life and all that I haue resteth at your command Sir Knight replyed she I thanke you for your kindnesse past and now proffered which hath rid me from that I was in and out of feare of other mishaps to come for your Vertues haue authority against wicked actions and your valour a sufficient defence against your enemies Before any further spéeches past the Hermit came bringing in his hand the hearbes he had gathered some of which he stamped into juyce and strained giuing Montelyon to drink others he boyled on the fire making thereof a most dainty Dish which when they had tasted the Hermit said though I know you find your selfe of sufficient strength yet by my counsell travell not this day for that therby you may much impaire your health My selfe if pleaseth this Lady will send a Messenger to Ila to report her safety in this place Not so replyed Montelyon my selfe if please her to accept of my Service will attend her thither which if it please her I will presently doe Sir said she I would not haue you endanger your health for my sake that am in safety vntill such time as you are perfectly recovered Then said the Hermit you shall not in this place want any thing nor feare disquiet for héere hath security dwelt many dayes being my selfe glad my poore Cell can yéeld you any content The Hermit went forth to get Provision leaving them together in his Cell whose eyes were drunke with a surfetting survay of each others perfections her beauty being such as might not bée equalled by any And his proportion besides his youths beauty and other comelinesse of such forme as would please any Ladies eye which superficiall view of the eye conducted an instant of Loue into each others part which setled it selfe in that vertuous harbour with such constancy that it was impossible to be removed neither déeming each others so fortunate to agrée in such a Sympathy of Loue hée thinking she would not loue and she perswading her selfe he had already setled his Loue on that Lady he went in search of Hée not knowing which way to frame his Sute on so small acquaintance nor shée how to shew him favour without further tryall Shée first breaking silence with a heart-breathing sigh bred from the depth of meditation whereupon he tooke occasion to stay Lady that sigh be wrayeth some disquiet of mind that troubleth you the occasion whereof my small acquaintance and vnworthinesse to bée so bold withholdeth me from enquiring but if you would yéeld mée such favour as impart your Secrets to me I would proue so faithfull and diligent to pleasure you that you would commend my willingnesse though not my ability For my heart wisheth my tongue to vtter that which my Fancy perswadeth me from not for that they disagrée but for that my heart harboureth that which my fancy biddeth me not â—tter because it feareth you will not beléeue it and yet you might beléeue it if it were of more antiquity for it is commonly holden for truth that all things of Antiquity are permanent which never would haue béene if they had not first begun in youth youth being the first Foundation the Foundation is then constant then things though young of growth containe circumstancy which being cherished grow to perfection So Lady if I might without your misconceit discover the constant zeale of â—â—ur perfections that is rooted in my heart and find some sparke of your gentle favour to comfort it it would grow to such setled resolution that nothing should remoue it but if in the first Spring it be blasted with Disfavour it will then spread it selfe into all parts of my Sences tormenting every part of me vntill it be cherished by the dew of your kindnesse I cannot protest nor vow nor sweare that I haue loved long yet if your suspect convert not the truth of my well meaning Words into distrust I durst protest vow and sweare that loue to your Perfections is setled in my heart anâ— nothing can remoue it Sir replyed she should I credit your Words or impart my Secrets to you it might be accounted too much credulity yet without blame I might it relying on your Vertues or should I grant it were as you say that Loue began in a moment being the roote is the substance and therefore permanent yet how would you thinke of one if vpon so small probability I should thanke you for your goodwill and accept thereof not measuring me by your selfe if you are constant but measuring me by inconstancie would judge mée light as I may well account your Words of course yet as much good Will as may grow in so short an acquaintance I beare you measuring the same by your owne for if you find cause to loue me I haue more cause to be thankfull vnto you for your kindnesse that haue received good by you But neither estéeme me light for being so familiar nor easily to be won because I am courteous for should I be coy you might account me vnmannerly and not woâ—thy to be assisted as I haue béene by you Lady replyed Montelyon would I harbour a thought that might impeach the least title of your compleat Vertue I were worthy to be hated for I know that truth is plaine and néedeth no coloured Phrases nor Curiosâ—tie which animateth me to enâ—er into this bold conference with you not framing my words of course but of true devotion trusting that your vertue will pardon my boldnesse and your courtesie censure my meaning aright for I find in my selfe an vnwonted alteration which desire to be gracious in your sight hath bred in me Nature now 〈◊〉 fâ—aming it which I neither know how to manifest nor dare by reason of the small continuance a vow though my soule knoweth my hearts purity and consent thereto fearing to be misconceived of you yet if you will vouchsafe to make triall of me and grant me but to be your Serâ—ant in time to be tryed and censured according to my truth I shall account my selfe most fortunate that yet hope may be anchor of my comfort one day to be gracious in your sight Sir replyed she how could I but blame my selfe if I should yéeld you any favour other then for your late paines which shall bind me to requite it to my power but loue being another subject how should I giue you any credit being a stranger altogether vnknowne to me Lady said he you may doe it if your gentle heart will yéeld thereto though I am a stranger both to you and to my selfe vnknowne for that I am you can witnesse but who are my Parents the Heavens haue yet concealed My name if ever you heard thereof is Montelyon my cause of comming into this Countrey was with Persicles King of Assyria in search of Constantia Daughter to the King of Persia his betrothed wife by misfortune lost many yeares since all that I know of my selfe I haue told you and would I had never knowne my selfe vnlesse
to heare better newes of her by thy perswasions Then giving the Palmer a Rich Iewell for his paines they parted Philotheta out of the Pallace and he into the Garden meditating on that which he had heard Philotheta by this time was returned to the Pavillion vttering the whole summe of the conference she had with the Knight of the Oracle vnto Praxentia With which she was so grieved that Philotheta expected when she would haue yéelded vp the Ghost fearing that she would haue run mad which to prevent she said Be not so impatient but hearken to my counsell I haue appointed to come to him to Morrow at which time I will deale so effectually with him that he shall come and speake with you When séeing your Laments there is no doubt but he may be wonne to consent This somewhat satisfied Praxentia yet her Mind was so full of griefe and vexation that her eyes could take no rest with such affection she expected the next Newes Philotheta was not void of care as she had good cause vndertaking a matter against her selfe yet to make assured tryall of his Constancie she did it but being alone she meditated on the doubtfull issue of this attempt which would bring her either much Ioy or Sorrow sometimes perswading her selfe it was her selfe he loved that he was constant and that no perswasions could alter him yet she thought Praxentiaes Birth Beauâ—y and Laments might overcome him and the rather for that he had no assurance of her Loue nor ever to sée her againe Thus did this faire Lady torment her selfe with contrarieties of doubts longing as much or rather more then Praxentia for the next Mornings spéech CHAP. XXXIV Of the Treasons practised against the Knight of the Oracle NOw the King of Armenia séeing such a League concluded by meanes of this Marriage betwéene the Emperours of Persia and Persicles enuying his good thought that he was likely to prevaile nothing against him by means thereof called vnto him a Knight whom he most favoured and had alwayes béene counselled by named Cisor and vnto him he vttered his discontent who presently counselled him to breake the Peace and suddainly to surprize the City The King liked not that counsell but rather desired by some secret meanes either to poyson Persicles and the Knight of the Oracle or else to set some discord betwéene them and the Emperour of Macedonia by which meanes the Peace might be broken and the ambiguity of the doubt be left vnended whereby he might renew his warre Cisor promised to performe something to that effect who presently finding out Palian vttered his mind to him in these words Noble Prince I marvell that you suffer your glory to be darkned by this vp start Knight that nameth himselfe of the Oracle Can it be that so honourable a mind as yours should brooke such indignities Is not Assyria yours by right are you not more Noble by Birth are you not every way as worthy to be as famous as he is You liue here in security suffering him and his Father that scorneth you to carry away the Palme and prize of Honour Are all the Knights in Armenia too weake to cope with him Doth not his behaviour shew that he scorneth you Hath he not alone crost your good Fortune then liue not to be laught at but to revenge Ioyne you with the Emperour of Macedoniaes Sonnes who are of the same mind I am and I will lay you downe such a plot as shall abate his bravery If these Kâ—ights and such as are now come out of Mâ—cedonia and Persia cannot foyle them then shall you liue in contemâ— of the World and be accounted their inferiour Cisor said hee thou renuest my griefe a fresh for I haue drunke so much of sorrow in that kind of discontentmâ—nt that my heart is overcome therewith and would faine worke my releasement If you would bée secret and sweare to assist me I would reveale you the whole depth of my heart vpon his protestations hée revealed his loue to Praxentia and how he was crost by Montelyon and withall what had past since and of her escape out of Persia which she did onely for his loue that regarded her not and how much he desired meanes of revenge his mind being apt to entertaine any complot were it never so dishonourable Cisor then said conferre with the Emperors Soâ—s and discover to them with what earnestnesse Praxentia hath sought his loue and receiving scorne for her affection and disdaine for her goodwill hath in a desperate sort ashamed to be so rejected stole from the Court of the King of Persia either to destroy himselfe or wilfully to liue in perpetuall exile when they heare this their hearts will easily be wonne to revenge her wrong which done let them alone to meditate thereon Cisor having in this sort whetted him on left him which so much prevailed that he put the same in practice with the Emperors Sonnes that they began mortally to hate Montelyon Agréeing to arme themselues in such Armour as none but Cisor should know them and for some few dayes to lodge in the Pavilion and there to devise which way to worke him some disgrace Vpon this conclusion they parted every one to provide themselues of Armour for that purpose CHAP. XXXV How the Knight of the Oracle arrived at the Pavilion disguised to satisfie Praxentia How he was discovered by Palian how Palian and the King of Macedoniaes Sonnes would have murdered him How he slew one of them and was accused by Praxentia of a Rape which brake the concluded League THe time being come and Philotheta not failing met the Knight of the Oracle to doe her Message How now Palmer said he doest thou bring me newes that Praxentia hath given over her loue If thou hast tell me if not I pray thée trouble me not My Lord said Philotheta she rageth most extreamely and I feare me will doe her selfe some violence vnlesse you pitty her That cannot I doe said he although it pincheth my heart to heare of her sorrow what should I say more or what wouldest thou wish me to do to ease her and yet reserue my loyalty Sir replyed Philotheta may you consider that she is honourable vertuous faire and the Daughter of a King worthy to be beloved and it may be the Lady whom you loue is not comparable to her in any of these gifts No nor in loue which may peradventure loue another and then shall you wrong your selfe and injury her expecting that which you haue no assurance of Peace Palmer quoth he if my fortunes proue so bad the greater will be my misery therefore tell me what thou wouldst haue me doe my Lord said she had I not promised her to bring you to speak with her she would haue destroyed her selfe ere this therefore vouchsafe mée such favour that I may performe my word which may be a meanes to end this malady Didst thou know quoth he how vnwilling I am to doe it I thinke
Noble Parents Which may be true for Cothanes often times told me that he found me vpon the top of a Mountaine lying in swadling cloathes and not farre from the body of a Woman torne and dismembred by Wild Beasts and many Iewels about me One of which I haue ever since worne about my Necke When Constantia saw it she knew the fame embracing him in her armes and kissing him whilest he with humble behaviour did him reverence I should be over tedious to recite their joyes and how much Delatus and Alsala made of them who would not so leaue them but promised to Travell with them into Assyria where they were assured to méete Persicles but in such sort that none might know them for that yet Constantia feared her Fathers displeasure They stayed there but that Night and earely the next Morning betooke themselues to travell Notwithstanding this joy the Knight of the Oracle left some sparkes of discontent which troubled all his Sences and turned his quiet into disquiet which was with remembrance of Philotheta whose mishap pincht him to the very heart Who likewise was not frée from the like disquiet fearing never to sée him againe little thinking his Name had béene changed and as little thinking it was he that ended the Enchantment not onely troubled with this Dispaire but also vexed with Ilaes dealing who hauing brought her to Amphiador fled and was never séene of them againe Amphiador being alone with Philotheta thought it not good for him to discover himselfe least he thereby should hazard his life but disguising himselfe and Philotheta he left Arabia and travailed into Persia thinking to liue there vntill his death vndescryed And finding out an Habitation fit for that purpose he told Philotheta what he intended perswading her to abide with him This troubled her very heart fearing some greater mischiefe would follow Which like wise according to her misdoubt fell out For now that he saw no meanes to recover his Dignity nor attaine other Felicity then to liue in obscurity his mind being like wise much addicted to Licencious desire began to dote on Philothetaes beauty which burst out into a flame and he revealed the same iâ—â—his sort Philotheta said he if you knew what I would say or if you could conceiue my meaning without words I would refraine to speake but since there is no hope for me to liue without I attaine that I desire I will vtter to you the depth of my good Will and the thing that I desire so much you should know which is that I loue you this I hope cannot be grievous vnto you Neither will you I trust deny to loue me considering how tenderly I haue alwayes regarded you Should I not said she Loue you I were to be accounted very ingratefull and vnworthy to haue found you so kind which bindeth me to yéeld you thankes Then said he Let me enjoy that Loue for your Beauty hath pierced my heart and nothing but the swéete thereof can ease my torment Here wée may liue together voyd of disquiet enjoying each others Loue with content which excéedeth the pleasure that more dignified Honour yéeldeth Philotheta at the first knew his meaning replying with mildnesse but her heart so much disdained to yéeld to that he desired that she could not containe her selfe but gaue him this answer Amphiador Doest thou thinke thy wickednesse can overmaster my Vertue Or doest thou thinke I can like to heare thy odious Spéech that bewrayeth the inward rancour of thy heart or hast thou beheld such loosenesse in me that should animate thée to this dishonourable attempt or canst thou but conceiue an opinion that I will yéeld to thy wicked lust which is the fruit of thy ill devising Heart No know that I so much abhorre thée that I shall account the worse of my selfe to haue knowne thée and curse my cruell destinies that haue made me to sée thée and rather will end my life most desperately then suffer my Sences to conceiue one good thought of thée Then leaue off where thou hast begun for thou shalt rather sée me massacre my selfe then yéeld to the least part of thy desire CHAP. XXX How Amphiador Philotheta and Praxentia met How the two Ladies preventing Amphiadors lust and departed towards Assyria AMphiador walking alone in a solitary place heard the wofull Lamentation of a distressed Lady who vttered these words What misery am I brought into mine owne doting folly vpon that vnknowne Knight which neither regardeth me nor I shall never sée him againe Fond woman that I am thus to abandon my Fathers Court to liue in obscurtty where I was renowned for vertue For who heard the name of Praxentia that did not adore the fame And who was more reverenced then my selfe that now haue brought my Honour into disgrace and for the loue of a stranger haue refused the loue of so mighty a Prince as Palian O Persicles thée may I curse for by thy meanes is he thus absent and thou hast lost him or left him where he will never returne Amphiador wondred much to heare her name Persicles Palian and Praxentia which severall names he knew marvelling who that should be but séeing her silent he drew neare to her saying Lady hearing your Laments I could not choose but pitty you which maketh me thus bold to approach into our company proffering my assistance to aid you in what I can My friend said Praxentia against my will you are priuy to my estate which if you doe pitty then also succour me for I am brought low by too much griefe and weake for want of sustenance Lady quoth he my Habitation is not farre hence whether I will bring you where you shall not want any thing you will desire Being come thither they found Philotheta drowned in teares the cause whereof he well knew but Praxentia wondred at it containing another inward Sorrow to sée so swéet a creature in such sadnesse Philotheta likewise marvailed what she was hoping by her comfort to receiue some comfort which might hinder his practice He on the other side went forth againe to meditate leaving them together meaning nothing lesse then to pitty either of them but devising meanes to attaine both their loues which he was fully resolved to enjoy though the déed were never so wicked and the meanes never so hainous Praxentia having well refresht her selfe with such good food as she had received demanded Philothetaes cause of sorrow Aye me said she none so miserable as I this Tyrant that brought you hither is my Father in law whose mind is so wicked that he attempteth to winne me to his lust which addeth much sorrow to my heart as I am weary of my life my name is Philotheta Daughter to the Duke of Ila whom all men had thought to haue béene since dead but he being informed of the contrary by the Enchantresse fled bringing me hither by force where he intendeth to kéepe me as his Bond-slaue but the Heavens I hope will
the Nobles and Knights that came to the Solemnization of the Wedding were departed except Prince Helyon sonne to the King of Arabia The occasion of whose stay was to craue Constantia in marriage assuring himselfe of her Loue by reason of the familiarity that was betwixt them in her fathers Court which indéed by her former kindnesse he might be in some assurance off though not by any promise she had made him which motion hée made to the King of Persia who estéeming so honourably of him regarding his Birth and most of all desiring to be allyed to the Arabian King gaue his consent which was fully concluded and agréed vpon before it came to Constantiaes knowledge Prince Helyon having his assurance with a merry heart sought out Constantia entending to reveale the same to her and according to his wonted kind of Familiarity began to gréet her In whom he found such an alteration that he wondred thereat saying My deare Constantia this vnexpected vnkindnesse in you whom I estéeme as my most chosen Friend maketh me admire whereas I had thought to haue enjoyed your loue without interruption Vpon confidence of your courtesie I haue moved your Fathers consent to our Marriage who hath yéelded thereto then I beséech you darken not both your and my joyes with these Misty clouds of care which will fill my heart with sorrow but rather increase your kindnesse to both mine and your comfort Constantia's countenance bewrayed the angry motions of her heart incensed by his spéeches that we had much adoe to withhold her eyes from shedding teares yet with a colour as red as Scarlet she gaue him this answer Prince Helyon if that be true which you tell me I cannot chuse but wonder at your folly that would without assurance of my Loue make such a motion thinke you my affections are to be limitted according to your disposition For my part I disclayme such interest and renounce such Affection for I never intended any such matter nor ever did you demand the same Then my Lord be you satisfied for this for I never yet did nor will giue my consent Helyon hearing her answere was nipt on the head being strooke with such griefe that he could not tell what to say But at last replyed Constantia I confesse I haue done you wrong in adventuring so farre without your consent but yet for that I haue not thereby either dishonoured your Name or otherwise injured you I humbly craue pardon desiring you to ratifie that which I haue by your former courtesies assured my selfe of and let not my overboldnesse alienate any part of your good will For you know my affections haue remained inviolable constant many yeares and I haue attended your liking with such feruency as you may be resolutely assured of my truth Then I beséech you be not now displeased with mée but according to your wonted kindnesse accept me into your favour My Lord replyed she I cannot deny but that your good will hath excéeded my deserts for which I thanke you and withall that I haue alwayes estéemed you which likewise I would haue done still But now that opinion is altered neither can I be induced to conceiue well of him that would doe me such manifest injury as you haue done Therefore I pray be contented with that fauour you haue had for my affections are otherwise employed and my heart vtterly disagréeing to the motion you haue made With that shée espyed Piera in the Garden comming towards her to whom she went downe saluting her most kindly Piera thought now to haue delivered her Persicles Letter but by reason that there were divers in their company she could not then performe it After a while they left each other Piera returning to her Chamber and Constantia into a secret place of the Garden where she vttered these meditations What contrarious disquiets are these possesse the center of my heart what inconveniences am I like to run into and how shall I avoyd blame for the one and reape content by the other How vnkindly hath Prince Helyon vsed me to make this motion to my Father whose disposition must not be crost without hazard of much disquiet My kindnesse to him hath caused his over-fond conceit of himselfe and brought me into much trouble I could haue loved him before I came to the sight of Persicles whose guifts are so farre excéeding his that whereas my heart loved him the thought of that Loue is now most grievous Wherein I may doe my selfe great wrong for in hope of his affection I refuse Helyons loue which may depriue me of both purchase my Fathers heavy displeasure and my owne perpetuall discontent Reuoluing a Chaos of these and such like confused cogitations which overcame her sences with their ambiguity in a heavy and discontented vaine she went to her Chamber thinking there to consider of every particular at the full where we found Piera all alone staying her comming in who soone espyed that Constantia had wept whereupon she tooke occasion to say as followeth My beloved Sister I am sorry to sée you in this heavy and sadde vaine alwayes finding you either sad or wéeping which maketh me wonder and desiâ—ous to know the cause as one willing in any sort to counsell you and comfort you with my vttermost assistance I haue of purpose entred your Chamber to haue some conference with you in priuate being a Messenger sent to you by my Brother Persicles who I know loveth you dearely who by me humbly commendeth himselfe vnto you being sorry that his sudden departure was such that he could not before his going doe you that Service you doe deserue and he desired Withall he desired me to deliver you this Letter which he left behind to testifie the depth of his affection which at my request vouchsafe to read and withall credit for I know his honourable heart endureth much care by his absence Constantia without making reply received the letter and read the same which when she had done she said Deare Sister I thanke you for taking this paines to come to me and not rather to haue sent for me that rest at your command And also I thanke that worthy King Persicles that he will vouchsafe mée such vndeserved favour as to estéeme well of my vnworthinesse to whom I am bound in all honorable respect but how vnfit I am to entertain loue your selfe would judge if you knew my estate which vpon assurance of your secrecy I will vnfold Prince Helion of Arabia vainely presuming he was assured of my favour hath asked my Fathers consent to a marriage betwixt him and me which he hath granted vnto which the heavens can testifie is vtterly disagréeing to my heart and altogether without my consent which he shall never attaine what danger soever I incurre thereby Which if Persicles should vnderstand would soone alter his mind Therefore it is best for his quiet not to place his affections on me so vnworthy but let me alone to endure the
affliction that is likely to ensue I know qd Piera my Brothers Loue is so constant that nothing can alter the same which he related to me at large which maketh me testifie y◠assurance thereof Which would you but accept of or giue me some comfortable hope in his absence I should think my selfe bound to you for ever and to haue done him an excéeding pleasure for nothing but the happy tidings of your favour can comfort him The King of Persia will not compell you to marry Helion when he vnderstandeth that you are otherwise bent for that were cruelty And I think Helion himselfe beareth not so dishonourable a mind as to séeke your Loue by constraint for that were inhumanity But would you yéeld to like of my Brothers loue that is every way as good as y◠Prince of Arabia the knowledge thereof would soon make him returne to aske your fathers consent which may peradenture stand as well affected to him as to Prince Helyon Ay me go Constantia sister I néed not doubt to reveale my greatest secrets to you that I know for Persicles sake will conceale them I confesse without further circumstances that I loue that worthy King Persicles which is the cause of these disquiets neither did my fancy ever yéeld the least conceit of liking Helyons loue which I tooke to be rather grounded upon common familiarity then pretence of Marriage Therefore now that you are assured of that which you request I beséech you not to conceiue amisse of my rash confession nor estéeme my loue light because of so short continuance for it shall be immoueable but rather comfort my poore disquieted heart with your counsell how to avoyd these inconveniences And if that worthy King be so affected towards me as your spéeches and his Letter here affirmeth I would wish his returne might be spéedy otherwise my sorrowes will be endlesse For I know my Fathers nature to be such that whatsoever he will haue must be performed though equity would perswade the contrary Grieue not so much quoth Piera with premeditated conceit of feare which peradventure shall never come to passe I will presently send messengers vnto my Brother which shall carry such newes as will comfort his heart and cause spéedy returne in the meane time I will make Deloratus acquainted with Helyons practise not Persicles Loue who shall perswade the King all that may be not to consent to marry you against your minde Be then of good comfort and in assurance of Persicles Loyalty let no feare disquiet your sences or impaire your health For things now at the worst may haue a good end These spéeches ended they parted All this while Prince Helion was meditating how to hasten the Marriage but most of all to find the cause of Constantias discontent which he thought was aggravated against him by some good conceit we had lately entertained of some other then himselfe which made him prosecute the same with more feruency and dealt so effectually with the King that he swore Constantia should be ruled by him And thereupon the next day sent for her to whom he said Daughter I thinke it is not vnknown to you that I haue promised you in Marriage to Prince Helyon one that is every way worthy to match with you both for Noblenesse of Birth vertuous qualities and comelinesse of person Withall I am given to vnderstand that you like not our choice nor estéeme our command which if you neglect you shall not onely displease me but also loose my favour for ever For as you are mine I purpose to dispose of you but if you refuse my counsell refuse me too for I will not regard a disobedient child The manifold reasons I could alleadge that perswade me to the confirmation of this Contract are of such waight as I might séeme carelesse of your welfare and your selfe enuious of your owne good to deny them therefore let me know your answer Constantia well knew that if she denyed hée would be offended and his froward nature to be so much disposed to wrath that before she could speake she shooke with feare yet resolution so hazard the worst humbling her selfe vpon her knée she made this answer My reverend duty to you most loving Father perswadeth my consent to fulfill your command though my Loue bindeth me to the contrary that I stand perplext twixt two extreames the one fearing to offend you the other to procure my everlasting discontent for in refusing to doe according to your will I shall incurre your indignation and in performing the same my everlasting sorrow For as yet my heart could never yéeld to loue that worthy Prince who farre too worthy to be matcht with me Most humbly beséeching you to consider that inforced Loue never bringeth content but disquiet which with Helyon will be my portion Therefore I beséech you reuoke your determination Is it even so quoth he shall my command be countervaild by your péevish conceit Is this the regard you giue to my good will Are you wiser then I Or are you willing to displease mée Shall my will stand at your direction Is this the duty you owe to your Father or feare you no more to offend me Haue I so carefully brought you vp and tenderly regarded you for this Henceforth never come in my sight for I will not estéeme thée as a Child but as a bastard and withall I vow that if thou dost not yéeld to marry him vse him kindly and apply thy devotions to his liking I will vse thée in such sort that all Persia shall lament thy case Having given her this bitter reproofe he departed leaving her wéeping the fountaines of her precious eyes dry wringing her hands and like one in a dead trance overcome with griefe cast vpon the Earth The first that entred the roome was Helyon who séeing her in that agony tooke her by the hand to haue raised her from the earth but she refusing his help vttered these spéeches Vntill this time I alwayes estéemed honourably of you but now my good opinion is altered for that you onely séeke my torment my Father hath given me charge to Marry with you which I must against my heart fulfill but be assured never to possesse my Loue for that I haue bequeathed another onely my outward parts may be yours but my inward affections shall continually estéeme you as the onely occasioner of my endlesse miseries With that shée rose vp from the ground giving him neither better words nor other kind behaviour but left him standing still as one astonisht Piera made Constantia's estate knowne to Deloratus who so farre as he durst perswaded her Father not to constraine her to marry the Prince but such wilfulnesse possest him that the more they intreated him the more contrarious he was and therefore appointed the day for the Marriage to be within two moneths And in the mean time doubting the King of Arabiaes consent he sent his Ambassadors to that effect Piera hearing this presently sent
these To PIERA or CONSTANTIA THese J write to eyther of you My Fortunes being doubtfull to whether J should deliver this The Palmer that delivered this Letter is Persicles that desireth to speake with one of you for hee sayth you both are as deare to him as his owne Soule Attending an happie houre J end Yours PERSICLES The next day according to his hopes the King and Quéene Dela and Piera Helyon and Constantia and many other came foorth whom Persicles soone espyed and well noting Constantiaes countenance perceiued the same so darkened as if she had béene fully possest with discontent Who comming néere him for he stood so as they must passe by him casting her eyes vpon him beheld him so earnestly that she almost forgate her selfe feeling her heart to throb with vnwonted motion that she let fall her rich Scarffe most curiously imbroydred which occasion Persicles soone espyed as awayting such an opportunity tooke vp the Scarffe and with great renâ—rence gaue it her conueying the Letter therein so closely that she soone espyed the same wherewith her heart began to pant and viewing the superscription found it directed to her or Piera that closely she put the same in her bosome lest Helyon or any else shouâ—d â—spie it vntill she could And opportunity to reade it By this time the game was rowzed and all but she alone followed the pastime with earnestnesse which â—â—e beholding withdrew her selfe with one of her Ladyes and read the Letter through which affected her heart with such joy and feare that sometimes her heart leapt with the one and her Eyes stood ready to overflow with teares with the other Presently foâ—lowing the company vntill she overtooke Piera to whom she said Sister did you not behold the Palmer that stood in the way as we came by the Pallace wall Yes quoth she and doe you not know hiâ— said Constantia It is your Brother Persicles With that Piera smiled saying How can that be or what maketh you thinke so With that she pull'd out the Letter and bad hâ—r reade it Wâ—ich when she had done she sayd Constantia hee is worthy to be kindly vsed having travailed so farre on foote to sée vs. Yea quoth Constantia how may we come to speake with him Or how may we giue him that Welcome his Worthinesse deserveth That for my vnworthy sake hath vndertaken to hazard his Royall person in travell Let me alone quoth Piera and the better to avoyd suspition vse Helâ—on some what more kindly then heretofore you haue done that his minde may be voâ—d of jealousie for I percâ—iue when you come in any place or company he hath a diligent and vigilant eye over you And calling vnto her a Damzell named Dela one that was privy to all her secret counsels to whom she sayd Goe thy way and finde out the Palmer that thousawest as we came for it is Persicles conduct him into my Chamber where let him stay vntill my returne and if any aske thée what he is tell them hée is of Assyria and bringeth mée newes from the Knight my Brother Dela hasted and soone found him out reverently saluting him and calling him by his name which made him marvell that she knew him vntill shée delivered her Message which he was ready to fulfill as the thing he aboue all things desired And having brought him into the Court which she did without contradiction she returned to certifie her Mistresse thereof Whom she met with Constantia and some few before the rest returning to the Court being both desirous to sée Persicles Who now entring the Pallace were soone espyed of him which affected his heart with such content as it séemed to reviue his sences Constantia likewise was possest with such contrarious passions sometimes of Feare joy bashfulnesse desire and modest loue that her heart séemed to dissolue and all the Arteries of her body wrought with internall and strange motions By this time they were ascended the stayres and Persicles ready to méet them who first saluted Piera as reserving the best for the last which he performed so superficially in respect of the behavior he vsed to Constantia whose modesty made her blush whilest he berest of a swéet kisse who with as mild a countenance as if Modesty her selfe had béene there bad him Welcome Most divine Lady quoth he I cannot expresse my thankefulnesse â—y outward meanes for that my heart both wisheth and intendeth more good to you then my tongue can vtter being so farre bound vnto you in respect of my slender and small deserts for your estéeming well of me that I shall never be able to discharge the debt And though you haue little cause by reason of the small proofe you haue of my Fidelity to yéeld me Loue yet if my faithfull How may satisfie you and my plighted promise of perpetuall constancy assure you you shall find me both constant in Loue to you Faithfull to deale Honourably with you and Loyall not to doe any thing that shall be disagréeable to your Will My Lord said Constantia in full assurance of your good meaning my heart willingly affecting you more then any without farther delay I yéeld my selfe to your disposition desiring you not to misconceiue me And though I am too vnworthy such accounts as you make of mée my possession being linckt to so many Inconveniences yet since your desire is to haue it so I am ready wholly to be ruled and governed according to your directions Piera then said Let further conference for this time cease because I heare of the King returne and for this Night I will provide for my Brothers security with whom I will conferre about this businesse vntill you may conveniently méet againe This said Persiclesâ—ooke â—ooke his leaue of Constantia with many ceremonious Farewels â—s each part interchanging their hearts such perfect Loue was establisht betwixt them He to a secret Chamber to meditate Piera to â—ccompany her husband and Constantia with an out wardly merry â—hough in wardly heavy heart to Welcome Helyon CHAP. III. How Constantia disguised her selfe and departed the Emperours Court with Persicles WIthin this place stayed Persicles so long without meanes how to accomplish his desire which was to convey away Constantia that the prefixed day for the performance of the Marriage approached which braue them to their vttermost shifts knowing that now or never it was to be done Constantia comming to Pieraes Chamber with a heauy heart and watry eyes demanded whether they had yet determined how she should escape But hearing them make no answer sayd thus My Lord since the feare you haue I should be discouered and so dishonoured maketh you vnwilling to haue me hazard my selfe the time of my pretended Wedding now drawing nigh which I most abhorre because I loue none but your selfe Prouide but for your owne departure out of the Court without being discouered and stay for me in the Euening vnder the Myrtle trée by the Pallace wall and thither I will assuredly come
therefore first tell me how my Lady Piera fareth Noble Duke said I she is in good health and in great prosperity I rejoyce thereat quoth he though I haue otherwise euerlasting cause to sorrow For our Soueraigne Lord the King after he had put the Armenians to flight was very desirous vpon some occasion as yet vnknowne to leaue the Court in his absence committing the Government thereof to my vnhappy selfe and that noble Knight Thrureus which we performed with great quiet vntill Duke Oretus one that was neuer true to the State hearing of the Kings departure which we could by no meanes conceale raised a false report that we had murthered the King Which rumour moued the Common people to such disquiet that they began to Rebell Which he perceiuing ayming thereby to winne the Crowne gathered a great multitude of them together with pretence of revenge against vs which when we heard of with all the hast wée could possible we Mustered men for our defence but so eager were the multitude to our destruction together with Oretus his perswasions that before we were any way able to resist them they set vpon vs and shed a great number of their owne Countrey mens blood that stood in our defence and draue vs to immure our selues within the City The King of Armenia hearing of this Rebellion with great spéed brought a mighty great Army into this Land destroying all that came in his way burning both Townes and Cities and destroying the common people with an excéeding great Slaughter Which came to Oretus hearing with such terror that he presently fled and left his Confederate Rebels to be destroyed by the Enemy Which caused vs by a Herauld to demand whether they would submit themselues to vs or no Or by their treason to sée their Countries ruine With that they yeelded and we gathered all the Forces we could to resist the enemies with whom we fought thrée great Battels and in the same lost aboue thirty thousand Assyrians being driuen to flight This day againe gathering head to resist them but being too few in number in respect of their strength and multitude you sée how our bodies be scattered vpon the Earth mangled and cut in pieces My selfe being I thinke the last that liueth to tell this newes For the Noble Thrureus is already slaine whose déeds of Valour would containe a great volume Which newes when our King shall heare it will no doubt cut off his vertuous life with sorrow My greatest griefe being that I cannot heare of his safety before my death My Lord said I our gracious King is liuing and in good health in Persia who sent me vnto your Honour and Thrureus with a secret Message which I néed not now vnfold Yes good Pisor quoth he let me heare my Lords Message that I may thereby know whether I were still in his fauour or no. With that I vnfolded the cause of my comming Which heard such a passion of discontent ouercame his vitall spirits that with many bitter groanes he gaue vp the ghost When I saw there was no meanes for his recovery I departed to enquire what slaughter the Enemy had made who by that time the day was ended had vanquished the Assyrian forces taking the City and most of the Nobility Prisoners I stayed some foure dayes hiding me secretly to bring you certaine Newes which is this The King of Armenia compelled the Noblemen to sweare Allegeance vnto Palyon his eldest Sonne whom he hath crowned King in Assyria and left a mighty Army for his defence When I vnderstood this I returned to certifie your Highnesse thereof CHAP. VII How Persicles hearing the newes by Pisor hee departed into a solitary place and thereby caused the unfortunate separation between him and Constantia who in great sorrow wandring to seeke him was found by Helyon and carried into Arabia And of the many sorrowes Persicles endured for her absence How Pisor became franticke PErsicles his heart was ouercome with such sorrow to heare Pisors heauy Newes that he had much adoe to containe himselfe from extreame madnesse that he minded a while to withdraw himselfe to vtter his plaints in those solitary walks but séeing Pisor follow him he desired him to returne to the â—hepheards house and in no case to acquaint Constantia with these misfortunes But if she asked for him he should tell her he would come presently Pisor being departed he sought for the most vnfrequented â—lace of the Wood wandring long in that discontent but could find none agréeable to his mind neither knowing whether he went nor almost what â—e intended his sences being dulled with such passionate vexation continuing so long therein that he spent longer time in seeking out a place of rest then he was aware off which turned to his greater vâ—rest as afterwards it fell out For Constantia marvelling that he stayed so long and withall noting Pisors darkened countenance supposed some ill newes was the cause of both finding occasion fit thought to find her Loue in the midst of his dumps and with her amiable presence to comfort him stole from the Cottage into the Wood where Pisor told her that he had left him Where shée wandred vp and downe a great while not finding him which made her marvell sometimes callâ—ng him but not by his right name least any should heare her and finding that meanes to prevaile nothing she began to enter into many doubtfull thoughts sometimes calling his Loyalty in question then againe reproving her fancies for entring into suspition of him then thinking some ill newes was befalne in Assyria which might driue him into a carelesse desperation and also fearing thaâ— some of the Persian Knights had met with him and finding some likelyhood of suspition in him had carryed him to the King her Father These Meditations possest her mind so long and wrought such a terrour in her fancies that she fared like one that had beene possest with the truth that it was so Thus did they both continue most part of that day she seeking him and he opprest with care not remembring that it was time to returne home yet both of them directing their steps a contrary way that they met not but wandred a way from one another At last he began to remember where he was how long he had béene absent and what care she would take for his absence which caused him with as much spéed to hast backe as with carelesnesse he had wandred vp and down which before he could atâ—ain it grew to be towards Night Pisor likewise marvelling at his long stay and at Constantiaes sudden departure fearing that some ill might betide him and some extraordinary care oppresse her left the Cottage to find him and if he could méet her to direct her to the place where he left him When Persicles found them both absent he maruelled thereat enquiring of the old Woman when they departed who told him that Constantia went first out and he after her Which made him thinke
had lost but his Fortune proved so bad that he lost both his Styrrops and had he not hung on the Saddle Bow hée had laine on the Ground The Day by this time drew to an end which caused them to remit their further tryall till the next Morning Constantia and Philotheta beholding the Valour of this one Knight according to her desire déemed it was Persicles the other Montelyon desiring Ila to send a Messenger to know his Name Who returning told them he was called the Knight of the Oracle Then it is not Persicles said Constantia No nor Montelyon said Philotheta Their Hearts now fainting with care that before were revived with hope The Knight of the Oracle that Night Lodged with a Knight of Persia named Thymus in his Tent who in courteous sort intreated him thereto Earely the next Morning he againe entred the Field ready for him that should next Encounter him who came gallantly mounted having likewise travailed many Miles to try his Fortune in the Adventure but before he came to try himselfe therein he received so great a Discharge by Encountring the Knight of the Oracle that in a desperate moode and ashamed of his Foyle he departed The Knight of the Oracle being endued with an extraordinary Wit as receiving the Essence thereof from two such goodly Princes as he was sprung of began in his thoughts to condemne the fondnesse of those Knights that comming to make tryall of the Adventure spent their time in private Quarrels still omitting that which principally they had sought his Mind being so troubled with the losse of Philotheta and Persicles desired not to linger there but to hasten in their search Therefore parting towards the Knights who were assembled on a heape studying which way to worke his disgrace he said to them Worthy Knights my comming to this place was not to try my Fortune against you but in the Aduenture and your private Enuy hath hitherto hindred mée not regarding into what private Quarrels you enter and causelesly troubling me that haue not offended you Therefore because businesse of more importance then to answer your Spléene vrgeth my departure I wish you not fearing my ability to answer you to remit this private Contention vntill another time and if any of you either enviously condemne me or repine at my good Fortune I will be ready to answer you severall Quarrels in Persia at the time that is appointed for the méeting of the Kings of Assyria and Armenia for the cause of your approach being to release this Ladies imprisonment weaken not your force in private Contention for in the Tryall thereof you shall find occasion enough to exercise your Armes Hearing his words they consented thereunto yet contending who should first try the Adventure In the end they agréed to cast Lots in which the last fell to the Knight of the Oracle every one having a Dayes respite for the finishing thereof Thus did they make tryall of themselues Some with such labour attaining the Bridge but then forced by vertue of the Enchantment to yéeld and so were imprisoned in most Lamentable wise by the Enuy of Ila who desired the Enchantment might never end but that she might liue there for ever Others with feare ran away Many dayes it was before it came to the Knight of the Oracles turne In the end all being either fledor imprisoned he alone was left to try his Fortune neither having Friend to succour him Foe to Enuy him nor any to behold him for the Enchantresse had made such Desolation among the Tents by casting fires amongst them that all the Servants to those Knights fled as amazed reporting from place to place their Masters misery and the cause of their owne terror Notwithstanding nothing could affright or discourage the valiant heart of the Knight of the Oracle but he rested as resolute to goe forwards as if there had beene no danger incident to the attempt Constantia séeing how many Knights were at that instant imprisoned all their Tents destroyed and no man she thought left began to discomfort her selfe vtterly despairing of releasement desiring Ila to let her view the Knights that were Imprisoned fearing that Persicles was amongst them but her requests were in vaine for Ila fretted with extreame feare of the end of her Enchantment in a mad rage flung from them studying which way to lengthen the date thereof which tormented poore Constantiaes heart that had béen so long in misery and terrified kind Philothetaes mind with extreame feare of further calamity Both she and Constantia all that Night bewailing their misery CHAP. XXVIII How the Knight of the Oracle finished the Enchantment And how Ila departed with Philotheta IN the Morning early the Knight of the Oracle survaying the Scituation of the Bridge which way he might either advantage himselfe or disadvantage his Foe winded his Horne wherewith there was such an excéeding Earth-Quake within the Tower that the Foundation thereof shooke as if it would haue overturned her stately Turrets At which first Sound of the Horne one of the Gyants came foorth without speaking striking at him but he defended himselfe a great while on Horsebacke vntill the Gyant pressed so hard vpon him that he was driven to withdraw him to light Which when he had done he againe assayled him giving him many a déepe wound and receiving many a sore bruise that had not his good Armour preserved him it had brought him in great danger but in the end he prevailed so much by the death of the first Gyant that he attained the first and second Fortification of the Bridge And at the third he was so violently set vpon by the other Gyant that he was onely compelled to ward his blowes in the end likewise espying such advantage that he ran his Sword quite through his body By which meanes he entred the first large Court where he beheld the Armours of such Knights as had fayled in their sundry attempts hanging about the Walls hearing their hollow voyces which by imprisonment had endured much affliction Ila now knowing that the date of her glory in that place should end in furious sort came running to the place where Constantia and Philotheta were taking Philotheta with violence from out of the Arbour and by force of her Enchantment compelling her to follow her vntill she came to the Court where the Knight of the Oracle was he suddainly behelding Philotheta at the first sight knew her and séeing them so passe by him towards the Entrance he stept after them to speake to her when presently ther rusht vpon him a number of Armed men that laid vpon him with such swiftnesse that they had no power to stirre from the place where he stood They suddainly vanished and he stood so amazed with the sight and perplexed with such doubt that he could not tell what to doe Sometimes thinking to follow in Philotheta then perswading himselfe it was but an illusion and thinking to cast off that doubt and goe forwards his