growing calmer and more humble as his Master waxt hotter Sir said he t is most just you be obeyed and most of all that I receive an infliction for my losse of respect I therefore here vow never to supplicate for ought that may displease you This humility of Phelismonds met with the King so much transported from himselfe that it won nothing of him He walked with hasty strides in the chamber without turning his eyes towards Phelismond and on the suddaine thrusting open a window which looked into the Pallace great garden he leaned there about a quarter of an houre musing and disgesting his choler Longer had he beene there but for the shriecks which on the suddaine were heard behind him He turned his head and saw that Phelismond servants and Chyrurgions were round about his bed and held him for dead He ran thither and found that poore Prince in the most pitifull posture could be imagined He was fallen in a swound or to say better as it were drowned in his own blood His woundes were all open and the bloud which came not out but drop by drop was a certaine signe there was not much more behinde in his veines His body was halfe out of the bed and his armes and head almost touched the floore They judged he had done himselfe that violence because he held yet one of his swathes which because it was knit about his arme fell not with the rest The King yet tooke no heed to it for he was so transported that he could not utter a word When the first astonishment was over he commanded the Chyrurgions to use all their art for Phelismonds safety who poore Prince lay all that day without any signe of life The King in the meane time was extreamely afflicted and asked every one the cause of this new disaster but no body could satisfie him The Chyrurgions and servants told him that comming into the Chamber to dresse Phelismond they found him in that deplorable manner The King began to weigh what might cause this affliction and could attribute it to nothing but his owne generousnesse I will said he then save Phelismond though I never receive satisfaction nor contentment After these words he set himselfe at his beds head and stirred not thence till he heard him sign and thereby gave hope he had some life in him Halfe of the night was spent ere the King retired and yet slept not but sent hourely to know in what estate Phelismond was He was at the extremity the first three daies nor was he much better the foure following and so lay betwixt life and death till the seaventh As soone as he began to speake ought at all the King asked him the cause of his violence on himselfe 'T was the feare of displeasing you said he and if your Majesty think it not fit that I importune you againe t is in vaine for you to endeavour the saving my life He so often repeated the same discourse that he made it appeare he was earnestly resolved to dye or to free Polexander And the King howsoever fearing to lose so incomparable a Successor resolved absolutely to give him that satisfaction without which he saw there was no meanes of curing him He came then in person to visit Polexander and could with much dexterity colour his rashnesse that our Heroë confessed he deserved to be far worse dealt withall then he was The King imbracing and calling him his Sonne said a hundred times that he repâ—…ted of what had passed but that the circumspection of his authority and the ordinary mutining of his Subjects permitted him not to doe otherwise That he was not ignorant how far the promises of Kings should be inviolable and principally when they were made to Princes But that he knew withall that the Law of Nations gave no security nor exempted from any rigour in strange Countries the greatest Princes of the Universe when they came thither concealed and would not be esteemed for what they were This being so said he you will grant with me we are both equally in fault You for not making knowne your quallity and I for being too quick with you After Polexander had heard him speake so judiciously he replied 't was he alone that was in fault and therefore asked his pardon and humbly besought him to believe that had he not been compelled by a necessity more urgent then all kindes of considerations to fight against Phelismond he had not so slightly come to disturbe the Court of so great a King The Prince replied he would not dive into his secrets nor engage him to discover them But said he we trifle too long let us goe visit Phelismond and get him from that passion wherein he lies and render to him that quietnesse he enjoyed at the very time he knew you were a prisoner With this he tooke Polexander by the hand and lead him to the Pallace Alcippus and Diceus went out with him When the King of Denmarke was returned to his Court he retooke Polexander and leading him to Phelismonds bed side see heere said he to him your friend whom I have my selfe been to fetch to you I will not relate to you the apparant alteration Polexanders presence wrought in the incomparable Phelismond He wept for joy and found not words enough to expresse his exportation His Rivall he called the second cause of his life and his honour acknowledged by an excesse of humility that all the honour of the combate was due to him asked his pardon for his ill treating since and assured him his King had been forced by very great reasons to cause him to be staied Whilst Phelismond was thus talking to him the King made divers turnes in the chamber and after he had long mused he came to Phelismond and asked if there were any thing else to be done to content him Phelismond tooke hold of his hands and transported with joy raised himselfe halfe way up in his bed to thanke him Phelismond said the King take heed your joy bring you not into the same case your griefe had reduced you That which is to be done by
or make it knowne and by consequence make a noise and she found no lesse perill in the one then in the other For on the one side she considered that should she endure this research without disclosing it to the Prince and he should come to the knowledge of it by some other who might discover it he would have just cause to beleeve she was very well contented with it On the other side she represented to her selfe that in making shew of her discontent she should be the subject of all the Court talke give a faire pretext to all detraction to invent what it lift for her destruction and what more troubled her she should engage the Prince her husband in those broyles as could have none other then a dismall successe On these considerations she took a way worthy a soule high and faire as her owne Shee resolv'd to endure all the extravagances all the talke and prattle and all plaints of those two lovers as long as they could be interpreted to her advantage and thought on but as the ordinary freedome of entertainment or gallantry of young men But if ever they hapned to make known their love to her or to search for occasions to see her in private she resolv'd with her selfe to discover it to her husband After this resolution for six moneths was she forced to suffer the follies of those two lovers She heard them every day sighing by her she saw them blush waxe pale and muse in beholding her and many times she was compell'd to shift place that she might not heare the excessive praises which they gave her beauty But heaven having denoted the fatall point where the mis-fortunes of so many illustrious personages should have their beginning the Earle broke his long observed silence and by mischance seeing Eolinda as she was going in to the Queen stay'd for her at the going forth of that chamber where she was to leave her squire and women He intercepted her in the passage and humbly besought her to accept of his attending to the Queens privy chamber She trembled from head to foot seeing her selfe in a straight which shee had so often and so carefully avoided and standing steadfast was so some small time without walking and answering The young Lover interpreting this disquiet to his owne advantage thought he was no indifferent man with the Princesse and to oblige her by his discretion not to be frighted another time I see well Madam said he I have committed an incivility in thinking to tender you a small proofe of my most humble servitude I will doe penance for it and to make it answerable to what the greatnesse of my fault requires from me I condemne my selfe to passe the rest of this day without the being enlightned by those faire eies which onely give me sight and life In saying so he made her a great reverence and so left the interdicted Eolinda The mother in law to the Princesse at the same instant coming out of the Queens chamber entred into that where our Lover took leave of his Mistresse The dangerous Scottish woman saw the last complement perceiv'd her daughters confusednesse noted she blusht at her seeing her and when she came neere she found her so troubled shamefac'd and confounded that had she bin lesse wicked then she was she would not have forborne to beleeve there were very particular intelligences between that Princesse and the young Earle Presently she resolv'd to draw a great advantage out of that meeting and in her malice causing in her some thoughts of the Divinity which could not be other wise then as of a man as wicked as her self she gave thanks to it for what she had seen with a prayer to be assisted in what she went about to enterprise for the ruine of her daughter in law The unfortunate Princesse being a little come to her selfe would have made her some excuses but the abominable hagge spoke thus Doe not trouble your selfe to seeke for excuses that 's for me to doe for coming so unseasonably to trouble you and with that went her wayes directly to her son to give him under pretext of affection the mortall blow which hath so tragically made him expire before you He was not at home and though the old woman sent on all sides to find him and to effect his coming her as speedily as hee could yet for that time her devilishnesse had no successe and got not the Prince to swallow her poyson till after Eolinda had strengthned him with an excellent Antidote The Princesse seeing her selfe falne into that misfortune she so long feared did nothing all the while she was with the Queen but consult with her self in what manner shee might make that ill potion pleasing which she was to give to the Prince her husband Presently shee turn'd her thoughts on heaven implor'd assistance from thence and its testimony in so tender a businesse and petitioned to be from thence furnished with words which should be proper for the confirming the Prince in that opinion he had continually held of her chastity Shee had no sooner made this prayer but her agitations and feares left her her mind retook its former serenity and as her face was sensible of the troubles of her soul so did it also resent the recovery of her quiet Shee was with the Queen all the evening and was so pleasing in her conversation that her husband who came thither with the King could not sufficiently admire her sweet humour The King and the Queen being retir'd the Prince and Eolinda did so too and being come home severed themselves for different businesses The husband entred his withdrawing chamber to dispatch his most urgent affaires and the wife into her Oratory to implore againe assistance from above and petition for that powerfull and necessary art whereby truth may be beleeved by her greatest enemies Whilst she was in this exercise her husband came into the Oratory I know not said he what my mother would have with mee shee hath sent five or six times man after man and intreates mee to goe to her before I goe to bed about something that concernes me more then my life What doe you think it should be Eolinda who was risen as soone as shee heard her husband My Lord said shee I will tell you if you please but since 't is a thing which should not be knowne to any but your selfe be pleased I may shut the doore that I may the more freely speake to you The Prince did it himselfe and holding her between his armes with as much joy as a covetous man fixeth his eyes on his treasure Tell mee said hee this strange businesse and falsifie it not for feare you anger me what bitternesse soever there be in it I shall there finde sweetnesse since I have it from thy faire lips Eolinda considering the kind speeches of her husband as so many witnesses of that miraculous assistance shee was to receive from the goodnesse shee had implor'd
which would deprive this poore Prince of those felicities for which he had been unthankfull let him fall into the pit he had digg'd himselfe The King who had been inform'd by some of his spyes of the Earle of Littidurs practices told the Prince of it and advis'd him not to be so farre a good husband as not to take into his consideration the preserving his royall house from dishonour Imagine whether this counsell touched him to the quick or no. He went straight out of the Palace and walk'd towards the Earles lodging expresly to work him a mischiefe 'T was at twilight and by reason of the ill weather there was no body in the streets When he came within twenty paces of the gate he saw come out of it Pantaira's brother who betook him to his heales and ranne away as fast he could The Prince now doubted no more of the losse of his honour I must needs praise either the wisdome or love he shewed in so cruell a combination He went to his wife and inventing some cause of discontent against Pantaira and Lycambus pray'd her very earnestly to dismisse them Eolinda who was the best mistris of the world took in hand the cause of her servants and besought the Prince to tell her wherein they had offended him promised to reprove them soundly did what she could to obtain their pardon If they be so fitting for you repli'd the Prince I will not discontent you so much as to put them from you but you shall do me a great kindnes if you could be without them My L. repli'd innocently Eolinda if I had brought those two servants from France I would presently have consented to their sending back again for fear lest in retaining them I might be suspected of some ill correspondency but since they were prefer'd to me by the Dutchesse your mother to have an eie over all my actions I fear their putting away and that apprehension throwes me at your feet to beseech you thrice-humbly not to put from me such people as are so needfull for my quiet The Prince left her without makeing any answer and that grace which he had too long neglected abandoning him in that fatall instant he lost with her all the virtues which bare her company This unfortunate man suffering himself to be carried away by his fury and to be governed by two passions alike blinded made as many falls as he made paces and one error drawing on another he came not to himself till it was to no purpose but altogether unprofitable for him to do so In this case he went to his wicked mother who throwing brimstone into a fire already too much kindled put him forward to those extremities which shall for ever be the grief and opprobry of England This fourth Fury was not contented to have made him suspect the vertue of his wife but she would withall justify her complices and said to that poor Prince how Lycambus and Pantaira were very excusable in their crimes since they had not offended but out of fear of disobeying a personage who in the very instant of their disobedience would not have failed to ruine them This reason had been of no validity if the Prince's wisdom had been as at other times but in the blindnesse he was it pass'd for a convincing argument He return'd home thence and made a mighty hurly-burly and not desiring to see Eolinda bur only to afflict her went to lye in the towne and stay'd three daies ere he came home againe During that time he was almost alwaies with his mother and secretly sent for Lycambus and Pantaira interrogating them and learnt more then he desired The businesse was how so many accusations could be verified and then his wifes cabinet of jewells was the most certaine proof of them He sent to take it thence broak open the lock and found the Earle of Littidurs letters in it After so many evidences beleeving there was no more doubt to be made of his wifes dishonesty he was so imprudent that he never so much as ask'd those wretches how long it was since Eolinda had been engaged in affection to those two Earles what favours they had obtained from her which of them was best loved where was their usuall meeting place or at what times they met together and many other the like particularities which all had serv'd for Eolinda's justification But the houre of his miseries was come For the punishment of his sins he must be imprudent blind and enraged He resolv'd with his mother to bring his wife to a castle of his by this seas side on one side Dover and to that end he went the next day to take leave of the King who liked not the suddennesse of his departing Yet hee would needs follow his owne brain and all the supplications Eolinda could make were not able to obtain any thing from that furious man When he was come to his house he shut up his innocent Lady in a chamber whose windowes on all sides were grated with iron barres and keeping her there two or three daies he came at last with his mother to see her He threw the Earle of Litridurs letters to her and Regard them well said he to her thou infamous woman Your sport is found out therefore aske me no more the cause of my anger Eolinda opened the letters read some of them and not divining from whence they should come because they were not sign'd My Lord said she to her husband with her wonted moderation have these papers any thing common or in relation with or to my disgrace From whence come they To whom are they directed Why do you shew them me See said the old Dutchesse to her son how cunning she is O how well she is vers'd in her trade Madam repli'd Eolinda discreetly I know you are my accuser doe me the favour not to be my Judge too The furious Prince causing his wife to be silent by a cruelty beyond example Thou hast no other accuser then thy crime said he nor shalt thou have any other Judges then my mother and my selfe Answer us therefore without any falsification and tell us what privancies you have afforded your Gallants There is no other way to save thy selfe but that confession My Lord repli'd Eolinda modestly is it possible you should beleeve that which you aske me But art thou thy selfe so impudent answered the Prince to make me that question seeing so many witnesses which accuse thee of that crime whereof thou feignest to be ignorant If these be the witnesses which accuse me repli'd Eolinda they are false witnesses for we never had acquaintance with one another How wretched woman said the Prince can'st thou deny that the Earle of Littidur writ thee these love-letters At the words Eolinda gave a great shriek and melting into teares But rather my Lord can you possibly beleeve it If you have but only suspected it Eolinda is then no longer innocent she hath done worse then that
great apprehensions that both sleeping and waking me thought I still saw that deare Prince in his grave Had I not fear'd his displeasure I had gone to see him in his Army But rather willing to be unfortunate then to undertake ought he might dislike I had recourse to my vowes and prayers and did then nothing but beg from heaven either to take me from the world or preserve to me the friendship of my deare Lord without which my life was a torment to me In lesse then three weeks I sent above twenty Postes into Guinea Those who most truly loved me return'd with that haste I commanded them and brought me the Kings letters I receiv'd them with that transport of joy you may imagine But when I saw not in them those termes of love I had read in the former Alas cried I I have lost my Lords affection Unfortunate that I am some one of my actions or of my words have receiv'd an ill interpretation I confesse deare Zabaim I have erred but how great soever my offence be it merited not so rigorous a punishment since my heart never consented to it My griefe had even carried me to despaire if my women had not used all kinde of reasons to suppresse it Sometimes they accused me for suffering my self to be deceiv'd by vaine imaginations then they put me in minde that time and businesse had changed the Kings amorous thoughts into others more serious These considerations did a while master my sorrow but a little after I rejected them and would receive no more comfort At last after I had well wept written much long expected and made many prayers and sacrifices my deare Lord return'd to me I did not think to see him of eight dayes when he came into my chamber This suddaine welcome surprisall so transported me that going to meet him I lost at once my strength my knowledge and my sight What did not that good King doe seeing the excesse of my love He kissed me a thousand times and wetting my cheekes with his teares stood a while without turning his eyes from me When he saw I came not againe he caused me to be carried and laid on my bed where joyning his mouth to my cheeks Poore Princesse said he aloud that my Nurse might heare him can I be rationall and betray thee as I do With that he held his peace and stirr'd not from my boulster till some remedies had recovered me which by little and little I did and the first thing I took notice of were some teares which were yet on my deare Lords face That sight presently blotting out all displeasing imaginations that remain'd yet behinde and making me believe I had ill conceiv'd them I gently let fall my head on Zabaims cheek and thus bespake him Your Almanzaira then is yet pleasing to you She may yet glory she enjoyes your favour and time hath not depriv'd her of that which love had given her The King could not answer me His Speech was restrained by I know not what hinderance but his silence and teares assured me of his love farre better then his words would have done I besought him to go take a little rest and after so long and painefull a journey not to give himselfe new vexations To these words I added a many more and entreated him so often to looke to his preservation that he arofe from me but in rising said Ah Almanzaira how happy should we be if we might be alwayes together Though that Speech made me feare some new disaster yet I made all other thoughts give place to that of the Kings health and pressed him so hard to go repose himselfe that he gave me that contentment He was not above two houres away when he came again to me where he passed the evening and part of the night In all which time he left not to entertaine me in the same manner he was wont before his voyage Nay me thought he had in his speeches more of tendernesse and of passion then I had noted in those I had from him when his love was most violent I know well these particularities doe but weary you and you may laugh at my simplicity but pardon if you please for this troublesome remembrance a woman who loves nothing in the world but her husband and yet cannot have the contentment to be with him Five or sixe dayes together the King was in his good humour and I already esteemed my selfe the most fortunate Princesse of my time when I found my feares were just my suspitions reasonable and the Kings kinde usage but forced He fell without any apparent cause into so deep a melancholy and was mov'd with so much impatience and disquiets that in all the Court there was none but I who found him supportable My entertainement grew troublesome to him all companies displeas'd and not suffering himselfe to be seene but seldome he abode whole dayes retired in his Cabinet His anxiety went yet further It made him hate his Palace the aboade in townes and the frequency of his Courtiers He retir'd him to a Castle which his Predecessors had built for their pleasure in hunting and seem'd to be delighted with that Sport to have some pretence and meanes to muse and plod at his liberty and wander the woods alone This life made me feele my first griefes and search all the imaginable meanes to know the cause of it and thereto to apply a remedy Before I had recourse to those extraordinary I would try the most speedy and facile I therefore went to the King in his retirement and besought him by his first affection to tell me the cause of his melancholy Deare Almanzaira said he if it be true that thou yet lovest me doe not enquire after my affliction Get thee from me and let me undergoe the punishment I have deserved The feare I had to displease him kept me from pressing him any farther or staying longer with him With mine eyes drown'd in teares I left him and promised in that to shew my obedience as well as in all other things Believe what I am now about to tell you and thereby judge of my Lords noble nature He could not refraine from weeping when I went from him and the griefe he had to see me afflicted made him to teare his haire and oftentimes beg his death from the Deities When I was come back to Senega my first sorrowes renewed and feare representing to me the future more unfortunate then I have found it made me leade a life so retired as if with the Kings favour I had for ever lost the hope of seeing him againe At last I threw my selfe into the armes of the afflicteds Comforter and thence supplicated for sufficient strength to resist so prodigious a calamity Truly that Bounty that would not have a teare of theirs lost who are conformable to its will suffer'd not mine to be fruitlesse but granted all I petitioned for See how it hap'ned You may please to know that
among those who came with me to Senega there was a Prince of my bloud who became so pleasing to Zabaim as he made him his Confident in spight of all jealousies from the Principals of his Kingdome That Prince so wisely husbanded his favour and so gentilely oblieged even those who had professed themselves his enemies that by little and little he quell'd their envy and fill'd all the Court with admiration of his vertue In this generall approbation he had beene a yeare when he was engaged to follow Zabaim into Guinea At his returne he avoyded all occasions of comming where I was durst not come to give me an account of those commands I had given him I presently therefore thought him guilty though was innocent and not knowing on whom to throw Zabaims change I imagin'd Almaid so was the favourite call'd had wrong'd me to him that he might solely possesse him With this beliefe I returned to Senega and gave it not over till I understood the true subject of all my afflictions Zabaim one day sending to me Almaid to make knowne the affection he preserv'd me in midst of his melancholy or rather to hinder my complaining of his ill treatment I conjur'd him by our neerenesse of bloud by my sad fortune and by the authority which heaven had given me over him not to conceale from me any longer the causes of Zabaims hatred When I perceiv'd he strove to put me on some other discourse without answering me I redoubled my entreaties and commands and led him into a little closet whereto I usually retir'd me to weepe more freely When he saw himselfe alone with me he was not a little perplexed and much doubted I was not come to that extremity without having taken some strange resolution I shut the doore and fell on my knees before him with an intent to move him by those extraordinary submissions Straight he kneeled too and almost not daring to looke on me Madam said he let not your Majesty doe any thing unworthy your birth and vertue and suffer not a curiosity which cannot but be prejudiciall to you encrease a malady which it cannot cure No no replied I I will not lose the occasion I have to get out of my miseries by one meanes or other I cast me at your feet Almaid not as your Queen but as a poore afflicted Lady who hath need of your assistance Take pity therefore of so many teares which I have vainely spent and suffer her not to languish out her whole life whom you can comfort by one onely word Almaid moved by my teares could not hold his first constancy in so great a cause of compassion and falling to weepe as well as I call'd himselfe a thousand times unfortunate and wish'd he were dead I left him to his raving a long while and spake to him all that my griefe prompted me to winne him to discover to me the cause of all my miseries But when I had long expected and saw his pity extend no further then to bewaile and not to succour me I arose as one furious and getting out his sword Barbarous and inhumane wretch said I which hast but a false and seeming pity on my afflictions and who takest pleasure in persecuting of Innocence by thy feigning comforts thou wouldst have me with mine owne hand perfect that murder which thy calumnies have begun Almaid hearing me speake in that fashion and knowing I was resolute enough to fall on his sword had he gone about to take it from me Madam cried he preserve that vertue which hath made you hitherto victorious over your enemies and know your wrongs are lesse dangerous then the remedy you will apply to them I will not propose to you these considerations to release me from that absolute command you make me Know Madam I will obey it But you must please first to promise me secrecy to be of good heart and to have power enough over your selfe to suffer without resenting the most unjust contempt in the world Were I now replied I to heare my Sentence of death and that I should be engaged to execute it my selfe I am ready prepared I refuse no kinde of torment so I may know what 't is that troubles the King and makes him hate the sight of me You shall be satisfied said Almaid and I sweare to you by that which is greatest in heaven I will conceale nothing of what you desire to know on condition you first render my sword There 't is said I and do not believe if thou deceiv'st me but there are meanes enough to deliver me from my miseries and make thee repent thy treachery Almaid judging by my actions as well as words he must either ruine me or discover Zabaims secret resolv'd to save my life even with the losse of his fortune He arose then and assoone as he saw me set beginning his discourse by a long Preface which tended to nothing but the justification of mens inconstancy told me it betided even the most wise to have extravagant humours and to preferre the most abject things which they possest not before the more excellent they enjoy'd After that preparation he related to me as succinctly as he could how Zabaim in his conquest of Guinea was falne in love with a white Slave and so fondly amorous that to behold the alterations she wrought on him 't was necessarily believed she had bewitched him This Sorceresse Madam hath not onely made him forget his first affection but made him insensible of his owne honour and not left him so much discretion to hide the excesse of his folly Most commonly the like passions are of small continuance and though they are even strong enough to last in spight of time yet have they not such ability as to bicker with absence This love of Zabaim is quite contrary Time strengthens it absence in lieu of quenching feeds and augments it Those mad men which are chain'd up have not more fearefull agitations then this Prince hath every day He finds no ease but in his self-vexations He hates all company where his griefe is restrain'd He flies into the forrest before day and most commonly there spends intire nights He scarce eates or drinks He hath ever in his mouth the name of Zelopa so is that Sorceresse nam'd and if he see her not againe the sooner I will not promise you his life Here Almaid ended and I who was prepar'd to heare matters more prodigious found my selfe in heaven when I heard this I look'd on Almaid with a cheerefulnesse he expected not and desirous to let him know how I tooke it This is then said I all the cause of my Lords melancholy and his aversion to me Truly you are not to be pardon'd for being so reserv'd in a businesse which hath not troubled me but onely while it was conceal'd from me Your extraordinary silence had been excusable if Zabaim had intended to have repudiated me or to immure me to be starv'd betwixt foure walls
that I never aspir'd to your Crowne whence is it then you make to me pardon me if I say so unjust propositions For it seemes you offer me your Crowne but to bridle and chaine in my fury and so take away the cause of my attempting against your life That which I owe you the care you have taken for my breeding and the love you have alway shown me are such strong bonds that they are capable to regulate a nature more ingratefull and ambitious then mine If you please Sir to honour me with your love cast that designe from your fancy or permit me to punish my selfe for being the cause of it and avenge you of a monster that could not glut his appetite bâ—…t by devouring his owne benefactors Abrinzias and Andromeda hearing how Almanzor interpreted their thoughts or rather admiring his incomparable vertue imbrac'd him one after another and told him that the knowledge they had of his good nature and not the feare either of losing or ill treatment from him had made â—…hem resolve to quit the Throne to place him in it with his brother Perseus Perseus repli'd Almanzor hath right to it alone when heaven for his punishment shall deprive him of you At those words Andromeda could not refraine from teares and casting her self on Almanzors neck Why Cry'd she hath not that just heaven permitted Perseus to cal himselfe rightly Almanzors brother These words were follow'd by many others but I omit them as â—…oo tedious and unnecessary for your satisfaction and will onely let you know that this interparlance or some other cause which Almanzor would never discover cast him into so deep a melancholy as he hated himselfe for it and yet could not for his heart suppresse it He forsooke the Court and all company and spent whole dayes either iâ—… the Desarts or on the Sea shore This strange kind of life made the King and Queene of Benin feare some new disaster and their affection perswaded them that his pensivenesse presaged some dangerous sicknesse Hydaspes who almost never forsooke the Prince was the first that tooke notice of his alteration he did what he could to divert him but perceiving ordinary remedies were not powerfull enough to extirpate so extraordinary a distemper he had recourse to more violent Finding therefore one day Almanzor weeping With what Justice said he to him dares a Prince so wise in counsâ—…ll so valiant in execution and so happy in the successe complaine either of heaven of fortune or himselfe What will not your enemies say Almanzor if your discontent comek to their eares Will they not have cause to make the world beleeve that you see with griefe the age of the King your Father that you meditate some plot against Perseus and in briefe that you are tortur'd either by some crimes you have committed or by those you have a desire to perpetrate Almanzor was very sensible of those last words and imagining that some other might have Hydaspes thoughts intended to overcome his melancholy and to seeke in the toyles of war that quiet which he could not meet withall among the delights of peace Almaid here staying as to take breath Polexâ—…nder who had a desire to speake turn'd towards the vertuous Almanzaira and shewing to her into what admiration the adventures and vertues of her Son had drawne him collected in briefe all the points of Almaids relation That done he discours'd much with the Princesse and remonstrated that all the misfortunes of her life had nothing in them so mortall but that she might finde their remedy in the birth of Almanzor That good Mother fail'd not to confirme Polexander's words and confess'd to him that if Zabaim and Almanzor could be preserv'd to her she would account her selfe infinitely obliged to that Goodnesse which had made her the wife and mother of two so great Princes The end of the Second Booke of the third Part. THE THIRD PART OF POLEXANDER The Third Booke ALmaid seeing Almanzaira and Polexander whom he knew not seem'd by their silence to intreat from him the continuance of Almanzors adventures was willing to satisfie their curiosity and thus proceeded Hitherto we have been Spectators if I may say so of Almanzors glorious troubles and triumphs we must now be the same of his Weaknesses Discredit and Servitude He continued in that irksome Melancholy of which I have spoken and as if his ill Genius had in spight of himselfe thrust him on the precipice where he was to be ruin'd he went every morning out of the Palace to passe the most part of the day on the point of a rocke where he had for his prospect but an open desert of waters as vaste as his thoughts Hydaspes almost daily waited on him thither and knowing his Masters malady was a disease which came further then from the in temperance of bloud or of other humours strove to sweeten the bitternesses of that Prince and to prepare him for those accidents wherewith he was threatned by that supernaturall sicknesse One day as they were together on the top of their rocke and had their eyes fix'd on the Coasts of Guinea they saw a far off a ship which with a favourable wind came with full sailes sailing from the West Eastward They thought her at first to be a Portugall Almanzor whom I may call the best Master of the world at that instant thought on me and that remembrance drawing him from his melancholy It may possibly be Almaid said he to Hydaspes who after his long captivity hath found a meanes to returne to us Let us goe downe and see whether my conjecture be true or no with that he arose and shewing a joy beyond appearance Surely said he to Hydaspes this Vessell comes to us and brings great cause of comfort Alas how was that poore Prince deceiv'd if not in all at least in the principall part of his hopes For my selfe his expectation was not frustrated for I was in the ship which he looked on with so much joy but traytor and unfortunate that I am I brought with me bolts and chains under whose weight the courage of that Prince was to lie fainting I will no longer hold from you the successe of that adventure I came and cast anchor where Almanzor was and making my excesse of joy and actions of thankes to which the happy successe of my voyage obliged me to resound againe by many Cannon shot I lanch'd a Shalop and first went downe into her that none before me might kisse that Land which was as deare to me as my native soyle No sooner had I set foot on shore but Almanzor came to me presently knew me cast himselfe on my necke and weeping for joy My Father said he and have I then recovered you againe after so long time of your losse and hath that misericordious Goodnesse from whom I have so often petition'd you granted me even that for which I durst not supplicate You may well beleeve without my telling you that my
considerations the overflowing of that passion but Almanzor cutting me short Do not said he imitate Hydaspes and speake against your owne thoughts through a desire to hinder a matter already resolv'd on Your Son Almaid must love he must heaven will absolutely have it so and that love Axiamira But said he how unfortunate am I in that I must give an account of my life to others then my selfe I am overtyr'd with visits and businesse and for a little vanity which the power of Commanding gives me I must deprive my selfe of my contentment yeeld my selfe a slave to other mens passions and for the accomplishment of all misery have all my labours and industry rewarded with perfidy and ingratitude They are not suspitions and doubts which make me speake thus No they are truths Almaid and such truths as you have unwittingly told me Ah! ingratefull Zabaim King incident to all crimes must thou needs after so many services which I will not remember be the author of my just complaints and the object of a yet more just indignation But he went on addressing him to me to the end we may proportion the punishment with the fault bring me hither Osmin I will from his mouth understand the wrongs Zabaim hath done him I very attentively gave eare to all these words and knowing they proceeded from an extreame affection and hatred I fear'd lest the power of love might be able to violate that of nature and winne Almanzor to breake with Zabaim These feares made me oppose against the complaints of my deare Master all that I thought availeable to get him from that opinion he had of Zabaim I therefore besought him to do nothing hastily nor upon the relation of parties interessed dissolve an amity which seem'd to be immortall I know said he what I owe to Zabaims favour He knows too how I have serv'd him Notwithstanding he hath sayl'd of his word and endeavour'd to rob me of the treasure wherewith I intrusted him Judge to what a resentment so great a contempt and so base a treason obligeth me Yet I will not doe what love adviseth me It shall never be reproach'd me that I neither know how to make or preserve friendship If Zabaim have injur'd me his fault shall not make me commit another but it shall teach me how to demeane my selfe with him that so hereafter I may cut off all causes of sayling in our amity Go then Almaid fetch me Osmin and let us see how farre Zabaim is guilty Presently I went and brought Osmin to Almanzors chamber The presence of that old man extreamely comforted the Prince and made him seeme farre lesse unquiet then he was before He spake to him with a very temperate spirit and intreated him to relate all his fortunes but before you begin said he you must satisfie me in one thing which troubles me and make knowne how Zabaim hath treated you since my absence I know you had rather lose your life then preserve it by an untruth Therefore I intreat you not to forget the injuries Zabaim hath done you no nor so much as to suspend the resentment of them to the end that without preoccupation you may make me a plaine and true recit all of what hath befalne you in Guinea Begin then and without considering that Zabaim is my friend tell me the truth purely Osmin whom I have alwayes knowne most sincere taking heaven to witnesse what he was to speake Two dayes said he to Almanzor after your departure Zabaim took the paines to come to my lodging where he staid a while with Axiamira but seeing her in a silence and sadnesse not to be surmounted he left her and taking me by the hand Father said he let us leave this faire maiden to her selfe I follow'd him and when he was come to the Sea side he made me a long Speech of the obligations in which he was ingag'd to you and repeated all the requests you had made him in behalfe of my daughter and my selfe Hee added that for your sake and particularly for mine hee would alwayes respect mee as his owne Father and that hence forward hee would put no difference betwixt his wife and my daughter I rendred thankes for his proffers and telling him they were too advantagious for a stranger like my selfe and a poore maiden as mine was I humbly besought him to contract all his liberalities into one which was to give me the meanes by which I might returne into mine owne Countrey Father repli'd the King I am ready to grant what you have desired but I must not for the infinite love I beare you become mine owne enemie and in preferring your content before mine owne leave an ill opinion of my selfe in those who looke not on the actions of Kings but to finde fault with them yet let us passe by the conceptions of the multitude which commonly are most unreasonable and fasten on that of Almanzor Will not he have cause to beleeve that I have abus'd you when he shall understand that contrary to what we had agreed together you have staid so short time with me Stay therefore here yet a few dayes and have patience till I can send him your resolution You are too generous and too good I repli'd and if the love you beare were not founded on the worthiest cause in the world I could not but still thinke on the excesse of your courtesies But Sir as I imagine your Majestie needs not use so much circumspection in so inconsiderable a businesse We are three poor Wanderers that have no name but by our miseries and who cannot receive the least favour but we must acknowledge it to be beyond our expectations Suffer us then to accomplish the course of our calamities and let not your goodnesse be so sensible as it is of those outrages which Fortune is not yet wearie of making us undergoe I made this long speech to Zabaim to the end that mov'd with compassion or overcome by my reasons he might give way to our departure I cannot tell you whence those impatiencies of parting which I discovered proceeded but I confesse to you they were very extreame and yet my wife's and Axiamira's were greater For all that my prayers my solicitations and intreating Zabaim in your name could not obtaine the leave I demanded He oppos'd so many shewes of amitie and so many reasons to my request that at last to comply with him I went against mine owne thoughts and yeelded to stay yet with him That conformitie of mine was so pleasing unto him as imbracing me with the transport of a man very passionate Father said he I will make you confesse that Almanzor is not the sole man deserves to be beloved and raise you to that happinesse that with the one part of your affection you beare to him you shall lose all that other which you beare to your native soile After all these artificiall promises he return'd to the Palace and leading me by the hand made his
he had not wandered by Sea and land but to live in a dominion where a man might applaud vertue and condemne vice without feare of being persecuted That double felicity said he doe I finde in all places where you command You are no lesse good then powerfull and the good you doe is never the recompense of a servile flattery nor a criminall obsequiousnesse Almanzor interrupting Osmin Beware father said he lest in condemning flattery you become a flatterer The onely thing I can assure you is that I will doe my best endeavour to hinder all good men from becoming miserable With that he dismissed Osmin and promis'd him that very day he would go and confirme these veriâ—…ies to his wife and daughter Osmin being gone Almanzor tooke Hydaspes by the one hand and my selfe by the other and walking up and downe the chamber now cast his eyes upon the one and then on the other At last standing still What said he You doe not doubt now but that Axiamira is somewhat else then what she goes for Poore Osmin â—…ath unwittingly discover'd all and possest me with a desire of knowing by what cruelty of fortune that Princesse hath beene pluck'd from the armes of her parents Hydaspes spake first and made a long enumeration of many Princes who by divers accidents were falne into the like misfortune as Axiamira If I durst have spoken what I knew I could have confirm'd Hydaspes proofes by the very example of Almanzor but thinking it not fit to let him know who he was before I had confer'd with Abrinzias about it I advis'd him neither to believe nor disbelieve what he thought of Axiamira I have a businesse more important to make knowne to you said he 't is that I marke I know not what in this adventure which troubles me and makes me feare lest you fall not into the crimes but the weakenesses of Zabaim I see your spirit stir'd with certaine agitations with which it was not lately acquainted You have disquiets in your most pleasing recreations You sigh and laugh together You make them hold their peace which speake to you and you are silent when you are bound to answer In that little time I have had the honour to be neere you I have seene you put on all those different formes and even during Osmins relation you sometimes seem'd inflamed as if you had beene in the heate of a combat and then pale as ready to swound Scarce could you containe your selfe in one place and I saw you every moment ready to interrupt Osmin though you witnessed a great pleasure in hearing him May be my Lord you know not what malady t is which discovers it selfe by these strange symptomes T is love replied Almanzor sighing but a love so pure and perfect that I should be an enemy to vertue if I were asham'd to confesse it After that declaration he held his peace and I presently began to lay open to him how unworthy of him the subject of his love was Father said he after he had intreated me to be silent if Axiamira's excellent qualities receiv'd no wrong by your remonstrances I would indure you as farre as I have done Hydaspes and would not thinke it strange that you should treat me as one blinded unreasonable like another Zabaim in briefe as an effeminate man who for a sensuall pleasure contemnes all honour treads vertue under foote and renounceth his part in all that is excellent in the world But when I shall have given you freedome to throw all those injuries on me what thinke you will come of it Even nothing but that you will have confirm'd me in my resolution and gain'd to your selves a continuall repentance for opposing the innocence of my intentions Be better advis'd my friends and crosse me not since you have not done it hitherto in seeing me in the most dangerous occurrents but be witnesses how I demeane my selfe pry into my least actions and faile not to reprove me if you see me swerve into any thing unworthy By this speech Almanzor silencing us both made us to fall from one extreame into another and of his Censurers which we would have beene to become his Confidents This conversation once ended he went to the King and understood from a Courier sent to him from Zabaim that very shortly by a solemne Embassy he would not onely give him thanks for so many countries he owed to his valour but offer him a great part of it Almanzor almost insensible of those promises us'd Zabaims Posts very civilly in the presence of Abrinzias but in private he made knowne that his Master had offended him and so he was sent back with a letter which we were bound to approve after we had long debated and it was thus Perseus to Zabaim King of Senega JUstice commands me to write to you as to the most unworthy of all men But I know not what Law which I cannot read under forbids me the upbraiding your crimes and the violating that amity I have promis'd you Not because of your undeserving and that I am not oblig'd to hate my selfe for my capacity of loving you Some other then I would repeate and reproach you my deservings but since in all my actions I never propos'd any other end but honour I also never expected any other recompence Enjoy happily if the remorce of conscience will permit you to be happy Senega which I have preserv'd to you against the power of your enemies and Guinea which I have finally reconquered for you I repent not for all that you have done me the yeelding you so many proofes of my affection But hence forward I shall know how to make a better election and not hazard my life for such men who loving nothing but their pleasures and brutish desires glory in their breach of promise and legitimate affections Go not about by your excuses and artificiall reasons to justifie your violences Though Axiamira's beauty were powerfull enough to captivate your love the consideration of Perseus should have beene as prevalent to have hindred you from shewing it But honoured knight I have too much troubled you with affaires of State I returne to those of Love and let you know that Almanzor had no sooner dispatch'd Zabaims Messenger but he came to Axiamira's chamber He found her in her ordinary neglect and melancholy He came to her with a feare that is not to be believed and utterly losing the remembrance of all that he had premeditated to speake to her he was brought against his will to call for Osmin to him to recollect his wits by that diversion and finde some cause of talke When the old man was come he tooke him by the hand and addressing his Speech to him Have you said he intimated to this faire Lady my resentment of Zabaim's insolencies Axiamira staid not till her father had satisfied Almanzor's demand but turning to the Prince her eyes still cast downewards My Lord said she if you commiserate our afflictions doe
incouragement they were to fight but with poore Arabians and other vagabonds which had neither skill to defend themselves nor courage to assaile any resolute Souldiers After he had fitted all he return'd to Abrinzias and unperceivably getting him into his Cabin there left him when they were ready to fall on The Enemy no sooner descryed his great vessell but they thought themselves lost Their confusion was great but nothing in comparison with that the Cannon made when it began to thunder amongst them The more valiant made a little resistance but the one halfe part of them being slaine and the rest mightily terrified they abandoned their boates and the Siege and retir'd towards Benin Perseus hastning along with the run-awayes strove to get to the City yet could not make so much haste but the rumour of it was quicker which had publisht in Benin how Almanzor was return'd with a mighty Army to reestablish Abrinzias in his throne to free the Queene his mother and to punish Perseus his rebellion These newes being easily beleev'd because they were exceedingly long'd for put generous resolutions into the inhabitants of Benin They all instantly tooke armes and making the word Liberty to resound againe hack'd in pieces those whom Perseus had left them in Garrison and shut their gates against him when he would have entred Benin Polexander in the meane time with winde and tide at will came up the River even to the towne and being taken for Almanzor was invited to enter by the shouts and acclamations of all the people Abrinzias presently coming out of his Cabin was acknowledg'd receiv'd by his Subjects with all the demonstrations of love joy which the returne of so good a King could cause in his people In the most convenient place he landed and followed by Polexander and all his ascended without effusion of bloud the throne which Perseus had besmear'd with so many massacres Polexander leaving him there got together some thousand or twelve hundred men of the towne and joyning them to his owne Company few but invincible went and charg'd Perseus before he was recover'd from his astonishment He defeated the remainder of his Arabians and as he pursued those that fled Perseus was brought to him all bloudy and distracted Those by whom he was taken had disarm'd him and minding more his rebellion then his birth dragg'd him along as an offender ready to be sacrific'd to the publique vengeance Polexander made them give over their violences and desir'd to consider and looke on the Prince to see whether he might so come to know whence proceeded the irregularity of his minde Soone he perceiv'd that Perseus had nought in him of those famous ambitious ones which have introduc'd into the world amongst others this pernicious Maxime that all lawes whatsoever are to be violated for a Kingdome On the contrary he found in him a great deale of weakenesse and stupidity His looke or countenance was rather that of a thiefe which feares the hangman then of one valiantly ambitious who can indure no Superiour Polexander who would have setled him and had an intent to subdue his barbarous disposition bid him be of good courage and expect from the King his fathers goodnesse that pardon which he had obtain'd from him as often as he had desir'd it When by this speech he had a little recollected his spirits he brought him to the Palace and thinking it not fit to present him to Abrinzias left him in his lodging in the keeping of Alcippus and Diceus That done he went to the King and coming up to him with the mirthsomenesse of a man that brings good newes You have no more enemies said he nor will the Arabians any more vaunt the devastation of your Countrey Abrinzias at those words waxing pale But what is become said he of the unfortunate Perseus He is out of danger replied Polexander and could you but worke so much on your selfe as not to see him yet these fifteene dayes I am perswaded you would finde a great alteration in him I can do more then that replied the King for a farre lesse happinesse then what you propose to me Leave then said Polexander the managing of a businesse so nice as this is to me Send you if you please to the Queene the while and advertise her of your returne and let me goe my selfe to conduct her from a place where she cannot have beene so long without a great deale of inconveniency Abrinzias after many thanks and excuses gave way to Polexanders request and went along himselfe with the Prince to the place where he was to imbarke for the Fort of Safety Our Heroe tooke none with him save his owne servants but Gartias the Castilian and arriv'd the same day at the Fortresse When they within had notice that he came from Abrinzias he had freedome of entrance and being brought before Andromeda he accosted her with that grace and sweetnesse which instantly made him ever to command o're those minds that were the most untractable Madam said he I bring your Majesty such newes as questionlesse will be most welcome to you The King is in the City of Benin and in that little time since he returned hath not onely inforc'd his enemies to raise their siege from before this place but defeated them in the open field and may now say there is no King of Benin but himselfe Andromeda receiv'd this newes as she ought but the remembrance of her Son repelling that joy which had seis'd her What said she poore Perseus is then falne with those traitors that ruin'd him Heaven loves you too well replied Polexander to afflict your Majesty with so dismall an accident Perseus is safe and if it be true that maladies are ordinarily cured by their contraries your Majesty may hope that your Son will finde his recovery in his adverse fortune since his prosperity hath beene the cause of his ruine Whilst Polexander was talking thus Iphidamanta in spight of her selfe kept her eyes fix'd on him and thinking she knew him blushed and grew pale almost altogether For himselfe he knew her at first and had much adoe to containe himselfe and make his affection give place to his respect Iphidamanta who passionately lov'd her brother came neerer Andromeda and scarce being able to speake Madam said she you would never pardon me the fault I should commit if I conceal'd my joy any longer and did not tell you that Abrinzias Embassadour is my brother At which newes Andromeda's overjoyednesse was no lesse then Iphidamanta's She saluted Polexander as a King and retir'd with her Ladies to give the brother and sister leave to witnesse to one another the contentment they receiv'd in that happy meeting Assoone as their first transports and mutuall imbracings were ended Andromeda came againe to Polexander and presenting Iphidamanta to him I restore to you said she this amiable one halfe of my selfe but give me to tell you 't is with a great deale of griefe This Princesse vertues
and her attractive wit are the happinesse of all that know them and I confesse to you though my afflictions have beene extraordinary yet through her company I have not almost beene sensible of them Both my sister and my selfe replied Polexander are infinitely obliged to that extreame goodnesse wherewithall you hindred the sequell of our misfortunes I say ours Madam because those of my sister being farre more mine then mine owne you have made me happy in not permitting her to be disastrous Andromeda replied to these complements Iphidamanta thereto added with a great deale of wit and Polexander who was as well the example of courtesie as valour made the Queene confesse she had never knowne two so perfect and so like Her content yet was cross'd by her longing to see Abrinzias and the tide no sooner began to make the River navigable but she went aboord Polexanders ship with Iphidamanta and all her Ladies and by the favour of a fresh gale came the next day to the King her husband That good King after he had long held her in his embraces My deare wife said he for your seeing me againe after so cruell an exile for your Enemies defeate for your owne Liberty for being unpersecuted againe by Perseus and if it so happen for the finishing the rest of our dayes in peace you must attribute it and give thanks for it to this invincible Knight You should say King said Andromeda I see well you are ignorant of the Author of your happinesse and therefore you seeme to be yet in doubt of the truth of such things as he hath done But your doubts and astonishments will end when you know this is Polexander the Conquerour of so many Nations whom heaven good and mercifull hath as it were miraculously sent to save at once the father the mother the son and their kingdome Abrinzias ravish'd at so rare an adventure in stead of congratulating with Polexander addressed himselfe to the Princesse his Sister and spoake to her all that a wise and gratefull Prince could expresse on so extraordinary an occasion The time for rest separating these Princes and Princesses Polexander withdrew to his lodging and went to Perseus who during his absence had beene kept rather like a sick Prince then a captive Enemy He related to him all that had pass'd and laying before him the excessive goodnesse of Abrinzias and Andromeda assured him of a generall pardon from them and to restore him to their loves assoone as he should make knowne he desired it That black and brutish soule was no way mov'd with these hopes On the contrary he became the more proud and savage and shewing his stupidity by his reply answer'd Polexander that he was not so guilty but that he should be better used then hee was and that the King and Queene did so little affect him as they would bee glad of his death to establish Almanzor in the throne You little know said Polexander either of their inclinations and that 's your misery for your pernicious Counsellours had never wonne you to those facts you have committed if you had not beene absolutely ignorant who they were against whom they perswaded you to turne you Armes Now since you finde to your displeasure how detestable their counsels were I intreat you to hearken to better and to fit you for it I will cure you of that jealousie which your selfe confessed to me hath beene the cause of all your unrulinesse Know that Almanzor is not your brother and the King your father never intended for his sake to deprive you of what is yours by birthright Almanzor is borne King of many kingdomes Guinea Melly Senega and many other Territories watered by the River Niger already acknowledge him for their Lord. Leave then your envy and choler and acknowledging the offences your flatterers have made you perpetrate goe and cast your selfe at the King and Queenes feet and beseech them now you ought no more to wrong them to continue the testimonies of their love and clemency Perseus by this was not wholly converted but at last he made shew he was likely to be so Polexander who was not wont to conquer by halves redoubled his perswasions added consideration to consideration and so lively imprinted in Perseus thought the feare of losing both Crowne and life if he did not reconcile himselfe to his father that he promis'd him to submit to all he would command him Our Heroe to continue and confirme him in that minde lay with him and handled him with that dexterity as I might say he tamed him and by the vertue of his eloquence made a man of a furious beast The next day he would needs see whether Perseus were constant in his good resolution and finding him absolutely setled went to carry Abrinzias and Andromeda the best newes they could ever receive There needed no choise words to perswade them Those who love well are easily wonne to believe such things as are advantageous to what is beloved Polexander seeing in them an intire disposition to resettle him in their favours went to fetch him and instructing him by the way of what he had to do brought him to Abrinzias and Andromeda Presently he fell at their feet and speaking onely by his teares made appeare by their excesse that they were not counterfeit The King and Queene being as unable to speake as he fell on his neck and wept so long that Polexander was compelled to stop that overflowing of naturall love Abrinzias recollected himselfe and addressing him to our Heroe There remain'd said he onely this miracle for you to doe to take you wholly from the condition of men Yes Polexander you are something more and I shall not thinke I blaspheme should I say that heaven seem'd to have given you a nature more approaching its owne then is that of mankinde And to remarke and consider things well who would beleeve without beleeving you a Semi-god that in so little time you have beene able to cure a spirit infected with so many distemperances as they were judg'd incurable so inveterate were they With that he fell againe on his Son and bedewing him againe with his teares Arise my Son said he and let us together give this Prince the thanks he meriteth from our acknowledgement 'T is he truly that should be called thy father I have given thee so ill a birth as I confesse thou hast cause to hate me and Polexander having alter'd thee as he hath done hath given thee one so transcendent that he binds thee to serve him more then thine owne father Andromeda interrupting the King her husband made appeare by her discourse that a mother speakes from the intrails and that their affections are more quick and tender then those of the father This private reconciliation being ended Abrinzias desired the joy for it might be publique He commanded therefore all his Subjects to give thanks to heaven for so many happinesses befalne him in so small time and for the better
most humble servitude Why am I not permitted to finde a way to attaine to that supreame happinesse But miserable vagabond that I am I may well wish and make knowne my longings but I shall never obtaine the favour of dying before her faire eyes By this time 't was day yet was it not able to bring Polexander out of his meditations Alcippus after his searching for him all night by chance found him and disturbed his cogitations Presently he arose and returned to his tents where he found a great amendment in his Sister and to divert her recounted the adventure he had met withall Cydaria tooke pleasure in it and wish'd him to send five or sixe men into that wood to discover the aboade of that unfortunate man which had such brave thoughts Polexander having spent almost all the day with her withdrew and accompanied with Alcippus and Gartias return'd to the wood with an intent to lye there once more rather then not satisfie his curiosity He came to the same place at least he thought so where he had heard him he sought after and passing through many pathes at last met with an alley so covered that in the greatest heate of day there was coolenesse enough not to be incommodated under so burning a climate When he came to the end of it he saw the Sea and perceived two women which with a slow pace were walking on the sands He would have gone to them but assoone as he was discover'd one of them began to cry out as loud as she could and drawing her Companion after her made her run whether she would or no. Polexander seeing it stopp'd short Presently there appear'd at the end of the alley a man who going right to the women and understanding from them the cause of their flight straight left them and came towards our Heroe with his sword drawne who put himselfe in a posture to receive him But assoone as he was neere enough to be knowne he gave a great shout and running to him with open armes shew'd an extraordinary contentment in meeting him The other instantly cast downe his sword and imbracing our Heroe with a gentilenesse and meekenesse shewing his admirable temper Doe you said he yet know an unfortunate man who had beene more so then he is but for your exceeding pity Polexander imbracing him againe By what chance said he doe I meet you in a place so farre distant from that where I thought you When I left you replied the other my intent was to get to this Island where I found the party I sought but to the end you may know my complaints have beene alwayes just come and see how extraordinary their cause is With that he tooke up his sword and led Polexander to the place where the two women were retired When he came neere them he addressed his speech to the youngest and before Polexander saluted her Madam said he here is that Prince without whose help I had never had the happinesse of seeing you againe This is he of whom I have so often spoken to you and whose misfortunes are able in their repetition to put off a while the feeling of your owne At those words the Lady lifted up her eyes and Polexander noted that though they were very faire yet she was blinde He made no shew of remarking it but admir'd her wit and judgement by the Speech she made him At least he who was her Interpreter spake in her name so excellently to our Heroe that he was ravish'd at it and witness'd it aloud by the answer he made her and intreated his friend to interpret This intertainement having lasted above a quarter of an howre the faire blinde Lady stood a while silent and thinking it time to retire tooke leave of the two friends and left them in an equall admiration of her vertue and almost a like sorrow for her misfortune Polexanders griefe was on the point of breaking out but seeing the plenty of teares which fell from his friends eyes he suppressed his owne compassion that he might not increase the others sorrow and be inhumane by being desirous to appeare sensible You should said he accustome your selfe to your misery and thinke for your consolation that it is farre lesse then you imagine it since you have recovered the best part of what you thought was all lost I should be ingratefull replied Zelmatida both towards the gods and Izatida too if I did not confesse I am infinitely bounden to them and that they have extended their excessive bounty in that which concernes my owne person Nor is it mine owne mishap I bewaile 'T is Izatida's misery that drawes these teares from mine eyes and forbids me the sensibility of that contentment which is given me by the happinesse of seeing her againe No no Izatida I shall never be happy whilst thou art not so and the pleasure of being neere thee will never have power enough over me to divert those sorrowes which thy blindnesse hath cast upon me How doe I abhorre thee thou accursed aboade which hast for ever clouded with darknesse the onely light of my soule Those last words touching Polexander in a particular manner O heaven cried he where is my minde and what is become of my memory With that he left Zelmatida and running to Gartias was a while talking with him which done he return'd to Zelmatida and shewing by his countenance he brought him good newes I have call'd to minde one thing said he which may if the heavens will so favour you make a great alteration in your fortune But not to give you any hopes which proving false may make you more afflicted then you are goe to Izatida and intreate her she will make triall of a remedy which comes from that very place where she lost her sight How Polexander replied Zelmatida that cannot bee a remedy coming from so venimous a place 't is rather some new poyson which doubtlesse will cause me to lose the remainder of Izatida I do not condemne your feare said Polexander but I will accuse you for not contributing all that you can for your owne comfort if you doe not hazard on my word a remedy which can do Izatida no other wrong then to leave her as she is Zelmatida loath to contradict Polexander for feare of fayling Izatida and huâ—…ing himselfe went to the Princesse and besought her by the greatnesse of her courage and excesse of her patience to try a remedy which Polexander had propos'd to him for infallible You both deserve said she that I should give you that vaine contentment Yes Zelmatida you shall have your request Give your remedy to my Governesse and I promise you this night we will make experiment of it Zelmatida hereupon return'd to Polexander and he had scarce told him that Izatida had yeelded to his petition but Gartias came to them with a violl of very cleare water He had beene at Polexanders ship to make the receipt and omitted nothing of what he had
received thence for I am as unable to doe it as I was unworthy to receive them These are effects of thy eternall power which in one day hath redeem'd me out of all my blindnesses I know now to whom I owe my life and by that knowledge see those feares dissipated which Hismelita's maledictions threw on me I did ever believe quoth Zelmatida interrupting her that weake Montezuma and cruell Hismelita had contributed nothing to your birth She is too faire to come from them As he was going on Izatida stopp'd him and her goodnesse not induring any should speake ill no not of her very enemies Confesse said she that Montezuma hath been very mercifull and Hismelita had much power over her selfe since they suffered not themselves to be transported by the just causes they had to hate me but rather chose to hazard their Crowne then deprive me of my life 'T was brutishnesse and superstition replied Zelmatida which restrain'd Hismelita's fury or rather 't is the hand of all powerfull heaven the Protector of Innocence which hath disarm'd that of our enemies The threatnings they had from the mouth of their Prophets were too terrible for Hismelita not to be affrighted at them or not defist from her cruell resolution I am obliged said Izatida to publish every where that I doe not onely owe her my life but the quality of Princesse since she might if she had listed have given me no other breeding then the worst of her Slaves Zelmatida perceiv'd well that he was not to goe further with that discourse He therefore replied not out of respect and complaisancy but turn'd to Polexander to invite him to take part in his joy Our Heroe forgot his owne disasters to be sensible of his friends contentment Garruca had told him the cause in interpreting to him Mexiqua's narration and wonne him to receive this great and good chance as a presage that he should not be alwaies unfortunate Zelmatida discoursing a while with him began againe to intertaine Izatida and finding himselfe stung and put on by soâ—…e new desire which he durst not discover to the Princesse to give her some notice of it Doe not said he suffer a Prince and Princesse to whom I owe almost as much as to your selfe languish any longer The good Quasmez is my father aswell as yours and if the Queene your mother had not looked on me as her Son the great Guina Capa would never have acknowledged me for his Your desires are just replied the Princesse and mine which should have prevented them intreate their accomplishment Restore to Quasmez that Xaira which hath cost you so much trouble and hasten as much as you can to discharge your selfe of a burthen which should now begin to be troublesome unto you Zelmatida had not beene without an answer on so faire an occasion but that the Princesse the second time impos'd him silence Polexander unwilling to leave these lovers any longer in their great solitarinesse invited them to walke to his 〈◊〉 and the more to egge on Izatida told her by Garruca all that had betided him in the kingdome of Benin and the accident which had ingaged him â—…o laâ—…d on tâ—… Island No sooâ—…â—…id she heare of Cydaria's sicknesse but shewing her 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 goe with them and assist â—…er When she saâ—… 〈◊〉 make soâ—… 〈◊〉 of â—…iving her proffer she intreated 〈◊〉 to gâ—…â—…is conseâ—… â—…o telling 〈◊〉 that his civilities were unjust he obeyed after many 〈◊〉 â—…o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sâ—…e pass'd the way from her liâ—…le Cote to Cydaria's 〈◊〉 with an iâ—…edible coâ—… â—…d received a great deale more when after the firâ—…t complementâ—… she kâ—…w â—…hat Cydaria was no lesse discreet then faire Her arrivall gave so great comfort to the sick Lady that after three or foure dayes of her company she found her selfe perfectly recover'd They were yet ten or twelve dayes together and not onely tasted such incredible sweetnesse in their communication but made the two Princes partake so much of it that Polexander might have term'd himselfe happy if he could have beene so and beene out of hope of reseeing Alcidiana Zelmatida in the meane time thought of his returne and how extraordinary soever his joy was he never gave him self so much absolutely over to it but that he hast'ned his workemen to put his ship in case to make once againe a voyage to the new world But before he parted he would needs try by Polexanders meanes an affaire which he thought of himselfe he was not able to resolve on To that end he besought our Heroe to fit his Sister so by an Interpreter as she might sound into Izatida's minde and if it could be possible get her a little to unfold her selfe Polexander promis'd him to doe his utmost for his contentment and indeed put it on so earnestly and with so much affection that Cydaria yeelded to what he desired One day therefore being with Izatida she made her by little aâ—… little fall into Zelmatida's discourse and passing from the greatnesse of her birth to that of her happinesse told her that she wanted but two things to make her perfectly happy The one was to be with her father and mother after so long an exile and the other to end her life in the company of Zelmatida For the first replied Izatida 't is so necessary to my happinesse that in fayling of that I shâ—…ll never be so For the other I confesse that without ingratitude I can finde nothing which should trouble me in the company of a personage who for these five yeares hath done nothing nor thought of nothing but for me But when I call to minde that to satisfie him I must prepare my selfe to lose my parents assoone as I have found them I cannot be of your opinion Izatida thus ended when the two Princes came in where they were At sight of them she repented her of what she had said for feare lest if Zelmatida should come to the knowledge of it he might finde new cause of affliction She was therefore desirous to prevent that mischiefe and Polexander giving a faire occasion of explicating her thoughts I take to witnesse said she to Zelmatida that Deity which with his presence fils all the parts of nature that I wish your contentment with the same fervency of affection wherewithall I desire to see those who gave me life Next to them two you shall have the first place in my heart I will beare you the same respect and hold you in the like esteeme as Nature injoynes me for them and promise you in presence of this Prince and Princesse that I will beseech them assoone as it shall be fitting never to dispose of me unlesse that disposition be first pleasing to you Zelmatida transported with joy at such obliging promises fell at Izatida's feet and I said he here sweare by the same Deity you invok'd never to wish any thing more then to see you perfectly contented Polexander and Cydaria much pleased that their
death nor Melicerta's miseries when the quietnesse of my minde and the mirthsomenesse of my humour forsooke me without any apparent cause That which till then pleas'd me began to be distastfull and the pensivenesse sighes and Bajazet's disquiets which I could hardly indure became my most pleasing diversions I found delights in solitude company was irksome to my melancholy and restlesse thoughts I learnt to sigh in earnest and found pleasure in it sleep left me and I knew by my long and troublesome watchings how cruell the nights are to the sicke and unfortunate Though I grew angry at this new manner of living yet I found some sweetnesse in it one night when certainly I slept though I thought my selfe awake a great flash of light dash'd all obscurity from my chamber and strooke into mine eyes at first I took it for lightning but the same lustre having as it were dazeled me the second time I opened my bed-curtaines to see what it was and perceiv'd walking with an incredible sadnesse and slownesse a young mayden which had her breast open'd with some blow of a sword the bloud gush'd out in great clots from the wound and the faire apparition inlieu of being terrifi'd look'd on it running out with a great deal of pleasure holding her eyes thus fix'd on her wound she drew neere me and shewing it to me with the point of her bloudy sword Looke on it said she as well as I insensible Solyman we have no lesse contributed to it the one then the other 'T was indeed this hand and this sword that made it but 't was thy disdaine and inhumanity which drove both to this desperate action Make thy selfe drunke with this bloud since thou hast so thirsted for it draine out all that rests in my veines I will indure thy cruelty so it extend no further and that my poore sister who languisheth in a desert Island be not compell'd to have recourse to my violent remedy for the cure of that malady whereof thou art the inflicter With these reproaches the Ghost vanished and I awaking found my selfe as cold as ice and as wet as if I had newly come out of a river Alas cry'd I presently faire soule which accusest me of thy death thou knowest well that I am but a farre distant cause and though my inclination would have drawne me to love thee yet my reason must have hindered me from it I confesse yet that I am guilty since thou condemnest me and would to heaven my ruine could restore thy life againe thou shouldst see me runne to my death with joy and alacrity but since these wishes and vowes are but bootlesse and vaine I will make one more just and solid and from this day engage my selfe never to be at rest till I have given Melicerta satisfaction I cannot tell you whether it were the effect of the vision or my vow that wrought my alteration but presently of impassible I began to be all passion and felt all those torments which Polexander and Bajazet had so often described to me I cast my selfe out of my bed and scarce having the patience to dresse me went to Bajazet not knowing well what I did Brother said I all amazedly I love and my desire to finde the worthy object of my affection will not permit me to stay longer with you Bajazet will tell you if you please that hearing me talke thus he thought me out of my wits and asked oftentimes to what end I held a discourse with him so out of all appearance 'T is very true though said I and that you may not doubt of it hearken to such things as I never yet disclos'd to any Thereupon I related to him all which had happened to me at Constantinople and Lepanto and ending with the vision I had lately seen I fill'd him with as much astonishment as commiseration Besides knowing my sicknesse by his owne experience Away away said he deferre it no longer 't is not justice that you should be exempted from the fate of your family He gave me a good tall ship with all such as I would chuse to accompany me and taking his leave My dear brother said he I will quickly follow you and but for Almaid and Hydaspes whom I daily expect I would be as well a companion in your voyage as I am in your fortune thus we parted and 't was after our separation that all those accidents betided me which I have recounted After I had been some while with Polexander and saw him as well as my selfe in a longing to attempt his fortune againe I left him steering for the inaccessible Island and bore up for the Straights of Gibraltar to get into the Mediterranean Sea and enquire after Melicerta either in France or Italy The winde driving me on the coast of Barbary I landed in the territory of Argier and went into the Towne with an intent to see whether Melicerta had not been so unfortunate as to be taken by those Barbarians and enchained among their slaves But my search was as effectlesse there as it had been in other places and for being too curious in those parts I lost the hope of seeing Melicerta againe That Towne being peopled with a many severall Nations and of all kinde of wits amongst others feeds a great sort of men and women which make profession of calculating nativities to divine of things lost and foretell of what is to come I went to one of these Cheaters which was of most reputation 't was a Marabou called Cid Amatonis which dwelt without the gates of Argier after that false Prophet had done a thousand superstitious Ceremonies wherewithall he was wont to deceive poore people he told me that which I searched after was not to be found but among the dead Polexander interrupting his brother Had you said he understood the true sense of those words you would not accuse your Mirabou of ignorance and lying for 't is very true insensible Solyman that the treasure you look'd for was shut up among the habitations of the dead and the constant and generous Melicerta had chosen for her retreate the Tombe of her dead sister Melicerta was a little moved at Polexanders reproving his brother and therefore speaking with her accustomed sweetnesse My Lord said she to our Heroe you know that Iphidamantus hath made his peace and by consequence we must not revoke to memory things passed The company could not heare these milde remonstrances without admiring the goodnesse of that Lady that made them and ravish'd with Iphidamantus strange accidents intreated him to proceed which he did from where his brother had interrupted him thus I confesse said he when Cid Amatonis had made me this fatall reply I laughed at his art and told him I was sure the person was alive whom I sought for My art said the Mirabou deceives me not and however assures me that personage is inclos'd in a Tombe and for confirmation of that verity Know with young man too faire
battle was wonne there was so generall an affright in the Towne that the two Kings fled thence by night and staid no where till they were farre gotten into the hideous Sanctuaries of Mount Atlas Polexander and Bajazet who knew as well how to make good use of a victorie as to overcome fell into the gates of Morocco before the inhabitants were recollected from their former fright they found them open and abandon'd and entred the Towne with all the discretion experienced Captaines use to temper their earnestnesse in so nice occasions Those few pirates which remained alive desirous to revenge the deaths of their companions ran through the streets with fire and sword and made such ravage and havocke that to this day may be seene to what excesse their inhumane courages drove them whilst they abus'd the priviledges attributed to their condition Polexander and Bajazet rid out of the Towne and not knowing where to finde Iphidamantus posted into the field where they had fought the battle they found him not there and thinking he was return'd to Achomat and Melicerta rode towards their tents In their way they perceiv'd Zabaim who was extraordinarily sad they demanded the cause and he told them that in the last fight of the Granadians he had thrust in among them to disingage Iphidamantus but that his assistance could not save the Prince from falling under the number at this lamentable newes Polexander could not refraine from teares and besought Zabaim to bring him where he had seene Iphidamantus fall they went all together and by the light of the City on fire search'd the dead and found that Prince the fairest and most valorous of his time drown'd in his bloud inviron'd with a great many Moores whom he had infallibly slaine Polexander fell downe on him and interrupting his complaints with his sighes Ah! my brother said he lifting him up see then the fatall accomplishment of such things as thy poore Melicerta hath so often and so vainely foreseene thou art dead deare Iphidamantus in the flower of thine age and Heaven either for love or envie was onely pleas'd to shew thee to the world Bajazet was not to be comforted he tooke on against the stars and men and accusing himselfe for Iphidamantus death Wretch that I am said he 't is I that have cover'd this faire body with all the wounds that disfigure it and that conspir'd with the Moores to ruine that valour which I could not equalize Zabaim whose age and experience made him lesse sensible then the other two Princes intimated to them that unlesse they would forget their profession they could not with justice lament Iphidamantus death since the like disasters were inseparably annexed to the use of armes besides Iphidamantus dying so gloriously and in seventeene yeares of age having raz'd out the memory of all that had been great and admirable in former times he was rather to be perpetually extoll'd then any thing at all lamented Polexander suppressed his griefe that he might not be seene to affect a vertue so troublesome and vulgar but thinking on the deadly wound Melicerta was to receive Poore Princesse cri'd he thou said'st right alwayes that there was no true felicity for thee and that those favours by which Fortune seem'd to reconcile her selfe to thee were but treacheries and snares of which she would make use to make thee the more sensible of her inhumanitie shall I conceale from thee the losse of thy deare Solyman Nay shall I make knowne his death which will be thine Polexander could not goe on with his complaints Bajazets lamentations hindred him and Zabaim's remonstrances obliged him to returne to the Camp He therefore commanded Diceus to carry off Iphidamantus corps privately and taking Bajazet forcibly away came to Achomat's tent all was there in confusion and teares the newes of Iphidamantus death had beene brought thither and no body knew the anthor Melicerta at the first hearing of it giving her selfe desperately over flew as she had been distracted out of her fathers tent If Almanzaira and Cydaria had not with-held her she had run to search for Iphidamantus among those that lay scattered and slaine on the place of battle as so many sacrifices offered up to victorie Assoone as she saw Polexander Give me my Solyman cri'd she restore the treasure you have stolne from me and thou ambitious and adventurous Bajazet wer'st thou not content with the robbing me of Achomat must Iphidamantus death be added to his as a second trophy rais'd to the honour of thy bloudy and furious passion Almanzaira strove to appease her Cydaria wept Almanzor tore his haire Polexander sate setled and mute Achomat all-dying as he was bewail'd Iphidamantus death and entreated Melicerta to moderate her sorrow but she was deafe to all counsell and intreaties sometimes she cast her selfe on her fathers bed and then againe flinging through the company in Achomat's tent besought them at least to give her leave to go search for her husbands body Achomat call'd our Heroe and entreated that last contentment to his daughter and himselfe Polexander besought him to thinke on what he desir'd and to conceive what a furie his daughter might fall into at the sight of a body made so dreadfull and disfigured with wound There are repli'd Achomat some sicke persons to whom many things are deni'd because many things may wrong them but there are some other againe who are to be deni'd nothing because their diseases being incurable nothing can hurt them my daughter and my selfe are of the latter sort there is no more thought to be taken for our preservation all that our friends can doe for us is to let us die in quiet and since poyson is no more dangerous for us then physicke give us the one assoone as the other Polexander wonne by those reasons but more by Melicerta's frightfull actions commanded Iphidamantus body to be brought and laid it on a bed neere to Achomat's The Basha would needs see it and making a worthy reflexion on that great example of the frailtie of Princes lives Greatnesse of the world said he sensuall delights momentarie beauties come and see what you are in a portraict so truly representing you And thou faire soule too soone dislodg'd from so faire a prison flie not hence alone to the place of thy eternall rest Achomat and Melicerta would follow thee and participate of those promis'd incomprehensible joyes No body heard Achomat for Melicerta made such a noise that nothing was to be heard but her lamentations At last to contemplate Iphidamantus she grew silent and grasping him in her armes had certainly then dy'd on him had she not been taken off Achomat call'd her and presently her reason surmounting her griefe and furie she knew her fathers voice and ran to his bed Achomat who decay'd and grew palpably weake and scarce able to speake stretch'd his hand towards her and presently letting it fall Daughter said he give thanks with me to that
of his impatiencies and the three dayes insuing making the Danes as much out of hope as our Heroe they resolv'd to returne and lose no more time in so vain a search They were even already resolv'd and fitted to take leave of Polexander when those that were in the scuttle of the ships mast cri'd out that they saw land and cast the Prince againe into the same vexations he had at the discoverie of Tisiphone's Island He ran with Phelismond's Confident to the highest part of the decks and perceiving farre off in the sea somewhat that was cloudie neither the Dane nor Diceus could possibly get him to turne his eyes from it at last he certainely perceiv'd it to be an Island but in the very time that his affection would have had him beleeve it to be that of Alcidiana his memorie and judgement represented the pleasure he tooke in suffering himselfe to be deceived neverthelesse he could not put off so pleasing a defect and belie his conception till his eyes inforc'd him to acknowledge his errour Assoon as he came to an anchor in a roade of the Isle he caus'd himselfe to be landed with the Dane and finding there no other then cedars and date-trees or some more of the like kinde he returned to his ship more discontented then he was before yet the same griefe which drew him from the Island made him presently returne againe He intreated Phelismond's Embassadour to pardon his extravagancies and pitie his sad fortune the Dane who was not so insensible but that he knew the effects of love followed our Heroe and to divert him related the extreame discontent Phelismond was throwne in when he saw himselfe ingag'd by the ill successe of his combate to renounce all his love to Alcidiana Polexander the while walked on a great pace and staid not till he came to a brooke in the midst of a wood which stopp'd his way by the cleare streame he lay downe and began to marke its course so wistly that he forgat for it not onely the Dane but his fortune and himselfe his melancholy which found its element in that moist and obscure abode brought on him so sad but so pleasing thoughts that had he remained long in that case he might have vaunted how in the extremitie of all his sufferings and displeasures he had been intertained with incomparable delights and consolations From these musings he was diverted by the Dane who thinking to oblige him intreated his returne to the ship and not to stay longer in a place which did but increase his afflictions Polexander hearkned to him and as he went back he spi'd along by the river a little path so beaten that it was easily guessed to be often trodden a great desire tooke him to finde whither that way tended and without any cause to be given for that curiositie so firmely stucke to it that he intreated the Dane to give him time for it's satisfaction Scarce had he gone fiftie or threescore paces but the path was lost amongst a great many great palme-trees and as he was going on to finde it againe he heard a kinde of hissing like to that of a Snake The Dane fearing to meet with one of those prodigious Dragons which he had seen pictur'd in maps of Africa began to intreat our Heroe againe to returne to his ship But he who would have beene glad to have met with some monster able to devoute him flew in amongst the palme-trees and casting his eyes on all sides to discover whence that noise should come in lien of a serpent he spi'd at the foot of a palme an old woman asleep who being uneasily laid made that kinde of hissing through the difficultie of her breathing When he came within ten paces of her she awoke and had no sooner opened her eyes but being afrighted with the sight of men so neer she flung up in shreeking out and fled in among the palme-trees Let 's follow her said Polexander to the Dane and make knowne that we are no hobgoblins With that he went on and when he was got farre among the trees he saw one of a greater bulke by much then all the rest which afarre off seem'd as it had been open toward it he went and coming neere perceiv'd that indeed there was a cleft large enough for a man to enter into the truncke Listingly he put himselfe partly into the tree and heard a harmonie like to that of a Lute admirably well finger'd he call'd the Dane and letting him heare a very sad Almain Surely said he the partie that inhabits the bodie of this tree is not so savage as the abiding seemes to perswade us This he spoke aloud that the person who plai'd on the Lute might heare him and come forth and it succeeded as he intended A Lady of eighteene or twentie yeares faire as much as a person extreamely afflicted could be came out of the hollow palm-tree and looking on our Heroe the Dane spoke not to them but with her teares and languishing regards The Dane conceiv'd presently that he had before time seen that Ladie and to cleare it in his own language offered her all that he could for her consolation That faire discontented Ladie had not time to heare the end of his speech but lifting her eyes and hands to heaven and asking her selfe oftentimes whether she had well understood the proffers of the Dane O heaven cri'd she he is my countrey-man I am so indeed repli'd the Dane and can now glorie of making a voiage farre more happie then I could promise my selfe Phelismond may have cause enough to envie my fortune when he understands that the jewell he hath so long sought after by sea and land is as it were of her owne accord come and rendred her selfe into my hands Ah flatterer said the Lady weeping strive not by thy pleasants untruths to sweeten the bitternesse of my destinie Thou knowest what he is doe not set any false glosse on him nor augment my shame and sorrow in making me call to minde the man who yet never thought me so much as worthie of his friendship The Dane desirous absolutely to quiet the minde of that Ladie If Phelismond said he have been so farre insensible as to behold so many allurements and not be mov'd with them 't was Madam because that part which we call the originall of life and sense was not then at his disposall Alcidiana had depriv'd him both of his heart and eyes but now since she hath restor'd them he resents the power of your beautie and admires even your least perfections if I may be permitted to say more and lesse of things which are all alike excellent In a word Madam Phelismond laments and wisheth for you nay all the favours of the King your father will be but so many torments to him till he have obtain'd from you a pardon for his fore-passed faults and see you seated in the Throne of your predecessours Helismena for 't was she could not
back againe all besmear'd with my bloud with this message that I had made use of it according to her intention But I withheld because a little remainder of hope advis'd mee to live and not to abandon the pursuit of a thing which was rather strai'd then lost This idle motion I gave eare to that I might languish as you see mee in a slaverie that can have no end but by the hand of the Hangman Now the charge of the Generall is such that it gives not time to him that enjoyes it to have a day of rest and therefore engaged me to leave the Court and travell from towne to towne from province to province to doe justice heare complaints pacifie quarrells hinder all partialities and free the feeble from the oppression of the mighty After I had spent a whole yeare in affaires which were beneficiall to all but my selfe I return'd to the Court and at my day assign'd render'd in the presence of the Queen an exact accompt of my government and the state of the Kingdome The Queen made shew of a very good satisfaction from mee and her Chancellour did mee the honour to say That of all those who had preceded me in the charge there was no one who had more worthily acquitted himselfe After I had receiv'd these approbations and applauses I fell on my knees before the Queen and besought her that in recompence of my services which so much pleas'd her shee would dispense with my continuing in them That favour she deni'd mee with such strong reasons and termes so obliging that the knowledge I had of her secret indignation could not hinder me from beleeving that one day I might recover the favour she had taken from me But time disbeguil'd me and the band which was over mine eyes being taken away by a hand that was an enemy to all errour I knew the vainnesse of my hopes and the just cause Alcidiana had to punish my boldnesse I thereupon recollected mee from the extremitie whither ambition and youth had carried mee and by little and little retir'd to that which I had forsaken But the fault I had committed was irreparable The letters I writ the powerfull meanes I used nor the validitie of my services could never open again that gate which I my selfe had shut upon me Alcidiana even forbad her deare Amintha to speake to her of my returne and to take from her subjects the knowledge of my disfavour she put all her Slaves out of her Palace lodged them in the towne and by a publick Proclamation forbad the entrance of her private retirement to all save her women and under-officers Yet did not these prohibitions serve for any thing against my passion The difficulties increas'd my desire and when I perceiv'd I had no more to hope for my love took new vigour and my former malady falling on mee suddenly begot such accidents as those I have related Lonelinesse reaving melancholy and despaire were as so many furies who breaking out of hell for my punishment and the generall miserie of all Alcidiana's subjects with my reason depriv'd mee of all humanitie In lieu of rendring justice to the oppressed I used them as I was handled and punish'd them for those violences which other had done them In vaine had the poore recourse to my power I added to their miseries to have the more companions and when any one complain'd of mine injustice See said I to my selfe if I suffer it not more ere I make thee undergoe it When I was told that the Townes had sent their Deputies to the Queen to complaine of my outrages Shee shall then said I be at last compell'd to be sensible of mine affliction by the recitall of that of her subjects But now the Princesse unable any longer to dissemble her resentment or shut her eares against the complaints of her people and besides knowing I serv'd her ill onely out of an intent to lose my command she let me see that she knew very well how to governe in writing to mee a letter which must eternally remaine graven in my memorie and 't was thus ALCIDIANA by the favour of Heaven queen of the happy Island to Pisander her Lievtenant-Generall and her subject I Understand to my griefe that the second yeare of thy government is far differing from the first Not long since I receiv'd the benedictions of great and small and all the Townes in emulation of one another sent to render me their thankfulnesse for giving them so just and so favourable a Protectour But now their Deputies come all together to demand justice for thy oppressions What e're the cause be of thy alteration know Pisander I will have thee continue in that charge whereof I thought thee worthy and on the next complaint is made of thee I will abandon thee to such lawes as are made against those that are guiltie of high treason After the reading of this Letter I saw that my plot would not take yet I perswaded my selfe I might get by one way what I could not by the other and to make tryall of it I resolved to let the Queen know that I no other way disobey'd her commands but in my not being able to execute them Under this pretext I took the boldnesse to answer her letter thus Pisander to the queen his soveraigne Lady IF Kings as the Gods could in conferring charges bestow withall such faculties as are necessarie for their due execution I doubt not Madam but your Majestie in honouring mee with the prime command in your estate would have provided mee with the utmost of sufficiencie But since such a gift is not to be expected but from Heaven I humbly beseech your Majestie not to exact from me that which is neither in your power nor mine I confesse that the complaints have not been heretofore so many and great as they are now But impute it not Madam to mine integritie to my care or my capacitie You know well that the vulgar naturally love novelties that changes to them are in lieu of remedies and that they beleeve they goe from good to bad when they passe from an ill which they know to another which they know not Let your Majestie be pleas'd to joyne this consideration with that of the to be bewail'd estate wherein I am That you would vouchsafe to look on me as on a man who in lieu of being able to governe others hath need to be govern'd himselfe That you would know if I offend 't is out of the disorder of my mind not of my manners In a word that Pisander is not wicked but hee is sick and his maladie being a stroke from Heaven he must necessarily finish his miserable dayes by that anger which the complaints and accusations of your subjects have rais'd against him This Letter was sent but it was not receiv'd Alcidiana fearing lest after the losse of my respect in mine actions and discourse I might as well neglect it in my Letters threw it into
of Injustice to your Queene if she should put him againe amongst her slaves but let not that thought hinder her Araxes so passionately loves the Prince who hath deem'd him worthy the service of Alcidiana that he preferres that Kings command before his libertie and life the Queene may treate him as she pleaseth with respect to his merit and either put him into her chaines or give him his libertie When the Chiefe-prelate had made us this declaration he delivered into our hands the slave Araxes But what slave Madam thinke you he is surely some Deitie hidden in the shape of a man who hath left heaven for the general good of the world the King of Gheneoa held him so since the happy day wherein by his valour he was pluck'd out of the lions pawes and as such a one gave to him the election of his Crowne or your fetters But that great heart prizing the advantage of a Kingdome beneath the honour of your service voluntarily cast by the scepter of Gheneoa and out of an excesse of noblenesse came to sacrifice himselfe to the Sun and to receive from the hands of his Priest the markes of his slaverie The first act he did at his arrival in the sacred Island was his defending the treasure the Altars and the Priests from the rapine and inhumanitie of a great many pirates That miracle of valour seem'd to us incredible when it was related but that which the victorious Araxes hath done since he imbark'd himselfe hath throughly cured us of our incredulitie But for him Madam we and the sacred vessell had been lost But for him the Spaniards had divided your estate with your rebellious subjects and if I dare say it without him you had certainly been the prey of a barbarous Nation Shall I say againe that hee hath sav'd your Island that he hath call'd backe respect and obedience into the hearts of your most ingratefull subjects and that the execrable Tantalus hath through his valour receiv'd the reward of his rebellion Doubt it not Madam this is the slave which Heaven hath chosen for the re-establishment of your authoritie and the happinesse of your Empire But let not your Majestie wholly relie on what I have spoken looke over the predictions of the ancient Hermit advise with the venerable Rhadiotez in the mean time I bring you for the height of all good newes that of taking the Spaniards fort and the hope of a victorie which will justly give this Island the title of most happy After Amintas had spoken he expected from the Queen some favourable answer but she arising extreamly vexed Returne said she and adore that Slave whom you would give me for my deliverer and tell him that Alcidiana is not reduc'd to the shamefull necessitie of borrowing another hand then her owne to free her from her enemies After this rough treating her Embassador she retir'd and being in private with one of her Ladies and the venerable Rhadiotez What think you said she of Amintas relation The Chiefe-prelate though he knew well with what intention she made that question yet unwilling to witnesse his complaisancie in a businesse of so great a weight or to betray his countrey in soothing the passion of the Princesse reply'd If Amintas Madam were the sole man of his opinion or if the onely vanitie which accompanies youth had furnish'd him with the interpretation by which it seemes he hath offended your Majestie I should be the first to condemn his boldnesse and even find a grèat deal of indulgence in the manner of your treating him but since he is of the same opinion with all your subjects and speakes not of the slave which is expected by all but in the termes of the Prophesie we must even wilfully pluck out our eyes that wee may not see he speakes as he ought and that the African Slave is the very same that is promis'd you as the fatall stay of your tottering Throne I see well Madam you looke angerly at this veritie and you are jealous of it because it is not conformable to your minde but let not your Majestie be too ingenious to wrong your selfe give care as well to your great judgement as to the height of your heart suspend a while all kind of resolutions and constituting your selfe the soveraigne arbitrator betwixt Fortune and your owne person judge definitively but with full knowledge of the cause which of the two shall goe off victorious You cannot be better instructed then by that which should decide the difference command therefore that the originall of the Prophesie may be produc'd which hath been alwayes very carefully kept amongst the most precious things in your treasurie weigh well all the words interpret them and if you thinke it fitting the most favourably for your satisfaction and if you finde in it another explication then Amintas his then mine then what all your subjects give it you shall then have cause to condemne us all and persevere in your first intention Alcidiana hereat sighing in lieu of replying made shew of the violence of her disturbances but having calm'd them a little she commanded the Lady that was with her to cause the little coffer to be brought wherein the Prophesie was kept and she that was in more pain then her Mistresse went presently and a good while after return'd with that fatall piece Rhadiotez open'd the box and Alcidiana with some trouble took out the plate of brasse on which the prediction was engraven she laid it on the table and commanding Rhadiotez to stand on the one side and her confident on the other with order of much attention read what followes THE LAST TESTIMONY OF LOVE WHICH HELIOPHILUS BEARES TO HIS KINGS AND COUNTREY WHen this Kingdome shall be raised to the supreme point of all prosperitie by a precipitated death it shall be expos'd to the rage of mindes most ambitious The deaths of the first rebels shall no way terrifie the second Bloudy examples shall but stirre up the treason and that unfortunate age shall produce such monsters who to satiate their brutishnesse will lay waste their countrey with fire and sword and shall be so base as to enter into confederary with meere strangers Me thinkes I already see those Usurpers appeare on our coasts they are within our ports they have besieg'd thee miserable Eliza and keep thee captivated stay thy furie unmercifull Nation thrust not thy boudy weapon into the throat of the innocent But behold I see a Slave come out of the bottome of Africa who already having vanquish'd many nations arrives here to exterminate both the rebels and usurpers Courage brave Prince thy Inheritrix shall be preserv'd at the instant of her ruine But thou young Princesse oppose not the felicities Heaven reserves for thee force thy deceiving opinions in this occasion take thy selfe to be thine owne enemie and since thy happinesse cannot be perfected unlesse thou become the glorious reward of the fatall Slave's travels sacrifice thy aversions thy
with the same assured conntenance that she had seen he daies before and admiting in her selfe the great heart of the Prince grew angry with her selfe to have as many causes to hate him as she had to love him she had a minde to entertaine him but that one came and related that the Gyant had been twice already even at the gates of the towne This news was the cause that joy and sadnesse dividing mens mindes represented to some Zelmatida victorious over the Gyant and to others the Gyant triumphing over Zelmatida But he that thought on nothing but of doing acts worthy his love left the Queene and comming into the chamber of Isatida found her all in teares He besought her to ratifie the permission which she had given him and not beleeve his enemy to be invincible I know said she why you use this language to me No no I doe not thinke the Gyant invincible yet have I notwithstanding a thousand reasons to be afflicted The perill to which you are going to expose your selfe would obliege me to it I say were you a person but indifferent to me since for my sake only you are engaged in this combat and by consequence in spite of my selfe become guilty of your death if it happen that the chance of warre give the advantage to your Enemy Indeede knowing your courage and having heard related so many marvels of it I should have cause not to apprehend the event of this duell if all things were equall But when I consider that you goe to contend with a Monster as tall againe as your selfe I cannot receive those reasons that perswade me that I doe you wrong to have you feare him My Lord the Inca by these words felt himselfe bound in new chaines and without daring to take the boldnesse to aske from the Princesse the least favour in the world told her that before night she should be oblieged to prayse him alive or dead Whilest Isatida betooke her selfe to her prayers with her Governesse and dwarfe Zelmatida went to take his armes and accompanied with one only Squire went out of Mexico and came to the causey where the Gyant stayed for him The walls of the City were ranged with men and women to see by the successe of this combat what the fortune would be both generall and particular The lake was covered with Canoas and other vessells full of Theviciens and the place where Zelmatida was to fight was a square expresly made on the great causeway for a corps du guard and in case of necessitie to serve for a place of defence and to fight with those that after they had gotten the causeway would enter into the towne Zelmatida appeared there rather armed for the tryumph then for the combat He wore a head peece covered with a great many feathers which came on his shoulders and covered part of his face His armes were halfe naked and for all defensive armour had only a Cuirasse of quilted cotton and a buckler of gold on which to signifie the extremity of his love he had caused to be painted the mountain Popocampecho all on fire and round about the buckler these words engraven My heart preserves all his owne He had a quiver full of arrowes a bowe hanging as a scarfe and two long Javelins armed at the ends with golden pikes For the Gyant he was more extravagantly covered and more advantageously too He had the whole skin of a very great Tyger the muzell of the beast served him for his head-peece and the rest tyed in five or sixe places was for a good Cuirasse He wore a bowe and arrowes and a great club As soone as he saw Zelmatida within shot of his arrowes he shot two at him that had pierced him through and through if he had not dextrously avoided them My deare Master in comming neerer darted at him one of his Javeâ—…ns but it rested hanging in the skin of the beast that armed the Gyant and could not wouâ—…d him He knew then that fighting after this manner he should not make an end of his enemy he therefore came close up and passing upon him thrust the halfe of his Javelin into his right thighe and by that would tooke away his strength of upholding himself The Gyant retyred to be reveng'd and to brayne his adversary with one only blowe but his rage taking away his judgement and my deare Master returning upon him ran him through the second time The paine of this new wound made the monster foame and he threw himselfe on Zelmatida to have stifled him in his armes and cast out his left hand to have catched him by the hayre but the Inca avoiding his holdpierced his arme and left the Javelyn in the wound This great wound made the Gyant mad he threw his club away and uncovering all his body cast himselfe on his enemy Zelmatida seeing so faire an occasion tooke his â—…owe and let fly an arrow which passing under the Gyants left arme which was then lifted up stroake him right at the heart With this the Monster gave a great cry and catching his vanquisher in his armes bore him to ground with him he fell on one side and Zelmatida on the other so unhappily that meeting the head of an arrowe he gave himselfe a deepe wound the Gyant died presently and by his death strooke so strange a terror into the hearts both of the Thevic's and Zempoallan's Army that had the Mexicans beene men of valour there is no doubt but that very day they had given end to a Seige which began to make them practise by force that sobrietie which is naturall to them As soone as they had stynched the blood that Zelmatida lost by his wounds he returned into Mexico with all the pompe that so great an action could be attended He was not only admired of Hismalita and of all the Court but his enemies themselves were forced to acknowledge that whilest he defended Mexico they had little hope of taking it In the City they spoake more advantageously The people blessed the day in which that valiant defender came thither and from the defeate of one sole enemy promising to themselves the like of three or foure hundred thousand more foolishly called on to the fight those whom they durst not see but from the top of their walls As soone as Hismalita heard the successe of the combat she made shew of an excesse of joy which makes me say that the incomparable power of the virtue of my Master overcame the ill nature of that Queene and made her capeable of a good action That which makes me thinke so is that he was received with an extraordinary freedome and that all the evening she spoake of nothing but his victory but cry up often times in exaggerating the generositie with which Zelmatida would overcome his Enemy Let us leave here if you please the vulgar resentments and entertaine our selves a little with those of Isatida Though the Queene her mother knew she was