what shée was as thoughe they had benne Tokens from Alcamenes Then mette I with Theagenes and asked him where those were who were the Dooers of the Roialtie aforsaide The Maides quoth he are gonne awaie before that thei maie take the easier iournies and the yonge menne wil tarry no longer but make much adoo and greate prouision to returne to their Conntrie When I knewe this I tolde him what he should both saie to them and doo him selfe and gaue him charge that he should waite vntil I gaue him a Token what he shoulde doo And so I leafte him and wente to the Temple of Apollo to praie the God that he woulde instructe me as concerninge my flighte with the yonge couple But the God was quicker then any man would thinke who helpeth those that doo their businesse accordinge to his wil although he be not called vpon oftentimes preuentinge theire praiers with the readinesse of his good wil as euen then it happened that he preuented my question with the answeare and did in déede declare his helpe and pleasure For as much as a certaine voice staied me as I wente by to a Prophetesse and was very careful for the perfourmance of that I determined whiche saide you maie make haste when the strangers calle you who at that time with the noyse of Shames made a Banquette in the honoure of Hercules I wente not so faste after I hearde this for I might not goe paste when God had called me After I had with Frankensence perfumed offered water they séemed to woonder at the coste of my Oblations yet for al that they desired me to take parte of theire Banquette I did so after I sate downe on a Benche whiche they had strewed with Myrte Lawrel for strangers and had eaten such meate as I was accustomed to doo I said vnto theÌ„ good felowes I thanke you for my goo chéere But I am vtterly ignorante of your Demeanour wherefore it is time that ye tel me what ye are and whence ye comme For it is an vnséemely and very rude thinge that those who haue donne Sacrifice and Banquetted togeather and made holy meate at the beginninge of their friendeship should departe without either knowinge others affaires Then they tolde me that they were Merchauntes of Tyros in Phoenicia and that they sailed to Carthage in Aphrique with a Shippe fraughted with Merchandyse of India Aethiopia and Phoenicia At this time we make a Banquette to Hercules of Tyros for a Victorie which we haue gotten in as muche as this yonge man pointing to him that sate before me gotte the beste game at Wrastlinge whereby he hathe proued that a Tyrian maie gette the Victorie in the middest of the Greekes For he after wée had sayled paste Malea and by force of Tempeste were constrained to lande at the Ilande of the people of Cephalem sware vnto vs by this our Countrie God that in his sléepe it was tolde him he shoulde obtaine the Victory in these sportes of Apollo And when he had perswaded vs to turne from our intended course and lande here he made proufe by déede that his Prophecie was true So that nowe he is denounced a famous Conquerour that was but late a Marchante who also as a thankes geuinge for his victorie dothe this Sacrifice to the God who was his Conductor And to morowe if the winde serue wée will leaue this coaste Haue you determined this in déede saide I Yea verily answeared they you shall then if you please haue my company For I haue a viage into Sicilia for a certaine cause and you sailynge into Aphryke muste passe by it You shall be welcome ê™ they if you will for wée suppose wée shal want no commoditie if wée haue with vs a Wise man and a Grecian and suche a one as by experience may be proued that he is wel beloued of the Goddes I would saide I to them if you will graunte me but one daie to make my prouision You shall haue to morrowe ê™ they on condition that aboute night you wilbe at the Sea For wée commonly sayle by night for that the windes that come then from the earthe doo calmely fill our sayles I made bargayne that I woulde doo so bindinge them firste by Othe that they should not departe before their promised time was expired And so I lefte them there yet pipinge and dauncinge after the manner of the Assyrans sometime leapinge alofte sometime bendinge their bodyes downewarde and like suche as were inspired with some God writhinge them selues Then wente I to Cariclia and founde her holdinge in her lappe the Iewels whiche Caricles gaue her and earnestly vewed them After I wente to Theagenes and when I had tolde them bothe what they shoulde doo and when I wente to mine owne lodgyng diligently consideringe of that which should be done The nexte daie thus did thei About midnight wheÌ„ al the Cittie was faste asléepe a crewe of armed yonge men came to the house of Cariclia the Captayne of this amorous warre was Theagenes who taught his youthes after their braue Pompe to plaie the Souldiers They suddainely made those afrayde which perceiued a little with their greate clamour classhynge of their armour so that with greate lighte they brake into her house liftinge the doore aside easily for that it was prouided before it shoulde not be very harde barred and tooke her awaie wel prepared for that shée knew hereof before and with good will suffered this assaulte and caried a greate deale of stuffe suche as the Mayde commaunded them away also After they came out of the house they sounded a warlike crie and made a terrible noyse with their Harnesse and so passed through the Cittie and caste the Inhabitantes thereof into a woonderful feare by reason that they had chosen the night for none other pourpose but that they might be the more feared So that Pernassus gaue an Eccho backe to their noyse After they were gone out of the Cittie as faste as they coulde they hied them on Horsebacke into the Mountaines of Locrus and Oeta But Theagenes and Cariclia as was before concluded foresooke the Thessalians and came to me priuily and fell bothe in greate feare at my féete and still cried saue vs Father Cariclia saide no more but helde downe her heade as though shée were ashamed of that shée had donne But Theagenes saide more Calasiris saue vs beinge Strangers and bannished our Countries depriued of all our Friendes that amonge them all wée might winne our selues Saue our bodies hereafter committed to Fortune whiche also are made bonde to chaste Loue. Saue vs by our owne accorde bannished yet glad thereof and suche as haue sette all their sauegarde on you I was moued herewith and after I had wepte rather with my harte then mine eies so that the yonge folkes perceiued it not yet it eased my griefe I comforted and imboldened them At a woorde I badde them hope for a luckie ende in that this
thorough which the passages to them by ofte vse are very easy but to others harde they haue made it a sure defence that by no sodeine inuasion they maye be endamaged And thus muche as touchinge the Lake and those Roges that inhabite the same About the sunne setting commeth home theire Captaine with all his retinew Then tooke they the yonge couple froÌ„ their Horses and laide their praye aboorde Certaine Boates and the reste of the Robbers that taried at home whiche was a greate sorte ranne to méete the Captaine from out euery parte of the Fenne and welcomed him as if he had benne theire Kinge But when they considered the multitude of the spoyles that they had wonne and sawe the beawtie of the Mayde to be so heauenly a thinge they geassed that their companions had robbed some Churche that they had brought awaie the Prieste of the Goddes or rather the liuely picture of the Goddesse her selfe And this they coniectured to the Mayde bicause they knewe not what had benne donne And therefore they gratulated theire Captaine in hartie wise for his valiante exploite and so brought him into his owne house whiche was an Ilande farre from the reste separated to his onely vse and a fewe other who moste commonly vsed to kéepe him company Whither after he was broughte he commaunded the other to departe euery man to his owne house charginge them the nexte daie all to wayte vppon him Him selfe with a fewe other that taried with him after they had made a shorte supper deliuered the yonge folkes to the custodie of a Grecian whome he had taken a fewe daies before that he might be their Interpreter lettinge them haue a corner of his owne house not farre from his lodginge with commaundemente as wel diligently to sée the wounded yonge Man as curiously to looke to the Mayde that shée by no meanes shoulde be anoyed But he what with his former trauel the daie before and also with care of his present affaires fell a fléepe And when al was whist in the marishe and euery man at reste the Maide tooke that occasion and absence of men to be a fyt time to lament and waile and the rather for that in the night shée coulde neither sée or heare any thinge that might comforte her but contrariewise moue her to sorowe when therefore with her selfe secretely shée had wailed alone for shée was by the Captaines commaundement separated from companie and layde in a simple bedde and wept very bitterly Apollo saide shée howe much more gréeuous punishement doest thou take of vs then wée haue deserued Hast thou not benne sufficiently reuenged on vs with that that is paste For as much as wée are farre from our friendes and kinsfolkes and that we were taken by Pyrates and subiecte to sixe hundred daungers more by Sea but that nowe againe we muste on the lande fall into the handes of Théeues and Robbers beside who knoweth wither any thinge worse is like to light vppon vs when wilt thou make an ende if in deathe that shalbe voide of Iniurie Oh that deathe woulde like me well but rather then any man shoulde filthely knowe me whiche Theagenes neuer did truely with halter I woulde ende my life referringe my selfe pure and chaste as hitherto I haue donne euen vnto deathe and thereby gaine a bewtifull Epitaphe for my singuler Virginitie and no Iudge shalbe so cruell as thou While shée spake thus Theagenes willed her to be contente and saide Mine owne deare harte and onely ioye Eariclea sease youre mourninge I knowe you haue iuste cause to complaine but in youre thus dooinge you displease God a greate deale more then you thinke neither haue wée néede to prouoke God to wrathe but rather to praye for that whiche is mightier muste with Praiers and not with accusacion be appeased You geue me in déede good Counsell ê™ shée but I praye thée tell me howe you fare Better saide he then I did yesternight since this yonge man trimmed my wouÌ„des wherby the burninge heate of them is wel cooled Yea ê™ he who had the charge to looke to them in the morning you shal sée they shalbe in better case for I wil prouide suche an hearbe for you that within thrée dressinges shal heale vp your wounde And this I haue proued trewe by experience for if any that were vnder this Capitaine since I was taken prisoner in any conflict happened to be wounded he neuer néeded many daies to be cured For that I am greatly moued with your estate you néede not maruell at al for you séeme to be in as ill case as I I haue the more compassion on you for that you be Grecians because also I my selfe am a Grecian borne A Grecian Oh immortal God cried they out sodenly for ioie a Grecian in déede bothe tongue countrie Hereafter we trust to haue some respite from our mishaps But what must wée calle you saide Theagenes Cnemon answeared he Of what parte of Greece saide Theagenes Of Athens answeared he And howe came you here saide Theagenes Peace I praie you ê™ he aske me that questioÌ„ no more let vs leaue that to such as write Tragedies Neither at this time woulde I gladly encrease your sorrowes with repeting mine besides that the night is so farre spent that the reste would not serue to tell you the same and wée haue greate néede to take reste and sléepe after our greate trauel But when they would not cease but were stil very instant to haue me tel the same accompting it a greate comforte to heare any man haue as ill lucke as they had them selues Cnemon beganne in this sorte My Fathers name was Aristippus he was borne in Athens one of the vpper Senate as riche as any Comoner in the Cittie he after the decease of my Mother applied his minde to Marrie againe thinkinge it an vnreasonable thinge for me his onely Sonnes sake still to be of an vncertaine and doubtful minde He dothe therfore bringe home a little woman somewhat fine but passinge malicious named Demeneta as soone as shée was Maried shée reclaimed my Father al to her owne lure made him doo what shée liste entising the olde Man with her bewtie was very curiouse in many other pointes for if any woman euer knew how to make a man madde of her shée was better skilled in that Arte then any man woulde thinke but especially when my Father wente foorthe shée would be sorrowfull and renne to him when he came home and blame him mutche for his longe tarriynge and not sticke to tell him that shée woulde haue died if he had taried neuer so little longer At euery woorde woulde shée imbrace him and moiste her kisses with teares with whiche meanes my Father was so bewitched that he neuer was well but when he either had her in his Armes or els looked vppon her aboue all other shée woulde haue mée in her sighte as if I hadde benne her owne Sonne by this meanes also makinge
affection towarde thée but shée woulde make them aunsweare that it was a greater griefe to her then that by any comfortable woordes it might be asswaged and that fewe of them knewe what a coresey it was to her hart and when shée came againe to her selfe shée woulde muche accuse Thisbe in that shée had not serued her well Oh howe ready arte thou woulde shée saie to doo mischiefe who haste not nowe helped me in my loue but rather caused me to lose in the turninge of an hande my moste ioye neither grauntedst thou me any time to chaunge my minde and therewith gaue manifeste tokens that shée woulde doo her somme harme Shée percesuinge her to be very wrothe and almoste ouercomme with sorrowe prepared to doo somme greate mischiefe to her beinge set on aswel with angre as loue determined to preueÌ„t her and by beguilinge her to prouide for her owne safetie Wherefore shée entred in to her and saide what a doo is this Misters And why doo you accuse thus your mayde for my parte I haue alwaies heretofore donne and euen now also did as you commaunded me If any thing happened not accordinge to your minde you muste ascribe that to Fortune and if nowe also you will commaunde me to diuise somme remedy for your present sorrow you shall easily perceiue you shall not wante my good will What remedy replied she is there possible to be founde séeinge he who canne doo the same is by distance of place separated from me and the vnhoped for lenitie of those that gaue sentence of him hathe killed me For if he had benne stoaned then also in one had benne quenched deade the blasinge flames of my burninge desire For that whose hope is paste is taken from the harte that whiche is looked for no more causeth gréeued mindes to intermit all manner of sorrowe Nowe me thinketh I sée him and in his bannishement heare him how he casteth in my téethe the vniust guiles that I ensnared him with as a thinge shamefully donne so that I blusshe to speake to him sommetime me thinketh he commes towarde me and I shall enioye him sommetime I determined to goe towarde him in what coaste of the worlde so euer he be Theise thinges sette me on fire theise thinges made me madde But oh yée Goddes I haue as I deserue for why did I not rather with good wil speake to winne him then by crafte to compell him Why did I not rather humbly praye him then like an enimie persecute him He woulde not take me at the firste and by good reason for I was an other mannes He feared to defile his Fathers bedde but happely either by time he might be allured to be more gentill vnto me But I rude and cruell as thoughe I loued no man and had authoritie to compell him bicause he obeyed me not at the firste and for that he despised Demeneta whom in bewtie he farre excelled haue committed an heynous crime but O my Thisbe what remedie is that whiche thou wouldeste me or what is easy Misters ê™ shée many menne thinke that Cnemon is gonne out of the Cittie and Lande of Athens as he was iudged to doo But I knowe well ynoughe who haue searched all thinges narrowely for your sake that he kéepethe him selfe secretely in a certaine place before the Cittie You haue hearde of one Arsmoe I knowe well shée that plaiethe so well on the Virginalles with her he liethe for the Mayde after his miserie tooke him in promised to goe awaie with him and kéepeth him at her house vntill shée canne prouide all thinges ready for her iourney Oh happy Arsmoe sayde Demeneta bothe for the former acquaintaunce which shée had with Cnemon and for the bannishment whiche shée shall haue with him but what doo theise thinges touche vs muche Misters sayde shée I will saie I loue Cnemon and wil desire Arsmoe with whom I haue benne well acquainted a greate while by reason of my arte that shée woulde in her stéede suffer me to lie with him one nighte Whiche if I shall obtaine it shalbe youres and he shall thinke you to be Arsmoe and in her place shal you be with him and I will prouide for that also that when he hathe drunke a little he shal goe to bedde and if you gette that you desire then shall it be beste for you to géeue ouer your loue For in many the firste experimente hathe quenched suche earnest desire for the séede of loue wherewith wée prosecute any thinge is to haue ynough thereof but if this desire shall then also remaine whiche God forbidde then shall wée make as the Prouerbe saithe a newe viage and speake a newe waie in the meane time let vs apply that whiche the presente oportunitie permitteth Demeneta allowed and praysed this well and praied her not to slake this determination at all Shée craued of hir Misters but one daie to bringe this aboute shée went to Arsmoe and asked her if shée knewe not Teledemus shée aunsweared yes Lette vs haue a chamber I praie you quoth she for I haue promised him this night that he shall come firste and I will followe as soone as I haue brought my Misters to bedde This donne shée wente to Aristippus into the countrie and saide to him thus Maister I come to you to accuse my selfe and ready to take suche pounishemente at your hande as your discretion shall thinke good By me haue you loste yours Sonne not willinge in déede so to doo yet of truthe an healper to the same For when I perceiued my Misters liued not well but was iniurious to your bedde fearinge not onely my selfe if the mater came to lighte by any other for kéepinge her counsell shoulde haue some shrewde tourne but especially sorrowefull for your mishappe whoe for louinge youre wife so interely shoulde haue suche recompence daringe not my selfe came one nighte that no man shoulde knowe thereof and secretely made you priuie to the same tolde to my yonge Maister that there was one who vsed to plaie the harlot with my Mistris he thinking that then there had bene one with her in bedde for he was vexed before by her as you knowe wel ynoughs takinge his swoorde in his hande very angrie and not estéeminge that I saide then there was none but thinkinge that I had repented me of bewraieinge the same ranne like a madde maÌ„ to your beddes side what folowed you knowe now is the time that you maie cleare your selfe of your Sonne though he be in bannishement and maie take reuenge on vs bothe who haue donne you wronge I wil shewe you this night Demeneta whiche maketh the mater a greate deale more heynous lieinge with her Friende in an other mans house without the Cittie If saide Aristippus thou wilte shewe me this I I will make thée frée and my selfe should reuiue againe if I were reuenged of mine enemie I haue benne greued aboute the same in my conscience a greate while yet
matter was begonne by the will and Counsell of the Goddes As for me ê™ I I will goo and dispatche the reste of our businesse But tarry you me in this place and take diligent héede that no man espie you When I had saide thus I went backe but Cariclia caught me by the coate and helde me faste and sayde What Father this beginninge is vniuste or rather Trayterous if you will departe and leaue me alone with Theagenes and will not consider howe vnméete a man a Louer is to be a kéeper if that be in his power to enioye whiche he loueth and wante suche as may make him ashamed thereof For I thinke that he is rather incensed when he seeth that which he desireth without any defense before his face Wherefore I will not let you departe before as well for the time present but rather for that whiche is to come I maie be sure by Theagenes Othe that he shall not fleashly haue to doo with me vntill I haue recouered my Countrie and Parentes or if the Goddes be not content herewith at least vntill I by mine owne frée will be content he shall Marrie me Otherwise neuer After I harde what shée had saide I woondered and was determined it should be so and made a little fire vpon an Aultare and burned Incense Theagenes sware sayinge that he had wronge for that the faithe which he had determined in his minde to kéepe was taken away by reason of an Othe and that he coulde not prayse that will whiche was forced by a greater power yet for all that he tooke his Othe by Apollo of Delphos and Diana by Venus her selfe and all Lawes that he woulde doo all thinges in suche sorte as Cariclia would haue him This and many other thinges they concluded betwéene them selues callinge the Gods witnesses thereto I comminge as faste as I could to Caricles founde all his house on a hurlyburly and sory because the Ministers were now come to him and had tolde him of the takinge awaie of the Mayde and the Citizens came by heapes stoode rounde about him while he sorowed at a woorde what for ignorance of that was done wante of counsell for that was to come they were at their wittes endes There beganne I with my bigge voyce to thunder and saye Yée vnhappy people howe longe will ye sitte still dombe like stockes as though your courage were also taken awaie with ill Fortune Why doo you not in Armoure pursue your enemies wil you not take and punishe them who haue donne you this wronge It is in vaine perhappes sayde Caricles to striue any longer with this present Fortune For I vnderstande perfitely that I am thus punished for the anger of the Goddes whiche was foreshewed me since I wente in an vnlucky time into the priuie Chappell and sawe there that whiche was not lawfull to be séene that therefore I should lose that I sette moste stoare by But there is no impediment as the Prouerbe is that shoulde let vs to fight with the Goddes if wée knewe whom to pursue or him who hath donne vs this mischiefe That is sayde I Theagenes the Thessalian the yonge men whiche were with him whom you praysed so muche and made my friende And so you maie yet finde some man in the Cittie who hath till this time stayed here wherefore arise call the people to Councell so was it donne The Captaines appointed a méetinge by Trumpet proclayminge the same in the Cittie the people straight came together the Theater was made a Courte by night Caricles came foorth and fallinge suddainely awéepinge beganne to saie thus Perhappes ye menne of Delphi suppose consideringe the greatnesse of my miseries that I come hither and haue gathered this multitude of people to vtter mine owne mishappes vnto you But it is not so For although I suffer ofte such thinges as may be compared with deathe it selfe and at this present time my house is desolate and destroyed by the Goddes solitary and robbed of those that I helde moste déere in whoes companie and pleasant behauiour I contented my selfe yet the common frustration and vaine hope of al doothe comforte me alitle and causeth me to suffer who promiseth to finde my Daughter againe whiche thinge in déede maie be donne but the Cittie moueth me more which I desire and looke shalbe Victorious firste and take reuenge of those that haue wronged it Excepte these Thessalian youthes haue taken awaie our loftie courages and iuste wrathe whiche wée shoulde receiue for our Countrie and Countrie Goddes For that whiche is moste intollerable a fewe dauncinge Boyes sente about a Sacred message doo depart after they haue wasted the most Noble Cittie of Greece and haue taken out of Apolloes Churche the moste Pretious Iewell thereof Cariclia which also was my Life O implacable and too obstinate anger of God towarde vs Firste as you al knowe it killed my natural Daughter at the daie of her Marriage and her Mother also with the griefe that shée tooke for her Deathe and bannished me from my Natiue Countrie But all this was tollerable after I had founde Cariclia Cariclia was my life my hope and staie of my stocke Cariclia onely was my comforte and as I maie terme her mine increase whiche also this miserie what so euer it be that nowe came vpon me hathe taken from me Neither hathe it donne this simply or by chaunce but as it accustomably triumphethe ouer me with moste crueltie it hathe taken her euen almost from her Husbande in as muche as the daie of Wedding was already spreadde abroade amonge you all As he spake thus and fel quite from the mater into sorrowinge Hegesias the Captaine badde him be contente and get him awaie and said you that be here Caricles shal haue time yenoughe to lamente hereafter But let vs not be drowned with his sorrowe nor carried awaie vnaduisedly with his teares as with a greate streame of water letting passe al due occasion whiche as it is in al thinges so in Warre it is of most force For nowe if wée pursue as soone as wée shal diminishe this Companie there is some hope that we shal ouertake our enimies which now trauel without care for that they knowe we be vnprouided But if wée stil lamentinge or rather wailinge like wéemen shal geue them longer time that they escape with our tarryinge we shal deserue nothinge but to be scorned and that of the yonge menne them selues whiche I saie ought to be hanged as soone as they be taken and somme of them ignominiously dealt withal so that their pounishmente also redounde to theire Families This maie easily be donne if wée shal moue the Thessalians to displeasure againste these that be fledde and their posteritie by forbiddinge theÌ„ to doo any more this Holy Legation and due Funeralles of the Noble man whiche wée had decreed shoulde be donne of the coste of the common Treasurie After all this was praysed of the people
and by theire Decrée established Let this also saide the Captaine if it please you be ratified by your voices that the wooman who hathe the charge of the Sacrifices be shewed no more to them that runne in Armoure For as I can coniecture thereof hath growen the beginning of this impietie in Theagenes who also thought as maie be denied of this Rape euer sithence he firste sawe her For it is good hereafter to take awaie the occasion of such like attempte After this was graunted by the voices and handes of al that were present Hegesias gaue them a Token to goe foorthe and gaue a signe of Warre with a Trumpette so that the Theater was dissolued into Warre and euery man ranne hastily out of the Councel to Battaile not onely the stronge men and such as were able to weare Armoure but boyes also and striplinges without order durste be partakers of that voiage by theire readinesse greately augmentinge the number of lustie menne of that time many woomen also behaued themselues more stoutely then their nature permitted euery one takinge vp for a Weapon that whiche came nexte to hande and folowed in vaine who for that they missed of theire pourpose perceiued wel the infirmitie of theire kinde You might then haue séene olde men striue with age and in a manner the minde drawinge their bodies and for greate and ardente desire to fighte obiected weakenesse as a shame to it So greate griefe tooke the Cittie for the Rape of Cariclia and prepared them selues suddainely to the pursuinge as if they had had but one minde and would not looke for daie Here endeth the Fourthe Booke The Fifthe Booke THus therefore was the Cittie of Delphi occupied but what they did in the ende I knewe not sauinge that their pursuet gaue me good occasion to conueye my selfe awaye So I tooke the yonge folkes with me to the Sea and put them into the shippe of Phenices whiche was by and by ready to departe For as soone as the morning beganne to appeare the Phoenicians which promised to tarry for me a day and a night thought now that they should not breake the Othe whiche they sware to me When wée came they entertained vs very ioyfully and forthwith they launched out into the déepe with Ores first then after a calme gale blewe from the earth the waues quietly came vnder our shippe and in a manner smiled vpon her suffered her to goo with full saile And thus wée passed with our shippe the coast of Cyrrha and Pernassus with his hie toppes and the Rockes of Actolia and Calidonia by the time that it was Sunne setting wée discouered the Ilandes as well by Figure as name Acute and the Zacynthian Sea But in an vnhappy time why doo I tell this why doo I forgette my selfe you continewe my tale bringyng you hereafter in very déede to the Sea Here let vs leaue y e reste of our talke sléepe a litle For although thou Cnemon be nothinge weary to heare and stifly striue with sleape yet I thinke that now you begin to quaile in that I haue continued my talke farre on the night And besides this my Sonne bothe age dothe burden me the remembraunce of my miseries dissoluinge my minde dothe driue me to sléepe Doo so Father saide Cnemon not as though I willed you to make an ende for that as I thinke I could not doo though you would tel it many daies nightes togeather with suche singular pleasantnes excellent suauitie is it seasoned But me thinketh I heare some noise businesse aboute the house haue benne troubled alitle therefore but forced my selfe to kéepe silence for y e great desire I had to heare your tale I hearde it not sayde Calasiris either for that age maketh mine eares somewhat dull harde for age bréedeth many infirmities bothe in y e other partes but chiefly in the eares or els for that my minde wholy was occupied about my tale I thinke Nausicles y e owner of this house is come But ô yée Gods how hath he spedde As I desired saide Nausicles stepping in suddainely to them For I knew wel inough good Calasiris that you were carefull of my businesse almost traueled with me in your minde But I perceiue your good will towarde me by diuerse courtesies shewed me bathe at other times and also by this whereof I heare you talkinge here But what Straunger is this He is a Grecian said Calasiris you shal heare more of him hereafter But tell you vs quickly what good lucke you haue had that wée may reioyce with you You shall heare to morrowe saide Nausicles as now be content to knowe that I haue gotten a better Thisbe for I haue néede to sléepe a little to abate my griefe whiche I haue gotten as wel by my iourney as other cogitations This saide he went his waie to doo as he had saide But Cnemon was muche abashed wheÌ„ he hearde Thisbes name and turned al his cogitations to the time paste with muche and continual sorrowe tormentinge him selfe all the reste of the night so that Calasiris though he were faste a sléepe perceiued it who sittinge vp a little and leaninge on his elbowe asked what he lacked and why he was so disquieted as if he were almoste madde Haue I not good cause sayde Cnemon to him to be madde seinge I heare that Thisbe is aliue What is this Thisbe ê™ Calasiris or how doo you know her by hearinge her name and are so gréeued that shée is aliue You shal heare the reste ê™ Cnemon when I tell you mine estate But her I sawe slaine with these eies and with mine owne handes I buried her with the Heardmen Sléepe sayde Calasiris and wée shall knowe how this goeth ere longe I maye not ê™ he but lie you still and sturre not For my parte I know not whether I can liue excepte I goo for the secretely and make diligent inquirie how Nausicles is deceiued and howe onely with the Egyptians suche as were deade reuiue againe Calasiris smiled a little at this and so fell a sléepe Cnemon wente out of the chamber and restrained him selfe muche as is like one would doo that is in the darke and in an vnacquainted house but he tooke all in good parte for feare of Thisbe being desirous in haste to ridde him selfe out of this doubte till at lengthe with muche adoo after he had gonne vp and downe oft in one place as if he had benne in diuerse he hearde a woman like a Nightingale in the Springe dolefully lamentinge and with sorrowfull tunes so that by her mourninge as if one had taken him by the hande he was brought to her chamber and layinge his eare to the doore hearde her yet complayninge in this sorte I poore wretch supposed that I had benne deliuered out of the handes of théeues and escaped deathe whiche I alway looked for and that I should after haue lead though a strange banisht
life with my déerest friende yet suche a one as in his companie should haue benne moste delectable for there is nothinge so troublesome and grieuous to me whiche is not tollerable with him But nowe the God who hath had charge of our businesse from the beginninge and hath graunted vs but small pleasure not yet satisfied hath deceiued vs againe I thought that I had escaped bondage but now I serue againe and am kepte in pryson I was in an Iland and darke place before this present state is like too it or rather to saye the trothe woorse because he who bothe coulde and woulde by comforte abate these sorowes is violently seperated taken from me A denne of Théeues the daye before was mine Inne and what was that habitation but a very Hel or woorse place yet my déere Louer beinge with me made it easie to be suffered There he lamented me aliue and shedde teares for me beinge as he thought dead and bewayled me as if I had benne slaine nowe am I depriued of all this he is gonne who was partaker of my calamities and who would haue deuided them as though it had benne a burden And I alone am forsaken a prysoner and by many waies to be lamented am obiected to the arbiterment of cruell Fortune And doo reteyne my life onely for that I hope my moste déere friende is aliue But ô my harte where art thou or what Fortune haste thou arte thou also alas bounde whiche haste a frée minde not able to abide any seruage but of Loue well doo nothinge but saue thy life to the intent thou mayst once beholde thy Thisbe againe for so shalte thou call me whether thou wilt or not Cnemon coulde abide no longer after he hearde this too heare the reste though he gheassed by the beginninge somewhat els yet by that he hearde in the ende concludinge that it was Thisbe wanted but litle that he sounded not at the gate But after he had ouercommed that passion with muche adoo for feare least he should be spied of any man for nowe the Cockes crewe the seconde time he ranne backe slumblinge sometime hurtinge his toes against the selles sometimes hittinge his head against the walles and doore postes When he came to his lodginge after muche trauell he fell into the bedde and all his body trembled and his téeth chattered sore and he had perhappes benne in extreame perill if Calasiris had not perceiued it and comforted him and brought him to him selfe againe After he was reuiued a little he asked of him the matter I am vndonne ê™ he for that most wicked Thisbe is aliue in déede and therewithall he sounded againe and Calasiris had much adoo to call him agayne and comforte him Surely some God plainely scorned Cnemon because as otherwise for the most parte it maketh a ieste or toie of humaine affayres so nowe it woulde not suffer him peaceably without disquietnesse to enioye that whiche was most pleasant and welcome to him but that whiche shortely after woulde make him very ioyfull was nowe turned into sorrowe either for that it shewed then the nature and custome of it selfe or els because the Nature of man can not take true ioye as should be Wherefore Cnemon stedde from that whiche he then should moste haue desired supposed that to be fearefull whiche was moste delectable to him For the woman that wepte was not Thisbe but Cariclia For thus it was after Thiamis came into his Enimies hande aliue and was kepte Prysoner the Ilande was sette on fire and the Heardemen who inhabited it were fledde Cnemon and Thermutis Thiamis Shielde Bearer in the morninge rewed ouer the Lake to spie in what case theire Captaine was with their Enimies the manner of their iourney was such as is declared before Then were Theagenes and Cariclia leafte in the Denne alone who accoumpted the prolonginge of their calamities a singulare benefite that was the firste time that euer they were by them selues and deliuered from al that mighte trouble them Wherefore they considered of theire estate not forgettinge to kisse and imbrace eche other so that they foregat all that they had to doo stoode either in others armes a greate while as if they had benne made one Body contente yet to satisfie them selues with Chaste Loue temperatinge their affection with teares and clenly kisses For Cariclia if at any time shée perceiued Theagenes to passe the boundes of séemelinesse and deale with her ouer want only would rebuke him by tellinge him of his Othe and he woulde suffer him selfe to be refourmed with litle laboure and brought againe to temperatenesse in as much as he was in Loue inferiour to her but in pleasure he far surmounted But at length though it were longe firste thei remembred what they had to doo and by force were constrained to contente them selues and then Theagenes beganne to speake thus That we Cariclia maie enioie one an other and attaine vnto that whiche we haue preferred before al other thinges and for whiche we haue susteined al our troubles bothe wée doo wishe the Goddes of Greece graunte But for as muche as wel because al worldly thinges are vnstable and incline diuerse waies and wée haue borne muche and hope for many thinges wée must nowe haste vs to Chemmis as wee haue concluded with Cnemon as also bicause wée knowe not what fortune wée shal haue wée haue as it séemeth a greate and woonderful deale of grounde to passe before wée can comme to the Lande whiche wée hope for Let vs diuise certaine Tokens whereby wée beinge one in others sighte maie knowe our secretes and if it happen vs to be Seawinded wée maie in absence séeke one an other For a watche woorde of friendes which is keapte in hope to finde is a greate easemente of longe trauel Cariclia praised his diuise and they agreed if they were seperated that Theagenes shoulde write Pithicus Cariclia Pithies vpon al famous Churches Pictures Monumentes and greate Stoanes in Crosse waies whether they were gonne the right hande waie or the lefte to what Cittie Village or Countrie and lastely that thei should declare the very daie and houre And if they might it shoulde be sufficiente one to sée the other For they thoughte no time shoulde be hable to put out of theire mindes suche Loue yet for the better assurance Cariclia woulde shewe her Fathers Kinge whiche was laide out with her and Theagenes a Scarre in his Thighe that a wilde Bore gaue him It was further concluded betwéene them that in stéede of woordes shée shoulde beare a Taper and he a Branche of Palme To confirme this they imbraced eche other and wepte powringe out their teares in stéede of Sacrifice as I gheasse and for an Othe they vsed many kisses After these thinges were thus ordered they came out af the Caue without touching any of the Treasures whiche were laied vp there For they coumpted those goodes vncleane whiche were gotten by Robberies but
Battaile at Bessa Then Thyamis commaunded his Souldiers at a parte of the walle to laye aside their Armoure and after their continuall trauell to take some ease and he determined to laie siege to the Cittie The Townes menne whiche were before afrayde of a great Army when they sawe there were so fewe from the walles dispisinge thē by and by gathered the fewe Archers and Horsemenne whiche were lefte in Garrison in the Towne and the reste of the Citizens also tooke suche weapons as came to their handes and determined to goe foorthe fight with them againste the will of a wise and noble man in the Towne who saide that although it happened the deputy to be at the Warre in Ethiopia yet the matter ought to be brought before Arsace his wife that the Souldiers whiche were in the Cittie might be the rediar to defende the same And because he séemed to speake well they wente all to the Kinges Pallaice wherein the Deputies lodge in the Kinges absence Arsace was a bewtifull woman and of tale stature singuler wisedome to doo any thinge and of a stoute stomake for the Noblenesse of her birthe as is like would be in her that is Sister to the great Kinge yet for her vnlawful and dissolute luste shée was not without reprehension and blame And beside other factes shée was in a manner parte of the cause of Thyamis bannishmente when he was constrained to forsake Memphis For presently after Calasiris wente priuily from Memphis for that whiche was tolde him by the Goddes of his Sonnes and coulde not be founde so that it was thought he was deade Thyamis as his elder Sonne was called to the Office of Priesthoode and as he was dooinge sacrifice publikely at his first entry into Isis Churche Arsace seinge him to be a proper yongue man and of good age for that he was the handsomest man in that company best attyred caste many wanton lookes and dishonest countenaunces at him Whiche Thyamis regarded no whitte bothe for that he was of nature very honest and well instructed from a childe and perhappes that whiche shée did was further fetched then that he perceiued it or he thought perhappes shée did it for some other pourpose for that he was altogeather busted aboute his Sacrifices But his brother Petosiris who before enuied that his Brother shoulde be Prieste and had wel marked Arsaces allurementes tooke her vnlawful intisementes for a good occasion to endamage his Brother Wherefore he came to Oroondates secretely and tolde him not onely her desire but that Thyamis also had made the matche with her adding that very falsely He suffered him selfe easily to be perswaded for suspition that he had conceiued of Arsace yet he molested her not either for that he could not manifestly conuince her or els thought it beste to conceale and wincke at it for reuerence and honour that he bare to the Bloud Royall But he tolde Thyamis plainely neuer ceased to threaten to kill him vntill he put him to exile and placed his Brother Petosiris in his roume but this was donne before At that time when the whole multitude came on heapes to her house and certified her of the comminge of theyr enemies and besought her that shée woulde géeue commaundement that the Souldiers should be in a readinesse answeared that shée would not lightly so doo for because shée knewe not of what force her enimies were nor what they were nor whence they came nor for what occasion It was therefore beste firste to goe on the walles and sée all their ordinaunces and then prouide such thinges as shalbe thought cōuenient They thought shée saide wel and wente euery man to the walles there by Arsaces commaundement was a tente of purple silke garnished with Golde pitched and shée her selfe very costly arrayed came and satte in a hie seate with her Garde about her glisteringe in gilte armoure shée helde out her Mace in token of a peaceable Parlamente and commaūded the Captaines of their enimies to approche neare to the Walles After Theagenes and Thyamis elected of the Army came all armed saue theire heades and stoode vnder the wall the Heraulte at Armes saide vnto them Arsace wife of Oroondates chiefe Deputie and Sister to the greate Kinge asketh what you are what your meaninge is and wherefore you are so bolde to comme hither They answeared that they were of Bessa but of him selfe spake Thiamis what he was and that wronged his Brother Petosiris and Oroondates and depriued craftily of his Priestehoode was broughte to be restoared againe by the Bessians and if he mighte recouer the Priestes Office then shoulde it be Peace and the people of Bessa returne home againe without any more harme dooinge If not he meante to committe the matter to the iudgemente of Warre and force of Armes and that Arsace had good cause if shée remembred that whiche was paste to take reuenge of Petosiris for the falsehedde he practised againste her and the vntrue occasions that he laied againste her to Oroondates whereby he broughte her into suspition of vile and vnlawful dealinge with her Husbande and caused him to be bannished by his subtile and craftie meanes All the Cittie of Memphis was troubled with these woordes When they knewe Thiamis and the cause of his bannishmente whiche when he was bannished none of them knewe and denied al that he had saide to be trewe but Arsace of al other was moste troubled so that a whole storme of thoughtes in a manner ouerwhelmed her for shée was soare incensed againste Petosiris and callinge to minde that whiche was paste deuised with her selfe howe shée mighte be reuenged Then beholdinge Thiamis and after him Theagenes was diuersly affected to them both to the one by callinge to minde her olde loue but in the other shée founde occasion of newe and that more earnest loue so that those that stoode by her mighte wel perceiue the troublesome carefulnesse of her minde yet for al this when shée had pawsed a while and came to her selfe not muche vnlike one who is recouered of the Holy Euil shée saide thus Good menne surely you were not wel deuised to take this Warre in hande for you haue nowe brought as well al the people of Bessa as also your selues beinge youthfull yonge menne and therewithall bewtifull of good parentage as may be gheassed into apparent perill for the Théeues quarrell in as muche as if wée woulde fight with you you were not hable to sustaine the firste assaulte of our force For the greate Kinges estate is not brought to so lowe an ebbe but that you may be inclosed of the leauinges of the Army which is behinde him in the Cittie though the Deputie him selfe be away but in mine opinion the whole powers on bothe sides néede not to be troubled and it is better seinge that the quarrell is priuate and not common that it be priuately ended and so be finished as the Goddes shal appointe
ashamed of the case he founde them in and they were in doubte also of that whiche after shoulde befall And while they of the Cittie marueiled at this that was donne and neither saide nor did any thinge but stoode in a manner like doumbe Pictures because they knewe not what it meante An other acte was interlaced in the tragedie Cariclia as shée folowed Calasiris spied Theagenes a farre of for a Louers eie is quicke of sighte so that oftentimes though it be a greate waie of yet wil it iudge a likelihoode by mouinge or habite or gesture and that behinde and as if she had benne striken with his visage ranne to him like a madde wooman and hanginge by her Armes aboute his necke saide nothinge but saluted him with certaine pitieful Lamentations He séeinge her fowle face belike of pourpose beblacked and her Arparel vile and al torne supposinge her to be one of the makeshiftes of the Cittie and a vacabonde caste her of put her awaie and at lengthe gaue her a blowe on the eare for that shée troubled him in séeinge Calasiris Then spake shée to him softly Pithius haue you quite foregotten this Taper Theagenes was striken with that woorde as if he had benne pearsed with a Darte and by Tokens agreed on betwéene them knewe the Taper and lookinge stedfastly vpon her espied her bewty shining like the Sunne appearing through the Clowdes caste his Armes aboute her necke To be shorte al that parte of the wall where Arsace sate which was soare swollen and coulde not without greate ialosie looke vpon Cariclia was ful of suche woonderful affections as is commonly represented in Comedies The wicked Battaile betwéene the twoo Brothers was ended and that whiche menne thoughte shoulde be finished with Bloude had of a Tragical beginninge a Comical endinge A Father sawe his Sonnes in Armoure one againste the other hande to hande came to that pointe that almoste before his eies he sawe his Childrens Deathe made him selfe their louedaie and peace who coulde not escape the necessitie of Destinie but séemed to vse Fortunes greate fauoure for that he came in dewe time to that whiche was determined before The Sonnes recouered theire Father after tenne yéeres absence and adourned him with the furniture of the Priestehoode who aboute the same had almoste benne the cause of a Bloudy strife and so broughte him home But emonge al the reste Theagenes and Cariclia whiche plaied the Louers partes in this Comedie were moste talked of and for that they had founde eche other contrary to theire hope made the Cittie to looke vpon them more then al other sightes whiche were there to be séene for great companies of euery age came out at the Gates into the open fieldes suche as were youthful newely comme to mannes estate came to Theagenes suche as were of riper yéeres menne growen in déede drewe to Thiamis for that they also by reason of their age knewe him wel but the Maydenly sorte who now thought vpō Husbandes flocked aboute Cariclia but the Old menne and suche as were of the Holyer kinde stoode aboute Calasiris and thus was there made a suddaine Sacred Pompe and brauerye After Thiamis had sente backe the people of Bessa geuen them thankes for the paines they tooke in his quarrel with promise that at the nexte full Moone he woulde sende them a thousande Oxen a thousande Shéepe and tenne groates a péece in Money he suffered his Father as he went for ease to leane vpon his shoulders who nowe for his suddaine ioie beganne to ware féeble and very fainte Petosiris did the like on the other side thus was the Olde man brought into Isis Temple with Tapers lighted and with greate ioie and many Instrumentes of Musike so that the lusty youthes beganne also to daunce Beside these Arsace also was not behinde but with her traine folowed in braue wise and offered greate giftes of Golde in Isis Temple vnder pretence to doo as other did in the Cittie but in déede her eies were alwaies vpon Theagenes and shée looked more on him then any other and was not very honestly minded towarde him And when Theagenes ledde Cariclia by the hande and put the thrust aside that shée might take no harme Arsace conceiued a woonderful Ialousie But Calasiris after he came into the inner parte of the Temple fell vpon his face and helde the féete of the Image fast and laie so so longe that he was almoste deade so that he had muche adoo to rise when they called vpon him who stoode by And when he had donne Sacrifice to the Goddes and perfourmed his vowes takinge the Crowne of the Priesthoode from his owne heade he Crowned therewith his Sonne Thiamis tellinge the people that he was Olde and sawe that he shoulde not liue longe and that his eldest Sonne ought to succéede him by the Lawe and that he had all thinges requisite bothe to body and minde sufficient to vse the same After the people had by a greate shoute declared that they approued y t whiche he did he wente him self to a certaine parte of the Church which is appointed for the Priestes and remained there with his Sonnes and Theagenes quickly Al the other people wente euery man to his owne house Arsace also departed with muche adoo but shée returned diuers times and vsed as it were great diligence aboute the seruice of the Goddes yet shée wente awaie at lengthe turninge her selfe as longe as shée mighte to Theagenes As soone as shée came into the Palaice shée wente straighte waye to her Bedde and caste her selfe thereon attyred as shée was without speakinge any woorde beinge a wooman otherwise very laciuiously bente but then especially enflamed when shée had séene Theagenes excellente bewtie whiche farre passed al that euer shée had séene before So laie shée al that nighte tossinge her bodye from one side to an other soare lamentinge sommetime woulde shée rise vp sommetime leane vpon her Elbowe sommetime woulde shée caste her Cloathes almoste al from her then woulde shée suddainely fal into her Bedde againe sommetime woulde shée calle her Mayde and without biddinge her doo any thinge sende her awaie againe To be shorte loue had made her madde and none shoulde haue knowen why if and Olde wooman called Cibele her Chamberleine and Bawde had not comme into her Chamber for shée might wel perceiue al that was donne by reason of a Candle that burnte and made Arsaces face more vehement also saieinge Mistresse for shame what adoo is this Dothe any newe or straunge disease paine you Hathe the sighte of any man troubled my Darlinge What man is so prowde and madde that wil not be entangled with your bewtie and accoumpte it a passinge blessed estate to lie and haue to doo with you but wil despise your desire and wil Tel me my déere Daughter for there is no man so stoany harted but he shal be made to yéelde with our flatteringe allurmentes Tel me
vnlawful seruice towarde Arsace answeared shée For although we sette more by her then our owne ease and preferred her desire before our owne liues in doinge all that wée coulde to pleasure her Yet as soone as this gentle and goodly Louer of hers came into her chamber the sight of him did so muche perswade her that it made her breake the Othe shée sware and caused her to assure Cariclia to him tellinge her that shée was not his Sister but his spouse Did shée then promise him this Mother ê™ he Yea Sonne answeared Cibele shée promised him this while I was by and hearde it and meaneth within these fewe daies to make their weddinge in sumptuous sorte and wil marry thée to some other Achemenes was very sorrowful for these tidinges wringinge his handes he saide thus I wil make this a sorrowful weddinge to them all Onely healpe me to prolonge the same for a while and if any man aske for me saie I am sore sicke in the Countrie And dothe this Gentleman cal his Sister his wife as though it might not be vnderstoode that he doothe it for none other pourpose but to disanull that whiche was graunted me by promise as though it were not his Sister but his wife if he imbrace colle and kisse her as now he doothe yea although he lie with her I and the Goddes whose Religion is violated by breakinge of an Othe wil sée to this wel yenough This saide anger and Ialousie Loue and frustration of that he looked for sette him on suche fire al whiche thinges were sufficient to trouble an other man though no barbarous fellowe that without waying reasonably what he meante to doo but likinge his deuise at the first he leapte vpon a Horse of Armenia whiche the Deputie kepte for Royalties and braue sightes as soone as he could conueniently get him and wente to Oroondates who then was mustringe his Army against the Ethiopian and makinge al manner of prouision as wel of menne and weapons as also other thinges necessary for the Warre Here endeth the Seuenth Booke The Eight Booke FOr the Kinge of Ethiopia when he had beguiled Oroondates and obtayned halfe of that they contended for and wanne the Cittie Philae whiche alwaies is easie to be conquered by his spéedy comminge vpon them draue him to greate wante so that for the moste parte he inforced him to trauaile in haste without order For the Cittie Philae is Cituated vpon the bankes of Nilus a little aboue the lesser sluces aboute twelue mile a halfe from Siene and Eliphantina This Cittie because the outlawes of Egypte tooke and inhabited it caused the Ethiopians and Egyptians to contende aboute the same The Ethiopians will haue the borders of Ethiopia to stretche vnto the sluces and the Egyptians chalenge Philae because their Outlawes inhabited the same as if it had benne wonne by warre And because that Cittie coÌ„tinually was now vnder the one and then streight vnder the other and would be theirs who firste came and conquered it at that time therein was a Garrison of Egyptians and Persians The Kinge of Ethiopia required to haue Philae and the Mines out of whiche were digged the pretious stoones called Smaragdi of Oroondates and hauinge made suche request as is saide before and coulde not obtayne he commaunded his Legates to goe a few daies iourney before and he folowed him selfe well prouided of all manner of furniture as if he woulde haue made somme other Warre but he tolde no man whiche waie he woulde bende the strength of his Army After he supposed that his Embassadours were paste Philae and had filled the Inhabitauntes with securitie and carefulnesse for that they bruted abroade that they wente with Commission to conclude a Peace and amitie He came suddainely vpon them and cast out the Garrison whiche was not hable to susteine the force of their enimies the Engins where with their Walles were battered aboue twoo or thrée daies and so tooke the Cittie and did no manner of wronge to any of the Inhabitauntes thereof For by reason of these newes Achemenes founde Oroondates soare troubled beinge by this time certified of all that happened by one who fledde from thence but he troubled him a greate deale more because he came so suddainely and vnsentefor Wherefore he asked him foorthewith whether any mischaunce was befallen Arsace and the rest of his Family at home He answeare that there was but he woulde tell him in councell When euery man els was departed he tolde him howe Theagenes was taken Prisoner of Mytranes and sente to him so to be conueied to the greate Kinge if he thoughte it good for the yonge man was woorthy to be placed in the Courte and to waite at the Kinges owne Table Then how he was rescued by the InhabitauÌ„tes of Bessa who also slewe Mytranes and after that came to Memphis and thereto he added Thiamis estate Laste of all he tolde him of Arsaces loue towarde Theagenes and howe he was brought to the Kinges Lodging with the honour which shée gaue him in token of her good wil and al the seruice he did and howe that yet there was no harme donne by reason that the yonge man withstoode and woulde not Mary it was to be doubted that by continuaunce of time or violence he might be forced if somme man did not the sooner fetche him from Memphis and so cutte of al the reste of Arsaces loue And for that cause he came priuily to tel him spéedily thereof for that his loue to his Maister was suche that it coulde not conceale what he knewe to be contrarye to his pleasure When he had angred Oroondates with this tale and he was nowe thorowly chafed and in wil to be reuenged he kindled in him a newe desire by talkinge of Cariclia commendinge her highely praysinge woonderfully her bewtie and comelinesse as shée wel deserued saieinge that there neuer was séene suche a one before nor might not be suche an other after Accoumpte ê™ he all youre Concubines not onely those that are at Memphis but those also whiche folowe you here not to be woorthe a Rushe in comparison of her He tolde him many other thinges beside this trustinge that although Oroondates had to doo with Caricha yet within a while after he shoulde haue her to wife when he required her in recompence of this talke By this time was the Deputie soare moued beinge wrapped as wel in the snares of anger as desire So that without delaie he called for Bagoas one of his Eunuches whiche was in greatest Authoritie and best trusted of him and deliuered to him fiftie Horsemen and sent him to Memphis with Commaundement to bringe Theagenes and Cariclia where so euer he firste might sée them to him He wrote a letter to Arsace beside in this manner Oroondates to Arsace Sende Theagenes and Cariclia Brother and Sister beinge the Kinges prysoners to me to be conueied to the Kinge and sende them
take more care hereafter if you kil not your selfe before by refraininge thus many daies without meate Wherefore eate somme bitte of that whiche is prouided at this time Cariclia was contente with muche adoo neuerthelesse shée doubted that shée woulde decieue her as oft as shée had donne before but because of her Othe shée partely agreed and was gladde to take holde of that whiche was promised for the minde dothe quickly geue credite to that whiche it earnestly desireth So they sat downe togeather and did eate And as Aura serued theÌ„ of drinke Cibele becked to her that shée shoulde bringe firste to Cariclia the poysoned Cuppe and after her shée dranke her selfe of an other Cuppe Shée had scante dronke it of but shée beganne to swell and was cruelly tormented within wherfore shée powred out that which was lefte on the grounde and looked cruelly vpon the Mayde Cariclia was abasshed and soare troubled with this and beganne to staie her vprighte So were al the reste that were there For a Cuppe impoysoned is swifter then any Arrowe and is of force sufficiente to kill one that is yonge and lustie But then when it was in an Olde and drie Body it creapte into the principall partes of her sooner then any man coulde tell the tale Thus was the Olde wooman consumed and all her members were with the pinchinge of the Poyson dissolued and quite without life and all her Body was very blacke But verily I thinke that her crafty minde was more mischeiuous then the Poyson was in as muche as Cibele now yéelding vp her Ghoste foregot not her subtill deuises but partely by Signes partely by vnperfite woordes and dieinge speache shée signified that Cariclia was shée who had poysoned her So the Olde wooman died and Cariclia was bounde and broughte straighte waie to Arsace who asked her whether shée had prouided that Poyson and threatened to tormente her on the Racke if shée would not confesse the trothe Nowe was Cariclia a straunge sight to those that looked vpoÌ„ her for shée was not sadde nor bare any couÌ„tenance that might argue a fainte harte but came smilinge before her and made an accompt of that shée had in hande either for that shée passed not of that slaunder because shée was giltlesse or els for that if Theagenes were not aliue shée woulde also die and estéemed it a vantage to take vpon her a déede whiche other menne had donne And saide Iolly Dame if Theagenes be aliue I saie that I am not guilty of this murther But if he haue miscarried through thy mischieuous attemptes thou shalte néede no tormentes to make me confesse the facte I am shée who hath killed thy Nourse that hath brought thée vp so wel and taught thée so muche good kill me out of hande for I coulde doo Theagenes no greater pleasure who by good right hath resisted thy wicked deuises These woordes made Arsace madde and when shée had commaunded her to be beaten shée saide carry this queane away bounde as shée is shewe her to her goodly Louer who is in like plite and when you haue bounde her hande and foote commit her to Euphrates also to be kepte vntill to morrowe to be condemned to deathe by the Persian Magistrates As shée was ledde away the Mayde who was Cibeles cuppe bearer shée was one of the Ionians whiche at the firste was willed to waite vpon them whither it were for good will whiche shée bare to Cariclia by reason of the acquaintaunce and familiarity whiche shée had with her or moued by the wil of God wepte and lamented pitifully saide ô vnhappy wooman whiche is without al faulte They who were by woondred at her and compelled her to tell plainely what shée meante Then shée confessed how shée her selfe gaue Cibele that poyson and had receiued it afore of her to giue it to Cariclia But shée either troâ—â—â—â—d with the straungnesse of the facte or els called hastely vpon by Cibele who badde her bringe the firste cuppe to Cariclia chaunged the pottes and gaue the Old wooman that wherein the Poyson was So shee was carried forthwith to Arsace and was very gladde if Cariclia mighte be excused of this facte for euen the very Barbarous people haue pittie vpon a Gentle and Noble countenaunce And although the Mayde saide the same to her yet shée preuailed nothinge but Arsace commaunded her also as helpinge and consentinge thereto to be put in prison and kepte to Iudgement The Persian Magistrates in whose handes it was to determine controuersies and punishe offences as touchinge the weale publike were sente for in haste to sitte in iudgement the nexte daie Aud when they were come and satte Arsace accused her for poysoninge her Nourse declaring al that had happened and woulde ofte moyste her woordes with teares because shée was spoyled of her whome shée accompted more déere then any other thinge and aboue all other loued her beste shée tooke moreouer the Iudges to witnesse howe shée had intertayned Cariclia beinge a straunger and shewed her all manner of courtesie and was nowe thus wronged in stéede of thankes which shée had well deserued To be shorte Arsace layde sore accusations againste her but Cariclia made no Answeare but confessed the facte againe and saide that shée gaue her the poison and moreouer shée added that shée would haue poysoned Arsace also if shée had not benne preuented and many other thinges els and euer among would shée directly raile vpon Arsace For after shée had benne the night paste with Theagenes in pryson and conferred with him of al other affaires too and fro and had concluded that if néede were shée should willingly die any manner of death whereto shée should be condemned and to departe out of a life ful of troubles and endlesse trauels and cruell Fortune and belike had geuen him his laste farewell louingly and taken the Iewels that were laide foorthe with her whiche shée was euer accustomably wonte to beare priuily of pourpose and tied them at that time about her in a bagge to the intent that they should furnishe her Buriall shée confessed euery accusation that was laide againste her and refused no manner of death and rehearsed her selfe many thinges also whereof shée was not accused Wherefore the Iudges made no delaie but had almoste adiudged her to a more cruell and Persianlike deathe yet because they were moued with her countenaunce a little and yonge surpassinge bewty they condemned her to be burned with fire Then was shée had awaie presently with the Executioners and carried a little without the Cittie al the while shée was lead foorthe one made a crie that shée should die for poisoning one wherefore a great company more followed them out of the Cittie Some whereof sawe her as shée was lead other hearde thereof by reporte whiche quickely flewe ouer al the Cittie and so hasted thereto Arsace came also and sawe that whiche happened from the walle for shée thought it a paine if shée satisfied not her selfe
with séeinge her die When the Executioners had laide a greate deale of woode togeather put fire thereto that now it beganne to flame Cariclia praied them who lead her to geue her a little leaue promised that shée would goe into the fire alone whiche graunted shée saide with a lowde voice ô Sunne and Earthe and all you blessed Creatures that are aboue and vnder the Earthe whiche sée and take reuenge of all wicked woorkers You are witnesses that I am not guilty of that whereof I am accused and that I am willinge to die for the intollerable griefes of minde whiche burthen me vouchesafe to take me into your handes gently And in all haste take reuenge of this shamelesse Arsace who hath defiled her selfe with so many filthie factes and is a Harlotte and dothe all this to robbe me of my Husbande When shée had saide thus euery man that was there saide somewhat to that shée had spoken wherefore some woulde haue the ExecutioÌ„ staied til an other time of iudgement and somme were ready to take her awaie shée preuentinge them all wente into the middest of the fire and stoode there a good while without harme the fire wente euery waye aboute her and woulde not approche néere her so it hurte her not but gaue place when shée came thereinto by meanes whereof shée was with the lighte that was aboute her made fayrer and woondred at the more by reason of her bewty so that in a manner shée was married in a firy chamber Shée wente sometime into this side sometime into that maruelinge what it meante and hasted to be deade but it preuailed not for that the fire alwaie gaue place and as it were fledde froÌ„ her the Tormentours ceased not but layde on more woode and réede Arsace with threatninge countenance charginge them so to doo to make it burne more vehemently But it did no good saue that it troubled the Cittie more whiche supposinge that shée had healpe from Heauen cried out the wooman is cleane the wooman is not guiltie wherefore they came to the fire and put aside the Tormentours The firste that so did was Thiamis for by this time he was comme beinge admonished of that whiche was donne by the greate brute in the Cittie and he encouraged the people to healpe her and beinge in wil to deliuer her they durste not comme neare the fire but willed her to comme foorthe For shée that had benne in the fire without harme if shée liste to comme out thereof néede feare nothinge Which when Cariclia sawe and hearde thinkinge also her selfe that God had preserued her thoughte it beste not to be vnthankeful to him nor to sette lighte of that benefite but leapte out of the fire Wherewith the people what for ioie and woonder gaue a greate shoute and thanked the Goddes for the same But Arsace not wel in her wittes skipte from the walles and came out at a Posterne with a greate company of her Garde and other Noble men of Persia and laied handes vpon Cariclia herâ—elfe and lookinge frowardely vpon the people saide Are you not ashamed to goe aboute to deliuer a gracelesse wooman a Witche and a Murtherer taken with the deede dooinge and confessinge the same from her deserued paine Seeinge that in your so healpinge suche a wicked queane you striue againste the Lawes of Persia and againste the Kinge him selfe his Deputies Nobles and Iudges also Perhappes you be deceiued for that shée burned not this daye and therefore you ascribe that hap to the Gods Wil you not be wiser and vnderstande that this is a greater proufe of her Witchcraft who hathe such sloare of sleightes that shee can withstande the strengthe of the fire Comme you to morrowe into the Councel house if you wil for it shalbe by al your consentes there shall you heare that shee will confesse the same and shall be conuinced by suche of her felowes as are priuie thereto and I keepe in Prison And therewithal shée carried her awaie holdinge her by the necke and commaunded her Garde to make her roume But somme of them were angry and in minde to withstande other gaue ouer because they were somewhat blinded with the tale of poysoninge but moste for feare of Arsace and her authority Then was Cariclia deliuered to Euphrates againe to be kepte to a newe Iudgemente and had more yrons laide vpon her The greatest comforte that shée had in this aduersitie was that shée had time to telle Theagenes of her affayres for this was Arsaces inuention too to put them to the more paine that the yonge Creatures beinge in one place prisoners might behold either others tormentes and griefes for shée knewe wel yenough that a Louer is more grieued at his friendes paine then his owne disease But they coumpted this a comforte and to be pained alike they thoughte it a vauntage and if either had lesse tormeÌ„tes then the other eche supposed him selfe vanquished and as it were more fainte and weake in loue For nowe was it lawful for them to be togeather encourage eche other to take in goodly wise what fortune so euer came and refuse no perill whiche shoulde ensue of their vnfained Chastitie and stedfaste Faithe After they had continued their talke of such matters as is likely they woulde talke of who neuer hoped to talke togeather againe til it was night and had satisfied them selues as wel as they mighte at laste they fell into communicatioÌ„ of the Myracle which happened about the fire Theagenes referred the benefite therof to Gods goodnes who had saued her being guiltlesse from Arsaces vniuste sclaunder But Cariclia séemed to doubte thereof For ê™ shée this straunge kinde of deliuery maie be thought in déede to procéede of God But still to be afflicted with suche miseries and tormentes without al measure is rather a token of those who are plagued by God and are like to fall into greater ineonueniences excepte there be some more hiddeÌ„ mistery which casteth into extreame peril when al hope is paste findeth a remedy When shée had saide thus Theagenes willed her to take all in good parte and be of a godlier minde shée cried out alowd the Goddes be fauourable to vs. Nowe I remember what a Dreame or Vision I had this laste nighte but had forgotten it before I know not howe It was a true verse and noble Calasiris expounded the same to me The meaninge whereof was thus By vertue of Pantarbe let feare of fire remoued be An easie thinge to pearse it is though els right straunge to see Theagenes also when he hearde this was moued like those who haue some Diuine spirite and gaue as great a leape as his Bandes would let him saide The Goddes in déede be good to vs for I also am made a Poete by remembringe an answeare whiche somme like spirite gaue me whether it were Calasiris or any other of the Gods in Calasiris fourme who séemed to saie thus to me
escaped and fledde vnto a Hill that standeth by Nylus vnder the which they couered thē selues that their enimies might not sée them But Bagoas was taken because his Horse stumbled and he fel and hurte his legge that he coulde not sturre it Theagenes also and Cariclia were taken prisoners who thought it shame to foresake Bagoas whose good wil they had tried towarde them already and hoped to finde more at his hande afterwarde and therefore tarried by him partely for that they coulde not flée but especially as I thinke willinge to yéelde them selues to them Then Theagenes saide to Cariclia Thus is our Dreame comme to passe these be the Aethiopians in whose Land it is our Destinie to comme I am determined therefore to yéelde to them and commit our selues rather to doubtful Fortune with them then to presente peril with Oroondates Cariclia vnderstoode al the matter which was now ledde thereto by Destinye as if shée had benne taken by the hande and conceiued better hope in her minde supposing those who tooke them rather to be theire friendes then enimies yet shée tolde nothing to Theagenes of that shée thought but said shée was wel content When the Aethiopians were comme to them they knewe Bagoas to be an Eunuche by his face but made further inquiry what these shoulde be because they sawe them bounde and without Harneys of an Egyptian of theire owne company and an other who coulde speake the Persian languge thinkinge that they shoulde vnderstande either bothe or one of them at the leaste For Espialles and Foreriders are taught of necessitie to haue such with them as can speake the language of the Inhatauntes and theire enimies that they maye the better vnderstande that whereaboute they are sente After Theagenes who by continuance of time had learned the Egyptian tongue a litle and coulde answeare to a shorte question had told them that he was the chiefest seruaunte aboute the Persian Deputy and them selues Greekes taken prisoners first by the Persians but now through better Fortune of the Aethiopians they determined to saue their liues and take them prisoners and make a presente of theire firste praye to theire Kinge of the chiefest Iuell his Persian enimie had For Eunuches are in the Courtes of Persia eies and eares too who because they neither haue Children nor Kinsfolkes to whom their mindes mighte be bente they depende onely vpon him who hath committed him selfe to them and they thought that the twoo yonge folkes woulde be a goodly present to waite vpon theire Kinge and a grace to his Courte And thus they sette them vpon Horses and so carried them awaie because els he beinge wounded these hindred with their bandes could not goe so faste as they Surely that which was donne was like a Prologue of a Comedy straungers beinge prysoners who a litle before were afrayde still of deathe that they sawe before their eies were not now carried any more Captiue but garded with a number of suche as should within a shorte time become their Subiectes and in suche case were they Here endeth the Eight Booke The Ninthe Booke BY this time was Siene besieged rounde aboute and inclosed with the Aethiopian Army as if a man would haue set nettes about it For Oroondates when he hearde that the Aethiopians were at hande and that they lefte Cataractae came to Siene gotte into the Towne before them a little and closed vp the gates and when he had planted his Slinges and other Ordinaunce vpon the walles he waited to sée what they would doo Hidaspes Kinge of Aethiopia hearinge a great waie of that the Persians were entred into Siene by his spies and for all that he vsed the same celeritie in their pursuite by whiche he was in hope he should haue benne before them yet came shorte lodged his Army before the Cittie rounde about without any Skirmishe as if he should haue sitten at a playe filled all their Countrie with thrée score hundred thousande men and Cattel so that they draue them into a streight corner There his espialles findinge him presented their prysoners be tooke great pleasure to looke vpon the yonge couple and had good affection to them in his minde as those that shoulde be his owne Children afterwarde although he knewe not so muche but especially he accompted it good lucke that they were bounde And saide Loo at the first the Goddes deliuer our enimies to vs in bandes and seinge that these be the firste prysoners they shalbe kepte to the ende of the warre to be Sacrificed at our Triūphe to the Goddes accordinge to the olde custome of the Aethiopians After he had rewarded his Spies he sente them and the prisoners to their impedimentes and sette a company to kéepe them whiche could well speake their language and gaue them streight commaundement to looke well vnto them and let them fare of the beste and kéepe them from al manner of vncleannesse as thinges appointed for Sacrifice ought to be kepte and that their bandes should be chaunged and haue Chaines of Golde for them For wherefore so euer Iron serueth in other Countries Golde serueth in Aethiopia and they did as they were commaunded When they tooke of their former Chaines and without doinge any thinge els put them in comforte that they should liue more at ease and fitted for them fetters of Golde Theagenes laughed saide Good Lorde whence commeth this trimme change truely Fortune flattereth vs woonderfully wée chaunge Iron for Golde and in pryson wée are enritched so that wée be more woorthe in our Bandes Cariclia smiled too and woulde haue him of an other minde and therefore brought him in remembrance of that whiche the Goddes had foreshewed vnto them and so put him into better hope But Hidaspes him selfe assaulted Siene and where as he thought before that with his greate Hoste at the firste approche he should haue ouerthrowen the Towne Walles all he had almost benne then repulsed of them that kepte the same who dallied not but valiantly withstoode their enimies force and railed on them spitefully to anger them the more He very wrothe that they were fully determined to indure to the ende and had not straighte yéelded them selues to him thought it good not to trifle the time with his Army and doo nothinge nor to laie suche a siege whereby somme mighte escape and somme be taken but vtterly in shorte space to spoyle the Towne Wherefore he diuised suche a piece of woorke he parted the compasse aboute the walles emonge his Souldiers and to euery tenne men he appointed tenne yardes the length and bredth thereof was very greate and commaunded them to make a Ditche some digged other carried the grytte away and somme therewith did raise vp a Counter wall againste that whiche was besieged No man durste comme out of the Towne because of the greate Army to hinder or let the woorke that it mighte not be made rounde about the Towne and their Slinges and other
that whiche séemed to be drie at the toppe there was muche wetnesse whiche as well deceiued men as Horses So they passed their time twoo or thrée daies and in token of peace the people of Siene sette open their gates and the Aethiopians laide a side theire Armoure And so was there a truce yet came they not togeather neither was there kepte watche and warde with either of them But they that were in the Cittie gaue them selues to pastime pleasure for then it hapned that the hiest feast that the Egyptians haue fel which is kept holy aboute midsomer at what time the Floudde encreasde and it is honoured more then al other for this cause The Egyptians faine Nylus to be a God and the greatest of al ▪ Gods equal to Heauē because he watereth their Countrie without Clowdes or Raine that commeth out of the Apre and thus dothe he euery yéere without faile as wel as if it shoulde raine And this is the common sortes opinion But the cause why they gaue him so Diuine honoure is because they thinke that the mixture of moyste and drie is the especial cause of the beginninge and continuaunce of mannes life as for the other Elementes they depende vpon these and are where so euer these be and they deeme that moisture procéedeth from Nylus and driues from the Earthe but this euery man knoweth also Mary their Diuines saie that the Earthe is Isis and Nylus Osiris geuinge to either a newe name Therefore the Goddesse is very desirous of his companie and reioiseth when he is with her but lowreth when he is absent as if some vnhappy blaste by lightninge had touched her This tale haue the skilful men in Natures secretes diuised because as I thinke they woulde not make prophane personnes priuie of the secresies conteined therein but they instructe those that are desirous to knowe these priuities in their vestery by Candell lighte And lette this suffise to be spoken at this time by the leaue of the Gods as for the greate secretes they shall not be reueled for reuerence sake Nowe let vs procéede with that whiche was donne aboute Siene orderly When the feast of Nylus was come the inhabitantes fel to killing of Beastes and to doo Sacrifice and for al that their bodies were busied with theire presente perilles yet theire mindes as muche as they might were godly disposed Oroondates waytinge his time when the Sienians were faste a sléepe after theire feastinge conueyed his Army priuily out for he had secretely geuen the Persians warninge before at what howre and whiche gate he woulde goe foorthe Euery decurion was charged to leaue all their Horses and other Cattell behinde that they mighte not trouble them in their way nor make a noyse whereby that they did should be discouered but euery man to take his Armoure and a Boorde or Planke vnder his arme When they were comme togeather as he had commaunded he caste the boordes that euery man carried ouerthwart the Ose and laide them in suche sorte that one touched another and so conducted ouer his Army with little paine and great spéede as if there had benne a bridge for that they who came after deliuered theire boordes to them that wente before When he came to lande he went priuily by the Aethiopians who suspected nothinge lesse nor kepte watche any longer but sleapte soundly as fast as his breathe woulde geue him leaue wente to Eliphantina and was lette in by by for that the twoo Persians whiche were sente from Siene as was appointed wayted for his comminge euery nighte and when they hearde theire watche woorde they sette open the gates When it was daye the people of Siene firste knew of this escape suspectinge the same for that euery man missed the Persian that was Lodged in his house and coulde not heare of them and by the bridge whiche they sawe before the Towne Then was the Cittie in great feare againe and looked for grieuous punishment for this seconde iniury because they had shewed them selues so vnfaithfull to let the Persians escape after they had founde suche clemency at the Aethiopians handes Wherefore they determined euery man to goe out of the Cittie and yéelde them selues to the Aethiopians and by Othe to confirme their ignoraunce if happely they may mooue them to pitie When all of euery age were come togeather and had taken bowes in their handes to declare their lowlinesse and humilitie and with Tapers burninge carried all their Goddes and holy Images in tooken of peace were come ouer that brydge to the Aethiopians they fell vpon their knées and sate a farre of gaue all at once a sorrowfull lamentable crie crauinge in humble sorte the forgeuenesse of their offence and to obteine it the rather they laied their Infantes before them sufferinge them to goe whither they woulde so asswaginge the wrathe of the Aethiopians with their age whiche was without suspition and blame Those children for feare ranne from theire Parentes and Nources with a woonderful crie somme crepte in the waie whiche wente towarde the Aethiopians Hoste other laie and cried whiche coulde not speake perfitely and would haue made any man to take compassion vpon them because Fortune euen in them printed out an humble estate When Hidaspes sawe this he thoughte that they craued mercye in more earnest sorte then they did before and therefore sente one to knowe what they woulde haue and howe it happened that they ranne out alone and not the Persians with them They tolde him all the Persians Flight their Innocency the Hie Feaste of the Coūtrie and howe that they priuily slipte awaie while they were busie in the seruice of their God and when thei had banqueted and were fallen asléepe Whereas perhappes if they had sente them without Armour they shoulde not haue ben hable to haue staied them beinge armed When Hidaspes hearde this he suspected as the trothe was in déede that Oroondates would doo sommewhat to entrap and hurte him Wherfore he sent onely for the Priestes when he had woorshipped the Goddes of greatest price he asked them if they coulde infourme him of any thinge that they meante to doo and whither they were gonne and where in was their greatest truste They answeared that they knewe nothinge certainely mary they déemed that he was gonne to Eliphantina where the chiefe strengthe of his Armye laie and that Oroondates beste truste was in his Barde Horses When they had saide thus thei desired him to goe into y e Towne as his owne and to take from them all his displeasure But Hidaspes would not enter into it at that time yet he sente thither twoo Troupes of Armed men to sée whether there were any guile as he suspected if not that they shoulde be a Garrison to defende the Cittie this donne he sent away the people of Siene with gentle promises and went him selfe forwarde with his Army either to receiue the Persians if they set vpon him or if they would
Yée that be presente me thinketh that I breake not the custome of my Country to my Kinge if I adore him who hathe geuen me a Deputiship neither doo I any euil if I doo this to the tustest man in the worlde who might haue slaine me he hathe graunted me life throughe his singulare courtesie and although he might haue ceased all into his owne hande yet hathe he geuen me my Deputyship againe Wherefore I promise bothe the Aethiopians Persians if I liue that I wil kéepe longe peace and continuall amitie and perfourme to the Sienians that whiche I am commaunded But if any thinge otherwise then well happen to me the Goddes rewarde Hidaspes and his House and al his Posteritye for the goodnesse he hath shewed to me Here endeth the Ninth Booke The Tenth Booke THus let this suffice to be spoken of that whiche was donne aboute Siene which after it was come into so great a daunger by the clemencie equitie of one man sodenly receiued so good a turne This donne Hidaspes sente a greate parte of his Armye before and wente him selfe into Aethiopia and the people of Siene other Persians folowed him a great way and praised him much made many Supplications for his good and prosperous healthe First he tooke his iourney on the bankes of Nylus and suche other places as were neare vnto the same After he came to Cataractae and had donne Sacrifice to Nylus and the other Goddes of that Countrie he turned aside and wente throughe the middest of the Countrie When he came to Philae he gaue his Army leaue to rest and refreshed them selues twoo daies There againe he sente awaye a greate number of his meanest Souldiers but tarried him selfe to fortifie the walles place therin a Garrison This donne he chose twoo Horsmen which should ride in poste before him and in certaine Townes and Villages chaunge their Horses with Letters to Meroe to certifie theÌ„ of his Victory To the wise men which are called Gymnosophistae and are of the Kinges Councell he wrote thus To the Diuine Councell Hidaspes sendeth gréetinge I certifie you of the Victory whiche I had of the Persians yet I make not any great accouÌ„pt of the successe that I had in spéedinge so well because I consider the chaunges and vnstablenesse of fortune but salute commend by my Letters the Priestehoode whiche as at all times so hathe it very wel at this time tolde me trothe Therefore I praie you and as I maye commaunde you to come into the place appointed that with youre presence you may make the Sacrifice more acceptable to all the people of Aethiopia And to his wife Persina thus Vnderstande that wée haue wonne the fielde and that toucheth you moste neare are in good healthe Wherfore make somme sumptuous prouision to doo Sacrifice of thankesgeuinge to the Goddes and when you haue shewed the wise men our Letters and exhorted them to be presente make haste to be in the fielde before the Cittie which is consecrated to our Gods the Sunne the Moone and Bacchus When Persina had readde this Letter shée saide Surely this was my dreame that I had this night I thought that I was with childe and broughte foorthe a Daughter which was mariageable presently I gheasse that my sorrowe in trauell betokened the Battaile and my Daughter the Victory Wherefore goe into the Cittie and tell them of these ioiful newes The Postes did as shée commaunded them and with Garlandes of the hearbe Lotos that groweth by Nylus vpon their heades and braunches of Palme in their handes which they shaked and shewed in the chiefe places of the Cittie vpon greate Horses made reporte of the Victory and if they had saide nothinge els there to their gesture and the habite of their bodies would haue declared the same Therfore all Meroe was suddainely full of ioy and the people flocked togeather and Sacrificed day and night in euery Family Streate and Tribe and went oft to the Churches and were not so gladde of the victory as that Hidaspes was well because that man had by equitie and courteous vsage of his Subiectes so wonne the hartes of them that they loued him as their Father Persina after shee had prepared great droues of Oxen Horses and many Shéepe Quailes and Griphes with all manner of other liuinge thinges and sente them before into the sacred fielde that of euery one kinde of them mighte be a iuste Hecatombe suche as were lefte should serue for that publike feaste shée went to the Gymnosophistae whiche dwell in the groue of Pan and gaue them Hidaspes letters and praied them to fulfill the Kinges request in that behalfe doo her a pleasure and be an Ornament by their presence to the Sacrifice They willed her to staie a while and went them selues into the Temple to praie and aske Counsell at the Goddes what was beste to doo and retourned by and by And Sisimithres whiche was chiefe of the Kinges Councel saide wée wil come Persina for the Gods commaund vs so to doo Mary they foreshewe that there shal be a sturre and businesse in the Sacrifice but it shal haue a very good and delectable ende because that destiny shal without your trauaile bringe to light a member of your body and parte of the Kingdome which was loste All terrible thinges saide Persina shall haue the better successe if you be by And I wil sende you woorde when I heare that Hidaspes is almoste come you néede not ê™ Sisimitres sende vs any woorde when he will come for to morrowe morninge wil he be here and so shall you haue knowledge by his letters anon And it happened so in déede for as soone as Persina was departed and almoste come home to the Kinges Palaice a post gaue her Letters from the Kinge that tolde her that he would be there the next daie Then by and by the Contentes of these Letters were notified in the Towne and the menne onely were commaunded to méete them but the woomen might not goe out of the Cittie because that the Sacrifice should not be desiled by any meanes in as muche as at that time they Sacrificed to the cleanliest Goddes the Sunne and Moone therefore might no woomen be present but the Prieste of the Moone alone whiche was Persina for that the Kinge is the Sunnes Prieste and the Quéene the Moones by the custome of the Countrie Cariclia also should be there not as a looker on but a Sacrifice to the Moone Then was there greate adoo in the Cittie so that the menne woulde not tarry till daie but laboured all the night to goe ouer the floudde Astabora some by the Bridge other that dwelled a farre of in Boates that were made of Réedes whereof many growe there on the bankes sides the boates be very swifte as wel for the mater that they be made of as also for their burden for they neuer carry aboue twoo or thrée persons for the
Daughter euen at the very Aulters and haue brought him that brought her vp out of the middest of Greece as it had benne of pourpose They haue feared and troubled the Horses and Bullockes too that stoode before the Aultars whereby they declared that the greater Sacrifices whiche haue benne vsed emonge our Auncesters shoulde nowe cease and be vsed no more And beside declared this yonge Greeke to be the Maydes Husbande whiche may be the ende and conclusion of this Comedie Lette vs therefore suffer these diuine Miracles to sinke in our mindes and be healpers of theire will and doo more acceptable Sacrifices to them and leaue murtheringe of menne and woomen for euer hereafter After Sisimithres had saide thus so lowde that all mighte heare him Hidaspes who vnderstoode also the tonge wherein he spake tooke vp Theagenes and Cariclia and sayde Séeinge that these thinges benne thus appointed by the wil and pleasure of the Goddes I thinke howe séemeth it to you that be here also that it is not good to striue againste them Wherefore before them who haue preordained this and you also whiche séeme with your consente to followe their fates and destintes I wishe that these twoo may increase and growe in wedlocke and geue them leaue to reioyce either other that they maye engender and haue Children And if you shall thinke it good lette this decrée be confirmed with Sacrifice and lette vs fall to woorshippinge of the Goddes The Army consented thereto and with clappinge their handes gaue a Signe that they were contented with the matche Hidaspes then came to the Aulters and ready to beginne Sacrifice saide thus O Sunne our Lorde and Lady Moone for as muche as Theagenes and Cariclia are declared to be Man and Wife by your good willes I am sure you will accepte of theire Offeringes and suffer them to doo Sacrifice to you This saide he tooke of his owne Miter and Persinas which were the notes of their Priesthoode and sette one vpon Theagenes head whiche was his owne and the other vpon Cariclias that was Persinas When this was donne Caricles remembred him selfe of the Oracles answeare at Delphi and sawe that fulfilled in déede whiche was promised before of the Goddes Whiche was that after they fledde from Delphi they shoulde come at lengthe to Countrie scortche with burninge Phebus beames VVhere they as recompences dewe that vertue rare doo gaine In time to come ere it be longe white Miters shall obtaine Thus after they had on these white Miters and were made Priestes by the voice and opinion of Hidaspes aud had donne Sacrifice very well they roade in Chariottes drawen with Horses Hidaspes and Cariclia in one Sisimithres and Caricles in an other and Persina with Cariclia in the thirde but theirs was drawen with twoo white Oxen to Meroe with greate ioie and melody of Instrumentes of Musike to accomplishe the secreter affayres of Wedlocke in the Cittie for more solemnities sake Thus endeth the Aethiopian History of Theagenes and Cariclia the Authour whereof is Heliodorus of Emesos a Cittie in Phoenicia Sonne of Theodofius whiche fetcheth his Petigrée from the same The ende of the tenthe and laste Booke of Heliodorus Aethiopian History Cnemon his excellent tale His honest disposition The Athenians feaste called Quinquatria Demeneta inuentethe howe to greeue Cnemon Aristippus â—rathe against Cnemon VVeemeÌ„s wrath neuer hath ende Cnemon deceiâ—ed by Thisbe Cnemon boundâ— Aristippus Orâ—tion against his sonne Cnemon â—ewe friendes in extremitie He telleth foorth Charias bringeth Cnemon 〈◊〉 of Demencias Death Though Iustice deferreth longe yet shee striketh soare at laste Aristippus is sorowful for the losse of his Sonne Demeneta loued Cnemon better when he was gonne â–ª Demeneta accuseth Thisbe Tokens of a guilty conscieÌ„ce Thisbe with like crafte deceiueth her Misiers as before shee had Cnemon Thisâ—e accuseth Demeneâ—a to her Maister Arestippus The Monumente of the Epicures Demeneta is taken Dementas Deathe woorse then her former Life Twoâ— reasons why the Cockes crowe Memphis Dreame His Interpretation thereof The Oration of Thyamis to his mates The dewtie of a good Captaine Thyamis desireth to haue Cariclia for his share to make her his wife Thyamis asketh Cariclia her opinion and coÌ„sente to the Marriage Cariclias answeare The duetie of a woman in the presence of â—enne Cariclia seemeth to consent but taketh a delaie finely Shee appointeth the place of her Marriage Thyamis is scante contente to driue of the mater so longe Sight oftentimes moueth a man to doo sommewhat contrarie to good teÌ„perance and therefore Thyamis shunned this sight Theagenes is offended with Cariclias Oration Her wittie answeare to him Theagenes is not al satisfied with the answeare Cariclia taketh in very good parte his doubtfulnes of her stedfastnesse The propertie of a gentle answeare in yeeldinge talke Procrastination is sommetime profitable What lie is beste to be borne withall Cnemon telleth Thyamis of their Enimies at hande Cariclia carried to be keapte in the Theeues Denne where their treasure was The propertie of that Denne The Oration of Thyamis to his companions Howe VVarre with Theeues is ended The description of theire Battaile The nature of a Theefe VVhy Thyamis is taken aliue Thyamis throughe the deathe of many of his enemies is taken aliue Theagenes thinkinge Cariclia to be brent lamenteth Cnemon comforteth Theagenes Theagenes bewaileth a dead body and thought it had benne Cariclia Theagenes woulde haue slaine himselfe The ioye of Theagenes and Cariclia Too muche mirthe oftentimes tourneth to woe Thisbe is noâ— becomme an Harlot and is hated of Arsm Aristippus bannished from Athens Thisbies Letter to Cnemon Howe Thisle came into that Ilande Barbarous Loue woorse then hatred Thyamis his worde Trophynus Denne Thisbe taken by Thermutis Thyamis killed her in steede of Cariclia Cariclias dreame Cariclias exposition of her dreame Cnemons exposition of Cartclias dreame VVhy our Parentes be likened to a praier of eies Cnemons aduice as touching their present affaires A good Captaine causeth disordered people to liue orderly Necessitas plus posse quà m pietas solet Seneca Chemmis a Towne of Aegypte by Nylus Thermutis is slaine Why the Theeues lette their heare growe Longe heare dothe becomme â—â—uers well Thought maketh a man in maner blinde yea and deafe and doumbe too Miseries make a man sommetimes change his apparaile It is a greate paine to concele any mishappe longe Iupiter hospitalis A pretye similitude Homer calleth the bellie pernitious Calasiris will not forgette to doo Sacrifice to the Goddes for any trauaile and this is euery good mannes duety also Calasiris Sacrio ficeth to Theagenes and Cariclia Theagenes and Cariclia Calasiris children without a Mother A wise man couÌ„pteth thaÌ„kes a greate rewarde Bacchus pleased with mery Songes and Tales Groondates Deputie of Aegypt The VViues of Greece haue their drinkingâ— Gossippes Calasiris borne at Memphis he telleth him all his whole life passed Saturne an vnlucky Planete and neuer good VVhat misteries be tollerable and what vntollerable The beginnings of