severitie yet it vvas fit to please Rinatus one who had deserv'd vvell and had the power if otherwise he vvere dealt vvith to revenge his injurie Others the more in number and esteem'd the vviser because the King held vvith them oppos'd this sentence alledging so inconsiderate an act might call the safetie of Laconia in question for said they shall wee thinke the Corinthians so degenerate that being justly incenc't against us they will not endevour to revenge the death of their Prince in shade of whose raigne they enjoy that peace plentie their neighbours envie them for and if they stirre in it what people is so barbarous whom the justnesse of their cause will not procure into the societie of this warre See then if a private mans satisfaction be to be compar'd to these ensuing dangers no let her live when the Gods doe otherwise disposâ— of her let her death come without the ruine of Laconia This determined a new doubt arose how I should be dispos'd of They that before thought it expedient I should dye now that opinion vvas put by concluded that it was best to send me to Corinth with an honourable convoy so to tye them by a perpetuall bond of gratitude to be their friends whom they so much fear'd to bee their enemies the rest to gratifie the king whose affection they perceiv'd to leane that way and well assur'd it was an advice too profitable to be rejected that gain'd a kingdome though his promise after the Q. death who not long before left him a widower had bin pas't to Lemnia a fair vertuous La daughter to my keeper Partinax yet they wisht if so he pleas'd my crown might vvin me to his bed little doubting but I had thought it an egregious felicitie to be so grac't The King after manie protractions at length as if he were wrought to it by a desire to satisfie the Nobility rather then selfe-will declares his mind to be directed by them which once known behold the flatterie of Court began to fawne upoÌ„ me who more observ'd who more admir'd onely Rinatus much impatieÌ„t of this my greatnes in Court uttered some words in choler which made known by further enquirie a conspiracie of his against the King so as soone after the rather to give me whom they studied to please satisfactioÌ„ he was beheaded But long it was not before Fortune neither constant to my happie adversitie nor adverse felicitie had brought thither sent by the usurper Tenarus a wise but wicked instrument whoÌ„ he call'd his Ambassador who laboured by the policie of his high reaching braine and the secret practises of his undermining gold so farre for his Masters ends that now in an instaÌ„t the stil-changing face of Court-respect began to frowne upon me my death was decreed and untill the time vvere appointed for it my selfe made a close prisoner in my accustomed gaole But the King chiefly mov'd vvith the hope of my crowne and drawn by a selfe-conceit of liking to my sorrow vvhich perhaps had a sympathie vvith his melancholy vvould needs continue the suit of his affection to me though he durst not interpose his overrul'd authoritie for my libertie Thus for a time did I live accompanied by some few vvhoÌ„ the king might trust vvith his inteÌ„ts he in shew courting his first love Lemnia and making that a pretence to come private to her â—athers house neer adjoyning to Court But indeed as at that time he could have no reason to dissemble vvith me this kindnesse came another way vvhich Lemnia suspecting and being as farre gone in affection to this double-dealing King as he was in the profession of a little-regarded love to me her vvatchfull eye soon found the advantage of a happie opportunitie to heare himselfe speake his own deceipt with such a heart-burning vehemencie that Lemnia who had plac't her selfe unknown to eyther of us behinde the hangings scarse could suppresse her entry to play a part in our Comedie of affection But to his demaÌ„ds truth answered for me plainly that death in whose expectation I liv'd vvould be farre more pleasing then the marriage he thought so reasonable adding vvithall to my speech much of Lemnia's praise which she deserv'd to instruct his eyes that indeed vvere blinde in his choyse But when he parted vowing to be severe in my punishmeÌ„t unless I resolved better at his next comming behold Lemnia with teares in her eiâ—s fell at my feet and vvhen she saw amazemeÌ„t in my lookes with a kinde bashfulnesse taking my hand rising with that helpe Vertuous Lady said she if ever you have beene acquainted with the tyrannie of all-commanding affection to that Iudge I appeale who though courtesie and good maners oppose him wil find my fault excusable This man who in your presence hath beene the trumpet of his owne inconstancie first with the vehemeÌ„t protestatioÌ„ of his sincere affection won me in gratefulnes to meet him in the recoÌ„pence of his unknown dissimulatioÌ„ if such then it vvere and now vvith the good liking of the State vvere the solemnities appointed for our marriage wheÌ„ your arrivall croft those hopes and drew his thoughts to their naturall temper of unstayednes But since I have found by this fortunate unmanerlinesse your answers so resolutely oppos'd to his demands henceforth I vow to vvorke your freedome or bring my selfe to perish vvith you Her fault found an easie pardon at the tribunall shee appeal'd too I thank't her as there vvas good cause for her desire of my good onely I wisht if my freedom could not be procur'd without danger to her she vvould not heape miseries upon me by joining her selfe a companion in my disaster She comforts me vvith the hope of a better event to bring her intention to a wished successe she vvins my unvvillingnes to shew som favour to the King which next day I did having plac't Lemnia vvhere shee had plac't her selfe the day before to be a witnesse to our conferenceâ— for otherwise perhaps her love this second time might have egg'd her suspition already prone that vvay to the distrust of a practise betwixt us And happie vvas this forc't dissimulatioÌ„ for the king not long before his comming to me had receiv'd advertisement that the usurper of Corinth had levied an armie set forth manie ships to invade Laconia making the delay of my promised execution the pretence of this vvarreâ— vvhich being also knowne to the Nobilitie they who together vvith this forreine enemie feared the rebellion of the Helots vvho alway lay in vvait for an opportunitie of such advantage now more then ever began to solicite the king to satisfie so potent an enemie in so just a demaÌ„d The king vvel vveighing the iminent dangers that vvere to be prevented by my death and seeing the little comfort he did enjoy by prolonging of my life likely everie day to encrease my obstinacy being none of those lovers that would die for his disdaining Masters vvas ready to deliver me
speech But Hellen not able longer to restraine the overflow of her panting heart began to cry out Vnkinde Amphialus This also did the Eccho repeate But shee hearing by the rebound of the words Amphialus accus'd Discourteous Nymph said shee how is Amphialus unkinde can the harmonie of such excellence admit so foule a fault to beare a part with his vertues Yet wo is me he is unkinde could his hard heart else suffer this love of his which I onely name because it is the onely part worth naming in me thus long unregarded Could not my Crown crown'd in being a foot-stoole to Amphialus have purchas'd some respect Alas no how could unhappie Hâ—llen expect the Fates reserv'd so great a blessing in store for her She had not long debated the reasons of her misfortune when Rinatus the onely brother to Timotheus but yonger by manie years chanc'd to passe that way a man on whom Fame had bestow'd deservingly the name of Valiant yet of disposition so mischievously cruell ambitiously proude that where his deeds might well have claim'd so great an honour there his conditions as well weighed brought a reproachfull burthen to the ballance of his reputation Hee his father dying yong unwilling to dismember his estate and unable otherwise to satisfie the hopes of his sonnes ambition hearing of the vvarres of Laconia went thither where soone he purchased the opinioÌ„ of a man resolute to undertake fortunate to execute what he had undergone and serving under Eborbas chiefe coÌ„mander for the King because of the sympathie of humours betweene them whereby Nature did insinuate for Rinatus and taught him flatterie without dissimulation he grew great in his favour Soone after this Eborbas in a conflict between him the Helots being mortally vvounded yet in death carefull of the vvelfare of his countrey recommded this Rinatus partly for his good liking of him but principally for his experience in vvarres and well-seconded judgemeÌ„t to the King vvho though with some opposition the countrey men repining at his a strangers advancemeÌ„t after his trustie Eborba's death preferred him to the same place his discharge of which outwent so farre the envie of the jealous Noblemen that well might their King and they in the death of the valiant Eborbas deplore the losse of a private man but must confesse that his watchfull care and undanted well-ordered courage did survive in this their Generall In this esteeme he had scarce lived a year when hearing of his brother and nephewes death together vvith his undoubted right to the large territorie which his brother in his life time had enjoied he notwithstanding coÌ„tinued in the charge to which he vvas lately advanc'd framing in his conceit his new-acquired greatnesse but as a step to clime the soveraigntie of Laconia which being elective he thought the easier to be compas'd having by his bounteous affability gain'd â—he hearts of the souldiers and being alreadie possest of the chiefe Forts the best strength of the countrey wherein he had plac't such who had their devotions link't to his will because they ought him the benefite of their creation But finding the accomplishment of these practises to depend upon the death of the King which his youth promised was unlikely soone to happen and fearefull to draw on the discovery of his practises by seeking any secret meanes to make him away whoÌ„ the vvatchful eye of dutifull observance did vvarrant secure from anie trayterous plots he solicites the King to dispence vvith his presence who seeing the ground of his journey to be the just cause of his long-deferr'd revenge for Timotheus his brother and Philoxenus his nephewes death Now a peace vvas lately concluded vvith the Helots and therefore his absence the more excusable upon condition of a speedy returne though unwilling yet for his satisfaction grants his request vvho now on his journey and having in his vvay to crosse this valley met the unfortunate Queene vvhom though her habiâ—e might disguise her words overheard did assure Rinatus his vvillingnesse to beleeve that she vvas the same she so often spake her selfe to be the unfortunate Hellen. A while hee stood doubtfull of the person a vvhile amaz'd at so fortunate an encounter and a long time perplex'd vvhat punishmeÌ„t his revenge would judge fit for the conceited heinousnesse of his brother and nephewes death At length the Queen now first vvithdrawing her thoughts from that object vvhereto affection in sweetest contemplation had bound them suffering her mind before retyr'd vvithin it selfe now to be inform'd by her servants senses seeing this stranger neer her began as her maner vvas to finde by enquirie vvhat he knew of Amphialus Wicked vvoman replyed Rinatus the all-seeing Iustice hath now deliver'd thee to receive fit punishment for Philoxenus Timotheus death using no more vvordes presently caus'd her to be mounted on horseback prolonging her life to make her death the more miserable Thus farre hath Mylama discover'd vvho poore Lady vvas there left most cruelly beaten to be the reporter of Rinatus revenge and her Mistris hard hap The last act of this Tragedie my Master had the fortune to know by one of trust great esteeme in the Court of Laconia to vvhich Rinatus had conveyed Hellen vvhere for a time she vvas honourably entertain'd finding no vvant but of command and libertie the King belike fearing the power of the vvronged CorinthiaÌ„S preserâ—ing her as a sure Card for a dead lift But vvhen he understood that one Tenarus a man apt to practise innovations and at thâ—s time able vvhen the many-headed multitude vvanted the awfull presence of their soveraigne tooke upon him the governmeÌ„t pretending a title to the crown as descended froÌ„ those from whoÌ„ Hellens ancestors as he alledged had trayterously forc'd it Then did the Tyrant of Laconia finding the vvay secure for his mischievous practise vehemently importuned by Rinatus and urg'd forward by the politick vvickednesse of his owne desire to pleasure the new King secretly cause Hellen to be poysoned Such vvas the end of this great Queene justly belov'd of all vvho heard the fame of her vertues therefore justly to be deplor'd of all vvho heare the unredeemeable losse of so many perfections Basilius the rest of the Princes vvere much mov'd vvith so tragicall a story especially Musidorus who in search of Pyrocles having the fortune to see her could vvitnesse that though fame had borrowed all mens mouthes to proclaime her many excellencies yet it vvas far from doing right to her desert But this vvas no fit lodging for pitty to dwel in vvhere joy had so great command The Messenger therefore being permitted to part vvith free leave for his Master to enter the lists Iudges vvere appointed and the Challenge proclaim'd The Challenger understanding of the Kings liking of his demand came forth of his Pavillion vvith Armour so lively representing nakednesse vvounded in manie places vvhere the staunchlesse blood in the course the vvorkeman had allotted
no such mischiefe should after happen They well weighing whence it arose being fully satisfied by the Oracle enact this law That neyther private nor publick respect shall detaine a virgin from revealing her love if her friends or pareÌ„ts thinks another then she hath chosen more fit for her the combate between them two shall determine the Gods pleasure How unwilling I was to hazzard my Persidas in this triall love that bleeds in the thought of a danger can best assure you but his earnestnesse that it might be so and the hard constraint that it could not be otherwise won me to it The day therefore being appointed Fluento upon whoÌ„ Fame the flatterer of greatnesse had pin'd the opinioÌ„ of valour entred the lists mounted on a bay Courser whose armour all over represented a greene Plaine through which ran little rivelets of bloud that sprung froÌ„ the wounds of manie Centaures dispearc't over all the field In his shield he bore the counterfeit of Hercules Deianira with this word â—ndeer'd by Conquest From him my Persidas drew the eyes hearts of all the company his horse was a fierie sorrell his armour like the azure skie curiously spotted with manie starres vvhose glimpse the vvell set Diamonds by reflection of the Sun represented shewed as if night had flowen thither to end in that assembly some controversie betweene her her brother In his shield he caus'd Andromada and Perseus to be ingraven vvith this vvord Never too deerly bought But I must hasten to the event said she for long I finde you may not enjoy your Historian Know therefore that my Persidas contenting himself only with the victorie vvhen he might have taken wo is me that he vvas so mercifull Fluento's life vvas accepted by my father for his sonne in law good fortune as I then thought changing my husband not my day of marriage In meane time Fluento repining at his disgrace and desirous even upon the basest teaâ—mes to be revenged plotted a treacherie unheard of against him This morning having before heard we were to hunt in this forrest Fluento with that companie your valor hath brought to their deserved ends lay in wait for us and when my selfe my Persidas Count Bruniâ— my father and the rest having followed the chase were left alone behold these bloudie villaines coÌ„ming unawares upon him with manie vvounds sent hiâ— soule to that place vvhither mine hoping to finde a more lasting union in that life then our loves hath found in this doth also hasten with this word her dull languishing eyes began to roll as if they strove to reserve motioÌ„ in spite of death yet raising her selfe a little her love found breath to say this Let me be buried by my Persidas and so grasping my hand as it vvere to put me in mind of her last words alas she dyes But manie teares I could not have bestowed as obsequies upon her vvhen some of her fathers traine vvho by chance crossing that way vvhere Persidas lay dead guided by Fidutio who vvith their helps had now taken my horse came to this place to whom vvhen I had related all vvhat I learn'd from Leaucade of Persidas his death together vvith her last vvill vvee all join'd hands in carrying her to the next village vvhither also certaine of their fellowes vvhom they had left behinde to that end conveyed the bodie of Persidas from whence soone after Count Brunio having begg'd of griefe a little respite of life to fulfill his daughters testament brought them both with all funerall pomp to his chiefe citie Coniga vvhere he â—aus'd a stately Tombe to be built for them on which this Epitaph vvas ingraven Love Beauty Valour when their death drew nye Consulted long where they should buried lye At length with one consent they hastned hither And chose this place to be intomb'd together Leaving the wofull kingdom of Argos no better accoÌ„panied then with Fidutio yet better guarded by Satibarsis armor my sorrow I think that bore infection with it made all places where I came fit stages for tragedies for descending unto a green valley where of each side the rocky mountains threatned the humble earth with the frowns of their downe-cast browes I might see a young man leaning with both hands on his sword breathing as overtoyl'd with labour and round about him foure or five cast prostrate at his feete who vvere dead or thoght their counterfeiting so to be vvould prove their best defence against this young mans furie But the clashing of my armor had no â—ooner made known my approach then he came running towards me uttering vvords whereby I might gather his quarrell to me brought the excuse of mistake with it Not to draw on therfore his misconceived opinioÌ„ that his breathlesse companions did witnes would be dangerous for me Sir replyed I I am so farre from maintaining their cause vvhose revenge upon a lone man being so manie mine owne eyes do perswade me vvas injurious that had I come at the beginning of your fight though this event shewes I should but have rob'd you of part of the honour of this action I vvould have joyn'd my selfe to you Alas sir said he to oppose your selfe against me though it vvere the more unjust would be the most secure vvay for vvhat you see is but a fore-runner of a certain destructioÌ„ soon at hand Leave me therfore courteous â—ir seek for safety death to me is so gratefull that I envie you should be a partner in so great a gaine But it were a fault unpardonable to have abandoned the most accomplisht man that ever mine eyes before that time beheld my resolution therefore though hard against his will must have prevail'd vvith him so that intreating to know the cause of his former fight further doubt I found his courtesie as forward in the relation of his own danger as it was obstinate in the care of my safetie Sir said he seeing my storie will be but a heape of misfortunes I shall do wel to lay the foundatioÌ„ my selfe then vvhom the Sunne looks not upon a more miserable creature My name is Cariâ—lio nephew by his brother Castor to the king of Natolia brought up in my youth in the good opinion of my uncle and the great expectation of manie Fortune then belike proroguing my miseries until a more serious age should make me more sensible of themâ— vvhich time had no sooner brought on but that my ill fate to traine me up for the burden of the mischiefe that vvas prepar'd for me began by little little to make me acquainted with the course I vvas to run first taking away my father vvhose vertuous age deserved if that may be thought a recompence for desert a longer time in this life vvhen he vvas dead that the slipperie steps of my rash youth vvanted the stay of his fatherly advice presently not knowing vvhat one mans hands I should put the raynes of my then unbridled youth into and yet well
and it will be the best part of my soules liâ—e to live in your memorie Then taking his hand and placing it on her heart that now proudly began to beate the loud alarum of death Feele heâ—e said she the batterie is begun and this Fort is abandoned of all the powers of lifeâ— only my desire to be with you desperately a while keepes the breach But ô my Plangus and at that word death clos'd up in eternall sileÌ„ce her tongue that yet stil mov'd as loath to leave her speech imperfect It was a desperate griefe wilde passion that seiz'd upon the heart of the poore Plangus Accursed earth did he say how darest thou support the burthen of these many mischiefs cast by the spitefull heavens into this sinke of miserie 'T was I Erona brought an untimely set to thy sun shine of goodnesse and doe the heavens meane I should breathe that have so much wrong'd them What do they do will they heare me speake that kill'd Erona But they would have me live to torture me with the memorie of my guilt No no I will prevent their project that were a punishment fit for an ill-meant offence not an infortunate And with these words drawing his sword lifting up his Bases he would have run himselfe through the belly but I stay'd his hand from so unmanly as I then alleag'd it a violence forcing wiâ—h the remembrance of our friendship my much-prevayling teares the sword but not his resolution from him Then did I begin to alleage all that I thought in reason might remove him from his purpose for well I might see in the unappal'd stayednesse of his countenance the greatnesse of some determination To all my objections for a time his eyes gave a more heedfull attention than did his eares But vvhen I came to call his valour in question whose unspotted memorie hitherto I said this last inconsiderate act vvould accuse of a little firme constancie in bearing the changes of fortune Alas said he and will you my friend be cruell to me Is it certaine Amphialus that it vvell becomes that courage you would have in your friend to bear an equal temper both in the frowns and smiles of fortune and is it not as certain that when the malice of heaven hath join'd with fortune in producing a monstrous effect there cannot be left in man so infinit a power of suffering which he dare oppose to such unlimitted works No I will not gyant-like bandy against the Gods such is their will I must die Then leading mee softly over to Erona as if he would perswade me the violence of passion had not beene his guide to this resolution See Amphialus said he this is shee whom you would have me to live afterâ— what can mine eyes now she is gone desire to look on Erona a woman could dye for Plangus vvould you have me wrong mankind vvith a greater fear of death or my love vvith a lesse desire to dye This said but with a countenance that promis'd no suddennesse in the execution especially to me vvho was Master of his sword his only offensive vveapon behold with a downe-cast look vvhich sorrow excus'd though deceit had then I am sure put it on to further mischiefe and such a pace as used slownesse to the same end he approach't the vvindow vvhere the remain of Erona's intercepted draught appointed by the destinies to be fatall to them both stood in a gilt cup this he hastily takes as hastily drinkes off I all confus'd pale and trembling as if the poyson had vvrought its effect in me made alas too slow speed to him But Plangus now first presenting an unfayned cheerefulnesse in his lookes as if this draught had given him life kneeling neer Erona Divine soule said he if confidence in thy Plangus constancie makes thee hover neere this sacred mansion of thine to see the end of his suffrings ô stay a while and beare me with thee thy presence vvhen I appeare before Radamanth will be a countenance to my cause Then turning himselfe to me Amphialus Revenge Amphialus Erona's death upon the vvicked Plexertus his blood vvill be the best sacrifice to my ghost Leade the Armie to ByzantiuÌ„ and restore the Amasian hostage Then putting his trembling lips to the pale lipps of Erona he coldly kiss'd away his life What my sorrow vvas to be a looker on these tragedies these teares even at the remembrance of that time may testifie yet leaving the bodies to be imbalmed vvith the Nobleman vvho in her life time had been faithfull to Erona dissembling the death of Plangus lest it should vvork an innovation among the souldiers vvith some choyse Troupes of light horsemen I followed Plexertus who posting to Court had received advertisemeÌ„t from thence how Arguto the admirable engine by whom he vvrought much mischiefe being lately falne from the faith vowed to his practises had reveal'd to Artaxia the purpose his Master had to dispatch her out of his vvay since now he had a soone by her to vvhom he might be guardian esteeming it more content to be great alone than to share the royalties of her own kingdom with Artaxia These newes made his flight as dangerous as would be his stay but vvhen he understood for the heavens had made this the rendevow vvhere his misfortunes should meete that the Princes of Thessaly and Macedon of vvhom his treacheries vvere to expect their just reward did live and should be happie in the addition of Arcadia to their greatnesse that Leonatus had seiz'd upon his seigniories in Trebisond for his treason to Pyrocles and Musidorus of which not long before he had gloriously boasted that there vvas no new forme of dissimulation left to which in this extremitie he might have recourse O then the uglinesse of his guiltie conscience that untill this time had made peace with his wickednesse presented before him the progresse of his ill-spent dayes drawne to life in the colours of despaire now his father now his friends Tideus and Telenor were summon'd by his soule to make partie against him In this affright he continued all that day which scarce was time sufficient for him to reade over his misdeedes and when the silent night drawne in heâ— Ebon Chariot had spred her curtaines to hide her brothers face Plexertus glad to see her flatter his mind in this likenesse of darknesse resolv'd by despaire that the Godds wanted mercie for his faults well assured men had lesse he secretly vvent into a Garden to vvhich a back doore from his chamber led him where loathing as much to die as wishing he vvere dead he spent some time in execrations on himselfe At length tying a cord newly taken out of his bed to the stump of an Elder tree that stood with such conveniencie as if it would invite him to that exercise he slipt into his death easing the earth untill morning of the burthen of so detestable a wretch But when the day appear'd made
I have heard in vaine hee lov'd thought to be the same Saint the remembrance of whom return'd together vvith his vvandring soule from vvhich it vvas inseparable Now therefore vvith a laughing looke the true Herald of vvhat he suffer'd Ladie said he though the vvelcome harbinger of a neere-follovving death hath provided this body vvhile it vvas mine alvvay devoted to your service as a lodging for his Master an ever-certaine guest yet when I passe to the Elizian Plaines if any memorie there remaine of this world of comfort you now vouchsafe heavens knowes your faithfull though unfortunate servant I shall never cease to pay the eternall tribute of thankes to vvell-deserving death vvho vvith his presence brings the happinesse in life denied me The Queene vvith a pensive silence sorrowing she stood to act the counterfeit of her rivall and still desirous to enjoy the sweet speech of her reviv'd Amphialus vvas like a Passenger vvhom the loud command of the rough Windes had forc'd â—o wander through the unevennesse of the deepe furrowed Seas now in sight of land equally distracted betweene the desire to leave this his unnaturall habitation vvhere each vvave seemes to be the proud messenger of destruction feare to approach it being jelous of his hard entertainment on the rockie shore Thus did she continue fixt in a doubtfull imagination loath to interrupt his pleasing speech and more then griev'd he meant not her whom he spake to untill Amphialus strengthening his newly recover'd senses with the conceited presence of Philoclea found his errour and then with a looke on his mistaken object which he could not make disdainfull because his happie thoughts had once ador'd it for Philoclea he suddenly fell into a deadly trance whereat Hellen feelingly suffering in his danger ran to him and bedewing his even then lovely face with the loving oblation of her many teares she together poured forth the most passionate plaints that love could invent or griefe utterâ— so as a while this accident overthrowing the fabrick of her halfe-built comfort vvith the suddennnesse of so unlookt for an assault coÌ„strained her vvith bemoning his case to forget the caâ—e of his safety but being withdrawn by her servants the indisposition of her bodie caus'd her a vvhile to entertain in bed the feaver of her affectionate sorrow In meane time Amphialus by the skilfull care of Artelio vvas againe brought to enjoy that vvhose losse he vvould accompt his chiefest happinesse and faintly vvithdrawing the cover that obscur'd his vveake sight and setling his look upon Artelio Father said he if you felt the inward agonies of my tormented soule as you see the desperate state of my low-brought bodie I assure my selfe you would not be so inhumane there to imploy your endevours where when they have wrought their effect they serve only to confirme the memory of forepassed calamitie with the growing apprehension of future misfortune but since my destinies have so set downe that the whole course of my life should be inevitably disastrous I must thinke my Tragedie is not yet acted though what worse than hath befalne me cannot be imagined or what may be kept in store more than I have pass'd farre exceeds my apprehension though not my expectation Here he began to runne over his unfortunate love to Philoclea the killing of Parthenia his overthrow in the encounter with the black knight inserting manie more disgraces which the most envious of his glorie would not have cast as aspersions on his well-knowne fame Thus with the thought that Fate whose working hee could not limit had reserv'd him for more mischiefe he suffered his wounds to be cured And soone after walking one evening as his manner was in the Garden he chose a time as he thought unespied by anie to convey himselfe thorow a back doore and there finding his horse which his Page had brought by his appointment he rid away whither he knew not and much car'd not so he might leave her whose affection deserv'd a more courteous farewel But alas when she heard of his going what tongue is able to expresse her sorrow in whom the equally tormenting passionâ— of griefe and despaire were lifted to their uttermost height Two daies since the departure of Amphialus posted away striving in vaine to overtake their irrecoverable fellowes and now the third was come to be a prologue to the following Tragedie when Hellen slaking the violent course of her incessant plaints gave occasioÌ„ to her servants to be lesse mistrustfull of her actioÌ„s thinking that time began to weare away her sorrowes But she as by the event was gathered using this as a pollicie to rid her selfe of the cumber of carefull attendance when now her truce in show with sorrow and the restraint of her plaints had wrought the effect she desired taking her trustie servant Mylama with her leaving a letter with Lada whoÌ„ besides Mylama she only trusted with this secret which upon the first knowledge of her flight should be given to Drenus the chiefe of her councell wherein she excused her secret stealing away by a vow pass'd to Apollo in such maner to go a pilgrimage to Delphos She put her selfe on her journey having an armie of passions for her convoy led by Love and waited on by Desire in hope of what she knew was hopelesse yet often checking her despairing foresight with such unlikely possibilities as affection upon these occasions is wont to supply Manie dayes she had not wandred changing places to renue her companions in sorrow wheÌ„ coÌ„ming into a pleasant valley where of each side manie trees in the greene leav'd mantle of their summer liverie did apparell two neighbour mountaines where some Sun-burnt sapless pines by the advaÌ„tage of the ground like little in themselves deserving birth onely enobled men over-topp'd the strait up-raised Cedar the stock of self-begun honour Through this flowrie plain ran a manie-headed chrystall current that did indent the earth as it smoothly glyded by to make the obligation of friendship betweene them more firm where it fame-like encreas'd by travell there as it was the naturall so it seem'd to have beene the politick bodie of the state of Springs such was the constant care of the fountaine Magistrates such the well-agreeing union of the watry CoÌ„mons Heere she stay'd invited by solitarines the best repose for vvaried sorrow yet giving no respit to her mind she spake nothing but Amphialus or of Amphialus O Amphialus did she say and to this invocation the flattering Nimph that alwayes seconds what is spoken did joine the like of her owne and Hellen delighted to heare the sound of so sweet a name beaten back upon her for a time seal'd up her lipps listening with attentive silence what Eccho would have further said but shee who of all the powers of a reasonable soule only had a memory a tongue only serviceable to that use together gave over to reflect her borrowed language expecting with like stilness her further
the King This Knight whose skill in Armes hath made your well-deserving vertues famous may be that man pointed out by the finger of heaven to release Amphialus who both in name and armour represents a naked Knight O no said the Queene it cannot be expected that Apollo would leave so plaine a way for us to track out the footsteps of his obscure misteries Madam replied Basilius having first plac't her in a Chayre by him the all-seeing providence with whom the ends of all things are presēt is somtimes pleas'd to cast forth the Emblem of our destinies so strangely hidden in the covert of ambiguous words that doubtless it serves to beget nothing but matters of distrust and labyrinths of errors where the imagination a thousand vvayes may be led astray Of this you have a present proofe confirm'd by my experience and somtimes the same Iustice unfolds the secret of our fate and plainely lets us know the misterie of our fortune yet even that plaineness to the curious search of our stil-mistrusting brain becomes a reason sufficient to enforce us to a contrarie beleefe This last I thinke if in the interpretation of an Oracle my opinion may be receiv'd is that meane whereby Apollo both reveales hides the author of Amphialus freedom This said he sends presently for the naked knight who as soone obeying the Kings command as he was completely armed came before him to vvhom Basilius cheerefully told as glad to be the reporter of so good newes to him whose prowesse in armes deservingly gain'd much of his good opiniō of Hellens being there together vvith her desire to imploy him in an action the heavens had also interested him What is it replyed the naked Knight that without such a cōmand I vvould not endevour to accomplish for my most deere Hellen and then with excesse of comfort and astonishment his vveake limmes were readie to give over the support of his joy-burdened bodie but being upheld by Musidorus who stood next him his overcharg'd spirits had time to recollect themselves The Queene gathering comfort from his promise seeing faire likelyhood o◠the Oracles accomplishment with the oratorie of love who thinkes no vvords but his owne able to expresse his mind◠began in this manner Sir ill fortune my awfull governesse as in the most of my actions shee is pleas'd to keepe a hard hand over me so in this distrustfull belike of my willingnesse she forces me to repeat my wonted lesson of receiving courtesies without power of requitall making one undeserved favor from you become a cause of further beholdingnesse to you But the glorie that follows your good successe in this adventure the best spur to set forward brave spirits to noble actions hath almost assur'd me that the love you professe and a distressed Ladies cause need not joyne petitioners in a request your vertue must be willing to grant The reward of your victorie is the releasing of Amphialus of whom I may speake and the vvorld vvith me all prayse-worthy things Madam replyed the naked Knight I thought the Gods could not have favour'd me more then in giving you respite of life and me power to be serviceable to you but when I consider the end I must imploy my endevours too it buries my conceited happinesse in the grave of a certaine misfortune Shall I labour to preserve that monster of men whose storie if the vvorld vvill needs reade containes nothing but a volume of disasters and a vaine discourse of a few adventures cast upon him by the blindnesse of chance Shall I hazzard my life for him against whom had I lives innumerable I vvould venture them all Shall I live to make another happie in your favour crosse mine owne desires No Madam I wil sooner leave my bloud here before you as a testimony that feare hath no interest in my disobedience to your command then I will make my after-life truly miserable in the burden of a hopelesse affection To this the Queene a vvhile in teares as if her eyes strove to speake for her made a silent answer but vvhen her sighes had breath'd forth the overcharge of her brest first she kneeled then faintly said O eternall president of this Court of cares when wil thy just pittie cōmiserate my distresse Alas Sir vvhat new vvay have the Gods found to vent their malice on me have I made disdaine my only mishap and must now affection to me-wards bee another undeserved misfortune Behold Sir and if you can vvith pittie a Queene borne to command a suppliant at your feet begging what goodnesse sollicites you to grant Release Amphialus and if your jealousie thinkes he hath too much interest in my love restore him to the vvorld that wants him I will vow a Virgins life Stay vertuous Queene replyed the naked Knight and lifting up his Beaver Receive said he thou best of women thy over-joy'd Amphialus The Queene as when the Ocean swels with the rage of a tempest if on a sudden these blasts be appeas'd yet the proude vvaves mindefull of their forepast injurie and indispos'd to so speedie a reconcilement some while retaine the rough remembrance of the vvindes malice so were her thoughts before mov'd by the storme of despair though now she had cause of contented quiet on a sudden incapable of so unlook't for a happines first doubt then amazement lastly excesse of joy by succession were admitted to the Helme of her distressed heart But when joy had once got to be the Steers-man his want of practise by his long absence frō that imployment soon brought a confusion here the warme teares of sorrow there the cold dropps of a present comfort did strive vvhether would shew himselfe most officious in drowning her pale blushing cheekes At length they both no longer able to resist this powerfull invasion of their mindes as by mutuall consent fel the one intwin'd in the others armes made the earth happie in bearing such matchlesse lovers But their senses being soone restor'd to their wonted function after some passionate words to which their eies touch of their hāds gave the life of expression Amphialus divided into manie minds by the turbulent working of his thoughts turning towards his uncle with his eyes fixt on the ground stood with the grace of a man condemned who having led a loathsome life in an ugly dungeon is now brought to a freedome o◠looking upon the open ayre yet sees the day is but a Taper to light him to his execution Of the one side he was brought from the hell of despaire wherein he liv'd in the assurance of Hellens death to the certaintie of her life presence of the other what was his treason to his uncle to expect but an infamous death a divorce from his new-borne happinesse The shame also of a crime so foule as his rebellion vvas not the least torment to his minde unwillingly beaten from a setled course of vertue by Cecropia's practises At length when these thoughts
over as a sacrifice for the State countrey vvhen behold his sayles vvere fill'd vvith a selfe-opinion in my favour Born up therefore vvith the vvings of hope he returnes to Court where love or some indulgent Fate inspired this project into his head He calls the Nobilitie and after a long narration of the mischiefes that hung over Laconia he desires their advice for prevention They glad that the onely opposer as they thought of their designes vvould have recourse to their directions in that cause vvherein they vvere jealous of his partaking after a flatteâ—ring insinuation the coÌ„mon Exordium to men of his place they concluded that it vvas fit Hellen should dye I doubt it not said he nor was it to that end I sought your counsaile that the necessitie of the times the welfare of our person the preservation of our state required her death but it much perplext me that our fame should bleed with her or that the world should say the threats of the king of Corinth had inforc't us to behead her whoÌ„ lately we vvere to take to wife 'T was this my Lords that caus'd my misinterpreted resolution hang in suspence for this I have turn'd my invention into all formes and now behold I have found an even way to lead me between the perrils of a threatned war the ill-bought quiet of an ignominious peace My will is she be brought to Court for Partinax his house I think not convenient for this project and plac't here with such about her as I know most trusty in such a secret then that her keepers at farthest within two dayes poyson her which done wee le give it out she dyed of a disease and to confirme this opinion in the vulgar wee vvill honour her death vvith such funerall pomp as the state of her life required Thus shall our cause of dissention with Corinth be taken away and vve freed from that imputation the vvorld might justly lay upon us The Nobilitie with silent admiration began to applaud vvhat he had determined chiefly Partinax who making the coÌ„moÌ„ cause his pretence labour'd by all meanes to confirm a resolution so necessary for his daughter Lemnia's happinesse The king having dismist the Councel acquaints me with these his proceedings setting forth with no meane pride the pregnancie of his owne vvit who had found a way to over-reach such gray-bearded dotards for said he you shall that night when you are thought to be poisoned be conveyed hence by two of chiefest trust about me unto my Castle of Nicos then will I cause a statue form'd to your proportion to be coffin'd up on which forsooth my grave Councell shal solemnly wayte and performe the obâ—equies in that ceremonie requisite meane time you shal live live beloved of him vvho hath undergone this dangerous enterprise and will do many more to indeer his affection to you And when the limms of this dis-joynted State be set againe you shal be restor'd to be your selfe and to enjoy this Crowne of Laconia so much envied you till when I lock these projects in the closet of your secrecie The good king was scarce gone froÌ„ me vvhen I made Lemnia of counsaile with me vvho seâ—ing the fitnesse of the time being my journey to Nicos was to be perform'd in the night and the easie execution oâ— so dangerless an enterprise my guard being only two of the kings servants she gives in charge to a sufficient number of such vvhoÌ„ she knew faithfull to her to meet them midway and after they had well beaten my convoy to discharge them of the suspicion of their consenting to the fact to carry me to the next sea port where there stay'd a ship bound for Delphos to vvhich I needs would beÌ„d my course This being resolv'd upon the Lady equally troubled with the care of my safetie and the losse of my presence wept manie teares which I confesse had beene ingratitude in me not to second so as a vvhile sorrow seem'd to have flowen thither to bathe her selfe in our eyes but love at length in both of one anothers good had vvell neere calm'd this passion when the guard appointed by the king was come and readie to carrie me to Court But why should I great Sir anie longer stay you in a storie whose tediousnes I am well assur'd hath tyr'd you know therfore that this meanes of my safetie vvas as fortunately executed as happily contriv'd the king not once daring to send to seeke me lest he should by that discover his own craft us'd in this dangerous deluding of the Laconian Noblemen But I vvas scarce a moneth absent vvhen hee vvhose eyes held the raines of his constancie the object being remov'd married as it vvas before determined the beauteous Lemnia who now in possessioÌ„ of his love stick't not to make knowne to him this whole matter which otherwise in her behalfe I was bound to keep secret Thus sir if my desire to obey your commands hath made the story of my misfortunes tedious you may excuse me since all is done for your satisfaction Faire Queene replied Basilius the sweetly delivered strangenesse of the storie would still ravish the hearers with a desire of a further cause of attentivenesse did not a greater desire in us vvho know your vertues hasten to heare the end of your much pittied distresse and so calling Amphialus to him having agreed on the day of marriage betweene the Queen him they all arose for now their appetites growing jealous of the satisfaction their minds received by the former discourse began to solicite them in the behalfe of their stomacks After dinner when most of the companie began to impe the wings of time with the feathers of severall recreations Amphialus and Hellen privately went together into an arbor in the gardeÌ„ where first vvith teares the coÌ„mon apologie of over-joy'd affection they spake their mindes in sileÌ„ce their panting hearts as they imbrac't with mutuall desire beating their envious garments that gave them not lâ—ave to meet At length Hellen gracefully shaking her head as if shee vvould shake away the drops that like the morning dew on full-ripe Cherries hung on her rosie cheekes O Amphialus said she then kist him as loath to leave so perfect a sentence without a comma I wil not say you were unkind but and there with his lips loath belike to accuse him she clos'd up her speech My sole happinesse replied Amphialus softly wringing her hand though the foulenes of my fault be no fit subject for her to speake of who breathes nothing but goodnes yet I vvaÌ„t not an accuser my soule sets forth my ingratitude nor can I yet conceive how mercie can be so farre remov'd froÌ„ justice as to finde a pardon for my offence but you have given it and if it be any requital it shal be my after lifes studie to love honor your vertues as it was hitherto to offend you It is fit therefore said Hellen with the counterfeit setlednes of
Matie we impose a penance upoÌ„ you for your oversight and this it shal be that henceforth you neither speake nor think of that you account your fault and to helpe you in obeying my commands I must intreat you to keep your mind and tongue for a time busied in telling me what befel you in your travel since our being at Corinth and do it not so niggardly as if you meant to conceale what fame hath so largely blowne abroad yet if you were expos'd at anie time to much danger dwell not there too long least I forget I have you heere Most deere Ladie said Amphialus to conforme my selfe to your last request would make me disobedient to your first command Shall I begin with my departure from you alas at vvhat time should I more imploy my memorie speech in discoverie of my faultie selfe than now But I see your eies begin to take anger into them I will no longer insist on mine owne accusation Know therefore most constant Ladie that accompanied onely with Fidutio my Page when I had past the limits of your dominion at that time of day wheÌ„ the high mounted Sunne makes least shadowes wearied with travell and desirous of some shelter from the Sunnes violent rayes I laid my selfe under the protection of an Olive tree thinking to set my mutinous thoughts at peace but it would not beâ— these outward signes could not appease the furie of an inward enemie Thus I lay deerly purchasing the little ease of my bodie with the affliction of my minde untill mine eares like faithfull servants desirous to end this dissension between their Master and himselfe caus'd all the powers of my mind to joine in attentivenes and mine eies loath to be out-gone in such good offices did look that vvay from vvhence the noise came where I might discerne sixe men arm'd on horseback carrie a faire Ladie vvith them vvhose teares out-cries vvell shew'd her indispositioÌ„ to that journey This sight mov'd compassioÌ„ in me pittie brought a desire to help her distresse but my horse devining belike my intent unwilling to leave his food could by no meanes be taken so that madd vvith anger I began to repeat over all the misfortunes that ever had befaln me to let this know it wanted no fellowes when there came posting that way one whoÌ„ by his hast â— I ghest to have been of the companie gone before Of him I intreated to know what fault could be so heinous that might take away the name of injurie froÌ„ so unmanly a violence as they offred to so beauteous a Ladie but he with a scornfull silence smil'd would be goneâ— and so perhaps he might had not the narrownes of the vvay his courteous horse that vvould not tread upon me compel'd him to stay Whereat his anger burst forth into these threats Villain thy vvant of armour shall not excuse thee from a death wilfully drawn upon thee and though there be no glorie there will be satisfaction in thy overthrowe Then drawing his horse a little backe he lighted without further complement runnes towards me but his furie broght him too hastily to his death for thinking belike his threatning mouth was able to defend it selfe he forgot to put by my sword that by good fortune was laid in his way so justly his death entred at his mouth whose life I think vvas in his tongue At his fall Fidutio came in vvho helping to fit on the armour of vvhich we had disfurnisht this unserviceable knight I mounted on his horse that seem'd to have regarded my hast more than mine owne and riding on the spurre I overtook my companie for so they vvould needs make themselves saluting me by the name of their frieÌ„d Satibarsis But their better observance soone put them out of that opinion so as ghessing indeed rightly that I had kil'd Satibarsis by that mean got his armour without desire to be further then by their owne conjecture satisfied they join'd all hands in his revenge But the Ladies cause vvas just whose rescue I came too the all-seeing provideÌ„ce that vvould not see justice overlai'd fought for me And now five of them had either receiv'd their wel-deserved paimeÌ„t of death or vvere kept by their wounds from further opposition vvhen the sixt who all this time had held Ladie and lookt on seeing my hand vvhose vveakenesse had left such presidents of the effects of a good cause now set against him alone took his prisoner by the hair with his sword gave her a deep wouÌ„d in the neck That inhumane act vvould have giveÌ„ desire to the most barbarous power of revenge to the most cowardly but he as if he meant to save me a labour making hast that their vvarme bloud should meet with the same sword runnes himselfe thorow dying as just a ludge as he was a traiterous offendor Amazement would have fixt mine eies upon him but the La vvound brought them to her succour Experience on my selfe made me skilfull and my faire patient officious so that tying up the wound for some time I â—tanch't the bloud Shee in meane time with her vvatrie eies bent to heaven-ward heartily praying for my good fortune manie times thanking her destinie that with her death had ended the miseries of her ever-dying life When I had done comforting her as I thought with my opinion of her safetie I intreated to know her name the cause of this injurie done to her No no replied she Courteous straÌ„ger the comfort of my neer-comming death in spite of the torment the memorie of my most vvretched life puts me too brings this cheerfulnesse I now present in my lookes though the least delay of my end is accompanied with a vvorld of sorrowes yet I am glad for satisfaction of your demand my breath is a while preserv'd My name is Leaucade the onely daughter to Count Brunio a man of large possessions in this countrie whom you may well think because in expectation of his lands manie sued for those not of the meanest esteeme but my carelesnesse of love had taught me such a carriage that further then of the favour of my courtesie of which they did all indifferently partake none could boast And this till about a yeare since was my daily practise disdaining as most that have not known it do so ridiculous a passion as I then esteem'd love At which time this Fluento vvhose happie hand hath done us both right came to my fathers Courtâ— a neighbour Prince with vvhom for incroaching upon the bounds of his territorie my father hath had much dissention But a reconcilement being made betweene them and both alike thinking the best meanes to perseâ—er in amitie were to have us two join'd in marriage without my knovvledge as iâ— it vvere fit I should be a stranger to their proceedings determine of the match But alas sir at this time I was so far from being at their dispose that I was not
seeing I might not trust my â—elfe vvith mine owne government I chose manie friends and being by nature given to hate pride to eschue a vice so loathâ—ome thinking it might not be done otherwise I began to affect popularitie But I had scarce liv'd thus a twelue-month vvhen my cousin the kings sonne a yong man who besides the hope of succession for vvhich the Courtiers did adore him had nothing more then ordinary in him grew suspicious of my practises as he term'd them to which humor besides the mistrust of his owne little desert his Sycophants the bellowes of this fire did daily add further causes to encrease his jealousie But seeing the discoverie of his suspicion vvould little please the king vvho ever since the death of my father had doubled his care upon me he vvas compel'd to dissemble a good liking towards me In meane time a truce made for some few yeares vvith the Duke of Amasia being expir'd the vvar grew hote on both sides at length after the triall of manie changes in fortune necessitie mediating a peace betweene them my selfe being given as hostage for performance of certain coÌ„ditions of my uncles part a perpetuall league vvas concluded onâ— 't was now and not before mischiefe began to unmaske her selfe and take a pride to grow terrible There vvas at Court during my abode there attending upoÌ„ the Dutchesse a Lady by name Alcida whose many excellencies won as many hearts as she had beholders nature making her beautie shape but the most faire Cabinet of a farre fayrer mind To her mine eyes at first sight gave up my heart with so fortunate an encounter in affectioÌ„ that this surrender vvas but a mutuall exchange she having in a mercifull gratefulnes fixt her love one mine But her parentage though not base was so meane in respect of my birth that thence vvhole armies of afflictions did invade my mind equally distracted betweene my desire to enjoy this my best of happines and feare of my uncles displeasure on whom this match for his care and love of me I was sure vvould draw on an untimely death But before I could determine a doubt of â—o great consequence the conditions of the league being faithfully performed I was safely at a day prefixt sent back to Natolia desirous even in my soule desirous I am sure rather by their breach of covenant to have hazzarded my life then thus cruelly to be taken away from her presence vvho far beyond my life was most deere to me Soone after my returne the king as if the Gods had stay'd him to see the quiet of his State now that vvas brought to passe worne vvith age and much broken vviâ—h travell care in his last warrs left his kingdome to his degenerate sonne successor who had no sooner seized upon the government but meaning to begin his raigne vvith an admirable act of policie now his power vvas unrestrain'd limits me to the absence from my countrey declaring my bloud for ever uncapable of succession and not content vvith this to such a height his undeserved malice to me vvas raised that he dealt vvith some bad ministers of his wickedness secretly to make me away To prevent therfore vvhat vvas plotted against me disguising my selfe I hastily fled away making use of necessity to further my affection I put my self into the service of a Nobleman here in the Court of Amasia easily remaining undiscovered among them who vvould sooner fall out vvith their eyes then beleeve that the greatnesse wherein they lately had seene me could admit so great a change By meane vvhereof I enjoyed the presence of my Alcida whose constancie neither time nor abseÌ„ce the mothes of affectioÌ„ nor vvhat is more this my change in fortune could alter Thus vvhile I liv'd in this happinesse of servitude Mermidon brother to the Duke having commanded with fortunate successe against the Dazians returned to Court vvhere seeing this Lady he became enamoured of her to no other end then to satisfie his lust and thinking at first because he vvas in good esteemâ— vvith himselfe she vvould have strain'd her modestie to sue for the acceptaÌ„ce of a present so gratefull to him a while he was silent but when he perceived the vanitie of his fruitlesse expectation found that this delay encreas'd the fury of his passion dispensing with the Matie he had taken on he began to make known his love to her for such a title did he give to so base a desire forgetting not vvithal to tell her that to excuse her modestie he had first spoken her wishes But the vertuous Alcida loathing as much the thought of such a sinne as shee loved the memorie of me together with a â—esolute deniall let him know how base his minde was that made so injurious a request Wherat Mermidon because this answer came unexpected was so much the more amazed But bringing arguments from his late practise in the warre he began to think his honor would be the greater if after long resistance he did surprise a well defended for t therefore daily both by rich gifts the base enamell of affection manie promises which to win the more upon her were sent by one of her owne sexe who if example might move her could tell of such a president in her â—elfe did he seeke to undermine her resolution Meane time my constant Alcida seeing the inteÌ„perance of Mermidons lust to bring the threats of force with it not daring to speake with me because our conference began to be suspected sent me a letter to hasten her carrying away appointing this the fatall place of our meeting I much rejoyc'd to be so neere my happinesse the rather that since our last conference I received intelligence that my young cousin of Natolia being made away by one whom he had rais'd to an undeserved height in his favour the countrey was in great distresse by the factious ambition of the Nobilitie and that the best affected to the State much desired my presence But these meanes how well soever as I thought conducing to my happinesse by the unmercifulnesse of my hard destinie were prevented as one of those whom 't was my fortune to kil at his death revealed for Mermidoâ— having intercepted the messenger mad with rage to finde his hopes crost by so meane a man as he tooke me to be having again seal'd up the letter he caus'd it to be delivered and determining to be reveng'd sent these men to apprehend me himself intending to follow presently leading with him my deerest Alcida whom in my presence to ad a glorie to the execrablenes of the offence he means to ravish And now sir you have heard said he all what my selfe knowes of my birth fortune ever till this time when I am well assur'd my end is neere at hand kept secret He scarce had clos'd up this lamentable storie with a heartie sigh the compendious abridgment of his sufferings when we might discerne Mermidon with twentie
more so distrustful is treachery though there be no cause to feare make towards us but that sight together with the thought of Alcida's distresse was a signall sufficient for Cariclio to begin his unequall encounter so as like a shee Tygre who at her returne to her cave findes her little ones to be stoln with a wilde furie breathing nothing but destruction he runnes amongst them making way for my willingnesse to second his attempt A while the justnes of the cause and Cariclio's valour to which the glorie is onely due with the death of manie did hold the victory in an equall ballance at length the multitude of our assaylants made injurie the stronger bringing to a death much to be pittied so incomparable a man at Armes as vvas Cariclio yet not before he had in the sight of Alcida sent Mermidon to be his harbinger at Carons Ferry And when by his death the onely stay support of the fight was removed if sometimes my desire of revenge made good the grouÌ„d Cariclio had bequeath'd me alas how could I long resist without him Know therfore excellent Lady that here I was made prisoner together with Alcida carried back to Court though I call Cariclio's ghost to witnes I sought all meaneâ— to joine my selfe even in death a companioÌ„ to his vertues The solemnitie intended for our execution the preparation of new formes of torment for us that had beene parties in the murther of the Dukes brother won some lingring daies of life to the inward torture of our expectation in meane time the everlasting providence that by changing the intentions and doomes of men will let them know there is a power beyond theirs sent an unexpected meane to helpe our distresse Plangus the famous Prince of Iberia at this time making hast with a few such as vertue had join'd partners in his cause taking into his Army such of Evarcus souldiers as in a teÌ„pest at Sea were driven to Byzantium to the succour of Erona vvhose storie you cannot be ignorant of being to passe thorow Amasia sent to the Duke to demand a through-fare for his souldiers But he who of long time had observed an unviolable league vvith the Armenians knowing the pretence of this warre despising the weaknesse of those few Plangus led with him not only denied his request but gathering a great power of souldiers whom since his last warres he had kept in garrison in his frontier townes meant with the overthrow of her ungratefull nephew to gratifie Artaxia and her ill chosen husband Plexertus But the excellent Plangus then whom this age shewes not for conduct in vvarre a better Generall with the well ordering those few resoluâ—e Troupes skilfull industrie in choise of advantages in two â—et battailes put him to the vvorst After vvhich the Duke not able to reinforce his weakened power put himselfe vvith the relicks of his late overthrow into his chiefe citie vvherein vvee vvere prisoners to which Plangus finding no open resistance vvith vvondrous celeritie followed him And though the town by Nature Art for site fortiâ—ication vvere thought impregnable yet being defended but by such vvho by their owne losse held a too superstitious opinion of the enemies it was soon forc't by Plangus his victorious Troupes vvho beleeved the successe of nothing impossible to which their ever-fortunate Captaine vvould lead them With the sack of this citie vvherein he tooke the Duke vvith his sonne prisoners Plangus having enrich't his souldiers vvith the bootie his ovvn fame by the speedinesse of the conquest not able to assure the countrey to his devotion otherwise then by dismembring his Armie and delaying his chiefe ends mov'd vvith a necessarie clemencie having first received six moneths pay for his souldiers and the Dukes sonne as hostage to barre his desire of revenge making Alcida and my selfe to secure our freedomes companions in his travaile he leaves the Amasians to thâ—ir former governmeÌ„t Manie dayes journey we had not beene in our way to Armenia when the good Alcida by the inward vvorking of her thoughts began to find â—he burden of her griefe too heavy for her which when the dulness of her ever-watry eyes the paleness of her cheekes had bewray'd to us we carried her to a Monasterie neer adjoyning dedicated to Diana much fam'd for the strictnesse of the Virgins orders that be attendants on the Goddesse her ceremonies where having recoÌ„mended her to the governesse of the house alas I left her bound even by the greatest tye of gratefulnesse to follow him whom I ought my life to These former accidents most deare Lady together with the excellent Plangus his companie in vvhom sorrow vvas drawne to the life made me reflect upon my ungratefull selfe consider how â—ruell I had beene to you whose desert pass'd my best endeavours of requital so that farre ingag'd to the memorie of your vertues thenceforth the thoght of my most deer Hâ—llen vvon my heart to a most passionate affectioÌ„ The Quâ—â—t this interrupted his speech with this answer My Aâ—phialus they who â—ollow exampleâ— in their actions are â—o match rightly vvhat they are to do vvhat they see done Leaucade Alcida and Froâ—a might justly claime the reward of love but Hellen vvhose desert vvas farâ—e short could expect but disdaine Disdaine said Amphialus you renue a punishmeÌ„t your mercie did once forgive And here vvith teares in his eyes hee vvould have kneel'd to begge a further pardon but Hellen kissing away the burthen his eyes vvent vvith made as much hast to prevent his suit vvith the like of her own so that a â—riendly coÌ„position being made as it wel might be vvhere both vvere parties both Iudges in one cause the Q got the continuaÌ„ce of the story which Amphiâ—lus vvould put off to another time to boot And then willing to discharge himâ—elf of the debt he ought for so good a bargain he thus began Madam though my memorie be a continued record of much sorrow yet among the manie stories griefe hath engraven in me there is none compar'd vvith the disaster of Plangus and Erona that deserves compassion Know therefore my onely happinesse that Plangus having received advertisement how the Nobleman unto vvhose faithfull custodie Erona upon the accord betweene him Artaxia vvas delivered being hardly besieg'd by Plexerâ—us brought to an extremitie by famine had yeelded to a composition that if vvithin five dayes he vvere not succour'd he must deliver the Castle Plangus therefore overrunning the fame of his coÌ„ming with his presence the fifâ— night was neere Plexertus Campe vvhere by one of the enemies whoÌ„ his Scouts had taken he vvas inform'd that late that evening the keyes of the citie Fort vvere given up to Plexertus but that he deferr'd his entry till morning leaving the next gate to the Campe open that all night his officers might prepare a magnificeÌ„t triumph for himâ— as for Erona he vvould determine nothing of her untill he had
received the honour due to his victorie At these newes Plangus causing the reporter to be safely kept giving to his vvearied souldiers som time to refresh themselves afâ—er the toile endur'd in their last daies travell an houre before day rightly imagining the aire vvas then apt to disperse a dull â—leepinesse among Plexertus carelesse souldiers he calls his Troupes together setting before them the easines of the victorie the riches of the Camp and the necessitie of the time he did incourage them with the repetitioÌ„ of their former conquest in Amasia the justnesse of their cause the fame oâ— their enterprise and then presently disposing of them for his most advantage he sets upon his enemie who dream'd of nothing but securitie But what should I fright you most deare Ladie vvith the particulars of this fight It will suffice you know that Plangus doing things in his own person past the power of expression made a bloudy slaughter among them Som few there vvere that escaped among vvhom Plexertus fortune being alway indulgent to mischiefe found in the speed of his horse a dishonourable safeguard for his wretched life This tâ—mult being soone perceiv'd by the citizens vvhom sorrow made vvatchfull and the well-knowne treacheries of Plexertus suspicious they as soon imagined this vvas a practise of his contrarie to his faith giveÌ„ to sack the town This once conceited it seemed by the hideous cryes and confused lamentations that as sorrow had put on the vizzard of night to make griefe ugly so black night had borrowed the mouth of sorrow to implore compassion The people leaving their vvalls and houses ran to their Temples and Altars offering up as they thought their last devotions to their Gods Nor did this mistake bring forth the effect of mistrust onely in the Citie the Campe had likewise this feare added to their present misfortune for Plexertus souldiers like Satyres frighted with the sound of the horne themselves blow thinking the Vantguard of the enemie had entred the towne and caus'd this confusion durst not venture to make themselves maisters of it But betweene both unable to determine of a meane of safetie stood fixt in a stupid irresolution Meane time Aurora vvearie of aged Titons bed began to vvarne Phebe of her brothers approach vvhen Erona vvho had set downe in her setled judgement a death vvorthie the greatnesse of her birth now first giving eare to the cryes of the citizens misdoubting the same false measure they expected not long after hearing a man arm'd comming up the staires to her lodging she took a poysoned cuppe long before for that end prepar'd and making hast lest she should be made a present to the proude Conqueror the vvicked Plexertus shee dranke more then halfe vvhen her eyes met with the eyes of Plangus who infortunate Gentleman desirous to be the messenger to Erona of Erona's freedome had made â—his hast The sight of Plangus stay'd her full draught a while but unable to satisfie her selfe how he might come thither she began to imagine that it was the force of the poyson which dimm'd her eyes and plac't the character of Plangus ever present to her minde upon each object With this thought she vvas readie to begin againe vvhen Plangus falling at her feet let her know the event of so manie dangers undergone for her Whereat Erona being much astonished lifting him up from the ground thus said Prince Plangus you come in a fit time to receive a heartie vvelcome and as heartie a farewell What I meane by this leave-taking alas you vvill too soone know now suffer me only at such a time vvhen the end vvill assure you I did not flatter speake a few vvords I would have you beleeve yet I am sorrie for your sake I have practis'd such a meane to vvorke a beleefe in you True it is most excellent Plangus nor let that truth accuse me of inconstancie that since the death of Antiphilus whose memorie even at this time is deere to me though at first the excesse of sorrow had clos'd up my mind from the thought of a second choyse yet enforc't by your desert and to reward mine own love in rewarding your desires I vvas resolv'd to satisfie you and make my self happie but my envious Fate finding the times fit to cause me to despair hath made your selfe the instrument to barre our hopes for ever Deere Erona replyed the Prince what may there now be that the most partiall judgement can equall to the excesse of content Plangus enjoyes in the welfare of his free and loving Erona For this I have pay'd the mercifull heavens the tribute of my vowes teares to this harbour through the Sea of griefe having imbarqu't my carefull love in the ship of my desire I have alway bent my course shall I now vvhen my vvishes be at anchor in so secure a haven feare fortune No no most deere Ladie you are the life and being of vvhat I only esteeme happie Alas Plangus said the sweet Erona the testimonies of your love have beene so manie that I feare and only feare they vvho have heard your undeserved affection and are not present at this my dying protestation will for ever record together with my want of judgement my injurie to your vertues Your dying protestation said Plangus affright not my soule with such hâ—avie news Long may you live the Fates must be indulgent to your youth and beautie And perhaps said she so they might had not my selfe hastened Clotho to cut in two the halfe-spun threed of my life And then she let him know how to prevent the tortuâ—es and disgraces Artaxia's indignation had prepar'd for her seeing the citie brought to that desperate state in which he found it and thinking himselfe to have beene an officer sent by Plexertus to bring her before him she had poysoned her selfe Plangus at these last words with a fixt look upon Erona as if his eyes would for ever dwel there indenting his hands suffering them to fall down or rather not able to stay them sinkes to the ground and was a while happie in this excesse of sorrow that made him senslesse of all sorrow Erona would have forc't her selfe to help him but this sight join'd with the inward working of the poyson constrain'd her to beare him companie in his happie forgetfulnesse of his misfortunes But when by the help of her women her senses were restor'd that my endevours wrought the same effect on Plangus as if this had beene but griefes dumb show Alas excellent Prince said she what unexpected effects hath the speech of my death brought forth and yet though I were silent I beleeve these deadly signes in mine eieâ— this trembling in my full-swolne veynes the often set and rise of the blood in my cheekes would expresse it But my Plangus should you whom the world is proude of take it so to heart Erona loves you why so may a more deserving Ladie yet Plangus remember me
knowne his death the magistrates of the towne striving vvho could be best sighted in the discoverie of the murther hoping to have the reward of their diligence from their Queene Artaxia soone found out as a man to be most suspected the messenger come from Court vvhom Plexertus had till late in the night kept in his chamber to know of him the particulars oâ— Arguto's revolt This fellow because none more likely in the vvilde form of their popular justice vvas to dye a thousand manner of deathes But he making just protestations of his innocencie being questioned vvhat occasion he had so long to stay the last night vvith the King if not for that end He plainly let them know vvhat Arguto discover'd which he then reported to Plexertus The many-headed multitude called not the truth much in question of vvhat they heard but vvith the same violence as before every one in this also thinking to gratifie the Queene ran to as uncertaine a forme of execution on the dead as they did before to a judgement of the living first they stript the bodie naked then dragg'd it through the streets now they open his belly and suffer his gutts to marke forth his progresse doing many mo indignities to him vvho had deserved many more I much rejoyc'd to heare Plexertus had beene so just to himselfe yet I determined to join Erona's revenge on Artaxia to Plexertus his judgemeÌ„t on himselfe but her an untimely death had freed from my revenge for taking to the heart Plexertus his treacheries her brother Teridates unrevenged death she calmely gave her selfe over to a life oppressing griefe leaving her kingdome young sonne to the care of Salindor vvhom she appointed Protector during the minoritie Returning therefore somewhat grieved that both Plangus and Erâ—na's death without my help had beene revenged I conveyed the bodies to Lycia vvhere the sumptuousnesse of their Tombes shewes their estates and their everlasting fame their everliving vertues From hence I vvould have parted private but remembring Plangus his last will I pass'd thorow â—masia restoring his son to the Duke and comming to Byzantium I gave up my charge into the hands of Lisantus a Macedonian leaving the souldiers full of heartie sorrow for the death of Plangus their Generall Soone after hearing of your death and resolv'd to sacrifice my blood to your memorie to disingage my selfe of some part of my faultinesse leaving Fidutio in Thrace lest by him I should be discovered disguising my selfe in an armour fitly as I thought presenting the massacre of my naked heart passing the Courts of Elis Argos lastly comming hither I met what should I more say with thee my Hellen reserv'd to be a blessing beyond vvhat most I could desire And so vvith a sincere fervencie kissing her hand they both walk't towards the Pallace where having ended Supper vvhile Basilius and Evarcus vvith the rest expected a Maske prepar'd for them the Queene of Corinth let them know what she had heard of Plangus Erona together vvith Plexertus deserved end and the death of Artaxia The audience greatly pittied their fortunes especially Pyrocles vvho much griev'd to heare of Plangus his death for the love he bore his vertues vvas no lesse troubled at Plexertus his mischance for his deere servant Zelmanes sake But the entry of the Maskers caus'd him put over those thoughts to more solitarines his eye being fed vvith a daintie varietie of representations and his eares vvith most harmonious well-agreeing musick to which the footing kept so good time that doubtfull it was whether the musick conform'd it selfe to the life of their motion or the Maskers their motion to the musicks livelinesse But night mask't in these sports crept on undiscover'd and though Pyrocles and Musidorus at other times would dispence with the length of the sports yet now in respect of the armfulls of joy they vvere to expect in bed they thought them tedious which once perceiv'd their dances were sooner at an end then was intended Thus dayes nights past over as if they had no other Spheare then delight to move in the appointed time for Amphialus his marriage was at hand to which Basilius invited the Shepheards both to chaÌ„ge their daily pleasures as also to shew Evarcus that though a greater cause had mov'd him to the solitarie course of life by him imbrac't yet the witts of Arcadia and the pleasantnesse of their harmelesse life might have drawne him to that retirednesse The Eclogves Kalydolus now minded to marrie his daughter and uncertain whether he should bestow her on the contented young Arcadian Menaleas or the much-having much-wanting Thessalian Coridon who both vvere then present hearing of this summons puts over their cause to be determined by Basilius And Strephon and Klaius no lesse desirous to bring Vrania's name to Court joined themselves to the rest Nor was Agelastus waÌ„ting who not for a Mistris but Heraclitus-LIKE thinking man was made to mourne repining at the vanitie of greatnesse had maintain'd a religious sorrow No sooner was the companie set and that their silence began to proclaime their expectation but Strephon who before his comming had prepar'd an Epithalanium began thus to sing Str. Sweet linck of hearts joyes surest anchor-hold Loves peacefull Crowne the harbour of desires Hymen approach but think not Pan too bold If to invoke thy name our love aspires Dwell heere for ever that this couple may Renew the blessings of their marriage day Firme be their roote of love and cause a blisse From forth this royall happie stock to spring That all the world may justly say he is Vvorthy to be and to succeed a king But shorten not their dayes for 't is decreed The best can be but worthy to succeed Amphialus thankt Strephon for his heartie wishes but he had scarce ended when Klaius looking upon him with as sower a countenance as their friendship could allow thus said Kla. I pray thee Strephon if these glorious showes Of Courts admired greatnâ—sse do not close Thy mind froÌ„ former thoughts where can thy layes Finde other subject then Vrania's prayse Or dost thou fondly thinke thou wert too blame To breathe among these Lords Vrania's name Or is it certaine that her flames in thee Are quench't that lately doubled were in mee Str. Nor so nor thus that verse I last day made As with my flock I sate in Hestars shade I studied it yet all my studie was I vow to strive to let Vrania passe For'twas the only name my pen would write My thoughts imagine or my lipps indite Am I not bold when nights vast stage is set And all the starres and heavenly audience met To speake my mind while their bright twinkling flame Seemes to rejoyce to heare Vrania's name And shall I feare that what the heavens approv'd By men though great men should be disallow'd But where you thinke that I have check't mine eye And freed your Strephon from their treacherie O no mine is
that almost overcame all the powers of life in him vvere themselves overcome by his resolution casting himselfe at Basilius his feet he thus said Great Sir if treason in a subject and unnaturalnesse in a nephew be punishable here you have before you a fit exercise for your justice I am that subject whose rebellion interrupted the contented quiet of my Kings solitarie life and brought him to behold the bloudie tragedie of a civill discension in his divided State I am that nephew whom a vvilfull disobedience made a traytor to the neernesse of his bloud Hither did I come Orestes-LIKE tormented by the inward fright of my guilty conscience with my bloud to vvash away if good fortune in the defence of the cause I undertooke would draw death upon me the staines of such unpardonable faultsâ— but now that I have found what I least look't for and then he cast a side look on Hellen for her I confesse I should desire to live if your just indignation might finde mercie for so hainous offences which I vvill not strive to mitigate how ever justly I may for I vvould thinke such faults ill excus'd with vvhich to ease my selfe I must have burdened my neerest friends Basilius first graciously lifting him from the ground Nephew replyed he did I retaine the memorie of your youthfull oversights this your vertuous acknowledgement were sufficient to beare them away but long since I have buried in oblivion the thought of your rashnes because I knew by vvhat after happened that the Gods had made you an instrument to worke their ends it were injurie therefore to question his actions whose vvill vvas not his own being overrul'd by their all-coÌ„manding decree No nephew I do not only pardon these transgressions but freely also do resigne all such possessions as your father held in Arcadia taken from you in the last warre and now in the hands of Philanax Live happie in your choise I shal be proud of our alliance with the crowne of Corinth and shall rejoyce to see the succession continue in our bloud This said he ledd him to Genecia then to Evarchus but when he came to Musidorus This nephew is that black knight said he who at your last meeting gave such evideÌ„t proof of his uncoÌ„querable valor This is Musidorus the Prince of Thessaly whom the Gods have bestow'd as a blessing on my daughter Pamela Amphialus now assured by the kings speech unto whose hand the honour of his conquest had fallen for doubt had long tormented him that some baser hand had reapt the glorie of his victorie Prince Musidorus said he my hard successe in our last encounter much perplext me not that my confidence of my selfe was lifted to such an arrogaÌ„t presumptioÌ„ to think my strength and skill in Armes matchlesse but that it griev'd me an unknown Knight one whom the vvorld might thinke had conceal'd his name lest together with him his bad fortune in tryalls of that kinde might be discovered should have the better of me But now that I know to vvhose lot my victorie hath falne I doe not onely bring an excuse but an honour from the worthinesse of the conqueror Courteous Amphialus repli'd the Prince whose side the advantage of Fortune did then incline to if it may be determined with greater reason and more desert should the honour be giveÌ„ you than bestowed on me but however such tryall I then made of your manhood that hereafter I shall desire to be of your part Worthy Prince said Amphialus your vertue will alway chuse to be of the weaker side and so turning to Philoclea Divine Lady said he in your excellent choyse of the famous Pyrocles you have besides the happinesse gain'd to your selfe for which the world may envie you shew'd me the way to my best hopes by graffing my affection in the stock of my Helleâ—s constancie Deere cousin replyed Philoclea I am glad it was in my power and your good fortune so much to better your choise in so excellent a remove And so casting a bashfull looke towards Pyroclesâ— Sir said she we may joine in thankesgiving this is my cousin whose vertuous disposition during our imprisonment was our safest defence against my aunt Cecropia's crueltie I doe acknowledge it said Pyrocles and besides this favour in vvhich vve have a common interest Sir I must crave pardon for a vvound given you at such a time vvheÌ„ belike you made Patience your only defence Amphialus stood â—ith his eye fixed on Pyrocles for his memory supply'd him with a confused remembrance of such a face Zelmane he could not take him to be her sexe and this change at their first birth destroy'd these apprehensions Pyrocles his heart swore he vvas not vvhose youth and beautie God vvot vvere no fit liveâ—ie for such atchievemeÌ„ts as the vvorld fam'd him for Thus a vvhile hee continued troubled vvith the uncertâ—intie of conjectures untill Pyrocles happily conceiving the cause of his amazement stopt his further admiration by letting him know that the then Zelmane was the now Pyrocles Whereat Amphialus as one newly wak't out of a dreame cryed out Anaxius Anaxius said he ' â—was the Prince of Macedon not a vvoman overcame thee Wheresoever thy soule be let it keepe this time festivall as the birth-day of thy glorie And so after mutuall embraces together with the rest of the Princes they entred the Palace vvhere vvhen they were seated the eyes of all the companie were set on the Queene of Corinth longing to know the storie of her strange fortune now a Queene then a prisoner now alive then dead vvhich shee at Basilius intreatie vvith a majestie which her fortune could not change because 't was innate thus declared Great Sir that I vvas made prisoner by Rinatus and by him carried to Laconia Fame together vvith the newes of my supposed death belike hath brought you the rest since you esteem worthy your hearing I shall esteeme worthie my relation There yet governes and then did among the Nobilitie of Laconia one Creton a man elected to the crown rather to recompence the desert of his ancestors than for his owne vertues beloved and borne vvith for the same reason such an everlasting monument of it selfe can goodnesse leave to posteritie To him vvhen I vvas brought my guilt and my guiltie selfe vvith the best oratorie Rinatus had vvas made knowne vvho with vehement importunitie desired that my speedie punishment as my fault should be terrible The King answered Though he found his demands reasonable and such to vvhich he vvas sure there could be no opposition made yet he thought it fit the Nobilitie should be acquainted vvith so vvaightie a causeâ— before he proceeded further in it and so for this time being committed to the charge of Partinax Chamberlaine to the King I was dismist The next day the Councell being sent for my cause ran the hazzard of manie opinions some thought it fit I should dye and though Iustice said they might not dispence with such