shall you rest with me where your cates shall not be dainty homelic cleanly and welcome your principal dish Thankes good my Lord quoth Elanicus but thinke you that I may obtaine that fauour at your commaund which intreating for the same so lately was so hardly expersed Susania intercepting Andrugio his wordes answered sir blame not a fearfull maiden to doubt the worst hauing too great a cause of late to bee warned and to excuse my boldnesse let my submission in the humblest wise make satisfaction for my fault and vouchsafe to accompanie your noble countriman vnto whom both the Gods and Fortune in my opinion haue done great wrong and my selfe a rude maiden with my aged parentes haue highly offended in not giuing him the dutie to his estate belonging But I trust he will pardon the fault committed sith he himselfe is the principall cause thereof which would not make himselfe knowen but onely in this tytle a Gentleman of Saxonie yet to such prouision as wee coulde make in this wildernes he was welcome so is your selfe if you accept it A million of thankes curteous maiden I render thee for thy kindnes to this noble man which he hath found vnknowen what he was and therefore the more to be considered VVhat cause he hath to honour so good an attendant as you haue showed to be for auoyding of flattery I omit Thus passing the night in ioy recountring their olde friendship the next morning early as Andrugio gaue directions Elanicus leauing behinde him horse and money he hasteneth with al speed to signifie vnto the Duke what had happened Andrugio feeling now the extremities of his woundes to be passed imagining the duke would not suffer him farther to aduenture himselfe when tidings should be brought him of his perils escaped and plight he remained in not forgetting his affection towards Susania whose desires the more he sought to suppresse y e more his hart was inflamed in loue towards her wherefore hee resolutely determining what to do he waiteth opportunitie to disclose his loue vnto her which luckily was presently offered For loâ— Susania in the midst of these determinations according to her ancient custome came to see her patient wherefore setting al dreaâ— apart taking his fit time knowing wel that secret forrowes doo confound the sences and that lingring in perill is the cause of many insiting miseries thus boldlie he began to batter the bulwarke Blush not Susania that for thy graces I tell thee I loue For Susania Loue is in men and therefore in me Since therefore to stop the streame dooth make the flood more fierce and to suppresse the flame dooth make the fire encrease Cammomill the more it is â—rodden the more it springeth Wherefore Susania fearing the flame of my affection shall corosiue my heart know this thy manifold vertues haue made such an impression in my heart and the sweetnesse of thy feature so wounded me that the blaze of the one and the bountie of the other hath broken the bulwarke of my heart where Loue aduanceth her Ensigne as conqueroâ— and keepeth my hart prisoner neither will she deliuer but onely with this ransome Susania her loue Looke therefore my drare Susania vpon thy captiue and as thou hast cured the outward woundes of my bodie minister that sweet portion to my hurt which my heart desireth that being healed by the phisicke of thy affections I may ioy in thee Lookes men say are the messengers of loue and outward motions the be â—raâ—ers of inward malladies then cast thine eies vpon the countenance which doth manifest my care and let thy thoughtes penetrate the heart that doth endure calamitie Deeme sweet Susania of my loue as of the Salamandar stone which being once set on fire will neuer be quenched or the Emerald which graceth all other stones but neuer looseth his collour so likewise neuer determinable shall be the loue of Andrugio to his beloued Susania Then Susania in right consider of my cause according to my care nothing besides thy bountie can procure my blisse thy only perfection hath increased my pame then let thy pitie set free my person from pâ—rill The Porcupike that hurteth with his quilles makes a salue with his blood and Aclytes speare trieth an earnest effect of both natures so likewise it lieth in thee to apply the plaister that inferreth my paine to minister such phisick as may cure my malladie Sith then my life dependeth on thy loue and my danger attendeth your speedie redresse let your courtesie finish my care and repay my loue with his like Susania poore soule neuer vsed to those louing speeches and sweet wordes vttered by Andrugio was mute to heare so suddaine a motion yet the thought of which ticklâ—d a sweete conceit in her as a portion shee coulde well brooke yet determining to shewe in full the nature of the female sexe began to spurne at that with her fooâ—e which willingly she could haue imbraced in her heart resembling the byrde Orpyes that hatcheth the Nightingale yet will feed on her egges so dooth her heart secretlye reioise to thinke her selfe beloued of Andrugio yet meaning to giue him a bitter pill she ministreth to him this portion My good Lord Andrugio I humblie beseech you of pardon for my harsh behauiour toward your Lordship passed but gratious Lord wherein hath Susania shewed her selfe at any time light of behauiour that thus you goe about to intrap me to the lure of your will if my dutie to my vtmost shewed in your weaknesse breed lust in your recouering health I will prouide a new nurse for you and arme my selfe against the subtill piping of so cunning a Fouler Yf your friendship be with your faining glozes to that end to bewich such ignorant creatures as my self I must needs get the hearbe Glozia a preseruatiue against that malady and intreat your Lordship to bee content with an other attendant for wisedome it is to beware in time and warned prouide to escape dangers Yf your Lordship had bene before put in mind of the murderers waiting to kill you I doubt whether you would haue aduentured the place wher they awaited you therefore blame mee not to bee hereafter aduised how I come too neere you and so farewell Thus as it were in a litle chafe she would haue departed but Andrugio staieng her replied thus Sweete Susania and louing if thou tender his life whome with paine thou hast nourished so long doo pitie me which vnfainedly craâ—e it at thy bandes Though Fowlers meane falshood Andrugio is faithfull what if many men haue pleaded for obtainig of lust the affections of Loue yet blame not Andrugio till triall if I bee false then let the Gods poure vengeance vpon me or when ANDRVGIO shall seeme to chaunge his amorous thoughtes of sweete Susania the obiect of any life let fire consume me from the heauen Enough of this my Lord quoth Susania except it were to better purpose for your talke is to no end but to bring a foole
Lord and maister and kind to Andrugio when as he perceiued how hee was beâ—t and that it was as easie for him with the Osterich to swallowe yron or w t his nailes to crash hard flint as with his wordes to win him to his desire and cause him to returne with a heart as heauie as Hero for losse of her Leander after hee had vttered in milde tearmes his faithfull minde taking leaue of Andrugio returneth to the court of Saxony leauing him to his owne will for a time Who in the vniuersitie hath planted himselfe to studie and was in short time growen into great familiaritie with diuers yoong gentlemen amongst others with whom hee vsed daylie to frequent Galastina sonne vnto the Duke of Millaine and be became most conuersant from whose companie so mutuall was their loue and their liking so great one to the other that they might neuer bee simdred night nor day No neuer was the loue of Damon to his Pithia nor Pylidies to his Orestes more firme then Andrugio to his Galastina for one heart vnited them and one purse they vsed betweene them But yet absence which is the greatest enemie to his former desires being so far sundred from his Susania hath not power to put her out of minde but euer in the midst of his mirth would he call to mind his deare loue and often with a sigh rehearse her name saying Susania sweete and constant Susania So often he vsed this so that in the end Galestina desirous to knowe what dame shee was of whom by day he talked so much and in the night dreamed of was so unportunate on him as hee might not hide the flame no longer of which so greate smoake was seene and therefore Galastina brake with him on this maner and fashion Andrugio now my second selfe whose welfare I esteeme as mine owne and according to the dutie of a friend regard thy friendship as my life I haue noted euer since thy comming to Siena amongst all thy myrth how suddainly it hath bene ouershadowâ—d with sighes and fantasticall speeches tending to loue as thy passion describeth If it be so my Andrugio thou art entered into the most intricate labormth that can be and such as exceede the capacitie of men to conceiue such a worme is it as I greatly feare thy health yea and without content shortly thy life For doubtlesse to loue is not tollerable especially where the loue is absent Besides it hath manye defectes as if thy loue be sctled on a Dame full of disdaine who regardeth thee not Yf shee be poorer then thy degree doth require then is she loth some to thy kindred how pleasing soeuer she be to thee Loue they say is a commander and of the common people tearmed a God honored with glorious tytles yea some are so besotted in planting their loue that they reape for their best fruit endlesse misery or preuent it by vntimely death from which the Gods preserue thee my Andrugio But sweet friend if thou wilt be aduised by him who is as deere in respect as mine owne heart listen as litle to Venus allurements as I doo to Cupids flateries so shalt thou haue no cause to say the Gods be vniust nor women cruell for I thinke of Loue as Gnato the Greeke did who was woont to say that of all plagues wherewith mortall men are affâ—iced loue was the greatest for that they earnestlye desired that for their comfort which they founde their mortall death Andrugio hauing listened to Galastina his oratioÌ„ could not well tell how to digest his speech yet after a small pause taken answered Why Galastina doost thau count it madnesse to loue or him besotted that yeeldeth vnto affection Knowest thou not or art thou so fond as not to know that Loue is deuine and can command by his power Who subdued the heartes of inuincible warriours whome Fort could witholde no Force withstand and who subdued the whole worlde but loue Alexander Hercules Scypioâ— and manye others haue subiected them to loue Therefore thinke not as the Greeke did that loue is a plague least thou die an hereâ—ike beleeue hee is fauoured of the Gods that is an happie Louer In faith no quoth Galastina for I count him most vnhappie which is in loue most happie Why then Galastina thou thinkest him vnhappie that loueth Orels quoth he I should thinke amisse Should I thinke him happie which for one penny of coyne ceceyued at his neede shall lie shut vp in prison all dayes of his life Or for one dramme of prosperitie reapeth a whole pounde of miserie Shall I esteeme him happie in loue whose golden gaine prooues leaden griefe No that is neither pleasure which is interlaced with paine nor that happines which turnes to losse Why then Galastina quoth Andrugio doost thou thus blaspheme against Cupid and his sweete mother and esteemest thou so lightlie of loue which is so great a commander Because quoth hee it is Loue and is such a poyson which infecting the mindes of men entreth as pleasant as Nectar the drinke of the Gods but prooueth more vytter than the ioyce of wormewood for as the Mermayde bewitcheth hearers with her sweete musike vntill they be iulled asleepe therewith and so they fall into some danger so amorous louers haue their sences besotted with the franticke passions of this Idoll Loue that they account not themselues happie but in their most vnhappines being at most ease in their disquiet at greatest rest when they are most troubled seeking their pleasure in care hunting continually after that that bringeth endles harme and destruction vnto them as I haue many examples Dauid and Sampson in holy writ Hercules and Leander in prophane histories and many more which I omit wishing thee my good Andrugio if thou desire the fauour of so poore a friend as my selfe and thine owne quiet to persist from loue otherwise it will breede thy confusion This is your harsh sensure Galestina but die not herein neither stand long vpon those tearmes for if you doe Venus is angry at your blasphemie will endite you as an hereticke both to nature and her selfe and so plant you one day for you-disdaine in loue as you shall haue cause to lament whilest you leaue your hard fortune but for this time I am content to giue ouer this argument least that my follies in praysing loue as thou sayest should make the more earnest in enuying against that sweete goddesse so cause thy punishmentes to fall the sooner For Ladies by kinde the more they are grieued the sooner they seeke reuenge of their enemie of which number Venus accompteth the one to her Godhead My speeches Andrugio is no more then my heart thinketh as should be apparant if that foule goddesse as thou tearmost her were present for I doubt least her foreces in loue to inflict me with hauing alwaies reason which shalbe of force sufficient to expell from my heart that franticke humour loue in despight of the goddesse and her blind
made reckoning that their coâ—fortes were rifling their prise and desirous to haue part of what they should finde stood not demaunding questionâ—s but boorded them also in the entering of which Andrugio â—lew their Captaine to the terrour of his enemies which looked for no resistance But all in vains was their proceediâ—gs for his men with blowing the powder were either fore hurt or slaine so that perforce he was compelled to yâ—â—lde himselfe These 〈◊〉 nowe being maister of this weather beaten Barque and saw what spoke those small companie had made their companions were grieuously vexed and greatly threatened Andrugio with bitter tormentes for his valour shewed against them and especially for the death of those Captaines their gouernours Andrugio thus in the handes of those people of whom he earnestly beâ—ought fauour could hardly be permitted life such was their crueltie in reuenge of their Captaines death whom they lost in boording Andrugio his Barque yea they had examined to be the cause of their resistance was more then for all the rest yet as greate as their furie was behold when as many tormenting deathes and most bitter were called to minde and none thought bitter enough for him pitie mooued the hearte of one gratious fellow of some account amongst them to compassâ—on who noting the milde countenance of Andrugio and considering his valour earnestly besought his company for his sake to forbeare the execution of their crueltie towardes him in bereauing the life of this yoong prince which with much adoo was granted him Thus at the intercession of thos◠〈◊〉 wâ—s Andrugio his life preserued to greater extremities for sweeter had death bene vnto him if they had shewed their crueltie then life for that he was marked in his byrth vnfortunats as the storie shall shew you Well those cursed true hauing most violently handled such as remained aliue in the ship commanded Andrugio to be as hardly intreated as might be oppressing his body with cruell afflictions toomuch for any to enduce yet could his noble mind neuer 〈◊〉 to intreat for pardon albeit they should haue carued his flesh from his 〈◊〉 with their meate kniâ—es or with 〈…〉 haue nippeâ— the same away To which his 〈◊〉 courage his ancient friend that had saued his life gaue good notice and â—ued his case but could not redresse him neither shew any more fauour vnto the Gentleman then he did yet as opportunitie was offer â—â— when his â—acking 〈◊〉 were at play or otherwise busied he would vifite him and comfort him as well as hee could But so long continued this good theefe his familiaritie towardes him that in the ende Andrugio confessed vnto him of what parentage he was descended and how fortune in this time of his youth had continually dealt with him omitting nothing whiche lamentable oration of his ouer-heard with promise made when God should to send them to any harbor to release him It was presently carried to such as was chiefest amongst them in commission for as yet they had appoynted no captaines of their ships The reporter of this newes had skarsly finished his tale when furiously and in great rage they commaunded Andrugio and his friendes to be brought vnto them the miscreantes deâ—canting the meane while of such crueltie as they should both receaue No soner came these vnhappie men before those mercilesse bloudsuckers bent to begin their tormentes they caused them to be hoisted to the yard arme and so drencht in the seas at which their misseries they tooke exceeding delight By this this time to aggrauat their misery they had deuised to strip them naked and euery man with a cordes end as they passe them turning round the capstone to deale such strokes vpon their bare carkasses as they could with pitie of heart either for crueltie of encreasing their paine bestow on them or of compassion fauour them But the Gods that yeeld comfort in extremite looking on those afflicted persons preserued them from this punishment For behold as they were in stripping them they espied a fleet of Gallies at sea which in the calme made such speede to them as they might not escape by any meanes wherefore they commanded Andrugio with his companion to the bilbowes themselues to determine for defence against their enemies whom they might easily perceiue now pretending to haue some saieng to them and to repay their bloody tyrannie vsed with the like Time hath brought those discried fleet within litle more then a league so that they might easilie discerne them to be Gallies belonging to the gouernours of Trypolie of which place those villaines had wronged many and therefore their feare began the more to encrease doubting that if they fell into their handes as they did not know howe to withstande them their crueltie vsed to others would be repaied wherfore like friends that in many mischiefes had ventured together they resolutely determine to die and liue together and so preparing themselues with those fewe Andrugio had lift them to be in readinesse ordering their fightes with the best pollicie they could they scantly had finished what they would haue done when a cannon shot comming froÌ„ one of those Gallies stroke their maine mast by the boord and so beat their ship with shot with the losse of diuers of their companie that in vaine they resisted wherefore spreading their flag of truce in their missen top They committed themselues to mercie of those with whome there is no mercie at all When the smoke of the peeces was cleared and that they saw there came no more shot from the ship thinking before they had lost her espying their slag of truce the Captaine of the Viz-admyrall commanded the Helms-man to fal too and boord her where finding those braue mates that had spoiled many now in this conflict to stand as mute as silly sheepe before a woolfe intreating hardly for their liues which could not be granted them yet bound backe to backe they left them lying on the hatches vntill they had ransacked the Shippe searching in euerie corner and tooke the spoile VVhere finding our comfortlesse ANDRVGIO and his pitifull companion miserablie wronged in those yron Fetters taking them to bee prisoners to those cruell and bloody Pyrates and such as had bene wronged by them commaunded that they should be released from their captiuitie and to be brought before the Admirall which was presently done Andrugio for all the tormentes hee had bene afflicted with could not bee compelled to make himself knowen but being by the Admyrall examined what he was and how hee fell into their handes told him that hee was a passenger in a small Barque whom they had spoiled both of goodes and men and that none of his companie remianed aliue but himselfe only The Admyrall noting the courage of the prince commanded that he should be brought with his fellow prisoner aboord his owne Gallie requiting the crueltie of the rest as they had deserued for beeing bound backe to backe heaued ouerboord ending their liues in blood as
thou offend the Gods and endanger thy selfe Can beautie be resisted which made the Gods to bowe Cupid himselfe loued Phiches and thinkest thou to bee of greater force But what fondnes is this in thee Andrugio to dandle thy selfe in such follies Thou didst at thy comming from thy father pretend study in the famous citie of Siena and doest thou now forget that the benefite is great which learning bringeth Educacion is more meete for thee than loue Foolish boy how can the states of thy couÌ„trie thinke thee sufficient to gouerne them that canst not rule thy selfe Yt will be to much for thee to take so great a charge which canst not maister thy affectâ—ons Yet Andrugio if thou wilt needes loue vse it as men vse the seeing of Comedies on a stage for recreation where when thou art weary thou mayest depart at thy pleasure Then leaue to loue but in this sort subdue thine affections be maister of thy mind so maist thou laugh at Cupid and his fondlings and say thou wast in loue what then He had scarsly finished these wordes with a sorrowfull sigh when Fortune that blind Goddesse and his sworne enemie hath brought Elanicus a yoong Noble of Saxonie to the house of the Mister bound by the commaund of the Duke to the citie of Siena to seeke Andrugio of whome there came no newes at all to the court of his Father since his departure This Elanicus posting thorow the desartes was warned by a swain whoÌ„ he met to shun the way wherin he rode for that night approched recountring vnto theÌ„ a most cruell murder committed there by vpon certaine Gentlemen not passing three moÌ„nethes before This newes appaled the heart of Elanicus For about the same time Andrugio with his companie departed for which cause he entered farther talke with the swaine demaunding if he sawe the dead carkasses of the slaine men if he did to recount vnto him their feature as neere as he might with their apparell To whom this swaine accomplishing his request in rude maner describing at large to all his demandes the hearing of which so grieued Elanicus that starsly might he breath But remooued from his dumps he enquired how he came to the knowledge of this he had deliuered Sir quath he dwelling not far hence a neighbor of mine came 〈◊〉 vnto the place where the murderers had left them where by his paines he recouered one proper Gentâ—â—man the rest being buried as well as we could Friend queth Elanicus sith it hath pleased thee to acquaint me of friendship with these tidinges and withall warâ—ed me from falling into the hands of those â—aitifes I giue thee thanks And if I may not be tedious vnto thee that thou vouch safe to bring me where this recouered man resteth I will so satisfie thee as thou shalt haue no cause to complaine of loosing so much labour Thus agreeing the Swaine conducted him and his companie vnto the Miller where Andrugio rested Elanicus hauing well rewarded the Swaine bad him farewell whose sodaine entring the horsse put Andrugio out of Loues cogitation Elanicus meeting first with Susania saluted her as the maner of his countrey with courteous congies beseeching the mayden of so great fauour being a trauailer and night growing on for his mony to to haue entertainement To whome Susania whose womanly conditions more giuen by nature then education aunswered Gentleman what you are I knowe not But I vnderstand good sir the owner of this filly cottage my father being from home I may not boldly presume to giue entertainment to anie how willing soeuer I were to the same for many causes and especially for that I doubt me greatly you with your accoÌ„plices are they which most vnchristianlike slaughtered the Gentlemen of Saxon as they trauelled those desertes Wherefore whether you be the same or whatsoeuer you be take not discourteously the words of a sillie mayden but while you haue time I beseeche you depart elswhere to prouide you Elanicus doubting to haue the repulse began to glorie with the mayden beeing loth to depart without farther knowledge of Andrugio and his companie and therefore besought her to take pâ—tie on his wearie carcase worn with hard trauaile in searching for such Gentlemen of Saxon as by her talke seemed to be dead protesting vnto her in most vehement oathes that he was a stranger and born in Saxonie Andrugio who had listened to their talke hearing Elanicus to name Saxonie was so rauished with suddaine ioy as he might not stand recouering himselfe could not forbeare the presence of his louing countriman and companion with whose speach he was sometime acquainted but leauing his chamber came to see him Andrugio no sooner entring the place where Elanicus sate parlieng gently with the maiden who might not in any cause be intreated to entertaine him But being espied of Elanicus his speach sodainly failed and his tongue failtred in his mouth he fell mainly on the shoulders of Andrugio when passed his trance he cried out Ah my Lord my louing Lord what destinies haue brought you and your companie to these extremities Are the Gods so vniust that they will suffer your noble blood innocently shead to goe vnreuenged Little knoweth the Duke your father of your hard mishap yet doubting the worst hath sent me to Siena to know what mooued you to keepe the tydings of your happy artiual to the place of your desire w tout writing vnto him But I see the Gods haue preuented your noble intent by suffering your body grieuously to bee wounded and your friends to rest in death Accursed Fortune who hath noâ— better prouided for you than thus in the spring-time of your flouring yeares to be thus masacred Yet thankes to the Gods that gaue you life and thankes to your good Phisition whosoeuer hee bee whome if I might knowe I will in some sort requite as I may though not as I would Thankes Elanicus for thy kindnesse quoth Andrugio But happie had I bene if my life might haue accompanied my good friendes which it had done if this my sweete Phisition taking Susania by the hand had not bin whose cares as they haue bene great to restore me to health so will I neuer forget them if the Goddes permit me life But my Lord quoth Elanicus what is your Lordshippes pleasure to doo Dooth your strength serue you to bestride a horse or shall wee make some prouision of coatch to conueigh you to the Court of your renowmed father Ah no my sweete Elanicus answered hee if thou loue me as thy paines employed in aduenturing thy selfe for my safetie sufficiently witnesseth counsell mee not to returne to my Fathers Court vntill I haue spent some time in the famous Citie of Siena to perfourme there what my heart did desire long time before I obtained licence for the same Therefore cease to take further cares for me onely employ me with money for my necessarie vses and returne with what speede you may to the Duke my father This night
he abandoneth the famyliar companie et al so that I cannot heare by the report of any one that he â—eepeth companie with any but thee Wherefore sweete Elenora as I haue with the integritie of my hart declared my zeale to thy countryman so bee the instrument to bring my desires to effect and command Melyssina yea her 〈◊〉 to doo thee good Melissina with teares trickling downe her cheekes tenderly wringing Elenora by y e hand finishing her long oration of whom Elinora tooke such remorse as she was forced by the tender instigation of her heart to participate with her But hauing passed this womanish fit she answereth Maddame I haue now what I desired by knowing y e man your heart so much wisheth to enioy Patient therefore your selfe and doo not with griefe oppresâ—e your heart for sorrow is no medecine for this maladie but a corosiue that will consume you onely as you haue imparted the same vnto me so leaue the execution thereof vnto me whome it concerneth for your fauours shewed me in some part very neere Thankes Elenora for this comfort wherewith thou hast indewed my heart with such a simpany of ioy as I feel the sweetnesse thereof already dispearsed throwout euery member of my body Time an enemy to friendes ouer stippeth so suddainly that we must needes part for feare thou be missed wherefore we will for this time cease our parly not doubting but that thou wilt remember me and so departed Elenora to the house of her Lady and Madam melyssina to her lodging Andiugio according to his accustomed maner presently after supper comming to see his countriwoman whome he found in a great studie as one as it might seeme careful of that she had vnder taken which gaue Andrugio cause to demaund the reason of her heauiues which she manye wayes excused But Andrugio measuring her fancies by his owne desires in iest told her she was in loue Entering thus into communication Good countriman quoth Elenora if your experience in love-Loue-causes be such that you can conceiue by outward apparance what the heart desireth be not mooued nor any thing displeased if vnder benedicite I demaund with what Lady Gentlewoman or other you be your selfe in loue Blush not man quoth Elenora for your wan lookes your heauie sighes and your griefe by outward apparance is such that I haue noted in you a gret alteration since your comming home with my lord Ieronymie which doubtlesse argueth you are in loue Wherefore Andrugio if thou be feare not to disclose it vnto me for a womans helpe may stand in such a cause in more steed then the counsell of an experienced wise man and for my part I vow vnto thee by the honour I owe to Diana and by all such holy rites as become a virgine if either my paines or counsell may auaile thee thou shalt â—â—ud my worde and deed one yea if it were to manifest thy suite to Madam Melisisina thy Lords sâ—ster if she he the woman I am very glad countriwoman answered Andrugio that my comming hath remooued your melancholike humour and made you thus pleasant but that I loue as thou supposest I neuer did nor neuer meane to do because that experience by others hath taught me to eschew that hayte which entering pleasantly will confound the intrals and consume the he art if that present remedie be not ministred in time by their desired Ladies Therfore knowing the pertill I will as I haue done auoid that mischiefe which may breed my confusion Well quoth Elenora I may take thy word but how I beleeue thy weake answere I leaue to report for that I knowe there is no creature liuing who dooth not make especiall choise of one with whom they participate aboue al other and to loue I know is incident both to men and women by which I assure me Andrugio thou doost loue denie it as long as you will If thy reasons propounded be true Elenora and that thou iudge of the secretes of my heart by outward signes why 〈◊〉 thou denie thy loue to me that so friendly demanded to knowe thy choyse at my first comming thy countenance shewing it so plaine for behold in thy forehead written that worde that Paris wrote euer in the sight of his beloued Helena I loue which beeing apparant why shouldest thou denie it Well Andrugio it is folly for women whose wittes be weake to stand reasoning with men whose studies in rethoricke and logicke may perswade deswade such fooles as my self to what in honest wise they list but were maddam Melissina here you could not carrie it so away It is nowe but early nightes and my Lord and Lady in bed wherefore good countriman if thy businesse be not great accompanie me to the Lady Melissinaes lodging who I know will bid you welcome and for my sake to whome I am bound would faine acquaint thee w t her Be not therefore so strange God may prouide for thee in time that as the desertes hath woâ—â—e the loue of the Lord Ieronimie thou mayest likewise obtaine in time the loue of this Lady and become heire of Lord Ieronomies liuing for that hee will neuer marrie as I haue heard him say and children he hath none Thankes good countriewoman quoth Andrugio for thy kinde frompe a poore man may liue to requite you for my companie which you craue if you will accept it I am ready to waite on yoe to her Ladieship Elenora glad that shee had made this entermedling to the Ladies motion tooke him at his worde and conducteth him vnto her lodging whome they found readie to bed that hearing the voyce of Elenora commanded her waiting woman to open the dore Melissina seeing her beloued enter with her was put to such an non plus as she could not well tell what to say that at last remoued from her studie she bad him most heartily welcome and demaunded the cause of Elenors comming on such a sodaine To whoâ—e said Elenora the trueth is maddam that hauing this good companie of my countriman and my leisure fitting too vntimely yet to goe to bed I intreated him to bring me hither whither I trust he is welcome Elenora quoth Melissina he is in trueth welcome for thy sake as also his owne and for that my Lord and brother doth so much fauour him as I know he doth if it shall please him in anie sorte to vse my friendship for his better preferment to my brother or any one he shall finde me readie and good Andrugio be no stranger vnto me for of my honour the honest care you haue of the charge my Lord hath committed vnto you hath gained you credite with your Lord and fauour of his friendes amongest which Melissina though she speake least for your benefite yet will not be the last make triall where you please The vndeserued fauours I haue found at my honourable Lordes handes with your Ladiships courtesies poore Andrugio knoweth not anie way howe to deserue but in trueth
and loyaltie to whiche in the most humblest maner I binde me so long as I shall inioy breath and if your Ladyship shall please to command Andrugio my readinesse to your seruice shall shew my zeale in performing the same Passing thus the time in communication to little purpose the night reasonably well spent Elenora bidding madam Melissina good night takes her leaue with her friendly countriman After this first familiaritie Andrugio had with maddam Melissina oftentimes repayred vnto her lodging as well to shew his dutie vnto her as to spend the time in honest and friendly talke discoursing of diuers thinges to delight her beeing often solitarie as desirous of little coâ—panie Andrugio and Elenora excepted nowe began his miserie to approche Fortune pretending to giue him another spurne for loe a gentleman of the Lord Ieronimie who bare secret loue vnto maddam Melissina albeit he neuer durst reueale the same yet continually would he walke at least two or three houres in the euening neere about the lodging of his beloued Ladie by which meanes he chanced oftentimes to espie Andrugio comming late from the Ladies lodging which perceaued noted growing iealous of his often repaice there hee sought manie waies to acquaint his Lord with the same but could not deuise anie fit meanes to the accomplishing of the same enuying still in his heart Andrugio This gentleman amongst others his companioÌ„s hauing spente their time in riotous drinking and carousing he began to accuse Andrugio of villany saying that there was no night escaped wherein Andrugio vsed not in moste vile and dishonest maner the bodie of madam Melissina This talke noted of diuers in the morning one enuying Andrugioes happinesse more then the rest greeuing that a stranger should haue that countenance vnder their Lord came vnto this foresayd gentleman and charged him with his speeches vsed agaynst madam Melissina which he affirmed whereupon finding as they thought time to thrust him from their Lordes fauour they determined to accuse him of the crime taking no respect on their deuise they presently sought the Lord Ieronymie vnto whose presence being come kneeling on their knees they humblie besought his honour to pardon them for what they had to say Ieronymie amased at this sodaine motion desirous to knowe their mindes bad them say on Then thus my gracious Lord whereas it hath pleased you of more zeale and pitie to a Christian distressed to free Andrugio from the captiuitie of the turkes slauery of a bondman to make him of great accompt in your country knowe this my honourable Lord in requitall of those your honours gratious fauours bestowed vpon him moste caytiue like hee seeketh the dishonour of you and your house by accompaning himselfe with your dearest and beloued sister madam Melissina This my good Lord I speake not of any euill will to the man nor enuiie to the Lady but in trueth and dutie to your Lordship for that I haue seene oftentimes my selfe his repayre to her and once suspecting the same I followed him when peering in at her chamber window I saw theÌ„ in most vnlawfull sort together on her bed her mayden beeing sent of purpose away to my great griefe knowing well by the fauours you haue done that vnthankfull Andrugio Ieronimie could scarse forbear to heare his tale to end so greeued at the heart was he at their speeches but dissembling the same in the best sort he could thanked them for their good wil and bad them depart Ieronimie iealous of what he had heard could not be quiet vntill he did know the effect of what they had tolde and therfore determining with himselfe to see the euent of it pretended to watch that night disguised when hee came thither and hee departed supper ended and euery man departing his way Ieronimie awayted his time and scarsly went out of the house disguised in such sorce that hee that had knowne him well might haue bene mistaken secretly ambushing himselfe to see Andrugio his comming Not long had he stayd but Andrugio with Elenora as was their vse came togither and entered the house which wheÌ„ he saw blame him not tobe malecoÌ„tent fearing by this vnhappie beginning y e euil euent of the rest yet vnquiet as hee was perswaded himselfe as well as he could thinking that being both there no further matter at that time could happen yet would hee see his returne wayting thus two houres and something more Andrugio and the Ladie playing a game at châ—stes which they were loth to giue ouer without victorie on the one side Elenora hauing more hast then the rest desired madam Melissina to lend her mayd to accompanie her which she did when Ieronimie saw this think nowe Lordinges howâ— intollerable it was to him albeit no defartes of either part but wrong suppositions of an enuious person Ieronimie seeing this might no longer forbeare their presence but with speed entered the house and entering the chamber wher they plaid checke quoth Andrugio to the Ladie which Ieronimie hearing answered I vulaine and that checke shall cost thy life miscreant and vngratefull vislaine as thou art tell mee for which good fauour y t I haue done thee hast thou sought the confusion of me and mine I will not now stand to reason the cause with thee but goe with me As for thee â—ewde Daâ—e that hast yeelded thy body as a companion to this rascal I wil take such order as thy hot desies shal bee made coole inough Thus furiously hailing Andrugio out of the chamber he departed commiting him to the custody of the Goaler where bewailing this suddaine chance not knowing any cause why we leaue him Maddam melissina whome the griefe of this had ouerwhelmed was so surprised with the same that she fel into a trance in which extremity her maiden which went with Elenora returning found her wondring at this suddain alteration but left her not without calling help and with al possible means sought to bring her to life but in vain they striue for she hath paid her due to death whom al the labour they might vse preuailed not to call againe When they saw no remedy the maide presently dispatched a messenger to Ieronymy enforming him what was happened But carelesse he thinking it had bene some pollicie of the Lady to drawe him thether that by intreatie shee might craue grace at his hands for her friend would not giue credite to it But rewarding the messenger with bitter words rested all night as he might In the morning early pretending to let his sister know his mind and how hardly he brooked her lasciuious life which she spent in formcation with Andrugio he repared to her chamber wher entring the same he saw y e breath lesse tronke of the Lady lieng on the rushes and her maide with others in teares bitterly bewailing the vntimely death of her whom for her curtesie they loued deerely This sight of Ieronymie was litle pleasing at which maugre his heart he could not refrain the
owne countrie take vp to relieue him whome I trust needeth not my helpe if he liue The dukes sonne may thinke himselfe bound to you quoth Andrugio if he did but know your loue to him and if he be a gentleman he cannot but requite it That Andrugio by talke had knowledge of the man yet not resolued whether to make himselfe knowne vnto his countriman to heare the sorrowe of the Lordes for his absence and what griefe his whole countrey indured for him besides his double sorrowe for the decease of his noble father studying this what to doe hee refolued that it was the pleasure of God so formnately to giue him knowledge of the state of his countrie and therefore not against the pleasure of God to refuse so good opportunitie least he that sendeth all happinesse displeased at his follies shoulde augment his punishmentes wherefore resolued he saith Lorenzo for so was he called since I see the loue thou barest the duke in his life as thy report to his houre after deathe sheweth I were vngratefull if I shoulde not requite thee with some friendship Therefore my good Lorenzo know that thou art the man y t shalt glad the heartes of them thou sayst doo mourne by bringing them certaine tidinges of Lord Andrugio their yoong Prince whome I can assure thee liueth but in great pouertie farre vnâ—â—tting his estate wherfore if thou canst procure to furnishe him with prouision of apparell and money for his charges I can and will bring thee to his presence let me know therefore thy minde for our iournie beginneth to shorten and I must leaue thee Lorenzo hearing the name of him whome he had thought neuer to haue seene more began to note the man more and more but so much was he altered in countenance with the sunne and weather beating at sea that he coulde not knowe him wherefore Lorenzo besought him of that zeale that Christians owe one to another not to hide himselfe anie longer if he were the man as he did suppose he was to let him knowe it that he might doe him that dutie as to hys dread Lord or if not himself not to depart vntil he brought him vnto Lord Andrugio his presence that if his pouertie be such as you report LoreÌ„zo may relieue it and shew the zeale he oweth vnto the noble Andrugio Andrugio being assured by this of Lorenzo his zeale could forbeare no longer but with teares running lyke streams wringing Lorenzo by y e hand sayd Lorenzo my olde acquainted friend and companion Lorenzo how may my heart reioyce to heare thy loue to him whom thou neuer hadst no cause to thinke on but since I knewe it by proof and see what dutie thou didst owe the duke deceased albeit I may be ashamed to manifest that I cannot conceale from thee Know this Lorenzo I aâ— that Andrugio Sonne and Heire to the noble Duke of Saxonie who by the crueltie of fortune haue neuer liued since my going to Siena but in great miserie and neuer was it my chance in my trauels which hath not bene small to meeâ—e with anie of my acquaintance But seeing God hath caused thee to be the first and only man let me know Lorenzo thy counsell what is best to be done thou seest the life I lead is slauishe and moste odious suche as my heart hardly broketh yet can I not eschew it in any sort If I should fue he to whome I am thus inthralled would pursue me if I refuse this wherein I haue some libertie then might it be worse for me nor how to discharge my selfe from it I cannot deuise if I acquaint him with my estate then mayâ— be that he will inflict some great sommes of monie on me for my ransome so that I am now in such an agonâ—e thaâ— I know not what shal become of me Desirous I am to see my natiue countrie and friendes and to comfort these my louing subiectes which sorrow for my absence if thou lend ayde to my desire let me knowe therefore thy aduise Lorenzo and assure thee that the good thou affoordest me in this extremetie shalbe repayd thee with many thankes Lorenzo shed teares aboundant to heare his tale yet was his heart surprised so with ioy that hee coulde not speake but passing it ouer as he might kneeling on hys knees humbly kissed his hand giuing God thankes for blessing him with so good fortune as to be the first that should bring the tidinges of comfort to his countrie protesting withal his purse yea life all was at his commandement my good Lord quoth he touching your departure if you will be ruled by my aduise we will return to the place from whence we came where I haue some friends acquaintance of our countrie with whome I will deale for monie and necessaries befitting your Lordship your selfe shall rest as secret as you may vntill the spring our ships may be free when with the first we will depart This counsell liked Andrugio well and without deniall returned to the place from whence they came which ere they might recouer was late in the night Lorenzo being well acquainted in his lodging called them vp with diuers of his countrimen to whome he declared what had happened who were as ioyfull of this good newes as Lorenzo Thus remained Prince Andrugio amongest hys friendly countriemen honoured with all titles of maiestie beseeming his estate but verie secret nor neuer disclosed what hee was but amongest themselues for whome Lorenzo was not a little careful to prouide all thinges for his honor that he might with maiestie beseeming a prince returne to his countrie All thinges prouided for this his happie iournie the spring nowe appearing where the frosen alpes began to disclose and the splendant beames of the sunne shewed in moste glorie Their prouision beeing all readie to clappe a boord they attend but his pleasure that hathe wrought all thinges else for their content to send them a happie gale whiche luckely comming as they expected they were with the first readie to set saile bidding Freesland farewel their gallant Barke fleesed the waues with a prosperous and happie gale to the ending of euerie one of their wishes and accomplishing Andrugio his desire Time and short time hath brought them to the port of their desire when they had no sooner anchored but Lorenzo sent by Andrugio hastined to see his aged father and withall to will him in all haste to repayre vnto him to participate in counsell what he were best to doe either sodenly to make his arriuall knowne or to conceale it for a time but scarsly had Lorenzo his father blessed him giuen his welcome when blab-like he reuealed vnto his father Andrugio his comming who as ioyfull to heare it as the other was in recounting it presently spred it throughout the citie and to the gouernours of the state who presently vpon the report addressed themselues withall the honour they could to receaue him commanding the belles to be roong
shall wish or desire Lorenzo sleeped litle time but hauing made his prouision departed the citie and iornied day and night vntill hee came to the deserts of Gusqueno where the beloued of his Lord made her abode to whome Andrugio his messenger came not before he was looked for nor so soone by many yeares for that she neuer heard of him since his going first to Siena by reason of his troubles Lorenzo hauing recouered y e Millers house enquired after the maiden to whose presence being come in reuereÌ„t maner more then she would or wished doing his duetie he recounteth vnto her Andrugio his message declaring that it was his pleasure that presently she come vnto him for that the time was nowe come that all thinges to her content and his desire should be perfourmed Susania when her hope was all past euer to see or heare of him againe hauing bene absent so long and neuer coulde heare any tydings of him neither in his owne countrie nor at Siena whether he iornied from her fathers house thought verily he had bene dead wherefore on the suddaine could not tell what to say yet viewing the peece of ring which she did well know she imagined that he was liuing wherfore after diuers questions demanded of Andrugio his successe in his absence both abroad and at home answered what you are I know not wherefore I beseech you of pardon if vnreuerently I vse you or not as beseemeth your calling my bringing vp is rustick as you see in this poore cottage and your self a meere stranger vnto me Touching my Lords demand I know not what to say being not at myne owne disposing but to be gouerned by them of whom I receiued my being as I haue euer by them bene ruled so wil I of them be aduised yet my Lords loue is deere vnto me yea dearer then mine owne soule Rest you I beseeche you sir this night with such homely viandes as this wildernesse affoordeth welcome I assure you shall be your best cheare and at my Fathers home-comming you shall know more Lorenzo wearied with trauaile accepteth her offer yeelding thanks for that fauour Susania descanning on Lorenzo his message imagineth whether her heart was ioyful or no hauing so good a cause and her hope so great to come from a Millers cottage to a princes liue in court honoured of Nobles This happy tydings could Susania with much paine indure to conceale any time wherefore shee dispatcheth a messenger in all hast to seek her father and mother vnto whom being come shee recounteth at large Andrugio his message deliuered by Lorenzo with his happie successe and attayning vnto hys dukedome with all beseeching her father and mother as they loued and tendered the preferment of their childe not to gainsay the will of the noble Andrugio for that their loues had bene equall fortune had done them both wrong to separat them so long seeing it stood with the pleasure of God after many daies of trouble to her louing Lord and no little sorrow to her selfe that they might inioy ech other his francke consent with her mothers might be granted Thus with ioy the toonge faltering in hir mouth shee could not vtter a word more which the father perceiuing beganne to censure the cause proceeded of great ioye and entering into iudgement of all causes which might be preiudiciall to his childe as also the desire he had to see her well bestowed the old beldam his wife casting their heads togither in priuie counsell betwixt them it was agreed that she should goe although nature would hardly brooke to forgoe her especially so farre that all thinges considered and that their faith was plighted one to another they woulde not be denied wherefore at supper Lorenzo being placed at such homely viandes as could be sodainly prepared the aged father said Gentleman of Saxonie if my Andrugio your Duke were present he could be but welcome and so he hath bene to this simple cottage so assure your selfe you be and thankes I yeeld you with my heart for this paynes taken for the benefite of my poore childe for whome without bâ—ast I may with teares report I haue and euer had a fathers care Many a good yeomanly sonne yea and sonnes of gentle race hath shee forsaken proffering their loue with large dowries vnto her But since the time of your Dukes lodging in my house she neuer had anie minde of mariage taking lesse pleasure in hearing of any such offer then in ought else might be spoken my selfe coulde neuer tell the cause but that my wife her mother did partly vnderstand somewhat of her mind being heauy sad diuers times sickely when other youth spent their times in pleasure and sporting to recreate themselues she would wayle and lament in such sorte as it hath not a little greeued me to behold But my Lord what was concealed then I partly gesse at now it was loue I see the loue of my Lord Andrugio who by what meanes I know not hath obtayned her heart and faithfull liking and since I heare by the report of my daughter howe constant hee remaineth in hys choyse not respecting her base birth and that I holde it the wil of God after manie perils they should inioy ech others companie I am content she shalbe at his graces obedience and my selfe with what I haue at his commaundement praying God to make them in loue so happie as the fortunatest that euer liued And this by the way my good Lord since it hath pleased him amongest manie others to make you the man should take charge of my childe and to bring her to his presence I doe herewithall beseeche thee as thou art noble and bound to defend virgins to the vttermost of thy power to be ayding vnto her not suffering her to be iniuried in what thou mayest remedie I knowe her aduancement shall haue manie enemies who spiting that she from so base birth shuld be so exalted wil enuy her happinesse and be a meane to set discord betwixt the duke and her by which meanes she may be scorned cast from hys presence and so constrained to seeke her fortune in miserie wherefore to preuent insuing euils as thou tenderest the loue of thy princely Lord that sent thee sweare vnto me by that order of nobilitie which thou professest in all extremeties to be ayding vnto her and in Gods name at your pleasure she shall accompanie you Lorenzo listening to the large discourse of this kinde father noting the care he had for his childe whome he tâ—nderly loued presuming on his Lordes constancie vowed with solemne othes vnto him that so long as euer it pleased the deuine deities to preserue him with life hee would stand and abide a father and firme friend vnto her and in al honest causes maintaine her iust quarrell against all men yea if it were against the duke himselfe Time now is come when they must depart wherefore these aged parentes might not forbeare the shedding of teares in
all kinde of sinne which maketh vs inheritours of hys curse both of sinne and death yet so dull is our vnderstanding that dayly we fal into this crime of ingratitude which we ought to hate in great measure and to flie from it more then death it selfe by reason of the euils whiche it hath brought vppon vs but yet alas wee see amongest vs too many vngrateful persons who betraye them soonest by whome they receaue all their liuing and aduancement And if vnthankfulnesse be familiar with the meaner sorte let vs not thinke it farther off from those of higher calling for vppon euerie light occasion especially if a man frame not himselfe to that vice which they haue in greatest commendation they easily forget all the seruice that hath bene done vnto them by reason of some new come guest who will shâ—we himself a seruiceable minister of their pleasures this hapneth sonest wheÌ„ men grow in greatnes because coÌ„monly as their calling increase not being instructed in vertue they wax worse and worse in behauiour but let them take this for an infallible rule that an vnthankfull person cannot long retaine in his seruice an honest faithfull good seruant The ancient said not without good cause that impudencie was the companion of ingratitude for if no beast as they say is so shamelesse as an impudent who is he that may be said to haue lesse shame theÌ„ an vnthankful body for this cause of ingratitude Among the sawes of Draco established among the Athenians there was this that if any man had receiued a benefit of his neighbor it were prooued against him that he had not bene thankful for it it was death to the offendor Alexander the greatest for bountie and Caesar for pardoning iniuries renowmed in all the histories of them both it is saide that when Alexander had knowledge of an vnthankfull person he neuer gaue him any thing nor Caesar neuer forgaue such So grieuously haue vertuous men hated ingratitude Yt is reported of the Storke that she neuer bringeth foorth yoong ones but shee casteth one out of the nest for the hier of the house where she lodgeth But barbarous is that ingratitude in him that hath bene borne bred fostered and serued and all with the sweate of another mans browes in the end to seke the spoile of al that is therin euen the honor and oftimes the life of the Host Wonderfull are the mischiefes that happen to the vnthankfull many be the examples of the sorrowes and punishents that haue followed ingratitude Now if we desire to shunne this vile sinne and to imitate the vertues of the noble minded to our vtmost power this is our help if we alwaies esteeme the benefit which we receiue of another greater then it is repute that we giue for lesse then the worth neither let vs as proud and vaine glorious men doo who vaunt that they stand in need of none disdayn to receiue a pleasure of our friends although they be of lesse calling then we when they desire our friendship for if it be an honest thing to doo good to all that cannot be dishonest at all for in requitall of friendship a receiuer is as requisite as a giuer Furthermore this one other poynt to banish this vilde sinne from amongst men if we requite double the good turne wee receiue one of another Lastlie let vs recompence double and reward without reckoning those good turnes which we receiue of others rather fearing least we should be ouercome in Benificence then in worldly reputation and glory But wretched Andrugio the more thou enterest into those grieuous calamities of the world the more thou callest to mind thy hard hap and more greeuest to thinke of thy sweete Susania and her tender babes then of thine own penurie But God which is iust will with vengeance reward those traiterous reprobates which haue depriued their lawfull prince from his seat of iustice and maiestie compelling him to seeke curtesie wher he may best get it but worse shall befal them then that traiterous prince Iustinian who selling for lucar of the kingdom the famous city of constantinople was crowned there and after three daies had his head cut off pasanias a Captaine of Lacedemon hauing receiued fiue hundred duckets to betray the citie of Sparta was by his father pursued to a church whether he fled for sanctuarie who commanded the walles to be closed and so famished him and afterwards his mother cast his body to the dogs Brutus cassius that would haue betraied Rome was in the same maner serued Darius king of Persia caused his sonne AariabarzaÌ„ his head to be cut off because he sought to betray his army to Alexander Brutus did the like to his châ—ldreÌ„ who had conspired against their countrie that king Tarquinius might reenter If those noble Princes rewarded treason by the deaths of their children and most fauoured then thinke not but your liues will be shortened for your conspiracie against me yea assure you that the righteous iudge of men wil punish it in you as he hath done in many others The remeÌ„brance of your crimes with the thoughtes of iust iudgment to bee inflicted vpon you driueth my oppessed heart into a world of griefe but if I had searched so narrowly into the thoughts of you accursed Traitors I had bene happy in this my vnhappines but wise men haue taught mee that miserie is necessarie That man saith the wise man Bias is able to beare miserie which hath bene trained in the same from his youth And Dyonisius the elder said that man that hath learned from his youth to be vnhappie shal bear his yoke the better which hath ben subiect to it in times past Demetrius said that he iudged none more vnhappy theÌ„ he which neuer tasted of aduersitie And Cicero iudgeth him most happy that thinketh no miserie how grieuous soeuer it be or intollerable or dooth any way discourage him Nothing saith plutarch is euill that is necessarie by which word necessary Cicero vnderstandeth whatsoeuer hapneth a man by destinie is necessarie and we ought to beare it with patience as that can not bee auoided Socrates speaking with a deuine spirit said y t when we shal be deliuered from this body wherein the soule is as an oyster in y t shel we may then be happy but not sooner and that felicitie can not be obtained in this life but that we must hope to enioy it perfectly in an other life Yf death be the happines of men how happie had I bene if in my cradle I had paide the due I owe vnto death the ioies which follow death if our fraile nature could conceiue and allow were such comfort to al as wel to the happy as the miserable that none would desire life for my owne part hauing tried the happines of worldly men riches of couetousnesse so called and consider the frailtie of it and the abuse of men I chose in these deserts to abandon me from al humaine fellowship costly
fare soft lodging losing the company of my louing wife tender infants liuing w t such roots other things as y e earth yeeldeth for y t I haue seene y e tyrannies vsed toward y e poor such wilful robberies and spoiles made of miserable people so great discentions so many hurts and miseries in the common weale such oppression such partiall iudgement such couetousnes such whordome and all sin so abounding The bringing of which to memory maketh mine eiâ—s blind my tongue to folter my members quauer my heart paâ—te my intrals breake and my flesh consume it is more griefe to see them with mine eies and to heare them with mine eares Therefore seing the fountaine of all happinesse consisteth in contentation I will purge my selfe of all perturbations which may hinder the tranquilitie of the spirit to the end eternall thinges may bee vnto mee more welcome and familiar when I shal know how to vse them But resolued I am in despite of fortune whose banding bal from my infancie I haue bene to continue the remainder of my life in this sweete contentation for as she most blinde and fained Goddesse hath taken my honors my goods and worldly dignities may driue me in disgrace with the people but she cannot make my honest mind 〈◊〉 which hath alwaies bene noble and valiant nor take from mee this setled mind neither by the tediousnes of my life which is lotâ—some vnto me nor by any grieuous or troublesome thinge that can befall me Thus with teares ceasing his mornful speeches bewailing with heauinesse of heart the worldes ingratitude wee leaue him to his solitary life for a season in those deserts THE VVARRES OF GALASTINO Duke of Millaine FLodericus and his fellow companions ruling now in Saxony thought themselues sure of their seates hauing banished all those that might claime by right any title in the Dukedome vsurping ambitious titles and galling theyr commons with taxes and all other maner of pollinges that their subiectes rather did chuse to die then liue in that seruitude yet remedie was none ease theÌ„selues they could not but grouing vnder that heauie yoke whereto they were bound Beseeche God who sheweth mercie to all people to take their cause in hand and reuenge the banishment of their good Duke vppon those tyrantes and their progenie whose Lamentations and sorrowfull playntes so often powred forth yet it pleased the Lord to heare and as he deliuered his children Israell from the thraldome of Egipt Hierusalem from the bondage of Babilon so raysed hee vp that famous noble prince Galastino Duke of Millaine to reuenge the wronges offered his friend and lawfull Prince Andrugio and relieue his poore subiectes which liued in great thraldome long time with earnest inquirie being spent by Galastino in searching out the abode of his Andrugio who could not be heard of for all that might be done for whose absence the sorrowe that was made is not to be tolde When Galastino sawe all diligence that could be vsed might not bring him tidinges of the Duke he sommoneth all his nobles counsell togither beseeching their frieÌ„dly aduise in a matter of waight which he shoulde impart vnto them the nobles that with duetie loued him and whose zeale was such as becommeth subiectes to their soueraignes humblie sought his excellencie to declare what hee had to say promising to their vtmost power to counsell him therein with all the furtherance they could accomplish in anie reasonable sort what hee should require Galaâ—tino who found his nobles as euer before duetifull and readie to obey his will gaue them all moste hartie thankes for the same and after a little pause taking thus sayd Nobles and you states of Millaine it is not vnknowne vnto you all in what miserable seruitude the poore subiects of my good friend the duke of Saxonie haue and doth liue since the exile of their lawfull Duke by those vsurping Miscreantes which haue nowe the gouernment whose wrong offered their liege Lord and my friend I am determined to reuenge neither will I willingly suffer men of so vile condition to liue that wrongeth their soueraigne whome God hath placed nor suffer the innocent babes of so honourable a prince as the duke of Saxonie to lose their rightfull inheritance in the Dukedome my selfe that inioy amongst you my birthright and title of this countrey haue many heyres to succeed me when my earthly truncke shall yeeld his due to death vnto whome I cannot deuine what may be offered yet hope the best and relie vpon your fidelities whome I haue euer found loyall but if the deuill by ambition wherewith hee infecteth manie of high estate should tempt you in such sorte not to be content with their degree and should procure the vulgar sorte to vse the like crueltie to mine the memorie of my actions and zeale in defending innocentes remayning fresh in memorie may be a terrour vnto those so euill disposed who waying their wicked pretence before they beginne may assure themselues that God which is righteous will rayse some one of noble disposition to reuenge their wronges as by hys sufferance I am nowe drawne to the like in the behalfe of those two children of my friend the noble duke of Saxonie for whom on my honor my care is as much as for mine own neither wil I alter my determinatioÌ„ herein to be made a monarche of the worlde but to my vtmost power will so prosecute what I determine herein that in the cause I wil aduenture my person where such as loue me will follow me The nobles which noted howe earnest the duke was in vttering his long oration thought it no time to delay their opinions what they iudged of the enterprise yet were they driuen to a non plus what to answere so sodainly to denie his demandes and earnest request might bréede suspition of their loyaltie then which they rather chuse to die againe to aggrauate him to the attempt which was before so hotely bent was but to put oyle to quenche the fire wherefore after small deliberation they answered Honourable Lord whose will hath bene held amongst vs for law Know dread soueraigne that we haue with aduise considered of your long protestation and most highly commend in you so honourable a minde and haue noted what honour it will be to you and your posteritie for euer to regard the estate of the widdow fatherlesse such we terme that distressed good Ladie the duchesse of Saxonie and her infantes for whome wée haue often bene minded to intreate as in honour we are bound that they inioying their right might ease your maiestie of a great charge and requite on those rebellious traytors a facte so odious according to their desertes knowing that traytors whiche seeke the subuersion of their prince ought not to liue Holie writ sheweth manie examples howe God punished suche vsurpers where is commaunded that none shall lift theyr sword against their annoynted who on the earth are his vice regenâ—es Dauid when
Saule sought his life came into the tent of the king finding him sleeping yet durst not touch him for feare of vengeance from heauen If treason were helde in such contempt in those dayes howe ought it much more now to be despised Proceede therefore noble Prince and let the tender care you haue of these innocents whose cause you take in hand deserue such honour in the courtes of all christian Princes that no talke may be but of Galastino duke of Millaine and his honourable reuenge of those traytors that draw their swordes against their soueraigne and hauing vanquished the villaines let their punishmeÌ„t be answerable to their deserts that it may breed terrour to all such as shall euer attempt the like action and remaine to the end of all thinges in memorie towardes the performance of which of our own cost we freely allow ten thousand men well furnished for warre with all y e charge wages and what else to them belongeth besides our owne persons to attend your excellencie which shalbe readie speedily awaiting your gracious pleasures The Duke which found no lesse then hee expected at the handes of his nobles was so rauished with ioy that it amazed him wherfore yelding them such honourable courtesie as their large and friendly offer required he thus replied Noble friends on whose fidelitie our welfare consisteth Thankes for this friendship so likewise for many others past more haue you honoured me by your consent to this my fiâ—te then I list nowe to vtter but assure you on the word and maiestie of a Prince that your friendships shall neuer be forgotten Touching my determination for our iournie to Saxonie knowe that our purpose is by the assistance of God whome I trust fauoureth our good intent and will helpe vs according to equitie of our cause within two monethes to be ready for our intended voyage wherefore as you honour me see that you accomplishe your late offers against that time prefixed vnto whiche they faythfully promise dinner time Drawing on the duchesse aduertised the duke therof who inuited his nobles thereto where the Duke relateth vnto the duchesse of Saxonie his parlie with the nobles of Millaine with their courteous offers for the benefite of her and her children which newes was so pleasing vnto her as nothing could ioy her more hoping by that meanes the Duke her husbands children shoulde inioy their lawfull right and shee her selfe liue to see the same Thus with much pleasant parly passed they diner carowsing to their happysuccesse and fortunate iorney vntil some of them haue taken such colde in the handes that they might not stand on their feet Time that worketh al things commandeth these Nobles away eâ—ch making to their home wherefore taking humble leaue of the Duke and the two Duches thy depart carefull of what the Duke gaue them in charge to set all thinges in a readines against the time appointed The Nobles gone the Duke calleth his captaines and men fit for charge geuing them warrant for leuieng his power with great command that his company should bee of the best and ablest men in the Dukedome which with care they see fulfilled according to the truste reposed in them The Duchesse for whose sake those preparations were made conceiued such ioy at the same that she thought euery moneth a yeare and euery day a moneth vntil shee saw to what happy end the Dukes pretended iorney would happeÌ„ vnto often commending in her heart the faithfulnesse of the Duke of Millaine to his friend In recounting whereof she shed many bytter teares for Andrugio her beloued lord and husband somtime exclaiming against both Gods and men for his losse who so dearely she loued The remembrance of whom was likely diuers times to bereaue her of life yet in the midst of her sorrowes when she beheld the yoong prince a liuely picture of the exiled Duke how often with sweet imbracings woulde she kisse the tender youth bathing his tender cheeks with teares distilling in aboundance thorow extreame griefe of heart from her eies hoping yet before death should shut those eyes of hers to see him and once against to inioy his companie The yoong prince growing to some discretion beeing thirteen yeares of age well noting the sorrowe and heauinesse of his mother would by cyrcumstances enquyre of the Duke his father of his country and the cause why hee left the same with many other questions of which when the Duchesse had resolued him made relation of each thinge which he demanded describing also at full how dearly hys subiectes loued him and in what regard they held her it would moue the prince often to shed teares wishing that his years had bene such that he might haue remembred his father and of power to reuenge his wrong vowing if it bee the pleasure of God to endow him with life so thorowly to requite those iniuries vpon the vsurping traitors that al the chronicles in the world should record the same in memorie And so comforteth his mother in the best sort hee could praying her a while to be content till God had placed him in his right whereof he hoped in short time to bee possessed Those wordes of comfort proceeding from so greene a head the Duchesse did much admyre no doubt had greate pleasure in her sonne of whom she had no litle ioy whose education was answerable to his byrth hauing learned men of all sciences to read vnto him by whome hee profited in learning so excellently that it was rare to finde any in Millaine or the whole Dukedom comparable vnto him for study and other agility of the body for which he bare the prize from al of his yeares whose conditions were so answerable to the noble Duke his father that if any man did know the one would suppose soone who the other should be Whilest the Duke of Millaine was furnishing his power newes was brought him that Flodericus one of the vsurpers had by poison brought his companion vnto his longest home to auenge whose wrongs Sextilius son and heir vnto Gonsalo deceised had gathered all his allies kindred and friends in armes and was in the fieldes with intent to suppresse Flodericus and claime in right the Duke dome in trueth and lawfull succession belonging vnto neyther of them This 〈…〉 the suddain Galastino could not wel beleeue till hee was by letters from diuers Nobles of Saxonie and friendes to the noble Andrugio and his thereof aduertised whereof beeing thorowly resolued he hasteneth his powers and hâ—â—ing a gaâ—â— to serue their turne After many sorrowfull fâ—rewels and womanish teares shed by both the Duches he taketh the seâ—s whose honorable purpose fauoured by God the maintainer of trueth brought them safe to the road of their desire anchoring in the night perceiued of nâ—ne by reason of the gloomy weather Galastino commandeth a 〈◊〉 to be prepared which being accomplished he presently dispatcheth messengers from ship to ship with letters of direction for their suddaine landing to