entertainement of ioy so that her Fathers Catastrophe extinguished the delight of her Brothers aduancement to which an other home mischiefe was added the returne of Cleonidas who presuming on the absence of Anzitemus and the Nauie vnder Pelorus entred the Confines of Armenia and attempted a ridiculous Innouation But before we certifie this Aduenture let vs see how Fortune ouerlooked him in the danger after the Sea-fight with Anzitemus BY that time Cleonidas and Anzitemus through the effect of his diuelish reuenge were deuided and their Ships burnt and dismembred the horrible lamentation of so many men so many wayes yeelding vp the last powers of their soules stroke him to the heart and because his pestilent humour had no subiect to worke vpon it boyld within him like a Furnace ouerheating all the partes of his body and minde so that he could haue been contented to haue made his owne seperation considering a guilty Conscience laide open the records of so many faults But euen when Death had been most beneficiall the necessitie of Life with the kindnesse of the impartiall element draue the vnfirme Seate wheron he sate to another peece of a Shippe from whence ouerburdned hee saw fourteene cast into the Sea as supposing it the nearest way to Heauen through the reflexion the Heauens made in the Water On this by great chaunce he got and was tossed too and fro with the Billowes as if Destruction meant to make a Game of his danger at last after two dayes hee was driuen on a sandie Iland not farre from the Continent of Persia wherein he mused at his owne ignorance that hauing so long time scowred all the coast of the Hircanian Sea hee was yet vnacquainted with this place Heere a very instinct of Nature put him to his shiftes and by striking two Flintes on certaine Reeds lying in the place he shuffled vp a Fire whose effects made the returne of warmth and strength the maintainers of life at which the inhabitants who were onely Seruants and Officers attending on the Priestes heere liuing wondred who had presumed without order of Ceremony to dishonour the place For this was called the Iland of Fire and had two Chappels therein one dedicated to Vulcano the other to the Sanne in which after the Persian manner the Priestes were appoynted to liue who onely had power to giue leaue to the Inhabitants to make their Fiers for necessities sake which yet was not done without presence of a Religious man Wherevpon they apprehended Cleonidas and brought him to Sicambus the Archpriest in the same manner they found him But when with an extraordinary courage in the Sirian language because hee was to speake to a man of his profession he discouered him selfe and that Sicambus vnueiled his ignorance remembring hee had seene him with Astiages in Persia by many meanes heard of his fame he comforted him the best hee could but the best he could preuented not a strange Sicknesse which with an vnkind detention kept him full two yeares retiered and confirmed their opinion which supposed him perished in the end the firmenesse of his compleat manhood and well seasoned body ouermaistred the tiranny and he recouered both in health and reformation for after his penitency had protested a remorce of the action against Artabazes and abiured his ill manner of life the religious Father cheared him with the comfort which followes true repentance and by examples confirmed his willingnesse to amendment Vpon this they appoynted to goe into Persia and accordingly ariued at Suziana much about the time Anzitemus fortunes were published through Asia which he rather woondred then stomaked at not doubting to make his peace and reconsiliation which his hope supposed by Zaloppos meanes when the Persian Embassadours went to Armenia to bring to passe But their returne certified Anzitemus slight answere in that behalfe and hee smothered the indignation for a time but vnable to suppresse it gaue Libertie at last to burst foorth into flames of Despight and in this manner proceeded Certaine summes of Mony disbursed for Astiages he demaunded of the Queene Roxana which awhile bred scruple and doubt by reason of their Articles with Anzitemus and Artabanus yet after a little debating they were repayed with a plenary cancelling of all accounts For being a matter chancing before this new Contract and in her Fathers behalfe shee thought it dishonorable to trifle him out with deuises or excuses Many of his Souldiers setled in their Townes which the hast of his busines permitted not to carry with him he requested againe This was left to their owne desires because in this space maried and brought vp amongst them they would not seeme to banish them by compulsion So the most of them louing Spoyles better then Pay hasted to Cleonidas With this Mony and this Supply he departed to his owne Iland and gathering his Friends and Confederats togeather with fourty sayle of well appointed Ships and fiftie Hulks for the transportation of his Army he tooke the aduantage of the Kings absence in the Trebizondian Warres and made speed for Armenia landing his Forces at such time as Kazopletus and Pelorus were returned from Anzitemus and Philtranus came with directions to attende the Queene Brisaca to her Mother But this they were ignorant of and diuers vnsetled Humors as idle persons and endangered to the Law vpon the tumour of Cleonidas ariuall to the number of foureteene thousand made a head in nature of Particeans and certified they were ready and resolued to ioyne with him for their hearts and discontentments had engaged them already as if they meant to giue this notice that in the best Hiue there be Drones and robbers of them that labour but as their willingnes set them forward their forwardnes puld them backe as disordered without a Head and hauing bad intelligence For the vnlooktfor comming of Kazopletus ouertooke them with that speed that Cleonidas had scarc notice before the distraction dispersed and Iustice quickly scourged them all Thus was this fanaticall Company discomfited and Cleonidas in a manner as soone ouerthrowne For vpon report how Mischance had put on a double visage against him he made a retreat to his Ships but ere he could house his men Kazopletus by land and Pelorus by Sea had so hemnd him in that though it prooued a gallant and tedious Skirmish full of obseruation and example yet his Fleete was suncke and dissipated his Companies quite defeated and him selfe taken prisoner and sent to Sagarena where Brizaca kept her Court but shee vnwilling to proceed against him without directions from Anzitemus by the counfaile of Euphamia committed him to Ward in the same place where his Father had once besiedged the beautious Artaxata When Cleonidas saw him selfe thus disappoynted and captiued and that the last Acte of his Tragedy was in hand to which the Gates of Shame and Death or Death with the shame stood onely open he made it a matter of some repining yet as a man of excellent
Friende by soone ridding out of the paine and concluding seen we must die to die with resolution Thus were such interdicted with necessitie of sauing them selues who before striued to intercept others Thus did vncomfortable Cryes condemne the crueltie of Reuenge which would not be satisfied without so small a massacre Thus were pittifull yelles the last testimonie how many hundreds exclaymed on the ambition of men Thus did horrible Curses sound out the wicked mindes of such as neglected the true vse of a good Conscience Thus were all the causes of amazement vnited to shew the formidable effectes of Enrage Despight so that the most part perished and very few summoned vp new hopes to prolong their liues Yet had Anzitemus this fortune to light on the hinder quarter of his enemies Shippe and if before affrighted with the hideous spectacle hee stood vncapable of any resolution now reduced with the enforced conditions of life he bestirred his consideration to inhibit vnkind and vntimely mischaunce wherevpon compelled to leaue the ornaments of his vallour because he was to make vse of his armes and lightnesse he quickly stripped himselfe and as quickly tooke vp his seate on the broken peece which resembling some Boigh or Sea marke was no doubt the occasion he was the better marked For as the vncomfortable Night finished her progresse the bountie of a sunshining Morning layde open her treasurie and hee had the choyce of many seuerals faire Weather sweetâ—… Winde calme Sea cleare Ayre and sight of a Fisher-boat which seemed a Messenger of life in regard it approched so neere that he was vnderstood in crauing their helpe and they helped when they vnderstood what he craued But to strengthen your knowledge in this accident you must alow of some circumstaunce AFter the Earth like a magnificent Bride had apparrelled her selfe in her beautious attyre the Inhabitants of Nagania on the Northren Caspian Shore betweene whom the melancholy Winter had compelled a discontented seperation began their solemne Spring feastes and set forward the heards of Sheepe Goates and greater Cattell to the Downes which were in a manner purged by the gentle ebbings flowings of the Sea where both one and other seemed to make vse of a pleasing theft pleasing to the Beastes in finding so good a pray as the sweete Grasse affoorded pleasing to the Earth in being ordained an instrument of such reliefe the effect whereof produced that Riches without Enuie Good order without Flatterie Quietnesse without Imperfection Peace without Intemperance Plenty without Inordinatnesse Encrease without Repining and all other blessings of the Land as it were in one league combined them selues Besides the Sea disbursed a recompence to their industry which caused them to maintaine certaine Boates to fish with and euery one according to a well applauded custome watched his course amongst these Placandus whom yeeres grauitie had much graced liued with such loue and liking that whensoeuer his iourney importuned some one or other attended the worke in hand and at this instant bare him company in his fishingnight so that by Art vnited to industrie the onely enemies of idlenesse their nets were filled with great store and their Trunks stored with excellent Fish the dispatch whereof as vnwilling to tempt prosperitie with an vnnecessary iourney concluded a returne had not a sudden cry directed their pittie to regard what they heard and that detained them to consider how they might administer reliefe the rather because a man appeared sitting on a broken piece of a Shippe neither much dissmayed at so great an enemie as death nor now seeming ouer ielous for so sweete a friend as Life But such as hee was did their industry assist their assistance helpe their helpe recouer their recouery welcome to Comfort now when Comfort came to act her part like the Sunne who scorning to be checked with euery slender Vapour quickly lifteth vp his glorious head Feare and palenesse was made ashamed of their wrong disseisure and he seemed the very Sonne of Valoure and darling of loue This at the first raysed a kind of reuerence wherein they would more orderly haue proceeded had not a pleasing vtterance pacefied their importunities to vnderstande who hee might be with his earnest desire to take him as hee was which sayth hee I cannot but presume on because I finde such a vnitie of goodnesse Bee therefore satisfied that my simple trueth telleth you I am Montanus of Carberia vnfortunate in being that I am and ten times vnfortunate in remembring what I was meane I confesse but now the meaner by loosing all meanes of my estate and liuing as hauing with some substaunce and friends not eighteene dayes since burdoned one small Barke and after some varietie of Stormes within these eighteene howers tasted the very bitternesse of aduersitie which many with the meditation put me in minde of some misfortune But thinges remedilesse are past care and cure therefore I will teach my tongue to forget her owne language and ouermaster Misery with an ill respected Vertue called Patience But Placandus tooke an other course and from troubling him with any more questions applyed the ordynary meanes of helpe in such cases telling that they were men of Husbandrie and Cattle in the Kingdome of Nagania and not Fishers if then their supplyes could stand him in stead or estates induce him to be one of the companie hee might be sure neither to fayle of succour nor complaine for want and if my selfe seeme not lesse worthy then another I will welcome thee and vpon good deseruing adde to thy welcome a reward By this time had Montanus youth shewed a scorne of the mischiefe which the Seaes vnmercisulnesse pretended and hee remained in some extasie remembring his owne affayres but especially that in so remote a place hee must represent the fruite of a foraine Land which the Inhabitants haue no other vse of but wondring at Yet hoping to spende out the extreamitie of sullen conceites with this varietie and perceiuing the rest as it were to stomacke his slacknesse that apprehended no sooner the curtesie proposed he presently opened the treasurie of the poore thanked all in generall and gratified Placandus in particular accepting the kindnesse with many wishes that his honest endeuours might draw on successe to confirme him a dutifull seruant Thus they returned with effectuall dispatch of their iorney and extraordinary newes of this aduenture which ouer a day or two was willing to participate it selfe to the rest Yet not in so slender a manner but euery one amplified report as their opinions receiued impression some praysed his Feature some his Countenance some his vpright Comelinesse some his well knit Ioynts some his Demeanour and some his Constancie in the affliction nor wanted there others which supposed him of better fortune then his present shew portraited so that for the time Placandus house was neuer empty many comming to see him many to prayse him many to iudge of their prayses
loue to the Prince he yet made loue the excuse of his reuenge telling though fortune helped not his dâ—…ers to expresse his dutie toward him hee might with litle company shrowded in the Caues where the Beasts doe vse to shade recompence his honourable passion with her moderate Rape For shee is determined to goe to morrow to Placandus where and whither Montanus with vaine promises hath intised her so that if hee please to take notice of her peeuishnesse and his contumacie it was apparant there was 〈◊〉 danger in the attempt and his Fayth could in nothing so well be seene as in venturing life and credite for his sake But ere the Duke entertained this motion we shall heare the Story from the beginning AFter Katabasy had brought the Tartarians to subiection that liue betweene Caucasus and the Caspian his valure quickly disciplined them in martiall exploites and wisdome reduced them to ciuillity and state of gouernment which consisting in nothing so much as magnificense of a court and well ordring of Citties he presently erected after his owne name the mightie Katabasy somewhat neere the Northen â—…ore of the Hircanian or Caspian Sea and hauing 〈◊〉 arâ—…ed Ickatasa Queene of the hether Scythia saw the pleasure of many yeeres and the towardly 〈◊〉 of too sonns Of whom Zalby as eldest succeeded and at this time enioyed the prerogatiue of a great age Fortona the youngest had the prouince of Zaga as a large Dukedome designed who induced by the royall example of his father built 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Estern Fortona and had questionlesse made appearance from whence he proceeded but that death stomaking his ouer boldnesse of his bodies constitution as promising long life cald him to an vnkind account and in his manly progresse shewed the strength of a stronger arme by which occation was this Rugio left like waxe fit for any impresion to augment his prodecessors glory or submit to the vanitie of his youth and liberty but he like a discreet traueler that not presuming on his owne experience chooseth a skilfull pilot for his iorny selected men of honor and vertue to manage the affayers of his Realme with whose assistance he made his gouernment compleat the hope whereof induced Busimorus King of Bactriana to bestow his Daughter Palestra vpon him in mariage whom though his prerogatiue did not fully grace with the height of Maiestie yet being a mighty and absolute Prince flourishing in the very pride of yeares and beautified with outward and inward excellencies her loue and liking ouerswayed further conceite of ambition so that shee liued to the great applause of the people and indissoluble respect of the Duke the rather because she prooued a gladsome Mother of many towardly Children had not a lamentable vntowardness disprooued her a Mother at all For quietly trauelling in her hopes to see them prosper like men shee was interdicted from making any further progresse by the archbaily of the Earth who condemned her as inexorable to his perpetuall mansion whereby the princely Rugio had many causes of sorrow and onely one of comfort in the expectation of her issue to which he added this couenant neuer to eâ—…angle his opinion with any stepmothers deceit Thus remaining a widower and assured of further succession by reason his sons Philano and Kasteppi marched arme in arme before the colours of Honour hee began to bee carelesse of a second wife for that as a man graced with externall comelinesse and other causes of entisement he might either command a wanton Loue or make choise of his owne satisfaction and had he not in this maner ouer liberally payd tribute to his pleasure surely both for gouernement ouer others many choise accomplements in himselfe he might well haue beene inserted in the Records of good Princes yet this must be alleadged the vice neuer grew so contagious that it extended to spoile or rauishment otherwise then as gifts and greatnesse compassed In the time of this wantonesse florished Deltona amongst the Shepherds of Nagania like an especiall flower in a curious Garden on whom the worke man bestowed extraordinary cost and labour To her amongst others Franio whether perswading himselfe to like or because he would be thought capeable of some goodnesse framed a motion of Loue but she as if you had seen a Cup presented to a man willing to drinke and perceiuing poisonin the bottome standeth amazed and so desisteth suddenly started backe and hireing for the time an extraordinary scorne assured him she conceiued that the heauens maligned and the earth found him burdensome with this answere the cumbersome weeds of despight quickly choked and ouer-spread the fruit of true Loue and so falling backe to his owne inclination hee presently nourished a kinde of hate and hate not onely wisheth ill but oftentimes practiseth means of reuenge though some Politicians more cunningly contriue their businesse making the outside a false insinuation and couertly worke vilainy and deceit in which humour did Franio enter familiarity with Guleppo a man very neere the Duke and for the performance of some pleasing matter of great trust with him For you must vnderstand Rugio did not so priuately satiate his inconinencie but that diuers according to the libertie of that time gaue their seuerall verdicts some saying sinne was intollerable in Princes by reason example quickely reduced the people and the persons gaue easier notice of their imperfections like spots sooner seene in pure linnen then courser cloth Others would not dispute so vehemently alleadging their actions had diuers Priuiledges and themselues were sacred from reproch some whispered that a second marriage considering his yeeres and abilitie would diuert his carelessenesse of the common wealth to a more sufficient regard others alleadged his loue to his Children least the secret emulation of a Stranger might be preiudiciall detayned him through diuers examples from subiecting them to a Stepmother Some feared the expence of the Treasure which must needes be too profusely consumed in charge of Apparrell deuises and rewards others tooke in good part that course because diuers priuate men were inriched and the mony dispersed within the Dukedom Some true louers of vertue as farre as they durst counselled the retreat to the secure fort of Moderation others framed themselues to the Princes appetite nere disputing who esteemed them else for bace and demisse Of this sort was Guleppo a man euer about the Duke and imployed onely for matters of lasciuiousnes To him did Franio declare the perfections of Deltona and by way of circumstance inferred the facility of the Rape which might questionles be effected without infamy danger or repining This brought him to secret conference with the Duke who searching no further into the ground of his malice supposed the fellow was willing to make a fortune by any course and therefore with reward for that time dismissed him But presently proclaymed a generall Hunting which corresponding with their Summer Feast made him an eye witnesse of Franios description and the
an honourable minde was not to be suppressed with misfortune For she was not altered nor much dismaied only stomacking to be so circumuented in his armes thus spake Traytour both to vertue and Maiestie take heed of an intent of wickednesse least deuine Iustice gather all the seruants of Reuenge against thee as for the least hope to expect any thing but hate and disdaine let my scorne of thy presumption make thee answere but concerning the thought of wantonnesse by the euer-reuerenced Marpesia I sweare these handes shall first rende out my heart and throw it in thy face Be not so extream sweet and faire Deltona answered the Duke I protest nothing is meant against thy chastest wishes be onely pacient and moderate letting time worke his will thou beeing willing vnto tinnes working Thus hee brought her to Fortona and indeed as if he had knowen her to be the mightiest Empresse of the world gaue order for her entertainement accordingly NOw playeth Report her part for mingling certainties with vntrueths the vprore of the Citie and the muttering of the people shuffled together many and strange opinions because a seldomnesse of doing amisse maketh small faults wondred at and the fauour of the partie wronged striketh a compassion which quickly breedeth scandall and repining For how-euer fauour or power may support an vniust Action or protect an Offender from the penaltie of the Law yet can wise men see the conniuencie and the better sort will exclaime on the partialitie This appeared in the Dukes stealing away of Deltona at which some murmured and diuers presumed to reprehend the incontinencie Amongst whom the youthfull Egerius Minion to Philano the Dukes elstest Sonne as if some naturall respect compelled the remorce assured the Prince that the Duke much impayred his renowne to deale so violently with such modesty and goodlinesse Peace quoth Philano be aduised in the reprehention of Princes yet because thy vertue is pure without diffused compounds I ouerpasse the inuection and seeing thou desirest shee should be choycely intreated I protest to loose the benefite of my birth-right before shee haue cause to complaine This Egerius was sonne of a Stranger named Bertosas dwelling in the Citty whom those attractiue Vertues which grace Princes themselues did so accompany that all men affoorded him their loue and liking and the Duke applauded his Sonnes choyce Thus for the time was Deltona quieted the Duke in some hope his Sonne in strange expectation and Egerius in a kind of repining But thus is Coranus in all despaire as much vexed with Franios laughing as his Daughters losse whereupon hee hasted to Placandus and stuttered out the matter to Montanus as though feare had made him forget an orderly methode yet not omitting Franios despight who indeede supposing mischiefe vnsufficient without bosting of it followed grinning and clapping his hands but when Montanus had heard him out like the Kings of Beasts who once enraged roareth and beateth the ground with his taile not in the nature of lamentatioÌ„ but because he cannot be reuenged so stormed hee and seemed in such manner wrathfull that the rest treÌ„bled for without further reasoning taking onely his simple she ephooke he flung out of doores and almost at the house met with Franio crying Deltona was gon and darest thou Villaine quoth he triumph in such a losse with all letting a blow flee at his head either feare or the smart or feare of more smart made him fall wherein his cowardly submission discouered the fault But Montanus bade him dispatch leauing tediousnesse and falsehood With that hee began his discourse had not the other interrupted him exclaiming Oh deuine Iustice Let not my cares be defiled with this wretched breath-broker nor my hands forbeare to purge the earth of such a venemous monster but let him perish in his own shames least others bee impoisoned with his infections and mischieuous life This hee vttered with great fury and fury not passing without action strucke with such quicknesse at his head that the braines spurted from their broken inclosure which not regarding hee hasted toward Fortona and hast encreasing distemperature gaue him no leisure to meditate on the diffusednesse of his iourney But when Coranus was assured of his departure he corected his owne slacknesse that made no more haste considering the many secrets and strange occurrents which his onely knowledge must discouer where vpon hee followed with speede Now what estate was poore Placandus in who left alone with dead Franio and seeing the Hurly-burly had gathered the Inhabitants together knew not which way to excuse the murther nor durst beginne any circumstances but the plaine truth which after his reuerent Age had reuealed and the pittifull story with an vnkinde scope deciphered the wickednesse they quickly conuerted all suspition hatred for Franios death into counsell the strength of comfort and chiefest proppe of Placandus life Why then quoth hee am I indeed reuiued that like men like honest men like honest wise men you wil accord vnto reason and like friends yea true-hearted friends you will not faile in aduersitie let vs therefore giue the dead his due Ceremonies and liue our selues in good hopes that Montanus and Coranus will returne with glad tydings But other affaires detaine them beyond expectation and we must hast to Fortona to know the certaintie Finis Libri primi THE SECOND BOOKE OF the Historie OF TREBIZOND Imprnited at London by W. White for T. Downes and E. Dawson 1616. To the right Honorable Countesse of HVNTINGTON RIGHT HONORABLE BEsides the scandall imposed vpon idle Discourses there is euer a wanton errour depending of presumption in the choyce of some Patron so that when other men had flattered my owne easie ouer-wrought conceit to be an aduenturer in the troublesome sea of Opinion I thought it most befitting to looke out for some handsome props of supportation and so haue placed the Daughters in one circle with the Mother Yea such Daughters and such a Mother that mee thinkes you mooue togeather like faire Planets in conspicuous Orbes from whose influence can proceed nothing but sweete presages So that hereby you cannot choose but breath with her one spirit of happinesse and I be cheared with strong assistance against any calumniation I pray you therefore pardon this intrusion and examine my Character no further then my confidence that so great Honour and Worth will not dissent from their owne properties and giue me leaue to wish your merit the Wishes of such heartes as leape for ioy at the naming of louelinesse and Beautie To both which with all other excellencies in your Honourable â—â—â—lfe I am truly deuoted To. Gainsforde The Second Booke of the Historie of TREBIZOND SVch was the haste Montanus made after the Duke and Coranus after Montanus and of both to deliuer Deltona that you might haue deciphered in Coranus the properties of Feare and Hope his Feare in the vntying the intricat knots of Deltonas fortune his Hope that the Duke
letter in so louing a word either will it fall out to your shame to dishonour so well deseruing a Husband or to my proch to be vpbrayded with Bastardie else can neither the law of Nature preferre any besides my selfe or of Nations giue so much as a colour to a younger Brother But as for you whom stricter alleageance combineth to the obseruation of our state and person wherein dare you hassard your selues suffer Iudgement to be abused as though you respected not whether the drinke were poyson so it be brought in a Golden cupp As though Mengrelius because more effeminate were therefore more fitte to reuenge your wronges And Kalucki because a peeuish Woman thinketh not so fashionable must therefore be disseised of his Birth-right Take heed in time as yet your Prouidence may dam vp the fluce of our Iustice but if you suffer your selues to be carried against your duties by death I sweare no submission shall make an attonement Now to you Sir an vnpleasant countenance threatning his Brother with a following mischiefe remember that Principalitie abideth no concurrent and prosecuteth an Enemie to confusion Besides the name of a Traytor resembleth a consuming Leprosie which infecteth all the body and leaueth scandall to posteritie Doe not hassard therefore the benefite of life by vaine Securitie Nor be so besotted to thinke that a fleeting looke or bace popularitie can alien the loyalties of so many trustie Subiects But assure you I challenge this Empire as hereditarie thy selfe for a Subiect the rest obedient and all confederats assistant Thus somewhat forgetting his first intent of moderation hee approached the royall Throne and had without interruption ascended but that Ballutasa interceded and in this manner set the fire of Rebellion on a blase I deny not but thou mayest boast as the immediate successor of Samarchanus and wast in times past reputed as a blessing to a Mother But doe not thinke wee are so simple and inconsiderate that hauing the choyce of two seueralles to admit the vnworthiest I doe therefore without euasion or circumstance condemne thee for froward and badly disposed and coniure these rather to take compassion on the prostrate necessitie of the Common-wealth then pitty thee for a priuate complaint seeing those degenerating humours which make Princes odious are already ripened in thee the remembraunce whereof hath exasperated my displeasure and mooued these to remooue thee as preiudicate Besides it is the will of the Gods to aduance a Steward which may husband their Plenty and not ruine their Inheritances How can it then equipage mine Honour that the name of a fonde affectionate Mother should make mee forget the dutie of a prouident Princesse Wherefore you louers of Goodnesse it is for your sakes I digresse from my selfe and for the common prosperitie I disable Kalucki considering Obedience is rather the seruant of Vertue then titular Dignities which can seldome be incident where Deformitie maketh loathsome Pride ouermastreth Hearâ—…burning incombreth and Tyranny threatneth a very conuulsion of your gouernement But as a forward bitternes might haue aggrauated his disgraces the wrathfull first borne of this disquietted Queene in impatience made a sudden approach vnto her and directed a most dangerous blow for by this time quicknesse had vnsheathed the blade as if the vnpleasing messenger of Reuenge meant to proclaime the strange death of an Empresse had not Mengrelius waled with his owne body and by securing her sustayned the smart of a grieuous wound whereby seeing the fire was kindled hee betooke him to his Guard and making forward had the assistance of other coadiutors Now when Kalucki perceiued the gates of Treason were set open hee exclaymed on the mischiefe and commaunded the true louers of their Prince to performe their duty Wherevpon many set them selues on worke and the place bred rather confusion then the confusion dispatch so that euery one shuffled vp some action or other Mengrelius set Pollicie and Valour on worke to extenuate the furie Kalucki countenanced Rage and Despight to punish the reuolters As for the rest some pressing forward could neither auoyde a pitious slaughter nor keepe possession for the body to stand vpright others vnwilling to be so endangered were ere the midst of the hall had shortned their iorney either in the throng stifled or by the commers in compelled backe Some vsed such weapons for necessity which in quietnesse were borne but of fashion others hauing none wrested from such as could not resist Some tooke the Pallace furniture as not regarding how they helped them selues others made euery thing offensiue as not caring how they iniured the rest Some exclaymed on the reuolt crying The Gods protect Kalucki others ready to innouation wished Mengrelius Emperour Some with vnseasonable wisedome perswade a pacification others with strange hearts fraughted with Treason ran away with the violence THus was a dangerous vnquietnesse begun with a few mens deaths which no doubt had ended with the losse of many mens liues had not Carambello Putrasso and Hardubax taken the cause in hand for the Empresse and by force ouermastred Kalucki For Carambello rather addicted to Rallutasas wilfulnesse then fearing the diuision of the Empire made yet this feare a colour of his paâ—…iality and so contriued the matter that Kalucki coâ—…sented to a surceance of his rightfull claime and subscribed to a compulsiue deposition This necessitie conuented and the day of truce in Bellonas Temple ratefied these particulars That Mengrelius should raigne during life but Kaluckies successors or him sealfe ouerliuing to reposses the Diadem That Kalucki and as many as would make tryall of his fortune after certaine summes of mony disbursed should within twenty dayes depart the territories of the Empire and within twenty howeres the Verge of the Court That if Mengrelius by the benefit of maryage were blessed with the effect of mariage the comfort to be frustrate in losse of their liues and the name of a Father forgotten in respect of the Male children That if Kalucki taking notice of these couenants infringed within one yeere conuicted not the cleceite the gouernment to remaine subiect to election and no man culpable to resist any vnestablished That no subiect to the Empire should repine at these particulars and the abettors of any couen remaine faultie as in case of high Treason Thus was Kalucki compelled to take his farwell of an ingratefull Country and disobedient people But magnanimity showing rather a scorne then a grudging at their disloialties left them with out ceremony to the reproch of their errors and posted to the hope of better fortune wherein his expectation was not deceiued For no sooner abandoned he these Confines but hee was acceptable to other Countries and the place which afâ—…er much variety setled his abode was the further Tartary a place yeelding a receptacle for his state and with a strange fortune opening the Gates of the magnificent Coralla to his wishes Heere in short time hee prooued a worthy soiorner the Country
tonspired against his Fayth but faynted with remorce and as if he would plead the defect of Nature not Malice fell downe in Xantippus armes and bade him not spare to ridd the world of such a wretch But hee in a strange contrarietie comforted him with preuention and that there was nothing remedilesse yea coniured him by all the names of life manhood setled loue inseperable contracts and what else a sweete oratory might inferre to rayse vp his spirits and if need were not to desist For although his infamy and dishonor must leaue a scandall to Xantippus in his partialitie yet what would hee not doe to saue the life of Encelidon Cheare thy selfe therefore and onely change the name of Encelidon and Eucasta can know no other but that thou art Xantippus For Xantippus onely can discouer who is Encelidon Bee not dismayde I prise thee at a great rate and rather then Encelidon should miscarry Xantippus will be without Eucasta Heere grew the contention betweene them to some vnpleasant particulars the one pleading for Death the other scorning euery thing but his Friends life At last perswasion some reasons and Xantippus enforcement compelled him to take the name of Xantippus vpon him and so the loue of Eucasta ouercame his feare and brought him to reape the Haruest of his strange desires But when Loue came to florish his Colours Oh pardon the fortune and errour of Passion how could those beauties appeare How could those sweet embracements continue How could that euer burning impression remaine in stilnesse and hee not be thankefull to successe for the same Yet fly Friendship from sight of this treason For Encelidon like a man rauisht fell senselesse in the armes of Eucasta and Eucasta confoun ded at Xantippus extasie striued to helpe and helped when shee knew how though shee little knewwhom till at last as no extremitie can last Encelidon recouered some life with passionate teares shewed tokens both of trembling feare and enraging desire but pittifull Eucasta wretched in the ignorance of her Xantippus distemperature accompanied him with a sadder weeping Now when Encelidon saw to what straights hee had driuen his Barke and that the delight of his soule was disquieted with the errour all impatient hee discouered hee was Encelidon and not Xantippus leauing out no circumstance which either might reueale his loue or publish the glory of his Friend beseeching her to loue him nere the worse for taking this course in her loue nor Xantippus the lesse for louing his friend nor her selfe for being beloued of Encelidon who had once made choyce of death had not the loue of Eucasta perswaded life and Xantippus commanded that Encelidon should liue But alas Eucasta durst not trust her owne sences she heard the voyce of Xantippus she saw the shape of Xantippus she felt the motions of Xantippus onely he sware he was Encelidon Some times she feared a pollicy to try her weaknesse some times her feare accompanied with Ielosie that Xantippus mistrusted her Constancie some times a pretty kind of anger sware to Xantippus this was too great vnkindnesse some times shee entreated him to desist from this circumuention and at last on her knees coniured him by the secrets of her loue to loue his Eucasta to bee her Xantippus and suffer Eucasta to bee nones but Xantippus till Encelidon added the oaths of the sunne and by other circomstances of more particularitie brought her to the right path of vnderstanding that shee was resolued it was Encelidon This a while her patience forbare to stomach and loue to her Husband forbade to discouer But as when you see the Fire put out by supposing the Ashes to couer and hide the same and yet the next day some Sparkes of life are remayning by remoouing their Veyle So fared it with Eccasta shee wisely raked in her Discontent with the coldest Embers shee could till Misfortune brought her to tosse them abroad and then appeared that the fire was not quite extinguished that her conceite was not altogeather eased but stomaching more and more to be so betrayed shee acquainted her mother Iugeroth with the History from the beginning A woman of that working spirit that if the Country had affoorded meanes of setting Ambition on worke shee would haue scorned the name of a Subiect A woman so imperious in her will that no action was vnattempted nor after the attempt vndetermined which might add wings to her desires though sometimes they tended to lasciuiousnesse A woman of that implacabillity that once subiect to the error of mislike before she would admitte of remiission she dared discouer an absolute mallice A woman of that apprehention that the least abuse was an indignity to her house then followed a prosecution of reuenge This appeared in the discourse of the fearefull Eucasta the memory whereof stroke such impression that the impatient Iugeroth without care of Conscience in plaine tearmes vrged the Murder of Xantippus and to be effected by the hand of Encelidon nor desisted shee from reason and argument as the breach of Honour the hate of her Husband continuall heart-burning secret mislikes the discouery abroad and the renowne of the reuenge as if because the body was distempered through the paine of the Head no other remedy serued but to bereaue it of his capitall member without further search of redresse To this was Eucasta soone perswaded as supposing her honour and renowne ecclipsed yea broken in pieces and so suffered her loue to receiue the same foile besides as it were insorcered with her mothers deuillish Impostures shee was the lesse carefull of her duety therfore dared to reason with Encelidon to the same purpose yea some-times to Xantippus instead of Encelidon For but by their names she neuer could know one frō an other who seemed to diuert her from such immanitie enforcing some arguments though to little purpose whereby if the feare had continued hee might indeed haue suspected his friend but the worst part of such a conceit was quickly cut off by the hasty and peraduenture vnlook't for comming of Encelidon who once againe prostrated his open breast to Xantippus and bade him not spare to rid the world of such a recreant traytor whose wauering loialtie was subiect to so many temptations with that hee went on in the strange discourse of his murther concluded by his wife and her mother which with many protestations he disclaimed and proceeded so farre that after Xantippus had denyed to entertaine the least thought of suspition against him he stabbed himselfe in many places till preuented from the full effect of his furie Xantippus was enforced to a new course at last his helpe brought recouery and encouragement seemed a reconciliation to the eternall strengthening the bond of friendship But Eucasta all impatient at Encelidons slacknes and more then perswaded how Xantippus was made acquainted with the fault presently fledde to Mastricot wher after a pithy intimation of her disgraces the wrongs offered her fathers honse to which her
spirites weried with meditation desired rest or the very braine dryed with sorrow shruncke vp the stringes of his eyeliddes or him selfe was willing to this course to ouerpasse his feare he quietly fell a sleepe had not his sleepe the more disquieted him like a man reparing a ruinous house and pulling downe aparte haleth also the whole to his greater charge For a formidable dreame thus surprised his repose An Eagle mounting to her nest had onely too young ones to feed but whether she conceiued vnkindnesse against them or in the misfortune of her rauin brought not wherewithall to succour them or displeased at some other accident shee threwe them to the ground leauing her selfe childlesse and them liuelesse yet they recouered and miraculously gathering new life and extraordinary stature returned ere their mother had made a second flight seeming by their demeanour as though they come to comfort her but shee stomacking the curtesie conuerted her loue to rage and began a manner of contention against them they seeing the daunger desisted awhile till very necessitie of life draue them to offence and offence increasing with anger anger forgat it selfe and so betweene them the olde one was torne in pieces which when a better consideration deliberated on with a monstrous howling they departed the noyse whereof awaked Mengrelius so his Dreame ended and the tempest ended but a worse dismay began then before At last remembring himselfe he hasted to a priuate Posterne of the pallace where finding the appointed Comptrollor of his house hee with him imparted such secrets that as the charge was of importance his dispatch was with speedinesse For he presently returned with sadnesse from the Empresse and trouble from the Court shee submitting to his appointment and they appointing that nights libertie if it pleased him to visite her where upon he hasted vp and dismissing all from his presence conferred onely with his mother about strange things and tolde his sister Pisana his cruell resolution wherein the suspition was so terrible that forgetting the weakenesse of his Empresse hee left them and thus astonished the helpwanting Princesse with a soule-vexing preamble Vnfortunate Arcabella not in that thou art the daughter of Samarchanus but wife of Mengrelius vnderstand by me that I am accursed for my owne sake and thou art cast with the same verdict for my sake as being the instrumentall cause of vnhappinesse the Oracle confirming thee a mother of strange Issue pronouncing my deiection by my sonne death by my daughters husband and confusion if I infringe the oth to Kalucki nor imagine I am caried away with supposes For what I haue rufully reported thou mayest pittifully ouer-looke with that he shewed them Misocrapus Tablet and they read the Prophesie thus insculped Apollos doome will not the King delude Yet breatheth terrour vengeance and despight A male and female shall one birth coneâ—…ude By Princely meanes obscured from thy sight The sonne shall liue howeuer rage conspire To cut the threed our Destinies haue spun And in thy life against his owne desire Possesse the Throne which Samarchanus wonne The daughters Loue a Shepheard shall obtaine By strange aduenture vndisparaged And he must end thy peace life Kingdoms raigne When Trebizonda shall be foraged Beleeue or not all 's one I yet conclude Apolles doom will not the King delude This they read and to this was some reply in redinesse but Mengrelius interposed this breuitie that my former Oath may therefore bee kept inuiolate and my vexed spirits from sorer out-rage restained I command what euer vnreasonablenesse seeme in the command that as soone as Nature hath brought thy children into the light thy own hands depriue them of the light this see thou regard to performe and performe as thou regardest thy life but Arcabella permitted not the freedom of this bitternesse for she thus aduentured to repell it What inhumane crueltie is heere threatned and vnmanly prosecutions deuised nothing but inordinate passions distempered behauiour broken sleeps fearefull out-cries inconsiderate vows and vnnaturall tyranies Neere tell mee of vnprincely protestations better resolue to transgresse enforced contracts which satisfaction may counteruaile then continue in settled wickednesse which repentance cannot mitigate better submit to inscrutable mercie whose goodnesse euer exceedeth formidable appearance then execute malicious wilfulnesse whose out-rages are seldome preuented What Law Iudgement or Reason wil allow condemne disappoint The massacre of innocent Babes the Preuiledge of sacred Princes the right of Legitimate Heires But to the purpose hath heauenly reuolution threatned an ouerthrow What earthly meanes can prohibite the pleasure of the Gods hath our feare taken roote from the Oracle of Apollo What humane cunning shall hinder the course of their springing Yet peraduenture you haue mistaken what was prophesied or prophesied what your selfe haue mistaken besides each fond Dreame must not be beleeued or lying Priest allowed as for deuine resolutions neither can the reaching wit of man impeach the credite nor Furie of deuils controule the enforcement By the paines therefore of Ballutasa in our birth I desire by the teares sadnes of Pisana by my owne chastitie by thy aduancement to this Empire by the secrets of our marriage I coniure either your patience to tollerate the burden of heauenly Imposition or resuscitate your allacritie to recouer your renowne by the one you shall be sure to proceed in a good course by the other confirme the faith of your subiects toward you who setled so long in a happy peace confirmed in the Loue of a Royall Prince wil neither hazerd the one nor leaue the other though Kalucky should immagine there were cause of innouation ut what was this otherwise then to spit against the winde whose violence returneth the filth into thy face or to impart the sweetnesse of musick to a deafe auditorie For hee either not hearing because he minded it not or not minding because it liked not or not liking because it pleased not or not pleasing because it disagreed to his humorous suspition answered My will shall now stand for a Lawe and pronounceth death to thy children or losse of thy owne life with which conclusion of death departing as the beginning was death the proceeding death and the ende death so no doubt had it finished with a double death if prouident carefulnesse had not preuented desperate quicknesse For the Empresse all inraged put in practise diuers motions of a broken spirit as rashing of her ornaments of Maiestie scratching her louely face with a manifest rebellion against beautie disseuering her daintie plighted tresses in scorn of comelinesse and bethumping her panting sides swelling with the life striuing within so that the Ladyes had a taxe of difficultie imposed to withhold her from a desperate crueltie til a new worke proposed it selfe for her spirites weakened with the threanes of her pangs and her pangs increasing with child-bearing trauell subiected her to necessitie of life and induced them to further her deliuerance which was done in such
suspecting what a mutinous Multitude might vnaduisedly yeeld vnto especially hauing already entertained mislike and now confounded with new action of distrustes which accordingly came to passe For the Cittie dismayed with the report of Olmus death and terrefied with the speeches of diuers who gaue out that the King ment presently to sacke it misdoubted their owne saftie and were vâ—…d to Master their forces to saue their liues which Gestarius incited them vnto a Minnion of the slaughtered Prince and with a slender inuectiue quickely exasperated their displeasure But heere Fortune laughed first to see a man of iudgement deceiued in an idle choyce and then the world bewitched to be caried out of the smooth path of Obedience by a blind guide into the stony and craggy streights of Innouation For concerning the man hee was in great credite about Olmus yet neither bitth allowing the fauour of a Court nor education meriting any extraordinate liking onely readinesse of Lip-labour adioyning some outward pleasantnesse to many abrupt speaches of them-selues neither in another gracious nor from another allowable made the ouercredulous Prince continue his loue because hee had begun his liking and admit the person for pleasing his fancie loth to reiect so great hope as his cunning perswaded and vnwilling to bring his first Iudgement in question which had so much ouerruled him Touching his Action as soone as silence was pittifully entreated hee seemed to excruciate him selfe with sorrow and began to vtter his minde yet could not for deepe sighs nor sigh long for many teares which proceeding from affection detained him awhile in some abruptnesse till at last the strength of his desire to Reuenge gaue libertie to the tongue thus to dispute O infortunate people sayd â—…e euen after so long goodnesse with the surfet of the same vnfortunate now are you inuited to a sower Banquet in which neither courtious entertainement alloweth a welcome nor holsome Diet satisfaction vnlesse odious Presumption arrogant Contempt wilfull Negligence vnexpected Oppression tyranous Slaughters and vnnaturall Murders be the fare you attend and the Dellicates you hope after For naught else affoordeth the Disshes of this course or the courses of this Feast considering your glory O yee that were proude in the fruition of such glory is quite extinguished but in whom in Olmus ô princely Olmus is slaine But where in the Pallace temple sacred to the people and sanctified to the Gods But how by force of Armes and furie of Tyrants But by whom by blood thirsty Artabazes who with his owne hands chased vs from the place and slew his Fathers Sonne in the Temple which as I cannot declare without griefe so I wish not let passe without redresse considering you importune to haue the gouernment worthy your obedience and not to remaine in a continuall feare of your ruine For what shall wee expect when the Common-wealth hath been made the Tennisball of Fortune and tossed as his violence inforced When the Complaints of the people haue been derided and irregular wilfulnesse set on foote manie diuelish stratagems as for the Warres which hath made vs all smart they haue been but counted pastimes and the meanes to disburthen him of ill willers But concerning our selues How shall we that be Strangers liue without dismay when hee which was his Mothers Sonne died without remorce Let my very Enemies whom yet I would not haue enemies to their Country looke about with the eyes of zeale and discretion and then tell mee if the Kingdome thus distracted stand not in need of better direction when they see in all strong compacted Estates either Wise men be aduanced to authoritie or men in authoritie endeauour to be Wise Nor are-we so slauishly bound to the succession of a Monarchy not yet confirmed with eighty yeares memorie to submit to priuat insatiatnesse rather then prouide for publicke good What shall I say I protest neither old rooted Malice nor any priuate Displeasure of my owne giueth this euidence Or as the ill willer may inferre perpretrateth a crime but the dangers you remaine in most honourable Armenianus to see your Priuiledges taken from you your Goods dispearsed your selues made slaues your Wiues rauished your Daughters deflowred and your Citties set on fire as if your names were to be forgotten on earth compelleth this aggrauation For the Head corrupted suffreth the Body to perish and the Minde to be contagious a Spring poysoned dissolueth the venom into the running Streame and the Prince lifted vp like the head of a polliticall body either of him selfe wicked or of as wicked as him selfe mis-ledde quickly ruineth the flourishing'st Kingdome Then may the Subiects wish amisse because they hate and hate in that they can receiue no good which seeing wee haue such pregnant proofe of let vs in time either alter this vntoward beginning or depose our new beginning Tyrant for in our case wee forâ—…y not that good men doe die but tremble that the vicious doe liue No sooner had his rebellious eloquence soothed the conceites of the multitude but with a mutinous hurliburly not vnlike a raging Sea swelling ouer some small defence which caryeth before it what so euer stoppeth his course or a boysterous Winde whose violence hurleth downe the greatest and highest Buildings did they thronge on heapes against the place whither safety had withdrawne Artabazes and seeing the Ports guarded were the more enraged because resisted yea altogeather out of patience as finding a likelihood of Gestarius inuectiue the most of them not knowing whither they went nor aduised what to doe yet because they would bee dooing did indeed what was not to be done Some crying it surpasseth Homicide and no way to be excused others wished their silence and inferred there might be a causing circomstaunce Some whispered the danger of delay and that there was opportunitie to reuenge all their wronges others gaue an assault vainely presuming on the glory of the exployte Some thought it too much outrage and therfore seemed halfe angry others of a more dangerous courage fearing a slacknesse in the deuision were the angrier at their anger Some gaue a caueat to be aduised least the King should preuaile others made vse of that doubt that no Pardon would euer be graunted and therefore as good purchase their Peace by force or make it a generall trespasse Thus vnstayed hastinesse the very principall part of trayterous insurrection deuided their wits and debarred all motions of alleageance causing them which intended to doe well to practise what was amisse and such as ment amisse to continue in tenn times worse so that Artabazes was amased at the wretched vprore and in a manner confounded to see such a concurrencie of mischiefe but when he perceiued their outrage bent to entrap his life and that they had begun a worke of great trouble he summoned the best aduise he could of preuention which concluded to winne time the father of contraries and by secret flight to preuent the present fury reasonning thus
either their owne affayres would deuide them to their houses or the charge in maintaining the Army would proue to comberfome or the Queene hauing strongly fortefied her selfe in Belcania would raise and encrease her power or the neighbour amity of Media would sufficiently reenforce his Army this his eldest sonne Anzitemus much vrged because Artabanus the Median King was many wayes tyed in honour vnto him and to this did they all condiscend making that night a sudden alarum and with a gallant sally quickely winning the Hauen with the Ships within the Riuer wherein no man resisting for the King commaunding and was now able to be obeied they as quickely embarked themselues But heere you might haue deciphered the operation of base cowardise and gallant vallure this of such vertue that each daunger was as soone ouerpassed as attempted that of such changes that the hurlyburly amongst themselues slue more with disorder then the Enemie with aduantage For as Anzitemus gaue the on set and that the king followed to second him whole Lanes were made through some few companies new risen and the suddennesse suffered none to rise who were otherwise ouertaken besides the night encreased the feare the feare a confusion a confusion a most lamentable slaughter which the King not regarded as supposing Iustice had taken his cause in hand but thanking Fortune for the opportunitie left them amazed at the accident and setled him selfe to the dispatch of his iourney By this time some better aduised then the rest gathered togeather the dispearsed Forces but when the light of their Vnderstanding had vnited it selfe to the light of the Morning and that they saw so pittious aspectacle and knew the King was escaped then followed another alteration For the vnsetled multitudenere disputing on the first cause condemned the present mischiefe and began to enueigh against the inchantment of that exercist Gestarius which had so seduced them but when they ouerlooked their damages and conceiued the matter as if Iustice had sent them to the house of Correction then grew the terror amongst themselues more then their courages against their enemies none now being enemies but such as enterprised the defence of Gestarius who base in very basenesse it selfe allowed each reproch without Coulour or excuse and suffered the wrecke of their rage with the losse of his owne life which done Pleios a chiefe man amongst them aduised to submit to the Queene Euphamia whom in all actions they had found a worthy patterne of Ptincelynesse and vertue and would not now degenerate considering Gestarius had already receiued the guerdon of a Traytor and no man remayned but trembled to immagin what the end would haue been if the King had miscaried This euery one applauded and a present submission made intercession for a pardon but by reason of her feare of Artabazes it receiued not full life yet shee accorded what euer chanced to make their peace and they encouraged with her Princely promise disperced themselues wherupon she sent forth a Pinace as a messenger of these glad tidinges to finde out Artabazes which made such hast that within three dayes it ouertooke them ouertaken with such ill successe as if mischiefe and destruction indeed had called a dismall counsell to crosse a man FOr most Excellent Princes euen when they thought misfortune weary of her tyrany they descried a Fleet at Sea the arch Pirat Cleonidas whom the Ministers of report had certefied of Artabazes troubles and mingling many lyes with some truth perswaded that most men desired his returne and aduancement to which his former discontentments and present meanes of Reuenge seemed to flatter him that if the worst fell out he might ioyne with Olmus and so make the same Water that draue the Mill to drowne the Mill by his comming causing the Brothers so to weaken one another that at last he might be warranted to depresse the strongest party This aduised him to furnish his Nauy and hearing the voyce of the Windes sound comfort vnto him made vse of the time set forward with speed vntill he encountred Artabazes Sailing into Media and thought Fortune very liberall in bestowing such a benefit vpon him For now the choise of reconciliation or Reuenge was exposed but Reuenge sounded like Musicke in his cruell eares as maintained with the life of a more cruell heart wherupon without parlee or other amplifieing manner of defiance more then that he exclamed how the fauour of the Gods had sent Cleonidas to cry quittance with the sonne of Armenus he presently assaulted them But when the name of Cleonidas wicked Clenidas yea in his wickednesse dishonorable Cleonidas was vnderstood of Artabazes neuer came vallure to be so miserably checked as if the sound of Cleonidas had proceeded from the Trumpet of death for a sudden stilnesse far be it from any man to call it a feare made such a Metamorphosis that when there seemed greatest need of an embolding courage then began a misdoubt of death warranting sorrow which departed not till a strong party of sighes and teares disproportioned his magnanimitie at last he remembred himselfe and seing his sonne Anzitemus as it were ouerlooking him caught hold of his Arme and thus spake O the strength of my life O my Anzitemus Be not dismayde at this extasie nor impute the titell of Cowardise to the father of such a sonne but the only opinion the now examination of the same which I conceiued of the wise Dermastro who long since in a greefe-working sadnesse assured that Cleonidas would be omninous vnto me hath ouerswaied that allacrytie which I once supposed no mischance should distemper yet I protest this is not troublesome in regard of my selfe but for thee whom I haue doublie and irrecouerably betrayed and abused But necessitie made a breach of his speeches For Anzitemus answering no otherwise then liue Artabazes in despight of Cleonidas was enforced to the fight and so disposed his Ships that Cleonidas determining to Grapple thought to discouer some aduantage by Wheeling about and turning his Sailes And as when two mightie Rammes enraged with the smart of well inforced stroakes quickly part themselues and to the vnexperienced make a Cowardly retreat butindeed to meete againe with sorer fury so acted Cleonidas his part for what with animating of some terrefieing of others and his owne example he set forward againe and becircled the ship wherein Artabazes was with foure greater Now who had seene the peerelesse King for his worthynesse could not but haue thought valure rightly bestowed such was the slaughter he made such was the confusion which followed The shipe full of dead Carkases full of dying men full of wounded fighters himselfe bestowing no blow but like a Messenger of Reuenge and ouerpressed with number like a Minister of rage as for the rest the valiant in their deaths outfaced death the coward saw his shame rewarded either with miserable slaughter or slauish Captiuitie the Ships were suncke and dismembred and
and credite After followed the Officers of his Court Guard Attendance and last of all fiue thousand armed Souldiers brought vp the Reare who well marshalled with their Commaunders and Officers was not the least grace to the Trimuph Thus Artabanus came with Anzitemus and Anzitemus with Artabanus into the â—…istes moouing his very Enemies with the manner of his caryage and the state of his spectacle and although his behauiour neither enclined to exceeding chearefulnesse nor disconsolate sadnesse wherâ—…y they might haue vsed correspondence in theirs yet began they to wonder with a kind of repentance how they had been all this while subiect to such preuarication but the approach of Medormus extinguished these meditations who certefied by the Earle Marshall that Anzitemus was already in the Feeld thus issued out of a Crimsen Veluet tent all imbrodred with Crossebowes of Gold with this Mott Viribus plusquam ingenio First a fame on Horsebacke diuulging her hate to secrecy sounded a very Warlike diuision next followed diuers gallantly mounted with the seuerall Penons of all his Troops then came fiftie Gent. on foote all apparrelled a like in an vpper Roabe of Arabia the stuffe Crimsen Veluet the fashion open before cutt vp behind and of each side all places yet enclosed by reason great Gold-lace Buttons made of intricate knottes were folded within the circuit of the like Loopes On their head the attyre now vsed in Turkestan but long since in Siria made of Crimson yellow Cipers rowled compony togeather and thicke beset with Spangles behinde almost to the Calfe of the legg hung a Scarfe fastned to the rowles of Crimson-Taffata all ouer embrodred with Crownes By their right side a short Sword guilt in the like coulored Sheth as if they had been all left-handed and signified that what enheritance could not challenge by one meanes or other he would obtaine their Sâ—…ockinges were of Yellow famitt and Shooes of red Leather as if they purposed for their Maisters sake to tread in Bloud Then rode fortie Knightes his Allies and confederates Armed in guilt Armour pounced with a Garden of Marigoldes and a heauen ouerspredding with a glorious Sunne in it as if he were the Sunne of their glory whom like the Marygold they would obserue for he had giuen them already Guilt maces in their hands resembling Scepters with intent to inuest them kings After followed tenn Pages on somany spare Horses richly caparisond with seuerall deuises but their sheeldes had one Imprese which was an Arrow flying out of a Bow to the Element The Mott higher then another next attended three Knightes with his Helmett Shield Launce Then came he himselfe proudly mounted his Armour sumptuously enameled with certaine Crosse-bowes which were no way to be bent but by force but to see them of Goldsmiths worke richly embelished with Rubies and Opalles orderly marshalled all ouer a Crimson-veluet Caparison you would sure haue taken him for the Sonne of Mars or Seruant of Honor On his left Arme hee ware a Scarfe of Orenge curled Cipers all ouer tufted with Womans haire made fast vnder buttons of Gold quadrated with rich Diamonds This Gliranda bestowed vpon him as assuring shee would spare neither Hayre nor Heart to forward the enterprise Last of all followed diuers companies of his Armie not in mistrust of any vnlookt-for surprysing but to giue the King notice their obedience vnto him was not altogeather forced Thus is the comicall Shew presented and many sportiue obseruations streamed about in a smoth channell But now enters Death and Destruction to bring in a Tragedie and the Princes summoned to doe their deuoire with a gallant speedinesse make a stop in the midst of the race so that what with fulnesse of their Strength the swiftnesse of their Horses the surenesse of their Armour the cunning in their Deuision and their iust Meeting togeather the Launces were weary of their length and the Knights might for neerenesse imbrace one another But this was soone forgotten and their vnsheathed Swordes put them in minde they were drawne to some purpose so began a gallant Turny which likewise had his passage till Medormus quietly gathering vp the raines of his Horse with his Bridle hand set him againe loosely forward and indeed was the first which stroke a blow of aduantage wherein if hee had not ouer-liberally yeelded to his haste it had made an excellent try all of the deliuery whereas it now slided by without any setled damage But when Anzitemus felt him selfe burdened with smart and shame hee reprehended his slacknesse and set a taske on his courage to requite it which by this time made anger follow apace yet loth to strike him behinde and vnable to wheele about with a reuersse he hit him on the side of his head comming fortunatly forward stroke him againe as if hee meant to tell him there was two for one Quite was Medormus out of patience and so put an action of distemperature in practise by bearing his Shield ouer his Sword with a maine careere at his aduersarie who apprehending the mischiefe fortunately receiued it on the outside of his which vnable to resist the force vnwillingly deuided it selfe and Anzitemus was glad he escaped so supposing a slender losse sooner recouered then a greater which made him imploy both his warinesse and diligence the better that hee desisted not till Medormus best defence was broken disioynted and vnable to stand him longer instead who iected for assured of her husbands death bad death goe forward and entertaine her for a slaue that would not be the friend of life so stabing her selfe left an instace of Trayterous ambition worthy lie rewarded THis was for the manner the parties querimoniall but soone ouer passed in regard Anzitemus feeling his wounds begin to coole inforced their best care toward him and so by the skilfull fortunate Surgeon receiued presently some ease that hasted them to the Cittie where the applause of the people his welcome and Triumph was so magnificent that he seemed vnpained in his paine acknowledged sufficient satisfaction though his debt to nature had been payed in the bargaine But by that time the woundes of his body began to heale the corasiues of his minde craued some cataplasme as his owne businesse Armenias troubles and Artabazes captiuitie all which like the humble sutors for a friend in distresse pleading to a King his merit and how well bestowed his fauour should be toward him vrged Anzitemus to goe the next way whereupon hee counsayled Artabanus to recall his Forces out of Persia reasoning that a vertuous Peace was to be preferred before an vniust Warre and concluding to offer Astiages a present of euerlasting Amitie by matching Roxana his Daughter to Darius Artabanus Sonne Neuer was Counsell better bestowed for though Anzitemus thought by this contract to reduce his confused businesse to some forme and so to be able to circumuent Cleonidas where soeuer hee lurked or at least to redeeme his Father yet
concurrent are in me wanting For to be more particular a King must as well seeke to haue his minde guarded with vertues as his body with armed Souldiers and if it be pleasing to call these by their names it is conuenient to know them by their natures which if I bee not deceiued are to bee thus deciphered Affabilitie without Affectation least a partiall admittance keepe such next his person as are noted with infamie and a wilfull conniuency ouerpasse the great faults of his Officers Liberalitie with Aduice that his Reuenewes and Royalties may supply wantes without exactions rather vpon necessitiâ—… vrging Beneuolences then wantonnesse commaunding Impositions Magnificense with Reposednesse whereby the honour of the Court may extend to timely Princelinesse either at the accesse oâ—… his owne Peeres or entertainement of forraine Embassadors Mercie with Discretion least the Wicked insult through presumption and Imegritie complaine to see Vice vnpunished Recreation with Iudgement least Pleasures raigne without Limet and the Common wealth remaine neglected and disconsolate Loyalty with Secrecy least sinne abroad purchase hatred at home and like recompence cause Ielousie and Miâ—…oubt to be depriuers of libertie Concerning the troubles of disagreement either in publicke or priuate hostillytie he must haue Depth of wisdome to remember respect and foresee Height of Courage as well to embolden others as defend himselfe considering many times challenges are made amongâ—… Princes and one mans death is the preseruation of a Million of liues Largenes of Bounty to honor reward and aduance according to the well deseruing and not opinnion of meâ—… Regarde of Maiestie that his state may strike a reuerence and louelynesse a desier and though last named yet the cheifest of accounâ—… 〈◊〉 of â—…rizones wherby either hope of blessingâ—…s will detaine them in good courses or feare of Iudgment coerceate a bad disposition These Iewells noble Lords are the Ornaments of Kingâ—… wherof the fruition is not so plausible as the wâ—… dangerous such is the difference in greatnesse by discent and desert but concerning my selfe I am engaged already in the like expectation of 〈◊〉 and â—…ed to the necessitie of my fathers redemption 〈◊〉 me therfore neither betray your loues to neglygence nor entangle my selfe with such difficulty but because your deâ—…s shal not be altogeâ—…er â—…strate I doe thus aduise you Daâ—… Artaâ—…us sonne a neighbour a King and sufficient yea so sufficient that I need not exemplefie his vertues matching with Roxana Astiages Daughter will in the match ouermatch all your troubles and new fashion your mishappen gouernment which if you admt as vrged by my selfe Armenia sâ—…all be foreuer confederat and Anzitemus an assured freend to Persia besides two such â—…gdomes vnited will terrefie the greateâ—… ill will and make ample your mightinesse for euer To this or the like purpose did my speeches tend whereby I somewhat pacefied the first enforcement but had a sparing answere concerning Roxana For there wanted not those which replyed how her beautie and desert merited better at my hands then so slightly to interest another with the possession of such life and excellency wherupon Zaleppo a cheife peere of the Realme either stomaching my carelesenesse or yet making me beleeue I should not leaue them so vnprouided hasted to the Pallace and returned with the Lady as if he ment to exprobrate my simplycitie that would ouerpasse a matter of such worth and truely most gratious Brizaca such was the goodlynesse of her person and the appearance of other perfections that an exact amorist would not haue wished for better becomming To be plaine deuine influence ouerruleth mans purposes For what a continuall presence might haue wrought I know not but Fortune euer Ominous vnto me except in my now happines intercepted this progresse of affection and by the returne of Astiages with that Monster of nature Cleonidas whom I shall neuer name with patience ouerturned both the foundation and the building of my desires For Astiages stomaching the indignitie of the reuolt and his owne discomfiture presently fled to his ships as he had before contriued and putting into the maine Caspian the next day encountred with this damnable associate betweene Whom for the time passed some difference the one impeaching delay wherby mischance Triumphed to his great discomforte the other excusing the matter by the Battaile with my father and that he also heard Adelphus was returned into Media which offered him leisure to the new rigging his ships and supplying his men but when Cleonidas had fully conceiued the desaster of Astiages he bad him quiet himselfe and infused new life with the sight of Artabazes in Captyuitie which the King tooke so passhionately that he confounded two contraries ioy and anger togeather For neither remembring his vertues nor greatnesse nor allowing the present magnanimity outfacing his misery with a sullen abruptnesse he plainely tould him that if at the first motion I did not deliuer vp the possession of Susiana and depart quietly out of Persia he would Torture him before my face in view of the Cittie in which humour they Landed their Armie and Soldierlike marched forward surprising many places I had forrefied till a timely alarum gaue notice of their pretences and occationed expedition to intercept them But to decipher the variety of humours which the accident wrought were to be as tedious now as they were troublesome then Some vnder Colour of remorse began to vpbraied their disobedience that so soone consented to the deposing of a King for a casuall effect of distemprature some ignominiously cowards began already to prepare for a flight and these the only bosters in security Some absolutely wicked respecting nothing but themselues made a continuall reuoult to the stronger side a polliticke preuention of their losses though the obloquie remained some with a kind of cunning spared both a reprehention of the enemie and palpable flattery of the preuayler some stomached the deiection of their houses as rather wishing their owne aduancements then repining at my successe some neither hopefull to others nor helpefull to themselues onely wondred that Persia should be so barren to elect a stranger ouer them these men had willingnesse but no power to doe hurt some true Louers of the Common-wealth proclaimed mee Protector of the Realme and maintained the charge of the Warre with their owne and the Citties Treasure Now was I some what perplexed to be resident amongst so many vnstayed dispositions yet vnwilling to receiue notice of euery slender occation I applyed my selfe to the time taking a generall Oth of the Cittie wherein I reserued the hostages of diuers Noble men besides Roxana remained as a pledge for my securytie and seemed contented so her fathers life might be spared but not â—…eaning to trust my selfe within a place where death had a hundred wayes of trechery nor desirous to be affrighted with the mutinis and turmoyles to which the people vpon euery alteration are incident I chose from amongst them eight Thousand of their
head with Honor to the graue gloryed in the fauour Anzitemus began wih All these resolued him that the fame of Artabazes death and Astiages ouerthrow was altredy diuulged in Armenia and that the dissentions betwixt Media and Persia receiued a period only the Maryage of Roxana was deferred as not knowing how he was affected and therfore without doubt he might determine for his owne kingdome Wherupon they made forward apace and accordinge to their expectation without difficulty more then the wonder of his returne because they supposed him lost in the fight with Cleonidas Landed in Armenia at the Riuer Erix from whence by easie Iornies ouer the Mountaines they came to Armamiranda where Euphamia was resident to whom the people vpon report of Anzitemus ariuall had flocked on heapes desiring her to stand as a guard betweene them and his displeasure considering their obedience since and the reuenge vpon Gestarius who had opened the Dore of the last troubles To these she onely wished the continuance of their loyalties but to certaine persons drawne into the faction with Olmus and of inueterate malice for Cleonidas who made her beleeue they would be warranted their safety shee absolutely denied to bee compelled For if they determined truth and vndissimuled duety no doubt her Sonne though Artabazes losse was irkesome to them both knew what belonged to a remedilesse matter But little needed these suspitions for Anzitemus knowing that strange courses bred as strange alterations and that in a good beginning consisted the hope of successe proclaymed a generall Pardon and establishing of all men in their estates offices and places that would ratifie his succession With this comfort was the whole Kingdome appeased and for the better assurance of their faythfull hearts they confirmed the prerogatiues of his Maiestie and conferred to him whatsoeuer belonged to a Kings person establishing those Lawes wherewith his Father and Grandfather had swayed the Common-wealth The people brought in a guift of a thousand Talents the Officers to continue their places liberally fined them selues the Nobilitie to renew their Immunities sent many Presents the Cities to strengthen their Priuiledges disbursed great summes the Gentry to aduance them selues spared for no reasonable matter and the Courtiers to purchase fauoure exceeded in cost and diligence But when the incomparable Brizaca was published their Queene they passed in extremity of applause and sacrificed to the Gods for restoring their peace and establishing the Monarchy in such worth and royalty THus was Anzitemus and Brisaca solemly inuested and looking backe with regard vpon the worth of Euphamia affoorded her the dignities of her Widdowhead and permitted her the fruition of many Pallaces and Priuiledges besides in all Assemblies there was a Throane erected somewhat higher then his owne that the people might know shee was the Kings Mother and how highly hee desteemed her Now though Fortune dad taken off the maske of Despight and shewed him a countenance of fauour yet neither seemed hee vaine or elated but reposed and indeed moderating that excesse of ioy which sometimes many Princes after their aduancements cannot hide But it may be the meditation of his great affaires reduced him because three especiall matters lifted vp their heads to be seene and by being seene to be remembred The first was the discharge of the Zagarians and dismissing Philano which hee royally performed with a Princely ouerplus confirming the League and wishing if the Persians and Medians did not agree to hearken after Roxana but when Trezoboro came to take his leaue of his Friend it exceeded a Passion and the louely Philano truly deciphered the force of Affection So deuiding a Ring betweene them because subiect to aduentures they might be sure not to be vnknowne they parted in body but the loue of their hearts ended not in death The Ring was artificially wrought and enclosed with an enameled Scalloppe made of a Stone taken from the eyes of a Panther but deuided was not to be matched without the other both parts had impression with their owne bloods from this counterchangeable Mott Nonaliud admittit The second proceeded from his care to Artabanus to whom hee had engaged him selfe especially about the redaction of both the Kingdomes to one Monarchy But this was happily without further trouble determined for not three dayes before Philano departed the Embassadors of Media and Persia ariued and after the ceremonie of gratification from all estates was ended they shewed him a Commission contayning foure principall poynts First they tyed them selues to yeerely Tribute as acknowledging him the life by which their polliticall bodyes did mooue in peace The second exposed a perpetuetie of Alleageance for Loue and Dutie was but a slender counterpoise to Life and Honour which hee had so often aduentured for their sakes The third concerned the Mariage of Roxana with Darius Artabanus Sonne The last entreated for Cleonidas whom destruction had miracuiously spared his owne penitency much bettered To these he breifly made answere the Tribute he did disclaime as foreseeing such a Challenge might either grow to intrusion or moue their deniall so heere after debate be the destruction of one another Their loue and frendshippe he much relyed vpon The Maryage of Roxana he anulled dilating besides the hapinesse depending but concerning Cleonidas Anzitemus interceded as resolued the differences betweene them were not so slightly to be ouerpassed The third and espetiall matter of importance consisted of many diffused partes and therefore intermixed the more trouble to vniforme it and this was how to reconcile Trezoboro to his father considering the inconueniences proiected from the prophesie First the Emperors goodwill hung in suspence for he that feared before they were borne could not but tremble now they were men and of abillitie to defend themselues Then the returne of Kalucky was doubtfull vpon the notice of the deceite Thirdly the discussing of the Oracle finding part true in the Maryage of Brizaca must needes hasten dipleasure Next the mislike of Opacus because his daughters had so presumed would sturre vp some troubles Last of all the ielosie of himselfe as the Principll cause of mischeife For commonly men feare most the blow that commeth last and the Oracle concluded that Mengrelius must be slaine by his daughters Husband THese particulars were orderly debated at last his loue to his Queene and Trezoboro preuayled eyther to make a peaceable attonement or compulsiue entrance into Trebizonda for which purpose Bertosus was sent Embassadour from the Armenian King to the Emperour Mengrelius to whom the report of Anzitemus recouery seemed so strange that his feare of hee knew not what presaged mischiefe to follow yet remembring the Prerogatiue of Kings and that Bertosus desired audience hee appoynted a day of hearing and for the better countenancing his Maiestie summoned all the Princes and Nobilitie of his Empire the chiefe was the Empresse Ballutasa then followed Opacus of Capadocia Curatsax of 〈◊〉 Phorcanus of pontns Schidrothemis of Synoâ—… Rhemus
last tombled Barka out of the world For as the Emperor vnder Coulor of fauour would needes carry Kalucki to the Pallace of Concubines but of purpose to make their beuties a baite to allure him so by enfringing the seuere edict in that kinde to haue cause of accusation against him the Empresse tooke occation of passage by the walke through which Kalucki must returne to the Court and perceiuing he had been left alone amogst them to make tryall of his abillytie in resisting the temptation she somwhat cunningly asked those about her who it was that presumed so to come within the Limitts of these places sacred and prohibyted and from whence he had now brought him selfe Answer was made it was the Prince Kalucki whom the Emperor licensed to view the other Pallace that will I know fayth she from himselfe call him therefore heither least his ignorance by being a stranger breed further errour But when Kalucki perceiued it was the Empresse his inward motions were at variance and the very bloud of his vaines seemed troubled like as Wine riseth into bubles when a lumpe of Sugar is throne into the Glasse or is sturred with a greater strength yet come he must and fall downe he must and rise againe he must answer many questions he must as how the Emperor pleased to grace him how he liked the Ladyes and their attiyre whether he knew the fault of his being there and many other to the same purpose all which he answered like himselfe a man a Prince and vnmoued with nouelties At last seeing the prerogatiue and custome had taught her attendants to stand so remote that they were out of hearing she left thinges impertinent to giue him notice there was some good toward him and preparing his attention vsed these speeches Before I enter thou honorable Stranger into the channell of my Discourse let mee giue thee notice of the Countries wherein wee liue and the Customes wee obserue The first mighty large rude vncitied and in many places deformed yet somewhat capable of Discipline and assured Friendes to Vallour The latter not greatly Religious nor caryed away with the nicetie of Vertue seldome maintayning Iustice For the stronger Arme supprefseth a weake and hating or at least neglecting any Stranger whatsoeuer onely your selfe may boast of great happinesse in the loue of the people and opinion of the better sort though I must confesse farre short of your desert and presume on exceeding specialitie neuer affoorded any other but withall as you see a Fire of filthy weedes to giue a glorious light but to leaue a long time after a most odious stincke So hath this applause caried a pleasant shew toward you But no lesse then your life must answer the displeasure arysing from the same For the Emperour intoxicated with a violent suspition against you trembleth at the feare and hath concluded alreadie your death What resteth now but preuention That cannot be wrought but by my meanes nor can I proceed but by your consent and respect of such a Friend as must and will saue your life Be not therefore curious of my mislike to Barka breach of Vowes affection to your selfe and such petty questions But suppose after approoued goodnesse I shame to see thee subiect to apparant inhumanitie now resteth in thy choyce either life or death To this a hundred seuerall passages are open To that onely one Dore is vnlocked and looketh both to life and Maiestie To be plaine either the Emperour must yeeld to the summons of a hasty Death or thy selfe to the arrest of a violent Execution If then with vnderstanding this abruptnesse thou canst remember thy selfe and by thy selfe the danger to be acquainted with the affaires of Princes and by that danger to contriue the contrary saftie and by that saftie to reioyce with her that determineth all honour vnto thee I am satisfied and hope in conceiuing mee a right neither is your Courage nor Wisedome so rebated but you can put a difference betwixt a happy life and miserable death This sodaine breuitie but full of substaunce and so well graced with a maiestical Spirit brought with it her accustomed companion Amazement yet because there was nothing heere inferred except the loue of the Empresse which hee before suspected not his Answere seemed the redier and with addition of extraordinarie demeanour strengthened her liking the rather toward him For when he saw that counterpleading would rather shew a Demissnes then Conscience and that all good courses were vnprofitable with vntractable people hee graciously submitted to her behests not without protestation that her Beautie and magnificense had attracted his regard more then desire of any Greatnesse So that hee rested like Wax moulded with her warme hand ready for what impression it pleased her to bestow onely hee impetrated that if it were possible hee might be exempted in the bloody attempt because hee would not pollute his hands with a Princes massacre This shee tooke as an excellent part of Generositie So that as much inflamed with his Vertues as Person shee dismissed him to his owne care and setled her selfe to the strange course of the Emperours death which ledde her vp by casier staires then she could imagine For the Emperor fully resolued to his murder compacted with Chamus Ilion Iodda and Tarachim to be the executioners but Tarachim either a secret instrument of the Empresse or taking remorce to see iniustice rebell against vertue or pollytickly forecasting for his owne priuate as perceiuing to what end her desires tended once againe discouered the substance and circumstance of the cause to Mullumalla and that he wanted nothing but a time to put it in practise And hath he no body saith she to make the slaue of wickednesse but a man endeered to vs for his Nobillytie of blood and euer till now the seruant of Honour and vertue Beleeue me I thinke you are bewitched so strangly to be drawne into your owne ruines for what trust can he repose in you that can be hired with Mony to doe mischeife without question it is but a plot of tryall against your selues who will euer make account of the Murderers of a Prince yea such a Prince to whom the kingdome must yeeld the Tribute of your peace but if there were possibillytie to belecue that any many durst immagin such a thought by the silence of the night I sweare were he not my Emperor I iudge him worthy of death in his base submission to such villany therefore Honorable Tarachim deceiue not thy selfe in Barkas meaning nor be againe deceiued though he meane as thou sayest For then can it proue no otherwise then absolute tirany and to free the Common wealth of a Tyrant is indeed an action of renowne This she spake to put his disposition to the touch and finding him willing to be diuerted she then strengthned him in that resolution this made him more flexible toward her and that perswaded a wondefull contrarietieb ringing in the Ielosie
fauours hath collated this Empire without desert or my owne first seeking yet must I not now either degenerate from that I am or appeare other then I should be least you may immagin former basenesse or present demisnesse but because matters of Armes and martiall exploites are intended and as may be obiected rather for my priuate satisfaction then your generall good I determined to acquaint you with the story from the beginning and so fell into the addition of many circumstances with this last newes of Scaroxus which they neuer heard of Now if you thinke it meete that so great a commander ouer so many valiant people and such spatious Countries should digest a defamation which pettie Princes would aduenture to reuenge I must submit and for your sakes or peace will make the Warre of a distempred conscience But if my calamitous discourse hath wrought any impression whereby with your loues and assistance I may proceed then doe I expostulate your constancie and account my selfe more happy then Fortunate For if you haue rightly vnderstood me my meaning is not to lead you to destruction or driue you like a Tyrant to a slaughter house but I expose vnto you the recouery Citties Possessions Ritches and what men can desier of a large and fertile Countrie to which without doubt the Gods will consent so your abashed drawing backe be not signes of ill successe When it seemed he determined silence the company rather wondring at his perfections then misunderstanding his speeches gaue a great Plaudite crying the Gods preserue Kalucki the Gods protect our Emperor and with vnfainednesse offered themselues and goods freely to the enterprise this made him feast them all sumptuously by way of gratification and that brought them to care and reuerence toward him the easier so a Councell of Warre disputed the matter and dispersed the seuerall Commanders to rayse vp Forces to make his Armie the greater For though hee had euer in readinesse a hundred thousand in Armes besides his owne Companies brought with him from Trebizond and now foure-score Thousand seruing for a Guard to his person yet were his Foure principall Kingdomes that is to say Ieckomongall Sumongall Merchat and Metrit assessed at Fourtie thousand a peece mustred and orderly trayned in respect of their former disorder at Coralla where the Rendezuous was appoynted THus with a mightie Armie he marched along leauing Mullumalla Regent in his absence who the morning of his departure had sacrifised two whight Hartes to Diana and by their forward going to the Alter presaged good successe and his returne and hauing framed an Imperiall Diadem set on many degrees and beautified with inestimable Pretious stones which were supported in euery barre with her owne proâ—…ature a thing questionlesse both for worth and workmanshippe of admiration she Crowned him therwith in the sight of the Armie and so with a Warlike ceremony committed him to the tuition of the Sunne Thus is he come to the confines of Albania and there rested himselfe studying which way to proceed in the best course and at last creating Queridock Prince of his Emperiall tent made him an Embassador to Mengrelius with these instructions That whereas he had been dispossessed of the Empire of Trebizonda by wrong and despight and was contented to embace him selfe to strange conditions to auoyde effusion of blood they had yet to adde to his indignytie scorned him and infringed the Lawes both of Honor and nations that seeing this contempt was intolletable the Couenants enioyned him to lay claime to his right he came in person with an Armie of three hundred Thousand well appyoynted Soldiers to performe the same that if it seemed good to the Emperials to admitte him to quiet possession considering it was but a smale satisfaction of his first wronges no worthy man should be displaced and he would desist from the way of conquest That if they impugned his desires then to denounce open hostilly and giue them warning the businesse was remedilesse and he mercilesse This Embasie did Queridocke deliuer with a gallant spirit and grace not without intimation of iniustice concerning him selfe and diuers others banished their naturall Country which in a manner distracted the hearers by reason they could not denie what he sayd nor durst accord to what hee importuned and had not their present peace but espetially the vndoubted towardlinesse of the Heroijck Trezoboro suggested infinite miseries and wretchednesse in the best change without doubt there would haue followed a most terrible confusion But now is Mengrelius perplexed many wayes with the arrogant Message the opinion of his Subiects the remembrance of his first wrong the trouble of the Warres the errours of his Mother and Wife the alteration of the State the displeasure against Opacus for his Daughters sauing his Children the duty of a Father now they were preserued and the feare of the Prophecy which indeed dogged him at the heeles and followed him like a shadow So that no way of safety appeared but in his Sonnes destruction which as hee supposed would both satisfie Kaluckies claime and settle his owne ielosie yet loth to discouer his feares in publike or enterpose such a mischeife in the times of rumors and occations of Warre he went more cunningly to worke and vnder Colour of the common good thus spake to the estates of the Empire which he had assembled at Samarchanda So great is the mischeife threatned against vs most happy people but in my vnhappines that I searce know how to preuent it because on the one side my fatherly affection and your loues must and will disclaime any strange courses against my sonne on the other side my dignitie importuneth a Prinsely connexion of soueraingtie and nature it selfe Countermandeth the Tiranous composition which I am sure began in Iniustice and you may obiect will end in destruction but because my Country people are in a degree before my Children yea my owne life and least the commonwealth should complaine for vexing her with these intollerable wronges if there may be reason in this vnreasonablenesse I abiure the name of a Father and offer my sonne as a Sacrifice of attonement I renounce the Royaltie which now seemeth like a glorious Sunne and submitte for your satisfaction I cast downe my life to be put into the other Bällance against your affliction For neither Mengrelius nor Trezoboro shall be themselus to make you worse then your selues yet be not too sodden in censuring me carelesse of him whom you see the heauens haue cared for nor too submisse concerning my owne Honor which I haue so charylie preserued For if you will vouchasafe to ioyne with me all helpes of pollecy and courage shall be vnited that the body and communitie of this Empire remaine vndissolued and before I submit to any diuision of Titles which now your respects haue conferred the world shall tremble at the report of these stratagemmes and death giue a plaudite to my last Tragicall act but once
aduantage of and encountered with the rest in sollemne manner of hostillitie so that a terrible fight began and a little time ouerlooked a dangerous conflict in which the victory was a mournfull Triumph For it ended with the cryes and teares of Orphanes for their Fathers Fathers for their Children Brother for Brother one Kinsman for another and freend for freend yea such was the misery and mischiefe of the error amongst them that a sonne was found mourning ouer a Carkasse whom he had slaine and perceiuing it his owne father after a ruthfull complaint kild himselfe the horror of which sight daunted the stoutest courage and made them all cry out vpon the cause of their troubles which Anzitemus tooke hold of and knowing the Emperor had escaped and as he afterward lernt to Samarchanda with a quiet demeanor recalled them togeather and though the Skirmish and their owne feares had disperced them farre off yet handled he the matter so well that they were contented to returne and finding Trezoboro as sad for their greifes as his owne misfortune which by his Honorable protestations in the necessitie to saue his life and vnwillingnesse to disquiet so good subiects they saw apparant in so much that vnkind teares brake off the Princely discourse they shouted for ioy and with a new Comicall applause sware they would obey no other Emperor then Trezoboro as for Mengrelius seeing his ill disposition had taught him the way to Tyranie they sawe no reason to betray vertue or be in subiection any longer to inhumanitie Surely sayed Anzitemus the Gods haue taken compassion vpon you and you and we will now be one body but of necessitie the body must haue a head or else the Members perish therefore we will inuest Trezoboro your Emperor and he shall renew your peace and comfortes This as according to their owne desires they soone consented to and so in midst of all the Armie was he aduanced inuested and solemnly proclaymed Emperour of Trebizond and all the Kingdomes adioyning Prince of Peace Lord of the great Sea and Seruant to the high Gods Then sange they a Himne in his honour to Bellona and a Song to Diana And lastly with Panegericall Ceremonies they brought him to Mengrelius royall Tent which the Souldiers had reuerently preserued in the defeat But when vnfortunate Peristoll whom for his ill newes he commaunded to be slaine had enformed the proceedings of the Campe and that the Prince had taken vpon him the Diademne neuer was impatience apter to be described For now he raged indeed and put in practise many actions of distemperature as assuring him selfe the Oracle was compleat onely the last poynt which was his death yeelded more terrour in the suspition then a thousand mischiefes in full execution Yet he lifted vp once againe the countenance of Valloure and with his supply out of Russia many Mercenaries from Scithia and Europa and the rest worthy to be beloued for being true to their Maister hee set forward a mightier Armie then the first which in short time confronted his Aduersaries who were comming forward apace to take possession of the Citties So that nothing was to be expected but forcible and confused Prophanation both of loue and dutie wherefore they gaue Reuenge full scope to make one day of death for all And the Battaile began with a horrible and impetuous violence wherein to see the distempred Mengrelius with a well graced fury whirling amongst the troupes would haue pittied his degenerating humors and admired his strength and valoure but Trezoboros approache deuided these thoughts who finding the Emperour enclosed to his great danger contrary to expectation commaunded them to desist and so yeelded him freedome to worke his madnesse on some other subiect An other time Anzitemus chaunced where destruction indeed was comming apace and deliuered him which hee tooke in greater scorne because the Souldiers cryed See the kindnesse of Trezoboro see the pietie of Anzitemus But this I say caryed him to disdaine indeed and perceiuing him selfe spared by speciall appoyntment hee changed his Horse and Armour comming into the Battaile vnknowne For by this time neither Order nor Discipline serued and determined to single out his Sonne with such a minde as a man after a solemne Vow which he is resolued to keepe endeuoreth to bring to effect But Anzitemus hauing seene Perneades sequester him selfe from the company with purpose to draw foorth such men as he prouided in ambush supposed the Emperour had been hee and so encountred with him before the sodaine approch might strike a feare amongst the wearied and already fainting troopes and after a gallant Battaile Death rushed in with a blow which the King with both his hands stroke at his head whose steely Couert not firmely setled yeelded to the violence shewing that nothing in the world is permanent nor any man in life secure so the Emperour shruncke vnder the burden of this misfortune yeelded to an honorable vntimelines which was the more lamentable because hee sought the destruction of his Sonne and came to a ruthfull end by his Daughters husband But when Anzitemus had time to ouerlooke and know it was Mengrelius vnkinde remembrance confounded him with sorrow at the accident and cursed the hand that yet pleaded ignorance in the deed remayning confounded vntill the rumour and entercourse of people brought Trezoboro thither at last came Calisthenes Orchanes Hardubax at last came the rest all more troubled with griefe then proud of their owne quietnesse so that the Victorie represented variety of Discomfort rather then solemnity of a Triumph For what with recording those many Vertues abounding in him whereof euery one had bountifully participated and the present spectacle so full of remorse they sorrowed beyond measure and Trezoboro was compelled to make his entrance into the Empire with incongruent demeanour had celebrated if the State would haue permitted it with one solemnity his fathers Exequies and his owne Coronation By this time was the Oracle published abrod wisedome interdicted an vnmeasurable discomfort in a matter-remediles appoynted ineuitable so to make a nevv account with delight Anzitemus was importuned to send for Brizaca least she were altogeather depriued of that benefite which Children receiue from the knowledge of their Parents This asked a litle time of deliberation but the importunities of the Empresses preuailed so the charge of the Iorney was committed to Philtranus Prince of Cilicia As for the Army he deuided that into two parts sending the one by land vnder the command of Kazopletus the other by Sea with Pelorus sonne of Pelorus Artabazes Admirall both to remaine vndissolued till hee him selfe returned in the meane while his Mother Euphamia to rest Regent by a new Commission These matters had the effect of diligence and loyalty Philtranus came fortunately into Armenia informed the Queene of all occurrents with the plausible directions for her progresse to Trebizond Heere the intermixtion of contraries kept her from the full
a heauy disaster perswade your self the old Sagarenus will draw all Greece to your ayde or els your patience must proue an vnkind vertue if I peruayle what would you desire more but that I should preuaile Heere a still manner of behauiour continued awhile but at last brake vp with a yeelding chearefulnesse for it rather proceeded from the amasement at his Vertue then despaire of the successe and yet was there great disparitie betweene them Thus they approched the Enemies Trenches who euery day expected surrender or composition little suspecting that the Queene was absent or that these new come troopes were worthy the name of a Supply imputing it rather to their madnesse and folly which would wilfully put them selues into danger without hope of recouery Which when Armenus perceiued and that they forbore violence against them the next day like a Herrold of defiance and yet summoning a Parlee hee in this manner tryed their patience Although yee abused Cilitians mans malitiousnesse hath put in practise infinite prestigious deuises in so much that they haue not desisted to rebell against Heauen and with monstrous Apostacie to fight against the Gods yet haue not those faults passed without punishment For subuersions of Kingdomes stratagems amongst Estates alterations of Common-wealths massacres of Armies and murdring one another haue followed witnes the Titans the translation of the first Monarchy and such infinite Warres as haue filled the world with teares and reproch and shall no doubt appeare as an instance amongst your selues for treason immanity and perfidiousnesse But why trifle I with circumstances It is to thee Cleonidas I speake it is against thee thou Tirant Colphurnus I enueigh the one a wicked Rebell to Souerainty and Beauty the other a monstrous enemie to Maiestie and Vertue and both as scandals and reproches to Vallour and Honour Was it euer allowed that a Subiect durst infringe the Lawes of Dutie and Alleagence against a Woman a Virgin a Queene Was it euer heard that a man of Vallour durst offer violence without impeachment of villany to such a person whose vertuous Renowne hath mooued the Heauens to pitty her as though you had been framed to terrifie the world and sent from Hell as Monsters in nature If it be so by all the names of pretious Goodnesâ—… by all the power of deuine Beauty by all the worth of pearelesse Artaxata I coniure you returne from whence you came If not so I challenge the one to repent his Insolencie the other to reforme his Crueltie But if my speeches resemble a loathsome Potion or seeme vnseasonable as attempting to compasse with a slender Oratorie what many Thousands of armed men haue fayled in Know then that the royall Artaxata taking compassion of her Subiectes and Kingdome and to auoyde further effusion of blood offreth by mee the first borne of Sagarenus of â—…hessalia a priuate Combat wherein shee submitteth to the euent so Cleonidas doe therevpon surcease the Warre This hath the Queene concluded with princely stedfastnesse This doth the Grecian Armenus confirme with resolute willingnesse HEere the Soldiers stood amased betwixt remorce of their owne faults and feare of their commaunders but Cleonidas stormed the more as remembring the desert of the Queene and his misfortune to be reiected or disappointed and Colphurnus raged beyond reason and according to the insolency of such persons yeelded to the motion though there came Tenn such Knights wishing the dispatch least his fury might put in practise further distemprature But litle needed such hast to destruction For the next morning came Armenus into the field like a Knight well mounted and orderly prouided expecting Colphurnus who made the more hast by reason Cleonidas found the Armie in feares at the accident but when he perceiued the Gyant might not Ride because of his highnesse he quickly yeelded his Horse freedome and very gallantly attempted the onset on foote beginning the Battaile with that brauery that the standers by expressed a very gladnesse to be eye witnesses of such spirit and life yet when the contention grew betwixt wary nimblenesse and furious strength and that the continuance detained them in suspition it encreased both pittie and amasement the one least such a losse of Vertue should chance by ouermatching the other to see a Giants force equalled who indeed pressed Armenus with vnkindly strokes but that Heroijcke dexteritie auoyded the seasure sometime gaue him liberty and time to wound the other whereby he spent much blood and increased his impatience so farre that he fastned a blow which strucke the Prince to the ground to the terrour of both the Armies who in their heartes wished him fortunate and shooted for â—…y at his recouerie of which Armenus tooke the aduantage and seeing there was no enduring long aduentured a cloze and had the chaunce to run him vnder the short Ribbes and so made roome both for Death and Victorie to deuide them selues Whereat Cleonidas blasphemed Heauen Earth rather now shewing his willingnesse then sufficiencie to maintaine the quarrell By this time Artaxata discouered her selfe and like the Sunne clearing the interposition of thicke Cloudes appeared the more glorious so the Souldiers yeelded to mercy and the people submitted as being before enforced and because they would giue notice of their dutie for a beginning with the same Water that draue the Mill they drowned the Mill quickly chasing Cleonidas in his retreat and taking him by force brought him bound to the Queene who at Armenus intercession gaue him life liberty and setled him in former estate little suspecting that courtesie to a Traytor is a thankelesse office and most commonly giueth but occasion of further hate and repining With this beginning was the whole Kingdome pleased so that the Queene might publish her will with successe and Armenus succeed with publication good will possessing thereby a gratious Artaxata and a spatious Country which by way of recompence and sataifaction was contented to change her old name and to be called Armenia for his sake In this as a thankfull steward vnder an Honorable Lord he dedicated two espetiall places Sagarena and Artaxata after his Fathers and Wifes name which in time grew to be Ritch famous and Populous Citties but assured of the dissolution of any state without gouernment he established Lawes as well to detaine the people in obedience as to maintaine his owne prerogatiue to which because they seemed strict and contrary to foâ—…r Customes hee had much a doe to bring them but at last by polliticke insinuation and true magnanimity the great men applauded his carriage and temprature and the people like their shadowes yeelded to what they allowed so that few misliked and such as misliked durst not complaine vntill Cleonidas rebelled againe as reprehending his owne basenesse that he had been beholding to a stranger for his life but a suffitient discomfiture made him fayle in the attempt and his death warranted Armenus peace and establishment This had yeelded a
full recompence indeed if he could haue preuented a double mischance The one in suffering Cleonidas the sonne to enioy his fathers bad conditions with his estate the other in being deuided from his Royall Queene whose life was now brought to an vntimely period by a heart vexing sicknesse but heerein some supernaturall power wrought for the best because now Childlesse he after matched with Tolmiranda the Assirian Sophy by whom he enioyed the fruites of his body in great towardlinesse and continued the rest of his time in a gratious peace had not time ripened the wicked disposition of Cleonidas the sonne and hate as it were innated within him enforced many exorbitant actions setting againe the kingdome in combustion which at last was better ordred and preuented For his places of refuge were leueled with the ground his Lands and wealth confiscate his Allies and associates vnder arest and himselfe exiled the Kingdome who otherwise might haue liued a glory too the kingdome These warres and Armenus life had end togeather wherupon my father Artabazes began his Royall rase at such time as this Cleonidas entertained a conceite of reuenge by this course of Piracie wherein thirty yeares continuance made him an archmaster and custome in wickednesse so blinded him that great faults were reputed slender and small ones not so much as imperfections but the chiefest proppes too this wicked life were the confederacie of many Princes and his owne wealth vniustly amassed with which in this latter time he maintained thirty well appointed Ships and amongst other Stratagems as you haue heard was beholding to the warth full Nemesis for Artabazes losse but whether deuine Iustice tooke my cause in hand I know not For the best part of my Fortune extended to see him cursing and raging amidst the ouerraging Billowes AT this Period Anzitemus made a stoppe and king Zalby with the Princes acknowledged the delight of the story but the great affayres in 〈◊〉 â—…portuned a further matter then 〈◊〉 wherupon it was concluded that the most of them should accompany him into Armenia as well to secure his estate there as to contriue how Trezoboro might purchase his reconsiliation with Mengrelius because if it were effected it must be done by Anzitemus and Brisacas meanes but she finding how this businesse would detaine them awhile togeather ment belike to make some vse of the spare time and therfore like a true Louer stepped into the first path of Ielousie could not forget the short and passhionate description of Roxana which caused her to vse a little cunning in the matter and by making pittie a branch of vertue she questioned with him of matters of Gouernment of Geneolagies of Petigrees what became of Mitrea Astiages Mother and lastly as if it fell in by chance of discourse of Roxanas yeeres how he satisfied the Princes and how he could neglect such a proffer as the mightie Persia contented My only content replyed Anzitemus mistrust no idle disposition For deuine appoyntment hath reserued vs one for another yet will I assure you such was and I hope I may hope such is the preeminence of her beautie and louelynesse that I protest excepting the incomparable Brizaca she liueth peerelesse and well deserued a better regard then my businesse permitted and because you haue sturred conceite and by a Rauishing presence encreased that sweete delight which your company euer affoordeth I will once be humorous in a slender description of her so the louely Brizaca finde not too many faults apply that to her selse now which I am sure might be allowed Roxana then What Cunning can depaint her prayses foorth In whom appeared such exceeding worth The outward substance all at once behold And thinke the Gods a secret to vnfold Each part apart commend then Nature will Affoord thee choyse of her approoued skill The Head resembled some rich golden Spheare Which all the chiefest Lines aloft did beare Yet round about the Paralels did meet So fâ—…ll her beauteous Lockes euen to her feet The Face it selfe scarse durst a curious eye Watch at the full yet there we might espye Fauour and Loue ioyne hand in hand togeather To welcome a rare Guest Perfection thither This made her smile blush and blushing smile The lookers on deceiued all the while As though two colours had for mastry strouen And White and Crimson been togeather wouen The Necke did any counterfeite surpasse In outward shew for Princely life this was Shewing a way where Cupid vsâ—… to stand Telling the lookers on Venus owne right hand Cast vp those pretty Mounts whose sides betweene A pleasant Vally keepes delight vnseene Till it conduct thee to a bending Hill Made like an Iuâ—…ry Arch by curious skill Faire hanging ouer a well fashionâ—… Dore Wherein are hid ten thousand â—…oyes and more Yet Chastitie holdes sure both Key and Lock Vnwilling that the Gods them selues should knock For though Gods vse to Paradise to goe Yet did they heere a Priuiledge bestow That none might enter against Vertues minde Least forc'd admittance prooue the cause vnkinde Her Body bolt vpright in comely grace Outmatched Pallas for a stately pace thought Mounted on Horsebacke you would sure haue Bellona had some gallant Battaile fought Marching on foote Diana could not bee Amongst her Nimphs more gallanter to see With these her yeares were like a timely Spring Which in an ouer-ioying Hope did bring Her Blossoms foorth all happinesse assuring To him more happy in the soyles manuring With these her Vertues did proportionate The qualities belonging to the state Of high Magnificense that we might know Shee was ordained a Princes pace to goe With these a Kingdome was a mighty Dower A Kingdome full of Riches Pompe and Power Then thinke I had good cause to wish her well Who did with such great Priuiledge excell I protest quoth Brizaca you haue praysed her well but I rather allow it for a custome of Idlenesse then Necessitie and finde it vnbefitting to Iudgement to admit of ouerpalpable Flattery What call you Flattery replyed Anzitemus Assure your selfe that the Gods framing Man to commaund all the Creatures vnder the Sunne neither shuffled vp their workmanship nor were so carelesse afterward but with a great regarde sent him foorth to pubish their glory and for that purpose gaue him prerogatiue of excellencie both in body and minde This especially appeareth in your selues to whom they haue vouchsafed deuotion as finding time and your owne vertues to perfect the worke which they but began And from hence proceedeth our resemblance of this outward substaunce to a rich Treasure house made to secure more richer Wealth Now as Wealth is dispersed ouer the world to vse and good order and without that lyeth hid like Earth within the ground So your-selues are left in the world to comfort and benefit according to the fortune of him that possesseth you to happy purpose Heere then resteth the cunning and grace in the meanes of the seisure which I