sit And kinde Sophona doing so her by Seeing them weepe he neerer doth resort With good intent the Ladies to comfort Calanthrop all this while was keeped fast For he had kild two when they first did enter Downe in the roume the Souldiers had him cast Sixe did attend him for they durst not venter To leave him fearing hee himselfe would kill Therefore they stayd to know their Captaines will But whilst the captaine by the Ladies stood Earnestly viewing faire Lucilla's face Her beautie wounds him so that to conclude He at his captive'gins to suite for grace Which she wise Lady would not flat refuse Lest that he might the prisoners abuse Now came a Sergeant willd the Captaine show What was his will concerning him they kept For he hath kild your best commanders two As for the rest you them to grace accept Since quoth Lucilla of no bad pretence That man those kild but in his owne defence In this respect good Captaine I intreat You him to pardon whatsoe're he be The Captaine since her sute was so discreete Sayd to his Sergeant bring him here to mee And Lady quoth hee for thy sake hee shall Not die I sweare though he had kild them all Calanthrop to their Captaine they present He pardons him his love did so abound Towards Lucilla likewise gave assent That all the rest of captives there were found Went to their shippe all such as pleasd to goe For save the Ladies hee would keepe no moe The Captaines shippe was by some blind-rocke brusde To land they must before the breach they mend This voyage all the robbers much confusde Yet since to land they must they all intend Towards Zacyntus Pyrats harbour sure Whose wooddie toppes their toppe-masts will obscure There they amended all their shippes defect But yet the greatest fault they have not seene The fault was this the ship did not eiect Those miscreant robbers which shee did conteine But theeves as well as marchants saile the flood Even as the Sunne doth shine on bad and good Calanthrop here dismist his Epirots And faind as though with robbers hee tooke part Yet he a secret time to them denotes When they should see him which reioyc't their heart They towards Epire Pyrates to the sea Were quickly gone glad of their late supplea And now the Captaine'gins againe to suite The faire Lucilla who did still reiect His kindest offers then by golden fruite Hee thinkes to move her him for to affect But since he saw that nothing could allure Her for to love or his content procure By force hee mindesto give himselfe content So he desir'd to speak with her alone But now the chastering frustrate his intent And his assaults the vertue of its stone When he applyd his strength did make him quaile And still he marveld why his strength should faile Now he esteemes Lucilla for a witch For why no perswasives allure her could Nor yet could gifts which might her much inrich Nor could he gaine by force the thing he would Therfore by threats he seeks her to perswade For this his last repulse had made him mad Sometimes hee had remarkt her kindly looke Towards Calanthrop this incenc't his ire Fornever Rivall yet could other brooke Though onely lust had set their hearts on fire Therefore if shee will not his suite allow To kill her hee doth execrably vow And lest quoth he thou thinke I doe dissemble I 'le first cause kill the knight that 's with you here Oh how her heart at this sad tale did tremble That by his death quoth hee thou death mayst feare Thus sent he Sergeants waiting on him there To bid the knight for death himselfe prepare No stay quoth she for by the heavens I sweare If you doe harme him you shall nere acquyre My love therefore it 's best in time forbeare Such curst intent if ever you aspire To gaine my favour therefore doe not grieve Me so for I behinde him will not live And is it so quoth he I m'e for you then Faith all the earth now shall not save his life Yea though the world could yeeld no other men Then now are here for sure you are his wife So whilst he lives my will I 'le nere effect But being dead I may some good expect By heavens quoth she my husband is hee not Yet since you 'le kill him pray you kill me first That he sweet soule by me may be forgot Shortly dispatch since for our blood you thirst No quoth the Captaine it is my desire His breath that lets my ioy doe first expire But whilst his wretch't intent hee prosecuted The gods belike would no way have it so For by a thundring noyse they him refuted And suddaine storme that each were glad to goe Prepare themselves for death as well as hee The captaine feardest of the companie The storme increast Boreas it seem'd had sworne To pull vp Neptune from his watry Cell The raging seas on wings of windes were borne Minding Vulcanus from his reigne t' expell The swelling Surges of the seas profound Our gallant Captaines courage did confound For on those seas he Pyrate did remaine Twelve yeares before yet never saw such storme In all his life nor never shall againe Iust heavens revenge when men will not reforme Many nights past yet came this worser day Which made the Pyrats not in vse to pray But vrg'd devotion doth not oft prevaile So prov'd it here for still a Northerne winde Them to the coast of Africa doth haile And which was worst no harbour could they find In end Neptunus bore them on his backe Vnto the greater Syrtis where they wracke There dy'd the Captaine and his cursed mates And Calanthrops kinde Page there also dy'd If they had time they would revile the Fates Calanthrop got a boord but now he spy'd Lucilla by him fleeting on a wave So from his boord he went her life to save A little he could swimme not very well At last he caught her set her on his boord Now though he dy'd he thought he would not feele No paine since that the heavens did him affoord Such happinesse as to preserve her breath Whose beauteous presence had astonisht death Through fort'nate chance they did acquire the land Hard by the high and woodie Cephalas Which Promontorie doth directly stand Where Syrtis doth beginne but or they passe Any where furder they Calanthrops Page Dead doe perceive for now the storme did swage On sands he lay oh how his face lookt pale Lucilla could not choose but now shee wept His master doth his timelesse death bewaile Yet when he mindes himselfe had almost slept In Nereus mansion hee left off to mourne And to Lucilla did againe returne Now since hee 's dead they doe themselves apply To finde Sophona dead or els aliue And as they seeke amongst the rockes to trye For her they see her ready to arrive The Fates with happy fortune so her blest She came to land vpon her mistresse
Surgeon by his balme and vnguents tryes his skill His Teriack nor his Mithridate cannot the venome kill His antipoysons have no force no nor his vipers oyle Doe what he can the venome strong the Lady's like to spoyle Her grievous pain doth stil increase her wound grows worse worse No cordiall nor no cataplasme against the sting have force With sad and wofull hearts her guard doe carie her along Gainst Fates Fortune they exclaime for this opprobrious wrong If poysnous heat made her a thirst or did the heavens ordaine Her present ayd no man can tell but she could not sustaine Such thirst therefore she cald a groome and bids him goe and finde Some colding spring that she might ease her hart with heat was pynd He goes and findes a purling brooke then quickly turnes againe Thereof she drinkes and still she thinkes the lesser growes her paine Now from her coach she doth dismount ô admirable thing The paine and poyson both decrease by drinking of the spring Her knights and guard goe both apart her Ladies bathe her wound Throgh bathing with the helthful spring the Dutches is made sound With humble with thankfull hearts they praise the gods therfore Who did so soone mirac'lously their Ladies health restore Then to a village bording neere she and her comp'nie went But e're they could the same approach the day was nere hand spent For midst the way they find a man whose cloathes were old worn He seem'd to be of poore estate yet by countrey-borne The Dutchesse askd him how they cald this countrey the wood And how they cald the happy spring that yeelded her such good This countrey is Epyrus cald quoth hee where we are plac't Hazardfull forrests of Epyre be those you lately trac't The brook is cald the healthfull spring through Grecia flies its fame Of each of those faire Ladie know this is the proper name Those forrests be cald hazardfull cause many one of old And likewise now strange accidents in them sinde manifold The brooke is cald the healthfull spring as well it may indeed Gainst poyson venom-caâ—kring 〈◊〉 a soveraigne try'd remeede The man takes leave they forward went vnto the village right Next morning on their iourney goe how soone the day was light Then in few dayes to this her home the Dutchesse quickly came This countrey her Calabria it is the very same What then it was so is it now not subiect to decay No forraine force nor homebred iarres its indwellers dismay When that the Dutchesse liv'd here home a while with easeful mind And former sorrowes all were past as loath to prove vnkinde She caused skild Artificers erect to her great charge Of marble black Alabast a fountaine high large Like to a stately Pyramis the healthfull spring above Lest any of ingratitude her iustly might reprove In memorie of benefite she once did there receive Expert Mechanicks shee causd search could rightly cut and grave Through dext'rous cunning these adorn'd the happy healthful fount With Emblemes fram'd of Alabast and marble of the mount Of yeares two lusters scarce were spent after this work was done When she citations had from death so had her brothers sonne The Dutchesse did the gods implore that they the youth would spare And pittie him of tender yeares and expectation rare Thessalia's hope his mothers ioy sole comfort of his Syre For doubtlesly if now he dy'd their lives would then expyre As for her selfe she was resolv'd Deaths message to obey And that ne ' re-yet remitted debt she 's willing to repay It seem'd the gods did grant her suite the boy did convalesse But she sweet Lady found deaths force her vitall spirites distresse Then cald she for her love Lord whose groanes proclaim'd his grieves And for her lasse Lucilla fair in whom true beauty lives Deare Lord loue quoth she I finde that we must parted bee The loyall love I to thee beare doth make me loath to dye Heavens Fates Death doe all decree my glasse of life bee runne And Atropos now cuts the threed which Lachesis once spun So hence I must ô deare sweete love I pray thee doe not weepe For sure my sp'rite midst highest heavens the sacred gods will keepe Lucilla deare thy mothers ioy come to thy dying Dame As Heavens Nature thee inricht with beauties bravest frame Heavens grant that thou doe vse it well to thy immortall praise Live chastly yet selfe-loue abhorre pride breeds contempt alwayes This one thing doe I thee intreate in memorie of me Goe thrice a yeare view the spring thy mother did supplie When physicke nor no simples could the venome strong expell The water of the healthfull spring in power did precell Therefore three times a yeare doe view that spring by consuetude And mother-like what beasts detests abhorre ingratitude Thus said her happy sp'rite she yeelds which to eternall ioy Numberles numbers powers divine invisibly convoy Her funerals once solemntz'd then doth Lucilla faire In sable robes of mourning black with maids so clad prepare To goe and view the healthfull spring and there bewaile her losse And mothers death whose memories giues her continuall crosse Since she is thus determined her father likewise send Shadowes of men Eunuches I meane as guardians her t' attend Those likewise serve as mariners to rule her bark by sea Accompanied by those and mayds she doth continually Thrice yearly goe and view that spring a day or two they mourne Their regrates being finished againe they here returne Her father though he haue no sonne for to succeed his place Loves her so well hee will not wed againe in any case Yet though he loue her he ore-lookes her with a prying eye Loue hatcheth care which care begets respectiue Iealousie The iealous Syre of daughters good doth make her liue retyrd For which himselfe of strangers is ridic'lously admyrd Lucilla since her mother dy'd is forc't to liue apart From company of anyman which sure must grieve her heart For saue those Eunuchs those maids who serue her night day And her own Syre the aged Duke none else approach her may Many a Prince and gallant Knight doe her in mariage crave But through her fathers perswasiues she none at all will haue And for to try to speake herselfe it 's folly there 's no meane She is so warelie lookt vnto none can such good attaine This aged Duke and his faire Lasse dwell neere within sixe mile Where they in divers sports delight to posting time beguile A castle situate by a lake in it doe they abide From thence they see both woods meads ships at anchor ride Even from this Castle of the Dukes about a fourthnight since In companie of other knights went the Thessalian Prince Retimes they rise and winde their hotnes not fearing any foe Through desart woods vnknowne paths they all a hunting goe But whilst the rest their horses mount the Prince his horse refuses Him to
Is this Sophona els am I deceiv'd Goe fetch her quickly she perchance my care May ease which of her mistresse I receiv'd Heavens grant it so yet what way can I chuse To give her presence I can not refuse Now doth Calanthrop Sophona embrace Their salutations beeing finished Vnto a window they remov'd a space Sighes show his griefe is not diminished Faire Lady quoth he to a loyall heart You may your pleasure now at length impart Sir Tristius quoth Sophona I intreate You be not wroth I come to visite you Nor for my words repute me indiscreet For to my knowledge I most firmly vow I will not speake the thing may you offend Proceed quoth he faire Lady heavens defend I should be wroth at any Ladies words And namely those who faire Lucilla serve Since I 'me her knight with reason it accords I should such dutie towards her observe As strive to doe her meanest servants good In dangers la b'rinth though I me intrude Well then quoth she ever since you came here I have perceiv'd you wonderfully sad The reason hereof I doe much admire Your face declares your heart 's in sorrow clad To see so brave a knight it grieves me much As you so subiect vnto sorrowes touch Therefore I here the gods supreame obtest To witnesse this my true and kinde intent That since I see your minde is so opprest If you 'le shew mee the cause I shall consent To ayd you in each loyall endevour With secresie and diligence in store O blest Sophona wilt thou say me so Shall I beleeve thy Nectar-tasted speech 'Fore heavens quoth she what ever you me show I shall keepe secret and I you beseech If that my paines can stand you in good stead Shew me your minde and fearlesly proceed Indeed faire Lady I will then declare Thee all my griefe Love doth my heart molest Disdaine oft drives me very neare despaire Lucilla so bereaves my minde of rest Her love her love oft makes my hart to quaile For why I see no meanes for to prevaile Nor can I finde a time to shew my minde Vnto her selfe so Lady if you doe Be pleasd to show me such a favour kinde As finde a mean how I may speake her to Of me you shall have such reward allowd As you shall thinke your travell well bestowd Sir quoth Sophona you shall vnderstand No gifts can move Sophona to deceive Her loving mistresse but since your demand Is so discreet and sorrowes which you have Are passing great then bee you rul'd by me I 'le shew you when you may convenientlie Speake with my Lady this advice receive This very night some Lords will act a maske In the great hall so when you speech would have When they begin see you for me doe aske Hard by Lucilla you shall have a place And when you please I shall remove apace O sweete Sophona wise is thy advice Have here this Iewell for thy kinde assent As thou hast said so shall I enterprise Heavens grant that Fortune thereto give consent Now to the end I may avoid rebuke I will be gone for to attend the Duke Sophona now I thinke with merrie cheare Went to her mistresse who did then expect Her wisht returne yet not without some feare Although the message she did much affect And when Sophona came into her sight Twixt hope and feare vext was Lucilla's spright Hope tels her all is well be not afraid Take courage for thy comfort quickly comes Feare sayes it is not so which tale dismaid Her so that griefe her sences all benummes And ill advisd to try Lucilla's thought At first Sophona seem'd bad newes t' have brought How soone she went to try Calanthrops minde Lucilla to a chamber did retire And there herselfe most secretly confin'd Whereat her maides did very much admire For she in vse had ne're such formes of old Yet to enquire the reason none so bold Sophona findes her tumbling on a bed And making to herselfe a secret moane But at Sophona's sight her passions fled Yet every word 's prevented by a groane Now vp she rose then said with sighing breath Sophona sweete what newes Is 't life or death Madam quoth she I went at your command To trye your knight his vertue or his vice My voyage was like theirs who plow the sand Or those who search for fire beneath the yce At which Lucilla shrunk right where she stood Like to a snow-ball cast into some flood Which Sophona perceiving gript her fast Cursing the time that e're she so did iest Through her complaints Lucilla woke at last Then faintly said how sweete is death his taste And still Sophona pittifully cries Pardon Madam for what I said is lies Whereat she faintly heaveth vp her head Saying O heavens sweet heavens where am I now In heaven or earth or am I'mongst the dead She strives to stand her feeble sinewes bow Weakned through feare but yet she at the length Pac't vp and downe and so regain'd some strength Sophona now craves pardon for the wrong Which she had done her through her misreport Lucilla said Sophona thou art strong Enough to glad me by a wisht support But here before the gods I thee adiure That thou thy mistresse of the truth assure By heavens Madam this is the veritie This day I 'me sure you have the worthiest knight That lives or loves void of infirmitie I heard his plaints yet kept me out of sight Not so content I went and spoke him faire Whereby I tryd him to a very haire Blest gods what doe I heare what what words what Sophona sweet I pray doe but remaine And once repeate that Nectar-speech even that Of force sufficient fetch a ghost againe From darkest region of infernall shade To Limbus patrum where all ghosts be glad In truth Madam I pittied his complaint When in his waylings hee most plainly shew Loves passion made his loyall heart to faint And when I did his countenance review The figure of disdaine and black disgrace Pale discontent had portrait in his face Lucilla faire Lucilla did hee call Pittie deare sweet pittie thy love-sick slave For thee who would to death his life inthrall A truer love shall never woman have Aye me aye me wilt thou not pittie him That for thy love the Stygian lake would swim When thus I heard him truth I must confesse I could not chuse but sigh Madam how now I think you strive vs t' imitate vnlesse You spare those groanes I will the same avow No Madam no beleeve me if you please You are the authour of his great vnease Now Madam harke mee hee did mee intreate That I would move you for to give him eare In some convenient place for to repeate His plaints whereby his passions might appeare Therefore Madam pray be not discontent At maske this night I wild him be present Where he shall have a time convenient Whilst all the rest are exercysd in daunce To tell his griefe as is
with his owne consent Thereafter was Lucilla crowned Queene To recompence the wrong she had receiv'd Fortunes inconstancie may well bee seene In this for why those folkes who lately crav'd To take her life now as their Queen most fit In one accord Lucilla they admit Thus liv'd Calanthrop and his Ladies here Into Corena for a prettie space At last Lucilla long'd to see Epire Yet er'e Calanthrop mov'd from that same place In favours of the nearest of the blood Royall did of the crowne himselfe denude So did Lucilla to her endlesse praise But yet they ever tendred this respect That Cyrenaican kings of them alwayes Should hold their crowne and likewise should elect If that the royall race were dead or gone Ever their kings by their advice alone Those Articles the Princes all have sworne Likewise they vow their dearest bloods to spend In his behalfe as if he had been borne Their native king they vow him to defend Thus they convoy Calanthrop to the sea Giving rich gifts to all his companie Now from the coast of Africa they goe Towards Epire with great celeritie Smoothly their ships divide the Ocean so The way they went cannot discerned bee Sweet Southerne windes affoord them so good way Comarus hav'n they gained without stay Then in Nicopolis a day or two They stayd then went they to Vallonia Calanthrop now not fearing any foe Embassdours sent vnto Calabria Intreating that the Duke without delay Would come to Epire 'gainst his wedding day Where many Princes of no meane degree Earles Lords and knights would likewise there expect And give their presence each as well as hee Hon'ring the nuptials with a great respect The Duke tells them his presence hee should give They thanke him humbly then they take their leave So to their King Calanthrop they returne Told him their answer whereof hee was glad Now in Vallonia did the King soiourne Where'gainst his Nuptials hee provided had Each in his court horse clothes and armour brave And each thing requisite their hearts could crave Amongst those Courtiers was one gallant knight Hee to Calanthrop Cousin-german was Likewise the King in him tooke great delight This knight did love Sophona that sweete Lasse Sophona likewise did the knight affect For why no wench his carriage could reiect Sophona Aunt was to Lucilla faire In birth his equall and such like in love Therefore the King the Queene and all were there Applaud this match and willingly approve Their equall choyce so king and Queene consent They wedded be with them to their content O what inestimable ioy and pleasure These lovers by this promise did conceive I thinke they brookt it in the greatest measure Imag'narie that mortall creatures have Thus they swift sliding time in pleasure spend Yetlongingly the nuptiall day attend Now when this day that every one desir'd So much was come and Princes Earles and Lords Were present each one whom the King requir'd Vnto them all Calanthrop spake these words Yet to Calabria's Prince he did direct His speech in speciall vnto this effect MY Princely brethren quoth hee I intreate You think not hardly I in Armes am clad Nor that my Queen stands maskt for I 'le repeate The reason hereof which yet makes her sad Till she bee wedded sheel 'e not show her face Nor I vnarme my selfe in any case This is the cause Of late in Africa By chance I was O fort'nate adventure When as the King of Cyrenaica A tyrant vile did many one iniure Heavens struck this tyrant with a lethargie So that no physick could his griefe supplie This Lady you see here was then his Queene Yet wedded to him much against her will Hee wasfound dead vpon the wedding ev'n So each one thought the Queen the king did kill Therfore the Queen and this her waiting maid Who likewise must be maskt as I have sayd Vntill she wedded be imprisond were Thereafter were they both adiudg'd to die Before the counsell would their king interre This time a boy acquaints me privilie That two the fairest Ladies that did breath For no offence this day must suffer death I hearing that having an Armie strong Hard by Corena for a speciall vse 'Cause that dead king before had done me wrong I long'd for to revenge that old abuse So I in spite of his releiv'd at length Those Ladies two by stratagems strength Thereafter homeward I my iourney tooke Those Ladies needes would beare me companie Since for my sake they Africa forsook It had in me been great discourtesie Their kindnesse to reiect in any sort Wherein I tooke thereafter great comfort For when I had with admiration gaz'd Vpon this Ladies beautie stands me next Her lovely face my spirits so amaz'd That ever since my ioyes in her are fixt Likewise because shee thinkes I sav'd her life She is content now to become my wife Now you the reason may perhaps admire Why she is pleasd be wedded vnder vaile It is their countrey fashion though not here Those that be widowes ever to bewaile Their husbands death with maids in like attire Till they do wed their husbands then require Them vsually for to leave off to mourne Likewise for to cast off their mourning weed The which they doe and so againe returne To love the quick and to forget the dead This is the cause why those their face obscure My Princely brethren hereof be you sure But now you may in reason likewise aske Why I thus arm'd desire to wed my Bride I else have showne you why the Ladies maske Their face so likewise know I arm'd abide Because the martiallkings of Epirus Who wan theirwives by Armes were wedded thus This other forme'they ever likewise vsd Some forraine Prince their Queene must to them give Which ancient custome none have yet abusd Nor shall by me for why it would me grieve To abrogate such worthy fashions old Ordain'd by my ancestors stout and bold For this cause I most humbly doe request You noble Prince of rich Calabria Doe me the honour before all the rest Of Kings and Lords of famous Grecia 'Cause you 're a forraine Prince as to bestow This Queene on me which all the rest allow Sir quoth the Duke if that can can do you good Your Queene I shall deliver vnto you Therefore it 's best you presently conclude To goe to Church for to the gods I vow I 'le honour you in any thing I can For why I love each martiall-minded man The king did yeeld him thankes and so they went To Church whereas the parties all were wed The Duke knew nothing of the Kings intent When to the armed king his Lasse hee led For this same Duke had vowd during his life With his consent his Lasse should nere be wife The Palace Royall stood amidst the towne When there they came Calanthrop went apart And on Lucilla's head he set hiscrowne Disarm'd himselfe then with a ioyfull heart The King the Queene Sophona and her Lord Vnmaskt or arm'd
grace in the heart conserves That Oracle which Delphos did containe Sometime I hope was held in such respect That many did through great expence and paine Obtaine response whereon they did erect All their attempts so Calanthrop now prayes Her answer might gree with his hopes alwayes Looke how a man for capitall offence Being arraign'd a Iurie doth sustaine How pale-fac'd feare his heart holds in suspence Till from the Iudge his sentence hee attaine Of death or life even so doth hee expect Her answer which will worke the like effect But now Lucilla for to solve the doubt Which at this time yong Calanthrop surpriz'd Lifting her eyes and looking all about She lookt on him which looke might have intys'de The coldest minded Saturnist had breath To loue and thus her answer did bequeath GOod Sir I marvell you should so advance Fond loue so farre since wise men him deride Whose power 's onely foolish hearts t'intrance Must they not stray who haue a blinded guide Where Cupid reignes the sence hee deludes soone Making them see strange visions in the moone Some do report the Gods did once conveene A Parliament touching prerogatives Then of Ambition Envie hatcht hath beene Cupid and Folly at debate shee drives Him back scratcht out his eyes hee might not see Therefore appointed was his guide to be Since so it is good Sir let me intreate You to renounce such guides as be those two For though the heart with ioy bee full repleate At first by them yet in the end comes woe A prudent minde in vertue exercysde Within Loves limits seldome is comprysde And as for me fond Venus and her boy I scorne and doe ' their Deitie still detest To talk of loue I think it but a toy Lymphatick hearts he onely may molest Let such adore him and admire his power The higher is their flight their fal's the lower So now shee calls her maids and bids them goe Awake the Mar'ners for she sees the shore Is neere hand by them likewise there is moe Billowes appeare nor was seene heretofore The mar'ners rise they tackle veere and tye They gaine the land so Neptune they defye Her coach is waiting her approach so now She and her maids incoach themselves with speed They bid farewell to Calanthrop and bow Themselues in coach his griefe doth now exceed All mens on earth yea it may haue compare To those who in the Stygian shades repaire Not Sysiphus who roules the restlesse stone Nor Ixion who turnes the toylsome wheele Such griefe possesse as he since she is gone Whose beauteous presence was his safties seale Nor Beliles who midst infernall fire To fill still emptying buckets doe desire No nor Prometheus for his heaven-fire stealth By vultures torne alive midst fierie flame Nor Midas King whose cov'tous heart such wealth Requir'd as thereby lost both sence and frame No greater griefe doth any of those trye Disdaine yeelds heate his harmlesse heart doth frye Still starving Tantalus to quench his thirst Standing in water water craves to drinke To pull the flying fruite he doth insist The fruit eschew the waters from him shrinke His babling tongue iustly his paine procur'd But Calanthrop is guiltlesly iniur'd While Calanthrop with grief was thus or'e-swaid His Page suggesteth that it were the best To give the Mar'ners coine who as yet staid Belike expecting some the which request He soone fulfild bidding him giue a crowne To each of them wherat the Page did frowne Yet ne'rethelesse he must this charge obay Therefore he went and cald them for to row Their ships boat which they did without delay On each of ten a crowne he did bestow They yeeld him thanks requesting him in end Their service to his master recommend He said he would then to a wood hard by Directs his course which way his master went When he had walkt a while he saw him lye Mongst loftie Pynes famous for high ascent Calanthrop bids him with what hast he might Some where about provide their Innes that night As he directs the Page away doth passe Yet knew not where this Innes hee should provide At last by chance hee meetes a countrey Lasse Who shew him that the way longst the wood side Was best for him for by yond flowrie spring Hee 'l finde a way to citie will him bring Even this same time doth Calanthrop bewaile His hard mishaps the Destenies decree Even thus I see such Fortune's favours fraile What gain'd by month doth in a moment flee O happy I if I had never prov'd The sad effects affection hath mov'd So you sweet Cedars and you high-rear'd Pines I you intreat subvmbrate me by shade From mortall eyes lest spitefull worldlings mindes In ioy triumph to see my successe bad No let the earth alive my corpes interre Rather then Fortune thus my ioyes deferre Whilst Calanthrop through griefe bereft of sense Thus tumbles tosses welters here and there He sees a man now for his best defence He seekes his sword yet found he it no where The man salutes him in this courteous forme Which wrought in him a calm after this storm GOod gentleman please you came there this way Of late some Huntsmen chasing of a Deere Or did you heare the shrill-mouth'd hounds at bay With fearlesse Boare or with the crushing Beare For from a thicket distant scarce a mile Wee rouz'd a Beare whom we try to exile This hurtfull Beare doth much vnlookt for harme In killing men and women children weake His bad embracement rais'd a sad alarme Into a neighb'ring Castle by a Lake Lowring he lies mongst brambles briers and bushes Waiting his prey which got he teares and crushes Misfortune great a youth some twelue yeares old A Cousin to Lucilla beauteous creature This proper youth aye me lesse wise then bold Belov'd of all and of a comely feature One day would needs himselfe by times solace With horse hounds to keep the Beare in chase But he a little from his comp'nie singled The Div'lish beast perceiving him alone Despaire with chol'rick furie intermingled Begot in him revenge so that anone Running amaine he puld the youth at vnder Then vnresisted tore his ioynts asunder And ever since the Duke with many knights Try by all meanes this cruell beast to kill Or else expell but hee almost affrights All his pursuers for his lookes doe fill Their hearts with fear that they encounter dare No way but glad to view the chase a farre But yet the Duke appointed hath a day And letters sent to all his bordering mates Them in his aid requesting to assay Their valorous force so men of all estates Are lookt for here gainst Tuesday next at morn To chase the Beare with horse with hound with horne This present day some gallants brave to try Which was the place of his foule residence Came to this forrest and of late went by To yonder grove disturb'd his patience Rousd the foule monster from his loathsome cave Like Martialists to rob his life they
crave And since that I am in those woods acquaint For long time I thereof haue keeper been They my advice requir'd e're they attaint This enterprise but now I have not seene Nor heard of them this houre agoe and more And this makes me inquisitiue therefore In truth good friend quoth Calanthrop be sure If I had seen such I would likewise goe And trye the sport for it should much allure The hearts of yong men to be baited so Therefore let me intreat you to repose Your selfe beside me and that tale disclose Touching the Duke and that same youth was kild The faire Lucilla likewise would I know And where she lives that so the earth hath fild With strange reports for oft-times many moe Then you haue told me of this Ladies favour But still I thought their speech did amply savour I cannot think her such as they report Or that her beautie can so farre excell All other womens so I you exhort Let your relation beare a trustfull smell For truth to heavens with sacred wings doth flye While heaven and earth abhorre still those who lye Beleeve me Sir I 'me glad that yee haue told Me such good tale for now I well perceive You doe desire that I the truth vnfold The which discourse most truely you shall haue For I shall you acquaint with all the state So now give eare whilst I the same relate THE FORRESTER HIS RELATION LOng after that the val'rous Greeks had leveld with the ground The stately walles of Ilium Priams race consound For rapt of Menelaus wife even then of happy Greece The Diadem was rightly swayd the scepter ruld in peace By Princes of its Provinces who all as in one minde Most vertuously for publick weale aptly themselves combynd This time Thessalia's peacefull reigne made pleasant Tempe smile Two-topt Pernasse and Helicon the Muses haunt this while The spring was wrought by Pegasus the winged horse his hove Those thrice three sisters sacred selves were knowne about to move The Nymphs with fair disheveld haire then tript the flowrie meads The harmles flocks through vales dales mountains safly feeds The skipping Satyrs midst the groves longst silver brooks did play The countrey maids in rurall games to gaine the praise essay Even then did prudent Philagath over Thessalia reigne A man whom Fates and Fortune both more favourd than a king For by his birth he honoured was through royall right discent Of many Kings of Thessaly as histories comment His grandour purchast great respect his iustice made men feare His clemenciemade him belov'd of all his name did heare And Nature in succession would him also happy make In giving him a sonne which should when as he pleasd forsake The Scepter rule in fathers stead his countries all defend From forraine force if any to invade the same intend A comely girle he also had who as shee grew in yeares Her beautie then not paraleld more lovely still appeares Her beautie great fame blaz'd abroad in regions round about Yea it I thinke was published almost the world throughout So from all countries suiters did to Thessaly resort Where they themselvee might recreate in each desired sport But all their aimes was to attaine the Ladies wisht consent Yet all in vaine for still they did returne most malcontent Yet at the last as Fortune would not haue her dye a maide The Duke of rich Calabria himselfe there soone convayde And in short time such successe had as he acquir'd her loue In honest forme and so they match which afterwards did prove To both their goods and hearts content for in a twelvemonths space She bore to him a gallant girle which had an Angels face This girle was nam'd Lucilla faire as iustly she may bee The fairest Lady now aliue inricht most plenteouslie With rarest gifts and graces good that mortals doe enioy The Gods likewise in one assent still shield her from annoy But now the Duke her father did conceive so great delight In his new match and laughter faire he ev'rie day or night Esteem'd a yeare till he reâ—urnd with this his beauteous prize Towards his countrey for all Greece his successe did despise So hee tooke leave of Philagath the King of Thessaly Then homewards hasted with his wife and all his companie At home he led a ioyfull life sequestrate from all care Till envious Fortune griev'd thereat inraged through despaire Would make him taste the bitter gall of her satyrick frowne And make him know the sun-shine of her favours were ore-blowne Not fully liv'd he sixe yeares space with his beloved wife When Philagath through sicknes great was thought should loose his life Those newes I thinke bad musick sound into the Dutchesse eare Now were her senses all apal'd by sudaine pale-fac't feare Yet she resolves to visite him as she in dutie should The Duke doth strive her to disswade but yet no way hee could Away she goes for Thessaly with all her lovely traine Of gallant Knights and Ladies faire she hastes ore hill plain Through diligence she doth attaine her wished iourneyes end Even as some wearie Pilgrime doth who feeble foot-steps spend In superstitious pilgrimage before some kinsmans death Right so she hastes as though shee could preserue her fathers breath But so it is death doth prevent too oft what we desire And our moist nature doth combure with flames of fatall fire For ere the Dutchesse could attaine her loving fathers sight Remorselesse Death vnwelcome guest forc't him forgoe his sp'right Then with great shonts she pierced oft the azur'd welkin faire And clouds with eechoes did resound her plaints throgh emptie aire Yet forc't she must haue patience mournings doe nought availe For Death with equall pace both Prince poore-man doth assailc So she with griefe her last leaue takes of Thessaly with teares And her owne brothers eldest sonne along with her she beares Home to her owne Calabria shee her comp'nie goe From their sad harts the speach-like groanes still seem'd to vtter woe Thorow Epyrus lay their way where they one night did rest But on the morrow Phoebus beames them scorchingly opprest So that vnto a wood they seek to taste some cooling shade A forrest faire they found hardby wherof they all were glad With speedie pace they thither went but better they had staid For they had not long soiourn'd there when they were all afraid The Savages those woods did haunt them furiously assault The knights again wth murdring swords sharply correct that fault In little space those wild men were forc't to a sad retreat Some kild some fled some howlingly bad successes repeat The Dutchesse glad of victory intends now to depart Yet e're she goe she must endure inevitable smart For as the Knights the Dutchesse sought vnto her coach to bring A monstrous Scorpion lurkt hard by her pittiously did sting Then to the hold returnes againe a foot-groome it prevent And with a Sable it divides so frustrates its intent The Dutchesse
and the Burgers meet The Duke then to their iustice hall convoy Him with great pompe alongst their Cities street Each one was glad his presence to enioy In each adoe though iustice he preferd The tryall he to witnesses referd In this adoe there was no need of such For Philotomp became so penitent That he vnto his shame confest thus much Requesting them to haste his punishment Against all reason I sought to confound This knight which now hath to my shame redound Well quoth the Duke since thou vniustly sought To kill this knight who never did thee wrong As he best likes thou shalt to death bee brought And suffer torment short or painfull long Calanthrop thankt the Duke right humblie For this his iust and absolute decree But here 's the tryall of a generous minde Who having powerfully to dispose Of one who sought to kill him yet could finde In heart most freely to remit such foes Brave martiall mindes ingenuously forgiue The penitent Cowards to death them drive So now it prov'd for Calanthrop remits All the trespasse which Philotomp had done Likewise intreates the Duke who Iustice sits To liberate th' offender to be gone Yet Philotomp was sworne that sword nor knife He should not beare during his loathed life Thus then asham'd he hastes vnto a Barke Commits his body to the sea some space Bids friends farewell and then when night grew darke He went where Tryton rules with forked mace Thus was he gone but no man e're could tell What fortune afterward to him befell And now the Duke intreats the vnknowne knight To take the paines to goe with him along Vnto his house and bee his guest that night The which request more sweet then Syrens song Calanthrop thought yet seemd hee not doe so Most willing hee vnwilling seemd to goe Now well he knew he should be once more blist By happy view of faire Lucilla's face And so perhaps might find time to insist Opport'nately in some convenient place Renue his suite and make his love more knowne So ripe affections seed where he had sowne Most sure Loves seed is recompence in love And each one aimes for to acquyre the same Each loyall Lover must this aime approve Lustfull desires are ever worthy blame Calanthrops vertuous thoughts doe still aspire Not subiect to libidinous desire But now they came whereas the Duke then dwelt Then were conducted to the Presence hall Lethargick love this time Calanthrop felt Yet wisely he his sences did recall The Duke well kmowing that this was the knight Who had so stoutly kild the Beare in fight Intends all honour possibly to give Vnto his worth as tributarie pay Loves lawlesse passions doe the knight much grieve Though he for to restraine the same assay So since the Duke perceives him malcontent Hee tries all meanes this humour to prevent Therefore he sends for his faire Lasse in haste And all the while he keepes the knight in speech For he alone was by the Dukes selfe plac'tt Now comes Lucilla top of beauties reach The love-sicke knight offers to kisse her hand Yet courteous shee his offer doth gain-stand The Duke sayd Daughter this same knight is hee That kild the cruell Beare before my face Defending vs from beastly tyrannie Though Philotomp sought time him to disgrace Yet he most freely his trespasse forgave And pardon'd him who should no pardon have But now Lucilla smiling 'gan to speake Beleeve me Sir if this knight merit praise In reason I this claime may also seeke That I as partner honour'd bee alwayes For last time I the healthfull spring did see In my returne I brought this knight with me And is it so then daughter I request Each time thou goes to view the spring againe To fetch'thy father ever such a guest As is this knight which now doth here remaine But now the Duke intreates the knight to show If this tale his Lasse tels bee true or no. Beleeve me Sir quoth Calanthrop I came From Epyre last amongst a lovely traine Of Ladies whereof I beleeve this Dame Was chiefest I desir'd their help to gaine The other shore a stranger since I was They me permitted in their Barke to passe And ever since I lay at yonder Towne Where the malicious knight sought mee to kill Sometimes I viewd the countrey vp and downe Which pleasant progresse did content mee still And now I love to my owne countrey goe Therefore good Sir I pray you let bee so Now went they all to dinner afterward The Duke Calanthrop and Lucilla went Vnto a chamber others were debard Where they the after-noone discoursing spent They both intreat the knight his name reveale Protesting firmly they should it conceale Likewise the Duke requests Calanthrop stay Whereto Calanthrop forg'd some bare excuse Saying Good Sir I needes must goe away And so the Duke was forc't to brooke refuse Then bids the Duke his Lasse her credit trye Perhaps the knight will not her suit deny So went the faire Lucilla to solist One whom himselfe more happie did esteeme Then those who in Elysium everblist Obtaine ingresse late traild through Stygian streame Fortunes inconstant change men may perceive Who made Lucilla suiterto her slave Thus she began Sir knight may I intreate You stay with vs during a month or two For why my father thinkes you a compleate Brave Gentleman and if that you be so I hope you 'l then obey a Ladies sute Lest I should iustly you ingrate repute At your request I caused once transport You and your Page both of you through the sea Therefore you should concede in such like sort To this my suite for in the like degree It should have place likewise you swore in right Me to defend and to become my knight Which I accept before my father here If you be constant in your first desire How now quoth she sweet father pray you beare A part that we our sute may once acquire If you 'l become my knight Sir take this ring You of your promise it will mindfull bring Madame sayd he I will the same receive For I 'me perswaded you will not impose To me more then in reason you may crave Therefore I will my service seale inclose Within the limits of your gracious will Vowing while breath doth last it to fulfill Well then quoth she the first thing I command Is that you stay at court where wee abide Therefore now servant strive not to withstand My iust decree excuses lay aside Then next I doe demand your proper name Whereof I hope you need not to thinke shame As to my stay quoth he I am content And therefore willingly I will obey Likewise Madam since it is your intent To know my name I must it not gainsay Men call me Tristius of Cimerian vale For darke disdaine mee ever doth assaile Now comes a knight and tells the supper 's drest Therfore the Duke seeing his Lords attend Both to his daughter and her knight exprest How that the Lords
the trebble sang some voyce Palinode-like the subiect seem'd refound Tribute to Cupid and therein reioyce It was Lucilla whom love did constraine By this her Palinode her minde t'explaine LVCILLA HER PALINODE MAny one rashly give reasonlesse censures towards love But those as I beleeve his mightie pow'r did never prove Why should they speake were ne're love-sicke Of Cupids power or might Blind folke should not iudge colours but Give place to those have sight The time was once I thought as those vaine fooles do now surmise And I by all meanes sought to move each one his power despise But foolish I did not espy That Cupid was a God Though I was wilde hee made mee milde Like babes who kisse their rod. It 's more then madnesse great to raile against affections King Be he control'd hee 'l threat the gods themselves to ruine bring Him powers blist dare not resist Iove Neptune nor Apollo Should then not wee who mortals be Learne their example follow Though Danae was kept close and strictly watcht by matrons guard Her father life must losse by her first borne for his reward He knowing that incarcerate Her to pevent the same Iove did surmise gold blindes the wise And time make Dian tame Such sure is Venus boy deare bought experience makes me know None can on earth finde ioy vnlesse themselves his servants show Let yong and old let base and bold Let rich and poore obey For who gainstand Cupids command He workes their wrack alway Long since I must confesse I Venus deitie did detest And thought it foolishnesse in those their hopes so fondly plac't I cald Love blinde and now I finde He wounds without respect Yea all alike his darts doe strike With love or pale reiect But where as I before transgrest ' gainst Venus and her sonne I vow now to adore their sacred will till life be done No bad pretence but ignorance Made me their lawes forsake So Iewels rare some fooles will spare And yet a feather take Love all things overcomes to Love Lucilla doth give place Their sences he benummes who strive his deitie to disgrace Or seek his foyle or honours spoyle Therefore I thus resolve In life or death whilst I doe breathe My love shall ne're dissolve CAlanthrop in this song tooke such delight He now remaind the gladdest man that liv'd Her happy words he registrate in spright Whose force from death to life could have reviv'd The saddest malcontent that liv'd or lov'd To see how Princely love disdaine remov'd The time appointed came Lucilla faire And wise Sophona though the night was darke Came both so softly downe the gallerie staire None of her guard them absent did remarke They shut the privie gate themselues behinde Thereafter shortly whom they sought they finde Madam quoth Sophona to this advert Remember when you speake your knight this clame For men in love are cunningly expert As yet you know not Tristius proper name Is 't possible quoth she Madam it 's true Then quoth Lucilla I 'le that sute renue Now see they other through a lowring light For envious Cynthia gave vnwilling shine 'Cause why she knew that Cupids day was night Lovers convents move chastitie repine Yet told Lucilla Phoebe to her face Endymion saw her smile with better grace Thus doe they meet Calanthrop by the arme Tooke faire Lucilla paicing so along The night was dark yet was the season warme He calles to minde Lucilla's sugred song Whereby love told him plainly to conclude Lovers late meetings aimes at further good Therefore he was most loath for to neglect Such good occasion And so he desir'd Her whom on earth his sp'rite did most affect Vnto a parle she againe requir'd Sophona and his Page to try their game Of foot-course which to view she thither came The which they did the match Sophona gaind For midst the course the Page through fiercenesse fell So they him looser merrily ordain'd But yet the Boy their censures did repell Alledging that since Fortune gave the crosse They could not iustly say his was the losse Thus merrily discourst they on the sport Calanthrop took Lucilla faire apart Sophona did the Page be pleas'd exhort Who seem'd to take his losse in evill heart Whereat he smiling rounded in her eare To make them sport he did so sad appeare Sophona and the Page were quickly gone Towards the vtmost end of this same walke Calanthrop since he found himselfe alone With his sweet love he thus began to talke First craving pardon if he should offend This speech to her sweet eares he did commend O Bravest frame that ever Nature wrought Rare quintescence of beauties honoured frame Fairer then she to Troy whom Paris brought Thou who art staine to Cupids smiling Dame Poore lowring Cynthia shames her shine to showe Because she sees thy fairer face below Each gazing eye doe homage to thy beautie The fairest Nymphs as hand-maids wil thee serve Each heart adores thee in all soveraigne dutie Yet Phoebus faire midst envy's like to sterve For why black clouds eclipse his light divine Thy fairer rayes not subiect to decline The sparkling starres much imitate thy eyes When chilling frost doth cleare the azur'd skye In thee alone true vertue lives and dies My life and love on thy sweet selfe relye Look how the Lizard feeds on humane sight Right so thy face both yeelds me life light The Salamander lives amidst the fire Not burnt thereby nor choked by the fume So doe I live ' midst flames of hot desire Thy lookes my heart doe fire yet not consume Likewise thy words inchant my listning eare Like Syrens songs when shippes their rockes drew neare Since thou bewitches deare sweet vse me so As Circe did of Ithaca the king When he by sea late-sacked Troy came froe By magick spelles him to her I le did bring Yet through loves force when she her conquest viewd She yeelds herselfe to him she late subdu'd But if thou wilt not imitate a witch Let vertuous Dido thy example bee Who though she was most infinitely rich Sea-tost Aeneas kept she companie And though you iustly may to me obiect That he was false I 'me free of that defect Therefore sweet love while as the season fits Once make me fort'nate in my loves attempt Are they not wise their secretes most commits To sencelesse things from feare they 're sure exempt Windes rivers trees hearbes floures nor grasse can tell What we coact so let our ioyes excell No hindrance have we if thy selfe be willing Come deare sweet love come seale it with a kisse Then shall we looke like prettie Doves a billing If thou with-draw thy head thou robst my blisse O let me suck the Nectar from thy lippe Where loves Idaea still delights to skippe Midst fervent passion he doth softly crush Her whiter hand then snow that 's lately blowne He pulls she holds this mov'd a modest blush Possesse her face yet second by a frowne Which so him frighted that he
That he with beastly furie vs assaile If that hee see his hopes are each way spent Therefore it 's best you seeme to bee content For I am sure before the time bee long Calanthrop will see his Lucilla faire And then most sure hee will revengeour wrong Our losses all hee likewise will repaire To wed the tyrant therefore condiscend For sure your ring your honour will defend Lucilla likewise thought this course the best Their present shame and danger to prevent By this the tyrant came and did request Them now to show him what was their intent Lucilla told him much against her minde She would become his wife if hee were kinde Whereto he swore that hee should so her love That after-ages should admire the same And each one should his loyaltie approve And for the wrong he penitent became Which he had done her then he causd conveene His barbarous nobles for to see his Queene The very morne must be the wedding day He longs so much his faire Queene to enioy The heat of lust can hardly brooke delay His barbarous Lords to morrow him convoy Vnto a Church where he his Queen did wed Would see him hang'd e're shee with him would bed In divers sports they spent the afternoone Ne're was bridgrome more ioyfull or more glad Vnto their chamber are they quickly gone Never was Bride more sorrowful or sad Yet in her ring she specially reposd Not knowing that its vertue was disclosd Vnto the tyrant by a div'lish art Else all the world could not have mov'd her goe To keepe this tyrant companie apart No feare of death could her have frighted so As to involve her honour in such danger To bee alone with such a barb'rous stranger Now being alone the King his Queene intreates To come to bed which suite she doth deny How so quoth hee then summarly recites He all her promises and askes her why Shee doth refuse since that shee is his wife To bed with him as she should all her life Then lifting her left hand hee faines to kisse The same and she no other did expect But treach'rously hee did her more amisse At vnawares for hee without respect Of teares or cries pulld from her fairer hand The chaste ring which she no way could gainstand So on the bed hee faire Lucilla threw Fully resolv'd his pleasure to fulfill He findes that once the Sorc'rers have prov'd true And yet he must be frustrate of his will For why Lucilla did the heavens implore To save her honour though she dy'd therfore The gods it seem'd did grant the Ladies suite For such a shaking did the King possesse That his designe hee could not prosecute Iust heavens doe still such villanie represse When earthly meanes the vertuous minded faile Then sacred Powers by their strength prevaile For though Lucilla could no way resist This tyrant king heavens pittied her estate And so those heavenly powers ever blist In time gave aid whilst shee her griefe relate For now the tyrant vile began to bleed And soone thereafter on the floore fell dead This sight amaz'd Lucilla's tender spright So that she cald the guard for to appeare Then vp they came for they had watcht all night But when they saw the King was dead such feare Possest them that they scarce could well take hold Of faire Lucilla who the truth them told Yet ever thinking she the king had kild Their wrath and furie did so farre abound That both the Lords and Citizens have wild The guard to putin prison most profound The Lady that this murther did coact Vntill such time as she confest the fact Her maid beg'd leave to keepe her companie And then the guard to Iayle did them commit Lucilla fully is resolv'd to dye What death they please e're she thus prison'd sit But now sweet Lady voyd of all comfort She to Sophona spake in this same sort How now Sophona had it not been good That in Calabria we as yet had staid Then had our friends not spent for vs their blood Nor we thus prison'd been for death affraid Iust are the heavens who though into their ire They punish me with flames of sacred fire Even me who have my fathers will represt Despising counsell Natures kinde respect By which I brought griefe to his aged breast Who me vile wretch intirely did affect Sweet heavens quoth shee to dye for my offence I 'm glad so death my misse can recompence But yet aye me Calanthrop my sweete knight Could I refuse to goe away with thee Since in thy selfe is plac't my whole delight Likewise thy ioyes I 'me sure are fixt in mee Therefore I vow that death or greatest paine I can for thee endure shall be my gaine Sweete Madam quoth Sophona well resolv'd Though spitefull Fortune at this time vs crosse And vs in woe hath guiltlesly involv'd Yet if with patience wee can brooke our losse We pay her home for none can more iniure Fortune then patiently their crosse indure And for your knight though you great griefe sustaine Most sure the like him likewise doth annoy For till hee see Lucilla faire againe I 'me sure his heart will never peace enioy Our griefe 's at height then Madam be content For vehemencies are not permanent Whilst thus they spake the Iaylor did them call Told them that presently they must compeare Before the Iudges in the Iustice hall So with him went the Ladies void of feare Lucilla to the Iudges did dilate The simple truth of all the present state Yet for all that she was adiudg'd to dye And so to Iayle the Ladies did returne But oh iust heavens have a disposing eye Which oft relieve the wofull hearts that mourne For now they sent the Ladies aid from sea Who can shall their wretched state supplea The morne alive midst fire to yeeld their breath Were they condemn'd this was their punishment The one as accessarie to his death The other as the actor eminent But yet Calanthrop lately came ashore E're they doe so I trust will aske wherefore For now hee sent Philodespot to towne To trye if he could with the Ladies meete The Page knew all the countrey vp and downe Therefore his maister doth him now intreate To try what newes hee heard or where the strength Of all the towne lay so the boy at length Went and return'd then to his maister shew The towne was all in armes and much agast So of the Ladies he could get no view For they into a Dungeon deepe were cast The King was dead and ev'rie one reports Two Ladies had him kild who were consorts At this report inrag'd Calanthrop sweares He will besiege the towne that 's not the best Quoth divers of his Lords for it appeares Since they 're in armes for warre they are addrest Therefore let vs some stratagem invent Them to ov'r-throw frustrate their intent Sir quoth a Captaine old I pray you heare Your Page tells that the execution place Is distant from the towne
returnd with one accord Before the Princes in the dyning hall The King the Queene and Sophona there crav'd Pardon on knees for their offencesall Of the Calabrian Duke When heperceav'd His daughter and her maid likewise her knight Was king of Epire he with great delight In armes embrac't and kist Lucilla faire Next her the king and last her maid likewise Then he intreates Calanthrop to declare The pret'rite fortunes of his enterprise With ev'rie sev'rall successe good or bad And ioyes and crosses which in love he had For quoth he I remit all your trespasse And ev'rie wrong you towards mee have done Since thus you haveacquir'd my lovely Lasse I likewise must account you as my sonne Therefore be pleasd the truth for to relate Most punctually of all your former state At his request Calanthrop did expresse His passedlife even as the Duke desir'd With all the circumstances more and lesse That heretofore he had through love acquir'd To his discourse exult they in assent And much approve his resolute intent The nuptialls celebrated were with ioy Which did continue for a five-weekes space In end Lucilla of a goodly Boy Was brought to bed the wedding more to grace Which mov'd her father stay til she amended Then home he went as hee before intended So did each Grecian Prince when all were gone Calanthrop cald Sophona that sweet maid She and her husband by the king alone After this fort the king vnto her sayd Lady quoth he as yet no recompence Of thy deserts through my benevolence To thee hath been extended wherefore now I here to thee and to thy husband give The province of Thesprotia likewise you May in the Citie of Pandosia live Which lands with you and yours shall still remaine And not returne vnto the crowne againe This now Sophona shall be thy reward 'Cause in my love thou ever didst mee ayde Thee and thy husband likewise I 'le regard Next to my Queen thus shall thy love bee payd Since thou with vs wast partaker in woe In prosp'rous state good reason thou bee so They on their knees doe thanke him rev'rently He them embraced then a Herald cald Before his Queene he causes presently Them in The sprotia's province bee instald Well quoth the Queene who serve I doe perceave A loving maister need their wage not crave In great content thus liv'd they many yeares Till that there came a messenger and told The Duke was sicke and quoth hee it appeares He shall not live for he is very old Therefore it 's good you to Calabria goe If you intend to see him die or no. The King the Queene and the yong Prince their sonne Towards Calabria doe their iourney take Sophona likewise would with them bee gone Likewise her husband went for comp'nies sake They to Brundusium saile the ready way For neare that towne the Duke diseased lay When they were come the Duke was marv'lous sicke For now his latter end drew very neare Yet seeing them hee straind himselfe to speake The which they all desir'd him to forbeare Onely they lov'd to know his finall will Which all of them were ready to fulfill Hee finding that his dayes were neare an end The little Prince hee tooke into his arme My child quoth hee the sacred gods defend Thee still and save thee ev'ry way from harme My feeble hands shall crowne thee my sweete boy That ere I dye my seed my crowne enioy For it will give my dying sp'rite content To see my off-spring in my place succed Whilst I yet live therefore to this intent I set Calabria's crowne vpon thy head And with my crowne receive my blessing here Before thy father and thy mother deare The Prince thus crown'd the dying Duke commends His people vnto Calanthrop the King Then for his whole Nobilitie he sends Delivering them to him but now the sting Of death even then did penetrate his heart Which forc't him say Farewell and so depart Now since the Duke was dead Calanthrop stayd Onely to see the funerall welldone Which being ended he no time delayd But to Epirus with his comp'nies gone Yetdoth his wofull Queene with teares lament Her fathers death which many moe repent Thus was the Crowne of Calabrie annext Vnto Epire which many yeares indur'd Till long time after they Epirots vext Through their revolt and many times iniur'd Their Messengers when they their tribute sought Which twixt the kingdomes great warres after wrought For since they saw Calabrians refusd To pay their tribute as they ought to doe Vnto the Epirots and still abusd Each messenger that came Epirus froe They then resolv'd to make them know by force Their dutie and thereafter vse them worse To this effect the Epirots did raise An Armie great Calabria to invade Each Prince in Greece to their immortall praise Did them assist and likewise did perswade Them for to prosecute what they resolv'd Lest they through stay themselves in shame involv'd Therefore they went with all their Armie great And so rebellious Calabrie assaild Which frighted folke with death their Armie threat In end those Grecian forces so prevaild That they a Province wonne and brookt in peace Long after that which yet is cald Great Greece Now lest I from my historie digresse I will acquaint you with Calanthrops death And his faire Queenes whose lives in happinesse Both in one day expir'd through lacke of breath During Calanthrops dayes brave martial man Nor yet his sonnes rebells revolt began And when Sophona heard of this report Calanthrop and Lucilla both were dead Griefe on her tender heart seasd in such sort No physick earthly could yeeld her remead She folds her armes and then with fixed eyes Vpon her husband she sweet Lady dyes Calanthrops sonne Epirus Annals tell Was first and father of the Castriots Whose val'rous race still lineally befell For to governe the martiall Epirots George Castriot Scandarbeg last king remain'd After whose death the Turkes Epirus gaind FINIS