at my own for love I thinke keeping mischiefe untill it vvere ripe for me had presented a Gentleman to mine eies by birth noble whose ancestors all to his father being men of known vertue in the countrie were admitted to the prime offices of the kingdome but he taking a pride to be unthriftie and little esteeming these publick imploimeÌ„ts lavish't exceedingly both his fame and patrimonie yet it seem'd he onely made away his estate to purchase goodnesse for his childe such a sonne he was father too so rare so excellent His name was Persidas and at that word the teares gusht forth in such aboundance that it seem'd her bloud had chang'd his course and colour to run forth at the sluces of her eies Alas sir what shall I say of him or who from Leaucade will beleeve the desert of Persidas But alas if they deserve no credite that love him in this countrie you must heare nothing of him the knowledge of his person the love of his vertues being things unseparable In him begun this tragedie in me it ends for when my father Fluento had drawne their agreements to a head then and not before he thought it time he said to let me know my happines And thus finding me alone he breakes the matter to me Deere childe I have ever sithence the death of your vertuous mother though much importuned by manie reserv'd you to these years unmarried because your content should be of counsaile with me in your choise and happie was this delay for the honour of our house for behold Fluento makes his fortunes serviceable to your will Prince Fluento daughter whose powerfull greatnesse the neighbour Potentates stand in awe of Him I have won for you and so forward we be that this day fortnight he is to take you to wife Father said I that your wisdom hath deferr'd my marriage hitherto to give me the coÌ„fort of electioÌ„ my obedience my only requital shal be the same it ever was to you and yet I vvonder that having attain'd to these yeares vvhen my judgement in my choise may be received you will exclude me froÌ„ the end for which I vvas so long reserved Iust like a Physitian that tells his patient he hath brought a potion to cure him yet saies he must by no meanes take it I must be married to Prince Fluento yet your meaning is I should have libertie to choose as if this enforcement destroied not my freedom of election That he is a man beyoÌ„d all respects as you praise him fit for your estate I may wel grant you but that he is unfit for your daughter I am priviledg'd to say At this his severe look before he spoke began to lay before me my obedience vvhen he had first walk't two or three turnes in the roome Daughter daughter said he I never thought you were so wilfull Where I pray you in this countrey is there a match fit for your birth if not Fluento Beware beware you doe not give your posteritie just cause to curse you that denied them so great so good a father I answered that I thought it vvere too tender a respect of children vvhoÌ„ perhaps I might not have or should not enjoy to chuse a father for them and not a husband for my selfe and too senselesse a feeling of the honour of my house to vvrong my self to do my birth right Then kneeling on my knees Sir said I solicite me no more I have not power to grant He hastily vvhen it vvas scarce delivered snatcht this vvord And vvhy not power to grant said he Because Persidas is the anchor-hold of my life love Persidas cried out my father now all misfortune fall thick upoÌ„ me shal my meanes help to make up a Bankrout in his estate Accursed be my Fate that gave me life to heare it Persidas vvhy sure it cannot be Sir said I if my love vvere not farre pass't my desperate presumption vvould not bring a truth much lesse an untruth to move your anger And if those after-hopes have not cleane compel'd you to forget you are my father have pitty on me if so I crave the tryall of the law This last request after conference with Fluento finding my obstinacie he condiscended to But because I perceive sir you are a stranger heere and that the knowledge of this law doth much concern the storie of my present mishap I vvill make it known to you This kingdom of Argos wherein you are vvas govern'd not long sinâ—e by Phenissa a vvoman vvorthy to have come to that place by election if nature had not bestow'd it upon her by discent froÌ„ her famous ancestors This Queene that you may see vve vvant not the president of greatnesse to excuse affection in her fathers life time though by him she was promised to Dioxippus the tyrant of Syracusa vvas enamoured of one Eumenes Governour for the Lacedemonians of the Island and citie of Delphos And wheÌ„ it well might be thoght the kings death her succession had taken away the restraint of her wil yet she growing lesse willing when she vvas most powerfull like a horse that finding the raynes hang loose upon him begins to stay his fury so she though by this change she had not receiv'd anie slacknesse into her affection began to tender the case of her country that lay open to the invasion of her proud enemie Deoxippus if so she would have made him Preferring therefore now this coÌ„mon respect before her private satisfaction as she had done her obedience in her fathers life time before her love she buries her selfe in the grave of Deoxippus loathsome bed When the unexpected newes of Phenissa's marriage came to the eares of her faithfull lover Eumenes his passioÌ„ as Agamemnons at the death of Iphigenia can best be exprest in silence all the wilde furies that distracted griefe could gather being suÌ„moned to the siege of his soon overthrown heart hastily thereupon to the Temple his mad passion beares him where casting himselfe at the feet of Apollo Vnjust God said he have I for this given up thy ungratefulnesse the offerings of my daily praiers but if I wrong thy name shew thy justice in revenging my death wherat transported with violence of sorrow running his head against the Altar his bloudie braines flew forth of their battered lodging Soon after the contagion of a most pestilent ayre brought such a plague among the Argians that many daily felt the furie of the Gods revenging indignation amongst whom the king and Queene reserved belike the more to be punished in their subjects calamitie after the desolatioÌ„ of their wel-peopled country both in one day by the same infection ended their lives and government wherewith this mortalitie ceafed as hitting now at length the marke it aim'd at The few remaneÌ„t of the Nobilitie sent to Delphos to know what fault of theirs had brought these miseries upon their country where being inform'd of what was past Apollo advis'd them to provide that
A SIXTH BOOKE TO THE COVNTESSE OF PEMBROKES ARCADIA Written by R. B. Esq. Sat si bene si male nimium Dvblin Printed by the Societie of STATIONERS Anno Dom. M.DC. XXIV To THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE THE truely vertuous and learned La the Viscountesse of Falkland Madam THIS sixth Book to the Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia at the first birth of it was meant for your Honour If it containe any thing that is good that you may justly claim as your own aswell because it was so auspiciously begun as that goodnes can no where finde a more worthy patronesse What though it have many faults yet I hope you will not reject it both because in its infancie it was vowed to you and that no where it could have taken a more priviledged Sanctuarie then is your favourable censure The desire I had seeing it was all I could do to acknowledge your many favours mov'd mee when this addition was scarse begun to intend it for your Hon and now it is ended the confidence I have in your well-knowne clemencie emboldens me to present it to you for my distrust of my self makes me feare that as it could be given to none more desirous to excuse the errours of weake well meaning endevours so your Honour could no where light on a fitter subject for the practise of that vertue then is this offering of Your servant Richard Belling To THE READER TO strive to lessen the greatnesse of the attempt were to take away the glorie of the action To add to Sir Philip Sidney I know is rashnesse a fault pardonable in me if custome might as well excuse the offence as youth may prescribe in offending in this kinde That he should undergo that burden whose mother tongue differs as much from this language as Irish from English augments the danger of the enterprise and gives your expectation perhaps an assurance what the event must be Yet let no man judge wrongfully of my endeavours I have added a limme to Apelles picture but my minde never entertain'd such vaine hopes to thinke it of perfection sufficient to delude the eyes of the most vulgar with the likenesse in the workmanship No no I doe not follow Pythagoras his opinion of transmigrations I am well assur'd divine Sidney's soule is not infus'd into me whose Iudgment was only able to finish what his InventioÌ„ was only worthy to undertake For this courteous Reader let it suffice I place Sir Philip Sidney's desert even in mine owne esteeme as farre beyond my endevours as the most fault-finding censor can imagin this assay of mine to come short of his Arcadia Vale. R. B. To HIS ENTIRELY BELOVED Kinseman the AVTHOR This Isle sometimes the nurse of sacred Arts Wasted by warre and overgrowne with weedes Of ignorance that had ore'run all partsâ— Did still I see retaine some living seeds Of that old learning which soft peace doth nourish And now begin afresh to spring and flourish Which benefite thy country and thy friends Reape from the happie labours of thy youth Who cannot backe returne thee lesse amends Then thus to honour thy deserts with truth But I more neerly bound who in thy blood An interest claime as in my countries good 'T is true th' attempt was great nor blame I that Since greatest actions left as patternes bee For imitation which t' have offer'd at So well as thou hast done will honour thee And if thy Booke misse of the due applause Th'inimmitable president 's the cause Another by the same That thou so sweetly hast begun to raise In this high silence thy harmonious layes Take as thy due this honour for thy meed Thou art the first who with thy well-tun'd reed Awak'd thy countries Muse and led thereby Into the pleasant fields of Arcady Her floâ—kes her Pastors and the sportfull crue Of all her youth that shall thy steps pursue Who shall hereafter to ingirt thy browes Bring wreathed garlands of Apollo's bowes 〈…〉 To his approved friend the Author I Read thy booke on night late and did feare Still as I read I saw appearing there Sir Philip Sidney's ghost yet look't about And nothing could espie might breed that doubt But thy sweet harmelesse Booke so like in all Was matter phrase and language which did fall From thy chaste pen that surely both being gone Next age will write your characters in one And doe I envie this Yes sure I do So farre as to have had the glorie too I' have finisht such a worke But since 't was left For thee alone tell me of faith bereft Where you two spake together and I vow To keepe it from the world as I doe now Not knowing it that so before to morrow I might in honour of thy worke but borrow Some little portion of his sacred Muse That might to me like flames and spirit infuse For none but such can reach that height of glory Which thou bast got by this immortall story W. MARTYN An Accrostick Sonnet To his worthy and deerly beloved friend the AVTHOR Rather to show my love then sing thy praise I write these lines for what is knowne to me Cannot my Belling sâ—and within my layes Having lesse words then what to speake of thee And 〈◊〉 thy worth for want of words or phrase Refin'd and quaint want due applause or be Drencht in oblivion no the â—acred Bayes Begirts thy head as a deserved see Enough that speakes thee for on worthlesse browes Long tress'd Apollo ne're bestowes his bowes Live happy then and sor thy Countries blisse I wish thou mayst live long thy Workes renowne thee No better steps thou couldst have tract then His. Go on and time with Sidney's fame shall crowne Thee By the same To prayse my Belling this thy worke to mee Doth seeme superfluous since good eyes can see And seeing judge and judging know iâ—s worth Better then tongue or pen can set it forth Thus much I le say That if this age were blest Againe by him wâ—ose soule is now at rest The ne'â—e enough admired Sidney and He to thy Booke would but voucâ—safe his hand Thou hast therein such wittie smoothnesse showne As out of doubt it would be thought his owne H. Delaune A SIXTH BOOKE TO THE COVNTESSE OF PEMBROKES ARCADIA What changes in Fortune the Princes of Macedon Thessaly have past together witâ— what event the uncertaine actions of so blinde a Goddesse have beene crowned they may remember whose eares have beene fedd with their eloquent Story written by the never-enough renowned Sir Philip Sidney Basilius therefore having beheld with the eye of successe the accomplishment of his misinterpreted Oracle hastened together with Evarchus to his Court of Mantinia where the infinite assembly and the publique Sacrifices of his Subjects did well witnesse what joy did possesse their hearts whose eyes were restored to the sight of long-eclipsed Soveraigntie Fame also proud â—o be the messenger of such royall newvs had soone with speedie flight past the limits of Arcadia so as
the King This Knight whose skill in Armes hath made your well-deserving vertues famous may be that man pointed out by the finger of heaven to release Amphialus who both in name and armour represents a naked Knight O no said the Queene it cannot be expected that Apollo would leave so plaine a way for us to track out the footsteps of his obscure misteries Madam replied Basilius having first plac't her in a Chayre by him the all-seeing providence with whom the ends of all things are presēt is somtimes pleas'd to cast forth the Emblem of our destinies so strangely hidden in the covert of ambiguous words that doubtless it serves to beget nothing but matters of distrust and labyrinths of errors where the imagination a thousand vvayes may be led astray Of this you have a present proofe confirm'd by my experience and somtimes the same Iustice unfolds the secret of our fate and plainely lets us know the misterie of our fortune yet even that plaineness to the curious search of our stil-mistrusting brain becomes a reason sufficient to enforce us to a contrarie beleefe This last I thinke if in the interpretation of an Oracle my opinion may be receiv'd is that meane whereby Apollo both reveales hides the author of Amphialus freedom This said he sends presently for the naked knight who as soone obeying the Kings command as he was completely armed came before him to vvhom Basilius cheerefully told as glad to be the reporter of so good newes to him whose prowesse in armes deservingly gain'd much of his good opiniō of Hellens being there together vvith her desire to imploy him in an action the heavens had also interested him What is it replyed the naked Knight that without such a cōmand I vvould not endevour to accomplish for my most deere Hellen and then with excesse of comfort and astonishment his vveake limmes were readie to give over the support of his joy-burdened bodie but being upheld by Musidorus who stood next him his overcharg'd spirits had time to recollect themselves The Queene gathering comfort from his promise seeing faire likelyhood o◠the Oracles accomplishment with the oratorie of love who thinkes no vvords but his owne able to expresse his mind◠began in this manner Sir ill fortune my awfull governesse as in the most of my actions shee is pleas'd to keepe a hard hand over me so in this distrustfull belike of my willingnesse she forces me to repeat my wonted lesson of receiving courtesies without power of requitall making one undeserved favor from you become a cause of further beholdingnesse to you But the glorie that follows your good successe in this adventure the best spur to set forward brave spirits to noble actions hath almost assur'd me that the love you professe and a distressed Ladies cause need not joyne petitioners in a request your vertue must be willing to grant The reward of your victorie is the releasing of Amphialus of whom I may speake and the vvorld vvith me all prayse-worthy things Madam replyed the naked Knight I thought the Gods could not have favour'd me more then in giving you respite of life and me power to be serviceable to you but when I consider the end I must imploy my endevours too it buries my conceited happinesse in the grave of a certaine misfortune Shall I labour to preserve that monster of men whose storie if the vvorld vvill needs reade containes nothing but a volume of disasters and a vaine discourse of a few adventures cast upon him by the blindnesse of chance Shall I hazzard my life for him against whom had I lives innumerable I vvould venture them all Shall I live to make another happie in your favour crosse mine owne desires No Madam I wil sooner leave my bloud here before you as a testimony that feare hath no interest in my disobedience to your command then I will make my after-life truly miserable in the burden of a hopelesse affection To this the Queene a vvhile in teares as if her eyes strove to speake for her made a silent answer but vvhen her sighes had breath'd forth the overcharge of her brest first she kneeled then faintly said O eternall president of this Court of cares when wil thy just pittie cōmiserate my distresse Alas Sir vvhat new vvay have the Gods found to vent their malice on me have I made disdaine my only mishap and must now affection to me-wards bee another undeserved misfortune Behold Sir and if you can vvith pittie a Queene borne to command a suppliant at your feet begging what goodnesse sollicites you to grant Release Amphialus and if your jealousie thinkes he hath too much interest in my love restore him to the vvorld that wants him I will vow a Virgins life Stay vertuous Queene replyed the naked Knight and lifting up his Beaver Receive said he thou best of women thy over-joy'd Amphialus The Queene as when the Ocean swels with the rage of a tempest if on a sudden these blasts be appeas'd yet the proude vvaves mindefull of their forepast injurie and indispos'd to so speedie a reconcilement some while retaine the rough remembrance of the vvindes malice so were her thoughts before mov'd by the storme of despair though now she had cause of contented quiet on a sudden incapable of so unlook't for a happines first doubt then amazement lastly excesse of joy by succession were admitted to the Helme of her distressed heart But when joy had once got to be the Steers-man his want of practise by his long absence frō that imployment soon brought a confusion here the warme teares of sorrow there the cold dropps of a present comfort did strive vvhether would shew himselfe most officious in drowning her pale blushing cheekes At length they both no longer able to resist this powerfull invasion of their mindes as by mutuall consent fel the one intwin'd in the others armes made the earth happie in bearing such matchlesse lovers But their senses being soone restor'd to their wonted function after some passionate words to which their eies touch of their hāds gave the life of expression Amphialus divided into manie minds by the turbulent working of his thoughts turning towards his uncle with his eyes fixt on the ground stood with the grace of a man condemned who having led a loathsome life in an ugly dungeon is now brought to a freedome o◠looking upon the open ayre yet sees the day is but a Taper to light him to his execution Of the one side he was brought from the hell of despaire wherein he liv'd in the assurance of Hellens death to the certaintie of her life presence of the other what was his treason to his uncle to expect but an infamous death a divorce from his new-borne happinesse The shame also of a crime so foule as his rebellion vvas not the least torment to his minde unwillingly beaten from a setled course of vertue by Cecropia's practises At length when these thoughts
that almost overcame all the powers of life in him vvere themselves overcome by his resolution casting himselfe at Basilius his feet he thus said Great Sir if treason in a subject and unnaturalnesse in a nephew be punishable here you have before you a fit exercise for your justice I am that subject whose rebellion interrupted the contented quiet of my Kings solitarie life and brought him to behold the bloudie tragedie of a civill discension in his divided State I am that nephew whom a vvilfull disobedience made a traytor to the neernesse of his bloud Hither did I come Orestes-LIKE tormented by the inward fright of my guilty conscience with my bloud to vvash away if good fortune in the defence of the cause I undertooke would draw death upon me the staines of such unpardonable faultsâ— but now that I have found what I least look't for and then he cast a side look on Hellen for her I confesse I should desire to live if your just indignation might finde mercie for so hainous offences which I vvill not strive to mitigate how ever justly I may for I vvould thinke such faults ill excus'd with vvhich to ease my selfe I must have burdened my neerest friends Basilius first graciously lifting him from the ground Nephew replyed he did I retaine the memorie of your youthfull oversights this your vertuous acknowledgement were sufficient to beare them away but long since I have buried in oblivion the thought of your rashnes because I knew by vvhat after happened that the Gods had made you an instrument to worke their ends it were injurie therefore to question his actions whose vvill vvas not his own being overrul'd by their all-coÌ„manding decree No nephew I do not only pardon these transgressions but freely also do resigne all such possessions as your father held in Arcadia taken from you in the last warre and now in the hands of Philanax Live happie in your choise I shal be proud of our alliance with the crowne of Corinth and shall rejoyce to see the succession continue in our bloud This said he ledd him to Genecia then to Evarchus but when he came to Musidorus This nephew is that black knight said he who at your last meeting gave such evideÌ„t proof of his uncoÌ„querable valor This is Musidorus the Prince of Thessaly whom the Gods have bestow'd as a blessing on my daughter Pamela Amphialus now assured by the kings speech unto whose hand the honour of his conquest had fallen for doubt had long tormented him that some baser hand had reapt the glorie of his victorie Prince Musidorus said he my hard successe in our last encounter much perplext me not that my confidence of my selfe was lifted to such an arrogaÌ„t presumptioÌ„ to think my strength and skill in Armes matchlesse but that it griev'd me an unknown Knight one whom the vvorld might thinke had conceal'd his name lest together with him his bad fortune in tryalls of that kinde might be discovered should have the better of me But now that I know to vvhose lot my victorie hath falne I doe not onely bring an excuse but an honour from the worthinesse of the conqueror Courteous Amphialus repli'd the Prince whose side the advantage of Fortune did then incline to if it may be determined with greater reason and more desert should the honour be giveÌ„ you than bestowed on me but however such tryall I then made of your manhood that hereafter I shall desire to be of your part Worthy Prince said Amphialus your vertue will alway chuse to be of the weaker side and so turning to Philoclea Divine Lady said he in your excellent choyse of the famous Pyrocles you have besides the happinesse gain'd to your selfe for which the world may envie you shew'd me the way to my best hopes by graffing my affection in the stock of my Helleâ—s constancie Deere cousin replyed Philoclea I am glad it was in my power and your good fortune so much to better your choise in so excellent a remove And so casting a bashfull looke towards Pyroclesâ— Sir said she we may joine in thankesgiving this is my cousin whose vertuous disposition during our imprisonment was our safest defence against my aunt Cecropia's crueltie I doe acknowledge it said Pyrocles and besides this favour in vvhich vve have a common interest Sir I must crave pardon for a vvound given you at such a time vvheÌ„ belike you made Patience your only defence Amphialus stood â—ith his eye fixed on Pyrocles for his memory supply'd him with a confused remembrance of such a face Zelmane he could not take him to be her sexe and this change at their first birth destroy'd these apprehensions Pyrocles his heart swore he vvas not vvhose youth and beautie God vvot vvere no fit liveâ—ie for such atchievemeÌ„ts as the vvorld fam'd him for Thus a vvhile hee continued troubled vvith the uncertâ—intie of conjectures untill Pyrocles happily conceiving the cause of his amazement stopt his further admiration by letting him know that the then Zelmane was the now Pyrocles Whereat Amphialus as one newly wak't out of a dreame cryed out Anaxius Anaxius said he ' â—was the Prince of Macedon not a vvoman overcame thee Wheresoever thy soule be let it keepe this time festivall as the birth-day of thy glorie And so after mutuall embraces together with the rest of the Princes they entred the Palace vvhere vvhen they were seated the eyes of all the companie were set on the Queene of Corinth longing to know the storie of her strange fortune now a Queene then a prisoner now alive then dead vvhich shee at Basilius intreatie vvith a majestie which her fortune could not change because 't was innate thus declared Great Sir that I vvas made prisoner by Rinatus and by him carried to Laconia Fame together vvith the newes of my supposed death belike hath brought you the rest since you esteem worthy your hearing I shall esteeme worthie my relation There yet governes and then did among the Nobilitie of Laconia one Creton a man elected to the crown rather to recompence the desert of his ancestors than for his owne vertues beloved and borne vvith for the same reason such an everlasting monument of it selfe can goodnesse leave to posteritie To him vvhen I vvas brought my guilt and my guiltie selfe vvith the best oratorie Rinatus had vvas made knowne vvho with vehement importunitie desired that my speedie punishment as my fault should be terrible The King answered Though he found his demands reasonable and such to vvhich he vvas sure there could be no opposition made yet he thought it fit the Nobilitie should be acquainted vvith so vvaightie a causeâ— before he proceeded further in it and so for this time being committed to the charge of Partinax Chamberlaine to the King I was dismist The next day the Councell being sent for my cause ran the hazzard of manie opinions some thought it fit I should dye and though Iustice said they might not dispence with such
severitie yet it vvas fit to please Rinatus one who had deserv'd vvell and had the power if otherwise he vvere dealt vvith to revenge his injurie Others the more in number and esteem'd the vviser because the King held vvith them oppos'd this sentence alledging so inconsiderate an act might call the safetie of Laconia in question for said they shall wee thinke the Corinthians so degenerate that being justly incenc't against us they will not endevour to revenge the death of their Prince in shade of whose raigne they enjoy that peace plentie their neighbours envie them for and if they stirre in it what people is so barbarous whom the justnesse of their cause will not procure into the societie of this warre See then if a private mans satisfaction be to be compar'd to these ensuing dangers no let her live when the Gods doe otherwise disposâ— of her let her death come without the ruine of Laconia This determined a new doubt arose how I should be dispos'd of They that before thought it expedient I should dye now that opinion vvas put by concluded that it was best to send me to Corinth with an honourable convoy so to tye them by a perpetuall bond of gratitude to be their friends whom they so much fear'd to bee their enemies the rest to gratifie the king whose affection they perceiv'd to leane that way and well assur'd it was an advice too profitable to be rejected that gain'd a kingdome though his promise after the Q. death who not long before left him a widower had bin pas't to Lemnia a fair vertuous La daughter to my keeper Partinax yet they wisht if so he pleas'd my crown might vvin me to his bed little doubting but I had thought it an egregious felicitie to be so grac't The King after manie protractions at length as if he were wrought to it by a desire to satisfie the Nobility rather then selfe-will declares his mind to be directed by them which once known behold the flatterie of Court began to fawne upoÌ„ me who more observ'd who more admir'd onely Rinatus much impatieÌ„t of this my greatnes in Court uttered some words in choler which made known by further enquirie a conspiracie of his against the King so as soone after the rather to give me whom they studied to please satisfactioÌ„ he was beheaded But long it was not before Fortune neither constant to my happie adversitie nor adverse felicitie had brought thither sent by the usurper Tenarus a wise but wicked instrument whoÌ„ he call'd his Ambassador who laboured by the policie of his high reaching braine and the secret practises of his undermining gold so farre for his Masters ends that now in an instaÌ„t the stil-changing face of Court-respect began to frowne upon me my death was decreed and untill the time vvere appointed for it my selfe made a close prisoner in my accustomed gaole But the King chiefly mov'd vvith the hope of my crowne and drawn by a selfe-conceit of liking to my sorrow vvhich perhaps had a sympathie vvith his melancholy vvould needs continue the suit of his affection to me though he durst not interpose his overrul'd authoritie for my libertie Thus for a time did I live accompanied by some few vvhoÌ„ the king might trust vvith his inteÌ„ts he in shew courting his first love Lemnia and making that a pretence to come private to her â—athers house neer adjoyning to Court But indeed as at that time he could have no reason to dissemble vvith me this kindnesse came another way vvhich Lemnia suspecting and being as farre gone in affection to this double-dealing King as he was in the profession of a little-regarded love to me her vvatchfull eye soon found the advantage of a happie opportunitie to heare himselfe speake his own deceipt with such a heart-burning vehemencie that Lemnia who had plac't her selfe unknown to eyther of us behinde the hangings scarse could suppresse her entry to play a part in our Comedie of affection But to his demaÌ„ds truth answered for me plainly that death in whose expectation I liv'd vvould be farre more pleasing then the marriage he thought so reasonable adding vvithall to my speech much of Lemnia's praise which she deserv'd to instruct his eyes that indeed vvere blinde in his choyse But when he parted vowing to be severe in my punishmeÌ„t unless I resolved better at his next comming behold Lemnia with teares in her eiâ—s fell at my feet and vvhen she saw amazemeÌ„t in my lookes with a kinde bashfulnesse taking my hand rising with that helpe Vertuous Lady said she if ever you have beene acquainted with the tyrannie of all-commanding affection to that Iudge I appeale who though courtesie and good maners oppose him wil find my fault excusable This man who in your presence hath beene the trumpet of his owne inconstancie first with the vehemeÌ„t protestatioÌ„ of his sincere affection won me in gratefulnes to meet him in the recoÌ„pence of his unknown dissimulatioÌ„ if such then it vvere and now vvith the good liking of the State vvere the solemnities appointed for our marriage wheÌ„ your arrivall croft those hopes and drew his thoughts to their naturall temper of unstayednes But since I have found by this fortunate unmanerlinesse your answers so resolutely oppos'd to his demands henceforth I vow to vvorke your freedome or bring my selfe to perish vvith you Her fault found an easie pardon at the tribunall shee appeal'd too I thank't her as there vvas good cause for her desire of my good onely I wisht if my freedom could not be procur'd without danger to her she vvould not heape miseries upon me by joining her selfe a companion in my disaster She comforts me vvith the hope of a better event to bring her intention to a wished successe she vvins my unvvillingnes to shew som favour to the King which next day I did having plac't Lemnia vvhere shee had plac't her selfe the day before to be a witnesse to our conferenceâ— for otherwise perhaps her love this second time might have egg'd her suspition already prone that vvay to the distrust of a practise betwixt us And happie vvas this forc't dissimulatioÌ„ for the king not long before his comming to me had receiv'd advertisement that the usurper of Corinth had levied an armie set forth manie ships to invade Laconia making the delay of my promised execution the pretence of this vvarreâ— vvhich being also knowne to the Nobilitie they who together vvith this forreine enemie feared the rebellion of the Helots vvho alway lay in vvait for an opportunitie of such advantage now more then ever began to solicite the king to satisfie so potent an enemie in so just a demaÌ„d The king vvel vveighing the iminent dangers that vvere to be prevented by my death and seeing the little comfort he did enjoy by prolonging of my life likely everie day to encrease my obstinacy being none of those lovers that would die for his disdaining Masters vvas ready to deliver me
Matie we impose a penance upoÌ„ you for your oversight and this it shal be that henceforth you neither speake nor think of that you account your fault and to helpe you in obeying my commands I must intreat you to keep your mind and tongue for a time busied in telling me what befel you in your travel since our being at Corinth and do it not so niggardly as if you meant to conceale what fame hath so largely blowne abroad yet if you were expos'd at anie time to much danger dwell not there too long least I forget I have you heere Most deere Ladie said Amphialus to conforme my selfe to your last request would make me disobedient to your first command Shall I begin with my departure from you alas at vvhat time should I more imploy my memorie speech in discoverie of my faultie selfe than now But I see your eies begin to take anger into them I will no longer insist on mine owne accusation Know therefore most constant Ladie that accompanied onely with Fidutio my Page when I had past the limits of your dominion at that time of day wheÌ„ the high mounted Sunne makes least shadowes wearied with travell and desirous of some shelter from the Sunnes violent rayes I laid my selfe under the protection of an Olive tree thinking to set my mutinous thoughts at peace but it would not beâ— these outward signes could not appease the furie of an inward enemie Thus I lay deerly purchasing the little ease of my bodie with the affliction of my minde untill mine eares like faithfull servants desirous to end this dissension between their Master and himselfe caus'd all the powers of my mind to joine in attentivenes and mine eies loath to be out-gone in such good offices did look that vvay from vvhence the noise came where I might discerne sixe men arm'd on horseback carrie a faire Ladie vvith them vvhose teares out-cries vvell shew'd her indispositioÌ„ to that journey This sight mov'd compassioÌ„ in me pittie brought a desire to help her distresse but my horse devining belike my intent unwilling to leave his food could by no meanes be taken so that madd vvith anger I began to repeat over all the misfortunes that ever had befaln me to let this know it wanted no fellowes when there came posting that way one whoÌ„ by his hast â— I ghest to have been of the companie gone before Of him I intreated to know what fault could be so heinous that might take away the name of injurie froÌ„ so unmanly a violence as they offred to so beauteous a Ladie but he with a scornfull silence smil'd would be goneâ— and so perhaps he might had not the narrownes of the vvay his courteous horse that vvould not tread upon me compel'd him to stay Whereat his anger burst forth into these threats Villain thy vvant of armour shall not excuse thee from a death wilfully drawn upon thee and though there be no glorie there will be satisfaction in thy overthrowe Then drawing his horse a little backe he lighted without further complement runnes towards me but his furie broght him too hastily to his death for thinking belike his threatning mouth was able to defend it selfe he forgot to put by my sword that by good fortune was laid in his way so justly his death entred at his mouth whose life I think vvas in his tongue At his fall Fidutio came in vvho helping to fit on the armour of vvhich we had disfurnisht this unserviceable knight I mounted on his horse that seem'd to have regarded my hast more than mine owne and riding on the spurre I overtook my companie for so they vvould needs make themselves saluting me by the name of their frieÌ„d Satibarsis But their better observance soone put them out of that opinion so as ghessing indeed rightly that I had kil'd Satibarsis by that mean got his armour without desire to be further then by their owne conjecture satisfied they join'd all hands in his revenge But the Ladies cause vvas just whose rescue I came too the all-seeing provideÌ„ce that vvould not see justice overlai'd fought for me And now five of them had either receiv'd their wel-deserved paimeÌ„t of death or vvere kept by their wounds from further opposition vvhen the sixt who all this time had held Ladie and lookt on seeing my hand vvhose vveakenesse had left such presidents of the effects of a good cause now set against him alone took his prisoner by the hair with his sword gave her a deep wouÌ„d in the neck That inhumane act vvould have giveÌ„ desire to the most barbarous power of revenge to the most cowardly but he as if he meant to save me a labour making hast that their vvarme bloud should meet with the same sword runnes himselfe thorow dying as just a ludge as he was a traiterous offendor Amazement would have fixt mine eies upon him but the La vvound brought them to her succour Experience on my selfe made me skilfull and my faire patient officious so that tying up the wound for some time I â—tanch't the bloud Shee in meane time with her vvatrie eies bent to heaven-ward heartily praying for my good fortune manie times thanking her destinie that with her death had ended the miseries of her ever-dying life When I had done comforting her as I thought with my opinion of her safetie I intreated to know her name the cause of this injurie done to her No no replied she Courteous straÌ„ger the comfort of my neer-comming death in spite of the torment the memorie of my most vvretched life puts me too brings this cheerfulnesse I now present in my lookes though the least delay of my end is accompanied with a vvorld of sorrowes yet I am glad for satisfaction of your demand my breath is a while preserv'd My name is Leaucade the onely daughter to Count Brunio a man of large possessions in this countrie whom you may well think because in expectation of his lands manie sued for those not of the meanest esteeme but my carelesnesse of love had taught me such a carriage that further then of the favour of my courtesie of which they did all indifferently partake none could boast And this till about a yeare since was my daily practise disdaining as most that have not known it do so ridiculous a passion as I then esteem'd love At which time this Fluento vvhose happie hand hath done us both right came to my fathers Courtâ— a neighbour Prince with vvhom for incroaching upon the bounds of his territorie my father hath had much dissention But a reconcilement being made betweene them and both alike thinking the best meanes to perseâ—er in amitie were to have us two join'd in marriage without my knovvledge as iâ— it vvere fit I should be a stranger to their proceedings determine of the match But alas sir at this time I was so far from being at their dispose that I was not
knowne his death the magistrates of the towne striving vvho could be best sighted in the discoverie of the murther hoping to have the reward of their diligence from their Queene Artaxia soone found out as a man to be most suspected the messenger come from Court vvhom Plexertus had till late in the night kept in his chamber to know of him the particulars oâ— Arguto's revolt This fellow because none more likely in the vvilde form of their popular justice vvas to dye a thousand manner of deathes But he making just protestations of his innocencie being questioned vvhat occasion he had so long to stay the last night vvith the King if not for that end He plainly let them know vvhat Arguto discover'd which he then reported to Plexertus The many-headed multitude called not the truth much in question of vvhat they heard but vvith the same violence as before every one in this also thinking to gratifie the Queene ran to as uncertaine a forme of execution on the dead as they did before to a judgement of the living first they stript the bodie naked then dragg'd it through the streets now they open his belly and suffer his gutts to marke forth his progresse doing many mo indignities to him vvho had deserved many more I much rejoyc'd to heare Plexertus had beene so just to himselfe yet I determined to join Erona's revenge on Artaxia to Plexertus his judgemeÌ„t on himselfe but her an untimely death had freed from my revenge for taking to the heart Plexertus his treacheries her brother Teridates unrevenged death she calmely gave her selfe over to a life oppressing griefe leaving her kingdome young sonne to the care of Salindor vvhom she appointed Protector during the minoritie Returning therefore somewhat grieved that both Plangus and Erâ—na's death without my help had beene revenged I conveyed the bodies to Lycia vvhere the sumptuousnesse of their Tombes shewes their estates and their everlasting fame their everliving vertues From hence I vvould have parted private but remembring Plangus his last will I pass'd thorow â—masia restoring his son to the Duke and comming to Byzantium I gave up my charge into the hands of Lisantus a Macedonian leaving the souldiers full of heartie sorrow for the death of Plangus their Generall Soone after hearing of your death and resolv'd to sacrifice my blood to your memorie to disingage my selfe of some part of my faultinesse leaving Fidutio in Thrace lest by him I should be discovered disguising my selfe in an armour fitly as I thought presenting the massacre of my naked heart passing the Courts of Elis Argos lastly comming hither I met what should I more say with thee my Hellen reserv'd to be a blessing beyond vvhat most I could desire And so vvith a sincere fervencie kissing her hand they both walk't towards the Pallace where having ended Supper vvhile Basilius and Evarcus vvith the rest expected a Maske prepar'd for them the Queene of Corinth let them know what she had heard of Plangus Erona together vvith Plexertus deserved end and the death of Artaxia The audience greatly pittied their fortunes especially Pyrocles vvho much griev'd to heare of Plangus his death for the love he bore his vertues vvas no lesse troubled at Plexertus his mischance for his deere servant Zelmanes sake But the entry of the Maskers caus'd him put over those thoughts to more solitarines his eye being fed vvith a daintie varietie of representations and his eares vvith most harmonious well-agreeing musick to which the footing kept so good time that doubtfull it was whether the musick conform'd it selfe to the life of their motion or the Maskers their motion to the musicks livelinesse But night mask't in these sports crept on undiscover'd and though Pyrocles and Musidorus at other times would dispence with the length of the sports yet now in respect of the armfulls of joy they vvere to expect in bed they thought them tedious which once perceiv'd their dances were sooner at an end then was intended Thus dayes nights past over as if they had no other Spheare then delight to move in the appointed time for Amphialus his marriage was at hand to which Basilius invited the Shepheards both to chaÌ„ge their daily pleasures as also to shew Evarcus that though a greater cause had mov'd him to the solitarie course of life by him imbrac't yet the witts of Arcadia and the pleasantnesse of their harmelesse life might have drawne him to that retirednesse The Eclogves Kalydolus now minded to marrie his daughter and uncertain whether he should bestow her on the contented young Arcadian Menaleas or the much-having much-wanting Thessalian Coridon who both vvere then present hearing of this summons puts over their cause to be determined by Basilius And Strephon and Klaius no lesse desirous to bring Vrania's name to Court joined themselves to the rest Nor was Agelastus waÌ„ting who not for a Mistris but Heraclitus-LIKE thinking man was made to mourne repining at the vanitie of greatnesse had maintain'd a religious sorrow No sooner was the companie set and that their silence began to proclaime their expectation but Strephon who before his comming had prepar'd an Epithalanium began thus to sing Str. Sweet linck of hearts joyes surest anchor-hold Loves peacefull Crowne the harbour of desires Hymen approach but think not Pan too bold If to invoke thy name our love aspires Dwell heere for ever that this couple may Renew the blessings of their marriage day Firme be their roote of love and cause a blisse From forth this royall happie stock to spring That all the world may justly say he is Vvorthy to be and to succeed a king But shorten not their dayes for 't is decreed The best can be but worthy to succeed Amphialus thankt Strephon for his heartie wishes but he had scarce ended when Klaius looking upon him with as sower a countenance as their friendship could allow thus said Kla. I pray thee Strephon if these glorious showes Of Courts admired greatnâ—sse do not close Thy mind froÌ„ former thoughts where can thy layes Finde other subject then Vrania's prayse Or dost thou fondly thinke thou wert too blame To breathe among these Lords Vrania's name Or is it certaine that her flames in thee Are quench't that lately doubled were in mee Str. Nor so nor thus that verse I last day made As with my flock I sate in Hestars shade I studied it yet all my studie was I vow to strive to let Vrania passe For'twas the only name my pen would write My thoughts imagine or my lipps indite Am I not bold when nights vast stage is set And all the starres and heavenly audience met To speake my mind while their bright twinkling flame Seemes to rejoyce to heare Vrania's name And shall I feare that what the heavens approv'd By men though great men should be disallow'd But where you thinke that I have check't mine eye And freed your Strephon from their treacherie O no mine is