Pasithea his daughter Eurymedon blush'd at that discourse being angry he had not appear'd at the battell in the habit of a man because none could more lawfully have pretended this honour than himselfe The King perceiv'd his rednesse and ask'd him the cause of it I wil tell it you another time answered Hermione but let us see whom you wil give the Princesse to If you were a man said Archelaus without doubt she had bin won by you for you are the person that has shewne the most valour but being it is not so I will not faile for all that to give you the honour of this victory Then he made signe to the Princes that he would speake to them and he pronounc'd these words Since we are all redeuable to the only courage of the valiant Hermione for the Scythians defeat there is none but she that ought to pretend any honour and since in the person of my daughter the kingdome of Troas and of this Isle was destin'd to him that should have carried away the prize I am obliged by my oath to make Hermione Queene of my estates if I were not oblig'd at all to it by my affection The Princes were greatly amazed and though Hermione appear'd with many beauties and graces yet they could not be satisfied with her The King tooke her then by the hand and made her be placed with him in a Chariot that attended him for his returne to Mitylene with the victorious troops that accompanied him The people that was advertis'd how the King desir'd to many this Princesse already called her their Queene whereat Eurymedon smiled within himselfe Archelaus having her beside him would know what reason she had to blush when she heard speake of his daughter Pasithea Because answer'd she I beleev'd you had had no children and that word surpriz'd me I have sayes he but this daughter though it would be better for me I had her not for the displeasure I have receiv'd by her then he fetch'd a deepe sigh Hermione demanded what cause she had given him to complaine of her A while since answers Archelaus a young stranger came to land in this Isle and after I had receiv'd him with much honour he knew so well how to gaine her as he made her in love with him This villaine avoyded my anger by flying away and I was constrain'd to shut up my daughter for ever in a place where she can never heare more newes of him I pitty you indeed sayes Hermione if she were so unfortunate as to have offended her honour I doe not thinke replies the King she has so farre forgot her selfe but I surpriz'd her one day as this young man that call'd himselfe Eurymedon was kissing her hand Ah! great King returned Hermione this alone deserves not so cruell a punishment But continues she what was this Eurymedon was he a Prince or else a person unworthy of the Princesse good graces He call'd himselfe Prince truly answers the King and had many excellent qualities nay we had some obligation to him my daughter and I but very hardly could I have beene assured if he were of Royall blood since he knew it not himselfe and it was too much boldnesse for him to enterprize the search of my daughter without my consent seeing fortune had given him nothing whereupon he might ground that hope Love sayes Hermione to him hath not all those considerations and the faults he is subject to are rather excusable errours than crimes and if this Eurymedon had some good qualities I doe not finde that the Princesse hath committed so great a fault and intreat you by the affection you expresse to me not to be so cruell to your owne blood but to set her at liberty in my favour Archelaus was willing to oblige Hermione and promised to deliver her before eight dayes because she desired it He led her into the Palace where she was lodged as if already shee had beene the Queene and all the Princesses and the Ladies came to doe their reverence to her Hermione very well acquitted her selfe of all those ceremonies and seem'd to have beene bred in them all her life but the time seem'd tedious to her untill she saw Pasithea Neverthelesse she was afraid to be discovered if she spake of her too often to the King He on the other side had no other wish than to be married to Hermione but there was no appearance of making that marriage untill first he had well provided for the safety of his kingdome on all sides after the defeat of the Scythians Yet he gave not over expressing to her his impatience and Eurymedon call'd the gods to witnesse and prayed him to beleeve that he desir'd the honour of his alliance as much or more than he himselfe Whereupon the King gave him thanks never understanding the sense of Eurymedons words who meant the alliance he desir'd to make with him by marrying his daughter At length two dayes after Hermione entred into discourse concerning Pasithea and expressing a great desire to see her obtain'd leave of the King to goe visit her in the Castle where she was kept upon condition she were not accompanied but with her Maids I was one of that number continued Amyntas so as I went with Hermione into that Castle which within was guarded onely with women They all of them shewed a great deale of honour to Hermione knowing she was destin'd to be their Queene and we were conducted to the place where the faire Pasithea was who came out to meet us and having heard speake of Hermione and of all that was said concerning her she receiv'd her with a very great respect as the person she beleev'd she should one day wholly depend on Hermione embrac'd her and kiss'd her a long time then having taken her aside ask'd her if she remembred not one she had seene very like her Pasithea blush'd and durst not tell her she resembled Eurymedon very much because she fear'd to produce that name before her that very shortly was to be her Queene Eurymedon knew the feare she was in and for her re-assurance said to her Faire Princesse feare not to discover your secret to me I am sister of the Prince Eurymedon that am come into this Isle for no other end but to serve you and my deare brother that dyes for your love I have bin so happy as to succour the King your father in the battell and give him passion enough to make him desire to marry me But I will never while I live accord to what he desires untill you be first married with Eurymedon Madam answer'd Pasithea something confounded I should thinke you meant but to surprize me by these words if I remarked not in you all the features of Eurymedons face and seeing you have beene willing to expresse so perfect a friendship towards him I will also avow to you the extreme love I beare him which makes me esteeme my captivity very pleasant Hermione kiss'd her to shew how
have beene glad to have beene at Syracuse with Ariana for that he suspected lest Marcelin losing Camilla's favour might not make his addresses to her and give them many crosses that way And so had he purpos'd but that which confirm'd Melintus in that apprehension was because Marcelin impatient to see againe at leisure her that had so well touch'd him with love in so little a time staid not long to counterfeit a desire to goe see Palamede and parted from Melintus to goe into the other chamber where he found her no more so as he was forc'd to entertaine her brother thinking he might have need of his helpe to see and be well receiv'd by her but they had strange plots one upon the other That entertainment was not of continuance because when there is question of feigning the discourses are not long-breath'd each fearing to discover himselfe and so the time pass'd away the greatest part of it in silence As soone as ever Melintus could come to speake to Palamede he counsel'd him to goe out of that lodging that very day and told him he had perceiv'd the displeasure Aristides tooke for finding them there that it were better he went his way alone than stay for him that they were to tell the Ladies how Aristides weary of the journey was fallen sick for him that he would follow him the day after and so they ought to retire one by one for feare the depart of them both might not at one time too much surprise them Palamede resisted some time this advice for the passion he had to Camilla whose sight he enjoyed with such commodity Neverthelesse it became him to give place to that friends counsell he had too much neglected to his losse and this resolution taken they were to take leave of the sisters Emilia that had never observ'd in Melintus any strong passion what-ever favour she had exprest to him began to be in doubt of the cause of his coldnes to her since the arrive of Ariana This stately woman who all her life time saw her selfe ador'd without having ever any love died for despite to finde her selfe sleighted and when she heard the newes of his retrait at first shee gently replied to the courteous words of Melintus but to his replies shee us'd reproaches and from reproaches she enter'd into fury That rage brake all the chaines of discretion and modesty What said shee after I had disdain'd the most powerfull men at Rome am I brought to this passe to become suppliant to a stranger and a man unknowne This ingratefull man this Traitor after receiving so much honour at my house after having bin drawne by me out of the hands of death dares yet forsake me and refuse a few daies at my intreaty Melintus to stop the current of those words said to her Madam I am neither traytor nor ungrate I have lost neither the respect I owe you nor the passion I had for you it needs not to employ intreaties where you may command and that which makes me be accus'd for disacknowledgement is that should rather let you see how well I can acknowledge the cares it pleas'd you to take of me since I desire to free you of them Will you reduce mee to that never to be able to satisfie the obligations I have to you by never ending my importunities and that I suffer all my life to be serv'd by you without a power to doe you service Beleeve you that when I am at home I shall have the lesse affection to you and will you not so much as permit that I put my selfe in the way to render you my duties Although I honour your favours extremely the excesse of them begins to be weighty upon me seeing I no more obtaine them by my services Madam if you have hitherto taken pleasure to expresse so good will to me envy me not at my turne the contentment of offering you my cares and obliging you by my submissions to continue this affection to me I beleeve that to a person of courage there is no punishment comparable to this without ceasing to receive and never give and this is that you would have mee eternally endure Emilia something stayed by these speeches stedfastly regarding him said How happy should I be Melintus if you were true but I feare this faire language proceeds not from the heart too much order has it to expresse a passion and you seeme rather to affect to speake well than to love well t is no matter I will beleeve you so you will grant me yet two dayes more stay during which you may find your selfe in better health Melintus not willing to put her into desperation answer'd her that shee might dispose not onely of two dayes but all those of his life without asking him leave So they were at accord together And Camilla much better assur'd of Palamede's affection not being made to oblige her by any compulsion suffer'd him to goe his way well knowing she should ere long see him againe The displeasure this stay brought to Melintus came from hence that hee saw himselfe depriv'd in that time of seeing Ariana and knowing Palamede would not faile to report to her the cause that retain'd him he would write this Letter to her Melintus to Ariana T Is not my sicknesse now that retaines me here but another's that is more insupportable to me than my owne rather out of despite than pitty I have of it 'T is a cruell thing to be unfortunate by too much good fortune and not to be able to escape out of that is in my owne power I beleeve I am destin'd to contemne all my time the good things are offer'd me and to consume my selfe by desiring those I cannot possesse When Fortune uses me the most cruelly she makes me become cruell too then ordaines a punishment for my disdaines in stead of rewarding them being so just But since she is blind I appeale from her to your judgement and aske of you not that which I refuse to take of others that were too great presumption but that I even refuse them which is a little compassion though it may seeme I am unworthy of it in that I deny to give it Melintus gave this Letter in Tables to Arcas his faithfull Free-man to whom alone was the secret passion of his master disclos'd who would not hide himselfe from him in many things he had occasion to employ him This good servant the day after that Palamede was return'd to Maximus with his father tooke the occasion to goe see how hee did from Melintus and gave his letter secretly to Ariana who receiv'd with it so much content that after she had read it she promis'd to give him an answer Never had she done him that favour but having lately had intelligence of so many vertues and merits by her brothers report of the contempt hee had made of one of the fairest Ladies of Rome for not giving offence to her love of the honours he
downe the second time bearing a man that had the appearance of a god all glittering in gold and precious stones She came neare againe to Ariana and said Vertuous Ariana see here the husband I present you with I know the greatnesse of your mind and wisdome you can never satisfie the generosity which the noblenesse of your blood gives you but by the great honours and riches he is possest of nor see your owne vertue contented but by that which shall accompany him all his life long Receive him from my hand and be assur'd that in obeying me you shall in like manner enjoy the greatest good fortune that hath beene ever tasted upon earth Ariana filled with a new amazement and seeing a goddesse whose brightnesse and discourse confounded her senses never thought how she was naked before a man but when her sight was more confirm'd and she knew him to be Marcelin she then recover'd her senses and having no respect to the Goddesse she came out of the water putting about her a great linnen cloth and all wet as she was hid her selfe in the bed so inwrapping her about that shee could neither be seene nor touched Diana ascended againe into heaven and left that which remained to be finished by Marcelin who carefull of Ariana's health before he spake any thing to her would have Epicharis dry her and while she was busie at that office he aboorded his Mistresse with these words Why hide you your selfe from me divine Ariana I am not so terrible None in the world besides you flyes from me I have Nobility and honours Doe not despise me faire Ariana you see that men and the gods conspire to make me powerfull and happy I am lov'd not onely of the Emperour but of the Divinity also you adore how shall you dare hereafter to addresse your prayers to her if you refuse obedience to her pleasure You know in what sort she approves the violent passion wherewith I love you Abate oh cruell one the cruelty of your heart and render you if not to the intreaties of men yet at least to the counsell of the gods can you thinke to doe amisse following their advice and hope to live content upon the earth by not following them The more Marcelin continued his discourse the more did she hide her in the bed but he seeing his speeches were to no purpose went on speaking for all that Alas Ariana I will not take advantage from the succour of the gods but be beholding for all my fortune to your favour alone give me but some hope to asswage the ardent affection that torments me After that laying him downe upon the bed as dying for love he said Helpe me faire Ariana and give me my life I dye to see you so hard-hearted and am brought to this point but for adoring you with too much respect But Ariana deafe to all those supplications constraind him in the end to cry out O gods Oh Cupids ayd mee and suffer me not to dye of the wound you your selves have given me Then the heaven open'd againe and the six Cupids descended and three of them staid to hold Epicharis while the other three flew upon the bed going to uncover Ariana and give her up to the power of Marcelin This faire creature had no recourse but to her shriekings Ah! yee gods said shee are you accessary to such a wickednesse she defended her selfe as well as she might from Marcelins attempts labouring to teare his very face but her forces had beene all in vaine the Cupids holding already her armes had it not beene for Virginiaâ—… helpe who open'd the Chamber doore and came in with some other Maids that had heard the voyce of Ariana and Epicharis crying out for helpe She ran instantly towards Marcelin and stopping him said Ha! the gods what fury is this Is this the oath you sware to me Goe out from hence prophane man I renounce your friendship for ever Marcelin answered the Priestesse My designe being lawfull and favoured of the gods the effects of it could not be criminall but since you are a hinderance to me let me returne to the gods that shall revenge my cause and in spight of you give me Ariana Then hee went up againe into the heaven which open'd as before time and closed againe In the meane time Ariana that thought she had beene divinely succoured as she was before divinely surprised knew not what Deity to thank nor what to detest seeing that Diana her selfe was a complice of the misery she was upon the point to suffer and all in confusion she let her selfe be dressed by Epicharis and those Maids whom shee conceiv'd to be so many Nymphs and made them many excuses for enduring the honour they did her In the end she gave them thanks for their helpe and still full of disorder shame and despite she went out of the Temple to be in safety at Maximus house where she presently told her adventure to her brother and Melintus Every one made thereupon differing judgements Ariana was so prepossest with those deities and lights that one while she fear'd shee had offended Diana another while she was fully resolv'd not to obey her at all Epicharis perswaded them that Diana and all the marvels of heaven did never appeare more visibly to any than they had done to them Palamede beleev'd they had not invented all those particulars and was amaz'd with them at a thing so extraordinary But Melintus that was of a more piercing wit and could not imagine Diana was so carefull in Marcelins affaires that was a Traytor and assasinate desired them to beleeve this was not the time of seeing deities upon earth any more and that there was some couzenage secretly practised in it Ariana resisted his reasons a good while saying she was neither asleepe then nor Epicharis and that it was impossible any artifice could bee able to sustaine in the Ayre without any supportation a Diana and the Cupids Neverthelesse she waver'd betweene the assurance she had in her eyes and the doubt Melintus considerations brought her to but some dayes after shee was fully perswaded of the truth It was found out that Virginia was sister to Marcelin who being unable to approve either his wicked desires or his designe to marry Ariana though she were very nobly borne to the end hee might at Rome match himselfe into a Patrician family and knowing the distaste this faire Maid had to her brother was resolv'd one day as shee saw her in the Temple to discover the whole plot of Marcelin to her that on her side shee might find out some meanes to put him off his enterprise Shee confest to her that the first time they spake together Marcelin was in the Temple and that when she was gone out he came to know of her what Ariana had to say to her which shee presently declar'd to him whereupon hee mused sometime then he desir'd her to suffer him to see her in the bath that at
never the farther from loving me At that time I gained also the affection of Misander if I may so call the desire he exprest to see and speake with me fot doubtlesse you will laugh at the humour of that man I have heard say interrupted Ariana that he is of Reggium and comes often to Syracuse but that he is very melancholicke It is impossible replide Erycine you should imagine to what degree he is so He came one day to see me in the company of Amyntas that was his friend at that time Hyperia my mother was very sicke and in danger to dye my affliction which he found to have some sympathy with his sad humour caused as I beleeve the good will he had to me His discourses were to make me see that I had cause rather to bee afflicted than comforted his wit affording him no reasons for to vanquish my griefes and after he had employed some words to expresse the part he tooke in my sorrow he thought he had sufficiently declar'd his affection to me since it may be I was the first he had obliged by that compleasance Thinking therfore he had got familiarity enough with me by this first encounter he came to revisit me when my mother was in better health and I rejoyced at her recovery my jollity truly made not his affection dye which my sadnesse had produc'd but standing mute to all the discourses wherein I express'd a satisfaction in him he would peradventure have had mee beleev'd that his silence proceeded from love and some dayes after seeing me to receive him with a great deale of kindnesse as I am accustomed to use all that come to see me he tooke the liberty to complaine of me and would have mee thinke that I dealt unjustly with him not to acknowledge the affection hee bare me although he had made none at all appeare to me whether by discourse or any other way For my part having no cause to satisfie him it was no difficult matter to me to keepe him in that plaintive humour and every time he saw me he seem'd to have obtain'd what he desired for when I us'd him with harshnesse or contempt he set himselfe to discourse that he was the most miserable of men that those women that had a sweetnesse for all other had nothing for him but disdaines that his encountring was so unfortunate that at the same instant he appeared he inspir'd refuses and rude usage into them he desir'd most to be esteem'd of that in his very presence they affected a favouring of others to give him the greater displeasure To end upon the subject of the misery of his life there came a torrent of words from him which was impossible to be stopped I laugh'd within my selfe that he was satisfied after that fashion in making all those complaints and reproaches to me his soule loving to feed on nothing but such ill nourishment as this You describe a man to me interrupted Ariana of a very strange nature and yet pleasant enough withall I cannot replide Erycine sufficiently represent this miserable humour for I have observ'd that it 's impossible to please him giving a sense to all things that confirmes his opinion of being miserable If I us'd him with any sort of kindnesse he tooke it for feining if I treated him with coldnesse it was a certaine contempt If I spake to him it was said he in a certaine fashion whereby he perceiv'd well enough the small account I made of him if I held my peace it was to let him see that he was troublesome and to give him leave to be gone In the end I found very true what I had heard my brother say of him that of all the passions he thought he had none but the displeasant and unfortunate ones as sadnesse feare jealousie despaire distrust and the rest And upon this subject he made an observation which I have found a very pretty one and am like to retaine it in my memory that the most things have two faces which diversly regarded make effects as divers As in a combat a man of courage considers nothing but the glory of vanquishing and makes sure of it a poltron regards nothing but death which brings horrour and trouble upon him Even so Misander being within corrupted with this same blacke humour regarded but the ill sense of all things and interpreted all my actions to his disadvantage I had two servants then very differing one that complain'd incessantly without having cause the other that alwayes satisfied himselfe what-ever rigour he receiv'd I confesse to you Amyntas displeas'd me not for the other you may judge if he were love-able yet although he were a man I had reason to banish my company the softnesse of my nature suffer'd me not to anger him enough to drive him away Amyntas knowing by the intreaty I made Misander that himselfe was not ungracious with mee ceased not seeing me and had not failed of greater attempts but that I made him know his duty and my modesty altogether stayed him Misander had so contagious a melancholy that he was a vexation to all he came neare Amyntas brought me his acquaintance but he repented him sufficiently of it for my sake and more yet for his owne because Misander never left me and hee could not entertain me as he desir'd 'T is true that if I had an enemy I should wish him to endure the love of a man of this humour for I beleeve there is nothing in the world more insupportable If you stay at home they will besiege you cruelly without speaking sometimes a word in a day and will weary out the most resolute that might thinke to attend their depart to speake with more freedome if you have businesse abroad they will still accompany you and not give you so much as one houre of respite and in the meane time they will have their sighes be taken for the sweetest entertainments of love their silence for an admirable discretion and their importunity for services that cannot be sufficiently rewarded I remember one day Amyntas came to our house feining to save himselfe from the raine he was taken in as he had ever some pleasant excuse to come often thither and finding Misander there whose presence importuned him sufficiently without adding to his trouble any thing by this sorry humour he was not able to endure that constraint and went out to be delivered of it in spight of the raine that still continued but when hee was abroad the storme so increas'd as he was forced to come backe againe to us where we passed away a day as blacke as can be imagined as well because of the weather as for the humour of Misander On the subject of that raine Amyntas the day after gave me these verses Last day faire Erycina with a storme assail'd At your house I beleev'd I should have shipwracke fail'd As at some happy Port by heaven granted me Soone by their radiant beames your eyes me dried But
him not and will never give his consent Ariana hath too great a spirit and will never make esteeme of mee especially not seeking to her by any duties and though all things were resolv'd on be assured that I would get mee farre enough away for their ever seeing mee untill the faire Ariana were married She deserves at the least an intire heart and mine can never be but Erycina's I make an oath here before these gods we adore and desire them to punish me as perjurious if I ever quit an affection which I have maintain'd from my birth and will take a course to preserve it to my grave Hee spake this to mee with so much assurance that I had an opinion he did not deceive me and I answered him that nothing but time could make me judge if he were true or no. Ever since he hath continued the same protestations to me and what-ever bruit ran of your marriage I never found his passion at all abated Thinke faire Ariana went Erycina on if I had not cause to esteeme my selfe much indebted to him for at that time he saw himselfe so rich the change of his fortune chang'd not his affection but since what fidelity would not have given way to the hopes of possessing this divine Ariana That word made her blush and oblig'd her to desire she would use her with lesse flattery Permit me replide Erycira to speake thus of you for there is no doubt but that this change had beene too advantageous for him Notwithstanding I was assured hee abus'd me not because I knew that he came not at you and you cannot imagine what torments I endur'd in these traverses for the occasions of loving him still continued and I saw lesse appearance than ever that our marriage could be Consider for the present what contentment I receive by the assurance you give mee that you are yet farther off from thinking any such matter than hee is and by seeing you now in a power to be no more constrain'd against your minde since you have no more father to rule you There is no doubt answered Ariana but you are oblig'd to love Amyntas for I can assure you he hath never sought to give mee the least testimony of affection and in stead of thinking amisse of him for making so small account of the search of me I extremely commend him for not failing of his faith to you In the fashion you have describ'd him to me hee must needs have his heart in a good place and I hope your affections shall attaine their desired end so farre am I from hindering it that I could wish I were happy enough to serve you therein and satisfie the obligation I have to you for not concealing from me your secrets But replide Erycine who can then be that person I have interest in that may one day enjoy you Deare Erycine said Ariana I give you leave to ghesse but you shall never know it from my mouth Truly answered she you pay mee well for the freedome wherewith I have told you the dearest thoughts of my soule Then shee goes on My Brother shall he be so happy That may be replide Ariana and yet never shall my husband be your brother I comprehend not your meaning said Erycine There are many other secrets also replied Ariana that concerne you and Amyntas too as much as my selfe but upon this subject words are forbidden mee and within a few dayes nothing shall be hid from you onely content your selfe that I hope to finde the meanes to make us both happy As they ended that discourse Epicharis that was up came to them and Ariana reaching out her armes to her made her come nearer to embrace her againe and said to her My deare Wench is 't possible I should see thee againe and that with thy selfe thou shouldst bring mee so many contentments Can I ever love thee sufficiently for so many services thou hast rendered mee Madam answered Epicharis the satisfaction I have for having done any thing to please you has place of a great recompence with mee yet I refuse not the honour of your love without which I confesse I could not live Erycine said also that shee was much beholding to her for her brothers safety And because it was now late they were surpriz'd in this entertainment by Palamede who came into the Chamber bringing Melintus with him and opening the Curtaines called them sluggards for being still in bed Melintus who was more retentive said they had endur'd paine enough the day before for to rest yet the whole day 'T is not reason said the faire Ariana that you should be walking up and downe alone by your selves to day and although my uncle has shewne Melintus all he thought worthy to be seene in his house I am sure I shall let him see beauties which he cannot see unlesse I be there Without all doubt replied Melintus where you are not many beauties are wanting That 's not my meaning said Ariana but there are certaine places in the house whose beauty is unknowne but to my selfe and I will carry you thither to see if you will be of my opinion If they please you replide Melintus I make no question but they will be pleasing to me and they will be so the more when you are there Let us then dresse us said Erycine and goe you downe to stay for us in the garden where we will presently come to you They could not deny them this leisure and so the two friends went out of that place sorrily where so many beauties were not so carefully hid but that some one would still discover it selfe that seem'd never to have seene day before so white and delicate it appeared They had word brought them that certaine men inquir'd to speake with them in the Court of the Castle and impatient to see who it was they went to them whilest these faire Ladies dress'd them with all the curiosity they could devise ARIANA. The eighth Booke THe accident that had happened to Dicearchus the day before was knowne that very night in Syracuse and every one rejoyced that they had all of them escap'd the danger but when they learn'd how this was done by the succours of Melintus and Palamede that were living there was a publike joy so great that never did any people expresse the like Telephus and Hyperia could hardly beleeve so happy a newes after they had mourned for Melintus as dead and resented his losse with as many griefes as his desert and their good nature could produce in them Telephus had not fail'd to have come to him if he had beene in a friends house but hee was content to send him word to come away suddenly to see them and that he would no longer deny them this contentment Dicearchus chiefest friends came from Syracuse to congratulate his good fortune and the friends of Melintus and Palamede came in great haste to see and embrace them Diocles was not wanting to send to heare
great City What interrupted Melintus are you brother to the vertuous Eriphile wife of Ephialtes Yes replied Lepantus Give me leave continued Melintus to embrace you then since you are brother to one of the wisest women I ever knew at whose house I was a long time brought up and to whom I have a thousand sensible obligations Then they express'd a great deale of kindnesse one to another and Palamede that had shared in the friendship of the sage Eriphile would also mingle himselfe with their embracements Afterwards Melintus referring to some other time to tell him all the causes he had to love and serve him for his sisters sake prayed him to continue his story Lepantus went on In the end I resolv'd with my selfe to depart from Greece and to passe into Asia I arriv'd in Eolida from thence I went into Lydia and Phrygia but there befell me no remarkable thing but in Galatia where I ran a great hazard of perishing by an infamous death As I was comming neere to arrive at the principall City I passed by a wood where some murther had beene committed I saw my selfe incompassed with a number of horsemen who tooke me for one of the murtherers and carried me away to the City what innocency soever I was able to alleage They that did the murther were presently after apprehended and put in prison with me and when they knew that I was accused of their crime they mocked at me among themselves and swore they would not discharge me though they knew me not that I might die with them for company I was much perplexed having no meanes to justifie me but by them and in great displeasure that I was to dye so shamefully as a way-robber and a murtherer One day when I thought they came for us to be led to punishment I saw comming in an Officer of Justice who having assembled all the Criminals declar'd to them that each was to choose his advocate for to plead his cause before the King to the end that the most eloquent of all should beare away for his Client the grace that was yeerely accorded I enquir'd what that grace was and learn'd that in Iulius Caesar's time Dejotarus was King of Galatia who after he had followed the party of Pompeius and beene received into favour by Caesar was accused for having dressed Ambuscado's for him when he was at his house in Galatia For that cause he was cited to Rome where making his appearance he was ready to be condemn'd to dye by Caesar and the Senate but for the succours of Cicero's marvellous eloquence which had so much force as to make Caesar change his determination and pardon Dejotarus The King being return'd to Galatia that he might remember this benefit receiv'd by eloquence ordained that every yeare on a certaine day the Criminall persons should make choyce of Advocates amongst whom he that should be judg'd the most eloquent should carry away for his Client the grace of his life besides the advocates prize to whom was given a Crowne of great value After I had learn'd this I knew that the most famous advocates were retained of a long time by great summes of money and I saw it would be very difficult for me to hope for that grace having no meanes nor any acquaintance in the Country Neverthelesse I tooke heart and said all aloud to this Officer that I demanded leave to defend my selfe Every one tooke him to laughter to heare my proposition for they saw me in an estate too miserable to beleeve I could have any science but for all that I gave in my name to the end I might be heard before the King as well as the rest In eight dayes space that were given to prepare the Orations that should be made I had leisure enough to thinke of mine and when the time was come they brought us all to the Palace We were put into a great Hall round about certaine barres that hindred any approaching to the King who was within upon a seat raised with foure or five steps and had on each side of him his chiefe Officers that were the Judges When they would begin to heare the pleadings the barres were open'd to let in the first Advocate that was to speake who standing before the King began a very studied speech wherein hee labour'd to defend a criminall that was present with us When he had ended there rose a little noyse of the different judgements were made of him then they opened to another who discours'd with a great deale of vehemence and so many were heard one after another I was in a wonder to see so many Advocates but they told me there were come of them from all parts of Asia and out of Greece too some sought to by the Criminals and others invited by the ambition of making their knowledge appeare and carrying the prize This number troubled me much yet order was taken that the speeches should be short for else one day had not beene sufficient to heare all that presented themselves At last they said there were no more Advocates to plead The King was now demanding the Judges advice and I thought to have step'd forward to intreat audience but an Herald prevented me that told the King there remain'd no more but a poore Criminall called Lepantus who desir'd to defend himselfe Well then answered the King wee will not deny him that justice Then I entred within the barre and being before the King I said in a few words what I had premeditated with all the assurance and modesty I could Brave Lepantus interrupted Melintus doe not deprive us I pray you the repetition of that Oration we have time enough to heare it and since it is but short it cannot be grievous to you Grant this at least to the desire of Cyllenia who so attentively hearkens to the accidents of your life during her owne vexations 'T is to command me answer'd Lepantus so to intreat and since you will have it so I will recite what I spake then I began thus GReat King and you equitable Iudges I cannot complaine of fortune for the strange accident I am fallen into since she gives me the happinesse to be heard of you And wherefore should I be aggriev'd at her since both before and after my calamity she provided me meanes to releeve my selfe As soone as I entred this Countrey she hath rendred me criminall before I was culpable but at such a time when a grace is offer'd which she puts me in hope to obtaine having made me to be instructed from my infancy in all sorts of Sciences and Arts foreseeing the need I should have of their assistance The gods beside had beene unjust and cruell to permit the adventure is arri'vd to me if they had not knowne in what sort I could secure my selfe Accuse me not of presumption for being assured to carry away this day the prize is given to the most eloquent it 's impossible you should refuse me it seeing
mother as from him a supposititious letter and without any more delay he comes to our house and intreated my mother to shew it him and told her it must have beene sent by some spirit that was very neare to have ruin'd his sonnes life When he had seene it he express'd in such sort that he was innocent of this letter and made her so many satisfactions that she could have no suspition at all of him and made it appeare that shee had much sorrow for Hermocrates sicknesse whom she greatly esteemed her selfe And for this cause they concluded together our marriage before they parted and imagining from whence this letter should come they conceiv'd it must be from Dicearchus who since that time had express'd a greater passion to me than ever before See then how Dicearchus willing to hinder our marriage advanc'd it assembling together by his owne invention those that otherwise would have had much adoe to have effected it As soone as Hermocrates learn'd this good newes it seem'd they had restor'd him his life and we went oft to visit him untill he was perfectly recovered Then were wee married together with a thousand rejoycings and passed away three or foure yeeres with all the contentments can be imagined without having yet any children In the meane time Dicearchus not able to endure that our marriage should be made while he were at Syracuse was gone to Corinth where he stayed about two yeares at the end whereof he return'd into Sicily with Acidalia whom he had married Presently after he declar'd himselfe enemy to Hermocrates who having then lost his father seem'd to hold the first place in the City he practis'd the factious men on all sides to make a league against him and seem'd to have no other end in all his actions than to displease and ruine him if it were possible At last hee sought out so many meanes to attaine his designe that there was one that succeeded to his wish You know it may be pursues Euphrosyne how he made armes be carried by night over the wals of our house and ranged them as in a readinesse for an occasion at the same time he went to advertise the chiefe of the City that Hermocrates projected to make himselfe a Tyrant and that it would appeare at his house They came to our house that very night and ravish'd from my armes my deare Hermocrates for to carry him away prisoner You may judge what trouble I was then surpriz'd in neverthelesse in this calamity I receiv'd some consolation for the innocency of my husband and when Dicearchus friends solicited on that side to have him condemn'd to dye I did all I could to make the villany of that artifice appeare and what appearance there could be that a private man would make himselfe Tyrant over a Citie that was of the Roman Empire But all I could obtaine was to moderate the condemnation to a banishment for five yeares and to have fifteene dayes given us to order our affaires in Neverthelesse that time serv'd but to increase our misery for Dicearchus having knowne that we were to retire to Carthage the place of my originall and not content with our banishment had leisure to practise certaine Pyrats who covenanted with him for a great summe of money that they would surprize us in our passage from Lylibeum to Carthage and after that they would goe and sell us apart to some Barbarians for feare we should ever see one another againe or returne into our Countrey and because I was very big with childe at the same time hee made them promise him to put to death whatever should be borne of mee untill wee came to be sold After wee had committed the managing of our estate to Diocles our friend for to administer it during the five yeares banishment wee departed accompanied with Telephus not knowing the miseries Dicearchus had prepar'd for us but I was so happy as to be brought to bed of you at Lylibeum said Euphrosyne to Melintus where I stayed more than fifteene dayes till I could endure the Sea and it seemed you were willing to be borne at that time to retard as much as you could possibly the miseries that were to happen to your parents We happily advis'd to leave you secretly in Sicily and give you to Telephus for if we had carried you away with us you had not beene alive at this houre then tooke we leave of our Countrey all in teares and went to goe aboard the Vessell But there befell me a mischance that was an augury that this voyage should prove very deadly to us for thinking to enter into the ship my foot slipt and I fell into the Sea the affection of Hermocrates was such as hee threw himselfe presently after me ind by swimming saved me and brought me aboard againe After we had dried us a while we stayed not our departing and because the passage is but short wee soone perceiv'd a light vessell that had parted from the coasts which in a small time set upon us Hermocrates judged them to be Sea-coursers and intreated those that were with him to take armes and defend themselves as well as they might But their number was but small and besides they were not in state to fight never expecting they should have beene fought with in the small way they had to passe Yet for all that they were not wanting to defend themselves courageously and Hermocrates was not taken untill he had laid six of them at his feet His valour was esteemed of the Pyrats who in consideration of him pardon'd those that were with us and taking what they found best out of our ship made us enter into theirs After they had passed us a good way on the Sea they brought us to a place of their owne retreat and it was strange to see what fidelity these Pyrats kept with Dicearchus in that they had promised him because they might have expected a greater ransome from us than that they had receiv'd of him and yet in the meane time they failed not in what they had sworne to him Neverthelesse they shewed us some favour for we liv'd in honour among them and accommodated with all things necessary They delayed three whole yeares to sell us during which I was brought to bed of two children whom they put to death as they had resolved afterwards they went to sell my husband into a Countrey very farre remov'd As for me they were minded to keepe me still by them what request soever I made not to be separate from Hermocrates because they had brought me a Kings sonne very young to breed up whom they had taken in some place or other and on whom all my affection was placed being comforted by the nurture was committed to me for our cruell captivity and dead children attending the change of fortune These cruell people were never touched neither with the supplications and advantageous promises of Hermocrates nor yet with my teares but in spight of mee
fallen sicke and sent to know how they did and that hee was in paine till hee heard from them When he had learn'd that his chiefest enemy was in the worst condition he sent him an oyntment as an excellent remedy for his wounds but Melintus having receiv'd it would not have his friend make triall of the Drug comming from a place so suspect The faire Camilla sent for a Dog that they presently strucke with a knife then she made the Oyntment be applyed to the wound and foure houres after the Dogge was found dead this composition hauing envenomed the sore and penetrated in a small time to the very heart The knowledge of this treason made Marcellin be as much hated of Camilla as he had before time beene loved and when he came to see her after his sicknesse she shewed such displeasure at him that he well perceived hee was lost with her Melintus afflicted with his friends evill though it was not then judg'd mortall and seeing himselfe constrain'd to feigne a passion for a Lady he loved not passed a very troublesome life in that house Emilia that could not beleeve these coldnesses and distasts of his proceeded from the small affection he had to her but rather imputed the cause of them one while to the misfortune had arriv'd to them another to his desire of being reveng'd on Marcellin never ceas'd rendring him her most passionate cares One day when he was in bed she said to him Melintus It grieves me to see you so sad in a place where it is desired you should be most content Madam answered he the greatest discontent I have is to put you to so much trouble and I could wish you would be pleas'd to remit the paines you take to them that serve us so I should be eas'd of the halfe of my evill No no Melintus replied she hide not your selfe from me this is not the cause of your griefe for if you love me you desire to be loved of mee and you cannot receive at this time other testimonies of this than my assistance so as my paynes must rather be agreeable than troublesome to you But in good truth dreame you not of revenging you on Marcellin for the villanies by which he pursues the life of Palamede Melintus who was glad to conceale the principall subject of his sorrow was very well pleas'd at her abuse and that he might entertaine her still in it he sayes Madam 'T is true his treasons possesse me with horrour and feare for I see that he will not leave practising against us and it will be more difficult for us to warrant our selves from a coward and traytor than an open and valiant enemy Leave that care to mee answered shee we must by little and little banish him our company and afterwards wee shall know how to preserve our selves from his designes my sister already hates him and this have I gained of her representing to her how much this fellow is to be detested There is no doubt replyed he but his company is very dangerous and that sometime or other those that are of so mischievous a disposition will make others that converse with them partakers of the miseries of their owne lives I beginne though late sayd Emilia to see the truth of this you say for I tooke him for a man capable of doing a mischiefe yet seeing hee did us so many good offices I could not beleeve hee would attempt any thing that might occasion our displeasure I will not proceeded shee reproach you with the service I did you in the person of Palamede making him accepted with my sister yet I must needs let you see what affection I beare you and what power I have with her by estranging Marcellin from her heart to whom we cannot deny but we had singular obligations Whereof if you have leisure I will make a short relation to you Melintus who was well content to let her have the talke desir'd her to take the paines and shee replyed thus Three yeares agoe my sister and I married on one day two Knights of Rome my sister Decius and I Antonine But scarce had six moneths passed but Decius quitting the affection he had to my sister fell in love with mee at least he would make me beleeve so I discreetly resisted him because I would not have his intention come to my husbands or my sisters knowledge for indangering the friendship that was amongst us and I hoped also that hee would retire himselfe from it of his owne accord This mildnesse made him beleeve that in the end I would let my selfe be gained and that nothing retained me but the affection I had to my husband On the other side judging of others by himselfe he thought Antonine was in love with my sister and was againe loved of her because they entertain'd one another familiarly enough without any great occasion whereupon hee conceiv'd so furious a jealousie that he resolv'd to make them both away this rage of his being usefull also for the love he made to me for he pretended to marry me after he had dispatch'd those two persons One day when wee dined with him I was amaz'd to be held backe by him taking me by the arme as I was going to eat of a dish of meat whereof there was but little in it and well seasoned to appearance he feigning to remember me of something he had to say to me entertain'd me till Antonine and Camilla had eaten the most of that was in the dish then he made it be taken away At that time I perceiv'd nothing at all but presently after dinner my sisters young stomacke beganne to worke and was strong enough to expell the poyson she vomited Antonine that was more in yeares and had eaten the most of it finding in like manner some gripings did what he could to cast out that hee had taken in but he could never doe it whatsoever remedies were given him and dyed the day after The crime and designes of Decius being apparant enough you may conceive how I was transported to lose a husband I honour'd and with what fury I attempted to revenge me on him and hee above all this would have had me attributed his action to the excesse of love he had to mee and that I was beholding to him for it But this mad man being not yet satisfied but desirous to have my sister dye what ever happened I could then devise of nothing but the preserving of her life by taking her home to me where I was resolv'd to live free without ever marrying againe In that time Marcellin fell in love with Camilla with so violent passions that there was nothing he would not have enterpriz'd for her sake and seeing us ever in teares my sister and I she because Decius sought by all meanes to put her to death and I for the losse I endur'd he tooke in hand to revenge us both and to free us for ever from so cruell an enemy A little
a Harpe adorn'd with a thousand Emeralds upon whose top is a Lions head with open jawes and the tongue that comes out of them made of an intire ruby I wonder said Ariana justice should be given to strangers when in appearance it was not well kept in the person of Nero. If the Judges replies Palamede were not so just as they should have beene the Emperour himselfe corrected their judgement which thing got him lesse envy and Melintus the more glory for having receiv'd the crowne of laurell he put it upon Melintus head and to testifie the pleasure he had taken in hearing him recite he offred him any sute he would make Melintus after he had thank't him for so many favourâ— without much considering on the matter demanded of him as you have heard the exemption of customes for the City of Syracuse Nero admiring his generosity for preferring the good of his country to his particular advantage granted him his request with other privileges for our City and gave him many presents besides and more than that he gave us the title of Citizens of Rome with all the honour he was able to favour us with This Prince hath good intermissions and sometimes does actions worthy of his greatnesse but they are presently darkned by a number of prodigious crimes wherewith he nothing feares to staine the honour of his Majesty and very often he pleases himselfe to exercise the greatest cruelties upon those he hath made most of as but lately his Mother Burrus and many others serve for examples and we our selves a few dayes since were very neere running the like fortune But let us leave these troublesome thoughts to pursue the happy adventures arriv'd to us in this famous journey When Palamede would have gone forward with his discourse Ariana and he heard a noise in Melintus chamber as it had beene of many persons comming to visit him By and by they were ask'd for because it was Otho that came to take leave of them going to make a great voyage And already was he speaking to Melintus in secret and Palamede being admitted he learn'd them these sad newes that he was in disgrace with Nero that the Emperour was in love with Sabina his wife and would have her wholly to himselfe and for that cause sent him to the farthest of all Spaine to governe Lusitania That it much grieved him to leave them to the mercy of Marcelin whose favour augmenting with the spoyles of his it was to be feared they fell not into his power But that they might securely serve themselves of those friends were left them in Rome who were not unknowne to them Melintus deplor'd his misfortune and exprest to him how great a part they tooke in his disgrace that depriv'd them of a friend so earnest for their safety But he was constrain'd to give over that speech because Otho regarding nothing was said to him was so attentive in considering Ariana's marvellous beauty that nothing could divert him Palamede said to him she you looke on is my sister who is come hither from Sycily with my father having understood my sicknesse Otho for all that ceas'd not to study having his eyes continually fixt upon Ariana then all on the suddaine they saw him blush and a little after that bloud which had dispearc't it selfe upon his cheeks was forc'd to run towards his heart that would have beene gone to hinder his departing left his face without colour Otho finding himselfe to faint pray'd Palamede to cary him into his chamber and that they might be there alone As soone as they were entred he let himselfe fall backward upon the bed Palamede ask'd him what he ailed but he could not answer What effect more suddaine and more rare could an excellent beauty produce But it ought not to be found so strange considering the divine aspects of Ariana working on a subject nourish't up in delights and capable to receive easily those strong impressions Otho in the end after a great sigh said to Palamede Ah! deare friend how dangerous was the sight of your sister to mee and what troubles hath she made mee in so little a time I did at first meeting receive this sight with so much liking as it had beene a remedy happily sent from heaven against the displeasures I endur'd Me thought I entreated that faire face to bring forth a passion in mee that might dispell the cares of my disgrace and the cruell regret for Sabina's losse But wretched exchange and cure that brings mee death I lost all in one day my delights my honours and the most aspiring hopes of the earth and having found a subject to be admir'd that might restore to me a thousand times more goods that I must lose it againe in an instant I came hither having my foule troubled with griefes and found that they were dissipated by the joy that happened to me for the birth of so faire an affection but presently the consideration of my depart within an houre came to attach this new love and ordain'd it either to dye or to be the most unfortunate that ever entred into a heart for to make it dye I cannot so much as will the destruction of it and to conserve it I know not so strongly how to consent to my owne misery as to keep a remembrance that would be the more cruel to me in my exile the more amiable it appear'd And these are the contrary thoughts Palamede that assaulted me all at once with such fury that they caus'd the disorder you saw me in Excuse I pray you my transportation I beleeve that this day some starre casts upon me his most malignant influences Palamede knew not what to say to him upon so strange an accident hee would have condol'd his misfortune had not the cause and remedy so nearely touch'd him To offer him his sister shee was not in his disposing and to promise him assistance neare her if he had had the will to it the time was too short for hope to get any advantage by it In the end he resolv'd with himselfe to make no overture to him but to expect it from him and ask'd him what he desir'd he should doe to serve him No no Palamede answer'd Otho be not you in paine to helpe me I wish to your sister the greatest felicity of the world so farre am I from willing to make her a companion of my misery I am a miserable banish'd man the hatred of heaven and cast-away of the earth which scarce affords me one of her extremities to be sustain'd in no other comfort have I desir'd of you than that I receiv'd in telling you the extremity of my misery which never shall be heard spoken of by any besides you Adieu deare Palamede enjoy a better fortune I demand you no other favour but to shew me the way to get out of this lodging without passing by the Chamber where shee is that I have seene too much for my repose I should feare lest
of revenge resolv'd our death and would serve himselfe with the presence of the Emperour to cover his assassinate In the evening being at supper with Nero seeing that Prince somewhat inflam'd with wine and singing some verses he had made he said all alowd that some dayes agoe he was not able to endure the insolence and ingratitude of that Sycilian who mock'd at the Emperours verses and every where vanted his owne for all acknowledgement of so many favours he had receiv'd of him Nero incens'd at these words for there was nothing that so sensible prick't him as to be slighted in a thing where he affected the greatest glory In what places sayes he does this companion thus use me I heard him also answered Marcelin but two dayes since when he spake of this matter with a strange impudence at a Ladies house that every night entertain's him Can we not said Nero entrappe this same gallant This very night replies he it will be very easie to be done we need but goe to waite for him and hide us some where there abouts you may punish him your fill for the crime he commits every day against the honour of your Majesty This was instantly resolv'd on and Nero with those of his ordinary troup went to put himselfe in ambush at a place whither he was conducted by Marcelin and staied for us with a purpose to sacrifice us to his vengeance We failed not to come at the houre and presently as we had order'd the matter together we beganne to draw our swords in making a noyse and to cry kill kill the murderers Nero and the rest thinking they had beene discover'd and fearing to be all massacred in their Ambuscado if they issued not out shewed themselves and came to us but so much astonish'd as we were surpriz'd not looking that our play should be turn'd into so true a combat We omitted not to receive them with much assurance and hurt many of them Neverthelesse because their number was the greater we receiv'd many wounds which made us resolve to sell our lives dearely but they considering we were desperate were in the end forc'd to cry out to us It was the Emperour Then we drew our selves further off to let them passe yet after they had retired themselves I fell downe all along being no longer sustaind by the heat of the fight and having foure great wounds out of which I lost all my bloud Melintus came to helpe me but for all he was not so much hurt he could not but fall in a swoone also upon my body In this state were wee found by these Ladies who came out to see that which had passed before their house and who were greatly astonish'd to see us handled on that fashion Then they caus'd us to be brought hither to succour us with the affection they have made demonstration to us where being in despaire of my life I was willing to see my father and you before I dyed But the gods have shewed me more favours than my indiscreet youth deserv'd and have spar'd my life it may be to serve you and that deare Melintus to whom I have so many obligations whose sicknesse that now keeps him in his bed was not caus'd but by the daily cares he tooke for me during mine Ariana fully pleas'd to have learn'd the extreme fidelity of Melintus dissembled that joy to answer her brother It is true that in all that you have told me he hath witness'd a most perfect friendship to you which oblig'd us to eternall acknowledgements And I would have the occasion one day presented to acquit us of them then she spake on But to leave this businesse of Melintus you have not told me how you came to know it was Cyane that discover'd all to Marcelin This is the thing replied Palamede I forgat to speake of We knew it was he assisted by Nero that made the Ambuscado for us and chiefly we gather'd his ill will by an oyntment he sent me which was poyson and then when we were in paine to discover from whence hee could have notice of our appointment by night I went to averre before Melintus and Camilla that I had communicated it to Cyane Camilla crying out then told me we need not any more inquire for the originall of this disaster that this mayd was wholly Marcelin's and causing her to be corrected because she was now too much inrag'd for all Marcelin's treasons shee made her in the end confesse her villany I make no report to you of the resolution of our faithfull slaves in pursuing the designe Nero had taken to put us to death because you have heard that of Arcas It remaines onely that I tell you how Marcelin two or three dayes since hee was wholly cur'd came to visitus and shew us much affection to remove the opinion we might have of him But Camilla could not forbeare to give him so strange a reception that he began to suspect the cause of that usage I perceive replide Ariana that by the speciall favour of the gods you have beene able to escape out of that adventure for in that sort your destruction was plotted I tremble still to imagine how it was possible for you to avoyd it Neverthelesse you are not yet out of danger having alwayes for enemies the Emperour and Marcelin whose revenge is unsatisfied and whose fury shall be increas'd by the cares Camilla has express'd to have of you The gods said Palamede that have hitherto preserv'd us will not abandon us yet we are not to sleepe but employ the wisdome of yours and Melintus counsels to advise of the meanes that may for ever secure us from those miseries that threaten us I beleeve said Ariana that a speedy retrait to Syracuse will be the most expedient this is that makes mee wish the perfect cure of both of you that we may enjoy together the repose and sweetnesse of our Country and flye from a City where vice and insolence reigne with such authority ARIANA. The third Booke WHile they were entertaining themselves thus Melintus satisfied what he could the desire Aristides had to heare of all had passed and employed the greatest cunning of his discretion to find out causes of their misfortune and conceale the true and principall occasions of every thing that had happened many times when he was not well prepar'd to answer all the good old mans questions he feined a difficulty of speech by reason of his sicknesse to have leisure to consider But when he had scap'd that passage and came to report Palamede's extreme sicknesse that his wounds caused and all the accidents that had put him into such feare he forgat not so much as one point thereof that he might spend the time in that discourse and deliver himselfe from demands he was in trouble to satisfie Emilia and Camilla sometimes laugh'd seeing in what fashion hee disguis'd the truth and did oft divert the matter of the discourse to ayd him Aristides was
for she assisted him very carefully yet so much respect had he to her that there was nothing but his eyes that durst make love to her and of every thing else they communicated one to another with much confidence One morning she came to him and bringing a little table booke with her she pray'd him to read what was written in it where he saw these words Marcelin to Ariana FAire Ariana since your eyes forbid me speaking pardon me if I have recourse to this meanes to make you know the affection wich your perfections have brought forth If you be come hither to begin the acquisition of all the hearts of the Empire I blesse the fortune that hath made me the first of your conquests and ranging mee without reluctancy under your obedience I will be bold to hope for some part in the honour of your good graces if they may be aspir'd to by services eternall and a passion infinite These letters said Melintus put us to no paine in guessing to whom they are addrest nor who sends them but Madam added he who gave you them Epicharis said Ariana found them on my table as I was rising without being clos'd for feare I beleeve that I should leave them in the same state But what would you advise me to doe Madam said Melintus your heart is free you may dispose of it as you please you may be deceiv'd for all that answer'd she but this is not the thing I aske you what shall I doe with these tables if you desire sayes he to answer them you need but efface the wax and then write what you please You laugh at me replies she and by whom shall I send them when I know not who brought them You are but to put them sayes he in the same place and who ever laid them there will know where to take them againe well enough And what if I will replide Ariana that they be never more spoke on You may said he cast them into the fire I am very glad sayes she they have beene condemn'd by your mouth and at the same time threw them in Melintus considering this action said to her well enough satisfied if hee meanes to write often to you he must make great provision of tablets It will be as necessary for him answered she to be provided of patience but if he be opiniated I shall not be without trouble neither Yet our depart shall quickly deliver us of all Palamede thereupon comming in and seeing the tables burning ask'd his sister why they were throwne into the fire She a little surpriz'd said she would no more make use of them Is it long since you have used said he such things since I came to Rome answered she Ha! sister cryed he out why are you so secret to me you had them but this morning and if I had beene willing you had never seene them at all Ariana blushing told him I protest that if I had beene able I had hid them from my selfe and I thought not they had come to your knowledge if there had beene fire in my chamber I had not burnt them in this where I found that Melintus was not so curious as you for he never inquir'd as you have done what the matter was But continued she can you tell who brought me them No said he but going into your chamber while you were yet sleeping I saw them upon your table and put them as they were since they were not directed to me I find you sayes she very discreet but you had done well to have kept mee from the sight of them See replied Palamede if I be not good to a man that has done me so much ill but I am assur'd you will doe him no great good I wish only said she for his punishment that he may love me all his life as much as I shall detest him for your sake In the meane time Melintus made himselfe very ignorant of those tables and in the end ask't them what it was T is a letter replies she Marcelin made mee receive by I know not what meanes looke if it be not directed to a good place for a very favourable reception His desert sayes Melintus is very considerable but his misfortune is extreme to fall into your hands to revenge us of his Aristides comming into the chamber brake off this discourse and Ariana leaving them went out of the house to the next temple coverd as she was accustom'd with a great vaile that hindred her from being seene at all being not desirous to make her selfe knowne at Rome for the small time she had to stay there Marcelin that set a spie to watch her going out fail'd not to follow her and approaching to her when she seem'd most attentive at her prayers said The gods grant to your desires as much happinesse as you may give me She as in amazement lift up her scarfe to see who spake to her and let him see her extreme beauty but armed with so much severity that the sight infinitely astonisht him and he receiv'd from her eyes an answer more cruell than her mouth had beene possibly able to make him That usage made him see that she was not accustom'd to suffer such words and he beleeved that the faire stranger would never satisfie his love if he sought not out honester meanes to possesse her There remain'd a scruple in the soule of Ariana for having entred Emilia's house She thought her selfe prophan'd and that her honour might be stain'd with that reproach Every houre the discourse Melintus had with her to make her get out of that place came into her minde seem'd to accuse her so as she was resolv'd to be purified in Diana's temple That very day she spake of it to the priestesse who was cal'd Virginia and told the cause she had for it Virginia promis'd her the chamber of purifications for the day after but the next day she put her off to the eighth day telling her for excuse that some Roman Ladies whom she could not refuse were to be purified during that time Ariana was forced to have patience till then and when the eight dayes were past she was receiv'd into that chamber with Epicharis only to wait on her This place was as it were a second temple added to the first but yet lesser and of a round figure whose roofe was bigge enough and that without appear'd to end in a vault but within at that time a heaven represented hid the arches of the vauting Ariana brought in by the priest was amaz'd to see so much riches in the place The hangings were the ground of gold and the figures imbrodery of silke In the middest of the chamber was a bed whose valences were of purple imbroyder'd with gold of a most rich worke and the curtaines of a carnation stuffe with little flowers of gold Neare the bed was a cisterne of white marble next to the wall out of which came two great pipes of gold that were
that which is perfect and certaine and for this reason she her selfe is her owne end and recompence there being nothing in the world perfect and certaine but shee So hath valour no satisfaction but in it selfe and this is that wee call honour which is nothing else but the glory that is in us for not failing in what valour requires at our hands what disgrace soever may happen because fortune hath no power over vertues hee that has this quality in perfection is as valiant being overcome as when he is victorious and is conscious to himselfe of the same glory Victory and honours cannot be the principall objects of it because these are not things we can be assur'd of In like manner the perfect love cannot have pleasure for his principall end because it is not certaine but depends on the will of another and for that cause his end cannot be to be lov'd neither these being things that are without us and we cannot dispose of but his onely certaine object is this to love perfectly So the end of this perfect love is in it selfe and can never faile it If it chances one be loved or receives some contentment these are but fruits of love and not the end even as victory and honours are to valour otherwise it must be necessary that after the satisfactions love receiv'd and the honours that valour possess'd both this and that should cease and have no more operation as being arriv'd at their end You see that imperfect loves that have no other end but pleasure dye as soone as ever they have attain'd that pleasure and this might serve for an infallible reason to make you beleeve there must be an end farre more noble and more assured than pleasure to crowne a perfect and never decaying love I beleeve said Epicharis to Palamede you would be much troubled to answer these reasons 'T is very easie for him sayes he to vanquish an enemy that feeles his conscience wounded being to maintaine an evill cause for all the disasters I have met with and reason with this very dispute learne mee thus much that we are to love but one thing which is perfectly lovely and for this cause that it is you alone I am to love I pray you said Epicharis make not Melintus weapons serve your turne against mee and yet I shall not bee displeas'd that he instruct you and when you have had time enough to bee made wise I shall demand of him what I ought to thinke of you Sweare said Palamede you will alwayes report your selfe to him That will I surely said she so much confidence have I in him that hee shall herein be Judge with Ariana Melintus said there was hope of amendment in Palamede and that he would promise if Epicharis joyn'd her helpe to make of him a perfect lover one day for her sake having already a Master very affectionate and a Mistresse very lovely Assure your selves replied Palamede that I knew before how to love very well what ever I said for I love none but the faire Epicharis 't is she I love perfectly and will love her so for ever Do you take these little searches I make to others for infidelities What be they else sayes Melintus I would faine know went Palamede on if to love so perfectly as you pretend you abstaine from all sorts of pleasures as hunting pastimes exercises and what ever else may content you That were not reasonable answer'd Melintus So then said Palamede these little favours are of those pleasures we are not to avoyd The choyce a man has made once in his heart continues still there and by this meanes he attends with patience till the cruelties of her he seekes be over and the time may bring some ease to his desires I finde this said Epicharis an easie way of loving and if all were of your disposition there would not be heard such complaints and desperations of lovers because they would so soone know wherewith to comfort them 'T is not replied Palamede a particular humour in mee but reason that makes mee love after that fashion and every one finds contentment by it for having a cruell Mistresse I seeke for consolation to the usage she makes me and in the meane time leave her in repose When all comes to all replide Melintus you would perswade us that you love extremely but desire moderately and if you can make these two agree you have reason for what you say Although sayes Palamede I follow not these desires so ardently thinke you I desire the lesse for that Contrariwise I more honour her I love not to torment her seeing her resolv'd to grant me nothing and appease where I may the violence of my desires But replide Melintus they are not the desires you have for her which you goe to ease otherwhere they be some other Sometimes answers Palamede I imagine I am easing those very desires perswading my selfe I enjoy her and receive those favours at her hands Ah ye gods cried out Melintus what crimes are here together And why said Palamede am I so criminall First of all replide Melintus in seeking these favours from others you serve your selfe of the same words and the same oaths which you use to her you love see there prophan'd the fairest meanes you can have to make your selfe be loved imploying them indifferently upon a thousand subjects unworthy of the vertuous designe you ought to have What poorenesse it is to lye and which of them all can beleeve you having but the same protestations to give in all places after all this if you love but one person can you still finde another lovely and there stay your eyes for as for pastime which you alleage a man may seeke that without injuring his love but one beauty may stand in competition with another and if you can make much of any with or besides that you love 't is infidelity But what crime can be greater than that your imagination commits in the favours of another and will your fancy then needs have it her you are courting who receives your discourse with affectation who either yeelds with weaknesse or prostitutes her selfe with shamelesnesse and doe you perfectly love her you imagine to your selfe with all those defects You charge me very criminally said Palamede but I protest to you I have not so vile an intention No no pursues Melintus you must resolve with your selfe either to beleeve your affection is very imperfect or else to purge it of all those errors if you desire to make it perfect See there said Epicharis one good lesson already and if every day he tooke but such another I thinke he might be reduced into the right way To heare you both speake replied Palamede it seemes I have beene instructed in an ill Love-schoole and must endevour to forget the false principles I there learn'd but I doe still finde something in me repugnant to the austerity of your precepts Neverthelesse I honour my Master and love
assure your selfe that when I shall be able to doe you service I will not thinke upon reproaching you Then Melintus declar'd to him all the manner of his birth to which Palamede harkened with so much contentment that he would not so well have resented the like good fortune had it hapned to himselfe He ceas'd not admiring at a fortune so unordinary and doubted not but that Diocles would bee convinced by those meanes they were prepar'd of that if there were at last need of violence he was not a man to make resistance against them This is it replide Melintus that kept me from discovering me untill now to you for the friendship you have to me would have prevail'd with you to make this appearance before it may be there were cause for it and now is the fittest time by farre you will confesse Melintus went through with all that discourse assuredly enough but when he was purpos'd to discover to him the affection he had for his sister he scarce dar'd to pronounce the faire name of Ariana Palamede after some words knowing from whence that difficulty of speech proceeded would encourage him and said My deare Melintus it is not necessary you tell me that I know as well as you and you have heard from my selfe how greatly I desire that happinesse as well for my own contentment as yours if I could binde me to you by an alliance yet more streight I would seeke it so fearefull am I that we are not yet sufficiently united give leave therfore that from this very houre the name of brother be common to us we are already brothers in wils and I hope we shall be so in effect very shortly I make no doubt but my sister acknowledges your deservings and acknowledging them loves you besides the obligations she hath to you and for my uncle he but now made me a discourse when wee left you there in the Parke that shewed plainly how his designe might easily correspond with ours Oblige me said Melintus and tell me what he thinks of me You would not beleeve replies Palamede how much the assistance he receiv'd of you this day has wrought upon him and he desires nothing more than to render you one day if it be possible as great a pleasure The occasion sayes Melintus interrupting him offers it self for he may in like manner oblige mee for my life He is not farre off this answered Palamede because having no greater intention than this which is to maintaine the authority he hath in Syracuse he told me that although Telephus had not beene his friend he saw none so fit as you whereupon to stay the credit and esteeme we might keep there for the peoples love was already set upon you and that we had a faire meanes to binde us for ever to you by a person whom it seemes you have fairely wonne going to take her out of those Souldiers hands and that he beleev'd too she would not make resistance to this because certaine words escap'd her when she knew you that gave him cause to thinke she hated you not and that you were also in love with her That hee was very glad hee was no further engaged with Diocles nor with Pisistratus of Corinth who is come hither drawne by my sisters reputation and for that he found himselfe still at liberty to deliberate upon our good fortune and yours which he would seeke as much as in him lay in satisfaction of what he owes you There wanted but little to have this discourse as pleasing to Melintus as the entertainment he had with Ariana her selfe in the end hee knew how there remained no other doubt in Dicearchus minde but the difficulty of his estate which was not so great as Ariana's but Palamede added that the newes he was to bring him would soone cleare every thing that might hinder their common contentment Melintus esteem'd himselfe very happy in the opinion Dicearchus had conceiv'd of him and after they had passed a great part of the night in so deare discoursing as this they fell both asleep and waked not untill it was something at the latest But whereas they spent the beginning of the night in their entertainment Ariana and Erycine that lay together gave the end of it to theirs they began to speake as soone as they waked which was afore day and when that appear'd Erycine perceiv'd Ariana had put the sheet from off her because of the heat and saw hereby so many wonders that she could not containe her selfe from saying Who shall that happy man be that shall one day enjoy all those beauties Ariana smiling answered her It may be a person you have some interest in Erycine blushed thinking she meant it by Amyntas whom she was in love with and who loved her too and because she would seeme crafty told her I have no interest in those that have none in me Ariana knowing her mistake replied And of whom thinke you doe I meane to speake Of Amyntas replied she because you have heard say that hee loved mee Assure thy selfe deare Erycine sayes Ariana that I am very farre from thinking of him he is a man I never spake to and whom I will not know whilest I live And yet answered Erycine but a while since 't was thought your marriage was resolv'd on Never replide Ariana came it to that point yet for I take not my resolutions on that fashion and though I should have consented to it the returne of my brother and yours gives me other thoughts for the present But went she on how could Amyntas endure the search of me after he had loved you Whence came that coldnesse Was it on your part or on his On neither answered Erycine and if you will assure mee never to marry Amyntas I shall not faile to tell you all that passed betweene us I may well sweare that to you replide Ariana and if you have any designe one to the other be certaine that I will not bee the cause of our being all three unfortunate but you shall doe me a great pleasure to learne me something of your life and I pray therein spend the time that is left us before wee are to rise This assurance said Erycine and your friendship obliges mee to conceale nothing from you then she began her story thus History of Amyntas and Erycine THe affections that are bred with us and which we have as it were sucked in with our milke are turn'd into so powerfull habits and take so deepe rooting that they are not to be plucked up but with violences that are as so many deadly blowes and I rather beleeve the impossibilitie of ridding ones selfe of them because the passion that findes it selfe growne before the birth of reason knowes its owne strength when reason begins but to appeare and so alwayes masters it not onely as the first borne but as superiour I confesse to you this is the reason why I have suffered so many troubles with a pertinacious constancy in
I had a great power with my selfe to use him so cruelly for there was not any thing in the world I could esteeme like him nor that I had a greater desire to please yet knowing that he valued nothing so much as a vertue separate from the common and that he would love me the better for thus resisting his first attempts I thought I must live with him after that fashion But judging then that I had proved him enough and full of joy to see him so touch'd with love it became me to yeeld a little and changing my countenance I said to him with a smile Lepantus I will have you obey me all your life time by never speaking of your affection for I will be altogether assured of it thinking you too vertuous to be a deceiver Hee was so surpriz'd at this discourse never dreaming on so happy a fortune that taking me by the hand he could not tell what to answer At last he said to me It suffices that you have knowledge enough of your selfe and mee to be instructed what you are to beleeve of either And you have reason not to desire any words for your assurance since all the actions of my life shall declare nothing else to you Lepantus replied I you have sufficiently knowne how much I esteeme you If I must love something it cannot be but you I permit you to beleeve this and prescribe you no law for your manner of living with me hereafter being certaine that all your desires are regulated by vertue Madam said he to me kissing my hand my passion hath for its object a thing too perfect for to permit me a thought that may be unworthy of the cause of it and I receive no small joy for the assurance you are pleas'd to have of it whith makes me beleeve that you judge it as great as it is indeed though that be very hard to doe Let us leave said I to him these common protestations and live without doubting one of another 'T is not your words that have taught me what to thinke of you and one word onely from me ought to assure you of my friendship since I durst say it There is no more to be done then replide he but that you order how it shall please you to have me live whether you desire I should declare my selfe or else keepe still my affection hidden It were better said I to him not to discover us so soone because at that time Callias sought me you know added I what my father desires and I must breake that blow before it be knowne that I have another desire in the meane time live so discreetly that none may perceive your designe I receive answered he this ordinance for an extreme favour and you shall see in what sort I shall observe it From that time we liv'd together in a most perfect confidence which we conceal'd with a marvellous discretion and there were very few that could suspect us of intelligence which made us both severally be thought insensible of what belong'd to love as finding nothing worthy of us I advertis'd him of whatsoever passed whereupon he gave me counsell and receiv'd it of me also in that which concern'd him I told him good tales of those that attempted to love-me how they behav'd them in it and in what fashion they were receiv'd he pittied some and laugh'd at others If there happened any thing to me I longed to see him to make my report to so did hee also make mee so exact an account of his life and satisfied all I desir'd of him with so much care and respect that I became too much assured of the power I had in him But I sweare to you nothing was so agreeable to me as his discretion nothing seem'd so farre from any designe of loving me as he He never dissembled in presence of all and of my father too to speake what he had to say to me or knew of me under termes so pleasant and with so much dexterity whether in making any relation or to the purpose of what was spoken in the company that without being understood of any body we did understand one another as well as if we had spoke openly For the space of a yeare we lived after this manner but in the end having broke the marriage of Callias with much adoe and seeing how difficult it would be for me often to make the like resistance to the duty I ow'd my father since he express'd that he had no other desire than to see mee very soone married to one of the chiefe of Corinth I counsell'd Lepantus to lose no more time but to discover himselfe though I foresaw many difficulties for notwithstanding that my father esteem'd him as much as was possible and saw his condition as considerable as his owne yet was he farre from having a thought of him being unwilling to make an alliance out of Corinth Wee therefore consulted together of the wayes we were to take and although Lepantus receiv'd with much joy the permission of demanding me yet he never left fearing for all that for he saw that if fortune were contrary to him he should not onely lose the benefit of having me but besides the commodities he enjoyed before as to see and entertain me with so much facility Well for all this we were to resolve and I promis'd him to expresse in his favour whatsoever my honour might permit nay I gave him all the assurances of my affection he could desire and upon the sadnesse I saw him in I told him Lepantus are you not content with the words I give you tell mee what you would have them and you shall see if I have not a purpose to doe all I can for you Madam answered he the honour you doe me is so great that my silence in part is for not knowing how to give you thanks I have nothing to desire of you but what it shall please you to command me I had rather from henceforth be obliged to your good will for the favours I shall receive of you than to the promise I have drawne from you but give me leave a little to apprehend the hazardous fortune I am running there is no mid-way for mee I must either be the happiest of the world or dye for be you assured that if I see my selfe depriv'd of living with you the readiest death I can find shall be my deliverer Lepantus said I to him fortune it may be will not be so cruell to us and before you lose all hope I must first lose all sorts of meanes whereby you might have satisfaction The power answered he you have herein is so great that if you employ it I make no doubt of my happinesse you have a father that loves you and that has no cause to hate mee I dare say our conditions are equall but a light difficulty many times overthrowes important considerations 'T is not here as with ordinary marriages where after the proposition is
remaines of these miserable men and he will not faile to take us for the same Vessell that brought you away This proposition was found very good by the Princesse who smiled hearing the invention of it and at the same time strucke a thousand wounds into my heart I tooke her by the hand and made her passe into my Brigantine and instantly I caused divers holes to be made in that we came out of whereby it tooke water on all sides and a little after appear'd nothing of it above the Sea I had impatiency till this other Vessell arrived so desirous was I to please this faire Princesse whose sweet Majesty already bound my heart with a thousand chains At last I see it appeare and withall gave order to make them feine a slow flight and that when they should aboord us they would let a part of them enter I tooke onely a helme and put downe the visiere for feare they should be shye of entring seeing unknowne faces The Captaine of the other ship was armed just so when he leaped into ours and he said as he entred Ha traitors I shall reward you well for carrying away such a Princesse but he found what he never expected for I received him with so great blowes that he perceiv'd with astonishment that they spared him not I sweare to you I was asham'd for so facile a victory yet having promis'd the Princesse to punish him before her eyes I strucke him downe at my feet and willing to cut off his head I made her be called that he might dye in her presence but when I snatch'd off the helmet from this wretch that lay at my feet I stood immoveable to see it was Araxes Then my spirit was troubled with a thousand confusions to have thus treated him I went to seeke in Troas and on the other side I had promis'd the Princesse not to spare him whereat she wondering I very sadly regarded her and casting me downe at her feet said Ha! Madam how miserable am I I must either disobey you or kill my friend She embrac'd me to lift me up and said to me How is 't possible you should be friend to so wicked a man being so generous as you are Neverthelesse I will be satisfied for your sake with the punition he hath received and will have you give him his life I thanked her for this grace she gave us both and went to make Araxes bloud be stopped which he lost on all sides He was so ashamed and confounded for what he saw being yet scarce disabused that he durst neither lift up his eyes to me nor to the Princesse that was the faire Pasithea his Mistresse yet he let his hurts be accommodated and in the meane time I went to demand of the Princesse if she desired not I should wait on her backe to Lesbos This is that said she I beseech you to doe Presently I made Araxes be return'd into his owne ship and recommended him to his people commanding them to follow mine Having given order for every thing I had now no more care but to entertaine this faire Princesse and although the friendship I had promis'd Araxes strove to impeach the birth of my love yet it kept not so good guard but that there entred by little and little much passion into my soule and I did my selfe turne away my thought from that friendship to favour the surprise and betrayed it of purpose to let my selfe be taken This Princesse made me so great thanks that I knew not what to answer to her obligeant words and the more she express'd her selfe redeuable to me for the succours I had so timely brought her the more she reduc'd me to have need of hers After having assured her of my service and that she might dispose of my life I intreated that she would not declare Araxes for author ofher carrying away which she promised me At length we arrived in the Port of Mitylene where there was already come running together much people with the King Archelaus her father who was then in that I le and much troubled to set out Vessels for to follow after those that carried away his onely daughter We descended and the King comming to embrace his deare daughter demanded her how she had beene saved See there said she to him shewing me the man to whom I owe my honour and life which his valour hath conserved me The King came to embrace mee and assured me that I might dispose of all his estates in exchange of so deare an assistance He asked who those might be that would have stollen her away and I well knew she would oblige me at what time she answered I beleeve they were some of these Sea-coursers of whom there was not left a man for that their vessell was sunke to the bottome Araxes replied the King has not he met with you No answered she and it may be he has taken some other course But continued Eurymedon I cannot but recount to you the peoples rejoycings for Pasithea's safety there were nothing but exclamations of joy round about us and so great a throng that we were in danger of stifling I knew very well that she was infinitely beloved but the cause of that love I shall tell you some other time I commanded those of my ship to returne to Sea along the coast to goe meet with Araxes his who yet appear'd not and to advertise him not to faile to returne to the Court to have himselfe cured and that the King had no suspition of him I retain'd by me two or three of mine only and with them accompanied the King and Princesse to the Palace where they would have me be lodged as long as I desir'd to remaine in that Countrey Archelaus demanded me if there were no meanes to know whom they had so great an obligation to I told him they called me Eurymedon as for my birth that I knew it not my selfe and how they that bred me would perswade me that I was of a royall bloud They were satisfied with that for the time then conducted me into a chamber where they prayed me to repose but I told them my travell had not beene so great as to oblige me to take rest before night I reconducted them into their retiring chambers and by the way admir'd the number of Lords that came to kisse the Robe of Pasithea and expresse their extreme joy to see her againe And indeed the qualities of this Princesse were admirable as I came afterwards to know Besides her marvellous beauty she had so many charmes in all her actions whether in the sweetnesse of her looks or in the obliging familiarity she used to all that approacht her that she acquir'd not the benevolence onely but the passionate love of all those that could see or speake to her All the strange Princes that came to her fathers Court could no more part from her those of the Countrey that had beene acquainted with her of a longer
Prince of the most illustrious bloud of those provinces ought to possesse me above all that I well guarded me from what came from the Romans and from that they had nourished because from that side there could arrive nothing but misery to me Beside all this he gained by presents a woman that lay in my chamber who was so wicked as to terrifie me by night and make me heare voyces with pittifull accents as if it had beene the Queene my mother that was dead a little before who advertis'd me to flye Tygranes and to chuse Araxes for my husband Nay he was so cowardly and treacherous as he dressed ambuscadoes for to assassinate his rivall from which his good fortune onely preserv'd him All these practices were discover'd to me but one day before he made mee be taken away and he knows not yet that I have had any knowledge of them I remember that some dayes before he tooke the boldnesse to tell Tygranes in my presence that he was a King without a Crowne and that hee should be shortly a servant without a Mistresse I could not then conceive what his meaning was but since I have knowne that he then meditated my carrying away whereupon he was resolved seeing that he gained nothing by his wicked practices His unfortunate designe was reasonably well order'd and I had beene twice stollen away but that I was deliver'd by you onely from both those miseries See for the present if there were ever a man more villanous than this same and whether I have not cause to detest him above all things Pasithea left speaking continues Eurymedon and I was so astonish'd to heare of so many malicious devices that I stood immoveable and looking upon her at last I spake to her Madam I knew not this Prince to be so traitorous a man having never seene him but a few dayes in a place where he was retain'd prisoner whence after he had beene delivered by my means he promis'd me his friendship for ever I assured him also of mine and I never saw him since I esteeme him very wicked by this you have learn'd me but I finde him nothing crafty withall or else unfortunate for that endevouring to get your affection he acquir'd nothing but your hate wherewith hee may well thinke himselfe hated of all the world For me I abandon him as well for your sake as for my owne confessing that there is nothing so dangerous as the friendship of a traitor We encountred then at the turning of an alley where we found much company she had onely time to tell me If you lose on one side you may gain much more on another there being here none that will not be pleas'd to have you for a friend I could not returne because we were to joyne with the company and the rest of the day passed away in civilities and ceremonies When I was retired I was in great perplexity how I should treat with Araxes but he deliver'd me himselfe out of this unquietnesse for my men returning to finde me after they had beene long at Sea told mee how they had seene nothing appeare what ever care they had taken and that without doubt Araxes had withdrawne himselfe to some other place I had no other thought therefore than well to governe the fortune of my affections since they had so prosperous a beginning The next day I went to wait on the Kings rising who still gave me all sorts of kindnesses then he led me into the Princesse Chamber whom we surpriz'd as she was new comming out of her bed but this surprize was most advantageous for her and very agreeable to me because she had all her necke bare that was of an extreme whitenesse All she could doe was to put before it her faire hands which though they were jealous of the marvell of this bosome and seem'd to dispute beauty with it yet for all that let scape the victory by the overture of the fingers that could not wholly hide it My contentment ended by meanes of a linnen cloth they brought that intirely cover'd her and stole away all those treasures from my sight The King left me with her ordaining her to entertaine me he could not have done me a greater grace and desiring to prevaile of it I said to the Princesse Madam pardon that I cannot wish ill to the greatest enemy you have since he is the sole cause of my good fortune of seeing you This good fortune answered she is not of consequence enough to be much beholding to him for it Thereupon she demanded me where he was I told her that having sent out my people to search him at sea they had heard no newes of him O! That the gods replied she would never returne him againe to us for my repose and yours But continued she may I not know how he had oblig'd you to come hither This is that said I I cannot altogether cleare if I have not the leisure to learne you with all my whole life I will at this very instant said she give you the commodity because I thinke the time too long ere I know your newes and calling for a Persian simarre or mantle to be brought her she sate down againe upon her bed having made me come neare her alone commanded me to sit downe and acquit me of the promise I had made her the evening before Then I recited to her all I have learn'd you of my fortune thinking it had beene disloyalty to reserve any thing to tell from her I had given my heart to She heard me with much astonishment and joy it seem'd too she did already take part in the accidents of my life There rested onely to relate to her what I had done since my depart from Corcyra for to come into Troas when they came to advertise her that Tygranes who was arriv'd from the confines of Armenia came to see her She blush'd and put her selfe out of the bed at the same time I fetch'd a deepe sigh and that suspiration more inflam'd the fire of Pasithea's cheeks who to cover the occasion of her rednesse said aloud I am truly very much asham'd that Tygranes will finde me in this disorder And then he entred to salute her and made certaine compliments afterwards he address'd to me and told me that he came from knowing of the King the obligation all his Realme had to me wherein he tooke more part than any body else having a great interest in the Princesse safety I answered him that none was redeuable to me for a thing which my duty alone had ordained me to doe neverthelesse that I esteem'd my selfe very happy for being so fitly encountred at sea for her succours and for being cause of their contentment I observ'd by his port and discourse that he was such a man as Araxes had describ'd to me that appear'd rather borne for to serve than to command shewing no greatnesse of courage at all and affecting nothing but a few civilities
running with some of his officers that assisted him and as soone as he was arrived Tygranes expired which put the King into a great sorrow But that which astonish'd all the world was that an old man of the chiefe about Archelous cast himselfe upon the dead body of Tygranes and embracing him melted into teares and filled all with his complaints The King demanded of him what cause he had so particularly to be tormented for that accident Ha! Sir said he let the cause of my extreme griefe serve for diminution unto yours I will tell you then that this same was my sonne whom I carried with the little Tygranes your nephew when you sent him by me in hostage to Rome Your nephew dyed at Sea and seeing that it was altogether important for the good of your affaires this child should goe to Rome because there remain'd not any of your bloud to be given in ostage I supposed my sonne in his place who was receiv'd for him and ever since he has beene bred as if he had beene the true Tygranes I beleeve I am not blameable for making this supposition having then had no other designe but the establishing of your estates and if since I have left every one in this error it was for feare the Romans might thinke you had beene author of the deceit but since I durst not render him any duty of a father during his life suffer me at least to give him this last testimony of my affection and thereupon he betook himselfe to embrace him and to mourne as before Every one was immoveable for astonishment but the King more than all who left not for all that to take care of Tygranes body and to comfort this good man whom he had alwayes proved most faithfull In the meane time they had arrested the two Armentans who after some torments confessed that they had beene sent by Araxes for the dispatching of Tygranes and me and how they were not able to devise a better meanes to compasse it I had Araxes then in horror for that he would have caused my assassinate after so many good offices he had received at my hands and I thanked the gods for preserving mee from that danger The King and the Princesse had now no other care but of me they constrain'd me to keep my bed because of my wound though it were a small one and I was not angry for it for being visited by the Princesse who said to me the first time she was alone with me Ah Eurymedon these are the presents of your good friend I answered her Madam a though his intention were most villanous I know not how to complaine of him for thinking to take me out the world he has taken him away too that would soone have filled me with miseries and rendred you unfortunate besides for being unworthy of you But since he is no more give me leave Madam my voyce failed me then whereat she smiled and having a while regarded me said to me You may go on I tooke up my speech but in trembling and said Give me leave Madam to hope My tongue was tyed the second time and she smiling againe said to me I will not have you make an end for I permit you to hope all things Ha! Madam said I how happy doe you make me but when you shall consider that I am a stranger and unknowne I may well feare my happinesse change not Your actions answered she make you to be knowne too wel what you are and as Tygranes actions could not be but base being no Prince so is it impossible but you must be a Prince considering you doe all the actions of one I replied My ambition never made me affect that title although I were brought up in the opinion of possessing it but yet I will retaine it for this since it is that alone that may encourage me to pretend any thing neare you though my extreme passion will take a great part in the enterprise of acquiring the honour of your good graces Shee said to me I will beleeve concerning your passion all you please to have me but I command you to take upon you from henceforth the quality of a Prince staying till you may verifie your birth for to strengthen in the meane time and bring to a good end the choyce I will one day make of you I tooke then one of her faire hands which shee let me kisse a long time and I could not let it goe not knowing in what other sort to expresse my joy to her But we were to separate now and shee went her way after having ordained mee so to order my affaires as I might know what I was I promis'd her to employ all my care in that re-search since from thence depended all the good fortune of my life The day after when I arose I went to see her to give her thanks for the cares she had taken of me At my first comming she came to meet me and told me she had strange newes for me heaven at length hath delivered us from Araxes A man of his came to let me know that he is dead of his wounds but before he died see what impression he was willing to leave with me of you Then she presented me a letter she had receiv'd from him where in I read these words Araxes to the Princesse Pasithea FAire Princesse I am going to dye for you and having alwayes had this designe I should not regret the quitting of my life if I lost it not by the hand of a traytor The care I have had to serve you continues even after my death and I advertise you that he you favour and who calls himselfe Prince is the most famous and infamous Pyrat that ever cours'd the Seas The hurts I have receiv'd of him have beene my recompence for having given him the happinesse to see you and you are not to expect but the like treason at his hands If you doe him justice you will rather let him feele the hand of a hangman than ever give him hope of the honour of touching yours Ha! the wicked rogue cryed I out after I had read it see what rage he is in The Princesse said to me If you had not acquainted mee with your life and I had not beene witnesse in what sort you are cause of his death he might peradventure make me beleeve something against the truth and besides I must not have knowne him for a villaine and an artificiall companion But as his other malices have turned to your advantage so shall this more augment the favour I will have to you The rest of our discourse passed in admiration of the strange fury of that Armenian and in common assurances of our affection Since that she could not so well hide the love shee bare mee but that the King perceiv'd it he express'd to her that it was not agreeable to him and in the end he entred into an extreme choler against her so farre as he
dearest friend I have so much confidence in your discretion as not to feare relating to you the whole story Three or foure yeeres agoe went she on amongst the most accomplish'd of of this City there was one call'd Polydamas who besides many other excellent qualities had so great a discretion that it made him be lov'd of all the world He was of kin to Ardania and that consideration made them see one another often they had each a very great esteeme of other and their affinity giving them still cause to love they were indeared with much affection and did communicate together with a great confidence I was at that time one that knew all Ardania's secrets and I perceiv'd that nothing pleased her like unto Polydamas for she ever made me relations to his advantage and if he then made her not in love with him at the least he made her have contempt for all other men Hee was engaged above two yeares before in the search of a Maid nam'd Elusina who loved him with so much constancy that she suffered for his sake all the cruelties a furious father can inflict when he sees his daughters passion contrary to his designes Ardania knew of Polydamas all that passed in that affection but because he was more loved than he lov'd himselfe he pursued that enterprise with coldnesse enough and seconded not the endevours Elusina made to attaine to what they desir'd onely he contented himselfe to render her such duties as hee could not deny her without expression of much forgetfulnesse and contempt Ardania sometimes reproach'd him before me for the small care he had of Elusina and he confessed to her selfe that she was cause that he could never have a love to any to be in love with In the end the constancy of Elusina gave way to the violencies of her father she resolv'd with her selfe to obey him and for this demanded leave of Polydamas that she might be deliver'd from the vexations she was made to endure He did at that time an action that might seeme to proceed from a good sincere affection but that was indeed a testimony of his coldnesse He wrote to her that not able to see her eternally endure he had resolved to intreat her the same thing for which she had desired leave of him that losing all hope she ought to give satisfaction to her friends to preserve her selfe from misery that he prayed her to forget him if it were possible for not being all her life miserable that for this purpose he return'd her all the pledges he had of her friendship and remitted her all the oaths she had made him to the end that engagement hindred not her repose Hereupon she married and left Polydamas at liberty who but poorely resented this misfortune Ardania continued Melicerta has a brother call'd Misander who with other base qualities is possess'd of so heavy a melancholy as he is distastfull to all company Lepantus was there interrupted by Amyntas who told him I have sufficiently knowne Misander to my cost Ariana added it may be 't is the same Misander Erycine spake of to me The very same replied Amyntas whose humour made us suffer a long time both of us I perceive then went on Lepantus you know him better than I doe by sight but yet peradventure I know more than you the effects of that sad humour that vexes himselfe and has given so much trouble to others Polydamas continued Melicerta though he despised Misanders humour yet he gave not over making shewes of kindnesse to him that he might be often with Ardania whose company he was very well pleas'd with One day Misander heard how they spake of marrying Polydamas and when they were all three together he told this newes to his sister as if it had beene very agreeable to them whereupon Ardania blush'd Polydamas observ'd this action for there is nothing so soone perceived as that which makes for our advantage and he judged that she was interessed much in him That made him thinke of a thing he was not yet well advised in which was to seeke her affection having but till then desired her friendship Ardania was farre more handsome than Elusina and it was very easie to kindle a fire after the beginning of heat that was betweene them There had beene nothing but the consideration of their kindred that hindred Polydamas from casting his eyes upon her for to marry her but then he knew that since she made no difficulty of it hee ought not to be more scrupulous than she See him then resolv'd to testifie much passion to her and without seeming to have apperceiv'd her inclination that she might not be asham'd for having prevented him he judged that he was to feine to have lov'd her of a long time with a conceal'd affection Upon that occasion he made many verses whereby hee said it was at least permitted him to put in writing what hee suffered without telling the subject of it and to comfort his mind in this sort for so many cruell thoughts that tormented it and would breake out At the same time hee was more carefull than ordinarily in his respects to Ardania and expressed to her by his sighs and some interrupted words that he dyed for love of her At the first testimony she had of it she learn'd me the newes that Polydamas lov'd her as a thing extremely desired of her and that possessed her with joy I was then at her house when he shewed her those verses and shee was very glad to have him read them before me to the end I might know how much passion he had He imputed all his coldnesses for Elusina to this secret love he had for another a long time since and feined to have done many things out of necessity which were not done then without designe We ask'd him many questions upon this secret love he yet declared not to all which he very well satisfied and Ardania tooke great pleasure therein Hee knew very well we understood all he would say and from that time we tooke a custome of speaking together without declaring of any thing openly and yet we failed not to tell all things as intelligibly as if he had told the name of her he loved I found him very happy for treating on this fashion because that under the coverture of the kindred he tooke such liberties as would not have beene permitted him if he had beene declar'd for a lover as to bring neare often his mouth to hers and to hold and kisse her hand incessantly Thus was it that he gave birth to the most violent passion that ever was because this faire Cousin refusing him not those caresses and obliging him with a streight confidence he felt himselfe so redeuable towards her and at the same time so touched at her beauty that he kindled a fire not of a long time to be quenched Misander saw not very willingly this great intelligence yet hee could not judge then that it were other
and that they might very well have newes of the other person they sought since already they had one of them in their power Assure your selfe pursues he that if you declare not to me where Melintus is torments shall make you confesse it There is no torment answers he capable to make me say that I know not I am ignorant where he is and for what cause you make search for him you ought not to delay the time of putting me to death for having slaine your souldiers if you prolong my life onely in hope to learne newes of Melintus of whom I can tell you nothing but that I left him at Syracuse Arcas was present who was come in haste to Trebatius his very early because Palamede had not been found in his bed and they all imagin'd that he had done some strange enterprise for Epicharis the unfortunate event whereof he consider'd full of sadnesse and despaire Palamede was led to the prison whence he had drawne Epicharis what entreaty soever Dicearchus could make to save him and Arcas went to report these wofull newes to Melintus and Ariana and he told them that they knew not what was become of Epicharis This affliction renewed the weepings of Ariana and put Melintus out of all patience who having followed untill then the wise counsels of Lepantus could not endure to see the griefe of Ariana for her brother and the danger his friend was in He tooke Arcas aside and made him sweare that he would inviolably obey his commands then he told him that he was resolv'd to deliver Palamede but what misadventure soever chanc'd him in that enterprise he charg'd him not to declare himselfe to be any of his to the end he might preserve Ariana with their friends and that they never came into the power of Trebatius and Emilia This faithfull servant labour'd to make him change this deadly resolution but Melintus astonish'd him by swearing that if he oppos'd his designe any longer or advertis'd Ariana of it he would strike himselfe with his sword into the body He recommended to him above all the care he was to have all his life long over Ariana whose safety he committed to his charge Arcas knew not what to say seeing the desperatenesse of his Master who commanded him besides to goe presently out of the house and attend him at Trebatius his where he should be a witnesse of what he meant to doe And thus was it that Melintus hindred Arcas from declaring his designe instantly he chose out eight young souldiers that had followed him from Syracuse whom he had proved to be full of great courage and who admiring his vertue express'd a passionate affection to him He acquainted them with his purpose and perceiving how they entertain'd with joy this occasion of dying at his service he made them arme them under their Cassaques and without speaking to his deare Ariana or to Lepantus went out armed as they were He would serve himselfe of nothing but his valour in that enterprise without employing any other artifice As soone as he was come before Trebatius gate he cast himselfe bravely into the Corps de guard with his companions and after having kill'd above six souldiers before the others were avis'd of them he shut the doore upon him for feare there might not come succours to Trebatius The Alarme was presently all over the house and more than thirty persons were assembled together for to sustaine them they gave not over their pursuit of cutting in peeces whatsoever presented it selfe before them and never gave Melintus so many proofes of his valour as having to defeat the most warlike amongst the Roman souldiers His companions that labour'd to imitate him seem'd to acquire new forces by seeing the great blowes he gave and beleev'd that nothing could vanquish them in the company of so valorous a man Already above twenty Romans had beene slaine when Trebatius himselfe came running thither with Emilia Dicearchus and Pisistratus and seeing this slaughter of his men and so valiant enemies that pursued them he could not imagine what they were nor how they should conceive so furious a designe neverthelesse seeing that it became him to joyne himselfe to the number he prayed Emilia to retire and goe see their combat out at a window It was she that knew Melintus first of all and shewed him to Trebatius Dicearchus remark'd him too and being retir'd with Emilia into one of the Chambers they saw that Trebatius had put on armes and was engag'd in the fight with the rest Arcas that he might not be oblig'd to strike his Master or his companions had broken his sword and mingling with Trebatius souldiers seem'd to be one of the first in fighting against them for to hinder by this meanes the most daring of their party from approaching them Melintus perceiving Trebatius whom he knew thought of nothing but assaulting him hoping that if he were once defeat of him the rest would soone be disheartned and easily dispatch'd On the other side Trebatius refused not the combat being in despaire to see so great a number of his men upon the place and Melintus began to have a good hope of his attempt seeing so many dead about him and that he was still assisted with six of his company against a few that remain'd But by misfortune a Roman was advis'd to goe fetch by a backe way those that guarded the gates of the City who came running instantly so as Melintus was environ'd on all sides The six that remain'd with him were presently put to the sword and Emilia seeing him alone cried from aloft to Trebatius that they should not take away his life Melintus was even ready to be trodden downe with the crowd of those that set upon him but yet he still left not strowing the place with dead bodies in the fury he was in and they were afraid to come neare him by reason of the great blowes he gave on all sides of him but at last he was taken by meanes of a Roman souldier who in dying for rage tooke hold of his legges and made him fall Thus was this prodigious valour constrain'd to yeeld to so cruell a fortune and presently he was carried into a dungeon apart and laden with irons by order from Emilia During this tumult Dicearchus minding the safety of Palamede was gone towards the place where he was and having given money to a souldier that was left alone to guard the entrance because the rest were run away to the defence of Trebatius he perswaded him to let him goe being able to excuse himselfe upon the disorder that had hapned This man having beene thus gained Dicearchus conducted his Nephew by a backe doore never telling him the occasion of the rumour he heard for without doubt he would have succour'd Melintus and having given him advice to save himselfe he return'd to Trebatius who was then thinking of carrying away the bodies of so many dead men as were in the Court of
satisfaction Euphrosyne and Melintus knew not yet if they should beleeve it or no and continued silent and astonished No no replied Dicearchus never doubt of what I tell you Euphrosyne knowes who she is and for you sayes he to Melintus open your brest to her that shée may see the marke of the heart which will assure her that you are her sonne Melintus shewed her that marke and then Euphrosyne said opening her arms Ha my sonne is it you indeed whose sight I have so longed after and whom I could never heare any newes of Ha Dicearchus how from my heart I pardon you all the torments you have made me suffer and if Hermocrates were with us how happy should I esteeme my selfe for the present At the same time a streame of teares bedewed her face all over Melintus had his heart so pressed to feele himselfe embrac'd by this vertuous mother whose losse he had so often lamented that he could not be at ease but in letting fall also many teares This object so tender and so pittifull mixt with regrets and satisfactions with sorrow and joy could not be seene but with weeping which serv'd for two uses being capable to represent both the resentments of griefe and the excesses of contentment Melintus presented afterwards Ariana to his mother and having told her a part of her vertues and of their adventures let her know that she was destin'd to be his wife if shee were pleas'd withall Then they embrac'd one another with much transportation and Euphrosyne said that after so much happinesse she had nothing to be sorry for but the losse of Hermocrates Melintus express'd to her that his greatest desire was to know what their fortune had beene since their exile from Syracuse and in what sort she had encountred in that place She let them know that she was very willing to give them this contentment beleeving now she had strengh enough to performe it but Dicearchus foreseeing how that discourse could not be made but that he must receive the stings of many a reproach withdrew himselfe with Palamede leaving Melintus Ariana Lepantus and Cyllenia in preparation to hearken to Euphrosyne who began thus her discourse holding Melintus by the hand History of Hermocrates and Euphrosyne MY deare sonne if you desire to know the originall of our misfortunes and what the great Hermocrates your father hath beene I must of necessity take up my discourse something from afarre off for to let you see that at what time I married him fortune never brought together any couple that had cause to expect more happinesse and yet proved so unfortunate as wee Under the reigne of the Emperour Tiberius Hermocrates of whose illustrious birth I will make no relation to you because I beleeve you are not ignorant of it would goe to Rome being very young His father and mother having no other child but him were in trouble to have him so farre remov'd out of their sight but in the end he obtained leave As soone as hee was at Rome he stayed not long to put himselfe into the acquaintance of the great Prince Germanicus who then was the refuge of what ever there was vertuous upon earth Hermocrates that was perfect in all kinds of excellent qualities and among others had a wisdome and a valour to be admired was presently lov'd of him and a while after the occasion of the German warres was presented wherein he followed that Prince and made so many proofes of his valiance and prudent government that he gave him great commands in the Army and honour'd him divers times with many crownes and advantageous praises After these warres were finished he return'd to Rome with Germanicus and admiring the vertue of this great Prince he could not forsake him Germanicus on the other side loving Hermocrates dearely gave him cause enough not to abandon him and knowing his noblenesse and his vertues beleev'd that he alone was worthy of his friendship They were a long time in this sort inseparable and if the gods willing to punish the earth by the cruell Emperours they gave since had not so soone taken out of the world this lovely Prince whom by a just title they call'd the delights of humane kinde I beleeve I should never have knowne Hermocrates nor beene to him the cause of all his miseries But Germanicus having beene poysoned by Piso and Plancinus in Syria Hermocrates could not endure to see Rome any more where there was an Emperour so execrable who envying the vertue of his Nephew and the love that all the world had to him had cruelly depriv'd him of his life so as he return'd to Syracuse but with such a regret for the death of Germanicus that his sadnesse appeared visibly upon his face and made him be affected the more by others to see him faithfull to a Prince so lamented of the world At that time was I one of the most considerable of Syracuse although I were not originary of that Countrey but the Nobility of my birth was well enough knowne for that my grand-fathers that went out of Carthage when it was destroyed by the Romans were of the race of the Princes Hamilcar and Hannibal and therewithall I had an estate if I may say it equall to my Nobility and my mother onely was left me of my kindred all whose cares tended to the choyce of some party that might be for my advantage Dicearchus many ages since descended of Timoleon and having a sufficient estate to sustaine the ranke that his birth gave him was one of the chiefe that presented themselves He was wanting in no care or practice for to order his affaires so as he might marry me and labour'd by a thousand wayes to give my mother great impressions of his honesty for he knew her to be of so great a vertue that he well saw she would be impregnable any other way but this But Hermocrates arriving at Syracuse obtained without thinking what the other tried to gaine by a thousand subtilties for every one being already prevented with his great reputation it was acknowledg'd not to be without cause that renowne had so high advanc'd him because his Nobility was accompanied with so many vertues and he added to his other good qualities so honest a modesty with a sadnesse that was still more gracefull in him that there was not a person but bare a love and respect towards him At the same time having beene bred under the government of the wisest mother in the world I made my selfe also sufficiently esteem'd by a great restraint I observed endevouring to imitate her vertue and give her all the contentments she could expect from a daughter I know not what it was Hermocrates saw in me that pleased him whether appearance of vertue or some other thing but he express'd with a great grace and respect the designe he had to serve me As for me who had no desire to make a choyce but would leave my selfe to my mothers judgement I alwayes
in rivers of their owne bloud Great goddesse I will have all places of the earth where I shall encounter them become thy Altars whereupon I will offer up to thee bloudy sacrifices and after having sacrific'd my selfe too for a finall oblation I will goe downe below to mourne eternally for the crime I have committed in abandoning thee Alcydamas after having vented in his griefe and rage many such like discourses leap'd at once out of his bed not knowing what resolution he should take upon so cruell an accident He call'd for his clothes and by and by his Armes continually changing his determination and appearing as one without all sense Euphrosyne endevour'd to restore his wits by comforting him and would have bin glad the sage Lepantus had bin in state to have moved him to take some constant resolution She told him that he ought not yet to despaire of any thing and that peradventure Ariana had bin left in some other part of the Towne that they were to search in all places before they lamented this misfortune as certaine So was there a search made with great care but all that diligence proved in vaine Polydore offered himselfe to goe secretly by night with Arcas into the Scythians Camp and to looke about on all sides if they might not finde her some where among them Alcydamas himselfe had some desire to goe thither and try this meanes but every one considering how they expos'd themselves to manifest danger without any great appearance of finding her they were desired to stay a while untill fortune presented some other occasion and by hope to moderate the cares and sorrowes for so grievous a losse Alcydamas went up to the walls of the Towne that he might discover what the enemies were doing and he saw how after they were return'd into their Camp they began to remove thence all they had to carry it into their vessels and look'd like people that were dispos'd to depart the day after This sight strucke a thousand griefes into him for he imagin'd they would never suffer him to goe out and fight with them since they made shew of going away and that if Ariana were once carried into Scythia he should never more heare of her Then he revolv'd within his minde a thousand differing thoughts and cast a thousand designes that were found at last to have no sure foundation at all In these perplexed studies was he when one of those that commanded the guard over the ports brought him a man that desir'd to speake with him Alcydamas knowing it was Amyntas ran to embrace him sighing And Amyntas told him in private that within two dayes Eurymedon would be with him and three thousand men of warre Alas said Alcydamas Eurymedon comes too late for me Know deare Amyntas that the Scythians are gone to morrow or the day after at the furthest and carry away Ariana with them Ariana replied Amyntas all-amaz'd ah gods what misfortune is this Alcydamas could not refraine weeping and conducted him home to his house making his complaints and regrets to him by the way neverthelesse he intreated him to let no body know for what occasion he was come because he might some way or other make use of his arrivall Amyntas promis'd to keepe it secret and told him how Thessaly alone had not bin assaulted by these Barbarians but the Island also whence he came but that they were happily beaten out of it They were come into the house where Amyntas after he had saluted Euphrosyne rejoyced much to see her againe but more yet to understand that she was mother to Alcydamas and he esteem'd himselfe very happy for having rendred him this service in her deliverance but seeing Alcydamas to stand in need of divertments he resolv'd to relate what adventures had be fallen him since he left them in Epire. Being set downe therefore besides him Euphrosyne and Polydore he spake thus Continuation of the History of Eurymedon and Pasithea WHen you shall understand what prosperity hath accompanied us in our voyages I doubt not but you will have cause enough to envy us and complaine against fortune that has so cruelly persecuted you at the same time she intreated us so favourably At my arrive in Corcyra I found a great preparation of warre was making in favour of Eurymedon for whose returne all the Pyrats had bin so joyfull as it was no difficult matter for him to have obtain'd whatever he could desire at their hands Some were busied in furnishing of ships others in providing good Armes and all of them expressed as much joy to goe serve their Prince as if they had beene assured of the Conquest of all Asia I found Eurymedon in the Isle ranking his men into battell for to learne them to fight as well by land as they did by Sea As soone as he perceiv'd me he came to meet me and after embracing ask'd me newes of you I told him in what estate you were and the need you had of his succours and for this cause he advertis'd his men that they were to depart the next day and told me I might returne and assure you that the day after he would come with his forces to Nicopolis whence he made no doubt but he should deliver you and that from thence you might together take the way of Lesbos neverthelesse he would keepe me the rest of the day to the end I might depart by night and doe him a pleasure in my returne I exprest to him how glad I should be to have an occasion of serving him and about evening he gave me Euphrosyne and desir'd me to carry her secretly into my Skiffe to save her from the Pyrats recommending her to me with as much affection as if she had bin his mother I tooke my leave of him and came to Nicopolis where I found you not in the lodging I left you in and what care soever I tooke I could never know what was become of you I left Euphrosyne in the house and the next day I went to the Port where I saw a ship arriving wherein was Eurymedon who came to know what was necessary to be done before he made the rest of his little Army appeare I told him I could not finde you in the City but that I knew Trebatius was yet there who had heard no newes of you and that without all doubt you had found some other meanes of saving your selves We thought it in vaine to stay there any longer Eurymedon ask'd me if Euphresyne were in a sure place I told him I had left her at the same lodging where we had dwelt together He gave me some commodities he had sent for out of his vessell to carry her then he inquir'd of me what I meant to doe I signified to him that my friends being departed thence I had no more businesse there and how I should be very glad to wait on him to Lesbos He was very well content I would serve him in that occasion and
after I had bin to see Euphrosyne and carry her all things she might have need of I return'd to finde him and we parted from the haven together then having met with his other shipping that attended him we began to set saile The wind was so favourable that in a few dayes we passed round about the Peloponese and having pass'd the Egean Sea arriv'd happily in the Island where Eurymedon advis'd to land upon the coasts and not at the haven The shore was so desert as we had much adoe to find a man there that could tell us in what estate the affaires of the Countrey were neverthelesse in the end we encountred certaine persons that sought for a retreat in those inhabitable places who told us how a great number of Scythians were come to land in the Isle to pillage it and that the King Archelaus was resolv'd to give them battell having many stranger Princes with him that came to the deliverance of the Princesse Pasithea and were opportunely met with for the safety of the Island and expulsion of the Barbarians Eurymedon learning this newes could not tell what to resolve on he had a great desire to goe and present himselfe to the King to serve him in the day of battell but he fear'd his indignation Besides he knew not how to appeare at the combat without being knowne On the other side it was impossible for him to stay in the Countrey and not be met with either by the Scythians or Archelaus and we had in all but foure thousand men with which we could not resist a great Army at last he bethought himselfe of this subtilty You know he is very young and extremely handsome he resolv'd to disguise himselfe into a Maid so to goe finde the King before he could know him and to tell Archelaus that he was daughter to the King of Thrace whom the Scythians had massacred after they had pillag'd his kingdome and how she had found meanes to save her selfe out of their fury with a few souldiers she brought with her that seeking for refuge at his Court she was glad to finde occasion at her arrive to succour him and be reveng'd upon this cruell people for her fathers death His plot being thus laid he chose out the youngest of his souldiers to be disguis'd also and represent the Maids of her traine and because I have yet no haire on my face he prayed me to be one of that number By good fortune he had made some provision of womens clothes that were very fine having a designe to carry away Pasithea fearing she might need them going so unprovided away with him and this happened very luckily for him and us too I sweare to you when he had taken a juppe and drest up his haire which he wore very long in tresses I was deceiv'd in him my selfe and I know few women that would have exceeded him in beauty He arm'd himselfe onely with a corslet and a caske having his sword by his side and a javelin in his hand He commanded all those that were disguis'd with him to put themselves in the same equipage so we landed some horses out of the ships whereupon being mounted we went in good order in the head of our troops towards Mitylene We had scarce gone halfe the way when we perceiv'd armed horsemen that ran scatter'd about as if they were sufficiently out of heart wee stayed some of them that told us how the Armies of Archelaus and the Scythians were joyned and that the King was very neare to be defeated Eurymedon made the place be shewne him where the battell was given and presently he commanded us to advance and ayd that Prince We arriv'd instantly at a hill from whence we viewed the combat and having knowne the Kings troops that were in great disorder we ran to ayd them which we did so opportunely as the vanquished began to take heart againe Eurymedon in a moment open'd the Squadrons of the Scythians and his womans habit made his blowes appeare more marvellous I followed him close endevouring to imitate his valour and at last we came to the very strength of the battel where the King was fallen from his horse and defended onely with two or three souldiers that with much adoe sustain'd a great number of Scythians Eurymedon kill'd foure or five Barbarians that seem'd to be the most obstinate and while I undertooke the rest alighted from his horse and addressing himselfe to the King said to him Courage Archelaus assure thy selfe thou shalt this day be victor At the same time he help'd him up his horse againe and remounting upon his owne they went together to charge the Barbarians that began to tremble The King had alwayes his eyes fixed upon this unknowne warriouresse and knew not from whence this succours came He admir'd the blowes were given by the arme of this generous Maid and could not beleeve but that it was Pallas her selfe who was come to his defence I will not relate to you all the particular encounters of this battell in the end we remain'd vanquishers and after we were return'd from chasing the flying enemies the King receiv'd Eurymedon with as much respect as if he had bin a goddesse indeed but he not willing to keepe him in that errour told him he was the daughter of the King of Thrace with all he had premeditated adding that he never receiv'd so much joy as in punishing these Barbarians for the death of his father Archelaus tooke the boldnesse then to embrace him in quality of a Princesse and told him that since he had drawne so great an advantage from her fathers calamity and her owne he intreated her in like manner to dispose of all she had conserv'd to him Great King said this disguis'd Princesse I demand nothing of you but a retreat within your territories and that I may live with you in a ranke worthy of my birth The Prince that already felt himselfe touch'd with love sayes to her that it was in her owne power to hold the highest degree in his kingdome her sex was capable of and that hee would make her Mistresse of his estates and of his person too if it pleas'd her Eurymedon would not lose this occasion and said to him The fortune I am in forbids me to hope for such an honour neverthelesse since that you are in permits you all things I accept the offer you make me and I intreat you well to remember your selfe of it when I shall challenge you of your promise He sware to her he would never faile her and that it would be no difficult matter for him to effect what he desired himselfe with so much passion Many Princes arriv'd at the same time and seem'd to desire something of the King who seeing their impatiency told Eurymedon that had nam'd himselfe Hermione how these Princes expected his judgement because he had promised them that he that shewed the most valour that day should have in marriage the Princesse
desires in an instant producing hope by this generall compleasance but that Ariana by her beauty indeed stirr'd up an admiration but by her gravity accompanied with modesty strucke hope dead which is the onely nourisher of love in such sort as she could not be loved but by men of great courage that feared not the difficulties whereas Pasithea facilitated her selfe the birth of love by her naturall sweetnesse that gave accesse to all and yet with no other designe than nobly to favour those that approach'd her They all retired to the lodging that was given them at first which was the most remarkable house in the Towne whence were comming forth the souldiers that guarded Palamede Euphrosyne and the rest for Arimin had sent them a countermand that they should returne to wait upon him There were given in that place embracings without number for if some of them had run great hazards the others had beene in great feares for them Euphrosyne was neare dying for joy to see Hermocrates he was a long time also without being able to quit her after so tedious and cruell a separation from her afterwards he embraced one while Telephus his faithfull friend another while Epicharis his daughter and told them how he had beene sold to the Scythians from whom he never could have hoped to be delivered but for the resolution was taken by a great number of them to goe seeke out other Countries and they had brought him along with them and constrained him to be their Sacrificer because they had observed him to have some knowledge in naturall things The others related also to one another their divers fortunes and above all Palamede express'd the displeasures hee had received with Amyntas for being kept enclos'd during the extreme danger Melintus was in for which was left them no other consolation than their deare Mistresses Epicharis and Erycine who neverthelesse had no lesse griefe than they whereof the one was then sister to Melintus the other had beene so heretofore When Eurymedon knew that his friend Lepantus kept his bed for the wounds he receiv'd in defending the Ladies he went to him into his Chamber where he found Cyllenia alone with him assisting him with much affection but seeing that his wounds would not be cured a long time by ordinary remedies he caus'd an excellent drogue to be brought him which hee was accustomed to use himselfe and two dayes after his wounds were closed In the meane while the faithfull Arcas kist his deare Masters hands being ravish'd to see him yet living after so perilous a fortune There was a generall rejoycing in that house and abroad too because of the Thessalians that shouted a thousand times for joy to have found a King so wise so valiant and so accomplish'd as Melintus was They had assembled together to make a guard about his house and were resolv'd to dye all rather than suffer he should have any displeasure offered him All the feare Melintus had was on Nero's side whose choler hee judged would increase when hee came to know that hee pretended to the kingdome of Thessaly But Arimin the day after sent him word of the happy newes were but then brought him that Nero was dead and that his memory was cursed all the world over as of an execrable monster how Galba had beene declar'd Emperour and was upon the point to passe out of Spaine into Italy Then their contentments were perfected All the people ran presently to the Temples to give the gods thanks for having taken out of the world the Tyrant and the noblest of the Thessalians intreated Arimin that they might goe to Rome and demand of Galba Melintus for their King Arimin willing to serve Melintus in that occasion that he might give him cause to forget the injuries he had done him not onely granted what they desired of him but would also accompany them himselfe to make relation to the new Emperour of Melintus his extreme valour by whose onely meanes the Scythians had beene profligated before ever any newes came to Rome of their descent After having visited Melintus and taken leave of him he left a Lievtenant in his place and would be gone Palamede who had learn'd that Otho return'd with Galba and at that time had all the power with him obtain'd of Melintus and Epicharis that he might also make that voyage to the end Otho being oblig'd by their ancient friendship might favour Melintus with the Emperour and so they departed all together In the meane time they prepar'd at Larissa with all magnificence the feasts for the wedding of Melintus whom already they call'd their King and Ariana whom they named the Goddesse of the Scythians An old Pyrat that ordinarily accompanied Eurymedon seeing Hermocrates and Euphrosyne whom hee remembred to have beene amongst them and having understood all that had happened to them and how they were the parents of the brave and noble Melintus the deare friend and heretofore conquerour of his Master would give a new supply to their joyes by discovering himselfe to them He desired their pardon first of all for having made them endure so many miseries for which sayes hee I can never acquit my selfe towards you but in making you a present of incomparable value I give you proceeds he Eurymedon my Master for your sonne Every one stood in a great amazement and Eurymedon too whom hee addressed himselfe to and said Eurymedon that I say is true and I beleeve you are not sorry having alwayes beene kept in the opinion of being a Prince to finde your selfe now descended of Pyrrhus and Achilles They could not yet comprehend how it might be but this Pyrat continued I came to know said hee to Euphrosyne that you understood how Dicearchus had oblig'd us to put to death what should be borne of you till the time you were sold The first childe you brought into the world while you were with us was this Eurymedon whom we presently tooke and carried in a little mantle towards the Sea for to have cast him in But as wee were in the way there comes an Eagle and takes him out of our hands when we thought of nothing but carrying him away and throwing up her selfe into the ayre flew at length stooping downe towards a place wee marked We ran instantly thither out of curiosity and after wee had a long time searched we found the Babe at last which the Eagle had hid under a laurell We conjectured from thence that hee would one day prove illustrious since the King of Birds was willing to save him and had given him for sanctuary the tree ordained to crowne the victorious so we resolved to bring him up and that hee should serve us for our Conquests but not willing Euphrosyne knew him to be hers having a purpose to make himselfe beleeve one day that he was of Royall bloud to heighten his courage wee made him be nursed some dayes by a woman and after that wee return'd him to you said he
spight of the crosses which Amyntas and my affection have met with and to tell you their beginning I must of necessity tell you the beginning of my life too Since the birth of my brother Melintus Hyperia my mother had beene many times great with childe but she could never be deliver'd of any alive untill at last having made some vowes to Lucina shee was brought to bed of me This was a very great joy to the house and Diocles the chiefe friend my father Telephus had came to congratulate with him and brought his sonne Amyntas too that was then but five or six yeares old they told him jestingly I should be his Mistresse whereto he agreed and ask'd to kisse me I beleeve that he could then make me no very eloquent offer of service neither did I give him any great cause to love me being but a disagreeable Mistresse and very troublesome that had nothing but cryes to entertaine him His father instructed him in the duties he was to render me and sometimes laughed with Telephus at the fashion he tooke them in hand every morning hee sent first to heare from me and after came himselfe to seeme and kist my hand one while he brought me a posie another time a coloured feather that they pinn'd on my head in hope that one day I would give him some of my favours to weare in that fashion When I began to speake hee exprest much contentment having no more a mute to entertaine and seeing how that which he loved began to be inform'd with a soule he seem'd to augment his affection at it In like manner finding him compleasant in every thing I desir'd I had a friendship to him for children are pleas'd with those that contradict them not We had a thousand sorts of playes where I was the Mistresse and he the servant I commanded him with gentlenesse hee obeyed me with joy and so the tenderest of our yeeres passed away in many innocent recreations I cannot repeat to you all our childish discourses but when he came to be seventeene or eighteene yeere old that age that is accustom'd to change all things had not this power over him for in stead of diminishing by degrees this affection that had taken no foundation use serv'd him for matter of love and made him pursue his designe of loving me For my part comming to a little more understanding I perceived how these little liberties were not very honest and would retire me from him He was not overmuch troubled at this for he is of an humour not to afflict himselfe and to be moved at nothing as you shall see by that which followes and onely said one day to me It seemes my faire Mistresse you love your servant no more I had at that time judgement enough to answer him I pray you leave these names that are no more fit for me than for you He without accusing me of change or going to complaints told me 'T is now impossible wee should lose these qualities since I have neither will nor power to doe it If it be not possible to you said I to him it is very possible to me and from this time I will quit the name of your Mistresse That answered he depends not on you On whom then replide I On me pursued he for I remaining alwayes your servant you must of necessity continue my Mistresse What though I forbid you replied I. You pretend then answered he some power over me and in that respect your selfe agrees to be my Mistresse You may interpret said I my words as you please but I will not have you use me any more in this fashion Since you permit me answered hee to give what sense I would to your words I will have them signifie that you love me but that you are not desirous at all to make it appeare Looke you replide I I lov'd you being a childe but things are chang'd I doe not complaine at this change answered he for in that first age you said before all the world that you lov'd me and it was nothing so and now you will love me indeed and say nothing Flatter your selfe as much as you please said I but for me I know well what I am resolv'd on so I left him and went to joyne me with the other Maids to avoyd his returnes for my young age furnish'd me not with reasons strong enough to vanquish him and my weaknesse emboldned him the more Some time after Diocles who had by little and little enrich'd himselfe without noyse was declar'd possessor of the great estate hee had acquired and Amyntas thinking nothing could be refus'd him with the advantages he had seemed more than ever assured of my affection I beleev'd my honour oblig'd me to expresse more coldnesse to him still for feare it might bee thought that I made much of him for his riches in such a fashion that I altogether withdrew me from him and would not suffer him to speake to me in particular I thinke he perceiv'd my cunning well enough for without being amazed at my resolution he would needs write to mee One day he came to see me when I was in company I know not what shift he made to put a Letter into my pocket and when hee was gone his way I put my hand by chance into it and was strangely taken finding this writing that was not to have beene there Neverthelesse I dissembled what had befallen me and having impatience till I were alone to see what it was went out and finding a letter I open'd it and saw that it was thus Amyntas to Erycine IF I found my selfe faulty I should not be so bold to demand of you a reason for your severities but having alwayes serv'd you with fidelity I dare be bold to say that it 's impossible you should wish me ill what-ever disguise you put on It may be you would make triall of me but if you have a designe to receive my service after a great deale of time and paines I pray you doe it for the present and deliver us both of the cares and vexations you are preparing us I aspire not to that sad glory of knowing how to suffer well and when I shall have endur'd your cruellest torments you would in the end be obliged to relent Doe that now for affection which you would then doe for justice and making me so happy you shall force mee to serve you also for justice which I did not before but for affection I blamed him a little to my selfe for taking the boldnesse to write to me and for the liberties he us'd in his letter but yet this humour of turning thus all things to his advantage was not disagreeable to me sometimes I accus'd my owne facility that was the cause he could not thinke me so ill as I seemed on the other side I was very glad that hee gave not backe for those feined rigours because I did but what I ought to doe and that made him