marvellously take the Ears of Greece Finally some of the graver sort put Questions to me about Nilus which were his Springs and the peculiar Nature wherein that River differed from others and why only those Waters increase in Summer time I told them what I knew and had found written in our Sacred Books which are not to be read nor understood by any but our Prophets recounting to them that the Head and Source of Nilus riseth from the Mountains of Aethiopia in the farthest parts of Lybia there where the Eastern Climate ends and the Meridian takes beginning It increases in the Summer not as some imagine because the Winds named the Etesiae blowing contrary to their Stream make them regurgit and overflow but in regard the same Winds rising about the Summer Solstice violently chase and drive all the Clouds from North to South that carried upon their swift Wings to the torrid Zone are there stopped and by the incredible vehemency of the circumfused heat their motion is beaten back and the humor that before was gathered and condensed then thaws and destilling in great showers making Nilus so proud that he no longer endures to be a River but passing his Limits covers Aegypt with his inundation like a Sea making fruitful the Country as he passeth this is the reason his Waters are so sweet to drink because he receiveth them from Heaven and they are fine to bath in not hot as when they fall yet Milk warm as retaining part of their original hence it comes that of all Rivers only this exhales no vapours which would necessarily follow by natural reason if as certain learned Grecians have conceived the Tides had taken their increase from Snow melting and pouring off the Mountains As I discoursed thus the Priest of Apollo my intimare Friend named Charicles You speak said he excellently well and I assent to your opinion for it is the same I heard of your Priests in the Catadupes of Nilus Were you ever there Charicles said I I was replyed he I demanded if he had any business there he answered my adverse Fortune at home made me travel thither and was the cause of my selicity I marvelling at his words as implying contradiction You will not wonder he said when you hear all the passages which I will tell you when you please We cannot have a better time I said Be it now if you think good Then Charicles taking me aside Know said he I have long wished to give you the relation of my Fortunes as having need of your assistance wise Calasiris After I was Married I was some years without Children at length growing into years yet continuing earnest in my Prayers to the Gods they blessed me with Issue and made me Father of a Daughter in the declining of my Age but with sad predictions that her Birth should be unfortunate she being now grown Marriageable many Suitors were ambitious to be her Husband I matched her to him that in my Judgment best deserved her but even upon her Marriage-Night in her Husbands Bed and Arms the Miserable dyed suffocated by Fire either from Heaven or scattered from the hand of some too careless Person so Mourning and Tears took place of her Nuptial Bravery and of the Epithalamion that was yet sung from her Marriage-Chamber she was carryed to her Tomb and the same Torches that were lighted at her Wedding serv'd for her Funeral-Fire nor did the divine Powers let this Tragedy end here but added her Mother to the Scene of Death Heart-broken for her Child I having not constancy enough to support these rigours of the Gods would not yet exile my self from Life obeying the more probable Doctrine of Divines but resolved to forsake my Country and no more to see the solitude and sorrow of my House for it is a great ease to Misery to remove the sad Object from our Eyes And having wandred many Countreys at length I came into your Aegypt and travelled to the Catadupes to see the Cataracts and falls of Nilus Here you have the reasons of my Journey but I desire you should know the Head or rather Crown of the Narration As I was there walking the Streets and buying some Rarities whereof there was scarcity in Greece for now time having digested my Sorrow I longed to return into my Country a venerable black Man with a face full of Gravity though he were but newly stepped out of his Youth came to me and saluted me telling me in broken Greek that he desired to have some conference with me I obeying his desire he carried me into a Temple hard by and said I saw you buying some Indian and Aethiopian Herbs and Roots but if you will have them sincere and without all Sophistication buy of me With all my Heart said I Pray you shew them But take heed said he you be not too wary a Buyer Look you said I you be not too dear a Seller Then drawing out a little Cabbinet that he carried under his Arm he opened it and shewed me certain Gems of an inestimable value there were Pearls of the bigness of a Hasel-Nut exactly round and fair without a Flaw Emeralds and Jacinths the one shewing like the green Corn in the Spring time shining in their Polish as if oyled the other imitating the colour of the Sea-shore under a high bending Rock dying all below it in a purple Colour In fine of all the Stones together there was a mixt and various Water infinitely pleasing and delightful to the Eye When I had well considered them Friend said I you must seek you other kind of Chapmen than I am for all my wealth will not be great enough to purchase me the least of these If you have not means to buy them said he yet I hope you have power to receive them as a gift That 's true I replyed I think my power were sufficient to receive them but I cannot imagine what should induce you thus to mock me I mock not he replyed but what I do is serious and I protest unto you by the power that is Patron of this Temple I will give you all these provided you will receive with this a richer gist At this I fell a laughing and he demanding the cause I told him it seemed to me a ridiculous thing that offering me such Riches he would yet promise a Reward for receiving of them of far richer Value Believe me replyed he but let me take your Oath withal that you will nobly use this gift and as I shall instruct you A while I stood in doubt yet I did swear won with the hope of such a promise but when I had taken my Oath in the form he gave it he took me along with him and shewed me a Maid endowed with an incomparable Form and Grace as he said but seven Years old but to me she seemed almost marriageable so much doth the excellency of a Face add to the lowness of a Stature My eyes dazling at this wonder I
that you have exprest your Nobleness in seeking to compass just things by perswasion not force and in regard your Speech is principally directed to me I am constrained to exceed the Bounds I have prescribed to my self and are proper to my Sex and to answer the Demands of my Conqueror in the Eyes and Hearing of so many Men Know then our Countrey is Ionia and we are born of one of the best Families of Ephesus when we were come to the Age wherein the Noble mens Children of our Countrey are accustomed to do Service to the Gods I was chosen Priestless to Diana and my Brother Priest to Apollo This being an Annual Honour when the Tear was run out we were to make a Voyage to Delos in our Sacred Robes and there to exhibit publick Games for exercise of Letters Musick and the Body and so according to the manner of our Ancestors to resign but Priesthood To this end a Ship was made ready for us laden with Gold Silver Silks and other Necessaries both for setting forth of the Games and feasting of the People Thus we loosed out of the Haven leaving our Father and Mother in their House who in regard of the feebleness of their old Age and the dangers of the Sea did not dare to embark with us many of the Citizens went the Voyage some in our Ship some in Vessels of their own and having sayled the greater part of our way with all favour of the Heavens on a sudden the Clouds thickned and a fearful Tempest arose accompanied with Lightning and Thunder that so masked the Skies and plowed up the Seas as we lost the benefit of our Compass and our Pilot overcome with the greatness of the Evil was forced to give way to the violence of the Tempest and abandon the Government and Helm to the discretion of Fortune In fine the Storm having seven days and nights together spent the fury of its strongest gusts upon our Vessel we were cast upon the Shore where you took us and beheld so great a Massacre of men for asmuch as we there making a Feast of Joy and a Sacrifice to the Gods of Thanksgiving for our Deliverance the Saylors with impious desire to possess our Riches set upon us and resolved to put us to the Sword but we made such resistance as after the loss of our Enemies and our Friends we two as you saw remained the Conquerors and would it had pleased the Gods we had ended our days among them and not been the only miserable Relicks of that Battel but since it so falls out yet we are happy in this one respect that some favourable Deity hath made us fall into your hands and gives us that late expected nothing but Death the liberty now to treat of a Marriage which I were indiscreet if I should refuse For what Felicity can be imagined greater than for a poor Captive to be though worthy of her Generals Bed add to this that a Maid dedicated to the Gods shall be taken to wife by the Son of a Prophet that in a little while shall himself be a Prophet which sure is not without some secret Mystery of Providence I only beseech one favour that before you marry me I may be permitted to go to the next great Town or any nearer place where there is an Altar or Temple of Apollo that I may render up the Charge of my Priesthood and put off the Marks and Ensigns of the God it would do best at Memphis when you have recovered the Dignity of Chief Priest for a Marriage joyn'd to Victory would be celebrated with more joy and be as a Trophy of your glorious Actions but whether before or after I leave it to your pleasure so as you vouchsafe to let me accomplish the Ceremonies usual in my Countrey whereto I know you will condescend since as you say you have been bred from a Child in the Mysteries of Religion and are full of Reverence towards the Gods. Thus she ceased to speak and began to weep All that were present did greatly approve her Answer and by a general Cry assured her they were ready to see her Desires performed and Thyamis consented half voluntary and half by constraint for his ardent longing to enjoy Chariclea made him think an hour of delay an Eternity withal he found himself so charm'd with her Speech as if it had been a Syrens Song that it forced him to allow of her Demands having also a relation to his Dream flattering his Desires with a belief their Nuptials should be held in Memphis Then he broke up the Meeting having first divided the Booty whereof his Companions freely gave him the richer and the greater part and commanded them within ten days to be ready to sit down before Memphis and besiege his Brother To the Prisoners he assigned their old Tent and Knemon to attend them not now as a Keeper but a Companion and many times sent for Theagenes to his Table for his Sisters sake whom he resolved not to visit often for fear her sight should increase his impatient wishes to enjoy her and lest it should make him attempt any thing against what was publickly consented to and privately figured in his Dream For these Reasons Thyamis forbare to see her thinking it impossible he should behold her and contain his longings but Knemon after every one was retired to their Lodgings passed the Lake and went a great way by Land to seek the Herb he had promised Theagenes the day before In the mean time Theagenes taking the advantage of his Absence wept and lamented to himself without speaking a word to Chariclea but incessantly calling upon the Gods and she demanding whether he did sigh for their common Misery or that some new Disaster was befallen Alas said Theagenes is there any thing more new or more unjust than to falsifie Faith and violate Oaths and that Chariclea without memory of me or of my Services should treat of a Marriage with another Oh say not so replied Chariclea be not you more cruel to me than my Destiny you have proved my Affection by many Arguments and can you now distrust me only for words accommodated to the time and for the interest of our Affairs No no your self may sooner change your Mind than I. I can suffer all the Calamities of the World but know there is no violence so great that can separate me and Modesty nor am I conscious of a fault that way but in loving you too much yet with an honest and a lawful Love for from the first entitling of you to my Heart it was as to my Husband not as to a Lover that could not moderate his Desires having to this hour preserv'd the outmost Purity often repelling your Impatience to consummate the Marriage which with Vows we had contracted think how little reason you have to conceive I would prefer a Barbarian before a Greek and a Thief before a man of all men the dearest But what was
doth irritate and excite the Spirit nevertheless by the Command of Trachinus beyond all Expectation he pardoned the Supplicants and made a Peace under such conditions as were more cruel than the War it self for he ordained they should depart the Ship with no more but the Cloths they had on making it Death to him that should do otherwise But it seems there is nothing more precious to a Man than Life which was the cause these Phoenician Merchants having now lost the hope of all the Riches in the Ship as if they had lost nothing but rather gain'd and made an excellent Voyage did strive who should first get into the Boat and every one was more desirous than other to survive the loss of his Goods But as we also obeying the decree were about to pass into the Boat Trachinus took Chariclea by the Hand and said Fair one this War concerns not you but Was undertaken for your sake and since the Day you left the Promontory of Zacynthus I have still followed you adventuring thus far upon the Sea and facing danger for your Love therefore let not any fearful apprehension seize you but confirm your Spirits and know with the Empire you already are possessed of in my Soul you shall be the Lady of all the Wealth you see thus he said but Chariclea full of discretion and knowing by the instructions I had given her how to apply her self to the time most excellently well presently cleared her look from all the marks of Sorrow that now incompassed her and Painting upon her Face an appearance of joy made this reply I render thanks to the Gods that have put it into your mind to use us favourably but if you will have me be confident please to make me this first demonstration of your Love save this my Brother and my Father and command them not from the Ship for if I be once separated from them the World hath nothing can perswade to retain Life And speaking this she prostrated at his Feet and imbraced them a long while Trachinus pleasing himself therein and therefore deferring the grant of her demand at length her Tears making an impression in his pity having no power to refuse when such a Beauty was a Suitor he raised her and thus said For your Brother I am very well contented to bestow him upon you for I see he is a Young Man of a great Spirit and consequently fit for the Life we follow and for this Old Man though he will be but an unserviceable charge to us yet for your only respect I am pleased he shall stay Now while these things were said and done the Sun being in his Circuit come full West that space which is betwixt the Day and Night grew very Dark and Foul and on a suddain the Sea began to be troubled it may be the Season caused the present change or perhaps it was by the Pleasure of some Destiny afar off the murmur of the descending Wind and presently a violent and horrid Tempest breaking in upon us the Hearts of the Pirates were frozen in their fear who having forsaken their own Galley and put themselves into the Merchants Ship to Pillage her were there surpized with a Tempest not knowing how to govern so great a Vessel every one doing some Office of a Mariner in that which came next to his Hands without any knowledge at all some vainly upon their own genious undertaking one Art of Navigation others another some confusedly struck the Sails some unskilfully distributed the Cordages One Ass took upon him to order the Prow another as wise as he to guide the Poop and govern the Helm But that which principally cast us into Extreamest danger was not the violence of the Tempest for the Waves were not yet at the height of their fury but it was the ignorance of him that took upon him to be Pylot who resisted the Storm so long as there was any Day light but when it grew black Night gave over his Charge and when they were now ready to sink at first some of the Pyrates did endeavour to have recovered their own Galley but were beat off from their design by the Tempest Trachinus also staying them and making a Remonstrance that if they could save the Ship and Riches in her they should have Wealth enough to purchase a Thousand such Galleys and speaking those words he cut the Cables that held them together telling them that whilst they kept their own Vessel they drew another Tempest after them and that in doing so he provided for their security since wheresoever they should arrive it would draw suspition upon them and inquiry would be made after the Persons that Sailed in the Empty bottom This he said appeared to them to be reason and they approved his Council out of two respects being already sensible of the one for they were no sooner severed from the Brigantine but they felt the Sea did not toss them so much as before yet were they not quite out of the danger but one Billow tumbling upon another tossed them so violently as it constrained them to cast much of their Lading over-board breifly there was no kind of danger that did not present it self till having will much difficulty escaped that Night the next Day about the setting of the Sun the Tempest cast us into a Road near the Mouth of one of the Arms of Nilus named the Heracleotique accidently and now against our wills arriving in Aegypt the Pirates were joyful but we were exceedingly afflicted reproaching the Sea as cruel in the favour it had done us to save our Lives envying us a Death free from all injury and delivering us to the Land in a more fearful Expectation than at Sea being exposed to the disordered pleasure of barbarous and wicked Pirates which presently appeared As they Landed they carryed from the Ship great Vessels of Tyrian Wine and divers other things saying they would Sacrifice to Neptune and render Thanks for their deliverance some were also sent to the Neighbour Towns and a great deal of Money given them to buy Beasts with command they should give what Price soever was demanded and it was not long before we saw them return driving before them a Flock of Sheep and a Herd of Swine and having brought them in they kindled the Pile and prepared us a Feast of the Roafted Victims Then Trachinus taking me aside where none could over-hear him Father said he I intend to take your Daughter to Wife and this Night as you see Imean to celebrate our Nuptials joyning that sweetest Solemnity of Men with the Sacrifice to the Gods therefore least you should take it ill if I made you not acquainted therewith and be sad at my Wedding Feast and to the end your Daughter being disposed of with your consent may receive the Blessing of our Marriage with more joy I thought it best to let you know my pleasure not that it is needful it should be confirmed by
added That excepting her he should take what he would What said Pelorus will you break the Law of Piracy that gives his choice of the prey to him that first boards a Ship and for all his Fellows runs the hazard of his Life Friend said Trachinus I violate not that Law but I ground my self upon the Authority of one more powerful that commands us to obey the wills of our Captains without contradiction the Maid has wounded me to the Heart with her bright Eyes and to heal my wound I am forced to marry her and Sir I hope it is a reason I should be preferred before you and if you will not obey this Law I will make you presently repent it with a blow of this Cup I hold in my Hand Then Pelorus looking upon his Companions You see said he what recompence our Labours are to expect thus you shall one day see your merits frustrated of the reward of your virtue and be as I am Slaves to this tyrannical Law. Now Nausicles what do you imagine became of these Pirates after Nausicles had spoke these words you would have compared them to a calm sea swell'd with the sudden Tempest such a Blind and Brutish motion in an instant put them into so wild a tumult inflamed with Wrath and Wine as if some fury had possest them some rank'd themselves upon the part of Trachinus and cryed the Captain ought to be obeyed others sided with Pelorus saying the Law of Piracy ought to stand In the end Trachinus lifted his Hand to strike Pelorus with the Cup he held but Pelorus that was prepared before broke the effect of his fury and struck a Ponyard to his Heart so as he fell down mortally wounded but a cruel War kindled and continued amongst the rest inter-murdering one another without giving any quarter some as revenging the Death of their Captain others as defending Pelorus in his just quarrel The crys of Men and sounds of Levers Stones Cups Tables the Wounders and the Wounded made one fearful groan but I retiring a great way off stood upon the rise of a Hill and thence beheld this furious spectacle yet neither Theagenes nor Chariclea were exempted from the danger but following what was determined he with his Sword in his Hand joyn'd himself to one of the Factions at the beginning and fought as if some fury had transported him and she after she saw the Fight begun shot from the Ship loosing her Arrows with a constant Hand and sparing no Man but Theagenes she never took her Aim amiss every shot she made was Death Neither did she only gall the one side of the Battel but both indifferently none of the Pirates seeing her yet she clearly beholding them by the light of the great Fire of the Pile yet burning so as they could not imagine whence their Death came but thought it to be some Plague from Heaven To conclude the War consumed them all and only Theagenes remained fighting single with Pelorus an able and resolute Man and one that had been flesh'd and bred up in Murders And now Chariclea's Shooting could no longer avail her Theagenes grieving she could not assist him but the fear she had to miss her Aim did hold her Hand inasmuch as they fought so close the Eye could hardly distinguish them In the end Pelorus was forced to give ground before him for when Chariclea saw her Arrows could do him no more service she sent her words to his Succour crying to him Now my best Friend shew your Courage At the hearing of these words his strength redoubled to which Pelorus was not able to make resistance longer s if the voice of his Mistress had infused new vigour into him letting him know the reward of his Victory was yet living For now resuming the heat of his first Spirit tho broken and weigh'd down with many Wounds he made a blow at Pelorus with his Sword full at his Head which he hoped to cleave a sunder as assuredly he had done if the Pirate had not declined his Neck yet he escaped not for the Sword descending took away the top of his Shoulder and falling right upon the Elbow joynt of his Sword-hand cut it quite off then Pelorus fled to save his Life Theagenes following him What the sequel was I cannot tell you but that I saw not when Theagenes returned for remaining upon the rise of the Hill I dared not to stirr in a place full of Enemies by Night when my Friends could not know me but Chariclea was more bold and if seems more quick sighted for with the first dawning of the light I perceived Theagenes lying stretched out upon the Earth like a Dead Man and saw her sitting and Weeping over him with evident demonstrations that she intended to kill herself but that some little hope of his revival restrained her as yet and held her Life in equal suspence with his But I unfortunate Man had not so much as time to speak to them to sweeten their Calamities with my words or to apply remedy to his wounds so fast did the evils at Land without a breathings space succeed to those at Sea. For at the first Spring of the Morning as I was descending from the Hill where I had pitched for that Night I saw a Troop of Aegyptian Theives running from the top of the Mountain that lyeth along that Coast who presently seized upon my poor Children taking them away and all the Riches they could carry out of the Ship. I spake afar off to them and in vain bad them farewel that could not hear me deploring their Fortunes and my own but neither being able to defend them or holding it good to go and mix with them I reserved my self to hope to succour them some other way And indeed it was not in my power to do them present service being left far behind my Age like a heavy burden not suffering me to march so quick a pace as those Aegyptians that mounted and descended by strange Paths and through Wild places Now by the Mercy of the Gods and your favour worthy Nausicles I have found my Daughter then lost having contributed nothing to her recovery but my abundant Sighs Tears and Lamentations Speaking these words he wept all the Company were forced to do the like changing their Feast into a Sorrow intermixed with joy for Wine intenerates the Eyes and makes them apt to Tears and they were not able to contain their flux of pity till Nausicles spake thus to confort Calasiris Father said he chase away these sad conceptions and fill your Heart with Joy since you have now recovered your Daughter and that only one Night remains to interpose it self betwixt you and the contentment you shall receive in beholding your Son for to Morrow Morning we will Ride to Mitranes and deal with him all possible ways for the redeeming of your beloved Theagenes O may the Gods be so favourable replied Calasiris but now it is time to dissolve
the Feast let us therefore give thanks to the Gods and drink at parting so Wine being brought taking their leaves they drank to one another and so did rise from the Table But Calasiris looking about for Chariclea and not finding her in the multitude was greatly perplexed till at length a certain Woman advertized him that she saw her enter the Sanctuary of the Temple He presently ran thither and found her prostrated at the Feet of an Image where by reason of the length of her Prayers and the weight of Sorrow that lay upon her Heart she was faln into a Swoon Then after he had shed some Tears and humbly conjured the Gods to change the rigour of her destiny into better Fortune he softly awaked Chariclea and returned to his Lodgings with her Being now in the House she retired to the Chamber of Nausicles's Daughter lying with her but not taking any rest care not permitting her to close her Eyes THE AETHIOPIAN HISTORY The Sixth Book CAlasiris and Knemon being retired to sleep in the Lodgings appointed for the men as soon as the rest of the night was spent which passed more slow than they desired but more quick than they expected because the greater part thereof was taken up with the Feast and length of the discourse that entertained them with unsatisfying sweetness not having patience to expect till it were clear day they went to Nausicles praying him to let them know where Theagenes was and with all speed to lead them thither Nausicles to give them content presently made him ready to go along with them but Chariclea though she made all the prayers love and impatience could invent was yet forced to remain Nausicles assuring her they would not go sar and promising her within few days to return with her Theagenes so they lest her floating betwixt sorrow for their departure and joy for the good she expected At their going out of Chemmis as they past along the banks of Nilus they perceived a Crocodile labouring to swim from the one shore to the other but the swist current and wild waves still broke his force and often duckt him to the bottom of the River This moved none of their company as being a common sight with them saving that Calasiris said it presaged they should enounter some hindrance in the way but Knemon was running back again extremely frighted though he had not seen the Beast entirely but only her shadow and not all that the greater part of her being still under the water This set Nausicles a laughing and Calasiris cryed to him Why Knemon I thought only the fears of the night had troubled you and then only when you had heard some strange noise envelopped in the horrour of darkness but I see you have the same valour by day-light and that not only the hearing of a name breeds terrour in you but ordinary spectacles obvious and sighted by every man do terrify you What God or Demi-god was that said Nausicles whose name was such a bug-bear to his ears Alas replied Calasiris if it had been a God or any Divinity I should have had nothing to say to him but he trembled all over hearing the name not of any man the glory of whose valour is blown about the World but of a woman and she was dead too For the same night you came from the Island of the Herdsmen bringing chariclea safe for me I know not how or where he had heard a name you used but it so struck him as he would let me take no rest and was often almost quite dead for fear and sure had dyed if I had not taken a great deal of pains to recover and bring him to life again and but that I doubt his relapse I would tell you the name to make you a little more sport immediately he said the name was Thisbe But Nausicles was now past laughing and grew very sad standing a long while pensiving and searching in his Spirit for what occasion or from what knowledge of Thisbe Knemon should be so transported when he heard her named then Knemon fell in a laughter for very joy to see him melancholick O good Callasiris you now see said Knemon how great the force of this name is and that like a phantasm it hath not only frighted me but even Nausicles himself causing a strange alteration in our humours for I now laugh knowing her for certain to be dead and Nausicles that was so valiant and made himself so merry with our fear is now struck into amazement Enough said Nausicles you are sufficiently revenged upon me but I conjure you Knemon by the Gods of hospitality and friendship by our free conversation and the courteous entertainment thhat I think you think you have received at my house to tell me how you came to know that Thisbe and why her name was so terrible to you or whether you have made this betwixt you to play upon me Now Knemon said Calasiris it concerns you to answer and to acquit your self of your promise to me that I should have the relation of your fortunes which ever yet you have avoided with many slight excuses you cannot find a more convenient time for you shall both do a pleasure to Nausicles and by your discourse shorten and sweeten the travail of our joyrney Knemon consented at their request and to satisfie them compendiously ran over all he had recounted formerly to Theagenes and Chariclea How he was born in the City of Athens that his Fathers name was Aristippus that he had a step-mother named Demaeneta then he related the detestable love wherein Demaeneta languished for him and that failing of her hope to content her loose desires she laid trains for him suborning Thisbe for her instrument He added the manner and how he was exil'd from his Country the people of Athens so condemning him as believing him to be covinced of an intent to commit Parricide That living in the Isle of Aegina an old companion of his one Charias first brought him news of the death of his Mother-in-law and the circumstance thereof she being over-reached by her maid Thisbe And since then a second named Asicles had informed him that his Father was also banished and all his goods confiscated by reason the Friends and Allies of Demaeneta bandying against him to make sure his condemnation had begot a belief in the peoples easie mind that he was the murderer of his Wife He also told them how Thisbe was fled from Athens with a certain Merchant of Naucratia that was in love with her and that he himself imbarqued with Anticles for Aegypt in hope to meet that Thisbe his design being if he should find her to carry her back to Athens that he might discharge his Father of the calmuny they had falsely imposed upon him and deliver her to be justly punished And that since that time to this present he had run through many dangerous fortunes any tryed many different calamities falling in his Voyage
Arsace was enrag'd hereat and commanded her to be struck Carry said she this Victim bound as she is to let her Lover see how gloriously she returns his Constancy command Euphrates to load her all over with Chains and leave them together till the Persian Magistracy shall be assembled to morrow for her Condemnation By this time the Maid that serv'd the Wine was brought in She was an Ionian Slave and the same that by Arsace was appointed to wait on Chariclea Whether therefore she was mov'd with kindness to her or by Divine Impulsion she sigh'd and wept most bitterly O wretched Creature said she and void of all Crime The standers-by being in wonder hereat and urging her to speak plainly she confessed that she her self gave the Poyson to Cybele having receiv'd it first from her to administer it to Chariclea That whether it was through concern at so unwonted a Practice or whether mistaking the Signs of Cybele ordering to minister first to Chariclea she changed the Cups and gave the Poyson to the Old Lady She was therefore led to Arsace as thinking she should please her in clearing Chariclea But when she had given her this account Arsace commanded her also to be taken into Custody as an Accomplice in the fact and to be kept for the next days Session She also summon'd the Persian Magistrates by Messengers to be ready When therefore they were sat early in the morning Arsace gave in her Accusation telling all that had past condoling also with Tears the loss of the person that bred her who was dearer to her than her life appealing to the Judges with how much courtesie she had treated the stranger who in return had done her such Injury Chariclea answer'd nothing to the Charge but confest the Crime affirming that she gave the Poyson adding also that she would likewise have taken off Arsace had she not been prevented For having told her resolutions over-night to Theagenes and conferr'd with him she resolv'd to undergo any manner of Death to depart from a life so full of trouble of implacable Fortune and endless Wanderings she there bid him her last farewel The Bracelet and Jewels with the rest that were expos'd with her which she always secretly preserv'd she now placed next to her Body carrying as it were with her the Rites of her Funeral She therefore own'd every Crime that was alledg'd and more than were charg'd For which reason the Judges hardly forbore from inflicting the outmost Tortures after the Persian manner yet moved with her Youth and Beauty they only sentenc'd her to die by Fire She was therefore seiz'd by the Guards and hurry'd forth beyond the Walls the Beadle continually crying out That it was for Poyson that she suffer'd a vast multitude from the City following them Some of them had seen her led to Tryal others by reason of the rumour spread all over the City came to have a view of her Arsace was also present and sat a Spectator on the Wall For it would have troubled her not to have beheld Chariclea suffer When therefore the Officers had raised a great Pile and set Fire thereunto Chariclea begg'd respite from those that led her saying That she would of her own accord ascend the Pile O Sun and Earth she cryed out O powers above and you that below take Vengeance on wicked Souls you are witnesses that I am Innocent of all that is laid to my Charge But that I my self willingly submit to Death for the intolerable troubles which I sustain Receive me therefore with favour However take vengeance of this Arsace for whose crimes I suffer she is an Adultress and does this to deprive me of my Husband When she had thus spoken the people thouted some saying That she should be reserv'd for another Tryal others endeavouring to rescue her in the mean time she ascended the Pile where for a long while she stood unhurt the Fire rather circling about than approaching her serving only to make her Beauty more conspicuous and adorning the Pile as it were a Nuptial Bed. She passed from one part to another admiring at what happen'd and tempting Death but in vain for the flame still turn'd off from her The Officers in the mean time omitted nothing on their part Arsace also beckning to them from the Wall to do their duty wherefore they heap'd on more combustible matter Neither could they thus prevail The Citizens were troubled thinking there was some Divine Assistance and cry'd out That she was innocent Several approaching to the Pile took off the Torturers Thyamis beginning and encouraging the people thereunto for the clamour had now brought him abroad Being therefore desirous to deliver Chariclea they durst not themselves approach the Fire but call'd to her to come out for that there could be no danger for her to leave the Fire who had continu'd therein without hurt She hearing this and judging herself to be preserv'd by Divine Providence would not be Ingrateful and refuse their favour She therefore leapt down from the Pile As the Multitude for Joy and Amazement shouted out Arsace not able to bear it ran down from the Walls through a little Gate and with a strong Guard of Persians laid hands on Chariclea Then looking sternly upon the People Are you not asham'd said she to rescue from punishment a Woman that is a Witch and Poysoner by her own Confession While you give her aid you do violence to the Persian Laws to the Judges Deputy and King himself You are mistaken in imputing her delivery to the Gods Will you not come to your sences and find that this is the effect of her Witchcraft in which she has such command as even to restrain the power of Fire Assemble therefore to morrow in Common Council and you shall not only hear her Confession but also those of her Accomplices whom I have in Custody Herewithal she led her away herself going next to her and commanding the Guards to keep off the Crowd But the People were enrag'd part of them had thoughts of resistance part of them having still some suspicion of her Witchcraft and the rest fearing the Power of Arsace Chariclea therefore is once more deliver'd to Euphrates and loaded with more Irons reserved for a second Sentence and Execution But still blessing her fortune in seeing Theagenes and conferring with him about what had passed For Arsace had so order'd it out of Malice that the young pair might behold each others misery and be mutually afflicted with each others sufferings For she knew that the torment of the person belov'd more affected the Lover than the party that suffer'd But it was by them esteem'd as an Advantage to see each others Constancy It was some relief to converse together and comfort one another with the consideration that what they endur'd was upon the account of Truth and Vertue After they had till midnight discours'd in such a manner as was proper for Lovers that were never more to
talk together they at last talk'd of the Miracle that happen'd about the Fire Theagenes imputed it to the kindness of the Gods who shewed their Indignation against the unjust Decree of Arsace but Chariclea was doubtful That Accident said she seems to have come by Divine Providence but to be reserv'd only for greater Misfortunes cannot proceed from the Gods unless they have secretly decreed to give relief at the greatest Extremity Theagenes advis'd her to think more honourably of the Divine Powers Be propitious to us O ye Deities said he Was it a Dream or Reality which now comes into my mind it happen'd the last night but one I know not how I came to forget it but it now returns to my Memory The Dream was a Verse which Calasiris seem'd to expound The words were these Thee from the Flame Pantarbe's Pow'r shall guard Strange Force but nothing to the Gods is hard Theagenes now seem'd inspir'd and leap'd forth as far as his Chains would permit crying Be merciful to us ye Gods. For I further remember another Oracle deliver'd to me by a like Prophet whether it were Calasiris or some God is his form containing these Words You with the Nymph shall Aethiop reach and be To morrow from Arsace's Bondage free That which concerns me herein I understand for those Mansions of the Dead under-ground seem proper to the Land of Aethiopia By the Maid I suppose Proserpine is meant with whom I shall inhabit and my freedom from Chains my departure from this Body But what can the Rhime contain concerning you which consists of Contradictions for wherea Pantarbe signifies fearing all things yet it commands not to fear the Flame Then said Chariclea continuance of calamities my Theagenes makes persons hope thhe worst in all things for people usually accommodate their Minds to their Fortune But I have better hopes of this Prophecy than you What if I am the Nymph with whom you are to arrive into Aethiopia after you have escaped from the Bonds of Arsace But how that shall be is neither manifest nor credible to us but to the Gods it may be possible Let them take care of that who gave the Prophecy That part which related to me you have already seen accomplished in my wonderful preservation And though at that time I knew not that I carry'd my safeguard about me yet I now understand that I did Those precious things that were expos'd with me in my Infancy I have always accustom'd to carry conceal'd about me to supply our necessities when brought to the last difficulty but if Death should overtake me to answer the Charge of my Funeral Amongst these Theagenes there are Bracelets of great value with Indian and Aethiopian Stones with a certain Ring given by my Father to my Mother in which is the Stone call'd Pantarbe set in a Square with Sacred Letters about it It seems to have some Divine Virtue in it by which it repell'd the power of the Flames preserving those that carry it from any hurt I conjecture and know so much by what was suggested by the Divine Calasiris who told me That the same was expressed in the Writings that were found with me This seems probable said Theagenes by the Deliverance that you have had but what Pantarbe shall defend us from to morrows danger For though it should still defend from the Fire it cannot give Immortality and Arsace's Malice will contrive some more violent means to destroy us And would to Heaven that the same sort of Death and in the same hour would dispatch us both I should think this Death but a Release from all our sufferings Take heart said Chariclea we have another Pantarbe promis'd in the Oracle While they were employ'd in these Considerations each affirming That the others misery more afflicted them than their own obliging themselves by mutual Oaths to preserve their Loves and Vertue to Death It being now in the very dead of night Bagoas with his fifty Horse arriv'd at Memphis When they had waken'd the Sentinels and had given account of themselves they were immediately receiv'd into the Deputies Palace Bagoas left this Company without to guard the House to be ready for his Defence if any Resistance were made He himself in the mean time went a private way easily forcing the Doors and commanding Silence to the place where Euphrates was the Moon not being yet quite set finding him therefore in Bed he awaken'd him who in disorder cry'd out Who are you It is I said Bagoas command a light to be brought in He therefore order'd the Boy that waited on him to bring in a Taper so as to disturb none of the rest When this was done and the Boy departed What Mischief said Euphrates has occasion'd this untimely and unexpected Arrival There needs not many words said Bagoas read these Letters but before take notice of the Seal and know that Oroondates sent them and that it is as much as your Life is worth not to perform what they import When Euphrates had run over the Letters As for Arsace said he she will be sorry having yesterday fallen into a Fever which still continues so violent that there is small hope of her Life But for my part I would not deliver these Letters to her though she herself ask'd for them for I know she would destroy both her self and us before she would send away the young Pair Know however that you are come in good time to take them away and must therein use your utmost endeavour Take compassion on them they having suffer'd a hundred Tortures unwillingly inflicted by me but enjoyn'd by Arsace They seem however of Noble Birth and for the Experience that I have had of them of Vertuous Coversation Having said this he brought him to the Prison where Bagoas no sooner beheld them though wasted with Watchings and Torture yet he was astonished at their Stature and Beauty But they supposing that Bagoas was come at that silent time of the Night to lead them to a Clandestine Execution were a little troubled But soon recovering a chearful countenance they made it appear how little they were concern'd Euphrates now coming up and knocking out the Wooden Peg with which their Irons were joyned Take your Sacrifice Arsace he cry'd out She thinks in night and darkness to conceal her horrid Crime but the Eye of Justice is sharp in discovering and bringing to Light the Deeds of Darkness Do you execute what you are commanded and whether Fire Sword or Water is determin'd against us let us only have the same Death Chariclea desired the same The Eunuchs weeping led them forth in their Chains When they were come out of the Deputies house Euphrates starid there But Bagoas with his fifty Horse having taken off their Bonds and left only what might secure but not burden them mounting them on several Horses and putting them in the middle of the Guards made towards Thebes as fast as he could When they had travell'd all