freedome and lesse ouer-seers of my actions To a Maske that wee had there wherein I was a Lady came whose ill 't was to fal in loue me and so violently did it flame as it grew dangerous if she were refus'd a womans hate which is the deadliest I was to expect if I consented iust disdaine from my deare selfe I was to merit Hate could not stirre mee to such ill but feare lest it would blaze vnto her hurt made me yeeld some content In these two straites I was if I would haue asked leaue and told the cause it yet might purchase doubt if I denied certaine hurt ensued To auoid both I did kindly vse her and such words spake before my onely loue as I did wish that she should vnderstand while still the other tooke them to her selfe Thus it was well but how could well long last with me from this well grew my worst ill and that ill all my woe for my loues husband grew to doubt his wife which well he might for though she were assured or truly might be of my faith to her yet could shee not but sometime shew dislike that she sought to win me or that she should aspire to be her riuall loue this made that secret deare affection seen which so long had laine close wrapped vp alone in knowledge of our soules Hee had no sooner found this but hee straight studdied by skill to be reueng'd and yet to seeme still ignorant of the plot and thus his wicked practise he began A solemne feast hee made which was to last for twelue whole dayes the reason he alleaged was this an old man once did say whose skill was very great in the Art of Diuination as 't was held that he should neuer liue to fiftie yeares of age which time being then expired this feast for that cause was appointed Many Ladies thither were inuited with their Lords and many knights who were to win faire Ladies and with the rest this amorous Lady came whose welcome to my loue was like hers vnto me I grieud that shee was there because I saw shee did displease her eyes who firmely held my heart The Lord whose name was Redulus neuer shewed better cheere his heart neuer more foule nor thoughts more â—ulled with base fram'd tricks At the first show which was by candle light and neither Masque nor properly any one thing but a mingle of diuers sorts I sate betweene those two whose loues in seuerall kindes I held my Ladies intruth mix'd with a little feare the other in violence heated with dislike I had but one loue yet of force shew'd two faith and sincere affection to my choyce dissembled and a faign'd respect to her had chosen me The husband watching all and catching with as many seuerall watches our close looks as spiders flyes with numbers of her webs then did his wit begin to play that part allotted to it selfe which was to throw a spitefull iarre among vs three which was effected by this diuiliâ—h meanes flouting the Lady whom my soule best loued telling her how shee had made such a choyce hee could not blame her for since hee a Prince a dainty youth a neate and courtly Knight delicate amorous how can hee bee sâ—ene without admiring and then louing yet truely wife said he I better doe deserue your loue since I haue loued but you and you haue many partners in his loue I speake not this for iealousie nor am I angry with it or displeased but onely pitty you who are deceiu'd Courtiers you know will loue choyce of Mistresses alas what lucke haue you to fall into this snare to loue and to be couzened of your loue by one you make your friend and sweet companion iustly yet this is done that you afford your friend a part in all Selinea for so was she deere shee my Lady cal'd knew not at first with what face or in what kind to receiue these words the husband first was the informer the businesse his dishonour the losse hers the fault her louers these call'd her sharpest and best pleased wits to ayde at last shee thus did say My Lord you say you pity me in this kinde were I guilty you had more iust cause to hate me for truth in men except your selfe their truths and falshoods are indifferent to me hauing no further reason to commend prize or dislike them but for vertues sake and so am I in my owne opinion blessed in your loue as I should despaire of blessing if I deseru'd it not in the same height of loyalty for the Prince he hath it is true many noble parts able to win womens affections but yet none such where true worth remaines as to diuert them from a vertuous life since that leaues the name property when it runs to change If I were single it might be I should as soon like him as any other but I lou'd you and loue you neuer to change from that loue therefore I pray you take home your before-giuen pitty and bestow it where it wants since I haue yet no vse of it and continue that loue you did beare me which shall be requited with as lasting a faith in me He who expected rather a curst and sharpe answer then so milde an one tooke her in his armes and kissing her swore hee lou'd her well before but now his heart was wholly hers thus shee as shee hop'd had satisfied him who seem'd contented but his minde was no more then before quieted for then hee went to Melinea and talking with her discoursed how infinitely hee was afflicted with the wrong that Dolorindus did him in his reputation and honour courting of his wife so publikely and striuing to discredit him vnto the world and so vndoe his happinesse at home which hee enioyed while Selinea louâ—d him but now such power had the earnest and importunate loue of the Prince gained ouer her weake powers to resist as hee had made her his But yet sayd Melinea he loues her not assuredly as you imagine Bee not deceiu'd sweet Melinea said Redulus for neuer did man more passionately affect then Dolorindus doth did you but see his sleights nay his passions if they faile you would sweare no man did violently loue but hee his sighs with folded armes and stealing lookes discouers what hee feeles How haue I seene him when he talk'd with you and kiss'd your hand throw euen his soule out at his eyes to her Surely my Lord said shee you cannot see this but you doe speake it onely to trye if I would proue so vnworthy as to ioyne with you in doubt of her who is as good as faire No I protest said hee I speake as I belieue and know but yet I am assur'd that his loue is the greater and the cause that shee did euer bend to thinke of loue A Princes name is able to attract a chast-borne â—aide to know loues heate and force what then can loue and strong affection ioyn'd win on a woman Take
and remained like a distracted creature till she vrging him and he desiring to satisfie her swore they were none of his nor that euer he receiued any from her O miserable man said he thus to be betrayd what haue I done to be thus plagued and insufferably afflicted Alas my deerest I neuer heard from thee neuer writ to thee but if I had sweetnes and loue should haue beene the subiect and not this False Terichillus this I feare comes from thee for this is thy hand I know it is the same in iest that thou wert wont to counterfeit and hast thou practisd it for this vnkind and cruell man Shee seeing his sorrow and his clearenesse receiued much comfort and taking him againe by the hand happy am I my Lord said shee that shall now ende contented blessed in your loue and cleare from the end I fear'd you had sent me be happy my onely deare and liue with all content let that Lady whosoeuer you shall choose loue you no lesse then I doe let her be as iust and loyall but so much more fortunate for your sake as to liue to enioy you longer Had you beene cruell as you were accused falsely my loue had pardoned it and welcommer had my death beene to me sent by you then life if in dislike of you My soule lou'd you and loues you nor euer suffer'd it shewe of dislike against you I had cleerly passed into the other world without blameing you yet am I happy to see you and your truth before I part I must leaue you my onely loue I must goe and yet this I will beseech you to keep of me the memory of your truest loue and let that memory bee put with loue and not moou'd with rage to reuenge these wrongs he hath done you a fauour it may be in keeping you for a worthyer but neuer can you haue a truer He weeping told her he tooke that last ill that shee would say hee could haue a worthier O no said he that cannot be thy worth cannot be equal'd no more then my wrongs reueng'd sufficiently They both wept then spake a little and so tooke their leaues shee seeing his sorrow was afflicted for it he finding it sought to couer it so he kissed her and went out of the chāber with as dying a heart as she had almost no sooner was he gone but she calling her womā to her willed her to burne those papers thē taking ◠ring from off her finger which was a pointed Diamōd she euer wore had vowed to doe so till she died or married charged her to giue it Antonarus then turning her to the other side tell him said she I bequeath this my truest loue and last loue to him so I coniure him to keepe these She went to performe her command he instantly with the rest of the company came in but there they found her dead It was alas too late to recouer her but not to giue a more happy end how hee tooke it onely such a loue can expresse which began but when she was dying and enioyed but in death He instantly left the Court and hearing Terichillus had stollen away vpon his comming guiltinesse condemning him he went in search of him putting on an armour as blacke as his sorrowes so he trauelled cloathed in sorrow accompanied with remembrance of her chast and loyall loue her death the treason that caused it the iniury done him yet her spotlesse affection All these were motiues the more he ran from one to the other still the first held him and wrapt him fast in all Thus he went caught in himselfe till hee met Terichillus in a plaine betweene two hills to whom he sent his Squire who was all his company not to discourse with him but to call him to answere the wrongs done to him and his loue when the Squire came to him hee made no answer but this he had cause to call him to account and he would satisfie him so he prepared himselfe and they met where they fought a cruell fight but Antonarus hauing iustice on his side got so much the better as hee had Terichillus vnder him and at his mercy which when he had confest asked pardon of him for his fault he tooke him vp with these words Rise Terichillus thy shame and conscience are sufficient reuengers I will not shed thy bloud which cannot cleanse so foule a fault or satisfie for losse of her so chaste and immaculate make it more cleare and purer if thou canst with true repentance while mine eyes and heart drops fulfill and serue for her funerall Then leap'd he vpon his horse leauing my brother hurt and wounded more with scorne and hate of himselfe so to be saued then kindly thanking him that had done it Away Antonarus posted and came into Morauia to visit me who indeed was onely his seruant Infant Loue on my side haueing made me so he stayd not long but told me all this story for which I lou'd him better then before gratefulnesse hauing large command ouer my hart Hee neuer by my words had knowledge of my loue to him till two yeares after passing by that way and priuately desiring to see me vnfortunately for vs both I did confesse it hee embraced it and so wee lou'd my brother still continuing his hate but in my Fathers time of life did make no publique shew of it Vpon the death of him he tooke the title and first began with open proclamations of his hate and the first forbidding me his company yet where were these proclaimd but in his house and to his priuate friends yet I went further and did warne my loue of him this was the cause hee came not in his sight nor to his knowledge and in hunts-mans habit was the last time I did see him for my brother returned with his wife the watches were made new and stronger ouer me yet loue made them fruitles for on a time appointed we met and meant to keepe together then boldly I writ to my brother telling him what I had done and that I hoped he would excuse me since I had taken him for my husband whom loue and youth had chosen for mee and now was gone with him whom most I loued to liue with and whom I now was happily to obay My brother grew infinitely inraged with this and straight sent out many horses to stay and interrupt our passage but in vaine for we were passed and had laid such spies for them as kept vs free Into Selesia we came finding and bringing with me all content in hauing my owne hearts desire with me Antonarus welcommed me with gift of all his estate I returned that to him againe taking a farre greater as I esteemd it which was himselfe and his true loue my best and only fortune Terichillus this while imagined himself highly iniured wherefore he sent Antonarus word that so ill he tooke this affront as he would with armes regaine his honour touched He replied that
may lawfully repent and necessarily also but Loue my ruler commanded and I obeyed I could in my selfe say why should I yeeld I must deny but when I saw him my soule flew to him he but asked and I yeelded yet this I repent not but a vanity I had about mee which because once liked by him and admired by our Sexe or those of thâ—m that I durst make my follies seene vnto a fond humour of writing I had set downe some things in an idle Booke I had written which when hee saw hee thought touched or came too neere or I imagine so because in some places he had turnd downe leaues and onely at such as he might if hee would dislike and were those I thought hee would take notice of yet he neither did by word nor writing not honouring me so much who was his slaue as to finde fault or to seeme pleasd I was me thought left to coniecture and the further I went in such coniecture I runne into feare and sorrow that I had offended yet I can cleare my selfe if I might come to answere but I cannot not could so as finding my selfe thus miserable I tooke my Pilgrymage willingly What could you say to offend In troth Madam said shee I discouer'd how neere I was to bee an ordinary louer after losse which is to grow neighbour if not inhabiter with hate and some two Poeticall and neate expressions I made of it yet I came off though hurt as it seemes in the action but let him make the case his owne and I doubt hee will rather cut the cord then vntye the knots but I haue done I forgiue all and wish hee will also doe so with mee I pray for him and truely without faigning I loue him for all this firmely and shall doe let him vse his worst in scorne which he hath prettily practis'd I thinke hee can neither shew nor assure my selfe study that cruelty which can make me hate him nay in earnest leaue louing though it may bee I haue err'd in saying so boasting rather then hauing such strength for which great loue and you dearest beloued pardon mee I aske it with a repentant and clensed heart and if it please you remember what cause you gaue if not nobly forgiue Perselina found in her selfe she should neuer come to that excellency of constancy wherfore she admired thogh scarce commended her richnes in that plenty and fulnesse being call'd by Rosindy left the constant Lady to her vertuous vowes and religious truth who liued the rest as she had begun her dayes in feruent zeale and affection The King and Queene with the delicate Princesse arriuâ—ng soone after in Macedon where they rul'd both with power and loue loued with feare because they fear'd they could not loue enough the young Princesse soone after tooke her minde and former resolution marrying her selfe with her chosen loue some busines there was before it could bee effected but the effect came happily to their owne resolutions conclusion peace the Nurse of loue was among them Philarchos with Orilena going for Mytelin met a Ship riding or rather floating for vnguided she was vnrul'd and vnman'd tumbling vp and downe like the Boates boyes make of paper and play withall vpon little brookes onely a Dogge to shew some liue creature was in her came on the hatches and walk'd with much grauity like an officer or kinde of watchfull seruant he bark't not nor fawningly sought ayde by leaping whining shaking his head or wagging his tayle or other such dog-like expressions but look'd soberly entertainingly like a steward on the strangers the Prince came and laid the Ship aboord when Philarchos saw none but this guardian he leap'd into her and some of his Knights with him the Dogge look'd on them and as one might say discreetly went before them as their guide into a Cabin where a Lady lay on the ground weeping and wringing her hands all in mourning and more sorrowfull yet in her illustrious expression then the mourning could shew mournfull and therefore shee more then their habits mourn'd Shee onely look'd vp and cast her eyes downe againe and her face against the ground crying Alas haue I not beene miserable enough must I in this assured quiet bee molested can I not haue a restfull dying time allow'd me shall not the Sea nor a cast-away Barque haue power to let mee dye in peace then yet endure more and know thou must poore woman dye as liue in perturbation Philarchos went to her tooke her by the arme and gently lifted her vp a little vsing these wordes none heâ—re purposeth to molest you wee are and will bee rather your seruants then disquieters by chance we came to succour you and now by resolution will if you please to accept of it Sir said she your noble disposition appeares in this and God I hope will reward you for it I am so lamentable a soule and so vnable to thinke of ability though gratefulnesse rules mee as I am onely able to pray for you and that I will not faile to doe but Sir you must leaue mee for I am appointed to dye and by him that hath power to doe it if he had but onely commanded me without leauing me to this assurance There is no necessity saith Philarchos in obeying you in this who though condemn'd as it seemes by a power ouer you gouernes not vs nor can though soueraiguize ouer you subiect vs to his law therefore I will not obey him nor you in this fortune brought me fortunately to the finding you shee shall likewise bring you to life for wee will saue you you are our prey we will not in complement let you destroy your selfe it seemes you are dead to those condem'd you you may yet lawfully liue to vs that redeeme you howsoeuer bee confident wee will conduct you hence and place you somewhere where you shall bee safe from a certaine ruine That will more ruine mee cryed shee when I shall bee bar'd from obeying him whom I must euer obserue What obligation binds you said hee Soueraignty of Loue said she and loyall subiection to his will Tyes said Philarchos fit to bee durable and affection indure but else a bargaine is not to bee made onely of one side you are free when hee breakes to dye said shee neuer to liue disobedient to him who is my Lord. The Prince knew such things as loue and loyalty were or had beene yet hee was willing to diuert her from those courses because running to perill and therefore hee replyed these were the expressions of purest zeale in loue but loue was neuer ordained to be such a monster as to destroy if hurt by change tryall iudicially should helpe not harme directly pursue Shee sigh'd and lamented Hee comforted and disputed at last tooke her vp partly by will partly by force from the ground and carried her to his dearest Orilena who kindly like a braue noble Lady welcom'd her her Dogge would not part from her
his owne Country a fine young Gentleman and who had in curtesie conducted the Lady of Rodes after her cruell fortune in the refusall of Polarchos and being intreated by the soueraignizing Queen to make relation of her end hauing heard part before by Pamphilia he did it in this sort Loue or rather the ill flower of Loue which you most incomperable Queene can know neither being so much in power aboue the highest reach of his passions which are rather your Subiects then molesters so ouer-ruled in that miserable Lady as after Polarchos was with all his curstnes gone she tooke her way also but whither shee much cared not nor look'd she for any company to attend her those that came with her dispearsed some one way some another leauing her as her fortune had done in all dispaires for who euer alone indures one mischeife I tooke pitty on her and although my way was contrary and I then almost at home yet rather then she should be distressed in such a kind of want I offered my selfe and she though not very willing to company accepted of my seruice most I thinke because she would haue some body to discourse withall and well had she happened on mee for shee could say nothing against men that I had not as much or more to speake against women She could not say Polarchos had beene curst or vnkind but I cold haue said my Mistris had beene false and so most cruell if Polarchos left her vpon cause mine forsooke me causlesly She could not complaine but I was neere rayling so as with all the wranglings and dislikes of both Sexes we trauel'd yet the better I euer had of her though in losse for shee was forced to confesse her's was the fault and with that so often done penitently at last agree'd with mee that Man was the constanter of the two vncertainties When wee had passâ—d the Gulfe of Lepanto and the necke of land betweene Morea and Achaia that we were got againe to Sea into the Archepelago in one of those little Islands we were forced to stay for she grew so weake what with trauell want of food for she would take no sustenance and her perpetuall sorrow which wrought incessantly in her so as she could no longer without rest sustaine nor so but to her eternall rest for there shee dyed desiring mee to bury her there and then to let Polarchos know her end for his vnkindnes to whom she gaue her Country for due she said to him beseeching him to accept of it as the gift of his repentant Loue making so louing an end as Cupid was surely forced vpon that to pardon all things past and place her in one of his highest ranckes of his Court. Iust as she dyed came thither an other Lady discontented likewise but in a maruelous strange sort my eares were now open to all complaints and complayners wherefore I gaue her the hearing who discoursed in this manner I was borne said she in Pantaleria bred in the seruice of Vrania now Queene of Albania the most excellent and famous of women I was with her enchanted in Ciprus and in her seruice being Daughter to her supposed Father I fell in loue with one Allimarlus of Romania a man fit for a greater womans loue but my fortune it was to winne it and surely if I flatter not my selfe too grosly I deserued it but indeed I did commit some faults but what were they only out of Loue and feare of losse from whence they proceeded such errors were rather to be commended then condemned but where loue failes a little matter is made great and nothing pleaseth when distast is taken I cannot truely for all this taxe him of much inconstancy yet so far he was faulty in it as I know he had a Lady in chase whether his loue to her or gratefulnes in him to her had beene the cause of it I cannot guesse I was tormented in soule withall I cryd to him about it He mildly and coldly enough told me my suspitions made my disquiets and bad me be satisfied for he lou'd me still and thus I could gaine no more of him nor durst I vrge for intruth besides loue I was in awe of him fearing his very frowne though on others no Louer euer longed more for the sight of his loue then I did stil to see him if absent but one day yet when I saw him I was in paine and knew not scarce what I did I was so desirous to please as I was amazed and distemper'd not being able resolutly to call for any thing to eate any thing to speake any sence blush and then looke pale and be in such a case as many dayes after scarce recouer'd me Lord how haue I accused my selfe for it but what remedy passion ouerruled my iudgement and when I should haue beene best and looked best the very extreamity of my loue made me worse then ordenarily I was then that troubled me and trouble made me worse so as I was oft times in a straight whither I were best be a meanes to see him often or let his visitations and meetings be by chance But when I considered he might take that amisse and so I should runne into iust dislike for our parts as women Louers are to obserue so as I continued like one ready still to goe to execution condemn'd but repriu'd more then I studied how I might gaine his loue sure to me of purpose I went and made my selfe so deere with the Lady who had sure testimony of his liberall affections as I was made of her Counsell and vsed in carrying the busines so as her honour might bee saued for shee was in that kind in danger I tooke such a course as shee was deliuered of that care this I did conueied away by diligence all suspition I know not what name this seruice merited me but all things were as they should bee and so secretly as no mistrust at all was of her The Lady in troth I could not but so much loue as I was sorry as shee likewise was at any time to part with mee in the face of parting me thought I saw my Allimarlus his leauing me whom he loued and after I accused for slighting her as much as I did before for being restrained in this manner to me for desert should euer merrit reward in what place soeuer but men care no longer then their desires be answered said shee otherwise I had bin better rewarded I haue had cause to giue trial of my faith and he hath found it yet am but more and more wretched When I felt my selfe with such neglect coupled as after I did I tould him of it he sate vpon my bed side but awhile gaue me not a word at last he spoke some few as drawne by necessity from him and bid me be carefull of my selfe and not bring more harme I told him I would be so were it but for that command's sake which must bee as his aboue all things
sensibly doe know the blessing you inioy But what will you doe when she shall leaue you leaue this pleasure pine starue and die with so great miserie Alas I pity you for such a change will bee And what wilt thou sweet Iland doe let in the sea be drown'd and lose thy pleasant solitarines Hauing thus said he left the desolate rock and went to meete her who with equall loue and kindnesse met him such indeed was their affection as can be expressed by nothing but it selfe which was most excellent When the first passion was past which ioy gouern'd for sight loue taking the place of speech Ah Vrania said he how did the Sun show himselfe in his brigâ—teâ—t and most glorious habits to entertaine thee in these meades coueting to win thy fauour by his richnesse triumphing in his hope of gaine What mou'd thy sight then in my soule Think you not it grew to rauishing of my sences The Sunne said she shin'd mee thought most on you being as if so fond as he did giue himselfe to be your seruant circling you about as if he meant that you should be the body and himselfe serue for your beames With that he tooke her hand and with an affectionate soule kissed it then went they together to the Caue where the two yong sauage Princes and their Sister attended them then did they priuately bury the old King promising if businesses went well that they by Parselius fauour might recouer their right to fetch his worthy body and lay it with the other famous Kings of Albania This being agreed vpon they went out of the Caue Steriamus and Selarinu for so the yong Princes were called went first in their sauage habits which they resolued to weare till they came where they might fit themselues with apparell and Armes befitting their Estates Parselius then promising to knight them Next after them went the Morean Prince leading Vrania and she holding Selarina by the hand Being come into the Plaine Parselius againe speaking to Vrania vrged the likely-hood of her being the lost Princesse besides assuring her howsoeuer of no lower an Estate if she would goe with him She made him this answer A Prince said she can demand or promise but Princely things I beleeue you to be so because you say so and that face me thinkes should not dissemble out of this I credit you and so consent to goe with you then nobly and vertuously as I trust you dispose of me He casting vp his eyes to Heauen Let me nor my attempts prosper said he when I breake faith and vertuous respect to you now let vs to the Ship Nay I beseech you first said shee permit me to take my leaue of my good friends and formerly supposed Parents lest my absence bring their death if ignorant of my fortune besides wee will carry the mantle and purse with vs. He soone agreed vnto it and so together they went to the house the late abiding of the matchlesse Shepherdesse where they found the good old folkes sitting together before the doore expecting the returne of Vrania But when they saw her come so accompanied they wondred at it and though poore yet were they ciuill wherefore they went towards them and hearing by the faire Shepherdesse who the Princes were kneeled downe and would haue kissed the hand of Parselius but he who respected them for their care of Vrania would not permit them to doe so much reuerence lifting them vp and imbracing them told them the same story of his trauell and cause thereof as he had done to Vrania and then concluded that the likelihood of her being that sought for Princesse was the reason why they agreed to goe together he promising to conduct her safely into Italy and if she proued the Princesse to deliuer her to her father which verily he beleeued he should doe and seldome doe mens imaginations in that kind faile especially hauing so good grounds to lay their hopes vpon The old folkes sorry to part with Vrania yet knowing she was not ordain'd to tarry with them would not seeme to contradict their wills wherefore fetching the mantle and purse with the little writing deliuered them to Vrania whose good disposition was such as she could not refraine from teares when shee parted with them they wishing their age would haue permitted them to haue attended her but being feeble it was not for them to trauell especially to go so vncertaine a iourney but in their place they desired their daughter might serue her which she willingly consented to Thus euerything concluded they tooke their leaues and way to the Ship which they found where Parselius had left her but not as hee had parted from her for much more company was in her and a strange encounter he found his Seruants Prisoners his Armes possess'd and all his goods in the hands of a Pirat yet had he gouern'd it so as this mis-aduenture was not dicouer'd till they were aboord Parselius alone in regard of his company and some women would neuerthelesse haue ventured his life to haue kept Vrania free such was his loue by none to be surpassed his compassion likewise was great on the other Princesse in himselfe feeling the iust cause as he thought they had to mistrust him and his promises to be value-lesse this accident being the first of their hoped for ioyes But shee whose truth in beliefe would not permit her to haue the least part of suspition to enter much lesse lodge in her breast against him hindered that braue but doubtfull attempt vsing these speeches to him Be satisfied my dearest friend said she and hazard not your selfe in this kinde seeking to alter what is ordain'd by Fate and therefore not to be changed but rather giue vs example as confidently and mildly to suffer this aduersity as happily we might haue enioyed the other we expected He onely with a languishing but to her louing looke answer'd her when the Pirat contrarie to their expectation came and kneeling downe before Vrania vsed these words Let not fairest Princesse this accident trouble you since your imprisonment shall bee no other then the command of mee and mine neither most noble Sir be you or these other offendedâ— for sooner will I doe violence on my selfe then any way wrong those that come with this Lady Bee patient and you shall soone see the cause of my taking this noble prey this said he rose and placing them all on fine seats in the Cabine where lately the Prince had sate free from both the bands of loue and imprisonment himselfe sitting before them began his discourse in this manner while the ship vnder saile was guided the way which he directed the Pilar My name said he is Sandringall borne and bred in the land of Romania being seruant to the King thereof this King liued long as one may say the fauorite of fortune being blest in his gouernment with peace and loue of his people but principally happy in two children a son and a
forgot first to cleere it But I pray Antissia what doe you see in mee that I should loue Amphilanthus more then respectiuely This said she that all perfections hauing ioynd and vnited their strengths to make you wholly excellent it cannot bee but you in all things must manifest it and in iudgement are you not cald to expresse it And if in iudgement wherein can there be more discern'd then in the choice of friend or Loue If so can you chuse other then the most deseruing and then must it not bee the most excellent of men and is not Amphilanthus that most excelling Prince In truth answered Pamphilia I confesse this latter part to be true for assuredly there liues not his equall for all vertues which well might make me if I were such a one as you say to haue that ambition in mee to affect the worthiest but so much perfection I waâ—â— as that part hath faild also in me yet this I will say I loue him as hee merits long conuersation as from our youthes besides our bloud claiming an extraordinary respect You will not deny you are in loue with him then Why should I not said shee I 'm sure I know my owne heart best and truly so farre is it from suffring in this passion as it grieues mee you mistake mee so much but Lord what strange and dangerous thoughts doth this bring into our brests Could any but a Louer haue so troublesome a conceite Why sweet Antissia when did this opinion first possesse you or what gaue you occasion to conceiue it Hath my speech at any time betray'd mee Hath my fashion giuen you cause to suspect it Did I euer enuiously like a Louer seeke to hinder your enioying him Did I vnmannerly presse into your companies Some of this surely I must haue done or you vniustly accuse me None of these could you faile in cride shee so great a wit and matchlesse a spirit would gouerne themselues better then to offend in such fond parts but the reason I haue already giuen being equall excellencies and the beliefe proceeds from this that mee thought you did with as feeling an affection accompany my sorrow when he went away and more neerely I imagined by your fashion it toucht you then pity of my griefe could haue procured Then I considered my eyes had been so fortunate as to looke vpon the best why then should not the best of our sex also looke on the rarest obiect and looking so must not the same conclusion be that beholding as I did loue must come in and conquer as on me so then looking with my eyes of force you must loue him What a progrâ—sse said Pamphilia hath your troubled imagination made to find a poore cause to forge a poorer vexation If all these things were true and that I lou'd Amphilanthus what then were it any more then my extremest torment when I should see his affections otherwise placed the impossibility of winning him from a worthy loue the vnblessed destiny of my poore vnblessed life to faâ—l into such a misery the continuall affâ—ictions of bâ—rning loue the fier of iust rage against my owne eies the hatred of my brest for letting in so destroying a guest that ruines where he comes these were all and these alone touching me in all disquiets Whaâ— need should they haue to molest you since so perfectly you are assur'd of his loue as you need feare no occasion nor any body to wrong you in that wherein he will not wrong his worthy choice and constancy What harme then could it be to you if you should loue him The losse of my content since that your loue said Antissia must not be refus'd but sought and if obtaind wo be to any other that aspires to that place better neuer to be borne then know the birth of so much folly as to aduenture to be a riuall with the rarest Princesse Pamphilia therefore knowing this harme I had rather you did not loue him Well then be satisfied said the sweet but sad Pamphilia my loue to him procâ—eds from his neuer enough praised merits but not for loue otherwise then I haue already exprest Aâ—tissia was with this answer thorowly satisfied taking the Princesse in her armes protesting her life too little to pay for requitall for this royall freedome she had found in her and theâ— fauour receiued from her expressing then her loue in the best manner she could plainely making confession of all to her concluding that had not her incomparable vertue bound her best respects to her yet the resemblance which shee had in her face of that famous Prince and her onely beloued would haue forced her to loue her The delicate Lady told her shee could not better please her then in telling her she did resemble him since then she was sure she was like to true vertue for he was of that the onely body but this loue and his dependances doe so vex vs as they take away all other societie to amend which let vs returne to the Court said she I am contented said Antissia So rising and holding each other by the arme with as much loue as loue in them could â—oyne they tooke their way backe towards the Palace but in the great Garden they met the King and Queene so they attended backe on them into the Hall whither they were no sooner come and setled in their places but they were entertained with this aduenture Tenne Knights comming in russet Armours their Beaâ—ers vp their Swords in their hands who comming more then halfe way to the State making low reuerence stood still parting themselues to either side of the Chamber to let the followers better be discerned Then came tenne more but in blacke Armours chain'd together without Helmets or Swords After them came sixe armed like the first three carrying Speares of infinite bignesse one the Sheild and the other two the Sword and Helmet of a Knight who for countenance seem'd no louer his colour like a Moore his fashion rude and proud following after these sixe who as the first diuided themselues Then came this man to the State leading by the hand as sweete a Ladie as hee was vgly shee as milde in countenance as hee insolent shee as fearefull as hee bold on the other hand of her another Knigâ—â— sad but it seem'd amorous The King and all the Court beholding and expecting the issue of this busines when the stout man in a hollow and hoarse voice deliuered these words King of Morea I am Lansaritano whose fame I doubt not hath spread it selfe to your eares Lord I am of the Ilands of Cerigo Dragonero and other lesser circkling my chiefe Iland as subiects to my greatnes This Lady you see here is my vassall by birth but by my choice honour'd with my loue which she foolishly refuseth iudgement so farre failing her as not to be able to discerne the happinesse and vnspeakable good blind Fortune hath giuen her in letting my high noble thoughts abase
though abus'd by her and sham'd in her Leandrus went to him and kindly offerd his seruice if he needed it Hee casting vp his weeping eyes in teares thankt him but said One man was enough to suffer in so slight a cause and so vndeseruing a creature He desired to know the matter He answerd he had lou'd a Lady she had done the like to him or made him thinke so but hauing what shee would she had changed and not only so but giuen her selfe to his enemy being first betrothed vnto him and in that time he was prouiding for the marriage married the other and this is the cause of my torment hither I am come to reuenge my selfe of him and in him of her if shee loue him still They are in a strong Castle of his where they merrily liue while I am miserably vexed with tortures and dishonour the worst of torments What was the originall cause of his malice Truly Sir this cruelty hee vseth but to mee as belonging to my destiny Neglected I haue been of my friends for bearing this disgrace from mine enemy and the hater of all my Countrie the reason of his hatred to vs proceeding from this The King of Morea in his youth was a braue man at Armes and followed and finished many aduentures by chance at a great Iust held in Achaia for ioy of the birth of the Kings son cald Leandrus as after I heard he was and proou'd a Prince worthily deseruing the ioy then shewed for receiuing of him This Lords father was likewise there and encountring the King was by him throwne to the ground which disgrace hee took so heauily as he would haue reuenged it with his sword but that being forbidden the end of those triumphes reaching no further then sport discontented and burning in rage hee went thence watching when the King returnd in his iourney in this very place he set vpon him troopes of his comming all these seuerall waies and at once charging him who onely for his pleasure had sent his greatest company before him following with two Knights and their Squires but in this conflict the King got so much of the victorie as hee slew his Enemie with his owne hands but could not keepe himselfe from being taken prisoner and carried almost to the Castle whither if hee had gone without doubt hee had thence neuer returnd But the Squires seeing his distresse and the death of the other two their Masters ran euerie one a seuerall way till they got a good number of the traine together who with all speed and fury pursued them ouertaking them hard by the Castle and taking their Lord from them most being kill'd some few got into the hold where relating their vnlucky aduenture the wife of the slaine Lord and Mother to this Lord hauing as great a spirit as any woman breathing made a vow to bee reuenged of all the Court of Morea of the King and his posterity especially And this she hath hitherto performed with great cruelty her sonne hauing beene nursed in this hatred doth likewise continue it with more violence as his spirit is so much greater as commonly a mans is in respect of a womans and this is the cause why hee hateth all the Moreans of which countrey I am borne in Corinth my heart truely scorning him for his other iniury done mee am inuited hither for these two reasons to bee reuenged on him Leandrus thank'd him for his discourse but told him hee had by it made him long to try if hee could bee made a Prisoner also for so iust a cause or deliuer those so vniustly inclosed and the rather said hee to serue one so much iniuried as your selfe whose quarrell lay on mee and doe you defend the honor of your King and Country shee not being worth fighting for Hee answered that was true yet his honor hee esteemd worth cleering and that calld vpon him While they were thus discoursing the Lord and the false Lady came louingly hand in hand together downe one of the paths shee smiling in his eyes and want only courting him seeking to giue him occasion of mirth but hee went on like a man to whom ill was succeeding hee had some seruants with him arm'd and his owne armour was likewise carried by him if hee should haue any occasion suddenly to vse it hee was of a cleere and pleasing complexion a person amiable and louâ—ly curld hayre fayre eyes and so iudiciall a countenance as might haue made the worthiest woman like him and so well hee deseru'd as it was pitty hee fell into her hands who vndid both his minde and bodie making him as wicked as her selfe which was the worst of her sex He looked vpon her with loue but his speech was sparing either that naturally he had not store of words or his inward heauinesse at that time made him silent When he came neere the fountaine Clarimatto approched to him My Lord said he I am sure you know the cause of my comming into these parts if not examine your heart and that will tell you the iniuries you haue donâ— me or if that be so impure or partiall as it will not for offending bee true to so false a master behold this creature by you your shame and mine and in her forehead the faire field of our disgrace you shall see it written in spots of infamy and wrong The Lord knew his face and with it the offence therefore answered him thus Sir said he if on these conditions I acknowledge the vnderstanding of your rage I should make my selfe guilty of what I am free from to my knowledge I neuer wronged any if vnwillingly I made amends and am ready so to doe Can you giue mee my honour againe throwne to the ground by you and your inâ—atiable Loue cride he You wrong vs both said he and this shall be the Ground of my reuenge and answer to you with that he arm'd himselfe shee crying to him not to aduenture his deare selfe against that stranger whom she knew full well shee kneeled to him held him by the leggs kissed them gazed on him in termes call'd him dearest All would not serue he encountred his enemy and truly was he iustly made so by his owne ill deseruing They fought like two one hauing got and earnest to keepe a Mistris the other hauing lost and reuengfull to gaine his honour and kill his Riuall and Vndoer in his Loue at last the true cause got the vpper hand and the Lord came to the lower side of Victory which the seruants perceiuing rushed all vpon Clarimatto Leandrus finding the wrong they offer'd and the other was like to suffer stepp'd in to his rescue A fight was among these performed fit and onely the prize of Loue fit to be the end of it Clarimatto nimble valiant and hauing Iustice on his side fought accordingly and so as the Lord hauing lost much bloud out of two wounds giuen him by his foe nor had he escaped free but was hurt in
he had rather in his opinion done him honor to match with him nor did he do it for other cause then his affection which begun in our youths had growne to this perfection therefore he intreated him rather with loue then Armes to end the businesse if not hee would prepare to attend his comming as hee pleased Within some few moneths Terichillus with an army entred Selesia but onely enterd it when an army led by Polisander brother to Antonarus met him giuing him batâ—aile and life also for he in an encounter might haue killed him but mercy more then iudgement gouernd him so as he spared him on condition the warres should cease which he promised and a firme league should be made between vs which Polisander should haue the glory of Thus agreed hee came with him where wee were Armes dismist and swords laid downe he was nobly entertaind and receiued by Antonarus who ment truth and after some dayes were passed an oath of friendship was taken of both sides Then Terichillus returnd into his Country of Morauia Polisander bringing him to the confines thereof there committing him to his owne safetie Antonarus was glad of this conclusion because it ioyed me and I for his quiet did reioyce One whole yeare this lasted in which time we had a sonne after whose birth and my recouery againe Terichillus inuited vs vnto his Court with all loue or better to say show of it we belieuing went thither trusting as not meaning to bee false Into Polisanders hands my Lord put the gouernment of the State and also to him gaue the charge of his sonne and well might he doe it for a more noble honest man liues not then he is Into Morauia we went met we were in the confines by noble men and Ladies and still by more and greater till wee arriued at the Court where at the gate my brother and his wife met vs no state nor welcome wanted which outward testimony could expresse nor doubted we but like the silly birds who hearing the sweet singing of other birds set for stales thinking by that mirth they had no imprisonment fall by innocent beliefe into the nets so did we seeing smiles and hearing nothing but welcome and ioy speake grew confident and bold vpon our harmes Some daies wee staid there Feasts Tiltings and all brauerie that the Court could yeeld shewed it selfe vnto vs. After those sports were past Terichillus would haue vs goe a hunting which we did for two daies hauing excellent good great variety of sport the third day we also were to goe and conclude our delights which indeede wee did for in a great Wood and the same where my Antonarus was accustomed when hee was a Huntsman to bide in and from whence I heard his Horne which was the signe of his being there and of call for me to him this vnnaturall man Terichillus for longer I cannot call him brother had laid traytors in ambush with command to execute his will he in the meane time telling vs that a mighty Stagge was within harbored of purpose for vs. Then carried he vs into the thickest of it placing the traine on the out-side farre enough from helpe or hinderance with him wee went to rouse the Deere and so we did the too costly beasts that murdered my content for then they shewd themselues suddenly rushing on Antonarus who had onely a little hunting sword by his side with which he killed one but they many soone possest themselues of his sword and him Then Terichillus reuiled and scoffed at him and me telling vs that here was a youth had wont to walke those Woods and call a Nimph vnto him by his Horne but Satyrs found their wantonnesse and so had vowed reuenge and thus doe we said he Then those men who were disguised in that shape and the fittest for so sauage an act murdered him making mee behold the cruelty for the greater torture When all was done which ended with his life they went away lifting the body only vp vpon a horse and setting me vpon mine owne againe gaue me the bridle of the other to leade with me as the substance and demonstration of my miserie Out of the Wood I went with this pitifull and yet my beloued companion excessiue sorrow had so shut vp my senses as I wept not at the instant nor till I was to tell the Tragedy which was presently after my comming into the Plaine meeting some of the Selesians who accompanied me in mourning little else we could doe for in the County where the murderer ruled and alas our company a handfull in comparison of his people what could we doe but weepe and wish Then got we our small troope together and with as much hafte as our heauinesse could allow vs wee gained the Country of Selesia to Polisander we related this villany whose sorrow and sadnesse was such as hee was not able to giue or take counsell sometimes hee did purpose to râ—uenge this treachery himselfe cursing himselfe for sparing the murderer when he might haue killed him blaming his Fortune that let him liue to slay his brother lamenting the time he made the reconsiliation accusing himselfe as much as Terichillus for hauing been the vnfortunate instrument of this mischiefe Alas said de how happy had Selesia been if I had been slaine in the battaile and how more blessed I that had not liued to see this day deare Antonarus hath thy brother beloued so much of thee been cause of thy losse accursed creature that I am yet pardon mee deare brother I lament thy death as much as heart can doe Selesia yours is the losse vnrecouerable in loosing such a Prince punish me then I am ready and dearest Sister cry'd he take this life from mee how can you see mee who brought your worthy Lord into this misfortune O Antonarus my soule dies for thee His infinite griefe was such as most were forced to watch him lest he made himselfe away yet such was and is his vertue as I hope will protect him from vsing violence on himselfe Much adoe we had to perswade him from going into Morauia to reuenge his brother but at last I gained thus much of him to leaue the reueng to meâ— whose loâ—se was greatest and cause demaunds most pitty to gaine some braue Prince to right me vpon counsell and my petition he granted it whereupon I put on these robes he prouiding this Chariot and all other things necessary for our iourney appoynting the mourning in this kind The same day that I tooke my iourney hee proclaimed my sonne heire and Prince of Selesia himselfe protector and so haue I traueled now two months Terichillus giuing me leaue to passe through this part of his Country to goe to finde a Knight whose vallour and pitty will assist me To find you most braue and excellent King I tooke my way with hope to beg such a fauor of you whose compassion and worth all toungs speake of and harts admire none but magnifying Amphilanthus
that time to aduenture and hauing rid two dayes iourney without let or any kind of hazard the third day he vnfortunatly hapned into a house belonging to a Keeper and standing in a great Forrest this Keeper had in his youth beene an Esquire to an Epirian Knight slaine at Mantinia at a great iust there held after whose death he return'd and putting himselfe vnto the Queene hee gain'd the keeping of this Forrest this man fell into discourse being crafty and so fitt for so ill an imployment as he was vsed in by discourse hee gain'd knowledge that this was one belonging either in place or affection to the Morean Court then hauing enough to worke vpon as if he had eaten much poyson hee must breake so brake he into the open way of destroying Selarinus for sending his boy to the Court which was then but ten miles off by the next morning he had forty Knights to secure him and conduct the Prince trecherously made a prisoner to the Queene who mistrusting no Treason vnder greene clothes nor falshood where so faire language and welcome dwelt at night being weary vnarm'd himselfe and went to bed where hee slept till hee was awaked with the paine which hard cords cast about his armes brought him he did after confesse he heard some noise but thought it had only beene his Squire puting vp his Armour or making it ready and fitt against the morning but when he saw how he was deceiu'd and heard his poore seruant cry also out against them he only with Princely patience said this suffer imprisonment with mee poore boy said he as well as thou hast enioyed freedome and content witnessing that Fidelius can serue Infortunius in all estates faithfully By that the youth knew his Lord would not be knowne by other name then Infortunius wherefore hee resolu'd to dye rather then betray him Till morning hee was thus held then deliuered to to the Knights who straight carryed him to their Queene shee hating all that had but seene Morea or any of those Countryes belonging to them she cal'd enemies went into her Hall and with all magnificent state sate to behold so to scorne the vnfortunate Knight who was brought in chaind the Queene sitting with a setled resolution to manifest hate scorne and contempt but seeing his sweetnesse and louelynesse his tender youth his modest countenance tryumphing as it were ouer his misery with noble patience only shewing stoutnesse in bold suffering and giuing way to Fortune as subiect in that tyranny yet inwardly his estate molested him shame to see those braue armes fetterd and bound brought some blood into his face which though shewed vpon such occasion yet it prouoked an other conclusion for he being naturally some what pale this made his beauty appeare more delicate as if of purpose to purchase his libertie thus was hee forced to be beholding to that womanish part to restore his manly power to liberty that working for him which his worth held least worthy in him for the Queene though most ambitiously raised in conceit of her selfe now found there was a greater Prince and a higher authority which might and would command She gazed on him shee blam'd the small respect their rudnesse had shewed to a Knight to bring him like a theife chain'd shee caused his bands to be taken off and strictly corrected them who expected thanks telling them the disarming had beene an honor but their taking him naked was a shame vnto them and to all braue spirits Then called shee the Prince to her desiring to know his name and Country kindly smiling on him holding him by the hand the softnesse and fairenesse of which she grieued should handle a sword or be vsed in fights fitter to bee held by her like-louing selfe withall she assured him his imprisonment should be no other then content if he would but yeeld to her desires Hee answered his name was Infortunius nephew to the Lord of Serigo who was killed at the King of Morea's Court in his presence and many more hauing thither brought a faire Lady whose loue he was to winn by fight but he was slaine by Selarinus younger brother to Steriamus for whom the great preparations were now made to winn Albania Are you of their party said she Truely Madam said he I wish good to all iust causes otherwise I being but one am little able to asist any therfore dare I not venture to say I am of any side but I did intend to see the warrs If you did but intend that you may said she still continue that purpose nor will I hinder you yet I must enioyne you to some things for my sake Hee answered her his life was in her hands to command Not but to saue and cherish it replied she therefore goe with this Gentleman who shall direct you and conuey you to a chamber fitt for you then did one of her cheife officers conduct him to a maruellous rich roome which she had appointed him to carry him vnto where hee had all things necessary and braue saue his armes then did he leaue him there and his owne Squire to attend him with many more whose respects and officiousnesse was such as mou'd trouble and proued such liberty a true imprisonment yet at night he had freedome for by the Queen's appointment they were not to lye in his Chamber but in an other roome where for his safety no way to trouble him they might conueniently remaine Supper was serud vnto him with all seruicable duty infinite rich and sumptuous fare glorious plate and nothing wanting that so proud a woman could to satisfie that humour thinke of to gloryfie her selfe and obleige him He fed and after supper went to bed the doores were shut and hee layd downe to rest but what quiet could he enioy fearing all these faire beginnings would turne to his greater harme for no end could he see but dishonour to him as himselfe and certaine danger as Infortunius abuse and what was most as Philistella's seruant shame and iust reproach if hee falsified her trust or his affection Tormented thus he did remaine til towards midnight when a doore opened at his beds head out of which came sixe Ladyes each carrying two white wax candles which they set downe vpon a cupbord placed of purpose before the bed then they returned when the Queene as rich and glorious as Iuno came in her mantle was Carnation sattine embroder'd with gold and round pearle fastned with a faire Ruby her wastcoate of the most curious worke could bee made with needle her petty coat suitable to her mantle her head dressed with a dressing fram'd of the same worke with her wastcoate through which her haire was delicately drawne in many places daintely she was apparrel'd able to winne any but such a spirit as Selarinus for neuer did curious carelesnesse better adorne creature then it did this Queene who with care sought to bee neglectiue in her apparrell To the bed side she came and
visited her husband and her Kinsman the Lady hee was to court at her louers returne they discoursed of all the passed businesse shee contented because hee was pleas'd and hee to finde her faith and affection best contented the Gentlewoman affraid who thought to bring the braue Lady vnder her power but her spirit was onely to submit to loue happy she accounted her selfe euen to blessednesse in her loues requitall but within one yeere after whether fully satisfied with her loue or inamoured which if I might speake what I thinke was the truer cause of another in that place led him astray from his first and fell into the other as violently if not lesse discreetly Shee sweete Lady first condemned the choyce but when she saw she could not by strong hand hold him she fell to petitioning his returne of loue to her she writ to him she spake to him she did all that a perplexed woman could doe but all prospered alike To her companion and friend she complained she wept to her she comforted her nor would she beleeue a long time that it was so but chid her as if guilty of false accusing but when she sawe it as plainly as all others did she then pitied her but could not helpe her when she found no hope nor helpe she vow'd to die a constant though vnfortunate louer griefe made her loose all rest that made her distemper'd and so sicke as none had hope of her life her husband was tender ouer her and tooke such paines as hee himselfe fell as sicke or worse then she who recouered but he died then did she sorrow for him whom before she scarce cared for but noblenesse made her gratefull and to haue that vertue in herselfe the want of which at that time in her other selfe caused her torment When she had performed those rights belonging to her dead husband and held her selfe according to the manner vnseene for such a time she was visited and by her friend and louer who came together bringing likewise his new loue her Riuall who neuerthelesse she vsed well though she loued her not in that respect but as her selfe she held a kind opinion of her but her losse made her seeme vnpleasinger in her eyes especially to see him as if in cruelty so cherish her before her face which he continued in to the height of neglecting and scorning her who best deserued him before the other as if to merrit the more from her but herein was his fault not for louing that being a passion cannot be resisted but for hating where he was sought beloued and had loued for if he had not he could not haue vsed that fashion he did some will say it was to make himselfe free from her importunity he might haue sued from that and haue dealt more iustly and plainely told her what he stroue by fashion to expresse publikely yet when some time he came to visit her priuately he vsed her better showing hy that he would not loose any thing though he did esteeme of it as nothing this more then cruelty and she suffered wiâ—h more then patience a rare but ill example that a woman who could contemne all passions must yet be such a slaue to one and one that slauishly vsed her What could be lost she parted from content quiet honour rest reputation fortunes to succeed for no match was offered her that was not resolued of refusall nor at last any all agreeing her loue was so fixed as it was but vanitie to seeke to remoue it or gaine it from the place She being in this estate setled what meanes she had by friends and her owne suite to the Lord of Corsu this little Island or Rocke was bestowed vpon her whither she came there liued in solitarinesse once not long before Steriamus his arriual her stil loued though not louing Lord by a storme was cast there she not at first knowing it to be him tooke him vp halfe dead tumbled with the Sea and wracke she restored him to life and health againe bringing him home to her house and with her wonted affection as forgetting all vnkindnesse or rather to make her vertue in constant louing approued she cherished him and without showe of discontent entertained him but nice she was to speake or touch of loue He vsed her with all respect and much kindnesse seeing her fashion to him and hauing as he might well doe seene her teares for his harmes which she with care repaied he staied there till he was well but thence was fetched by another Lady who hearing of his being there and the danger hee had escaped came thither she was kindly made welcome to her although that she knew she at that time was his Mistris and this knowledge she had from her traine-layer who out of hate I imagine rather then loue told it her but the storme of her tormeÌ„t was passed now loued this Lady for louing him her quarrell being but to her that had wonne him immediately from her so as this Lady was embraced by her and as a friend receiued for so she counts all that loues him or that he loues a strange expression this is of a loue yet true it is for this the Lady doth she brought them to the Boate bid them farewell cheerefully he told her the former strangenesse should be no more she said then should she forget it euer had beene thus without passion but with true friendship they parted who could not in times pass'd haue said farewell but in teares and such end hath likely so hot and passionate beginnings to end in ashes what began in flames and therefore this last is the surest loue which will hold while the truth of friendship is esteemed This Steriamus got knowledge of by peâ—ces from her who would not complaine nor tell the story her selfe for feare of misconstruction of the hearers least the relation so rare should haue beene taken for an Allegory and not a story wherein her vertue should be painted and not found or indeede the true cause was that although she had with all earnestnesse care and study striuen to forget her loue and miserable fortunes hauing at last obtained all but hating him which her soule would neuer consent to so wel she still loues him as she will not let her tongue accuse him nay it is so to be feared she will rather blame her selfe then him were it not for making her selfe by that vnworthy and so that way likewise wrong his iudgement the eare she hath is to preserue his worth no reuenge in her but what her owne heart indured certainly she resolues to loue and respect him most she did with excellent discourse and respectiue fashion vse him who told her all the aduentures of the lost Ladies which he gained by the seruant of Rosindy who was sent to tell him of it and after as iust as he landed also arriued to his great comfort perswading her so perfect a louer to goe also and
heauen bring her not to murder mee lade your selues with pitie and compassion then come apace and giue life to the most peâ—plexed louer All this while she was comming while he attended as a passionate man doth the breaking of the day when he is to visit at that time his loue Dawning and leasurely shee came hee thought shee made small haste yet came too fast if loue did not accompany her and that loue to him like a delicate young Courtier who is to make his estate by the marriage of a great heire when hee comes before her is at first timerous loth to offend yet dressed vp in all richnes and finenes so was hee his Helme hee tooke off rubd vp his Haire wiped his face set on his most manly yet amorous countenance knowing women loue not childish men how much soeuer they commonly like louelines and the choicest beauties Poore man to see what a busines he kept with himselfe were strange that hee who but newly come to know passion should bee in so much variety and skilfull manner of learned knowledge to win as those who after their naturall inclination change and wooe daily but to such it is pleasure and delight to this young man torture He sighed he looked he prayed he wished he did all and yet nothing that might helpe him for so long he was in these distempers as either ignorance neglect or ill manners were like to be laid to his charge who indeed was an exact fond louer taken and spoild at first sight the louing Country of Italy could neuer make him thus passionate the beauties there were as ones owne Country esteemed nothing so pleasing to one as the thought of others till they be tried Arcadia is the place can onely captiuate his heart and there must he tast the paines makes him wish to be in Italy with freedome O sweet place heauenly Paradice said he what delights be in thee but what serpents keepe them from enioying stories I haue heard of waters and trees kept by Monsters but what rarenes was euer thus kept as loue keepes her and mee from asking pity while he stood letting his imagination twine out the time which he might if acquainted with loue or bred in his cunning Schoole haue vsed to farre more gainefull purpose She past feare of danger secured by the death of the Beare her before threatner turned back and came to thanke him but what with her sight and words he stood in as still a Posture as if the Beast in death had also wounded him which made that excellent Shepherdesse take him by the hand and kindly demaund how he felt himselfe but the touch of her dainty skin with the rare softnes gaue a more cruell hurt to his heart then the hard sword had giuen though death vnto the Beast Hee could not answer but with sighs his eies raining showers of teares and yet as through a wet cloud gazed on her She was sorry for his sorrow and wished her helpe might pleasure him it was she alone that could doe it but he duâ—st not hope for it nor aduenture to demand it then were the rest come vnto them who stirred not but looked like metamorphosed creatures their hands fast in one anothers she pittying and hee that had what he could wish yet fearing it enioyed it not which the Shepheard Youth perceiuing louing Leonius as much as man could loue another with no more acquaintance stepped to him Sir said he it appeares that the sudden ioy of this braue victory with the releasing of this rare beauty before you from such danger doth too much possesse you or else the same fit which this day I found you in hath againe ouercome you He now who shame instructed to be carefull starting as children doe at Bugbeares told him that it was true his fit had taken him and held him worse then it had done before which had caused that stilnesse in him for which he asked pardon of the most faire Shepherdesse and kissing her hand assured her that nothing was more comfort to him then the rescuing of her nor any thing more grieuous then that he had been so rude as not to acknowlâ—dge the fauour she did in comming back to thanke him for that wherein he did but the due of any one to serue and preserue such beauty thinking himselfe most fortunately borne and brought thither at that time so to doe her seruice She mildly and modestly blushing told him the good fortune was hers which had gained not onely safety but that from the noblest hand and heart so taking away her hand which was a death-like blow to him courteously bid him farewell with millions of kind thanks and sweet words vnto him euery one of which were wounds vnto his soule because with them she left him They gone he alone but for the Shepherd began his complaints partly to himselfe partly to his new friend in this manner Is it possible O Arcadia the most sweet and delicate of all these Prouinces that in thee there should liue so dangerous a creature as at first sight should wound and kill with the first touch alas my friend what peril doth abide in these most dainty dwellings were these places ordained excellent and alluring to draw men to their ends are you made happy with seeing delicasies only to see them but to taste none other then sharp murders O my father how hast thou left thy son in thine owne friends dominions to bee slaine and by a woman how will you brauest brother disdaine my bloud vanquished by a looke O Arcadia in your sweetnes I am martyrd and one of your Kings blood thus you kil are you not then guilty of treason The Shepheard who now perceiued this Knight to bee a Prince and by his words an Aliance of that Country hee kneeled downe and thus spake My Lord said hee blame not this place for that for which I doubt not but you shall haue cause to loue it accuse not your friends since if they saw your vallour and braue destroying that fierce Beast they would without question glory in your vertue nor be displeased with your fortune or loue since fortune hath brought you to loue one the most loue-worthy and I beseech you what cause haue you thus to complaine not knowing whether you may be fauourd or disgraced I see no reason you should bee discontented if not that you would not receiue kindnesse she so mildly and sweetly affording it Loue Loue it was and is cryd he makes mee thus wretched what can I doe when my senses in her sight faile me how can I haue comfort when deadly dispaire makes me not dare to hope what shall I ioy in when I scarce may venture to looke on her who must deliuer mee from this bondage noe I see no remedy when I am not able to aske or take it I am lost and only found by dispaire and desperate loue Then did his teares follow those words and groanes those teares till the Sheephard
ignoble when ioyed with feare basestealing a life or if he meant really how it might be effected These coÌ„trarieties put me into a great perplexity yet I stil held conuenient discourse with him who finding me vncertaine in my answers and suspitious of my selfe brake out in these termesâ— I see my Lord my fortune to be so ill as you whom I most desire to serue mistrust me alas if loue moou'd mee not what plot should I haue to put my selfe into so eminent a danger it is onely that hath wrought mee to this and yet I am mistrusted by you I sought to appease his passion he then went on I haue my Lord said he layd the way and a youth of my acquaintance stayes below with the cords shall if you please deliuer you from death and this place it is more then time wee were about it therefore resolue what you will doe and that speedily I hearing this and looking on a clocke was in my chamber found it past midnight straight led by a bold beliefe gaue consent to goe vp and downe at all houres went forth telling the watch hee was sent for a Gowne for mee to weare the next day at my death vnder colour of this within a long robe hee brought the ropes which hee fastened to the barres of the windowes which were not so thicke placed but one might easily get out the reason was the heighth made the feare of getting thence nothing At the bottome stood the youth hee spake of and made the lower ends fast out hee went first to shew mee the way and try if the cordes were fast then came vp againe and helpd mee forth staying till I was safely on the ground then vntyed the cordes and the youth loosed them below so hee drew them vp and in a fire in my chamber burn'd them shutting the window and himselfe comming downe the ordinary way againe without suspition to any Gate hee duâ—st not bring mee for they were all so strongly guarded as no safety would be there but knowing all the passages brought mee to a little Garden then vpon the wall and there was a Posterne doore low and little but bigge enough but then another danger was how to goe downe on the outside the Castle standing on a maine Rocke but the danger wee soone passed for with some scrambling wee got downe holding by one another the youth though weake yet hauing a strong heart to saue mee help'd beyond expectation this man my keeper had a brother dwelt hard by this place thither he led vs and telling his brother hee was sent of earnest busines concerning the State got horses of him and so wee posted the youth riding behinde me holding me with so much affection as I imagin'd it had beene his care for feare of slipping but I iniur'd him in that for his worthy selfe could neuer slip Wee rid thus till wee arriu'd at a Castle of mine but that not being of strength sufficient wee left it and our wearied horses furnishing our selues better the youth rid well and I was carefull though hee still besought mee to heede my safety hee weary as weake his horse being little lesse they fell wherein hee was hurt but at last hee sure wounded and tyred I pittied him and more when I saw his teares which were not for his approching end as after I saw letting some from mee to accompany his hee seeing them my Lord said hee weepe not for mee nor shed those deare teares for one who once might haue had a life giuen by one of them but those dayes are passed and now my ending as fast as may bee the bruise and death this fall brings mee not being yet so cruell to mee as the fall of your fauour was nor vnwelcome since chanced to mee in your succour I am to tell now the cause of my seruice Loue my Lord hath brought me to this and all other miseries your scorne neuer hauing had power sufficient to make mee leaue louing you which procur'd this action censure me then a louer and not immodest no disguise could euer disguise me but still I lou'd you nor put I any on but for your good and so forced to alter my habits what haue I taken but habits of the much worthier Sexe the noblier to serue you not out of any wantonnesse which heauen can witnesseâ— for had I ecaped this harme and you once safe you should not haue knowne mee but as a poore youth affectionate to your safety I would againe haue returned after the time of your imprisonment I tooke this resolution putting my selfe to waite on one of the guard and neuer left prying vp and downe to finde how I might assist you till happy fortune brought me to this man whose affection I saw such towards you as I ventur'd and hee likewise to attempt what now I ioy to see perform'd and more that my end is brought by so louing an occasion farewell my Lord and I beseech you mourne not for mee whom you thought so little worthy of your loue couer any fault in this I haue committed with the vaile of feruent affection then shall I bee secure and you noble Weepe not deare Lord for mee I must bee gone and in going shall bee molested to see you sorrow for mee bury mee I beseech you not heere but in some of your owne commands that as I am yours my dust may bee also held in your ground and then lest you shall grieue for mee I can now giue you leaue to forget mee then did shee faint for this was my first and truest Loue. I got her with much paine againe to life shee blam'd mee for it yet told mee such kindnesse had preserued vs both if timely giuen then with many prayers for my safety wishing all the blessing that heauen granted to any to bee powred on me shee dyed in mine armes breathing her last into my breast for I kiss'd her when her breath left her I buried her as she desir'd at a Castle of mine whither we rid that night and there remained till my peace was made with the King which hee was willing to and honour'd me so much as I had satisfaction oâ— my enemy but what was this to my losse hauing lost the wonder of her Sexe for loyalty Besides my second Lady for whom I had left the faire patterne of vertuous loue did shew me my ill by requiting me according to my merit but not from her for of her I had deserued well she neuer sent to me neuer seem'd as I heard by all sorry for me but superficially quickly chose another and like the worst of her Sexe thought sorrow would hurt her complexion and so she might liue vnlou'd grew merry and thought no more of me though at the first she wept but why onely to shew how sweetly shee could looke in teares not shedding more then became her were safe from hurting her though euery one because they were hers had if seene wounded mee When I
Who could but you haue beheld her dying and not succour her With that the Prince went to him desiring to heare the whole discourse who hauing vrgd the passionate Man spake thus I am not tied said he to make the relation but I must know one thing before I speake which is whether you bee a louer or not if you bee I shall the more willingly speake because you will vnderstand mee else I shall be loth to bestow much passionate breath so much in vaine to one that will no more esteeme of it then of an old tale The Prince gaue him full satisfaction of hâ—s being a louer when the Man said thus This vnfortunate piece of mankind you see here is called Cilandrus I am of Corinth borneâ— and bred a Merchant a Knight in that City had a daughter cald Lendrina of admirable beauty and such as by the iust admiring it brought many and most to be her seruants all gazing on her as on a Meteor she knew her perfections otherwise she had not deserued them but being too exact in knowledge was proud of their rarenesse and so farre as she thought them not fit to be bestowed on any none being worthy of them Men of all sorts sued vnto her she had answers of all kinds answerable to their estates to bestow on them but the Prince he saw her and liked her she thought he must not for her owne honour being an assured credit as shee esteemed it or bee sought by him who shee falsely imagined might command all entertained him but how not fondly nor so kindly but as she vsed him respectiuely yet she made him sue and labour for his ends She would meete him at places appointed but as if she were without him to haue gone to them by chance met him Out of the Towne she would goe to a house of her fathers thither would he goe to visit her and to see how the aire the pretended cause of her going agreed with her She accepted of his visits and tooke them as graces to her and would fauour him so farre as to come to the Towne with him so as he attended her to her house for she loued the noise of loue as wel as loue it selfe thinking it a braue thing to heare it said the Prince visits Lendrina the Prince seekes and sues to her the Prince is in loue with Lendrina This folly puft her vp so as she in time grew like a Rose ouer-blowne loosing her more in youth exquisite beauty yet her mind was as full of ambition and pride I yet reuerenced her for surely she was honest folly and vanity rather working then want of vertue though stoor'd with those vices A Nobleman also of that Towne fell enamoured of her although he would not haue had it said so becaâ—se a braue but vnfortunate Lady lou'd him to that height of expression and length of time as gratefulnesse boldly challenged loue but that she scarce had being forced to be contented with a few good words seldome visits and cold promises she poore Lady louing so feruently as if nothing else did mooue That made Lendrina proud to haue his loue from her but when her beauty began to fade the Prince his affection grew like a coole euening after a hot day yet still showing loue this discouerd how did shee rumble vp her wits and not only hers but also the best braines of her friends or helps in her affections busines What poasting was there vp an downe what consultations plots for meetings but with whom with the other Lord and he braue Gentleman abused by their crafts made belieue her affection was such to him as for him she would leaue the Prince and in comparison of her loue to him hated all else Hee began to belieue it and some reason hee had because shee made her high mind stoope to come to places where shee might encounter him his true louer heard of it and so farre it wrought in her kind heart as she fell sicke almost to death but something he did comfort her although so faint his words were and weake his protestations as but that she willing to cosen her selfe with good opinion of him shee might haue thought them dissemblings which for the good I beare her and deserued honour she meriteth God grant she find not so and this should all Louers wish for when she dyes loue will neuer find so certaine an habitation and that want he will shortly haue for the noble Lady cannot long sustaine with this induring and this grieues me for I honour and loue her most of any woman except her for whom these my sorrows are deep and remedilesse are the wounds vnkindnesse brings in loue grieuous the cruelty vngratitude brings forth but these are as vsuall now among vs as faire seasons in Sommer He came one day into a roome where she remained and woare a colour which she had procured him once for her sake hating it to leaue and neuer more to weare she looked on it as he doth on the Axe whose head is to be taken off with it her heart smarted and shee was perplexed yet durst she not find falt but sadly told him she had not seene him weare that colour in many yeares before No quoth he nor now but a little it is in great request said she at this time is it said he Why who doth loue it She feared to tell him whom she doubted and was well assured affected it but put it off and laid it on another Alas poore and pure loue what gouernours hast thou and fond commanders that thou canst not bee iust vnto thy selfe for feare of ouerseers and yet what ouerseers feare you but those that ouersee their true respect and makes you blind to truth I saw her another time for being a louer like her I loued solitarinesse alone laid by a Riuer side the most pleasant place that my eyes euer saw and fittest for passion to gaine libertie in hauing all such delicasies in sight and varietie as these her speeches will let you vnderstand to be sweet but silent hearers of her paines O Heauens Earth Plaines Mountaines Hills Forrests Riuers Springs Caues Feilds Hearbs Vines Woods Groues Flowers Masse Rocks Trees witnesse my faith and loue and say for me that you grew not spring not runne not flow not sencibly increase nourish graze prosper and inrich but these and they oft told haue bin in me and my estate I haue been happy like your best rich yeere I haue despaird and do like dearth I haue flowed and swom in pleasure I am dried in sorrow and despaire I haue bin all and now am nothing but a poore sad thing to say I was force me not deare remembrance to these harmes if you helpe not I shall waste enough and doe These tooke I to my selfe and paraleld my fortunes with her woes but what auaild shee cryd and grieued remedilesly so do I too My thinks said Leonius you rather or as willingly set forth her sorrowes as
the colour Then shee smiled and he most ioyfully put downe his Beauer and prepared to run casting vp his eyes first to her from whom he hoped to haue gained strength but she was so weake in bearing passion as againe shee had retyred and so often she did it and so tumble her selfe vp and downe wallowing in pleasure and vnsufferable content as she was in such a heate as that angred her because she thought she looked not well hauing too much colour then did that heate her with chafing so as betweene those two fires of loue and pride shee burnt so much as all the Ladies warmd themselues at her fire and rubd vp the remembrance of their old passions so as it might haue been dangerous and the heate so great and spreading as might haue fired many hearts not to bee quenched againe Fairely he ran and fairely and friendly shee beheld him which made him neuer wearie nor would he haue giuen ouer but that the Prince went in and night grew on Then came hee vp to her and kissed her hand which she told him by her loue bestowing eyes she willingly yeelded him Stay shee did as long as was fit and after most in that place wishing I thinke to haue been his Armorour to vnarme him else she might haue gone with the rest at last away shee went and was by Lords appointed by the Prince conducted to her lodgings where shee was visited by him and her seruant The next day the Iusts in earnest was to bee against which how gloriously was she attired Lyuadia neuer saw such a starre for brightnesse In that place she would needs againe sit and there she was placed where shee might best see and bee seene the windowes being so framed as the Knights heads on horse-backe were as high as they so as conueniently they might behold and speake as if together a braue aduantage for Louers But how did the neate King of Bulgaria take this truly discreetly as hee was a most discreet Gentleman setting aside a little vanitie of selfe loue which it may be so well concurred with his Ladies disposition as that tempred him being as it were of one nature to suffer and agree with her Fault it was certaine hee found none with her publikely how they priuately did let them speake that know fondnesse appeared to open shew why should any inquire further But be it so such a passion well acted againe and by such delicate creatures for the excellency of it would get liking euen of her Husband sure who loued curiosities so well as he must like that though curiously he might discerne he was touched in it But what then he might ioy in it thus it was his owne as she was Many great Ladies and indeed the greatest of that Kingdome sat with her in the same place but not so much as looked vpon by her nor why should they expect it shee was a stranger a Queene more a beautifull Queene and most a most proud Queene shee therefore claimed it as their parts to obserue and marke her who had businesse enough in her selfe vpon such a day in such a place and such a presence to heed and study her selfe How if any part of her haire had been out of order her gowne rumpled with turning to them her ruffes and delicate inuentions disorderd with stirring had not the least of these been a terrible disaster Yes and to her a heart griefe who would wish so sweet a soule as she to be sad or troubled especially since trouble as such a conceit of any displacing or disordering her finenesse might moue in her would stirre her bloud and make her complection not so exact rather sure should all ciuilitie be laid aside and the contrary excused then beauty should suffer and this if the cause who will that loues their faces that regards their habits and their seruants loue blame her who neglects for these all others This I take the Queenes case to bee and thus I thinke I excuse her especially being knowne to loue nothing but her selfe her Glasse and for recreation or glory as some accounts it to haue a seruant the Prince of Iambolly whose greatnesse and finenesse made al well especially to louers eyes The old Prince inuited her and the King to a feast where roially they were feasted and she as magnificently carried and shewed her selfe her seruant ioyed in it and then looked on her as poore people doe on pranckt vp Images she sometimes casting a looke on him but not too many lest such fauours might make him surfeite and so be harmefull to him an excellent care in a carelesse Mistris The King of Bulgaria and the Prince of Iambolly were very great and familiar in so much as they would whisper and embrace one another the Iambollian assuredly more because those armes had intwined hers then for any affection to him wishing sure he might as freely haue done the like with his wife who how kind soeuer she might be to him in priuate had he offerd to touch her publikely that touch had burnt his fingers so commandingly and peremptorily did she order and rule his loue as adoration shewed to bee all his ambition and gaine her graces being but still to hold and draw him on in hope rather then to consent and satisfie him for he once satisfied shee was sure to bee left men desiring but their ends and with them conclude that loue flying to another as from one worke done to begin in another place Stayed creatures and luckie they that put confidence in them and of any this Prince was one that least troubled himselfe with constancy all women were pleasing to him after a tall woman a little one was most pleasing after faire browne white blacke all came to his staidnesse welcomly and varietie he had sufficient for many refused not nor was he nice to demand of more so as he had plenty and was plentifull in loue to them yet here hee stayed a prety while because it was thought hard to win her or impossible to gaine her loue for her so excellent beauty and greatnesse but most because as yet he had not surely compassed his desires At dancing because hee would not giue offence he seldome tooke her out but his eyes still attended on her and when he danced she more heeded that dance then any shee was good her selfe in that exercise and gained great commendations in Lyuadia The time being come for the breaking vp of the company the King and Queene tooke their leaues of the old Prince and so did all the other Princes many being there assembled as a place much honoured and hee a Prince admired ouer the World for iudgement learning and goodnesse beside at that time many came neare him from the Enchantment The Prince of Iambolly would needs attend the King of Bulgaria being his neighbour home to his Court but his daintie wife was the Attraction his company was embraced and also the Prince of Thiques who was to returne to
their friends being ingaged for them Then I reclaimed him from ill company I meane inferiour to him which he naturally had best loued and as if a new molded him so as in troth he deserued and doth respect from me and that hee shall haue the Court I confesse I loued well I brought him though not to like it himselfe to let me be there when I would and priuately he would come vnto me the Princesse I serued a Lady faire and louing but something variable and changing as her fauour was to me for I being of her chamber in great fauour and grace fell into the most bitter dislike and disgrace that euer any did Causes she alleaged but an easie thing it is to frame such yet the worst thing she did to me and which I tooke indeed to the heart was shee mistrusted I loued a brother of hers who she neither much cared for nor esteemed my honour shee made a young braue Lady likewise acquainted with all whom she did command to attend on her and in the last part of the euening or rather in the night they came into the Garden where if I had been gone to his chamber as shee imaginedâ— I must needs to my owne lodging passe through in my returne All the doores they locked double and bolted the others that had not such locks on them walking vp and downe to catch me who surely they imagined a very kind woman to goe so farre to a seruant whose part it had rather been to come to me but they watched and the truth is I was in another garden on the other side but not with him yet being that way suspition said I was guilty so vpon likelihoods I was condemnd To the doore I came and thinking to find the place as I left it I boldly put my key to vnlock it but it would not doe mine was but single my enemies double I at first found it not but seeing I could not open it I tried againe and then plainly discernd some had been there after me yet I did not dreame of the Princesse Presently my tampering hauing giuen them the allarum I might heare them whisper the Lady spake a little louder as of purpose that I should speak to her I did iust as she desired and fell into the trap as they wished for I cried Who is there T is I said she I pray open the doore said I. I will do you more seruice then that said she where with she opened it the Princesse of this plot and place standing close by her I started when I saw her How doth my Brother said she I told her her Highnes was deceiued in me I am not answered she but I haue been for I tooke you to haue been good and vertuous the contrary this action shewes you to be I protest cryed I I am innocent of ill and free from this wrong you accuse me of The way time your attire condemnes you said she why should you vndrest in night habits at this late houre and alone walk abroad iust this way towards his lodgings none els lying in those parts were it not to him the world besides had such a conceit and you knowing it your part had bin to auoid al cause or shadow of cause to mistrust you rather then to runne into the open mouth of danger and plaine discouerie I saw her so violent I besought her yet in mercy and pity of womens honour which could be no fame to her to ruine whatsoeuer she conceited of me yet to spare me to the world Shee smild scornefully and said she was not of the trade of my counsell-keepers who knew of â—y going to him in mans apparrell before that time and so flung away I was in truth troubled exstreamely with it and spake to the Lady to bee my friend in it Shee protested freely and brauely shee would doe me any seruice in that or any other thing and that it was first vnknowne to her what the pretence was â—onely dutie taught her to obay after vtterly against her will to proceede in it But what mends had I the Princesse told it to euery one and which madded mee most to this braue Gentleman you saw with me who at that time and by her meanes wholly had not so good an opinion of me as now he hath nor had I so much respect to him yet I loued him euer shee I thinke did so too and in no better a kind then shee thought I did her brother But I am charitable and I thinke no ill was done for I am sure he is noble and good Vpon this I left the Court and with me or presently after me fearing tricks for who how vertuous soeuer can preuent so odde and deuillish a plot as this was all or the greatest part of the Ladies went from thence euen she who then was so deare vnto her in little more grace then my selfe leauing her attended on with her chamber and those enough to be vsed ill She then grew melancholly and at last sought company some she got together but of what sort those that were of the age before who hauing young minds rumbled vp their old carcases and rubd ouer their wrinckling faces like old wainscot new varnished and little sweeter was some of their beauties But these serued to fill vp places and adorne a chamber of state like ill Pictures yet brauely guilt and set forth make as good a shew though but glassed as the cunningst piece of worke if not to iudging eies an noise they also made of mirth banqueting and inuiting company but all would not serue the glaringst signe or greatest bush drawes not in the best company no more did they make the Court much the fairer Dance they did and all ridiculous things that ancient but young made women could inuent to do I came again hauing liberty to behold theÌ„ but neuer any more to serue in ordinary Lord how I admird the alteration and the place being changd from what it was as much as from a Court to a Play-house She vsd me indifferently wel and I took it so enuying none but the Lady whom I was a little in aw of but not for that I did grudge at her but repined to see her blest as I imagind since I haue gaind what I fear'd she had or if she had I haue gaind it from her yet alwaies braue Princesse be confident I am chast and vntoucht of ill action how euer they haue laid my reputation low but I forgiue them now nor iudge amisse of my liberall discourse your freedome hauing inuited me to it My Lord good man was glad of my disgrace because it brought me home as he thought yet I so tampred with him as he thought at last it was not in earnest but a plot betweene vs so to the Court I went when I pleased or told him I would go though sometime another way I went yet lately I haue liued most at home and stil resolue to doe though with
little content in him and because you shall see I haue not too much cause to be fond of him when you come into the house seeme earnest to see him for that he loues and then shal your highnes on my word behold a man fit only to make a good husband of so far to be belou'd as not contemnd They went in the Princesse hauing her lesson desiring earnestly to see the Master of the Horse before her going He came but such a creature t was his pace so vncertaine going towards her but looking backe as if asking his men if he did well or no a wide smile he had which if a little noise had been added to it might haue been a plaine laugh When he was close by her he took her hand and put it to his mouth but his teeth instead of lippes met it shee gaue him many thankes for her entertainement he tooke her thanks it seemd well but replyd onely with his former girningâ— at last with a great businesse and champingâ— as if on the Bit he brought out as many words as he askt her how she liked Hunting She answerd very well and best of any sport hee was so ioyed with that as he laughed right out and with gladnesse driueld that none could blame the Lady if she liked not much to kisse that Ganimead As thus they were some beholding him the Princesse admiring his foolish ignorance and ill-fauordnesse some others marking the power she had ouer her selfe to hold from so little scorne as to smile at him a great noise was heard below in the Hall and an Esquire of the old Frigian King came in crying out for helpe his Lord was taken prisoner and carried towards the Sea Leonius cald to arme Veralinda for her horses the delicat disquieted would aâ—tend them till they saw freedom on al parts flourishing again the Lady of the house tooke her leaue of them there and so they past Leonius poasting after the King the Princesse accompanied with her Knights and the Noble DiscoÌ„tent held on towards the sea to gaine her ships but being to passe a thickest wood it was their fortunes first to light vpon the Aduenture for in the thick of that place they heard voyces and Veralinda led by perfect knowledge or naturall affection knew her fathers tongue when vpon the telling her fine sad companion he with some fiue or six of her Knights rushed in they found the King bound a great ring of armed men about him and some sixe or seuen women for Gentlewomen I cannot call those vsed such cruelty with great rods whipping him hauing stripped his vpper part he complaining and pitifully crying the strips being sore and painefull to his royall body This timely rescue flew in among them who were much amased at the surprise yet being many bolder on their number then any other cause they had to hope of their victory encountred our daintie distressed so rudely as he was put to his best in armes but then so brauely did he behaue himselfe as he had with his own hands disarmd and ouercome three but his fiue assistants were ouerthâ—owne he then himselfe fought against the rest not without great hazard but such were the blowes and fury among them as they cald helpe assisted with the Kings cryes who all this while the fight lasted was tormented excessiuely with those Furies as meaning to take their full reuenge or as much as they could Leonius was brought in to the place but what fury came he possest with all those women altogether could not imitate much lesse equall yet women inraged they say are Deuils Happy this arriuall was to the valiant as exquisite Solitary both being ioynd the rest fainted and so the victory came on their side Then Leonius and his to be admired companion went to the King taking away his Baiters and Chaines clothing him againe and dressing the stripes he had receiued which had wept blood for vnkindnesse both pulling off their Helmets to take aire the sad Knight shewing so delicate a hand as if his blowes had not been witnesses of his strength one would haue fear'd so Ladi-like a beautifull and dainty shapt hand could not haue sufferd such stresse but the wonder was taken away then when conclusion was made that the noblest hart commanded the fairest and fiercest hand he had such a hart and so valiant and happy a hand to execute his commands with al. Veralinda came in also and with teares manifested the sorrow she had for her fathers mishap couering his stripes with soueraign ointments she neuer went without then they examind the cause of this outrage One of them the chiefe it seemd among them telling her story thus I am said she of this Country and haue a Castle hard by whither this vngratefull King should haue gone had not your accursed succor and my too rash beginning of his iustly merited punishment hindred me he knowes my name and quarrell yet some part I wil tel you to auoid thought of vnreasonablenes in me I lou'd this king not I do protest for his being a king but mearely out of affection my loue growing to him at my being in his Court at a great triumph there whither the Princes of this country went I waited on He cast his eies vnluckly on me also and gaue me such inuitations to his loue as I could not but accept and yeeld opportunity yet serued not I being to wait so neare my Lady and she who liked the king as well but not so truly as I did watching me feaâ—ing that she desird to haue her self Thus vnfortunatly I was again to part and so without any more then amorous looks such manifestings as outward shew could giue we were deuided when I came back how did I curse my fortune for my loue was run beyond the tye of chastity and I was a meere louer I accusd my self for thus thought I I might haue enioyd him by this meanes I could if I had not bin a natural foole haue compast my desires none could haue preuented this plot had I not bin a ranke coward the night was left me why did I loose so many and gain nothing but restles times tossing and tumbling in my own fansies and so many did I then get together as made a maâ— of vanity calling infinites of conceits together In al these vnquiets a match was offerd me I was mad and knew nothing but mine owne passions in that distemper I gaue consent and was maried but stil my affection was tied and wedded to this king this king of vngratefulnes and cruelty A wife I liued and yet a maid my husband somtimes chafing somtimes telling me he thought I kept that Iuell for another many suspitions this bred in him and furnished as many crosses for me at last at the end of three yeeres this vnconstant and vnworthy king came hither he was feasted and welcomd by the Prince and Princesse who saw not me with strait looks doubting me still but
misfortune I remained ignorant till one day the warres being a little ceased though not ended the siege still continuing I stole from mine vncle to see my heart which she kept safe with her but when I came thither I found or fear'd I found no roome for it She who had it being in the power of mine enemie for so I accounted him when he enioyed my losse my hopes being frustrate my ioyes lost and spoild I grew from my selfe my sences failed me a trembling possessing my whole bodie so as this distemper was marked and pittied of all but what did comfort me was that she did seeme to pitty me Then did I blesse my torments that had procured me such a fauour There were none but carefully sought my health especially her husband whose diligence was as tedious as his wiues was my onely ioy Grieu'd I was to stay and see my miserie yet sad I was to goe from seeing her who gaue me though a barr'd delight in beholding her but knowing passion the greater Lord ouer my strength I tooke my leaue pretending busines hauing onely taken the opportunitie that way afforded me to visite them passing so neare by them they all seemed sorry for my going and Limena indeed was so then by vnus'd pathes I got backe to the King often as I rode looking to that place where I left my soule prisoner When I had been a while at home remembring or rather neuer letting the beautie of Limena be absent from me I say remembring her and my euerlasting wretched state in missing hâ—r calling my mischiefe by his gaine to account I found so much cause to lament as in short time I was but mournefull sorrow my friends grieu'd and generally all did shew displeasure for me only my selfe found nothing but cause to proceed in this dispaire loue hauing truly changed me to that most low and still vnluckie fate Businesse of State I neglected going about as in a dreame led by the cruellest of hellish spirits Despaire till I was awaked by a command to goe and leade some troops which were gathered by the Kings friends together comming to raise the siege yet desiring me to be their head I went and thus farre willingly hauing so much hope left me as to thinke I might by this meanes conclude my afflictions with my end yet first I resolued to write vnto her that she might know she had so vnblest a creature to her Seruant When I had written my letter with shaking hands and yet a more shaking heart I gaue it to a Page of mine who was newly come vnto mee and neuer had been seene in her Fathers house giuing him besides directions how to carrie himselfe which he discreetly did obserue and found as fit an opportunitie as could be wisht for her husband being gone to see an ancient house of his she walked alone into a little Groue below the place of her abiding he perceiuing her knew straight it was she wherefore he followed her hauing before hid himselfe in the vppermost part of the thicket expecting occasion whereby to performe his Masters commaund He then seeing it offered would not neglect it though somewhat timerously esteeming her for her excellencies rather some Goddesse of those Woods then an earthly Creature but remembring the infinite yet not sufficient praises I had giuen her concluded it could be none other then Limena so as comming to her he on his knees deliuered the letter saying these words The wofull Perissus his Lord and Master presented that with his seruice to her This though but little was more then I could haue said if in his place For Lord how was I afflicted with millions of doubts how it might be deliuered then whether she would accept of it and most what she would conceiue of my boldnesse quaking when I gaue it him knowing how wretched a creature I must bee if it offended her yet wishing I might haue had the papers place once more to haue been toucht by her though if it brought dislike for that to haue suffered martyrdome But she for my happinesse tooke it and with a pretty blush read it which since I perceiu'd did spring from loue yet blusht to see it selfe so liuely in her cheekes When she had read it Good youth said she commend me to your Lord but for his letter say It needs no answer till he come himselfe and fetch one With this he return'd and so with much comfort to me hope being glad to build on any small ground how much more then on so likely a possibility I then Hopes seruant as before onely slaue to Despaire made all haste I could to see her hauing good and welcome meanes affoorded me being able with conuenience to take her Fâ—thers house in my way to the new-rais'd Army Thither I came which though in a wild Forest yet it was pretended I left the great roads for my better safetie Thus was a colour set vpon my loue which but for her seruice and so the safelier to serue her would suffer any glosse but truth in affection Being there ariu'd I was extreamely welcomed of all her Father a graue and wise man discoursed with mee of businesse of State after him and so all supper time her husband discoursed of hunting an exercise fit for such a creature Neither of these brought my Mistris from a graue and almost sad coâ—ntenance which made me somewhat feare knowing her vnderstanding and experience able and sufficient to iudge or aduise in any matter we could discourse of but modestie in her caus'd it onely louing knowledge to be able to discerne mens vnderstandings by their arguments but no way to shew it by her owne speech This and withall feare of discouering some passions which she though excelling in wit and iudgement yet could not gouerne at least guiltines forc'd her to thinke so was the reason â—he held her grauitie yet after she grew more merry And I finding a fit time by her husbands going out of the chamber with some companie that was there humbly desired an answere of my letter She blushing and as if ashamed so much innocent vertue should be discouered with my Louer-like importunitie in her though strong in constancie yet womans affection gain'd so much by lookes and sweet though-fearing words as I was resolued and assured of her loue which made me proud of such a treasure begin to dispose part of it to my benefit for looking about and seeing euery ones eyes carried their owne waies I kist her she not offended yet said Let not my freedome make you dispose otherwise then virtuously of me I vowed more then that libertie I would not aske which I know if I had offered her vertue would haue refused nor truly would my deere and worthy affection permit mee to demaund and this held our loues more firme when tied by vertue But not to hold you long with this which yet to me is some ease for the present although the bitterer the conclusion is that
destinie would guide him Leandrus to Achaya and the other Princes remayning in Arcadia with the King very much esteemed of But soone after the Court remooued neerer to the Sea while Amphilanthus who hath beene too long forgot not being time enough remembred being the most matchlesse Prince with the faire Antissia being in the Merchants house as the Romanian Knight told Parselius finding fit time and longing to meete his friend with the Princesse and the honest paire took their way towards the Court where the king liued by the way it was Antissia's fortune to marke with so yeelding a heart the louelinesse sweetnes brauerie strength of the famous Amphilanthus which in many aduentures hee made testimony of in her sight before their gaining the Court as this alas made her acknowledge she had seene but him who might be thought a Prince shee had heard of none but him all others vertues being single in them but knit in one in him This made her like that made her loue and so she did poore Lady to her lost libertie he the more he saw her respect to him answered it with his to her kindnesse then betray'd them she shewing it he as a kind-hearted Prince to Ladies receiuing it By this time they were content to think they loued and so to know those paines He was not vnexperienced therefore soone saw remedy must be giuen and cruelty hee imagin'd it would be in him who discern'd he might by his art helpe her if hee refus'd that good to one so faire and so kindly louing This made him in charitie watch his opportunitie or at least not to loose any being most with her and contentedly because louingly passing the time entertaining themselues with fine discourse many howers together The good people wearie with trauelling or seeking other necessaries for them necessarily leauing them then not with much complaining of their absence At last they came vnto the Court being two moneths after the departure of Parselius and the next weeke after the secret departure of Steriamus which was such as hereafter you shall heare His arriuall was as pleasing to the People and Prince as faire weather is after a storme or plenty following a great dearth so generally and particularly was hee beloued his enemies for no great man nor good man liues without being forced in truth to confesse hee deseru'd much admiration Hee came pleasantlie thither and for some dayes continued so but after whether misse of his friend Parselius or some other priuate cause to himselfe mooued him is not knowne but sad hee grew and shunning all other companie would retire himselfe with Antissia into Pamphilia's chamber where hee would when hee speke direct his speech to her still blaming her brothers for so strangely leauing their Country he could not offer speech to her which she receiued not with much respect yet was shee generally the most silent and discreetly retir'd of any Princesse But one day as they were alone together some discourse falling out of the beautie of Ladies Amphilanthus gaue so much commendations of Antissia as she betweene dislike and a modest affection answered hee had spoke sufficiently in her praise for truly my Lord said she me thinkes there is not that beautie in her as you speake of but that I haue seene as faire and delicate as shee yet in truth shee 's very white but that extreame whitenesse I like not so well as where that though not in that fulnesse is mix'd with sweete louelines yet I cannot blame you to thinke her peerelesse who viewes her but with the eyes of affection Amphilanthus gaue this reply That hee till then had neuer seene so much Womanish disposition in her as to haue so much prettie enuie in her yet in his opinion except her selfe he had not seene any fairer Antissia with that came to them which brought them into other discourses til they were forced to part They gone Pamphilia alone began to breath out her passions which to none shee would discouer resoluing rather so to perish then that any third should know shee could be subiect to affection Alas would she say weeping to her selfe what haue I deserued to bee thus tyrannically tortured by loue and in his most violent course to whom I haue euer been a most true seruant Had I wrong'd his name scornd his power or his might then I had been iustly censured to punishment but ill Kings the more they see obedience tread the more vpon their subiects so doth this all conquering King O loue look but on me my heart is thy prey my self thy slaue then take some pity on me Being heauie she went into her bed but not with hope of rest but to get more libertie to expresse her woe At last her seruants gone and all things quiet but her ceaselesse mourning soule she softly rose out of her bed going to her window and looking out beheld the Moone who was then faire and bright in her selfe being almost at the full but rounded about with blacke and broken clouds Ah Diana said she how doe my fortunes resemble thee my loue and heart as cleare and bright in faith as thou art in thy face and the fulnesse of my sorrowes in the same substance and as thy wane must bee so is my wane of hopes in my loue affections in him being as cold to me as thou art in comparison of the Sunnes heate broken ioyes blacke despaires incirkling me as those disseuered clouds do striue to shadow by straight compassing thy best light When she had as long as her impatient desires would permit her beheld the chast Goddesse she went to her bed againe taking a little Cabinet with her wherein she had many papers and setting a light by her began to reade them but few of them pleasing her she took pen and paper and being excellent in writing writ these verses following HEart drops distilling like a new cut-vine Weepe for the paines that doe my soule oppresse Eyes doe no lesse For if you weepe not be not mine Silly woes that cannot twine An equall griefe in such excesse You first in sorrow did begin the act You saw and were the instruments of woe To let me know That parting would procure the fact Wherewith young hopes in bud are wracktâ— Yet deerer eyes the rock must show Which neuer weepe but killingly disclose Plagues famine murder in the fullest storeâ— But threaten more This knowledge clâ—yes my brest with woes T' auoid offence my heart still chose Yet faild and pity doth implore When reading them ouer againe Fie passion said she how foolish canst thou make vs and when with much paine and businesse thou hast gain'd vs how dost thou then dispose vs vnto folly making our choicest wits testimonies to our faces of our weakenesses and as at this time dost bring my owne hands to witnesse against me vnblushingly showing my idlenesses to mee Then tooke shee the new-writ lines and as soone almost as shee had giuen them life shee likewise
which shee perceiuing yet out of pitty not willing too curstly to deale with me shewd me in her countenance dislike of my speeches And yet not to put mee too much besides my selfe called other to her to adde as she faign'd to her company With a bleeding heart I suffered this disgrace which yet was by her so handled as none but my owne soule could witnesse it to any Thus that day past sorrow increasing in me and little mirth growing in her Oft times would she be ready to sigh but louing that breath which shee drew for so loued a cause she did striue to fetch it backe againe or else it was to couer her long breathing Many daies this continued till one night standing in a round window in a great Galerie a Lady who did much vse to accompany the Princesse though she be of the Queenes Chamber standing by her Madam said she did you euer see so silent a Prince as this is Surely if he were to winne his Kingdome by words as it must be done by swords the Countrey might remaine a long time without the lawfull King Pamphilia looked O me a deadly wound that sweetest looke did proue pleasingly vpon me saying My Lord you see this Lady finely begs discourse from you Alas Diuine Princesse said I what discourse can proceed from a dead man I neuer heard till now said shee that dead men walk'd and spake Yes Madame cry'd I as you haue seene trees continue greene in their branches though the heart be quite dead and consum'd away hollownesse onely remayning And so is nothing left in me but empty hope and flourishing despaire Is there no cure said she Yes that there is said I. Shew it said she I looking about and seeing the other Lady parted from me besides hard by a faire Glasse many hanging as ornaments in that Gallery I tooke it vp turning it to her mine eyes onely speaking for me She with seeing her face saw my cause of torment said as little as I onely taking the Glasse turn'd the other side which was dull like my gaines and with as much scorne and contempt as could appeare in so much beauty like as if the Sun would in spite shew himselfe in a storme she turnd from me I stood still for indeed I could not moue til for my last comfort sense came to mee to shew me I was in no fit place so to betray my passions wherefore getting so much strength although no more then as men after a long sicknes gaine when they goe with feeble ioynts the length of a roome so much had I and that little with much ado brought me to my chamber where I opened my brest to al sorrow and let mine eies make ful sea of teares Thus I remaind till this resolution took me to wander I car'd not whither so it were far from knowledge of any and to leaue that most cruell beauty to her owne content which yet I feare she hath not though I truly wish shee had I call'd my brother to me telling him he must be secret to me as he did hope for loue from mee which hee vowed not mistrusting what I meant till 't was too late to goe backe With sobs and teares hee besought mee to alter but I told him there was no remedie nor must he breake his oath Then against his heart he said he must obay My charge was this neuer to reueale my manner of going nor euer to seeke after me or suffer any that he could hinder Then went I to Pamphilias chamber where I humbly desired to speake with her shee gaue me leaue but when I was ready to say something she preuented me If you haue said she any busines I shal be ready to do you any seruice in it but if it be concerning your glasse discouery know this you shall doe best to bee silent for a greater offence you cannot doe mee Alas Madam said I haue you no pitie for me I haue pity for any said she leaue this folly and I shall wish you well That was so cold a fauour for my desires and my dutifull affection such to her as not to giue her the least cause of dislike besought her she would honour me but so much as I might kisse her hands before my departure which was forc'd by an aduenture calling me away she nobly grāted that and said she wisht me good fortune I told her my fortune could only be made by her Then can it proue little said she With trembling and death-like palenes I left her lodgings hauing yet the fauour which my lips receiu'd in touching her fairest hand which kisse shall neuer part from me till these my lips doe kisse with death Then wandred I away till I came hither neuer finding any place to please me nor alas doth this or can any thing but her pity please only this is lesse distastefull then those where greater noises be Here I am quiet but for my owne quiet but for my griefe which neuer giues mee rest In a little caue in the ground is my lodging one Squire attending mee who from a Towne not farre hence fetcheth me prouision this Lute a quality I learnd in the Court since my comming thither misfortune and my Mistrisses disdaine my discourse and companions and thus liues and daily dies the reiected Steriamus Hauing finished his tale his eies flowed againe with teares as if it were their office to giue the full stop of his discourse Amphilanthus embracing him Steriamus said he leaue these lamentations for a fury in one who how worthy soeuer yet being a woman may change How many haue bin condemnd for cruely that after haue prou'd kind enough yet speak I not this of Pamphilia who hath still kept a constant resolution to her selfe But sure some strange occasion makes her so full of iudgement and sweetnesse carrie so strict a course in your affections yet let not that make you forget your selfe The poore Albania poore in missing you calls vpon you the rest of the world hath need of such Princes then let not passion ouerthrow a braue spirit absence can bring no hope presence and desert may if any thing Or say she neuer loue you there are other faire Ladies who will be liker themselues pitifull and louing Neuer shall other loue possesse my heart cride he and that O heauens still witnesse for mee and behold this vow That when I change it shall be vnto death Then shutting his hands one fast within the other he groaning said Nor euer let these hands part if I part from this my loue Time said he will giue you I trust vnexpected cause of cōfort in the meane time let vs talk of somthing els Then Steriamus inuited Amphilanthus to the Caue dearely louing him for his braue aduice but most for his cosins sake There they sat together lay together pass'd some dayes together till the Albanian was ouercome with the Italians neuer-fayling perswading speeches so as they tooke their course towards the sea
till being laid in his bed and carefully lookt vnto his old Father being there grieued in heart yet the better contented since if he died it would be to his honour for euer to end his daies in so noble an aduenture life againe possessed him but weakely expressing it selfe for many daies yet did he rocouer When this company came into the Hall straight came the King vnto them running to Pamphilia and weeping with ioy to see her free againe so as in a pretie space he could not speake vnto her but when O my deere heart said he what treason was there here against mee to depriue mee of thy sight Shee comforting him and letting some teares fall as dutifully shed to wait on him besought him since shee found that blessednesse as his so great affection to her that he would thanke those who restored her to him then taking them all one after another in his armes he desired to know the blacke Knight Pamphilia then answerd Sir said shee this Knight is so ingaged by a vow as he can hardly let his name be knowne yet since this liberty was giuen that vpon extraordinary occasion hee might reueale himselfe I will vndertake the discouering and fault if fault there be in this vpon mee and then turning to him Braue Brother said shee comfort our Fathers age with the happinesse of the sight of such an incomparable Sonne wâ—th that Rosindy pulling off his Helme kneeled downe But when the King beheld him he fell vpon his necke with such affection kissing him as if all his loue were at that instant in him and ioynd together to expresse it to him Then was command giuen for a rich Chamber for him whither he was lead Selarinus accompanying him being lesse hurt then he yet had he not escaped free from remembrance of that diuellish creature All now at peace no discourse was but of the valour of the defendants but especially the honor of Rosindy was blazed abroad hauing with his own hand kil'd one of the Brothers wounded another and wearied the third to death slaine many of the Knights and by his example done so much as incouraged the weake bodies of the rest whose hearts neuer faild Then Selarinus was commended exceedingly and indeed with great cause for his valour was â—quall with most his care that day exceeding others Pamphilia being saued from imprisonment by him Lisandrinus will all honour respected who made manifest proofe of his valour and affection to the Court The Prince of Elis did so well as made all assured of his being a braue Knight this the first of his aduentures hauing so manfully performed for had not an vnlucky blow in the legge hindred him from standing he had also slaine his foe The two last Knights were of the Court one Sonne to the Marshall cald Lizarino and the other Tolimandro Prince of Corinth The Traytors were all carried to a strong Tower where they remaind till the Knights were well againe recouered which in short time was to the great ioy and comfort of euery one Now did Pamphilia thinke it fit to acquaint the King with her Brothers businesse wherefore first asking leaâ—e of Rosindy shee did the King being infinite glad of this newes went straight vnto his lodging whom he found alone but for Selarinus who neuer left him as strict and firme an affection growing betweene them as euer liued in two mens hearts one vnto another Then did the King impart vnto him what Pamphilia had told him which was confirmed by Rosindy the match liked and commended by the King the resolution was as Pamphilia before had told him and hee chosen Generall of the Morean forces Selarinus his Lieutenantâ— and thus with preparing for these wars and euery one contented except the louing Ladies Loue must againe be a little discoursed of Parselius who making haste after Amphilanthus â—ooke his way thorow Morea but after not as hee was directed by the Squires but along Achaia crossing the Gulfe of Lepanto which course might make him misse the King if hee came short of the Combate they resoluing to take their course backe againe by sea to Morea aswell to trie aduentures in the Islands as to hasten the forces that being a shorter way but here did Parselius as destined for him for till now hee still obeyed the other meete a greater force then hee imagined being in a Forrest benighted and hauing none with him except his Cousins Squire and his owne In that solitary place they layd them downe for that night The next day going on in that Desart till they came to a strong and braue Castle situated in a litle Plaine a great moate about it and ouer it a draw Bridge which at that time was downe and some Seruants vpon it looking vpon the water which was broad and finely running when the Prince came neere the place they turnd their eyes to him who courteously saluted them and demaunded whose Castle that was they replied it was the Kings and that there liu'd within it his faire Daughter Dalinea Is shee said the Prince to be seene If so I pray let her know that heere is a Knight desires to kisse her hand well knowne to her Brother and who had the honour to bee his Companion One of the seruants instantly ranne in others went to take their horses while Parselius lighted and put off his Helme wiping his face with his delicate white and slender hand rubbing his haire which delicatly and naturally curling made rings euery one of which were able to wed a heart to it selfe By that time the Messenger returnd leading him first into a stately Hall then vp a faire paire of stone staires caru'd curiously in Images of the Gods and other rare workmanship at the topp they came into a braue roome richly hang'd with hangings of Needle-worke all in Silke and Gold the Story being of Paris his Loue and rape of Helen out of that they passed into another roome not so big but farre richer the furniture being euery way as sumptuous if not bettering it but what made it indeed excell was that here was Dalinea sitting vnder a Cloth of Estate of Carnation Veluet curiously and richly set with Stones all ouer being Embrodered with purle of Siluer and Gold the Gold made in Sunnes the Siluer in Starres Diamonds Rubies and other Stones plentifully and cunningly compassing them about and plac'd as if for the Skye where they shin'd but she standing appeard so much brighter as if all that had been but to set forth her light so farre excelling them as the day wherein the Sunne doth shew most glorious doth the drowsiest day Her Ladies who attended her were a little distant from her in a faire compasse Window where also stood a Chaire wherein it seemed she had been sitting till the newes came of his arriuall In that Chaire lay a Booke the Ladies were all at worke so as it shewed she read while they wrought All this Parselius beheld but most the Princesse who he so
with Hilles or rather Mountaines of such height as no way was possible to bee found to come at it but thorow the same vault the King came Diuers Gardens and Orchards did surround this pallace in euery one was a fountaine and euery fountaine rich in art and plentifully furnished with the vertue of liberalitie freely bestowing water in abundance These places hee past staying in a large stone Gallerie set vpon pillers of the same stone there hee sat downe complaining still of his Mistrisse whose heart was stored with paine and loue equally oppressing her O cride he my dearest loue the sweetest cruell that euer Nature fram'd how haue I miserable man offended thee that not so much as a looke or shew of pity will proceede from thee to comfort mee are all thy fauours lockt vp and onely sad countenances allotted mee Alas consider women were made to loue and not to kill yet you will destroy with cruell force while I changed to a tender creature sit weeping and mourning for thy crueltie which yet I can hardly terme so since thou knowest not my paine Further hee would haue proceeded when a doore opened into that roome and out of it came a graue Ladie apparreld in a black habit and many more young women attending her shee straight went to him saluting him thus Braue King welcome to this place being the abiding of your friend and seruant Hee looking vpon her perceiued wisdome modestie and goodnesse figured in her face wherefore with a kind acceptance hee receiued this salutation desiring to bee informed of the place but most to know how he came knowne to her Sir said shee my name is Mellissea and hauing skill in the Art of Astrologie I haue found much concerning you and as much desire to doe you seruice Can you find good Madam said hee whether I shall bee happie in my loue or not In loue my Lord said shee you shall bee most happy for all shall loue you that you wish but yet you must bee crost in this you now affect though contrarie to her heart But shall I not enioy her then miserable fortune take all loues from me so I may haue hers Shee loues you said Mellissea and it will prooue your fault if you lose her which I thinke you will and must to preuent which if possible beware of a treacherous seruant For this place it is that anciently reuerenced and honoured Iland of Delos famous for the birth of those two great lights Apollo and Diana the ruines of Apollo's and Latona's Temples remaining to this day on the other side of that mountaine called Cynthus once rich and populous now poore and peoplelesse none or very few inhabiting here besides this my family the sharpe and cruell rockes which girdle this Iland guarding it selfe and vs from dangerous robbings But must I loose my Loue said Amphilanthus Accursed fate that so should happen I yet doe hope if I may be assured shee loues mee this will neuer bee Well my Lord said shee to let you see that hope is too poore a thing in comparison of truth to trust to I wil giue you these tokens to make you truly see my words are true you haue lately had a wound by a woman but this a greater and more dangerous you must suffer which will indanger your life farre more then that last did yet shall the cause proceede from your owne rashnesse which you shall repent when 't is too late and when time is past know the meanes might haue preuented it but to doe what I may for your good I aduise you to this alter your determination for your iourney to Morea and in stead of it goe straight to Ciprus where you must finish an Inchantment and at your returne come hither and with you bring that company that you release there then shall I bee more able to aduise you for this doth yet darken some part of my knowledge of you Hee remaind much perplext with those words yet as well as such affliction would permit him hee made shew of patience Then did Mellissea send one of her Maides to bring his companions to him hoping their sights and the discourse of their fortunes would a little remoue his melancholie from him in the meane time hee with crossed armes walkt vp and downe the Gallerie musing in himselfe how hee should so farre and deadlily fall out with himselfe as to be the cause of his owne miserie not being able though hee had the best vnderstanding to reach into this misterie Sometimes the Lady discoursed to him and he for ciuilitie did answere her yet oft-times she was content to attend his owne leisure for his replie so much power had his passions ouer him Thus hee remaind molested while Steriamus following his right hand way was brought into a fine plaine and thence to the foote of a mountaine where hee found rich pillers of Marble and many more signes of some magnificent building which sight wrought pitie in him remembring how glorious they seem'd to haue been now throwne downe to ruine And so said hee was my fortune faire and braue in shew but now cast low to despaire and losse O Pamphilia Goddesse of my soule accept mee yet at last if not for thy seruant yet for thy Priest and on the Altar of thy scorne will I daily offer vp the sacrifice of true and spotlesse loue my heart shall bee the offering my teares the water my miserable body the Temple and thy hate and cruellest disdaine the enemy that layes it waste Once yet consider greatest beautie mightiest riches sumptuousest buildings all haue some end brightest glory cannot euer dure and as of goodnesse must not ill haue so grant this and then thy rage must needs conclude Yet thus did not his paine find conclusion but a little further hee went among those ruines where hee laid himselfe not downe but threw himselfe among those poore and destroyed reliques of the rarest Temples where hard by hee heard Ollorandus likewise complaining My Melasinda said hee how iustly maist thou blame thy Ollorandus who still trauels further from thee who stroue to bring thy loue still neerest to him Canst thou imagine thy immaculate affection well bestowed when so great neglect requiteth it Wilt thou or maist thou thinke the treasure of thy loue and richest gift of it well bestowed when absence is the paiment to it If against mee and these thou do'st but iustly except yet what doth hold thee from killing that slaue and setting thy deare soule at libertie No thy vertues will not like a murderer it must bee as it is Destiny must onely worke and despairing sorrow tyre it selfe in me Steriamus wanting pitie knew the misse and therefore would bee as charitable as hee could to shew which goodnesse he rose and went to Ollorandus to put him from his mourning who was then againe entring into his waylings telling him they were too long from Amphilanthus As hee start vp behold Dolorindus who came sadly towards them
whom they called to them and so together went from that place meaning to ascend the mountaine but then came the seruant of Mellissea to them intreating their companies from her Mistrisse to the Pallace where they should meete their companion They soone consented to that inuitation whither being come they told all their aduentures one to another then were they brought into a faire roome where after they had eaten Mellissea againe thus spake My Lords the time calls vpon you occasions being such as your presences are required in seuerall places wherefore first to you my Lord Steriamus I must say you must haste hence and as you desire your owne happie ends in loue obserue what I aduise you Goe from hence into Arcadia feare not for nothing shall encounter you of harme Dolorindus doe you the like for much is your being there requisite from thence goe to Saint Maura and in a rocke which lies iust against it towards Cephalonia priuately remaine till fortune call you thence by helpe which shall appeare death this may seeme hard and terrible but feare it not since it shall bring your happinesse then goe into Greece againe and helpe your friends and your selfe in the Conquest of Albania They tooke her hand and kist it on it swearing to obey her Counsell Amphilanthus was sorry for his vow especially that his iourney was staid to Morea but hee made the cause of his griefe for parting with his friends Then to Ollorandus shee thus spake The good that shall come to you must proceede from this braue King who shall giue vnto you both securitie of life and your onely loue life hee shall venture for you and saue yours by the hazard of himselfe keepe then together and still be your loues firme and constant assisting one another for a time will bee when you shall merit this from Amphilanthus giuing him as great a gift And credit what I say for it is as true as by my meanes you receiued the Armour in the Forrest when you were fast sleeping it being laid by you from which you haue taken the name of Knight of the Forrest For you my Lord thinke not but I am as carefull or more of you then any though I haue left you last for as yet I can say little but feare nothing except what I haue already warnd you of my Art shall attend you and I neuer faile to serue you make haste then to Cyprus and be carefull Then all promising to performe her will with teares in their eyes they tooke leaue of each other Steriamus and Dolorindus demanding what seruice Amphilanthus would command them He answered They should honor him much in remembring him to the King and Queene to whom by Steriamus hee sent the olde Dwarfes and the youngest Sonne called after his Fathers name hee desired Dolorindus to present to Pamphilia from him Thus they parted and Amphilanthus Ollorandus and the other two dwarfes who seru'd them for Squires tooke their way for Cyprus Quicke was the iourney of the other two arriuing in Laconia and so hasting to Mantinea where then the King was but being neere Steriamus began to faint fearing the sight of her he most desired to see yet incouraged by Dolorindus to performe what he had ingaged his word to doe they went on comming to the Court when the King and all the Princes were assembled to iudge the Traytors But Steriamus whos 's same was now farre spread for his noble Acts at Constantinople and diuers others was soone knowne in the Hall and as soone with great ioy brought before the King to whom he deliuered the Present and seruice of Amphilanthus The King infinitly reioyced to heare of his braue friend and taking the Dwarfe the Queene with as much loue accepting the other desired before they passed to the Iudgement to heare of their aduentures Then did Steriamus openly relate all that had happened him after his depart vntill their comming thither in so good words and Princely a maner as all admired and loued him especially for doing it with such affection and truth to the eternall renowne of incomparable Amphilanthus Then presented he Dolorindus to the King whose name and presence was welcome to at that time especially assuring himselfe now to haue an end and true knowledge of the Traytours who were lead at their comming in aside so as they neither sawe them nor heard the relation of the aduenture at Sio which was extreame strange and wondred at by all the more the cause of admiration was the more still increased their honours that atcheiued it Then went the Princes to Pamphilia who much commended Steriamus for his discourse kindly of Dolorindus accepting the Dwarfe promising to loue him for his Lords sake then were all placed againe Rosindy taking Steriamus and setting him betweene him and his friend Selarinus who was true ioy it selfe to see Steriamus againe the traytors then entrâ—d to whom the King thus spake Without any more falshood truly declare vnto me who you are and your true names for those you tooke vpon you I know are false then discouer the cause of taking my daughter deale truly if any pitie be expected by you to be shewed vnto you The old man curstly replied Hee wondred a King should haue so ill a conceit of another of his owne ranke as to thinke falshood could be in a royall breast and more did he admire that the King of Morea who before had beene counted iust would offer that iniustice to the King of Negropont who hauing beene ill vsed by an vngratefull Childe and comming thither for succour should be made a Prisoner like a Traitor and vsed like theeues Then answered the King behold my Lords before you the vildest of men and falsest of Traitors to proue which Dolorindus stand forth and witnesse against him Dolorindus indeed came foorth the Traytor seeing him straight too well knew him wherefore roring out hee cryed I am vndone for now all is betray'd Then did Dolorindus againe tell the manner of his trecherous taking and imprisoning him and withall the winning and destroying of the Castle and his seruants the burning of his wicked wife and the bestowing of the Island vpon Berlandis and the other two their Squires whom they had matched to the three Sisters These creatures being past helpe to be saued fell downe on their faces confessing the truth which was this The Sonne to this wicked man seeing the picture of Pamphilia which was sent some two yeeres before by Pamphilia to her Vncle but taken away by Pirats who after landed at Sio and among other things sold that He fell in loue with it and so longed to enioy her as nothing but death appear'd in him which the deuill his Father perceiuing plotted all waies hee could to which end he inuented that false Bridge hoping to get some of her brothers or friends if not some that might bring them meanes to finde a tricke to gaine her Tenn monethes this continued then came the poore
killing round about him as if they had been cast vp of purpose for his safetie or as a List roped in for the combate which hee was in with the young Phalerinus Prince of Thessalonica who more delicately and brauely held out then any hee had yet encountred but what with wearinesse and besides seeing the new succour come was forced to yeeld Rosindy taking him in his armes in stead of disarming him taking his word in stead of his Sword which noble act bred such loue in the young Prince towards him as hee after prooued a true and faithfull subiect vnto him Then did Rosindy and Selarinus haste to the battaile which was now by the ouerthrowne of the Vantguard required to come vp and the Reare with the strangers to aduance against the Macedonian Horse A great while the Moreans had the worst but at last by the valour of Selarinus Leandrus who had changed his white Armours innocent cullour to reuengefull bloud Lisandrinus the Princes of Corinth and Elis and the Marshall with his sonne but especiallie by the iudgement mixt with true vallour and the care matched with excellent skill of Rosindy the Victorie came on their side with the shamefull flight of Clotorindus the execution was great and indured long the Conquest greater the bootie verie rich and thus with the losse of tenne thousand on the one side and thirtie on the other the retreit was sounded the next day the dead of both sides buried and Rosindy with his braue troope marched on towards Thessalonica where the Queene was and into which Towne the Vsurpeâ— was got of purpose if not by strength yet by tricks to saue himselfe and keep the Crowne but neither he must doe Then did the braue Generall set downe before Thessalonica and incompaâ—sing it round cutting off all victuall by land and blocking the sea and ships hindred all good from their aide so making it a rare and cruell siege Now did Rosindy endure the length of this with much paine longing in his very soule to see his Lady which within some time after hee did but so as the great longing hee had satisfied by her sight was turnd to sorrow for it his desire and ioy to see her changed to griefe and wishing hee had not seene her the cause and his affliction as hee termed it proouing terrible Thrice were their sallies made forth by the besieged but to as little purpose as if they meant only to come forth to be honourd with wounds and being vanquished by their mightie Enemies One day they saw a white Flag vpon the Wall which gaue them to vnderstand a Parly was demanded by the beating likewise of a Drum which Rosindy did in the same manner answere they came vpon the Wall the Prince and his companions to the Wall then did Clotorindus speake thus Great Prince Rosyndie and you braue Princes his Companions what iniustice doe you goe about in seeking to depriue mee of mine owne who neuer wronged you nor would haue denied to haue serued any of you with my owne person and meanes if you had requird it now for you to seeke to take a Kingdome from mee lawfully my right both by being next heire male and besides mine now by marriage with Meriana daughter and heire as you terme her to the Crowne what exceptions can you now take Let me then as a Friend and Kinsman as by marriage I now am to you gaine peace I that haue been by your owne will made your Enemie desire an end of these cruell warres Let me be accepted as a Cosin and my frendship taken as proferd by a friend rather then thus continue shedding of bloud let the conclusion be welcome and the trumpets and drummes turnd to Musick of ioy This I demand for my selfe as your friend if you please and for my wife your Cosin who infinitely is grieued to haue her owne bloud seeke to shed the bloud of her deare husband Husband false Traytor repli'd Rosindy she whose matchlesse worth so well knowes it selfe cannot abuse that knowledge of truth to yeeld the treasure of it to so base a place and which neuer had staine but by this thy wronging her who cannot liue to vndoe that with bestowing it on one so vild and treacheâ—ous as thy selfe For thy friendship I refuse it and so I answere for my friends here present contemning thy basenesse so as wee should hate our selues if a thought of thy submission if not to punish thee could come into our hearts Thy false tale of marriage we loath to heare of since as falshood wee hate that and thee for it Thou sayst wee haue no iust quarrell O Monster what Iustice more can bee required then taking Armes to the putting downe a Rebell and a Traytor to his rightfull Princesse Alliance thou claimest I acknowledge none and had there been no other cause this had been enough to haue made vs ruine thee for framing so false a report and wronging with thy filthie tongue thy Queene and the Queene of true vertue and of Macedon Therefore recant and deliuer her or here I vow to fire the Towne and breake open the gates to let in our iust reuenge to thee and on thee Is this the requitall of my kindnesse said Clotorindus farewell doe thy worst proud Prince and all thy fond companie but take this with thee before the Towne bee wonne thy heart shall ake more then euer any wound could come neare thee to bring it or the wound of thy fond loue With that he went from the wall and in stead of the white Flag presently a bloudy one was hâ—ng forth which continued till the next day when as to the same place Meriana was brought with an infinite number of armed men dressed as to her Wedding a Crowne on her head and her haire all downe To this sight was most of the Army drawne but Rosindy with most hast greedily beholding her beauty and hearkning to her speech which was this Clotorindus thou hast now I confesse some pittie in thee since thou will free mee from my miserable liuing I thanke thee for it and Rosindy I hope shall requiâ—e it to whom I commend my best and last loue farewell braue Prince but bee thus confident that I am iust With that they inclosed her round in a circle often before seeking to hinder her last speech Presently was shee out of Rosindies sight and presently againe brought into it to his extreamest miserie for onely that peerelesse head was seene of him being set vpon a pillar and that pillar being vpon the top of the Pallace the haire hanging in such length and delicacie as although it somewhat couered with the thicknesse of it part of the face yet was that too sure a knowledge to Rosindie of her losse making it appeare vnto him that none but that excellent Queene was mistrisse of that excellent haire His soule and heart rent with this sight and the seeing it a farre off rising with such speed as it seemd a
greater taking away the inheritance of others as from me your friend who haue as much right to misery as any liuing in as great excesse of it and hauing as large possessions in that gouernment then spare me liberty to complaine with you permit mee to say misfortune is as much mine as yours and then like fellow subiects let vs bewaile the weight of that vniust tyranny Pardon mee deare friend said heâ— if I would wholly take ill to my selfe since it is to free you and all worthy people from that which I am fittest to beare as a creature fram'd for the vassalage of Loue and his crueltie but since you aske liberty to bewaile take it and let that bring your freedome while it redoubles on my breast as being mine and yours tell mee then all your woe and know you speake to woe it selfe in speaking vnto me Then Dolorindus beginning with the set order of louers which is with sighes and teares began his discourse thus Free from the knowledge of harme it was my hap to meete a Lady hunting in a great Forrest attended on by many braue Gentlemen and Knights but being more then woman-like excellent in riding she had left her Ladies or rather they had left her not able to attend her in that surpassing quality I young and affecting sport fell into the company marking more that braue Diana then the chase shee followed which was of a Stagge who though hee tooke pride in being so pursued and that it was in him to make her follow stoutly commanded her attendance yet cowardly flying from her thinking it better to trust to his speed then her mercy yet was he rewarded at last fit for his merit for standing at bay as if to threaten her doggs and euen before her face gazing on her she stroke him with a Crossebow to the heart then weepingly hee fell downe at her feete groaning for her vnkindnesse yet was not this the cruelst blow she gaue for O me shee did likewise wound my breast Then came they all about her admiring the hurt while I admired any seeing her could liue vnwounded Some prais'd the hounds that so truly hunted I prais'd mine eyes that neuer were at fault till they brought home the honor of the day which was the losse of my poore heart hunted by mine eyes vnto that bay When all the rights were done and doggs rewarded I alone vnsatisfied for my great gift shee nobly intreated the company to goe with her vnto her house which all agreed vnto and my selfe vnknowne to any there tooke my way with them boldly aduenturing on that inuitation We sat downe at dinner all the discourse was still vpon the sport that morning the Stagge afforded them to which I gaue a poore assistance for hauing been bred abroad to learning and to armes I was an vnexperienced hunts-man which she marked and accordingly made vse of telling mee that sure the hunting was not pleasing to me or the want of that exercise had made me vnskilfull in the discourse I said the latter was the true reason for till that day I neuer saw that sport though I had knowne the field delights in many sorts Then fell she to discourse of martiall things being excellently learned in all the Arts knowledge no way scanting her Thus dinner past when horses againe were brought forth and she waited on by vs went forth to see Haukes flee spending the after-noone in that delight inuiting vs againe with her when before supper choyce of musique was bestowed vpon vs all these did well and best to serue her best beloued selfe but these alas prou'd but more hurts to mee making mee by them see my greater losse loue like a seâ—pent poysoning my ioyes and biting my best daies venomd all my blisse making my new pris'd wound death to my hopes and sorrow to my soule Pitie I wanted pitie I sought but pity durst not ask and thus did griefe take me in me make abiding commiseration was the mark I aimed at but feare held my hand I saw her faire and delicate and therfore imagined soft pity to be within so sweet a cage yet had her eies such powerful might as gaue command that none should dare to claime so rich a blisse ouerwhelmed with the cruelst spite that Nature could inflict vpon a man I remaind which was fild with a youthfull bashfulnesse which ouerswaied my humblest heart disasters glorying in my patient suffering excessiuenesse of sorrow flowing in me for now was the time to part or if I would remaine I must not hide my selfe or longer stay vnknowne for then was her husband to returne from a iourney made vnto the neighbour I le wherefore I thought it not amisse the company all gone to take my time and thus I spake vnto her If that which I must say should turne to giue offence accursed would I thinke the time and words I go about to vtter but comming from a man wholly deuoted to your seruice I hope they will produce such ends as they are now directed to and so may make me blessed if blessing can descend on one so much vnblest yet as my self this time wherin I haue enioied the full of outward ioy beholding you hath yet brought loues attendants losse feare with it losse of my libertie tyed wholly to your wil feare in my heart if you despise my loue cause of affection I can challenge none for me if not in gratitude to me who giue my self for it a strangers name may make you scorne me not knowing worth in me but boldnesse fitting all contempt these yet you may cast by for this stranger your seruant am sonne to the King and your humblest louer Dolorindus She who before did in her lookes manifest the breeding of a curst reply a little smoothed the tempest of her rage and wiâ—h sober reuerence demanded pardon for her vsing me with no more respect and yet my Lord said she the fault may sooner be pardoned since 't was you which were the cause of it Then did I againe solicit she modestly but confidently much refus'd Her husband then arriued who knowing mee gaue free and noble welcome I sought how still to induce the man to loue my company and to seeke it which hee did also hauing his ends which surely he might gaine so I might compasse mine to which for all her chast replies and curious preseruing of her honour in her words at last I did obtaine and so her loue in as equall measure as mine was to her which was without compare had hers not equald it Thus it continued for some yeeres all the mirth and sports that were in Negropont were still at her Castle Maskes Iusts Huntings nothing can bee thought on that was not in plenty at her house My selfe though sonne vnto the king yet my sister being to inherit the kingdome was not so much lookt after if not by noâ—le minds as shee who was to rule so as I gain'd by that meanes both more
so he is the treasure of all hellish properties the best of his qualities which are smooth fashion and eloquent speech turnd and imployd to no other vse then flattery and deceitfull glozings These worke on my father and so haue they their part in me hee beleeues and loues him I perceiue and hate him but which workes most with my father is that he so much seemes to desire me out of affection as he sayes that hee will take mee with nothing such affection and fondnesse my father beares and carries ouer a young sister of mine as to make her Princesse of his Ilands he consents to giue mee to this Prince of wickednesse I hauing no meanes to saue my selfe from the destruction this loathed match would bring me I went to this Lord mine Vncle to whom I declared my misfortune and ensuing ruine if I did marry so Hee taking pitie on me conueyed me thence with these Knights and Ladies whose affections to me are such as not to leaue me in such distresse but accompany mee rather in aduenture of ill then assured ill but alas what shall I say I am the miserablest of women if I fall into his hands againe which I hope you will keepe me from I was by the aduice of these my friends put into the search of Amphilanthus the honour of Knights of Parselius Rosindy Perissus Steriamus or Selarinus all which are famous men whose honours shine equally and either of whose assistance had been assured gaine but some of them are as I perceiued by one I met so farre off and there in such imployment as I ventur'd not to obtaine their fauours after I met a knight who told mee Amphilanthus and Perissus with the valliant Ollorandus were gone into Morea wherefore thither I purposed to goe but a storme tooke me casting me vpon this place where I haue gaind this happinesse as I hope it to my selfe by finding you wherefore I pray honour me with telling me who you are Most worthie Ladie said hee since you had desire to haue some of these named Knights you may thinke your fortune the worse in finding mee and putting confidence in mee so farre short of those Princes wherefore I would desire to conceale my name till my actions may allow the bold discouerie of it let mee then I beseech you bee so fauoured by this second honour as to giue mee leaue onely to bee called your Knight till I merit by my seruice to you your knowing more of mee Shee granted his request verily imagining him to be some of them by his speech and thereupon her comfort increased Then did she bestow a very rich and costly armour on him his owne hauing been but hardly vs'd by a curst but ouerthrowne enemy which hapned in this manner After he had left Athens and at his returne receiud the honour of knighthood it was his determination to seeke his brother Parselius and to that purpose he pass'd through his fathers Countries vnknowne not leauing any aduenture vnattempted wherein hee might make triall of his force which hee made so good testimony of as he was feared in all those parts being calld the Knight of the Speare by reason he carried the figure of one in his sheild as he did that shape on his arme but hearing no newes of his brother hee tooke to the sea and among the many Ilands it was his fortune in Metelin to win and loose where his greatest honour he obtaind his freedome hee lost happening thus Passing by a strait way into a faire meadow hee saw a maruellous rich and costly Pauillion placed about it many Tents and before them all a shining Pillar of Gold whereon were written these words The worthiest Knight and Seruant to the fairest Lady defends this and the honour of themselues against any bold man that dares gaine-say the worth or beauty of them He scorning such presumption strake vpon the Pillar whereupon one came to him telling him his Lord would soone encounter him Straight came he forth being one of the cruellest and hard-fauoredst men that could be a man and no monster his bignes extraordinary his fiercenesse such as could not be withstood with ordinary strength armed he was with plates of yron and his horse answerable to his master in all things so as an excellent choice was made as if both framd for one another and neuer were two beasts better matched none fit to ride the one but he who was fittest to be master of the other This creature came with a troope of his vassals before him for so he calld them into the field each of them carrying the Sheilds and Helmets of those knights he had conquered before that Pillar all which they placed in order as they were wonne but for his greater glory on the ground Then aduanced he to the Greeke Prince scornefully pitying him who so boldly ventured his youth against such an experienced conquerour But hee in whom vertuous modesty liu'd mixt with manly strength only desired the fight rather then discourse so they ran one against the other with such comlinesse fiercenesse and strength as in either part was seene rightly placing those properties The Prince had his Helme strooke off the other was run thorow the shoulder part of the staffe staying in him withall he fell from his horse but being recouerd and seeing the danger the other was fallen into by losse of his Helme he in regard of that forgot his hurt and with furious rage set vpon the Prince who couering himselfe with his Sheild as nobly and brauely defended himselfe they fought till the bloud ran as fast from their wounds as dropps from a louers eyes comming from as heart-bleeding a cause for at last the Monster was killed and the Prince taken out of the field for dead but who except loue could be such a Chirurgion for whether was hee brought but to the Princesse who lay but one league thence an excellent Chirurgion and as excellent a Ladie who so carefully tended him as hee in short time recouered but to a more lasting paine for fauour and cures bringing tormenting wounds shee put balme to the hurts giuen by the enemy but shee a friend foe-like did make much deeper and more harmefull ones piercing the heart which in the fight kept it selfe secure now fallen into extremitie of losse but what was gaind besides this danger and threatning ruine for the younger sister cald Erinea fell inamord with him and so passionate was she of him as she ran to her father cast her selfe at his feete besought him to get that stranger for her or to see her soone buried He whose fondnesse was and is without expression vowed to satisfie her The Prince got notice of it and so priuately stole away his affections being gratefully and passionately placed on the other kindnesse wounding and bringing loue Then passed he where he heard still of the flourishing fame of his kindred lastly his Brothers losse which hee gaind by the meeting of the Squire Clorinus
what could be wished to giue true delight contrarily wrought against them The morning come they rose and as one parted not but together went to the top of the Castle whence they saw their ruine then kissing her and gently weeping on her face hee said My deere mistake not you these tears which now I shedd onely in tendernesse vnto your state and for you who was sauer of my life How can life better be disposed of then to her seruice who did once preserue it when I a stranger hurt and mangled was conducted to your house how was I there relieued and cherished by your care this was but to this end and this end is more welcome then a life which without you I otherwise had gained Farewell deere loue more kind and sweete then blessings in distresse I le fight for thee and this must be my last yet feare I not for doe but see my end and that will make me liue with ioy in death when I see thee beholding me from hence my courage will increase and make my blowes more terrible and fatall then the harme which falls in stormes from high Farewell once more my deere my life my ioy and my last comfort sweete weepe not for me nor marre those deere eyes which wound mee more to see them harme themselues then stroaks that from the enemie can come and bee assured the victory will turne to vs if you but let their cleernes shine on me but dimme them and I die The sweetest soule did weepe yet wip'd away the tears to fauour him and shew them bright farewell my life said shee if thou dost die for after thee I le neuer more see day then kiss'd they once againe and so did part hee to the gate whereout he sallied then arm'd in â—edd his sheild with the old deuice which was an Azuer Speare vpon his â—rme a scarfe of Azuer colour giuen him by his loue and thus against the enemie he came who neuer stay'd to meete him but with troops incompassing him round who fought with rage against all hope more then a hope â—o dye like to himselfe and to renowne his blood that though shedd by such â—orce yet so well shedd would write his fame eternally to times and witâ—esse worth with valour ioyn'd made loue the crowne whereat they leiâ—el'd still To say what courage he did show how many slew what wounds what â—roaks it were but tedious and most vaine but so much did hee there as â—ade a way through the thickest so pass'd in spite of what their furyes or â—heir numbers could doe to hinder him A path he made of men and paâ—ed the ground with bodyes while their bloods sought how to bath them â—leane and wash their wounds which giuen on so ill grounds did blush or shame Hee beeing pass'd and on the other side cast vp his eyes to see if â—ee beheld which when he saw and that she made a signe to him to scape â—nd euen with hands held vp and knees bent downe shee did beseech hee â—rauely answered with his sword wau'd round about his head as who â—â—ould say no heere I le dye or set my Lady free With that behind him â—â—me a gallant Knight and fifty more who neuer speaking word as he aâ—aine did charge his enemie charg'd in with him and did so brauely helpe 〈◊〉 in short time the conquest was dispos'd to braue Philarchos and his new come friends then did they seeke among the prisoners where they might finde the spring of all this ill at last they got the Duke and then with guards brought him into the Castle when kind Orilena came vnto her Knight and holding him fast in her tender armes wellcomd him to his owne and her command but as she did embrace him she perceau'd the blood to runne along his arme wherefore shee went and speedily did fetch an excellent baulme and then disarming him did dresse his wounde but when his helme was off the stranger Knight caught him with all true loue into his breast and louingly thus said My Lord how bless'd am I to see the Prince I seeke he also hauing pulld off his helme but young Philarchos knew him not wherefore my Lord said he the honor you haue done this day is to your selfe in rescuing a poore distressed Lady and restoring her vnto her birth-right which shee else had lost for me this fauour and the aide I had from your braue selfe and these your followers shall euer binde me to be still your friend and faithfull seruant when you shall dispose of me and mine which still you freely may and shall command yet let mee know I doe beseech you who you are and how that you knew me My name said he is honoured most by this braue title of your friend my selfe am calld Antissius King of Romania setled and restored by your excellent cousen and the worlds greatest worth Amphilanthus the knowledge that I haue of you is this I saw your picture in the famous Court of your father the Morean King and withall your name and many of your acts were there related while you passd vnknowne but as the bare Knight of the Speare ioyes infinitly did possesse the Court to heare the fame which all parts holds of you besides so like you are to that braue King whom heauen doth fauour for the earths best good as for his sake if for no other cause I should affectionatly loue you The honors which you lay on me said he great King are such as I but weake in worth can hardly beare the waight of yet the last affects me most that I am something like that matchlesse King whose worth ambitiously I seeke to imitate though sure to come as much below the reach of it as 't is from me vnto the cleerest starre Then did they bring the King into a roome where they disarmd him and then went backe vnto the Duke whom they had put into a gallerie well guarded and respected like himselfe him they found not ouerthrowne with griefe for neither was hee sad nor any way dismay'd but seem'd to beare his ouerthrow patiently to him Philarchos thus began My Lord for so you are to mee since I am husband to your elder child who fondly and no way humanely for loue to Erinea you forget and would disinherit but shee borne to more good was first releiud by me lastly and most by this great King heauen so much fauoring her as to haue succour sent her from farr parts before his comming we were marryed determining to die if such our fates in holy wedlock Now you may discerne what wrong you did and if you please accept me for your sonne and pardon what without your knowledge wee in loue and great extremity haue done nor thinke shee hath dishonored her selfe or you in making me her husband for I am a Prince and sonne vnto a mighty King my name Philarchos my Country Morea third sonne vnto the King thereof Then did the Duke embrace him speaking
her right He laughed and said the gloue did well become his hatt hauing put it into it in that time and that there he would weare it in despite of him or the best Knight Steriamus strake his hat off with all giuing him such a blow in the face as he made him stagger then took out the gloue and kissing it told Vrania that thereby hee had the happines to begin his seruice to her being long before ingaged vnto it if she would take it from him she had the power to doe that and what else she pleasd since he desired to be but accounted her humblest seruant yet his desire was so much to be honourd as to bee permitted to weare it as her fauour till he brought him humbly to submit for so great a presumption She who had euer loued Steriamus from his youth and by this was ingaged besides his aduenturing to saue her in the sea to gratifie him yet tender of being cause of harme to him she only spake thus My Lord said she your merits so farre beyond my deserts make me amazed in what manner to carry my selfe I am doubtfull yet I will rather offend in the good then ill weare not this I beseech you too meane for you since taken from so ill a place but let me haue it and accept from me a more worthy and a fitter fauour and one vntoucht by any hands but those that present it with all true respect vnto you He gaue her the gloue and tooke from her a scarfe which with infinite content he tyed assisted by her also about his arme then went she to the fire into which she threw the gloue wishing that there the danger of Steriamus might end with the consumption of that leather Then did the disgraced Prince goe out and instantly send to Steriamus t o giue him satisfaction which he presently did yeeld vnto and kissing Vrania's hand went downe to arme himselfe in a priuate place and in an armour not known being ruâ—set and as plaine an one as could be his riches consisting in his worth and his Mistrisses fauour Straight was the Court fild with the newes that two braue combatants were entring the Lists the King Amphilanthâ—s though weake and all the Court came except Parselius who could not so well stirre abroad as Amphilanthus by reason he had lost much more bloud his staying within made Steriamus not missed so all assembled the proud Prince comes in suted to his humour his attendants many and shewed they had receiued their education from him the other had none with him but carried his speare himselfe the Iudges were made the Prince of Sauoy his Cosin-german chosen by him and Amphilanthus desired by the other the Trumpets sounded and they encountred Steriamus was struck backe on his horse and the other his horse fell with him so they fought on foote fierce and cruel was the fight lamentable was the sight of it for except those choice Princes none could equall this Piemountois and that he knew which did incourage or made him more prize his power then his worth as one might say a Horse were a brauer Creature then a man because he draweth or beareth more Steriamus fought for honor and that to be receiued from Vrania the other to repaire his honour touch'd for Vrania thus they past no fury no strength no harme shun'd or spar'd which was not calld to the highest accompt nor any skill wanting which was not if a little stirr'd renewed and payed with iudgement and discretion Most sayd no combate except the last could compare with this yet in some sort did this exceed as being one more bloudy ground hate and all curst additions being ioynd together in them to be at heigth and gouerne nay spend themselues in the furious and deadly conclusion At last much care was had to saue them when euen their eyes dasled and their legges grew false to their bodies no longer willing to support them Then fell the Piemount Prince and Steriamus vpon him not of purpose but by weakenesse his helme he puld off and would haue killed him but his spirit ended in shew with his fury for then he fell off from him in a swound appearing as dead as he The Iudges came in and finding it was the braue Prince Amphilanthus fell downe by him the King came from the window Vrania ran to him and wiping his face rubbed his temples with her hand when life againe possest him and how could it be otherwise being in her armes where life of loue did dwell When he beheld where he was and remembring what hee had began for her fearing he had lost his honour by the others victory he offerd to get vp and being on his knees scarce able to rise higher crying out Miserable Steriamus to liue to see thy shame and before her where honour striues to be and from whom all my honor must proceed he cast his eies and saw where the other lay dead then was he satisfied and well might he bee so since this was none of his smallest but one of his chiefest victories the strength valour and skill of the other being so well knowne as none could yeeld him conquered but by an vnconquerable spirit Steriamus gaind the victory and so as great honor as could be giuen to any in a single fight he was not the strongâ—st but as valiant as any and except the cosin and brothers equall with any This past they were taken vp in the raising them the Prince breathed and looked vp wherupon Steriamus would stay and heare him speake he vnwilling yet by him before he would be drest was forst to confesse his folly and in as humble maner as he demanded asked pardon for presumption to Vrania then he for gaue him and kindly reconciled themselues so embracing the proud Prince departed proud now that he had liued to goodnesse shaking off the other pride with his life Steriamus was conducted to his lodging where Vrania visited him often the body of the other to a place appointed till his buriall the Prince of Sauoy taking order for him not with excessiue sorrow for his death who in his life time neuer cared for him nor any that had so much vertue for this was a fine young Gentleman vertuous and valiant and now by his cousins death Prince likewise of Piemount Euery day were new showes and triumphes and by reason these braue Princes could not be any of the number martiall exercises were for a while layd aside and Court sports gain'd the place Amphilanthus Parselius and within few dayes Steriamus beeing spectators but one afternoone with sound of Trumpets there entered into the hall a braue Knight and with brauery vnusuall hee was attended with many seruants all in one colour liuery which was Sea greene and crimson as coats of seagreene veluet embroderd with crimson silke in the fashion of hearts stroke through with darts twenty of these he had euery one of them carrying a picture then came two richer
louing care to vs both but how canst thou performe this If that be all said he let mee alone nor take you care for it shall be my charge which I will honestly discharge and deliuer it with mine owne hands as if it came from her father which shall be the meanes to haue the roome priuate for our discourse what shal then hinder me from discouering your desires and her happines This agreed vpon they parted for that time the youth to his flock Alanius to his pen paper that euening meeting again according to appointment and then leauing Alanius to prepare al things ready against my cōming to cōuey me to the next town there to be maried himself comming to me leauing the fals shepherd who fairly like the falsest betraier of blis promised to be in readines for vs the honest lad did his part telling my aunt that he was to speak with me presently and in great priuate She mistrusting little and glad to let any of my fathers men see how circumspectly she kept his orders brought him vp instantly after she had afflicted me with iron rods When I saw the Youth Alas said I are you come with more torments for pities sake let me now haue an end and take my life the best and last prize of your tirannies His answer was he could not alter his Masters will nor be a messenger of other then he was intrusted with all as hee was with a secret message vnto me wherefore intreating mine Aunt and the rest by to leaue the roome they left vs together they gone and wee free from danger he began thus Thinke not sweet Liana that I am now come with any matter of griefe but with the welcome tidings of the long desir'd blisse of enioying if you wil not your selfe marre your owne content Is it possible cry'd she that I can liue to see happinesse Reade this said he and then tell me whether you may resolue to be happy or no or so refuse it I tooke the letter and with excessiue ioy said shee I opened it finding in that his firmenesse for what was there wanting which might content me loyalty professed in large protestations affection expressed in the dearest kind and sweetest manner besides a meanes for our happinesse most of all belieued and sought What can you imagine then Madam said she that I did I kist the letter wept with ioy too soone fore-telling the greater cause which for his sake I suffered teares proouing then but slight witnesses for my far deeper suffering when I found all this contrary and my Alanius false the heauens I thought would sooner change and snow lie on AEtna then he would breake his faith or be vngratefull to me who then for him ventured life and fortunes for to fulfill his desire I went with the Youth cald Menander hauing gotten such things as were necessary for my escape assisted by a maid in the house who much pitied my estate but more loued Menander who made vse of it that night for my benefit In a disguise which he had brought thither vnder colour of necessaries we left the house and soone arriu'd at the appointed Groue which was at the Hilles foote All the way feare possessed me left I had too long staid and so giuen him cause of vnkindnes that I no faster hasted to him who alone could truly giue me life in comfort and desire to see him made me accuse my selfe of long tarrying especially when I saw him there but what saw I with that death to my ioy and martirdome to my poore heart for there I saw him in anothers armes wronging my faith and breaking his made vowes I stood in amaze not willing to belieue mine eyes accusing them that they would carry such light to my knowledge when to bring me to my self or rather to put me quite from my selfe I heard him vse these speeches It is true I lou'd Liana or indeed her fortune which made me seeke her but in comparison of thee that affection borne to her was hate and this onely loue rather esteeming my self happy in enioying thee and thy delights then if endowed with this whole Iland What is riches without loue which is in truth the only riches and that doe I now possesse in thee These words turnd my amazednes to rage crying out O false and faithlesse creature beast and no man why hast thou thus vildly betrayd thy constant Liana Hee looking vp and perceiuing me and his fault said nothing but as fast as guiltines stor'd with shame could carry him hee fled his delight or wanton following him which way they tooke when out of the Groue I know not nor the honest Lad who would not leaue mee bearing part with mee in griefe and I with him of shame infinitely molested that hee was made an instrument in my betraying When I had endured a little space like a Cabinet so fild with treasure as though not it selfe yet the lock or hinges cannot containe it but breake open so did the lock of my speech flie abroad to discouer the treasure of my truth and the infinitenesse of his falshood not to bee comprehended Passions grew so full and strong in mee I swounded and came againe to feele and increase misery hee perswaded I was willing to heare him who I saw had been in goodnesse to me cosned as I was We left the Groue accursed place and in it my cause of curses comming into a faire meadow a dainty wood being before it and another on the side of it there did my vnfortunate eies againe meete with Alanius vnlucky encounter where I saw such falshood which yet boldly venturd towards mee hee running with greatest haste after me but sending his voyce before him coniuring me by the loue I bare him to heare him calling mee his Liana but as I saw him so did his error appeare vnto me and yet did griefe rather then hate hold the glasse to me◠for though he had neglected and deceiued me and so forsaken my truth to ioy in the loose delights of another yet I mournd that he was deceitfull for God knowes I loue him still I fled from him but sent my hearts wishes for his good to him like the Parthian arrowes which by his cries seemd to wound him and my words though few to strike him which as I ran from him I threw back to him It is true I was yours while I was accounted so by you but you haue cut the knot aud I am left to ioine the pieces againe in misfortune and your losse of loue all happinesse attend you the contrary abiding in me who am now your forsaken and so afflicted Liana With this I got the Wood to shelter me and the thickest part of it at my petition to grant me succour coueting now the greatest shade to hide me from him to whom and into thick shades I lately ran In this manner I liu'd a while there neuer seeing company or light but against my will still haunting
passionately in loue with her as Antonarus saw if he accepted her loue he must with that kill his friend rather then to doe so foule an act hee would seeme cruel and wrong and harme himselfe sooner then hurt him yet oft hath he told me that he hath from his soule wish'd my brother had neuer discouer'd his affection to him for then ignorantly hee might haue made himselfe happy in her whose happinesse onely consisted in him and yet was denied bâ—bâ—cause he loued his companion O friendship excellent vertue to be embraced and cheerished yet herein would such friendship had not beene Still did Terichillus tell Antonarus how he lou'd and how he saw she slighted him and yet cri'd he she loues would I were the Dogge she so kindly treats and playes with all or that little bird which she still kisses and carries in her breast or any thing saue wretched me my selfe so loath'd and hated by her Then did he comfort him telling him patience and constancy might solicit for him and his still presenting himselfe in her eyes might win if any thing could preuaile by loue At last my brother plainely discerned the loue she bare to Antonarus then he grew furious and for all these former passages mistrusted this firme friend hee finding it and no way to kill this Cancor tooke leaue of the Court and my brother at his parting telling him that whatsoeuer he imagined of him he should finde him true to him To the Lady he went not but priuately in the morning he stole away and pass'd many Countries with much honor but now comes the wofull part of this Story She seeing him gone and Terichillus stay quickly guess'd the matter then grew rage in her and whereas before she would vse him ciuilly for Antonarus sake now she plainely shew'd the hate she bare him who she beleeud to be the cause of his going that beliefe told her she must not suffer such an iniury that iniury being aboue all where loue was by it barr'd his sight grew odious to her when she remembred that with him Antonarus vs'd to come now she saw nothing but the foule Coppy of an excellent worke his presence made her see the absence of her sole content as the bare shelfes do of the ebbed Tyde and as bare without liking did he seeme yet could she not beware of the flowing ill which followed by his spite nor did shee striue to shunne any thing but his presence he infinitly louing she terribly hating let her passion grow to such violence as it grew infectious and he that but now sought still continued in search but of what Not of loue but meanes to beâ— reuenged of her whose loue he could not compasse but whose ouerthrowe he meant to gaine Eyes which lately seru'd to bring his comfort to him in seeing her are employd to be curious spies ouer her affections howres spent wholly in examining her worth and vertues chang'd to plott her ruine admiration of her goodnesse to admiring why hee could affect such a body of disdaine alteration so beyond expectation as vnderstanding when this happened was to seeke yet did he dissemble still and made loue the honour of noble hearts the colour for his wickednesse making his malice spring and ouergrow his loue as Nettles doe Violets or Hemlock Pincks yet did his counterfeit affection grow with it At last he wrought so cunningly as hee intercepted a Letter which shee sent to Antonarus which hauing opened and read he made the answer counterfeiting his hand so well as none could discouer it or know it to bee other then his the messenger he made safe for telling tales making bloud accompany his Treason Thus he continued heaping more ills vpon his soule then shels in number are vpon the Sea-shore alas that he were not my brother since I must thus speake of him or rather I would his last act had not made me the vnwilling and vnfit relater of his ill The poore Lady still louing him writ and with all the zealous affection shee could perswaded his returne with whom she would goe and bring him to the famous Duke her father where all honour should be done him He still answerd with deâ—layes at last or indeed his vnappointed Secratatary made this answere that good manners had made him thus long answer respectiuely but since he found that nothing but his company and marriage would satisfie her shee must be contented to be plainly told that he despised her forwardnesse and as much her selfe his heart being set already on one farre more deseruing then her selfe who deserued nothing of him to alter his former affection nor could merit any thing of the world if not by marrying Terichillus who affectionatly loued her and thus she might honor her self in requiting him and that if she desired to haue so much as a good thought from him shee must performe this or else to bee assured of a mortall hater of her selfe and house She alas whose heart loue had made tender and tendernesse pitifull could not but so much pitie it selfe as to breake with this vnkindnesse yet died shee not speedily but which was worst yet in a kind happy for her her woman wrought such meanes as a brother of hers found Antonarus to whom he discouered the pitifull estate of the Lady and what complaints she indured the absence and cruelty of him who sought to murder her for faithfully louing him This discourse made him resolue to see her and if it might be to saue her dying or shame of it working more in him then liuing loue could purchase so as he went to the Court where he found her ready to depart yet not past sense but that shee knew him or rather hauing only sense of loue tooke quick apprehension so as she looked vp and spake chearefully to him desiring all else to auoid the chamber when that was done she took him by the hand and weeping thus spake Antonarus what fault haue I committed that hath brought this cruelty from thee If extreame and loyall affection can offend then haue I infinitely offended But alas blame your selfe your vertues made me choose you your winning eies made me your subiect your worth commanded my fidelity you onely I loud and you onely murder me with vnkindnesse yet pardon me that I speake thus boldly since I feare my former boldnesse made you despise me Chide Loue alas it was he offended and I did but by directions write those Letters so reiected and despised by you He hearing her speake thus and touch vpon Letters desired to be resolu'd of that she admiring at his seeming ignorant of that yet loath euen at the last to seeme harsh to him told him of his curst answere and to satisfie him shew'd him the Letters themselues with the Copies of hers which said shee I had burnt had you not come as you did When he saw them no man could manifest more furious sorrow for he could not speake but wept and sob'd toare his haire
for true noblenesse excellent goodnes perfect vertue and matchlesse valour Wherfore I beseech you as you may be or are a louer in that regard aide me as a King asist me against a murderer of a Prince and as the best of Knights against such treachery The cause is strange and the businesse it may be will to some seeme nice since a sister vrgeth reuenge of a brother but weigh with all that my loue and husband is murder'd and by my brother 's owne hands that will wipe away all doubts and cleere me to implore your aid The King and Amphilanthus much pittied and admired the Lady who had related this story with as much passion and fine expression of witty sorrow as could be Amphilanthus moued so much with it as he presently consented and gaue his promise to asist her so they pass'd to the Court in the same manner as she before had trauel'd for she had vowed neuer to leaue the body nor to bury it till she had his death reueng'd When they came where Terichillus was she sent vnto him to let him know shee had brought a Knight to defend her wrong and to call him to account for his Treason hee made his wonted slight answers but the Lift and all things were prepared then entred the Lady with the body and the two Knights accompanied with the mourners the Princesse of Morauia because her husband was one would not be present the other Ladyes were plac'd to see the fight Then was it proclaymed that if the Knight were ouercome hee should loose his head and the Lady should be at Terichillus disposing if the Knight ouercame then the Prince if vanquished and aliue should be disposed of by the Lady and the Knights with all the troope should haue safe passage without stay or disturbance in returne Thus all agreed on the Trumpets sounded Terichillus furious and ambitious of victory and peace encountred Amphilanthus with such strength as he made him bow backwards on his horse but the King strooke him flat on his backe vpon the ground hauing meanes by this to aske pardon from heauen for his offence but he least thinking of so good a matter quickly got vp and with his Sword in his hand did attend Amphilanthus whose noble curteâ—ie was such as not to take aduantage of him lighted also to fight on foote Terichillus was valiant strong and now to fight for life and honour so as hee held Amphilanthus longer play then many had done yet at last he acknowledged with all others the King to be fittest to be yeelded vnto and so perceiuing his life at an end curstly set his sword on the ground and brake it desirous as it seemd to die vnarmd rather then disarmd by Amphilanthus which was to no purpose he making him openly make confession of his fault ask pardon direct that al should obay his sister as their Lady and Princesse weep and lament his fortune without compulsion and according to his ill life hee frowardly and peeuishly concluded his daies leauing behind him this certaintie that such treasons are neuer any more left vnpunished then Countries without Princes for straight was his Sister proclaimed and he as soone forgot as she speedily receiued The King of Bohemia and the King of the Romans were carried into rich chambers but they since the last busines in the Castle would neuer lie alone so as they were lodged together and as soone as Amphilanthus was recouerd of some slight wounds he receiued in this combat they took their leaues following on their iourney for Hungary But as they were euen ready to leaue Morauia hard by a Wood which grew from the bottom of a hill to the top the hill steepy craggy and ful of rocks and places where stones had been cut for building of a stately Abby which was among meadowes not farre from the foote of this hill betweene two dainty riuers but then decaied by warre they met a Lady running her haire loose couering her face her cries loud and fearefull her cloathes halfe on and halfe off a strange disorder in her words she spake as if danger pursued and helpe requisitly demanded a little from her were some men who hastily followed her one especially from whom it seemd she sought to be deliuered Amphilanthus willing to aide and she seeming to beseech it rid to her to demand the cause she fled he pursued till they came to the bottom of a great quarry there in some thicknesse she offerd to couer her self but he lighting desired to know the cause of her flight and danger She as if her enemy had been at hand amazedly and frightfully answered Alas Sir what meane you what iniury haue I done you that you should thus follow me I neuer wrongd you why seeke you my dishonour He reply'd that she was deceiu'd and therefore intreated her to looke vp againe vpon him she would see her error Then beholding him wishly as if she had been till then in the wrong Pardon me my Lord said she for I mistooke you my misery being such as hath quite destracted me I am a poore Lady dwelling here not farre hence in yonder old Abbey Lady thereof by the death of my Husband since which time a young Lord hath been an earnest suter to me but my loue and fortune dying with my husband or but liuing to his memory I refused him as many other that haue sought me wherupon he vowed to haue me by force since no other meanes would preuaile and this day to performe his vow he came found me but slightly guarded and newly out of my bed tooke me out of my house bound my seruants and thus farre on the way hath brought me but when I saw this thicke Wood and being acquainted with the hidnest parts of it I slipt from behind his seruant that carried mee and with all speed possible ran as I thinke you must needs see me towards this wildernes here I hope I am secure and shall assure my selfe of it if it might please you to take me into your protection He curteous beyond expression promised to defend her I pray Sir said she let me yet ask some things more of you which are what your name is and how long you haue been in this Country My name said he is Amphilanthus my being here hath bin some time being brought hither by the Princesse Sydelia Let me be so bold I beseech you to demand one fauour more which is Whether you were one of those two that came with her to reuenge heâ— quarrell I am indeed said hee and the same who fought with Terichillus Then am I blessed said she for I may assure my selfe of the valiantest man aliue While they were thus discoursing an other Lady with as fearfull cries shricks passed by running from the Wood-ward with such haste as her feare had made her so light as shee left no print so much as pressing the grasse whereon she ranne the impression it seem'd being in her and
for who but hee could hold her eyes so fast so eagerly did they behold each other as if they fear'd one part of sight had fail'd to make a full conclusion of their blisse or as if they through them would looke into their hearts to see the setled dwelling of each others faith there was affection discouered at the height and as true loue would wish freely giuen and taken Most blessed paire said Amphilanthus sighing in him selfe alas may I not liue to see such good may not my deere behold me with such lookes such smiles such louing blushes may not her vertue freely grant this to me yes I haue seene such but accuâ—sed man must not enioy but what curst Desteny wil allow my wants Then made he some excellent verses the subiect being desire and absence and so much was he transported as he stood not like a beholder but as an Actor of loues parts Ollorandus talking this time with the husband returning all into the house Amphilanthus passing in his accustomed manner the braue Laurimello leading his beloued Lady by the hand after supper they walked abroad againe and so till bed time pass'd those houres in pleasant sweete discourse the Lady making her owne words true for neuer did any woman make such free yet modest shew of loue as she did yet exprest with such fine iudgement sweet chastity as that loue was in her deem'd a vertue and his wanton faults commended by the witt and dainty manner of her earnest loue The next day the two Princes tooke there leaues and so for Buda tooke their iourney Ollorandus contenting himselfe with the hop'd for ioyes he should receiue in the conuersation of Melisinda and Amphilanthus thinking how to returne vnto his deerer selfe blaming and condemning himselfe for being so long absent and accusing fortune for such cruelty as not onely to make him loose the comfort others had but also to make him witnesse of their gaine by that to behold his perpetuall harme and vnbearable want To Buda at last they came where they were entertained Amphilanthus as his merit and dignity required Ollarandus with such affection as all the schoole of loue could instruct Melysinda with Rodolindus with triumph and feast giuing them testimony of their welcome Many dayes the feasts continued and still increased the banquet of loue betweene the King and his Mistris when Amphilanthus was intreated to shew is skill in armes which he did in a iust wherein he encountered the King â—â—dolindus then vnknowne for the manifesting of his vallour would disguiâ—â—d meete the incomparable Prince who not vnderstanding any reason why 〈◊〉 spare him but to adde to his honor gaue him such vnkind greetings that â—â—though hee were as valiant and strong as any in Hungary yet at the fift â—â—urse he was throwne to the ground much brused which hurt he neuer â—ecouer'd but within some few months after deceased leauing his delicate â—ife as pefect and excellent a widdow These iusts being done Amphilanthus desired liberty of Ollorandus to reâ—â—rne who though infinitely grieu'd to yeeld vnto it yet iudging by himâ—elfe the causes that mou'd him he consented telling him he would also acâ—ompany him but by no means would he consent to that no more louing 〈◊〉 part then to be parted from his loue Alone he resolu'd to goe but for â—is dwarfe who attended him sending his new Squire vnto his Mistris to â—duertise her of his safty and of his speedy repayring to her The first dayes â—ourney the Queene with the two Kings accompanied him then parting Amphilanthus tooke towards Stiria and so that way to goe into Italy in â—hich Country hee mette a very fine and strange encounter in a delicate â—â—adow being newly entered Stiria there was a fountaine about â—hich were many Ladyes sitting all apparrel'd after that Country manner â—ut in one colour which was willow colour imbrodered with gold neateâ—y but not extraordinarily rich they were as hee perceiued being neere â—hem some singing some playing with the water others discoursing one to â—nother all busied and yet none busie but in play They hearing his horse â—ook'd vp hee saluted them and alighting came to them with whom he had many pretty passages of witt at last he disired to know who they were they â—nswer'd seruants as their liuery might testifie and Ladyes of honor to the Princesse of Stiria who was absolute Lady of that Country being subiect to none and yet not free Where is that Princesse said Amphilanthus not farr hence answered one of them being walked into yonder wood where she is the sadest and most discontented of any Princes liuing May the cause be knowne said he To such an one as will offer his helpe said the first of them I will doe my best said he else shall I forsweare armes when I am so vnworthy a man as not to serue braue Ladyes Then Sir answered she I will tell you the matter as well as I can but not so passionately as my Lady her selfe would doe if she were to relate it Emilina for so is the Princesse cal'd hauing beene sought of most of these Princes which are neighbours to this Country and many more neighbours to loue refus'd them all some of them so louing as loue might haue pleaded and won for them others haue conquer'd by their valour some haue gaind pitty by their afflicted passions but all were as one thing a louer reiected she hauing wholy resolu'd within her selfe to giue her possessions her heart and all to the renowned Prince of Naples and lately King of the Romans Amphilanthus whose fame had won more in her though in person then to her neuer seene then all they with their continuall petition At last this Prince came whose name had so souereignis'd as she stood not to behold or examine what causes might in him mooue her affection but as Amphilanthus she lou'd him He subtill aboue all men and as any faulse flatter'd her and so much wrought with her as he gain'd what he desir'd and what he most esteem'd for had she giuen him les she had as she beleeued wronged her feruent loue hee seem'd as passionate as she and surely was so but vnconstant creature he did change and so will all you doe While he lou'd none loued more earnestly more fondly none more carefully but how can loyalty be where varyety pleaseth scarse cold hee indure any to looke vpon her much lesse suffer or permit her to vse any but himselfe familiarly which hee need not finde fault withall for so did shee loue as she neuer look'd on other with the eyes of more then ciuill curtesie Some while this continued the marryage was expected hee gaind her promise to haue onely him she neuer doubting prest not for his vowes more crediting his word which she assured her loue of then seeking by desire of stricter vowes to make him thinke she did mistrust least action of his gaue her steddy trust and so shee trusted till shee was deceiued for
Burnt like a Phaenix change but such could shake And a new heat giuen by your eyes did make Embers dead cold call Spirits from the pits Of darke despaire to fauour new felt fits And as from death to this new choice to wake Loue thus crownes you with power scorne not the flames Though not the first yet which as purely ries As the best light which sets vnto our eyes And then againe ascends free from all blames Purenesse is not alone in one fix'd place Who dies to liue finds change a happy grace These I did learne for these did fit mee best and from that time contented was to let him see I entertaind his sute which was his kingdome wonne in sweet delight then was that as an Empire to my gaine when I first saw him rudely yet innocently clad like a Lamb in wool for colour and softnesse to the eye or touch his face blushing like modesty after his arme had showed manly power his delicacie asking pitie but his commanding absolutenes disdaining it as much as the bright Moone if we should say wee were sorry in a frostie night to see her face in the water least she might bee cold rather might I say I feard the Sunne would burne him when hee enamourd of his dainty skinne did but incloase him with his power from other haâ—me touching him not to hurt but to make difference twixt his fauours shind and shielded him while others he did burne kinde in embracements and soft in his force The language he did speake was milde so were his lookes loue shaddowing all himself within his eyes or in his face keeping his greatest Court because most gaining Ah sweet Philistella had you seene the vn-relatable exquisitenesse of hiâ— youth none could haue blam'd me but euen chid me for not instantly yeelding my passions wholly to his will but proud ambition and gay flatteriâ— made me differ and loue your brother thus if I changd t was from sweete Steriamus to Parselius for his excellency wonne me first so this can bee noâ— change but as a booke layd by new lookt on is more and with greateâ— iudgement vnderstood You need not said Philistella striue to make me seâ— your loue and cause thereof to Steriamus since I truely speake I thinke none worthyer to bee truely loued except my Lord then I imagine him nor can I much or any way defend my brother who had you still continued louing I should haue blam'd he prouing so vniust yet this only salue and good excuse is left Desteny did and euer still must rule Now for mee deere Vrania all I aime is loue if I discourse what is it of but loue if I walke out what trauell in but loue if I sit still what muse I on but loue if I discoursed be withall what answere I but loue so as being made maintaind by loue and in loue shaped squared only to his rule what neede excuses but plaine truth and say if I doe speake from purpose or extrauogantly fly from the matter we were talking of if cleaue to other â—ubiect â—diuert the proferd speech say this and only this Loue who is Lord of all braue royall minds hath like the heauens beheld my lowly breast and in it taken lodging gracing it with humbling his great Godhead to embrace a true and yeelding heart in comparison of his supreame authority most meane should I not thus without excuse be freed nay euen respected when loue is adored As if hee spake from me so heare me now loue dwels in me hee hath made me his hoste then if I only doe remaine as sure I shall wholly affection and his humblest slaue scorne mee not but still reckon mee a seruant nearest wayting on great Loue. Others like Painters better can set him forth in his coulers Kings we see haue pictures drawne to be eternised by but t is them selues for which the picture is drawne not for the workemans skill so fauor me for Loue nor blame me though an ill peece 't is the best though by an ill hand drawne t is to the life others may smoother bee and fairer none more like nor iust vnto the perfect true resemblance of pure loue thus see you before your royall selfe the humblest vassall Cupid cherisheth Vrania in her soule coÌ„mended the pretty confession faire Philistella made admiring her sweetnesse of disposition as much as before she woÌ„dred at the beauty of her person embracing her my deere companion in true loue said she now shall we with more ease and freedome serue our Master dayes must not passe without our seruice done to him nor shall my deere Vrania said the other let our most priuate thoughts be to each other plaine and open seacrysie to all others held and only loue and we know what we think thus they did liue and loue and loue and liue Nerana still remaining in Cicely now growne as humble as before proud and ashamed as before scorning liuing in a Caue alone and feeding on hearbs roots and milke of Goats which fed on those rocks playing the milke-mayd better then before the Princesse extremity forcing her contented with patience and patiently contented nothing troubling her but her loue which was and is enough to vex the greatest and best gouernd Spirits hers being none of those the exactliest ruld To bring her from her misery Loue hauing sufficiently tyrannised the King Perissus came thither who in loue to his friends the braue and matchles Princes meant to assist them iournying towards them hee happned to that place where he beheld the sportfull exercise of Fortune a Princesse without a Country cloathes or seruants a Lady that must tell her selfe to be one else not to be mistrusted a miserable woman and the more so because she felt it experience and sufferance making her sencible of misfortune She sought to shunne the King at first but afterwards considering her good might come from him her hurt likely if kept close to abide with her she came vnto him and with much humility made her aproach who beheld her with a gratious and pittying eye seeing in her more then ordenary behauiour and a countenance that might carry greatnes with it and had it in it though shadowed vnder pouerty Perissus tooke her to him and demanding some things of her shee answered with these like words Said she this estate may iustly merit contempt and scorne from you or so great a Prince as you appeare to be I am a creature liuing by ill chance able to relate my misery which if you please to giue an eare vnto I shall tell you I am cal'd Neraena Princesse of Stalamina made in myne owne Country and in the most perfect time of my rule subiect to a stranger both to me and I feare good nature so far scorning me as it brought me to this estate you see me in for after with curst and scornfull words he had refusd my loue and louing petition for pitty left me and with his friends as
where they more freely discussed of the matter which was this Antissia after her returne filled with hate in stead of loue neuer left plotting for reuenge till this came as often it doth in her sexe into her mind whereupon she writ to her Nephew but if that failed shee trusted on her seruant and therefore likewise did she write to him a letter from her was a comfort sufficient but a command his honour and happinesse This was the cause and nothing but death would satisfie her as at that time her furie was nothing being so reuengefull as a forsaken woman shame like loue prouoking her and that he freely granted her though it had fallen out to be his owne to haue paid her Antissius mistrusting as much by his distemper led him foorth of the Towne to this place the same day the Army marched thence toward Nicolarus there they had remained till Perissus his finding them Antissius striuing to diswade Dolorindus persisting in his resolution which had end by this adventure They stayed there till he was something recouered in which time the Sicilians arriued with whom they all followed the Army but Dolorindus afflicted doubly left them to their will hee following a course to redeeme his honor quenched They arriuing found the Kings ready to giue battell the Army was ordered before their comming wherefore those troops stood by them selues to watch when they might assist and not trouble them Antissia after shee had fedde her selfe with this fury was more then satisfied for Enuy being a little appeas'd shee came to her good nature againe or loue or feare or and indeed all passions whirling about like a wheele they draw wyeâ— out with all so drew shee painefull thoughts longer then before lengthned with dispaire for now said shee wretched Antissia what hope can be so flattering as to shew it selfe in any colour like it selfe to helpe thee Amphilanthus must for euer hate thee and all his friends dispise thee Thou hast engaged a louing King who will I am assured bee so oreruled by thy commands as hee will loose his life for thee How can Nâ—gropont forgiue mee but most I haue offended mine owne Country deere Romania in seeking to make thee a widdow by loosing her King who if hee meete Amphilanthus in the field is sure to dye for it if not yet haue I sought to murther his honor in desiring to make him vngratefull either way I am a Traytor to my Country and deserue the sharpest punishment Yet I hope they will consider what vnquiet passions may produce and like men haue stayder iudgments about them then on my request to indanger themselues or let their honors perish for my wil. This hope pleaseth me but now againe I doubt O fond Antissia wicked Antissia to let so vilde a thought inhabit in thee it had beene too much to bee nourished and brought to the ripenesse of so much mischiefe Alas sweetest Pamphilia how maist thou curse me for hauing a thought to hurt thy loue much more to plot his ruine and so thine in his yet thou art the cause for had hee not changed from me to thee all had been safe yet I may wrong thee this way too how know I that hee loued mee first may it not bee that hee did loue thee long before I saw Morea His fashion at the first encounter 'twixt you when wee came to Mantinea expressed a deare respect and familiar loue then I wrong'd thee to purchase him If from thee he did change the blame is there and I aske pardon for it but pardon cannot bee where so much ill remaines What shal I do most miserable creature wretched beyond all women and not fit to liue How euer businesses passe thou art a meere shame to thy sex and the disgrace of louers Die cruel Antissia and abuse not this place with thy vild liuing in it How can this earth beare without swallowing thee vp considering that he brought quiet peace the blessing of a Country vnto it But thy hate is such to me as thou wilt not let mee lodge within thee but rather doth cast mee out like the worst weeds to ease thy selfe of the poyson I am fild'd withall and to expose me to the end worâ—t serpents are brought to which ought to be destroyed least they infect the earth and should I bee slaine for my venomous practice and haue no buriall I were iustly vsed who could not bury a little losse without the graue were lined with murther A little losse said I noe sure it is the greatest yet loue should still be loue not let malice be the Hyaena to so sweet a Prince Perplexed wretch what shall I doe wander away abide not heere for shame the ayre cannot afford thee breath the grownd rest nor thine owne lost selfe quiet Curs'd be thy dayes and thou the most accursed soule liuing end or be transformed to miserie it selfe and be any thing rather then Antissia Sought I to make Antissius vngratefull curs'd was the act and I accursed in it Would I haue Dâ—lorindus kill Amphilanthus why did not that desire murther or indeed iustly execute me Hate is aboue all and highlyest to be hated and if that to be misprized what must the Nurse bee that nourished it As a mother of a braue good sonne is reuerenced and sought so may I be hated and shun'd for this birth Romania I am a Traitor to thee thou canst not but abhor me I am guilty accuse my selfe and know what thou must doe in Iustice to bee reuenged on me I will flye from thee and euer blame my selfe Then went she downe out of her chamber taking to the walke she had describ'd to Amphilanthus and Pamphilia there shee walked like a hurt Deere staying no where vexed and tormented thinking stirring and running would helpe but all proou'd contrary she must yeeld to her hurt and lye downe with her harme There she pass'd vp and downe till a boat came in she asked of what place they were they said of Metelin when they returnd they answer'd instantly when they had vnladed In conclusion shee agreed with them and so return'd better quieted because businesse employed her She was now resolu'd to goe who to take with her she must thinke of what manner to goe in what prouision to carry with her These employd her wits so as shee grew to be a little pacified and these things to put the other out of minde at least the mindes trouble with perpetuall vexation But when she was ready to take her iourney many great Ladies came to visit her as if sent to hinder her she tooke it so and although a Princesse who loued noble conuersation yet comming vnwished for it now perplexed her her iudgement commanded and she entertained them discharged her Bark and staid with them Her sorrow she couer'd or masked with the absence of her Nephew but Lucenia was one and one bred in Loues Schoole she knew her paine and the cause of it and wrought so well
was that I should vnderstand I belieued them and blame mee not braue Sir for neuer was man Lord of so many womens soules as this my Lord had rule of who without flatterie did deserue it neuer being vnthankfull for their loues Thus my beliefe gaue my faith I euer after constantly louing him hee shewed as much to me thus we loued or thought we loued which no sooner had possession but freedome followed as the second to loue and this brought mee to my onely playing part of miserie For being young and full of ioy inriched with the treasure of his affection I fell into a snare closely couered and so more dangerous being caught by the craft of one whose wit was to strong for mee being as plentifull in wickednesse as excesse could make or execution demonstrate in fulnesse I so true a louer as I thought on nothing else if ought it was how to indeare myselfe in his fauor by respecting and louing those hee loued a way much vsed and to some profitably practised this yet threw me into the Gulfe of mischiefe giuing welcome to that Wretch who vnder shew of respect spoild my only comfort stealing like rust and eating my heart with as marring and harmefull deceits The loue I saw my Lord bare him was the chiefe cause that made me like him trusting his choice aboue mine owne iudgement for I knew him once thanklesse enough to another from whom my Lord tooke him to bee his companion-like seruant His discourse was delicate and so vnusuall his wit not lying the same way that other good ordinary ones did and so excelling for what pleasinger then varietie or sweeter then flatterie which hee was filled with all and made mee giue or credit to a treacherous deceitâ— which perswaded mee hee was full of honest plainenes so prety and familiar his discourses were as shewed a pleasing innocency yet indued with admirable learning This moued me to trust considering that the greater his knowledge was the more he should know truth but contrariwise he was the breach to my misery My Lord imploidâ— him in some occasions abroad whether by his own desire to see or his wil to be certaine of some forraine knowledge he went away leauing me secure and happiest in my Lords affection Many letters I receiued froÌ„ him wherin he witnessed his truth which indeed did wel for only paper and inke said it not being worthy or honest enough to blush for his shame but in the time of his absence my loued loue did like all men alter it may bee caused by greater beautie it may â—ee prouoked to it by my imperfections but some thing it was I dare not say a naturall inconstancy bâ—t rather taxe my selfe with the blame then touch him made me vnfortunate This vnworthy man found it and as vildly pursued it smoothing me with flatteries while he glos'd with him and her to whom he had chang'd as long as euer hee discernd curtesie in him towards me which at last most cruelly was likewise taken from mee hee followed mee but then look'd on me as a rainy day doth on the earth after a flattering morning I was deceiued and indeed vndone but t was by him and for him whom I lou'd yet after some respect I found therefore I pardon forgiue him Sometime this lasted succeeding as I should haue told you the death of my husband and sonne by him for marryed I was and hauing ambition enough to hold mee from that in hope of obtayning him for my husband while the King still fauour'd mee and if I might with arrogancy say loued me But my loue to my chosen refus'd all others and he at last refused me which when the crafty vnhonest man directly saw hee not only as I told you left obseruing mee but proudly sought my loue if I scornd his basenesse a thing raised by my Father to be knowne but made by my Lord to shew in light Consider you who needs must know what can be yeelded by a spirit true to noble birth and more noble loue to a worme boldly crawling before the best and lifting vp an vnualued head as if a braue beast but a beast indeed he was and I the misfortune had to be a taster of his Villany vnder colour of visiting me after my losse he gaind still in my true heart a confidence of his renewing respect to mee which I prized him for confessing still and purely all the flames I felt for his Lord and soone after this he shewed his dishonesty and such neglect as if I were a blab or one desirous to doe ill I might yet mischeefe him But I am farre from that and will doe well let all other ills succeed that can for goodnesse and truth shall gouerne me yet because all his falshood shall not remaine hid or be vnknowne I will tell you somewhat that hee did for some-thing it concearns this story Hee came to me and found me apt or tooke occasion to thinke so for hee spake of loue and proceeded so farr as he brought it to my fortune I answered moderatly yet so home to my owne hart as he saw I was the same how euer he was changed for whose change my affliction was and so I discouer'd my paines and sorrowes as he said I complain'd fitly to be commiserated and that he pittied me Doe not so said I for I contemne pitty from thence hee grew to aspire to winne me and so boldly and â—aucely at lasâ— carryed himselfe as if my deerest knew it though he now shunns me he much more would scorne him that durst attempt to winne her whom he had once loued and yet holds as his owne though in despised sort And more to shew his villany he only serues and seekes and sues to haue her grace who hee perceiueth keeps my loue from me thinking himselfe base villaine good enough for me who now doe weare the wretched liuery of losse what is euer shun'd I haue in store forsaken and forlorne in loue Yet be it as it is and they continue as they doe I am and euer will be my selfe But what said Amphilanthus is the cause of this extreamity of griefe Haue I not told you Sir said she being forsaken and despised and why only for louing Dull I haue beene called for constancy is now termed so and his assurance of my faith made him leaue mee a thing hee thinks soone wonne or rather held at pleasure confident assurance of firmnesse growing to coÌ„tempt this course doe vnfortunate poore coÌ„stant louers run What is become said Amphilanthus of this man He liues said she I hope to shame himselfe Where is your loue said hâ— Fixed truely in my heart other where I can giue a small account of but as I haue heard liuing with a new loue bewitched sure with some charmes else could he not continue closed alone within her armes while armes and all true noblenes is buried in his losse for lost he is since hee fell to her power Why did
those Knights maintaine the passage said hee To defend poore mee cryd shee who since now left vngarded on that side I beseech you will conuey me to my house which when you see you will find likewise cause of pitty there Then brought she them vnto her dwelling which was in a Caue of great bignesse and large proportion a Monument in the mid'st of it of the most pretious stone of that time wherein shee liued being the Tombe of her sweete and last deere loue her sonne Deuided the Caue was into pretty roomes finely furnished but such as seemed rather to affect delicate cleanlines then sumptuous ornament yet were they rich enough Her attendants few but their seruice shewed them sufficient for that place with a modest and sad kindnesse shee bad them wellcome thither and instantly asking pardon that she must leaue them for such a tyme as she might performe her vow of mourning ouer the Tombe which hauing finished with numbers of sigh's groanes and teares she returnd to them againe Amphilanthus was not yet satisfied with the discourse wherefore againe he vrg'd her Then Sir said she you shall haue all I was borne to be betrayâ—'d for before this cunning ill man came I was vndone in former hops by one that had beene with my Lord almost from his birth who with flatterings had seald vp my heart to his vse neuer hiding any thing not my loue it selfe from his knowledge he making the greatest shew of obligâ—tion to me for my confidence that might bee expressed by so rare a witt striuing by subâ—ill meanes to make me thinke hee vsd all wayes hee might to make me happy still vrging me who needed no inticement to thinke how worthy the loue was how fit the match and then shewed me the liknesse of it our loues being so perfectly and reciprocally embraced the strong bond of friendship twixt our fathers and the continuance of that betweene him and my father as inheriting it from him lastly of our breeding together which though in our infancies yet the more naturally bred loue and increased it adding to loue as the smalest sticks doe with momber to the fiâ—rs of triumph but what aboue all indeed was the earnestest moouer as he treacherously protested was the true euen consent of our dispositions which seem'd so neere being one as though by birth made two yet created so as to be ioyned in one for the more direct and vnpartiall strength of perfectnesse and thus were you made to be one said hee in all fortunes and beings Heauen I confesse I held his louâ— Father Mother friends all were strangers to me in respect of the nearnesse of my affection to him and next to that did I thinke my best spent time was with those he most affected in his absence in that kinde seruing him Fortunate I thought my selfe and honour'd when his companions accompanyed me and so much I loued him as being forsaken I now the more am tortur'd with iust cause of coÌ„playning This Creature loath I am to name by other title and yet grieued to giue him his due and to call him spoyler of my blisse too diligently attended me neuer left me when any time might be permitted for man to see me in I embraced his conuersation but it chang'd to my affliction and contents destruction seeing oft times my passions which were too vehement for mee to hide or my weakenesse couer hee aduised yet still inticed mee on At last a match was offered me many had beene so before but all refused my conscience being such as neuer to marry any that I could not loue especially knowing it before yet was this more earnestly pursued then any other before the Gentleman himselfe too much and vnhappily affecting mee My Parents looked without loues eyes or rather saw while that child was blind the goodnes and greatnesse of his estate the hopefullnesse of the man his vertues and noble conditions much perswaded mee vnto him yet could not more mooue me then it is possible to stirr the most renowned Albion Rocks and in as much chast whitenesse remain'd my loue to my Lord while this Diuell who promis'd his helpe aymed at a farre fowler end beeing gaind I will not say by bribes to the friends of a great Heire whose estate might make one how vnworthy soeuer before a couetous minde seeme beautifull This was his fire and by this hee wrought destilling the offence of Villanie through the Limbeck of his wickednesse and this was the beginning My only loue being gon a iourney with the King loued infinitely by Deterius my father and hee staying had left his chamber and seruants to his dispose and command a stranger came in the plot ordained so by this Villaine while my Lord was dressing him hee desired to speake with the Traytor he went vnto him coÌ„ming in againe with a paper in his hand amazednes in his face which made my deerer selfe demand the cause he teÌ„derly louing the wretch because he had instructed himâ— froÌ„ in his tender youth He counterfetted loathnes to speake as if vnwelcome newes would follow his words the more he was troubled silent the more perplexed was my deere wherefore he priuately called the messenger to him of whom he demanded the newes he answered he knew none but that with much ioy and content Bellamira was betrothed to her long louing friend though not till then beloued of her he then loued and so may youâ— the better iudge of his paine When he heard I had giuen my selfe to another yet thus discreetly heâ— caryed it that hee spake not any thing vnto it though some while after heâ— demaunded of his fauour'd seruant as if but by chance if he heard any thing of Bellamira he would not answere but with a sigh and these words It is impossible I now find for any woman to be true Why said my Lord is Bellamira marryed No answered hee but as ill for shee is betrothed O women O loue how fickle and false are you both My deere hearing the death of my loue confirmed in this likely but vntrue manner saiâ— little only turned himselfe to a window where some teares he shed yet hauing the noblest spirit in the world would not suffer himselfe too long tâ— be gouernd vnder sorrow turned againe and so walked into an Orchardâ— where they conferred and at last he gained his consent to his desired end I ignorantly liued not daring to make other expressions then by looks or humble and willing seruices offered him which with as much affection were embraced yet was I grieued I heard not of him which still till then I did by euery one that saw him he as willing to send as I to receiue kindnesse The earnest suiter and falsely supposed betrothed man still did pursue and so hotly as at last I resolued to stretch the limits of modesty and to acquaint my Lord withall by letter and so ambitiously hoped to gaine one from him but considering many dangers I
pleasant sweet flowers naturally growing there among the stones as Pancies and Violets and others what could be there shewed him concerning the place she willingly let him see and told him it did belong to the Lord of Corsu an Iland not farre off but within sight of it more it seem'd she was vnwilling to tell but this the truth of the story was shee was by birth a great Lady in the before-named Iland belou'd and wooed by many but shee lou'd onely one who lou'd her as much for many yeares she was married to a Knight but her affections were wedded to her owne choyce He whom shee lou'd was also married but like her to one he car'd not for Their loue for what loue can be kept secret where such barres bee for enioying was seene and spoken of by many yet few blam'd them but wish'd they were free and married together there was another Lady in the same Country with whom shee did much keepe company and at her house had the happinesse to meete her loue shee being acquainted with their affections for what could shee hold from this Lady who was her chosen friend carefull shee was to keepe their counsels desirous to aid them in their desires and as kinde a friend as a true one but heere began the harme to smother like wet hay in fire smokes but the flame was longer in breaking forth This Lady call'd Siluarina had a cousen whom shee did dearely loue deseruing from her what loue could bee express'd from one to such a kinsman who was both that and a loyall friend to her nothing so deare to him as her loue nor of what did hee take care in comparison of her but being young and young men bee wanton he fell in liking with a seruant that belonged to the Lady where they lay cald Diania shee had others fairer but this was by him chosen for louelinesse shee was of as passionate a disposition as hee apt to receiue which was to the height of loue he gaining as it seem'd what he required as it also was found he did not sparingly demaund after this he was perswaded by his friends to go see a Lady a great marriage and to wooe hâ—r he consented to it and brake with his Cousen about it she very wel liked of it incourag'd him in it the spiteful woman seeing that thought she would haue her time to act her part therfore hauing got a false key one night when the louers had appointed a meeting as many they had though still chast she opened the dore and going into the chamber being certaine by the watch she made that she was gone forth tooke the lampe which hung on the wall at the beds feete and hung it in a chayre hard by the beds side of purpose to giue her at her returne occasion to looke on the remouing of it and to take a paper which she had laid at the bottome of it wherin she had written the most vilanous letter for threatnings reuilings of her for her sin as she cal'd it as it a little troubled Siluarina though she had a great spirit but that told her she had a husband and so the knowledge would be dangerous she had honour that would she be ouerthrowne lastly her loue might suffer which most greeu'd her for if all the harme had fallen on her shee had the lesse cared to auoid this and keepe all safe she resolu'd to speak with her the next morning for the hand she knew but first her seruant comming into the room to see her before he went a iourny he was determined to make for some daies she shewed him the paper Hee was vexed withall being afflicted that she should be in hazard for him and in such a kinde as his paines and stirring in it would bee the worse for her reputation Shee was more grieu'd to see him perplexed then with the businesse wherefore shee did comfort him and assur'd him shee would finde a meanes to salue all Hee tooke his leaue of her enioyning her to send him word how things passed Shee promised that and willingly would shee doe it had it beene for no other cause then so to heare from him whom so dearely she lou'd Hee gone she rose and being ready sent for the Gentlewoman to her to whom she brake forth into these words What offence did I euer giue you or what cause of malice haue you against me to worke such a treacherous practise seeking to ruine me and my honour She replyed that her Cousen was assur'd to her and therefore she did it that you said shee hauing such power with him should not seeke to marry him to the Lady mention'd to him or to any but my selfe which if you doe assure your selfe I will not spare you either to your husband or any els but the whole world shall bee fill'd with your shame Threaten not base woman said shee I feare not nor thinke thou shalt make mee so neere thy selfe wicked as to wrong my Kinsman or bloud so much as to let him fall to such mischiefe as to bee thy husband I know you wrong him for he cannot haue that litle worth to be so fond of so vile a creature or forget himselfe so farre as to thinke of marrying you or were it so neuer thinke tricks can fright mee of any ill knowne by you that I haue committed I am as cleere as ayre onely suspition you may vrge and that was brought to light by you and the cause knowne to be malice who will beleeue you my life hath gained a settled opinion in the world not to be stirr'd by your ill tongue my husband is so iust as when he shall heare you and me he wil I know right me so farre as you shall be punished and whipp'd for slandering me What good then can you hope for if you doe talke which doe if you haue a minde to it and beleeue it you shall bee no more spar'd then you threatned me What witnesse can be brought against me an enuious railing woman your selfe onely What will that worke against me when differences will be iustly made betwixt you and me and malice ouerbalance the report Shee hearing her so fearelesse and knowing those things she spake to be true found shee was deceiu'd in her plot and Diania in her inuention encountring another manner of woman then she look'd for shee therefore turn'd her speech protesting how much shee had euer honour'd her that there should be nothing to the value of her life neglected to serue her withall desiring pardon for what she had said excusing her selfe with madnesse that possessed her for feare her Cousen would forsake her Thus they parted shee carelesse of her danger in outward show to her in whom the danger lay yet wished she for all her great spirit that shee were fairely dead and so her honour safe it continued thus her seruant returning backe againe and meeting her at the same place Siluarina hauing in the meane time
with as much admiration as shee did their Mistris thinking no difference betweene them in beauty saue that the new guests fairenesse seemed more masculine as fitted with her estate yet full of graue modest and seemely bashfulnesse Thus they beheld each other the Shepheards passionately beholding Leonia in memory of her loue and the Nimph amorously gazing on her in her owne passions till the musick a little awaked them making their eares proue traytors to their hearts for letting in any thing to them but loue Loue is a subiect so delightfull and alluring as it not onely winns but commands the very soule to the hearing or writing of it so wholly possessing as it caused this amorous accident and yet will not permit a resting here but proceedes to Amphilanthus and his company who liued in all pleasure outwardly yet fed sometimes with a bare hope as others were and this oft they felt and after learned to know they passing along a prety time without aduenture it was their chance to meete the same proud Queene of Bulgaria whom Rosindy had encountred but vpon fairer termes for she knew Lucenia and she did as she was an excellently wel fashioned woman giue her respect answerable to her heart Amphilanthus beheld her and thought her as faire as she was yet not a woman at least as hee protested to worke wonders on him yet shee doubted not nor was afraid to shew that shee thought he was her seruant if shee pleased but wrong hath been done to that famous and excellent Prince in that kind many times by a noble free fashion hee had which gaue ignorant or bold people liberty to speake of him but to our purpose After they had discoursed some dayes together much intreaty hauing preuaild they obtained her company to the Enchantment the noble Amphilanthus assuring her that the King would not be offended when he should be told with her iourney that shee had taken it vpon his request they came downe still till they were neere the Gulfe of Lepanto where they meant to ship and so to goe for the Rocke but as they were one hot afternoone sitting in a shade a louely sweet creature as those parts yeelded apparelled as that Country fashion was for the better sort to weare passed by them Musalina would not let her goe so but walked to her who with much ciuilitie staid and attended her commands Shee demanded some questions of her shee answered them with sweet and pleasing truth at last good breeding made her know that curtesie was not to be contemned by the greatest wherefore she inuited her and her company to rest them in her house which she said was hard by and though not worthy of them yet better then that place She took her inuitation and went for the rest who straight came and accompanied her to her abiding which was a faire house moated about but strong and hansome Gardens and Orchards within the moate delicate and pleasant a Bote to goe ouer it into dainty Meades Woods and Groues so pleasant this place was and so kind her entertainement as quickly they agreed to her ciuill request which she seeing the day far passed made to them for lying there that night Musick they had of diuers kinds and such mirth possessed them that place hauing euer been blessed with that fortune as few or none could be melancholy in it except the Mistris whom commanding all there appointed that passion wholly to attend her who not naturally but accidentally was the saddest noble Lady in those parts Dance they did and al other things that orderly mirth would permit yet still the Lady walked vp and downe as if her soule were absent and the body guided but by a Deputy who did not so well gouerne Musalina marked it for the braue Queene marked little but her selfe and the glory she tooke in that she asked the cause but with much fine and cunning respect not so finely insinuating her selfe into her but that she found her yet meant not to be too curious wherefore she answered her thus Madam if the cause of my sadnes were worthy to be heard or knowne by you so perfect a Lady I would not bee the delayer of the happinesse to that and my selfe in holding it from you yet some part as all is too long to tire you with all I will say I loued and was beloued I chose and am forsaken I loue and I thinke shall dying say so and do so I liued a while nourished with the bewitching foode of hope but that hath now left me to the opposite partie Despaire despaire the spring of all loue-lost teares and the Tombe of constant louers whither I haste as fast as my ill fortunes can carry me By this they were got a prety way from them and hard by the Moate side where Musalina would lie downe and heare more of her plaining then said she Madam you shall heare some more by that iudge the rest for my lippes shall not speake all though truth of him I dare not call him any thing for his name makes me still loue him and ready to forget all iniuries and that loue will not let me giue him any curst title but I went one day a iourney from his house with a Cosin of his he not being able to goe with me his eyes then fild with water mine as full hearts being equally stored with loue words we had few his being these Farewell my Deare said hee speaking this on my lippes and carry my heart with thee in thy iourney I will said I both keepe iâ— and cherish it doe the like for mine that I leaue with you his eyes â—old me hee would I thanked them with mine and so parted not fearing that which now too strictly holdeth me but since I neuer will trust man that when he will can weepe my soule did at the parting strangely misgiue me that some ill would follow but I guessed not what though I confesse a little while before I had somewhat been touched with care I wil not call it Iealousie though 't was as violent a paine but how did he seek to cleare himselfe and satisfie me I came in once when they two all alone were sitting on a bed shee looked angerly as hauing hindred her and red with fury he I thinke with shame that so I found him yet I went away nor did I challenge him for that though hee did seeke to make mee thinke no huâ—t was meant or harme vnto our loues this made mee more suspect sâ—spition bred more griefe the noblier he stroue to giue mee satisfaction the more I was engaged to belieue and did at last truly repenting as if I had erred and as clearely loued as at first and as feruently Oh what eyes could with freedome looke on him could any heart hould out against the siege of his alluring sweete beguiling loue no 't was impossible all were created to be made his prey and hee too pittifull and so by pitty to receiue and then
my former vow nor to my selfe and such as wil go with me shal be vsd no worse then my selfe They humbly thankt her but protested that no other fortunes should satisfie them then her seruice attendance yet was there a way they said how she might saue her self free her realm them from ruin She repli'd such a course she would with al willingnes vndertake then they told her their opinion naming the Champion only by his framed name if said she my brothers were here or either of the kings of Albania I might put my fortunes in any of their hands but alas what speak I of that I merit such a happines Could no other please you said they with that she sigh'd Yes God knows said she blushing turning her self froÌ„ them They went on how if Amphilanthus said they were here If he said she were here there were no question but life estate al might be put into his hands but this I protest truly and sincerely that I had rather perish then bee the cause of the losse or danger of the losse of one drop of his blood or of my brothers so much I loue and respect them With that Amphilanthus step'd out and presenting him selfe to her told her that while he had blood and life they should serue her She was amazed surprized with ioy and feare blush'd and looked pale passion working so in her as she could not tell how to looke how to speake or expresse the blessed comfort possessed her Heauen-like ioy to her it was to see him Death-like smart so to see him to his danger her heart bled to thinke that hee might bleed in her quarrell and yet his quarrell caused in loue had withered hers with sorrow till now refreshed with this balme like a body furnished by the perfectnes of a sound Liuer with blood and so life He was troubled with her countenance least it had beene out of offence taken against him when God knowes it was but the violence of her passion which when happy or crossed could neuer suffer her to vtter it selfe She could imagine what to say and resolue of it but neuer could when time was offered to performe it timorousnes ruling in her towards him when ouer all others she could soueraignize diuers the sorts diuers the passages and geuernments of loue Hee tooke her by the hand shee affectionately beheld him at last telling him that shee would rather petition him to let any end befal her but yeelding to Asâ—rusius rather then he should venture his life for her deliuerie Hee said there was not in the world next her selfe that hee respected more or in any degree of comparison with her liberty and pleasure therefore she might assure her selfe that her honor and safety should command his life which could neuer be so well imployed as in seruing her They then together sate vnder the cloath of State shee beholding him with as greedy eyes as one at the last doth the Hauen in a terrible storme driuing from that whither they desired to goe and well could she in her mind haue consented to haue dyed in that blessednes He as louingly beheld her and thought hee saw her former beauty lately decayed renuing as his fauour was to and in her againe Thus they were till supper which being past she conducted him to a delicate chamber where he lodged all night resting well till time was for his going to the field the excellent Lady lay all that darke time like one wrapd into the third Heauen her soule only working she knew not how to beare her ioy accusing prosperity for being more vnsupportable then affliction a Feauer of contentment held her in a fit without intermission and thus she remained till day or her care of him or thoughts or ioy or altogether called her vp and so she appareld her selfe to be ready to blesse her eyes with his sight before he went forth for no suite perswasion or any petition of hers could diswade him from the combate telling her at last that hee must doubt by her importunity and feare shee seem'd to haue of him that her opinion of his worth or vallour was deminished She was then forced to be patient and all her refuge was to her teares and prayers for his deliuery and safety he is determined to vanquish the other opinionated to haue the victory the honour and the Queene both are now ready to try it out Pamphilia attending her Knight to his horse her soule wayting on him with all her strengrh of spirit and good to assist him so as thus hee that needed no helpe had two spirits ioyned together in and against one and one of them maliciously bent against him and perfect loue bound to his ruine Vrania Philistella Steriamus and Selarinus on their way in Epirus met a dainty troope of Ladyes and Knights in a Meddow the Knights to passe away time till they met the Kings and Queenes which was the cause of their iourney had found out a pretty pastime to please their Mistrisses withall vnarmed only with the Launce they were to take a ring of gold which was hung to a staffe and which side hauing deuided themselues into the number of twelue and twelue did oftnest take the ring was to win a Iewell which the Ladyes was to giue and then the whole side that had wonne the prize must run sixe courses a peece and which Knight ofâ—nest tooke it was to haue the Iewell free to himselfe the Ladyes to draw lots who should pay for it and shee that lost it was to accept the winning Knight for her Seruant It was agreed on by all as contented till the lots being to be drawne and the chance lighted the Lady who was to loose or winne grew into an infinite rage cursing Desteny reuiling the blind Lady Fortune crying out against vniust luckeâ— and rayling at all men and mankind in that chafing at her selfe as furiously as at any other thing Vrania was desirous to know the cause of this her dislike and fury May it please your Maiesty said she I should hold it an vndeserued fauour receiued from you to be let alone to my passions and not forced to relate that which must be most displeasing to mine owne eares and as harsh as my lucke hath beene cruell yet if there bee no remedy I wil not disobay you although I desire that my story may bee rehearsed but to your selfe and our Queene your sister This was agreed on while the Kings went to see horses ridden and to ride themselues the Lady then tould her discontents thus This Knight whom I haue now by Fortune giuen mee I haue many yeares since giuen my selfe I meane my best and truest affections vnto hee did so amorously and with such iust and euen loue receiue me as I cannot tell whither of vs loued most though I knew I louest as much and feruently as any woman expressions I could make of his deernesse to me and mine to him were it not for
our selues yet hee did not absolutely in two yeares giue ouer his former fashion though alasse his loue was dryed and like Roses by mee kept for the colour they had and sweetnesse the remembrance still held but wither'd and not themselues to bee knowne by sight At last such a quarrell hee had against himselfe as if for euer louing mee as hee grew discontented in my company snapt mee vp if I aduentur'd to speake frown'd if hee caught mine eyes on him and withall plotted disgrace carryed himselfe to mee that his brother and his owne friends said it was too much I bore it and truely for all that left not louing nor grieuing for it yet at last I got so farre as my sorrow exprest it selfe not so openly in show though as neere in acquaintance for it was an houshold guest with mee But so it happened at last that this Lady hee had taken and cast mee off for loued another which was to him discouer'd hee liked it not yet made no show of it because hee had said when euer hee mistrusted his loue hee should hate her and that might hee for heere hee was assur'd or might bee but other reasons held them together yet it gaue him leaue to look on me a little again and to me those lookes were like the sweet euenings wherein the Larke delights her selfe so much as shee flyes into it neuer satisfied with the delicacie till at the height shee is forced to retire bidding that farewell So did I for I was forced to part againe from that but in that halfe day of blisse hee tooke occasion to speake of old matters I was as willing to that as hee and so wee discoursed temperately in the end hee said for that cause said hee speaking of a friuolous and vnwaighty businesse God knowes I lost you all You had left vs said I before that time with that hee sate a little neerer to mee and it seem'd would haue proceeded which I wish'd for I made no question then of satisfying him if euer wee came to speake but one of the wicked Ministers of my ouerthrow as destin'd to spoyle mee had such a spell as in absence shee had a spirit able to ruine mee sent for him hee went but promised to come againe I attended as resolu'd neuer to giue cause of dislike but hee was stayed and I in a mighty fret return'd to my lodging Another time he tooke occasion being inuited which then he must haue beene if he were desir'd at my fathers which before had been his ordinary table to a dinner my father made to many of his friends and hee esteemd by him so hee was solemnly inuited He came and at dinner sitting by me fell into discourse of loue and of womens inconstancie as if I had beene guilty I knowing my innocencie spake like that and so vnderstood him not in shew Then hee fell to other kindes yet on the same theame and at last hee came to say how poore Paris was vs'd for choosing well for said he Iuno because a Queen wonld be belou'd Pallas a boystrous woman would fight if not chosen poore Venus onely loued and for Louessake wan the Aple thus was he punished for loue I thinke not for that so much replyed I by your Lordships fauour that he was distresse but for being false before to Enona He said no more and by that I saw he vnderstood me yet after againe he had another Ierke at it but in another sort speaking of loue and returning to their former loues There may be hope then said I. Introth little said he for if euer I shall come tatterd and torne not worth looking on Yet then said I if to me you come I will welcome and cloath you He looked pleased with me for yet it opportunitie gained by the other lost by mee held him as shipps tossing in a Hauen but winde-bound Well I grew desperate and indeed heeded nothing that befell me in the conclusion I spake something or something was said for me which brought me vnder the compasse of the law as farre as life came to I was condemned but he though an Officer sat not on my Iudgement some thought out of pitie yet I tooke it not so for his presence in such a cause wherin I protest I was altogether wrongd might haue ayded me at least his sight would haue comforted me in the condemnation so much I loued him but he was absent and my misfortune so present as I was adiudged to death yet the Prince of Nicaria being mercifull would not take my life according to the Countrie Law but after another fashion would haue it as hee meant for hee censured me to this from whence you haue relieued me When I was to be put into this Tombe as was meant me the chiefe Lords and Officers came to see me according to the Prince his order committed to the Sea into the Ship they put me with meate for three dayes no man nor creature with me but my Dog which would not forsake me and they allowed with me not for loue but hope of harme to me for my Victuals they imagined he would haue share of and at last deuoure mee being one of the fiercest in all the Country But in this they deceiued themselues for since wee came aboard which is now eight dayes he hath satisfied himselfe with very little and neuer troubled me A Fisherman came by and would haue had the Dog he entised him but his faith to me more then I euer found in man his distressed Mistris held him with me hee threw him then a large piece of meate which though stale was good enough for a Dog he tooke that and fed a little on it but as if weighing his estate left part for other times the man also gaue mee something pittying my case but not daring to helpe mee left me Among the Officers that came to my liuing execution my Lord was one though he stayed not to see it performed but came among vs hastily stept to me whispered and bad me farewell and be like your selfe said hee resolute die confidently and cherfully this will comfort you and honour your end I heard him but could not answere him onely I looked vpon him and with teares told him his censure was harder then the Prince his for I loued him the cause of all my miserie but he scarce looking on me as hastily went away againe leauing mee to the fauour of the Windes his constant Rulers to the Seas furie and Fortunes hazard yet all kinder then hee haue ioyned for my good and I am saued by you braue Princesses yet would I beseech you again to let me obay his commands which because his I would doe They refused that yet so neare they came to fulfilling it as they left her on a Rock in a little Iland with an old religious father there shee remained and spent the rest of her dayes in prayer her Dog still garding her which at her death brought her who out-liued
as still visited with company and gaue by the fauours testimony of quantity of victuals which well ordred had been noble now a little troublesome but it pleased reasonably well this company who free and hauing rid hard had gaind good appetites it appearing to them like a Garden full of fruite when the hot weather troubleth them they sat downe the Lady most kindly freely and busily bestirring her self entertaining them the fine Gentleman ciuilly discoursing with them Leonius at last growing so farre in with him as he got him to tell this story I am great Prince said he called Curardinus borne of a good Family in this Countrie beloued and serued but as all things must see conclusions so did Fate appoint our greatnesse to conclude thus My father liued after his fathers death many yeares will esteemed of by the King oâ— these Countries emploid in office by him and held among the best in ranke of his fauour but matching himselfe after the death of his first wife with a young Lady of a great and noble family but too great as the King imagined or was perswaded by his enemies suspition grew into his heart or rather shewed it selfe for few Kings are without that seruant to attend them against my father who to auoide all cause giuing left the Court and retird himselfe to his owne home where he liued pleasantly and was for an addition of his happinesse blessed with children a blessing to a father what euer the being borne proue after to the children I was his first and after some yeares before I came to perfectablenesse to gouerne his estate at least according to the lawes of this place hee died leauing mee heire to his fortunes honors and dislikes of the King I then desired leaue to trauaile that was refused me and all things as offices commands and places soeuer my father held of the Crowne giuen away to others This was a disgrace and truly a vexation vnto me and most that hee would not permit mee the fauour granted to euery subiect but obedience taught mee patience and I was contented by necessitie In this forst pleasure I went vp down among my friends where I was desird and so liu'd a solitary and priuate trauelling life where remouing imitated trauell and each odde accident an Aduenture By my mothers side I had and haue many noble and braue friends as any man can haue the men equally or aboue any valiant and wise the woman in that height of excellency for beauty and witt among them I haue much liued who haue found the like fauour so as we are not only neere it in blood but allyed in thwart fortune kept backe by all meanes from any aduancement or honor vnlesse the imployment were such as might giue a blow if not a certaine ruine to any of vs a comfortable estate when Subiects liue in such dislike with their Prince yet did he vse vs openly well let vs come to waite vpon him wee shall be welcom'd and smil'd vpon sometimes but aske any thing and bee surely denyed after not for a good space look'd on this hath cast vs much downe and greeued vs more then hurt vs. Are you a single man said Leonius No Sir replyed the dainty melancholy I am married and haue beene long the more my misfortune in some kind because I haue with that marryage lost one loued me more then I could aspire to hope of requitall and loue 's me still I was not altogether to blame indeed for I knew not her affection so great to me she not aduenturing to speake it I not thinking my selfe so happy daring to imagine it but after some time she tould me of it How did I then curse all my fortunes and yet at last chid my selfe for it since said I I was borne to be wretched and all other crosses haue beene but as forerunners of my misery this the only Master peece of affliction wee met wept many times together and yet those teares produced pleasure because so shed and then we could be merry and neuer but in the highest griefe contented because together for therein our last happinesse consisted But her father marryed her whose iudgement told her obedience was requisite to a rich but worthlesse fellow this was an other vexation to her and doubly by that meanes it wrought in me to see her greeued and such a Clowne to posses what I most loued and held deere he no more esteeming her nor indeede vnderstanding her worth then a Beast or one of his Goats Miserable Lady but most miserable I that saw and could but grieue for it besides this he grew yet more brutish and vsed her ill growing so intirely iealous as none went away vnsuspected her worth beauty and noblenes inuited all eyes and hearts to her seruice but so chast and iust she was as but with courteous requitall any preuailed but her worthlesse Mate thought so ill of himselfe as that made him thinke well enough of any to wrong her withall Iealousie 's roote being selfe knowledge of vnworthynes Thus most sweete Creature she liued discontents brought her to many harmes bringing diseases and the worst sicknes of mind finding still additions to her first disquiet and miserable losse as her affection was pleased to call the missing of me which surely she could neuer haue know had I but guessed her thoughts A good space I held in with him but at last fell like the rest and most dangerously in that time I met her my hearts ioy and soules delight at her fathers she was sad but most louing to me I sad to see her so but most glad to see her loue holding her I remember by the hand if said I thou wert vnmarryed would'st thou not marry againe No I protest said she but liue wholy to be directed by you which I had euer don had I knowne how to liue with honour and fit to be your seruant Yet should you bee free you would not doe so much Yes I vow said I and bound it with a kisse vpon her fairest hand deerest remembrance how dost thou yet please me to bring before me these pass'd yet sweete delights to make tryall of her faith and word keeping she was by heauenly assistance vntyed from her bond and freed from her clog the rude and brutish Thing her Husband being taken from her no hand but the hand of the best and highest parting her as from aboue seeing and commiserating her estate all that were vnmarryed in the whole Country came and sought her shee refused all Widdowers Batchelers all were alike to be denyed old young middle-aged runne one race of being refused Her father much disliked it her friends and kindred and such perswaded but endlesly her resolution was like the Earth fixed and her constancy like the Sunne certaine and richly faire some also came to me seeing the grace I had with her to get mee to preferr them alasse how far they went astray yet I answer'd all of them
no way but their eies followed as part of their Armes and then the most curious part The King of Celicia first put vp his hand to his hat but that motion was enough to make the noble Amphilanthus ready as soone as hee to giue and take salutation The King said it was not vnknown vnto him he was sure why he came and in that sort but the desire and reason of this meeting was that he might see his Person before the fight who was held the brauest Prince liuing and his Riuall but with greater happines because beloued by her If this be true replide the Emperour your cause is the more vniust since you would force so excellent a Queene to take you contrary to her owne affection as you confesse and mine must needs be more irreconciliable since heere you pronounce a quarrell neuer to be taken vp seeking to take my Mistris from me therefore if this be your end of meeting let vs part to meete on surer tearmes The King gaue consent hauing now said he seene the man so much admired I am satisfied till I haue conquered him With that they turn'd and arm'd them selues the Drums and Trumpets making such harmony as were enough to lift the hearts of Cowards vp to spirit this little needing to the Emperour whose heart and body was all worth and valour the King was likewise soone arm'd and the Armies by order commanded to vnarme being left only as Court beholders no shew of warr except in the fashion of their cloathes and bands The King of Celicia was in Oring couler the Emperour in crimson Spite on the one side Reuenge on the other The encounter was faire and terrible both their horses at the breaking shrinking vnder them but the Celician after falter'd and reel'd so as hee leap'd from him Amphilanthus lighted and so they met on foote when no Art or vallour procured by iust disdaine and rage was wanting The King had with a blow clouen the Emperour's sheild so as vnvsefull he threw it from him in requitall making such a breach in his armour on the right side as there sparng out so much blood as might wash away the others losse Both fearelesly and furiously fighting for themselues not fearing only tending the cause that brought them thither At last Amphilanthus found an aduantage by the Kings lifting vp of his right arme to giue him a deadly blow which though he failed of the Emperour missed not the oportunitie but ran his Sword into him crosse-wayes through his body the King stood still with the blow the Emperour beheld him sorry he had kill'd him as his sword goar'd he perceiued hee had then suddenly and reelingly he ran with his last fury vpon him Amphilanthus could haue auoyded him but he only strake downe the thrust and caught him in his armes casting him selfe downe with him in the falling yeeld said Asdrusius thou art deceiued poore man said Amphilanthus with that Asdrusius lifted his arme vp as to haue one blow more but death then ceased on him so as embraced with an enemies curtesie he dyed Amphilanthus rysing and putting the body from him the Princes of both sides came in and the victory easily iudged the body was deliuered to the Celicians with liberty to depart Melisander being deliuered the Emperour with all honor conducted towards the Queene who with more then ioy or gladnes met him where she parted from him with delicate musique and tryumphant glory bringing him into the Castle and so to the Galleryes where he was vnarm'd and his wounds most gently tenderly and affectionately looked on by her selfe they were some in number nonâ— either dangerous or troblesome to his liberty of walking abroad When they were dressed the Councell standing all before them and his Princes with her Nobility they two sate downe vnder a cloath of estate loue expressing it selfe not only liuely but perfectly in their eyes he tooke her hand kiss'd it beheld her earnestly as amorously ready to make expression of what was expected and hoped for she as yeelding sate ready to grant while he still holding her hand in his and as passionately gazing in her affectionately requiâ—ing eyes and such were his excellent expressions and her louing entertayning those passions as command needed not to his followers who by outward sight knowledge by long acquaintance growing in the degree with experience knew their masters mind and so left him to expresse what his eyes promised leauing the place as free as their soules desired to be which would be granted only by rest and what rest on earth like the quiet enioying them selues which but with them selues they could doe her seruants by her respect to the Emperour learnt obedience and so to their owne happyest wishes left them They all gone Amphilanthus Master of the greatest part of the Westerne World and once as he assured him selfe Monarch of her heart before shee knew Asia or much more or scarce so much as her selfe much lesse her power ouer him would like a confident man and commanding louer neuer shewing as if an account were to be had from him for former faults vse the time and take the opportunity offer'd him so as his eyes fixt as they were and shee obseruing his he most louingly or rather passionately caught like a man drowning catching at the next thing to him to saue himselfe the Queene in his armes and as no offender except in boldnesse embraced her She would haue violently refused any other nay his neglect in an other person had forc'd the curstest punishment but heere shee onely blushd and receiu'd his loue as at first without expostulation discourse they also familarly did the wonted phrases of kindnesse in sweet familiarnesse were as free as if neuer laid aside Thus that day passed night being come and all retyrd to rest the Queene most happy and blest being againe enriched with his loue or the show it had before although the true fire was clearer and warmer this now suffised and was insteed of the truth filld vp to the like heate by the vnexpectednes of it Being in her bedd what Pamphilia said shee Is it possible that thou hast liued to see Amphilanthus kind againe Can he smile on these wrincles and be louing in my decay When hee told mee I was alterd for the worse and sleightly regarded me I fear'd but when he quite forsooke mee wretch what did I yet is he returning Truely I must confesse this to be as strange as his other change which I could not but like a blinde man be ledd to beleeue it was sung in my eares and blazed in mine eyes ere I could take off the Scarfe of credulity and vnblinde my hopes to see plainely my despaire and iust cause thereof when I haue sate sighing nay weeping for his disdaine wishing he might but see my teares which from strangers haue gain'd compassion He hath come in then how haue I cheerd vp my heart or rather my loue to him done it for me Wiped
and mourne which she vowed during her life to doe and Polarchos to liue in some remote place neuer to see man nor creature more the excellentest being gone they saw out of holes in the stones smoake and fire suddenly to flie out with it Pamphilia aduentured and pulling hard at a ring of iron which appeared opned the great stone when a doore shewed entrance but within she might see a place like a Hell of flames and fire and as if many walking and throwing pieces of men and women vp and downe the flames partly burnt and they still stirring the fire and more brought in and the longer she looked the more she discernd yet all as in the hell of deceit at last she saw Musalina sitting in a Chaire of Gold a Crowne on her head and Lucenia holding a sword which Musalina tooke in her hand and before them Amphilanthus was standing with his heart ript open and Pamphilia written in it Musalina ready with the point of the sword to conclude all by razing that name out and so his heart as the wound to perish Faine she would nay there was no remedy but she would goe in to helpe him flames fier Hell it selfe not being frightfull enough to keepe her from passing through to him so with as firme and as hot flames as those she saw and more brauely and truly burning she ran into the fire but presently she was throwne out againe in a swound and the doore shut when she came to her selfe cursing her destinie meaning to attempt againe shee saw the stone whole and where the way into it was there were these words written FAithfull louers keepe from hence None but false ones here can enter This conclusion hath from whence Falsehood flowes and such may venter Polarchos attempted likewise but could only for being vnconstant passe the flames but not come within reach of the Emperour but then was cast out also The Queene then perceiued what this was and so as sadly as before resolued shee returned to the Court where more like a religious then a Court life she liued some yeares Polarchos presently prouided long gray Roabes like a Hermit and on the outside of the Armes-crowned Crowne he made a Cell where he liued daily beholding the Armes and lamenting for his Lord kissing the stone wherein he thought he was inclosed and thus liued he guarding the Armes of his Lord till the aduenture was concluded The other eleuen Princes that came with Amphilanthus into Pamphilia and were as Polarchos hath told you scatterd and deuided in the Desart it was the fortune of the Prince of Transiluania to come within two daies after to the same Lodge where the Queene had laine with the dainty sad Nimph but hearing of Pamphilias being well and safe onely perplexed for the want of Amphilanthus staied not but followed the search of them both till hee came to the sea-side where beholding the waues and comparing mens fortune to the rising falling and breaking of them he saw a little Bote come towards the land and in it a faire Damsell weeping and pitifully complaining The Prince tooke great compassion of her demanding the cause of her sorrow Alas Sir said she shall I tell you and you prooue like other Knights I may well then accuse my forwardnesse and paine but if you will promise to succour my Lady who is so faire worthy and great as will take away the shew of my imperfections perfect in nothing but duty to her I will then tell you what you aske Speake faire and sad Lady said he and I vow to serue your Lady and your selfe with my best indeauours although I must tell you I am in search of such as vnwillingly I would be diuerted but compassion compells me to serue you She thanked him and thus proceeded Blessed may you and all your enterprises be who for a distressed Ladies sake will lay aside your own occasions and let me know I beseech you to whom she is thus much ingaged I am said he Prince of Transiluania seruant to the Emperour Amphilanthus from whom I was parted in yonder Desart and haue since sought him and was yet in the quest of him and the Queene of this Country with eleuen Princes more his seruants all seuered from one another and seeking each other God send they may happily meete said she and you braue and courteous Prince be for euer happy for your noblenâ—sse The businesse which vrgeth mee to demand your helpe is this my Lady and Mistris is the Princesse of Lycia only daughter to the King of that Country next neighbor to this place so as your stay shall not bee very long from your search with this Lady the Lord of the Mountaines called Taurus an vnworthy man rude proud ill-fauourd sauage and rough as well in person as in maners but wonderfull powerfull and mighty of body meanes and people fell in loue shee being as delicate as hee abominable which made her hate him as much as he sought her but her father a good Prince louing peace would not prouoke warre but rather yeeld her to him This brought the sweete Princesse into desperate melancholly and dispaire but a Noble man as well in truth of vertue as descent and honour to defend her from so much harme tooke her into his protection the same day she should haue beene giuen to the Mountaine Lord venturing life honors and estate to keepe her free This being discerned by the cruell proud man and her father the good old King troubled withall vtterly disclayming any knowledge of it they raised men to take her backe by force and catch him who should certainely suffer for such an attempt but the place is strong the cause good and the defence iust and honest so as none I hope will doe other then pitty her and seeke to redresse her wrongs this hath continued eight moneths and now the King hath sent directly to her to yeeld her selfe into his hands to be bestowed on the feirce Montaltanus or to bee forsaken for euer of him and disinherited This message was heauily receiued by the poore Princesse yet she resolued to dye disinherited and be the poorest in estate rather then the vnhappiest by marryage wherefore after an humble answer and dutifull refusall of yeelding to be wife to Montaltanus she demanded one request of her father which was to let it bee lawfull for her to send forth in search of some Knight who would defend her quarrell against him whom if he ouercame she should be yeeded vnto his Maiestie if her Knight got the victory then she should be free and inherit what she was borne vnto and this to be performed in two months and peace in the interim These things were agreed on and granted with much vaine-glory on the assured Champions side then did the Lady send foure Damsells abroad of which number I am one three are returned without finding any and now are but three dayes left of the perfixed time the Nobleman hath also his
pardon granted on the conditions of conquest by the strange Knight else at the Kings dispose Now Sir if you please to vndertake the quarrell you shall make an noble braue but vnfortunate Princesse bound vnto you and hers all your seruants Is the Noble man said the Prince in whose hands shee is marryed or ambitious by his seruice to obtaine her He is married truely Sir said she hath a vertuous Lady to his wife as forward euer was as himselfe to serue the Princesse and only pittifull respect brought him to venturne vpon this danger I will be their seruant answered the Prince and venture my life to release her and saue him Together they went shee the happiest woman liuing in that she thus should serue her Mistris and the Campe they gained the night before the expecting time of Combat hee pass'd by the Campe and through some part of it hauing license as it was appointed and agreed on those that saw him commended him much for a braue and personable man likely and promising much in him but when hee came to the Castle the pleasure the Princesse and her friends felt cannot be expressed especially in the Lady her selfe who imagin'd at first sight it had beene Amphilanthus and indeed she might easily bee deceiued for he some what and much for his honour resembled him but hee wanted much of well marked for he was short of him in stature more in shape and colour being blacker and most in sweetenes and perfect louelynes yet this was a very braue Gentleman his greatest faults being to high an opinion of his owne worth which was lessned by his ouer valuing of that which otherwise had beene more valued but this businesse hee vndertooke and brauely performed the next day â—ncountering his enemie in a List made of purpose betweene the Campe and Castle the Lady being placed by her Kingly Father in a Throne raysed of purpose for them Then entred the great arrogant Mountaine Lord to meete no lesse a selfe esteeming Prince who was mounted on a braue stirring horse the coulers he wore were straw couler and haire couler the Caparisons were cut into the shape of leaues dead the couler shewed them and being set on straw couler cloath of Gold they seemd as if fallen on sand and moouing with the Ayre which the horses motions made likely and so pretty On his sheild he had a dead Tree painted saue in the midst of the naked body there was as it were one little knot of leaues budding forth seeming greenish with a word in his language which interpreted was vnderstood that there yet was some hope These Armes and furniture were new which might haue distasted the young Lady but the losse of his Emperiall Master coulered that sufficiently The feirce Montaltanus was in blood red like his cruell disposition Plume he had none nor deuise saying those were only things propper to Feasts and younge men who thought more on fashion then busines a great and much stirring Horse he also had which well he gouern'd for a very good Horse man he was and full of valliant courage The place spectators Iudges and themselues ready the Trumpets sounding they encounter'd in which encounter they shewed all that could be required of strength skill and rage yet the last so much gouern'd as made the best iudging eies say that shewed it selfe more then dainty and exquisite cunning would haue permitted running something to the conceipt of boisterousnes but they meant to fight not to play Then drew they their swords after the breaking their staues without any aduantage on either side and fiercely fought while one houre lasted past before any aduantage was seene till the Transiluanian casting his eies on his hope and Lady gained so much force as hee strooke the proud Mountaner such a blow on his Helme as hee made him stoope to the Earth and then strake off his head taking off the Helme he by the hayre which was long carryed it to the Princesse presenting it vnto her which she receiued with thanks and so much gratefulnes as in requitall and with consent of her Father and friends she gaue her selfe to the Conqueror as the best part of his Conquest and what hee as affectionatly as fortunately embraced yet loue to his Master made him stay but a small time there though he might thus haue beene excused but he was forced to bee accompanied in some part of his iourney for he going into the Kingdome of Pamphilia his new wife and deerest loue would not be denyed to goe thither with him most for company but much to see the admired Queene so as soone as the King had maâ—e the People sweare faith vnto them as his successors they departed for Pamphilia Ten yâ—t are left in search of the Emperour but it was the Bauarian Duk 's fortune to meete the next Aduenture which was this hauing trauelled long in the Desart weary with paine and fruitlesse search hee came vnto the skirts thereof which were high Hills towards Lycia at the bottoms hee beheld faire and pleasant Meadowes and delicate streams running through them he descended and comming into them hee found many folks there mowing the grasse and some making it vp for their winter prouision shewing thriftyer People they were then those that prodigally spent the present time without care of the future He spake vnto them kindly and they respectiuely gaue him answere He demanded if they knew of any strange Knights passing that way they answered that two in faire Armours the one blew flowred with Gold the other russet and siluer by which hee knew them to be of his companions the one the Duke of Wirtenberg the other of Brunswicke passed by in great hast inquiring after an old man and a young Damsell who it seem'd had done some ill Act or pretended some against them The Duke courteously thanked them and so haâ—ted after them being directed the way they tooke he passed till hee came to the head of a Riuer whose sweetnes at the begining could not content it selfe but it must wilfully runne in Pride so farre till it looseth it selfe in the Lycian Sea like such ambitious men as neuer thinke they haue the full of preferment by honors riches or any other benefit till they swallow themselues vp in the Gulfe of merrited Death From this not farre off hee espied a Towne and a braue Country about sweete rich and euery way delicate called Myra he rode still towards it comming among dainty Meadowes and fruitfull plaines admyring this place he had a greater cause giuen him of admiration for he saw a Pyramede iustly before him curiously made and as richly adorned with rare Trophies belonging to Loue which shewed that it was dedicated to that God but one thing seemed strangest to him which was a Garland hanging on the one side of it of flowers dead withered some fallen off others decayed following them that were gone before and vnder it these lines grauen in a peece of Brasse
the rest of the night the next day taking their way towards the Court where then liu'd the King but they not destined to see so much happines met this Aduenture Passing along a most craggy and stony Lane they came at the end of it to a tripartite diuided way a stone in the mid'st and the way so iustly parted as it made them imagine it was a place fit to bee accepted and to part themselues equally to take their offer'd fauours Vpon the stone they laid their hands sware there within three Moneths to meete againe without strange accidents befell them to declare their losse and search to all their names neuer to conceale and so at the conclusion to returne euery one to his owne Countrey to lament their Lord and friend It was the Florentines fortune to encounter the first aduenture which was after hee had rid in that stony way sometime hee came to a large Commune spreading it selfe broader still vnto his sight as comming out of a Riuer the Sea appeares boundlesse So did this Land extend it selfe hauing no bound to comprehend or limit sight sheepe there were in aboundance and some Cattle people hee saw none so as it appear'd there was little danger of losing them or that the trust was great in those parts At last a Countreyman hee met driuing a Cart which had carried wood a commodity in those parts of him hee demanded what that place was and the name of that part of the Countrey Hee replyed the place hee was on was called the Forrest Champion that part of Brittany being full of Forrests and Chaces anciently called the deserts of Brittany a little way from thence hee told him was a faire house where a noble Knight and his Lady liued within a part of the same Forrest which they had inclosed and made like an orderly ciuill place from the others wildnesse and shut themselues within a Pale woods were within this place the rest all Heath and Rocks scarce a Bush but no tree that could shelter one from a small shower The Prince desired to be directed to that place which the honest man did waiting on him till hee came within sight of it now Sir said hee you cannot loose your way except you will of purpose so hee tooke leaue of him who arriu'd within a short time there the Knight had at that time much company with him and one Lady who in her younger time had the fame for one of the fairest if not the fairest of that Countrey But Loue the Ruiner of beauty when curst had decayed her beames of outward perfâ—ction though her inside by the vertue of constancie shined the cleerer Black had her fortunes beeneâ— so were her habits sad her faceâ— and her countenance not heauy but graue the Knight was a braue Gentleman for his inward parts learned and honest but lame by blowes in his youth when hee trauel'd as hee had in most parts of Christendome his Lady a young woman cheerefull and pleasant the daughter of a great Lord and Sister to as fine a Gentleman as was in that Kingdome but the Prince most marked the sad Lady of whom hee enquired after some complements and a little acquaintance of the Knight who would needs stay the Prince there that night the Lady went away hauing not aboue some sixe or seauen miles to ride to her fathers After her going there came to the same place a Knight not a youth nor a stayed man forward in speech and so valiant and bountifull of it as he would where euer hee came haue all the talke some being angry at him for it who thought they could speake as well and it may be better but hee carried it with his boldnesse and vnlesse any would fight with him hee would doe so still Some laugh'd at him and said hee rung such peales of discourse as were sufficient to bee reckoned among those rung for triumph or ioyes for Nuptialls others pittied him as fearing it a disease or Palsie in his tongue but all admir'd hee held out so long with matter vnlesse hee had as strange a faculty in his braines of perpetuall working and so made that motion in his tongue to rid her burthen The Prince much wondred at him thinking hee was led thither to see the Prince of contrarieties the first Lady as silâ—nt as he talkatiue the others in a reasonable good meane like himselfe thinking them both strange at last as the round of this most discoursing Knights thoughts came to the height hee began to speake of the Lady Did you euer said hee see a sweet Lady so much changed as shee is I knew her â—nd so did you a faire dainty sweet woman noble and freely disposed a delicate Courtier curious in her habites danced rid did all things fit for a Court as well as any braue Lady could doe what can change her thus they say shee is in loue would that man were hang'd would suffer such sweetnesse to decay by his curstnesse but I thinke and belieue it is so for I haue made loue to her my selfe and shee refused mee who neuer before heard the word of deniall I offer'd her Horses though shee wanted good ones at that time yet shee would not take mine nor presents from any for feare of offending him who presented her with nothing but scorne I made Verses to her said them to her who commended them faintly and instead of thanks said some of his to mee as to let me see that as hee was most deare to her so was all that hee did or belonged to him I haue a Brother was in my case for her loue but more grieu'd for she vsd him scarce ciuilly mee shee euer did respectiuely and that wrought so much with mee as I hate the woman hee loues and is the cause of her trouble for her sake but for mine owne part I can beare her denying mee well by reason I can loue as often as I see cause and stay no longer on it nor staid hee there but with this last word tooke his leaue onely saying hee would follow the Lady if but to vâ—xe her as easily hee might doe or any other discreet person if hâ—e continued his talking trauell which was more wearisome then trauell it selfe to a quiet Spirit When hee was gone the Roome was like a calme after a storme or as after foule weather the Ayre is silent and sweet so all being quiet they pleas'd themselues as Birds in the Spring wiâ—h their owne tunes but then did the Florentine desire to heare more of the Lady which the Knight with much respect to him and honour for her dâ—liuerd thus Noble Prince said hee if I goe about to tell you her Story I must vndertake to tell you the most vnfortunate of the most deseruing woman that euer was and venter to relate a businesse which I shall bee vnable to deliuer to her worth or tâ—e excellency of the matter but this I may say for her shee was the vertuousest and
you heede faire maid loue is a power that will though once gainsaid the second time come in with armes and make your chastest thoughts contribute to his taxe had you beene in the chamber or but mark'd the piercing darts hee sent by lookes of loue such as had beene enough to burne a heart that would contend but yeelding to make ioy glory in greater pride then euer ioy did know I found some verses too which hee hath made and giuen his mistresse by them you may ghesse in what estate his restlesse burning soule continues flaming to my vtter shame and ruine of my name Then tooke hee forth some verses which indeed I doe confesse I made and most vnfortunately lost those lines gaue full assurance of the truth and bred as true a hate in her to vs which though she stroue to couer and dissemble with show of sorrow onely for my griefe yet hee perceiu'd as hauing eyes of Art and those directed by a diuellish wit these found what hee did seeke then wrought hee still on that and so at last came to his practise end which happened the day before the feast had full conclusion in this haplesse kind The iealous and despightfull Melinea when dancing did begin of purpose let the paper fall but so as Selinea must bee next to take it vp which soone she did and opening it discerned it was my hand and that the subiect of those lines was loue which was most true but alas falsly held from her to whom they and my firmest thoughts were onely bent and dedicated with affections zeale and zealous loue these and my negligence in not seeking to confirme her trust confident of her loue made her alas belieue too soone The paper was with faigned anger snatched quickly from my mistris shee with blushing said Why Melinea I thought you had not beene one so much giuen to Poetry till now I made them not said shee No sighing said the other I know that with which shee looked on mee but with so cruell eyes and yet affection went with them though shadowed with her scorne which might be pitty call'd These strake my heart in sunder with their sight O mee cryed I haue I fram'd these to spoyle my fortunes which should haue procur'd my blisse by telling what I could not vtter speach tyed by a power of a greater might Alas that euer I did take a penne in hand to be the Traytor to my ioy this griefe made me as guilty seeme by shame and silence which did then possesse my most distracted senses as if I had been as false as they made me appeare The dauncing went still on but she who was the best like to her heart she rul'd her feete in sad and walking pace now was the plot well forward hee wrought still and finding fault there was no nimbler sports came and intreated me to take his wife and so begin a more delightfull daunce Hee saw my griefe she found his drift two hated mee to death all were disorderd but I onely lost thus pass'd the night the morning come to part we were directed by our words giuen at the meeting Faine I would haue spoken but shee who thought me false auoided it and gaue but liberty to say farewell which euen with teares I did She loath now to behold me who of late she lou'd cast downe her eyes not gracing me with one poore looke which though disgracefull yet as hers had beene more welcome then the sweetest smiles that euer louer ioyd in from his Loue. Thus we were parted to dispaire and losse yet meant I not to leaue my mistris so but quickly found a meanes to visit her when she continuing still her cruell frownes to mee I got yet liberty by my cares watch to speake with her although against her minde but then more cruell then the fiercest Lyons enrag'd by famine did bring forth these words False man said shee haue you not yet enough that your deceipt hath come vnto mine eyes For false you are else had you lou'd me still you would haue diligently cleer'd this doubt but O you thinke this not enough nor I sufficiently afflicted with your fault but more you would intice me for more paine glory in your iniustice and make triumphes for your ill blaze to the world the sinne of your ingratitude and change and that once done hope then to winne againe but who none but so lucklesse and vnblessed a soule as I was who did trust you cruell you the worst and falsest of your changing sexe This being said but force could hold her wherefore for feare of further rage I let her goe remaining like the Creatures Metamorphos'd into stones Yet at last I went into my Chamber and there framd some lamentable lines to let her see how cruelly shee had with scorne and strange mistaking martyr'd mee When I deliuered them shee tooke them with these words I le reade them said shee onely to perceiue how well your vaine continues in this change or if you please I le be you messenger and giue them Melinea from your selfe These wounded mee more then the sharpest Sword but more alas grew my mishapp for she hating so much as once before she lou'd desir'd me to loue my selfe so well as to refraine to shew my eyes to her where so much false ingratitude did dwell and for my sake shee would not onely doe the like for mee in keeping from my sight least I with seeing her should see my shame but would for my foule fault hate all mens loues this I besought her to recall she said it fixed was then went I thence and mourned a while vnseene at last my Fathers miserie called me to succour him that done againe I sought to gaine her pardon but alas in vaine for she resolud to nothing but my griefe shunn'd as she promisd my then loathed sight After her husband dyed I then did woe her offered marriage sought with more then Vassal-like desire but nothing mooud her vntill loue againe did take anew the conquest of her heart making her contrary to all her likings which shee till then had publish'd choose a braue yong Lord in truth a worthy man but contrary in all the outward markes which heretofore she said could winne her loue When I saw this I knew there was no hope I left her and the Countrey blaming fate that thus had made me causelesly accursed Farewell said I deere Lady of my soule and farewell all loue to your wayward sex where iudgement liues but in the shallow being of an outward sight curst is that man that puts least trust in you more certainely the ficklest weather hath more staidnesse feathers and more profit drops of raine in Snow which melts with it while you spoile onely me thus I departed when she married last and then for her sake vowed as she had done but with more manly constancy to hold a true and a loyall oath neuer to loue or chuse a Creature of so light a kinde as