to his ayde as for Opacus from Phrigia Lidia and his owne kingdome he made an Armie of one hundred 20. Thousand and gaue the Honor of their conduct to Delano a man of experience great yeeres and well beloued yet suppressed from aduancement by reason Cuprax the sonne of the Duke of Pantalia seemed a fauorite in Courte and would haue drawne the managing of Martiall affayres to him selfe had not Trezoboro by name entreated for Delano and the Soldiers compelled out of their Country disclaimed any other BVt when Mengrelius vnderstood that Anzitemus was come himselfe a sodaine trembling disproportioned his former Courage and the Oracle like a hellish vision appearing mightely perplexed him and was indeed the author of strange courses which at last ouerturned his good successe yet he went orderly to worke and encountred with the Armenians before they were vnited to his sonns forces who had much a doe to make their passage by reason the Boates were not yet come from Trezoboro and Anzitemus had commaunded that no man should lay violent handes on the Emperor but this interception ended with the name of a skirmish For Anzitemus with Delanos assistance quickely passed their Armie by a Bridge made of the Boates and helped with great Furre-trees keeping equall distance of Twentie foote and although the water was very broad yet industry with the conueniencie of the place for woode layed Plankes vpon the Beames and so in one day both Horse and foote passed ouer in a manner within sight of the Enemie For some two mile from the Riuer they had so entrenched the passages that Mengrelius supposed they ment their to haue encamped little thinking Delano played the Lapwing who cryeth farthest from his Neast and when he seemed most busie to fortefie a place of securytie the maine Armie marched that night vnder a Woodes side to the Riuer and the next day put ouer while the Trebizondians prepared against the Campe which they supposed was so neere them But being thus disappointed they had liberty to complaine but small meanes of reuenge onely the Emperour vnited his Forces againe and assured he was better prouided determined to dally no longer but put it to a triall wherein if Fortune fayled he was certaine to weaken the Aduersarie and renew his owne Armie at pleasure and so one day might affoord what another did deny By this time is Anzitemus and Delano welcommed by the Prince who hoping by course of pacification to end the Warre sent to Mengrelius by faire intreaty not to conceiue so hardly of so worthy a sonne and they would engage their Honor he entended nothing but fayth and dutie this message wrought no otherwise then if Trezoboro would absolutely committe himselfe to his fathers tuition without hostage or other couenant it might be the Emperor would forgiue him to this Anzitemus opposed yeelding many reasons and by a second treatie vrged the burying vnder foote of all displeasures the remission and restoring his followers and the confirming him Heire apparant Heere againe Mengrelius disdained to be abridged of his will or courbed by his sonne subiects whereupon defiance was proclaimed on all sids and a day appoynted to entertaine destruction with solemnitie at which time Anzitemus tryed another way to appease these mischeefes by sommoning the Armies to audience and the Emperour to vnderstand what must be trusted vnto To this the feare of the Souldiers rather then his owne willingnesse compelled him and so Anzitemus in the front of his Armie thus deliuered his minde I am not ignorant great Emperour and mis-led people that Wisedome and good Counsaile are sometimes vnseasonable especially in a time of fury hate amongst men of Warre commaunded and countenanced by the Kings owne person yet haue you no such cause either to put in armes these men or Armed to make them butcher them selues For though the Father fight there the Sonne is not absent heere though the elder Brother vnderstanding not the truth is with Mengrelius the younger attendes on Trezoboro And though a Friend is enroulled with you one of the Family is amongst vs and were not this lamentable though necessitie compelled it But now to proceed with out order ground or reason what scandall can be more opprobrious What cause more detestable All men haue written that Violence continues not yet haue you begun in the Cradle and are not appeased after many yeares and why the Emperour is terrefied with an Oracle and suspects his owne Children Hath the Gods preserued them for this Hath his Towardlinesse deserued this Hath his Valloure in your late Broyles been shewed for this Hath his Life been so often hazarded for this Hath your Peace been wrought for this Hath your Prosperitie followed for this Yea hath Strangers been ashamed of the Composition and the mighty Kalucki receiued him to fauour for this And will now the Common-wealth teare her owne Bowels the Members seeke their owne destruction by despising the Head and the Father murder his owne Child It is execrable and abhominable But touching the Prophesie to beleeue it not what needeth this feare To beleeue it what way of preuention But you will say it is ambiguous I reply Malice must not misconsture nor Wisedome be ouerruled with Supposes For concerning the Prince by the Deuine power which ruleth all Princes you can alleadge neither cause reason nor likelihood How then haue you wronged your Renowne and insorcered their Obedience else would they neuer consent to destroy one another to ruine their Countrey make hauocke of their owne increases see suffer mischiefe to knocke at their doores and with the Giants fight against Heauen or like that vnnaturall Bird denowring them that hatcheth her seeke to destroy the Successor on whose safetie dependeth all their liues Leaue off therefore for shame leaue off either yeeld a reason of your actions or desist from your vnreasonablenesse But you will answere It is sufficient the Emperour commaundes I doe say no hee is but the Steward of the Gods subiect to account and ordained to forme not dissolue the Common-wealth But as a further vehemencle might haue agrauated the matter the Souldiers began to repine some demaunding whether the Prince raysed the Warre or desired to saue him selfe Some for what cause Mengrelius prosecuted his Sonne Some stomaked to see intestine Dissipation Some hardly beleeued the Prince began Innouation considering he was to expect the Kingdomes to florish hereafter Some said though the Emperor were offended the submission of a Sonne might appease any Father Some absolutly denied to destroy the Prince and the rest liked not a wise man to be caryed away with dreames or deuises especially when the ruine of the Empire must succeed but Mengrelius enraged with this diuision exclamed only on dutie and alleageance threatning the reuolters with death and attempting with stripes to terrefie diuers in the speed of escape but it smally preuailed For the greatest part fled a fore his face to his sonne which Anzitemus tooke the
standing vpright your wisedome hath ouer-ballanced my distemperature and in a manner recouered my despaire I will therefore fasten my anchor on the holde of your honourable promises and attend more chearefully the discourse with that he sate downe and Bertosus proceeded Cleonidas hauing ranged farre from his shippes ouer-tooke vs thus accompanied and as wee thought to rudely questioned our names estates and dwelling wee supposing the reuerence of our King would haue made our peace and the respect to the Princely Infants assured our libertie boldly made answer whatsoeuer you be or intend We are the Kings seruants and these be the Kings children and you and these quoth one amongst the rest be now prisoners to Cleonidas and so shall remaine til the tyrannous Perinthum redeeme them with the price of her honour by this time wee vnderstood enough and more then was pleasing vnlesse you may immagine an offender standing before a seuere Judge vrging his fault to as cruell a Iurie and after their verdict giuing sentence of death pleased with the same For Cleonidas we knew and his despight wee knew and the cause of Cleonidas despight we knew flowed from the current of this venemous streame ARtabazes was no sooner inuested with the roialties of Armenia but Cleonidas taking his banishment in disgrace exprobrated his simplicitie that had not more iudicially proceeded wherupon as hee supposed to recouer his credit rather then for any mallice to the King he attempted a second innouation but herein his will exceeded his fortune for the valliant Pelorus Artabazes Admirall ere he once set foot on land discomfited him at sea and enforced his reculing to the dry Iland where Cleonidas tooke a newe course of life both by Piracie whereby hee gathered infinite wealth and mercenary assisting other Princes which obtained him many friends In the time of this wantonnesse on the borders of Capadocia was resident as Prouincial Gouernor Prazus a Gent of an ancient house and great estate had not the crueltie of the warres wasted the same but now somewhat resetled by his owne endeauours and policie and in reasonable good grace with the king Opacus for his seruice hee thought vpon nothing so much as the addition of Honour to his house but apprehending a kinde of error in the kings wants who was counted to exchang fauour for money and vnwilling to giue him cause of distasting considering that aduancements depend on the pleasure of the Prince hee conferred with his friends about the king and such whom seruice at Court had especially graced so that perceiuing the vse of their fauour he compared himselfe to a man ready for entrance in to some pleasant Gallery wherof he had the right but another keepeth the Key at last reason reward or his owne worth preuailed with them they inferred to the King the necessitie of the gouernment the deseart of the Gent. not without addition how hee had lost his Goodes spent his Reuenewes and hassarded his Life thus was the King prepared Then proceeded they further by putting him in memorie how the Vertuous expect a Recompence as well as the Wicked deserue Punishment And lastly as the string which yeelded the sweete sound of the Musicke they touched this that a present summe of Mony and yearely Reuenewes would come into the Treasurie I will not say it preuayled but the King most graciously ennobled him with the title of Exarchate and constituted him Gouernour during life according to the Lawes of the Land wherevppon now the Lord Praxus was enforced to try Menedemus for a competent portion of money to defray his charges that the entrance into his new Honour in good fashion might establish the opinion of the people by applauding his worth This was a wretch liuing in the strength and delicatest place of all the Kingdome and had culled out the sweetest dwellings and peeces of Land to make his Inheritance sufficient like a skilfull Marchant who determining to iourney into a strange Country and contriuing to returne with credite and gaine searcheth euery Shoppe of a Citie and selected the best Peeces the curiostest Stuffe the choysest Dellicats and what els he needeth to serue his turne Yet for all this was the threed of his life drawne from such a minde as seemed made of filth and durt and the very dregges of Miserie For abroad his complaints were of the ill thriuing of his Cattle the vntoward groth of his Corne the ill payment of the Tenants the want of Money when yet it was well knowne hee had alwayes great summes lying by him so that the bad vse of Natures blessings made him want indeed and that vâ—…de disposition wrought him odious to Man hatefull to God and irckâ—…some to himselfe Within dores the Seruants were negligent the wife too lauish the Children too importunate the Strangers too cumbersome the Kindred and Friendes bent to vndoe him Besides hee was accompanied with these ill Conditions ridiculous Pride to make men imagine this basenesse the meanes to haue him selfe glorified heart-vexing Enuie to see any thriue by him or possesse their estats in good order Impudent delight to heare of an others Ouerthrow or Decay and inhumane crueltie if the errour or inconueniences of life draue men into his danger But to see him about his owne house accompanied with Pesants all ill apparelled as himselfe sweaty greasy dusty nasty and what-els maketh a man odious would shew a very comicall Tragedy And if necessitie wrested the disbursing of some small summes hee would excruciate him selfe but when the State compelled his accâ—…sse what cursings what execrations what torments yet goe he must and in such a manner as I cannot with patience describe it him-selfe like a Pedler with foule Linnen beastly Garments patcht seamerent and greasie and worse then a Slaue His men brought to his owne bent Carters Ploughmen Shepheards and such as were imployed in the greatest drudgerie His Horse and Furniture part old broken and foule part such as hee vsed in his businesse and part pawâ—…ed forfayted or bought at second hand Onely this I must needes say some things of his Auncestors he vsed in sparing manner which were good and made the rest more rediculous With such a fellow was Praxus to deale withall and had so many delayes such excuses such foreswearings yea teares from his eyes flowing from an hipocriticall heart that he knew nor whether to laugh or to be angry at last vpon sufficient securitie of a Morgage a Lordship on which hee had long since cast his eyes for his younger Sonne like him that ouerlooketh a flocke of Sheepe to see which be ready for the Butcher or to inrich his Purse the Money was sent and Menedemus tormented him selfe not so much for feare of the securitie as to depart from the company of his Treasure Now betweene the time of repaiment Menedemus had brought to his house the beautious Lausana a Ladyes daughter left in ward to the King and by this Monster of Nature bought out more
to make benefite of then for loue to his sonne or any other whom her owne worth without addition might well satisfie With her did L. Praxus fall in loue and feeing the forwardnes of so many Graces in so gracious a person assured him selfe they could not chose but grow vp to the becomming of the place wherein they were sette and bring all wealth happinesse and coutentment to him whose fortune had alotted the Haruest but perceiuing the diff◅culty of obtaining her by reason of Menedemus bad disposition ielosie and that he was aleady engaged and within his danger as you haue heard he knew not well how to proceed at last he contriued not to pay his Mony and by a little stretching his Authoritie sent a band of Souldiers to keepe possession of the Place all which he said was for the wretches good because if he would consent to the Contract of Lausana he might at one payment receiue the Mony borrowed and what he had disbursed for her Wardship otherwise he would inferre to the King and Counsell the complaints against him the mischiefes he had procured and some other enforcements which would ouerthrow him for euer Heere was Menedemus in an extasie hauing so many Crosses as hee tearmed them to be cleared of as to be vtterly vndone for want of his Money to be vexed in soule with the feare of this accusation and to be put to greater charge in contesting with the gouerner but the secret of this terror depended on a priuate commaund from the king not to cellebrate Lausan as mariage without his consent nor to yeeld to any contract to another vnlicensed from the state This he tould Praxus with a strange kinde of trembling that he hoped he would not seeke his ouer-throw nor put him to trouble in recouering his owne but Praxus by faire intreatie not to suspect displeasure considering she should rather be aduanced then disparaged wonne him to thinke well of the Maryage and by engaging his Honour to see him secured or otherwise not damnefied made some return of comfort but indeed the absolute deniall of his Money vnlesse he consented to this course enforced him at last to forget dutie and honestie and so with a chearfulnesse in the receipt thereof hee deliuered Lausana to Praxus for which hee gratified the wretch beyonde expectation Thus either returned Menedemus to his miserable life and Praxus to solemnise the Triumph of his delight wherein without doubt if hee had proceeded with the Kings fauour a happie contentment had been the reward of counterchangeable worth and liking By this time is Opacus acquainted with each circumstance wherupon he sommoned both Praxus and Menedemus to appeare at Archelais which Praxus would haue done had not the other for feare of expences absolutely denied it and putting him in minde of his promises and how for his sake these dangers were threatned detracted the time so long that Opacus stomaching the contempt proclaimed them both Traitors their goods and Landes to be confiscate their persons infamous and subiect to the Law this newes had almost made cowardise the seruant of Valure For Menedemus would haue kild himselfe or rather hanged himselfe least he should haue seene his one blood had not Praxus awaked his drowsinesse with warrantice and comforte that rather then for so slight offence extremity should open the gates of crueltie Curatsax king of ◅beria to whom Praxus was of alliance would not suffer him without cause to perish this made them stand on their guard and exasperated the kinges displeasure who came forward in persone to represse the insolency wherby Praxus was enforced indeed to expostulate the matter and after true intimation of the cause and the kings extremitie drue Curatsax with a sufficient Armie as auxiliary so a ciuell warre which more and more like a new kindled fier suffered to wast the woode by degrees burst foorth at last with flames of dispight and desolation especially to Capodocia wherin it continued and began and Opacus was constrained to higher Cleonidas who at this time kept about the Riuer Cirus and when he list to come vp into the Country carried his Boates on Camelles backes ouer the Mountaines leauing his shippes sufficiently conducted and secured with his ayde and the death of Menedemus who in a time of ◅uce would needes goe see his Land and in what estate his inheritance stood but was intercepted by certaine of Cleonidus new Soldiers to whom his owne Tenants had betrayed him and so submitted to their fury was the Warres ended Praxus restored ◅o the kings fauour and the King of Iberia dismissed THis businesse thus ouerpassed Opacus inuited Cleonidas to the Pallace as well to gratefie his vertue as to pay his Soldiers heere had he sight and conference with Perinthum the Kinges second daughter and whether the opinion of his owne worth or the vnfained affection vnto her induced in very good manner he demaunded her loue had not loue commaunded the contrary which at the first was taken as a coustome amongst womē till a continuall repugnancy both in speech action shewed rather a scorne then neglect of his suite this agrauated his greife but not extenuated his passiō because questionlesse subiected to her perfection and now debarred from the thinge he desired he resembled a man in a continuall feuer still longing for what he is forbidden and loathing what is prescribed At last rather enflamed then e◅amored he vrged Opacus consent who to be plaine neither durst deny nor would accord resembling a man holding the Woolfe by the care which if he hold fast he is sure to be bitten if he let loose he is in danger of life So he feared on the one side Cleonidas reuenge in the deniall and his daughters defamation in the accord yet seing the necessitie of the businesse and the others importunitie for an answer kindnesse had reciprocall passage betweene them and the king tooke time to confe◅re with his daughter But Perinthum assuered her father that her faulcon pitched a higher flight which he not much misliked and therefore to auoyd all inconueniences sent her with Gellida her other sister to attend the Empres of Trebizond and enformed Cleonidas as though their owne wilfulnesse or desier to be acquainted with a place of such renowne had vndertaken the progresse To this excuse he knew not how to oppose For finding Opacus rather wishing a pacification of the displeasure then countenancing the Vnkindnesse he moderated his Indignation and so departed neither warranting his loue nor expressing his hate to the Country Till vnderstanding of the Ladies returne hee practised many meanes to circomuent her and fayling in them as many forages to disquiet the Land which some times with successe had outragious effectes some times with stronge hand as forcible repulses till at last Fortune willing to doe him a pleasure as the Champion of her quarrels brought this prey to his choyse and him to this place at such time as wee were
of his owne life so the feare to preuent it submitted to her directions againe she with a doubtfull manner of speech that if he had sayd the truth it were better a wicked Emperor miscaried then men of vertue and good deseruing and last of all with reasons promises and protestations to make the fact iustifiable tooke his oth to kill the Emperor Which he very opportunely performed in a walke adioyning to the Pallace as conferring togeather in secret about Kalucki and no sooner shruncke the bleeding Carkase to the ground but he wounded himselfe in many places with the Emperors Semiter quight conueying away the instrument of death and so stood crying for helpe in a pittifull manner By this time hath the strange reporte of the Emperors murder possessed both Court and Country with amase and the murtherer without any pursuite quickly submitted him selfe but brought before the Empresse the rest to whom such a cause papertained he confessed the fact yet desiered that he might take away the shame though not the fault in the misfortune by discouering the secrete as it chanced now because his bleeding woundes induced commiseration and that his present staâ—… made shew of violence against him it was thought conuenient to heare him and if it were but to bolt out the rest of the conspirators Most deuine Empresse quoth he Honorable vpholders of this mightie state I intend neither to entreat for fauour nor life for in the very misfortune of the mischeife I am worthy to dye yet giue me leaue to extenuate your displeasures against me and to disclaime either a naturall disposition to such impietie or now willingnesse to lay violent handes on such a person wherein that my true simplicitie may somewhat countenance me and that I plead for my Honour and renowne giue me leaue to Launce my Barcke into this Channell Who doth not remember the misery of our Country through the ambition of our Emperours Barka and Allau deceassed Who doth not acknowledge the blessings conferred vnto vs by the Prince Kalucki who with all vertuous industries hath proceeded for our good yet mighty Peeres I shame to tell it without respect of worth royaltie honour or the benefite it selfe some wretched Ielousie so misled our Emperour that very ingratefully if I make not too great offence in the tearme hee contriued many wayes his destruction misconstruing our Loues and his Vallour to tend to an aspiring reach and when nothing appeared to appease his misdoubts hee flatly concluded to murder him secretly To which bestiallity hee suggested Chamus Iliod Iodda and my selfe ouer-reaching our Obedience with Imperious will and insorcering out fraylty with Reward and Preferment Now what euer good or bad Angell was ouer this dismall night predominant I know not but sending for mee into the Walke hee conferred about the Murder and because my slacknesse seemed rather enclined to remorce then dispatch of the tyranous decree all impatient hee flew vpon mee wounding mee in this manner neuer repressing his furie till I lost the vse of respect and consideration then life straue with necessitie and compelled her seruant strength to the cloze hoping onely to saue it selfe wherein howsoeuer it chanced the Swod in the fall strooke him to the heart which how grieuous it is vnto mee the immortall powers that haue deliuered Kalucki and preserued all your glories can witnesse This vnlookt-for contrarietie made them all amazed yet when the examination of the rest and other circumstances agreed with the truth most strange was the confusion amongst them For the people with great acclamations cryed out Liue Kalucki liue Tarachim The Empresse tooke heauily her Husbands misfortune but seemed more troubled with his infamy The Princes of the State knew not what to say or how to proceede The people they continued with zeale towarde Kalucki and in a manner protested Mullumella could not doe better then make him satisfaction by mariage Heere Wisedome played a kind 〈◊〉 For though her Desire burned within her to the same purpose yet a still modesty kept her from making shew of any such motion and when the greatest Lords as not knowing how to suppresse it being a matter of that consequence the party a man of that high deseruing vrged it againe Shee sayd it was a time of sorrow and the loue toward them would not consent to any thing vnbefitting But when indeed another and another time was spent in yeelding reasons of the likelihood of happinesse and that her cunning had drawen them to beleeue their importunities should preuaile with her shee welcommed the fortune that had thus smiled vpon her and tooke Kalucki into the tuition of her loue which quickly inuested him Emperour and sware the Subiects to loyalty and obediene Now was hee to play the part of an Emperour and by reason of the naturall rudenesse of the Country and inciuility of the people the one to be refined the other reduced the greater was his need of those excellent ornaments of Kings but being him selfe a naturallist of Maiesty hee soone put in practise Magnanimitie for his State and Court Wisedome for the common causes and extracted from her Pollicy to keepe the great men in obedience Affability as farre as their Customes permitted to obtaine fauour where it hung in suspence and Iustice to strengthen the loue got by meere good hap Besides hee knew how Mullumalla had proceeded and therefore was shee to be regarded with extraordinary behauiour But heere was no place for Mistrust or Ielousie because shee prooued an admirable Wife and Mother of many Children and the people continued in their loue as hauing no cause to mislike BVt as he went forward in this towardly Iornie to felicitie fame that euer scorned to be pend in a Corner came to tell him the Emperour Mengrelious had infringed the couenants ratefied and a Prince liued in scorne of his composition which somewhat distempred him as forseeing the troubles impending or shame to let his Honour be abused but when Scaroxus the brother of Queridock whom Mengrelius had dispossessed of the Royalties of Sinopis by placing Scydrothemis King had in person vrged other particulars then was Mullumalla made acquainted with the story from the beginning and she though desier could haue pleaded that no satisfaction was answerable to his company yet stomached the indignity and in her Heroiick spirit concluded his renowne hung in suspence without reuenge Now rested the doubt what course to take And therein many times and much debating shewd as well the dutie of a wife as Honour of a Prince at last she willed him by sommoning the Estates of the Empire to make tryall of their affection which hee performed because it pleased and it pleased because shee wished and shee wished because he was so great a person and greatly beloued to whom after the Ceremonies of the assembly were ended he deliuered these speaches Although louing and worthy to be beloued Lords and Subiects the deuine prouidence and your
doe them a pleasure and least Anzitemus should be too sparing speaking of him selfe but especially to allow him opportunitie with the much desired Brizaca to whom he might at leasure yeeld accompâ—… of his heretofore well imployed time condiscended the next day to finish his Story which Anzitemus gratified as a kindnesse and so left the Prince to pensell on the Table of his renowne AFter the ciuill Warres of Persia quoth the Prince had made the Seruants of Bellona wearie in executing her bloody Commandements a pacification was effected in the election of a man fitte for the gouernment which at last though Artabanus King of Media a Prince of sufficient power and more suffitient direction was nominated yet fell to the share of Astiages by reason of his blood education and commorance amongst them This Artabanus tooke in ill part and was amongst the Medians a reputed contempt nor wanted there such which inferred that the scorne was greater in the resusall after they had by their Embassadors vrged it then if the matter had neuer been proposed Of this sort the especial ofâ—… man was Medormus who well hoped for the Crowne of Media if Artabanus obtayned the other whereupon an ambitious Counsell of Warre concluded reuenge and confirmed the manner by inuasion the rather because Adelphus Duke of Alstratia offered the disbursing of great summes of his owne and tooke vpon him the conduct of the Army which consisting of foure-score thousand foote ten thousand Horse and foure thousand Camels for burden made him presume that Astiages in the inchoation of his Peace was not able to raise sufficient forces to withstand him considering his Souldiers hauing the prey and spoyle of a Country worthy any title exposed vnto them seemed impatient at restraint and indeed performed their duties in the best manner as when you see a costly Prize erected at the end of a Goale and the runners striuing to make it the Trophe of their victorie For at their first entrance they began with subuerting of Houses felling of Wood fiering and cutting of Corne dryuing of Cattle ensconsing of Wayes and making of Forts But Astiages vnwilling that the Earth should bee vnfurnisht of her golden Apparell which already the vngentile multitude had presumed to disrobe and forecasting least the best part of his Country should be the Seate of the Warre came forward in person with a full and well furnisht Armie compounded of all those Souldiers which in the ciuill Warres were vnnaturally caryed against one another but now finding the sweetnesse of a little Peace determine absolutely for the honour of Persia and within seuen dayes made the tryall of Swordes warrant their affection to their King and Country Thus both the Armies are driuen to a mighty encounter not vnlike to a dusty Path dauncing to and fro as obedient to the Winde till an extraordinary violence whirleth the vppermost â—…olde that a man would wonder how one blast should so soone deuide so great an Heape by which vnfriendly greeting the one party hath great cause to lament the other small reason to triumph The Earth bled for woe considering the effusion which was made made her change colour and receiue vnnaturall moysture The Beastes whose seruice consisted in the skilfull managing of the Rider lay dismembred the men whose cunning was countermaunded by vnfortunate aduantage fell dismounted The Captiue supposing the law of Armes would haue serued his turne is suddainely stab'd the Triumpher is ouertaken with an others weapon in his owne bowels ere the Blade is out of the others body One-while the Persians troope with applause of preuayling anone the Medians shoute with ioy of victorie as when you see a mightie presse of people sometime shoouing forward with a murmuring noyse into that corner sometime backward into this place and many times confused with the cry of the company To conclude what Stratagem disorder of enrage euer performed was now for the manner dangerous and the number lamentable For had not the night hasted to decide the quarrell some other Company must haue ended it considering it would soone haue ended them Thus are the Persians retyred with great damage and the Medians entrenched with small gaines who slenderly mooued with this defeature are not at all remooued from their first wilfulnes but determine that new supplyes shall make another tryall to pay their double losses So haue I seene an vnskilfull Archer loosing one Arrow to shoote another after to find it till taking great paines in the search he like a foole returneth with the losse of both Whereupon Adelphus sent Poligambus into Media who certified Artabanus of the vnfortunate disaster extolling indeed aboue truth the force of the Enemie to deminish their owne shame in their ouerthrow but this newes was not so ill of it selfe as in the efect it procured For Medormus taking aduantag of these particulars that the losse in Persia would busie them heere with forren occasiones that the supplying them would much troubted the kingdome that the absence of the kings best friends gaue him oportunitie to strike the Iron while it was hott and that his owne abillytie seemed euery way strong enough for the attempt made a strange cruell and Trayterous reuolt wherein without doubt a prosperous beginning had been sustained with vnpropper successe if by the ariuall of Anzitemus the maske of despaire had not been taken off and a new Countenance of hope smiled on the discomforted King discomforted not so much in displeasure of his owne affaires as in the despight of Medormus vnkindnesse who had so kindly been beholding vnto him as your selues may thus witnesse ARtabanus now raigning was sonne of Artabanus Otanes who had the title of a father doubled in enioying also a Daughter called Gliranda his ioy redoubled in those giftes of nature beautie and Maiestie which excelled in her and the rather excelled as yeelding to the gouernment of vertue and obedience vntill some violent humour willingly lifting ope the Gate of ambytion made a strange loue the vnnaturall cause of a strange hate For somewhat pleased in the gallant youthfulnesse and well deseruing towardlynesse of this Medormus sonne of Cestus brother to Artabanus the father after many circumstances and endeuors to purchase her liking she admitted rather with a gennerall curtesie then any particuler affection his discourses and desiers but when his loue was pleaded with resolution that neither father nor brother should be any obstacle for her head to be impaled with the Crowne of Media vrging his right indeed by being the elder brothers sonne a matter long since as shee partly heard in question and determined otherwise neuer was vertue so out of countenance For admitting his reasons and inducements she rann Arme in Arme with him in the race of a violent Treason yea such an impression had the expectation of her glory made that in the infant time of her abortiue proceedings she stomached lesse reuerence then what is accoustomed to Queenes and was not ashamed to
of the kingome from him to these certaine old Councellers rather stomaching to see their impatience peremptorinesse abhorred then daring to set a foote Broyles and discentions added the greatnesse of the charge considring the Treasure was much wasted with their last businesse the disorders of idle attendants the pride of his followers the slendernesse of the present Court all which set his thoughts at randome some of them stumbled on the wrested interpretations of the prophesie which Mengrelius fearing most the blow that came last absolutely beleeued began to draw neerer and neerer to the full effect and so began a strange manner of Melancholy sequestring him selfe from conuersation and when necessitie compelled him abroad hee grew impatient and irrigular but the greatest cause of his disquiet accrewed from the suggestion of diuers who through the credite of Belgorundo made euery paltry appearance of a litle skill to carry the true countenance of Learning and Diuination by putting in practise the Cabalisticall Art Aegyptian Characters Astronomicall Figures Hierogliphicall representations Augurings and Pithonicall Incantations which with some slender likelihood were intermixed so that the Court swarmed with a troope of diuelish Astronomers a kind of people alwayes forbidden and alwayes retained whose strange Attire and Demeanour gaue occasion of laughter and astonishment the people counting them wise and extraordinary the better sort deriding them as buffonns and deceiuers With such illusions was Mengrelius quite caried from him selfe and on a sodaine consented to a decree that none of what estate soeuer should intermeddle with the Emperors retyering nor appoynt extraordinary meetings without the verge of the Court which was strangely taken at the first but Trezoboro discouering the secret was contented to repaire to the Pallace which his presence quickly filled with entercourse of people and the applause range by the Emperors eares who in short time misliked it farre worse then the other as almost by eye-witnesse perceiuing he meant to infinuate into the vulgar opinion to irrite a faction From hence a plaine displeasure arose by commaunding the Prince to depart the Court then wrought his absence beliefe of euery thing reported and added withall that the opportunitie made him study on the disgrace and so prepare the reuenge For indeed there wanted not those which proposed to Trezoboro his Fathers cruelty at the beginning his wretched hate now the errours of many men about him and that there was no reason he should permit the indignitie but these he suffered as Spiders in an house seruing to gather the Poyson and Venome of the Ayre that the rest may be more sweete and holsome till at last a wretched surmise displaied the ensiugnes of hate against him which was too true by reason all his fauourites and attendants were remooued or neglected Calisthenes aman of an high linage and dilicat witte which by some extraordinary pleasantnes got the name of Good conceit and yet till now made gratious with the Empresse was checked with the tearme of mimus for slender glauncing at the Emperors melancholy Another demanding but the cause of the Princes sequestration was imprisoned A third making a Satiricall Inuection against especiall persons was publickly whipt A fourth saying the Prince was more worthy submitted to the execution of a seuere Iudgement which made a great alteration and to be plaine slacked the reuerence and dutie euer borne toward him Thus remained all places full of rumours wherein confusion spred many dispositions abroad some saying the Emperor was ill directed or worse inclined some that the Prince was causelesly wronged some layed the fault on priuate persons who hauing a long time swaied the Common-wealth feared least the quicke conceite of others would detect their ill gouernment and therefore ment vnder publike pretences to preuent priuate mischeifes some blamed the Emperors credulytie of the coosening sort of Magy some affirmed he was quite distracted and some dared exclaime that fearing he knew not what he would ruine the Common-wealth and Butcher vp his Children as he had done before These speeches had diuers effects both with Mengrelius and Trezoboro the father assuring it a practise of defamation and the sonne suspecting his fathers crueltie which was the more greeuous vnto him because he had deserued so well so that now to secure himselfe he was enforced to stand on his Guard and that incited the Emperor to proclaime him Trator the seueritie of which edict deuided the kingdome and an vnnaturall Ciuell warre ensued wherein many stratagems and Turmoyles dislocated the Pillars stayes of the Empier for Mengrelius with his yeeres grew wilfull irregular and dangerous mistrusting his most trusty Seruants and when any dared to request a Pacification he would not abide it His Mother and Wife were ircksome and all things at home framed them selues to the vnframing his quiet Abroad he was sure the Cities would regard their preseruation to come The discontented persons would adhere to his Sonne as well to auoyde the Lawes penall against them as in hope of recompence and reward The Noble men and Gentrie by reason of former neglect would questionlesse make them selues acceptable to the Prince Some yet aduanced would not degenerate and others in Office or Account for their own safeties would continue alleageance with these such whom the very name of Emperor mustred vp he made an ouer-maistring party and in his owne person performing actions beyond expectation strengthned the opinion of such as stood wauering betwixt duty and pitty But when Trezoboro perceiued that hee which standeth onely on defence is farre from Victorie hee then shewed his Father the force of a mighty Arme with which he held out a long time but at last was compelled to retire to Pelagium a place designed him for his Estate and conuenient for Victualing and relieuing his Armie Hither did Mengrelius prosecute him and Trezoboros flight somwhat ouerswayed the common opinion neuer certaine but in vncertainties so that the Emperor seemed cheared with his good proceedings his Sonnes tryall whereupon somewhat cunningly thinking to presse the Enemie while they were yeelding hee proclaymed Pardon to all those which would forsake the Prince the rest he denounced guiltie of the Crime of Maiestie Then seemed he to dally with crueltie promising one hundred Tallents to any would bring him in dead or a liue and last of all encountred with his forces to great aduantage which Trezoboro perceiuing would in time worcke him out and that his retardance gaue libertie for a Russian Armie to helpe his father he dispatched a messenger to Anzitemus and an other to Opacus of Capadocia who by reason of the Emperors ielosie and stomach against them as the causes of his feare were not vsed not sent vnto in their late troubles and therefore conceiuing they were neglected or despised a displeasure arose against Mengrelius and this opportunitie made them the willinger to ioyne with the Prince especially Anzitemus who with foure legions of old soldiers came in person