sole consideration which you stuck on was that by the Queen Berenisa my first wife I had a Son and that my heir already born you would not suffer that your Children should be second in affection or degree to any This being return'd me by my faithfull Pirobus I seem'd to take no notice of it but after some time was past wee both agree'd together that if I meant to compass my desire in that sute where-on depended all my happiness I must needs send away my Son and spread a noyse that he was dead And judge you Madam to what extremity I loved you being compell'd to take so contrary a resolution to the lawes of nature For this cause I commanded a Coffin to be laid with Royall pomp into the earth and suffered none in forty dayes to see me that I might better act the part of a lost Father Mean while I gave my Son in charge to Pirobus whose name was like mine own Alcidaris not to be sent so far away but that I might when I desir'd hear often of him He had acquaintance with an Arabian Merchant and an honest man named Eurimedes who was most frequent in the City of Deu one of the best havens of my Kingdom and teaded to Cambaye where at that time he was To him he went and gave that pledge into his custody which for your love I had abandoned He told the Merchant how he had receiv'd that child from a woman of great quality commended him to his best cate and that he might be bred among his own and told him one day it m ight happen that a worthy recompence might grow unto him In the inferior because he might be known again and for he had no mark about him Pirobus made one upon his arm where he imprinted the Arms of Cambaye with a needles point and the joyce of a certain herb wch never wears away which done he does again commend him to the Merchant whom that he might the better love the child and be more carefull of him he enjoyned to beslow his own name of Eurimedes upon him In so much as very often I have heard of him also known the Merchants care as well for the great pâ—yâ— cause him every year to receive as for the love he bears to Pirobus to whom he thinks he is obliged for that favour But Madam said the King moreover the Gods can bear me witness I had tane your deer Anaxander into so great affection as I forgot the love I ought his Brother and if he had well behav'd himself I think his humor which beyond all others that I know delighted me together with my wonderfull affection to your self had so much won upon me as I had made him heir to all my three Crowns but seeing he hath shewn himself so giddy-headed and so ill advised as to leave me to pursue his foolish fantasies as well as his Cousin whom so deerly I had loved having no other prop to rest on left me Think not a miss Madam that I send Pirobus to Diu to seek me out Alcidaris 't is now no longer fit he should be hid nor that on my part I should more conceal the love I bear my proper Son These my deer children said Evander are the very words the King himself delivered who without alteration at the Queens complaints and tears dispatched Pirobus immediately Being ariv'd at Diu he wonderfully amazed the Merchant when he told him that ye child whom he so long had bred was heir unto the King The noise hereof was spread incontinently through the City and all the inhabitants came in throngs to kisse their Princes hands Pirobus who had not seen him since his first delivery into the Merchants hands could know him only by the mark he graved on his arm The young man more than any other grew in admiration at the honors which were done him For he believ'd he was that Merchants son and look'd for nothing lesse than to be honor'd as a Prince He was by Pirobus conducted to the City of Campanel and carried both the Merchant and his children with him on whom he afterward caus'd goodly Offices to be conferred As soon as his arrival was but known the greatest of the Court went forth to meet him and the King with testimonies of exceeding joy received him but this did not long endure For that young Prince was so ill bred and had among those people of inferiour quality who had kept him gotten such evill habits as that his presence served but to make you more lamented but above all the Queen could not endure that in your stead a beast should have such worship who by his filthy carriage had made himself contemptible to all the world The King commanded me to take him to my Government But finding in him no appearance of common sense and seeing him too old to form his mind to any good I did despair ever to make of him a civill man and you may think my dear children whether I finding in that poor Prince spirit nothing but thornes and briers instead of goodly seeds of vertue which I found in you I had great cause to be delighted with my charge The King who in that ill made Picture could not know himself made Pirobus a thousand times to swear he was the same which he had from him As for my self seeing I lost my labour and my time in teaching him besides the finall d fire or none at all I had thereto being afflicted as I was for losse of you and dreaming nothing â—â—sse than ere again to see you I aâ—th last resolv'd to go and seek ye out in what part of the World soever ye might be And that which more old god me thereto was that knowing all the secâ—eâ—s of Astrology and having by that Art foreseen that at two severall times ye should run hazard of a violent death I would make tryall if by my diligent and carefull seeking after you I might divert the mischiefs which the Sâ—â—rs had threatened yeâ— withall Besides my own affection thereunto I was incited by the general complaints of all the better sort of people in the Kingdom who could not without sorrow yield obedience to a Prince of so ill making and so evill doings and who already did begin to apprehend his future domination Therefore as soon I had known no news was to be hâ—d of you at sea and that as many as had gone after you were come again no wiser than they went remembring I had in secret heard your meditations on the Princess Orizâ—a's Picture and that I had often heard ye though in and out to name the word Narsinga I imagined you might be gone disguised thither and have passed over land that you might crosse through that unhappy Kingdom of Decan whereof I remembred to have heard you mention so many wonders of their gallantry But unfortunate as ye are by what I see ye have met nofavored me by my arrivall here at Visaporus just
that the poor for knew it was in earnest they mockt him and that they restrained not themselves as when he was taken for the Prince and Heir of Goâ—zarate Admire the weaknesse inconstancy of men it was not two bours before that this young man was adored of all the People and followed of the whole Court and however extravagant he were on the belief men had that he was born a Prince they honoured him as a god although they knew he was a shame and reproach to the Kingdom and behold in one hour Fortune overturning in him what soever was thought she had establih'd everlastingly every body leaves him and that supposed rank which they feared and disguis'd their faces with a feigned approbation of his follies being known for counterfeit they freely scoff'd at the poor wretch who soon became the sport of the whole Court The King however had some kinde of pitty on him and truly were it only but for that this poor unhappy creature had had the honor to carry the title of Prince and to passe some years for the Kings only son it was just this that somewhat should be assur'd him during his life which might take him out of that abject condition where it to his rudenesse had east him again The King then finding that he was half in dispence concerning his greatnesse resolv'd to put him wholly out of his errour and to tell him how that supposal grew But said he Eurimedes for you must retain that name henceforth which is you fathers because I will be known to be kinde and charitable and that I will nor forsake what I have once set in honor and credit Ask me any title or other thing which may be fit for you in my Kingdom and you shall gladly have it Every man expected he should have craved some high condition where profit might be joyn'd with honor but he deceiv'd the company when above all things with a smiling countenance and see ling nothing at all of his past sorrow he desired he might have that poor wench of the Town whom he had in times past so well liked The great Aleidarts could not abstain from laughing and turning him towards the Queen and Lisimantus Truly said he Nature doth what she doth very well giving ordinarily mean thoughts to low souls as noble hearts she maketh capable of glory and of high desires Yes said he Eurimedes take her but when thou are married to her upon what wilt thou live for I believe my son will not let thee enjoy his revenue nor those other things which thou usurpedst from him Hereat the poor blockhead lost his joy again and not knowing what to answer the King assur'd him of a good Pension and his father for his faithfulness a better and the better to please the whole Court which could not enough honor his dear Lisimantus he sent one of his guard to fetch the Maid and all her friends and presently gave her to Eurimedes who as easily forgot all his greatnesses as if he never had possessed them and bounded all his glory and ambition with the possession of that woman his equal Lisimantus was yet very pale as well by reason of the wounds he had received from his brothers hand as for the little rest he had had in that dark prison where the Cambaiansâ— fury had some daies detained him yet was he a subject of all the Ladies admiration of the Court who sinding him as exquisite in spirit as shape could no less praise his courtesie than countenance and blessed heaven that truth was manifest to their advantage and that they were to live under so fine and gallant a Prince But although he was as kinde to them all as civility and good manners permitted him his mind forbare not to wander other where and the sight of so many beauties served but to awake more fervently the remembrance of his dear Lisimena As soon as he knew himself a Prince that adorable beauty was the first object which came into his thoughts and presently apprehended that inequality would be no longer an obstacle to his Love If he were joyed at that quality and if his heart were touched to the quick it was only because it promis'd him a freer accesse to Lisimena for otherwise he was too generous to prize that present of Fortune and be proud of it he knew his courage was above the highest Thrones and that he had enough wherewithall to obtain those Crowns and greatnesses which his birth might have denyed him He found he had a Princes soul and illustrious blood was the least matter he accounted of in such as governed with equity and who by sweetness rather than Tyranny made themselves more absolute in their Dominionâ— The King his father could not enough admire his actions whenever he remembred his past Victories and thought upon the glory which his young son Anaxander had gotten and the courage they both had to meet so many encounters and dangerous occasions he could not chuse but thank the gods and flatter himself with that sweet vanity that he was the happiest father and most redoubted King of all Asia in such children His Physicians very provident for their new Princes health fearing lest after so ill usage and so little rest as he had had in eight or ten daies misery before his felicity he might fall sick desired his Majesty to perswade him to keep his bed a while that they might purge him of the evill humours which might have grown in him But it being by the King proposed to Lisimantus Sir said be if you will set my mind at rest and purge it of all melancholy that troubles it I conjure you in the name of the gods whom you worship to send instantly an Embassadour to the King of Zeylan When you shall have assured him that I have the honor to be acknowledged your son I know he will nor deny me his daughter which is the only content of my soul and thing in the world which can make me happy Son said the King unto him I have no other meaning than yours and I am only sorry that you have prevented me by your request foâ—â— intended to propose it to you for your good But do not you desire to have your first name of Alcidaris restored to you which you lost by so strange a fortune me thinks my Subjects will have greater cause of joy when they shall see you inherit my name as well as a good part of my Crown and will thereby the better know you for their lawful Lord. Let them Sir replyed Lisimantus know me only by the honor I have to be issued from you and the actions I intend to perform for their advantage and suffer use to wear the brave name of Lisimantus so solemnly given me by the fairest mouth of the world and being the first mark of credit which I got abroad It may suffice if you think fit that I write my self Alcidaris like you and name my self
had brought that little Prince into the world with pains incredible she choaked in her Convulsions and the first hower of her childbed gave the last unto her life Now though Alcidaris were not ensirely so much tender of her at she of him nor had the just same feelings that she had yet could not chuse but by that unexpected death receive most strong impressions great was the grief he shewed and whatsoever pomp the quality of so great and vertuous a Princesse as she was requir'd did wait upon his mourning and her Funerals But as there is no wound however it may seem incurable but time may heal this which Alcidaris received was not so great as that there needed a whole age to comfort him for after one year ended he became most passionably enamored of the Queen Anaxareta who by the death of her brother Spimantus newly being arriv'd was heir unto the Kingdom of Dulcinda which does on the one side border on the King my fathers Countries and on Persia on the other The reason why so passionately he pursu'd that Love was that besides his pleasure there was profit in it and thought that by uniting Dulcinda to his other Kingdoms he should be an equal powerful neighbour to the Persian Perswaded by these reasons but more by love that forced him he sent one named Pirobus and of the ablest of his Kingdom in Embassage to the Queen Anaxareta He was receiv'd as coming from so great a Prince with much magnificence but wondred greatly that the answer he received was no more favorable She only told him thus that the King of Cambaye had done her a great deal of honour but that the King her brother being so lately dead and having scarce wip'd off her tears it could not be she should so soon forget him nor in such haste run from his Funerals to her own espousals and therefore pray'd the King his Master not to hold it strange that she desired more time to think thereof This Embassador who was a man of great discretion and knew the extream passion of Alcidaris resting but poorly satisfied with this answer and knew his Master would be likewise so bethought him that of Force some greater reason must restrain the Queen than of her brothers death who almost two years since had died and should have caus'd her greater joy than sorrow for which cause he makes adresses to the chiefest Statist there and dives into him to discover if he could his Mistriss meanings he shews him how the King of Cambaye was her neer neighbour and one of the most powerful Monarchs of the Indies That over and above his greatness and his wealth he had all qualities which might commend a man to a fair Ladies acceptation that in all Asia his Mistresse could not finde a fitter match that there needed no long time to think upon a matter which depended only on her will And that he knew not what to infer by the coldness of her answer save that she loved some other since she neglected the desires of a Prince so mighty and one who could not be but a great strength unto her This States-man who desired to pay him with more solid reasons than the Queen had done thought t was no matter of importance if he told him what he guest she thought which was that being of a mighty spirit and knowing that Alcidaris had had a son by the Queen Berenica who as himself was call'd Alcadaris and should when he were dead possesse his Kingdoms she could not abide that those that should proceed from her should ever happen to be seconds or in rank or in affection and being able to dispose of the Kingdom of Dulcinda she thought she might do better to chuse out a Gentleman her Subject who should be her creature and by whom she might have children heirs to her possessions than to match a King of whose inheritance she could not see a hope for hers And this said he in my opinion is the cause that backs the Queen for she is not so ignorant both of the qualities and vertues of the King your Master but that she holds him for the man of most advantage for her choice save only that his heir is born already Pirobus more satisfi'd herewith than by the reasons given him from the Queen though very little notwithstanding seeing how far from giving comfort to his Master returns towards him and from point to point gives him account of his Embassage Alcidaris as well as possible he could dissembled the disquiet this il news procur'd him and I know not if his love oblig'd him or that as yet some little hope remained for him But as if heaven would favour his desires about eight or ten months end report ran all about that the young Prince Alcidaris was very sick and that his tender age not able to defend it self against the strong assaults of a continued Feavor death had delivered him The sorrow which the King put on was so great that for the space of forty daies he suffred not himself to be seen by any creatures except Pirobus his faithful Counsellour The noise of his great losse immediately was spread throughout and came to the Queen Anaxaretas ears who seeing that great obstacle remov'd desir'd no greater thing in all the world than that alliance and in a word to end Pirobus being sent the second time had his desire and some few daies after did Alcidaris possesse both Anaxaretas beauties and her Kingdoms peacefully Now Madam from that happy Marriage I am sprung and named Anaxander from my Mothers name Almost about the same time I was born Ametista Queen of Citor and only sister to the King my father was delivered of Piroxenus whom you see here under name of Callistenus we were bred up and taught together and besides our age and blood which knit us in a perfect friendship nature augmented it by so exact a correspondency of humours as never was observed the least disparity in our opinions and truly since our friendship hath foundation but on vertue only t is not to be admired that from a cause eternal such effects of everlastingness are seen The wise Evander from my tendrest youth had me in government and Alcidaris who much desired to frame me after the example of that honorable man drew him from the Province of Carmanie on very great expence for he was Master of some nine or ten Languages and ignorant of nothing that another man did know He had not only care of me but likewise had an eye to Piroxenus whom he found exceeding capable of his good doctrines and we both so well profited by his instructions as we soon learned all the secrets of the Persian and Arabique tongues which travel mostly throughout all the Indies this side Ganges Besides the recreations of our minds we exercis'd our bodies likewise and familiarly disguising our selves on daies of ceremony or delight we got the prizes with our Lances and at Fencing too and
secretly he promis'd me to do But t is impossible to tell you her excesse of joy when with a smiling countenance at his return he yielded her account of his so fortunate negotiation but chiesly when he gave her this deceitful testimony of my love which thus was written Cleontus letter to the Princesse Orixa IF I have any cause to wonder at the honour you were pleas'd to do me by the favour of your letter t is rather through the meanness of my own deserts than any way the freedom of your words But since without accusing your choice I cannot condemn the meanness of my merit I must think or else accuse of errour your opinion of me that I am worthier than others are and that the favour I receiv'd is not a dream or an illusion since I keep its markes I will reserve the full expressions of the honour you have done me untill we meet if heaven do so much favour me as that for excess of joy I die not by your side and send you these but to advertise you I look for Callias with impatience and that your faithfull Taxilus with closed eyes is ready to obey you Thus Piroxenus and the Princess passed the rest of that day in sweet disquiets for their amorous expectation and when the night was come Callias whom I had promised to finde me in my door and by a certain sign exchanged by us took Piroxenus in my stead who only in his nightgown followed his faithfull guide untill they came unto the foot of a Ladder made of Cords and fastned at Orixas Chamber window and after notice taken by him of the places he had passed that he might not in returning misse his way Callias delivered him the key of the little Garden and so softly took his leave of him This happy Lover who as yet proceeded in some trouble for the fear he had of being known was more than ever bold when he perceiv'd the room was without light and that he saw a hand out of the window making sign to him to hasten up which with incredible diligence he did and found the Nurse who did receive him in whose presence he cast himself upon his knees before the Princesse bed and after having kist her hand and thankt her for the extream honour she had done him to elect him for her husband he protested to her all the faith and perfect love that could be thought on and did tell her that it may be she would lesse repent her of her choice when she should know his birth Here Madam you will pardon me if I omit to tell you of the transports and the sweets of their embraces for besides that manners may forbid me how should I well enough discribe a pleasure which even he who tasted it confest he could not worthily enough expresse I only think it fit to tell you how that Love to be reveng'd upon them for the sweet deceipt they us'd towards him was often on the point to kill them both with joy They spent five or six nights in such contentments whiles Piroxenus fearing to convert Orixa's love which taking him for me she witness'd to him into hatred dar'd not tell her who he was Mean time my heart which did aspire but to your love liv'd in continuall pain and daily must my eyes belie it and by stoln embraces make the Princesse think 't was really my self that did enjoy her as her husband I never for complacency us'd so great art and though I should a thousand times expose my life for Piroxenus he could not ow me more than for the part I play'd in Visaporus to advance his love whiles my soul languisht after you and with impatience burnt to go my voyage to Narsingus But as impossible it is that mans prosperity and pleasures can last in one condition long without disturbances of fortune it hapned at the end of ten or twelve daies that our poor Lovers were discover'd by a treason very strange Callias had used since this secret imployment often to frequent our house he play'd for much and was a man of wit enough but of small judgment and lesse courage Now it fell out that being on a time at dice with Almerin and Neander who are those two Gentlemen that went the voyage with us they dissred on a cast Callias and Almerin which as all truth of reason was Neander being third judg'd on his fellows side at which Callias who was arrogant and of a naughty humor at play was moved in such sort as he fell into insolent and injurious terms and though ignoble and of low descent he was he fell into comparisons Thou poor fellow said Almerin to him if thou were out of my Masters Lodgings whom I honor I would both kick thee and pull out thy Tongue My gallant seeing himself so ill handled went away in great rage and made complaint to a certain camrade of his who was indeed a man of valour that such an affront was offred him and pray'd his help to take revenge by killing his enemy That young man who would for nothing of the world have committed such a baseness advis'd him to revenge himself in way of honor and offred that he would call Almerin to meet him with his sword which he was fain to accept but notwithstanding all the power he used on his cowardly disposition he never had the heart to meet him at the place appointed for which his camrade who had challeng'd Almerin excus'd himself extreamly to him and Neander also who had serv'd as second protesting whiles he liv'd to have no more to do with such companions But Callias who was stuck as well the man may be that loses honor and good name contriving deadly vengance in his thoughts but wanting boldness to perform it thought at last to use the power he believ'd he had with me by reason of his trust and that undoubtedly he had my life honor in his hands to make me put off Almerin for this cause he came to me and concealing his quarrel made me a long discourse which for troubling you I will not repeat but issued from a great and notable subtility of wit to make me understand that Almerin betrayed me that he had discovered my Loves and that it was expedient without more inquiry to put him out or doors I promis'd him to do it but having learnt the passages betwixt them I was far from giving Callias his desire and was amazed at his baseness I told not Piroxenus of it for the fear I had of angring him and I confess my folly not foreseeing what misfortune might arise This wicked man seeing that notwithstanding my promise to him I had yet kept Almerin by me enrag'd to see himself dishonored be those whose fortune and whose credit he esteem'd himself the author of was so much troubled and his anger so prevailed over him as he went to Prince Demonax whom he knew lov'd me not very well and told him he was bound to
renew that bloody edict against Duels not able resolve to expell his imaginary enemy but by honorable waies without more ado because his jealous fury would admit of no delay he purposed to watch him from that very evening when he should return unto his amorous appointment that he might assign an other and provoke him to sight with him He had understood from Aquilant by what way he had accustomed to enter the Garden of Fountains and because he had also learnt that he came alwaies accompanied with his friend without farther enquiry and dissembling what he thought before Aquilant he went to one Zenobus whom he had made Governor of Baticalus and of whose courage he had great assurance having seen in severall occasions his performance and drawing him aside discours'd thus to him Brave Zenobus thou knowest the love I bear thee and after what manner I have ever trusted my important secrets to thy judgement and courage wherefore I intend no longer preamble to tell thee that I need thy sword to aid me in the demanding of reason for an affront I have receiv'd It troubles me to take thee from that place so soon so proper for thee and which thou oughtest longer to enjoy because undoubtedly the rigor of the late Edict will force thy absence But I would swear so well am I assored of thy bravery that better fortunes could not hinder thee from running hazards with me A man that had not been very generous would have been much amaz'd at this discourse for one of these he must resolve either to quit the Land or else expose himself to an exemplary punishment to appease the Kings anger But Zenobus whose hears was good and who besides his obligations to Lisimantus found himself engagd to serve him for his honor sake answer'd him freely that he held it for great honor that he would elect him for that occasion how that it was one of the greatest proofs he ever had receiv'd of his esteem and friendship and that he should not so much as mention the Government of Baticalus for that he never did account thereof but as he had received it of him and that he should gain more by following him than by a constant residence in one place where he after could not be eye-witnesse of his fair exploits Lisimantus very much pleased at that freedom nam'd him the man with whom he was to do and having a neer guess at Anaxander and Piroxenus his swords they fitted two of equall length But Zenobus who was not so blinded with passion as Lisimantus whiles the hour that should be favorable to his friends revenge approached had the care to make provision for his surety and his own and forasmuch as they had purposed to fight by the light of the Moon upon the Sea shore he caused a Bark to be ready to transport them into Zeylan a sure sanctuary for them when they should have slain their enemies over whom they hoped for a suddain victory Lisimantus approv'd of that design because if after that Duel he should fall into the King of Narsinga his hands a most severe observer and beyond imagination of his Edicts he must run a great hazard although a stranger as he was to serve as an example and his services done the Crown might not it may be have assured him The heat of the day was over and night by its sweet humidity began to invite all the world to rest except our Lovers whom for severall respects it doubly disquieted For Anaxander who on the one side came accompanied with his friend to bid fare well unto his Princess seared to be too late at his amorous randezvous and on the other side Lisimantus feared his too late arrival whose impatience scarce permitted any longer to defer his taking revenge He kept himself concealed in a by corner of the street every minute complaining to his faith-full Zenobus that his adversary was too long a comming when he spied him appear with his dear Piroxenus walking a little before going as t were the round surveighing every quarter thereabout to see if he could discover any body Lisimantus and his second instantly retired themselves to give them leave to come neerer the Princesses Garden door which stood betwixt shut and open to receive them And when they were neer enough stay Ariomant cry'd Lisimantus who therewithall stept forth stay thou persidious man thou hast too long enjoy'd a happinesse which I have better than thy self deserved and is refused me by ungratefull Fortune I have prepar'd thee other Cates than those thou goest to in the Garden let us but draw aside a little that we may not be interrupted and I shall tell thee my resentments Anaxander who distrusted nothing was much astonished to see himself discovered and believed that treason had been contrived for him by some one of the Princesses domestiques but when by the brightnesse of the Moon which was by this time well advanced he discovered Lisimantus he was more than formerly surpriz'd for he knew he was in love with Lisimena and thought his jealousie deceived him however finding himself offended at the injurious words which inconsiderately he spake that he had greater merit than himself instead of more courteous saluting him which undoubtedly he had done if he had come with mildnesse to him Lisimantus said he to him had not thy choler too much at first transported thee I would have plaintly shewn thee thy mistake but seeing thy presumption renders thee unworthy of excuse I mean to shew the presently that in ill time thou hast delighted to offend a man of greater justice than thy self Le ts talk no more reply'd Lismantus and that as sew may see us as we can le ts fight upon the strand which is not above two hundred paces hence thou hast no reason to defer it till another time because the Moon is bright and I have brought a man to entertain your friend Le ts go said Anaxander I am not so good at words as actions Meanwhile that this was doing the Princesses who heard confusedly the murmure of their voices though ignorant of the cause for fear of scandal shut the door which was but little open and when they found that Anaxander came not they imagined a part of the misfortune which had hapned and thought that some one had watched the two Princes and pricked onward with some just sense had sought for reason and that undoubtedly that was the cause from which the noise they heard proceeded Immediately the fair Orazia caus'd Saradin to be call'd to her and with her eyes laden with tears conjured him to run to Anaxanders lodging and that if there he found him not he should seek every where and try if he could discover no body on the strand because she was assiu'd she heard some quarel at the Garden door Saradin made all the haste he could to finde our combatants but he had too late notice of it for the businesse was dispatched ere he found
Vessel weather beaten seemed to be rather forced in by contrary winder than come voluntary wherein were two Cavalliers of good countenance who craved leave to refresh themselves in the Town the most eminent of them was in ill case being hurt in divers places of his body Now by reason that place was of great importance to the King of Cambaya they accustomed to keep a good guard and to suffer none to enter whose name and quality and business thither was not known and because those two Gentlemen who arrived then newly in that Vessel being ignorant of the custom had refused to name themselves advertisement was given the Governor and his farther pleasure demanded Evander imagining that it might happily be the two young Princes his Pupels who it may be would not discover themselves till they came to Court and surpriz all people he went himself unto the Haven and borded the Bark wherein he found a young Knight lain all his length upon a Matteresse who althuogh he seemed greatly suffering by his hurts which the tempest had augmented shewed notwithstanding a certain majesty in his eyes and face which made him reverenced of all that saw him Evander knew well enough that t was some personage of note and as he was extremely full of charity and hospitable seeing the Gentleman who accompanied him would not tell his name he thought however that the laws of civility did command and oblige his succour and to offer them not only the Town but his Castle also for their better accomodation The strangers accepted his offer and so much care was had of him that was hurt as that in eight or ten daies he gave undoubted signes of an approaching health Now as he was very generous and infinitely sensible of the good entertainment and usage shewn him by Evander her thought he could not do lesse in gratitude than discover himself unto him that he might know he had obliged Lisimantus that vallorous Lisimantus who had got so great a fame and whose glorious name was renowned through all Asia Poor Lisimantus how much had it been better that thou hadst not discovered thy self than to have payed so dearly for the honor given thy excellent vertues at thy first comming at lest shouldest thou have been contented to have told thy name without particulars of thy quarrel which will set thee into the strangest confusion thou yet ever sawest Evander knowing that this stranger was the valiant Lisimantus who had so worthily served the King of Zeylar and who so lately had perform'd so brave exploits in the Kingdom of Narsinga had a double cause of being glad not only for that he had it in his power to oblige a man of that condition but that the assured himself he should learn news of Anaxander and Piroxenus under the borrowed names of Ariomant and Calistenus but before he enquired seeing that the Cavallier disposed himself to recount unto him his adventure and how after being so grievously hurt he came to the Port of Bazain being very glad to be enformed willingly gave his attension and Lisimantus innocently began his discoarse without considering what manner of man he was to speak unto or what kinde of people he was to have to do with Know said he most reverend father that alter my triumph over the King of Maldives and if I had set all the Island of Zeylan at quiet and been very helpful to the King of Narsingas peace I quitted the Wars and finding again in Baticalus the only object of my passion that adorable Lisimena who had alwaies payed my love with ingratitude and but whose name I well perceive I shall alone possess my flames renewed and I felt my self so to the quick sollicited by my amorous desires as I used all manner of subtilties and invention to be in private with her but she ungrateful who never sufficiently acknowledge the services which I have done her Crown augmenting her disdains as my pains grew instead of enduring me neer her as my fidelity alone obliged her enough rebuking and repelling whosoever spake to my advantage she at length committed the most notable Treason against me that was ever contrived against a miserable Lover There was in the King of Narsinga Court a young Knight of Persia very accomplished indeed and worthy of great praise who having by much industry the honor to be known by her was notwithstanding preferred before my long and faithfull services I understood by a little Page of the Princessers that every night he was brought secretly into her company and spent six hours together with her and how that ungratefull Princess breathed nought but love for him I will not deny but that hereat so jealous a madness in such sort transported me as not able to endure the happinesse of that Rival I waited for him on an evening where he vsed to passe towards his amorous randezvous and not able for my anger to understand his reasons I call'd him instantly to fight with me Evander who with impatience looked that he should name that young Knight and finding that he was too long about it interrupting him demanded it His name was Ariomant said Lisimantus and well said Evander full of fear what is become of him I slew him said Lisimantus and truly I have since lamented it for a more valiant Knight I never met He was about to continue on his discourse and tell them how after the death of Ariontant whom he verily believed was slain because Zenobus had assured him that he saw him stretched out in his blood without warmth or motion being in but little better case himself he was carried to a Bark which attended him and how thinking to avoid the coast of Zeylan to shun the King of Narfinga his anger whose Edict they had broken a contrary winde arising which begot a furious tempest had cast them on the Coast of Cambaya neer the Haven of Bazain He was I say about to have recounted all these particulars but that he was prevented by an accident which did surprize him and which no lesse a mazed all that were about him that himself for at the recital of Ariomants death Evander fell into a swound on Lisimantus bed They all ignorant of the reason of this suddain change threw water in his face and when he was come to himself which a deep sigh cry'd out my friends we have embraced the murtherer of your and my Master and uttering these words he gave plain evidence of a second weaknesse which grew on him but being prevented by the ready help administred Unhappy and most cruel hospitallity said he we shew kindenesse and are civil unto one who vaunts that he hath cut our Princes throat and who unjustly stirred his courage and without cause provoked it Let the wicked man be set safe added he and seaze upon his second in the quarel and as they are let them be instantly conveighed towards the King that even himself may order what he please concerning them
Immediately the guard that was with Evander bound the poor Lisimantus as he lay in bed so weak but half recovered of his hurts and seaz'd on Zenobus as well whom with his friend they put into a Chariot to carry them without delay to the City of Catupanel where the King of Cambaya was The people of Bazain when they knew that those two prisoners which passed in the Chariot had slain their Prince Anaxander for the acceptable news of whose safety they had lately made Bonefires were so provoked as had it not been for Evanders authority which restrained them I verily believe they had stoned to death those two unhappy ones or else dismembred them alive On the other part the generous Lisimantus having from the first known for what cause he had been used so rigorously by a man from whom be had received so much countesse â—epented him but too late for having named him whom he abought he had seperated from the world and whom till that time he had taken but for an ordinary Knight but seeing that after the Laws of hospitality so sweetly observed in favor of him so great inhumanity was used towards him his great courage could no longer commin and addressing himself to Evander who accompanied him on horseback compassed about with Halberts What means all this my father said he must I be like those ancient sacrifices which were wont to be crowned with flowers before their being slain do you believe that all those praises you have given me and flowers of Rhetorick which you have prodigally wasted in my behalf do make your cruelty the sweeter what cursed custom is it you practise to make such fair appearance to those you do design for punishment like those Sea-monsters who seeming amiable charm the passengers with their pleasing voice for no other end but to destroy them Is' t after that sort you are hospitable to strangers Is' t so you use the afflicted who seek their shelter in your arms when they are under persecution of their evill fortune Evander withdrew himself behinds the Chariot for fear he might be forry his heart was in such manner wounded as he considered but his own grief and in that sense of his Lords death was nothing moved by Lisimantus reproaches or complaints But in the mean time that the false news of Anaxanders death shall with him be carried to the King of Cambaya at Campanel le ts make a turn into Narsinga to see how he does of his wounds and the Kings departure from Baticalus to return for Bisnagar As soon as that magnanimous Prince had answered Pirobus his demand and that he had sent him back laden with presents and honors and having no more to do in the Province of Canara and finding that notwithstanding the strict search of the Combatants no news was to be had after having placed a new Governor over Baticalus in Zenobus his stead he departed with his whole Court but carried with him his resentment and wrath against those who with so much impudence had violated his Edict and resolv'd where ever they were found to punish them with rigor The fair Orazia who saw him willfull in that bloody resolution was much disquieted and her heart troubled with divers and sundry motions when she perceiv'd the Court drew neer to Saradins Castle wherein was hid the richest treasure of her soul if on the one side her fear of his discovery did trouble her the pleasure of her hope to see him was so acceptable as both compar'd her joy was greater than her sorrow and her hope prevail'd above her fear At worst she thought the danger of his being found in that place would not be great because it would be easie for her to prove his birth as well by Arintus declaration whose letter she kept as by Lisimena's testimony who had heard all the adventures of his life However though she found much safety in all these proofs shew was not with out fear when the King whom she saw so severe entred the Castle she at first imagined that some of Saradins people who had seen the two Princes comming might for hope of recompence betray them but she was soon assured by the Master of the house who answered for the truth of those that guarded them and who promis'd she should see them if she might trust one off her women for they were lodged over her Chamber He had forbidden the way to that retired part of the house making the harbengers believe that they were Store-houses where he had set certain Houshold-stuff and reserv'd it for himself alone and those who had care of the princes and the way to go unto them when he pleased In so much as when night came the Princesses who would lye together they often did feigning to be weary of their journey retired betimes and would not suffer any of their women to lie that night in their Chamber they only call'd for a watch light for Orazia seemed as if she would read in her bed When they were laid they sent away their women not daring to trust any one of them and when every body was asleep they rose softly cloathed one the other to go to Saradin who expected them at the door and was to conduct them where the two Princes were Orazia would never endure that any other should have knowledge of that important secret which she would have conccaled even from her dear Lisimena however well she was assured of her faith fulness had not her company been then so necessary to her This fair stranger Princess had never been at ease since Lisimantus combat for as I have already said she Iov'd him secretly in her heart although her glorious courage never suffered her to shew it and for she had understood nothing of him she feared somewhat worse had besaln him than had to Anaxander and what was grievous to her was that she dar'd not openly enquire after him besides that very few were able to say what had become of him But Orazia promis'd her to enquire of Piroxenus who better than any other could tell whiter hee were alive or not being he who had advanced himself to purt them and who had found them in the lamentable case which I have told you Each then cast a robe about her and fitted their hair as well as they could and their naturall graces surpassing all that art could adde unto them they thus went to the sick Princes Lodgings where Saradin conducted them As soon as Anaxander saw appear before his eyes the onely beauty of the world which hee adored accompanyed with her dear and faithfull Lisimena My Ladies cryed he out is it possible that you have done me this honor take so much pains for a subject of so mean importance Recover your self once brave Anaxander answered Orazia and you shall see of what importance your health is to my contentment But I conjure you to conceal your self as much as you can whiles you are in our Countreys for
Arontus life when they had held such rank and kept such state among the Courtiers of Narsinga as they had got more jealousie than friendship One only Saradin had been able to have helped them in that extremity and seconded the Princesse good endeavour if himself for his innocent ofsence had not partaken with them When the King came to know that he was guilty of concealing the breakers of his Edict he commanded him to be carried from his house where he was detayned to the same prison where the unhappy Anaxander was shut up All that Piroxenus with the Princesse could do was to scatter a murmur through the Court that he whom they had used with so great in humanity was the Prince Anaxander Alcidaris the King of Cambayas Son but very few were found that believed it and the King himself who heard thereof laught at it because he had long time believed the common report that he with Piroxenus was slain together with the two Princes of Decan in that sally they made during the siege of Visaporus besides the assurance they had lately received from Pirobus his mouth that the King of Cambaya had but one Son alive That had not retarded his condemnation one minute had there not hapned a contestation between the Ministers of Justice The Grand Provost pretended that he ought to give Judgement on him because he had taken and brought him by the Kings command and on totheer side because he had commanded in Armies and till that time done things becomming a Gentleman and a man of quality The Chief Justice of the Naires disputed that it belonged to him to make his processe and spent two or three dayes in this debate the one undoing and disanulling what the other commanded insomuch as the King was fain himself to regulate it He was then of opinion that seeing there had been certain of the guard slain by Ariomant there was no reason that their Chief should be both Judge and Party and that it was reasonable that the Court of Nayres knew that it was a very easie matter to proceed against a man convicted and that they should hasten his Judgement that he might quickly serve for an example The Princesse had some small hope that the King her Father would not so wholly yeeld himself up to his passions but that he would cast an eye to the many services which her Anaxander had formerly done the dead Prince Arontus as well as the Crown under the name of Ariomant besides she hoped for some good from the journey Almerin had made into Cambaya but when she saw that the King hastned so very much the Judgement of the cause and that purposely for that reason he had sent to the Chief of the Judges she thought he would run great hazard and that when it may be her Fathers nature might incline to Pitty and Compassion he ight be too much engaged to this honour and his word not to give such example to his people The greatest part of hte Judges were very sorry for that poor offenders misfortune and seeing when they came to give Judgement that there was no liklihood of saving him there was not one but did it against his will and with sorrow condemned a man of so great merit but the reverence of the Laws and the honour they bare unto the Princes authority oblig'd them rather to save his Oaths than him who had despis'd them and seeing they must do Justice they pronounced the sentencce of death against Anaxander and condemned him to have his Head struck off in the great place before the Palace When this sad sentence was read unto him in the Prison he was marvelously surpris'd for beside that he hoped for deliverance by Pirexenus and Almerin and from the Princesse favour he did not expect that the severity of the Laws would have extended to that last rigor and thought when they had only frighted him with punishment they would have let him go But when he saw it was in good earnest they condemned him to death Friend sayd he to him that came as Deputy from the Court of Nayres does the King know who I am and that he hath no power of right over my life Sir Answered the Judge there hath been a report spred here that you are the King of Cambayas Son but the King will not believe it and himself told us he had a thousand arguments to convince that falsehood heâ— ought at least said Anaxander to have known the truth before he had thus precipitated my condemnation and he should have found that report very true Remember my Friend that this sentence passeth against himself and his own blood because I am his Daughters husband and if he be so barbarous and unnatural as to proceed farther to the execution of an unjust sentence tell him that besides the revenge I expect from heaven he shall draw on his head all the powers of the King my Father who will never indure so foul an action to escape unpunished Is this the welcome that Strangers receive in this country which come to do is honour although I were not as I am born a Prince yet ought my person to be safe even by the Law of Nations your Laws cannot by right extend themselves beyond the limits of this Kingdom nor punish crimes of honour in those whom you have not forbidden and are not subject to the observation of your Lawes Must I serve as an example and be the first man chastis'd for an action never yet by any man seen punish'd in Narsinga though Ducls frequent in it and Edicts chang'd a thousand times Ah pray bid the King he look more than once to what he does and that a Kings Son ought not to be the first mark of his vengeance Go to him presently if you love his honour and ask the Princesse whether in disgrace she will abandon those whom in Prosperity she hath made shew to love The Judge was much astonished at his words and thought himself oblig'd to tell them the King wherefore he came knocking to the chamber door to acquaint him w i th what he had learnt from Ariomant but the Door keeper would not admit him because the King was private with his Daughter and had forbidden any whasoever to be let in till she were gone That amorous Princesse having known of Anaxanders condemnation and seeing that all her vain hopes of his liberty promised no good overcome by her sorrow and most earnestly importun'd by Love forgot all respect and shame and believing that that very day he whom she so tenderly loved should unhappily end his dayes and be a shamefull spectacle for all the Court jealous of his Vertues and past Victories went and cast her self at the King her Fathers feet and full of tears told him the reason she had to beg Anaxanders life of him whom she boldly avowed for her Husband and with a thousand oaths and by the testimony of her dead brother Arontus she confirm'd the noyse that