his leaue and badd his Ladie and spouse hartely farewell leauyng with her Phylene her deare daughter Thus hymself with Aurelianus his little sonne 〈…〉 from Tariffa towards the famous Citie of Cayre and 〈…〉 passed through a Wildernesse hauyng lost their waie â—â—â—dering two or three daies without any maner of foode sauing Hippes Hawes and Slowes suche as thei could gather in the Desert the poore childe being ouer come with faintnesse not longer able to trauaile beganne to complaine to his afflicted Father desiryng hym to sitte downe to rest hym self a tyme the wofull Father tormented in his mynde to see his poore distressed childe sat hym doune vnder a Tree where after a while recountyng to hymself his sonderie misfortunes beyng oppressed and wearied with trauaile he fell into a souÌ„d sleepe the Childe after he had a while rested hymself leauyng his Father a sleepe beganne to seeke about for somethyng to sâ—ake his hunger and as he was straiyng thus about the wooâ—â—des it fortuned the Duke of Vasconia hauyng lost his comâ—panie in the pursute of a Stag where he had been a huntyâ—â— and as he was crossyng the nexte waie to goe to the Citie 〈◊〉 Messyna where he helde his Courte hauyng in his compâ—â—◠〈◊〉 the Lorde of Sura with three or fower seruing men he fortuned to espie the childe runnyng in the bushes all alone and callyng the childe vnto hym he saied alas my little boy what makest thou in this place art thou here alone or how camest thou hether I praie thee tell me Forsothe Godfather ê™ the childe I came hether with my Father who lyes a sleepe here by and I was seekyng somethyng to eate for by my trothe I am so a hongered that I could eate worse meate then a peece of a rosted Pigge and that with all my harte The Duke greatly pleasuryng to heare the pretie aunswere of the childe replied in this wise How saiest thou my little knaue wilt thou bee my boye and dwell with me and I will giue thee good meate thy belly full how saiest thou wilt thou goe with me Yea forsooth Godfather ê™ the Childe on that condition you will giue me rost meate enough I will goe with you for I thinke I did not eate my bellie full of roste meate this moneth and more 〈◊〉 The Duke then commaunded one of his men to take vp the Childe whom he caried awaie with hym and now perceiuyng it to be bothe well fauoured quicke witted and very apt to learning he brought it vp at Schoole where he proued not onely wise and learned but also in many other exercises conuenient and fitt for Gentlemen he commonly excelled euery other man and thus leauyng him at Schoole I will conuert my tale to his wofull Father who when he was awaked and missed his pretie sonne beganne to prie about in euery bushe seekyng and callyng what Aurelianus Aurelianus where be you Aurelianus But in the end when he could no where finde hym thinkyng assuredly that he had beene deuoured by some wild Beast beganne with pitifull exclamation to crie out O Fortune Fortune more then fickle who in a moment hoiste a man vp to the highest degree and by and by in lesse space then in the twincklyng of an eye she throweth hym doune againe 〈◊〉 lowe as more miserie is prepared for hym in one daie then â—he aduaunced hym in an hundred yeres whiche I now proue â—nd haue experience in my self so muche the more the greater is my greef who haue been nourished delicately amongâ—â— my freends maintained stil in most prosperous estate hoping for the full perfection of my felicities by Marriyng a Noble Dame with whom I pretended to spende the residue of my life accordyng to the scope and lott appointed by the almightie God but now beholde all my enterprizes be quite pluckt backe and my purposes tourned cleane topse torue in suche wise that from honourable estate I am driuen to wander like a Vacabonde driuen from Poste to Piller from Countrie to Countrie froÌ„ Region to Region to sequestrate my self from amongest my freendes without any assured place where to make my abode Oh frowarde fate how canst thou bee so hard harted and voyde of pitie still to prosecute thy cruell pursute first to depriue me of my honourable dignities then to banish me from amongest my louyng freendes thirdly to seperate me from Messilina my well beloued wife more deare vnto me then the balles of my vnhappie eyes and not yet contented but now to bereue me of my sweete Infant my onely hope of comforte in my olde age O Death Death the 〈…〉 â—â—rowes and the beginner of felicities now make sharpe thy Darte and giue no longer delaie of life dispatche dispatch at once the most infortunate man that liues this day on earth for what auailes my life if in the gulfe af sorrowe and greefe I droune the pleasures of the same But ah I see right well thou preseruest the same of purpose but to delight in my gréeues and to triumph ouer my aduersities And here withall the brinishe teares so streamed doune his chéekes that he was not farther able to speake one woorde but runnyng vp and doune the Woodes sighing and sobbing in great anguish of mynd and his bodie muche infeebled for want of foode and sustenaunce He fortuned to meete certain labouryng men that dwelt in a poore Village not farre from the place who perceiuing by his geasture that he was passionated in his thoughts thei beganne with suche courtesie as thei had learned in the Countrie to demaunde the occasion of his greefe But he knowing very well how farre thei were vnable tâ— minister releefe to the least of his afflictions could render 〈◊〉 other aunswere then piteous sighes and sobbes but the poore Pesaunts when thei had better behelde the talnesse of his stature the seemelinesse of his countenance and the comelinesse of his personage were greatly mooued with compassion towardes hym and with suche badde eloquence as their skill would permit beganne to perswade hym to walke with them to their Cabbins where he might refresh hymself with suche homely Iunckettes as was prouided for their owne suppers The Duke contented to yeelde to their requestes walked along with them where he remained all the night very pensiue and heauie in his harte and beganne to thinke with hymself that there was no more hope left for him to heare of his sonne and therefore beganne to imagine how he might render some reléef to his poore wife and daughter whom he had left as you before haue heard Now there was dwellyng hard by the place a noble man that was Lorde of the Village who hauyng intelligence of this distressed Straunger caused hym to bee sent for before whom when the Duke was presented after many questions debated betweene them the Noble man demaunded of the Duke what Countrey man he was and how he had béen trained vp then if he could be contented to plaie the Seruyngman and would bee carefull and
Marchauntes hauing dispatched their businesse departed thence and by them Fineo wrote letters to his Father and to his brother certifiyng them of his beyng at Tunise and how that Fiamma was with him and that he desired to deliuer hymself 〈◊〉 of bondage and her with hym Whiche thyng he thought he might easily bryng to passe if his brother would come thither and withall described vnto them a plot whiche he had caste for the execution of his intent and desire Thei beyng retourned safe vnto Sauona deliuered the letters vnto the father and brother of Fineo who with the rest of of his freendes and in effecte all the whole Citee were verie glad that his Fortune had not been altogether so froward toward hym as thei had supposed And his brother accordyng to his instructions prepared a verie pretie Fregate verie well appoincted and furnished with Marchaundize emong whiche there were many trifles and thynges of price meete for Ladies and Gentlewomen And beyng arriued therewith a a Tunise Fineo brought them vnto the Kyng whom thei presented with some thynges of small price whiche were verie gratefull and acceptable vnto him and emong other speeches thei saied that thei had aborde many pretie thinges for Dames and Ladiee which thing the kyng vnderstandyng commaunded Fineo that the cheefest of them might be brought into the Cube to shewe suche thinges as thei had vnto his Concubines by whiche occasion he gatte that oportunitie which he looked for to confer and deale more priuately with them without suspition and to giue the better order for the accomplishement of asmuche as he had deuised Fineo and his brother therefore beyng come into the Cube shewed forthe emong those women suche wares as thei had brought to please their fancies and gaue vnto them all some one trifle or an other as a gentle present to the firste and the brother of Fineo presented Fiamma emong the rest with a verie faire Purse richelie embrodered with Golde and Pearle in the whiche there was enclosed a letter written by Fineo by the conrentes whereof she might vnderstande at large al that whiche he did wishe and would haue her to doe to make their escape together and to ridd themselues out of that thraldome and captiuitie Assone as the twoo brethren had doen that thei came for and were departed Fiamm by their maner gatheryng that the gifte of that Purse contained some Misterie withdrewe her self into a secret place and hauyng opened it she found therin the letter whiche when she had read she thanked Almightie God that of his goodnesse had shewed her the waie to deliuer her self out of Captiuitie and from becommyng dishonestly the Concubine of an Infidell kyng And when this appointed daie for the performyng of their purpose was come Fiamma in the night when all was silent and others slept came to a windowe barred with Iron where Fineo and his brother were attendyng for her Who with certaine instrumentes whiche thei had brought for that purpose brake and wrested the Grate of the windowe and takyng her awaie with them thei gott her into their Barque and hoissed saile and directed their course with a merrie Winde toward the coaste of Italie whiche serued theim verie faire all that night long the moste part of the next daie In the mornyng Fiamma beyng missed and Fineo likewise the kyng was aduertised of their escape who perceiuyng the Marchauntes to bee gone also rested assured that it was a set matche made for the stealyng Fiamma awaie And beeyng full of rage and despight towardes them all caused certaine Galleis and other light vesselles to be armed in all haste and to be sent after thē giuyng straight charge and Commission to his Captaines that either thei should bryng Fineo and the Damsell with the cheefe of the Marchauntes aliue vnto hym because he would cause them all three to bee buried aliue or that thei could not get them aliue thei should bring their thre heddes for that he would haue them bee set ouer the Cube for an example and a terrour to all others But before those Galleis and other vesselles could be in a readinesse to depart Fortune not hauyng yet her fill of persecutyng and afflictyng these twoo poore Louers caused a contrarie winde with an extreame storme and tempest to arise by force whereof the vessell wherein thei were was not without greate daunger driuen backe again to Tunise with so muche greef and sorrowe of all them that were in it as thei maie imagine that knowe the crueltie and barbarousnesse of that people But in the beginnyng of the storme the brother of Fineo dispairyng of his life as he that was assured either to be drouned by rage of the winde and seas or els to die in torment if he returned into the handes of those Infidelles gat hymself into his Cockboate and therein hazarded his life and after muche adoe and a thousande perilles of present death recouered the coaste of Italie at the laste and retourned home to Sauona ful of woe with heauie tidynges declaryng vnto his father that either the Fregate would bee loste or els driuen backe again to Tunise where he was well assured that bothe his brother and the yong Damsell his Louer should bee murthered in moste cruell maner At whiche dolefull newes the father as if he had seen his sonne lye dedde before him began to weepe and lament complaining of his hard Destinie that caused him to liue so long or reserued him to see those cruell and bitter daies Fineo seyng himself brought to so hard an exigent for that their vessell was now driuen backe nere vnto Tunise and knowyng that he should feele the smarte of his faulte and the kynges anger in sharpest maner and sorte beyng determined to liue no longer and to preuent the crueltie of the kyng drew out his sworde and would there with haue stroken him selfe to death But Fiamam catchyng hym by the arme Alas Fenio quoth she what shall become of me if you bee dead Shall I remaine behinde to endure the cruell tormentes that I know this Infidell hath prepared for me Yet rather since that death must needes deliuer vs of our misfortunes before you execut vppon your selfe this your determination ride me out of the worlde and deliuer me from the paines whiche alreadie I feele in my imaginacion wherewith I assure my self thei wil bryng me to a shamefull death And with these woordes offeryng her breast vnto him she requested him to strike her with his Sworde But Fineo bad her bee of good comfort for your beautie my Fiamma saied he beeyng so singulare as it is I knowe will saue you and therefore you neede not feare and I alone should be the man that thei would plague and torment to death for vs bothe and therefore my deare suffer me to dye before and content thy self to liue and vouchsafe sometyme to remember thy vnfortunate Fineo when he is dedde Whilest thei were thus talkyng and debatyng whiche should firste dye the
daiely and hourely will be checking taunting and railing at him in suche sorte that he shall thinke himself moste blest and happie when he is farthest from her companie but for your better confirmation I haue set forthe this Historie of two brethren the one of them married to a wenche that could so cunningly behaue her self towardes hym that he had thought she had beleeued there had been no other God but himself yet by your leaue she would take reason when it was proffered her but what of that the harte neuer greeues what the eyes see not The other was married to a Dame that froÌ„ her nauill douneward was more chast and continent but otherwise of her tong suche a deuill of Hell that the poore man her housbande could neuer enioye merry daie nor houre although he deuised many a pretie remedie as by the readyng of the processe of this tale you shall better perceiue whiche followeth in this sorte There was sometyme remaining in a famous Citie twoo brethren the eldest according to the custome of the place enioyed his fathers goods and possessions after his death wherby he was wel able to liue the yongest had neither landes nor liuynges sauyng that his Father had trained hym vp in learnyng whereby he was able to gouerne hymself in all maner of companies where soeuer he became These two brethren beyng wearie of their single liues disposed themselues to mariage The eldest beyng of hymself well able to liue sought a wife onely for her beautie without any other respect either to her conditions or riches and as the prouerbe is he that séekes shal finde so in the ende he lighted on a Gentlewoman called by the name of Mistres Doritie whose beautie in deede was very excellent and there withall has a passyng readie witte Marie her trainyng vp had not been after the best nor worst maner but as a man might saie after the common sorte this gentlewoman he Married who could so wel handle him with kissynges cullynges and other amarous exercises that her housband thought himself the most fortunate man that liued to light on suche a wife although she cunningly armed his head with hornes as after you shall heare The second brother left as you haue heard without maintenance or liuyng sought for a wife onely to releue his want and fortuned to hit of a widowe in deede with greate wealth but in conditions so ouerthwart and so spiteful of her tongue that the poore man had not been Married fully out a moneth but he more then a thousand tymes cursed the Priest that maried hym the Sexten that opened the Church doore when he went to bee married yea and his owne vnhappie legges that had carried his bodie to bee yoked to so great a mischeef But because I doe minde more orderly to tell you the maners of these twoo Gentlewomen I will first beginne with Mistres Doritie whose housbande after thei had been a while maried fortuned to fall sicke and then accordyng to that Countrey maner a Doctor of Phisicke was presently sent for who commyng many tymes to visite his pacient began to beholde and contemplate the liuely beautie of this gentlewoman and lent her many rowling looke and secrete countenaunces in suche sorte that Mistres Doritie beyng well practised in the Arte of Loue and seyng Maister Doctor to be a man as sufficient to content a Gentlewoman in her Chamber that was whole as to minister Medicines to those that were sicke did not onely requite him againe with looke for looke but she yeelded hym a large vsurie and paied him more then fortie in the hundred Maister Doctor who was likewise skilful enough could wel perceiue whereto those lookes did tende Vpon a tyme beyng alone in her companie he saied vnto her as followeth Mistres Doritie if the experience whiche I haue learned in Phisickes arte might craue credite and make my tale to bee the better beleeued assure your self then that I minde to saie nothyng but that that shal bee to your owne behoofe and the reason that makes me to enter into this discourse is the pitie that I take to see so proper a gentlewoman as your self should be so deceiued in a housbande who although you shall finde hym bothe honest gentle and louing yea and peraduenture maie content you with such rightes as appertaine to the Marriage bedde yet assure your self he shall neuer be able to get you with child consideryng your Natures and complexions be so farre different the one from the other whereby you are like for euer to remaine without issue and one of the greatest comfortes that maie happen vnto vs in this worlde is to see our selues as it were regenerate and borne a newe in our children and barrennesse in the auncient tyme hath been accompted not onely infamous but also moste hateful amongst women in so muche that Sara gaue her owne Handmaide to her housband because she could not her self conceiue a childe but I would wishe women more witt then to followe Saras example God defende their should bee so foolishe to giue their Maidens to their Housbandes I would wishe them rathâ—â— them selues to take their men it hath been euer holden for the greater wisedome rather to take then to giue and sure thei shall finde it more for their owne profites that if their housebands want be suche that he is not able to get a child to take helpe of some other that maie supplie his imperfections but I trust I shall not neede to vse many perswasions considering that euery wise woman will thinke that I haue reason on my side Thus Mistres Doritie you haue heard the somme of my tale protestyng that if my seruice maie any waies stande you in steade I am as readie to obeye as he ouer whom you haue power to commaunde Mistres Doritie who all this while had well pondered his woordes knewe very well how to whett Maister Doctor on and the more to set his teeth on edge aunswered hym thus I perceiue Master Doctor you are something pleasantly disposed and hereafter when I shall finde my housbandes infirmitie to be suche as you haue saied I meane to sende for you desiryng you that you would not be out of the waie to helpe me when I haue neede The Doctor knewe not well how to vnderstande these wordes whether thei were merily spoken or otherwise in disdaine of his former talke aunswered thus Alas Mistres Doritie pardon me if my wordes seeme any thyng offensiue vnto you assuryng you that in this meane space that I haue made my recourse to your housbande whose healthe by the sufferance of God I haue now well restored am my self falne into a Feuer so extreame as neither Galen Hypocrates Auicen Plinij nor any other that euer gaue rules of Phisicke could yet prescribe a Medicine for the malladie or diet to suppresse the humour that feedes it I shall not neede to vse long circumstaunce in the matter knowyng your wisedome to bee suche that you can well
my predestinate euill luck I moste humblie beseeche you to mitigate your rage and to conceiue no sinister opinion of this your worthie daughter whose smallest greef is my double paine as for my self I am well pleased with my misfortune contented to Sacrifice my life onelie to receiue your cleare acquitaunce for my offence and will make satisfaction with the price of my blood The Duke of Vasconia bending his browes aunswered No Traitour no it is not thy life that shall appease my furie but I will so coole the Whorishe heate of your Minion for whom you seeme so muche to pleade that I will make her an example to all others for dooyng of an acte so detestable But what abuse haue thei committed vnder the title of Marriage thinkyng without remorse of conscience by that meanes to continue their mischeef and their promise and faithe that was made vnder a Bushe muste serue for a cloake and Visarde for their moste filthie Whoredome But what if their Marriage were concluded and confirmed by God hymself Is Siluanus a manne worthie to be alied or mingled with the roiall blood of the house of Vasconia no no I vowe I will neuer take sounde nor restfull sleepe vntill I haue dispatched that infamous facte from our blood and that villaine Whoremonger with his trull be vsed accordyng to their desertes Valeria now knowyng how matters were sorted out and hearyng this cruell Sentence pronounced by her Father fel doune vpon her knees and bitterly criyng out she saied My deare father moste humblie I beseche yon sith no other thing maie appease your ire then the life of the offender let not this Gentleman abide the penaunce of that whiche he neuer committed be reuenged on me by whom the faulte if a womans faithe to her housebande maie be termed a fault is doen. And let this infortunate Gentleman depart who God knowes is innocente of any other crime then what he was brought into onely by my prouocation And as she was aboute to haue proceded farther in her talke her Father interrupted her saiyng Haue you founde your tongue now pretiepeate then wee must haue an Almon for Parrat how durst thou Strompette chalenge me to bee thy Father That without regard either of my renowme or of the honour of my house thou art content to bee abandoned from this noble Estate and to become a Fugitiue and a straunger to followe a Roge vp and doune the Countrey no Minion no thinke not that any Feminine â—latterie shall stay me from doyng thee to death nor your darlyng that standes by you shall escape with his life verelie beleeuyng that in tyme it shall bee knowne what profite the worlde shall gaine by purgyng the same of suche an infecteâ— plague and I do hope besides this that in tyme to come men shall praise this deede of myne who for preseruyng the honor of my house haue chosen rather to do to death twoo offenders then to leaue the one of them aliue as lesse faultie or giltlesse then the other Valeria once againe fallyng frustrate before her Father saied I moste humblie beseche you for that all other comfort is denaied me that I maie craue this onely grace at your handes for the laste good that euer I hope to receiue whiche is that you beeyng thus greeuouslie offended with me doe vengeaunce at your pleasure vpon her who willinglie yeeldeth her self to the Death with the effusion of her blood to satisfie your ire graunt onely that Siluanus who is innocent and free from fault maie goe quite But her father no longer able for anger to heare her speak crieth out to the Duke to hasten the execution the Duke of Mantona whose harte did bleede in his beallie for sorrowe perceiuyng it follie to delaye longer tyme gaue Sentence of death and present execution to be made although he tooke so greate sorrowe for theim as if his Daughter Philene should haue borne them companie but he was not able to help it the lawes and ordinaunces of the Countrie would not otherwise permitt And thinking to take his laste farewell of Siluanus he saied O Siluanus the glorie and honor of all yong Gentlemen that euer wer that be now or shalbe hereafter this whose vertue valliaunce and worthie exploites doe glister emongst the multitude as the Sunne beames doe vpon the cirquet of the Yearth Oh that thy hard Fortune should conduct thee to suche distresse that onelie by thine owne valiaunce and prowesse haste escaped so many daungers emongst thy thronged enemies and now thy ruine and ouerthrowe should bee thus wrought amiddest thy assured freendes that knowes not how to helpe it What heapes of cares hath besieged me on euerie side To thinke that I should craue thy companie whereby thou art brought into the middest of so great mischeef whiche otherwise mightest haue escaped this mishappe and thou Valeria would God thy vnfortunate hoste whiche departed from thee thinking to doe thy housebande pleasure had remained with thee a poore Sexten still till this present daie The rest of the companie that stoode by hearyng the duke to make so greate lamentation was likewise striken into a meruailous greef and sorowe in so muche that euery one that durste speake cried to the Duke of Vasconia for pardon and that he would remitt the offence and what pitie it were if he should seeke the death of so noble a Gentleman as Siluanus had shewed hym self to be But the Duke perseueryng still in one minde asked theÌ„ with what face thei could make request for a verlet of no reputation whom he had found in the wooddes and brought hym vp to that estate he was come to not knowyng who was his Father but by seemyng some poore Countrie Cloune and forgettyng himself from whence he sprong neglecting so many benefites which he had bestowed vpon hym would enter into those thinges so farre vnseemely and exceading his degree The Duke of Mantona giuing good eare to this tale remembring his Sonne Aurelianus whom he had luste in the Woodes aboute those partes questioned with the Duke of the time and what apparell the childe had on at that present who in all thinges shewed a trothe as it was He demaunded farther how he knewe his name to be Siluanus or whether he had any other name yes quoth the Duke of Vasconia his name he saied was Aurelianus whiche my self changed to Siluanus because I founde him in the Woodes Herewithall without any farther staie the Duke of Mantona running hastely vpon Siluanus imbrasyng him in his armes criyng O my sonne my sonne and with this sodain ioy the teares trickling doune his cheekes so faste that he was not farther able to speake one worde The Duke of Vasconia muche amazed to see this sight but a greate deale more gladde that Siluanus had founde out suche a father and now nothing at al offended with his daughters choice came likewise with chearfull countenaunce and imbrased Siluanus desiring dothe the Duke his Father and hymself to forgiue what was past
many others would haue taken it for a great good Fortune that suche a Prince should haue fallen in loue with theÌ„ Lucilla considering the basenesse of her degree in respect of the high estate of her newe Louer reputed it to be a greate mishap vnto her as she that considered that she could not nourishe or entertaine any suche Loue but with the harme and preiudice of her honour Besides that she feared least that Nicander should once perceiue that this yong Prince hunted after that hauÌ„t he would forsake her for feare of farther displeasure wherefore to auoide bothe inconueniences wher◠〈…〉 then she was wâ—nte to shewe her self sometime at the Doore someâ—â—â—e at the Windowes she now retired her self in suche sort that she could neuer be seen but on the Sundaies and holie daies as she went to a little Churche nere adioinyng to the house Wherefore Nicander not a little meruailyng and greatlie troubled in spirite fearing that Lucilla wauering as women vse to doe had forsaken him and turned her affection els where as one full of gelousie and greef for fault of better comforte he would watche his times and followe her to that Churche there to feede his fancie with a looke or twoo which yet amid his miserie he seemed to esteeme as a releef without the whiche he could not liue Finallie not beeyng able to endure those tormenâ—es that this absence and straungenesse of his Ladie caused him to feele he sent vnto her a conueniente messenger with a letter conteining this effecte The Birde whiche long hath liued in pleasant feeld Esteemes no whit his Cage of wreathed golde The dulted note wherewith he pearst the Skie For greef of minde he can not then vnfolde Yet liues he still but better were to die More worse then death euen suche a life haue I. The Turtle true of his deceased maie Bewailes the want he reakes no more of blisse The swellyng Swanne doeth hardly brooke the place When he his beste beloued birde doeth misse Suche is my ioye Nicander needes must die Lucilla doeth his wonted presence flie How can I liue that double death possesse How should I ioye that drenched am in thrall What foode maie feede or beare a pleasaunt taste Where as the harte lies bathed still in Gall. If this be life then life be farre from me And welcome death to seâ— Nicander free What cause my deare hath thy Nicander wrought That makes thee shunne in whom thou shouldst delight What moues thy minde to â—ewe thee vp so close And keepe thee from thy beste beloued fight If I offended haue then charge me when and how Nicander shall hym cleare or to thy mercie â—ow If no offence but fonde conceipt hath taken holde Condempne hym not that shewes his giltlesse hande Who hetherto hath neuer ment the thyng That iustly might against your honour stande If giltie I I aske no other grace Giue doome of Death and doe my sute deface I saie no more but as I doe deserue So shewe the fruite of my deserued hire Seme not so straunge vnto thy faithfull freende Whose absence setts my scorchyng harte on fire But as my loue to thee no tongue can tell Esteeme the like of me and so farewell Thine owne Nicander The yong Gentlewoman who had fixed all her thoughtes and setled all the contentmentes of her harte onely vpon Nicander neither desiryng any thing in the worlde so muche as to please and content hym Felt an intollerable perplexitie of minde in that she sawe him greeue thus at her late straungenesse and yet thought it better that he should complaine then come by any knowledge of the loue that Don Heâ—cules did â—eare her wherefore hidyng from hym the matter replied in â—his sorte The Birde whiche is restrainde Of former hartes delight I must confesse twixt life and death Doeth alwaie combate fight So doeth the harte compelled By heste of Parentes will Obaye for feare yet forste by loue Continues constant still No absence by consent My deare Nicander I Haue wrought to worke thy wo from thee Like Cressed falce to flie Ne shall I liue to loathe What maie content thy minde Hap life or death as true as Steele Thou shalt Luâ—illa finde Thy eares shall neuer heare Nor eyes shall neuer see That any wight shall reape the fruite Whiche planted was for thee 〈…〉 thy self my deare To take against thy will Our absence in good part till tyme Maie betteâ— happe fulfill And therewithall receiue This pledge to cure thy paine My harte is thine preserue it well Till wee twoo meete againe Euer thine Lucilla This sweete aunswere mitigated not a little the moode of the yong Gentleman and so he framed himself the beste he could to tollerate the absence of his Lucilla On the other side Don Hercules who in like maner founde himself depriued of the sight of that yong Ladie whom he loued extreamely was verie muche discontented and perceiuing that neither messages nor faire offers with large giftes sent vnto her whereof neuer any were accepted could once moue her to shewe her self courteous vnto him of so muche as a looke And considering the pouertie wherein her mother liued now in her latter yeres beganne to imagine that it would bee muche easier for hym by offeryng her liberally wherewithall to Marrie her daughter to perswade her to yeeld her into his handes then to winne the yong Gentlewoman to his desire Wherefore hauyng sent a fit persone to Lucillas Mother to let her vnderstande that if she would bee conâ—ent that the yong Prince might enioye her daughter he would giue her suche a dowrie in recompence of his pleasure that no Gentleman of what degree soeuer should for her pouertie refuse to take her to wife whereas if she refused y â— good offer she should therby be constrained through necessitie either to bestowe her vpon some Artificer or Craftesman or if she would needes Marrie her to a gentleman she must giue her to some suche as was so poore as that she shâ—â—ld liâ—e all the daies of her life in want and miserie the whiche in effect would bee nothing els but to be cruell towardes her owne daughter in 〈◊〉 that good hap whiche he did offer besides the fauour that he should be able to shew in furthering her mariage to bothe their ende lesse comfortes The mother beeyng often sollicited and sommoned to this effect and on the one side punished with pouertie and on the other charged with yeres bothe whiche pressed her verie muche after diuers discourses made to and fro with her self lastly she saied And whereto ought I to haue regard but to the wealth and profite of my daughter whiche bothe she shall reape abondantly if by y â— giuyng her self vnto this yong Prince he doeth bestowe vpon her that dowrie whiche he hath promised And although in doyng thereof there be some touch and spot to my daughters honor and mine yet shall it be so recompensed with the benefite of her dowrie that the profit