Forces of the Emperour as much as possibly he could that when opportunity served he might the more easily seize upon him At that time all the world looked at Rome with an envious eye and made it the butt of their Armes The Goths the Fruncks and Burgundians in Gaul the Vandats and Almaines in Spain the Anglois and the Picts in Britany the Hunnes and the Gipides in Pannonia To be briefe every part of the whole Empire was so divided as no part was entire but Italy It fortuned that Alarick King of the Goths would not suffer it to enjoy more tranquillity then Its neighbours of the West and therefore fell into it with such a vast number of People as it was impossible for Honorius to resist him insomuch as to get him out again he was advised to make a Peace with him upon what termes soever he could get unto which he being of ho Warlick disposition but above all things loving tranquillity he lent a willing ear Peace then being propounded it was so prudently managed that Alarick consented to retire beyond the Alpes into some Provinces which were assigned him by the Emperour At which Stilicon being malecontent as thinking this agreement prejudiciall to his designes he so tampered with an Officer then in pay under the Emperour that he procured him to charge some of Alarick's Forces as they were marching away without any mistrust At which Alarick was so incensed against Honorius that he returned to Rome besieged it and at the end of two years took it and entirely sacked it Although Honorius to make it appear that he never consented unto this perfidie did put the Traitor Stilicon to death as soon as ever he heard that he was the author of it Thus this ambitious man came to a miserable end but not before he had put all Italy into a most miserable flame For Alarick after he had plundered and burned this great City and not yet loadned with spil he pillaged all the Country about it and laid it so sadly waste as would have moved any Barbarian unto pitty But that which was most deplorable besides the ruine of so many Temples and the losse of so many rarities with which the Emperours had erected and adorned this City was the miserable fortune which befell this wise Princesse who through the carelessenesse of a Brother was destitute of all succour She who by extraction was Daughter unto the Cesars and Sister unto two Emperours was through the fault of another a Captive in the hands of these Barbarians her Country burned the Temples prophaned and she in danger to lose her life or that which was more deer unto her had not Ataulfus a Prince of Alarick's blood been taken with her beauty and vertue and thought her worthy to be his Wife But this Prince seeing her so fair and so wise and knowing her to be Daughter to the great Theodosius he fell so passionately in love with her that he courted her in Marriage and presently after by Alaricks consent did marry her You may imagine what force this wise Princesse did use upon her selfe before she consented unto this Marriage and Alliance and how prudent she had need to be in behaving her selfe amongst such a rude and barbarous people so wisely as she did god did in this make it appear that he had pitty upon miserable Rome for had it not been for this Alliance it had been utterly ruined for ever For it so fel out that Alarick dyed at Corsienses and the Prince Ataulfus was by the common voice of the Army chosen King If you look upon that Piece next unto Placidias you will imagine him to be a sterne and salvage person more delighted in blood and war then peace and he had no sooner gotten the absolute power but he went to Rome with a designe to burne and utterly demolish it thinking that as long as the Walls of this Town stood there would be still a Roman Emperour which name was so odious unto him that he would absolutely destroy the very memory of it When this prudent Princesse understood his intention she was resolved to do all that possibly she could to prevent him the utter ruine of her Country wounding her to the very soul At the first she shewed her selfe swelled with abundance of griefe and sorrow tears did abundantly flow from her fair eyes she refused her rest and meat and never ceased tormenting her selfe but when Ataulfus was by her and then she constrained her selfe to put as good a face upon it as she could This Prince who loved her so well as to marry her could not long endure to see her live thus but he must needs aske her the cause of her discontents unto which she made this answer I have done all that I possibly could O great King to hide my excessive sorrowes from you fearing I should but the more vex and trouble you with them but since nature will not permit me to conceal the sadnesse of my soul any longer and since the goodnesse of Ataulfus unto the wretched Placidia is such as to ask me I do most humbly beseech you take it not ill if I shed my tears in lieu of my blood for my Country's sad desolation and if to stop the ruine of it I could effect it I would much more willingly shed my blood then my tears My Country Oh great Sir my native Country that gave me breath it bleeds and it is ready to bleed to death and can you think I would not most willingly part with my life to stop the wounds ' Alas it would be better imployed that way then in your service Since you are pleased to do me so great a favour as to aske me the cause of my sorrowes I beseech you give me leave in all humility to aske you What advantage will the ruine of Rome and all Italy be unto you Does the riches and the treasures of it invite you to it Surely those are things too low and unworthy of your high courage besides those are things that cannot be expected out of an already ruined and plundered Country or a demolished and halfe burned Towne which hath been already ravaged by a vast Army Is it any glory that you expect to get by it I cannot believe it for what glory can be added unto that which you have already or what hopes is there to get in ruining those Walls which are already demolished in massacring a naked and disarmed people who cannot be brought into greater submission then they are If it be a shame to wound a dying man what honour can you expect in giving fresh wounds unto a dying people If you think to strengthen your Dominion by it be pleased Oh great Sir to let me tell you that it would be most horrid cruelty to do it by exterminating all the people of Italy Should you put them all to the sword you would be in lesse security then you are for you would thereby incense and raise against
live how can I endure so many torments And if I dye alas I shall never see her again Into what a miserable condition has my fate hurryed me Since I cannot be happy either in life nor death Oh most miserable Ursaces said he how long wilt thou suffer thy selfe to be thus flattered by vaine hopes Why should they let thee passe away thy dayes in such cruell torments And how canst thou preserve a life that is so unworthy of thy actions and thy corrage Thou that hast a heart so daring as to lift thy eyes so high as Caesars wife thou that hadst so much corrage as to revenge thy love and embrue thy hands in the blood of both art thou now growne so faintly timerous as to live and see the deare Eudoxe in the hands of a Vandall who has carried her into the heart of Affrica and perhaps has a designe upon her chastity Oh heavens how canst thou suffer such a beauty who deserves all adoration to be so unworthily used and made the prey of a cruell Barbarian Canst thou endure that so divine a beauty should run the most miserable fortune that ever humane did Thou hast seen it Ursaces thou hast seen it with thy owne eyes and yet thou art alive Thou art still the same Roman Ursaces who loved this divine Eudoxe And thou hast revenged and delivered the Empire and the faire one from the Tyranny of Maximus Oh Die Die for shame man Let thy sword do that which griefe will not and by that Signall act wash away the dishonour of surviving the liberty of Eudoxe Thus passionately did this stranger expresse himselfe and being transported with fury he drew a short sword which hung by his side and doubtlesse had run himselfe to the heart if a companion of his had not run in and taken hold of his arme just as he was ready to give the mortall thrust but in saving the life of his friend his hand was very dangerously cut For Ursaces perceiving himselfe seized upon and his mind being prepossessed with the thought of death he made his thrust and gave his friend a very great wound So as this friend not being able to hold him with that hand and fearing he should execute his cruell designe he fell upon him saying Ursaces shall never die as long as Olimbres lives A brave resolution of a friend At the name of Olimbres I saw the other man who was before so passionatly transported presently come to himselfe and as if he had got a fall from the top of a high precipice was astonished at the coming of the other Friend said he what Daemon did conduct you to this unfrequented place to hinder me from following my adored Eudoxe For follow her I will either with Ursaces or with his Ghost Ursaces said he unto him the Gods who are preservers of friendship and no ill Daemon have prompted me to seeke you this three dayes not to hinder you from following Eudoxe if it be your contentment but to accompany you for my friendship would not allow me to let you make that voyage alone And therefore if you will needs execute your designe first thrust that sword in thy hand into the heart of thy friend and afterward when it is red and reeking with my blood execute thy designe or do what thou wilt Ah Olimbres said he this request is incompatible with our friendship Can you think my hand has any power to hurt Ursaces's friend Think me not so cruell as ever to consent unto the death of him whose life was ever deerer to me then my own But if you have any compassion upon my misery I conjure you by our pure friendship to let me go out of this miserable life Can you think said Olimbres that I will not immediatly follow you Have I not courage enough to take away my life that I may follow yours wel as you follow Eudoxe Do you think Death to be good or bad If it be bad why wil you give it unto him whom Olimbres your friend loves deerer then himselfe If it be good why will you not let Olimbres whom you love be a partaker with you Oh no answered Ursaces Olimbres shall live to eternity before he die by the hand of Ursaces â—blâ— it will be a great testimony of friendship to let me execute my designe which only can wipe off my shame in surviving my happinesse In saying these words he endeavoured to draw out his arme which his friend had engaged under his body Which I perceiving and fearing that he who was wounded had not strength to hinder him I went gently up to them and taking the hand of Ursaces I forced open his fingers and seized upon his sword And Olimbres's striving had caused him to lose much blood He presently perceived himselfe to faint and apprehending that the losse of his blood was the cause he arose from off his Companion and shewed him his hand Friend said he unto him I am ready to wait upon you to Eudoxe and if you will die I shall think my selfe happy to follow you Then presently he fainted and fell into his friends bosome Ursaces fearing the losse of him he left off all thoughts of killing himselfe to help his friend and running unto a Fountain which was close by he brought some water in his hat to throw in his face In the mean time I knowing that his disease proceeded from losse of blood I took a little mosse for want of a better remedy and applying it to the wound I tyed it up with my handkerchiefe and had not done when Ursaces returned who sprinkling the face of his friend with told water and calling upon him with a loud voice by his name he brought him to himselfe again When he opened his eyes Alas friend said he why did you call me Let my soule go contentedly out of the world and let it attend you wheresoever you go Have this beliefe I beseech you that she cannot close up her daies more happily then by your hand and in doing you service Olimbres said Ursaces if you do depart to follow me I must go before you and therefore never think that my hand shall make any passage for your soul untill it hath with the same sword sent mine out of this miserable habitation Upon this he looked about for the sword which I had taken away Which I perceiving Do not think Ursaces said I unto him to execute your cruell determination with this sword heaven hath sent me hither to tell you that there is nothing in this world so desperate which it cannot remit unto its former condition when it pleaseth and hath also sent me to hinder you from making any attempts upon the life either of your selfe or your friend for your life is his not yours But if you do attempt any thing against your life I tell you from the great god that in lieu of following this Eudoxe which you do so passionately desire he will lead your soul into
life could not end upon a more noble account nor in a better cause Having ambuscado'd my selfe in a Wood neer the way of Hostia I saw some part of this great Army march in very bad order but my aime being only at Eudoxe I kept my selfe still close till I saw some Chariots comming in which I perceived some Ladies and supposing them to be the same I did expect I encouraged my men telling them that this would be an act worthy of a Roman name Upon setting spurs to my Horse and they most couragiously following me we charged these Chariots whose Guard was above ten thousand Barbarians I shal not relate the passage of this charge for it is impertinent But so it was that we routed them and had Eudoxe been there as I thought she was doubtlesse I had delivered her out of these barbarous hands but as ill luck was she was still behinde and those Ladies which I saw were such as had been taken in the City and Country and were to be carried with the rest of the Booty into Affrica Oh heavens how was I grieved when I saw my selfe thus mistaken and had all the Army on my back for upon this Tumult the Vanguard recoyled and the Reerguard advanced and drew into Battalia so as I was environed on all sides with so great a number of enemies as we could expect nothing but ruine Some ran away others stayed for my part I laid me down amongst the dead and was stripped of my clothes as they were and it was happy for me for my clothes being carried by a Souldier Eudoxe knew them and shewed them unto Olimbres who would not leave her All that she said was I see Ursaces at the last hath met with that Rest which Fortune ever denyed him Upon this expression she swouned in her Chariot Olimbres running after him who had my clothes he asked where he got them and being told the place he went presently unto it and sought till he found me how sad was he when he saw me However he got leave of the Vandal to do me the last office of buriall He would needs return to Rome and have me carried also upon Boughs I was so jogged in the carriage that I gave some signes of life Olimbres seeing this was beyond all measure glad and brought me into the first house they came unto where I received such Cordialls as I recovered out of my long swoun You may imagine Silvander how glad I was when carrying my friend to his grave I found him alive those who saw me did plainly see that his life was as deer unto me as my own yet we had both been happy had we ended our daies then for then I should not have grieved at the absence and ravishment of the fair Eudoxe nor Olimbres at parting from his dear Placidia This consideration made me resolve upon death as soon as I heard this persidious Genserick had carried Eudoxe and her two Daughters away but the great care which my friend had of me kept me from the execution of my designe as long as my wounds kept me in bed But when I had recovered my selfe of these wounds and was able to get upon a Horse I stole away as secretly as possibly I could from him and taking the way towards Tuscany I hid my self in the Appennine Mountaines intending to die with hunger or some such hardship not being willing to shed my blood for fear of offending the great god who punisheth Homicides At the last the languishment of this life made me resolve upon a more sudden death and when casting off all consideration of heaven I would have run my sword to my heart my dear Olimbres came and stayed my arme so by this means gave me a life the second time Then afterwards when I still persisted in my resolution to effect my intentions a young man came in whose beauty and wisdome did make us think that comming in such a nick of time he was some messenger sent from god purposely to divert me from my designe I must confesse that at the first I thought him so and was so obedient to his words that I had no minde to kill my selfe hoping to receive from him some supernaturall aid so as being thus deceived we all three went unto the next Town to get Olimbres dressed of a great wound which I gave him when he offered to take the sword out of my hand where with I would have killed my selfe But when I understood that this young man was a Segusian as you are and that he came to the place where I was by meer chance I confesse I took a stronger resolution of dying then before and doubtlesse had but for this young man whose name was Celadon as afterwards he told me who used such strong arguments and gave me such good reasons that I resolved to stay till the recovery of Olimbres There was in this place an old and grave Chirurgeon who dressed the wound of my friend whose age and travells in severall Countries had got him great knowledge and experience this man took speciall notice of our sorrowes and as one word may sometimes discover what we desire to keep secret so I did not so well dissemble the matter but he did partly suspect my designe so as one day he took me aside and said thus unto me Think it not strange Sir that I unasked intrude my selfe to give you some counsell my age your merit and my duty to god invites me to it take therefore in good part what I shall say I know that you are seized with extream sorrowes and that you have a designe against your own life Do not offer it for god after your death will most severely punish all murderers of themselves And besides to kill ones selfe argues a defect in courage as if you durst not look a dysaster in the face and as those who fly for fear of their enemies so such as kill themselves for fear of any dysaster do flye out of the world for want of courage and because they dare not abide one of fortune's blowes God hath given unto man judgment and prudence to make his election by solid and sound reason and because man being possessed with passion can neither judge nor chuse aright he hath given him a communicative soul to the end that making choice of one or more friends he may ask counsell of them in all matters of importance And because friends are very often interested in their friends businesse this god not leaving man without a good guide hath given him Judges and Kings to order and decide all manner of doubts and controversies This great Creator of men loving them as his Children would furnish them with all that is necessary both to live and to die and to that end hath inspired the Massilians to constitute prudent Judges it seeming unto them that death is no injury but a tribute of nature and therefore it would be unjustly done to deny that remedy
number of those whom Love useth very well but as for my part I do with all my heart quit my share in all his sweets you may keep to your selfe all his felicities and contentments without any feare that ever I shall envie you 'T is now a whole month since first we met and I think we met every day I do not remember that day that hour nay nor that minute in which you were not entertaining your Love forsooth with that good company of teares on the contrary tell me that day that hour or that minute in which you heaâ—d me bid Love welcome so much as with one single sigh There 's no man whose taste is not quite out of tune as yours is but will find more sweetnesse in the pleasantnesse of my life then in your dolefull sighs and sobs Then turning himselfe towards the Shepheardesse who complained so of Tircis And you faire but unwise Shepheardesse take courage and deliver your selfe from the Tyranny of this unnaturall Shepheard cheere up and live Will you by your patience make your selfe a complice with him in his crimes do you not see that he glories in your teares know you not that your supplications doe puff him up with so much arrogancy as he thinkes you to be highly obliged unto him if he does hearken unto you with disdaine The Shepheardesse with a deepe sigh answered It is an easie matter Hylas for him that is sound to counsell the sick but if you were in my stead you would know that all this advice is in vaine you might find that sorrow would sooner drive my soule out of my body then reason can drive this passion out of my soul For this my beloved Shepheard has such a Soveraigne power over me that his authoritie can command what he pleaseth spare then all your sapient advisements Hylas they will but fester my wounds the more for I am so wholly devoted unto Tircis that my will is not my owne How said the Shepheard your will not your owne to what purpose is it then to Love and serve you The same answered the Shepheardesse that my Love and services are unto this Shepheard That is as much to say answered Hilas that I should lose both all my time and my paines and that if I should professe my affection unto you you would only make use of my words to expresse your affection unto Tircis but since such is your humour and since I have more command over my selfe then you over yours I will only kisse your hand and take my leave for I shall be ashamed to serve such a poore and pittifull Mistrisse Neither you nor I answered she shall receive any great losse by it Were you as sensible of your losse in losing me said Hilas as you shew simplicitie in courting him you would lament the losse of me sooner then desire the affection of Tircis but if you care no more for losing me then I do for losing you I le warrant you neither of our sorrowes shall ever hurt us Then walking merrily away he sung these verses A Song Love having wings will fly away as well as Time and soone decay Then let 's be wise and from us banish the thing which of it selfe will vanish Let 's cut Loves cords and quench its fires with all exorbitant desires That thing let 's voluntary do which time at last will force us to Thus or'e the Gyant Love shall we be victors most triumphantly Had this Shepheard come into the country in a more merry season doubtlesse with more friends but Celadons losse did sit so sadly upon the soules of all that neighbourhood that none was in any mood of rallarie and therefore they left him some returned to their cabins others in farther quest of Celadon some on this side some beyond the River Loire neither tuft nor tree escaped their inquisitive search yet all in vaine for no newes could be heard of him Only Silvander did meet Polemas just at the place where Galathea and the other Nymphes had a little before taken him up And because he Governed the country under the Authoritie of the Nymph Amasis the Shepheard who had often seene him at Marcelles did render him all possible honour and acquainted him with the losse of Celadon at which Polemas was very sorry being ever a Lover of all Celadons familie On the other side Lycidas who was walking with Phillis after a long silence at last he turned towards her well faire Shepheardesse said he unto her what do you thinke of your companion she not yet knowing of Astreas Jealousie did answere him that she could not be much blamed if she upon such a sad accident did shun all company for Phillis thought that he complayned because she went away alone Nay nay replyed Lycidas that 's nothing but I doe thinke her to be the most ungratefull woman in the world and the least worthy of any Love for my brother never intended nor could he Love any but only she she knew it well enough cruell woman that she was the testimonies he gave her were too evident to be doubted he overcame all difficulties he stopt not at impossibilities he valued not the anger of Parents but endured her rigours her cruelties and scorns and all this so long that I beleeve no other but Celadon was able to do it And yet for all this 〈◊〉 did most unworthilie change her mind her foolish pretences of hatred and jealousy has eternally exiled him and being grown desperate he did chuse death rather then such a piece of crueltie as she Oh Heavens Lycidas said Phillis in a great amazement what 's this you say Is it possible Astrea should ever commit such a crime It is most certainly true answered the Shepheard she has partly told me as much and I do conjecture the rest by his discourse She tryumphs in the death of my brother and her infidelitie and ingratitude can palliate her crime but I do sweare unto you by all that 's sacred never any Lover was fuller of affection and fidelitie then he I care not whether or no she ever know her error unlesse to vexe and grieve her for now I am as professed an enemy unto her as ever my brother was faithfull Thus Lycidas and Phillis discoursed he being infinitely grieved for the death of his brother and as much offended against Astrea and she very sorry for Celadons death angred at the anger of Lycidas and astonished at the Jealousie of her companion would not apply any extreame remedies at the first but only some gentle preparatives to mollifie him She would not by any meanes that the death of Celadon should cost her Lycidas and she considered that if any hatred was betweene him and Astrea she must of necessitie breake off with one of the two yet Love would not yeeld unto friendship On the other side Astrea was so swelled in teares and suncke in sorrow as having not teares enough to wash away her error nor words
enough to expresse her griefe both her eyes and mouth did leave their offices unto her imaginations so long as both eyes toung imagination and all other faculties being tyred out she fell asleepe Whilst things passed thus amongst the Shepheards and Shepheardesses Celadon was observed by the three Nymphes in the Pallace of Isoures with all indulgent care but the hurt which the water had done him was so great that for all their remedies which they applied he could not open his eyes nor give any signe of life but only by the beating of his heart passing all the day and a good part of the night before he came to himselfe And when he opened his eyes he was in a great amazement to find himselfe in that place for he very well remembred what he had done and how a rash despair had made him throw himselfe into the water but he knew not how he came thither And after he had stayed a long while in this confused thought he asked whether he was alive or dead If I be alive said he how is it possible that the cruelty of Astrea should not kill me And if I be dead why cruell Love dost thou torment me in the shades of death is it not enough that thou hast my life but thou must receive my old flames out of my dead ashes And the great perplexitie in which Astrea had left him having now forsaken him he called into his memory all his former conceptions and his mind being full of imagination both of his miseries and also of his former happinesse he fell into such a sound sleepe that the Nymphes had time enough to come and see him and finding him fast asleepe they opened the curtaines and windowes very gently and did sit downe by him the better to view and contemplate upon him Galathea after a whiles confideration did in a low voice for feare of wakeing him say oh how this Shepheard is changed since yesterday What a fresh complexion is upon a suddaine come into his face seriously I do not repent of all the paines I have taken in saving his life for as you said sweetheart said shee and turned towards Silvia he is one of the principall in al the country Madam answered the Nymph most certainly he is for Alsippes is his Father and Amarillis his Mother How said Galathea that Alsippe so famous who to save his freind did break open the Prison of the Visigotts at Ussum The very same said Silvia I have seene him severall times at feasts which are kept by the Townes about Lignon And because Alsippes seemed unto me most worthy of observation I looked long upon him for the formalitie of his beard and the gravitie of his venerable age did exact honour and observance from every one But as for Celadon I remember that of all the Shepheards there was only he and Silvander who had confidence enough to approach me by Silvander I knew which was Celadon and by Celadon which Silvander for both of them had in their Garbes and discourse somthing more generous then the name of Shepheard useth to owne Whilst Silvia spake Love in mock age of the subtiltie of Climante and Polemas who were the cause of Galatheas coming to the place where she tooke up Celadon did begin to kindle new flames in this Nymph for all the while that Silvia spoke she had her eyes upon the Shepheard and the applauds which she gave him did enter into her soul and the more easilie because she was prepared for it by the coming of Climante who counterfetting himselfe to be a Druide had foretold her that the man whom she should meet with in the place where she found Celadon should be her husband unlesse she would be the most miserable woman in the world the plot being that Polemas should go to that place at the hour to the end that she might more willingly be induced to marry him which otherwise the affection she bore unto Lindamor would not permit But Fortune and Love are too hard for Prudence and sent Celadon thither by chance as I have told you so as Galathea intending to fixe Love upon this Shepheard did thinke him to be extreame Lovely And seeing he did not wake she went out as gently as she could to entertaine her new thoughts There was neere his chamber a backe paire of staires which opened to a low Gallerie out of which by a draw bridge one might go into a Garden full of choice varieties Fountaines Statues Walkes Arbors and all that Art could invent out of this Garden was a dore into a Wildernesse of severall sorts of Trees in which was severall Labirinthes wherein one might wander to the losse of ones selfe yet by reason of the umbrage were very delightfull In one of which was a Fountaine called The truth of Love a place in truth marvelously pleasing for by force of Inchantment a Lover who looked in it might see her he loved if he were Loved he might see his Mistrisse by him if she Loved another that other would be presented and not himselfe And because it did discover all the deceipts of Lovers it was called the Truth of Love In another Labirinth was the Cavern of Damon and Fortune and in another was the denn of an old Mandrake full of so many wonders and witchcrafts that every vanitie appeared a fresh miracle Moreover in the other parts of the wood there was severall other Grotts so well counterfeited and neere the naturall as the eye did oft deceive the judgment It was in this Garden where the Nymph did walke waiting for the waking of the Shepheard And because her new desires would not permit her to be silent she faigned to forget somthing which she commanded Silvia to go and seeke for she confided lesse in her green youth then in Leonidas whose age was arrived at more maturitie though both these Nymphes were her secret confidents And being alone with Leonida she thus said unto her what do thinke Leonida has not this Druide a strange knowledge of things Does not the gods freely communicate themselves unto him for what is future he knowes as well as the present The truth is answered the Nymph he did very directly shew you in the Mirror the very place where you found this Shepheard and also told you the very time but his words were so ambiguous that I beleeve he hardly understood them himselfe Why do you say so answered Galathea since he hath particularly told me every thing as perfectly as I my selfe do not now kow them better than he did before they happened he only told you answered Leonida that you should find in this place a thing of an inestimable value though formerly it had beene disdayned Nay Leonida said she he has told me more then that particularly Madam said he you have two very contrary influences the one the most unfortunate under the heavens the other the most happie that can be desired And it is in your choice to take which
unto others and that the familiarity which was between them was only the consequent of a long acquaintance but as for any matters of love and addresses of that nature that they were altogether indifferent unto me Then this subtile man answered me thus I thank the gods that your humour is such and since it is so you will take some delight in hearing some of those passionate expressions which he bestowed upon his deare Aminthea I must confesse wise Diana when I heard Aminthea called his I changed colour and because he offered to relate their discourse I seemed willing to heare more of the infidelity of Celadon though alas more faithfull then I was well advised So I accepted of his offer and indeed he made good his promises For a little after he came running unto me and told me he had left them together not farre off and that Celadon's head did lie in Amintheas lap and she holding his head relating these particulars purposely to nettle me the more Then I followed him though I neither knew which way I went nor what I did until we came very neere though they neither heard nor saw us I have since thought that it was because they cared not who either saw or heard them but so it was that I heard Celadon answer her Beleeve me fair shepheardesse never did beautie make a deeper impression in any soul then it hath in mine but Celadon answered Aminthea It is not possible a heart so young as yours should long retaine that impression which love hath made in it Incredulous shepheardesse replyed my Celadon let us leave off these reasons do not measure me by the yard or weights of another but bless me with your favour and you shall see whether or no my young heart can preserve them as long as it lives Celadon Celadon replyed Aminthea you would be but deservedly punished if your dissimulations should become truthes and if heaven in my revenge should make you love Aminthea in earnest whom now I know you do but jeast with Hitherto all was well enough but Oh heavens what a strange answer of dissimulation did he returne Fair shepheardesse answered he if I do mock or jeast with you may Love turne all my mockery upon my self if I have merited it that he would punish me with your menaces Aminthea not being able to reach the intention of his discourse did answer him only with a sigh and in such a manner as I in my language did interpret that she would not have rejected him if she could have credited his language But that which most perplexed me was that after Celadon had been a while silent he fetched a deep sigh which presently she answered with another and when he did rise up to speak unto her she covered her eyes with her hand blusht as being ashamed that this sigh had escaped her and after a little pausing silence Aminthea said thus unto him Come Celadon are you so soone weary of my company I rather feare said he that I shall weary her whom I extreamly desire to please and therefore since you command it I will stay I dare not use commands replied the Shepheardesse where intreaties perhaps will be too indiscreet Use what termes you please replied the Shepheard but I am much your servant So he set himselfe down and began thus A Madrigall Upon a resemblance 'twixt his Lady and him WEll may one say that our two hearts Are like a Rock that never starts A Rock in Constancy isimine A Rock insensible is thine Fair Diana I was not able to stay any longer in this place but stealing gently away I returned to my flock so sad as all that day I could not utter one word and passed away the night with a thousand sad conceits and cryed as long as I had any tears I do admire I should be so blinded for had I retained the least spark of judgment I should have remembered that it was my command he should faigne love But the next morning when he came unto me I gave him such harsh entertainment as made him desperate and caused him to throw himselfe into that gulph where he and all my joyes were drowned together At this word she looked as pale as death and had not Phillis revived her taking her into her armes she had swouned The noise which they made at Astrea's swouning was so great that Leonida waked and hearing some talk so neer her her curiosity invited her to know who they were And because these three Shepheardesses were risen up to go away all she could do was to wake Silvia to shew them unto her Assoon as she saw them she knew Astrea though the disaster of Celadon had much altered her Leonida asked her who were the other two The one of them said she who is on the left hand is Phillis her deer companion and the other is Diana daughter to the sage Relinda and Celion I am very sorry we have slept so long for I am confident we should have received some newes from them for it is likely they came into this place so far from company purposely to talk with more freedome I must ingenuously confesse said Leonida that I never in all my life saw any fairer then Astrea she has the advantage of all others Consider then said Silvia what hopes Galathea has to divert the affection of this Shepheard from her This consideration did touch Leonida so to the quick that she did resent it more for her own cause than Galathea's However Love which never leaves a Lover without some sweet hopes would not treat this Nymph worse then others and therefore though with small probability yet she promised her selfe thus much hope that perhaps absence from Astrea together with her own kindnesse mightwork an alteration in him Then after some other such discourse these two Nymphs parted Leonida towards Feurs and Silvia towards Isoures whilst the three Shepheardesses retired to their Cabins No sooner had they set foot in the great meadow where of late they used to meet but they espied Lycidas talking with Silvander yet assoon as ever this Shepheard saw Astrea he grew so pale and altered that least Silvander should take notice of it he broke from him with a hollow excuse but striving to avoid meeting with them Phillis with Diana crossed the way to overtake him and when she came at him she said unto him If you thus flie your friends Lycidas what would you do to your enemies The company you keep so much Phillis answered he does not deserve the title of friend She whom you so much complain of answered Phillis does endure more torment for her offending of you then you your selfe doth There is no way to cure the wound answered the Shepheard but by breaking the weapon which gave it By this time Astrea was come up who addressed her selfe unto Lycidas and said unto him I am so far Lycidas from thinking your hatred of me unjust as I must confesse you cannot hate
all this patience what will all these delayes do me good Shall I die before I discover my maladie to the Chirurgeon Then staying a while he began again with a most profound sigh Why should I fear that she will banish me her presence and doom me to death for if I should die it is a comfort to shorten such a miserable life and my death would satisfie for the fault I have committed if death do not fall upon me from the incensed brow of the fair Diana will not the violence of my affection cause it What then should I do and what shall I say unto her Alas I would not offend her if I could possibly help it And why should I keep silence since my death will give her most certain knowledge What then shall I offend her Ah! alas injury and amitie are never together Rather die there 's an end But if I should die do I not deprive her of the most faithfull servant ever that she had Is it possible I should offend in adoring her I will then tell her and at the same time open my breast that the sword may more easily punish my crime if she condemn me to it Thus then will I say unto her Here fairest Shepheardesse here is Filander in the habit of Callirea who in lieu of begging your favour lookes for nothing but your sury Revenge your selfe then Oh fairest and punish him and be confident that if his death will please and satisfie you it is most welcome to him Faire Shepheardesse when I heard Filander thus expresse himselfe my amazement was so great that I knew not what in the world to do I was so vexed and trembled so extreamly that I would have gon away and never have looked upon this impostor any more But Daphnis to compleat her treason held me by force and as I told you being neer this Shepheard he turned his head at the noise which we made and thinking it was only Daphnis he came unto us But when he spied me and thought I heard him Oh heavens said he what torment is little enough for me Oh Daphnis who could ever have expected this treason from you At this he ran away as if he had been distracted though Daphnis called him two or three times by the name of Callirea but fearing to be heard by others and more fearing that Filander might do some hurt unto himselfe she left me alone and followed him saying unto me in an angry manner at parting Well Diana if Filande do perish you will resent it as long as you live Judge fair Shepheardesses if I was not astonished at this accident But so it was that I could not hit the way out of the Garden a long time at last groping on every side and recollecting my spirits I found my Chamber where lying me down upon my Bed and trembling I could not close an eye that night As for Daphnis she searched for Filander so long that at last she found him more dead than alive and after she had chid him for not closing with so good an opportunity and yet assuring him that I was not so much troubled at the accident as he was he took a little heart to himselfe but yet not so much as to embolden him the next morning to come out of his Chamber I on the other side was extreamly offended against them both and was forced to keep my bed lest I should make my displeasure seen unto those about us and particularly unto the Niece of Gerestan but as good fortune was she had no more wit then there was need of so as we did easily hide from her this scurvy businesse which was almost impossible to do especially for Filander who had her company almost continually Daphnis she was not a little busied in the matter and perplexed for at the first I would not look upon her and her excuses but at the last she did so overcome me that I promised to forget the injury she had done me yet vowing that Filander should never look me in the face again and I do think he had gone away without a sight of me had he not feared the danger which Callirea would have incurred for she had a Husband that was extreamly perverse and peevish and it was this very consideration that restrained him But for all the arguments that Daphnis could use I never stirred out of my bed feigning my self sick for five or six daies And had I not heard that Philidas and Amindor with Callirea were returned I had no seen him of a long time but my fears that Philidas would take notice of it and lest thâ—s secret should come to be divulged all over the Country I did resolve to see him upon condition that he should never make the least shew of what was past though I had not so much power over my selfe as not to shew my displeasure â—he promised me that he would observe my commands and kept his promise for he durst not so much as turn an eye towards me and if he did at any time by chance give a glance upon me it was in such a submissive manner as did assure me his love was extream Presently after as fortune was Philidas Amindor and the disguised Filander came into my Chamber where the windowes being close we could the better hide the disorders in our faces Filander had acquainted his Sister with all passages and that was the reason that the stay of Philidas was not so long as he intended for she telling him that her Sister was sick they returned But this discourse would be very tedious if I should not omit many of our triviall quarrells But so it was that Callirea being acquainted with all passages sometimes turning them into rallâ—rie and sometimes into seriousnesse she so brought it about by the assistance of Daphnis that I consented unto Filanders stay untill his Sisters hair was grown unto its length again knowing that it would ruine both her and my self if I should hasten her returne And so it fell out as Daphnis did well enough foresee that during the time Callirea's hair was growing the discreet carriage of Filander and the knowledge of his great affection began so to flatter me as I did of my selfe excuse his disguise so as before he went he obtained what he so much desired which was that I would forgive and forget his Imposturisme and promised him that as long as he kept himselfe within the compasse of his duty I would accept of his good will and cherish his merit as it deserved His contentment upon this did much confirm my opinion of his affection for it was so great as he could not dissemble it Whilst we were upon these termes Philidas whose love did still increase now resolved to discover himselfe unto the disguised Filander and in order to this one day when they were walking together under a shade of Trees in the Garden she spoke thus unto him Well Filander said she cannot all my affection to you
me tell you Hylas that all those reasons which you have instanced for a proof that the loving party ought to be loved again though they be fals yet shall be allowed as good But how can you conclude from them that Tircis ought to betray the amitie of Cleon by beginning a new love of Laonice These are impossibilities and contradictions Impossible because none is obliged unto more then they can do How would you have this Shepheard love when he has no will You laugh Hylas when you heare me say he has none Faith I do so said Hylas I pray what has he done with it He that loves answered Phillis doth give his soul it self all its faculties unto the party loved and so by con equenee his wil is not in his power But this Cleon replyed Hylas being dead has nothing and therefore Tircis ought to to take his own again Ah Hylas Hylas answered Phillis you talke like an ignorant in Love for such gifts as are disposed on by Loves authoritie are for ever irrevocable Pray then said Hylas what is become of this will since the death of Cleon The lesse followes the greater replied Phillis if pleasure be the object of the will if that cease to be a pleasure where 's the will And so it hath followed Cleon if Cleon be not then there is no will for he had never had it but for her But if Cleon be in some certain place as our Druids hold that she is then this will is in her hands so contented in the place where she is that if she her selfe would chase it away she cannot returne it to Tircis as knowing well it would be in vain but it goes into the grave and rests with her beloved Ashes this being so why do you tax the faithful Tircis with ingratitude if it be in his power to love any other Also you do not only require things impossible but also things in themselves contraries for if every one ought to love the party that loves why should he not then love Cleon who never failed him in amitie And as for the recompences which you demand for the Services and Letters which Laonice carried pray let her remember the contentment she received by them and how merry she made herselfe as long as this fallacie lasted who otherwise would have droned out a dull and melancholy life So as if she balance the payment which the service I assure my selfe she will think her selfe very well payed You say Hylas that Tircis deceived her but I say it was no deceipt but a just punishment of love who returned her own blows upon her selfe for her intention was not to serve him but to delude Cleon. Thus Silvander have I briefly answered the false reasons of this Sheapheard and there remaines no more but to make Laonice confesse that she injured Tircis in her unjust pursuing of him which I shall easily do if she will be but pleased to answer me Fair Shepheardesse pray tell me do you love Tircis Shepheardesse answered she all that knowes me knowes I do If he were forced to be absent replyed Phillis and another in the mean time should court you would you not change affection No answered she for I would still hope he would returne If you heard that he would never return said Phillis would you then cease to love him No certainly answered she Then Fair Laonice answered Phillis think it not strange that Tircis who knowes that his Cleon is in heaven that she sees all his actions and rejoyceth in his fidelity should not change the affection he bore unto her nor let this distance of place seperate their loves since all the hindrances of life could never do it Do not beleeve what Hylas said that none ever returnes over the River Acheron many that have been beloved of the gods have both gone and come and who knowes but Cleon who was adorned with so many excellencies of soul may find the same favour from Love Oh Laonice were but your eyes permitted to look upon Divinitie you would see that Cleon to defend her own cause is in this place and whispers these words into my eares which I utter in her defence Then would you confesse that Hylas was in the wrong when he said that Tircis was mad to love her cold ashes Me thinks I see her in the midst of us and in lieu of a fragile body subject unto humane accidents she is cloathed with glorious imortality and chiding Hylas for the blasphemies he had breathed against her What wouldst thou answer Hylas if thy happy Cleon should say thus unto thee Wilt thou offer O thou inconstant wretch to stain my Tircis with thy own insidelity If he did heretofore love me dost thou think it was my Body If thou shouldst answer Yes I would then reply that then he ought to be condemned to love the ashes which I have left in my Coffin as long as they will last For a Lover never ought to retreat from a Love once begun If thou dost confesse that it was my Soul he loved which was my principall part then Oh thou fond and unconstant sinner why should he now change his will since she is now more perfectly glorious than ever she was Otherwise such is the misery of the living I should be jealous I should be vexed and I should be seen by many eyes as I am by his But now I am delivered from such mortall imperfections and am no more capable of any infirmities And wouldst thou Hylas with thy sacrilegious perswasions divert him from me in whom I only lived upon earth and by a most barbarous cruelty endeavour to give me a second death Oh! most horrid to hear These words wise Silvander do make such a Turring sound in my ears as I do believe they will make your heart resent them as well as mine And therefore to let this divinity argue the cause in your soul I will be silent only let me hint thus much unto you that Love is so just as you your selfe ought to stand in awe of his punishing hand if Laonice's pitty rather then Cleon's reasons should move you At this word Phillis made a low congee intimating thereby that she had no more to say in the behalfe of Tircis Laonice offered to answer further but Silvander would not suffer her saying that now she was to hear the sentence which the gods would pronounce by his mouth Then after he had weighed the reasons on both sides he pronounced this Doom The Judgment of Silvander THe principall point in the cause debated before us is to know whether Love can die by the death of the party loved Unto which I say that the Love which is perishable is not right Love for it ought to follow the subject which gave it life and therefore those who love only the Body ought to enclose their love of that body in the same Coffin where it is but such as love the Soul ought with their love to flie
I had layd other clothes and the best of my things I took them and leaving my Boat I betook my self to Land and travelled so long that extreamly weary I arrived at Evians at the break of day and was forced there to rest my tyred limbs all the day where not being known I went as many others did upon urgent occasions to ask advice of the sage Belinda who was Mistris of all the Vestals about the Lake and who as since I understand is Mother unto my fair Mistris Having acquainted her with all my disasters she consulted with the Oracle and the next day told me that the gods did command me not to wonder at my afflictions and that if I would ever come out of them it was necessary I should look into the Fountain of the Verity of Love because in that water was my onely remedy And that as soon as I saw my self in it I should know my Father and my Country And asking her in what place that Fountain was she told me it was in this Country of Forrests Then she told me the property and inchantments of it so courteously as I thought my self infinitely obliged unto her Upon this I resolved to come hither where at my first coming I met with Celadon from whom I had information where this admirable Fountain was But as I was in my way to it I fell so sick as I was forced to keep my chamber six months And when I was wel I understood from some about that place how a Magician at the instance of Clidamas had set two Lyons and two Unicorns to guard it and that the Inchantment could not be disinchanted but by the death of two of the most perfect Lovers that ever came into this Country Heavens know how much I was grieved at this news since it had so prevented me in my so much desired hopes However since this was the Country which the Heavens had designed to give me knowledge of my Parents I thought it best for me to stay in it hoping that at last these two Lovers so faithful might be found out But certainly it was so rare a thing to be found as I had little reason for my hopes But with this design I put my self into the garb of a Shepheard that I might more freely enjoy the company of those about the River Lignon And to be the more acceptable unto them I bestowed the rest of my mony in a flock of Sheep and building a little Cabin This fair Leonida is all I doe know of my self And this is the price of that Room which I have bought of Phillis I am very glad to know so much answered Leonida do hope your fortune will be good since the gods doe seem to have a care of it by their Oracles and for my part I am a very zealous wisher of it So am not I said Phillis nor do I wish he may ever come to the knowledge of his Parents For if he should perhaps their merits might work much upon my Mistris For matter of Estate and Alliance is more considered in Mariages than the love or merit of the party See said Silvander how you understand it you are not so much against me but that I hope by your means to come unto the knowledge of that which I so much desire By my means said she how can that be Yes by your means said Silvander for since the Lyons must be quelled by the blood of two faithful Lovers why should not I beleeve that you and I are they Well may I be faithfull answered Phillis but I am sure I am not valiant I shall love my Mistrisse as much as any in the world but as for matter of life I pray you pardon me for what service could I do unto her if I were dead I assure you answered Diana I do value both your lives infinitly above your deaths and had rather be my selfe in dainger of death then to see either of you so for my sake Whilst they were thus discoursing and comming neer to the bridge of Boutresse they espyed a man a far off comming very fast and when he was neerer Leonida knew him to be Paris Son to the great Druide Adamas who being returned from Feurs and hearing that his Neece was to look for him did send his Son to acquaint her that he was returned also to know what occasiō moved her to come so alone it not being her custom to go with out company As soon as she knew Paris she named him unto the Fair Shepheardesses and they according to their habituall civility when he came neere them did salute him with abundance of courtesie so as had not the carresses of Leonida a little diverted him he could hardly have concealed his sudden surprise Yet after the first complements were past and after he had delivered his Message unto her But Sister said he for so Adamas would have them call one another how came you to meet with such Fair and good company Truly Brother answered she A good fate brought me to them and I have been two dayes together neverlesse weary in my life then with them This said she and pointed to Astrea is the Fair Shepheardesse so famed and deservedly for her beauty Her name is Astrea and that poynting at Diana is the Daughter of Belinda and Celion The other is called Phillis and This Shepheard is the unknowne Silvander whose merits yet are so known as all the Country does love him I swear said Paris my Father feares of your falling into ill company were groundlesse and had he known you had been so well I am sure he would not have been so much disquieted as he is Generous Paris said Silvander a person that is owner of so much vertue as this Fair Nymph is can never be ill accompanied especially being amongst so many wise and fair Shepheardesses as these Upon these words he looked upon Diana who conceiving her selfe invited to it answered it is impossible noble Paris to add any thing unto that which is already compleat but yet said Paris I had much rather be with her when she is with you than when she is alone This Sir proceeds from the fluency of your courtesie answered she that are pleased to use such language unto strangers You cannot say that you are strangers unto me said Paris unlesse you say that I am a stranger unto you which indeed is a shame unto me that I should be so neer a neighbour unto so many beauties of so much merit and yet should scarcely know them but I am most extreamly sorry for my fault and shall for the future endeavour to repaire it As he said so he turned towards the Nymph and you Sister said he though I came alone and intended to wait upon you from hence to Adamas yet I must needs stay here untill night I should be glad said she if I could do the like but I am now forced to go about my businesse yet I am resolved so
Lindamor observing the discontented looks of Polemas when he took Galathea from him he had an opinion that he did love her yet having never observed it by any former passages he resolved to ask him and if he did finde him in love then to disswade him from it and this he thought himselfe obliged unto by their former friendship therefore comming unto him he desired to speak a word with him in private Polemas being as subtle as ever was any did colour his countenance with a glosse of good will and said What is it which Lindamor is pleased to command me Oh Sir said Lindamor I never use commands where intreaties may prevail and at this time I will make use of neither but only as a friend ask you a question which our friendship obliges you to answer Be it what it will replied Polemas you may be certain I shall answer you with as much freedome as you can desire It is this then said Lindamor After I had served Galathea a good while according to the Ordinance of Clidaman I was at last forced to do it by the commands of Love for the truth is after I had served her according to the dispose of fortune who cast me upon her great merits she had such an influence upon my affection as I did ratifie it by the dedication of my self unto her and therefore must assume to my selfe so much boldnesse as to say that I do love her yet that friendship which is betwixt you and me being contracted long before this love began I resolved to tell you that if it be so that you do Love her and have any pretentions unto her I hope that I have so much command over my selfe as to make a retreat and make it appeare that my love is lesse then my friendship and that the follies of the one ought to give place unto the wisdome of the other Tell me therefore freely how your soul is affected to the end the lawes of friendship between you and me may be observed My intention is not to discover your secrecyes and since I do thus ingenuously open my selfe unto you I conceive you need not feare doing the like for it is not out of any curiositie but onely a desire to preserve our friendship that I ask you this question Lindamor spoke unto Polemas in such a dialect as did become a friend but like an ignorant lover that thought such a thing as a friend was to be found in matter of Love But Polemas the Grand dissembler answer'd thus Lindamor this fair Nymph you speak of deserves the Love and adoration of the whole universe but as for me I have no pretentions unto her But withall I must tel you that for matter of Love I conceive every one ought wil do what he can for himself Lindamor did now repent himself of his courteous and civill language since he had received such an od answer and resolved to do what he could to advance himselfe into the favour of this Nymph yet he answered him thus Since Polemas you have no pretentions unto her I will endeavour to preferre my selfe unto a happinesse which to recede from would be death it selfe unto me For my part said Polemas my pretentions unto her in matter of Love are only with an eye of reverence and respect such as we are all obliged to render unto her For my part replyed Lindamor I do honour Galathea as our great Lady and also do Love and adore her as my fairest Mistris I do think my fortune may wel pretend unto such a height as to cast my eyes upon her and do conceive it is no offence unto a Divinity to Love her With such discourse as this they parted both of them very ill satisfied with one another but upon different grounds for Polemas was stung with jealousie and Lindamor displeased at the perfidie of his friend from this day they lived at a distance for though indeed they were alwaies together yet they did hide and disgnise their desigues and actions one from another but Lindamor did not neglect a minute that could be imployed to make his affection appear unto this fair Nymph and certainly he did not lose eyther his time or paines for it was so aceptable unto her that though much love did not appear in her eyes yet she was ful of it in her heart and because it was a hard matter to conceale so great a fire but some flame will be flashing out do what they could therefore Galathea resolved to talke to Lindamor as little as possible she could and to devise some way or other for conveying letters secretly betwixt them And in order to that her designe was upon Flurial Nephew unto the Nurse of Amasis and Brother unto hers whose good will unto her she had been long accquainted with for he being the Gardiner at Mount-Brison as his father was before him when Galathea was brought thither to walk he would often take her in his armes and gather her what flowers she pleased and you know that such infant amities as are suckt in with the milk do become almost naturall also she knowing that all old people are covetous she was so liberal unto him that she made him wholly hers One day when she was got some distance from us she called him unto her as if the businesse was to enquire the names of some flowers which she had in her hand and after she had asked him severall such questions she said thus unto him in a low voice Come hither Flurial dost thou Love me Madam answered he I were the vilest varlet that ever breathed if I did not Love you above all the world May I be sure of this thou sayest said the Nymph May I never live a minute replyed he if I had not rather neglect my duty to Heaven then to you How Said Galathea without any exception suppose it were a thing that would offend Amasis or Clidaman I care not whom it would offend said Flurial if you Madam command it I will never enquire further for I am wholly yours and though my Lady do pay me my wages yet it is from you that my service is conferred upon me and besides I have ever from your very Infancy so loved you that I did at the very first dedicate my self wholly unto you But Madam I beseech you why so many words I shall never be truly happy untill you put me to the tryall Then said Galathea to him hark thee Flurial if thou continuest in that resolution and wilt be secret thou shalt be the happiest man alive of thy qualitie and what I have done for thee in times past is nothing in comparison of what I intend for the Future but be sure thou beest secret and remember that if thou beest not I shal become thy most mortal enemy and assure thy self nothing lessthen thy life shal satisfy me Go unto Lindamor and do as he shall direct thee and beleeve it I will reward thy vice beyond thy
the right but I beseech you by the affection you have unto me to tell me whether he had any remembrance of me in his last speech and what words he used Will you needs triumph Madam in his last breath said I as you have in all the rest of his life If you would I will give you full satisfaction As soon as ever he heard that you did endeavour by your words to blemish the honour of his Victory and that in lieu of pleasing you by his Combat he had gotten your hatred he pulled off all clothes that lapped his wounds and leaving them all open hee would never suffer the hand of any Chirurgeon to come near them His wounds were not mortal but when they were putrified so soon as he felt he could not live any longer he called for Flurial and when he was alone with him he said thus Flurial my good friend thou must now lose one that had a desire to doe thee some good but thou must arm thy self with patience since it is the will of heaven I would request one peece of service more from thee which is the best thou ever didst me And having got a faithful promise from him that hee would doe it he went on with his discourse As soon as ever I am dead open my breast take out my heart carry it unto the fair Galathea and tell her I sent it to the end that after my death I may not retain any thing which was not my own As as soon ever these words were spoken he lost both speech and life Now this fool Flurial in performance of his promise unto him he loved so dearly brought hither the heart of Lindamor and but for me would have presented it unto you Ah Leonida said she then is it certain he is dead Oh heavens I should never know of his sickness Would none tel me of it Oh Leonida you were much too blame Madam answered I I did not know any thing of it for Flurial stayed all the while with him because he brought none of his own servants with him But if I had known of it I think I should never have acquainted you since I knew you to be so averse unto any thing that came from him Then leaning her head upon her arm she commanded me to leave her by her self as I think that I might not see her tears which began already to trickle from her eyes Yet I was no sooner gone but she called me back and never looking up bade me command Flurial to bring what Lindamor had sent unto her for she would by any means have it Then I went out in sure hopes that my plot would take effect according to my expected desires Mean while when Flurial was returned unto Lindamor he found him full of impatient longing for him but my Letter gave him full satisfaction It was thus penned Leonida 's Answer unto Lindamor YOur Justice is so apparent that the most dim eyes cannot deny its splendor Content your self with this that those whom you most desire should see it do confess it As the wounds of the body may be far from being healed though the danger be over and therefore must have time for it So it is with the wounds of the mind the danger being removed by your valour and prudence you must refer the rest unto time remembring the wounds which close too hastily are subject to fester which afterwards becomes more dangerous than the wound it self Hope well for the accomplishment of your desires for you may do it with reason I writ thus unto him purposely that his grief might not be a prejudice unto his wounds and that they might the sooner heal Presently after he writ back thus unto me Lindamors Reply unto Leonida Fairest Nimph SInce you command it so I must and will hope and must confess that all my happinesse and hopes of it have their dependency upon you Yet Love which is alwaies accompanyed with doubting commands me to tremble But let heaven do what it pleaseth I know at will not deny me a Grave My answer in short was because I will not trouble you with too many Letters that as soon as he found himself able to travail he should finde some way or other to come and speak with me and as briefly as I could I let him understand all the discourse between Galathea and me also how she resented the news of his death and desired to have his Heart But observe the force of a great affection Lindamor that had so many severall wounds and lost so much blood as did narrowly endanger his life yet beyond all hopes of Chirurgeons assoon as he received my last Letter he did rise out of his bed dressed himselfe and within two or three dayes after got on Horseback to come unto me and because he durst not come by day for fear of being seen he put himselfe into the habit of a Gardiner calling himselfe Cousen unto Fluriall and resolved to come into the Garden and there behave himselfe as occasion should require Telling the Aunt of Fluriall that he had made a vow before the Combat and must needs go and perform it before he went out of the Country and fearing the friends of Rolemas he disguised himselfe in such a habit and desired her not to speak of it The good old woman would have disswaded him and advised him to defer his voyage untill another time But he being inflamed with zealous devotion told her that if he did not perform it before he went out of the Country he should think himselfe subject unto all the curses of all the gods So to prevent meeting with any he went in the night and came so happily into the Garden as he was unseen of any Fluriall carried him into the house in which there was then none but a drudge that helped him to dig whom he made believe that Lindamor was his Cozen whom he would teach the trade of a Gardiner Thus Lindamor expected the morning with a longing desire and the night seemed longer than ordinary unto him that waited for effecting his desires Morning was no sooner come but Lindamor was in the Garden with a spade in his hand Had you but seen him with this tool in his hand and how aukwardly he handled it you would have known that he was not much versed in it but knew better how to wield a Spear than a Spade and I have heard him since swear a hundred times that he was never in all his life so ashamed as when he did present himselfe before his Mistresse in that habit and that he was in two or three mindes whether he should return or no but at last Love surmounted the shame and kept him there untill we came As fortune was the Nymph came that day into the Garden with many of my Companious assoon is she spied Flurial she trembled like an Aspen leaf and cast her eye upon me but though I endeavoured to speak with him yet I could
paw and open his clawes as if he would shew him what death he should die Ligdamon seeing no safety but in his own valour assoon as ever he saw him begin to walk he darted his Dagger so dexterously to the Lions breast as the point of it pierced his heart and the beast fell dead immediately Great was the shout of the people for every one observing his courageous behaviour his valour and dexterity they did wish him well in their very hearts But he that knew the severity of the Judges would not be thus satisfied he ran presently to take his Dagger again which he had no sooner got into his hand but another Lion no lesse furious then the first came running furiously upon him so as Ligdamon was like to be surprised but he stepped a little aside out of this raging Animal's full carrier and cut him over the eyes upon which the furious beast turned so short upon him that Ligdamon stepping back to fetch another blow he fell but so that in falling the Lion coming over him he ran him into the belly and so mortally as he fell dead as soon as the first did Whilst Ligdamon was thus fighting for his life a Lady one of the fairest of all the Neustrians kneeled down before the Judges beseeching them to stay Execution untill she had spoken unto them her name was Amerina the very same for whom Lydias had killed Arontes and who though much ashamed yet spake thus unto the Judges Sirs Ingratitude is a sin as great as Treason and I deserve a punishment as great as his did I not save his life as he formerly ventured his to save my honour Therefore I do present my self before you and claim the Priviledge which is That any condemned Person shall be delivered if any Virgin do come and ask him for her Husband Assoon as I heard of your judgment I came with as much haste as I could to demand him and since I am now come yet in the nick of time I hope you will not deny me justice and him to be my Husband The people hearing this shouted for joy and cryed Favour Favour and though the enemies of Lydias did urge the contrary yet it was concluded that the Priviledge should be observed But alas Ligdamon came out of one danger to enter into another and greater for being brought before the Judges they let him understand the custom of the Country which was such That any man who was condemned for any crime should be released from execution of Justice if any Virgin came and demanded him for her husband so as if he would marry Amerina he should be released to live with her Ligdamon who did not know her was extreamly put to it for an answer Yet seeing no other remedy to avoid the danger wherein he was he promised that he would hoping that time would finde out some expedient to get out of this Labyrinth Amerina who knew that Lydias alwaies loved her was not a little amused to see him so faint cold in the businesse yet thinking that the terror of the danger in which he was had made him so she pittyed him the more and carried him into the house of Lydias Mother who procured this Marriage knowing there was no other way to save her Sons life which caused her to presse on this Marriage as soon as it was possible thinking that it would the more please her Sonne whom she knew was in love with Amerina But alass all this was to hasten his death Oh my dear Master When I think upon thy last words which you spake unto me I cannot chuse but wonder how it is possible I should live All things being ready for the Marriage and the time of Ceremony being come he took me aside and said thus unto me Oh Egides my friend Didst thou ever see such a peece of Fortune as this that they would make me beleeve I am not my self Sir said I unto unto him me-thinks your fortune is not bad Amerina is fair and rich every one sayes her Parents are of the best Families in all the Country What can you desire more Oh Egides said he thou talkest merrily but didst thou know the condition I am in thou wouldst pitty me I know thy fidelity and therefore I trust and conjure thee to carry this Letter unto the fair Silvia and tell her all thou hast seen And tell her further that I did never love any but her nor will I ever love any other Upon these words hee gave mee this Letter which I have carefully kept ever since that morning when he went unto the Temple and when he called me making me swear again that I would the next day come in all haste unto you Then came a Messenger to conduct him to the Nuptial Chariot in which Amerina already was with one of her Uncles whom shee honoured as her Father Shee fate in the middle betwixt Ligdamon and Caristes so was her Uncle called Before the Chariot went all their own Family and after it followed their Kindred Friends and Allies In this Triumph went they unto the Temple and when they came there they were led up to the Altar of Hymen upon which five Torches were lighted on the right side of Hymen was placed Jupiter and Juno on the left side Venus and Diana As for Hymen he was crowned with Flowers and sweet Marjerome held in his right hand a Torch and in his left a Vail of the same colour of Amarine's When they came first into the Temple the Mother of Lydias and Amarine lighted their Torches Then the chiefe Druide comming unto them addressed his speech unto my Master and asked him this question Lydias will you have Amarine to be the Mother of your Family It was long before Ligdamon would speak but at last he was forced to say Yes Then the Druide turning towards her And you Amarina Will you have Lydias for the Father of your Family And she answering Yes he then taking their hands and putting them together he said And I in the steed of the great gods do give you one unto another for ever after eat your bread together And then taking the Barley-cake my Master broke it and according to the custome they did eat of it together Now there rested no more to be done to compleat the Ceremony but to take the Wine and drink Then he turned towards me and said I do conjure you Friend as the best service you ever did me to give me the Cup Which I did and alas too soon Assoon as he had it in his hand he said in a loud voice O ye great gods who know that I am not Lydias do not revenge my death upon this fair Lady whose errour in taking me for some other more happy than my selfe hath redeemed me from one kinde of death to give me unto another Upon this word he drank up all that was in the Cup which was contrary to the Custome for the Husband should have drunk one
when he came unto this Fountain to be satisfied in those doubts into which an angry Dream had put him The other when being deceived by the art of Mandrague and saw that the Shepheardesse Fortune loved another in despair he killed himselfe Now let us see how these things are represented See Damon there with his Faulchion for he was in his hunting equipage observe how his Dog followes him look how that observant Animal eye 's his Master for whilst he looked in the Fountain the Dog fixed his eye upon him as if he were desirous to know what it was which so amazed him Mandrague had in a dream let him see Maradon a young Shepheard who taking one of Cupid's Arrowes opened Fortune's breast and took away her heart Damon as all Lovers are being in much doubt as soon as ever he waked got up and went to the Fountain to see whether his Mistresse still loved him I beseech you observe very well his amazement if you compare his face which is in all the other three Pictures with this you shall finde a strange alteration Those two faces which you see in the Fountain is the Shepheardesse Fortune's and the other the Shepheard Maradon's which the Witch caused to be represented rather then the other and so Damon believed his Shepheardesse loved Maradon which beliefe made him resolve upon death Do you see how the water seemes to tremble that is caused by poor Damon's tears that had dropped into it But let us pass on to the second Action The dead man whom you see lying upon the ground is poor Damon who being desperate killed himself with his Falchion His action is very naturally done with one Arm engaged under his body being surprised with the suddennesse of the fall and having no strength to recover himself his head hanging over his right shoulder his eyes half shut and half turned upwards his mouth open his teeth apparent and so all signes of a sudden death A man quite dead is not represented but a man betwixt life and death as if there were a medium Look how the blood is running out of his wound I do not think you ever saw any thing more naturally represented But let us see what is in the other peece The sixth Picture NOw be pleas'd to look upon the sixth and last Peece which containes four actions of the Shepheardesse Fortune The first is a Dream which Mandrague caused her to have The other how she went unto the Fountain to clear her doubts The third how she complains against the Inconstancy of her Shepheard And the last is how she dies which is the conclusion of this Tragedy Let us look upon all these particulars Look upon the Rising of the Sun observe how long the shadows are how the sky is not so clear on the one side see how clouds and mists are expelled and how those little Birds do dresse and prune themselves against its approach Passe your eye a little further and see the Shepheardesse Fortune asleep in her bed and how the Sun shines through the window upon her naked breast Also the sleeve of her smock being loose the beauty of her Arm as high as the Elbow is to be seen See how the Daemons of Morpheus doe hover about her all which are so many servants unto Mandrague and inspire her with a minde to goe unto the Fountain of Loves verity which accordingly shee did having dreamed that her Shepheard was dead and therefore shee came to the Fountaine of Loves verity to know the truth She had no sooner cast her eye upon the water but she saw Damon but alass she saw by him the Shepheardess Melinde a fair Shepheardess and one who was never suspected to love Damon yet though hee neither did love her shee was by this Sorcery to appear See how Fortune bewails the accident in the very same place where Damon was almost dead Behold how sadly she sits against yonder Rock her arms crossed upon her breast It seems as if she sighed and her heart panted her eyes looking up to heaven asking revenge upon the Persidie which shee beleeves Damon to bee guilty of and because her passion was extream she complained against him in a very loud tone And Damon who you see near her though hee was at the last gasp yet hearing the lamentation of his Shepheardess and knowing her voice did call unto her She hearing a faint hollow voice went towards him Oh heavens how the sight of him did amuse her and forgetting the occasion of her comming thither when she saw him in that condition she asked who had used him so It is said hee unto her the change of my fortune It is your Inconstancy which hath deceived me with a shew of affection To be brief it is the happiness of Maradon whom I saw in the Fountain next you and doe you thinke it possible I should live and see you love another Fortune hearing this Oh Damon said shee this Fountain is an errant Lyar for it hath also shewed me Belinde next you whom I see dying for the love of me Thus these two Lovers found out the falsity of this Fountain and being more assured than ever of each others affection they dyed in each others Armes Damon of his wound and Fortune for griefe of his death Behold there the Shepheardesse sitting against a massie Rock and Damon leaning his head in her lap taking his last farewel and bidding her Adieu See how indulgent she is about tying up his wound and stooping to kisse him whilst her lap is full of blood That old hagg which is next them is Mandrague the Witch who finding them both dead cursed her Art hated all her Daemons tore her hair and extreamly grieved at the death of these two faithful Lovers and her own contentment Look a little further off and see how Cupid weeps his Bow and Arrows broken his Torch extinguished and his eyes swimming in teares for the losse of these two faithfull Lovers Celadon was all this while very attentive unto the discourse of the sage Adamas and often blamed himself for want of courage in not using the same remedy Damon did And because these considerations made him very mute Galathea taking Celadon by the hand and going out of the Grotte she said thus unto him What doe you think Celadon of the effects of Love I doe think said he that the effects of Love are simplicity and folly And it is a popular errour wherewith every one is apt to cover their ignorance or excuse their faults alwaies to attribute those effects unto some Divinity when they do not know the causes Why said the Nymph doe you think there is no Love If there be replyed the Shepheard it must be nothing but sweetness But bee it what it will Madam you speak of it unto one that is the most ignorant person that lives For besides my qualities which will not permit me to know much my dull capacity renders me incapable Then the said Silvia
so low as men again The truth is since I have been so ill treated by the man whom I most esteemed it would be extream imprudence in me to put my selfe into his hands again who knew not how to make any better use of me Perhaps Thamires would have me again that he might som other time save the life of some friend or kinsman or else courts me now to keep me against Calidon fall sick again But be assured that my own life is much deerer unto me then his life is unto whom you have given me and therefore I have all the reason in the world to look unto my selfe before any other If I did bestow some tears at thy departure Thamires I will laugh at your return Oh how liberall you are to give away that which is anothers But Oh you heavens how just you are since when you saw me offended by these two Shepheards and knowing my innocency you would vouchsafe to take me into your protection and have revenged my quarrell even by my enemies themselves What displeasure does this perfideous man receive even from him unto whom he hath given me And what torments does this importunate persecutor of my rest receive even from him who gave him all the right he has to pretend unto me What lesse can be expected upon them than divine vengeance And I make no question Madam but you will ratifie the doom of heaven and give sentence on my side Thus Celidea ended and by making an humble reverence unto the Nymph did shew that she had no more to say And therefore Leonida commanded Thamires to give his reasons so as he began thus The Answer of the Shepheard Thamires I Perceive great Nymph it happens to me as unto him that made a sword for one who thrust it into his heart for I that educated this Shepheard and Shepheardesse with as much indulgent care as was possible I that taught them to speak and how to live in the world yet these two do wound me to the very heart and soul so as I have no hopes left but in your favourable judgment It seemes they make me the very Butt of their ingratitude and would have me bear all their own faults but though these aspersions do deeply wound me yet I had rather be the offended then the offending party And truly I am naturally such a deadly hater of ingratitude which is the bane of all humane society that I had rather receive the blow from the hand of another then give it Perhaps by acknowledging the faults which you both have committed you will be ashamed and repent of the wrongs you have done me in requitall of all my indulgency towards you And then all your gilded language which you have employed to my ruine will be a shame unto your selves since I do still love you both and since my affection is yet much above all the injuries you have done me Now my children I doe pardon you and passe by the follies of your youth but then I do expect you should confesse your faults and acknowledge my favours and that you doe confesse a lesse affection than mine could never pardon such ingratitude I perceive Madam that I doe speake unto deafe ears and spend my advice upon stones which hear me not I have hither to applied the most milde medicines to see if sweetnesse would cure them but since Lenitives will not doe Corrosives must and since they continue still obstinate I must pursue them with Fire and Sword These are the most substantial reasons which Calidon hath alleadged You have given Celidea unto me and you are obliged unto it by the confidence which my Father did put in you by the affection which you professed unto me and by your hopes of obliging me And you have offended me much more in offering to take her from me after the gift of her than if you had at the first denyed her unto me This great Nymph is all he hath said with such a huge flourish of words both against mee against himselfe and against reason Ungratefull Shepheard wilt thou thus trample upon my goodness and indulging over thee You say that I did give Celidea unto you and why I beseech you did I give her was it was because I was weary of her or onely to please you No no say you it was only to save my life Well then you must confesse you owe your life unto me and are you not extreamly ungratefull in offering to take his life away that preserved yours If I did give her unto you onely to save your life what wrong is it to aske her againe now your life is saved and you well But haply you will say that though you are recovered yet it was onely in hopes that Celidea should remaine with you what though you have recovered your health since now you are not in any danger Courtesie and discretion teacheth us that when in cases of necessity wee make use of any thing which is our friends we should restore it with the interest of thanks It seems you are very farre from so much courtesie and discretion since when I gave you some hopes of Celideas favour and gave you thereby your life now you are recovered you would take her and them for your own and endeavour by glosing language to cover your ingratitude But Madam perhaps he wil say that if I do take her from him he shall fall into the same danger he was before No great Nymph you see by experience that now he is assured Celidea will never be his he onely grows a little more melancholly but his life is not at all in danger and therefore to save his life being the reason of my act and not the satisfying of his pleasure since his life is saved I may without offence take her back unto my self But admit his life were at the stake would not my life be the same For should I bee deprived of this fair one death would be more certain unto me than life Judge Madam I beseech you whether I ought not to have a greater care of my self than him If he conceive that I ought to yeeld Celidea unto him to save his life because his Father loved mee and recommended him unto me why does he not as well conceive himself obliged to yeeld her unto me since my life is as well concerned and that upon the very same consideration of amity which his Father professed unto me Is it not his duty to have as great a care of my life as I had of his He knows ungrateful man that he is I cannot live if I be denyed her and is he not extreamly ungratefull if he doe deny her unto me Is hee not unworthy the title of Son unto him that hath so much loved him Can he think that because I loved him therefore I am obliged to part from the thing which is most of all the world dear unto me Is he not unworthy the name of Kinsman since he does not value
the night did possesse them with fears they laid themselves close upon an heap Diana being next Mandonthe did ask her what fortune brought her into that Country Wise Diana answered she the story of it is both too long and too tedious let this I beseech you serve for all that the same Love that is so Regent in your Villages hath as great a Soveraignty over Ladies and Knights and it is it which brought me hither into this state although my quality hath raised me above it If it be only your fears of being tedious to us said Phillis I dare undertake for all the Company that this objection ought not to hinder you from giving us a relation of it for we have all longed to have the satisfaction from you And I conceive no time more convenient than now since we are without the hearing of any shepheard The reason said Diana why I in particular do desire it is because those who see us assunder do say that we resemble one another very much so as me-thinks I am as much concerned in your fortune as my own and obliged to enquire after it It would be great glory unto me said Madonthe to resemble such a Beauty as yours but I wish for your tranquillities sake that your fortunes may never resemble mine I am much obliged unto you said Diana for your good will but every one hath their own loads and knowes best where the shoe doth pinch them and others are not concerned further then by way of compassion Therefore I beseech you give satisfaction unto our request Then I beseech you give me leave said Mandonthe to speak in a low voice that the shepheards who are neer us may not hear for I should be extreamly ashamed they should be witnesses of my errours especially Thersander for some reasons which you shall understand by the sequell of my discourse Then she began in this manner The History of Damon and Mandonthe IT is best for me wise and discreet Company to relate the story of my life unto you by night that darknesse may shadow my shame in relating my follies for so must I praise those occasions which made me quit the quality unto which I was born and assume this in which you see me For though I am now in this habit with a sheep-hook in my hand yet I am no shepheardesse but descended from Parents more noble My Father following the fortunes of Thierres had gotten such reputation of a Souldier that in his absence he commanded all his Armies not because he was a Visigot as he was but because he had great authority among the Aquitains This King did so love and honour him that he was obliged to dedicate himselfe wholly unto him in whose service besides the Estate which he inherited from his Ancestors he so enlarged his possessions as there was none in all Aquitain that could vie with him in riches Having lived thus many years his greatest griefe was that he had no other Child but me And though his death was suddain yet it was with so much honour as I hold it to be the best piece of his fortune For after he had raised the Siege of Orleans and pursued Attiles as far as the Cathalaunique Country Thierres Merovea and Etius gave him Battle As fortune was my Father fought that day upon the right hand of his King who had the left Wing and Merovea the Right and almost the whole strength of Attiles was upon Thierres side After a long fight the King of the Visigots was killed and my Father also who after he had received a hundred wounds was found upon the body of his King to defend whom he received those blowes which were made at him which Torrismond his Successor and Son did take so well as he buried his Father and mine both in one Tomb and after the Battle was won engraved most honourable Inscriptions to his eternall memory When my Father dyed I was about seven or eight years of age and began then to resent the rigours of Fortune For Leontidas who succeeded my Father in his Charge and whom Torrismond loved above all the Cavaliers in Aquitain did use such artifice as I was committed unto his Guardianship and almost ravished from my own Mother under a pretence which they called Reason of State saying that having such great possessions and so many places of strength he would see that I married my selfe unto such a one as was very well affected unto the service of Torrismond Thus was I deprived both of Father and Mother the one by death the other by reason of State Yet Fortune was so favourable unto me in the honesty and sweetnesse of Leontidas that I could not desire better offices then those I received from him nor wanted he any thing but the name of a Father But his Wife was of another nature for she used me so cruelly as I may say I could not hate death more then she Now Leontidas his designe was to educate me untill I was at Marriage estate and afterwards to bestow me upon his Nephew whom he intended to adopt his Heir having no Children of his own But constraint being the greatest means to hinder a generous spirit from complacency it hapned so as his Nephew had never any affection unto me nor I to him both of us conceiving our Fortunes so noble as we needed not any additions to make them greater These considerations and some others more secret did hinder our affections unto one another But when I came unto age of more discretion I found greater impediments then these For the Courtship of many young Gallants who addressed themselves with abundance of honour and respect made me think the faint and hollow love of Leontidas his Nephew did dishonour me On the other side he being vexed that I should so sleight him he retreated so as I never saw him but as a stranger of which I was not a little glad And though the respect which every one did bear unto Leontidas by reason of the extraordinary favours which Torrismond shewed him did stave off many from openly declaring themselves yet there was a Cavalier a neer Kinsman unto Leontidas who notwithstanding all those considerations did undertake to serve me though he had but small hopes to obtain At the first he had no designe to embarque himselfe in good earnest but only to keep himselfe out of idlenesse and to make it appear he had both merit and courage enough to love and court the love of her that was esteemed the highest Match in all the Court When this young Gallant began to serve me he was a man without any respect violent and quick and so couragious that the praise of Temerity was more his due than that of Valiant But since Love took him into discipline he changed all his imperfections into so many Vertues and made him so amiable as since he is grown the very pattern of civility and gallantry unto all the Cavaliers of Torrismond His
wounded and I could not chuse but cell him that I thought it more necessary to seek out a good Chirurgion to dresse his wounds He answered me we shall finde one presently Halladine never fear it I thought he had said true and believed him following him still with abundance of pitty for he had lost a great abundance of blood At last he came to the banks of the River Garrone and to a place where there was such a Precipice as was a terrour to look down Being come unto this place he would light from his Horse but he was so weak with the losse of so much blood as I must needs help him to alight Then leaning his back against the Rock he pulled a Paper out of his pocket and holding it in his hand said unto me This Letter is directed unto the fair Mandonthe be sure you give it unto her Then pulling out the Ring which he took from Thersander Give her this also said he unto me and assure her from me that death is very welcome to me since I have given a testimony that I did deserve it better then he unto whom she gave it and since my sword hath sent him out of the world whom she thought so worthy of it conjure her by her own merits and the affection she once vowed unto me that she never bestow it hereafter upon one whose Love is dishonourable to her and who could no better keep it I took the Letter and the Ring which he gave me but seeing he had not strength enough to sustain himselfe and that he grew very pale I took him under the arme bad him be of good heart and not thus be a murderer of himselfe And pulling out my handkerchiefe I would have stopped that wound which bled the most But he taking it hastily out of my hand Stay stay Hallidane said he never think of living now I am out of Mandonthe's favour Then holding my handkerchiefe under his wound be received the blood as it ran out and when it was almost full he held it to me and spoke these words Make it appear Halladine upon this last occasion that my love to thee and my choice of thee for thy fidelity was deserved And as soon as I am dead carry this Letter and this Ring unto Madonthe and this handkerchiefe full of blood unto Leriana and tell her that since she could never be satisfied with doing me hurt as long as I lived I have sent her this blood to stop her insatiable malice Oh Sir said I unto him shall I live to see you die for any woman living Rather command me to sheath my sword in their hearts and to let them know they are not worthy to use such a noble Cavalier in this manner But see the height and strength of his affection though he was in such a pittifull weak condition that he could hardly speak all he was able to do was to lean against the Rock yet when he heard me utter these words he started up in fury took his sword in his hand and doubtlesse had killed me had I not saved my selfe by nimblenesse And seeing he could not reach me Away away thou wicked and disloyall Servant cryed he out darest thou speak so irreverently of the most deserving Woman in the whole Universe If I live thou shalT die by no other hand but mine Then finding extream feeblenesse to seize upon him he endeavoured to get near the point of the Rock You do lose this day Oh fairest Madonthe said he him whose affection is onely worthy of your merits Then Oh heavens he leaned over the Rock to throw himselfe down and was almost quite gone when I suddenly took hold of his Helmet but his weight and the terrour of the Precipice was more likely to pull me after him than I to pull him out of it and I must confesse that fear of death made me let go my hold to save my own life I ran to the bottom of this Precipice fetching a great compasse round about in hopes to finde him there swimming down the stream But alas I could never see nor ever finde more of the body of my poor Master When I had done all I could and all in vain I thought it my last duty to fulfill his last commands and therefore I came hither It is to you Madam said he that this Letter and this Ring is dueâ— and though they be sprinkled with his blood yet be not afraid to take them for it is the most noble and generous blood that ever came out of a man And this is thy due said he to Leriana and gave her his handkerchief full of blood take it and glut thy damned rage and be sure that if the gods be just they will shoure vengeance upon thee Upon this word he threw the handkerchiefe at her seet and beginning to cry he went away in a sad and desperate sury and would not give one word more I need not tell you how this message went to my heart I cannot if I would expresse my sad apprehensions I was so quite past my selfe as they carried me to my Chamber and as fortune was I met those that brought Thersander who was not quite dead When I was come to my selfe again and my spirits a little better setled I cast my eye upon the Ring which Halladine brought me I took it to be the same I did ordinarily wear and comparing them together I found no difference but that it was a little newer and bigger I could not imagine why they should be made so just alike nor who gave it unto Thersander At last I read the Letter and found it to be thus written Damon's Letter unto Madonthe MADAM SInce Leriana's malice is more predominant in you than my true affection and hath caused you in lieu of being favourable unto me to cast your eye upon a person who is so much unworthy of you and to confirm your good acceptance of him by the gift of a Ring I am resolved to make it appear by Armes that he upon whom you confer these favours is not able to preserve them against him whom you have so unjustly refused And that if either Valour or affection can merit them none can pretend unto them more then my selfe Yet conceiving my selfe not worthy to live and love one that can disdain me for a man of such mean merit and valour if the fate of Armes do favour me as I do not doubt but they will I promise you that the sight of me shall never make you desire any revenge for taking away from you your dear Thersander if either Sword or Water or Fire can give death to a most miserable man These expressions so full of extream transport did make a most strange wound in my soul such an odd stupification of sorrow seized upon me as I cannot tell you what I either said or did So it was that being got to bed I lost my witts thinking alwaies that Damon followed me and the
handkerchiefe of blood was still before my eyes so as it was no more then requisite I should have one alwaies by me to add some consolation Leriana who thought that I was ignorant of all her wicked devices would needs be with me as usuall and the better to dissemble it came crying to my bed-side But as soon as ever I saw her I must confesse I had not so much power over my selfe as to dissemble my hatred of her and indeed I thought it in vain since Damon was dead Away away most wicked and perfidious wretch said I unto her away thou very Pest of all human society come not near me with thy damned and hellish tricks had I as much strength as will I would strangle thee with my own hands and tear thy heart in pieces Those who were in the Chamber being ignorant of the cause I had for these expressions were infinitely astonished at them But she who had the readiest wit in her wickednesse of any that ever breathed went from me holding up her hands and eyes and told them that to hee great griefe I was mad and quite out of my wits which they easily believed having heard me utter some odd expressions and thus she went out of my Chamber with this excuse In the mean while Thersander recovered for his wounds were not mortall and the losse of blood only was the cause of his sounding Presently after I also began to be my selfe again and to enquire what reports went of me at Court I understood that every one talked according to their severall fancies but that all in generall blamed me for the death of Damon and how every one thought that Leriana had told many a tale unto Leontidas and his Wife and at the same time I saw Thersander come into my Chamber The very sight of him made me start and having no minde to speak with him when he fell down upon his knees at my beds side I turned my head the other way 'T is very true Madam said he you have no reason to look upon a man who of all men in the world is the most unworthy of your aspect for I must needs confesse I merit that lesse then any man that lives since I have given you so much cause to hate me But if your goodnesse will be pleased to daigne me a hearing perhaps you will not deem me so culpable as now you do And because I answered him very sharply and would not give him leave to speak my Nurse who was with me took his part and told me that I ought to hear him for if he were not in fault I had no reason to treat him so and if he were in fault then I might after a hearing with more reason banish him my presence Well well said I what do you think he will or can alledge I know as well as he he will say that the affection he bears unto me hath forced him to do what he did But what have I to do with his affection if it be so prejudiciall to me I shall not Madam said he unto me insist only upon that affection you speak of though perhaps to any other that might be a better plea and excuse as you think it but I shall go further and tell you that never any were so perniciously subtlely consened as you and I have been by Leriana And hereupon he told the whole story of her jugling artifice how she infused so much confidence into him as to look upon me to speak unto me to aspire unto my favour how she puffed him up by reports unto him of favours from me what stratagems she invented against Damon how she made the world believe he loved Ormanthe how she instructed silly Ormanthe for that purpose and how she gave him a Ring from me which he conceived to be the cause of the quarrell betwixt Damon and him Now Madam said he and continued do you think it possible but that such hopes as she infused into me should swell the most prudent soul that ever was Alas I dare not so much as wish so great a happiness but me-thinks I may in reason be excused since I was meerly drawn in and possed up with vain hopes by the artifice of Leriana with whose persidie I thought fit to acquaint you that you may hereafter beware of her and her wicked devices with which she has cheated both you and me Then he let me understand how this wicked woman seeing she could no longer deceive me and him and being also reprehended by Leontidas and his Wife for having so little care of me she to excuse her selfe had told them all that her subtle imagination could devise against us how I was in love and how I was loved by many and so many as she could hardly number them and amongst those whom she named Damon and Thersander were not forgotten At which Leontidas was so angry and his Wife more both against me and against him as he thought it fit to acquaint me with it to the end I might take the best course I could And lastly he made such humble supplications that I would pardon him for daring to love me and such serious protestations to live for the future as he ought that I was constrained by the intreaties of my Nurse to pardon him But now wise Shepheardesses I shall acquaint you with one of the greatest villanies that ever was invented against an innocent person I told you before how Ormanthe by Leriana's command was extreamly fond of Damon and you must know that she was not so ill favoured nor so disgusted but her kindnesses to him were well accepted so as she proved to be with Child The poor silly Wench presently acquainted her crafty Aunt with it who at the first was much astonished and offended at it but afterwards having recourse to her accustomed subtlety she plotted and intended to make use of this occasion to make Damon believe that I had this Child by Thersander and therefore she expresly charged Ormanthe to tell no body of it in the world and afterwards because her belly began to swell she taught her how to dresse her selfe that it might best deceive the worlds notice But when Damon was dead and that all things were changed yet she resolved to pursue her plot and make use of it to my ruine and thus she went to work Since this sad accident of Damon I kept my bed almost continually unlesse in the afternoones I rose and shut my selfe up in my Closet and there stayed till nine or ten of the clock at night entertaining my own melancholly thoughts alone and none knew where I was except my Nurse and some Maides that waited upon me whom I had charged to tell none in the world where I was And because it might be thought strange I never went to the Queen if it were known I was not sick I faigned my selfe to be so and to deceive the Physicians I did not complain of a Feavour or any
the Nymph after she had heard him with admiration that Celadon does love if to love be to be out of his wits and to live only upon bare thoughts Alas I cannot chuse but think his condition extreamly miserable in finding such contentments in such vain imaginations and Chimeraes and I am so far from thinking them felicities as my opinion of the contrary is much fortified But Shepheard let us leave this discourse since I see it will do you no good and tell me how you have lived since I left you Wise Nymph answered Celadon as I have lived since you met me so have I lived since I parted from you for as soon as ever I left you I shut my selfe up in this place expecting untill either Love or Death released me But why Celadon said she do you not go unto your own Town where your friends and kindred do so much grieve for you Astrea said he who has a far greater power over me than either any Parents or friends hath forbidden me ever to see her untill she command and therefore as I told you I have shut my selfe up in this Cell untill either Love or Death release me But if my adored Shepheardesse had commanded me never to see her again doubtlesse I had shut my selfe up in my grave with death And as soon as I came to my selfe again after my fall into the River I knew that Lignon would not give me a death because she did not peremptorily command it but remembering her words and that her banishment of me was not for ever only untill she commanded me to return I have lived in this manner as you see expecting till Love recall me as it seemes she hath promised or else untill death do it for her which shall be welcome unto me in this life which I live But poor deceived shepheard replyed the Nymph how can you ever hope she should recall you as long as she is ignorant where you are Love answered he which conducted me hither knowes the place well enough where I am and does daily visit me and since it is by it that I do hope she will recall me there is no doubt but it will without me let her know the place unto which it hath conducted me If your imaginations replyed the Nymph had an influence upon others as they have upon your selfe all this you say might perhaps be but believe it shepheard the gods will never help those who will not help themselves and do not think that I speak without good reason for I am very certain that if Astrea did know you were alive she would passionately desire your company How fair Nymph said he presently do you know that I know it said she by that sadnesse which sits in her face Perhaps said the shepheard that proceeds from some other cause But where have you seen her since we parted I shall be very glad said she to entertain you with a discourse upon this subject and to relate unto you all that hath hapned since we parted so I can but by it cheer you a little up and rouse you out of this dull kinde of life Believe it said Celadon that the sight of you does bring me more content then any thing in the world could except Astrea and since I am deprived of her your discourse will be very pleasing unto me Then Leonida began thus The History of Galathea SInce Celadon you do desire to know how I have lived since I parted from you which is some fifteen or sixteen daies since I will very willingly make a relation of it unto you upon a condition that if you be weary with the length of the discourse we may break it off and finish it another time when any convenient opportunity shall present it selfe Know therefore that in my return from conducting you I came into the Palace of Issoures at the same time when Amasis was taking Coach to go unto Marcelies and carrying Galathea with her because being desirous to render thanks unto Hesius for the happy successe of her Son Clidaman which he had in the Battle against the Neustrians she would by all means have Galathea with her purposely to render the solemnity more celebrated And because retardment in such actions as these does in some sort resemble oblivion and oblivion ingratitude she departed so soon that she scarcely gave the Nymph time to tell us what we should do with you and though she was extreamly troubled at it yet she durst not let it appear lest Amasis should take notice of it who alwaies held her by the hand not out of any suspition but only the more to carrasse her she being thus constrained to go with her into the Coach all that she could do was to say thus unto me You Silvia and Lucinde come after us in my Coach and follow us with all the haste you can I made a low reverence and shewed by my actions that I did understand what she said but I did not intend to obey her because my aimes were only upon you And though I did well enough foresee her anger yet I preferred the good office which I intended to you above it chusing rather to fail in my duty to that Nymph then in my affection to you However faigning as if my going out were in obedience to my Uncle I met Silvia who was in quest of me and I told her how you was escaped whilst none took any notice of you But I was never in all my life so surprised as when in my return from you I met Amasis and Galathea as they were taking Coach for I had been utterly undone if they had spied me out of the dores But I did addresse my selfe unto my Uncle and Silvia Father said I unto him and smiled and you my dear Companion you must needs both of you help me out in this businesse Daughter answered Adamas never fear any blame for what you have done as long as it is but what you ought to do nor ever grieve upon such occasions the gods upon whom all events depend are so just as they will ever bear you out and if at any time the contrary seem to happen take speciall notice Daughter that it is to redouble the contentment and as if they hapned only to augment your joyes And because it is very expedient you endeavour to preserve your selfe in the favour of your Mistresse Silvia shall testifie that you did not any thing but what she knowes of very well and to make the matter more easie for you I am contented that you shall both of you have some suspition of me for I shall not be sorry that he should think that I do hate any thing which is contrary unto vertue and I would permit you to charge me down-right with the act but that it is necessary I should be something in her esteem only to draw her off from those foolish and false imaginations which Climanthes hath infused into her With such discourse as
adieu for ever adieu may thy soul rest and the earth be light upon thee The Nymph Leonida did the like strewing Flowers upon the Tomb though she knew well enough he was not dead Paris followed her and all the shepheards and shepheardesses in a file after him Whilst the Druides Daughters were singing this sad Hymne and lamenting the loss of this shepheard every one according to the custome told what they knew of his life and actions how generally he was loved how he honoured his Father and Mother how affectionate he was unto all his Kindred how often he had vanquished all those that contentended with him at any Exercise usuall amongst shepheards and how every one lamented his untimely death as a great loss unto all the Country It was well for Astrea that all these shepheards and shepheardesses went about Celadon's Tombe in a confused order and bad eternall adieu unto him for had she gone by her selfe alone she had given them all a knowledge of her sorrowes which being amongst others did not at all appear Now all these Ceremonies being performed there remained no more but the erecting this Pole in resemblance of a Columne intimating the place where Celadon dyed which the Priest not knowing Astrea was to inform him which was no small renewing of her sorrowes this Column then being erected there remained no more then to fix upon it Celadon's Epitaph which Silvander had writ in a Table which the Priest had brought for Hylas was not yet returned from fetching the Inke and Pen from the Temple of the goddess Astrea The Epitaph and Inscription which Silvandar writ was this To the Eternall memory of the most beloved Shepheard about the River Lignon Love that had imprudently been a cause of CELADON 's death hath payed his repentant tears broke his Bow and Arrowes and extinguished his Torch Full of sorrowes and lamentation for so sad a losse he leaves them upon his Tombe as an eternall testimony of his tears who having lost so amiable a Subject will never imploy his Arrowes and his Torch again in vain Every one applauded the Genius of Silvander especially Astrea and Diana conceiving that had he known their mindes he could not have composed a better Epitaph When all their lamentations were ended Leonida took Chrisante by her hand and went with her out of the Wood all the Company following them And it seemes Diana had forgotten Palemon's request when Adrastes and he beseeched her to move Leonida and Chrisante unto a hearing of their complaints and to judge as they thought reasonable Diana therefore addressed her selfe unto Leonida Great Nymph said she a little before your comming these shepheards offended against this shepheardess would have referred their differences unto me but I advised them to stay untill this ceremony was ended and then to address themselves unto you and the wise Chrisantes if you would be pleased to take so much paines as to hear them assuring my selfe that the judgment which you two should give would be so just as they would willingly be concluded by it The Nymph who was all civility did lend a willing eare unto this shepheardess and these two shepheards Chrisante did the like and when she offered to speak Palemon and Adrastes falling upon their knees said thus unto her If any Lovers ever merited any pitty upon their paines believe it Madam these two are they that may best claime it so as you do an act worthy of your selfe if you will be pleased to hear their difference and to ordain not as reason but as love inspires you for it is only from Loves justice and not from any other of the gods that we expect or desire reliefe Truly said the Nymph if you fair shepheardess do think that the venerable Chrisante and my selfe are able to hear and determine your differences we shall be very glad to settle you all in tranquility if we can Doris with a sweet and reverend modesty answered thus Great Nymph these shepheards here will but abuse that favour which you do them in hearing them and do make unto you a supplication which is very disadvantageous unto themselves manifesting that they know not what they ask for if you should be pleased to take so much pains as to hear us you will discover the knavery and infidelity and the soolery and troublesomness of the other However Madam since your goodness does infinitely surpass our follies I will refer unto the judgment of you and the reverent Chrisante upon condition that both they and I be obliged to obey and abide whatsoever you shall doom I do vow said Palemon that I will rather disobey the gods then your commands And I said Adrastes do protest that I will love you as long as I live what doom soever be made to the contrary but I do protest withall by the holy Misleto that if I be doomed to quit you you shall never be troubled with my affection And by this you may know that the affection of my Rivall is inferiour unto mine Adrastes Adrastes said Palemon then you are much mistaken if you think I will obey the doom of this great Nymph if it command lesse then the end of my life so as you intending to live after the sentence and I to die my passion being greater then yours I am superiour to you in true affection Adrastes faintly answered Since you can so absolutely dispose of your life and of your death it argues that you have a power over your selfe But alas my affection is so wholly Mistresse of my will and soul as it will not let me dispose of my selfe so freely as you do If Leonida had not interrupted them they had not so soon ended their dispute so exceedingly desirous they were to shew unto Doris the grandure of their love But the Nymph taking the venerable Chrisante by one hand and Doris by the other Let us said she finde out a place convenient for us to sit down in that we may with more ease hear the reasons which each will alledge Upon this every shepheard took a shepheardess by the hand Tircis Astrea Paris Diana and Silvander seeing his place taken up and observing how Lycidas looked asquint upon Phillis and would not come neer her he resolved to augment his misery since he was without any reason jealous of him and therefore he addressed himselfe unto Phillis and would by all means take her hand But she who observed the eye of Lycidas turned away to avoid him seeming as if she went to call some of her companions But for all that Silvander was resolute and turned as well as she Phillis durst not publickly refuse him lest those who saw her should take it ill and not enduring he should thus follow her she said unto him Do you think Silvander that I am at all obliged unto you for being thus officious about me for want of another Silvander knew very well why she said so but as if he were ignorant he came to her
time we had to be together in free discourse sometimes because of the conveniency of the place we went into yonder Rock which you may see is something neerer us which is hollow and left Lycidas or Phillis as Centinells to advertise us when any passengers came by because being neere a high way we might be heard At one time above the rest we passed over by great stones into this little Isle of Lignon And though we had already taken leave of one another severall times lest we should be surprised for my Father concealed from me the day of my departure yet still we were taking leaves and bidding adieus to the last When we were there and could perceive no body she sat downe upon the ground under a Tree I kneeling before her tooke her hand kissed it washed it with my teares and as soone as I could speake I sayd thus unto her Now my fairest Astrea I must be at a fatall distance from you and will not die because you bid me live but how shall I be able to do it since the very thought of this distance is so intolerable that it is ready to take away my life as oft as I thinke upon you To this she answered nothing but pulled me by the arme and made me sit besides her purposely because I should not see those teares which stood in her eyes and afterwards gushed out And because I expected she should say something I was a while mute she in the meane time wiped her eyes and me thought I heard some imprisoned sighes which she restrained and would not let have a vent lest I should heare them I all this while considering in silence my future fatall misery at last spoke thus unto her Alas my Astrea will you not will you not pitty a poore shepheard whose cruell Father and fate will banish him from you She answered me with a deepe sigh Can you have any memorie Sonne of my past life and make any doubt but that I shall most sadly resent any thing that shall displease you Beleeve it Celadon I will make it apparent that I do love you and shall give cleerer testimonies of it I raised my selfe up to see what testimony this would be that she would give me of her affection but she turned her head the other way and with her fair hand pushed me into the place where I sat before to the end I should not see her teares of which she was in point of honour ashamed Perhaps said Leonide it was her lofty spirit which would not let any know that Love could conquer her Whatsoever it was said Alexis she made it evident unto me that she did love me But why my Fairest Astrea said I unto her do you not command me to stay with you if my absence be displeasing unto you Can you think that the Command of a Father or any thing upon earth can make me disobey what you ordaine Sonne said she then unto me I had rather die then divert you from your voyage It would be too great an offence both against your duty and my owne honour Do not think I make any doubt of that absolute power which I have over you I judge of you by my selfe whom I am sure neither the power of Father authority of Mother desire of Kindred or salutation of Friends shall ever make me do any thing against that affection which my heart has unto you And to the end you may depart from me with some contentment carry this assurance with you I do vow and promise in the presence of all the gods whom I call to witnesse and by this soul which you love so well said she and layd her hand upon her Brest that neither heaven nor earth shall ever make me love any but Celadon nor keep me from loving him eternally Oh most strange Language said Alexis then and sighed strange indeed they should be spoken unto him who since was so out of favour A few dayes after I departed and passed over the affrighting Precipices of the Sebucians Caturgians Bravomecians and Carrocleans as farre as the Seguisians where the very horrour of death did often appeare unto me yet all these were not able to divert me from my thoughts And having passed these I desired to avoyd the dangerous Mountain of Caturiges therefore taking into the Rosne I resolved to go down that Lake whose waves do beat against the ragged Rockes of this hideous Mountaine but alas I found no more comfort by water then by Land but on the contrary was in much greater danger of death by blustering winds and waves dashing us against the Rockes but all this while my thoughts were still the same At the going out of this Lake I crossed through the great wood of Caturiges And after I was past Iseres a River which comes from Centrons I crossed the straight vallyes of Carroclees and Bramovices which conducted me as farre as the Cotian Hills Leonide being very desirous to divert him from his sad thoughts I beseech you said she unto him Relate what you have seene rare in your voyage That answered Alexis would be too long for Italy is the very wonder of the world But I shall relate unto you one very pleasant adventure which I met withall And I beleeve we shall have time enough for it The History of Ursaces and Olimbres BE pleased to know therefore Madam that Alcippes intending to send me far enough from Astrea he commanded me to lay aside the habit of a shepheard that I might be more fit to keepe good company for in those Countryes persons of any quality do all live in great Townes which they call Cittyes where their Pallaces of Marble and magnificence of furniture is able to amaze beholders And none but vile persons and Peasants do live in the Country Yet every one of the Province was extreamly affrighted at the comming of a Barbarian by Sea into Italy who plundered almost all the Province especially Rome I was so extreamly desirous to render my selfe amiable as hoping thereby to make Astrea love me the better as I was strangely swelled with curiosity to learne and enquire of every thing Comming therefore neere the Appennine Hills I heard that there was some Mountaines which burned continually And that I might be the better able to give an account of them at my returne I would needs see them But in my way thither I met with an encounter which gave a stop to my designe For I had not gone up the hills above two thousand paces or two miles as they call them there but I heard a voyce which pittifully lamented and because I had a conceipt that happy it might be some who stood in need of helpe I turned that way as my eare guided me And I had not gone a hundred paces but I spyed a man lying all along upon the ground who not seeing me broke out into these expressions Should I live or should I die amidst so many fatall misfortunes If I
which you have preserved And upon assurance of secresie he continued thus Alexis would have continued her discourse and related all that Vrsaces told her but the comming of Adamas gave a stop unto her for both Leonida and she were constrained to rise and render that honour unto him which was due The sage Druide taking one in one hand and the other in another he began to walk in a Laund which though shaded from the Sun yet had a most delicious prospect towards the Wood of Issoures And whilst they were discoursing upon severall subjects one came to acquaint them that Silvia was arrived and already entred into the house Alexis was very shie and would not be seen lest she should be known but considering how willing that Nymph was to help her out of the Palace of Issoures she hoped she was not changed Yet Adamas had no minde that Silvia should see her fearing lest the young years of that Nymph and the favours which she lately received from Galathea should make her speak more then she should he would have kept the matter so close that if he could he would have kept it from his very selfe Therefore he commanded Leonida to go unto her Companion but be sure that if she desired to see Alexis to tell her that they were busie together concerning their Offices and that she being to return very shortly unto Carnutes and finish out her terme she would not be seen but as little as possibly she could So Leonida thus instructed went to Silvia who when they met kissed and embraced each other as if they had not met of seven years before After these first complements Silvia told her Companion that the Country had not a jot blasted the fresh complexion of her cheek And Leonida in requitall told her The Court Beauties were alwaies above the Country Complexions as plainly appeared by comparing theirs together Afterwards Silvia said thus unto her The sequell of the History of Lindamor THough Sister I had no businesse to invite me unto a visit yet my desires of seeing you are invitations sufficient But I must tell you that at this time that desire was not only my conductor but also some businesse I would impart unto you and if you think good unto Adamas also a business which I thought fit to let you know because Galathea and we may receive much contentment or much displeasure by the result of it Know therefore Sister that Flurial is returned from the place whither you sent him and hath brought Letters from Lindamor and wondred much not to finde you at Marcelles and would have come hither but Galathea took notice that he talked unto me and suspecting that you sent him to me for she knew of the journey which you had commanded him to make she called him to her asked him from whence he came and what was his businesse to me He thinking he had don well without concealing any thing answered her that he came from Lindamor and presently shewed her some Letters which he had She asking who sent him that voyage He answered that it was you since we were at the Palace of Issoures Galathea then turning towards me and shaking her head Do you see said she what humour your Companion is of And refusing the Letters she commanded him to give them unto me to send unto you Afterwards she went into her Chamber and commanded me to follow her This was the reason that I could not say any thing unto Fluriall but only taking his Letters I bad him stay there till I had done talking with the Nymph What do you think of your Companion said she unto me is she not fully resolved to do me all the mischiefe she can Madam said I unto her I cannot tell what to say unto it she must be talked with to know what her businesse and designe was I know it replyed she better then she will tell you for she will not confesse unto you the truth she has acquainted Lindamor with my love unto Celadon Can it be possible Madam answered I that she should take so much pains as to write that newes so far and by such a dangerous way See what is in Lindamors Letters said she unto me and I believe you will finde that I do not lie Then taking the Letters out of my hand she broke open the Seales and read them The first was directed unto you and having brought them you may read them Then putting her hand into her pocket she pulled them out and gave Leonida that Letter which was directed unto her which was in these terme Lindamor's Letter unto Leonida IT seemes you conceive my presence to be requisite and I think the like but in a different manner then as you expect Doubtlesse it is requisite two waies The one to bring me out of this miserable life wherein I am it being impossible for me to live and see such an alteration in my Lady And the other in taking revenge upon him that is the cause of my misery I vow by all the gods that the blood of this perfidious Rivall is the only satisfaction I can take for so great an offence I shall to these ends come to you within the compass of that time which the bearer hereof will tell you In the interim if you think it convenient let my Lady see the Letter which I have writ unto her importing that the end of my life and the death of that Villain shall testifie unto her that I cannot live without a fulfilling of her promise nor die till I have taken revenge See said Galathea unto me continued Silvia what I alwaies most feared The imprudence of Leonida or rather her malice is so great that she has told Lindamor of my affection unto Celadon and this report is the cause that he will come and kill him I had rather die then that shepheard should receive the least harm for my sake Alas how easily may hee do it since the poor shepheard never thinks upon it nor has any Armes but his sheephook Can there be a more pernicious malice then hers in procuring his death who never displeased her I believe rather it is rage for she loves him and because he sleights her she will be revenged Madam answered I I cannot believe that my Companion has committed this fault though perhaps she may as great for upon reading of Lindamor's Letter I cannot think he speaks of Celadon but Polemas for why should he phrase Celadon perfidious And why not Celadon replyed she presently as well as Polemas Because Madam said I unto her she has acquainted Lindamor with the Artifice which Polemas practised with the false and counterfeit Druide And why Silvia said she unto me do you yet believe that Leonida told you or Lindamor truly concerning that Druide Do you not know that it was meerly a device of her own pernicious invention to make me cast off Celadon that she her selfe might solely enjoy him Now let me tell you if you
wronged her the best way was to refer revenge unto Hesius who had power to do it That if she did her selfe take revenge it was to be feared that she unto whom it was done would pay her back double in her owne coyne To be briefe she used all possible arguments and perswasions to divert her from this designe But Celidea whose designe was different from what she made appear did still resolutely persist in her request telling the woman that she upon whom she would be revenged was not a person that could revenge again besides it should be carried so secretly as she should never know from whence it proceeded therefore conjured her in all love to satisfie her request protesting that if she did not she would cause her to attempt something that was much worse The good woman answered that she should be very sorry to be a cause of any worse accident therefore within two or three daies she would give her an answer Do not fail me then said Celidea for if you do you will be the cause of a far greater mischiefe The terme being expired which this good woman took only to passe on time she desired a longer But Celidea who knew that this was only delay yet she seemed to believe her whilst in the interim she would take the best way she could to accomplish her designe setting a face of beliefe in the good old woman upon it lest she should discover her intention unto Cleontine Celidea then seeking out for any way to dissigure her selfe as ill luck was she came in the morning unto Cleontine's Chamber when she was in bed and because Cleontine was accustomed to wear a pointed Diamond upon her finger as a token that she was dedicated unto Theutates as you know Madam it is the custome of all our Druides she used every night when she went into bed to put it off and to take it again in the morning So it hapned that Celidea taking up this Ring she put it upon her finger and from one to another trying which it would best fit perhaps not thinking what she did which Cleontine perceiving Daughter said she are you willing to wear that Ring upon the same conditions that I do If I were able answered Celidea there is nothing in the world I should more desire How then can you think said Cleontine to satisfie both Thamires and Calidon as you have promised That answered she would be the best remedy of all others for they are so religiously disposed as if I were once dedicated unto Theutates neither of them would offer to have me out again Love said Cleontine is above either duty of religion But pray Daughter tell me which way do you think to give them both satisfaction for truly I cannot understand which way you can do it For in the first place you are Wife unto Thamires therefore if you would you cannot dedicate your selfe unto Theutates without his leave But suppose you were a Druide do you think that would content them both No surely but rather discontent them both since then both are deprived of you Mother answered Celidea the great gods will doubtlesse inspire me with some way or other and by their aide I do not doubt but I shall effect it for in them I put my whole trust Daughter said Cleontine the gods do never fail those that trust in them and therefore since you make them your confidence I shall believe you may bring it to passe Cleontine would have continued on her discourse but Celidea by accident did give her hand such a scratch with the Diamond that she cryed out at which Cleontine starting What have you done said she have you cut your selfe with the Diamond A small scratch answered Celidea though the pain of it did make me cry out You think it small said Cleontine but you are deceived for the mark will never out and the cut is very hard to be healed Then looking into her hand and seeing it much scratched Believe it Celidea said she you have a mark as long as you live and had it been upon your face it had been quite spoiled How said Celidea is a Diamond so venomous The mark of it said Cleontine will never out and that 's the reason why I leave it off every night when I go to bed Oh! how glad was this young shepheardesse when she heard of this secret she thought that the gods had purposely taught it her to accomplish her designe I shall now acquaint you Madam with the strange resolution of this young woman It was already five or six daies since Thamires received his hurt and his wound not being dangerous he recovered so fast that he began to go out of his Chamber Calidon and Thamires both did summon Celidea to the performance of her promise She with a smiling brow told them That tomorrow she would give them both content At night when her Aunt was in bed she stole her Ring and when she came into her Chamber she caused all to go to bed and shut the dore Then she set her selfe down by a Table upon which stood a Glasse in which against all Festivalls she was wont to dresse her selfe As soon as ever she saw her fair face in it Oh Mirrour said she with whom I was wont to consult with so much care and circumspection how to adorn this face How different is the occasion now that makes me take thy counsell I was wont by thy advice to make my selfe more fair but now I come to know how I shall blast this beauty which was formerly so deer unto me Upon this opening the Glasse and seeing her face all swell'd with tears Oh eyes said she you were not human did you not lament the losse of that beauty which heretofore did swell you with so much delight Afterwards being silent a while and considering particularly her beauty her grace the just proportion of her parts the lively and sweet lustre of her eyes the freshnesse of her rosie complexion the composure of her mouth and briefly all the pleasing parts of her face I know very well said she Oh my most precious and dearly loved treasures how valuable you are but alas what are you worth unto me if I cannot enjoy any contentment in preserving you I have formerly esteemed this beauty as my highest and richest jewell I know how much I have been courted for your sake but when I shall charge you before the Throne of Reason to have been the cause of all the torments I have endured when I blame you for the dissention that is betwixt the Uncle and the Nephew nay when I charge you as guilty of their blood and ruine nay more perhaps of their death what can you say in your own defence what reasons can you alledge why I should still retain and preserve you Perhaps you will say that it is a very sweet thing to be fair but tell me how bitter are those effects which that sweet doth produce and how
company of all your shepheards and shepheardesses and not hear how you are a servant unto Phillis and how after a long continued service you are at the last growne jealous of Silvander Certainly I should have been of a very dull composition if seeing so compleat a shepheard as Lycidas and loving Phillis as I do I had not enquired of your life If I did seem shepheard as if I were ignorant it was only out of discretion for I do know as much of your affaires as you do almost your selfe and if you will I will tell you such particulars as shall make you confesse it Lycidas hearing her say so he was extreamly confused and thought that all her knowledge came from Astrea and Phillis I perceive said he that you are acquainted with my follies and that things are not so secretly carried as I wish they were But to make it appear that I am as much your servant as your Informers can be I will tell you more then they could since they are passages which hapned since they had the honour to see you still beseeching you to be secret I have so great an esteem answered the Nymph both of the versue of Phillis and of your merits as you may be most certain I shall be secret in any thing that concernes either of you And you may see I can be silent since I was so long before I imparted unto you what I did know But when you told me that Phillis was contented I wondred because I knew her to be much troubled at your faintnesse and jealousie Oh great Nymph said Lycidas and smiled great alterations have been since I had the honour to see you Oh how oft have I been upon my knees Believe it Madam Phillis knowes how to bring me into my senses and can make me know my duty Had I but time to tell you the whole series of the story you should see what abundance of difference there is betwixt a Lover and a Wiseman I do not know any thing replyed the Nymph which I more desire to know and as for leasure you may have time enough since Adamas Phocion and Diamis are entred into discourse for old men will never have an end of their old stories The Nymphs chiefe end in holding him thus in discourse was in consideration of Alexis lest he should take too much observance of her and conceiving the first time to be the most dangerous because when the opinion was once fixed it would better passe afterwards for currant therefore she desired him to proceed Lycidas thinking it would be pleasing unto the Nymph began thus The History of the jealous Lycidas YOu know Madam that the familiar conversation which was between Phillis and Silvander by reason of their striving which should make Diana love them best was the cause of my jealousie A jealousy which I may well say was within a small degree of madnesse Insomuch as I have often wondered how it was possible I should live in that torment The paines of death could not be greater Every houre some accident or other added fresh tortures my eye could not turne itself without findingout some new aggravation of misery And worst of all when I had greatest curiosity to find out the causes of my displeasures Nay my imagination would fancy things so beyond all manner of reason as I wonder how it was possible my judgement should be perverted When she spoke any thing freely unto Silvander Oh how every accent pierced me to the heart When she was silent and did not speake at all I concluded she dissembled when she carrassed me I thought she had a designe to deceive me when she slighted me I said this was a signe of a change in her affection when she shunned Silvander I thought she did so lest I should see her if she applyed her selfe unto him then I thought she was desirous to vexe me and shew how well she was contented in her new affection If she was not at any time sad then I said there was some amorous quarrell fallen out betwixt them To be briefe every thing she did offended me And when there was nothing to ground my displeasure upon I should accuse my judgement for being so simple as not to see their dissimulations How oft have I wisht my selfe no eyes that I could not see neither Silvander nor Phillis But to what purpose would that be said I presently after for though I were blind yet they would love But said I it were much better to lose my love since the thought of it doth thus torment me and ever will till I be in my grave See unto what extremity I was driven since in lieu of loving Phillis I did hate her I could have wished her ugly and yet I should have been very sorry if she had lost the least part of her beauty and handsomnesse And this I found presently at the same time for she having had three or foure fits of an ague which had caused a little alteration in her face I was so displeased at it that she herselfe observed me Living therefore or rather languishing in this manner and almost reduced unto an absolute despaire the gods had pitty upon me One Night Silvander chanced to fall asleep in the wood neere unto the Temple of the good goddesse when he awaked he found a Letter in his hand not knowing how it came Upon his returne he shewed it unto Diana and the shepherdesse Astrea they thought it to be writ by the hand of Celadon and they hoping to heare more of him in the place where this Letter was found they entreated Silvander to conduct them thither When they were there night so surprised them that they were forced to stay there untill it was day During this short time Astrea fell asleep and had such dreames and visions as caused her to think that Celadon was in pain and that his Ghost walked because he had not received the last office of a buriall she therefore resolved to erect an empty Tombe for him but thought it more expedient to be done in the name of Paris then her owne these ceremonies were so long and the shepheardesses so weary that at their return they went into their owne cabins to rest themselves For my part I left them betimes and after I had dined retired my selfe into a thick covert neere the way which conducts to our Towne It is so thick with underwood as though it joyne upon the high way yet it was impossible I should be seen And yet I could plainy see all passengers going or comming After a long entertainment of my owne thoughts sleepe did so surprise me that I did not waken untill the Sun was almost set And intending to retire I would first see whether any were in the medow that I might avoyd meeting with Philis By fortune I espyed Astrea and her who having rested themselves in their Cabins came to walk in the fresh Aire of that place On the other side I saw
she added unto all these which was not inferiour to any of the precedent And gave him two children by his dearest and so highly beloved Placidia the one called Valentinian and the other Honoriques of whom I have been very curious in getting their pictures This peece is Valentian's next unto Eudoxe his wise Daughter unto the Emperour Arcadius And that peece is Honoriques next Attilia who after she married him followed him into Pannonia Now behold Placidia and Constantius at the highest step of their felicity But it seems fortune had onely made truce with this wise Princesse not a lasting peace For when her husband had prepared a formidable army to reduce Spaine entirely unto the Empire he fell sick of a violent disease and a few dayes after dyed All the comforts that this wise Princesse now had was in the lamentations and love of the whole Empire And also in the two Children which her husband had left her whom she educated with all possible care There was at that time a very wise and valiant Captaine in the army whose name was Aetius Sonne unto the great Gaudentius who was slaine in Gaule I must needs confesse that I am very partiall towards him for having made long warre in the neighbor Provinces we never received any harme by him or his Army But on the contrary I have known him so careful for our preservation that indeed all the Gaules are obliged unto him I was therefore very carefull in getting his Picture which I have placed next that of Attilia because it was he who held this scourge of god from the Gauls Observe in his Aquiline nose his Generosity in his large forehead full of wrinkles his Prudence and his quick and sparkling eyes his Vigilance and Celerity Indeed he was one of the most prudent and most valiant men of his time he could foresee things before there was any shadow of appearance unto others he was infinitly courteous and so liberall as in imitation of Alexander he reserved nothing to himselfe but Hope This was he who was made choice of by Honorius to prosecute the Enterprise in Spaine in whom the advice of Placidia had a great stroake But how miserable is the man that lives by the opinion of others for if he have no reputation he is scorned and if he have reputation and do not presently answere that opinion which men have of him he is suspected too light in the ballance And the worst is when he meets with such as have no experience It was the misfortune of this great person who thinking to go into Spaine without any stay in Gaule he was much deceived For finding the Burgundians ready to seize upon the Country of the Heduois and Seguanois and that the Frankes under the conduct of Pharamond their King had passed over the Rhine and would quarter in Gaule he was forced by this at home to make head against them before he passed any further which he did so happily that he sent back the Burgundians to the place from whence they came and forced back the Franks over the Rhine where they stayed yet not without many dangerous skirmishes as you may imagine For the rankes of all the Northerne people are the most hardy and warlick and have a great conformitie with the Gaules both in their Lawes Policies and Religion which argues that formerly theywere all but one people and that the Franks originally were Gaules But however Pharamond went back over the Rhine and by the prudence and valour of Aetius was forced to stay there Now though Aetius was victorious yet was he so much weakned that when he passed into Spain he found himselfe weaker then those he was to undertake for the Vandals fortifying in the Betique under the the conduct of Genserick were growne very puissant The Swedes and Almaines entered into Meridea and there quartered And the Gothes after the Death of Vualius having lost all good will unto the Romane Empire and not contented nor contianing themselves within their limits in Aquitaine they enlarged them in Spain so as what the Romans had was the least part Which constrained this great Captaine seeing his enemies stronger then himselfe to use prudence more then the sword and to make them enemies amongst themselves so as he thought it most expedient to temporize with them till he espied his advantage and to run no hazards in the meane time But Aetius having already chased the Burgundians and the Franks away Honorius expected that as soon as he was arrived in Spain he should presently heare newes of the defeat of the Vandals Swedes Almaines and Goths And seeing the newes was long in comming he suspected him and had an opinion that he was slack in his enterprises This Prince was timerous and having never been in armes he was ignorant in matters of warre So as he knew nothing by sight but measured every thing by the happy success of the great Theodosius and Constantius In so much as mistrusting Aetius he called him back and sent Castinus in his roome This Castinus was a great freind of Aetius And therefore the affaires of the Empire went the better because Aetius gave him the best instructions that he could opening unto him all their designes and the meanes to put them in execution In the mean time he returned to Rome where he gave an account of his actions unto Honorius But finding that the Emperour had some jealousie of him he retired unto his owne house and lived a private person afterwards seeing these jealousies did daily increase and that they would question him for his life he was forced to save himselfe in Pannonia amongst the Hunnes and Gepides And it it was a very prudent consideration which moved him to fly unto them rather then any other For had he gone to the Franks Burgundians Gothes Vissigots or Vandals It might have been said that the Emperor had just cause to suspect him and that he had held a compliancy with them But this could not be said of the Hunnes and Gepides because they were scarcely knowne unto the Romane people Placidia being extreamly angry with her Brother as well for the losse of Aetius as for the bad carriage of every thing else she resolved to retire unto Constantinople to her Nephew Theodosius whither she had gone long before had not Arcadius her Brother lying upon his death bed committed his Sonne Theodosius unto the Protectorship of Isdigerdes King of the Persians Parthians For though he was his friend and confederate yet the people had beene long enemies of the Empire and therefore she did not like that any strangers should have the government of her Nephew Yet Isdigerdes shewed himselfe a very good man in the businesse And because he could not go in person he sent a very great Captain unto Constantinople to govern the person and the state of this young Prince who was then about eight years of age The name of this Parthenian was Antiochus a man who did acquit
himselfe so well of the charge committed unto him as his administration was clear and blamelesse If you will turne your eye that way you may see the Picture of Isdigerdes neer that of Arcadius next him is Theodosius the second and next that his wise and honest Governour Antiochus you may perceive by his physiognomy that he was a downright honest man free from ambition When Theodosius was out of his Guardianship Placidta resolved to go unto him and carry her Children with her Now this prudent Princesse being infinitely beloved and the young Valentinian began to promise great hopes of himselfe many Senators and Knights of Rome preferred their Sons unto his service Placidia was very glad that she could thus oblige the principall Senators of Rome unto her Children amongst the rest Ursaces Son unto a prime Roman Knight I do name him because he did revenge the death of Valentinian Silvander then interrupting the Druide I beseech you Father pardon my interruption If you do mean that Ursaces who killed Maximus there is none in the Company can give you a more particular account of him then my selfe for I being then at the Massilian Schooleâ— fortune his Ship ran ashore where I believe both he and his friend Olimbres had dyed but for the help which I and my Company gave him and afterwards staying untill his ship was trimmed he related unto me the particulars of his life which was hard to be known from any but himselfe That is the very same said Adamas of whom I speak and when you have heard out what I shall tell you concerning the fortune of this wise Princesse I assure my selfe the Company will be very glad to hear a relation of Ursaces from you But to return from whence we left Know that whilst Honorius lived in this manner Aetius lived in Panonia but was not idle for Revenge being the sweetest thoughts of an injured person and being very sensible of the wrong Honorius had done him he studied how to make him repent the unjust usage of him in this manner And being a man whose name and reputation was every where famous he easily perswaded these Barbarians unto what he would representing unto them how easie a matter it was to make attempts against Italy especially by means of that intelligence which he held there and setting them a longing after their Riches and treasures This people who desired nothing more then changing their cold habitation hearing of the fertility and riches in Italy they burned with desire to enter into it When they had raised a vast number of men and were ready to enter it seemes god had some pitty upon the Empire and allaid this storme by the death of Honorius Aetius wishing no ill unto Italy but only unto Honorius hearing newes of his death did presently change designe and told the Barbarians that it was necessary he should go first unto Rome to see how things stood and what Forces they had They presently approved of what he said and promised him all possible reliefe and assistance He returned therefore in confidence of Castinus his friendship with a designe to make himselfe Emperour but finding the faction of Honorius to be very great and standing in fear of a great Captain called Boniface who had the command of the Affrican Forces but much more of the young Emperour Theodosius he thought it better to put it upon one John who was the principall Secretary unto Honorius with whom he ever had good correspondency therefore he made him to take the title of Emperor upon him and under his name ordered and disposed of all things and certainly he shewed a great deal of prudence in it for Theodosius not approving of this John declared Valentinian his cosen-german the Emperour of the West And knowing that the Sword was the best prop of the Scepter he raised a very great Army and sent it into Italy under the conduct of a very experienced Souldier called Artabures and this Souldier made his knowledge in martiall matters very well appear unto Castinus Yet the Sea was so contrary to his designes that a storme cast him upon the coast of Ravenna the rest of his Fleet was dispersed into severall places But Aspar the Son of Artabures who accompanied his Father in this expedition being by fortune not in the same ship when the storm was over and heard of his Fathers fortune he rallied together all the Fleet that possibly he could and landing in the night entred Ravenna with all his Forces through the negligence of the Guardes and when day was come he took John cut off his head immediately and delivered his Father The wise Placidia came to Ravenna with the young Emperour her Son almost at the same time and within a few daies after things succeeded as well as she could wish For Castinus comming out of Spain not knowing of this John's accident he thought to joyne his Forces with those of his friend Aetius and their Emperour and to that end made very long Marches of which Placidia being advertised she sent Artabures to stop his way who met him at Verceill gave him Battle defeated his Army and brought him Prisoner to Ravenna And as if heaven would entirely settle the Empire upon Valentinian Aetius who was at Rome expecting the Forces of Castinus and also from the Hunnes and Gepides he was taken Prisoner by the adherents unto the Faction of Honorius who brought him to Ravenna unto Placidia In this occasion this great Princesse shewed her selfe to be of a most generous and prudent spirit for in lieu of taking revenge upon these two great persons by putting them to death she thought it would be a greater advantage unto Valentinian if she could make them his faithfull Servants As for Castinus she did not much care for him so as perhaps she would have handled him more roughly had it not been in consideration of his friend Aetius whose judgment experience and valour she knew and thought would be very usefull unto her Son by reason of the great reputation he had with the Hunnes and Gepides who at his instigation had made great preparations to enter into Italy and were already upon their March Moreover she considered that Honorius by his suspitions of him had given him just occasion to leave his servicâ—â— and therefore to save himselfe he went amongst those Barbarians whose Forces she feared might infinitely impede the event of her Son's Empire All these things therefore well considered she thought that if she did punish Castinus she should extreamly offend Aetius by reason of the amity betwixt them and therefore in keeping Castinus in safetie she conceived it would keep the other the more unto his duty almost forcing him unto it to save the life of his friend In this resolution she put Castinus a Prisoner into the Hippodrome from whence a few daies after she released him purposely to oblige Aetius the more unto whom in the mean time she gave liberty and in lieu of punishment
so second her promise as her affection was no lesse to me then mine to her At the first I believed her intention was not to go so farre But love in this resembles death for as one cannot dye so one cannot love by halves Now as I was pumping for a good excuse to stay at home the Emperour received inetlligence of a great Army which was marching towards Constantinople This newes invited many to stay who otherwise in point of honour and duty would have gone under the conduct of Artabures who carryed a very great Army by Sea having with him Aspar his Son a very valiant and fortunate Commander as afterwards he made it evidently appeare by taking John in Ravenna and delivering his Father Now though I was not jealous of Valentinian for all Eudoxe's favourable aspect upon him because I knew it was onely to please Theodosius yet I seemed as if I were and seemed to rejoyce very much at his departure I shall not now relate unto you the voyage of Valentinian for I believe you have heard it by many But so it was that after all things were set in good order in the West he returned to Constantinople Where he was received by Theodosius as if he were his Sonne And by the solicitation of Phacidia who stayed in Italy the marriage of the faire Eudoxe was concluded upon It is imposible I should expresse my sad resentments upon this occasion I could not believe it and was so surcharged with feares and sorrow that but for Eudoxe I had not been able to have supported them But she who was wise and prudent though it grieved her to the very soul that she was to be his whom she did not love yet she surmounted her sorrow by resolution And because she saw in what paine I lived she gave me the opportunity of speaking to her in her closset when none was present but Isidore whom she did infinitly love Well my Cavalier said she unto me I see you still doubt of my affection and complaine against me My fairest Princess said I unto her had I not been accustomed to receive more favour from you than I can any way merit you might have had some reason to say so now when I do receive so high a one as transcends all degrees of gratitude to acknowledge sufficiently But why will you not give me leave to complaine of my fortune who shewing me the good which she may give me gives it unto another whose merits in matter of love are inferiour unto mine my Cavalier answered she live contentedly and be assured that Ursaces enjoyes all that a violent affection can obtaine And what favour I shew unto any other is more out of duty then love and since it is so what reason have you to complaine against your fortune My reason for it replyed I is as great as my obligation unto you for this assurance Why my fairest Princess should I not complain of her who in lieu of favouring my affection does deprive me of that which onely can bring me unto the happinesse which I desire Oh Cavalier said she you do offend me What would you not have loved me but onely to obtaine that of me which my duty desires you What did you think of me and how little did you love me if you have so bad an opinion of me I was not able to answer her seeing how she took it but kneeling down with a deep sigh I stopped my mouth by holding her hand upon it At the last I rose up again and answered her I must needs confesse my fairest Princesse that I do love you more then you would and more then reason would but who can love you lesse I must confesse that neither reason nor duty can measure the grandure of my affection and if I do offend you in it I beseech you pardon me considering that to love you lesse would be to prophane your beauty Also I beg your pitty who have so much courage yet want so much merit And yet you might well winke at these faults if love had a little more force in you I do not understand you said she unto me Alas replyed I how hard a matter it is to make you understand it by my words if love will not make you conceive it But I mean my Princesse that if love had a little more power over you this duty which you speak of would have lesse the too-happy Valentinian would enjoy what he is in quest of and I what I desire Oh Cavalier said she with a deep sigh did you but know the resentments of my soul and what restraint it is in you would know that Love hath as much power over me as it can have over any heart If I do deny you any testimony of this power consider my birth and unto what Lawes it obliges me Had I been the Daughter of the Athenian Leontine as my Mother was I might have disposed of my selfe and my affection but being Daughter unto the Emperour Theodosius Grandchild unto the Emperour Arcadins and having Theodosius the great unto my great Grandfather do you not see I am not my owne but theirs who gave me my beeing It is the Tribute of humanity and the Law of divinity to submit unto Emperours and Grandure Reason of State as well as Love is to be considered This is no newes either to you or me we both foresaw this long since and when I first set my eyes and affection upon you it was still with a resolution to marry Valentinian I am confident you had the same thoughts the first day you began to love me What is it then which now troubleth you What accidents have hapned which should divert us from our first principles These words touched me so to the quick that I could not permit her to go on without interruption Can you think Madam said I unto her that these are considerations of Love Can love be confined to any Lawes of duty Oh heavens how infinitely are you and I mistaken You in thinking that you love and I in thinking that you loved me Then stopping a little I began again when I saw she offered to speak The Lawes of Love Madam are far different from those you mention and if you would know what they are read them in me and you will finde that as the great inequality which is betwixt us could not keep me from lifting up my eyes so high as my fairest Princesse so it should not divert you from looking so low as your poor Cavalier for there is no more difference betwixt you and me then betwixt me and you And as to what you alledge concerning your birth since it is so high that it is in the superlative degree and can admit of no higher then you are why should you not in lieu of looking at Grandure which can receive no addition in you cast your eyes upon your own contentment to the end that as you are by birth the greatest Princesse in the world so
point as this not for any great and large extent of Dominion but for its long continuance which seemes as if it would never have an end untill all things sublunary must have an universall change their lives are very pleasant their Lawes are very good and they are excellent both in Peace and War their Armies have been victorious God has given them the Sea for their Walls and does in every respect favour them so as there is great likelyhood of future Grandure These Isles do not now appear to be Isles but a great City built upon an infinite number of Bridges the Sea is their streets which running through in so many parts with so much art is admirable as well as their originall But to returne to our 〈◊〉 from whence I digressed after Attilas had taken Aquilea he made towards Rome and doubtlesse had sacked it if Valentinian for want of corrage had not rendred himselfe Tributary and consented that his Sister Honorica should be his wife But this dishonorable peace being made he retired into Pannonia where upon his marriage night and after abundance of wine and banquet being gone to bed he was found dead in it in the morning Some said it was by bleeding at the nose which choaked him others that he was killed by one of his wives which way soever it was he dyed the very night of his marriage easing the Empire by this meane both of feare and Tribute Valentinian in this necessity found what a fault he had committed in killing Aetius having not one Captaine that could stop this Barbarian nor any that cared for doing him service since he had shewed himselfe so bad a pay master For my part I was ashamed to be in Italy and see things in such strange desolation and would have tryed to have ruined my selfe with it had I not by Valentinians and Eudoxes command beene sent unto the Emperour Marcian to demand ayde as soone as Aquilea was besieged but I found Marcian very faint towards Valentinian as well because of Aetius his death as because Attiles sent him word that his coming into Italy was onely to obtaine Honorica with whom he was in love And knowing that Valentinian did obstinately deny her unto him he would not relieve him in this necessity into which he had brought himselfe by his ill government and without reason Whilest I was negotiating this businesse I fell so sicke that every one left me for dead and some told Eudoxe that they saw me buried You may imagine how she mourned for me for I may truly say that never any loved more then she me my disease was very dangerous being a spotted Fever and I continued in it above eight moneths and a friend of mine did write unto Isdore intimating my condition for I was not able to write my selfe In conclusion having stayed in Constaninople some eighteene or twenty months to no purpose I resolved to take ship for Ravenna where Valentinian was retreated with Eudoxe for his safety Italy being thus settled in peace Petronius Maximus the husband of wise Isidore began to think upon his revenge all things seeming to second his designe He was a man of great Authority in the Empire For he was Patriarch and having a designe of revenge and happily to make himselfe Emperour he had long beforehand gotten the love of the people and the Souldier of the one by his liberality for he was very rich and of the other by his popularity in seconding all requests which was made for the ease and freedome of the people And to render Valentinian odious unto every one he advised him secretly not to recompence the Souldiers either with honours or benefits and to lay such a load of taxes upon the people as should alwayes keepe them poore and unable to attempt any novelty and the better to accomplish his designe he exasperated all the friends of the great Aetius as much as possible he could and courted himselfe into intimat familiarity with them The Emperour never doubted of any of these things for he knew Maximus was of opinion that it was best to ruine Aetius besides it was now so long since the murder was committed that he beleeved every one had forgotten it And as for his injury done unto the wise Isidore he beleeved she had not acquainted her husband with it since in so many yeares he never made shew of any discontent Briefly he lived in such a carelesse security that he permitted the greatest friends of Aetius to be about his person Which Maximus having long observed and seeking for a meanes how to satisfie the wise Isidore who was continually putting him in minde of it one day taking Thrasiles apart who was one of the greatest friends which Aetius had and who then had the guard of the Emperours person he set before his eyes the untimely death of his freind and the carelessnesse of Valentinian intimating what an easie matter it was to take revenge upon him in so much as he moulded him unto his owne will And not being content with revenge only he went further and resolved to usurpe the Empire Maximus told Thrasiles that when this was come to passe he should find full satisfaction and contentment This resolution being taken it was not long before it was put in execution For Thrasiles had the opportunity when he would being alwayes neere the person of the Emperour One day therefore when Valentinian dyned in private Thrasiles and Maximus did miserably murder him and Heracles the Eunuch not for any offence that he made but for the counsell which he gave the â—â—perour when the wise Isidore was forced Thus dyed Valentinian after he had raignâ—â—â—irty yeares Had I been neere his person at that time doubtless I had dyed in defence of him For though the act which he had committed against Isidore was wicked yet there can be no cause whatsoever for lifting up a hand against a Soveraine Advise one may but never chastise much lesse take that life away which to save he ought to lose his owne I was then at the sacrifice with the faire Eudixe where the tumult was so great that for safety of herselfe she was forced to go out of Rome For Maximus having committed this homicide he knew that wickednesse must never be done by halves and therefore finding the power in his hands by the meanes of Thrasiles and some whose friendship he had gotten and also being assured of the peoples consent he presently caused himselfe to be elected and proclaimed Emperour and all this without the least opposition though the Towne was full of tumult Isidore was presently advertised of it both by her husband by the common report of Valentinians death And she had such an inveterate hatred of him that she could not believe unless she saw him dead Therfore she left her house went to the Palace and seeing his corps without a head she washt her hands in his blood received such a strange contentment in his death
cease loving where once he is with reason fixed all reason constraines me to this amity for he is transcendently vertuous an unparalelled friend and I owe him my life Were it not an absurd contradiction of reason if I should faile in poynt of friendship Therefore grave and wise Sirs since heaven has ordained you for a comfort unto the afflicted deny not this remedy unto me lest you should contradict your owne lawes and ordinances which you have for many ages adjudged to be so just and sacred Every one admired the resolution of this constant friend The Councell after a long debate was in doubt whether they should grant or deny their demands untill the Principall of the Councell by the advice of them all asked Ursaces whether he would permit his friend to dye Unto which he answered No. And why asked the wise Massilans Because answered Ursaces he ought to live and comfort if he can his unfortunate Lady and mine Have you said the Massilian permission from the Lady that you love to dye because you are not able to relieve her I have not answered Ursaces for I never saw her since this misfortune happened But I dare assure you that her generous heart would consent unto it and if she were in my place she would make the same request which I do The Lords of the Councell after this did long argue the matter amongst themselves And it was resolved and agreed upon and the Principall with a grave and audible voice gave this Judgement The Judgement of the Councell of Six Hundred UPon the request presented unto us by these two Petitioners to obtain the consolation of all humane miseryes the Councell doth ordaine that before it be granted unto the first Petitioner he shall procure the permission of the Lady whom he loves to dispose of his life and upon a certificate of the same his desire shall be granted As for the other since his friend will not consent unto his death he is declared incapable of obtaining the favour And because both of them are lovers and loved and because a lover ought not to live for himselfe but for the Person whom he loves therefore by consequence he neither can nor ought to dispose of his life without the permission of her whose he is Oh heavens cryed out Ursaces having heard this doome how shall I passe away my sad dayes and nights Then making an humble reverence to the Lords he went from the Councell but so sad that he could not obtaine his demand as every one did admire the constancy and firme desire of death Olimbres was not so eager of it because his desire of death was onely to accompany his friend and therefore was very glad of the denyal Then they retyred to their lodgings much lamenting their miserable fortunes And the noyse was spread not onely all over the Towne but also through the Country that two great Roman Persons were come purposely to demand the poison Upon this a great Astrologer who was desirous to know who they were came to visit them This man was very old and had wholly addicted himselfe unto that science so as he was growne very admirable in predictions This man being advertised of their designe fearing that their corrages disposing them so eager of death and the poison being denyed them that they would have recourse unto the sword he desired he might advise them according to the rules of his Art With this intention he went unto them one morning when they were alone in their chamber He desired me to be his conducter because we had some acquaintance when I was a student there I shall not make any relation of the particular discourse which they had for they were very long But so it was that punctually knowing the time of their Nativities having long contemplated upon their Physiognomies and hands and having drawne some lines in paper which he parted and then joyned together he said thus unto them Sirs live and preserve your selves for a better season which the heavens do promise unto you As for you said he unto Ursaces you shall recover her whom you have lost by the meanes of a man whom of all the world you love best you shall enjoy full contentment and possesse her many yeares in the same Towne where your love first begun And you said he unto Olimbres you shall marry her whom you love you shall bring her back unto her Country with her Mother you shall not dye till an Emperour of the West be made These things which I tell you are infallible and nothing can divert them The reputation of this man had such an influence upon Ursaces that he resolved to believe him and follow his counsell and conjured him by the great God whom he adored to assist him with his best advise Then he propounded unto him the hatred of Genserick and the danger he should incurre by going into Affrica You must said he send back all your domestiques into Italy and make a shew as if you would kill your selfe to the end the report of your death may be spread abroad some few dayes after you must designe your selfe in the habit of a slave and put your selfe into the service of your friend who may carry you into Affrica where he shall meet Genserick and doubt not but that being thus unknowne you will compasse your desires I would advise you to go unto Constantinople there stay till Olimbres come to you with Eudoxe and Placidia for I finde by my observations that he will bring them thither But I have three reasons to say that you must go into Affrica First because I do foresee that you must be taken for a slave and you cannot avoyd it Secondly that perhaps your stay there will be very vexatious to you in being so long without your friend and not seeing her you love and lastly that you may assist Olimbres with your counsell who will have occasion to stand in need of it Moreover it is very necessary that you make â— report run that you are dead to take away all suspition from Genserick and all the ill will that he may conceive against Olimbres if you stay either in Greece or in Italy it is impossible but some or other will discover you Thus did this wise man advise him and after he had committed him to heavens custody he went home to his house Ursaces having consulted long with himselfe what to do at the last resolved to observe him punctually in every thing and therefore one evening having gotten a bladder full of blood close to his side under his clothes he went to walk by the Sea-side with most of his domesticks following him and many others of the Towne where after he had made a long and sad discourse of his miseries and complained extreamly against his refusall of poyson faigning that he would not live any longer he thrust a knife into his side and made the blood in the bladder run out in great abundance so