their Priviledges Aronces and Celeres did applaud unto the Heavens their design of delivering these Ladies Mean time Aronces remembring that Clelius told him he had a Sister who was a Vestal he asked a Roman next him of what families these two Vestals were and the Roman answered that the grand Vestal was Sister unto a banished man whose name was Clelius and that the other was of the house of Aquilines So as Aronces now knowing that the grand Vestal was Aunt unto Clelia he consulted with Celeres whether it were not expedient to make it known unto this Vestal that Clelia was her Neece before she spoke unto Tarquin and conceiving she would be more zealous if she knew it they resolved to trust her with this important secret To that end when she came near that great and stately Frontis-piece before the Gates of Tarquins Palace and descending from that Chariot wherein she was carried Aronces after he had asked leave of one that waited upon her did address himself with all reverence unth her and told her in a low voice and few words that there was among the Captives one who was the daughter of her Brother and conjured her by the name of Clelius to protect her and be silent Verenia knowing how her Neece was stoln away she did more easily believe what Aronces told her and the beauty of Clelia having attracted her looks she did find in her the Air of her Family so as promising to be secret and to insist importantly upon the Priviledge she ranked her self in the Front of all those Ladies who came out of their Coaches and being Ushered in by that Officer who conducted them she asked to speak with Tarquin who being then in the Chamber of the cruel Tullia commanded that the Vestals and the Captives should enter But though the Curiosity was very great all those who followed could get no further than the Anti-Chamber except some few whose minds were too high to be denied entrance into the Kings Chamber So as Aronces being as handsome a person as any was in the world he entred and Celeres also But they were much amazed when they saw Amilcar Artemidorus and Zenocrates close by the King especially to see the first of these in such great familiarity with him though there were many considerable Romans with him and that though Collatine and the Prince Sextus were present yet the King talked only with Amilcar and that with as much familiarity as if he had known them all their lives though it was but two days since they came unto him But as Aronces and Celeres were astonished to see Amilcar Amilcar was much more at the sight of Clelia Aronces and Celeres also Artemidorus and Zenocrates wondred to see Celeres and Aronces yet they concealed their several thoughts and every one kept their places to see the business And indeed the business was worthy of Curiosity for Verenia was a person who had been admirably fair and yet had a most comely mind the Vestal who accompanied her was not above five and twenty years of age and one of the most pleasing persons in the World So as these two Vestals approaching the presence of Tarquin all the Captive Ladies ranked themselves behind her in expectation of their doom whether Liberty or Fetters so as this was a very delectable Object for all the Ladies were fair and pleasing it is true the beauty of Clelia did so much dim the Lustre of all the rest as only she was looked upon Things standing thus the grand Vestal began to speak with as much boldness as eloquence and addressing her self unto Tarquin Sir said she unto him we address our selves unto you with a Petition so just as I need only to tell you what our pretensions are without seeking for any reasons to uphold them I shall not insist Sir upon telling you our original for you who are knowing in all things cannot be ignorant that it is much more ancient than Rome But I must take the liberty to tell you that since Romulus brought us from Alta unto this day no Kings that ever Reigned in this Town did ever offer to infringe the least of our Priviledges and that we have ever been so considered by Kings and People as both the one and the other have looked still upon us as the nearest cause of publick tranquillity The first of the Tarquins did rather add unto our Priviledges than diminish them We have received no causes of complaint since our first institution neither from People Senate or Kings and I am confident Sir that you will give us none but that you will grant liberty unto all these fair Captives whom I met by chance for you know Sir the Law is that if a Vestal accidentally meets any who are carrying unto execution she saves his life and releaseth him provided she will swear that she did not seek to meet him And Sir I can safely swear that I never knew of these Ladies until I accidentally met them I know you may tell me Sir that these Ladies are prisoners of War and not Criminals but since they are innocent they are more worthy of favour and according to all Laws and reason those who can do the greater things can do the less and therefore I conclude that since we can save the lives of Criminals we may save the innocent from imprisonment and give them liberty I know also that the chance never yet was when Vestals met Prisoners of War as divers times they have Criminals but still I say the Law ought to be expounded as I say and the conjuncture is so favourable for us as I cannot think you will lose an occasion of doing a thing of so great a glory for I do not ask the liberty of any heroick Captain or of any valiant Soldiers but only for five or six silly miserable Ladies who never did any thing against you nor knows not how if they would Grant therefore Sir what we ask we conjure you unto it by the sacred fire which we so vigilantly preserve and by all that is most holy and venerable amongst us When Verenia had done speaking Tarquin who heard her with a mocking smile answered her in these terms As you are a Vestal said he unto her I have willingly hearkned unto you but as you are the Sister of Clelius all that you say is suspected It is very probable that there is some craft in your Proposition for being sure that I would deny you you think that you may justly tell the People I have infringed the priviledges of the Vestals that the sacred fire will quickly go out and that the Gods in revenge will ruine Rome nor do I know whether out of a premeditated design you have let it extinguish already But however it be I do declare that no Vestal under my Reign shall ever deliver any Prisoners of War and these Ladies whose Liberty you demand shall not obtain it Get you gone and look well to your
though less than those which are so in respect of Duty which I spoke of Certainly if the consequence of Ingratitude ought to be considered in order to determining the greatness of it it must be granted me that ingratitude in Love produces divertisement and pleasure in the world instead of disturbing humane society for usually amorous Ingratitudes occasion the composure of very excellent Verses As for that which happens between two friends though it be horrible yet at most it only causes hatred to succeed in the room of friendship and some families to be divided But the ingratitude of bad Kings towards their Subjects if the respect due to them will permit such language is the occasion of a thousand injustices and that of People towards their Kings causes seditions revolts and eternal wars The ingratitude of Fathers to Children and Children to Fathers extinguishes all natural sentiments that of Husbands to Wives and Wives to Husbands occasions almost all criminal affections and tragical deeds Judge therefore whether I was mistaken when I affirmed the ingrateful in Duty were the most dangerous I know not whether they be the most dangerous answered Cesonia but I maintain that one ungrateful in friendship can never be a true honest man and yet 't is not impossible sometimes for one ingrateful in Duty to be so For to instance there may be Kings who will give no acknwledgement of the services performed for them who study more their own glory than the quiet of their people and will not be other than great Princes Indeed if all Kings really lov'd their Subjects as a good Father ought to love his Children and would take especial notice of the services which are performed for them they would never make War except to defend them but peaceably permit them to till their native soil and be induc'd by no ambition to make new acquests of Territory at the expence of their lives who love and obey them Perhaps there may possibly be ingratitudes in Ambition of not so black a stain as those of friendship All such as have began a new dominion have been ingrateful to their Countrey yet whilst in their climbing from mean Citizens to the heigth of grand Princes Fortune justified their ingratitude they have been placed in the same degree with Heroes But as for an ingrateful friend he hath been always ranked amongst the base and treacherous Fathers and Children Husbands and Wives ingratitude is not so odious when it is found amongst them but only because there is a great duty of mutual love incumbent upon them For though I am of opinion it is always fit for children to respect and obey those to whom they owe their lives yet I hold that when a man happens to have one of those Fathers that are too much so and who acting perpetually by their authority never do any thing with tenderness he may in some sort be excusable if he ascribe not all imaginable acknowledgements to him nevertheless I agree that he ought always to honor and serve him But there is a certain respect or decency and an obedience proceeding from reason very different from those which are produced by a real acknowledgement The same I say of Fathers and Children is also applicable to Husbands and Wives Moreover there is another reason which renders ingratitude between friends more detestable than between those I now mentioned For Kings make no choice of their Subjects and all Subjects do not elect their Kings no more do Fathers choose their Children or these their Fathers Interest for the most part makes all Marriages rather than Reason or Love Wherefore when all these persons are defective in acknowledgements though they deserve blame yet 't is in a less measure than ingrateful friends do especially because not loving at all they lessen the value of the obligations they have one towards another for conceiving their duty less it is not strange if they dispence with a part of what they owe. As for Lovers though their ingratitude be horrible yet it may be alledg'd that since we love not whom we will we cannot be oblig'd thereunto in spight of our inclinations and besides as Love seises on one party first when such possession seises on the one side it commonly begins on the other whence a Lover whose interest is dis-respected believes not himself so oblig'd as he is to the person by whom he is belov'd But for friends they are chosen by us we are voluntarily oblig'd to them we sue unto and engage them we readily admit of their services not being constrained to a confederate amity either by the Laws or any disordered Passion and by consequence nature reason justice virtue and glory exact of us a correspondent return of good offices and when it is not in a mans power to perform that he ought never at least to forget the obligation he hath to his Friend but publish and own it with delight For my part I confess I cannot comprehend how there should be ingrateful friends or how there can be any people which endure those which are so What assurance can there be in the heart of a man who is wanting to his friend and himself what sentiment is able to retain him who despises friendship justice and glory and makes himself apparent to be as imprudent as false for indeed the ingrateful ruines his reputation amongst all people of honor and does himself more mischief than others though perhaps he is not sensible of it It were not impossible but one ingrateful to his Prince may be grateful to his friend and his Mistress and also to the other Relations I mentioned but I judge an ingrateful Friend may be an ingrateful Subject Father Child Husband and Lover for friendship is a thing so sacred that who so contemns it is capable of violating all things Wherefore I conceive my opinion more warranted by reason than that of Amilcars You are highly ingenious answered Herminius and I confess all you have said in favor of Friendship is admirably well discoursed and so much the more as it serves to prove that the most horrible of all Ingratitudes is Ingratitude in Love Which before I undertake I must declare that there is no kind excusable but all ingrateful persons merit contempt and detestation It is not material to examine whether a man loves or hates to know whether he ought to be grateful For upon the reception of a benefit he is indispensably obliged to be acknowledged for it not only to his friends but also to his enemies when he accepts a good office from their hands And besides I am not satisfied whether a man be not obliged to gratitude even when he refuses the services they would do him The word Acknowledgment so clearly implies the necessary obligation of him that receives a favor from any one that none can be ignorant of it To acknowledge a good turn is to be always in a propensity of doing what has been done for you and
last Euripides shall die miserably for he shall be torn to pieces by the dogs of that King at a famous hunting The people shall say the cause of it was because he interceded for a man who had slain one of those dogs but the true reason shall be for that the King scarce minding his hunting any longer and being almost continually in discourse with Euripides jealousie and hatred shall both enter into their hearts so that finding him one day wandring alone they shall tear him to pieces and thus shall the famous Euripides die whom many judicious persons shall scarce dare to place above Sophocles But after having seen this illustrious Poet fix thy eyes a while upon a very little man who stands there on one side he is a Poet and nam'd Philetas he shall make Elegies full of very handsome fancy He shall be so lean so little and so light that the people shall report he always carries lead about him for fear the wind should carry him away He shall have a Mistriss named Batthis and shall dye through grief for not being able to resolve the argument of a Sophister He that thou seest in the next place is the incomparable Menander whose glory shall be immortal he is the man that shall refine Comedies who shall take away the insolent satyre from them and banish all that encounters modesty He shall have an inclination extraordinarily amorous for which reason there shall be much true modesty in his works He shall apprehend perfectly that a handsome Comedy ought to be a description or picture of the World and the passions ordinary to all men for no Poet shall goe beyond him in skill and exact observation of manners customs passions and inclinations of each particular of mankind There shall be other Comick Poets after him who shall confound all his different stiles and without observing all those varieties which are so necessary to these kind of Pictures they shall make Kings and Slaves speak after the same manner and confound the Tragick style with the Comick These cannot without injustice be equall'd to Menander who shall be gallant and polite throughout who shall have nothing but what either instructs or diverts Whence there shall be in the sequel of time a most grave and famous Author who shall prefer Menander a thousand degrees above him that shall be the most excellent amongst all others Menander shall be accus'd by one nam'd Cratinus to be sufficiently addicted to play the plagiary in Authors that preceded him but this Cratinus shall be one of those dangerous sons of Envy of which there shall always be some as long as there are persons of virtue that is one of those malicious criticks who seek not to instruct their age they live in but only to injure those they see more esteem'd than themselves Menander shall compose an hundred and nine Comedies and shall be Victor only in eight but posterity shall do him the justice to believe that it was by reason of the factions of his Envyers He shall be Disciple to Theophrastus a great friend to Demetreus Phalereus and so esteem'd by the Kings of Aegypt and Macedonia that they shall send a Fleet and Ambassadors to him to oblige him to come to them But in fine being yet in the flower of his age he shall be drown'd as he is swimming in the Port of Piraeus Look upon him that I shew thee next he shall be named Philemon and shall overcome Menander several times rather through good fortune than merit though there will be handsome fancies in several places of his Works but Menander speaking to him of his victories shall smilingly say to him Art not thou asham'd to have overcome me He is destinated to die with laughter at the sight of some uncouth spectacle he shall live fourscore and seventeen years and shall make fourscore and ten Comedies He that thou seest upon that great Theater and whom such a croud of people attentively listen to is Aristophanes he shall be of low birth and yet of great reputation and taking to himself a middle way between the excessive licentiousness of antient Comedy and the regularity of the New he shall please the generality of people His style shall be sharp subtle elegant full of ingenious setches and railleries but he shall not scruple to offend the fancy of the virtuous sort of people so that he may but give divertisement to the multitude He shall be extraordinarity bold in speaking against all the World insomuch that he shall make a Comedy against a Tribune of the people wherein he shall speak so sharply that no Comedian will venture to act that part whereupon being led by his Satyrical inclination he shall act it himself and for that reason be condemned to pay a great Fine That which shall blot the reputation of Aristophanes is that he shall be an enemy to Socrates and make a Comedy against him but on the other side he shall have the honor to have his Epitaph made by a great Philosopher after a glorious manner which shall serve one day for a document to the World that all great men are not always of the same judgement since another great Author speaking of Aristophanes shall say that in his works the Tragick and Comick style are confounded together the high and the low the sublime and the familiar very many superfluous words cold railleries and impudence diffus'd throughout He that thou seest next is Lycophron an Author famous for his obscurity He shall be of the number of those seven Tragick Poets who shall compose the Pleiades and he shall be ingeniously compar'd to a certain obscure Star which is in that constellation He shall be born in the City of Chalcis in Eubaea and shall be slain with the shot of an arrow Now take notice of that man who goes forth of a Temple and seems to be in amazement 't is Callimachus the Cyrenian who shall make Elegies Epigrams and other Works with sufficient approbation He shall make one among the rest that shall live a long time of which I will tell thee the subject to the end thou mayst understand Poets may sometimes have boldness which lead them out of the common road provided they be manag'd with judgement Berenice Queen of Aegypt seeing Ptolomy her Husband going to the War shall devote her hair which shall be very graceful to Venus in case he return victorious after which this Prince coming home Conqueror Berenice shall cut off her hair and carry it her self to the Temple of Venus where it shall not be found the next morning A famous Astrologer who shall desire to court that Queen shall profess that he saw it in the Heavens and that it makes a new Constellation there And indeed having really discover'd one that he had never seen till then it shall for ever after be call'd The hair of Berenice This is the subject of Gallimachus's Poem wherein making use of the boldness permitted to great Poets
the Sun was risen that there was arrived an hurt Stranger at the Castle he heard it from Sycanus his Wife which was called Aurelia and who demanded of him when she gave him a Visit if he was accommodated in the Apartment they had given him because it look'd over a little Port where there was alway some noyse for in fine said she obligingly to him as the Protector of the Prince Mezentius may command some priviledge if you are disturbed in that place where you are we will give you another Lodging when we dislodge the other Stranger the gods have sent hither to be succoured as well as you what Madam replied Aronces is there arrived any more unhappy than I yes Generous unknown replied Aurelia and he is more unhappy than you because his hurts are more dangerous O Madam replied Aronces he may be more hurt than I but he cannot be more unhappy as Aronces had thus said Celeres came into his Chamber to tell him that the Prince of Numidia was in the Castle and that he had heard by one of his men that he was wounded fighting against Horatius who had stollen away Clelia I beseech you Madam said Aronces addressing his Speech to Aurelia permit me I pray you to deprive my self of the honour of your presence that I may go to the Prince of Numidia's Chamber to whom I am very much obliged and from whom I may happily learn something which imports me more than you can imagine you are in such a bad condition to go replied Aurelia that I believe you ought not to enterprise it without the permission of your Chirurgeons O Madam replied Aronces if you knew the Interest I have to see the Prince of Numidia you would then be assured that I ought to consult none but my heart in this incounter after that Aurelia affectively hearing that Aronces would go to the Prince of Numidia's Lodging went to that of the Princess of the Leontines whom divers Interests did at this time retain in that Castle but she went not thither before she had told Celeres that it was for him to perswade Aronces not to destroy the cure she had resolved to have for the welfare of a man which had saved the life of the Prince Mezentius and who merited if no reason had invited us thereto that we should interess our selves both in his safety and recovery Celeres according to her directions would have induced Aronces to have sent him to the Numidian Prince who was named Adherball to demand of him what he knew of Clelia but 't was impossible for him to divert his intended resolution for after he was drest and had advertised the Prince of his coming he went thither leaning on two Slaves he was scarce come into the Prince his Chamber when he said to him pardon me Sir if the ardent desire I have to be satisfied by you what is become of Clelia and her Ravisher against whom I saw you yesterday fight on the Lake hinders me from giving you new demonstrations of that friendship we contracted at Carthage Alas my dear Aronces replied Adherball sighing the Ravisher of Clelia after he had reduced me to the estate in which you now see me caused his men to row so diligently that I soon lost sight of him for my men seeing me hurt would not obey me when I commanded them to follow Horatius with all the speed they could possible and they took more care for the preservation of my life than the performance of my commands though they have exposed my life it may be to more danger by not obeying them for in fine my dear Aronces now that I am in a place where no reasons oblige me to disguise my thoughts I have loved Clelia since I first saw her at Carthage and the commencement of our friendship proceeded from my love to her imagining that if I should acquire your esteem it might much conduce to the furtherance of my affection Aronces was surprised at Adherbal's expressions and finding him to be his Rival whom he only supposed his friend he changed colour on a sudden which Adherball who did not know that Aronces loved Clelia attributed to his friendship not any way suspecting his love so that obligingly resuming his discourse I must ingenuously confess said he that after I had the happiness to be acquainted with you if I had not loved Clelia I should have esteemed Aronces whose great merits command respect from all those which know him it appears by your words replied Aronces that you do not well know me and I am perswaded if you knew me better you would be of a contrary opinion but as we are both in a condition not to give any great testimonies either of love or hatred what thoughts soever sways our Soul I think I had best leave you in repose and retire my self and after Aronces had saluted Adherball with a more reserved Civility than before he returned to his Chamber in such a despair as evidenced the greatness of his affliction he was no sooner in his bed but Sycanus brought him a Noble man called Cilicies whom Mezentius had sent to him with Complements both from himself and the Princess Aretale his Wife so that Aronces being necessarily obliged to conceal his grief both from Sycanus and Cilicies desired them to inform him who were those which would have assassinated Mezentius though you are a Stranger replied he which was sent from the Perusian Prince it is not possible but you have heard ere you arrived at the Thrasymenean Lake that Porsenna King of Chusuim and the Queen his Wife have been retained Prisoners there these three and twenty years by the Prince Mezentius his Father-in-Law therefore without particularizing the cause of their long Imprisonment I shall tell you in few words that a Noble man called Thrachon Native Subject of that unhappy King being perswaded that it was lawful to act all manner of Crimes to deliver an Innocent Prince had laid an Ambuscado in the Wood where he obliged Mezentius to hunt leading him from his men till he was to come to the place where he had set those which should assail Mezentius who was strangly surprised when he saw him which he thought would defend him put himself at the head of those Assassinats and assault him and Mezentius now believes contrary to the opinion of all that Porsenna was acquainted with this Conspiracy which plotted against him so that all those which interess themselves in the life of this great Prince fear some violence will be acted against his Person is it possible he should so ill requite the care the gods have had for the conservation of his life replied Aronces as to put to death an innocent man and if I was in estate to go to demand of him any recompence for the service I have done him I should intreat him to limit his resentments and to do me likewise the favour as to command some of his men to inform him of one called
belief that his friendship towards him principally proceeded from his former affection to his Mother so boldly taking his Daughters part whose innocency she knew she took Aronces in effect said she to Clelius if Aronces is not a Roman born he hath a Roman heart and if Clelia had not lived well with him she should have disobeyed the command that you and I injoyn'd her if she had suffered him as her Brother replied Clelius I should have had nothing to reproach her but she hath endured him as a Lover and hath without doubt treated Horatius as an enemy by your favour sharply replied Sulpicia blame not me indirectly by blaming Clelia and be perswaded that she is altogether innocent that she loves glory and virtue that she hath not derogated from her birth but you are so opposite to the pretensions of Aronces because you do not know his Father and favour those of Horatius because his Mother hath been of your acquaintance At these words Clelius feeling himself touched to the quick at this reproach of Sulpicia because in effect there was some truth in it felt in his heart such a disposition to anger that for fear he should not overpower himself he departed not only from her chamber but out of the house and went to Aronces for whom he had yet a tender affection but against whom likewise he was much angred though he was resolved to speak to him rather like an angred Father than an enemy for Aronces received him with his usual respect but with such a profound sadness imprinted on his Face that it easily appeared that his Soul was much disquieted as soon as he was entred Aronces thus says to him with as much submission as if he had been his Father I doubt not but you believe you have cause to complain of me for that which hath passed between Horatius and I but I protest unto you he hath been the Assailer if he had not forced me to act what I have done the respect I bear you would have obliged me to suffer any affronts from him I am willing to believe Aronces replied Clelius that Horatius hath committed most wrong in that which reflecteth on your quarrel and I am very much deceived if I do not make you confess that you have been more culpable towards me then he can be towards you for in sine you know Aronces what I have done for you you know I found you in the Sea that I exposed my life to save yours and afterwards far from treating you as a slave the gods had given me I educated you as my Son and that there might be nothing deficient on my part to your advantage I desired my Wife to love you as if she had been your Mother and commanded my Daughter to love you as if she had been your Sister but O horrible and unparallel'd ingratitude you use the familiarity I have given you in my house to cloak your affection to Clelia and you pretend to enforce her from me that she might not obey my commands I therefore declare to you by a tender resentment which yet resides in my heart and to teach you to acknowlege those obligations you have to me by a grateful recognition to you for saving my life I say that if you will ingeniously confess all that which is passed between Horatius and you and swear to me never to pretend any thing to Clelia nor once to speak to her till she shall be espoused to Horatius I will preserve my friendship toward you and I will bury in oblivions grave the cause you have given me to complain of you Would I had the power said Aronces to him to shew you all that which hath passed in my heart for if it were possible for me to do it you would easily seal my justification and my infelicity would it may be receive a great diminution but seeing you cannot divine my thoughts permit me to tell them you and do me the favour to believe that I will conceal nothing from you I will then ingeniously confess to you that I have received continually from you all things I could desire and more then I could ever expect and I have been and I am yet linkt to you in such a chain of gratitude that nothing but death shall be able to untie and if I could but once reproach my self to have committed any thing voluntarily which might merit your indignation I should esteem my self the most ingrateful and persidious of all Men but generous Clelius that love which hath made a deep impression in my Soul and which irritates you against me is not of this Nature What have I not done to resist and banish this passion from my heart and for being just to you Clelia hath reason to tax me with injustice for I have been sometimes so transported beyond my self that I have wisht with a strange desire neither to admire love or esteem her but my wishes were still in vain for I observe love and admire her more than my tongue too weak an instrument to blazon forth her perfections is able to express but as I live without any hope to be happy demanding no reciprocal affection I cannot see how I should be conscious of any injustice towards you and though my person should be your captive yet I must tell you that the respect I bear you only hinders me from desiring to cease to be miserable and I must therefore ingeniously confess to you that I am not capable to see Clelia in Horatius his power without contributing to my own Tragedy neither give her to me pursued this afflicted Lover and I consent thereto neither give her to Horatius if you will not give death to a Man whose Life you have saved I very well know my words do not fall in the compass of Reason and that you have some subject to impute injustice to me because I seem to impose Laws on him from whom I ought to receive them I would not have unript my thoughts to you in this occasion if I had not imagined to oblige you to compassionate my feebleness I might have told you if I would that as unknown as I am there is something inshrined in my heart which may merit the particular esteem of Clelius but I declare to you without murmuring against you that if you never give her me I shall without doubt complain of fortune but never of Clelius and if Horatius shall not be more happy than I I shall not believe my self to be the most unfortunate of all Men. That which you say replied Clelius is so dissonant from Reason that I cannot give you any positive Answer and all that which I may or ought to tell you is that my Daughter is under my power that the Romans are not only Masters of their Childrens fortunes but of their lives and as Clelia's Father I shall bestow her on whom I please and I shall never give her you but according to all likelihood shall
the jealous thoughts of Tiberinus and without giving any direct answer told him that e're long he would do what did become him Mean time the Princess of the Leontines out of her zealous and generous devotion to serve Aronces did force her self to look upon Tiborinus a little better then ordinary and endeavoured to make him love Aronces she did still preserve very carefully that amity which she had gotten amongst all the Grandees of that Court And scarce a day passed without some secret conference with her from the friends of Porsenna and Galerita Sicanus and others who negotiated for Aronces did continually communicate unto him what each of them in particular had done But the greatest affliction upon Aronces was that he could not hear a word of Clelia though by order from Mezentius a strict Inquisition was made for her throughout all his Dominions So as since he could not then depart from Perusia considering the condition where in the King his Father was nor knowing where to seek her he resolved to stay until he could better dispose of himself and in the interim to send secretly unto the Towns which were then Enemies unto Rome for he conceived that Horatius who was upon ill terms with Tarquin could not seek a safer retreat then amongst his enemies So as in order to this design he sent unto all such places where there was any hopes to hear something of her After which he did wholly devote himself to save the life of Porsenna For Mezentius desiring a Successor and to marry his Daughter he having no Children did accuse Porsenna that he went about to murther him and did charge him indeed with some shews of probability Indeed the Man who would have killed him and whom Aronces killed was a Friend of the Prisoner King and if his virtues had not been apparent unto all the World it might have been thought that desire of liberty might have prompted him to consent unto such an unworthy action So as Mezentius having some colour to accuse him of such a crime he made it be prosecuted and they proceeded against him as a Delinquent Aronces then being in great favour and familiarity with Mezentius he talked one day with him concerning this accusation and told him that he believed it had no good foundation and beseeched him to take a business of that great importance into his serious consideration How Aronces said Mezentius unto him did you give death to him who would by order from Porsenna have taken away my life and would you now save his life and who would have been my death Sir replyed Aronces I desire to keep you from doing a thing which afterward you may repent of when it is too late And if an unfortunate Stranger to whom you have given leave to utter his mind may be still permitted to speak I would ingeniously confess that I think there is nothing of greater consideration then for a Soveraign Prince to be very cautious how he meddles with those of his own quality for if he put them into the Rank of other men then doth he lose his own priviledges and makes himself capable to suffer that which he inflicts upon others Therefore Sir I beseech you be not too hasty in proceeding against Porsenna but make a difference betwixt a great King and a common Subject Your language replied Mezentius is indeed both prudent and generous but the life of Porsenna is so great an obstacle unto all my designs that since fortune hath given me a just cause to ruine him I ought to do it unless I be the most imprudent man upon earth I do know very well Sir replied Aronces that Porsenna is accused but I cannot tell whether there be any proofs against him 'T is true you were assaulted by a man who was tyed unto his interest but Sir you have kept him under such strict guards as it is not credible he should ever have a hand in such a horrid act And therefore Sir be careful least in seeking for a pretence to ruine the innocent you become guilty your self and least you should provoke the just gods to revenge his death Sir I beseech you pardon the boldness of my language for I take so great an interest in all that concerns you as I hope that my zeal will plead my excuse I thank you replied Mezentius and my love is so tender towards you that you may speak any thing but for this love to you you are more obliged unto me then you imagine for you have so great a resemblance of a Man whom of all the World I most hate as I wonder you can be deep in my affection However I must tell you that I do not wonder you should speak as you do for you are young you know not the several interests of my state nor the secret reasons which I have to ruine Porsenna Therefore being neither angry nor perswaded by any thing you have said let me tell you that if I do not ruine Porsenna he will ruine me and in the choice of these two I had better ruine then be ruined Aronces had further replied if Tiberinus had not come in who seeing them in such private conference grew extremely jealous for he knew by the countenance of Mezentius that the discourse was very serious and concerned something of great importance So as discontent appearing in his eyes Mezentius perceived it and was angry and to punish Tiberinus for taking it ill he should talk with Aronces he spoke not a word unto him but continued talking with that Prince insomuch as Tiberinus being extremely netled he went out abruptly went unto the Princess of the Leontines Mean time Mezentius talked no more of Porsenna unto Aronces but pressed him to tell who and from whence he was You know said he unto him that I have often asked you and could never get a direct answer from you 'T is very true Sir replied Aronces and I beseech you let me be silent still for truly Sir I have several reasons to conceal my self and all I can say at this time is that as soon as I can I will let you know it Your answer doth a little stagger me replyed Mezentius for it makes me think you were one of those Children who were left in the Street exposed to the Will of Fate and ignorant of your extraction No Sir replyed Aronces I am none of those I know my Progenitors are noble but I know withal that I ought not to discover it until some matters be over which perpaps will be very shortly As Aronces was saying so Bianor entred who came to tell Mezentius that he had met with many circumstances which made it conjecturable that Porsenna was knowing to the design of him who would have assassinated him But whilst these passages were at the Palace of Mezentius Tiberinus was with the Princess of the Leontines inveighing against the new favourite Aronces It is desired Madam said he unto her after many other matters I shall
and obligations of that high nature as can never be sufficiently acknowledged you have saved my life twice you have made me victorious over my enemies and have thereby preserved my State For all these I have not done any thing for you but now you shall receive a recompence so great as all Italy shall talk of it Sir answered Aronces in a surprise I have a Soul so little interested as that it values not the greatest gifts which fortune can give I set a far greater value upon some demonstrations of your esteem then I should upon all your treasures should you bestow them upon me Your expressions replied Mezentius doe speak you so worthy of what Ssxtilia and my self intend for you as it were unjust any longer to detain you from the sight of it After this Mezentius called for the Captain of his Guard and whispering with him he went out and presently returning again he brought Galerita into the Closet where they were Galerita was no sooner there but casting her eye upon Aronces she changed colour for he had such a resemblance of the King her Husband as he was the last time she saw him as that she thought it was Porsenna whom she saw Yet this pleasing errour lasted not long nor hindred her from saluting the Prince her Father with as much reverence as if he had not been the cause of all her misfortunes But as for Sextilia the salutes between them were very hollow and cold As for Aronces as great as his wonder was at the expressions of Mezentius yet he was most sensibly joyed to see the Queen his Mother for he knew by the bahaviour of the Captain that brought her in that it was she and he knew it better by the mark which she had upon her Cheek resembling that upon his hand So as looking as earnestly upon her as she upon him one would have thought they had known one another though it may in a manner be said that they never saw each other At last Mezentius began to speak and looking upon Aronces here generous defender of my life said he unto him here is the recompence which I have designed for you in testimony of my gratitude for all the services you have done me This Princess whom you see here is my Daughter she shall possess my estate and you shall possess it with her as long as the gods shall let you live you have assured me that your Birth is very Noble your actions confirm me in the belief of it I do owe you my life and estate and I do give you no more then you have given me in giving you my Estate and my Daughter And all upon no other condition but a promise to protect Sextilia when I am dead For Porsenna hath consented unto a Divorce from Marriage and there is nothing which can hinder yours now with Galerita This discourse of Mezentius did so timely surprise the Queen of Clusium and Aronces that it was a long time before they could recover themselves out of their wonder Aronces was so affrighted to hear they should motion him to marry his Mother that he could not well tell whether what he heard was real or a Dream And Galerita did so wonder that Porsenna should consent unto a Divorce that she knew not what to think So as not being able to indure long in such a cruel incertainty How Sir said she unto Mezentius before Aronces could answer Doth Porsenna give his consent that I shall be no longer his Wife Oh good Sir if it be so let me hear it from his own mouth but if it should be so Sir never expect I will ever consent unto a second Marriage I have a Son in some part of the World who must one day be your Successor and who perhaps will by his obedience repair the infidelity of his Father if it be so that he is culpable For my particular Sir said Aronces then unto Mezentius I have such prevalent and powerful reasons not to accept of this honour which you are pleased to do me as when you shall know them you will say that you desire impossibilities I perceive very well Aronces said Mezentius unto him that it is only out of respect and generosity you speak as you do and that because Porsenna is yet living therefore you will not marry Galerita But to remove that obstacle know that Porsenna hath already either consented unto my desires or else he is dead Oh Sir replied Aronces what do I hear are you not afraid lest the Son of this unfortunate King should come and revenge the cruelties used upon his Father Let him come answered he in a rage let him come if he have a mind to be a sharer in the punishments and die by the same hand that his Father did unless he have obeyed my last orders Oh Sir replied Aronces then I should too long conceal the truth from you if I did not tell you that the King of Clusium is the most innocent and the most generous Prince in the World And to manifest it unto you know that I have the honour to be his Son That when I saw him by orders from you I discovered unto him who I was and he did more commend me for saving your life then he should if I had saved his Send back Sir send and recall your Orders unless you will be branded with the Title of unjust Mezentius and Sextilia hearing Aronces speak so were strangely surprised Galerita was astonished and so glad both as that she was not able to testifie her wonder and satisfaction Yet her heart told her that Aronces spoke truth and both Mezentius and Sextilia sought the same For the resemblance betwixt Aronces and Porsenna and the boldness of his language did convince all doubts of it Also it chanced that as he spoke with much action he shewed the hand which had the mark so resemblant unto that of Galerita's Cheek so as it was apparent Aronces told the truth However this acquaintance in lieu of producing a favourable effect it did the more incense Mezentius who not knowing what to do nor whether the Orders to put Porsenna to death in case he refused the Divorce were already executed he vented the most sharp and bitter expressions in the World against Galerita and against Aronces for all his tenderness over that Prince Again what satisfaction soever Galerita had in the finding of her Son yet she durst not shew any signs of joy until she were a little better assured and until she knew in what condition Porsenna was Mean while there being some of Aronces's particular friends in the Chamber of Mezentius they heard how that Prince spoke in choler and he who kept the door who was also obliged unto Aronces hearing the menaces and sharp language of Mezentius went and acquainted the friends of Aronces with it who went in all hast to impart it unto those who were at the house of the Princess of the Leontines all who began to stir
was speaking unto one of her women in the Anti-Chamber as he came in He offered to take the note from him the Slave refused to give it saying he was to deliver it unto none but the Princess but Tarquin being naturally suspicious and thinking he was interested in all manner of whispers he took it from him and said he would take upon him to deliver it you may well imagine that the Slave and the Woman were much surprized Yet Tarquin was so terrible unto all that knew him as that they durst not murmure though they were extremely troubled for the Slave knew the note was of some great concernment because he had such a charge with it and the Woman thought so as well as he seeing the obstinacy of the slave to part with it unto any but the Princess However they must be patient the slave went away and the Woman went into the Chamber of her Mistress whilst Tarquin was reading the Note where he found what he imagined so as seeing that if the business were not quickly dispatched it would be difficult to effect he presently sent away the poison to Tullia after which he went into the Chamber of the Princess who was not a little troubled for the Woman who had told her what Tarquin had done So as since the Prince of Ameriola and she had agreed to advertise each other of all they heard she believed knowing the slave who brought the note was his that it was this Prince who had written unto her So as being extreamly jealous of her glory and valuing it above all things else she feared lest this note should induce Tarquin to think that she held some criminal correspondency with his Brother But he rested not long in those fears for this cruel Tarquin intending to delude her and judging by the sorrow he saw in her eyes that she knew more then she spoke he went unto her with more freeness of spirit than usual And to execute the violence which he had used in taking away the note from him that would have given it unto her he told her with a laugh that he would have her guess from whom it came and what it concerned adding that if she could not guess right she should not have it until the morning The Princess seeing him so pleasant suffered her self to be deceived not but that she knew Tarquin could dissemble as well as any Man living but as commonly persons that are highly virtuous can hardly believe that any can be extreamly wicked so she thought the note to be of no great importance and she thought moreover that the Prince of Ameriola and she had given too bad an Interpretation upon the Letters or else that surely Tarquin had repented So as setting the best side outward the indeavoured to guess from whom this Note should come which he would not shew unto her though she knew not whom to name for she would not mention the Prince his Brother and Tullia was not used to write unto her But after this forced mirth had lasted a while supper was ready and Tarquin that he might have the satisfaction to see her take the poison he would sup with her I have heard a Man say who saw her that night that though she was melancholly yet she never in her life looked fairer and he assured me that Tarquin himself was a little troubled and that when she called for drink and he knew it to be the poyson which he had prepared he changed colour But when he found that the sight of so great a beauty did mollifie his heart this cruel Man turned away his head that he might not see her drink the poison And indeed he talked unto one of his Servants whilst she took it After which glorying that he had surmounted the weakness and foolish qualms of his heart he was so impudently inhumane as to look upon her as before and so cruel as to jest several times with her during this fatal repast But to the end that the poison might have the more leisure to work its effect he seemed to have some private business to communicate unto her so as carrying her into his Closet he obliged her to be there near two hours though she began to find her self ill within half an hour after she entred for the Man of whom he had the poison assured him that if no Antidote was applied within one hour after the taking all remedies after would be in vain and the party would certainly die So as though this fair and virtuous Princess did complain at first of her being ill yet this Tyger Tarquin did keep her there telling her it was nothing and talking to her of divers things which he desired her to tell the King But at last after he thought the poison had wrought its effects he seeming very busie in helping her he would be always by her lest if she should suspect the cause of her death she should not discover any thing unto the by-standers Thus this admirable person did so her Murtherer seemed to interest himself in the pain which she indured And indeed when she went out of the Closet her Women seeing a mortal paleness in her face did perswade her to go to bed But she answered very mildly that ere long they should carry her to her Grave And as they were very earnest to send for the King's Physicians I pray do said she see they bring intentions with them to make me die more easily for to cure me added she and sighed they cannot nor do I desire they should Mean while amidst all the hatred which she might well have against her Husband and her Sister and notwithstanding the Love she bore unto the Prince of Ameriola yet she used not one sharp word against those who killed her nor one sweet expression of him whom she tenderly loved but she whispered one in the Ear whom she trusted with all the secrets of her Life and commanded her to tell that unfortunate Prince that she desired him not to revenge her death but to preserve her memory After which she asked twice to see the King and Queen but though Tarquin said he had sent unto them yet she never saw them because he hindred any from going saying it was too late of the night and that he hoped the Princess would pass it over and that she her self would be sorry they should obey her The Princess having a great Soul knew very well she asked in vain nor was she very earnest upon it but lifting up her eyes unto Heaven let me die then said she with a deep sigh in hopes long to stand in need of no Consolation After this her pain encreased and she grew very weak but when the Physicians came they did a little revive her but they hoped never the more for that but on the contrary said they could not save her and in saying so one might have seen by their eyes that they durst not tell the cause of her death and that
had related the story of his Life did cause in him a strange repugnancy to execute his design if the interest of his love had not surmounted it On the other side when he thought that Clelia perhaps would be treated as a slave and that if ever she were known to be the Daughter of Clelius her self would be in great danger then he was almost out of his wits and gave himself wholly over unto sadness Nor as a Cordial to himself durst he hope that Clelia had preserved her affection intire for him or if he had any glimps of such hope it was so weak as he was nevertheless miserable He seared also that he should be obliged to make himself and his quality known unto Tarquin that he might thereby be the better able to serve Clelia for he conceived that if he should make his love appear and that it should be known unto the King his Father who afterwards would know that Clelia was enemy unto the Daughter of Tarquin with whom he had received such a solemn Allâ—ance that his Father would not approve of his love but perhaps would make it known unto that Prince who she was purposely to ruine her Not but that he knew the King his Father to be a Man of much virtue but yet his love making him to fear every thing he feared lest the beauty of Clelia should add unto her miseries for considering how Herminius had described the Eldest Son of Tarquin he thought it impossible but he must fall in love with her so as the miserable Aronces went to Rome with such unquiet thoughts as Celeres had much ado to comfort him The reason why he went to Rome rather then the Camp was because he heard Hellius had commanded those who conducted the Ladies to go unto that famous City But that he might not be there without some acquaintance Herminius at parting from Aronces did give him such particular tokens to deliver unto the virtuous Sevilia his Mother as he doubted not but she would be ready to do him any good Office Since it was not above eighteen Miles betwixt Ardes and Rome and the place where they parted being near Ardes they had arriv'd at Rome before the Sun had been up if they had not lost their way and been stopped but having no guide they went much about and were forced to rest their Horses and themselves at least three hours So as they arrived not at that Gate in Rome which they then called the Gate Carmentale until the Evening This Gate was not that through which they use to go from Rome to Ardes for that is close by the Capitol quite contrary but Aronces and Celeres having lost their way they came in at this Gate and went to lodge at a place where formerly they lodged when they were at Rome only out of curiosity They were no sooner alighted from their horses but they went to enquire of Clelia and to find out Artemidorus Amilcar and Zenocrates whom they thought to be in Rome because Tarquin was there though it was told Celeres that he would set out the morrow after he was there So as imagining knowing the humour of Amilcar that they should find them about the Palace of Tarquin Aronces went thither with Celeres but in their way thither he was much surprized to see two Coachfuls of Ladies guarded by Soldiers who entred into Rome at the Port of Janus and going to the King's Palace The cause of his wonder was that he spyed Clelia in the first of them it is true he saw her without her seeing him for she being very melancholy no objects invited her looks not imagining that Aronces should be in Rome for considering the danger wherein she left him she imagined more probability of his death or being a Prisoner then to be in that place However notwithstanding all her melancholy her beauty was of such a lustre as the people only followed the Coach to look upon her As for Aronces he no sooner espyed her But he shewed her unto Celeres and was joyed beyond all imagination he was joyed to see her and to see her sad because he thought he had some share in her sadness But also he was infinitely sad to see her a Captive and a Captive unto the most mortal enemy of Clelius her father As he was divided between his joys and his sorrows he saw two Vestals who walking with all the Ceremonies usual when they go through the Town they stayed and asked whither they carried those Ladies and being answered that they were Captives and carried to be presented unto Tarquin the elder of the Vestals whose name was Verenia commanded the Officer who had the charge of them to stay the Coaches The Vestals being held in great veneration at Rome the Officer did as she commanded and speaking very reverently unto Verenia he asked what her pleasure was My Pleasure is said she unto him that according to those priviledges which have been granted unto us from the first Kings of Rome and which have been confirmed by all their Successors you set those Ladies at liberty for since there were any Vestals they never met any prisoners but they set them at liberty I once saved the lives of some Criminal persons and may much better release innocent Prisoners I do believe wise Verenia replied the Officer that your priviledges are such as you say and that they extend unto Captives as well as unto Criminals but since you know it is not in me to decide a business of this importance I beseech you come your self and maintain your right before the King and let me wait upon you thither as well as upon these Ladies for I assure you that if I could release them into your hands without danger of my life I should do it with joy Verenia finding the Officer to speak reason and having consulted a little with her Companion she went towards the Palace which was not far off But this contest lasting a little long there slocked abundance of people about the Vestals and about these two Coaches so as Aronces took hold of this opportunity and pressed so near that at last the eyes of Clelia found him out who was so overjoyed to see him as she could scareely contain her self yet since she knew not whether or no it was expedient to take notice of him she restrained her self and was contented with shewing him the thoughts of her Soul by her eyes also she looked upon Celeres in a most obliging manner Yet this mute discourse lasted not long for Verenia going on the Coaches followed her And this being a matter of Novelty all the Croud that was gathered together in that place did follow also to see what Tarquin would do in the business so as Aronces and Celeres crouding in amongst the rest they followed also and not to be altogether useless they got as near the Vestals as possibly they could and as an encouragement unto them to insist more stiffly upon
beseech you do not Sir me so for I am still the very same Aronces whom the fair Clelia was once pleased to call her Brother when she began to cast a favourable look upon him as her Lover and be confident Madam that I shall most joyfully renounce the Quality of a King's Son rather then you should take from me that glorious Title of your Slave Treat me not therefore I beseech you in a ceremonious manner imagine your self to be upon the Throne and me in Fetters at your Feet and use no such offensive Sirs unto me for my thoughts are so tender and so full of respects unto you as if you do not call me as you were wont to do my joys at the sight of you will lessen Since you will have it so my dear Aronces said she unto him I shall live with you as I was wont at Capua and I can assure you that you are to me no more considerable since I know you to be a King's Son then you were before for truly fortune in giving you a Crown hath not given you any thing which I can put in comparison with your virtue Oh Madam said he unto her I beseech you commend me less and tell me a little more plainly that you do love me as you were wont to do and without any telling me of my virtue tell me only that the tenderness and constancy of my love hath moved your heart That my Rivals hath made no impression in it and that you would be glad to reign still in mine In telling you I am the same in Rome I was in Capua replied Clelia modestly surely I shall tell you as much as you can desire After this Aronces used the most tender expressions in the World unto Clelia and in the transports of this passion he talked to her of compleating their Marriage though she was a Prisoner though Clelius could not come to Rome nor think of carrying her unto Clusium Also he himself perceived that his reason was not sound and was glad that the prudent Clelia did set some limits unto such tumultuous desires as made him think upon things both unreasonable and impossible After which he gave a short account of all the passages which had happened And she also did tell him all she knew for she told him how Horatius went unto the place where the Earth-quake was which gave him the occasion of his voyage that was so variously talked of at Capua she told him how strangely she was amazed when she saw her self without any relief in the hands of Horatius who yet did treat her with very much respect she told him afterwards how when the Earth-quake was ceased Horatius carried her into a house which was not shaken down which belonged unto one of those that were with him when he carried her away that there he got a Coach how he procured a Woman to wait upon her and how after he had written unto Stenius after he was at Capua he was forced to seek his fortune She told him afterwards how Horatius resolving upon Perusia for his retreat he took that way But Madam said Aronces to her when I saw you in a Bark upon the Lake of Thrasimenes and when Horatius defended himself against the Prince of Numidia who assaulted him then you were not in the way to Perusia It is true replied Clelia but chance so ordered it that in this voyage Horatius did meet with the Son of him who commanded in one of the Isles of that Lake which is beyond that where they then kept the Queen your Mother so as contracting friendship with him and having trusted him with all his secrets Horatius changed his intention and resolved to carry me into that Isle where the Man assured him to find a safe Sanctuary And accordingly he did put me into a Bark with him his Men and with those of him he met we were no sooner upon the Lake but the Prince of Numidia appeared upon the Shore with Armed Men and having found another Bark he and his Men went into it and fell upon Horatius as you saw and I am most confident that if these two had not stood in fear of hurting me the meeting had proved mortal to them both But I beseech you Madam replied Aronces how came the Prince of Numidia so just in the nick with his Armed Men I conjecture answered she that I was the cause of it for you must know that meeting accidentally with a Pencil and some paint when I fell into the power of Horatius I writ upon all places where I passed on doors and walls both my name and the place where they carried me And understanding that Morning we should go unto this Isle I writ these words in a Window If any Friend unto Clelius chance to pass this way let him know that they carry Clelia unto one of the Isles upon the Thrasimenian Lake So as supposing and with reason that the Prince of Numidia passing by chance that way and finding this writing he took these Men and followed me However after the Combat with Horatius and this Prince who was wounded we came unto this Isle where he presently recovered But hearing of that express command which the Prince of Perusia had sent to seek me and Horatius in all his Dominions He who promised unto Horatius a safe Sanctuary in this Isle recalling his word did oblige him to depart so as then seeking out for a place of shelter from the violence of Tarquin and for a protection against all the World he carried me to Ardes which he knew was in no correspondency with the King of Reme And indeed he was there very well received but as for my part melancholy was much my disease yet I was so happy as to find much comfort in the Company of Cesonia whom you see there with Amilcar and whom I found to be a most generous friend for when Horatius saw that in all probability Tarquin would be prosperous in the Siege of Ardes and resolved to get out Cesonia at my request came out also and perswaded all the rest of these Ladies to come with her As soon as Clelia had said so the Prince Sextus entred and caused the discourse to alter but Amilcar knowing that Clelia pleased the Prince very much and having a desire to take him off he went unto him and speaking in a low voice Sir said he this fair Prisoner whom I see you look upon more then any of the rest is indeed the fairest of them all but let me tell you that the pleasant Plotina whom you see on my right hand is far the jocondest and more easie to be wrought upon It is true replied Sextus but her beauty is infinitely more charming then any of the rest I grant it replied Amilcar but the worst is in gaining her you must sigh and cry and cringe and pule a long time for it but in all likelihood the conquest of the other will be obtained with a laugh and a
Lucrecia and he carried it with so much judgement that Tarquin consenting to the marriage it was presently concluded and three dayes after solemnized All was done very privately Lucretius giving out that his Daughter being yet in mourning for her Mother it was not fit it should be done with much ceremony So that the first newes that Brutus had of it was that Lucrecia was in the Temple in order to be married to Collatine for having been employed in satisfying those who had taken any alarm at my departure he had heard nothing at all of it But he had no sooner heard this newes but he received this Letter from Lucrecia which contained onely these words Being obliged by a cruel necessity either to marry Collatine or be the cause of your death I have chosen rather to abjure all the pleasures and enjoyments of my life and consequently make my self eternally unhappy than to expose yours to nny aanger Bemoan my hard destiny I beseech you and in gratitude for what I have done for your sake forget me if you can and see me no more for I must love you no longer and yet I should not avoid it if I saw you Obey therefore the cruel command I lay on you to see me no more and assure your self I shall lead such a sad and solitary life that I shall give you no occasion to think me guilty of inconstancy I leave you to consider what a condition Brutus was in when he read this Letter he knows not yet himself what he thought in that terrible instant and all the account he gives of it is that not knowing precisely what he intended to do he went to the Temple where they said Collatine was to marry Lucrecia He was no sooner in but he understood that the Ceremony was past and that all things were performed in much hast because it was feared Lucrecia might swoun He understood also that Lucretius notwithstanding his daughters indisposition had caused the Ceremony to be performed and that as ill as she was the cruel Tullia was gone along with her to Collatine's house Not knowing therefore what to do in this distracted condition he went to Valeria's whom he acquainted with his misfortune by shewing her the Letter he had received But in all things his countenance spoke so much despair that he moved a great compassion in generous Valeria Well said he looking on her with the tears in his eyes what say you now of Lucrecia What must I think of her and what must I do Can you imagine by what charms Fortune hath changed her heart or what strange adventure hath obliged her to prefer Collatine before the unfortunate Brutus For my part replyed Valeria I understand nothing of it nor indeed can imagine either that Lucrecia hath ceased to love you or hate Collatine or altered her judgment But do you understand replyed Brutus why she should not acquaint me sooner with this design or why in case Lucretius have used any violence she hath not given me leave to die before she married Collatine For in fine since the affection she had for me was not strong enough to hinder her from becoming the wife of my Rival she should also have given him the satisfaction of my ruine and spared me the grief to see her in the embraces of another and see my self forsaken by a person for whose sake I was willing to forsake all things and for whom haply I had forfeited much of my reputation It is just in you O ye Gods said he to himself while Valeria was speaking to some one that asked for her to punish me for having admitted into my heart any passion that should divert it or haply hinder it from the deliverance of my Countrey At the first dawning of my love I looked on Lucrecia as the person by whom I was staid at Rome for the execution of this great design but I must now look on her as an unconstant woman who is the cause that I have not destroyed the Tyrant She took up all my thoughts her representation followed me into all places and though I then believed I did all that lay in my power to revenge my Father and Brothers death and to shake Tarquin out of his throne yet now I am of opinion that I was more employed about the love I had for Lucrecia than the hatred I had for the Tyrant But is it possible resumed he that Lucrecia the vertuous Lucrecia should be dazled with a greatness so weakly established since it is grounded on injustice Is it possible I say she should ally her self into a Family which she knows I am obliged to destroy Does she believe that any concernment of hers shall hinder me from turning Tarquin out of the Throne if opportunity favor me to do it Or will she to secure the Tyrant reveal what design I have against him Proceed Lucrecia proceed continued he for by exposing me to the cruelty of the Tyrant you do me less injury than by making me feel your own Valeria coming to him when he had proceeded thus far he renewed his complaints beseeching her assistance at least to find out what might be the motives of Lucrecia's defection for I cannot be perswaded said he to her that she is so poorly opinion'd of my heart as to imagine that I can entertain death with less ease than I can her loss Do me but the favor continued he that I may see her for if she be not so merciful to me I shall certainly think no violence too great for me to do my self This discourse of Brutus came from him with such earnestness that Valeria fearing he might haply do himself some violence promised to do what he desired though she was not certain to prevail for she sufficiently knew Lucrecia's heart and easily fore-saw that since she was resolved to be Collatine's wife she would be no longer Brutus's Mistress But willing to appease the present grief of this despairing Lover she told him not what she truly thought While Brutus thus groaned under incredible afflictions Lucrecia amidst her melancholy had one great comfort in that her Father had kept his word with her for being ready to go to the Temple she got Brutus's Letter returned to her so to secure his life Nor could she but be somewhat pleased that she was taken ill at that time and continued so still because the indisposition of her body served for a foil to that of the mind But all considered what comfort soever she might raise from the present thought of having sacrificed her self to the safety of her Servant yet soon after she thought her self the most unfortunate person in the world for she irrecoverably lost a man whom she infinitely loved and esteemed she married another for whom she had an extreme aversion she ally'd her self into a Family which all vertuous persons endeavored to ruin and she resolved to give her self over to perpetual solitude But at last these considerations contributing to her melancholy
me that you were in a place which he could not name for being very dangerously wounded in endeavouring to deliver me he grew so much distracted that Amilcar whose name doubtless you know and to whom I am infinitely obliged could not understand where you were though he imagin'd you could not be far from Rome Truth is reply'd Clelius I being at the end of my exile and not being able to endure that you should be the slave of him that was the Tyrant of my Country and my mortal enemy I resolved for Rome where I understood by some intimate friends there was a disposition to revolt But do what I could it was impossible to hinder Sulpitia from following me so as we came from Capua together mean while fortune brought us to meet with the Prince of Numidia by coming to Ameriola who knowing us treated us most generously but that not being the place of finding you let it suffice you to know that he is worthy of your esteem and of my friendship that it was I who sent him to Rome with Letters for a friend of mine who was to facilitate the enterprise which failed for not knowing then where Aronces was and knowing that Horatius was in Ardes I thought they took care for your liberty Mean â—â—â—e I understanding from Ameriola that the Prince of Numidia's enterprise had failed that the report was Aronces was at Rome and that there was great Tumult I disguised my self as now you see me to get into Rome not then knowing the truth of things So as having sent back my horses I began to foot it when I espied this fair one said he unto Clelia and pointed at Cesonia who not knowing which way she went came unto me and asked where she was and desired me to direct her either unto Rome or Ardes The memory of your misfortunes making me compassionate of hers I asked her by what adventure she came to be alone and so out of her way unto which she answering very handsomely she acquainted me in few words with the flight of Tarquin and all passages in Rome since his departure I not yet telling her that I was your Father because that could not advantage her but might prejudice me she is still ignorant of it All my care was of conducting her speedily unto Rome when we espied the Cavalry which is your guard For my part said Cesonia unto Clelia I have no great matters to relate unto you for all I have to tell you is That he who conducted me understanding from a friend of his how angry Tullia was at your flight and having no mind to see her again though he was no cause of it he resolved to quit the incensed Queen and carrying me under a Tree he left me there I not knowing what to do and utterly disliking to be under the power of the most wicked woman in the whole world I took a way opposite to that from whence I came and walking I knew not whither I came at last unto this little wood where I was most glad to find the generous Clelius whose age and Physiognomy invited me to ask his protection and that he would conduct me either unto Rome or Ardes for in that dismay I knew not well where I would be After this Clelius enquired of Clelia concerning Aronces who told him in short all she knew but though he spoke very low unto her yet Horatius heard and knew by Clelia's countenance that she spoke with a feeling tenderness of his Rival so as it damped him with unexpressable sadness Yet hope did a little underprop his heart and the state of things made him think that happily some adventure might fall which might be advantageous unto him for when he remembred the lamentable condition wherein he was when his Rival found him wounded in a Wood and how he was beholding unto him for his life he thought himself much less miserable than at that time so as his mind was very free to entertain Clelius all the way with discourse of all that was memorable at the siege of Ardes not omitting how Persander had there signalized himself upon several occasions But in conclusion Clelius being the first of the Company that discovered Rome he was possessed with a most extream joy at the sight of it after so long an exile from it he never thought how he was in a habit unfit to appear therein Clelia indeed did put him in mind of it but he made answer That as long as he had a heart becoming a true Senator of Rome he cared not for the habit yet they met with an expedient for this for as they came into Rome stood a house which belonged unto one that was an ancient acquaintance or friend unto Clelius where they stayed and where he was furnished with a habit sutable to his quality after which they went unto the Gates of the Town but a very strict Guard being kept they were stopped until such time as Brutus who then was sole Master of Rome was informed who they were that asked entrance he no sooner heard of them but he sent Herminius to receive Clelius Horatius and Persander not knowing that Clelia was with them giving order afterwards to quarter the Cavalry which Horatius brought So as when Herminius went to receive them and conduct them unto Brutus he was most pleasingly surprised to see Clelia Cesonia and Plotina for he thought that Clelia was with the cruel Tullia and could not imagine what was become of the other Captives for he knew very well That when Tullia for sook her Palace Clelia was only mentioned unto Aronces and where the rest were was not known Thus Herminius now wanting nothing but to see the return of Aronces he received all these illustrious persons with abundance of joy and did all manner of imaginable honours unto Clelius in particular he beseeched him to take a lodging in the house of the virtuous Sivelia his Mother who would take all possible care of Clelia until Sulpitia came and until his own house was made ready The way in going to Brutus being to pass by this house Clelius presently espied the virtuous Sivelia who was his ancient friend and leaving Clelia Cesonia and Plotina with her who received them with that generous civility whereof she ever made profession Clelius Horatius Persander and some principal men of Ardes were conducted unto Brutus by Herminius This enterview passed tumultuously enough for Lucretius Valerius Colatin Mutius and many others were then with Brutus advising upon several necessary affairs concerning the establishment of Romes liberty Brutus yet did highly appland the valor of Horace at the siege of Ardes and the sight of Clelius gave much satisfaction unto so many illustrious Romans for he was known to be always a most irreconcileable enemy of Tyranny and the Tyrant Brutus also did him all imaginable honours Clelius again returned a million of applauses But as he styled him the Liberator of his Countrey
called Fecialians of which there was twenty in Rome whose office was to declare War and Peace to be spectators of Combates and executed the Function of Heralds and sometimes of Envoyes or Mediators These men were held in such great veneration at Rome as the superstition had perswaded the people that if they did not give respect unto the propositions they brought they should pull down vengeance upon themselves so although Brutus and Valerius did believe that such men as had quitted Rome to follow the Tyrant and came from him would never find protection from the Gods yet knowing how the multitude stood affected they thought it prudence to give them their satisfaction in observing their old customs Brutus also added that it was expedient to manifest unto all their Neighbour States that they had all right reason to maintain that liberty which they had recovered by force and that they should hearken unto these Envoyes from Tarquin whose propositions would be so apparently unjust that they would incense the people more when they heard them The opinions of Brutus and Valerius being followed they sent a man of Authority to receive these Envoys and bring them to the Senate and not suffer them to speak unto any as they passed through the Town mean time these Envoyes or Heralds fearing the violence of the people they attired themselves in such a Garb as might best set out their qualities and beget respect So as according to the custom on such occasions they wore Crowns of Laurel upon their heads two darts in their hands the one half burned to use them as their propositions were answered for they used divers ceremonies when they declared War Mean time they perceived by this encounter how powerful Religion is in the minds of the people for notwithstanding the inveterate hatred which the Romans had against Tarquin these Envoyes passed through Rome without the least violence offered unto them yet many were heard to murmur which made it apparent they were not welcome but having several designs in hand they were not out of hopes of well serving him that sent them They were men of able parts they were instructed by Tarquin and Tullia they were Romans they had many kindred in the Town and they had divers Letters from Tarquin to many young men of Quality they had also some from Sextus for his old friends so as the main matter of their negotiation was only to speak unto the Senate as an umbrage to plot something in Rome which might advantage the Tyrant Yet they kept their design very close and were conducted to the Senate unto whom in few words they delivered the cause of their coming At first the Consuls and Senators expected that the Heralds would ask no less than the Soveraign Power for Tarquin and that they would recal him But in lieu of that they only said that Tarquin to shew he had more moderation than those who drove him from Rome demanded only a restitution of all that was his own proper estate and that it might be transported unto the place where he was This feigned moderation surprised the Senate and puzled them more than if the Envoyes had demanded the Crown for the Tyrant who sent them However this being a business which could not be determined in their presence they withdrew and to further their close design they desired leave to go amongst those that were of their own Function who stayed in Rome which was granted and they conducted thither Yet Brutus and Valerius commanded to observe them narrowly and not to stir from them But after they were retired and the matter put to the vote the opinions of the Senators were strangely divided and which way soever they considered the thing they found it a peevish business should they deny Tarquin what was his own though he had never raigned in Rome were such a piece of Injustice as would give him a just pretence for a War should they consent to his demand they should enable him to make it So as the thing being very Controversial and the Senate so newly established as those of which it was composed were hardly acquainted with each other it was impossible for Brutus and Valerius as able as they were to determine the business that day nor the next no nor the next following that Mean time they durst not take upon themselves the absolute Authority lest the people should say they expelled the Tyrant only to become Tyrants themselves So as they were forced to submit the matter unto Time and stay till those that were of a contrary opinion did yield unto theirs or else so united all those that were of their judgment as they might be able to oppose them that contradicted them But whilst the Senate was debating the business without coming to any result Tarquins Envoys did unperceivedly and cunningly transact their business For seeing they had no answer the first day they desired leave to send unto those that imployed them which in Common Justice could not be denied True it is they were always accompanied by one that observed them but yet they made a shift to blind his eyes for they being two whilst the one of them was talking unto any one whom they thought fit to employ the other entertained their spie with discourse Now such as were well affected either unto Sextus or the Princes his Brothers they sought out for such occasions as might bring them to the speech with those men that were of their interests of which number were the two young Aquilians and two others of the illustrions Family of the Vitellians who got to speech with one of these Envoys and received Letters of him from Tarquin The Envoy also gave him a sealed Pacquet for the two Sons of Brutus not telling them from whom they came After which it being agreed amongst themselves that they should meet when it was dark in a Garden which belonged to the house they parted These four young Romans failed not to meet accordingly and one of Tarquins Envoys began to perswade them unto a Restitution of Tarquin to the Throne and to make a Confederacy in the Town to let him in by night with such Troops as still remained with him promising unto them Mountains of Recompences if they could do him so great a service Alas said the Envoy what good can you expect from this Alteration of Government You see even now that though the two Consuls be as able men as are in the whole world yet they cannot get a result upon a business which would be resolved in an hour if the Authority were in one single person Tell therefore all the young Gallantry your friends that all their Glory and advantage consists in the re-establishment of Tarquin though he should be a Tyrant For the Court of a Prince has Grandeur and magnificence in it Tell them that all pleasures and delights are for ever banished from Rome if Tarquin be Make them understand that Kings be they as rigorous as they
prove the means of his felicity but it no sooner came into his thoughts that you had destroyed his pleasures by eluding his hope but he abhors himself and by a violent motion to which true passion does not contribute any thing he would needs die not knowing precisely why he should live no longer Add to this that death is not a thing so terrible as it is imagined and it is evident from thousands of examples that Love is not the most ordinary cause thereof in the hearts of desperate persons There are some that rush upon it of themselves for fear of receiving if from the hands of their enemies others to avoid being well treated by them others to prevent the inconveniencies of old age others out of a fear of abating any thing of their enjoyments and others out of an irrational melancholly which makes them hate life But for Caliantes if we consider all he hath done for you since he fell in love with you we shall find that in being content to embrace poverty for your sake he hath done the greatest and most heroick action that ever Lover did For you know Madam that when he first directed his affections to you he was prodigiously rich and prodigiously liberal and yet rather than want your sight he suffers all to be taken from him he hath no further employment for a virtue wherin he placed his greatest satisfaction he puts himself into a condition of asking rather than giving and while he does this he declares to you that he will love you eternally even without any hope for you know that as soon as he fell into misfortune he plainly told you he would not be so irrational as to be guilty of a wish to see you engaged in his fortunes Accordingly hath he undergone his misfortune with no less constancy than love till such time as the gods having bestowed on him more than he had lâ—st have put him into a condition to discover his passion to you by re-admitting hope into his heart Judge then Madam what recompence that man deserves who hath voluntarily lost his fortune though he could not lose it without the loss of all the hopes of happiness who in his misfortune hath preserved his passion without any interest and who in his good fortune makes a new sacrifice of his heart to you You see Madam that Caliantes hath done something for you more noble than to kill himself For grief is a resentment much more tender than indignation You also perceive that the loss of reason is not so great an exprission of love as for a man to have employ'd his reason to do an action that speaks a great generosity and withal a great passion and for what concerns Melicrates the sacrifice he hath made of his reputation is not so considerable as what Caliantes hath done For Melicrates hath done nothing against any one when he was content to be suspected but Caliantes not only loses his fortune but disobeys a Father and consequently does an unjust thing which he never had done had he not loved you as much as it is possible to love any one So that Madam if you consider what went before and what followed Caliantes's action you will find that he hath expressed more love to you than all his Rivals and consequently deserves to be preferred before them Be not therefore dazled with actions seemingly glorious which truly considered argue less true love and less generosity than that of my friend and I beseech you bethink your self whether a magnificent and liberal person who became poor for your sake and being grown rich again would bestow all on you deserves not your heart before any other Caliantes 's Advocate had no sooner given over speaking but he that was to plead for Lisydas assum'd the discourse in this manner LISYDAS 's Plea I Know not Madam whether the friendship I have for Lisydas makes me partial but am perswaded that none of his Rivals have so much right to your affection as he For to speak rationally the heart of a fair Lady can never be more justly bestow'd than when it is bestow'd on the most unfortunate conditionally he be the most amorous and be otherwise a person that knows how to value her love for I must confess that love without desert gives not any man a lawful right to pretend to the possession of an excellent Ladies heart This granted Madam must it not be withal acknowledged that Lisydas deserves your affection much beyond any of his Rivals He hath loved you ever since you were a fit object of love that is ever since you were in the world Nay he hath had some ground to hope he should not be slighted he hath seen the new victories you have gain'd without quitting that hope and though you have not in a manner done any thing for him yet hath he serv'd you with extraordinary respect without any complaints or repining But when you took away the hope he was in you took away withal his reason and through an excess of love to which nothing can be compared we find that your power over him is equal to that of the gods who only can give and take away their reason from them In so much that to make it appear you were absolute Mistriss of his destiny You no sooner looked kindly on him but he recovered the use es his reason and men have seen again in Lisydas that great and divertive mind which hath got him the love and esteem of all that know him To sit down quietly with the loss of an estate there needs no more than generosity for a man to give himself a stab with a Poniard there needs only a minute of fury which he repents him of a quarter of an hour after for a man to expose his reputation he needs do no more than set himself above what the world can say of him but for a man to lose his reason upon the hearing of four scornful words argues him to be the most amorous of men and consequently the most worthy to be loved For all considered this strange accident could not possibly have happened to Lisydas any otherwise than through an excessive grief which could proceed from no other cause than the passion he hath for you Be pleas'd then Madam to make serious reflections on the power you have over him and thence I beseech you consider what affliction it must needs be to you if your cruelty should force him to a relapse into that misfortune out of which you have delivered him by a seeming kindness For Caliantes he was able to live without hope while he was poor Alcimedes being cured of his wound will not offer to kill himself a second time and to prevent it you need do no more than forbid him to do so But for Lisydas Madam he must infallibly lose either his reason or his life if you do him not justice Make choice then of the most unfortunate since he is the most amorous and is
shall not hold you with a particular description of the passionateness of this interview of the Princess and Artemidorus nor the circumstances of the goodness wherewith that admirable person was pleased to receive me For the interests of Artemidorus those of the Princess and mine have no relation to those of Rome I must not mis-imploy my discourse in re-declaring them But that which I can tell you for the greatest truth is that had we been Romans we could not have spoken more zealously for the interests of Rome than we did We conjured her that she would please to instruct us of the state of affairs and assist us to hinder Porsenna from protecting Tarquin but induce him rather to ingage on the side of Rome You are not ignorant said she that I am obliged to Porsenna for affording me a Sanctuary in his Court and that I have infinite obligations upon me to the Queen of Clusium For which reason I declare to you that I can never be capable to do any thing against them though I understand by what you say that you have an inclination to serve Rome I confess likewise to you that I have a great a version against Tarquin and that the case of Lucretia has rendred all the Tarquins detestable to all Women that have any sense of virtue But to satisfie you in brief I am and must be for the interests of Porsenna That which we request of you replyed Artemidotus is not repugnant to the interests of the King of Clusium since we wish that he would embrace the juster cause I wish it be so returned this prudent Princess and I promise you I shall omit nothing in reference to your contentment The King without question does me the honor to bear me a respect added she but as he does not consult me concerning the management of his State so it is not immediately with him that I undertake to serve you Galerita I am confident hath goodness enough for me to suffer me to speak any thing to her and there are few persons of esteem in this Court with whom I have not some credit But that which I shall tell you in general is this that although Porsenna did not answer punctually to the first proposals made to him both on the behalf of Tarquin and of Rome but left things in suspence till he saw the success of the begining of the War yet I cannot but believe he will declare rather for the weakest than the strongest and rather for an exiled though unjust King than for an upstart Republick though those that govern it be persons of great virtue I do not tell you this continued the Princess but from authentick information of them that well know it to be so Upon this we imployed all the inducements of reason we could to confirm the Princess in the purpose she had to serve us conjoining therewith to mollifie her more the interest of Aronces and his love and so departed from her after she had promised to give us occasion of seeing her every day in some place or other to the end we might know by her what we were desirous to be informed of But not to be tedious in inconfiderable particulars you may know that Artemidorus and I beheld the arrival of those Agents of Tarquin and those Veientines whom Porsenna received with all imaginable joy when he understood by them that Aronces should be delivered to him as soon as he pleased Galerita also was highly satisfied with the news and the whole Court put on the face of gladness So that as Joy is a favorable occasion to obtain a thing that is desired when the Veientines and the Envoys of Tarquin demanded of Porsenna that he would renew the confederacy he sometimes had with the King of Rome and the Veientines and make a League offensive and defensive with them he did not reject the proposition but only demanded two days to deliberate concerning this important affair The Princess of the Leontines being a prudent person and willing to serve Aronces according to his intention and to comply with the requests of Artemidorus and me omitted nothing which she judged effective to promote her design First she congratulated with Galerita for the approaching return of Aronces and then obligingly testifying to her the interest she had in all that concerned her she came by degrees to mention the Alliance which was in hand to be renewed For my part said Galerita to her I confess to you that if Aronces were not in the hands of Tarquin I should be perplexed even to despair at the Kings partaking in the quarrel of a Tyrant whom the gods seem to have abandoned But when I consider that the Prince my Son is in his power and that he offers to deliver him freely I see not how it can be honorable or even possible to refuse what Tarquin desires of Porsenna But Madam replyed the Princess of the Leontines it seems to me sufficiently dangerous to ingage in the weakest and unjustest side and if the King would act without being surprised he must recover the Prince his Son out of the hands of Tarquin without concerning himself in a War wherein he hath nothing to do and whose success is doubtful Besides that it would be more glorious to him to bear himself in the quality of being an Umpire in the interests of his Neighbors than to take part against Rome which is apparently favoured by the gods For private persons indeed it is oftentimes dishonorable to follow fortune and to rank themselves always on the side of the strongest but where the publick good is concerned it is no shame to side with the more fortunate when it may be done without violating the Law of Nations So that Porsenna being ingaged to neither party it seems to me as I said before that he need not intermeddle in a War in which he is unconcerned The Princess of the Leontines added much other discourse which I shall forbear to repeat to you it being enough to let you know that though Galerita dissented from her at first yet she brought her at length to be of her opinion But this was not all for she convinced some of the principal of that Court that it would be an important service to Aronces to hinder Porsenna from embracing the cause of Tarquin So that considering that Prince as he that must one day be their King they resolved to oppose this Alliance as much as the respect they ought to Porsenna would permit them At length Galerita being possessed with the sentiments wherewith the Princess of the Leontines had inspired her obliged a person of chief quality that was her Creature to endeavor to oppose the design of Porsenna To which effect he declared to the King all the apparent reaons that might forward his intent I shall not tell you particularly what they were because they were almost the same with those I mentioned before yet he added others with much vehemence insisting principally upon
in this manner with the less scruple was that he apprehended reasons of State might require Elismonda to marry Melanthus But though he acquitted himself with fidelity of whatsoever trust that Prince reposed in him in order to the success of his design yet he was glad to see that according to all appearances the Princess would never be brought to comply with his desires and he accounted himself happy in knowing she had both esteem and friendship for him and seeing himself equally endear'd to two Princesses so accomplish'd as Elismonda Andronice But when Eumenes after they were retir'd in private spoke to him of the adventure of the Picture he reprov'd him friendly And What intended you to your self said he to him seriously in exposing your self and me also to danger Had I believ'd I should have brought you into danger answer'd Hortensius I would never have committed this odd prank And since my dear Eumenes continued he you know the secret of my heart and have understood I lov'd Elismonda before my self having discover'd it before I knew I did so you may easily conjecture how unhappy I am who have taken so strange a course for my consolation But I beseech you do not suspect me of intending ever to betray my Master No Eumenes I will betray my own love for his interest and rather lose my life than commit an unworthiness If the War did not detain me here and I could with honor forsake my Prince so long as he has his sword in his hand I should undoubtedly do it rather than be engag'd in such a difficulty as doing service to a Rival with his Mistress But for that this cannot be I shall serve him faithfully in the pretensions he hath to Elismonda in spight of all the passion I have for her If this Princesses rigor towards Melanthus ceases I confess ingenuously I find not my soul firm enough to be a witness of his felicity but as soon as I should see him in a condition of being happy I should betake my self to wander about the world as the most unfortunate of men I should together forsake my Master and my Mistress and my Fortune and giving over all care of my Love go seek my death without discovering the cause of it to any other but your self But if Elismonda continue firm in her resolution of not marrying Melanthus I shall then endeavour to do the Princess service with him to the utmost of my power lest he changing his Love into hatred treat her rigorously and I shall adore her all my life in secret without knowing what course to take with my passion Thus my dear Eumenes continued he you see the naked sentiments of my Soul which I intreat you not to endeavour to alter for I well know your reason will not be able to do that to which my own has been ineffectual Whilst Hortensius was reasoning in this manner with Eumenes Elismonda being retir'd at night call'd Cleontine into her Closet and began to speak to her about the adventure of her Picture seeking to conjecture who might have had such boldness to detain it For my part said Cleontine to her I love not to seek that which I cannot find but I would only know Who you would be contented were the thief But Cleontine answer'd she smiling if I were to wish any thing I would wish this accident had never fallen out I have told you Madam already replyed Cleontine that I care not to have such an unprofitable curiosity and so you may judge I as little affect a wish or desire that serves to no purpose Therefore take matters in the state they are in and do me the favour to tell me whether you would have this prank committed by Melanthus or by the Prince of Cyparissa or by Hortensius or by some other I hate the first too much answer'd Elismonda and I have too great an aversion from the second to wish him guilty of this subtle deceit and perhaps I love the third too well to desire he were my Lover For indeed I would not that Hortensius were unhappy and he must assuredly be so in case he loves me If he could know what you say concerning him Madam reply'd Cleontine he were not much to be pittied I assure you said the Princess blushing that though I am not over well skill'd in love I believe that friendship is no great consolation to a Lover You speak so well what you are minded answer'd Cleontine smiling that I believe you understand more in Love than you imagine Alas Cleontine reply'd she smiling also who do you think should have taught me He that teaches Nightingals to sing so well in the Spring answer'd she may perhaps have taught you to speak after the manner you do However it be reply'd Elismonda I find it sufficient that I am Melanthus's prisoner without engaging my heart to be no longer free at all but I have a confidence 't is still my own and will be so for ever This Madam was the conversation of Elismonda and Cleontine But the next morning when the Prince of Messina and the Prince of Cyparissa were busied in the choice of Judges which were to preside at the Olympick Games Hortensius being desirous to gain a glory absolutely uninteressed would not concern himself in the affair And therefore he went to spend part of the afternoon with the Princess Elismonda who had then no other company but Cleontine the other Ladies being gone to the apartment of the Princess Andronice or that of the virtuous Elisante with intention to come back soon after to the Princess of Elis. Now the adventure of the preceding day being yet too fresh to be silenc'd Elismonda after the first civilities ask'd Hortensius Who he suspected to have taken away her picture and made those four Verses For in brief said she pleasantly retorting them upon the instant Knew I what Criminal hand it was Did this injurious part If he 'd restore my Picture back I 'd render him his heart Ah! Madam answer'd Hortensius did I know that unhappy person who loves you without daring to discover himself I think I should conceal him from you after what you have said for I look upon him as sufficiently punisht for the boldness he has to love you and to love you assuredly with very little hope without besides endangering him to be constrain'd to take back his heart and restore you your picture And moreover Madam continued he because there is no appearance this Lover can do any prejudice to the Prince whom I serve I conceive the compassion I have of him is not criminal I assure you answer'd she hastily Whoever that Unknown be he is more in favor with me than the Prince Melanthus can ever be in quality of a Lover But Madam said he would you be contented that Unknown knew what you say concerning him What I have said answer'd she being rather an effect of my hatred against Melanthus than kindness towards him I should
unhappy of all men by wholly depriving me of hope and possibility of ever to become happy For what ground is there to retain the least hope after that which is arriv'd Clelia hath seen my Rival with her own eyes doing the greatest action that ever was and perhaps too she believes I was among those he fought with at the end of the Bridge and puts me in the number of those that could not overcome him But alas tho this should not be so yet Clelius will make use of Horatius's valour against me for what can be refus'd to him that has preserv'd Rome Therefore I must resolve to see Clelia unfaithful or Clelia persecuted and consequently I must prepare my self to be alwayes miserable The End of the Fourth Part of CLELIA THE Fifth and Last VOLUME OF CLELIA THAT EXCELLENT New Romance Being the CONCLUSION of the Whole WORK VVritten in FRENCH By the Exquisite Pen of Mounsieur de SCUDERY Governour of Nostredame de la Garde Render'd into English by G. H. LONDON Printed for Henry Herringman at the Anchor in the lower VValk of the New Exchange 1677. THE Fifth and Last VOLUME OF CLELIA THAT EXCELLENT New Romance Being the CONCLUSION of the Whole WORK VVritten in FRENCH By the Exquisite Pen of Mounsieur de SCUDERY Governour of Nostredame de la Garde Render'd into English by G. H. LONDON Printed for Henry Herringman at the Anchor in the lower Walk of the New Exchange 1677. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE ELIZABETH Countess of RIVERS MADAM The unfortunate CLELIA having since ber arrival in this Nation sought a patronage from many noble hands doth at length address her self to yours As if those various adventures which travers'd her illustrious life could not terminate in a compleat happiness before she were acknowledging to you for it and that her vertue had not been sufficiently try'd to merit that felicity which was preparing for her before it had receiv'd a testimony from you who are the perfect Patern of it That she is worthy your protection I cannot doubt at least if those excellent beauties of hers which are almost matchless in the original come not sullied from my unskilful hands And since it is reported it was not the illustrious Scudery but that celebrated Vertuosa his Sister who finish'd the Romance after his decease I could not make a more apt Dedication than the work of a Lady to the most Noble and accomplish'd Person of her own Sex That which may cause you to make some difficulty in the reception of CLELIA is the person of him that shall assume the boldness to present her to you Yet it cannot seem strange an unknown person should thus presume since an heroick vertue such as yours commands the addresses and devoyrs of all that honour it the sence of which I cannot better manifest in my self than by my humble desires to be admitted together with CLELIA in the quality of MADAM Your Honours most obedient and devoted Servant G. HAVERS CLELIA A New Romance The Fifth and Last PART The First BOOK WHilst Aronces was possest with an opinion that his present condition rendred him the most unhappy Man in the World Horatius sometimes enjoy'd all the delectation that glory together with hope is capable to excite in a heart truely amorous He tasted the joy of being satisfi'd with himself which is the highest pleasure possible for a rational person to resent He had perform'd a piece of singular service to his Country and altho Aronces had disarm'd him yet his last action afforded him satisfaction for that misfortune Besides Clelius being so favourable to him he had reason to conceive that the end of the War would prove the beginning of his felicity And indeed he perceiv'd so unanimous a Resolution in the Roman Citizens to defend themselves to the utmost that he would not so much as entertain in his thoughts a possibility for Porsenna to become Master of Rome What place soever he went into afforded him new cause of contentment saving when he repair'd to Clelia whom he alwaies found affected with the same aversion towards him When he pass'd along the streets the people attested his glory with a thousand acclamations when he went to the Temple he beheld Sacrifices offer'd there in thankfulness to the gods for the great action which he had perform'd when he went to the Senate he understood they had ordain'd a Statue to be erected to him as an eternal Monument of his valour to conclude only the fair eyes of Clelia depriv'd him of the hope which fortune every where else suggested to him And truly this was oftentimes sufficient to disturb all the pleasure that hope could give him The next morning after that great exploit which had rendr'd him so eminent in Rome Clelius bringing him to his house and presenting him to his Daughter he found cause to believe that what he had done had no influence to change the heart of that fair Lady At first Clelius having beheld her with a sufficiently cold air was immediately out of an excessive affection for his Country transported against her How said he to her with a low but angry Tone dare you appear sad when I bring the Deliverer of Rome to you and have you the boldness to discover in your eyes the tokens of that obstinate and unjust passion which you harbour in your mind Clelia hearing her Father speak in this manner blusht and cast down her eyes so that Horatius not doubting but that which Clelius spoke low to her displeas'd her was almost sorry for it tho he apprehended the discourse could not but be in his favour Wherefore advancing towards her he interrupting the private communication Permit me to ask you Madam said he perceiving Clelius retire whether the general fright yesterday did not reach you too and whether you had the resolution to behold from your windows that multitude of enemies which would have surpriz'd the City had not the bridge been broken down at which they endeavour'd to enter You speak very modestly of one of the fairest actions of the world answer'd she but to shew you that I am never unjust added this prudent Lady know that tho you seem'd appointed by Destiny for the cause of the greatest infelicities of my life nevertheless I did not cease to make vows in your behalf when I saw you alone in the middle of the Bridge sustaining the whole power of the Enemies For indeed I saw all that pass'd in that great occasion and I likewise beheld Aronces forbid his men to shoot at you when you were in the River Tyber I should my self have inform'd you Madam repli'd Horatius of that generosity of my Rival tho you had not seen it for I have heretofore often told you that I yield to his merit and his vertue 't is only in point of Love that I contend with him for superiority And to testifie to you at least Madam that I do all that I can know I did not
But I believ'd I could take no better course for your quiet and my own than to take a person from your sight who can never render you happy but might render you unjust I do not pray you to pardon me but only not to hate Cloranisbes No sooner had the Prince read this Letter but he was strangely transported both against Lysonice and Cloranisbes So that as he is of a violent temper he commanded some persons to ask Cloranisbes from himself where Lysonice was and to secure him if he did not tell precisely Anherbal who receiv'd this order was very much perplex'd for just as he arriv'd at his house Cloranisbes had done reading a Letter which Lysonice had written and sent to him and was conceiv'd almost in these terms Lysonice to Cloranisbes YOu will see by my flight that I do not care to be Princess of Carthage and you will see by all my actions that you ought to have had more confidence in my generosity But as for affection expect none from a person whom you have never lov'd but for your own sake only No doubt I will always do all whatsoever honour requires me but look for no more from me I justifie you as much as I can to the Prince 't is all can be done for you by an unhappy person who will let you know the place of her sanctuary when she is at distance enough to be no longer in fear that the Prince of Carthage should violently seize upon her As Cloranisbes ended reading this Letter Anherbal enter'd and told him what order he had receiv'd from the Prince Did I know where Lysonice is answer'd Cloranisbes I would not tell you since I understand by a Letter which I just now receiv'd from her that the Prince had a design to seise upon her by force but in truth I have no hand in her flight and I come to learn it by a Letter which she has writ to me Anherbal being of late become one of his intimate friends he accordingly shew'd him Lysonice's Letter at which he was amaz'd Wherefore he took upon him to go tell the Prince that which he had seen without securing Cloranisbes But the Prince interpreting all that was said to him as a collusion fell into choler against Anherbal and forthwith sent away the Captain of his Guards to arrest Cloranisbes who was now extremely glad to know Lysonice was no longer at Utica However the Prince sent after her but being she travell'd all the day and night before and took an unfrequented way those whom he sent after her could not find her Whereupon he grew into a rage which nothing could appease or equal unless it were the grief of Cloranisbes who in the midst of all those misfortunes resented more the displeasure he had in not being lov'd by Lysonice than any of the rest Assoon as this fair person was got to Bostar this generous African writ to the Prince to complain of his violence and giving him to understand that if he us'd Cloranisbes ill he would make his peace with the King of Massilia and forsake his part But on the other side the Prince of Carthage who intended to cause Lysonice to come back to Utica answer'd him that Cloranisbes should never be at liberty unless Lysonice return'd and that he would not promise for his life if he deserted his party to take that of the King of Massilia Lysonice seeing things in this condition remain'd resolute and always declar'd that she would not return to Utica notwithstanding Cyrene her Mother so represented to her that perhaps she would be the cause of her husbands death that she resolv'd to write to him by a secret way which was prescrib'd to her and she writ in this manner Lysonice to Cloranisbes SEnd me word whether you had rather see me a prisoner than be so your self if you had I will go to Utica to deliver you for though you love me not but for your own sake I will act generously for my own This Letter was secretly delivered to Cloranisbes who answer'd to it in these terms Cloranisbes to Lysonice YOur liberty is a thousand times dearer to me than my own therefore take no care to deliver me which perhaps death will shortly do and then you will be Mistress of your self If my Vows be heard you shall be Queen of Massilia but never Princess of Carthage And when I shall be no longer in being remember I have never displeased you but through excess of love You may judge that this Letter did not oblige Lysonice to change her mind and so she did not go to Utica but neither did the Prince of Carthage set Cloranisbes at liberty Divers persons have bestirr'd themselves in negotiating to accommodate so great a difference but for that the Princess of Carthage has so great a power over the Prince her Brother he is obstinate not to deliver Cloranisbes against whom crimes of State are forg'd which he never committed to the end the people may repine the less Wherefore this Prince having declar'd that unless Lysonice change her mind within four months he will put Cloranisbes to death this fair person believing I have sufficient influence over the Princes mind has sent one of my friends to me to desire that I would return speedily to endeavour the calming of this great storm and by a rare chance the Prince not knowing any thing of Lysonice's design has given order to the same man to come and command me in his name to return assoon as possible I can But being uncertain whether I were in Sicily or here he pass'd through Agrigentum where by the way he saw the generous Prince of that place Oh! I beseech you said Plotina interrupting him tell me some news of him if you know any for the Prince of Agrigentum seem'd so worthy a man wher the History of Artemidorus was related to us that I should be glad to know whether you have heard any thing concerning him and whether the amiable Philonice his daughter be still among the Veiled Virgins 'T is certain she is there still answer'd Amilar and a Lady a very faithful Friend of hers whom she left in the world regrets her continually But as for the Prince of Agrigentum he is married again to a person so accomplisht that nothing can be desir'd more to her For there lives not a handsomer person in the world and there never was any whose vertue has been more solid and more generally acknowledg'd nor whose deportment has been more uniformly prudent nor whose goodness has been greater or more agreeable All the lineaments of her countenance are wonderfully handsome her eyes have as much loveliness and sweetness as the most exquisite Painters can fancy her mouth is very graceful the shape of her visage very noble her complexion admirably fair her hair of a rare bright colour her stature proper her deportment comely her aspect very modest sweet and discreet her neck graceful her arms pure and her hands
tell me by what miraculous adventure you came by this Ring for who ever gave you this must needs have found at least the body of my unfortunate Child which I lost near Lilybaeum when Clelius and I were like to be cast away and at the same time we found Aronces At these words Adherbal changed colour and not able to say that which was false to a person he knew to be his Mother he made her so punctual an answer that it added to the curiosity of Sulpicia She looked on him very earnestly and was so importunate with him to tell the truth that nature working on his heart and his reason assuming at that time part of her lawful authority he resolv'd to discover himself and so changing his design of a sudden he said himself what but a quarter of an hour before he had made a resolution to conceal For Sulpicia being earnest with him to satisfie her Alas Madam said he you know not what you desire when you speak after this rate for were it not much more satisfaction to you to believe you had lost a Son in the Cradle than to know you have one living that is unfortunate and such as you will haply think so far unworthy to be yours that you will disclaim him Ah Adherbal replied Sulpicia looking on him are you my Son or may I be so happy as to have one like you Do me but the favour to let me look on your left arm for if you are mine you should have a little above your wrist a fire-mark which a careless slave gave you some few days after you were born Whereupon Adherbal being fully satisfied that he was Sulpicia's Son was not able to conceal himself any longer so that having shewn her what might perswade her he was her Son he briefly related all that Donilcar had said to him insomuch that Sulpicia being infinitely overjoyed that she had so gallant and so virtuous a person to her Son embraced him with much affection Clelia was also not a little glad to lose a Lover to purchase a Brother But Adherbal could not take well the loss of a Mistriss though he got thereby a most generous Father a most virtuous Mother and the most amiable Sister in the World Yet he still put on much gravity and though he very civilly entertained the caresses of Sulpicia and the kindnesses of Clelia yet was it easie to see he was extreamly troubled Upon this Clelius comes in to whom Sulpicia had no sooner shewn the Ring but he knew it She also shew'd him the mark upon Adherbals arm who having sent for Donilcar absolutely satisfied Clelius that he was his Son for he had been acquainted with Donilcar at Carthage Besides that the Ring the mark on Adherbals arm the particular day the wrack happened and the place where were such circumstances as put the business out of all controversie So that being infinitely satisfied in the recovery of a Son and to find him withal one of the most accomplish'd men in the World he spoke to him with the greatest civility in the world Take comfort Adherbal said he to him and be not troubled at the change of your condition for to speak truly it is better to be a Citizen of Rome than Son to a King of Numidia and it is better to be Clelia's Brother than her Servant since you cannot now be loved by her in the manner you desire I grant what you say is true replied Adherbal but since it is impssible there should happen a change of sentiments to a man in an instant without some violence done to himself I beg your pardon if I express not all the joy I should that I am Son to one of the most virtuous men upon earth However I hope my Lord the earnestness I feel in me to deserve that honor will help me to overcome those remainders of weakness that hang about me and that within a few days there shall not be any thing to be objected against me Whereupon Clelius embracing his Son with extraordinary affection spoke to him with all the generosity and obligation that could be which stirring up in his heart those sentiments of Nature which lay there buried by the ignorance of his true condition made him receive the caresses of his Father with much more kindness than he thought he could have done This accident being strange and extraordinary was in the space of two hours generally known insomuch that the whole City came to Clelius to congratulate him and Adherbal whose condition was much beyond what it was the day before when it was known whose Son he was after he had thought himself a King 's The Ladies came upon the same account to visit Sulpicia and Clelia Horatius for this part was glad to see that he had one Rival the less so that he came in all haste to Clelius's whom he complemented as also Sulpicia which done coming to Adherbal give me leave said he to him to express the satisfaction it is to me that I am no longer your enemy and to beg the favour to be numbred among your friends Certain it is I can be no longer your Rival answered he but that Horatius implies no obligation I should be your friend for looking on the concernments of my friends as my own if I cease being a servant to Clelia I must be the Protector of Aronces who is my antient friend and therefore expect no more from me than you would from a man who can do nothing against his honour and consequently not against him whom of all the world he is most obliged to This put a little fire into Horatius for had he obeyed his own inclination he would have made Adherbal some bitter reply but looking on him now as Clelius's Son and Clelia's Brother he mastered his violence and onely made him this answer I am not to learn generous Adherbal that you and Aronces are antient friends but I also know you to be Son to Clelius by whom I am not hated though he be more inclin'd to Aronces and therefore I shall not dispair of your friendship Adherbal would have answered Horatius but Amilcar being come in interrupted them for he made very pleasant reflexions on this adventure detecting them to Clelius Sulpicia Clelia and Adherbal not forgetting Horatius Plotina being also in the room added to the mirth of the company for she told Adherbal that to make him absolutely happy she would undertake to raise love in him though it were only says she to raise a jealousie in Amilcar Jealousie replies he is a thing that is not given when one pleases and it is taken sometimes whether one will or no but for my part continued he smiling I assure you I give a great deal more than I take You are much more happier than I have been replyes Adherbal for I have ever taken and never given any Kings Sons replyes Amilcar cannot ordinarily cause either love or jealousie for their condition is much more
considered than their persons But now that you are an illustrious private man you may cause any thing that it lies in your power to cause and you will raise in me a jealousie if Plotina be as kind to you to morrow as she is to day At these words came in Brutus and Valerius with whose advice it was resolved that Adherbal should take another name and re-assume that which was given him at his Birth He was therefore called Octavius that changing his name and fortune it might also cause a change in him as to sentiments However it was resolved he should write to the King of Numidia to acquaint him truly how things stood and to intercede for Donilcar who in the mean time was to remain at Clelius's as a friend to whom he ought the life and education of his Son This done and all being departed Clelius assigns lodgings for Octavius where he no sooner was at liberty to hearken to his own thoughts but he felt what ever may fall on a Lover when hope takes her last leave of him and that his reason and his will combining against him he not without violence endeavours to subdue the passion that persecutes him For Octavius being a great lover of virtue innocence and glory and knowing it to be unlawful for him to pretend any longer love to Clelia made a gallant resolution to subdue the passion he felt in his Soul and to dye a thousand times rather than to do or say any thing that should raise the least suspition that there were left any the least spark of that fire whereby he had been almost consumed But as he made it what did he not feel and how did he bemoan the cruelty of his destiny which exposed him to so insupportable an adventure Had not the affairs of Rome stood as they did he might have looked on banishment as a remedy to cure his misfortune but the War just breaking out there was no just pretence to leave Rome so that there was a necessity he should resolve to give a great and difficult tryal of his virtue But to do it with greater ease he bethought him to fill his heart with the love of his Countrey instead of that of Clelia This gave him occasion often to visit those who sat at the helm of affairs and the melancholly of Brutus taking him at that time more than the merry humors of the rest he saw him as often as possibly he could So that Brutus and Herminius being but the same thing he made a third with those illustrious Romans whose virtue strengthened his and whose conversation smother'd part of that secret affliction which his reason was not absolutely able to master Among other times Octavius coming one morning to Brutus found him ready to get on Horseback with intention to ride without the City near the Sublician bridge where he thought there needed somthing of Fortification Herminius and Amilcar hapned to be then with him so that makeing a fourth man and Brutus furnishing him with a Horse they went altogether to see what was fit to be done to fortifie that place And indeed Octavius and Amilcar were not unserviceable to Brutus for reflecting on the Fortifications of Carthage which was then the strongest place in Africk they gave him such good directions that they were put in execution But while they were discourseing upon this occasion and while Amilcar was telling them as much as they could have expected from the ablest Engineer upon the like occasion four Soldiers that had left Tarquin's Army coming up to Brutus told him that being unwilling to fight against Rome they were come to defend it Brutus commending them for their good intentions yet not trusting them too far ask'd them what condition Tarquins Army was in No question very strong My Lord replyes the oldest of the Soldiers and within a short time you may find it so from your walls for assoon as the Horse are all joyned they will march hither We do not intend replyes Brutus coldly to expect the enemies of Rome within Rome we shall spare them the trouble of coming to find us at our gates You must make hast then replyes one of the Souldiers for had it not been for an unhappy accident that hapned that hath caused the Prince of Clusium to be kept close Prisoner I think Tarquin would have been ere this time in the field And what was that says Amilcar They say replyes the Souldier that there is discovered a certain friend of Aronces's disguised that brought intelligence to Rome that he was thereupon taken and that it being suspected that the Prince of Pometia and Prince Titus were privy thereto a great stir is made about it Yet is there no great fear that this will do Aronces any prejudice because Tarquin stands too much in need of the King of Clusium to treat the Prince his Son unhandsomly Brutus perceived he could get no more out of the Soldiers caused them to be conducted by one of his own to Lucretius with order that they should be listed in several Companies for more security Amilcar and Herminius were much troubled at the unhappy accident had befallen Celeres as well for his own sake as for Aronces's and Clelia's They also had pittied Hermilia and Collatina whose concernment in the business they well knew But at last taking their way towards Rome they were no sooner come to the end of the bridge but they saw a very handsome man coming towards the place where they were who seemed to be Mastar to four others that accompanyed him and friend to another that was in discourse with him Things at Rome were in such a posture at that time that nothing happened which gave not some occasion of fear and suspicion so that Brutus and his friends stayed at the Bridge-foot to see the stranger come up and to ask him what he was But being come a little nearer Amilcar knew him as having seen him at Syracuse when Artemidorus Zenocrates and he were there So that being one he had a great esteem and affection for he turn'd to Brutus I beseech you give me leave to acquaint this illustrious stranger who you are for he is a man of as great worth as any in the world Whereupon Amilcar went and met him whom he had spoken of to Brutus who had no sooner known him but coming up close to him they embraced each other as such as between whom there was much friendship and affection What happy fate favors me says Amilcar to Themistus for so was he nameed that I have the happiness to see you at Rome It had been more pertinently spoken replyes Themistus if you had ask'd by what misfortune it came to pass that I am not at Syracuse but how e're it be I am not a little glad to see you Whereupon Themistus presented one of his friends to Amilcar whose name was Meleagenes but Amilcar knowing that Brutus Octavius and Herminius were staying at the Bridge-foot he told Themistus