On which for him doth still Arsace gaze They run the wals about once and againe And all this while is Petosire not taine For anger cannot swifter be than feare And Thyam armed ran yet now with speare Is like to pricke him charging him to stay Except he would be slaine vpon the way Then Calasiris knowing both his sonnes By that fore-told him was them after runnes And faster then might well endure his years And cries O Thyamis O Petosir's My sons what meane you what now are you mad Respect your father though as beggar clad They know him not vntill the cause he spi'de And cast his staffe and beggars cloke aside And grauely stood before them face to face With long white haire and old Arch-Bishops grace And said behold your father Calasire 'T is I my sonnes O put away your ire They fall downe at his knees and wistly view him From head to foot and so full quickly knew him And glad they were of his vnhoped life But sorrie that he found them so at strife At this the companies vpon the wall The lesse they knew the more they wondred all And chiefly for they saw Chariclin When Calasiris ran from her away Him after fast to run and when she spi'de Theagenes a far for loue quick-ey'd To see the loued had him soone descri'd By verie gesture now the more her hied Him ouertooke and hung about his necke In case she was vntill he gaue her checke And cast her off not knowing her but shee Comes-on againe as loth to lose her fee And for her boldnesse got a box o th' eare He little thinking who she was I sweare Then said she softly Pythius hath forgot And shew'd her taper then defers he not But strooke with beautie shining th'row a cloud Her tooke in armes and often kist aloud Arsace swells thereat and all admire To see the strange euent that Calasire Who ten yeares had beene absent came so pat To stay the Duell 'twixt his sonnes and that Two Louers should thus vnexpected meet They passe in order th'row the Temple-street Th' old Priest betweene his sons led and the Maid By her Theagenes the people staid Them gazing-on and all themselues delight The younger men to view the gallant Knight The Maids the Maid old men the Priest and childe That brothers had the brothers reconcil'de And Thyamis to those of Bessa sent With many thanks and noble complement An hundred oxen and a thousand sheepe And Crownes a peece before he went to sleepe T' encrease the pomp Arsace went in pride With all her traine and still that young man ey'd For whose sake only so far came she forth And t' Isis offred things of greatest worth But when she saw him lead Chariclia With one hand and with other make her way Forth with she leaues-off all solemnitie And goes to Palace sicke of iealousie To both his sons now Calasire commends Th' affaires of those his two young Grecian frends And when th' old man had done his whole deuotion Vnto the people neere he makes a motion And saith h 'is old and well foresees his death And to his sonne that first receiued breath A man not wanting parts for worke diuine Of body or minde the Priesthood doth resigne Then set the Mitr ' vpon Sir Thyamis head And in the morning found was fairly dead His time was come Which him did more oppresse I cannot tell or ioy or wearinesse Arsace knowes it not for when she came To Court her minde was all put out of frame To chamber went she and on her bed she cast her For loue was wholly now become her master She turn'd from side to side and deeply sigh'd And now along she lay then sate vpright Then downe againe halfe naked tumbled shee And wisht Theagenes were there to see As wanting something then she cals her Maid And sends her backe againe with nothing said And likely was 't that were she long alone In such distraction all her wits had gone But Cybel came her ancient houshold Bawd And thus in word her loue-sicke Lady claw'd What aile you Madam Who hath hurt my deere And fairest Nursling haue good heart and cheere He liues not that your fauour shall refuse If please my Sweet-one so my service vse As oft-to-fore then tell me what 's the man But I by suttl ' enticing conquer can So said this Hag and pidling kist her feet And swore as siluer white as Amber sweet The praised Peacocke spreds abroad his traine That else would hide it now is hit the vaine And gusheth-out Good mother then quoth she The peace that made was yesterday to me Began a warre wherein not from a part But ouer all I wounded was to th' heart The faire young stranger when I first espi'de That in the Duell ran by Thyams side You cannot choose but note the man that are Herein so skill'd he past them all so farre I did forsooth quoth she and be it spoken Vnto your Ladiship by certaine token That impudently fast about him clung A ragged Trull though somewhat faire and young Tush faire repli'd Arsace then she paints But can a man abide so bold constraines More happie she than I am at this houre That hath her got so braue a Paramour The Bawd then smoyling said Ah Dearling mine I le make him cast-off her I le make him thine Sweet mother Cybling quoth the Lady then And will you doe 't indeed I pray but when Leaue that to me quoth she and take your rest So tooke the candl ' away and to her nest By peep-aday she rose and well aray'd A Groome before her and behinde a Maid Vnt ' Isis Temple went and there she spoke As oft Deuotion's made of sinne a cloke With one that kept the doore as if she ment Come offer something that Arsace sent Who as she said was troubled sore last night With verie fearfull dreame and grisly sight He said as yet he could not serue her turne Now all that keepe within the Temple mourne For Calasiris death and none let in Till after this another weeke begin What shall your strangers then the while quoth she Our new Arch-Bishop Thyamis quoth he Hath order giu'n and well content they are T'another house without the Close to fare This Hag layes hold on th' opportunitie As on the chiefest point of Faulconrie And said good master Sextain well you know My Lady loues to talke with such as the And many noble Greekes hath entertain'd Her hospitalitie was neuer stain'd Then well of both you may deserue as thus To say that Thyamis them sends vnt ' vs. The Sextain little knew the Bawds intent But as for good vnto the strangers went And found them both as full great cause they had For losse of Calasiris weeping-sad He cheeres them vp and tels them Thyamis As was his fath'r of them right carefull is And hath prepar'd them lodgings fairly dight Which this good Lady pointing at the spright Will bring them to and
out of Greece Here one they meet With Nausicles acquaint of Chemmis-street Who told them newes that where as Mitranes Had sent a young man vnt ' Orondates To serue the great King he by Thyamis Now Chiefe of Bessans intercepted is And Mitranes with all his force is gone In iust reuenge their Towne to set vpon So past them by in hast Then Nausicles Perswades returne and for Theagenes Because the iourney longer was to goe Prouided better they determine so And comming home at doore Chariclia found Them looking-for for Loue is like a hound That for his master waits But when she saw They brought him not she gan her haire to claw And tore asunder Natures finest thred And wept and cry'd alas my Loue is dead What all alone and as you went returne O tell me quickly lest I longer mourne With griefe suspended 'T is a courtesie Not to delay report of miserie Why doe you then quoth Cnemon so foretell The worst and false Theagenes is well And told her how and where O blame her not Quoth Calasiris felt you but a iot Of loue so true you would her soone excuse For such are ne're content with hearsay-newes But thinke they cannot each from oth'r absent Without some sad and fearfull accident When such as you Sir Cnemon well I know So speake of Loue as neuer bent his bow Aske Saints how faire in Heau'n for they can tell And aske ye Fiends how foule it is in hell Then like a father led her in by th' hand And there not long they either sit or stand But Nausicles to put them out of dump And hauing some thing else therewith to iump Prepar'd a feast that night with cheere and wine And made his daughter more than wonted fine And toward banquets end them spoke-to thus As heretofore so shall be still with vs My welcome guests that so you are I call The Gods to witnesse and continue shall If please you stay what I at sea or land Haue any where 't is all at your command Not now as guests but as my deerest frends But know my trade on Merchandise depends My ship my plow is and the Southerne windes Me call to Greece then let me know your mindes That whether here I leaue or with me lead you I may my voyage frame some way to stead you The Priest of Memphis after pause repli'de Good Nausicles haue happie winde and tide Let all the Gods of Merchandise attend you And home with gaine full-fraught in safetie send you That stay or goe we doe so perfectly The lawes obserue of hospitalitie Vnwilling we to part from such a frend Yet must be gone you know and for what end Thus much for me and for Chariclia What Cnemon meanes to doe I cannot say The Greeke about to speake with sob is staid At last with sighs and bitter weeping said O this vncertaine state of humane life How full of doubt and variable strife Depriu'd of fathers house of Countrey and Towne So deere to me still rome I vp and downe Not long it is a plurall scarce of weekes Since hope I had with such two noble Greekes Though hard put-to as I to finde some ease And shall I now bereaue my selfe of these What shall I doe or which way shall I bend Tell O that can I am at my wits-end To leaue Chariclia can it but displease Before she finde-out her Theagenes Or if I seeke with her O who can tell How where to finde him when all will be well So shall I wander still what if I craue Of you sweet Lady shall I pardon haue To take th' occasion giu'n by Nausicles And home returne now call vs winde and seas Though helpe I little I willing shall me show True seruants loue will creepe wher't cannot goe She had perceiu'd and quickly by your leaue A Louer can a Louers minde perceiue That Cnemon lou'd the daught'r of Nausicles And that it did the father greatly please Wherefore she said I beare you thankfull heart Sir Cnemon for your thus far friendly part And gladly shall requite it for the rest I see no reason you be further prest To follow mine affaires but minde your owne And take th' occasion now so fitly showne My fath'r and I to th' end shall hold-out still Though no man else assist the Gods yet will This hearing Nausicles began to pray All good successe attend Chariclia So wise so gracious and Cnemon now Vnt ' Athens going neuer grieue it you That Tib you bring not sith you bring the man Who tooke her thence and if you like it can As well as I now well I know your straine You shall both house and land and wife attaine With dowrie great this same mine only childe He gaue a quicke consent thereto and smil'de And tooke her straight of purpose ready drest And turn'd the supper to a marriage-feast While all the rest attending were the Bride The Princesse vnt'her chamber slipt aside And shut the doore and as she were distract Her rayment tore and haire aboute her shakt Then wept lamented howled beat her brest And said this danse becomes my marriage-feast My bed-fellow Nausiclia from me taken And I now left alone of all forsaken Is Cnemon married now at full hearts ease And still in bondage my Theagenes At their successe O Gods I not repine Though grieue you make no better his and mine But O Theagenes my sweet delight And only care to thee I giue this night I consecrate these locks then haire she tore And laid them on her bed and wept them-o're So fell asleepe with griefe and passion tir'd And slept so long as next day was admir'd For Calasiris missing her before That wont rise early knockt hard at her doore And wak'd her suddenly with such a din That as she was she rose and let him in But when he saw her haire and vesture rent And lookes vnsettled ghessing what they ment He lookt aside she slipt halfe into bed Then thus he chid her while she drest her head What meane you Lady so your selfe to vex I thought you had in courage past your Sex And now me thinkes but only for the name So chang'd you are you should not be the same Why will you kill your selfe and not expect Your better hopes O doe not so neglect Theagenes and me a while she staid A blushing while and modestly then said Good father pardon 't is no strange desire Nor common cause that sets me thus afire You know the loue I beare Theagenes And his to me my heart cannot haue ease For his long absence most because I feare And wheth'r he liue or dead be cannot heare Feare not quoth he for that of him and you Fore-told by th' Oracle must needs be true Nor doubt y'of that was told vs yesterday How he by Thyam carri'd was away But thinke him safe as with acquainted frend And vnto Bessa let vs goe or send As both haue cause you for Theagenes And I my
his life with much adoe repreeues it But though she holds him fast she scarce beleeues it Vnfained loue so reignes her heart th'rowout That of her ioy possest she stands in doubt The theeues obseruing all one t'other sed Is this a Goddesse part to kisse the dead With such compassion courage we and goe What'ere it be the certaine truth to know So getting heart they forward went and found The Virgin busie about his sorest wound Yet all behinde her backe amazed stay And gazing on her nothing doe they fay But at their armours sound and shadowes sight She rais'd her selfe lookt backe and nought affright Or at their vgly shape or theeuish plight Bowes downe againe to cure her wounded Knight All other good or bad so Love despises And only that it loues to keepe deuises The Robbers passing by before her stand Attempting somewhat she leant on her hand And seeing faces blacke and ghastly said What would you haue that looke thus ill apaid If yee the ghosts been of the men here laine You doe vs wrong for you your selues haue slaine Each others all or in case any wee 'T was in defence of sacred chastitie But if you liue a theeuish life you lead And come in time to send vs to the dead Then make an end of all our miseries Lamenting so downe by her Loue she lies They knew not what she spoke and nothing speake But seeing both so safe because so weake Them leaue a while and haste the ship to rifle And all ware else accounting but a trifle Though much there was with silke and precious stone And gold and siluer load them euery chone So much they had they could desire no more And all they lay in seuerall packs a shore Not shared out by worth of things but way'd For equall portage as for Youth and Maid They after thinke take order but behold Another troope of theeues more strong and bold With Leaders two on horse came on and then The former fled for why they were but ten And thirtie these nor take the gold or gem For giuing th' other cause to follow them So twice is taken yet not captiue she At least in minde now well reuiu'd is he These theeues though bent to spoile a while forbeare In part to know the cause in part for feare And all that slaughter thinke was done by those That ran away When they the Maid disclose In glistring habit strange and not dismaid With that befell nor at their sight afraid But wholly bent the wounded Knight to cure And seeming all his griefe her selfe t' endure Her minde and beautie moue them wondrously And his long body there that lay her by At length comes he that chiefe was of the Crew Layes hand on her and bids her come she drew Though knowing not but ghessing what he said The Knight with her and he fast held the Maid To shew themselues vnwilling both to part And more to signe she set knife at her heart Whereby th' Aegyptian saw the Maid was loth To liue without her loue so tooke them both Withall considering what good vse he may haue of so braue a Youth another day Alights himselfe and makes his Squire alight And sets vp first the Lady and then the Knight Commands the rest to take and bring the pray Saith only these should be his charge to day So runs them by on foot and all the way Doth him with left and her with right hand stay Lest either chance to fall how these distrest Yet rode in pompe the Conquerour is prest To serue the Captiue beautie and noble state Is able saluage heart of theefe to mate Now in this equipage a mile and more They trauelled along the Mid-sea shore T' a hill-foot turne at right hand leaue the Maine And ore the Mountaine passe t' a watrie plaine On th' other side a grassie fen in stile Of Aegypt call'd where th'ouer-flouds of Nile Fall in t ' a Dale vnmeatly midward deepe Though nigh the banks to muddy fen it creepe This Stouer breeds which some for pasture take And as the Marsh to Sea is Fen to Lake Here all th' Aegyptian Robbers make their Fort And bastard Common-wealth hold aft'r a sort Some euer fishing seldome come off hatches Some walke the pasture six foot high on skatches If Islet any aboue the water peepe Some build a Lodge there some in boat on Deepe Both carried are and dwell and only there Their women serue them and their children beare The new-borne babe with mothers milke at first Then with Sun-rosted fish and fowle is nurst And when he stronger growes is tide by th' heele With rope to ship that out he cannot reele Nor stagger farre what men else euer tri'd So new deuice with bonds the feet to guide Though Kings of Aegypt would this Fen haue drain'd These would not suffert't thinking better gain'd With ease some fish or fowle or flag or reed Than with due care the grazing herds to feed Where now a Pike well might they feed an Oxe Yea meat drinke cloth haue from their bleating stocks Yet some they graze and Herdmen are they call'd Though from all hand of Iustice water-wall'd A theeuish Fort and thither still recoyle The lawlesse Crew and such as liue by spoyle Their wondrous store of Cane that on the marge Of this their Lake shoots-out both long and large For Bulwarke serues them hauing cut some wayes To them not others knowen with crooked bayes That from assaults and sudden ouertures As Labyrinth their dwelling-place secures And more than lake-fish hungry maw to soule Fruit herbe and root they haue and store of fowle The Swan both swimming there and flying freely The loftie Sternet crying t'Ely t'Ely Th'Ibis Halcyon Crane with tufted rump Storke Shov'ler Herneshaw Bittour sounding Bumpe Coot Red-shanke Sea-mew Teale Di-dapping-Chucke Goose Sea-pie Moore-hen Osprey Widgen Ducke I had almost forgot that most of all Remarkabl'is the bird that here we call The Cormorant Embleme of Penall Law With long sharpe hooked bill edg'd like a saw To hold an Eele but great one seldome takes These are the fowle that haunt the fenny Lakes Now as the Sunne declining lower goes To th' eye of man he great'r and greater showes And farther makes to shoot forth on the ground The shade of things till all in darke be drown'd But ere the Set came Captaine theefe to Lake Where his prey-loden men him ouertake The Knight and Lady some of them dismount Some beare aboord the spoile but see th' account They of their Captaine made the most him meet That went not with him and as King him greet And when they laid to heart the goodly pray And her diuine aspect they thought that day Their Complices who care not what they lurch Had got the spoyle of some well-furnisht Church And brought away Shee-Priest or Goddesse selfe In whose compare they count the rest but pelse So they the Master-theefe congratulate And to his home attend him all in state His
well I might abide Among some kindred by my mothers side I went aboord and safely there arriu'd Full merrily my time I spent vnwiu'd Let cleare and rainy dayes of all the yeare Compared be and more shall be the cleare But he that liues a whole yeare with a shrow More foule than faire dayes shall be sure to know Er long at hau'n-side walking on a day As was my wont I saw come-in a Cray Which while I marke well what it brought and whom Er plancke lay fast I saw leape out a groome Who came t' embrace me kindly Charias hight And said O Cnemon now plucke vp thy sprite Good newes I bring thee Demenet is dead And so as well deseru'd her deu'lish head Thy father gan repent it aft'r a while T' haue beene the cause of thine vniust exile And in his Countrey-village desolate Selfe-fretting spent his time but she gan hate Herselfe and Thisbe for her loues depart So thee she cals and takes it so to heart That mad by fits she often threats her maid Who fear'd the worst and thus preuenting said They say forsooth that Cnemon since his doome Hath left the land but he hath found a roome To lurke in here enquiring for your sake This haue I learn'd Arsinoe I take You know the Queane she closely keepes him hid For this I tell you let me not be chid O happy she quoth Demenet but what Is this to me O mistresse verie pat Repli'd the Maid mine old acquaint is she And one whom I haue vs'd in that degree I le say I Cnemon loue and pray and pay That in her roome this night she will me lay And if she grant the turne shall not be mine But yours and I le him bring well soakt in wine The plot is lik'd and hasted all they can But with Arsinoe turn'd cat in pan For vnto her the suttle Thisbe saith She loves one Teledemus and her pray'th Sweet lodge vs both to night he comes before And I when Dame a bed hath shut the dore Agreed she goes in haste to Aristippe And saith Sir I deserue more than the whip That you haue lost your sonne not principall But instrument I was your wiues at call Whom when I knew abuse your bed I durst Not tell to you but vnto Cnemon first Her fault at night he thought I said that night And start-vp suddenly with all his might Tooke sword in hand and casting on his coat Vnto your chamber went the rest you wote But now forgiue m' and I will you light How to reuenge your sonne and you this night And take your wife in breach of Nuptialls Nor yet at home nor yet within the walls Doe not quoth he from this thy proffer swerue But well performe't thou shalt no longer serue I le set thee free it shall prolong my life To be reueng'd of such a wicked wife T her suspected by some marks aloofe But thought it best be silent wanting proofe You know quâ—th she the tombe of th'Epicures And garden where it stands this parts is yours Expect me there at Eu'n so went her way To Demenet and thus vnt'her gan say Come make you fine for that I promised Is ready for you he will straight to bed So led her forth and comming nigh the place Shee wils her Mistres stay and went a space Before and pray'd Arsinoe withdraw T'anothter house for Teledem but raw And yet a Nouice vnto Cupids Queene Would blush at first of strangers to be seene Arsinoe departs then Thisbe fet And laid in bed her Mistres Demenet Put out the candl ' and said lest you should know her Who then at Aegin were and shut the dore Then for her Master went and wisht him hold Th'Adulter fast He comes in Iealous-bold And cries O haue I caught thee wicked wretch Then Thisbe as though some man thence made a breach Cries-out th'adulter's gone anâ— clasht the dore No matter wench quoth he sith here 's the whore And fast her holding brought her thence but shee Bethinking what a shame it would her bee What punishment to her offence was due And by the Law without all helpe t' ensue And mad that by her maid she was so mockt While people wondring all about her flockt You know the deepe pit where our Leaders won Doe solemne Rites when they came neere vpon 't With struggling much she broke his hold at last And thereinto her selfe downe headlong cast So broke her necke full oft conioyned be Bad life bad death so my reuenge quoth he Preuents the Law and forthwith to the States Her life and death and all thy case relates Gets hardly pardon for himselfe the while His friends entreat to call thee from exile But done or not as yet I know no whether Faire wind and sudden businesse call'd me hether That all the people giue consent no doubt And soone thy father will goe seeke thee out This Charias told me but what else befell And here how came I more time askes to tell Then he and they for company gan weepe And eas'd with teares together fell asleepe But Thyamis th'arch Outlawes name was so Had rested well till houshold Cocke gan crow As all by kinde some say because they feele The Sunne returning with his mid-night wheele And would salute him some for natures heat So quicke-digesting and desire of meat They call to worke the men with whom they dwell Then dreampt and had a vision thus befell He seem'd at Memphis entring Isis Fane That all th'rowout with fire-brands it shane That th' Altars were with sacrifice besprent That in the porch and all about theâ—e went Men all in tumult raising hideous cries As hauing tooke the Temple by surprise That comming neere the shrine the Goddesse met him With his faire prise in hand and thus she gret him This Maid O Thyam I command thee saue her From hurt but know thou hauing shalt not haue her Thou shalt a guest kill though against my Law But she shall liue this when he heard and saw His minde was troubled how to conster it And thus he made all for his purpose fit Haue and not haue a wife no more a maid But how then kill O Hymen stab he said For many a virgin her virginitie May wounded haue and of the wound not die When Sun began t'enamell th'Easterne sand He calls him-to the chiefe of his command And bids the Spoyle so by more noble name He tearm'd the Prey to keepe vntainted Fame Be laid before him Cnemon eke he wils Bring forth the prisners O quoth they what ills Yet more betide vs and him weeping pray'd And he them promis'd if he could some aid And cheer'd them vp and told them how their Chiefe Ne bore the minde of rude and sauage thiefe But noble and gentle was to iust complaint And would not liue thus but vpon constraint When all were come and Thyam set on high To speake them-to as wont he commonly He Cnemon bids vnto that Youth
the custome bar Or as I thinke because more for her ease She thought she might there see Theagenes A torch in left a Palme she held in right And her-vpon straight all men cast their sight But first Theagenes for Loue entire Is quicke to spie that is his most desire And he had time to marke that heard whilere What should be done then whisper'd me i'th'eare Of purpose next me set 't is shee 't is shee I bid him peace then comming forth we see A Gallant armed point-deuis that high Of spirit seem'd and no man would him trie So known he was and had so great a name For winning alwayes when he ran the game The Iudges send him backe nor might they giue The garland him that had not for it strivve He then obtain'd it might proclaimed be And 't is come who so will He calleth me Then saith Theagenes How now quoth I Will you aduenture such a ieopardie It shall be so quoth he nor will I stand To see another from Chariclia's hand For running swift reward of conquest beare But losse quoth I and shame I wish you feare You say full well quoth he but this belieue Who nought will vndertake shall nought achieue And were this Challenger as swift as Larke He could not me out-run at such a marke With many men in this kinde had I strife But neuer was out-ran in all my life And loue hath wings so said and downe he leapt And forward on the Plaine full nimbly stept His name and countrey told and tooke his place Was arm'd and stood all ready for the race The people shout at th'vnexpected part And wish him well So moueth eu'rie heart The comely person but the Ladies most I markt Chariclia how she clear'd the coast With Sun-bright eye the Cryer hearing name What were the men that entred for the game To wit the stout Ormene of Arcady And braue Theagenes of Thessaly Nor could she keepe her lookes with all her Art So mou'd she was at trumpet sound they start And cheeke by cheeke on sudden passing-by So swiftly ran they seeme not run but flie How did her panting heart then shake her seet How did she stirre by fits her hands and feet As if her spirit with his body ran To helpe him run And now did eu'rie man And most my selfe with care expect th' euent With him as with a sonne my wishes went No maruell Cnemon said if so 't affect The lookers-on for I with care expect That doe but hear 't and quickly tell m'I pray If our Theagenes there got the day The day quoth I yes and deseru'd the night For passing Ormen-by as 't were a flight And faining at some stone his foot to clap Of purpose fell but fell iust in her lap And when he tooke the Palme I could perceiue He closely kist her hand and with her leaue But she went home now sicker than before This second enterview enflam'd her more As fuell twice at fire and I that night Could take no rest for thinking on our flight I saw 'tas meant by sea by sea and land Said th' Oracle but whither t' vnderstand I must goe learne of that embroydred silke Left with her when she left her mothers milke Which had but vnderstood not Charicles To him I goe but finde him litl'at ease How fare you man quoth I he wept amaine And said alas my daught'r is more in paine Both you and all the rest quoth I depart And leaue m'alone with her to proue mine Art A three-foot stoole me set and bayes withall Perfume and fire and come not till I call 'T is done and I now hauing time to play My Gypsie part perfume and waue the Bay Now here now there and o're her face and feet She wagg'd her head at me and smil'd to see 't And said good father doe not so deceiue Your selfe in me then Lady by your leaue Quoth I and left my tricks and sat her neere I know 't full well but be you of good cheere A rise disease it is and easly cur'd Some eye bewitching hath your heart allur'd And put you to some paine two dayes before But since you saw the race a great deale more I ghesse the man and saw him cast that eye The swift Theagenes of Thessaly Whe'r he me hurt or not I wish him good Quoth she what is he Of Achilles blood They say quoth I and so may well be thought By face and stature beautie and spirit haught But only that he seemes more gentl ' and milde As if a friend might rule him like a childe And hath I warrant tooke more hurt than done By glance at you and if he were my sonne So could I wish Alacke quoth she and why He hurt me not at all good Sir but my Disease has other cause Yet thanke I you Good father for so suffring with me now If other cause quoth I my guirle reueale it And from your father neuer long conceale it Disease like new-set plant is quickly taken With ease plucke-vp but rooted hardly shaken A fathers loue I beare you and your father Hath put m'in trust O therefore then the rather What ere it be impart I vow and sweare To keepe your cousaile and effect what ere Hereat she paus'd a while and in her face Had many changes all with prettie grace Declaring doubtfull minde then said I pray I cannot yet resolue forbeare to day And after what it is if by your spell You know it not before I shall you tell I rose and yeelded as ought yeelded bee A time to bashfull Maidens modestee Yet take my leaue as men of women vse Soone after meet with Charicles what newes Quoth he all well quoth I and eu'n to morrow She shall be rid of all her griefe and sorrow Nay more I tell you she intends a deed Will giue you great content and that with speed And ne'rthelesse I wish you counsaile take Of some Physitian safer all to make If further cause be call me to my taske So part to th' end he then no more should aske And walking homeward meet Theagenes In Temple-close it did his heart some ease To see but where she dwelt I passe beside As not perceiuing him then oh he cri'de Good Calasire the verie man I sought I sudden turn'd as somewhat else I thought And said O braue Theagenes how braue Quoth he that can of her no fauour haue Ah will you still quoth I mistrust mine Art Which haue so well already plaid my part Which haue her ouercome and made her loue yee As if you stand in doubt still I shall proue yee Y' are th' only man whom she desir's to see Then he what what why longer tarrie wee And going was apace till by the cloke I pull'd him backe and thus vnto him spoke Nay stay a while good youth though as a Son Of great Achilles verie swift you run The time in counsaile spent is neuer waste And this no worke is to be done
Thought meet his wearie companies to rest And wils for doing good and shunning harme They nigh the wall and not too nigh disarme The Citizens afeard of them before Now gan to scorne them for they were no more And would with Archers lest in garrison And certaine troopes of horse them set vpon But that a Noble-man that was full wise With age authorized gan thus aduise Why Countrey-men although our Gouerner Be gone far hence about the Negroes werre We should before we weaken any Fort Acquaint the great Kings sister his Consort And better will the Souldiour make defence In war begun with her intelligence They like th' aduice and to the Palace run And aske Arsace what she please t' haue done She was a Faire-one of Diana's size And chaste as Venus and as Pallas wise And minded-high as Iuno for her birth That such another was not found on earth And true it was though not in common vent Sh 'had beene the cause of Thyams banishment For when th' old Priest of Memphis secretly Had left his Countrey for the Prophesie Came Thyamis his elder sonne to place That was a tall young man of comly grace She likt and shew'd him such a fauour-token As of a Princesse ought not to be spoken But he both young and vertuously dispos'd Not saw or would not see 't And this disclos'd His brother Petosire t' Orondates That Thyam gone he might the Priesthood seize For thus much of his owne he puts thereto That Thyamis was bent her will to doe The Gouernor that knew her humour well Did soone beleeue 't and yet the truth to tell He durst not vie it wer 't for want of card Or for that awe and reuerend regard He bore th' imperiall bloud yet tooke to heart So that he made young Thyamis to smart And euer threatte him death vntill he went For feare of worse to willing banishment This heretofore but now the Citie comes And all defire her leaue to beat-vp Drums First let me know quoth she these enemies How many and what they be and why they rise I le offer parley to them from the wall And when I haue well markt and gather'd all That may be therein safetie done aloofe Then will I cast the best for our behoofe They praise her wisdome yet as turbulents Run all on heapes vpon the battlements For out of hand there shew her selfe she would And did in throne of purple silke and gould Attended on with guilden armed Guard And clad as might with Empresse be compar'd In Crowne of gold and precious stone and pearles She stately sits her downe and eye she whitles On eu'rie side and o're the Bessan Camp And hauing view'd it well she gaue a stamp And shew'd her Herauld signe of parl he calls The Leaders forth to heare him from the walls· Theagenes and Thyamis appeare All arm'd but head and this full soone they heare Aâ—sace wife of Prince Orondates And sist'r of Babels great King Artabes Demands what are you wherfore come you whence Before she sends out force to driue you hence Then Thyam answers telling them his name And how his right to get againe he came Which if he might obtaine he would suppresse his companies th' Inhabitants of Besse But if Orondates and Petosire Who both him wrong deny that they require He will by these and others far and wide Stirr'd vp to warre the Controuers decide And Lady Arsace if she call to minde What Petosire hath done no cause shall finde Him to defend against his elder brother For he 't was only he 't was and none other That made Orondates suspect her grace And thereupon put Thyam out of place The Memphits all are mou'd and him they knew And what he said of th' others thinke is true And th' elder brothers exile all deplore The cause whereof they neuer heard before Arsace selfe now troubled most of all Doth sometime anger sometime loue recall Her loue to Thyamis rekindles fire And anger to reuenge on Petosire And one thing else distracts her more than these Her sight and new loue of Theagenes The verie standers-by may well perceiue How diuers passions in her shoue and heaue But when was o're this fit of Apoplex Thus stout and wisely spoke she past her sex You yet my friends and all that with you take Me thinks not well aduis'd are here to make Vnequall war the mightie King my brother Although my Lord be gone hath many an other To lead his forces here that may be tri'de Enow to compasse you on eu'rie side And pitie 't is that you so comly and young And as I ghesse of linage noble sprung Should put your selues in danger for these thieues And for the common people me it grieues To shed their bloud but sith on priuate lawes The matter leanes and is no publike cause The same me thinks the Combat should decide Then let the brothers only danger bide And trie their right The Memphits all assent To saue their persons from a wars euent But see the Bessans loue their Captaine so They will not hazard him and all say no Vntill himselfe entreated and them told His brother could not long against him hold A man vnexercis'd against a man That could in armes as much as any can And this she thought-on that the Combat mou'd To plague her hated man by man she lou'd And void suspect No sooner 'tis agreed But all for combat ready make with speed Saue Petosire that after great dilates At length is hardly thrust out at the gates For oth'r his armes than Thyamis doth aske Theagenes him puts-on gilden caske With goodly-shaking crest and though no need Encourageth and wisheth him good speed I trust quoth he to win but haue no will Nor neuer had my brothers bloud to spill For all the wrong me done Yet chance of fight Vncertaine is and therefore if it light I ouercome to you my deerest frend Of all my happinesse I part intend And here with me at pleasure liue you may For I in towne shall beare the greatest sway But if it fall as oftentimes we see Th'vnlikely come to passe that slaine I bee Then of the Bessan forces take you charge And them commanding may you liue at large Till better fortune fall They thus agreed Doe kindly part and Thyam went with speed T' encounter Petosire Theagenes Sate there beholding and beheld at ease The Ladies eyes are on him still and his Vpon his friend well-wished Thyamis Whose comming Petosiris could not bide But backe to gate he runs and Open cri'de And then both from the gate and from the wall Keepe-out receiue him not they cry out all He casts his armour off to make him light And round about the Citie takes his flight Then Thyam followes then Theagenes To see what issue both he could with ease Outrun but would not lest be thought it might That for his friend he ran and meant to fight Though shield and speare he left when first he rase
bids no longer stay her But as a mother to them both obey her Well was his meaning though it ill befell As ill that ment is often falls-out well They condescend O ne're had been so gull'd This louing paire but that they had been dull'd The day before with ioy that night with griefe And so them stole this man-and-woman-thiefe No sooner came they to the Palace gate And saw the sumptuous buildings and the state Where workmanship excelled manifold The matter selfe though Porphyrite and gold But maruell'd much and troubled were in minde For they had thought some priuate Host to finde And not belodg'd in Court too late they thought To start backe now and further still are brought Vntill they came to Cybels lodging where She made them sit and came and sate them neere And said My children well I doe perceiue 'T is forth'Arch-Bishops death that you so greiue Your reuerend friend it seemes he lou'd you well And you him also but I pray me tell Of whence and who you be of Greece I know And well descended by the grace you show In lineaments and lookes but of what towne Of Greece you be and how thus vp and downe You come to wander let me know I pray That to my Lady better may I say For your behoofe she loues a Greeke full well And in that language few can her excell That are not Greekes and is to strangers all Of worthy parts most noble and hospitall The royall wife of Prince Orondates And sister to the great King Artabes You shall not speake it but t' a faithfull frend And one that will continue yours to th' end For Greeke I am and Lesbis they me name Of that braue Isle and Citie whence I came From place to place a captiue did I rome But settled here far better than at home I mannage all my Ladies great affaires And eu'rie stranger first to me repaires And I them bring acquainted with her Grace Then let me somewhat understand your case He then this hearing vnto minde doth call Arsaces wanton glances from the wall And thought no good was like to come thereon But rather mischiefe now he feares begon And as he gan to speake Chariclia Him rounds i'th'eare and saith in that you say Your sister think-on Mother then quoth he We Grecian borne and broth'r and sister be Our Parents were by Rouerstak'n away And we them seeking worse haue far'd than they Till now of late with holy Calasire We fell acquaint and at his kinde desire Resolu'd to liue with him this is our case Now if you loue vs doe vs but the grace To let vs lodge in place more solitarie For from the Court our habits greatly varie Then of your Ladies fauour make pause And trouble not her Highnesse for our cause Glad was the Grammer when she heard they were A broth'r and sister that she might not feare Chariclia would be some impediment For her t' effect Arsaces main intent And said good sonne you neuer would so say If you my Lady known had but a day So kinde to strangers so compassionate Vnt ' all that suffer crosse in there estate Though Persian borne she loues the Grecian guise And of the two our Nation counts more wise Then feare not you shall best preferment get That fits a man your sister shall be set At boord with her to keepe her company Both neere each other liuing merrily But now your names Theagenes quoth he My selfe am called and Chariclia she Then bids she them her straight returne expect And vnt ' her Lady Arsace runs direct And told what seruice sh 'had already done To bring those young ones hardly to be won Into the Court where now without offence May enterview be had and conference She gaue command'ment first t'another Hag That kept her doore no bolt thereof to wag For anies comming in or going out What if your son quoth she Keepe backe the Lout Cyb-hag reply'd And she no sooner gone But comes and knocks hard at the doore her sonne Then O Theagen O Chariclia Say th' one to th' other she doth vs betray And keeping Louers chaste and faithfull grace Embrace and weepe and kisse kisse weepe embrace They then the losse of Calasire lament And chiefly she that most time with him spent And said O sweetest name of father quite Bereft me now for him that was my right I neuer knew and him that foster'd me Whose name I beare how can I hope to see That left him so no better than betray'd And this that was my best and surest aid Lies flat aground embalmed for the beere And cruell custome lets me not come neere Then would she teare her locks and on them weepe And said thy funerall yet thus I keepe But he held both her hands then she the more Fell thus againe her Patron to deplore My guide in forraine lands and as I rome My staffe to lean-on who shall bring me home Who shall me lead Who shall my Parents finde Put-by my dangers comfort me so kinde Now thou art gone O were my head a fount To weepe my fill and yeeld thee iust account Meane time Theagenes did inly grieue But hid his owne her passion to relieue Achamenes without doore all this while Against the Porteresse began to moyle Yet when he knew his mothers charge I thinke He said no more but peept in at a chincke And saw them both and thought how braue a Swain Were that and this a wench in merrie vain Who so become their griefe Again he peekes And bett'r obserues the count'nance of these Greekes For such he learn'd they were and by his mother Late thither brought and viewes both one and other Till at the last is strooke by th'Archer blinde In loue with her and gan him call to minde And thought is this not he whom th' other day The Male-contents of Bessa tooke away From me and my Conuoy by Mitranes Sent to present him vnt ' Orondates And should he not I haue it vnder ring From hence be sent to serue the mightie King But not a word vntill I know the rest And how my Lady likes of this her guest Now Cybel came againe and chid her sonne For prying so into that she had done As oftentimes the curious are shent For searching things to them not pertinent He mutt'ring went his way but thought this youth Was kept of-purpose for Arsaces tooth As for that wench it shall goe hard and if By mothers helpe I get her not to wife The Bawd discern'd as soone as she came in Though now compos'd in what case they had bin Why mourne my children so quoth she that reason Haue more to laugh for their good hap this season My Lady wils me that you nothing want And here assure you no good cheere is scant To morrow must I you to her present Then doe not still so babishly lament But vnto cheerfulnesse now change your face And set your selues to please her noble grace Good mother
put her out of hope Then present mischiefe must vpon vs fall Prepare you for 't quoth she and therewithall Comes Cybel in late hauing comforted The loue-sicke Lady left yet on her bed This Gammar Bawd this all-enticing spright Yet lets Theagenes alone to night And labours what she can Chariclia To helpe her suit as they together lay But in the morning sets on him againe And prayes him put her Mistris out of paine If yet he be resolu'd he flat denies her And she againe vnto Arsace hies her With sad report The Lady gaue her checke In such a sort as neere had broke her necke Thrown down the staires her selfe both heart and head Now like to burst with griefe rowles on her bed And all to teares her cloths her haire her brest Nor all that day could take a minutes rest The Bawd no sooner left the Nurserie But meets her sonne who saw her sadly crie And askt the cause thus of her sudden damp What ailes Arsace What newes from the camp Hath Lord Orondates receiu'd a blow Or lost the field good mother let me know And instant is to learne the reason why Nor will her leaue though she would put him by Then him she conjur'd and by hand him tooke And led him forth aside t' a secret nooke And said My sonne this vnto none I would But vnto thee mine only childe haue tould Our Lady loues the Grecian here and thence Come all her fauours and beneuolence The vaine and foolish youth will not comply Doe what we can her minde to satisfie Which her distracteth in so high degree I thinke 't will make her kill her selfe and mee Then helpe vs sonne if thou know wherewithall Or else prepare for mothers funerall What shall the man haue quoth he that procures To be fulfill'd my Ladies minde and yours Aske what thou wilt quoth she Cup-bearer late I made thee and daily can encrease thy state Then he I thought at first it would be so But held my peace to see how game would goe I le worke my Ladies will or lose my life If I may haue that Greeke wench to my wife And aske no more for mother I so loue her That liue I cannot long except I proue her Away with honour and away with pelfe And let Arsace iudge me by her selfe Why sonne quoth she of this make you no doubt I thinke my selfe can well nigh bring 't about Bed-fellowes are we by some tricke or gin Not now to seeke I quickly shall her win But how can you so bring about this geare A word not I quoth he vntill she sweare And mother deale not you in Greeke nor French Nor any language with my daintie wench Lest hurt you doe for I already finde She lookes aloft and beares a haughtie minde But let my Lady assure her selfe I will On that condition all her minde fulfill With this Dame Cybel vnt ' Arsace runs And tells her this faire promise of her sons Let call him in quoth she except you faine And as before will me delude againe Achaemenes comes-in and him t' assure The Lady sweates if he her loue procure He shall Theagens sister take to wife Then here quoth he shall ended be the strife The man your slaue is and he must obay How so quoth she I had him th' other day In charge quoth he as sent from Mitranes Vnto your husband Lord Orondates And tooke he was from me by strong impresse Of Thyamis and Malecontents of Besse Whom if you aske he can it not deny And yet a much more pregnant proofe haue I My Captaines letters firme and vnder seale Which here behold will all the case reueale And how he should to Babylon be sent This rude relation gaue her great content She makes no more adoe but straight bids call Her learned Councell to the Iudgement hall And there on loftie Throne she stately bore her And will'd Theagenes be brought before her He comes and Achaemen him standing by Know you that man quoth he she answer'd I. And were you captiue left vnto his charge Confest it too Then how quoth she at large By Thyamis quoth he Then she my slaue You are and please me or no mercie craue And of your sister thus I doe dispose She shall be wife to him that did disclose This first to me my seruant Achamen So well deseruing eu'rie where and when As for solemnities and marriage-day When things be fit no longer shall we stay It strook Theagenes to th' heart yet he Made answer thus Althovgh our fortune be To serue free-borne and of no parent base Yet herein may we bett'r account our case And frownig fortunes bad intent conuince To serue so braue and gracious a Prince That will be pleas'd doe justice which we craue My sister yet nor captiue is nor slaue Well quoth Arsace let him be brought vp Among the slaues that wait vpon our Cup And Achaemen him teach in cu'rie thing That may him fit to serue the mightie King So forth they went Theagenes distrest In minde and thinking what to doe were best Achaemenes to haue him at his becke Insultingly and thus began him checke Ah ha Sir youth you thought your selfe so free As no man else now must you wait on mee I le make you bend that beare your head so high Or knocke y'about the sconce Authoritie In base mens hands is neuer well employ'd Arsace then commands the rest auoyd And thus to Cybel saith now all excuse Is tane away this proud boy for th' abuse Me done to-fore shall well and surely pay You tell him so except he soone obay Which if he doe then will I set him free And honour adde and wealth to libertee She tels Theagenes the Ladies minde And of her owne some reasons more doth finde Him to perswade he craues to pause that day And talks alone first with Chariclia Then saith my Deere now are we cleane vndone I must obey before the morrow Sunne Hath ran his course or suffer seruitude Yea both of vs among this people rude With all disgrace that on the kept-in strict May scorne inuent or barbarisme inflict This could I beare but that far worse than this I neuer shall though past her promise is That Achaemen forsooth should marrie thee While I haue life and sword it shall not be Necessities are suttle Councellers I haue a tricke Then thus with Cyb conferr's I am resolu'd goe tell her now you Krone Alone-I wish to talke with her-alone She glad he was so bold with her as signe Of yeelding minde her Lady told in fine That night he sent-for was and softly led In darke by Cyb when all were gone to bed But Lady her selfe and these and when they came Within the chamber doore the little flame That there was left she takes and would away Nay Madame quoth he let kinde Cybel stay For she 's no blab Then Lady tooke by th' hand And said thus long fore-slow'd I your command Deere Lady and
Mistris that I might obay With more securitie both night and day And now good fortune me declares your slaue More willing am I you command and haue But O! this one thing grant me first I pray Renounce your promise of Chariclia Vnt ' Achamen you shall her much disparage Such is her birth by making such a marriage Or else I sweare befall what can befall At your command I will doe nought at all For ere I liue to see her suffer force You shall me see a selfe-dead-wounded corse Arsace then Why thinke not Sir that I Who giue my selfe can ought to you deny But I haue sworne before and by my life Your sister shall be Achaemen his wife Well 't is no worse reply'd Theagenes Him giue my sister Lady when you please For sister none haue I and on my life This is my spouse and eu'n as good as wife For further proofe appoint the day and we Shall gladly with your fauour married be Which broth'r and sister cannot This to heare The loue-sicke Lady toucht was verie neare Yet said we grant Then I le doe your command When that 's vndone quoth he so tooke in hand Her hand to kisse but she it backward slips And bowes her downe and layes him lips to lips Not kissing he but kist forthwith arose And with her leaue for that time out he goes And tels Chariclia what was done but shee Scarce heard the last without some jealousie This one thing done quoth he prevents the fall Of many mischiefes on our heads and shall Achaemenes prouoke his case deplore And set this house forthwith in great vprore For Cyb will tell her sonne and for that cause When forth she would of chamb'r I made her pause And to th' intent she might a witnesse bee Of what there past and of my loue to thee For though it well suffise the guiltlesse brest To know his owne integritie and rest Vpon the Gods yet vnto men we ought With whom we liue by deed declare our thought And said againe be sure Achaemenes Is like to lay some plot that will disease Arsace selfe a mischiefe minding knaue Her discontent and disappointed slaue Who knowes her life and leauing false inuent May worke reuenge on matters evident Exhorts her therefore courage haue and hope That something will befall to fit their scope The next day comes Achaemenes to call Him forth to wait vpon the Lady in hall And brings a Persian suit which she him sent Laid all with gold and pearly Passement This he with greater state her cups to fill Must now put-on though much against his will And when the Clowne would teach the Gentleman Giue wine he said it needed not and ran Before his mast'r and neatly did it skinke And with a comly grace her gaue to drinke She dranke more loue than wine beholding still Her waiters face and had not yet her fill But left a little through her wanton skill For him to drinke though he had to 't no will When feast was done he prayes the Lady straight He might not weare that robe but if he wait She grants he shifts him and for then they part Achaemenes yet sorely prickt at heart With enuie twits him for his bold attempt And saith all were your Nouesie exempt From checke at first yet if you keepe that guise You shall offend I friendly you aduise As one that shall if Ladies hold their saw Ere long become your louing broth'r in law Theagenes held downe his head and said No word thereto but th' other ill-apaid Complaines his mother-to that this new Lad Of Lady Arsace greater fauours had Than he himselfe and that which grieues him most With bold presumption hath her cup engrost To me no dutie yeelds no thanke to me Who taught him all this skill and yet if she Had fauour'd him without my plaine disgrace It would not grieue me so to leaue the place Who further'd haue her purpose and conceal'd That long ere this had better beene reueal'd But time will come Now moth'r on bed or bench Where lies how does my daintie Grecian wench My loue my spouse faine would I see her snout Thinke this a phrase that fits a clownish lout The sight of her perhaps will ease the pang Of wound receiu'd from Anger 's rustie fang Why sonne quoth she while you at shadowes rap You lose the maine It must not not be your hap To marrie her you meane Why so quoth he My fellow-seruant y' are deceiu'd quoth she Son in the Sun the man that walks shall burne This this haue we for seruing still her turne Preferring still her lust before our liues A new-come slaue that should be kept in gyues But once beheld hath made her breake her oath And vnto him thy promised betroath He saith no sister sh 'is but his true loue And that by marriage ready is to proue And hath Arsace promis'd it quoth he I present was and heard her so quoth she And verie few dayes hence will celebrate Their marriage-feast with great resort and state But promiseth she will for thee prouide Another wife as good what ere betide Betide what will quoth he and clapt his pawes If any right there be or care of Lawes Or men can women rule good mother keepe It off a while and I shall make them weepe All ere the marriage-day If any aske For me them tell that I haue got a laske And keepe within doores at your Countrey Farme Then thus he mumbled as it were a charme T' Arsace rude before now finely bowes His sister late must now be call'd his spouse Who sees not this deuis'd to put me by What if he kisse her if with her he lye And th' one I 'm well assured-of he kist her Are these enough to proue her not his sister Goe to ye foole quoth she bee 't false or true Against my Ladies purpose stirre not you Or wise or foole quoth he What wise hath knowne Anothers case as doth a foole his owne Doe what they can I will not so be gull'd Nor will the Gods an oath be disanull'd Thus Anger Loue with Iealousie and Faile Which might against the wisest man preuaile Him sets a-rage and what he first bethought Without consideration will haue wrought He takes th'Armenian Courser kept at ease For th' only pleasure of Orondates And on him flies o're Aegypts fruitfull glebes To tell his Lord at hundred-gated Thebes There now r'enforcing for the war began Against the white-tooth'd Aethiopian Finis Libri septimi THE Faire Aethiopian WHen claime is iustly made in quiet passage And no iust answer giu'n to nobl ' Embassage It matters not if Kings obtaine their right Against an Enemie by force of slight So when Hydaspes by a warlike wile Pretending treatie got his Mine of Phile A Towne whereon th'Outlawes of Aegypt prest That was before by th'Aethiop possest And stood at th'vpper Cataracts of Nile From Elpentine and Sien thirteene mile The Persian driu'n in haste to muster
gaue Euphrates should torment him like a slaue As for some fault in waiting Eunuchs all Are giu'n to jealousie and he the more Theagenes afflicts for that before He well obseru'd and all the signes had seene Of loue him-to that shew'd the wanton Queene With knottie whips he teares his tender skin While manacles and shackles hold him in With hung'r and thirst him pinches and no light By day him shewes nor lets him rest at night Not so Arsace meant yet worse than so Did Gammer Cyb pretend her minde to know For none but she came there though with pretence To bring him meat 't was for intelligence And when she saw him so maintaine the field Against her plot and by no meanes would yeild The more his body is beaten downe the more His minde was rais'd with chaster loue to soare And thought if this Chariclia did but know It tooke away the paine of eu'rie blow And cri'd in torment either night or day My loue my light my life Chariclia When this the Gammer heard and saw she thought This Virgin liuing all their plot was nought And now she feares if by Achaemenes As like it was be told Orondates Lest she be soundly paid for all and left Arsace kill her selfe wherefore the beast Is all on killing set now to remoue What euer hinder'd her sicke Ladies loue To bar intelligence to saue her hide And one day to her Lady thus she cri'de Madam we worke in vaine as long as she On whom builds all his hope this stubborne he Is suffer'd still to liue but were she gone We should doe well enough with him alone The louesicke Lady on this laid present hold In ang'r and jealousie for that was told You tell me true quoth she and I ere night Will order take she stand not in my light But how quoth Cybel By the Persian Lawes You may not kill but shew and proue the cause Which asketh time to plot but I le to day If you thinke good her rid quite out of way By draught of poys'n it likes Arsace well About-it goes this Chamberlaine of Hell She found Chariclia weeping bitterly And more than so deuising how to dye For now she gan suspect the cruell case Theagenes was in that all space Came not at her though Cybel fain'd excuse And said he was restrain'd for some abuse Or little fault in seruice but by my Most earnest suit was dealt with graciously And shall be still and out of doubt ere night At libertie therefore plucke-vp your sprite And doe not thus with mourning pine away My Lady makes her marriage-feast to day Refresh your selfe that when your Louer comes You may with ioy receiue him and the Groomes Behold some dainties haue I brought you heere Come let 's fall-to 't is of my Ladies cheere You vse quoth she so much me to deceiue That what you say I hardly can beleiue Th'equiuocating witch deuoutly sweares She should to day be rid of all her cares So downe they sit and eat and lesse in feare Chariclia now for that she heard her sweare And hope of that she promis'd What we wish We soone beleeue Then ate they flesh and fish And other dainties Aura giues the cup Made ready for Chariclia to sup To Cybel-selfe she drinkes it off mistooke And felt it straight and cast a cruell looke Vpon her Maid I wish there might vnt ' all That goe about such wickednesse befall The like mistake the poyson was so strong Prepar'd for youth that soone it laid along That aged witch Yet she amids her maine Convulsing swelling staring twitching paine While belly bursts and sinewes cracke and shrinke Declares a minde more poys'nous than the drinke For signe she made to some then standing-by As if Chariclia made her so to dye Poore innocent amas'd at such a stound And oft attempting her to raise from ground But helpe of man or woman littl'auailes When poyson strong the vitall part assailes Her skin was blacke and out start both her eyes And with her mouth awry there dead she lyes The guiltlesse Virgin neuer vs'd to bands But silke vnti'de and ti'de with softest hands In case she was is rapt from off the ground And with rough cord t' Arsace carri'd bound The iealous Lady threatens with excesse Of paine to force her but she would confesse Her poys'ning Cybel Marke what innocence Can make one doe and guiltlesse conscience She came not drooping but with cheerfull grace Of Princely courage Feare attends the base And glad to see that where through griefe she thought To kill her selfe it should by them be wrought Said goodly Princesse if Theagenes Be yet aliue then set your heart at ease I did it not but if by your designe He 's made away the deed was only mine I flue your Nurse that hath so well you taught And in these honourable wayes vp-brought Come take reuenge you cannot better please Your refractorie man Theagenes O noble he that could so well withstand So wicked purpose and so cruell hand With this enrag'd the lust-sicke Lady spent Some blowes on her and presently her sent Bound as she was t' her chiefe Eunuch Euphrate There to behold her louers like estate And safe be kept vntill the morning come When heare she should the Iudges deadly doome And as she 's led away that Aura came Dame Cybels Maid and lowdly gan exclame Alas poore innocent the standers-by Constraine her plainly speake she said 't was I The poyson'd cup mistooke and gaue the same Which vnto this I should vnto my Dame T' Arsace carri'd there she sayes the like The raging Lady was about to strike Yet held and said this also had conspir'd My Nurses death thereto by th' other hir'd Away with her away with her and let her Be safely kept in manacle and fetter T' abide the doome Then for the Iudges sent And next day shew'd the cause of their conuent She cri'd my Nurse alas my Nurse is gone Yea poyson'd poyson'd by this wretched one Whom I receiu'd with all humanitie My Lords you know and yet this thanke haue I. And sobbing sighing weeping wringing hand Such women haue their teares at their command She said what could be said in such a mood And yet Chariclia made her saying good Nay more confest she would Arsace selfe That wicked wretch that lust-sicke wanton Else Haue made away but that she was preuented And that she mist her purpose much lamented Although in truth she ne're had such a thought But miserie t' auoid her death so sought As was in their conceit most like to speed And so in prison were they both agreed When hardest heart constraine it would to rue The lamentable sight of their adiew Her Iewels all the Cradle-band wrapt-in Were ti'd about her twixt her smocke and skin That at her death pretended criminall They might supply the want of funerall But now the Iudges hearing her confesse The crime at large and rather more than lesse According false Arsaces hearts desire
a thing to subiect equitable Repli'd the Iudge to stranger's honourable Then saith the King 't is plaine sh' hath nought to say But only seekes to trifie time away As loth to die but let her speake because Sisimithres so forward that-way drawes Chariclia courage had enough before And hope of safetie that name gaue her more For she had heard that one Sisimithres Was he that gaue her first to Charicles And then but seu'n yeeres old ten yeeres agoe No maruell now that him she did not know Nor yet her he who then Gymnosophist But one of common sort now led the list And Primate was of all That made her raise Her hands and voyce to Heau'n and thus she prayes O Sun the Founder of my Pedegree And Gods and Demi-Gods mine Ancestree Me heare and helpe To witnesse call I you That nothing shall I here alleage but true And thus begin O King are they your owne That thus mun die or strangers and vnknowne And strangers only said the King Then she Then must you seeke some other here for me For I shall easly proue and make it knowne That I no stranger am but eu'n your owne He maruell'd much and call'd her Counterfetter Small things are these quoth he now heare you greater For I shall proue me not borne only here But of Bloud royall to your selfe full neere The King it scorn'd and her for words so vaine And new deuised she reparts againe With sober count'nance and behauiour milde Most royall father scorne not so your childe The King was wroth and said Sisimithres And you the rest how long thus will it please Your sacred Wisdome that I this endure Away with her I haue no childe I 'm sure Though once I had a guirle that quickly di'de As all you know and I had none beside Away with her Not till the Iudge so say Quoth she you iudge not but are iudg'd to day Your Law perhaps you suffers stranger kill That childe you slay nor Law nor Nature will And that your childe I am though you say no The Gods themselues this day will plainly show Two kindes of Arguments as I am tould Are chiefly vs'd in proofe the first enroul'd By writing are the second firmly stand On witnesse vnexcept on either hand I bring them both and offer'd to be seene Her cradle-band displaid before the Queene She lookt thereon amaz'd at case so strange And at her guerle with many a counter-change Now it now her she view'd then her then it And fell a sweating with a shaking fit For ioy and feare and doubt what might befall And what the King would thinke and what they all That she with honour could a daughter bring So much vnlike her selfe vnlike the King The King perceiu'd her passion and what ill Sweet heart quoth he hath done thee that same Bill What ailes my Loue she not a word but O King Lord and Husband read it you and know Then sad and silent gaue it him and hee The Wisemen call'd with him to read and see They looke well on it all and as they looke With much amaze Sisimithres was strooke And now the writing then the Princesse ey'd And when the King was partly satisfi'd About the Babe and putting forth and cause That mou'd the Queene thereto with little pause He said I know a guerle I had but told Was by Persina dead and laid in mold Put-out now first I heare but where 's the man That tooke brought-vp and kept her shew who can How came sh'int'Aegypt wherefore was not he That brought her thither tak'n as well as she How are we sure that this is she and not One foysted-in by politike complot Of such as may true babe extinguished Or got these tokens after she was dead Abusing them and my well-known desire Of childe me to succeed in this Empire To that Sisimithres Your Maiestie Well knowes I may not nor haue cause to lye What since became of her I little weene But I am he that tooke her from the Queene And seu'n yeeres kept her close till you in fine Me sent int'Aegypt for the Smaragd-mine Then thith'r I take her with me there I seeke To place her safe and with an honest Greeke And this no doubt is her owne swadling-band A th' inside writ with Queene Persina's hand But heare young Lady said he more and smil'de I other things then left him with the childe Loe here quoth she and jewels shew'd whereon The Queene well looking stood as still as stone How now then quoth the King what finde you more Something quoth she that I le not speake before So many men but I shall be your debtor To tell you all albeit in priuate better Chariclia saw the King yet full of doubt And smilingly these words-into burst-out Sir these my mothers tokens are but see This one is yours and shew'd the Pantarbee The King it knew full fell and said at sight This was mine owne indeed how came you by 't For why your colour here so peregrine Doth plainly shew you can be none of mine Then said Sisimithres the childe was white That I so tooke and time accordeth right With age of this young Damsell yea me thinks Her face the same both when she lookes and winke And such a beautie neuer haue I seene Before nor since and this had of the Queene More like a Patron than a Iudge you say Repli'd the King but yet take heed I pray Lest one doubt cleering you a greater bring And moue suspect betwixt the Queene and King For how can we that are a Blackmore paire Beget a childe so beautifull and faire The Wiseman lookt on King with twiring eyes And said a Iudge must justice patronize Yet still my Liege I thinke I speake for you As well as her and helpe you to your due And what if I for her now growne doe striue For whom a childe I stroue to keepe aliue That of your body you might leaue an heire And will you cast her off because so faire For that the roule of Queene Persina's hand Will satisfie you if it well be scand To cleere the case yet further call I pray At hand it is for your Andromeda The picture 's brought and set hard by the Maid And all that lookt on them admiring said O father know your childe mistrust not mother For but by life we know not t'one from t'other Hydaspes doubts no more but of his dreame Then spoke againe to ratifie the theame So did the Queene and both the Parents gaze On daughters face and on Andromeda's Yet said Sisimithres Royall Descent And Crowne and Scept'r is waightie consequent And truth most waightie of all another signe I know may best th' Imperiall cause define Your left arme Lady shew 't is no disgrace To shew a naked arme in such a case If you be that same royall childe I knew Aboue your elbow a marke there is of blue She shew'd and so it was like azure ring On pollisht
Meroebus anger'd gaue a stamp Though greatly pleas'd therewith was all the Camp Chariclia's colour went and came the while But at the fall she laught beyong a smile This Queene of Di'monds fairest of the packe Was she that holpe the red suit win the blacke But soone was dampt her victorie for loe The King arising from his Throne said O What pittie 't is that such a man should die Vntimely death but helpe it cannot I. Come young man now remaines that you be crown'd For Sacrifice and yet this deed renown'd Deserues no lesse then set a golden stem Vpon his head beset with pearle and Gem And weeping said triumph though by our Lay The ioy thereof will haue an end to day But sith I cannot free you though I strivve Aske what I may doe for you whilst you liue And I shall grant it Then Theagenes If sacrific'd I must be let it please Your Maiestie that your so new-found heire May vse the sword vpon me and I le obey her The King was strook remembring how that clause Agreed with hers yet would not search the cause But said I promis'd what I might but this I may not doe against the Law it is That saith the Sacrifice still out be laid By one that is a wife not by a Maid She hath an husband quoth the Knight To that Repli'd the King you speake you know not what And like a man to die the fire hath cleane Refuted that conceit except you meane Meroebus here whom I intend t' aduance By marrying her as you haue heard perchance You neuer shall effect it quoth the Knight If I conceiue Chariclia's minde a right And you may trust me as a Sacrifice That of the truth diuinely prophesies To that Meroebus Sacrifices slaine Doe prophesie not while they liue remaine And father well you said and hit himpat At point of death he speakes he knowes not what 'T were good you sent him vnto th'Alt'r againe And at your leisure put him out of paine So sent he was The Princesse that before Had some small ioy receiu'd with hope of more For game at wrestling won now gan to droope When vnto death againe she saw him stoope Her mother comforts her and saith full well He might be sau'd if she would further tell What was betwixt them When she saw no way But plainly must a Maidens loue bewray And sith it was but to the Queene that bore her She pluckt-vp heart and laid the case before her Meanewhile the King Embassadours if moe Yet were to come a Sergeant sent to know The same brings word againe that from Sieen Are letters come with gifts to King and Queene A graue old man comes in as one elect To bring the letters and to this effect T' Hydaspes King of Indies West and East Orondates of all his Traine the least By Deeds of Armes your valour all men see And bounteousnesse by fauour shew'd to mee And sith your all-admired Maiestie Me gaue so soone th' Aegyptian Satrapie It makes me thinke this little suit that I Haue now to make you will me not deny A certaine Maid to me from Memphis sent As I am told by some that with her went And are escapt is by your high command With others captiue brought to Meroland I pray me send her this I vndertake Both for her owne and for her fathers sake Who seeking her was tooke by some of mine Before the peace and left at Elpentine Now prayest ' appeare before your Maiestie In hope to taste herein your clemencie O King returne him not with heauie thought But glad to finde the grace we both haue sought When this was read the King said where is he That seekes a daughter captiue let me see Th' old man who brought the letters said 't is I. Then said the King I will you not deny A fathers suit and well it shall me please To grant this first request t' Orondates There are but ten and one hath Parents knowne Goe view the rest and finding take your owne The man for verie ioy began to greet And fell before the King and kist his feet Then view'd them all but his there could not finde And told the King you se quoth he my minde Th' old man hung downe his head and sorely wept Yet looking vp againe to th' Altar stept And as in sudden furie fast he goes And on Theagenes as'twere a noose His twisted tippet casts The Knight gaue way And let th' old man alone to doe or say What ere he list for though by such a swing Content he was to come before the King And looke againe vpon Chariclia Deiected since he last was sent away The Dotard puls and cries I haue I haue That false Aeacide maiden-stealing Slaue And drawes him willing to be drawne before The King and State and thus begins to rore O King behold this is that wicked wight Who stole my daught'r and now like hypocrite At Altar kneeles they could not well arreed What 't was he meant but wonder'd at the deed And some it pittied some it mou'd to laughter To heare him cry My daughter O my daughter My daughter thus far haue I sought in vaine O Templ ' at Delph O Phoebus O Diane The King commands him tell his case more plaine 'T was Charicles who thus began againe The maine truth hiding Sire I had a childe A guirle although I say 't both faire and milde As any could be seene of flesh and blood Who seru'd Diana vowing maiden-hood In famous Templ ' at Delph this Thessalite Himselfe pretending Achillaean Knight From Phoebus Templ ' and from within the gate Her stole a way and left me desolate Wrong is't to you that place if one profane Your Sun is Phoebus and your Moone Diane When I had sought all ouer Thessalie Pelasgiot Estaetin Phthiotie And found them not I had intelligence The Priest of Memphis had them guided thence And him then seeke I but I found him dead A sonne of his then priesting in his stead Who told me all how that my guirle was sent T' Orondates then to Siene I went And taken was and staid at Elpentine Vntill the Satrap hither sent m'in fine And here I finde yet her I cannot say But this the man that tooke her first a way So held his peace and many brackish teares Fell downe his cheekes vpon his siluer haires Then King to Knight to this Sir what say you Theagenes repli'd Sir all is true Me thiefe and rauisher confesse I must As vnto him but vnto you am just Restore him then the Damsell quoth the King Not he that stole but he that hath the thing Repli'd the Knight restore it ought your selfe The Damsell haue the Priestesse was at Delph 'T is eu'n your daughter faire Chariclia And if he see her so the man will say They all are mou'd and then Sisimithres Who knew it true embraced Charicles And said your nursling whom I once you gaue Is well and her now her right parents haue With that Chariclia this old man to meet Ran from the Queene and fell downe at his feet And said O father deere to me as they Who me begot because I went away So rudely leauing you and holy Delph Take what reuenge you will I yeeld my selfe With that Persina kist the King and said Beleeue my Lord of this our daughter maid This all is true and no man else but he That noble Grecian must her husband be And now by many signes all vnderstood The Gods would haue no more of humane blood The King agreed and glad was of such heires To beare with him the burd'n of Kings affaires Then on their head he set in full renowne The white silke Turban with the Blackmore Crowne And two by two to Mâ—roë they ride Persina with her new-come daughter Bride Hydaspes with his sonne Theagenes And Priest of Delphos with Sisimithres There many dayes together and many nights They celebrate with ioy the nuptiall rites And as they sate at boord with royall cheere What ere was daintie were it ne're so deere A curle-head blacke-boy taught by Zanzibar Who th' Art to learne had trauelled as far As th' Isle of Britain sung to th' Irish harp How Sun and Moone about the Center warp And passing thr'ow the signes of heauenly Ring Make Summer first then Autumne Winter Spring How Greeke Achilles Troian Hector slew And thrice about the Citie wall him drew How mightie Memnon faire Aurora's son Before he fell had many a battell won How Perseus came in t ' Aethiopia And from Sea-monster freed Andromeda Whose picture faire in black Kings chamber seene That Faire-one made be borne of Blackmore Queene This haue I wrought with day-and-nightly swinke To file our tongue so rough let no man thinke It was for wealth or any vaine desire As of a minde that aimes at nothing higher T' enable me to till or let more land T' haue men and women-seruants at command To stretch my selfe on costly bed of state In faire-hung chamber furnished with plate Or in Caroch to whirle the Towne about With humble suitors follow'd home and out To quaffe in chrystall glasse the deerest grapes And make my guests therewith as merrie as Apes To weare the linnen fine and white as milke And purpl ' engrain'd of softest wooll and silke With mule in street to see my foot-cloth fould In field on horse to stamp the grassie mould At wilde-goose chase or after hawke or hound Or run for siluer bell and hundred pound For none of these what rhen that abl ' I bee Without debt or restraint of libertee At land and sea peace and war booke and sword With more effect to serue my Sou'raigne Lord To write road giue keepe hospitalitee As heretofore haue done mine Ancestree That after-câ—mmers know when I am dead I somâ— goo◠〈…〉 life endevoured 〈◊〉 I cannot muâ—◠〈…〉 to 〈◊〉 vse 〈◊〉 Make causey draiâ—â— bridge â—â—â—mon 〈…〉 Poore boyes binde Prentice marrie 〈…〉 When Common-wealth requires such kinde of aids Nor purchase and restore vnto the Church Th'improued Tythes that Auarice did lurch Nor yet build wall fort hospitall or schoole To keepe my name vndrown'd in Lethe poole Yet will I labour what I can with pen To profit my succeeding Countrey-men In vaine may seeme is wealth or learning lent To man that leaues thereof no monument FINIS
sonnes intended war t' appease But rather goe she paus'd and said your sonne If that be Thyamis I am vndone How so quoth he You know quoth she and where Theagenes and I his pris'ners were My seeming beautie mischieuous to me So there enflam'd your sonne if this be he That I to saue our libertie and life Delaying promise made to be his wife My sonne is not so far run out of way Quoth Calasire but I shall make him stay Or if you doubt inuent some how I pray For cunning y' are I see to make delay Some how we may enquire and not be knowne She smil'd and said Sir my way or your owne In iest or earnest little skilth it now Theagenes and I had such a how But were preuented e're we could prepare And 't was in forme of beggars clad to fare This if you please now 〈◊〉 put in vre For pouertie makes all men walke secure Be pitti'd not enui'd and victailes get Which vnto trauellers are deerest set And world so false in now that by your leaue Who will not be deceiued must deceiue But thinke we not so long what must be wrought That we forget to practise that is thought He could not choose but at her reason smile And all in haste prepares them for that wile Then there in Chemmis after parted faire With Nausicles and his new marri'd paire Now on the way in place conuenient They change their clothes and as a begging went She Doxy-like and he as Patrikoe With hundred-patched cloke lent on her bow And halted when he met or man or page And crookt his shoulders more than had his age Or as a blinde man poring on the land Sometime Chariclia led him by the hand He bore her quiuer bound-vp at his backe Like some thing else and she in slubber'd packe Her best attire and jewels then besmut Her face and hardly counterfeits a slut When fouler faces vse a Painters knacke To make them faire she needs be painted blacke O all that looke in glasse and finde you faire Doe nothing that the credit might impaire Of those sored and white and comely graces If beautie faile with vertue mend your faces A shew may soone deceiue the vulgar eye But he that lookt on her iudicially Might well perceiue in black-well-featur'd face Of nose of lip of cheeke eye brow the grace As when a cloud is o're Diana drawne Or Venus looking th'row blacke cobweb lawne Was neuer seene a Maiden comlier Nor vnder duskie cloud so bright a sterre Yet Sir quoth she you seeme one of the Bench O good your Worship pitie a poore young wench Good Dame quoth he my right hand is me rest And no true finger least is on my left And she againe once poore and euer poore For wealth is giu'n to none but had before Then he againe yet winde in driuing snow From higher places oft fils vp the low Thus when between themselues they had protested As beggars doe and each at other iested To Bessa-ward they trudge and by Sun-set Had seene the Towne but see what was their let Dead bodies many finde they laid aground On heapes and all of some yet bleeding wound And while they view'd the carkasses they meet An aged woman creeping hands and feet And much lamenting o're a young man slaine And t' aske of her they thought it not in vaine As Calasiris did in Gypsie toung What mischiefe had so many laid along And what was he whom she lamented so She said my sonne late forc'd to battell go With Thyamis our Chiefe against the powre Of Mitranes and all his Persian flowre He came to sacke our Towne for one mans sake Whom he had sent to Memphis from the Lake This man by Thyamis pretending right Was entercepted cause of all this fight And willb ' of more for slaine is Mitranes And all his men by ours Orondates Will seeke reuenge which our men to preuent And vnawares to take the Foe haue sent A puissant armie Memphis to beleaguer And Chiefe and all are thereon set more eager To get his right of Priesthood by none other With-held but eu'n his owne and younger brother But you are strangers here full well I see And whither goe yee to the towne quoth hee You cannot safely lodge quoth she in towne So late in time of war and both vknowne Yet if you please quoth he vs entertaine We may I trust to night well there remaine Th' old woman answer'd I haue now in hand An earnest night-worke if you further stand Till all be done and best you keepe aloofe To morrow will I doe for your behoofe Then what she said he told the Lady in Greeke And they repose them in a bushie creeke He slept a while with quiuer vnd'r his head Chariclia made her packet serue for bed But only sate and slept not on 't for feare And vnto Philomela's song gaue eare Till Cynthia rose and shew'd as tales imply Her man and bush or as Philosophy Her spoongie part though we now vnderstand 'T is nothing else but face of sea and land As 't were in glasse for in the Torrid Zone Betwixt the Moon and th' earth thicke cloud is none She cleerly shining three dayes dayes past the full Made seene how this old witch heau'd vp the skull Of her dead sonne and with her negromancie A vice that Gypsie women greatly fancie Him forc'd to speake yet once more vnt'his mother And tell her if her second sonne his brother Should safe returne from war he told her no And that her selfe should soone receiue a blow For iust reward and specially because She made the liuing know the dead-man lawes For here 's a Priest quoth he and here 's a Maid That see your pranks by him may be allaid The war betwixt his sonnes so bee 't he haste And she shall get her Loue and reigne at last Chariclia wakt th' old man at first to see And heare this all and all interprets hee And hearing this the witch all in a rage So playes her Scene vpon this deadly stage With sword in hand that had she stranger found Sh 'had laid them soone among the dead aground But as by Moon-light flourishing she lope Now here now there to hit vncertaine scope At vnawares vpon the sharpest part Of broken speare she ran herselfe to th' heart So punisht was th'abominabl ' offence So works of darknesse haue their recompence Finis Libri sexti THE Faire AEthiopian NO sooner gan appeare the dawning day But Calasiris and Chariclia With danger past affright and fearing worse By losse of time as prophesied the Corse Depart and trudge to Memphis-ward and found When they came there a Campe pight on the ground Before the wals for in the Towne the States Had fortified themselues and shut their gates And let Portcullice downe aduertised Of enemies approach by some that fled As alway scape in battaile more or lesse From Host of Mitranes o'rethrown at Besse Now therefore Thyamis to siege addrest
Iu'rie this when saw the King He was perswaded and Persina then Forgetting state among so many men Ran from her Throne as if sh 'had beene halfe wilde Embras'd and kist and hugg'd so fast her childe That through so sudden ioyes extremitie With mourning mixt she fell in t ' extasie Hydaspes pittied her yet like affect He felt in minde with manly courage checkt But when he saw them both together fall He rais'd them vp and kist them both withall And on his daughter wept to make amends For hard beleefe Yet thus said You my frends And loyall people see this strange euent And will I thinke if I desire consent To saue the life of this vnhoped Heire Apparent to my Crowne although so faire But for your sake and safetie for the Law I may not spare her so began to draw Her toward th' Altar All cry-out on high The Gods haue well declar'd she should not die This cruell death O saue the Royall Bloud And stept betwixt and crowding stiffly stood To stay his passage and yet further cry You fath'r of people fath'r a family I thanke you for your loue quoth he and staid And turn'd about and to the Princesse said That you so faire one yet my daughter are Howeuer call'd the Gods and these declare But what is he that was with you surpris'd And stands at th' Altar to be sacrifiz'd How hapt you call'd him brother heretofore For but your selfe I children had no more Chariclia bent her eyes downe to the ground And blushing said it was that fearfull stound Constrain'd me so but what he is indeed Please you him aske himselfe can best arreed I crie you mercie smiling quoth he than That blush I made you speaking of the man But stay and keepe your mother companie And of your fortunes tell her th'historie So may you bring her now more ioy and mirth Than at the day of your admired birth Of solemne Sacrifice I must haue care And in your stead another Maid prepare To die with him The Princesse at that word Was like to skreame yet held and said my Lord And royall father sith the peoples minde Is for my sake to spare the femall kinde They looke not for another or if need Require a paire must on your Altar bleed 'T were good you had another man for he Cannot be sacrificed but with me The Gods forbid quoth he why say you so Because with him quoth she I stay or goe I liue or die as Destin hath defin'd I like quoth he your charitable minde To saue your fellow-pris'ner but in truth It cannot be to th' Altar must this Youth And that the people were content to spare Mine only thee was heau'nly Powers care O King quoth she the Gods that had the care This body of mine so little worth to spare Will spare my soule and what that is they know That haue ordain'd before it should be so If otherwise and that this man must dye This one thing grant m'I pray that none but I Him sacrifise to shew these all about Your daughters heart like true bloud-royall stout The King was vext and said of this your minde So contrarie no reason can I finde At first this stranger sought you to defend And now as if he neuer were your frend But vtter foe you would your selfe him kill I see no good can thence arise but ill Nor can it with our reputation stand For you to take that office now in hand For none weilds here the sacrificing knife But Priest of Sun and Moone the man and wife That hinders not quoth she at mothers eare For I haue one that may that title beare You shall repli'd the Queene in softly voyce When for your good and ours we make the choyce There need no choosing one already had Quoth she Alas quoth he my daughter's mad Or ouerjoy'd with sudden change in chat As in a dreame she speakes she knowes not what Him brother cals that is not saue him would At first and kill him now She thinkes she could Be maid and wife at once Deere wife her take Into your Tent and see what you can make Of these her words or labour to recall Her wits againe before she lose them all I must send-out to seeke some other Maid For her to die and meane time shall be staid To giue Embassadours their audience That late are come I know not yet from whence I thinke our conquest to congratulate Soone after set himselfe in chaire of State And orderly them call'd Harmonias That for the time thereto appointed was Meroebus first the Kings owne brothers son Comes-in and with his present thus begun My Sou'raigne Lord and Father for entail'd The Crowne was on him if Kings Issue fail'd For safe returne of your high Maiestie And for our gladnesse of your victorie We all bring presents and my selfe this man That oft hath plaid his prize and euer wan At running wrestling cudgelling and cuffes Can none come neere him Then the fellow-puffes And makes a present challenge Come who dare And naked gan there round about him stare The King makes proclamation Come who would But not a man in all his Camp so bould So great his bulke was post-like his vpholders And taller he than all by head and shoulders I thanke you sonne Meroebu◠quoth the King And I will giue him such another thing So did and Elephant so growne with yeares That all the rest about him seem'd but Steares The beast was brought and like the man did stare And all the people laught at that compare Now next to these came in the men of Sere Who brought the King two silken robes to weare Of daintie sleaue drawne from their wormie trees And aske a boone vpon their naked knees And what it was is vtter'd be their Prime A pard'n of all their pris'ners for the time The King it grants then came-in th'Embassie Of such as dwelt in Happie Arabie Vnhappie since for bringing forth the sword Of Prophet false that fights against the Word They brought a present did such odours yeeld As sweetly soone perfumed all the field With Aloës Amomum Cassia Canella Stacte Nardus Pistica Mirrh Ambergris Mahaca Labdanum Keranna Stor and eu'rie precious gum Worth many tallents Then brought they that haue None other house but eu'rie man his Caue The Troglodytes of Countrey no where cold A yoke of Gryphons chain'd with that fine gold Which Emmots nigh as big as Norfolke sheepe At sand-hill-side are said to gath'r and keepe Then came that wore for Turban straw in net With arrowes round about the brim beset Point vpward feathers downe a radiant show They made and stucke still ready for the bow And bow with shafts of hurtfull Dragons bone These men of Blemmy brought and thus saith one In all our Countrey high and mightie King We haue no better present now to bring Than these but hope your Maiestie will say They did good seruice on the battaile-day They did indeed repli'd
the King and were The chiefest cause of other presents here Then aske what will you They be seeke his Grace T' abate their tribute He for ten yeeres space Remits it all At last come th' Axumates No Tributaries but Associates And they reioycing at this his victorie Present him with a Camelpardalie So strange a beast as neuer there was seene With Beuer-colour'd haire all dappled greene As Camell high before but low behinde Doth eu'rie way his small head nimbly winde With necke vpright and long and slender throte And great and rowling eyes that stare and glote As if he cruell were yet is to keepe As debonaire and tame as oxe or sheepe But sith his legs behinde both equall-short Both equall-long before could not consort With ambl ' or trot in pace his feet he sets Iust as an horse doth when he well curuets Hath higher bounds and turnings vp and downe And but a cord made fast vnto his Crowne To guide him by When this strange beast appeer'd And with his eyes so goggle-gloting leer'd At Horse and Bull that ti'd were fast to th' Altars They scar'd therewith broke suddenly their halters And snorting Horse and roaring Bull amaine Ran vp and downe that Army-closed plaine The people gaue a shout thereat and some For feare of harme the beasts so nigh them come And some cry-out and laugh for game and sport Not so to see their trod-downe fellowes hurt As more to thinke in accident so rare Of others harme how safe themselues yet are The noyse so great prouokt the Queene to draw Her curtaine so she and her daughter saw Theagenes at Altar kneel'd expecting The stroke of sword yet herewithall erecting Himselfe to see and seeing keepeâ—â— gone That other horse which lest was leapt vpon With faggot-sticke in hand from Altartane And for a bridle holding fast the mane And kicking hard him seâ— to run so fast That Bull they chase and ouertake at last At first attempt the standers by surmise The pris'ner sled to scape the sacrifice But when they see him touch the beast behinde And course him round they sudden change their minde Yea take delight to see the Bull in drift And held by taile and yet the man him shift So nimble at eu'rie turne and tame him so That close together side by side they goe As well acquainted now And all admire The man that made so Horse and Bull conspire And that which many there admiring spoke As 't were to draw had joyn'd them without yoke But other thoughts had then the royall Maid She of his hurt or fall was sore afraid And that perceiu'd the Queene and said my childe You seeme t' affect the stranger now so wilde My selfe doe wish him scapt these jeoperdies To keepe him sound and fit for sacrifice Good mother wish the man more graciously Quoth she than that he scape this death to dye Sith of your fauour this small signe you gaue him Doe somewhat more for my sake now and saue him Persina thought it sauour'd of some loue But knew not all and said what should you moue T' affect him so for sure you make me muse Then tell me plaine a mother can excuse Her daughters weaknesse and well with it beare Chariclia then downe dropping many a teare And sighing said I speake before the wise Yet am not vnderstood and then she cries And speakes againe I cannot so abuse My selfe to tell that shall my selfe accuse And as she thought t' haue vtter'd somewhat more They interrupted were with great vp rore And shout the people made For at the last Theagenes that horse let goe and cast Himselfe vpon the Bull and laid his head Betwixt the roarers hornes and roundly sored His armes about them clasping fast his hands Before the front and neither sits nor stands But on the beasts right shoulder hangs downe right And tires him so at length by daintie sleight When he had run him thrice about the ring And came to place now iust before the King In course him tript and on his backe with bound He laid him flat and pight his hornes aground They stucke so fast he could not wag his head But kicking lay with all foure quarters spred The man with left hand held him downe his right Held vp to Heau'n and made a cheerfull sight To King and people so much eke the more For that as trump the Bull began to rore And sound the praise of him that ouercame The roring multitude then did the same And cri'd now let him trie his skill at full Th'old-Elpen-man with him that cast the Bull Meroebus man they meane and for him call That this young Greeke and he may try a fall Then at their instance was the King content And for the Champion a Waiter sent Full soone came in the gyant Aethiops On tip-toe strutting without coat or â—â—ops And eu'rie way began to goggl and start To see the man that with him wrestle dare To th' other then in Greeke thus said the King You stranger 't is the will of all this ring To see a combat 'twixt this man and you I am content quoth he what shall we doe No more then wrestle quoth the King Nay nay Le ts fight at sharpe quoth he that I to day May doe some famous deed or with my death Content Chariclia that still holds her breath And all this while our cases would not tell Or hath alreadie bid me quite farewell I know not what you meanâ— by that same word Chariclia quoth the King but fight with sword You may not 't is against the Law and guise That bloud she shed before the Sacrifice Theagenes perceiuing King affraid He should be slaine before his offring said 'T is well you keepe me for the Gods and they I trust will thinke vpon my right to day But let him come then strid and strongly pight Hâ—s feet on chosen ground with armes out-right Backe necke and shoulders bent as I suppose To take the best aduantage at the close The Gyant comes as 't were at 〈◊〉 where can But playes at first the Boobie more than man For catch he meant not though he made a show But gaue Theagenes a waightie blow With arme on necke and laughing started backe And came againe to set his limbs in â—acke Then both together grappling tugging springing Aduancing crouching heauing shouing swinging Retiring spurning locking loosing make Both aire aboue and earth beneath them shake Theagenes that from a childe had ben Instructed well by cunning wrestle-men Not only in Greece among the Mercurites But in Great Britain with the Cornwallites Got-vp this heauie Slouch at last on hip And all-asudden gaue him such a trip His owne wait helping by a Cornish knacke That fetcht him o're and laid him flat on 's backe And as he fell was ecchoed equall sound To lump of flesh so thrasht against the ground As dead he lay at first stretcht out at full Then facing Heau'n shooke heeles as did the Bull. Where at