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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
lives of those strangers Neverthelesse their number was such that had it not beene for the extreme valour they encountred they would soone have made themselves free passage But they that were assail'd being ignorant of their purpose shewed such dexterity and valour that after a great fight the other party was constrain'd to say It was the Emperour At that name the strangers gave the day over when they had done a thousand actions too brave to have had no other light but the Moones and let their enemies retire But they remain'd so charg'd with wounds that one of them fell downe presently in a sowne for losse of blood and the other going to helpe his friend was surpriz'd with a like faintnesse Their servants who melted into teares to see their valiant Masters in that extremity were preparing to lift them up from the place to carry them to their houses when two Ladies richly clothed and whose beauty received a lustre from the Torches that two young boyes carried before them came thither with their servants to learne the cause of the noyse they had heard before their lodging but seeing those that lay along upon the place and knowing them to be the brave Melintus and the generous Palamedes the love Emilia had to Melintus put her into an extreme sorrow to see him for her occasion in so deplorable an estate and Camilla gave some teares to Palamedes misfortune of whom she knew she was so passionately loved These two Sisters after they had a long time express'd their griefe caused the bodies to be carried home to their house to make tryall of remedies that might make them come to themselves againe and put them in severall places into beds becomming the richesse and luxuriousnesse of that age And there Melintus by the assistance of Emilia returning as it were from a profound sleepe and at last opening his eyes asked where Palamede was Emilia that knew well their friendship told him hee was not farre off and that he was hurt as well as himselfe but if it pleas'd the gods they were both in no great danger Then he intreated Emilia that she would let him goe see him But she would in no wise suffer him because he might not yet rise for his wounds and was satisfied in this to assure him that hee was in the next Chamber in as great need of rest as he Leave me then said he to my rest I pray you and not able to endure the sight of her he turn'd himselfe to the other side of the bed Emilia being gone he beganne thus to complaine to himselfe Ah Palamed what faults doe I incurre by your friendship against the purenesse of my love Was not my feining to love Emilia at your request insupportable enough to me but it must still draw on more disasters What couldst thou expect but vengeance from the gods after thou hadst so often betrayed my soule forcing my words to be contrary to all my thoughts In stead of ordering all that is in me by a common consent to adore but one thing I have permitted a division within my selfe my mouth and actions sacrificing to false Deities while my thoughts ador'd but one most pure and holy one But for all this could I deny Palamede any thing or could my love refuse to bee forced thus for his sake that was Author of it And when hee desir'd my helpe should I have alleag'd the severity of our Lawes to brand my selfe with ingratitude Alas how hard is it to live exempt from blame and how oft for satisfying one duty doe men quit the consideration of another At least thou my Soule wilt witnesse for me and thou Divinity that art present to my remembrance that if my words have given a respect to any other thing my thoughts have still disavow'd them and despis'd such subjects unworthy of their consideration and farre differing from the perfect cause of my affection Hee stayd himselfe some while upon that conceit that gave him comfort then seeing in how many places he was hurt hee continued thus thinking Must the wounds of that true affection I labour under be invisible while for a disguis'd love I beare so true and visible hurts hurts sometimes marks of glory but to me shamefull how shall I conceale you from my offended love Fortune that my constancy despis'd hath not lost the occasion at what time my actions might well be blam'd for infidelity and after shee had graven on me by these wounds the eternall remembrance of that same encounter in spight of my designes hath brought mee to these beds I so carefully avoyded But Fortune doe what thou canst thou shalt never make my soule consent to lose the quality of loving well I am reveng'd of thee by despising thy favours so desired of others one while thou presentst me them under the charmes of sweetnesse and facilitie another while thou lead'st me to them by the force of thy inevitable accidents for to ruine in mee a perfection that scornes thy Empire And I have nothing to oppose them with but the memory of the beauty I love for to render all their devices unprofitable No no deceiver never hope to have mee forsake this constancy thou art enemy to thou mayst well make my affection unfortunate but thou shalt never be able to make it decline so much as one degree from that height it hath attain'd Such different thoughts tormented or comforted his Spirit as it received each kind of them and entertain'd him till the next day when hee found himselfe constrain'd to keepe his bed because of his wounds although there was none of them mortall But Palamede was a great while longer without shewing any signe of life but that his heart did yet beat Neverthelesse by force of medicines they made his sight returne at last and his wounds being searcht were found very dangerous These two friends had a great estimation at Rome for their Nobility accompanied with many admirable qualities and acquir'd the friendship of all that loved vertue since their honest desire to see the seat of the Empire had caus'd them to follow an Embassie which the Syracusians sent to Nero to be eas'd of certaine new impositions They had made themselves recommendable in that employment and gain'd the glory to bee accounted the most accomplish'd men in the world but yet by differing qualities Melintus that had a wise and perfectly discreet spirit was the more reserv'd and more opportunely manifested his naturall vertues and those Sciences he had learned But Palamede was the prompter and more undertaking yet with such grace that for the most part his designes ended in a prosperous and glorious issue They were both of them exceedingly faire and handsome Melintus was the higher and of a freer making his haire which he wore long curl'd was something browne and besides he had certaine Charmes in his face with such a pleasing Majesty that made him lov'd and respected of all that beheld him Palamede was flaxen hair'd
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
Aristides and the faire Ariana were arriv'd and dyed for impatience of seeing them Palamede could hardly yet goe but was made to be carried to Melintus bed and was desirous his father should finde him up to remove feare from him at this first enterview yet for all this he was very sorry the lot was fallen upon his friend at that time Emilia was sitting upon the bed little thinking that Melintus at that occasion saw her but with regret in the place and Camilla was entertaining Palamede when Aristides came in followed with the faire Ariana After he had embrac'd his sonne and exprest to him the joy he conceiv'd to find him a great deale better than he look't for Ariana tooke off the vaile that hid her face and discover'd such beauties that she dazell'd all those that beheld her Shee had a sweet Majesty that filled mens minds with admiration and astonishment her complexion was delicate and of a bright whitenesse her eyes sent forth a lively and delicious light and conspir'd with the pleasing features of her face to compose a charme to amuse reason with pleasure while they tooke her captive It seemed the center of her faire cheeks was red by the nearenesse to the fire of her eyes or else that the blood was retir'd into so small a space to offend as little as might be the purity of her whitenesse her haire was flaxen and curl'd into rings her shape slender and her fashion grave and modest and withall her clothes after the Sicilian fashion did so well accompany all these graces that there was not any one but was ravish'd in seeing her She was followed by a young Gentlewoman call'd Epicharis that waited on her whose beauty had beene consider'd but for Ariana's and who had sometime beene lov'd of Palamede This view caus'd very different effects in the place for it possess'd Palamede with joy to see his deare sister Melintus with admiration and at the same instant with shame to be found among those Ladies who though handsome were most unworthy as he thought them of his love and he fear'd that Ariana gave a judgement of him which would greatly wrong the opinion she had conceiv'd of him Emilia and Camilla consider'd her rather with the eyes of envy than admiration but Camilla having no cause to be jealous of her because shee possess'd her brother gave up that paine wholly to Emilia who failed not to marke the changes of Melintus and Ariana and from thence gather'd consequences which ruin'd her dearest hopes Ariana her selfe was not able to hinder the appearance of the trouble her thoughts had brought her to if she had not beene assisted by the occasion of going to kisse her brother by whom shee stayed the longer to have her rednesse past whilest her father was speaking to Melintus after that being re-assur'd as much as was necessary when Aristides had taken his sonne apart to entertaine him shee addrest her selfe to the sicke man who at her approach felt the motions of a thousand differing passions Shee thank'd him for the cares he had taken for her brother and pray'd him to suffer that shee might give him the like assistances for to satisfie so many obligations Faire Ariana said Melintus you are borne to command and not to serve your presence is sufficient in a place to drive away from it all kinds of evill and since your arrive I find my selfe so eas'd that I hope I shall not bee any longer trouble some to these Ladies I have receiv'd so many good offices from Although all these words were so many deadly blowes to the designes of Emilia yet she would needs mingle her selfe at this discourse and answer him That persons of their worth could never be importune that there was much more appearance that he should be weary in being with her that shee well saw Ariana came to deprive them of that they had so carefully conserv'd But yet in what place soever they were they should never meet with hearts so affectionate to their service These last words shee pronounced with some trouble which obliged Melintus to say to her Be sure Madam you have not so ill an opinion of us to beleeve one may so easily escape out of your hands Then seeing she stood mute as full of astonishment and to give her respit to come to her selfe againe he pursues I am assur'd that Ariana acknowledging here so much brights and beauties and seeing us on all sides encompassed with fires must of necessity feare for our sakes judging well how difficult it is to avoyd the faire desires you give birth to and all those torments that accompany them Besides the evill that retaines us in this place is the least of these we are sensible of you would not be so diligent in curing that you are the cause of and is the greatest But for all that I will not use reproaches against persons we are so beholding to it shall suffice me to tell you that you are too assur'd of our engagement seeing that beside what we owe your merits fortune was willing to binde us for ever to you for so many carefull assistances These words restor'd a little the spirit of Emilia and Melintus thought it sitting so to dissemble for not provoking her and give themselves meanes to retire from them withall he spake those words in such a fashion that Ariana knew it was but feigned for if the discourse had beene true he would not so confidently have uttered it before her Neverthelesse shee could not but feare and was preparing her selfe to heare Emilia's answer at the very time that Aristides that was speaking to Palamede on the other side interrupted them as he return'd to them This good father was very joyfull to see his sonne out of danger but yet he was not over-well pleas'd to finde him in that place with voluptuous and magnificent women though being discreet and of a good nature he made no appearance of it and after he had enquir'd of his sonne the cause that brought him to that house he advertis'd him to goe out as soone as he could from the place where he had beene so troublesome then not to seeme uncivill he turned â—owards Camilla and Emilia to witnesse to them how hee had a heart that acknowledg'd the favours he had receiv'd from them in the person of his sonne Ariana left him her place and went to find her deare brother whom she desired passionately to have alone to know all that had haâ—ned to them during their voyage Palamede seeing that Melintus was preparing to make the same rehearsall to Aristides said to his sister that if shee desir'd to know all the particulars of it it were necessary for them to withdraw into the next Chamber because he could learne her many things that Melintus his discretion would not permit him to tell especially before those Ladies who made up a great part of their adventures And besides he was not willing that Epicharis should be present for
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
in So I made her some presents whereby I thought her wholly mine and discover'd to her the good will her Mistresse bare mee She faign'd to understand this newes with content and promis'd me her service in what ever I could desire of her See how capable we are to forget our selves for thinking her more usefull to mee than any body I retir'd more in her confidence than in Melintus his himselfe and told her all had pass'd with Camilla and I whereof Marcelin failed not to be advertised as we came afterwards to know I perceiv'd well he did no more salute mee with that freedome he was wont but judging no other cause of it but his inequall humour I omitted not to pursue my fortune and designes Hitherto had Camilla intertain'd me with hopes and Melintus had avoided the too-great expressions of Emilia's love But one morning when we were all foure of us alone together my impatience prevail'd with mee to conjure Camilla by my most ardent affections to grant mee a favour which she from day to day defer'd Dare you sayes she demand so unreasonable a thing in the presence of my sister and Melintus I am assur'd said I to her she is of opinion that a thing promis'd must be paid and Melintus destrous of the same favour with her without question will be of my mind I was willing thus to ingage him against his will because I knew Camilla would never make me happy but after his sisters example Those words oblig'd Melintus to signifie the same desire to Emilia and the repulse she gave was rather an occasion to him to seeke to vanquish her than to lose all hope We left off speaking Camilla and I to see what they would resolve on and refer'd to them the cause of all foure attending eagerly the successe of their dispute and for all I perceiv'd him to plead but coldly I would not be perswaded but he would carry it Yet seeing that Emilia would not wholly agree to a thing Camilla had altogether refus'd I consider'd there was need of some paines-taking on my part and so in the end I obtain'd this of her to referre her selfe to her sisters judgement I well perceive sayes Emilia t is a hard matter to put you off but that we may be assured whether you shall persist in the same resolution we give you the rest of the day for terme and at midnight you shall come hither all alone by a doore I shall cause to be kept ope if then you shall give us assurance of the same desires we will give you that we shall resolve on for your advantage That favourable decree confirm'd by the consent of the faire Camilla was entertain'd of me with exceeding joy and of Melintus with thanks for us both Ariana taking the word from him said to her brother I doubt not but in his mind he was glad this good fortune offer'd it selfe without costing him the least unquietnesse Whether he were scornfull or no replied Palamede you shall know by the sequell then he went on After many thanks wee tooke our leaves of them but before our going out I advertis'd Cyane of our appointment that she might take care for our entrance never dreaming that in one instant I lost what we had obtain'd with so much labour and words The remnant of that day me thought houres never pass'd away so slowly so impatient was I and seeing Melintus pensive on the other side I ask't him whether he thought not long till the night came as well as I. We are meditating answers he upon very differing matters I ask't him the cause Because sayes he that you would already be at the place of assignation and I am thinking what to doe not to come there at all I found him very disdainfull to shunne that that others would with so many vowes desire he confest to me he was of a contrary humour and that he could not resolve to goe to Emilia This resolution put me into a great wonder and I began to curse that coldnesse and continency that so cross'd my happinesse for having had good successe but by his meanes without him I would promise my selfe nothing Neverthelesse seeing that surprise had taken my speech from me with a fashion more remisse he spake to me thus I beleeve you desire not to compell me to that I am most sensible of also it is not reason I deprive you of a benefit I have gain'd you with so much adoe and you so ardently desire A meanes must be invented to content us both And what meanes said I for my part I cannot expect any fortune if I be not assisted by you for thinke you that Emilia will suffer her sister to favour mee when she sees her selfe despis'd of you If your passion sayes he to me blinded you not you would consider how I would not propose to find out a remedy that I had not thought on doe but heare at least if that I have devis'd be not possible We will goe at the houre assign'd with some of our men and counterfeiting a rancounter at the dore we will take our swords in our hands one against another and after having made some noyse with our weapons I will retire my selfe with the rest as if I were pursued and you shall enter alone into the house making as if you thought me to be there already then a while after I will send to tell you that you be not in paine for me that I was releiv'd by some of my friends with whom I was and who would not suffer me to come And to what end said I is all this labour for me I had much rather come to receive the kindnesses of a faire Lady So should I sayes he to me if I were Palamede but since I am Melintus suffer me to live after my owne fashion I find said I that it is but an ill meanes of secret entry into an house to goe make an uprore at the gate Nay contrary said Melintus if there be any spie there he will flye away for feare and nothing will stay in the street so I find it needs not be despair'd that a man may enter into a lodging by this meanes But said I to him this will be alwayes to begin againe thinke you every night to use the same disguise It is well sayes he your foresight goes so farre Cannot you tell how to keepe that to your selfe which I shall once have acquir'd you Consider only for the present and I shall advise for us both for the time to come Time will afford us counsell I agreed at last to what he would But consider my Sister how vertue and good counsels are accompanied with prosperity if it had not beene for this humour and resolution in Melintus wee had beene utterly lost and yet we failed not to runne into a very great danger That same Cyane having beene acquainted with the houre of our comming presently advertis'd Marcelin of it who provok'd by jealousie and desire
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
not so simple to be content with every thing they told neverthelesse he beleev'd part of it and well knew how to excuse the rest In the end Palamede and Ariana came backe againe into that Chamber and the day being neere spent Aristides and she tooke leave of all with a promise to returne the next day to see them They retir'd them to Maximus his house their ancient host with whom Palamede and Melintus had beene ever bold since they came to Rome when they were gone Emilia and Camilla entred upon a discourse of Ariana's perfections with great admiration Palamede confessing himselfe very proud in having so compleat a sister Melintus spake but coldly of her but Emilia observ'd a great deale of constraint in all he said and was perswaded that if he might freely have spoken of her not any in the company would have done it more to her advantage The evening pass'd away in those discourses and when Melintus found himselfe alone calling for those faire objects Ariana's presence had renued in him he began thus to be entertain'd with himselfe Ah! divine Ariana how deare is thy sight to mee and how every time I see thee dost thou appeare with new perfections It seemes you came hither to my reproach that my soule conceiv'd not perfectly enough of you before and that you will forme in it a new Idea more faire yet than that I have cherisht beauties that shall never find your equalls can I sufficiently affect you nay rather can you be more affected No considering the love I have for you cannot be greater than it is but why so seeing I feele it to be every day augmented by the new graces which are continually bred in you Oh! the sight that so ravishes me Ah Ariana how the glittering of your beauty replenishes my soule with light and how receiving you is my imagination possest with joyes But confesse too deare Idea that thou art receiv'd into a very pure place and regard with how much ardour and respect thou art there ador'd These sweet thoughts hinder'd him pleasingly from sleeping all night he was vexed at nothing but that he was found in that house whereupon he would faine have satisfied Ariana's mind The day after she came in the morning with the maid she lov'd so well cal'd Epicharis having left her father at home to repose him after the wearisomenesse of his journey When she knew her brother was not yet awake she went into Melintus chamber who receiv'd her with great joy and respect and Epicharis being away when she was set downe ready to speake to him and enquire of the state of his sicknesse he prevented her thus I am much confounded for this honour you doe mee Madam but yet I am more asham'd to see you in a place where vertue never entred but in your attendance Never will I answered she be of this beleefe seeing you your selfe are come hither before mee Ah! Madame replies he flie from this house too unworthy to be honour'd by your foot-steps if I have ever beene so happy to be approved by you for any quality I must needs lose that esteeme being found where I am and I conjure you not to prophane your selfe by the conversation of these Ladies that are so farre from the honour of your life I know well answers she what occasion hath brought you hither against your will and so farre is it from giving mee cause to blame you as I shall therefore admire your vertue while I live When I see you among ill company I should still beleeve it was but to correct them by your example and not to imitate them I am assur'd how much your honour is deare to you and am to thanke you for having care of mine whereof I would not feare to give you the direction if I doubted of my owne He replide To doubt of your wisedome Madam never did so criminall a conceit enter into my heart That were to call in question the thing in the world I have the most perfect knowledge of But pardon mee if I desire to see you be gone from a place which even my honour cannot endure but with horrour and where my indisposition retain's mee with so much violence The rules they here follow are so contrary to those you observe that I can expresse no contentment in the place but in compelling my mouth to contradict all my thoughts Melintus said Ariana I would from this very houre follow your advice if it were not yet a greater offence to forsake my brother and that man that never yet forsooke him Palamede replide Melintus is out of danger and may goe home to you and since your arrive I find my selfe too in estate to be able to be carried thither but I beseech you to retire you from hence and to receive this prayer I make you for the greatest service I shall ever be able to give Strange effects of a vertuous passion Melintus in stead of favouring the presence of his faire Ariana could not endure to see her in a place where he himselfe would not have beene his pure and perfect love taking offence at the least approach of things vicious and he did even seeme to foresee the mischiefe that was to come upon them by the stay she made in that lodging because that Marcelin came to visit Melintus and entred into his chamber when Ariana and he were speaking together This sight surpriz'd them both but much more Melintus to see a person he had so much cause to hate for Ariana not knowing him thought only Melintus had reason to wish her farre from thence since the entrance to that house was permitted to all persons and this man might give a strange censure of her Neverthelesse Melintus dissembling receiv'd him with a countenance open enough and Marcelin after he had inquir'd of his health began to regard Ariana with eyes of wonder and surprize But she to avoyd this curious viewing and the birth of some desires in him made as if for civilities sake that they might be free together she left them and went into Palamed's chamber then presently she went out of the house after she had desir'd him to returne that very day home to his fathers where she went to retire her Marcelin fail'd not to demand of Melintus who that handsome stranger was to which he was oblig'd to answer that she was Palamed's sister that was come with her father from Sicily upon the report of her brothers sicknesse and was to returne speedily thither againe finding him whole I did not beleeve sayes he that your Sicilian women had beene so faire you would but wrong your selves to come to seeke beauty at Rome Things answered Melintus that come from a farre off or that are sought in a farre country seeme ever the fairest for as for mee I would quit all Sicilians for one Roman Ladie And I replies he all the women of Rome for this Sicilian That discourse pleas'd not very well Melintus and he would
have beene glad to have beene at Syracuse with Ariana for that he suspected lest Marcelin losing Camilla's favour might not make his addresses to her and give them many crosses that way And so had he purpos'd but that which confirm'd Melintus in that apprehension was because Marcelin impatient to see againe at leisure her that had so well touch'd him with love in so little a time staid not long to counterfeit a desire to goe see Palamede and parted from Melintus to goe into the other chamber where he found her no more so as he was forc'd to entertaine her brother thinking he might have need of his helpe to see and be well receiv'd by her but they had strange plots one upon the other That entertainment was not of continuance because when there is question of feigning the discourses are not long-breath'd each fearing to discover himselfe and so the time pass'd away the greatest part of it in silence As soone as ever Melintus could come to speake to Palamede he counsel'd him to goe out of that lodging that very day and told him he had perceiv'd the displeasure Aristides tooke for finding them there that it were better he went his way alone than stay for him that they were to tell the Ladies how Aristides weary of the journey was fallen sick for him that he would follow him the day after and so they ought to retire one by one for feare the depart of them both might not at one time too much surprise them Palamede resisted some time this advice for the passion he had to Camilla whose sight he enjoyed with such commodity Neverthelesse it became him to give place to that friends counsell he had too much neglected to his losse and this resolution taken they were to take leave of the sisters Emilia that had never observ'd in Melintus any strong passion what-ever favour she had exprest to him began to be in doubt of the cause of his coldnes to her since the arrive of Ariana This stately woman who all her life time saw her selfe ador'd without having ever any love died for despite to finde her selfe sleighted and when she heard the newes of his retrait at first shee gently replied to the courteous words of Melintus but to his replies shee us'd reproaches and from reproaches she enter'd into fury That rage brake all the chaines of discretion and modesty What said shee after I had disdain'd the most powerfull men at Rome am I brought to this passe to become suppliant to a stranger and a man unknowne This ingratefull man this Traitor after receiving so much honour at my house after having bin drawne by me out of the hands of death dares yet forsake me and refuse a few daies at my intreaty Melintus to stop the current of those words said to her Madam I am neither traytor nor ungrate I have lost neither the respect I owe you nor the passion I had for you it needs not to employ intreaties where you may command and that which makes me be accus'd for disacknowledgement is that should rather let you see how well I can acknowledge the cares it pleas'd you to take of me since I desire to free you of them Will you reduce mee to that never to be able to satisfie the obligations I have to you by never ending my importunities and that I suffer all my life to be serv'd by you without a power to doe you service Beleeve you that when I am at home I shall have the lesse affection to you and will you not so much as permit that I put my selfe in the way to render you my duties Although I honour your favours extremely the excesse of them begins to be weighty upon me seeing I no more obtaine them by my services Madam if you have hitherto taken pleasure to expresse so good will to me envy me not at my turne the contentment of offering you my cares and obliging you by my submissions to continue this affection to me I beleeve that to a person of courage there is no punishment comparable to this without ceasing to receive and never give and this is that you would have mee eternally endure Emilia something stayed by these speeches stedfastly regarding him said How happy should I be Melintus if you were true but I feare this faire language proceeds not from the heart too much order has it to expresse a passion and you seeme rather to affect to speake well than to love well t is no matter I will beleeve you so you will grant me yet two dayes more stay during which you may find your selfe in better health Melintus not willing to put her into desperation answer'd her that shee might dispose not onely of two dayes but all those of his life without asking him leave So they were at accord together And Camilla much better assur'd of Palamede's affection not being made to oblige her by any compulsion suffer'd him to goe his way well knowing she should ere long see him againe The displeasure this stay brought to Melintus came from hence that hee saw himselfe depriv'd in that time of seeing Ariana and knowing Palamede would not faile to report to her the cause that retain'd him he would write this Letter to her Melintus to Ariana T Is not my sicknesse now that retaines me here but another's that is more insupportable to me than my owne rather out of despite than pitty I have of it 'T is a cruell thing to be unfortunate by too much good fortune and not to be able to escape out of that is in my owne power I beleeve I am destin'd to contemne all my time the good things are offer'd me and to consume my selfe by desiring those I cannot possesse When Fortune uses me the most cruelly she makes me become cruell too then ordaines a punishment for my disdaines in stead of rewarding them being so just But since she is blind I appeale from her to your judgement and aske of you not that which I refuse to take of others that were too great presumption but that I even refuse them which is a little compassion though it may seeme I am unworthy of it in that I deny to give it Melintus gave this Letter in Tables to Arcas his faithfull Free-man to whom alone was the secret passion of his master disclos'd who would not hide himselfe from him in many things he had occasion to employ him This good servant the day after that Palamede was return'd to Maximus with his father tooke the occasion to goe see how hee did from Melintus and gave his letter secretly to Ariana who receiv'd with it so much content that after she had read it she promis'd to give him an answer Never had she done him that favour but having lately had intelligence of so many vertues and merits by her brothers report of the contempt hee had made of one of the fairest Ladies of Rome for not giving offence to her love of the honours he
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
never shall any one know who it was that us'd him so if some of us doe not discover it They were amaz'd at her invention admiring her boldnesse and the simplicity of Marcelin but at length they perceiv'd too much rigour Now said Epicharis you may doe with him what you please I have done the service which I ought to my mistresse and to you and at the least I have broken that blow you so much apprehended Then they were in a great trouble to let Marcelin get out and withall to content him being not willing to have him lost and fearing also his fury when he should have escaped I perceive well said Epicharis I must save you from the danger I have put you to and take all the envy upon my selfe seing you are pleas'd he should live Let me goe then I will make up the matter well enough and make him suspect no body but my selfe and never vex you more Melintus was of opinion they should leave to her the ordering of the businesse because she was of a most advis'd wit and she went that very houre to the lodge where having open'd the doore to Marcelin and then conducted him out of the house all pale and feeble for his fastings holding the gate halfe open she said to him know that it is Ariana that gives you your life and that it is I alone that resolved to take it from you for all the trouble you have put her to by your wooing She was determin'd rather to dye than marry you and I had much rather you should have dyed than she for it was I that spake to you under the vaile without her knowledge of it and gave you the appointment to which you so easily render'd your selfe my purpose was never to have fetch'd you from hence but when I made her acquainted with my plot she was willing to pardon you upon charge you would never more importune her which you are to doe if you love your life for assure you selfe I shall want neither invention nor courage to destroy you if you chance ever more to torment her Marcelin full of wonder and weaknesse having let her speake a while fail'd not to enter into a fury against this maide and would willingly have torne out her eyes and life also if he had had more strength to shuffe ope the doore but she shut it with violence leaving him without all in a rage and came to advertize Ariana what she had done that she should never have any displeasure on that side and that all the hate was fallen upon her which she very little regarded Palamede and Melintus saw well they were warranted from the search of Marcelin but not yet from his fury suspecting well he was gone out from thence with as great a desire of revenge as hunger Neverthelesse the present mischiefe being avoyded they ought to keepe themselves to their guards for the time to come The day after they knew he was return'd to his house but when he was ask'd what voyage he had made in three dayes space he answer'd nothing so much asham'd was he to have beene so cruelly deceiv'd by a wench Aristides nor Maximus heard not a word more from him for all his wits were employed in meditating what suddaine and cruell vengeance he might take of all those strangers before they return'd into Sicily ARIANA. The fourth Booke EMilia overcome with affliction for not seeing Melintus any more and knowing his sicknesse was but a pretext for not visiting her began to have a sense of her misfortune and that he had not enterpris'd his sute to her but in favour of the search of Palamede her affection ungratefully acknowledged her beauty contemn'd so many commendable qualities neglected and all her carefull assistances quite forgot assailed her spirit with so much anguish despite and shame that she was not able to make resistance to them The faigned sicknesse of Melintus caused in her a true one and the newes came to Maximus his house that she was at the extremity and a few dayes after that she was dead Palamede would have gone to visit Camilla to comfort her but that Melintus who was in sorrow for this accident diverted him for feare he should engage himselfe againe with her and so bring a stay to the designe they had of departing and he promis'd him to satisfie this duty to Camilla for them both some dayes after But as they did innocently bring misfortune upon others so were others prepar'd to make their innocency most unfortunate Marcelin not willing to let them be gone without causing them to feele the effects of his rage began to vant before Nero the beauty of Ariana and spake so many marvells of it that he produc'd in him a desire to see her then having let him know shee was of an humour too retentive to give up her selfe to the Emperour and serve his pleasures on the other side that she never went abroad and how it would be a hard matter to take her away he made him the more desirous by these difficulties to have the possession of this faire creature but when he told him she was sister to Palamede and that they were logded together with Melintus the Emperour remembers him of the cause he had to be revenged of those two friends for the offence he thought he had taken of Melintus and the wound he had the night of the combat the marke whereof was yet to be seene upon his hand Marcelin seeing the Prince in those ressentments told him how he had found out an excellent meanes to revenge him on Melintus and Palamede and to have Ariana to the bargaine He added that they were that very night to set fire on all sides of the house they were in and when they should thinke of escaping without dreaming of any thing besides saving them from the flame it would be easie to put them to the sword in the tumult and to ravish Ariana Nero that affected nothing so much as such furious inventions entertain'd this with joy and commended Marcelin highly for it who that very houre tooke the charge to dispose his men about the house that not one of them might escape This resolution was very funest to the City of Rome for the night being come when he thought every one was drowned in sleepe he himselfe holding a Torch in his hand set it under Maximus doore and gave example to the rest to doe the like every where else Presently the fire kindled with such violence at that house and in order at the other houses of the street that hee beleev'd never any of them could get out from thence but that they should be all burn'd And indeed when they awaked all the Chambers were of a smoake all that they were to doe was to get out with their clothes which they hastily tooke and saved themselves in the garden expecting the remedy that might be given to this accident Palamede and Melintus tooke care to lead Aristides
end and hee should have enough to do to defend him from al those that came so thick upon him yet he was resolv'd to stay for him but this last man seeing his courage and so many dead about him ran away as fast as he came and at the same time freed Melintus of so many troubles and Ariana of all her apprehensions Melintus would no more strike Marcelin seeing he made no signe of life and giving the gods thankes for this victory wiped Marcelins sword and taking the scabberd wore it by his side Then Ariana breathing at her ease consider'd Melintus and admir'd him that after having runne so many dangers and acquir'd so much glory hee appear'd with a confidence so modest and a face untroubled for any amazement But all on the sudden she saw him grow pale and fearing hee might have some deadly hurt for he was cover'd all over with bloud shee held him up and ask'd him if he felt no wound about him Madam sayes hee feare not for seeing me all bloody it is not mine but the blood of my enemies yet for all this as he was speaking he found himselfe to faint and with Ariana's helpe he layd him softly downe upon the ground The blood that ran from Melintus shoulder made the blood retire out of the cheekes of Ariana who full of feare and care presently undrest him in that place and found a wound that for the smalnesse of it cast out blood sufficient shee tore her handkercher and with much adoe stayed the course of it then shee so bound it up as there was no more cause to feare While shee was busie at this sad duty which Melintus with all respect receiv'd at her hands they heard the noyse of horses and turning their heads saw ten or twelve horsemen comming still towards them Melintus without being astonish'd said to her Madam leave this unprofitable care and whereof I am unworthy I see there is no remedy but I must dye but yet I will that it be in defending you to the last breath Onely Madam remember your selfe There his speech fail'd him not knowing how he might discover himselfe Ariana lively touch'd at so respectuous a passion and unable to resist so sensible stroaks of misfortune fainted for griefe and after shee had said Ah Melintus lost both her speech and sight This desolate lover thinking to give her his last kisse approach'd his mouth to Ariana's then recollecting all the force and resolution was remaining in him left her in that miserable estate to get up on horsebacke which he did though with paine and possest with confusion and despaire went on with his sword in his hand to seeke out a certaine death amongst those that came neere him His arrive no whit troubled them and Melintus seeing they made not so much as appearance of defending themselves stayed him a while and regarding them with lesse trouble perceived it was Aristides Palamede and the rest of their troop The joy that came all at once to possesse his soule had a great strife at the entry with all the afflictions that had taken place in it before neverthelesse it had the mastery of them and making him taste the sweetnesses of it gave him the liberty to embrace Palamede to whom he told his errour and resolution Then they ran towards Ariana who of her selfe returning out of her swouning at the same time saw her grifes fading away at a sight so pleasing After the common rejoycing for being so happily found one of another Palamede was wondring to see all those dead men with their Armes and Marcelin himselfe in the number Ariana made him a relation of the extreme valour of Melintus that had slaine them all with admirable strength and dexterity and when they had given deserved commendations to the courage of Melintus they were all of a mind how it was a just punishment of the gods that Marcelin should come so hastily to seeke out his owne destruction Aristides that knew not the cause of his rage could not imagine what had provok'd him to all those villanies and turning him towards the City that seemed all over on a flame ceas'd not bewailing this desolation that appear'd yet more fearefull in the horrour of the night But they thought it not safe for them to stay in that place but get the next Forest for feare they were taken for murtherers that in some desart place they might passe away all the day for feare of being pursued and there expect the next night to gaine the port of Ostia and from thence set saile for Sicily They us'd the horses of these dead men and on one of them they set Aristides and Ariana and they had gone about three miles journey whilest Melintus and Ariana were inform'd what valour Palamede had showne in favouring the going out of his father and the rest and the day approaching they entred into the Forest where getting into a place farre out of the way and obscure they resolv'd there to passe away the day Melintus Palamede and the rest accommodated certaine places with cloaks and boughs to rest in and day light giving meanes to Ariana to consider the company one by one she perceiv'd Epicharis had aâ—l her haire burn'd which for all she was sorry for yet she could not choose but laugh at it Epicharis was easily comforted being glad the misfortune went no further than that losse and thereupon every one began to tell his adventure They found but one man missing that Marcelin had kill'd then they provided for their necessities and sent a slave to the port to stay a vessell for them and Arcas with another to the next village to buy meat About midday Melintus and Palamede advised to goe see the paths of the Forest that they might with ease find the way to make their retrait by night and not be troubled with a continuall error because the Moone was to rise but late Arcas that never had forsaken his Master followed him that they might the better together observe the turnings of wayes and remember them But when they had gone through all and were out of the wood they spyed a troop of horsemen that were comming to them and returning againe to Rome They were forc'd to put themselves againe into the entrance of the wood to let them passe away and not be seene of them and when they were very neere they heard one of them saying lowd enough It must needs bee we have not taken the way they are in for we had by this heard newes of them He that kill'd Marcelin and the rest is a man remarkable enough and has the woman with him we are to bring to the Emperour and when I would have reveng'd the death of Marcelin and my companions three or foure men joyned themselves to him so I was faine to save my selfe This man spake too cleare to make any doubt in Melintus if it were he they sought or no. We are lost sayes Palamede it they finde us
Ergina Melintus sister but he was expell'd the house of Telephus by Melintus especially because he could not endure him for the robberies hee did himselfe in stead of hindering others from committing them Neverthelesse they could neither accuse Toxaris nor Garamant for this attempt against my brothers and Melintus life for there was not left life enough in the men that remaind upon the place to get the truth out of them Two dayes after Melintus and my brother receiv'd a challenge from these two friends who to revenge them for the affront they had receiv'd would joyne their quarrels together and they knew they attended them alone out of the Towne in a place whither a young boy that brought the paper was to conduct them Melintus mistrusted some treachery and could not beleeve that such cowards as they were were minded to fight with them so freely and without advantage and yet that they might not seeme to recule they resolv'd to goe thither with a designe to guard themselves from foule play This boy leads them out of the City towards certaine hollow places whence stones were digged and shewed them from a hill Toxaris and Garamant all alone in a place where there was no cause to feare there were any men hidden for it was in a plaine peece of ground and they might easily marke every thing that was farre off round about it The youth said to them that now they saw them he had no more to doe with them and retir'd himselfe Melintus advancing himselfe a horsebacke as he was to goe right to them saw the ordinary way to be cross'd with trees and stones and that there was but one path to passe by that was very neare to a quarry of stone hee was in a wonder at that but Palamede without any more consideration thrust forward his horse towards the path and Melintus was strangely taken to see him all at once sinke as if the earth had swallowed him and nothing more appear'd to his sight but a great open gulph into which Palamede was fallen with his horse Instantly Melintus ran to the descent of the quarry for one might freely goe there being on horsebacke and seeing foure souldiers that went to cut my brothers throat he ran to them his sword in his hand and by his cryes made them turne towards him whilest my brother came out of the dazelling of his fall which by good fortune did him no very great hurt and got quit of his horse that was dead of it Already had Melintus strucke downe two of them at his feet and incenc'd with fury to see so great treason tooke him to the two other when Toxaris and Garamant arriv'd that made him turne face towards them and at the same time my brother found himselfe ready to set upon the two souldiers that remain'd I cannot relate all the particulars of that combat for they are both of them too modest to have recited what proofes of their valour they gave onely I can tell thee that my brother having defeated those souldiers and Melintus pierced the two Traitors with many wounds they constrain'd them at last to take flight Melintus would not pursue them for leaving my brother that was afoot and seeing one of those foure souldiers that still breathed hee made him confesse that all the night they had prepar'd that hole with hurdles that were not underpropt but with little sticks and that they had cover'd them over with earth so as the trap could not be discern'd that after that they had broken the ordinary way to oblige them to passe by that corner Melintus thanking the gods for having deliver'd them from that Ambush tooke up my brother behind him and leaving this wretch to breathe his last they return'd into the City My brother was a while to be cur'd of a hurt he tooke of his fall and since that we heard no newes of Garamant or Toxaris but that one told us they were gone to a Countrey house where they hardly scap'd dying of their wounds Palamede made me the relation of all had passed and yet hee signified how Melintus was not willing it should be knowne for feare the cause thereof should withall come to light and I am sure his greatest feare was lest I should be comprehended in the discourse well knowing how averse I was to be mingled in the City newes It came to passe a while after that Diocles reviving his suit for his sonne oneday Palamede came to tell me in Melintus presence that hee thought my uncle Dicearchus would at last agree to the marriage of me and Amyntas This newes put me to blushing and made Melintus mute for a time yet not willing my brother saw his amazednesse he told me that hee thought Amyntas very happy then he ask'd me if I were well acquainted with him I answered him how I never desir'd to enquire after him being resolv'd to shut my eyes and take what husband should be given me Palamede that had a minde to laugh told me you may by night well take him so your eyes clos'd but I can tell you that by day he shall put you to no feare Melintus that would nor contradict him sayes to me that without doubt hee was a very honest man Neverthelesse this discourse being ended he went out as I ghess'd very much troubled and since that he was a good while without seeing me I conceal'd not my wondring at it from my brother and he told me he had not seene him neither since I did but that hee had heard say how Telephus and Diocles that were so great friends were lately fallen out and it might be Telephus had forbidden Melintus to come to our house because of the suit Diocles made for me with his sonne yet to enquire further into the truth hee went to see him About night my brother came to tell mee that Melintus had beene stayed at home with a Fever and for no other cause besides I presently imagin'd his sicknesse proceeded from nothing but the resolution I had express'd to him for this match for else hee would have sent to advertise my brother of it Some dayes pass'd on still in which Palamede told me that he was better and one afternoone he came to our house where he found no body but my brother and I Palamede having some urgent appointment left us alone together and then entring into discourse with Melintus he answered me but with certaine words that well shewed the pressures of his spirit I told him without doubt something troubled him Madam sayes hee to me I confesse there is some confusion in my minde which I cannot be rid of but in telling you the cause of it and yet there is something that forbids me also the discovery of it to you I was somewhat amaz'd thinking he would have declar'd his love to me for without all question I had then banish'd him my sight for ever neverthelesse I said thus to him T is with you to judge whether you ought
concerning you I am too much obliged to your freedome to hurt you I am but troubled with you for the fashion you are to use in behaving you in the midst of so many enemies Madam saies he that 's the least care I have seeing you so favourably entertaine my secret and I hope it shal be one day so well confirm'd to you that you wil not repent you to have done so many favors to a person of my condition Melintus saies I to him the knowledge you give mee of your illustrious birth addes very little to the esteeme I had of you already and you expresse so much confidence in mee as I am thereby obliged from henceforth to have as much interest as you your selfe in all that may concerne you especially I wish you to resolve of nothing without me concerning the carriage of your selfe so much part will I take in all thing shall arrive to you Hee was so transported for this testimony of affection that hee tooke the boldnesse to kisse my hand in stead of thanking me that was the first favour hee obtaind of me and the onely I have since that permitted him then we advised to let some time passe during which many things might be cleared To assure him I sware to him that I would never marry Amyntas and in the meane time we found it very expedient that Telephus should not discover him and that he should make what friends he could to strengthen himselfe which would be no difficult matter Above all that he sought the peoples good will wherein a few dayes since he had a very favourable occasion having obtaind of the Emperor the exemption of Tributes and that when all things were prepar'd they might accuse Diocles and verifie the birth by those witnesses Telephus should bring then to demand of him the evidences of the goods he had usurped which would be impossible for him to shew He protested he would follow my counsell and gave me such passionate thanks for the care I took of his fortune that it was impossible for me to resist so much affection and from that time without ever making love one to another we were assured that there was not so perfect a one as ours We thought it best not to let Palamede know any thing because of his too forward nature that would with all violence declare himselfe for Melintus against Diocles which we judged unnecessary Melintus made Telephus consent not to discover him yet and told him hee was assur'd that Palamede knew well how to hinder his sisters marriage for me I let Amyntas know that I was not resolv'd to marry yet this yeere and that he should take heed he made no propositions thereof before wherein he promis'd to obey me Afterwards the occasion being presented of the Ambassage to Rome from Syracuse Palamede had a minde to that voyage and I made Melintus resolve to accompany him upon the assurance I gave him privately that in his absence there should passe nothing to his prejudice besides I told him he might find occasion to serve his Countrey and get a reputation with the Ambassadors by his counsels and interpositions In all which thou hast heard what good successe befell him and what honours he had receiv'd at his return into Sicily if fortune at this present had not beene so contrary to him Thou seest then Epicharis whether I trust thee or no in revealing to thee the secret of Melintus and mine but I desire the gods would send him no other misfortune but that I feare might happen to him by thy indiscretion Epicharis had bin so attentive to all this discourse and so ravish'd with hearing so many strange passages that she seem'd to have lost the use of her speech but then she began to say Madam I thinke I never receiv'd so much contentment as in hearing your discourse as well for having understood so pleasing relations as for the confidence you have in mee I assure my selfe that such faire fortunes as yours and such vertuous affections shall not have so unfortunate an end as that you feare and the honour you doe me obliges me to undertake any thing that may conduce to yours and Melintus service Alas Epicharis replide Ariana I can hardly ever expect to see him in a place where I may resolve of any thing to his advantage or where thou mightst be able to serve us Madam sayes Epicharis raising up her selfe I beseech you to suffer that this very houre I may expresse the passion I have for you What canst thou doe answers Ariana He has left you sayes she Arcas and given him charge not to abandon you Give mee him in exchange and give mee leave to stay in this Countrey to learne what may become of them to assist them and send you newes of them How sayes Ariana canst thou be able to doe any thing being but a wench and besides that all alone in the Country Madam replied she the disgrace that fell to me by the burning of my haire shall much advantage my designe I will disguise my selfe in a boy and this night 't will be easie for me to escape from you in the wood when you are upon parting Epicharis said Ariana thou art too couragious I feare thy labour will be but unprofitable and in the meane time I shall bee deprived of thy company and consolations Madam sayes she I have taken this resolution and should remaine here against your will if you would not thinke it fitting but I beseech you to give your consent Ariana at last accorded to that device and seeing there yet remain'd day enough before they could depart they fell both of them asleepe ARIANA. The fifth Booke ARistides not knowing the designe of Epicharis after hee had slept a while considered upon all the resolutions were to bee taken in this disaster one while he would have return'd to Rome to defend his sonnes cause if hee were in the hands of Justice and to move compassion both with the Judges and the Emperour On the other side hee would not carry his daughter thither nor yet let her goe alone into Sicily seeing Nero had such desires to her At last knowing it was necessary for him to follow Arcas his advice and to goe out of Italy where they should not faile to be alwayes pursued he could not be comforted for abandoning his sonne in so great a hazard of his life and yet he determin'd to leave some one in the Countrey that might advise of means to assist Melintus and him and keepe them from any misfortune Hee found none so fit for this as Arcas and intreated him to take the employment on him but he assur'd him he had no greater desire than to doe this service but that he had oblig'd himselfe to Palamede by an oath not to forsake them till they were in Sicily and therefore this commission must be given to another Aristides chose out the most advised of his servants that was call'd Hermes and having instructed
tell this encounter to Epicharis with whom I laugh'd a good while at Asylas affliction for finding himselfe so backward in his account She confest she had invented this way to rid her of him and for merry pastime when she desir'd it But in the end I said to her And for mee how many yeeres will you ordaine mee There needs many said she because it may be you would often find the meanes to oblige me and I should feare you would never doe any thing to displease me If that were so answer'd I you ought to wish the terme might soone end to possesse him that would not displease you Looke you then sayes she there must be some other person besides me to make you happy but I sweare to you also I should never give my selfe to any lesse than you And if fortune restores me not to a higher condition you may be assur'd no man shall ever enjoy me in that I am now in The greatest of my desires is come about that I may live with the divine Ariana your sister 'T is with her I will end my dayes in the height of felicity I sweare to you Melintus that hearing her speake with so great a heart I knew not what it was kept me backe from taking her by violence out of my parents hands to give her liberty and marry her after but knowing she her selfe would never consent to that for feare of angring Dicearchus Aristides and Ariana I did nothing but augment my love by the experience of her vertue Some time after she pleas'd me againe so well that I was neere upon the losing of all respect or consideration I beleeve you were then in the Countrey with Telephus when my sister made a dance of Egyptian women I have heard said Melintus of something there was done in my absence which I shall be glad to heare of You know replies Palamede how Epicharis sings and playes on the Lute very pleasantly We were all assembled at my uncle Dicearchus his to receive this Masque I saw her enter with three other women in the number of whom was my sister and when the noyse was appeas'd she recited these verses in Musicke FOure Sisters we be come from Egypt together To appeare in these parts Vnknowne were the loves of Cypris our mother And Mercury god of Arts. Our father at our birth left us for portion Dexterity of hand And Venus she gave us beauty in proportion Mankind for to command Now seene shall it be if any of this City May easily escape If our hands he avoyd our eyes farre more witty Shall finely him intrap I was one of the nearest of the spectators and so rapt with seeing and hearing her that I had lost the use of my other senses to make happy those of sight and hearing onely which made me I tooke no heed when one of these Egyptians put her hand into my pocket in the meane time and tooke away what I had there When the recite was ended and the dance following it they that saw I was robbed made shew to looke if they had lost nothing by these she-robbers I did as much and instantly cried out that I had beene robbed and ran to Epicharis to intreat her to give me againe what they had taken from me then to my sister and the rest of them but they all denied the theft and I had no newes of it till the next morning when I saw comming into my Chamber a young boy I knew not that brought me what I had lost with a little paper wherein were writ these words The Egyptians are content to let you see that they know how to get more than they desire to keepe acknowledge their power and thanke their courtesie I urg'd this young childe to tell me who sent him but he would never be knowne of it and all I could get of him was to give me leisure to make an answer And I went to write thus To the most Gentile of the Egyptians IF you had purpos'd to returne me all you tooke from me I should have found a heart amongst the things it pleas'd you to restore but if you thinke it fitting I consent it stay still with you as earnest of the fidelity I sweare to you All these Gentilesses gave me intirely to her and yet since that time I serv'd her with a great respect because the commodity at our house being the fitter to make attempts upon her I perceiv'd that she did the more refraine expressing her good will towards me for feare I might not take the more boldnesse but I confesse to you that what ever intreaty she made mee I never left commending in my minde her carriage My sister was very well pleas'd with my affection knowing this wench to be very discreet and was perswaded she would find the way to moderate my over-hasty humour if I tooke pleasure in obeying her She alwayes therefore us'd me very seriously but one time when I assur'd her of the love I had to her And may I said shee have some proofe to confirme it I was amaz'd and glad withall she desir'd some service at my hands and made offer of all I was able to doe to please her Know if it be possible said she to me of Dicearchus what my birth is for I beleeve certainly hee knowes it 'T is not that I am weary of living as I doe for to serve Ariana I would forsake the most free condition of the world but I should have cause to rejoyce in waiting on her service purely out of good will and not out of necessity I commended her desire and promis'd to use all the intreaties I could to that end then I added would to God my faire maid our conditions might in some fashion meet one with another I should have as much cause to joy at that perswasion as you your selfe for I beleeve I shall never have power to dispose of my selfe untill I see what fortune shall have resolv'd of you I will not answer'd she make any profession to you how much I am oblig'd to your affection for that were unusefull but if ever the state of my life may change you shall finde I will not forget the least of your respects I prayed her to beleeve I would alwayes serve her after that manner and proffer'd my selfe in case my uncle gave me no light to know what she were to goe to the farthest parts of the world that I might learne the truth of it But when I had put Dicearchus upon that discourse I could never draw any clearing of the question from him He told me indeed that he had her of the Pyrats upon the Sea coast towards Camarine but that made me never the wiser and I was very angry for having understood nothing else to satisfie Epicharis desire Presently after the occasion of going to Rome was presented and when I bade her adiew she said Take heed fortune upon the Sea make not you of my condition and by equalling you
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
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
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
when so neare my heart their flames I spied Must I be burn'd said I for feare I drown'd should be Long time I did endure because I loved them But in the end surmounted by their heat extreme I tooke my leave of you to ' scape a fire so sore To the water I return'd to seeke a remedy Although I had despite to crave so suddenly An ayd from that which would have drowned me before Then from a hundred clowds the heaven upon me powres What-ever it contain'd of tempests or of showres To ravish from your eyes the honour of my dying So came I backe to you faire Starre of my desire For in your sight I chose and in that flame t' expire Then perish in the waters never you espying In the end Amyntas desirous to be free of the importunities of Misander and knowing his humour advised of a tricke as phantasticall as he knew his wit was for the kinde and we had discours'd of him sometimes Amyntas and I and were both perswaded that he would be engag'd by contempts and put off by favours he chanc'd to tell me once that he could not thinke well of the least liberty a Maid tooke to expresse an affection to a man judge you if he perswaded me to make any appeare to him So Amyntas writ a letter in my name and having superscrib'd the direction of it to Misander he made me beleeve being with us that he had receiv'd it from Reggium with some others and prayed a wench I had to carry it him for he lodged very neare us without telling where she had it I knew since that it was thus Erycine to Misander Your respect hath vanquish'd my coldnesse and your modesty hath acquired you all the esteeme you could have hoped for of me but because the restraint you use permits you not liberty enough I was willing to prevent you with this and to assure you I shall take it very well that you let me know by yours the quality of your affection Amyntas after he knew of his receiving it would see how his plot tooke he went to him and entring into discourse with a friendlike familiarity told him hee came from quitting mee and that hee beleev'd I would make him dye for love and hee should never be able to move mee by his affection or by any other duty Misander answered him You that are of so jolly dispositions you know not how to serve Ladies Doe you thinke that all your freedomes are so acceptable to them There must bee discretion and that no common one neither but of the perfect stampe such as that I serve her with What said Amyntas laughing doe you beleeve that your sadnesse and your silence pleases her that were to love the most troublesome thing in the world Hee would oblige him by this meanes to let him know his good fortune and Misander failed not therein for with a smile that seem'd to mocke at the other hee answered him Neverthelesse this sadnesse and this silence gaine me the favours which your jollities ought not to pretend to Amyntas to engage him further pursues And what perswasion have you ever had that Erycine approves your humour He answered him walking up and downe and going with a stately pace By the certaine demonstrations I have receiv'd of it Yoa replide Amyntas you must have dream'd it then this last night for I have heard her speake of you in a fashion that was not very advantageous for you Hee return'd Shee conceales by that the good shee wishes mee but read this sayes hee in presenting him the Letter and you shall know the truth of the matter if you know what belongs to writing Then Amyntas tooke the Table-booke and after he had read it hee feined to enter into a rage to see him favour'd to his prejudice hee blotted out what was written and then cast the Table-booke into the fire that I might not receive harme by it if hee should have shewne it to some body else and in the end said a thousand things to him against me as transported with love and fury Misander would have beene angry for that hee had so us'd his Letter What said Amyntas can you put an estimation upon the favours of that woman that first writes to you and takes a liberty that is unpardonable for a Maid for my part take her to you in this humour shee is of she must needs have a great longing to have her letters seene since shee cannot stay till shee receives any and is not content to write to one alone I would but put a tricke upon you thinking my selfe had beene the onely man shee oblig'd by such a favour as this See continued hee taking out of his pocket a letter of the same writing if I had not cause to be confident in her good graces but I scorne a thing shee makes so common and sweare never to see her while I live then hee threw the Letter in the fire as he had done the other and before he went away so wrought upon Misander to bring him to what hee desired that they protested one to the other never to see mee more I finde Ariana interrupted that hee something endangered your reputation onely to get himselfe the liberty of seeing you more at his ease 'T is true replied Erycine and when he made mee the relation of this I was angry with him but hee told mee that if Misander should chance to boast of that I had written to him as little as I were knowne or he either never could it be beleev'd So lost I this lovely Misander but Amyntas did not long time enjoy his artifice and had no great trouble to hide himselfe from him for comming to our house because hee was forced to keepe away by a misfortune that arriv'd Diocles and my father had some contestation in pursute whereof it was forbidden Amyntas to come at us and me to receive him A little after I heard of the sute Diocles made to have you for him and one day when he came to mee in the Temple and would expresse to me the regret hee had for that misfortune of being hindred seeing mee I told him These are not the speeches you are to study for the faire Ariana you must rather make you provision for some first offers of service Hee answered me I know very well that Ariana is the desire of all Syracuse and that you have cause to thinke I esteeme her knowing that shee is one of the most perfect we can see but assure your selfe I will never turne my eyes towards her merit for to faile in the fidelity I have sworne to you I said to him How dare you speake thus to mee since I know the sute you are making to her Say rather if it please you replied he that my father makes to her but albeit he beleeves I would not oppose my selfe to his intention yet I hope many things will fall out before he obtaines that he desires Dicearchus loves
him not and will never give his consent Ariana hath too great a spirit and will never make esteeme of mee especially not seeking to her by any duties and though all things were resolv'd on be assured that I would get mee farre enough away for their ever seeing mee untill the faire Ariana were married She deserves at the least an intire heart and mine can never be but Erycina's I make an oath here before these gods we adore and desire them to punish me as perjurious if I ever quit an affection which I have maintain'd from my birth and will take a course to preserve it to my grave Hee spake this to mee with so much assurance that I had an opinion he did not deceive me and I answered him that nothing but time could make me judge if he were true or no. Ever since he hath continued the same protestations to me and what-ever bruit ran of your marriage I never found his passion at all abated Thinke faire Ariana went Erycina on if I had not cause to esteeme my selfe much indebted to him for at that time he saw himselfe so rich the change of his fortune chang'd not his affection but since what fidelity would not have given way to the hopes of possessing this divine Ariana That word made her blush and oblig'd her to desire she would use her with lesse flattery Permit me replide Erycira to speake thus of you for there is no doubt but that this change had beene too advantageous for him Notwithstanding I was assured hee abus'd me not because I knew that he came not at you and you cannot imagine what torments I endur'd in these traverses for the occasions of loving him still continued and I saw lesse appearance than ever that our marriage could be Consider for the present what contentment I receive by the assurance you give mee that you are yet farther off from thinking any such matter than hee is and by seeing you now in a power to be no more constrain'd against your minde since you have no more father to rule you There is no doubt answered Ariana but you are oblig'd to love Amyntas for I can assure you he hath never sought to give mee the least testimony of affection and in stead of thinking amisse of him for making so small account of the search of me I extremely commend him for not failing of his faith to you In the fashion you have describ'd him to me hee must needs have his heart in a good place and I hope your affections shall attaine their desired end so farre am I from hindering it that I could wish I were happy enough to serve you therein and satisfie the obligation I have to you for not concealing from me your secrets But replide Erycine who can then be that person I have interest in that may one day enjoy you Deare Erycine said Ariana I give you leave to ghesse but you shall never know it from my mouth Truly answered she you pay mee well for the freedome wherewith I have told you the dearest thoughts of my soule Then shee goes on My Brother shall he be so happy That may be replide Ariana and yet never shall my husband be your brother I comprehend not your meaning said Erycine There are many other secrets also replied Ariana that concerne you and Amyntas too as much as my selfe but upon this subject words are forbidden mee and within a few dayes nothing shall be hid from you onely content your selfe that I hope to finde the meanes to make us both happy As they ended that discourse Epicharis that was up came to them and Ariana reaching out her armes to her made her come nearer to embrace her againe and said to her My deare Wench is 't possible I should see thee againe and that with thy selfe thou shouldst bring mee so many contentments Can I ever love thee sufficiently for so many services thou hast rendered mee Madam answered Epicharis the satisfaction I have for having done any thing to please you has place of a great recompence with mee yet I refuse not the honour of your love without which I confesse I could not live Erycine said also that shee was much beholding to her for her brothers safety And because it was now late they were surpriz'd in this entertainment by Palamede who came into the Chamber bringing Melintus with him and opening the Curtaines called them sluggards for being still in bed Melintus who was more retentive said they had endur'd paine enough the day before for to rest yet the whole day 'T is not reason said the faire Ariana that you should be walking up and downe alone by your selves to day and although my uncle has shewne Melintus all he thought worthy to be seene in his house I am sure I shall let him see beauties which he cannot see unlesse I be there Without all doubt replied Melintus where you are not many beauties are wanting That 's not my meaning said Ariana but there are certaine places in the house whose beauty is unknowne but to my selfe and I will carry you thither to see if you will be of my opinion If they please you replide Melintus I make no question but they will be pleasing to me and they will be so the more when you are there Let us then dresse us said Erycine and goe you downe to stay for us in the garden where we will presently come to you They could not deny them this leisure and so the two friends went out of that place sorrily where so many beauties were not so carefully hid but that some one would still discover it selfe that seem'd never to have seene day before so white and delicate it appeared They had word brought them that certaine men inquir'd to speake with them in the Court of the Castle and impatient to see who it was they went to them whilest these faire Ladies dress'd them with all the curiosity they could devise ARIANA. The eighth Booke THe accident that had happened to Dicearchus the day before was knowne that very night in Syracuse and every one rejoyced that they had all of them escap'd the danger but when they learn'd how this was done by the succours of Melintus and Palamede that were living there was a publike joy so great that never did any people expresse the like Telephus and Hyperia could hardly beleeve so happy a newes after they had mourned for Melintus as dead and resented his losse with as many griefes as his desert and their good nature could produce in them Telephus had not fail'd to have come to him if he had beene in a friends house but hee was content to send him word to come away suddenly to see them and that he would no longer deny them this contentment Dicearchus chiefest friends came from Syracuse to congratulate his good fortune and the friends of Melintus and Palamede came in great haste to see and embrace them Diocles was not wanting to send to heare
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
once refus'd the small ingagement of the parties leaves every thing in the same state it was in but as soone as overture shall be made on my part I must spend all the powers I have and my very life in the acquiring of a good fortune without which I can no longer live in the world I replide to him Doe but on your part what depends on you and for me doubt not but I will yet doe more than you dare hope I will beleeve the gods will take care of us and not suffer that wee be long-time divided Hee tooke my hand and kist it a good while full of transportation and joy and to retire him from that trouble I told him we were to thinke upon the meanes we should use Wee advis'd that though hee had kindred at Corinth yet it were better the proposition should be made to my father by Artemidorus being a fit man to open the purpose of it as a common friend and capable afterwards to perswade by the strength of his reasons and that if need were others might joyne in it all the difficulty was to have newes one of another in case the businesse went hard for to give advice of all should passe and remedy the disorders might supervene I could not resolve of trusting any body and that was a good turne for me for without doubt I had beene betrayed At last I told him I had a closet that was over a street where few ever passed and that at night I would let slip a cord to which hee might tye the letters he sent mee and the day after hee should have my answer And so that was resolv'd on and hee parted from me with much sorrow fearing he should not see me againe of a long time yet I saw him once more but it was in company of some others and he had onely leisure to tell me how Artemidore would be for him with an extreme affection and was to propose the businesse the next day I waited for that day with a great deale of unquietnesse and in the morning I prepar'd my selfe to looke well when Artemidore should come to our house but I was prevented for my father returning home to dinner I saw him looke but with a sowre face and walking fast up and downe as if he had some thought to vex him I knew that hee came from Artemidore and made no more doubt of that made him so thoughtfull Wee din'd without a word speaking and after dinner hee went into the Closet where his bookes were and sent for me to come to him I came trembling as if they had led mee to execution but yet as I entred I recollected my spirits and as his custome was to speake to me as soone as ever any occasion was presented he said Daughter I heard this morning that you are sought of one whose deserts are well knowne to you and to mee too there are difficulties that would divert me from thinking of him and there are some reasons also to make mee have liking to him but before hearing of any proposall I was willing to know if you could resolve with your selfe to receive him I desired to seeme crafty and preventing him said Father I beseech you name no man to mee but beleeve that whatever he be I shall receive him so he be a fit man in your opinion Hee had spoken thus mildly to me of purpose well doubting that I was advertis'd of all and by and by he perceiv'd my cunning Then he goes on No no daughter it belongs to you to make choyce of him you are to live with and I shall see afterwards if your choyce be reasonable because in this judgement you are to referre your selfe to mee and I will tell you truly that 't is Lepantus is your suter I could not abstaine from blushing yet thinking how all depended of the declaration I should make in his favour I answered Sir Lepantus hath too many good qualities and I have too often heard you valuing him to finde any thing to be disesteem'd in him if he be agreeable to you I shall soone let you see that I have no other designe but to obey you This answer though it seem'd very faire made my satisfaction too manifestly appeare to him hee thought the demand was not made but that I desir'd it besides the mistrust he had heretofore of our intelligence together and there was nothing could more have hurt us than the knowledge of this confidence that was betwixt us without his leave and though he had had no other cause to complaine of Lepantus that provok'd him enough to tell mee with an angry countenance I see well hee does not displease you but I feare lest that which most pleases you in him be not that that most offends me goe I will thinke of it and in the meane I forbid you seeing him Those words strangely amaz'd me and I went out as full of confusion as I had beene before of hope At night I knew by Lepantus letters that Artemidore had propos'd our marriage to my father and remonstrated all the considerations that might move him to it which hee something coldly hearkned to and promis'd to thinke upon it I counsell'd him to employ all the friends he could make to perswade my father before hee gave any answer to his disadvantage because I came to know that hee was greatly offended at our affection in such sort that there passed no day that those that had a power over him did not speake of this businesse to him whereupon hee would give no resolution Lepantus was very well belov'd at Corinth and as soone as his ayme was knowne there was none but desir'd he might succeed in it Every one made wishes for him and saw with sorrow the torment hee endur'd because of my fathers aversion And for that I was in some estimation there too they thought nothing could better be fitted together than wee two and I beleeve this that never were humours so equall he not onely loved all that was perfect but had rendred himselfe so accomplish'd withall that whatever faire qualities men have paine to acquire seem'd to have beene bred with him for me I will not say I was of that perfection but yet I could not approve but that that was so Wee did ordinarily give the like judgement of all things our courage was elevated to the same degree and wee affected the same kind of life both Doe but see what happinesse I had possest if we could have come to have liv'd together My father was blam'd of all for opposing himselfe to our desires there being none but would have judg'd this affection to have beene nourish'd of a long time betweene us and that he would have attempted nothing but by my permission I protest it despighted me that the world beleev'd I lov'd him and I was sorry that his merit was so knowne to all as it was impossible but it should be knowne to mee too I would have wish'd him
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
taken with so violent a fever that it troubled my judgement and made me furious I lost all respect and knowledge and when Callias came neare mee I cryed out Take away that Monster that would devoure me ha the villaine beast I am undone see his venome that he casts upon mee and I retired mee as much as was possible If my father came to restore mee to my wits with gentlenesse I said to him Ha! hangman of thy owne blood goe cruell man thinke not to put mee into the clawes of this Dragon I will kill my selfe rather No no thou shalt never carry mee thither see Lepantus there comming to my succours then turning me againe I said Generous Lepantus how doe you come to my defence since I was cause of your death What have you pitty enough of mee to goe set upon him Well on then goe kill this Monster and take heed hee does not enwrap you with his taile Courage my deare Lepantus see already one paw strucke off Courage his blood is lost Lepantus one blow more looke looke hee is dead then I rejoyced and thought to embrace Lepantus as victorious and demanded his pardon for making him dye with a thousand prayers that were followed with a torrent of teares I cannot relate to you all my franticke humours knowing nothing of them but what they told mee afterwards but my transport ceased not but when Callias and my father betooke them out of my presence Then returning to my ordinary sense I could not beleeve what they told mee of my madnesse although I felt great vexation of minde for the losse of Lepantus and the displeasure of my errours And I consider'd into what misery I had enengaged my selfe when I preferred to be miserable before any should know that I loved since I was then both miserable and knowne to bee in love But againe my fever and fury tooke mee as soone as ever they return'd to see me as three or foure dayes after seeing how my life was indangered and no appearance this marriage could be consummate for what I had exprest for Lepantus and against Callias they were resolv'd at last to assure mee that he should not be my husband then my fever much abated and when all the agreements were quite broke because of my aversion by little and little I recovered my health but I had still left so great a griefe for Lepantus death that never since could I finde any contentment At all instants his faire qualities and the obligations I had to him came into my minde the fault for having brought him to dye is to mee so cruell a remembrance that it gives mee no repose and I have found too true that he fore-told mee In the end I was resolved to put my selfe into this Temple for to spend my dayes in the service of the gods since I so ill knew how to use the good fortune they had offered me amongst men And this is that my deare Ariana I have to tell you of my life that it may serve you for example and hinder your falling into the same faults that have beene cause of so much affliction to mee for I see that your affaires take the very same way that mine did and if you be no wiser than I you will make your selfe as miserable Ariana who had given great attention to this discourse then brake her silence and said I have had much contentment to heare the particular of your life but as much displeasure withall to know the misfortune of it I finde that in some things you are blameable and in others excusable because you were injurious to forget the merit of Lepantus and to be changing in effect but on the other side the authoritie of a father is very great and I doe not know how I my selfe should have resisted it Heretofore answered Cyllenia I thought this authority was not given to fathers but to this end that wee might not doubt to render the respect we ought to the wisedome of their counsels but since examining all things I have found that there is nothing so tyrannicall and that they onely hide their owne phancies under this cloake of goodnesse and love towards us Ariana assure your selfe our parents have their designes quite differing from ours after wee have well considered of choosing a person vertuous accomplish'd and conformable to our humour to passe our life with in honour and repose they come to regard him with other eyes they will be onely satisfied and suffer no inconvenience our happinesse is the least thing they consider if they have some little cause of hatred against that we desire or some interest that obliges them to desire what we avoyd to conceale the true cause of their owne passions they will blame ours they will represent us the obedience we owe them and what shame it is to make our selves be spoken of serving them of our very vertues for to make us miserable then they employ their power against our weaknesse for there is no doubt and you will confesse that in this subject I have made my selfe very learned to my cost that if our understanding bee not well fortified by reason it will many times waver in the execution of an enterprise and be driven out of the considerations upon which it was founded by other very light ones for the most part We ought to doe nothing we have not well thought of and approved that nothing afterwards may be capable of making us repent for the lightnesse of our judgements for repentance makes the thing ill which of it selfe was good and the election that is founded upon a certaine science and firme discourse of reason ought never to be changed Thus when wee have knowne a person to be of a happy birth endowed with all honest qualities and for these just respects have found him worthy of our friendship and have beene willing to expresse this esteeme of him that we have received his assurances and returned him ours there is no more consideration that should dis-ingage us our soule is given to him when wee have entertain'd his heaven hath allied us our vertue can no more consent to undoe what we have done and the thoughts that move us to dreame upon other subjects are all of them criminall and against the honour of our sex that cannot endure there should exist a man to whom in effect we have given our heart while another shall enjoy our bodies this meditation alone is a perpetuall executioner to us what-ever face we put on and what pretence soever we take for the excuse of our Fightnesse I perceive interrupted Ariana that you have well studied these considerations and shall have cause to mistrust my owne courage since yours being grounded on so good sense was able to give way to difficulties Truly replied Cyllenia peradventure you need not feare falling into the like errors that I have done because the authority of an Vncle is not so powerfull as that of a father and besides
your good graces She could not answer me because some company came neare us and I was reasonably well pleas'd for having express'd my affection to her and the poore esteeme was made of Tygranes before I was separate from her I parted from Archelaus Court with a purpose to goe to Rome and to returne as speedily as I could into Armenia to acquit me of my charge where when I had stayed as little as I possibly might I was resolv'd to goe re-visit Pasithea the privation of whom was so cruell to mee that all the moments I passed without seeing her were so many years to me of insupportable punishments Judge Eurymedon continued he what misfortune 't was to mee to be taken by you at that time my very voyage it selfe was tedious enough to me and what kinde of life I must lead in this place where peradventure I lose the fortune of my Master and the dearest of my owne hopes Then teares abundantly flowed from his eyes whereat I was touched but yet more to know that I was the cause of so great a trouble in the affaires of Tyridates and the loves of that Prince all which obliged me to say to him I beleeve your greatest griefe comes from not daring to hope for any courtesie at our hands but I will let you see that my soule holds nothing of the cruelty of Pyrats I thinke the gods have sent you hither for my safety and it may be too they have made me be borne to serve you From this present I give you liberty without expecting your ransome any longer and render you all those that remaine of your men with the riches you have which are still intire but 't is upon condition you grant the request I will make you I have had a long desire continued I to quit the life of these Pyrats amongst whom I have beene educated against my will and thereupon I related to him all you have heard touching the incertainty of my birth and the manner of my living untill then Now added I you may make your voyage to Rome and depart when you please I onely desire this of you that we may live eternally friends and that you tell me where I shall finde you at your returne whether in Armenia or Troas for after having abandoned this Isle for ever I will returne to you in equipage worthy of a Prince that wee may no more be separated Araxes at the beginning of this discourse knew not if he should beleeve what I said but seeing at last that I spake seriously he cast himselfe upon his knees before me and said That he made no doubt but my birth was of the most illustrious since I did actions that appertained not but to the gods and the greatest Princes of the world that if he receiv'd of me so great a grace he had an obligation to me which all his services could never acquit him of and that if he were so happy as to see me one day in Armenia I should acknowledge what resentment he had of so singular a favour In the end he made me a thousand oaths to assure me that never man was so redeuable to another as he should be to me after having receiv'd an office so important to his life I lift him up againe and having embrac'd him to sweare yet to him an eternall friendship we consulted together and found that he requir'd at least two moneths for his voyage he demanded of me that terme within which time he would without faile render himselfe in Troas with the Princesse Pasithea if there arriv'd to him no second misfortune that yet he ought not so to cal the incounter he had made of me since he had gained more in this mis-adventure than he could ever have acquired in the most happy accidents of his life I furnish'd his vessell the best I could wherein I made to be re-imbarqued all his men with what he had lost besides I added to that some presents of my owne to the end he might remember me whilest I should dispose of my affaires to forsake secretly those that had bred me without their doubting of my designe My companions had sorrow enough to see so much riches carried away from them but they respected mee with so much honour that they never durst expresse any thing of it to me At last I let Araxes depart from our Ile after many embracements accompanied with protestations of friendship Afterwards I was some time amongst the Pyrats living more than ever after their mode and approving all their actions to the end they might have no mistrust of me But when I saw the time approaching that Araxes had given mee I began to choose out those that were the most affectionate to me to follow me in my enterprise One day having assembled them I represented what our course of life was incessantly to purchase wealth without knowing whereupon to employ it For said I to them in the ordinary life of men I finde excusable those that labour to accumulate goods for the sustentation of their families or for satisfying their ambition which cannot be done without their succours But wee have no children for whom we might have cause to travell and for the degrees of honour we deferre them not to the most rich but to the most valiant What fury then possesses us to thrust our selves incessantly into perill and to trouble the repose and commerce of all other men This same valour wherein we surmount others may make us gloriously acquire in the wars that which now we infamously gaine by rapine If all the world feare us we feare all the world also and measuring our number with that of the rest of men we have farre the greater part our enemies Others againe have this advantage above us that being in our power either they goe out by ransome or else receive their death with innocence and we are certaine being taken to dye by the most shamefull punishment can be inflicted upon villaines Besides all this I doe not beleeve the Romans will let us any longer live in repose there is no doubt but in the returne from the Parthian warre Corbulo will scowre the Seas of Pyrats as easily as Pompey heretofore did The more valiant we have beene of late the more complaints have wee provok'd against us and the more we have made our selves redoubtable with the more puissance and resolution will they come to assaile us Why shall wee continue living after this fashion when we may be seene among other men with more honour and safety and with as much advantage I beleeve I will not give place in valour to any Captaine in the world and I am assured there are no Souldiers in Corbulo's Army more courageous than you in the meane time we let them beare away the spoyles of all the earth and the applauses of all men while we amuse our selves unworthily in running over the Sea to wait for the passage of a Merchant Let us goe my companions
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
a Harp he accorded his voyce to it and sung these Verses Soule be no more to torments so subjected Heart quit vexation and to joyes aspire I see my fortune passes my desire Where I sought death I finde my life protected In place where deadly envy I suspected And happy Spouse's armes her to combine Without all thought I tooke her into mine Where I sought death I finde my life protected When my sad griefes by fury were directed I sought to dye but Seas could not me drownd Where I ne're sought my fortune there I found Where I sought death I finde my life protected After that Lepantus had made an end of singing and they had much commended his voyce and the grace he had in touching the Lute they prayed him to tell how he had beene sav'd from the Sea and what his life had beene since for Ariana had already related part of that which hapned to him before He was very willing to give them this contentment and seeing every one set and prepar'd to listen he quitted the Lute to put himselfe in the middest of them and began thus Continuation of Lepantus History TO avoyd the reproaches I might seeme to put upon Cyllenia I will make no repetition of the resentments I had to see that I was by little and little abandoned of her yet I shall onely let you know how I flattered my selfe with a beleefe that she would prove to what extremity of griefe my fidelity might resist For I could not imagine that her spirit that seem'd to me so raised above the ordinary of women and had honoured mee with so perfect a confidence could forget that estate we were in together and draw a veile before what had passed betweene us to lose the remembrance of it for ever but in the end I learn'd how to make Callias happy shee had signed the arrest of my death Untill then I thought all her coldnesses to mee were but feinings and even when I understood my misery I could scarce beleeve it my minde being unable to be so soone dis-abused it may be too I did beleeve it seeing no cause at all of doubting but that my soule astonish'd at so unfortunate a blow was then in a dizzinesse that hindred so soone an apprehension of its misery I was at last forc'd to confesse so visible a truth and to be sensible of those stings of sorrow that accompanied so cruell an accident Not knowing what to doe with my selfe I went into a Boat and fled away to Naupactum beleeving to ease my misery by avoyding the dwelling with those that were cause of it but I was to have the power to escape from my selfe too that was then my cruellest enemy my minde producing continually furious imaginations for to teare it selfe in peeces I was not content to see my selfe in so miserable estate but still to augment my fury and despaire I sent backe one of my servants to Corinth in the same Squiffe for to goe to the Temple where Cyllenia was to be married and bring me newes after what sort she would governe her selfe in that action I expected that newes with as much unquietnesse as if I had hoped for the greatest pleasure of my life by it but when he was return'd and I knew that after shee had given me my death she added blowes that seem'd to come from an extreme inhumanity as to desire to know what I had done after hearing she was married my soule could not endure this anguish it chased away my reason and receiv'd in place of it desperation which getting the mastery ordain'd me to say to the man that spake to me Goe and faile not to tell her what thou art about to know and suddenly I gained the height of a great rocke that avances into the Sea and cast my selfe downe in his presence But who can doubt after what I shall tell you of the continuall care the gods have over us for it is impossible to attribute to fortune that is blinde and imprudent many assistances we receive in the greatest hazards of our life which cannot be given but from a better and a more advised hand In stead of losing my selfe I fell as I may now say happily into a great Fishers net who were with their Boats under that same rocke My fall was so sudden before the eyes of these men that I was at the bottome of the water before they could judge what it was and they thinking it was some monstrous fish that had thus leap'd out of the water and then fallen in againe drew up their net with great expectation and hope When I came to appeare they could not yet know what it was because I was intangled with the net and store of weeds that involved me but at last when they had dis-intricated all with much carefulnesse they found to their great griefe that it was a man Neverthelesse their hope was turned into pitty and after they had made me voyd the water I had drunke they spread me upon their cloaks and labour'd very carefully by all wayes to make me come againe I opened at length my eyes and when I knew the place I was in I was much amaz'd yet after I had learn'd in what manner I was preserv'd from death and a long time studied upon so strange an accident I knew that the gods were not willing I should dye That consideration affected me with piety and feare all at once and brought me to understand what fault I had committed against them when I followed the blind transports of my despaire This gave me the resolution to live but not to comfort me and I intreated these people to carry me in their Boats to some remote place where I would reward them for their paines They set up then a little sayle and because the wind was good to goe to Cyrrha which is a Towne of Phocide something neare that place we arrived there presently I found that they had taken away nothing that was about me so I had enough to content them with I had besides remaining some Diamonds which now were happily at hand wherewith I beleev'd I might make a voyage in such sort as I tooke upon me to goe on not yet knowing in what part I should chuse my abiding and having no other purpose than to flye the circuits of Corynth But yet I could finde no corner of the earth where to live without sorrow I had bin very happy if in any place I could have lost my love and my remembrance My fidelity had too profound a rooting to be shaken and inconstancy was not acceptable to me but in the continuall change of places that gave some diversion to my unhappy constancy I wander'd thus over all Greece avoyding those places I had any acquaintance in and for that reason I would not see Athens which is a Towne that might have much diverted my griefe because of Eriphile my deare sister who is married to one of the best men of this
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
there is nothing can better perswade than innocence All that the Art of Eloquence can doe for to palliate a crime is to breed a doubt to take away the knowledge of the accusation whether it be true or false then it labours to move compassion in the Iudges to make them incline towards the better part but truth hath no need of artifice or disguisement she discovers her all naked and then produces out of her selfe an infinity of powerfull and invincible proofes This is that truth that comes to my defense and goes so pure out of my mouth as you shall have no trouble to acknowledge it No crime it was most just King that made me depart my owne Countrey neither by any crime have I entred into this One misfortune drove me from the land of my birth and another have I met with in your kingdome The first lost mee the dearest of my hopes and the other will violently take from me the onely things are left mee which are honour and life As for my life I would abandon it willingly as the most unfortunate of the world 't is not the feare of losing it that makes mee speake before you I endevoured to forsake that when it seem'd honourable for me to dye but since the crime they accuse me of is shamefull and the punishment that threatens it this occasion hath fast bound my life unto my honour and I am obliged to defend the one for to preserve the other Since I left Greece I wandred from province to province to give ease to an anguish that afflicts me and passing by a wood to arrive at this City I perceiv'd that I was environed with persons that tooke hold of me without telling me for what cause afterwards I knew there had beene a man slaine in that same place and how the murtherers were brought to the same prison with mee who knowing that I was accus'd of their crime mocked at me when they saw me and sware they would not declare mee innocent But it is easie to verifie whether I be guilty or no. Let them be interrogated apart in what sort they know me and it will appeare that I never saw them before It is but a moneth since I passed into Asia and in that time I traversed Eolida Lydia and Troas I was but two dayes within Galatia and the day I was taken I had come from a place so remote from hence that it was impossible for me to have any acquaintance with them All this may be knowne of those whom I lodged with in my voyages who will not deny to witnesse to that I say See there great King and you the Iudges all the eloquence I will serve my selfe of The truth it is that speakes out of my mouth Shee will have you give her the victory of this dayes worke it 's she pretends the prize and not I she shewes her selfe to you all naked for to shew you that the others eloquence in comparison of her is but an adulterate beauty Iustice that is seated by your sides holds out her armes to her and from under her head-band failes not to know her perfectly This severe goddesse is without doubt for the present well satisfied that the gods have put amongst the accused an innocent for feare she should this day have beene constrained to let goe an offender Great King take pitty of a stranger that has no support with you besides this justice but this stay is very powerfull sine 't is that alone that can maintaine kingdomes I feare not death but infamy If I cannot deserve the prize of eloquence from so many rare wits ordaine me at least from this present to goe employ my life in the defense of your frontiers against the Barbarians I shall esteeme my selfe happy to dye like a man of courage If I cannot avoyd death at leastwise let me avoyd shame or if you will make this day famous by the most memorable judgment that ever was let none of us all beare away the victory but give in my favour the prize of eloquence to truth and life to innocence I made an end thus with some kinde of hope because I was heard with much attention Presently the King rose up and after taking the opinions of all the Judges he sate him downe in his seat againe then hee pronounc'd The Greeke Lepantus is declared by our judgement innocent and victorious By and by they came for me from among the criminals with whom I had placed me againe and making me approach to the Throne where the King was I put one knee upon one of the steps and received from his hand the crowne ordained for the victor The King was not contented with this grace which he had given to my innocence rather than my eloquence but lifting up himselfe he tooke me by the arme and commanded me to accompany him because he would know what I was He did me the favour to leane on mee till we came to his chamber where having enquir'd of me all he had a minde to I satisfied him with the most respect I could then he offered me one of the chiefe places of his judicature if I would stay with him I answered him that being redeuable to him for so many graces hee might dispose of the life he had given me but that finding me uncapable to governe my selfe it would be impossible for me to governe his people that were under his authority That if he would adde an extreme favour to so many others I besought him would give me leave to returne into my owne Countrey He labour'd to retaine me still by some reasons but seeing that if I would have yeelded to him it was for not daring to contradict him and that my desire was altogether bent to depart his Realme he made me some presents and let me goe I put my selfe into some equipage for my returne and providing me of men and horses for not running any more such shamefull fortune I re-passed by the same wayes I came then I crossed the Egean Sea and descended into Macedonia where having stayed some time I went into Epire whither we are now going But because vexations were my most agreeable company I began to be weary of my men and resolved to goe live in some solitude According to this project I left them in Epire with charge to attend mee there untill I had made a voyage into Italy I passed the Sea without any of my people and arriv'd at Brundusium I traversed Apulia never meeting with any place I could delight in from thence I came to Cumae where having found a corner to be alone in as much as I would I tooke some small provision to eat which I carried in with me and there I accused the gods as much as I pleased I tormented my selfe according to my humour with cruell remembrances and the more paine I inflicted on my selfe the more satisfaction I imagin'd to receive That place was the den of the Cumean Sybil and one
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
darknesse that encompasses them and in stead of cherishing the vertue of those that excell them they hate and shun them for feare of being over-ruled Misander being return'd to his house makes himselfe sicke and refuses to eat they aske him what his griefe is he is angry and spightfull hee knowes not to whom to take him for to wreake his choler on and his whole project is but to counterfet the mad man and inraged in testimony of his aversion to his sisters designe Ardania doubted that all his transports came from the declaration had beene made him whereof she was well advertis'd and knew not how to speake to him in this unquiet humour At last he tooke him to his bed and then sent for his sister to come to him and when they were alone he said to her Well sister I knew at last the cause of your coldnesses and of all the refuses you made of the parties were offered you I perceiv'd my suspitions were well grounded when I could not approve such secrecy with Polydamas I know well 't is from your advice that he makes you be demanded in marriage See if it be a thing you have resolv'd on I can no longer hinder your purposes will signe you what consent you will have me but assure your selfe that I will not live two dayes after Yes I will dye and make him dye too for having mock'd mee all his life and abused my freedome for to deceive me and you also There fell in continuation a torrent of enraged words against Polydamas and Ardania and after that his fury had taken some respite she told him that she knew not why he should be so transported that she was ignorant of Polydamas designe but that if he had an affection to her he honour'd her by it that shee would tell him truly that if he consented to it he should doe her a great pleasure for she could never be happy but with him I would rather said he to her throw my selfe downe headlong and strike a poynard into your bosome No no I shall hinder the effect of your fancies well enough or else bloud shall be seene spilt Ardania perceiving that his transport made him speake strange follies left him without expression of any great care she tooke at his words and they both pass'd away a night that gave them but little repose I had beene chosen continued Melicerta by these two lovers to be their confident during the traverses which they had foreseene and it was impossible for them to see one another after that declaration Misander having shut up all the avenues so as Polydamas the next day came to see me to know what had passed I told him that affaires were much embroyled and that there was a rumour in the house that Misander was mad and Ardania resisted his rage the best she could But it was a strange thing to see the small force of Ardania shee could not indure her brothers choler and seeing that he would not eat she went to beseech him not to be angry and she would doe nothing contrary to his will I durst not tell Polydamas of this weaknesse seeing to what point of sadnesse he was brought because Ardania had not spoken with so great a resolution as he expected She on the other side seeing her brother pacified recover'd her forces and express'd affection to Polydamas Misander then made the mad-man as before and constrain'd his sister to give way to him That combat betweene Ardania's love and Misanders rage endured a long time and when this was cooled the other had the advantage In the meane time Polydamas seeing no more Ardania that put not in effect what she had promis'd him was tormented with many cares and unquietnesses and the more facility he saw of executing their designes the more griefe he had to see that she could not resolve to despise her brother But to come to the infidelities I told you of said Melicerta which were punished one by another I will let passe all the strifes Ardania made then the weaknesses which made her release with all the complaints and reproaches Polydamas us'd to her who yet was so discreet as he never complain'd of her but to her selfe and to me He had beene false to Elusina without her knowing of it and she too had beene unfaithfull to him in abandoning him to deliver her selfe from misery although shee beleev'd that he still lov'd her Love to revenge Polydamas on Elusina made her being married have her husband in such a contempt that she feined not to seeke to Polydamas againe who despised her Againe to revenge Elusina on Polydamas he caused Ardania to forget the greatest affection that ever was and I beleeve that which made her unfaithfull was the fidelity of her glasse which representing her complexion to her effaced with cares What now said she shall I lose my beauty that procur'd me so many vowes and commendations to maintaine my love that brings upon me so many mischiefes No no let us quit this love the trouble of my soule and the ruine of my dearest treasures and forgetting it for ever let that beauty returne which for one lost lover shall gaine me above a thousand See her then deliberating to become handsome againe and for the recovery of her good lookes quite unwilling to heare speake of Polydamas any more I wondred with my selfe at so strange a change and when I reproach'd her for her lightnesse she had the boldnesse to deny to me all she had told me when she lov'd Polydamas even thus farre as she would have made me beleeve that shee never had any affection at all to him At that time a young man call'd Cyllarus sought her he had loved Danaide a woman he had beene beholding to for all the civility he knew with Ladies for she had taken the paines to instruct his youth whereupon Cyllarus being ingrate renounc'd her friendship and pursued the affection of Ardania Love that had already taken vengeance of Elusina and Polydamos was revenged at one blow of two unfaithfull persons joyning in marriage Cyllarus with Ardania to punish them one by the other This delicate woman that thought her charmes so puissant could not stay that wanderer who was no sooner married but that he return'd to Danaide and without considering of the displeasures he gave his new wife sought by all the wayes he could to re-enter into her good graces Danaide in revenge of her selfe mocked him a long time whereat he receiv'd so many sorrowes as he could not hide them before Ardania She on the other side seeing her selfe despised began to regret her faithfull Polydamas she had forsaken so as being both of them in bed they lay off from one another as farre as they could and suspired each of them apart one for Danaide the other for Polydamas But a while since Cyllarus has found the meanes to re-joyne with Danaide and this is that Ardania but now told me said Melicerta at least she
has this opinion whether it be so indeed or that her jealousie makes her beleeve it Doe but see Lepantus said she to me what repose Ardania can expect for the present for whether her husband finds himselfe in grace or in disgrace with Danaide she receives by it the same affliction she despaires to see him sigh for her on the other side she dyes when Danaide makes him happy and in this I account her most miserable indeed that the more she is afflicted the more she brings her selfe into estate never to regaine the affection of Cyllarus At length all those displeasures have caused the losse of that beauty she had so much cherish'd and for which she had forsaken him that had so much affection for her Polydamas meeting her by chance very lately and seeing that faire face so alter'd as it was made verses under another name which he sent to me and I assure my selfe Lepantus added Melicerta you will finde them very witty She tooke them out of her pocket and shew'd me them I tooke a copy of them which I have now about me Lepantus let Melintus see it and the company and it was thus PHillis alas how you are changed Where are the baits you had so rare Ha! now my love is well revenged My eyes are wondring who you are And is your beauty thus to change inclin'd In imitation of your minde Poore Phillis you have no more charmes To make another amorous Your eyes deprived of their armes Are now no more so dangerous Their beames so lively now have lost the art Of penetrating to the heart For when you banished that flame Which in your spirit had such power Not without fury forth it came Your complexion to devoure That teint though lovely had not force enow For to resist so keene a blow Your beauty proved faithfull yet When your heart wanted loyalty For seeing me to dye for it It rather chose to dye for me Her fairest flower passing so soone away Was constant in her changing day Alas said the soule so grieved Beauty will you forsake us quite To this lover I 'm obliged Answer'd she in great despite If you resolve to change and make him dye My change must give him remedy Lepantus folding up the verses went on Melicerta thus ended her story which I listned very attentively to continually thinking upon Cyllenia whom for all that I could not wish to be punished in like sort having alwayes kept for her so deare a remembrance that very often when my memory presented her to my imagination and let me see her as unfaithfull it seemed that I turned away my sight but I had sorrow to be willing at the same time and unwilling to thinke of her And thus lived I during my griefes which Melicerta only was able to comfort by her delightfull recites But at length I consider'd how I too long time neglected the good fortune the gods had promis'd me so I thought of departing and having found the commodity of a vessell I tooke leave of Menander Chares and Melicerta and being at Sea we were encountred by Eurymedon His companions having kill'd some of those were with us I attended to receive my death at their hands and I beleev'd that that was the alleviation of my miseries the gods had promis'd me not able to imagine any other And for this cause I presented my selfe without armes with much assurance before their swords They were amaz'd to see me so resolute to dye and Eurymedon who saw me in this action thought it was out of greatnesse of courage so as he sav'd me and embracing me exprest that he would have me be his friend Afterwards I was present when the Pyrats went to assaile the brave Melintus and I was so happy as to render Eurymedon what he had lent me by obtaining of Melintus that he would not kill him In the end following so couragious a troop I found in my armes my deare Cyllenia as pure as faire and with as much affection for me as ever and all this by the strangest hazard fortune is able to produce 'T is for this I shall esteeme my selfe all my life time redeuable to the faire Epicharis whom I shall hereafter call my Sybilla and though this incounter may be ascrib'd to fortune I beleeve rather that the gods are extremely her friends who would make me happy by her enterprise Lepantus ended thus and every one admiring those incounters Melintus prayed him that they might sweare together an eternall friendship as well because of his vertue as for that he was brother to the sage Eriphile They related then to one another all their lives and the adventures all of the company had met with furnished them with entertainment enough in their voyage untill they came into Epire where they landed Eurymedon tooke his leave of Melintus and the company with many embraces to goe find out his Pyrats and he assured them he would passe by the same place againe and see them before he went to the Isle of Lesbos with his forces and that if he found them not there and they needed his service they should heare newes of him in the Isle which was the place of his dearest desires He entred into his owne ship with those companions of his that remain'd and Melintus Ariana and all their friends went unto Nicopolis the chiefe City of Epire in hope to stay there without feare of their enemies and enjoy all the contentments they could promise themselves ARIANA. The third Booke FOrtune that had given these lovers so many traverses now seem'd weary of persecuting them and they were resolved to give end to their owne paines Melintus was the next day to marry Ariana and Lepantus Cyllenia Palamede offered himselfe to returne to Corinth to his uncle feining to come backe from his Athenian voyage and by making as though he were ignorant of all that had hapned endevour to appease him and likewise Sebastus for Cyllenia and so to mediate their peace and returne Lepantus had found out his men in this City who attended for him in the same place where he had left them when he parted from Epire to passe into Italy They were lodged very commodiously so as all of them made choyce of that house for to be the happy place where so many faire and violent desires should receive an entire satisfaction Melintus was so ravished to see himselfe in the Evening of tasting so many delights that he himselfe could not measure the greatnesse of his owne joy but the more Ariana approached the height of her desires the more did her modesty strive to represse the testimonies of her contentment Lepantus and Cyllenia in their soules felt no lesse pleasure Amyntas promis'd himselfe that his good fortune would follow that of Melintus from whom he expected much succours with Telephus and Erycine ought to be satisfied with him for having so well obeyed her when she commanded him to serve Melintus There was but Palamede to whom
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
his house and could not sufficiently wonder at the great courage of Melintus and his resolution for the safety of Palamede Emilia was well pleased to have Melintus in her power and was casting in her minde what kinde of death she should give him being resolv'd to kill him with her owne hand Then word was brought them how Palamede had beene saved and there was a souldier that accus'd Dicearchus for having beene towards the prison thereupon those that guarded him being not to be found they conjectur'd that Dicearchus had gained them whereat Trebatius being offended made him be put into the same dungeon where his Nephew had beene before neare unto that wherein Melintus was and was resolv'd to put him to death for having dar'd to corrupt his men and save the enemies of Caesar and at the same time he made Pisistratus be banish'd from his presence On the other side Palamede being got out knew not what to thinke to see all the City in a rumour and yet considering of nothing at that time but his owne safety he regained the lodging of Arcas never enquiring what the matter was But he was greatly amaz'd when he understood that Melintus was gone out with eight souldiers and he could not imagine for what designe he had stollen away from his troop in that equipage Instantly he would depart for to goe seeke and succour him but he was hindred by the arrive of Arcas who learn'd them all that had passed The faire Ariana who began to dry her teares for her brothers return felt then a new affliction that open'd afresh the source of them Every one was in such a despaire at this calamity for the affection they bare Melintus that in stead of comforting her they express'd by their extreme griefe what cause she had to afflict her selfe Palamede seeing in what sort he was oblig'd to Melintus for having conceiv'd so generous an enterprise for his safety was fully resolv'd to render him the like but he could not yet invent the meanes to effect it and he onely mingled his despite with the extreme displeasures of his sister Lepantus and Cyllenia In the meane time Emilia that meditated of nothing but the meanes of intirely satisfying her vengeance having in her hands the subject of all her furious passions consider'd that if she could get Ariana into her power she might have wherewith to punish her for being cause of her torments and an occasion besides to aggravate the punishments of Melintus by the resentments he should have at that she would make Ariana suffer before she put him to death and doubting that she might be in the same place since Melintus was met there with Palamede and Epicharis she made a further search in all parts to have her in her hands But Arcas knew so well to divert the scrutiny that might be made in his house that she could never learne any newes of her Many dayes were thus consum'd in this search about the City and some places adjoyning in the end not able any longer to deferre her revenge and Trebatius urging her to put an end to the life of Melintus for to give a beginning to his happinesse she resolv'd one morning to goe her selfe and kill him with her owne hand She tooke a ponyard and Guides to conduct her to the dungeon then being sure that Melintus could not defend himselfe from her because he had his hands tyed behind him and irons at his feet she sent away those that were with her to enter alone into that obscurity with a torch in her hand having yet some shame left to commit that action in the presence of another What said she to her selfe in entring it seemes I tremble and that my body feares to execute what my minde has so resolutely undertaken Can I yet doubt whether I be to revenge my selfe having run over so many Seas to finde the occasion No no let this cruell man feele the fury of a woman justly provoked and repay all the torments he has made me endure She encourag'd thus her selfe for to fortifie her heart that seem'd not over much assured and went her way towards Melintus conducted by the torches light in designe to make him have a sense of the death shee would give him Melintus knew her presently and seeing that she sought him among the shadowes he would prevent her and said Come Emilia that you bring me is very agreeable to me Those words troubled her because this voyce heretofore so loved surpriz'd her and she thought not that Melintus could know her beleeving her dead and seeing her in the habit she was in Ha! traiterous Sorcerer said she at length what spirit hath learn'd thee that I am Emilia Yes I am that Emilia the object of thy contempts and thy ingratitudes that am come from hell to ravish from thee thy perfidious soule and abandon it to the furies Well then replied he gently dispatch Emilia doe that you have enterpriz'd behold my brest uncover'd strike the ponyard in and assure your selfe that the death you are going to give me I shall receive it not as a punition for having offended you but as a recompence for the good service I have done you Done me good service replied she instantly Ha! Villaine call'st thou that good service to have mocked at my love and to have rewarded my cares with disdaine and ingratitude call'st thou that good service cruell man when after thou hadst escap'd from me by subtilty thou wouldst no more thinke there remain'd an Emilia in the world to whom thou wast so much oblig'd call'st thou that good service thou ingratefull wretch when neither the sicknesse that hapned to me for the regret of seeing thee no more nor my death so neare nor my very death it selfe could oblige thee to give one visit to our house Emilia replied Melintus to what purpose serve these reproaches since you are resolv'd to make me dye Dispatch Emilia see my brest ready for you give the blow and beleeve that you never yet oblig'd me so much as you shall doe at this houre by taking away my life No answered she I will know first wherein traytor thou hast serv'd me Ha! Emilia said Melintus will you have me to your shame present before your eyes so trouble some remembrances Did I not serve you well when seeing that this same Emilia whose wit and vertue I had before admir'd let her selfe loose to desires that were not very honest I endeuoured to asswage that heat by my coldnesses for feare she should bewaile all her life time the fault of a few dayes Did I not serve you well when deploring with my selfe the wandring of your soule and comparing your abasement with the honour of your preceding life I was not willing to take advantage at your blindnesse but maintain'd you pure at least from ill effects since I could not hinder the impurity of your desires and thoughts And did I not well serve you when seeing that my presence rather
kindled your passion than my reasons had power to extinguish it I tooke a resolution by subtlety to goe from you hoping that by taking away the object that carried you to impudicity by little and little reason would be restor'd to you and make you know into what misery you were ready to have fallen Emilia Emilia I had beene such an one as you would then have wished me what should you be at this houre What repenting for having committed so shamefull a fault what remorse would seize you at this present for having lost that honour that heretofore became your front with so much assurance and to see your selfe constrain'd to hang downe your eyes as complices of your shame and of your miserie What have I done to you then Emilia to pursue me thus so furiously You will make me dye for being cause that you may yet boast of your being honest that you feare not the reproaches either of men or of your owne conscience and that you find persons yet that will enterprise all things for your sake See Emilia whether I have done you good service or no and judge for the present if I should have more oblig'd you by satsfying your desire at that time than by not doing it at all Emilia in whom there still remain'd seeds of vertue and a good courage was so touch'd at these true and sensible reproaches and stood so full of shame as her furious and irregular passion not able to sustaine the force of so great a vertue forsooke her and she was constrain'd insensibly to let fall the ponyard she held She continued silent a long time not knowing what to answer him at last she sate downe by his side and said to him Melintus the wisest of all men thou hast twice vanquish'd me the first time thou gainedst but my heart and my affection but now thou surmountest my soule and my very reason that confesses there is no vertue in the world comparable to thine I submit to all the paines thou wilt ordaine me for the torments I have made thee suffer and I will confesse every where that I am redeuable to thee for the resolution I take to follow all my life time the advice of thy marvellous wisdome Emilia thus rendred due homage to the vertue of Melintus when Trebatius who had care of her and feared that Melintus all fettered as he was might finde meanes to defend himselfe from her because she stayed long came all alone to finde her and was in a great wonder to see her by Melintus rather in estate of a suppliant than a person that sought revenge What 's this said he to Emilia What doe I see Trebatius saies she to him you have reason indeed to wonder but if you had heard the sage discourses of Melintus you would be overcome as well as I am See the most vertuous man of the world to whom I am beholding for the purity I have hitherto preserv'd and for the vertue I shall follow all my life hereafter I require you would save his life for my sake or else put me to death in his stead Madam replied Trebatius you know I have not enterpris'd the ruine of Melintus but to satisfie you having no cause at all to hate him If you have admir'd his wisdome for the present I have lately admir'd the greatnesse of his courage and strength and it was with much regret that I permitted you the destruction of so valiant a man Melintus brake off this discourse to tell them that hee had neither so much vertue nor so much courage that what he had done against the Roman souldiers was rather an effect of despaire than valour for having understood that his friend was in danger of his life and that Emilia called wisdome in him the knowledge he had given her of the transport of her fury which made her doe things mis-becomming her sex that since they had a command from the Emperour to put him to death they should not for this refuse to doe it for feare they themselves suffer'd not for it No no said Emilia I will dye before any such thing happen to you from Trebatius and I know that he is not here but to obey me Trebatius confirm'd what she had said and then Melintus replied Since you are willing I have an obligation to you for my life I will acquit my selfe in some sort towards you counselling you said he addressing him to Emilia to consider for the present the merits of Trebatius his faithfull affection and so many services he hath done you which altogether oblige you to receive him for your husband And you said he turning him towards Trebatius receive from my hand Emilia whose faire qualities you are not ignorant of and who having let her selfe be surpriz'd with the passion of revenge shall from henceforth prove the vertuousest woman of the world since she has knowne how to overcome it Emilia gave her hand to Trebatius for Melintus sake and having permitted him to kisse it for a pledge that she receiv'd him as her husband made him all-transported with joy Trebatius finding himselfe so redeuable to Melintus ask'd him if he desir'd any other thing of him beside That you would deliver answer'd he Palamede He is no more in our power said Trebatius and thereupon he told him how Dicearchus had saved him but that he had caused the old man to be put in his place in a dungeon neare to that they were in and that hee was resolv'd to have him dye for having dar'd to conceive such an enterprize and that now he was the more perswaded to it because he was Melintus enemy Ha! Trebatius said Melintus I demand of you then the life of Dicearchus in stead of Palamedes Too-generous Melintus replied Trebatius if you knew in what sort he is incens'd against you you would never desire hee should live any longer 'T is no matter said Melintus he is uncle to Ariana and Palamede and though he be very cruell to me I will never endure to have him dye I give you his life then and will have him hold it of none but you Melintus thank'd him for this favour and then Emilia ask'd how hee was able to save himselfe in the City while she made the search for him He answered her that it was by the meanes of Arcas his free-man who had put himselfe into their company being at Rome and told her all hee had done since to succour Palamede and him being in Nicopolis that they had ever bin with Ariana and the rest of their troop in the lodging hee had made to be marked out for him and thither without question was Palamede retired Trebatius and Emilia highly commended the fidelity and resolution of this freed-man and Emilia that remembred what he had done heretofore at Rome with Nisus being a slave when he attempted to dye for his Master added that this was not the first time hee had shewne a great courage and extreme affection for him
mother as from him a supposititious letter and without any more delay he comes to our house and intreated my mother to shew it him and told her it must have beene sent by some spirit that was very neare to have ruin'd his sonnes life When he had seene it he express'd in such sort that he was innocent of this letter and made her so many satisfactions that she could have no suspition at all of him and made it appeare that shee had much sorrow for Hermocrates sicknesse whom she greatly esteemed her selfe And for this cause they concluded together our marriage before they parted and imagining from whence this letter should come they conceiv'd it must be from Dicearchus who since that time had express'd a greater passion to me than ever before See then how Dicearchus willing to hinder our marriage advanc'd it assembling together by his owne invention those that otherwise would have had much adoe to have effected it As soone as Hermocrates learn'd this good newes it seem'd they had restor'd him his life and we went oft to visit him untill he was perfectly recovered Then were wee married together with a thousand rejoycings and passed away three or foure yeeres with all the contentments can be imagined without having yet any children In the meane time Dicearchus not able to endure that our marriage should be made while he were at Syracuse was gone to Corinth where he stayed about two yeares at the end whereof he return'd into Sicily with Acidalia whom he had married Presently after he declar'd himselfe enemy to Hermocrates who having then lost his father seem'd to hold the first place in the City he practis'd the factious men on all sides to make a league against him and seem'd to have no other end in all his actions than to displease and ruine him if it were possible At last hee sought out so many meanes to attaine his designe that there was one that succeeded to his wish You know it may be pursues Euphrosyne how he made armes be carried by night over the wals of our house and ranged them as in a readinesse for an occasion at the same time he went to advertise the chiefe of the City that Hermocrates projected to make himselfe a Tyrant and that it would appeare at his house They came to our house that very night and ravish'd from my armes my deare Hermocrates for to carry him away prisoner You may judge what trouble I was then surpriz'd in neverthelesse in this calamity I receiv'd some consolation for the innocency of my husband and when Dicearchus friends solicited on that side to have him condemn'd to dye I did all I could to make the villany of that artifice appeare and what appearance there could be that a private man would make himselfe Tyrant over a Citie that was of the Roman Empire But all I could obtaine was to moderate the condemnation to a banishment for five yeares and to have fifteene dayes given us to order our affaires in Neverthelesse that time serv'd but to increase our misery for Dicearchus having knowne that we were to retire to Carthage the place of my originall and not content with our banishment had leisure to practise certaine Pyrats who covenanted with him for a great summe of money that they would surprize us in our passage from Lylibeum to Carthage and after that they would goe and sell us apart to some Barbarians for feare we should ever see one another againe or returne into our Countrey and because I was very big with childe at the same time hee made them promise him to put to death whatever should be borne of mee untill wee came to be sold After wee had committed the managing of our estate to Diocles our friend for to administer it during the five yeares banishment wee departed accompanied with Telephus not knowing the miseries Dicearchus had prepar'd for us but I was so happy as to be brought to bed of you at Lylibeum said Euphrosyne to Melintus where I stayed more than fifteene dayes till I could endure the Sea and it seemed you were willing to be borne at that time to retard as much as you could possibly the miseries that were to happen to your parents We happily advis'd to leave you secretly in Sicily and give you to Telephus for if we had carried you away with us you had not beene alive at this houre then tooke we leave of our Countrey all in teares and went to goe aboard the Vessell But there befell me a mischance that was an augury that this voyage should prove very deadly to us for thinking to enter into the ship my foot slipt and I fell into the Sea the affection of Hermocrates was such as hee threw himselfe presently after me ind by swimming saved me and brought me aboard againe After we had dried us a while we stayed not our departing and because the passage is but short wee soone perceiv'd a light vessell that had parted from the coasts which in a small time set upon us Hermocrates judged them to be Sea-coursers and intreated those that were with him to take armes and defend themselves as well as they might But their number was but small and besides they were not in state to fight never expecting they should have beene fought with in the small way they had to passe Yet for all that they were not wanting to defend themselves courageously and Hermocrates was not taken untill he had laid six of them at his feet His valour was esteemed of the Pyrats who in consideration of him pardon'd those that were with us and taking what they found best out of our ship made us enter into theirs After they had passed us a good way on the Sea they brought us to a place of their owne retreat and it was strange to see what fidelity these Pyrats kept with Dicearchus in that they had promised him because they might have expected a greater ransome from us than that they had receiv'd of him and yet in the meane time they failed not in what they had sworne to him Neverthelesse they shewed us some favour for we liv'd in honour among them and accommodated with all things necessary They delayed three whole yeares to sell us during which I was brought to bed of two children whom they put to death as they had resolved afterwards they went to sell my husband into a Countrey very farre remov'd As for me they were minded to keepe me still by them what request soever I made not to be separate from Hermocrates because they had brought me a Kings sonne very young to breed up whom they had taken in some place or other and on whom all my affection was placed being comforted by the nurture was committed to me for our cruell captivity and dead children attending the change of fortune These cruell people were never touched neither with the supplications and advantageous promises of Hermocrates nor yet with my teares but in spight of mee
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
advancing my designe one while employing magnificence to shew the grandeur of my estate and birth another while using an extreme modesty for to gaine her mothers heart who approv'd not superfluous expences In the end I turned me a thousand wayes to vanquish her finding that I was ingag'd both by honour and love to carry her from all the rest neverthelesse I acquired nothing upon the spirit of Euphrosyne or her mother But when Hermocrates was return'd from his voyages wherein he had followed Germanicus I found my selfe more reculed yet by farre from what I pretended because Hermocrates having prevented the Syracusians by a great reputation they had of him even before he was return'd every one fixt his eyes upon him as soone as ever he appeared and it seem'd they would not so much as take the paines to regard me That contempt so animated my jealous ambition that I feared not to declare my selfe his enemy having as then no other cause of hating him but that he was more honour'd than my selfe and the more lovely he rendred him to all men the more did I see him with displeasure But when he attempted to love Euphrosyne my jealousie went upon a visible foundation and I practis'd what I was able both openly and secretly for to destroy the opinion was had of him Yet for all this obtaining nothing that way and perceiving how by my expulsion he was receiv'd at Euphrosyne's I cannot expresse to you what rage I felt within my heart at last I found the invention to drive him from that house by meanes of a letter counterfetted from Eryx father of Hermocrates to the mother of Euphrosyne wherein he intreated her not to suffer his sonne at her house because he had destin'd him some where else This crafty device succeeded for a time every one being ready to resent that which touches upon their honour and you know that an offence of this kind so surprises that its impossible one should then thinke of doubting whether the thing be true or false Euphrosyne's mother presently banish'd Hermocrates her house without hearing any defence he could make And for me knowing what had happened to him I inforc'd my selfe to the uttermost of my power for to gaine Euphrosyne in that resentment of injury hoping that to worke Eryx despight they would turne their eyes upon me But Eryx and Hermocrates having made all cleare together my plot wrought its effect against my selfe and in a small time the marriage of Hermocrates and Euphrosyne was agreed on and soone after accomplish'd I conceiv'd such a despite at the contempt they made of me and at the good fortune of Hermocrates that a hundred times I resolv'd to have him dye but seeing there was no remedy to undoe what was already done I could no longer endure to live at Syracuse where I should be constrain'd to see perpetually an object that was so troublesome to my sight but went my way for a long time to Corinth When I was there arriv'd all my acquaintance labour'd to divert me and I sought nothing else my selfe but to expell the griefe that tormented me I went often into companies and at last willing to chace away the passions I travell'd with by one that might be more happy for me I had a designe to make another love and casting my eyes upon Acidalia that was the fairest of all Corinth I enterpriz'd to love her I was willing at my first comming to dazle the eyes of those of Corinth by aproud bravery of clothes and traine which made me be honour'd throughout all companies All the Maids that love these externall ornaments regarded me with a desire and attended with much unquietnesse the choyce I would make of some one of them so as when I made my addresses to Acidalia she received me with a great deale of contentment and I perceiv'd as soone the plots of some other women that labour'd to put me off from this affection by a thousand malicious inventions against Acidalia but those attempts wrought no effect upon me contraiwise the intelligence I had of their purpose caused me to be farther ingag'd with her and because she was very handsome by little and little I was taken with a very violent passion She used much coldnesse at the beginning to assure her selfe the more of me and confess'd not that she would love me but after a long time But when she saw me intirely submitted she tooke a kinde of Empire over me notwithstanding she oblig'd me with a great confidence and so mingling her favours to some affected rigours she made me so in love as I could not live any where but besides her At that time a young man call'd Attalus frequented with us who was well enough borne but that made himselfe so acceptable by many pleasant actions and jesting humours that they thought there could be no good mirth if he were not in the company 'T is true he was of so merry a disposition and so borne to buffonnery as the features of his face his armes his legs and all the rest of his body were not deficient in executing what everslights his wit ordained them There was not a ridiculous person that he imitated not no subtilty he was ignorant of but he had so studied to counterfet the discourse of impertinent and stupid people as it would have beene a difficult matter for him to speake seriously I perceiv'd that Acidalia tooke a little more pleasure than was fitting in whatsoever Attalus did As soone as ever he spake she admired the quicknesse of his wit if he turned but a foot or a hand she made an observation of the gentilenesse of his postures and alwayes gave advice to the very first of his motions for feare hee might lose the praise of any one action I was angry for that she was something overmuch carried away in the estimation of him judging it proceeded from a weake spirit to thinke that highly commendable which was simply ridiculous I endevoured to make her lose by little and little this good opinion she had of Attalus giving her to understand that he had reason thus to counterfet sots and fooles because he could never make a discourse himselfe that expressed an ability to any thing that such wits as these were not proper but for laughter and that we were to have a care of trusting them with a secret or expecting any counsell from them in a matter of importance besides we see ordinarily that women and maids love these persons in publike to make them laugh but for thinking them worthy their affection they are well aware of because this sort of men cannot have the conditions that are necessary long time to entertaine a friendship for said I to her respect discretion and fidelity are qualities too serious for such ready wits they are so free and flitting as they cannot endure a constraint and rather than lose a good word or a pleasant action they will quit all considerations of keeping an affection
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
Pasithea his daughter Eurymedon blush'd at that discourse being angry he had not appear'd at the battell in the habit of a man because none could more lawfully have pretended this honour than himselfe The King perceiv'd his rednesse and ask'd him the cause of it I wil tell it you another time answered Hermione but let us see whom you wil give the Princesse to If you were a man said Archelaus without doubt she had bin won by you for you are the person that has shewne the most valour but being it is not so I will not faile for all that to give you the honour of this victory Then he made signe to the Princes that he would speake to them and he pronounc'd these words Since we are all redeuable to the only courage of the valiant Hermione for the Scythians defeat there is none but she that ought to pretend any honour and since in the person of my daughter the kingdome of Troas and of this Isle was destin'd to him that should have carried away the prize I am obliged by my oath to make Hermione Queene of my estates if I were not oblig'd at all to it by my affection The Princes were greatly amazed and though Hermione appear'd with many beauties and graces yet they could not be satisfied with her The King tooke her then by the hand and made her be placed with him in a Chariot that attended him for his returne to Mitylene with the victorious troops that accompanied him The people that was advertis'd how the King desir'd to many this Princesse already called her their Queene whereat Eurymedon smiled within himselfe Archelaus having her beside him would know what reason she had to blush when she heard speake of his daughter Pasithea Because answer'd she I beleev'd you had had no children and that word surpriz'd me I have sayes he but this daughter though it would be better for me I had her not for the displeasure I have receiv'd by her then he fetch'd a deepe sigh Hermione demanded what cause she had given him to complaine of her A while since answers Archelaus a young stranger came to land in this Isle and after I had receiv'd him with much honour he knew so well how to gaine her as he made her in love with him This villaine avoyded my anger by flying away and I was constrain'd to shut up my daughter for ever in a place where she can never heare more newes of him I pitty you indeed sayes Hermione if she were so unfortunate as to have offended her honour I doe not thinke replies the King she has so farre forgot her selfe but I surpriz'd her one day as this young man that call'd himselfe Eurymedon was kissing her hand Ah! great King returned Hermione this alone deserves not so cruell a punishment But continues she what was this Eurymedon was he a Prince or else a person unworthy of the Princesse good graces He call'd himselfe Prince truly answers the King and had many excellent qualities nay we had some obligation to him my daughter and I but very hardly could I have beene assured if he were of Royall blood since he knew it not himselfe and it was too much boldnesse for him to enterprize the search of my daughter without my consent seeing fortune had given him nothing whereupon he might ground that hope Love sayes Hermione to him hath not all those considerations and the faults he is subject to are rather excusable errours than crimes and if this Eurymedon had some good qualities I doe not finde that the Princesse hath committed so great a fault and intreat you by the affection you expresse to me not to be so cruell to your owne blood but to set her at liberty in my favour Archelaus was willing to oblige Hermione and promised to deliver her before eight dayes because she desired it He led her into the Palace where she was lodged as if already shee had beene the Queene and all the Princesses and the Ladies came to doe their reverence to her Hermione very well acquitted her selfe of all those ceremonies and seem'd to have beene bred in them all her life but the time seem'd tedious to her untill she saw Pasithea Neverthelesse she was afraid to be discovered if she spake of her too often to the King He on the other side had no other wish than to be married to Hermione but there was no appearance of making that marriage untill first he had well provided for the safety of his kingdome on all sides after the defeat of the Scythians Yet he gave not over expressing to her his impatience and Eurymedon call'd the gods to witnesse and prayed him to beleeve that he desir'd the honour of his alliance as much or more than he himselfe Whereupon the King gave him thanks never understanding the sense of Eurymedons words who meant the alliance he desir'd to make with him by marrying his daughter At length two dayes after Hermione entred into discourse concerning Pasithea and expressing a great desire to see her obtain'd leave of the King to goe visit her in the Castle where she was kept upon condition she were not accompanied but with her Maids I was one of that number continued Amyntas so as I went with Hermione into that Castle which within was guarded onely with women They all of them shewed a great deale of honour to Hermione knowing she was destin'd to be their Queene and we were conducted to the place where the faire Pasithea was who came out to meet us and having heard speake of Hermione and of all that was said concerning her she receiv'd her with a very great respect as the person she beleev'd she should one day wholly depend on Hermione embrac'd her and kiss'd her a long time then having taken her aside ask'd her if she remembred not one she had seene very like her Pasithea blush'd and durst not tell her she resembled Eurymedon very much because she fear'd to produce that name before her that very shortly was to be her Queene Eurymedon knew the feare she was in and for her re-assurance said to her Faire Princesse feare not to discover your secret to me I am sister of the Prince Eurymedon that am come into this Isle for no other end but to serve you and my deare brother that dyes for your love I have bin so happy as to succour the King your father in the battell and give him passion enough to make him desire to marry me But I will never while I live accord to what he desires untill you be first married with Eurymedon Madam answer'd Pasithea something confounded I should thinke you meant but to surprize me by these words if I remarked not in you all the features of Eurymedons face and seeing you have beene willing to expresse so perfect a friendship towards him I will also avow to you the extreme love I beare him which makes me esteeme my captivity very pleasant Hermione kiss'd her to shew how
agreed to his desire and Ariana being set upon Arcas horse who went by her side Alcydamas gave order they should all march three by three bearing the bundles of bowes upon their shoulders and he put himselfe into a ranke in the middest and went beside the faire Ariana who triumphed also over the Scythians with bow in her hand and quiver in a skarfe Alcydamas was ravished for having found her and to see her now in this habit of a souldier which added a majestuous fiercenesse to so many graces she had before and augmented the affection of Alcydamas his valour even falling in love with Ariana's and in this equipage they marched all towards the Towne In the meane time they were in a great fight within Larissa for Arimin having sent to know about midnight if the supply were entred word was brought him that not a man appear'd but contrarily that Alcydamas was gone out with certaine troops he had drawne out of all the companies This amaz'd him not being able to imagine what Alcydamas project was and having let some houres more passe without receiving any message from Alcydamas they inform'd him at length that without doubt he was gone to save a Maid he loved whom the Scythians stole away when they were in the Towne because he had done nothing all day but mourne for her after having search'd all places Arimin could not then perswade himselfe that Alcydamas with so few men hoped to make his party good against all the Scythians but he beleev'd that to redeeme his Mistresse he would deliver to the Barbarians the best of his men he brought them for that purpose wherewith the Towne being weakned he might easily also bring the Scythian in to oblige them still more to render him that Maid He sent in all haste for Polydore who was in bed but when he was up and gone to him Arimin told him that Alcydamas was a traytor and a villaine and that he should answer for him Polydore after he was made acquainted with what had hapned assured Arimin that Alcydamas was no traytor that peradventure he might have attempted something out of despaire because the Scythians carried away Ariana but he was very certaine he would not lose those he tooke with him much lesse sell them whereof he gave him his owne life for caution Arimin caused Polydore to be surely guarded and not fully satisfied for what he had told him went to visit all the Towne-guards and the people were left in great feare not having above three or foure thousand men remaining to make resistance against so many enemies The Ports were therefore guarded with extraordinary care when Alcydamas with his troop demanded entrance They went to advertise Arimin that he was at the gates with those that went out with him and requir'd to be let in This newes restor'd the spirits of Arimin who for all that fearing a surprise commanded they should not suffer them to enter but one after another And this order serv'd to make more glory and praise be given Alcydamas for his souldiers entring thus separately charged with bowes the people gave acclamations to each of them as he came in and when they were all within the Towne they put themselves into the same order they march'd in before and went to the Temple to thanke the gods for so renowned a victory All the inhabitants for joy lift up their hands to heaven to see so many spoyles and so few persons to beare them away and they were in a wonder to behold by Alcydamas side that young Warrioresse who seemed to have a great share in this victory and to attract the eyes and vowes of all the world After Alcydamas had thanked the gods for the safety of Ariana and the victory they had given him he prayed Amyntas to conduct Ariana to their lodging and gave Arcas charge to accompany them but he with the rest of his troop went to finde Arimin He besought him to excuse the transport of his affection which had obliged him to abuse him and goe forth without his leave to deliver Ariana out of the Scythians hands and told him how the victory he had gained was so great that when he knew the truth of it hee hoped he would easily forget a fault that had beene followed by so happy a successe and freed all Greece of so many enemies Arimin in admiration of so wonderfull an effect though it had cost him many a feare was constrain'd to honour Alcydamas and smother all resentment he might have at his disobedience and when they had a long time discoursed after what manner the combat passed he suffered him to retire to his rest and gave Polydore his enlargement When they were come to their lodging Alcydamas was constrain'd to betake him to his bed and repose himselfe after so many combats cares and watchings Ariana on the other side was receiv'd with a thousand joyes by Euphrosyne and her deare Cyllenia who had taken no rest since her carrying away as well for the regret of her losse as the danger her belov'd Lepantus was in because of his wounds which now began to be in better estate Euphrosyne full of contentment to see them againe ceased not to take care one while of her sonne another while of Ariana and visiting them severally at their Chambers she obliged them to sleepe though it were then but mid-day A little while after Polydore and Amyntas hearing a rumour in the street look'd out at the window and spied a distressed Maid that certaine souldiers would have taken against whom an old man and a youth defended themselves with more courage than force They presently went downe to hinder that un worthy violence and labour'd by words to make those souldiers retire then seeing they would doe nothing by entreaty but continued to presse the old man and the youth they were forced to take their parts and defend them two other souldiers seeing this supply joyned them to the first but in a short time Polydore and Amyntas killed three of them and the rest tooke their heeles Then they desir'd to see safely bestowed those that had thus beene pursued and going towards the young man that so courageously had defended himselfe Polydore was advis'd that it was his deare Epicharis He embrac'd her in his armes full of joy to see her againe and for having secur'd her from that danger Amyntas had as much cause to rejoyce also seeing she that Epicharis defended was the faire Erycina his Mistresse and the old man was Telephus Erycina's father Embracements followed their admiration for so happily encountring one another some to be defended others to have succoured them and all of them having great impatiency to know how they were met together entred into the house where Polydore receiving her he had so much regretted Faire and valiant Epicharis sayes hee to her for the happinesse you give me in seeing you againe I will give you newes that will be very welcome to you but promise
only for a false report answer'd Palamede Aristides remain'd very much astonisht at these newes and found himselfe in a great streight seeing that if he had a desire to make that match it would be very hard for him to satisfie his sonnes spirit and if he would be excus'd for it to Maximus he could not tell him the true reasons having himselfe approved Palamed's dissimulation of the injury offer'd him by Marcelin for feare of making him an open enemy and drawing upon himselfe the displeasure of the Emperour So as he told his children that the matter well deserv'd to be thought of at more leisure Ariana when she saw she was strengthned by Palamede pray'd her father she might not be brought to that passe to live with one that had spilt the bloud of her brother and had beene branded with so cowardly a treachery as to venter his poysoning too If this you allege said Aristides be true never will I bring so much misery upon my house But take heed Palamede that the feare of leaving your sister here makes you coine these things for I should never pardon you while I live if it were so He is a party more exalted than we could ever have hoped for and that shall place your sister in an illustrious ranck in the glory whereof you are to participate It is not fitting little considerations should turne you of this happinesse since it so fairely presents it selfe we may very well quit all we have in Sicily to dwell here in a fortune that may be envied of all our countrimen Father said Palamede I am not an enemy to the honour and advancement of our house I disguise not any thing to you Melintus has beene too true a witnesse of what I tell you and can certifie the truth Aristides promis'd them to examine at leisure all those reasons and to consider what was to be done for their common good in the meane time he bade them thinke also upon the advantages that offer'd themselves and not to neglect them Palamede presently acquainted Melintus with this discourse and profest to him he would oppose that marriage as much as it were possible Melintus set him on that way as much as he could and spake of it to Ariana to know her resolution but she assur'd him she would sooner marry with death Neverthelesse she was greatly troubled when her father said to her that her brothers reasons ought not to remove them from accepting such a party that he knew but by light reports that it was he that would have murther'd him and that it might be some one that wisht him ill had sent that same poyson under Marcelin's name That there was no appearance he should be authour of that villany having beene twice to visit him since with sufficient testimonies of affection and if that were so that the greatest enemies might become friends and that the designe he had for her as without all doubt it had extinguish'd his hatred so ought it to make that of Palamede dye also Ariana saw well he was fully resolv'd for that marriage and that it would be very difficult to divert him from it which she tooke so impatiently that she curs't without ceasing her voyage to Rome Neverthelesse she never dar'd to contradict her father openly but then when he commanded her to looke kindly upon Marcelin in what place soever she met him she began to despaire not knowing how she might avoyd that misfortune because she could not expresse her aversenesse to Marcelin Aristides ever accompanying her to the temple to see what reception she gave him Melintus trouble was no lesse not knowing what remedy to find out and if his wit furnish'd him of any one he could not make it prosper but that his passion should breake out Palamede seemed the most offended and more openly exprest his displeasure Ariana knew well enough her father would not compell her if she declar'd her minde absolutely to him but her modesty would not permit her so much liberty At length Diceâ—rchus letters came who being naturally ambitious and desiring to get himselfe support in Rome intreated his brother not to let scape so great a good fortune and no more to thinke of Diocles riches whose sonne he had destin'd his daughter to since the least quality of a Roman Senator was of greater consideration than all the meanes of the most puissant man in a province Aristides heartned by this counsell commanded Ariana to prepare her to receive Marcelin the day after This newes so strucke her that she betooke her to her bed and the palenesse of her face soone shewed what compulsion she resented Aristides wondering at her sicknesse she told him it was no great matter and besought him he would deferre but one day this interview which he granted her and in the meane time ceas'd not to be with her to encourage her with reasons and make her consent to the match But the morning after considering on the wayes to divert Marcelin and finding none other but to let him know her distate she bethought her of this subtlety Epicharis whom she had about her was a young maide about her age that was very faithfull to her of a gentile spirit and who being acquainted with her mistresses displeasures would have willingly comforted her with the losse of her owne life Thou knowest sayes Ariana to her how it is impossible for me to tell my mind to Marcelin for that my father will ever be a witnesse of the usage I give him I prethee whilest Aristides shall be about my bed put on my ordinary gowne and covering thee with the gâ—eat scarffe I use to weare goe thy wayes to the Temple where Marcelin will not faile to come to thee thou maist tell him in a low voyce counterfetting mine that he loses all hope of marrying me that I will rather chuse to dye what ever guise I make before my father and if of his owne accord he will retire him from his sute without bringing me to the extremity I shall have a great obligation to him for it Epicharis very glad to serve Ariana promis'd to obey her and after she had disguis'd her selfe went to the Temple where she missed not to speake with Marcelin and at her returne finding Ariana impatient to know what had pass'd she told her he had beene abus'd very pleasantly Neverthelesse her discourse having amazed him he had not omitted to aske her leave to come to see her at home as it was appointed after that he would consider on the meanes to obey her if her rigour should continue She prepar'd her therefore against that day and in the meane time the thoughts in that house were very divers Melintus and Palamede meditated upon cruell tragedies rather than they would consent this wretched man should enjoy Ariana Maximus never ceas'd representing the grandeurs of the house of Martian the favour of Marcelin with Nero and within his minde conceiv'd faire hopes for the good office he rendred
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