advertised of their comming had left her cloake and sword and being apparelled in the ordinary habit of her sexe received them with a shame which did raise unto a higher lustre her incomparable beauty wherewith shee excelled the fairest which above all others astonished Adrastus who had never before seene her and made him not onely excuse Lisander but also thinke that hee had a great deale of reason to disobey him for which he formerly blamed him Madam said he in saluting her I doe not now wonder if those who have had the honour to see you do despise all other glory for I my selfe whose age ought now to dispence me from that servitude whereunto you bring all the world would not wish a greater good than to be deprived from all others to have that of your service Calista knowing who he was made a great reverence unto him saying shee would receive these praises from him more for the respect which she bare him than any wayes presuming that shee could merit them And seeing Dorilas and Otranta who stretched out their armes unto her she kneeled at their feet humbly entreating them to pardon her the displeasure and sorrow which she had raised them But they lifted her up intreating her not to bring into their mindes a thing which might trouble the contentment which they had to finde her againe Furthermore said Dorilas thank this good Knight for with a faire Amazon who is at Paris and Berontus his faithfull testimony which hee gave before the King of your innocency they are all three cause that without fear of any castle or prison but the Court you and Lisander may now enjoy your liberties which heretofore you have had in Paris having the King himselfe for Judge onely Calista together with the joy of this newes felt a secret motion in her heart at the name of this Amazon which wrought an alteration in her face But Berontus advancing himselfe then with Ambrisia whom he conducted afterwards Alcidon with Argire and last of all Lidian with Olinda saluting her put it from her minde for the present and raised in her a contentment to expresse which I am uncapable After they had a little rested and refreshed themselves within the Nunnery and thanked the Abbesse and the religious women they all departed toward Paris where comming before night they alighted at the Louure Adrastus led Calista Dorilas Otranta Alcidon Argire Lidian Olinda and Berontus Ambrisia The King being then in the Queenes chamber they were all brought in to their Majesties unto whom Adrastus presenting Calista spake unto the King in this manner Sir behold the Knight whom a desire to justifie Lisander concerning Chrisantes and Cloridons death to the end that hee might afterwards justifie them both for Cleanders hath made her cover her selfe with blacke Armes which your Ma hath committed unto Hippolita's keeping We are not now come humbly to entreat you that they may be rendred unto her she having more power thus disarmed than all the Knights in the world armed but to offer you her together with our humble service to lay her honour with out meanes and our lives into your hands giving you most humble thankes that it hath pleased your Majestie to take knowledge of our cause and to entreat your Majesty to doe her justice which yet you never refused to any person Adrastus having spoken these words Calista kneeled down before the King who having never seene her in Cleanders life in regard it was much retired from the Court much lesse since his death was kindled with the lightning of this beauty which having lifted up and graciously saluted he presented her unto the Queene saying What thinke you of this Knight Madam was it not great pity that such a jewell should be shut up in the Castle Shee seemeth unto mee rather an Angell than a Knight answered the Queene and that those who tooke her from thence had more reason than those who imprisoned her These words and the presence of their Majesties invironed with a great company whose eyes were all fixed upon Calista raised no lesse blushing in her than she kindled fires in their mindes The Court at this time resembled bled a cleere heaven set full of bright starres whereof their Majesties were the principalâ— lights and Calista Ambrisia Olinda and Argire foure of the lesser Planets to perfect whose number the faâ—re Hippolita came who being led by Lucidan knowing that this Calista of whom she had heard so much speech was not onely come but knowne to be the Knight of the black armes which she had undertaken to defend left them in the guard of Erifila her maid to be her selfe at this assembly So soone as the King perceived her hee said unto her You must now faire Amazon render the armes or fight with this faire Lady unto whom they doe belong Sir answered Hippolita not onely these armes but all others ought to be yeelded up unto her beauty What shall then be given unto yours said Calista which doth shine with so much advantage over the fairest I am not able to utter all the faire words which then proceeded from their faire mouthes But what contrary thoughts were in the meane time hidde in their hearts with what different spirits from their outward shew did these faire Rivalls behold one the other with what confusion did Hippolita looke upon the advantage of Calista's incomparable beauties with what grace Calista drawing her glasse sometimes by stealth seemed to enquire of it about the victory which she presumed to have over Hippolita's perfections how many torments did Lucidan suffer between the new fires which Hippolita had kindled in his breast and the lively sparkles which having beene raked up in the ashes of Calista's absence did now become flaming by her presence In the meane time night descending covered with her large mantle poudered with stars licenced this faire company every one departed contented except Hippolita who seeing Calista conducted backe by Adrastus as if hee had already accompted her for his daughter despaired ever to bee so her selfe All night she could not sleepe Calista's faire face and the admirable attractions of her surmounting beauty swome in her minde shee saw her selfe overcome by Calista she thought her selfe despised by Lisander and called him traitour for speaking of love unto her being ingaged in another place and ungratefull for leaving her for any other then againe would shee excuse him for having made so worthy a choice which she her selfe was enforced to approve In these disquiets having passed a great part of the night shee called Erifila and arming her selfe in Calista's Armes leaving her own hanging in the place she departed early in the morning taking no leave of any body Whilest these things thus passed in France Lisander who by the tempest was cast upon the I le of Gersie together with his Pilot as we have already said hearkened unto the man yet unknowne whom wee left complaining in this manner Ah wretch unworthy
great courage than with all the excuses and submissions which hee could make and receiving this perplexity for a testimony of his sorrow resolved to pardon him whereupon cleering the beams of her face which griefe and danger had darkned and beholding him with a more pleasing eye than shee had done at the first entrance she loosened his tongue whereby he had power to utter these words Madam I take heaven to witnesse that it was force and not will which hath constrained me to offend you and that now it is will not force which bringeth mee for your satisfaction to offer you my life intreating you to do it so much honor as to think it worthy of your revenge I could wish that I had something more deare unto me if by the losse thereof you might be better satisfied But seeing I have nothing whereof I can dispose more deere unto me than my life since that hath committed the fault I doe entreate you to sacrifice it to your anger and receive this voluntary reparation of a constrained injury Ah Lisander answered Hippolita you have much more grace than reason in excusing the wrongs which you have done but tell mee I pray you what hath miserable Hippolita done unto you that you should so poorely betray her facility for I doe not bewaile the wounds which I have exacted from you nor your words which strength of passion and of truth obliged you to speake unto me thinking you had spoken unto Calista But of those which from a free motion you have of your owne accord uttered falsly perswading me that you only lived for mee It is true Madam answered Lisander that I have spoken something of love unto you pressed by the instance and authority of my parents who much desired that I should serve you but never out of any free motion as you have beleeved for not onely then but long time before I had the honour to see you I was promised unto Calista Calista unto mee But though her absence and the object of your present beauty should have wrought mee unto it yet had it not beene from a free motion but constrained by the violence of a passion which you cause in many others And am I thinke you beyond others so free from passion that I cannot be subject unto it Is it a crime to love a thing so lovely Am I the onely man in the world who at divers times in divers places hath served two Mistresses or rather was there ever Knight that hath loved but one Lady It is no justification of your crime replied Hippolita to alledge examples of others infidelity but contrariwise it is an inwrapping of their faults with yours and a charging your selfe with them for the same evill You are a better Knight than a faithfull Lover in this time when it is a bravery amongst many to sport themselves with the love of Ladies you have let mee see heretofore the quickenesse of your spirit but I did never so plainely discerne it as in this occasion wherein you want no faire words good reasons at the least in appearance to colour so evill a cause I am sorry you have no better that I might have lesse cause to complaine of you and more to pardon you But an offence of this nature is not so easily justified as committed yet I thinke you have one reason which your discretion concealeth I see I must utter it my self against my selfe that is the subject for which you leave mee is of such perfection that she meriteth not only an excuse for you but also that you should bee commended for so worthy a choice for although you had loved me before you saw her as you loved her before you saw mee and that you were the faithfullest lover that ever had name yet shee hath charmes enough to make you lose your constancy and to make you ungratefull and perfidious to all the world to bee constant and acknowledging unto her only and this comfort at the least remaines unto me that if you have left me it is for a Lady who doth merit it and whose beauty incomparably surpassing all others doth lessen the sorrow the shame which I may conceive for her being preferred before me yet one thing I would intreat of you which is that though I have lost your affection you would neverthelesse preserve unto mee your good will and assure your selfe that you may well bee possessed by some other but I shall onely be yours Lisander no lesse ravished with the beauties than with the spirit and judgement of Hippolita could not answer but with sighes and offering her his humble service with a perfect friendship sorrowing that hee could not give himselfe unto her being not his owne Erifila then seeing them in this faire way of agreemēt said unto her Madam I have promised this Knight that he should returne this day to ease his Father of a combate which he is to have with Verascus but hee may be there time enough although he come but to morrow How answered Hippolita is there a combate assigned betweene Adrastus and Verascus I Madam replied Erifila who presently told what they had learned of the Poste in passing by at Pointoise Upon my honour said Hippolita it shall not goe so It is I who have made the first overture and Adrastus can be but my second if there be two accusers and there being but one it is I who must make the battaile I Madam answered Lisander if I were not present but all being enterprised upon my occasion and in my absence it is not reasonable that I being present any other should defend my right Besides I have Leon here who will depose my innocency who being heard I doe not thinke any combate will be necessary unlesse it be between him and mee if hee will denie the truth which he hath confessed I will tell you what we will doe said Hippolita to morrow I shall bee able notwithstanding my wounds to goe in two dayes to Paris for by your onely comming I finde my selfe almost well and we will appeare all together A thousand other faire words said they amongst themselves which I cannot repeat but to be short after the day was spent and a good part of the night in this manner the next morning they rose very early to goe to Paris as they had determined Hippolita's wounds were the cause they could not come thither before the day of the combate which was already begun Adrastus of one side and Verascus of the other were both come into the field the first in his armes whose colour and device we have already spoken of and the other in tawnie armour having for his device an Austridge holding an horse shoe in the mouth with this word Sic nutriantur fortes He was followed by all Cleanders kinsmen excepting Berontus who would not be there neither for one nor other Adrastus was accompanied with Dorilas Lidian Alcidon Lucidan and many others They were both couragious
without feeling the heat thereof have made mee dare to discover it unto trees in the depth of the Forrest the violence of my love must be accused which hath constrained me and your excellent beauty from whence it hath sprung And let the worst be Madam I cannot be accused for any thing but for loving the most lovely creature in the world And if this be the crime which you speake of I confesse not alone that I have committed it but which is more that I cannot repent me of it As for my life Madam with the losse whereof you threaten mee as I will not keepe it but for your service so I cannot better lose it than for your love I would if it pleased God that I had many and that nothing letted but their losse to witnesse my affection But seeing that you are interest and that I cannot hazzard it but with your reputation and in depriving you of the most faithfull slave that ever you captivated I had rather barre my selfe from the Soveraigne blisse of my soule than take from you the least contentment And for this cause Madam I am resolved not to depart from your service for ever but for some time from your presence to the end that adoring you without offending you I may witnesse no lesse affection than obedience and that both of them may one day invite your pity to call backe a poore Exile who hath banished himselfe from the dearest abode that ever he had to obey you These words spoken with no lesse love than grace together with the inevitable charmes of Lisanders conversation which would have inchanted even rockes touched the secret places of Calista's affection which were not marble nor of any insensible matter yet such as with a chaste resolution shee beatbacke all those shafts which Love hid in Lisanders eyes did continually shoot at her heart wherefore shee thus answered Lisander you must know Calista and beleeve that if she could give her selfe unto any one it should be unto you but shee cannot doe but what she ought and if you doe love her truely as you doe professe you ought not to hope nor desire any thing but the will with which shee doth acknowledge alwayes the affection which you beare her and were not her honour interest she would hold your presence as deare as your merit doth oblige her But for this time I counsell you to follow the resolution of departing which you have already taken because that Berontus walking with me when we heard your complaint and having learned more than I would that he knew may do you some evill offices to Cleander And although hee should say nothing yet we know not what hee may thinke he is jealous enough of the love which his brother beares you and may grow as jealous of me although I doe not thinke I shall give him cause Hereafter bee more discreet in your complaints and thinke that though woods cannot speake yet they are not without their Ecchoes which reside in their centers and doe alwayes report at the least the last word what they heare Upon the uttering of these last words Cleander and Berontus came into the chamber which not onely interrupted their discourse but also put both of them in great doubt that Berontus had conferred with his brother about that whereof they were speaking but this disquiet lasted not long because that Cleander taking Lisander apart and discoursing to him his businesse at Court let him presently know that he knew nothing of theirs and Berontus in the meane time speaking with Calista she told him what operation the scroule had which was let fall into Lisanders hands which occasioned the leave he had taken of Cleander and of her selfe although under a pretext of Letters which were come unto him from Fountaine Bleau concealing neverthelesse from Berontus that Lisander had spoken unto her of it or made any demonstration that he knew or doubted that she had written it This done they went to dinner and afterwards Lisander got to Horse having first kindly embraced Cleander and Berontus and more lovingly kissed the faire Calista who could not see him depart without sorrow although small in respect of that which hee carried with him All the companie remained sad for his departure except Berontus who was not otherwise an enemy of his vertue but envious for he being a brave Gentleman hardy as the sword thought hee lost of his lustre when he was compared to Lisanders incomparable valour who riding as fast as hee could spurre without staying all the rest of the day came upon the beginning of the evening into the entrance of the Forrest of Fountaine Bleau The knowledge which especially in France is so frequent of this royall house the proudest I thinke in the world shall keepe mee from beautifying this my Story with the description thereof although it were one of the most glorious ornaments wherewith I could enrich it It shall suffice onely to say that our Kings have heretofore built it for the pleasure of hunting in the middle of the Launds and Forrests from whence it was called the Deserts of Fountaine Bleau Lisander then entring into this Forrest onely with one man on horsebacke who waited upon him in his chamber and two Footmen which ranne by him had not ridden a hundred paces when he was told by the reporâ— of seven or eight Harquebushes and Pistoll-shot and the cryes of many persons that there was fighting neere him He presently spurred his lusty Horse that hee had under him which carried him suddenly into the middle of tenne or twelve Theeves who were murdering of a brave Gentleman having laid two of his men upon the ground and scattered three or foure others who had accompanied him He neverthelesse defended himselfe valiantly with his Sword having already discharged his Pistoll upon one of the Theeves wherewith hee lay biting the ground with the Gentlemans two men Lisander seeing how bravely this Gentleman acquitted himselfe moved with his owne naturall courage let flye his Pistoll and almost in an instant thrust himselfe amongst the rout with his sword and his Horse every one of which had his effect the Pistoll laid one along with his Horse hee overthrew a second and with his sword he killed a third and all in so short a space that one must have had a quicke discerning who had not judged it to be one action His Sword hee had not long used before the ground was strawed with blood and dismembred parts of the Robbers who were sooner killed and vanquished than they could almost thinke that any succour was comn unto the Gentleman who also saw himselfe delivered before hee could thinke of helpe Lisander after this bloody execution comming neere unto him saw that hee was a reverent old man having his head and beard all white of whom he demanded how he did after his combat Well answered he I thanke God and your good help unto whom I am redueable for my life but I am
with great demonstration of sorrow seeing her selfe constrained to make this request unto them Both of them witnessing as much obedience unto her as love promised to forbeare although this banishment were more cruell unto them than any torment which her rigour could have inflicted Alcidon who made the third in this businesse remonstrating unto them what extremities they were brought unto by their jealousie having made them commit a fault a relapse whereinto could not bee but inexcusable and mortall intreated them to give this passion unto their friendship or at the least not to take it away having once given it before and if they loved Olinda they ought not to constraine her good will by violence nor make her odious unto all the world as being the cause of dividing so ancient and perfect a friendship as theirs was with many other reasons so that they promised not to forbeare loving of her for that was not in their power but at the least to abstaine from seeing her as they had promised This promise was for some dayes religiously kept by the two friends who would not by any means be justly taxed for wronging each others friendship but beleeving that they should either vanquish or by diversion wipe away their love and jealousie seeing every day all sorts of objects excepting that which was most fixt in their imagination But Clarangeus having taken a lodging neere unto Olinda's to the end he might see at his window as she went in and out at the doore her whom hee durst not goe to see in the house as lovers have strange phantasies and content themselves with what they can get when they cannot get what they would made Lidian thinke this his taking of a house was no apt meanes to make him forget her Wherefore beleeving that hee was dispensed of his promise and no more to bee bound to the oath which was first broken by his rivall hee found the meanes to meet Olinda one evening in the garden of the Tuilleryes where she was gone to walk there with some teares complaining of the torment which hee suffered in his absence by the commandement which she had given not to see her which Clarangeus had disobeyed in taking a house so neere hers expressed his love so lively unto her that Olinda who truely loved him and did not like that Clarangeus had taken a lodging so neere hers beleeving that he had done it to observe her actions suffered him to see her at certain houres which shee did assigne unto him so secretly that it was not perceived by Clarangeus although her neere neighbour These visites were by night Olinda retired her selfe earely and went late to bed and when every one else was asleepe Lidian without any followers or light was brought into her house and spent a great part of the night with her although with all the honest respect which could bee betweene honourable lovers But the Moone envious of Lidians fortune discovered him to jealous Clarangeus who watching like a Dragon at a window which looked into the street a little upon the one side from his Mistresses saw him come out from thence about two houres after midnight The unfitnesse of the time and the astonishment to see him come from a place where his word and friendship had barred him the entrance raised such humours in his braine that hee could hardly containe himselfe and to perfect the cause of his complaint Lidian being in the street and Olinda in her window they tooke new leave one of the other without thinking or remembring of their neighbour with such amorous words from Lidian and so favourable from Olinda that Clarangeus fell from an ague into a feaver and Lidian as if he had not had leisure in two houres which he was with her to speake so blinde are both love and lovers intreated her to fling him downe her handkerchiefe that he might have the contentment to lodge with it and to embrace it all night in remembrance of the deerest person unto him in the world Olinda who was otherwayes discreet and wise so farre yeelded unto his prayers that as well to satisfie his importunity as not to let him stay any longer there cast it unto him thinking that he would goe his way so soone as he had taken it up But the wind jealous of this favour blew it upon the barres of Clarangeus window who saw this action with a motion of so violent a passion that impatience and rage were likely to have carried him into the street there to decide by a last combate the difference and jealousie of their love Olinda and Lidian were in no lesse pain perceiving although too late their undiscreet improvidence yet her Gentlewoman running speedily with a pole got down the handkerchiefe which Lidian catching before it came unto the ground and in his Mistresses sight lovingly kissing it retired himselfe leaving unto her a good night and unto Clarangeus the worst that ever hee felt The next morning they failed not to meet at the Masse rather to see Olinda than for any devotion where Clarangeus comming unto Lidian said You cannot now deny that you have not seene Madam Olinda both against her command and your promise Against my promise I doe confesse answered Lidian because you have made me dispence with it in first breaking your own but not against her commandement because she hath permitted me as she did formerly forbid me Clarangeus provoked with this answer said Wherein have I broken my promise I yet never did it and doe well know the meanes to compell others to performe what they promise You need not compell answered Lidian those who are ready to pay and you did breake your word when having promised not to see Madam Olinda you tooke a lodging close unto hers Well Sir answered Clarangeus I would not so lightly have departed from your friendship as you have from mine but this is the truth herein I am your enemy Sir answered Lidian I will alwayes oppose my services unto your hatred But I entreat you to consider that our promise is reciprocall and hath no more force than my Ladies commandement gave it and if you neverthelesse beleeve that I have sooner broken my word than you pardon it unto mee and thinke that I have no more power of my selfe than you have of your selfe The holinesse of the place and their friends which did accompany them interrupting their discourse they heard Masse together with Olinda who understood part of their dispute and was no lesse offended with Lidians answer than with Clarangeus complaints who was the more provoked at that time by Lidians holding of the handkerchief against his mouth Their friends having sent to seeke for Alcidon and Cleander and they comming the best meanes they could finde to agree them was to entreat them that their differences might be determined by her will who was the cause thereof Lidian at the first word consented hereunto assuring himselfe of Olinda's favour
but Clarangeus distrusting his cause would not referre himselfe unto the judgement of a woman already gained by his adversary yet Alcidon and Cleander used so many perswasions unto him that hee yeelded if Olinda made choice of Lidian for her servant Clarangeus should leave her service and should never pretend any interest in her love and in like manner if she should rather chuse Clarangeus Lidian should forbeare any further suit and never come in any place where he might hope for grace or favour from her Commission to deliver this agreement unto Olinda was given unto those who had made it and their honours were ingaged to the performance of these conditions declaring themselves enemies unto the first breakers thereof Olinda being equally offended with them both beleeving also that she had power to call backe Lidian when she pleased and not thinking it fit to make choice of one and offend the other resolved to bee rid of them both entreating both the one and the other to absent themselves and promising to choose him for her husband who should last come unto her The Oracle proceeding from this mortall goddesse so unexpected by those who asked it so astonished Clarangeus but most Lidian that the next morning without communicating their designe or taking leave of any person they got to horse leaving the Court and all their friends in great sorrow In the meane time feeble Lisander by little and little recovered his strength and no lesse by Calista's charmes than by the Operators skill who onely applyed his salves unto the doublet lost the paine of his wounds The contentment which he received in her company was so great that fearing to lose that he was unwilling to be healed out of which respect when she asked of him how his wounds were he answered Better than I would Madam because the happinesse which I receive in your most deare company doth infinitely surpasse the paine which they put me to and I doe so much feare the losing of this glory when I shall bee healed that to preserve it eternally I could wish them incurable Calista gently smiled at these words and told him that hee should onely take care for the healing of them and after they should enjoy more pleasure being whole than in being sicke But what pleasure Madam answered Lisander can I hope from your rigour if you use mee alwaies according unto your accustomed manner You complaine without cause replyed Calista knowing as you doe well unto what extremity I have beene reduced to please you but as it is said to bee willing to be healed is a beginning of health only be willing to be healed that I may see you once doe what I desire With these sweet words Lisander thought that Calista did but deferre the remedy of his love untill the healing of his wounds did make him capable of the receiving thereof And thus deceiving his hope with his evill unsensibly he was reduced to his former health But then when Lisander thought to gather the fruit of this love for which hee had suffered so many rigorous absences travels and wounds and that Cleanders Alcidon and Berontus riding after Lidian and Clarangeus who being gone this very day as wee said put them all in feare that they were gone to fight made him hope of a favourable occasion to enjoy his Mistresse She entring with Clarinda into his chamber spake thus unto him Sir since the time that I suffered you to see mee at Beauplaine unknowne to my husband I have beene alwaies followed with a multitude of torments which have never left mee in peace and I doe beleeve that God hath justly suffered them to punish in me the wicked designe which you have had to dishonour a person who entirely loveth you although I have committed no other offence but suffering that which I could not hinder and that I did not give notice of an injury which you procure unto him who ought to be more deare unto me than you are and who ought to bee more deare unto you than I am This hath beene confirmed unto me in this last affliction which I have had for your wounds in which time I made a vow to God that if he shewed you so much mercy as to suffer you to escape I would never draw his anger upon my head by having any connivence with your crime I doe entreat you therefore Sir and conjure you by that love which you say and I beleeve you beare me that if you will love mee you would love mee honourably and according to the love which I owe unto Cleander and the friendship which hee beares you if not I doe most humbly entreat you to pardon me if in paying the vow which I have made unto God and in satisfying the just obligations which are amongst men I am constrained to entreat you to retire your selfe and use that great courage which you make appeare in every danger to suffer constantly the losse of a person who cannot be acquired lawfully by you I would faine have all those who are apprehensive of love think with what patience Lisander could heare a speech so little looked for at the instant when hee expected the possessing of a pleasure so long and so vainly followed Ha Madam answered he is it possible that in the midst of so many faire hopes which you have made me conceive of your pity you should use mee so cruelly Is this the recompence of so many services which I have done you of so many dangers whereinto I have throwne my selfe of so many wounds which I have received and so many passions which I yet suffer Had it not beene better you had then suffered mee to dye when I was so neere death when I should have felt no paine it being a kinde of pity to kill those quickly which of necessity must dye rather than to make me suffer it with so much violence after so much sweetnesse having prolonged my life to prolong my torment Alas it was not without cause I feared to bee healed too soone seeing that in recovering my health I lose your favour and then to faine a counterfeit vow to excuse your ingratitude and cover your cruelty with the cloake of Religion will not heaven punish this hypocrisie Lisander said Calista I will speak but one word after which I entreat you not to hope for any other I take the same heaven to witnesse which you doe invoke against me that I grieve that I cannot love you as you love me and doe wish that I may be punished according to your desire if I use either hypocrisie or dissimulation You wrongfully accuse mee of ingratitude and cruelty seeing I cannot satisfie you without being ungratefull unto Cleander nor have pity upon you without being cruell unto my selfe I have told you that I loved you and with so perfect a love that it could not bee encreased nor lessened since the first birth thereof neither am I ignorant of your merits towards me but
Page I should now againe goe out of the towne upon a Lackeyes word Lisander having closed this Letter went himselfe downe unto the street doore where having found the Lackey who stayed for him hee said Hold friend tell thy Master I will wait all day to morrow to heare newes from him so turning into the hall where dinner was ready hee sate downe with the rest of the company All that day and the next night he was in a deep meditation of what should become of him after the combat if God were so mercifull unto him that he were the last alive knowing well that in respect of Cloridons favour with the King hee could have no sure aboad in France The next day hee stayed in his chamber all the morning expecting every houre when he should be challenged and therefore caused a man to stand at the street doore to bring him who should be sent without any further enquiry directly unto him But when he saw noone past and after the whole day without hearing a word hee did thinke that Cloridon was satisfied with his reasons or was contented in himselfe that hee had witnessed his courage in challenging That night there was a Cooke who amongst other meane wherewith they were plentifully served drest some rost-meate made with the marrow of Beefe and in stead of chopping of Parsley which was usuall he put in Hemlocke which was likely to kill all the company and especially Lisander who having had a most sicke night was constrained to be let blood and take physicke the next morning Hardly had he swallowed it when one came to tell him that a Gentleman at the doore desired to speake with him Presently he imagined that he came from Cloridon and although hee did not then looke for him and that things which come beyond our expectation doe most nâ—ly and most lively pierce our mindes when they happen yet without any alteration he commanded he should be let in The other who was a brave Knight called Chrysantes as soone as hee came into the chamber seeing the Surgeons sawcers full of blood upon the table and the glasses wherein the Physicke was empty was about to returne backe without a word yet hearing Lisander aske who was there hee entred in and being set downe close by the bedde every one being commanded away hee said thus I came hither Sir to have spoken with you about a businesse but now I see the state wherein you are will not permit you to heare of it wherfore if it please you I will hold other discourse expecting a time when the disposition of your health may better fit both you and mee for the uttering thereof Pardon mee said Lisander my sickenesse is not so great that it can let me from hearing and lesse from giving you satisfaction I pray therefore forbeare not to deliver your message for I know already the contents thereof and if you had come yesterday as I did expect it had beene by this time dispatcht Sir answered Chrisantes I could not come yesterday and I beleeve you cannot goe this day whither I would have you without endangering your health for by the tokens which I see upon the table you have beene let blood and taken Physicke this morning It is true replied Lisander but he who by the consideration of the danger of his life cannot be retained will not refraine in consideration of his health which is lesse You have reason said Chrisantes because sometimes one may lose his health without losing his life but never his life without his health yet because in this businesse the conservation and losse of one dependeth upon another I would perswade you to stay untill you are in better health Sir answered Lisander you cannot be my enemy and counseller in one and the same businesse I know you come from Cloridon and the notice hee gave mee two dayes since of his designe may make him thinke that my indisposition is rather fained than true therefore to make him lose this thought or to keepe him from having it tell mee where he is and I will goe to content him with my arme in a skarfe and my physicke in my belly for seeing he will not receive the satisfaction which I would have given him he shall never have it now Seeing you are so resolved replied Chrisantes I will onely entreat you to take a friend with you who may witnesse with me your endevour in this action I have no friend answered Lisander having too many for there are many in this house who will not yeeld that point one unto the other so that in stead of a particular combate we should fight a battell and put you to trouble in finding friends to oppose them But to satisfie your desire which you have not to be idle I promise you that if Cloridon leave me with life I will give you some exercise Let us goe then Sir said Chrisantes and not suffer him to wait any longer for hee hath stayed a great while in his shirt Lisander presently rose and his faithfull footman who onely stayed in his chamber no body doubting of a quarrell having made ready a Courser which Cleander had sent him out of Naples hee went out of the house with Chrisantes accompanied onely with his footman to finde Cloridon who stayed without S. Honorius gate in a wide field which is betweene Roul and Mountmaâ—tre Chrisantes seeing him said unto Lisander Sir yonder is my friend if you please I will goe speak with him one word yet if you thinke not fit I will presently leave you together untill a better or worse destiny part you Doe what you please replyed Lisander but dispatch Hee then set forward towards Cloridon who came towards him and seeing Lisander have one arme in a skarfe hee asked the cause Chrisantes in few words told him what had past and so retired two or three hundred paces on the one side Cloridon then gallopping towards Lisander who made towards him wearied with so long stay spake unto him in this manner Knight so farre as I can perceive your indisposition makes me dispence with you for fighting wee will therefore if you please deferre it untill your health will better permit it for this present estate of yours can neither be commodious for you nor honourable for me No no answered Lisander two men of our quality and making cannot returne out of this medow without fighting Resolve therefore to overcome or dye seeing you will not live in friendshippe with him who hath sought it at your hands Go too then said Cloridon let us prove whether you have done well or no in despising a courtesie from one who did thinke to have obliged you thereby I will neither aske it nor affoord it to you answered Lisander and therewith furiously spurred one upon another Lisander who as we have said ridde upon a lusty and strong courser but such a one as in regard of his long resting idle in the stable was not so steddy a runner
grieved for my men who are either all lost or dead For those which are dead answered Lisander there is no calling of them againe but for the rest they cannot be lost so neere the Court whither I thinke you are going It is true said the old Gentleman that I am going thither but not to make any stay for it is long since my age and the contentment of a free life which I have accustomed my selfe unto at home have exempted me from that honourable servitude But leaving this discourse unto another time I would faine see if among those which lye for dead there is none of mine yet alive Saying this he alighted and Lisander also whose men by this time were comn unto them and eased them of this labour They looking amongst them who lay upon the ground found two of the old mans servants still breathing although wounded in many parts of their bodies as well with shot as with swords They called the other with lowd cryes which sounding through the Forrest helped by the silence of the night and solitarinesse of the place came unto theiâ— eares who hearing themselves called by their names and by their Master whom they thought dead returned to the place where they had left him Lisander no lesse content with the good service which he had done unto this Knight than he himselfe was joyfull for the recovery of his servants the two first which were found wounded among the dead were Gentlemen as such had rather dye at their Masters feet than save their lives by shamefull flying whom he caused to be lifted upon their horses setting the others behinde to hold them up and so they proceeded in their journy toward Fountain Bleau By the way which was a good league and more Lisander intreated this Knight to pardon his curiositie if it did stretch so farre as to desire to know the cause of this accident at least if this his request might not seeme too much importunitie The old man looking Lisander stedfastly in the face as much as the darkenesse of the night would give him leave and thinking him the bravest and best fashioned Gentleman that ever bee beheld answered him in this manner Not alone of this accident whereof I cannot tell you the cause but also of all my life which you have saved obliging mee thereby to hold it next after God of your Sword I will give you such an account that although I cannot satisfie my obligation I will satisfie at least your curiosity My countrey is Normandy my house called Bellayre I am named Dorilas I have spent the most part of my life in the warâ—es and few memorable actions have beene in my time in Christendome wherein I have not had the honour to bee I followed the fortune of Monsier du Mayne in that famous battell of Lepantho where Don John of Austrige and the Venetians made the Easterne Sea looke redde with the Turkish blood A long time after I was with old Monsier de Guise in that fearefull battell of Anneau when with a handfull of Volentiers hee defeated many thousands of Reisters which were come from Roane unto the bankes of Loiere Afterwards I was with the late Monsier de Mercure when hee made that great and never-enough celebrated retraict of Cavise where he retired many leagues in Hungary before a hundred thousand horse with an army of fifteene thousand men Finally willing to retire my selfe I married a wife in mine own country whole name is Otranta who hath borne unto me a sonne whosâ— name is Liddian and a daughter who is called Calista and not long since married to a Knight of this countrey called Cleander It is now eight dayes since I departed from my house and my wife out of a desire which I had to see my children one of whom I have seene but once since his comming out of Italy Now he followes the King and the other lives about a dayes journey hence with the Knight her husband whom even now I named This afternoone I departed from Paris where I have stayed these three dayes and as I came from thence on this side of Aussone the theeves set upon me they having followed me untill I came into this wood where I had met with my grave if you had not happily succoured me Thus briefly you have what I can say of my fortune and my life But gentle Knight if it please you I pray tell mee your name that I may know unto whom I may give thankes for my preservation for it is unreasonable that I should not know him unto whom of all men in the world I am most obliged nor that you should refuse this courtesie unto him unto whom you have not refused to expose your life for the safety of his Sir answered Lisander I am a poore Souldier so little knowne in the world that though I should tell you my name you would never the better know my person yet thus much I will say that I am come out of those parts whither you are going and doe know by good intelligence that those whom you goe to see are in good health And I have heard so much good of their merits and vertues that I account the small service which I have done you exceeding well employed although the onely consideration and fame which I have heard published of your valour whereof you have made large proofe in this encounter doth oblige mee to render you more signall offices which with time I hope to performe And then Sir I will not onely declare unto you my being but I will let you see that I am in no lesse degree of love unto you than one of your children By this meanes Lisander did thinke that hee should have avoyded the telling of his name unto good Dorilas who did intreat him with a passion so great as the refusall of so just a demand did augment his desire But one of his footmen in the meane time holding speech with one of Dorilasses and not knowing that his Master had a designe to hide his name did nakedly tell without thinking whatsoever his Master did endevour to dissemble yet because they did not understand what their Masters said nor their Masters what they said it came not at this time to the old mans knowledge Shortly after they came unto Fountaine Bleau but it was late and the Court being very great they could get but two chambers in one house which Lisander left unto Dorilas and unto his people going himselfe with his servants unto a friends lodging of his to Dorilas his great griefe who did much desire that they might accommodate themselves in one lodging Let us leave him among his wounded servants whom he causeth to bee dressed with great diligence and no lesse danger of their lives and returne wee unto Lisander who retiring of himselfe as we have said to one of his friends called Clarangeus he was received with all loving entertainment At supper he told the adventure which had happened
poorely to dye shamefully that if his divinity had not beene witnessed not alone by men living and dead but by Angels and by Devils the obeying of the windes and waters by the trembling of the earth and darkning of the Sunne it would bee impossible to receive it in our beleefe Lisander eased by the voiding of these things which hee had vomited and comforted by the remonstrance of this good religious man lifted up his â—yeâ— to his face and having earnestly beheld him a good space labouring to recover his speech and to remember where hee had seene him in a feeble and broken voice spake unto him in this manner Father I have alwaies little feared Death assuredly trusting in Gods mercy wherefore my hope of one surpassing my feare of the other I cannot be affraid of a passage which is common to all men I know nothing is more naturall that living is not more ordinary than dying And so farre am I from being astonished at it that I confesse I have desired it with lesse â—eare than impatience That which afflicteth me and feareth me is to see things come out of my body which never entred into it nor cannot bee framed there and therefore cannot come naturally from me And if any wonder can have place in my minde next unto that 〈◊〉 is to see my selfe knowne and to heare my selfe named in this agony by a man whose face I think I have seene and heard his voice in another world and in another habit This good man discovering then his head which was almost hid under his Coule and making himselfe knowne unto Lisander with teares in his eyes in kissing him said if nothing were wanting unto your health but the removing of these two causes of astonishment I durst promise my selfe to see you well no lesse astonishing the company with the Miracle of your healing than it is yet with the wonder of your evill For the things which you have vomited although they are true and seeme to be truely come out of your body ought rather to bee ascribed to the illusions of the evill Spirit who hath deceived our sense than unto the testimony of our owne eyes And it is to bee beleeved that they are reall seeing they are palpable But it is to be beleeved also that hee hath charmed our sight as the Operator who last healed you charmed your wounds and healed them in applying salves to your Doublet And it is likely that from this first charme proceeds now this second For the Devill hath done nothing for nothing and did not succour you in that extremity but onely to reduce you into a greater As for your astonishment which proceedeth from my knowing you I thinke it is now wiped away And Clarangeus having beene so perfect a friend unto Lisander cannot be unknowne by so strange a change as mine or by the violence of a sicknesse like yours For the rest you have reason in saying you have seene me in another world for this wherein I now am is much differing from that wherin I then was Lisander who knowing Clarangeus who cast from serving and banished from the presence of Olinda had confined himselfe into a Cloyster embracing him with a joy mingled with sorrow and astonishment to see him in this habit answered Is it possible that my eyes doe not deceive me Clarangeus and that it is not one of the illusions of my sickenesse how have you left the world As those replyed Clarangeus who being beaten by stormes at Sea doe search for some safe Port where they may bee covered from the tempest O how happy are you said Lisander to have that power of your selfe Yea if you knew the happinesse said Clarangeus and if after so many stormes wherewith you have beene beaten you would with mee prove the sweetnesse and quietnesse of a religious life you would despise and mocke at Honours Loves and other vanities which cast away the most part of men I would to God said Lisander I could doe it but I know my selfe so weake so chained to the world that though I should leave it to day I should take it againe to morrow and as it ordinarily happens my second entrance would bee much worse than my first You have reason replied Clarangeus For as there is nothing worse for health than to passe from one extremity to another so there is nothing more dangerous in the world than to goe from a religious life unto an irregular one From thence it comes that there is nothing more evill than a Monke who hath cast away his frocke and that the most parâ— of our errors owe their birth unto these Apostata's who as vipers doe endevour in their birth to rend the sides of their mother Ambrisia and many Gentlemen of the Countrey who were come to see her in this sicknesse of her brothers were no lesse joyfull to see him so well recovered than of Clarangeus his discourse knowledge Unto whom Lisander in continuing his speech said that not finding himselfe strong enough to observe such a perpetuall vow he promised 〈◊〉 the least if it pleased God to restore him to his former health the first voiage he would undertake after his sicknesse should be unto our Lady of Mount Serraâ— Clarangeus confirmed him in this devotion and afterwards taking his leave hee returned with the other religious man into the Covent Shortly after were it by the prayers of those good Fathers or through Lisanders vow hee began to amend but as the proverbe faith sickenesses come on horsebacke and goe away on foote of a Snailes pace It was fifteene dayes before hee could rise out of his bedde and fifteene dayes more after hee was out of his bed before hee could get strength which being past and having visited his friends but principally Clarangeuâ— and taken leave of his Sister Ambrisia hee secretly caused a â—acket of gray Serge to bee made and a Cloake of skinnes over it and having gotten a Palmers staffe in a faire Evening hee began his Pilgrimage In the meane time some of those who had left him sicke going unto Paris not onely carried newes of his sickenesse but of the habit which Clarangeus had taken which brought forth no lesse astonishment than sorrow in the minds of their Friends Olinda herselfe witnessed some feeling of pity which shee had of poore Clarangeus and it was encreased by the griefe shee had for Lidians losse But this was nothing in respect of what Calista suffered for Lisanders sickenesse she being so much the more afflicted by how much shee durst not make it appeare although her brothers and her husbands absence had been colour enough for her to have justified her griefe Alcidon being advertised of these accidents which happened after the departure of his friends determined to goe see them and taking his leave of Argire took his journy towards Burgundy But finding Lisander gone and being no lesse glad to heare that hee was well recovered than sorrowfull because
by having none in this world But this is not all said Lisander you must needs goe with us not to stay seeing you will not but to helpe us convert a Moorish Slave whom wee have in our company who would willingly be of our religion Clarangeus who at first thought that hee mocked him was about to tell him that hee had profited little either by his sickenesse or pilgrimage when intentively beholding Cleander upon whom so busie he was in embracing Lidian he had not yet so much as cast a looke and lesse imagined that hee was there present he fell from his first admiration into amazement It were a new story to relate the words the imbracings and entertainments which passed betweene them wherefore I will omit them and onely say that after the first motions of this sudden joy was over it was agreed that Clarangeus should aske licence of his Superiours to goe stay some time in the house of the Capuchins at Paris and that they would stay for him at Dijon from thence to go all together to Paris Departing in this resolution that very night Clarangeus demanded and obtained of the Fathers leave to goe to Paris in the company of another of the Order whom they gave to him for a companion and having received their benediction he went the next morning to his friends who waited for his comming Thus went these foure together whilest Calista in the meane time afflicted with an extreme sorrow which daily increased in her through Cleanders not returning and by Clarinda's evill deportments which by Calista's gentlenesse were now growne insufferable neither was Lisanders and Lidians absence a small cause In this adversity besides the ordinary visiting of Olinda and Argire she was seldome without the company of Ambrisia and Otranta her mother whose presence would have diverted much of her evill if it had beene curable by companie yet shee set a merrier countenance upon it than the sadnesse of her minde would well suffer But disloyall Clarinda being come to such a degree of impudency that shee made no scruple to admit Leon into her chamber after her Mistresse was in bedde so farre wounded Calista's patience that breaking into a most just choler she discharged her giving her but three dayes warning either to retire to her friends or otherwayes to provide for her selfe Clarinda growing desparate at this putting away knowing that together with her Mistresse shee lost her friend besides the discredite which it would be to be turned away upon such an occasion which shee did beleeve Calista would never conceale determined to prevent her in accusing her Mistresse for her owne fault like as falling into one depth hasteneth unto another so shee endevoured to cloake her sinne with a crime and to weave the basest and treacheroulest infidelity that ever came within the compasse of any wicked womans heart In this thought weeping Berontus comming unto her whilest Calista entertained Otranta and Ambrisia who knew nothing of Clarinda's act asked her the cause of her teares and finding that they proceeded from her turning away more curious to know the cause thereof than of her teares said unto her Clarinda my sister is moved to this extremity by some great cause I pray thee tell it mee and I promise I will either reconcile thee againe unto her if I can or if I cannot I will otherwaies work you so good conditions that you shall not sorrow for your departure from her and this I promise upon mine honour also if it bee for a cause not fit to bee spoken I sweare never to utter it to any Sir answered Clarinda who knew that Berontus envied Lisanders vertue under the assurance of your promise and to discharge my conscience of the treason which I have beene constrayned to use against my Lord Cleander in serving my Lady Calista I will tell you that which to my great griefe I have concealed untill this time After that my Lady had heard Lisanders plaints which he made for her in the woods of Beauplaine where I thinke you then were shee so farre imprinted his love in her minde that her heart never tooke rest nor I ever saw good time about her From thence proceeded the Alarum which one night you had at Beauplaine occasioned by Lisander whom my Lady had brought into her chamber unknowne unto any body whatsoever I could say to divert her and with so small discretion that hee was very likely to be surprized by my Lord. Then mingling this truth for the greater credit of her lies shee told him at large what you have heard of Lisander when hee saved himselfe out of Calista's chamber and continuing her discourse she added that from thence proceeded her Ladies sadnesse and affliction wherewith she was so continually overwhelmed uncessantly bewailing Lisanders absence under the colour of her brothers and husbands Finally she told him that from thence proceeded her disgrace because shee could noâ— applaud nor approve an affection so contrarie unto her honour and so detested by God and man adding so many teares and oaths unto her words that Berontus who knew the subject was both amiable and worthy was drawne to a beliefe at the least of part and wondred that Lisander was the theefe who would have stolne away his brothers honor yet respecting his sister in law withall desperately of late loving Ambrisia by consequence was obliged to do nothing rashly against Lisander but only desired to cleer so dangerous a suspicion and never to speake of it but when he could verifie it Hee judged that these lovers would never stay in so faire a beginning if Lisander were once returned and that by Clarinda's meanes it would bee easie to surprize them or if Lisander did never returne hee resolved to rake it up in silence and never to trouble his brothers mind or house with discovering an evill which could never bee helped wherefore hee forbad Clarinda to speake any word or to make any shew that she had spoken of it promising that he would worke her into her Ladies favour and service upon condition that she would advertise him of her actions and chiefly of Lisanders comming Instantly going to Calista and taking her apart said so much of Clarinda's fidelity of the affection she bare unto her service and of her sorrow to leave her concealing what had past betweene them that Calista's easie and pitifull nature overcome by his prayers and deceived by them both Clarinda was again received into favour at least into service Calista nourished an enemy in her house who lightened forth strange and miserable effects in small time after But at that time Argire willing to acknowledge her Alcidons faithfull affections determined to affiance her selfe unto him in the presence of Otranta Calista Ambrisia Olinda who were all entreated by her and onely Berontus and Leon by Alcidon the solemnity being deferred untill the returne of their friends Thus being all together after dinner with Argire who as we have said seldom went
be so mercifull unto me said she that I may verifie my innocency it is the least good which you shall hope for from my liberality but if it please God to dispose otherwise of me this little at the least shall remaine with you that you may pray for me cherish the memory of one who is extremely grieved that she cannot binde you further In saying this Calista wept and by her words and teares raised such pity in their hearts besides that which the present gifts which as the Spanish proverb saith breaketh downe rockes and the hope to have more wrought that they themselves prevented the request which shee would have made unto them and encouraged her to save her selfe offering their persons and their lives to serve her the Porter offering further to deliver her so that shee had any trusty friend who would convey her out of the City after he had delivered her out of the prison Calista who saw she had touched them and perceived plainly that it was not counted it to betray her added unto her former stroaks saying My friends although you should lose the miserable gaine which you so wretchedly and with so much pain get here by setting me at liberty yet you should have no cause to complaine for besides that which you may hope for promise yours selves from me I have a friend who will give you this very night five hundred Crownes if you will at your delivering me into his hands will give you a thousand more and be not affraid that hee will deceive you for you shall receive it all before you deliver me but withall take heed you doe not deceive him for if you should doe so no place in the world would assure your lives and you should bee most wicked which I will never beleeve of you if you should procure hurt unto them who intend so much good unto you for by doing this good work and binding so many persons as have interest in me by this act in one day without labour or running any danger you may raise a fortune worthy of your selves and live honourably either with us or else where you please all the rest of your lives without being constrained to practise this course of life in my opinion too base for your hearts With these words and many others Calista being assured of the Porter and drawing from him the strongest oaths he could give she shewed him Lisanders letter whereupon it was concluded that he should goe out that night about ten of the clocke to receive the five hundred Crownes and agree upon a day for her deliverance As they had agreed it was done the Porter going about ten of the clock without the barre of the gate saw two men who walking up and downe on horseback some twenty or thirty paces from the gate one of them who was Lisander seeing him without the bar left his companion who was Alcidon with two footmen who followed him and going unto him asked him if hee were not the man which carried meat unto the Lady who was prisoner there Yes Sir answered he Hath not she advertised you replied Lisander that I would be here at this time about her business She hath told mee answered the Porter that a Gentleman would about this time come hither to speake with me but I doe not know that it is you Lisander hereby knowing that Calista had made the bargaine said hold friend here is five hundred Crownes in gold in this purse which I give for a token that it is I and if thou canst deliver her to me to morrow I will give thee a thousand more which shee hath promised unto thee before thou put her into my hands But do not think to deceive me for if thou doest I vow to kill thee though I fall into all the hangmens hands in France Sir said the Porter taking the Crownes I will not deceive you but I cannot promise to deliver her before the feast of Kings How answered Lisander what if the processe should be judged between this and that Sir said the Porter I will doe what I can to deliver her sooner but to assure you that I can infallibly doe it before that time I will not Thou doest promise said Lisander to bring her then hither into this place in the night before that day at the furthest Yes Sir said the Porter I do promise you to bring her hither about ten of the clock at night upon pain of my life and untill that time let mee heare no newes from you nor expect any from mee for feare we should be taken speaking together Tell my Lady then answered Lisander what we have agreed upon and so farewell In saying this hee turned towards Alcidon and both together wâ— unto their lodging where they told unto Olinda and Argire what they had done who received an unspeakable contentment to see Calista's deliverance proceed so well although the length of the time bred some griefe made them fear some crosse But lest the processe in the mean time might be judged they concluded that Olinda who was betrothed unto Lidian Calista's brother and might openly declare her selfe for her sister in law should goe and intreat the Reporter not to report her processe untill the comming of her Parents lest the innocency of this Lady might run some danger for want of a defence forasmuch as she was so afflicted with her husbands death and with seeing her selfe accused that she wished nothing more than to bee quickly out of this world which was the cause as indeed it was that shee had not thought upon any justification nor any person for her but her friends being come they might peradventure bring Lisander who being heard would wonderfully cleer Calista's right These words full of consideration and weight with the credit and grace of the Speaker had so much power over the Reporter that hee promised to stay the comming of Calista's friends untill the feast of Kings were past and rather go into the Countrey with the Processe than be constrained to deliver it into the Court. Thus the feast passed happily amongst these foure persons Lisander never stirring abroad but once under his beggars weeds to let Calista understand what Olinda had done for her and to know from her also whether the Porter had faithfully told her what was resolved to be done the night before the feast of Kings whereof being satisfied hee expected the Eve of the feast of Kings with great longing In the meane time Berontus knowing that Olinda had solicited for the deferring of Calista's judgment went upon that occasion to visit her made offer to joyne with her in her request desiring not only a delay therein but Calista's freedome so that hee who was guilty of his brothers death might appeare And although Olinda was in a faire way of agreeing them and that Berontus for Ambrisia's love did desire it yet Calista was so farre in the hands of justice that it was not thought
of her brother had alwaies remained with them and borne them faithfull company In the meanetime Dorilas seeing the month expired within which time he had promised unto the King to bring in Lisander returned to Paris with an intent to combate Lucidon himself according to the offer which had been made and accepted But when he came there finding that his sonne had prevented him and was yet in his bedde wounded and beleeving that it would be thought to be done by his advice to excuse him from that wherein he had formerly ingaged himselfe he was no lesse angry with him for fighting than sorry for his wounds yet understanding that hee was carried to Clarvall hee went to see him and from thence writ unto Otranta newes of this accident Shee hearing that her sonne was wounded and lay at Argires house neere Paris came thither with Calista as speedily as shee could and as secretly as was possible I neede not relate the complements the entertainments and words which passed amongst the Ladies especially with Calista neither could I expresse them Only I will say that having found Lidian a little better than they thought their sorrow was turned into joy seeing themselves together although it was not perfect For besides Lidians wounds the absence of Alcidon Lisander his quarrels and Calista's processe were sharpe thornes amongst these roses In the meane time such as were equally friends unto Lidian and Lucidon seeing they were recovered of their wounds and seeing the small cause for them to remaine enemies there having no words of injury passed betweene them and their wounds being equal they determined to make them friends knowing that with the service which they should doe unto the two Knights in agreeing them they should also please the King which did desire it The honour the friends and the noblenesse of their proceeding had imprinted more affection than the blood which they had drawn one from the other had left hatred wherefore they were easily disposed to agreement provided that in their agreement there might be no speech held of Lisander who was the first cause of their dispute but when they should see one the other which must bee of necessity because Lidian durst not come unto Paris Lucidon was brought unto Clarvall where first embracing Dorilas and after Lidian he was ravished with the beauty of the company especially when his eyes beheld Calista who blinded him with so violent a passion of love that from a mortall enemy which not long since he was of her whole house he was now become a most affectionate servant He was young rich well favoured comely of personage of an excellent spirit and a great courage charmes which might prevaile much with women which neverthelesse were not of force with Calista whose heart was ever turned towards Lisander as the Needle is towards the North although at this time his absence and the little newes of him had much offended her Lucidon finding in Calista a minde drowned in sorrow for the death of Cleander and onely as he conceived capable of griefe as well for his death as that she was thereof accused and not yet justified contented himselfe onely to offer her all his service as well in this as in any other neither pretending nor hoping for more recompence than the honour to call himselfe her Knight And so he tooke his leave with his friends returning to Paris more wounded with the arrowes of her eyes than he had beene before by Lidian her brother and no lesse studying which way to gaine her than to destroy Lisander whom all the world knew both to love her and to be beloved by her thinking therby to satisfie both his love and hatred together wherefore the moneth which the King had given for him to come and enter his pardon was no sooner past but Lucidon remonstrated unto his Majesty that his crime heretofore cleere enough was now more than notorious that otherwise hee would never have failed to appeare within the time which was limited for the enjoying his pardon which was procured with so much instance but that Lisander convinced by his conscience fledde the light of the Sunne which discovered him confessing by his flight that hee could neither deny it in justice nor defend it with armes He therefore entreated his Majesty to revoke the pardon given him yeeld unto the shadowes of Cloridon and Chrisantes the contentment of seeing justice done upon their murtherer and if any were found who in his absence would defend him in so evill a cause that hee might be suffered to fight with him and submit his right unto the triall of armes The King taking Lisanders absence as an ill signe ordained that if within three weekes hee came not nor some other for him to fight with Lucidon the pardon which was offered unto him should be void and hee himselfe should be put into the hands of justice Further his Majesty ordained that the combate should bee on horsebacke the combatants armed at all points and in the presence of his Majesty according to the ancient custome of this Kingdome This order comming unto Dorilas his eare he dispatched Lidian away in Poste unto Lisander remaining himselfe at Clarevall expecting newes But being one day at Paris whither hee ordinarily went a little after Lidians departure hee met with two Gascoigne Gentlemen of his acquaintance who came lately out of the country by whom informing himselfe of Lisander no way disguising the trouble of minde that hee had by his absence considering what businesse called him thither they told him that they had left him about a businesse which did well deserve his stay And what businesse said Dorilas can be of such importance unto him that it can make him forget the care which he ought to have of his honour and his life Wee know not said they neither doth he beleeve that his honour doth oblige him to come hither but the cause which detains him there is I think partly because he cannot be here in that safety which he desires and partly for the satisfaction which hee desires to give unto his parents after so long an absence but the true and strongest chaine which tyeth him is the love which hee beares unto a faire Amazon who will not give him so much liberty to runne up and downe in the world as hee hath done Then did they so lively describe Hippolita's vertues and beauties adding the greatnesse of her estate unto her other perfections that Dorilas certainely beleeved it was the onely reason why Lisander was deafe unto his letters and infinitely bewailing that he had sent Lidian unto him hee returned to carry this newes to Calista at Clarvall To tell you the ravage which this newes made in her minde the rage and the fury of her jealousie the despite and the shame she had to see her selfe so despised and deceived by a man who had adored her with submissions and humblenesse as if it had beene to a Deity it is not possible
neerest port they set saile for Callis and although by all tokens they were threatned with a violent storme yet Lisanders impatience was so great that whatsoever the Mariners said and what token soever of foule weather they marked hee would not abide untill it was past We will leave them passing the straight betweene England and France and returne unto Calista who having got armour some ten dayes before the three weekes were expired which were given unto Lisander one evening armed her selfe from head unto foot and onely with one Lackey which her Hoste had procured unto her she rid from Paris to lye at Suren from whence the next morning shee sent a letter of challenge unto Lucidan of this substance Calista her Letter to Lucidan LUcidan you have offered the King to fight with a Knight now absent whom you dare not looke in the face if hee were present and undertaken to verifie that by Armes which you cannot doe by justice Seeing then his absence hath given you this boldnesse his right bindes me to maintain him and shew you as much reason in his defence as you have passion in your prosecution for which purpose I expect you in the plaines of Suren with a good horse a good sword and good arms such as the K. hath granted you above all a good hart to abate your pride and make you repent your undertaking an evill cause Informe not your selfe of my name for you shall not understand it untill after the combat if you remain alive but be contented to know that I am a Knight Lisanders friend whom you hate and so consequently your enemy Calista having dispatched this letter and instructed her Lackey of his name and lodging unto whom he was to deliver it all armed mounted on horseback and accompanying him about a mile staied in the middle of a great field which is betweene Suren and an Abby of religious women called Longchampe whither she commanded him to come to her framing in the meane time such discourses in her minde which none but she onely could speake The Lackey no lesse diligent than faithfull and although he knew not his Master yet made such haste that hee tooke Lucidan in his bedde where hee was rather musing upon Calista's beauty and of her losse which hee had heard of than of such newes which having received he was much troubled not onely to know who this Knight should be so good a friend unto Lisander who would expose his life for his honour but also to resolve how to content him for it troubled him much to refuse him and on the other side he thought as it was true that a combat being granted at his instance and appointed by the King he should much offend his Majesty if hee should enter into a private one which was forbidden by the lawes wherefore after a long debate in his minde ballancing sometimes upon one side and then upon another he answered in this manner Lucidan his Answer KNight it is true that I have offered to combat with Lisander or any other of his friends such as you witnesse your selfe to be But not that his absence hath given mee courage or thinking him so dangerous that I dare not looke him in the face it is also true that if I could verifie by justice what I intend to prove by armes there would bee no need of any combate but it followeth not therefore that I prosecute it with passion or that hee hath reason on his side and if you have so much desire to maintaine his right as I have to shew the injury hee did unto Chrisantes and Cloridon you need not make choice of the solitary plaines of Suren but rather the field for battaile appointed by the King and at the time which he also hath set downe and there make knowne not alone unto his Majesty but unto the eyes of all France the justice of our cause by the end of our combate To effect this you neede onely to have patience but eight dayes in which time you may moderate your choler and learne that your threatnings do bring you more neglect and shame than they will either feare or hurt me I will not informe my selfe of your name seeing you dare not tell it but will content my selfe with the knowledge that you are a Knight my enemy of whose courage I doubt not having assured my selfe that the King hath not in vaine granted the liberty of combate unto your friend Lucidan Lucidan having given the Lackey this answer entred into a deepe imagination who this Knight should bee who not respecting the Kings displeasure defied him with so much daring sometimes hee thought it was Lidian who would not discover himselfe in respect of the agreement betweene them and sometimes hee thought it was Lisander himselfe who would prevent the time appointed and make a private duell of a combate which ought to be publicke But Calista finding by his answer that fortune constrained her to keepe her life which shee would so willingly lose confirmed her selfe more than ever in her despaire and not knowing where to spend the eight dayes which with so much sorrow she had left to see the light of the Sunne determined to retire her selfe unto Longchampe amongst the religious women untill the day of the combate cursing Lucidan that he had not accepted this challenge although that she greatly in her heart commended his discretion who wanted neither courage nor judgement in his young yeares As shee was going towards Longchampe having already given her helmet unto her Lackey she saw upon the way towards Paris a man travelling in great haste presently she had a conceit to go neare him which shee no sooner thought but did and instantly knew him although hee were in other fashion than when shee last saw him It was the Porter who had delivered her out of the Castle at Paris whom Lisander had sent into Normandy unto her as wee have formerly said then when hee went into England Hee came at this time from Bellaire where not finding Calista hee went to Paris where he was told he should heare of her at Olinda's When he saw Calista in Armour he knew her not but she not knowing that hee dwelt with Lisander called him by his name and using him with a great deale of courtesie offered to acknowledge with all her power the service which he had done her The Porter astonished both with wonder and joy to finde her whom hee sought for when hee least looked for it as also at her being armed made her also marvell more when he gave her Lisanders letter her lively colour blushed in her cheekes and fledde away incontinently her knees trembled and her horse bridle fell out of her hands and likely herselfe also to fall unto the ground strucken with astonishment at so unhoped for newes and with the griefe which the memory of Lisander made her feele In the end going into a wood hard by shee gave her horse unto her footman commanding
the constancy of his heart On the other part Adrastus understanding by Lidian how Lisanders affaires stood and willing to shew the youthfulnesse of his courage in his old yeeres tooke his way in poste unto the Court immediately after Lidians departure where not finding Lisander as he verily thought he should determined to enter into the combat for him against Lucidan and for this cause he made himselfe gray armour almost of an Iron colour in which for his device he had an Eagle encompassed with a cloud full of lightning and thunder with this word in Spanish Ni Matarme ni Spantarme By which hee would give to understand that all his and his sonnes enemies did neither feare him nor overcome him So the appointed time for the combate being come by three severall wayes there entred into the Horse-market which was the royall place by the King ordained for battailes to be fought Adrastus Dorilas and Calista all completely armed mounted upon good horses not one knowing of the others enterprise Of the other side of the field entred Lucidan with the sound of Trumpets mounted upon a brave horse with an engraven Armour having a Cupid for his device who held armes in his right hand and wings in his left with this word Ardito presto thereby willing to signifie that he was no lesse valiant than ready as well in his love as in armes Shortly after came the King with many Princes of the blood Peeres of France and officers of the Crowne whom he had made Judges of the combate according unto the ancient lawes and customes of the kingdome When he was in his seate the three unknowne Knights having humbled themselves unto his Majesty without discovering their faces remonstrated unto him that they were there every one in particular to maintaine Lisanders honour not onely against Lucidan but against all others who should accuse him of disloyaltie Neverthelesse meeting all three with one intent without knowing either of others designe they humbly entreated that they three might bee suffered to fight against three others all together and that in this respect Lucidan might bee permitted to chuse three of his friends to second him in this quarrell but he unwilling to have either second or third and offering rather to fight with all three one after another so long as his life should last the King appointed them to draw lots which of them should fight first after whose combate were hee either overcome or conquerour the other two should not be received to make any further quarrell concerning Lisanders innocency thinking the one unnecessary and the other unreasonable because if Lucidan were vanquished Lisander remained acquitted and if he did overcome the other should remaine culpable besides it were not just that he should expose himselfe unto a second combate being wearie and it may be wounded against another fresh and without hurt This equall sentence was neverthelesse grievous unto the strange Knights who were every one apart by himselfe afraid to be dsifavoured by the lot which although they were three yet could favour but one but the sorrowfullest of all was Calista who distrusting her fortune did beleeve she should never receive so much favour as to dye in this combate but that shee should be still reserved unto more misfortunes She had with her the Porter of whom we have spoken unto whom a little before she had given the answere which shee sent unto Lisander commanding him onely to waite the event of this day that hee might report it unto Lisander but if shee had knowne that the two Knights which contended with her about fighting with Lucidan had beene the one Adrastus and the other Dorilas the one Lisanders father and the other hers and also if Dorilas had knowne that she had beene his daughter Calista without doubt their trouble although extreame would have beene much greater When the lots should be drawne to see which of the three strangers should fight with Lucidan their names were demanded which they being unwilling to declare Adrastus first answered that he was called the Knight of the Eagle Dorilas called himselfe the Knight of the Oake and Calista as wee said before having a wheele invironed with buckets for her device named her selfe the Knight of the Buckets Three Billets were made with their three names which were all put into a caske and as a child who was appointed to draw was putting in his hand there came in a fourth knight who stayed the drawing Who this knight was we will speake of in another place But now we must returne unto Lisander the principall subject of this story We left him floating betweene Dover and Callis with his three companions in Armes The Sea was then troubled with winde whereby the waves in bignesse being doubled in that little space they ran a dangerous fortune At the beginning they thought it was but a blast which as short as violent would turne into faire weather but the skie armed with lightning and darkened with clouds which brake amongst them into violent raine and fearefull thunder and the blasts of this winde which in the darkenesse of this storme lifted them upon the waters sometimes unto the starres and sometimes opening the waves in the middle did with horrour throw them into the bottome made them repent their rashnes in despising the storme hoping of saving themselves The pale Pilote having for a time resisted this fortune causing all the sailes to bee strucken and stirring the helme as he saw occasion was constrained to abandon that also seeing by reason of the noise which continually came from the thunder the windes the waters the cryes and the confusion which was through all the ship hee was not able to command nor the Mariners able to obey Lisander seeing both steerage and tackle forsaken and the sailes in disorder expecting every minute to bee swallowed by the waves which already filled the ship endevoured to raise their courages which hee so well effected that every one began to stand to his worke some to the helme some to the tackles some to pumpe out the water which came into the ship But seeing that the Patron judging the ship lost had lept into the skiffe with an intent to save himselfe therein hee leaps after him with his sword in his hand and setting it at his throat threatneth him with a speedy death if hee did not returne into the ship and take upon him the guiding of the same The Patron seeing death present it selfe unto him on both sides desiring rather to receive it by the waves than by iron promised to obey him but as hee was going to returne into the shippe a huge roaring wave strucke against the skiffe with such violence that breaking the cords wherewith it was held it was presently driven away that they in the ship could never more set eye upon it He who was able to expresse Lisanders griefe was no bad Orator he was ready then to effect what he had threatned against the
vouchsafing to looke upon her face her goodly tresses of haire died in blood made him first see his errour and afterwards know that the person whom hee intended to kill with so much hatred was the faire Hippolita who having lost her knowledge and sense was in a swound in his armes It is not possible to tell the least part of the confusion which was in his soule hee knew not what to doe nor what to say nor what to thinke sometimes hee was angry with the Porter who had made him take Hippolita for Calista sometimes hee blamed Hippolita her selfe for hiding her selfe under the name of Lucidan and under the pretext of Calista's death had given way and exacted this disgrace but Erifila told him that he himselfe was the cause forasmuch as Hippolita justly offended after the demonstration of love which hee had made unto her and the great bonds wherein she had tyed him as well in enterprising the voyage unto the Court the combate with Lucidan and now in going in quest of him hee had neverthelesse spoken so disadvantageably of her and had so highly raised Calista's perfections before hers and shee not able to suffer that one who had offered so much love unto her as in excuse thereof should say and to her face that hee had loved her to satisfie another had upon purpose faigned Calista's death that the desire of revenge might incite him to fight with her beleeving that shee had killed Calista and that falling under his armes as shee had done shee might leave with him together with the horrour of her death an eternall sorrow and repentance of his ungratefulnesse and perfidiousnesse This redoubled Lisanders perplexity and astonishment who seeing her lose a great deale of blood and losing no lesse himselfe caused her to be carried unto the next village where having gotten a Surgeon with much difficulty and finding that Hippolita's wounds were not mortall he caused his own to be dressed and then put himselfe againe upon his way to Paris not so much as taking leave of the Lady whom hee had so much injured nor having the courage to aske pardon of her whom hee had the heart not knowing her so mortally to offend as well fearing that his presence should cause some alteration in her as out of shame he had for the words which hee had spoken thinking her to bee Calista yet hee did intreat Erifila to excuse his departure without seeing her fearing the danger which the trouble of his sight might bring unto her assuring that he never had so sensible a sorrow as that which he carried with him for the offence which innocently he had done in satisfaction wherof there was no kinde of torment or paine which hee would not undergoe to content her and to recover the honour of her favour Wee will now let the sorrowfull Hippolity rest a while unto whom speech was forbidden for feare of a feaver and wee will follow unfortunate Lisander who went from her no lesse sorrowfull than she After that hee had rid the rest of the day meditating of that which had hapned and the estate wherein he left her together with griefe for these mischiefs fallen he arrived in the evening at Pontoise which is some seven leagues from Paris no lesse weary and travailed in his body than disquieted in his minde and as his ill fortune did guide him hee alighted at an Inne the Master whereof was but newly come from Paris and with him a Gentleman belonging unto Dorilas who knew Lisander well by report and not by sight although he were one of the two whom Dorilas had with him when he was set upon in the forrest of fountaine Bleau and saved by the same Lisander as you have heard in the beginning of this History Lisander who desired some divertion from his thoughts was glad to sup in their company where his curiosity made him intreat this Gentleman to tell him some newes from the Court who knowing none more memorable nor fresh than that whereof Calista had beene lately the argument discoursed unto him what had hapned since the combate betweene Hippolita and Lucidan First with Alcidon then how her armes had been brought into the Louure and put under Hippolita's guard in the field where the battaile was fought untill they should bee knowne how Dorilas knew his horse and how Hippolita and Adrastus offered to combate against Lisanders and Calista's accusers for the murder of Cleander how the King having heard Berontus his answer who discharged them had taken the cause from the Judges into his owne hearing how Adrastus and Berontus having carried this newes unto Dorilas they went together with Alcidon Lidian and the Ladies which were with them to find Calista at Longchampe from whence they had brought her to Paris finally the words which had past before their Majesties with Hippolita and the contentment whereunto all things had happily succeeded all which was matter of joy and comfort to Lisander But when following his discourse hee came to touch the love betweene Lucidan and Calista which he took upon him to know as being a houshold servant unto Dorilas especially since Lidians and Lucidans attonement and that he added hee beleeved verily his young Ladies misfortunes would end in a marriage with Lucidan which being most earnestly sought by him and as closely followed by Adrastus out of a desire hee had to marry his sonne unto Hippolita it could not be refused by Calista nor by her parents principally in Lisanders absence who had witnessed so little feeling of this last occasion that shee was extremely provoked Then Lisander turning into tragicall the comicall subject of this newes lost together with his stomacke to eat all rest and quiet in his minde his very countenance changing sometimes red as scarlet then pale as death astonished all the company with his sudden alteration yet all the company thought that it proceeded from weakenesse and paine of his wound in his arme and counselled him to goe to bed But he well knowing that this remedy was not apt for his evill intreated this Gentleman to proceed in telling what hee knew of these Lovers faigning that his griefe would be diverted by his discourse I can say no more unto you said hee but that this morning before I came away to goe to Bellaire whither Dorilas hath sent mee for money hee together with Otranta entred into Calista's chamber to propound unto her the advantageable conditions offered by Lucidan one of which was That the King promised in favour of this marriage absolutely to free her concerning Cleanders death Besides they did not thinke it agreeable with Calista's reputation to marry a man who was accused of the death of her husband But if he be innocent said Lisander what then It is all one replied the other he is still accused and that leaveth an aspersion as a bite or a wound doth a scarre although it be healed Besides it is verily beleeved that Lisander is drowned at sea or that
if hee be not hee hath witnessed so little affection unto Calista that she ought not to thinke that ever there was any such in the world But is it possible said Lisander that a Knight who hath saved Dorilas his life and Lidians many times and unto Calista both her life and honour should now be forgotten for Lucidan who not onely was never their servant but hath alwaies beene their capitall enemy As for Lidian answered the other he holds for Lisander and as well he as Alcidon and Berontus will leave the kingdome rather than be present at Calista's marriage with Lucidan and she for her part hath not yet made any demonstrations that shee doth incline either unto one part or other but Dorilas Adrastus and Otranta doe stir heaven and earth for Lucidan and which is greatest the King himselfe favours the match and he can doe more than all All these words were like daggers at Lisanders heart who being able to endure them no longer bid all the company good night and retiring into his chamber went to bed While he rests there if a man tormented with so many furies can enjoy any rest we will returne unto Hippolita who being recovered from her swound and awake from a short sleepe which a generall numming of all her spirits had brought upon her not seeing her mortall enemy who had so cruelly wounded her whom neverthelesse shee loved more than she loved her selfe shee demanded of her maid where he was Shee told her his going away and his excuses together How said shee is hee gone without speaking to mee and hath hee thus left mee in this pitifull estate whereunto I am brought by his cruelty O Tiger although I were unknowne unto him I thinke meere humanity should oblige him to stay with one afflicted set apart that I am for his sake and by himselfe thus wounded and that deceived by his faigned affections I am come into this countrey moved by my true affection unto him have preserved his honour with the losse of my blood and the hazzard of my life and if wee onely speake of common good will which is amongst the most barbarous men were not that bond enough upon him to make him see the successe of the wounds which he hath given me Madam said Erifila hee was so afflicted that it would rather have encreased your evill than lessened it and therefore he went away fearing that his sight should cause some alteration in your wounds Afflicted said Hippolita what proofe of affliction hast thou seene him shed one teare or only fetch one sigh for me yet Erifila I must love him and if thou also lovest me and wilt binde mee to love thee more thou must ride speedily after this ungratefull Knight and conjure him not to flie from Hippolita who seeketh and would runne after him if the wounds which hee hath given mee did not hinder me Tell him I pretend nothing in all that affection which hee hath vowed unto mee but common good will that I quit him of his promises and that not only I will not constrain him in the love which hee beareth unto Calista but that I will mediate his peace with the King and his marriage with her and will take upon mee to solicite her against my selfe let him vouchsafe onely to see mee and suffer me but to accompany him I am none of those who have accused him for killing of Cleander but cleane contrariwise I am she who have defended his innocency and for his sake his Ladies But dispatch Erifila and reply not if thou lovest me or if thou desirest I should live Erifila who knew with what spirit shee had to doe said onely shee would not stay but would make such haste that she would finde him and shee would lose her life or bring him backe But Madam said shee againe who shall have care of your wounds in my absence Care not you for my wounds said Hippolita they are neither mortall nor dangerous onely goe thy waies and take heed thou doest not try Lisander in armes for therein hee is no lesse invincible than in grace and comlinesse incomparable Erifila departeth although it were night and upon a speedy gallop followes after Lisander where leaving her there is a necessity now we should relate what is done at Paris Besides the instant pursuits of Lucidan to marry with Calista Verascus who was advertised of the propositions which Hippolita and Adrastus had made unto the King about Cleanders murder and also what the King had ordained as well upon their offers as upon Berontus his declaration in favour of the accused came Poste to Paris and addressing himselfe unto the Court of Parliament obtained a sentence against Calista containing that most humble remonstrances should be made to his Majesty to be pleased that justice might freely bee executed upon the persons of those who were accused of Cleanders death which sentence being gravely pronounced yet vainely because the King had already given his word although they did not hide that this crime scaping humane justice could not scape divine neither could this innocent blood unjustly shed upon earth crying vengeance in heaven fall in any other place but upon his Majesties head or his childrens Verascus addresseth himselfe unto the King and intreateth him to grant unto him the like combate against those who had offered to defend Lisander and Calista as he had granted unto Lucidan a request not onely just but also favourable for besides that the combate granted to Lucidan served him as a prejudged case there was no reason to deny or refuse Verascus upon a cause already judged and against persons condemned having suffered it unto Lucidan against a man who was not in apparance furthermore hee required nothing but what the friends of the adverse part had already demanded and besides the cause of his kinsman for whose justice he sued hee was injured in his honour by Hippolita's words The King granted that which in justice hee could not deny Thus was Adrastus his life and Calista's honour once againe in tryall and all the joy of the dayes passed turned into griefe and desolation Lidian Alcidon and Berontus were all mad to dispute this difference with Verascus who in all their opinions was like discord let loose by envie out of hell to trouble all their quiet But God forbid said Adrastus that any other but my selfe being in health and present should undertake the defence of my sonne and of my owne offer I have demanded this combate against Verascus and if it please God I wil be the first that shall maintain the innocency which hee would oppresse Who is able to utter Dorilas his anger Otranta's complaints Ambrisia's griefe Olinda's teares Argires sorrow and the deadly confusion of unfortunate Calista who can declare Lidians fury to see his sisters cause and his friends hazzarded under the defence of a feeble old man whose age might justly bee dispensed from Armes finally who can speake the universall discomfort of all