childe more then it was beséeming for a father Thus being wrapped in the toyle of blind desire hee sustained within himselfe a fierce conflict wherein Madnesse put Modestie to flight he wholly yéelded himselfe vnto loue Wherefore not long after on a certaine day hee came into his daughters chamber and bidding all that were there for to depart as though he had had some secret matter to conferre with her the furious rage of lust pricking him forward thereunto he violently forced her though séely maiden she withstood him long to her power and threwe away all regard of his owne honestie and vnlosed the knot of her virginitie Now when he was departed and she being alone deuised within her selfe what it were best for her to doe sodainelie her nurse entred in and perceiuing her face al be blubbred with teares What is the matter deare childe and Madam quoth she that you sit thus sorrowfully O my beloued nurse answered the Ladie euen nowe two noble names were lost within this chamber Howe so saide the nurse Because quoth shée before marriage through wicked villanie I am most shamefully defiled And when the nurse had heard these wordes and looking about more diligently perceiued indéede what was done being inraged with sorrowe and anger and almost distract of her wittes Alas what wretch or rather infernal féend quoth she durst thus presumptuously defile the bed of a Princesse Ungodlinesse hath done this déede quoth the Ladie Whie then doe you not tell it the King your father saide the nurse Ah nurse answered the Ladie Where is my father For if you well vnderstoode the matter the name of Father is lost in me so that I can haue no remedie now but death onely But the nurf e nowe by a few wordes perceiuing the whole tale and weying that the yong Lady gaue inkling of remedie by death which she much feared beganne to assuage her griefe with comfortable wordes and to withdrawe her minde from that mischieuous purpose Wherein she preuailed so effectually in short time that she appeased the fresh bléeding of the gréene wound howbeit the scarre continued long time as déepely stroken within her tender heart before it could be throughlie cured In the meane season while this wicked father sheweth the countenaunce of a louing sire abroad in the eies of al his people notwithstanding within doores and in his minde he reioyceth that he hath played the part of an husband with his daughter which false resemblance of hateful marriage to the intent he might alwaies enioy he inuented a strange deuise of wickednesse to driue away all suters that should resort vnto her by propounding certaine questions the effect and law whereof was thus published in writing Who so findeth out the solution of my question shall haue my daughter to wife but who so faileth shal lose his head Now when Fame had blowen abroade the possibilitie to obtaine this Ladie such was the singular report or her surpassing beautie that many kings and men of great nobility repaired thither And if haply any through skill or learning had found out the solution of the kings question notwithstanding hée was beheaded as though hée had answered nothing to the purpose and his head was set vp at the gate to terrifie others that should come who beholding there the present image of death might aduise them from assaying anie such danger These outrages practised Antiochus to the ende he might continue in filthie incest with his daughter The second Chapter ¶ How Apollonius arriuing at Antiochia resolued the kings question and how Taliarchus was sent to slay him WHilest Antiochus thus continued in exercising tyrannie at Antiochia a certaine yong Gentleman of Tyrus Prince of the country abounding in wealth and very well learned called Apollonius arriued in the coast and comming vnto the citie of Antiochia was brought into the kings presence And when he had saluted him the king demanded of him the cause of his comming thither Then saide the yoong prince Sir I require to haue your daughter in marriage The king hearing that which he was vnwilling to heare looking fiercely vpon him saide vnto him Doest thou knowe the conditions of the marriage Yea sir king said Apollonius and I sée it standing vpon the gate Then the king being sharply moued and disdaining at him said Heare then the question which thou must resolue or else die I am carried with mischiefe I eate my mothers fleshe I seeke my brother my mothers husband and I can not finde him Apollonius hauing receiued the question withdrew himselfe a while out of the Kinges presence and being desirous to vnderstand what it meant he found out the solution thereof in short space through the help of God and returned againe to the king saying Your grace proposed a question vnto me I pray you heare the solution thereof And wheras you said in your probleme I am carried with mischiefe you haue not lied for looke vnto your owne selfe But whereas you say further I eate my mothers flesh looke vpon your daughter Now the king as soone as he perceiued that Apollonius had resolued his problems fearing lest his wickednesse should be discouered he looked vpon him with a wrathfull countenance saying Thou art farre wide from the solution of my demand and hast hit no part of the meaning thereof wherefore thou hast deserued to be beheaded Howbeit I will shew thee this courtesie as to giue thee thirtie daies respite to bethinke thy selfe of this matter Wherefore returne home into thine owne countrey and if thou canst find out the solution of my probleme thou shalt haue my daughter to wife If not thou shalt be beheaded Then Apollonius being much troubled and molested in mind accompanying himself with a sufficient train tooke shipping and returned into his owne countrey But so soone as he was departed Antiochus called vnto him his steward named Thaliarchus to whom he spake in maner following Thaliarchus the only faithfull and trustie minister of my secrets vnderstand that Apollonius prince of Tirus hath found out the solution of my question Wherefore take shipping and followe him immediatly and if thou canst not ouertake him vpon the sea seeke him out when thou commest to Tirus and slay him either with sword or poyson and when thou returnest I will bountifully reward thee Taliarchus promised to accomplish his commandement with all diligence and taking to him his shield with monie sufficient for the iourney departed on his way and shortly after ariued at the coast of Tirus But Apollonius was come home vnto his owne Pallace long time before and withdrawing himselfe into his studie perused all his bookes concerning the kings probleame finding none other solution than that which he had alreadie told the king And thus he said within himselfe Surely vnlesse I be much deceiued Antiochus burneth with disordinate loue of his daughter and discoursing farther with himselfe vpon that point What sayest thou now or what intendest thou to doe Apollonius said
The Patterne of painefull Aduentures Containing the most excellent pleasant and variable Historie of the strange accidents that befell vnto Prince Apollonius the Lady Lucina his wife and Tharsia his daughter Wherein the vncertaintie of this world and the fickle state of mans life are liuely described Gathered into English by LAVRENCE TVVINE Gentleman Imprinted at London by Valentine Simmes for the Widow Newman To the worshipfull Master Iohn Donning Customer and Iurate of the towne of Rie in Sussex BEing diuersly mooued in mind to signifie my good will and hartie loue towardes you gentle M. Donning I could not deuise any meanes more effectual then by presenting the same to you which had cost me some small labor and trauel Not seeming therby to acquite your manifold curtesies towards me diuersly extended but rather to discharge me of the note of Ingratitude which otherwise I might seeme to incurre Wherefore in steede of a greater present to counteruaile your friendlines I am bold in the setting foorth of this simple Pamflet vnder your name to make a proffer of my thankeful heart to you againe Wherin though want of farther abilitie appeare yet is there is no let but that a wel-willing heart may be exprest yea in the smallest gift Now if haply the argument hereof appeare vnto you other than you could much wish or I well afford yet haue I no feare of any great misliking considering your natural disposition which is to be delighted with honest pleasure and commendable recreation and not to lie euermore weltering as it were in dolefull dumpishnesse Which thing did put me in the greater hope that this worke would be the welcommer vnto you especially considering the delectable varietie and the often changes and chances contained in this present historie which cannot but much stirre vp the mind and sences vnto sundry affections What euer it be take it I beseech you in good part in stead of some better thing which I might well affoord promising the same when occasion shall serue not being at this present so well furnished as I could wish of God to whose good grace I recommend you and yours both nowe and euermore Your worships to vse Laurence Twine The Table HOw Antiochus committed incest with his owne daughter and beheaded such as sued vnto her for Marriage if they coulde not resolue his questions Chap. 1 How Apollonius arriuing at Antiochia resolued the Kings question and howe Taliarchus was sent to slay him Chap. 2 How Taliarchus not finding Apollonius at Tyrus departeth ioyfully and Apollonius arriuing at Tharsus relieueth the citie with victuall Chap. 3 How Apollonius departing frō Tharsus by the perswasion of Stranguilio and Dionisiades his wife committed shipwracke and was relieued by Altistrates king of Pentapolis Chap. 4 How Lucina king Altistrates daughter desirous to heare Apollonius aduentures fell in loue with him Chap. 5 How Apollonius is made Schoolemaster to Lucina and how shee preferreth the loue of him aboue all the Nobilitie of Pentapolis Chap. 6 How Apollonius was married to the Lady Lucina and hearing of king Antiochus death departeth with his wife towards his own country of Tyrus Chap. 7 How faire Lucina died in trauell of childe vpon the sea and being throwen into the water was cast on land at Ephesus and taken home by Cerimon a Physicion Chap. 8 How Lucina was restored to life by one of Cerimon the Physicions schollers and how Cerimon adopted hir to his daughter and placed her in the Temple of Diana Chap. 9 How Apollonius arriuing at Tharsus deliuereth his yong daughter Tharsia vnto Stranguilio and Dionisiades to be brought vp and how the Nurce lying in her death bed declareth vnto Tharsia who were hir parents Chap. 10 How after the death of Ligozides the Nurce Dionisiades enuying at the beautie of Tharsia conspired her death which should haue been accomplished by a villaine of the countrey Chap. 11 How certain Pirats rescued Tharsia when she shuld haue been slaine and carried her vnto the citie Machilenta to be sold among other bondslaues Chap. 12 How the Pirats which stole away Tharsia brought her to the citie Machilenta and sold her to a common bawd and how she preserued her virginitie Cha. 13 How Tharsia withstood a second assault of her virginitie and by what meanes shee was preserued Chap. 14 How Apollonius comming to Tharsus and not finding his daughter lamented her supposed death and taking ship againe was driuen by a tempest to Michalenta where Tharsia was Chap. 15 How Athanagoras prince of Machilenta seeing the beautie of Apollonius ship went aboord of it and did the best he could to comfort him Chap. 16 How Anathagoras sent for Tharsia to make her father Apollonius merrie and how after long circumstance they came into knowledge one of another Chap. 17 How Apollonius leauing off mourning came into the citie Machilenta where he commanded the bawd to be burned and how Tharsia was married vnto Prince Athanagoras Chap. 18 How Apollonius meaning to saile into his owne Countrey by Tharsus was commaunded by an Angell in the night to goe to Ephesus and there to declare all his aduentures in the Church with a loud voice Chap. 19 How Apollonius came to the knowledge of his wife the Ladie Lucina and how they reioyced at the meeting of ech other Chap. 20 How Apollonius departed from Ephesus and sailed himselfe his wife his sonne and daughter vnto Antiochia and then to Tyrus and from thence to Tharsus where he reuenged himselfe vpon Stranguilio and Dionisiades Chap. 21 How Apollonius sayled from Tharsus to visite his father in law Altistrates king of Pentapolis who died not long after Apollonius comming thither Chap. 22 How Apollonius rewarded the fisherman that relieued him after he had suffered shipwracke how he dealt also with old Calamitus and likewise with the Pirates that stole away Tharsia Chap. 23 How Apollonius had a yong sonne and heire by his wife Lucina likewise of Apollonius age and how hee died with some other accidents thereunto incident Chap. 24 FINIS The first Chapter Howe Antiochus committed incest with his owne daughter and beheaded such as sued vnto her for marriage if they coulde not resolue his questions THE most famous and mightie king Antiochus which builded the goodly citie of Antiochia in Syria and called it after his own name as the chiefest seat of all his dominions and most principal place of his abode begat vpon his wife one daughter a most excellent and beautifull yoong Ladie Who in processe of yéeres growing vp as wel in ripenesse of age as perfection of beautie many Princes and noble men resorted vnto her for intreaty of marriage offering inestimable riches in iointure Howbeit the king her father euermore requiring deliberation vpon whom rather than other to bestow his daughter perceiued eftsoones an vnlawfull concupiscence to boyle within his breast which he augmented with an outragious flame of crueltie sparkling in his heart so that he began to burne with the loue of his owne
he to himselfe Thou hast resolued his probleme and yet not receiued his daughter and God hath therefore brought thee away that thou shouldest not die Then brake hee off in the midst of these cogitations and immediatly commanded his ships to be prepared and to be laden with an hundred thousand bushels of wheate and with great plentie of gold siluer and rich apparrell and taking vnto him a few of his most trustiest seruants about midnight imbarked himself and hoysing vp his sails committed himselfe to the wide sea The day following his subiects the citizens came vnto the pallace to haue seene their Prince but when they found him not there the whole citie was forthwith surprised with wonderfull sorrowe euerie man lamenting that so worthy a Prince so sodainly gone out of sight and knowledge no man knew whether Great was the griefe and wofull was the wayling which they made euery man lamenting his owne priuate estate and the common-wealths in generall as it alwaies hapneth at the death or losse of a good Prince which the inhabitants of Tirus tooke then so heauily in respect of their great affection that a long time after no barbers shops were opened the common shews and plaies surceased baines and hoat houses were shut vp tauerns were not frequented and no man repaired vnto the Churches al thing was full of sorrw and heauinesse what shall I say there was nothing but heauinesse CHAP. III. How Taliarchús not finding Apollonius at Tirus departeth ioyfully and Apollonius arriuing at Tharsus relieueth the citie with vittell IN the middes of this sorrowfull season Taliarchus commeth to Tirus to execute the cruell commandement of Antiochus where finding al-thing shut vp and a generall shew of mourning meeting with a boy in the stréete tell me said he or I will slay thee for what cause is al this citie thus drowned in heauines To whom the child answered My friend doest thou not know the cause that thou askest it of me This citie mourneth because the Prince therof Apollonius returning back from king Antiochus can no where be found or heard of Now so soone as Taliarchus heard these tidings he returned ioyfully vnto his ships and tooke his iourny backe to Antiochia and being landed he hastened vnto the king and fell downe on his knees before him saying All haile most mightie Prince reioyce and be glad for Apollonius being in feare of your grace is departed no man knoweth whether Then answered the king He may well flie away from mee but he shall neuer escape my handes And immediatly he made proclamation that whosoeuer could take that contemner of the king Apollonius prince of Tirus and bring him aliue into the kinges presence shoulde haue an hundred talents of golde for his labour and whosoeuer coulde bring his head shoulde haue fiftie talentes Which proclamation beeing published not onely Apollonius ennemies but also his friendes made all haste possible to seeke him out allured thereto with couetousnesse of the money Thus was that poore Prince 〈◊〉 for about by sea and by land through woodes 〈◊〉 wilde deserts but could not be found Then the king commanded a great Nauie of ships to be prepared to scoure the seas abroad if haply they might méet with him but for that euery thing requireth a time ere it can be done in the meane season Apollonius arriueth at Tharsus where walking along by the sea side he was espied by one of his owne seruauntes named Elinatus who landed there not long before and ouertooke him as he was going and comming neere vnto him with dutifull obeisance said vnto him God saue you prince Apollonius But he being saluted did euen so as noble men and princes vse to doe set light by him But Elinatus taking that behauiour vnkindly saluted him againe saying God saue you prince Apollonius salute me againe and despise not pouertie beautified with honestie And if you knewe that which I know you would take good heed to your self Then answered Apollonius If you thinke good I I pray you tell me Elinatus answered you are by proclamation commanded to be slaine And who said Apollonius dares commaund by proclamation the prince of a countrey to be slaine Antiochus said Elinatus Antiochus For what cause demanded Apollonius For that said Elinatus thou wouldst be vnto his daughter which he himselfe is Then demanded Apollonius for what summe of mony is my life sold by that proclamation Elinatus answered whosoeuer can bring you aliue vnto the king shall haue an hundred talents of gold in recompence but who so bringeth your head shall haue fiftie talents of gold for his labour and therefore I aduise you my lord to flie vnto some place for your defence and when he had so said he tooke his leaue and departed But Apollonius called him againe and said that hee would giue him an hundred talents of gold for said he receiue thus much now of my pouertie where nothing is now left vnto me but flight and pining misery Thou hast deserued the reward wherefore draw out thy sword and cut off my head present it to the king as the most ioyful sight in the world Thus mayst thou win an hundred talents of gold and remaine without all blame or note of ingratitude since I my selfe haue hyred thée in the kinges behalfe to gratefie him with so acceptable a present Then answered Elinatus God forbid my lord that by anie such sinister means I should deserue a reward In all my life I neuer consented to any such matter in my heart And my lord if the déed were good the loue of vertue were sufficient force to allure any man thereunto But since it respecteth your life to whome in consideration of the cause no man may doe violence without villanie I commit both you and your matter vnto God who no doubt will be your defender And when he had thus said he departed But Apollonius walked forth along vpon the shoare where he had not gone farre but he descried a man a farre off comming towardes him with heauie chéere and a sorrowfull countenance and his name was Stranguilio a Tharsian borne and of good reputation in the citie To whom saide Apollonius God saue you Stranguilio and he likewise resaluted him saying and you likewise my good lord Apollonius I pray you tel me what is the cause that you walk in this place thus troubled within your minde Apollonius answered because being promised to haue king Antiochus daughter to my wife if I told him the true meaning of his question nowe that I haue so done I am notwithstanding restrained from her Wherefore I request you it may so be that I may liue secretly in your citie for why I stand moreouer in some doubt of the kinges farther displeasure Stranguilio answered My lord Apollonius our citie at this present is verie poore and not able to sustaine the greatnesse of your dignitie and euen now we suffer great penurie and want of vittell insomuch that there remaineth small hope of
comfort vnto our citizens but that we shall all perish by extreme famine and now certes there resteth nothing but the fearefull image of gastly death before our eies When Apollonius heard these wordes he said vnto him Then giue thankes vnto God who in my flight hath brought me a land into your costes For I haue brought great store of prouision with me and I will presently giue vnto your citie an hundreth thousand bushels of wheate if you will onely conceale my comming hither At these wordes Stranguilio being strooken as it were into a sodaine amazednesse as it happeneth when a man is ouerioyed with some glad tidinges fell downe prostrate before prince Apollonius feete and saide My lord Apollonius if you coulde and also if it might please of your great goodnesse in such sort as you say to succour this afflicted and famished citie we wil not onely receiue you gladly and conceale your abode but also if néede so require willingly spend our liues in your quarrell Which promise of mine to the intent you may heare to be confirmed by the full consent of all the citizens might it please your Grace to enter into the citie and I most willingly will attend vpon you Apollonius agréed thereto and when they came into the citie he mounted vp into the place of iudgment to the intent he might the better be heard and gathering al the people togither thus hee spake vnto the whole multitude Ye citizens of Tharsus whom penurie of vittell pincheth at this present vnderstand ye that I Apollonius prince of Tirus am determined presently to relieue you In respect of which benefite I trust ye will be so thankfull as to conceale mine arriuing hither And know ye moreouer that not as being driuen away through the malice of king Antiochus but sayling along by the Seas I am happily fallen into your hauen Wherefore I meane to vtter vnto you an hundred thousand busshels of wheate paying no more than I bought it for in mine owne countrey that is to say eight péeces of brasse for euerie bushell When the citizens heard this they gaue a shout for ioy crying God saue my Lord Apollonius promising to liue and die in his quarrell and they gaue him wonderfull thankes and the whole citie was replenished with ioy and they went forthwith vnto the ships and bought the corne But Apollonius doubting lest by this déede he should séeme to put off the dignitie of a prince and put on the countenance of a merchant rather than a giuer when he had receiued the price of the wheate he restored it backe againe to the vse and commoditie of the same citie And when the citizens perceiued the great benefites which he had bestowed vpon their citie they erected in the marked place a monument in the memoriall of him his stature made of brasse standing in a charret holding corne in his right hand and spurning it with his left foot and on the baser foot of of the pillar whereon it stoode was ingrauen in great letters this superscription Apollonius prince of Tirus gaue a gift vnto the citie of Tharsus whereby hée deliuered it from a cruell death CHAP. IIII. How Apollonius departing from Tharsus by the perswasion of Stranguilio and Dionisiades his wife committed shipwracke and was relieued by Altistrates king of Pentapolis THus had not Apollonius aboden many daies in the citie of Tharsus but Stranguilio Dionisiades his wife earnestly exhorted him as séeming very carefull and tender of his welfare rather to addresse himselfe vnto Pentapolis or among the Tirenians as a place most fit for his securitie where he might lie and hide himselfe in greatest assurance tranquilitie Wherefore hereunto he resolued himselfe and with conuenient expedition prepared al things necessarie for the iourney And when the day of his departure was come he was brought with great honour by the citizens vnto his ships where with a courteous farewell on ech side giuen the marriners weighed anker hoysed sailes and away they goe committing themselues to the wind and water Thus sailed they forth along in their course thrée days and thrée nights with prosperous winde and weather vntill sodainly the whole face of heauen and sea began to change for the skie looked blacke and the Northerne wind arose and the tempest increased more and more insomuch that prince Apollonius and the Tyrians that were with him were much apalled and began to doubt of their liues But loe immediatly the winde blew fiercely from the South-west and the North came singing on the otherside the rain powred down ouer their heads and the sea yéelded forth waues as it had béene mountanes of water that the ships could no longer wrestle with the tempest and especially the admirall wherein the good prince himselfe fared but néeds must they yéeld vnto the present calamitie There might you haue heard the winds whistling the raine dashing the sea roaring the cables cracking y e tacklings breaking the shippe tearing the men miserable shouting out for their liues There might you haue séene the sea searching the shippe the bordes fléeting the goods swimming the treasure sincking the men shifting to saue themselues where partly through violence of the tempest and partly through darcknes of the night which then was come vpon them they were all drowned onely Apollonius excepted who by the grace of God and the helpe of a simple boord was driuen vpon the shoare of the Pentapolitanes And when he had recouered to land wearie as he was he stoode vpon the shoare and looked vpon the calme sea saying O most false and vntrustie sea I will choose rather to fall into the handes of the most cruell King Antiochus than venture to returne againe by thée into mine owne Countrey thou hast shewed thy spite vpon me and deuoured my trustie friendes and companions by meanes whereof I am nowe left alone and it is the prouidence of almightie God that I haue escaped thy gréedie iawes Where shall I now finde comfort or who will succour him in a strange place that is not knowen And whilest he spake these wordes hée sawe a man comming towardes him and he was a rough fisherman with an hoode vpon his head and a filthie leatherne pelt vpon his backe vnséemely clad and homely to beholde When hée drewe neare Apollonius the present necessitie constraining him thereto fell down prostrate at his féet and powring forth a floud of teares he said vnto him whosoeuer thou art take pitie vpon a poore sea-wracked man cast vp nowe naked and in simple state yet borne of no base degrée but sprung foorth of noble parentage And that thou maiest in helping me knowe whome thou succourest I am that Apollonius prince of Tyrus whome most part of the worlde knoweth and I beséech thée to preserue my life by shewing mée thy friendly reliefe When the fisherman beheld the comlinesse and beautie of the yoong Gentleman hée was mooned with compassion towardes him and lifted him vp from the ground and lead
countrey which had béen suters a long time vnto Lucina for marriage came vnto the Court and being brought into the kinges presence saluted him dutifully To whom the king said Gentlemen what is the cause of your comming They answered your Grace hath oftentimes promised to bestow your daughter in marriage vpon one of vs and this is the cause of our comming at this time Wee are your subiectes wealthie and descended of noble families might it therefore please your Grace to choose one among vs three to be your sonne in law Then answered the king you are come vnto me at an vnseasonable time for my daughter now applieth her studie and lieth sicke for the desire of learning and the time is much vnméet for marriage But to the intent you shall not altogither loose your labour nor that I will not seeme to deferre you too long write your names euery one seuerally in a péece of paper and what ioynter you will make and I will send the writinges to my daughter that she may choose him whom she best liketh of They did forthwith as the king had counselled them and deliuered the writings vnto the king which hee read and signed them and deliuered them vnto Apollonius saying Take here these billes and deliuer them to your scholler which Apollonius receiued and tooke them immediatly vnto the ladie Lucina Now when she sawe her schoolemaister whom she loued so entirely she saide vnto him Maister what is the cause that you come alone into my chamber Apollonius answered Madame I haue brought writings from the king your father which he willeth you to reade Lucina then receiued the writinges and brake them vp and when she had read the names of the three noblemen her suters shée threw away the billes and looking vpon Apollonius said vnto him My welbeloued Schoolemaister Apollonius doth it not gréeue you that I shall be married vnto another Apollonius answered No madame it gréeueth not me for whatsoeuer shall be for your honour shall be vnto me profitable Then said Lucina Maister if you loued me you woulde be sorie and therewithall she called for inke and paper and wrote an answere vnto her father in forme following Gracious king and deare father forasmuch as of your goodnesse you haue giuen me free choice and libertie to write my minde these are to let you vnderstand that I would marry with the Sea-wrecked man and with none other your humble daughter Lucina and when she had sealed it she deliuered it vnto Apollonius to be carried vnto the king When the king had receiued the letters he perused them wherein he perceiued his daughters minde not knowing whom she meant by the sea-wrecked man and therfore turning himselfe towardes the thrée Noblemen hée demaunded of them which of them had suffered shipwracke Then one of them named Ardonius answered If it like your Grace I haue suffred shipwrack The other twaine named Munditius and Carnillus when they heard him say so waxed wroth and fel into termes of outrage against him saying sicknesse and the fiends of hell consume thee for thy foule impudent lie doe not we who are thy equals both of birth and age know right well that thou neuer wentest almost out of this citie gates And how couldest thou then suffer shipwracke Nowe when the king Altistrates could not finde out which of them had suffered shipwrack he looked towards Apollonius saying Take these letters and read them for it may be that I doe not knowe him whom thou knowest who was present Apollonius receiuing the letters perused them quickly and perceiuing himselfe to be loued blushed wonderfully Then said the king to Apollonius hast thou found the sea-wrecked man But Apollonius answered litle or nothing wherein his wisedome the rather appeared according to the saying of the wise man In many words there wanteth discretion where as cōtrariwise many an vndiscréet person might be accounted wise if hee had but this one point of wisdom to hold his tongue wherin indéed consisteth the whole triall or rather insight of a man as signified the most wise Philosopher Socrates CHAP. VII How Apollonius was married to the ladie Lucina and hearing of king Antiochus death departeth with his wife towards his owne countrey of Tyrus BUt to returne againe to my storie from which I haue digressed when king Altistrates perceiued that Apollonius was the man whom his daughter Lucina disposed in her heart to preferre in loue before anie of the other three noble men hée found meanes to put them off for that present saying that hee would talke with them farther concerning that matter another time who taking their leaue immediatly departed but the king withdrew himself into the chamber where his daughter lay sicke and sayd vnto her whom haue you chosen to be your husband To whom Lucina humbling her selfe and with trickling teares answered Gratious Prince and deare father I haue chosen in my heart the Sea-wrecked man my schoolemaister Apollonius for whom I most duetifully desire your fatherly goodwil when the king saw her teares his heart bled inwardly with compassion toward his childe whom hee loued tenderly and he kissed her and saide vnto her My swéete Lucina be of good cheere and take not thought for anie thing and assure thy selfe thou hast chosen the man that I liked of assoone as I first sawe him whom I loue no lesse than thee that is to say than if hee were my naturall childe And therefore since the matter is nowe thus fallen out I meane forthwith to appoint a day for your marriage after that I haue broken the matter vnto Apollonius And when he had said that Lucina with blushing cheekes thanked her Father much and he departed Nowe would I demand of louers whether Lucina reioyced or not or whether there were anie better tidings in the worlde coulde chance to a man or woman I am sure they would answer no. For such is the nature of this affection that it preferreth the beloued person aboue all earthly thinges yea and heauenly too vnlesse it be brideled with reason as the same likewise though moderately and within the boundes of modest womanhoode working the woonted effect in the ladie Lucina reuiued her so presently that shee forsooke her bed and cast away her mourning apparrell and appeared as it had been a newe woman restored from death to life and that almost in a moment The king being alone in the parlour called for Apollonius and when he was come he said thus vnto him Apollonius the vertue which I haue seene in thee I haue testified by my liberalitie towards thee and thy trustinesse is prooued by committing mine onelie childe and daughter to thine instruction As these haue caused mée to preferre thée so haue they made my daughter to loue thee so that I am as well contented with the one as I am well pleased with the other And for thy part likewise I hope Apollonius that as thou hast been glad to be my client thou wilt reioyce as much
to be my sonne in law Tell me thy minde out of hand for I attend thine answere Then Apollonius much abashed at the kinges talke falling downe vpon his knees answered Most gratious soueraigne your wordes sound so strangely in mine eares that I scarsly know how to giue answer your goodnesse hath been so great towardes me that I can wish for no more But since it is your Graces pleasure that I should not be indebted to many but owe all thing vnto you as life and wife honour and goods and all you shall not find me vnthankful howsoeuer God or fickle fortune deale with me to remaine both loyall and constant to you and your daughter whom aboue all creatures both for birth and beauty and good qualities I loue and honour most intirely Altistrates reioiced much to heare so wise and conformable an answere and embracing Apollonius called him by the name of deare beloued sonne The next day morning the king addressed his messengers purseuants to assemble the nobliest of his subiects frends out of the confederat cities and countries and to shew them that he had certaine affaires to communicat vnto them and when they were come altogither vnto Pentapolis after due gréeting and accustomable intertainment shewed as in the maner of great estates he said thus vnto them My louing friends and faithfull subiects my meaning was to let you vnderstand that my daughter is desirous to marrie with her schoolemaster Apollonius and I am wel pleased therwith Wherfore I beséech you all to reioyce thereat and be glad for my daughter shalbe matched to a wise man And know you moreouer that I appoint this day sir wéekes for the solemnization day of the marriage at what time I desire you all to be here present that like friends we may reioyce and make merry togither and when he had all said he dismissed the assembly Now as the time wore away so the wedding day drue néere and there was great preparation made aswell for the feast as for iewels and rich clothes to furnish the bridegrome and bride withall as althing els that appertaine to the beautifiyng of so great a wedding And when the day was come the king apparrelled in his princely robes with a diadem of great price vpon his head accompanied his daughter Lucina and Apollonius vnto the Church whom thousands of lordes and ladies followed after all cloathed in rich attire and marshalled in comely order The bride woare on a gowne of cloth of gold cut drawen out with cloth of siluer and a kirtle of crimsin veluet imbrodered with pure golde and thickly beset with orientall pearles Her haire hung downe in tresses fairely broided with a lace of gold and a Coronet vpon her head set with pretious stones of inestimable value Her necke was bare whereby her naked skinne appeared whiter than the driuen snowe curiously bedecked with chaines of golde and euery other lincke enameled with blacke amell Great baudrickes of perfect goldsmithes worke vppon eche arme to fasten the sléeues of her garment from sliding vp at the wreast Lastly a massie collar of fine golde made esse wise vppon her shoulders hanging down behinde and before with a Diamond reaching downe vnto her middle estéemed in value at thréescore thousand pound which the king her father had sent vnto her for a present that morning while she was apparrelling The bridegrome wore on a dublet and hosen of costly cloth of siluer garded with Goldsmithes worke of the same colour and a gowne of purple Satten embroidred with golde and beset with rich stones His cap was of fine blacke Ueluet all ouer bespangled with Rubies set in gold and fastned on by loopes the band of massie golde beset with courses of stones in order first a Rubie then a Turkeis then a Diamond and so beginning againe with a Rubie This was their raiment and thus went they forth togither hand in hand after whom as is already declared the lordes and ladies followed by thrée and thrée in a ranke When the solemnities were done at the Church and the wordes spoken and the Princes ioyned in marriage they returned home and went to dinner What shall I nowe speake of the noble cheare and Princely prouision for this feast And after dinner of the exquisite Musicke fine dauncing heauenly singing sweete deuising and pleasant communication among the estates I may not discourse at large of the liberall challenges made and proclaimed at the tilt barriers running at the ring ioco di can managing fierce horses running a foote and daunsing in armour And at night of the gorgeous plaies shewes disguised spéeches masks and mummeries with continuall harmony of all kindes of musicke and banquetting in all delicacie All these thinges I leaue to the consideration of them which haue seene the like in the Courts and at the weddinges of Princes where they haue seene more than my simple pen is able to describe or may be comprehended within the recital of so short an historie When night was come and reuels were ended the bride was brought to bed and Apollonius tarried not long from her where hee accomplished the duties of marriage and faire Lucina conceiued childe the same night The next daie euery man arose to feasting and iollitie for the wedding triumphes continued an whole moneth This while Lucinas bellie began to grow and as it fortuned that the lord Apollonius and his ladie on a day walked along the sea side for their disporte hée sawe a faire shippe fléeting vnder saile which hée knew well to be of his countrey and he hallowed vnto the maister whose name was Calamitus and asked of him of whence his ship was The maister answered of Tyrus Thou hast named my coūtry said Apollonius Art thou then of Tyrus said the maister yea answered Apollonius Then said the maister knowest thou one Apollonius prince of that countrey If thou doe or shalt heare of him heereafter bid him now be glad and reioyce for king Antiochus and his daughter are strooken dead with lightning from heauen And the Citie of Antiochia with all the riches and the whole kingdome are reserued for Apollonius With these words the ship being vnder saile departed Apollonius being filled with gladnes immediatly began to breake with his ladie to giue him leaue to go and receiue his kingdom But when faire Lucina heard him beginne to mooue words of departing she burst out into teares saying My Lorde if you were nowe in some farre countrie and heard say that I were néere my time to be deliuered you ought to make haste home vnto me But since you be nowe with me and know in what case I am me thinks you should not now desire to depart from me Howbeit if your pleasure be so and tarriance bréede danger and kingdomes want not heirs long as I would not perswade you to tarry so doe I request you to take me with you This discréete answere pleased Apollonius well wherefore he kissed his lady and they agréed it
kéepe hollyday saue I onely and let it suffice vnto my seruants that I only remaine in sorrow and heauinesse Howbeit I giue vnto them ten péeces of gold to buy what they will to keepe holyday withall But whosoeuer shall call me vnto the feast or goe about to prouoke me vnto mirth I commaund that his thighes shall be broken So the cater tooke the money and went aland and prouided necessaries and returned againe vnto the ship CHAP. XVI How Athanagoras prince of Machilenta seeing the beautie of Apollonius ship went aboord of it and did the best he could to comfort him AS fortune thereto serued and delight to take the fresh aire moued Athanagoras prince of y e Citie to walk toward the sea side he sawe Apollonius ships riding at anker at the view wherof he tooke great pleasure especially at y e Admirall which was a great ship and a beautiful wherin Apollonius himself was carried the like whereof haply he had not séene often before This was that Athanagoras that loued Tharsia so tenderly and he haled vnto the Marriners and asked of whence that faire ship was The marriners answered that she came now from Tharsus Truly said Athanagoras it is a faire shippe and well appointed and of all that I haue seene I like best of her Now when the Marriners heard their shippe so highly commended they desired him to come aboord whereunto he willingly graunted And when he was come abord he sate downe with them at meat and he drue his purse and laid downe ten péeces of gold vpon the table saying you shall not say that you haue bidden an vnthankfull person take this small summe of money at my handes for a reward and they thanked him But when he was set downe and beheld al that sate at the boord hee demaunded who was owner of the ship and where he was The maister answered our owner is sicke and weake with sorrowe and taking thought and néedes will die He lost his wife vppon the Sea and his daughter in a strange land Athanagoras said vnto one of the seruants called Ardalius I will giue thée two péeces of gold to go down and tell thy master that the prince of this Citie desireth him to come vp out of darkenesse into light The seruaunt answered I cannot buy new thighes for thy golde and therefore get some man els to go on the errand for he hath said that whosoeuer troubleth him his thighes shall be broken That law hath he made ouer you saide Athanagoras and not ouer mee and therefore I will go downe vnto him but first tell me I pray you what you call his name They answered Apollonius And when he heard that name hee remembred in his minde that hee heard Tharsia call her father so and he went downe vnto him where he lay whom when hee beheld hauing a long beard and rough fligged haire and long nailes on his fingers he was somewhat astonied and called vnto him with a soft voice saying Apollonius When Apollonius heard himselfe named thinking it had been some of his men that had called him arose vp sodainly with a fierce countenance and seeing a stranger looking verie comely and honourably attired he held his peace Then spake Athanagoras Sir I thinke you doe maruell that I being a stranger am so bold as to come to trouble you You shall vnderstand that I am prince of this citie and my name is Athanagoras I walked by chance vnto the Sea side where beholding thy ships especially commending this wherin thou art for beautie and strength I was by thy men desired to come aboord which I did and haue eaten with them Then inquired I for the owner and they told me thy name and that thou remainest in great sorrow and for that cause I am come downe vnto thée to bring thée if I may out of darkenesse into light hoping that after this heauinesse God shal restore thée vnto gladnesse Apollonius lifted vp his eies saying I thanke thee my Lord whosoeuer thou art and I beseech thee not to trouble me longer for I am not worthy to eate meat or make good cheare I will liue no longer Athanagoras much mused at this answere and wondred at the wilfulnesse of the man and came vp vppon the becke and saide vnto the seruauntes I cannot perswade your lord to come vp out of that darke place into the light what way therefore were I best to deuise to bring him from his purpose and to preserue him from an obstinate death For it were great pitie that a notable gentleman should so consume away in hucker mucker and die by a dishonourable death CHAP. XVII How Athanagoras sent for Tharsia to make her father Apollonius merry and how after long circumstance they came into knowledge one of another ANd as he was deuising with himselfe it came into his mind to send for the maidē Tharsia for which purpose hee called vnto him one of his men and saide vnto him Go vnto the baud desire him to send Tharsia hither vnto me for she hath wisdom can moue pleasant talke and perhaps she may perswade him not to die thus wilfully The messenger went speedily returned immediatly bringing the maiden Tharsia with him vnto the ship Whom when Athanagoras beheld come hither vnto me Tharsia quoth he and shew now the vttermost of thy cunning and knowledge in comforting the owner of the ship which lieth in darknes and will receiue no comfort nor come abroad into the light for the great sorrow that he taketh for his wife and his daughter Goe vnto him good Tharsia and proue if thou canst perswade him to come into the light for it may be that God hath appointed by thy meanes to bring him from sorrowe into gladnesse Which thing if thou canst bring to passe as I am a gentleman I will giue thée thirtie sestercies of gold and as many of siluer and I will redéeme thee from the bawd for thirtie dayes When Tharsia heard this she went boldly downe into the caben vnto him and with a milde voice saluted him saying God saue you sir whosoeuer you be and be of good comfort for an innocent virgin whose life hath béen distressed by shipwracke and her chastitie by dishonestie and yet hath both preserued saluteth thee Then began she to record in verses and therewithall to sing so sweetly that Apollonius notwithstanding his great sorrow wondred at her And these were the verses which she soong so pleasantly vnto the instrument Amongst the harlots foule I walke yet harlot none am I The Rose amongst the Thorns grows and is not hurt thereby The thiefe that stole me sure I thinke is slaine before this time A bawd me bought yet am I not defilde by fleshly crime Were nothing pleasanter to me than parents mine to know I am the issue of a king my bloud from kings doth flow I hope that God will mend my state and send a better day Leaue off your teares plucke vp your heart and banish
which I beleeuing to be true put on mourning attire and desired nothing so much as to die and while I was in that extremitie of sorrowe and determined to haue sayled vnto Tyrus while I was on my way vpon the sea the winde turned and there arose a tempest and draue me vnto the citie Machilenta where my daughter was restored vnto me Then went I with my sonne in law and my daugter once againe to haue sailed vnto Tyrus by Tharsus and as I was now in the iourney I was admonished in my sleepe by an Angell to turne my course vnto Ephesus and there in the temple to declare aloud al my aduentures that had befallen me since my youth vnto this present day which hath hitherto guided me in all my troubles will nowe send an happy end vnto all mine afflictions CHAP. XX. How Apollonius came to the knowledge of his wife the ladie Lucina and how they reioyced at the meeting of ech other THe ladie Lucina was not so busie in executing her office in the Church but that she gaue also attentiue eare vnto her lord Apollonius talke whom at the first she knew not But when shee heard the long discourse whereby she knewe by all signes that hee was her husband and shee was his wife her heart burned within her and she could scarce temper her affections vntill hee had done talking Yet measuring her loue with modestie as nowe of long time hauing learned the true trade of pacience shee gaue him libertie to make an end which done shee ran hastily vnto him and embraced him hard in her armes and woulde haue kissed him Which thing when Apollonius sawe hee was mooued with disdaine and thrust her from him as misliking such lightnesse in her whose modestie and good grace hee had so lately before commended in his heart and nothing at all suspecting that she had béen his wife Then shee pouring foorth teares aboundantly O my lord Apollonius said she the one halfe of my life why deale you thus vngently with me I am your wife daughter vnto Altistrates king of Pentapolis and my name is Lucina And you are Apollonius prince of Tyrus my lord and deare husband and you are my schoolemaister which taught mée musicke and moreouer you are the Sea-wrecked man whom I especially loued aboue many not for concupiscence sake but for desire of wisedome When Apollonius heard those words he was sodainly astonied and as the strangenes of the chance appalled him much so the great ioy reuiued his spirites againe and he cast his eies earnestly vppon her and immediatly called her to remembrance and knewe perfitly that it was shée indéede and hée went vnto her and fell vppon her necke and for excéeding ioy brast out into teares and then lifting vp his handes and eyes to heauen hee saide Blessed be the moste mightie God of heauen which sitteth aboue and beholdeth the state of men on earth and dealeth with them according to his great mercie who nowe also of his vnspeakeable goodnesse hath restored vnto mée my wife and my daughter Then did hee most louingly embrace and kisse his ladie whom he supposed long before to be dead and shée likewise requited him with the like fruites of good will and courtesie whom she surely thought she should neuer haue séene againe And when they had continued a good space in intertaining the one another O my moste deare lord Apollonius saide the lady Lucina where is my childe whereof I was deliuered Apollonius aunswered my best beloued ladie it was a daughter and she was named Tharsia and this is she and therewithal he shewed her Tharsia Then kissed and embraced she her daughter and likewise her sonne in law Athanagoras and they greatly reioyced one in another And when report héereof was spread abroad there was great ioy throughout all the Citie of Ephesus and the report was blowen about in euerie place how prince Apollonius had found out his ladie and wife among the Nunnes in the Temple Then Lucina discoursed vnto her lord and husband Apollonius of all the strange accidents that happened vnto her after his casting her forth into the Sea Namely howe her chest was cast on land at the coast of Ephesus and taken vp by a Phisition and how she was reuiued and by him adopted and for preseruation of her honestie placed among the Nunnes in the Temple of Diana where hee then found her accordingly as it appeareth before in the historie wherefore they blessed the name of God and yéelded most heartie thankes vnto him that hée had preserued them thitherto and graunted them so ioyfull a meeting CHAP. XXI How Apollonius departed from Ephesus and sailed himselfe his wife his sonne and daughter vnto Antiochia and then to Tyrus and from thence to Tharsus where he reuenged himselfe vpon Stranguilio and Dionisiades APollonius and Lucina his wife and the residue of their traine hauing rested themselues and made merrie sufficient time at Ephesus when the winde serued tooke leaue of their friendes and went aboord of their ships and lanched from the shore and departed vnto Antiochia where according as Calamitus the maister of the ship of Tyrus had tolde him before the kingdome was reserued for him since the death of Antiochus But when the citizens heard that he was arriued they were all exceeding glad and put on their brauest apparell and garlandes of bayes vpon their heads and went forth in procession to méet him and brought him in triumph into the Citie and crowned him king with all ioy and gladnesse And when all the solemnities of the coronation the feastes triumphes largesses and pardons were finished hée abode with them certaine daies to dispose some matters in order that required redresse and to establish certaine lawes for the due administration of iustice Which being all accomplished according to his desire he tooke his leaue of the Citizens and with his wife sonne and daughter departed to the sea and sayled vnto Tyrus his owne natiue country where he was ioyfully receiued of his subiects and found his kingdome gouerned in good order There placed he for his lieuetenant his sonne in lawe Athanagoras which had married his daughter Tharsia to rule the countrey in his absence and when he had aboden a conuenient time amongst them to make merrie and to prouide necessaries for his farther affaires he leuied in shorter space a mightie armie of the best approoued souldiours with sufficient store of money and munition and taking with him moreouer his lady and his daughter Tharsia tooke shipping in the hauen and had so prosperous winde that in few dayes they landed in the coast of Tharsus And when they were come all ashoare they marched forward in battell aray and came into the Citie to the great terrour of al the inhabitantes When hee was come into the market place he commaunded that Stranguilio and Dionisiades should be brought before him which being done he thus spake vnto the people Ye Citizens of Tharsus I am come hither in armes
as you sée not moued by my will but constrained by iniurie Wherfore tell me was I euer vnthankfull vnto your Citie in generall or vnto any of you al in particular They all aunswered with one voice no my lord and therfore wee are ready all to spend our liues in thy quarrell and as thou knowest well wée haue erected heere in perpetuall memorie of thee a statue of brasse because thou preseruedst vs from death and our citie from vtter destruction Then said Apollonius vnderstand then this much my friends that when I departed last from this citie I committed my daughter in trust vnto Stranguilio and his wife Dionisiades and when I came to require her they woulde not deliuer her vnto me nor tell me the trueth what is become of her Immediatly they were both called forth to aunswere vnto these matters before Apollonius where falling downe on their knees before him Dionisides answered in this manner My lord I beséech you stand fauourable vnto my poore husband and mee and not to beleeue any other thing concerning your daughter then that shée is departed this life And as for hir graue you haue seene it and also the monument of brasse erected by the whole citie in the memoriall of her and moreouer you haue read the superscription Then Apollonius commaunded his daughter to stand foorth in the presence of them all and shée saide vnto Dionisiades beholde thou wicked woman dead Tharsia is come to greete thée who as thou diddest well hope shoulde neuer haue béen forth comming to haue bewrayed thy wickednesse But when the miserable woman beheld Tharsia her heart quaked for feare and shée fell to the ground in a swoond and when shée recouered againe shee cried out vppon the iust iudgement of God and cursed the time that shee was borne And all the people ranne thronging about Tharsia and wondered at her thinking howe greatly they had been of long time abused by Stranguilio and Dionisiades and they reioyced much in her safetie and all knewe by her countenance that it was shée and none other O now who were able to declare the bitter griefe and intollerable care which eftsoones assaied the wearisome consciences of these twaine the husband and the wife when they sawe her liuing and in good liking before their faces whose death they had so traiterously conspired Euen hell it selfe is not comparable vnto so heauie a burden the vnspeakable weight whereof all men ought to feare and none can sufficiently describe vnlesse hée haue been semblably plunged in the like gulfe of horrible desperation Then Tharsia called for Theophilus Stranguilios villaine and when hée was come into her presence shée saide vnto him Theophilus aunswere mée aloud that all the people may heare who sent thee forth to slay me Hee aunswered Dionisiades my Mistresse What mooued her thereunto saide Tharsia None other thing I suppose saide the villaine but to enioy the money and ornamentes and also because thy beautie and comelinesse were commended aboue Philomacias her daughters Nowe when the people heard this they ranne vppon Stranguilio and Dionisiades and tooke them violently and bound them and drew them out of the citie and stoned them to death and would likewise haue slaine Theophilus the villaine for that that at his mistresse commandement he would haue murdered the innocent maiden But Tharsia intreated for him saying Not so my deare friends I pray you let me obtaine pardon for him at your handes for vnlesse he had giuen me respite to say my praiers I had not been heere now to haue spoken for him and when she had said so the furious multitude was appeased And Apollonius gaue many exceeding rich giftes vnto the citie and repared it strongly in many places where it was decaied and abode there with them the space of three monthes in feasting and making merry before he departed CHAP. XXII How Apollonius sailed from Tharsus to visite his father in law Altistrates king of Pentapolis who died not long after Apollonius comming thither THe terme of thrée monethes that Apollonius purposed for his delight to remaine at Tharsus was almost expired and he cōmanded all things to be prepared for the iourney and when the day was come hee made generall proclamation vppon paine of death euery man to ship And when the whole army was imbarked he took ship himselfe with his wife and his daughter being honourably accompanied by the citizens vnto the water side and after due courtesie on both sides done and receiued hee hoysed sayle and departed towardes Pentopolis king Altistrates Citie And when they had sailed with prosperous winde ten dayes vppon the Sea they discouered a farre off the Steeples and Towres of Pentapolis and the Souldiers reioyced and gaue a shout for gladnesse that they were so neere to their wished land Then they cast about and cut towards the hauen and cast anker and landed all safe and Apollonius with his wife and daughter after hee had taken order for the companie rode vnto the court vnto king Altistrates whom they found in good health and merry And when Altistrates saw his sonne in lawe his daughter and his neece Tharsia hee bid them welcome and reioyced exceedingly and sent for the Nobles of his land to keepe them companie and gaue them the best entertainement that hee could deuise and they soiourned with him an whole yeare in pleasure and pastime whereof the king tooke as great comfort as was possible for a man to doe in any worldly felicitie But as there was neuer yet any thing certaine or permanent in this mortall life but alwaies we be requited with sowre sauce to our sweete meate and when wee thinke our selues surest in the top of ioy then tilt wée downe soonest into the bottome of sorrow so fared it now vnto these personages in the midst of their iollitie For the good old king Altistrates fell sodainly sick which much appalled them all and grew euerie day weaker than other Then were the Phisitions sent for in haste who left nothing vntried that appertained vnto Art and experience to doe and aboue all Apollonius and Lucina his wife plaied the parts of duetifull children in tendring their aged and weake father with all care and diligence possible But alas olde age which of it selfe is an vncurable sickenesse and had béene growing nowe well nigh an hundred yeares lacking seuen vpon him accompanied with the intollerable paine of the gowt and the stone of the bladder had consumed naturall moisture so that his force gaue ouer to the disease and shortely after changed this transitorie life for a better When report was spread abroad of the kings death there was great sorrowe and lamentation made in all places neither was there any that tooke not grieuously the losse of so good a Prince But to describe the inward affliction of Apollonius and the teares of the Ladie Lucina and Tharsia her daughter woulde make any heart of flint to bléede considering the tender affections of women aboue men and howe prone
they bee that way yea sometime God knowes in smaller causes than at the death of husband father or mother But as al things haue their time so haue sorrowe and teares also which are best dried vp with the towell of continuaunce which gaue nowe iust occasion vnto Apollonius to cast off drowsie sorrowe and to prouide for the funeralles of his father in lawe which he accomplished with so seasonable expedition and in so honourable a sort as was féemely for so mighty a king and so vertuous a prince whome hée buried among the auntient race of Kings his auncestours in the Temple within the citie of Pentapolis Which beeing all finished as it is also a worke of charitie to fulfill the will of the dead he applied himselfe to execute his fathers testament wherin he had giuen halfe his kingdome vnto Apollonius and the other halfe to Tharsia his néece to haue and to holde to them and to their heires for euer CHAP. XXIII ¶ How Apollonius rewarded the fisherman that releeued him after hee had suffered shipwracke howe hee dealt also with olde Calamitus and likewise with the Pyrates that stole away Tharsia BY this time when all cares were banished and Apollonius inioyed his kingdome in quiet possession he gaue himselfe sometimes to delight as other Princes are wont to do And it fortuned that on a day when he had dined he walked foorth for recreation vnto the sea side with his wife and a fewe seruants And when hée came there he sawe a small fisher boat fléeting vnder saile which hee thought by all signes he should knowe well for hee supposed it to be the fishermans boat which succoured him when he had suffered shipwracke in sailing from Tharsus towardes Pentapolis Wherefore hee commaunded some of his seruantes to take an other shippe which rode at anchor there on the shore to go after and take him and to bring the fisherman vnto him vnto the Court When the poore man saw himselfe boorded of so many and so gay a multitude hée feared they had béene pyrates and that they woulde haue slaine him and he fell downe on his knées and besought them to haue compassion vpon him he was but a poore fisherman and had not that which they sought for it were others that were more fit for their purpose to méete withall such as ventured further in greater vesselles carrying foorth great summes of money and bringing home plenty of costly merchandize As for him they should not only find miserable pouertie in ransacking his boat but if they were also determined to take away his life from him they should likewise with the same stroke bereaue the liues of his poore wife and many small Children which were maintained by his hand onely These or the like words vttered then the poore fisherman But they smiling in their conceits and mindefull of their Princes commaundement bade him not feare that they would robbe him but saide that he must goe with them and brought him away vnto the court And when he was come into the kings presence Apollonius knewe him well and saide vnto the Quéene and the Nobles that were about him Beholde this is the man that receiued me into his house and succoured mée when I suffered shipwracke and shewed me the way into the Citie by which meanes I came acquainted with good king Altistrates And he rose out of his seate and embraced him and said I am Apollonius Prince of Tyrus whome thou diddest succour and therefore bée of good chéere for thou shalt be rewarded And the poore fisherman wept excéedingly for ioy And Apollonius commaunded two hundred sestereies of gold to be giuen vnto him and thirty seruants and twenty handmaides and fortie horses and fiftie sutes of apparell and a faire pallace to dwel in and made him an earle and vsed no man so familiarly as he did him all the dayes of his life Nowe it was not long after that these things were done but one called Calamitus the master of the ship of Tyrus an olde man who as we haue before declared shewed vnto Apollonius as hée was walking by the sea side with Lucina that Antiochus and his daughter were dead and the kingdome was reserued for him came before Apollonius and falling downe on his knées Remember me my most gratious Lorde Apollonius saide hée since the time I tolde your grace the good tidings of king Antiochus death Then king Apollonius tooke him vp by the hand and caused him to sit downe by him and talked familiarly with him and gaue him great thankes and made him a great lord in his countrey Thus Apollonius busied himselfe not onely in bestowing himselfe curteously at home but he also prouided as well for the quiet gouernement of the state abroad as it appeared by the diligence of his officers who hauing lately taken certaine pyrates vpon the sea brought them to Pentapolis where Apollonius then remained to haue iustice executed vpon them When they were arriued they were found guilty of the facte of which they were accused and the next day being appointed for them to suffer when they came vnto the gallowes they confessed many robberies and among store how once at Tharsus they rescued a maide named Tharsia from a villaine that woulde haue slaine her and brought her to Machilenta where they solde her to him that offered most money and hée which bought her as they thought was a bawd When the citizens who were none of them ignorant of the Ladie Tharsias aduentures heard this they stayed execution and sent word vnto king Apollonius saying May it please your grace to vnderstand that we haue certaine pyrates at the gallowes ready to be exeted it appeareth that they be those that stole away the Lady Tharsia your daughter from Tharsus and sold her to the bawd at Machilenta Which when we perceiued we thought it good to know your Graces pleasure what shall be doone with them Apollonius thanked them and willed the pirats to be brought before him examined them diligently and found that they were the same men indéede that had preserued Tharsias life And hée gaue great thankes vnto God and them and imbraced them willingly pardoned them their liues And for that he knew that the sinister means which they hitherto had insued was caused most by constraint for want of other trade or abilitie to liue by he therefore made them all knights and gaue them plenty of gold and siluer and indowed them also with great possessions CHAP. XXIIII ¶ How Apollonius had a yoong sonne and heire by his wife Lucina likewise of Apollonius age and how he died with some other accidents thereunto incident WHile king Apollonius thus passed foorth his time in rewarding his friends which had doone him pleasure in his aduersitie the part of a thankeful and good natured man and also vnto his enemies in ministring iustice with mercie which is the duetie of a vertuous prince the quéene Lucina in the meane season conceiued childe and grewe euery daie