which did not openly complayn though his soule was as sad as any of the rest But when he was alone with Glacidia what did he not say to scrue the thoughts of Cleonisbe out of her which she had upon that day of solemnity which at the beginning had all appearances of a jollity but at the end was all melancholy It seems also it was a day designd by fate to be universally sad for three extraordinary accidents did fall out upon it and amongst the rest nothing was more talked of then that the faire and young Amathilde should that day fall sick and of a sickness so strange and terrible that all Physicians sayd that though she her self escaped yet her beauty could not Yet they did not at first tell her as much but on the contrary knowing her humour they assured her that she would recover her beauty with her health In the mean time the violence of Bomilcar having displeased the King the Prince Carimantes closed with that opportunity and went unto him one morning without acquainting Cleonisbe and the King lending him a willing eare with much boldness and eloquence he hinted unto him that he should not suffer Cleonisbe to marry a man who was so insolent as to pretend unto that honour as a due unto him insomuch as the King did agree Bomilcar was too blame After this driving the nail to the head he intimated many inconveniences which were to be feared if he suffered her to marry eyther Britomartes or Galathes and that much lesse danger would ensue if he preferred the Prince of Phoceus before any of the rest At first Carimantes found some repugnancy in the Kings mind not but that he had a high esteem of the Phocean Prince and loved him extreamly but being an exile from his Country this stuck much in his mind Yet Carimantes would not be repulsed for but he pressed the matter so home that he obliged the King to think well of him so as going to carry this welcome news unto the Prince of Phoceus he made him extreamly joyed and obtained from him a confirmation of his promise to oblige Onesicrite to receive the honour he did her very favourably The truth is Madam the Prince Carimantes being joyned nothing could oppose them and their power was stronger then Bomilcars Britomartes and Galathes all together I shall not insist Madam upon a relation of this important Negotiation but only tell you that whilst this feaver which the Princess had was the pretence of seeing no body Carimantes carryed the Prince of Phoceus unto her and made her confess unto him that she was glad the King would permit her to do Justice unto his merit It is not an easie matter Madam to relate his raptures of joy and yet it was greater when he undestood that Carimantes had negotiated so well with the King that he gave his consent they should be happy and likewise did permit the Prince his sonne to marry Onesicrite However these things were carryed so closely that they made no noise in the Court For since the meetings of the King and the Prince of Phoceus of Cleonisbe and Carimantes were alwayes with much caution nothing was divulged Moreover Aristonice writing almost every day unto Onesicrite to exhort her unto the publique good before her own private satisfaction she resolved to sacrifice her passion unto the good of her Country and did so affirmatively promise it unto this illustrious Virgin of Diana as there was no cause of any doubt but that she would overcom her self So that when the Prince of Phoceus was advertised by Aristonice how the case stood and wished his Sister to break off with Menedorus since Sfurius would not let her marry him and when afterwards he desired her to receive the affection of the Prince Carimantes she told him that she would obey him T is true she told him so with a sigh yet it was after such a manner as one might see she intended to keep her promise And indeed from that day forward she desired Menedorus to with-draw his affection from her giving all her reasons which might induce him to hearken unto her desires But though she gave him as sweet language as is imaginable yet he was so full of sorrow and anger that he could not dissemble his resentments but accused her of inconstancy and ambition Also he did menace both the Prince Carimantes and the Prince of Phoceus so highly that Onesicrite as sweet a temper as hers was she be ganto be angry against him for giving such irreverent language Insomuch as smothering all that tenderness of heart which she had towards Menedorus she absolutely charged him never to see her again so as this incensed Lover beginning his obedience by leaving her he went to Galathes and imparted all his sorrows unto him as Galathes did the like to him again In the mean time since Cleonisbe began to recover the King and the Prince Carimantes resolved that to hinder any commotion in the State Cleonisbe should temper the spirits of these three Rivalls which were to be rejected and to tell them hansomely her intentions before the day of solemnity to the end they should not be surprized and be absent The Princess was hardly perswaded unto this but the King absolutely commandding her she resolved to be obedient and indeed she was so For the Feaver having quite left her and they permitted to see her these three unfortunate Lovers came to present their Complements of joy for her recovery So that she taking this opportunity did declare their dooms unto them one after another But though she employed all her wit and eloquence to make them receive it patiently yet all would not do As for Britomartes he being high and proud told her in a high manner after she had desired him to pretend no longer unto her choise for severall reasons that she was unjust unto his quality and vertue For as she told him to qualifie his mind that it was not but that she esteemed him very much he interrupted her Since it is so Madam sayd he unto her it is enough to authorize all my attempts for since you do not think me unworthy of you I must tell you that I do not think I shall do any thing against those respects I owe you when I shall do all I am able to possess in honour which you confess I may enjoy without injustice And so Madam I shall endeavour all wayes possible to keep you from an ill choise Thus Madam did Britomartes receive his sentence As for Galathes since he had the art of dissimulation he seemed to receive all that Cleonisbe sayd with all humble respect and with a thousand signs of love not one of any anger he only told her that he would do all he was able to obey her but yet feared that he could not Afterwards Bomilcar being come to Cleonisbe whose mind was incensed against him by the complaints he had made against her and the King her
dare I then perswade my self that since you have done so you will be so your self Beleeve it Aglatidas said she then unto me Amestris does not use to engage her heart upon easie tearms and since you have a Place in it nothing shall take it out but death I leave you to judge Sir what effects these favourable words wrought in my soul Then I took Amestris by the hand and kissing it whether she would or no with as much reverence as love I thanked her in such passionate terms that I dare say they mollified her heart yet since I left Megabises Otanes and a hundred more in Love Madam said I to her I have one favour to desire which I dare hardly name and which yet I cannot conceal then she pressed me to know what it was assuring me that any thing which was not unjust should not be denied that which I desire Madam is if without forfeiture of my respect I may name it that you would be pleased to be as reserved of your favors as you can both unto Megabises and Otanes and a hundred others who are your servants and not to let all my Rivals be happy whilest the unfortunate Aglatidas suffers unimaginable torments I do ingeniously confess Madam that my desire is unreasonable but Love knows no Laws of reason nor can be kept within limits I cannot promise you answered she not to see them whom you call your Rivals but I will assure you I will not give them any favourable respect This is too little to satisfie my jealousie Madam Replied I unless you will be pleased to do me so much honour as to promise me to respect them as little as can be possibly for Madam said I though your eyes be never so much displeased yet they are alwaies lovely so sprightly and so divine that it is much better to see them in their anger then not to see them at all Therefore Madam I beseech you have compassion upon my imbecillity and refuse me not the consolation to hope that my enemies shall not gain by my absence and that I may not be the only man which shall be deprived of that happiness in seeing you I would Aglatidas said she to me see your heart at rest concerning that and assure your self that I will with as much care affect a solitude as I should rejoyce in your presence and preservation But in consenting unto this which you desire I must tell you thus much that I will engage my self no further then civility will permit thinking it not just I should promise more That perhaps may be too little Madam said I to satisfie my Love though it be enough to satisfie one that gives Laws unto the whole world and receives none from any but his own will And indeed it is too much for me if I do rightly consider my little and your great merit I should consume too much time Sir if I should relate all that was spoken at this sad but pleasant conference but since it was grown very late Amestris would part and I parted from her both with sorrow and satisfaction The more obliging words she had given me the more unhappy did I conceive my self in leaving her and I could almost have wished that she had been lesse favourable that I might have been lesse grieved After I had a while continued my so much interested thoughts I did so much love the cause of my grief that my grief became precious and pleasant unto me And I cherished them with more care then I can express unto you and from that fatall minute when I left Amestris until this wherein I speak unto you I almost never ceased from entertaining them I followed Amestris by my eyes as long as possible and parted from her sighing not being able to speak adieu I returned unto my melancholy lodging not minding my way nor any thing else but my sorrows The Idea of Amestris with all her attracts and charms and all her splendour appeared unto me notwithstanding the darkness of the night Two daies after this enterview I went into the Province of Arisantines where Artambaces procured a convenient Retreat for me with one of his Friends who had been Governour of a considerable place I will not relate my Melancholy sorrows all this voyage and exile It 's enough you know that the violence of my love was so predominate in my heart and my soul was so much infected with that Passion as I was never at rest And to more augment my sorrows I was no sooner departed but I received the sad news that Hermanista being seised upon by a violent Feaver did die the seventh day and that Artambaces who loved her with unspeakable tenderness was fallen sick upon it But the misfortune ended not here but a few daies after I heard that the loving Husband followed his wife to the grave And that Amestris by Orders from the King was committed unto the Guardianship of one that was allied unto Megabises and not at all a friend unto me Imagine Sir into what a condition this dismall news transported me for I was infinitely bound unto Artambaces and Hermanista and moreover I resented the sorrows of Amestris I imagined that I saw her in the hands of her enemies who would not easily suffer me to see her and upon the whole matter I had nothing to relie upon but the fidelity of Amestris which me thought I had not well enough deserved to put too much confidence to it Not but that I knew my Father did very much desire our Marriage But yet there was some cause to fear lest if when he saw the King alter his minde in favour of Megabises who had already made his peace that then my Father should comply with the time and alter his minde in hopes he might more easily obtain my pardon Thus I lived in such Melancholy as may be more easily conceived then expressed Amestris also for her part her life was very full of bitterness I did write unto her constantly every week by an express messenger whom I sent and she did me so much favour as to answer me and that with so much wit and wisdom both as her Letters moved no less wonder then love in me As she was extreamly troubled for the loss of Artambaces and Hermanista so she writ unto me in such sad expressions as would have inspired sorrow in a soul that was in its height of jollity She expressed such tenderness for those she loved that I almost wished my self in the room of Artambaces and Hermanista that I might so receive the feeling testimonies of her affection Alas said I how well does this fair Lady know how to love those whom it is her pleasure to love and how infinitely happy should I be in the enjoyment of her affection in quiet and liberty But whilst I sigh 't and complain'd away my daies and nights without any other comfort but the Letters of Amestris my business rather went worse then mended because Megabises
give out all necessary orders for the safety of the Castle Oh Sir cried out Chrisantes Feraulas and all the rest who were in the Chamber as long as Cyrus lives your Majesty need not to fear any thing Mean while Thiamis desiring to execute the Kings Order with all speed and not to give him any time to repent of so gracious a Sentence went down unto the Gate of the Castle followed by all the Magi which waited upon him As soon as the Gates were opened Cyrus came up and endeavoured to enter and forbid entrance unto any else All his Deliverers and Partakers did advance all the Captains and Souldiers cried out that he should not enter and made a terrible noise But when the Gates of the Castle were wide open and none but the Magi and Sacrificers appeared the tumult ceased every one kept his station and silence to hear what Thiamis would say unto them Cyrus then saluted the Magi with much reverence holding down his sword and looking upon him with as little dismayedness as if his life were not at all in danger Is it from you Grave Thiamis said he unto him that I ought to re-assume my fetters No Sir answered he the Ministers of the Gods do not use to abase themselves so low as to execute the injustice of men But generous Prince I come to proclaim that liberty which the King hath granted unto you The flight of Metrobates hath cleared his soul from all doubts and the Gods unto whom you are most precious have by your own victories freed you from that danger which seemed to be inevitable Come then Sir and triumph come and receive that tenderness of foul which the King keeps for you Cyrus then making most low reverence unto Thiamis Doubtless it is your pious prayers said he unto him rather then any virtue in me which hath wrought this happy change in the King But grave Thiamis Does the King esteem me as a justified man or as a criminal whom he pardons you shall know that from his own mouth replied Thiamis This grave Magi had no sooner said so but Cyrus turning himself towards his illustrious friends did intreat them to let him enter alone but he could not hear their Answer for this good news having in a moment passed from mouth to mouth nothing could be heard but thoughts of joy yet certain mistrusts did remain in many minds and they could not be satisfied with any thing Some would have Hostages before he entred others asked whether Thiamis whose wisdom and integrity was known unto all the world would answer for him Insomuch as hearing himself named by so many voices and different men No no said this sage Sacraficer unto them as loud as he could speak fear nothing but trust me with the Person of Cyrus It is my office to conduct Victims unto the feet of Altars not into the hands of Executioners I use to appease the Gods by sacrifices not but I do not use to execute vengeance upon men Let your obedience said he unto them restifie that your zeal is grounded upon good principles and in lieu of serving do not prejudice your most Illustrious General Mean while the King of Phrygia the King of Hircania Persodes Thrasibulus Artibies the Prince of Paphlagonia Hidaspes Artabases Thimocrates Philocles Leontidas Megabises Aglatidas Orsanes and many others came near and desired that they might follow Cyrus into the Castle but Thiamis told them it would better accommodate the business if some part of them only did enter in with him and the other part remain without to keep the souldiers and people within the limits of their duties lest some Banique fears should freshly incense them and lest they should imagine Cyrus is ill used and moreover it would be much more requisite they should endeavour to take Metrobates who was yet out of the Castle After this contest Cyrus entred the King of Phrygia Hidaspes Artabases Adusius Thrasibulus and Aglatidas only following him the King of Hircania and all the rest remain without to take all requisite courses to prevent any new commotion In the mean while Thiamis was no sooner gone towards the King but this Prince was entred into his Closet whither he sent for Chrisantes and Martesia only These two Persons had both of them so much spirit and discretion and had told Ciaxares so much that they made his soul desirous to hear the justification of Cyrus with delght for since neither his truth nor his passion was not any longer to be concealed as a secret it was much more easie for them then before to make his innocence appear Chrisantes did then with all ingenuity confess of what nature that intelligence was which Cyrus held with the King of Assyria and caused him so well to understand that it was no criminous correspondence as that the King would sigh for sorrow considering into what a bad condition this supposed crime had brought him Martesia for her part did justifie his Mistress so handsomly and did so sincerely and briefly relate all the passages that he himself found no cause of complaint There was nothing but that Picture which was found in the Cabinet of Cyrus which moved him to conceive it to be too much for a Princess of so great a vertue as Mandana professed for although Martesia had told him it was made for the Princess of Pteria yet there was no proof of it but as good fortune was Martesia did bethink her self of a passage which would clear the business Sir said she unto him Ariobantes who as you know was Brother unto the Princess of Pteria for whom that Picture was made is able to witness that I tell you no lye he may perhaps know it if your Majesty shew it unto him for I do remember he was with the Princess the same day it was finished and that the Princess his Sister falling sick the next day after sent Ariobantes unto the Princess for it But the Picture-drawer being desirous to take it with him that he might do something unto the Dress she could not receive that satisfaction she desired So that the same Princess died and as I told your Majesty never received it As soon as Martesia had told this Ariobantes entred who gave the King an account of those Orders he had given for the Guard of the Castle Ciaxares then fetching out the Cabinet of Cyrus which he always kept in his Closet ever since the wicked Metrobantes brought it unto him he took out the Picture of Mandana and shewing it unto Ariobantes asked him whether ever he had seen it before Yes Sir answered he after he had a while looked upon it doubtless I have seen it and that more then once for I saw it when the Princess out of her goodness was pleased to let it be taken for my Sister and I saw it afterwards when it was carried unto Martesia a few days before the Princess was carried away by the King of Assyria I remember also how I
officers coming unto him as he was entring into the Castle presented unto him the same Seal which Meneclida and he let fall into the Sea the last great fishing day which they found in this miraculous fish which was presented unto him who doubtless had swallowed it at the very same instant that it fell into the water I was then close by Policrates so that I could easily observe how pleasingly he was surprized at this prodigious accident and to get that again which he thought to be for ever absolutely lost And indeed this piece of good fortune was so extraordinary that though Policrates had not been at all in love yet must it needs rejoyce him and since Meneclida was so much ravished to regaine that into her possession which was so very dear unto her Policrates also did testifie his in such excess that it made me more jealous then ever imagining that whatsoever I saw him do was always for Alcidamia he gave unto that Officer which presented it unto him as much as enriched him for his life he redoubled his liberality to the fisher-men who presented the fish and making choice of me unluckily amongst the rest he appointed me to carry this welcome news unto Alcidamia and Meneclida until he could come himself to see them Mean while all the Court admired at this strange accident and could not chuse but talk of it After this said the Egyptian Embassadour unto Policrates you may trust Fortune or defie her since the fairest of fishes did swallow it and afterwards suffered himself to be taken by such a Fisher as was so honest as to present you with it and after all this to find an Officer so trusty and faithful as to restore a jewel of that value is a piece of as great good fortune as is imaginable and ought to perswade you that you shall be ever happy If so answered Policrates very civilly you your self must rejoyce also as at a thing which speaks the prosperity of the King your Master since I my self can never be happy unless he be so also Mean while I went against my mind to discharge my self of my Commission but it was after such a faint manner as let Alcidamia and Meneclida see very well that my mind was much perplexed I found unto my greater grief that Hiparchus who had not been hunting was with them and that Timasias and Theanor both whom we left at the Gates of the Town was there also I related my business then in such a manner as was a fit subject for the raillery of Hiparchus for seeing in what a melancholy tone I told this newes of joy and delight he vented a hundred of his flashes which were bitter unto me and pleasant unto them in so much as if Meneclida had not handsomely turned the discourse my melancholy would perhaps have appeared more then I would have it after this I must go and render an account unto Policrates of what the Ladies said unto me but though they did both of them load me with a hundred civilities towards him yet I passed them over in a slight manner and told a short story that Meneclida was very glad there was any hopes to have her Seal soon again Policrates was then in his closet and no body with him but my self and he asked with extream curiosity what Meneclida and Alcidamia had said unto me and since I returned him no manner of pertinent answer he came upon me with question upon question and put say Soul into such a horrid torment that I was diverse times ready to cast off all respect unto him but the Prince observing the discomposure of my mind did ask what it was which troubled me since I answered only with a bow he begun to muze and afterwards looking earnestly upon me Leontidas said he unto me you are either in love or else I am the most mistaken man in the world But if it be so said he I wish for your own quiet sake it be not with Alcidamia for she is one of such an indifferent humour as will much trouble the tranquility of your mind in obtaining your desired end When I heard Policrates speak in this manner and perceived his desire to know my thoughts but I was at such a non-plus that I could not ananswer him The Prince observing my disorder smiled and imbracing me with abundance of sweetness Leontidas said he unto me fear not to discover your imperfections unto me for I am resolved to discover mine unto you and the more to oblige you I pray you know that the same Policrates who every one conceives so happy is oftentimes tormented with a secret which troubles the goodness of his fortunes Sir said I then unto him being extreamly transported it seems to me that Alcidamia is not very averse unto you Alcidamia indeed said he unto me does sometimes qualifie the severity of Meneclida but yet for all that all that she does in my behalf is to prevent her friend from treating me ill but truly she is very favorable unto me I confess when I heard Policrates express himself thus I thought at the first it was only to deceive me Yet this Prince perceiving my mistrust of him and guessing at a great part of my thoughts he was too good as to desire me that I would utter them unto him and I was so bold as to obey him And after I had in some sort acknowledged that I had been deceived Policrates then understanding my error did dissipate it in such a manner that there remained not any more suspition in my Soul and I perfectly knew how all that Theanor had said unto me was false which put me into such a collorique fume against him that I was not master of my own resentment I told not then Policrates all I knew and I conceived it more noble to be revenged upon him my self then to make use of the Authority of the Prince for it Now did Policrates really love me and to cure me of my jealousie he made me that confident of his passion unto Meneclida and to oblige me the more he offered me all his assistance to Alcidamia and indeed he spoke so much in my advantage when he went the next morning to carry Meneclida her Seal that the fair Alcidamia did look much more favorably upon me In the mean time going to look out Theanor that I might acquaint him with my resentments I understood how he was gone into the Country for some days I heard also that Timasias was faln sick and stirred not out of his chamber So that I found my jealousie of Policrates vanished and rid of two Rivals for a while and finding also the favor of this Prince I entred into a very great league of friendship with Alcidamia and was for almost a week a most happy man But alas the beginning of my good fortune was the beginning of my greater Torment For as long as I thought my self not at all loved by Alcidamia
that aâ—ter this you would aid him to recover his Dominions And indeed he did execute the first part of his design for he went out of Heraclea not any thing of two flourishing Kingdoms remaining unto him but the title of King which fortune could not deprive him of When the Princess received this sad news she resented it with insupportable sorrow for Sir be pleased to know that the insolent Artanus assuming new boldness upon this new misfortune came unto her with more incivility then ever before we saw him Madam said he unto her since I ever thought that the strongest reason which moved you to treat me so imperiously as you have done was because I was a subject unto the King your brother I think it therefore expedient to let you know that now he must never be my Master again since fortune has taken from him his Crown and two Kingdoms which he enjoyed and has nothing left him but one single shâ—p â—n which he has convayed himself away from his enemies therefore Madam since you are not now the sister of a King you may well look upon my condition as not inferiour unto yours and for the future carry your self otherwise then heretofore you have done Since you have only the heart of a Slave replied the Princess I should do you too much honor to regard you as a simple Subject of the King my brothers and though fortune should take away his Crown yet since she cannot take away his birth which is infinitely above yours she therefore cannot change my opinion of you and though you had more Crowns then the King my brother has lost yet should I despise and scorn you upon your Throne as much as I do now and though there should be an alteration in your soul as I think it impossible yet should you never sâ—e me change therefore Artanus consider a little better what you say and remember that my fathers were ever Masters over yours that I have the honor to be daughter and sister unto three Princes unto whom I have seen you subject and indeed there is an undispensable obligation lies upon you to reâ—pect and honor me all the daies of your life The Princess pronounced these words with so much majestique choler that she made him blush and forced him to make a scurvy excuse for his insolency and aâ— last to leave her at liberty to lament the disgrace of the King her brother which we had a more particular relation of from that guard which was very faithful unâ—o us Alas Hesionida said she how deplorable is my destiny and unto what a cruel fate am I exposed I was boâ—n upon a Throne and am now a Slave and a Slave unto him that is the most unworthy amongst men Iâ— I consider the misfortunes of my brother I have not tears enough to lament his misfortunes If I contemplate my own I shall find them so dismal that I see no way buâ— death to terminate them hitherto I have loved Spitridates most innocenâ—ly the late King my father desired it the Prince and King Sinnesis my brother appointed it But now Hesionida since he is son to an usurper of my brothers Kingdom and a ruiner of my Family how is it possible I should love him without a sin But Madam said I unto her Spitridates was not in this war 'T is true said she but yet he is son unto the usurper of the Kingdom of Pont so that though my reason does not induce me to accuse him yet it is not handsom or fit I should love him any longer therefore Hesionida whether he be innocent or culpable I ought not to see him any more though he were in a place where I might do it Moreover in what part of the earth could he possibly be where he could not hear the Pontean and Bythinian war discoursed on and is it credible that since he must needs know the state of things I should never hear any news from him if he was fuller of ambition then love why did he not appear in the head of his fathers Army and if he was fuller of love then ambition why does he not endeavour to deliver me out of the hands of Artanus and why did he not let me know that his heart did not approve of what Arsamones his father had done I confess Madam said I unto her that I cannot understand why Spitridates should be so long silent No more can I replied the princess and therefore in all reason I must imagine him dead but I wish the Gods he may not justifie himself in my opinion by so sad a way If I should Sir repeat unto you all the lamentations and reflexions which the Princess had upon the King her brotâ—ers misfortunes upon the muâ—ability of terrene things and upon the innocent passions of her soul I should abuse your patience therefore I shall slightly pass by them and tell you that Artanus considering himself under the verge of a victorious Aâ—my commanded by a Prince who had conquered two Kingdoms he was not without some unquiet thoughts fâ—r althâ—ugh he had very gallant mâ—n in his party yet was he not at all grown more valiant himâ—elf and notwithstanding all his love unto the Princess I believe he repented more then once of his undertakings He also sent unto Arsamones to capâ—tulate and propound some conditions betwixt them But since he desired that Cabira should remain in his hands for his security and that he might alwayes keep the Princess Aramâ—nta under his power Arsamones absolutely desiring it himself would not hearken unto him nor handsomely entertain those which came from him so that after this refusal Artanus was more perplexed then before 'T is true he enjoyed some dayes of rest because Arsamones falling sick it retarded the march of his Aâ—my which was coming against him As things stood in this condition there came a Cavalier into Heraclea where then the Queen Arbiana was for it is but just to give her that title which is her duâ— there came I say a Cavalier who on his Buckler bore the Emblem of a Slave which seemed â—o have his choâ—ce either of Fâ—tters or Crowns and he broke the last and assumed the first with th 〈…〉 Mâ—tro More heavy but more glorious As it was late when he came so he was unknown at his entrance into the Town and his devise was not observed that night but as soon as he alighted from his horse at the house of an old acquaintance he went unto the Palace where the Queen Princess were as for Arsamones he was yet sick in the Country whither these Princesses with the Princess Istrina sister unto Intaphernis who was then in that Court were the next morning to go This Cavalier went straight unto the chamber of the Princess Aristea and desired a servant to tell her there was a stranger which desired to speak with her in private concerning some important business the servant told him that she was with the Queen
Feraulas might happily hear somthing concerning Mandana though he had an high esteem of wise Martesia yet at the first he did not enquire of her but looking upon Feraulas as if he could divine his news Well Feraulas said he do you know yet where the Princess Mandana is and will the Prince of Cicily do as I desire him Sir replied he I am even desperate in being forced to tell you that for all my haste I could possibly make I came four hours too late with orders from the Prince of Cicily to the Port where the King of Pontus and the Princess Mandana are imbarqued How Feraulas replied Cyrus is not Mandana in Cicily No Sir answered he she took ship yesterday about noon the reason of this misfortune was said he because the Prince of Cicily was in hunting when I came to Tarsis so that I was forced to go after him which took me up much time for he was far off As soon as I met with him and told him the place where you saw the Coach in which the Princess was he did infallibly conclude that the King of Pontus would imbarque at a Port unto which he immediately sent me with his Captain of his Guard and with orders to the Magistrates of the Town to stop all strangers which would put to Sea dispatching also many others into divers other places with the same Commands What should I say more Sir I came unfortunately four hours too late but by good fortune I met with Ortalques who had orders to come unto you from the Princess Madana From the Princess Mandana replied Cyrus how is it possible he should know any thing Sir replied Ortalques doubtless you will wonder when I shall tell you that having had the honour of your Commands to convoy those Ladies which went with Martesia from Sinope I safely conducted them to the side of the River Halis where having a desire to rest themselves and to take the pleasure of the water they took boat sending their Coach another way unto a place where it should meet them and commanding me to come also into the Boat my two hundred horse was conducted by my Lieutenant along the River side After we had been upon the water half a day the Lady who was Cousin unto Martesia fell sick and so extreamly that we were constrained to stay at a Castle which was built upon the Banks of that River being come unto that place where there was no Town within twenty furlongs I desired to speak with the Commander in chief but since he saw Souldiers he was very unwilling to consent unto what I desired of him He asked from whence I came whither I went what I was and who those Ladies were But since we were in Paphlagonia where I knew there was divisions among the people I dissembled the names of the Ladies and my own also telling him only that I was a Cousin unto them and had no other designe but to conduct them he was yet very hard to be perswaded unto my desires but at last telling me that he never used to entertain any in his Castle but Ladies and because it was too much inhumanity not to assist a sick Lady if without any danger he could do it he consented to receive her in and at the request of his wife who seemed to be a woman of good parts to assist her Then I went back to Martesia and causing her Cousin to be brought in a Chair which the Captain sent us I conducted these Ladies to the Gates and afterwards I went to give orders for the quartering of my men at the next Town yet the next day the Captain of the Castle invited me to lodg with him but I refused contenting my self with admission into the Castle to visit Martesia and her Cousin who found very good helps from a Chyrurgion and Physician which were there and who would not go away from thence a long time as I was told at my lodging Since Martesia was most admirable amiable she had already got the love of the Captains wife so that discoursing one day together she told her that they were very happy whensoever they found any occasion to assist sick Ladies and since Martesia knew that her dear Mistress passed up this River she asked her if she had never any occasions to assist Ladies till now She answered her that about three months since there was one of the fairest Ladies that ever breathed upon earth fell sick and was in that Castle but presently recovering she stayed not in it Martesia being now more inquisitive then before asked her name her quality and where she was but she answered that she neither knew her name nor quality but yet to tell her truly she was yet in the Castle yet if her Husband knew that she had discovered it unto her he would be extreamly angry she told her farther that the reason why they were so nice to let them enter was because this Lady was here yet she was lodged in a Chamber of the Castle far off this she was in and where none entered but the men which waited upon her and a woman which she brought with her who never left her That there was also a very handsom man who was even at deaths door with grief whilest this fair one was sick Then did Martesia desire her to describe the beauty of this Lady and the stature of the man she spake of and by the answer of this woman she certainly concluded that the Princess Mandana and the King of Pontus were in the Castle as she was leaning against a window which looked towards the River she spied a great Boat so like that in which she had been with the Princess Mandana as she asked the Captains wife whether that was not the Boat in which the sick Lady came and she answered yes Then was Martesia fully satisfied conceaning the truth of Mandana's being here she dissembled her joy until she spoke with me which the same day she did It was resolved then betwixt us so to gain the favour of this Captains wife by presents and good language that she might let us see this sick Lady and since she was but very young she was easily perswaded by such allurements To be short Sir Martesia tampered with her so handsomly that the next morning this woman unknown to her Husband carried her by a back stair into a Chamber just opposite to the Chamber of this unknown beauty and the windows being open she saw the Princess Mandana and Arianita leaning against the window and talking together very melancholy Ah Ortalques cryed Cyrus out and interrupted him why did you not release the Princess Have but a little patience Sir replied he and you shall know the reason Martesia then knowing the Princess and being extreamly surprized without any further reasoning upon the matter she thrust her self half out of the window and made so great a noise that the Princess turning her head and looking that way did
brought that the Princess Basilina Aunt unto Panthea was sick of a mortal disease Upon this the Princess who did most tenderly love her beseeched her Father that she might go and pay her last duties unto her who had been so dear unto her Since her desire was just she easily obtained it and the Prince of Clasomena himself had gone this Voyage if he had not been advertised that Croessus would not be pleased with it his Resolutions then were that Panthea should go alone and that Perinthus should be a Conductor which employment you may imagine he most joyfully undertook yet was he vexed to leave Mexaris with the Prince her Father and his Master unless he had been with him also yet notwithstanding the satisfaction he should have to be with the Princess out of sight of all his Rivals did carry him above all other considerations In the mean while Panthea considering that she should stand in need of some comfort in this sorrowful Voyage desired the Aunt of Doralisa with whom she lived to let her Niece go with her which she granted as willingly as Doralisa wished it so that the next morning we departed and went to Clasomena Abradates resented this separation extream sadly and the greatest aggravation of his sorrows was that since this Journey was so hastily undertaken he could not bid adieu unto the Princess in private so that but for me he had not known that she wished him to remember her during this absence I shall not tell you Madam how melancholy the Princess was all the Voyage nor how great her sorrows were when arriving in Clasomena we found the Princess Basilina so very ill that there was no hopes of her Recovery This Madam would be too tedious unto you But give me leave to tell you that four days after our first arrival this excellent Princess dyed whose death Panthea took so heavily that she fell sick her self so that she could not return so soon to Sardis for though her disease was not very violent yet it was so great as to hinder her from travel so that Perinthus enjoyed a longer happiness then ere he looked for in being free from the sight of his Rivals and continually seeing his Princess and indeed he became so blith and pleasant whilest-we stayed at Clasomena that the Princess would not admit of any company but his Doralisa and mine so that it may not unfitly be said that as Roses grow amongst thorny prickles so the delights of Perinthus did grow amongst his sorrows 'T is true his sweets did last no longer then the sweets of a fading Rose For besides that Love is an enemy to rest and serenity he and his delights were blasted by a stinging Letter from Andramites for it brought him news that Mexaris was perpetually as close to the Prince of Clasomena as if he were his shadow yet for all this since the Princess was not amongst them they could not put their Resolutions into execution he hoped therefore that as soon as he saw the Prince of Clasomena he would make him alter his design if he had any which were contrary to his intentions So that his trouble at it was not so great as his satisfaction to be so near his Princess and so far off his Rivals but there vvas another passage vvhich vvas a much more better Pill unto him for be pleased to know Madam that the Prince Abradates not being able to live so long without some news of Panthea did write twice every Week constantly as long as we stayed in Clasomena unto either Doralisa or my self or to say better unto the Princess since the Contents of them all related only unto her at the first he intimated his ardent desires of obtaining license to write unto her self but she would not by any means permit it lest by any accident his Letters should miscarry but as for those which were written unto Doralisa and me they were written in such an ambiguous manner as they would admit of several interpretations So that the Princess heard from Abradates almost without any danger and Abradates understood from us as much as he desired to know But the better to make our matters mysterious we intimated unto Abradates that when we vvould mention any thing unto him vvhich concerned the Princess it should be under the name of Perinthus so that you may imagine that the Name of Perinthus vvas in all our Letters It chanced once as ill luck vvas vvhen Perinthus came to Doralisa's Chamber as she vvas vvriting unto Abradates and though it vvas alvvays her custom vvhen she vvrit to appoint her Woman that vvaited upon her to let none enter before she vvas first acquainted yet she did not exactly obey her all that time but on the contrary she vvanting something vvhich vvas in another Room she vvent out unperceived by her Mistress and left the door open hoping to return ere any came but vvhilest she stayed talking vvith some of the Princess Women Perinthus came in vvho hearing no noise in the Chamber thought that either none vvas there or else that Doralisa vvas sick but to satisfie himself he vvent in and savv that she vvas behind a Screen vvriting upon a table opposite unto a great Glass and her back tovvards him Since Doralisa's mind vvas very intent upon her Writing she never minded any noise and therefore it is no vvonder if she did not hear Perinthus enter vvho being full of curiosity to see vvhat she vvrit that he might have some subject to tvvit her vvith as she had often him did go tovvards her and did tread as softly as if she had been asleep and he afraid to vvake her at last he came close to her and leaning his head almost over her shoulder he read vvhat she vvrit unto Abradates yet could he not knovv unto vvhom this Letter vvas addressed but he vvas much amazed vvhen the first vvord he read vvas his ovvn Name his curiosity augmented and he read all she had vvrit vvhich as I remember vvas in these vvords Perinthus yesterday spoke unto me concerning you in such an obliging way that I wish you knew what we said in your Commendations your last Letter seemed unto him the most pleasant in the world and so admirably politick that I read it no less then thrice unto him You may well know that since he did so commend you for it I dare not after him I have many other things to say which unto you are more As Doralisa had writ this last word and Perinthus read it with extream impatience to see the sequel that thereby he might understand the beginning which was like unto a Riddle to him knowing that Doralisa never shewed him any Letter she lifted up her eyes and looking in the Glass which was opposite to her she saw Perinthus reading her Letter over her shoulder She no sooner spyed him but she cryed out Fie fie Perinthus said she and hid her Letter have you forgot that respect which is due unto our
he cry out if thou hadst any design to betray any one why didst thou not betray the Assyrian King in favour of thy Princess and why didst thou not really release her Why didst thou not convey her into the hands of the invincible Artamenes who only is worthy of her Then would she at the least have had an esteem or friendship for thee and though thou wert the most unfortunate man that ever breathed yet it is better being so then being her Ravisher Oh most insensible Sot that I was couldst thou ever hope to be loved by doing that which was most likely to procure hatred Had I not an illustrious Example of this before my eyes on one of the greatest Kings in all Asia who carryed her away and got nothing by his violence but her hatred and yet I must carry her away also but the Gods have most severely punished me for it If my death would have satisfied that Justice certainly I should have perished in the same place with her but since they knew that her death would punish me most severely they keep me alive to punish me with most horrid torments Thus Madam did the Prince Mazares argue with himself It was in vain for Tiburtus to tell him he must submit unto the Will of the Gods for his sorrows were too great to suffer him All endeavors to put him in memory of honour and glory were also in vain Ambition was dead in his Soul and he thought nothing in this World now more glorious then eternally to lament the death of Mandana yet did Tiburtus still importune him to return unto his Father and did speak of it so much that this unfortunate Prince seeing he could not perswade Tiburtus to let him live an unknown solitary life resolved to steal away from him and to go into some Cell and lament his miseries alone In order unto this he hired a young Fisherman to let him pass in the night time over the Water which was not above fifty furlongs from the Isle and left a Letter with him for Tiburtus to this effect The unfortunate MAZARES unto the wise TIBURTUS SInce I see all your sapient admonitions cannot infuse Reason into my Soul which is sensible of nothing but its own sorrows I thought it best to part from you lest my miseries should infect you But to the end that you may justifie your self unto the King and Queen let them see by this Letter that since I do not think my self worthy to be their Son nor to write unto them I will for ever renounce all civil society yet tell them that it was Love only which made me a Criminal and that if I had never loved the divine and unfortunate Mandana I had never done any thing unworthy either of them or you who have given me a million of good advices which this passion only did keep me from following MAZARES This Prince then having given this Letter unto the young Fisher-man who carryed him over the River and bought him a Horse also caused a very poor sute of Clothes to be made for him at a little Town whither he used to go and sell his Fish he took the next way that he found for his sorrows made him not care which way he went In the mean while the young Fisher-man returned to the Isle and gave Tiburtus the Letter which the Prince did send him and which did drive him into such excessive sorrow as never was greater But all unprofitable Lamentations were but loss of so much time and therefore he immediately left the Isle to seek his Master and went unto the next Town to buy a Horse and to take that way which the young Fisher-man told him he took but it being a good while since the Prince did go away he could not overtake him yet had he the comfort as he rid on a day and a half together to hear two or three times that he travelled that way but his grief was that they who saw him pass reported that he kept no high ways Tiburtus being very old was not able to travel so long without rest unless he should fall sick so that age and weariness compelled him to stay twelve or fifteen days As good fortune was he found a little Church dedicated unto Ceres standing in the midst of a field without any other building about it but only the Priests house which joyned unto it so that finding himself very ill he stayed there and desired help Indeed the Priest had a great compassion and care of him for Tyburtus being a man of great ingenuity and parts made himself soon known unto this charitable Host to deserve relief yet could he not recover any health all that could be done unto him was only to prolong his miserable life until a prodigy conducted me to the place where he was as I shall relate unto you You know Sir said Orsanus unto Cyrus that when you went from Sinope into Armenia I asked leave of you to return unto the King my Master though I was extreamly sorry I could not carry the Prince Mazares with me so that parting from you loadned with your gifts ravished with admiration and charmed with your virtues I took the best way to go unto the place at which I aimed The third day of my journey when I was wandring out of my way I discovered a great Plain in the midst of which I saw a little Church and a very pleasant house It being not very late and I weary I went thither not only with intentions to inquire of the way but to desire the favour of a nights lodging and I was received in with as much humanity as I could either expect or desire The Priest made some excuses that his accommodation was not so good as other times it might have been telling me that those few servants he had were so busie about a stranger that was sick in his house and so ill that they thought him a dead man as his entertainment would not be so good as he wished it were As he was thus speaking unto him one came to tell him that the stranger was very ill and desired to speak with him that he might impart a secret of some concernment unto him I hearing this did desire to see him and not knowing well why I went unto the Chamber of this sick man But oh heavens how was I amazed when I saw him to be Tyburtus whom I thought drown'd with the Prince our Master My wonder was so great that I could not express it by my words But after a little recollection of my self I went unto his Beds side and the sight of me surprized him no less then he did me The Priest also perceiving by our actions that we knew each other very well and that we much rejoyced at the sight of each other was amazed as well as me Tyburtus holding out his hand unto me gave thanks unto the Gods for affording him so much happiness as to imbrace me before he
the Crown more then the affection of Sesostris she had all the joy possible yet she thought it somewhat strange that the Prince so full of spirit as he was should look upon her onely with eyes of civility But the predominate passion of her heart being satisfied she cheered up her selfe especially seeing that in all appearance nothing could hinder her marriage the reports whereof were so generally divulged that none made any question of it It seemed as if the ceremonies were to be performed at Elephantine at which the King was well pleased and she hoped her happinesse was now so nigh that nothing could prevent it But what she called happinesse Sesostris called misery and indeed his soul was so wholly devoted unto Timareta that the Luster of her fair eyes dimmed all the other beauties of the Court since hee saw the noise of his marriage was so loud as it might reach her eare he could not rest untill he found an opportunity to steale away and visit her and to that end hee went unto his Chamber one evening very timely and took horse immediately at the Palace Garden dore and went unto Tamareta hee knew Traseas went not to bed so soone as others because his flocks of sheepe were late in the field But we were much astonished to see this Prince arive so late with one servant which used to bring his letters unto Timareta who then was in the walk towards the Lake where the Trees not being very thick the light of the Moon was light enough A young shepheardesse who served Nicetis was in the same walke where the Prince came to seek Timareta after he had given me order to keep Traseas from interrupting them Sesostris was full of most tender expressions to her he offered her a hundred times the very same he did in the Isle where their love had originall Hee profered to renownce all Grandure Court and Crown so she would but follow his fortune And this Generous shepheardesse did a hundred times conjure him to doe nothing unworthy of that Grandure unto which he was raised and to propose nothing unto her unworthy of his virtue But say what she could he was still in the same tune and said he would never marry Liserina conjuring her not to let any reports or appearances delude her but constantly to believe that he would never be anies but hers Timareta contradicted this last expression of Sesostris but it was very faintly for she had not so much power over her self as to advise him unto a marriage with Liserina but shee told him resolutely sheeâ— would not have him quit the Court nor carry her away but when hee talked of his marriage with Liserina her tongue could not betrayher heart all her expressions were blasted Little and weak perswasion was in her Eloquence Moreover Timareta being very prudent she thought not fit to acquaint Sesostris with all the visits of Heracleon For since she knew him to be in favour with Amasis she thought it not wisdome to sow any seeds of division between them But on the other side she thought it not discretion to say nothing to him therefore she told him that sometimes as his hunting chase drew him that way he would call But since Sesostris had observed that Heracleons heart was wounded with the beauty of Timareta though she spoke nothing of it yet he beleeved him to be deeply in love But yet he feared not to drive him far enough from the heart of this lovely shepheardesse so that hee parted very well satisfied from her and likewise she from him considering the state present of their fortunes In the meane while Heracleons heart being torn in pieces by three unruly passions he could not chuse but open himself unto a friend of his named Tanisis whose spirit was not onely subtile but capable of all villanies and cheates in the World respecting neither Divine nor humane Lawes and followed no other rule of life but what would please or profit him yet did he appear in the eyes of all the World in another vizard and having spirit and wit enough he palliated all his villanies with virtuous semblances the better to compasse his ends yet had he no intimate friend but Heracleon onely but the League between them two was so great and close that none could be greater In the mean time as I told you Heracleon acquainted Tanisis with the present posture of his soule so aggravating the Grandure of his love of his jealously and of his Ambition that he perceived the miseries which he endured required extream remedies And that let them be what they would he was able to serve him First Tanisis who thought it more expedient to satisfie the Ambition of his friend then his love because himselfe had more interest in that passion then the other told him that at what rate soever it was he must hinder the marriage between Sesostris and the Princesse Liserina In order to which he must so protract it that Amasis who was not well might first die before it was accomplished since it was likely he would not live long It was thought that he advised to poyson him to the end he might hinder Sesostris from being acknowledged his successor and that he might be successor himself As for the satisfaction of of his love Tanisis could not imagine that the heart of a simple shepheardess could hold out against a man of Heracleons quality he advised him first to have recourse unto presents and afterwards to carry her away As they were thus busied and Heracleon saw nothing to doe but to put the advise of Tanisis in execution one of his servants came to tell him that the Kings Officer who had been unjustly accused for raising that tumult which was in a Town within the Province of Thebes desired to speak with him But Sir before I acquaint you with what this Officer told Heracleon give me leave to put you in memory that it was the very same man who found dying Ladice's Letter where Amenophis lost it and who afterwards let it fall in Elephantine where he was forced to retire untill his friends had procured his Justification After this Sir be pleased to know that when he came within two dayes journey of Elephantine unto one of his friends he fell sick with sorrow and to that height as a Feaver seised upon him which for some dayes bereft him of his reason but after he was recovered and enquired of the passages in the world he was much surprised to understand that the King had that Letter which he lost and the more to hear that Sesostris was acknowledged for his Sonne For Ladice's Letter not being sealed when this Officer found it he read it and remembered very well that Ladice told the King she had left him a Daughter and not a Sonne So that not knowing what to thinke he wondered that Amasis knowing the Princesse his Wives hand should not give credit unto her words for those with whom he was were
especially since the Musician was even ravished that Arion sung so ill 'T is true he did not report that he heard Arion in my chamber but he said he heard him The two women durst not tell all the truth which they thought they knew but they told all the women of Zenocrite that Arion was in Town and that Thrasimedes was acquainted with him So that the next day the news was publique and every one asked whether they had seen Arion But the best conceit was that the same day Zenocrite came unto Lycaste where I was with Cydipe and Arpalice Thrasimedes came also and brought Philistion with him as Philistion that is as a man of Quality in Hallicarnassis and not as Arion For my part though I did beleeve he had put a trick upon us yet I knew not for whom I should take this Stranger but I was much perplexed that every one who came that day to Lycaste should all talk of Arion Some said one thing others another according to the various reports of Relators For my part said Zenocrite I despair not of knowing him for I am told he is a friend of Thrasimedes I must confesse when I heard Zenocrite say so I thought it some affront which she put upon Arpalice and me and that she had known something of the precedent dayes passage On the other side Thrasimedes and Philistion knew not what to think But at last Thrasimedes said that he had not as yet seen Arion and that if he did meet with him he promised Zenocrite to bring him unto her He had no sooner passed this promise but all the company desired the same favour and Philistion was as earnest of it as any of the rest So that Arion desired to see Arion In the mean time Arpalice and I could hardly hold from laughing yet she restrained her self as well as she could She had much adoe to bring some angry Idea into her fancy to prevent it but at last the thought of Menecrates his arrivall the next day gave a stop unto all her mirth In the mean time Thrasimedes came to me and asked me pardon for the imposture which he had used making me an exact relation of all and conjuring me to pittie him and doe him all good offices unto Arpalice I shall not relate all that he said unto us for it would be too long nor how Thrasimedes was persecuted by all those who desired him to make them acquainted with Arion nor how Zenocrite did play upon the return of Menecrates But let me tell you that Arpalice seeing Menecrates did return the next day and apprehending that perhaps within a few dayes they would enjoyn her to marry him she was so exceedingly sad at the thought of it that she fell sick and so sick that she kept her bed To tell you truly I am perswaded that as things stood her esteem of Thrasimedes did augment her aversion unto Menecrates However her dislike of him made her sad and sick So that partly sad partly sick she kept her bed all the next day and I stayed with her because she desired I should see how he would accost her and indeed the meeting was very civill on Menecrates his side though with much indifferency but with an extream coldnesse from Arpalice She being in her bed and as she said sick no great notice was taken but he seemed more disposed to look upon Cydipe who was very handsome that day then to talk with Arpalice and he did it so openly that one could not doe him a greater pleasure then to withdraw and leave him alone with her But the strangest thing is that this Lover who at his return found his Mistris sick was so little troubled at it that he stayed very late talking with Cydipe in Lycastes chamber and was in the merriest mood in the world that night I leave you to judge whether this was not enough to augment Arpalices aversion who was indeed so really troubled at this proceeding that she was really sick for fifteen dayes and Menecrates did not visit her above one quarter of an hour every day employing all the rest in pleasures and courting Cydipe who infinitely pleased him Also he did visit Thrasimedes and so did Parmenides For though they had told him of the passage concerning the Picture and had hinted as much as might perswade him that Thrasimedes was in love with Arpalice yet since himself was not he cared not and consequently did not choak his civilities unto Thrasimedes who ever since the day in which he confessed his trick did continually tell me of his love to Arpalice In the mean time since she would not do Menecrates so much favour as to seem angry against him for playing away her Picture but onely continued cold towards him without any mention of the true cause she was very desirous of some time to resolve upon what course to take and would goe into the Country with Zenocrite who asked leave of Lycaste telling her that fresh air was the best thing to recover her health So that Arpalice went with Zenocrite for fifteen dayes Menecrates not knowing whether she was improved or no since he had onely seen her in the dark So she went out of her bed into a Coach and was not very sick for she being much more sick in mind then body stirring made her better For my part I stayed at Patara with orders to write news unto Arpalice and indeed I gave her a full relation and had matter enough for it for Menecrates was so taken with the beauty of Cydipe and Parmenides so deep in love with Cleoxene Sister unto Menecrates and the counterfeit Arion seemed not to hate me so that I had matter of news enough But when I sent all this news unto her I sent two severall Letters one to her self another to shew Zenocrite for though she was a very generous person yet there were some secrets which one would hardly trust themselves with and though she was her confident in a hundred things yet they were such as related more unto others then her self Thus Zenocrite knew all but knew it by such as had no interest in it And thus I left it unto the discretion of Arpalice what she thought fit to impart unto her And she told her with joy that Menecrates applyed himself unto Cydipe but with sorrow that Parmenides loved the Sister of Menecrates I writ to her also in rallery how Thrasimedes visited me so oft that Philistion had not opportunity to expresse half the esteem he had of me In the mean time the love of Thrasimedes being violent the absence of Arpalice seemed long unto him and needs must he write unto her Since hee knew I used to send unto her and since he had made me tell him the day when I writ unto her he came unto me as I was ready to make up my Pacquet and knowing I sent her all the witty and pleasant things I could gleane he gave me some verses which he
you will add unto my remorse that ever I carried her away Look then upon the picture of our Princess most generous Rival replied Cyrus but look upon it with such thoughts as will keep me your friend and not frustrate that Heroique resolution which you have taken of contenting your self with the esteem and friendship of Mandana and endeavouring her release I do promise it Sir said this perplexed Lover after which he looked upon the picture and he had no sooner cast his eyes upon it and a little contemplated upon it but blushing he found such a violent agitation of heart that doubting the constancy of his resolution he hastily shut the Case and restoring it to Cyrus Here Sir said he unto him take this most angelique picture I am of a weaker temper then I thought my self and dare not so confidently answer for my thoughts but to testifie the desires I have to overcome them give me leave only to look upon this Scarf which revives in my memory Mandana floting upon the Waves and ready to perish through my default Methinks I see her yet said this amorous Prince when having no other help but mine in spite of the impetuous Waves she endeavoured to be loose from me chusing rather to die then receive life from the hand of her Ravisher But alas divine Princess said he you were ignorant of that reformation which was in my soul I wish most generous Rival said he and looked upon Cyrus that I were assured to have all my life the same thoughts which then I had when a mountain of horrid Waves overwhelmed us which loosed this Scarf and separated me from our Princess whom then I saw swallowed up by that terrible Element and thought to be ever lost I wish Sir once more that this horrid Idea might be for ever imprinted in my mind But alas Sir Many times against my will I see such things as are fuel to the fire of my passion Mazares spoke all this in such sadness and sincerity that the heart of Cyrus though a Rival melted and he was so sweet in his expressions that Mazares had no cause of complaint and after this miserable Prince had condoled his Fate and Cyrus lamented his bad fortune and both of them pitied and cheered up each other they asked one another whether they heard any thing concerning the Princess since they saw each other and did mutually displease by answering they heard nothing In the mean time since their discourse had continued long Cyrus was told that many waited in his Chamber so that he went out of his Closet to dispatch them who had any business with him Afterwards he went to visit Arianita purposely to talk with her concerning his dear Princess He had often a mind to do as the King of Assiria had done but upon better thoughts he conceived it better service to Mandana for him to stay in such a place where he might receive the intelligence of all who went to inquire of her So that contenting himself with preparation of all things in readiness to march as soon as he should receive intelligence where she was he omitted nothing which did become his generosity either for the Princes whom he had vanquished or for those whom he protected or for his friends or his Domestiques or his Souldiers So that the third day which Menecrates had taken being come he omitted nothing which concerned his business but he understood that he was the last night fallen sick and so violently as it was not fit to ask him his resolution Cyrus no sooner heard of this but he appointed Physitians to take care of Menecrates When they did visit him they found him in such a desparate condition as that they durst not answer for his life This news being told unto Androclâ—a she was so perplexed at it that her affection would not permit her to follow the exact rules of handsomness considering the infidelity of Menecrates but she did every day visit him with Lycaste Also Arpalice hoping that the sight of Doralisa would work upon the heart of Menecrates she desired Lycaste to carry her unto him At the first Menecrates seemed angry afterwards as his disease increased he seemed to take no notice but when it began to diminish and when he considered that he did not so much as think upon him all the while he was sick and that he had seen the fair eyes of Androclea swim a thousand times in tears for him he permitted the sight of her with less trouble and a while after he looked upon her with delight It might very well be said that as his Feaver vanished so did his infidelity and that he recovered the health of his body and mind both together and that he was able to follow the Dictates of reason and the counsels of Cyrus In the mean time such magnificent equipage was in preparation for sending Timaretta unto the King her Father as it was evident Cyrus would do her all the honours he could Also he ordered that Ships should be ready at the same Port where Sesostris imbarqued at his coming unto Asia But whil'st all this equigage was making ready Sosostris without any impatience at all expected the day of his departure for he found so many sweets in Timaretta and so much satisfaction with Cyrus that he did not regret this little prolixity which kept him from his compleat felicity The Prince Artamas for his part did every day find so many occasions of doing service unto his Princess either in behalf of Croessus or of Myrsiles that he would not change his happinesses with any and when Cyrus compared the state wherein he was with his own he thought himself much more miserable but also when he remembred the condition wherein he had seen the Prince Artamas and considered the alteration of his fortune he did not dispair of his own but e're long after he was most sensibly perplexed for after many daies tedious expectation those whom he sent unto Milete returned who told him that certainly the King of Pontus passed not by that Coast Those also whom he sent unto Guides returned as ignorant as the first who could learn no more then those who had been at Ephesus and many other Maritine Towns all who reported for certain that the King of Pontus touched not in those places so that Cyrus and Mazares were in a most inconceiveable perplexity when one morning he who had orders to go into Cames returned and so opportunely that he spoke unto Cyrus and Mazares before he had spoken unto any of his acquaintance for having a great desire to tell that Prince what he knew and knowing he should be highly rewarded for the pains he had taken he went strait unto the Cittadel where he found Cyrus talking with Mazares in his Closet consulting what was the most expedient resolutions for them to take As soon as he appeared Cyrus knew him to be the same who had orders for Cumes he went towards him and asked hastily
will marrie her maugre all my commands to the contrarie and that he will force me to banish him my Court to withdraw all my favours from him and to punish him for contempt of my authoritie But alas what 's this I talk said she Can I think of banishing Myrinthus my Court since I cannot banish him my heart that there is much more justice in that then in banishing him out of my Dominions For my part Madam replied Stesilea I am not of your opinion for I am perswaded that Myrinthus will not marrie Philimena without your consent Though he do not marrie her without my consent replied Cleobuline yet assuredlie he will still hate me and love her so that whether he marrie or marrie her not I shall still be miserable However Madam replied Stesilea I beseech you devise some stratagem or other and see whether I can contribute any thing to your satisfaction I have devised more then you imagine said she for in lieu of one stratagem I have two continually in my mind but yet they are verie opposite unto each other and therefore I think that neither of them will take effect for truly I have a mind to make Myrinthus love me and I have a mind to cease loving him judg then Stesilea whether two such impossibilities can ever conduce any thing to my souls tranquilitie After this Cleobuline told Stesilea a hundred things which testified the grandure of her passion and the grandure of her virtue In the mean time she became so sad so unquiet and so extreamlie melancholie since the day that Myrinthus asked leave to marrie Philimena as Stesilea much feared her falling sick On the other side Myrinthus was in such a horrid dispair that never man was fuller of sorrows for he knew that Basilides notwithstanding the league between them would never let him marrie Philimena without Cleobulines consent Also considering his obligements unto the Queen he knew it a most unworthie act to disobey her Moreover having a soul verie ambitious he could not see how he could have wherewith to satisfie his love if he should lose his fortunes so that he suffered intollerable torments but the greatest torture of all was that he could not guess at the Queens reason to oppose his design and to compleat his miseries Philimena understanding that the Queen would not consent unto her marriage she told Myrinthus to try his fidelitie that she would not have him ruine his fortunes for her sake and therefore conjured him to think no more of it Philimena told him this in such a manner as that he could not guess at her design but on the contrarie did think that she said so because she feared to leave the Court. Afterwards he suspected that some Rival was perhaps more in her favour then he imagined So that he was as ill satisfied from her as from the Queen and yet he made a thousand vows and protestations of love unto her the most tender and passionate in the world he complained against her taking so much care of his fortunes he swore that he would not value them at a straw but only because he was loath to make her miserable and he was so full of such tender and obliging expressions that Philimena being delighted to hear such generous tests of his love did still oppose him though it was with a design to tell him afterwards that provided he could get her Parents consent she would not care for the Queens In the mean time Myrinthus not knowing her design did leave her with a verie little satisfaction and carried with him a heart full of sorrow and some jealousie At his going from her he went unto Stesilea to desire her she would be pleased to tell him what the Queens reason was to be so cross unto his design after so many favours shewed unto him The first complements being past Myrinthus began to entreat her she would be pleased to do him a favour It would be so great a happiness said she unto him to do such a most accomplished man as your self any service that you may almost be certain to obtain whatsoever you shall desire so it be within the compass of my power Yes Stesilea said he unto her you can tell me what it is which ruines me in the opinion of the Queen I assure you replied she I cannot tell you that but I am most certain that you are not in any disfavour with her Ah Stesilea replied he it is impossible I should be at all in her favour for she hath denied me the only request that ever I asked and the request is of such a nature as I admire why she did not consent unto it I know verie weil that Philemena is above me but I have received so many graces honours and benefits from the Queen that I could not imagine a denial of this from her For heavens â—ake Stesilea tell me the cause of my misfortune Have I at any time done any thing that displeased the Queen Have I any secret Enemie that does me any ill offices Hath Basilides betrayed me and desired her under-hand to denie me a thing which openly he seemed to wish Or is it so that the Queen thinks me in love with Philimena onlie as a cloak for my ambition Does she fear that when I have married her I shall press her to marrie Basilides Does she look upon me as a factious person who would stir up the people and raise a war against her Speak Stesilea tell me for I am sure you know all that I desire to know In thinking me Sir said she in such favour with the Queen as to know her secret thoughts doubtless you honour me and have a good opinion of me but all that I can tell you is that I do not know one thought she hath which is not advantagious to you When I call to memorie all the honours which I have received from the Queen replied he I do easily believe what you say but when I consider what she hath denied me I have reason to think she hath changed her mind and does not esteem me The last office which she conferred upon you replied she will hardly permit you to speak thus I pray then tell me said he unto her What is the motive which induceth the Queen not to let me love Philimena You know said Stesilea unto him that there are some things which policie forbids to tell the cause of them I know replied he that the Queen may have so good an opinion of me as to honour me with the trust of her reasons why she denies me if policie only were in the business so that I must of necessitie conclude that her reason is either because she hates Philimena or because she hates me and therefore Stesilea I conjure you to tell me what you know in the business never fear that I shall be ever so indiscreet as to reveal the least â—illable you will trust me with the participation A person in love replied she
valiant and unfortunate King who was forced to flye away in a ship not knowing then that the loss of his two Kingdoms should be the cause of his saving your life Madam when you suffered shipwrack with Prince Mazanes You may imagine Madam that the taking of Heraclea made a great noyse throughout all Bythinia as well as at Pontus But particularly it rejoyced the two Princesses at Calcedonia principally because they knew that Intaphernes and Atergatis had a great share in the happy success of that siege But that which hindered the full tide of their joyes was to understand that the War was not yet finished because Artanus was in Cabira where he kept the Princess Araminta in his power And Arsamones would not make any Conditions with him unlesse hee would surrender the Town and the Princess Araminta into his power and therefore his design was to besiege Cabira In the mean time as soon as Arsamones had setled all in Heraclea he would have the Queen Arbiana and the two Princes come thither to testifie unto his new Subjects that he would be King of Pontus whereof Heraclea was the Metropolis as well as King of Bythinia whereof Calcedonia was chief You may easily imagine Madam that this resolution was very welcom unto Intaphernes and Atergatis as it was vexatious to the poor Berisa who seeeing that the Court was to remove from Calcedonia to Heraclea she was even ready to dye for grief not knowing how it was possible to live without a Court And indeed we understood that every one went to comfort her as one that had lost all she loved Shee employed all her will to find a pretence for going unto Heraclea but her Parents would not permit her so that she saw a necessity of staying in Calcedonia where she talked of nothing but her weariness of it and if she made any visits to satisfie her busie humour it was only a gadding from house to house to tell how weary she was And she made her self so much hated in Calcedonia that there was not a Lady who did not wish her at Heraclea But Madam as the design of Arsamones in bringing the Queen Arbiana unto this stately Town was pleasing unto Intaphernes and Atergatis so I must tell you that it was not displeasing unto the Princess of Bythinia nor to the Princess Istrina Yet I am obliged to tell you unto the glory of the Princess of Bythinia that maugre all the victories of Arsamones she could not choose but sigh as she went into the Palace of Heraclea not being able to remember the Condition wherein she had seen the Prince Sinnessis the Princesse Araminta and Spitridates without much sorrow for the death of the first and for the captivity of the Princess Araminta and for the absence of the Prince Spitridates her brother Also her generosity did carry her further then this for she would not upon any terms lie in the Princess of Pontus her Chamber Since I remember very well said she unto the Queen Arbiana who propounded it unto her if the Princess Araminta did ever look npon me as the Princess of Bythinia when there was not any hopes of the King my Fathers ever being upon the Throne I will also still treat her as the Princess of Pontus although the King her Brother do not enjoy the Kingdom You may well conceive Madam that a Princesse who was so generous as to be just unto a distressed vertue would not be unjust unto a victorious and triumphant vertue and that she received the Prince Intaphernes with all possible civility Atergatis found as favourable a reception from Istrina And since these Princesses had not forbidden them to speak as they had to write These two Princes took occasion to speak of that they would and had not written and to make known unto their Princesses all the torments they had suffered during their absence But yet they were not long together for Arsamones being desirous to finish the Warre by taking Cabira desired them to come unto the Army but since the distance was not farre from Heraclea there was such continuall correspondency between them that this second absence was not so rigorous as the first yet Arsamones could not march so soon as he desired against Artanus because he fell sick But Madam I think it fit to omit the relation of the Prince Spitridates his arrivall at Heraclea and all the passages concerning the defeat of Artanus Since it is not possible but the Princess Araminta who was so long a Prisoner unto Cyrus and since the Prince Spitridates was a while in Sardis you must needs heare tell since you were released the adventures of a Prince who hath the honour to resemble your illustrious Liberator The truth is replyed Mandana I understand by Martesia who had it from Feraulas all that happen'd unto that illustrious Prince and consequently I know of his Arrivall at Heraclea the day before the Queen Arbiana and the two Princesses were to go unto the Camp because Arsamones was sick Moreover I know how the Queen of Bythinia took Spitridates at first for Cyrus as heretofore she took Cyrus for Spitridates Nor am I ignorant of all that Princes endeavours to obtain the permission of Arsamones to love Araminta Neither am I ignorant of what Intaphernes and the Princess of Bythinia did upon the same design For indeed Orcames I know how obstinately Arsamones denyed them I know all the defeat of Artanus the meeting of Spitridates and Araminta upon the bridg of Cabira The generous resolution of those two Persons and in what manner Spitridates got Araminta out of that besieged Town stealing her from the victory of Arsamones who would have kept her Prisoner if he had taken her I know also how Spitridates went with that Princess as far as Armenia where they parted and that in parting from the Camp he wrote unto the King his Father and unto the Princess his Sister but I wonder that in relation of all these passages I should never heare any mention made of Atergatis The reason why those who related the history of Araminta were silent of the Prince Atergatis replyed Orcames is because he had no hand in the defeat of Artanus not in any passages at Cabira because the very day on which the Princesses came to the Camp he fell sick at Heraclea where he remained untill after the departure of Spitridates and Araminta so that he could not contract any amity with that Prince as Intaphernes did nor by consequence give those who related unto you the story of Araminta and Spitridates any subject to speak of him Now Madam since you know all passages unto the taking of Cabira I shall say nothing of them but shall relate things from thence forward and tell you that Arsamones was so incensed at the action of Spitridates that he said he should not succeed him and that he would have every one look upon the Princess his Daughter as she that was to be Queen of Pontus
with too much violence you may judge Sir in what a condition I was when I saw Amestris going away with Menasta who all the while of our discourse stood five or six paces from us to watch lest any came and understood nothing at all what we said I will not insist Sir upon repetition of my apprehensions for it would but too much abuse your patience Let this serve for all that there was never any esteemed himself more undone and unfortunate then I for indeed I found that I loved and was beloved but for all that there is not any ingredient of hope left for me I found that it was not permitted me to force my happinesse from him which enjoyed it I had no more Rivals to punish I had no more inconstant Mistresses to complain upon What comfort could I ever hope for amidst my sorrows I had no power to forget one which loved me who had all my heart my spirits my soul my memory and all and for whom I forgot all the word besides There was not any hope for me to speak unto her She had forbid me to die Indeed I found nothing but what did extraordinarily afflict me yet notwithstanding I would try whether by the assistance of Menasta I could speak once more unto Amestris but Sir it could not possibly be obtained and from that day this cruell Lady would never walk in any place lest she meet with me also she feigned to be sick to the end she might not go out at all When I understood by Menasta the full resolution of Amestris never to alter I then determined to remove from that place where I could not see her â—est in consideration of me I might perhaps have contributed unto her death by causing her restraint As for Megabises who was as much vexed at the marriage of Amestris as I was although he was thought not to love any longer when he came to Ecbatan yet he found as well as I that it was not such an easie matter to extinguish a violent passion Astiages having heard where I was did reconcile us without seeing or embracing one another comman ding me because I had killed his brother to shun meeting him as much as I could possible The cause of our last querrell was not known unto any no not unto Megabises himself who was alwaies ignorant that I had seen him in that fatall garden near the Fountain in the green border As concerning Anatisa I left Ecbatan before she returned out of the Countrey so that I cannot tell you what she thought of me I did write a Letter at my departure unto Amestris which I sent unto Menasta but I never had any answer unto it I went wandring a while from Province to Province not well knowing what I did nor what course to take until such time as the War begun in Assiria I hoped there to put a period unto my misfortunes in finding out an honourable death During all the time I was there I never received any news neither from Menasta nor Amestris although I used all possible means to engage some or other to enquire of them And ever since that you have been a witnesse of my Melancholy although you knew not the cause And since that I never heard more of Amestris unlesse what I knew by Araspes how that Otanus was yet living and that yet she was unfortunate and in all likelihood since Melancholy did so remain in her face she yet perhaps loves the unfortunate Aglatidas Now Sir you understand what the adventure was which you desired to know and what were the misfortunes of that man who more then any man in the world wishes a happy end unto yours and who expects nothing but death to put an end unto his own After these words Aglatidas was silent and Artamenes thanked him for the pains which he had taken asking him pardon for causing him to revive his sorrows and did seem to be extreamly sensible of them I confess said he to him that you are much to be lamented and the accident which has made you so unfortunate was a very extraordinary event But for all that said he to him sighing you do know that Amestris is living and you need not doubt but that yet you are beloved So that you may hope that Time and Fortune may work a happy change in your affection But I do know some more unfortunate then you I know not that Sir replied Aglatidas but I do know very well that I did lose an inestimable Jewel in losing Amestris and that if ambition should join it self unto Love to persecute me I could not be more Melancholy then I am yet Sir it is very generous in you to interest your self more in the misfortunes of others then your own You have unjust and heavy fetters of your own to complain of and need not trouble your self to lament the unhappiness of Aglatidas who is not worthy of that honour Aglatidas answered he is worthy of all that is great in the world and therefore I hope that one day the Gods will put a period unto his misfortunes Although I had all the qualities in the world replied Aglatidas those which you do attribute unto me would not create any hope in me and as long as Artamenes continues unhappy I know not why any who have any vertue should ground their hopes upon that reason which is not alwaies infallible Thus did Artamenes and Aglatidas discourse away the time untill Andramias told them that it was time to retire Aglatidas asked Artamenes whether he could do him any service desiring to let him know that he could contribute something towards his delivery but Artamenes thanked him and told him that his prison was not so great a misfortune but if he could he would never come out unless by the same hand which put him in The End of the First Part. THE SECOND PART OF ARTAMENES OR Cyrus the Great BOOK I. THough this Illustrious Prisoner was carelesse of his Liberty yet his friends did contribute all their diligence to procure it and Hidaspes entertained not a thought of any thing else ever since he knew Artamenes to be Cyrus Not onely Hidaspes Aducius Artabases Chrisantes and Feraulas who were native subjects unto the King his Father and hereafter to be his did all of them in particular contrive all expedients for his safety But the King of Hircania the King of Phrygia Persodes Thrasibulus and many others also were not lesse solicitous So that to lose no time Chrisantes went the next morning betimes unto the King of Phrygia with intentions to relate unto him in a more concise manner all 〈…〉 t which the day before he had related concerning the unhappy life of his dear Ma 〈…〉 r but since they thought it expedient to keep alwayes some about Ciaxares to pre 〈…〉 t him from taking any violent resolutions against Artamenes the King of Phrygia said thought it fittest for him to undertake that office since he was most affectionate
I was He cheered up those with his eyes unto whom he could not speak and assured all the Souldiers smiling that he desired not from them any part of the Plunder or Booty Every one desired to know what had become of him But he told them all that this was not a fit place for it and desired their patience After this joyfull tumult was appeased Artamenes sent to the King to acquaint him with his being alive and that he was in the head of six thousand men who brought the King of Pontus unto him to the end he might acquit himself of his former promise and to tell that hee waited for his Orders Mean time they marched gently and came within sixe furlongs of Sinope I leave you to imagine Sir what different thoughts came into my Masters mind T is true that he saw he returned to the Court in a most glorious manner having gained two Battles in one day and brought a King a prisoner with him But yet he knew the King of Pontus was his Rivall and that did make him almost repent the taking him The sight of Philidaspes also did agitate in his mind the remembrance of all their ancient differences and stir'd up no small turbulency in his soul but of all other inquietudes the incertainty whether or no I had delivered the letter unto the princesse did most grate in his mind Sometimes he desired it were Somtimes he feared it was Somtimes he was incertain which he should wish and could not determine what to think Philidaspes for his part was not with out his turbulencies he saw the glorious resurrection of his enemy and looked upon him as more his Conqueror then the King of Pontus did and thought it concern 〈◊〉 him as neer as the losse of his libertie This Prince though indeed he was the most unfortunate of all at this time yet he did not think himself so for he knew not that Philidaspes and Artamenes were his Rivalls but on the contrary he was in hope that my Master would doe good offices to the King and Princesse so that he loved him with an extream tendernesse Thus did these three Illustrious lovers of the Princesse of Cappadocia resent the businesse meane while the messenger which my Master sent before to carry newes of his happy resurrection arived at Sinope you may Imagine Sir how he was received The King resented it more Joyfully then he could expresse and made him which brought the happy tidings repeat it a hundred times over The King sent present to acquaint the Princesse who testified an unimaginable satisfaction The whole Court was ravisht All the people rejoyced Aribeus himself was compeld to seem so because he must not be singular and made some counterfet signes of gladnesse as he did before of sorrow The Prince Tigranes who had designed his departure deferred it in hopes to see Artamenes and went not untill the fifth day after his return The King desirous to honour my Master sent him word that he would not have him come into the Towne in a Tumult and without Ceremony and appointed him to encamp his Troops neer the Castle about six furlongs from thence and there he would have him lodg assuring him that he would come that night to embrace him He was obeyed and all things were as he commanded The King then went and carried Chirurgions and Physitians with him unto Artamenes whom he chered up the like was never seen He received Philidaspes also very well but not comparable to my Master who was constrained to go into his bed As for the King of Pontus he appointed unto him the best chamber in the Castle and as a little before Ciaxares came this Prince sent unto my Master desiring him to obtain from the King that he might not enter into Sinope amongst the rest of the Prisoners So my Master who thought he could never enough acknowledg the generosity of this illustrious Prisoner was ever forward to render him any good office he could desire Provided it did not relate unto his love For as Ciaxares told him it was not Just that he should enter Sinope as if he were not conquered Artamenes did desire him as a recompence for all his services that the King of Pontus might come into the Town in the night as well as himself It will be sufficient Sir said he that the people see the plunder of the field and the other prisoners without augmenting the misfortunes of this great Prince unto whom I am obliged by an unprofitable Pomp and without making me ashamed of those honours which I deserve not The King could hardly resolve what to doe but in conclusion he must yeild unto him who was ever wont to Conquer Artamenes beseeched Ciaxares that he would be pleased to see the the King of Pontus his prisoner which at the request of my Master he did The enterveiw of these two enemy Princes passed with all possible Civility between them meane while the King burned with an ardent impatience to know where Artamenes had been how he escaped and how he came so opportunely to meet the Army he no sooner knew from the Chirurgions who had searched his wounds whilst he went to visit the King of Pontus that they were all absolutly without danger but he pressed him extraordinarily to relate it Artamenes would have had a dayes dispensation but the Impatiency of Ciaxares would not permit it he exactly told them all that which I am now going to tell you and which I afterwards had from his own mouth to let you know then what was becom of my Master I must returne to the place of Battle and tell you that when those two Souldiers of which I spoke did see him passe it was true as they believed that he was wounded in the left shoulder and yet he did not cease following the King of Phrygia as far as the River Sangar As this Prince in his retreat passed over a little wood bridge which I already spoke of the multitude of those which followed and which would pass all at a time over with him caused the bridge to break when he had halfe his men on the one side and half on the other side of the river But that which seemed to do him an ill office did him a good one because by this accident my Master was stayed and he could not continue his pursuite yet those which were on this side the broken bridge redoubling their valour out of despair to save themselves did obstinatly defend themselves on the other side Artamenes all in anger that this Prince had escaped him did assault them with unimaginable violence and so there began a fresh Combate Those which followed the King of Phrygia on the other side the River thinking themselves safe endeavoured to help their own side by shooting abundance of Arrowes from the other side of the River and wee could not return the like because Artamenes had then no Archers with him In conclusion almost all they which
thought of him Yet it comâ—s not neer that torment which I endure for I am perswaded that if I had only one single thought I should hereafter be loved by Philista but one poor day the very thoughts of that one day would sweeten all my miseries and fortifie my hopes as long as I lived A jealous man may himself imagin that perhaps what he thinks is not so for that passion does commonly inspire only â—ncertain thoughts and ill grounded phansies But when one finds by a long and a sad experience that there is an absolute unalterable aversion in the heart of her he loves what more pleasant thought can he have then the desire of death For truly all the cares the services the sighs the tears and every thing else which the most faithfull lovers do are all done that by them they may obtain the happiness to be loved that is all the recompence of love the prize which is only aimed at and without it all other things are nothing and to obtain it they will willingly suffer whole years of misery he then that is deprived of that which is the end the aim and wish of all lovers who ever did love do love or ever shall love must needs be the most lamentable and I dare affirm that I suffer more then any one in the World can and by consequence it would be extream Injustice not to lament me more then any unfortunate men who suffers less Thus did Philocles relate and end his Story with his reasons which seemed so strong unto Martesia that she could not forbear her bitter invections against Philista in so much as Philocles was forced to take her part and excuse her For my part said Cyrus as I must needs blame her so I must needs pity Philocles for the Gods it seems are much incensed against her for making her to look upon that as a misfortune which would have made her infinitly happy But since she her self replied Erenice is the cause of her misfortune me thinks Sir that she deserves it Philocles said Aglatidas is questionless much to be lamented for if fortune had only crossed his designs he would more easily have endured it then to see Philista do it This misery is great indeed replied Thimocrates but when I think upon what I suffer I think it little but I conceive it more insupportable then yours replied the Prince Artibies though a Thousand degrees short of mine Oh I wish to the Gods that the adored Lady whose loss I mourn for were in such a condition that I might suffer the same for her This is a very strange wish added Leontidas yet I do not know whether those which I have often made in my jealous fits would not seem more strange unto you It is not your time to speak yet said Martesia but if you be pleased to think well of it Sir said she and looked upon Cyrus the Prince Artibies according unto the order which you approved of shall tell his story before Leontidas You are their Judg replied Cyrus and it is only you unto whom they all must be obedient and I beleeve the Prince Artibeis is well pleased with it Then after he had called to mind all â—he dismal Ideas of his dead Mistriss his countenance altered his eyes were more melancholy then before and after he had sighed two or three times he began his Story thus The Lover in Mourning The third History THe remembrance of misfortunes is doubtless very pleasing unto those who do not endure them any longer and who like men escaped from ship-wracke and out of all fears do tell the dangers they have avoyded But the misery which I endure being eternall or at the soonest must not end but with life it is hard for me to have a Soul so free as to exactly tell you the original and progress of my passion And though it were possible to find some sweetness in complaining against such evils yet would there be none in the remembrance of such past pleasures which can never be injoyed Pardon me therefore I conjure you if I descant upon nothing but what is fatally dismal and think not ill of me if my soul which is used unto no thoughts but death does entertain you with dull and melancholy relations and fill your imaginations with nothing but Urns Coffins and Tombs I shall not insist to tell you the reasons why the Prince of Cicilie my brother sent me unto Thebes since it is not pertinent unto your knowledg that it was my passion brought me thither it will be sufficient to inform you that I was two whole years there But perhaps it is not altogether impertinent to let you know that the Princess my Mother was descended from the race of Cadmus son of Agenor who was so illusterous amongst tho Thebans I went then to Thebes in an equipage befitting my birth I was received there with much honour and within a few days I was acquainted with all that were great and noble there He who then was Poetarch that is Captain General of Poetia had a son called Palimnis neer of my age with whom I contracted a most intimate friendship and who shewed me all the Ladies of quality in Thebes amongst which I found abundance of rare beauties But in all the companies wherein I was I heard no discouse but of the sickness of one in the Town whom all reports made to be the fairest in the world and I asked Polimnis whether it was true that this person whom they said was in danger to dye was fairer then any I had seen in Thebes He assured that she had more beauty then all the rest put them all together afterwards I understood she was his Consin and descended from Etocles nephew of Creon and son of Jocastus who wore the Crown with so many misfortunes and that this Lady had all the rare qualities which could render one most perfectly accomplished I began then upon these reports to interest my self in her condition and every day asked Polimnis how this fair sick Lady did not yet being more sensible of any sorrow as you may well suppose then the love of any beautiful things in general might cause and such as natural compassion might infuse into a man who had a tender soul and quick imagination However it was an easie matter to discover her lovers for they were all of them so melancholy that the most discreet amongst them did shew their passions by there tears or at least by their sighs Upon a day when Polimnis and I passed by the door of Leontina so was this fair Lady called and the same who had cured Antigenes of his love to Philista we saw many men go hastily in and saw others come out with eyes and faces all tears Polimnis stayed one of Leontinas woemen who he saw grieving very much and she told him that her Mistris was dying and that she was going to fetch one of her friends whom she desired to speak with before
respect and submission then with any domineering pride so that we lived together in much sincerity and much obliging confidence After we had repeated many misfortunes and bestowed many a tear upon the memory of Sinnesis she assumed some thoughts upon the unfortunate Spitridates Is not that Prince unfortunate said she unto me to lose a Kingdom in losing that person for whose sake he was resolved to have lost it Certainly the King my brother though that Arsamones should permit him yet would never consent unto his good fortune as well because he loves him not as because he loves Pharnaces so that I see my self exposed unto very great persecution Yet said she did but Spitridates know the justice that I render unto his merit and how exactly I do obey the Prince Sinnesis my brother I should have some consolation in that it would be a consolation unto him But alas it is not the pleasure of my fate I should have so much happiness and I have nothing to do but to prepare my self for all imaginable misery Madam said I unto her never excessively grieve at misfortunes which are to come because perhaps they may never come and can you be obliged to follow the will of the King your brother rather then the will of the late King your father If I were only his Sister replied she I believe I should not but since I am his Subject as well as Sister I think I am obliged to obey him as I was the late King my father After much such like discourse as this observing that night drew on for it being the Spring time the dayes were not very long I perswaded her to retire yet since the Moon shâ—ned she followed not my counsel but would sit down at one end of the walk neer the Fountain within a quarter of an hour after I saw a man coming towards us whom I supposed to be some of the Princesses servants coming to tell her something but I was much surprized when this man whom I could not know in that dark place came neerer us Madam said he unto the Princess bowing unto her with much reverence will you be pleased to suffer the unfortunate Spitridates to come and mingle his tears with yours and help to lament your misfortunes by grieving for his own You may imagine Sir how much the Princess and I were surprized when we heard a voice which we could not but know it was so great that the Princess cried out so loud that some of her women came into the walk thinking she had called but I stepping readily towards them said that she did not call them and that this was a man who had a suit unto the new King and came to beg the favour of the Princess unto him After this coming neer the Princess I heard Spitridates since she answered him with nothing but tears continue speaking unto her I am even desperate Madam said he unto her that I should renue your sorrows and to find that my presence in lieu of pleasing you should grieve you I desire your pardon said the unto him for receiving you so very ill But Spitridates my weakness has so just a cause for it that you may excuse me The Prince Sinnesis my brother did so tenderly love you that I cannot look upon you without a revival of my sorrows and so many several things comes into my mind at once that it is not strange if my reason be a little disordered for truly the remembrance of what is past the fear of what 's to come and surpriz'd to see one so neer me whom I thought in prison are lawful causes of this disorder in my soul I was in hope Madam said Spitridates that this last mentioned cause would rather have rejoyced then grieved you So it does answered she but not so much as it would if the Prince my brother were yet living Yet tell me I conjure you how the choler of Arsamones is appeased It is not appeased at all Madam replied he and doubtless I have more incensed it by this my flight from him which now I have made Was it not by his consent said she unto him that you are come out of prison No replied he the Princess Aristea is she unto whom I am obliged for my liberty for after I was brought from Chalcedonia into Chrisopolis she observed that the place they put me in was not inaccessable as that was wherein I was before so that as soon as I was brought thither and before my father discovered the weakness of the place she corrupted three of my guards who out of a window which was not barred with iron they helped me to escape and carried me disguised into a house of the Town where I remained three dayes Afterwards when we heard the news of the King your fathers death which as you know preceded the death of the Prince Sinnesis my Sister advised me to come unto that Prince whom she then supposed to be King and out of her goodness to me she gave me a great part of her Jewels for the accommodation of my journey In my way hither I heard of yours and my second loss but though I did conceive it was not safe for me to come hither since the Prince Aryandes was to be King yet I could not deprive my self of so much happiness as to come and throw my self at your feet Madam and to ask you what should be the fate of my life Would to the Gods replied the Princess and sighed that it were in my power to make you happy but yet Spitridates fortune is more powerful then I am and I am afraid she will not consent unto it So that you will consent replied he I cannot think she is able to hinder my happiness I wish that all you say were true replied she but my reason does not shew me how it can be However Spitridates though I cannot deny but that I receive my consolation to lament it with you yet I cannot chuse but tremble to see you at Heraclea for the King my brother is to arrive here within these few dayes and if he come to know that you are here disguised what will he think of it Alas Madam said he do you think to drive me from you by telling me the King will come so soon and that perhaps he may know I am here Ah Madam torment me not so cruelly I have a very sâ—cure lodging and since I have nothing to do at Heraclea but to see you I shall not easily be discovered Yet however answered she I may hazard both my reputation and your life by permitting enterviews which how innocent soever they be may be interpreted criminal It is not late replied she and therefore it will not be thought strange that a sad melancholy Mourner should walk so long therefore Spitridates said she in rising up we must leave you However Madam answered this Prince I beseech you do me the honor to promise me another oportunity of speaking with you I
come unto her chamber but the King came also and Artanus having a handsom pretence to leave her went in all hast unto the garden again to see what that man who he saw before was As ill luck was Spitridates was not yet gone out for he found the door next his lodging shut Artanus spying him did then follow him and finding him one that shunned him did conclude him to be the same who was with the Princess he then imagined that perhaps it might be Pharnaces but Spitridates being forced to leave the close walk though he was disguised yet by the light of the Moon he knew him by his gesture and walk or at the least suspected him to be Spitridates and so much the rather because he heard that day by some Bythinians which were come unto Heraclea that this Prince was escaped out of that prison where Arsamones kept him so that his suspition filled his heart fuller of curiosity He followed him out of the garden into the streets and to the house where he lodged This confirmed him in his opinion for he knew those who dwelt there were friends unto Spitridates I leave you to imagine how this passage grieved Artanus yet upon second thoughts he resented it not so sadly but resolved by it to oblige the King and ruine his Rival by affirming That assuredly Spitridates had some conspiracy against the State in agitation but he would not reflect upon the princess because he imagined it would too much incense her nor would the State relish it He was much vexed that Pharnaces did not share in his sorrows to see Spitridates in such favour with the princess as that for the love of her she permitted him to be disguised in Heraclea but he resolved to reflect the business wholly upon him and went into the King immediately beseeching the honor of some privacy with him concerning some very important business The King then went out of the princess chamber into his own where Artanus told all the story The King no sooner heard that Spitridates was in Heraclea disguised but he apprehended some conspiracy plotting against him so that without loss of any longer time he secretly commanded the Captain of his Guard to go unto the house which Artanus saw Spitridates enter and to secure his person the King was obeyed Spitridates not able to defend himself is taken by the Guards and imprisoned in a Tower where Delinquents of high quality used to be secured You may imagine how extreamly was the princess surprized to hear within an hour after that Spitridates was arrested at the first she apprehended that the King would think he was disguised for her yet hearing nothing but conspiracies against the State talked on though she thought her self safe enough in relation to her reputation yet she feared the life of Spitridates was not so safe you may imagine then how sadly she sighed away that night But to disguise the matter I told all her women that the princess was not well and therefore would go to bed and I would stay with her to comfort her but yet it was more then I could do for she did look upon the matter so full of danger unto Spitridates that it troubled her extreamly and him no less then her Since they said nothing when they took him he knew not whether this enterview was discovered or whether he was taken only as being found disguised in Heraclea but yet the next morning his doubts were all cleared for the King sent to examine him what he came thither for what his business was and who were his Confederates in his conspiracy Spitridates not hearing them speak one word concerning the princess was exceedingly joyed and answered That after he escaped out of the prince his fathers prison and hearing in Chrisopolis that the prince Sinnesis was King he came unto Heraclea in hopes to find a Sanctuary under the shelter of his favour that when he came hither and heard his raign lasted but seven dayes he was much surprized and so grieved at it that he had not so much freedom of spirit as at the first to resolve what course he should take that in conclusion he resolved to address himself unto the King which now raigned and to desire of him the same protection which he hoped for from the late King his brother but that he had not time to execute his design because he was taken within an hour after his first arrival Those who examined him said That there was no necessity of disguising himself in coming to demand protection from the Prince Sinnesis who loved him unto which he answered That he disguised himself only to get into Heraclea out of Bythinia and to make his voyage more secure then if he had travelled with a train equipage and habit suitable to his quality Although these his answers were very reasonable yet did they not satisfie the King but he still believed that there was some hid design in it And though he was not ignorant of Spitridates his affection unto the Princess Araminta yet he knew her vertue so well that she would never have any consent in this disguisement but he believed that ambition was the only end of this adventure Pharnaces and Artanus did much confirm him in that belief The first of these believing ambition to be his design because he wished it and the other seeming to believe it that he might the sooner ruine Spitridates Yet since he desired that jealousie might torment Pharnaces as well as himself he acquainted him that Love was the greatest cause of this Princes disguisement He imagined also that he might perhaps by this way ruine Pharnaces in the opinion of the Princess Araminta conceiving that Pharnaces to ruine his Rival would infuse this new suspition into the King which when the Princess should know she would be extreamly incensed against him and indeed at the first the design dâ—d take as Artanus did desire it for Pharnaces was much more troubled to hear that Spitridates had seen the Princess then he was to think he had designs against the State Jealousie as generous as he was did rouze up his heart to insult over an unfortunate man and moved him to tell it unto the King in all aggravating circumstances When the Princess heard of it she was infinitely angry with him so that Artanus found out a way thereby to ruine both his Rivals at once and make them as unfottunate as himself for his own share he deserved it so did not the rest especially Spitridates who was far from deserving such disasterous destines But yet there is all spying inquisitions used to find out whether this Prince had held intelligence with any those with whom he lodged are all arrested and examined but do what they could nothing was to be gotten out of them or any else which did either justifie or condemn him that which much contributed unto his misfortune was That the King of Pont was so melancholy and sad as none could hardly
more serious and severe countenance Spitridates said he unto him I must tell you that if it be the pleasure of the Gods to dispose of me I would not have you to hold any Treaty or contract any alliance with those unto whom we have been Slaves And if you do I do dispense with all my Subjects from acknowledging you as their Prince Sir said Spitridates unto him and bowâ—d Doubtless the Gods will permit you to enjoy your Conquests long and I shall have leisure enough hereafter to understand your intentions more precisely Therefore it will â—uffice if you will be pleased to grace me so far as to tell me what service I shall do you for the present as I am your Subject without any further discourse of what I ought to do when I am King as yet I am not It is my intentions answered the King that if my sickness continue you shall command my Army That you march against Artanus and reduce Araminta into my power Spitridates did then bethink himself of some words which would admit of an ambiguous sence which might both satisfie the Nicety of his Love and might make the King believe that he would punctually obey him and indeed he did hit of it so handsomly that the King was satisfied with his answer and imbraced him after which being retired unto a very magnificent Tent which was prepared for him he was visited by Intaphernes and all the Officers of the Army for we were informed of all these passages afterwards from Spitridates himself within three days after the Physicians told Arsamones that there was no danger in his disease but yet iâ— would continue long so that not to lose time he gave Orders unto Spitridates to go and besiege Artanus yet appointing one of his Lieutenant Generals to have an observant eye upon 〈◊〉 the actions of this Prince Then went Arsamones with the Queen and the Princess his daughter unto Heraclea as for the Princess Istrina she was there before So Spitridates departed for Cabira the Prince Intaphernes being his principal Lieutenant General with whom he contracted a great League of friendship You may imagine Sir how much we were surprized when we were informed by our faithful Guard that there arrived a Cavalier at Heraclea having a Buckler as I told you before and afterwards that this Cavalier was Spitridates and that this Prince was so gracious with the King his Father that he made him General of his Army Our wonder for a long time was so great that our words could not express it Joy to hear that Spitridates was alive and the incertainty of his designe in coming against Artanus did so divide the mind of the Princess Araminta that she knew not whether she should grieve or rejoice However Madam said I unto her when she began to grieve I cannot chuse but be extreamly glad to know that Spitridates is living I have the same resentments replied she but however my soul must needs be in such unquietness for Arsamones has not altered opinion and it seems to be almost without all question that since Spitridates is in such favour with him they are both of one mind Oh Madam said I unto her censure not before you hear But yet it is very likely answered she that I am not mistaken a long absence may easily bury all his affection unto me in the grave of oblivion and he may as easily prefer the enjoyment of two Kingdoms above a Princess whom he has not a long time seen and who has nothing but misfortunes to her portion The truth is Hesionida if Spitridates do continue faithful it is a miracle and if he do not then doubtless it is the greatest misfortune that ever could happen unto me so that not knowing whether I should pray for or against him whether he will see me at liberty or take me prisoner my soul is in a most restless condition I did all I could to lessen her fears and fortifie her hopes But to tell you truly I do believe they both raigned successively in her heart for many days and she was not well resolved in her self In the mean while Artanus was something sick upon the business the very name of Spitridates and of his return did cast him into a qualm nor could all the power of his love cure him since he had many brave and gallant men with him they moved him much against his mind God knows to go and meet their enemy and to hazard a Battel at the first he did oppose the motion but afterwards fearing that if he should discover his Cowardice then doubtless they would all forsake him therefore he consented unto them and resolved to be there himself so that all the Regiments being drawn up under the walls of the Town where we were he viewed them and without bidding any adieu unto the Princess he departed leaving her under the Guardship of a Captain who was absolutely his creature I shall not relate unto you Sir all the particulars of this war only thus much in short that Spitridates was victor and the Coward Artanus being much against his will engaged in fight was mortally wounded by the hand of Spitridates who took him prisoner this perfidious wretch living only so long as to confess the counterfeiting of the Princess letter and mine The shattered part of this defeated Army fell into the Town and all the Commanders consulted what to do and resolved to receive their orders from the Princess hoping thereby to obtain more advantageous conditions by a treaty with Spitridates All the Captains then came unto her chamber whilst we were altogether ignorant of any passages because Artanus had taken that guard who was our intelligencer with him and he was killed in the battel At the first sight of them she knew not how to interpret their visit but one of them being Speaker for the rest said thus unto her Madam we are come to beg pardon for our past rebellion we come to tell you that Artanus has lost the battel and his life and we come to receive orders from you as the daughter and Sister of our Kings therefore Madam we beseech you let us know what is your pleasure we shall do whether you will render your self or whether it is your pleasure we should defend you against the Prince Spitridates which of these two wayes soever you are pleased to command we are ready to obey you You tell me of so many wonders at once said she that I cannot upon a suddain precisely resolve you but it is most certain that I must take no other part but the King my brothers and that his enemies are and must be mine and if they will not do us justice it will be much more noble to die in defending our selves then cowardly to submit Yet since you are from rebellious subjects become my protectors I do conjure you to take such orders as are necessary for the preservation of the Town and not to attempt any thing without
let such a vast number of people to perish for want of a little patience especially since they had no certainty that the Princess Mandana was in the place This advice being generally to be pursued no more was to be done but to keep most strict Guards round about the mountains and to find out all the blind paths and by-ways The next morning Ciaxares would take a view of the Assyrian Troops in Battalia by themselves which now they had mingled with the rest as being all of one side Mean while this Siege without a Town was not so idle a business as Cyrus did imagine it for since the Prince Phaartes was very gallant and since love was a spur unto his valour he began to bestir himself though during the first days he was sick with grief at his Fathers losses and that the Princess Araminta was in the hands of his enemies As he was well versed in all the by-ways of these mountains he would sometimes come and send us a shower of Arrows and so vanish in a moment that none could know what was become of him Sometimes he would come in the night unto the foot of the mountains by such blind ways through the Rocks where none but Armenians could come and give an Alarum unto all the Camp and since he had very good Spies in the Army of Ciaxares he always made his Sallies on that side where Cyrus was not for the valour of this Prince was most terrible unto all the Armenians But since Cyrus was not used to be surprized not surprize others he resolved every night to go into seve 〈…〉 Quarters in hopes to meet with this almost invisible enemy who would never fall upon his side and who he knew to be the Prince Phaartes by some prisoners which he had taken Upon such a design as this which Cyrus had the King of Assyria would be sure to make one as well as other particular friends of Cyrus Thrasibus Aglatidas Araspes Persodes Gadates Gobrias Megabises Hidaspes Thimocrates Leontidas Philocles Adusias Chrisantes Feraulas and many others were then with him After they had waited several nights in vain at the last it happened one night that Phaartes having no intelligence in what Quarter Cyrus was and having a designe to send out a Captain disguized in the habit of a Peasant unto Tigranes his Brother he happened to descend from the mountains on that side where Cyrus lay in ambush with six hundred men which he had culled out for that purpose yet he had placed himself so that Phaartes taking a little path upon his left hand could not come unto the foot of the mountains but that which at the first seeing did anger him was afterwards his advantage for when Phaartes with half his men was past the foot of the mountains Cyrus did immediatly step between him and his retreat and perceiving that there was abundance of men amongst the Rocks as well as in the plain he could not tell in which of those two the Prince Phaartes was so that to be sure of meeting with him he divided his men the one half to assault those who were in the Rocks and the other half to pursue those in the plain who seeing their Retreat cut off endeavoured to find out another but Cyrus pursued them very close whilest the King of Assyria did scuffle with them among the Rocks The Heavens was very serene and clear and the Stars did give a splendent luster so that this nights combate proved very sharp and bloody Thrasibulus and Aglatidas did do wonders in seconding the valour of Cyrus who sound no small resistance from those he fought with for the Prince Phaartes being there did desperately defend himself and did things worthy of eternal memory yet being wounded in the right arm and left hand so that he could not hold his sword he endeavoured to save himself Then he fell off being followed by fifteen or twenty of his men whilest the rest kept their ground and unperceived by Cyrus or any of his men he got into a little valley wherein did fall a very rapid Torrent from the height of the mountains there Phaartes hâ—d himself hoping that when the Combate was ended and the Troops of Cyrus drawn off he might then perhaps get into his rocky way again In the mean time all the rest of his men were cut all in pieces and Cyrus finding no resistance went to see what the King of Assyria had done be found him very busie with his enemies who did not flye according to their old custom because they knew that the Prince Phaartes was engaged yet at the last hoping he might gain some other Pass whereby to retreat they retired unto a Pass beyond which it was not possible to follow them for as it was so narrow that two men might make head against an hundred thousand After that they had done all that was possible and were thinking upon a retreat Cyrus enquired concerning all his friends whom in the obscurity of night he could not discern Aglatidas being next told him that he heard the name of Ottanus used in the Combate I heard more then you said Cyrus for I heard one cry Ottanus is dead as Aglatidas was about to answer intelligence came to Cyrus that some of the enemy had rallied together in a little valley so that he went immediately thither But Phaartes for it was he they meant being advertised of their coming by a souldier whom he had set sentinal at the advenue of the valley and finding himself disabled from fighting with any and also considering the little number of his men and they all wounded as well as himself commanded them to throw down their Arms and follow him chusing rather to trust unto the generosity of his enemy then to a feeble resistance which could do him no good and since he was disabled from fighting he thought it less shame to render himself unto a gallant enemy then to flie 〈◊〉 let himself be killed without resistance All his men obeying him he went unto a passage where he expected his enemy to come and since the Moon shined very bright and objects might well be discerned Cyrus was no sooner in sight but one of his men knowing him because he had been with Tigranes at Sinope did shew Phaartes which was he This Prince then cried out with a most generous boldness so loud as he thought he might be understood Whither art thou going Cyrus doest thou not know that it is not glorious to overcome at all times Suffer thy self sometimes to be vanquished and be assured that being overcome after that manner thy victory will be more noble then if thou wert a Conquerour and at this time there will be more honour in the triumph of thy clemency then of thy courage and valour Cyrus upon this stood still and turning towards Chrisantes who stood next him said smilingly unto him I see there is nothing more ingenious then ill fortune nor any thing more witty
any did but suspect what I desired to conceal I cannot chuse but be sensible of his You are all goodness replied Cleander and more indulgent then the Princess I do confess it said she and smiled and that which does most exasperate my severity is to see you do not think me discreet enough to trust me with a common secret for to tell me that you are in love is not to tell me all your adventure and story Well Madam said Cleander even transported out of himself if there need nothing but that to satisfie you I do confess it but I most humbly and heartily beseech you ask me no further for I had rather die a thousand deaths then tell any more When you are fallen out with your Mistress replied the Princess and smiled as the Prince my brother is with Anaxilea we then shall know all your Gallantry as now we do his I do not think Madam answered Cleander coldly that I shall ever be so far in favour with my Mistress as to fall out of it Time will tell us all said she in the interim I pronounce you innocent and beseech my brother to receive you so I know not Sister replied Atis very pleasantly whether after you have reconciled Cleander and me it must not be his office to reconcile us for you have railed so bitterly against my weakness that I know not how I should take it Your reason is now at too much liberty answered the Princess to take exceptions without a cause but as for Cleander since he is in love we had need be circumspect how we speak unto him for I have heard say that melancholy Lovers are soonest angered By that mark said Atis you came to know the Prince Artesilas is in love with you You are very apt to revenge replied the Princess to retort such an angry piece of raillery unto so mild an answer Atis could not reply unto this because Artesilas would have heard it if he had but since the Genius and conversation of that Prince did not please him and since his visit had already been very long he went away and carried Cleander with him who was sufficiently vexed to leave his Rival in that manner with his Mistress he was all the rest of that day with the Prince of Lidia who treated him according to his wonted affability and freedom but at night when he was at liberty to confer and open himselfe unto me I perceived by his discourse that he was sick of such a disease which nothing could cure but death Am I not most miserable said he for I did not deny to saign affection unto Anaxilea but only out of fear that the Princess whom I adored should not think that I was really in love with her and by consequence could never imagine that I loved her self yet now I see that my denial of the Prince Atis to do so hath perswaded the incomparable Palmis that I am really in love with her or else some other in the Court as I was forced to confess were she not thus perswaded she would not have been so pleasant as she was but certainly if she had any suspition of the truth I should have seen more signs of anger in her eyes It seems said I unto him by your discourse you would have thought your self happy in her anger Cleander made a pause at this and after a while consulting with himself I think said he unto me that rather then I should die and leave her ignorant of my love I should be contented to see her angry That is a favour replied I and smiled which you may easily obtain Ah cruel friend said he unto me I still find you more ignorant in matters of love But since I must open all my secrets unto you know that at one and the same time I wish things which are quite contrary to one another and that I no sooner say I should be contented to see her angry upon condition she were acquainted with my love but I repent of it and had rather die then displease her But how were you able replied I to tell her that you were in love I know not that replied he but I know that I had no sooner acknowledged it but I wished that I had not for had she apprehended my real thoughts I should have seen her eyes full of indignation yet to my sorrow I saw she thought me in love but never suspected it was with her self so that I endured most miserable torment Ask me not Sosicles what I would have her think when I confess I am in love with her for I know not my self but I am sure of this that to be less then a King and love the incomparable Palmis is the greatest folly in the world However that I do not know so much as whether I am the son of a Free-man or no yet I love her and shall do eternally and I cannot brook the affection of the Prince Artesilas This being the state of things abundance glorious and pleasant Company came to Sardis for the Prince Abradates second son unto the King of Susiana who then raigned and son unto a sister of Cressus whom that King had married came thither And at the same time also the fair Panthea daughter unto the Prince of Clasomenes a tributary unto Cressus came to dwell in the Court of Lidia with the Prince her father so that their arrival revived all manner of diversions There came unto Sardis also at that time a Brother of the King of Phrigia named Adrastus who as it was said had killed another of his brothers against his will and desired to be purged from that crime by that Laws of that Countrey which between the Lidians and Grecians is small difference Since this Prince was admirably handsom and of much spirit and since his banishment was rather for a misfortune then a crime Cressus received him very well and according to the custom of Lidia he was purified in the Temple of Jupiter and then appeared in the Court as a strange Prince whom every one did honour Cressus allowing him a subsistance befitting his quality and promising to endeavour a reconciliation between him and his brother the King of Phrigia It may be said of Cressus that he heaped up a greater Mass of treasures together then ever any did and was more magnificent then any Prince upon earth being therein much different from the young Prince Mexaris his Brother who was not less rich then he but was more covetous then another of his brothers named Antaleon was ambitious or Cressus liberal The Court being then so glorious as I have described Esope so famous for his ingenious fables which contained solid Morals in pleasant fictions came thither also and notwithstanding the ugliness of his face and deformity of his composure yet the beauty of his wit and greatness of his Soul shined so at Sardis that he was wonderous welcome And that this renowned Town might have men of all qualities Solon so
about to undeceive them who reports it because as long as they believe that to be the cause of your retiredness they would never look after the true cause and consequently never find it out And why said Amestris did you not acquaint me with these things Because I saw you so sad answered Menasta that I scrupled whether I should tell such unpleasant news yet since you do know it I wish it may be a means to restore you again unto your friends No no answered Amestris deceive not your self for I shall never do so and were it for no other reason but the having such a Husband as Ottanus is I will never see them again but Menasta I shall have further cause not to love him for he will by all means expose me to the view of the world For my part said Menasta I do not think that Ottanus did press you unto it so much as you think and he would never have spoke as he did but because Artemon was present however for your diversion a little let me tell you that Anatisa hearing of your marriage with Ottanus in the Countrey where she is is rapt into a little Heaven of joy and makes no question but her own marriage would be next with Aglatidas as soon as she came to Ecbatan but afterwards hearing that he was vanished and had setled all his Affairs as one that would not return again her sorrows were as great as her joyes were before and since Tatlers do seldom get love either from such as themselves or others every one had a vie in disadvantage of Anatisa who did so crack of her affection unto Aglatidas before and of her anger against him now that I believe she will never be able to make any great Conquests though perhaps she will endeavour to repair her loss by hopes of some other victory Amestris did hearken unto Menasta with some delight because the anger of Anatisa did evidently prove the fidelity of Aglatidas for though she fully resolved never to see him again yet she had a secret design in the root of her heart to love him as long as she lived Mean while after Artemon was parted from Ottanus and Ottanus had dispatched his business with those who came to speak with him he was alone with his own thoughts and calling all these passages into his memory which before tormented him he found his soul in a worse condition then before and that which at the first afforded him some minuts of tranquility was now a perpetual turbulency unto him For said he to himself as he related afterwards from whence should this sudden alteration in the humour of Amestris proceed What may be her reason to leave hating me why should she begin to hate all the world which way should I find out the true cause of all this After he had restlesly reasoned upon it and that which Artemon told him sticking in his stomack he spoke unto Amestris at night and conjured her not to neglect her self so much but to make some visits yet as she refused it though with much respect so his mind became much exasperated and he very roughly moved her to dress her self and to walk abroad and frequent Balls and all other places whither a jealous and angry Husband would have forbid his wife Insomuch as she told him that she would do all she could to obey him and in order to that she dressed her self the next morning more handsomly then ordinary and went unto the Temple at the same time which other Ladies used but yet it was with so much melancholy in her eyes that she infused no joy into any of those friends which saw her and as ill luck was two or three persons having seen her so sad and afterward meeting with Ottanus told him that they would ask no more why Amestris was so long unseen since it appeared by her face she had been sick But Ottanus knowing that she had not been so did conclude that there was some secret matter in her mind which was the cause of it and which he could not discover Amestris yet was less solitary for three or four days but with so much forcing of her self that she was not able to endure it any longer for if she saw any friends of Aglatidas her soul was in a very hell if they were indifferent men she met with they gave her some such touch concerning the pretended jealousie of Ottanus as did not please her or if they were any of the discreeter sort of people they entertained her with discourses so opposite to her present humour that they were extreamly troublesom to her if any compleat man was commended then the image of Aglatidas appeared in her fancie if any was blamed then the thoughts of Ottanus would direct her eyes She thought all those that looked upon her did blame her for marrying Ottanus So having lived three or four days thus and not being able to endure it longer she faigned to be sick that so she might not go abroad nor receive any more visits But since she could not deceive Ottanus so easily as she could the world who saw her not his torments did double upon him and not knowing what he would have he endured all the pangs of a jealous man and much more then common jealousie could infuse for they who are jealous have at the least some ground for it though he could not so much as imagine what the cause of his torments was And not being able to contain all his turbulent cogitations within the compass of his own heart he discovered all his secrets unto Artemon who after he had observed the Raptures the Reasons and Complaints of his Cousin could not determine what his malady was for said he unto him It cannot be said you are jealous since there is no imaginable reason for it for Amestris neither sees nor will be seen by any Amestris when she was free made choyce of you and married you what would you have more I would gladly know said he why upon a sudden she resolved to marry me and why upon a sudden she will not look upon the world I do confess said Artemon that the last of these is very strange unto me since you assure me it is not long of you yet however it concerns us who have lost her to complain of that and not you since you see her oftner and discourse more freely with her Not at all replyed Ottanus for she perswades me to live as I was accustomed to do and that I should allow of her alteration I know very well that heretofore she did not hate Aglatidas but there has been such jars between them since that as I cannot conclude any thiug upon it But why should you torment your self said Artemon since your wife desires not to see Aglatidas more then any other and indeed cannot see him since he is absent The reason why she lives thus replyed he after a little study upon it is
that the Affairs in Armenia were discomposed and that Ciaxares would draw the war into that Country So that Ottanus being moved unto it by apprehensions of rage dispair revenge and jealousie altogether he resolved to cast himself into the King of Armenia's Partie though he apparenly saw it would be the ruine of himselfe and losse of his estate flattering himself with hopes of some occasion to meet with Aglatidas knowing he would be in that war and he would seek him out though in places fullest of danger This designe being resolved upon without communicating it unto any he sent for Amestris who contrary to the advice of Menasta obeyed him Artemon who was returned to Ecbatan hearing of it would not let her goe alone but accompanied her whether she would or no When they drew neer the place unto which they were to goe they espied Dinocrates on horseback under a Tree who as soon as he saw them coming galloped with all speed towards the Castle where his master was This passage did much surprize Amestris and Artemon who could not devise the meaning of it But they were much more astonished when being come into the Castle they understood that as soon as Dinocrates advertized Ottanus of their coming hee took horse with three or four of his servants and went out at a back dore leaving a Letter with the Captain of the Castle to give unto Amestris He had no sooner declared it but she opened it and found these words OTANUS to the unworthy AMESTRIS I Goe from hence to hide that shame which you have brought upon me and in order to that I goe amongst men who know neither you nor me But the principall reason of my voyage is to kill Aglatidas if I can meet with him as I hope I shall If I hear you receive the news of his death without any tears I shall return and perhaps pardon you for loving that man whilst hee lived whose death should be indifferent unto you in the mean time keeep within this Castle obey him who commands it in my absence unlesse you have a minde I should return to punish you for all those evils you have brought upon me OTANUS Imagine Sir how this letter grieved Amestris who shewing it unto Artemon conjured him to follow after him and notwithstanding all the distwasion of the Captain he did so But whether Ottanus made too much haste to be overtaken or whether Artemon took a wrong road so it was he could not meet with him but returned to Amestris whom he found in a deluge of tears She was not well perswaded whether or no Ottanus was gone or if he were whether he was gone to kill Aglatidas as his Letter expressed or else whether he was only hid to see how she would behave her self during his pretended absence But however she collected by the beginning of his Letter that he was not gone into the Armie of Ciaxares since there he would be known After much debate upon the matter they hit upon the truth and Artemon beleeved he was gone into Armenia and was amongst the Kings enemies However Amestris told him that obedience unto her husband was her dutie and therefore she desired him to return back Artemon used all his arguments to perswade her that he might carrie her back again to Ecbatan But as she had no mind unto it so indeed she could not if she would for he whom Otanus had left commander in the Castle was an obstinate and resolved man and would not have permitted her Yet the sweet disposition of Amestris did obtain this singular favour from him that Menasta might come and see her Thus was Amestris after Artemons departure in a most terrible solitude especially because she knew no limits of time when it would end Her friends and Kinred did divers times offer to take her away in spight of him that kept the Castle if she would consent unto it but she never would not so much I think out of her obedience unto Ottanus which truly was without a paralel as out of her own disposition to avoid companie which she would not indure without constraint A while after she had the comfort to heare that Ottanus was certainly in Armenia and consequently she was in lesse fear of Aglattidas his life conceiving it a hard matter to meet with him amongst an Armie of a hundred thousand men Thus Sir did Amestris live during all the Armenean warre untill the news was spread throughout all Medea that Ottanus was dead It was told unto her with so many circumstances that none were afraid to rejoyce openly with her and all the world did make a publique thanksgiving for it in behalfe and out of affection to Amestris But the wonder of all was that shee who of all living had most reason to rejoyce at the death of Ottanus did receive the newes with the most moderation for there was not the least visible signe of any inward joy in the face of Amestris as it was a thing impossible shee should bee sad so nothing of that passion appeared likewise but without eyther any joy or sorrow shee made the wisdome of her minde and generositie of her soule most apparantly appeare in her discreet moderation and when Menasta asked her why shee was not more sensible of that freedom which shee was to enjoy shee answered that there was som scruples of minde yet unsatisfied and shee feared that the ill treatments of Ottanus would bee a meanes by which the gods would shorten her life Within a few dayes after the servants of Ottanus returned all except Dinocrates who they said was sick and stayed in Armenia which confirmed the reports of his death In the meane while the Captaine of the Castle where Amestris was in lieu of commanding her as before hee began to obey her as soone as hee heard of Ottanus his death and since hee was never very severe in his office shee treated him with much sweetnesse Within a few dayes after the kindred and friends unto Amestris came to carry her back unto Ecbatan where shee lived in all possible discretion as if Ottanus had not at 〈◊〉 beene jealous and fantasticall yet since it is not the custome of mourning in Medea to continue long and since Amestris was never in her life more faire then at that time the passionate affection of very many began to disclose and discover themselves by the tender of their services And amongst the rest Tharpis who whilst Ottanus was jealous had no other design in seeing Amestris and following her unto all places but to add fewel to his foolish fires was now really in love with her Artemon for his part he thought that meer compassion upon the miseries of Amestris was the only cause which prompted him to see and serve hen but now he perceived that he loved her with more tender affection then he thought on So that Amestris in losing a husband found many Lovers And that which was most strange was
joy in her plot returned to Ecbatan and divulged that Aglatidas knew well enough when hee killed Ottanus and that Amestris as innocent as she made her self knew it also This last report found credit but with very few Yet since Amestris was very inquisitive of what the Town talked and hearing of all the impostures she did so confirm her self in her resolutions never to marry Aglatidas or see him again that Menasta could not obtain leave for him to come and plead his reasons So that there was a necessitie in deceiving her and to see her whether shee did consent unto it or no not that shee did not all this while love him with abundance of tendernesse but it was the consideration of her honour that was predominate in her soul Whilst Aglatidas and Amestris were thus miserable Anatisa and Tharpis rejoyced Artemon and Megabises were glad and to drive the nail unto the bottom of the plot Anatisa did cause reports to bee blown in the ears of Amestris that the world did infinitely commend her resolution of never marrying Aglatidas or seeing him again so that shee gave such resolute answers unto Menasta that there was no hopes of obtaining any thing for poor Aglatidas Three or foure daies passed on in this manner but at the last Menasta feigning her selfe to be sick purposely that Amestris might come to visit her her plot took effect and Aglatidas with my selfe knowing it went thither Menasta gave orders that none should enter except us as for Amestris though her Coach stood at the doore yet every one knowing the great familiarity betweene them were not at all offended that she should enter and none else When we came into the Chamber Amestris was sitting upon Menastaes bed so that Aglatidas was upon his knees before her ere ever she knew he was entred Madam said he unto her and would not let her rise I beseech you give me leave to present you with my reasons before you shall proceede to jugement lest you should be guilty of some injustice Amestris without answering Aglatidas looked upon Menasta as if she accused her for deceiving her and indeed had gone out if Menasta had not held her by the gowne Alas Menasta said she what will the world think of me if it be knowne I permit Aglatidas to see mee Alas Madam replyed I what shall we say of you if you will not so much as heare the complaints of a man you have made most miserable If he could say any thing which could justifie himselfe replied she I should heare him with abundance of delight but since he cannot why should you desire mee to lay such a staine upon my reputation as nothing can possibly efface I know not Madam what Justice there is in crediting the relation of a man who heretofore has told a thousand lies against you I doe confesse his tale is told hansomly and confirmed with strong conjectures but for all that Madam I doe assure you with all possible sinceritie and doe conjure you by all the gods whom we adore to beleeve it that I did never intend to kill Ottanus nor did so much as know whether he was in the fight or no And I doe also most seriously protest that though I did alwaies hate him yet if I had knowne him amongst mine enemies I should for the love of you have shunned meeting with him therefore Madam though it be true that I did kill Ottanus as I cannot beleeve I did yet was not the act to be imputed unto me as a crime since I knew him not yet upon the bare deposition of one of your grand persecutors who hath accused me for killing a most extream Tyrant in the warrs you Madam will make me the most miserable man upon Earth and you will be so highly severe against me as not to heare my complaints I conjure you Madam in the name of the Gods not to condemne me so sleightly or at the least not to condemne me so soone I wish to the gods whom you invoke said Amestris that I could never condemne you but that your innocence might appeare as cleere as the day but Aglatidas it cannot for truly to speake sincerely unto you although I were most certain that all Dinocrates sayes were false yet were I not able to undeceive the world and therfore I must never marry you your amitie replyed Aglatidas were built upon a weak basis if it were not able to withstand such a consideration as this for bee pleased to know Madam that true virtue is not built upon the opinion of others but when one hath that secret Testimonie of a cleere Conscience on their side it is satisfaction sufficient and one never neede to make ones selfe miserable for the satisfaction of others But Madam said he and sighed I am afraid you are not sensible of my ruin Yes Aglatidas replied Amestris do not deceive your self for I have so high an esteem of you and if I durst say it so great an affection that I cannot think you guilty of any crime I doe believe all you say and consequently doe think that if you killed Ottanus it was ignorantly yet for all that if I should marry you the censorious world would perhaps be apt to say that you did it by my appointment So that this thought doth so deeply wound my imagination and my houour that I must use all expedients to make my very enemies think me innocent and in order to that Aglatidas I must not only refuse to marry you but also never to see you again and if you have any power over your own soul you will finde out some handsome pretence to depart from Ecbatan yet for your comfort I doe assure you because I think I may doe it without a crime that I think it an easier matter for me to dye then part with you I doe most heartily beseech you Madam said Aglatidas with most sorrowfull eyes eyther bee all severitie or all sweetnesse either content your self with the innocency of my heart and let m enjoy yours or else expresse so many signes of scorn and inhumanitie that I may die with sorrow at your feet for what delight can you take Madam in prolonging my life by giving me such obliging language and to augment my misery How doe you think it possible I can shake hands with death as long as I think the divine Amestris loves mee And how doe you think I can endure my life when I certainly see shee shall never be mine and when as I am in some fears if I duâ—st say it some other hereafter shall enjoy her Never fear this last replyed Amestris but on the contrary be certainly perswaded that the heart which I had given you shall never bee in the power of any other Your expressions are most obliging replyed Aglatidas but Madam the miseries which I suffer are so great that I cannot handsomly resent that joy which those advantagious words might give mee for I see it is your
let her know it and not incense her This way of declaring love was a hard chapter but since he could not speak silence it seems must speak for him and he esteemed it one degree of happiness in his misery that he hoped she would thereby understand his meaning Then after a long visit without a minute of private discourse because much company was there that day as he was going out with the rest of the company which went out almost altogether Shall I see you to morrow said she unto him No Madam replyed he And why will you deprive me of that honor replyed she Because I am resolved to obey you answered he and went on t not daring to look at her Cleonice calling to memory all that she had said unto him that day could not remember she had enjoyned any thing upon him to be done to morrow and therefore she thought his memory had deceived him but did not at all respect the truth The day following she asked me whether I saw Ligdamis and also asked several others who all answered No and indeed he never came out of his own Chamber but waited with as much fear and as impatience till Cleonice expressed some signs she understood him He told me since that never man suffered more melancholly misery then he did upon that occasion for said he she understands me not and I deprive my self of the happiness of seeing her to no purpose and if she do understand me perhaps it is with anger in her heart I shall my self destroy that esteem which she has of me and perhaps she will not do me so much favour as to shew her indignation unto me but let me alone in my lamentable exile but Cleonice did not at all suspect his Passion The first day was thus spent the second astonished her a little more and the third day I coming unto her What have you done with Ligdamis said she to me and what 's become of him that neither we nor any else can see him I should have said he had been sick said I unto her if I had not met with his sister in the Temple who told me he was not sick but very melancholly I cannot imagine the cause of it replyed Cleonice but must stay till he be in the humour to come and tell me The next day being a day consecrated unto Diana Cleonice and I went unto the Temple and as we came in I saw Ligdamis and shewed him unto Cleonice yet he no sooner saw us look upon him but after he had bowed unto us he went out of the Temple which did exceedingly surprise us for his custom was when he met with Cleonice to regulate his devotion according to hers and wait upon her out The next day following we did accidently meet with him but since Artelinda and three or four more were in the company Cleonice could hardly speak unto him yet as he passed on her side she leaned towards him and most obligingly said I pray Ligdamis tell me what you are doing I am obeying you Madam replyed he in a low voyce and blush'd and without any longer stay he went away and left Cleonice so astonished that she knew not what to think As soon as she was returned home she resolved to clear her doubts and writ unto Ligdamis in these terms CLEONICE unto LIGDAMIS SInce I cannot remember I ever desired any thing of you which might deprive me of the happiness in seeing you do me the favour to write your minde to the end I may chide my self and my bad memory and that I may know your willingness to obey me CLEONICE After she had writ this Letter she sent it unto Ligdamis by a Page which she loved very well who did deliver it the very same hour You may imagine how Ligdamis was perplexed he began twenty times to answer this Letter and as many times blotted out what he had writ Sometimes he thought he said too much and presently after he thought it too little But in conclusion there being a necessity of writing something he returned this answer if my memory fail me not LIGDAMIS unto CLEONICE I Would it were the will of the Gods Madam that my puting you in memory of that Command which you imposed upon me to see yon no more could make me hope my obedience would procure a pardon of that Crime which did precede it I have not so much confident boldness as to tell you what it is unless your goodness will permit or rather appoint me LIGDAMIS After he had writ this Letter and read it over and over he gave it unto the Page which brought the other commanding him to deliver it with his own hands unto his Mistress and let none see it but she As chance was I came unto Cleonice presently after she had sent unto Ligdamis and was with her when she received his answer As soon as the Page appeared she went towards him to take that Letter which he writ and turning towards me We shall see whether I have lost my memory said she or whether I ever commanded Ligdamis not to see me and have forgotten it After this she began to read the Letter aloud but I saw her blush at reading of the two first lines her voice changed and she read the last so indistinctly that I understood her not Then I took the Letter and read it Is your curiosity satisfied said I after I had read it Not at all replied she for I do not well understand whether Ligdamis jeers or whether he hath lost his wits or reason nor do I yet understand whether that command which he says I imposed upon him be grounded upon that question which he asked me the other day in your presence which was What he should do in case he fell in love with me I perceive indeed he would make me believe he is so You must needs confess said I unto her that this declaration of his love is the most respective that possibly can be and also the most private Heavens preserve me from thinking that Ligdamis is in love with me said she No no Ismenea I do not at all believe it and I do repent of that suspition which I had of him Certainly he is in an humour to make himself some sport and would be revenged of me for the perplexity I put him into by accusing him of being in love with Artelinda However said I unto her it must needs be acknowledged that if he be in love he could not carry it with more respect or with more gallantry If he were in love replied she doubtlese he could not carry it so for Lovers lose their Reason as soon as they begin to enter into that predicament Yet I have heard say replied I that there are some men which Love makes more witty I do think indeed said she that perhaps it may infuse some wit into those who had none before but I believe on the other side it takes away the wits of them that
Phocylides had a great minde that way and likewise many others yet was he not jealous but was as happie as any Lover could be who had not the full enjoyments of his Mistresse Then Madam questionlesse you know that the Princesse of Lydia was brought unto Ephesus presently after the imprisonment of Cleander At that time Ligdamis being there he sought all occasions to do him the best offices he could and it was indeed by his means that Esope who was then at Sardis conveyed many Letters from this illustrious Prisoner unto that Princesse and by whom she returned answers Though the business was then very secretly carried and none knew it except Esope yet since it was known Cleander loved Ligdamis very well Hermodorus having some confused knowledge long since that he received some Letters from the Princesse yet not knowing to whom they were directed did secretly acquaint Cressus that Ligdamis did plot something with the Princesse his daughter Yet Cressus not daring to arrest him because he knew his father was at his Government he would therefore endeavor to remove him first and in order to that he sent for the father under some pretence or other to come unto him and gave orders to arrest the son at Ephesus the same day the father came to Sardis But since he had many friends at Court he was acquainted with the design of Cressus So that seeming to be sick he sent his excuse to the King and sent at the same time to Ligdamis to acquaint him also that he should come away in all haste I leave you to judge Madam how sad this storie was unto two who thought themselves unhappy if they did not see one another every day However there was a necessity that Ligdamis must depart and he did so the saddest man alive He offered above twenty times to disobey his father but when Cleonice considered that perhaps she might be a cause of his imprisonment she her self did haste his departure Then did she begin again to complain against Love yet not being able to wish that Ligdamis should leave loving her she said this Passion made none any thing else but unfortunate But as if it were not enough to be grieved for the absence and misfortune of Ligdamis she must also suffer the persecution of Hermodorus whose only end of prosecuting against his Rival was to profit by his disgrace He asked Cleonice of Stenobea in marriage who made him a promise of it if he could obtain the consent of her daughter Phocylides also was more importunate then before and since it was impossible for him to hide all his melancholly Artelinda did explain the cause of it for him unto all those that could not guess it without her So that Cleonice was beleagured by all sorts of sorrows at once The sister of Ligdamis being married to a man of good quality whose estate was on this side the river Hermes went thither with her husband and there staid not in Ephesus any with whom she might talk of Ligdamis except me In the mean time Cressus seeing his design took no effect and not conceiving it expedient to begin a civil war in his own dominions when he expected a forreign war upon himself did dissemble his Resentments seeming to be satisfied with the excuse which the father of Ligdamis sent him and expressing no discontent at all yet for all that his design was as soon as Ligdamis or his father came out of that place to secure their persons and they having intelligence of these intentions by friends which certainly knew it it might be said they were Prisoners out of fear of being so for they never came out of the Castle of Hermes yet Ligdamis obtained once of his father to come disguised unto Ephesus under colour of discovering some important business to see Cleonice You may imagine Madam how I wondered to see him come one night into my chamber in a Phrygian habit which made me at first not know him yet he no sooner spoke unto me and desired me to conceal that I knew him unless I durst trust my women but I knew him So that I not considering his voyage was caused by Cleonice Ah me Ligdamis said I unto him good Gods what brought you hither Alas Ismenea said he I am much more miserable then I thought I was for since you do not know me it is an evident sign that Cleonice does not think my Passion as violent as hers She thinks hers more violent then yours replied I but I believe she does not think you discreet enough in hazarding that life which is so dear unto her as yours is For if you should be taken in Ephesus in a disguised habit you gave your enemies a sufficient ground to ruine you It is no matter said he to me so I may but have the happinesse to see Cleonice Therefore to lose no time dear Ismenea procure me that favour When I heard Ligdamis speak with so much zeal and perceiving that he had rather see Cleonice then return into safety I sent to desire Stenobea she would be pleased to permit Cleonice to come unto me to assist me in a businesse wherein she might do me a great favour I would not name any manner of divertisment least Stenobea her self loving all pleasures should be there also But my device did not hit as I hoped for she thinking it to be some musick matter or such diversion sent me word that she would herself bring her as indeed within an hour after she did You may well imagine how Ligdamis lamented this accident since he must not see his dear Cleonice all that night yet since there was no remedy I put him in my Closet and sat down upon my bed in expectation of Stenobea who came presently after in hopes to finde some very considerable divertisement The merriest part of all the adventure was that she acquainted all the company which was with her with my message who all also came unto my lodging with her so that in less then three quarters of an hour half the Town was in my chamber which did exceedingly amaze me and the more because I saw all that were there expected something more then they found However though I knew none in the company would offer to go into my Closet yet I was in a great perplexity that I could not get them out of my Chamber For as for Stenobea since she was a Lover of much company and found it there she never complained nor would she suffer any others to complain that they were deceived in their expectation But at the last I was so out of all patience at this passage and complained so much as I plainly told them all I had no other design to see any that night but only Cleonice who seeing so much Company did trouble me in earnest entreated her Mother to depart and to begin the example unto others So that Stenobea rising up first did lead the way out and all the rest followed leaving only
notwithstanding they could not resolve to promise him obedience saying alwayes that Love was such a Soveraign passion as they could not so readily surmount it yet they spoke this with so much reverence unto Croessus out of fears to incense him lest he should send them both out of Sardis that their resistance did not offend and Croessus believed they intended obedience though they protested that they thought it impossible Thus it happened that the Conquerour was no happier then the Conquered and Perinthus was only he who reaped the fruit of Abradates his Victory out of his joyes to hope that the Princess should Marry neither him nor Mexaris But Madam the passage was rare when Perinthus returned to render an account unto the Princess of the combat for though she heard of others yet since every one is glad to have repetitions of any thing which pleaseth or which they have any interest in Perinthus was no sooner come unto her Doralisa and my self being present but she spoke unto him Well Perinthus said she unto him with much joy in her eyes Thanks be to the Gods the Prince Abradates and the Prince Mexaris are both alive They are Madam replied he but the last of these is wounded 'T is true said she but since I understand his wounds are not dangerous I cannot chuse but rejoyce that their combat proved not more fatal I conceive Madam replied he that whosoever understands the true sence of your words will think Abradates more glorious in your language then in his diâ—arming Mexaris However it be said she and blushed give me an exact relation of the combat Perinthus now was extreamly put to it and not being able himself to set forth the glory of his Rival whom he saw was too deep in the heart of his Princess already he told her that he could not truly do it for the friends of Mexaris reported one way and the friends of Abradates another but the principal of all was what she knew already that Abradates received not a wound and that Mexaris was wounded It is very strange Perinthus said Doralisa and laughed and who knew as well as I did the true cause why he would not satisfie the Princess you should be so ill informed of this combat For my part said she further to discover his thoughts had I been at any Ball and the Princess should precisely ask me what passed there certainly I should have related every thing with the least circumstance she should know whether the Hall were ill or well furnished who danced most which Ladies were best dressed and most fair which of the men was the greatest Gallant who talked long with such a one and who with such a one and she should know every trivial passage of the Assembly so perfectly as if she were there present In the mean time you who are a brave and gallant man in lieu of relating every circumstance as I could have done does only tell the Princess that Mexaris is wounded and that Abradates is Conquerour 'T is very true said the Princess and smiled Perinthus is to blame I should have thought it Madam replied he no great discretion to relate a combat unto Ladies in the same manner as it should be related unto men It had not been handsom indeed said Doralisa to have related Wars and Battels or your own peculiar Victories But for a single Duel and a combat wherein you have no interest and which is fought between two Princes of such eminency it ought to be exactly related I shall better inform my self another time replied he and remember your instructions hereafter Hereafter said the Princess Heavens forbid you e're be put unto it Panthea spoke this with such an Emphesis that Perinthus knowing thereby her thoughts was dumb for a quarter of an hour together during vvhich time Doralisa talking on as she begun did almost make him dispair But to return from whence I transgressed give me leave to tell you Madam that Abradates vvas so sad to see that in conquering Mexaris he vvas not the better as it vvas impossible he should be more though it vvas some comfort to see himself in better state then his Rival yet he thought himself most unfortunate When the Princess knevv it she vvas also much troubled though her care vvas not to shevv it So as the first time that Abradates met her at Doralisa's house there passed such discourse betvveen them as did confirm their amity The Princess kept still in those limits vvhich she had prescribed unto her self never to Marry Abradates vvithout the consent of the Prince her Father but never to Marry Mexaris vvhat violence soever she vvas put unto Thus that which in appearance should quench their Passions did render them more strong and Perinthus in striving to prejudice Abradates did against his will do him better service then if he had endeavored it This close Lover yet did think himself more happy then he was before the Combat of these two Rivals for though he knew very well that the heart of Panthea was deeply engaged yet he had some hopes that seeing she could not marry Abradates she would strive to exclude him out of her mind in so much as we perceived him more pleasant and free then he used to be As for Mexaris he was so melancholy that none living could be more not but that he had still good words from the Prince of Clasomena but since words are but wind and Perinthus kept him from bestowing his daughter without the Kings consent he was no less unquiet In the mean while Abradates and he lived with a cold kind of civility to each other such as seemed to be an inclination to another Quarrel Since the King did not forbid them seeing of Panthea but only from thoughts of marriage they often met at her house but more often in other places lest they should too much incense Croessus Thus did they live a kind of compulsive and unpleasant lives yet Abradates was much less miserable then his Rival since he did not only know himself not hated but so much in favour with the World that the Princess never went unto any place but he had intelligence of it the very same hour For since he was liberal unto all his Intelligencers were most exactly true and faithful to him And I am confident there was not a man of a condition whatsoever neither about the Prince of Clasomena nor about the Princess his daughter which was not most really for him except Perinthus On the contrary the avarice of Mexaris was such that he had not any intelligence so much as from his own servants so that he knew no more but what every one knew After then he had lived thus some certain days he fell upon a most unjust and violent Resolution which was to carry away Panthea if he could not by any means win the Prince of Clasomena to let him marry the Princess his Daughter secretly As he entertained these thoughts News was
he began by degrees to fear that Cleodora would not be appeased and that he was disobliged from seeing her as her servant yet was he in a great straight what to resolve upon for if he did not reconcile himself to Cleodora he could not see Leonisa And he considered further that admit he did reconcile himself then it would be a piece of difficulty to make Leonisa beleeve he loved her Also he was extreamly ashamed of his inconstancy and that he should so delude one whom he had so much loved and whom yet he esteemed maugre his new passion yet Cleodora continued so violent against him that though he knew his crime yet he could not repent of it But what troubles and sorrowes soever his soul had he never acquainted Hermogenes or me with his new love but only complained against the fantasticalnesse of Cleodora in the mean time this Lady whose heart was really affectionate unto Belesis repented of what she had done and seeing he fell off from his accustomed Courtship as fierce as she was she resolved upon the first opportunity to reduce him And going one day with her Aunt unto the Queen without Leonisa by chance she met him as soon as she saw him she had a great minde to speak unto him yet she could not finde in her heart to use her tongue thinking it enough if she looked upon him without anger and to answer him mildly if he spoke unto her On the other side Belesis was in such a dump that he neither knew what to do or say for the very sight of Cleodora did make him so much ashamed of his weaknesse that one while he resolved to carry himself as if he loved none but her this said he to himself is perhaps more then I can do and perhaps more then I ought since it is not Just to make her and my self miserable by telling Cleodora I love only her when as I am ready to dye for the love of Leonisa but how can I break off her chaines who has expressed a thousand testimonies of her affection to me and whose very fantasticall humours are signes of it how dare I ever let her know that I am inconstant how can I continually counterfeit and what fruit can I hope for from my dissimulation yet however whether I resolve to devote my heart unto Cleodora and chase Leonisa out of it or whether I will court Leonisa and cast off Cleodora I must at this present apply my self to the last of these for if I would have her take her first possession of my heart I must approach her fair eyes that they may kindle the flame which so long burned in my soul and if on the contrary I desire to be inflamed by the glorious light of Leonisa's eyes yet still I must keep fair with Cleodora since I cannot see the one without the other Thus Belesis not knowing whether he should be inconstant or no whether he should appease Cleodora or deceive her he accosted her with such strange confusion as had a great operation upon the heart of that Lady who was ignorant of the cause but attributed the alterations in his face unto his repentance He asked her in a trembling posture whether her anger was yet over It is so long since you spoke unto me said she and smiled that it were but just in me if I told you it continued still But Belesis the manner of your asking makes me beleeve that I ought not to tell you so and therefore I do declare unto you that I do with all my heart pardon all that is past Oh Madam said Belesis unto her and blushed you are all goodnesse if you do not punish me If you had spoke thus replied she at the beginning of our quarrell it had not lasted so long but the worst of it was continued she and laughed that we were both of us very humorous at once therefore I pray you let us hereafter be so one after another or if you please let us not be so at all and the sooner to oblige you unto it I promise you to do my best in correcting my self I leave you to judge Sir in what a perplexed condition Belesis was Then did he begin to renew his love unto Cledora but it lasted not long for as he waited upon her home and there saw Leonisa all was quasht again and Leonisa seeing him come with her Cousin came unto her to rejoyce that she had brought Belesis with her and gave him such obliging language as quite damped all his intentions of continuing constant to Cleodora After this Belesis became so unquiet and reserved that he was not knowable All this while he spoke not a word of his love to Leonisa but addressed himself wholly to Cleodora as if he yet loved her yet with so much regret that he was forced every day to colour the matter with some handsome invented lies Sometimes he would say he had received news of his fathers being sick sometimes again he would say he was ill himself and sometimes not knowing what to say he would put poor Cleodora in a miserable dump for since she did really love Belesis and considered she was ready to lose him in a fantasticall humour she gave him now no cause of complaint but was as complacentiall as could be and yet she saw he was as much out of tune as when she was the contrary This being the state of things Hermogenes with whom Belesis lodged observed that now he was nothing so carefull of Cleodora's letters as he was wont for he found two or three of them upon the Table lying loose and open whereas before his inconstancy he would never part with them out of his hands when he shewed them unto him but would alwayes read them himself unto Hermogenes Also Hermogenes found the Picture of this Beauty which he had lost but did not restore it untill three or four dayes after and all this while Belesis never missed it which was quite contrary to his custome for when he loved Cleodora he used to look upon it every quarter of an hour The greatest wonder to Hermogenes was that he saw Cleodora did never treat Belesis so kindly as now and yet Belesis was more melancholy then when she was most rigorous Hermogenes having an extreme desire to know the cause of so great an alteration in his friend he came unto him one morning to restore Cleodora's picture But as he would not speak of it seriously at the first the better to discover his reall thoughts so he began thus If the vertue of Cleodora said he unto him and restoring the Picture were lesse known unto me then it is I should think you had secretly married her without either the consent of her friends or yours for as it is the custom of many Lovers to slight all the trifling favours which their mistresse gave them when once they enjoy themselves so I should think that since you lost Cleodora's picture and did not misse it
both ever to see me again and let me tell you that now I scorn you more then ever I have esteemed you also I defie you and bid you say the worst that can prejudice me Never think to imploy the power of my Father for if you do I will acquaint him with the just cause of complaint I have against you therefore without any resistance or delay I expect obedience unto my will without a syllable of murmure After these words Elisa went into her Closet and made a sign unto them to be gone so that Poligenes and Agenor not daring to stay her began to quarrel for betraying each other yet they durst not stay any longer in Elisa's Chamber but went out in extream dispair and furie not yet directlie knowing what was the object of all their cholor But they had not gone above twentie paces belching out the furie of their souls when a friend unto Phocilion met them and told them that he expected them both at the Sea side which looks towards the North with as many Swords as were requisite for two to fight against two adding that the cause of his quarrel was of such a nature as no other way but this could give him satisfaction Poligenes and Agenor having sharp edges set upon their Spirits did keenlie accept of this Proposition and as men who had a greater mind to fight with one another then against any else yet point of honor not permitting them to deliberate they told Phocilion's friend that they were readie to go along with him and did so after they had sent away their men Since their minds were full they never considered what might Phocilion's reason be for calling them to this satisfaction but in the heat of their furie fought and knew not why nor would Phocilion tell them directlie his reason lest he should ingage the name of Elisa The quarrel then not being known the combat then could not be prevented the event whereof was verie bloodie it fell to the lot of Phocilion to fight against Agenor and Poligenes against Phocilion's friend all which four were wounded Phocilion and Agenor more dangerous then the other two Phocilion had the advantage of Agenor but Poligenes had the better of Phocilion's friend This combat made a great noise in the world none knowing the cause for when any asked Poligenes or Agenor they bad them ask Phocilion and when they asked Phocilion he answered that it was sufficient Poligenes and Agenor knew themselves not innocent In the mean time this combat produced this good unto Elisa for Agenor Poligenes and Phocilion being all three wounded she was at much more quietness nor was any talk of her as the cause only Lyriope began to chatter a little but she durst not vie against Elisa as formerlie she used because her Parents were upon marrying her unto one of the Court named Asiadates and indeed did marrie her unto him within a few daies after more for interest of familie then any other reason So that fearing lest her hatred of Elisa should speak her Love unto Agenor she concealed her thoughts of this business As for Elisa her anger against Poligenes against Agenor and against Phocilion also made her think her self happie in being delivered from that sight yet being of a natural goodness if the thing had been in her dispose she would not have permitted this combat but since it was not nor since she had no hand in it it did not grieve her that the Gods had permitted them to sight and had ridded her of such men as she was resolved never to see again This being the state of things and Elisa confirming her self more and more in her resolutions never to marrie but to grow more austere if it were possible Straton who never enjoyed himself since the death of the last King but having lost all his hopes he fell sick and within seven daies died of so violent a Fever as he was not able to order any business since the first day of his falling sick This accident was so mournfully resented by Elisa as I wonder it did not cost her life at least her beautie yet the tears upon her face was only like a dew upon Roses which in lieu of changing them makes them more sweet and lovely and as melancholy has a kind of languishing sweetness in it so Elisa doubtless was nothing so austere in her sorrows as formerlie and consequentlie not so apt to drive her Lovers into dispair Elisa in losing Straton did not only lose a most indulgent Father but found a subversion of her fortune by falling under the power of a phantastical Mother who loved her not but who since the death of Straton did persecute her a hundred several wayes However Elisa carried her self with as much respect as if she were the best Mother in the world and her generositie was so high that Barce having left her in the Countrie and being returned her self to Tire she there fell sick of such a contageous disease as Husbands dare not come neer their Wives nor Wives their Husbands yet Elisa no sooner heard the condition wherein Barce was but she departed immediatelie and went notwithstanding the danger to help that person who resolved to make her life as miserable as she could But the Gods who doubtless were pleased to make the virtue of Elisa more splendent took Barce out of this world just as Elisa was going into her Chamber against the perswasions of all her friends But seeing her Mother was past recovery she withdrew from a needless danger and retired her self unto a Ladies house who was her Cozen who lived extreamly closely and whose virtue was extraordinarie Thus Elisa made it most evident by this action that she had no design of admitting so much companie as she had during the life of Straton But to the end Elisa might make the greatness of her soul appear the Gods were pleased to abase her fortune that they might elevate her Glory by such a way as many have lost theirs Since Straton had great imployments under the late King of Phenicia all those unto whom he was indebted did fall upon Elisa for satisfaction and seized upon all her estate with so much violence and injustice that they made Elisa almost as poor as fair However though she saw her self in a most lamentable condition yet her high soul never trembled at it but she carried out her bad fortune with as much resolution as she did her good with moderation nor was she less austere and when Poligenes Agenor and Phocilion were recovered and would have seen her she did forbid them with as much authority as if she had been upon a Throne and they her Subjects she was more severe then before and she would make it appear that since she was Mistress of her self she would follow the rules of virtue more exactly then before But Madam that you may see how great her virtue was be pleased to know that Asiadates whom Lyriope had married did
know the most sublime Sciences transcend not her knowledg she is a compleat Mistress in the most difficult Arts she built a Palace after her own ingenuous model the best in the world she found out the Art of a Palace of a vast capacity in a little room order proportion regularity are in all the rooms all is magnificent all convenient full of conceit and useful design her Closets and Cabinets are full of rarities which speak the judgment of the chuser the Aire in her Palace is all perfume several rich pots ful of flowers makes a continual Spring in her Chamber and the rooms of common use are so full of pleasure and phancie that one would think himself in a place inchanted when he 's there Moreover she had a most facetious ingenuity in composing either Prose or Verse But amongst so many high advantages which she received from the Gods she had the misfortune that the least distemper impaired her health like certain flowers which to preserve their freshness must neither be alwayes in the Sun nor alwayes in the shade which yet being kept neither cold nor hâ—t do keep their beauty or else will wither and die Cleomira therefore being so tender went less abroad then any other Ladies in Tire The truth is she never needed to go out of her house to seek for company for there was not a person in all the Court who had any excellencie of wit or virtue who did not frequent it nothing did pass for currant if it had not the stamp of her approbation not to be known unto her was thought not to be in the world a stranger never travelled to Tire who would not see Cleomira and pay her homage not any excellent Artificer but desired the glory of her approbation upon their works all the Poets in Phenicia did sing her Encomiums and she had the esteem of all so universally as there was never any that ever saw her which did not extol her and were charmed with her wit her sweetness and her generosity Moreover Cleomira was not the only Ornament of her Palace for she had two Daughters who indeed were worthy to be hers The elder whose name was Philonide has a mixture of much beauty much complacence much wit all her inclinations are noble and generous her stature tall and handsom her beauty rare her behaviour the most genuine and natural in the world her wit the most charming the most easie and the most gallant that can be she writ as well as she spoke and she spoke like an Angel she was wonderfully apt for all excellent things and was ignorant in nothing that was fit for a person of her Quality to know her dancing was able to make any in love with her and she was every way so apt for the world for great feasts and the honours of a great Court that it was impossible for any to be more her dress did ever so well become and fit her and troubled her so little that one would say any thing would fit her pleasures and delights did so Court her that not a day did pass without a fresh diversion and if ever she were sick it was ever at such melancholy times as when no pleasures were stirring and if she were ill at any time it was only so as to draw all the Court unto her Chamber and never so ill as to be deprived of their company Moreover she had such a prodigious number of friends to say nothing of her Lover as it was to be admired how she could answer the friendships of so many at once yet she gave them all very ample satisfaction Yet I am confident say what she please that it was impossible she should love so many as she seemed to be obliged unto for their friendship and I am certain there was a great number whom she did only esteem with common civility and acknowledgments yet they all were very well contented with her and loved her as effectually as if she loved them not but that she had many friends who had deep sâ—ares in her heart but that choice number was not easily discerned from the rest and I believe only her self knew positively whom and how she loved yet she had a general tenderness to all which made her the most officious person in the world and had such secret and particular charms in her conversation towards some few men she liked as to pass away one afternoon in her Chamber in one of those Summer daies which Ladies use to convert into an artificial night to avoid the heat was enough to fall in Love with Philonida But Madam as Philonida was a great contributor unto the diversions of Cleomira's Palace and made it a most charming Paradise of pleasures Anacrisa her Sister did merit to be her Partner She was not so tall as Philonida though of a handsom stature but the lustre of her complexion was so taking and the delicacie of it so extraordinary that though her eyes were not extreamly fair yet every one did highly applaud her with a thousand Encomiums Though Anacrisa was both very fair and amiable yet there was somthing in her aspect so sprightly so delicate so subtil so austere so crafty and so sweet both as did most pleasing arrest all eyes and as did make her both loved and feared at once and certainly it is no wonder she should inspire both these two passions at one time for she was the most amiable and the most terrible both which was in all Phenicia There was one considerable difference between Philonida and Anacrisa which yet was contributory to their happiness the first of them was almost never discontented in all places she was pleased with what she could find in them and whither soever she went she carried such a suitable Spirit along with her as that she could find pleasures in Provinces furthest off from the Court But for Anacrisa there was so few things which satisfied her so few persons that pleased her so few pleasures that fitted her inclination her phancie was so delicate and her humour so hard to be pleased as it was almost impossible for her to find one day of perfect happiness in a whole year yet was she so happy as that her dislikes were alwayes divertisements for when she was to pass over a tedious journey in the Country or an afternoon in bad company she would do it so pleasantly and in such a charming manner that it was not possible but to admire her and one could not chuse but pardon a person of so much beauty and spirit as she was for being very hard to please in her choice of such as she would honour with her esteem or allow them her conversation Thus Madam have I described Cleomira and her two admired Daughters and after this I beseech you imagine what delights Elisa would enjoy in the friendship of three such illustrious persons who were not contented with loving her themselves but also would have all their friends to love
his passion unto her who caused it did hinder her and would not lose an occasion which he had so long looked for Why Madam said he unto her is not my companie enough to entertain you in a place where Trees Flowers and Fountains may delight the eyes and divert the mind Pray pardon me Sir said she very obligingly unto him and smiled for I was afraid that my companie was not good enough to please you and therefore I desired to call for more I beseech you Madam said Thrasiles do not think I can desire better companie then yours especially now when I have somthing to tell you which I have long desired to impart Reallie Thrasiles said she unto him without any application of it to her self you do verie ill in staying so long before you tell it Thrasiles surprized at her speech did perceive she did not much mind what she said and indeed Cleocrite never staying for Thrasiles his answer began to ask him whether the Ball was to be kept the next day at the Prince of Cumes his Palace I know not Madam said he whether there be any Ball to morrow but I am most sure my heart will be much perplexed to day if you will not hearken unto what I shall tell you and if you do not hearken very favourablie For the truth is Madam I have discovered in my soul a thought so contrarie unto that wherewith you are upbraided that I am extreamlie afraid you should hate me when you know it No no said Cleocrite unto him I am not so unjust as you think me therefore though you be not of my opinion in everie thing yet I shall not hate you for the same indifferencie wherewith they upbraid me makes me to allow others their opinions so they will let me enjoy my own and suffer me to follow my own will You do much joy me Madam replied he and for this day onlie I shall love this indifferent humour whereof you are so much accused if it will permit me to tell you and not anger you that I am infinitelie in love with you Cleocrite was so surprized at the discourse of Thrasiles that thinking perhaps it was onlie a piece of Gallantrie she began to answer him laughing Though it were true you did love me said she and though I could hear it without any anger yet I believe you would not be a jot the better for I never heard that indifferencie was any great favour It is most true it is not replied Thrasiles but yet I must needs think it a piece of good fortune if you can know I love you and yet not hate me and trulie my passion is of such a nature as you would be unjust if it did offend you since my desire is onlie to see and adore you and if it be possible to talk with you sometimes in less companie and more privacie How 's this Thrasiles said she unto him are you so bold as to talk of any matters of Love unto one who is accompred for neutralitie and indifferencie in the verie abstract And can you ever think that since I am accused for not loving where I ought to love I will ever begin to entertain any vitious affection or any Gallantrie No no pursued she and laughed and desired to avoid angring him though it were true you did love me and hoped to obtain my life yet your proceeding is not discreet but you ought to stay until you saw me inclinable unto any amitie at all therefore Thrasiles I would advise you as a friend to continue living with me as formerlie you have done until you see my heart a little softed for to think I should in a moment pass from one extremitie unto another is to imagine impossibilities I know verie well Madam said he unto her that it is a verie difficult task to engage unto the love of any but to shew you that I aim not at any impossibilities I do not now ask so much happiness as that you should love me but I only ask so much favour as to let me love you I am so accustomed Sir replied she not to care what thoughts men have of me that what you ask I think will be no difficultie to obtain yet since your companie doth infinitelie please me I wish with all my heart you would not drive me to the necessitie of being deprived of it as infalliblie I must if you continue persecuting me with any talk of Love which doth but trouble both the Lover and the loved for indeed Thrasiles why do you think I endeavour so much to preserve this indifferencie which is so much talked of The reason is because I see all men who are not so are miserable This fine tenderness of heart which is so highly applauded makes those who are capable of it not onlie sensible of their own miseries but of others also or at least they say so So that knowing so many as I do if I were of such a tender composition I should be perpetuallie in miserie for there is not a day in the year in which there is not some one of my friends either absent or sick or in some affliction or other But I know how to pass away my time a little better then so and am more rational then to grieve excessively at any thing but what reflects directlie upon my self It seems Madam replied Thrasiles that you are the happiest person in the world Not at all said she for I have as many vexations as others have As for example when I have a design to walk if it chance to rain or the day not prove fair I am vexed to the heart or if it prove too cold or dry and the dust disturb the pleasure of it I am grieved at it to the soul if any covetous fellow will not be at the charges of keeping a Ball I shall murmure and grumble at him as if he had done me some manifest injurie if I chance to be a little ill upon any day of diversion I shall be so sick as if I were ready to die So that though I have none but my own sorrows to be sensible of said she and laughed yet I have enough to put me to all my patience therefore Thrasiles do not perplex me with that which of all things in the world I cannot endure for I assure you if you be obstinate and will be talking to me of any such things as Love you will find that though I am not capable of any tenderness yet as indifferent as I am I am capable of anger yet for all this Thrasiles did not take her counsel but on the contrarie began to protest most seriouslie and earnestlie that his affection to her was infinite and that he was fullie resolved to overcome her indifferencie by a million of services by as many prayers sighs and submissions So that Cleocrite foreseeing she must be deprived of Thrasiles who furnished her with a thousand diversions and that she was not to accept any of
much for I should think my selfe most unhappy if my intentions of preventing one misery should drive you into another I know that the losse of a Crown is great and will most sensibly perplex one whose affection is all upon glory and I know also that the Messenger of such bad news cannot be welcom Yet truly Atergatis said Istrina and interrupted him I think my selfe much obliged to you though you have acquainted me with nothing but sad things Then Madam it seems replyed Atergatis sighed that you rank amongst sad things that violent and respective Passion which this unknown Lover bears you who hath refused to enjoy you by that unjust way which hath been propounded to him that the enjoyment of you Madam is the only thing in the world that can make him happy and without which he will be ever miserable It seems replyed Istrina that I have cause to grieve at an obligation of such a nature upon me which I cannot acknowledg yet I must needs be so just unto him in my heart as to wish him happy in recompence of his generosity But Madam replyed Atergatis you do unawares engage your selfe unto many things he cannot without you be what you desire he should be The Princess Istrina having more and more cause to think that it was Atergaris who was in love with her and who denyed the Prince of Assyria did rise up least he should tell her more then she desired to hear and least he should take the boldness to discover himself Since I perceive this generous person whom I will not know is one of your Friends I conjure you to oblige him to a Continuance of his Generosity in acquainting me by you with all his discoueries of any unjust designs in the Prince of Assyria or in Armatrites Doubtless Madam replyed Atergatis you shall by me know all that he who adores you with most reverence and loves with all violencies of passion can inform you of After this the Princess Istrina beginning to walk called the rest of the Ladies which waited and took one turn in the Garden to the end it should not be observed that the Prince Atergatis had told her any thing which altered her design of walking but her Soul was so troubled that she could not take a second so that retiring to her Chamber she feigned her self sick purposely to have the better pretence for her not going abroad Atergatis at his parting from her used many expressions which confirmed her in her opinion yet he sayd nothing which mooved Istrina from her manner of familiarity with him so that he parting upon very good terms from her he went away with much satisfaction For though this Princess told him she would not know the Name of him they spoke of yet it did not trouble him But on the contrary being of a quick apprehension he easily perceived that the Princess Istrina's reason why she did forbid him to tell the Name of the man was because she knew him So that flattering up his passion he thought himself more happy then ever he hoped to be but his greatest perplexity was his fears that Armatrites should not accept of what he had refused and that the Prince of Assyria would not take away Istrina from him And indeed though it was not known in Babylon but on the contrary reported that he had received the Proposition as well as Atergatis yet it was most certainly true that he did accept of it with joy and had executed his design had not his Illustrious Rivall been an Obstacle unto him as I shall presently tell you how On the other side Istrina's Soul was so dejected that she was all sadness She perceived by what Atergatis had told her that she should never be a Queen and that her hopes of it were all quasht yet certainly that was not it which most did trouble her for she did more bitterly resent the Prince of Assyrias scorn then the loss of a Crown not that she ever had any inclination to him but because she conceived herself more meritorious then to be so slighted therfore she could not chuse but extreamly hate him especially since she observed his clashing with the Prince Intaphernes In the mean time she could not find out any remedy to her misery she knew the Queen would not permit her to leave the Court because she had an opinion that the Prince her Son would in the end change his mind Again if she should acquaint Intaphernes with what Atergatis had told her she feared that he being already incensed against the Prince of Assyria he might perhaps take some violent course since that he would be out of hopes to see the Crown upon her head which was the only cause why he stayed at Court after so many affronts put upon him by the Prince of Assyria Istrina then not knowing what course to take thought best to pause some certain dayes before she fixed her Resolution And to the end she might be that Interim in safety she dissembled herself sick as I sayd before that she might the better colour her keeping within the Palace But after a serious examination of all that related unto the Prince of Assyria the generosity of Atergatis came into her memory and though she then held him in the rank of esteem and friendship yet she found no disposition in her self to desire he should not love her for as she hath since opened her most secret thoughts unto the Prince her Brother I knew them as well as if I had been in her heart Nor did she desire he should love her but without any further reasoning upon his passion she only considered the generosity of his Action without looking any neere into the matter or forseeing the Sequell In the mean time Atergatis employing all his Wits and Policy to discover what he desired to know did nnderstand that the Prince of Assyria had held a long Conference with Armatrites that after it they both of them were very merry and that on the Contrary he observed the Prince of Assyria would scarcely look upon him insomuch as descanting upon these probably Conjectures he concluded that Armatrites had accepted of the Proposition which he refused Also he met with severall Orders which both these Princes had given that confirmed him in his Opinion for the Prince of Assyria had sent secretly to the Governour of Opis whether he carried you Madam when he carried you away And Armatrites had sent most of his Train out of Babylon upon a very unlikely pretence After when he had plotted how he might defeat the design of his Rivall he conceived the best way was to fight with him and to make his Quarrell upon somthing in which the Princess Istrina was not concerned for since the Prince of Assyria was a Party in the Crime of Armatrites he thought it no policy to publish it Atergatis did see very well that since he had no certainty of what he feared exact Prudence required that he
for him to find her alone and he was a long time in hops of Clorelisa's being sick that she might keep her Chamber and when that occasion did offer itself he was as much troubled to find Telamire with her for Clorelisa's eyes were no sooner open in the morning but the jealousies of her soul moved her to send unto Telamire and to entreat her she would be pleased to have some pity upon her in her sicknesse and to see her as soon as she had dined for if she did not it would be a great addition of inquietude in her sicknesses So that Telamire thinking that Clorelisa loved her very dearly she went betimes unto her and forcing her inclination which did not naturally love Clorelisa she answered her seeming friendship by a thousand expressions of her service and care and particularly in her diligence and assiduity in this her sicknesse Thus for the first dayes of her sicknesse it was impossible for Artaxander to find her any where but with Clorelisa And by reason of Algastus the father of Telamire he would not offer to make any visits at such times as decency did not permit But at last hitting his time in the nick he came one morning into Telamire's Chamber as she was looking her self in a glasse and putting on her hood to go unto Clorelisa And since she was already very familiar with him she continued putting it on after she had saluâ—ed him supposing that he would go with her to see Clorelisa and making the proposition very civily unto him Did I not know said she unto him that Clorelisa was your friend before I was yours and that you cannot take it ill I should pay what I owe unto her merits in lieu of putting on my hood I would take it off and regularly receive your visit But since I do imagine you would have us go together to comfort this fair sick Person I am as free with you as Clorelisa her self would be I should think my self very unhappy Madam said he unto her if you should think I would crosse any of your intentions But Madam said he cunningly unto her to hinder her from going so soon As I was coming hither I sent to know how she did and I understood she was not awake and therefore if you will not disturb her you will not go so soon But if you please Madam I will send one of my men to wait untill she be awake and then bring us word for in my opinion it is better staying here then in her outer Chamber Telamire beleeving this sent one of her women to bid one of Artaxander's servants go unto Clorelisa But Artaxander seeming as if he had some other businesse with him went hastily to Telamire's chamber-door and commanded the man to be two hours before he returned and if any of Telamire's servants came to know whether Clorelisa were awake not to let him speak unto any of the house but to tell him that she was not This order being given Artaxander returned to Telamire who caused a stool to be set for him and she began to talk of Clorelisa thinking no discourse could be more pleasing to him for she could not imagine that Clorelisa should love him unlesse he had loved her In the mean time though his designe was to discover his Passion unto her yet it was long before he durst tell her his thoughts But since he could not so well hide his inquietudes but Telamire observed him she imagined that the reason was because he was troubled at Clorelisa But Artaxander said she unto him me thinks you are very melancholy is not the reason of it because you fear Clorelisa should be sick this morning No Madam said he unto her transported by his passion but it is because Artaxander is much worse to day then he was yesterday and I beleeve will every day be worse and worse If Artaxander be sick replied she and laughed Appearances are very fallacious so they are replied he and to give you an example Does not all in Themiscyra beleeve that I am in love with Clorelisa yet it is most certainly true that I am not And if I were no more in love with an admirable Lady whom I dare not name then I am with her I should be much more happy then I am Telamire hearing Artaxander speak so she began to suspect the truth and to stop his mouth from any more of that discourse she turned the talk upon some thing else No no Artaxander said she unto him never take so much pains to deceive me for I am more complaisant unto my friends then you imagine me and as soon as I perceive they have a designe to make me beleeve a thing I seem as if I were perswaded of it and so I will tell you if you please that I do beleeve you love not Clorelisa but that you love some other yet for your own tranquility I should be sorry it were so for I am confident you will have much ado to perswade that other to beleeve that you do not love Clorelisa However I pray give me leave to send one of my servants and know whether she be yet awake for I beleeve that he whom you sent is as fast asleep as she is And she sent one accordingly But the prudence of Artaxander foreseeing the impatience of Telamire the man whom he sent to Clorelisa's meeting the other and asking him whither he went and being answered to see whether Clorelisa were awake he told him that he could save him that labour for he was newly come from thence and one of her women said she was not yet awake so as Telamire's servant without any further enquiry returned to tell Telamire that Clorelisa was still asleep It is very strange said Telamire and looked upon Artaxander for I have heard her say she seldome sleeps but dreams and I am confident that at this very hour she is with me though I am not with her If so Madam replied Artaxander then she is with one who may if she please plainly perceive whether I love Clorelisa or no I have already told you replied Telamire that I am so complaisant as to beleeve or at least seem to beleeve whatsoever my friends would have me Then Madam beleeve that I do not love Clorelisa nor ever did and if I had boldnesse enough I would Conjure you to beleeve also that I am extremely in love with the fairest Lady in the world a Lady over whom you have more power then I wish you had As Telamire was ready to answer a servant of Clorelisa's entred who said That his Mistris extremely wondering she came not to see her had sent him to know how she did and what the reason was which debarred her from that satisfaction Telamire surprized at this did look upon Artaxander who without any amazement told the servant that it was himself who kept Telamire from Clorelisa because one of her men told him she was not awake That which made Telamire most
out of jealousie did get her greater credit in the opinion of Algastus and passed in the world for her vertue For Isalonide and all the faction of precise Ladies who were her friends did so trumpet up the reformation of Clorelisa that they proposed her as an example unto all youths who were too much addicted unto diversions In the mean time Artaxander had no other comfort but to relate all his miseries unto me and to write unto his new reconciled enemy called Tysimenes who became his friend during his travells But it was an absolute impossibility for him to see Telamire unlesse sometimes at Church but then he could not speak unto her and consequently it was small satisfaction nor had he so much happinesse as to see any who did see her because as I told you before Clorelisa had banished all his friends whatsoever In so much as he lived the most miserable life in the world And to make him the more miserable he could not chuse but quarrell with Belermis and they fought with such sad successe as they were both of them dangerously woundeed and had they not been parted in all probability it had cost them both their lives After this you may easily conceive how sad Telamire was to hear in what a pitifull condition Artaxander was however she must go with Clorelisa unto the chamber of him who was wounded and seem as if she grieved for the wounds of Belermis though her grief was onely for the wounds of Artaxander And this constraint was not onely for a day for as long as Belermis was ill he would have her every day to come with Clorelisa who never stirred out of her brothers Chamber And Clorelisa upbraided her a hundred times a day accusing her of all her brothers wounds But all this was nothing in comparison of her griefs a while after For you must know that since Artaxander had gained one of Telamires servants unknown unto her to acquaint him with all her actions this servant told him how assiduous Telamire was with Belermis so as he grieved in such excesse as his wounds grew worse and for some dayes the Physitians despaired of his life In the mean time since Belermis mended Telamire had the grief to see him Recover who she thought was the death of Artaxander So that not being able to constrain her self any longer nor hide her tears shee feigned her self to be sick to the end she might not stir out of her Chamber nor go any more unto Belermis Yet this invention did not deliver her from that trouble for since Belermis began to mend Clorelisa brought him to Telamires Chamber who having not so much liberty as to lament in the day did imploy all the night in tears And yet her tears did double for the servant whom Artaxander had suborned did bring her a Letter wherein she found these words Madam I Cannot deny my self so much satisfaction as to tell you that the cares you have of reviving Belermis have killed me And it is lesse by his hand then yours that you have lost the most Passionate and most Faithfull Lover that ever was Artaxander This Letter did so touch Telamires heart that though she did not love to hazard Letters yet she answered him in these words if my memory fail not Sir You have accused me with much injustice and if you saw into my heart you would find that if I could revive any one it should be Artaxander and not Belermis Do not judge of me by appearances and if it be possible get into such a condition as I may chide you for no better knowing Telamire Though thâ—â— Letter did not contain all the tendernesse that was in Telamires heart becaâ—e she durst not trust unto the thinnesse of a piece of paper yet it wrought so great an effect upon the mind of Artaxander that after it had calmed the turbulency of his soul the violence of his Fever diminished and in a few dayes he recovered as well as his Rivall Yet he was more perplexed then before his Combat because Clorelisa had a better pretence for keeping a severe eye upon Telamire Things being upon these termes Artaxander had a new displeasure For Clorelisa did put away that servant by whom he received intelligence concerning Telamire But at the same time he received much consolation by a Letter from Tysimenes which intimating unto him that he was returning unto Themiscyra desired him to come secretly a dayes journey to meet him that they might consult together how to make their reconcilement known unto their parents with least offence unto them And as soon as Artaxander had received this Letter he prepared himself to meet his friend who he found to be much more accomplished then when they parted and the friendship between them was inviolably confirmed but in lieu of publishing it as Tysimenes designed Artaxander conjured him to the contrary and to conceal it carefully But to the end this prayer might not surprize him or offend him he acquainted him with his love of Telamire and his misery in not seeing her no nor seeing any who did see her because Clorelisa had banished from her house all his friends So that my Dear Tysimenes said he unto him after a full relation of all passages I am perswaded that if you passe still for my enemy you may easily insinuate your self into the favour of Clorelisa and have that liberty of seeing Telamire which is denied unto all those whom she thinks have any converse with me so as by this means I may know how Telamire does and you may much oblige me in speaking in my behalf unto her Since I shall give a greater testimony of my friendship replied Tysimenes by concealing it then by publishing it I shall accomplish your desires And accordingly Artaxander and he resolved to keep very close the affection which they had unto each other to see whether Clorelisa who banished all the friends of Artaxander would admit of a man whom she thought to be his enemy They also agreed upon the place where they were to meet each other secretly And for that purpose they made choise of a house belonging unto one of Tysimenes friends which had two doors opening into two severall streets agreeing which of these doors either should enter so as none should ever see them enter together into one place and for the more security they never met but in the nights at the house of this friend unto Tysimenes for whose fidelity he would undertake Thus after all things were agreed upon these two friends parted and came severall wayes unto Themiscyra where nothing was known of their Reconciliation for Artaxander carried but one servant with him when he went to meet Tysimenes and of that servants fidelity he was assured And Tysimenes had none but strangers unto his servants for all those he carried out of Cappadocia were all dead so as those he now had could not reveal the secrets of their Master if they would
sometimes For my part I do protest unto you Madam that the name of Noromata is very often in my 〈…〉 th and it is a sound so agreeable to me that I cannot hear it without abundance of 〈…〉 ght But Madam I assure my self that mine is not so to you and you can hear it pronounced a thousand times without the least alteration in your colour As Adonacris said so Noromata who was vexed at her self in secret that She was not so insensible as he said She was could not chuse but blush So that Adonacris observing it he was now as full of curiosity to know the cause of that blush as he was before to know the cause of the sigh But since Noromata's modesty would not give her leave to tell him She only left him so much subject as whereby he might guess that her heart entertained no disadvantagious thoughts of him for he importuning her to tell him her thoughts and She thinking upon her design of going unto Sitalces and parting from Adonacris the tenderness of her soul did appear more in her eyes then She desired it should and her very words did utter somthing to him against her mind for as he did importunately press her to tel him her thoughts a little more clearly and what her pleasure was to command him she gave him an answer much more favourable then She intended one quarter of an hour before You are so very importunate said she unto him that because I would be rid of you I will confess ingenuously that I am not so absolute a Mistress of my heart as of my actions and that my thoughts and my words do not agree and that when I command you to forget me yet I should not have been very glad if you had obeyed me all I can say unto you Adonacris is that what resolutions soever I have taken to do alwayes what I ought to do yet I perceive I should more easily pardon you if you do not forget me that I should my self if I do not In the mean time whether I banish you out of my heart or not yet I will so behave my self towards you as if you had not the least share in it and after this Adonacris ask me no more I know that I do give you more obliging language then I would and the words which I pronounced do make me blush as oft as I remember them But for all that the infidelity which my obedience to my Father did make me commit against you doth merit doubtless that I should punish my self and comfort you and therefore though I have said more unto you then did become me yet I do not repent of it though I know I shall repent as soon as you are gone You have reason Madam replied Adonacris to repent of what you have said for it is so little obliging unto me that I conceive you have great cause of repentance As Adonacris pronounced these words Eliorante returned so that Noromata fearing that She would speak before him of that office which She was to do for her and fearing lest his Love should guess at her secret intention She went towards Eliorante and understood from her that what She desired should be effected before the day was done Eliorante assuring her that it rested only upon this That the wife unto the servant of Sitalces who was to go and visit her sick Husband was not to depart until the next morning Noromata having obtained her wish thanked Eliorante for the favour and took her leave immediately but when she turned towards Adonacris to salute him and it coming into her thoughts that perhaps She should never see him again such a deep melancholy did seize upon her Spirit that tears stood in her eyes But she no sooner perceived this weakness in her self but she hasted out lest it should be observed So pulling her Hood hastily down She did the better hide those impressions of sorrow which came from her heart unto her face But though She had wit enough to hide yet She had not power of overcoming her sad resentments but passed over all that day and the night following in such transports of violent sorrow as She confessed since that She was never in all her life in so sad a condition However her virtue being above her sorrows she kept close unto her resolution of going unto her Husband and to perswade him that She did not obstruct his liberty nor desire the society of Adonacris And in order to this she made choice of two ancient servants unto Sitalces to conduct her and a woman to go with her giving order that a Coach should be ready by break of day but not her own Coach lest her design should be discovered And to the end her departure should not be known until she was gotten far enough from Tipanis to be overtaken if Agatherses should send after her this virtuous Lady commanded her women which she left at Tipanis to let none come into her Chamber for three daies after and to tell all the rest of her Domestiques that she was sick having to this end imparted her design unto an old Physitian her friend who promised to come unto her Chamber as if she were really sick And to the end he should not be ill treated by Spargapises and Agatherses when the thing was discovered It was agreed upon that he should say he was deceived and that one of Noromata's women did counterfeit her voice and lay in her bed and the Curtains being drawn he thought it to be her Mistress and that she was sick Moreover she writ a Letter unto Eliorante giveing orders to deliver it three daies after her departure To be short the business was carried so well that none of her servants knew it except those who were of the conspiracy So that putting the woman which was to go with her in the best place of the Coach She caused her to speak unto the Keepers of the Gates and shew them her Pasport which was to let her pass out with one woman and two men to conduct her Thus it being very early and not light enough to know one another She easily got out undiscovered but not without much sorrow for when She was out of the Town and began to think that perhaps She should never see Adonacris again whom She so tenderly loved and that She was going to abide eternally with Sitalces whom She loved not her sadness was above expression and her journey was the most melancholy that is imaginable yet somtimes She rejoyced in the doing of an act of so much heroique virtue but somtimes again this joy did cost her very dear However She passed over her journey without any obstacle for all the Troops of Spargapises obeyed the Pasport and when She came into the Quarters of Ariantes She discovered her self unto the Commander in Chief and desired a Guard to be conducted unto Issedon where She arrived sooner then She desired though her resolution was yet to go
petty division produced divers quarrels between these two Ladies which strangely perplexed Pisistrates for they would both of them be forcing him to take their parts yet he carried it so handsomly that somtimes condemning the one and sometimes the other he became a Judg of their differences and did not declare himself But in the interim of all these squabbles Theocrites continuing still the gravity of his humour made no further progress into the heart of Cerinthe then ordinary and consequently was more miserable then he was used to be Things standing upon these tearms and Pisistrates still saying that but for Euridamia he had loved Cerinthe and but for Cerinthe he had loved Euridamia I understood that Philombrotus was to go into the Country with his whole family I no sooner heard this but I went unto Pisistrates and addressing my self unto him Well Sir said I unto him and laughed We shall shortly see whether your words be true or no and whether you will fall in love with Euredamia as soon as Cerinthe is out of your sight for I understand she is going into the Country How said he Cerinthe into the Country Yes Sir answered I and I understand Philombrotus resolves upon it to morrow Then am I in a miserable case said he to me for I understood yesterday thar Euridamia goes away also to morrow and as you were coming to me I was saying to my self That I must prepare to fall in love with Cerinthe during the absence of Euridamia but for ought I see I am out of that danger since they both go Since it is not likely replied I and laughed that the same chance which caused them to depart both in one day will make them return also both in one day I shall not dispair but to see my curiosity satisfied ere it be long and we shall see whether you will fall in love with her who returns first In the mean time Pisistrates thought himself extreamly concerned in the absence of both these Ladies yet since he had rather only a bare amorous inclination towards them then any real love he comforted up himself and being obliged to take a journey himself a little after their departure change of place helped to dissipate melancholy thoughts But Madam I being he of all his friends with whom he held most familiarity he ingaged me to go this journey with him telling me the more to induce me to it that he was to go neer those famous Bathes which are at the foot of the Mountain Thermopiles and that we should go thither and divert our selves some daies after he had finished his business For Madam be pleased to know that these Bathes are so famous that for three moneths an infinite number of persons of greatest quality in all Greece resort thither Not sick languishing and diseased persons But the opinion of those best known in the virtues of these Bathes is that they are more proper to preserve health then to cure diseases So that all those who resort thither are in a fit condition for diversions Moreover Ladies having a fancy that these Bathes do augment their beauty or at least preserve it there is every year a huge resort of them thither under pretence of preventing diseases though really only to keep longer fair or at least to divert themselves for this is a rule in all Bathes that melancholy is by all means to be banished and mirth must be made as much as may be So Madam since I had never been there but often heard excellent diversions to be there met with I accepted of the offer which Pisistratss made unto me I shall not insist upon telling you what business carried Pisistrates unto Thermopolâ— for I must confess he kept it secret from me yet I thought it was to confer with some who were banished from Athens which might be useful to him in the change which he hath since brought about though he would not confess so much unto me However I went this voyage with him and after he had left me two daies with one of his friends whilst he dispatched his unknown business he returned and we went unto Thermopiles which was not above half a daies journey off us But Madam it is very requisite I acquaint you both with the place and the manner how they live at these Bathes for three moneths in the year Be pleased therefore to know Madam that very neer this mountain of Thermopiles which parts Greece and leaves but one narrow and difficult passage by which one can pass from one part of Creece unto the other Here stands a Town called Alpenes wherein are many houses commodious for lodging such as resort to the Bathes but the place where the Bathes stand hath in it somthing both salvage and pleasing Indeed when one is at that strait passage by which men come from one part of Greece into another one shall see a most inaccessible mountain environed with affrighting Precipices which reach as far as Mount Eâ—na towards the West and on that side towards the East may the Sea be seen and a kinde of Marish ground so full of sources and bogs as there is no going 'T is true that descending a little lower towards that side which looks towards Artimision there is a most pleasant Meadow and though it be in the view of this hideous mountain and on the other side the Sea yet there are an infinite number of trees growing about it Moreover since it is there where these Bathes are they have drained away the bogs and marish waters and conveying them away by several channels these famous Bathes are preserved There are also made at both ends of the Meadow above a hundred all bathing tubs of Marble unto which when they please they can convey the water and since every one who comes unto this Bath brings with them a magnificent Tent to cover over the bath they imploy these several Tents standing in this Meadow do make a most delighting object But Madam I forgot to tell you that the reason why this is so is because these waters being naturally lue-warm do lose their virtue if transported and therefore they must of necessity bath in the same place where they spring Yet here the Ladies have every one their bath in private as well as if in their Chambers and the Tents appointed for the men are at the other end of the Meadow in respect unto the Ladies yet there is a Gallery between them where Guards are kept during the hours of bathing so that the men do wait upon the Ladies so far only as this Gallerie after which they go into their own private Tents where they are at full liberty Also the men do never bathe at the same hours they do for they bathe mornings and the Ladies evenings So that after they have waited upon the Ladies to the Gallery they afterwards walk in the Meadows and wait until they have done bathing and then to conduct them unto their coaches which stand in ranks
Mereontes with one thing which much confirmed him in his thoughts for he told him that Aripithes upon whose score he became engaged on Thomyris side did dye so much displeased against her that he commanded severall of his servants to tell all his Officers that he would not have them fight any longer in her service So as these two virtuous men finding no scruple in their design of serving the greatest Prince upon Earth against the most unjust Princess in the world they promised so much fidelity unto Cyrus that he had reason to esteem himself happy in his misery in finding two friends of so much virtue And to oblige them unto a more affectionate devotion to him he used all the heroique expressions that was inventable yet he had so high an opinion of their virtue and quality as that he would not interest them by any ambitious hopes but thought that in promising them his friendship he promised them all and he did that in as noble a manner as if he had promised Kingdoms unto them After Cyrus had said all unto Meliantes and Mereontes which he thought fit to engage them in his service the first of these most humbly besought him he might impart one thing which concerned him to know And Cyrus consenting Sir said Meliantes unto him to testifie my sincerity in my promising of serving you and delivering you as soon as I can without danger I must acquaint you that I am a Rivall unto Hydaspes whom you most dearly love and I conjure you in consiration of what I will do for you that you will stand neutrall between him and me if ever fortune put us into a condition to dispute for the possession of Arpasia How said Cyrvs are you a Rivall unto Hydaspes and have I the misfortune to be friend unto one who is your Enemy After this Meliantes told Cyrus in two words the state of his fortune not concealing from him that he had seen Arpasia since the battell After which Cyrus said in desiring me to be neutrall between Hydaspes and you generous Meliantes you desire me much less than I will promise you For I will faithfully promise that if ever it be my fortune to see him again I will conjure him to cease loving Arpasia and will be as earnest with him as if I were his Rivall as well as your friend but after this I will not promise you any more for my humour is such that I will never absolutely command my friends especially in matters of Love But I will promise you to speak both unto Gabrias and Hydaspes as much as I can in your behalf Then Sir replyed Meliantes I have no more to say but to assure you that though you had denied me yet I would have done all I could to serve you The worst is added he that it is not an easie matter to get you from this place where we now are unto your own Camp without danger of being taken by some who may know you Therefore it is best to go in the night time unto the Tents Royall for were you there and dis-engaged from the quarters of the Army it would be much more easie to take a compass and meet those Auxiliaries which Ciaxares sends you and otherwise I confess I can see no likelyhood of getting you unto your Camp Mereontes concurring with the opinion of Meliantes and Cyrus apprehending much danger if he should be known he concurred also but the main difficulty is in going safely into the Tents Royall and getting out At last Meliantes resolved to faign himself sick and under pretence of heat not to go in the day but would go in a Coach close up to avoid the humidity of the night Thus it was resolved that Cyrus should go in the Coach with him that Mereontes should guard them with his friends and that they should not set out untill it was dark But since it was requisite that Meliantes should have a little time to counterfeit himself sick and since Mereontes who would not forsake his illustrious Conquerour would not shew himself they spent that day all three together for it was told at the Entrance into the Tent that Meliantes was sick and therefore would not be seen so as having time enough to entertain themselves with discourse and having now nothing to talk of but themselves Meliantes and Mereontes were along time in lamenting Cyrus and admiring all the wonders of his life But Cyrus knowing that nothing was more obliging than to seem desirous of knowing the fortunes of friends he was very earnest with Meliantes to particularize the passages of his life a little better to him and afterwards he pressed Mereontes to tell him his For truly said he unto him after Democedes told me your Country after I have seen you fight and after this your last act of generosity I cannot choose but be very desirous to know what moved you to leave so good a country Sir replied Mereontes my adventures have been so poor and there hath been so few extraordinary Events in my life that indeed there is some reason to wonder why I should voluntarily banish my self from a Country so pleasant if it were not an ordinary thing to see that Love can make men miserable without the power of Fortune And there passeth many strange and extraordinary thoughts in the heart of a Lover which seem nothing in the eyes of the world so as he can be miserable when nothing appears unto other men why he should be so Alas said Meliantes I know this to be true by Experience The most transendent person whom I adore she esteems me and is very friendly unto me but for all that I am yet the most miserable Lover in the world since her affection unto my Rivall is of another nature though she does nothing more unto him than unto me The misery which I complain of replyed Mereontes seemes doubtless less than yours but I have a soul so nice and I do love in such a tender manner that it is intollerable to me since we can do nothing better in a time when we can do nothing for the Princess Mandana said Cyrus then to know the life of a man who is willing to serve her I beseech you acquaint us with it I must tell you again Sir replyed Mereontes my adventures are too poor for the knowledge of such a Prince as you are though I must confess your destiny seems to be somthing dubious However Mereontes replyed Cyrus I beseech you satisfie my desire but to the end Meliantes may have the knowledge of your adventure tell him in I beseech you few words the customes of the country of the new Sauromates Mereontes in obedience unto Cyrus told Meliantes in as consice a manner as he could the Originall of the new Sauromates their Lives their Customes and all that Democedes mentioned in Saphoes history and began his discourse in these Termes THE HISTORY OF MEREONTES AND DORINICE ISHALL not need to tell you Sir that
to be unfortunate then to be happy by any base wayes or by the miseries of illustrious persons he seconded the valiant Mereontes who had negotiated the businesse so happily that all the Captains of his correspondency assured him their Souldiers were at their command and they at his demanding yet some days to get the Gelous unto their side who exceedingly murmured that it should be a Captain of their Nation who in hope of recompence should present the supposed head of Cyrus unto Thomyris though they said that without them he had never conquered that Prince In the interim Cyrus heard by Meliantes that the Armies were still in their Trenches That the Reliefe which Cyaxares sent drew neer that Arsamones was killed by a Rebellion of the people that the Princess his Daughter was extreamly troubled and that both she and Araminta grieved that they could not hear what was become of Spitridates But the most observable of all was Meliantes understood by Arpasia that these two dayes Mandana was nothing so sad as she was her tears did stop her sighes were not so frequent and she could talk of any thing Cyrus asking every day how Mandana did and Meliantes using to shew him the greatnesse of her sorrows because he saw it was some sweetnesse unto him to know the fidelity of her he loved he was much put to it how to answer him that day yet since he would not disquiet him he told him that he knew not how she did that day but being somthing slow in the return of his answer and the spirit of a Lover being more penetrating than any others Cyrus did know that Meliantes had not answered him sincerely so that imagining Mandana to be very sick with grief his spirits were so stirred and he expressed himself so sadly unto Meliantes as he acquainted him ingeniously with what Arpasia had said adding to qualifie the matter that doubtless Mandana did moderate her grief at the hearing of the relief which the King her Father had sent And therefore hoping to see his Death shortly revenged and her self delivered the Excess of her sorrows did somthing diminish Alas Meliantes cryed Cyrus out if Mandana can so soon forget my death Mandana will never think upon revenging it No no Mandana is unfaithfull Ariantes triumphes over my misfortune and I am the most miserable of men Oh I beseech you Sir replied Meliantes do not thus afflict your-self at what I tell you untill you know whether you have any cause for you have so many reall causes to greive at that me thinks you should not build upon any appearances which are often fallacious No no Meliantes replyed Cyrus the consolation of Mandana can have no cause which can be advantageous unto me and I am sure that if she had not changed her affection to me she could not beleive me dead or receive her Liberty without Tears And therefore I must sadly conclude that since she can so soon clear up her sorrows I must despair but yet Meliantes I desire to dy at her feet after I have killed Ariantes Sir replyed he when our design is ripe then perhaps in delivering Mandana you may kill your Rivall but in the mean time I beseech you be not too rash Is it possible unjust Princess cryed out Cyrus and addressed his speech unto Mandana as if she had heard him that you can so soon forget the Death of a Prince who valued his own life not at a straw when he thought you dead at Synope and who had most infallibly killed himself had he been certain that you were not living you I say who has made me a promise of immortall affection and whose soul alwaies seemed unto me so high and generous Oh most ungratefull Princess have you forgotten all I have done for you can you retain in your imagination that bloody head which you thought to be mine and be able to talk of things so indifferent Oh Mandana Can you think me dead and not grieve if it be so then am I the basest of all men living if I continue still my Love unto you As Cyrus was in this extreamity of grief and as Meliantes was endeavouring to comfort him they heard a great noise and a little after they understood that fire accidentally hapning in Mandana's Tents they carried her and all the rest of the Ladies Prisoners unto other Tents and in their passage to them they must of necessity go by the Tent where Cyrus was This sadly afflicted Prince would needs see Mandana with his own eyes though Meliantes did what he could to hinder him But Meliantes and Mereontes both got neer him purposely to hinder him from shewing himself as Mandana passed by and indeed they had good reason for their foresight For when Mandana passed by when he saw her in a Coach guarded by Ariantes and when he observed in the Countenance of that Princess a grave sadness without any extream sorrow his resentments were beyond all imagination But to compleat up the totall summ of his sorrows Mandanas Coach was forced to stay because one of the horses in that Coach wherein Araminta was being lame upon a sudden and that Coach going before Mandanas it was also forced to stay And as chance would have it staying just before the Tent where Cyrus was that Prince had better leasure to observe the motions of Mandanas face he could not discover either any joyes or myrth in her nor could he see any greif or excessive sorrow but he saw one thing which made him almost mad and needs would he go and upbraid Mandana with a thousand reproaches And if he had had any Arms it is to be believed he would have set upon his Rivall for all his great number of armed guards The cause of his excessive rage was because Mandana having Doralise and Martesia only in the Coach with her and turning her head towards a multitude of people on her right hand which looked upon her as she passed by she whispered Martesia in the ear shewed unto her some body whom Martesia also looked upon and as Mandana shewed her a little collour came into her Checks which presently dissipating part of her sadness did bring into her eyes such an inclination unto joy as appears in the aspects of such as smile yet this disposition lasted but an instant For presently after Mandana lifting up her eyes unto Heaven as if she prayed for somthing returned unto her former aspect of serious sadness but though this little smile did last but an instant yet it raised a great and long sorrow in the soul of Cyrus But as good fortune for him was he was so surprized at this sight as his wonder did for a time deprive him of his speech otherwise certainly his complaints had been so loud that Mandana might have heard them from the Tent where he was and as good luck was Meliantes and Mereontes were with him to hinder him from shewing himself as he intended But the Horse in Aramintas