dearest friend I have so much confidence in your discretion as not to feare relating to you the whole story Three or foure yeeres agoe went she on amongst the most accomplish'd of of this City there was one call'd Polydamas who besides many other excellent qualities had so great a discretion that it made him be lov'd of all the world He was of kin to Ardania and that consideration made them see one another often they had each a very great esteeme of other and their affinity giving them still cause to love they were indeared with much affection and did communicate together with a great confidence I was at that time one that knew all Ardania's secrets and I perceiv'd that nothing pleased her like unto Polydamas for she ever made me relations to his advantage and if he then made her not in love with him at the least he made her have contempt for all other men Hee was engaged above two yeares before in the search of a Maid nam'd Elusina who loved him with so much constancy that she suffered for his sake all the cruelties a furious father can inflict when he sees his daughters passion contrary to his designes Ardania knew of Polydamas all that passed in that affection but because he was more loved than he lov'd himselfe he pursued that enterprise with coldnesse enough and seconded not the endevours Elusina made to attaine to what they desir'd onely he contented himselfe to render her such duties as hee could not deny her without expression of much forgetfulnesse and contempt Ardania sometimes reproach'd him before me for the small care he had of Elusina and he confessed to her selfe that she was cause that he could never have a love to any to be in love with In the end the constancy of Elusina gave way to the violencies of her father she resolv'd with her selfe to obey him and for this demanded leave of Polydamas that she might be deliver'd from the vexations she was made to endure He did at that time an action that might seeme to proceed from a good sincere affection but that was indeed a testimony of his coldnesse He wrote to her that not able to see her eternally endure he had resolved to intreat her the same thing for which she had desired leave of him that losing all hope she ought to give satisfaction to her friends to preserve her selfe from misery that he prayed her to forget him if it were possible for not being all her life miserable that for this purpose he return'd her all the pledges he had of her friendship and remitted her all the oaths she had made him to the end that engagement hindred not her repose Hereupon she married and left Polydamas at liberty who but poorely resented this misfortune Ardania continued Melicerta has a brother call'd Misander who with other base qualities is possess'd of so heavy a melancholy as he is distastfull to all company Lepantus was there interrupted by Amyntas who told him I have sufficiently knowne Misander to my cost Ariana added it may be 't is the same Misander Erycine spake of to me The very same replied Amyntas whose humour made us suffer a long time both of us I perceive then went on Lepantus you know him better than I doe by sight but yet peradventure I know more than you the effects of that sad humour that vexes himselfe and has given so much trouble to others Polydamas continued Melicerta though he despised Misanders humour yet he gave not over making shewes of kindnesse to him that he might be often with Ardania whose company he was very well pleas'd with One day Misander heard how they spake of marrying Polydamas and when they were all three together he told this newes to his sister as if it had beene very agreeable to them whereupon Ardania blush'd Polydamas observ'd this action for there is nothing so soone perceived as that which makes for our advantage and he judged that she was interessed much in him That made him thinke of a thing he was not yet well advised in which was to seeke her affection having but till then desired her friendship Ardania was farre more handsome than Elusina and it was very easie to kindle a fire after the beginning of heat that was betweene them There had beene nothing but the consideration of their kindred that hindred Polydamas from casting his eyes upon her for to marry her but then he knew that since she made no difficulty of it hee ought not to be more scrupulous than she See him then resolv'd to testifie much passion to her and without seeming to have apperceiv'd her inclination that she might not be asham'd for having prevented him he judged that he was to feine to have lov'd her of a long time with a conceal'd affection Upon that occasion he made many verses whereby hee said it was at least permitted him to put in writing what hee suffered without telling the subject of it and to comfort his mind in this sort for so many cruell thoughts that tormented it and would breake out At the same time hee was more carefull than ordinarily in his respects to Ardania and expressed to her by his sighs and some interrupted words that he dyed for love of her At the first testimony she had of it she learn'd me the newes that Polydamas lov'd her as a thing extremely desired of her and that possessed her with joy I was then at her house when he shewed her those verses and shee was very glad to have him read them before me to the end I might know how much passion he had He imputed all his coldnesses for Elusina to this secret love he had for another a long time since and feined to have done many things out of necessity which were not done then without designe We ask'd him many questions upon this secret love he yet declared not to all which he very well satisfied and Ardania tooke great pleasure therein Hee knew very well we understood all he would say and from that time we tooke a custome of speaking together without declaring of any thing openly and yet we failed not to tell all things as intelligibly as if he had told the name of her he loved I found him very happy for treating on this fashion because that under the coverture of the kindred he tooke such liberties as would not have beene permitted him if he had beene declar'd for a lover as to bring neare often his mouth to hers and to hold and kisse her hand incessantly Thus was it that he gave birth to the most violent passion that ever was because this faire Cousin refusing him not those caresses and obliging him with a streight confidence he felt himselfe so redeuable towards her and at the same time so touched at her beauty that he kindled a fire not of a long time to be quenched Misander saw not very willingly this great intelligence yet hee could not judge then that it were other
receiv'd by him more courteously than I hoped for at my first comming he was much rejoyc'd to heare newes of you for he beleev'd until then that you were dead and accepted with a great deale of difficulty the presents I brought esteeming them as he said too rich for the small service he had rendred you I demanded of him if there was nothing spoken of you he told me he had heard nothing at all concerning you but two dayes after word was brought us that there was a publike cry made whereby it was ordained that Melintus and Palamede who had escaped the prisons of Rome should be killed in what place soever they were found for that they were enemies to Caesar and the people of Rome This newes strucke a terror into me and instantly I prayed Maximus to goe to the Palace of Nero for to know in what manner the speech went of them He reported how he had understood that Trebatius Tribune of the Emperor's guards had a command to goe with three companies of souldiers in search of Melintus and Palamede to Syracuse or any other place where they thought to find them and that he furnish'd a ship for this purpose Although I had much trouble in my mind I left not thinking what I was able to doe to serve you I resolv'd with my selfe to make me a souldier of Nero's guards and enter into the companies that were to follow Trebatius Maximus brought me acquainted with a Centurion whom I gave an honest present to presently he receiv'd me and made shew of much affection to me I did my reverence to Trebatius who finding me ready to serve regarded me favourably enough and began to have a confidence in me he many times after that put commands upon me and at last gave me the charge of Marshall of the lodgings to my company When we embarked us I observed neare him a young Roman very handsome whom he had a great respect to and much care over he wore a helmet on his head that gave him much grace and I saw that all his actions were accompanied with much delicatenesse I imagin'd that I had seene his face heretofore but I could not tell who he should be Trebatius had given me charge to take care of some stuffes and I was laid downe amongst them to keepe them more sure This young Roman came to sit downe by me never seeing me because I was laid Trebatius who lost not sight of him came presently neare to him and never thinking there had beene any body that saw them or could listen to them he put one knee to the ground before him and taking his hand said to him It seemes you flye from me and what care soever I take to doe you service I observe nothing in you but coldnesse to me not to say contempt Trebatius answered he him excuse the violence of the thoughts I am possest with I forget not the due acknowledgement of the paines you take to satisfie me and I shall one day know how to expresse the obligation I have to you Ha! Madam said he I was strangely amaz'd pursued Arcas to heare that word never having thought it had bin a woman That made me give eare more attentively Ha! Madam I say continued he what have you then ordained concerning me and if it hapned that I could never finde what you are seeking should I alwayes be miserable Trebatius answered she use herein the greatest care you can for be assured that I shall never make you contented till I be revenged Ha! said he how cruell you are to me What would you have Trebatius replied she one passion hinders the other as long as I shall have vengeance in my heart I can never have love there But replied he againe may I not know what cause you have of so great a hate against Melintus Oblige me by telling me it to take part in your passion that I may afterwards oblige you to take part in mine Tell me faite Emilia what Melintus has done to you What! was 't Emilia interrupted Melintus ah is not she dead That name went Arcas on surpris'd me as much as it does you and presently I call'd to memory that it was she her selfe disguis'd in a mans habit That made me apprehend being knowne by her neverthelesse being not fallen yet into that accident I was resolv'd to avoyd her presence as much as I could then I trusted in the change that was made of me for she had not knowne me but a slave and shorne and ever since you gave me my liberty I let my haire grow that quite altered me Is it very true then replied Melintus all astonish'd that she is living Give me leave answer'd Arcas to pursue the rest and you shall know if it be she or no. Ha gods said Melintus againe there remain'd nothing but to make the dead rise againe against us and I thinke there is not a thing now in the world that has not conspir'd our ruine Arcas went forward thus Emilia answer'd Trebatius Since you desire to know the cause I have to hate Melintus I will not deny you this satisfaction if you can receive any at all by learning how much love I have had to him for I must confesse to you that he is the onely man that hath had the power to produce this passion in me But he has made me pay well with usury for the time I deferr'd to receive it into my heart and has reveng'd to the full upon me the contempts I had untill then of you and some others Know continued she that this traitor insinuated him into my heart by a very great appearance of vertue and merits observing a dissembling modesty that knowes as often how to conceale vice as vertue I deny not but he hath qualities that render him admirable but he must of necessity have a presumption in him that perswades him there is nothing in the world worthy of him On the other side he affects so great a contempt of glory and praise that one could hardly beleeve he has any vanity I sweare to you that since I have cause to be his enemy considering of all his qualities I know not what I ought to thinke of him for if he were vertuous why did he expresse a love to me without having any and if he were not so why did he refuse the offers of my good will Well he made love to me and I loved him Afterwards having beene hurt before my lodging and left for dead I made him be carried home to my house where I assisted him with more passion than a mother could have done the dearest of her sonnes This insensible man began to receive my endevours and my assistances with coldnesse and disdaine and I perceiv'd that my presence was alwayes troublesome to him At first I beleev'd that the paine of his wounds caus'd his ill humour or that it was griefe for a long sicknesse but since a certaine Ariana sister of Palamede came from Sicily
a Harpe adorn'd with a thousand Emeralds upon whose top is a Lions head with open jawes and the tongue that comes out of them made of an intire ruby I wonder said Ariana justice should be given to strangers when in appearance it was not well kept in the person of Nero. If the Judges replies Palamede were not so just as they should have beene the Emperour himselfe corrected their judgement which thing got him lesse envy and Melintus the more glory for having receiv'd the crowne of laurell he put it upon Melintus head and to testifie the pleasure he had taken in hearing him recite he offred him any sute he would make Melintus after he had thank't him for so many favourâ— without much considering on the matter demanded of him as you have heard the exemption of customes for the City of Syracuse Nero admiring his generosity for preferring the good of his country to his particular advantage granted him his request with other privileges for our City and gave him many presents besides and more than that he gave us the title of Citizens of Rome with all the honour he was able to favour us with This Prince hath good intermissions and sometimes does actions worthy of his greatnesse but they are presently darkned by a number of prodigious crimes wherewith he nothing feares to staine the honour of his Majesty and very often he pleases himselfe to exercise the greatest cruelties upon those he hath made most of as but lately his Mother Burrus and many others serve for examples and we our selves a few dayes since were very neere running the like fortune But let us leave these troublesome thoughts to pursue the happy adventures arriv'd to us in this famous journey When Palamede would have gone forward with his discourse Ariana and he heard a noise in Melintus chamber as it had beene of many persons comming to visit him By and by they were ask'd for because it was Otho that came to take leave of them going to make a great voyage And already was he speaking to Melintus in secret and Palamede being admitted he learn'd them these sad newes that he was in disgrace with Nero that the Emperour was in love with Sabina his wife and would have her wholly to himselfe and for that cause sent him to the farthest of all Spaine to governe Lusitania That it much grieved him to leave them to the mercy of Marcelin whose favour augmenting with the spoyles of his it was to be feared they fell not into his power But that they might securely serve themselves of those friends were left them in Rome who were not unknowne to them Melintus deplor'd his misfortune and exprest to him how great a part they tooke in his disgrace that depriv'd them of a friend so earnest for their safety But he was constrain'd to give over that speech because Otho regarding nothing was said to him was so attentive in considering Ariana's marvellous beauty that nothing could divert him Palamede said to him she you looke on is my sister who is come hither from Sycily with my father having understood my sicknesse Otho for all that ceas'd not to study having his eyes continually fixt upon Ariana then all on the suddaine they saw him blush and a little after that bloud which had dispearc't it selfe upon his cheeks was forc'd to run towards his heart that would have beene gone to hinder his departing left his face without colour Otho finding himselfe to faint pray'd Palamede to cary him into his chamber and that they might be there alone As soone as they were entred he let himselfe fall backward upon the bed Palamede ask'd him what he ailed but he could not answer What effect more suddaine and more rare could an excellent beauty produce But it ought not to be found so strange considering the divine aspects of Ariana working on a subject nourish't up in delights and capable to receive easily those strong impressions Otho in the end after a great sigh said to Palamede Ah! deare friend how dangerous was the sight of your sister to mee and what troubles hath she made mee in so little a time I did at first meeting receive this sight with so much liking as it had beene a remedy happily sent from heaven against the displeasures I endur'd Me thought I entreated that faire face to bring forth a passion in mee that might dispell the cares of my disgrace and the cruell regret for Sabina's losse But wretched exchange and cure that brings mee death I lost all in one day my delights my honours and the most aspiring hopes of the earth and having found a subject to be admir'd that might restore to me a thousand times more goods that I must lose it againe in an instant I came hither having my foule troubled with griefes and found that they were dissipated by the joy that happened to me for the birth of so faire an affection but presently the consideration of my depart within an houre came to attach this new love and ordain'd it either to dye or to be the most unfortunate that ever entred into a heart for to make it dye I cannot so much as will the destruction of it and to conserve it I know not so strongly how to consent to my owne misery as to keep a remembrance that would be the more cruel to me in my exile the more amiable it appear'd And these are the contrary thoughts Palamede that assaulted me all at once with such fury that they caus'd the disorder you saw me in Excuse I pray you my transportation I beleeve that this day some starre casts upon me his most malignant influences Palamede knew not what to say to him upon so strange an accident hee would have condol'd his misfortune had not the cause and remedy so nearely touch'd him To offer him his sister shee was not in his disposing and to promise him assistance neare her if he had had the will to it the time was too short for hope to get any advantage by it In the end he resolv'd with himselfe to make no overture to him but to expect it from him and ask'd him what he desir'd he should doe to serve him No no Palamede answer'd Otho be not you in paine to helpe me I wish to your sister the greatest felicity of the world so farre am I from willing to make her a companion of my misery I am a miserable banish'd man the hatred of heaven and cast-away of the earth which scarce affords me one of her extremities to be sustain'd in no other comfort have I desir'd of you than that I receiv'd in telling you the extremity of my misery which never shall be heard spoken of by any besides you Adieu deare Palamede enjoy a better fortune I demand you no other favour but to shew me the way to get out of this lodging without passing by the Chamber where shee is that I have seene too much for my repose I should feare lest
that which is perfect and certaine and for this reason she her selfe is her owne end and recompence there being nothing in the world perfect and certaine but shee So hath valour no satisfaction but in it selfe and this is that wee call honour which is nothing else but the glory that is in us for not failing in what valour requires at our hands what disgrace soever may happen because fortune hath no power over vertues hee that has this quality in perfection is as valiant being overcome as when he is victorious and is conscious to himselfe of the same glory Victory and honours cannot be the principall objects of it because these are not things we can be assur'd of In like manner the perfect love cannot have pleasure for his principall end because it is not certaine but depends on the will of another and for that cause his end cannot be to be lov'd neither these being things that are without us and we cannot dispose of but his onely certaine object is this to love perfectly So the end of this perfect love is in it selfe and can never faile it If it chances one be loved or receives some contentment these are but fruits of love and not the end even as victory and honours are to valour otherwise it must be necessary that after the satisfactions love receiv'd and the honours that valour possess'd both this and that should cease and have no more operation as being arriv'd at their end You see that imperfect loves that have no other end but pleasure dye as soone as ever they have attain'd that pleasure and this might serve for an infallible reason to make you beleeve there must be an end farre more noble and more assured than pleasure to crowne a perfect and never decaying love I beleeve said Epicharis to Palamede you would be much troubled to answer these reasons 'T is very easie for him sayes he to vanquish an enemy that feeles his conscience wounded being to maintaine an evill cause for all the disasters I have met with and reason with this very dispute learne mee thus much that we are to love but one thing which is perfectly lovely and for this cause that it is you alone I am to love I pray you said Epicharis make not Melintus weapons serve your turne against mee and yet I shall not bee displeas'd that he instruct you and when you have had time enough to bee made wise I shall demand of him what I ought to thinke of you Sweare said Palamede you will alwayes report your selfe to him That will I surely said she so much confidence have I in him that hee shall herein be Judge with Ariana Melintus said there was hope of amendment in Palamede and that he would promise if Epicharis joyn'd her helpe to make of him a perfect lover one day for her sake having already a Master very affectionate and a Mistresse very lovely Assure your selves replied Palamede that I knew before how to love very well what ever I said for I love none but the faire Epicharis 't is she I love perfectly and will love her so for ever Do you take these little searches I make to others for infidelities What be they else sayes Melintus I would faine know went Palamede on if to love so perfectly as you pretend you abstaine from all sorts of pleasures as hunting pastimes exercises and what ever else may content you That were not reasonable answer'd Melintus So then said Palamede these little favours are of those pleasures we are not to avoyd The choyce a man has made once in his heart continues still there and by this meanes he attends with patience till the cruelties of her he seekes be over and the time may bring some ease to his desires I finde this said Epicharis an easie way of loving and if all were of your disposition there would not be heard such complaints and desperations of lovers because they would so soone know wherewith to comfort them 'T is not replied Palamede a particular humour in mee but reason that makes mee love after that fashion and every one finds contentment by it for having a cruell Mistresse I seeke for consolation to the usage she makes me and in the meane time leave her in repose When all comes to all replide Melintus you would perswade us that you love extremely but desire moderately and if you can make these two agree you have reason for what you say Although sayes Palamede I follow not these desires so ardently thinke you I desire the lesse for that Contrariwise I more honour her I love not to torment her seeing her resolv'd to grant me nothing and appease where I may the violence of my desires But replide Melintus they are not the desires you have for her which you goe to ease otherwhere they be some other Sometimes answers Palamede I imagine I am easing those very desires perswading my selfe I enjoy her and receive those favours at her hands Ah ye gods cried out Melintus what crimes are here together And why said Palamede am I so criminall First of all replide Melintus in seeking these favours from others you serve your selfe of the same words and the same oaths which you use to her you love see there prophan'd the fairest meanes you can have to make your selfe be loved imploying them indifferently upon a thousand subjects unworthy of the vertuous designe you ought to have What poorenesse it is to lye and which of them all can beleeve you having but the same protestations to give in all places after all this if you love but one person can you still finde another lovely and there stay your eyes for as for pastime which you alleage a man may seeke that without injuring his love but one beauty may stand in competition with another and if you can make much of any with or besides that you love 't is infidelity But what crime can be greater than that your imagination commits in the favours of another and will your fancy then needs have it her you are courting who receives your discourse with affectation who either yeelds with weaknesse or prostitutes her selfe with shamelesnesse and doe you perfectly love her you imagine to your selfe with all those defects You charge me very criminally said Palamede but I protest to you I have not so vile an intention No no pursues Melintus you must resolve with your selfe either to beleeve your affection is very imperfect or else to purge it of all those errors if you desire to make it perfect See there said Epicharis one good lesson already and if every day he tooke but such another I thinke he might be reduced into the right way To heare you both speake replied Palamede it seemes I have beene instructed in an ill Love-schoole and must endevour to forget the false principles I there learn'd but I doe still finde something in me repugnant to the austerity of your precepts Neverthelesse I honour my Master and love
spight of the crosses which Amyntas and my affection have met with and to tell you their beginning I must of necessity tell you the beginning of my life too Since the birth of my brother Melintus Hyperia my mother had beene many times great with childe but she could never be deliver'd of any alive untill at last having made some vowes to Lucina shee was brought to bed of me This was a very great joy to the house and Diocles the chiefe friend my father Telephus had came to congratulate with him and brought his sonne Amyntas too that was then but five or six yeares old they told him jestingly I should be his Mistresse whereto he agreed and ask'd to kisse me I beleeve that he could then make me no very eloquent offer of service neither did I give him any great cause to love me being but a disagreeable Mistresse and very troublesome that had nothing but cryes to entertaine him His father instructed him in the duties he was to render me and sometimes laughed with Telephus at the fashion he tooke them in hand every morning hee sent first to heare from me and after came himselfe to seeme and kist my hand one while he brought me a posie another time a coloured feather that they pinn'd on my head in hope that one day I would give him some of my favours to weare in that fashion When I began to speake hee exprest much contentment having no more a mute to entertaine and seeing how that which he loved began to be inform'd with a soule he seem'd to augment his affection at it In like manner finding him compleasant in every thing I desir'd I had a friendship to him for children are pleas'd with those that contradict them not We had a thousand sorts of playes where I was the Mistresse and he the servant I commanded him with gentlenesse hee obeyed me with joy and so the tenderest of our yeeres passed away in many innocent recreations I cannot repeat to you all our childish discourses but when he came to be seventeene or eighteene yeere old that age that is accustom'd to change all things had not this power over him for in stead of diminishing by degrees this affection that had taken no foundation use serv'd him for matter of love and made him pursue his designe of loving me For my part comming to a little more understanding I perceived how these little liberties were not very honest and would retire me from him He was not overmuch troubled at this for he is of an humour not to afflict himselfe and to be moved at nothing as you shall see by that which followes and onely said one day to me It seemes my faire Mistresse you love your servant no more I had at that time judgement enough to answer him I pray you leave these names that are no more fit for me than for you He without accusing me of change or going to complaints told me 'T is now impossible wee should lose these qualities since I have neither will nor power to doe it If it be not possible to you said I to him it is very possible to me and from this time I will quit the name of your Mistresse That answered he depends not on you On whom then replide I On me pursued he for I remaining alwayes your servant you must of necessity continue my Mistresse What though I forbid you replied I. You pretend then answered he some power over me and in that respect your selfe agrees to be my Mistresse You may interpret said I my words as you please but I will not have you use me any more in this fashion Since you permit me answered hee to give what sense I would to your words I will have them signifie that you love me but that you are not desirous at all to make it appeare Looke you replide I I lov'd you being a childe but things are chang'd I doe not complaine at this change answered he for in that first age you said before all the world that you lov'd me and it was nothing so and now you will love me indeed and say nothing Flatter your selfe as much as you please said I but for me I know well what I am resolv'd on so I left him and went to joyne me with the other Maids to avoyd his returnes for my young age furnish'd me not with reasons strong enough to vanquish him and my weaknesse emboldned him the more Some time after Diocles who had by little and little enrich'd himselfe without noyse was declar'd possessor of the great estate hee had acquired and Amyntas thinking nothing could be refus'd him with the advantages he had seemed more than ever assured of my affection I beleev'd my honour oblig'd me to expresse more coldnesse to him still for feare it might bee thought that I made much of him for his riches in such a fashion that I altogether withdrew me from him and would not suffer him to speake to me in particular I thinke he perceiv'd my cunning well enough for without being amazed at my resolution he would needs write to mee One day he came to see me when I was in company I know not what shift he made to put a Letter into my pocket and when hee was gone his way I put my hand by chance into it and was strangely taken finding this writing that was not to have beene there Neverthelesse I dissembled what had befallen me and having impatience till I were alone to see what it was went out and finding a letter I open'd it and saw that it was thus Amyntas to Erycine IF I found my selfe faulty I should not be so bold to demand of you a reason for your severities but having alwayes serv'd you with fidelity I dare be bold to say that it 's impossible you should wish me ill what-ever disguise you put on It may be you would make triall of me but if you have a designe to receive my service after a great deale of time and paines I pray you doe it for the present and deliver us both of the cares and vexations you are preparing us I aspire not to that sad glory of knowing how to suffer well and when I shall have endur'd your cruellest torments you would in the end be obliged to relent Doe that now for affection which you would then doe for justice and making me so happy you shall force mee to serve you also for justice which I did not before but for affection I blamed him a little to my selfe for taking the boldnesse to write to me and for the liberties he us'd in his letter but yet this humour of turning thus all things to his advantage was not disagreeable to me sometimes I accus'd my owne facility that was the cause he could not thinke me so ill as I seemed on the other side I was very glad that hee gave not backe for those feined rigours because I did but what I ought to doe and that made him
of him to his advantage I would have wâ—â—hed he had seene me oftner and since that seeing there passed few dayes â—hat he came not to us and finding him in a sadnesse that was not ordinaâ—â— with him I imagin'd that hee loved some Lady that used him ill or that â—e could not easily see and came to divert his griefes with me One â—â—ile I wished ill to that faire Lady for the sorrow he suffer'd for her anothâ—r while I was not angry for the small satisfaction he receiv'd for the interâ—â—t I had in him and what-ever were the cause of it I was very glad to see â—im oftner He had the reputation to be lov'd of some Ladies but they weâ—e such as never troubled my minde for he told mee all the defects he founâ— in them some were too facile others had no other pride but to get quantity of Lovers and to keepe them all by different meanes and because I knew thâ—t vanities and affectations were insupportable to him I was sure he would never have a passion for those subjects I enquir'd after the places he most hunted but I found none that deserv'd his stay and in my soule I doubteâ— not but that he approv'd me as much as he did any else At length one day when we were alone I shewed him some verses were given me and in reâ—ompence he let me see others he had made himselfe and they were these SHall I then suffer an eternall silence Of my sad griefes to hide the violence Extinguishing my dayes most happy season And can this beauty that my thoughts adore The use of voyce deprive me evermore After she had depriv'd me that of reason And shall the ardor of my secret fires Still kindle in my soule so vaine desires And no excesse of rigour mollifie Still shall her eye upon me fulminate And pittilesse my hopes to dust translate As into ashes my heart multiply Where art thou Courage have I lost that strife That carries all to their owne good and life My just resentments where have you remain'd What magicke poyson what deceit might keepe Your power in most necessity asleepe When I these unknowne traitors entertain'd Ah! Whither will my senslesse fury take me The discreet bridle of cold feare will make me Soone disavow these transports of my tongue The torments of my rain'd soule I nourish The enemy that kils me I must cherish If I no reason have my plaints are wrong They 're wrong t is true my fetters are too faire Causelesse complaints my want of worth â—clare To free me of them 't is not my designe The honour of her sight is recompence And I too happy am without offence Alwayes so neere my heart to beare her shriâ— Said I her shrine ah 't is her selfe 't is she I feele her there within too cruelly Kindling the coale that nourishes my torment 'T is she her power makes her well appeare Who in that heat is pleas'd she caused there And lives in fire as in her element Thou that liv'st in me beauty inhumane What need I speake thou well behold'st my paine Wilt thou establish peace within thy dwelling What! my ills horror makes thee insensible But if thou art but ice alas is 't possible Thou shouldst not quench the ardor of my loving Is 't possible said I giving him the verses againe Lepantus should stand mute before her he loves Not onely mute answered he but so full of respect and feare that not so much as a looke hath ever given her an expression of my love You must needs said I to him feare her extremely for I know but very few that would not gladly receive the offer of your service I wonder replies he you should thinke that so strange when you are one of those that cannot endure to be loved Speake not of me return'd I to him for I have reason not to beleeve that any can love me but she you are in love with being without question very lovely may well beleeve what you might tell her concerning your affection Contrariwise goes he on I love her not but because she resembles you and this is that makes me feare that I be not sensible of the same severity in her which many others have made trial of in you I answered him but it was not Lepantus that made me those offers and being unsatisfied with my owne beauty I could not beleeve any great effects could proceed from so meane a cause besides I must tell you that though I be not worth the paine to be lov'd I have not hitherto found a man worthy of my spirit and though some one might present himselfe I should use him as if I thought him the least of men and my selfe one of the perfectest women This answer surpriz'd him and for a time he stood as if he had beene without all sense then recovering speech he said to me I have then some cause to feare that this beauty resembling you banish me not her sight if I prefum'd to declare my love to her or at least that she thought not her selfe offended at me and her provoked eyes were not to be endur'd All said I to him are not so ill-natur'd and I would willingly know her to perswade her to thinke well of you May it please the gods said he you had as much will to helpe me as you have knowledge of her I sware to him I would employ my selfe heartily therein if he would let me know her That would be answered he to speake of love to you which you will never endure That concernes me not said I will never offend me If she resembles you replide he both in beauty and humour she must have a like thought to yours and to make triall by your selfe of the usage I should have of her I will tell you Cyllenia I love you What would you answer But said I that is not so and therefore I cannot make you the answer I would There is nothing more certaine continues he and all the discourse I made you was but to make way for this declaration I blush'd and asham'd that I had thus forc'd him to discover himselfe told him Lepantus if the freedome I use with you cause this boldnesse you shall not long time abuse it for you must either lose this liberty or my sight He nothing amaz'd answered me You will confesse then I had cause to conceale my affection from her that resembles you for I apprehend as cruell an answer from her as that I have drawne from your mouth I was now more asham'd than before for having beene so deceived and but for the comming in of some company I had gone to complaine of him for thus playing with me yet for all that I flatter'd my selfe with a beleefe that his discourse might well be true and all night long I did nothing but fortifie me in that opinion that he would but sound me on all sides and that if my answer had beene more gentle he would have left
great City What interrupted Melintus are you brother to the vertuous Eriphile wife of Ephialtes Yes replied Lepantus Give me leave continued Melintus to embrace you then since you are brother to one of the wisest women I ever knew at whose house I was a long time brought up and to whom I have a thousand sensible obligations Then they express'd a great deale of kindnesse one to another and Palamede that had shared in the friendship of the sage Eriphile would also mingle himselfe with their embracements Afterwards Melintus referring to some other time to tell him all the causes he had to love and serve him for his sisters sake prayed him to continue his story Lepantus went on In the end I resolv'd with my selfe to depart from Greece and to passe into Asia I arriv'd in Eolida from thence I went into Lydia and Phrygia but there befell me no remarkable thing but in Galatia where I ran a great hazard of perishing by an infamous death As I was comming neere to arrive at the principall City I passed by a wood where some murther had beene committed I saw my selfe incompassed with a number of horsemen who tooke me for one of the murtherers and carried me away to the City what innocency soever I was able to alleage They that did the murther were presently after apprehended and put in prison with me and when they knew that I was accused of their crime they mocked at me among themselves and swore they would not discharge me though they knew me not that I might die with them for company I was much perplexed having no meanes to justifie me but by them and in great displeasure that I was to dye so shamefully as a way-robber and a murtherer One day when I thought they came for us to be led to punishment I saw comming in an Officer of Justice who having assembled all the Criminals declar'd to them that each was to choose his advocate for to plead his cause before the King to the end that the most eloquent of all should beare away for his Client the grace that was yeerely accorded I enquir'd what that grace was and learn'd that in Iulius Caesar's time Dejotarus was King of Galatia who after he had followed the party of Pompeius and beene received into favour by Caesar was accused for having dressed Ambuscado's for him when he was at his house in Galatia For that cause he was cited to Rome where making his appearance he was ready to be condemn'd to dye by Caesar and the Senate but for the succours of Cicero's marvellous eloquence which had so much force as to make Caesar change his determination and pardon Dejotarus The King being return'd to Galatia that he might remember this benefit receiv'd by eloquence ordained that every yeare on a certaine day the Criminall persons should make choyce of Advocates amongst whom he that should be judg'd the most eloquent should carry away for his Client the grace of his life besides the advocates prize to whom was given a Crowne of great value After I had learn'd this I knew that the most famous advocates were retained of a long time by great summes of money and I saw it would be very difficult for me to hope for that grace having no meanes nor any acquaintance in the Country Neverthelesse I tooke heart and said all aloud to this Officer that I demanded leave to defend my selfe Every one tooke him to laughter to heare my proposition for they saw me in an estate too miserable to beleeve I could have any science but for all that I gave in my name to the end I might be heard before the King as well as the rest In eight dayes space that were given to prepare the Orations that should be made I had leisure enough to thinke of mine and when the time was come they brought us all to the Palace We were put into a great Hall round about certaine barres that hindred any approaching to the King who was within upon a seat raised with foure or five steps and had on each side of him his chiefe Officers that were the Judges When they would begin to heare the pleadings the barres were open'd to let in the first Advocate that was to speake who standing before the King began a very studied speech wherein hee labour'd to defend a criminall that was present with us When he had ended there rose a little noyse of the different judgements were made of him then they opened to another who discours'd with a great deale of vehemence and so many were heard one after another I was in a wonder to see so many Advocates but they told me there were come of them from all parts of Asia and out of Greece too some sought to by the Criminals and others invited by the ambition of making their knowledge appeare and carrying the prize This number troubled me much yet order was taken that the speeches should be short for else one day had not beene sufficient to heare all that presented themselves At last they said there were no more Advocates to plead The King was now demanding the Judges advice and I thought to have step'd forward to intreat audience but an Herald prevented me that told the King there remain'd no more but a poore Criminall called Lepantus who desir'd to defend himselfe Well then answered the King wee will not deny him that justice Then I entred within the barre and being before the King I said in a few words what I had premeditated with all the assurance and modesty I could Brave Lepantus interrupted Melintus doe not deprive us I pray you the repetition of that Oration we have time enough to heare it and since it is but short it cannot be grievous to you Grant this at least to the desire of Cyllenia who so attentively hearkens to the accidents of your life during her owne vexations 'T is to command me answer'd Lepantus so to intreat and since you will have it so I will recite what I spake then I began thus GReat King and you equitable Iudges I cannot complaine of fortune for the strange accident I am fallen into since she gives me the happinesse to be heard of you And wherefore should I be aggriev'd at her since both before and after my calamity she provided me meanes to releeve my selfe As soone as I entred this Countrey she hath rendred me criminall before I was culpable but at such a time when a grace is offer'd which she puts me in hope to obtaine having made me to be instructed from my infancy in all sorts of Sciences and Arts foreseeing the need I should have of their assistance The gods beside had beene unjust and cruell to permit the adventure is arri'vd to me if they had not knowne in what sort I could secure my selfe Accuse me not of presumption for being assured to carry away this day the prize is given to the most eloquent it 's impossible you should refuse me it seeing
what sicknesse soever was upon him he spake no more but of retiring from me to goe to her I knew then he had never lov'd me and was tormented with a cruell jealousie that gave me no repose I saw well that I had no cause to retaine him since he lov'd me not and yet I could not endure he should forsake me Never had I experience of so many troublesome passions as then distracted me but I confesse there cannot be imagin'd a more cruell torment Love hatred the resentments of contempt and jealousie put me into such a disorder that my mind was in 〈◊〉 perpetuall fury There rested for all that in me I know not what hope that beleeving him to be of a great spirit he could not but esteeme himselfe much oblig'd to me for so many duties I had rendred hi 〈…〉 neverthelesse this ingrate this perfidious man prayed me at last to give him leave to retire I expected that blow with a great deale of feare and receiving it I forc'd my selfe some time to perswade him to stay still with me but seeing him resolv'd to be gone I perceiv'd there is nothing so sensible as the contempt and the ingratitude of that one loves I could no longer containe my selfe but gave him all the reproaches an outraged lover could make in calling him traitor villaine ingratefull and all that may be said in a furious anger This artificiall man having given free liberty to my rage to make it lose its force began to pacifie me by little and little by the most flattering words deceit it selfe could have invented He perswaded me to what he would being so weakned by the agitations of my soule that in that estate it was easie for him to vanquish me Then he labour'd to make me beleeve things that were so pleasing to my desires and that in such sort flattered my hopes that I conspir'd also with him for to abuse my selfe Never had he express'd so much passion to me as he did at that time he spared neither protestations nor oaths for to assure me of his love and his fidelity and feining some dayes that he could not be farre from my presence he obtain'd insensibly leave to be gone in making me hope that he would returne to me every houre Being thus escap'd out of my hands he counterfetted himselfe sicke that he might not be oblig'd to see me againe untill hee return'd into Sicily I sent often to heare of him and was advertis'd of all that passed at their house by the meanes of a young boy call'd Damis slave of Maximus who reported to me that nothing was so agreeable to Melintus as the deare assistance of this faire Ariana It consum'd my heart with jealousie and despite that he had thus deceiv'd me to get away I attended still a good while and the more time passed away the more he made me lose hope of seeing him ever againe This outrage seized me in such wise as I became sicke and willing to prove to what degree his ingratitude would proceed or whether pitty might not doe that which love could not obtaine I gave out every where that I was at the extremity to try if he would not render me at least some office in the very last moments of my life But this cruell man this Barbarian was never touch'd for any accident that could arrive to me and had lesse care of me than if he had never knowne me Not content yet with that triall I made it be reported that I was dead to see if he would not come to visit Camilla and to heare being closely hid what he would say to her upon the regret of my death and I will tell you truly what my fury was then I was resolved if he came to come forth of my ambuscado after I had heard him a while and to teare him in peeces with my teeth and with my nailes but all that mov'd him no more than if he had had no soule and I knew beside that he had hindred Palamede from comming to see my sister upon the accident was thought to have befallen me I knew not now in the extreme dolour I was in what artifice to use nor what resolution to take when the passion of others was neare to have succour'd mine and supplied the defect of my inventions Marcelin as I knew of Damis to be reveng'd of these Sicilians to whom he was enemy attempted to burne them all one night in their house or if they got out to kill Melintus and Palamede and to carry away Ariana in that disorder for to give her to the Emperour This enterprise as I came to know since succeeded not well for Marcelin who was slaine without the City by Melintus and Ariana sav'd her selfe by I know 〈◊〉 what meanes but the day after Palamede and Melintus were taken and brought prisoners to Rome Never pursued Emilia had I so much joy as to learne that they were destin'd to death being accused for having set fire on the City and when I was advertis'd that they were to be brought before the Senate to have judgement I disguis'd me in the same estate as I am now for the present in to see what countenance they had and to what punishment they should be condemned and slipping into the Senate-house among the crowd I so wrought that I got a place whence I could see them at my ease I saw this traitor present himselfe without any amazement and in seeing him I became pale and a shaking horror surpriz'd me that tooke from me all strength The trembling that had seiz'd me quitted me not as long as I beheld him but when he began to speake I felt my selfe even gone so was I taken with the different passions that perplexed me In the end I recollected a little force and courage and seeing in what sort he defended himselfe Ha! said I to my selfe see how this deceiver spake to me when hee would abuse me How well he knowes to disguise the causes of their misery and his love for Ariana He dares not pronounce that name for feare of being troubled And yet I confesse to you that I felt my selfe affected with the things he said and my hatred was not powerfull enough to resist the force of his discourse I would have had them adjudged him to death and yet I well saw that it was impossible to condemne him I attended his judgement with as much trouble as if it had beene my owne and for all I desir'd he should dye I surpris'd my selfe sometimes in the estate of having a feare for his life But yet for all that I saw they were about to absolve him and I was angry and content at the same time but when they came from Nero to command the judgement to be surceased for that he would declare his will upon the matter I cannot expresse in what state I was in I well perceiv'd how the Emperour feared lest they should have beene dismissed and quitted and that this signified
so vertuous a friend but constraind his prudence to obey the transports of my youthfull fancies If the gods are resolv'd rather to take my life from me than make me wise by these accidents I submit to their justice praying them to give you another friend as affectionate but more moderate than I Yet if your friendship cannot easily change the subject of it I have another my selfe whom I may well call more deserving than I I leave behind me a sister whom I desire you to love if already as I beleeve you have not esteem'd her worthy your affection I know your merits be above hers but yet I am assur'd she will never give her selfe to any man of lesse worth than you This consolation I shall have at least after my death when I shall know that with the goods I am to leave her she is to possesse the greatest I was able to procure The first words of Palamede had possest with sadnesse the soule of Melintus and his eyes with teares but the last surpriz'd him with astonishment not thinking that Palamede had ever had knowledge of the secret love hee had to the faire Ariana his sister and not willing to avow it seeing shee her selfe would not have it discover'd at all to any he contented himselfe to give him this answer It were not possible for me to have more joy receiving so deare witnesses of your friendship if the occasion thereof were not so unfortunate But I cannot choose but give you thankes for the first and regret the other and I will yet hope that the gods will not so soone separate us but that the occasion of my discontent shall cease and I long time enjoy the affection of so perfect a friend If the estate wherein you are suffer'd me to accuse you I might complaine of you for beleeving that I could ever blame your actions If at any time I have dislik'd them it was rather because my humour was contrary to them than my reason Cure your selfe onely and imagine not of giving me any person that may hold your place I would not conceive the like thought of you that after me you could love any thing Melintus conceal'd so violent and respectfull a passion for Ariana that he durst not pronounce her name nor speake one word of her and so left off his discourse Palamede when he had stayd a while said to him And what say you to my sister This replyed Melintus is a matter that I find so farre above my merits that I cannot thinâ—e upon it without presumption and besides that Aristides your father hath his designes more high in all reason wherefore I content my selfe to honour her with all the respect I may Palamede would have answer'd this but Melintus told him that hee could no longer endure to heare him speake with so much paine and desir'd hee would remit that discourse to another time and rest himselfe for feare of some greater danger I will make but one request to you said Palamede to send into Sicily as speedily as you can to my father it may be I shall be alive yet some dayes in which time hee may be here with my sister or at least render me the last duties of a friend if my death prevent their arrive I have no greater wish than this that I may see them before I dye Melintus tooke that occasion to leave him after telling him that he went instantly to dispatch one of his men and that hee hoped for all that when they should be come to Rome they would have more cause to rejoyce for his cure than to mourne his losse Then studying how hee should write for putting Aristides and Ariana into too much feare he determin'd to dissemble his griefe as much as might be and wrote these Letters Melintus to Aristides I Was not able to refuse Palamede this service he desir'd of mee to advertise you of some wounds he receiv'd in a combat and to beseech you by the affection you beare him to come to Rome to him with his sister The feare he hath to dye without seeing you was stronger than all the prayers I could make that hee would not give you so much apprehension and paine But in satisfying of his desire diminish your owne feares and beleeve that your sonne defying all remedies will not be beholding for his cure but to your sight He put this other apart to be deliver'd in secret to Ariana Melintus to Ariana IT is with sorrow that I make you understand newes that will a little trouble your mind Neverthelesse when you shall know that the brother that is so deare to you feares to dye for any wounds and desires to see you thinke not this misfortune so neere but rather that your happy destiny hath brought forth this accident to have the fairest person of the earth appeare in the chiefe City of the world You are not to thinke it strange that he will have you gaine this glory with the prejudice of a little feare you shall there find men to whom love cannot be favourable farre off from Syracusa and that wait but for your presence to cure them In the meane time I mistrust no ill fortune nor can I judge the cause ill that shall produce so faire an effect as the happinesse to see you Melintus that had not yet dared to make a full discovery of his passion to the faire Ariana had taken this liberty to write to her since his depart from Syracuse and for this reason was he permitted to doe it because Palamede was over negligent and that she might heare often from them so as hee spake but insensibly of his affection to her intermingling covertly that which nearest touch'd him in the things that passed without giving her any cause to accuse him of unadvisednesse And shee her selfe was very well pleas'd to receive testimonies of his passion without the ingaging of her honour by feigning ignorance of his designe and so they did both deceive one another willingly if we may call deceit the secret knowledge they mutually gave of a vertuous and inviolable affection After Melintus had clos'd these Letters hee gave them into the hand of Arcas his faithfull Freeman and instructing him what was to be done gave him charge to make all haste to report Palamedes disaster in such a sort that they might not be too much affrighted and to say that he would have written himselfe but for a hurt in his hand then hee went backe againe to his friend and dispatch'd this bearer in his presence to let him see how he obeyed his request and to give him this content at least Marcellin that had alwayes before made esteeme of Palamede and Melintus because of their merits and had not declar'd himselfe against them his jealousie having not yet burst forth full of despight that they had twice escap'd the death he had prepared them and not thinking that hee was knowne the Author of those treacheries counterfeited himselfe to be
fallen sicke and sent to know how they did and that hee was in paine till hee heard from them When he had learn'd that his chiefest enemy was in the worst condition he sent him an oyntment as an excellent remedy for his wounds but Melintus having receiv'd it would not have his friend make triall of the Drug comming from a place so suspect The faire Camilla sent for a Dog that they presently strucke with a knife then she made the Oyntment be applyed to the wound and foure houres after the Dogge was found dead this composition hauing envenomed the sore and penetrated in a small time to the very heart The knowledge of this treason made Marcellin be as much hated of Camilla as he had before time beene loved and when he came to see her after his sicknesse she shewed such displeasure at him that he well perceived hee was lost with her Melintus afflicted with his friends evill though it was not then judg'd mortall and seeing himselfe constrain'd to feigne a passion for a Lady he loved not passed a very troublesome life in that house Emilia that could not beleeve these coldnesses and distasts of his proceeded from the small affection he had to her but rather imputed the cause of them one while to the misfortune had arriv'd to them another to his desire of being reveng'd on Marcellin never ceas'd rendring him her most passionate cares One day when he was in bed she said to him Melintus It grieves me to see you so sad in a place where it is desired you should be most content Madam answered he the greatest discontent I have is to put you to so much trouble and I could wish you would be pleas'd to remit the paines you take to them that serve us so I should be eas'd of the halfe of my evill No no Melintus replied she hide not your selfe from me this is not the cause of your griefe for if you love me you desire to be loved of mee and you cannot receive at this time other testimonies of this than my assistance so as my paynes must rather be agreeable than troublesome to you But in good truth dreame you not of revenging you on Marcellin for the villanies by which he pursues the life of Palamede Melintus who was glad to conceale the principall subject of his sorrow was very well pleas'd at her abuse and that he might entertaine her still in it he sayes Madam 'T is true his treasons possesse me with horrour and feare for I see that he will not leave practising against us and it will be more difficult for us to warrant our selves from a coward and traytor than an open and valiant enemy Leave that care to mee answered shee we must by little and little banish him our company and afterwards wee shall know how to preserve our selves from his designes my sister already hates him and this have I gained of her representing to her how much this fellow is to be detested There is no doubt replyed he but his company is very dangerous and that sometime or other those that are of so mischievous a disposition will make others that converse with them partakers of the miseries of their owne lives I beginne though late sayd Emilia to see the truth of this you say for I tooke him for a man capable of doing a mischiefe yet seeing hee did us so many good offices I could not beleeve hee would attempt any thing that might occasion our displeasure I will not proceeded shee reproach you with the service I did you in the person of Palamede making him accepted with my sister yet I must needs let you see what affection I beare you and what power I have with her by estranging Marcellin from her heart to whom we cannot deny but we had singular obligations Whereof if you have leisure I will make a short relation to you Melintus who was well content to let her have the talke desir'd her to take the paines and shee replyed thus Three yeares agoe my sister and I married on one day two Knights of Rome my sister Decius and I Antonine But scarce had six moneths passed but Decius quitting the affection he had to my sister fell in love with mee at least he would make me beleeve so I discreetly resisted him because I would not have his intention come to my husbands or my sisters knowledge for indangering the friendship that was amongst us and I hoped also that hee would retire himselfe from it of his owne accord This mildnesse made him beleeve that in the end I would let my selfe be gained and that nothing retained me but the affection I had to my husband On the other side judging of others by himselfe he thought Antonine was in love with my sister and was againe loved of her because they entertain'd one another familiarly enough without any great occasion whereupon hee conceiv'd so furious a jealousie that he resolv'd to make them both away this rage of his being usefull also for the love he made to me for he pretended to marry me after he had dispatch'd those two persons One day when wee dined with him I was amaz'd to be held backe by him taking me by the arme as I was going to eat of a dish of meat whereof there was but little in it and well seasoned to appearance he feigning to remember me of something he had to say to me entertain'd me till Antonine and Camilla had eaten the most of that was in the dish then he made it be taken away At that time I perceiv'd nothing at all but presently after dinner my sisters young stomacke beganne to worke and was strong enough to expell the poyson she vomited Antonine that was more in yeares and had eaten the most of it finding in like manner some gripings did what he could to cast out that hee had taken in but he could never doe it whatsoever remedies were given him and dyed the day after The crime and designes of Decius being apparant enough you may conceive how I was transported to lose a husband I honour'd and with what fury I attempted to revenge me on him and hee above all this would have had me attributed his action to the excesse of love he had to mee and that I was beholding to him for it But this mad man being not yet satisfied but desirous to have my sister dye what ever happened I could then devise of nothing but the preserving of her life by taking her home to me where I was resolv'd to live free without ever marrying againe In that time Marcellin fell in love with Camilla with so violent passions that there was nothing he would not have enterpriz'd for her sake and seeing us ever in teares my sister and I she because Decius sought by all meanes to put her to death and I for the losse I endur'd he tooke in hand to revenge us both and to free us for ever from so cruell an enemy A little
of revenge resolv'd our death and would serve himselfe with the presence of the Emperour to cover his assassinate In the evening being at supper with Nero seeing that Prince somewhat inflam'd with wine and singing some verses he had made he said all alowd that some dayes agoe he was not able to endure the insolence and ingratitude of that Sycilian who mock'd at the Emperours verses and every where vanted his owne for all acknowledgement of so many favours he had receiv'd of him Nero incens'd at these words for there was nothing that so sensible prick't him as to be slighted in a thing where he affected the greatest glory In what places sayes he does this companion thus use me I heard him also answered Marcelin but two dayes since when he spake of this matter with a strange impudence at a Ladies house that every night entertain's him Can we not said Nero entrappe this same gallant This very night replies he it will be very easie to be done we need but goe to waite for him and hide us some where there abouts you may punish him your fill for the crime he commits every day against the honour of your Majesty This was instantly resolv'd on and Nero with those of his ordinary troup went to put himselfe in ambush at a place whither he was conducted by Marcelin and staied for us with a purpose to sacrifice us to his vengeance We failed not to come at the houre and presently as we had order'd the matter together we beganne to draw our swords in making a noyse and to cry kill kill the murderers Nero and the rest thinking they had beene discover'd and fearing to be all massacred in their Ambuscado if they issued not out shewed themselves and came to us but so much astonish'd as we were surpriz'd not looking that our play should be turn'd into so true a combat We omitted not to receive them with much assurance and hurt many of them Neverthelesse because their number was the greater we receiv'd many wounds which made us resolve to sell our lives dearely but they considering we were desperate were in the end forc'd to cry out to us It was the Emperour Then we drew our selves further off to let them passe yet after they had retired themselves I fell downe all along being no longer sustaind by the heat of the fight and having foure great wounds out of which I lost all my bloud Melintus came to helpe me but for all he was not so much hurt he could not but fall in a swoone also upon my body In this state were wee found by these Ladies who came out to see that which had passed before their house and who were greatly astonish'd to see us handled on that fashion Then they caus'd us to be brought hither to succour us with the affection they have made demonstration to us where being in despaire of my life I was willing to see my father and you before I dyed But the gods have shewed me more favours than my indiscreet youth deserv'd and have spar'd my life it may be to serve you and that deare Melintus to whom I have so many obligations whose sicknesse that now keeps him in his bed was not caus'd but by the daily cares he tooke for me during mine Ariana fully pleas'd to have learn'd the extreme fidelity of Melintus dissembled that joy to answer her brother It is true that in all that you have told me he hath witness'd a most perfect friendship to you which oblig'd us to eternall acknowledgements And I would have the occasion one day presented to acquit us of them then she spake on But to leave this businesse of Melintus you have not told me how you came to know it was Cyane that discover'd all to Marcelin This is the thing replied Palamede I forgat to speake of We knew it was he assisted by Nero that made the Ambuscado for us and chiefly we gather'd his ill will by an oyntment he sent me which was poyson and then when we were in paine to discover from whence hee could have notice of our appointment by night I went to averre before Melintus and Camilla that I had communicated it to Cyane Camilla crying out then told me we need not any more inquire for the originall of this disaster that this mayd was wholly Marcelin's and causing her to be corrected because she was now too much inrag'd for all Marcelin's treasons shee made her in the end confesse her villany I make no report to you of the resolution of our faithfull slaves in pursuing the designe Nero had taken to put us to death because you have heard that of Arcas It remaines onely that I tell you how Marcelin two or three dayes since hee was wholly cur'd came to visitus and shew us much affection to remove the opinion we might have of him But Camilla could not forbeare to give him so strange a reception that he began to suspect the cause of that usage I perceive replide Ariana that by the speciall favour of the gods you have beene able to escape out of that adventure for in that sort your destruction was plotted I tremble still to imagine how it was possible for you to avoyd it Neverthelesse you are not yet out of danger having alwayes for enemies the Emperour and Marcelin whose revenge is unsatisfied and whose fury shall be increas'd by the cares Camilla has express'd to have of you The gods said Palamede that have hitherto preserv'd us will not abandon us yet we are not to sleepe but employ the wisdome of yours and Melintus counsels to advise of the meanes that may for ever secure us from those miseries that threaten us I beleeve said Ariana that a speedy retrait to Syracuse will be the most expedient this is that makes mee wish the perfect cure of both of you that we may enjoy together the repose and sweetnesse of our Country and flye from a City where vice and insolence reigne with such authority ARIANA. The third Booke WHile they were entertaining themselves thus Melintus satisfied what he could the desire Aristides had to heare of all had passed and employed the greatest cunning of his discretion to find out causes of their misfortune and conceale the true and principall occasions of every thing that had happened many times when he was not well prepar'd to answer all the good old mans questions he feined a difficulty of speech by reason of his sicknesse to have leisure to consider But when he had scap'd that passage and came to report Palamede's extreme sicknesse that his wounds caused and all the accidents that had put him into such feare he forgat not so much as one point thereof that he might spend the time in that discourse and deliver himselfe from demands he was in trouble to satisfie Emilia and Camilla sometimes laugh'd seeing in what fashion hee disguis'd the truth and did oft divert the matter of the discourse to ayd him Aristides was
first motion she told him it could not be done but being overcome by his intreaties and importunities she had in the end promis'd him and the day after Marcelin having studied upon that occasion came to find her and propos'd how Ariana might be deceiv'd by representing a false deity that should perswade her to love him Virginia said that at the beginning she approved not this device being unwilling the Temple should be prophaned by a fraud but that he was so skilfull in conjuring her by representing to her to what extremity his passion was reduc'd as at last shee permitted him to make ready all his engines and how to give him time she had remitted Ariana to the eight day after Then she told her how her brother had drest the Chamber with the riches that were his owne and chosen an excellent Ingineere to set up stately Theaters and make all manner of representations and they together had consulted to take in the vault of that little Temple and make a heaven of it that within it they had set a musique with store of Torches which made that light and that the darknesse was caused by meanes of certaine clothes they had hung before the windowes to make the place afterwards more lightsome by the torches That the Diana was the most faire and famous Comedian that was at that time in Rome the children were also accustom'd to the Theaters and had their shafts rubbed with a composition that kindled in water that all this descended and ascended by meanes of little wire threds untwist and strong that were tied to their scarfes as it were invisibly Ariana was full of wonder to heare of a deceit so well carried but she was as full of shame when Virginia confest that Marcelin saw her when she went into the bath through holes he had made about the pipes of the cisterne and that she her selfe had beene curious to see so many beauties which she protested she had never seene the like After that she assur'd her that if she had thought her brother would have used violence the entrance into the temple had never beene permitted for his inventions Whereupon she ask'd her pardon for having expos'd her to that danger being over-reach't by the prayers and assurances her brother gave her Ariana answer'd her that she wonder'd not if she had done some thing in favour of the friendship she had to her brother and press'd by his importunities that she had a great obligation to her for quitting the interests of a person so neere to have care of hers and for discovering this trick that might have kept her in errour and trouble all her life They parted asunder after some other discourse and Ariana went out of the temple with an oath never more to seeke to purifie her selfe in Rome where chastity was subject to be corrupted by so many artifices She confest to Melintus he had reason to suspect some couzenage and after she had made this relation which he himselfe found strange they gave their judgement how they were to distrust that man who would never rest there since he sought out such rare and powerfull practices In the meane time Marcelin perceiving his designes either discover'd or at least made unusefull was resolv'd to demand Ariana in marriage of Aristides being in no hope otherwise to asswage his passion He communicated his purpose to Martian his father and told him she was daughter to Aristides one of the chiefest men in Siracuse neece to Dicearchus who was the most powerfull in that City and had no children and that they both drew their pedigree from one of the most noble houses in all Greece His father would have put him off this because she was a stranger but he could not doe it what ever remonstrances he made him of the injury he did himselfe that might pretend to any of the nobiest maids in Rome In the end Martian that was already accustomed to endure all the vitious passions of his sonne because he was of use to maintaine him with Nero could well be pleas'd with this that was an honest one and consent to that he desir'd With this permission Marcelin addrest himselfe to Maximus having thought him fit to mannage the affaires and declar'd his designe to him back't with his fathers consent and intreated him to make the proposition of it to Aristides of whom he hoped to be receiv'd with contentment being the sonne of a Senator if he could resolve to leave his daughter at Rome or else dwell there himselfe and in that case that he would obtaine for him the quality of a Citizen of Rome that Palamede had obtain'd already that if he had any familiarity with Ariana he besought him also earnestly to dispose her to wish him well Maximus considering of the quality of Marcelin his credit and authority about the Emperour thought he might gaine a great support to himselfe if he were able to doe him any good office and finding this proposition honest promis'd him all the assistance he could expect That very day he mov'd it to Aristides who at the first could not consent to quit his daughter Neverthelesse the greatnesse of that party dazeling his judgement he began a little to give way to the reasons of Maximus and at last promis'd to communicate the businesse with his sonne and daughter and that very houre he wrote of it into Sicily to his brother Dicearchus Maximus finding he was so fairely forward advertis'd Marcelin of it who seeing that his good fortune partly depended on the good will of Ariana fail'd not to appeare at the Temple proudly cloth'd with a great traine to make her see what honour she should be mistresse of if she consented to his desire and omitted not to make great expressions of his respect to her serving himselfe at the same time for divers ends both with pompe and with humility On another side Aristides having made overture of it to his children Ariana was in a great wonder to heare him mention it as a thing he desired Yet she continued mute to her fathers reasons and left the taking of her part to her brother who not enduring to have any thing more spoken concerning a man he had so much cause to abhorre and his sister also for his sake was forc'd to say he beleev'd not that so good a father would marry his sister to a man that had twice attempted upon his life that he could no longer hold from confessing to him that it was Marcelin that would have murther'd him with a troupe of men from which the gods only preserv'd him that after that feigning to send him an ointment for his wounds he had sent him poyson not ever thinking he was advertis'd that he had beene the head of those that had assaulted him by night that he had beene constrain'd to dissemble that treason especially knowing that the Emperour was of the party But what cause said Aristides had he to wish you so much evill
entertainment I did nothing but fix my eyes upon him not willing to spend a reply either to disabuse him or to consent any more to his discourse I began to be weary of him and had in the end shamefully sent him packing but that for my quietnesse Melintus and my brother came in then I could not containe my selfe but as soone as they were set I conceiv'd indeed an enterprize too bold for my wit to seeme capable of I would impart to them Garamant's entertainment without naming him in his owne presence for my owne ease and his confusion and I said to them I was in great impatience till I saw you to tell the great good fortune is happened to me Melintus ask'd me what it was T is this say I that I have got a servant I am infinitely proud of He exprest to me how he rejoyc'd at it for my sake and inquir'd if he might not by any meanes know his name This is the thing said I to him I cannot learne you but I will tell you truly in what sort he made me offer of his service Then I began to report as faithfully as I could Garamant's discourses remarking all his sottishnesse and impertinencies whereupon he blush't and he grew pale and I died with laughing to see how he knew not what posture to put himselfe in Melintus and my brother could not beleeve there had beene so great extravagancy of braine and at every word demanded if that were possible I was willing to tell them at large all the excellent reasonings of Garamont and reserve nothing so much recreated was I in the story of it and every fondnesse of his wanted not the qualification of titles it deserv'd and they were so many sensible blowes to this honest man that was present and that suffer'd himselfe to be thus prick't and never cried out At last Melintus ask'd mee if I had not invented so pleasant a businesse I told him for to possesse the other with desperation and make them understand of whom I had spoken Garamant shall witnesse for me if I say any thing but what is true Then they well conceiv'd that it was his entertainment I had made the relation of for as they look't upon him they saw in what sort he was abashed and besides they were acquainted with his humour Garamant seeing he was discover'd and inforc'd to speake knew not what party to take whether he ought to be offended for their mocking him or whether he were to maintaine that which had thus declar'd his affection his cowardnesse not permitting the first he was resolv'd for the second because he might then speake in a third person and he said how he found not so much to be blam'd as they did in the proceeding of that man and that if every man govern'd himselfe so the Ladies would be constrain'd to banish this great severity they observe and confesse that they have a great obligation to the men for loving them Melintus then began to speake finding himselfe offended in my person and to sustaine my cause ask'd him whereupon he grounded this vanity upon this sayes he that for one advantage women have above us which is beauty men have a thousand above them which are yet of a farre greater consequence as the height of courage prudence force and addresse of the body with an infinite number of others Melintus answered him Although wee had these advantages I find them very poore ones since we are to submit them all to the power of their beauty but wee are very farre from having them for a Lady shewes more courage in the conservation of her honour and more prudence in the carriage of her selfe than we are able to doe in any action they have more hard trials to endure than wee and more consequences to foresee They are incessantly to be upon their guard and yet that in so great a circumspection there appeare no constraint and whether this be done with paine or with facility they are to be commended either for their great carefulnesse or else for their great quicknesse of wit We on the contrary let scape a thousand speeches and doe a thousand actions that would be as many crimes to Ladies which witnesses in them a nature much more perfect than ours and a greater purity of vertue wherein the least fault would make a great spot There remaines nothing in us but the strength of the body which is but a very poore advantage to prevaile with as if the Lion were to be more esteem'd than a man because he is stronger Wit ever triumphs over force The strongest people of the world are not the most renowned the Greekes and the Romans have alwayes vanquisht the Barbarians that surpass'd them in strength of body Besides there is not a man so powerfull but a Lady rules him there needs but a looke or a word and wee are struck downe and then we must come to prayers and submissions which is an infallible mark of their advantage for he that sues to another without doubt finds himselfe the weakest Garamant sayes to him you would alleage farre differing reasons against them if Ariana were not present and it grieves me to see we are so poore spirited to employ the same force of wit wee excell them in to make them beleeve they excell us Nay contrary replide Melintus if Ariana were not here I would not content my selfe with reasons which I use for her satisfaction and not yours but the respect of her keeps me from letting you see how farre I disesteeme you for contesting this cause so to no purpose in her presence Melintus modesty suffer'd him not to make any more quarrelling with him before mee for feare of giving me offence but my brother could not endure this foole in my chamber and told him You take upon you too much interest in this cause not to be that very impertinent and ridiculous fellow that made her all those discourses I counsell you to get you gone quickly hence if you have not a mind to see your selfe punish'd in her sight for your impudent follies Hee was thus forc'd to goe his way mock'd of all with the greatest shame a man could possibly receive and the arrogant fellow was such a coward that hee never durst returne a word onely hee bit some speeches betweene his teeth wee could not understand We did nothing but laugh at him the rest of the day but at night there had like to have happened a great misfortune for it for Melintus going from our house very late with my brother to goe lye together as many times they us'd to doe they were set upon by twelve or fifteene men against whom they so valiantly defended them being both a horsebacke that after they had kill'd foure of them the rest were put to flight The dead men were the day after knowne for souldiers of Toxaris that was Provost of Syracuse and an intimate friend of Garamant This Toxaris had seem'd to be a lover of
to me separate not us both for ever I would willingly said I to her redeeme your liberty and my contentment at the charge of foure yeeres servitude I could have no greater wish than that it were my chance to serve your kindred in recompence of the services you have rendred mine Oh gods how happy should I be if in the end I might come to the knowledge of them and give them intelligence of the place you are in for to make us both free by a happy change It would never grieve me to endure neither yrons nor the cruellest tortures of slaves to obtaine so great a good These are speeches saies Melintus interrupting him very powerfull and affectionate for such an unfaithfull man as you are for you were no sooner here but you forgat all those protestations to love Camilla I beseech you replies Palamede doe not reproach me with that for the affection I have for Epicharis seemes to be a strong and sure passion that keeps ever one direct course letting passe a-crosse it those little lightnesses without being moved and I hope it shall also one day attaine the end it hath pretended to Palamede would have finish'd what remain'd to be told of that depart when Epicharis entring brake off their discourse and finding them still in bed she accus'd them of slothfulnesse Palamede in laughing told her they had but too much time for the journey they were to make that day Then shee told them what she had done with their friends As for Maximus although he had reason to be ill satisfied with them for the detriment he had suffer'd for their sakes having sav'd himselfe also from the fire after them with much trouble and though he had enough to consider of his owne affaires yet hee had not failed to promise her all sorts of assistances for them that the fire was not yet out in the City but yet they ought not to lose the occasions that were offer'd to save themselves that it would be easie for her to bring them a very small cord wherewith they might draw up a great rope shee would have without the Tower which she now had all in a readinesse of an excessive length because the height of the Tower was very great There was no other difficulty but for them to get to the top of that Tower for being alwayes close shut up in their chambers Three or foure dayes pass'd on still in their deliberating upon some meanes whilest the burning continued alwayes But they were surpriz'd one morning being sent for to appeare before the Senate Epicharis was in despaire for having delayed so long to invent a meanes for their delivery and feared they should be that very day condemned Melintus and Palamede in lesse trouble were brought before the Senate where entring with a modest assurance they were set upon seats very low to the ground The Consull having commanded the accusers to speake Martian goes out from the company because he was a party in this cause and then they were accus'd with much vehemency for having by an abominable practice set fire on Rome and to be the cause of the greatest ruine and desolation that City ever suffer'd that not content with that horrible impiety they had added the murthering of Marcelin and many others whereof proofe was made by Marcelins sword that Melintus was found seiz'd of and for that he was taken all bloody For these crimes it was concluded by the accuser that they deserv'd the cruellest punishments that were Melintus seeing that no body presented himselfe for them demanded permission to defend himselfe and having obtain'd it hee was a while looking downe to the ground to thinke of what hee had to say then lifting up his eyes towards the Senators he spake thus MY Lords if I were to speake before Iudges that were lesse equitable than you I should have great cause to feare the oppression of our innocence I consider the authority of our accusers all the City of Rome animated against us and if the crimes they suppose us guilty of were true you your selves my Lords interessed by your losses to punish us Against all these powers may two strangers forsaken of all things pretend to defend themselves Neverthelesse we doe not esteeme our selves altogether destitute having in heaven the gods for witnesses of our life and upon earth the justice we are in hope to finde amongst you We have nothing but the truth for our defence and this truth being naked and simple I will also make you a simple relation of our misfortune whose causes may very easily be justified Being arrived at Rome for no other end but to behold her glories and make our selves knowne for persons desirous of the best things wee entered to our misery into the acquaintance of Marcelin who after he had made us great professions of friendship in the end conceiv'd a cruell jealousie against us for a womans sake and resolv'd to kill us Those that knew him can tell if hee were capable of such a practice One night we were set upon by a number of men that left us for dead and had it not beene for the succours of Emilia and Camilla before whose house the noyse was heard wee should have had no mere paine to defend our owne lives Camilla will be a witnesse of this truth and all her house whither we were carried who will tell also how Marcelin not beleeving we had knowne his treachery sent Palamede an oyntment that was found to be ranck poyson Neverthelesse wee advised to dissemble and absent us from hence having such an enemie Since that Aristides father to Palamede being come hither with his daughter Ariana upon the rumour of his sonnes danger Marcelin fell in love with Ariana and had a purpose to marry her But Palamede having him in detestation as his mortall enemy and Ariana shunning him as the murtherer of her brother his love contemned turn'd into rage and knowing we were upon parting to returne into Sicily he plotted our death but the cruellest one that could bee imagin'd by him Because he would not let us be gone without a revenge he encompassed with armed men the house of Maximus where we liv'd and then set fire to it on all sides having resolv'd either to burne us there or kill us at our comming out when we had no other thought but how to save us from the flames They of Maximus house can witnesse how they saw these furious men setting fire with Torches in their hands and that two slaves were killed going to fetch water at the Tyber For mee I determin'd with my selfe to take a horse and save mee by running through flames and swords Palamede did the like but tooke another way than that I went Marcelin seeing himselfe on foot and that I went farre away made a horse be given him to pursue me and overtooke me being all alone where furiously assaulting mee I had the good fortune to kill him though he were armed Two others came
upon me that were left upon the place After that Palamede rejoyning him to me we were taken when we had a long time defended our selves and now we are accus'd for the death of these men and for having set the City on fire They that have beene here acquainted with us know if we could everso much as have conceiv'd so detestable an enterprise what fury must we have beene possess'd of and what strange ingratitude had that of ours beene to have had a minde to destroy this great City whereof we have had the honour to be made Citizens and for whose glory we have so often fought But besides what likelihood is there we would have begun at our owne lodging being shut up within with what wee had most precious and from whence we had much adoe to preserve us For the murther t is very true that I defended myselfe from a man armed that sought my life which I secured after from two other men and some souldiers There is nothing more just than to repell force with force But in all this what hath Palamede done having beene assail'd by night he was there left for dead he ran a danger of being poyson'd seeing the house on fire where he was he got out to save himselfe and came to finde me againe not knowing what should become of him after the losse of his father and sister and he now is accus'd together with me for a murtherer and fire-setter in stead of the justice we were to demand for having beene fired and assassinated All these things being able to be justified I implore my Lords not your pitty but your justice not that clemency that hath made you so often pardon your greatest enemies but the integrity of this August Senate that nothing could ever yet weaken Or if our misfortune deserves any punishment for having beene the cause without our intention of the disaster of Rome be affected with the compassion that is due to strangers to our youth to our innocence and to so many wounds receiv'd for the honour of the Roman Empire And if there must needs be some sacrifice offered to the peoples satisfaction content your selves with my life and provoke not the gods against you by the condemnation of Palamede the most innocent of all men After he had left speaking there was heard a little murmuring among the Senators some admiring the assurance and grace he had in speaking others his generousnesse and friendship towards Palamede The greatest part of them said there was no appearance they were guilty There were none incens'd against them but those that had beene made by Martian In the end the Consull made a signe to Palamede that he should speake and with a fearelesse fashion he said thus MY Lords Melintus having represented to the Senate all I am able to say for making our innocency appeare t is not against our accusers I am to defend mee but against him I complaine of him in the first place for that he betrayes our cause by confessing us causes remote of the calamity of the City and speaking of sacrifices to offer up to the peoples desire for to deliver himselfe alone to death and preserve my life I accuse him moreover for gainsaying the lawes of our friendship that made us inseparable and he is greatly in the wrong to affect by designe our division which could not be excus'd but by disaster If he were culpable I should be so too but since he is innocent I pretend also to be so I have alwayes so well labour'd to imitate him out of the knowledge I had of his vertue and perfection that I feare not to be accused of his faults but thinke my selfe glorious to be found faultlesse with him There is nothing belongs to us both that can be divided our wils united make but one minde which ruling all our actions it seemes we are in like manner but one body so as there is but one onely person you are to condemne or absolve And yet if for causes separate from us and to which our will hath contributed nothing wee deserve some punishment which of us can be said to be more worthy of it but I I am the sole object of the jealousie of Marcelin and of his hatred Melintus had no controversie at all with him To me alone he sent the poyson I alone hindred his marriage with my sister I alone provok'd his vengeance against us which is the cause of all these miseries Onely Melintus found himselfe ingag'd in his treasons not thinking any thing and so hath committed nothing whether by mischance or by intention I demand therefore we be both of us sent away absolv'd as innocents or that I alone be expos'd to the sentence and you shall testifie by this judgement the equity that makes you renowned throughout the world Melintus would have replied but one of the Consuls impos'd him silence Then all the Judges were in an admiration to see so perfect a friendship and moved with the consideration of so much vertue and innocency began to advise for their absolution They had besides interrogatories given them apart and all their answers were found conformable but upon these intermissions Nero sent to command them to surcease the judgement untill he had written his mind to them So they were sent backe againe to the prison where the disguis'd Epicharis longing to know the successe of the judgement enquir'd of them what had passed But having knowne for what cause they were sent backe she began to appehend Nero's absolute power and went presently out to goe enquire of one of Melintus friends if the Emperour had since writ his will to the Senate He told her the teares in his eyes that hee came but now from a Senator that told him the Prince would have them dye Because Martian during the judgement had gone to kneele downe before him and made him promise they should be punish'd by his authority Epicharis in despaire return'd to bring them that ill newes and being shut close together they consulted upon the danger they were in She told them 'T is a strange thing that since I came in hither I have not beene able to have this good fortune to finde either invention or occasion to bring you out For me said Palamede I will cast my selfe downe from the top of this Tower into the Tyber rather than submit to so shamefull a punishment I would said Melintus we were but in possibility to precipitate us there were then no more deliberation to be us'd for we should soone find meanes to descend the difficulty of importance is how to get to the top of the Tower Melintus is in the right saies Epicharis for the rope is all in a readinesse and I would quickly bring you wherewith all to draw it up to you And now I thinke on 't sayes Melintus the height of this Chimney answers to the height of the Tower about midnight we may helpe one another and get up to the Tower
all supp'd together But it was impossible for Corinna to dissemble the affection shee had to Eurylas when her husbands eye were off and Palamede that began to have a good minde to Corinna seeing she was very gentile and of an humour free enough did the more observe the looks she sent to Eurylas which made him wish this affection were rather addrest to him that he might make some use of the good fortune That which perfected her dying for him was that Eurylas finding a Lute tooke it and fitting his sweet voyce to it sung these verses WHile amiable youthfulnesse Inflames within us faire desires Let us prove the dearest pleasures Our fortune to us may addresse And suffer not a day remove Without some sweet delights of love The season of our borrowed light Ought not to passe away in vaine Wherein we doe so freely gaine The power as well as appetite To suffer not one day remove Without some sweet delights of love Those that have ruder phantasies Reproach our happy times so spent Malicious or malecontent With their despight or jealousies But let not us one day remove Without some sweet delights of love There little wanted that Corinna transported with love had not gone to kisse the delicate mouth that sang with so many charmes but the presence of her husband and the company served for a bridle to her 'T was no difficult matter for her to be perswaded by Eurylas song into this humour and to take the occasion her love offered her and she thought he gave her advice of what she had to doe and Palamede was of this mind too who never look'd off Corinna whilest Melintus entertain'd the good man Curio that began to have a very great esteeme of his guests When it was bed time Curio and Corinna brought them to a chamber neere unto those where they us'd to lye apart one from the other wherein there were two beds Melintus and Palamede chose the biggest for they said they would never be separated and left the least for Eurylas Corinna was very glad for that resolution and when she left them gave the good night to Eurylas so as he well perceiv'd the affection mingled withall Palamede consider'd all her actions and having learn'd that she lay in one chamber and her husband in another hee thought that if in the night he could make her beleeve he was Eurylas hee might easily enjoy her so as he was resolv'd to rise from Melintus and goe secretly into Corinna's chamber imagining that without doubt the love she had for Eurylas would hinder her from sleeping and he might easily be received of her On the other side Corinna being retir'd with her husband had the same designe to rise out of her bed and come to lye with Eurylas not beleeving him to be of a disposition to refuse a faire Lady And Curio willing they should shut up these strangers close into their chambers for feare of some accident shee was not of that opinion for that were said she openly to mistrust them that it suffic'd to shut the doores of the house sure and they would not dare to attempt any thing That being appointed Curio by misfortune would needs lye with his wife that night to whom this purpose was very unwelcome Neverthelesse when he was asleepe she rose and pursued what shee had to doe Corinna and Palamede at the very same time went out of their chambers without any noyse-making and meeting one another in the darke at a passage knock'd their heads so rudely together that they were even falling backwards withall and yet having each of them but scandalous intentions and not willing to be discover'd they kept themselves from crying out or expressing any paine for the blow They would neither of them enter into their owne chambers for feare they should be knowne Palamede ignorant of what hee was best to doe stood still in the same place and lean'd himselfe against the wall but Corinna better acquainted with the turnings slid her softly downe the steps Palamede taking heart and thinking it was some groome gave not over going into Corinna's chamber and she hearing no more of him she had encountred went up the staires againe and entred into the chamber of Eurylas She came neere his bed then sitting her downe upon 't making no noise she embrac'd Eurylas and kiss'd him to make him awake gently Epicharis feeling as she began to wake some body that press'd her on that fashion cried out and would have got her selfe loose but Corinna laboured to make her hold her peace and told her she was Corinna that moved with a love to him was come to give up her selfe to his bed and offer him all the favours he could desire of her Melintus wak'd with that noyse and not feeling Palamede neere him thought he was practising upon Epicharis and went towards the bed to hinder him Corinna hearing him come escap'd and ran into her owne chamber where she stumbled upon two persons that lay upon the ground and fell with her head so cruelly against the bed as she was not able to rise againe Shee cryed out and call'd for a light and in the meane while heard a man that said why brother are you mad I am Palamede you torment thus At last a light was brought Melintus and Eurylas came running also thither and found three downe all along upon the place Corinna hurt and Curio with Palamede that held one another fast and were wrastling together But when Curio knew it was Palamede he was in a great wonder and ask'd him wherefore he was come to his bed Palamede for his part seem'd as much amaz'd to see himselfe in that chamber and said to Curio he thought he had come to his owne and gone againe to bed to his brother and how he had cause to thinke strange Melintus should take such hold of him if hee were not mad Curio ask'd him pardon and told him he tooke him for some robber that would have kill'd him feeling a man as he wak'd that held his armes Epicharis and Melintus had paine enough to keepe from laughing seeing them in that disorder Corinna putting her hand to her broken face and leaning it against her forehead said that having heard a noyse upon the staires she would know what the matter was and at her returne found them in that posture to give her the fall The suspition Curio might have of his wife was changed into pitty to see her in that case and after they had all of them got up and some remedy was applyed to two or three hurts she had on her face and to those of Curio and Palamede for they had fallen from the bed one upon another Palamede desir'd their pardon his error having caus'd all that disaster and every one retir'd to his chamber where Melintus Palamede and Epicharis shut themselves up for feare the noyse of their laughter should be heard which they refraind as much as was possible Palamede knew then it
are beholding for our lives Oh! said hee regarding him how he has gain'd him the gods and men for his friends by so happy an action Eurylas laughed that Arcas should not yet know him Melintus and Palamede too admir'd his abuse in the end Melintus ask'd if hee had never seene any thing that resembled Eurylas No sayes he if it were not Epicharis and at the same time knew her and went to salute her Then were they impatient to know what his fortune had beene As soone sayes he as I arriv'd in the haven of Syracuse I saw a ship that was departing for Italy and I intreated Aristides and Ariana to give leave that I might returne to succour you which they were very willing to and the same houre I re-imbark'd and in three dayes space with no good fortune landed at the Port of Ostia from thence finding this horse I went till I came at Rome following the river and at my first entrance saw much people running to see some strange thing I was then curious of newes and sought to learne what was become of you and hoping that some one amongst that confusion might tell mee something of you I followed those that went in this haste but I heard of them newes more unfortunate than I would have desir'd to know for being upon the banke of the Tyber with the rest that ran thither they told me that two Sicilians that should have beene condemn'd that very day by the Senate had cast themselves downe into the river from the top of the Tower where they were kept prisoners Judge you what could become of me then but when I was told your names and knew my misery to be certaine I cannot relate to you neither my complaints nor my despaires in the end I resolv'd with my selfe to give my assistance to some that might search for the bodies in the bottome of the water to give you buriall at the least but all our labour being proved in vaine and thinking that the streame had carried you away I tooke in hand to follow the course of the river along which I wandred some dayes to see if the water had not cast you upon some shore I went then againe to Ostia without hearing any newes of that I desir'd so as despairing to finde your bodies at all I determin'd to returne into Sicily alwayes coasting along the Sea-shore to see if peradventure you had not beene cast upon some banke Pursuing this sad designe I arriv'd at Cajette where I found Palamede whose happy encounter chang'd my wofulnesse into an excesse of contentment But continued hee may I not know how this handsome youth was so happy as to save you Then Palamede related to him all her pretty inventions to get into the prison and the strange fortunes of their comming out which Arcas listned to with much admiration At last it was concluded they should stay no longer in that place but gaine along the Sea-side the Port of Reggium where they would not faile to finde shipping and when they had taken leave of their hosts and well rewarded them they got up a horsebacke and fear'd no more to lodge in any houses since Arcas had assur'd them there was no more search made for them but that they were thought to be dead The places they passed through were very troublesome for coasting the Sea they met with many mountaines and vallies and the greatest part of the wayes were of a tedious circuit That was the cause they advanc'd so little considering the great desire they had to get out of Italy especially Melintus who impatient of seeing Ariana againe curs'd incessantly this length of a voyage and one day entertaining his thoughtfulnesse upon that subject he made these Verses WAyes that have such fearefull spaces Infinite Countrey that surpasses The tediousnesse of Lybique sand Too cruell Seas that compasse me so sore Perplexed turnings shall I finde no end Going to see what I adore Mounts that present me with your heights Vallies that ope to me your depths To make me in these Desarts dwell I would not with desire that had no use Mount up to heaven nor yet descend to hell But I would goe to Syracuse Cupid upon thy wings me beare And so the truest Lover cheare That e're thy pleasing fires did try I am not heavy now being all but flame But ah I feare he knowes no more to flye Ere sinceinte my heart he came Thoughts that to her your course addresse Where is my spring of happinesse And instantly returne againe Make at one blow to end my punishment And with like motion carry me amaine To my sweet harbour of content But these ingratefull that in absence Know so well to prize their puissance Had rather here I should reside Being well avis'd that in that other place My eyes will ever make them stand aside Of seeing her to have the grace Phoebus whose fortune is extreme Now to behold what I esteeme Cause me by thy power divine That I may see by rare effect of Art This beauty in thee as in a mirrour shine Inspight of all things that us part But every thing is deafe to heare My prayer then on with our carriere The course to follow of our travels O gods O heaven I alas is 't possible That ye should make me sensible of evils And the world to mine insensible The continuall entertainments of this troop were so delightfull that they were sufficiently diverted and had it not beene for the extreme passion of Melintus that permitted him no contentment being absent from Ariana the gentle humour of Palamede and Eurylas had bin able to have dispell'd his sadnesse and although he cover'd it what he possibly could yet hee gave not over pleasing himselfe with often retiring into his thoughts and by the way of purpose separated him from the company now going before them another while leaving them some space before him having nothing more deare than the remembrance of Ariana's favours which hee had receiv'd of her by sending him Epicharis and he tooke it for a good Augury that his Mistresse had acquainted her with his passion and what he was there being appearance that this discourse was not made to his disadvantage He accounted himselfe more happy yet by much for having this Wench so affectionate to serve him since she was so necessary to him and promis'd himselfe at his returne a great alteration in his fortune seeing so many things contribute to his contentment If this voyage had beene yet farre longer such sweet entertainments as these would pleasingly enough have busied him finding so many causes to hope well and when he saw his minde in so happy a state he thought well to leave it so and came with a cheerely looke to joyne himselfe to the discourses of the rest which he ever gave rule to as he pleased by vertue of the reasons his wit furnish'd him withall At last they arriv'd at Reggium where they were not long without finding a
the vexations of my soule and doe but consider a little to what I was reduced when by your hands I was deliver'd and what thoughts I could have being in the hands of those robbers After losing of a brother as I beleev'd whose death was followed with my fathers I saw they were gone to cut my uncle's throat the onely support I had left me and my selfe forsaken of all and condemn'd to suffer the rage of those hangmen without your rescue whom I am beholding to for what I have most deare in the world Madam answered Melintus we were first indebted to you for our life and honour and you secured both to us by meanes of Epicharis whom you sent us if since we have assisted you you are wholly to thanke your selfe for your deliverance but I know not how you should ever pardon mee for the feares I put you in going to force you away from among those Souldiers But rather replide she how will you pardon mee the blowes I gave you for so I payed you for all the paines you had taken to save me Ah Madam answer'd he how pleasing were those blowes to me but may I dare to remember you of one you call'd upon to helpe you Ariana blush'd and told him a little after I remember it well enough and give you leave to take those words I spake as much for your advantage as you please Melintus taking her hand in excesse of joy pursues Upon this assurance Madam may I from henceforth without offence tell you my thoughts Hee spake these words in a voyce so trembling and with a face so pale that Ariana well perceiv'd the extreme respect he bare her and the feare he had to tell her of any thing might displease her but to encourage him she answered Melintus I have sufficiently made triall of your friendship by your discretion I will not have you spend so much as one word to assure me any more of it He was so ravish'd that bowing him and putting his mouth to the faire hand he held hee was some time in this posture without any speaking so transported was he with contentment Ariana was very glad to see him so seized but at last he lift up himselfe and said to her What will you thinke of me Madam to see me silent after such a favour and indeed so great it is that there are not words to expresse to you neither the excesse of my joy nor how much I am to rest your servant Ariana answers him If we measure the obligations without doubt those I have to you are farre the greater but you are to be satisfied with mee seeing that to acquit myselfe I give you my soule which is all I am Your soule Madam replies Melintus may I be so bold to beleeve these advantageous words but why should I not beleeve them since they come from your mouth that cannot be but true Will this faire soule then give it selfe to me for to animate a body so unworthy of it and will you indeed receive mine in place of it Melintus said Ariana I doe not meane so this exchange would be too prejudicious for you but at the least I give you a part of my soule which is my will and I must have you dispose of it from henceforth in exchange of yours which I am sure is in my possession Melintus was so rapt for these deare engagements that the commotions of his heart disturb'd his minde and stopp'd the freedome of his thoughts and the knowledge of that disorder gave Ariana a greater assurance of his joy and passion than a thousand words could have done In the end he replies It is impossible Madam I should expresse to you how deare these favours are to my soule for the more I resent them the lesse am I able to tell you but it suffices you to know the greatnesse of my affection by being assured how they replenish me with joy and you shall see with what submission I receive them by the inviolable respect that shall alwayes accompany me in your presence and when I have declar'd what I am I will incessantly call to my remembrance the estate wherein I was when you were so favourable to me Melintus sayes Ariana interrupting him this declaration is the businesse you are to thinke upon at this time and I would advise you to make your selfe knowne to my brother you are not to deferre it any longer if you thinke it fit to be done and then we may consult together concerning the wayes we are to take for since the death of my father there is come from Corinth Pisistratus sonne of Calistenes who was uncle to Acidalia by whose onely meanes my uncle married her after a sute of many yeeres lasting This Pisistratus drawne hither rather by the reputation of some estate than of any beauty he sayes is in me hath brought letters from his father to Dicearchus wherein he desires him to doe the like in his sonnes behalfe with me that he had heretofore done for him with his Neece Acidalia Pisistratus relying upon that favor thinks not he hath made an unprofitable voyage but that with the duties he renders my uncle and the affection he expresses to me he shall presently marry me and carry me away to Corinth in the same ship that brought him hither which still attends him for this purpose On the other side Diocles seekes my uncle more than ever and he entertaines them both with hope not knowing what to resolve on for although he hath great obligations to Calisthenes he is not willing for all that to have me so farre from him by giving me to Pisistratus and againe seeing him to have such faire possessions and comming of a farre more illustrious house than Amyntas he cannot finde in his heart to refuse him Upon these uncertainties it were good you first declar'd your birth and after that your suit Madam replied Melintus you doe me a very great favour to instruct me of all these things and I am very glad your counsell is correspondent to the designe I had but yet I would have wished that it had not prevented the permission I had desired of you to make this declaration I hope it will be well receiv'd for the Syracusians have cause to love me and Dicearchus is oblig'd to me by oath never to wish me ill for my fathers sake The life sayes Ariana you saved him ought much more to oblige him to that and I have reason to take this ill because all that wee shall resolve on from henceforth to your benefit will rather be thought duty and acknowledgement than affection I shall ever take it for pure grace replies Melintus for scarcely could all my services together pretend to hope for so much as one of those words you favour me with This agreeable conversation ended at the arrive of Dicearchus that came to take Melintus and to shew him with his Nephew the beauties of his house before the night obscur'd them and it
was rare indeed for the wonders of it but yet more recommendable for the antiquity for they tooke it to be the very same house that the Syracusians made present of to Timoleon to stay him amongst them with his wife and children which he had brought from Corinth and which he receiv'd at their hands for to enjoy himself the rest of his dayes the peace and liberty that he had purchased to all Sicily and for markes of this antiquity had Dicearchus left in a place out of the way some ruines which he brought Melintus to see where there were besides entire columnes of that same faire Corynthian worke but some yeares agoe he had himselfe made that house the fairest that was in all Sicily for beside the richesse of the buildings the beautifulnesse of the gardens and walkes was so delightfull for the quantity of fountaines and channels that Melintus never left admiring that delicate place and failed not to observe what-ever was most esteemeable to please Dicearchus yet he could not but admire above all things the rarities of a great Parke where reserving only that the allies were made by Art nature appeared in her pure richesse The fountaines that sprang out in many places the little rivolets that came of them and the faire meadowes they watered flatter'd Melintus's humour in such sort that Dicearchus perceiv'd well enough how in that place he had given over compleasance to make a true estimate of what he liked best Palamede having advertis'd him to leave Melintus there for that he loved nothing so much as to lose himselfe in so delightfull solitudes by little and little they went away from him as if they had had something to say together and Melintus making as though he favour'd their entertainment out of discretion withdrew himselfe from them with much joy for to converse with his thoughts in that happy condition he was in As soone as he had lost sight of them he chose a fit place to repose in and laid him downe upon the grasse neare a Fountaine that pleased him and there his minde represented his fortune to him in the highest and sweetest point a Lover could possibly have desir'd it His heart wanted place to containe all the joyes that assembled there Ariana's gracious words too came to strike his eares with so melodious a sweetnesse that there is no harmony able to cause so much ravishment This charme reduc'd his passion to that contentment brought his hopes to that height and placed his soule in a heaven of such divine pleasures that he was even ready to expire in this pleasing extasie In the end retiring him out of this abysse of joyes to consider his good fortunes particularly he forgat not one of them that he might be the more sensible how many sorts of happinesse accompanied him and after he had a long time entertain'd so deare imaginations he employed the time that remain'd in making these verses YOu deare delights unto my heart Hopes onely friends of my desire That flatter with so sweet a quire The ardour of my happy smart You agreeable fore-runners Of that good which made my horrors Be accus'd of perseverance Refuse me not your blandishment Or be changed to assurance If you will suddenly be spent Alas I scarce have faith to spare For my felicity of Fate O heaven what pleasures me translate What fortune may with this compare Her eyes that pitty would not move Now change into regards of love Their severer influences And hence-forth freely them disarme Of their sharper inclemences To wound me gently without harme That front whose sacred Majesty Such terror strucke into my face Becomes more mild and there doth place In stead of feare security Her soule that better to admire It selfe had seemed to retire In a rampart inaccessible To render her will now dispence In those forts no more invincible To my respectfull violence The sweet and perfect harmony That our wils now equalizeth Both of time and chance despiseth The proud-disdainfull tyranny Her heart for chaste love excelling In me chooseth out her dwelling My wishes more to favourize And renders mine too-well apayd If heaven be pleas'd to authorize The present which to me she made Ye verdant meadowes and cleare springs Ye sweet-murmuring rivolets How may a Lover when he sets By you enjoy his wanderings But fare-ye-well I must away To follow the declining day Houres that endure as long as dayes Daughters of aged Time make haste And dayes that have whole yeares delayes Bring me my happinesse to taste Melintus having finish'd those verses quitted the place hee was in to returne to them he had left whom he found in a great plaine Court waiting to carry him to supper Ariana and Erycine rose to keepe them company being but simply drest and yet this negligence of their dressing was to their advantage The more cause Melintus had to approach to Ariana to enjoy the perfect union they had made the lesse dared he scarce giving his eyes leave to looke often upon her neverthelesse he knew well enough how to governe his discretion not to make his constraint appeare nor too much affect dissimulation The whole course of their adventures furnish'd them with entertainment enough during supper-time and after they were rose from Table Dicearchus who began to admire the wit of Melintus and could never heare him speake enough tooke him from the company to entertaine him and willing to know if hee were as well capable to manage publike affaires as to treat of any other discourse he appear'd so able in he turn'd warily all he had to say upon that subject but Melintus seemed to be practis'd all his life long in no other thing and not onely satisfied Dicearchus in what he demanded of him but upon every proposition too added so rare considerations as he had never heard the like that he was forc'd to avow that so able a Genius deserv'd more than a publike government and seem'd to be borne to sustaine a Crowne and Scepter In the end they all parted to goe to bed and the Ladies being retired Melintus was brought to a Chamber richly furnished He ask'd Dicearchus if it were that Palamede ordinarily lay in because they had sworne never to lye from one another when they should be in the same place After some Civilities Dicearchus left them to their liberty then being together and in bed when they were alone Melintus continued a while without speaking any thing and a little after came to embrace Palamede and told him It is time deare friend you should know the secret of my life which you have hitherto beene ignorant of Is 't possible sayes Palamede that you have conceal'd any thing from me You will confesse replide Melintus that I was bound to conceale it from you and will not be offended thereat when you shall know that the excesse of the affection you beare me oblig'd me to it My deare Melintus answers Palamede haste you then to tell it me and
from Dicearchus and his Neece but Pisistratus came thither himselfe being in paine for Ariana he was so extremely in love with and it was he with some others that having seene Dicearchus demanded to salute Palamede and Melintus After the embracements of the dearest friends and the ordinary civilities of the rest Melintus knew that the very Deputies of the City were comming to see him He went as farre as out of the house to meet them and they perceiving him alighted from their horses and saluted him severally Then one of the number said to him that the great affection he had exprest to his Country could not be acknowledged but by the like care for every thing that might concerne him and in particular for the conservation of his life which they were now come to congratulate for that death had depriv'd him of a reasonable faire recompence he was to receive as to see himselfe blest the remainder of his dayes by all the people how that heretofore in Pisa he had acquir'd a victory glorious for him and for Syracuse but that the other he obtain'd at Rome surpassed that by farre as being both honourable to himselfe and profitable to his Countrey that it seemed he was not borne but to vanquish and to bee the safety of all being no sooner entred into Sicily but that he found new occasions of gaining honour to his owne person and preserving both the honour and lives of others He prayed him in conclusion to make haste to receive the praises and good wishes of so many as were made happy by his meanes and assured him that if the gods granted but the least part of the vowes were every day made for him he should be without doubt the most contented man in the world Melintus answered that hee receiv'd too much honour for so little merit that the services men doe to their Countrey are simply duties that there was not one amongst them that would not have sought the same benefit for Syracuse and that he was onely the happiest of them for having met with the occasion that if the Syracusians desir'd to put a greater obligation still upon him hee demanded not out of acknowledgement but grace that he might be heard in publike concerning a cause that was of consequence to him and that hee should have wherewithall to make triall of the peoples love in a matter of justice he was to require at their hands Not the eares alone said they but the mouthes too and hearts of the Syracusians are made your owne and if they finde the occasion of rendring you the good-turne they have had from you they will reckon that day in the number of the most fortunate of their life He desired them to be mindfull of that and from thence carried them to Dicearchus who honourably entertain'd them and was well pleas'd that they had given Melintus that honour making it his designe then to give him Ariana In the meane time that Dicearchus was busie with them and Palamede with Pisistratus and the rest Melintus got him from them all to goe finde Ariana and not to lose the time he might passe in her company Hee saw Erycine and Epicharis that had but now made an end of dressing her with so many advantages as he stood in a maze and spake nothing Shee feined a necessity of those ornaments being to receive so many persons of quality as were arriv'd but the principall cause was to give if it were possible more love to Melintus and indeed he was so ravish'd with seeing her that he almost forgat to make the relation of the Deputies he came from entertaining He told her at last they should be all oblig'd to returne that very day because the people would needs see them that hee could no longer also deferre the contentment of Telephus and Hyperia and besides that Dicearchus would wait on the Deputies into the City Ariana seeing they had so little time to be together tooke Melintus and Erycine by the hand and giving Epicharis charge to follow went with them downe a little winding staires that led into the Parke without passing by the Gardens and told them they were to take that time to walke in at liberty while they might be thought to be still a dressing When they were come to the great Allies Epicharis willing to favour these lovers made as if she would shew Erycine the places that best pleased her and went from them Hardly can Melintus his contentment be represented at what time he saw himselfe alone neere to his faire Mistresse after the measure of losing sight of them hee felt himselfe advanc'd to so high degrees of joy that hee could not expresse them with his owne eloquence Ariana knowing his silence proceeded from excesse of pleasure was willing to ease him and spake first to him I promis'd to shew you places here you had not seene before and to my liking the fairest that belong to the house I will carry you to a place here hard by that I have often visited since the wofull newes of yours and my brothers death you will finde that nature seemes to have made it of purpose to entertaine any thoughts one has a minde to but as heretofore it hath beene a witnesse of my sorrowes so will I have it now be of my contentments Madam answered Melintus if your satisfaction be as perfect as mine I esteeme you the happiest of the world but I doubt whether it may be equall to it being impossible you should have those faire causes of raptures that are presented to my soule Melintus replide Ariana it becomes me not to expresse to you the excesse of my joy and yet shame must needs give place to truth and I must confesse that yours cannot easily surpasse mine at the least you are depriv'd of this pleasure which is extreme in me to see you alive after I had mourn'd your losse for you cannot be sensible of that contentment not having beene tormented with the like griefe for me And I had lesse cause answered Melintus to hope for the honour of your affection than you to see me living and this happinesse ought to be much more sensible to me for my life cannot be so greatly beneficiall to you as the expressions of your affection are to me Ending this discourse he came to the place whither Ariana conducted him It was foure delicate springs of water that issued forth with noyse and spred themselves severally there about those Country places in the middest of them was a tuft of trees bent together that made a most delightfull shade underneath those trees slept a Diana of white Marble that in her returne from hunting seem'd to have chose the fraisheur of this place to repose in Melintus vow'd he had never seene any thing so delicious and being entred under those leavy Arbors Ariana sate her downe at the feet of the Diana and Melintus layd him upon the grasse at Ariana's feet not letting goe her hand A little after she
not beleeve thee so wicked But what reasons canst thou alleage to colour the usurpation of what was his For if thou hadst no meaning to keepe it why didst thou mocke at Telephus when he advertis'd thee not to aspire to the daughter of Aristides by the support of those riches because Hermocrates sonne was living and if thou wouldst not beleeve that why didst thou not restore those goods to them of the race of Hermocrates since they belong'd not to thee See there then the treasures thou hast acquired without running Fortune either by sea or land see there the excessive gaine thou hast made returne of giving nothing in exchange for so many possessions but thy faith and thy conscience which thou hast forsaken This Trafficke was made within thy selfe and thou hadst nothing to doe but to deliberate whether to get that estate thou wert not to betray thy soule Thy avarice disputed against thy fidelity and the decree thy judgement gave in behalfe of it is the sole title of these new acquisitions But 't is but to abuse the cares of the Iudge and of the people to seeke for other proofes after a case so cleare it stands thee then upon to disavow the writing of Hermocrates and thy owne too and after that to report the titles of all thou art possess'd of and all this being impossible I demand of the Syracusians that they condemne thee to restore the goods thou injustly detain'st from me whereby I might from henceforth sustaine the quality of my birth and that they ordaine for thy infidelity that punishment it hath deserved When Melintus had made an end of his speech all the people began to clap their hands and to cry out Condemne Diocles but the Judges having made the noyse cease commanded him to speake Then he requir'd time for to consider upon his justification and said that hee could not answer in the field to all Melintus his impostures that he well knew how to defend himselfe from them but that he must have some leisure to make the falsnesse of what he had said appeare They gave him the writings that Telephus brought in and demanded of him if he knew them He could not disavow his owne hand-writing nor that of Hermocrates but hee said all this made not against him but that he might have gotten the goods before his depart The Judges enquir'd of him if he had the Contracts of the sale that passed betweene them He answered that they were at his house and that he onely desired time to produce them They order'd that hee should send his sonne Amyntas who was present to goe bring them but then he sayd they were not in place where he could finde them and that he himselfe had need of terme for to put them in order All these answers being but shifts and the people never ceasing to cry out against him the Judges assembled together to deliberate and after a long time speaking what they had to say some excusing Diocles that had to that time beene ignorant who Melintus was others shewing more severity and saying that how-ever the case stood he was willing to retaine what appertain'd not to him In the end the Magistrate pronounc'd this judgement That Diocles was condemn'd not onely to restore into the hands of Melintus all those goods he held of Hermocrates but besides to pay him the revenue for the time he had possessed them and that for the infidelity he had committed he was banish'd for three years The people by their applauses seemed to be well satisfied for this sentence and Melintus making a signe with his hand that he would againe speak all was silent and he said I have hitherto onely demanded justice of you and now I demand a grace at your hands which is to revoke the banishment of Diocles in my favour and for the revenue of my estate for the time that is past I give it to Amyntas whose good qualities I esteeme and will be a friend to him Every one having admired the generousnesse of Melintus towards the father and his liberality towards the sonne he obtained all that he desir'd and this last action brake off the assembly Melintus tooke Ariana's hand who was full of satisfaction for the happy successe of their desires and brought her backe to her house with Palamede and their friends Diocles full of sadnesse and shame retir'd him to his owne house not knowing whether hee were to complaine of Melintus or commend him from whom in so small a time he had receiv'd so many displeasures and so many graces Dicearchus who had not assisted at the playes because of his place which he quitted to his Nephew learn'd this newes of a friend of his that presently went his way to advertise him of it for to advise together how they were to live with Melintus since hee was knowne for the sonne of Hermocrates When they were upon that doubt Melintus comes in bringing Ariana Palamede made the recite to Dicearchus of all had passed and so to Melintus his advantage that he was oblig'd to confesse to him that he rejoyced for that good fortune But after all was retir'd when Palamede said to his uncle that they were to esteeme themselves very happy in this that nothing hereafter could be found wanting in Melintus for giving his sister to him since his birth and estate were as great as he could desire them to be Dicearchus answered how that deserv'd well to be thought of at leisure and for that time could get nothing else from him This acknowledging of Melintus for sonne of Hermocrates was cause of the death of two persons Diocles whether it were that he was seized with griefe for seeing himselfe fallen from so great a fortune or whether hee repented for having committed so great an infidelity was found dead the day after in his bed and Hyperia who till then beleev'd she possessed an inestimable good having a sonne so accomplish'd as Melintus receiv'd a farre greater affliction when she knew she was not his mother than she had done when the newes was brought her of his death and not able to resist this dolour lost her life some dayes after Melintus having much resented the losse of a person that held the place of a very affectionate mother to him could not for all that keepe any long time this displeasure in his minde being too much diverted by his hopes and seeing himselfe restor'd to the possession of all that could appertaine to him he thought nothing could now retard his contentments being assured of the affections of Ariana of Dicearchus and of Palamede He came every day to visit them and had conceiv'd too high an estimation of his felicity receiving every moment new testimonies of Ariana's love had it not beene for some coldnesse that Dicearchus made apparent to him though he endevour'd to hide it with a feined courtesie Pisistratus too rendred many duties to Ariana and Melintus seeing that Dicearchus made more esteem of him than
off feinings to speake more open and plainly to me It was a strange resolution of mine I wished he would love mee and thought I lov'd without being loved but when I saw him submit to me without knowing my designe I tooke upon me so absolute an authority over him that I would make him suffer as rigorous a government as if I had hated him and would put him to the cruellest trials of it Since that time he liv'd with me as before thinking I had receiv'd his excuse neverthelesse I would not stay there and my desire was admirable I had a minde that he declar'd himselfe to me and was for all that resolv'd to take away all hope from him So I sought the occasion as well as he did and one day as I spake to him of a dreame I had had he told me hee had put one of his into verse which he shewed mee that very time they were these FOnd man what have I done ah wretched bold device Have I then dar'd to breake theice Of a respect so long preserv'd And hath my fury then at last usurp'd this licence Me speake of love she heard And for this I am banish'd evermore her presence Those faire eyes without mercy more to justice bent Have added for my punishment Fierce anger unto Majesty I feele their venging fire she flyes away unkinde To a woods privacy And I in following her lose both force and wind Stay cruell one to satisfie you I entend For if my mouth could you offend My hands to right you shall not spare But all is darke as night and reaching but my arme I take but a light aire Gods I 'm in bed and but a dreame is all my harme O fortunate awake that favours innocence What her anger and my offence Are they into ayre vanished My respect triumphantly laughs at these Chymears And my senses ioyed Are safe from such fantasticke miseries or feares Goe dreame the terror of soules amorous Bearer of visions hideous Brother of shady ghosts and spirits Cruell impostor goe and plunge thee in the deepe Of hell devoyd of lights Where nought but crimes and monsters sadly keepe Are you still then said I to him upon this restraint not to dare declare your selfe Ah Madam answered he you have given me a lesson not to put me to that hazard All women said I are not made of this mould I told you before replide he that she without giving you offence is made just as you are I pray you doe not desire me to runne that fortune lest aspiring to blessings I dare not hope for I deprive not my selfe by imprudency of those I now enjoy I see her I speake to her and content my selfe with the esteeme she makes of me since I cannot pretend to be lov'd of her But replide I what can you hope will become of your affection if she have no knowledge of it He answered me Since she will not heare speake of it before shee knowes it she must know it before she heare speake of it What know you said I to him but that she knowes of it already and that there remaines not something more to be done besides assuring one another Promise me said he that she shall not be angry and I will take that liberty I promise it you said I for the power I have over her He answered me you have all the power over your selfe and for this cause I presume once againe to tell you that it 's you I love and that you are to be fully perswaded of it since you know well there is not a person in the world besides you that I can love You imagine said I coldly to him to make me answer againe in the name of her you love and to try me the second time No return'd he there is no feining at all in this I tell you now and what ever severity I may prove I am forced to say it by the excesse of my affection and by the assurance you have given me not to be offended I will not be angry with you said I since I have beene so oblig'd in the businesse but I forbid you ever speaking of this affection if you love me you will feare to disobey mee and if you love me not I will never heare your dissimulations Then growing pale as if hee had receiv'd an arrest of death hee durst no longer endure my sight and casting downe his eyes he said to me Madam at this time I am not faulty but for having obeyed you and since to obey your commands is to faile my disobedience to that you ordaine me shall not be any more a crime You are for all that answered I him to resolve you on this or never to see mee This last blow confounded him altogether and tooke his speech away some that came in upon us found us in a great silence which hee never brake but in his going out when he said to me I had rather be depriv'd of speaking to you than of seeing you and since you are so cruell I promise I will obey you all my life Neverthelesse he could not refraine from taking up this discourse againe another time whereupon I alleag'd the promise hee had made mee and would heare him no more The day after hee let mee see these Verses YEs I have promis'd and will keepe my word Hard-hearted woman whose record Holds onely what exasperates my paine To suffer alwayes and to hold my peace Inhumane inhumaine Keepe then as I doe all your promises Those eyes that hid a soule without all pitty Vnder a vaile of amity Assur'd me to your grace to dare pretend But now they are my cruell'st enemies Where me they should defend Why doe not they observe their promises When I resolv'd to send unto your prison My heart together with my reason Your beauty promis'd them so sweet a bondage Vpon those hopes to irons they were led But to endure your out-rage Is this to keepe what you have promised I grant a spirit without love as you May live as well and ne're be true But I alone will make my promise certaine And heaven that laughs at lovers perjuries Shall never be in paine To mocke or pardon my disloyalties Againe I vow to hold my peace for ever And if I chance to faile hereafter I will endure the worst of your disdaines All things will speake for me my paine will speake That on my face remaines And tell the griefes I suffer for your sake My silence more disert than my discours Will be ready at my succours To let you know the evils that compasse me And this amaze which your perfections In your presence give me Will tell you the excesse of my affections When you consult your glasse early or late The two bright Planets of my fate So worthy to be lov'd my love will tell And without crossing that you me enjoyne Your owne faire mouth as well Shall tell it to you in default of mine I confesse to you
I had a great power with my selfe to use him so cruelly for there was not any thing in the world I could esteeme like him nor that I had a greater desire to please yet knowing that he valued nothing so much as a vertue separate from the common and that he would love me the better for thus resisting his first attempts I thought I must live with him after that fashion But judging then that I had proved him enough and full of joy to see him so touch'd with love it became me to yeeld a little and changing my countenance I said to him with a smile Lepantus I will have you obey me all your life time by never speaking of your affection for I will be altogether assured of it thinking you too vertuous to be a deceiver Hee was so surpriz'd at this discourse never dreaming on so happy a fortune that taking me by the hand he could not tell what to answer At last he said to me It suffices that you have knowledge enough of your selfe and mee to be instructed what you are to beleeve of either And you have reason not to desire any words for your assurance since all the actions of my life shall declare nothing else to you Lepantus replied I you have sufficiently knowne how much I esteeme you If I must love something it cannot be but you I permit you to beleeve this and prescribe you no law for your manner of living with me hereafter being certaine that all your desires are regulated by vertue Madam said he to me kissing my hand my passion hath for its object a thing too perfect for to permit me a thought that may be unworthy of the cause of it and I receive no small joy for the assurance you are pleas'd to have of it whith makes me beleeve that you judge it as great as it is indeed though that be very hard to doe Let us leave said I to him these common protestations and live without doubting one of another 'T is not your words that have taught me what to thinke of you and one word onely from me ought to assure you of my friendship since I durst say it There is no more to be done then replide he but that you order how it shall please you to have me live whether you desire I should declare my selfe or else keepe still my affection hidden It were better said I to him not to discover us so soone because at that time Callias sought me you know added I what my father desires and I must breake that blow before it be knowne that I have another desire in the meane time live so discreetly that none may perceive your designe I receive answered he this ordinance for an extreme favour and you shall see in what sort I shall observe it From that time we liv'd together in a most perfect confidence which we conceal'd with a marvellous discretion and there were very few that could suspect us of intelligence which made us both severally be thought insensible of what belong'd to love as finding nothing worthy of us I advertis'd him of whatsoever passed whereupon he gave me counsell and receiv'd it of me also in that which concern'd him I told him good tales of those that attempted to love-me how they behav'd them in it and in what fashion they were receiv'd he pittied some and laugh'd at others If there happened any thing to me I longed to see him to make my report to so did hee also make mee so exact an account of his life and satisfied all I desir'd of him with so much care and respect that I became too much assured of the power I had in him But I sweare to you nothing was so agreeable to me as his discretion nothing seem'd so farre from any designe of loving me as he He never dissembled in presence of all and of my father too to speake what he had to say to me or knew of me under termes so pleasant and with so much dexterity whether in making any relation or to the purpose of what was spoken in the company that without being understood of any body we did understand one another as well as if we had spoke openly For the space of a yeare we lived after this manner but in the end having broke the marriage of Callias with much adoe and seeing how difficult it would be for me often to make the like resistance to the duty I ow'd my father since he express'd that he had no other desire than to see mee very soone married to one of the chiefe of Corinth I counsell'd Lepantus to lose no more time but to discover himselfe though I foresaw many difficulties for notwithstanding that my father esteem'd him as much as was possible and saw his condition as considerable as his owne yet was he farre from having a thought of him being unwilling to make an alliance out of Corinth Wee therefore consulted together of the wayes we were to take and although Lepantus receiv'd with much joy the permission of demanding me yet he never left fearing for all that for he saw that if fortune were contrary to him he should not onely lose the benefit of having me but besides the commodities he enjoyed before as to see and entertain me with so much facility Well for all this we were to resolve and I promis'd him to expresse in his favour whatsoever my honour might permit nay I gave him all the assurances of my affection he could desire and upon the sadnesse I saw him in I told him Lepantus are you not content with the words I give you tell mee what you would have them and you shall see if I have not a purpose to doe all I can for you Madam answered he the honour you doe me is so great that my silence in part is for not knowing how to give you thanks I have nothing to desire of you but what it shall please you to command me I had rather from henceforth be obliged to your good will for the favours I shall receive of you than to the promise I have drawne from you but give me leave a little to apprehend the hazardous fortune I am running there is no mid-way for mee I must either be the happiest of the world or dye for be you assured that if I see my selfe depriv'd of living with you the readiest death I can find shall be my deliverer Lepantus said I to him fortune it may be will not be so cruell to us and before you lose all hope I must first lose all sorts of meanes whereby you might have satisfaction The power answered he you have herein is so great that if you employ it I make no doubt of my happinesse you have a father that loves you and that has no cause to hate mee I dare say our conditions are equall but a light difficulty many times overthrowes important considerations 'T is not here as with ordinary marriages where after the proposition is
lesse accomplish'd that it might have beene doubtfull whether I esteem'd him or not and not knowing how to be reveng'd of this common opinion sometimes I was resolved to abandon him and I consented to make my selfe miserable and him too for to ruine this beleefe at our owne cost it is true hee has payd very deare for that glorious and haughty vertue he taught mee and that I well serv'd my selfe against him of this greatnesse of spirit to which hee had advanc'd mee that perswaded me it were better to lose all the contentments of my life than it should be said I were in love In the meane time I considered not how there is nothing more lawfull than to chuse by honest meanes him one thinkes shee shall be happy to live with and when that happinesse is arriv'd one cannot but bee thought wise That errour made mee commit faults I shall deplore all my life time Though my father had let Artemidore see that Lepantus was not to thinke of mee yet hee refrain'd not sometimes to put him upon that discourse and represented to him what fault it was to refuse this good fortune for his family that hee despis'd in Lepantus the qualities that other fathers would desire to meet with for their daughters that if hee loved mee with so much passion it was rather a happinesse than a thing to make him culpable that the whole City would have an obligation to him for the stay of a person of that merit with them for the greatest part of his estate being about Corinth hee offered to settle himselfe there and never forsake my father but all this prevailed nothing upon him That which rendred Lepantus recommendable was that which did him the most harme my father having this wofull opinion that he was rather to chuse a sonne in law lesse able than hee and that would be more carefull of his affaires But yet I beleeve the strongest reason was that my father although a knowing man retaining the nature of old men that will have all their opinions passe with authority was envious of Lepantus's knowledge and desir'd not to have ordinarily at his house a person that could contradict him though Lepantus well knew how to give way to all he said with much discretion My father had not so much reason to refuse him as I had to love him and he could not but perceive the desire I had because I was not able to suffer any body that spake to mee to the disadvantage of Lepantus and farre rejected the parties that presented themselves I know very well that if I had declar'd to my father that I could not consent to any other search he would at last have beene flexible to the tendernesse hee had over me and the merit of Lepantus but fearing lest so absolute a resolution came to be knowne in Corinth I never had that assurance In the meane time I was tormented with Lepantus vexations and with my owne too I saw him at the Temple but rarely and with a face so changed that Death hath not a more forlorne one His letters were not filled now but with the misery of his life and modestly he remembred me of my promises I acknowledg'd he had reason and that his good fortune was in my hands but I could not resolve me and this severity that made me insensible to his griefes and prayers in the end wrought in me also an insensiblenesse to his affection All that came neare mee were instructed to speake in contempt of Lepantus and because I knew him too well to beleeve them if they told mee any thing that were contrary to the truth they did onely disguise his vertues and made them passe for so many vices Thus the charmes hee had to make him bee lov'd of the ablest and respected of the meanest were but an imperiousnesse and a tyrannicke authority which he usurp'd upon all that haunted him his discretion was dissimulation and his courtesie artifice all his good qualities in their judgement were so many defaults I confesse to you I beganne by little and little to give place to their reasons Lepantus absence effaced every day out of my memory some one of his perfections I said that peradventure my affection blinded me and made me imagine merits that were not in him that those that were without passion judged of him otherwise at last beleeving I was farre more quick-sighted and more perfectly judicious I perceived not that I became blinde and without all judgement Neverthelesse there still remain'd in me a certaine respect for Lepantus that I durst not offend him by expressing my coldnesse I was asham'd to give him that displeasure that never yet had the fortune to displease me His letters were still full of love and sorrow for seeing me no more and because hee knew that the gentilesses and points of wit he wrote were very agreeable to me he ever mingled some of them maugre the cruelty of his fortune and the torments he endured and many times he so forc'd himselfe that laying aside his griefes they were throughout filled with sweetnesses and elegancies and to any but my selfe would have seem'd to come from a man very well satisfied For me I knew well his constraint and lamented it but then when my affection diminish'd I changed my opinion and judged that if hee had beene much in love he would not amuse himselfe with those finenesses if his passion carried him away to expresse some despaire to me I said it proceeded from the respect hee ought me if hee gave mee any advice I tooke it not well hee should trouble himselfe to counsell me or that hee mistrusted my owne direction if I met him and he appear'd to me with a very alter'd face finding no more in him that which heretofore was so acceptable to me I thought I had reason to withdraw my affection and if some hope made him recover his ordinary complexion I said hee was not much troubled with love In the humour I was in it had beene hard for him so to have compos'd his face and his actions as I should not have found something to distaste in them He judg'd well that the cause must needs be very ill that produc'd so great a change for that heretofore hee did nothing which I would not have approved yet his discretion alwayes so perfectly maintain'd it selfe that he never complained of me what cause soever hee might have He never made knowne any of the assurances he had receiv'd to expresse what wrong I did him So hee dissembled his griefe not daring to accuse me and hoping I would use his affection better but that good will I had had for him began to be quite extinguished At the beginning I made answer to his letters and gave him new assurances with some instructions for his conduct since I tooke upon mee to represent to him the difficulties a little after I receiv'd his letters without answering him and at last I sent one of his backe
remaines of these miserable men and he will not faile to take us for the same Vessell that brought you away This proposition was found very good by the Princesse who smiled hearing the invention of it and at the same time strucke a thousand wounds into my heart I tooke her by the hand and made her passe into my Brigantine and instantly I caused divers holes to be made in that we came out of whereby it tooke water on all sides and a little after appear'd nothing of it above the Sea I had impatiency till this other Vessell arrived so desirous was I to please this faire Princesse whose sweet Majesty already bound my heart with a thousand chains At last I see it appeare and withall gave order to make them feine a slow flight and that when they should aboord us they would let a part of them enter I tooke onely a helme and put downe the visiere for feare they should be shye of entring seeing unknowne faces The Captaine of the other ship was armed just so when he leaped into ours and he said as he entred Ha traitors I shall reward you well for carrying away such a Princesse but he found what he never expected for I received him with so great blowes that he perceiv'd with astonishment that they spared him not I sweare to you I was asham'd for so facile a victory yet having promis'd the Princesse to punish him before her eyes I strucke him downe at my feet and willing to cut off his head I made her be called that he might dye in her presence but when I snatch'd off the helmet from this wretch that lay at my feet I stood immoveable to see it was Araxes Then my spirit was troubled with a thousand confusions to have thus treated him I went to seeke in Troas and on the other side I had promis'd the Princesse not to spare him whereat she wondering I very sadly regarded her and casting me downe at her feet said Ha! Madam how miserable am I I must either disobey you or kill my friend She embrac'd me to lift me up and said to me How is 't possible you should be friend to so wicked a man being so generous as you are Neverthelesse I will be satisfied for your sake with the punition he hath received and will have you give him his life I thanked her for this grace she gave us both and went to make Araxes bloud be stopped which he lost on all sides He was so ashamed and confounded for what he saw being yet scarce disabused that he durst neither lift up his eyes to me nor to the Princesse that was the faire Pasithea his Mistresse yet he let his hurts be accommodated and in the meane time I went to demand of the Princesse if she desired not I should wait on her backe to Lesbos This is that said she I beseech you to doe Presently I made Araxes be return'd into his owne ship and recommended him to his people commanding them to follow mine Having given order for every thing I had now no more care but to entertaine this faire Princesse and although the friendship I had promis'd Araxes strove to impeach the birth of my love yet it kept not so good guard but that there entred by little and little much passion into my soule and I did my selfe turne away my thought from that friendship to favour the surprise and betrayed it of purpose to let my selfe be taken This Princesse made me so great thanks that I knew not what to answer to her obligeant words and the more she express'd her selfe redeuable to me for the succours I had so timely brought her the more she reduc'd me to have need of hers After having assured her of my service and that she might dispose of my life I intreated that she would not declare Araxes for author ofher carrying away which she promised me At length we arrived in the Port of Mitylene where there was already come running together much people with the King Archelaus her father who was then in that I le and much troubled to set out Vessels for to follow after those that carried away his onely daughter We descended and the King comming to embrace his deare daughter demanded her how she had beene saved See there said she to him shewing me the man to whom I owe my honour and life which his valour hath conserved me The King came to embrace mee and assured me that I might dispose of all his estates in exchange of so deare an assistance He asked who those might be that would have stollen her away and I well knew she would oblige me at what time she answered I beleeve they were some of these Sea-coursers of whom there was not left a man for that their vessell was sunke to the bottome Araxes replied the King has not he met with you No answered she and it may be he has taken some other course But continued Eurymedon I cannot but recount to you the peoples rejoycings for Pasithea's safety there were nothing but exclamations of joy round about us and so great a throng that we were in danger of stifling I knew very well that she was infinitely beloved but the cause of that love I shall tell you some other time I commanded those of my ship to returne to Sea along the coast to goe meet with Araxes his who yet appear'd not and to advertise him not to faile to returne to the Court to have himselfe cured and that the King had no suspition of him I retain'd by me two or three of mine only and with them accompanied the King and Princesse to the Palace where they would have me be lodged as long as I desir'd to remaine in that Countrey Archelaus demanded me if there were no meanes to know whom they had so great an obligation to I told him they called me Eurymedon as for my birth that I knew it not my selfe and how they that bred me would perswade me that I was of a royall bloud They were satisfied with that for the time then conducted me into a chamber where they prayed me to repose but I told them my travell had not beene so great as to oblige me to take rest before night I reconducted them into their retiring chambers and by the way admir'd the number of Lords that came to kisse the Robe of Pasithea and expresse their extreme joy to see her againe And indeed the qualities of this Princesse were admirable as I came afterwards to know Besides her marvellous beauty she had so many charmes in all her actions whether in the sweetnesse of her looks or in the obliging familiarity she used to all that approacht her that she acquir'd not the benevolence onely but the passionate love of all those that could see or speake to her All the strange Princes that came to her fathers Court could no more part from her those of the Countrey that had beene acquainted with her of a longer
Prince of the most illustrious bloud of those provinces ought to possesse me above all that I well guarded me from what came from the Romans and from that they had nourished because from that side there could arrive nothing but misery to me Beside all this he gained by presents a woman that lay in my chamber who was so wicked as to terrifie me by night and make me heare voyces with pittifull accents as if it had beene the Queene my mother that was dead a little before who advertis'd me to flye Tygranes and to chuse Araxes for my husband Nay he was so cowardly and treacherous as he dressed ambuscadoes for to assassinate his rivall from which his good fortune onely preserv'd him All these practices were discover'd to me but one day before he made mee be taken away and he knows not yet that I have had any knowledge of them I remember that some dayes before he tooke the boldnesse to tell Tygranes in my presence that he was a King without a Crowne and that hee should be shortly a servant without a Mistresse I could not then conceive what his meaning was but since I have knowne that he then meditated my carrying away whereupon he was resolved seeing that he gained nothing by his wicked practices His unfortunate designe was reasonably well order'd and I had beene twice stollen away but that I was deliver'd by you onely from both those miseries See for the present if there were ever a man more villanous than this same and whether I have not cause to detest him above all things Pasithea left speaking continues Eurymedon and I was so astonish'd to heare of so many malicious devices that I stood immoveable and looking upon her at last I spake to her Madam I knew not this Prince to be so traitorous a man having never seene him but a few dayes in a place where he was retain'd prisoner whence after he had beene delivered by my means he promis'd me his friendship for ever I assured him also of mine and I never saw him since I esteeme him very wicked by this you have learn'd me but I finde him nothing crafty withall or else unfortunate for that endevouring to get your affection he acquir'd nothing but your hate wherewith hee may well thinke himselfe hated of all the world For me I abandon him as well for your sake as for my owne confessing that there is nothing so dangerous as the friendship of a traitor We encountred then at the turning of an alley where we found much company she had onely time to tell me If you lose on one side you may gain much more on another there being here none that will not be pleas'd to have you for a friend I could not returne because we were to joyne with the company and the rest of the day passed away in civilities and ceremonies When I was retired I was in great perplexity how I should treat with Araxes but he deliver'd me himselfe out of this unquietnesse for my men returning to finde me after they had beene long at Sea told mee how they had seene nothing appeare what ever care they had taken and that without doubt Araxes had withdrawne himselfe to some other place I had no other thought therefore than well to governe the fortune of my affections since they had so prosperous a beginning The next day I went to wait on the Kings rising who still gave me all sorts of kindnesses then he led me into the Princesse Chamber whom we surpriz'd as she was new comming out of her bed but this surprize was most advantageous for her and very agreeable to me because she had all her necke bare that was of an extreme whitenesse All she could doe was to put before it her faire hands which though they were jealous of the marvell of this bosome and seem'd to dispute beauty with it yet for all that let scape the victory by the overture of the fingers that could not wholly hide it My contentment ended by meanes of a linnen cloth they brought that intirely cover'd her and stole away all those treasures from my sight The King left me with her ordaining her to entertaine me he could not have done me a greater grace and desiring to prevaile of it I said to the Princesse Madam pardon that I cannot wish ill to the greatest enemy you have since he is the sole cause of my good fortune of seeing you This good fortune answered she is not of consequence enough to be much beholding to him for it Thereupon she demanded me where he was I told her that having sent out my people to search him at sea they had heard no newes of him O! That the gods replied she would never returne him againe to us for my repose and yours But continued she may I not know how he had oblig'd you to come hither This is that said I I cannot altogether cleare if I have not the leisure to learne you with all my whole life I will at this very instant said she give you the commodity because I thinke the time too long ere I know your newes and calling for a Persian simarre or mantle to be brought her she sate down againe upon her bed having made me come neare her alone commanded me to sit downe and acquit me of the promise I had made her the evening before Then I recited to her all I have learn'd you of my fortune thinking it had beene disloyalty to reserve any thing to tell from her I had given my heart to She heard me with much astonishment and joy it seem'd too she did already take part in the accidents of my life There rested onely to relate to her what I had done since my depart from Corcyra for to come into Troas when they came to advertise her that Tygranes who was arriv'd from the confines of Armenia came to see her She blush'd and put her selfe out of the bed at the same time I fetch'd a deepe sigh and that suspiration more inflam'd the fire of Pasithea's cheeks who to cover the occasion of her rednesse said aloud I am truly very much asham'd that Tygranes will finde me in this disorder And then he entred to salute her and made certaine compliments afterwards he address'd to me and told me that he came from knowing of the King the obligation all his Realme had to me wherein he tooke more part than any body else having a great interest in the Princesse safety I answered him that none was redeuable to me for a thing which my duty alone had ordained me to doe neverthelesse that I esteem'd my selfe very happy for being so fitly encountred at sea for her succours and for being cause of their contentment I observ'd by his port and discourse that he was such a man as Araxes had describ'd to me that appear'd rather borne for to serve than to command shewing no greatnesse of courage at all and affecting nothing but a few civilities
running with some of his officers that assisted him and as soone as he was arrived Tygranes expired which put the King into a great sorrow But that which astonish'd all the world was that an old man of the chiefe about Archelous cast himselfe upon the dead body of Tygranes and embracing him melted into teares and filled all with his complaints The King demanded of him what cause he had so particularly to be tormented for that accident Ha! Sir said he let the cause of my extreme griefe serve for diminution unto yours I will tell you then that this same was my sonne whom I carried with the little Tygranes your nephew when you sent him by me in hostage to Rome Your nephew dyed at Sea and seeing that it was altogether important for the good of your affaires this child should goe to Rome because there remain'd not any of your bloud to be given in ostage I supposed my sonne in his place who was receiv'd for him and ever since he has beene bred as if he had beene the true Tygranes I beleeve I am not blameable for making this supposition having then had no other designe but the establishing of your estates and if since I have left every one in this error it was for feare the Romans might thinke you had beene author of the deceit but since I durst not render him any duty of a father during his life suffer me at least to give him this last testimony of my affection and thereupon he betook himselfe to embrace him and to mourne as before Every one was immoveable for astonishment but the King more than all who left not for all that to take care of Tygranes body and to comfort this good man whom he had alwayes proved most faithfull In the meane time they had arrested the two Armentans who after some torments confessed that they had beene sent by Araxes for the dispatching of Tygranes and me and how they were not able to devise a better meanes to compasse it I had Araxes then in horror for that he would have caused my assassinate after so many good offices he had received at my hands and I thanked the gods for preserving mee from that danger The King and the Princesse had now no other care but of me they constrain'd me to keep my bed because of my wound though it were a small one and I was not angry for it for being visited by the Princesse who said to me the first time she was alone with me Ah Eurymedon these are the presents of your good friend I answered her Madam a though his intention were most villanous I know not how to complaine of him for thinking to take me out the world he has taken him away too that would soone have filled me with miseries and rendred you unfortunate besides for being unworthy of you But since he is no more give me leave Madam my voyce failed me then whereat she smiled and having a while regarded me said to me You may go on I tooke up my speech but in trembling and said Give me leave Madam to hope My tongue was tyed the second time and she smiling againe said to me I will not have you make an end for I permit you to hope all things Ha! Madam said I how happy doe you make me but when you shall consider that I am a stranger and unknowne I may well feare my happinesse change not Your actions answered she make you to be knowne too wel what you are and as Tygranes actions could not be but base being no Prince so is it impossible but you must be a Prince considering you doe all the actions of one I replied My ambition never made me affect that title although I were brought up in the opinion of possessing it but yet I will retaine it for this since it is that alone that may encourage me to pretend any thing neare you though my extreme passion will take a great part in the enterprise of acquiring the honour of your good graces Shee said to me I will beleeve concerning your passion all you please to have me but I command you to take upon you from henceforth the quality of a Prince staying till you may verifie your birth for to strengthen in the meane time and bring to a good end the choyce I will one day make of you I tooke then one of her faire hands which shee let me kisse a long time and I could not let it goe not knowing in what other sort to expresse my joy to her But we were to separate now and shee went her way after having ordained mee so to order my affaires as I might know what I was I promis'd her to employ all my care in that re-search since from thence depended all the good fortune of my life The day after when I arose I went to see her to give her thanks for the cares she had taken of me At my first comming she came to meet me and told me she had strange newes for me heaven at length hath delivered us from Araxes A man of his came to let me know that he is dead of his wounds but before he died see what impression he was willing to leave with me of you Then she presented me a letter she had receiv'd from him where in I read these words Araxes to the Princesse Pasithea FAire Princesse I am going to dye for you and having alwayes had this designe I should not regret the quitting of my life if I lost it not by the hand of a traytor The care I have had to serve you continues even after my death and I advertise you that he you favour and who calls himselfe Prince is the most famous and infamous Pyrat that ever cours'd the Seas The hurts I have receiv'd of him have beene my recompence for having given him the happinesse to see you and you are not to expect but the like treason at his hands If you doe him justice you will rather let him feele the hand of a hangman than ever give him hope of the honour of touching yours Ha! the wicked rogue cryed I out after I had read it see what rage he is in The Princesse said to me If you had not acquainted mee with your life and I had not beene witnesse in what sort you are cause of his death he might peradventure make me beleeve something against the truth and besides I must not have knowne him for a villaine and an artificiall companion But as his other malices have turned to your advantage so shall this more augment the favour I will have to you The rest of our discourse passed in admiration of the strange fury of that Armenian and in common assurances of our affection Since that she could not so well hide the love shee bare mee but that the King perceiv'd it he express'd to her that it was not agreeable to him and in the end he entred into an extreme choler against her so farre as he
the love of Epicharis gave desire and impatiency enough but the discretion of that wench moderated him who knowing that he should commit a great fault to marry her being aslave had forbidden him the hope of it as long as she continued in that condition Palamede notwithstanding in this occasion not enduring to see so many persons made happy and himselfe so farre off enjoying the same pleasures said to her Faire Epicharis how long doe you meane to deferre satisfying the passion I have for you desire you I should attend an infinite time and in the meane space live with you the most unfortunate of men feare not to have me doe any thing unworthy of me by marrying of you your merit abundantly recompences the default of your liberty and my uncle cannot refuse to give it you when you shall be my wife What occasion more favourable may we hope for Now all things are here in disorder if we commit a fault it will easily be considerable Can you faile by imitating the actions of Ariana and Cyllenia and must my condition which you judge more exalted than yours be the sole cause of making me unhappy Palamede answered Epicharis if you could judge how much I esteeme my selfe oblig'd to you for your affection I thinke you so reasonable as you would have cause to be satisfied with me but you shall pardon me if I cannot consent to what you desire I know well the difference of our affections 'T is a passion something blindish that makes you love me but 't is reason onely that causes me to honour you You consider not well what I am when you expresse so much love to me and without doubt turne away your thought from a defect that accompanies me while you esteeme me worthy of you Contrariwise the more I open my eyes to see what your worth is the more cause I finde to love you and thinke my selfe indebted to you But loving you with reason I love your honour as much as I doe your person and it would shew I had out small care of that if I should make my selfe happy to the prejudice of it That which is fit for the faire Ariana and Melintus to doe is not so for us and the same reason that permits them to marry against the desire of Dicearchus is that which ordaines me to continue still a Maid against yours Palamede I beseech you to temper your desires and assure your selfe that if the gods are pleased with our affections they will so bring affaires to passe that honor and fitnesse shall not be separate from our contentments Thus did this wench full of wisdome and courage stay the transports of Palamedes affection who the farther off he found himselfe from contenting his desires the more he admir'd the vertue and generosity of Epicharis and increas'd his passion by them Melintus sent to have brought out of his ship much riches whereof he was provided for to make that day as famous and magnifique as he was able in a place so distant from their acquaintance He made to be taken out thence many sumptuous moveables vessell of gold and silver and what ever hee thought necessary to make himselfe seeme worthy of Ariana if Dicearchus receiv'd him into grace at Corinth Ariana and Cyllenia that ought to have bin the fairest ornament of that happy day failed not to prepare against the morning all that might make their beauty appeare more resplendent but nothing could render their charmes more pleasing than the excesse of their contentments which not able to be contained any longer in their hearts were now discovering themselves upon their faces Every one us'd the greatest care he could not to be without pomp and grace and at last that morning arrives so much desired of all When all things were ready and they putting themselves in the way to goe to the Temple they heard Trumpets sounding in the City Ariana thought Melintus had sent for them from his ship to lead her to the Temple with more solemnity but he stood in amaze at it and having sent to know what it meant they brought him word that a publike cry was made by which was commanded to all those that were subjects of the Empire to seize upon Melintus and Palamede Sicilians where-ever they were found and to send their heads to Rome because they were the enemies of Caesar and the people of Rome and for the better knowledge of them they gave all their markes This cruell newes troubled all their joyes and filled their soules with astonishment and sadnesse They durst not now goe abroad for feare of being knowne and they could not tell what counsell to take in such an excesse of misery When they fled from Dicearchus fury see them fallen into a farre greater misery having the Romans for enemies whose Empire being of so large an extent they could not hope to get out of it without being discover'd upon the wayes They shut up their house as carefully as they could staying till they might thinke upon some remedy though they had but small hope to find any Ariana fell a crying to see a persecution so cruell against her deare Melintus and her brother Cyllenia accompanied her teares out of compassion the others sought to encourage the resolution of these faire Ladies against this unhappinesse but they that took upon them to comfort others were no lesse afflicted themselves Lepantus and Amyntas offered to go learn what they said about the Towne but because they were strangers in that place they feared lest they might give some suspition of those that dwelt in the same house All that day passed with much sadnesse and feare and the next day also without inventing of any expedient Epicharis whose wit was full of a thousand inventions told them she saw well that it appertain'd to none but her to save their lives as she had once already done at Rome that she would goe about the Towne to see what passed and for this cause she was to be disguised in a man that habit being fatall for their safety Neverthelesse that they should not be so secure in her devices but they might try to finde out other meanes besides Melintus said he could finde no better than to send away some to Corcyra to advertise Eurymedon of the danger they were running that he comming by with his forces might deliver them Amyntas would goe thither to do them this service and because he would not take their ship for feare they might have need of it themselves he went away in a Skiffe towards Corcyra Epicharis on the other side made no matter of cutting her haire once again being accommodated with a mans clothes and a sword by her side she went out of the house one morning with a designe to goe gaine the Porter of the City to let them out by night She had mistrusted the conduct of another in this occasion fearing he might cause a suspition and being apprehended discover them but she was assured
an inevitable death but I could not rejoyce at the assurance of their misfortune Neverthelesse when Melintus was sent backe againe to prison and I saw him no more I re-entred into fury against him I accus'd my selfe that I had not provoked the Judges to punish them that I had not invented some crime to have made them be condemn'd at the instant I represented to my selfe all the contempts and all the indignities he had offered me and was impatient till Nero sent to murther them in the prison All day long I did noting but torment my selfe upon this occasion and at night I could not sleepe I conceited in my mind that I saw Nero's soldiers enter the prison and massacre with a thousand blowes that perfidious man I imagin'd that I arrived there at the same time and rejoyc'd to see him in the expectation of death and then to wash my hands in his bloud After I had pass'd away the night in these ravings I sent to know at the prison if they were not yet dead but they brought me word that all was in great tumult there and how they beleev'd they had precipitated them from the top of the Tower into the Tiber having found meanes to get out by the chimney of the Chamber where they lay that a great multitude of people was about the river and many men in Boats to search for the dead bodies which were thought either drowned or brained because a pinacle of the Tower was fallen downe with them My fury perswaded me to a strange curiosity I would needs goe to the very place where they search'd for the bodies for to satiate my sight with that spectacle and I beleeve that if Melintus his had beene found I should have died for joy to see it But all the care so many persons tooke and I my selfe that gave money to have the water search'd proved unprofitable the night came on and I was constrain'd to give over this search with all the rest of them that had labour'd in vaine I wanted not satisfaction though it were not entire beleeving them to be dead and that the streame had carried them away Some dayes after when I would goe upon the water I made them conduct me farre out of the City to see if peradventure these bodies were not cast by the streame upon some banke A young youth that guided us seeing an empty Boat at the banks-side told us without thinking any thing See there a Boat without a Master I ask'd him what he meant hee answered me A young man bought it but I beleeve it was not to make himselfe a Water-man and gave it me to keepe that night the prisoners sav'd themselves Then he added a little after They thought good to search in the water the other daye I beleeve they are farre enough off by this I fretted pursued Emilia to heare him speake thus and I urg'd him to tell me what he knew of the businesse I will tell you sayes he upon condition you will not discover me which having promis'd him he continues that he had seene the prisoners save themselves in that Boat after they had beene a long time descending from the Tower by a rope and how hee saw them passe by because that night he watched upon the river I made as if I rejoyc'd added Emilia that they were safe but in my soule I resolv'd not to let them scape so unpunished and he that had well regarded me would have seene that I could not choose but have my face all of a fire for excesse of choler What said I to my selfe shall this Barbarian be presently in Sicily beside his faire Ariana and have no dearer entertainments with her than to relate what contempts he made of my affection and shall he boast himselfe all his life time for having securely triumph'd over all my passions No I will not dye so without a revenge he is not so safe as he thinks himselfe to be I will pursue him into what part of the earth soever he retires and if I be not powerfull enough my selfe I will provoke the fury of all the world against him to hinder his escaping out of my hands I return'd into the City musing of a thousand wayes to his destruction but to be more assured that he were living I resolv'd to send one of my men expresly to Syracuse that might enquire if Melintus were arriv'd there This man reported to me all the rejoycings were made at their returne the sacrifices and the playes with the glory of Melintus and Ariana whom they beleev'd to see very shortly married together All these things so animated me with jealousie shame and despite that I purpos'd to prevent their happinesse by the death of that villaine I advis'd to make use of the Emperours power that I might not faile of my enterprise I saw you then more than of custome sayes she to Trebatius because I began to acknowledge that you had alwayes lov'd me with a true affection and that had resisted all my contempts and I was sorry for having made choyce of this traitor and this perjurious man in stead of you that were never wanting to me I resolv'd to be no more ingrate towards you but to content your just desires upon condition you should first see me reveng'd upon Melintus You promis'd me to satisfie my passion before you would presse me to content yours It was then continued Emilia that I gave you advice to goe and declare to Nero that Melintus and Palamede his enemies were living and to demand a Commission from him to goe put them to death I desir'd besides to have it publish'd throughout Rome and all the Cities of the Empire that they should be kill'd in what place soever they were found and I was willing my selfe to assist you in this Commission by disguising me thus that if it were possible I might kill that perfidious wretch with my owne hand for I confesse to you it is the greatest pleasure I can ever hope for in all my life Emilia ended thus pursues Arcas and Trebatius answered her Well then Madam I see that he must dye or I shall never have any contentment from you Now I know how much cause you have to seeke his death I will joyne the desire of revenging your injuries to that desire I had before onely to obey you They had other discourses afterwards together sayes Arcas besides these O gods interrupted Melintus must this woman live still for my torment See what rage she is possess'd of Arcas prayed him to let him goe on and hee replied I was in a strange wonder to have heard all Emilia's fury yet I had an opinion that the gods had suffered me to be advertised of all these things to give me the meanes of doing you service I had no other care than to keepe my selfe from being knowne to Emilia and so wee arrived at Syracuse I knew very well you were not there so as in that place I was in no
satisfaction Euphrosyne and Melintus knew not yet if they should beleeve it or no and continued silent and astonished No no replied Dicearchus never doubt of what I tell you Euphrosyne knowes who she is and for you sayes he to Melintus open your brest to her that shée may see the marke of the heart which will assure her that you are her sonne Melintus shewed her that marke and then Euphrosyne said opening her arms Ha my sonne is it you indeed whose sight I have so longed after and whom I could never heare any newes of Ha Dicearchus how from my heart I pardon you all the torments you have made me suffer and if Hermocrates were with us how happy should I esteeme my selfe for the present At the same time a streame of teares bedewed her face all over Melintus had his heart so pressed to feele himselfe embrac'd by this vertuous mother whose losse he had so often lamented that he could not be at ease but in letting fall also many teares This object so tender and so pittifull mixt with regrets and satisfactions with sorrow and joy could not be seene but with weeping which serv'd for two uses being capable to represent both the resentments of griefe and the excesses of contentment Melintus presented afterwards Ariana to his mother and having told her a part of her vertues and of their adventures let her know that she was destin'd to be his wife if shee were pleas'd withall Then they embrac'd one another with much transportation and Euphrosyne said that after so much happinesse she had nothing to be sorry for but the losse of Hermocrates Melintus express'd to her that his greatest desire was to know what their fortune had beene since their exile from Syracuse and in what sort she had encountred in that place She let them know that she was very willing to give them this contentment beleeving now she had strengh enough to performe it but Dicearchus foreseeing how that discourse could not be made but that he must receive the stings of many a reproach withdrew himselfe with Palamede leaving Melintus Ariana Lepantus and Cyllenia in preparation to hearken to Euphrosyne who began thus her discourse holding Melintus by the hand History of Hermocrates and Euphrosyne MY deare sonne if you desire to know the originall of our misfortunes and what the great Hermocrates your father hath beene I must of necessity take up my discourse something from afarre off for to let you see that at what time I married him fortune never brought together any couple that had cause to expect more happinesse and yet proved so unfortunate as wee Under the reigne of the Emperour Tiberius Hermocrates of whose illustrious birth I will make no relation to you because I beleeve you are not ignorant of it would goe to Rome being very young His father and mother having no other child but him were in trouble to have him so farre remov'd out of their sight but in the end he obtained leave As soone as hee was at Rome he stayed not long to put himselfe into the acquaintance of the great Prince Germanicus who then was the refuge of what ever there was vertuous upon earth Hermocrates that was perfect in all kinds of excellent qualities and among others had a wisdome and a valour to be admired was presently lov'd of him and a while after the occasion of the German warres was presented wherein he followed that Prince and made so many proofes of his valiance and prudent government that he gave him great commands in the Army and honour'd him divers times with many crownes and advantageous praises After these warres were finished he return'd to Rome with Germanicus and admiring the vertue of this great Prince he could not forsake him Germanicus on the other side loving Hermocrates dearely gave him cause enough not to abandon him and knowing his noblenesse and his vertues beleev'd that he alone was worthy of his friendship They were a long time in this sort inseparable and if the gods willing to punish the earth by the cruell Emperours they gave since had not so soone taken out of the world this lovely Prince whom by a just title they call'd the delights of humane kinde I beleeve I should never have knowne Hermocrates nor beene to him the cause of all his miseries But Germanicus having beene poysoned by Piso and Plancinus in Syria Hermocrates could not endure to see Rome any more where there was an Emperour so execrable who envying the vertue of his Nephew and the love that all the world had to him had cruelly depriv'd him of his life so as he return'd to Syracuse but with such a regret for the death of Germanicus that his sadnesse appeared visibly upon his face and made him be affected the more by others to see him faithfull to a Prince so lamented of the world At that time was I one of the most considerable of Syracuse although I were not originary of that Countrey but the Nobility of my birth was well enough knowne for that my grand-fathers that went out of Carthage when it was destroyed by the Romans were of the race of the Princes Hamilcar and Hannibal and therewithall I had an estate if I may say it equall to my Nobility and my mother onely was left me of my kindred all whose cares tended to the choyce of some party that might be for my advantage Dicearchus many ages since descended of Timoleon and having a sufficient estate to sustaine the ranke that his birth gave him was one of the chiefe that presented themselves He was wanting in no care or practice for to order his affaires so as he might marry me and labour'd by a thousand wayes to give my mother great impressions of his honesty for he knew her to be of so great a vertue that he well saw she would be impregnable any other way but this But Hermocrates arriving at Syracuse obtained without thinking what the other tried to gaine by a thousand subtilties for every one being already prevented with his great reputation it was acknowledg'd not to be without cause that renowne had so high advanc'd him because his Nobility was accompanied with so many vertues and he added to his other good qualities so honest a modesty with a sadnesse that was still more gracefull in him that there was not a person but bare a love and respect towards him At the same time having beene bred under the government of the wisest mother in the world I made my selfe also sufficiently esteem'd by a great restraint I observed endevouring to imitate her vertue and give her all the contentments she could expect from a daughter I know not what it was Hermocrates saw in me that pleased him whether appearance of vertue or some other thing but he express'd with a great grace and respect the designe he had to serve me As for me who had no desire to make a choyce but would leave my selfe to my mothers judgement I alwayes
feined not to understand what he would say to me but for all that I was not sorry when he came neare me and I tooke the paines to entertaine him with the best discourse I was able Dicearchus was not in that esteeme with me because I knew him to be a violent and an artificiall man and I judged that his humor would never agree well with mine My mother soone perceiv'd the purpose of Hermocrates and was well content therewithall so as she was never displeased that he should speake to me and the first time he found the occasion to come to our house she assur'd him that the entrance to it should ever be open for him He receiv'd this permission with a great deale of respect and made very discreet use thereof but Dicearchus could not suffer to see a rivall so well intreated and to finde himselfe so distant from our good graces beleeving that he was not so removed but by the advancement of Hermocrates He had recourse to a thousand devices and at last counterfetted a letter which he sent to my mother as if Eryx who was Hermocrates father had written it to her wherein he advertis'd her not to receive any more his sonne at her house and that he had other designes for him that if shee of her owne accord hindred not those frequent visits of Hermocrates hee should himselfe be forc'd to doe it by a meanes that would be heard with no very agreeable noyse to her See what a crafty plot here was see my mother then in a great wonder and more offended withall As soone as Hermocrates came to see her she prayed him to come no more at her house neverthelesse with so much temper as she express'd no discontentment at all to him beleeving that he had no part in what his father had written to her Hermocrates although my mother us'd him with no discourtesie was yet in a great surprize and besought her an hundred times to tell him what fault he could commit against the respect he ought us She would reveale nothing of the matter to him but in the end she told him that Eryx was not well pleas'd with their friendship He confess'd that his father indeed had propos'd a marriage for him but that it was a thing so unlikely that he beleev'd verily he thought no more of it No no Hermocrates replied she he has forbidden me by writing to receive you here any more but I thinke he might have express'd his aversion to us by something a civiller way Ha Madam sayes he is it possible this you tell me 'T is so true answer'd she that without opposing his desire or my owne honour I can no longer suffer you in this house Then he went his way overcome with displeasure and not knowing how hee should make shift to live any more because that as hee had a great respect and love towards his father so he had also as great a resentment of the injury he thought he had receiv'd from him in such sort that piety and choler began a combat in his soule which gave him no repose at all When he was at home he durst not lift up his eyes upon Eryx for feare of offending him with an ill looke for it had beene impossible for him to see him without paine He would not wish his father any evill and yet he could not desire any good to him so as having liv'd some time in this trouble of spirit he could not rid himselfe of at last he fell sicke and the more care Eryx express'd to have of him the more did his sicknesse increase This good father full of griefe to see in that danger his sonne whom he had reason to cherish as well for the lovelinesse of his person as because he was the onely one he bad who for all this gave no comfort to his sorrow not enduring the sight of him and refusing from his hand the remedies he offered him knew not whence this aversion should proceed of his sonne towards him and shed teares abundantly Hermocrates on the other side seeing his father in that perplexity accused himselfe for an ungracious sonne so to torment his owne father and could not tell whether he should wish himselfe dead or alive well knowing that if he dyed he should but heape sorrowes and anguishes upon the old age of those that brought him into the world and by living he could expect no contentment from them nor give them any But at length Eryx prayed his wife to aske him what cause he had not to love him and if ever he had given him any occasion to be displeased with him that having receiv'd of the gods a sonne so vertuous and obedient hee should thinke himselfe very ingrate towards them and himselfe too if ever it should happen that he gave him any displeasure His mother labour'd to get this secret out of him but he could never be perswaded to accuse his father and hee was resolv'd rather to dye than a word should escape him that shewed any want of respect She forced her selfe many times to make him declare his griefe which she doubted he concealed though she knew no cause he had for it but it was impossible to draw any thing from him In the end this good father outraged with affliction could no longer containe himselfe but approaching his sonnes bed he put himselfe on his knees before him and full of teares prayed him to tell him if ever he had displeas'd him in any thing Hermocrates ashamed at this submission and beleeving he received an injury rather than an honour by it kneeled him downe upon his bed and bowing towards his father desired him as he embrac'd him to rise up and not make his pitty guilty of shame by an abasement unworthy of him No sayes Eryx to him I will never rise untill you have told me wherein I have given you displeasure Ha my father sayes he must I have beene so unfortunate as not to have inviolably followed all your desires and that my affections should be repugnant unto yours What would you say replied Eryx speake more clearely my sonne for I doe not think you have ever oppos'd the thing I desi'rd of you and besides I promise you never to be contrary to any thing you shall desire of mee No no father answer'd Hermocrates be well assured I will never be disobedient to you and I shall take order with my selfe for your sake for ever thinking upon Euphrosyne but. Then he made a stop and his father said to him Goe on sonne and feare not to tell me what you desire you shall learne me what I know not yet and peradventure what I shall as much desire as your selfe Ha! father sayes Hermocrates if it be lawfull for mee to put a reproach upon you your letter made no such expression that you would desire it What letter answered he But not to seeme troublesome to you continued Euphrosyne the good father knew at last there had beene sent to my
not beene for a mischance that befell Palamede for his foot slipt when he was going to redouble his blow and he was constrain'd to quit the bridle of the horse which carried away his Master so farre that he could never overtake him Palamede was forced to returne the way he came and having found his owne horse againe he rode backe into the City when the daylight began to appeare Being come to his lodging he told his adventure to Melintus and the rest and counselled them that without troubling themselves more about their wedding they should depart as suddenly as they could because Pisistratus having escaped out of his hands would not faile to goe to Maxentius if his wounds hindred him not This newes brought no small trouble againe to the contentments they expected Ariana then besought Melintus that he would no more desire to have their marriage perform'd till they were in a place full of repose and security and said he should first of all thinke upon his owne safety and afterward she would endevour to make his life as happy to him as she possibly could Melintus was constrain'd to obey her and Euphrosyne approving the wisdome of Ariana was of her opinion Instantly they all considered upon the retreat and they repented them for having sent away the vessell because they would have sav'd themselves more certainly by Sea although the way were longer neverthelesse they were resolv'd to goe by land and to put their baggage into Carts and they were perswaded that there being above fifty of their troop counting the traine they had nothing lesse than an Army would assault them So they encouraged themselves to depart that they might get out of Epire before Maxentius the Governour were advertis'd by Pisistratus and having bought as many horses as they needed they put into the way trusting in the gods and their owne courage This troop so faire and so persecuted of men had the good fortune to passe Epire in three or foure dayes journeyes and at last arriv'd in Thessaly without any adventure They wanted no diversions or pleasures having at least with them what they made most of for which they accounted themselves so happy as it seem'd they desir'd nothing but the continuation of the same kinde of life Yet Melintus gave not over his admiration that misery should persecute them with so much eagernesse and not permit them so much as one day of repose for to let them enjoy a blessing they desir'd and which ever escaped them when they thought to have attained it and upon this thought one day he made these verses FOrtune incessantly adverse Eternall source of miseries What mean'st thou by a new reverse To hasten our calamities O gods by what severe decree Are you inrag'd so suddenly When we beleev'd you were appeased For me I can no more complaine Thinke you to make me feare the paine Of death which you have me refused 'T is surely some immortall strife Whereby the Stars are all conspiring To vex the pleasures which my life Has beene too earnest in desiring These Stars in their malignant spight Some storme or other still excite Iust as I thinke at Port t' arrive Then forced by my innocence They mitigate their violence And dare not me of life deprive 'T is true the blessing I desire Transcends all mortall faculties And I preferre where I aspire To that of having sacrifice Heaven be not jealous any more If I see her and her adore For there my pleasures all abound Then temper thy excessive rage Since in this blessing I asswage My other vast desires around Tedious griefes before her presence Durst not make attempts upon me Fierce anger and impatience Fly from me when her face I see And then despaire as in disgrace Forsakes me too and giveth place To mirth and sports of innocence Love quitting then his envious spights Offers me all the deare delights Wherewith he ravishes our sense Alas one feare does onely hant me I speake too unadvisedly If heaven knowes how thus I vant me I shall have some new misery Conceale my soule this joy of thine That jealous eyes it may decline If long thou wilt thy blisse enjoy Or soone this heaven inexorable To render thee more miserable May take thy happinesse away Thus did Ariana's presence give a great ease to the love of Melintus but in all the troop there was not a more afflicted man than Palamede who regretted Epicharis and met not a passenger that he demanded not newes of her Besides he was in a kinde of constraint with Dicearchus not daring before him to let that affection appeare and so was depriv'd of this consolation at least in the power of free complaining Euphrosyne had no greater pleasure than to make Areas or some other relate the admirable life of her sonne and with how many marvellous qualities heaven had furnished him whereat she ceased not to give the gods thanks and esteeme her selfe very happy She had already passionate cares for the faire and vertuous Ariana whose respectuous duties she receiv'd with much contentment Lepantus and Cyllenia were no small ornament to this faire company but recreated them with their sweet humour and gentilenesse of wit and all of them together made up a troop of as pleasing travellers as could be found in all the world againe Already had they traversed all Thessaly and were approaching to Larissa which is neare the Sea when they entred a village where they saw all the inhabitants in great trouble They all ran up and downe divers wayes not able to finde security in their owne houses and not knowing to what part they should retire Melintus address'd him to some of these forlorne men and asked the cause of this affrighting and disorder They told him how a fearefull number of Scythians after having crossed Thracia and pass'd the Egean Sea was come to land in Thessaly and plonder'd all those coasts in drawing towards Larissa Melintus re-assur'd them the best he could and was of opinion they should all retire them into that Towne as speedily as they could that to be better receiv'd they were to carry with them the most of the Corne and other victuals they had he promis'd he would serve them for a leader and prayed them to have no feare This resolution being taken among them he rallied all those that were scatter'd and having made them load into Carts all the provisions they had he armed the strongest of them who made three hundred men besides those were with him then he appointed to set a good watch all the night and the next day in the morning he disposed the old people with the women and baggage in the middle and put those that might serve to fight part of them in the head part on the flanks and the rest in the rere He gave the vantgard to be led by Lepantus the rere-ward to Palamede and reserv'd to himselfe the grosse for to have an eye over all Hee would have given the command
hoping that if I satisfied my passion thus to revenge me on all sides I should not at least be depriv'd of all pleasure I practised all sorts of meanes to ruine him and having made a league against him I possessed my minde with all the designes I could thinke of upon this subject to the end it might be entirely busied with those considerations and I the lesse thoughtfull of my domesticke miseries This league made me powerfull and I found my selfe in estate to resist whatsoever hee propos'd in the publike assemblies and to overthrow all his designes but finding againe that he sometimes over-ruled it by the authority he had acquired and the love was shewne him I let my selfe be carried away more than ever with a desire to ruine him intirely To this purpose I made use of craft to make the Syracusians beleeve he affected tyranny and by the Armes I made be found at his house gave a colour to my accusation which notwithstanding had easily beene discovered false but for the artifices I employed to make the Roman Pretor judge of this cause but the Syracusians that loved him prevented me and yet not daring to absolve him altogether they banish'd him onely for five yeares according to their ancient law I was not content with this judgement but contrariwise I esteem'd it advantageous for Hermocrates whom the Syracusians had exprest so much affection to I feared lest they recalled him not very soone from his exile to place him in greater authority than ever By fortune a little before certaine Pyrats had beene taken upon the coasts and Hermocrates pursuing their punishment I attemted to save them onely in contradiction to him I was visited secretly by some Sea courses of their company that labour'd to corrupt the Judges and who having had intelligence of the designe I had to oblige them offered me all I could desire of them for the safety of those were taken I refused all their presents but at the same time Hermocrates being condemned to banishment and knowing how he was resolved to goe to Carthage I sent for them and bound them by oath faithfully to execute what I desir'd of them and I would returne into their hands their companions They promised to serve me against all the world and presently I made be delivered by my sole authority those that had beene taken because I governed all at that time and having them all at my house together I intreated them to joyne their quarrels to mine and so to order the matter as they might take Hermocrates their enemy and mine as he went to Carthage and carry him away with his wife so farre off that no more should be heard of him within Sicily that for this cause they were to sell them to some Barbarians and I desired too of them it might be done separately to the end I might thus dis-unite those whose union had given me so much jealousie and torment They all receiv'd this intreaty with much joy as well for having occasion to expresse in what sort they desired to serve me as to be reueng'd upon Hermocrates for having prosecuted their death and all of them sware to mee they would inviolably execute my desire I prayed them beside that if Euphrosyne who was very big should be brought to bed in the time she were with them they would throw into the Sea what should be borne of her to extinguish for ever this race After they had promised to performe exactly all I recommended to them I made them yet some presents I received also some of them for not shewing a contempt of them and after many mutuall protestations they went their way to attend Hermocrates in the passage neare the Port of Lylibeum They fail'd not to accomplish faithfully what they had promised me for they tooke away Hermocrates and Euphrosyne but they were wanting onely in this that they sold not Hermocrates so soone as they had assured me but kept him some time with his wife amongst them I had no newes what they were all become of but about foure yeares after during which time being rid of Hermocrates that before wholly possesed my spirit I relapsed into the lively resentment of the evils of my house and to ease them in some sort I enterpris'd to build a stately house in the Countrey and at the same time made a Tower be erected with an intention there to inclose Acidalia the remainder of her dayes But at the end of those foure yeares I heard that certaine men demanded to speake with me I sent for them and knew them to be the very same Pyrats that came to give me an account of what they had done They told me they had taken Hermocrates and Euphrosyne whom they had not yet beene able to sell in place whence they might not returne againe that when they had Euphrosyne she was already deliver'd of the childe she had beene big with but that since being with them she was brought to bed of a daughter that seem'd so faire to them as they could not resolve to put it to death neverthelesse for not failing in that they promised me they had brought it me to dispose of as I should thinke good Then they presented me this young girle of about two yeares of age whose beauty surpriz'd me but when she open'd her little armes to embrace me in saluting I was touch'd with love and pitty for her sake and resolv'd with my selfe rather to nourish it than be so cruell as I had resolv'd I am very sorry pursued Dicearchus addressing him to Euphrosyne and Melintus that I cannot at this time present you with this nurse childe of my bringing up 't is the gentile and courageous Epicharis who is the daughter of Euphrosyne and your sister said he to Melintus Euphrosyne knew not who this Epicharis was yet she rejoyc'd that her child had beene preserved but Melintus and Ariana cried out at the same time Melintus said What is Epicharis my sister And Ariana Alas Melintus my deare Epicharis is she then your sister Ah! what joy will this newes bring my brother that loves her so passionately and what griefe too will he receive by it for not knowing where she is Dicearchus caus'd a little ceasing to all these admirations and joyes in continuing thus 'T is true this young childe made her selfe alwayes so agreeable as I was constrain'd to love her maugre the hatred I had against those that brought her into the world She had a wit so gentile and quicke that she forc'd me many times to laugh when I had but small cause in Acidalla's presence and when she was more advanc'd in age I was pressed by some of my friends to marry her thinking she had bin a slave to one call'd Asylas a servant borne in my house but I had in horror that proposition comparing the noblenesse of her bloud with the basenesse of Asylas and could not hinder my selfe from saying how the gods would never pardon me for mingling
of this accident arose to goe comfort Ariana and after having spent some time in that duty he recommended it to the sage Lepantus with the guard of what they had both most deare in the City while he himselfe thought of nothing but fighting He parted before day to goe finde Palamede whom at the same time he told very sad newes learning him the death of Dicearchus and other as agreeable relating how Epicharis was his sister This intelligence made him lose the griefe for his uncles death and he was so ravish'd with knowing this good fortune for his deare Epicharis wherein he had a great participation that he embrac'd Melintus a thousand times and prayed him to promise him she might be his wife Melintus esteem'd himselfe very happy for having wherewith to acquit himselfe towards him for the assistance he had given him besides Ariana and after some other discourse upon this rejoycing and some regrets for Epicharis losse they gave over that entertainment to think of araying their troops in good order and preparing themselves that day to atchieve actions worthy the great reputation they had acquired ARIANA. The sixth Booke ALready had the Scouts beene sent from all parts to know what countenance the enemy held and they reported how the Scythians look'd as if they expected the combat for not daring to scatter any more into severall troops to goe a foraging because the Romans were now a body of an army they had gather'd all their forces together which appear'd to be of about forty thousand foot without any horse at all The Towne of Larissa is situate betweene two hills the valley whereof inlarging it selfe by degrees towards the Sea ends at last in a spacious campagnia This situation afforded the commodity of chusing the just extent that was necessary to containe the front of an Army and for this cause after they had taken up that space they were resolv'd to goe assaile their enemies by some skirmishes of horse to draw them thiâ—her in feining a flight to the end they might afterwards have such advantage of place to fight in as they desir'd Alcydamas and Polydore were that day armed with the rich Armes those of Larissa had presented them with and had not forgot to dresse them in rich skarfes and to be cover'd with plumes that they might be the more remarkable to those they commanded and in an estate worthy of the brave actions they desir'd to performe The Army presently tooke up the place that was destin'd for the fight and the troops being embattell'd the Chiefs began to walke about the ranks to encourage their souldiers The valiant Alcydamas seem'd that day higher than usually and had a certaine sparkling in his eyes and splendour upon his face that made him appeare like unto some god descended from heaven for the succours of Greece and the Roman Empire They saw waving his white and carnation plumes over the ranks he exceeded by the head and his mine alone seem'd to inspire a part of his great courage into those that were ready to fight under his command At length willing to speake to his men before sending out a party to the skirmish he commanded silence and with an agreeable and assured voyce spake thus to them FEllow Souldiers if I speake to you 't is not that I doubt of your courage nor that I desire to provoke it more but rather to expresse to you the contentment I receive in seeing my selfe assisted with so generous troops I hope this day to make the Romans confesse what their good fortune is to have the Thessalians for guards to the limits of their Empire for I am assured seeing the ardour of fighting which appeares on your faces they will be beholding to us for this dayes victory Remember you that we are in that Thessaly which hath alwayes beene fatall for great exploits of warre which hath seene heretofore decided the quarrell for the Empire of the Vniverse betweene two of the greatest Captaines of the world Let us shew as much valour this day as those famous warriers did in fighting for causes farre more just than theirs They ruin'd the world to remaine Masters of it but your fight is to preserve your Countrey from the fury of Barbarians They were not moved but by a violent ambition but you are animated with a generous piety desirous to conserve your Altars your parents and your dearest Countrey Let us goe then fellowes in Armes let us on to goe swim in the rivers of bloud we shall make these bruitish Nations shed whose number will but serve to augment our trophees and our glory Let us make them feele with our swords a regret for having dared to assault so warlike a province Follow me companions But what is this You will be gone already I will follow you then and labour by imitating you to serve the valiant Thessalians in the acquisition of an immortall glory When Alcydamas had thus spoken all his company lift up their swords on high to expresse to him the desire they had he should lead them on to the combat presently he commanded some of his troops to goe charge the Scythians and feine by little and little to flye that they might draw them to the place where they were The Barbarians received them with great cries and seeing they were so few a number pursued them by shot of arrowes with all the body of their Army that approached the Romans within shot Then Maxentius sent to command Alcydamas and Polydore to goe charge them to the end the Barbarians should not have the honour of the first chocque They both parted in the head of their troops and with such fury rushed upon the Scythians that they brake through the two wings of their Battalion which they had formed in the figure of a Crescent Alcydamas having foreseene that it was necessary for him to make a great slaughter had provided a broad sword of fine mettall that no kinde of Armes was able to resist so as being manag'd by a strong and able arme it cut off all it reached and the field was spread all over with heads armes legs and trunked bodies Polydore also on his side gave no little proofes of his valour and the Thessalians courageously followed so valiant Leaders and cut in peeces whatsoever presented it selfe before them The Romans seeing so happy a beginning avanc'd their point and went to set upon that part of the Scythians Army that was opposite to them for to second the happy successe of the horse Alcydamas in the meane time continued his great blowes and put all the encountred either to the edge of the sword or into disorder in the end with the assistance of his companions he was come to the middest of the enemies left wing from whence he began to perceive somewhat a farre off a troop of Scythians that stood close round about one that surpassed them by the head and had all the marks of being their King There it was he set
Melintus made a signe to him to make no noyse and let them passe But Palamede's horse unfortunately tooke him to neighing and some of this troop willing to know what it meant advanc'd them and seeing they were three men a horsebacke that would save themselves at their comming they call'd up their companions to pursue them Melintus in despaire for being discovered and brought to flying said to Palamede they were to goe a way quite contrary to that wherein Aristides and Ariana were because she it was they sought Their horses were better than those that followed them so as they were soone farre off them but the others being in great number divided into divers troops to enclose them if they meant not to come out of the wood and they were not deceived for that these friends encountring a way that separated into two branches Melintus and Arcas by chance tooke one path in running away and Palamede another who thinking very soone to rejoyne him with Melintus was surpriz'd by foure or five souldiers that cut off his way from him and after having sustaind his first fury put him out of all hope of escaping their hands Melintus that was out of all perill hearing the noyse afarre off doubted of his friends mischance and resolv'd to goe helpe him commanded Arcas to save himselfe while he went to him and to goe advertise Aristides and Ariana that it was shee they sought for and that they should have a care not to goe from the place they were in but when the night came on and then hee charged him especially if he should heare no newes from them to conduct them out of the wood by the wayes they had marked out and from thence straight to the port and to embarque with them as soone as possible might be for Sicily Master said Arcas command me not to leave you I cannot obey you with so much cowardnesse Arcas answered Melintus assure thy selfe thou canst not doe me a greater service than this I desire of thee if we returne not to them within a while thou shalt tell them how we were stayed by these souldiers that tooke us to deliver us into the hands of Justice from which our innocence shall well know how to preserve us and above all abandon not Ariana Adiew my deare Arcas said he embracing him then he gallop'd away towards the side where he had heard the noyse This poore servant could not find in his heart to quit his Master and followed him still but Melintus turning his head and perceiving him cryed to him Art thou well advis'd Arcas how thou givest me my death and if thou followest me any more I shall not live an houre longer Arcas was thus constrain'd the teares in his eyes to leave his Master who presently arriv'd at the place where Palamede was environ'd with five or six horsemen that cryed out to him to render himselfe after seeing two of their comerades lying dead upon the place by his hand Palamede had put him into the thickest strength of the wood where he could not be taken behind and defended himselfe before with much courage Melintus perceiving him in that danger tooke his sword in his hand and entring in amongst them joyned to his friend after having strucke off the shoulder of a souldier that hindred his approach to him Palamede seeing himselfe inforc'd by this succours doubled his blows and Melintus having hurt two of them to death and not thinking the rest were able to resist them had hope to be soone dispatcht of them had it not beene for the arrive often or twelve Souldiours that came to incompasse thâ—m on all sides Their forces diminisht and their enemies increas'd for the number of those they had kill'd was soone repair'd by those that came in still upon them Neverthelesse the great courage of Melintus suffer'd him not to despaire and being animated with a just choler he struck one downe at his feet with a reverse blow he gave him on the middest of his body under the arme he had lift up to strike him from thence pursuing the first he met he cleft his forhead and the bloud that ran from him in abundance upon his eyes blinded him and put him out of this combat Palamede call'd up his forces for to second Melintus and seeing a Souldiour that with both hands had taken his sword to cleave his head he prevented him and with one blow struck off his hands and sword that went in vaine to strike the ground This man carried away by his horse and having nothing more left him to hold the bridle was presently throwne downe and falling upon his face found those hands he wanted to save him Melintus on the other side seeing two of their enemies that most press'd him went betweene them both and lifting up his arme to give him a full blow that was on his left hand and seeing him in defence alter'd his designe and letting goe a strong back-blow cleft the head of him that was on his right hand with one stroake having sent feare to the one of them and death to the other He that expected the blow shut his eyes and put his sword before his head and his horse carrying him away at the same time he could not see a bough of a tree that overthrew him neverthelesse getting up againe and seeing Melintus returning to him he pierced his sword into the flanks of his horse and laid him dead on the ground Palamede would have help'd him but at the same time a Souldiour seeing what had happened to Melintus kill'd his horse inlike manner having thought it the only way to end the fight all they could doe was to keepe themselves from being prest downe under the fall and to dis-ingage themselves that they might fight it out on foot but what ever vaillance was in them the others had soone trodden upon them with their horses but that two came in crying they should not kill them and that they were to be carried prisoners to Rome This command staied the fury of all those men that were animated for revenge and made Melintus and Palamede resolve to yeeld themselves In the meane time Arcas went to bring Aristides the sad newes of the misfortune of his sonne and Melintus Aristides set himselfe to weeping and bewailing but Ariana fell downe for griefe into the armes ofher deare Epicharis and when this desolate company had made a thousand complaints for being reduc'd to hide themselves in stead of succouring them in the end some were set to keepe sentinell Aristides weary of travaile overcome with sorrow and having had no repose the night before fell asleepe but Ariana that had taken a little sleepe in the morning within that wood and that had other cares upon her retiring her to the place where Melintus had himselfe fitted her with branches she laid her downe upon Epicharis knees and melting into teares could not receive any consolation This maid accus'd her of too great weaknesse and praid her
to take some rest but she said to her Cease my deare maid to comfort me if thou knewest the losses I sustaine thou would'st complaine as much as I doe my misfortune There is yet no cause sayes Epicharis to despaire Arcas hath told you how they desir'd not to have their lives but would only take them prisoners And dost thou thinke said Ariana they would not revenge the deaths of them they kill'd in their owne defence and then a torrent of teares stopt her speech I know well said Epicharis that you love nothing in the world so much as that brother Thou knowest that interrupted she but thou art ignorant how deare the other person is to me that I lose with him and this double losse makes that I cannot have teares sufficient to represent to thee my sorrow Epicharis a little a maz'd let her weepe some time then replide thus Madam in your affliction I have a certaine kind of joy to learne the truth of a thing which I have all my life passionately desir'd for I ever thought that nothing but you was worthy of Melintus and that Melintus only was worthy of you The gods without doubt will favour so discreet and vertuous a friendship and not permit you be long time separated Alas Epicharis said Ariana what miseries doe I foresee if once I returne without him into Sicily and yet he ordaines me this desiring rather to dye than see me in the hands of these in famous ravishers for assure thy selfe Epicharis never was there an affection so perfect or so full of respect as this he hath to mee He has ever had so much feare of displeasing mee knowing how I have in horrour all those fooleries of love that unlesse the gods had produc'd in me an affection like unto his that gave him leave to expresse something of it to mee I should scarce have had any knowledge thereof yet And I doe not know also whether he would be pleas'd with me for discovering so much of it to thee as I have done Madam answer'd Epicharis you know what fidelity I have vowed to you it would be an injury to the passion I have for you to conceale your secrets from mee knowing how much I desire to serve you and ease your troubles I beleeve he would not be sorry for my knowing it if he knew the desire I had to see you both happy together Deare Epicharis replies Ariana knowing our humours dost thou beleeve ever any enjoyed a like felicity if this might come to passe But thou knowest to whom I am destin'd by my father and this last disaster is of that nature that I can hardly hope ever againe to see alive either him or my deare brother Ariana ever renuing her weeping and Epicharis knowing how her sorrow was diverted when she spake of the affection of Melintus said to her Madam the gods will preserve for you this lovely Melintus and since they have given him you will not suffer any dispositions of the earth contrary to their will Live at more repose and be confident in their goodnesse in the meane time because you cannot sleepe I shall take it for a great favour if you please to take the paine to tell me how you came to know the beginning of this affection I will then said Ariana spend in so deare an entertainment what remaines of the day before we are to part and having taken care that no body might over-heare them after she had wiped her eyes she spake thus History of Melintus and Ariana I Will beleeve what I sometimes have heard the wisest say that the gods have establisht certaine Genies to rule the order of all things who being just and good suffer not craft and oppression long to triumph over innocency and bring to light the most concealed secrets to give in the end to nobility and vertue the honours and recompences they deserve I beleeve also they have given to every one of us in particular other Genies that inspire us with secret knowledge of the qualities we are to acquire and make us conceive desires whereof we know not the cause to guide us to the possession of that which is most honest and most profitable for us Thou wilt find these very true observations by that I shall tell thee of the strange fortune of Melintus of the perfections he has been carefull to get and of the esteeme we had each of other even before ever we saw one another for you must know that I knew him not before he went from Siracuse to Athens for to learne all the sciences and exercises fitting for a person of his condition In all which he was so prosperous that they that return'd from Greece spake of nothing but his perfections and the facility he had to have good successe in what ever he undertooke One day my brother in his letters gave me notice of the friendship they had made sure to one another with so many advantageous words for Melintus and expressions of joy for himselfe that I thought Melintus must be something above the common sort since my brother that was none of the least esteemed conceived to have gained so great a good fortune in his affection I signified to him by my answer the part I tooke in his contentment and beside that the profit I should have by it by hearing newes of him at Telephus house that was father to Melintus when he were carelesse of writing Palamede shewed him this letter and he approv'd it for a certaine thing he said pleas'd him and afterwards in those he writ to Telephus he alwayes mention'd something concerning Palamede and me so as when ever I was in paine for the health of my brother I sent to Telephus that made no difficulty to let me see the whole letters of Melintus But I protest to you I saw there a fashion of writing so sweet and a respect he gave Telephus so great and yet mixt with an honest boldnesse that I had a great desire to be acquainted with him one day On the other side I wrote to Palamede with more care that if it hapned he shewed my letters to Melintus he might have a more favourable opinion of me I was not mistaken for after that he exprest to me when he had seene what I had writ and knowne me by some relation my brother made him what great desire he had to accomplish the time that was prescrib'd him by Telephus that he might come home into Sicily and see mee During that time there passed occasions that augmented still the esteeme wee began to have each of other for he went away with the honour of horse races at the Olympick games and the glory of making the best verses as my brother also had the prize of the Harpe So happily that they made our City glorious above all the townes that sent to those games the excellentest men they had for all exercises On the other side a prize having beene propounded at Siracuse for the
never the farther from loving me At that time I gained also the affection of Misander if I may so call the desire he exprest to see and speake with me fot doubtlesse you will laugh at the humour of that man I have heard say interrupted Ariana that he is of Reggium and comes often to Syracuse but that he is very melancholicke It is impossible replide Erycine you should imagine to what degree he is so He came one day to see me in the company of Amyntas that was his friend at that time Hyperia my mother was very sicke and in danger to dye my affliction which he found to have some sympathy with his sad humour caused as I beleeve the good will he had to me His discourses were to make me see that I had cause rather to bee afflicted than comforted his wit affording him no reasons for to vanquish my griefes and after he had employed some words to expresse the part he tooke in my sorrow he thought he had sufficiently declar'd his affection to me since it may be I was the first he had obliged by that compleasance Thinking therfore he had got familiarity enough with me by this first encounter he came to revisit me when my mother was in better health and I rejoyced at her recovery my jollity truly made not his affection dye which my sadnesse had produc'd but standing mute to all the discourses wherein I express'd a satisfaction in him he would peradventure have had mee beleev'd that his silence proceeded from love and some dayes after seeing me to receive him with a great deale of kindnesse as I am accustomed to use all that come to see me he tooke the liberty to complaine of me and would have mee thinke that I dealt unjustly with him not to acknowledge the affection hee bare me although he had made none at all appeare to me whether by discourse or any other way For my part having no cause to satisfie him it was no difficult matter to me to keepe him in that plaintive humour and every time he saw me he seem'd to have obtain'd what he desired for when I us'd him with harshnesse or contempt he set himselfe to discourse that he was the most miserable of men that those women that had a sweetnesse for all other had nothing for him but disdaines that his encountring was so unfortunate that at the same instant he appeared he inspir'd refuses and rude usage into them he desir'd most to be esteem'd of that in his very presence they affected a favouring of others to give him the greater displeasure To end upon the subject of the misery of his life there came a torrent of words from him which was impossible to be stopped I laugh'd within my selfe that he was satisfied after that fashion in making all those complaints and reproaches to me his soule loving to feed on nothing but such ill nourishment as this You describe a man to me interrupted Ariana of a very strange nature and yet pleasant enough withall I cannot replide Erycine sufficiently represent this miserable humour for I have observ'd that it 's impossible to please him giving a sense to all things that confirmes his opinion of being miserable If I us'd him with any sort of kindnesse he tooke it for feining if I treated him with coldnesse it was a certaine contempt If I spake to him it was said he in a certaine fashion whereby he perceiv'd well enough the small account I made of him if I held my peace it was to let him see that he was troublesome and to give him leave to be gone In the end I found very true what I had heard my brother say of him that of all the passions he thought he had none but the displeasant and unfortunate ones as sadnesse feare jealousie despaire distrust and the rest And upon this subject he made an observation which I have found a very pretty one and am like to retaine it in my memory that the most things have two faces which diversly regarded make effects as divers As in a combat a man of courage considers nothing but the glory of vanquishing and makes sure of it a poltron regards nothing but death which brings horrour and trouble upon him Even so Misander being within corrupted with this same blacke humour regarded but the ill sense of all things and interpreted all my actions to his disadvantage I had two servants then very differing one that complain'd incessantly without having cause the other that alwayes satisfied himselfe what-ever rigour he receiv'd I confesse to you Amyntas displeas'd me not for the other you may judge if he were love-able yet although he were a man I had reason to banish my company the softnesse of my nature suffer'd me not to anger him enough to drive him away Amyntas knowing by the intreaty I made Misander that himselfe was not ungracious with mee ceased not seeing me and had not failed of greater attempts but that I made him know his duty and my modesty altogether stayed him Misander had so contagious a melancholy that he was a vexation to all he came neare Amyntas brought me his acquaintance but he repented him sufficiently of it for my sake and more yet for his owne because Misander never left me and hee could not entertain me as he desir'd 'T is true that if I had an enemy I should wish him to endure the love of a man of this humour for I beleeve there is nothing in the world more insupportable If you stay at home they will besiege you cruelly without speaking sometimes a word in a day and will weary out the most resolute that might thinke to attend their depart to speake with more freedome if you have businesse abroad they will still accompany you and not give you so much as one houre of respite and in the meane time they will have their sighes be taken for the sweetest entertainments of love their silence for an admirable discretion and their importunity for services that cannot be sufficiently rewarded I remember one day Amyntas came to our house feining to save himselfe from the raine he was taken in as he had ever some pleasant excuse to come often thither and finding Misander there whose presence importuned him sufficiently without adding to his trouble any thing by this sorry humour he was not able to endure that constraint and went out to be delivered of it in spight of the raine that still continued but when hee was abroad the storme so increas'd as he was forced to come backe againe to us where we passed away a day as blacke as can be imagined as well because of the weather as for the humour of Misander On the subject of that raine Amyntas the day after gave me these verses Last day faire Erycina with a storme assail'd At your house I beleev'd I should have shipwracke fail'd As at some happy Port by heaven granted me Soone by their radiant beames your eyes me dried But