accus'd us of Treason and cowardize and commanded wee should follow and perish with him in the mid'st of his Enemies But when he saw that those which were with him in Lieu of obeying brought him back by force into his ships turne yet at last said he turne your weapons on mee shew me on this occasion that it is not falsely that you have vanted to have an entire blinde obedience for those to whom you have given the power to command you Why doe you stay No No doe not deliberate T is farre more just that you should obey me now then it was when I forc'd you to follow mee into this country I would dye my companions and if you are not so much my friends to deliver mee from a Life that is troublesome to me you will enforce me either to make use of mine own hands to rid me of it or◅ run miserably imploring those of mine Enemies Do not think that Ambition or avarice hath made me accept the command of a company that made vaunt themselves to be Masters of the Ocean No my birth gave me titles and riches enough to have no need of those which you so generously granted mee T was only Love I say that Love which made me finde such delights in that Miserable estate wherein you found me after my shipwrack which hath made me wooe your protection fight for you and lastly made me receive with joy the quality of your Generall It likewise made me hope that by your assistance I might one day recover the treasures my owne Father had rob'd me of it promised me if I perseverd in my passion that even the faire and Divine Ennoramita in spight of all the forces of Benin should be the reward of my constancy In a word I secur'd my selfe that being seconded by your valour I should finde no obstacle in my enterprizes And yet you see in the meane time that a multitude of naked and fearefull people a Nation so Barbarous that they know not the use of armes shamefully pursues mee drives me into my vessells and by a prodigy which carries no shew of truth in making me lose the hope of my good fortune hath deprived you of the fruition of your Honour But now I have consider'd that you and I have been equall losers Irevoke the request I made you my companions I aske you no more for Death I only intreate you to have a care of your reputation and returning altogether to the City of Benin that wee avenge our selves alike of our common Enemies This Speēch had so great power with all us that were with him that treading under foot all feare and all other consideration wee bid him leade us boldly on and he should then confesse that it was not without reason that he hoped much of our assistance Presently wee got into our Shallopps and landed againe Amurat ravish'd with our resolution put himselfe in the front of us march'd right up to his Enemies charg'd them amazd ' them overthrew them put them to flight and press'd on them so that he entred their Towne together with them We thought we had no more to doe then to gather the fruit of our Victory when we saw our selves set on by men far more resolute then those wee had routed The Prince of Benin made them fight and by his example made them so valiant that 't was then our turne to retire and to contract all our pretentions within the only thought of defending our selves My companions desiring rather to dye in their conquest then to survive to their losse made a vow not to abandon their stations and almost all of them made it good for there died aboue two thirds of them on the place Amurat perceiving that the more Blood the fury of the Enemy shed the more it increas'd became instantly and wholely capable of a passion far more shameful and base then that of Love He began to be affraide and in his terror not only forgot his Mistris but himselfe too and so leaving the City of Benin and drawing us after him caus'd us to make as much hast to our shipps as he had wonne us to goe from them Wee set Sayle that very night in such a disorder that we never look'd after any one of our companions To our Tempest by land there succeeded another by Sea wherein we ran no lesse hazzard Assoone as it was overblown our vessel was assayl'd by an other which at the first wee tooke for a Portingall But when wee were grappell'd wee knew it belong'd to the King of Benin and that the Prince his Sonne had imbarqued himselfe in it to follow us The Combat began againe with an incredible Fury and the Prince of Benin giving oftentimes the name of Traytor and Ravisher to our Generall made him feele that supernatural valour which caused us to looke on him as a God descended from heaven to converse with men He gash'd Amurat with so many blowes that after he had forc'd him to fall at his feete he offer'd his Cymiter to his throate and told him he must either dye or restore the Princess whom he had stolne Amurat witnes'd an extream Scorne and Anger to see his Enemy so cruell as to make him his jeast and subject of laughter after he had vanquish'd him This last outrage gave him his Mortall blow Yet in that last instant of life he had the comfort to be bewail'd even of the person that killd him At that word Polexander altering his voice Til now said he to the Princess of Tunis I could never know whether Amurat-Nephizus was the Prince of Morocco or some other that had taken on him the name of Nephizus But after our hearing that which Narcissus hath told us there is left for it no place of doubting no truly answered him Ennoramita Sighing and by an effect of that providence which produceth every thing in its due season I finde the end of Tyranny in the same place where I came to seeke for succours against the Tyrant Ah cruell and inconstant Nephizus said she with her eyes full of teares why dost thou compell me to be inhumane against mine owne resentments and to rejoyce at thy unfortunate end But I am injurious to the eternall Justice which hath restor'd to me that Libertie whereof by thee I was wickedly deprived I do owe that power any due acknowledgements for thy punishments and consecrate to it the fetters from which by that vertue I am miraculously delivered Go then Goe Nephizus to that place whither the rigorous Iudge of Soules calls thee Answer if thou canst possibly the severe examination of the black Angell Finde out justifications for thy voluptuousnesse for thy madnesse and parricide But above all thinke seriously on the actions of my life that thou mayst not goe on in accusing me unjustly with thy excesse and offences In the meane time I blot thee out of my memory as an Apparition that affrights me and burying under the waves which
astonished to see what ceremonies Bajazet himselfe was faine to observe ere he set foote on shoare but he wondred more and was ravished when he drew neere to a Fortresse which was in the midst of the Island It was a place which nature and arte had equally fortified On the Easte side there was a Rock which extended it selfe to the sea by precipices and disgorgements of cleare waters Towards the South the Rocke was extreamely high and had been cut with the chiâ—…l It was full of little lodginâ—…s where the Pirates Wives dwelt and kept their Children and their goods At the place where these two Rocks abuâ—…ed almost together they left an overture of thirâ—…y or foâ—…y â—…home Over this passage there was a great Aâ—…ch which some Arabians had built and to make themselves immortall by the lasting of so marvellous a worke had engâ—…n on black marble their names and Country This Arch had fifteen fathome oâ—… largenesse on thirty of long and was divided in three The first part was full of little Chambers so industriously built that they seemed to be cut out of the Rock it selfe From thence you entred into a Fortresse built with stones of that hugenesse that the imagination of Iphidamantus could not conceive any thing so strong in all the Mechanicall Engines that was not far too weake to remove or raise them Foure Towers and foure piles of lodgings covered like tarrasses compassed one Court of fifteen fathome in square In the midst there was a Fountaine which cast out water through the throate of a Lion of brasse which in noise and casting his head towards Heaven made the mettle it selfe terrible When you had gone through this Castle you entred into a Garden where on the South side was to be seen a little Wood of Cedars Palmes and Cipresse and towards the west another of Orenge trees made into a Laborinth The hedges of all the alleis were of Jessemines Citrons and an infinit number of those sweet trees which give the hotter Countries all the advantage they have over our climate At the top almost of the Rock which was towards the East you might see a fall of water of six foot broade which as a peece of ice fastned on the hanging of the Mountaine was received in a great and vast bason All the water fell into one pipe and after it had been somewhile underground was seen againe in this hanging Garden and spouting out of the trunck of an Elephant which a Rhinoceros had overthrowne carried his force so high that you lost fight of it before it was mounted to his full height This place was inaccessible on all sides but to get to it there was cut in the Rock towards the West a staire which by a hundred steps came to joyne with one of the corners of the Arch. Within this proude Building the Generalls of those Pirates had alwaies lodged since they became Masters of it and as such did Bajazet rest there as often as any tempest or other important consideration kept him in the Island Under this great Arch there were raised two Platformes on which twenty field peeces served for a warning to strangers that this place was forbidden them On the flancke of these Cavaliers ran out to great Bastions which were as the two Arcenalls where were kept all the cast peeces and double Canons which could not serve them a shipboord On this side was seen an artificiall Lake into which they had on floates cast two pecces to command the plaine and open Country about it and by this Lake only was there an entrance into that great enclosure after the clensing of all the Artillery of these six different defences When Bajazet was within Canon shot he staied his fleet and according to the Maximes of his government sent to aske permission from the Governour of the place to come in Iphidamantus who till then had rested as ravished in the consideration of the outside of this Fortresse was extreamely surprised to heare Bajazet speake thus The generous Rover smiling to see his prisoner so admiring Know said he that he who commands these Pirates as I have done this yeare is the sole man who hath power to put a Governour in that Fort and who may the first yeare either change him or strangle him without giving an account for it Assoone as this particular Governour is in full possession of the place and that the Generall hath put the armes and command in his hands he never useth them with so much rigour against any as against his person who gave him the authority And indeed by this Maxime only he preserves himselfe for were he suspected to have but the least intelligence with the Generall an ordinary death were not the greatest punishment he should stand in feare of But when he hath past his yeare of probation and can give contentment to the different humours of his companions then they give him the title of Generall of the Land that is he hath an authority within the Fort as absolute as mine is in the rest of the Island over the Pirates and vessells Barberoussa so is he called that now commands in this place and hath been neere forty yeares the fortunatest Pirate of the sea yet hath he but executed the commands of his Captaines and now is come to the place of Generall by Land more by the care I tooke not to solicite him to doe ill then by the affection he had towards his owne party Leave them to wonder at the permission which I aske and know that I have no more power in the Fort but what he gives me who is under charge And since I have now a minde to goe in I must doe so that he must first thinke it fitting What I now have told you is but the least part of the pollicy of these Pirates They have their Lawes and their Maximes as well as the Estates the best governed and I have noted that whereas in those one may often see many virtues degenerate into vices here have I seen many vices very much approaching unto vertues I confesse that honour and honesty are enemies with whom our Pirates are seldome at truce or peace I know that conscience is the first thing they put off who would be Citizens of this Common-wealth and that justice cannot be received among such persons as have no other enriching then by the losse of others and make it their boasting to possesse nothing that was lawfully gotten In a word t is true that here all morall virtues are condemned but know that what in a well governed State is effected by the respect borne to good and holsome Lawes here every one is kept within the bounds of his duty by the absolute power of him who is the Master Every mans particular interest here is insteed of justice and though there be no recompence for those that live well yet is there so generall a feare of punishment appointed for the least faults that it is the
him his pike in his hand Cacique said he this is the day that thou must undergoe the punishmens for thy disloyaltie The Cacique without being dismayed at the threatning knew Zelmatida or at least doubted that t was he Contrary then to the custome of miscreants his courage increased by the remembrance of his câ—…imes and the neerenesse of the perill made him lose the feare of it He came resolutely to Zelmatida and Zeimatida received him with an intent not to spare him The combat was long and furious but it was reasonable that the justice of heaven should have his ordinary slowenesse to chastise so samâ—… us an offender Zelmatida which from all times had beene chosen by that incomprehensiâ—…le to perfect this remarkable vengeance strooke so great a blowe at his Enemy that he cut off his right arme and redoubling it as soone gave him another so great a wound that that monstrous toy of ambition fell on the earth and saw fall with him all his abhominable hopes and expectancies Zelmatida quickly clapt his foote on his belâ—… and ayming his Javelyn at the others throate repent thee said he if thou wilt have me give thee thy life Coatelicamat with a constancy as great as his ambition answered I will never repent me since I never doe any thing till it first seeme just to me For the life that thou promisest me I laugh at it for I see it is not in thy power but if thou wilt doe me any favour tell me what thou art and whence thou comest Zelmatida swore to him that he could not content his curiositie since he could not tell of what country he was nor of what parents borne At that word Catelicamat lifting up with fury the arme that was left him as if he would have striken some one Impostors cryed he they are your eyes that have beene the authors of my crimes You assured me that I should one day see my selfe seated on the throne of Montezuma if I could escape the thundring arme of the Inca. In saying this last word he plunged his hand into his wound and by that violence tore out his Soule that would not yet have abandoned his body The death of Coatelicamat was the entyre ruine of all his army The Mexicans had their wills of them destroyed them cleerely They pierced without resistance the greatest batalions and went on beating those disordered troopes till late in the night the flaughter was horrible and of that prodigious number of men which came to the Seige of Mexico there was not above fifteene or twenty thousand that saved themselves Twelve thousand were taken alive and brought into the City to be sacrificed to the gods of the Estate Zelmatida did his utmost to hinder so great a Massacre but knowing that he had to doe with Barbarians who place their pleasure and glory in spilling the blood of their adversaries he left them and returned into Mexico with two thousand that remayned of the sixe thousand men whom he had made the â—…roope of his guard The old men the women the children and the Souldiers that were left behinde for the defence of the towne losing all memory of what they owed to Montezuma received Zelmatida as their king and called him the victorious the father of the people the defender of Mexico and the only hope of the State These glorious Titles were followed with offrings and inestimable presents All that particular persons had gathered of gold silver pearles costly habiliments and other excellent moveables were throwne aâ—… the feete of their Deliverer and were as generously refused as they were freeâ—…y 〈◊〉 Zelmatida having beene a long time in freeing himselfe from the prease of the peâ—…le came at last to the Palace but instead of shoutes and bonefires of which all the City was full he met there with nothing but terror silence solitude and oâ—…scurity This sad apearance strooke him to the heart and made him presently cast his thoughts on Iâ—…atida He stayed the first that he met withall and asked them of the King and the Queen and what new accidents had begot in the Court so generall and unhoped for a sadnesse they answered him that Montezuma and Hismalita were together and shewed but little by their countenances their feeling or resentment of their common deliverance Zâ—…lmatida presaging then the ill that the basenesse and cruelty of the husband and wife have made him suffer went to see them and relating to them with that grace particular to him the successe of the last battell drew them as by force out of the depth of their insensibility and desiring to bring them absolutely to their mindes What good said he friend to your Enemies hath made you insensible of your felicities and ties up your tongues in a time when you should use them in actions of prayse and thanksgiving Come come let us a way to the Temples to offer pure offrings and sacrifices of laud to the divinities by whom your perfidious Subjects have beene punished your deare Mâ—…xico delivered your throne exalted and your celestiall persons avenged from the shame of fetters and the infamy of a publique death Doe not you feare that your gods take notice of your ingratitude and that repenting the good which you so ill acknowledge they rayse not againe the cruell and felonious Coatelicamat and give you over to the rage of his complices Zelmatida after he had used this bold language to those timorous Princes turned himselfe to some Priests that were with them and you too said â—…e to them contemners of the sacred character that makes you reigne over your like doe you misâ—…value the authors of your power and for feare to brush at the iniquity of men betray ye the cause of the gods Run run to the Temples adorne the Altars sâ—…nd even to Heaven the odor of your perfumes and let all ring againe with your sacred Songs and Eulogies Montezuma not daring to oppose things so just rose from his 〈◊〉 and taking the Queene went with Zelmatida and all his Court to the great Temple of 〈◊〉 He could scarce enter it was so full of people but as if he was come thither only but to confirme him in his first errors and to have most certaine proofes of that misfortune which he did but suspect all the people saluted him but for fashions like and fixing their eyes on Zelmatida calld him a hundred times the father and delivâ—… of Mâ—…xico The prayers being ended Montezuma returned more confusâ—…d and afflicted then when he came Hismalita that regarded no more my deare Master out as a Monster ready to devoute her could not at all open her mouth to answere him but followed the king her husband As soone as they were all at the Pallace they gave atleast in shew the good night to Zelmatida and put off till the morrow the entâ—…rtayning him with publique affaires The generous Prince pittied the folly of those two Princes and resolving in himselfe to try his uttermost to
prison By the footmanship of those posts which from place to place were laid to carry us on their shoulders we came the third day to the Port of Calciroeca Quitalvor who was Montezuma's Lievtenant in that Province having seen the directions and commands of our conductors gave them a Canoe to land us in some Isle of the Caribs to execute that murder which to her great grief Hismalita durst not do herself But heaven which had not decreed that Izatida should be freed from all her miseries rais'd a terrible tempest and by it threw us on coasâ—… unknown those that were our conductors landed and made us do so too on a desert shore where as in all places else my fair mistris using that solid piety which made you admire her had recourse to heaven and beseeching thence a protection for us and our enemies mov'd those Savages to pity who led her to her death They unbound her tooke the band from her eies and said they had an expresse command from Hismalita to carry her into some place inhabited by certain Canniballs that would devoute her But happen what may said they wee will not be guilty of the death of the great Montezuma's daughter I will not tell you Zelmatida by what prodigy or remorse of conscience these hangmen became mercifull But I can assure you from that time forward they serv'd Izatida with such care and respect as without a miracle she could not expect it When I call to mind the excesse of their courtesy I say 't was a thing against nature and a kinde of monster by which the Eternall providence did presage to us some dysaster which shall never be sufficiently bewail'd eitherby you or all the vertuous people in the world I dare say I had some knowledge of it before it happened An unknown spirit often spoak to me within and whether I slept or wak'd said Fly Galtazis fly from this shore The fruites here are poison and the trees cast no shadow but to kill those who come for refreshment under them Our conductors quickly made that prediction true after they had been a while landed they sought a place for our retirement which might be lesse offensive then were the dry hot sands on the beach At last they found one which seem'd to have all that could be wish'd for both for necessity and pleasure Many little rivelets trill'd along by the grasse and the flowers and many trees as fair in shew as deadly in effect fram'd naturall arbours and alleys the leaves of them were very large and green and the fruit so great and beautifull that they were so many venemous baites to betray the innocent stranger Our leaders fell heartily to them but no sooner were they in their bodies but they felt themselves stung as with prodigious serpents which in lesse then four daies had eaten up al their entrails Two of Izatida's slaves eat of them as the rest and died as they For her selfe her ordinary food being her sighes and teares she ran no hazard that way but by an act of that awfull power which every day invented new accidents to try the Princesse vertue it unluckily hap'ned that she fell asleepe under those deadly trees Her fair eies which were shut up for a few moments were shut up for ever and the subtle venome of those accursed trees sliding with their shadow on that other sun covered her with fearfull perpetuall darkenesse Izatida felt in sleeping the strength of the poison and awaking with it O governesse cri'd she looke to me my fight is gone I see nothing at all the vertuous Mexiqua so was the name of the governesse ran to her and finding but little alteration in her eies did not beleeve so suddain a mischance could be long lasting she got the Princesse to arise and leading her to the source of a clear fountain wash'd there her eies a long time but Izatida finding but little helpe by it Give over mother said she this unprofitable labour It had not been just that she should suffer but ordinary punishment who by her disobedience incurr'd the curse of those by whom she came into the world Just gods excercise your justice on this malefactresse let her feel more and more the weight of your armes and since as parents of all men you are interested in the cause of parents hear the prayers of mine and though they petition for my affliction deny them not Zelmatida at that word interrupting Galtazis How yee gods cri'd he who are not so if you be not just would ye allow the tyrannies of an insensible father unnatural mother to be thought exorable would ye hear the praiers of your enemies No no that excesse of injustice cannot be in heaven the curses of Montezuma and Hismalita have had no power to wrest your equitable decrees 'T is my dismall and tragicall fate which hath been the Author of these new miseries I am the venemous tree the contagious shadow who after innocent Izatida's losse of peace and liberty have lastly depriv'd her of her sight and questionlesse will soon lose all that remaines to her of life Thinke on thy self monster born for the ruin of vertue Dye unworthy Zelmatida and by forcing thy selfe from the world snatch from fortune the sole pretext she hath of persecuting innocency What said Galtazis shal Izatida's blindnesse and her other disgraces rob her of that absolute command which her beauty and prosperity had acquired over your will and will you lose the desire of suffering for her as soon as you have lost your hope of being recompenc'd Let heaven reduce me into dust cried Zelmatida affrighted at Galtazis words let the earth open and swallow me let hell be all my portion if Izatida although banished if Izatida though a vagabond if Izatida though blinde be not as dear to me and as much honored as in the height of her glory and the extremity of her beauty Believe it Galtazis and assure thy selfe my constancy is growing to be such that even in thine owne judgement it will make me be reputed a man altogether insensible I will obey you replied Galtazis but let me get away if you please from a countrey more execrable and horrid then Hismalita and relate to you the last accidents which ensued Izatida's blindnesse We had been about fifteene dayes on that accursed earth and our unfortunate company which consisted at first of above fifty persons were reduced to five when we saw our selves invironed with thirty or forty men such as those that brought me hither They stood stil a while and gazed on us and at last understanding by our signes rather then by our words the need we had of their assistance they comforted us with a great deal of humanity and went to fetch what was fitting to relieve us in our extream weakenesse I presently believed heaven had sent those men to assist Izatida and therefore brought them to the place where she was retired with her Governesse and
death and though the Serpent had enfolded his armes and legs he made him feele the weight of his blowes but his resistance was all in vaine for he was torne in pieces for all his Armes and devour'd by the Monster This strange accident fill'd all the towne of Benin with desolation and feare Almanzor was with Andromeda when the newes came of Bellerophon's death He had ever dearely lov'd that Knight being as his companion in all his exercises You may imagine whether he were mov'd at his losse Truly he was so much that it drew teares from him But his love not being satisfied with these demonstrations made him resolve on others more worthy his valour and the memory of Bellerophon He therefore prepar'd him to avenge his death and his high Spirit carying him to great undertakings he would by so faire an occasion give a beginning to the miracles of his life The generous Prince would willingly have communicated his designe to me but imagining I would not approve of it he conceal'd it from me and one day secretly withdrawing himselfe unknowne to any man he went to finde out that dreadfull Serpent even among the Palme trees and to fight with him took only his sword his bow and his arrowes You wil hardly give credit to what I must relate though there is nothing more true Almanzor went alone into the wood of the Sun approacht the Serpent with an heroicall confidence look'd on his hugenesse and deformity without astonishment and by his noise calling him to the combat by some arrowes he let flye towards his den would give him time to defend himselfe The Monster animating him by beating the earth with his tayle rays'd his crown'd head and throwing at once venome and fire from his eyes made the Cedars and Palmes to tremble againe Almanzor stood firme and with himselfe consulted how he might best encounter that monstrous adversary Straight he nock'd an arrow and lifting his eyes to heaven I doe what I can said he doe thou the rest and let thy powerfull hand conduct the shaft which mine lets goe at hazard He was heard That arrow was so well guided that it pierced the Monsters tongue and there stuck fast The next was more fortunately addressed It strooke out the other eye and with the meanes of bringing himselfe on tooke that away of his defence Almanzor mark'd what he had done and doubting no longer of his victory shun'd the grapling of the blinded Serpent After he had long time fought with the trees and his rage turning on himselfe had extreamely weakened him by his owne blowes he lay extended on the earth and discovered a part of his white and yellow panch Almanzor perceiving so fit a marke for his arrowes shot him through and left not till he laid him dead When he was secure of his victory he went out of the wood and after his thanks to heaven and vow to hang his bow and arrowes with the Serpents skin he return'd to the City and told all those he met there was no more to be feared for the Serpent was dead Whilst the better hearted went to see whether Almanzor spake truth he came to the Palace and there found every body much troubled about him He presented himselfe to Abrinzias and falling at his feet Sir said he I humbly beseech your Majesty to pardon the fault I have commited I come from the fountaine of the Sun and the Serpent is dead Imagine Polexander how Abrinzias was affrighted though he saw Almanzor unhurt He enquir'd who had advis'd him to fight with the Serpent and who went with him to that Enterprise Bellerophon's death replied he sighing drew me to revenge it I could not live and suffer the murtherer of my friend to survive him Heaven hath favoured me so much as to acquit the debt I owed him Abrinzias lifted up his eyes with admiration and joy and to satisfie his curiosity asked Almanzor how all things had hapned He related it to him as I have to you but it was with so much modesty that Abrinzias foreseeing then what Almanzor hath done since My Son said he imbracing him search out new Kingdomes and Provinces worthy thy valour This little corner of Africa deserves not to containe thee With that he brought him to the Queene and recounting so heroicall an action oblig'd her to shed at once both teares of joy and sorrow the one for her love to Almanzor and the other for that of her owne Son The excesse of Abrinzia's contentment made him not forget what he owed to his people He sent his Heraulds through the towne not onely to publish the Serpents death which had so much annoy'd them but to make knowne to all the Author of their deliverance and the publique happinesse and after that went out of the towne waited on by all the Court and most of the people and so came where the Serpent lay slaine The multitude not forgetting their old use appear'd very hardy where there was no danger and running on the dead Monster cut him in pieces and by that meanes made Almanzor but imperfectly performe the vow he had made But whilst the people made themselves sport with their dead Enemy and vented all their fury on his skin Almanzor bewail'd the death of Bellerophon and in a generous piety gathered up his bones and broken armes scattered through the wood and giving both the one and the other to his particular friends follow'd them himself to a place fit to preserve the reliques memory of that valiant Knight The good Abrinzias was much mov'd to see so many verall vertues breake forth of thaâ—… young Prince and had esteem'd himselfe the happiest of Kings but that the defects oâ—… his owne Son and his vicious inclinations cut from him the best part of his happinesse But heaven who would recompence in the person of Almanzor the injury it had done him in that of Perseus gave him every day new causes to blesse the arrivall of my Prince and to forget the imperfections of the legitimate through the admirable qualities of the adopted But while Almanzor liv'd the joy of the people of Benin the admiâ—…ation of the rest of Africa the envy of all generous Princes and that the greatest Potentates sent Ambassadors to Abrinzias to rejoyce with him for Almanzor's honour and the delivery of his Countrey the ambition of Spaine an enemy to all mens quiet which runs through Sea and land to drive thence both peace and liberty came unfortunately to disturbe the delights of the best King in the world Vasquez de Gama Generall of the Portugall Fleet returning from Calecut was by a storme driven into the River of Benin In lieu of leaving to the Inhabitants that peace he found there he landed out of his ships men more cruell then the Serpent which Almanzor had slaine That young Prince hearing of the Portugals iâ—…rode ran to oppose them and by his exploits then made appeare yet farre more then by his first combat that
from Morocco with Iphidamanta Osmin his wife and their domesticks and in all haste came to the Fortresse of Guargetsem There as if he had been in the highest peace that could be or had abjured all things but his love he even forbad Osmin from speaking to him in any manner about businesse nor to trouble his repose with the fortune of an Estate which he abandon'd to the ambition of Sonnes Osmin affrighted with this command was neither sufficiently coward nor traytor to obey him He secretly sent for the Governour of Taradant and besought him by the excellency of his vertue and by his valour so often approv'd to have pity on the Kings weaknesse and his countreys desolation That Governour promis'd Osmin all that a man of honour should in such an occasion but whilst he was in preparation the two detestable Princes made themselves masters of the best townes and found every where so little resistance that they were at the gates of Guargetsem before the Governour of Taradant had time to assemble his friends or his troups Hely who passed his time altogether in idolatrizing Iphidamanta and in promising her such Crowns as he had lost was much astonished when the roaring of Cannons and the clamours of Souldiers told him aloud what his most affectionate servants durst not whisper to him Presently he ran to Iphidamanta and casting himselfe at her feet Would to heaven faire Princesse said he that I might by my death free you from the danger wherewithall you are threatned by my cruell and unnaturall Sonnes You should see me run to it with joy and voluntarily yeeld up what remaines of my life for the ransome of your honour and liberty But their abominable ambition will be no more glutted by my death then it is by my Crownes 'T is your honour they aime at and the accursed Nephisus will not thinke himselfe fully clear'd of those execrable vowes he hath made if at once he commit not two of the greatest murthers can be imagined I meane if after his attempting on my life he doe not the like on your honour Iphidamanta according to her custome dissolv'd in tears whilst Hely spoke to her but at last urg'd by a just indigdation It behov'd you then to have had more care of my liberty repli'd she when it was in your power So would you not have been reduc'd to give me now such vaine testimonies of your feare and weaknesse but take no care for me I know better then you how to prevent the villanies of your Sonnes Hely stood wholly confounded with love and joy at those judicious words and leaving Iphidamanta with Osmin's Lady went to see whereto his enemies had brought him Osmin followed and charging him but with silken words if it be lawfull for me to use the Court tearmes with the irreparable faults his passion had made him commit would have perswaded him to thinke on his safety whilst it was not absolutely desperate Hely stopping at that speech There 's an end of the matter said he I must die Abdelmelec and Nephisus have too constant and assured an impiety to promise me the least good that can be That very day they combin'd to make war with me they resolv'd my death Should I give into their hands all regall authority and on the faith of a solemne Treaty open the gates of this fortresse assure your selfe they would not be satisfied They will have me end my miserable life by the most infamous tortures can be invented by their mercilesse impiety But that which I more feare is they will expose Iphidamanta to such horrours as the sole imagination of them kills me I will therefore prevent all these disasters by a death which shall not be unworthy Iphidamanta nor my selfe With that he walked on and ascended up a bulwarke from whence he might descry all his enemies camp He knew the ill estate of the place he was in and judg'd rightly by the advanced works and demolitions the Cannon made that he had but a short time to live He stood there above two houres as if he had expected some Cannon shot to finish all his disquiets by a faire death But heaven which is alwayes indulgent to humane frailty preserv'd that sacred head and would not by a tragieall end give his unnaturall children cause to glory in their wickednesse nor yet would it absolutely preserve that drowsie and rest-loving Prince for feare he should utterly lose himselfe in his remisnesse and too much insensibility Osmin perceiving Helies intention withdrew him against his will from the bulwarke and trusting in the Governour of Taradants promise assur'd him he should shortly have succour from whence he expected it not Hely laughed at it and as if he had knowne his approaching misfortune staid at the foote of a towre which his enemies battered A great part of it fell in that instant and in such a manner that without the particular providence of heaven Hely and Osmin had beene orewhelm'd with the ruine Osmin was not hurt at all but Hely scap'd not so cheape He was struck downe and wounded in his head and many other parts of his body Some of the garrison Souldiers thinking he had beene slaine drew him from under the rubbish and ruines of the towre and carried him to his chamber Assoone as the trusty Eunuch Atlas saw his Master in so ill plight he ran to Iphidamanta and melting into teares Come said he and see to what point of mishap your beauty hath brought the best Prince of the world Follow me Iphidamanta and try at least by one teare and one word of comfort to witnesse to my Lord the King that you are sensible of his wounds Iphidamanta was astonished at Atlas sad relation and her naturall goodnesse making her forget all other consideration she went with Osmins Lady to the Prince his chamber Assoone as she came neere his bed and that she saw him all bloudy O heaven she cried permittest thou thine owne lively image to be thus disfigured Hely knowing her stretch'd out his hand and raysing himselfe a little faire Princesse said he since my life pleased you not let me know at least that my death is welcome unto you Impute not to heaven nor to the inhumanity of my children the tragicall end of dayes They have both rather with pity then rigour treated me as they have done and death it selfe shews how pitifull she is since it hath prevented the despaire and contempt whereinto your losse would infallibly have carried me Give them thanks rather for being so conformable to your wishes and for delivering you at last from that bondage which hath cost you so many teares Farewell then faire Princesse weepe no more if you desire not to afflict me at mine end Rather by a pleasant countenance signifie to me that you take my death as a favour I will even hasten it if you desire it But whilst I seeke for comfort in my misery I forget the care I should take for your
Mountaine and desirous to observe that which my deare Master had prescribed him tooke his leave of him assoone as he could and departed towards his owne home to fast there those delights which the possession of the faire Coriza could give him Zelmatida who was honored as a god amongst those rusticall people was looked after with so good successe that in fifteen daies by virtue of those herbes they applied to them his woundes were all closed up and cured I cannot relate to you the love those Mexicans shewed him nor their well treating him Amongst all their kindnesses he still mused on his journy and thinking on the predictions of Tisnatidez imagined the event of things cleane contrary to that which hapned If said he to himselfe a combate whereof the Hie-priest told me not but as of an accident scarce considerable hath brought me to the extreamity wherein I am I must presently resolve to perish in that which I am to undertake at Mexico I remember well his very words There said he speaking of the burning Mountaine you shall finde against whom to exercise your courage And when you have overcome your enemies goe on neere to a Towne that gives name to the Kingdome of Mexico It wil be ther that you wil have need of all your forces What extraordinary forces should the gods send me continued Zelmatida to be a victor yet on the second occasion since in this first I have met with none which have not been almost overcome This consideration lasted no longer then his sicknesse Assoone as he could walke he forgot what was passed and feared not what was to come after Yet staied he sometime with those people to get his perfect health and strength and to exterminate that mischievous brood of Robbers He therefore got abroad followed by all the inhabitants of the mountaine and marched into the thickest of the woods and the depth of the caves to finde out those publike pestilences In eight daies he executed of them two hundred and discovering the last place of their retreit he besieged them and after two or three affaults seeing they were too well entrench'd to be taken he permitted the poore people whom these monsters had so long time persecuted to burne them and for ever to destroy the seede of them When he sawe that there was no more to doe for the safety of the villagers he thank'd them for the respect he had there found and by a speech that drew teares from all that were about him promised his assistance whensoever they should stand in neede of it He thought by this that he had bid them farewell but he was much deceiv'd when he would have beene gone They told him that for the good he had done to all the country they were bound to conduct him where his valour should receive the reward it had deserved This new promise of honour displeased him extreamly but well hee might strive to put it off and feigne important designes to alter the resolutions of those people 't was all to no purpose and when he thought to have stolne from them hee found it as much impossible There was nothing then but patience goe he must and be content to conforme himselfe to the will of his rusticaâ—…ll and indiscrete admirers The day of their departing agreed on there assembled at least five or six hundred accoutred after their manner that was from the gyrdle to their knees cover'd with feathers of divers colours Hats of flowres on their heads and bowes and arrowes in their hands They were ready to dislodge at day breake and as soone as Zelmatida was ready they put themselves in order and marched by sixe and sixe before him They sung in such a tone as was never heard and leaping and dancing in such postures enough to make a man die with laughing seem'd to leave nothing undone which could be wish'd for by their deliverer One amongst them that had the stature of a Gyant carried a Lance made of an entyre tree at whose end hee had fixed the head Popocampecho and underneath were hung his armes in manner of a trophy Zelmatida followed accompanied with two men that Tumanama had left him Fifteene or twenty of Popocampechoes companions whom they had kept alive for this tryumph were bound in chaines of gold and came after my deare Lord compell'd by the bastonadoes of their guard which were often redoubled in remembrance of the miseries they had formerly endured by them During all the journey the King passed not by any place that was inhabited where he was not received with all the honour that they could have given to Montezuma himselfe Those that liv'd on the high way prepar'd Sacrifices for him and presented themselves with the same respects and ceremonies as they observ'd before their gods Those which abode further off came to attend him as hee passed with presents and all gave him the title of their Deliverer as if in the death of Popocampecho he had exterminated all the Monsters of Mexico After many of such pleasant dayes travell the King espied a towne farre greater then all the rest he had seene in his journey He asked the name of it of the most eminent of his troupe who told him that it was the capitall City of the kingdome called Mexico and that they conducted him thither to be presented to the Queene Hismelita who in the absence of Montezuma did performe all the royall offices The king hath commanded me to tell you that this newes amaz'd him with such an apprehension that he never met with before He knew before the end of this day that this feare had beene the certaine presage of his imprisonment and a secret advertisement which he received from the gods to observe all those things which they had anounced to him by the mouth of their hye-Priest But in lieu of giving this explication to his feare he condemn'd himselfe as a weake man and taking rash resolutions scorn'd all the perills which he was to run through This done he began to take notice of the marvelous seituation of Mexico and before hee came on that long causeway which crosseth the marshes where it is built stay'd in a Playne so covered with flowres and trees compassed with so many channells and watred with so many sources of living fountaines that he confest there was nothing more delightfull to be seen He had walk'd a little while amongst those trees when they which marched in the van stopped and caused the rest to doe so too The reason of this stay was soone knowne as well by the shoutes of some as the talke of others The most forward came to the King and told him that Hismalita was set downe in that meadowe with all her Court and should seeme was expresly come thither to receive him Presently Zelmatida commanded that all those that were before him should open their ranks and range themselves in file on both sides the way It was as soone done as commanded and then the
every one departed with diverse actions of thankfullnesse and Bajazet being disarmed on the place returned thence in the company of Polexander Zelmatida and Iphidamantus Bajazet asked them if they were not well satisfied in the honour that those of his Religion gave to the dead Zelmatida confessed that the ceremony pleased him but Iphidamantus went further and besought Bajazet to tell him what those Pirates did beleeve should become of their soules after death and why they made so many prayers to obtaine from God that the dead should be delivered from the interrogation of the two Angels and the torment of the grave That which you aske me answered Bajazet is so peculiar to the Mahometans and held so great a mystery in their Religion that you ought to have been bred or to have long time lived among them to give you an accompt of it Yet I will endeavour to satisfie your curiosity And though I am a weake Theologitian I dare assure my selfe to cleare you of it since I most particularly informed my selfe of that point when the necessity of my owne defence engaged me to accept the charge which I now undergoe Know then that all those who beleeve in Mahomet hold for an Article of faith that the dead are liable to give an accompt of their actions in this life and that they are to give it before two extreamely rigorous Judges and those are two Angels the one is called Mongir and the other Guaneguir The first carries alwaies a club of iron the second holds with both his hands certaine hookes exceeding sharpe and they are both black Scarce can a dead man be in his grave so long as since we buried our Captaines but the two Angels come They command the dead to arise to kneele and to cover his body with his soule so as during his life time his soule was covered by his body As soone as the deceased hath given satisfaction to these severall commands the two Angels begin to examine him on divers points of his beleefe and on the principall actions of his life That is Whether he hath constantly beleeved in Mahomet whether he hath endeavoured to doe good workes enough to keepe him from those black and dreadfull Countries which they call Algenas Alsaitanas They aske him an infinity of more questions as whether he hath observed the ceremonies of the Zala whether he hath been a great Alm'ner whether he hath not failed to fast his Radaman which is the same that the Christians call Lent If he have paid all the dues that he owed to the Ministers of Mahomet and in short if he hath never broken any of the commandements contained in the Zuna of that great Prophet When as the dead that hath then no more liberty to lie hath given an accompt of his life and that the black Angels are satisfied They leave and vanish from him Presently after there appeare to him two others more white then snow that rejoce with him for his good deeds and promise him eternall recompances They lay him as he was before the comming of the two first Angels One puts his arme under his head to serve him for a bolfter the other in the same manner keeps up his leggs and both of them guard him entertaine him and promise not to forsake him till the day of Judgement But if it happen that the deceased condemned by his owne conscience stand mute before the black Angels or gives them an accompt like an ill steward that knowes not what he hath done with the goods that were intrusted in his hands Mongir gives him so great a blow on the head with his club that he alwaies carries for that purpose that he drives the poore crimenell more then fifteen foot deepe into the earth And presently Guaneguir making use of his hookes fixeth them on the wretch and drawes him by force out of the ground nor doth this exercise end for as soone as the dead is plucked out of his hole by the one the other knocks him in againe with his club and so continuing this double punishment they never leave him in rest nor ought to leave him till the day of Judgement Bajazet giving the Princes thus to understand the secrets of so extravagant a Religion astonished them Iphidamantus likewise turning to Bajazet I confesse said he that your people here are very charitable and scrupulous to be of a profession sufficiently contrary to the rules of a devoute life You are deceived said Bajazet The Zuna of Mahomet gives us a priviledge to warre with those that are enemies to his law and to hold for goods lawfully gotten all that we can take from them by our utmost force or otherwise Besides you tooke no notice that in the relation I made you of the interrogatory of the two Angels you heard me not speake of any theft or murther After this doubt cleered Iphidamantus replied I have no more to aske you but I finde that Mahomet was very provident in fitting the mysteries of his religion to the humours of those that should embrace it and so tempered all things that according to his accommodations a man may be a great murtherer a great theefe and a very honest man and altogether It is prophanely spoken said Bajazet to give the attributes which abuse hath made abhominable to permitted and glorious actions Mahometans never steale They content themselves with the taking from the enemies of their Prophet all meanes they have that might hurt them and by a new kinde of vindicative Justice they chastice those that bandy themselves against the Law which God hath visibly sent from Heaven to the earth and published by the mouth of Mahomet Though by these words Bajazet seemed to be very passionate in defence of the Alcoran yet he uttered them in a certaine negligent manner that it made the Princes thinke he beleeved not all that he spake In talking of these curiosities they came where they used to lodge Bajazet according to his custome gave the three Princes their dinner and during the repast related to them divers secret ceremonies which made up the principall mysteries of the Religion of Mahomet They were taken from the table by the shouts of the Pirates and the noise of the brazen drums Bajazet knowing that the Princes were resolved to end the day as they had begun it told them that they were about the election of twenty new Captaines to fill up the places of the dead and that there would be something passed in this meeting worthy their seeing Hereupon Bajazet tooke his leave of them and went to the place where all his Army attended him Polexander and Zelmatida more to please Iphidamantus then to see things so unworthy their high and sad thoughts went out of the Fort and came into a great plaine which was appointed for the mustering of the pyrates They sawe presently that at a signall given the Army divided it selfe into Regiments and so stood till Bajazet had taken the whole
Fortune came to assist Love and by a pranke of her wonted inequalitie would doe service to virtue deride the cruell policy of Hismalita confound all the providence of her Councellors and Divines and contribute her assistance to the accomplishing of things that had beene so often promised to my deare Master She corrupted if I must use that word those whom the Queene most trusted that so Zelmatida might be in safety and discover all the designes that they set on foote to destroy him Many of Hismalitaes domestiques wonne with the sweetnesse the courtesie and the liberality of this Prince advertis'd him of what was deliberated in their Mistresse cabinet and beleev'd that to be trusty to her was to be unfaithfull and traytors to their gods and themselves Amongst others Galtazis who in the body of an Infant had the wit of a man and as very a dwarfe as he was might bee called not the defect out a miracle of Nature was the first that gave Zelmatida intelligence of the bloody resolutions that Hismalitaes feare made her take against him This little one had beene given to Isatida when Montezuma conquer'd the Estates of the Cacique of Zampoallan and presently grew so passionately amorous of the Princesse that he every day blessed his misfortune and captivity since through it he had attayned to the glory to be the slave of so faire a Mistresse Hismalita that almost in all things shewed a jealousie of her daughter had taken him from her and imagined that by her savours and caresses she might so gaine him that he might serve her for a Spie But this generous little courage abhorring all basenesse and treachery continued constant to what he had promis'd Isatida and had it not beene by the expresse commandment she gave him to feigne and make a shew of extreame love to Hismalita he would rather have died then done things so contrary to his thoughts When Zelmatida came to Mexico Hismalita lov'd nothing more then this dwarfe and beleev'd him so much hers that she feard not to discover to him what she had of most secrecy But hee that knew well on what conditions he gave himselfe to that Queene judiciously advertised his true Mistrisse of all that most imported her and by his good Councell made her to take hold of such occasions to please Hismalita that the jealous Mother was constrayned in despite of her selfe to confesse that Isatida alone gave her more delight and consolation then all the rest of her daughters Now this little-one in all things following the inclinations of Isatida very often without knowing them had scarce seene my Lord the Inca but he lov'd him and so extraordinarily that he thought him only worthy to serve his faire Mistresse Zelmatida for his part was extreamly pleased in the conversation of this little-one and seeing how judicious and faithfull he was feared not to let him know his affection Galtazis seeing things happen to his wish interessed himselfe in this Love and contributed thereto not much lesse then Zelmatida himselfe And now knowing from Hismalita what feare the presence of this stranger threw on her and learning some of those predictions on which all those jealousies were founded he as soone gave my deare Master notice of it and concealed not from him that in the end the Queene infallibly resolved to have him murthered The dwarfe intimating thus much advised him to absent himselfe for a while and by a necessary flight avoide those cruelties that accompanied the jealousies of Hismalita But Zelmatida embracing Galtazis and laughing at his feares and councells My friend said he since by a Lawe imposed on nature all things must have an end O how happy am I to have met with so faire an occasion to perish in I shall not die of a vulgar death but shall have this advantage over all other men that my death shall beget an envy in all those that can lay a claime to any generositie Galtazis knowing the great spirit of Zelmatida I confesse said he that you are worthy to seâ—… my faire Mistresse Goe on invincible Prince and feare not but the gods will turn away those disasters that threaten you This little-one after he had thus confirmed my deare Master in his resolution left him and went certainly to make it known to Isatida The Inca having now thanked the Sunne to whom he had a particular devotion though he knew not yet that he was the Author of his Race bethought how to gaine Hismalita by some eminent service for feare to lose Isatida Yet among these different cares he forgot not to bethink himselfe that Quasmez asked his daughter from him and accused him for not being enough gratefull to him He therefore sought out Isatida with an intent to speake to her yet once more for Xaira but the Princesse â—…ut him off the displeasure of petitioning twice for one thing For as soone as she could with freedome speake to him I am to give you an account said she of the matter you intrusted me withall I have enquired after the Princesse which you seeke with so much passion and perceiving that my Governesse made some difficulty to speake to me I did often times by embraces woe her to tell me if she had heard any thing spoken of Xaira Whilest I sollicited her with so much earnestnesse she used such actions as made me beleeve she went about to discover some great secrets to me for on the suddaine she changed countenance and so great a trembling seized her that she was a long time before she could answere me At last she recollected her selfe and swore to me that she had never seene the Princesse Xâ—…ira But as if she beleeved that her oathes were not sufficient to make me credit it she accompanied them with so many sighes and teares and other signes of affliction that but for you I should have repented the asking her the question Yet Zelmatida let not this make you despaire you are assured even by the mouth of a Prophet that Xaira is living you are expresly come into this country to free her from prison you are he who infallibly must give her liberty let time then agitate and the superiour causes and thinke not that the wills of the gods eyther advance themselves or recoyle as it pleaseth the fantasticallnesse of our vowes The king perswaded by Isatidaes reasons admired the power of her wit and became daily so idolatrous of it that it is not a small signe of his excellent nature that in so generall forgetfulnesse of himselfe he constantly remembred how much he was oblieged to Quasmez Some fewe dayes after this conversation which had caused Hismalita to lose the rest of her complying or rather of her dissimulation she received two generall intelligences equally sad and deplorable which made her betake her selfe to other thoughts then how to be avenged of my deare Master The posts that came in hourely reported news that Montezumas was eyther killed or at least taken prisoner in the
with the same assured conntenance that she had seen he daies before and admiting in her selfe the great heart of the Prince grew angry with her selfe to have as many causes to hate him as she had to love him she had a minde to entertaine him but that one came and related that the Gyant had been twice already even at the gates of the towne This news was the cause that joy and sadnesse dividing mens mindes represented to some Zelmatida victorious over the Gyant and to others the Gyant triumphing over Zelmatida But he that thought on nothing but of doing acts worthy his love left the Queene and comming into the chamber of Isatida found her all in teares He besought her to ratifie the permission which she had given him and not beleeve his enemy to be invincible I know said she why you use this language to me No no I doe not thinke the Gyant invincible yet have I notwithstanding a thousand reasons to be afflicted The perill to which you are going to expose your selfe would obliege me to it I say were you a person but indifferent to me since for my sake only you are engaged in this combat and by consequence in spite of my selfe become guilty of your death if it happen that the chance of warre give the advantage to your Enemy Indeede knowing your courage and having heard related so many marvels of it I should have cause not to apprehend the event of this duell if all things were equall But when I consider that you goe to contend with a Monster as tall againe as your selfe I cannot receive those reasons that perswade me that I doe you wrong to have you feare him My Lord the Inca by these words felt himselfe bound in new chaines and without daring to take the boldnesse to aske from the Princesse the least favour in the world told her that before night she should be oblieged to prayse him alive or dead Whilest Isatida betooke her selfe to her prayers with her Governesse and dwarfe Zelmatida went to take his armes and accompanied with one only Squire went out of Mexico and came to the causey where the Gyant stayed for him The walls of the City were ranged with men and women to see by the successe of this combat what the fortune would be both generall and particular The lake was covered with Canoas and other vessells full of Theviciens and the place where Zelmatida was to fight was a square expresly made on the great causeway for a corps du guard and in case of necessitie to serve for a place of defence and to fight with those that after they had gotten the causeway would enter into the towne Zelmatida appeared there rather armed for the tryumph then for the combat He wore a head peece covered with a great many feathers which came on his shoulders and covered part of his face His armes were halfe naked and for all defensive armour had only a Cuirasse of quilted cotton and a buckler of gold on which to signifie the extremity of his love he had caused to be painted the mountain Popocampecho all on fire and round about the buckler these words engraven My heart preserves all his owne He had a quiver full of arrowes a bowe hanging as a scarfe and two long Javelins armed at the ends with golden pikes For the Gyant he was more extravagantly covered and more advantageously too He had the whole skin of a very great Tyger the muzell of the beast served him for his head-peece and the rest tyed in five or sixe places was for a good Cuirasse He wore a bowe and arrowes and a great club As soone as he saw Zelmatida within shot of his arrowes he shot two at him that had pierced him through and through if he had not dextrously avoided them My deare Master in comming neerer darted at him one of his Javeâ—…ns but it rested hanging in the skin of the beast that armed the Gyant and could not wouâ—…d him He knew then that fighting after this manner he should not make an end of his enemy he therefore came close up and passing upon him thrust the halfe of his Javelin into his right thighe and by that would tooke away his strength of upholding himself The Gyant retyred to be reveng'd and to brayne his adversary with one only blowe but his rage taking away his judgement and my deare Master returning upon him ran him through the second time The paine of this new wound made the monster foame and he threw himselfe on Zelmatida to have stifled him in his armes and cast out his left hand to have catched him by the hayre but the Inca avoiding his holdpierced his arme and left the Javelyn in the wound This great wound made the Gyant mad he threw his club away and uncovering all his body cast himselfe on his enemy Zelmatida seeing so faire an occasion tooke his â—…owe and let fly an arrow which passing under the Gyants left arme which was then lifted up stroake him right at the heart With this the Monster gave a great cry and catching his vanquisher in his armes bore him to ground with him he fell on one side and Zelmatida on the other so unhappily that meeting the head of an arrowe he gave himselfe a deepe wound the Gyant died presently and by his death strooke so strange a terror into the hearts both of the Thevic's and Zempoallan's Army that had the Mexicans beene men of valour there is no doubt but that very day they had given end to a Seige which began to make them practise by force that sobrietie which is naturall to them As soone as they had stynched the blood that Zelmatida lost by his wounds he returned into Mexico with all the pompe that so great an action could be attended He was not only admired of Hismalita and of all the Court but his enemies themselves were forced to acknowledge that whilest he defended Mexico they had little hope of taking it In the City they spoake more advantageously The people blessed the day in which that valiant defender came thither and from the defeate of one sole enemy promising to themselves the like of three or foure hundred thousand more foolishly called on to the fight those whom they durst not see but from the top of their walls As soone as Hismalita heard the successe of the combat she made shew of an excesse of joy which makes me say that the incomparable power of the virtue of my Master overcame the ill nature of that Queene and made her capeable of a good action That which makes me thinke so is that he was received with an extraordinary freedome and that all the evening she spoake of nothing but his victory but cry up often times in exaggerating the generositie with which Zelmatida would overcome his Enemy Let us leave here if you please the vulgar resentments and entertaine our selves a little with those of Isatida Though the Queene her mother knew she was
the walls of Mexico a great Scaffold raised in the middest of the Lake upon many boates linked to oâ—…e another On one side of the scaffold there was an Altar on which was an Idoll of gâ—…ld which held a Javelin in his hand many great â—…aions of gold round about the Altaâ—… and in them those instruments wherewithall the Mexican Priests did use to open those men that were sacrificed to their gods When the enemies sawe all the walls of Mexico ranged with men and women they caused those Priests to mount the Scâ—… which they had chosen for that sad ceremony The Priests perfumed the Idoll and repeated oftentimes the words of Venâ—…ce Retribution and Liberty After them were seene some Souldiers who gâ—…ed and brought those that were condemned to their deaths The first being at the place destiâ—… for execution was laid on a table and with an horrible inhumanity a Priest â—…ke 〈◊〉 great knife into his left side and thence drew out his heart presently he stuck it on the end of a javelin to make it seene the farther off and after he had so held it a while gave it to one of his companions This done two Souldiers tooke the body and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iâ—…to the lake twenty men were executed in this manner and 〈◊〉 knowiâ—…g sâ—…e of them cryed out alas thus infallibly will these Barbarians put to death all 〈◊〉 Tâ—…iths the Mexicans call all their great Lords so which have beene taken prisoneâ—… 〈◊〉 the King She had scarce ended these words but she heard a muttering of voices mingled with the resounding of trumpets and presently saw on the scaffold the wretched Montezuma who clad in his royall habiliments had his chaines on his legs and hands and witnessed by his trembling and lamentations that he was never worthy of that quality which he was now about to lose At this sight Hismalita growing furious tore her hayre plucked in peeces the Diadem she had on her head and was with much adoe held by the Princes that were about her What ye Mexicans cryed she will you endure that the hangman shall lay his abhominable hands on the sacred person of your King of your visible god What is become of that faith you swore to him on the Altars and in the presence of the gods Doe you no more remember that you have acknowledged him for your Master for your Father for your Life and at his coronation all falling on the Earth offered your selves as Sacrifices ready to shed your blood for his preservation She would have continued her remonstrances but a new object of griefe depriving her of understanding as well as speech put her some time from her selfe she came againe with being much troubled and came againe to her more sorrow and anguish for she sawe foure Priests take Montezuma and despoyling him of his robes bound his eyes and layed him along on the same table where the other prisoners had lost their lives The excesse of her resentment rendring her speech Hangman cry'd she strike not the King see mee here ready to receive the blowe come come glut your rage upon the unfortunate Hismalita and in so saying she fell as dead among the armes of her women and fortune would have it so to the end that that Princesse by the violence of her afflictions should learne to be no more insensible of the misery of others She was no sooner swounded but the boates of Mexico fell on those of the Theviciens and during their fight one man alone forcing his way in spite of so many enemies ascended the scaffold where Montezuma was ready to be executed threw five or sixe of the Priests into the lake overturned the Altar and the Idoll and unbinding the King of Mexico changed his scaffold into a theater of tryumph The Mexicans seeing so glorious a beginning of the enterprise of my Lord the Inca you may well thinke that any other then he could not have performed so difficult an action rushed in on their enemies and fearing no more death fell on them so vigorously that above a thousand boates and more then sixe thousand Theviciens â—…nke to the bottome There were taken of them some foure thousand who loaden with chaines were throwne into the towne Prisons Hismalita returning â—…rom her swound was told that by the wonderfull valour of Zelmatida the Theviciens were overthrowne on the lake and Montezuma delivered when he was at the point to receive the stroake of death The enemies wounded and fettered which they drew along the streetes were sufficient proofes of those victories which she might doubt of yet imagining that her happinesse was too great to be true she could not beleeve it till she sawe Zelmatida who leading Montezuma by the hand came to restore to her that other precious halfe of her selfe and bring againe all those prosperities and glories she had lost As soone as she had resettled Montezuma in his throne and left him with his Queene and daughters he departed without saying any thing and causing the trumpets and other instruments of warre to sound every where drew out of the towne all those that were of age sufficient to fight He made them to be fylde along the causseyes with an extreeme diligence and put them into batalia in the sight of the enemies The Cacique of Thevic knew the designe of the beseiged and in spite of the terror that the name of Zelmatida gave him prepared himselfe to fight and did all that could be expected from a man that was as valiant as he was ambitious He put his people in order aâ—…d told them that if they overcame their enemies they went not away with one sole victory but that there were five or sixe linked one to another Therefore in winning the battell said he your liberty is assured you your Tyrants become your slaves all Mexico is conquerd and our short misfortunes followed by perpetuâ—… â—…elicities Zelmatida for his part went from batalion to batalion and according to the diversitie of mindes and countries changed his tongue and perswasions Every one was animated by his owne interest and the eloquence of this invincible Commander Presently the skyrmishes began and continued on both sides At last the grosse of the Army moved the battalions joyned and their arrowes gave place to more mortall weapons I will not make you a particular description of the battell nor anoy you in remarking what the Mexicans performed Let us fixe if you please on Zelmatida since 't is his victory that you would knowe and not that of his enemies This Prince then searching out the ambitious Cacique of Thevic among his troopes was compelled in finding him to come to handy stroakes with many hardy Theviciens whom he overcame not without much hazarding himselfe At last being already all bloody and weary with so many brunts already sustained he met with Coatelicamat that was driving before him a whole batalion of Mexicans he put himselfe betweene the Runawayes and the Cacique and comming up to
free them from it went foreight to Isatidaes chamber It was told him that Montezuma had sent for her and that she should be that night with the Queene What a friend had that fatall Messenger beene to Zelmatida if he had given him his death when he brought him this unwelcom newes My deare master had not suffered but one death when since that unfortunate day he is passible of all and passible without seeing any end of them He was not content with an answere to him so fatall but enquired after the causes of that novelty but learning nothing that could give him satisfaction he retyr'd himselfe to his lodging not to take any rest but to increase his vexation by the agitations of his Soule The day following so sad a night was far more sorrowfull My deare Master could not see the King nor the Queen and that which afflicted him more he could not possibly either know where the princesse Isatida was nor to see any of her attendants It was late night when Galtazis came to him from Hismalita and signified that her religion and certaine vowes which she and her daughters had made during the imprisonment of Montezuma oblieged them to a long retyrement and she therefore besought him that he would not thinke it strange and would not beleeve that without very great and lawfull causes they would deprive themselves of the contentment of seeing him But added Galtazis I am to informe you or some things more true and more important too then these Retyre to your owne lodgings and doe me the honour to expect me there In the meane time recall that vigour and great courage by which we have knowne Gyants to be so easily over com With those helps you must encounter such as are more redoubtable then those that you have vanquish'â—… Galtazis in leaving him gave a paper into his hands and prayed him by way of diversion that he would take the paines to reade it Zelmatida retyred and commanding all to leave him alone and willing to see what the dwarfe had given him He unfolded the paper and read that which followeth Mirzenia unworthy Archiculti of the sacred Ziamacazques and least servant of the gods To Montezuma Image of their Benediction AFter the sacrificing the three hundred Panucien slaves which thy soveraigne valour destinated for the Gods on the day of thy tryumph after the besprinkling their holy Images bathing the feete of their Altars and washing the tyles of their Chappell 's with so much blood as was consecrated to them After the filling the Censers royall with the precious gumme of Copâ—…llii and perfumed the heavenly nosthrills with so sweete an odor I have poured out mine owne blood from all parts of my body and by my purifications have merited the sight of the great Zezcatlipuca whose providence watcheth alwaies over the Empire of Mexico His presence hath rent the vayles that hid from me what was to come hereafter I have seene the shadow of future things more cleere then the beames of the Sun and behold that which they reserve for thee both of good and evill Thy Raigne shall be lesse remarkable by thy conquests then by thy imprisonment and thy life which is to be unfortunate shall be farre lesse so then thy death Thou shalt be despoiled of thy Empire without losing the Title of King and though it be transported into a strange family thou shalt yet have successors of thine owne race I see comming from another world Monsters that fly on the sea and and throw fire every where They shall disgorge on the shoares unknowne men who by their presence alone shall destroy those people that obey thee and thy selfe consenting to their losse shalt suffer one of those men to take thee prisoner in thine owne Pallace and to lead thee in triumph through proud Mexico These great revolutions have their prefixed terme The time is neer Thy calamities approch Thy enemies leave their aboades and already some of those Monsters that are to produce them have beene seene on our coastes The only remedy which I finde for thy ills is that thou get a Virgin Princesse Daughter to a great King whose power thou redoubtest By her intercessions thou shalt avert thy misfortunes confirme thy tottering Throne and make thy Children to raigne many ages after thee But who can give thee knowledge of that royall Virgin and by what good hap without example canst thou ravish her out of the armes of her Father If ever thou possesse that treasure keepe it more carefully then thy life be more jealous of it then of thine Empire hâ—…ve a carâ—… it be not stollen from thee and above all keepe it hidden from that redoubted Stranger who under pretext of offring thee his service and armes will come to steale her from thee This Conqueror of Nations will enter thy Territories as a man unknowne but by his valour he shall soone make himselfe Master of thy Subjects and by her also he shall pluck thee from a shamefull death prepared for thee At that time thou shalt lose the Virgin which thou hast so carefully kept and that losse shall be followed by all those wherewith the gods threaten thee Zelmatida having ended the reading of the scrole would have given it an explication that might not be displeasing to him He therefore justified himselfe in his owne thoughts from all that which might make him to be that stranger which this prediction deciphered and speaking as if some Judge had questioned him My conscience said he my passed actions and my designes absolutely bely this false prophet I neither pretend tâ—… the Crowne of Mexico nor to the life of Montezuma T is true I love Isatida and 〈◊〉 deprive me of the happinesse of seeing her is to force me to strange extreamities As 〈◊〉 was further thus going on Galtazis came in and surprised him in his deepe meditations My Master said the little One to him he was wont to call him so I bring you the cruell explication of the Prophesie I left with you but I bring it you imperfect since I could 〈◊〉 understand but the end of the discourse which on that subject Montezuma had with Hismalita Be assured said she to him that the time is come in which we and our Empire are to fall into the hands of strangers My delivery is a great and a certaine 〈◊〉 of it and the love which all my Subjects beare to the invincible stranger agâ—…eing with the inclination of Isatida makes it so evident that unlesse I will betray my selfe I can no more doubt of it I know that the fatall Virgin is in our custody and that we may shut her up in a place where none shall see her But to whom shall we â—…ust that may hinder her being stolen and forced from us We will not resolve nor you nor my selfe to keepe her during both our lives and those others which we shall chuse as the most faithfull for this important deposit may be t is possible
of thy Masters I will returne in spite of all Mexico to chastice thy disloyalty and to bury the pride of thy Towres and Pavilions underneath their owne ruines From this transport he fell into another He repeated the name of Isatida hundreds of times He called on Death as often and I doubt not but he would have given that to himselfe if he had not feared to disobey the Princesse At last the day of his departure arriving he tooke leave of Montezuma and went out of Mexico accompanied with all the Court and the most part of the people He went to lodge at Tlacopan where he was received as he had been the King and the next day followed by two men that Tumanama had left him and fifty slaves to carry his baggage he tooke the way of the Province of Cotosta which is fifty Leagues from Mexico towards the East He had already travelled two daies and two nights when he fell into an ambuscado which infallibly Hismalita had laied for him He was assailed in a vally by a great many theeves and enforced to use all his endeavours to defend his life Tumanama's two men were there slaine and fifteen or twenty of his slaves He himselfe there received divers sleight woundes but he did such things in this encounter that are beyond humane beleefe and went beyond the force even of Giants After neer a whole daies resistance he became Master of the field and retired into the next Village with the remainder of his Traine He was compelled to abide three or foure daies there that he might not anger or inflame his woundes but he underwent in that place a greater hazard then he escaped in the field Two nights together his lodging was beset by unknowne people and assayled with so much fury that but for the helpe which the Inhabitants brought him it had beene certainly mastered and entred These last assaults causing him to reflect on the first he judged they could come from none but the expresse command eyther of Hismalita or Montezuma and by consequence that he could hardly avoide Death His high courage made him respect this danger as he was wont to doe others and made him resolve to surmount it in making shew that he contemned it He came forth therefore in the open day from his lodging and buying some slaves in stead of those he had lost gave the Inhabitants of the Bourg to understand that he had not gotten himselfe so many Enemies had he not saved all Mexico from the fury of the Theviciens and other Rebells Those few words wrought such an Effect in the mindes of those Mexicans that they all went into the field with him left him not till he came to Cotosta Tendilly who was Governor thereof for Montezuma came forth to meet him and did him so many extraordinary honors that if Zelmatida had been capable of feare or suspition he might well have doubted that Hismalita was contriving some new plot on him And indeed his Death had been unavoydable if the very party who was to murther him had not preferred the life of this Prince before the hope of a great fortune He came into Zelmatida's chamber whilst he slept and awakening him my Lord said he arise and save your selfe there are here twenty men sent to kill you The Prince casting himselfe out of his bed tooke a Javelin which he carried as he travelled and turning himselfe to the stranger where said he are those traytors Doe not stay nor amuse your selfe replyed the stranger by fighting with them but follow me and know that thou hast not a greater Enemy then our Governour Zelmatida beleeved the man got out of Cotosta without giving notice to his slaves and forsaking the common way slipped yet once more from the rage of Hismalita He got into the Deserts of Calcicoëca with his guide Ten or twelve of his slaves escaping the hands of Tendilly fled from Coâ—…osta and ignorant what way to take followed the first that they sawe They were yet so fortunate that without any such intention they came to the Port of Calcicoëca They had not beene there two houres as they told me when I arrived with the first vessell that touched the firme land of our world But be pleased to let me make a necessary digression to cleare you of some things which doubtlesly you have stumbled at and that leaving the Inca my Master in the Deserts of Calcicoëca I relate to you my adventures Although I speake Arabian yet was I borne at Cusco and sonne of the Iâ—…ca Miâ—…raïc the last of the brothers of Tupac Inca Yupanquy Soveraigne moderator of the Empire of the Incaes Nature bestowing on me nothing good but an incredible desire to see other countries then mine owne and other manners then those of my country-men I stole from Cusco at the age of seventeene yeares and went thence with certain Merchants which traffiqued along the coasts of Chily We were driven from the land by a tempest and after we had beene above fifteene dayes at Sea we were shipwracked against a desert Island which is farre from the maine Land Those that could save themselves by swimming got to the Island but finding it Desert and not inhabited they saw well that they had not escaped their first shipwrack but to fall into a second Of twelve that remained of us sixe died in foure daies and the two next dayes ensuing five more followed them When I sawe my selfe alone and equally depressed with griefe and hunger I ranne to the top of a Rock to find within the waves the end of my afflictions but at the same time I descryed a great vessell in full sayle comming right to me I gave the gods praise for so unhoped a succour and descended to the haven to meere it That ship had great sayles made of Palme-leaves and many huge Anchors of wood and seemed so unwiedly and heavy that it was scarcely shooke by the Tempest It came at last into the haven and I presently besought the ayde of those were in her and by signes having made them understand the wofull estate into which I was brought I got them to succour me They tooke me very humanely into their vessell and after they had given me to eate asked me the name of the Island I made knowne that I was throwne on it by a tempest and that they should not finde therein eyther man or beast They were it seemed very much grieved at it and abode all the rest of the day in their shippe not knowing whereon to resolve At last they put to Sea againe and taking to their first course were more then thirty daies without seeing land They arrived the three and thirtieth at the Island Junagava and being knowne there made a solemne Sacrifice on the Shoare and a feast to all those of the Island that would be assistants I learnt in a small time the languâ—…ge of my Conductors and understood that parting from a great Island called Japan or Japon
then either Tigre or Lion Can I remember thy cruelties without putting my selfe into the number of so many valiant men whom thou hast destroyed But I vainely complaine on the Authors of those desolations The happy successe of their crimes makes them persever in them and their gods as insensible and barbarous as they neither hearken to the vowes nor lamentations of such as petition them for vengance I turne then to you O living Image of the fairest Princesse that hath ever worne the sacred Bandelette of the Incas and beseech you to heare the tragicall end of the great Guina Capa that so your courage excited by your compassion may goe on to continue that revenge which I before had set on foote Know then that a little while after the feigned obedience of the Quitonians the King my Lord that would have lived amongst â—…hem as a Father with his Children sent back into the Provinces of his ancient Empire the most part of the Troopes which had served for the conquest of the new and by this disarming delivered himselfe to the fury of these savage beastes For he was surprised in his Pallace murthered by these Monsters and by them devouâ—…ed if we may beleeve that which they have dared to publish The Quen was drawn through the street of Quito and out of the town expos'd to two Tigres who by a prodigy of the goodnes of heaven changing boththeir nature custome became pittifull and honored their prey insteed of devouring it I have learned from some that were present at this marvelous Spectacle that that wofull Queen was delivered among those Tygres and that she died as soone as her child was born There were that added another miracle to the former and t was that the Tigres had not onely compassion but charity for the little creature that after they had lickt it and defended it from those that would have killd it with their arrowes they forsooke it not till they saw the Infant in the hands of a troop of men who seemd to be come thither of purpose for his succour Those who were supposed to be the Subjects of the King Quasmez carried away the body of the Quene and her childe and since that tyme I haue done my utmost endeavour to recover them both but notwithstanding all the care I have taken and all the promises I have made by my Embassadors to the just Quasmez it hath not avayled me to recover nay not so much as to know what was becom of them Some few daies after the execrable paricide of Guina Capa I heard of it by some Soldyers that had sav'd themselves from the rage of the Quitonianâ—… Presently I publish'd this great Accident amongst my troupes and intymating to them my griefe and resolution I brought them into the field and went from place to place to incite the people not to leave so great a Murther unpunished In a small time I found my selfe accompanied with an army wholely composed of such men as would preserve nothing to themselves after the losse of their Princes and in that warre giving my selfe none other title then the Avenger of the royall blood of the Incas I never thought on any one of those Advantages which the King my Master had left me I weighed not the becomming a King nor that I had to deale with so many enemies so that the whole world might know with what contempt of my fortune and life I pursued those traytors which triumphed on the death of the King and the miseries of my countrymen I sent thâ—… sadd nâ—…wes to Cusco and conjured all the Incas to the revenge of their Elder Instantly I entred with my Army the country inhabited by the traytors and overwhelming to my great greefe alas the innocent with the guilty commanded that all should be put to fire and sworde Whole townes were burnt the fields laid waste and in briefe the whole kingdome of Quito became a mournfull Theater where disloyalty on the one side and vengeance on the other made shew of what they had most tragicall In the terme of five or six yeares that the Gods fauoured my attempts I reduced the Quitonian traytors to the necessity of searching in dens and the precipices of mountaynes roome and places to hide themselves from my good fortune I became absolute master of the field and but for two hundred thousand combatants which the king of Mexico sent to ayde the Quiâ—…onians I had compelled them to a Peace as dishonorable as their Rebellion was execrable These new Enemies made me alter my resolution and to march right to them to hinder their joyning with the Quitonians I drew then my Troopes from the Mountaines where they held the Rebels besieged and stayed behinde with a body of foure thousand men to hinder the excursions of those we had set at liberty On my third dayes march I fell into an ambush that those desperat traytors had layd for me and though I saw my selfe beset on all sides yet I happily freed me and cut most part of the Quitonians in peeces The heate of the fight so transported me that without consideration of the fault I committed I followed the run-awaies and so farre that at last I saw I was alone in a great Forrest Amongst the trees and rocks I lost those that I pursued and repenting my comming so farre I began to thinke on my retreate when presently I was set on by three Quitonians one of them I lâ—…yd dead at my feet forced the other two to flie In châ—…ller I followed them tending towards the reins the fatall Javelin which the great Guina Capa had left me as the last greatest token of his affection I was about to strike it through the body of the hinder most but he cast himselfe after his companion into the mouth of a Caverne The â—…ury w herein I was tooke away my judgement and thrust me into the Cave after â—…hose two Barbarians I fell very low and found my selfe so amazed with the fall that It was a pretty while ere I came to my knowledge At last I recovered my wits and saw I was in a very spacious place and in some places very light I looked all about and discrying not those that hid them there I confesse I was somewhat astonished I then thought of nothing but how to come out of that Caverne and searched so much â—…hat finding a little overture in the corner of the Rock with much a doe I got through iâ—… and came into another Cave greater and more lightsome then the rest I then thought on the King my Masters Javelin and returned for it into the first Vault I found it in the place where I fell but at that instant I know not what thought of death seising on my minde I was unwilling that a thing so precious should after my death come into the hands of my enemies I therefore resolved to leave it there and to hide it in a cleft of the
and Alisma ravished with the beauty of their enemies could not take a resolution to offend them They therefore obayed and presenting to them their weapons obliged my selfe and my companyons to give them ours too This is not enough saide the Principall of that faire Company you must now follow us and yeeld your selves prisoners to the invincible Telesmana Queene of the warlike virgins You shall not be disobeyed answered Alisma For we are both my selfe and my companions so much obliged to Telesmana that we are ready to suffer all that she shall pronounce against us This saide Zelmatida was the first that presented himselfe and consenting to have his hands bound endured Alismaes smiling at it and that I might manacle my selfe Those redoubtable enemies put us in the midst of them and so brought us to their Campe. They understood at their entry that Telesmana expected Embassadors from Quasmez and that she was to receive them with all the magnificence that she seemed to make shew of on the like occasions These news were very pleasing to them and made them resolve to take hold of that occasion and to present us to the Queene whilest she was in the state of doing justice and presently they hastened towards the Pavillions of Telesmana I must confesse to you that in no one of all the kings Courts that I have seene eyther in the one or the other world I have not taken notice of any thing so stately so rich so admirable and in a word so royall as the Guard and the Quarter of that valiant Queene It was almost a league about and twice so long as large compassed with a diâ—…ch filled with water and with a pallisadoe of high stakes There was but one entrance where two thousand Amazons were day and night in guard We entred the second Campe and passed through foure thousand warriers that stood on each side in file even to the Queenes lodging After that she who commanded our Conductors had beene with the Queene to give an accompt of the successe of her journey she returned and brought us into a great Tent which was as the Hall for Telesmanaes guard Thence we went into another that shone exceedingly with gold and diamonds There stood three rancks of Amazons armed with halfe-pike so neate and curiously gilded that they were fitter for a day of triumph then a day of combat We past by those fayre warriers and presently saw the worthy Mistresse of so illustrious Subjects She was environed with a great number of Princesses and other Ladies and seated on a throne of massie gold covered with rubies pearle and diamonds It was ascended to by six degrees of gold and silver and over it hung great plates of gold joyned together all thick set with precious stones and disposed in such a fashion that the Sun casting his beams on it made the Queene to seeme indeede as another Sun Our guards brought us to the foote of the Throne and commanded us to kneele to be examined The countenance and grace of Zelmatida and Alisma though the inequality of their ages made them farre different caused almost a like admiration in all the Assembly The Queene could not refrayne from turning her eyes on them and though she saw them not well yet confest that it was great pitty to destroy such men whose brave aspect gave sufficient testimony of their mindes and the greatnesse of their courage Yet she would be satisfied and therefore commanded Alismaes Guard to bid him stand up The generous olde Man arose and all bound as he was after five or six steps came and kneeld at the feet of the Princesse When he had cast up his eyes and that Telesmana had looked on that warlike aspect which his gray hayres made venerable she shewed a great deale of greife that she must be constrayned to condemn that man to death against her owne naturall sweetnesse Notwithstanding it behooved her to goe against her owne inclynation and to resolve it Yet before she would give the sentence of death she tolde him that if his courage did not bely his countenance he should shewe it on this occasion and patiently undergoe the disaster whereinto he and his companions were then fallen For know said she that by an irrevocable Decree made by me above sixteen yeares since I have condemned all men that should fall into my hands to be burn'd alive The respect due to my sex which that of yours hath violated in mine owne person and my childrens compells me to avenge my selfe on men with more rigour then any doth ordinarily inflict on his enemies But let them for all accuse their owne inhumanity that was the first cause of it Yes cruell and inhumane as you are yes Monsters that make Nature to blush for producing you you have been so barbarous as neither to have mercy on a woman whom the gods caused to be borne the fairest and wisest Princesse of the world nor on her infant yet a part of her selfe doe not wonder then if after so many and so great wrongs I betake me to a just vengeance and make no difficulty of massacring the innocent for feare of letting escape any one that is guilty Now you know my resolution and your owne destiny tell me who you are and what sad fortune hath cast you into the hands of my women Alisma not â—…ffecting that insensibility which makes all things indifferent and yet free from that â—…eare which brings a change of colour in the face and a stammering in the speech answered the Queene thus If my companions and my selfe had beene lesse accustomed then we are to the outrages of fortune we would complaine now of this her new plotted treason But being dayly at warres with her we will try to get the victory by our constancy and never more finde fault with her betrayings Yet we must confesse that this last treachery is horrible for we beleeved her not false enough to corrupt our best friends and to provide Goales and tortures for us where we came to seeke for repose and protection Yes great Queene we came into this Kingdome to finde a Sanctuary against fortune and have heere some helpes against our enemies I name not these considerations to wooe your pity nor doe we love life so well to preserve it by wiles You have commanded me to say who I am I will obey you and by that obedience make you confesse that fortune is yet a more cruell enemy then I have spoake her I he City of Cusco claimes my birth I am honored by being descended from the race of the Sun and to be Grandchilde to the coelestiall Mango Capa If since the death of the great Guina Capa you have beene pleased to heare related the misfortunes that followed the losse of that Prince and your incomparable Daughter I doubt not but you have heard of the name of Alisma The Queene much moved at that name how said she are you that Alisma who called your selfe the Avenger of
a little while that he might at â—…is pleasure embrace the King his Master and for some 〈◊〉 enjoy the â—…ght of the yong Guina Capa And that after so much contentment he wouâ—… walke to his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with all joy and glory and esteeme himselfe the happiest of all men living The King insisted to aske Alismaes life The spectators of eyther sex made resound againe their joy and wonder and her Pallace was all in rejoycings and confusion such as I thinke the History of all ages cannot give us an accident comparable with it The Queene when the tumult was over entertayning the while Zelmatida particularly sent to command every one to take his place and when all were ranged she went againe into her Throne and pronounced these words aloude The supposed death of the great Guina Capaes lawfull Heire wrought by the malice of men wonne me not only to make a lawe which condemned to death all men that fell into my hands but likewise to denounce a warre against the King Quasmez my brother and ancient Ally But this finding againe my sonne by the helpe of men I will That lawe be for ever abolished and putting a period to the war I undertooke I acknowledge my selfe answerable to Quasmez and give him most particular thanks for so charitably gathering together the remainder of my desolate house When she had thus made knowne her will she descended from her Throne and taking Zelmatida by the hand gave Alisma and my selfe the best entertainment we could wish Quasmez Embassadours ravished with so incredible and such an unexpected revolution of businesse did their complements to Zelmatida as to the rightfull successour of the Incaes and besought Telesmana that she would be pleased they might send their Master these good news I my selfe said he will be the Messenger of our common happinesse let therefore some one of you returne to Quasmez and without giving him intelligence of what hath happened tell him that I am on the way to visite him The youngest of the Embassadours had that Commission and presently departed to put it in execution A little after the Queene went out of her Campe holding Zelmatida by the one hand and Alisma by the other Quasmez Embassadours were on each side of her and the Queenes guard crowned with chaplets of flowres encompassed that illustrious company In this manner we marched to the gates of the City where Quasmez expected us and in the incertainty he was failed not of that extreme quietnes of minde which even the most miserable find in the testimony of a good conscience and firme confidence every one ought to have in the goodnesse of the gods Telesmana at her comming to him presented Zelmatida and after their salute See said she the cause of the warre and the cause of peace See what hath made me take up armes and that which hath made me lay them downe I know just and charitable Quasmez that Zelmatida is my sonne as well as yours and if your love and care have made you taken for his Father blood and nature oblige me to declare my selfe his Mother Quasmez not knowing where first to expresse his joy and the proofes of his aâ—…ction whether to the Mother or to the Sonne would have beene glad at once to have parted himselfe betwixt Telesmana and Zelmatida Your imagination better then my relation can represent to you all the particularities of this interview I will not therfore speake of the Sacrifices nor magnificencies wherewithall Quasmez caused the returne of Zelmatida and the peace to be celebrated Let it suffice I tell you the Queene of the Amazons was a moneth with Quasmez and after she had witnessed to him an extreame resentment for those obligations she was bound to him in the behalfe of Zelmatida she with a royall pompe and convoy tooke thence the body of the Queene heâ—… daughter tooke leave of him and stayed not till she came to the City of Quito Zelmatida who followed her by Quasmez appointment after two daies stay in that town was importuned by Alisma to goe to the Caverne of the Javelyn He consented and we three parted thence with our ordinary servants beginning that journey which the generous old man had beene so long desired We travelled night and day and tooke but little rest till we came to the Cave that concealed so many marvels We found not the entry so easy as Alisma had told us but contrarily as soone as we came neere it were set on by a great Troop of Quitonians who by their howlings enraged actions signified an extreame apprehension of our arivall Zelmatida making use of the good Sword I gave him at Calcicoëca which the Amazons had restored to him slew so many of those desperate people that what he did even passeth all likelyhood Alisma old as he was made shew of his former vigour and I that was willing to defend my life tryed to make use of those advantages that I had fetcht so farre off But the wonderfull valour of Zelmatida and his consorts strength had beene vaine against so many enemies iâ—… the wisedome of Telesmana had not seconded the boldnesse of her sonne For as soone as she knew of his private departure she caused two thousand Amazons to follow him and commanded they should not returne without him Those generous Ladies fell in on the Quitonians when we were covered with wounds and round beset on all sides and drove them to the entry of the Caverne Zelmatida much moved with his owne disgrace put himselfe in the front of the Amazons and did so wonderfull deeds of armes that since they called him the God of warre At last he forced the caves enâ—…t left not one of the Quitonians alive Alisma entred next after him and â—…an â—…o the place where he had hid the fatall Iavelin He had much a doe to draw it out Yet at last he got it but he was much astonished when he returned to Zelmatida and sawe him busied in delivering a Prisoner He gazed on the man and presently letting fall the Iavelin out of his hand cryed out am I asleepe or doe I wake Is this a truth or a illusion that I see my Lord my deare Lord is it your selfe or your shadowe doe you know your Alisma or wot you who t is that vndoes your bonds Zelmatida was about to ask Alisma the reason of his astonishment when said the Prisoner takeing the generous old man by the hand t is even I Alisma who after so long imprisonment and a hundred times escaping the death prepared for me see my selfe freed by the valour of this brave yong man Doe you live then my Lord replyed Alisma Have you escaped the rage of your enemies Have the Gods preserved you among so many Executioners shall I beleeve it Yes O yee just Gods I will said he falling on his knees and acknowledging more and more that your incomprehensible providence governes by unknowne meanes the accidents of the worlde I will employ all
Incas If I follow this councell I make my selfe unworthy of the honor which the fairest Princesse of the world hath done me and rightly deserve that the glory of freeing her from prison be for ever taken from me But my deare Garruca I will not indure to be dazeled with such false lights for the charme of worldly greatnesse which troubles weake spirits can doe nothing on a soule that is full with those of Isatida Imparting to me thus his resolution he prepared to be gone and that Guina Capa and Telesmana should give way to it represented to them that without ingratitude he could not stay longer from giving thankes to Quasmez for so many favours he had received from him Telesmana could not approve of that journey but Guina Capa who hath the same generosity and thoughts with his Son gave him the permission he desired and with a great equipage sent him to Quasmez Court Zelmatida was received there not only as the Son of a great King but as the only Son of Quasmez The joy for his returne was generall and the good Quasmez with the Queene his wife seemed â—…o have forgotten their Daughter so glad were they at Zelmatida's arrivall But he that found himselfe guilty of the displeasure which those good Princes would not make him any shew of one day thus spoake to them I know whereto your affection and my duty bindes me I owe you my life and my fortune Beleeve not that I am so wicked as to forget that I likewise owe you the Princesse Xaira Thereupon he recounted to them all that he had done at Mexico and after that long discourse know said he that I am going presently to free that Princâ—…sse from the hands of your enemies Quasmez and the Queene did their utmost to divert him from so perillous a journey But Zelmatida falling at their feet either said he take from me the life you have preserved or permit me not to respect it as a continuall race of cowardise and ingratitude No no Zelmatida must perish or Xaira must be set at liberty The day after this he tooke leave of the two amiable Princes and without any other company save Bereamis some slaves and my selfe marched right to Mexico Whilst he was on the way he continued in so exâ—…raordinary a melancholy that it began to be troublesome to me But t was soone after knowne to be the presage of my deare Masters eternall affliction As soone as we came to the Frontires of Mexico we so disguised our selves that we could not be knowne and so kept on the most unfortunate and saddest journey that shall ever be made We were all so disconsolate that it seemed we were going to execution Zelmatida had disquiets which tooke away his strength of travelling yet would he never stay He wept every moment and sometimes being recalled from his musings by the redoubling of his griefes Isatida cried he pitifully how doe I feare the malice of those who have alwaies envied your virtue and my happinesse The neerer I come to the place where you should be the more my affrights and afflictions are augmented If nothing most dismall had betided the hope I have to see you had not beene crossed by those feares and horrors which inviron me His sighes often tooke away his meanes of speech and the dispaire to which he had given himselfe over failed little oftentimes of killing him by the way At last he came to Mexico and understood as soone as we were entred that all the Court was in mourning for the death of Isatida What became of the King thinke you at this sad newes It happened not to him that which is common to all men which are surprised by an unexpected accident He caused not the bringer of that frightfull newes to repeate the name of Isatida nor did he aske him whereof she died But on the contrary in lieu of questioning or complaining on the instant his sighes teares and wonted griefes stopped He gazed on us with his eyes open and wandring and at the same time his excesse of sorrow becomming absolute Master of his senses there was left him nothing of all the functions of life but that which during a long swounding gives a little signe that the party is not yet dead After what we applied had recovered him he commanded me to goe through the Towne to learne of what sicknesse Isatida died and intreated me that in acknowledgement of that affection he bore me I would be able to give him an accompt of all that he should aske me touching that dismall occasion I left him with Bereamis and went to get intelligence of a thing that was already but too much knowne to me By chance I met with a Courtier and growing acquainted with him I began to set him on discourse of the Princesse death and he told me all the particulars Presently I returned to Zelmatida and assured him that nothing had passed in the death of Isatida but what was common to all That she had beene but a while sick that after her death she had beene enclosed in the stately Tombe of the Kings of Mexico which is in the great Temple of Vacipala That her losse had beene generally lamented and that Montezuma and Hismalita came expresly from Mexico to Vacipala to the Funerall of the Princesse What hence forward hast thou to doe in the world miserable Zelmatida cryed the King Die now as one desperate coward and disloyall as thou art since thou hadst not the heart to expire as an honest man But if thou be not altogether ignoble leave not unpunished the death of the most accomplished Princesse of the world Avenge that Innocent whom thou hast murthered Cover Mexico with men of armes and by a generall desolation make that great King nothing but Isatidaes Sepulchre Here he grew silent and a little after turning his eyes on me Fortune said he then Garruca hath given me but imaginary 〈◊〉 to take from me that which was reall He cast his eyes up to heaven after he had 〈◊〉 said and so standing as fixed seemed to attend that death which he had already so often times implored At last he came to himselfe and desiring to be no longer at Mexâ—…co departed though it were night and kept on travelling till hee arrived at Vacipala The first thing he did after he came thither was to goe see Isatidaes Tombe he embraced it he threw himselfe on it and uttered such words as would make you die with griefe did I repeate them he passed a day and a night lamenting in this dismall place and remained so long fastened to the Tombe that Bereamis and I thought we should have made it his with much force we got him thence and by our remonstrances won him not to shew himselfe by day for feare that being knowne he might be the cause of his own losâ—…e and his followers He made us well judge by his discourse that if he had been alone or that he had loved us
lesse he would not have much cared for hiding himselfe But for our sakes he resolved not to stirre but by night And indeed failed not the next following to steale from us to goe and continue his lamenâ—…ations neere that fatall Sepulchre The care we had of him sufferedus not to sleepe long We waken'd as he went forth and followed him for feare some mishappe might beâ—…de him As soone as he came into the Temple he ran to Isatidaes Tombe as one mad and draâ—…ing his sword stood a while speechlesse Presently he threw himselfe on the grounâ—… and after he had above a hundred times called on the name of Isatida spoke these words aloud What have I now to doe faire Soule but to follow you and aâ—…andon those places that are deprived of the onely thing which made them amiable But how can I resolve to leave a place that is filled with your selfe You are not dead Isatida I see every where heere the lustre of your faire eyes T is their preâ—…ence that gives me the beames that enlighten me All this gold shines not but because it encompasseth you and these diamonds have none other fire but that which you lend them But O vaine consolations O discourse unworthy a reasonable man Thou 〈◊〉 now no more Isatida but gone for ever That faire body which charmed â—…e Sences is separated from that sweet soule which so imperiously reigned over mine That complexion so fresh and lively hath but one of is colours or to say true haâ—…h lost â—…hem all and those eyes that could not be seene without love are shut up that their change should not be noted for in lieu of being the throne of love 〈◊〉 they were living are â—…ow become his tombe for he is dead with them Come see what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 done inhumane Father And thou barbarous mother approach and see how weâ—… 〈◊〉 knâ—…w â—…o end what you have begun This is the instaâ—… that shall free you from those 〈◊〉 which your unhappy jealousies threw on you And thou Isatida whose name 〈◊〉 have for the last time in my mouth if it be not a horror to thee to â—…urne thâ—… eyes from heaven where thou dwellest and cast them on this abhominable Earth behold thy Zalmatida ready to follow thee and to follow thee in such a sort that there shall be no more any consideration noâ—… tyrany able to divide him from thee Come then 〈◊〉 thâ—… pâ—…as faire Soule and receive the other halfe of thy selfe and thinke it noâ—… 〈◊〉 to accomplish the promise you have so solemnly made me After he had said thus he arose and chusing the place where he intended to strike was falling on the point of his Sword when I caught him behinde and turning away the unfortunate weâ—…pon hiâ—…dred the greatest death that all the foregoing ages have bemoaned He fell 〈◊〉 iâ—…o a great choler but as soone as he had recollected himselâ—…e my deare 〈◊〉 said he I beleeved not that after your testimoniall of so much affection to me you would have discovered your haâ—…red at a time when I desired to make use of your courage What would â—…ou should become of me and why think you it not fit that one sole moment effect that which doubtlesly some houres shall or at least some dayes which you will needs add to my miserable life I made no answer at all but Bereamis representing the wrong he would doe his reputation to kill himself in lieu of resolving on a revenge worthy himselfe and his Mistris knew so well to make him waver by so many different reasons that he wonne him and brought him out of the Temple When we were returned to our lodging and that we saw him fit to heare us we strove to lenify his afflictions and a little to divert his cogitations intended to get him to depart the next day But when we proposed it to him he forbad us to speake of it and was eight daies intire to hearken after nothing but his griefes and to doe nought else but moysten with his teares the gold and pretious stones on Isatidaes tombe At last overcome by our importunities he resolved to be gone Yet upon this condition that wee should not speake to him either of Kingdomes nor of warre nor other matters that might divert his sorrow and wee on the contrary told him that he could not sufficiently lament his losse and so by little and little flattering his affliction wee tooke of all that it had most dangerous and made us capable to be hearkned to From Vacipala even to the Port where in coming from Cuba we had left our vessell wee had none other discourse but of Isatida Zelmatida recounted to us all the Graces she had living then told us the charms of her conversation anon the vivacity of her wit He extolled the knowledge she had in what ever was good and forgot nothing of all that which might make her to be beleeved for more then mortal At last after we had long traveled with much affliction wee came to the Port I last spoke of Our Mariners ravished with joy to see us after so long absence ran to salute Zelmatida to expresse their contentment but he looked on them as strangers nay even as enemies and could scarce abide the prayers they made for his preservation He went aboord and entred into the same Cabine wherein Bajazet first saw him I acquainted the Mariners in few words with all that which had befalne us and then went to Zelmatida to know what he intended Let 's be gone said he and lose our selves farre enough from a World wherein I finde nothing but new causes of despayre Let us fly from the unfortunate Quasmez from the happy Guina Capa and never more see those that may hereafter give us a sillable of consolation In a word let us seeke out death I perceived by his speeches that to irritate his melancholly was to lose him I therefore commanded my Mariners to steere for the Island of Hayty and did it of purpose to finde amongst the Spanyards some diversion that might be sufficient to cure the despayre of my Master In the meane while I was still with him and intended for feare of offending not to speake a word but when he should command me Our shippe was no sooner in full Sea but the winde shifted and made the Saylors feare a great Tempest For how could our voyage be happy when the good fortune of my Lord the Inca forsooke him at his comming forth of Quito It continued foule all night and the day following we lost sight of land and our Martiners now no more Masters abandoned the shippe to the mercy of the Sea The king was insensible of whatsoever was spoke to him But when one told him that we were certainly like to perish and that there was no more hope of safety I aske nought else said he and am where I have long wished me the only thing that grieves me in this accomplishment of my
Iphidamantus as well as Polexander and Zelmatida was deceived in the explication of those words They tooke them as if Bajazet had a desire to live but that passion which cannot be praised in a brave courage was too much contemned by him to cause thence the least lament in the world He shewed an anger that his weakenesse had surmounted him at that time and strove againe to take the little paper and the cover of the box which he felt in his bed Faine would he have shut the box and put in the little Roll he had but Polexander helped him since Bajazet found himselfe unable to doe it As soone as he had put backe the box where 't was wont to be he cast his eyes on the Princes and holding his hand out weakely to them see said he how fortune playes with us and our hopes But what It is no lesse injustice to complaine of her cruelties then here is of weakenesse if we follow her when she smiles Whilst he spake thus Diceus was behind Polexander who intreated him to hinder Bajazet from further talking Polexander wrought so that Bajazet tooke notice of Diceus and so fitly that it tooke effect Indeed the generous sick-man apperceiving it I am still said he and so on all hands that your eyes aske my silence Yes my friends I grant you that favour as I would doe you greater were I in the same case I was three dayes since During this sad converse the night came on and every one thought it best to leave Bajazet to his rest There were no more but the Princes and five or six of Bajazets most affectionate servants that staied neere him His Chyrurgions watched with him till day breake and thought it fit to take off the second dressing Polexander Iphidamantus and Zelmatida came in when they were on that resolution They intreated Bajazet patiently to suffer the paine they might put him too and assured him he should soone be in far better health Bajazet only smiled at that discourse and let the Chyrurgions doe what they pleased Diceus himselfe having seene the dangerous wound was in as little hope as the rest And the Princes seeing in what extremity their friend lay could not so well containe themselves but that they let fall some teares as often as they turned their eyes on him He alone was the man least sensible of his hurt and who looked on the dressing of his wound with so great a strength of spirit that you might have said he saw some strangers body dressed or that his owne was impassible Whosoever came neere him he presently comforted and by his ordinary remonstrances left them nothing to say that came prepared to resolve him for death The day ensuing this dangerous night was no more favourable to him then thâ—… three former The Fever left him not his ravings redoubled and all his friends looked on him as they had already seene him in his coffin After so many ill houres the fourth and fift dressing gave his friends the hope they had lost and Bajazet himselfe confessed that he found some kind of ease He would not lose that good moment and therfore prayed that instantly some should advertise all his Captaines that before his death â—…e desired to have once more the contentment to see them and to instruct them in â—…ose things which were necessary for their common safety and his particular consolation His command was executed with an extreame diligence and two houtes after his chamber was full of those old Corsaries who by their long services had attained 〈◊〉 the charges of the sea and war Bajazet seeing them about his bed caused the curtaines to be opened and shewing to all a constancy that death it selfe was not able to shake in this manner spoke to them I have not my Companions sent for you to be witnesses of the consent I bring to this inexorable necessity which wills that I forsake with the command that you gave me the felicities I promised my selfe from your 〈◊〉 and assistance To speake in generall there is a great deale of glory to looke on death with contempt and to receive it with pleasure But when a man hath lived some time among you this vulgar magnanimity loseth the most part of his luster and wee learne that the contempt of life and death is but the first essay of courage to which yet you beleeve there is due not the meanest praises I dye then without telling you that 〈◊〉 sorrow not for life and that of all the afflictions which my precipitated destiny throwes on me I will disclose to you only two since I cannot bury them with me without losing that repose which accompanieth the eternity of the second life The one is the griefe to dye before I had acquitted me of the extraordinary obligations by which you have plucked me from the outrages of fortune and made me conceive high hopes in the very extremity of my despaire The other which not to lye to you would make me wish for a continuation of life if that wish could preserve me is that I dye ingratefull and perjured and leaving in danger an innocent which my fury hath ingaged my death makes me guilty of her losse and throwes on my memory the curses of all faithfull soules T is in your power my friends to free me of these troubles to hinder the crimes which destiny would have me perpetrate to disengage my faith to save mine honour and in briefe that after death I may live love and fight Promise me then but sweare it to me by the holynesse of your great Prophet that without any further particular information of those things wherein I would engage you You will execute them under the command of Polexander and Iphidamantus Interrupt me my friends and give me if you please the last proofe of your generous obedience Bajazet could goe no further the vehemency of his action having exhausted the little strength that was left in him He was therefore constrained to lye downe againe and to shut his eyes to stay his spirits that began to be dissipated Polexander and his brother that were at his beds head gave him some ease and intreated the Pirates by their usuall generosity not to deliberate longer on so just a request Bajazet opened his eyes at the speech of those two Heroës and witnessing by his sighes how impatiently he waited for the Rovers answer either hasten said he by a favourable blow that lingering moment that must give an end to my feares and wishes or graunt me that which I aske you that so without any despaire I may endure the flownesse of that clocke which must strike the houre of my departure The Pirates unwilling that their Generall should againe solicit them at once lifted up their hands for a signe that they accorded to what he requested them Those that were neerer to him spake for the rest and told him that God was too just to heare the prayers of Mahomets enemies and to
I lost in the world Heereupon I began to speake and desiring to engage the Hermit to relate his Story You must Father said I if you please take the paines to expresse your self more plainly if you desire to give me the satisfaction of understanding you I would say that passing from these generall propositions to circumstances more particular you would let me know of what nature was the happinesse you have lost and of what kinde that is which you have recovered in your solitude I will obey you Madam said the Dervis though by an expresse commandment from the spirit who conducted me into this Desart if it be forbidden me to publish the secrets of my solitary retreat Know then that I am the Son of a Shepheard who in times past had great and numerous flocks and many strong inclosed pastures in the large Plaines of Numidia The care he had of his beloved sheepe was the cause of his death for being too wilfull in the pursuite of some wilde beastes that would devoure them he himselfe became a prey to those savage Monsters I was left an Orphant by that dismall accident and my tender yeares being not proportionable to the paines that it behooved me to take for the preservation of my flock I left them to the mercy of their enemies and went wandring and desolate through places and Countryes to me altogether unknowne This miserable and wandring life having brought me to such an extremity that I wished for death a hundred times in a day Our great Prophet all shining with as many rayes as he had when he was carried up into heaven appeared to me on the sea strand and taking me up from where I was fallen take heart said he and be not weary of living The superiour power is mooved with thy disfavours and see his comforts come showring downe to sweeten the bitternesse of thy life When he had said thus he vanished and presently I saw glistring through a thicke cloud an Angell more bright then the light it selfe He deigned to be the companion and guide of my Journeys and within a few dayes bounding them by a gift he gave me of an infinite more value then all the goods I had lost promised me too that I should enjoy it till my death Alas I dare say and yet hope I blaspheme not that truth is no where but in Heaven and that even an Angell is not alwaies to be beleeved if he be not in that unchangeable abode I held me most certainely assured of the eternity of my happinesse when my Angell sad and heavy came and pitifully told me that a spirit sent from above for the chasticement of my offences was to constraine him to forsake me Ah! My Angell cryde I doe not leave me And if I have deserved to be punished let me yet in my torments have the consolation to behold thee I have long resisted this black Angell replyde mine Angell of light but there is power given him to overcome me and to torment thee With this my Angell gave a great shrieke and by force was compelled to leave me to the mercy of the most to be feared by Demons that the eternall justice makes use of for the punishing of mankinde I lost with my good Angell all the happinesse and delight that his company gave me and have lived ever since so miserable and tormented that to free me from my persecutor I intended to have killed my selfe A stronger arme then mine staied that blow and the voice of my absent Angell whispring me sometimes in my eare said come into the Desart com into the Desart 't is there where thou shalt recover what thou hast lost I beleeved his promises and streight forsaking the world retyrde me into these Mountaines The Dervis here stopping and I know not what new curiosity obliging me to speake But said I since you have been in these Desarts hath not your Angell performed that which he promised you He hath not only replied the Hermit rendred me the greatest part of the goods I lost but in an apparition said thus himselfe Hope and live The expiation of thy offences is almost accomplished I shall shortly have the freedome to be with thee I am now here but in feare since for my too much loving thee I have gone beyond that which is commanded me from above That faire Angell flew away as soone as he had in this manner comforted me But in that little time he was with me he gave me that contentment that to finish where I begun I can assure you that at this instant I am reestablished in the true possession of that good which I lost in the world Nephizus taking this Dervis for a foole and that his melancholy and austerity made him take these visions for realities would needes see how farre his extravagancies would extend and therefore said he but if it be so as you assure us how is it possible that in one same time when you suffered so many afflictions that at every moment they brought you to the graves brincke and yet in the meane while as you say you enjoyed such happinesse that you even dare to compare them with those which our great Prophet prepares for us in Paradise You might well have resolved the question your selfe said the Dervis if you had looked on me not by what I seeme but by that which I am You beleeve I differ not from other men and 't is that deceives you But I am composed of two different Personages I have one Nature which is proper to me and another which is accidentall Ther 's a strange substance inseperably knit to mine In a word another my selfe lives in me in the same manner as I live in my selfe and as it happens sometimes that nature thrusts into the world bodies which are so lincked the one to the other that they cannot be seperated but by their common dissolution and yet are agitated in one and the same time with divers passions So you see in me a strange concourse or to speake as I ought a miraculous medley of a man and an Angell of a man extreamely afflicted and of another happy When I speake to you of the infinite pleasures that I enjoy in this solitary life I talke to you in the person of that most happy â—…rt of my selfe and when I complaine of my suffrings I speake to you in the name of â—…e person afflicted In full and not to hold you longer in this unpleasing discourse I râ—…joyce that I am perfectly happy in my selfe and I am afflicted for being extreamely unfortunate in another Nephizus gathering nothing from this intricate discourse but a confirmation of the Dervis his folly left him and told me that if I tooke pleasure in the extravagancyes of a mad man I had found a meanes for my often diversion Though I was not of the same opinion with the Dervis yet in shew I forgot not to approve of Nephizus opinion and to laugh with him at the
Muley was in the Grott where you met him For some six moneths since desperate of ever hearing any more ought concerning you he resolv'd to take on him the habite of a Dervis and under that vaile to come himselfe and know whither you had need of his service or had absolutely forgotten him Presently he understood the inhumane usage you had from Nephizus and instantly resolv'd to revenge you But letting me know his generous design by his faith full Acmett who every day is here for wearing the same habit of an Hermit as his Master and comming to aske almes he hath the liberty to come in when he list I forced him to undertake any thing without your permission and assur'd him that I would worke things soe that he should have the happinesse to see you I durst not tell you of this because knowing your severity I imagined that rather then to suffer Muley so neare to you you would have consented to his death nay even to your owne All that I could doe for the consolation of that miserable man was to winne you insensibly to visit the Hermits of youâ—… mountaines and by that cunning to bring you to the Caverne of Muley Hassen My plot as I understand hath taken very good effect and I finde that I have well acquitted my selfe of that which I ought for you to the constancy of that Prince T is now your part to perfect the rest After Atalida had thus spoken I began to be very angry with her and threatned to write to Nephizus what dis-service she had done him The generous Mayde without leaving her former coolenesse answered and that very sharply I should be angry for being angry and that I was to remember how in parting from Morocco I had absolutely commanded her not to abandon Muleys interest but to serve him notwithstanding all or any of my commands to the contrary But t is not enough said shee yet that you know he is here advise and bethinke you what you will have him doe If you will command him he will breake open your prison free you from your Tyrant and bring you back to Tunis In a word he will kill the Tyrant in the midst of your guards and in the very armes of his Father Hold thee cried I execrable Atalida Hast thou no otherwise profited by my precepts and Example Dost thou not know that the only thought of those crimes thou proposest is an offence that cannot be expiated but by death I am ill used I confesse but he that treats me so hath right to doe it My prison and fetters are sacred If I doe but consent to have them broken I am a miscreant and jmpious T is true Nephizus is a Tyrant but t is a Tyrant which the Lawes Authorize and which the Heavens and my honour command me to respect What would you have Muley doe then replyed rudely enough Atalida Let him returne to Mezila said I and suffer forme as I doe for him You may well take the paynes if you please answered my deare Atalida-to give him that command your selfe and you were best to resolve on 't for he will never obey it if he receive it not from your owne moutâ—… I shall have power enough for that said I and though I shall seem to wrong Nephizus in seeing him yet having never given him ought but my body I doe not think that in speaking with Muley I take from him any thing that is his But this interview must be quickly that I may be freed of this miserable man before the returne of Nephizus This resolution was executed the fifth day after it was taken I made a match of hunting with Narcissus and fortune was so favourable that the Lion we had in chase took the way to Muleys Cavern and was long fought withall in the straight way that lead to the Cavern I found my selfe almost alone at his death and comming then from horsback with Atalida and two of my guard I told them that I would goe see the Hermit til Narcissus came to us I found him indeed rather dead then alive The manner of my last parting from him had been so sensible to him that he avowed but for the designe he had to free me from my bondage he had freed himselfe of his life T is true said he in spanish that I have none other will then yours and that I receive with far more resolution those afflictions that come from your hand then those that are sent me from heaven But even that which makes you imagin I should suffer all is it that obligeth and commands me more imperiously not to endure those injuryes you receive from a Tyrant However banished persecuted or miserable I am yet I have too much happynesse since I enjoy the felicity of being alwaies in your remembrance When I looke on my selfe on that side I doe not murmure But when I goe out of the least part of my selfe to fix my selfe on the fairest which is you be pleased faire Ennoramita that I say so I presently feele al the displeasures and suffer all those torments I told you of somewhat obscurely in our pass'd conversations And to weigh things well can there be a condition more to be lamented then that of a Lover who knowes that for being too much affected the person that does him that favour is exposed to all the outrages of fortune to the persecutions of a husband and the contempt of a father Surely Madam he which sees so great miseryes and certainely knowes who is the Author of them deserves to be the hatred and horror of his age if he be so cowardly as to live Suffer me then to die and revoke the command you made me to indure my shame and your captivity or at least give way that I attempt the meanes that are left me to witnes to you my fidelity No Muley said I I never revoke what I have once resolv'd and give you no other freedome then that you sigh for my sufferings to complaine on your fortune and attend patiently when she wil change either one way or other O rigorous commands said the Prince to how many new tortures are you about to expose the unfortunate Muley Since you have resolution enough said I not to reject those lawes which I my selfe finde to be extreamely cruel I will give you those which are more mild Love me ever despaire not to obtaine the recompence your faithfulnes deserves and remember that Ennoramita is so just and so acknowledging that rather then she will fayle Muley she will be false to her selfe Doe not promise me an thing Madam said he if you please t is to through me back into my former afflictions to signify to me â—…his excesse of goodnes The more generous you are the more weake I acknowledg my selfe and the more obligeing you are I am the more Ingratefull O Heaven and earth Ennoramita you heape on mee all good and I am the cause of all
Nephizus hath unworthily repudiated me The Old Narcissus hearing these last words of Ennoramita lifted his hands to his eies to cope thence his teares and having often sighed My Lord said he to Polexander casting himself at his feet I should be unworthy that Name of a faithfull Servant which this Princesse vouchsaf'd to give me if even in that trouble and astonishment which her presence causeth in me I did not preserve enough of Judgement to give to her Innocence that testimony she expects from my mouth True Sir this Princesse deserves to be protected since she is unjustly prosecuted But J am deceiv'd in saying so She hath no more need of protection for shee hath not any persecuter Narcissus in saying so renew'd his teares and was a long time ere he could dry them Ennoramita moved with the sorrow of that Man who had alwayes mildly treated her besought Polexander to retire into his Closset that Narcissus might tell him in private those things that were not fit to be published The Eunuch joyn'd his intreaties to those of the Princesse and Polexander arising led her into his chamber Narcissus follow'd them and every one retâ—…ring to leave them at liberty The good old man moistning againe his leâ—…n cheekes with a long current of tears on this manner began the History of Nephizus Secrets That eternall Justice which is not allwaies fear'd because it is not allwayes busied in the punishing of wicked men hath at last made the poor Prince of Fez to feele that it chastiseth with a great severity when it long time defers his punishments That power made him fall into the pit which himselfe had digged and to make it selfe re-doubtableto those Princes that live hath suffered one of the greatest Princes of Affrica to dye so miserably that even to this houre we can know no other thing of him but that he is dead What doe you tell me cride Perselida What Narcissus is the Prince of Fez dead He is dead Madam reply'd the Eunuch weeping and all that I can say of his unhappy end is that he hath served for food to the Monsters of the Ocean Ennoramita made it well appeare on this occasion that a generous Soule is out of her Element when she is constraind either to resent her of the injuries or to deny her compassion to those which are fallen though justly into any mis-fortune No sooner was the Princesse assured of the death of her greatest enemy but she lost the memory both of all the wrong she had received and the protestations she had made to be avenged for them She remain'd a while recollected in her selfe and casting downe her eyes would have hid the teares that a true greife drew from her At last she declared her selfe and after divers sighes I confesse said she with a marvelous moderation that I cannot chuse but bewayle the unfortunate death of that young Prince J forgive him with all my heart the wrong he hath done me and beseech the dreadfull Majesty before whom he is to give an account of the actions of his life not to deale with him according to the rigor of his Justice Polexander admir'd this excesse of goodnesse and praysing so fair a change intreated Perselida to be pleas'd that he might be cleard of a thing he had heard in Bajazets Jsland The Princesse replyde that he might doe all that he thought fit Thereupon Polexander tooke the old Eunuch by the hand and intreated him to tell why Nephizus had forsaken his country and his wife and whither it were on the Mediterranean Sea or the maine Ocean that they thought he had suffered shipwrack I can satisfy your curiosity replyde Narcissus and in doing so shall acquit my selfe of that whereto my Soveraigne Lady lately engaged me Ennoramita having bestow'd farre more then she owed to the memory of her marriage set her neer to Polexander and Narcissus related to them what they desired to know in these termes About a yeere before I left you in the Pallace of the Desert sayde he addressing him to the Princesse of Tunis my Lord the King waâ—… solicited by Abdelmelec to renew their ancient intelligence and by a necessary warre to free their country and even their Father from the slavery wherein five or six Tyrants made them to languish Nephizus who was but too facile to be carried to any mischiefe met with his brother and by a parricidiall resolution engag'd himselfe to put the kinde and meeke Hely from his Throne and make him renounce by force that authority which he kept too long This Attempter had the successe he deserved for Nephizus forces were discomfited and himselfe taken prisoner But the too indulgent Hely unwilling to consent either to the death or imprisonment of his rebellious Sonne satisfied himselfe with keeping him under guard some few dayes after which never remembring what had passed he shewed him more love and more confidence then before and utterly to undoe him the too facile and weak Hely shewed him I dare not say indiscreetly a young wonder of whom as old as he was he was become passionately amorons I would tell you the story of that fatall beauty because t is most strange but it serving nothing to my purpose I will content my selfe with the relating to you that she arrived on the coasts of Morrocco in the midst of the flames of a burning ship as presaging the fires and flames that she was to kindle in that country Nephizus had noe sooner seen that stranger but he not only trod under foot the respect he was bound to carry to the passion of his father but he forgot that which he lawfully ought to love and what he had other times affected The desire to enjoy this stranger wholy possessing him and making him to lose all reason he thought that by cunning and glosing it might be easie for him to come to the End of his pretentions and being young and faire should without much difficulty get this marvell out of the hands of the good old man his Father But after he had imployed in it all his wits and all his confidents he found himselfe farre short of his reckoning For having to doe with an old Man jealous suspectfull and sensuall and by consequence that was igno rant in nothing that was to be practisd to win a woman his wyles were soone discovered and he to save his life constrained to fly At that time he writ to mee by one of his Mutes that I should shut you up more strictly then before and in saying thus he bow'd his head to Ennoramita's foot that I should not suffer you to be seene by any body and on the penalty of my life I should not suffer any person whatsoever to come neere the Advenues of your prison He writ me not the cause of that rigorous command but I discovered it since Abdelmelec took me into his service I will tel it you because it serves for the cleering of many things which may have come
to your knowledg and besides having oftentimes examin'd it I found in it so much I know not what of incredible and so prodigious that I call it doubt so often as I thinke on it though have had the confirmation from a thousand witnesses worthy of faith See what t was and Judge whether I have cause to speake as I doe Nephizus inflam'd with love with Despite Anger and Shame arm'd more powerfully and openly then he dar'd doe till then and having gotten the principall Townes to give colour to his detestable rebellion publish'd a Manifest against Hely which I Cannot remember but my hayr riseth an end with the horror thereof Among the great number of crimes whereof he accused that poore Prince he reproach'd him with the stealing of you away to satisfy his execrable lust and maintayned that she whom they cunningly call'd the stranger Iphidamanta was the true Perselida Amatonta Ennoramita Princess of Tunis The people were not the sole who suffering themselves to be corrupted by that malignity which is but too naturall to them gave credit to so prodigious a calumny but many of the principal in the state either beleev'd it or to have cause to take up armes made shew to beleeve it Abdelmelec said in good Company that for the manner of all his Fathers living there was nothing in matter of love but might be credited of him And the too-Amorous Hely hearing this accusation was in doubt of the truthes which the stranger Iphidamanta had assured to him But being againe confirm'd by her selfe in his former beliefe he caused an answer to be made to his Sons Manifest to justify him from so black a supposition and thinking to avenge himselfe commanded all his followers not call the faire stranger by any other name then Ennoramita and he observ'd the same he commanded others and by this trick of youth made that name so famous that the people of Morocco will not in a long time forget it So if it be lawfull for mee to speake with that boldnesse by the folly of Hely and the malice of Nephizus your Name Madam and imagination became as the fatall firebrand which the Enemy Demon of our peace put into the hands of the Father and Children to make desolate the most flourishing Provinces of all Africa In a word after their writings they came to blowes The Sonnes gave the Father Battle overcame him thrice made him fly shamefully from Morocco and compell'd him to seeke for refuge in Guargetssem to escape from their fury Yet could he not be secure for a little time after he was beâ—…eig'd and in spight of all his mens valour and resistance reduc'd to the lamentable necessity of seeing himselfe and what he loved more then himselfe at the discretion since in the power of Nephizus The ill advised Prince entred Victoriously into Guargetssem Yet gather'd he not by so deplorable a Victory the fruit he promis'd himselfe Assoone as he was Master of the fortress he would needes visit it all He found his father in a Bed dangerously wounded but seeing not Iphidamanta with him he went to search for her even to the bottom of the Casamatts He was not like to meet her for shee fled by sea with one Osmin who within these few yeares by meanes of his excessive favour had been the pertext of all the revolts and all the Warres of the two Brothers The flight of that stranger had neere been the death of Hely for Nephizus enraged at her losse came with his Cymiterre in his hand even to the Bed of that miserable King and vomiting against him all that his sury fild him with he threatned to passe his Weapon through his Body if he would not restore to him his wife Abdelmelec staid that blow and pulling his Brother thence by force forsooke him not til he saw him in a great repentance for the parricide he would have Committed But the passion he was in for the faire stranger and on the other side the remorse of Conscience not suffering him to stay longer at Morocco he got some one to intreate his Father to give him one of his great ships of warre and assoone as he had gotten it he imbarqued himselfe with forty of fifty of his Complices To tell you whether he intended or what became of him is not in my Power for what enquiry soever I have made I have not been able to know any thing of him for a certaine Some have told me that he was shipwrack'd neare the Canaries and that there were found in the Isle of Fer certaine Arabick Characters engraven on the barke of a tree which said that the miserable Nephizus after he had lost all was come to seeke his death in that place Others averred that he had been taken by Pyrats in the same Isle of Fer and that after he had in diverse occasions made shew of his valour among them they had thought him worthy to command them However t is but too true that Nephizus is dead I thought to have been one of the first that had heard of it and assoone as 't was brought me I deem'd it fitting to advertize secretly Abdelmelec of all and not to give you any suspition of it I made you beleive that Hely commanded me to come to him Vnder this pretext I left you at Liberty and by great Journeys came to Arsile where Abdelmelec kept his Court. He knew nothing of the death of his brother when I told it him He gave me great thankes for it and for many reasons conjur'd me to keepe this newes secret He in the meane while that would make his benefit of it came to the King his father and made shew to him of so great a greife for his passed offences and such a desire to repaire them by his fidelity and obedience that the mild Hely not only restored him to his favour but almost resign'd to him all his authority Those two Princes might now have named themselves perfectly happy if the one could have cured himselfe of that passion whereof he still languished and kept for the pretended Ennoramita and if the other had heen wise enough to free his mind from a fantasie the most unreasonable that love is able to produce And now since that love is the cause of my voyage 't is not from the purpose if I tell you what is permitted me to publish Know then that above four yeares since Abdelmelec is falne in love with a Princesse which he never saw but in Picture and which he shall never see otherwise This Princesse is called Alcidiana and is Queene of an Island farre separated from these heere and incomparably more fair then these are This little peice of land is called by some the celestiall Island by others the Inchanted Isle but the most proper name is that of the Innaccessible Island because all the Arte of Navigation nor the best steerage of the most experienced Pilots of the world can bring a vessell to any Port
his own wonderful acts is bound to beleeve those of His life I feare not to relate to you a Life as miraculous as any of those Heroes of whom your Forefathers and ours have made them their first Gods Some have bin of opinion that Kings receiv'd from Heaven some advantages which were not granted to other men I have known divers Kings who have made me doubt of the verity of that beliefe But having the honor to know you withal Polexander as I do I am forc'd to confesse that as there are Kings who are alwayes children there are others too who are men in their Infancy Without giving then ought to my affection without soothing I dare say that my King is of those last and that he came into the world with those excellent qualities which age Study and experience sell to ordinary men at so deare rates His Soule in her descent from Heaven preserv'd retayn'd al it had receiv'd in the 〈◊〉 of her originall Her descent or fall made her not lose or forget any thing She was câ—…eated full of knowledge and so entred compleat into the habitation appointed for her and in spight of all the fetters and vayles of the body kept still her prime agility and fiâ—…t illuminations But it was very fit and I dare say absolutely necessary that Polexander should be borne with those qualities which are seen but in very few Princes for it would have bin a peice of prodigie if there had come ought that was any way vulgar from Periander the wonder of his age and Axiamira the Admiration and glory of her times The Prince which for good cause I alwayes call incomparable was borne in this Island and with his life receiv'd the Crown of almost all the Canaryes Not that he had his extraction from those barbarous Kings which heretofore raign'd here His derivation is more glorious being descended from two of the greatest houses that ever flourished in Europ The one is that of the Kings of France and the other of the Emperors of Constantinople It is but little lesse then three hundred yeares since the French had for their King a Prince who for the sanctity of his life hath been thought worthy to be ranâ—…d in the number of the Semy-Gods This King had a Brother call'd Charles of Anjou The greatnesse of whose courage and renown of his virtues acquird him the Crowns of the two Sicylyes and Ierusalem From that Prince in a direct line from Father to Son is Polexander descended and if Fortune had not too cruelly exercis'd on that house that horrible fury wherewithall she useth to break Septers and over-tumble Thrones he should be now as his Predecessors have been King of the best part of Italy Greece and Thrace But those of Arragon on the one side and the Paleologues on the other and lastly the Turks have deprivâ—…d him of the inheritanee of his Ancestors and left him nothing but most just causes to be sensible of their common usurpations But alas I know not whether I should wish that Polexander might change the affection he hath to Alcidiana for an inclination to â—…evenge For when I think on the disasters which are fatally linck'd to such an enterprize and reflect on the unfortunate life and Tragicall death of the great Periander I feare that which I have most passionatly desired and requested of Heaven even that the King my Master might never think on those Territories which his Predecessors had lost The famous Amaâ—…ontus Father of Periander seeing that by the remissenesse of the last Paleologue Constantinople fell into the hands of the Turke and besides many times but vainely attempting to make the Easterlings arise in Aâ—…es against their Tyrants had such a detestation to a people so infamous that to lose their memory with the sight of them he forsook Greece desirous to seek out in some other end of the world a place of retirement where he might live unknown But Fortune who soon repented her of the injustice done to so great a Prince brought him into these Seas and in lieu of the most rich Crown of the World which she had taken from him gave him the fairest and most delightfull I meane that after she had long time made him wander on the Ocean she brought him to cast Anchor and land on this Isle the very day whereon the Inhabitants were assembled to chuse them a King He was called to this Little Monarchy by the consent of all and in lesse then three or four yeares made himselfe so much valued amongst those of the neighbor Islands that in emulation of one another they would needs have him for their Commander After the death of that Prince his Son Periander not only succeeded him but to extend the bounds of this little Empire drove the Portugalls out of the Isles they had guarded and without doubt might have gotten the Crown of Spaine it selfe if the desire of recovering his ancient inheritance had not engag'd him in a War with the Turk In his first voyage into the Levant he marryed with a Grecian Princesse call'd Axiamira who by her spirit and virtue made it well appeare that she came from that Heroick blood which had so often triumph'd over the Monarches of Asia He returned hither with that Princesse and within the four or five first yeares of his marriage had on her Polexander Iphidamantus and Cydaria Assoone as he saw himselfe made happy by so fair a posterity he thought on the meanes to make their condition equall to that of his Predecessors and to that end renewing the Treaties wherein the Knights of Rhodes and many other Princes of Christendome would have before time engaged him he undertook a busines which as impossible as it seem'd he had infallibly effected had it not been for the treason or cowardize of his Allyes He got him secretly to Rhodes and not finding matters there as he had been by some made to hope would therefore be himselfe his owne Agent He travell'd alone through all Greece visited all the Princes of the Imperiall house who were banished into the Islands of the Mediterranean passed thence into Syria to cause the Heyres of the house of Antioch to take armes and lastly disguiz'd like a Turke came to Constantinople where he abode neer six moneths and dealt with so many Christians during that time by the mediation of the Patriark that he thought himselfe powerfull inough to drive thence the Turke Thence he returned to Rhodes with that good hope and having wrought his enterprize to it's perfection at least he thought so he departed from that Island with an army which should have been invincible Assoon as he arriv'd he made himselfe Master of those Castles which shut up the mouth of the Hellespont and by that surprise threw so great a terror into Constantinople that Bajazet was on the point to forsake it Periander entred into the Propontis and sâ—…iz'd on the Isles of Marmora and Calomina in spight of
no other love then a judicious and just desire to do good actions to render to every one what is his due to acquire a Noble reputation by legitimate waies and by a wise contempt of a life of few yeares continuance to aâ—…chieve that which shall be everlasting By hearing you make this distinction 〈◊〉 Hyppolitus it seemes you comprehend not that which is properly to be called love I say that violent and imperious passion which proceedes either from inclination or knowledg and raignes â—…o imperiously over our understanding that it â—…braceth the object presented as it were its soveraigne felicity I meane not to admit of that love said the King for I have condemned it from the beginning of my discourse This may be added Hyppolitus because you feare the troubles and disquiets which accompany it But you would not be sorry to see some young beauty passionately in love with you and to give to another that passion you would not entertaine your selfe I have as little intention answered Polexander to give as to receive any love and since it falls fitly now to be spoken of I will tel you truly that if by any fantasticalnesse of Fortune it should betide me to be beloved as you would have me understand it there is nothing I would not doe either to dis-beguile her that had made so ill a choice or to hinder me from seeing her And I said Hyppolitus sighing alowd would leave nothing undone to be never seperated from such a person as you who knowes not so much as the name of love and would fly from me as if I were his Mortall Enemy I pitty you repli'd the King and advise you to what a generous man should doe If you cannot cure your selfe by any remedy may please you try those which seem to you the most dis-agreeable and yet which by their hidden virtue may be extreamely profitable unto you I meane if you cannot be holpen by the enjoying cure your selfe by contempt absence or oblivion Ah! Cruell and bunexperienc'd Councellor cri'd Hyppolitus O remedies more painefull then the disease it selfe I am in the wrong repli'd Polexander 't is true I should have stai'd the prescribing you those last remedies till you had lost all hope Forget them till there be need deare Hippolitus an in the meane time go on to relate to me your fortune I have told it you all repli'd Hyppolitus What have you told me repli'd Polexander That I loved added Hyppolitus and lov'd a personage as insensible and as great an Enemy to love as your Majesty I am very glad continued Polexander for having that conformity with your Mistris since without it I know well you would leave me as some Barbarian that could not polish or civilize himselfe in the abode of politenesse and civility it selfe Thus ended the first converse of Polexander and Hyppolitus and all the time of ouâ—… voyage they had at every foot the like and Polexander alwaies desirous to oblige Hyppolitus to relate his story to him could never draw other thing from him but that he Knew it as well as himselfe and how it consisted in this only that he lov'd an insensible beauty In the meane time Hyppolitus visibly lost that lustre and freshnesse which made him admired at the first meeting He did seldome sleep or eate He never sung but when Polexander pres'd him to it and towards the end he sung so weakly that we judg'd him entring into some dangerous disease Polexander strove to comfort and cheere him and to draw him from this depth of sadnesse made him hope his Mistris would not be so insensible as he imagined To make me hope with reason answered Hyppolitus it behoves your Majesty to make tryall on your selfe and acknowledg whither you may be capable of being sensible No no Sir do not make a proofe so difficult 'T is done already and in saying so he held his peace and after he had some while mused Dye dye said he unfortunate Hyppolitus and by death finde that which thou couldst not get ether by neglect absence or oblivion At last we came to Nantes where Polexander was receiv'd yet with a greate Magnificence then he had been in any of the other Townes on the River of Loire Hyppolitus was the one cause of his disquiet But he was too generous to abandon him in the State he was He besought him to think on his cure and call his courage and Fortune to second his love I would faine make use of your councell said the languishing Hyppolitus but my owne weaknesse opposeth it and the more I endeavour to bring my passion to obedience the more rebellious I find it 'T is your virtue Sir t is that alone which I call to the reliefe of my infirmity Have pitty on a wretch who implores your assistance Lend your hand to one from whom you have taken the strength of upholdding him selfe Be sensible by commiseration if you cannot be so by love and if you will not heale a heart which you have cover'd with wounds yet give a testimoniall at least that you have a feeling and participate of his misery I speak to your Majesty in this manner because I see so great a resembiance betwixt you and the Saint I adore that I continually perswade my selfe if I could but see you once touch'd with my afflictions my Mistris would at last become exorable Polexander who was exceedingly astonish'd at the beginning of this speech came out of it by the artificiall conclusion And to content Hyppolitus he protested to him he was extreamely sensible of his miss-fortunes and wish'd he knew the meanes to overcome them These promises brought back a little courage to Hyppolitus and in a moment He regain'd new strength and beseeching Polexander to stay for him at Nantes two dayes he parted thence with two Squires and a Page and was a day and a halfe in his Journey He return'd not more merry but more resolute then when he parted and then assur'd Polexander he had an intention to follow his first advice and to overcome by absence and forgetfullnesse what he could not otherwayes subdue He told him more that having vainly attempted divers meanes to mollifie his Mistris obdurate heart he intenended to forsake France and in His company to seek the recovery from his malady Polexander was so good that without thinking on what he was He oftentimes imbrac'd Hyppolitus promisd to make him happy and to confirme him in his designe I will said he propose to you an exchange of which 't is possible you may approve Leave an ingratefull Mistris for an acknowledging friend Let friendship take the place of Love and to give your mind an object worthy it make it amorous of honor and immortality Take the Exercise of Armes for a counterpoyson to that melancholy which devours you and in lieu of shedding teares poure forth the blood of your Enemies Surely 't is farre more honourable to command men then to serve a Child and to acquire
surprized to heare all this and so lively touched with Hypolitus amorous and pitifull words that he could not retaine his sighes nor teares He kneeled downe by this dying Princesse and taking her by the hand Madam said he by what indignation of heaven do I see my selfe guilty of the most horrible crime it ever punish'd Hyppolitus shewing the joy she received from Polexander's greif Deare Polexander said she interrupting him I give thanks to my wounds since they have purchased me farre more then J hoped and I wish they were not mortall Your compassion renders me my first hopes and seeing you so good as to suffer me curse my destiny that plucks me from the World But what said 〈◊〉 No No I have lived long enough and beleeve certainly that some great obstacle opposing my possesing you my precipitated end is an evidence that Heaven would not have me long time unfortunate I have almost a desire to accuse death for being too slow for I feare least having but a moment to live it be wrong'd by some new disaster But if my blood if my wounds and my approaching death do truly touch you and that you spend no feigned teares if you feel that sorrow you make shew of promise me that my memory shall be deare to you and that you will not suffer any in your presence to blame the Love of the weake Princesse De Foix Polexander who was wel nigh dissolv'd in teares during the Princesse speech forc'd his just resentment to answer to it and holding her hands between his own I swear said he by what is most holy to doâ—… for your contentment all that you can wish and I would to Heaven my life were pretious enough to redeeme yours You might then be secur'd of a long life The Princesse shutting her eyes and scarce being able to forme a word Since I know you in that resolution said she I have liv'd long enough Farewell deare Polexander And with that word she dyeâ—… The King gave such a shriâ—…k in seeing her depart that wee all ran to him to know what was betided him When the Squires of the deâ—… Lady had related to us her adventures we were no more constant then they Every one bewail'd that losse and Polexander in particular was so 〈◊〉 sensible of it that it went neere to cost him his life Diceus in the mean tiâ—…e embalm'd the body of the Princesse and at the request of her Page which was a disguised Maiden and her to Sqâ—…es she was carried into another Ship They iâ—…treated â—…kewise Polexander to be pleas'd that they might return into Frâ—… with the body of their Mistris At first he denyed that leave because he would have brought them to the Canaries Yet at last importun'd by their reasons he permitted them to return homewards He on the other side after his being three or four dayes in-exorable to the Petitions of his servants suffered himselfe to be perswaded to the finishing his voyage All his Shipps then being returned with a great many prisoners he stood for the Canaries But the King's griefe ceas'd not by the absence of the object which had caus'd it He lamented the faire Hyppolitus as she had been his own Sister or to say better as if effectively he had guilty been of her death His griefe spread into his followers and made them lose all sence of joy for their victory Those who considered Polexander farre more then they did the King went a great deale farther for they found fault with their own good Fortune and detested such happy successe as had been bought by the teares of their Master and the blood of so rare a Princesse But time which to this day never found malady which it could not cure by little and little gave remedy to our Master and presented him so many new imployments that he was forc'd spight of himselfe to forget those which sorrow had made so deare to him When he was near the coasts of Morocco he learnt of certaine Merchants that were sayling into Scotland how the Prince Abdelmelec eldest Sonne to the King of Morocco had proclaim'd the most glorious Turney that had ever been seen in Europe or Africa Our young Prince seem'd he would be glad to see this Moorish bravery and breake a lance in memory of the Princesse De foix To dash the businesse I exhibited to him the great necessity of his presence with his Subjects and how much a delaying might be advantagious to his Enemies We came from beating them said he smiling and I think they will not be able in hast to put themselves in case againe to assault us But Governour added hâ—… how long do you think I intend to be on this Voyage Within eight dayes at most I shall have seen all that I desire 'T is so little a time that the least calme or weakest Tempest may make us lose more After thus much spoken he cal'd for all the Officers of his Army and making a faire Oration by which he immortaliz'd their valour and fidelity intreated them to intimate to the Queen his Mother and his Subjects the newes of his returning and when said he you arrive at the Canaries divide equally al you have gotten from the Portingall and Spanyard His Commanders threw themselves at his feet to beseech him to lead them whither he was going but when he had made known that his absence would be only but for three or four dayes and desired not to be known in Morocco they took their leave with al their vessells got to the happy end of their navigation In the meane time the King my Master causing al the badges and other things of markabout his ship to be taken off and his Servants to be clad in the French Fashion entred with two little vessells that followed him into the River of Tansif He landed assoone as he could and commanding me to wait for him in his Ship took no other followers with him then Alcippus Diceus and ten or twelve Slaves At his taking Horse he commanded them expresly to name him for a Frenchman and began a journey which instead of eight dayes lasted neer six Moneths I confesse yet that as long as I live I shall repent me for not following him for as I understood by Alcippus and Diceus there will never beseen any thing equal to the wonders of readiness valour courtesie which Polexander shew'd in Abdelmelec's Turney 'T was there the Wicked Angell jealous of the greatnesses which were infallibly promis'd made him see that dangerous picture which troubled his reason dazled his eyes and made him lose the fairest of his time under a deceiptfull hope of an imaginary happynesse But to tell you in few words what passed at Morocco Polexander there overthrew Abdelmelec and after two different Combats compel'd him to renounce at least publiquely all the love which he seemed to beare to Alcidiana Queen of the Inaccessible Island he came after back to me loaden with that princesse's Pictures
condition you ought to take into consideration the Queen your Mother you ought to give her the Example of comforting her selfe and by your constancy facilitate the meanes of supporting her mis-fortunes All things sort well with you to go render her this necessary proofe of your good disposition She now bewayls your absence as well as your Sisters Go and ease her of one part of her feares and disquiet and since 't is impossible for you to give her all she desires give her yet at least all which she desires with reason I know t is vexatious and irksome to you to signifie to her the death of your Sister But it is not of necessity that you should your selfe bring her that unwelcome and heavy newes Besides Axiamira's virtue is no common virtue She is of proofe against the greatest Accidents and Fortune who hath often violently justled her hath not been able to stirr her At that word Polexander interrupting me Governour said he I yeeld to so many reasons and will not be â—…pbrayded that for being too nice I forsook one sick who might have receiv'd comfort by my care and diligence Presently the Pilot had command to returne to the Canaryes and as if the wind had been govern'd by that Prince it shifted in a moment from East to West and so fresh a gale that the second day we discry'd the prodigious Mountaine of the Isle of Teneriffe There we met with an obstacle which was as the presage of those hind'rances where withall Fortune went about to oppose the prosperities of Polexander Four-Pyrateâ—…hips which domineer'd in those Seas discharg'd all at once on our two Vessells and not thinking to meet with any great resistance came close up to us without any more My generous Master finding in this occasion wherewithall to exercise his great courage made it appeare to the Rovers they had been very ill advised He so affrighted them by the terror of his blowes but particularly by the death of their Captaine that they gave over the fight and contented themselves with the losses they had sustained Polexander was more hard to be pleas'd and would not overcome by halfes He hotly pursued the Run-awayes sunck two of their ships and but for the ill weather which seem'd to envy his victory it had not been unperfected But of this I intended not to accuse Fortune if by a pernicious sequell that Jealous-one had not made it appeare she had a designe not to save the Prince's Enemies but to ruine the Prince himselfe To bring it to passe she arm'd the Sea and the Winds and commanded them to wage Warr with him and after she had held him many dayes and nights without hope of safety cast him into a Port wherein he made a more dangerous shipwrack then if his Vessell had been split upon some Rock His ship then open and leaking in many places and unfurnished in her principall parts hazardously entred the mouth of a little River which our Pilots knew not and not finding water enough insensibly ran in on the owze The generous Polexander presently came to assist Alcippus Diceus and my selfe that could no more and assuring us we were out of all danger said that if we had yet but a little courage we might instantly enjoy our good fortune Get out my friends let 's get out of this sad abode and let 's see whether the Land will be more kind to us then the water and whilst our Mariners resume their Spirits let us take the benefit of that rest which an extream pleasant shore presents us Alcippus overcame his sicknesse to follow Polexander went a land with him Diceus follow'd presently after and I who had rather dye then be from my Prince caus'd my selfe to be carryed on shore by foure of our slaves The ayre of the Land streightwayes dissipating a part of our sicknesse we found our selves comforted and â—…as'd in lesse then nothing Polexander and Alcippus climb'd to the top of a Rock not farre from us to see whether we were arriv'd in a place that was inhabited But seeing neither men nor houses and the night too approaching they return'd where they had left me and told me we must set up Tents on the shore to passe the comming night better then we had done the eight or ten precedent Diceus receiving this order from me went back into the ship and commanded the Officers of the Kings Cabin to go set up the Kings pavillion in the most commodious place they could find All which was don with so much diligence that in lesse then an houre we found our selves very well lodg'd When every one had eaten we set Sentinells on the parts that lead to us for feare of being surpris'd and gave them expresse order not to disperse themselves for what cause soever This done we went to Bed Scarce had the Sun begun to whiten the top of the Rock at whose feet we had pitch'd our Tent when Polexander call'd Alcippus and my selfe and told â—…s we slept as profoundly as if we were in a friends Country We streight clad us and that while the Prince went to relieve the Sentinells and put some little Court of Guard about his Tents to make some little resistance in case we were set on and forbad us on paine of death to observe him as a King before any person whatsoever that should hap to come neer him This being thus ordered he commanded his horses to be landed but they had been so Sea-beaten they could hardly uphold themselves Yet there was a Barbary white as Snow which Polexander had bought to combate with Abdelmelec that took heart assoone as he was landed and refreshing himselfe on the Grasse seem'd by his neighing to assure the King his Master that he might make use of him The Prince after he had taken a little repast amongst all his followers took horse and Alcippus and Diceus following him a foot travers'd a plaine which stretch'd it selfe along by the River and grew broader in other Lands as farr off as the eye could extend After he had ridden three or four miles he descended by a pleasant slope hanging of a hill into so delight some valleys were it for the little Brookes which divided them for the Fountaines which slid from the top of the little hills for the meadow coverd with a thousand severall kindes of flowers or for the little woods which invirond them so that oftentimes considering them I have said to my selfe that the ancient Grecians had good cause to chuse the abode of their Heroes Soules in the Islands of the Atlantick Sea If Polexander were ravished at so faire a Scite he was farre more in meeting with those that inhabited it They were Shepheards so handsome and Shepheardesses so fayre and neatly clad that in seeing them Polexander thought on the Knights and Ladies of the French Court beleeved he saw them represent act some Pastoral in their rurall habits The first he met withall not a jot wondred to
Hounds cast himselfe his sword in his hand between the Princesse and the Stag who not to be reveng'd at halfes came running with full bent head at her He setledly expected him and by a happy rashnes stopt him with one blow of his Sword The beast wounded to death fell stumblingly on the dust and Alcidiana who thought her selfe dead fell some twenty paces from Polexander The Prince a thousand times more fortunate then he hoped to have been ran to the succour of this new Diana and comming neer with a great deale of respect besought her to tell him what service he might doe her You have given me the most important she replyd that you can ever render me But who are you said she for it seemes you are not of my followers Polexander twice or thrice had a desire to tell her she knew not all that were hers But his discretion not suffring him to take that boldnesse he answered that he was a stranger and not long since by a happy ship-wrack throwne a shoare on her Island At those words Alcidiana considering him better then she had done I think said she much surpriz'd I have already seen you but under another habit then that you were now Polexander was much troubled at it because he durst not avow that truth and yet fear'd to wrong himselfe if he did not confesse it But many of Alcidiana's Ladyes and some Huntsemen at that instant comming in redeem'd him from that trouble Hereupon the Queen arose and all the rest alighting thank this Shepheard said she to her Ladies but for his courage you had found Alcidiana as ill handled as her Paifray With that the Nymphes environ'd Polexander and after they had given him thankes proportionable to the merit of his action began to praise him this his good aspect another his advantageous stature this his beauty that his youth and all were of opinion he had nothing of the Shepheard but the Clothes and apparent simplicity The Vice Roy had no intent to breake off his discourse here and Zelmatida ravished with this beginning expected the sequell with a great deale of impatiency But suddenly there fell such a violent raine that to obtaine a satisfaction He was obliged to returne to the Pallace with the Vice Roy. The end of the third Booke of the second Part of Polexander The second Part of POLEXANDER The fourth Booke ZElmatida staid not till he came to his lodgings that the Vice-roy might the sooner goe on with his discourse which the storme had interrupted And meeting Garruca as he entred his chamber my friend said he thou maist well repent thee for not walking with us Thou hast lost the bravest relation in the world for Pimantus hath recounted to me a part of the wonders of Polexanders life Truely imagination how inventive soever can finde out nothing beyond the prodigies of valour and judgement which have accompanied the tendrest years of that Prince I will relate them to thee at leasure and to make thee more desire it I would have thee heare the sequell of the bravest adventure in the world After he had thus spoke he entred into his privy chamber with Pimantus and Garruca and seating them neere him Father said he turning to the Vice-roy let me know I beseech you with what recompence did Alcidiana acknowledge the great service Polexander did her It was incomparable said the Vice-roy at least if the King my Master may be believed Alcidiana calling him to her asked mâ—…re particularly then she had done at first whence he was what was his condition and whether he had an intent to abide in her Territories He answered the Princesse he was borne in one of the fortunate Islands that the condition of his Predecessors was not without eminency and had alwaies made profession of armes For himselfe he had beene naturally enclined to follow their example and though he found in the mediocrity of his fortune sufficient not to envy the greatest Yet an ardent desire to attaine to honour by difficult wayes had made him leave his Countrey and to search among the perrills of warre and the sea somewhat that might satisfie his ambitious humour That at first he had not found things as he imagined and by an impetuosiâ—…y of youth had often murmured against providence But being miraculously conducted by her to that honour he had alwaies desired he condemned his guilty impatiences and by a just repentance turned into acts of thanksgiving at his distrusts and repinings For to what greater honour said he could that infinite power which governes our adventures raise me then that I receive this day to heare my selfe praised by the sweetest tongue of the world At those words Alcidiana smiled and turning to one of her Ladies called Amintha Confesse said she that all the politnesse and civility is not confind to our Island Since I have beene convicted both by mine eyes and eares I must needes give over the being too Idolatrous of mine owne Countrey and stripping my selfe of part of that love I beare it confesse that this stranger is able to impose a great deale of envy on the bravest men of your Kingdome Alcidiana breaking that discourse began againe what she had left and addressing her to Polexander Let us know your resolution said she and whether wee can oblige you to make any stay in this Isle Madam replide the King my Master I have learnt being â—…red up neere the persons of Kings from my infancy that it is for those sacred personâ—…ges soveraignely to determine of the fortune of private men and for those of a meane degree not to propose to themselves any thing but the glory of obeying them This being granted Madam it belongs to your Majesty to pronounce if you please what you have resolved of my fortune and to me to receive the commands you shall please to impose on me as Lawes written in heaven it selfe If I were your lawfull Princesse replied Alcidiana you have reason to speake as you doe but having no other power over you then what you give me your selfe I cannot with justice exercise any Soveraigne Authority over you Polexander with a great reverence making appeare to the Princesse he knew all that obsequiousnesse and respect obliged him to I humbly beseech your Majesty said he to be pleased that I contradict your opinion and remember you how particular men cannot lessen nor suspend the right of Kings and by consequence that they are alwaies invested with that absolute power which the Lawes both divine and humane have inseperably fastned to their condition And in what liberty soever nature gives us birth wee lose that priviledge of birthright as soone as wee are out of that limits of our native soyle and dare enter on that which is subject to the sweet authority of Kings 'T is to no purpose replied Alcidiana to take armes against your selfe and denounce so cruell a warre against your freedome for I accept not the evidence you produce to your owne
into the Army he went to the Generall and making himselfe knowne by the badges Alcidiana had given him ingaged the Grandies to intertaine him as a personage of extraordinary and high estimation Some dayes after he communicated his designe to the Generall and getting his approbation obtained permission to challenge Syziphus The King at Armes was commanded to goe to the Campe of the Rebell and his Companions and not to neglect any thing that might adde to the reputation of Polexanders defiance I yet remember the challenge he sent by the Herauld T was thus The Stranger Polexander to Syziphus thrice a Rebell AMbition is alwaies guilty but not ever modest All Lawes condemne Tyrants yet there have beene many of them seene who by their dangerous magnanimity have exempted themselves from that condemnation This Syziphus tells thee that when any hath violated the Law and troden Justice under foote it behooves him by a famous death or some great event to deliver himselfe both from the power of Law and justice In the meane time poore ambitious man in lieu of following those proude tyrannicall Maximes thou hast imitated the proceedings of common Theeves Thou hast lost thy courage with thy hopes thou hast shamefully begged pardon for a crime thou wert not able to perpetrate and thy infamy is come to that height thou hast been seene to implore with teares her pity whose justice thou hadst newly most brutishly provoked After this unmanlinesse I doe not believe there is left thee any sence of honour Yet I will adventure this challenge to see whether I am deceived and if thou hast not lost all thy courage with thy integrity thou wilt come with thy armes to justifie thy selfe of those crimes this State accuseth thee by my Pen. Syziphus received the challenge with a fury unworthy a man of courage and yet to testifie he had enough he accepted it and told the Herauld that the next morning he would be in the Meadow betweene the two Armies to make knowne by the death of one of his enemies what he had prepared for the rest The ensuing morne at breake of the day there was proclaimed a truce on both sides for six houres only and yet both sides for feare of being surprised stood on their gards At the houre of combate the two Rivalls came out of their quarters and presented themselves in the field with such armes as Cavaliers were wont to make use of in the like duels Polexander after his invocation of Alcidiana and love came amaine on Syziphus and incountered him with such a force that it seemed the power of those Divinities he had called on had with their power effectively assisted him Syziphus returning from his amazement tooke him to his sword and came up to Polexander with all the resolution of a man of courage The victory was a while doubtfull but at last it inclined to the just side Syziphus covered with wounds growne desperate at â—…is ill fortune and tortured by the remorse of conscience let himselfe fall at the feete of his Conquerour to oblige him to give him his life and confessed with weakenesse enough the crimes whereof he had long since beene convicted Polexander bounded his revenge within the confession of that timerous ambitious man but he strove in vaine to preserve his life for he dyed on the place and by a ficklenesse too ordinary in Armies that of Syziphus no sooner saw him dye but renouncing any other party then Alcidiana's sent Deputies to treate with the Generall The accord was not hard to be made since they demanded nothing but that all might be forgotten which was past and every man might returne to his owne home without feare of being inquired after As soone as the Treaty was signed the intrenchments which seperated the two Armies were slighted and before 't was night it had beene a hard matter to meet with any of those that were of Syziphus party This important newes was sent to Alcidiana and with so much diligence that the next morning as she went to the Temple the Post presented the Generalls letter to her she looked earnestly on the Messenger before she opened them and reading in his countenance the good newes he brought What Syziphus is beaten said she to the Gentleman Yes Madam he replied but an extraordinary way The Queene her self broke open the packet and according to her manner would reade the letters without referring her selfe to the fidelity of her Secretaries of State She heard of the Kings challenge the combate he had with Syziphus and in briefe all that I have related After she had ended her delightsome reading All powerfull and all good Diety cried she into whose hands I have committed the fortune both of my State and my selfe well may I call the day wherein the stranger Polexander landed in this Kingdome the day of thy love and blessing What act of thankes Invisible Sun what offrings can acquit me from that miracle which thy goodnesse hath pleased to shew fâ—…r the safety of my people and mine owne particular preservation This ejaculation of her heart ended she turned to those which followed her and without discovering any excessive joy come said she let us goe and give thankes to heaven for the victory wee have obtained It is the more admirable since it hath cost no mans life but that of the publique enemy At those words there was a kinde of a humming noise declaring the joy every one bâ—…d of so happy an event and the desire to know the particularities which were published as soone as Alcidiana had done her devotion and were intertained with so generall a contentment that all shops were shut up and all the Temples open as on some solemne festivall day Polexander who had not beene knowne but by some persons of quallity for his first service done to the Queene by this second made himselfe to be taken notice of the meanest of the people His name was in the mouth of every one They called him the tutelare Angell of their Queene and State and some even proclaimed that he was the powerfull Protector which the prophesies promised the Kingdome under the name of a slave Whilst these rumours ran among the people Alcidiana retired with Amintha was assaulted by many different thoughts You judged well said she to her Confident when you tâ—…ought this stranger was more then he seemed For mine owne part when I call to minde the Majesty which shines in his face the discretion and courtesie that have made him so well esteemed by us and those two actions he hath undertaken by an absolute effect of his generosity I certainely believe him to be some great Prince who to gaine renowne to his valour and fill the world with the report of his wonders thus travells through strange Countries What thinke you of it Amintha Your Majesty knowes well enough replied the Lady that it was my first opinion That which he hath done against Syziphus addes nothing to the conceipt I had of
Syziphus had tried the hazard and orecome the difficulties to the end that arriving after the battle wonne he might be at no more paine then in gathering the best part of the spoiles But when he saw his brother dead he changed his resolution and desperately casting away his vizard of dissimulution concluded he would be talked of To this end he thought no better pretext was to be chosen then the avenging his brothers death Very privately he sent a Gentleman of his to Polexander and giving him to understand to what sensibility the death of his brother obliged him laid before him his own generousnesse that should not refuse any content to those whom had offended Polexander no sooner received the challenge but he prepared to give it a satisfaction He 〈◊〉 Alcippus and giving him order for what was necessary for the comâ—…at went forth secretly with the Gentle man Alcippus came to them at the place Polexander appointed and without distrusting one another came all three where Tantalus expected them At first sight he made shew of a great courage and much hope and spoake so loftily and altogether with so much falcity of his brothers death that Polexander forgetting his usuall patience told him in heate that he wondred how he had so long time lingered and not sooner beene sensible of this pretended murther and with that drew his sword and ingaged Tantalus to give over his revilings As soone as Alcippus saw them ready he told the Gentleman who brought the challenge that 't was not honorable for them to be idle whilst their Masters were so busied The words stirred the generousnesse of the Gentleman which by a dangerous consequence cost him his life Polexander and Tantalus were the while hard at it and because they fought on horseback they had not so soone done as their seconds Yet had Tantalus received three woundes and Polexander thinking himselfe too much satisfied intreated him to thinke on his safety and to believe there was no â—…oule play in the death of his brother But Tantalus had done too much to stop till he had ended He passed furiously on Polexander and in passing gave him a wound which he thought would have ended the combat Indeede the wound was great for it went quite through the Kings arme but 't was neither mortall nor dangerous The generous Prince finding himselfe wounded renewed his strength and courage and sheathing his sword in Tantalus side let out from his heart at once both his pride and life The unfortunate man was not falne from his horse when Alcidiana's Lievtenant Generall her great Chamberlaine and many other Lords came to their place of combat They blamed Tantalus unjust resentment and bewailed his misfortune But those two things not much troubled them they rejoyced with Polexander for his last victory As he gave them thankes for their affection they saw his arme all bloody and thinking him sore hurt made shew of all the forwardnesse and double diligence that Courtiers use when there is any service to be done to a man in the Princes favour Polexander assured them 't was nothing and though he would gladly have returned to the City without so much company yet for feare of offending any he was forced to undergoe that punishment Before he came to a great causeway which crosseth the Lake in which Arzilea is built there were assembled so many people to see him passe that he could scarce get into the Towne Every one called him the invincible the Exterminator of Rebells and mothers with their fingers shewing him to their children told them that for all their happinesse they were obliged to that Prince his valour At last he got to his lodging and all a voyding to leave him at liberty Diceus unclad him looked on his wound and having stopped the blood applied the first dressing With much a doe he got him to his bed but as soone as he was laid pondering on his action and fearing lest Alcidiana might thinke he sought occasions to be talked of would needes excuse it to her by a letter Presently he writ and giving it to Alcippus commanded him to deliver it to Amintha and be seech her in his name to do those good offices for him to the Queene which he expexted from her noblenesse Alcippus performed his Commission and earnestly pressing the Lady to tell him what his Master might hope All replied she provided he mistrust his good fortune Alcippus was wary enough of relating her speech to his Master for feare his explaining it to his owne disadvantage might give him more dangerous woundes then that which made him keepe his chamber In the meane time Amintha did her best endeavour for the Princes contentment The very next day she gave him a proofe of it which raised him to the height of happinesse and glory if the follies of Lovers deserve to unfold them the use of tearmes so noble and serious For that Lady came to him from Alcidiana In the name of the Princesse she made proffers to him a thousand times more considerable then the Principality she had given and intreating him to hasten his cure that he might himselfe be Judge of the recompence his virtue deserved delivered into his hands Alcidiana's answere to his letter You may imagine whether so speciall a remedy did not extraordinarily operate on our Patient Had every word been as powerfull as the Magicians most mysterious spells and all the Characters equalized the virtue of those which force dead bodies from their graves and call soules out of hell they could not have wrought greater prodigies nor produced more wonderfull alterations by the hidden virtue of five or six lines Polexander had lost all memory of himselfe He not only thought he was invulnerable but immortall and in that extasie promised no lesse to absent Alcidiana then the laying of all the Crownes of the earth at her feete Amintha leaving him in this amourous heate went questionlesse to tell the Queene what miracles she had done by her answere The Princesse continued them by her continuall sending to visit her Defender and Diceus noted it in the supernaturall healing his Masters wounde One day he told him that indeede his hand dressed the wounde but certainely said he 't is cured by the secret virtue of Alcidiana's Polexander was pleased with Diceus fancy and confessed to his Chyrurgion that the honour he received from the Queene did sensibly forward his health As soone as he left his chamber he went to the Pallace and being permitted the entrance to Alcidiana's Sanctuary if I may speake as foolishly as amorous people use to doe ne found her in that fashion which by his only relation to me I thought capable to touch even insensibility She had layd by her habit and dresse of Ceremony and in putting it off disrobed her selfe of that stately and awefull Majesty which made all to cast downe their lookes that gazed on her Love sweetnesse delicacy and the graces had taken her place and seemed to
Oftentimes we thought him dead but his good temper having wrestled neere six moneths with his disquiet thoughts and melancholy he recovered I may say from the grave Yet was he above six moneths more wherein he could not put himselfe to the least effect but he fell againe into his former malady After so many relapses he at last got strength whether he would or no and recovering by the returne of the Sun a health more vigourous and setled then that which he had lost he would sacrifice it as the other to his passion disquiets and new voyages And now seeing the season approach wherein Alcidiana's ships used to set saile for the Island of the Sunne he did what he had so often done before without any other designe then to end his life in quest of that happinesse he had lost Whether it were that Alcidiana's ships were already gone or that she had altered the time of sacrifices so it happened that Polexander found nought of what he searched on the coast of the Isle of the Sun Whilst he was in this perplexity one of Bajazets Rovers fell into his hands He used him with a great deale of courtesie and wonne him to stay sometime with him During which talking of divers things he understood how valiant Bajazet was how generous and magnificent and of his being passionately in love with a great Princesâ—… whose picture he carried in a boxe of Diamonds At the newes of this imagine you see Polexander troubled all in disquiet and transported with the desire of revenge He certainely believes it to be the boxe that was stolen from him And to be certaine describes to the Pirate the forme of the boxe makes to him a picture of Alcidiana's picture and forgets not the least stroake in it The Pirate who may be only spoke by hearesay or but confusedly remembred what he had seene answered Polexander to his owne desire and could so well perswade him that Bajazets boxe was the same he described that he presently put on to assault him in his Island in the very midst of all his forces But his good fortune was he found him not there He was gone a roving with his fâ—…eete and the Governour of the Isle understanding Polexanders designe by the Pirate he had let goe would have staied him not only as an enemy of his Governour but as a man for whose redemption there might be payd a great ransome Polexander was therefore set on in his vessell by all those the Pirates reserved for the guard of the Isle Imagine now the Princes resolution when he saw himselfe in the midst of fifteen or twenty Pinnaces and Gallies He made a fight that can never be worthily enough related no not by the most eloquent pen in the world He fought two dayes and two nights without intermission and as a generous Lyon not only teares in pieces the toiles that invirone him but the hunters also that oppose his passage so did this Heroë either sincke force from fight part of the enemies vessells and making a great slaughter of the Pirates gloriously returned by the same way he came thither The third day after this victorious retreate he discovered a ship and thinking it belonged to the Rovers that had so traytrously dealt with him he commanded them in it to strike saile The Master not obeying there began a fight with the Cannon and was continued by handy blowes Polexander in that incounter met with a hardy enemy and 't was that valiant Prince the Sonne of Zabaim and Zelopâ—… who as I have told you tooke away Polexanders box The fight was equally maintained by the valour of those two Princes for the space of â—…ven or eight houres Now was Polexander in Almanzor's vessell and anon after was Almanzor in Polexander's They were imitated by their Souldiers who came on or retreated as they had more or lesse good fortune That was the cause when the tempest had seperated them some of Almanzor's Souldiers were in Polexanders ship and the Prince wanted of his and amongst others that famous Italian Painter who had drawne for him Alcidiana's picture The storme taking him after the combate he was very violently beaten by it for five or six dayes but at last his Pilot knew that the ill weather had beene very favourable to him since in a small time with an extreame swiftnesse it had made him crosse a long space of the sea The fiâ—…st day of the calme he discried the top of the prodigious hye Pike of Teneriffe and advising Polexander of it he was commanded to get in and cast anchor there At his landing all the Inhabitants of the Isle shewed so much joy for his returne and so great a desire to enjoy him longer that he resolved to give them that satisfaction In the meane time he sent Diceus into the other Islands to make choice of the best ships in the Havens and to cause ten or twelve to be made ready at all points for him His providence may be tearmed propheticall for Diceus was no sooner returned with the ships but the Portugalls appeared about the Isles Their confederates they had yet among the Canarians had without doubt given them advice of the losse of Polexander of the Queen his Mothers death and the desire which many witnessed of returning into the Portugall subjection They therefore believing they needed but to shew themselves and so enter in possession of the Isles drew neere without doing any act of hostility and sent newes of their comming to those who had called them thither The answer they received was not such as they expected Word being sent how Polexander was safely returned Neverthelesse they were advised to land in the very Isle of Teneâ—…ffe to set on their enemy whilst he was weakest and not to give him time to collect his Troopes This counsell was followed and 't was so but for the King my Masters greater honour I dare say that the forepassed times whatever they talke to us of their Hâ—…roës and Conquerors have left us nothing that may be compared with that which Polexander did for the safety of his Subjects Greece vauntes she had a Prince so magnanimous that he alone cast himselfe into an enemies City and alone sustained all the assauâ—…s and shaâ—…s of a Nation who wished his death But Polexander did that by the greatnesse of his courage which the other did by necessity Instead of standing as simply defensive he went on alone to incounter a great number of the worlds most valiant Souldiers and what passeth all beliefe in opposing his only sword and courage to the â—…ury and power of a whole Navall Army disputed with it two dayes and two nights their entry of the port of Teneâ—…iffe and gave time to his ships to come and partake in so wonderfull a victory The Portugalls perceiving well there was nothing but blowes to be gotten fled after a short fight and seeing themselves chased by our vessels retired into the ports they have on the coast
Prince yet I freely confesse to you I am of your opinioâ—… and I love with so much fervency that I would â—…f 't were possible for me set all Europe in a conflagration rather then to make a cessioÌ„ of whom I serve to the greatest of Kings or dearest of all my friends I have well perceived said Polexander your love to Thamiris is very violent and t is by that example which I would prepare you to judge favourably of such things as love commands me to put in execution I will make knowne to you heere on what tearmes I am with Thamiris nor what the cause is which makes me so much affect her It shall suffice me that you know I love in so high a place that all the virtues and beauties of the world have conspired together to compose the object of my love Let the Reader imagine whether Polexander were sensible of these words or no whether the jealousie they imprinted were not powerâ—…ull enough to make him forget all his Rivalls courtesies He could not indure he should goe further and had not reason assisted him 't was to be feared that conversation had not ended as it began Polexander suppressed his first agitation and returning into cold blood thus went on againe Ther 's no more time left to conceale my selfe and â—…ide from you a businesse which you must necessarily know I am Polexander the servant of Alcidiana and Phelismond is the enemy I come by her command to seeke in Denmarke After this short Declaration he related to him at large the humours of that proud Queene and told him word by word the tearmes she made use of when she let him understand by one of her slâ—…ves her aversion to his suâ—…te and himselfe As soone as he had begun this discourse Phelismond loâ—…t both his colour and countenance and looked on Polexander as if he had been no more the man to whom he had vowed so much amity At last comming to himselfe he very distinctly spoake thus to the King I shall never be capapable of contradicting Alcidiana's commands Since you come from her I am ready to bring you into the field to him whom so great a Princesse holds to be so uncivill and barbarous Come Sir you that are happy in all things let us hasten her revenge and satisfie her justice by the death of this Northerne Monster This new proofe of Phelismonds generousnesse so cooled Polexanders blood that it neither left him the power nor the desire to doe what he had so often resolved Neverthelesse after he had a long time contested with himselfe it seemed to him that Alcidiana upbraided him with his thoughts of pity and accused him of private correspondence with her enemy This made him give Phelismond this answer If our Princesse could be won by merit or rather if the distance of places had not been so exâ—…reamely disadvantagious to you I doubt not but being one of the prime Princes of the world you might have prevailed as much ore the affection of that faire Queene as you have done ore the mindes of all the North. Questionlesse I should be that Barbarian which she hath a will to destroy and you had received in my place the command which I am resolved to put in execution But let us not amuse our selves if you please in condemning the disorder we finde in our adventures but since that great Princesse will is the sole Law we ought to keepe let us on where her absolute power calls us Can I take armes replied Phelismond without adding rebellion to rashnesse No there is nothing left for me to doe but to dye Too sweete a tongue hath pronounced my sentence of death that I should desire life Pâ—…lexander strove to bring him from this extasie and perceiving how insupportable Alcidiana's disestimation was to him he repented his naming the tearmes of Monster and barbarous After Phelismond had muâ—…ed a while in fixing his eyes on the earth he at last cast them on Poleâ—…ander and told him he would go to the King to dispose so well of all things that Alcidiana should have cause to hold her selfe saâ—…isfied and after he had thus spoke he imbraced him and besought him to doe nothing till he came back from the Pallace Polexander promised to obey his command and accompanied him to his chamber where they discoursed a while of indâ—…fferent things but as soone as he was adverâ—…sed of the Kings being awake he left Polexander in the company of five or six of his particular fâ—…iends Hâ—… stated above two houres with the King and when he saw him ready to goe to the place of the combate he returned to Polexander and told him he had nâ—…w nothing to feare and how he had obtained all that was fitting for his safety Polexander thaâ—…ked his for all his favâ—…s and said aloud he thought himselfe the most unfortunate man of the world in putting him to so many troubles Hereupon he tooke his leave because t was late and returned to his lodging to put things in order After he had beene there an houre there came a Gentleman from Phelismond to intreat him to come and arme himselfe in his lodgings where he should meet with five or six Lords whom the King had sent to conduct him to the field Polexander went to him and after more then an houres being with the Prince caused himselfe to be armed The King sent to tell Phelismond he was risen from table wherupon Polexander and his conductors got to horse and came to the Justing place The Windowes the Terrasâ—…s and the Scaffolds were filled with men and women of the Court and the City and the Kings guard stood about the railes he had not beene long there when Phelismond recompanied with five or six of his friends rid round about the field and then placed himselfe right against his Rivall As soone as the King was at the window of his pavillion the Judges of the field sent to search the Combatants and dividing the Sun betwixt them set them one opposite to the other Presently the trumpers â—…ounded and the word of letting goe together the good Knight was given by the Danes King at Armes Phelismond came on with his lance in his rest as if he would have 〈◊〉 Polexander through and through Yet he made his intention appeare to be cleane contrary For Polexander he had resolved to over come him wâ—…thout lance or sword When they were in the midst of their careere they lifted up their speares and so passed without touching one another All the Assembly gave a great shâ—…ute and seemed to aske the reason of this novelty In the mâ—…ne time the two Rivalls ran the secâ—…d â—…ime and dâ—… as aâ—… first Indeed their horses who were ignorant of their intentions iâ—…countred so furiâ—…usly thaâ—… Pâ—…lexanders failed but little of being overthrowne The other 's was foâ—…ced back to the earth on his crupper and so broke his harnesse that Phelismâ—… fell â—…n tge ground This disorder put
you and your friend is to consider how you will live your selves hereafter For my part I promise you both that I will follow your intentions and in all you desire there shall neither be found difficulty nor delay The two Rivalls thanked him with an equall resentment and Polexander for his particular intreated him to be pleased he might speedily returne to the Canaries The King replied he was at his owne liberty to doe what he pleased and when he had a minde to depart he would furnish him with men and shipping Sir said Polexander since your Majesty will so much favour me I beseech you humbly to doe it intirely I came into Denmarke with a Gentleman and a servant and I desire if it please you to returne so You shall doe as you list replied the King and finde in Denmarke as many friends and as much observance as in your owne Territories These complements ended Polexander resolved to be gone as soone as he could to the end he might returne againe to his wonted and unprofitable inquiry Phelismond shewed an extremity of griefe to see him so neere leaving him and did all he could possibly not only to retaine him but to perswade him that his Master bore him a great deale of affection Phelismond said Polexander I will not contradict those reasons whereby the King your Master may justifie his act nor I assure you will I ever complaine of it For your selfe believe it you never have had a servant or a friend whose love hath been more true then mine Alcidiana shall know if I can possibly your value and her aversion cannot be of that force but it may be surmounted by the infinite number of your virtues when they shall once be made knowne to her When Phelismond heard his Rivall speake thus he raised himselfe to imbrace him and when he was as it were glued to him made this answere I know what I owe you and am not so much an enemy to true honour to fancy to my selfe I can pertake with you of any in our combate It is intirely due to you Polexander Go then and gather the fruits of it and if you please assure Alcidiana that the fortune of armes having confirmed the sentence of death she hath pronounced against me I will not faile to execute it my selfe If I toke time to doe this execution t is for no other cause but to serve her in that person which of all the world should be most deare unto her and to undergoe the longer time the pennance for my offence committed in daring to adore her without being first worthy Phelismond replied Polexander if the greatnesse of your courage were not knowne to me as it is I should hardly suffer a discourse that wrongs the wonderfull actions of your life Live happily and doe not so great an injury to our great Princesse judgement as not to expect from it a recompence proportionable to your deserts Hitherto you have not beene so well treated only because you were not knowne But when Alcidiana shall understand what Phelismond is and heare it even from the mouthes of such whom she cannot suspect assure your selfe she will change her opinion Grant me then the request I am to make you before your seperation and t is that you intend you recovery and be not transported to any dispaire till you have received a new command from Alcidiana it you doe otherwise I denounce on her behalfe you shall not only offend her virtue but demonstrated by your owne disobedience you never truely loved her To how many new Tortures answered Phelismond doth your request ingage me But I refuse nothing said he raising his voice since t is for the honour of Alcidiana and the increase of her renowne Yes you most generous man on earth I will punctually observe what you pâ—…escribe me Yet if you please it shall be on condition that I may enjoy your company yet for three dayes Polexander granted it and unable to be wearied in the admiration of his valour continued with him the time he desired During which they almost spoke of nothâ—…ng but the virtue and beauty of Alcidiana of the impossibillity of getting to her Island and the number of Lovers her pictures had acquired her in all parts of the world This intertaining had not ceased but that by the King of Denmarkes presence it was often interrupted At last the three dayes being expired the businesse was of taking of leave Phelismond though exâ—…reamely weake went out of his chamber to doe his Rivall the more honour and wished a happy succeâ—…e as well to his love as in his voyage The King came betwixt this Farwell and shewing a great deale of griefe for the departure of his second Pâ—…elismond for so he called Polexander promised to preserve preciously in his memory the voyage he had made into Denmarke but principally because of his happy successe This said the three Pâ—…inces made mutuall promises and reciprocall presents and the two Danes accompanied the Canarian to his ship The Pilot unwilling to lose a North winde that was so good for him left the Coast of Zeland and in a little time got into the Germane Sea The End of the fourth Booke of the Second Part. THE SECOND PART OF POLEXANDER The fifth Booke OUR Heroe over-joyed at his happy fullfilling of Alcidiana's command sayl'd through the vast extention of the Germane sea and driven by a winde which Love seemed to fanne with his owne wings forsook the unhappy climates of the North to returne to the delicious countries of the South and seeing himselfe so much smil'd on by Fortune he conceived no thing lesse then the infallible hope of quickly finding the inaccessible Island and in his complacency with himselfe durst even promise to him the possession of Alcidiana This contentment though imaginary too pleasingly deceiv'd him for not incensing the Demon which had resolved to crosse all his happiness Hee was therefore troubled from the first daies of his navigation for as he entred the Sleeve which separates France from England hee was like to have been lost by meeting with an adventure extreamly tragicall A contrary winde stopping him right against Calice he was forced to aleere up and down a whole night to avoid his returning back againe As hee was in this troublesome exercise a ship driven by the fury of the winde strook against his yet so fortunatly as hee received no other hurt then the bruising the side of his ship This shock awaking the most sleepy made all think on more then was betided Polexander would needs know who 't was that so secretly assayl'd him and therefore commanded his Pilot to make after At day-break they descryed the adverse ship and presently came up and laid her aboard Our Heroë was the first that leapt into her but hee was amazed when he saw nought there but an horrible solitude Never was there presented on the sea though it be the theater of prodigies and novelties any thing so
alwaies borne me goe quickly and strive to save Eolinda If thou bring'st me her not alive be secure thy Prince is dead I presently went forth not knowing where to finde a ship to goe after Eolinda but as I came out of the Castle those whom the old Dutchesse had sent to make an end of the innocent Lady told me the ship was ready and if I would be of the party I should follow them Though I was ignorant of their designe yet I took hold of the occasion and imbarqued my self with them and understood the command they had a little before our mariners had descri'd your ships I can tell you nothing of what past betwixt the mother and the son after my departure but by what hath hapned in your presence from the one and the other it is very easie for you to imagine how matters pass'd betwixt them Thus the Englishman ended his mournefull relation accompanied with many a sad teare Polexander let fall some to the memory of Eolinda and having blamed the imprudency and bewayled the misfortune of the Prince sent back all the English and commanded his Pilot to put off from the coast of England If the notes which are left me of the life of this great King have beene carefully written there hapned not to him any adventure worthy to be published from the coast of France to those of Spaine which are the neerest to Africa But it is remembred how in that place he made use of that incomparable valour and greatnesse of soule which had ever made him triumph over all dangers all fortunes and even of death it selfe He was beset with above thirty sayle of ships which falling in upon him without any observance of the ceremonies used at Sea assayled him so hotly that he had scarce time to put his men in case to defend themselves He fayled not to carry in a combat so unequall the same majesty of spirit he was wont to shew in his other combates But seeing no way of safety he would at least dye in one of the enemies vessels and make himselfe a glorious tombe of their bodies whom he had slaine Through sword and fire therefore he made up to the greatest vessell and grapling with her leapt in to make a terrible but chery of his infamous affailers He had no sooner put his foot into the ship but he was knowne by him that commanded her Hold cryed the Captaine to all he was clad after the Turkish fashion lay downe your Armes t is the King of the Canaries These words went from one end of the ship to the other and flying from ship to ship all the fleet knew in an instant they had beene like to have ruined the famous Polexander King of the Canaries In the meane while he who had first divulged this verity intimating to our Hero a great deale of joy My prayers are heard said he I have somewhat satisfied the obligations I owe your Majesty You once gave me my life and I dare say this day I have preserved yours For I most certainly know that at last you would rather have chosen an honourable death then an ignominious servitude I am the same Hamet whose life you preserved in the presence of Bajazet Iphidamantus and Zelmatida Know more Sir you are here amongst your servants since all of us know no other Soveraigne then the great Bajazet Hamet replyed Polexander this meeting is so strange that I can scarce beleeve what I see and understand But tell me I prethee where is Bajazet and why lyes his fleet on this coaste Sir said Hamet my Generall is sick in his Island and sick with griefe that he cannot recover the treasure he hath lost which if fortune and our diligence render not the sooner to him this Age will lose the rarest Jewell it hath next your Majesty and chiefly to prevent that mischance came we to Sea My companions and my selfe have altered our condition and suspending for Bajazets sake our former trade we are no more Pirates but to get into our hands the fairest women We flye up and downe to every place where fame tels us the most beautifull are and not dreading the hazard we run in so difficult and fantasticall an enterprise we place out highest felicity in the preservation of our Generals life Since you parted from our Island we have sent him twenty of the fairest women of the world but she whom he longs for is not among that number Two dayes since we tooke one in Portugall who is certainely the rarest and most wounding beauty can be looked upon She will not tell us what she is and that makes us believe it may be the same which Bajazet desires Hamet could say no more because ten or twelve of his companions came and did obeisance to our Heroe He entertained them with a courtesie which charmed the most barbarous and by a brave speech amplifying the fortune they had made him run told them t was not without cause their meeting was more feared on the Ocean then that of rocks and shelves The Pirates answered this commendation as well as they could and the aged Achaim among the rest told him it was farre from any intention of theirs to turne their forces against him for said he we have an expresse order from our Generall to obey you as himselfe and to follow your Majesty in all occasions wherein you please to do us so much honour as to make use of us and our armes T is not yet fifteene dayes since at the sacred name of Polexander we released one of the fairest ships we ever tooke She came from that inaccessible Island whereof all the world talkes and no body can see The Pilot which guided her a very venerable old man assured us he came from the Island of the Sun to see you at the Canaries and impart very important newes to you At these words the bloud flashed in Polexanders face and he felt a beating of his heart which was not usuall with him and being not able to suppresse this amorous emotion entreated Achaim to tell him what course he had seene that vessell steere We left her on the coast of Morocco replyed Achaim and the Pilot told us they went then to the King of Senega Polexander had gone away presently if his ship had beene in case But she had received so many Cannon shot that the highest sayle or top-gallant saile the maine mast and that which bore the sprits saile were shattered the maine sheet and the greatest part of the yards were torne and broken the very body of the ship was shot through in many places it required time to rectifie all this which Polexander was forced to give in spight of his impatiency To divert him Hamet propounded to his companions the shewing him their faire prisoner and his advice being approved Polexander went out of that ship into the Rover Selims and there into a Cabin where the faire Captive was kept Hee understood by Hamets
certain death before him Every one therefore got hold of what he could to hinder their sinking with the vessell but the storme made all their forecast bootlesse for the justling of the waves which confounded themselves one within another swallowed up all my mariners and souldiers with that which they had gotten to save themselves I only who without doubt had not suffered enough for my many offences was frustrated of that quiet which my companions found in the armes of death Having therefore without faining no intent to preserve my miserable life I was thrown by a wave into a Cavern which time and the surges had digged under the rock of Guargetsem When the sea is very high or that there is a violent storme as there was then the water enters into the bottom of that Cave and throwes in what it brings with it but when the waves retire or that it is calme the place is dry and hath some resemblance with those grottes which Art hath invented for the imbellishing of Gardens For an hour or two I was but ill at ease within that cave for I was upto the neck in water and knew not where to place my selfe better At last the sea went out and then I found I was out of danger The Sun which inclined towards the West and was then very near to the Tropick of Cancer suddainly striking through the thicknesse of those cloudes which had been so fatall unto us enlightened the most obscure corners of my retreat I set me at the mouth of it to injoy the suns heat and dry my clothing About an houre after I had been there I perceived some fishermen who questionlesse were got out in their boates to gather the remaines of our shipwrack I will not tell you that surely chance was the Author of the good fortune befell me at that instant but will let you know how those fishermen being desirous to get a chest which floted on the waves and which I knew to be the same wherein my servants put my best habiliments drove right to my Cavern As they were about to take it in I cried to them for helpe and my voice on a suddan comming out of that cave so affrighted them that they left the chest and betooke them to their oares I besought them to take me in and told them the chest which they were about being mine I would freely give it them if they would bee so charitable as to carry me to the next shore and tell me on what part of Africk I was shipwracked My habit and language makeing me passe for a Musulman the fishers believed that Mahomet had sent them thither to exercise the hospitality which he so strictly recommended to them They therefore tooke me into one of their boates set my chest by me not permitting me to open it for their reward and betaking them to their oares brought me to a little-port which is as the entry of a Suburb by which they ascended to the fortresse of Guargetsem There the fishers dwelt and they received me into their Cottages built of clay and straw with a great deale of humanity and carried my chest into a place under ground whereof they gave me the key I refused it and to obliege them to the continuation of their affection tooke out of my chest some chaines of gold and rings which I distributed amongst them They grew ravished at the richnesse of my presents and judged by them that I was a person of great quality I thought it not amisse to keepe them in that opinion and to that end I went presently to put off my spoyled sea weeds and take on others of cloth of gold enriched with buttens of rubies When I had fitly clad my selfe with the richest cloathes I had I came in to my fishermen and astonished them farre more by this second sight then he had done at first They lifted up their hands they whispered together came and peered me in the face handled my cloathes my belt and Cymiter and asked me often whether I were an Angell or a man When all their wonder was over they told me in what place I was and assured me their King would already have sent to entertaine me according to my desert had he been advertised of my arrivall I asked them where he was and after they had by their answer informed me he was come a few dayes besore into the fortresse of Guargetsem I thought there was no better course for me then to make my selfe knowne to that Prince I therefore sent one of those fishers to the Castle and expresly charged him to relate truly how I was shipwracked He went up and presently came back againe with Moores The first that saw me blinded with the lustre of my Jewels or surprised with seeing me stopped on the suddaine and turning to his companions Ennoramita said he to them Ennoramita The rest gaz'd on me and all with one voice cried out that I was Ennoramita Straight they cast themselves at my feet kissed my hands called me their Princesse and entreated me to go to their King They drew me out of my cottage and causing all the mountaine to ring againe with the name of Ennoramita carried me whether I would or no up to the fortresse Some of them being run before to advertise Hely of my arrivall so ravished him with the newes of it that forcing his weake legs to uphold him maugre their feeblenesse he came to meet me welcomed me with a great many pleasant huggings repeated a hundred times over the name of Ennoramita would even adore me and gave me the title of a Goddesse and sometimes that of an Angel He entreated me straight to tell him how I escaped out of the hands of the cruell Nephizus brought me into a chamber the best furnished I ever saw next to those of Zelmatida and Bajazet and entreating me to take my bath withdrew with a great deale of respect Presently came in diverse white Eunuchs and seven or eight black The last fetched all that was necessary for my chamber and the women having brought me into a great withdrawing roome shut the doore on us all If I were wonder-strooke at what I had seene and heard I was farre more when I saw my picture done like a woman hanging under a cloth of Estate made of cloth of gold I asked those who would have undressed me whether I would or no for whom that picture was made They answered me all at once t was for the Princesse Iphidamanta At that word I was like to have falne downe and certainely believed I was got into the house of some one of those Enchanters which every day worke so many prodigies in the townes of Africa I knew not which way to be cleered of my doubts In the meane time I was in an extreame perplexity But perceiving that Hely and his servants had no other intent then to serve me I said to my selfe I should be very unwise to dis-obliege them I went therefore
by all those who assisted me as if he had beene the tutelar god by whose vertue the power of the Sorceresse should be absolutely annihilated A little after his birth they gave him me in mine armes As feeble as I was I tooke him and I befeech the gods said I to him thou beest borne to a more happy Fate then thy Mother Presentâ—…y the Messenger whom I had chosen to carry the newes to the King went away and used such expedition that in two dayes he came to the unfortunately inchanted Island Zabaim receiv'd the message with an appearance of joy but sent back my Posts not giving him leave to take his repast and made him set saile without the permission of speaking with Almaid of any other The same day he came to me conceal'd what might discontent me and inventing an extreme satisfaction said the King had promis'd he would be quickly with me Alas he came not and thought it enough to send Almaid That generous Favourite seeing me so desolate forc'd himselfe as much as was possible for feare of encreasing my afflictions but the compassion he tooke of my fortune overcame his resolution and drew teares from his eyes 'T was yet worse when he would have spoken to me for his speech failing him at the first word he stood as knowing not what to say and by that confusion told me what Zelopa's wickednesse was able to make me suffer In the meane time that Wisdome which is the Source of all other forsooke me not in that extremity In lieu of despairing at Almaids discomfort I found my selfe miraculously fortified My courage encreased and finding my selfe armed against all that might happen What Almaid said I must I contribute a constancy and consolation which I expected from you Cannot you endure the sight of an unfortunate woman or have you not the heart to tell to what new torments she is condemned Almaid seeing with what constancy I bore my affliction tooke courage and thinking there was no need of mincing my misfortune to make it the more supportable to me Madam said he the King who is not yet well satisfied in his former suspicions would see the little Prince before he would have him acknowledged for his Son He hath commanded me to come hither and to bring the child to him without delay Let nothing hinder you from being conformable to what he desires Doe this last violence on your selfe Give him that admirable proofe of your love and obedience and consider if you please the consequence and importance of his command Cruell and barbarous command cried I but I must obey it since my Lord will have it so and that with the sensibility of Nature I lose all those feares which our Enemy throwes on us Take this little Infanâ—… Almaid and go maugre your selfe deliver it to the fury of inhumane Zelopa She cannot endure Zabaims lawfull heire to live He must dye to assure her tyranny One same day must give and take away from me the quality of a Mother and without doubt by a fearfull agnition that monster must offer up the Son to those Demons which have sacrific'd the father to her Almaid having by his remonstrances and teares obliged me to put a period to my laments Madam said he if any of my actions have had the power to make your thoughts doe me the honour as to thinke me worthy the name of an honest man I submisâ—…y beseech you to believe the little Prince shall run no danger and that I will dye a thousand deaths if possible ere I suffer any whatsoever to attempt ought against his life Let your Majesty therefore set your minde at rest and satisfie the will of a father who is most dangerous to be provok'd I wil not say some great happinesse may succeed your obedience but I am certaine your refusall will render our wrongs absolutely incurable After he had thus spoake and told me what perill it was to detaine him he cast himselfe at the feet of a Lady of Senega who was most of my Counsell and all my comfort to dispose her to follow his opinion I knew well I must resolve to leave my childe I therefore call'd for it and bedewing it with my teares Goe said I little creature unfortunate assoone as borne goe under the protection of heaven which I adore whither his commands call thee by whom thou sawest the light Give him a tryall of thy obedience even before thou knowest him and when thou art with him suppresse thy cryes and teares for feare of his ill interpretation by imagining thou turn'st against him all those armes which Nature hath bestowed on thee With these words I fell into a swound and my childe had falne on the ground if Almaid had not caught him He carried the childe to his lodging and in lesse then two houres making all things ready put on his way with my Son and the women which waited on him The very day on which that desolate troupe came to a Castle on the Sea side Zabaim heard of it and leaving his inchanted Island came to see this living image of himselfe Almaira presented the child to him and said I beseech'd him by our first love to consider that Infant as he was the father of it 'T is that to which Zelopa represents me cried Zabaim She would have me use that power which the name of father gives me and would not have any thing that is mine owne to be deerer to me then my selfe Thou therefore poore innocent creature must bethe Sacrifice not for the expiation but the continuance of thy fathers offences Zelopa covets thy life weake and unfortunate Infant and will not believe my love to be without example till she have seene me commit a murther which shall never have any Dye then since my fury condemnes thee and let my weake and captivated reason give way to that unjust necessity which pronounceth the Sentence of thy death What thou weep'st my childe and thy little cries seeme to implore my assistance against Zelopa's cruelty Stay thy teares smother these laments and if thou wilt have me to be pitifull do nothing that may make me so But alas I see that all things conspire with thine Enemy Nature betrayes in fayning to succour thee Thy teares in lieu of pleading for thy safety solicit thy destruction and thy cries precipitate thy fate in going about to divert it Well 't is done I am vanquish'd Pity hath mollified my hard heart I feele the force of bloud I confesse my selfe thy father and therefore thou must dye for Zelopa assign'd me that fatall moment and commanded me then to begin thy murder when Nature gave me the most lively and tender feelings a father could have for his Son Zabaim could not continue his lamentations The overflowing of his teares and the violence of his fobs and sighes tooke away the use of his voyce He stood sometime like a Statue but on the suddaine passing from one extreme to another He
agitated spirit makes me feare the explanation of certaine words which that old woman spake to me who came for Almanzaira Whilst he said thus he saw that Matron running as fast as she could He would faine have avoided her but not being able to do it without incivility he went to meet her and ask'd whether she desired any service from him You may render a signall one replied she to the person that sends me and she therefore conjures you by the name of Alcidiana that you will not disdaine to see her At that word Polexander grew pale and trembled but unwilling the aged woman should perceive it I will goe said he where you please Yet I am most certaine you take me for another With that he went in great haste to the garden gate and there remembring his pace was not proportionable with the Matrons he return'd to her and so went to the same Cell where he staid at his entrance into the Hermitage Almanzaira met him at the doore and shewing her sadnesse by her eyes full of teares Amalthea said she knew you at your first entrance into this place and though that knowledge hath brought her into the misery she is yet hath she an extreame desire to see you It may be she expecteth her cure from the hand that wounded her Be pleased then to enter and let us see what lessening of paine that poore sick Lady can receive from your presence Almanzaira presently led Polexander into Amalthea's chamber and plac'd him where she might see him 'T is he cried the dying Lady 't is even he but miserable Amalthea regards him not The desire thou hast made knowne to see him is certainely a temptation of those cruell Enemies who would retard thee from that rest which vertue hath prepared for thee in heaven With that she shut her eyes turn'd her head aside and calling Almanzaira Madam said she to her let him depart if he please and when I am dead give him the letter which you shall finde under my beds-head She spake so low those last words that the Queene well deem'd she was departing She lamented her as much as if she had beene her owne daughter and to performe her last will tooke the letter which she had laid under her boulster and gave it to Polexander The Prince unwilling to stay in a place where his sight was so deadly went forth much afflicted and felt in Amalthea's death one of those new disasters whereof a little before he had spoken to Alcippus and Diceus He forbore not to open the dead Ladies Letter but he durst not reade it for all his imaginations having no other object but Alcidiana he conceiv'd he should therein meet some great example either of that Princesses anger or contempt After he had well considered on what he had to do he ventur'd to reade the letter and first found these words on it To the unfortunate Polexander 'T is to me indeed said he this letter is addressed For though there may be other Polexanders in the world yet there is none that can dispute with me for the title of Unfortunate Reade then Polexander reade a Letter which must bely its superscription if it be not extremely dismall to thee After these words he leant on Alcippus and found in the paper this that followes SOme other may talke to you of my life for mine owne part I will give notice to you of nothing but my death I say of that long and cruell death of which I have beene three yeares or rather three ages dying I was with the divine Alcidiana and liv'd in that delightfull and continuall repose which Innocence crownes youth withall when the Queens Sacrificers and Pilots publish'd in the Inaccessible Island the wonders of your life They spake of your courage as of that of the ancient Semi-gods They extold your generosity beyond all others and prov'd your incredible prosperities were the pure effects of your excellent vertue and not the favours nor Capricioes of fortune I confesse it unfortunate Polexander I was struck to the heart with the recitall of so many miracles and Love whose name and maliciousnesse I knew tooke the maske of esteeme and admiration to gaine under that disguise what he could never have obtained of himselfe I was in Alcidiana's privy Chamber when this mischance betided I lost the respect I ow'd to her quality and that to mine owne birth and declaring to her my folly Madam said I is it possible you have so long time beene ignorant of these things or have you envi'd your Subjects the protection of so brave a man Alcidiana blush'd to heare me say it and ask'd me whether her people had need of any other safeguard then her owne Nature said she hath beene too favourable to reduce us to the shamefull necessity of imploring the help of man We have no need of Polexander For had we beene so unfortunate as to have occasion to use his courage we would have retain'd him when Fortune cast him on our Island Have you then seene him said I interrupting him and can you keep this indifferency or rather so cruell a neglect Ah Madam your insensibility will be one day punish'd I durst not prosecute this discourse because I perceiv'd by Alcidiana she lik'd it not but desirous to leave to her Subjects a memorable example of her severity she not onely forbad them to speake of you but by a declaration contrary to her owne inclination condemn'd your memory to an eternall oblivion and any whosoever of her Priests or Pilots which should conduct you into the Inaccessible Island to be expos'd with you to the flames of the Altar of Vengeance All these rigours no way lessen'd my passion It got new strength in growing elder and when I knew it proceeded from love I found my selfe too weake to suppresse it One day finding my selfe alone with the Queene I cast my selfe at her feet and besought her with teares in mine eyes to let me know all she had heard of you She grew extremely cholerique at it but seeing her anger did but the more stirre up my desire and impatiency I will said she give you that vaine contentment yet I vow your extravagancy amazeth me A hundred times I kissed her hands in lieu of being troubled and confessed to her I was no more rationall In the meane time my teares my sighs my dying looks and my faintings wrought so much pity in the heart of that Princesse that she told me of your arrivall in her Kingdome and the command she gave for your departure thence assoone as she knew your affection By the content she tooke in that narration I judg'd you were not so indifferent to her as she would make me believe and that her passion betraying it selfe discovered that which she held with so much difficulty Assoone as she had ended her discourse I felt my selfe cleane alter'd from what I was before Reason which had forsaken me tooke her place againe and setting before mine
eyes the fault I committed against my selfe made me condemne my first inclination I retir'd from the extremity whither my disposition had hurried me and contemplating you as destinated for the sole Alcidiana Amalthea said I to my selfe thou canst not love him without a crime for to enjoy him thou must either betray the Queene or thy vertue Give over then leave that so amiable Polexander to his just Possessor But art thou so silly as to perswade thy selfe that he who so much disquiets thee is so lovely as they would have thee beleeve Ask some who are lesse interessed then a Mistris and her servants and thou wilt finde there is a great disproportion betwixt the true Polexander and Alcidiana's I did what I said I chang'd my opinion and would have let the Queene know it but she prevented me and ask'd what I thought of Polexander That which I thinke of all men said I and I sweare to you Madam by the duty I owe your Majesty that I never enquir'd after him but onely to satisfie my curiosity Alcidiana smil'd at my answer and strictly embracing me Amalthea said she I will fully content that affectation when thou pleasest Thus wee parted For my part I got to my bed But all night long I did nought but call to minde the defects which they usually cast on men to give me just cause to neglect you Not to lye I had almost effected it and my imagination had already halfe cured the wound it had made when Fame contemning Alcidiana's declarations brought you into the Inaccessible Island as a Conquerour over the Kings of Castile and Portugall I look'd on you with excessive joy in a table where you were drawne defending alone the Port of one of your Isles against all the Enemies fleet The Sea was stain'd with their bloud and the shore strew'd with Spaniards which seem'd to have come offer themselves to your sword that they might have the honour to dye by your hand O! how fatall was that sight to me I confesse it to my shame Polexander I felt my selfe burne with so sweet a fire that in spight of all the remonstrances of reason I tooke delight in being consum'd by it My extravagancy which till then had beene conceal'd at that time burst out and made me stop mine â—…ares to all prudent counsell Neither the consideration of Alcidiana nor the care of my reputation nor the feare of heaven could make me alter my resolution I got from the Inaccessible Island and not daring to take leave of Alcidiana put to Sea without other Guide then my blinded passion Heaven could not suffer my unbridlednesse nor consent to my ruine It staid me on the brink of the precipice by a violent fever made an end of another that was far more burning That sicknesse was my health For that great Physitian which never leaves his cures imperfect so strengthened my soule by the weakenesse of my body that he made me capable of that horror we should have for all the ordures of the earth I renounc'd the greatnesse of my birth I tooke leave of the world and to do a long penance for the errours of my youth came and confin'd my selfe within this Isle Almost two yeares have I tried to appease the anger of that incomprehensible Spirit that is no lesse just then mercifull I have bewail'd my loving the Creature more then the Creator I have fasted I have prayed I have wept in briefe I have omitted nothing of all that which might restore me the Innocency which my frailty had rob'd me of My sufferings have beene followed by consolations and though my minde hath beene often tempted by the charmes of your remembrance yet I can say it came off victorious Yes I dare brag now I am certaine of my victory I see the end of my combat such as I desired Heaven opens it selfe to receive me and shewes me that immortall Crowne it hath prepar'd for all those hardy Combatants who know how to tame the rebellion of sense and the disorders of the will Farewell then Polexander admire the vertue of Alcidiana and condemne not the infirmity of Amalthea Polexanâ—…er had his eyes full of teares all the while he read the letter and when he had ended it I did verily beleâ—…ve said he this letter would be to me a Source of new disasters O fortune O Alcidiana O love O death which of you foure wil have so much pity as to put a period to my miseries This sad cogitation having a long time tormented him he call'd to minde the assurances Amalthea had given him by her letter of Alcidiana's favour to him But he had not beene scarce a moment setled on so pleasing a subject when despaire and incredulity depriv'd his thought of all those faire Idea's He return'd againe to those old distrusts of himselfe tooke for lyes Amalthea's verities and rejecting his least hopes as rashnesse worthy thunder made himselfe as miserable as he had cause to think him happy Thus to no purpose he persecuted himselfe when Almanzaira came out of Amalthea's chamber as much afflicted for the death of that Princesse as for her owne misfortunes At the first word Polexander was about to speake to her she interrupted him and shewing him a man who then entred the Court of the Hermitage 't is Almaid cried she and presently ran to meet him and said what was fitting to oblige him to speake freely before Polexander After that declaration Almaid was not fearefull of being knowne therefore addressing him to his Queene Madam said he give heaven the thanks which its justice and pity deserve Your misfortunes are at an end and your enemies power is extinguished I know replied Almanzaira the unfortunate Almanzor hath slaine himselfe 'T is true Madam said Almaid the brave Polexander which seemes to be descended from heaven on earth to free the world of tyranny and exterminate monsters hath deliver'd you from two the most fearefull and cruell that Africa ever bred Polexander in lieu of making himselfe knowne undertooke Almanzors defence and addressing him to Almaid Our passions said he are disorders of the soule and therefore the harder for those by whom they are govern'd to preserve either all their judgement or all their imagination This being so I wonder not your affection transports you so from your selfe as to draw your sword against a woman and pardon not the memory of the dead I am farre from justifying Zelopa since her actions accuse her and being condemned by Almanzaira she is so by the mouth of Justice it selfe 'T is Almanzor I defend not onely for being Zabaims son but because I knew his vertues and that he never consented to the crimes of his mother Besides his valour was so extraordinary that all these Seas have beene the Theater of it and if he had not coveted death he by his acts would have shewd himselfe the worthy son of that great Monarch who is the Author of his life Polexander never vaunted he
overcame him and that report which attributes to him the glory of it is even more injurious to Polexander then to Almanzor Almanzaira knowing that Almaid could not reply to this speech but with bitternesse interposed and addressing her to Polexander as not knowing him Your generosity said she agrees well with that pity I have for Almanzor I confesse him to be more worthy our bewailings then our reproaches and I should not have lesse love to my selfe then Almaid witnesseth if the just cause I have to wish ill to the mother should make me descend to hate her son But tell me said she turning to Almaid how was Almanzors death taken in Senega Madam replied Almaid after Polexander no matter what they say to the contrary had overcome the false Almanzor and the newes of his death was spread through all Zabaims dominions there was so great and so generall a joy that the most time-serving and most interessed Courtiers suppressed their infirmitie and cowardise to be the first to let Zabaim and Zelopa understand an accident which was to be so insupportable to them Zelopa was sicke for her Sonnes absence and had resolved to put to sea to seek him when her Confidents brought her newes of his death At which shee became as immoveable as that Queen whom a like accident had before time turned into a Rock But when that mortall insensibility had even given place to those fearfull resentments which grief despaire and rage hurle on all miscreants Zelopa not onely grew furious but seemed to be fury it self She cast her self on the earth tore her haire scratched her face and talked of nothing but what was horrible called an hundred times for all the Devills in hell to assist her No no cried shee afterwards come not at all poore weak and deceitfull spirits you cannot give me back the life of my Son and I desire nothing else from you The rest is in my power It must be executed and by an act worthy my courage and plunge all Senega her King in a calamity which shal have no end but by the death of the one and the intire desolation of the other Every one trembled with horror to heare the threatnings of that Fury and some ran to advertise the King of his wifes desperation Hee came with all speed to comfort her but he found her weltring in her gore and yet holding the ponyard in the wound she had made When she saw him she cast her furious and gastly lookes on him and drawing the weapon out of her wound Hold here Zabaim said she see the last pledge of our abominable allyance Take it yet reeking with my bloud and making an end of that murther I have began appease the shades of thy wife and Son With that she gave up the ghost and let fall the ponyard she presented to Zabaim At that word Almanzaira interrupting Almaid Alas said she for heavens sake tell me what became of the King my husband He did strange things replied Almaid He tooke Zelopa in his armes lamented her in termes full of impiety a hundred times kissed her wound and all bloudied with his horrible kisses carried that miserable creature into his closet The very day of that murder I came to Senega and caused to be published in many places not onely that you were not dead but that the true Almanzor was yet living and full of honour Assoone as I had spread abroad this newes and had understood in what manner the false Almanzor was slaine I put to sea to advertise you of it That which you are to doe Madam is presently to leave the place of your long banishment and by your presence give content to the longing eyes of so many people which by your returne expect that of their former felicity Let 's go replied the Queene and quickly to render what we owe to my deare Lord and not permit if it be possible the Sorceries of Zelopa to last after her death And you O my deare Comforter said she to Polexander I beseech you by your generousnesse and your obliging offers not to forsake me till you have seene the end of those adventures whose beginning I have related to you I shall have need of your courage your counsell will be behoofull to me and the same Genius who in comforting me by your sight presag'd my happinesse tels me that without you it cannot have its accomplishment Though replied Polexander I account my selfe unable to contribute any thing to the perfecting a worke which more excellent hands then mine have undertaken yet I will waite on you and not being capable of performing any more at least I will testifie my obedience to you Go hence then Madam the soonest you can and think how necessary for Zabaims preservation those moments are which my consideration makes you lose Almanzaira went presently to take leave of her Company and Hermitage and then ran towards the Sea Polexander commanded Diceus to embalme Amalthea's body and that when he had caused it to be brought aboard his ship to follow him to Senega Alcippus went with his Master and embarked with him in Almaids vessell Almanzaira fearefull least there might happen some slightnesse betwixt them did what she could to make them discourse often together and taking the occasion of letting Polexander know the sequell of her fortunes I have said she to Almaid related to this Knight all that hath betided me to the day that you went to Sea with my Son I entreat you to let him know the rest Almaid who to himselfe had much esteemed the generousnesse of Polexander was glad an occasion was offered to oblige him At first he entreated to be excused if he repeated such things as he had already heard and adding to that request other civilities in this manner continued the adventures of Zabaim and his wives A Continuation of the History of the Princes of SENEGA THat generall peace which reignes so absolutely from the height of heaven to the very depth of the waters makes me call to minde that most happy day wherein I violated the humane Law to observe the divine and wherein by a just disobedience I chose rather to expose my selfe to the danger of losing the fathers favour then to lay open the Son to the hazard of losing his life But before I relate to you the strange accidents of my voluntary Exile and the faire adventures which accompanied the youth of the lawfull Prince of Senega be pleased I recount to you the misfortunes of Almanzaira and the dreadfull resolutions which the too much blinded Zabaim tooke through the ambition and fury of Zelopa When that Sorceresse understood by the returne of her Idolater that the young Prince was got away she sent all the ships she had after him and commanded to bring back againe dead or alive Almanzor and Almaid Whilst the Instruments of her cruelty strove to execute her horrible commands she turn'd her fury on Almanzaira and either by her death
he was borne for the ruine and extirpation of Monsters I in that adventure followed him but was so unfortunate as to be taken by the Portugals and carried prisoner into Gama's ship I offred him gold and pearles for my ransome and even told him I was Abrinzia's brother and omitted nothing of what might make him capable of a resolution to set me at liberty But the losse of his best Souldiers and the dishonor to be beaten back againe to shipping by Almanzor working him to a revenge made him inexorable The night after his defeate he weigh'd Anchor and unmov'd by my teares and supplications carried me into Spaine and presented me to the King his Master for Abrinzia's brother Those three yeares I passed in that servitude hindred me from being a spectator of Almanzor's great adventures But heaven infallibly permitted it for some good and if I deceive not my selfe to the end my Prince living unknowne to himselfe as well as to his Enemies might retard their ruine without taking paines for his owne Know then after he had repuls'd the Portugals and seene their ships farre from the coasts of Benin he muster'd his men but finding me wanting he was so afflicted and witnessed such resentments as I shall never recompence by any service or the losse of my life A hundred times exclaim'd he on his fortune cast his armes away and running where the slaughter had beene greatest searched all the dead to see whether I were of their number But not finding me he ran to the Sea and his griefe transporting him Theeves and villaines cried he to the Portugals give me back Almaid and if your avarice cannot be satisfied by an ordinary ransome I engage my selfe to conquer for you all the golden countrey for the liberty of my second father But in uneffectuall petitions I lose that time which I should imploy for Almaids redemption Therewithall he sent a servant of his to Abrinzias to advertise him of my losse and to beseech him humbly he would be pleased to command the Royall vessell to be made ready and arm'd to pursue those who had carried me away prisoner That ship was carefully kept in the River of Benin and as a thing consecrated to their Deity was not us'd but to saile some dayes in the yeare to carry those offerings which the Crowne of Benin owed to the great Temple of Congo Almanzor went to the Captaine of that ship and perswading him that the succouring of the miserable and giving liberty to those which had lost it was a pleasing Offering to heaven obliged him to arme his vessell and keepe it ready to weigh Anchor assoone as the Kings permission came to him The very same day leave came and though Abrinzias writ to Almanzor not to hazard himselfe in that voyage yet he imbark'd himselfe and followed the Portugals His ship being not so good a sayler nor so well governed as those he chased could never fetch them up But on the contrary in the first tempest being forsaken by the Pilot he was eight or ten dayes at the mercy of the Sea and at last ran on a bank on a coast farre distant from that of Benin Almanzor saved himselfe in a little boate that was in the ship and armed with his usuall armour landed on that unknowne shore No sooner was he on land but he saw himselfe environed with many armed men who infallibly taking him for another cast themselves at his feet and shew'd by their clapping of hands and their shouts they were exceedingly delighted The most apparent of the Troupe standing a while as ravish'd with admiration or joy Welcome said he O most happily return'd is this worthy Prince which was borne for the safety of Nations for the destruction of Tyrants and the protection of the afflicted O my deare Country dry thy teares revive thy hopes acknowledge thy happinesse behold thy tutesar Angel and come meet this powerfull defender who is going to pluck thy Princes out of Captivity and breake the chaines of their servitude Almanzor was much surpris'd with this mans acclamations and to know the cause of it would not take him out of that error On the contrary he entreated him to relate what had hapned who were the enemies he was to fight with and what was become of those should defend them Great Prince replied the man I should be too tedious if I recounted to you all the miseries that have betided us since your absence Know that the untameable King of Tombut the furious tyrant of Temian and the hardy Prince of Agadez renewing the wars they had other times begun out of meere ambition and yet under pretext of avenging our first Queene came thundring on this Kingdome with a powerfull Army and to make the people revolt publish'd all about that the King by the advice of the Queen now reigning had caus'd his first wife to be poysoned and poniarded his Son My King who without flattery hath all the qualities of a great Prince did what he could to repell force by force but seeing himselfe forsaken by most of his Subjects he was constrain'd to shut himselfe up in a strong place he hath on the River of Senega and to expect there the aide was coming to him from Melley and Guinea That succour was vainely look'd for for the Kings fault which grew not out of mens memories and his second marriage which was contracted by a murther and a sacriledge were the reasons why no body would take Armes for our defence The King seeing himselfe out of hope to be relieved resolved to dye like a man of valour He made a salley on his enemies but after he had lost many of his people and received divers great wounds he was taken and ignominiously led before the King of Tombut Zelopa so is our Queen called advertis'd of that mischance did not what another wife would have done She had no recourse to teares and cryes but got out of her Palace with a manlike heart and taking the place of the King her husband made a speech to the people and souldiers and wonne them to a defence even till death The Enemy in the meane time sent her a Herauld and word that if within eight dayes she resolv'd not to render her selfe to their discretion they would cut off the Kings head Those eight dayes expire to morrow Judge my Lord if hitherto we have not had great cause of affliction and seeing you return'd whether we have not more reason to rejoyce The man thus ending his discourse besought Almanzor to take some course instantly for the safty of his father and mother Almanzor somewhat troubled with the novelty of this adventure knew not what to resolve but his innate generosity dissipating all those cloudy made him see how honourable this occasion might be to him and the interest he had not to disbeguile those who tooke him for what he was not He resolv'd therefore to assist the imprisoned King and the afflicted Lady and intimating so
former advisednesse and began to chide him for it He told him he knew his vigilancy too much to accuse him of sloth yet seeing him so long in bed he could not but believe so great disquiets had interposed his nights rest You have better divin'd answer'd Almanzor then may be you imagin'd 'T is true I have undergone a shrewd conflict this night but my resistance hath beene such that I am come off with the victory That which I have now to say to you is that you lose not the faire occasion which the differences betwixt the Usurpers of Guinea offer you and without ingaing your selfe in this warre you will doe me the honour to consent that I serve you in this expedition as I have done in others Zabaim disbeguil'd of that which he believ'd and may be glad to have Almanzor farre from the faire Stranger thank'd him for his advice and proffer and having often embrac'd him said he would accompany him in that warre Almanzor intimated it was not fit for him to be absent from Senega in a time wherein his ancient enemies might easily revive the rebellion But on the contrary that he ought to raise a new Army to stay exotique factions and in case of necessity to oppose those that would hinder his conquests Zabaim liking the counsell well and seeing all things succeed according to his desire drew his Army out of his garrisons and made Almanzor Generall over it The Prince being ready to depart remembred the faire Stranger which he durst not see againe and unwilling that ought which he had once lov'd should become indifferent to him he intreated Zabaim to continue his good treating of the three strangers and if they desired to returne home to give them whatsoever should be needfull for their voyage The King promis'd him to forget nothing of what he owed to his love and to make it appeare gave them more attendants As often as Almanzor sent to heare of them his Messenger brought him word that the Father and the Mother esteem'd themselves very happy to be falne into so noble hands but that the Daughter wept in her good fortune as she had done in her ill that her griefes rather grew then decreas'd and that neither the company nor consolations of her Parents could any way asswage her sorrow Almanzor who may be was not so well cured of his love as he thought himselfe was mov'd with that Maydens affliction but loath to run the danger of losing himselfe in succouring her he befought Zabaim by his bounty and visits to charme the griefe of that desolate faire one with that he tooke leave of the King and with his most speed got to the Army He carried himselfe with no lesse courage and government in that last War then he had done in the former He pursu'd the traytors even to the Frontiers of Benin and having given them battle as a man might say in the sight of the courteous Abrinzias made him a Spectator of a part of his brave actions In summe while that King was weeping and grieving for the losse of that deare Son he understood from the publike voyce that Almanzor had made himselfe Master of the most Easterne parts of Guinea and as Generall to Zabaim had ruin'd all the petty Usurpers of that great Province He scarce durst give credit to so good and so strange newes and was on the point to send men expresly to know the truth when Hydaspes brother to the hardy Bellerophon of whose death I have told you came to him from Almanzor and presented to him foure of the six Usurpers of Guinea Imagine how excessive Abrinzia's joy was and how many teares these good tydings drew from the eyes of the vertuous Andromeda But all that joy was nothing comparable with that those two Princes receiv'd when the saw Almanzor himself arrive at Court triumphant and victorious of a part of the Princes of Africa The great fame he had gotten by his Combates and the advantageous alteration which two yeares absence had wrought in his countenance and stature made him so exquisite in the eyes of Abrinzias Andromeda that they almost committed idolatry in taking him for somewhat more then man The Feast for his returne lasted divers moneths and was not disturb'd but by a horrible attempt of the Prince of Benin That insolent and furious brute jealous of Almanzor's reputation and enrag'd at the kindnesses he received from the King and Queen plotted with the counsellors of his ordinary villanies to murther him whom he thought certainly was his brother The difficulty was in finding the opportunity for the execution Many wayes were propos'd by Perseus confederates at last they fixed on one that might doe the feate and the cowardly Prince run no danger 'T was that that Monster borne to afflict those who had given him life lying with Almanzor as he did often should stab him whil'st hee slept and after he had kill'd him give himselfe some light wound to cover his villany and make it beleev'd that those who had murther'd Almanzor had an intent he should run the fame fate too The time for execution resolv'd on Perseus redoubled his kindnesses to Almanzor and so behav'd himselfe towards him as if he meant to yeeld up his birth right and acknowledge him already for his King Almanzor who saw not Perseus defects or rather that would not take notice oâ—… them shew'd him a love mixt with respect and thinking he must one day be his Soveraigne thought himselfe very happy in enjoying his favour The night being come wherein the most abominable act was to be committed that ever frighted nature those two Princes went to bed together and assoone as their slaves were gone Perseus agitated with the rage he nourish'd in his brest did such actions as might have well made him suspected if Almanzor had beene capable of it That innocenâ—… Prince ask'd him the cause of his disquiet but since he gave no answer would not presse it further for feare of displeasing him Straight after he fell asleep and as if himselfe had conspired with that hangman against his owne life deliver'd it to his mercy Though that Monster was full of impatiency and fury yet he staid till the poor Almanzor was very fast asleep seizing then his ponyard which he had hid under him and by the light of a candle which was not farre from the bed chusing the place where his stab might be most mortall lifted up his arme to accomplish his damnable designe Ah wretch cry'd Polexander interrupting Almaid stay thy fury and thine arme He neither held one nor other coldly repli'd Almaid but just Heaven who had before preserv'd Almanzor in so dangerous occasions would not have him meet his death in so sound and assured a repose It fill'd the soule of Perseus with a panick terrour it troubled his eyes and making his hand to shake so happily diverted the blow that the ponyard in lieu of being stab'd into the body was strucke
scarce gave him leasure to put by or avenge himselfe Yet did he what a valiant man could and gave not ground till his Symiter was broken and weakened by the losse of almost all his bloud he could not possibly stand longer He was no sooner fallen but Almanzor offering his Symeter to his throat Thou shalt dye said he unlesse thou restore me the Princesse thou hast stolne The Rover making shew that that speech was more deadly to him then all his words Do not said he to Almanzor abuse thy victory but know that scoffing and jeering never well became the mouth of a Conquerour I confesse the desire of getting that Princesse of whom thou speakest hath brought me from Morocco to Benin but that designe hath not prosper'd and I acknowledge now that wicked projects sooner or later have but unfortunate events I feele I feele the blow wherewith I was long since threatned My crimes have exhausted all the patience of heaven and by a just retribution I meet with a violent death that so I may be exemplarily chastis'd for so many murthers which my command hath committed though my hand hath not beene able to execute them The Pirates Speech so sensibly touched Almanzor that changing in an instant from an irreconcilable enemy to a pitifull Comforter Hope better said he from the bounty of heaven and since it hath brought you to repent you of your former life doubt not but it hath in store a better for you You shall live for its glory and the example of others of your condition But let not your repentance be imperfect Be sorrowfull for offending without cause the Prince of Benin I sweare repli'd the Pirate by that just avenging Deity whose hand iâ—… now heavy upon me that I know not where the Princesse Iphidamanta is and I die with more griefe to lose her for ever then to lose the light of day With those words hee gave up the ghost and left Almanzor so extreamely afflicted that his victory went neere to have beene very dismall to him For the Pirates seeing their Generall dead in lieu of losing courage as men of warre usually doe in like occasions shewed themselves more hardy and furious then before They rushed all at once on Almanzor and if the necessity of defending himselfe had not drawne him from his dangerous compassion he had run the hazard of accompanying the vanquish'd Rover. He then turn'd head on the Pirates he drove them back he pierc'd them he dispers'd them and by his terrible blows inforc'd them to have recourse to that goodnesse which a little before they had despised Almanzor receiv'd them to mercy and stopping his Souldiers fury My Companions said he to them 't is enough that we have brought our enemies to aske their lives Let us use them so as they may be bound to esteeme us as milde to those which yeeld as we are redoubtfull to such as resist us The Pirates ravish'd at Almanzorse xceeding generosity as much as they had bin terrified by his in comparable valour threw their weapons turbants at his feet and as if they had now a time to accord their desires with their thoughts Fill cried they all to gether the place which Nephisus hath left empty by his death The name of Nephisus strook Almanzor to the heart and won him to grant the Rovers what they desired only to cleer such doubts as they had cast into his minde Seeing therefore so great an union where a little before there was so great contrariety and so profound a peace where so much war had bin kindled First of all said he to them I desire to know whence your Generall was what is become of the Princesse he stole from the Court of Benin One of the Pirates speaking for all I know said he better then my companions the reason of your demands and I can better then they satisfie you in them both Know said he further sighing that the unfortunate Nephisus whom you see dead at your feet is the same Nephisus who for the beginning of his miseries felt in the Prince his brothers Turney that your pastimes diversions are dreadfull 'T is the same Nephisus who following the counsell of his naturall ambition and the passions of the King his father's enemies violated the most sanctified Lawes and wrong'd a goodnesse which had never parallel 'T is that Nephisus who failing in his faith to the Princesse of Tunis and of his duty to the good Hely would have ravish'd Iphidamanta from him and besieg'd him in a Fortresse whereinto he was retir'd with her In summe 't is the same Nephisus who thinking himselfe by his taking that place not onely master of his fathers life but possessor of his Crowne and of Iphidamanta saw himselfe compell'd to abandon his defeated army to fly out of his fathers territories and that he might have a refuge to implore the assistance and protection of those who now demand yours I beleeve my Lord these generall things will be sufficient to satisfie part of your curiosity for the rest this is all the manifestation we can now give you When Nephisus left the Pirates Island for the stealing or forcing away of Iphidamanta he chose for companions of his fortune two of his most resolute Captaines the one was called Thalemut and the other Achain They promis'd him to throw themselves into Abrinzias Palace in two places which they knew and to take thence Iphidamanra whilst with his troupe he amused another where that Kings gard was They executed what they had promis'd but Nephisus being constrained to retire to his ships sooner then they had agreed upon together neither met with Thalemut nor Achain A tempest presently arose and our vessels were so dispers'd that this unfortunate Prince never heard since what was become of those two Captaines If you please I may have leave to tell you my opinion I thinke that Thalemut and Achain are certainly retir'd into their Island and carried the Princesse along with them Quoth Almanzor that which you have told me fills me with astonishment and gives me a great deale of satisfaction But I should have all I desire if you would instruct me what course I should steere to get to that fatall Island The Pirates who were about him spoke all at once and offered not onely to conduct him thither but also to cause Iphidamanta to be restor'd to him if so be she were in the hands of any of their Captains Almanzor imbrac'd them all one after another to thanke them for a promise that was so pleasing to him and in recompence told them he would if they thought them worthy fill Nephisus place and give them a Generall as affectionate as he if he did not give them one as valiant The Pirates taking him at his word forgot their pass'd losses by the gaine they had in him and betooke them to the course which their former combate had put them farre from Almanzor commanding his Mariners to follow him
Lady replied Andromeda I have already long since discover'd Almanzors affection but his discretion and your vertue being equally knowne to me I thought there was no need of advising the taking heed either to him or your selfe I humbly kisse your Majesties hands replied Iphidamanta and am too much oblig'd for your noble beliefe of me I will strive Madam to give you cause to continue it and not to deferre so good an intent I beseech you humbly by these knees I embrace with that she fell downe at her feet to free me hence to take me from the sight of men and to shut me up in some place where their humorous affection how extravagant soever dare not trouble my repose But how happy Madam should I thinke my selfe if by some invention which would carry probability I might be feign'd to be lost and by that meanes absolute get me from the knowledge of Almanzor Andromeda ravish'd at Iphidamanta's resolution promis'd to second her and getting her leave to communicate the businesse to me dismissed her with a promise to travell without intermission for the accomplishment of her just desires My wife and my selfe were eight or ten dayes deliberating what way we should take to bring it to passe without giving Almanzor cause to complaine of us and indeed we were not smally troubled when the eternall providence which never loseth an occasion of favouring them which serve it as they ought would make use even of the villany of a company of theeves to place the innocency of Iphidamanta in surety Whilst therefore Almanzor was in fight with the Pirates Andromeda dispos'd all things for the faigning Iphidamanta's carrying away and the businesse succeeded so wel that in the same instant when the theeves assaulted the Palace Iphidamanta was taken from the eyes of Osmin and his wife and secretly conveyed by Andromeda alone into the Temple of their god of Purity Almanzor in the meane time return'd after he had knock'd back our enemies into their vessels and met with Osmin and his wife who unadvisedly enough told him of Iphidamanta's losse The Prince who lov'd her beyond thought return'd to the Sea cast himselfe into a ship and inconsiderately made after the supposed ravishers of that Princesse Since that time I have not heard of him but feare lest his love and valour have cost him his life Never trouble your self quoth Polexander for Almanzor lives and now enjoyeth all the Crownes which Zelopa's ambition hath so often striven to deprive him of But Sir said he goe on if you please in what you have begun and I will relate afterwards if you thinke fit the strange revolutions have betided in Senega Abrinzias began againe and hastening to know Zabaims alteration Perseus said he being no more restrain'd by his feare of Almanzor overflow'd with so prodigious an excesse that he drew me out of the errour I had long liv'd in and made me see when I would have bridled his fury it was not then able to be suppressed Admonitions profited as little as threatnings and severity mov'd him no more then mildnesse Andromeda who never till then thought him guilty was strooke halfe dead when she heard of it and being generous suspended her motherly love to let that authority worke which heaven hath given to parents over their children I likewise became of the same just opinion though with a great deale of griefe But we must confesse to both our shames we were not able to persever but after a few slight corrections abandon'd Perseus to his former brutishnesse Nay we did farre worse for imagining by imploying his minde in the communication of businesse he might be drawne from his debauches we proclaim'd him King of Zanphara the patrimony of Andromeda Wee quickly repented us for giving him that authority He made no other use of it then to sinne more licenciously and to make his faults more great and eminent He return'd to Benin with the most desperate and abominable spirits that ever Africa produc'd and imploying his dayes and nights in dishonouring the best families grew to such a height of abomination that he broke the sacred grates and violated the sanctity of our Temples He forc'd at midday all the gards and defenders of the Virgins consecrated to Purity upon the assurance some had promis'd him of his finding Iphidamanta and he was already gotten into their Cloyster with his Complices when I came in with a greater power and hindred the violences of that detestable route I caus'd some fifty of the principall to be taken and to avenge our violated Religion and give the more terrour to such miscreants commanded them to be cast the next day into the den of Lions Perseus fled with an intent as the event shew'd to revenge his Confederates deaths by those of his father and mother He got an Army of vagabonds of theeves and in a word of the most imbrued and greatest murtherers amongst the Arabians The inundation of these Monsters was in all likelihood to have ruined my Estate but heavens Justice and my Subjects resolution in part exterminated that publique infliction Yet was it not without the effusion of much bloud All the chiefe of my Kingdome dyed in the field and had it not beene for my guard who rescued me out of the midst of mine enemies I had beene involv'd in the same ruine Perseus though much weak'ned gave not over pursuing me but knowing I was gotten into the City of Benin resolv'd to besiege me there Andromeda thinking to allay his fury went out of the towne with her principall Ladies and meeting her Son in the head of his troupes Whither goest thou said she What Perseus art thou become such an enemy to thine owne greatnesse that thou wilt exterminate by fire and sword those who glory in being borne to serve thee What wilt thou get by the destruction of Benin Certainely a misery so great and so visible as I wonder at that blindnesse which makes thee not see it In stead of reigning over free borne men thou shalt be no more then a companion of rascals which follow thee and when thou hast no more for them to prey upon thou thy selfe shalt be the quarry of their insatiable avarice Come home to thy selfe Perseus let the horrour of thy offence disswade thee from continuing in it Hearken to Nature hearken to bloud Respect thy fathers age and intend not to proceed unlesse thou wilt trample under thy horses feet this weake and languishing body to whom thou owest both thy birth and thy Crowne Perseus as furious as he was yet was detained by those words but the Arabians passing the bounds of their wonted brutality and ordinary barbarisme hurried him away farre from Andromeda and enforc'd him to keepe on his journey His Mother seeing her selfe so ill respected with much difficulty returned to the City and relating to me in what ill case our affaires stood found no kinde of comfort but in bewailing the absence of Almanzor In the meane time a
negotiation had so good an issue congratulated with the one and the other the union of their affections And would needs before they parted celebrate the feast of these spirituall Nuptials For two dayes together there was nothing else done but on the third a new sorrow succeeded their joy They were to part Polexander and Zelmatida though they were to take leave never to see one another againe found in their discretions and in the strength of their soules so much constancy as was necessary for so cruell a separation But the two Princesses being of a more milde nature and lesse capable of a high resolution had all the paines that could be to winne themselves to it A hundred times they bad farewell and as often weeping renew'd the same â—…ents and had the same irresolutions At last the winde and the Mariners shouts inviting both to their last Adieuâ—… they imbrac'd one another and moystning their cheeks with their teares bewaild as much as if they had beene to be led to their deaths Polexander tooke his Sister out of Izatida's armes and Zelmatida having lead his Princesse to the Sea and then over a bridge the Mariners â—…d made the more easily to imbarke her one same winde separating the vessels of those foure admirable personages Zelmatida steered West and Polexander North-Easterly The end of the fourth Part of the third Booke THE THIRD PART OF POLEXANDER The fifth Booke POlexanders ship was fifteene dayes under sayle with so favourable a winde that he crossed that large extent of Sea which severs the Isles of Cape verd from the Canaries and came happily to an Anchor at that Isle where the young Almanzor had chosen him a place for his glorious Sepulcher Our Heroe presently call'd to minde the lamentable end of so generous a Prince And to acquit him of that which he owed his memory landed with a resolution to visit his tombe He made his intention knowne to Cydaria and invited her to that action of piety But the Princesse who knew but one Almanzor was so startled to heare of his death that her griefe betraying her discretion she grew pale and withall intreated Polexander to relate by what accident that Prince dyed so farre from his owne Country His extreame generosity lost him replied our Heroe and himselfe turning against himselfe that great courage which hath made him so famous chose rather to lose his life then to live and not see the faire subject of his passions Cydaria strove extreamely with her selfe to resist the effects of this sad newes Yet could she not hold that command over her first agitations which she was wont to do on other occasions and shewing she was subject as others to the weakenesse of humane condition How doe I said she grieve for Andromeda and pity Abrinzias At that word Polexander perceiving his Sisters errour Do not bewaile those Princes said he that Almanzor of whom I speake is indeed the Son of Zabaim but not of Almanzaira He whom you thinke on is living and if appearances deceive me not at this time reignes over almost all those provinces which we have coasted along by since we came from Benin Cydaria angry with her selfe for appearing so weake on an occasion wherein she would have shewed her selfe strongest condemn'd her â—…o a long penance for that fault and thinking on Almanzor as he had beene guilty of it did what she could to blot him out of her memory or at least out of her heart She was loath Polexander should perceive these last emotions she therefore went ashore with him and accompanying him to Almanzors tombe intimated an extreame desire of hearing the particularities of his History Polexander gave her that contentment and going back to the Source of all related to her the amourous errours of Zabaim the power of Zelopa's wit and beauty the brâ—…eding of both the Almanzors and the tragicall end of the youngest He had scarce ended his discourse when he entred the wood of weeping trees in the midst whereof was the stately tombe of the African Prince and giving to Cydaria's curiosity that which he would not have done to his owne began to consider the rich monuments of his Rivals love He went neere to two blacke marble columnes which stood at the entry into the Tombe and staid to reade that which was written on a great table of brasse which two Doves flying from the tops of those pillers seem'd to carry away with them He straight knew it to be Almanzors Epitaph which the trusty Almandarin had caus'd to be graven on the brasse and because it was in a language which Cydaria understood not he translated it thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 WHOEVER THOU BE THAT LOOK'ST ON THIS TOMBE BE NOT LESSE SENSIBLE THEN THE TREES WHICH INCOMPASSE IT BUT AT LEAST MOYSTEN WITH SOME TEARES A PLACE THAT HATH BEEN BEDEW'D WITH THE NOBLEST BLOUD WAS EVER SHED FOR LOVE ALMANZOR WHO WAS BORNE TO COMMAND THE GREATEST PART OF AFRICA IS DEAD BECAUSE HE WOULD NOT SURVIVE THE LOSSE OF A SERVITUDE WHICH WAS DEARER TO HIM THEN ALL HIS CROWNES ADMIRE PASSINGER THIS PRODIGIOUS EXAMPLE OF THE POWER OF LOVE WITH TREMBLING ADORE SO DREADFULL ADIVINITY ON EARTH LOADE HIS ALTARS WITH SACRIFICES AND PERFUMES AND GET HIM BE PROPITIOUS TO THEE OR RATHER TO BLOT THEE OUT OF THE NUMBER OF THOSE WHICH BY AN ETERNALL TRIBUTE HE EXACTS FROM TIME AND BEAUTY Cydaria was so neerely touched with these words that giving them the teares they demanded and mingling them with Polexanders yeelded to Almanzors vertue an homage which his memory shall recâ—…ive from all those which shall be sensible of the darts of love or noblenesse The heavens have done well said Polexander onely to shew thee to the world since they had no intent to lose those prerogatives which they have above it With that he opened the golden grate which shut up the Tombe and entring with his Sister stood a good while fix'd contemplating the marble which covered Almanzors body He curiously ey'd the Statues mark'd the Emblemes and Mottoes and saw every where signes of a great courage of an incomparable love and a desperate melancholy which had nothing in it of base or brutishnesse Amongst all these things he saw some Arabick characters and calling Cydaria to interpret them to her Hearken said he to Almanzors brave thoughts when he had lost all hope of seeing Alcidiana He hath caus'd it to be ingraven on this Tombe Judge whether it be not fit to be observed YEE MISERABLE WRETCHES WHO NOT KNOWING HOW TO LOVE AS YEE OUGHT DARE PLACE IT IN THE LIST OF THINGS PROPHANE COME NOT NEERE THIS TOMBE 'T IS THE ALTAR OF THAT DEITY WHOM YEE KNOW NOT. IT IS BUILT ONELY FOR YOU O BLESSED SOULES WHO RECKON THE DAYES OF YOUR LIFE BY THOSE OF YOUR LOVE COME THEN BOLDLY AND LEARNE THE MYSTERIES OF A PLACE CONSECRATED BY THE BLOUD OF THE GREAT ALMANZOR THAT PRINCE IS DEAD 'T IS A DISASTER WHICH ENGAGETH YOU TO BEWAILE HIM BUT
himselfe over to his griefe would have converted the nuptials into a funerall and the mariage bed to a tragicall Scaffold But being diverted by his friends and hem'd in the hall where all the Nobility of the Province were assembled he turn'd now towards ne and then to another and speaking sometimes to the Lords and otherwhile to the Ladies See said he your selves and judge if the unnaturall Chersach after the act he hath done deserves that I looke on him as my father 'T is true I owe him my life but 't is as true that this day he hath rob'd me of it and the ill his last voluptuousnesse hath done me is infinitly beyond the good his first love hath givven me Cruell father turne thine eyes on me aswell as on the faire Astalia Thinke with thy selfe that I am not lesse sensible then thou and that the heate of mine age joyn'd with that of my love is but too powerfull to force from me the little reason I have left and that I can well forget the name of a childe since thy incontinence alone makes thee throw off the quality of a father The murther is no lesse when a father assasinates his Son then when a son kils his father If thou gavest me my liâ—…e when thou thoughtst not of it I have given it thee twice not onely on premeditation but even then when I was to hazard this life to preserve thee that same which is now the cause of my death I have paid thee with use Exact no more from me but permit that I enjoy in the fruition of my wife that life which I owe to chance rather then to thy selfe But what doe I faire and deare Princesse I lament in vaine and in the meane time you are brought to your prayers teares and cryes and it may be to something more worthy compassion Your Tyrant sollicites you presseth forceth you and not able of himselfe to vanquish your just repulses imploies against you the same hands he useth to strangle his Enemies And makes of his hangmen the Spectators aswell as the Instruments of your martyrdome and my dishonour He would have said more when an extraordinary noise farre above that he made in complaining on his father flew into the hall and put them all into a feare and disorder After the noise many people came in and all denouncing by their gesturrs and teares that accident which their mouthes durst not utter oblig'd Antenor with his sword drawne to flye out of the hall His friends followed and brought him back againe whether he would or no and then sent to know what had happened One of my poore fathers Pages came in all bloudy and addressing himselfe to his Lord told him with teares the Princesse was dead Before she resolved to lay violent hands on her selfe she spake and did all she thought fit to stop the violence of your father say Chersach cried Antenor and make an end of killing me But went on the Page when she saw her selfe in the hands of foure servants to Chersachs lust and that her women were enforc'd to undresse her Well my Lord said she I yeeld and give way to your excessive love I shall not altogether lose my lover since in his losse I winne the affection of him who was the Author of the others coming into the world Use me then as thy wife and forbid these Inâ—…olents to continue their outrage I shall grow despeâ—…ate if â—…hey touch me againe If thou lov'st me let them instantly be gone and give me all the liberty which my birth and the honour of being thy wife requireth in thine owne house Chersach deceiv'd by these words sent away his Panders and himselfe withdrawing from Astalia told her she was where she had absolute command and that his desire to make her as happy as she deserv'd had engaged him to take her from his sonne since he was neither prudent nor powerfull enough to make good use of so great a fortune Astalia seeing her selfe at liberty ran into a Balconi which look'd over a precipice and before Chersach or any of us which were left with torches in the chamber could withhold her Deare Antenor cried she 't is to keepe my faith to thee that I dye With that she flung her selfe downe the precipice Her body was broken against the rocks and the bloud wherewithall I am besprinkled came from the torne face of that generous Princesse Assoone as I saw her fall I ran out of Chersachs chamber and descending to the bottome of the downefall by the diâ—…ches of the Castle I saw her dye repeating thy name I was bringing you her body when Chersachs guard met me tooke it away and carried it back to the Castle My afflicted father hearing of Astalia's death would have spoken a thousand things at once but the extremity of his griefe would not give him leave to utter onely one His eyes became two Comets and his bloud-heated countenance too true forerunners of despaire and death made all the Assembly feare more tragicall accidents then those which had already betided The venerable Moceniqua reading in my fathers face all that he was about to execute Hearken said he to a friend that shall never be so unjust as to approve of thy fathers violencies nor to condemne the resentments of the Son Thy complaints are lawfull and Chersachs act cannot be too much censured If the severity of Lawes were not suspended as often as the faults of a Soveraigne come in question I should be the first would have recourse to their assistance to the end so extraordinary a rape and no lesse a murther should not remaine unpunished But when our Lawes and Magistrates trample under feete the respect due to the living Images of the Deity and would with all their rigour make a great example of a great Offender they must either cut off his liberty of justifying himselfe or see themselves reduc'd to a necessity of absolving him To judge according to your opinion Chersach is extreamely guilty but to weigh that which hath beene perpetrated in the same balance where we so exactly weigh the lives and deaths of men we shall finde Chersach to be very unfortunate but not very guilty Whosoever shall be chosen to accuse him will exaggerate his violence and maintaine with a great deale of likelihood that he is a Ravisher and a murtherer But what will not he reply who shall take on him his defence Chersach will he say confesseth he was capable of as much love as his Son and that Astalia's beauty had no lesse power over his white hayres then o're the flaxen locks of Antenor His bloud which age had cooled became all on fire at the sight of that admirable Princesse and those hot boyling desires which the Son borrowed from the heate of youth the father feeles out of the greatnesse of his affection In a word he would have her for his wife whom Antenor had chosen for himselfe After the example of many fathers who
so unmercifull as to suffer me to live Soliman extreamely perplexed with my Sisters speech call'd for five or six Eunuchs whom he trusted with his most important affaires and committing Histeria into their custody Have said he a speciall care of this Souldier and be accomptable to me for him on your life He will bring you to his lodging where his brother is Goe and bring them both to one of the Tents next mine owne This command was executed as it was enjoyn'd and we were shut up where Soliman had appointed and serv'd by his Eunuchs with so much care that we thought his noble entertainement had beene an infallible presage of the end of our miseries In that error we liv'd eight or ten dayes but when Histeria saw that Soliman neither came nor sent to visit us she resolv'd to dye and told me her constancy was at the last gaspe and she could no longer endure Solimans insensibilities I was of the same opinion but had not the same courage I wish'd with all my heart to be out of the world but all the wayes to it seem'd hydeous and fearefull to me I see my deere Auditors you grow weary of my laments and the relation of our miseries begins to be irkesome I am now ending it by a bloudy Catastrophe Know at the generall assault which the Turks gave to Lepanto Histeria finding a way to deceive her keepers fought above two houres in the first rank of the Janizaries and even in sight of our father and her Beloved She then receiv'd many mortall wounds and the assault being ended entreated two of her Companions to carry her off into Solimans Tent. That insensible man came in almost as soone as she and knowing her was so inly touched at that tragicall spectacle as he commanded all his followers to withdraw When he was alone with her he would have said something but she impos'd him silence and though she spake with a great deale of paine Of so many requests said she which I have made to thee since I was borne at least grant me one I will aske no unjust thing of thee 'T is that after my death thou wilt be a little more humane then thou hast beene whilst I liv'd Thy prayers are heard Soliman see this is the last time the unfortunate Histeria will importune thee she hath obtain'd from her selfe a great deale more then she desir'd from thee But she laments not the losing her life to please thee for 't is the least losse thou hast made her suffer O happy among so many miseries if she can by her death purchase her sisters felicity Thou weep'st Solyman since when began thy stony heart to change nature Hath my bloud had the vertue to mollifie it If it be so ô how precious are my wounds to me since in bringing my death they end my miseries and melting that congeal'd ice within thee promise some peace to my deare Melicerta What more could she adde to these words truly nothing but ending them she died and seem'd to die joyfully because she thought it would be the price of my redemption Alas my deare sister thou died'st with that generous thought and I unfortunate and coward that I am dare live with that knowledge give Melicerta give somewhat else then vaine teares and Iamentations to her that hath bestowed her bloud and life on thee I yeeld to it my deare Histeria and am fully resolv'd to follow thee for I feele in my selfe I know not what strange motion which assures me my death is at hand and that the insensible Solyman shall not much longer triumph o're my unreasonable perseverance But return we my dear Auditors to that unpitifull man Histeria's death almost made him desperate not that he had lost her but that hee had beene the cause of it and by consequence of the most sensible sorrow his Benefactor Achomat had ever resented He was about to have slaine his Eunuchs yet weighing that their diligence how exact soever could not be sufficient enough to hinder the resolutions of a furious Lover hee enjoyn'd them for penance to take better care and charge of me then they had of my sister he sent me a little after the body of that unfortunate Princesse and a Jew Physician intreating me by him to imbalme it I gave her those sad duties that very night and help'd to inclose her in a cedar Coffin covered with plates of silver which Solyman sent me with a great many excuses in that he could not himselfe give me that respect he was oblig'd to by my birth his duty and our common affliction I knew too well for my quiet he had not changed nature and that the teares he had shed at my sisters death were rather teares of ceremony then pity The next day he sent me a new Messenger and told me by him that to what place soever I would retire I should finde a Tartane ready in the haven to carry me thither with the body of Histeria He who brought this message said he had command not to leave me and he would not onely performe it but being Captaine of the Vessell would either hasten or retard his voyage as I pleas'd I have no more to doe here said I but to take leave of Solyman That will be a hard thing for you to doe he repli'd since he is busied about the batteries and 't is thought the Venetians will this day come to a Treaty about the reddition of Lepanto What he said prov'd true Solyman who hath ever been the good Fate of his Masters ô happy Histeria and Melicerta if he had been so of his slaves tooke the Towne by composition and accompanied Bajazet into it at his glorious entry The day of triumph being pass'd Solyman without any mans knowing or so much as suspecting the cause with a few of his followers left the Camp and renouncing all the honours riches and supreme greatnesse which the Emperours favour and his important services might justly make him hope for stole away in the darke of night from all the Turkish Fleet. The flight of a man of so great a consideration was soone noys'd abroad after it hapned but divers dayes pass'd in the Camp before it was beleeved The Emperour my father and many others fill'd with the love and admiration of that Prince lamented his losse as the greatest could a long while betide the Ottoman Empire Assoone as the newes was brought me I imbark'd with Histeria's body and intreated my Pilot to land me in some part of France or Italy I thought I should finde Solyman there for since he was a Christian there was no safer retreat for him I was almost sixe months in quest of him but all my care and diligence was fruitlesse sometimes I enquir'd for Solyman sometimes for Iphidamantus and seeing â—…was all in vaine I thought then to aske for Polexander's brother That Name which is knowne through all Europe was my guide to bring me to Solyman I was told that
who as Bajazet's friend had for his aid arm'd all the vessels he could make ready Our Admirall who was absolute in his command sent not to Bajazet for his direction but presently dispatch'd Telisman and my selfe to Zabaim We made to him and coming aboard perform'd those complements whereto his assistance and quality obliged us he seem'd very sad and perceiving we tooke notice of it Pardon me said he if I entertaine you not with all the joy I ought to shew you As you came my wife and my selfe were busied about the cleering to our selves somewhat which even now makes me not able to speake to you but with some disturbance the adventure is such as you must beare a share in it but that you may the more freely understand it let us retire to some roome in the place where we are both more commodious and quieter then here among so many Souldiers and Mariners equally affrighted Zabaim having received us with these civilities and excuses brought us into his cabin and spending not long time in speaking of his forces and the cause of his getting them together My ship said he with some few others staid at the foot of that dangerous rocke which over-hangs the entrance into this River and I attended the Moone rising for my setting saile againe when I heard a voyce over my head which in words the most lamenting I ever heard besought heaven and earth things sensible and insensible to be witnesses after his death of his faith and constancy Whilst I was attentive to those complaints there grew a great bustling among the sailes and ropes of my ship and running to see what it was I found a man hung in the tackling I commanded to have him straight taken downe and seeing that the height from whence he fell had depriv'd him of his senses have caus'd him to be brought into a cabin neere to this no sooner cast I mine eyes on him but I know not what remembrance fill'd me with feare and horrour my wife coming in to practise that charity which hath gotten her the name of Mother to the afflicted earnestly look'd on him and was no lesse troubled then I. We have for these two houres done all we can to get out of our astonishment and o'recome the long trance of that unfortunate man but as effectlesse in the one as in the other this is the cause you have not been entertain'd as you might expect When Zabaim had ended Sir said I may 't is fit our Generall were advertis'd of the accident therefore we both beseech your Majesty to let us see that desperate person My thoughts said the King which are not yet well setled made me forget that which particularly I had a desire to tell you 't is that I am much deceiv'd if the man we have succour'd be not one of the principall of your Army By something he weares he seemes to be a man of command and if my wife mistake not it must necessarily be your Generall himselfe Here Zabaim stopp'd and we who found no likelihood in this conjecture besought him to let us see the man and to put him out of the opinion he was in we related to him what Bajazet had done that very day but assoone as he shewed him to us lying yet stretched out as dead I knew him and cried out 't was my Generall My companion as much afflicted as my selfe thinking Bajazet had beene dead cast himselfe on him and kissing his hands began to call to him in his eares as all the Sectaries of Mahomet use to hollow in the eares of their dead In the meane while whether Nature after it had beene so long time dull'd awaked suddainely or the Princes strength recall'd by their applying of remedies had disengaged his spirits which his fall had as ' were suffocated so it was that Bajazet came to himselfe The first signes of life he gave us were his sighes which being not well perfected perished in the place of their conception and were not perceiv'd but by their heavings about the seate of his heart These halfe-sighes were followed by others which seem'd to flye headlong to get forth At last after he had a while mutter'd what none could understand yet came he out distinctly with this I will no more depend on the injustice of fortune and my soule unloaden of the weight of my body may freely goe in quest and finde thee faire Axiamira in what corner of the earth soever my cruell destiny hath hidden thee Almanzaira recovering from her deadly sorrow by degrees as her Son came out of his swoon ceas'd not to invoake that eternall Pity which had so often and so miraculously redeem'd her out of her afflictions and to beseech thence with her teares an end to those miseries which continually travers'd her life Her prayer ended she oftentimes kissed Bajazet whose head she kept on her breast and calling him sometimes Almanzor and othertimes Bajazet intreated him to know her and to come out of his reaveries To strike his imagination with some name well knowne to him she intreated him to looke on Almaid and Hydaspes who infinitely grieved for him At those names he strove to open his eyes but the brightnesse of the lights forcing him to shut them againe Almaid said he and Hidaspes are with me for their fidelity would not permit them to survive my death You are welcome deare Companions of my many miseries and since in your life-time you have lov'd nothing more deare then my company and contentment continue that affection and joyning for ever your shadowes with mine let us goe together in quest of faire Axiamira Whilst Bajazet mov'd all that heard him to compassion and Zabaim with Almanzaira melted into teares I came to that incomparable lover and so talk'd with him as he came out of his musing Yet no sooner was he come to himselfe but he began to cry out as he had felt some great torture and afflicting himselfe for being alive How Bajazet said he thou liv'st then and yet hast for ever lost the hope of finding Axiamira Ah Polexander Ah Iphidamantus what will you say of me To get him from this new affliction I said you were in great care and search'd for him every where With that I came away and had so good fortune as to meet with Diceus when I was out of hope of finding you If therefore you regard the friendship of Bajazet save his life while it is in your power Here Hamet ended and Polexander replied to comfort him that his Generall should soone have satisfaction But what doe you the while faire Cydaria You sigh in secret you beare a part in the griefes you conferre on the loyall Almanzor and repent for suspecting so wonderfull a constancy I see well your scrupulous vertue growes angry with your disposition and it is not lesse griev'd then your lover to be compell'd to receive so sensible a blow and not have sufficient armes to defend it selfe from it But let her
Melicerta triumph on her Rivall Thou art alone ô infortunate Ennoramita the person on whom Heaven powres all its choler and Love hath chosen as a victime which must be sacrific'd for the happinesse of Solyman and Melicerta The Princesses passion still furnish'd her with so many new thoughts that I had need of a wonderfull memorie to retaine them The King her father produc'd no lesse and seeing in the declining of my sicknesse that my mirthsomnesse came againe with my strength he thought Melicerta began to be worne out of my memorie That opinion gave him the boldnesse to discover his love to me and intimating that he would not treate me as other beauties which he kept shut up for his pleasure he at first promis'd me the Crowne of Tunis Your vertue said he and beautie which are both extraordinary exempt you from the Law of indifferent personages I will suspend the customes of the Kings my Predecessours to teach all Barbary that a merit without comparison may worke something without example Philomela shall be plac'd in the Throne without feare of companions or Rivall and if her vertue cannot indure in my Palace any subjects of impuritie from this houre I breake open the doores of my Seraglio and give both libertie and honour to so many faire slaves as the chance of warre hath given me To all these faire promises I continually oppos'd my inabilitie of accepting them and the losse of Melicerta 'T was a great deale worse when I had absolutely recovered my health and that the beautie which I will beleeve I had for feare of disobliging Cydaria taking new vigour shone in the eyes of Muley Hassen as he told me like the Sunne when after his leaving the Tropicke of Capricorne he ascends towards that of Cancer But leave we at last these extravagancies of love and since 't is the will of Fate end this Comedie by a tragicall Catastrophe Muley Hassen and Ennoramita meditated on nothing but how to become masters of a place which they had so long and vainly assaulted when they themselves were set on by the Garrison of Argiers who had correspondencie with some inhabitants of Tunis The Towne was instantly wonne and the Palace beset before Muley could resolve whether he should defend himselfe or flie the Turkes who knew his cowardise urg'd him to yeeld and after two daies battering wonne it by force See what love can doe Muley fearing more my losse then his owne no sooner saw the Turkes enter the Court of his Palace but he ran to my chamber and staying at the dore with his sword and buckler made them see that he who wanted a courage to defend his Crowne and life had an extraordinarie one to maintaine his passion and protect his pretended Mistresse The most resolute Turkes gave ground before the blowes of that Prince and seeing their obstinacie to contest with him did but serve to ruine them they talk'd to him of his safetie and that he should not hazard with his owne person his daughter and people Ah traitours cri'd the Prince you have not violated your faith and forc'd my City with an intent to have a care either of me or mine No I will die like a King and not doe as those infamous Princes who to prolong an unfortunate life cowardly present their neck and arms to the fetters of your Tyrant With that he flew among the Turkes and though they had command not to kill him yet the necessity of defending themselves made them neglect that order Assoone as I saw him fall at the feet of his enemies I was touched with an extreame shame for counterfeiting so long the maids part In a rage I flung out of Ennoramita's armes who besought me not to hazard my selfe and seising on a Cymitar and Target which were falne from a dying Turke I flew on those that were entred my chamber some of them I slew and drove out the rest I thinke verily that the respect to my sexe bridled the Turkes fury for exposing my selfe as I did to their arrowes and swords it had been very easie for them to have given me my pasport with Muley Hassen Ennoramita seeing me in that danger forgot what she was and the feare of my losse causing a neglect of her preservation she ran after me and as my buckler boldly defi'd death which inviron'd her on all sides One while the Turkes in respect to of her retaining their fury she fell on her knees and imploring their pity Take my Crowne said she and leave me this companion of my miseries but as she would have gone on with her petition an arrow shot at randome stroke through her tongue and passing on so dangerously hurt her that she fell downe halfe dead presently she cast her eyes upon me and calling me with a weake and pitifull voice Deare Solyman said she what a favourable shot was this since in depriving me of my life it hath taken away my feare of losing thee As she ended these words the bloud choaked her and I who thought I could not live without shame did I not rerenge the death of the father and the daughter so provoked those which would have spar'd me that they lost all respect and left me for dead between Muley and Ennoramita The Basha Aladin who commanded the forces of Argier hearing that one onely Lady resisted a great many Turkes sent word they should beware of wronging me and presently after came to see me but he found me among the dead and witnessing he was extreame angry at it would have had all those Souldiers undergoe the edge of the sword whom he thought authors of my death He drew neere to see whether I were absolutely dead and perceiving in me some remainder of life commanded his guard to take me up and brought me into the chamber of the too generous Ennoramita His extraordinary care of me sav'd my life and the warinesse wherewithall I conceal'd what I was thriv'd so happily that I was alwayes taken for a woman and so look'd after The Turkes being absolute masters of the Towne and not weeting from whence any force could come strong enough to trouble them in their conquest gave themselves over to all kinde of liberty But when they thought least on it they were set on by a Cozen to the late King called as himselfe Muley Hassen and whom the jealousies of State had banished into Mezila which is on the confines of the Numidian deserts That Prince understanding the devastation of his countrey got together a great many Arabians which usually frequented that Towne and assembling all the souldier-like of Distef of Necan of Thefas and of Thebessa fell unlooked for into the City of Tunis cut part of the Turkes in pieces and compell'd the rest to retire shamefully to Argiers Thither was I convay'd by the Basha's Eunuches and so carefully garded that when I strove to escape I found all meanes depriv'd me and all wayes shut up but love who had brought me to
battle was wonne there was so generall an affright in the Towne that the two Kings fled thence by night and staid no where till they were farre gotten into the hideous Sanctuaries of Mount Atlas Polexander and Bajazet who knew as well how to make good use of a victorie as to overcome fell into the gates of Morocco before the inhabitants were recollected from their former fright they found them open and abandon'd and entred the Towne with all the discretion experienced Captaines use to temper their earnestnesse in so nice occasions Those few pirates which remained alive desirous to revenge the deaths of their companions ran through the streets with fire and sword and made such ravage and havocke that to this day may be seene to what excesse their inhumane courages drove them whilst they abus'd the priviledges attributed to their condition Polexander and Bajazet rid out of the Towne and not knowing where to finde Iphidamantus posted into the field where they had fought the battle they found him not there and thinking he was return'd to Achomat and Melicerta rode towards their tents In their way they perceiv'd Zabaim who was extraordinarily sad they demanded the cause and he told them that in the last fight of the Granadians he had thrust in among them to disingage Iphidamantus but that his assistance could not save the Prince from falling under the number at this lamentable newes Polexander could not refraine from teares and besought Zabaim to bring him where he had seene Iphidamantus fall they went all together and by the light of the City on fire search'd the dead and found that Prince the fairest and most valorous of his time drown'd in his bloud inviron'd with a great many Moores whom he had infallibly slaine Polexander fell downe on him and interrupting his complaints with his sighes Ah! my brother said he lifting him up see then the fatall accomplishment of such things as thy poore Melicerta hath so often and so vainely foreseene thou art dead deare Iphidamantus in the flower of thine age and Heaven either for love or envie was onely pleas'd to shew thee to the world Bajazet was not to be comforted he tooke on against the stars and men and accusing himselfe for Iphidamantus death Wretch that I am said he 't is I that have cover'd this faire body with all the wounds that disfigure it and that conspir'd with the Moores to ruine that valour which I could not equalize Zabaim whose age and experience made him lesse sensible then the other two Princes intimated to them that unlesse they would forget their profession they could not with justice lament Iphidamantus death since the like disasters were inseparably annexed to the use of armes besides Iphidamantus dying so gloriously and in seventeene yeares of age having raz'd out the memory of all that had been great and admirable in former times he was rather to be perpetually extoll'd then any thing at all lamented Polexander suppressed his griefe that he might not be seene to affect a vertue so troublesome and vulgar but thinking on the deadly wound Melicerta was to receive Poore Princesse cri'd he thou said'st right alwayes that there was no true felicity for thee and that those favours by which Fortune seem'd to reconcile her selfe to thee were but treacheries and snares of which she would make use to make thee the more sensible of her inhumanitie shall I conceale from thee the losse of thy deare Solyman Nay shall I make knowne his death which will be thine Polexander could not goe on with his complaints Bajazets lamentations hindred him and Zabaim's remonstrances obliged him to returne to the Camp He therefore commanded Diceus to carry off Iphidamantus corps privately and taking Bajazet forcibly away came to Achomat's tent all was there in confusion and teares the newes of Iphidamantus death had beene brought thither and no body knew the anthor Melicerta at the first hearing of it giving her selfe desperately over flew as she had been distracted out of her fathers tent If Almanzaira and Cydaria had not with-held her she had run to search for Iphidamantus among those that lay scattered and slaine on the place of battle as so many sacrifices offered up to victorie Assoone as she saw Polexander Give me my Solyman cri'd she restore the treasure you have stolne from me and thou ambitious and adventurous Bajazet wer'st thou not content with the robbing me of Achomat must Iphidamantus death be added to his as a second trophy rais'd to the honour of thy bloudy and furious passion Almanzaira strove to appease her Cydaria wept Almanzor tore his haire Polexander sate setled and mute Achomat all-dying as he was bewail'd Iphidamantus death and entreated Melicerta to moderate her sorrow but she was deafe to all counsell and intreaties sometimes she cast her selfe on her fathers bed and then againe flinging through the company in Achomat's tent besought them at least to give her leave to go search for her husbands body Achomat call'd our Heroe and entreated that last contentment to his daughter and himselfe Polexander besought him to thinke on what he desir'd and to conceive what a furie his daughter might fall into at the sight of a body made so dreadfull and disfigured with wound There are repli'd Achomat some sicke persons to whom many things are deni'd because many things may wrong them but there are some other againe who are to be deni'd nothing because their diseases being incurable nothing can hurt them my daughter and my selfe are of the latter sort there is no more thought to be taken for our preservation all that our friends can doe for us is to let us die in quiet and since poyson is no more dangerous for us then physicke give us the one assoone as the other Polexander wonne by those reasons but more by Melicerta's frightfull actions commanded Iphidamantus body to be brought and laid it on a bed neere to Achomat's The Basha would needs see it and making a worthy reflexion on that great example of the frailtie of Princes lives Greatnesse of the world said he sensuall delights momentarie beauties come and see what you are in a portraict so truly representing you And thou faire soule too soone dislodg'd from so faire a prison flie not hence alone to the place of thy eternall rest Achomat and Melicerta would follow thee and participate of those promis'd incomprehensible joyes No body heard Achomat for Melicerta made such a noise that nothing was to be heard but her lamentations At last to contemplate Iphidamantus she grew silent and grasping him in her armes had certainly then dy'd on him had she not been taken off Achomat call'd her and presently her reason surmounting her griefe and furie she knew her fathers voice and ran to his bed Achomat who decay'd and grew palpably weake and scarce able to speake stretch'd his hand towards her and presently letting it fall Daughter said he give thanks with me to that
combate for though Polexander were cover'd with wounds and had scarce force to uphold himselfe yet he was constrain'd to renew his forces A woman all dischevel'd entered the lists with a sword in her hand and inciting every one to fall on our Heroe Can you indure my friends cry'd she that the inhumane Tisiphone's Protector shall returne to her with your and my Lord's head But should you prove so cowardly as not to dare revenge him and so ingratefull as to forget the benefits you have receiv'd I alone fill'd with a just resentment will on and inforce from him the soule of this murderer Those words were so powerfull that all they about the barriers which had weapons flew on Polexander and not caring for death forc'd him at last to yeeld to their number Diceus gave then a great proofe of his wonted fidelitie he fought till he was so wounded that he came and fell for dead at his masters feet The multitude was not contented with that revenge but being on a further prosecution saw themselves assail'd by divers troupes which came from the sea-side which flew with fire and sword through all the streetes of the city Those that abode in the field were slaine and the rest which had retir'd themselves into some advantageous places after a little resistance ran the same fortune The ships in the haven were burnt and the towne almost wholly on a fire the flame for the whole night made a new day the better to discover the run-awayes to the cruell prosecution of the vanquisher This succour a little too late for Polexander was conducted by Tisiphone her selfe Love causing in that Furie what crueltie had done in other times She put to sea presently after Polexander and with such forces as she had ready followed him either to make use of his victorie if he overcame or not to over-live him if hee were slaine She landed from her ship by the light of the burning towne and understanding how great a massacre her men had made on those of Astramadan she call'd before her some Inhabitants of the Island which had escap'd the Souldiers furie and question'd what was become of their Prince and the Knight who fought with him They answered that Polexander after he had slaine seven Knights belonging to Astramadan and their master to boote had been assaulted by that Prince's guard and slaine after an incredible resistance No sooner did Tisiphone heare this newes but she caus'd those poor innocents to be taken and their throats cut before her that cruell execution satisfied not her fury she hasten'd to the place of combate and commanded her Souldiers to respect neither sex nor age Palace nor Temple Whilst those barbarous people with a great deale of pleasure executed so horrible a command Tisiphone sought every where for our Heroe but he was not there where she thought to have found him Some little while after Diceus was falne as dead at his masters feet he came to himselfe and though he were exceedingly wounded his affection yet gave him if not strength enough at least courage sufficient to surmount his misfortune and indeavour to serve the King his master Hee at first sight knew him by his armes and plucking him out from many bodies which in dying were falne on him did all his art had learn'd him to see if there were any life left in him for Polexander throwing forth weake fighes and now and then groaning made him conjecture he was yet in case to be assisted Presently hee tooke on the very place some of the earth mollified by the quantity of bloud which had been there shed and clapp'd it on his masters wounds After he saw hee was come to himselfe Sir said he 't is not enough that you live but if possible it may be wee must worke so that your enemies know not of it trie therefore to get hence whilst the tumult the night and distraction gives you some meanes to escape Polexander who knew no more then Diceus of Tisiphone's arrivall thought there was no other fit means for his safety then what Diceus had propounded To make use of it he quitted the remainder of his armour and covering himselfe with certaine skinnes which hee found on some of those he had slaine with a great deale of paine followed Diceus At every foote he ask'd who had set Astramadan's city on fire Diceus who thought on nothing but how to save his master answer'd he knew not and so slincking from the light as much as he could passed through divers companies of men without any the least stay At last he got out of the inflamed towne but taking a way cleane contrary to that of the haven he led Polexander two or three houres through narrow pathes that lay betweene two little hills The losse of bloud constrained the Prince through weaknesse to lay him downe and he had infallibly falne againe into another swoune if Diceus had not given him some graines of an exceeding cordiall composition That faithfull servant thinking his master could bee in no safety whilst hee was in the power of those traitors that had so unworthily wrong'd him went along the shore to see whether he were farre from the haven He had not gone above fifty paces but he met with a pretty broad River which rolling downe head-long from the top of the hill into the sea stopp'd his further passage This obstacle would have almost made him desperate but that he instantly spi'd through the darke a little boat made fast neere the banke of the torrent into it he went and finding there five or six oares thought it not best to neglect a conveniency which was as it were miraculously offered him Backe therefore went he to Polexander and intimating to him that extreame misfortunes aske the like remedies Your good hap said he should it bring you from hence to the Canaries in a simple boate will have wrought no greater miracle then it hath done in preserving your life after the receiving so many wounds and among so many enemies Never then deliberate I beseech you and betide what may give not to the most perfidious of men time to perfect their revenge Polexander arising with a great deale of paine Come said he to Diceus let 's goe since thou wilt have it so and bestow on the sea that body which thou deniest the earth Without any more words he went on and having no other armes then his sword came to the rivers side where entering the boat by the help of his trusty servant and cutting the rope that fastned it the impetuousnesse of the streame bore him farre off into the sea with an extreame swiftnesse At the same time Tisâ—…phone equally transported with griefe and choler for the losse of that Prince and intending to avenge it to the utmost came to the place of combate shee was attended by Amintha Alcippus and other of our Heroe's servants and as if the flame of so many houses had not to her wish cast light enough
for her searching she caus'd a great many torches to belighted that she might not mistake but at last finde Polexander either alive or dead Being come to the place where the slaughter had beene greatest she her selfe turn'd and remov'd a great many bodies and finding not that of her Protector began an incredible lamentation In the meane while Alcippus who with a torch in his hand searched more narrowly then shee came to the place from whence Polexander was newly gone and knowing his armour cri'd out that he was certainly dead His light fell out of his hands and lifting them aloft O Heaven cry'd he jealous of extraordinary vertue hast thou permitted an infamous rout to extinguish by an obscure death the bravest life of the world With that hee turned to Tisiphone and presenting her his tasses and one of Polexanders gantlets See said he all that you shall finde remaining of that Prince whom you have delivered into the hands and to the mercy of these murderers Tisiph one going out of one furie that had some bounds to another which had none at all tooke Polexanders gantlet and presenting it to the dead as if they had beene in case to heare her Villaines cri'd she who for these many yeares have been the authors of my afflictions what have you done with Polexander after you had kill'd him Shall I not have the comfort to injoy him dead since it was deni'd me living Seeke said she turning to Amintha and Alcippus seek ye faithfull servants of that unfortunate Prince and if ye cannot finde his body at least finde me his sword What! you hearken to me but assist me not and instead of prosecuting your search content your selves with unprofitable teares and lamentations With that she cast her selfe on the ground and besmearing her hands and clothes in removing many bodies drown'd in their bloud continued till almost day-break that horrible exercise At last she found out Astramadan and her hatred all goary as he was making her know him she seem'd to be infinitely joy'd at that incounter instantly she began extreamly to raile on him and finding a sword cut off his eares and his nose and the inraged woman not to be satiated at halfes commanded two of her Moores to strip the wretched Prince and assoone as he was naked she ran the sword into his body and rending his breast and tearing out his heart Accursed heart cri'd shee how unfortunate am I that thou art no more capable of suffering How glad should I be couldest thou revive againe and become sensible that thou might'st feele the extremitie of my hatred and torments but as dead as thou art I must teare thee in pieces and taste at least the shadow of that pleasure I had enjoyed in eating thee alive To it Tisiphone glut thy selfe with this accursed heart avenge thee as much as thou can'st since thou canst not as much as thou wouldest and intermingling love hatred despaire revenge and death together give succeding times a prodigious example what a woman can doe when she is as hardy as she is unfortunate With these words the inraged woman gnaw'd off and swallowed a piece of Astramadan's heart and whether that dismall morsell choak'd her or as 't is most likely the excesse of her furie discompos'd all that order of nature which preserves life so it was that she fell starke dead at Amintha's feet and freed her age of a monster which had made Heaven accus'd of Injustice had she not been punished by an exemplary chastisement Amintha Alcippus and others of Polexander servants being delivered from that womans tyrannie thought of nothing but on what they had lost Dead Polexander was the onely object which became master of their thought They invited one another to weepe and bewaile him and to preserve his memorie for ever among them made a vow to keepe more charily then their lives the reliques that were left of him Amintha tooke the gantlet which Tisiphone let fall in dying Alcippus his helmet and distributed the other pieces of his Princes armour to his most affectionate servants which done he erected a pillar in the midst of that fatall place and fastning to it Astramadan's armour all broken as it was tooke a great shield which he found all whole on the ground and writ thereon with bloud these words following Polexander for the eternall memory of his Victory and Astramadan's Treachery in the midst of this by fire consumed Towne hath here fix'd his Enemy's Armes which he lost with his life This Trophie being erected Amintha and Alcippus returned to the port and imbarking themselves in our Heroe's vessell thought of nothing more then how to accomplish the vow they had made to eternize the lamentation for his death But he in the meane time laid along in his boate without any more strength then what might suffice him to undergoe his many wounds was row'd on by the weake armes of Diceus or rather by fortune who desirous to belie those who accus'd her of that Prince's death imploy'd all her endeavours to preserve his life His boat made mighty quicke way whilst it was carried by the violent swiftnesse of the torrent but when that impetuousnesse was lost in the bosome of the Ocean Diceus perceiv'd he had not strength enough to handle the oares and imagining straight he had lost his master in striving to save him did so vively resent it that the most of his wounds opened againe and he the second time fell for dead at his masters feet The Prince beleev'd he was so indeed and bestowing on him some teares as the last tokens of his affection Goe Diceus said he goe to thine eternall rest and if Fidelitie as the most necessary vertue is the most worthily recompenc'd take thy place among the highest thrones which Eternitie reserves for the truly blessed I shall soone follow thee and restore if I dare hope it from the mercy of Heaven the prsence of that master whom thou hast alwayes so extreamely loved After he had spoke thus he stood some time without losing his sight and yet not seeing any thing but by little and little growing weaker it seem'd to him as if a thicke cloud tooke all light from him Then indeed 't was he thought he should die and that the judgements of heaven laying before him the vanities of his youth as so many causes of his condemnation and the ill imployments in which he had exercised his life hee fell to his oraizons After which he left all knowledge and lay a long while be twixt dead and alive In which time his boat carried by the waves out of sight of the desolate Island floated almost two dayes at the will of the the winde which having no lesse care of him then it would for a nest of Halcions brought them happily to an Isle where Polexander and Diceus recovered againe that life which they had more then halfe lost Truly that succour betided them whence with reason they could not expect any
and presently brought them to Izatida See here said he Montezuma's Spies which have been taken by your fathers Subjects Izatida was glad of this encounter and to satisfie her curiosity ask'd them the state of affaires in Mexico One of these Spies casting himselfe at the Princesse feet If said he my memory and mine eies deceive me not you are the fatall Virgin whom Montezuma hath lost and whose losse if our Prophets speak true will be seconded by that of all Mexico But why call I in doubt so true a verity Certainly you are Izatida The Princesse questioning who he was and where he had seen her the prisoner repli'd He was a Mexican of an illustrious family called Belizco and had borne armes in all Montezuma's warres either against Quasmez the Kings of Tlaxcallan of Panuco or other neighbouring nations For her selfe he had had the honour to see her often in the Court of Mexico Izatida taking him at that word intreated to know what Montezuma and Hismelita had done since her departure and whether any of them which were imploy'd for her destruction were return'd to Mexico I shall not said Telizco informe you of all you would know but I can say that the King and Queen beleeve you are certainly dead and that beliefe hath griev'd and so much afflicted them that if their Priests had not staid their fury they by some horrid death would have prevented those miseries wherewithall your losse threatned them Montezuma who is farre lesse violent then the Queen his wife and beleeves far more in the providence of his gods dispos'd himself by little and little to what their irrevocable destiny had resolv'd should become of him He fear'd the thunder was to fall on his head but he left not to lift up his eies nor to respect the place from whence it was to come Hee spent almost his whole daies and nights in the Temples and as often as I had the honour to waite on him there I noted how after his sacrifices addressing himselfe to the chiefest of the Deities he spake thus Thine eies which penetrate even to the heart have seen with what an intention I took out of the armes of my brother Quasmez the onely fruit of his marriage and the sweet consolation of his old yeares Thy Prophets have told me many a time that the safety of my people and mine owne should be secured when I made the son of a Virgin reigne with me which should be the delight and hope of Quasmez I therefore took away his daughter and did it to conforme my selfe to thy behest If I have offended in it thou art the Author of my crime Justifie me then my Deity before all my subjects testifie that I am not guiltie of those teares which Izatida hath shed nor of that cruell death which Hismelita's wicked Counsellours have made her suffer Hismelita said he had thoughts farre differing from these she beleev'd that in bearing down the Images of her Gods she should overthrow their power and going further she perswaded her selfe that she should divert the miseries she feared in proclaiming abroad there were no Gods at all Whilst she strove to beguile her subjects by her impieties she attempted all kind of meanes to hinder the effecting of her Prophets predictions she put to death all such as by birth-right or love of the Mexicans might ascend the throne she kept foure or five great Armies on foot to the end that by busying the Kings her neighbours in defence of their owne countries they might neither have will nor power to fall on Mexico But for as much as she saw amongst all those Kings none so much to be feared as the King your father she hath turned her principall forces against him and whilst her husband playes the Priest and the woman she acts the Generall of the Army and leads her owne troupes Twice already hath she cometo handy-stroakes with Quasmes and made a vow at her entrance into his kingdome never to lay downe her armes till she had conquer'd it This is a part of what you would know for that which concernes my self your subjects have told you the truth I came with a hundred of my companions to discover the passages of the mountaines and see if possibly I could slip in some troupes there last night we were descri'd and taken in the traps laid for us by the inhabitants of the mountaines My companions are slaine and so had my brother and my selfe if the generous Zelmatida had not taken us out of the hands of our enemies Izatida unwilling and not able to doe them hurt that had an intention to doe it her intreated Zelmatida to give the two Mexicans their lives which obtaining she sent them to be refresh'd and resetled amongst our servants and mariners Zelmatida in the meane while accepting the glorious occasion that Hismalita's warre presented to his courage as a new gratification from fortune intreated Izatida to crosse the mountaines and undergoe the incommodities of a way which would bring her into the armes of the King her father You may imagine whether she tooke time to resolve on that journey certainly if they would have been rul'd by her they had presently quit the ship but her safetie was too deare to Zelmatida to be put in hazard among so many enemies as were ranging in the countrey he intended therfore to march somewhat strong for the avoiding of mishaps and therefore landed with the most of his servants Some twelve or fifteene of them he sent about the villages at hand to make knowne his returne and gathered as much force as they could Every one with a great deale of joy made ready for the journey Mâ—…â—…care master promis'd to himselfe to doe so many valorous actions as should blot out the memorie of his predecessours and all wee that were with him wished for nothing else then to be at blowes with our enemies Wee had yet left us eight of those horses you gave my master and we were all so well arm'd that each of us might without rashnesse undertake a hundred Mexicans I caus'd our horses to be landed to refresh and easethem after their ill usage at sea and make them able within a few dayes to doe us service Zelmatida in the meane while courteously welcom'd such as at the first newes of his returne quitted their abodes to come to him and indeed the love which all those poore savages bore him was so great that the very women followed their husbands to the wars and the most decrepit old men would not be dispensed withall In lesse then fifteene dayes the Prince had seven or eight thousand men so resolv'd to fight as if every particular man had taken armes for his owne interest He did with these new souldiers what he had in former time done with the Mexicans he taught them to keep their rankes to fight and to relieve one another and having made them capable of discipline sufficiently reasonable for them he intreated Izatida to
dry their garments and finding the temper of the climate excessive hot they slept without feare of any cold taking Polexander's sleep was not long the night which grew very cold and his disquiets awakened him he clad himselfe without making any noise that his servant might take the better rest and walking out began to meditate on the woefull estate of his fortune After he had ended this sad meditation he cast his eyes on the Moone and besought her if she could to number up all his miseries and to relate them to Alcidiana At last it grew day and the winds ceasing with the night a generall calme ensued in both Elements which were the subject of their violence Our Heroe then left the place where hee stood so long musing and getting to the highest part of the rocke descri'd some land but it seem'd so farre off that hee despair'd of his getting thither by swimming and by consequence beleeved that hunger would effect what the tempest had deni'd him Hee after his resolve to undergoe that miserable end descended to the cave at the entrance he cast his eyes on the portall and perceived some Letters graven in the stone his curiosity won him to read what it was and with an extreame astonishment found that which followes 'T was against this Rocke after the to be lamented end of the great Polexander that Amintha and Alcippus who would live no longer were cast by a tempest O yee who hereafter by the chance of the Sea may hap to be thrown on these shelves know That the invincible Monarch of the Canaries is no more and that the Traytor Astramadan who unable to vanquish him in an equall Combate caused him to be murdered by a base whole Nation that were enemies to his and all eminent vertues After Polexander had read this Inscription so loud that Diceus might heare him it made him wonder no lesse then himselfe they therefore verily thought that Alcippus was dead on that rocke and Amintha swallowed up by the sea With which imagination Polexander was so inly touched that the teares came into his eyes and witnessing the griefe he rooke for the losse of two so worthie to be beloved Eternall Providence cri'd he what horrible crimes have I committed that for their expiation I should run through all the torments that can make a life miserable Wilt thou not have me perish till such time as I have lost all that I love and die in the person of all my friends before I die in my selfe â—…et Heaven I murmure not doe as thou list I am prepar'd to indure all and will ever respect that just and dreadfull Power from whence the thunder must come which will turne me to ashes These pious thoughts gave way to those of love neere all the day he spent in meditating on Alcidiana and talking to her as he had been in her presence neither remembred his late shipwracke nor the fearfull death which in all likelihood was inevitable to him But Diceus in the meane time who thought on the preservation of his Master was gone down to the sea-side to trie if he could get thence any thing that might keep them from starving Amongst a great deale of caskes pipes and fardels which floated about the rocke by good hap a vessell of pure water and a barrell of bisquet were fortunately driven so neere to Diceus that he tooke hold and drow them to him Assoone as he had rolled them on the sand he went and made it knowne to his Master and against his will wonne him to goe downe to the beach to make use of that which was sent by the particular care of the Power that would preserve him After he was descended our Heroe unwilling to thwart himself in the reliefe that was presented steep'd some of the bisquet in the water and gave himselfe some nurriture being almost quelled with his former toile and a fast of neer fortie hours A little after the night came on and hee ascended againe with Diceus into his cave and rather to intertaine his disquiets then to take any rest threw himself on his bed of mosse some four or five hours after he had lain down he thought he hard some body talke neere him and therefore call'd Diceus and ask'd whether he dreamt or wanted any thing He repli'd that he neither talk'd in his sleep nor needed ought but that he was much deceiv'd if he heard not some body speake about the entry into the cave he had no sooner said so but an apparition all blacke from head to feet came in with a branch of a tree which burnt as a torch of wax Polexander rais'd his head and ask'd what it fought but the phantasme in lieu of replying gave a fearfull shreike and went out of the cave Diceus seeing it goe away so quickly thought certainly it was a Devill and with that beliefe was almost dead for feare when he saw it enter againe with five or six more as frightfull and horrid Polexander could not chuse but laugh at his servants feare but hee was not too well setled himselfe when hee saw those phantasmes come neere to his bed and that some of them extending their armes towards him and others taking him by the hands seem'd to wiâ—… him to follow them After he had indor'd a long time with patience those Demons caresses he grew wearie of them and ask'd them againe and againe what they would have of him They repli'd hut 't was in such a manner that our Heroe could understand nothing by their howlings for we must say sâ—… and not by their discourse They themselves thought too that they were not understood and would therefore exprosse themselves by signes but their signes were more difficult to be comprehended then their former language Hereupon Polexander arose and commanded Diccuâ—… not to forsake him Come said he let 's see whither these Devills will lead us presently he went out of the grot and the phantasms dancing about him and whistling aloud in putting one finger in their mouthes brought him streight downe to a barque which rid at the foot of the rocke Diceus who could not imagine any other thing but that he was arriâ—…'d at that dreadfull place where his nurse had related to him the Devils turned ferrie-men and wasâ—…ed soules over into hell thought that his Master and himselfe were now to be carried thither both bodie and soule together But Polexander who had no such ridiculous imaginations perceiv'd his mistake and thought that those whom he had taken for spiâ—…its were of those blacke people which inhabite under the Torrid Zone It was true indeed for after six or seven houres sailing those Negroes landed in a countrey where the aire was so hot and the sands so burning that Polexander and his servant almost thought they walk'd on kindled char-coales and were forc'd to suffer themselves to be guided with their eyes shut At last they came into a place as delight some as the others which they had passed
The tokens you have received of my affection are as unworthie it selfe as of that which I owe to the greatnesse of your courage and the beautie of your mind yet beleeve not that I can be ingratefull or so ill an esteemer of occurrences as not to understand how to give them their just value my griefes are in part the cause that I have not hitherto performed what I ought and partly the little need I saw of precipitaâ—…ing a businesse which would receive no impairement by a short deferring But now when I know by divers presages that the true Sunne my father calls me to the fruition of that place which he hath design'd for me above the starres I will acknowledge by two presents alike valuable the love you have shewed me The first is my crowne and the second a servitude and chaines which in truth are of more estimation then my Crowne I will not speake to you of the first since you might well know since your being here whether my estate be of worth sufficient to satisfie the hopes of a man of your extraordinary vertue and deserving it shall be of the other that I will discourse to you Know therefore that farre off from the mouth of this river which runs through this towne there is an Island no lesse wonderfull for its perpetuall spring then for the proprietie it hath by inchantment or nature to make it selfe invisible to all such as seeke after it There raignes a Princesse the miracle of our age the shame of times past and the envie of those to come Her portraicts make it well appeare that she is the lively image of the Sunne her father or to say better she is truely a Sunne her selfe I have endeavoured as you may see to represent by the fairest of all metalls the lustre of that Sunne but the unskilfull hands which have wrought it in stead of making the image of it have onely made knowne how unworthie the hand of man is to imploy their paines on so faire a subject In a word 't is the Queene Alcidiana whom to satisfie the most religious passion that shall ever inflame an innocent soule I have beene willing to adore in private under the figure of that starre to whom we owe our being and preservation I may say that my love was borne with that Princesse and that she knew not the power of her charmes many yeares after I felt them Heare how that wonder betided it was not above a yeare after the suffrages and generall votes of all this kingdome had seated mee on the same throne whence they had expelled my cruell predecessor when I resolv'd to make a voiage to the chiefe of the Temples dedicated to the Sunne to give thankes to the Deitie he represents for the blessings his liberall hand had so largely showred on me This Temple is in an Island which stretching towards the Meridionat part of the sea is seated some fiftie leagues from the mouth of the river Niger The voiage I made visited the holy Island admired the riches and magnificence of the Temple and by my offerings and sacrifices strove to make appeare to the Power I worshipped some little acknowledgement of those benefits for which I was redevable On the very point of my departure and imbarking thence for my returne the Embassadours of Alcidus King of the inchanted Isle landed in that holy Island To the Temple hee came loaden with so great and so rich presents that the Priests who were accustomed to receive divers of great value confessed that Alcidus had outgone the magnificence of all other Kings Among these offerings one was a statue of gold representing a maiden of some nine or ten yeares O fatall sight to my libertie I had the curiositie to inquire who that young Ladie was and Alcidus Embassadours told me she was the divine Alcidiana their Prince's daughter The relation they made me of the wonderfull beautie and incomparable wit of that visible Angell so inly touched me that I returned hither with a wound which is not yet closed up My love grew to such a height that it made me forsake my kingdome under a pretext of returning to the Island of the Sunne but indeed it was to saile to that of Alcidiana A whole yeare was I at sea and yet could not discover it then I came backe to that of the Sunne and saw in the Temple a portraict of that Princesse drawne to the life which her States had sent thither since the death of her father Many dayes abode I fixed on that picture but when I understood that that Princesse was so strictly guarded that she did not so much as communicate her presence to her most affectionate and considerable subjects and that her guard consisted of a great number of strangers whom Chance had throwne on the coasts of her Island I made a vow to be one of their band and all my life time to weare the chains of so glorious a servitude Yet for all my industrie have I not been able to accomplish my protestation but imagining by the invincible difficulties I found that Heaven esteemed me not worthie the service of so admired a Princesse I betooke me to a course for this kingdome with an intent to perfect by some other that which I could not performe in mine owne person I had a sonne of Alcidiana's age with that hee listed his hands to his eyes and the same whom you saw so cruelly murthered him I consecrated to Alcidiana and with mine owne hand having put a chaine of gold about his necke in token of his servitude sent to Morocco and Fez to finde out able masters to instruct him in all that which might equalize him with the great King of the Canaries the Princes Abdelmelec and Nephizus or the invincible Bajazet I dare say his actions answered what I expected from him and but for that not to be exceeded misfortune which hath robbed me of him in the flower of his youth I had been now in case to have acquitted in mine owne thoughts that which I had promised to Alcidiana yet doe I not despaire of performing it if so be my ill Fate hinder you not from beleeving your owne generositie But why doe I indeavour by my sollicitation to force you to a businesse which can gaine no repute unlesse the undertaking be extreamely voluntary Polexander who had more desire to accept the condition propos'd to him then Apheristidez had a will he should accept of it would have interrupted that Prince to let him understand his intentions but Apheristidez intreating his leave to finish his discourse I will never give way said he that you suddenly put on any resolution for an affaire of so great importance I give you eight dayes libertie to consider on it and that tearme expired you shall make knowne to me without complaysancy whether you had rather be King of Gheneoa then Alcidiana's slave Polexander repli'd there needed not so long a time to answer to it there
laid waste my deare Countrey But what remembrest thou perfidious and abominable Menocenarez Impose thy sorrowes an eternall silence and involve if it be possible in that darknesse which shall never have end those horrible treasons by which thy unbridled passion deliver'd thy King and Countrey into the hands of the Usurpers With that the Slave was silent and not able to suppresse his teares cover'd his face with his hand that he might weep at more liberty Polexander desirous to take him out of that agony I said he have knowne your name in the city of Fez. I have heard Benzaida utter against you all that the anger of a wronged Lady could make her invent yet rather pity then hate her For if her love have brought you into this servitude that which shee bare to the ingratefull Prince of Morocco made her turne on her selfe the point of that ponyard which shee had provided to avenge her selfe on that Infidell 'T was that traytor said the Slave who after he had strook the steele into the heart of Benzaida for he was the cause continually whetted that knife which is prepared to cut my throat But since you know the generall misfortunes of my Countrey I will relate the principall causes and tell you that Ferdinand and Isabella are beholding to my treason more then to their owne power for the conquest of the kingdome of Granado The unfortunate King under whose government that brave Province was lost was one of those timerous Princes who are so far from any intention of extending the limits of their kingdomes by forcible incroaching on their neighbours Territories that they scarce have courage to oppose the enterprises of their owne enemies Two yeares before the truce was broken betwixt the Spanyards and the Moores my ill fate made me cast mine eyes upon Benzaida I saw her faire for she was then in the prime of her age and may well say that in the very instant I began to die of a death which is not yet ended When I lost my liberty I lost my reason and not considering that I was but onely on ordinary knight my ambitious thoughts made me beleeve that my Nation owéd not the Empire and States it possessed to men of a royall extraction but to great invincible and persevering courages such as were Masters of the fortunes of Monarches themselves I therefore sought out the most fit meanes to get me the favour of Benzaida and knowing her to be of an exceeding high spirit and particularly esteemed men of valour I betook me to the Warres I dare say and so will my greatest enemies too that for eighteen moneths together I was plac'd as an inexpugnable Fort on the Frontiers of Granado against the invasions of Ferdinand My name was spread throughout all Spayne The Court of Granado was fill'd with it and the King my Master seeing himselfe secure under mine arme omitted nothing that might oblige me to the continuance of a service that was so advantageous unto him The affaires of Castile recalling Ferdinand and Isabella into their owne Territories our frontiers were left in peace I then returned to Granado and the honours I received there rather beseem'd a King that triumphes then a Subject whose services had made him usefull I was not only admitted to the Princes particular pleasures but to his Counsels and I dare say that if my my love to Benzaida had not troubled my senses and taken away courage I had put the Granadians in an estate of regaining on the Spanyards all those Kingdomes which they have lost within six hundred yeares But that furious passion possessing all the functions of my soule I was not able to reflect on any thing My thoughrs my designes and my wishes had onely the enjoying of Benzaida for their object I betray'd the publique affaires to adjust and fit them to my private contentment and subverted the Counsells of the Sages by the authority which my pass'd-actions had gain'd me In the meane while I burnt in secret and durst not make known to Benzaida that she had kindled the fire But at last the violence of my disease forcing me to forget all consideration I imagined that I should not be more unhappy then so many others who had ventur'd on the like boldnesse One day therefore as Benzaida walk'd in the Palace Garden only accompanied with her maides of honour I met her as it were by chance and feigning to be much surpris'd at the encounter made a low reverence and retired She smil'd at my astonishment and calling me What said she if I were a Castillian you cannot witnesse a greater mislike of me I repli'd even trembling Madam you may please to pardon me if I say your Highnesse doth your self a great deale of wrong by so unjust a comparison I have indeed an extreame aversion to the enemies of your state but their presence shall never amaze me For you Madam whom I am not to look upon but with respect I confesse that as often as I have the honour to see you my soule is full of dread and astonishment but of such a religious astonishment and devoute feare as our Alphaquies command us to feele when we approach things divine and holy Your words repli'd Benzaida more surprise me then my encounter did you I never thought that a man train'd up in warre and who all his life time breath'd nought but blood and battles was capable of so much and so high a jeering I answered that brutishnesse whereof your Highnesse accuseth me under such words as may seeme obliging is not that which hath hitherto made me delight in the acts of warre A fairer cause compell'd me to so noble effects and did I not feare to violate the lawes prescrib'd me by my subjection I would bring your Highnesse to confesse that till now I have not been happy enough to be well known of her I will never said Benzaida take you for my Interpreter since you come no clearer off in your explications I would have onely said that I thought it very strange how a man accustom'd to the serious discourse of warre could be so skill'd in those effeminate termes wherewithall both delicacy and idlenesse have compass'd the Courtiers language Your Highnesse then said I must hate that which is most to be beloved amongst us if you condemne a language which Love himself hath invented to render all things faire and eminent the testimony they deserve from all mens acknowledgements This language repli'd Benzaida is as ridiculous as its Author and though Spaine had nothing strong enough to make you give up your armes yet I will undertake to have the better when you dare defend so bad a cause You have already carried away one part of the victory I repli'd but since I am sure of the other be pleas'd Madam that I leave your Highnesse lest I may be engaged either to ore'come you or to waive all verity and my self With that I made her a low Reverence and went away that
of the Sun and to die for his service in that very place where that generous victime had been immolated When the slave had thus ended the relation of his crime and love he was as it were transported with fury He arose from between Polexander and his Companion and speaking to one that heard him not Thou hast then cri'd he O ingratefull Princesse preferr'd a violent death before the fidelity of a Lover that was not altogether unworthy thy respect Thou hast unfortunate Benzaida and unhappy aswell as I in thine inclinations lov'd the Traytor which contemn'd thee and treading on the sweetnesse and timidity of thy sex wash'd thy hands in thine owne blood O! what a sad but powerfull example art thou to me to avenge my selfe in my turne and at last triumph o're that cruell one to whom my perpetuall flames were despicable Yes Benzaida I will imitate thee and if the lot doe not quickly put me into the hands of the Executioners I will act mine own destiny and get from the power of my reason what I could not obtaine from the giddinesse and uncertainty of Chance With that he stood mute A too piercing griefe and extreame violent contention of thought stopping his spirits in their source hindred their communicating themselves to the parts they animated and the body being abandon'd of so necessary an assistance fell as dead at Polexanders feet His fall was not so heavy as it might have been if the Prince seeing him staggering had not caught hold on him and being not strong enough to stoppe the fall yet he hindred the violence of it With the aide of the other slave he rais'd him up and laid him on the bed they had sate on whil'st they discoursed together The unfortunate man quickly recover'd from his fainting and calling upon death with as much fervency as he had made shew to fear it at the beginning of his discourse made plainely appeare how changing and unweigh'd the desires are of such who without any reservation give themselves over to the mercy of their own passions Polexander who had learn't by his own infirmities not to be too rigorous in censuring another mans comforted the Moore with all that his brave spirit could furnish him either to extenuate the enormity of his treachery by the old excuse which men borrow from the power Love or to justifie it by the example of many other Lovers This discourse got somewhat on the slave but not enough to bring him wholly to himselfe He took leave of our Heroe with his Companion and retir'd into his lodging passing there the most dreadfull night that despaire and anguish could bring on a man that would not live and yet fear'd to die Diceus in the meane while who had been abroad till night came back to his Master with a countenance that well witness'd the content of his minde Yet durst he not make knowne what he had learnt because some Officers belonging to the Temple came in with him to advertise Polexander of that whereto his condition bound him To put him in possession of his charge he was brought to the Temple and told him the last slave that was admitted ought to watch on the Dome of the Temple all that night long which succeeded the Eve of the great sacrifices and there from houre to â—…oure to awaken by a Cry all such as were shut up within the close of the Temple that they might betake themselves to prayers and prepare for the next mornings Solemnization Polexander thought that nights work a little too troublesome yet conceiving 't was not to be dispens'd withall he resolv'd to watch out the night on the top of the Dome They brought him up to it by a winding staire very artificially contriv'd within the thicknesse of the wall and when hee was mounted he came into a little chamber wherein he might as well stand upright as sit According to the ancient custome he lighted about an hundred or sixscore lampes which were about the Dome amongst which there were twelve whose matches were so equally measured that at every houre one of them was to goe out whereby Polexander might precisely know when he was bound to make his Out-cry In this exercise he spent the night and was not taken from that station till he had cri'd out thrice that the God of that Island began to guild the Dome of his Temple Hee acquitted himselfe so well of his charge to the content of the Priests that he was applauded by all and conducted to a place where he might take amends for his watching and fasting Yet hee eate but little but was presently brought to his lodging and laid with as much care and delicacy as if he had been in his owne Palace Five or six houres hee slept and was call'd up by the same persons who brought him to bed Diceus was of the number who getting leave to make ready his Master was so straitned by those about him that he had scarce liberty to tell his Prince he should hope still and that a great many of his conjectures were true Assoone as our Heroe had on all his ornaments which he wore the day before he was brought into the Hall where all the other slaves were assembled When every one had taken the ranke according to his admittance the Embassadours and Pilgrims of quality were plac'd on scaffolds After that the Chiefe-Prelate presently entred clad in his Pontificiall vestments and ascending a throne like to that in the Temple by the waving of his hand impos'd silence on all the Company and when he perceiv'd that all were attentive hee turn'd himself to the slaves surnam'd the Noble and spake thus to them One of you this day must by the losse of a miserable life purchase the honour to die for a God and the felicity of a condition which is to continue as long as the Power that promiseth it I would not at the very first have laid before your eyes that dreadfull Image which might even amaze men voide of all feare if I knew not that your courage being as great as your zeale and the oblation you make of your selfe to our Deity being a voluntary offering I should lessen somewhat of your vertue if I went about to dispose you for death by long persuasions And indeed I should most vainly undertake it since I see in your countenances so great a desire to shed your blood for the honour of him to whom you owe it that I doubt not but there would be a most ardent contestation amongst you who should offer himselfe first if the precise will of our God had not prescrib'd the order by which he brings you to him What a brave emulation is this generous Sacrifices and how should your magnanimity confirme in the resolution to die those who being well perswaded of the future estate of soules look on their bodies as on cruell tyrants which keep them bound in loathsom and obscure prisons 'T is true you live already an
least to make shew of my diligence At night when she was making unready not only her Governesses but the King her father himselfe had not the power to make me forsake her mirrour I look'd on her with an earnestnesse that beseem'd not mine age and oftentimes the power of mine inclination making me speake such things as I understood not my selfe I amaz'd with the violence of my passion those that troubled themselves with heeding that sport or rather prodigy of nature At the first Alcidus took pleasure in it but fearing lest my affection might increase with my yeares and that what was then called a childish extravagancy might at last grow to be a manly resolution he commanded that by little and little I should be put away from the Princesse that with the absenting from her company I might lose the memory of her person My mother therefore had command to put me out of the palace of Calliroé and she strove to do it so dextrously that I should take no notice of it But 't was impossible for her I foresaw the evill was intended me and a little before I was forc'd from that sweet aboad I went to Alcidiana's chamber and casting my selfe at her feet after I had a long time wept there Faire Princesse said I I must leave you and to obey mine enemies lose all occasions to serve you Be a little touch'd with the paines I indure and by some word witnesse to me at least that you have no hand in my banishment But alas I shall see you no more Alcidiana for how short soever my mothers voyage be I am sure to dye in it Whether the Princesse did it out of innocence or whether it were to jeere at me once she said she would not have me dye I will not said I innocently if you command me to live but the hope of revisiting you shall preserve my life till my returne In this manner I parted as much an Infant as a Lover but my journey was a journey of five or six yeares for I was sent to the University of Sophilama and stirr'd not thence till I had perfected all my studies In the mean while neither book nor time could blot the Image of Alcidiana out of my memory I came from the Academy not onely with some qualities which were not absolutely ill but full withall of that fire which the age of seventeen or eighteen kindles in our veines Then did Alcidiana appear to my imagination as charming and beautifull as she was in her Inaccessible Palace I return'd to the Court but not so as I went thence Time and bookes had taught me that there needed a great deale of dissimulation and much suffering to an affection of the quality that mine was I thought that if it came to be discovered it might either make me an offender or at least esteem'd for one giddy headed and by consequence for feare of shame or punishment I should doe my utmost indevour to conceale it About that time Alcidus dyed and left his Kingdome to the disposall of a Princesse but sixteen yeares old But at that age her admirable wit and judgment had made her capable of the highest sciences and the philosopher Rhadiotez had made her understand all the secrets of Policy aswell as all the mysteries of philosophy And indeed she was no sooner in the Throne but she astonish'd her Subject with her admirable government but for her owne misfortune and to the griefe of all that might adore that Princesse she invented a businesse which her predecessors had never put in practice dividing her Court in two She made a publicke and a private one The publicke was compos'd of the greatest part of her Kingdomes Grandy's of the Officers of her Crowne and Counsellours of State The other which was particularly her owne consisted of young Ladyes and women and some ordinary men appointed to serve the Princesse Before that reformation the children of the best houses in the Kingdome were bred up neare the person of the Soveraigne aswell to waite on him in his chamber as to guard him with that affection and fidelity which is seldoâ—…e found in mean and mercenary minds During Alcidus raigne that custome was a little changed because that Prince who was the first there that had travel'd into strange Countries for the memory of it would have his Guard part strangers and part of his Subjects And a little before his death he chose a hundred strangers to be neer to Alcidiana and to adde more glory to that novelty appointed them all to weare great chaines of gold and to be called the Princesses Slaves That band continued as long as the King lived But assoon as Alcidiana came to the Crowne she casheer'd that magnificent Guard and shutting her selfe up in her palace with her Ladies caus'd to be proclaim'd every where that a King could never be better guarded then by the affection of his Subjects Nevertheless there betided an accident which made her change that opinion and call back again to her those whom her too scrupulous vertue had discharged One of the greatest Lords in the Island called Siziphus desperately ambitious and passionately in love with the Princesse imagined with himself that there was none surely who durst against him contest for the injoying her After he had a yeare or two revolv'd this thought in his minde he conceiv'd the time was come to declare himselfe To that end he became extreamely expensive He increas'd his retinue by a great many gentlemen He got to him by presents and pensions part of the Gentry and by notable prosusions I mean richnes and pompe of shewes and spectacles and by publick seastings he corrupted the Loyalty and made himself master of the peoples Love To that he added turneies and sports in honour of Alcidiana In a word he made his intention sopalpable to the world that there was none but knew it save the Queen Hereupon the Assembly of the Estates ensuing he won the most part of the Deputies and got them to represent to the Queen that they had need of a King This proposition was made with all the respect that happy and loving Subjects owe their Prince Notwithstanding it offended Alcidiana and when she saw herself extraordinarily press'd to it Well said shee to the Deputies since you are weary of being under the government of a woman name me who 't is whom you desire should be your King Many humble excuses were by them oppos'd to that command and the chiefe replied that none but her owne high and discerning Spirit could make a choice of so great importance No no said the Queen if the question were of my contentment I would reserve to my selfe that Election but since it lies in yours you your selves must make the choice A young Magistrate thereupon one that had been corrupted by Siziphus with the hope of a great fortune and some liberality came forward and putting one knee to the ground Madam said he all your Subjects most
not onely strengthned mee in strengthning it selfe but serv'd for a speciall remedie to all my languishments The Court seeing me suddenly got from death to life knew not to what to attribute either the cause of my sicknesse or that of my health Even Amintha was deceiv'd in it and admiring so sudden a recovery perswaded her selfe that my maladie was no other then the melancholy vapours of the spleen A little while after my full amendment Arziland King of the Isle of Madera being by a tempest cast on our coast came to the Court and having seen the Queen began to be so foolishly amorous that he threatned to put all her Island to fire and sword if she declared not her acceptance of his love I thought then that I could not better imploy my life then in freeing the Queen from that Monster and that the service I might render her in that occasion would be of a greater importance then the former I had done her in the attempt of Siziphus I sent therefore to defie the Giant but thinking for certaine that I should be flaine in the combate I resolv'd to provide my selfe a faire funerall and to make knowne at least in dying the love I had conceal'd all my life time I put on a gilded armour which by the rayes upon it did not ill represent the Sun My Helmet cast forth beames too and I had for my crest the Phenix which Alcidiana took for the bodie of her Embleme Upon my buckler which was as shining as mine armour I had caus'd an Eagle to be painted in the region where the thunder is ingendred Yet in spight of all lightning and thunder claps hee flew thorow it and fixedly gaz'd on the Sun For the word to this Device there was this which spake my thoughts plaine enough I HOPE TOO MUCH TO FEARE Cover'd with these armes I went and met with Arziland and was so fortunate that after a combate of eight or ten houres I cut off the Giants right hand When he saw himselfe without armes and unable for defence hee confess'd hee was overcome and loathing to survive his shame would have kill'd himselfe But Alcidiana who preserv'd him to serve for a redoubtable example to all such rash ones as hee caus'd him to be put in strong hold and commanded that speciall care should be had of his life In the meane time I who had received divers great wounds fell as I had been dead in the place of combate and if the Queen had not shew'd that my life was so extremely deare unto her without doubt the day of my victorie had been the day of my death My wounds were so great that I kept my bed almost six moneths and was foure or five more ere I went out of my chamber Alcidiana the third time took the paines to come and visit me and gave me such signes of favour that my love in its greatest extravagancies could never promise to it selfe Arziland the while being gotten into case sufficient to be able to suffer the punishment whereto the Queens justice had condemn'd him was taken out of prison and lead to the place where he was to lose his life Though in the Inaccessible Island wee adore but one God yet there are Temples in severall places which from all antiquitie are dedicated to particular Deities In one there is worshipped a God which they term the God of Revenge The Annalls of our Kingdome tell us that that Temple was built by a Queen who having been long time earnestly sued to by a man unworthy her bed and after the receiving a great many wrongs and outrages from him at last took him in a day of battell When the barbarous man saw himselfe in the power of a personage whom he had so ill treated he never crav'd her pardon but besought her that she would not delay too long the time of his punishment That Princesse hearing from her Priests that their God had reserv'd vengeance to himselfe built to him a Temple during the imprisonment of her enemy under the name of the God of Revenge and causing the prisoner to be brought thither commanded he should be sacrific'd on the altar of that Deitie as a victime which was reserv'd for him Arziland who had committed the same fault receiv'd the same punishment For Alcidiana thought she could not doe better then to imitate the example of her Ancestor And to give the more terrour to such Princes as loved her she sent to proclaime in a thousand places a Declaration by which shee held for irreconcilable enemies all those that had the boldnesse to take on them the name of her lovers After Arziland had receiv'd his punishment and a Herald of the Queens sent into Europe she betook her selfe to her former manner of living and shutting her selfe up in her palace there relish'd againe her wonted innocent contentments I the while who knew very well the offence I had commiâ—…ted in discovering my love was tortured with a perpetuall remorse and not possibly imagining that after so visible signes of my passion Alcidiana should be still ignorant of it I drew out my malady to a longer date and could not put on any resolution to suffer my selfe to be cured But the tokens of goodnesse which I almost daily receiv'd from that Princesse the titles of honour which she added to those I had already and the excessive presents she sent not onely to my mother but to all those of my bloud made me beleeve at first that she understood nought of my designe but since that my vanitie and good fortune so dazled mee that I perswaded my selfe Alcidiana knew of my love and that shee was glad to see the continuance of it On this opinion which hath been the cause of all my miseries I hastened my cure and repair'd againe to the Palace with all diligence The Queen her selfe welcom'd me with such extraordinary demonstrations of favour that I grew confirm'd in that foolish beliefe which my vanitie had wrought in me So my last errours waxing worse then my first and particularly that of not being hated by the Queen working in me such thoughts as you may imagine I grew so insolent that there scarce pass'd an houre in the day wherein I did not violate some one of the lawes of the private Court and gloried in the neglect of that respect which I owed to the most generous Mistresse in the world I came into her privie chamber before shee was clad There I was when they dress'd her head and oftentimes taking out of her womens hands such things as shee used for that attire I was so indiscreet as to offer to doe their office The Queen wink'd at all these impertinencies and when I told some tales which truly were faulty enough to have made me been banish'd for ever from her presence she drown'd all in the greatnesse of my service and that shee might not be ingaged to reprove mee feign'd shee heard nothing Sometime her Lady of Honour
furious tempest and throwne so farre out of our course that our Pilot confess'd that he knew none of those places where the wind drove us This storme lasted foure dayes and the fifth day some Sailers advertising me that the ship would not be long above water I caus'd a Shallop to be launch'd to save Amintha and straight went into her cabin where finding her at her ordinary exercise of weeping and lamenting for you I besought her even by your selfe that she think on her safetie If Polexander said shee were alive or rather if he could make you know his thoughts you would soon see and confesse that he disapproves of that petition which you make me He lov'd mee too well to suffer mee linger too long in miserie and that which you desire from mee hath no other end but the continuation of my afflictions The King my Master I repli'd commanded me to serve you as himselfe and if he were in that extremitie you are now my dutie and affection would oblige mee to doe for his preservation that which I now doe for yours Therefore Madam contest no more against what is just and be not guilty of your owne death At last shee yeelded to mine intreaties and coming to the ships side I know not how said she without astonishment you should imagine me to be more safe in a little shallop then in this great ship I told her the reason but whilst she disputed with mee a gust of wind blew mee over-boord and by an incredible good fortune in falling over I met with the rope wherewithall the shallop was fastned to the ship In that extremitie I lost not my judgement but cast my selfe into the shallop Surely the rope was not good for it presently broke and the wind in a moment had carried me so far from the ship that I lost sight of her whether it were as I beleeve that she was sunk or as it is not impossible that the tempest had driven her a contrary course to mine All the rest of the day was I sometimes in heaven and sometimes in hell and when it came neere to Sun-setting my shallop rent it selfe in peeces against the Hermits rock When having no other hope then in mine armes I strove to get to one of the points and I swome so happily that without hurting my selfe among so great a number of rocks which lay even with the water I got to a little tongue of land or rather of sand which thrust it selfe a pretty way into the sea There I met with the Hermit which surely gave name to that rock and found him busied in digging a pit in the sand Hee was no way at all surpriz'd at mine arrivall But on the contrary leaving his work and coming to me with open armes Thou art welcome said he my son and cast from thy memorie all things which thou canst imagine may afflict thee for either mine art absolutely is false or thou do'st not only go on in a progression of happiness but in a way of saving the life of that person whom thou holdst most dear of all those in the world With that he imbrac'd me and beginning again For your sake said he I must leave off my work till another time Father said I if it be a work that is of necessitie to be done give me your spade and I will ease you of the paine of perfecting this grave So you shall said he smiling but there 's no haste Hee that is to take up his last habitation in this grave will be coming yet some few dayes This talk so unconformable to ordinary discourse made mee think the Hermit had lost his judgement with his yeares or that I had not understanding enough to conceive the sense of his mysterious talking The good man then took me by the hand and told me I needed to rest my selfe Ascending therefore himselfe first by a little way cut out of the rock wee came to the entry of the same grotto where you found the letters ingraven by mine hand The good Hermit made mee unclothe my selfe and having given me some cotton clothes to wipe mee threw a robe about my shoulders like his owne And as soon as I was clad Son said hee our bodies are not as some imagine them enemies to be used with all kind of rigour They are vessells worthy the treasure they inclose and you must beleeve they are very deare to the Power which created them since he hath left there as in gage the greatest of all his miracles This being so wee are to have a particular care of them and to conferre what they require since it most certaine that they desire nothing but what is necessary To verifie this document hee presented mee a corken cup full of cleare water and dri'd dates in an earthen platter I eat and drank more to obey him then for any need I had and after we had watched very late I took possession of one of the two beds of mosse which you saw in the Cave At day-break the old man awak'd me and bringing me to the top of the grot and turning my face to the Sun which appear'd not yet but by the severall colours where withall he painted the clouds My son said he let us render thankes to that Deitie which inhabits in that light which wee may call another Deitie since by his perpetuall course and wonderfull revolutions he preserves our being and drawes us out of darknesse After he had spoke thus he fell to his prayers and I to mine without observing a superstition which in mine opinion favour'd somewhat of Idolatrie When wee had ended our Oraisons wee went downe to the sea which was much calm'd during the night and there the good Hermit having throwne some shovell-fulls of sand out of the grave which hee had begun I resemble said hee that immortall Bird which delights in building her owne tomb because shee knowes that the last moment of her life is the first of her resurrection It may be you heeded it not my son therefore I am the more willing to tell you that 't was for my selfe I digg'd this grave 'T is long agone since Heaven promis'd mee your arrivall and assured mee that a man of extraordinary vertue driven by a tempest should come and close the eyes of my feeble age and succeed in a place which I have preferr'd before the government of men and the rule of one of the greatest Empires of Asia The knowledge I had of mens ingratitude and of the injustice where withall they are wont to requite the pains watchings and cares of those great Genius's on whom most Kings disburthen themselves of the government of their Estates made me forsake a glorious slaverie a torture that had the face and magnificence of a tyrant and in a word a misfortune envied by all ignorant fooles I rather chose to spend my dayes in a secure solitude and in speculations which from the top of this rock carrying me up to heaven
of that reward and make you confesse that Love and Honour are certainly two of those Inchanters which promise pearles and diamonds but give us onely a few oaken leaves and acornes My sonne repli'd the Hermit Ignorance is alwaies unjust but it is not alwaies criminall and is not so principally when it is accompanied with a deale of affection Yours is of that nature and therefore I condemne it not But know that the man whom you bewaile is not in case to deserve it Neither Love nor Death shall ever rob him of the felicities are due to him I dare say he enjoyes them already and though his troubles have been great his recompence shall be farre more But let us break off this discourse since I have not so long time to live that I should bestow any part of it on any other save my selfe In this sort having ended our conversation the holy man intreated me to goe and finish the grave he had begun and leave him a while alone to prepare himselfe seriously for the great voyage he was to make I obay'd him and was above an houre in digging That done I ascended againe up to the Cave and found the good Hermit laid on his bed of mosse I came neere to give him an accompt of my labour but he was not in case to receive it He lifted his eyes and hands towards heaven and seem'd to be so transported thither already that he remembred no more any thing that was earthly I took him by the hand all amaz'd to see him in that estate and demanded what he ailed and what I might doe to comfort him But he answer'd not I then thought him to be extremely sick and to get him out of his swoune began to stirre him By little and little his judgement return'd and presently knowing mee Oh! my son said he out of what a trouble have you brought me I saw the habitation of the Blessed all open My soule ravish'd to quit this clog of earth which hinders her flying thither did her utmost endeavour to be absolutely disburthened of it But as she complain'd for seeing all her industry bootlesse a voice call'd mee by my name Beware said it that thou break not those ligaments which hold thy bodie bound to thy soule Thou wantest one thing without which it is forbidden thee to enter into this place of all delights The voice flying into aire I call'd a long time to intreat it to instruct me what it was I wanted for my felicity But I re-claim'd in vaine It would not deliver me out of the torment whereinto it had throwne me and I was in such anguish of mind as is not to be imagined when your calling brought mee out of so strange a dreame or rather so wonderfull a transportation of the spirit No sooner had the holy man recounted to mee his vision but I imagined that heaven desirous to bestow on him that reward it hath promised to all good men had wrought a miracle in the moment of his departure that so by the knowledge of that verity which had never been spoken to him he might attaine the beatitude propos'd for the salary of its beliefe Hereupon I told him it was reveal'd me from heaven what was wanting for his gaining that true happinesse and afterwards as fully as I could in so short a time made knowne the mysteries and fundamentalls of what we beleeve After which that learned man who all his life time had made profession of the most solid and rationall parts of Philosophy witnessed so great a submission and gave so great a credence to such mysteries as being infinitely elevated above all reason must needs justle with his and cleane overcoming it hee demanded to be perfected by lavation which I performed and had no sooner done but he with an hearty ejaculation and instant prayer sunk downe by mee and testifi'd that the death of a good man is a true peace and a pleasing sleep I confesse I wept at so great a losse and you were not the onely man whom I was bound to bewaile I watch'd him till next day and as soon as the Sun arose carried him to the place chosen by himselfe for his interment His funerals ended I resolv'd to take possession of his Hermitage for the remainder of my life But knowing not where to draw the water or get the dates whereon hee liv'd I determin'd to dye with that absolute resignation and religious constancy which the holy man had taught me Yet was I not reduc'd to that extremity for eight dayes after the Hermits death I saw a little Barque arrive at my rock guided by two Negro's They descri'd me on the top of the rock and the distance hindring them from any certaine knowledge they surely took mee for my predecessour By their shouts they made shew of their joy and brought on shore eight or ten barrells of fresh water and some six little chests of dates As soon as those things were unshipp'd the Black-Moores cri'd out againe as 't were to take their leaves and so return'd without any curiositie of visiting me After I had long meditated on somewhat that was not very likely I imagin'd that the late Hermit being not desirous to be seen by any man had given order to such as were to furnish him with his ordinary pittance to land what they brought at the foot of the rock and so to returne without troubling him in his solitude How ere it was I remain'd there three moneths living according to the incouragement which the life and death of the holy Hermit gave me and receiv'd such things as were necessary for me from the hands of the same Negro's And I grew then so well accustom'd to that manner of life that the most pleasing things of the world pass'd not through my memory but as objects of commiseration and contempt and I thought on nothing but how to dye well when a great ship whose sailes were of purple and gold shew'd her selfe one morning some miles off my rock I confesse to you that object did not almost a jot move mee and I wished often that they who were in that proud Vessell fearing to fall on my rock would turne their sailes another way But I had not my desire satisfied On the contrary the tall ship came with full sailes within a mile of my rock and casting anchor there for feare of the shelves and the crags I perceiv'd five or six men which descended into a great boat and then with an extreme swiftnesse came right to the rock There they landed and presently came up to my Cave My haire was so exceedingly growne since my living there that I had not much lesse then I have now and besides being growne gray as you know it did begin to be so from mine age of five and twenty I seem'd to be above threescore and ten though I was not five and forty Those men certainly taking me for my Predecessour cast themselves at my feet imbrac'd my knees
to the top of a rock whence he might easily ken her straight he perceiv'd the purple and gold imbryodered sayles which truely appear'd as waving flames betwixt the azure of the skie and the water Withall he mark'd Alcidiana's golden Pavillion which was fix'd to the maine mast and saw shine in a thousand severall places that Queen of birds which was not only the device but the symbol of Alcidiana The Ship with her artillery saluted the Port and that on shore answering a great company ran to the sea side to see the arrivall of that rich and stately Ship Polexander covertly retir'd to his palace and there expected when the Clergies officers came to advertise what he was to do In the mean time the strength of his imagination or to say better the violence of his love so troubled him that he felt himselfe suddenly strucken with some strange fit and fell on his bed as pale and cold as he had been giving up the ghost Diceus seeing him in that case How said he what will become of you when you shall present your selfe before Alcidiana since you are not able to indure the presence of her Embassadors Friend reply'd Polexander I thought thou wouldst not have ingag'd me to become Master of my former thoughts Yet I must neverthelesse in good time prevent such disorders as they may cause and by long preparations accustome my mind to take in most extream contentments and yet not seem sensible of them This discourse having as it were blunted the edge of our Heroës imagination his senses return'd to their usuall functions and then he thought himselfe able enough to constrain his deportment before Alcidiana's Embassadors Assoon as they landed they were entertain'd by such as had that charge and Polexander being called to the Temple by the dignity he exercis'd there put on his ceremoniall habit to meet those famous Embassadors He acquitted himselfe better then he thought he should have done of a charge so thorny and nice for him and by the extraordinary and obliging civility wherewithall he us'd to winne all hearts instantly acquir'd the love of all those strangers The next day every one rose very early to be at the ceremonies of the sacrifice of Allyance At day-break the priests came to the Temple and sun-rising the high-priest appear'd with his clergie in the most eminent place of the great Portico there to receive the Embassadors That done the same things were perform'd to them as had been to the Embassadors of the King of Gheneoa in bringing them into the Temple The chief priest then taking his place the feigned Araxes his and the priests theirs the Embassadors bare headed and kneeling at the foot of the high Altar did that homage to the Sun to which the Kings of the Inaccessible Island had oblieged themselves After that those who bore the offerings came in one after another The six first carried so many great vessels of crystall of the rock full of perfumes Eight following bore on their shoulders a table of gold on which was imboss'd the shape of the Inaccessible Island The ninth had in his hands a table of brass whereon was ingraven the termes wherewithall the person who represented the King of the Inaccessible Island renew'd and confirm'd his allyance between the hands of the chiefprelate The tenth carryed a heart of silver on which were seen drops of bloud naturally figured After these offerings march'd forty or fifty slaves chain'd with chaines of gold which plac'd on the twelve lesser Altars somewhat of the most rarest things in their kind which nature produc'd or art gave to the inhabitants of the Inaccessible Island Those oblations ended they celebrated the unbloudy sacrifice It began with thanksgivings was continued by burning of severall perfumes and ended in supplications and prayers The chief priest presented them to the living Deity after the wonted manner and after a benediction on all the assistants every one retir'd to his quarter All the remainder of the day the Temple stood open that the inferiour Pilgrims might performe their devotions and offer their offerings At night the archprelate sent for Alcidiana's Embassadors to entertain them according to the ancient custome Polexander supp'd with them and the recitall of what he had done for the safety of the Island was to his discontent the whole discourse of their feast The Embassadors look'd on him as if they could not have their fill and the more they regarded him the more increased their admiration The houre of retirement arriving all the company sever'd As the chief prelate was going to bed the famous pilot Lynceus came into his chamber and besought him for a private audience presently the archpriest commanded away his servants Speak then said he and feare nothing Before I make known reply'd Lynceus the cause that obligeth me to hinder your repose you must if you please ingage your faith that for no cause nor necessity whatsoever you shall reveale the secret which the Queen my Mistris hath commanded mee to intrust you withall Impose if you please this tye on your selfe and without retaining any reservation that may dispense with you for your oath swear by the Deity in whom you believe that you will rather suffer death then betray the innocencie of a Princesse who for the discharge of her conscience will intrust you with a matter that doth not permit her to injoy any rest Alcippus who had a great desire to know this important secret and who by I know not what inspiration was perswaded it concern'd Polexander The Queen said he to Lynceus is most judicious in being desirous in matters of great consequence to observe all that wisedom can advise her But she would not require these oathes or security from me if she knew that one of the principall injunctions in my charge is to keep as a pledge deposited by heaven such secrets of conscience as are made known to me No no Lynceus let not Alcidiana feare it Neither hope nor feare nor love nor hatred nor death nor life shall ever be able to make me violate a law on which depends the eternity of my blisse or wretchednesse I sweare by the sacred power of the chief priesthood and by the faith I owe to heaven that no person whatsoever shall ever know from me that which you have commanded to discover Lynceus made confident by so inviolable an oath My Lord said he the Queen though she never did act contrary to the rules of verue nor could not so much as inure an ill thought without stifling of it in the birth yet hath her conscience troubled and feeles I know not what remorse which both accuseth and torments her But to the end you may give her Majesty such remedies as are fitting for her disease 't is necessary that I make knowne to you the originall of it Some three yeares since the famous King of the Canaries was by a tempest cast on our coasts That Prince whom without flattery wee may call the
sacred Island to visit the principall Courts of Africa and Europe and to cause that wondrous portraict to be there ador'd which without doubt participates somwhat with the miracles of its originall But a tempest tooke me in that long traverse of sea which is betweene the Island of the Sunne and the kingdome of Senega divers dayes was I in danger to be cast away at last committing my selfe to Fortune I was desirous to see what shee was able to doe ' Shee was not ingratefull for my confidence but brought me happily in to that Island made famous even to the extremities of the earth by the valour of Bajazet that Prince's reputation obliged me to discover to him the treasure I was intrusted withall but he had no sooner seen your Majesties picture then he cry'd out that art was gone beyond all that nature could possibly produce Iblam'd his incredulity and told him that art had been but a most imperfect imitator of nature My exclamation reply'd Bajazet is an effect of my astonishment not of my misbeliefe I make no question but Alcidiana is far fairer then this picture shewes her and if to confirme me in this opinion you had need of another witnesse then your selfe there is a Prince in this Island that would not denie you his testimonie A Prince said I and what Prince Never any but Polexander had the happinesse of seeing Alcidiana May be 't is of him I speak reply'd Bajazet with that Polexander came and imbrac'd me and kissing the chains I wore Thou feest said he O happy Pallantus the deplorable Polexander whom fortune not onely declares unworthy of re-seeing thy divine Princesse but also of bearing the markes of her servitude I answered him in such a fashion that he perceiv'd well hee had offended you and that the punishment of absence was but a part of those to which you had coâ—…demn'd him Hereat not able almost to refraine from teares Tell me said he deare Pallantus the most cruellest of my destinie and let me know what punishment Alcidiana's just anger reserves for my temeritie I thereupon intimated the just causes your Majestie had to make him feele the effects of your choler and after that declaration shewed him the other which you had made against his life with a great deale of respect he read it kiss'd it often and made shew to me of a great deale of joy for his ill fortune because it was your pleasure I would presently have departed but Bajazet having run a hazard of being slaine by one of his pirates I thought my selfe bound before I set saile to see the successe of his wound assoone as I was confident of his life I tooke leave of Polexander and the Princes which accompanied him he left me not till I was imbark'd and when he saw he must needs leave me Know said he my dear Pallantus that my miserie is increased by the hopes which thou hast given me and if ever thy good fortune bring thee backe againe to that blessed place where thy divine Princesse raignes tell her that thou hast left the wretched Polexander on the point of finishing by some new kind of death the incredible torments which his absence inflicts upon him 'T is not that which you promis'd me I reply'd nor doe you expect that I speake of you to our great Queene if you persevere not in the resolution of â—…ffering for her I will doe it then said Polexander since 't is for her glory and husbanding my life in the extremity of my affliction will not put in any hazard but whilst I am forc'd to it by the desire of re-seeing the incomparable Alcidiana After he had thus spoke he imbrac'd me againe and return'd where he was expected in the meane time driven by a favourable gale I sail'd along the coasts of Africa and cast anchor in the port of Morocco The Princes which raign'd there entertained me with all manner of civilitie which the name and picture of your Majestie imperiously exacts from the most barbarous minds From thence I sail'd into Spaine and came to Lisbone to make your portraict admir'd by all the Court of Portugall After I had gotten you a great many adorers there I tooke my course Northerly I saw France England Scotland and upon some newes brought me as I was going out of that great gulf which is commonly called the Scottish sea I sail'd into Denmarke where I saw that famous Phelismond whom your Majesties picture and indignation have rais'd to the highest point of honour At that word Alcidiana interrupting him said coldly I think some body hath heretofore spoken to me of that rash man but never made mention of him without relating to me the advantages which Polexander got on him 'T is true Madam reply'd Pallantus Polexander had the better of him in the combate he undertooke for your quarrell but if that generous Prince may be beleeved 't was not his valour but your Majesties anger which conquered Phelismond And indeed since that time that Prince by a thousand glorious actions hath made knowne to the world that he sprung from the bravest bloud which ever formed Kings It hath been told me said the Queene 't was one of unknowne birth on whom Fortune and the King of Denmark's fantasticall humour were desirous to practice all that they were able to produce 'T is truth Madam answered Pallantus that at first the King of Denmarke divided his authoritie with him and not content to see him the second person in his kingdome even before his death plac'd the Crowne on his head But why deferre I so long time the giving your Majestie a contentment whereof you must be extreamly sensible Be pleas'd Madam to know that Phelismond is your brother Sonne of the great Alcidus your father and of a Princesse who but for her Uncles tyrannie and the usurpation of an English Earle had been seated on the Throne of England At these unexpected and incredible newes Alcidiana stood still and earnestly regarding Pallantus To what end said she tell you me these fables What you say cannot be and put case it is so how are you sure of it I am so certaine of it reply'd Pallantus that if this be not there is nothing true in all the events which carry any thing of extraordinary with them Thereupon he related the loves of Alcidus and Phelismonda their flight into Scotland the death of the wife the affliction of the husband the birth of Phelismond the retreat of Thamiris into Denmark and generally all that we have written touching the adventures of that admirable Favorite and the love of the Danish Princesse Next he recounted how Polexander being driven into a desolate Island there met with that Princesse and learnt from her the cause why she had abandon'd her fathers Kingdome At last said he Helismena hearing of Phelismond's change imbarked her selfe with the Embassadors that Prince had sent towards your Majestie and had the happinesse that after two moneths saile she safely
lastly for the preservation of him which it had sent for their defence After she had ended her praier all the people confirm'd it by their acclamations and applauses and so went out of the Temple blessing the Queen and waited on her to the Palace with such testimonies of affection as were farre beyond all that had preceeded As she entred the second Court of her palace Diceus who had plotted that action with his Master presented himselfe and humbly besought her to have pity on a Canarian who had lately escap'd out of the Spanish fleet Alcidiana was so troubled and diverted that shee took no heed to what the man said But Amintha who attended her thought she should know the Supplicant and staid to look on him Ah madam said Diceus if the memorie of a personage whom you have somtimes affected be yet deare to you have compassion on that miserable estate whereto his losse hath reduc'd me Amintha knowing Diceus by his voice better then by his countenance and unable to suppresse that violent passion which she alwaies had in any thing concerning Polexander How Diceus cri'd shee art thou yet alive Arise and follow me Alcidiana at Amyntha's noise turned her head and saw the Lady talking to Diceus but not imagining whom he might be kept on her way and retir'd to her chamber where she presently â—…eil on a Couch and commanding all to withdraw fell to her usuall reveries An houre after she awoak and call'd Amintha They told her she was gone Let her be fetch'd hither said she and after that Commandement fell again into her former imaginations Amintha came presently after and approaching the Queen your Majestie said she may be knowes not the man who this morning fell at your feet The Queen answering that shee had not taken notice of him 'T was said Amintha that faithfull servant of Polexander who was only with him when he was murthered by Astramadans Subjects He was about to tell me in what manner hee escaped after his Masters death and by what accident hee arriv'd in this Island when your Majestie vouchsafed the honour to send for mee At these words Alcidiana coming as it were out of a deep sleep How said she is Diceus here O you thou lov'st me Amyntha let me see him The recitall he will make me of his Masters death will serve me for a great diversion A sad and dismall diversion replid ' Amyntha I doe not think Diceus can relate any thing more particularly to you then I have done 'T is all one said the Queen I shall be glad to see him and hear the reproaches he will throw on me for the death of his Master Hee hath been too well bred repli'd Amintha to take such libertie as shall not please you I am in such an humour said the Queen that whatsoever he shall say will not be able to displease me Therefore without losing more time let me see him With that Amintha making a low reverence went out of the chamber and calling for a Squire commanded him to go call Diceus The Squire obey'd the command and Diceus presently after entring the Queenes chamber Amintha brought him where she lay Alcidiana trembled at his sight and finding her selfe more troubled thâ—…n she thought she could be Alas poor Diceus said she thy Master is then dead Diceus continuing on his kneees though the Queen bad him arise Madam said he my Master dy'd because your Majestie thought his life was not worth the preserving Neither his life nor death depended on my will repli'd the Queen The will of your Majestie said Diceus hath alwayes had more power over him then that soveraign law on which depends the destinie of all other men It seemes then by what thou saiest answered the Queen that thou wouldst make me guiltie of thy Masters death Heaven said Diceus who can make us immortall was never accus'd but by blasphemers for confining the course of our life to so short a date Nor hath the King my Master who alwaies look'd on you though not as a Deity yet as its living image otherwise then with a benediction receiv'd the sentence of death you pronounc'd against him And the last time he did me the honour to speake to me Diceus said he let my death come when it will I will take it for a speciall favour from heaven since 't is the onely thing iâ—… left me whereby I may witnesse my obedience to the greatest Queen in the world Alas repli'd the Queen how knew he that I bore so great a hatred to his life Hee hâ—…d read it quoth Diceus in the declaration which Pallantus shew'd him in the Pirates Island but he read it more clearly in the effects of your anger I mean by the warre which nature her-selfe had denounc'd against him and by the ill successe of â—…ll the voyages he undertook to have the happinesse of continuing to you the testimonialls of his most humble Servitude I should condemne my Declaration answered the Queen though it were justly done if it hastened the death of your Master But 't was his valour and not Alcidiana that slew him Hee thought himselfe immortall as he was invincible and judging of his enemies by himselfe imagin'd there was none base enough to commit a murther Hee had too much loved life said Diceus or to speake better he had been as he was the superstitious observer of your commands if he had thought on the preservation of a life which he knew pleas'd you not He is dead Madam and died the more happily since he was perswaded in dying he should give you a strong and unquestionable proofe of the greatnesse of his love and obedience These last words touch'd Alcidiana to the heart so that spight of her selfe she sigh'd and feeling her teares in her eies turn'd her head towards Amintha that her too lively resentment might not be perceiv'd Assoon as her amorous teares were wip'd off she beganne again and would know of Diceus by what meanes he sav'd himselfe after the death of his Master I will not relate to your Majestie said he for what cause the King my Master came to the Isle of Astramadan Amintha was by when he was ingag'd to sight with him and I doubt not but she hath entertain'd your Majestie with it I will therefore content my selfe with the narration of the most strange and diversified Combate that ever was seen since weapons have been us'd He related how Polexander had sent to defie Astramadan with how many Knights he had to do till he came to haâ—…die stroakes with the Gyant in brief all that which we have descri'd at large heretofore But when he came to that part wherein we spoke of Tisiphone's arrivall and the firing of Astramadans City I had said he to the Queen the honour that day to serve my Master in the place of his Squire and to doe somewhat worthy my new quality assoon as the Tyrants Guard assail'd the King I fell in amongst them and wâ—…s so
preservation Goe and make ready for your departure Get you quickly out of a place which will soone be filled with your greatest enemies Intreat Osmin as I doe with my heart that he forsake you not in the meane while I will beseech Heaven with all the zeale I can that you may be as faithfully beloved and if I dare say so as religiously ador'd by him that must enjoy you as you have alwayes beene by the most unfortunate Hely Iphidamanta had not fail'd answering him but that she was hindred by fearefull cries noise of armour and the affright given her by a great many Souldiers who with their Symeters in their hands confusedly entred the Court of the fortresse Hely seeing her so much amazed and hearing withall the shouts of the victorious Souldiers Flie cried he dying as he was flie faire Princesse and stay not till you are in the pawes of the Lion that will devoure you And thou Osmin said he if thou hast ever lov'd me and if the affection I have borne thee deserves any acknowledgement save the best part of my self and suffer not base feare to make me dye more cruelly then can all the barbarousnesse of my two Sons Osmin hearing himselfe so exceedingly conjur'd not to abandon the Princesse in that extremitie withdrew her from the Kings chamber and running to his lodgings for some of his slaves and what he had of most value descended by a private staire to the foote of the rock and with his little company entred into a Barke which the Governours of Guargetsem alwaies used to keepe there for any urgent necessitie All things favoured their flight The tumult and confusion which alwaies accompanieth the taking of places the calme which could not be fairer the night approaching conspir'd together for those innocents safetie and drew them from the sight and furie of Nephisus Osmin put his hand to the oare and in the night time got to certaine high rocks farre enough from Guarguetsem which might have serv'd them for a safe retreate He was not long there for a Merchant of Madera being driven on the same place tooke him into his ship with his companie and promis'd to waft him into the Isle of Teneriffe or any other of the Canaries Osmin having thus recounted to the Prince Almanzor Iphidamanta's adventures You have understood my Lord said he that the Madera Merchant could not performe what he promis'd us for when we had beene a while under saile a tempest arose and cast us on the coast of Guinea I must confesse said Almanzor then to Osmin you have related to me strange adventures yet is not my curiosity absolutely satisfied You have not told me how Iphidamanta was stolne from the place of her abode who that Tyrant was out of whose hands Spimantus vaunted he had redeem'd her nor by whà t accident the two vessels were fired My Lord replid Osmin I have had the same desire as you and cannot yet get any further satisfaction Onely I will tell you that the Princesse seeing her selfe voyd of all protection but mine threw her at both our feets and besought me and my wife to take her for our daughter to conceale the truth of her birth and in stead of the name of Iphidamant a which was not hers to call her Axiamira There now remaines nothing for me but to petition you for that Princesse sake to let her perceive nothing of what you know and to actuate all that honour and love shall advise you to give a glorious issue to her long wandrings Father said Almanzor imbracing Osmin I will strive to performe what you injoyne me and if it be not that you should have a good opinion of me be assur'd you shall never repent your confidence of my discretion After these promises he dismissed him and remaining alone to give himselfe wholly over to his owne contentment and to be overcome by those transports which the excesse of his good fortune brought on him he tasted the remainder of that day more sweets and resented more ravishing joyes by the strength of his imagination then he will ever meet withall againe either by the knowledge of his parents the conquest of all the Empires of the world or the very possession of Axiamira He himselfe hath confessed to me that which I tell you and having laid before me all the faire chymeraes which in that happy time had passed through his fancy Almaid said he to me what felicity can there be compar'd to mine if by the number of my exploits and by the immutability of my faith I be able to oblige Iphidamanta to the not disdaining my humblest servitude O how capable doe I finde my selfe of the most honourable and difficult enterprises How doth the elevated birth of that Princesse raise my thoughts beyond ordinary conceptions How am I asham'd that I have done no more since I knew the world How powerfull a spurre to honour is the desire of making me worthy Iphidamanta's esteeme And what emulation and disquiet do Polexanders famous acts which are still before mine eyes bring upon me I will follow his steps Almaid I will undertake something great enough to the end I may without impudency make knowne mine affection to Iphidamanta and at least give an honourable pretext to my boldnesse I should trouble you brave Knight did I repeate all the brave words so faire a passion put into the mouth of Almanzor Assoone as Andromeda was come from the place of her retirement that Prince went to visit Axiamira and inventing new humilities to come worthily neere her I wonder much said he that the Deity with whom you have so privately communed these foure dayes could be wonne or resolve to let you goe out of his temple 'T is true replied Axiamira my returne is a just cause of wonder The sanctity of the place whence I come the authority of the Deity which inhabits it and the example of so many religious soules which burne with love should for ever have made me renounce the company of the world But alas my weakenesse hath been stronger then all those powers and I have found my selfe so incapable of so high a perfection that I should thinke I had more ambition then zeale if I durst onely pretend to it You are a very unjust Interpreter said Almanzor pardon me Madam if I speake to you with so little respect You give my words a cleane contrary sense to my intention You accuse your selfe for not being devout enough and I accus'd the god with whom you were so long for not being sensible enough Truely I cannot conceive how that Deity who hath perceptions and penetrations farre beyond those of men and by consequence sees in you those beauties which are conceal'd from us such perfections as we cannot discover and such brightnesse as our too weak and dull eyes cannot perceive hath not reserv'd to himselfe a wonder which of all those that are visible comes neerest to it selfe Give me leave replied the Princesse to aske
to him the same day he gave her in marriage to the Prince of Galatia and conjecturing from thâ—…e all that her folly could make her undertake he plac'd the blinded passion of that Queâ—… among the number of those misfortunes which had persecuted him nevertâ—…elesse hee was desirous to attempt the meanes of succouring that unfortunate Lady and without discovering himselfe by his perswasions bring her againe into that right way from whence love had maliciously turn'd her But death prevented his good offices and either out of envy or pitie permitted not the unhappie 〈◊〉 to see that amiable countenance which had wrought her so much 〈◊〉 and from whence she expected so many consolations Polexander finding her dead could not overcome his good nature but was inforced to bestow some teares on that Princesse who without doubt had been miraculously driven into those unknowne seas to the end that her death which was inevitable should not be absolutely unprofitable â—…to her Our Heroe commanded two of his mariners to enter the shallop of that too-constant loving Lady and gave them order to bring it to their ship that he might render to her corps its due honours and preserve the companion of her misfortunes No sooner had he given this direction but he was blowne by a gust of winde very neere to the greater burning ship and perceiving by the flashing of flames which by times flew oâ—…t a man on the top of the sterne surely he was got thither to free himselfe from the fire but whether he were wearied by his labour or saw himselfe set on by that unmercifull enemie he cry'd out in vaine O fairest Alcidiana I have done my utmost to preserve a life that was consecrated unto thee my death is at hand and I must now perish in one or other of the most unmercifull Elements but it shall 〈◊〉 be upbraided me that I have cowardly expected the stroke of death I will prevâ—… my Fate and thus farre satisfie my selfe that though I have long disâ—…ed with my last houre yet it hath not been for fear of death With that he threw â—…selfe into the sea and so happily that Polexander had the means to take hold of him assoon as he arose above water And the name of Alcidiana which he uttered before he cast himselfe over-board made the Prince take him so much into his consideration that he neglected no meanes for his recoverie but being not in fit place to performe it he commanded to haste to his ship and assoone as he was aboard intreated the Embassadors to looke well on the man and see whether they could know him they were not long about it for they no sooner call'd for a light but they knew him to be the famous slave of Alcidiana nam'd Pallantus who formerly met with Polexander in the Pirates Island and publish'd to him his sentence of death Presently our Heroe fell on him though hee was without motion and knowledge and imbracing him O dear companion of my chaines said he softly 't is not without a mysterie that Heaven who had separated us without hope of ever reseeing one another hath brought us together by so wonderfull an adventure After that he commanded him to be carried into a chamber neer to his own there he was undress'd and Diceâ—…s perceiving his shirt bloudy thought he was wounded he therefore search'd him and found he had three great wounds two in his body and the other in hiâ—… right arme Polexander at the sight of them shew'd a great deale of sorrow and the Embassadors which knew well how deare Pallantus was to their Queene were as much moved with his hurts and weâ—…ing well they should doe that Princesse good service in saving that slave equally strove to preserve him After Diceus had first dressed his wounds he intreated every one to depart that Pallantus might have the more aire and so be the more easily gotten 〈◊〉 of his sounding Polexander had not been withdrawn past a quarter of an houre but he return'd to learn how it far'd with the wounded man Diceus told him he was recover'd from his fainting but having forgotten most things that had betided him â—…e continually call'd for the Slaves and ask'd where they had laid him and by what chance he had escap'd the burning vessell Polexander hearing it and besides fearing lest Pallantus might know him not only forbore to see him but expresly forbad Diceus to speak in his hearing any thing which might raise the least suspicion and that good servant intimating he had no need of that warning return'd to his patient Polexander too leaving Diceâ—… went back to the Embassadors assuring them of Pallantus amendment and seeing day break brought them to the most eminent place of the Ship to be the first that should descry the Inaccessible Island They were no sooner on the poop but Lynceus let flye his winged Guides Their direction was that day to no purpose for a furious tempest mixt with thunder and horrible darknesse having as it were mixt the Sea and Heaven together and taken from Lynceus not only the fight of the birds but the meanes of governing his ship he was hurried away by the impetuousnesse of the storme Polexander accus'd not the windes for that unexpected tempest but his own fate He confes'd himselfe to be the Author of that disorder and had he not been detain'd by some consideration hee would as some one before have told the Mariners that the only way to regain a calme was to sacrifice him to the indignation of the billowes Above eight houres had this storme lasted and the horizon no way clear but by the flashes of lightning when some cri'd out they were all lost for the wind drove them on inevitable rocks The feare was greater then the danger for good fortune drove the distressed vessell into the mouth of a river which ran out among the rocks But she was no sooner out of one tempest then she was set on by another Two great Ships of warre which lay in the River some two or three miles above the mouth no sooner discover'd ours but they weigh'd anchor and having observ'd the Sea Ceremonies let them know by many Canon shot they were not to passe any further Polexander noting the vessells and knowing them by their flags to be Spaniards imagin'd the storm had cast them on some Island that belong'd to the Crown of Castile Losing then all hope of arriving at that of Alcidiana Let 's then dye at last said he to himselfe but not so neither without avenging us on fortune by executing it on a Nation that is so deare unto her With that he besought tâ—…â—…mbassadors to command the Souldiers to feare nothing and himselfe prescribing tâ—… Gunners what the were to doe plac'd himselfe on the sterne with a resolution that incourag'd thâ—…â—…ost timerous His ship according to the order Lynceus had receiv'd pas'd betwixâ—…â—…e two Spaniards and in the instant the Canoneers performing their charge threw death and terrour among
their Enemies Polexander who was resolv'd to dye in this occasion grapled presently with the greatest ship and spight of sword and fire made those tyrants of the sea to feel that valour they had already so often tryed 'T is hard for my pen to expresse the impetuousnesse with which the assailants and assailed hurried themselves to their common ruine Here falls a Spaniard shot through and through with a musker There layes drown'd in his owne bloud an Islander his head cleft by a Spanyard The iron neither flew nor fell in vain One stood Victor a moment which was straight vanquish'd for ever another escap'd a thousand bullets to fall but honorably for him under the victorious sword of Polexander At last that new Alcides forcing through all obstacles leapt into the Spanish ship with some twentie or thirtie of Alcidiana's valiantest subjects and slew or made to flie all that were in case to resist them The Spanyards preferring a glorious end before a shamefull slavery were sacrific'd to the honour of Alcidiana aâ—…d others that could not detest life how infamous and unfortunate soever had recours to the mercie of the Victor and abandon'd their honour with their armes Polexander made them be taken by such as had follow'd him and promising to treat them as prisoners of warre made himselfe Master of their ship In her he left to command the youngest of the Embassadors and hastned to the succour of the Sacred Vessell which was full of Spanyards and expos'd to their fury If what he had already done might passe for miraculous that which he did to avenge Alcidiana who was wronged in her ship might be esteem'd as true miracles To throw himselfe into that vessell fight with those that had wonne it and make them lose it againe with their lives were things betwixt which there was almost no distance The regaining the ship did not satisfie him he would perfect his victorie and laid not downe his armes till he had ended all was to be done So noble and important an action putting againe Alcidiana's Embassadors into their former admiration they tooke our Heroe for somewhat more then a man and whisperingly ask'd each other if he were nor the very Power whose slave he named himselfe In the meane time the violence of the vvindes as vvell as of their armes ceasing Polexander and his follovvers had found themselves in an admirable calme had they not been ignorant of the coast whereon the tempest had hurled them In particular our Heroe that could promise to himselfe nothing but disastrous upbraided fortune for his victorie and accus'd her of a deadly malice for saving him from the mortall blowes of his enemies but whilst he was on his unjust revilings Linceus came and told him that since he came to himself and had re-call'd to his memorie what the storm and fearfull lightning had as it were blotted thence he descry'd that the tempest had happily advanc'd the end of their voyage Be pleas'd to know said he that the River werein we are is one of the greatest in all the Inaccessible Island it is called Arzilea and gives name to a very faire citie some thirty miles hence Imagine if you can what Polexander's joy or rather extasie was at the recitall of this good fortune he was a while as out of himselfe and when he had recollected his spirits dissipated by his excessive rapture hee would have cast himselfe on his knees to aske pardon of Heaven for his murmuring and yeeld thankes for the favours he had received thence but that humane wisdome which tyrannizeth over our thoughts and will not so much as permit all that is just staid our Heroe's zeale he was therefore compell'd to let his heart speake for his mouth and by private thankesgivings and unheard vowes to satisfie for that which was passed and ingage himselfe for what was to come Alcidiana's Embassadors came presently in to rejoyce with him not onely for their arrivall in the Inaccessible Island but that they were got thither by the wonders of his valour Polexander answer'd them with his usuall civilitie and intreating them not to give the honour of an action to him wherein they had a greater share then he told them 't were fit to learn from some one of their prisoners what designe they had on the territories of Alcidiana or at least by what accident they got thither Presently he sent for the Captaine of the greater ship and when he came intreated him to suppresse the sorrow which appear'd in his countenance and not expect from his vanquishers any treatment unworthy of him The Spaniard putting on againe that gravity which nature hath bestowed on all the Nation My defeate said to Polexander nor my captivity shall never be able to make faile in what I owe my selfe I grieve not for my selfe the thought of my Kings service and the hinderances which the enemie of our Belief daily raiseth to retard the holy intention of our armes are the powerfull and onely cause of my sorrow the dishonour throwne on us by your valour is to me a certaine presage of our enterprises ill successe and though you are mine enemie I am forc'd to confesse that if the Queene of this Island whom we have besieg'd in her capitall city have many defenders like you shee may a long time yet keep her Crowne from paying that tribute which Spaine may rightfully exact from all the Kings of the earth What say you reply'd Polexander interrupting the Spaniard Have you then an Army in this Island Is the Queene besieg'd and have you dar'd to thinke to make her one of your tributaries What I have said is true answered the Spaniard The Prince of Medina Sidonia putting out of the ports of Spaine with a powerfull Armado to regaine the Canaries in lieu of getting thither was by a tempest throwne a month since on the coasts of this Island at first he thought it desert and not inhabited because it was unknowne to our mariners but since perceiving the fertilitie richnesse and beautie of it and understanding by some prisoners we tooke how well it was peopled he neglected the conquest of the Canaries and thought he should gaine his King a new world if he could conquer this Island Casting therefore aside all other designs he thrust his Fleet into a great river which invirons the capitall city and laying waste divers neighbouring villages to give the more terror to others and be an advertisment to them not to be obstinate in a defence that would prove so dismall and deadly these happy beginnings were so seconded as they seem'd to assure us of a most fortunate successe for a few dayes before our arrivall a Prince of this Island call'd Tantalus had tooke armes against the Queen and to avenge himself as he told us of the contempt he receiv'd in his wooing her and the instant supplications of all her Subjects was resolv'd to get that by force which he could not obtaine either by the greatnesse