were in the Court of the King my Father in Persia. My heart said she rejoyceth to heare your kind spéeches vowing to imploy my life and all my being to be at your command Then they departed into the Pallace with purpose not to tarry there but instantly to leaue the same but comming into the outer Court hée remembred that he had heard the voyces of men that lay in misery his heart willing to succour them desiring her not to be offended if he had made â—ome stay to release them out of Bondage which hée might soone doe when there was none to resist them She willingly consented and he in little search found the Keyes that opened the Entrance into the Prison leaving Constantia in place of security for that he would not trouble her Sences with the smell of the Prison being entred he found a great number there inclosed many of them in such poore and distressed estate that his heart lamented to behold so fast as he could pulling of their Fetters at last he beheld Helyon though to him vnknowne whose flesh séemed to be incorporate with the Earth whereon he lay from whence he could not rise vntill hée was holpen who now knew the Enchantment to be finished repenting himselfe of the folly he had committed when he had set them at liberty and they were come out into the cleare light they with one assent yéelded him thanks vowing themselues his perpetuall boundeâ— friends Constantia likewise séeing them wept with griefe that so many should be endangered to set her at liberty They all proffered their Service vnto her but she desiring not to be knowne of any in courteous sort refused the same reposing her whole confidence in the Knight of the Oracle who presenting according to her desire left the Pallace and without the Bridge found his owne Stéed grasing in company of others that had lost their Riders amongst them hée tooke thrée on which he mounted Constantia and her two Damzels hasting to travell so farre as the dayes length would permit from the Pallace Lodging that Night in a Village some sixe Miles distant from the same The Knights that were released séeing them departed likewise betooke themselues to travell except Helyon who was so Féeble that he could not travell CHAP. XXIX How the Knight of the Oracle departed with Constantia How they arrived at Delatus Castle and how she knew him to be her Sonne FOr Constantia found such courteous behaviour and kind assistance in the Knight that she remained in great quiet but noting his countenance she perceived the same to be darkned with some misty Cloudes of discontent which she supposed to be for the losse of Philoâ—heta but yet she concealed her opinion from him wherein she jumpt right on his affirmity for his heart was pincht with such care for her losse and safety that it could endure no quiet But in the Morning when they should depart they began to consider which way they should travell or whether they should stay to heare of Persicles there or goe directly into Assyria Amongst many doubts they agréed to travell directly into Assyria where he told Constantia they should assuredly find him for that the time of the appointed méeting of him and the King of Armenia drew nigh after many dayes travell they came to the place where he remembred he first saw Philotheta and parted from Persicles which he revealed not to Constantia as vnwilling to make her priuy to his Loue yet he purposed in his Iourney to visit Amphiador hoping to find her there and comming to the Castle he was welcommed thither by Delatus that was againe restored to his Dukedome Sir said the Knight of the Oracle I had thought this had béene Amphiadors Castle Amphiador did possesse it but indéed the right was mine and though I haue no acquaintance with you yet I beséech you accept such entertainment as it yéeldeth and if not longer yet for this night that I may know whom I have Lodged and you have some knowledge of my affection vnto They both noting with what hearty affection he spake being weary with travell alighted to rest themselues being kindly welcommed by him and Alsala After Supper Delatus began these Spéeches Worthy Knight should I rehearse the whole circumstance of my misfortune and Amphiadors wickednesse I should both trouble you with the tediousnesse and renue my owne sorrowes onely this he wrought meanes to depriue me of this Dukedome and caused Penthrasus to Enchant me in the Desart with purpose I should never returne yet he favouring me bound me there no longer then Constantia should remaine Inchanted in the Tower built by Helyon Prince of Arabia revealing vnto me many Secrets that I will hereafter discover Not many dayes since I found my selfe fréed from this Bondage whereby he knew that the Enchantment was finished The same day the Enchantresse Jla favouring Amphiador séeing the date of her power grew to an end came to this Castle and with her brought Philotheta not his but my Daughter declaring to him my release with whom hée is fled carrying Philotheta with them but whether I knew not Which I feare me will turne to her great sorrow for his mind is so apt to cruelty and mischiefe that he careth not to act any villany to satisfie his owne mind I rehearse this vnto you though I know it concernes you not yet to let you vnderstand that by finishing the Enchantment I was released Which Ila knowing gaue him knowledge of and that is the cause of his flight and also I intreat you to grant me one favour That is to let me know whether your Name be not Constantia for my mind giveth me you are the same I am said she that most vnfortunate Creature and by this Knights noble Valour was I set at liberty to whom am I most infinitely bound My heart said Delatus rejoyceth that I ever had cause to doe you any courtesie and that it was my good fortune to sée you in this place having long wished for your Releasement not onely for mine owne good but for that Noble King Persicles sake who was with me in the Desart where I lived inthralled since his comming into Arabia who with earnest resolution determined to spend the date of his life in your search From which I disswaded him and by my directions he returned into Assyria for the Sequell of your Releasement was revealed vnto me by Penthrasus himselfe Which none could atchieue but your owne Sonns which is this Noble Knight Nay said he doubt not of this for what he revealed and I haue published is true though it râ—steth not in my knowledge to â—ilate the circumstance thereof They both wondred at his spéechâ—s and the Knight of the Oracle said Can I be more fortunate or heare better Newes or receiue any comfort that can comfort my heart more then this O Heavens grant that my joyfull hope may not be frustrated but that I may bée assured I am discended of such
therefore first tell me how my Lady Piera fareth Noble Duke said I she is in good health and in great prosperity I rejoyce thereat quoth he though I haue otherwise euerlasting cause to sorrow For our Soueraigne Lord the King after he had put the Armenians to flight was very desirous vpon some occasion as yet vnknowne to leaue the Court in his absence committing the Government thereof to my vnhappy selfe and that noble Knight Thrureus which we performed with great quiet vntill Duke Oretus one that was neuer true to the State hearing of the Kings departure which we could by no meanes conceale raised a false report that we had murthered the King Which rumour moued the Common people to such disquiet that they began to Rebell Which he perceiuing ayming thereby to winne the Crowne gathered a great multitude of them together with pretence of revenge against vs which when we heard of with all the hast wée could possible we Mustered men for our defence but so eager were the multitude to our destruction together with Oretus his perswasions that before we were any way able to resist them they set vpon vs and shed a great number of their owne Countrey mens blood that stood in our defence and draue vs to immure our selues within the City The King of Armenia hearing of this Rebellion with great spéed brought a mighty great Army into this Land destroying all that came in his way burning both Townes and Cities and destroying the common people with an excéeding great Slaughter Which came to Oretus hearing with such terror that he presently fled and left his Confederate Rebels to be destroyed by the Enemy Which caused vs by a Herauld to demand whether they would submit themselues to vs or no Or by their treason to sée their Countries ruine With that they yeelded and we gathered all the Forces we could to resist the enemies with whom we fought thrée great Battels and in the same lost aboue thirty thousand Assyrians being driuen to flight This day againe gathering head to resist them but being too few in number in respect of their strength and multitude you sée how our bodies be scattered vpon the Earth mangled and cut in pieces My selfe being I thinke the last that liueth to tell this newes For the Noble Thrureus is already slaine whose déeds of Valour would containe a great volume Which newes when our King shall heare it will no doubt cut off his vertuous life with sorrow My greatest griefe being that I cannot heare of his safety before my death My Lord said I our gracious King is liuing and in good health in Persia who sent me vnto your Honour and Thrureus with a secret Message which I néed not now vnfold Yes good Pisor quoth he let me heare my Lords Message that I may thereby know whether I were still in his fauour or no. With that I vnfolded the cause of my comming Which heard such a passion of discontent ouercame his vitall spirits that with many bitter groanes he gaue vp the ghost When I saw there was no meanes for his recovery I departed to enquire what slaughter the Enemy had made who by that time the day was ended had vanquished the Assyrian forces taking the City and most of the Nobility Prisoners I stayed some foure dayes hiding me secretly to bring you certaine Newes which is this The King of Armenia compelled the Noblemen to sweare Allegeance vnto Palyon his eldest Sonne whom he hath crowned King in Assyria and left a mighty Army for his defence When I vnderstood this I returned to certifie your Highnesse thereof CHAP. VII How Persicles hearing the newes by Pisor hee departed into a solitary place and thereby caused the unfortunate separation between him and Constantia who in great sorrow wandring to seeke him was found by Helyon and carried into Arabia And of the many sorrowes Persicles endured for her absence How Pisor became franticke PErsicles his heart was ouercome with such sorrow to heare Pisors heauy Newes that he had much adoe to containe himselfe from extreame madnesse that he minded a while to withdraw himselfe to vtter his plaints in those solitary walks but séeing Pisor follow him he desired him to returne to the â—hepheards house and in no case to acquaint Constantia with these misfortunes But if she asked for him he should tell her he would come presently Pisor being departed he sought for the most vnfrequented â—lace of the Wood wandring long in that discontent but could find none agréeable to his mind neither knowing whether he went nor almost what â—e intended his sences being dulled with such passionate vexation continuing so long therein that he spent longer time in seeking out a place of rest then he was aware off which turned to his greater vâ—rest as afterwards it fell out For Constantia marvelling that he stayed so long and withall noting Pisors darkened countenance supposed some ill newes was the cause of both finding occasion fit thought to find her Loue in the midst of his dumps and with her amiable presence to comfort him stole from the Cottage into the Wood where Pisor told her that he had left him Where shée wandred vp and downe a great while not finding him which made her marvell sometimes callâ—ng him but not by his right name least any should heare her and finding that meanes to prevaile nothing she began to enter into many doubtfull thoughts sometimes calling his Loyalty in question then againe reproving her fancies for entring into suspition of him then thinking some ill newes was befalne in Assyria which might driue him into a carelesse desperation and also fearing thaâ— some of the Persian Knights had met with him and finding some likelyhood of suspition in him had carryed him to the King her Father These Meditations possest her mind so long and wrought such a terrour in her fancies that she fared like one that had beene possest with the truth that it was so Thus did they both continue most part of that day she seeking him and he opprest with care not remembring that it was time to returne home yet both of them directing their steps a contrary way that they met not but wandred a way from one another At last he began to remember where he was how long he had béene absent and what care she would take for his absence which caused him with as much spéed to hast backe as with carelesnesse he had wandred vp and down which before he could atâ—ain it grew to be towards Night Pisor likewise marvelling at his long stay and at Constantiaes sudden departure fearing that some ill might betide him and some extraordinary care oppresse her left the Cottage to find him and if he could méet her to direct her to the place where he left him When Persicles found them both absent he maruelled thereat enquiring of the old Woman when they departed who told him that Constantia went first out and he after her Which made him thinke
likely to endure by her malice and his cruelty Palia having heard her Spéeches Reverenced her comforted her and promised her with many Vowes and Protestations to fulfill her desire thereby to worke some revenge against the Quéene In her heart pittying the distresse of Constantia of whose Vertues she had before times some knowledge With this Promise did Constantia somewhat comfort her selfe hoping yet in the end to escape from that Bondage being daily cherished by old Palia who behaued her selfe towards Selia with such duty and obedience notwithstanding her often vpbraydings that she still kept her selfe in most place of credit about her The day being now come that the Quéene was delivered of a goodly Boy and Constantia the next Night of another none being priuy thereto but Palia who handled the matter with such cunning that she conveyed Constantiaes Child to Selia and hers to Constantia making her acquainted with her intent therein The next day declaring to Helyon how that the Damzell in her custody was deliuered of a Boy Helyon hearing that willing her to kéepe the same secret from any vpon paine of death Not so much as once to reueale it to the Quéene vowing ere many dayes to destroy it Giuing Order to haue his owne Christened naming him Perus And comming to the Quéene told her it were best to be Nursed in the Countrey who was contented to be ruled by him Then calling to him Palia he told her that shée must needs provide a Nurse for his Sonne who already hauing complotted what she intended told him that she knew a kins-woman of hers that was lately brought to Bed some twenty miles off in the Countrey to whom she would if it liked him conuey the Infant Helyon was glad of her promise appointing her all things fit for her departure the next morning Late in the Evening when Palia was sure none could sée her shée went to Constantia telling her what she had intended Withall asking her counsell what hée should doe Aye me quoth Constantia I know not in this extremity what to resolue vpon fearing never to see my Sonne againe and if thou goest I loose my greatest comfort Then taking the Chiloc in her armes and bestowing many Teare-wet kisses thereon she said Palia I pray thee let me know what thou intendest to doe with it Lady quoth she if you perswade me not to the contrary after I am departed this Court I will never leaue trauelling vntill I arriue in Assyria where I doe not doubt but to find Persicles vnto whom I will declare your misfortunes But if I finde him not there I will then Trauell into Persia to the place where you lost him where I shall then assuredly find him that he knowing your estate may seeke to release you And wilt thou doe this for in said Constantia that am neuer likely to make thée amends I will qd Palia and with such faithfulnesse execute the charge I vndertake as shall turne to thy everlasting quiet Many speeches past betwixt them before they parted but yet in the end shee was constrained to leaue Constantia almost dead with griefe but afterwards somewhat comforted with the good hope she had of her faithfull dealing Of two evils thinking it the best to commit the Babe to her custody who by all likelyhoods intended well thereto Early the next Morning Palia departed hauing none in her Company with all the hast she could trauelling towards Assyria Helyon now beganne to meditate on Constantiaes Fortune and who should be the Father of her Childe and whereas before he determined to penne her vp in that Cloyster vntill she would yéeld to his desire he now resolued to revenge the disdaine she had showne in refusing his Loue with all Cruelty that finding occasion when none could interrupt his spéeches being alone with her in her chamber he thus sayd Disdainefull and discourteous Lady did you estéeme so basely of my Loue in my contempt to choose some base-borne Peasant to possesse that which I long sought with such deuoted affection and refusing my Honorable proffer to chuse rather to become anothers Harlot Who would euer haue thought thy comely person shadowed with so faire a pretext had inwardly nourished such ignoble affections Doe you thinke the King of Persia will rejoyce to heare that his faire Daughter Constantia that may well be termed Incontinency hath so vildly stained her Princely blood and defamed her Royall stocke with so infamous a fact or not rather dye with griefe Therefore to prevent so great a mischiefe as will come by his death I will be the meane to kéep thy fact from comming to his knowledge and in his behalfe worke such Revenge as shall be agréeable to so great an offence Yet let me know the cause of thy contempt against mée and who is the Father of thy bastard Which if thou refusest to doe by gentle meanes to vnfold I will by force compell thée thereunto Constantia with Patience heard out his spéeches and with as great Patience answered him Helyon I can well beare your Opprobrious spéeches neyther will I impugne how scandalous they are For the Father of this Infant is as good as your selfe and him I Loue farre more honourable and vertuous then Helyon King of Arabia who ensureth me according to the quality of his owne disposition The reason I left my Fathers Court was to avoyd your importunate suite which was vnpleasing to me in respect of the honorable Loue I imbraced therefore beware you abuse not Constantia For though the King of Persia will not revenge my wrongs yet there is a King as mighty as hée claymeth my possession and will not suffer me to be injured What is a King the Father of that Bastard qd he No thou shalt never perswade mée to that for it looketh not like a King but is the perfect Image of a Foole. Yea said Constantia and yet a King as wise as thy selfe and that ere long thou shalt know for the Father thereof is priuy to all thy Actions although thou thinkest me safely kept And if thou doest murther it I care not for thy selfe will be the first that shall repent the déed And for me vse me well for the Father of this Child loueth thée well and yet thou wilt be thine owne destruction in séeking his death Helyon vnderstood not her meaning maruelling who it should be she meant that he sayd I thinke thou art madde or counterfeytest some deceyt by the ambiguity of thy spéeches for how can the Father of that Brat loue me Or what cause should there be to make me repent any thing that I should doe to it Which the rather shall suffer my wrath because of thy derisions Therefore resolue me or be assured of my euerlasting hatred I neither said she regard thée nor thy hate vtterly denying to fulfill thy request in any respect Yet if thou hadst not demanded it I would peraduenture haue told it thée Doe the worst thou canst I care not for misery it selfe
affliction that is likely to ensue I know qd Piera my Brothers Loue is so constant that nothing can alter the same which he related to me at large which maketh me testifie y◠assurance thereof Which would you but accept of or giue me some comfortable hope in his absence I should think my selfe bound to you for ever and to haue done him an excéeding pleasure for nothing but the happy tidings of your favour can comfort him The King of Persia will not compell you to marry Helion when he vnderstandeth that you are otherwise bent for that were cruelty And I think Helion himselfe beareth not so dishonourable a mind as to séeke your Loue by constraint for that were inhumanity But would you yéeld to like of my Brothers loue that is every way as good as y◠Prince of Arabia the knowledge thereof would soon make him returne to aske your fathers consent which may peradenture stand as well affected to him as to Prince Helyon Ay me go Constantia sister I néed not doubt to reveale my greatest secrets to you that I know for Persicles sake will conceale them I confesse without further circumstances that I loue that worthy King Persicles which is the cause of these disquiets neither did my fancy ever yéeld the least conceit of liking Helyons loue which I tooke to be rather grounded upon common familiarity then pretence of Marriage Therefore now that you are assured of that which you request I beséech you not to conceiue amisse of my rash confession nor estéeme my loue light because of so short continuance for it shall be immoueable but rather comfort my poore disquieted heart with your counsell how to avoyd these inconveniences And if that worthy King be so affected towards me as your spéeches and his Letter here affirmeth I would wish his returne might be spéedy otherwise my sorrowes will be endlesse For I know my Fathers nature to be such that whatsoever he will haue must be performed though equity would perswade the contrary Grieue not so much quoth Piera with premeditated conceit of feare which peradventure shall never come to passe I will presently send messengers vnto my Brother which shall carry such newes as will comfort his heart and cause spéedy returne in the meane time I will make Deloratus acquainted with Helyons practise not Persicles Loue who shall perswade the King all that may be not to consent to marry you against your minde Be then of good comfort and in assurance of Persicles Loyalty let no feare disquiet your sences or impaire your health For things now at the worst may haue a good end These spéeches ended they parted All this while Prince Helion was meditating how to hasten the Marriage but most of all to find the cause of Constantias discontent which he thought was aggravated against him by some good conceit we had lately entertained of some other then himselfe which made him prosecute the same with more feruency and dealt so effectually with the King that he swore Constantia should be ruled by him And thereupon the next day sent for her to whom he said Daughter I thinke it is not vnknown to you that I haue promised you in Marriage to Prince Helyon one that is every way worthy to match with you both for Noblenesse of Birth vertuous qualities and comelinesse of person Withall I am given to vnderstand that you like not our choice nor estéeme our command which if you neglect you shall not onely displease me but also loose my favour for ever For as you are mine I purpose to dispose of you but if you refuse my counsell refuse me too for I will not regard a disobedient child The manifold reasons I could alleadge that perswade me to the confirmation of this Contract are of such waight as I might séeme carelesse of your welfare and your selfe enuious of your owne good to deny them therefore let me know your answer Constantia well knew that if she denyed hée would be offended and his froward nature to be so much disposed to wrath that before she could speake she shooke with feare yet resolution so hazard the worst humbling her selfe vpon her knée she made this answer My reverend duty to you most loving Father perswadeth my consent to fulfill your command though my Loue bindeth me to the contrary that I stand perplext twixt two extreames the one fearing to offend you the other to procure my everlasting discontent for in refusing to doe according to your will I shall incurre your indignation and in performing the same my everlasting sorrow For as yet my heart could never yéeld to loue that worthy Prince who farre too worthy to be matcht with me Most humbly beséeching you to consider that inforced Loue never bringeth content but disquiet which with Helyon will be my portion Therefore I beséech you reuoke your determination Is it even so quoth he shall my command be countervaild by your péevish conceit Is this the regard you giue to my good will Are you wiser then I Or are you willing to displease mée Shall my will stand at your direction Is this the duty you owe to your Father or feare you no more to offend me Haue I so carefully brought you vp and tenderly regarded you for this Henceforth never come in my sight for I will not estéeme thée as a Child but as a bastard and withall I vow that if thou dost not yéeld to marry him vse him kindly and apply thy devotions to his liking I will vse thée in such sort that all Persia shall lament thy case Having given her this bitter reproofe he departed leaving her wéeping the fountaines of her precious eyes dry wringing her hands and like one in a dead trance overcome with griefe cast vpon the Earth The first that entred the roome was Helyon who séeing her in that agony tooke her by the hand to haue raised her from the earth but she refusing his help vttered these spéeches Vntill this time I alwayes estéemed honourably of you but now my good opinion is altered for that you onely séeke my torment my Father hath given me charge to Marry with you which I must against my heart fulfill but be assured never to possesse my Loue for that I haue bequeathed another onely my outward parts may be yours but my inward affections shall continually estéeme you as the onely occasioner of my endlesse miseries With that shée rose vp from the ground giving him neither better words nor other kind behaviour but left him standing still as one astonisht Piera made Constantia's estate knowne to Deloratus who so farre as he durst perswaded her Father not to constraine her to marry the Prince but such wilfulnesse possest him that the more they intreated him the more contrarious he was and therefore appointed the day for the Marriage to be within two moneths And in the mean time doubting the King of Arabiaes consent he sent his Ambassadors to that effect Piera hearing this presently sent
prevent these evils to sit here and vtter sad words auaileth me not to bewaile her estate helpeth her nor to destroy my selfe will benefit her should I sit still here so shall I never finde her and to séeke for her out of this place is to spend my Labours without hope of comfort For I feare me she is dead and then may I sooner méete her Ghost in this place then her Body in another Well since neither comfort nor counsell is left to further my hopes I will forever dwell in this vnfortunate place and fill the same with my Laments neither shall my body rest in bed nor my stomacke tast of other meate then wilde fruit vntill I finde my Loue or be assured of the place of her abode Thus liued he in those Woods many dayes and many yéeres making every Trée a monument of Constantias vâ—â—â—â—tunate losse though he were often disswaded by Pisor who afterwards trauelled most parts of all those Countryes in search of her but could neuer heare of her The King of Persia had likewise giuen over all care of Constantia as supposing her to be dead greatly lamenting the misfortunes of Persicles and maruelling at his absence beléeving verily that he was murthered according to the accusation made by Oretus against Parenus and Thrureus Whom we will all leaue for a while to speake of the misfortunes befell to Constantia CHAP. VIII How Selia was married to Helyon and of the miseries Constantia endured by her jealousie How Constantia was delivered of a goodly Boy whose life was preserved by the policie of Palia and how Selia vexed thereat HElyon was no sooner arrived in Arabia but hée was informed of his Fathers death which for a time he lamented of common course not of piety or affection in the meane time causing Constantia to be kept in the old Monasterie vnder the government of an ancient Ladie that lived not onely by the gifts of the King bestowed vpon her for many badde actions but also of many Gentlemen that hauâ—â—ed the Company of the Kings Concubines by stealth In this place did he put Constantia neither her Kéeper nor any other knowing what she was Who by this time had â—esolued to endure aduersity for many dayes giuing her selfe to quiet for that by reason of his counterfeit mourning he came not at her But the time being come that he was crowned King and on the same day likewise married Selia causing poore Constantia as one of her Handmaides to attend her Which he did of a malicious intent onely to vexe her but she was well contented to doe any thing to rid her of his hatefull Loue whom she abhorred in the very depth of her Soule But when he saw she endured the same with such patience he againe caused her to be closely kept in that Monastery giuing commandement that none but the old Lady named Palia should come at her Thus did she continue vntill she began to féele her selfe with Child by Persicles which draue her to the vttermost exigent of care how to preserue her Infants life Sometimes purposing to make her estate knowne to Palia but hauing sufficient tryall of her wicked disposition she durst not trust her least she should reueale the same to the King Selia like wise at that very instant was great with Child by Helyon both conceiuing at one instant the one in the Persian Court and the other in the Shepheards cottage Selia made Helyon acquainted therewith desiring that she might be deliuered thereof in some private place where the Ladyes of the Court might not know thereof which would turne to her euerlasting scandall Helyon well knowing the nature of the people in what detestable sort they held adultery in their Queene thought no place so fit for the accomplishment thereof as in the Monastery where Constantiâ— was vnto which place she was soone conueyed report being giuen out by the Kings command that she was for the preservation of her health secretly departed into the Countrey The Quéene being come into the Monastery asked for Constantia who was presently brought before her whom Selia now began to hate mortally being very Iealous of her and supposing that the King still Loued her whâ—â— she vsed so disdainfully vpbrayding her with many vndecent spéeches Which Constantia tooke most patiently onely with Teares lamenting her misfortunes And so proudly and scornefully did she behaue her selfe towards Palia and all that attended her that they began to dislike of her Palia séeing the pride of the Quéene and in what disdainfull sort she vsed her accusing her to be priuy to the Kings secret loue to Constantia vsing her so distrustfully and with such euill tearmes began to hate her Which Constantia perceiued by some doubtfull spéeches she gaue out against her Whereupon finding a fit opportunity when she was vexed with her vnkindnesse she came to Palia and said I perceiue the Quéen vseth you but vnkindly regarding to vse none well though they giue her no cause at all She likewise misuseth me that neuer in my life offended her but haue béene the greatest cause of her good I would gladly intreat your ayd and withall reveale many things vnto you that you yet know not if I were assured of your secrecy which I am the more fearefull to reveale for that they are matters of importance wherein notwithstanding if you would vouchsafe your assistance to pitty my miserable estate you shall doe a déed of euerlasting merit Palia hearing her spéeches sayd if I may likewise without feare make my minde knowne vnto you be your assured I doe so mortally hate her that rewardeth my dutifull seruice with disdaine that I will not leaue any thing vnattempted to vexe her and pleasure you therefore if an Oath may assure you of my secrecy hauing no other meanes at this instant to giue proofe thereof I vow by all the good I euer expect never to reveale what you disclose to me but most faithfully labour to pleasure you to my power Then know qd Constantia that I am Daughter to the King of Persia sometimes brought vp in this Court and your Quéene but the Daughter of a Countrey-Swaine in Persia that being exalted to dignity though basely borne behaueth her selfe thus proudly I fearing my Father would haue married me to Helyon against my will having betrothed my selfe to the King of Assyria with him stole from the Court in this Apparell of Selia that is now your Quéene much search was made for me but they could neuer finde me for I lived with my Lord in this disguise in a Shepheards house vntill one day I missing him strayed so farre from the House that I could not returne but by misfortune was found by Helyon and thus as you sée brought into this Countrey either to my death or to a worser end I am likewise great with Child and within short space shall be delivered My earnest desire is that you would vse some meanes to preserue my Babe from death which no doubt it is
Army with exceeding losse was discomfited EArely the next morning Deloratus Persicles Cothanes and all the rest of the chiefe Commanders of the Persian Army were assembled who gaue order that euery battell should be planted in such sort as if they expected a present assault which being performed Montelion in great triumph was brought into the field and by Persicles inuested with the order of Knight-hood which when he had received the Souldiers gaue such shoutes as made the ayre resound with their Ecchoes The Armenians hearing the noise could not judge what might be the cause thereof some censuring one thing some another Palian fretting with excéeding vexation at the last dayes discomâ—iture which went the néerest his heart for that in all the time of warres he had not endured the like called vnto him the chiefest Knights in his Campe which were Althesus Golgron Mulatus and Lamdelyon Knights of Honourable birth great wisedome and appointed valour vttering to them his hearts griefe and his earnest desire of revenge desiring them with all spéed to counsell him which way to suppresse the Persians courage onely reuiued with the ayde the strange Knight had brought them Amongst whom it was agréed and generally held best to surprize them at vnawares in the middest of their joy that with all spéed and as spéedily as might be they detained their Forces and without the noyse of either Drum or Fife issued the City gates Certaine Persian Spyes perceiving their intent posted to the Camp and certified their Generall thereof who gaue commandement that without making any kind of suspition they should continue their mirth so that thereby the Armenians might be heartned to their owne dustruction Montelyon with a company of Horsemen departed out of their Campe a contrary way to that the Armenians came with intent to get betwixt them and the City which afterwards sorted to effect The Armenians thinking to make a sudden slaughter of them and nothing at all suspecting their readinesse to receiue them with carelesse hast approached the Campe with gréedy desire of conquest running vpon their Enemies Whom they found in such orderly sort ready to welcome them that within an houres space they wisht themselves againe within the City Walls To recite every particular of their Conflict and with what terror the battell continued would dull my wits with confusion Principally my pen shall barely recite the admirable déeds of the most honourable of both Armies Persicles considering what just cause he had and with what equity he might challenge his right wrongfully detained vp his vsurping Foe bent his Sword point with the vnrelenting Fury to the destruction of his Enemies pittying their deaths who dyed by his Sword ayming the same rather at Palians owne heart then against them that were by constraint enforced to hazard their dearest liues Which when he had coloured and made drunke with many of their deaths bloud he at last met with Palian whom at the first encounter he had surely berest of life had not his owne Stéed by great misfortune stumbled at a dead body that interrupted his steppes but notwithstanding his Swords point by that mischance missing his right ayme 〈◊〉 quite through his Stéeds necke who falling and Palian with him both lay groueling on the ground ready to be trodden to death Mulatus being next at hand rescued Palian and mounted him on his owne Stéed whereby he lost his owne life For Persicles with both his hands fetcht so full a blow at his head that with the force thereof his Armour yéelding some scales thereof pierced his Braine and he dyed Palian for a while continued Fight with Persicles with euery blow receiuing a déepe wound vntill he felt himselfe so vnable to hold out that he must eyther yéeld dye or retyre but euen then came Golgron fortunately to his ayde who with him maintained fight against Persicles who notwithstanding that oddes had neare hand brought them both to destruction had he not espyed Deloratus and Cothanes in distresse who were vnequally assailed by sixe valiant Knights two of them being Althesus and Lamdelyon vnto whom he hasted giuing them succour by the death of the first he met Whilest the Battell was maintained in the Fore-front by the chiefe Commanders of both Armies and Montelyon with his resolued Follewers whose hearts were enspired with fiery courage to be guarded by so valiant a guide was gotten behind them and began such a Massacre that multitudes of a suddaine were slaughtered by his approach whose déeds of valour amazed their sences with such feare and abated their courage with such terror that like as a flocke of fearefull shéepe espying the approach of a deuouring Lyon ranne with amazed feare from his pawes Euen so the Armenians fled from the destroying hands of Montelyon filling the empty ayre with such dismall cryes that the noyse thereof amazed the hearts of the stoutest Armenians Palian and Golgron then turned their backes making hast thitherwards to know the cause Althesus and Lamdelyon did the like whilest Deloratus and Persicles and the rest made such hauocke against the common Souldiers that had the fight continued long the whole Forces of the Armenian Army had béene destroyed Palian and Althesus met Montelyon not knowing him but supposing it was he had made such slaughter amongst them the last day both assailed him who in his heart rejoyced that he had met with two such Champions to make tryall of his valour continuing to braue a combat against them both as is not to be described By this time the cry beganne againe on the contrary side with such hideous noise that Palians heart was affrighted therewith and defended himselfe as if a flender youth should hold encounter against a strong Giant till both he and Althesus were so grieuously wounded that it had béene a pittifull spectacle to behold Both being driuen to retire amongst their scattered Troupes and withall the haste they could to preuent their vtter ouerthrow to sound a retrait and with all spéed haste vnto the City which could not be accounted a retyre but rather an absolute flight for it was done with such haste as if they had béene all amazed none hauing the power to resist and pursued by Persicles and Montelyon with such fury that their owne hearts relented at their owne hands cruelty which covered the earth with the dead bodies of their affrighted Foes The day being thus ended to the terror of the one and comfort of the other The Persians retyred as Victors and the Armenians halfe mad with griefe and despaire within their Wals not minding suddenly to issue again Persicles and Deloratus honouring Montelyon with their kinde embracings and the Souldiers applauded their valours with rejoycings Euery one according to the present occasion betooke themselues to their charges spending the time in more joy and security then earst they had done CHAP. XIIII How the Armenians sent two Knights into Armenia for more ayde who were met and one of them taken Prisoner and of other
that if the Kings Forces were once come it would be a great cause to lengthen the Warres which he earnestly desired might haue an end that thereby he might haue respite to trauell in search of Constantia for whom his heart endured excéeding torments that being thus disquieted in his thoughts and desirous of ease to his restlesse passions one day amongst many that he passed ouer with pensiuenesse he got himselfe into a solitary place and there in sad silence meditated on his misfortune Montelyon by chance troubled with remembrance of his vnknowne estate chose the very place for his private meditations wherein Persicles was already shrowded and suddenly espying him began to withdraw himselfe vntill Persicles desired him to stay vttering these spéeches Worthy Knight I perceiue some inward care hath made you withdraw your selfe from mée but impart your discontent to me if not yet heare mine for I haue long desired to impart them vnto one on whose fidelity I might repose my selfe and you are the man I haue elected hauing had so sufficient tryall of your courtesie and friendship that without doubting I durst commit my selfe to your secresie for your ayde may as heretofore it hath preserued me My Lord replyed Montelyon I account my selfe onely fortunate in your loue and my heart acknowledgeth my euerlasting bounden duty to none so much as to your Majesty which bindeth me in all duty to become your vassaile being more ready to venture my life and vttermost endeauours in your service then you can imagine Therefore good my Lord feare not to impose any taske vpon me for by your imploring me I shall account my selfe onely blest I thanke you good Friend quoth â—e and if euer fortune favour me againe I will requite this kindnesse though now I am plunged in the depth of ill lucke being as you sée depriued of my Kingdome by the Rebellion of my owne subjects and the Tyrannie of an ill neighbour the King of Armenia the briefe discourse whereof is this My Father when he liued matcht my sister Piera in marriage with this worthy Knight Deloratus sending me vnto Pâ—â—sia with her who before my returne dyed whilest I was there I chanced to fixe mine eyes on the Beauty of Constantia daughter to the Persian King which by reason of my sudden departure I could not giue her knowledge hauing no other comfort but my sister Piera to whom I bewrayed the secrets of my heart departing with her promise of assistance whilest I went into Assyria to â—stablish my Kingdome Prince Helion of Arabia obtained the King of Persia his consent to marry Constantia Which newes Piera sent me I being much troubled therewith after I had refelled my old enemy the King of Armenia in a battell I left the gouernment of my Kingdome to two of my Noble men and departed in the habite of a Palmer into Persia where within short space I found such meanes by my sisters friendship that I was in that habite without suspition in Pieraes chamber and thereby had conference with Constantia and attained her consent nothing remaining but onely meanes how we should escape which afterwards wée effected and trauelled together vntill we came to a Shepheards house where we were kindly welcommed contracting a solemne marriage betwixt our selues because we durst not be knowne the contrary where we liued some dayes in quiet In the meane time the King of Persia caused diligent search to be made and it was Pisors chance to finde vs who kept our counsell and was by me sent into Assyria to fetch some of my owne Knights to attend me home where he found my Nobles at strife and the King of Armenia taking opportunity with a mighty band of Souldiers slew most of my part the rest joyning with him vntill he had ceazed my Crowne Pisor with this heauy newes returned to me being vnwilling to giue me knowledge thereof which ouercame my heart with such griefe that séeking in a solitary place I wandred so farre that I could not returne to the Shepheards house the same night Constantia missing me likewise stole from the Cottage to séeke me but directing her steps a contrary way or méeting with some misfortune that slew her I neuer heard of her since Pisor he likewise went foorth to séeke vs and vnwillingly tasted of an vnfortunate fruit that infused a sléepinesse vpon him for foure and twenty houres but notwithstanding his and my most earnest search wee could neuer finde her nor I feare neuer shall But if I could recure this euill done me by my Foes I would then spend the rest of my dayes in her search Hauing ended her spéech his heart was so much ouercome with griefe that he had much adoe to with hold his eyes from teares Montelyon was opprest with no lesse griefe then hée whose heart felt more inward disquiet then a stranger could haue done in silent sadnesse séeming to impart with his sorrowes but not abide to counsell him which way to recure them That at last by reason the necessity of the time affoorded little respite they were constrained to depart CHAP. XV. How Montelyon by a strange and dangerous adventure wonne the City and tooke Palian prisoner MOntelyon that euening elected out of his own Followers twenty Knights such as he estéemed most valiant telling them he had a matter of great danger and secrecy to complet which might be a meanes to establish Persicles in his Kingdome if they would faithfully joyne with him Which they stedfastly vowed to accomplish and to follow him although it were euen to their deaths Arme you then quoth he in Armenian Armour of which you haue choyce and come to me at midnight This being performed and the Knights come Montelyon with them departed through the Campe vnto the City Gates where Montelyon knockt but scarce so lowe that the Porter could heare him who yet notwithstanding comming to the Battlements demanded who it was I am said Montelyon Althetus and other Armenians as thou mayst know by our Armor and bring good newes therefore open the Gates lest by the delay we be betrayed for we are pursued The Porter being out of all doubt and hasty to succour them vnbolted the Gates Montelyon was no sooner entred but he flew the Porter entring the Lodge and apprehending the watch who lay sléeping and slaying most of them before they awaked One of them submitting himselfe thus sayd I am an Assyrian spare my life and if you be friends to Persicles I will giue you such directions as you may surprize the City and subdue Palian Montelyon sayd in so doing thou shalt be honoure of thy King and purchase thy owne liberty After that they had put the rest to the Sword the Assyrian directed them to the Pallace and by so secret away that he brought them euen within the compasse of the Castle to the very place whereas the Guard was Montelyon then thus said to his followers My companions let not feare now possesse your hearts but by this
had lost but his Fortune proved so bad that he lost both his Styrrops and had he not hung on the Saddle Bow hée had laine on the Ground The Day by this time drew to an end which caused them to remit their further tryall till the next Morning Constantia and Philotheta beholding the Valour of this one Knight according to her desire déemed it was Persicles the other Montelyon desiring Ila to send a Messenger to know his Name Who returning told them he was called the Knight of the Oracle Then it is not Persicles said Constantia No nor Montelyon said Philotheta Their Hearts now fainting with care that before were revived with hope The Knight of the Oracle that Night Lodged with a Knight of Persia named Thymus in his Tent who in courteous sort intreated him thereto Earely the next Morning he againe entred the Field ready for him that should next Encounter him who came gallantly mounted having likewise travailed many Miles to try his Fortune in the Adventure but before he came to try himselfe therein he received so great a Discharge by Encountring the Knight of the Oracle that in a desperate moode and ashamed of his Foyle he departed The Knight of the Oracle being endued with an extraordinary Wit as receiving the Essence thereof from two such goodly Princes as he was sprung of began in his thoughts to condemne the fondnesse of those Knights that comming to make tryall of the Adventure spent their time in private Quarrels still omitting that which principally they had sought his Mind being so troubled with the losse of Philotheta and Persicles desired not to linger there but to hasten in their search Therefore parting towards the Knights who were assembled on a heape studying which way to worke his disgrace he said to them Worthy Knights my comming to this place was not to try my Fortune against you but in the Aduenture and your private Enuy hath hitherto hindred mée not regarding into what private Quarrels you enter and causelesly troubling me that haue not offended you Therefore because businesse of more importance then to answer your Spléene vrgeth my departure I wish you not fearing my ability to answer you to remit this private Contention vntill another time and if any of you either enviously condemne me or repine at my good Fortune I will be ready to answer you severall Quarrels in Persia at the time that is appointed for the méeting of the Kings of Assyria and Armenia for the cause of your approach being to release this Ladies imprisonment weaken not your force in private Contention for in the Tryall thereof you shall find occasion enough to exercise your Armes Hearing his words they consented thereunto yet contending who should first try the Adventure In the end they agréed to cast Lots in which the last fell to the Knight of the Oracle every one having a Dayes respite for the finishing thereof Thus did they make tryall of themselues Some with such labour attaining the Bridge but then forced by vertue of the Enchantment to yéeld and so were imprisoned in most Lamentable wise by the Enuy of Ila who desired the Enchantment might never end but that she might liue there for ever Others with feare ran away Many dayes it was before it came to the Knight of the Oracles turne In the end all being either fledor imprisoned he alone was left to try his Fortune neither having Friend to succour him Foe to Enuy him nor any to behold him for the Enchantresse had made such Desolation among the Tents by casting fires amongst them that all the Servants to those Knights fled as amazed reporting from place to place their Masters misery and the cause of their owne terror Notwithstanding nothing could affright or discourage the valiant heart of the Knight of the Oracle but he rested as resolute to goe forwards as if there had beene no danger incident to the attempt Constantia séeing how many Knights were at that instant imprisoned all their Tents destroyed and no man she thought left began to discomfort her selfe vtterly despairing of releasement desiring Ila to let her view the Knights that were Imprisoned fearing that Persicles was amongst them but her requests were in vaine for Ila fretted with extreame feare of the end of her Enchantment in a mad rage flung from them studying which way to lengthen the date thereof which tormented poore Constantiaes heart that had béen so long in misery and terrified kind Philothetaes mind with extreame feare of further calamity Both she and Constantia all that Night bewailing their misery CHAP. XXVIII How the Knight of the Oracle finished the Enchantment And how Ila departed with Philotheta IN the Morning early the Knight of the Oracle survaying the Scituation of the Bridge which way he might either advantage himselfe or disadvantage his Foe winded his Horne wherewith there was such an excéeding Earth-Quake within the Tower that the Foundation thereof shooke as if it would haue overturned her stately Turrets At which first Sound of the Horne one of the Gyants came foorth without speaking striking at him but he defended himselfe a great while on Horsebacke vntill the Gyant pressed so hard vpon him that he was driven to withdraw him to light Which when he had done he againe assayled him giving him many a déepe wound and receiving many a sore bruise that had not his good Armour preserved him it had brought him in great danger but in the end he prevailed so much by the death of the first Gyant that he attained the first and second Fortification of the Bridge And at the third he was so violently set vpon by the other Gyant that he was onely compelled to ward his blowes in the end likewise espying such advantage that he ran his Sword quite through his body By which meanes he entred the first large Court where he beheld the Armours of such Knights as had fayled in their sundry attempts hanging about the Walls hearing their hollow voyces which by imprisonment had endured much affliction Ila now knowing that the date of her glory in that place should end in furious sort came running to the place where Constantia and Philotheta were taking Philotheta with violence from out of the Arbour and by force of her Enchantment compelling her to follow her vntill she came to the Court where the Knight of the Oracle was he suddainly behelding Philotheta at the first sight knew her and séeing them so passe by him towards the Entrance he stept after them to speake to her when presently ther rusht vpon him a number of Armed men that laid vpon him with such swiftnesse that they had no power to stirre from the place where he stood They suddainly vanished and he stood so amazed with the sight and perplexed with such doubt that he could not tell what to doe Sometimes thinking to follow in Philotheta then perswading himselfe it was but an illusion and thinking to cast off that doubt and goe forwards his
Noble Parents Which may be true for Cothanes often times told me that he found me vpon the top of a Mountaine lying in swadling cloathes and not farre from the body of a Woman torne and dismembred by Wild Beasts and many Iewels about me One of which I haue ever since worne about my Necke When Constantia saw it she knew the fame embracing him in her armes and kissing him whilest he with humble behaviour did him reverence I should be over tedious to recite their joyes and how much Delatus and Alsala made of them who would not so leaue them but promised to Travell with them into Assyria where they were assured to méete Persicles but in such sort that none might know them for that yet Constantia feared her Fathers displeasure They stayed there but that Night and earely the next Morning betooke themselues to travell Notwithstanding this joy the Knight of the Oracle left some sparkes of discontent which troubled all his Sences and turned his quiet into disquiet which was with remembrance of Philotheta whose mishap pincht him to the very heart Who likewise was not frée from the like disquiet fearing never to sée him againe little thinking his Name had béene changed and as little thinking it was he that ended the Enchantment not onely troubled with this Dispaire but also vexed with Ilaes dealing who hauing brought her to Amphiador fled and was never séene of them againe Amphiador being alone with Philotheta thought it not good for him to discover himselfe least he thereby should hazard his life but disguising himselfe and Philotheta he left Arabia and travailed into Persia thinking to liue there vntill his death vndescryed And finding out an Habitation fit for that purpose he told Philotheta what he intended perswading her to abide with him This troubled her very heart fearing some greater mischiefe would follow Which like wise according to her misdoubt fell out For now that he saw no meanes to recover his Dignity nor attaine other Felicity then to liue in obscurity his mind being like wise much addicted to Licencious desire began to dote on Philothetaes beauty which burst out into a flame and he revealed the same iâ—â—his sort Philotheta said he if you knew what I would say or if you could conceiue my meaning without words I would refraine to speake but since there is no hope for me to liue without I attaine that I desire I will vtter to you the depth of my good Will and the thing that I desire so much you should know which is that I loue you this I hope cannot be grievous vnto you Neither will you I trust deny to loue me considering how tenderly I haue alwayes regarded you Should I not said she Loue you I were to be accounted very ingratefull and vnworthy to haue found you so kind which bindeth me to yéeld you thankes Then said he Let me enjoy that Loue for your Beauty hath pierced my heart and nothing but the swéete thereof can ease my torment Here wée may liue together voyd of disquiet enjoying each others Loue with content which excéedeth the pleasure that more dignified Honour yéeldeth Philotheta at the first knew his meaning replying with mildnesse but her heart so much disdained to yéeld to that he desired that she could not containe her selfe but gaue him this answer Amphiador Doest thou thinke thy wickednesse can overmaster my Vertue Or doest thou thinke I can like to heare thy odious Spéech that bewrayeth the inward rancour of thy heart or hast thou beheld such loosenesse in me that should animate thée to this dishonourable attempt or canst thou but conceiue an opinion that I will yéeld to thy wicked lust which is the fruit of thy ill devising Heart No know that I so much abhorre thée that I shall account the worse of my selfe to haue knowne thée and curse my cruell destinies that haue made me to sée thée and rather will end my life most desperately then suffer my Sences to conceiue one good thought of thée Then leaue off where thou hast begun for thou shalt rather sée me massacre my selfe then yéeld to the least part of thy desire CHAP. XXX How Amphiador Philotheta and Praxentia met How the two Ladies preventing Amphiadors lust and departed towards Assyria AMphiador walking alone in a solitary place heard the wofull Lamentation of a distressed Lady who vttered these words What misery am I brought into mine owne doting folly vpon that vnknowne Knight which neither regardeth me nor I shall never sée him againe Fond woman that I am thus to abandon my Fathers Court to liue in obscurtty where I was renowned for vertue For who heard the name of Praxentia that did not adore the fame And who was more reverenced then my selfe that now haue brought my Honour into disgrace and for the loue of a stranger haue refused the loue of so mighty a Prince as Palian O Persicles thée may I curse for by thy meanes is he thus absent and thou hast lost him or left him where he will never returne Amphiador wondred much to heare her name Persicles Palian and Praxentia which severall names he knew marvelling who that should be but séeing her silent he drew neare to her saying Lady hearing your Laments I could not choose but pitty you which maketh me thus bold to approach into our company proffering my assistance to aid you in what I can My friend said Praxentia against my will you are priuy to my estate which if you doe pitty then also succour me for I am brought low by too much griefe and weake for want of sustenance Lady quoth he my Habitation is not farre hence whether I will bring you where you shall not want any thing you will desire Being come thither they found Philotheta drowned in teares the cause whereof he well knew but Praxentia wondred at it containing another inward Sorrow to sée so swéet a creature in such sadnesse Philotheta likewise marvailed what she was hoping by her comfort to receiue some comfort which might hinder his practice He on the other side went forth againe to meditate leaving them together meaning nothing lesse then to pitty either of them but devising meanes to attaine both their loues which he was fully resolved to enjoy though the déed were never so wicked and the meanes never so hainous Praxentia having well refresht her selfe with such good food as she had received demanded Philothetaes cause of sorrow Aye me said she none so miserable as I this Tyrant that brought you hither is my Father in law whose mind is so wicked that he attempteth to winne me to his lust which addeth much sorrow to my heart as I am weary of my life my name is Philotheta Daughter to the Duke of Ila whom all men had thought to haue béene since dead but he being informed of the contrary by the Enchantresse fled bringing me hither by force where he intendeth to kéepe me as his Bond-slaue but the Heavens I hope will
those two Cities was so large a Valley of Plaines that the faire prospects of both the Cities lay open to each others view in the midst of this Valley were the Royall Tents of Persia and Mâ—cedonia pitcht and about them a number of Tents of gallant Knights that came to beare them company the Cities were both of them Fortified with Garrisons of Souldiers to prevent all occasions of injury that might be offered on either party The Emperour of Macedonia likewise brought with him his thrée Sons Mentus Drurus and Thetus his Empresse his faire Daughter Sabina in whose company were the choice Ladies of Macedonia And such Troopes of valiant Knights that all the Valley was filled with their Tents and Pavilions Persicles trusting to the assurance Delarus had given him of Constantiaes release caused all the beautifull Damzels in Assyria to be brought before him electing out of them a hundred for whom he caused most costly attires of White to be prepared and delivered to each of them He caused also a most stately Pavilion to be erected in the view of all the rest of such costly and curious worke that all that beheld it admired the rare Workemanship thereof Over the Doore of this Pauilion were these Verses written in Letters of Gold Honour Valour and Vertue guard this place Where Harbour is for all that those embrace An absent Knight of honoured Gifts and Fame Shall bee their Host Montelyon is his Name Heere boldly enter repose and feed For Love to him made Persicles doe this deed Who so he bee can tell where hee remaines Shall have a principall gift to quite his paines Persicles intent in doing this was that whatsoever Stranger came that had not good Provision of his owne should there find Entertainment in Honour of Montelyon in whose memoriall he had built the same as a remembrance of his Loue and Favour His intent being to draw all strangere thither by whose report hoping hée might heare some Newes of his beloved Friend Montelyon Travell within few dayes had brought the Knight of the Oracle and his Company into Assyria where they met with an Assyrian of whom the Knight of the Oracle demanded whose Tents were those they beheld He declared so much as hée knew Where may we haue Lodging said he Not within a City answered the Assyrian for thither are none permitted to come without examination But in the middest among those Tents there is one Pavilion the most beautifullest that ever Eye beheld built in remembrance of the Noble Knight Montelyon that fréed our Country from the Armenians oppression in which place all that are strangers and without provision of their owne haue Entertainment in his remembrance Wilt thou direct vs thither said he and I will reward thée I will said he When they were come thither according to the Assyrians report they were honourably entertained and Lodged in such sort as themselues desired And for that it was very late every one departed to their place of rest remitting conference vntill the next Morning Earely in the Morning the Knight of the Oracle Arming himselfe mounted his Stéed and rode vp and downe vntill it was Noone to behold the Tents and beautifull Scituation of those two Cities and some Tilts Turneys that were performed by certain Knights Returning at Noone to conferre with Constantia his Mother about the discovery of them to Persicles Persicles hearing that many strangers were in Montelyons Pavilion that day he disguised himselfe into the habit of one of his owne men onely to view them and to sée whether his Servants vsed them so honourably as he intented they should And comming into the roome where Constantia the Knight of the Oracle Delatus and Alsala was at the first sight he knew Delatus and Montelyon which was called the Knight of the Oracle and viewing well Constantia he likewise at the first sight knew her Then did he immediately beléeue that the Knight of the Oracle had released her which was Montelyon which Delatus told him should be finished by his owne Sonne These joyes concurring fil'd vp his Sences with such delight that he was inforced to withdraw himselfe from being discovered which at that time he would not be Altering his disguise againe and without further deliberation hée went to the King of Persiaes Tent and finding him in a convenient place he vttered these kind words Most renowned King the Friendship and helpe I haue received by your favour without any merit of mine owne hath made me most infinitely bound to your Excellency yet neverthelesse I must request one further favour at your hands which you may with more safety grant then deny and thereby also make me and your selfe happy My loving Friend said he whatsoever it be I will not deny it you I make the more doubt said he because I haue heard you vow the contrary and yet should you performe that vow it would procure you much discontent A rash vow said hée may be broken and therefore let me know your request and it may be I will dispence therewith My desire is you would pardon Constantia your Daughter and remit the offence committed by her and him that caused her to leaue the Persian Court. Why my Lord said he doe you know where she is First I beséech you grant my request and then I will reveale vnto you all that I know For your sake said he I will fréely accept her into my favour Then I most humbly thanke you said he both for her and my selfe For it was my most vnhappy selfe that was the cause of her departure but since that time I haue not séene her vntill this day For going to the Pavillion which is named by Montelyon this day I espyed her there in company of Montelyon which is called Knight of the Oracle The King of Persia rejoyced to heare that Newes which pleased him so well that he could not choose but reveale it to the Empresse who was ready to runne foorth of her Tent to sée her The Emperâ—â—r and Empresse with a goodly Traine accompanied by Persicles who had sent for the hundred Damzels and most of the Péeres of Assyria to welcome Constantia with great royalty went to Montelyons Pavilion the Emperour and Empresse going before and he comming after that when their gréetings were past he might haue the more liberty to embrace Constantia They entring the roome where Constantia was conferring with Montelyon knew her and she them and falling prostrate on her knées before them whilest they welcommed her with such kindnesse as if they had never conceived offence against her Whilest they welcommed the Knight of the Oracle Persicles embraced Constantia each wéeping for Ioy. Oh God said Persicles never was I blest whilest this good happy houre after so much sorrow to enjoy such pleasure Montelyons approach brake of his Spéech who knéeled before him Nay my déere Friend said Persicles knéele not for I am not worthy to be so honoured My Lord said
thou wouldst not request it but to satisfie her of that which peradventure she will not credit by thy report and at thy request I will come to her this evening Till then farewell quoth he Philotheta being parted from him by the way vttered these spéeches O that fortune would favour me so much and blesse me with that felicity to be the party this worthy Knight so constantly loveth By this she was come to the Pavilion where even then there entred foure Knights in black Armour gallantly mounted by their outward habit portended some fatall stratagem which were Palian and the thrée Sons of the King of Macedon who had vowed either secretly or openly to plot the death of Montelyon taking vp their Lodging there to complot their treason The day being past which the Knight of the Oracle overpast in many solitary meditations to the great griefe of Persicles and Constantia who wondred thereat he went to his Chamber apparelling himselfe in the habit of one of the Kings Servants onely gyrding his Sword to his side went vnto the Pavilion concealing himselfe as closely as he could but the Heavens ordaining him to endure some misery and as the eyes of enuy and suspition discovering him to Palian who espyed his comming thither and being entred the Pavilion he was met by Philotheta who with such carefulnesse expected his comming conducting him into the place where Praxentia was which went so sore against her heart to doe that with very griefe she was ready to dye whither treacherous Palians eyes watcht him Praxentia espying him could not abstaine from blushing excéedingly her owne heart accusing her of immodesty to reveale that which we would haue concealed Hée saluted her vttering these words Most noble Princesse to fulfâ—ll your desire and shew my gratitude vnto you for your Friendship bestowed on him that is not worthy thereof I am come to you desiring you not to misconceiue of me nor condemne me of inhumanity that am not mine owne and therefore I cannot giue my selfe vnto you I haue vttered vnto the Palmer that which I will now conceale as loath to offend you yet constrained thereto desiring you to command my life if you please for that shall be at your disposition otherwise I cannot imploy my selfe to your liking I haue long since knowne of your good will to me which Palian by his subtilty increased of whose Loue and procéedings I know so much that I thinke I shall wrong him to fulfill your request my selfe was the man that should haue joyned your hands when he tooke my habit and name vpon him which I presume here to vtter that thereby you may remember my innocencie in that complot and how constantly I haue vowed my selfe to another Praxentia what with anger shame and griefe stood like one mute vexed that he knew of Palians act shame to make loue contrary to the propertie of her kind and grieved to be disappointed all which together not suffering her to speake vntill at last these passions and her burning Loue so overcame her that knéeling downe she said Good Knight blame me not nor doe not condemne me of immodesty but grant pitty to my torment He taking her vp desired her not to knéele to him that was not worthie thereof nor able to deserue it then taking him by the hand she desired him to sit downe by her upon the bed beckning Philotheta to depart the roome To repeat what manner of behaviour Praxentia vsed and the words he spake would haue made any modest eare to blush to heare of but séeing that nothing could prevaile rage and lust so over ruled her that in bitter exclaimes she cryed out Inhumane disloyall and dishonourable Knight doest thou require my Loue with this disdain Or thinkest thou I will liue to beare the blot of thy refusall At the conclusion of which words Thetus entred the roome and with his Sword drawne ran at him who by good Fortune beholding him started aside otherwise he had béene slaine yet he was sore wounded wherewith he drew his sword striking at Thetus and at every blow wounding him Philotheta hearing the noyse came in and séeing the Knight of the Oracle wounded with feare grief and amazement cryed out helpe helpe the Kings Son â—ill be murdered The Eccho oâ— her shrill voice sounded throughout the whole Pavilion and both the Servants and other Knights came running thither but before they came he had gotten Thetus and overthrowne him thrust his Sword into his Bodie By this time Palian and his two Brethren came in who séeing Thetus slaine cryed out Stay the Traytor he hath murthered Thetus Son to the King of Macedonia Praxentia hearing that tore her haire rent her Garments and disfigured her face in such fort as was Lamentable to behold Some began to lay hands on the Knight of the Oracle but his Fathers Servants knowing him stood in his defence Then began there a hote Combat on both parts and many were slaine Praxentia being now discovered was knowne to Palian and her two Brethren to whom she cryed Revenge my shame and my Brothers death on this wicked Knight who séeketh by violence to dishonour me hath slaine my Brother What griefe was this to Philotheta you may judge and how much it vexed him to be thus betrayed cannot be vttered standing in his owne defence against such as would haue apprehended him that knew him not vntill he was grievously wounded and many of them slaine in which time newes thereof was come to the hearing of Persicles the Emperour of Persia and the King of Macedonia who with all hast came thitherwards The Souldiers like wise hearing of the Knight of the Oracles distresse brake the conditions of the concluded Peace and by Multitudes ran forth of the Citie to preserue them Persicles first entred the Tent next him the Kings of Persia and Macedonia giving commandement vpon paine of Death that no man should strike a blow Yet notwithstanding rashnesse and heady force so overcame them that it was long before they were appeased And the Emperour séeing Praxentia there in such sort disfigured demanded if any could tell the cause of that mischiefe First Praxentia spake being most guilty yet first thinking to excuse her selfe Noble Emperour my brother you sée is slaine in rescuing me from that Knights violence The Knight of the Oracle knéeling downe before the Emperour said My noble Grand father I slew him in mine owne defence neither did I know what he waâ— being my selfe trained hither to my death More he would haue said but the Souldiers having entred the Pavilion râ—sted not vntill they had gotten vnto him and he to satisfie them and avoid further mischiefe departed with them to the City Then did the Emperour and Persicles comfort the King of Macedonia but he vexed with his Sonnes death and his Daughters disgrace and vrged by his others Sonnes importunacy said Emperour of Persia I am now much wronged and too much abused by thée and thy Progenie by whose
falsehood I sée my Children lye dead before my face How should I then be contented By Heaven I sweare I will revenge this villany King of Macedonia said Persicles I defie thée for accusing me or mine of any dishonour and thou shalt sée and find this Accusation is false why else are thy Sonnes here disguised with my enemy Palian by whose complot this mischiefe was pretended against my Sonne though the punishment lighted vpon themselues CHAP. XXXVI Of the griefe Philotheta endured for this misfortune How she was taken and carried to the Armenian Hoste Of Raleaes misfortune And the Message she delivered to the Knight of the Oracle PHilotheta séeing how vnfortunately all things fell out withdrew her selfe out of sight and in bitter exclaimes lamented her hard fortune but most of all that she was the cause of Montelyons comming thither which had so néere endangered his life Therefore she shrowded her selfe vntill it was night which being come she travelled further into the Country and there by selling a Iewell and good fortune not being discryed she altered her old habit into her right forme staying certaine dayes in a Village some sixe miles distant from the City of Pisos in the house of an ancient Lady named Ralea to whom she related her misfortunes procured by Amphiador concealing her Loue to Montelyon which she durst not commit to her serresie This Ralea being a woman of great wisedome vsed Philotheta wondrous kindly promising in words and her déeds shewing it that if shée would stay with her shée would as dearely tender her as her owne Daughter whom she caused continually to accompany Philotheta She rejoyced at this good Fortune and being alone she vttered these spéeches Praxentia thée onely may I accuse for this misery for whom I vndertooke a taske which my heart even then abhorred and now repent not so much inteâ—nding to procure thée that thou desiredst as to satisfie my owne disquiet Sences by the same means having drawne the most loyall Knight into danger of his life whose blood thou didst séeke to spill else wouldst thou not so dishonourable and fasly haue accused him The consideration of which stratageme drew such a flood of teares from her eyes that she could not stop their passage Which Ralea espying demanded the cause thereof but séeing Philotheta make no reply she said Philotheta I pitty your estate and would gladly know the cause that I might vse my indeavour to comfort you Philotheta trusting to vertue disclosed to her the loue he bare to Montelyon and all that passed betwixt her and Praxentia as is before rehearsed Ralea thereby noting her beauty commended the same promising her that if with patience she would quiet her selfe some few dayes she would vse all meanes possible to comfort her Montelyon having recovered his wounds gathered together a mighty host and brought them vnto the City of Pisos whither were assembled the choice Souldiers Noblemen Knights and Gentlemen of Persia to fight in their Emperours behalfe who entrencht themselues without the City The King of Macedonia and Armenia likewise had gathered togetheâ— so mighty an Army as might haue béene thought able to make a Conquest of the World who pitched their Tents about the City in Armenia where â—he King of Macedonia and Armenia lay Montelyons heart was fixed with desire to driue backe those foes not staying to giue them leaue to make the first challenge but humbling himselfe vpon his knée before the Emperour and his Father vttered these spéeches Most mighty Emperour and my Noble Father I haue already I hope satisfied you of my innocency being trained by some subtilty to my intended death by Praxentia and her brethren but for that mine honour hath béene blemished by that infamous accusation and the common people rest vnsatisfied and my Foes vnrevenged I humbly craue you licence that I may send destance to my false accusers and by challenge acquite my selfe which am constrained thus hastily to desire for that my heart will abide extreame torture vntill it be finished The Emperour rejoycing at his forwardnesse and séeing Persicles willing to haue it so gaue his consent Which done Montelyon left them and arming himselfe in an Armour of white which he had caused to be made of purpose that no man should know him rode into the field betwixt both Campes and by a Herald sent deffence into the Campe of the Armenians King of Armenia theâ—e is a Knight whom you may behold in the field that hath sent dâ—stance to all the Knights in this Army especially to Palian whom he accuseth to bée a most disloyall and dishonourable Knight not worthy to be named a Knight that he most falsly sought to betray Montelyons Life and withall he offereth by combate to proue against all Knights that Montelyon is a Knight both Honourable and vertuous and that Praxentiaes accusation is most false and vntrue This message was no sooner delivered but thousands of Knights made sute to combat him first but Palian to whom it principally belonged to defend his owne honour desired his Fathers consent and obtained it presently Arming himselfe and gallantly mounted rode into the field to him Montelyon desirous of revenge and his heart inwardly tormented with griefe met Palian with a furious encounter he answering him with the like breaking their Lances with great comelinesse then drawing their Swords began the combat which was soone ended for within few blowes Montelyons Sword burst that hee was enforced to close with Palian with such force wrinking his Sword from him and with the puâ—mell thereof striking him so violently on the head that he bruised his head and overthrew him every one thinking he had béene dead Which was no sooner done but Mensus eldest Son to the King of Macedonia being ready armed greeted Montelyon with these words Knight thou hast vndertaken a tedious taske to combate all the Knights in this Campe yet I hope thou shalt never doe that for my selfe will abate thy courage If they were as many more quoth Montelyon I â—eare not all if thou commest to combat me hold thy tongue and be stirre thy hands for I will haue about witâ— thée With that they gaue each other many cruâ—ll blowes and received some wounds till Montelyon againe overe arging his Sword with his vnmeasurable strength brake the same which so vexed him that he rusht vpon Meâ—sus to haue closed but he knowing his intent avoided him and before he could turne about gaue him some bloâ—es which pierced so his Armour and flesh the bloud ranne downe Montelyon hauing the hilt of his broken Sword still in his hand flung the same with such violence that lighting short on Mensus Horse head strookâ— him downe dead his master having much adoe to get from him without harme whilest Mensus was mounting himselfe on a fresh Stéed Montelyons Squire had brought him the Sword that was given him by the Hesperian Nymphes which when he grasped he said Had I armed my selfe with thée my Foes had felt
thy life shall not satisfie the dishonour thou hast done vs. With that he drew his Sword and he starting from his bed to reach his to defend himselfe in which time the K. of Armenia catching hold on her as she lay drew her forth into the floore where beholding her he was then much more enraged being ready to kill her but that the King of Macedonia prevented him who likewise séeing her stood as one amased whilest she hasted to apparell her selfe and ran from thence vnto the Pallace The King of Armenia vowing revenge went from the Macedonian Tent and presently caused his Drum to strike vp Alarum and commanded his Souldiers to destroy the Macedonians who according to his command suddenly set vpon them that there began an excéeding slaughter amongst them The Emperor having newes thereof supposing the cause had béen for the losse of Philotheta commanded two of his knights to goe vnto either of them and desire them to be pacified vntill they had discovered their griefes to him which he could easily remedy if not he would become a friend to one of them The messengers found them both together in single combat and delivered their Message but it was long before either of them would goe to him yet at last they went both To whom Delfurno said My Lords I beléeue your strife ariseth from the losse of Philotheta if that be the cause contend no longer for as you were both willing I should enjoy her so I haue this night had possession of her life being lawfully married vnto her at Barnards Cell The King of Armenia what with rage and jealousie not well knowing what he did drew the Curtaines and discovered their viewes the Quéene of Macedonia who séeing her Honour so betrayed lay quits bereft of sence but comming againe to her selfe she cryed out for pardon alleadging she was betrayed but there was now no time of parley for all of them were enraged and as well Delfurno as the rest betooke themselues to Armes But the Quéene of Macedonia humbling her selfe at her husbands féet Said Both you my selfe and all of vs are deceived Honorius yesternight declared vnto me that you intended privily to carry Philotheta from hence I requested him to counsell me how to prevent you whereupon he told me that you had appointed to méet with him and her at Barnards Cell and for his Passe he had received your Signet which at my earnest intreaty he delivered me I thinking to surprize you there came thither where the Emperour as I now perceiue met me whom I tooke to be your selfe and he taking me to be Philotheta that went to Bernards Cell I still concealed my selfe thinking I had not offended but now I sée I am betrayed Lady qd he I willingly pardon this fault having committed the same with the Quéen of Armenia and in the same manner deceived by Honorius The Emperor hearing that sent a Messenger to sée if Philotheta were in the Court but he returned newes that both she and Honorius were not to be found The Emperor then said that knight hath dereived vs all therfore let vs be friends Contented qd the King of Macedonia By heaven qd the King of Armenia I will not beare this dishonour but be revenged to the full and cause thâ—e to repent that ever thou sufferedst such dishonour to Armenia The King of Macedonia could not brooke his words but in a rage made this reply I know quoth he thou art a tyrant and regardest not the lawes humain nor divine as may be séen by the vnjust title thou layest to the Crowne of Assyria which is forged and were it not to revenge my Daughters dishonour and Sons death I would not haue offered armes against that worthy King Therefore since thou art so peremptory doe thy worst for I regard thée not The King of Armenia went from thence setting vpon the Macedonians And the King of Macedonia forsooke his Tents to defend himselfe The Emperor presently commanded his Forces to march forth of the City CHAP. XLVI How the Knight of the Oracle and Persicles suddenly issuing out destroyed the whole Armenian Hoast MOntelyon knowing that some stratageme would follow his last nights policy after he had submitted himselfe to his Parents the Emperor he armed himselfe in the armour which was given him by the Hesperian Nymshs presently mounted himselfe leading his sixty thousand Souldiers forth of the City which likewise he performed before the Emperor or Persicles heard therof who at last being certified sent for him to know the cause this night qd he shall we surprize our Enemies who are now together by the cares within themselues Persicles thereupon armed himselfe and Deloratus Pisor Cothanes and many other Knights of great estéeme marching thither wards where they heard such cruell alarums as though the City had béen vtterly destroyed And being come néere the City they beheld the Emperour in the field to whom Persicles sent a Herald to certifie him that Persicles was never foe to the Almaigns and therefore sent to know if Delfurno had any quarrell against him Delfurno returned answer that he was never foe to Persicles Montelyon was the first that entred the City and set vpon his enemies with such fury that many of them lost their liues and the day being light discovered such a cruell slaughter as eye hath not beheld The King of Armenia and Macedonia were then in cruell combat together betwixt whom Montelyon stept saying Striue not to destroy one another but defend yâ—ur selues for I am come to doe that They knowing him to be the Knight of the Oracle were so amazed as if they had béene surprized with a sudden trance running seuerall wayes to call backe theirSouldiers from destroying one another to defend themselues but before they could set themselues in any good order the Assyrians were so intermingled amongst them that before they were aware they lost their liues Palian séeing themselues so overtaken perceived it was in vaine to striue for victory stole forth of the City to Delfurno intreating him not to forsake them but he knowing disadvantage had seized on them refused letting him returne without comfort and entring into the City he found his father grievously wounded and ready to yéeld to Montelyons sword at whom he ran with such fury that he wounded him in the thigh Montelyon séeing that and knowing him let driue at him with great courage and continued combat against him whilest the King of Armenia began to withdraw himselfe Montelyon séeing that strooke so forcible a blow at Palian that he astonisht him and with that overtooke the King at the first blow cutting in sunder his wrist which had lost his Gantlet and at the next thrusting his sword quite through his body Palian by this recovered himselfe and looking about â—im beheld his fathers tragedy ayming himselfe to revenge Montelyâ—â— séeing him comming welcommed him with so cruell a blow that his â—â—mour flew in pieces Palian would haue done the like had
accidents that befell EArely the next morning Palian assembled his Counsell to determine what order to take for their security which it behooued them to doe for that their Forces were vtterly discouraged and the Country Inhabitants knowing their lawfull King to be living beganne to reuolt and denyed to ayde Palian either with men or victuals that he was constrained onely to kéepe himselfe within the City Walles not suffering any to issue out or daring indéed to doe it they were so strictly besieged by the Persians When they had well considered their estates and the misery they were likely to fall into they concluded to send into Armenia to certifie the King which Althesus and one Mutellus two Knights of excéeding valour vndertooke to performe the next night Montelyon being in his Tent determining to repose himselfe yet féeling no desire to sléepe calling for the Chronicles of the Warres of Antiochus King of Assyria and spending some houres in reading that History his Squire by his commandement being gone to Bed about the dead time of Night he heard the neighing of a Horse as it séemed to him within the City again reading and again staying to listen his mind being somewhat troubled being as yet in his Armour he gyrded his Sword to his side determining to walke the round to see how diligently the Watch was kept whom he found sléeping as soundly as if they had béene in their quiet Beds maruelling much at their drowsinesse but much more at their carelesnesse he went from place to place not minding that night to sléepe but himselfe would watch for them all He had not long stayed but he espyed two in Armour with hasty though softly steps passing through the Campe on foote whom be little suspected to be any other then of his owne company thinking them to be some straglers that séeing their fellowes in dead sléepe went to robbe following as closely as he could he perceiuing them to depart the Campe but maruelling thereat he drew nigher vnto them intending to know what they were before they departed Althesus and Mutellus espying one to follow them and séeing themselves now without the Campe purposed to lay hold on him with purpose to force him to declare what the Persians intended to doe that turning backe to him Althesus offered to lay hold on him Soft quoth Montelyon let me first know what you are We are enemies vnto thée sayd Althesus and therefore yéeld Tell mée quoth hée your names Althesus knowing himselfe to be of great valour and therefore not to be vnknowne of any Besides little thinking he would haue resisted them told him his name was Althesus Then I defie thée quoth Montelyon for I am thine Enemy and will rather dye then yéeld to thée With that Althesus drew his Sword and strooke at him Montelyon did the like to defend himselfe and afterwards they offended him so much that both he and Mutellus had enough to doe to saue their owne stakes and liues Althesus séeing his valour desired to know his name which Montelyon tolde him Althesus was much disquieted therewith and séeing his companion fallen and faint with effusion of bloud hée thus sayd Knight at this time I cannot stay to end the combat for by hazarding my selfe I should endanger the liues of many therefore farewell vntill more conuenient time to meete thée againe With that he turned his backe and Montelyon stouped to giue his conquered adversary breath which reuiued Mutellus but séeing Althesus gone his heart was ready to dye with griefe Montelyon had him be of comfort for his intent was to vse him honorably with that helping him vp he ledde him to his Tent calling vp his Squire to attend him and disarme him he went presently to Persicles The next day Montelyon caused Mutellus to be carryed before the Generall where hée declared the cause of their departure towards Armenia which Persicles was glad to heare off that by this foreknowledge he might preuent the purposed intent of his enemies but most of all he rejoyced and commended Montelyon for this noble act Which had they not béene discovered might haue brought the whole Campe into great distresse by this meanes every way growing into such loue and admiration of his valour vertue and curtesie that they estéemed their onely defence and felicity consisted in his safety that wheresoever hée went the eyes of multitudes awayted him as being delighted to behold him Mutellus desired Persicles to appoint his ransome but hée committed that to Montelyon who after he had honourably feasted him sent him ransomelesse to the City Mutellus soone got entrance and declared what misfortune had befallen him and Althesus which turned their conceived hope of comfort into despaire which had ouercome them with feare had not some little hope of Althesus escape reuiued them Thus remained they many dayes within the City so hardly besieged that they were out of all hope in getting Victuals but were driuen to content themselves with spare dyet scantling out euery souldier and Inhabitant their allowance Which they continued likewise so long expecting to heare from Armenia that being frustrated they expected nothing but miserable famine which caused them late in the night to assemble all their old weake and impotent men vnable to serue and all Women and Children except some few of account and turned them out of the City to the number of sixtéene thousand whose distressed estate Persicles pittied causing them to haue sufficient food themselues building Cabbins to defend them from the weather Persicles séeing the miserable estate his owne Countrey was in and to what extremity his Subjects were brought and by this also knowing that Palian was not able long to endure but that both he and all those within the City were ready to be famished of whom many were Assyrians that were constrained to that subjection whose estate he pittyed being vnwilling to be guilty of their destruction by the aduice and counsell of those he most estéemed but principally of Deloratus and Montelyon he sent a Herauld vnto Palian with this message that although he did vnjustly vsurpe his Crowne and many other wayes done him intollerable injuries yet pittying the miserable estate he was like to bring the Citizens into by his cruelty he made hâ—m this proffer that notwithstanding he might worke sufficient reuenge by his death whose life was now in his mercy he should without interruption with all his Armenians haue frée liberty to depart out of Assyria The Herauld with this message went vnto the City declaring the cause of his comming Palian assembled his Counsell and returned this answere That what he held was his right by conquest and that would hold scorning he should send any such proffer to him that was well able to defend himselfe and as little regarded his courteous proffer as his malice Wishing him not to stay long least his Fathers comming inflicted a greater punishment vpon him then he could eschew Persicles was excéedingly vexed with his disdainefull reply fearing indéed