the resentment of my favours have not been able to quell thy ill Nature nor stay thy inconstancy Abominable follower of false Prophets who are risen against the Great Prophet Musulman unworthy of thy Circumcision speak and tell me who oblig'd thee to come under the vayle of allyance and friendship to seduce me even in the Palace of the King my Father Thou knowest in thy conscience thou knowest that I have contributed nothing at all to my misfortune The subtleties that my Sex imploy to make themselves Masters of thine have been hitherto unknown to me or at least hatefull I would never yet do that affront to Nature as to change the colour of my Haire nor hide the blacknesse of my complexion under a strange white My words and actions have not been lesse genuine nor lesse naturall then my disastrous beauty and I dare say that I oftentimes complain'd to Heaven that mine Eyes express'd so ill the feelings of my Soule In short the more I reflect on my selfe the more my conscience assures me that I am guilty of nothing but of loving thee And if that crime deserv'd to be punished surely thou oughtest not for it either be the Judge or the Hang-man If my Love seem'd to thee injurious if my little stock of beauty distasted thee if the rudenesse of my wit were insupportable to thee yet my simplicity should at least have wrought some pitty from thee and my goodnesse was great enough to oblige thee not to do me any wrong VVhy hadst thou not rather said this Maidens face hath somehing dismall in it My eyes cannot indure to look on her colour yellow and black She hath not wit and the best things she speaks are but very bad expressions Yet shee is good she loves me and if I cannot affect her yet must I pitty 〈◊〉 â—…cence and not deprive her of that quiet which her stupidity affoords her T is noâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that ill which a man may do without feare of punishment and if we exercise â—…ity in comforting any one that is miserable we practise it a great deal more in not permitting him to becom so These good thoughts were not likely to possesse a Soul so wicked as thine And if by chance some good angel would with them have inspir'd thee thy pernicious inclination would not have suffer'd to receiv them Those that brought thee into the world underwent the curse of Heaven thy parents should call thee rather the punishment of their offences then the blessing of their marriage Nor art thou come out of thy Country but to free it of a Monster which was become the cause of terror and hatred to all Truly the successors of the great Mansor have good cause to rejoyce since the usurper of their Estates hath left so abominable a Race Comfort thy selfe Comfort thy self in thy disgraces The Tyrants who drove thy Ancestors out of Africa have left such heires that they wil soon have reason to envy thee But what said I No No Nephizus who shall be ever dear to me I do not beleeve all this The Love I bear my self hinders me from mine own knowledge and makes me throw on thy inconstancy that change whereof I onely am guilty The audacious Mescenarez having dared to pretend to that which Love reserv'd for thee alone made thee jealous and the little care I took to cure thee of it compell'd thee without doubt to leave mee It may be thou yet wandrest through the Deserts of thy Numidia and askest from Love that he should give thee Iustice for the faith which I have violated If it be so O too credulous Prince return where thou hast left me Thou shalt know how I have suffer'd the wooings and rashnes of Mescenarez and since thy departure whether he or his adherents have been able to get any advantage of the scorn and neglect thou hast made of me Why sawest thou not me as I am now discheveld furious an enemy to my self or rather repentant desolate Thou shouldst have seen me with my knees on the earth tears in my Eyes imploring thy mercy and confessing my self guilty though I am nothing but a most miserable creature But thou most to be abhorred neither carest what I do not what I suffer Thy lightnesse is satisfied in deceiving me may be it now glories in my being abused Go go whether thou wilt the Horror of thy Sex mine I wil folow thee as a Fury making thee suffer a part of those torments which I have endured I wil not permit thee to rejoyce unpunish'd of that death which thou hast given me Benzaida stopping at that word held her eyes some-while fix'd on the planching at thelast she cast them on Nephizus who with Izilia and my selfe hearkned to her without a word speaking and changing her voice t is enough ingratefull man said she t is enough to have reproved thee of thy misdeeds I am in such an humor that I am weary of complaining I wil only tel how long I have sought thee by what chance I heard news of thee Know therefore that some few dayes after thy departure I found my self so extreamly desirous of re-seeing thee that I could not possibly stay longer in Granada I then forsook my Fathers Palace without the knowledge of any but Zamaella and my Nurse and commanding them to take with them all that was necessary for me stole away one night without fearing the cruelty of the Spaniards who ransack'd our country or the dangers of a long Journey and swore never to sojourne in any place of the world till I had met with thee With this resolution I took my way to the Sea-side and as I was ready to imbarque my selfe in a vessell that was bound for Africa the generous Prince which thou shouldst never forget as ingratefull as thou art Tindarache I say being not to be put off neither by my cruelties nor by our common extravagances presented himselfe to me and casting him at my feet besought me I would be pleas'd that he might accompany me Benzaida said he I come not here to make you alter your resolution nor to intreat you to acknowledge my perseverance I come to you because my fidelity commands it and because I cannot resolve to dye till I see you happy These offers much troubled me yet knowing of a long time Tindaraches respect and doubting that I might have need of his assistance I tooke him into my company But for feare he should not observe all that he promis'd me I receive you said I on condition that you take no heed neither to my actions nor my words and look not on me but as on a person that knowes no more what she doth That young Prince full of love and pitty was so much mov'd at my speech that the teares came into his eyes He looked upon me he gaz'd on heaven and being able to endure his fortune without murmuring What ever thou be cried he O Providence
he had a mind to lose himselfe he could not doe it in a more high enterprize But how I pitty him for not having seen but through a very obscure veyle this so shining and lively a light which makes him contemn all others Certainly those pictures of Alcidiana which he hath are the works of ignorance or envie and I may say after what I have seen that Prince adores a Divinity to him unknown Alcippus desirous to qualifie the disquiet of this new Lover Me thinks said he that instead of lamenting Abdelmelecs fortune you ought to extoll your own and give thanks to Love that since he hath inspir'd you with a desire to serve ALCIDIANA He hath not only made you worthy of her but by a singular priviledge hath conducted you as by the hand where your service may receive their reward Ah flatâ—…erer replyd Polexander dar'st thou who hast seen that Princesse make me beleeve I am worthy to serve her The love thou bear'st me suffers the not well to consider me Thou representeâ—…t to thy selfe all things to my advantage and I doubt not but thou beleev'st thou doest it justly But I who am freed from the love of my selfe and can be a good Iudge in mine own cause I look on my fortune on that side it ought to be regarded and am not dazled as thou art with I know not what luster which a false light casts on it Know my friend that I am absolutely unworthy of Alcidiana's chaines that the least of her slaves hath those qualities to which I can never pretend and that fortune hath thrown me on these inaccessible coasts for no other end but to engage me in a dispaire which surpasseth the dispaire of all that have been unfortunate from the beginning of the world Wouldst thou have morâ—… palpable or more visible proofes oâ—… this truth then the contempt wherewith Alcidiana cast her eyes on me Think on the circumstances of her meeting Examine alâ—… that passed in that little time she permitted me to see her Weigh seriously her precipitated departure and thou wilt confesse with me that her eyes and silence have declar'd me unworthy of the honour to be reckned amongst her slaves I intend to contest with your Majesty replyd Alcippus For having not your light and knowledge I stop at things which sence makes me see and cannot as you penetrate into soules and discover the secrets of thoughts And not to lye to you if your discourse had not taken off somewhat which hood-winkd mine eyes without perceiving it I should yet have drawn very advantagious consequences from the meeting with Alcidiana and maintaine stifly my beliefe of your giving her more cause of admiration then contempt All her Nymphes forgetting the chase and even not seeing the Hynde which fell at their feet press'd to come neer you and pointing with their fingers seemd to say to one another that they had never seen your equall As you love me Alcippus said Polexander interrupting him make an end of this discourse Thou makest me madde in thinking to comfort me I know what my destiny is but as sadde as t is t is to me deare t is to me glorious since t is perfected by the hands of Alcidiana By this answer he impos'd silence on Alcippus and beginning to walke in his Chamber was about an houre in that exercise At last he remembred himselâ—… and calling Diceus askd him whether he had brought Abdelmelec's bucklers They are in your Majesties trunâ—…kes replyd Diceus I would faine have them said the Prince We must goe for them then replyd Diceus The place where I have left them is not so farre hence but that I can be quickly backe againe But Sir said he if the Viceroy presse me upon your staying what shall I say to him Thou shalt tell him replyd the Prince all that thou thinkest fittest to keep him where he is Diceus presently took one of his hosts Horses and in full speed came to the Towne where I was retyred I was wonderfully astonish'd at so quick a returne and askd him the cause T is nothing said he nor no other then the curiosity of a great Lord of this Isle He desires to see Abdelmelecs bucklers and I have ridden all last night that he might not long expect his desir'd contentment After he had told me this tale he took the two bucklers and returnd with as much speed as he came Polexander seeing him come back commended his love and diligence and with an excesse of joy forgetting what he was embrac'd him a long time in his armes Then he set Alcidiana's Pictures in their best light and considering them well I am confirm'd said he to Alcippus in my first opinion These Pictures are nothing like Alcidiana I saw the Princesse so little replyd Alcippus that my memory represents her not to me but very confusedly Yet if that Idea of her which I retain hathany conformity with the Original I find not these Coppies any way do resemble her Assuredly said Polexander with a litle passion they are nothing at all like her Where find you that sweet and majesticall livelinesse which sparkles in her eyes or that fresh and cleere whitnesse of her complexion and brest No no there is nought here of Alcidiana Only a man may see by some strokes that t is the portraict of some excellently faire creature In this discussion was the Prince when the Shepheard who two dayes before had left him entred his Chamber and presenting to him another Shepherd of a very good aspect for an old man made him understand by signes that that was it which he had promised him The old Shepheard presently beginning to speake saluted Polexender in Arabian and by that language made him sufficiently conceive the good office done him by the young Shepheard The Prince went and imbrac'd him to signifie how sensible he was of that obligation After that satisfaction he streight did the like to the old man and told him in Arabicke that he was too happy in meeting with one to whom he might make himselfe understood This venerable old man answered him his joy was not lesse and should he reap no other fruit of his travells then the tafting the sweetnesse of his conversation he would all the rest of his life blesse that curiosity which at first made him to undertake them T is for me Father replyd Polexander to give thanks to fortune for shipwracking me on this Iland Scarce had I set foot on this Land but that I was 〈◊〉 of the happinesse it enjoyes as one of its naturall proprieties In three dayes I met with a thousand causes of contenâ—…ment but there are few of them on which I set so high a price as on the happinesse of your acquaintance The old Shepheard thinking in his opinion he had not words good enough to answer these replyd by the teares which joy drew from his eyes and to make an end of all Compliments besought Polexander to beleeve that if he could
us a great favour when they use us but as slaves Teach me dear Pallantus what my reason and I should do to get us the Mastery since thou wilt not have us give way to their tyranny Persever in that feare and adoration which till now you have witnessed for Alcidiana answered Pallantus Be not weary of suffering and leave to your desires that absolute Empyre they have usurp'd over your reason They will be of a different nature from ordinary desires if time opposition and despaire do not weaken their impetuosity Ah! Remedyes more cruell and insupportable then the ill it selfe saide Polexander Am I brought to that extremity to make use of you yes insensible friends I receive and imbrace you since you are so happy to have the resentments of Alcidiana for the Authors of your being Pallantus heere imposing him silence Be pleas'd sayd he that I end the history of your disfavours and that finally I banish you from the place wherein is inclos'd all your hopes and happinesses Polexander replying nothing gave occasion to the faire slave to continue thus his discourse Your sorrow solitude and your complaints having too long lasted for your quiet Amintha resolv'd to have pitty on you and to redeeme you from you despaire by false hopes You followed her advice and suffring your selfe to be easily perswaded to what you so extreamly desired you began againe your illustrious and magnificent way of living whereby you had acquir'd the affections of the most part of Alcidiana's subjects She understood of your returne and wanting sufficient knowledge of worldly affaires to judge of the â—…rue cause of your change she called for Amintha to discourse with her about it I thought said she that having hitherto made a particular profession of friendshipp with Polexander you are not ignorant of those causes which he hath had heretofore to afflict himselfe and those he hath now to rejoyce in I honour Polexander replied Amintha but I have no part in his trust Yet not so that I am ignorant of that which your Majesty desires to know His griefe and joy are too publick to make a secret of them Every one speakes of it and if it be not known to your Majesty you are without doubt the onely person in your Kingdome that is ignorant of it But to give it you it behooves if you please to think it fit that I pronounce to you a word which to you is very odious Alcidiana confident of Amintha's discretion told her that she might speake since your Majesty commanded me replyed Amintha I will tell you that Polexander is in love The Queen was surprised with that word and so surprised that she could not refrayne from blushing But loath to rest mute on that occasion is it possible sayd she to Amintha that a spirit so strong as Polexander should be capable of so extreame a weaknesse 'T is possible Madam answerd Amintha and your Majesty would have the pleasure to know the cause aswell as the effects of this passion you will be confirmd in that true opinion that love is nothing but blindnesse and folly Stenelica who hath nothing left eiâ—…her of youth or beauty is the cause of Polexanders vexations He adores her loves hâ—…r burnes for her and is desperate when he cannot see her and as his dispaire comes from the rigours of Stenelica his contentments likewise proceed from the favours he receives thence But that which is most strange is there passeth not a day but he wâ—…ites to her and in such humble and passionate termes as if he writ to the fairest Princesse in the world Aâ—…cidiana tooke no pleasure in this jesting and you went neere to lose the good opinion she had of you even by that which you had plotted with Amintha to get you into it Polexander bindes me to returne to my first opinion sayd she to her Confident Truely Nature and Radiotez have not deceiv'd me when they assured me that men were full of imperfections and how those which had been estem'd freest from deserts and neerest approaching to a divine condition had by diverse actions of their lives made it appeare they were truely men subject as the meanest to the most low and ridiculous extravagancies Amintha saw well that t was nothing to the purpose to prosecute what she had begun she therefore put it off to another time and applying her selfe to the Queenes humour did so well by her colloguing and wit that in lesse then eight dayes wrought in Alcidiana an extreame desire to see the letters you had written to Stenelica Presently she shew'd her aboue fifty and wouâ—…d have given her a great many more but that she was wearyed with your supposed extravagancyes Stenelica punctually receyved two or three a daye and assoone as she had them had order to bring them to the Queene Five or six moneths slid away yet the Queene discovered not the mystery of your Letters nor of your maskes and turnaments But by little and little her understanding comming on with her age and her seventeenth yeere instructing her in that which the former sixteene were ignorant of she made long and deepe reflections on all that you had done since you came into her Territories and by those things conjectured that infallibly Stenelica was but the pretext and coverture of a more high affection This thought engaged her to reade all your Letters over againe But scarce had she read the first when she saw her selfe so lively pictured that she called her blinde for being so long from discovering it Streight an indignation for being deceived by Amintha made her cast by all the effâ—…ction she bore her and made her resolve to punish you both for one crime whereof she judg'd you were equally guilty And not to defer her vengeance she called for Stenelica and shutting themselves in her owne Closet and accommodating her selfe to the weakenesse of that poore Soule hardly reasonable told her that she understanding how Polexander writ to her only to passe away his time she would not have her to be any longer the object of his sport and jeasting I command you therefore said she to receive no more of his Letters nor any more to endure hiscompany 'T is a shame for one of your age and condition to lose your time in the fopperies of youth Breake absolutely the commerce you have with this stranger burne all his letters send him back his Jewells and suffer him not to talke to you any more hearken to none that comes from him and above all converse with Amintha as with your greatest enemy The Queene was not thus contented to cut from that meanes of expressing your affection But she would take from you all others and punish you and your complicâ—… for your temerity She therefore remoâ—…ved from her ordinary place of abiding and went to that stately Castle which the King her Father built on a point of Land that lookes toward your fortunate Islands All the Court followed her in that Journey
would not speak so obscurely but that 't is your desire not to be understood I will not oblige you to an unfolding Only tell me what way you meane to take The very worst I can answerd the Musitian at least the feare that beares me company wisheth me to it But to testifie to your Majestie how farr my intention is to please you I will reveale what I never spake to any I am going to see whether I shall be happier in Britany then I was at Lions and in uttering these last words the Musitian sigh'd and sigh'd so amourously that it touch'd the King my Master even to the heart yet withall it overjoy'd him to have the occasion of not leaving the young man He therefore promis'd to bring him into Britany and to imploy all his credit to give him the contentment he went to look for in those partes I have often heard said the Musitian that 't is for the greatnesse of Kings to promise all for their wisdoms to performe only what is most advantageous to them and I extreamely feare least in that nature you assure me of your protection But what said I pardon me great Prince an impudence deserving punishment did it proceed from a sound braine Truly of late I have not been Master of mine owne witts and my reason is so darkned with an extraordinary passion that I see but at halfes The King had too quick an apprehension not to comprehend the mysteryes of those words He imagined the Musitian to be some man of indifferent condition faln in love with a Person of very high quality and by consequence beleev'd his designe would have good successe This imagination made him promise the Musitian againe to assist him with all his credit and by his offers won him to imbarque with them The Musitian desirous to pay the Kings affection with some ayre that might please him lead him to the place where he had sung and repeated a Song whose notes were so fitted to the words that they distinctly mark'd in it both joy and sadnesse hope and feare That done Polexander return'd to his lodging and took the Musitian with him He look'd on him by torchlight and seeing him so young so faire and well made I confess said he to the Frenchman that followed him France produceth things extraordinarily rare The musitian 〈◊〉 to see how earnestly Polexander ey'd him drew back to a corner of the Chamber where there was not so much light and taking a Lute from a Page that was by him plaid on it all the Evening rather to hide himselfe some way from the curiosity of those who had their Eyes fix'd on him then to have the quicknesse of his hand or cleanlinesse of his touch to be admired A part of the night being thus plesantly overpast the rest they gave to their repose The Musitian retyr'd with his Servants and the next day came to the arising of the King my Master He behaved himselfe so respectfully towards the Prince and shewed such a feare as often as he was engaged to answer him that the King knew not which to praise in him most whither his extream beauty or infinite discretion After divers discourse he intreated him along and so took boat Assoone as he was in he called for the Musitian and bringing him into his Cabin if you love me said he you wil tell me who you are and what 't is that troubles you And to witnesse I have not this curiosity but to assist you I renew the promises I made you Yesterday at Even and if it be in my power to make you happy I engage my Honour that I will lose all I have in the world rather then faile of my word The young Musitian whom I will call Hippolitus since he told Polexander that his name was so cast himselfe at the King's feet and embracing his leggs Sir said he I am much greiv'd that I cannot make appear by some more humble and respectfull action the sensibility I have of those assurances your Majesty vouchsafes to give me I dare not doubt any longer of my good fortune since your generousnesse hath determined of it and were it not for some remainder of feare which holds my happynesse suspended I confesse that I can wish for nothing more But to the end your Majesty may know what the cause is of my sufferings by that knowledg apply a remedy which may free me from them I will tel you all my miseries came from my loving too much He blush'd in making that Declaration and his bashfullnesse hindered him from going on in his discourse Polexander to give him time to recollect himselfe told him that considering the age beauty other graces he was endow'd with he could not without an extraordinary diffidence to avoid the trap whereinto he was fal'n For said he I have learn'd from those who have taught me that youth and beauty be it of the body or the mind are dangerous company and usally betraying those they love most deliver them over into the hands of the most cruell of all the Tyrants wherewithall our humane condition is persecuted Hearing you speak thus of love replied Hyppolitus 't is easy to be imagined that you know it well I know not answer'd Polexander what it is and speak only by heare say How said Hyppolitus speak you of love but on the beliefe you have of your Tutors no truly replyed the King and even thinking oftentimes on that which they have taught me of it I imagine with my selfe that t is with love as with so many other fables invented for delight and instruction and that indeed there was nothing which in spight of us could make it selfe Master of our liberties and force us to love what we ought to hate Ah Sir what say you cried Hyppolitus with a sight You are in an opinion exploded by all ages and Nations Repent you quickly for being faln into this Error and hold your selfe for a lost-man if you persever in it Polexander began to laugh at the feare Hyppolitus would have put him in and told him he spake according to his understanding and truly said he I finde nothing in me that teacheth I should give place to love What repli'd Hyppolitus presently doe you then love nothing Yes marry do I answered Polexander I love all that is lovely but my love is an untroubled a calme love an obedient love a love that passeth not the bounds I prescribe it Certainely said Hyppolitus those shall be worthy a great deale of pitty who fall in love with you Whoever shall love me replied Polexander shall never repent him of his affection for I will prefer my friends before my selfe Their interests should be my interests their joyes my joyes and their griefes mine owne in briefe I will live more for them then for my selfe T is more then I expected quoth Hyppolitus from a minde which faines to be ignorant of love Doe not beleeve I dissemble continued Polexander I know
Prince yet I freely confesse to you I am of your opinioâ—… and I love with so much fervency that I would â—…f 't were possible for me set all Europe in a conflagration rather then to make a cessioÌ„ of whom I serve to the greatest of Kings or dearest of all my friends I have well perceived said Polexander your love to Thamiris is very violent and t is by that example which I would prepare you to judge favourably of such things as love commands me to put in execution I will make knowne to you heere on what tearmes I am with Thamiris nor what the cause is which makes me so much affect her It shall suffice me that you know I love in so high a place that all the virtues and beauties of the world have conspired together to compose the object of my love Let the Reader imagine whether Polexander were sensible of these words or no whether the jealousie they imprinted were not powerâ—…ull enough to make him forget all his Rivalls courtesies He could not indure he should goe further and had not reason assisted him 't was to be feared that conversation had not ended as it began Polexander suppressed his first agitation and returning into cold blood thus went on againe Ther 's no more time left to conceale my selfe and â—…ide from you a businesse which you must necessarily know I am Polexander the servant of Alcidiana and Phelismond is the enemy I come by her command to seeke in Denmarke After this short Declaration he related to him at large the humours of that proud Queene and told him word by word the tearmes she made use of when she let him understand by one of her slâ—…ves her aversion to his suâ—…te and himselfe As soone as he had begun this discourse Phelismond loâ—…t both his colour and countenance and looked on Polexander as if he had been no more the man to whom he had vowed so much amity At last comming to himselfe he very distinctly spoake thus to the King I shall never be capapable of contradicting Alcidiana's commands Since you come from her I am ready to bring you into the field to him whom so great a Princesse holds to be so uncivill and barbarous Come Sir you that are happy in all things let us hasten her revenge and satisfie her justice by the death of this Northerne Monster This new proofe of Phelismonds generousnesse so cooled Polexanders blood that it neither left him the power nor the desire to doe what he had so often resolved Neverthelesse after he had a long time contested with himselfe it seemed to him that Alcidiana upbraided him with his thoughts of pity and accused him of private correspondence with her enemy This made him give Phelismond this answer If our Princesse could be won by merit or rather if the distance of places had not been so exâ—…reamely disadvantagious to you I doubt not but being one of the prime Princes of the world you might have prevailed as much ore the affection of that faire Queene as you have done ore the mindes of all the North. Questionlesse I should be that Barbarian which she hath a will to destroy and you had received in my place the command which I am resolved to put in execution But let us not amuse our selves if you please in condemning the disorder we finde in our adventures but since that great Princesse will is the sole Law we ought to keepe let us on where her absolute power calls us Can I take armes replied Phelismond without adding rebellion to rashnesse No there is nothing left for me to doe but to dye Too sweete a tongue hath pronounced my sentence of death that I should desire life Pâ—…lexander strove to bring him from this extasie and perceiving how insupportable Alcidiana's disestimation was to him he repented his naming the tearmes of Monster and barbarous After Phelismond had muâ—…ed a while in fixing his eyes on the earth he at last cast them on Poleâ—…ander and told him he would go to the King to dispose so well of all things that Alcidiana should have cause to hold her selfe saâ—…isfied and after he had thus spoke he imbraced him and besought him to doe nothing till he came back from the Pallace Polexander promised to obey his command and accompanied him to his chamber where they discoursed a while of indâ—…fferent things but as soone as he was adverâ—…sed of the Kings being awake he left Polexander in the company of five or six of his particular fâ—…iends Hâ—… stated above two houres with the King and when he saw him ready to goe to the place of the combate he returned to Polexander and told him he had nâ—…w nothing to feare and how he had obtained all that was fitting for his safety Polexander thaâ—…ked his for all his favâ—…s and said aloud he thought himselfe the most unfortunate man of the world in putting him to so many troubles Hereupon he tooke his leave because t was late and returned to his lodging to put things in order After he had beene there an houre there came a Gentleman from Phelismond to intreat him to come and arme himselfe in his lodgings where he should meet with five or six Lords whom the King had sent to conduct him to the field Polexander went to him and after more then an houres being with the Prince caused himselfe to be armed The King sent to tell Phelismond he was risen from table wherupon Polexander and his conductors got to horse and came to the Justing place The Windowes the Terrasâ—…s and the Scaffolds were filled with men and women of the Court and the City and the Kings guard stood about the railes he had not beene long there when Phelismond recompanied with five or six of his friends rid round about the field and then placed himselfe right against his Rivall As soone as the King was at the window of his pavillion the Judges of the field sent to search the Combatants and dividing the Sun betwixt them set them one opposite to the other Presently the trumpers â—…ounded and the word of letting goe together the good Knight was given by the Danes King at Armes Phelismond came on with his lance in his rest as if he would have 〈◊〉 Polexander through and through Yet he made his intention appeare to be cleane contrary For Polexander he had resolved to over come him wâ—…thout lance or sword When they were in the midst of their careere they lifted up their speares and so passed without touching one another All the Assembly gave a great shâ—…ute and seemed to aske the reason of this novelty In the mâ—…ne time the two Rivalls ran the secâ—…d â—…ime and dâ—… as aâ—… first Indeed their horses who were ignorant of their intentions iâ—…countred so furiâ—…usly thaâ—… Pâ—…lexanders failed but little of being overthrowne The other 's was foâ—…ced back to the earth on his crupper and so broke his harnesse that Phelismâ—… fell â—…n tge ground This disorder put
great apprehensions that both sleeping and waking me thought I still saw that deare Prince in his grave Had I not fear'd his displeasure I had gone to see him in his Army But rather willing to be unfortunate then to undertake ought he might dislike I had recourse to my vowes and prayers and did then nothing but beg from heaven either to take me from the world or preserve to me the friendship of my deare Lord without which my life was a torment to me In lesse then three weeks I sent above twenty Postes into Guinea Those who most truly loved me return'd with that haste I commanded them and brought me the Kings letters I receiv'd them with that transport of joy you may imagine But when I saw not in them those termes of love I had read in the former Alas cried I I have lost my Lords affection Unfortunate that I am some one of my actions or of my words have receiv'd an ill interpretation I confesse deare Zabaim I have erred but how great soever my offence be it merited not so rigorous a punishment since my heart never consented to it My griefe had even carried me to despaire if my women had not used all kinde of reasons to suppresse it Sometimes they accused me for suffering my self to be deceiv'd by vaine imaginations then they put me in minde that time and businesse had changed the Kings amorous thoughts into others more serious These considerations did a while master my sorrow but a little after I rejected them and would receive no more comfort At last after I had well wept written much long expected and made many prayers and sacrifices my deare Lord return'd to me I did not think to see him of eight dayes when he came into my chamber This suddaine welcome surprisall so transported me that going to meet him I lost at once my strength my knowledge and my sight What did not that good King doe seeing the excesse of my love He kissed me a thousand times and wetting my cheekes with his teares stood a while without turning his eyes from me When he saw I came not againe he caused me to be carried and laid on my bed where joyning his mouth to my cheeks Poore Princesse said he aloud that my Nurse might heare him can I be rationall and betray thee as I do With that he held his peace and stirr'd not from my boulster till some remedies had recovered me which by little and little I did and the first thing I took notice of were some teares which were yet on my deare Lords face That sight presently blotting out all displeasing imaginations that remain'd yet behinde and making me believe I had ill conceiv'd them I gently let fall my head on Zabaims cheek and thus bespake him Your Almanzaira then is yet pleasing to you She may yet glory she enjoyes your favour and time hath not depriv'd her of that which love had given her The King could not answer me His Speech was restrained by I know not what hinderance but his silence and teares assured me of his love farre better then his words would have done I besought him to go take a little rest and after so long and painefull a journey not to give himselfe new vexations To these words I added a many more and entreated him so often to looke to his preservation that he arofe from me but in rising said Ah Almanzaira how happy should we be if we might be alwayes together Though that Speech made me feare some new disaster yet I made all other thoughts give place to that of the Kings health and pressed him so hard to go repose himselfe that he gave me that contentment He was not above two houres away when he came again to me where he passed the evening and part of the night In all which time he left not to entertaine me in the same manner he was wont before his voyage Nay me thought he had in his speeches more of tendernesse and of passion then I had noted in those I had from him when his love was most violent I know well these particularities doe but weary you and you may laugh at my simplicity but pardon if you please for this troublesome remembrance a woman who loves nothing in the world but her husband and yet cannot have the contentment to be with him Five or sixe dayes together the King was in his good humour and I already esteemed my selfe the most fortunate Princesse of my time when I found my feares were just my suspitions reasonable and the Kings kinde usage but forced He fell without any apparent cause into so deep a melancholy and was mov'd with so much impatience and disquiets that in all the Court there was none but I who found him supportable My entertainement grew troublesome to him all companies displeas'd and not suffering himselfe to be seene but seldome he abode whole dayes retired in his Cabinet His anxiety went yet further It made him hate his Palace the aboade in townes and the frequency of his Courtiers He retir'd him to a Castle which his Predecessors had built for their pleasure in hunting and seem'd to be delighted with that Sport to have some pretence and meanes to muse and plod at his liberty and wander the woods alone This life made me feele my first griefes and search all the imaginable meanes to know the cause of it and thereto to apply a remedy Before I had recourse to those extraordinary I would try the most speedy and facile I therefore went to the King in his retirement and besought him by his first affection to tell me the cause of his melancholy Deare Almanzaira said he if it be true that thou yet lovest me doe not enquire after my affliction Get thee from me and let me undergoe the punishment I have deserved The feare I had to displease him kept me from pressing him any farther or staying longer with him With mine eyes drown'd in teares I left him and promised in that to shew my obedience as well as in all other things Believe what I am now about to tell you and thereby judge of my Lords noble nature He could not refraine from weeping when I went from him and the griefe he had to see me afflicted made him to teare his haire and oftentimes beg his death from the Deities When I was come back to Senega my first sorrowes renewed and feare representing to me the future more unfortunate then I have found it made me leade a life so retired as if with the Kings favour I had for ever lost the hope of seeing him againe At last I threw my selfe into the armes of the afflicteds Comforter and thence supplicated for sufficient strength to resist so prodigious a calamity Truly that Bounty that would not have a teare of theirs lost who are conformable to its will suffer'd not mine to be fruitlesse but granted all I petitioned for See how it hap'ned You may please to know that
hand which I kisse said she and by this submission wherewithall I implore thy goodnesse deare Solyman pardon me those faults which the excesse of my love have made me commit against thee I confesse I am unworthy thy love since I would have purchas'd it by other charmes then those of my affection and perseveranee but if I have judges a little more pitifull then thy selfe I shall finde mercy For tell me lovely Soiyman what faults are pardonable if that of too much love deserves to be punished The Princesses speech did renew in my memory but confusedly some particularities of my sicknesse and that reiterating the desire I had to know all Faire Princesse said I the unfortunate Solyman knows too wel theeffects of love to condemn as criminal the actions to which he enforceth us Al that his absolute power make us undertake is just and if some one think otherwise he knows not what love is After this fear not faire Princesse to declare what you have done to me know that we never understand better how violent a passion is but when it puts on such as it possesseth to actions extreamely violent May I beleeve replied Ennoramita that 't is from thy selfe and not the vertue of some new charme which gives thee so favourable thoughts and makes thee so pitifull If it be so let Fate doe its worst I will never thinke my estate unhappy Ennoramita having put on this resolution related to me all that I have told you and the meanes she made use of to try the overcomming my insensibility Afterwards she acquainted me with the causes of my last sicknesse and suddainely casting her selfe on me Deare Solyman said she I say not if thou love me but if thou hast pity on a Princesse who is even mad for thy love hinder me since 't is in thy power from losing mine honour with my life Thou hast both in thy hands Deale with them as a man truly generous and strive to constraine thy selfe a little that the King my father may not discover how I have beguil'd him I aske thee nothing but that thou faigne thy selfe to be a maiden and induring the love he beares thee be so noble as to draw me out of a labyrinth whose intricacies thou onely canst winde through Instead of answering the Princesse I began to reflect on her miseries and mine owne and exclaiming against heaven Justice eternall said I which raignest over us why intendest thou to inflict such strange punishments on poore miserable creatures which are but the play-toyes of our passions and the examples of a deplorable weakenesse And thou unfortunate Princesse then I addressed my selfe to Ennoramita what pretend'st thou by thy obstinate affection Thou lovest a wretch that cannot love thee I must needs confesse it I love as well as thee and my love as well as thine is accompanied with so cruell a destiny that it cannot attaine to what it aspires Thou follow'st me and I follow another I flye from thee and by another am as fast fled from Thou intreatest I would have pity on thee I grant it provided thou be not unpitifull to me Let 's do the like one for another and since our diseases are equally dangerous let us run both to the same remedy 'T is fit I should conforme my selfe to your opinion replied Ennoramita but 't is impossible for me I wish thy peace and yet I cannot chuse but disturbe it Yet I am not desperate of being able to please thee but thou must give me a great deale of time to performe a matter of that difficulty Grant me that which I request thee and I will yeeld to what you desire This last word so seis'd on the Princesses heart that she was neere suffocated in pronouncing it The teares fell abundantly from her eyes and her sighes impetuously driving out one another resembled the impetuous course of a torrent which had overflowed the damme that oppos'd it No sooner was she a little resettled but the King her father came into my chamber and accosting me with a countenance that witnessed how deare my life was to him Now said he I perceive my prayers have beene heard and heaven hath granted to my Sacrifices the recovery of faire Philomela 't was under that name Ennoramita made me passe for a maid And truly said he it had beene too rigorous had it condemned to a precipitated death or to a perpetuall languishment a beauty which for its owne glory merits not onely to live long on earth but to be there perpetually happy Sir replied I if ought could give me comfort in my sad fortune I had met it in the entertainement I receive from your Majesty and the Princesse your daughter But alas the misery I am falne in is so great that not onely it can have no end but it even deprives me of the capacity of being comforted Melicerta is dead and by consequence there is no more happinesse left for me in the world The deare name of Melicerta renewing within me the sense of those miseries whereunto I had exposed her drew such abundance of teares from mine eyes that Muley Hassen could not doubt the truth of my losse He thought it fit seeing me so sensible of my misfortune not to discover any griefe of his owne He therefore contented himselfe in making appeare to me by reasons and examples that 't was a thing unheard of among men to love that which had no existence But he added I hope the same hand which hath redeemed you from the grave will free you from these mournfull and funerall cogitations which are so fatall to your repose Many other words he us'd which I will not repeate and 't was very late ere he went from me As long as my extreame weaknesse forced me keep my bed all the day and part of the night I had with me either the father or the daughter assoone as the one left me the other tooke the place and both of them speaking to me of their affection in lieu of afflicting as you may imagine they comforted me since they represented to me mine owne I utter'd boldly before them both the deare name of Melicerta I besought her to heare my laments to thinke how my constancie was assaulted and to give it the vertue of continuing victorious When I spoke thus before Ennoramita Shall I said she make my prayers contrary to thine or implore heaven not to heare thee In one same instant my affection commands and forbids it it would have me love thee owne for mine sake and by the same reason wish the losse of Melicerta on the other side it would have me love thee for thy sake and by consequence pray for Melicerta's safetie Thus that happie enamour'd Lady is not onely beloved by him she affecteth but is affected by what she persecuteth Againe Solyman in this contestation meets both with his content and glory he satisfies his passion in resisting what opposeth it and by the power of her allurements makes
question whatsoever Phelismond spoke to him dismissed all the Physitians and thought that dances maskes playes and other sportive pastimes were the best remedies which my new physitian prescribed for my recoverie But that new Leech soone repented him of his counsell for the King imagining that Phelismond would be as able to suppresse my malady as he had judgement to discover it commanded him to be with me as often as he could and intreating I would cast off that melancholy which might be my ruine assured me that if I did but contribute somewhat to part of my health Phelismond's conversation would be able to perfect all the rest thus he parted after he had unwittingly given me so true counsell Phelismond who hath ever kept that respect to his Master as not to abuse his favour staid at my beds-head to shew his obedience and being excellent at the relation of stories was willing to begin one that might divert me and withall relate his fortune but presently I perceiv'd how violently he forc'd himselfe to it and therefore touched with his constraint I stopp'd him at the very first to let him know the excesse of my love by that of my compassion Doe not said I Phelismond force your selfe any more your concent is too deare to me to sacrifice it to my peace I had rather die then to redeeme my self from the grave with the losse of your happinesse leave then when you please the miserable Helismena and seare not that either to be revenged or to be cured she will ever complaine of your crueltie death is most deare to her since she is permitted to tell you that for you she dies Phelismond unable to resist his sweet nature nor the pity I wrought in him shed a torrent of teares before me call'd himselfe a hundred times ufortunate lastly cast himselfe on his knees and speaking to me with a freedome which gave me some satisfaction Madam said he if I may expect from your Highnesse a favour which I deserve not be pleas'd I may discover my thoughts to you and that without coloring either with feare or respect or any other specious falsities the refusall I am bound to make of your love I may say to you that being absolutely anothers I cannot be yours that Queene whose picture hath ravished all the Court possesseth what you desire of me and I should be a traitor if I promised you an affection which is not in my power to give you I confesse my ingagements to the King your father and your incomparable vertues should plucke out of my soule this stranger passion and forcing my inclination make me finde my pleasure in my dutie and what concernes me but Madam what opinion would you have of a man that should be capable of so great an infidelity and what can your Highnesse expect from a heart so remisse and weake as to accommodate his love with his fortune or faithlesse enough to conceive as many desires as there are objects worthie to be coveted Give me leave then Madam to repeate what I lately said and make a protestation which shall be just though it may seeme insolent and 't is that Alcidiana shall be the sole object of my love and that I will sooner die as many times if it be possible as your lawfull indignation can make you wish it rather then I will infranchise my selfe from the glorious servitude wherein my inclination and Alcidiana's vertues have so sweetly inthrall'd me When Phelismond had done I was so ravished at his constancie and generousnesse that it was not in my power either to condemne his resolution or to complaine of the contempt he made of my affection on the contrary I approv'd of them both and seeing that Prince at my feet which seem'd to confesse himselfe guiltie and ask'd me pardon for his offence Love Alcidiana said I since heaven will have it so and because 't is there decree'd too permit Helismena to love you Phelismond arose from before my bed-side so pusled and divided betweene his love and mine that I doubt not but in himselfe he thought him very unhappie that he could not absolutely become at my disposall and solely mine This inabilitie was the cause of my recoverie for I tooke comfort in my misfortune by knowing that the author of it was no lesse afflicted for it then my selfe and I thought that in his intimation of his impossibilitie of loving me he made knowne to me a new kinde of love whereof till then I was altogether ignorant Assoone as I had recovered my strength and was permitted to leave my chamber I appear'd in Court with that same cheerfulnesse which had before time got me the name of the delight of Denmarke for all that I was secretly fed on by my passion but I conceal'd it very warily for feare lest Phelismond should be thereby anew discontented and though there scarse passed a day wherein I spent not at least two houres in bewailing with teares apart the misfortunes of my life yet in publike I appeared so pleasant that Phelismond himselfe was deceiv'd aâ—… it and beleev'd time had absolutely cured me To that extremitie was I brought when you came to fight with Phelismond his defeature mightily afflicted me and but for his consideration which retained me I had wrought my father's choler to higher violence then it ran then It may be you are yet ignorant of the person who wonne him to violate the faith he had given you and made him so wilfully bent to your ruine I would have you know Polexander that my desire to revenge the affront you had done my love mademe imploy all my credit and power for your destruction The King who hath alwayes beene a great observer of his word was a very long time before he would hearken to the reasons I alledged against you but I so pli'd him on all sides and gave him so many severall assaults that he was forc'd to yeeld hereupon your death was resolv'd on but when I understood that Phelismond grew inraged at your ill treatment and had therefore pluck'd off all that which had been appli'd to his wounds of purpose to undoe himselfe my desire to preserve him kept me from perfecting your ruine I dexterously therefore put a new face on all businesse and had lesse trouble to obtaine your pardon from the King my father then I had in getting him to signe a warrant for your death When I was inform'd that Phelismond affected you I slack'd my hatred and turned all my choler on Alcidiana No said I to my self I will never indure that any poore pettie Princesse who for all her Territories hath but a little shelfe or rocke knowne only by the shipwracke of some unfortunate mariners should be so overweening as to esteeme of the most excellent of men no otherwise then as of one incivilis'd and unworthy either to breathe or to serve her Presumptuous Alcidiana said I as if she had beene present thy insolence will ruine thee and if Phelismond
not onely strengthned mee in strengthning it selfe but serv'd for a speciall remedie to all my languishments The Court seeing me suddenly got from death to life knew not to what to attribute either the cause of my sicknesse or that of my health Even Amintha was deceiv'd in it and admiring so sudden a recovery perswaded her selfe that my maladie was no other then the melancholy vapours of the spleen A little while after my full amendment Arziland King of the Isle of Madera being by a tempest cast on our coast came to the Court and having seen the Queen began to be so foolishly amorous that he threatned to put all her Island to fire and sword if she declared not her acceptance of his love I thought then that I could not better imploy my life then in freeing the Queen from that Monster and that the service I might render her in that occasion would be of a greater importance then the former I had done her in the attempt of Siziphus I sent therefore to defie the Giant but thinking for certaine that I should be flaine in the combate I resolv'd to provide my selfe a faire funerall and to make knowne at least in dying the love I had conceal'd all my life time I put on a gilded armour which by the rayes upon it did not ill represent the Sun My Helmet cast forth beames too and I had for my crest the Phenix which Alcidiana took for the bodie of her Embleme Upon my buckler which was as shining as mine armour I had caus'd an Eagle to be painted in the region where the thunder is ingendred Yet in spight of all lightning and thunder claps hee flew thorow it and fixedly gaz'd on the Sun For the word to this Device there was this which spake my thoughts plaine enough I HOPE TOO MUCH TO FEARE Cover'd with these armes I went and met with Arziland and was so fortunate that after a combate of eight or ten houres I cut off the Giants right hand When he saw himselfe without armes and unable for defence hee confess'd hee was overcome and loathing to survive his shame would have kill'd himselfe But Alcidiana who preserv'd him to serve for a redoubtable example to all such rash ones as hee caus'd him to be put in strong hold and commanded that speciall care should be had of his life In the meane time I who had received divers great wounds fell as I had been dead in the place of combate and if the Queen had not shew'd that my life was so extremely deare unto her without doubt the day of my victorie had been the day of my death My wounds were so great that I kept my bed almost six moneths and was foure or five more ere I went out of my chamber Alcidiana the third time took the paines to come and visit me and gave me such signes of favour that my love in its greatest extravagancies could never promise to it selfe Arziland the while being gotten into case sufficient to be able to suffer the punishment whereto the Queens justice had condemn'd him was taken out of prison and lead to the place where he was to lose his life Though in the Inaccessible Island wee adore but one God yet there are Temples in severall places which from all antiquitie are dedicated to particular Deities In one there is worshipped a God which they term the God of Revenge The Annalls of our Kingdome tell us that that Temple was built by a Queen who having been long time earnestly sued to by a man unworthy her bed and after the receiving a great many wrongs and outrages from him at last took him in a day of battell When the barbarous man saw himselfe in the power of a personage whom he had so ill treated he never crav'd her pardon but besought her that she would not delay too long the time of his punishment That Princesse hearing from her Priests that their God had reserv'd vengeance to himselfe built to him a Temple during the imprisonment of her enemy under the name of the God of Revenge and causing the prisoner to be brought thither commanded he should be sacrific'd on the altar of that Deitie as a victime which was reserv'd for him Arziland who had committed the same fault receiv'd the same punishment For Alcidiana thought she could not doe better then to imitate the example of her Ancestor And to give the more terrour to such Princes as loved her she sent to proclaime in a thousand places a Declaration by which shee held for irreconcilable enemies all those that had the boldnesse to take on them the name of her lovers After Arziland had receiv'd his punishment and a Herald of the Queens sent into Europe she betook her selfe to her former manner of living and shutting her selfe up in her palace there relish'd againe her wonted innocent contentments I the while who knew very well the offence I had commiâ—…ted in discovering my love was tortured with a perpetuall remorse and not possibly imagining that after so visible signes of my passion Alcidiana should be still ignorant of it I drew out my malady to a longer date and could not put on any resolution to suffer my selfe to be cured But the tokens of goodnesse which I almost daily receiv'd from that Princesse the titles of honour which she added to those I had already and the excessive presents she sent not onely to my mother but to all those of my bloud made me beleeve at first that she understood nought of my designe but since that my vanitie and good fortune so dazled mee that I perswaded my selfe Alcidiana knew of my love and that shee was glad to see the continuance of it On this opinion which hath been the cause of all my miseries I hastened my cure and repair'd againe to the Palace with all diligence The Queen her selfe welcom'd me with such extraordinary demonstrations of favour that I grew confirm'd in that foolish beliefe which my vanitie had wrought in me So my last errours waxing worse then my first and particularly that of not being hated by the Queen working in me such thoughts as you may imagine I grew so insolent that there scarce pass'd an houre in the day wherein I did not violate some one of the lawes of the private Court and gloried in the neglect of that respect which I owed to the most generous Mistresse in the world I came into her privie chamber before shee was clad There I was when they dress'd her head and oftentimes taking out of her womens hands such things as shee used for that attire I was so indiscreet as to offer to doe their office The Queen wink'd at all these impertinencies and when I told some tales which truly were faulty enough to have made me been banish'd for ever from her presence she drown'd all in the greatnesse of my service and that shee might not be ingaged to reprove mee feign'd shee heard nothing Sometime her Lady of Honour
wonder of this age had not been long in our Court but by his admirable indowments he grew so extreamly recommendable that he became the love and admiration of all Alcidiana confesseth to you that that Heroës virtue join'd to the service he had done her against her rebellious subjects insensibly wonne her to wish him well She did that at the beginning by way of acknowledgment which she did afterwards for her owne satisfaction In a word she lov'd him but perceiving her love began to goe beyond the limits she had prescrib'd it and what she indevour'd to conceale would in spight of her divulge it selfe sometimes by her disturbances otherwhiles by her deep musing then again by complaysancies which she deem'd unworthy her virtue and in briefe by the alteration of her complection she resolv'd to indure it no longer To make it sure she thought the best way was to get Polexander away While she was contriving it an occasion was offered in the stealing away of Amintha by a Spanish Pirate So soon as the newes came to Polexander he got to sea made after Amintha's ravisher Many dayes he pursued him and as many nights but in vain for a tempest drove him one way the pirate another In the mean while the love that Prince bore to the Queen my Mistris scarce permitting him to live out of her fight he left poor Amintha to the mercy of the ravisher and preferring slavery before all the Empire which his vertue had given he thought on nothing but of entring into Alcidiana's chaines A thousand times he strove to get to the Inaccessible Island as often the quality of that Isle beguild his hopes made him run almost through all the Ocean and yet found it not again After he had spent neare two years in such bootless voyages and undergone all the incommodities which accompany long navigations he arriv'd at the Isle of two Tyrants There he slew Amintha's ravisher and set that Lady again at liberty but his generousnesse ingaging him to avenge the Queen Tysiphone for the outrages she had receiv'd from the gyant Astramadan he was murdered by that tyrants subjects and Amintha after she had long time bewail'd the death of that famous Prince was forc'd to get to sea to avoid the violence of those of that Isle Almost assoon as she was under saile a tempest arose and by a strange accident being separated from the faithfull and generous Alcippus Polexanders favorite she was at last fortunatly cast on the coasts of the Inaccessible Island where being known of all she was brought to the Court and welcom'd by Alcidiana with so much joy as if after the lamenting her for dead she had been newly rais'd to life againe But the Queenes contentment was disturb'd by that which Amintha related touching the death of Polexander And since that time our Princesse hath not given over the afflicting her selfe with continuall plaints and lamentations Her conscience or rather her affection continually upbraides her for the death of the Canaryes King and makes her believe that she is truly guilty of it Every night his Ghost all goary either appeares or seems to appeare to her and displaying his wounds See saith he to her to what a case the desire of seeing and serving you hath brought mee But how deare is my misfortune to me since you pity it with what pleasure doe I spend my bloud since it drawes teares from you and how beneficiall is my death to me since it hath acquir'd me a place in your memory I should never have done if I would relate what Polexanders ghost spoke mightily to Alcidiana However my Lord these visions wrought an alteration in her health troubled her repose and brought her to such extremities that if they leave her not I shall soon see my Country full of afflictio such calamities as must follow the death of Alcidiana Loe here my Lord all that which my Mistris commanded me to communicate unto you and since she can expect from nâ—…e other then heaven the tranquillity she hath lost she beseecheth you to offer sacrifice for the expiation of her offence if shee be guilty of Polexanders death Yet what e're betide she beseecheth you to remember him in your devotions and to beg from heaven for a cessation of these visions which persecute her and since she shew'd not her selfe insensible of Polexanders love but that shee might not be so in the respect of her honour that it would not permit her innocency to be look'd on as a crime After Lynceus had spoke Alcippus reply'd thus The Deity whom we adore is too cleer-sighted to find any blots in so pure a life as that of Alcidiana Assure her from him that shee is not guilty of Polexanders death and that her disquiets proceed from some other sourse then that pricking remorse wherwithall the Eternall Justice begins to inflict vengeance in this life on offenders 'T is her love Lynceus that brings on these dreames and is the cause of all the agitations which molest her I advise her to quiet her minde Yet I forbid her not to love the memory of Polexander since 't is all she can love of him now But I would have her love to be peacefull and quiet and if it be true that my minde is somtime inlightned by the beames which come from above I assure her that heaven in retribution of her virtues preserves for her such contentments as it communicates not to many Princes Lynceus fully satisfi'd with this answer took leave of the Arch-priest and so well imprinted in his memory all that was said to him that he truely related it to the Queen his Mistris Alcippus on the other side perceiving it lay in his power to render our Heroe perfectly happy was almost ready to disclose to him what he had newly discovered but being retain'd by the sanctity of his oath and the Majesty he had call'd to witnesse He thought in becoming perjur'd he should in lieu of advancing Polexanders happinesse infallibly ruine it by his execrable untruth He therefore protested again to discover to him nothing of Alcidiana's secret and went to bed so well pleas'd with his vow that from that very night he tasted such contentments as ever since made him tread under foot all those that are earthly The next morning he went to the Temple and consecrating himselfe wholly to heaven promis'd solemnly to have it ador'd with all the purity had ever been taught to man That very day the bloudy sacrifice was to be offered and Polexander as Prince of the Clergie was bound to supply the place of the Arch-prelate at that dismall Ceremony He then be thought him it was time to put in execution what he had resolv'd with Alcippus and to imploy all his eloquence and credit for the abolishing of that horrible custome of humane sacrifices Assoon therefore as they advertis'd him that the Priests of the Sun and Alcidiana's Embassadors were assembled in the Temple he went
bindrance why every day some murther is not committed or some treason contrived You shall by and by see at the entry of the Fortresse a great many heads not only of meane Souldiers but of such as have been in the place that now I am of whom the justice or to say more properly the mistrust of these Pirates hath made most bloudy and dreadfull examples Whilst Bajazet thus entertained his prisoner those whom he had sent to Barbaroussa returned with the leave they went for Assoone as he had it he went on and comming to the Lake with Iphidamantus went into a boate which came thither to waft them Iphidamantus was staid by Barbaroussa at his landing and could not be received into the Fortresse till Bajazet had bound himselfe on his life to be answerable for him When Iphidamantus was in the midst of the place he marked the inside and admired the incredible strength that Art had joyned to Nature Bajazet undertaking him You have good cause said he to view well this place for t is such a one as you may well call it the Master-peece of all the Invention and power of man These channels full of water which turning one within another represent a sleeping Serpent are great proofesof the industry and paynes of those that first contrived them The Lake by which wee came hither is onely filled with the water which by little and little comes from those channels and what I finde most strange in this worke is that by secret conduits and pipes hidden under ground these Pirates can let flow all these waters over what part soever of the Island they please and when any necessity requires it I will shew you when you please the place where by this devise all the campe of the King of Morocco was drowned when that Prince thought to have brought the Inhabitants of this Island to the utmost extremity Bajazet ending his discourse to Iphidamantus and receiving the Rovers which came to tender their duties to him ascended to his stately Palace He made an honour to it himselfe and lead his faire Prisoner to the lodgings he had provided for him How will my Readers neglect those famous cabinets and proud chambers where the curiosity and luxury of our Age have so high and costfully laid open their charmes after they have seene the description which I am obliged to make of Iphidamantus lodgings This Prince first came into a chamber hung with tapistry of a cloth of silver on a ground of gold the best wrought and richest that ever the Portugals have brought from Persia or China the rest of the furniture was of the same stuffe on this tapistry there were divers Armes of gold and christall and betweene them pictures some in tablets of chrystall of the rock with gold others of rubies of Emeraulds and glasses whose borders covered with Diamonds tooke away the light and lustre of their cleerenesse and were at once both the pleasure and the paine of the eye that beheld them The roofe and the floore of this chamber had their different beauties but let the ingenuous Reader supply what I cannot expresse and imagine what Iphidamantus had over his when his feet trod on that which Kings weare on their heads There was no bed in this chamber Bajazet through this brought him into another which having nothing of the other was more magnificent and delightfull The floore and the wals were covered with a worke-made in compartments of Ebony and Ivory heightned with streakes of gold and silver and enriched with Moresk-worke and devices cut on curious stones Above the wainescot there were a great number of vessels of Jasper Chrystall Agate Amber and Emeraulds and of perfume boxes of gold which made the pleasures of smelling envy those of the sight From the foote of these vessels sprung a vine of gold which ran over a frame of silver the leaves were of gold enammelled with greene and the bunches to represent a white grape were composed of pearels of different greatnesse and severall beauty The leaves of the windowes were of the wood of Cedar and Roses and the panes were of Chrystall The seeling was of a hollow mirror made of many Venice glasses so industriously joyned together that by a miracle in perspective you would have thought your selfe to be under a vault of an extreame highnesse On one side of the chamber there was a bedsted of silver with Persian coverings the Cushions were of blew velvet embroydered with pearles the Tables and chaires all alike and the foote-clothes sutable to the bed and seates Bajazet left Iphidamantus with his Chyrurgeons and eight or ten Moorish slaves who had all carquenets of silver about their necks and legs but before he left him he fell into this false Civility which every Gentleman condemnes and every well-bred man practiseth He desired his pardon for the incommodity he was to receive by so ill a lodging Iphidamantus made no reply to his Compliment but made him perceive his admiration of the others prodigious riches Two or three howres after Bajazet came to him againe and after some discourse Iphidamantus besought him to relate by what conquest he had got together so great treasures in comparison of which those of the greatest Kings were not considerable You see by that answered Bajazet smiling that the life of a Pirate is not altogether unworthy an honest man since it doth equalize him with Kings But you wonder at small things When you have seene the publique magazins and knowne the riches of particulars you will be enforced to beleeve that if we had as much ambition as treasure wee were capable to conquer the whole world Another time I will tell you how we came by this wealth For the present think on your rest and the end of your cure This discourse was seconded by many others and those ended Bajazet tooke his leave of Iphidamantus and withdrew himselfe The two or three first dayes the Pirates much troubled with their ill fortune abode in a tranquillity not usuall to them But assoone as the hopes of that which might after betide them had made them forget the past disaster they drowned their losses in wine and to make up their late abstinence redoubled their feasts and debauches Bajazet who was naturally an enemy to these riots that he might not be a spectator was almost continually with Iphidamantus One day as they were talking of the adventures of Polexander a Pirate called Achaim came and presented to him a man who for his face and habit was taken for a Spaniard After Bajazet had seen him Achaim intimated that when the tempest had seperated the rest of his fleet and driven them as far as the Isle of Capevert he met with this Spaniard He will tell you who he is said the Pirate and of the new world which a certaine Genuois hath lately discovered for the Kings of Spain Bajazet very humanely entertained this Spaniard and promising to send him to his Country
justice of your quarrell and the good fortune of your armes I promise to bring you Sodomond and his complices dead or alive and by exemplary chasticements pluck for ever out of the mindes of the other Caciques the seeds of revolting Quasmez weighing what my Lord the Inca might doe by that which he had already performed gave consent to so just a petition and giving him an Army of an hundred thousand men conjured him to assay all the waies of sweetnesse and agreement before he came to a battle You will wonder certainely at this that in so little time Quasmez could bring a hundred thousand men into the field and this wonder may arise from your judging of the customes of our world by that of yours But I know so much of your manner of living to tell you that t is otherwise there Amongst you there are none goe to the warres but gentlemen and beggers the first to get honour and the last to rob and ransack the rest which are commonly the richest stay at home and contribute but very little to the charge of warre attending the successe with as much quiet as indifferency We have more laudable and generous customes We are all borne Souldiers and upon the least occasion are found ready to march There are none left in the Townes and Villages but women and children Old men and young rich and poore take armes and because they are made equall by their valour they goe all with a like affection where their Prince and party calls them I make no doubt but this declaration hath ceased your astonishment but I am sure that the rest of my discouse will give you another that shall be far greater as it shall be more just Prepare your selves for it presently and by the miracles that I shall relate to you judge to what a point of greatnesse Zelmatida had raised â—…imselfe if love jealous of his reputation and fortune enemy of his extraordinary virtues had not chained his arme and taken a way his desire of glory with that of his life The Inca having mustered his Troupes and put some order amongst so great a number of combatants marcht directly to the Province of Cenusia Sodomond came to meet him and offered him battell with his owne forces and those of all the other rebells Zelmatida to obey Quasmez would not accept of it but on the contrary sent new Embassadors to Sodomond to propose to him most advantagious conditions of peace But when he saw that neither his offers nor threatnings touched the Barbarian he resolved to fight and let fly his bloudy colours He went streight through all his Army and accommodating his speech to the nature of his Soldiers filled them with valour and indignation Presently Sodomond whose pride had taken from him the knowledge of his strength and courage belâ—…eved that he might fight with Zelmatida and with this opinion came and defied him Zelmatida was ravished with this challenge and accepting it made himself ready to make Sodomond repent him of his rashnesse At the first blow â—…e gave him a wound in his right arme and with his second strook him to the earth He might have killed him had he listed but thinking that revenge unworthy his courage he left him to the mercy of his Souldiers who tore him in peeces The end of this combate was the beginning of the battell Twenty rebellious Caciques had formed with their men twenty batalions and had disposed of them so that they had but one front One of these Caciques a very experimented Captaine had so ordered his Troupes that they might not be defeated but one after another or rather to give time to a routed batalion to fly without being pursued and after they had new ranked themselves behinde the rest to frame a new batalion Macaraib so was this Captaine called came in the head of the first batalion and was the first too that Zelmatida sacrificed to the just choler of Quasmez His Souldiers made some resistance but being entred into and broaken some of them were slaine and the rest to reunite themselves got behinde the last batalion The second conducted by Abrayba the third by Terracequy Cacique of the Isle of Pearles the fourth by Torrucia and the fifth by Procorosa scarce stood at all before Zelmatida He tooke these five Caciques alive and causing them to be chained sent them into his Campe Tamanama lead the sixth batalion It was a Prince in the flowre of his age very faire and valiant who caried on the crest of his headpeece a handfull of haire which the Princesse Coriza had given him for a token of her affection He came up to Zelmatida with a warlike pace and love raising his courage he promised to himselfe to cut off the head of Zelmatida and to present it to his Mistris Zelmatida that was almost of the same age was moved with his sweet countenance and manhood and desiring to make him his friend resolved to save his life He fought with him then but in such a manner that he gave those who stood spectators of the combate good cause to thinke that he had no great desire to overcome him Tumanama perceiving that all his power was too weake to atchieve his generous intention and how Zelmatida would not make use of the advantage he had over him retired five or six paces and setting the point of his Javelin in the earth Brave warriour said he to the Inca deprive me not of the honour that many a combate hath given me and imprint not on the front of a Prince who would be thy friend the shame of being vanquished I know that being inwrapt in the rebellion of my brothers I should be so too in their punishments But doe for the love of the faire Coriza that which thou wilt not for mine and know that the remorse of violating my faith is a greater punishment then that wherewithall thy Armies threaten me Zelmatida taking this young Prince by the hand I accept thy friendship said he upon the same conditions thou presentest it me Live then victorious not of thy enemies which is but a common glory but of thy selfe which is the greatest of all victories and since thy conscience will not suffer thee of a party whereinto some discontent hath lead thee take that then which she proposeth thee and give thy companions an example how they should acknowledge their faults Tumanamafelt himselfe so redevalbe to Zelmatida's courtesie that turning his armes against his Allies he joyned his batalion to the Troupes of Quasmez and ran furiously to set on Bononiama chiefe of the seventh batalion I should be too tedious should I relate to you the defeate of the other Caciques You may know that of thirteen remaining five were flaine by Zelmatida two by Tumama and the rest taken prisoners More then threescore thousand were killed and with the losse of their lives paid for the extravagancies of their Masters Quasmez lost there twelve or fifteen thousand men but by the
therefore look'd on him and knowing him what said he shall Zelmatida be so unfortunate that his deare Tumanama will not know him These words brought Tumanama back againe from the deepe meditation wherein he was in undoing his Mistesses chaines and made him turne his eyes on Zelmatida After he had earnestly looked on him he knew him though the lightsomnes of the place was not sufficient to make them well knowe their countenances and rising to embrace him O my deliverer said he hath the providence of the gods brought you into these Deserts to save my life a second time and to preserve to the faire Coriza this unworthy cause of her afflictions as well as of her love Zelmatida embrac'd him often times before he made answere and hiding from him the truth of his voyage told him that the service of the King his father oblieged him to goe to the Court of the King of Mexico unknowne he came thither by chance where five men would have murthered him whom he had kill'd But tell me said he by what strange accident the Princesse Coriza came to be in that estate I found her and why you have flayne a man who seem'd to take on him her defence That story is long reply'd Tumanama yet I will not forbeare to relate it as succinctly as I can But first bee pleased that I unloade my faire Princesse of those chaines with which the perfidious Maranita hath shewed her more his bruitishnesse then his affection When he had said thus he kneeled down and was in that posture till he had broken all the faire Coriza's bonds This done he presented Zelmatida to the Princesse and adressing his discourse to her See said he Coriza the generous Prince that for your sake forgetting my revolts and insolencies would not only give me my life and preserve my honour but withall disdain'd not to receive me into the number of his frends You see what he hath done for your deliverance give me leave to relate to him by what mishap you came to have neede of his courage and that I may justifie my selfe for the death of the traytor that fought for you Coriza here began to speake and told Zelmatida that the perplexities wherein she was gave her not the liberty to satisfie the obligations in which she was bound to him as well for her owne conservation as for her lovers but said she untill a better fortune give mee abler meanes to acknowledge your favours accept the recytall of my mishappes for a beginning of my payment Here Tumanama began and making use of the permission that Coriza gave him I was at the point said he to Zelmatida to receive not the recompance of my services for they are not considerable but the greatest proofes of the goodnesse of Coriza when as Maranita whom I had bred up as my brother and made partaker of all my secrecies as the best of my friends resolv'd himselfe on a treason so bruitish that it is not possible love should be the cause of it I had sent him to accompany the Princesse and to receive her out of my commands but he most perfidious having long before combyn'd with some others like himselfe for the taking away of Coriza surprized her one night and carried her away from the midst of her guards and chayning her as you saw brought her into this place with an intent to goe further even to the Court of Montezuma to finde there a Sanctuary for her perfidy The news of this attempt being brought me imagine if possible you can the complaints I made the blasphemies I threw out against the providence of our gods and the horrible actions my despaire made me resolve on I flew after the ravisher of my blisse without the knowledge or my advertizing of any of my subjects and fearing no danger but that which threatned Coriza I ran through the Woods and Mountaines and got into the countrey of my greatest enemy I was so happy in my search that yesterday at Sun-set I descry'd Maranita's troupe That object transporting me with 〈◊〉 I neither considered the number of my enemies nor the inequality of the combat I was about but desperately fell in among the traytors to have atleast the contentment to die in the sight of my Coriza Maranita eyther not induring to see mee or persecuted with the remorse of his Conscience made ten or twelve of his associats to turne on me and kept forth his way whilest I strove to rid me of those that would stop me I spent all the rest of the day to bring them in case that they should no more contest with me for my passage and party of the night to follow the ravisher You saw how I found him and you must now informe me who were those that fought with him and what oblieged you to fight in his defence Therewith Coriza spake Zelmatida said shee to her lover cannot satisfie your demand I alone knowe the true cause of that combat not only because it was done in my presence but that by my endeavâ—…ur it was undertaken You shall know that among those whose service Maranita made use of for my rape there were two who not being able to see mee without loving me at least they strove to perswade me so gave me their fayths that they would free mee from the hands of that Traytor But they asked me for my ransome that which I could not grant them I feyn'd yet to consent and did so dexâ—…rously keepe them in their resolution that seeing my selfe at the point to lose that person which of all in the world is most deare to mee and incomparably more precious then my life I would try this last remedy and by all meanes â—…ee mee from the tyranny of Maranita I call'd then for my two lovers and having conjur'd them to leave me no longer at the mercy of our common enemie I perswaded them so effectually that presently under some ill pretext they quarelled and fell on him Truly on this occasion he shewed a great deale of courage Two of his enemies he slew and though his owne had not come to helpe him I beleeve hee had beene able enough to have dispatch'd all the rest Amongst the five bodies you see lying there on my right hand are my unfortunate lovers This while those that remayned of the conspiracy desirous to revenge their deaths let drive at Maranita but being stoutly repuls'd they were constrayned to take them to their heeles Maranita transported with fury followed them with those of his owne party and was an houre before I saw him againe For my self I was not in a little trouble for I saw an occasion present it selfe to get me away and when I would have put it in execution I knew that by reason of the chaines on my heeles I was not possibly able to goe I threw my selfe then on the ground againe and calling oftentimes Tumanama to helpe me I would needes try whether my fetters were not strong enough to
him very favourable for by that he had sooner the liberty to speake to Isatida and to continu e the discourse which he had begun the day before He drew neere her and unheard of any body tooke so fitly an occasion to make her know his sufferings that in lieu of those ordinary neglects which are most commonly the first answers of those that are spoken to in the dialect of love he received from Isatida only words of civility All the rest of the day passed in the like entertaines and if I may speake it before that my deare Master left that amyable Princesse he had cause to beleeve that her discretion much pleased him The night comming on the Queene returned with all her Court but more satisfied with Zelmatida's valour then his wit On the other side the Prince not being able to repent the overture of his affection to Isatida was willing to let some daies slip away to give time to that Princesse to accustome her selfe to his passion In the meane while the continuall converse he had with her made him discover so many new inticements that he had been indeed morâ—… insensible then judicious if he had preferred the hopes of an Empire before those of the enjoying Isatida Besides he saw himselfe received with so much sweetnesse and his discourse listned to with so many signes of satisfaction that had he been lesse scrupulous then he was he had been aâ—…ured of the Pincesses good affection But his discretion and love forbad him to hope for so great a happinesse yet finding her one day in a place where with freedome he might use his language he let his passion so much transport him that he made her a more ample and expresse declaration then any of his former and that shee might not condemn him of boldnesse or daring assured her that he was the sonne of a King This audacious proposition was in all likelyhood to have a contrary successe then it had but the Prince his infinite love and the purity of his intention deserv'd not a lesse favourable treatment Isatida blush'd at the freenesse of my deare Master and rested some while silent but comming at last from her bashfullnesse I shall be glad said she to see whether you be capeable of that perfection whereof you vaunt your selfe I accept of your service and promise you to put your patience to the test See how Isatida express'd her affection to my Lord the Inca but said she t is possible that you are ignorant how rigorous the conditions are by which I give you leave to serve me It behooves you to have an asseduitie without example that your respects goe even to Idolatry and that Death it selfe be not powerfull enough to breake your silence And more take it for most certaynâ—… that you lose me for ever if ever your love comes not only to the knowledge of the Queene my Mother but to any person else whatsoever though it were to wrong both the one and the other of these two lovers to attribute this effect to causes lesse illustrious then their virtues yet I have often thought that the overture which Zelmatida made of his byrth to the Princesse was not one of the least weapons that love made use of to subdue this imperious valour Things being on these termes the King bethought him of Quasmez and at the same instant resolved to imploy Isatida for the delivery of Xaira One day therefore finding an occasion to speake to her without any over-hearing he entertain'd her long time with the obligations he stood engaged to her gave her new assurances of his inviolable fidelity and making as I may say his heart to come on his lippes constrayned Isatida to confesse in her selfe that it was impossible not to suffer her selfe to be overcome by the perswasions of a Lover so discreete and passionate When Zelmatida sawe her so well prepared If I may be permitted said he to forget my selfe for a little time and glorying in my good fortune aspire higher then I ought be pleased faire Isatida that I desire from you a new favour to assure me that you have not repented of those which you have already bestowed on me Isatida stopping him as he was going on with this discourse told him that those words which he imployed to prepare her to accept his petition were so many injuries done to her friendshippe That she conjured him to beleeve that there was nothing whilest he was as sage and respectfull as hitherto hee had beene which he might not without vanity promise himselfe from a person who made a particular profession to be just That he should not therefore feare to make known what he desired from her and that he should assure himselfe that his request should bee absolutely unjust or else be granted him Zelmatida unwilling to shewe of too much boldnesse or too much feare lest any of them might seeme too much affected and by consequence vitious thought that he might adventure He besought therefore with his usuall grace a favorable audience from Isatida and obtayning it told her in few words his engagements to the King Quasmez made knowne the principall accidents of his infancy the revelation of the high-Priest the rapt of the Princesse Xaâ—…ra and intreated her not to take it amisse that next the honour of her favours hee wishâ—…d for nothing in the World so much as the occasions to serve that good King who had â—…ver beene to him instead of a Father These words were followed by many other â—…hat seemed to conclude how it was in the power of Isatida to set Xaira at liberty The Princesse hearkened very attentively to the beginning of his speech but seeing the ferventnesse where with he pressed her to deliver a person unknowne to her She interruâ—…ted him and assured that his high-Priest had ill divin'd and that there was nevâ—…r any Xâ—…ira nor mayde stolne away in the Court of Hismalita 'T is not that I would put you out of hope I have a Governesse who hath beene in the Court these fifty yeares and shee loves me with so blinded a passion that she will tell me whatsoere I would know of heâ—… though in the revealing it should hazard her life Set your minde then at rest and â—…xpect from my diligence all that you can expect for the â—…leering of your imployment Zelmatida had set his knee to the ground to thanke Isatida and began his actions of gratitude when by the comming of one of Hismalita's Eâ—…nuques he was interrupted For she naturally â—…ealous cruell and suspitious would not suffer my deare Master since she perceived he affected it but with much a doe the conversation of Isatida Yet she made him no shew of her ill humor but caused him to be continually watched by her trusty spies and as soone as she knew him to be with the Princesse she still found some pretext to take him off Garruca could not goe on with this discourse for divers of the Pyrats entring into
Bajazets chamber and telling him that they had unshipped and stowed all the riches they found in the Spanish shippes in their Magazines presented him an Inventory of them After he had seene it he lock'd it up and told the Rovers that when they had given the dead the honour they merited in their lives by their brave actions he would cause the store-houses to be opened to distribute and partake with the living that which their valour had given them The most aged of the Pirats having praysed the justice of Bajazet told him that all things necessary for the funerals of their companions were ready and they only waited his command to beginne the Ceremonies Bajazet would willingly have put it off till the morrow but loath to displease he dismissed them with an assurance that within an houre he would come forth of the Cittadell The end of the second Booke The first Part of POLEXANDER The third Booke THE generous Bajazet witnessing to the three Princes the sorrow he had to leave them and to lose the continuance of the marvelous adventures which Garruca so well related went to put on his funerall habit in which he was wont to appeare at the funeralls of the Pyrats The houre being come wherein this pompe was to begin you might have heard resound the noyse of Trumpets and Timbrells throughout all the Island Bajazet then caused himselfe to be armed and comming out of the Fort went to joyne with the other Captaines and Officers as well by Land as Sea One amongst them read to him a List of all the dead Captaines and in few words made as it were an abridgement of the life of every one and besought him in the name of the Pyrats to assist at the funeralls of so many valiant and happy Mussulmen Bajazet in generall thank'd all the assistants for the honour done him spoke of the dead in advantageous termes and after repetition of the principall points of their lives encouraged evr'y one to contemn all dangers when the good of the common cause came in question Bajazet finish'd his Oration just when the three Princes came to him and concealing the true cause of their arrivall beseeched him to bee pleased that they with him might give what they beleeved was due to the memory of so many valiant men We shall not my companions and my selfe answered Bajazet those alone that rescent the honour that you will doe us but the Soules of those that we are now interring will rejoyce at it and if you please to add your suffrages to your presence we doubt not but they will worthily satisfie the interrogation of the two Angells and be delivered from the torment of the grave Polexander understanding not well the meaning of these words beleev'd that they were some mysterious words in the Religion of Mahomet and resolv'd to remember them to have their interpretation at the first conveniency This while Bajazet put himselfe in the front of the pyrates and so came to the place where lay the bodies that were to be buried All things being ready at the comming of Bajazet every one began to march in his ranke The Captaines chosen to carry the corps tooke their places whilest their Talismans and their Dervises put themselves in the order they were to keepe in their marching These Mahometish Monkes carried in their hands lighted tapers and sung with a sad note these words Ialihae hillala Mehemet ressullaha tungari bicberemberac whereby they would say That God is God that there is no other God but he and that Mahomet is his sole Councellor and only Prophet At those words others answered them in a different tone and pronounced these words Alla rhahumane ashamubula alla illa alla huma alla By this prayer which they make for that dead they say that God is mercifull that he will have pitty on the deceased that there is no other God but God After these Priests went divers Souldiers armed after their fashion they carried Launces in their hands on whose ends were the Turbants of the dead with horse tayles Next came those that carried the bodies of their companions in bieres made like square chests and covered with great clothes made of cotten very white The manner of the Mahometans is to carry their dead to be buried the head foreward and so were these and there was to be seene on the fore-end of their bieres other turbants covered with feathers and compassed with lighted candles Bajazet all alone followed those bodies and some thirty paces behinde him marched all those that had command under his charge The Companies of the dead Captaines followed but in an other order then they had kept till that time Every Souldier carried his armes reversed and witnessed as much greife as if he had been the neerest kinsman or the most affectionate of the departed There was one Souldier of every Company who trained an Ensigne on the ground and behinde him came fifteen or twenty Souldiers who bore shattered lances broken oares and colours of white taffata whereon there were red crosses At last some Moores led in their hands very brave horses which had their saddles turned the upside downe on their backs All this Troupe marened very slowly and in great silence whilst the Dervises continued the forsaid prayers Their place of buryalls was chosen in a little wood which was some five hundred paces from the Fortresse As soone as the Priests were come thither they rancked themselves about the graves and ended their prayers The Captaines the while set the bieres on tables right against the pits They tooke off the clothes and boords where with they were covered and then every one might see the dead wounde up in such sort that they had the face and the feet out of the wynding sheet The Priests tooke the little peeces of paper that were on the stomacks of the deceased and after they had made a composition of Saffron and water of Orenge flower wrote certaine words which the Moores believe to be powerful and mysterious in their Religion These words being writ the Dervices hung the scrols with black silke about the neckes of the dead and said a long prayer by which they asked from God and Mahomet that the soules of the defunct might be delivered from the punishment of the Angels And therewith the Dervises set the bieres on the ground and with clothes of cotten let them downe into the graves seven or eight foote deepe They threw in some habillements and some of the colours which they bore to the interment as a marke that the dead had gained them Afterwards they covered the graves with many great planckes that had been prepared of purpose and raised on them with turfes and stones Tombes of some six foot long and foure hie and three in largenesse During this businesse the Priests gave not over their prayers to obtaine of God that those dead might answer pertinently when they should be examined by the two black Angels This ceremony ended
assistance Confirme there the honour which the Queene your Mother hath done me and be good enough to perswade your selfe that I will acquit my selfe worthily of the charge that is imposed upon me If you beleeve thus much you will oblige me to lose that ill opinion I have of my selfe and by that happy deceipt you will make me like those who transported by the force of their imagination have alone gotten battells and made their way through ruine it selfe Whilst Zelmatida spoke thus affectionately Isatida looked on him her eyes halfe shut and unable to answer she being so neere touched stood as one that was neither halfe awake nor well asleepe At last she came to her selfe and seeing my deare Master at her feet conjured him to have more reason then her selfe After these few words she held her peace and was yet sometime silent But when she could speake indeed she made it well appeare by her discourse that the truest love is accompanied with feare She imagined difficulties which could not betide her otherwise then by the apprehension of those dangers to which she saw her lover exposed After that love had expressed all that hath of tendernesse feare and disquiet Reason became Mistris and shewed Isatida how far her councells and feares were unjust She condescended to these remonstrances and was constrained by her good disposition not only to consent to what the King desired of her but oftentimes to entreate him to forget what was passed and to be yet once more the Defender of the empire of Montezuma Zelmatida that knew very well how to husband with a great deale of discretion the wit and favour of Isatida and who for her sake feared so much that most commonly he avaided the occasions of entertaining her and beleeved that he ought no more to wrong her facility He therefore retired and t was well he did so for he was no sooner in his lodging but Hismalita sent for him He went to the Pallace and understood that the Quene was retired into her Cabinet with the chiefe of her Councell There was order left for his entrance and that was the cause he attended not at the doore As soone as Hismalita saw him she arose to receive him and seating him in a chaire next below her owne T is fit said she that we make you a partner of the ill newes which are newly brought me and that by the Picture which the King my Lord hath sent me you should know the deplorable estate into which his great heart and unfaithfull fortune have precipitated him Praysed be the gods he is not dead as I feared but the perfidious Tyrant of Thevic detaines him prisoner and so unworthily useth him that as I understand by his posts he wisheth himselfe a thousand times in a day in the stately Tombe that he hath caused to be built for the glory of those Monarques from whom he is descended His cruell enemy threatens him continually with death and to make it more full of griefe and infamous he thinks to bring him to the spacious towne place of Mexico and to execute him in the sight of his wife and children But wretched and unfortunate Hismalita thine eyes shall never behold this horrible spectacle or thine armes shall not be strong enough to pluck thee from so sad a destiny After a showre of teares shed by the Queene in ending this complaint abode a while in silence and her eyes shut at last she opened them and extending her hands to Zelmatida deare stranger said she or rather some visible god that art descended from heaven for the safety of Mexico be favorable to my just prayers hearken to those of all my Subjects looke on the fetters and bondage of Montezuma and suffer not the impious Coatelicamat confidering his powerfull offences to have cause to confirme himselfe in his abhominable intentions Goe on with your weapons drawne to meete this Monster make him to feele the weight of that arme under which the mighty Gyant Popocampecho fell and by the like stroake avenge a wife unjustly persecuted avenge those children whose innocence would make the most barbarous to relent avenge millions of Soules which are guiltlefly tormented and avenge the gods in avenging your selfe Zelmatida blushing at the flattery and impiety of the Queene was twice or thrice about to answere but judging it a crime to contest with them he tooke another Subject to talke to her and comforted her for the imprisonment of Montezuma in promising to expose his life for his delivery I accept of all your offers replyed Hismalita and feele from them I know not what hope that seemes to assure me of the returne of my prosperities But bethinke you as well of your owne conservation as of ours beleeve lesse to your courage then judgement execute not that by your selfe which your Souldiers may performe and lose not us by your too much hazarding your selfe There is no danger to be run answered Zelmatida when a good cause is defended and that Justice goes along with our armes The disloyall Coatelicamat shall feele that remorse and those terrors wherewith traytors are tortured and his unfortunate end shall be an eternall and most fearfull warning to all Rebells to keepe those Lawes inviolable which the gods have ordayned them This discourse ended Zelmatida and some of the Mexican Princes went forth from the Queene and resolved that instantly they should advance to meete the rebells The two or three next dayes were imployed in the viewing and mustering of the Troopes and the king found that he had above a hundred thousand men Of those he left part for the guard of the City and as soone as he had taken leave of Isatida marched out of Mexico with all the presages that might assure him of the victory After he had put his Army in batalia beyond the lake he tooke the way of Culhuacan which is foure miles from Mexico and sent forerunners to learne newes of the enemy and knew at their returne that the Rebells marched as men that knew how to make warre and that on the hearing that they were come out of Mexico their vantguards had entrenched themselves in a village whence it was very hard to force them Zelmatida very glad of this news kept on his way and made his men march day and night Some Thevician Couriers came to meete him and began light skirmishes The Inca caused them to be undertaken to the end to advance his troopes the most he could when he came to certaine Hillocks which covered the bourg he encamped and advised to lodge there all night At day breake he resolved to force the enemy and therfoe chose out of his Army ten thousand of his best men and of them composed five batalions which he led himselfe where he intended they should fight and after he had given such order every where that it was hard if the onset thrived not he made all to fall on at the same time Those which were led by
with the same assured conntenance that she had seen he daies before and admiting in her selfe the great heart of the Prince grew angry with her selfe to have as many causes to hate him as she had to love him she had a minde to entertaine him but that one came and related that the Gyant had been twice already even at the gates of the towne This news was the cause that joy and sadnesse dividing mens mindes represented to some Zelmatida victorious over the Gyant and to others the Gyant triumphing over Zelmatida But he that thought on nothing but of doing acts worthy his love left the Queene and comming into the chamber of Isatida found her all in teares He besought her to ratifie the permission which she had given him and not beleeve his enemy to be invincible I know said she why you use this language to me No no I doe not thinke the Gyant invincible yet have I notwithstanding a thousand reasons to be afflicted The perill to which you are going to expose your selfe would obliege me to it I say were you a person but indifferent to me since for my sake only you are engaged in this combat and by consequence in spite of my selfe become guilty of your death if it happen that the chance of warre give the advantage to your Enemy Indeede knowing your courage and having heard related so many marvels of it I should have cause not to apprehend the event of this duell if all things were equall But when I consider that you goe to contend with a Monster as tall againe as your selfe I cannot receive those reasons that perswade me that I doe you wrong to have you feare him My Lord the Inca by these words felt himselfe bound in new chaines and without daring to take the boldnesse to aske from the Princesse the least favour in the world told her that before night she should be oblieged to prayse him alive or dead Whilest Isatida betooke her selfe to her prayers with her Governesse and dwarfe Zelmatida went to take his armes and accompanied with one only Squire went out of Mexico and came to the causey where the Gyant stayed for him The walls of the City were ranged with men and women to see by the successe of this combat what the fortune would be both generall and particular The lake was covered with Canoas and other vessells full of Theviciens and the place where Zelmatida was to fight was a square expresly made on the great causeway for a corps du guard and in case of necessitie to serve for a place of defence and to fight with those that after they had gotten the causeway would enter into the towne Zelmatida appeared there rather armed for the tryumph then for the combat He wore a head peece covered with a great many feathers which came on his shoulders and covered part of his face His armes were halfe naked and for all defensive armour had only a Cuirasse of quilted cotton and a buckler of gold on which to signifie the extremity of his love he had caused to be painted the mountain Popocampecho all on fire and round about the buckler these words engraven My heart preserves all his owne He had a quiver full of arrowes a bowe hanging as a scarfe and two long Javelins armed at the ends with golden pikes For the Gyant he was more extravagantly covered and more advantageously too He had the whole skin of a very great Tyger the muzell of the beast served him for his head-peece and the rest tyed in five or sixe places was for a good Cuirasse He wore a bowe and arrowes and a great club As soone as he saw Zelmatida within shot of his arrowes he shot two at him that had pierced him through and through if he had not dextrously avoided them My deare Master in comming neerer darted at him one of his Javeâ—…ns but it rested hanging in the skin of the beast that armed the Gyant and could not wouâ—…d him He knew then that fighting after this manner he should not make an end of his enemy he therefore came close up and passing upon him thrust the halfe of his Javelin into his right thighe and by that would tooke away his strength of upholding himself The Gyant retyred to be reveng'd and to brayne his adversary with one only blowe but his rage taking away his judgement and my deare Master returning upon him ran him through the second time The paine of this new wound made the monster foame and he threw himselfe on Zelmatida to have stifled him in his armes and cast out his left hand to have catched him by the hayre but the Inca avoiding his holdpierced his arme and left the Javelyn in the wound This great wound made the Gyant mad he threw his club away and uncovering all his body cast himselfe on his enemy Zelmatida seeing so faire an occasion tooke his â—…owe and let fly an arrow which passing under the Gyants left arme which was then lifted up stroake him right at the heart With this the Monster gave a great cry and catching his vanquisher in his armes bore him to ground with him he fell on one side and Zelmatida on the other so unhappily that meeting the head of an arrowe he gave himselfe a deepe wound the Gyant died presently and by his death strooke so strange a terror into the hearts both of the Thevic's and Zempoallan's Army that had the Mexicans beene men of valour there is no doubt but that very day they had given end to a Seige which began to make them practise by force that sobrietie which is naturall to them As soone as they had stynched the blood that Zelmatida lost by his wounds he returned into Mexico with all the pompe that so great an action could be attended He was not only admired of Hismalita and of all the Court but his enemies themselves were forced to acknowledge that whilest he defended Mexico they had little hope of taking it In the City they spoake more advantageously The people blessed the day in which that valiant defender came thither and from the defeate of one sole enemy promising to themselves the like of three or foure hundred thousand more foolishly called on to the fight those whom they durst not see but from the top of their walls As soone as Hismalita heard the successe of the combat she made shew of an excesse of joy which makes me say that the incomparable power of the virtue of my Master overcame the ill nature of that Queene and made her capeable of a good action That which makes me thinke so is that he was received with an extraordinary freedome and that all the evening she spoake of nothing but his victory but cry up often times in exaggerating the generositie with which Zelmatida would overcome his Enemy Let us leave here if you please the vulgar resentments and entertaine our selves a little with those of Isatida Though the Queene her mother knew she was
generousnesse which is not lesse knowne to me then to my Subjects said he assures me that you have already forgotten those faults that my necessity brought on and that you will not impute them to neglect or ingratitude Zelmatida unmindefull of Galtazis advice thought that Montezuma spoke to him really and truely and on that opinion finding himselfe to be extreamely obliged to his courtesie My Lord said he I will beleeve since you will have it so that my services have not been altogether unprofitable to you But to have me perswade my selfe that they are equivalent to the recompence which I receive by the honour you doe me is to forget who I am and in what manner Kings are accustomed to converse with men of my ranck Montezuma would faine have found out some complements to have gone beyond those of Zelmatida but nature that had not so much â—…efriended him inforced him to carry that by his authority which he had never gotten by his eloquence He tooke Zelmatida by the hand and drawing him almost by strength out of his Chamber put him himselfe in the royall Chaire Well my Lord said Zelmatida in rising out of the Chaire I will receive this honour since t is your pleasure but I beseech your goodnesse not to exact any more from my complying It appertaines only to you to triumph since t was by the virtue of your Subjects and the fortune of your â—…mes that the Theviciens and their Allies have beene defeated Doe you triumph then and prophane not your renowne in communicating it to a miserable stranger My Master in this sort resisting the honorable violences of Montezuma brought him to that streight either to appeare himselfe alone in that triumph or to cut off the principall ceremonies The King besides desirous to make knowne that this triumph was not prepared but for Zelmatida commanded all those to march on that had beene chosen for the pompe and shew and taking my deare Master by the hand walked on foote to the Temple of their god of Battels He caused there to be celebrated the bloody Sacrifice of the immolation of Slaves and streight after were seene not only rivelets of blood glyding from all corners of the Temple but also the bodies of the poore Theviciens carried by hundreds to the places appointed for their buriall This abhominable devotion being ended Montezuma returned to the Palace as he came and made an exceeding great feast for Zelmatida where all the Caciques that were in his Court assisted the Princes of the blood and the chiefe knights When the tables were taken away the rest of the day was spent in musick playes and many other kindes of galantryes which plenty peace and voluptuousnesse had made the Mexicans Inventors The night had her particular rejoycings Hismalita gave Zelmatida a ball and brought in Isatida and her sisters in such ornaments and with such charmes as were capable to vanquish meere insensibility Zelmatida in lieu of fayning as Galtazis had advised him and to suspend his love to give place to his wisedome seemed as distracted at the sight of Isatida He left Montezuma that then stayed with him and passing through the company without heeding whom he thrust got thither where his passion transported him The Princesse perceiving it not only blushed but was so farre offended that fayning to haue some what to say to the Queene her mother she turned her back to her unfortunate slave and left him to make a long and cruell penance for the fault which he had committed against her commandement Montezuma noted both the one and the other action and Hismalita finding in it new cause of distrust and hatred had not power enough over her selfe to dissemble it Her ill humor broke out in such a fashion and principally against Isatida that my deare Master had almost lost all respect and had even a will to accomplish that part of the prediction which spoke of the ravishing of Isatida He was neverthelesse restrayned by the feare of displeasing the Princesse but he caused in himselfe so great an Effort by this constraint that with the excesse of griefe he fell as it were dead at the feete of Hismalita O how that Queene if I deceive not my selfe prayed that he might never come to himselfe againe But her malice was not heard for just heaven who sawe no offence nor crime in the passion of my deare Master sent him supernaturall strength to supply that which nature had lost in him Montezuma ran first to him and causing him to be taken by some young knights witnessed by his assistance that goodnesse is not incompatible with weakenesse Zelmatida recovered from his fainting and ashamed of what he had done beleeved he could not better justifie himselfe then in supposing some strange ill He therefore complayned and asking pardon of the King for his disturbance humbly besought his permission to retyre Montezuma consented and to shew how deare that Prince was to him broke up the assembly and gave command instantly that the high-priest should cause prayers to be said in all the Temples for the health of my deare Master Zelmatida who till then lay buried in his usuall musings awakened from so deepe a flumber and how said he to the three Princes have you beene able to endure the company of one so troublesome Garruca knowing the intention of his master arose and but for Polexander who stayed him had beene gone that he might not be constrayned to continue his discourse Thereupon Bajazet spoake and addressing himselfe to Zelmatida You have cause said he to deprive us of the content which the relation of your adventures gives us For our silence is a signe that we have not that feeling of it which we should And truly we are eyther jealous of your fame or insensible of brave actions since that so many miracles as Garruca hath made known to us seeme to have no more touched us then would the recitall of some vulgar accident Zelmatida blushing at the pratling of Bajazet tooke Garruca and making him sit downe againe goe on said he and speake of me what thou wilt I shall finde it more supportable then the explication Bajazet gives of my words Polexander unwilling to speake any thing to Zelmatida for feare of some new interruption intreated Garruca to continue his discourse He would have obeyed him but in the instant a noyse of drummes and trumpets hindred him and made Bajazet send to know the cause of this novelty The slaves which were on the Guard came and told him that there was newly arrived in the Island a man with an extraordinary attendance who desired to speake with him Bajazet sent to the Captaine of the Fortresse that he should doe his charge and having taken his pledges he permitted the stranger to enter These done were done almost in an instant and Barberossa brought the stranger to his Generall The good aspect of the young man was not the cause alone that drew the Princes eyes upon him He was
greatnesse to abandon your throne and to put your person into the hands of a Prince who sometimes would have given the halfe of his Empire to whosoever would have brought him your head Zelmatida stopping Axiaman my deare friend said he the beleefe that our Divines have gotten to themselves through the superstition of weake spirits rather then by the truth of their predictions exerciseth at this day its tyranny over the councell of Kings as absolutely as over the Assemblies of the common people The most wise amongst the Caciques preoccupated with these vaine errors have no more hope neither in the abilities of their Ministers nor in the valour of their Armies but regulating all their affaires by the melancholy visions of their false Prophets draw on their ruine in striving to divert it Montezuma is not the man alone strucken with this dangerous malady The contagion hath even reached Quasmez and hath to himselfe made his owne happinesse â—…o insupportable that some have beene enforced to use strong oppositions to hinder him from going out of his owne Territories to put himselfe into the mercy of his mortall enemy The pity to see so good a Prince in so strange a phrensy hath caused me to come alone into this Kingdome and heere makes me live unknowne T is true I had gone hence long since if a cause sufficient to stay me eternally forced me not to put all things else in oblivion rather then to part hence And I must tell it thee Axiaman and in so doing I make thee the depositary of my fortune of my life and of mine honour Axiaman hearing Zelmatida talke thus threw himselfe at his feete and embracing his knees no no my Lord said he I recall that indiscreet request I made to you Discover not so great secrets to me Their importance makes me mistrust my selfe I begin to feare the weakenesse of humane mindes for it may chance that by one of those mishaps which troubles the judgement and makes the most innocent to offâ—…nd that striving to keepe my faith inviolated to you I fall into some perfidy Zelmatida raising up the Prince I know Axiaman said he better then Axiaman knowes himselfe and I thinke that neither hope nor feare which can doe all shall be ever able to make him guilty of an ill action Heare then deare Axiaman my deplorable fortune and have pity on a wretch to whom both life and death are equally funestous I am come to Mexico to seeke out a treasure which Montezuma hath stollen from Quasmez and in lieu of finding it I have lost my selfe That eternall and sovereigne power which raignes over all men hath made me loue Isatida and my will yet more absolute then destiny hath imposed on me a necessity of serving her all my life and to conceive of her as of something farre more to be valued then either the Empire of Quasmez or that of Montezuma Axiaman staied not to answer till Zelmatida had made an end of his discourse but interrupted him and said that he needed to know no more of it to be satisfied of many things that were passed and especially of the causes of Isatida's imprisoning I aske you no more said he your businesse on the Lake I have discovered that designe and I see whither you would goe but to cut you off from a fruitlesse labour I will tell you newes the most pleasant that you can receive in your ill fortune and t is that I am the sole man intrusted by Montezuma for the guarding of Isatida On the suddaine the Prince gave way to be transported with his first conceptions But presently reason and noblenesse opposed themselves against the fury of those pernicious Councellors and represented to Zelmatida that he ought to exact from Axiaman nothing that was unworthy of either of them He suppressed therefore in himselfe the unjust requests that he intended to make him and sighing often Is it possible said he to Axiaman that you are Isatida's Guardian I am so replied he and judge you to what Montezuma's opinion of my fidelity obligeth me That 's my despaire cried Zelmatida that Montezuma hath made so good an elect ion All the waies to get Isatida are shut to me and I may obtaine from the most brutish and cruell of all the Mexicans that which I neither can expect nor desire especially from you Axiaman continued this poore Lover with a sad tone you have then Isaâ—…ida in your power and you may when you please taste the sweets of her sight and converse I have that good fortune replied Axiaman and if the prison of the Princesse were not to me a continuall cause of discontent I should thinke my selfe happier in keeping heâ—… then in commanding all Mexico How cried againe Zelmatida you keepe Isatida Axiaman you guard Isatida Axiaman interrupting him for feare he should intreat somewhat which he could not graunt my Lord said he suppose your selfe in my place 〈◊〉 you please and wrest not from a person that can deny you nothing till you have considered what an honest man owes to his word owes to those that trust him and owâ—… to himselfe I aske nothing of you replied Zelmatida but that you will deplore of fortune I will doe more said Axiaman without being fâ—…lse to Montezuma or to my â—…fe I will bring you to the sight of Isatida Adde not said Zelmatida adde not any condition to what you offer Yes deare Axiaman I promise to aske you nothing nor to eâ—…terprise ought after so deare a sight If you feare that my passion is likely to 〈◊〉 me charge me with fetters binde my armes and hands and let me have nothing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the use of speech I will endure all on condition to have yet once the happinesse to behold my faire Princesse and to know from her owne mouth what she hath resolved of my life I will get me farre away from Mexico amongst places not habitable to end my deplorable destiny Axiaman resolute to give my deare Master that contentment t is enough said he to him I know that Zelmatida can doe nothing that is not worthy of himselfe Be then my deare Lord to morrow at this houre at the foot of the great Tower of the Castle and assure your selfe that you shall see Isatida if she expresly forbid it not Zelmatida a thousand times embracing Axiaman and calling him as often the Author of his reviving tooke leave of him and retired to his lodging He could not shut his eyes all night but to execute what he had resolved he went out of his chamber at breake of day and was at the rising of Montezuma After diverse discourses he fell on that of his house and inventing to the King divers most important newes told him that he was called home by his Father and that the Cacique his Uncle by the mariage of his Daughter with him would make an end of all those differences which had almost ruined their Family Montezuma seemed to take no great pleasure in
a little while that he might at â—…is pleasure embrace the King his Master and for some 〈◊〉 enjoy the â—…ght of the yong Guina Capa And that after so much contentment he wouâ—… walke to his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with all joy and glory and esteeme himselfe the happiest of all men living The King insisted to aske Alismaes life The spectators of eyther sex made resound againe their joy and wonder and her Pallace was all in rejoycings and confusion such as I thinke the History of all ages cannot give us an accident comparable with it The Queene when the tumult was over entertayning the while Zelmatida particularly sent to command every one to take his place and when all were ranged she went againe into her Throne and pronounced these words aloude The supposed death of the great Guina Capaes lawfull Heire wrought by the malice of men wonne me not only to make a lawe which condemned to death all men that fell into my hands but likewise to denounce a warre against the King Quasmez my brother and ancient Ally But this finding againe my sonne by the helpe of men I will That lawe be for ever abolished and putting a period to the war I undertooke I acknowledge my selfe answerable to Quasmez and give him most particular thanks for so charitably gathering together the remainder of my desolate house When she had thus made knowne her will she descended from her Throne and taking Zelmatida by the hand gave Alisma and my selfe the best entertainment we could wish Quasmez Embassadours ravished with so incredible and such an unexpected revolution of businesse did their complements to Zelmatida as to the rightfull successour of the Incaes and besought Telesmana that she would be pleased they might send their Master these good news I my selfe said he will be the Messenger of our common happinesse let therefore some one of you returne to Quasmez and without giving him intelligence of what hath happened tell him that I am on the way to visite him The youngest of the Embassadours had that Commission and presently departed to put it in execution A little after the Queene went out of her Campe holding Zelmatida by the one hand and Alisma by the other Quasmez Embassadours were on each side of her and the Queenes guard crowned with chaplets of flowres encompassed that illustrious company In this manner we marched to the gates of the City where Quasmez expected us and in the incertainty he was failed not of that extreme quietnes of minde which even the most miserable find in the testimony of a good conscience and firme confidence every one ought to have in the goodnesse of the gods Telesmana at her comming to him presented Zelmatida and after their salute See said she the cause of the warre and the cause of peace See what hath made me take up armes and that which hath made me lay them downe I know just and charitable Quasmez that Zelmatida is my sonne as well as yours and if your love and care have made you taken for his Father blood and nature oblige me to declare my selfe his Mother Quasmez not knowing where first to expresse his joy and the proofes of his aâ—…ction whether to the Mother or to the Sonne would have beene glad at once to have parted himselfe betwixt Telesmana and Zelmatida Your imagination better then my relation can represent to you all the particularities of this interview I will not therfore speake of the Sacrifices nor magnificencies wherewithall Quasmez caused the returne of Zelmatida and the peace to be celebrated Let it suffice I tell you the Queene of the Amazons was a moneth with Quasmez and after she had witnessed to him an extreame resentment for those obligations she was bound to him in the behalfe of Zelmatida she with a royall pompe and convoy tooke thence the body of the Queene heâ—… daughter tooke leave of him and stayed not till she came to the City of Quito Zelmatida who followed her by Quasmez appointment after two daies stay in that town was importuned by Alisma to goe to the Caverne of the Javelyn He consented and we three parted thence with our ordinary servants beginning that journey which the generous old man had beene so long desired We travelled night and day and tooke but little rest till we came to the Cave that concealed so many marvels We found not the entry so easy as Alisma had told us but contrarily as soone as we came neere it were set on by a great Troop of Quitonians who by their howlings enraged actions signified an extreame apprehension of our arivall Zelmatida making use of the good Sword I gave him at Calcicoëca which the Amazons had restored to him slew so many of those desperate people that what he did even passeth all likelyhood Alisma old as he was made shew of his former vigour and I that was willing to defend my life tryed to make use of those advantages that I had fetcht so farre off But the wonderfull valour of Zelmatida and his consorts strength had beene vaine against so many enemies iâ—… the wisedome of Telesmana had not seconded the boldnesse of her sonne For as soone as she knew of his private departure she caused two thousand Amazons to follow him and commanded they should not returne without him Those generous Ladies fell in on the Quitonians when we were covered with wounds and round beset on all sides and drove them to the entry of the Caverne Zelmatida much moved with his owne disgrace put himselfe in the front of the Amazons and did so wonderfull deeds of armes that since they called him the God of warre At last he forced the caves enâ—…t left not one of the Quitonians alive Alisma entred next after him and â—…an â—…o the place where he had hid the fatall Iavelin He had much a doe to draw it out Yet at last he got it but he was much astonished when he returned to Zelmatida and sawe him busied in delivering a Prisoner He gazed on the man and presently letting fall the Iavelin out of his hand cryed out am I asleepe or doe I wake Is this a truth or a illusion that I see my Lord my deare Lord is it your selfe or your shadowe doe you know your Alisma or wot you who t is that vndoes your bonds Zelmatida was about to ask Alisma the reason of his astonishment when said the Prisoner takeing the generous old man by the hand t is even I Alisma who after so long imprisonment and a hundred times escaping the death prepared for me see my selfe freed by the valour of this brave yong man Doe you live then my Lord replyed Alisma Have you escaped the rage of your enemies Have the Gods preserved you among so many Executioners shall I beleeve it Yes O yee just Gods I will said he falling on his knees and acknowledging more and more that your incomprehensible providence governes by unknowne meanes the accidents of the worlde I will employ all
Incas If I follow this councell I make my selfe unworthy of the honor which the fairest Princesse of the world hath done me and rightly deserve that the glory of freeing her from prison be for ever taken from me But my deare Garruca I will not indure to be dazeled with such false lights for the charme of worldly greatnesse which troubles weake spirits can doe nothing on a soule that is full with those of Isatida Imparting to me thus his resolution he prepared to be gone and that Guina Capa and Telesmana should give way to it represented to them that without ingratitude he could not stay longer from giving thankes to Quasmez for so many favours he had received from him Telesmana could not approve of that journey but Guina Capa who hath the same generosity and thoughts with his Son gave him the permission he desired and with a great equipage sent him to Quasmez Court Zelmatida was received there not only as the Son of a great King but as the only Son of Quasmez The joy for his returne was generall and the good Quasmez with the Queene his wife seemed â—…o have forgotten their Daughter so glad were they at Zelmatida's arrivall But he that found himselfe guilty of the displeasure which those good Princes would not make him any shew of one day thus spoake to them I know whereto your affection and my duty bindes me I owe you my life and my fortune Beleeve not that I am so wicked as to forget that I likewise owe you the Princesse Xaira Thereupon he recounted to them all that he had done at Mexico and after that long discourse know said he that I am going presently to free that Princâ—…sse from the hands of your enemies Quasmez and the Queene did their utmost to divert him from so perillous a journey But Zelmatida falling at their feet either said he take from me the life you have preserved or permit me not to respect it as a continuall race of cowardise and ingratitude No no Zelmatida must perish or Xaira must be set at liberty The day after this he tooke leave of the two amiable Princes and without any other company save Bereamis some slaves and my selfe marched right to Mexico Whilst he was on the way he continued in so exâ—…raordinary a melancholy that it began to be troublesome to me But t was soone after knowne to be the presage of my deare Masters eternall affliction As soone as we came to the Frontires of Mexico we so disguised our selves that we could not be knowne and so kept on the most unfortunate and saddest journey that shall ever be made We were all so disconsolate that it seemed we were going to execution Zelmatida had disquiets which tooke away his strength of travelling yet would he never stay He wept every moment and sometimes being recalled from his musings by the redoubling of his griefes Isatida cried he pitifully how doe I feare the malice of those who have alwaies envied your virtue and my happinesse The neerer I come to the place where you should be the more my affrights and afflictions are augmented If nothing most dismall had betided the hope I have to see you had not beene crossed by those feares and horrors which inviron me His sighes often tooke away his meanes of speech and the dispaire to which he had given himselfe over failed little oftentimes of killing him by the way At last he came to Mexico and understood as soone as we were entred that all the Court was in mourning for the death of Isatida What became of the King thinke you at this sad newes It happened not to him that which is common to all men which are surprised by an unexpected accident He caused not the bringer of that frightfull newes to repeate the name of Isatida nor did he aske him whereof she died But on the contrary in lieu of questioning or complaining on the instant his sighes teares and wonted griefes stopped He gazed on us with his eyes open and wandring and at the same time his excesse of sorrow becomming absolute Master of his senses there was left him nothing of all the functions of life but that which during a long swounding gives a little signe that the party is not yet dead After what we applied had recovered him he commanded me to goe through the Towne to learne of what sicknesse Isatida died and intreated me that in acknowledgement of that affection he bore me I would be able to give him an accompt of all that he should aske me touching that dismall occasion I left him with Bereamis and went to get intelligence of a thing that was already but too much knowne to me By chance I met with a Courtier and growing acquainted with him I began to set him on discourse of the Princesse death and he told me all the particulars Presently I returned to Zelmatida and assured him that nothing had passed in the death of Isatida but what was common to all That she had beene but a while sick that after her death she had beene enclosed in the stately Tombe of the Kings of Mexico which is in the great Temple of Vacipala That her losse had beene generally lamented and that Montezuma and Hismalita came expresly from Mexico to Vacipala to the Funerall of the Princesse What hence forward hast thou to doe in the world miserable Zelmatida cryed the King Die now as one desperate coward and disloyall as thou art since thou hadst not the heart to expire as an honest man But if thou be not altogether ignoble leave not unpunished the death of the most accomplished Princesse of the world Avenge that Innocent whom thou hast murthered Cover Mexico with men of armes and by a generall desolation make that great King nothing but Isatidaes Sepulchre Here he grew silent and a little after turning his eyes on me Fortune said he then Garruca hath given me but imaginary 〈◊〉 to take from me that which was reall He cast his eyes up to heaven after he had 〈◊〉 said and so standing as fixed seemed to attend that death which he had already so often times implored At last he came to himselfe and desiring to be no longer at Mexâ—…co departed though it were night and kept on travelling till hee arrived at Vacipala The first thing he did after he came thither was to goe see Isatidaes Tombe he embraced it he threw himselfe on it and uttered such words as would make you die with griefe did I repeate them he passed a day and a night lamenting in this dismall place and remained so long fastened to the Tombe that Bereamis and I thought we should have made it his with much force we got him thence and by our remonstrances won him not to shew himselfe by day for feare that being knowne he might be the cause of his own losâ—…e and his followers He made us well judge by his discourse that if he had been alone or that he had loved us
you begot in me the desire to make use of his service and at last to become indebted to him I therefore absolutely command you to worke so that I may owe him nothing or that I may never thinke of it more Amintha perceiving well tâ—…at at the Queen was angry in good earnest It those two things said she which your Majesty proposeth were equally in my power you should presently bee obeyed This Insâ—…lent who hath had the Front to refuse that which by a liberalitie without example you have deigned to offer him should be for ever blotted out of your memory But Madam give me leave to tell you that if youâ—… Majesty will take the paines to labour on your part as I will doe on mine I dare assure you that before night you shall not only be free but even never more remember that there was ever any such man as Polexander in the world Be pleased then to give that into my hands which you gave in charge to Pallantus I shall not be so complaisant as he hath beene I will make Polexander know 't is not in his choyce to refuse that which your Majesty gives him and that you have not called him to your succour as she would have done some Prince her Ally who should have serv'd her for honour only but that you employed him as a mercenary to whom we use to give at the end of his labour the Sallary that Wee thinke he hath deserved This done Madam your Majesty must act the rest Amintha hath often told me that whilest she spoake so much against you the Queene â—…lush'd twice or thrice and was opening her lips as if she would have taken your part But yet she did nothing but sending away Amintha with an eaâ—…ernesse that shewed enough what she would have hidden Performe said she punctually that which you have promised me for you know I use to châ—…stize those that fayle in what they owe me Amintha made a very lowe obeysance and departed with a firme beleefe that Alcidiana had not that perfect indifferency wherewith she had spoken to her some few daies before You know better then I the reasons she used to get you to accept the Principalitie of Syziphus But I know better then you what Alcidianaes thoughts were when she heard you had received it What said she thinking no body heard her it is not then the consideration of my Present that hath made him take it 'T were Aminthaes intreaties that made him like of it but I am overjoyed that my debt is so well acquitted and that I have no more cause of obligation for this stranger Amintha was in the right to make him goe for a Mâ—…rcenary certainly he is so though he counterfeit the Generous and I now know well that hee refused at first the Salary for his paines but only in hope to get more When she had said thus she was silent and after a great sigh but how said shee shall I know that Amintha hath faithfully related to me those words she said to him Is it not to be beleeved that to make him receive my Present she hath told him that t was my will he should give me that tryall of his obedience and that 't was by it alone that he could avoide my indignation Your humilities doubtlessely shee hath said to him are artificiall vanities you would be taken for one unworthy of a Gift whicâ—…â—…n your owne Conscience you thinke unworthy of you You play the modest when indeede you are the most ambitious and t is possible you will not receive aâ—… art â—…cause you thinke you deserve the whole Be a little lesse jealous of your selfe and â—…leeve that how great soever your merit be and of what importance soever the service you have done the Queene the recompence she offers you is infinitely above both the one and the other But I hold you too generous to stick at the estimation of what is offered you If there be any thing great in this gift if there bee any thing that ought to come neere your ambition t is the dignity of the person that sends it you Deliberate no more then on what you have to doe for as t is impiety to refuse what the Gods give us so is it insolency not to receive what is reached to us by the hand of a King Alcidiana would be out of your debt Bee not so overweening to wish that she should bee still beholding in a word be assured that your offence shall not be lesse prodigious then that of Syziphus if you persevere in your refusall Pride hath beene the losse of his Principallity let the same thing make you refuse it howsoever Alcidiana will bee obeyed Dare you have the impudence to gainsay it See the reasons continued the Queene raysing her voice that Amintha hath made use of to winne Polexander to receive my Present and if it be so as I doubt not of it why should I give that to Aminthaes intreaties which is only due but to the merit of my Gift But whence come these disquiets on me What matters it whether my Present or Amintha hath acquitted me One way or other I am so and Polexander is to me too indifferent to desire from him that which I never asked from any one of those whom my benevolences have enriched See what the discourse was which the Queene thought she had by her selfe T is your part now to give it the interpretation it may receive without wresting But what comfort soever it brings you keepe it to your selfe for this time for at the least diversion you throw athwart my memory many things will escape it which might serve you for excellent remedies against those ills that afflict you Two dayes passed after this during which time the Queene lived as if you had beene wholly blotted out of her memory Amintha came to her with her wonted assiduitie and tryed divers waies to get her to speake of you but all in vaine for Alcidiana avoyding those occasions with her incomparable dexterity made this wise confident beleeve that she was resolved to treate you with the same scorne as till then shee had used all other men Whilest these two rare wits did what they could to deceive one another the news of the famous combat betwixt your selfe and the brother of Syziphus came to the Pallace It was told the Queene with such circumstances and to you so honourable that all the hearts of the Court declar'd themselves for you and t was who could finde best words to expresse most the admiration he had of your valour and worthinesse The Queene her selfe was constrayned to breake the vow she had made and to speake once more of you 'T is to be confessed said she alowde that this stranger hath a great deale of good fortune Amintha that would not lose so faire an occasion to know the cause of Alcidianaes long silence Your Majesty said she hath good reason to esteeme Polexander happy since all things happen to
religiously with you then with the gods Give him more respectfull regards and forbid him that he You ought divine Alcidiana cried Polexander you ought to forbid mee to live rather then to impose on me impossible conditions and command that my understanding knowing its happinesse should become a Tyrant to it selfe even to enjoyne my will not to desire it But you have beene more just and suppressing the bloody Lawes which your rigour had invented you have dispenced with us for the necessity of observing them He continued his reading after hee had made this reflection and met certaine words by which Alcidiana had expressed her thoughts in looking in her glasse They were these Doest thou know thy self well Alcidiana These eyes afflicted and languishing this complexion so unlike what it hath alwaies beene these pale lips this leaden breast in briefe this dying person which thou seest in this glasse hath it any thing of that thou lookst for Confesse that Alcidiana is no more but that she lost her selfe when shee lost the peace of heâ—… minde The cruell Demon that changed her heart not only altered her countenance but disfigured it in such sort that 't is no wonder if thou knowest it not Doe not accuse the glasse to be lesse true then t was wont It is still the same it was but thou art not what thou hast beene Call againe dead Alcidiana make the two last yeeres of thy life to returne againe in a word rayse thy selfe if it be possible out of the grave wherein thy errors have buried thee and by what is passed thou maist judge of the present But witlesse as thou art it seemes thou art pleased in thine ill fortune Thou inwardly comfortest thy selfe with thy losses Thou findest allurements in thy alteration and since thy glasse doth not flatter thee thou endeavorest to flatter thy selfe Breake this charme unfortunate Princesse and know thy sicknesse is at the height since thou art insensible of it Polexander after he had read this knowing not whether he should complaine on himself or some other yet neglected not to declare him for Alcidiana and to sweare inwardly the death of the Author of so many disquiets Hee turned then another leafe and found this The Reflection TO whom should I attribute the cause of my malady Shall I accuse the starres or men or mine owne temper What ill influence could insensibly ruine the vigour of my fayrest yeeres Shall I beleeve that some Sorcerer by the power of his Characters or venome of his lookes his fascination hath impoysoned my heart and by little and little drawes my life from me My temper seemes not to mee any way altred though my disposition be changed and by consequence it is not the Author of my Sufferings Shall I say t is my Melancholly But that being the very ill I endure I should then make the effect guilty of the malignity of the cause But may it not bee Love If Radiotez have not deceived me t is impossible that my disease should come from that passion How often hath he assured me that Love came from desire and if it be so I am not in Love or else in Love with all persons in the World For all fayre objects give me the same desires I looke on the heavens with admiration I number the Starres with a ravishment I delight in the diversitie of floures of fruites and all living creatures But of all these there is not any one which I wish to enjoy more particularly then I now possesse it What is then the cause of my griefe Alas how can I know it since I have not this ill but because I am ignorant of it Dye Polâ—…xander and give over at last to suffer thy selfe to be deceiv'd by false hopes said our Heroë Not only Alcidiana hath my love but the heavens and the earth men and beasts are all to thee as one same object Griefe here hindred his farther speech Yet stopped him not from pursuing his farther inquiry Hee was almost at the end of the tables when he found this The Anger HOw I hate thee perfidious Amintha to print againe in my thought the name of thy Polexander Since these eight dayes there hath not a moment passed but this troublesome name hath mixed it selfe with my meditations It persecutes mee by day and in the night it permits me not to take my rest If I call any one of my slaves would I name any other eyther Citizen or Stranger my tongue following the error of my imagination will pronounce that Polexander Some times it speakes it halfe and every foote I am forced to stay it for feare of continuing in this mistake O Name of Polexander said our Heroë more fortunate then Polexander himselfe I hast thou not so much charitie to impart some of thy happinesse to him without whom thou canst not bee I conceive thy answere deare Name But my little merit suffers me not to beleeve it nor my respect to entertayne my selfe with it And with these words turned to the last leafe of the Tables and there met with this The last Resolution IT must be so I am resolved of it audacious Stranger Thou shalt out of my memory as well as of my Territories The more thou hast sought for occasions to appeare amiable the more cause hast thou given me to make thee hated I hate thee because I have run the hazard to love thee I wish that an eternall punishment avenge me of the crime thou wouldst have committed The Sentence for it is pronounced Traytor as he is Hee shall not vaunt unpunished to have essayed by virtue of his submissions and services to establish his dangerous Tyrrany Thou mightst well doubt unhappy Polexander cryd our Heroë that the last calme should be followed by a great tempest Thou hast not long time sayled but to be ship wrack'd and the end of thy Navigation must be that of thy hopes Deliberate no longer after thy condemnation leave to live in leaving to hope Yet not so Preserve thy life since thy divine Alcidiana wills that thou indure as much as thou art capable to suffer When Polexander had shut up the table booke and made a new reflection on his fortune he knew but too well that Alcidiana's last Sentments had ruined the little hope which the former had given him He turned his eyes pittifully on Pallantus redilivering his booke and would signifie unto him the excesse of his despaire But Pallantus prevented him and sayd he wonder'd infinitely that he would persevere to afflict himselfe amidst so many causes of joy Ah Pallantus answered the Prince I know t is too much honour for me to be remembred in any way whatsoever by Alcidiana My Judgement avowes it but my passion will not I have such desires as perpetually struggle with my reason and when I would force them not to go beyond the limitts she prescribes them they boldly take armes against us both and their insolencyes go so farre that they even think to doe
Muley was in the Grott where you met him For some six moneths since desperate of ever hearing any more ought concerning you he resolv'd to take on him the habite of a Dervis and under that vaile to come himselfe and know whither you had need of his service or had absolutely forgotten him Presently he understood the inhumane usage you had from Nephizus and instantly resolv'd to revenge you But letting me know his generous design by his faith full Acmett who every day is here for wearing the same habit of an Hermit as his Master and comming to aske almes he hath the liberty to come in when he list I forced him to undertake any thing without your permission and assur'd him that I would worke things soe that he should have the happinesse to see you I durst not tell you of this because knowing your severity I imagined that rather then to suffer Muley so neare to you you would have consented to his death nay even to your owne All that I could doe for the consolation of that miserable man was to winne you insensibly to visit the Hermits of youâ—… mountaines and by that cunning to bring you to the Caverne of Muley Hassen My plot as I understand hath taken very good effect and I finde that I have well acquitted my selfe of that which I ought for you to the constancy of that Prince T is now your part to perfect the rest After Atalida had thus spoken I began to be very angry with her and threatned to write to Nephizus what dis-service she had done him The generous Mayde without leaving her former coolenesse answered and that very sharply I should be angry for being angry and that I was to remember how in parting from Morocco I had absolutely commanded her not to abandon Muleys interest but to serve him notwithstanding all or any of my commands to the contrary But t is not enough said shee yet that you know he is here advise and bethinke you what you will have him doe If you will command him he will breake open your prison free you from your Tyrant and bring you back to Tunis In a word he will kill the Tyrant in the midst of your guards and in the very armes of his Father Hold thee cried I execrable Atalida Hast thou no otherwise profited by my precepts and Example Dost thou not know that the only thought of those crimes thou proposest is an offence that cannot be expiated but by death I am ill used I confesse but he that treats me so hath right to doe it My prison and fetters are sacred If I doe but consent to have them broken I am a miscreant and jmpious T is true Nephizus is a Tyrant but t is a Tyrant which the Lawes Authorize and which the Heavens and my honour command me to respect What would you have Muley doe then replyed rudely enough Atalida Let him returne to Mezila said I and suffer forme as I doe for him You may well take the paynes if you please answered my deare Atalida-to give him that command your selfe and you were best to resolve on 't for he will never obey it if he receive it not from your owne moutâ—… I shall have power enough for that said I and though I shall seem to wrong Nephizus in seeing him yet having never given him ought but my body I doe not think that in speaking with Muley I take from him any thing that is his But this interview must be quickly that I may be freed of this miserable man before the returne of Nephizus This resolution was executed the fifth day after it was taken I made a match of hunting with Narcissus and fortune was so favourable that the Lion we had in chase took the way to Muleys Cavern and was long fought withall in the straight way that lead to the Cavern I found my selfe almost alone at his death and comming then from horsback with Atalida and two of my guard I told them that I would goe see the Hermit til Narcissus came to us I found him indeed rather dead then alive The manner of my last parting from him had been so sensible to him that he avowed but for the designe he had to free me from my bondage he had freed himselfe of his life T is true said he in spanish that I have none other will then yours and that I receive with far more resolution those afflictions that come from your hand then those that are sent me from heaven But even that which makes you imagin I should suffer all is it that obligeth and commands me more imperiously not to endure those injuryes you receive from a Tyrant However banished persecuted or miserable I am yet I have too much happynesse since I enjoy the felicity of being alwaies in your remembrance When I looke on my selfe on that side I doe not murmure But when I goe out of the least part of my selfe to fix my selfe on the fairest which is you be pleased faire Ennoramita that I say so I presently feele al the displeasures and suffer all those torments I told you of somewhat obscurely in our pass'd conversations And to weigh things well can there be a condition more to be lamented then that of a Lover who knowes that for being too much affected the person that does him that favour is exposed to all the outrages of fortune to the persecutions of a husband and the contempt of a father Surely Madam he which sees so great miseryes and certainely knowes who is the Author of them deserves to be the hatred and horror of his age if he be so cowardly as to live Suffer me then to die and revoke the command you made me to indure my shame and your captivity or at least give way that I attempt the meanes that are left me to witnes to you my fidelity No Muley said I I never revoke what I have once resolv'd and give you no other freedome then that you sigh for my sufferings to complaine on your fortune and attend patiently when she wil change either one way or other O rigorous commands said the Prince to how many new tortures are you about to expose the unfortunate Muley Since you have resolution enough said I not to reject those lawes which I my selfe finde to be extreamely cruel I will give you those which are more mild Love me ever despaire not to obtaine the recompence your faithfulnes deserves and remember that Ennoramita is so just and so acknowledging that rather then she will fayle Muley she will be false to her selfe Doe not promise me an thing Madam said he if you please t is to through me back into my former afflictions to signify to me â—…his excesse of goodnes The more generous you are the more weake I acknowledg my selfe and the more obligeing you are I am the more Ingratefull O Heaven and earth Ennoramita you heape on mee all good and I am the cause of all
to entertaine her with Muley-Hassen til she came into the Hall where they were to sup To let you know the greatnesse of that Feast t is enough to say that it was made at the cost and by the Order of the most Magnificent and polish'd Prince of his time Ennoramita being set at table with the thought of soone-seeing Prince Muley was extreamely pleaâ—…ant all the supper time She told Polexander that he should remember his good freind Abdelmelec and send for the old Narcissus This discourse produc'd many Causes of Laughter even so farre that some of the Courtiers tooke the Boldnesse to jeast at the Moorish Prince in his absence and to exalt his Combats in a manner far more dangerous then if they had openly mock'd at him But Polexander impos'd silence to those jeerers but unwilling to have them thinke that he tooke the protection of impertinent Princes without a reason it is injustice said he to expect in Princes those Qualities which are altogether Miraculous they are men as other men and are infinitely more worthy of praise then private ones when they do nothing else but make themselves Masters over Ordinâ—…ry vices This discourse drew on others during their repast and furnish'd them with entertainement all the Evening The houres for bed approaching Polexander took leave of Ennoramita and having expected Zelmatida til two houres after midnight gave the rest of the night to an inforced repose and an often interrupted Slumber The end of the First Book Of the second Part of POLEXANDER THE SECOND PART OF POLEXANDER The Second Book POLEXANDER Had but laugh'd at the insolent Challenges which the old Eunuch had given him from Abdelmelec but when he had left Perselida he reflected on the vanities and insolencies of the Moorish Prince and thought that since Alcidiana was wrong'd he was bound to be sensible of it and therefore presently resolv'd to returne once more to Morocco and by an exemplary chastisement reduce his unworthy Rivall to the necessity of being wiser With this intention he went to bed and by meanes of his musing entred into such impatiencies that he slept as little all night as if he had layne on thorns Assoone as t was day he arose and scarce allowing himselfe time to be dress'd went with Alcippus to Zelmatida's Chamber He found him in his bed where according to his wonted custome he gave himselfe a prey to melancholy and complain'd of his surviving the Mexican Princess After that Polexander had intreated him to attend that succour which infallibly time would give him and entertain'd him with the adventures of Perselida Amatonta I can said he relate to you a novelty that will no lesse make you wonder then the fortunes of this Princess T is like that yet you may remember the enconter wee had in coming hither and the Combat wherein we were ingaged by the pride of the Knight with the golden Armour know that the same Knight who as you saw defended bad enough the portraict of Alcidiana hath now a great desire to recover it But not knowing who t was that tooke it from him and thinking he cannot have any newes of it by ordinary meanes he hath publish'd a Turnament whereto indifferently he invites all Knights and promiseth full safety to Christians as well as Mahometans He declares by his Cartells that he will receive no man to just with him til he have made known to the appointed Judges for the courses who he is who is his Mistris and what pretension he hath to Alcidiana He adds to it that every one shall be bound to purg himself by oath of the theft he supposeth hath bin done him and to name who was the Author if there be any that know him And in conclusion he calls to Combat the Pretender Robber and protests to hold him for a coward and an infamous person if he make not his apparence at the Turney and that after he hath deposited the portraict of Alcidiana if he strive not to get it by a just Combat T is bootlesse for mee to tell you to whom this packet addres'd it selfe for you know well that I am the Theife against whom Abdelmelec makes his protestations I see it very well replyed Zelmatida and would you be rul'd by me the witnesse of your conscience being for you I would not were I in your place trouble my selfe about any justification If there were none in the world but Zelmatidas said Polexander I would doe as you advise me But when I consider that the greatest number of men is composed of fooles and miscreants and further that our reputation is servilely knit to the opinion of the multitude I think that we are ingaged to make it appeare what we are and hold that whoever lives amongst people incapable of the soveraigne wisdome t is more vitious to go against custome then against virtue This Doctrine was not taught in our world replyed Zelmatida and I know not whether it be good or bad therefore you may doe as you please Well then said Polexander since it must needs be so I will to Morocco and without making my selfe known strive to gain better then I have done the Buckler of Abdelmelec I see well what the matter is answer'd Zelmatida you would have none but you that should keepe Alcidiana's picture This designe is worthy of you but beware that Abdelmelec have not made this match to have you at his mercy and avenge himselfe of the affront he hath received without running the hazard of receiving another Abdelmelec is vaine replyed Polexander but yet generous The good opinion he hath of himself leades him to ridiculous actions but it will never make him to do any ill-ones He thinkes himselfe farre more valiant then he is and though in his combats he come off with the worst he doth not therefore think himselfe overcome He casts his mishap sometime on Fortune sometime on the Sunne and otherwhile on his Horse and in breife not to accuse himselfe at any time he ever accuseth some innocent As for my selfe I doubt not but he thinkes me the greatest Theife in the world and Imagines I have gotten his Buckler by treachery but that I keepe me conceal'd for feare he should meet with me This being so sayd Zelmatida you are obliged to go to Morocco to put that Prince in his right witts But replyed Polexander whilst I am in that Journey who shall keepe you company The shadow and remembrance of Izatida said Zelmatida sighing Those precious reliques of my happinesse are my faithfull companions They never forsake me and entertaine me so sweetly that without offence to the incomparable Spirit of Polexander I find nothing that pleaseth me better But what need you trouble your selfe Doe not you know that Zelmatida is a wretch which should be no more accounted among the living Polexander unwilling to continue this conversation oftentimes embraced the melancholly Zelmatida and so took leave of him after he had given an assurance of his
resolution is worthy of your vertue answered Polexander and when I heare you speake so generously methinks I heare the magnanimous Benzaida to accuse the ingratefull Nephizus and mildly to reproach him for his inconstancy and violated oathes What a pleasure have you done me said Ennoramita to bring into my Remembrance that poore abused creature Relate to me I beseech you the story of her Lover and why Nephizus made her come to Fez Since he had forsaken her It may be said Polexander that Nephizus never thought on her when he met her at Fez. That meeting was the last Exigent and misery which that incomparable Lady was brought to by her constancy She could not live out of the sight of that disloyall Prince and for many yeares of late hath search'd him every where But t was much to her mishap that she found him for then hearing from his owne mouth how much he contemn'd her she stabd her selfe to be aveng'd on her own person for his disloyalty ingratitude That history Madam is no lesse strange then Tragicall and you cannot better employ the remainder of this day then to heare with compassion the miseries whereof you are the cause though most innocently Ennoramita was astonish'd at those last words of Polexander Yet beleeving he had not spoken them without a cause she besought him to tel her whereof she was guilty You have made one most miserable answered our Heroe and yet are guiltlesse of it After he had made this reply he came neer to a little bed on which the Princess was seated and seating himselfe right against her in this manner began the to-be-lamented adventures of Benzaida When you did me the Honour to intrust me with the secrecies of your life I noted from the beginning of your narration that you were ignorant of the principall part of Nephizus adventures I was divers times tempted to interrupt you and to discover that which oblig'd him to keepe himselfe conceal'd so long time to change so often places and not to appeare in publick but under the name of a stranger But not certainely knowing whether he were dead I thought it was fit to leave you in your error and not give you new causes to think worse of him But now that I can put you out of trouble and make you perfectly know him without any wrong done I will tell you his first legerities and make known those secrets which with a great deale of reason he hath alwaies hid from you Even before your Infancy had triumphed over the heart of that Prince he had subjected it to two personages farre different in humor and condition yet both equally faire and alike abused The first was called Izilia the daughtur of an Arabian Knight very rich and famous for the preserving alone the Province of Temesna in the obedience of the King of Morocco The other was the discreet and generous Benzaida Princess of Granada How said Ennoramita all amaz'd Benzaida Daughter of the unfortunate King of Granada The same said Polexander yet I have oftentimes heard say replied Amatonta that shee was stolne away by a Spanish Captaine before the taking of Granada and since that time none knew what was become of her The King her father answered our Heroe without doubt was the cause of that brute to hide from his Subjects the shame of his family but t is most certaine that she dyed at Fez and that the ingratitude of Nephizus was the cause of it If you love me said Ennoramita interrupting him relate to me that strange adventure and without refraining for feare of renewing my anger let me know I beseech you all things as they have hapned Nephizus is sufficiently punish'd by his death though he had not been to me as he was yet were I obliged to pardon the wrong he hath done me forget all my sufferings out of that holy respect which the living should beare to the dead If it be so as I doubt not Madam said Polexander you shall be absolutely satisfied Some few yeares past Abdelmelec who is esteemed one of the Expertest Knights of all Africa and the stoutest Juster amongst the Moores published a Turney to Maintaine against all Knights both Christian and Mahometan that Alcidiana is the fairest Princess of the world I was at that Turnament without any other designe then to be a spectator of that galentry for being without passion I was likewise unprovided of a cause to quarrell with Abdelmelec I wish'd he had not given me more by his last challenge then he did by his first I would then leave him a free possessor of his imaginary prosperities and not goe trouble those fine dreames which his vanity brings on him waking I came to Morocco the second day of the Turney and knew well by divers courses that t is not without reason that the Moors vaunt to have taught the Christians the art of giving a blow with a lance with a good grace and mannage and sit a horse for justs and running with canes In seeing those excellent Knights there kindled a desire in me of trying them and to put in practise those lessons they had given me in France This resolution was not so well taken but that it might have bin very easie to have made me change it But being by chance lodged with some Arabian Knights I heard them speake such extraordinary things of the beauty and vertue of Alcidiana that I had a great minde to see the Picture which I did on the Buckler of Abdelmelec and in many other tables which that Prince had caus'd to be made notwithstanding the Remonstrances of his Marabous and the forbiddings of the Alcoran Assoone as I had seen it I fell straight into that Error which accompanies young men and thought Abdelmelec was not so worthy as my selfe to serve so faire a Princess The very next day I took armes against him and maintain'd that t was to me only for whom the Destinies had reserv'd the honour to serve Alcidiana He accepted of me in the Combat in the Quality of a Rival and I who demean'd my selfe in it with all the violence of a man of Sixteen perpl exed him in such sort that after divers courses he was reduc'd to the necessity of giving me place He was not only oblig'd to it by the lawes he had imposed on himselfe but more that he might renounce the title of Alcidiana's knight he was compel'd to have recourse to the Ax to the Cymiter but had no better fate then with the first and his misfortune was such that I inforc'd him to demand his life of me and yeeld to me that brave title of Alcidiana's Knight And so by a meere Caprichio of Fortune I became master of the feild of the arms of the pictures the Prize appointed for the victor I retir'd with al these advantages ravish'd with the tables which I had so gloriously won return'd to my ships with an intent to get me speedily to the Canaries
his own wonderful acts is bound to beleeve those of His life I feare not to relate to you a Life as miraculous as any of those Heroes of whom your Forefathers and ours have made them their first Gods Some have bin of opinion that Kings receiv'd from Heaven some advantages which were not granted to other men I have known divers Kings who have made me doubt of the verity of that beliefe But having the honor to know you withal Polexander as I do I am forc'd to confesse that as there are Kings who are alwayes children there are others too who are men in their Infancy Without giving then ought to my affection without soothing I dare say that my King is of those last and that he came into the world with those excellent qualities which age Study and experience sell to ordinary men at so deare rates His Soule in her descent from Heaven preserv'd retayn'd al it had receiv'd in the 〈◊〉 of her originall Her descent or fall made her not lose or forget any thing She was câ—…eated full of knowledge and so entred compleat into the habitation appointed for her and in spight of all the fetters and vayles of the body kept still her prime agility and fiâ—…t illuminations But it was very fit and I dare say absolutely necessary that Polexander should be borne with those qualities which are seen but in very few Princes for it would have bin a peice of prodigie if there had come ought that was any way vulgar from Periander the wonder of his age and Axiamira the Admiration and glory of her times The Prince which for good cause I alwayes call incomparable was borne in this Island and with his life receiv'd the Crown of almost all the Canaryes Not that he had his extraction from those barbarous Kings which heretofore raign'd here His derivation is more glorious being descended from two of the greatest houses that ever flourished in Europ The one is that of the Kings of France and the other of the Emperors of Constantinople It is but little lesse then three hundred yeares since the French had for their King a Prince who for the sanctity of his life hath been thought worthy to be ranâ—…d in the number of the Semy-Gods This King had a Brother call'd Charles of Anjou The greatnesse of whose courage and renown of his virtues acquird him the Crowns of the two Sicylyes and Ierusalem From that Prince in a direct line from Father to Son is Polexander descended and if Fortune had not too cruelly exercis'd on that house that horrible fury wherewithall she useth to break Septers and over-tumble Thrones he should be now as his Predecessors have been King of the best part of Italy Greece and Thrace But those of Arragon on the one side and the Paleologues on the other and lastly the Turks have deprivâ—…d him of the inheritanee of his Ancestors and left him nothing but most just causes to be sensible of their common usurpations But alas I know not whether I should wish that Polexander might change the affection he hath to Alcidiana for an inclination to â—…evenge For when I think on the disasters which are fatally linck'd to such an enterprize and reflect on the unfortunate life and Tragicall death of the great Periander I feare that which I have most passionatly desired and requested of Heaven even that the King my Master might never think on those Territories which his Predecessors had lost The famous Amaâ—…ontus Father of Periander seeing that by the remissenesse of the last Paleologue Constantinople fell into the hands of the Turke and besides many times but vainely attempting to make the Easterlings arise in Aâ—…es against their Tyrants had such a detestation to a people so infamous that to lose their memory with the sight of them he forsook Greece desirous to seek out in some other end of the world a place of retirement where he might live unknown But Fortune who soon repented her of the injustice done to so great a Prince brought him into these Seas and in lieu of the most rich Crown of the World which she had taken from him gave him the fairest and most delightfull I meane that after she had long time made him wander on the Ocean she brought him to cast Anchor and land on this Isle the very day whereon the Inhabitants were assembled to chuse them a King He was called to this Little Monarchy by the consent of all and in lesse then three or four yeares made himselfe so much valued amongst those of the neighbor Islands that in emulation of one another they would needs have him for their Commander After the death of that Prince his Son Periander not only succeeded him but to extend the bounds of this little Empire drove the Portugalls out of the Isles they had guarded and without doubt might have gotten the Crown of Spaine it selfe if the desire of recovering his ancient inheritance had not engag'd him in a War with the Turk In his first voyage into the Levant he marryed with a Grecian Princesse call'd Axiamira who by her spirit and virtue made it well appeare that she came from that Heroick blood which had so often triumph'd over the Monarches of Asia He returned hither with that Princesse and within the four or five first yeares of his marriage had on her Polexander Iphidamantus and Cydaria Assoone as he saw himselfe made happy by so fair a posterity he thought on the meanes to make their condition equall to that of his Predecessors and to that end renewing the Treaties wherein the Knights of Rhodes and many other Princes of Christendome would have before time engaged him he undertook a busines which as impossible as it seem'd he had infallibly effected had it not been for the treason or cowardize of his Allyes He got him secretly to Rhodes and not finding matters there as he had been by some made to hope would therefore be himselfe his owne Agent He travell'd alone through all Greece visited all the Princes of the Imperiall house who were banished into the Islands of the Mediterranean passed thence into Syria to cause the Heyres of the house of Antioch to take armes and lastly disguiz'd like a Turke came to Constantinople where he abode neer six moneths and dealt with so many Christians during that time by the mediation of the Patriark that he thought himselfe powerfull inough to drive thence the Turke Thence he returned to Rhodes with that good hope and having wrought his enterprize to it's perfection at least he thought so he departed from that Island with an army which should have been invincible Assoon as he arriv'd he made himselfe Master of those Castles which shut up the mouth of the Hellespont and by that surprise threw so great a terror into Constantinople that Bajazet was on the point to forsake it Periander entred into the Propontis and sâ—…iz'd on the Isles of Marmora and Calomina in spight of
condition you ought to take into consideration the Queen your Mother you ought to give her the Example of comforting her selfe and by your constancy facilitate the meanes of supporting her mis-fortunes All things sort well with you to go render her this necessary proofe of your good disposition She now bewayls your absence as well as your Sisters Go and ease her of one part of her feares and disquiet and since 't is impossible for you to give her all she desires give her yet at least all which she desires with reason I know t is vexatious and irksome to you to signifie to her the death of your Sister But it is not of necessity that you should your selfe bring her that unwelcome and heavy newes Besides Axiamira's virtue is no common virtue She is of proofe against the greatest Accidents and Fortune who hath often violently justled her hath not been able to stirr her At that word Polexander interrupting me Governour said he I yeeld to so many reasons and will not be â—…pbrayded that for being too nice I forsook one sick who might have receiv'd comfort by my care and diligence Presently the Pilot had command to returne to the Canaryes and as if the wind had been govern'd by that Prince it shifted in a moment from East to West and so fresh a gale that the second day we discry'd the prodigious Mountaine of the Isle of Teneriffe There we met with an obstacle which was as the presage of those hind'rances where withall Fortune went about to oppose the prosperities of Polexander Four-Pyrateâ—…hips which domineer'd in those Seas discharg'd all at once on our two Vessells and not thinking to meet with any great resistance came close up to us without any more My generous Master finding in this occasion wherewithall to exercise his great courage made it appeare to the Rovers they had been very ill advised He so affrighted them by the terror of his blowes but particularly by the death of their Captaine that they gave over the fight and contented themselves with the losses they had sustained Polexander was more hard to be pleas'd and would not overcome by halfes He hotly pursued the Run-awayes sunck two of their ships and but for the ill weather which seem'd to envy his victory it had not been unperfected But of this I intended not to accuse Fortune if by a pernicious sequell that Jealous-one had not made it appeare she had a designe not to save the Prince's Enemies but to ruine the Prince himselfe To bring it to passe she arm'd the Sea and the Winds and commanded them to wage Warr with him and after she had held him many dayes and nights without hope of safety cast him into a Port wherein he made a more dangerous shipwrack then if his Vessell had been split upon some Rock His ship then open and leaking in many places and unfurnished in her principall parts hazardously entred the mouth of a little River which our Pilots knew not and not finding water enough insensibly ran in on the owze The generous Polexander presently came to assist Alcippus Diceus and my selfe that could no more and assuring us we were out of all danger said that if we had yet but a little courage we might instantly enjoy our good fortune Get out my friends let 's get out of this sad abode and let 's see whether the Land will be more kind to us then the water and whilst our Mariners resume their Spirits let us take the benefit of that rest which an extream pleasant shore presents us Alcippus overcame his sicknesse to follow Polexander went a land with him Diceus follow'd presently after and I who had rather dye then be from my Prince caus'd my selfe to be carryed on shore by foure of our slaves The ayre of the Land streightwayes dissipating a part of our sicknesse we found our selves comforted and â—…as'd in lesse then nothing Polexander and Alcippus climb'd to the top of a Rock not farre from us to see whether we were arriv'd in a place that was inhabited But seeing neither men nor houses and the night too approaching they return'd where they had left me and told me we must set up Tents on the shore to passe the comming night better then we had done the eight or ten precedent Diceus receiving this order from me went back into the ship and commanded the Officers of the Kings Cabin to go set up the Kings pavillion in the most commodious place they could find All which was don with so much diligence that in lesse then an houre we found our selves very well lodg'd When every one had eaten we set Sentinells on the parts that lead to us for feare of being surpris'd and gave them expresse order not to disperse themselves for what cause soever This done we went to Bed Scarce had the Sun begun to whiten the top of the Rock at whose feet we had pitch'd our Tent when Polexander call'd Alcippus and my selfe and told â—…s we slept as profoundly as if we were in a friends Country We streight clad us and that while the Prince went to relieve the Sentinells and put some little Court of Guard about his Tents to make some little resistance in case we were set on and forbad us on paine of death to observe him as a King before any person whatsoever that should hap to come neer him This being thus ordered he commanded his horses to be landed but they had been so Sea-beaten they could hardly uphold themselves Yet there was a Barbary white as Snow which Polexander had bought to combate with Abdelmelec that took heart assoone as he was landed and refreshing himselfe on the Grasse seem'd by his neighing to assure the King his Master that he might make use of him The Prince after he had taken a little repast amongst all his followers took horse and Alcippus and Diceus following him a foot travers'd a plaine which stretch'd it selfe along by the River and grew broader in other Lands as farr off as the eye could extend After he had ridden three or four miles he descended by a pleasant slope hanging of a hill into so delight some valleys were it for the little Brookes which divided them for the Fountaines which slid from the top of the little hills for the meadow coverd with a thousand severall kindes of flowers or for the little woods which invirond them so that oftentimes considering them I have said to my selfe that the ancient Grecians had good cause to chuse the abode of their Heroes Soules in the Islands of the Atlantick Sea If Polexander were ravished at so faire a Scite he was farre more in meeting with those that inhabited it They were Shepheards so handsome and Shepheardesses so fayre and neatly clad that in seeing them Polexander thought on the Knights and Ladies of the French Court beleeved he saw them represent act some Pastoral in their rurall habits The first he met withall not a jot wondred to
and taking from his finger the great Diamond he would have given his Hoste with a great many excuses put it on one of the slaves The man never thought Polexander had beene of a condition able to give Presents of importance He therefore tooke his Diamond as a thing of small value and returned with a resolution to make Alcidiana merry at sight of the shepheards liberality But when he was returned to the Pallace and had at leasure considered his Diamond he could not believe what he saw but imagined there was either some illusion or 〈◊〉 in Polexanders liberality He came and gave an accompt to Amintha of his Commission and to make her laughe told her in shewing the Ring that he had beene payd for his paines in shepheards coyne The Lady tooke the Ring and the luster of it streight striking her sight what said she all amaz'd hath the stranger given you this Diamond Yes Madam said the slave smiling Doe not laughe replide Amintha for assure your selfe you have the fairest Diamond in the Kingdome This Stranger must needes be more then he seemes T is the present of a King and no ordinary person and I tell you plainely betwixâ—… us two the Queenes boxe is not worth much more then this Ring She went presently to the Princesse and related to her at large all the civilities and submissions whereby Polexander received her Present Besides said she I am to acquaint your Majesty with one thing which may no lesse astonish you then the Strangers valour What is it said Alcidiana See replide Amintha and withall shewed her the slaves Diamond and told her 't was Polexanders gift The Queene stood amazed and after some silence I see said she wee have not to doe with a man that contents himselfe with a little Iâ—… wee consider what he hath bestowed on Pallantus 't will be a shame for us to offer him lesse then a Crowne Whilst the Princesse talked thus of Polexander he by his extraordinary joy made knowne he was not so hard to be contented as she imagined As he had beene tide by the eyes he stood gazing on the present and deceived by an amarous illusion found shut up in a little boxe all the greatnesse and treasure of the Universe He invited his Hoste to take part in his glory He called Alcippus sent for Diceus and thinking himselfe unable to expresse alone what he felt commanded them never to give over publishing his most happy fortune Their fullnesse of joy was not silent in so faire an occasion of speech They extold the Princes happinesse beyond it selfe and spoake wonders of Alcidiana's beauty and magnificence But when they would have gone from her prayses to Polexanders and make it appeare that if his fortune were good his merit was no lesse he called them flatterers imposed them silence and said that the most extraordinary desert could not without impudence have any value or to be thought on neere Alcidiana He so much forgot himselfe in this discourse that his Host who had beene one of the finest Courtiers of his time imagined the Prince was not mooved to speake as he did by the sole motive of Alcidiana's liberality And Polexander as soone caught himselfe in his fault but 't was too late For when he would faine have shifted it from his Hoste and made him believe Alcidiana's presence had beene cause of all these praises I believe replied the wise old man that â—…e Queenes liberality doth not displease you but I am much deceived if her beauty doth not more neerely touch you It happened to Polexander that which usually betides all Lovers which are discovered in their subtleties He blushed and but for the darkenesse of the place where he was he had confirmed his Host in the opinion he had of him In this manner ended a day that had beene so favourable to Polexander The very next morrow he cast off his shepheards habit and as he was ready to goe to the Queenes Pallace he understood she had suddainly left the Countrey on the receipt of most important newes and was returned to the City of Arzilea which is the Capitall of her Kingdome that her presence might strangle a revolte that was ready to breake forth Polexanders first motions were such as you may fancy in a yong Prince amorous and extreamly valiant But they were moderated by the second and all that reason permitted him to wish was that there might chance some great occasion wherein he might make shew how much he affected the Queene This prayer or wish was just and it was heard For a small time after one of the greatest Lords of the Kingdome called Siziphus who had before beene convicted of an attempt against the Queenes owne person put himselfe into the field with a mighty Army and colouring his rebellion under a pretext that the State was not governed according to the ancient manner made all good men see he openly aspired to a Tyranny Alcidiana looking on his rebellion as on a Monster never before seene in her State accused her indulgency and mercy as the causes of it and by consequence judged that to cut it from any further life she was to make use of her utmost justice She called together the Officers of her Crowne and in their presence gave command to the Generall of her armes to goe meete the Rebells and hinder her people from suffring any violence These orders were executed with so much speede and trust that before Syziphus was come out of his Province he saw him stopped by an Army halfe as strong againe as his He shewed in that occasion he knew how to make warre for instead of precipitating himselfe inconsiderately to a fight he intrenched his Army in a very advantagious place and secured his back with the Towne whose name he carried and because he could draw thence all he needed for the sustenance of his Troopes those of Alcidiana's party saw themselves inforced to stay a long time encamped before the Enemy Polexander was no sooner assured of this warre but he sent for me from the place where I had so long attended him and putting himselfe into an equipage farre exceeding a private man rode towards the Army He had learnt of many the affection Siziphus â—…ore to Alcidiana and the refuse he had from her in an Assembly of the generall Estates of the Kingdome the resolution that insolent man had taken to steale and force her away to avenge himselfe of that refâ—…sall the ill successe of that enterprice and lastly the pardon Alcidiana gave him after his being condemned to dye as guilty of high treason All this made him thinke on Syziphus not only as a Traytour and ingratefull But as a Rivall He therefore thought that if he could by the way of honor make an end of that he should all at once get the good liking of Alcidiana's Subjects save the Princesse a second time and gloriously give satisfaction both to his love and jealousie As soone as he came
Oftentimes we thought him dead but his good temper having wrestled neere six moneths with his disquiet thoughts and melancholy he recovered I may say from the grave Yet was he above six moneths more wherein he could not put himselfe to the least effect but he fell againe into his former malady After so many relapses he at last got strength whether he would or no and recovering by the returne of the Sun a health more vigourous and setled then that which he had lost he would sacrifice it as the other to his passion disquiets and new voyages And now seeing the season approach wherein Alcidiana's ships used to set saile for the Island of the Sunne he did what he had so often done before without any other designe then to end his life in quest of that happinesse he had lost Whether it were that Alcidiana's ships were already gone or that she had altered the time of sacrifices so it happened that Polexander found nought of what he searched on the coast of the Isle of the Sun Whilst he was in this perplexity one of Bajazets Rovers fell into his hands He used him with a great deale of courtesie and wonne him to stay sometime with him During which talking of divers things he understood how valiant Bajazet was how generous and magnificent and of his being passionately in love with a great Princesâ—… whose picture he carried in a boxe of Diamonds At the newes of this imagine you see Polexander troubled all in disquiet and transported with the desire of revenge He certainely believes it to be the boxe that was stolen from him And to be certaine describes to the Pirate the forme of the boxe makes to him a picture of Alcidiana's picture and forgets not the least stroake in it The Pirate who may be only spoke by hearesay or but confusedly remembred what he had seene answered Polexander to his owne desire and could so well perswade him that Bajazets boxe was the same he described that he presently put on to assault him in his Island in the very midst of all his forces But his good fortune was he found him not there He was gone a roving with his fâ—…eete and the Governour of the Isle understanding Polexanders designe by the Pirate he had let goe would have staied him not only as an enemy of his Governour but as a man for whose redemption there might be payd a great ransome Polexander was therefore set on in his vessell by all those the Pirates reserved for the guard of the Isle Imagine now the Princes resolution when he saw himselfe in the midst of fifteen or twenty Pinnaces and Gallies He made a fight that can never be worthily enough related no not by the most eloquent pen in the world He fought two dayes and two nights without intermission and as a generous Lyon not only teares in pieces the toiles that invirone him but the hunters also that oppose his passage so did this Heroë either sincke force from fight part of the enemies vessells and making a great slaughter of the Pirates gloriously returned by the same way he came thither The third day after this victorious retreate he discovered a ship and thinking it belonged to the Rovers that had so traytrously dealt with him he commanded them in it to strike saile The Master not obeying there began a fight with the Cannon and was continued by handy blowes Polexander in that incounter met with a hardy enemy and 't was that valiant Prince the Sonne of Zabaim and Zelopâ—… who as I have told you tooke away Polexanders box The fight was equally maintained by the valour of those two Princes for the space of â—…ven or eight houres Now was Polexander in Almanzor's vessell and anon after was Almanzor in Polexander's They were imitated by their Souldiers who came on or retreated as they had more or lesse good fortune That was the cause when the tempest had seperated them some of Almanzor's Souldiers were in Polexanders ship and the Prince wanted of his and amongst others that famous Italian Painter who had drawne for him Alcidiana's picture The storme taking him after the combate he was very violently beaten by it for five or six dayes but at last his Pilot knew that the ill weather had beene very favourable to him since in a small time with an extreame swiftnesse it had made him crosse a long space of the sea The fiâ—…st day of the calme he discried the top of the prodigious hye Pike of Teneriffe and advising Polexander of it he was commanded to get in and cast anchor there At his landing all the Inhabitants of the Isle shewed so much joy for his returne and so great a desire to enjoy him longer that he resolved to give them that satisfaction In the meane time he sent Diceus into the other Islands to make choice of the best ships in the Havens and to cause ten or twelve to be made ready at all points for him His providence may be tearmed propheticall for Diceus was no sooner returned with the ships but the Portugalls appeared about the Isles Their confederates they had yet among the Canarians had without doubt given them advice of the losse of Polexander of the Queen his Mothers death and the desire which many witnessed of returning into the Portugall subjection They therefore believing they needed but to shew themselves and so enter in possession of the Isles drew neere without doing any act of hostility and sent newes of their comming to those who had called them thither The answer they received was not such as they expected Word being sent how Polexander was safely returned Neverthelesse they were advised to land in the very Isle of Teneâ—…ffe to set on their enemy whilst he was weakest and not to give him time to collect his Troopes This counsell was followed and 't was so but for the King my Masters greater honour I dare say that the forepassed times whatever they talke to us of their Hâ—…roës and Conquerors have left us nothing that may be compared with that which Polexander did for the safety of his Subjects Greece vauntes she had a Prince so magnanimous that he alone cast himselfe into an enemies City and alone sustained all the assauâ—…s and shaâ—…s of a Nation who wished his death But Polexander did that by the greatnesse of his courage which the other did by necessity Instead of standing as simply defensive he went on alone to incounter a great number of the worlds most valiant Souldiers and what passeth all beliefe in opposing his only sword and courage to the â—…ury and power of a whole Navall Army disputed with it two dayes and two nights their entry of the port of Teneâ—…iffe and gave time to his ships to come and partake in so wonderfull a victory The Portugalls perceiving well there was nothing but blowes to be gotten fled after a short fight and seeing themselves chased by our vessels retired into the ports they have on the coast
Diamonds with a great deale of civillity Be pleased said he to accept this boxe for a remembrance of our meeting But doe not imagine I am so ignorant of the value of things that I thinke my selfe acquitted of the debt I owe you by the worth of the stones on it if I intreate you to accept it t is for no other consideration but that you may know if you come to the Court the name of the man whom you have obliged I dare not stay longer with you Thamiris command which calls me other where is too just to be obeyed At first Polexander was somewhat nice to take the boxe but perceiving by the Danes speech what a discontent that might have been to him had he refused it and besides conjecturing that token might be advantagious to him in his designe he tooke it and told him that going to the Court he would not faile to bring it him back aga he After this promise many great compliments passed assurd him that if any other then the Lady who had so well assisted him had commanded his carrying thence he would hardly have resolv'd to part with him The Dane besought him not to be troubl'd for him said that whither he went he raÌ„ no hazard Polexander expounded his words in the sence a Lover might give them and for feare of disobliging tooke his leave of him and the Lady and so with Alcippus and Dicâ—…us went streight to horse and recovering the high-way got quickly into a great Village at the end of the wood wherein he had met that bloody adventure Of necessity he was to alight there for Alcippus was so weake that he could ride no further He had him to be brought into the best Inne and commanded Diceus to treate him as himselfe It hapned as fate would that the Hoste was an old Souldier who after his bearing armes many yeares without bettering his fortune had retired himselfe thither and married an old Hostesse very well accommodated Polexander desirous to free the minde of his Hoste from the astonishment he had to see Alcippus in so ill an estate told him how in passing by the neighbouring forrest they had been set on by theeves You are not the first said he who have fallen into their hands There is none that passeth that way but he loseth his life or his money if he be not well accompanied Those are the inconveniences the wars usually leave behinde them and the disorders which happen through the negligence or purloining of such as are appointed the Souldiers pay masters This mans discourse made Polexander believe that he might informe him of what he so much longed to know He therefore in a small time grew to a great familiarity with him and to win him absolutely put himselfe to the trouble of inventing a thousand tales under whose probabillity he was got to be of his ancient acquaintance Some fifteene dayes he was in that Inne for Alcippus cure and one of them being wonderfull desirous to know who he might be whom he had ayded and finding his Hoste in a good humour asked him whether he went not sometimes to the Court He made answere he had beene there but too often and how after his unfortunately living there five and twenty yeeres he was constrained to retire to get his bread and play the begger no longer If so said Polexander there are then but few persons of quallity whose faces you know not 'T were happy for me said he if I knew them lesse then I doe and that their false semblances had not vainely abused my expectation and worne out the prime of my youth Whilst he was talking thus Polexander opened the boxe which the Dane gave him and taking out the picture shewed it to his Host. Scarce had he fully seene it but he cried out and clapping Polexander on the shoulder whence come you said he that you know not this face I come replied Polexander from wandring through most of Europe and am but newly come into Denmarke By chance found I this picture and imagining it belongs to some great Lord I would faine restore it and that bred my curiosity to know him You have good cause to prosecute your intention answered the Hoste for 't is the portraict of one who is likely to enrich you for the least service you can doe him his name is Phelismond our Kings Heire and Favourite or to speake more freely he is indeed the very King of Denmarke At the name of Phelismond Polexander was so supprised that he changed colour and was faine to sit downe to resettle himselfe His Host tooke notice of it and asked whether he were not well He replied t was the remaines of a late sicknesse and so cast himselfe on a bed as well to dismisse the man as to ponder seriously on so wonderfull an accident After a long times musing he rising addressed himselfe to his 〈◊〉 and told him he must participate of his astonishment and know who 't was whom they had 〈◊〉 from among the theeves T is said he Phelismond surely I know by this â—…at reaven delights in the confounding the judgements of men and laughing at 〈◊〉 deliberations will they nill they brings on them all which it had decreed from all eternity I came of purpose into this Kingdome to kill that Phelismond whom for Alcidiana's sake I have prosecuted as the chiefest of mine enemies and yet the first adventure which presented it selfe heere engaged me to hazard mine owne life to preserve his After this miracle I bow my head and see cleerely that heaven cannot suffer our rash thoughts to oppose themselves against the secrets of its providence My passion presented to me Phelismond as one of those happy Monsters whome fortune takes pleasure to raise aloft to shew how far pride and licence to doe any thing dare goe But I know quite contrary that this Prince is adorned with excellent quallities and his courtesie is no lesse winning then his valour is redoubtable without whose approbation there is not a virtue but is a vice nor courage but is unmanlinesse I am no lesse guilty then Phelismond since I have received other Lawes then those thou gavest me Tushe tushe I renouncâ—…e all these unlawfull motions for since thou hast resolved it Phelismond must perish When Polexander had ended Alcippus began and confessed there was something of he knew not what extraordinary good in this adventure neverthelesse said he to his Master I admire nought at all these strange accidents which betide in what you have undertaken You should not be the man you are if things did not befall you otherwise then to other men Well well said Polexander interrupting him t is enough once either Phelismond or I must dye The sentence of our deaths hath been given by the mouth of a Judge from whom it is neither lawfull for him or I to appeale Come let 's see whether he have as much courage against love as we have been witnesses he had
Prince set downe among his first examples of Loyalty the excesse of my blinde obedience After this discourse with himselfe he began to thinke on the meanes of bringing his resolution to a good issue and after a long meditating on it came forth with Alcippus to revisit Phelismond and met with his first Conductor who assured him his Master was impatient till he saw him againe and that all the afternoone he had entertained his visitants with nought but his ingenuity and couâ—…age Polexander answered as he ought and so ascended to Phelismonds Chamber He found him up and was received with a great deale of joy and gentlenesse behaviors raâ—…e in men of that condition Long time the Prince embraced him speaking as he had knowne the secrets of his soule When said he shall I have the happinesse to see you as really my friend as I wish it Polexander who could not betray his conscience nor indiscreetly offend so generous a Prince studied an answere that might satisfie him and yet be no prevarication in what concerned Alcidiana The sole cause replied he which deters me from receiving the honour you doe me is a feare that when I shall be more particularly knowne to you then I am you will be inforced to cut off a great deale from those favours you doe me Phelismond at that word stopping him assure your selfe said he that neither you nor all men breathing can by any action whatsoever take from me my intention and will to be entirely yours But fearing least you may imagine that rather some other consideration then that of your virtue hath obliged me to woe your friendship I asked it you without the knowledge of what you are not what you can doe These courtesies of Phelismond so distracted Polexander that but with a great deale of trouble could he frame an answere to so many noble speeches In the meane time Phelismond who had a designe to gaine him absolutely smiled to see him at a nonplus and thus came on againe Beâ—…ide what may yet must I have what I intreate for Doe you not know that Love hath the priviledge to be resisted by nothing See then what you intend to doe If you be so good a husband of your friendship as you will sell it either it is inestimable or I have that which will buy it Or if you â—…e so liberall as to give it I am ready to be wholly obligeâ—… to you for it Polexander confounded with these new chargâ—…s was even desperate of ever contenting Pâ—…elismond and admiring his generosity sâ—…id to himselfe Alcidiana was unjust in desiring the death of so perfect a Prince At last he overcame the agitations of his minde and resolved not to discover himselfe but to declare to Pâ—…elismond the cause of his journey and by consequence what 't was which hindred him from accepting his friendship See how he came off from so difficult a straite and under what tearmes he hid the truth of his life Since said he to Phelismond you will have me absolutely accept the honour you doe me or give you reason for my refusall I will make use of the liberty you give me and freely tell you I cannot receive your offers how advantagious soever they may be to me nor yet promise you my service till I am disingaged from an affaire wherein your selfe is in some sort interrested Of what nature soever that businesse be replied Phelismond I sweare to you if you please to doe me the favour to trust me I will ever conforme my selfe to what shall be most agreeable to you This protestation full of candor and affection obliged Polexander to trifle the time no longer but thus to goe on with his Declaration I am a French man said he and my birth good enough for satisfaction I have been bred up among the troubles wherein my Countrey hath laboured within these few yeeres and fortune hath been so favourable to me that I have had thence more then I expected But when I adapted me to tast the fruites of my labours she hath raised me a fearefull enemy and would have put him in possession of all that good I promised my selfe Yet when she was in hand to put him the enjoying she found her selfe too weake to performe it That Favourite hath met with more obstacles in that he would deprive me of then the greatnesse of his quallity could imagine He hath seen his hopes as well as mine take their end when they should have had their beginning and when I should have complained of his violence he obliged himselfe to give me satisfaction by waies that were not honourable Pardon me if you please continued Polexander if I name not my Usurper for he is so well knowne in this Court and you have so much cause to affect him as I have been told that I feare for his sake you will forget all your promises to me Believe it not replied Phelismond I heere againe engage my selfe to make good what I have promised Since you are so generous said Polexander I will lay open the summe of all my businesse My enemy unwilling to have our quarrell decided otherwhere then before the King your Master sent that he would meet me heere to give me full satisfaction and that at farthest I should heare of him within a Moneth See Phelismond my fortune the cause of my voyage and wherefore I dare not believe you can love me You may perceive by this that I am come into Denmarke to fight by the Kings permission and to petition him that in his presence I may force satisfaction for an injury which will not suffer me to live without its resentment After this last overture if you have yet remaining disposition to oblige me suffer me not to have made an idle journey My Adversary is not now in case to make a joynt petition with me to the King but he is a person so noble that he would not for any thing faile of his word If I therefore dare to hope ought from your goodnesse or rather if my fantasticall designe hath made no change in your opinion I conjure you once more by that virtue which is so habituall to you to free me from my continuall molestation and to imploy a part of that power you have with the King in getting me his permission for a combate Phelismond observing in all Polexanders discourse the mildnesse and well temperature of his speech answered him thus I will make you see how much I value this your greatnesse of courage which no lesse apeares in your resentment then in all the rest of your actions I therefore promise to serve you at what hazard soever and either to lose all my reputation or give you that content which you hope for by your combate But if you please it shall be on condition that you finding nothing in this which may hinder your being my friend you will grant me that which I have often sued for When Polexander saw his businesse goe on
Take here if you please this sword the cause of your displeasure and assure your selfe that your just griefe shall advise you to nothing which I will not undergoe without a murmure These words surprised the King and cooled his choler Yet his love not permitting him to make use of his judgement you imagine said he that your courage can finde nothing which it cannot overcome but since you have contemned my friendship I will make you see what my power is Polexander could not answere him for he had lost so much blood since he got up that all his strength failing him againe he fell so as the King was faine to prop him or he had run the hazard to have fallen with him He therefore commanded five or six of his guard to take and carry him into the great Tower of the City which was instantly performed whilst he was in his swound The King of Denmarke freed from the object of his choler cast his eyes on his deare Phelismond While he thought of nothing but to have him carried away Alcippus and Diceus rushing out of the croude where they concealed themselves came and fell at his feet and besought his eare What are you said the King We are replied Alcippus servants to that Prince whom you treate not conformably to the Covenant whereby you permitted him the combate But in the name of Heaven Sir hearken to reason how just soever your resentment be and call to minde what you have sworne The keeping of your word ought to be no lesse deare to you then the preserving your Authority But if you thinke you have no cause on this occasion to stick to it reflect on the greatnesse of your prisoner and decree nothing against him till you have well pondered who Polexander is I know what I have to doe answered the King In the meane time I command you to get out of my Court within these foure and twenty houres if you will not run the fortune of a man who within these two dayes was but a meane Gentleman and now forsooth must be taken for one of the prime Pâ—…inces of the world But I sweare to make of him an example and at once give condigne punishment for the imposture and the murder Alas Sir replied Alcippus I beseech you humbly not to suffer your selfe to be transported by your indignation Your Majesty shall pardon me if you please should I say you would lose the respect I owe you The King justly offended at Alcippus indiscreet zeale grew more in rage then ever and commanded him with Diceus to be carryed to prison Both of them thanked him for that favour and uncompelled went whither they would lead them They were shut up in the same Tower where their Master was and presently after they sent him Physitians and Chyrurgions to see his woundes which they found to be great and dangerous But Diceus was not of their opinion and desired he might dresse his Master Those good people that were no more cunning then they should be thought this request was not to be denied and therefore gave way he should looke to him which he did and neglected nothing that might prevent those accidents which cause woundes to become mortall In the meane time the King of Denmarke was much troubled for Phelismond He had commanded six of his Gentlemen to take and carry him and not only went with him to the Pallace but had him laid in his owne bed where he was visited by all the Court Physitions and looked too for all things necessary as Heire to the Crowne Neverthelesse for all they could doe to his hurts they were so dangerous that till day breake all thought them incurable His Master went not to bed that night and swore if Phelismond died he would instantly command Polexanders head to be stroake from his shoulders After 't was day Phelismond grew sensible and as soone as he could open his mouth â—…asked where his King was and what was become of his enemy The King kissed him often and shedding teares for joy to heate him speake my Phelismond said he take heart and aske after nothing but thy cure He for whom thou inquirest is where he wants nothing since I saw by the letter thou writtest to Thamiris thy desire he should be treated as thy selfe Ten or twelve dayes slid away during which time the two Rivalls woundes threw forth part of their fire and cast them into such violent Fevers that their youth was the best preserver of their lives Phelismond now grew to be out of danger as well as Polexander when he called to minde he was not to faile of his word given him That consideration moved him to supplicate the King his Master he would be pleased he might be carried to the place where Polexander was Phelismond replied the King whilst the greatnesse of your woundes made me feare what would become of you I dissembled my resentment and would not thinke of your offending me but now you are out of danger I will tell you my minde and command you as I am your Master and Father to invent no pretext for having any cause to contradict me I have so much affected you Phelismond that in my life time I would have setled the Crowne of Denmarke on your head This extraordinary token of my love should intimate how deare your safety is to me and indeed it is so much that there is nothing which I would not doe to give you all the satisfaction you can desire Yet there is one thing I receive to my selfe and for which I will neither lend lend eare to my affection nor your intreaties 'T is the life of that stranger who without doubt hath bewitched you since you love him even after he hath declared himselfe your enemy and without regarding so many generosities which should perswade him hath done what in him lay to deprive you of your life Phelismond the most noble of men answered so advantagiously for his Rivall that his Master imposed him silence I will hold my peace Sir replied he since your Majesty commands me but I must submiâ—…ly beseech you to believe that my life is inseparably knit with that of the King of the Canaries and had rather dye then be the cause so great a King as you should not fullfill what he hath promised Verily Phelismâ—…nd replied the King t is too much anger me no more and call to minde that my crowne and amity deserve your care of pleasing me Phelismond would no longer exasperate his Master but put off further discourse of that businesse till another time Polexander was this while in prison very well treated and served with as much care as if he had beene even in the Island of Alcidiana Besides Phelismond who was not able to be wearied with shewing his generousnesse towards him sollicited his deliverance but his Master grew obstinate in refusall One day when the Favourite had but two or three woundes yet open he would needs try his last indeavour
into the bath but so dextrously that I discovered not the difference betwixt Iphidamantus and Ennoramita Assoone as I was dried persumed and clad Hely reentred the chamber where I was and shewing me my picture See said he that which hath preserved my life in your absence At that speech I put on a very serious countenance and told him I had beene in so great an astonishment by meanes of that which had betided me since I was taken out of the Sea that I could scarce reserve to my judgement sufficient to know whether I were yet my selfe or no. But let me tell you I am a man Hely smiled and shooke his head hearing me say so and taking me by the hand faire Ennoramita Iphidamanta replied he do not think to hide your selfe from those eyes which love hath made so clear-sighted You have now nothing to feare The traytor Nephizus is not in this countrey and Abdelmelec hath acknowledged his offences You are absolute Mistris of me and my Estates Command solely and you shall be punctually obeyed I grew almost mad to see my selfe treated like a maid and in that choler I spoake to the King any thing that came first to minde At last recollecting my wits I cannot imagine said I to Hely how you came to know my name to be so neere to Iphidamantus But you may know that that Iphidamantus was born a Prince and bred up in the Port of the Grand Seignior by the name of Solyman I see said I you do not beleeve me but since your credulity is so wilfull I will make you both an eye and hand witnesse that I am no woman Presently I unbuttoned my robe and would have shewed him my brest that he might know I wore not garments unbefitting my Sex but he clapped his hands on his eyes and protested he had rather dye then engage me in any action which should displease me No no said I I will do nothing unseemely Come see and disbeguile your self That old foole holding his hands still on his eyes told me he was too certaine of who I was to desire new testimonies Should my eyes said he now tell me the contrary I would say they lied and hold them for Impostors Be therefore still if you please what you have beene Be Iphidamanta be Ennoramita be a Shepheardesse be a Princesse you shall still be that visible Divinity which Hely will adore whilst he lives and the onely beauty he will enjoy in that Paradise which his great Prophet prepares for him Nay Iphidamanta shall be the chiefe part of my beatitude She shall be the most delicious dish I will taste of in the eternall feastings and her divine allurements will make me look with contempt on the miraculous Pomcitrons which our Prophets Angels will give to his believers for the accomplishment of all their pleasures And to speake truth how rare soever the beauties of those celestiall fruits are what is there in them that can be compared to the charmes of Iphidamanta This discourse composed partly of that poor Princes errors and partly from those of the Alcoran gave me good cause of laughter Yet I could not hold but at last grew angry and had I given way to my first thought I had made Hely repent him of his extravagancy But when I called to minde that I should avenge my selfe on a poore man whom age had deprived of judgement I said to my selfe I should be more senselesse then he if I went about to wrong him For three months together I had as much of this as was possible I patiently endured the Kings highest impertinencies I coldly received his Idolatries I gave care even with pleasure to his supplications his idle talke and his wayanentings In a word I almost became the same which that foole tooke me for and tooke in hand as well the rest though much against my will the needle and the spindle At last Hely brought me to Morocco and caused me to be received with an incomparable magnificence But after I had beene there a while and was growne of so ridiculous a life I resolved to beguile or to bribe the Guard that was night and day set over me and to take my time when some strange ship should be ready to set saile There chanced an excellent combination to perfect my designe Postes came from Thuâ—…is from Argiers from Fez and many other places who all solicited Hely to bring into the field those troupes which he had promised for the invading of Spaine and assured him that within few dayes the Grand Seigniors fleet would be at the generall Rendezvous These newes a little suspended my old Dotard's follies and made him turne his thoughts on more important businesse Hee sent notice to Abdelmelec hee should be in a readinesse Who answered him he staied onely for the ships which the Vice-roy of Argiers had promised him for his troopes That his Army was brave and very resolute and that ere long he would send him farre better assurances of that verity then words and letters I understood from Hely how the Grand Seignior offended with the Portugals beginning by their East-Indian Navigations to breake the trade of Spice which from all times before had beene through his Dominions was resolved to invade Spaine and by a continuall warre take from them the meanes of sayling into the East T was for that intent this great preparation was made You have seene the event in the battaile which the Turks lost it will be therefore superfluous to relate the particulars Assoone as Hely had made good his promise and drawne out of all places all that were fit to carry Armes he brought me back againe to Guargetsem that he might be farre enough from the noise of warre and by a sound repose satisfie his ridiculous passion After we had beene there a month Abdelmelec sent to the King his Father a great Gallion which he had taken from the Portugals and with that vessell above three hundred Christians of severall Nations When I saw that vessell I said to my selfe the Prince of Morocco had rather sent it to me then to the King his father and in that moment put on my last resolution of freeing my selfe Hely having extolled to me Abdelmelec's valour and desirous to let me see the proofes brought me into a very great roome where he had put all his slaves I looked on them and though they were all wounded yet I found them exceeding constant in their adverse fortunes I bid them in Spanish to be of good heart and told them I would take care for their safety and labour for their delivery They gave me thanks and one amongst them of an exceeding good aspect said softly to me that if he and his companions could but get weapons he assured himselfe as incommodated as they were to get againe what they had lost and something more That mans freenesse was like to have ruined him for Hely suspecting what he said gave command he should be presently
strangled I besought him to spare his life for my sake and I had no sooner requested but it was granted me From the prison we went to our ordinary diversions and from that day set my wits on worke for the advancement of my Enterprise I promised so many things and gave so much to two of my Eunuchs that by their industry I secretly got Armes out of the fortresse and as closely sent them to the Christians Assoone as they were in case to make use of them and that they had as many as they needed they broke open their prison cut the throats of the small Guard they had and got aboard their ship in the roade of Guargetsem At the same instant the tumult began I got to the secret staire that went downe from the fortresse to the Sea and by which my deare Cydaria saved her selfe as I conjectured by the ordinary discourse which Hely had with me When I was got downe I found a boate ready for me and my two Eunuchs in it We got speedily to the ship and being aboard the question was what way to steere to avoid the falling againe into the hands of our enemies All the Christians having chosen me for their Commander besought me still to be their Releasor The fafest course for us said I is to make off from the coast of Africk because of the great number of Turkish ships which get thither But since our ship hath all the markes of those of Turkey and that our Armes our Turbants and the rest of our cloathes may make us passe for some of their party let us not lose sight of these coasts nor engage our selves in a Sea we know not This advise was followed but had it not beene for the ignorance of our Pilot who the very first night was run out of the way it had cost us our lives or at least our Liberties For Hely assoone as he heard of my escape sent forth foure great barkes well armed which he had for the defence of the place and commanded those that went aboard them to follow me to the worlds end rather then let me scape away Our Pilots error having preserved us from that danger cast us into another as great For we lost sight of land and were two or three dayes wandring up and downe the Ocean At last we descried the high mountaine of Teneriffe but knew it not and as we were about to land there a storme cast us on the sides of a little Isle where I learnt said he addressing himself to Zelmatida at the cost of my bloud how fatall Polexanders valour is to those that provoke it Our Hero being oblieged to answer to these words extraordinarily praised Iphidamantus and related to Zelmatida particularly with what generosity his brother had taken Alcidiana's Pilot into his protection and with what boldnesse he came alone to assaile his whole fleet After this discourse was ended Iphidamantus intreated his brother he would be pleased to let him prosecute a design for which he had left Bajazet and that taking again the ship which he brought from the Pirats Island he might make an end of his unhappy destiny Polexander imagining by his words he laboured under some great perplexity and loath to use the authority his age gave him over his brother told him he might do what he pleased though said he Zelmatida and my self would gladly enjoy you longer with us But since you are cal'd otherwhere go when you please And who knows but love may be the cause of so speedy a separation Iphidamantus fighed at his brothers last words and having taken leave of them both caused his men to make towards the mouth of the Straights Achaim Hamet and many other Captaines of the Pirats came likewise to bid adieu to Polexander and giving him extraordinary thanks for the honour and riches whose acquiring he had beene the chiefe cause swore to him many times they would eternally preserve the memory of his benefits and a desire to merit them by their services Our Hero having bid them all farewell had now no other thought if we except the commanding and perpetuall thought which â—…nseparably linked him to Alcidiana but to bring back his victorious fleet into the havens of the Canaries This resolution was attended with all the happinesse which accompanied him when he tooke paines for the contentment of others and his returne was such a plentifull sourse of delights as his Isles how fortunate soever they have beene alwayes esteemed were ignorant of knowing any the like till to that day The end of the fifth Book of the second Part of POLEXANDER THE THIRD PART OF POLEXANDER The first Booke THE Inhabitants of Africa were not the sole nation which admir'd Polexanders victories All men who had heard of them spoke with astonishment and the Canarians rapt with so many more then mortall acts promis'd to themselves by their Prince's valour no lesse then to become one day the absolute Masters of the Ocean These transcendent hopes infinitly increased their former affections and caused them to imploy all that they had of most cost and value to make our Heroe's return as triumphant as his absence had been honorable They prepar'd for him stately entrances in all their capitall cities but Polexander neglected those popular vanities and looking on himselfe with more cleer-seeing eies then those he was survey'd with either by his subjects or his neighbours They provide triumphes for me said he who am beaten both by heaven and fortune All conspire my ruine and yet these men perswade themselves that the chance of war and the eternall order of nature are changed and conducted as it pleaseth my destiny Pluck off pluck off the band which blindes so many and let us teach these ill censurers of humane adventures that all their judgements are rash and make them see how this Polexander whom they call the most happy is a miserable man which hath not so much as the hope of that blisse which their wishes and blindnesse bestow upon him After hee had thus spoken to himselfe he dismissed the Canarians and for feare left in his absence the Spaniards might make them repent of their change he gave them governours who in the precedent passages had been known for men of courage and government As soon as he was disingag'd from those cares so incompatible with the thoughts of a lover he retired himselfe to meditate more at leisure and finde out some new way to get to the inaccessible Island or the sooner to his death Above two houres was he musing on these imaginary courses but his wits being vainly drawn dry on them he was forc'd to give himselfe for vanquished to that despaire which he had alwayes contested with Then our illustrious mis-fortunate Prince beleeving he had good cause to accuse himselfe Why then cry'd he Proud and cowardly reason hast thou so long time resisted since to our common shame thou should'st have yeelded and testifyed at last that thy
and whose childe it was which I presented to him I satisfied his demands and gave him such an affright and terrour at the repetition oâ—… Zabaim's extravagancies that falling on his knees and lifting his eyes and hands towards the Sun Thou still-waking eye cryed he of that Divinity whose shadow I am and nomore irreproachable witnesse of all the actions of men call me to judgement before the throne of eternall Justice and deny me thy pure light if ever the tyranny of sense or the weakenesse of spirit force me to the like brutishnesse After he had made this holy protestation he tooke the young Almanzor and holding him in his armes Yes mercifull heaven said he I receive as from thy hands the prefeâ—… thou sendest me by this stranger and subscribing with joy to the decrees of thy will I will be this Innocents father and betwixt him and my Son divide all my love and care With these words he delivered me againe the young Prince and intimating to me how happy he thought him selfe in finding so faire an occasion to exercise his charity entreated me to follow him He commanded one of his Camels for baggage to be given to the Princes Nurse and would have her still before him We rode till Sun-set and then came to a royall house which is Abrinzia's usuall aboade when the necessities of his State and the love of his people permit him to leave the City and in retirednesse to taste the delights of a Private man I will not relate to you with what care that good King caused the young Almanzor to be bred but will onely say he respected and considered him as his owne Son and the vertuous Andromeda his wife finding in him those causes of satisfaction which she met not in the person she had brought into the world would even have given him the first place in her love if the feare of heaven had not obliged her to observe the order of Nature and not to bestow that on a stranger which was onely due to the childe of the family Almanzor's youth was as noble and faire as the Prince of Benin's was insupportable Perseus so was he called had a melancholy accompanied with a brutish fury which made him not onely incapable of submitting himselfe to his Governours or to the King his father but so awkeward and indisposed to all exercises both of minde and body that it seem'd heaven having so much exhausted its treasure at the birth of Almanzor had reserved nothing for that of Persâ—… This which I have spoken if you please shall suffice for the first foureteene yeares of Aâ—…life Come we to the fifteenth and by the apprentiship of his valâ—… judge what this Master-peeces should be In the season wherein the Sun swerves from the Equiâ—…tiall line to get up to the Tropique of Cancer there rush'd out of the Deserts of Zanâ—…ra a prodigious Serpent which having laid waste the Territory of Guangara by the death of more then a thousand men made himselfe an entry into the kingdome of Benin He came on even to the gates of the City Budis and marching as a hardy and judicious Conquerour came the soonest he could to the City of Benin as if he would have presented battle to the King himselfe He utterly left desolate all those Provinces through which he had pass'd by the justice of heaven The people assembled and armed themselves against this Monster as against a common enemy but their resistance was vaine for that puissant adversary overthrew whosoever presented himselfe before him No arrowes so great or weighty or sharpe soever could pierce him and there was no better way found by any for their security then to shut themselves up in townes After he had made a generall havock through the Kingdome he set him downe in the territory of Benin The wood and fountaine of the Sun he chose for his usuall abode and as if he had beene satisfied with his Conquests and would now stop their progresse he stirr'd not more away farre from a place the most holy most religiously kept in all the Estate of Benin From time to time he came even to the Towne Gates and kept the King in a manner besieged within his walls and wholly interdicted the peoples commerce and exercise In the meane time the devoute Abrinzias contemplating that Monster as a scourge which heaven would make use of for the chastisement of his offences thought this persecution would not cease but by a publique penitence He had therefore recourse to those remedies which were taught him by that eternall Law which the most barbarous have graven in their hearts He wept he fasted he punish'd himselfe for his people he added publique processions and solemne sacrifices to his private devotions and reclaiming the people from their Luxury and debauches went himselfe every where preaching teares repentance and amendment Whilst all the Court was in prayers and mortification a valiant and generous Knight had an intent to fight with that Monster He was called Bellerophon and had gotten so great a reputation through all Africa 〈◊〉 't was held for impossible that which he could not execute At all points arm'd he rode out of Benin mounted on an excellent horse and resolv'd to dye or to deliver his Countrey from that terrible slavery The people drawne by the hope of their safety followed that generous warrier but at sight of the Monster feare freezing their bloud made them abandon their deliverer and shut them up againe within their walls Bellerophon was left alone and his courage encreasing by the generall affright he went to search for his enemie even among the Palme trees wherewith it seem'd he would crowne himselfe The Serpent not being now so eager at his prey as he was at first would scarce lift up his head when he saw Bellerophon but by some hissings contented himselfe to make appeare how much he contemn'd his adversary Bellerophon came on for all the turbulency and furious frightments of his horse and making use of his agility in shooting answer'd the hissings of the Monster with those of his arrowes But none of his shafts could wound him He was every where invulnerable Yet Bellerophon gave not over shooting but hitting him above the eye made him reare up his red and blew crest which made on his head a kinde of a crowne and to unfold all those great circles in which he seem'd to have insconc'd himselfe He suddenly darted himselfe on Bellerophon and had infallibly inwrap'd him but for the extraordinary leape which out of feare the warrior's horse made The Knight seeing his Steed unserviceable alighted cast his horse off approach'd the enraged Serpent and by a good hap worthy his courage with an arrow which strooke out his right eye we learnt the Serpent was not invulnerable But alas that knowledge was dearely sold for Bellerophon could not avoid the coming to gripes with the Monster 'T was related to Abrinzias that the bold Knight defended himselfe to the
into the arme of my deare master The Angell who had the guard of so faire a life made him feele the stab before he had it A certaine trembling seiz'd on him and awak'd him so that he saw himselfe ready to be strucken but being but halfe awake could not stay Perseus his hand Assoone as he felt the stab he threw himselfe on the Murderer Sir said he with that generous mildnesse wherewith he was wont to qualifie his fiercest enemies what cause have I given you to treat me thus Have my enemies prevailed more on your inclination then my affection and service could ever obtaine from it Come home to your selfe I beseech you thinke to what others passions have carried you and assure your selfe I will forget the blow you have now given me if you will promise to drowne in oblivion the causes why you cannot love me The to be abhor'd Perseus in lieu of being mov'd by those generous words did his utmost to get free from Almanzors hands and may be too to perfect the murther he had begun But our Prince wounded as he was got him under and that could not be done without wakening his slaves who ran in at the noyse My masters said Almanzor come help me the Prince agitated by some strange malady hath lost all knowledge and understanding and questionlesse mistaking me for his enemy hath with a ponyard stab'd me into the arme All the slaves ran to him with so deare an affection that they had torne Perseus in a thousand pieces had they knowne what had pass'd howsoever they rudely enough drew him out of the bed and one of them who naturally hated that barbarous Prince cri'd to his companions 't was best to binde him since he was distracted Almanzor chid him very much for losing his respect and commanded he should no more come neer to Perseus Six others who had no mind he should get away kept him whil'st two of their companions who were Surgeons stop'd Almanzor's wound Assoone as he was drest he labour'd much with Perseus to win him from his sury but perceiving all his perswasions were lost he turn'd him to his Slaves and forbad them on paine of death from ever speaking of that adventure Whereupon Perseus with as much rudenesse as pride call'd to be no further detain'd from his owne lodgings for said he I will not be any longer amongst mine enemies Almanzor presently commanded those that had him in guard to conduct him to his chamber and intreated in parting that he would beleeve he should never have any more affectionate servant then himselfe The next day he came abroad and liv'd in such manner with Perseus that Abrinzias and Andromeda knew not the base act of their Sonne in above six moneths after Now a while after Almanzor was cured of that secret wound Abrinzias contemplating him as the man by whose vertue his Sonne and Estate might be much advantaged resolv'd to offer him part of his Crowne to oblige him to the preservation of all One day therefore being retyr'd with Almanzor and his Queen My Son said he tell us what is your intâ—…tion will you leave us for Zabaim and under hope of a more eminent fortune then you can expect from us neglect two persons which value you more then all the Crownes of Africa Almanzor answering as he ought and Abrinzias judging by his reply that he surely thought him to be his Father I will use you said he not as the younger brother of Perseus but as his elder his Master and Defender Know therefore that after mature deliberation on the proposition I am to make you and with Andromeda's advise I am resolv'd to divide my Estate betwixt you and Perseus Heaven can witnesse if I have not wish'd onely for your sake that my Kingdome were as great as all the Empire of Ethiopia or that of the Ottomans But when I consider that the greatnesse of the Present is not alwayes a testimony of the greatest affection I feare not to offer you a part of the Kingdome of Benin since by that donation my Self and Andromeda transact to you and waive all that is in our power and by consequence give you asmuch as if we had set on your head all the Crownes of the world looke on our hearts not our Present and remember that he is not the greatest Monarch who hath most land and the greatest number of people under his subjection but he that knowes best how to suppresse those disordinate desires which ambition breathes into him Abrinzias stopping a little to take breath Almanzor or would have answered and gotten out of the trouble whereinto the Kings proposition had throwne him but Abrinzias staid him and be sought he would heare a second which he had to make him Know said he that Andromeda and my selfe are not satisfied with chusing you for our Successour but we have thought on the finding you a wife and by some alliance worthy your selfe establish your Throne extend the Limits of your Government and purchase you a repose no lesse innocent then delightfull We have cast our thoughts on all the Princesses both of Africa and Asia but after our long consideration we finde none to be compar'd with the Princesse of Congo 'T is true she is yet but young but what can there be said which is spoken of her vertue her wit and her beauty It may be you may imagine I offer you a treasure which is not in my power and that Princesse as young as she is being fought to by the greatest Princes of Africa there is no likelihood she would bestow her selfe on a petty King of Benin We confesse there were some deniall to be fear'd if Almanzor had no other quality then what we give him but you must understand that her Nation who within these three yeares have given you the title of Africa's Deliverer and the Princes of her bloud equally wish you for their Master See what Andromeda and I have been meditating for the comfort of our age and not to leave poore Perseus to the mercy of the greatest enemy he can ever have to wit to his owne discretion Almanzor taking his breath againe at the end of the Kings Speech as if he had got out of somewhat that troubled him fell at Abrinzia's feet and intimating his inward sorrow Is it possible said he that some words or actions of mine have made you beleeve that you could not surmount my ingratitude satisfie my ambition nor stay me longer in your service at a lesse rate then by setting your Crowne on my head If it be so I deserve to be look'd on by you as one of those abominable children by whom the wrath of heaven chastiseth the pride of such Families as are blinded with the height of their good fortune But not desirous to appeare better then I am suffer me to let you know that I feele not my selfe guilty of so black a crime and the more I examine my conscience the more it assures me
that I never aspir'd to your Crowne whence is it then you make to me pardon me if I say so unjust propositions For it seemes you offer me your Crowne but to bridle and chaine in my fury and so take away the cause of my attempting against your life That which I owe you the care you have taken for my breeding and the love you have alway shown me are such strong bonds that they are capable to regulate a nature more ingratefull and ambitious then mine If you please Sir to honour me with your love cast that designe from your fancy or permit me to punish my selfe for being the cause of it and avenge you of a monster that could not glut his appetite bâ—…t by devouring his owne benefactors Abrinzias and Andromeda hearing how Almanzor interpreted their thoughts or rather admiring his incomparable vertue imbrac'd him one after another and told him that the knowledge they had of his good nature and not the feare either of losing or ill treatment from him had made â—…hem resolve to quit the Throne to place him in it with his brother Perseus Perseus repli'd Almanzor hath right to it alone when heaven for his punishment shall deprive him of you At those words Andromeda could not refraine from teares and casting her self on Almanzors neck Why Cry'd she hath not that just heaven permitted Perseus to cal himselfe rightly Almanzors brother These words were follow'd by many others but I omit them as â—…oo tedious and unnecessary for your satisfaction and will onely let you know that this interparlance or some other cause which Almanzor would never discover cast him into so deep a melancholy as he hated himselfe for it and yet could not for his heart suppresse it He forsooke the Court and all company and spent whole dayes either iâ—… the Desarts or on the Sea shore This strange kind of life made the King and Queene of Benin feare some new disaster and their affection perswaded them that his pensivenesse presaged some dangerous sicknesse Hydaspes who almost never forsooke the Prince was the first that tooke notice of his alteration he did what he could to divert him but perceiving ordinary remedies were not powerfull enough to extirpate so extraordinary a distemper he had recourse to more violent Finding therefore one day Almanzor weeping With what Justice said he to him dares a Prince so wise in counsâ—…ll so valiant in execution and so happy in the successe complaine either of heaven of fortune or himselfe What will not your enemies say Almanzor if your discontent comek to their eares Will they not have cause to make the world beleeve that you see with griefe the age of the King your Father that you meditate some plot against Perseus and in briefe that you are tortur'd either by some crimes you have committed or by those you have a desire to perpetrate Almanzor was very sensible of those last words and imagining that some other might have Hydaspes thoughts intended to overcome his melancholy and to seeke in the toyles of war that quiet which he could not meet withall among the delights of peace Almaid here staying as to take breath Polexâ—…nder who had a desire to speake turn'd towards the vertuous Almanzaira and shewing to her into what admiration the adventures and vertues of her Son had drawne him collected in briefe all the points of Almaids relation That done he discours'd much with the Princesse and remonstrated that all the misfortunes of her life had nothing in them so mortall but that she might finde their remedy in the birth of Almanzor That good Mother fail'd not to confirme Polexander's words and confess'd to him that if Zabaim and Almanzor could be preserv'd to her she would account her selfe infinitely obliged to that Goodnesse which had made her the wife and mother of two so great Princes The end of the Second Booke of the third Part. THE THIRD PART OF POLEXANDER The Third Booke ALmaid seeing Almanzaira and Polexander whom he knew not seem'd by their silence to intreat from him the continuance of Almanzors adventures was willing to satisfie their curiosity and thus proceeded Hitherto we have been Spectators if I may say so of Almanzors glorious troubles and triumphs we must now be the same of his Weaknesses Discredit and Servitude He continued in that irksome Melancholy of which I have spoken and as if his ill Genius had in spight of himselfe thrust him on the precipice where he was to be ruin'd he went every morning out of the Palace to passe the most part of the day on the point of a rocke where he had for his prospect but an open desert of waters as vaste as his thoughts Hydaspes almost daily waited on him thither and knowing his Masters malady was a disease which came further then from the in temperance of bloud or of other humours strove to sweeten the bitternesses of that Prince and to prepare him for those accidents wherewith he was threatned by that supernaturall sicknesse One day as they were together on the top of their rocke and had their eyes fix'd on the Coasts of Guinea they saw a far off a ship which with a favourable wind came with full sailes sailing from the West Eastward They thought her at first to be a Portugall Almanzor whom I may call the best Master of the world at that instant thought on me and that remembrance drawing him from his melancholy It may possibly be Almaid said he to Hydaspes who after his long captivity hath found a meanes to returne to us Let us goe downe and see whether my conjecture be true or no with that he arose and shewing a joy beyond appearance Surely said he to Hydaspes this Vessell comes to us and brings great cause of comfort Alas how was that poore Prince deceiv'd if not in all at least in the principall part of his hopes For my selfe his expectation was not frustrated for I was in the ship which he looked on with so much joy but traytor and unfortunate that I am I brought with me bolts and chains under whose weight the courage of that Prince was to lie fainting I will no longer hold from you the successe of that adventure I came and cast anchor where Almanzor was and making my excesse of joy and actions of thankes to which the happy successe of my voyage obliged me to resound againe by many Cannon shot I lanch'd a Shalop and first went downe into her that none before me might kisse that Land which was as deare to me as my native soyle No sooner had I set foot on shore but Almanzor came to me presently knew me cast himselfe on my necke and weeping for joy My Father said he and have I then recovered you againe after so long time of your losse and hath that misericordious Goodnesse from whom I have so often petition'd you granted me even that for which I durst not supplicate You may well beleeve without my telling you that my
considerations the overflowing of that passion but Almanzor cutting me short Do not said he imitate Hydaspes and speake against your owne thoughts through a desire to hinder a matter already resolv'd on Your Son Almaid must love he must heaven will absolutely have it so and that love Axiamira But said he how unfortunate am I in that I must give an account of my life to others then my selfe I am overtyr'd with visits and businesse and for a little vanity which the power of Commanding gives me I must deprive my selfe of my contentment yeeld my selfe a slave to other mens passions and for the accomplishment of all misery have all my labours and industry rewarded with perfidy and ingratitude They are not suspitions and doubts which make me speake thus No they are truths Almaid and such truths as you have unwittingly told me Ah! ingratefull Zabaim King incident to all crimes must thou needs after so many services which I will not remember be the author of my just complaints and the object of a yet more just indignation But he went on addressing him to me to the end we may proportion the punishment with the fault bring me hither Osmin I will from his mouth understand the wrongs Zabaim hath done him I very attentively gave eare to all these words and knowing they proceeded from an extreame affection and hatred I fear'd lest the power of love might be able to violate that of nature and winne Almanzor to breake with Zabaim These feares made me oppose against the complaints of my deare Master all that I thought availeable to get him from that opinion he had of Zabaim I therefore besought him to do nothing hastily nor upon the relation of parties interessed dissolve an amity which seem'd to be immortall I know said he what I owe to Zabaims favour He knows too how I have serv'd him Notwithstanding he hath sayl'd of his word and endeavour'd to rob me of the treasure wherewith I intrusted him Judge to what a resentment so great a contempt and so base a treason obligeth me Yet I will not doe what love adviseth me It shall never be reproach'd me that I neither know how to make or preserve friendship If Zabaim have injur'd me his fault shall not make me commit another but it shall teach me how to demeane my selfe with him that so hereafter I may cut off all causes of sayling in our amity Go then Almaid fetch me Osmin and let us see how farre Zabaim is guilty Presently I went and brought Osmin to Almanzors chamber The presence of that old man extreamely comforted the Prince and made him seeme farre lesse unquiet then he was before He spake to him with a very temperate spirit and intreated him to relate all his fortunes but before you begin said he you must satisfie me in one thing which troubles me and make knowne how Zabaim hath treated you since my absence I know you had rather lose your life then preserve it by an untruth Therefore I intreat you not to forget the injuries Zabaim hath done you no nor so much as to suspend the resentment of them to the end that without preoccupation you may make me a plaine and true recit all of what hath befalne you in Guinea Begin then and without considering that Zabaim is my friend tell me the truth purely Osmin whom I have alwayes knowne most sincere taking heaven to witnesse what he was to speake Two dayes said he to Almanzor after your departure Zabaim took the paines to come to my lodging where he staid a while with Axiamira but seeing her in a silence and sadnesse not to be surmounted he left her and taking me by the hand Father said he let us leave this faire maiden to her selfe I follow'd him and when he was come to the Sea side he made me a long Speech of the obligations in which he was ingag'd to you and repeated all the requests you had made him in behalfe of my daughter and my selfe Hee added that for your sake and particularly for mine hee would alwayes respect mee as his owne Father and that hence forward hee would put no difference betwixt his wife and my daughter I rendred thankes for his proffers and telling him they were too advantagious for a stranger like my selfe and a poore maiden as mine was I humbly besought him to contract all his liberalities into one which was to give me the meanes by which I might returne into mine owne Countrey Father repli'd the King I am ready to grant what you have desired but I must not for the infinite love I beare you become mine owne enemie and in preferring your content before mine owne leave an ill opinion of my selfe in those who looke not on the actions of Kings but to finde fault with them yet let us passe by the conceptions of the multitude which commonly are most unreasonable and fasten on that of Almanzor Will not he have cause to beleeve that I have abus'd you when he shall understand that contrary to what we had agreed together you have staid so short time with me Stay therefore here yet a few dayes and have patience till I can send him your resolution You are too generous and too good I repli'd and if the love you beare were not founded on the worthiest cause in the world I could not but still thinke on the excesse of your courtesies But Sir as I imagine your Majestie needs not use so much circumspection in so inconsiderable a businesse We are three poor Wanderers that have no name but by our miseries and who cannot receive the least favour but we must acknowledge it to be beyond our expectations Suffer us then to accomplish the course of our calamities and let not your goodnesse be so sensible as it is of those outrages which Fortune is not yet wearie of making us undergoe I made this long speech to Zabaim to the end that mov'd with compassion or overcome by my reasons he might give way to our departure I cannot tell you whence those impatiencies of parting which I discovered proceeded but I confesse to you they were very extreame and yet my wife's and Axiamira's were greater For all that my prayers my solicitations and intreating Zabaim in your name could not obtaine the leave I demanded He oppos'd so many shewes of amitie and so many reasons to my request that at last to comply with him I went against mine owne thoughts and yeelded to stay yet with him That conformitie of mine was so pleasing unto him as imbracing me with the transport of a man very passionate Father said he I will make you confesse that Almanzor is not the sole man deserves to be beloved and raise you to that happinesse that with the one part of your affection you beare to him you shall lose all that other which you beare to your native soile After all these artificiall promises he return'd to the Palace and leading me by the hand made his
perceive that my griefe which is very sore when I looke on him is farre worse when I see him not Sister said I though I am the last that speake I am not the last that suffered I have long since examined my selfe of the reason of that change I noted in me and how I should feele my selfe sicke and yet not discover the cause nor the quality of my malady but your discourse hath freed me of my ignorance I know now that my sicknesse comes from the eyes of the faire slave the delight I take in seeing him is followed with so sensible a griefe that whether I see him or see him not I finde my selfe divided betwixt a delicious torment and a disquieted contentment See the first discourse that a growing and almost unknowne passion made two Maidens of thirteene hold together Age which is a great master in love chiefly when it is seconded by those which of old have beene instructed in it quickly taught us both by the example of our parents and the conversation of those faire slaves which waited on us not onely what we should call our sicknesse but how strange the effects of it were Solyman in the meane time not onely seem'd ignorant of it but shew'd himselfe so extreamely insensible that he was neither mov'd with our lookes our blandishments no nor with our speeches amongst many other proofes of his insensibility I remember one which as young as we both were made us see that our affection prepar'd strange afflictions for us The Sultanesse our mother being retir'd from Constantinople during a voyage of Achomat's into Egypt to a Seraglio which the Emperour had given her on the Channell which runs into the blacke sea we in that pleasant solitude passed our time in all the sports and merriments our Governesses thought fit for our exercise The Sultanesse our mother was usually a Spectatresse of our pastimes and noting that my sister and I passed them over with a negligence and pensivenesse not befitting our age was afraid left it might presage some great fit of sicknesse Had she been a little more informed she would have knowne our disquiets were not the presages but the effects of that ill which she feared Notwithstanding we conceal'd it not onely from her but even from those that were our greatest confidents and did our utmost endeavours to communicare or at least to discover it to the impassible Solyman His respect to the Sultanesse having one day whether he would or no forc'd him to stay betwixt my sister and my selfe that Princesse who tooke much pleasure in hearing the first proofes of our wit commanded us to speake to him and he had the like to answer us Our discourse at first was of meer franknesse of humour and principally of the neglect of men to which Solyman answered with so much discretion and vivacity that the Princesse confess'd aloud she could not heare any thing more witty but being diverted by a Poste from her deare Achomat she left my sister and my selfe in that liberty we had so oftentimes wish'd for As Solyman was about to follow her we staid him against his will and my deare Hysteria spoke thus You have good cause to quit us if you beleeve we spoke as we thought our misprising of men might make you doe the same to us but doe not beleeve Solyman that we are so wicked as to offend that All whereof you are a wonderfull part our injuries were but a sport and we cunningly made use of that artifice to conceale from our mother the too true affection we bear to the fairest of men With that poor Histeria blush'd and her languishing eyes stood fix'd on Solyman to let him comprehend that hee alone merited that glorious title Solyman blush'd too either for his owne shamefac'dnesse or Histeria's and unwilling to answer a speech that troubled him did what he could to get from us yet his discretion not suffering him to goethence by violence he saw himselfe obliged to stay yet a little longer with us I then began and casting down mine own eyes as to not see my selfe Why flyest thou us Solyman said I Are wee so unworthy thy company or is thy mislike of us so great as thou canst not indure our sight nor heare us speake to thee Thou may be valuest thy selfe by the miseries of thy fortune and quite forgetting the greatnesse of thy birth wilt observe that low submission which thy Tutors have prescribed thee and slaves should owe to their masters Is it not out of feare of making thy condition worse then it is in trying to make it better If such a timidity seale up thy lips and casts thine eyes downewards thou art as weake a valuer of our thoughts as thou art of thy selfe we could looke on thee as on a Prince which should one day sit on a Throne and not as a slave who hath lost for ever all hope of his liberty But our affections are too purely sublim'd to fixe themselves on such grosse and base considerations we love thee because heaven would have it so because thy gracefulnesse forceth and thy vertue obligeth us Wee intreate thee now to divide that love betwixt us and to be pleased that by kinde and mutuall exchanges thou wilt give us a part of thy servitude and accept as much of our liberty Histeria hearing I expressed her thoughts so well Deare Solyman said she interrupting me accept I beseech thee my sisters proposition command with us and we will be slaves with thee Solyman would have been overjoyed to have heard us speake on though it pleas'd him not because at least our continuall talke had freed him from the trouble of answering us but wee impos'd our selves silence of purpose to heare what he would say sometime he was consulting with himselfe at last seeing he was forc'd to an answer Faire Princesses said he you have shut my mouth even by that which you have made use of your selves for the liberty of breaking the silence is commanded me you say I am thought on and regarded by you as a Prince which should once governe and that consideration tels me I am but a wretch who with the title of Prince have lost all the priviledges of Principality though your proffers came from a true feeling you have of my miseries and that you should be so good as to contribute somewhat to the consideration of my birth yet beleeve not I beseech you that I can by such a charme beguile the knowledge I have of my misfortunes You may faigne being as you are to be slaves without making triall of any of the rigours of servitude but if the strength of imagination deprive me not of that of judgement 't is impossible for me in conceiting my selfe to be among the sweets of liberty that I should forget the bitternesse of slavery Give over then faire Princesses give over the presenting me with imaginary good since it doth but put me in minde of those true ones I want
of being taken prisoner was more sensible to him then his honour of killing so many enemies The Emperour on the other side that would not sit downe with the affront he had receiv'd in the person of his Lieutenant put a terrible Army into the Field divided the Generalty between Achomat and Haly Basha and gave the command of the Janizaries to Solyman this second voyage was more glorious and favourable then the first The Souldan of Egypt was reduc'd shamefully to aske peace of his Enemy and constrained by Solyman's incredible valour to abandon many places he had taken But ô how fatall was the honour of your insensible brother to my poore sister and me And what powerfull baites did his palmes adde to the charmes and allurements of his person We look'd on him no more as on the faire slave but as on a victorious Prince who by his valour and fortune might aspire even to the Empire of the Othomans My sister who all her life time bore an extraordinary love to all extraordinary vertues and who had a courage no lesse high then her father and her lover was perpetually fix'd in contemplating the exploits of the latter and for his valour's sake excusing his insensibility Thou dost well said she sometimes thou dost well generous Solyman not to hearken to such requests as would stop the current of thy great actions Pursue them with the same boldnesse thou hast begun and leave us alone in our solitude to waste our miserable dayes in griefes vexations and unprofitable desires I was alone with Histeria when she thus talk'd to absent Solyman I interrupted her and beginning to be angry at our bootlesse perseverance Truely said I we justly merit the sorrowes we undergoe since we are so great Enemies to our selves as so much to applaude our tyrant What wonderfull thing hath this ingratefull man done who scornes us that we should with so much joy entertaine his disdaines and blesse the hand which cuts the thread of our life Beleeve me my deare sister Solyman laughes at our easinesse and infallibly holds that onely because we so submissively solicite him we deserve to be sleighted Why reply'd Histeria speak you so boldly since you finde in your selfe that your heart and thoughts disavow it Doe not flatter your selfe Melicerta but freely make knowne your resentment Is your reason able to make good the revolt it adviseth Are you sure it will not forsake you when you must come to the decision Consult with your selfe and examine whether you have courage enough to resolve in good earnest to scorne him that neglects you No no you cannot breake the fetters you weare all your endeavours to compasse it doe nothing but multiply your sufferings you resolve on many things but you cannot nor will not put them in execution make no doubt of it Melicerta you shall all your life time love Solyman with his indifferences his coolnesse and his insensibility For mine owne part I must cease to live when I would give over loving him Nature and inclination which have brought on my affection have made me love him without condition or reservation Neither disdaine nor ingratitude can release me from that necessity Love Solyman sayes my Inclination But if he be insensible if he be unrespective if he be even an enemy to my passion have I reply'd oftentimes For all that it hath answered love him still and know that thy amity shall be the more perfect because its existence depends on nothing but it selfe and hath lesse commerce with things without it Alas Histeria said I deare Histeria I am enforc'd to my great griefe to confesse my thoughts are conformable to yours and that I vainly strive to resâ—… the most unjust passion wherewithall our soules could ever be persecuted I love the ingratefull Solyman and I would dare say that I love him against my will if at the same time when I thinke so my will did not disavow it I should never make an end if I pass'd not in silence the most part of those discourses begotten and produc'd by our younger errours But I leave them and let 's see the victorious Solyman enter Constantinople as much cover'd with Palmes and Laurets as wee were full of flames and impatiency The Emperour willing to gratifie his great services made him a Basha and inriching him beyond his hopes gave him one of his fairest Palaces and this way tooke him out of the power of Achomat The liberty hee had recover'd and the great meanes he had acquir'd by so honourable wayes had beene the greatest part of our joy if that Prince's good fortune had not been the ruine of our own I will not tell you to what an extreame torment wee were brought by his absence his prosperities were to us new causes of sorrow and when we came to thinke they hastened our destruction we day and night cursed them and at one same time wish'd Solyman Emperour of the Turkes and that he might still be a slave These different wishes ruining themselves by their mutuall extravagancy we knew not at last what to eschew or what to desire The very evening that ingratefull man arriv'd onely advis'd by our phrensie we resolv'd to let him see in writing what we had no hope to let him know from ou mouthes Presently we severally writ to him but neither of us being pleased with our letters we threw them into the fire and were of opinion wee should better expresse our thoughts if we did inclose them in one same paper Histeria therefore began to write for us both I did so too and after many alterations we approv'd of the letter I will now rehearse to you and sent it to our enemy It was thus if my memory faile me not The two Sisters to SOLYMAN BASHA VVEE should be guilty of that crime whereof we accuse others if we were not sensible of your honour and 't is to witnesse the pleasure we take in it that wee have hazarded these lines to you your good fortune would have taken from us the use of prayer if it had cured you of your insensibility We begge nothing from heaven but the end of that ill after our obtaining the period of others doe not make it incurable Solyman but let pity worke the remedy We would say Love but we feare lest that word should offend you yet give us leave to tell you what we doe and read without anger that time and absence which ruinate things the best established daily strengthen our affection We have made a progresse from the Love of Inclination to that of Understanding and that which at first had no reason at all hath now such strong ones as you must absolutely deprive us of judgement if you goe about to make us alter our resolutions Doe not imitate such ill examples as those with whom the Princes favour hath fill'd up the History of this Court. Doe not forget your selfe because you are fortunate and if you have not alter'd your minde change at
so unmercifull as to suffer me to live Soliman extreamely perplexed with my Sisters speech call'd for five or six Eunuchs whom he trusted with his most important affaires and committing Histeria into their custody Have said he a speciall care of this Souldier and be accomptable to me for him on your life He will bring you to his lodging where his brother is Goe and bring them both to one of the Tents next mine owne This command was executed as it was enjoyn'd and we were shut up where Soliman had appointed and serv'd by his Eunuchs with so much care that we thought his noble entertainement had beene an infallible presage of the end of our miseries In that error we liv'd eight or ten dayes but when Histeria saw that Soliman neither came nor sent to visit us she resolv'd to dye and told me her constancy was at the last gaspe and she could no longer endure Solimans insensibilities I was of the same opinion but had not the same courage I wish'd with all my heart to be out of the world but all the wayes to it seem'd hydeous and fearefull to me I see my deere Auditors you grow weary of my laments and the relation of our miseries begins to be irkesome I am now ending it by a bloudy Catastrophe Know at the generall assault which the Turks gave to Lepanto Histeria finding a way to deceive her keepers fought above two houres in the first rank of the Janizaries and even in sight of our father and her Beloved She then receiv'd many mortall wounds and the assault being ended entreated two of her Companions to carry her off into Solimans Tent. That insensible man came in almost as soone as she and knowing her was so inly touched at that tragicall spectacle as he commanded all his followers to withdraw When he was alone with her he would have said something but she impos'd him silence and though she spake with a great deale of paine Of so many requests said she which I have made to thee since I was borne at least grant me one I will aske no unjust thing of thee 'T is that after my death thou wilt be a little more humane then thou hast beene whilst I liv'd Thy prayers are heard Soliman see this is the last time the unfortunate Histeria will importune thee she hath obtain'd from her selfe a great deale more then she desir'd from thee But she laments not the losing her life to please thee for 't is the least losse thou hast made her suffer O happy among so many miseries if she can by her death purchase her sisters felicity Thou weep'st Solyman since when began thy stony heart to change nature Hath my bloud had the vertue to mollifie it If it be so ô how precious are my wounds to me since in bringing my death they end my miseries and melting that congeal'd ice within thee promise some peace to my deare Melicerta What more could she adde to these words truly nothing but ending them she died and seem'd to die joyfully because she thought it would be the price of my redemption Alas my deare sister thou died'st with that generous thought and I unfortunate and coward that I am dare live with that knowledge give Melicerta give somewhat else then vaine teares and Iamentations to her that hath bestowed her bloud and life on thee I yeeld to it my deare Histeria and am fully resolv'd to follow thee for I feele in my selfe I know not what strange motion which assures me my death is at hand and that the insensible Solyman shall not much longer triumph o're my unreasonable perseverance But return we my dear Auditors to that unpitifull man Histeria's death almost made him desperate not that he had lost her but that hee had beene the cause of it and by consequence of the most sensible sorrow his Benefactor Achomat had ever resented He was about to have slaine his Eunuchs yet weighing that their diligence how exact soever could not be sufficient enough to hinder the resolutions of a furious Lover hee enjoyn'd them for penance to take better care and charge of me then they had of my sister he sent me a little after the body of that unfortunate Princesse and a Jew Physician intreating me by him to imbalme it I gave her those sad duties that very night and help'd to inclose her in a cedar Coffin covered with plates of silver which Solyman sent me with a great many excuses in that he could not himselfe give me that respect he was oblig'd to by my birth his duty and our common affliction I knew too well for my quiet he had not changed nature and that the teares he had shed at my sisters death were rather teares of ceremony then pity The next day he sent me a new Messenger and told me by him that to what place soever I would retire I should finde a Tartane ready in the haven to carry me thither with the body of Histeria He who brought this message said he had command not to leave me and he would not onely performe it but being Captaine of the Vessell would either hasten or retard his voyage as I pleas'd I have no more to doe here said I but to take leave of Solyman That will be a hard thing for you to doe he repli'd since he is busied about the batteries and 't is thought the Venetians will this day come to a Treaty about the reddition of Lepanto What he said prov'd true Solyman who hath ever been the good Fate of his Masters ô happy Histeria and Melicerta if he had been so of his slaves tooke the Towne by composition and accompanied Bajazet into it at his glorious entry The day of triumph being pass'd Solyman without any mans knowing or so much as suspecting the cause with a few of his followers left the Camp and renouncing all the honours riches and supreme greatnesse which the Emperours favour and his important services might justly make him hope for stole away in the darke of night from all the Turkish Fleet. The flight of a man of so great a consideration was soone noys'd abroad after it hapned but divers dayes pass'd in the Camp before it was beleeved The Emperour my father and many others fill'd with the love and admiration of that Prince lamented his losse as the greatest could a long while betide the Ottoman Empire Assoone as the newes was brought me I imbark'd with Histeria's body and intreated my Pilot to land me in some part of France or Italy I thought I should finde Solyman there for since he was a Christian there was no safer retreat for him I was almost sixe months in quest of him but all my care and diligence was fruitlesse sometimes I enquir'd for Solyman sometimes for Iphidamantus and seeing â—…was all in vaine I thought then to aske for Polexander's brother That Name which is knowne through all Europe was my guide to bring me to Solyman I was told that
death nor Melicerta's miseries when the quietnesse of my minde and the mirthsomenesse of my humour forsooke me without any apparent cause That which till then pleas'd me began to be distastfull and the pensivenesse sighes and Bajazet's disquiets which I could hardly indure became my most pleasing diversions I found delights in solitude company was irksome to my melancholy and restlesse thoughts I learnt to sigh in earnest and found pleasure in it sleep left me and I knew by my long and troublesome watchings how cruell the nights are to the sicke and unfortunate Though I grew angry at this new manner of living yet I found some sweetnesse in it one night when certainly I slept though I thought my selfe awake a great flash of light dash'd all obscurity from my chamber and strooke into mine eyes at first I took it for lightning but the same lustre having as it were dazeled me the second time I opened my bed-curtaines to see what it was and perceiv'd walking with an incredible sadnesse and slownesse a young mayden which had her breast open'd with some blow of a sword the bloud gush'd out in great clots from the wound and the faire apparition inlieu of being terrifi'd look'd on it running out with a great deal of pleasure holding her eyes thus fix'd on her wound she drew neere me and shewing it to me with the point of her bloudy sword Looke on it said she as well as I insensible Solyman we have no lesse contributed to it the one then the other 'T was indeed this hand and this sword that made it but 't was thy disdaine and inhumanity which drove both to this desperate action Make thy selfe drunke with this bloud since thou hast so thirsted for it draine out all that rests in my veines I will indure thy cruelty so it extend no further and that my poore sister who languisheth in a desert Island be not compell'd to have recourse to my violent remedy for the cure of that malady whereof thou art the inflicter With these reproaches the Ghost vanished and I awaking found my selfe as cold as ice and as wet as if I had newly come out of a river Alas cry'd I presently faire soule which accusest me of thy death thou knowest well that I am but a farre distant cause and though my inclination would have drawne me to love thee yet my reason must have hindered me from it I confesse yet that I am guilty since thou condemnest me and would to heaven my ruine could restore thy life againe thou shouldst see me runne to my death with joy and alacrity but since these wishes and vowes are but bootlesse and vaine I will make one more just and solid and from this day engage my selfe never to be at rest till I have given Melicerta satisfaction I cannot tell you whether it were the effect of the vision or my vow that wrought my alteration but presently of impassible I began to be all passion and felt all those torments which Polexander and Bajazet had so often described to me I cast my selfe out of my bed and scarce having the patience to dresse me went to Bajazet not knowing well what I did Brother said I all amazedly I love and my desire to finde the worthy object of my affection will not permit me to stay longer with you Bajazet will tell you if you please that hearing me talke thus he thought me out of my wits and asked oftentimes to what end I held a discourse with him so out of all appearance 'T is very true though said I and that you may not doubt of it hearken to such things as I never yet disclos'd to any Thereupon I related to him all which had happened to me at Constantinople and Lepanto and ending with the vision I had lately seen I fill'd him with as much astonishment as commiseration Besides knowing my sicknesse by his owne experience Away away said he deferre it no longer 't is not justice that you should be exempted from the fate of your family He gave me a good tall ship with all such as I would chuse to accompany me and taking his leave My dear brother said he I will quickly follow you and but for Almaid and Hydaspes whom I daily expect I would be as well a companion in your voyage as I am in your fortune thus we parted and 't was after our separation that all those accidents betided me which I have recounted After I had been some while with Polexander and saw him as well as my selfe in a longing to attempt his fortune againe I left him steering for the inaccessible Island and bore up for the Straights of Gibraltar to get into the Mediterranean Sea and enquire after Melicerta either in France or Italy The winde driving me on the coast of Barbary I landed in the territory of Argier and went into the Towne with an intent to see whether Melicerta had not been so unfortunate as to be taken by those Barbarians and enchained among their slaves But my search was as effectlesse there as it had been in other places and for being too curious in those parts I lost the hope of seeing Melicerta againe That Towne being peopled with a many severall Nations and of all kinde of wits amongst others feeds a great sort of men and women which make profession of calculating nativities to divine of things lost and foretell of what is to come I went to one of these Cheaters which was of most reputation 't was a Marabou called Cid Amatonis which dwelt without the gates of Argier after that false Prophet had done a thousand superstitious Ceremonies wherewithall he was wont to deceive poore people he told me that which I searched after was not to be found but among the dead Polexander interrupting his brother Had you said he understood the true sense of those words you would not accuse your Mirabou of ignorance and lying for 't is very true insensible Solyman that the treasure you look'd for was shut up among the habitations of the dead and the constant and generous Melicerta had chosen for her retreate the Tombe of her dead sister Melicerta was a little moved at Polexanders reproving his brother and therefore speaking with her accustomed sweetnesse My Lord said she to our Heroe you know that Iphidamantus hath made his peace and by consequence we must not revoke to memory things passed The company could not heare these milde remonstrances without admiring the goodnesse of that Lady that made them and ravish'd with Iphidamantus strange accidents intreated him to proceed which he did from where his brother had interrupted him thus I confesse said he when Cid Amatonis had made me this fatall reply I laughed at his art and told him I was sure the person was alive whom I sought for My art said the Mirabou deceives me not and however assures me that personage is inclos'd in a Tombe and for confirmation of that verity Know with young man too faire
of a young man and painted himselfe to regaine what age had rob'd him of came to see me and us'd the same language he had done the first time he mistooke me for Cydaria In finishing his speech he turned towards the Princesses picture and pointing to it See said he what hath preserved my life during your absence when my griefe hath spent my spirits and orecome my resolution I had recourse to this faire picture to refresh both the one and the other I there found wherewithall to resist my longings to keep my desires in vigour and even wherewith to passe over your contempt and aversion Heaven which knowes the innocency of my affection after its triall by so many crosses hath at last resolv'd to recompence it give your consent to so just a decree and disarming those eyes of their usuall disdaine which never appeared milde to me but for my ruine requite at least by some favourable aspect the long torments your beauty hath made me undergoe The goodnesse of that Prince which indeed deserv'd an acknowledgement made me resolve to disdeceive him I therefore besought him to give more credit to my words then he had before-time and to suspend a while that passion which had twice almost cost him his life that he might so the better consult with reason and no more contradict a knowne truth He smil'd and shooke his head when he heard me say so I am very sorry said I that my misfortune in bringing me hither makes you call to minde againe a person that doth but perpetuate your afflictions could I have found any other way that might have freed me from mine enemies how irksome soever I would have attempted it rather then have had recourse to your assistance Not but that I am glad to be obliged to so great a Prince as your selfe but owing you so much already my conscience upbraides me every moment that my resolution to cast my selfe againe into your hands was the most ingratefull part could be acted The reason is very forcible I knew it told me your errour and to bring into his sight againe that fatall face which disturbs the peace of your age was wittingly to continue you in it but since it hath not been in my power to divert this inconvenience I will stop the progresse of the mischiefe it workes and freely tell you I am the brother of that Ennoramita who is onely faire for your affliction Ah replied Hely if you love me I beseech you dissemble no more for it will not worke the successe you hope by it 'T is not much lesse then a yeare since you thought by such a device to cure me of my passion But dear Ennoramita what got you by that cunning Nothing but the augmenting my torments and almost the ending my dayes If in lieu of humbly intreating you as I doe to be somewhat favourable unto me it were permitted to make you some few upbraidings in your conscience should I have not have just cause to blame you for your flight and being your owne judge may I not accuse you for putting your life and honour in hazard rather then to indure the company of a Prince who hath had no other designe then to bestow both himselfe and his Crowne on you Reflect if you please on all the misfortunes which seconded your flight thinke on the dangers you have run the slavery whereinto you have falne and if your life be not considerable thinke at least into what hazard you have engaged your honour after that what mislike soever you have towards me you will be inforced to confesse that it had been farre more easie to beare with the afflictions of poore Hely I see well said I there needs somewhat else then words to free you from those errours you have no minde to leave exact from me therefore all that you can imagine most prevalent to give you an absolute manifestation of so important a truth and at last plucke off the cause of your voluntary blindnesse Hely lov'd so modestly and so respectfully that fearing to offend me he with-drew and in going out of my chamber told me he rather desired to be miserable all his life then once to contradict me two or three dayes he left me in quiet and though all his happinesse consisted in my fight yet had he rather lose that contentment then to run the fortune of displeasing me At three dayes end whether he would or no he returned to his former solicitations but assoon as I spake of freeing him from his error he flung away and saw me not or if he did 't was by some secret chinkes or holes which he had made in the walls of my chamber In that manner did I live neere three moneths and indeavoured to winne some one of the slaves which waited on me to get me the apparell of a man and some armes and by his means free me from the hands of the senslesse old King The Negro woman that came along with me seemed to be fit for that purpose but Hely had too much pleas'd her for fearing the like turne she had plaid the Basha Aladin I had no sooner then spoke to her of my escape but she rudely chid me for it and assuredly by her advertising the King of Morocco I was more strictly garded then before A few dayes after this milde detention I understood that all the Court was in an uprore and that a great many sail of ships were discovered at the mouth of the River of Tensif This allarme increasing by the arrivall of some Embassadours Hely came to me one evening and delivering me a paper Read this said he and afterward if you can perswade me that you are not Ennoramita I tooke the long Scroll and if my memory deceive me not there was written in it thus BAJAZET Generall of the Pirates to HELY King of Morocco HAd I not farre more regard to what I owe my selfe then I have in considering those violences wherewithall the unrulinesse of thy passions dishonours the later yeares of thy life I would not solicite thee as I doe by Embassadours but instantly imploy the justice of my armes to compell thee by a severe chastisement to a repentance of thy crimes Thou shouldst blush Hely to have in thine old age those raging agitations which are not allowed to young men but that nature permits them not to be wiser not that I declare my selfe against love or by an indiscretion too common blame that in another which I thinke honourable in my selfe I disallow such vices which to be approved of insolently put on the face of vertue I utterly condemne all impurity and I abhorre all disordinate affections and violences In a word I detest that madnesse by whose intemperance thou treatest like a slave a Princesse that can raise in armes all Europe and Africa for the subversion of thy tyranny For mine owne part who am the meanest of those which have dedicated their armes and lives to her service I here
give credit to alterations which seem'd to her beyond all hope but Polexander after he had done his complements and made himselfe knowne Madam said he having been alwayes as you know so much at oddes with Phelismond I beleeve you will not accuse me of flattering or giving him such praises as he deserves not and this being granted I hope you will doe me the honour to give credit to what I shall say and beleeve since 't is truth that the generous Phelismond hath preferr'd his serving you before the gift of a Crowne and having turn'd the love hee bore to Alcidiana into the friendship of a brother he now hath not onely any more passion but for your beautie but he cannot give way to be happie unlesse he be so with you Helismena witnessing to Polexander her joy in seeing him and to heare his words Though said she what hath already passed cannot promise me but an unfortunate successe yet I will suspend my feares and put off my mistrusts for feare of offending that veritie which speakes by your mouth I beleeve since you say it that Phelismond hates me not so much as he hath done but withall I thinke that being compell'd by your valour to leave to you Alcidiana he hath at last resolv'd to take such a wife as may establish him in that authoritie which otherwise he might perhaps not be very well assured of Polexander desirous to free Helismena of that imagination related to her all Phelismond's adventures and letting her know that Alcidiana was his sister not onely cur'd her of her jealousie but dispell'd all other clouds of sorrow In an instant she pass'd from one extreame to another and according to the nature of the Northern women which are full of violent agitations but of short lasting she thought on nothing but her returne into Denmarke and with all content to behold him againe whose sight had been alwayes so deare though so sad unto her The Dane then began and having given the Princesse an account of the cause of his voiage If your Majestie said he will make no longer abide in this Island I shall be glad to have the honour of conducting you into your kingdom and will not beleeve I have fail'd my master in ought I owe him though I put off to another time what I have now in charge to hasten the contentment he will receive by your returne Polexander againe addressing him to the Princesse If said he I were not restrain'd by my adverse fortune I would propose to you a meanes by which your desires and those of Phelismond should be alike satisfied I would humbly intreate you to charge me with Phelismonds instructions and make me you Embassadour to Alcidiana Helismena approv'd of this advice and commanding the Dane to deliver all to Polexander I desire you withall said she to reconcile me to Alcidiana and after you have made knowne to her the just cause of my wishing her ill represent the reason I have to love her during my life Madam repli'd Polexander I will acquit my selfe as I ought alas what can I promise of the charge wherewithall you intrust me But that I may not faile for want of instruction be pleas'd ere I goe fully to informe me of such things whereof I am ignorant I conceive well said Helismena what you would say without any further intimation You would know my follies and I like them so well that I take pleasure to relate them you shall heare all Sir but before I begin I must needs see what is become of my nurse that while I intertaine you she may take leave of these palmes and waters which have preserved our lives Whilst she spoke she perceived her nurse among the trees much afrighted she call'd her and being setled told her in few words the change of her fortune and commanded she would make ready for their departure Whilst the nurse put that injunction in execution Helismena sate downe with Polexander at the foot of the palme-tree which had served her long time for a palace and began thus I need not tell you that Phelismond is a most courteous and gentile man and by consequence very amiable you have too long convers'd with him to be ignorant of his qualities judge then whether it were not very hard for me to be almost continually in the company of so winning a personage and not be mov'd by him I was indeed assoone as I became capable of knowing his merit For besides his sweet aspect his brave courage and his pleasant wit which were as so many enemies who resolv'd the ruine of my libertie the King my father's example made me resolute to receive the law of so sweet a conquerour I knew I loved Phelismond by the contentment I tooke in his intertaining me nowithstanding I know not what modestie restraining me from declaring my love to him and besides his owne puritie hindering him from noting it I liv'd above a yeare much in love and yet silent my languishing lookes my intermitted sighes and â—…e eyes wearied with my watchings and tears spoke to him of it sufficiently But he who apprehended nought but what spoke of Alcidiana as often as those true interpreters of my heart made knowne my love seem'd to understand nothing of all that they intended At last I resolv'd to speake my selfe and finding an occasion in the time of a violent sicknesse caus'd by the excesse of my affection Phelismond said I to him one day when he came to visit me you grieve for my losse and yet would you have understood mine eyes and sighes you might long since have knowne that you are not onely the cause of my sicknesse but the sicknesse it selfe whereof I die I have not been lesse sensible then the King my father and though my feare hath not permitted me to make it known as he hath done yet assure your selfe that I have farre more then he resented the imperious charmes by which vertue reignes absolutely over all hearts I confesse Phelismond I love you and so much that for feare of being troublesome to you I am resolv'd to die I would have gone on but my father coming in I was forc'd to deferre it to any time and indure the perfecutions of a troupe of ignorant Physitians Many new diseases they invented because they would not be silent before the King and blinde as they were discern'd not that I was sicke of a disease as old as the world Phelismond that was retir'd from me with a wonderfull astonished countenance had a great desire at least if my conjecture be right to free the King his master from the trouble wherein he saw him But conceiving he could not draw the King out without plunging himselfe into the same vexation hee was pleas'd to say that my malady was a pure effect of a melancholy humour and that if he would preserve me he should try by all kinde of diversions to bring me to my former mirthsomnesse My father who was not able to
heavenly life since you goe to your death with a firme belief that the same steele which deprives you of life puts you in possession of a better Presently even presently one of you shall receive that worthy guerdon of his faith and with the same eies wherewithall he sees the lively image of that Deitie which he confesseth by the voice of his blood he is most assured to see him himselfe in the mid'st of his glory The Chiefe-Prelate having thus finish'd his Exhortation foure Priests came out of a Chappel carrying on their shoulders a table cover'd with plates of gold and on it a large vessell of Crystall of the rock in which were the names of all the noble Slaves The expectation of all the Spectators was doubled at sight of that fatall Vessell and though among the Slaves there were some that could not chuse but look pale on it yet they all made shew as if they were alike prepared for death Polexander had not so much as the slightest apprehension whether because he thought that Death respecting him in the most dangers and shipwracks would not be so daring as to set upon him in the haven or whether he beleev'd his life not to be in the disposall of Chance but depended absolutely on that eternall Providence which assignes a beginning and end to all things His passion adding many other considerations to these perswaded him that in exposing himselfe to death so voluntary for Alcidiana he gave her such proofes of constancy and fidelity as farre excelled all those he had ever rendred her But when Reason got the upper hand and came to be heard she shew'd him all things on the right side they were to be look'd on and made him see how most vainly he precipitated himselfe to an infallible death since Alcidiana being not a God to know his intentions he might beleeve that when she came to heare of his death which may be might never happen she could call it no other then a mischance or a blow of Despaire This thought made him not repent of what he had done but bringing him to bewaile his Fate I must said he to himself faire Princesse confesse my death is lesse welcome to me then it should be if it were known to you Long long agoe I was resolv'd to die since your just anger thought it not fit that I should live and that Fortune deni'd me the happinesse of your sight But I could wish to die in some place where your faire eies might be the witnesses of my death that so nothing might hinder you from beleeving that I died for you onely When by some exceeding good hap it may so betide that the newes of my last houre shall come to your knowledge what can I promise my self by it if you be ignorant of the cause The remembrance of me will be no lesse odious to you then was my life and may be you will account the death I have suffer'd as a punishment for my disobedience in swerving from what she had commanded me I dare speak it Alcidiana and it is most true I have had sufficient tokens of the care heaven hath had to perswade me that my ill Face proceeds onely from your indignation and that I could well have o'repass'd my miseries if the sentence you have pronounc'd against me had not made them eternall Here he stop'd and thinking on what he had said condemn'd it as subverting that extreame generousnesse which had been alwaies annexed to his passion He even grew angry with his owne wisedome and beginning againe with much sorrow How cowardly and perfidious am I said he to have more consideration of my self then of that incomparable beauty for whom I suffer In lieu of giving thanks for the miseries she would have me undergoe and run to my death since I can give her no other testimony of my humblest servitude I would articulate with her finde waies of moderating her sentence not performe her commands but conditionally chuse mine owne punishment and in short not present my selfe to the Martyrdome till I were assured of the Crowne Farre farre from me be this selfe-love I here faire Alcidiana quit it for ever I desire death since you command it I neither look for comfort nor recompence but goe instantly to present me to the steele that must end me with as much content as if it were in your owne hands Polexander transported with these imaginations went out of his station and had he not been with-held by Diceus as the day before he had given the whole Assembly cause to think strangely of that unexpected passion In the meane time the Chief Priest commanded those that carried the Lot vessell to approach and holding his hand over it Thou light said he which the Sun cannot obscure Intelligence which govern'st all others guide my hand and give thy selfe that victime which is most pleasing to thee By our last sacrifice we have confess'd thee to be the Author of our lives by this which we are now making ready for thee we intend to acknowledge thee to be the Author of death and as by the one we confesse thee All-good by the other we avow thee All-powerfull With that he put his hand into the Vessell and drew thence a ball of Ebony Presently he read the name of him that was to die and all the Priests together instantly began to cry out thrice Be favourable to thy sacrifice O milde Deity which takest not away the lives of thy Creatures but to render it more perfect and happy That done foure other Priests presented themselves at the foot of the throne carried a Vessell of gold made like one of the ancient Urnes The Chief-Prelate threw the ball into it which hee held and presently the Master of the Ceremonies caus'd all the Assistants to march The slaves by two and two went before the Priests and the Soveraigne Prelate seated in a chaire which was borne on the shoulders of eight Slaves held still his hand on the mouth of the Vessell wherein was the ball of death They went all into the Temple without making there any offering or prayers and came out of it by a gate open'd to the West That gate led to the long walk of Cedars of which I have spoken and beyond that to a rock which advanc'd it selfe farre into the sea There was discover'd a dismall Preparation On the left hand was seen an Altar built of marble as red as blood and on the right a funerall pile at whose soure corners eight little children held divers silver fire-pans full of burning coales The Pilgrims incompass'd the place The Clergy and the Embassadours of Gheneoa were rank'd before them The Priests joyn'd with them and made a second circle The Noble Slaves made a third and the Chief-Prelate staying in the midst of all with those which carried the Vessell of Death at last took it with his Assistants and put it on the Red Altar These Ceremonies were perform'd with a very deep silence
almost inevitable snares to draw us into mischiefe I have liv'd long enough Amintha since if selfe love deceive me not I thinke I have reasonably well imploy'd all the moments of my life But if I may be permitted to speake more I say I have liv'd too long since I have surviv'd Polexander Amintha finding by the excesse of resentment that speech which the same excesse had taken from her Then said shee you are resolv'd to dye That beautie which heaven admires as its Master-piece must even in its birth be the prey of steel and death and that wonderfull wit which hath confounded the wisdome of the Ancient and the subtilty of Philosophers must now turne its weapons on it selfe and meeting with nothing that can vanquish it denounceth a warre against it selfe because it would not be still invincible Come Polexander come and relieve Alcidiana if there yet remaine any thing of thee Imploy that power which men attribute to Soules freed from their bodies in averting a blow whereat Nature it self trembles and if the fear of being anothers then thine puts the steele into thy Princesses hand free the world from the cause of that apprehension Alcidiana smiling at Amintha's exclamations you said she shall be heard for Polexander loves us too well to abandon us in this extremitie The Princesse spoke truth unawares for at the same instant when Amintha invok'd him to the ayde of Alcidiana he was mightily labouring the ruine of her enemies Hee had discovered an ancient Aqueduct under the ditch by which in all likelyhood the water of a fountain in the upper towne was convey'd to the lower But time had ruin'd part of the Vault and buried the knowledge of it under the same earth which cover'd it A Pioneer first discover'd this meanes to get into the towne and secretly gave notice of it to Polexander who presently going to se the Vault made it be search'd and understanding it went through the enemies intrenchments attended patiently till the night were well come on to convey some companies that way and so more easily worke his ends of the Spaniards That which made him the more to hasten it was the arrivall of the Fleet on the Lake on the side of the upper towne They had cast anchor a little before night and ranged themselves along the shore no man knowing whether they were friends or foes The Inhabitants of Eliza who had never seen the like there certainly beleev'd they were Spanish ships and on that belief grounding their absolute ruine hastened as much as in them lay the marriage of Alcidiana with Araxes as the onely refuge they were to flye to in their calamities and the last remedy they could get for them Rhadiotez whom they had not forsaken and from whom at every moment they demanded with threatnings the accomplishment of his promises was compell'd to find out Araxes at the begâ—…ning of the night He related to him at large the particulars of the fatall Prophesie the Mutiny and all the Elizians desires and finally the Queenes last resolution Polexander had not so ill a servant of Diceus nor so little intelligence of that which pass'd at Court but he knew alreadie part of what Rhadiotez had told him Yet he made semblance to know nothing of it and aggravating the incertainty of most predictions condemn'd the Elizians proceedings and above all intreated the Chief-priest to go to the Queene and beseech her in his name that shee would not so farre forget herselfe as to share her Crowne and life with the most unknowne and miserable of men Rhadiotez admir'd the virtue of our feigned Slave and fixing on his last words told him that his moderation and the respect hee bore the Queene merited an infinite applause and if time would give him leave he would goe and fully make it knowne to the Queene and free her from the remaines of aversion and feare But said he the multitude more urgent then time will not admit of this delay They are in armes at the gates of the towne and the Palace and if at the stroke of midnight they see you not in the Temple of wisdome prepare your selfe for the most horrible spectacle that the furie of a desperate multitude is able to bebloudy the Chronicle of their owne times withall or affright all ensuing ages Polexander answering the Prelate that this disaster was to be prevented and for himselfe he was readie to obey dismiss'd him with an assurance that he would march on with the first command he reciv'd from him or the Queene Assoon as Rhadiotez was gone Polexander retir'd with Diceus related to him the state of his affaires and shewing him a timidity which onely love could justifie seem'd no lesse irrationall then the very multitude which he but newly condemned But Diceus o're-throwing all his scruples and nullifying all his difficulties advis'd him to be present in all pompe at the glorious assignation and by a happy deceit terminate for ever his owne misfortunes and the Queenes discontents Thou knowest Diceus repli'd Polexnder through how many tempests and shipwracks I have sought for the haven thou shewest me and would even have bought the sight of it with my bloud and life Thou knowest whether in these twenty dayes that I have been in the Inaccessible Island my desires and actions have tended to any other end then the advancing the happie moment wherein I was to be inlightned by that incomparable starre which hath so long time not vouchsafed to shine on me Yet me thinkes I know not what feare which seems just to me congealeâ—… my bloud slackens my longings disavowes my former wishes and accusing me to my selfe of subtilty and treasons threatens me with some new misfortune if I dare present my selfe before Alcidiana 'T is a suggestion said Diceus which the ill Angell of your quiet throwes into you Reject it boldly and without losing time which should be better imploy'd in unprofitable deliberations prepare your selfe to receive this night the Crowne of your travells and perseverance Polexander vanquished by a perswasion which so pleasingly flattered his inclination resolv'd to obey his servant But before he would leave the lower towne he reinforc'd his guards survey'd thâ—… places he had wonne dispos'd of all things in such sort that hee doubted not but at his returne to put his great designe in execution and left the command of the troups to Alcidiana's Lievtenant Generall The orders given he went to the Fort and shutting himself into his chamber was there clad according to Diceus intention more then his owne A very rich suite he put on with the chaines given him by the King of Ghenoa and was forc'd to weare the long pâ—…ple cloak imbrodered with gold and pearles which hee had presented him from the Priests of the Sun as their Prince and Defender But he had no sooner put it on but his Guard came and told him that above two thousand men were in armes on the Counter-scarfe of the Moate and intimated a
to him of which Fortune onely is guilty Farewell my deere Master live and by undergoing my death with a true constancy practise that faire doctrine which thou hast so profitably taught me and with these words he pierced himselfe to the heart with his sword and by so speedy and bold a blow surmounting his haplesse fortune he got that victory for which she had so long contested with him I threw my selfe on him but too late and stopping his wound with my hand strove to stop the bloud which gushed out in great bubbles and clots he thrust away my hand and falling on his bed with a countenance wherein you might behold a mixture of extraordinary joy and death got together at least said he do thou Almandrian keepe thy pro Hee dyed before he could finish the word and left me with a powerfull example for the contemning of life I had not heart enought to make use of it but my cowardise covering it selfe with a specious pretext of my faith made me beleeve that I could not kill my selfe without suffering in hell those tortures which are reserved for the unfaithfull I resolved then to live till I had fully executed the last will of the King my Master and though my despaire oftentimes opposed me in it I am yet so happy that before my death I see my promises accomplished There remaines some part of the will of that Prince not performed but it is from thy noblenesse that Almanzor expects the execution Be then sensible of his supplications of his teares and bloud Polexander ended not the fluxe of his teares with the period of this sad story but turning to Iphidamantus who was no lesse afflicted then himselfe and wooing him to teares and sorrow Let us bewaile my deare brother said he Let us weepe for the losse of Almanzor and since t is not in our power to restore him his life let us deerely preserve that which remaines of him And in thus saying he tooke the Princes heart and fixing his eyes on it As cold as thou art said he poore heart thou yet retaynest thy first fire and shewest by thy rich prison that thou wilt still weare the glorious setters of Alcidians be confident that if I become fortunate thou shalt have a share of me that thy vowes shall be accomplished and that faire Princesse shall know how farre both living and dead thou hast religiously adored her Polexander finished this promise just as his trustfull Diceus for so they called him of his domestiques whom he best loved entered his Cabin and the excesse of his zeale and joy not permitting him to observe all the duties befitting his condition he stept nimbly to his Master and Sir said he I am certainely blinde or just now I have discovered the vessell of Alcidiana Polexander lost no time in asking him questions but comming out of his Cabin got on the upper deck and by that propriety which seemes to be fastened to the eyes of all lovers cast his sight presently on the vessell of Alcidiana He knew her and seeing her take a course contrary to his tack about tack about cryd he to his Pilots and at this time let every one testifie how much he affects me His command and the execution of it was one same thing But the winde that complyed not so well with him as they changed not but was the cause why his great ship made but slow way after that belonging to Alcidiana He was all the rest of the day in wrestling against a North-East winde and raging for being so neere his happinesse and not obtaining it The night changed the winde and gave it him so favourable that he doubted not the taking of Linceus though the darkenesse tooke from him the sight of his vessell He might easily have overcome this difficulty if a greater and more powerfull had not yet once more envyed his good fortune in the very instant when he thought himselfe most assured For at breake of day instead of the vessell of Alcidiana he saw a great fleet of Turkish Gallies and Affrican ships After he had mused a while he called his brother and concealing his resolution from him we must said he seperate and by divers courses try to make our way through so many enemies Iphidamantus approved of his councell because his friends and himselfe had mutually bound themselves not to leave one another till they were in a place of safety Getting then aboard his owne ship he found all those there in an equall astonishment His presence heartened them and the speech he used to them wrought upon their wavering minds the same advantage he got by his first Oration Hereupon they armed themselves and despising danger in confidence of the valiant Iphidamantus resolved themselves to what sad disaster soever fortune should prepare for them The Mariners perceiving that the vessell of Polexander plyde to the South-west took a contrary way and taking downe the Christian colours which they carryed put the halfe Moone in the place to try if in this occasion a little cunning might not be more advantagious then power The successe of their enterprise was conformable to their conceived hope They were taken for Turkes and as such were neither fought withall nor staied but without any hinderance sailed through the fleet When they were in the Van they saw another Army composed of many great Gallions and of all kind of vessells aswell with oares as sailes over which waved the Standdards of Castile and Portugall Iphia mantus râ—…vished with this encounter t is now said he to his companions that we have no more cause of feare See the accomplishment of our ordinary prophesies and the Army which we saw though far off from the place where we were prisoners hath without doubt broaken our chaines and finished our slavery Yet let us not be reproched to have seene the enemy so neere without fighting shew them that we know how to make a retreate but not how to fly Whilst he spake thus his ship got farther off the vanguard of the Turkes and to tell them that he was none set up the Crosse upon his vessell and with his owne hands in sight of the enemy threw the halfe moone overboord and commanded to salute them with all his Artillery The Turkes no sooner knew the trick that had deceived them but they gave them from their fleet above two hundred Canon shot Foure Galliots by the command of the Generall were sent out to seise on that Christian Vessell but all the industry of the Turkes was but to their owne confusion for Iphidamantus retired fighting behind the vanguard of the Christian fleet Presently as it he had attended but that signall they put themselves in Batalia The Turke made his cressant without stirring from the place he had chosen and both the one and the other receiving command to fall on began the fight in a marvelous good order The wind as messenger of that absolute power which almost continually causeth
the best successe to follow the best causes forsooke tha Turkes and to have part in the victory came on the Christian side This favourable change was received as a certaine presage of that daies good fortune and encouraged the Souldiers to witnesse by their shouts the impatiency they were in till they were at hand stroakes with their enemies The great Gallions of Portugall which were in the front of the Christian Armie as so many forts whence they ruined the Turkes began by the noise and smoake of their double Canon to make the sea open even to the depths and obscure the aire with enflamed clouds The enemies grew therewith terrified lost their order and were flaine unrevenged At last all mingled Gallies set on Gallies Ships boorded Ships in briefe all vessells little and great of oares and sailes fought either in grosse or seperated It was there that the inconstancy of the chances of Warre appeared Those who were lately Conquerors are now in their turne overcome and such a one who had been made a slave recovers his liberty by the servitude of those who had put him in fetters By little and little this forest of Masts grew lightsome the noise lessened by the death of some and the wearisomnesse of others and both the fleets seemed to be but the shadowe of what it was at the beginning of the battell The Christians were the Victors and though the Turkes by their obstinacy in fighting made knowne they knew not what t was to fly yet at last they were constrained and without their obduratenesse had confessed that the power of earth is weake to resist the hands of heaven The Sun was no sooner set then the victorious Army content to see their powerfull enemies not dare to appeare before them would not drive to despaire those they had put to flight you could see no more of them then some few scattred vessells from the body of the Army yet in fight Amongst others Iphidamantus ship which had a good share in the glory of this day was grapsed with a Turke the combate equally entertained on both sides left none to doubt of the valour of those that were assaied or those that defended The Turkes were more in number then the Christians yet had they been put to the worst without the incredible valour of their Captaine who alone made all the assaults of his enemies vaine and bootlesse The valiant Iphidamantus desiring to shew by some remarkable blowe that there was no pride so high which he could not abate nor strength which he could not master threw himselfe among the armes of the valiant Turke and let drive at him so surious a blow with his sword that he sent into the sea all that the other had on his head The Turkes amazed at the fearfull blow their Captaine had received resolved not to stand wilfull in a combate which could but adde a particular shame to the generall This deliberation being as soone executed as taken the two ships sundred but Iphidamantus that would not overcome by halfes followed the Turkes and boorded them againe The combate began a fresh more bitter then before and the Turkish Captaine flying after vengeance with an heroike fury made Iphidamantus see that there is no valour like that which is seconded with choler After a hundred times trying to finish this duell by some extraordinary blow Iphidamantus threw himselfe into the Turkish vessell and made his enemy recoile but the Moore with a passe on Iphidamantus stroake him with his Cimiter on the Caske with such a force that he made him fall at his feet His companions thought him dead and the affright making them forget their honour and their faith they left him to the mercy of the Turkes and saved themselves by the favour of the night Bajazet for so was this victorious Turke called quickly caused Iphidamantus to be taken up by six of his souldiers and carried into his Cabin Whilst he tooke paines for the ease and solaging of his prisoner and seemed to have forgotten the generall routing of the Mahometan Army a tempest more carefull of his safety then himselfe tooke him from among the Christians who pursued their victory and brought him to one of the Azorez that he might there recollect those that remaine of his fleet This place had been appointed before the battle for the Rendezvous of the Pirates of which he was the chiefe The next day after his arrivall five or six ships came in the next day eight or ten and in this sort in lesse then six daies he had made a new Army Streight he resolved to goe see whether the Christians had not enterprised somewhat on the place of his usuall retreat He gave them directions for the order they should keepe in case they should be forced to fight by the way and so weigh anchor from the Azorez and came out in the head of his fleet Though his charge and the humour of those he commanded was capable to take up an entire man yet this generous Pirate reserved the better part of his time to give it to Iphidamantus He forgot nothing of whatsoever he judged fit for the healing of his wounds or for the satisfaction of his minde and told him oftentimes that so brave a man as he never appeared more glorious then when he was constrained to suffer under a misfortune That the chance of Warre being never in our power we are to take it as it falls That t is true victory was often accompanied with many advantages but they followed many times without any merit that he had heard spoken of many Captaines whose death or captivity had given more cause of envy then of glory to those who had either killed or made them attend their triumphall Chariots Iphidamantus that made profession of true generousnesse was ravished with that in Bajazet and giving himselâ—…e over to the charmes of his wit aswell as to the strength of his reason knew not sometim whether it had been advanâ—…agious for him not to have lost his liberty He admired the good aspect of this Pirate the sweetnesse of his wit and converse his manners directly opposite to others of his condition and above all his admirable complaicaâ—…cy by which he seemed to make himselfe a slave to them who where already his So many virtues met he in a person who in his opinion was destitute of all that at first they made him his admirer and soone after so passionate a friend that for it he would have wronged himselfe and called backe his affection as if he had committed an injustice in giving it to Bajazet In the meane while this famous Pirate had time so favourable that the fifth day he dâ—…ried the great Rocks which are as so many Bastions and Rampards for the defence of his Island The next day he came to the entry of his hâ—…ven and was not there admitted till he which had the command of it had been to know him I phidamantus was