he had made low reverence unto the Kings and Judges began his Speech to this effect The Oration of Artanus SInce it doth not reflect upon my Honour in particular I will not stand to relate unto my Judges all that I did in the Combate wherein I was It will suffice if I only shew that it is my party which hath conquered and who ought to enjoy the fruits of their Victory I think there can no question be made but if it be granted I was there and fought that then I did overcome therefore it imports the justice of my Cause to make it appear by strong and pregnant conjectures since all the witnesses of my actions are dead that though I was without wounds at the end of the Combat yet it was the particular goodness of the gods unto me and not my cowardise which preserved me Imagine O ye my Judges what probability or likelihood there is that I could fly or hide my self in such an open Plain or that where the Combat was where the danger was not less in flying then in fighting since if it had been discovered by any of my enemies I had infallibly been pursued and if by my Friends then I had exposed my self unto their Revenge and all the Punishments which were due unto one who had basely deserted and betraied his King and his Countrey so should I have incensed against me either my Friends or my Enemies or both and so by consequence should have incurred greater danger then if I had remained fighting Moreover Sirs you know that none were compelled to undertake this Combat so that had I not found in my self heart good enough for it I should never have engaged in the business All Pont nor all Bithinia were not to fight all the gallant men of either Nation were not emploied in the encounter so that if I had feared fighting I could have declined my Engagement without any more dishonour then a hune dred thousand others who did not engage themselves I could have testified desires to have been one as others did yet not have accepted of it more then they and since fear is alwaies witty I could have invented excuses enough to have put it off if I should have been accepted These Circumstances I conceive are sufficient to convince any reasonable and unbyassed man that I did fight and if it be granted that I fought it must consequently follow that I got the Victory since it belongs unto that man who remains last in a condition to take away the life of his Enemy Now every one knows how Artamenes was more unfortunate then I was The Kings which hear me did see how he was steept in bloud all wounded and so weak that his Sword was more supported by his courage then strength and therefore they would not permit him to sight it out in that condition I confess the great inequality between us was extraordinary and it might very well cause wonder that of four hundred men which fought there should remain but two living the one whereof to be wounded in so many places and the other so fresh and whole as if he had never fought But the gods work miracles when they please yet can it be that wounds should be taken for marks of Victory If so why hath our Tutors so carefully taught us to defend our selves from blows Why do we wear any Bucklers but let us go to wars without defensive Arms Wounds Sirs are rather signs of weakness in the party who receives them then of his great Courage if men may brag of Victory because they are wounded the weakest the ill-favouredst and most unfortunate have the advantage over the strong handsome and most happy men In Duels a little scratch is counted a great disadvantage 'T is true his wounds are certain marks that he was in danger but it is as certain that his valour was not able to avoid them Me thinks I hear some say that his wounds do argue for him but if I understand their Language right they pleade his defeat and my Triumph As for this Trophy which he raised in my absence I conceive it was no difficult matter for him to do since he was alone And it was a cunning devise of him which shame of being overcome and desire of honour made him invent But after all this Sirs suppose that I did not fight but that I fled in the beginning of the Combat yet where is the great advantage which he pretends unto It is true that then I deserved punishment but it is not true that he deserves to have the Victory since he had the advantage of one man more on his side then his enemy had and since the state of the Combat was brought unto that wherein you found him it had been easie for that one man which was wanting to have kil'd him and got the Victory Can he say himself that he saw me fly if he can I may chance doubt of the Victory and hereafter trust more unto his eyes then my own valour but since my Enemy can say nothing against me only that he did not see me fight and that I had received no wounds I shall desire that his weak reasons may not be accepted of but rather mine which have truth and weight in them For it must be a consequent that if I fought I conquered and it is apparent that I fought since I was accepted for a Combatant and that of my voluntary disposition and desire And that though I did not fight yet cannot he be declared Conqueror because then he fought upon inequalities and therefore his Conquest is not Lawfull Therefore Sirs defer no longer but pronounce judgement for I do not oppose against the glory of Artamenes Let it be granted he did gallantly and that his wounds are marks of courage and not weakness I will only insist upon this that there was not an enemy to oppose me nor any who can speak a word in contradiction of what I say unless that he did not see me fight he I say who perhaps was so wounded at the beginning of the fight that he could not see any thing therefore I deserve judgement to be pronounced on my side for if he did not see me his eyes were full of bloud and therefore could not But as for me who by the goodness of the Gods and my own valour did keep my sight my bloud and my strength I saw him fight and saw him wounded and fall dead close by this imaginary Trophy So Sirs having no more to say but desire that the honour of my Countrey and my Triumph may be no longer deferred As soon as Artanus had ended his Speech there was heard a strange odd grumbling and muttering noise without any acclamations amongst the Assembly by which it might easily be guessed that the people disliked his Discourse Artamenes told me since that never any thing in his life did so much trouble him as to endure this ignominy yet he resolved to answer without
that as before he only Loved her so now he adores her The Princess also better discovering the spirit of my Master conceived a very great esteem of him and treated him more respectively then at first To fulfill the Kings commands she endeavoured to perswade his Continuance amongst them but alas how unnecessary was that Prayer and what joy did he resent to hear her ask that which he himself had so great a desire unto and which was so sutable unto his Passion After he had brought the Princess unto her Chamber who was waited upon by many Ladies of Honour she gave order he should be waited upon unto his with all possible magnificence and was punctually obeyed All this while he mentioned not a syllable at the Table concerning the Battle but when all the waiters were retired and he being alone with Feraulas all his discourse was of Mandana he asked his opinion concerning her Whether all these felicities which had been conferred upon him did not please him But before they ever thought of it and contrary to their intention the night was more then half spent in discourse with Feraulas who doubtless did not crosse his fancy since he found Mandana fair above all natural excellencies At last they went to bed but not to sleep for when it came into his thoughts that he was to return unto the Camp in the morning and that Manners commanded him to take his leave before he went then there was no room for sleeping but he rose in the morning before he had shut his eyes and as soon as the Princess was to be seen he addressed himself unto her and desired he might return to the place whither his duty called him and where the King and state of things required him But she would not permit him for she told him that she desired he should be a witness of a Sacrifice of thanks which she would that day offer unto the gods for preserving by his hand the King her father and that he might assure himself she was pleased with his company she expressed her self thus I pray you Artamenes stay but I dare not command you But you may Madam answered he and more then that for I and all the earth ought to pay obedience unto such a Princess Artamenes stayed then the other day in Anigres and went unto the Temple with the Princess whom he had the honour to accompany All the People cried him up with ten thousand applauds as their Benefactor for it was divulged in a moment both by Arbaces and the Princess Domestiques that it was he which preserved the King The next morning being come sooner then he wisht it he must take leave and be gone which without doubt he did with as much grief as Love although he durst not express either more then by silence and profound reverence She gave him a Letter to the King her Father the effect whereof I can tell for Ciaxares shewed it unto every one in hopes to oblige my Master the more by it and there was none in all the Army which had not either seen it or heard the contents which were these The Princess Mandana to the King of Cappadocia and Galatia her Father SIR IT was not without some reason your Majesty did mistrust the Modesty of Artamenes since it was only by the Lieutenant of your Guard that I came to know what he had done for your Preservation and by consequence for the preservation of all Cappadocia all Galatia Medea and of Mandana whose death had been included in yours He told me of the great danger to which your Majesty was exposed but he intimated not a syllable of his own valour which releeved you so that I might for ever have been ignorant of it had I not heard more from others then him I have so perswaded him of your Vertue and tyed him to your service as more endeavours had been useless But Sir I beseech you let not my Prayers be fruitless when they shall desire you not to expose your precious Life unto any more hazards Your Majesty may do well to consider how the happiness of all the Kingdoms depend upon it and perhaps Artamenes may not be alwaies so fortunate as to releeve you Commit the care of Conquering your Enemies unto this Gallant Stranger and employ him no more in preserving the Life of that Prince in which is inseperably concerned the Life of Mandana Artamenes delivering this Letter to the King was welcomely received Philidaspes who heard it read was the only man who seemed to be displeased at it The envy which appeared in his looks discovered the anger and trouble of his minde Few days after my Masters wounds were well recovered and he was not idle in the exercise of that Regiment under his command As the two Armies were entrenched neer one another so he was continually sending out Parties which always returned with the advantage for he quite beat up one quarter of the King of Phrygias Brigade Philidaspes was also very fortunate in the like encounter Now though this War was begun by the King of Pont because he was refused the Princess of Cappadocia yet because this ground for it was not plausible enough in the eyes of the People since nothing ought to be more free then Marriages nor nothing could be more just then the authority of Fathers over Children nor nothing more unalterable then the fundamental Laws of a State which here did forbid the banes therefore the pretence and colour of this War was given out to be a right he had unto two Towns which bordered on either side of a great Plain between Galatia and Bithinia both these Princes conceiving that both these Towns belonged unto them though both of them were in Possession of that Town which bordered upon their own Provinces So these two Towns were declared the cause of the War the one called Cerasia in possession of the King of Pont the other Anisa in possession of the King of Cappadocia But since the King of Pont was much wounded and his Chirurgions told him he would not quickly recover therefore he protracted fight as much as he could yet for all that he could not chuse but be often skirmishing The victory seem'd always to poise equally unless when Artamenes and Philidaspes appeared Mean while the King of Phrygia had received private intelligence how the King of Lydia would declare war against him and enter into his Dominions he imparted it unto the King of Pont who was much troubled at it knowing that if the King of Phrygia fell off he was not able to resist Ciaxares who had under his command not only Cappadocia and Galatia but also all Media and Persia Whilst the Princes were in Councel what to do in such a crosse conjuncture the King of Phrygia advised That before this News was divulged or known unto Ciaxares it were expedient to send unto him and make an offer to determin the controversie by Combat of two hundred men against two
her self I kneeled down before her my sorrows being so great that I could not cry for those are but slight sorrows which can be expressed by tears Oh Madam said I unto her inflict what punishment you please upon that sacrilegious hand which wounded you and do not think that though I defer the execution for a little while it is not with intentions of living long No Madam I would only see you in a way of recovery to the end you may see me dye and that way expiate this horrid crime which I have committed Alcionida was so surprized to see me and hear me thus express my self that though she had not been in so weak a condition as she was she would not have been able to hold any long discourse therefore not answering at all unto what I said If I dye said she unto me I shall pardon you with all my heart and also I entreat the Prince Tisander if he be living to pardon you as wel as I. The Prince Tisander Madam said I with much wonder is he here As she was about to answer the Chyrurgions prevented her and told me it would kill her if she spoke any more so that hastily retiring and leaving her with her women I took her Cousin by the hand and carring her to the Chamber door asked her what it was which Alcionida said unto me But at the same time some Souldiers which had taken Tisander in another Ship brought him into mine and he knowing that it was I which he had fought against desired to speak with me and when in entrance into the Ship he understood that Alcionida was wounded he was in as desperate a case as I Cruel Friend said he in coming first to me what a fatal adventure is befaln us Give me leave rather to say answered I what a fatal adventure is mine Ah said he you are not to be pitied so much as I for the thoughts of friendship are nothing so tender as those of love Doubtless you love me and will be sorry for fighting with me and for being perhaps the cause of her death whom I most adore and intend to marry But said I and interrupted him do you intend to marry this fair and most incomparable Lady Yes cruel Friend answered he and therefore imagine the sorrows of my Soul But I beseech you let me see this fair and unfortunate Lady In saying so he went into the Chamber where she was and I with him and he no sooner saw her but taking her hand kissing it and also washing it with his tears he expressed a hundred signs of sorrow and affection which I durst not render unto her She cast her eyes upon me and doubtless did so plainly perceive the sorrows I endured that she turned away her eyes and blushed Tisander observing this and fearing to be troublesom to her went from her imagining the alteration of her face to proceed from no other cause but the extremity of her pain We asked the Chyrurgions what they thought of her but they could not tell what juddgment to give until the second dressing not yet knowing whether any of the Nerves were molested or Veins cut In the mean time I understood that Tisander being cured of his passionate affection unto the fair and wise Sapho did consent unto the marriage which the Prince his father had made up between him and the fair Alcionida before he knew her and that as soon as ever he saw her he was more in love with her then ever he was with his first Mistress I understood afterwards that he did not know my Ship because it had been newly trimmed up at Gnides and since all the Banners and Flags which Leosthenes had set up for the entertainment of Alcionida did stand still it was not possible Tisander could know it Neither could I know his Ship for since his intended marriage his Flags also were full of gallant devices and other Motto's then he was accustomed to have Since this Prince was really generous and seeing me silent he did ask me pardon if in the extremity of his sorrows he had spoke any thing which was offensive to me But I my self was so much disturbed in my mind that I knew not what I should answer him But I gave orders that all his men should be set at liberty and treated as my own however the sight of this Prince was insufferable to me since I understood he was to be the husband of Alcionida and I could not resolve to go out of his Ship because I could not depart from her yet not being in freedom to grieve in her presence I went into my own under a pretence of giving out some orders and went into my own Cabin with a mind so full of sorrows that I was a hundred times ready to throw my self into the Sea and there bury my self and all my misfortunes together but there was a kind of secret chain which linked me to Alcionida that restrained me and kept me alive And being alone with Leosthenes I began to descant upon the strangeness of my misfortunes and my mind being a little more quiet then before Confess with me Leosthenes said I unto him that I was born under a most malignant Constellation for if you look upon the present condition of my fortune you may therein find miseries enough to make a hundred men unfortunate Were it only the inconsideration of my sorrows for fighting with my friend and hurting her whom I infinitely loved I deserved compassion though for nothing but to find my Friend my Rival I had cause enough to grieve for it extreamly were it for nothing else but to find my Mistress enjoyed by another I were most worthy of pity and were it for nothing but wounding with my own hand that Lady for whom only I desire to live all my tears are too few to lament the sadness of the accident But having in one day fought with my Friend wounded her I loved found him to be my Rival heard my Mistress is to be married and my own hand putting her in danger of death Ah Leosthenes these are too many miseries to be endured and it would be as base as impossible for me to live under the weight of them For indeed what can I do I must not hate my Rival since he is both my Friend and my Benefactor I never dare speak any more of my passion unto her who first did cause it my Soul is out of all hopes my Love cannot now be innocent I dare not hereafter find any fault with her I have no reason to accuse Tisander I have not power to acknowledg my passion unto him and it were in vain if I should since he is the husband of Alcionida In one word I am in as deplorable a condition at ever any Lover possible can be But alas what do I say and what would I do I speak as if Alcionida were not wounded and wounded by my own hand and that perhaps mortally Oh most
do not prophane the name of the Princess in such an occasion as she ought not to be introduced if you have any secret hatred to me revenge your self generously and do me the honour to tell me with your Sword in your hand whether it be nature or fortune which puts a difference between us You shall know that presently replied Artesilas and drawing his sword as well as one servant which was with him so that Cleander having but his servant with him also the fight was upon equal numbers though with unequal success for Cleander being animated by his love by his jealousie and by the angry language of Artesilas did fight with such fury that this Prince as gallant as he was had a hard task to resist him since Cleander feared left some should come in to part them he dallied not but driving blow after blow upon his enemy without any defending himself he pressed so hard upon him that he lost his judgment and could neither defend himself nor assault his foe Not that Artesilas wanted any courage but because the miraculous valour of Cleander surprized him and put him into disorder he was wounded at the first in two places without any touch upon Cleander who after he had given him two other wounds he closed with him threw him upon the ground and took away his sword Then after he had disarmed him Do you acknowledg said he that you have some cause 〈◊〉 think my birth is not inferiour unto yours or do you not at the least confess that if there 〈◊〉 any difference between us it is fortune only which made it Artesilas was so wounded anâ— ashamed at his defeat that he had not power to answer At the same time some women which belonged to the Princess of Clasomena spied them out of a window at the beginning of 〈◊〉 Combat and sent some men to part them But they came not in till all was done Cleandâ—â—â— servant wounded the servant of Artefilas whose sword was broken Abradates came in also who caused the Prince Artefilas to be carried unto his house and who went with Cleander unto his lodging not letting him go unto his own until he knew the cause of the Combat and how the King would receive the news Since Cressus loved Cleander very well and never loved Artesilas at all it was no hard matter to perswade him that Artesilas was the Challenger so that he seemed to be much incensed against him for affronting one who was so 〈◊〉 and high in his esteem The friends of Artesilas did sweeten the matter and told the King thâ—â— the answers of Cleander did exasperate him and since neither of these two Rivals did naâ—â— the Princess some scornful words which Artesilas spoke concerning the birth of Cleander passed for the ground of the quarrel In the mean while all the Court came to visit him excepting the kindred of his Enemy and some of them also forsook him and offered themselves unto Cleander whom the Princess sent privately to visit and rejoyce that he was not wounded not knowing yet what was the cause of the Combat every one thinking that it was because Artesilas did treat him as an unknown man from whence he had his original Nothing else was talked of Those who had heard a hundred times how he was found still enquâ—red and related it The Princess her self desired my Father to make an exact relation of it How he saw him floating in a Boat with one woman could not weild it how he sent Sailors to succor him how he saw the Child in a Mantle made of Cloth of God how she who was with him was dumb how she held in her hands a Picture where this Child was represented as Cupid is used to be drawn and with him a fair Lady which seemed to be his Mother by those Verses which were written underneath and how this dumb woman dyed The Princess who never durst ask to see this Picture did prevail with the opposites to her curiosity and desired Timocreon to send it unto her which he did and it was I who carried it unknown to Cleander for he stayed with Abradates until such time as it was known whether Artesilas would recover of his wounds one of them being very dangerous The Princess blusht when she took the Picture not being able doubtless to receive the Picture of him she loved without confusion though it was only the picture of a Child yet a Child pictured like a God As she was always used to admire all beautiful things so she admired at this Picture which indeed was very admirable and observed how Cleander still retained a great resemblance of what he was then but she was charmed with the beauty of the Mother whom she commended with less scruple then she could the son though she could not commend the one without the other because there was a most perfect resemblance she thought the invention of the Picture and the Verses very pleasant and I observed that she looked upon the magnificent Border of that Picture with much delight because it was an inâ—allible testimony that the birth of Cleander was not mean and always extreamly commending the Limner who drew this Picture she asked me whether Timocreon would trust her with it for a few days that she might shew it unto some of her friends You may imagine Madam that I denyed her not and that it was not long before I acquainted Cleander that the Princess desired to keep his Picture But he answered me that he should think himself much more happy if she would give him hers since the one was only a bare effect of her curiosity and the other would be an argument of her affection Whilest things stood upon these terms News was brought that the King of Phrigia was drawing into the field So that Cressus commanded Cleander to prepare himself for a March which he did the very same hour sending his Train before him The King by vertue of his supream Authority did reconcile Artesilas and him the next morning At the same time a Phrigian man of good quality who was an Exile came unto Sardis to treat concerning the Ransom of a Prisoner of War and since his name was known and that he was a man of spirit Cressus received him very well and assured him that if ever there was a Peace made between him and the King of Phrigia he would make his in particular with that Prince Thimettes for that was the Phrigians name had not been long at Sardis but he went to present his service unto the Princess and coming to her one day when she was in her Close whilest they went to acquaint her he desired to see her he saw upon the Table in her Chamber this picture of Venus and Cupid which I told you of before yet he no sooner saw it but taking it up he seemed to be extreamly surprized he read the Verses he observed the Border and looked upon it most precisely and having no power to leave
especially since the Prince Artamas would remain a prisoner of War and lest this should keep the Princess Mandana from going out I pray tell me said she unto me What are the best courses to be taken First it is requisite said I unto her that I have the honour to see the Princess and secondly the same honour is desired for him that is the chief actor in the enterprize who is now in the Captains Chamber who brought me hither and who desires to receive his orders from her own mouth There is no difficulty in all this replyed Martesia provided you will have a little patience for I believe the Princess of Lydia will leave her presently But in the interim said she I pray tell me who is this generous Liberator How can he get us out from hence And when shall it be For I wish it were this very hour if it were possible You shall know the two first of your questions in good time replied I and as for getting you out from hence it shall be within this three daies if the Princess please If she please replied she Ah Orsanus I warrant you it will please her since though the King of Pontus be as respective to her as he is unjust I am confident she would do any thing to get out of his power In the mean time said she that vve may the sooner see vvhether the Princess of Lydia be retired and the sooner see our Deliverer I pray you follovv me In saying so she carried me unto a little Closet over against the Princess Chamber but so neer it and the partitions so full of crannies for you must know the places of War are not built like Palaces that any thing might be heard which was spoken Being then in this place where we could hear all the discourse which passed between the two Princesses we began to hearken in hopes they would end their discourse quickly and presently I heard a voice which was unknown to me and which Martesia said was the Princess Palmis who complained extreamly against the malignity of her Fortune For my part replied the Princess Mandana I hardly dare complain against mine for since the conformity which is in our misfortunes did make you love me and in some sort caused the friendship which is between the Prince Artamas and the illustrious Cyrus methinks I ought to indure it patiently Ah Madam said the Princess Palmis I beseech you do not give so bad a foundation unto the affection which I bear you and seek not for that in the suitableness of our miseries which cannot be found any where but in your rare merits and if you please to look a little neerer into things you will find a notable difference between the misfortunes of Cyrus and those of Artamas and also between yours and mine Yet in many things they resemble very much replied Mandana for as one hath been exposed to many dangers so hath the other as one changed his own name for that of Artamenes the other assumed the name of Cleander in lieu of his own both of them are brave and gallant both of them have been Conquerours both of them in Love and if there be any difference it is in that the Prince Artamas loved by reason and Cyrus only by inclination Had you changed the name of Artamas for Cyrus said the Princess Palmis your discourse had been just I beseech you let me end it said the Princess Mandana and see whether I have not reason to attribute unto the likeness of our miseries the pity which you have of mine Besides all that I said before these two Princes have had the favour and affection of these two Kings whom they served they have both of them been imprisoned by them for whom they have hazarded their lives a thousand times as Croessus was displeased with you because you favoured Cleander so Ciaxares hated me because I esteemed Artamenes Indeed what should I say Cyrus and Artamas brought us hither Have they not persecuted you as well as me And as Adrastus and Artesilias died for you did not the unfortunate Mazares perish for me Are we not now both prisoners together And must it not needs be confessed that since you cannot love me for any resemblance of those admirable qualityes which are in you and not in me Heaven has a design to make you love me because I resemble you in your misfortunes To shew you replied the Princess Palmis that the Love I bear you proceeds from nothing but your merits and not at all from any resemblances of our adventures I must needs let you see that they are infinitely different so that in reason it cannot be said they have any resemblance and by consequence you ought not to believe that the affection I bear you hath any such cause The adventures of Cyrus and Artamas are much different for when Cyrus was only Artamenes he knew that he was Cyrus and was not ignorant of his own Quality whereas on the contrary the unfortunate Cleander did not so much as know who himself was but thought himself so far below my Quality that he did condemn his Love no less then I should if I had then known it Artamenes had nothing else to make his condition known to be equal unto yours but only to say he was Cyrus But Cleander for a long while durst not so much as wish to know who he was lest his condition should prove disadvantagious unto him if it were known These false Names under which both of them did pass was given them variously for Cyrus took the Name of Artamenes upon him to disguise himself and Artamas not knowing his true Name received that of Cleander from Thimettes who gave it him not thinking he should ever leave it 'T is very true both of them are most gallant men and both Conquerors but with a notable difference since Fortune hath almost confined the Victories of Artamas to the Kingdom of his Father whilest she hath stretched the Conquests of Cyrus over all Asia The original of their Passions is also as different as the merit of those two persons who caused them The Prisons also in which both of them were are very unlike and proceeded from several causes The jealousie and wickedness of Artesilas caused the Imprisonment of Cleander and the prejudicate opinion of Ciaxares was the cause of Artamenes his Imprisonment though I must needs confess there was equal injustice in them both Moreover the hatred which Ciaxares bore unto Cyrus proceeded only from a misunderstanding of the Menaces of the Gods but the King my Father hated Artamas because he thought I loved him and by consequence the cause of his hatred cannot cease as the cause of Ciaxares his hatred did Moreover you cannot in reason say there was any equality in their last Imprisonment since that of Cyrus lasted not above an hour at most whereas that of Artamas lasts yet and he was dangerously wounded besides But I beseech you let us
both ever to see me again and let me tell you that now I scorn you more then ever I have esteemed you also I defie you and bid you say the worst that can prejudice me Never think to imploy the power of my Father for if you do I will acquaint him with the just cause of complaint I have against you therefore without any resistance or delay I expect obedience unto my will without a syllable of murmure After these words Elisa went into her Closet and made a sign unto them to be gone so that Poligenes and Agenor not daring to stay her began to quarrel for betraying each other yet they durst not stay any longer in Elisa's Chamber but went out in extream dispair and furie not yet directlie knowing what was the object of all their cholor But they had not gone above twentie paces belching out the furie of their souls when a friend unto Phocilion met them and told them that he expected them both at the Sea side which looks towards the North with as many Swords as were requisite for two to fight against two adding that the cause of his quarrel was of such a nature as no other way but this could give him satisfaction Poligenes and Agenor having sharp edges set upon their Spirits did keenlie accept of this Proposition and as men who had a greater mind to fight with one another then against any else yet point of honor not permitting them to deliberate they told Phocilion's friend that they were readie to go along with him and did so after they had sent away their men Since their minds were full they never considered what might Phocilion's reason be for calling them to this satisfaction but in the heat of their furie fought and knew not why nor would Phocilion tell them directlie his reason lest he should ingage the name of Elisa The quarrel then not being known the combat then could not be prevented the event whereof was verie bloodie it fell to the lot of Phocilion to fight against Agenor and Poligenes against Phocilion's friend all which four were wounded Phocilion and Agenor more dangerous then the other two Phocilion had the advantage of Agenor but Poligenes had the better of Phocilion's friend This combat made a great noise in the world none knowing the cause for when any asked Poligenes or Agenor they bad them ask Phocilion and when they asked Phocilion he answered that it was sufficient Poligenes and Agenor knew themselves not innocent In the mean time this combat produced this good unto Elisa for Agenor Poligenes and Phocilion being all three wounded she was at much more quietness nor was any talk of her as the cause only Lyriope began to chatter a little but she durst not vie against Elisa as formerlie she used because her Parents were upon marrying her unto one of the Court named Asiadates and indeed did marrie her unto him within a few daies after more for interest of familie then any other reason So that fearing lest her hatred of Elisa should speak her Love unto Agenor she concealed her thoughts of this business As for Elisa her anger against Poligenes against Agenor and against Phocilion also made her think her self happie in being delivered from that sight yet being of a natural goodness if the thing had been in her dispose she would not have permitted this combat but since it was not nor since she had no hand in it it did not grieve her that the Gods had permitted them to sight and had ridded her of such men as she was resolved never to see again This being the state of things and Elisa confirming her self more and more in her resolutions never to marrie but to grow more austere if it were possible Straton who never enjoyed himself since the death of the last King but having lost all his hopes he fell sick and within seven daies died of so violent a Fever as he was not able to order any business since the first day of his falling sick This accident was so mournfully resented by Elisa as I wonder it did not cost her life at least her beautie yet the tears upon her face was only like a dew upon Roses which in lieu of changing them makes them more sweet and lovely and as melancholy has a kind of languishing sweetness in it so Elisa doubtless was nothing so austere in her sorrows as formerlie and consequentlie not so apt to drive her Lovers into dispair Elisa in losing Straton did not only lose a most indulgent Father but found a subversion of her fortune by falling under the power of a phantastical Mother who loved her not but who since the death of Straton did persecute her a hundred several wayes However Elisa carried her self with as much respect as if she were the best Mother in the world and her generositie was so high that Barce having left her in the Countrie and being returned her self to Tire she there fell sick of such a contageous disease as Husbands dare not come neer their Wives nor Wives their Husbands yet Elisa no sooner heard the condition wherein Barce was but she departed immediatelie and went notwithstanding the danger to help that person who resolved to make her life as miserable as she could But the Gods who doubtless were pleased to make the virtue of Elisa more splendent took Barce out of this world just as Elisa was going into her Chamber against the perswasions of all her friends But seeing her Mother was past recovery she withdrew from a needless danger and retired her self unto a Ladies house who was her Cozen who lived extreamly closely and whose virtue was extraordinarie Thus Elisa made it most evident by this action that she had no design of admitting so much companie as she had during the life of Straton But to the end Elisa might make the greatness of her soul appear the Gods were pleased to abase her fortune that they might elevate her Glory by such a way as many have lost theirs Since Straton had great imployments under the late King of Phenicia all those unto whom he was indebted did fall upon Elisa for satisfaction and seized upon all her estate with so much violence and injustice that they made Elisa almost as poor as fair However though she saw her self in a most lamentable condition yet her high soul never trembled at it but she carried out her bad fortune with as much resolution as she did her good with moderation nor was she less austere and when Poligenes Agenor and Phocilion were recovered and would have seen her she did forbid them with as much authority as if she had been upon a Throne and they her Subjects she was more severe then before and she would make it appear that since she was Mistress of her self she would follow the rules of virtue more exactly then before But Madam that you may see how great her virtue was be pleased to know that Asiadates whom Lyriope had married did
such despair as would not suffer him to consult with the winds nor hearken unto the counsell of the Pilot who would have disswaded him from departing The waves were so rough and the winds so furious that they dashed this Barque against the point of a Rock on the left hand of Marseilles and broke it all to pieces so as the unfortunate Menedorus was drowned almost in the very Port into which the waves brought his body and as if the Gods had a desire to force Onesicrite to water it with her teares they permitted the Corp of this unfortunate Lover to be cast by the Sea just under the window of that Princess who saw it with her owne eyes and resented his death with inconceivable sorrow In the mean time Onesicrite having as I told you before a sweet and easie soule she could not resist Aristonice who knew so well how to perswade her that it did not consist with her glory to alter that resolution which she bad taken that she resolved to smother part of her melancholy and to be rulâ—d by those who had most right to advise her provided they would not force her to marry Carimantes over-hastily On the other side Carimantes making a thousand excuses unto Sfurius for being the cause of his sonnes death Sfurius answered him accoding to his wonted generosity After which they returned to the King in thoughts that the marriage of the Phocean Prince with Cleonisbe should with all speed be celebrated But Madam at our return we understood that the state of things were not so disposed For be pleased to know that Galathes whom Menedorus had made acquainted with many Graecians had suborned some to them to tell the Segoregians that the Prince of Phoceus was not the same he gave himselfe out to be so as this falshood passing from mouth to mouth it made so great a noise amongst the People that nothing else was talked of For Galathes having suborned the Segoregians as well as Phocensians there went an hundred severall tales concerning the quality of the Phocean Prince And since the Law which permitted Cleonisbe to choose her Husband was conditionall that she should choose a man whose Quality was sutable to her own The case was such that if the Prince of Phoceus was not the same he sayd himselfe to be then the choise of the Princess was null And to make it Galathes had caused this lye to be divulged amongst the People And Madam he had done it with so much art that those whom he employed in the business were never suspected to have any hand in the imposture And to the end none should thinke him to be the Author he would not be the first that should forbid the banes between Cleonisbe and that Prince not doubting but Bomilcar and Britomartes would take hold of that occasion which he had given to deferr it he hoping all the while to find an opportunity of carrying away Cleonisbe as afterwards we came to understand And indeed Madam Britomartes and Bomilcar hearing of these great reports did say that for their parts they did believe the Prince of Phoceus to be the same he sayd he was but since it was made a doubt by a great People they could not suffer that the Princesse should marry him The testimonies which all the friends of the Phocean Prince did give were all in vaine and likewise what all the men in Marseilles did say For the people of that Countrey being of a mutinous inclination and since many were suborned to raise sedition they took up Armes and sided with Britomartes Bomilcar and Galathes Neither the King nor Carimantes who were fully perswaded of the Prince of Phoceus his quality were not able to act accoding unto their inclinations and the lesse able because at the same time the friends of Menedorus had caused a commotion in Marseilles upbraiding Sfurius with his cruelty to his sonne accusing also the Prince of Phoceus for consenting unto the marriage of Carimantes with Onesicrite Meane while Glacidia endeavoured to perswade Bomilcar that it was in vaine for him to hinder the Marriage of Cleonisbe since he might assure himselfe she would never love him But he answered her that since he could receive no other consolation but in the ruine of his Rivall she must pardon him if he did it maintaining that he might very well do it without giving him any cause of complaint since he did no more then what Britomartes and Galathes did also In the mean time as great a care was taken in observing these Rivalls as well as the Prince of Phoceus Bomilcar and he fought the second time and were both wounded but with this difference that when they parted them the Prince of Phoceus who was closed with his Enemy was the uppermost But Madam this Combate more and more incensing the people things grew to a great height For Galathes being exceeding subtle and witty had insinuated into the minds of many Segoregians that our Town was much to be feared and that if we made the Countrey better it would be only for our selves and that after they had received us as their friends we would become their Tyrants and they our slaves But disorder and confusion being in every place it was advised to appease the People to talke of a Negotiation knowing it to be much better then to stop their first fury So they asked this incensed people and the three Rivalls who were their heads what proofs they required to testifie the condition of the Phocean Prince But they found themselves much gravelled for an answer for since there remayned none in Phoceus it was in vaine to send thither But after they had well thought upon it they agreed that the Conquerour of Phoceus should decide the businesse and that if the illustrious Cyrus would say unto those they would send unto him that Peranius was of the Familie of the Phocean Princes and that it was he who commanded the Fleet in departing from that Towne which his Armies had conquered then they would yeild up their Pretentions and agree that Cleonisbes choise was lawfull Though this Proposition might seem strange unto the Prince of Phoceus since his destiny must depend upon the testimony of a Prince unto whom he had not the honour to be known and who might hold him for his Enemy yet he did not refuse it For since he knew that the Prince Thrasibalus did know and that his action had been extraordinary and might be judged worthy to be related unto his invincible Conquerour he believed that the illustrious Cyrus would be so generous as to give a sincere testimony in his favour And so Madam it was agreed that I should come unto Cyrus That the King should send me with a person of Quality and that the three Rivalls should also send a person of Credance to heare what the Conquerour of Asia would say unto my demands But before we came away they made all their parties interested to swear solemnly to