in this manner very unquietly sometimes he was agitated with anger and hatred not knowing whom he hated or on whom he desired to be revenged sometimes he did a little blame Philoxypes for not having at the very first acquainted him with his passion sometime he betook himself to Aretaphiles beauty but at last he blamed himself Then suddainly considering the pittifull condition into which Phyloxypes was brought and what an unhappy life he led his heart was so touched with compassion as he did almost love his pretended Rival better then his Mistress He then called to minde how that all the favours he had received from her had been husbanded and obtained by Phyloxipes his means He past the next morning in like perplexitie and strange irresolutions at last having dined somewhat early he went well accompanied to lie that night at Claria not affording me any opportunitie to give any notice thereof to Philoxypes for he into whose custodie I was given thinking it had been for some business of another nature treated me as a prisoner of the State and would not give me the least libertie The king commanded me to follow him so as I came with him to Claria he not having spoken one word all the way long but musing still on his adventure But when we were come thither Phyloxipes's people told the King that their Master was not at home and that according to his custom he was walked out all alone The King informed himself carefully of one of his servants who had a long time waited on him whether he knew not the cause of his Masters melancholly this servant who loved his Master dearly that he might make use of the honour the King did him in speaking to him said Sir I know not what my master ayles but this I know that if your Majestie out of your goodness finde not some means to cure him of the Melancholly which possesseth him he will certainly not live long For he eats little hardly sleeps at all does nothing but sigh cannot endure that one should speak to him about busines wanders whole daies in the fields and I once heard him cry out when he little thought I did so Good gods what would the King say if he saw how great my sadness is and how hardly would he guess at the cause of my death In fine Sir said this man with tears almost in his eyes I know not what to say but I am very certain your Majesty will lose the faithfullest of all your servants if you lose the Prince my Master Whilest this man spake thus I was strangely in pain for I saw all that he said tended to confirm the King in his Opinion I was much the better for beckning unto him he never looked on me so intent was he to what he said The King on his part sighed and having left the other well Leontidas you will not have it that Philoxypes is in Love nor that it is Aretaphile whom he loves Sir said I I confess I am stil of that belief and I would your Majesty could resolve to be so too O Unfortunate Philoxypes cried the King not answering me how sad is this distemper and how unfortunat am I my self that I cannot absolutely cure thee of the Malladie that possesseth thee I would then have gone to finde out Phyloxypes that I might acquaint him with the Kings sense before he saw him but the King would not suffer me but making the way be shewn unto him which Philoxypes most usually went we went directly towards the head of Claria Philoxypes was this mean while gone to Cleanthes his house where the face of affairs was a little altered for Policrita-knowing that her condition was not what she believed it to be Philoxypes his desert had made a further advancement in her heart then formerly neither could she so well hide her affection but that Cleanthes and Megisto were much to their grief aware thereof Yet was Philopyxes ne're a whit the more happie for Policrite having tane a Fancie to make tryal of his affection by an appearing indifferency did very carefully conceal from him the affection shee had for him And in truth that very day that the King came to Claria where we mist of Phyloxypes she had caused as much trouble in him as admiration For being gone to her and having found her at the root of a a tree where shee was designing out a corner of the countrey which pleased her he began to entertain her with his passion and to tell her how it grew still more violent upon him Sir said she if I may be permitted to do so I should tell you That if you desire to win my good esteem you should do better to tell me that your passion grows every day more moderate for to tell you the truth I do somewhat apprehend these extravagant passions which I have heard spoken of and which they say does disorder reason makes men lose the respect they ow to virtue though it inhabite in a Cottage and which occasion a hundred strange things the very hearing whereof causeth horror Therefore Sir if you would oblige me you will satisfie your self with telling me you have affection enough for me to wish if it were possible that Fortune had been more propitious to me that I had been born of a higher condition then I am or at least this not being so I might rest content with my own condition without envying others To love you with indifferencie said Philoxypes who acquainted me afterwards with this their conversation your beautie should be indifferent your virtue and discretion should be so also in fine that inexpressable Charm which I finde in every of your words looks and actions ought not to inchant me as it doth But divine Policrite apprehend nothing from the violence of my passion for the stronger it is the fuller of respect shall I be and the more obedient to your will Sir said She if what you say be true speak no more thereof I beseech you for not comprehending that I may lawfully give you any part of my affection mee thinks I ought intreat you to entertain me no longer with yours But Divine Policrita said he for whom do you reserve that Glorious affection which you cruelly affirm I shall never enjoy At these words she blusht and modestly bowing down her eyes I reserve it said she for our woods fields rocks and fountains whereof Sir said shee smilingly I think you will not be jealous I shall not be jealous of them said hee but I shall envy them and I shall not easily endure that you should love things to my prejudice which cannot love you again But cruel maid will you say nothing to me of more obliging and forgoing the Court as J do for love of you and renouncing what ever is in the world except it be Policrite is it possible you should not deal with me a little less severely J do not desire you to love me say onely that you are
Kings discourse felt two contrary agitations at the same time he was grieved to finde his odd opinion and joyed that he knew not the true cause of his love as he thought he had done And believing that he might easily disabuse him in a thing so false as the former was he resolved to continue the concealment of his true passion The King then had no sooner said what I have told you but Philoxypes stepping back a little said what Sir does your Majesty suspect me of so much boldness as to be your Rivall Confess said the King for I know your misfortune hath been such as not to be able to resist Aretaphiles charms But Phyloxipes I blame you not for it t was I that first made tryall thereof I know how inevitable they are you have done more then I my self should have done it may be had I your part to play I should have betrayed my master instead of resolving to die of grief and sorrow as you have done for my sake Thus Phyloxypes I am not displeased with you for loving Aretaphile Sir said Phyloxypes to witness unto you that I am not in love with her I promise you never to see her more nor yet ever to come within Paphos or at least never to speak to that Princess I very well know said the King your Generosity rather leads you to resolve on death rather then to be failing in your duty But Philoxypes to the end you may not object unto me That I have done nothing to vanquish my self I am come to stay at Claria as well as you that I may endeavor to cure my self of this passion and to yeild up Aretaphile to you You on your side shall do the like and he that is first cured shall surrender his part in her to the other But my dear Phyloxypes said he you are yet more unhappy then you think for for when I should cease to love Aretaphile you would not have wonn her heart you know how ambitious she is that her soul is onely sensible of greatness and when I should have yeilded up my mistress to you unless I should also yeild my Crown unto you you would not winne much upon her inclination But in fine said he not affording Philoxypes leasure to answer him if I yeild up Aretaphile to you it will not be hard for me to yeild you up my Crown And in a word I will not be upbraided with your death I will do what I can to cure my self to the end that you may cure your self and if we can neither of us cure our selves we will at least die together Sir said Philoxypes I vow by whatsoever I hold most sacred and most holy that I have not the least pretence to the Princess Aretaphile What then said the King who did not believe him is the cause of your retreat and Melancholly I confess Sir I was a hundred and a hundred times ready to break my word which I had past to Philoxypes but seeing the trouble he was in end that in fine he could not resolve to all the King the truth I with held whilst Phyloxypes answered That what his Majestie did command did not deserve his curiositie and that he could not tell it him Being by this time late we returned to Claria where the King spoke still after the same manner to Philoxypes as Philoxypes did also to him Having found a moment of time to entertain Philoxypes alone I would have perswaded him to have acquainted the King with the truth but he could never resolve to do so saying it would be sufficient to let him see he was not in love with Aretaphile if he should never see her more This mean while the more obstinacie and grief the King found in Philoxypes the more did he compassionate him and the more he laboured to overcome his own passion And to this purpose he stayed eight daies at Claria all which time Philoxypes readie to go mad as well in consideration of the Kings opinion and more for that he could not get to see Polycryte I do not think the King would so soon have left this retiredness had he not been advertised that an Ambassador from Amasis King of Egypt was come to Paphos which forc't him to return But Philoxypes do he what he could must needs go along with him No said the King I will not see Aretaphile without seeing you at the same time The Melancholy which I shall see in your eyes must be to me an antidote against the Charms which I shall see in hers We went then to Paphos but good gods how little delightfull was the Court then and how much troubled did the Ambassador finde the King who was three daies without seeing Aretaphile and Philoxypes being in unimaginable pain for the abovesaid reasons seemed to grow still more melancholy whereat the King was still more and more afflicted Ambitious Aretaphile was this mean while not without her perplexity as well by reason of the Kings journey to Claria as that he came not to visite her and for that shee heard he was returned wonderfully sad But at last the King desirous stil to confirm himself in his belief brought Philoxypes with him to Princess Aretaphile hoping to discover his passion better there then in any other place Philoxypes who thought there was no better means to undeceive the King then in leting him see that he took no pleasure in looking upon this Princess was stil careful to look another way but that which he did to dis-deceive the King did the more deceive him for said he to himself unfortunate Philoxypes cannot indure the sight of her whom he loves and whom he will not love He accused himself then of too much inhumanity in exposing him to so great a punishment and seeing how strangely perplext he was his visit was not long This mean while he having during this visit eyed his pretended Rivall as much as his mistress and having been much disquiet the Princess was not much satisfied with his conversation and knew not whereunto to attribute the cause of the change which she saw in him At his coming forth he said a thousand obliging things to Philoxypes and Philoxypes made as many protestations to him of his being unconcerned in Aretaphile But at last that I may shorten my discourse as much as I may Philoxypes being persecuted by the Kings conceit anger'd at Cleanthes discourse much afflicted at what Policryte had said and much more that he could see her no more and that he durst not return to Claria fell dangerously sick all the Physitions gave up their opinions that unless some cure were found for his Melancholy he would infaliblie die The feaver continued seven daies upon him very violently during which time the King was greatly disconsolate and during which time I had tane a little journey to Amathuse about some business that I had there for I think if I had been at Paphos I should have had much adoe to have kept
to be upon a throne Her Governours are virtuous and discreet but still Leontidas they live in a Cottage and will not abandon it At last said he with tears almost standing in his eies I am the most unfortunate of all men I have a passion which I cannot overcome and which I will not have known I too much respect Policrite's worth for so is shee called of whom I speak to have any sinful desire towards her which though I should have t' would be to no purpose I likewise am too great a lover of Glorie to resolve to marry a maid of this condition without much repugnancie Yet can I not live without her my sufferings are such that I cannot express them and seeing no remedie for my Malladie I bear it patientlie without complaining of it and void of all hope but death Phyloxypes told me this in so feeling a manner as I much pittied him He then told me all that had befallen him How t' was he met Policrite how he was surprized that it was shee by whom Mandrocles had drawn the Picture of Venus Urania and all the rest which I have told you I was somewhat surprized at this fantastick passion chieflie when I call'd to mind Philoxypes former inflexibleness Yet did I endeavor to comfort him Sir said I such a beauty as that is which you represent unto me and such a one as I have seen in the Venus in your Gallerie bears some excuse with it of what condition soever the possessors are especiallie when it occasions onelie som passing passions and which are of no long durance as I wil hope yours will prove No no said he Leontydas do not deceive your selves I will love Polycrite till death But Sir not to abuse your patience perceiving Philoxypes grievance too great to be cured I smoothed it and sweetened it as much as possible I could He then led me into his gallerie to shew me his excuse though I had seen his pictures many times before we afterwards walked abroad but he being able onely to walk one way we were soon amongst the Rocks in a place from whence we might discover Policryte's habitation which we no sooner saw but blushing with confusion he said t is there my dear Leontydas where she that I adore doth live t is underneath that roofe which I prefer before the proudest Palaces that Philoxypes findes some moments of content and t is there in fine that all my joy and happiness is circumscribed Sir said I there needs no greater proofes of Polycrytes beautie then the smalness of her Cottage and whosoever shall imagine that Phyloxypes affection is placed therein cannot doubt but that he hath argued the matter with himself as much as he was able In fine Sir after that he had enlarged himself in expressing Policrytes charming beautie not suffering me to see her for fear of offending her I must think of returning to Paphos for I had promised the King to return that very night I asked Phyloxypes what I should say unto him any thing said he my dear Leontydas rather then the truth of my adventure For in the minde that I am of I think that I should run mad if the King should know it I then left him after he had made me swear a hundred times not to discover the least part of his misfortune I went to finde out the King who expected me with much impatiency and who had purposely withdrawn himself early to the end that I might speak with more freedom to him when I should return And How Leontydas said he what doth our solitarie companion do Sir said I terming him as you do your Majesty may easily guess at what he does He muses he walks he reads looks upon his pictures and statues goes from one place to another and seeking ease every where he findes it no where But Leontydas said he you speak to me as Philoxypes doth and t is not that which I expect from you Sir said I I have done all I am able to satisfie your Majestie but I confess my journey hath not been so successfull as I hoped for For all that Philoxypes saies is only that he findes himself somewhat ill disposed and that he is possest with a Melancholy which he cannot master Did you ask him said the King whether it were not that he did wish for somwhat which I have not be thought my self to give him because I knew not that he did desire it Oh Sir said I thinking I had done well it is not ambition that torments Philoxypes who is so satisfied with your Majesties goodness as he desires nothing more then what he hath Have you then discovered said he that he hath any thing of private discontent against any one of this Court For if it be so I will make his interest mine and will as severely revenge any injury done unto him as if it had been done unto my self Sir said I Philoxypes appears to be so well beloved of all the world as t is hard to think any one should injure him I know not then what to imagine said the King but if Philoxypes's Ambition be satisfied and that it is not hatred nor revenge that doth trouble him he must needs be in Love Your Majestie Sir said I doth too wel know Philoxypes's inflexibleness to suspect any such thing in him No Leontydas said he Philoxypes past obduretie is not a Reason strong enough to perswade me that he is obdurat stil I am almost confident that t is this passion which robs me of Philoxypes's companie For in fine he hath all the marks of one in love His countenance is altered he not having been sick he is melancholly without any appearing cause he doth little else but rave he cannot stay long in a place he conceals his melancholly from us he cannot endure that one should take notice of it he gives over thinking of his affairs he visits none but by constraint and unless it be the Princess Aretephile whom he hath seen by my command he hath not visited any one Ladie since we were at Claria Sir said I part of what you alleadge to prove that Philoxypes is in Love me thinks makes for the contrarie For if he were in Love he would certainly seek out the partie beloved we should never see him from her instead of being melanchollie he would studie to play the Gallant more and would be the more sociable and instead of seeking out solitariness as he doth me thinks he should rather add to the Court diversions and that his chiefest imployments should be musick Baals conversation and going abroad You say well answered the King for what concerns ordinarie passions or such Lovers as have been fortunate in their affections but there are certain giddie headed passions out of the common road which arising from a melanchollie anguish feed themselves therewithall and shun whatsoever affords delight But that which doth a little trouble me is that I cannot imagin who t is that Philoxypes can
love be hardlie dealt withal by for certainly there is never a Ladie in all my Court who would not glorie in having wonn his heart and moreover I have not observed that he hath applied himself to converse with any one in particular yet doubtleslie Philoxypes is in Love Sir said I be not so resolute in your assertion till you have stronger proofes thereof and till you may at least conjectture who it is he is in love withall The King began then to number over all the Ladies of the Court one by one found not any one of them that he was likelie to be in Love withall He then began to walk not saying one word soon after I saw some colour com in his face and presently me thought he was much disquieted Leontydas said he you know more then you will tell me Sir said I I have said nothing but truth unto your Majestie For in fine Phyloxypes his Ambition is satisfied he hath no enemies that I know of and if I be not deceived the fairest Ladies of the Court have no great power over him Ah! Leontydas said he you conceal the truth from me but I know it without your telling Yes Leontydas said he Philoxypes doth Love and so love as doubtleslie he is much afflicted thereat and which he will withstand and overcome were not my thought true he would not make his passion so great a secret But good Gods said he how unfortunate am I and to what strange extremitie am I reduced for in fine Leontydas said he confess the truth Phyloxypes mauger himself is become my rival and his grief for it is the cause of his melanchollie Ah! Sir said I not having leasure to think of what I said I know not the cause of Philoxypes his melanchollie but I very well know he is not in Love with Princess Aretephile and that he too much respects your Majestie to suffer such a thought enter his brest Think well Leontydas said he on what you say you assure me you know not the cause of Phyloxypes his melanchollie and yet you know he is not my rivall once more Leontydas if you know the business let me know it or if you know it not confess my suspitions are well grounded and fear not for all this that I wish any harm to Phyloxypes on the contrarie I shal be beholden to him for it I was extreamly troubled to hear the King talk thus for without violating what we hold most sacred I could not reveal Philoxypes his secret which he had made me swear above a hundred times not to do To consent likewise that the King should suspect him to be his Rivall me thought it was a business of too great importance to leave him in that opinion but the more I perswaded him to the contrarie the more firmly did he believe it No said he I am cause of mine own misfortune and of Phylxoipes his misfortune too t is I who made him visit Aretephile more then any other t is mine own hand that hath enthrall'd him and t is I who am the cause of all his sufferings For said he I easilie comprehend he seeks out all this solitariness onely to rid him of this passion nay I have observed that of late he hath been troubled as oft as I have spoken to him to speak to Aretephile that he hath shun'd such Commissions as much as he could and I am too much perswaded that he hath argued the business stifly with himself and I am the onely cause of what he suffers Good gods said he how great is my misfortune there is not any one man in all my Kingdom whom I should not hate if he were my rival unless it be he and there is not any Ladie in the Court in whose Love he would not have been happie except Aretaphile But Sir said I again I protest unto you he is not in love with her and I protest to you replied he expressing an extream grief that Philoxypes is my Rival for were it not so he would not conceal his passion from me The respect he bears to you said I ought to hinder him from so doing if he were in Love No no replied he you shall no longer abuse me and I am equally perswaded of Philoxypes his love of his innocencie and of my misfortune For in fine that the man in the world that I love best should fall in Love with the oneliest Ladie that I can Love and that I should see my self cruelly necessitated either to forsake Aretaphile or to see Philoxypes die it is an unsufferable adventure Sir I beseech you said I expect till she hath once more seen Phyloxypes and have absolutelie commanded him to discover his heart unto her before you resolve on any thing and if you please I will bring him hither to morrow morning No no replied the King you shall not stir out of the Pallace this day nor shall you see Phyloxypes before me In effect this Prince gave one of his servants charge over me and commanded me to withdraw into a Chamber which was appointed for me in the Pallace 'T would be too difficult a thing to represent unto you my vexation and the Kings disquiet since to tell you true he had as much friendship for Philoxypes as Love for Aretaphile Who ever saw said he for he himself told it afterwards an adventure like to mine I have a Rival whom I must love in despight of me and who gives me more occasion to love him for the affection he bears to my Mistress then for all the service he ever did me and then for all the good Offices he hath done me to her it being certain that I need onely look upon him to see what he suffers in my consideration and that I need onely consider what life he leads to see how much I am beholden to him I observe in his eies a melancholly which makes me apprehend his death and I seein all his actions visible signs of his love to Aretaphile and of his respect to me What shall I do said he shall I seem not to know this passion and let Philoxypes die But t is no longer time to conceal what I think since Leontidas knows it Leontidas who is so much his confident and shares so deeply in his friendship shall I also tel Philoxypes that I know his love and not complain of him and if I should complain how weak a succor would this be I should peradventure hasten his hour of death by making him dispair But shall I quit Aretaphile and let my friendship exceed my Love Philoxypes his passion is unjust but passions are not voluntarie and he hath done what ever he could or ought to have done since not being able to keep from loving he hath yet kept from making his love known and hath rather chosen to hazard his life by his respectfull silence then to preserve it by making his passion known which he knows will displease me The King past the night
young slave who served Cleanthes came and opened the door who very well knowing Philoxypes told him after that Philoxypes had ask'd him where his master was that he could not tell him what he desired to know and that all that he knew was that Cleanthes Megisto Polycrite and Dorida were gone from thence and were not to return thither any more that they had carried along with them the women which they had brought from their own Countrey and that his Master had commanded him to wait his further directions there not knowing wherefore he was gone nor why he left him there Philoxypes surpriz'd and afflicted at this Discourse was a good while without speaking The King thought at first that there was some trick in it and that Philoxypes had made me say what I had said only to abuse him but at last this young Slave being stept into the House and returning presently Sir said he to Philoxypes when Policrite was ready to depart from hence she drew me aside unseen by any one and gave me this which I give to you ordaining me so to doe if you should come hither Philoxypes taking immediately what the Slave presented him with opened the Letter whilst the King did me the honour to speak with me and read these ensuing words Policrite to Philoxypes I Know not Sir whither it is that Policrite is convey'd but I very well know that Philoxypes is the cause of her exile not being peradventure likely ever to have the Honour to see him I thought I might without blame let him know my minde by this Letter which I refused to acquaint him withall the last time which I spoke with him He may then be pleased to know that at first not esteeming my self worthy of his affection by reason of my birth I with-held mine from him as much as I was able but that having learnt since that I am not of the condition I appeared to be and that there have been Kings of my Race I confess I was gladded that I could not reproach Philoxipes for having an inclination too disproportionable for his degree and that I thought it became me to let him know what I am to the end he may not think he doth any thing unworthy of himself if he sometimes think upon Policrite who wil alwais with much contentment think upon his worth whether his fortune be to lead his life in a Cottage or in a Palace POLYCRITE PHILOXYPES as soon as he had read this Letter came to the King and presenting it unto him Sir said he your Majesty may read in this Letter my innocency and my misfortune The King began then to read aloud what Policrite had written but good God in what pain was the unfortunate Philoxypes that he could not interrupt him but as soon as he had read it out looking upon him with a fixt and grieved eye how say you now Sir said he am I yet in love with Princess Aretaphile or am I not the most unfortunate man in the world the King imbracing him asked him pardon for his suspitions and of the trouble he had given him but my dear Philoxypes said he I shall be sufficiently punished for it as well in respect of your sorrow which shal alwaies be mine as for Aretaphile who will not easily forgive me yet said he you have wherein to rejoyce since you learn two things at once of great importance and of great consolation For now you know that Policrite loves you and that she is of Princely descent Could you have asked more of the Gods if you had been to have had your wishes granted you Ah! Sir said Philoxypes that which you alleadge to comfort me is the greatest part of my misfortune For t is true I finde that Policryte does not hate me and that shee is of birth equall with my self but at the same time this lovely and cruel personage tells me shee shall never see me more and that shee knows not whither shee is carried Oh! Sir I should be more to blame were I in love with Princess Aretaphile but I should be less miserable I should have reasons to gainsay my passion but here I see nothing which doth not fortifie and augment it In fine after Phyloxypes had sufficiently bemoned himself he left the King and went to ask a hundred things of the young slave without being able to learn any thing either of Policrites birth nor whither Cleanthes Megisto were gone all he could learn was only that t was above a fortnight since they were gon nothing els could be gotten out of this young Slave neither by prayers promises nor threats whose fidelitie Philoxypes for all his rage could not chuse but approve of but not being able to learn any more he waited back upon the King to Claria For my part I was never more at my wits end for the king was so sad as well for his own occasion as for those of PHILOXIPES as he could not resolve to say any thing neither by way of bemoning himself nor yet of comforting PHILOXIPES whom he so dearly loved PHILOXYPES on his part was more perplex'd he was sorry to forgo that Cottage though his beloved was no longer there he sometimes looked back upon it sometimes he looked upon Policrites Letter which the king had given him back He would somtimes lift up his eies to heaven then again fix them on the earth and walking sometimes without speaking sometimes fetching deep sighs he seemed not to know whether the king were there or no or whether he were alone so deep was his melancholy At last we came to Glaria but good Gods how sad was the conversation the rest of that day At last said the king to Philoxypes you have this advantage to know that Policryte is much obliged to you that she hath nothing to reproach you withall that you have not offended her and that wheresoever she is if she think of you t is onely to bewail your absence where on the contrary I have incen'st Aretaohile whose aspiring soul does doubtlesly accuse me of want of affection and who will take it very ill that I preferd your life before my love to her But Sir said the afflicted Philoxypes you know where the Princess Aratephile is you may make your reasons known to her you may ask her pardon for that fault which an excess of Generosity made you commit you may sit and sigh by her and may appease her anger But for my part Sir should I complain should I sigh should I pour forth torrents of tears amidst these Rocks would all this restore to me my Policryte should I thereby learn where shee lives It may be Cleanthes is put to sea and it may be I shall never know neither who Policryte is nor where shee is Ah! Sir said this disconsolate Prince if you knew the cruelty of my adventure you would easily know that I am the most unfortunate man in the world for if I loved one that did hate me despight
did redouble his grief in as much as for that he seemed concerned in any thing which belonged to Policrite and that this slave appeared to him worthy of such good fortune as that in losing him hee lost almost all hopes of ever discovering where Policrite was He forbare not notwithstanding to have watch kept for a while to see whether any bodie should come to that rural Cottage or no but at last wearie of wearying out his people he dispenced with their further trouble therein and abandoned his fortune absolutely to the guidance of the gods As he was one daie in this sad mood Solon came to Claria hee was at first much joied to hear a name he so dearlie loved but considering what an alteration there was in him since he had seen him and how confounded he should bee to acknowledge his weakness to him though he knew that lawful love was not a passion to which Solon had declared himself an enemy this joy suffered a little allay He went notwithstanding with much eagerness to meet him but sadness having so deeply seised upon his heart and eyes the satisfaction which he received to see the famous Solon was so inward as there hardly appeared any sign thereof in his countenance Solon no sooner saw him but he observed his melancholy and Philoxypes on his part looking on Solon in stead of the peacefull physiognomy and that chearful and pleasing aspect which he had wont to have in his eyes he seemed to see a great deal of sorrow The first complements being over and Philoxypes having brought Solon to his chamber Sir said he the sight of you would surely much rejoyce me did I not see some signs of sorrow in you of which I must needs request to know the cause Noble Prince reply'd Solon I should have prevented you and have desired to know the cause of your melancholy before having afforded you leasure to inform your self of mine But I confesse unto you the Law-giver of Athens is not at present in a condition of prescribing Laws unto himself and that the sorrow I feel is stronger then my reason Philoxypes embracing him then straitly conjured him to tell him the reason thereof and desired him to believe he would do all that laie in his power to comfort him But Sir said he I thought that Philosophie had been a salve to you against all the misfortunes of life and that sorrow was a thing unknown to Solon to whom whole Greece gives the name of wise Philosophie said this famous Athenian is a vain-glorious art which boasts of governing in places wherein she hath no great power she may doubtlesly said he teach men to bee vertuous make them know whole nature teach them how to discourse and give them Laws and Precepts for the government of Kingdoms and Common-wealths Nay she may oft times make us overcome our passions but when an equitable feeling which nature gives us is to be overcome believe me Philoxypes the same Philosophy which hath sometimes made us lose Crownes without change of countenance or which hath made us not stick to refuse them is weak in lesse eminent occasions And in my particular I may say I have beene thrice in my life time abandoned by her though peradventure I have been assisted by her upon an hundred difficult occasions But yet said Philoxypes shall I not know vvhat 't is that afflicts you It very well behoves that I tell it you said Solon since 't is from you alone that I can expect any help I will not repeat unto you said he the so many particulars of my fortune which formerly I have acquainted you withal for I believe you have not forgot them but that you may perfectly know the cause of my grief I must howsoever take the rise of my discourse afar off and tell you some circumstances of my life which you have not yet known You know I never believed that marriage was incompetible with Philosophy and true Wisdome as Thales that famous Milesian did imagine you know likewise that I married a personage of great worth and understanding by whom I had children who died soon after they were born one onely son excepted whom I have bred up carefully intending to make him worthie of that noble bloud whence he is descended He was about 14 or 15 years old when I vvas at Milet about some affairs of mine where I visited wise Thales who was one of my very good friends He civily reproacht me with my weakness and said I did sufficiently witness my indulgencie to love by a little image of Cupid which I one day consecrated to that Deitie and placed in the park belonging to the Academie there vvhere they who run vvith the sacred Torch are wont to assemble themselves Passing from one thing to another we spake of the happiness and of the misfortunes of marriage and thus our discourse varying as it oft fals out from our first subject wee spoke of news and other such like matters Presently after Thales feigning to have some order to give to one of his folk about his own affairs rose to speak to him in his ear and came and took his place again Not long after I might see a stranger come whom I knew not vvho told him he was come from Athâ—ns not above ten daies ago Prest by the natural desire of curiositie to know whether there was nothing of new befaln in my Countrey since my departure thence I askt him whether he knew any thing of considerable there or no No said he save onely that the day I came away on I saw the Funeral observed of a young youth of the best rank vvhereat all the people of note in the Town vvere present and vvere very sensible of the sorrow this childs death vvould cause in his Father vvho vvas not then at Athens I confess when I heard him speak thus my colour changed fearing my son might be concerned vvhich made mee ask him whether he knew not the name of that unfortunate Father I have forgot it said he but I know hee is a man of great integritie and who is much esteemed of in that place I confesse Sir that since Philosophy teacheth sinceritie as well as modestie I thought I might be the man spoken of was willing to know the truth without offence to good manners his name doubtlesly said I was not Solon pardon me said he his name came just to my memory as you pronounced it To what end serves it to deny it I could not heare so sad news vvithout sorrow and that so great as Thales pitied me and jesting at my weakness asked me whether it were advantageous for a wise man to marry or no Putting himself thereby in a condition to have studied Philosophie for others not being able to make use thereof himself After this he told mee there was not one word true of all that this man had said that he had not so much as been at Athens of a long time and that
Philoxypes his secret from the King As oft as the King came into his chamber and saw him in that pitifull condition he resolved to think no longer on Aretaphile but as soon as he came from him or that Philoxypes grew any thing better this resolution slackned a little Nor was he yet resolved what to do but the feavor having at last left Philoxypes and the Physitians continuing still to affirm that he would infallibly die if the cause of his Melancholy whence his malady proceeded were not taken away the King seemed to have put on a very strong resolution to pluck from out his soul the passion which possest him He then resolved to visite Aretaphile no more who not knowing what to think of this change in the King thought it might be he was offended that shee had not all this while been to see Philoxypes whom he so dearly loved especially since almost all the Ladies of the Court had been to visit him For during his sickness the Princess of Salamis and Princess Agarista had never left him so as the Ladies might with decency enough go thither Yet so it happened that the day that Aretaphile came thither Philoxypes being much better then he was they were gone forth so as Aretaphile going accompanied with four or five of her women found him all alone T is true shee was not there long without company for the King came thither presently after Philoxypes blusht when he saw him come in and seemed so amazed at this encounter as if he had been really in love with Aretaphile the King who observed this his change of countenance being much concernd to see that he should be the cause of Philoxypes danger after a great strife within himself drew near to Princess Aretaphile who out of her respect would have given him her place which he would not accept of and after having looked upon her a while without speaking he sigh 't and said Madam will you not cure Philoxypes Sir said she if his health depend on me your Majesty should soon be eased of the grief his sickness causeth in you Philoxypes who found a great alteration in the Kings countenance was afeard least he might say somewhat which might have made Aretaphile know his opinion of him wherefore not affording the King leasure to reply Sir said he though I believe Princess Aretaphile be able to do great things and to charm great pains yet I think I may say without offending her that those evills which I lie under depend not on hers wil that none but the Gods them selve can withdraw me from the grave Philoxypes pronounced these words in so sad a manner as endeavouring to overcome whatsoever opposed his design of saving Phyloxypes drawing yet a little nearer to the Princess Aretaphile for fear least they that were in the chamber might over hear him Madam said he making a sign to Phyloxypes that he would not be interrupted I shall tell you a thing which will much surprise you I conjure you notwithstanding to give it a favourable interpretation and to oblige me so far as to believe that upon better tearms then the saving of Philoxypes life I would not tell it you no not though mine own life were concerned therein Oh! Sir cried out this sick Prince if your Majesty end what you have begun to say you will hasten my death instead of retarding it Princess Aretaphile amazed to hear what she heard and not able to guess what the matter should be looked sometimes upon the King sometimes upon Philoxypes but at last the king compleating his determination t is you Madam said he to the Princess Aretaphile who send Philoxypes to his grave your charms have been more powerfull then his reason though his nobleness hath been yet greater then his love He loves you divine Aretaphile not daring to tell you so Hee will not so much as acknowledg it yet I know for certain that unless you take compassion on him he will infallibly die I therefore speak no more to you in my own behalf said he in a strange Melancholy manner but deal less rigorously with him then you have done with me since he deserves it better and if your Ambition be not to be satisfied without a Sovereign power I promise you divine Princess that if I cannot place Philoxypes upon the Throne he shall alwaies be so near it as his place shall hardly be discernable from mine In fine said he if Philoxypes die I shall die and so I shall for ever lose you but if you save Philoxypes I may at least hope to languish on a while and to share part of your esteem not being able to pretend any longer to any part of your affection Nor think not said he That this which I do is any mark of weakness in my affection since on the contrary it denotes the violence thereof For in fine if I could resolve to abandon you and to follow Philoxypes to the grave I would not yeild up to him the part I pretend to have in your affection though he be more worthy thereof then I but not being able to see him die for my sake without expiring with grief I must live that he may live and consequently must endeavour for a while to prolong the satisfaction I take in seeing you Aretaphile was so astonisht to hear the King speak after this manner and Philoxypes so afflicted as astonishment and sorrow producing the same effect in these two personages they staid a good while without speaking Aretaphile had opinion good enough of her beauty to suffer her selfe easily to be perswaded that Philoxypes was in love with her and she had likewise opinion good enough of his Generositie to believ he durst not discover his passion But as nothing that was not King could touch her heart she was strangely perplext to hear what she heard and sometimes she thought t' was peradventure but a pretext sought by the King to break with her Philoxipes on his side thinking that at the last he must be fain to tell the King the truth that he might disabuse him was so strangely confused as he could not open his mouth so as the King seeing them both so surprized and finding that peradventure his love might quickly make him unsay all that his friendship had made him affirm rose up and without expecting what Aretaphile would answer Madam said he the pittifull condition which you see Philoxypes is in perswades you better then I can do and he doubtlesly will pardon me if I speak not so long to you for him as I have formerly done to you for my self which said he went his way though Philoxypes desired him to tarry assuring him that he would wholly disabuse him This mean while though Aretaphile had a great minde to be gone too yet being imbitterd in minde and desirous to know a little more precisely what the business of this so strange adventure would prove shee staid a little after the King and looking upon
Aretaphile to Philoxypes as after having surrendered her to him But Sir since you have rather chosen to specifie an extraordinary mark of Generosity then to give the commonest proofe of love I have no more to say neither have I more to do but to preserve my heart as free as it hath allwaies been The king seeing he could not appease this haughty spirit call'd Philoxypes in into his aid come said he come make amends for the fault which you have innocently committed and if you will preserve my life as I would have done yours be a mean of replacing me in the condition wherein I was before I had compassion of you Madam said Philoxypes addressing his speech to the Princess if you judge of the Kings love to you by his Friendship to me what may you not expect from thence since to save my life he could for some few moments onely renounce the possession of so inestimable a jewel And will you not then believe That upon the least occasion which should present it self he would for your service sacrifice not onely Philoxypes but even all his subjects nay even his own life No Sir said she you are not so much bound to the King as you imagine and instead of your desiring me to judge of his love to me by the friendship he bears to you I shall advise you to judge of his friendship to you onely by his love to me and to believe that since he was able to yeild me up he never had so resolute a passion for Aretaphile as to deserve that Philoxypes should be much beholden to him for what hee hath done for him since he would have done the like for any other But cruell princess said the King what will you have me to do me thinks said she I should demand no unjust thing of you if I should humbly intreat you to think no longer on Aretaphile and quietly to enjoy the life of Philoxypes which hath cost you so little Ah said he if I should have purchased the life of Philoxipes at the losse of your affection I should have bought it more deare then if I should have given my Crown for it Confess the truth said this malicious Princess if Philoxypes had been as sick of Ambition as you did think him love sick he would not for certain be yet cured and you would not so soon have forgon your Scepter as you did Aretaphile Phyloxipes who easilie conceived the hidden sense of these words whereunto the King replyed not so was he over born with grief said Madam if the King shall confess unto you that he hath done amiss and shall ask your pardon for it will you be more inexorable then are the Gods and will you shew no mercy when the King said shee shall have done to cure me of any malady of minde if any such shall befall me so extraordinary a thing as that which he hath done for you I shall then see of what minde I shall be In fine Sir All that the King and Philoxypes could do or say did no waies avail with this imperious Princess When they were come from her and were returned to the Palace Philoxypes who was well acquainted with Aretaphiles humour told the King he knew a way how to work his reconcilement with her Alas said the King there are few things I would not do to purchase that content speak therefore my dear Phyloxypes must I be long in pain must I sigh abundantly and pour forth abundance of tears and must I be everlastingly prostrate at her feet No Sir said he you shall onely put the Crown upon her head But replied the King I would gladly not have owed Aretephiles love to her Ambition on the contrarie I would have had the Crown of Cyprus to have been a reward of her affection to me Five or six daies being thus past over and Philoxypes not being able to tarry any longer at the Court he desired leave of the King to return to CLARIA Those who the King had sent to the Port towns vvhich vvere neerest to Paphos returned at the same time but brought no news of Policrite so as the unfortunate Philoxypes returned to his solitariness in great despair He had yet engaged the King not to discover the cause of his melancholy nor vvere there any that knew it but he the Princess Aretaphile and my self nor did the Princesse know any more then that Philoxypes vvas faln in love vvi … one that he knew not It would be very hard to relate unto you what life he led when it was fair weather he went to visit Policrite's Cottage and all the places where he had seen her or spoken with her he went to ask more questions of the slave who was there and whom they had ever had an eye unto not finding any one that spoke with him nor that he spoke with any one But all the addresses this Prince could make could not prevail against the fidelity of this slave who deserved a better condition When Philoxypes could not walk abroad he walked in his Gallery gazing on the picture of his dear Policrite When he call'd to mind how contented a life he led before he fell in love he almost wished he had never seen Policrite but when he remembred her charming beauty her bewitching mind and the happy howres which he had enjoied in her company though shee had alwaies concealed the esteem she had for him he preferr'd all the sorrows he had suffered since he was in love before all his former pleasures Oh! would he sometimes say to himself when he should read Polycrite's letter how sweet how pleasing and how cruel things have I learnt in one day Policrite is of illustrious birth Policrite will alwaies remember me and Policrite will never more see me Alas if it be so said he why have I not recourse to death and what shall I do with so unfortunate a life Then suddenly remembring that Policrite was alive and that she did not hate him he conceived a beam of hope that peradventure shee might make enquirie after him and knowing how miserable a life he led she might at last resolve to let him know in what part she lived This thought afforded him only so much hope as to keep him from dying not so much as to comfort him in his misfortunes Living then in this manner all the rest of the Winter he went sometimes to see the King when the King could not come to him and despairing of all remedie he only expected death or news of Policrite the one or the other whereof were the object of all his thoughts the bounds of all his desires The Spring it self which seems to inspire joy into whole nature wrought no alteration in him He beheld the roses in his Gardens blush with the same melancholie as hee had seen his knots white with Snow in Winter Those who watched over Cleanthes his slave brought him word one morning that he was suddenly dead This anger some news