shee might espie her beloued sonne what ioy it caused let them iudge which haue made better experience in louers delights The Queene hauing the sight of her so long desired obiect sent Lucilla to entertaine him and to conduct him vnto her presence Cleodora staying to frame her countenance for his welcome bethought her selfe of sundry meanes eâ—…tsoones doubting by hir too pleasant and kinde vsage to be held too forward in loue than what discontent her lowring aspects might mooue vnto him whom she most desired to please In this quandary sitting vppon a pallet and leaning her head on her pillowe Lucilla had brought the Prince in who doing his duty very feebly for the remembrance of his attempt had astonisht him was by the queen againe saluted attending like the guiltie condemned his sentence from her mouth which was to giue him either life or death Eliosto thus at a non plus ouercome with the beholding of her excellent perfection was by her the mirror of affabilitie and courtesie remooued out of his dumpes in this maner Eliosto whether I should chastice thy presumption in writing to me so boldâ—…ly or no I am not yet resolued but before I acquainted my Lord therewith I thought good to heare thee speake for that I would not so sodainly disgrace thee whome so often I haue fauoured as well to heare thy intent in committing so great a foly as what thou canst say in excuse thereof Princes are not to be ieasted with nor in such maner by their kinred to be assailed therfore thou hast greatly erred in that which is committed incurred the danger of our chiefest lawes by which were thy fact knowne thou art already condemned The prince standing at the barre where Beautie sate chiefe iudge was surprised with many griefes so that hardly he could vtter a word yet reuiued by the hope of those comfortable and sweete sayings pronounced by Lucilla hee shaped her this reply Gratious Lady in that I haue presumed faâ—…e I â—…an not but acknowledge yet that I haue incurred such punishment as your Highnesâ—…e would iâ—…flict vpon me I denie vnlesse death be the guerdon assigned the saithfull for duetifull seruice and entire affection vrged me to seekethy fauor in loue without the which I cannot liue so deepely are thy vertuous perfections imprinted in my heart which if Ienioy not I desire no longer to breathe Therefore madam if thou disdaine his loue that liuing dieth continually for thee doe but say the word and this blade so often embrued in the blood of 〈◊〉 enemies shall sacrifice his masters owne true heart before thy face that thy cruell selfe may witnesâ—…e how faithfully Eliosto hath loued thee The Queene grieued to heare these speeches moued with great compunction could hardly forbeare shedding of teares yet modestie the ornament of womankinde caused her to faine a counterfeit shewe of displeasure to him whose teares wroong drops of blood from her tender heart yet that snee might not too suddainly confesse her desires nor giue him cause of vtter despaire made this answer Eliosto that thou maist see and seeing report in all places where euer thou shalt become of womens pittie I graunt thee pardon for thy fault and with it that life which was wholly at my disposing For louing mee as thy prince I heartily thanke thee but in seeking to obtaine my loue as thy Concubine in that I defie thee let each estate frame it selfe in affection as it becommeth equalitie so shall men sooner obtaine their desires and their loues in more tranquilitie be maintained Thou knowest that such absurde actions are in the extreamest degree of sinne Wilt thou therefore wish me in violating the faith which I haue plighted vnto thy father purchafe vnto my selfe such a name the remembrance whereof is not lesse grieuous vnto mee than death No no desist not any further to prosecute thy suâ—…te let reason vanquish thy brain-sicke humour which so affâ—…icts thâ—…e in doing which thou shalt make demonstration of that true nobilitie wherewith thou art endued for no greater conquest can be imagined than that which vpon a mans vntâ—…med affections is atchieued Do this and thou 〈◊〉 finde Cleodora thy louing and faithfull friend who 〈◊〉 be as carefull with fauours to aduance thee as I haue found chee prompt and ready by thy seruice to pleasure me Aâ—…as good Madame answered the Prince it is a thing farre more easie to giue counsell than once giuen to follow it The full gorged Churle little regardeth the staruing creature at his gate but could you conceiue the leasâ—… part of many thousand griefes that afflict me you would at the length pittie me though further fauour from you I receiued none If thy heart be not harder than the Adamant yield thy grace sweet Lady to augment my life or vtterly for euer deny me your good will I expect but your answer for my resolution is no other than I haue protested dastards feare to die but the noble mind preferreth death which endeth all sorrowes before a life to be continued with discontent The Queene as full of anguish as hee of sorrow beeing at her wits ende turned her speeches to an other matter and requested him to contriue as cunningly as he could his fancie in a fiction willing therefore to shew his Mistresse for such I must now tearme her that he was not ignorant in musicke taking a Lute in his hand began to warble out this Roundelay Loue was arm'd with fatall bow Shafts which Mother did bestow Mother gaue but Father fram'd Father Mother both werâ—… blam'd Wantâ—…n Goddesse did beguile Husband with afained smile For a kisse shee did obtaine Labour neuer spent in vaine Thaâ—… her sonne by Vulcans trade Might the chiefest God be made Thus shee wonne him to her will Wily worke of Womans skill But the Boy more prowd then wise Waues his wings and forth he flies Soone as he on earth had lighted Thus the fondlâ—…ng was despighted As he vaunted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 olde Thinking all that glistered gold Tearming in a 〈◊〉 thought Which his selfe conceit had â—…rought Heau'â—… his footstooâ—…e gods his marke Men his obiects Earth his parke Gods and men his hunting game Beautie natures darling came Beautie clad in natiue hue Whom the Graces did indue With rich plentie of their gifts Beautie cause of wittie shifts Beautie with whose worth delighted Poets haue sweete Hymnes 〈◊〉 Faire as is thâ—… ruddie morne Leauing restfull Bowre forlorâ—…e Mâ—…rne did with Vermiâ—…ion redde Rising from â—…ld Tithons bedde Thus the fairest of all faire Denide to grace the liquid aire Passing by where Loue did stand Holding powerfull bowe in hand Not saluting as shee went Him that ragde in discontent Boyliâ—…g wrath must issue finde Wrath that boyld in troubled minde For the ease of whose vnrest Thus his furie was exprest Loue said he was Beauties better She said Loue was natures debter Loue exclaimde on Beauties pride Which all duties force denide Shee said Loue receiu'd no wrong Where no dutie did
perceiving without casting of her water where she was pained shaped her this reply For mine owne part Madam as yet I never had experience of what force Love is and therefore ignorant of the disdaine and sorrow which such as you are sustaine yet neverthelesse I verily beleeve that the passion both of the one and the other is so great and vnmeasurable that the surplusage of the alterations that trouble and moleâ—…t the spirit is nothing in respect of this inexplicable distresse But I behold and perceive the imbecility of humane minds and how soone through vnlawful desires they are disquieted which with no lesse tranquilitie are digested in the stomacke and thoughts then the sea sands when they are encountred with the tumultuous blasts of powerfull Borâ—…as Ah Madam where is the great chastitie that made you once more renowned then all the Ladies in Lemnos I beseech you labour to containe your selfe in that honest estimation wherein hitherto you have lived to the great content both of your parents and frends But if Reason be curbd by incontinency and that you deliberate to follow the vice of wantonnesse for the accomplishment of your desires then by all meanes let diligent regard in such sort intimate secrecy that neither the house from whence you are descended be dishonoured nor your selfe merit infamy or ignominious punishment While they were thus talking a page brought word that divers Ladies were come to visit the Queene which caused them to surâ—…ease their talke When the Ladies salutations were ended and Cleodâ—…ra againe left to her cogitations she could not feele one minute of such ease as was requisite for vnâ—…essantly she rolled the stone with Sysiphus turned the wheele with Ixion and filled the bottomlesse tubbes with Belides in so much that when shee could finde no meanes to mittigate her maladie shee fell into these bitter complaints Ah Cleodora ah wretched Cleodora how art thou without reason which sufferest reason to yeelde vnto appetite wisedome to sensuall will and a free minde vnto servile love but I perceive when the Iviâ—… risâ—…th it wreatheth about the Elâ—…e when the Hop groweth hie it hath neede of a poale and when virgins waxe in yeares they follow that which belongeth to their youth Love love yâ—…a but they love expecting some good hap alas both love and live without all hope for Eliosto is my sonne and yet if he were not he liketh not me Sith then Cleodora thou art pinched and hast none to pittie thy passions dissemble thy affection though it shorten thy life For better it were to die with griefe then to live with shame The spunge is full of water yet is not seene the leafe of the tree Alpina though it be wet looks always dry a wise lover be she never so much tormented behaves herself as thogh she were not toucht Yea but fire cannot be hid in the flax without smoke nor musk in the bosome without smell nor love in the breast without suspicion Then seeke some meanes to manifest thy love to Eliosto for as the stone Draconites can by no means be polished vnlesse the Lapidarie burne it so thy mimd can by no medcine be cured vnlesse Eliosto ease it Thus resolved without longer stay she called vnto her Lucilla her chiefe attendant who from her infancie had bin brought vp with her In this Lucilla shee conceyved her greatest hope vnto whom she said Lucilla since I had reason to discerne good from evill thou knowest how I have tendered thee and how willing I would be to seeke thy preferment make triall when thou please so shalt thou be assured of that which justly thou maist hold in suspence But leaving these conjuring words I must Lucilla commit vnto thy secrecies a matter of import whereon my honour and reputation dependeth for I tell thee Lucilla I have made choyse of thee amongst all those which I may commaund as of her I love and have best cause so to doe having had such societie else should I rather choose to die ten thousand deaths then reveale it Luciâ—…la which had her whole hope of good from the Queene hearing her speeches with teares standing in her eyes proceeding of joy for the honour done her by the Queene protested vnto her by heavens Maker and what else he framed to be secret in her determinations and doe her best endevour to accomplish whatsoever shee commanded Cleodora taking her word for currant in whom she never found deceit said Lucilla that it is incident to all creatures in their kind to love I know thy wittes be not so simple but thou canst conceive and he that made vs directeth our likings as best pleaseth him be it Prince or Beggar from the highest to the simplest and he my Lucilla hath linked my liking albeit extraordinarily to a most bravâ—… Gentleman on whom I think if Affection which is blind deceive me not is worthy to be favoured of the most beautifull To keepe thee with idle speeches is now no time having other matters enow whereon wee must discourse therefore that thou mayst know to whom my love is intended Eliosto my sonne is he Eliosto famous for his valour renowned for his bountie and admired for his courtesie He he Lucilla is the joy of my heart and my hearts sole delight without whom I cannot live nor I wil not live neither may I live such is the service which my heart hath vowed in love vnto him therfore if thou love me as thou hast professd by thy industrie seeke to save my life which cannot but perish in not obtaining my desires Lucilla listning to her discourse willing to become second in this tragedie had her braines alreadie beaten in the search of the charge committed vnto her yet would she not sodainâ—…ly answer any thing Considering how displeasing speeches spoken out of time be to lovers corasives yet chering the Queene she requested vntill the next morning respite for answer which willingly she granted affying greatly in her whose jâ—…dgement above all others she esteemed most sound and perfect whom to her studie we leave Eliosto by reason of the affable countenance and courteous vsage wherewith dayly she did gratifie him had his intrailes so fried with the scorching flames of his methoâ—…s beautie O inspeakable wickednesse that his colour was châ—…nged and his streâ—…gth impaired and he through great griefe â—…nd extremity of his love enforced to withdraw himselfe into his Chamber where casting himselfe on his bed with a million of carefull thoughts he determined to seeke her favour and then by contrary motions fearing the successe of his suit by reason of affinitie which might give cause of great dislike and disparagement thereof said Ah thrice vnfortunate Eliosto what strange fits be these that burne thee with heate and yet thou shakest with cold thy body in a shivering sweate and in a flaming ice melting like wax and yet as hard as Adaâ—…ant Is it love then woulde it were death for likeher it is thou shalt loose
thy life then win thy Love Ah haâ—…lesse Cleodora would to God thy vertues were lesse then thy beautie or my vertues greater then my affections so should I either quickly free my selfe from fancie or be lesse subject vnto folly But alas I feele in my mind fierce skâ—…rmishes betweene Reason and Appetite Love and Wisdome Dangâ—…r and Desire the one perswaded him to hate the Queene becausâ—… his fathers wife the other constrained him to love her as a friend If I consent to the first I end my dayes with death if to the last I shall leade my life with infamie What shall I then do Ah Eliosto either swallow the juyce of Mandrake which may cast thee into a dead sleepe or chew the hearbe Carysium which may cause thee to hate everie thing so eyther shalt thou die in thy slumber or dislike Cleodora by thy potion Tush what follies are these Wilâ—… thou with the Woolfe barke at the Moone or with the yong Grâ—…phons peck against the starres Thinkst thou to quench fire with a sword or with affection to mortify love No no if thou be wise suffer not the grasse to be cut from vnder thy feete strike while the yron is hote make thy market while the chaffer is to saâ—…e Eliosto bâ—…ing thus resolute in his opinion began to cast beyond the Moone and to frame a 〈◊〉 devises in his hâ—…ad to bring his purpose to passe fearing everie shadow doubting everie winde stumbling at the least straw yet at the last pricked forward by fancie he purposed not to omit the least occasion which he thought would redound to his content Fortune who had long spurned at him with her foote gave him this oportunitie to raise him whom she had like to have overthrowne chaunciâ—…g to looke out at a window â—…hich opened into a Parke belonging to the Court he espied the Queene pleasantly passing away the time with her traine of Ladies which oportunitie he was not wilâ—…ing to loose but with all such speed as his faint legs could make revived by the sight of his sweete chase with all sayles spread in short time hee recovered his wished desire who was no sooner of Cleodora seene his humble dutie done and she having requited the same giving him the time of the day with a most pleasant and friendly countenance she chalenged him of negligence whom in two or three dayes shee had not seene and leading him politikely pretending matter of importance to impart vnto him from the companie she broight him neare the side of a faire copesse which so overshadowed them that the Sunne beames could no waies be offensive vnto them where they might both boldly say whatsoever it pleased them without being heard or seene of any whose presence might interrupt their conference which caused her to take oportunitie to discusse with him thus Sonne quoth she I pray thee say of the dutie which thou hast vowed me and by those sweete thoughts which are best pleasing vnto thee what is the Ladie to whom thou hast dedicated thy love For love doubtlesse thou doost thy countenance bewrayeth it which I have noted with more regard then becommeth mee yet of care to thee whose health I tender for thy courtesie and good service done which I would requite in the best maner I might and for because thy lookes shew that thy heart craveth to be pitied of thy Ladie let mee know her who may chance stand thee in some stead for women may prevaile much with one another Eliosto wrapt into a heaven of joyes hearing the goddesse of his devotion with such favour and kindnesse to grace him with a blushing countenance standing at the barre before her whose sentence pâ—…onounced was either liâ—…e or death sayde Honourable and gracious Madame That I love I cannot denie which argueth your skill in phisicke to be great but if your highnesse could iudge whose love I most adore and love have and judging ease me I should have cause to say no Aesculapius on the earth whatsoever might stand in comparison with you for skill I dare say no more fearing to offend The Queene all this while gazed on the perfection of her Sonne as deeply enamored on his feature as he inveagled with hers for her eye made a generall survey of his excellent proportion which she found more exquisite by how much the more she had bent her liking to love him Thus Affection which had assailed both their hearts indued them with such a sympathy of content beholding themselves all alone that with overmuch joy they were stricken mute so that how much soever â—…heir hearts desired to let each other know their loves they could not reveale the same In this heaven of happinesse they had not long been but a Ladie that attended the Queene brought her word the King was comming into the Parke which place hee had chosen to recreate himselfe where resting on a hill that over-peered the great Mediterraneâ—…m hee noted how Phoebus fetched his Lauoltos on the Purple plaines of Neptunus as if he had meant to have courted Thetis in the royaltie of his Robes the Dolphins â—…he sweete conceitors of Musicke fetcht their carreers on â—…he calmed waves as if Arion had touched the strings of his silver-sounding Instrument the Mermaides thrusting their hâ—…ades from the bosome of Amphâ—…rite sate on the mounting banks of Neptuâ—…e drying their watrie tresses in the Sun-beames hee marked likewise howe Aâ—…olus forbore to throw abroad his guests on the slumbring browes of the Sea-god as giving Triton leave to pleasure his Queen with desired melodie and Proteus lâ—…bertie to follow his flockes without disquiet Amasias looking over the champain of Cyprus to see if the continent were as full of smiles as the Seas were of favours saw the shrubs as in a dreame with delightfull harmonie and the birds that chanâ—…ed on their branches not disturbed with the least breath of a favourable Zephyrus Seeing thus the accord of the land and sea casting a fresh gaze on the water Nymphes hee began to consider how Venus was faigned by the Poets to spring of the froth of the seas which drave him strait into a deepe conjecture of the inconstancy of love that as if Luna were his load-starre it had everie minute ebbes and tides somtime overflowing the banks of Fortune with a gracious looke lightned from the eyes of a favourable lover otherwhiles ebbing to the dangerous shelfe of deâ—…paire with the piercing frowne of a froward Mistresse By this time nights duskie mantle shadowing the earth with a darksome coverture had bewrayed heavens disguise and the twinckling starres whose sight the Sunnes brightnesse doth in the day time obscure did now plainly appeare while Phoebus reposing in his Palace waited the dewie-vprising of Aurora so that the King was for that time constrained to desist his walke In the meane time Eliosto whose extreames were vehement after his abrupt parting with his mother grew so melancholy as that nothing was able to delight him so that in outragious maner he
you shall assure your selfe of my fidelitie herein if you please to meete me in this place to morrow by that time the Suns power shal have drawne the deaw from off the earth I shall returne you answer as you desire Thankes good Lucilla for thy courtesie assure your selfe I will not die in your debt if ever Eliosto may requite it by any industrie In the meane time quoth he favour me so highly as weare this for my sake and pulling off a Diamond of great price gave it her which she was loaâ—…h to accept yet giving him thanks for his kindnesse replied Sir I prize not my paines that you should reward me with hire or do you good in hope of benefiâ—…e for as it is vnfitting a Gentlewoman to take gifâ—…s in such mâ—…ner bestowed so is it discourtesie and no part of womanlike condition to reiect the gift of a friend therefore accept my thanks vntill such time I shall better deserve it Thus time passing away Lucilla taking her leave went towards the Queens Chamber and Eliosto to his lodging where ministring fuell vnto his follie hee began in his imaginations most strangely to be perplexed for his propheticke soule layd downe before him both the enormitie of the fact and the condigne punishment which alwayes accompanieth such a crime yet notwithstanding he was so blind with outragious lust as that no such sacred sâ—…ppositions were of force sufficient to reclaime him from his intended resolution Vnto which I leave him Lucilla seriously bethinking her selfe of these rare and abhominable accidents thought good since they were committed vnto her secrecie to smoother them vp in silence lest by their detection both their safeties vtterly might be ruinated Vpon this she came into the Queenes presence where being of her perceyved shee was demaunded where shee had spent the time so long from hir knowing that all her attendants besides her selfe were combersome Madame having beene to search some daintie that might yeeld delight to your weake stomacke and cause better disgesture by chance prying in the garden for such things I was encountred by the best Phisition in the Dominion of Cyprus who gave me a receipt which I judge by my simple skill will give your Majestie great ease yet doth the man doubt whether your stomacke will disgest it yea or no this gracious Ladie quoth Lucilla hath beene the cause of my absence and no other Alas good wench how am I beholding vnto thee that regarding my health searchest the depth of thy skill but Lucilla in vaine seekest thou her redresse which no Phisition with all his hearbs drugs and simples balmes emplaisters or what Art may provide can remedie the gods only by their grace must finish my desires or give evidence that life hath left within me the due possession of her field What Madame ever in this tune once alter these discords which maketh your Musicke jarre and sing the beleefe with a cheerefull voice so may your minde be a little eased and the receipt I have to minister worke with the more effect I speake this of experience for everie cunning Phisition will prepare the body of his patient before he minister any thing therefore if you will shake off this melancholie you shall have a taste of what I promise if not your Grace must pardon mee it were great pity so precious a thing should be cast away Wel quoth Cleodora thou art disposed to crosse me with thy wordes which in yeelding small comfort do nothing else but aggravate my disease therefore leaving these jeasts tell mee if thou hast aught will doe me good if not vse me no more thus vnkindly lest vanquished with the extremitie of my griefe I chance to say that with my tongue which my heart will repent or exercise my hands in such severitie as shall not beseeme my person The Gentlewoman seeing the wind blow so warme at the view of the Queenes impacience feared as much as shee promised thought not good above her strength to moove her for women being by nature hot vpon small occasions oft times become vnreasonable wherefore making a preamble to her discourse like an eloquent Orator began thus Eliosto with that word making a long pause to note her countenance on the sodaine naming her beloved was thus interrupted Eliosto Lucilla What frantike humor in this maner causeth thee to nominate him with whom as yet thou never hadst any conference Madame said the Gentlewoman 〈◊〉 the rest before you either dislike or commend me then proceede quoth the Queene This Eliosto as I am credibly informed loveth a Ladie but whom I know not and as a dear friend of his certified me is so tormented in his passions that the night naturally ordained for rest restlesse he consumeth in great discontent the day wherein all creatures delight is vnto him loathsome insomuch that through watching and refusing his diet his lovely visage from the sanguine is altered into the yellow coloured saffron yea Madame these mine eyes are witnesses of it who this day saw him passe into the Court so feeble that his weake legges could hardly support the weight of his bodie No more of this Lucilla lest thy tongue busied too long on this tragedie I in the meane time be compelled to seeke an end of my torments by dispatching mine owne life Is this thy comfortable confection Is this the reliefe thou preachest of which would yeeld me such quiet of minde Why should I live to see another enioy my loue have I made choise of him and shall another no wayes worthie of him enioy my â—…elicitie Peace Cleodora whither rovest thou let reason subdue rage let not every one be privie to thy incestuous love but conceale it as thou maist and seeke some secret device by death which is the best remedie to give contentation to thy heart But hearken Lucilla that thou mayest in time when my bodie shall be intombed among the dead report vnto my sonne how deare I held his love as my countenance often shewed though hee carelesse of Loves toyes never regarded it do but this for me by his frind to learne the Ladies name with whom Eliosto is so inthralled this is all the service that ever I will exact of thee that knowing her I may become an intercessor for him whom my heart more desireth then all the worlds possessions With this tears which trickled downe from her opticke instruments restrained her tongue In which sorrowfull passion her Maiden became a partner and grieved for her follie which indeed was none committing so heynous a fault in procuring the same excused her selfe in this manner How much I grieve to see you so discomforted I cannot tell but relying vpon the hope of your graces free pardon if you vouchsafe to peruse this Letter you shall know what shee is with whom your sonne is so strangely affected This Letter I received at his hands who hearing of your disquiet desirous as it should seeme to acknowledge his dutie coniured me by many faire
plea therefore omitting all friuolous prattle know that as well at the sight of thy Beautie as by the report of thine Honestie affection hath so fettered me in the snares of fancie that formy best refuge I am come to thy sweet selfe to craue a salue for those passions which no other can appease I deny not but thou hast both Loue and Law to withhold thee from this perswasion and yet we know women haue their seuerall friends Venus though shee loues with one eie yet she can look with th' other Cupid is neuer so vnprouided but he hath two arrowes of one temper Offences are not measured by proportion but by secrecy Sinon castè tamen cautè If not chastely yet charily thou maist both winne a frind and preserue thy fame yea Ballinea such a friend whose countenance shal shrowd thee from enuy and whose plentie shall free thee from penurie I will not stand longer vpon this point let it suffice that in louing me thou shalt reap preferrement and in denying my suite purchase to thy husband and thy selfe such an hatefull enemy as to requite thy deniall will seeke to preiudice thee with all mishaps Ballinea who knew the length of his arrow by the bent of his bow resolued rather to taste of any misery than for lucre to make shipwracke of hir chastity returned him this sharp answer Indeed my Liege a lesse haruest might haue serued for so bad corne that how warily soeuer you gleane it will scarce proue worth the reaping Tru it is that preambls are friuolous that perswade men to such follies therefore had you spar'd this speach your credit had bin the more your labor lesse If on the sodaine my beauty hath inueagled you for as for my virtue you hazard but a suppose sith ofttimes report hath a blister on her tong I must blame your eye that is bleer'd with euery obiect accuse such a mind as suffers honor to be suppressed with affection my Lord soone ripe soone rotten hot loue is so one cold Mens fancies are like fire in straw that flames in a minute ceaseth in a moment But to return you a denial with your own objection true it is that I am tide to my husband both by loue law which to violate both the gods and nature forbids vs vnles by death Venus may loue look as she list at last proue hirselfe but a wanton hir inordinate affections are no presidents wherby to direct my actions And whereas you say Offences are measured by secrecie I answer Euery thing is transparent to the sight of the gods their diuine eyes pierce into the hart and thoughts they measure not reuenge by dignity but by iustice For preferrement knowe mighty prince ther are no greater riches than content nor no greter honor than quiet I esteem more of fame than of gold rather chuse to die chast than liue rich threatnings are small perswasions little is her honesty that preferres life before credit Therefore may it please you this is my determined resolution which take from me as an Oracle that as preferment shall neuer perswade me to be vnchaste so death shall neuer disswade me from being honest Amazias hearing this rough replie of the woman was driuen into a maruellous choller so that skarce affording her a farewel he flung out of dores and going to horse he hied home to the court The good wife glad that he tooke the matter so in snuffe commanded her maid to say nothing to hir master lest it should disquiet his minde But the King impatient of this deniall thought that the Citie which would not yield at the parley might be conquered by an assault and that which intreaty could not command force would constraine therefore he commanded one of his Peeres whom he made priuie to his practise to giue him warning to depart out of his house but with this prouiso that if his wife were found tractable then she should remaine there still The Noble man fulfilling his Soueraignes command proued straight by experience that it was as possible to force the streame against his course or the earth to ascend from his center as to draw her minde from vertue and honestie and therefore contrarie to all law and conscience charged them to leaue their liuings The poore man after his wife had made him priuie to the cause of their suddaine calamitie tooke it very patiently chose rather to liue poorely content then richly discredited so that the prefixed time of his departure being come he quietly departed from the farme to a cottage where his wife and he liued as perfect louers in vnfained affection Amazias seeing his pollicie tooke small effect impatient stil in his restles passions accompanied one day with 5 or 6 of his nobles taking the aduantage of the time perforce brought Ballinea away priuily left two of his guard in ambush to kil Lewesohiln The neighbors hearing of this mischiefe secretly sent to Lewesohiln where he was at plow forewarnd him of all that Amazias had done and intended The poore man seeing that to striue with him was to shoote against the Heauens preferring life before wealth euen as he was apparrelled went farre from the place of his residence and as a man in distresse seeking seruice went to a Collier who entertained and gaue him such wages as hee deserued where quietly although disquieted in minde for the absence of his wife he passed away a few daies Diuerse were poore Lewesohilns thoughts for when hee considered the Chastitie of his wife Suspition hidde her face for shame but when he saw that womens thoughts are aspiring and gape after preferment and that the greatest assault to honestie is Honour he began to frowne so that thus betweene Dread and Hope he liued disquieted But poore Ballinea whose miserie was redoubled by hearing of her husbands mishappe powred out such continuall fountaines of teares as not onely Amazias but all men tooke pitie of her plaints But the vnbrideled furie of Lust that while it runnes headlong into a Laborynth of mischiefes feeleth no remorse had no consideration of her daily sorrowes but resolued if not by intreatie at least by force to come to the ende of his lasciuious desire Which resolution beeing knowne to Ballinea from Praiers shee went to Pollicie and therefore on the suddaine became more courteous desiring Amazias that he would giue her some space to forget her old Loue and entertaine a new choice Hee whose fancy was somwhat appeased with this good speech granted her the tearme of a Moneth with free libertie to walke in the garden and else-where at her pleasure Ballinea enioying her wish so fortunately taking Time by the forehead earely in a morning stole secretly from the Palace and fledde into the Countrie where in the day time hiding her selfe amongst bushes and in the night trauelling as fast as shee could at last shee came to the place where her husband was with the Collier and there
house awaked by her sodaine out-cry rose from their rest and first Gatesineaes father started vp whose troubled thoughts presaged some future mishap Nor is it maruell that he did darkely foreknow though he could not plainly foresee so hard a chance for as the smoke issues before the fire flames the lightning is seene before the thunder be heard the Sea swell before a teÌ„pest arise so the minde of man whose continuall motion is an infallible argument of a diuine and immortall essence droopes before danger The dismaied olde man slipping on his night-gowne hastened his aged steps toward his daughters chamber where finding her dead holding the bloody knife in her hand and seeing his enemies sonne in the same bed with her slaine likewise what hee thought I referre to those that hauing one only jewell their liues solace and soules comfort are thereof depriued by the malice of fortune But he distracted with sundry passions sometimes lamented his daughters misfortune sometimes he threatened the trembling nurce then he bewailed the downefall of his house wanting an heire and the extinguished memorie of his name for lacke of succession The silly woman falling on her knees before him besought him to deferre his pretended reuenge on her till shee had vnfolded the cause and manner of that sorrowfull euent which granted shee rehearsed their loues meetings secret nuptials his second mariage enforced by his angry fathers threats and her desperate resolution of reuenge This short and sorrowfull discourse thus finished shee halfe dead with age before nowe cleane dead with feare yielded her spirit to him which gaue it The next morning when the report of this rare misfortune was bruted through the citie the streete wherein Gatesineaes father dwelt was so pestered with the concourse of people that scarce any passage could bee found This thus passing for currant newes through euery mans mouth Dihnohins father was soone aduertised of it by the generall rumor who though astonished â—… so rare a chance yet suffered this misfortune with more courage than his yeeres could affoard knowing that his enemies fortune was no better than his owne Thus did the parents beare the childrens happe whose ghosts are nowe mette in the shadie groue of Mirtle trees fronting the Elyzian fieldes that dreadfull groue the eternall mansion of those vnhappy louers which witnesse their loyaltie to Loues hestes by sacrificing their owne blood and making their owne bodies oblations and it was time for till then his Deitie was despised his Altars emptie his Temples not frequented This groue planted is in Hell Darker groue was neuer seene Where life-loathing Louers dwell Haplesse haue those Louers beene Such oblations beauties treasure Loue receiues with ioy and pleasure But this onely chance did mollifie their indurate hearts which were before so inflamed with priuate malice that they loathed publike agreement But seeing in this infortunate couple the lamentable effects of their dissention they suddainly left Armes ioyning their hands whose hearts had beene so long disioyned they let fall their weapons embraced concord the soueraigne stay of common weales These two sorrowfull fathers earstfoes and now by this misfortune made friends were chiefe mourners at their childrens funerals who beeing vnited by Loues lawes had Loues right for though their mindes were at their deaths diuided yet were their bodies both in one tombe inclosed Amazias was not so much perplexed at the information of these tidings as well pleased that at length these seditious stormes of ambitious enuie were through an inuiolable league of amitiâ—… qualified and quietly ended The King as hee himselfe thought thus blest with earthly fauours doubted no misfortune for he could see no way for him to mishap nay if hee had beene wise he might the more haue feared miserie in that he was so fully pampered vp with felicitie Fortune yea fortune in fauouring him made him most infortunate Syren-like hiding vnder musicke miserie vnder pleasure paine vnder mirth mourning like the sugred honie-combe which while a man toucheth hee is stung with Bees Shee presenteth faire shapes which prooue but fading shadowes shee proffereth mountaines and perhaps keepeth promise but the gaines of these golden mines is losse and miserie None rode on Seianus horse which got not some mishap none toucht the gold 〈◊〉 Tholossa whom some disaster chance likewise did not assaile neither hath any bin aduanced by Fortune which in time hath not bin crossed with some haplesse calamitie These things the King found answerable vnto veritie the issue whereof brought no lesse vnto him than the vtter ruine and suddaine confusion of his kingdome For Rawcikew liuing in his court noting as I said before Eliostoes entertainment by Cleodora his more than ordinarie obseruation of dutie her affectionate opinion of him and his assiduate repaire vnto her lodging and his long abode with her gathered by these circumstances how that the conuoy of their proceedings was but for the obscuritie of affection with whom beyond credit it was most brutish and out of measure vnreasonable Wherefore continuing his vigilant obseruations in the ende he discouered the very secrecie of their attempts to the great satisfaction of his blood-thirstie spirits Nowe quoth hee since their sinnes are come to the ripenesse of their abomination I vowe by that bright Lampe Heauens ornament that speedie information shall bee giuen to the King that so their wanton and lasciuious incontinencie may bee liable to the punishing racke of iustices seueritie and for this purpose hee attending the benigne leisure of opportunitie it chanced as Amazias two or three daies after walked towards the stable for the viewe of his horse that then the infortunate Prince blinded with the folly of impetuous concupiscence assailed his mother after the inordinate pleasures which haue beene heretofore sufficiently declared But their Argus which slept not at all in a furious extasie posting to the king presently coÌ„ducted him to such a place where he was the perfect spectator of their most vitious dâ—…ested practises The king hardly moderating the vehemency of his rage from breaking the doore vpon them betooke himselfe to his closet where beeing cumbered with cholerike cogitations and perplexed with despitefull passions inflamed with wrathful fury he fel into these termes Now quoth he I prooue by experience the saying of Sophocles to be true that the man which hath many children shall neuer liue without some mirth nor die without some sorrow for if they be vertuous he shall haue cause wherof to reioyce if vicious whereof to be sad which saying by this spectacle I trie performed in my selfe for I haue but one childe which should haue beene the inheritour of my kingdome I see so addicted vnto vanitie that hee is a fretting corrasiue to my wounded heart For what griefe is there more pinching what crosse more pernitious what paine more griping what plague more combersome yea what trouble can torment me worse than to see my sonne to haue consumed his time in ryot after this manner folowing