seruing his Sonne to haue a iust and fit requitall for such a wickednesse on those shamefull murderers They came with this body of the most beloued Prince while he liued and the most pittied and honourd after death to my house Iust as I return'd did I encounter this sad and disastrous aduenture In stead of a braue couragious and with it pleasing presence I met his bloudlesse pale and martyrd body There I saw the hope of our Country and comfort of mine age chang'd againe into our first being So much it afflicted mee as I stood amazed with griefe speechlesse and senselesse of sense but sorrow till sorrow being pleasd to make me haue more feeling of her power gaue me leaue to let these words come from me O Antissius hath life beene lent me to see this day Miserable man miserable Countrey wretched age wherein such cruelty doth raigne O Antissius but then by their honest good perswasions telling me the necessity and ensuing dangers if not preuented that the rest liuing might fall into I stroue to endure this calamity with as much patience as so miserable a man could let sinke into him and indeed for this young youthes sake who is the young Antissius heire to these miseries and the ouerthrowne estate of Romania But then followed a second cause of griefe For his vertuous wife came to vs who hearing such lowd cries and distracted noyses left her Chamber following the cries till they brought her to that most lamentable spectacle When she saw the cause of their wailing she put them aside going to the body and kneeling downe by it vsed these words My deare was it for this that vnnaturall Father and monster of women sent for thee That no sooner thou shouldest see thy Fathers house but with it thou must see thy house of death Alas wert thou too good too hopefull too full of all vertues to liue among vs who can now but assist thee with our teares But long shall not this worldly sorrow triumph ouer me in thy losse for I must and will be with thee with that kissing the pale lips of her dearest loue and as it were breathing her though not last but fortelling last breath into him she rose and rising a little seemed to smile ioy within her for assured going to him hauing caused that Countenauce which by some was disliked not being to their weake apprehensions sad enough for such a cause of woe As soone as she had left the body she came to me earnestly entreating me that I would suffer none to trouble her shee hauing some priuate deuotions to performe which being ended I should be welcome to her For my part I so little mistrusted her intent or imagined a Woman had so strong a spirit as to dye when shee would granted what she asked being confident her goodnesse would keepe her from doing any violence on her selfe Hauing left me she went to the roome where her young Sonne lay and then fast sleeping when as weeping ouer him as the Maides â—ince tolde me well maist thou sleepe deare heart said she for long I feare thy quiet will not last thy being Sonne to so worthy a Father and vnfortunate a Mother must cast some stormes on thee it being fault enough in thee to haue such Parents at least thy wicked Grandmother will thinke so who hating truth will make thee suffer for thy Fathers sake Sleepe then quietly my sweet and lost Antissius nor now looke vp to see thy woefull Mother or to take her last farewell but thus receiue her blessing which as the blessing of her owne soule shee wishes may come and stay vpon thee God sending thee a more happie life then thy valiant Father had let his guifts of vertue courage and magnanimity liue in thee and his misfortunes take their graue in mee Alas Antissius my onely sweet Babe I must leaue thee then againe kissing him shee said This is the difference in affection twixt a Husband and a Childe otherwise no feare of misfortune â—hould carry me from thee but my sweetest I must goe leauing Antissius to flie to Antissius And good maids said she haue a kind and iust care of this young Prince he may liue to requite your paines and reuenge the wrongs done to his distressed Parents They vowed all faith and dutifull seruice to him then againe as loath it must be the last she kissed him and so went to her Chamber yet at the dore turning backe affectionatly and with watry eyes cast her last and kindest fare-well looke on him When she came into her Chamber Shee lockt the dore not suffering any to stay or come to her where she continued till I thinking her stay long besides hauing businesse with her concerning the dead Prince I went to her Lodgings where long I knocked and indeed so long as it vexed me but after feare possessed mee when I considered what the danger might be and her freedome and liberty such as none had euer receiued that dishonor of being barr'd her presence Wherefore I sent for some of my Seruants who by my command brake open the dore Entring the roome We found her laid vpon her bed newely dead yet her owne accustomed sweetnesse in her lying as straight and vnmou'd as if death had onely then showne he could in his panges be milde yet receiue his gaine so as well it may be said he depriu'd her of her life yet left her owne beauty and grace to triumph ouer his fury By the bed side stood a Table couer'd with a Carpet of Crimson Veluet and on the board a Letter which I tooke vp and seeing it directed to me I read it and here braue Princes you may see the very same my dearest Neece left to me which neuer will I pâ—rt with till time giue end vnto my dayes or life to accomplish her desires The Letter was this SInce it hath pleasâ—d God for the ouerthrow of this Land and griefe of all good hearts among which you and I hold the neerest places in sorrow to cut this thread of admiration in sunder and leaue the heauy burden of lamentation vpon vs taking away our ioy our comfort our onely Hope Antissius I feele my selfe altogether vnable to sustaine so great and killing a losse then let me craue this of you which the assurance of your loue to your dead Nephew and dying Neece imboldeneth me to aske that you will grant these three things and see them accomplished Let the loue you bare to your dead Nephew continue and liue in the same strength to your liuing Nephew Let nothing hinder you from seeking a deadly reuenge on his Murderers Lastly let me be here priuately buried with him Let these requests be welcome to you my dearest Vncle and not deny the dying Lucenia No Stranger I thinke would haue denied so iust requests proceeding from a Lady of her worth and being dying what then wrought in me who wanted not loue or resolution of reuenge One of her desires I instantly
falling into that way which brought them directly to the Castle where young Antissius and his Vncle were by Parselius left There they found them and met the honest Captaine who was brought thither by the Romanian Knight who after the whole discourse was told to Amphilanthus as before it had been to Parselius by the old Prince and young Knight continued the story thus After that deuill of women the Kings wife had wrought the ruine of Romania Proclamations out for the bringing of either or both of you for which large summes of money were offered but if you could be deliuer'd in aliue those summes and great honours with braue possessions you my Lord made a Traytor and you Sir hauing your head at sale Then obtained she that her sonne was made heire apparant to the Crowne and that if the King happned to die while the new Prince was vnder yeares that then she would gouerne as Protectresse till hee came of age This sure shee grew wearie of the old man whose age and dotage she hauing imploy'd them to her vse was now cloy'd with them troubled her to bee rid of him was then her study At last finding an easie way as she thought shee cald one of her seruants to her being one who ambitiously sought to win the honour of being her fauourite leading him into a priuate Cabinet where she plotted al her wickednes there she began with false and forged flattrings to intice him to her purpose dissimulation and protestation of her affections she wanted not to draw him into the yoke of her witch-craft And what said she though the world doe taxe me for louing many doe not you accuse me my onely deere for sooner will I die then wrong your loue If my fashion which is free and familiar make you doubt me consider why it is since it were neither wisdome nor safety for vs to vse you only kindly in al sights The graces others haue is but to blind their eies which els would be cleere sighted to our ill and this euen by the loue you beare me I coniure you to belieue and this should you well find were I at liberty and free What freedome would you aske To be my selfe said shee and so to take a husband I could loue as I loue you and so would make you were the old man dead Is that the bar cride he deere Lady He is dead or euen as good for two daies is his longest terme of life That done enioy me who am onely thine and verily the thing is easie safe and doubtlesse doe it then and by it purchase me He long time bewitcht with her craft allur'd by her beautie and continued in error by her falsehoods beleeu'd she spake vnfained from her heart letting himselfe couet that which with murder and treacherous murder they must gaine froÌ„ the true owner But he lookt no further then his loue to compasse which no meanes seem'd ill so partiall was he to his vild desires Thus was his word engaged and the kings life limited which end of time being come they inticed the graue man into a Parke where they murdred him bringing home the old body besmear'd in his owne bloud couerd with their mantles as the fault was with their fained talles which were that in the Wood certaine men hired as it was likely by you set vpon him killed him and wounded them shewing some slight wounds which they had for the greater shew of truth giuen themselues The Queene being brought to this sad fight tooke on strangely rending her clothes crying and euen howling so as most did pitie her and few or none accuse her guilty of the crime so cunning was she in her deepe deceits Then was the Councel cald who came in shew sad but in harts ioyfull wicked men louing nothing more then change they brought also the young king to his mother The people being assembled and the false report of the kings death deliuerd wherwith they were satisfied pitying the wounded body yet crediting the murderers Thus was the poore doting King rewarded for his fondnes A funerall was made with all ceremonious cost and pompe the young vnlawfull king being that day crowned as soone as the body was interred This was yet but one part of the play the other soone followed She thinking her selfe no way secure so many knowing of her sin to auoide punishment on earth would run yet faster to meet more punishments cause in the other world by heaping murders vpon murders for inuiting all those except her Minion to a priuate banquet she poison'd them reseruing the fauourite for some other vertuous purpose who being in the pride of his desires expecting when he should be made her husband often vrg'd it but shee put it off with pretence of feare least that the too sudden marriage might giue occasion to the world to doubt what was most true and what their guiltinesse made them mistruâ—t Thus it past a while like a calme tide after a tempest her sonne and shee being in full possession of all the neighbour kings sent to condole the death of the king and to congratulate the other whether out of loue or desire of peace a sweete thing to spritelesse Princes Among the rest came one who accompanied the Embassadour of Morea a Gentleman of excellent parts winning the loue of all that conuersed with him hauing a modest gouernment ouer a strong and daintie wit but as hee was in this happie hee was crost with the violent loue of the chastlesse Queene who affected him after her wonted fashion but so fondly and intemperately as shee caus'd most to looke with gazing eyes on her hee was not of the highest stature though farre from being low his haire faire and that beard hee had something inclind to yellow Shee saw this Gentleman who since I learnd was Sonne to the Duke of Mantinea and Captaine of a troope of Horse which was part of the Kings Guard and the Noblest part because that Companie must euer bee choice men and all Gentlemen Shee wooed him plainely said Shee loued him Yet could not this preuaile wroth in him withstanding all her baites which being meant as refusals prou'd inticements to bring her on like a Spaniell that fawnes on the mans crueltie Her passions then growne immoderate and vngouernable yeares increasing in her and strength of iudgement failing her more then in her youth gaue such open testimonie of her loue as her latter seruant but companion in mischiefe perceiu'd it his confidence hauing been such as that blinded him long time giuing libertie and assurance in that to her and her ends which neuer were but either politike or lasciuious But he as hauing new sight giuen him to see her shame and his owne together hate taking the place of loue his desires flew to the ruine of her as before to the continuance of their dayes in their owne pleasures neuer enough enioy'd Hee plotted to vndoe her and watched the opportunity which he obtaind by his
ill refines Alas yet as you burne My pitie smarts and groanes to turne Your paines away and yet you must consume Content in me must beare no plume Dust-like Dispaire may with me liue Yet shall your memory out-driue These paines wherein I mourne You reliques of pure loue To sacred keepe with me remooue Purg'd by this fire from harme and iealous feare To liue with me both chast and cleare The true preserueresse of pure truths Who to your graue giues a youth In faith to liue and mooue Famous body's still in flames Did anciently preserue their names Vnto this funerall nobly you are come Honour giuing you this tombe Teares and my loue performe your rights To which constancie beares lights To burne and keepe from blame This did not satisfie her grieuing for the losse of those kind lines but each day did shee say the Letter to her selfe which so much shee loued as shee had learned by heart then looking on the Ashes wept and kissing them put them vp againe and thus continued shee till Ollorandus himselfe came to whom these daylie offerings were made for hee after hee had settled his Kingdome longing as much to see her as shee desired his presence put the Gouernment to the charge of a president and his Counsell assuring them that nothing should haue so soone parted him from them but that hee must now performe his part of friendship to Amphilanthus which was required of him who had so louingly and brauely accomplished his None were against that all honouring and louing him so much as hee had much adoe but with kind quarrels to leaue the Countrie without some of them to attend him yet by his milde perswasions and the new Kings commanding power they two tooke their iourney the Dwarfe againe returning the very day before they left Prage Towards Hungarie they then haste passing through Morauia where they met a strange encounter and a sad spectacle which was a company of men all on foote being apparrel'd in long mourning Gownes and after them a Chariot beeing drawne by sixe Horses they beeing couered with blacke and in the Chariot was a bodie beeing couer'd with a blacke Veluet couering and at the feet of this Body sate a Ladie her face beeing towards it and most pitifullie weeping many more in mourning likewise walking by the Chariot round about it and behind it This lamentable and dolefull spectacle mooued the hearts of the Knightes who beeing verie passionate quickly felt pitie and riding presently to one of the followers desiring to bee resolu'd of this matter the Gentleman courteously answered that the businesse was of so long a times discourse as would demaund more leysure then hee thought their businesse would well allow them therefore hee besought to bee excused vnlesse they meant to succour that distressed Lady who most iustly might claime assistance and reuenge for a murdered Knight vniustlie and treacherouslie slaine for loue Loue their Master commanded their seruice so as they said they would willingly doe their best to redresse such an iniurie Then the Gentleman going to the Lady told her what the Knights said she casting vp her eyes which before she held on the Coarse the body and soule of her affections Alas Sirs said shee what misfortune hath brought you to ingage your selues to true misery as in ioyning with me you must do for a more wretched neuer liued to die so Our fortunes said Ollorandus speaking in her owne language is the best we could couet if they may prooue auaileable to you nor doe we desire any more then to know how we may serue you Then Sir said shee let mee bee so bold as to demaund first who you are that I may discouer my estate the more freely and willingly to you My name said hee is Ollorandus King of Bohemia and this is Amphilanthus King of the Romans Happinesse beyond all hope cry'd shee Alas my Lord this is the King that of all the World I haue desired to meete and now trauell to seeke in Italy then kneeled shee vnto him beseeching him to graunt her what hee had of himselfe so nobly promised Hee vowed to performe any thing whatsoeuer that lay in his power to doe then comming forth of the Chariot and they lighting they retired into a little tuft of Thornes by the way side shee beginning her storie thus Most braue and renowned of Kings and you great King bee pleased to giue eare to the saddest storie that euer loue and louers end hath produced I am that miserable vnfortunate woman Sydelia passionately louing and being beloued of the excellent and veâ—tuous Antonarus long wee loued but a hate betweene my brother called Terichillus and my loue growne in their youth hindred our enioyings my brother so curiouslie watching mee himselfe or others neuer or seldome from mee as I was able onely to see my afflictions and wants but not the Sunne of my content for my Brother being the Heire of Morauia and the other the Prince of Silesia that kept him from venturing into his Countrie knowing the infinite malice hee bare vnto him alas no way deseruing it But at last my brother was to marry Orguelea daughter to the Duke of Bauaria and going thither to performe it left mee guarded by his seruants whom in his absence so well I wrought with as I compassed the sight of my Deare who in the habit of a Hunts-man came vnto me we married priuatly and so enioyed the time till my brothers returne with his new Ladie as full of spite and ill nature as a Spider with poyson to her he had disclosed this matter with his hate to Antonarus and to her gaue the charge of mee my Father hauing before giuen ouer the world and was retyred into a religious house hauing left me and all his estate to my brother yet during his life my brother would not take the title vpon him but the authority of the County of Morauia Now was my Hunts man to returne small safetie being where such hatefull spies inhabited no more surety then a poore hare hath in the hands of the hounds who haue long hunted to prey vpon it so did they seeke to ruine vs the extreame hate my brother bare to Antonarus rising from this cause When they were youthes and both in the Emperous Court there liu'd at that time a young Lady of the house of Austria â—xcellently faire and as fairely condition'd whose vertues were such as most prizing worth for Vertues sake she made choice wholy of worthinâ—sse in conuersation choice of companions and the whole course of her life ranne that way which made her chooce Antonarus and so much to affect him as nothing but death could be ender of her affection and yet I know not how I can say so since dying shee express'd her affection to him she loued and no question but his goodnesse requited it in his wishes to serue her but friendship wrought so in him as he would not seeme to receiue it my brother being so
was by them found hard by the sea-side not farre from these rocks laid in a cradle with very rich clothes about me a purse of gold in the cradle and a little writing in it which warn'd them that should take me vp to looke carefully to me to call me Vrania and when I came to sixeteene yeeres of age to tell this to me but by no meanes before this they haue truely performed and haue deliuered me the mantle and purse that by them if good fortune serue I may come to knowledge inioyning me besides not to keepe this my story secret from any since this sweet place intising many into it may chance to bring some one to reâ—ease me from this torment of Ignorance It could not be otherwise said he since such sweetnes and peerelesse louelynesse are match'd together But now said Vrania let me know I beseech you who I haue discouer'd my selfe vnto Let vs sit downe said he vnder these Rockes and you shall know both who I am and the cause of my comming hither Nay answered Vrania if it please you let vs rather goe into a Caue hard by where I haue left an olde weake man ready to tell me his Story hauing with him two of the finest youths and a Maide of the rarest beauty that eye can behold and desirous he is to speake for long he cannot endure So together they came into the Caue the graue man reuerently with bowing downe his head saluting him thus Braue Sir for Maiestie doe I perceiue in your countenance which makes me giue you this title Welcome to my poore abiding and most welcome since now I trust I shall dispose of my Sonnes according to my long wish and desire sit I beseech you downe and tell me who you are that then I may discourse to you the lamentable fortune I and these my children are fallen into The stranger sate downe betweene the old man and the excellent Shepherdesse beginning his Tale thus My name saâ—d he is Parselius Prince of Morea being eldest Sonne vnto the King thereof which Countrie I left with a deare friend of mine who besides the vntying band of friendship we liue linked in is my kinsman and heire to the Kingdome of Naples called Amphilanthus resoluing not to returne till wee had heard newes of a lost Sister of his who in the first weeke after her birth was stoâ—ne away since which time an old man whether by diuination or knowledge assured the King her Father shee is liuing Wherefore the most braue of Princes Amphilanthus resolu'd to seeke her my selfe louing him as well or better then my selfe would not be denied to accompany him for hauing bene euer bred in neerenesse of affections as well as in conuersation together it could not be but we must like the soule and body liue and moue so we betooke our selues to the Sea leauing Morea passing many aduentures in diuers Countries still seeking the least freqâ—ented and priuatest places keeping to the West for that way wee were directed by the wise man At last we arriuâ—d in Sicilie which Country we found in great trouble warres being broke out againe after the departure of Perissus Nephew to the King who had setled the State in good peace and quiet But their hearts either not fully reconcil'd or only reconciled to him after his departure which as we heard was strange and sudden being neuer since heard of they rebelled againe but we soone appeas'd the busines setling the King in his seat with all quiet and safety Then did Amphilanthus and I though against my heart part our bodies but neuer shall our minds be parted he in one ship taking I know not iustly what course but I trust the happiest my selfe guided by fortune not appointing any one place to bend to was brought hither promising at our parting to meete at his Fathers Court in Italie within twelue moneths after But shorter I hope now my iourney will bee since I verily beleeue you most faire Shepherdesse are the lost Princesse and rather doe I thinke so because you much resemble Leonius the younger brother to Amphilanthus whose beautie in man cannot be equall'd though surpassed by you When he had concluded the old man with teares thus said O Almightie God how great are thy blessings to me that before I die thou doft thus bring the most desired happinesse I could wish for in sending hither that Prince who onely can restore our good vnto vs. Most mighty and worthilie honourd Prince see here before your royall presence the vnfortunate king of Albania who in the warres betweene Achaya and Macedon taking part with Achaya was beaten out of my country and forced to wander seeking safetie far from the place where my safety ought most to haue been I came to your fathers Court it is true poore and vnlike a Prince which sight tooke away so much as pitie Courtiers rather out of their brauery contemning then compassionating extremitie besides your Mother being Sister to the Macedonian king then liuing would not permit me any fauour my kingdome in the meane while spoild and parted among such as could preuaile by strength and policy to get shares When I found my selfe in this misery with my wife and some few friends we went away leauing Morea and al hope of gaining any good in Greece following what course our stars would guide vs to we came hither where it pleased God to blesse vs with these two boies and this daughter after whose being seauen yeares old she died Yet for all it is and was a ioy to me to see of my owne for my posterity finding that likelihood of princely vertues as I hope shal be one day manifested it hath grieued mee to thinke how I should leaue them but now my hopes are reuiued since I trust that danger is past your noble and magnanimous vertues being such as to take pitie of any how much more then wil your honor be to assist distressed Princes And now may you well do it since a seruant of mine who I haue oftâ—n sent thither to see how things passe doth assure me your Vncle is dead and a mighty Lord being next heire-male which by the lawes of the country was otherwise hath got the Crowne hauing inclosed your faire young cosin right heire to the kingdom of Macedon being only daughter to the late king in a strong tower til she be of age then to marry her or if shee refuse to keep her there stil and this is the best she can expect Wherefore sir thus you are bound to rescue her then I beseech you take these two young men into your protection who till now knew no other then that they were meane boies I not daring to let them know their birth lest those great spirits which liue in them should haue led theÌ„ into some dangerous course but still I haue kept them vnder making them know hardnes and misery the better still to endure it if so crosse their fortunes be or if
as many dayes iourneyes as wee could still to win of time at last wee there arriued where want was none if fault onely I found the continuall company of her good man that which I disliked yet wee conuersed freely as well wee might before him hee being as free as noble courtesie could desire expression in but we were not fully contented with this wherefore wee would venture for more which cost all for hee lying from his Wife that night by reason of care to her lest continuall businesse might disquiet her I hauing notice of it when all were in their beds and sweete silence spread with sleepe ouer all the house I rose out of my lodging and softly went vnto her Chamber where I found her sleeping at my comming to the bed side shee awaked but how did shee blame mee and yet truly I belieue it was the hazard I had put my selfe in shee more accused and chid then my selfe for shee did not too cruelly reiect mee though earnestly she intreated nay coniurd my sudden retyring which I after some howers yeelded vnto taking my leaue of her with as sad and dying affection as if I had foreseene the ensuing harme which thus happened I had at my rising lighted a Candle which careleslie my mind onlie on my aduenture I left burning on the Cubbord in my Chamber this light by miserable mischance wasting it selfe to my ruine burned so into it selfe as not being able to sustaine or in mallice falling downe to throw mee to the bottome of all destruction tooke hold of the Carpet so setting that on fire the blaze aspiring to my ende fired the hangings they hating the iniurie the guest they honoured had done to their owne Lord in angrie flames made testimony of their loyaltie to their Master giuing him knowledge by their light to see my fault and to bee as torches for the conducting him vnto my misery The fire great the smoke greater and which more hastily flew about to call witnesses of their innocencies raised the seruants they their Master he carefull of me sent to my chamber to call me to safetie but more respecting his wife as dearest to him went himselfe to saue her when at the doore how vnwelcome a meeting had he encountring in mee the robber of his honor Hee stood still and in truth I must euer say hee beheld mee rather with â—orrow then fury nor would he suffer any to be witnesse of his ill but seeing me vnarm'd and onely in my Cloake he intreated me to passe into the next roome which I did and seeming cheerefull enough to all els tooke care of his House to preserue it if possible Then brought he vnto me a suit of Cloathes and hauing caused me to make my selfe ready together we went forth vnnoted by any as well wee might considering the businesse they had to saue the place from destruction When wee came into a faire Field he with teares thus â—aid Till now had I neuer the misfortune to be acquainted with the worst of offences which is breach of the true law of Friendship but since I am falne into the wretchedest experience of it I must like the most miserable seeke a way out of it You cannot deny but you haue deseru'd death and in the worst kind yet though I may haue it yet will I leaue the fault where it is and in the brauest manner wipe away the staine which cannot be washed but with your bloud or cleansed by my ende Take then this Sword throwing one to mee and said he defend your selfe I besought him not to put me to such a triall I had deseru'd no fauour nor wishd I any to my selfe onely that hee would honor me with giuing me my death and spare his wife who was for all my shamefull attempt vertuous and vntouch'd He onely shooke his head and fetching a deepe groane bid me leaue speach and goe to the conclusion which must bee death Wee fought for my part with so much foule guiltinesse as me thought strength cunning all good and vnderstanding had abandon'd me hee furious reuengefull and as I preceiu'd greedy of ende pursued me who onely held my Sword not to offend but to defend me till some who I descern'd not farre off could come to part vs but he likewise seeing them ran â—o fiercely at me as I must either lay my selfe open to take death or holding but my Sword out giue him his end which I most vnwillingly did forc'd to it by the frailty of the Flesh which in the apparent dangers is alwaies kindest to it selfe Those I saw came and iust to take vp his body and who alas followed them but the poore Lady extremity of shame bringing her to shew her shame She seeing him slaine cry'd out O spare not me who am the wofull cause of all this misery let me at last be thus farre blessd as by your hand to be sent againe vnto him from whom your sinne and mine haue parted me neuer let so detestable an offence rest vnpunished Shame calls vpon you and calls to me for satisfaction The seruants amazedly beheld vs till she neuer ceasing accusing her selfe nor vrging death seeing she could not get it kneeled downe and taking a cold kisse from his lips that were to her doubly dead in affection and pale death suddenly rose vp and in rising taking his sword with furious and hatefull spite to her selfe and wrong done him threw her selfe vpon it falling downe vpon him ioyning in that manner her broken vow againe in a new one with their ends Then did the seruants finde the cause whereupon they set on me for I would not yeeld to goe with them choosing and deâ—iring rather to dye with them then outliue them in such shame but too happy and contrary to my wish was my destinie for I slew them Being then left with the two dead bodies I fell into such complaints as sorrow and shame could procure in me crying out where affliction hath iudg'd it self in being excell'd as in my misery why should it not haue end in death then gaue I my selfe many wounds neuer ceasing wounding while my wounded soule abided in my body at least the soule of humane sense for so it onely prou'd for others following their Master and Mistris found vs all in the entertainment of wounds palenesse mixt with bloud in the outside in stead of the more naturall habitations the veines hauing made open flouds to drowne themselues in as a riuer may swell against it selfe to loose her owne name and yeeld it to a greater by her owne Pride Their bodies they carried away mine remain'd like a tatter'd Ensigne rather a glory of gaine then losse and so poore a thing was I but a charible man more louing goodnesse then me and yet louing me for goodnesse sake to make me haue a better ending then in bloud tooke my martyr'd body away with bathings and many more fine curiosities he brought mee to know I liu'd to be more knowing my dayly
breake shee thus did wander in her rauing thoughts then did sleepe couet place but she was calld to goe a hunting with the King and Queene which she obayed and as her manner was as soone as the Stagge was roused and Doggs let in vnto his ouerthrow she followed them and left the rest that either were not so well hors'd or lese affecting such a violent sport behind and brauely in followed the pleasant chase which did continue till the Sun was set Then did they with much glory view their spoyles ioying as in a conquest of great gaine but what did most content the fairest Queene was the sweete euening in which she inioyed all the content the dainty Ayre could giue which was as cleere as her cleere heart in loue and that as cleere as cleerest sweetest ayre But as she rode softly to coole her selfe a delicate sweete voyce inuited her to stay and so to see the owner of that musique the voyce did draw them to a pleasant Groue and then vnto a swift sweete Riuers side where on the brinke amonst the seges sate a Nimph of all perfections that were chast hard by her on the banke her quiuer lay her bow by that and she vndressing was to bath and wash her in that pleasant streame Pamphilia was almost amas'd to see so rare and exquisite a creature as shee was wherefore commanding all the men to stay shee and her Ladyes only went to her whose modesty and bashfullnes was such as she euen quaked to see those women there and well might shee who neuer saw her selfe in shaddow but shee diued to hide her selfe from her owne eyes yet had shee lou'd The Queene perceiuing that she was afraid most mildly spake thus to her Sweete Nimph bee not thus dismaid wee are none such as will giue cause of any harme to you wee are your friends and following the sport which you oft do by chance or hunters fortune are benighted going vnto the Court wee heard your voyce which hath a power sufficient to attract all creatures like the sweete youths Harpe that drew dumbe things to admire his choysest tunes let me not now disturbe you sweetest Nimph nor barre vs from such heauenly harmony then did shee sweetly make this fine replye Great Princesse pardon I beseech this rudnesse in mee which hath made me dumbe till now vnable to giue answer but my lipps vnseald by your great Grace my speech made fâ—ee to satisfie your will I must confesse when I did see you first I was amas'd and did wish my selfe againe in this faire Riuer so to hide my worthlesse selfe from your all iudging eyes Oft haue I seene you hunt in these faire plaines and somtimes taste of this then blessed brook behinde the seges I did once lye hid when you dry and farre from all places fit to entertaine your vertues in sate downe and drank of this cleere water O said I how blessed wert thou if thou couldest but know into what happinesse thou shalt arriueâ— first to bee touched by those best deerest lipps and so to passe into her royall breast How did I thinke I saw the â—treames which were below haste as for sorrow they had miss'd that fate and those aboue come hastely to catch if not to touch yet one kind looke on them this while I lou'd and so was sencible but since Dispaire had marryed mee and I wedded my selfe to chast Dianas life Let me intreat you sweete Nimph said the Queene to tell me all your story and this night will be more pleasing to me if so spent then any that my fortunes yet haue knowne she then with reuerence due to her state thus did beginne her tale My name great Queene said shee is Allarina a Sheepheardesse by birth and first profession and so had still beene had I not lucklesly profess'd a Louers name and left my former happy because contented life At fourteene yeares of age I first felt paine but young and ignorant I scarce did know what was my torment â— distempered was slept not nor fed my coulor waxed pale my mirth decayed and sighs did wholy breath my breathâ— admire my change the Sheepheards generally did bewaile my ill the sheepherdesses would my parents grieued for me I for my part knew only that I knew not what I ayld till one day walking to a pleasant wood which was vpon a hill I did consider with my selfe what was the first originall of all this paine I could not suddenly find out the ground till at the last considering well each thing I found his name most pleasing was to mee and so as I did in my heart euer thanke the meanes that did bring him to bee but spoken of None in my thoughts appeard so excellent none spake like him none sung like him nothing could hee doe that did not seeme best and nothing done by others but did shew dull and quite voyd of any pleasingnes so excellent appeard he vnto mee When this came to my mind then straight I sight blush'd and layd my hand vpon my panting heart and then cryd out I hope this is not loue but loue no sooner was by poore me nam'd but as if cald he straight possess'd my heart alas I yeelded then to know I lou'd and loue ioy'd I confess'd I was his slaue and such a slaue was I alas soone growne as but that slauery â— did affect my health then alterd and my mother put me into the hands of a Phisitian to bee recouered as shee hop'd by him but all in vaine it was not in his power the cure was not ordaind for him Then came my loue to visite me which gaue me life and comfort thus I did remaine and fiue yeares loued him yet hee ignorant that my affection so was placed on him I surely borne for this conclusion could not permit my selfe to say or shew I lou'd more then in poore sad lookes blushing when he did aske me of my sheepe vnsteddily and with a downe cast looke not daring to behold what most I loued for feare of burning what was scorched before I gaue my answers vnresoluedly hee by all this perceiued that I lou'd for t was not sillines he saw that made that innocent-like fashion shew in me wherefore he meant to watch me and so find where my loue was but then it was too late for not imagining it was himselfe hee marryed After this I grieued and almost dyed but remedy was past and I vndone yet one night blessed night for me my desires he came fetched me to his sisters house where being set betweene vs two hee fell into discourse of many pretty things and all of loue and all as I did finde to gayne by arte to know were I did like at last we fel vnto a foolish sport which was to tell truly what we were asked and so to draw a lot who should demand it fell to him who pretily to couer his intent he first demanded of his sister what life shee thought the
and onely the smoake of suspition fuming of my whole selfe now consumed by this fire Could I belieue those sighes were for me Could I hope his sadnesse proceeded from this ground Could I thinke his lookes on me were loue Could I imagine when hee prouokes me to discourse of such like passions it were to find my affections seate I might then be so fortunate as to discouer that which hidden ruines me but passion thy ends are onely to afflict neuer to helpe thou do'st still worke against thy selfe as if thine owne mortall enemy What ill spirit but thy selfe would find causes to hurt what nurse would no◠feede her babe rather with milke then weane it to starue it if not able else to sustaine it but you a cruell nurse denie me foode and famish mee with despaire a leane liuing and a miserable fate vnnaturall this is to murder what your selfe did breed you bred me to this woe will you forsake me now in necessitie you haue giuen me education brought vp in the learning of loue was it to be after condemned for being so ill a scholler or haue I learnd now enough and so must make vse of it Teach me a little more and onely to know this the Pelican lets out her bloud to saue her young ones but passion you let mee with all your childrens affections pine and starue one drop of life-bloud hope would cherish me but hope abandons mee and I remaine an vnfortunate witnesse of your tyrannies Welcome my teares cry'd shee you are more tender and more kind striuing to ease mee by your carefull meanes then wept she sigh'd sobd and groand in her anguish but when the spring had run it selfe euen dry she rose from off the grasse which a while had been her bed when these extreamest weights of heauinesse oppressed her and to make her the trulier deliuerd of her sorrow Amphilanthus came vnto her and straight followed Vrania and Limena This braue Prince discernd her eyes some-what sweld whereat his heart did melt with pitie and kindly askt the cause she that now might haue had her wish yet refusd that happy proffer for her deliuery modesty and greatnesse of spirit ouer-ruling her so as shee made a slight excuse and yet that enough to make him know she desired not to reueale her secret thoughts This taught him ciuilitie not to vrge that gaue her time to know she did amisse in being so secret as lockt vp her losse in stead of opening her blessing Then sat they all downe together Amphilanthus laying his head on Pamphilias Gowne which she permitted him to do being more then euer before she would grant to any then fel they into discourse of many things and as all must come to conclusion so they concluded with loue as the end of al sweet pleasure Then variety of loue came among thē I meane the discourses in that kind euery one relating a story Vrania was the last and hers was this In Italy as once I went abroad into some Woods where a dainty riuer want only passed it was my chance walking vp and downe to call to mind the sweete Iland wherein I was bred and all those pleasant passages therein so farre those thoughts possest me as they mooued sadnesse in me and that passion and passion attendance on that power so as I threw my self vpon the ground there a while remaining as in a trance lull◠into it by those charmes Awak'd I was out of this sweete sleepe by a voyce which I heard most lamentably to complaine sadnesse neuer being sadder then in her this brought mee to other of passions companions desire and longing to assist that afflicted creature who by the words was spoke appeard a woman and a louer I drew neerer to gaine a sight if I could of her when I perceiu'd her lie vpon the earth her head on the roote of a weeping willow which dropped downe her teares into the Christalline streames hanging part of her faire armes ouer it to embrace it selfe in that cleare glasse Shee lay betweene the body of that sad tree and the riuer which passed close by it running as if in haste to carry their sorrowes from them but sorrow in them had too sure abiding shee was in the habit of a Shepherdesse which pleased me to see bringing my estate againe in my mind wherein I liued first that had bin enough to call reliefe from me wherefore I was going to her when she brake forth into these speeches being mixt with many sighes and fearefull stopps Poore Liana said shee is this thy feruent loues reward haue I got the hate of my friends the curse of my parents and the vtter vndoing of my selfe and hopes to bee requited with falshood Alas vnkind shepheard what haue I deserud at thy hands to be thus cruelly tormented and vndeseruedly forsaken neuer can or may any loue thee better then I did and doe and must though thou proue thus vnkind That word vnkind brought a kind company of teares to second it which I seeing stept vnto her who sorrowfully and amazedly beheld me feare and griefe ioyning together in her face offering at first to haue gone from me but I would not permit her to haue her mind in that no more then fortune would suffer her to enioy she staid when I vs'd these words Seeke not to leaue me who haue been pincht with these torments hauing loud and somtimes wanted pity as much as you shun not me experienced since you cannot be better accompanied then by me who am not ignorant of such paines and haue as much lamented absence as you can dislike falshood but now I haue gained freedome Would all could find that cure said she but since you command who seeme most fit to be obayd I will not flee from you nor had I at first offerd it if not out of shame to haue my follies discouerd by any except wild places and sauage mountaines as gentle and tender-hearted as my loue It is no blame said I to loue but a shame to him who requires such a constant and worthy loue with no more respect nor think you do amisse or shal do if you relate to me the whole story of your as you call it ill fortune since meanes are allow'd in al businesses for redresse and that you may chance to find here at least some ease the very complaining giuing respit from a greater sorrow which continual thinking plodding on wil bring you You shal haue your wil said she and be by me denied nothing since I see you gouerne or master Fate and most I am ingaged to refuse none of your commands since I haue once seene a face like yours and no way inferior to your beauty as much tormented as I am now afflicted her name was Vrania her dwelling in an Iland where I was borne my misery for me though the place is cald the pleasāt Pantaleria I more curiously beholding her called her to mind hauing bin one of my best cōpanions
he had rather in his opinion done him honor to match with him nor did he do it for other cause then his affection which begun in our youths had growne to this perfection therefore he intreated him rather with loue then Armes to end the businesse if not hee would prepare to attend his comming as hee pleased Within some few moneths Terichillus with an army entred Selesia but onely enterd it when an army led by Polisander brother to Antonarus met him giuing him batâ—aile and life also for he in an encounter might haue killed him but mercy more then iudgement gouernd him so as he spared him on condition the warres should cease which he promised and a firme league should be made between vs which Polisander should haue the glory of Thus agreed hee came with him where wee were Armes dismist and swords laid downe he was nobly entertaind and receiued by Antonarus who ment truth and after some dayes were passed an oath of friendship was taken of both sides Then Terichillus returnd into his Country of Morauia Polisander bringing him to the confines thereof there committing him to his owne safetie Antonarus was glad of this conclusion because it ioyed me and I for his quiet did reioyce One whole yeare this lasted in which time we had a sonne after whose birth and my recouery againe Terichillus inuited vs vnto his Court with all loue or better to say show of it we belieuing went thither trusting as not meaning to bee false Into Polisanders hands my Lord put the gouernment of the State and also to him gaue the charge of his sonne and well might he doe it for a more noble honest man liues not then he is Into Morauia we went met we were in the confines by noble men and Ladies and still by more and greater till wee arriued at the Court where at the gate my brother and his wife met vs no state nor welcome wanted which outward testimony could expresse nor doubted we but like the silly birds who hearing the sweet singing of other birds set for stales thinking by that mirth they had no imprisonment fall by innocent beliefe into the nets so did we seeing smiles and hearing nothing but welcome and ioy speake grew confident and bold vpon our harmes Some daies wee staid there Feasts Tiltings and all brauerie that the Court could yeeld shewed it selfe vnto vs. After those sports were past Terichillus would haue vs goe a hunting which we did for two daies hauing excellent good great variety of sport the third day we also were to goe and conclude our delights which indeede wee did for in a great Wood and the same where my Antonarus was accustomed when hee was a Huntsman to bide in and from whence I heard his Horne which was the signe of his being there and of call for me to him this vnnaturall man Terichillus for longer I cannot call him brother had laid traytors in ambush with command to execute his will he in the meane time telling vs that a mighty Stagge was within harbored of purpose for vs. Then carried he vs into the thickest of it placing the traine on the out-side farre enough from helpe or hinderance with him wee went to rouse the Deere and so we did the too costly beasts that murdered my content for then they shewd themselues suddenly rushing on Antonarus who had onely a little hunting sword by his side with which he killed one but they many soone possest themselues of his sword and him Then Terichillus reuiled and scoffed at him and me telling vs that here was a youth had wont to walke those Woods and call a Nimph vnto him by his Horne but Satyrs found their wantonnesse and so had vowed reuenge and thus doe we said he Then those men who were disguised in that shape and the fittest for so sauage an act murdered him making mee behold the cruelty for the greater torture When all was done which ended with his life they went away lifting the body only vp vpon a horse and setting me vpon mine owne againe gaue me the bridle of the other to leade with me as the substance and demonstration of my miserie Out of the Wood I went with this pitifull and yet my beloued companion excessiue sorrow had so shut vp my senses as I wept not at the instant nor till I was to tell the Tragedy which was presently after my comming into the Plaine meeting some of the Selesians who accompanied me in mourning little else we could doe for in the County where the murderer ruled and alas our company a handfull in comparison of his people what could we doe but weepe and wish Then got we our small troope together and with as much hafte as our heauinesse could allow vs wee gained the Country of Selesia to Polisander we related this villany whose sorrow and sadnesse was such as hee was not able to giue or take counsell sometimes hee did purpose to râ—uenge this treachery himselfe cursing himselfe for sparing the murderer when he might haue killed him blaming his Fortune that let him liue to slay his brother lamenting the time he made the reconsiliation accusing himselfe as much as Terichillus for hauing been the vnfortunate instrument of this mischiefe Alas said de how happy had Selesia been if I had been slaine in the battaile and how more blessed I that had not liued to see this day deare Antonarus hath thy brother beloued so much of thee been cause of thy losse accursed creature that I am yet pardon mee deare brother I lament thy death as much as heart can doe Selesia yours is the losse vnrecouerable in loosing such a Prince punish me then I am ready and dearest Sister cry'd he take this life from mee how can you see mee who brought your worthy Lord into this misfortune O Antonarus my soule dies for thee His infinite griefe was such as most were forced to watch him lest he made himselfe away yet such was and is his vertue as I hope will protect him from vsing violence on himselfe Much adoe we had to perswade him from going into Morauia to reuenge his brother but at last I gained thus much of him to leaue the reueng to meâ— whose loâ—se was greatest and cause demaunds most pitty to gaine some braue Prince to right me vpon counsell and my petition he granted it whereupon I put on these robes he prouiding this Chariot and all other things necessary for our iourney appoynting the mourning in this kind The same day that I tooke my iourney hee proclaimed my sonne heire and Prince of Selesia himselfe protector and so haue I traueled now two months Terichillus giuing me leaue to passe through this part of his Country to goe to finde a Knight whose vallour and pitty will assist me To find you most braue and excellent King I tooke my way with hope to beg such a fauor of you whose compassion and worth all toungs speake of and harts admire none but magnifying Amphilanthus
for true noblenesse excellent goodnes perfect vertue and matchlesse valour Wherfore I beseech you as you may be or are a louer in that regard aide me as a King asist me against a murderer of a Prince and as the best of Knights against such treachery The cause is strange and the businesse it may be will to some seeme nice since a sister vrgeth reuenge of a brother but weigh with all that my loue and husband is murder'd and by my brother 's owne hands that will wipe away all doubts and cleere me to implore your aid The King and Amphilanthus much pittied and admired the Lady who had related this story with as much passion and fine expression of witty sorrow as could be Amphilanthus moued so much with it as he presently consented and gaue his promise to asist her so they pass'd to the Court in the same manner as she before had trauel'd for she had vowed neuer to leaue the body nor to bury it till she had his death reueng'd When they came where Terichillus was she sent vnto him to let him know shee had brought a Knight to defend her wrong and to call him to account for his Treason hee made his wonted slight answers but the Lift and all things were prepared then entred the Lady with the body and the two Knights accompanied with the mourners the Princesse of Morauia because her husband was one would not be present the other Ladyes were plac'd to see the fight Then was it proclaymed that if the Knight were ouercome hee should loose his head and the Lady should be at Terichillus disposing if the Knight ouercame then the Prince if vanquished and aliue should be disposed of by the Lady and the Knights with all the troope should haue safe passage without stay or disturbance in returne Thus all agreed on the Trumpets sounded Terichillus furious and ambitious of victory and peace encountred Amphilanthus with such strength as he made him bow backwards on his horse but the King strooke him flat on his backe vpon the ground hauing meanes by this to aske pardon from heauen for his offence but he least thinking of so good a matter quickly got vp and with his Sword in his hand did attend Amphilanthus whose noble curteâ—ie was such as not to take aduantage of him lighted also to fight on foote Terichillus was valiant strong and now to fight for life and honour so as hee held Amphilanthus longer play then many had done yet at last he acknowledged with all others the King to be fittest to be yeelded vnto and so perceiuing his life at an end curstly set his sword on the ground and brake it desirous as it seemd to die vnarmd rather then disarmd by Amphilanthus which was to no purpose he making him openly make confession of his fault ask pardon direct that al should obay his sister as their Lady and Princesse weep and lament his fortune without compulsion and according to his ill life hee frowardly and peeuishly concluded his daies leauing behind him this certaintie that such treasons are neuer any more left vnpunished then Countries without Princes for straight was his Sister proclaimed and he as soone forgot as she speedily receiued The King of Bohemia and the King of the Romans were carried into rich chambers but they since the last busines in the Castle would neuer lie alone so as they were lodged together and as soone as Amphilanthus was recouerd of some slight wounds he receiued in this combat they took their leaues following on their iourney for Hungary But as they were euen ready to leaue Morauia hard by a Wood which grew from the bottom of a hill to the top the hill steepy craggy and ful of rocks and places where stones had been cut for building of a stately Abby which was among meadowes not farre from the foote of this hill betweene two dainty riuers but then decaied by warre they met a Lady running her haire loose couering her face her cries loud and fearefull her cloathes halfe on and halfe off a strange disorder in her words she spake as if danger pursued and helpe requisitly demanded a little from her were some men who hastily followed her one especially from whom it seemd she sought to be deliuered Amphilanthus willing to aide and she seeming to beseech it rid to her to demand the cause she fled he pursued till they came to the bottom of a great quarry there in some thicknesse she offerd to couer her self but he lighting desired to know the cause of her flight and danger She as if her enemy had been at hand amazedly and frightfully answered Alas Sir what meane you what iniury haue I done you that you should thus follow me I neuer wrongd you why seeke you my dishonour He reply'd that she was deceiu'd and therefore intreated her to looke vp againe vpon him she would see her error Then beholding him wishly as if she had been till then in the wrong Pardon me my Lord said she for I mistooke you my misery being such as hath quite destracted me I am a poore Lady dwelling here not farre hence in yonder old Abbey Lady thereof by the death of my Husband since which time a young Lord hath been an earnest suter to me but my loue and fortune dying with my husband or but liuing to his memory I refused him as many other that haue sought me wherupon he vowed to haue me by force since no other meanes would preuaile and this day to performe his vow he came found me but slightly guarded and newly out of my bed tooke me out of my house bound my seruants and thus farre on the way hath brought me but when I saw this thicke Wood and being acquainted with the hidnest parts of it I slipt from behind his seruant that carried mee and with all speed possible ran as I thinke you must needs see me towards this wildernes here I hope I am secure and shall assure my selfe of it if it might please you to take me into your protection He curteous beyond expression promised to defend her I pray Sir said she let me yet ask some things more of you which are what your name is and how long you haue been in this Country My name said he is Amphilanthus my being here hath bin some time being brought hither by the Princesse Sydelia Let me be so bold I beseech you to demand one fauour more which is Whether you were one of those two that came with her to reuenge heâ— quarrell I am indeed said hee and the same who fought with Terichillus Then am I blessed said she for I may assure my selfe of the valiantest man aliue While they were thus discoursing an other Lady with as fearfull cries shricks passed by running from the Wood-ward with such haste as her feare had made her so light as shee left no print so much as pressing the grasse whereon she ranne the impression it seem'd being in her and
those Knights maintaine the passage said hee To defend poore mee cryd shee who since now left vngarded on that side I beseech you will conuey me to my house which when you see you will find likewise cause of pitty there Then brought she them vnto her dwelling which was in a Caue of great bignesse and large proportion a Monument in the mid'st of it of the most pretious stone of that time wherein shee liued being the Tombe of her sweete and last deere loue her sonne Deuided the Caue was into pretty roomes finely furnished but such as seemed rather to affect delicate cleanlines then sumptuous ornament yet were they rich enough Her attendants few but their seruice shewed them sufficient for that place with a modest and sad kindnesse shee bad them wellcome thither and instantly asking pardon that she must leaue them for such a tyme as she might performe her vow of mourning ouer the Tombe which hauing finished with numbers of sigh's groanes and teares she returnd to them againe Amphilanthus was not yet satisfied with the discourse wherefore againe he vrg'd her Then Sir said she you shall haue all I was borne to be betrayâ—'d for before this cunning ill man came I was vndone in former hops by one that had beene with my Lord almost from his birth who with flatterings had seald vp my heart to his vse neuer hiding any thing not my loue it selfe from his knowledge he making the greatest shew of obligâ—tion to me for my confidence that might bee expressed by so rare a witt striuing by subâ—ill meanes to make me thinke hee vsd all wayes hee might to make me happy still vrging me who needed no inticement to thinke how worthy the loue was how fit the match and then shewed me the liknesse of it our loues being so perfectly and reciprocally embraced the strong bond of friendship twixt our fathers and the continuance of that betweene him and my father as inheriting it from him lastly of our breeding together which though in our infancies yet the more naturally bred loue and increased it adding to loue as the smalest sticks doe with momber to the fiâ—rs of triumph but what aboue all indeed was the earnestest moouer as he treacherously protested was the true euen consent of our dispositions which seem'd so neere being one as though by birth made two yet created so as to be ioyned in one for the more direct and vnpartiall strength of perfectnesse and thus were you made to be one said hee in all fortunes and beings Heauen I confesse I held his louâ— Father Mother friends all were strangers to me in respect of the nearnesse of my affection to him and next to that did I thinke my best spent time was with those he most affected in his absence in that kinde seruing him Fortunate I thought my selfe and honour'd when his companions accompanyed me and so much I loued him as being forsaken I now the more am tortur'd with iust cause of coÌ„playning This Creature loath I am to name by other title and yet grieued to giue him his due and to call him spoyler of my blisse too diligently attended me neuer left me when any time might be permitted for man to see me in I embraced his conuersation but it chang'd to my affliction and contents destruction seeing oft times my passions which were too vehement for mee to hide or my weakenesse couer hee aduised yet still inticed mee on At last a match was offered me many had beene so before but all refused my conscience being such as neuer to marry any that I could not loue especially knowing it before yet was this more earnestly pursued then any other before the Gentleman himselfe too much and vnhappily affecting mee My Parents looked without loues eyes or rather saw while that child was blind the goodnes and greatnesse of his estate the hopefullnesse of the man his vertues and noble conditions much perswaded mee vnto him yet could not more mooue me then it is possible to stirr the most renowned Albion Rocks and in as much chast whitenesse remain'd my loue to my Lord while this Diuell who promis'd his helpe aymed at a farre fowler end beeing gaind I will not say by bribes to the friends of a great Heire whose estate might make one how vnworthy soeuer before a couetous minde seeme beautifull This was his fire and by this hee wrought destilling the offence of Villanie through the Limbeck of his wickednesse and this was the beginning My only loue being gon a iourney with the King loued infinitely by Deterius my father and hee staying had left his chamber and seruants to his dispose and command a stranger came in the plot ordained so by this Villaine while my Lord was dressing him hee desired to speake with the Traytor he went vnto him coÌ„ming in againe with a paper in his hand amazednes in his face which made my deerer selfe demand the cause he teÌ„derly louing the wretch because he had instructed himâ— froÌ„ in his tender youth He counterfetted loathnes to speake as if vnwelcome newes would follow his words the more he was troubled silent the more perplexed was my deere wherefore he priuately called the messenger to him of whom he demanded the newes he answered he knew none but that with much ioy and content Bellamira was betrothed to her long louing friend though not till then beloued of her he then loued and so may youâ— the better iudge of his paine When he heard I had giuen my selfe to another yet thus discreetly heâ— caryed it that hee spake not any thing vnto it though some while after heâ— demaunded of his fauour'd seruant as if but by chance if he heard any thing of Bellamira he would not answere but with a sigh and these words It is impossible I now find for any woman to be true Why said my Lord is Bellamira marryed No answered hee but as ill for shee is betrothed O women O loue how fickle and false are you both My deere hearing the death of my loue confirmed in this likely but vntrue manner saiâ— little only turned himselfe to a window where some teares he shed yet hauing the noblest spirit in the world would not suffer himselfe too long tâ— be gouernd vnder sorrow turned againe and so walked into an Orchardâ— where they conferred and at last he gained his consent to his desired end I ignorantly liued not daring to make other expressions then by looks or humble and willing seruices offered him which with as much affection were embraced yet was I grieued I heard not of him which still till then I did by euery one that saw him he as willing to send as I to receiue kindnesse The earnest suiter and falsely supposed betrothed man still did pursue and so hotly as at last I resolued to stretch the limits of modesty and to acquaint my Lord withall by letter and so ambitiously hoped to gaine one from him but considering many dangers I
fell into the greatest fearing the deliuery of my letter I sent it to him who was the only bar of the deliuering of it or theÌ„ I sent as at his death I found in a Cabinet deliuered by his owne hands vnto mee with teares and humble petition for pardon that so hee might die quietly which as he lamentably protested hee could not doe nor peaceably leaue this world I forgaue him and in that Cabinet found three of my letters which close me in the misery I now suffer thereby I saw manifestly I was betrayed loosing the enioying of what the losse brought my vtter ruine for I assuredly confident in him sent my letters still to him trusting him contrary to iudgement neuer receiuing answere of them but excuses from him selfe as since I find were framed by him sometime saying he could not then write but in short time he would send one of purpose to me I remained as louers enioying their like quiet But many weekes hauing passed I writ againe setting downe how I was solicited by him hee knew of almost threatned by my parents yet had they nor should they gaine more then this that he like all others should be refused for his sake if it would please him to accept of me and my truest affection wholly dedicated to him This vnfortunately I sent as the others and so kept comming the same morning before hee was by his Villany contracted to the great Heire of the Forrest Twise I was sending it by a trusty seruant of my mothers but Desteny preuailed and I destined to mischiefe could not withstand my ills Perplex'd I was with my fortune when I saw or thought I saw my faith reiected mad at my patience that forced me to beare such iniuries cursed the harme yet loued the harmeâ—maker till one night my father and many of his friends at supper the procurer of my miserie came in who was beloued and respected by my father for his learning and for his seruice to his friend and so was entertained by him placing him next vnto himselfe while I with vncertaine lookes and doubtfull blushings cast mine eyes on him yet stayed them not long there lest they might bee vnderstood my heart guiltie of the loue my soule bare to his Lord causing such a mistrust of discouerie in my owne conscience as that modestie hindred mee from discouering my harme which his countenance had else been ready to bewray as since I vnderstood by some that marked him as they sat at meate My father asked how his most noble Lord did fare Well my Lord said he but growne of late too cunning for vs al for would you thinke it he hath finely got a wife This made me boldly to looke vp for what would not such a deadly wound cause in one if it were but only to look boldly on their end life lasting in mee but to know certainely my death being so eager of it as I my self had demanded it had not my father soone preuented me asking who it was Why said hee the fly Youth hath got the mighty Heire of the Forrest I hearing it discernd my hast to bee like theirs that run to the top of the highest Rock to throw themselues from thence so did I for those words strake me dead my spirits falling and failing me encountred with the depth and bruise of fortune aduerse to me I fell from the table in a swound All ran to me or about me none because none thought I loued being able or willing to guesse the reason except the Serpent whose poyson strake me I was with care and diligence brought to my selfe againe which when I had sense to know I blamd that sense that brought that knowledge to me condemning fortune who would not permit one of her owne sex so much fauour as to die hauing such cause Then came my speech againe which I onely employd to this purpose to desire some of the seruants to leade me to my chamber beseeching the company not to stirre assuring them that there was no danger for vsually I had had such fits my father and mother especially whose loues were most vnto me and dearest to me would haue gone with mee but I preuaild the moouer of my torment looking on me with as much pitie as the Master of a good Dog doth on him when he is hurt by his owne setting on vpon either Bull or Beare When I came to my Chamber I pretended a desire to rest which made me abler to dwell in any vnrest Sir if euer you haue felt loue so perfectly as to deserue your name imagine to your selfe what I felt seeing scorne disdaine presented to mine eies nay what of all is cruelst vnkindnes Vnkindnes to a perfect louing heart is indeed said he of all miseries the cruellest and most murthering Haue you alas Sir said she felt that griefe That only said he perplexeth me I cannot say I was disdain'd for I was cherished I was not scorned but receiued I lou'd and was beloued but now I feare she is vnkind Let not feare without assurance said shee molest you lest it make you indeed loose by mistrust what is yet but mistrusted to be lost I beseech you said hee proceede and let my misfortunes remaine in me by none else thought on Yet said shee being forsaken is a greater miserie for such a losse is losse of all hope or ioy in life the other may bee helped againe with kindnesse and this I finde for had I not enioyed a heauenly happinesse I neuer had complained But to goe on being come to my chamber and hauing liberty by priuatnesse to exercise my sorrow in the absence of all but it selfe I thus began to mourne O loue cride I was it not enough that thou didst win mee to thy power and that thou didst possesse me in those yeares when first it was possible for maiden thoughts to entertaine thee to make mee chuse guiding mine eyes to the choice of one where perfections linked themselues to chaine my powers and enuy from all such that thinking I loued thee maliced my happinesse as if I had enioyed Yet cruell you cannot thinke all that I suffered by passion hatred of others enuy paine torment and all miserie sufficient but you must turne crosse and find a greater to afflict me Why did you grant me Paradise of hope to throw me downe to bottoms of despaire Why did you glory to inuite my heart to yeeld vnto the winning power of eyes eyes which were able to gaine moreâ— then hearts thrice doubled could repay with loue Fie intising eyes why wan you mee onely of set purpose to kill me with your frownes this was pretended murder your sparkling conquest seemd to gaine by vnresistable darts soules to your will and their smiles promised vnresistable darts soules to your will and their smiles promised to saue when won but triall proues you win alone to spoile Was it a victory sufficient to get and worthlesse of keeping It seemes so since you leaue
of grauity as she was fit for the honour they recalld her to her sister shee prouided for but she returnd no more but with a young Prince shee grew so enamourd of although a married man stole away ended so as her friends did desire all good people should forget her or that she neuer had bin thus may you see that none can run so far that shall not haue some time to returne nor any how much soeuer condemn'd but may liue to be fit of commiseration and respect this was verified in her she deserud their due restoring her proouing an excellent Gouerness and braue Lady being able to ouerrule her old passions by theÌ„ to iudge how to fauor licence curb others this expâ—rience though late is most profitable to Princes Amphilanthus with the braue once hating now louing Ladies comming to Negropont were by Dolorindus Antissia infinitly welcom'd and feasted yet Antissia was not wellplesed for although she had directly lost the loue she most prized yet somuch she lou'd him stll as she was sorry he should do amisse which she did coÌ„fes he did in leauing Pamphilia sor Musalina Alas said she most excellent Lady did not I fortell your harme yet I protest I am truly sorry for this and wish I had said false so you had still beene bless'd it was not my fortune to be happy in what I most sought yet wish I you had inioyed what your worth and constancy had merited no enuy I beare to you nor euer did but to my destâ—ny which would not fauor me Of purpose shee would vrge discourse of her which the Empeâ—or tooke wel enough and was contented so far with it as to think of her and at last resolu'd to see her but one day walking alone in a delicate walk of Birches set by art vpon the top of a hil both sides being sowed with wheat Haruest not yet being come though the corn ripe for it hee beheld the euen perfect growing of them Can we said he possibly be as euen in our owne brests to truth as these things which are sowed or set by our hands No and for our shame our own works must wittnesse against vs for I confesse I haue done amisse and against her deserued best of me for loue and constancy and yet none haue I payed with so much neglect I am faulty but I will mend and she I hope wil pardon Sweet Corne said he when the wind stirrs how doe your heads bend humbly that way you are blowne how euenly equally and patiently hath she borne my neglects I will giue satisfaction and she shall bee requited As he walked thus he heard a Ladd pipe meerily on a Pipe he had made of one of the stalkes of Oates not farre off growing he stayd to heare him and when he thought he had done went toward him desiring to heare some thing which though low in respect of his vnderstaÌ„ding yet would now be pleasing to his passions as he drew neerer to him he heard him vse these words Loue since thou art thus gratefull be thou euer blessed I now am sorry I did call thee ill I doe repent that I did thinke thou hadst beene wayward or vngratefull all is passd and I doe pardon craue I le sing vnto thy praise as I did cry agaiust thee I le make songs in thy honour as I did in reuiling thee I le sweare thou art alone worthy and fit to be honourâ—d as I lately vow'd thou wert the onely Serpent and hatefull humor to be cheerished If humble submission can merit fauour I will gaine it of thee if not punish me aud spare not for I must and doe confesse I am guilty and deserue more ill then thy noblenesse will inflict on any giue me my freedome from thy fauours and I wil euer be thy vassell for it Then tooke he vp his sling walked a litle farther that being his weapon to defend himself and to molest the Birds or other enemies to his charge in that delicat Corne. Amphilanthus thus followed a farre off as hope doth despairing Louers when he saw him sit downe againe and take vp his Pipe then againe proceede in his commendations of Loue and then sing The Emperour liked that humor well wishing he might haue the like cause to praise that passion vpon which hee was pleased to make most excellentâ— Verses and then return'd to the Court Musalina and Lucenia whose humble submission had gain'd pardon and loue in some kinde had them as they had most he had written but still his minde ran on his iourney not doubting of his welcome yet knowing his fault wished the first encounter passed Musalina took her leaue to returne into Romania much sorrow was for parting but those things are so vsuall as the relation were like telling a tale so often till all eares were tyred with it Musalina in her iourney had as many seuerall thoughts as loue could bring forth sometimes suspition came then anger and reuenge followed yet these were salued againe with hope and trust She was grown likewise a Poet as being a necessary thing and as vnseparable from a witty louer as loue from youth When she arriu'd at home the poore trees felt the cruelty which she said was inflicted on her sad rimes came often into her thoughts some of her own others of Amphilanthus his making on parting and of diuers others contenting her selfe or rather forcing content to be shewed when no remedy was her loue being gone and which was worse in a kinde neuer to returne which gaue forme to these lines following a great drought being in that Country and euery one wishing for raine Why doe you so much wish for raine when I Whose eyes still showring are stand you so nigâ— Thinke you that my poore eyes now cannot lend You store enough alas but rightly bend Your looks on me and you shall see a store Able to moisten Earth and ten earths more Sighs to make Heauen as soft as tender wooll And griefe sufficient to make vp the full Of all despaires then wish not since in me Contained are teares griefe and misery Many times she would goe to the solitary woods and grieue there freely crying out her woes but all return'd alike to her for gaine or reward for how can helpe be now expected only absence will assist and that at last in this distrest Lady preuailed wherein she was happy though many sad daies and nights passed before the cure could be wrought Time being for this disease the best Phisition Amphilanthus tooke his way towards Pamphilia taking with him only twelue Knights whom hee chose and his and their Squires them he inioyned not to disclose him nor cal him any other then the Iust in hope Pamphilia not hoping for any redresse was one day in certaine walkes with her ancient friend and seruant the Lady who the Queene 's met in such diâ—order for loue and was the same Lady that was so pleasant with