expectation of Astreas return and in the mean time Silvander came to the place where death was to triumph over him There was not one in all the company which did not change colour when they saw the pile of wood he only looked upon it without the least dismay As soon as the Druide was got upon it and the Eubages and their vessels and and knife and all in readinesse he himself got up also and kneeling down after he had cast his eyes upon the cloud which covered the Fountain of Verity King of souls said he with most admirable constancy Puissant Deity who never had in heaven any thing so fair as the eyes of Diana O great God of Love since I must die to satisfie for the sin which my presumption hath committed in adoring her Receive sweet Tyrant this testimony of my obedience and what punishment soever my Crime had merited yet let thy wrath be appeased by my death Upon this he rose up and after he had put off his dublet he made a sign to the Druide that he was ready to die his great resolution did astonish all the spectatours and even the least sensible did shed tears at the misfortune of this Shepherd but above all Astrea and Celadon appeared the most sadly afflicted for as the one lamented the Fate of Silvander so the other grieved no lesse for the misfortune of Diana Adamas for his part he doubted whether he had life enough to our-live this Sacrifice yet considering that it was the will of the gods he began to put his hand to the work The scaffold which he had caused to be erected was about some two yards in height and that it might hold the more wood it was six yards in length and as much in bredth As soon as all things were in readinesse the Druide took two great Tapers which he lighed at the fire which one of the Bubages carried in a silver chafingdish and giving them unto two other Hubages he commanded them to go nine times about the scaffold After this but with a trembling hand he took the knife and addressing himself to the Shepherd he asked him whether he had constancy enough to die without his eyes being blinded and Silvander protesting with abundance of alacrity that the minute of his death was the sweet oft minute of all his life he opened his brest to receive the blow but Adamas being in some sort offended at his forwardnesse Silvander said he unto him in a low voice the haste which you make to die is indeed an argument of your courage but it may also be an argument of your dispair The gods do not like precipitate actions and therefore I conjure you to wait with a little more patience for the blow which you are to receive We do use in our Sacrifices to sprinkle the scaffold with some drops of blood which we take from the Victime which is to be sacrificed and therefore not to go against this order I will sprinkle the wood with yours upon which you are to die Silvander made no answer unto the words of Adamas but after he had shewed him that he was ready to obey whatsoever he commanded the Druide took hold upon his arm a little above the hand and the Shepherd himself turned up the slieve of his shirt left is should be any hindrance unto his design an Eubage presently brought a basin to receive the blood and Adamas lifted up his hand to make the wound But he no sooner cast his eye upon the place which he was to cut but a strange astonishment seized upon him At first he could not so much as stir or take his eyes off the arm of Silvander afterwards perceiving himself to weaken upon a sudden he let fall the knife and taking the Shepherd about the neck O Silvander cryed he out O Paris my son Paris In saying so his strength quite failed him and Silvander himself having not so much as to hold him up they fell both together upon the scaffold At the sight of this accident those that stood at a little distance gave a great cry imagining that Silvander had received his Fatal blow yet seeing Adamas to fall first they thought that the Sacrificer was himself become the Victime At that instant the two Tapers did miraculously extinguish of themselves to the amazement of the Bubages and Paris ravished at this spectacle and that he should be named went presently up the scaffold He was no sooner there but the Druide assumed his spirits and strength and falling down upon his knees Most pitiful and compassionate gods cryed he out who never suffers us to speak any untruth I give you most hearty thanks for the great favour you have done me Pardon me if in despairing of your goodness I did murmure against the greatnesse of your infinite benignity I must confesse that I have sinned as a mortal man but I will make a vow to serve you as my Soveraign Tautates and promise to offer upon your Altars continual Victimes After this he rose up and seeing the whole Assembly was no lesse astonished then he he took Paris in one hand and holding Silvander in the other he raised his voice to as loud a strain as he could and began to speak in this manner I must make here a Publick confession of a private action and in the sight of all Forrest declare that which until now was never known unto any but the gods and my self I do protest that this is Paris said he and shewed Silvander this who has born that said he and shewed Paris is not my son but only by adoption and as affection or rather piety moved me to give him that name and title But because such a change is not ordinary I am inspired to give you my reasons to the end all men may learn never to despair in the goodness and favours of heaven Know then that when the valour of Aetius added glory to the Grandure of the Romane Empire and when the Prudence of this great Captain had gotten to himself the government of Gaul this countrey which had enjoyed a secure peace for many ages before did now find that it was not without enemies and it being impossible but my Interest must needs be involved in a misfortune which was then common unto all these Provinces I quickly found how barbarous the insolency of those are who look after profit more then glory in their triumphs for they delight in nothing but destruction and in plundering all that presents it self unto their infatiable fury Their rage did not only reach so far as to ravish all that was precious in my house but also they ravished away my son who was the only stay of all my hopes I did what I could to hinder them I told them he could not do them any service since he was but five years of age I beseeched them to have some pity upon his innocency and my affliction I used all the expressions that either sweetness or
imaginations of every one for it was thought that he loved her only as the mother of his children yet most certain it was that he did love her and as certain that Argira was quite out of his memory O the odd humours of some men who can forget those they once loved as soon as ever they are out of sight Policander seeing himself a father of so fine an off-spring and a widdower he bent all his studies to rule his dominions well and to see his children educated in all noble and Princely exercises and qualities sutable to their sexes and degrees And because the Princess Cephise his wifes daughter whom she had by the King of the Lemovices and somthing elder then Rosanira was in his hands after the death of her mother he brought her up with his own children making no difference between her and Rosanira who having attained to the age of seven or eight years began to appear so fair that she carried away the glory from the greatest beauties in all Gaul although Cephise in the eyes of many did not yield unto her The young Prince Ariontes on the other side was so apprehensive and capable of every excellency that he applied himself unto that no Prince of his age did equal him either in exercises of warre or peace which joyed the heart of Policander beyond all expressions At that time there was some certain Merchants which used to traffick upon the Armorick seas and by reason of the conveniency of the river Loire did bring their wares into the Provinces of Gaul amongst the Heduois Burgundians Allobroges Galloligures and others These being constrained to pass through the Territories of the Boyers and Ambaries in hopes of a free and safe conduct did present unto the King Policander many rare and precious things and amongst the rest a young slave so farre and so exceedingly handsome that as soon as the King saw him he did dedicate him unto the service of the two Princesses Cephise and Rosanira because he seemed to be no elder then the youngest of them These Princesses lov'd him exceedingly well being of a very pliant and sweet disposition and strove who should most oblige him by caresses and because his name was Kynicson and that word hard to pronounce they called him most commonly by reason of his beauty the fair slave But O the fate of inclination Although he was given at the first unto both those Princesses yet he devoted himself solely unto the service of Rosanira not but that he obeyed Cephise in all her commands because he knew it was her desire and his duty so to do but yet that service which proceeds from affection was wholly unto the other at which Cephise would doubtless have been very angry if she had been composed of any Gaul but she was of so wise and sweet a temper that though she had a mind to be ill pleased with him yet she could not be angry so as all her anger did turn it self into jealousie of her sister and sometimes to twit him who as young as he was knowing that the displeasure of that Princess might do him as much harm did endeavour to please her but it was so hard to hide his affection unto Rosanira that she was alwayes harping upon that string One day Cephise chid him for that he minded no service but her sisters and scorned all others Rosanira by fortune heard him answer thus Madam said he unto her I think it a most high honour to do you service and if I fail you will oblige me if you punish me but the very truth is that though you should not be willing I should serve your sister yet you must take away my life if I do not for if I live I cannot chuse But why answered Cephise very angrily and did not see Rosanira have you a more ready will to serve my sister then me are not you mine as well as hers I did not say replied he very modestly but that I am as ready to serve you as I ought to do but but me no buts replied she and looked red with anger and going nearer him but Madam answered he then spying Rosanira and changing his discourse upon a sudden but Madam here is the Princess your sister upon this word going back a pace or two he slipt out of the chamber door This Modesty did extreamly please both the Princesses Cephise because he would not acquaint Rosanira with any passages betwixt them and Rosanira at his discretion in hiding the anger of her Sister Cephise so as that passage caused both of them to love him better then before And a few days after Rosanira having an opportunity of talk with him Prithee said she unto him tell me one thing truly Have you not much ado to content my Sister Madam answered he I shall be very glad to be told of my faults if I neglect any thing in her service I can tell you one replyed she and smiled and advise with your self whether you will relapse into it or no. Surely Madam answered he I shall not at least I will endeavour all I can It is continued Rosanira because you seem unto her to be so affectionate unto my service Yours Madam replyed he presently Yes mine replyed she and consider with your self whether or no you will continue it any longer for this is it which does so much displease her Oh Madam cryed he if her displeasure proceed from thence I shall continue it as long as I live Why said she had you rather displease her then leave my service Madam answered he will you please I should tell you the truth Yes answered she and tell me truly If I do not said he may the Sun never shine upon me and may I be odious unto all the earth Upon this assurance replyed the Princess I will believe you I do swear and vow Madam answered he that though all the Powers in the world should command me to quit your service I should be disobedient Nay more I should not think my self too blame in such disobedience For ever since that day the King your Father devoted me unto you I have so ratified the donation that I swear by all the Gods I will never depart from your service But said Rosanira were you not at the same time given unto my Sister as well as me No Madam answered he for the King only gave me unto her but both the King and my own consent did give me unto you But yet said Rosanira and smiled she pretends to have as much right unto you as I yet since I see your inclination I will beseech the King to bestow some other upon my Sister and let you be wholly mine To make me become wholly yours Madam replyed he rests wholly in your own will and though the favour you would do me in asking me of the King be one of the greatest you can do me yet I most humbly beseech you not to speak unto him about it for it may procure
Astrea did not assign you any time you ought to stay till she prefix it or till the weaknesse of your humanity does exact from you that tribute which all creatures pay Fair Nymph said he then unto me Astrea did not assign me any time because she knew I ought to be as ready to execute her commands as she to pronounce them questionlesse she meant the same day whereon she let me know my fault should be the day whereon I should be punished I do therefore conjure you not to crosse my desires any longer tell that unthankful fair one for doubtlesse you will find her full of joy at my misfortune that I dare not so much as grieve at my death lest my sorrows should provoke hers unto the like assure her that of all the favours she ever shewed me I hold this for the greatest since in a moment she has delivered me from all the torments she was able to make me suffer for when I am dead that fair one will not be angry at me but if by ill fortune her mind be not enough revenged even for pities sake move her to pardon the surplus of my crime I would willingly come and do my pennance before her but not having time nor knowing how to do it better then in the losse of my life Tell her fair Nymph that I am going to finish it for the love of her and that as there is none but she for whom I would live so there is none but she for whom I would dy Fair Shepherdesses I must confesse that I heard all this without saying any thing unto him for my heart was so sadly compassionate that I could do nothing but dry up my tears which began to trickle down my cheeks so as when I began to speak he interrupted me thus but why am I so slack in such a noble act Why do I resist the will of Astrea who would have a fresh cause to condemn me did she know how I delay the pleasure which she will take in my death Adieu fair Nymph adieu sage Leonide be not as Astrea is insensible unto the motions of compassion Give me leave I beseech you to steal one poor kisse upon your fair hand in assurance that you will obtain one from the Shepherdesse or at the least that you will take so much pains as to ask it as a testimony that she will forget all my offences upon this O how sad my soul is to think upon it he took my hand and having lifted it to his lips three times he ran away from me as fast as ever he could and though I made as much haste after him as possibly I could yet I lost the sight of him presently This accident made me almost mad I knew not what to do I was out of all hopes to find him and yet I could not find in my heart to return without him At last in this confusion of thoughts one while apprehending the harm that might happen unto him and another while blaming your too sudden rigour I saw the day did bid farewel to the world so seeing no possible remedy against this disaster I returned back still calling Alexis Alexis Celadon Celadon but hearing none return any answer unto my call my sorrows began to be almost intollerable and imprinted in my face such signs of death as doubtlesse you saw when first I came unto you Such was the discourse of Leonide which infused such strange affrights into the mind of Astrea that she was even rady to run out of her wits her eye was not at this time able to drop a tear for her heart was so infinitly oppressed with sorrow as it was impossible she should weep but in exchange sighs and groans issued in such abundance as did quite take away the liberty of speech Phillis who knew the humour of her companion and feared lest this last dispair of Celadon should drive her into dispair also she resolved to apply some remedy fair Nymph said she unto Leonide since Licidas is abroad I am very confident he will remedy all these disorders and will never return until he has set all streight again or at the least till he have shared in his brothers sorrows Alas alas sister said Astrea and could hardly speak it is to be feared that the fury of Celadon will prevent the help of Licidas or that the despair of the one surmounting the perswasions of the other cannot save him from the same precipice in which perhaps both are already fallen And should it be so I should be doubly criminal by committing two murders in the person of Celadon and in making my revenge to reach the innocence of Licidas Upon this Leonide rising and taking Astrea by the hand the very truth is said she unto her I cannot tell how to excuse your cruelty for indeed it has been extraordinary but since you are not now in a condition to help it I conceive it best to talk no more of this accident unlesse unto such as are in a capacity to apply some remedy Diana Astrea and Phillis finding this motion to be good all four took the way unto the house and came thither just as Adamas had concluded the Articles of Paris his marriage the conditions whereof were not so secretly carried but some of the Domestiques came to know them and divulging it frome one to another the noise of it went through the house and from thence into all the neighbouring Towns Belinde no sooner saw Diana but calling unto her she gave her an accompt of what was concluded upon with the Druide at which the Shepherdesse was so surprized that notwithstanding all the good councel which her mother gave unto her she was ready to fall into a swound yet being a person of a most admirable judgement and discreet above all the Shepherdesses in Forrests she dissembled her sorrows as well as she could and addressing her self unto Belinde but Madam said she unto ber methinks the businesse is done with a little too much precipitation Daughter answered Belinde a good action can never be done too soon besides I have not long time to stay here for you know that my profession calls me another way and therefore this very night the marriage must be consummated As soon as she had said so she went unto her chamber to make some prayers unto Hymen for a prosperous event of this match and left Diana alone This Shepherdesse whose soul was over-swelled with sorrow she would needs go immediatly out of the house perhaps to do some desperate act upon her self but Phillis who was also by her self whilst Adamas was talking unto Leonide and Astrea she ran unto her and began to talk with her Diana who could not hide her displeasure though she had been the cunningest woman in the world and who besides knew that she might confidently open her soul unto her companion she began to hold this discourse but with so many sighs and tears that Phillis was extreamly moved to
into his thoughts All those objects were so sad unto her apprehensions as they did steal from her eyes many a tear but as sad as her soul was yet she could not chuse but look upon the testimonies of her Shepherds inviolable love At last after she had looked all over and had left no place unsearched she found in one of the corners a bottle wherein Celadon kept this ink and also finding a pen near it Alas said she and sighed here doubtlesse is the very same pen wherewith he used to expresse his amorous thoughts and passions This is the faithful pen which has so often received all his secrets and which hath been partly a cause of my knowing the despair of my dear Shepherd Without thee dear pen said she and kissed it I had never known in what part of the world he had been and in that ignorance I should never have found out the means to recal him But dear pen what shall I do unto thee in recompence of that good office These tears and these sighs can do thee no good for thou art not sensible of them yet perhaps they will be acceptable unto thee because they relate unto him that was once thy master and who by a high priviledge of Love did perhaps take away thy insensibility Upon this she was silent and Diana looking upon the ground Sister said she unto her I see something lie at your feet then Astrea stepping a little back Diana stooped and saw that it was a sheet of paper lapped up she presently took it up and saw it superscribed in large Characters THE SORROWS OF A BETRAYED SHEPHERD and within it these words I Once thought fair Astrea that the river of my tears would have washed away the crime of your infidelity But now when I think upon the many dayes which my eyes have spent in that miserable office I am quite out of all hopes and see that it is death only which can bring any remedy to my griefs â— and it only do I call for to cure those wounds which your inconstancy have made It is it only unto whom all my sighs and groans are addressed and it is it which a thousand times more pitiful then your self will receive such prayers as I make unto it to rid me of my pain Thus do I look for help from it which Nature bids me fly and I expect my ruine from her whom reason commands me most religiously to love A strange effect of your ingratitude Astrea since to be exempted from your persidies I must fly unto the pity of my enemies But will if you expect from my disgrace only the ruine of This half ended sentence made Diana think that Celadon intended to fill the whole sheet with the like compliments but that he was diverted perhaps by the command which Licidas brought him from Astrea he had not time to write any more then what you see Astrea who was the Reader of it she was very sorry that it was no longer for it was very pleasing unto her yet putting it into her bosome This complaint poor Celadon said she which thou makest against me for a crime whereof I was not guilty shall serve to condemn me for that which I committed in the last sentence which I pronounced against thee and that it may be a witnesse to publish my injustice I beseech the gods this paper may survive me and that it may have as much power to withstand the injuries of time and weather as I have to punish her that has offended against the fidelity of Celadon Upon this she found a great weaknesse in her self and Diana who saw her look pale and feared she would swound she run unto the river side to fetch some water she had lesse ado to go out of the Cavern then she had to enter in for Licidas had made the passage more easie she made haste to the river but could not return so fast for fear of spilling so as she had time enough to see Licidas lying at the root of a Willow This sight did extreamly astonish her yet observing that he was asleep she went unto the Grotto as fast as ever she could and finding Astrea a little better Sister said she unto her let us fly away as fast as we can unlesse we would have Licidas surprize us Why asked Astrea because replied Diana he is still in the same place where he talked with Phillis and I fear he has heard our discourse or at the least will come into this place to passe away the rest of the day Is it possible said Astrea that this Shepherd should be there yet Doubtlesse he is answered Diana and if you have a mind to see him it is but going to the entrance of the Cavern and casting your eye unto the river side I would gladly see him once more said Astrea and in saying so she went unto the mouth of the Grotto and saw him lie all along upon the grasse which Nature had covered with a little Moss As soon as ever she had seen him she would have retired for she was afraid to be seen but growing a little more confident she began to fix her eyes so stedfastly upon him that it was a quarter of an hour before she removed them Diana who all the while observed she pulled her by the coat Sister said she I think you are ravished with looking upon that Shepherd Truly answered Astrea his innocence makes me to compassionate him extreamly and I am beyond expression sorry he should be so sensible of Celadons sufferings for being conscious of my own fault it grieves me he should have so much cause to complain against me yet continued she I mean to try his good Nature and if there be any spark of pity in his soul I am confident he will have much ado to deny that pardon which I shall ask him In saying so she went into the Grotto and taking the pen which she found she dipped it in the bottle of ink which was half full also tearing a little piece of paper which she had put in her pocket she writ a Letter unto Licidas which was no sooner finished but seeing the day almost done she resolved to leave the Grotto and that paper in the hand of Licidas Unto which Diana consenting they went out with as little noise as they could and coming to Licidas Astrea kneeled down upon the ground she pinned the paper to the sleev of the Shepherd O Love said she even for pities sake give good successe unto this Letter let it not be lost but if it be possible let it touch the very heart of Licidas Then she arose and looking round they continued their journey Phillis was already returned to the house of Adamas very sorry she could not hear any news of her companions Leonide came presently after her and a little after that all the Shepherds and Shepherdesses which were at the house of Adamas so as all of them having given an account unto the
puissant Divinities let my death satisfie you for all her injuries and as great as her crimes are which she hath committed against Love for my sake cease your resentments of them and let that cause which moved her to desire my death be a motive unto you to prolong her happiness and life Alexis had no sooner ended her prayer but Silvander began O ye pittilesse Destinies cryed he out who by irrevocable Laws have ordained I should spend my miserable dayes in all the afflictions which any soul is capable to resent now I beseech you see your own doom executed As you have spoke all truth concerning the miseries that menaced my life be you as true also in what you have spoken concerning my death In saying so he opened his brest and joyfully prepared himself to receive those wounds which would let out his soul with his blood he saw the Lions approaching towards them with eyes that sparkled fire and lifting up their paws they shewed their crooked claws whose points were as sharp as any needles In the mean while Adamas and the rest were come within fourscore or a hundred paces of Astrea and Diana The two Shepherdesses waked at the same time and were so affrighted to see the two Unicorns so near them that they never looked towards the place where Licidas was with Thamires Celidea Doris Adrastes and the rest nor towards the place where Galathea and Rosanira were with Adamas and Belinde All they could do in that amazement or rather that affright was to offer themselves unto those Animals as thinking they came thither only to devour them but seeing them upon a sudden to run towards the Fountain they thought that it was there only where they were to die and that the Unicorns did only shew them the way Astrea and Diana therefore ran after them and were no sooner come to the place where Alexis and Silvander were expecting their deaths but they saw those two Shepherds upon their knees within ten paces of them and the Lions with enraged fury ready to tear them in pieces This encounter did extreamly surprize them but having no time to consider what to do they followed the first suggestion of their passion and stepping betwixt them it is we that are to die said they and not those Shepherds who are not culpable of any crime Alexis and Silvander ravished at this spectacle and fearing lest those Shepherdesses should receive some harm they fell upon the Lions and began to fight with them more for the interest of their Mistresses then their own preservation but being without any arms they were quickly thrown down and the two Unicorns as taking their parts came at the very same instant and falling upon the Lions there began a most sharp combat betwixt them Adamas Belinde and the rest who saw Astrea and Diana go away did follow them but they came not time enough for the combate was almost ended the heavens which before were clear and serene was now all cloudy and the Sun was so obscured as if the world were to perish in horrid darkness The fields which with variety of flowers used to render us most fragrant odour now lost that sweetnesse and stunk of sulphure No light was to be seen but that of lightning with such horrid claps of thunder which speaking the anger of the gods it is easie to be be believed that they intendâ—d to destroy the world and reduce it unto the confusion of its first Chaos This made the most courageous to be sensible of fear Adamas himself in this disorder who by his profession had learned to resign himself unto the will of the supream powers did wonder and was amazed when the earth trembled under him Often did he offer to speak but the horrible claps of thunder put him out of all hopes to be heard and when he would have looked upon those who were in his company he found the use of his sight as much hindred as his speech Sometimes he wished they were all in his house for a shelter against those storms that menaced them but when he considered that such blustering storms were able to throw down the strongest buildings he condemned his first wish and found it unjust because the most secret places were open to the knowledge of the gods and there was no place that could shelter a mortal from the anger of the Dieties Galathea and Rosanira wished a thousand times that their journey were to begin again but as great as their fears were their loves had made so deep an impression in their memories that in lieu of having recourse unto the mercy of heaven they never ceased invoking Rosilion and Lindamor as their Divinities Belinde thinking Diana was dead was ready to wish for her own giving her self therefore over unto grief she laid her self all along upon the ground leaning her head upon her two arms which lay acrosse not daring to lift up her eyes to heaven because she thought it her most mortal enemy ah Diana said she to her self how dear does thy indiscretion cost us Thy fault has louly offended the gods since they take so great revenge Immortal Dieties continued she whose justice does exceed your pity if punishment be inseparable from the crime which this woman has committed why did you not inflict only upon me Was not a Victime able to appease you had not I blood enough to wash away the crime O most cruel you have despised that blood which I would most willingly have shed for the safety of this sinner and to shew how odious the disobedience of children is unto you you have punished her with so much severity as renders your anger remarkable unto all posterity Upon this thought Belinde fell into a flood of tears and Adamas who was already upon his knees to pacifie the anger of the gods by his prayers casting his eye accidentally towards the place where she was a flash of lightning made so much light at the very same time as he could plainly see in what condition she was seeing her â—hen lie all along upon the ground and thinking her killed by some clap of thunder such a sorrow seized upon him as he became almost senslesse He went unto her as near as possibly he could and as if he would make her hear maugre the thunder alas sage Belinde cried be out as loud as he could what infortunate accident was it that separated us and why should it be mortal unto you and not unto me Belinde did hear the voice of the Druide but she could not distinguish his words and Galathea who was not far off hearing confusedly the words Belinde and mortal she thought her and all but dead people Rosanira who held her by the arm believed the same and their opinions passing unto Dorinde it went from one to another till it came to Hylas who knowing no reason why he should bear the punishment of anothers fault he wiâ—hed himself heartily in Carmagues although it were upon the condition
force Dorinde to marry for if she do love the Prince no punishment can be more sharp the Prince also will vex to see her whom he loved so dearly in the arms of another and be out of all hopes to see her his But answered Gondebaut Dorinde will not consent unto any marriage Sir replied this wicked fellow Kings are the Tutors of their subjects and as the Gods know better what is good for men then men themselves do so Kings who are gods upon earth do know what is good for their subjects better then they themselves and therefore if you do provide a husband for Dorinde who will say that you have not provided that which was necessary for her And if she be stubborn and will not marry him who will blame you if you force her The Physitian knows better what is good for the disease then the Patient some Physick must be taken by force and her father being dead you may cover your designe with a cloak of piety and will not see the childe of Arcingenâ—oriâ— without a Guardian Besides there is a way to make her marry without using your Royal Authority There is a Law Sir which from the Visigots is come to us by which it is ordained That the Father having made a promise of his daughter unto one and die she being unmarried his promise shall be made good after his death But Clotilda told me replied the King that there is some promises already past betwixt them No matter for that replied Ardilan for you must know Sir that there is another Law which ordains that if a woman dispose of her self otherwise then as her Father would have her both she and he who married her shall be put into the hands of him to whom the Father did promise her to be sold or used as he pleaseth Since Sir since these two Laws are in force why may not you marry Dorinde unto Periander or Merindor since Arcingentorix did promise unto them both In the first place send unto her and let her know that you will provide her a match for her contentment that this your care proceeds from your love unto her father and her and that you will give her the choice of one of those two Cavaliers for a Husband You may send the same message unto others of her kinred and so oblige them likewise for it is no mean prudence in a Prince to oblige many by one benefit I am confident that if she make a dor at the motion her friends will perswade her and if she be obstinate they will be the first that will blame her and commend you though you should compel her unto it by force And then God knows what will become of her when she has none to support her For the Princess Clotilda I dare say will have nothing to do with her she is betrer advised and will not do any thing that shall displease you The King liked this advice and resolved upon it He commanded Ardilan to go from him unto the Princess who could give no other answer but that she would perswade her with all the arguments that possibly she could She sent immediately to the Prince to let him know she would speak with him and when he came she acquainted him with the designe for though she saw much danger to her self she would run the hazard rather then do any thing that should displease him Sigismond was much amazed at the designe and the more because his Intelligencer failed him at this time but the reason was because he was not present at that time when it was resolved upon but he came time enough to hear the King protest and swear that he would marry Dorinde by fair means or by foul and that if neither of those two Cavaliers would accept of her some other should though it were Ardilan himself The Prince hearing this news and seeing the King had recourse unto extream remedies he thought that nothing would cure his extream violences but extream resolutions He proposed therefore unto Clotilda for him and I to go out of Gondebauts Dominions and there consummâ—te the marriage which he had promised unto me But she extreamly disliking this course thought it better for me to go alone and shun the storm which he had threatned but he to remain still with the King and endeavour to perswade the King unto reason But when this resolution of absence was pitched upon it was long in debate whether I should go for beyond the Alpes I could not because they were allied with the Ostrogots To the Franks was less likely because they were all in such combustion amongst themselves about the new election of a King that all was in disorder there Besides the Queen Methina was in such necessity of aid and assistance as it was not probable she would entertain me against the will of so potent a King her Neighbour As for the Visigots the journey was too long for I was to pass through all Spain besides there being a Treaty about a marriage with Sigismond there was no safety for me in that place At last they concluded I should go into Forrests unto Amasis with whom Clotilda held much correspondency and because they knew not whether the authority of Gondebaut would not deter her from giving me safe protection they thought it expedient for me to disguise my self in this habit wherein you see me to the end that if the protection of Amasis did fail me the solitary habitation among the Shepherdesses of Lignon might preserve me unknown This resolution being taken the Princess sent for me and though the loss of my father might well have pleaded my far longer absence from Court yet since she sent for me I conceived it was upon some important occasion And therefore in the night time I repaired to her who as soon as she saw me she carried me into her closet where being alone together and seeing me weep Dorinde said she it is not now a time to weep and complain you must arm your self with a more couragious and generous resolution But consider Dorinde that in what condition soever we be heaven never will afflict us more then we are able to bear and therefore droop not but rouse up your spirit and take courage and then you shall see that neither God nor persons of honour will never forsake you The King gives you the choice of Periander or Merindor for a husband and will by all means have you marry one of those two if you will not in good will accept of this or if they refuse he is fully resolved to make you marry Ardilan See Sweetheart what need you have of courage and generous resolution How Madam answered I and grew as pale as death must I marry either one of those two or Ardilan What Law is there for that The same Law replied she that the stronger will impose upon the weaker He will have Sigismond marry a Princess whom he pretends will bring great advantage and he
soon as we found her but heaven it seems had pity upon us and restored her back in a short time by the death of Theombres who lived not above three months after he was married She took her loss as she ought to do and we helped her in this charitable office but our tears were quickly dried up for the disposition of this man was not very pleasing and she married him rather as a fortune then as a lover without any fancy to him Our sisters sorrows sunk not so deep into her soul but she was quickly comforted by the affection which we expressed unto her and she in requital to make our stay at home with our father as little tedious unto us as possibly she could and doubtless that droning kind of life so different unto that which we had been accustomed unto had been intollerable to us without her sweet conversation Some dayes after Florice was returned home and her mourning not of so deep a black but would allow her colours she took notice of the melancholy lives we led and few recreations we frequented Brothers said she unto us I am sorry to see you droop thus but I must divert you some wayes or other so as you shall find this place not so drowsie as you did at first Our father does tire you with these visits of kindred who never talk of any thing but serious matters but I will make you acquainted with some of my associates and dare lay a wager you will not think them so dull and tedious as his We who had lived with our father in a kind of imprisoned constraint and could not indure it any longer did intreat her to be as good as her word She deferred the effecting of her promise no longer then the next morning when she carried us unto the house of Cercinea where we found Palanice Dorinde Cloris Parthenopea and some others all very fair and handsome women But Hylas to prove the destiny which I spoke of I did no sooner cast my eye upon Cercinia but I found in her so many allurements unto love that I could not deny her my heart and my soul My brother also at the same time thought Palanice so lovely that he could not chuse but bestow himself wholly upon her Now let those who think that it is beauty which doth tiranize over our souls tell me the reason why Cercineas beauty should not tiranize as well over the soul of Amilcar as mine or why Palanice should not have as powerful an influence upon my heart as upon my brothers I am confident that mauger all their reasons they will confess that it was destiny and fate that did dispose of us as they pleased Destiny I say decreed that we should at one and the same time receive two great losses for the loss of our liberty was presently after seconded with the loss of a father who being of a great age was also seized upon by a violent feaver which in few dayes brought him to his grave Perhaps if the new affection which we had conceived unto these two Ladies had not been written in the fatal book of destiny this last loss might have stifled it in his grave for the truth is we took it more sadly to heart then others use but Hylas what can resist fatality For our affections by this contrariety increased as a flame will by contrary wind There is nothing which hinders a growing love from taking deep root more then to be out of sight of the party loved because the eyes are they that give beginning unto love and the sight does nourish it and make it grow so as when this sight is denied commonly love dies or at least languishes But this we found might hold true unto others who love by election but not unto us who were decreed unto it by unresistable Fate for being constrained to observe the ceremonies of mourning we were a long time deprived of the sight of these beauties but all would not do any good only helped to make our misery more painful and hard to be indured But the dayes of deepest mourning being past it is the custome upon such accidents for friends and nighbours to come and visit the mourners as well to condole with them and offer their assistance as to renew that amity and friendship which they formerly had with the predecessour All our friends and neighbours failed not to pay those duties of civillty so as our house was frequented as much as any famous Temple Palanice and Cercinea amongst the rest that were intimate friends unto my mother and sister were not failing at this visit and we who were almost alwayes with Florice were heaven knows most glad to see them The truth is the death of our father did greatly afflict us and there was not the least appearance of any mirth in our house until these two fair Ladies were pleased to come unto it But then I must confess the mourning of Amilcar and me did vanish like a cloud before the Sun When Cercinea had complemented my mother a long while she came to render the same civilities unto Florice and because I could never satisfie my eyes with looking upon her I drew near unto my sister and after I had thanked Cercinea for the pains she was pleased to take in coming to a house so full of sorrows and that in requital of this honour we offered unto her all our services Florice was constrained to go and say as much unto Palanice so as Cercinea and I remained together at a distance from the rest of the company this invited me in pursuance of my former discourse to say unto her the truth is fairest Cercinea I have very little reason to thank you for this favour since I foresee more harm then ever I can hope for good by this visit She who did not yet perceive the affection which I had unto her for all former demonstrations of kindnesses were received only under the notion of civilities and courtesies I cannot tell Alcander said she unto me what harm my visit may do unto you but I am sure that I have no intentions of doing any if you have no intention Madam said I unto her then it is my destiny for certainly Cercinea will be the cause of Alcanders death Who I said she the cause of your death Doubtless you will answered I but I will pardon you not being my self able to be displeased with it Upon this we were parted by the coming in of a great number of Ladies and after that I could not renew this discourse all that day In the mean time Amilcar who would not no more then I lose this opportunity he accosted Palanice I did not think Madam said he unto her that the beauties of this countrey had been so cruel as I find them what cruelties Sir said she do you complain of of yours Madam replied he who are not contended to see this house so full of sadness but you will add more sorrows unto it
affectionately I spoke unto Cercinea she came and interrupted us seeming as if it was only out of civility because I was yet a stranger In the mean Belisaid was not idle but talked with Andronira and inquired of all domestick news a particularly as he could he heard that my affairs could not be in a better condition then they were unless Clorian did marry her or divert her from me That Cercinea had a great good will towards me but the imperious authority of that man by means of Palanice did so restrain her as it was impossible for so young a spirit to withdraw her self from that servitude so soon as she and I desired That if a means could be found to make Palanice in love with Amilcar it would be a way to divert her from the protection of her brother for believe it Belisaid said she love has more prevalence then friendship and if ever she should love in good earnest Amilcar might make her do what he would yet I believe he will have a hard task to overcome her for Sileines who has loved her long has gained much upon her O fool said Belisaid unto her new conquests are alwayes most esteemed and loved But being late we were constrained to part and therefore bidding goodnight we retired to our chambers with much satisfaction to my self where as late as it was Belisaid and I had a long discourse from whom I heard all the discourse betwixt Andronira and him As soon as Florice heard of my return it seems she had a mind to make good the words of Cercinea for she presently came to see me but because her Aunt was very sick she could not stay only dined with us and then returned yet not so soon but Lucindor was first advertised of it for Belisaid who thought this to be advantageous unto my affairs was of opinion that it was requisite to oblige him and to enter into some conferrence with him to the end that when he came to Cercineas house he might bid him welcome It was Belisaid therefore that gave him this intelligence yet he no sooner came but Florice departed But Hylas you may remember how I once did write something in the glove of Cercinea I know not how it came to pass but so it was that they came to Palanices hands we had conceit that Missina finding them did give them unto her but however Clorian was quickly acquainted and leaving all his Court business at randome he returned home with more hast then I desired The first vexation I resented was that Cercinea entreated Belisaid to keep me from making so many visits and when I did go to see her she durst hardly come near me or cast an eye that way much less to speak unto me I did resent this change very sadly and much admired at it for I thought those testimonies of good will which she had given me were too great to be forgotten and to dissemble it was too gross and because I could not indure this without making some demonstrations of my resentments Belisaid thought it good for me to send for Florice for Lucindor perhaps might gain upon her which if he did he might cause Cercinea to shake off the tyranny of Palanice and Clorian As fortune was when we were busied to find out some handsome excuse for her return the death of our Aunt did furnish us with a very good one so as she returned of her self sooner then we looked for her The ceremony of mourning for this good aged woman was soon over for the infirmities of old age were such a great burthen unto her that her friends rejoyced rather then mourned to see her delivered from them As soon as Florice came I desired her to use her utmost endeavours upon Lucindor to favour me she who loved me very well and wanted neither wit nor will to negotiate such a matter did so prevail with Lucindor that he took my part both against Clorian and against Palanice indeed he spoke so affectionately to his Sister as she to our thoughts had some inclination to me and began to lean towards my side when Clorian and Palanice taking notice of it resolved to negotiate with Sileines after the very same manner that Florice did with Lucindor for Sileines was in love with Palanice and was elder brother unto the fair Cercinea so as by this means he took their part all that possibly he could To what purpose Hylas should I use any longer discourse upon this matter Sileines for the love he bore Palanice took Clorians part so as these two Brothers were one against the other and the Family so divided that all was like to be in a great confusion But Hylas it hapned also at the same time that as Cercineas family was divided betwixt Clorian and me so ours also was divided betwixt Lucindor and Cerintes for those two Cavaliers as I told you loved our Sister Florice and I took part with Lucindor because he was Cercineas brother who did me all the good offices he could and Amilcar favoured Cerintes brother unto Palanice upon the same interest And presently after the same dissention hapned between Clorian and Cerintes because Clorian was all for Sileines who loved Palanice and Cerintes solicited Palanice for Amilcar because he was the servant of Florice So see I beseech you how Love had busied himself amongst us for Florice never met Cercinea but she spoke unto her in my behalf and Cercinea solicited as much in behalf of Lucindor Cercinea never saw Palanice but she entreated her to favour Sileines and Palanice at the same time recommended Clorian unto her When Palanice met Florice she solicited her in behalf of her Brother Cerintes and Florice solicited her in behalf of Amilcar Judge I beseech you when we met all together what fine discourse there was amongst us It was very happy we were all intimate friends before these cross interests fell out for otherwise doubtless things would have fallen out very foul amongst us But all of us foreseeing that things could not long continue thus without some more bitter exasperations one day when we were all met together at Cercineas house we all agreed both Ladies and Cavaliers to submit our selves unto the Will of God and so went all together to enquire of the Oracle at the Temple of Venus where we received this answer The Oracle LEt Six within this Place remain Till Honour otherwise ordain No answer to the Female three Expect unless alone they be An old man who expounded these words unto us said that the Oracle commanded us to stay in this Town until such time as some action of honour constrained us to depart and that if the Ladies came alone without us the Oracle would tell them what they should do We understood that three days after they went and consulted with the Oracle As for us six we still waited until some honourable occasion caused us to go out of Lions And now it so fell out that the Prince
Policander had taken from Bourbon his Ancestor He made this attempt the more boldly because a report was spread abroad that Policander was dead who was the only Successor betwixt him and the two Crowns The King on the other side who was old and whose vigour and strength began to fail never offered to make any opposition against this designe although he saw it but passed away his life smoothly and calmly as he could so as when he came to die the faction of the Prince Archimbaut was so high that if Policander had not speedily arrived certainly the Queen his Mother would have been forced to yeild unto rebellion For besides the strength of his Faction he was also assisted by the power of the Limovices the Queen of which people was his sole and only daughter who had married their King and was left a Widdow within a year having only one daughter by him named Cephise The Princess Argira came to the knowledge of all these things only by common Fame and because she thought her self nearly interessed in the business she desired the King her Father to send him relief and the more easily to invite him unto it she did craftily make it known unto him that the unknown Cavalier who had been so long in his Court was the King Policander but for all that reason of State moved him to take the other side For the partakers of Archimbaut made him believe that Policander was already ruined that all his hopes were gone and that it was no prudence to make himself so potent an enemy as him who had already the Kingdom of the Lemovices in right of his daughter and who ere long would be King of those two Kingdoms Briefly these considerations were so cunningly insinuated into the Kings Belief as they had such an influence upon him that in lieu of assisting Policander as she desired and as indeed he ought to have done for all Kings ought to be enemies unto Rebels he sent forces unto Archimbaut and such as Policander was counselled not to put things to the hazard of Arms but rather to stop all factions by a more safe and a more easie way which was by a marriage betwixt him and the only daughter of Prince Archimbaut whose name was Clorisena who though a widdow of the King of Lemovices yet was very fair and young Policander did the more willingly hearken to the motion because he was extreamly incensed against the King of the Picts for sending aid unto his enemy and Archimbaut was the more willing to embrace it because having but one daughter and out of hopes to have any more children he could desire no more then to see his daughter Queen of the Boyens and Ambaries and his grand-children King of those two Kingdoms But that which most of all moved Policander unto it was a strong report that the Princess Argira was dead and though the news was false yet was it not without some colour of truth for some moneths after Policander was gone she perceived her self to be with childe and being desirous to hide it from the King her father whom she feared and not without reason she feigned her self to be sick which she might easily do by reason of her extream displeasure to see her self cast off by him in whom she most trusted she so perswaded the King unto a belief of it that he thought it good for her to leave the Court for change of ayr and having made choise of a very retired place which by the opinion of Physicians was of a very wholsome ayr she was conducted thither with what company she best pleased and taking very few with her but her Nurse and her son they only knew of her being brought to bed Now as news is like unto a ball of snow which being tumbled from the top of a hill does grow as big as another hill before it come to rest so the reports of her sickness was made to be death unto Policander without which he could not consent unto this marriage at least not without perjury This marriage was the first news which she to her great grief heard of when she returned again to the King her father and doubtless she had more deeply resented it if she had not also heard that Policander was forced unto this marriage and that if he had not done so certainly he had lost his Kingdoms This gave some satisfaction to her sad soul when she considered that he committed this fault by constraint and not by consent of will and as if he had known what reports were amongst us he used the same to clear himself and since there was no other remedy she believed them But her greatest grief was to hear that the King of the Santons had sent to treat upon a marriage with her and that it was already resolved upon This news was most abominable unto her because she was resolved against all bands of matrimony since she was so unworthily deluded by the first But now she saw her self constrained to change her resolution since she could not contrary it unless she should make known what she had so carefully concealed which being once known would extreamly vex the soul of her aged Father and become a stain both unto his reputation and her own Upon this prudent consideration she married the King of the Santons by whom within a year she had a son who was named Celiodantes But because she consented unto this marriage only upon reason of State she still retained her first affection unto the Prince Policander and it vexed her very soul to think the King of the Santons son should inherit two great Kingdoms whilst he whom she had by Policander should live unknown and without any Dominion Then again to have the Son of him whom she loved not always under her eye and to be always deprived of his whom she did love seemed intolerable unto her See Madam what affection will make her do and into what extream it will drive one A little while after she was well recovered from her lying in she feigned to be very desirous as it is the common curiosity of mothers to know what would be the fortune of her new born son The King indeed did all he could to disswade her from it as thinking it best to be ignorant of things inevitable but seeing her so extreamly desirous of it he permitted her There was then in those quarters a famous Sybil who if they may be so termed rendred Oracles and surely some God did speak by her mouth for otherwise it were impossible any humane should foretel things so certainly as she did She was an old woman of great sanctity and solitude of life her hair which she wore loose about her shoulders was of the same colour with her garment both white as snow and her feet were always bare This woman did profess to be instructed by those who succeeded Vellede and Ganna two famous Druids who rendred Oracles in Germany and from whose institution
but came up unto us with flying colours which did so encourage his own men and so affright ours as if the very name of Rosilion were enough to defeat us His smal piece of an Army at every Quarter where he lodged like a tumbling Snow-ball grew bigger for the whole Country flocked unto him and as if they were already dividing our spoils they made themselves assured of Victory And so it hapned that by the just judgement of the Gods we were defeated I may well say by the just judgement of God for otherwise it was not likely so small a handful of men could ever have got the victory of such an Army as ours which had so many Kings and so many Grandees to command it and so many old experienced Souldiers accustomed to Combats and Battles But the truth was our Army was routed yet not totally but so as we were constrained to raise the Siege and let Rosilion enter into the Town with all his men The caresses of the King the kind aspect of Rosanira and the joys of all the people when he came into Avaricke cannot be expressed But Policander knowing that it was requisite to pursue an Army that fled he went out of Avaricke in all haste with all those whom he thought fit to be added unto the Troops of Rosilion whom he kissed and made him Lieutenant General of all his Armies and commanding all his Subjects by Edict to obey him This honour setting an edge upon the courage of the generous Rosilion and whetting his desires of doing somthing worthy of the Reputation he had got he pursued our shattered Army and four days after overtook us at a little River which is called Clein where he forced our Army to face about and give him Battel in which we were almost totally defeated with the death of the two Kings of the Turonians and Cenomanes and to our greatest grief with the taking of young Celiodantes prisoner But because Rosilion was resolved to drive the Nail to the head he pursued on after our squandred Army and sent Celiodantes with a good guard unto Policander and the Princess Rosanira You may easily imagine Madam that the Kings joy was not a little when he saw not only his Kingdoms recovered but also so many Kings defeated and the chief of all his Prisoner It was such as not knowing which way to gratifie Rosilion enough he resolved to make him after his decease possessor of those Kingdoms which he had regained by the marriage of Rosanira and therefore he specified as much unto him by Letter to this effect King POLICANDERS Letter unto ROSILION WHat Gift can equal the merits of him that has set the Crown upon my Head but the Crown it self Yes I will give him more then that For besides all my Dominions I will give him that which is more dear unto me my daughter Rosanira and therefore Rosilion she is at this hour yours and after my decease so is the Kingdoms of the Boyens of the Ambarres and of the Bitturiges Haste therefore to vanquish for these are the Tryumphs which I prepare for you to congratulate your Victories Now see Rosilion and Rosanira almost at the very top of their good Fortune for this Cavalier did love this Princess with such excess of passion that he would not have lived but in hopes that Policander would bestow her upon him And she whose affection was not inferiour unto his though she did more dissemble it hoping that Rosilion would become such a one as she might take for her husband without dishonour she seeing him now so high in the Kings esteem it could not chuse but be a most singular contentment unto her But now Madam you shall hear a very pleasant encounter Whilst Rosilion after the Receipt of this Letter was continuing his Victories chasing his enemies as far as the Armorique Cities and crowning himself with Palms and Lawrels Celiodantes a Prisoner in Avaricke is treated by King Policander with so much civility that going abroad where he pleased upon his Parole he was permitted to see the Princess Rosanira whose Beauty and Vertue did presently convert a Prisoner of War into a Prisoner of Love For this Princess had so many inevitable attracts as it was almost impossible for any eye to see and not adore her When Celiodantes was taken Prisoner many others were taken with him and amongst the rest an old Cavalier called Orontes who had been his Governour ever since he left his Nurse This man was very prudent and wise and so affectionate unto the service of Celiodantes that his interest took the deepest impressions in his heart On the other side this young Prince knowing how affectionate he ever was unto him did love and esteem him very much as he was obliged Some days passed before Celiodantes would acquaint Orontes with his passion thinking this Love to be in such an unseasonable time as it could not chuse but have a bad destiny This silence caused the Prince to fret at heart and his soul to swell so with vexatious thoughts that his body began to fall away every day more and more which Orontes observing and thinking that this sadness proceeded from his detension he feared it would become prejudicial to his health so as one day when he was alone in his chamber he used this discourse unto him If those Sir who govern Kingdoms and Empires had any priviledge to be exempted from the blows of Fortune more then other men I should say you had reason to be troubled and grieved at the condition wherein you are But we see the highest hills most subject to the storms and winds and not so serene as the valleys and plains so as the highest Soveraignties are exposed to the tempests of Fortune more then the humble condition of subjects what reason then have you to think you should be exempted And why should you complain of a general Law that is commong to all great ones Your high Birth and Quality which elevates you above the rank of other men may well excuse you from petty misfortunes and trivial calamities which they are subject unto as too inferiour and unworthy for Grandees but great afflictions and such as are insupportable to the common sort of men are proper only for Princes and such great Kings as you are and as you would blame those who faint in courage and shrink under the burthen of little misfortunes esteeming them as effeminate and pusillaminous so believe it Sir Those that see you with such a sad dejected countenance and bending at the first blow that Fortune gives you what will they think of you The fidelity which I owe unto my King and the affection which I have unto the person of Celiodantes does oblige me Sir in duty and love most humbly to beseech you and conjure you even by the memory of the King your Father to rouse up your magnanimity and courage and to look all dangers and misfortunes bravely in the face If you tell me
Rosilion and Adrastes are cured In the mean time as they were talking of nothing but this Vision in the Castle and many laughing at the Nymphs being so affrighted a great noise was heard below in the Court and looking out they saw some run one way and some another and saying nothing but Ligdamon Ligdamon The Nymphs that were with Leonide and Silvia and laughing at them hearing that Ligdamon was there they all fled away as fast as they could some ran to save themselves in Galatheas chamber and some into the chamber of Amasis As the women were affrighted so were some of the men and the Guard at the Castle Gates knowing Ligdamon and seeing him to come towards them whom they thought to be dead they all ran away and left the Gates open Adamas seeing every one to run in this manner was afraid left this panique fear should be the umbrage of some Treason and therefore going as fast as he could to the Gates he found them open and all the Guard fled which did much astonish him But seeing some of his own men coming from the Town he beckned unto them to make haste to shut the Gates and to guard them till the Souldiers returned And because he still heard the cry in the Castle he went to see what was the true cause of it In the mean time Ligdamon who had caused all this terror and confusion finding the Gates open he entred much wondering to see every one fly from him and cry out so pitifully He knowing all the rooms in the Castle being brought up in it from his Infancy he went straight unto the chamber of the Nymph Amasis and because the Ushers of the Chamber had command to keep the door shut they did not only lock it but also blocked it up with chairs and tables so as when Ligdamon came he found all fast and not daring to be so bold as to knock he waited until some came out The Nymph Amasis Galathea and others being advertised that he was at the door of the Antichamber they trembled for fear and one who was the stoutest amongst them peeping through the key hole and seeing it was he they all fled away crying it was he it was he The noise continued so long before any had the courage to go out that Egides who had served him a long while and whom Silvia ever since did keep with her passing from the chamber of his Mistress unto that of the Nymph and looking as the rest did through the keyhole he looked upon him O good god said he it is my dear Master and running presently out at another door for they would not let him go out at that he went unto him some of the affrighted wowomen would have hindred him telling him his master was dead I know he is answered he but no matter I love his soul as well as his body and am sure that nothing which is his will hurt me In this resolution this faithful servant ran to him and kissed his hand with such a flood of tears in his eyes that he could not utter a word but ah my dear master Ligdamon on the other side embraced him with extream contentment and when he could speak Egides said he unto him what is the reason that every one thus flies from me O Sir answered he who can chuse but be affrighted to see you so unexpectedly your death being published by me who saw you dead Why then said Ligdamon didst not thou shun me as well as the rest I Sir answered he why should I shun you that would most willingly follow you in death and doubtless had done so but for disobeying that command which you imposed upon me with your dying breath well said he didst thou then deliver my Letter unto the fair Silvia I did answered he and more then that I told her all that you commanded me and related unto her the whole story of your death The Nymphs all this while who looked upon them through the key hole and heard them talk they began to take heart Adamas at the same time came also to the door of the antichamber where finding Ligdamon he was a little suprized yet still a person of judgement and resolution Ligdamon said he unto him I charge thee in the name of Tautates that if thou beest a Ghost to return unto thy eternal rest and leave this place in quietness Sir answered Ligdamon and smiled I should be glad to be a Ghost to meet with that rest which yet I could never find But know that I am the very same Ligdamon whom formerly you have seen and whom the great God hath raised from death to life to shew that as men come into the world by his appointment so they cannot go out of it until it be his pleasure upon this Adamas embraced him with open arms and was extremely joyed for Ligdamons virtue got himself the love of all At this great noise the Prince Godomar Alcedon and many other Cavaliers came to the Nymphs chamber door to see what the matter was The Nymph hearing that the Prince Godomar Adamas and Alcedon and many others had spoken with him she took courage and commanded the doors to be set open but neither she nor Galathea would have suffered him to come near if the Prince Godomar by one hand and Adamas by the other had not presented him unto them Is it possible Madam said Ligdamon and humbly kneeled down that I should be here in this place taken for another and not be known to be my self We in this countrey said Amasis and commanded him to rise up are so seldome used to see any raised from the dead that we could not but wonder to see Ligdamon have that priviledge but thanks be to god the man who brought us the news of your death proves a lyer and if ever any lye was welcome unto us it is this I would to God Madam answered he that this life of mine which is preferred might be lost in doing you any service yet be pleased to know that Egides was no lyer when he told the fair Silvia I was dead for I commanded him so to do and knew him so faithful that he would not fail me and yet said the Nymyh thanks be to god you are alive how then could you assure her that you were dead unless he were a lyer Madam replied Ligdamon did I not fear I should be over tedious I could tell you how Well replied she I will leave you with Galathea Silvia and the rest of the Ladies they have not so much business upon them as I pray tell them and let them relate unto me at night Upon this the Nymph Prince Godomar Alcedon and Adamas went unto the Queen Argira and in the mean time Ligdamon after a thousand Caresses from the Nymphs he was conducted by Galathea unto Damon who was almost well recovered and began to walk up and down his chamber and also did passionately desire to see him After all civil
great Bodies of Horse which came to meet him so as those whom Amasis sent were forced to retreat a little hastily which caused no small noise in the Town Adamas then seeing that all was discovered and that no longer delay was to be used Madam said he unto the Nymph these tears which you shed for Leonide and Silvia does indeed argue your natural sweetness but at this time the necessity of your affairs requires you should shew the courage of a man and have recourse unto remedies of prudence and not offices of pity I conceive it expedient to assemble the Magistrates of the Town and that you acquaint them not only with the loss of Prince Clidemant but also with the Treason of Polemas and Climanthes also at the same time to shew them by what mean you intend to subdue this Rebel For the best way to content the people is to put them into great hopes and to hide all dangers from them Godomar concurring with his opinion the most notable of them were called and curiosity brought thither abundance of the common sort Then the Nymph commanded the grand Druide to let them understand the occasion for which she convened them together which he did in such eloquent terms that when he mentioned the death of Prince Clidemant there was not one in all this great company that did not testifie his sorrows by his tears and sighs But when he proceeded and mentioned the enterprise of Polemas and Climanthes not only upon the state but upon the person of Galathea as he made it apparent by his Letter and the taking of Leonide and Silvia thinking the one of them to be Galathea Then all the people began to cry out with one voice Murder the Traytor and long live our great Nymph Amasis But when to verifie the truth of all this he caused the body of this Impostor to be brought out and related his tricks his designs and his death First the children next them the common sort of people and at last almost all fell upon this Corps and drawing it by the legs almost quite out of the Castle and threw it in a ditch But as if this were not revenge enough the people went again unto him and hurried him by the heels out of the Town doing all the ignominy imaginable unto it The chief of them in the mean time and the most notable did not remove until they heard all that Adamas had to say unto them from the Nymph And when Adamas had done Clindor who for his Age Quality and Prudence all the Assembly made choice of to give the answer he spoke in this manner THe loss Madam which you have had does not concern only one Person or one Family but it is general and not only all this Country has a share in it but also all the Gauls nay all Europe may bewail the loss of so great a Prince You see how our Tears and our Groans do accompany your grief and how we give you this outward testimony of the inward resentment of our Souls I must confess all this is but a feeble remedy against so great a disaster yet it may be some comfort unto you to see how sadly all your faithful Subjects do take unto themselves a share in all your griefs and misfortunes But Madam we must all needs confess that this second News which you have told us does pierce us to the very heart with more stinging resentments then the first For the death of a Prince whom none of us did ever think mortal unless in his Reputation and Honour is not so hard to be endured as is the stain of Perfidie and Treason upon this Country which before was never seen nor so much as imagined Oh Heavens Madam that such Monsters should be found in Forrests amongst us and in our days I wonder our Earth unaccustomed to such an ignominious burthen does not swallow them up alive We know not what to say nor think unless that Heaven being offended at us for our sins will punish us more grievously then all ages past This stain upon us does swell us with so much grief as we cannot lift up our eyes to weep nor open our mouths to lament and sigh for so great a shame Yet since the good ought not to be charged with the crimes of the wicked we will lift up our eyes unto you Madam and speak in behalf of this Town and we dare say of all the Country if we had time to confer with them Madam as becomes your faithful Subjects we do offer unto you all that is within these Walls our Estates our Children our Blood our Lives Protesting before Hesus Belinus Tharamis our great Tautates that as long as we live and as long as you live we will not have any Soveraign over us but Amasis And we will as soon fail in our Duties to the Gods as in our Fealty to you not sparing either Estates Children or Lives And in testification of this let every one lift up his hand and his heart and cry Long live the Nymph Amasis Upon this the hands of all the Assembly were seen above their heads and such a shout that it was heard further then all over the Town As the Nymph was returning them hearty thanks for the demonstrations of their good wills Adamas was advertised that the souldiers which had been levied in the province were very near the gates which caused the Nymph to abreviate her speech that she might view this welcome and necessary succour Be pleased to know said the man that brought the news That they are at least fifteen hundred the best armed and in the best order that was seen a long time for they imagined that they came upon the Ceremony of the Misleto so as they had trimmed up themselves to the best advantage Thus all the Assembly parted with such extream forwardness to serve the Nymph that she was exceedingly encouraged In the mean time Adamas causing the gates to be opened these souldiers entred in such an excellent posture that all those who saw them thought them to be men of very good service all their caps were crowned with oak leaves for so was the custome of all those that were called to the Ceremony as they were They were no sooner drawn up into a body but they were appointed Captains Lieutenants and other military officers unto whom they were to be obedient presently after they were distributed into quarters as well for the defence of the walls as to guard the streets and passes in the Town Then taking a view of all the horse counting those which the Queen Argira left and those which Prince Godomar brought the number was two hundred and fifty which also were divided into five troops fifty in each all the foot were put under charge of Damon who not being perfectly recovered of his wounds could hardly wear arms or get on horseback yet he went into the Town and visited the walls and works On the other side Alcedon
harm she committed her self to the protection of God from whom she hoped for undoubted aid And yet the grief which Polemas resented at the death of Climanthes was so great that he was apt enough for any barbarous designe against her but Argonides one of his four great confidents restrained the execution of his fury telling him that it was poor revenge to take it upon a silly woman and would render him odious unto all that should hear of it What then replyed Polemas must we sit still and leave the death of our friends unrevenged Stay but a while answered Argonides and you may carve what revenge you please for I hope you have men enow to take Marcelles this night and then if you will you may make yond wicked Adamas pay according to his merits Oh said Polemas I should be fully contented if that Traytor were but in my hands or any that belongs unto him Oh Sir said Peledontes if that will content you I shall do it for you you know that he has one son and one daughter the son has not been of late in the Country but as I am told will very shortly return from the Coast of the Allobroges but till he do return I will send to the Banks of Lignon where his daughter who is a Druide has lived amongst a company of Shepherdesses ever since she came from Carnuthes I have a Souldier who knows the place very well and who no longer then yesterday had discourse with me about it when we talked of Leonides escape The loss of this daughter would more sting the heart of that old knave then would the loss of Leonide who is only his Niece Oh my dear friend said Polemas and was even ready to kiss him I should think my self infinitely obliged unto you if you could deliver that daughter of his into my hands and till I could meet with a more solid revenge she should content me Sir said Peliodontes speak not a word more of it rely upon me and to morrow by this time she shall be in your power He went presently to his house and sending for his Souldier he gave him the command of fifty other Souldiers and commanded him to seize upon Alexis yet without doing her as little hurt as possibly he could and to bring her unto him The Souldier set out an hour before day and went towards Astreas Town In the mean time Alerantes having told Polemas what answer he had received from the Nymph he had a desire to be gone but Polemas desired him to stay two days longer that he might carry unto the King the certain news of the taking Marcelles for he made himself sure of taking it upon the very first Assault Alerantes who saw such a confluence of Souldiers from all sides and all things necessary for such an enterprize in readiness did think that two days would be quickly over and in the mean time dispatched a Letter importing the cause of his stay Over night Polemas commanded his Army to draw all up into a Body and in the morning as soon as it was day to march towards Marcelles and would not lose so much time as to take a muster of them but relyed upon the report of Argonides that they were eighteen thousand Foot and of Peliodontes that they were eight thousand Horse so as about two hours before day the Moon shining very bright they began to apply themselves unto those orders which he had given them Listander who had been long before preparing Engines of War sent such in carriages as were necessary for a sudden storm leaving such behind him as were requisite for a long siege In the first place he sent Ladders of which there were several sorts one was Ladders of Ropes with hooks which being flung up by strength of Arm catched hold of the Battlements and hung down with steps of cord like Ladders Another sort which they called Cranes formerly called Tollones which being planted to a wall was resemblant unto a pair of weighing scales with a beam which as one end goes up another goes down and would convey up five or six men at a time in Baskets like Panniers and Cords fixed at them to pull them up and down at either end so as when five men at one end were at the top other five were getting into the Panniers at the bottome and so like two baskets whâ—lst one was going up the other was coming down for more This Engine was set upon wheels with a kind of Rampart to defend those that were to plant it Besides these kind of Scaling Ladders there were abundance of the common sort and abundance of Hurdles and Faggots to fill up Ditches and make Galleries for Souldiers to pass under and abundance of fresh Hides to cover them as a defence against fire or arrow shot They had also certain Engines which they called Plutoes and which indeed were little penthouses upon wheels under which they approached the walls and under them worked to undermine them They had also Cats and Cat Castles Rams Rats and Foxes all Engines with which they approached walls and took their names from a resemblance unto those Animals But above the rest the Tortoise was the most admirable for it was forte foot in length twenty in wideness and twelve foot high it was moved forward upon Rowlers and under it were sheltered many Pioneers or others to work in Trenches or to approach the walls Of all these there was abundance of each sort for being subject to be burnt it was requisite to have many of them and indeed the carriages were so many as they almost filled all the way betwixt Surien and the gardens of Mount Brison In the mean time Polemas ordered every thing for this assault writing Tickets unto every Officer what they should do And as soon as day appeared taking Horse with all his Officers and Souldiers he rode into the head of the Army to disperse several orders unto them And because it was impossible so many men should rendezvouz from all Quarters unknown unto Adamas he presently acquainted the Nymph and Prince Godomar who sent some Troops of Horse to scour the ways all the night long and appointed Damon to have a vigilant eye unto the Walls and Gates and places most necessary to be guarded But by fortune just before the Gates were shut Leontidas returned from Lions to the great joy of Prince Godomar for he did passionately desire to hear from Prince Sigismond his Brother he went therefore presently to the Nymph not doubting but Leontidas would be there where he found Rosanira and Dorinde in her Closet and the Nymph thought it fitter to hear his report in private rather then in publique The Sequel of the History of DORINDE and Prince SIGISMOND AS soon as Leontidas was entered and done all due reverence unto the Nymph to Godomar and to the Princess Madam said he I come from a place where I have received all manner of honour and all manner of
discurtesie honour from Prince Sigismond and discurtesie from King Gondebaut And that you may understand all things in order be pleased to know Madam that according to the command which I received from Prince Godomar I came into Lions not acquainting any from whom I came As soon as it was night I made the cause of my Voyage known unto Prince Sigismond and beseeched him to admit 〈◊〉 â—nto the speech of him That Prince was indeed kept a prisoner in his house by command from Gondebaut but not so close as some report nor so but any may speak with him when he please and almost every night he goes out and visits the Princess Clotilda As soon as ever he heard of my arival he sent one of his men unto me to bring me up a back pair of stairs into his closet where presently after he came and received me with so kind a countenance as made it evident I was welcome unto him The first question he asked me was how the Prince his brother did but the second was not staying for an answer to the first how the fair Dorinde did and so empathically as I saw his heart was in his tongue and after he had asked me many particular questions concerning her Cavalier said he I beseech you excuse my passionate curiosity for the very truth is I do love that fair one above my life Dorinde at this blushed and held her hands before her face Nay nay fair one replied Leontidas never blush at what I say for most assuredly he loves you beyond my capacity of language to express and then he continued The Prince then thus excusing himself he asked me Madam how you did and offered himself to assist me in all things that conduced to your service for said he I am much obliged unto her for her merit but much more for the kindness she shews unto Dorinde as I am informed by a Souldier belonging to Clorantes who followed my brother under pretence of being one of his men and so got into Marcelles where he saw Dorinde and the honour which the Nymph did unto her then returned at fast as he could and made report of it to the King who upon this information dispatched away Alerantes to the Nymph upon the most impertinent Embassie that ever was sent unto such a Princess After this discourse I presented your Letters unto him Madam and that from the Prince and because he saw none from Dorinde I perceived him to be a little astonished and sad which made me say unto him I keep this to present unto you at more leasure assuring my self that it does not import any business of state but he taking it and giving it many a kiss This this said he is it which most imports my business and opening it he found these words DORINDES Letter unto Prince SIGISMOND MAy I believe that this testimony which Dorinde gives of her remembering Prince Sigismond will be welcome unto him when I set before mine eyes my being abandoned to the mercy of the Wolves and all manner of injurious Fortune I believe not If I give credit unto the Prince your brother I believe yes but when I consider how all men have hitherto failed me O how soon am I of another faith What then wilt thou do Dorinde lest she should bely the opinion she has of this Prince I will believe that he is no deceiver and that he does love me and therefore I will love honour and serve him that if he do deceive me he may have left no excuse either before the gods or before men As a consequent therefore of this resolution I do assure you Sir that I will be no more Dorinde when I am not yours O Dorinde said he as soon as he had read this Letter O my dearest Dorinde how much cause hast thou to complain against me and how much cause have I to complain against my Fortune Cavalier said he unto me were you ever in love And seeing me smile without giving him any answer if ever you were in love continued he I would not excuse the raptures of my affection but if hitherto you have been exempted from that passion I beseech you to wave your judgement of me until you become a lover and then I will give you leave to say what you will of me I knew by this that no other business was to be talked of till all was discoursed of concerning Dorinde and therefore I answered him I am not so ignorant of that passion Sir but that I know it to be one of the greatest and one of the most just most just because nothing can be more reasonable then to love that which is lovely and most great because Nature and Will does most violently prompt us unto it And therefore I was not only charged with a Letter from the fair Dorinde but I have also a present which the Prince your brother hath sent unto you and which I assure my self will not be altogether unwelcome to you Then going to the door I fetched Dorindes picture which I commanded one of my men to bring When I opened it he fixed his eyes so upon it and was so ravished that he seemed himself a statue At last returning to himself and considering the pains I took in holding it so long he made some excuses unto me for it yet still could not chuse but look upon it and admire after a long contemplation he cast his eyes upon the Shepherdess habit wherein she was drawn O said he how this Shepherdess does swell all those upon the banks of Lignon with envy Most true answered I and therefore Sir she stayed so little amongst them but came amongst the Nymphs of Amasis where though in the plain habit of a Shepherdess yet she appears like unto a Diana amongst her Nymphs Upon this he commanded me to relate unto him the whole Fortune of Dorinde and by what good Genius she was advised to retire her self unto Amasis which to satisfie I told him all that I had learned from her own mouth from Merindor and Periander I observed that when I related unto him the frights wherein she was when Duriana left her he sighed several times as grieving that he was not with her but when he heard what cruelty Clorantes would have shewed unto her and in what a pitiful condition she was when Merindor Periander and Bellimartes rescued her O most cruel Father said he couldst thou have eyes and see Dorinde thus wronged by the appointment And when he heard of Bellimartes his death in that quarrel Dear friend said he thou art a greater gainer in thy death then in thy life and assure thy self we do all envy thee in the honour thou hast got in bestowing thy life so nobly To be brief Madam this Prince did so resent every thing that concerned this fair Lady that I verily believe never any was inspired with a more noble love then he Having every way satisfied his curiosity as well as I was able he
her thou child of the most wicked father that ever lived what do you think I caused you to be brought hither for I cannot tell Sir answered she and looked sweetly upon him But O the unresistable power of beauty This Polemas who flamed with fury and breathed nothing but death and blood against this woman he was no sooner touched with the Luster of her eye but as snow melts before the Sun so his fury and his rage did vanish at her beauty yet making some resistance against the first glance O most miserable daughter of a Father far unworthy of such a child To morrow said he thy body shall be a covering to my whole Army for I will have thee fastned to the points of several Pikes and opposed against the blows of those wicked Rebels in the Town and in this condition shalt thou go with a torch in thy hand and set fire to the gates of that Town Sir answered Astrea if ever I did you any wrong let the gods forsake me and if I be innocent let them defend me as she uttered these words tears flowed from her eyes which moved compassion not only in Polemas but all that saw her Yet seigning the contrary if these tears said he could mollifie the heart of Adamas and make him open the gates of the Town they might do you some good but otherwise assure your self they will do no good at all Astrea now saw that they took her for Alexis and though she looked for a most certain death yet would she die rather then discover her self hoping by this means to save the life of Alexis who otherwise would doubtless be taken and brought into her room Her desire therefore to die for her moved her to say thus I with Sir my father had no occasion to wish you ill but to think that the consideration of my life or death will move him to do any thing against his duty is infinitly to deceive your self for what will it advantage him whether I live or die you know Sir that we who are as it were cast out into the world are commonly but hindrances to our parents We shall see said Polemas how he will take it for let him assure himself henceforward that he has nere a daughter The loss wherewith you menace him replied Astrea will not much trouble him nor me Upon this Polemas commanded he she should be safely guarded until Silvia came and afterwards to be bound together because the next morning they should run both the same fortune This command was no sooner given but they brought a Shepherdess who desired to speak with her As soon as Astrea saw her she knew her to be Alexis in her clothes Oh how it grieved her to the soulâ— for knowing that all the ill they intended unto her was only because they thought her to be the daughter of Adamas she feared that if Alexis was known all the harm would fall upon her and to give her a hint of it Oh fair Shepherdess said she unto her what fate brought you hither where they seek only for me as being the daughter of Adamas It is fate indeed answered Alexis that brought me hither and the best that ever was Astrea since it brought me hither to undeceive those that took you for me Ah Astrea cryed out Astrea Why should you offer to Sacrifice your self innocently for another Alexis giving her no answer but turning towards Polemas who heard them yet knew not their meanings Sir said she unto him you see how I am all wet and dirty but it is by reason of the haste I made to prevent your errour What errour said Polemas do you mean Your errour replyed she in taking this Shepherdess for me who am the Daughter of Adamas How said Polemas are you the daughter of that wicked man Sir answered she if you call Adamas wicked I am the daughter of him you call so Sir answered Astrea believe her not some distemper in her Brain makes her speaks thus she is Astrea the daughter of Alces and Hyppolita and I am the daughter of the great Druide Adamas as indeed you may see by my habit And because those who were tying the hands of Astrea did stay upon this dispute she held her hands unto them Nay nay said she tye only mine for I assure you I am the Druide Alexis But Alexis on the contrary opposed her Sir said she thrusting away the hands of Astrea and holding her own let not her clothes deceive you for we changed them this morning as we many times were accustomed to do Consider that she is too young to have been so long at Carnates as I have been If you please to ask her any particular questions concerning the Druides daughters and of their Statutes I dare say her answers will let you see she attributes to her self more then is her due Polemas and all the company were even ravished with admiration at this contest which of them should be the party exposed to death After he had a while looked upon them both and considered how vehemently they maintained their cause Alas poor silly wenches said he unto them Why should you thus dispute about the matter Do you think any great recompence will be given unto her that is the daughter of Adamas No no you are much mistaken for all she must expect is a most certain death and to morrow she shall be tyed to the points of our Pikes with a Link in her hand and shall set fire upon the Gate of the Town where she can look for no less then death either from their hands or from ours unless paternal affection move the heart of her wicked father to open the Gates and let us enter Sir said Alexis I knew as much before and my compassion upon this innocent Shepherdess moved me to make all the haste I could left she should suffer those pains that are due unto me And why said Polemas do you think them due unto you Because they say answered she that the child is to bear the iniquity of the Father and since so It is not reasonable that I who am Alexis should not suffer for Adamas who is my Father but Astrea who is only an innocent Shepherdess Sir said Astrea and interrupted these arguments which Astrea urges moves me to tell you again that she is out of her wits and that I am the same whom my habit speaks me and I would not have that harmless Shepherdess expose her self to death for me It is I that ought to pay for my Father and not you Astrea whom it nothing concerns Alexis then interrupting Ah fairest Shepherdess said she unto her What a most strange errour are you possessed withal Why should you without any reason soon desire to end your days Preserve your self for the happiness of him that must enjoy you he still the glory of Forrests and an honour unto the Banks of Lignon Let me pay what I owe unto Nature as the daughter of Adamas and
Ligdamon at that time did testifie that the man escaped and though they saw him when he went away yet they had so many other prisoners in their hands that they could not follow him O most omnipotent Tautates cried out the stranger lifting up his eyes to heaven and would have done so his hands had they not been tyed is it possible I should be so happy and that my despair should help that person to escape Certainly said all the company we saw him out of the ditch I am very glad on 't said Ligdamon But to see the strange effects of inward joy one might perceive the eyes and the countenance of this man so to change that he seemed not the same he was a minute before and addressing his speech unto Ligdamon Cavalier said he unto him with a mild and temperate voice in giving life unto one you have given it unto two for if she of whom I complained had died nothing could have kept me alive I say she for you must know that though you saw her in the habit of a man yet she is the most generous and brave woman that ever was upon the earth and that you may see what cause I had to love and admire her give me leave to relate the history of all my troubles Ligdamon who saw him much changed and his speech more moderate and discreet he had an opinion that this news had settled his mind and pittying to hear him talk so tyed Stranger said he unto him I should be very glad to hear you but am sorry to see you in that condition and yet I dare not suffer you to be untyed lest you should do some act of inhumanity against your self No no Sir answered he your courtesie has more obliged me then so and the assurance of so many persons that she is alive whom I so much lamented does command me to live that I may serve both you and her Upon this assurance said Ligdamon I will command you shall be untyed you shall go with me to my lodging where you shall find better accomodation then in this place This unask'd for favour said the stranger obliges me to pass my word never to forsake you until you dismiss me and to tell you that being neither any Officer nor Souldier unto your enemies nor having passed any promise to serve them I would never whilst I live bear arms against you nor ever go into your enemies army but with a sword in my hand to fight your quarrel were it not that she for whose sake I am your prisoner is in their Camp and I cannot dispose of my self until I have found her Upon this the corporal untyed him and he went with Ligdamon unto his lodging where he was put into good clothes for his own were plundered from him by those who took him and those which remained upon him he had torn to pieces in his rage afterwards Ligdamon causing him to sit down and they two being alone in the chamber he began thus The sequel of the History of LIPANDAS THose who never knew the Grandure and Puissance of that god which is called Love ought to learn by my example how to honour and reverence him unless they will incur the same punishments which I have for abusing those who did adore him and for not doing so great reverence unto that great Deity as is due for know Sir that as soon as I left my Nurse I began so much to despise love and all that followed him that to tell me one was a lover was enough to make me scorn him when at any time I chanced to hear of any extraordinary effect of that passion I used by way of mockery to say that they changed the name of things and that this which they called love was indeed madness and so ought to be called When I was at any meetings where I saw many idolizing a fair face and were so tyed by the eyes that they could not move out of the presence of those fair ones I was wont to say that the men did but mock the women and the women the men when some would needs prove that he was forced to a beauty and that her charms were inevitable I presently concluded him to be only a Sophister that to shew his wit would argue for or against any argument that was propounded Nay more then al this from my very infancy to the Autumn of my age I could never find in any of those who were cryed up for such high beauties any thing more amiable then in other women So as I may say that as there are some who are born blind others deaf others without a taste or at least a taste different from others so was I born without any sentiment of love or beauty and all my delectation at that time was in hunting or in wars which I followed wheresoever I could see the seat was Now Sir I lived in this contempt of love and beauty until of very late when that God who would not suffer any mortal to trample his honour and his laws so under foot did make me know his power by a way as extraordinary as my crime Those who knew me called me by the name of Lipandas born in a city of the Neustrians called Rothomagues and of Parents who there held the prime rank And whereas my countrey maintained great wars against the Romans and they against the Franks I had occasions enough of shewing my valour without stirring out of the Neustrian limits or at least out of our Army and therefore a place of great concernment being in the power of our Lords which was called Callice the government of it was committed unto me and I kept it several years About a month since one whose name was Lidias coming from great Brittain unto which he was fled for Sanctuary landed in this place Ligdamon upon this laying his hand upon the strangers stay a while Cavalier I beseech you said he unto him are you the same Lipandas who being Governour of Calais did imprison Lidias for the death of Arontes I am the very same answered he but what knowledge could you have of me in a place so distant from the Neustrians Content your self replyed Ligdamon that I know what you tell me and more that a young woman of great Britain called Melander armed like a Cavalier did fight with you about the liberty of that Lidias afterwards to deliver him did put her self into prison and when the Franks surprized Calais was delivered out of your hands I perceive replyed the stranger that you do know almost all I have to tell you and therefore my discourse will be shorter then I intended Then looking upon him a little better Oh heavens cryed he out why do I make any relations of it unto you for if I be not much mistaken it is Lidias unto whom I speak To Lidias answered Ligdamon No but to one that has paid very dear for his resemblance unto that Lidias as you shall understand
Town was much higher then it he promised to make a pass under the ditch from it unto what place Polemas would appoint if one thing did not hinder him which was that he knew not what to do with the earth which he digged out in making this pass Polemas did exceedingly approve of this way and asked him if there were any Wells about the house and being answered that there was Then said Polemas throw the earth into those Wells But said the young man they will be presently filled besides another Cave which is used for keeping of wood for all are nothing to contain the earth which will be digged out Then said Polemas I will spring another Mine as neer yours as I can that both may meet in this I see no difficulty but one which is that our Works may be so streight that they may meet each other Sir said the young man to morrow about three of the clock in the morning set a light upon the place where you intend to begin your work and we will set another upon our house towards which you may work and so we shall see which way to direct our courses I shall said Polemas and moreover I have two Levels the one I will give unto you and keep the other when you see the light upon the place where I intend to begin the work then plant your Level directly towards it as I will mine towards yours and so we cannot miss of each other For the Miners having the direction of these Levels to work by they will directly make their Mine that way Upon this he himself took the two Levels and shewing the use of them the young man having a quick apprehension quickly understood them Yet Sir said the young man I am to advertise you of two things the one concerns your life and the other the welfare of your affairs As for the first of these Ligdamon hath vowed your death unless you speedily release Silvia This advice Sir is not to be slighted for you know he is desperately in love with her and he that contemns his own life is master of his enemies The other is Sir That there are many who yet stand neutral and are neither for nor against you who are ready to fall unto your enemies side because they think the war you undertake against your Soveraign is unlawful and without good ground Now Meronthes your faithful servant thinks it expedient to retain many who yet waver that you seek out for a specious pretence and a handsome colour for your War which though it be not altogether true yet it may have a face and probability of truth And therefore he thinks it not amiss for you to give it on t that Adamas aspires at the Soveraign Authority and detains the two Nymphs Prisoners in order to which he has procured the Prince Godomar unto whom he has made mountainous promises of reward if he compass his design That likewise he hath held secret correspondencies with Neighbour Princes witness an unknown Queen that came into Marcelles and left in it many souldiers Briefly by this course many things will be imputed unto him which though afterwards they appear false yet no matter since they will serve to blind the people who take only the first impression of things and will so declare themselves thereupon that they cannot afterwards change though they would Polemas gave Meronthes many thanks for the care he had of his person and for his good advice Above all Sir said the young man and interrupted him he beseecheth you to make it appear how you resent the death of your great friend Climanthes that all the world may see your love of those that serve you and that it is a great shame to see him still hang before the Gate of the Town from whence doubtless he would be taken were it not for fear of being â—isâ—overed to side with you and so men ruine themselves without doing any conâ—â—â—â—â—â—ble service to you As to this point answered Polemas you may tell him 〈◊〉 know this wicked Adamas to be the instrument of our loss in Climanthes but to morrow he shall see what revenge I will take upon Alexis the daughter of that damned Villain whom I have in my hands Also upon Silvia whom I have sent for to make Amasis and that Tray or resent the injuries which they have done me As for Ligdamon I do believe the notice which Meronthes gives me is true for I have heard as much other ways but I shall look well enough to him So after many thanks and promises the young man took his leave When night came and was dark the man being well instructed by his father crept over the ditch and coming to the place where Ligdamon had made a great slaughter of his enemies he began to groan and complain in a pitiful tone so as the Sentinel hearing him and asking who he was Alas said he faigning to fâ—ar being heard I am the son of Meronthes who coming out with Ligdamon have been here ever since amongst the dead The Sentinel calling the Corporal acquainted him and the Corporal the Commander of the Guard Order was given to throw down Cords to pull him up So after he had bloodied his face and durtied himself complaining as if he were all wounds he was pulled up the Wall and carried to the house of his father who was the Inventor of all this and who seemed to be transported with joy at his sons Resurrection from the dead For said he I gave him for dead since he came not back into the Town with the rest Oh father said the subtle son you may well say that the Gods have twice given me unto you for I have been ever since I went out amongst the dead The father held up his hands praised the gods and thanking those that pulled him up did reward them liberally for their care and pains Then getting him presently to bed and seeming to send for a Chirurgion he went with the company to the door of his house and gave them a thousand thanks As soon as ever they were gone he came into his sons chamber and the door being shut he gave an accompt of his voyage advertised him of the light which would be placed where the Mine was to be begun shewed him the level and the use of it and to be breif made a most circumstantial relation of every particular passage all which gave Meronthes abundance of contentment And lest friends should come in the morning to see his son and seeing him well should suspect any thing he lapped his head about with two or three napkins patched his face all over and instructed him so well with what to say that he was prepared for all comers In the mean time Polemas acquainted Peledontes Argonides Listander and Ligonias with all these advertisements that had been given unto him by Meronthes and the reason why he could not open a gate unto them and entreated them they would disperse
those delights which the God of Love did take in being shut up with the fairest eyes in the world die enter into the chamber to let him out Hylas on the other side whom it seems love would begin to punish for his former levity he wondered that a Summers day should be seconded with so long a night and as if his bed were stuck with thorns he could not find any rest in it He turned himself from side to side a hundred times and still found himself so out of order that he that none so much tormented as he being out of all hopes of any sleep how comes it to passe said he to himself that I should now sigh all night long at such objects as I was wont to laugh at all the day What Demen is it that presents Stella unto my fancy more amiable then ever she was must her charms be so powerful as to break my sleep Well well Stella said he and turned himself with a smile full of disdain and anger though you never committed any other crime but this in hindering me from my rest it is enough to make me love you no longer afterwards imagining that he talked unto her from henceforward Stella said he and flung his arms out of bed provide your self of another servant for my part it shall go hard but I will find out of Mistresse that will let me sleep had I waked so long for every one of those whom I have loved as I have for you I had long since lost my wits and have put Prince Godomar to the pains of driving a nail for me as he has for Adrastes and Rosilion but thanks be to the gods I have hitherto kept my wits in my head and till now all the women I ever loved never broke me of a quarter of and hours sleep And Stella can you pretend to have more authority over me then all those beauties had but believe it as I left all them for you so I will leave you for the next I meet whose humour and face pleaseth me better then yours Thus did Hylas resolve to take his leave of that Shepherdesse and to chuse a new one but presently reprehending himself what now Hylas said he canst thou suffer another to be master of her whom thou now possessest and to enjoy all those favours which that fair one reserves for thee In saying so his soul resented such sparks of jealousie as arguâ—â— him to be very deeply wounded No no said he never think Hylas that after Stella any in the world is worthy of thee and it is for her only whom the gods have permitted thee to cast off Carlie Stilliana Cloris Florice Chriside Phillis Laonice and so many others who had not charms powerful enough to retain me any longer in their service but let me tell you said he presently after if all my nights should be like to this Stella would be quickly without a servant and I without a Mistresse and therefore I think it is best for both to part fair and shift for our selves betimes whilst we are both well This was his last resolution upon which he fell asleep and dream'd that Stella was very glad of his intention to quit her and seemed to accept of any ones service before his when he waked he saw it was broad day therefore he drest himself and not thinking Stella yet ready to be seen he went to divert himself in the garden of Clindor On the other side Phocion who was extreamly desirons to see Astrea acquainted Stella and Celidea that he would go unto the house of Adamas whereupon they resolved to go with him so unknown unto Hylas they with Thamires Licidas and others accompanied him unto the house of the Druide Alcander in the interim intended to present his prisoner unto the Nymph and desired Adamas to acquaint her which the Druide did and afterwards told him the discourse which passed between the Nymph and him he told him how extreamly the Nymph thought her self obliged unto his valour and how desirous she was to give him thanks also her great desires to acknowledge so many services and particularly this of referring Peledontes to her discretion He told him what reasons Amasis had to punish him that being her subject should offer to assist Polemas in his rebellion And in conclusion desired Alcander from Amasis that he would be contented Justice should be done upon such an offendour to teach others to keep within compass of their duty Alcander who was wholly devoted unto the interest of Amasis and aimed at nothing more then her preservation he consented unto whatsoever she pleased and transferred though with a little regret Peledontes into the hands of Adamas and he was presently put into the same prison where Clemanthes a little before rendred up his last breath there the Druide caused him to be clogged with Irons and put him into such a certain expectation of great punishment that he looked for no less then death Now he began to think upon the crime whereof he was guilty and lamented the miserable condition whereunto he had brought himself Death presented it self unto him in a thousand forms and so dumped him that he was desperate he did nothing but curse Polemas who had drawn him into that unjust quarrel In the midst of all his horrour he began to think which way it was possible for him to save his life At last the hatred which he had conceived against Polemas or perhaps the gods who were not willing he should end his dayes so ignominiously did help him with an invention which he had such hopes would teke that he extreamly desired to speak with Adamas and the Druide was no sooner come unto him but Peledontes said thus unto him I must needs confess reverend Father that the crime which I have committed against Amasis cannot be too severely punished but if you will please to consider how great an influence large promises and protestations of advancement have upon humane imbecillities you will also confess it extream hard to avoid the swallowing poison of such gilded pills as Polemas laid before me I do not speak this to discharge my self or to escape the punishment which I justly deserve but to let you know that I did not sin out of my own inclination but was violently tempted unto it by the strong instigations of that wicked man Now Father I know it to be the quality of the gods sometimes to pardon the greatest crimes especially when the sinner does strive to make a repentant reparation and I am in some hopes that if you do not deny me your intercession I may obtain a pardon for my crime as great as it is since I am able to repair it with advantage and can discover a design upon which the welfare or the ruine of the Nymph does most infallibly depend Adamas listned very attentively unto the discourse of Peledontes without any interruption and considering in what reputation this Cavalier was with Polemas he thought
mind to attempt another desperate assault upon the Town and either to die in the head of his Army or else force it to submit But Argonides and Listander who were then with him knowing very well that he was not in a condition for such an enterprize advised him to return unto Suriea where the rest of his Artillery and Engines were and that he should fortifie that place and stay there with all his Army until the King of the Burgandians did send him his promised relief They propounded also that if he saw that relief from Gondebaut slow in coming he should under some honourable pretence offer a Truce unto the Nymph for as long or short a time as he should think expedient Polemas whose soul was all in confusion by reason so many misfortunes upon the neck of one another he gave ear unto the councel of Listander and Argonides never considering whether it was good or bad so as giving orders for the retreat of his Army he sent a Herald unto Amasis This Officer was no sooner at the gate of the Town but Adamas was advertised of it and causing a draw bridge to be let down they gave him entrance and conducted him into the Castle All the Cavaliers were then with Amasis so as the Herald being amazed to see so many men of merit he conceived it would be a long time before the Town could be forced yet it not being his office to judge of their strength but to acquit himself of his Commission as soon as he saw Amasis he kneeled down upon the ground and being commanded by the Nymph to rise he spoke in this manner Polemas my Master being unwilling to neglect any way of sweetness whereby he way obtain from you that contentment which he deserves does yet offer to lay down his Arms if you will put into his hands the Nymph Galathea whom he desires to marry and because he knows very well that though you should have a disposition to consent unto it yet you have many about you to consult withall He offers unto the term of fifteen dayes consideration during which time if you please there shall be a cessation of Arms. Upon this the Herald having made an humble reverence Amasis told him that he should have an answer within an hour during which time she would advise with Godomar Adamas Damon and Alcidon which she accordingly and all were of opinion that she should accept of this Truce since in that interim Sigismond Rosilion or Lindamor might come unto her relief upon this resolution she returned to the Herald and gave him this answer Herald tell thy master Polemas that as yet I do not think his arms are able to maks me consent unto that which his arrogance does pretend unto but since he will give me that time of consideration Tell him I would have him in that interim bethink him of such a course as may move me to forget his crime and to pardon it That otherwise I do not think this cessation of Arms will do any good but make me hate him the more and think him lesse worthy of pity Upon this Amasis arose and the Herald went away whom Adamas conducted to the gate of the Town Polemas who expected his return with much impatiency was very glad the Nymph had accepted of the Truce but when he heard that she advised him to think upon some way which might render him worthy of her favour this stung him to the soul imagining that this Princess was not yet in any inclination of any will unto him yet not being able to avoid his misfortunes he rejected all such good motions of mind and still flattered his presumption with huge hopes of that relief which he expected from Gondebaut In this obstinacy he commanded his Army to make a retreat and return unto Suriea fully resolved to begin the siege again the next day after the expiration of the Truce assuring himself that within fifteen dayes he should receive that relief which was promised unto him by the Burgundian King On the otherside Adamas was not imployed in the preservation of Amasis and the State but he thought upon the recovery of Celadon so as by the help of some Medicaments he was in a short time able to rise out of his bed at which Astrea was so overjoyed that it was apparent she valued his recovery above her own life The Druides greatest care was to keep Amasis from any visits lest Galathea should come with her yet he found out such handsome excuses as prevented that danger About the same time the Queen Argira ended her journey and came unto Policander who still lived as if he had made a league with death to let him live until he rendred up his last breath in her presence As soon as ever he saw her he rouzed ny himself for his intellectuals were as perfect as ever and not being able to restrain some tears which pity brought into his eyes he turned himself though with much ado towards that Princesse and seeing her already upon her knees at his bed side and her eyes flowing in tears Madam said he in a faint voice the gods have favoured me so far as to suspend my death that I might observe that promise which I made unto you and that you being a witnesse of my death I should receive the greatest comfort that I ere can hope for But since my sicknesse will not suffer me to be so ceremonious as I desired be pleased Madam to accept of my good will and to know that I am no less yours then if our marriage had been solemnized with the most sumptuous Ceremonies upon this he stopped as if it were to recollect a little strength and whilst the Queen was drown'd in sorrows he began to speak again I do declare before the gods and all the world said he and turned himself towards all the Grandees of his Kingdome that Argira is the wife of Policander and that I am her legitimate husband and if any one do desire to know the causes of this marriage let him know this that it is the will of heaven and my own duty that cummands it Then holding out his hand to the Queen who taking it and bedewing it with tears Sir said she unto him I do with all my soul receive this favour which you do unto me and protest that I take this honour for the greatest advantage that heaven could advance me unto But alas must I now lose you heaven has favoured me in the recovery of Rosilion and I hope they will not deny me when I begg for yours At the name of Rosilion the King began to change colour and looking upon him he could not chuse notwithstanding the violence of his sickness but give some expressions of joy Rosilion who was even dead with sorrow and whose face had as few signs of life in it as in that of Policander he advanced towards him and falling upon his knees close by the Queen he heard the King
say thus The Law of death is so common unto all men as you ought not to think it strange I should pay that debt which I ow unto Nature Did not Kings use to die as well as other men you had some reason to wonder I should be excluded from that priviledge and that my Scepter and my Crown should not defend me against the blows of death but a Monarch has no more right to live then the poorest Shepherd we do dayly see their ashes and their Monuments as this methinks should be a great consolation unto you all to know that I die because the gods will have it so and that they never made any man who was not subject unto death therefore my dearest Argira if you have any consideration of my rest and have any desire to please me I beseech you stop the current of your tears which do but grieve me I do not require any greater testimonies of your love then those you have already given me and wish for no more but leave to die Policander uttered these words with such a dying voice as if his soul had gone out of his mouth at the last word the Queen was deeply overwhelmed in sorrows as Rosilion whose groans did testifie the sadness of his soul The wrong Celidontes unto whom Policander had already given the Crown of the Ambarres of the Boyers and of the Lemovices upon condition he would marry Cephise was so extreamly afflicted that he could not rejoyce at the return of Argira nor resent that contentment which at another time the recovery would have been unto him At last the King perceiving himself every minute to grow weaker and weaker and finding himself not able to hold out any longer he began to strive with himself Argira said he with a deep sigh I conjure you by that which you love best and I think that is my memory to have a care of those whom I leave under your tuition Make them by your example of virtue to abhor vice and considering that riches are as fading as our selves remember that all the good or bad which we are to have in the other world depends only upon the merit of our actions in this life And you Rosilion said he holding out his feeble hand or rather the true Celiodantes forgive that crime which in my ignorance I committed against you Do not accuse me of ingratitude and may Rosanira whom I give unto you long enjoy those Grandeurs wherein you shall share as King of the Santons and Picts Love him for my sake who hath so long usurped your name In saying so he turned towards the wrong Celiodantes and you my son said he unto him pay back with interest the good will he shall bear unto you Love Peace Never take up Arms but in a just cause Have God still on your side and above all carry your self well towards Argira This is all I desire from you Farewel my Sons farewel dear Argira farewel Ro At this word he expired and his eye remaining still fixed upon Rosilion they knew his intention was to have named him but could not pronounce the last part of his name which the Queen perceiving and finding Policander to be as cold as marble it was an hundred to one but she had followed him that very hour All former considerations of her voyage which should have been consolations unto her were quite forgotten and not one thought could keep her from a present despair one would have thought that she had drowned her reason in her tears and that she had sought for the soul of Policander in the roots of that hair which she pulled from her head The wrong Celiodantes was almost out of himself and though the death of the King did leave him an Empire yet he testified that he thought the loss of his person made him no gainer Cephise and Rosilion were no less afflicted and all the Cavaliers present expressed abundance of grief for the loss of their Prince They came all unto the Queen and swore fidelity unto her and Celiodantes but she was not in a condition to hear what they said unto her and if the Ladies had not got her into bed perhaps she had died Thus they all retired almost as sad for the sickness of the Queen as for the loss of the King But as in the vicissitude of things nothing is durable so the sorrows of Argira of Celiodantes and of Rosilion at the last lessened and their reason having escaped the shipwrack of the first resentment the Queen began to remember that aid which she had promised unto the Nymph and she thought upon nothing more then her preservation At the end of a few days the people over whom Policander reigned did put the Scepter and Crown upon the head of Celiodantes with the same ceremonies as they were accustomed to crown their Kings and Rosilion making all haste to the Picts did levie by the Queens permission twelve thousand men and afterwards taking leave of Celiodantes his brother did take the field with his Arâ—â— being resolved to relieve Rosanira and oppose all violence that should be offered unto Amasis The Sequel of the History of LIPANDAS AMERINA MELANDRE and LIDIAS DUring this while Lipandas recovered of his wounds but not of his passion and though this Cavalier had not much acquaintance with Melandre yet did he know her spirit and that she was the most generous woman in the world This was a cause that as soon as the Truce was concluded and Polemas raised the siege he was grieved to the very soul He was not sorry that Amasis had great hopes in that relief which was promised unto her but when he considered that this took from him the means of shewing his courage and of overcoming the soul of Melandre by those testimonies of his valour which he intended he grew almost desperate yet knowing no remedy he resolved to wait with all possible patience until the end of this cessation of Arms and afterwards to perform such glorious exploits as she should in some sort of think it an honour to be served by a Cavalier so full of courage and affection In the mean time it was permitted him to see her and because in this liberty he lost not a minute of time which afforded him the opportunity of entertaining her he endeavoured a thousand times to make her sensible of his passion But she would never be moved unto any further then pity for she appeared always so prepossessed with the thought of Lidias as he could hardly ever hope for any alteration in her inclination As oft as he considered by how many Laws he was obliged rather to die then leave loving her he was confounded â—he mentioned the combate wherein he was overcome when she exposed her self unto the fury of his Arms for the liberty of Lidias and telling her it was a kind of miracle she should go off the field with that advantage which she had he endeavoured to perswade her that it was
which is now an occasion of my jealousie and an argument of thy inconstancy never had the courage to defend thee as I have done But that is not the greatest obligation wherewith I will charge thee and if thou beest unwilling I should name it unto thee left thy crime should have too many witnesses ask secretly those chains which fettered my arms and feet which I assumed upon my self to release thee Ask the Vermin of that place where I was imprisoned whether my sorrows for thy departure were not blacker unto me then the darkness which environ'd me Consult with the walls and if thou beest not deaf to their answers as thou art now unto my love thou mayest understand the quality of my sufferings and how more sad I was at thy sin then at my own misery But Madam said she and turned towards Amasis to express how my Lidias is obliged unto me is to express the whole course of my life for I have sworn a thousand times that I would never live a minute longer then I loved him Nay let him speak himself for if he have any memory of my favours it is impossible but he must needs confess himself wholly mine You may perceive Madam by his silence how faint he is to excuse himself and his inconstancy and I most humbly beseech you to declare that he in right belongs unto me and that if there be any glory to be gotten by possessing him that it cannot be denied unto me since he is obliged unto me for his life and liberty This was the discourse of Melandre which was hearkened unto with a universal murmure some admired her courage others the Grandure of her love but all did abhor the humour of Lidias and thought it impossible for him ever to wash off that stain of ingratitude yet when the noise of the murmure was ceased Lidias in all humility bowed unto the Nymph and offered to speak but Amerina into whom the discourse of Melandre had infused some new fears of losing Lidias she advanced and begging leave to speak uttered these words It is very just Madam that I do prevent Lidias and before the sentence on which my life or death doth depend be pronounced I do shew legitimately the possession of this Cavalier be granted unto me before Melandre I cannot deny but that she hath done even miracles for him but I must tell you that all her actions are nothing in comparison of mine and that if I could surmount her in merit as much as I do in love the dispute about him would be quickly determined the only advantage which she can boast of above me is that she was not so mistaken as I was and that the testimonies of her love were given unto Lidias where mine was given unto Ligdamon but why should that fallacy prejudice my cause since the grandure of my affection is still apparent and has given all the testimonies of a most inviolable faith You know very well courageous Melandre that I was the first unto whom that Cavalier did sacrifice his liberty so as when he seemed to put his heart into your hands he did but deceive your innocency since he never did take it back out of mine you may happily tell me that his oathes are too many and too great to be broken but why should they not be broken rather then those he has sworn unto me ten thousand times I confesse that he ows his life unto you but if he take what I did unto Ligdamon as done unto him he must needs say that when I delivered him from a den of ravenous Lions he is also a debtour unto me for his life and I must tell you that I have done more for him then you have for when you ventured your life in a hopes of overcoming I looked upon death as inevitable when I pledged Ligdamon in the cup wherewith he intended to poyson himself so as I have the glory to say that I dared to do more then you who never ventured further then the hazard of a private duel But great Nymph continued she and turned towards Amasis since as they say the first inclinations are most strong what right hath this fair one to pretend unto Lidias since he had so long since devoted himself unto me and since at this very day his passion does consent unto his first servitude If Lidias had two hearts I would consent she should have the one and that she should dictate such laws unto him as she would have him observe but since he has but one and since his first promises has given me the absolute Empire over him is it not most fit she should desist from her enterprise and leave pursuing a thing which my love cannot yield unto her Amerina used other arguments to set forth the justice of her cause but Amasis seeing Melandre about to reply did ordain that the division of the controversie should meerly depend upon the will of Lidias and to that end gave him all that night to weigh the reason on both sides and that neither of them should see him until he had declared his ultimate judgement so every one retired and Melandre being extreamly ashamed to be seen in the habit of a Man after she had declared her sex she took the offer of Galathea and being dressed in some of her clothes she fully resolved never to stir out of the Castle but either to marry Lidias or else to go out of the world Lidias in the mean time returned to the house of good Amasiel and Adamas took the care of Amerina upon him but do what he could he was not able to dissolve that sadness which appeared in all her actions and countenance he offered himself a thousand times to serve her upon all occasions but she still told him that the only office which could oblige her was to make Lidias hers The Druide offered his assistance in that and this made the young fair one so confident as to say unto him thus I do conjure you father by that which is most sacred and dear unto you to contrive it so that I may discourse with Melandre in private this is all the consolation that I ask and if I obtain it I shall more easily support any misfortune Adamas conceiving that this might easily be done and that there was no injâ—stice in the desire he went the same hour unto Melandre and made the proposition unto her That generous woman consented unto his desire and offered to go unto her but the Druide not knowing whether Amerina would be pleased with that he thought it better that he stayed in her chamber and undertook to bring Amerina unto her which he did so as making them both to promise that nothing should passe in their discourse which might make his mediatourship to be imputed unto him as a crime he went out and left them alone he was no sooner gone out but Amerina shut the door and spoke thus unto Melandre Do not wonder generous Melandre that I
their strength to take away the lives of each other and because he thought he could not do a better office then to part them he passed through the willows and run with his sword drawn towards them intending to prevent their Combate from becomming a Tragedy but he of the Combatants who thought himself most injured thirsting for revenge he no sooner saw Andrimartes coming but he resolved presently either to dy or to vanquish and therefore he fell most desperately upon his enemy and made such a lucky pass as he ran his sword through his bod which wound proved mortal after this he presently escaped and all that Andrimartes could do was to come time enough to hold up the corps of the wounded Combatant who beginning to stagger and not able to sustain himself he fell into the arms of this Cavalier and in a dying tone said unto him Know Cavalier whosoever you are that I am most justly punished my vanquisher hath earned a just revenge for an injury which he could not put up without the loss of his reputation whilst he was saying so Silviana who followed Andrimantes came unto him and tore her handkerchief to stop the wounds of the man but he finding himself out of all hopes to live lifting up his eyes to heaven and afterwards fixing them upon Andrimartes Alas alas said he with a feeble and sighing voice your courtesie in helping me is in vain I know my death to be inevitable yet that this benefit may not altogether be uselesse let it serve for a discharge of him that has slain me whom I do pardon as freely as I wish he would forget the offence formerly he received from me upon this he stopt and losing both his speech and his life he remained cold in the arms of Andrimartes who was exceedingly troubled at the accident but since there was no remedy he took up his sword which he cast upon the ground to be the more fit for helping the wounded man afterwards presenting his hand unto his dear Silviana they returned to their horses and went on their journey They were not gone above three or fovr hundred paces but they met a great number of horsmen who seeing Andrimartes and Silviana stained with blood in several places they began to murmure amongst themselves afterwards dividing themselves some followed within sight of Andrimartes and others went on to see whether they could hear any news of that misfortune which they suspected something As soon as they found the body of Clâ—sioderus for that was the name of him that was slain some galloped as fast as they could to acquaint those that followed Andrimartes and afterwards all together seized upon him Silviana and all their company before they could so much as defend themselves Judge Madam how much they were amazed when they saw themselves thus treated especially when an old man who was hardly able to speak for anger addressing himself unto Andrimartes Perhap murderer said he unto him thou thinkest the day to be as black as thy crime and that thou canst hide the infamy wherewith thou art branded for murdering my son but the gods have suffered it to be discovered and before two dayes be exspired thou shalt suffer what the Laws have ordained against thee and thy Complices Andrimartes seeing himself suspected for a murder of which he was a witness and not an actour and thinking he was more obliged to answer unto the injury of the old man then to plead in behalf of his innocency also relating the the action which he had seen he looked upon him with an eye nothing like a guilty person and said unto him I am neither guilty of any black actions nor any murder of thy son but my actions are irreproachable and will help me to give the ly unto any that dare suspect me of any perfidie The old man was so enraged at this answer that he with the same sword which he took from Andrimartes had run him through if one of his servants had not fortunately stayed his arm and told him that it was too much for a prisoner to die by his hand but fitter to perish by that of a hangman this consideration stayed the hand of the hand of the old man But Silviana seeing him so near death was so frighted that she knew not what she did and her eyes twinkling she began to stagger and doubtlesse had fallen if some that stood by her had not taken her by the arm and held her up as long as her swound continued yet they not knowing the true cause of her sorrows they thought it had been only remorse of conscience for the crime which they thought she had committed The wife of Andreneck also looked as pale as death and amidst her sighs and tears letting the word Madam sometimes escape her tongue she caused those that looked upon her to think that fear of punishment had already distracted In this manner they carried them into the Town of Fisme which is not far from the City of Rhemois and there they shut up in a most nasty prison where the Sun was ashamed ever to shine I cannot expresse Madam the sorrows of Silviana and Andrimartes for their captivity I will therefore only tell you how they got out He who killed Closiodorus had no sooner given him his deaths wound but he fled away as I told you before and getting into the next Town he changed his habit with the first Shepherd that he met hoping to get unto his own house by the help of this disguise yet hearing in the beginning of the night that the Cavalier who came into the meadow to part them was seized upon as guilty of the fact he altered his mind and resolved to die rather then let the innocence of Andrimartes suffer for the murder which he only had committed In order to the effecting of this resolution he wended his way towards that City and there resting himself as long as the night lasted he came unto the Pallace of the Queen Methina as she was going unto the Temple to offer a Sacrifice in the behalf of Childerick As soon as be perceived her he stepped forward and hit upon his opportunity so handsomly that he had cast himself at her feet before any came to give him the stop The Queen who is the sweetest Princesse that evere bore a Scepter did presently stand still and casting her eye upon this Shepherd did ask him what he would have Madam answered the stranger I do upon my humble knees most earnestly beseech your Majesty to grant unto me my life and to hear those reasons which perhaps will move your clemency not to deny it what have you committed said the Queen that does deserve death my crime is replied the stranger that because I could not live after the losse of my honour I have taken away the life of a man that would have taken it from me How replied the Queen and smiled are the Laws of honour as inviolable amongst Shepherds as
sutable unto the will of the gods Their intention is that I should cease to live and since they would have it so both you and I are obliged to be also conformable Therefore Diana do not hinder me from that benefit by it I shall have the accomplishment of my desires if you love me you will not deny that which end all my miseries and begin all my delights should I follow your inclination and prolong the course of my miserable dayes what would it advantage you further then to be a witnesse of your violated faith and Diana what do you think would become of me Do you think me able to survive that fatal sight of seeing you in the power of another Alas alas Diana assure your self I should run stark mad and do such strange things as posterity should wonder at It is therefore better for me to distance my self from you betimes and by one sudden death avoid ten thousand which your marriage would put me to and so testifie to the world that I have more love and more courage then you have Silvander expressed himself in such a manner as made Diana extreamly pity him and because it vexed her to see him in such a fury it was long before she answered him in any other language but that of tears at last clearing up her voice and looking him in the face did I think Silvander said she unto him that death were an argument of my affection and courage perhaps I should open my veins sooner then you imagine but I am afraid it would be in me a mark of infamy and would give unto my survivers a subject to accuse me of some greater fault then that of loving you Life is not so dear unto me as my honour and were it possible to leave the one and not the other Paris should nere triumph over Diana nor would I ever be forced to receive any other husband then you Believe this Silvander for a most certain truth I do invoke the gods to be witnesse of it and let heaven never pardon me if I would not execute that design with as much courage as now I do mention it I perceive for all this replied Silvander dejectly that all you say is only to assure me that I must not pretend any more unto you and since so can you think that I can ever receive any comfort after such a losse O my dearest Diana do not injure me so much as to think I can live in this world after all hopes of you is gone Let what arguments be alledged that will or can I will not stay in it nor do I think any can be found strong enough to condemn my despair Upon this Belinde entred into the room which did not a little surprize Diana who being infinitly afraid to lose Silvander was very desirous to sweeten in some sort those bitter displeasures which she saw him resent She hasted therefore to say unto him in a low voice Servant if I have any power over you I do command you to live at the least until you hear for certain that my marriage is consummated upon this word she rose up to go unto her mother who made a sign unto her so to do Alexis Leonide and Astrea who had also discoursed upon their affairs did rise up at the same time and joyning themselves with Diana went altogether unto Belinde who carrying them into the garden desired that she might have some privacy with Diana to tell her of some particular businesse which she had to communicate unto her Upon this they severed themselves Leonide Astrea and Alexis went into the thick of the Grove whilst poor Silvander not knowing which way to go went out of the house and took the first way that his foot stepped into He came by Fortune unto the place where formerly he had taken delight in discoursing unto the rocks concerning the beginning of his Love and leaning himself against the trunk of an old willow which the river had insensibly undermined he stopped a while to look upon the roots of it and finding them to be almost all quite bare and out of the earth he compared the state of that tree unto that of his love Poor stump saist he upon how small a thred does thy life and mine now hang thou art sustained only by two or three small strings of a root which the swelling of the river Lignon will loosen from the earth and carry thee away So likewise miserable I who only do subsist by one bare command of Dianas and cannot live any longer until the anger of heaven do put me out of all hopes to enjoy her Afterwards casting his eyes upon the little waves which dashed against the banks and presently retired back Clear waves said he is it not me whom ye call unto you and do not you invite me to follow you This sweet murmure wherewith you flatter my griefs does it not assure me that you will be more kind unto me then Diana do you not tell me that you are so pitiful that you will most willingly receive me into your bosome Ah Celadon continued he how happy thou art in finding amongst these waves a remedy to all thy sorrows For let them talk what they will in lieu of falling into the water to help Astrea I believe thou didst cast in thy self only to help thy self and be safe from those storms which her anger or perhaps jealousie had raised against thee O Heavens O Celadon why should not I do the same Lignon does offer me the same help Diana does give me the same cause but cruel woman that she is she takes away from me the power of doing it and most unjustly does oblige me unto the observation of a vow which I have made to obey her After this leaving unto his thoughts the liberty of wandering whither they would he stood near an hower studying upon the several accidents of his life but after a thousand thoughts he fixed them all upon his love and comparing all the pleasures that ever he received with his present pains he found so great a disproportion as he had much ado to remember that ever he enjoyed any contentment this made him curse his first flames and not being able to check the first motion made him repent that ever he lived yet calling to memory the perfections of Diana and considering that since it was his Fate to die he could not lose his life in a better cause he condemned his first thoughts and as if he would professe himself an enemy unto himself in loving this Shepherdesse still he wished more misery upon himself that he might be the more her Martyr Probably he had spent all the rest of the day in these imaginations unlesse by Fortune he had coughed and a neighbouring Eccho returned the noise back again unto him and though he knew well enough from whence that hollow voice came yet would he needs consult with it upon the present condition of his life and therefore
perswade him that he could not lose his life more gloriously then in helping to disenchant the fountain of loves veritie so he fixed upon this resolution The only obstacle in her disign was she knew not where to find a female lover so faithfull as to attempt the same for said she to her self Astrea doubtlesse does love her life too well and since she who is to die must be one that has lived in a most inviolable fidelitie what know I but that ungratful Shepherdesse is stained with the crime of some new change Diana me thinks also should not be accepted off for she has burned in two severall flames through thee love of two Shepherds who served her and Phillis who has to her very hearts desire gusted all the delight of a pure and holy amitie she will not forsake Lycidas upon any termes in the world yet Celadon said he it is not for the to prye too narrowly into the secrets of the gods Content thy self with this that thou must die never stay therefore untill dispair have driven some femal lover to be the Companion of thy fate it is sufficient for thee to shew the way and to make it known unto posteritie that never any love was more pure and holy then thine Then did he lift up his eyes to heaven and observing that darknesse did begin to vanish by reason of the moones new light he sate down upon the ground untill it was a little lighter but being very weary with walking he was no sooner upon the green grasse but being overcome with sleep he slept till morning Aurora surprised him at his waking and as if she would shed some teares for the disgrace of this Shepherd she had wet his checks with the humiditie of her dew When he waked and knew not whether he should be sad or glad for passing away the night without any farther progresse in his design This rest I have taken said he has made me waite with lesse impatience for that glorious light which is to be a witnesse of my love and courage It is for criminalls to fsie the light but to such whose actions are honorable the day cannot be too clear Upon this Alexis arose with a design to go away but hearing some noise she stayed and spied Silvander who having broken some branches which hindred his passage did passe through the wood with much hast The face of this Shepherd having all the signes of dispair in it did much trouble Alexis because she was a reall lover of his virtue so as desiring to know the cause and thinking he would not conceale himself she began to follow him and resolved not to leave him untill she had some long discourse with him Silvander in the mean time who had nothing in his thoughts but a desire of death at every step he went he felt some new consolation in his soul because he drew so much nearer the place which he had chosen to put an end unto his dayes so as not thinking any followed him nor ever looking back he came out of the wood and got up to the toop of the highest rock of all those which Joyn unto Moutverdan having still Alexis at his back who wondering Silvander should take so much paines to go unto that place which perhaps never any Shepherd before him had so much curiositie as to visit there Silvander stayed great gods said he whose pleasure hath been to submit my soul ever since I was born unto all sorts of sorrows Heer I am ready to obay that fate which hath followed all the actions of my life Happy I am at this last moment that I have not by any sin rendred my soul neither guilty nor accessarie unto the miseryes which are falne upon me Now Diana have I found that welcome remedy against all my miseryes which I have longed to be delivered from Pardon me Diana if I have in any manner failed in any respects which I owed unto you and how great soever any of my faults are I do conjure you to beleive that I never failed in my love And you Bellinde who by a most intollerable tiranny has forced Diana to receive the imbraces of Paris if ere my death do come to be know unto you never bestow any sighes or teares upon me for it is sufficient these rockes will weep and Zepherus will sigh for my sad disaster In saying so he steped to the very brink if the praecipice and Celadon who feared extreamly least he should cast him self down he steped forward to prevent him and laying hold upon him fie fie Silvander said Alexis to him heaven would not have you cast your self away Silvander upon this turning himself about and looking upon her with the very face of death ah too pittifull Alexis said he what Demon sent you hither to hinder me from that contentment which the gods did promise unto me The most kind one answered Alexis of all those that have any care of your life Nay said Silvander it was rather the greatest enemy unto my tranquilitie who ever it was replied Alexis and would not let go her hold you shall not die at this time and if you have any respect unto the ranke which my birth conferred upon me grant unto me one request which I shall make unto you which is to lend an ear unto some things which I must comunicate unto you Silvander seeing himself obliged to obey the commands of Celadon whom he thought to be a woman and a Druide he retired himself a little from the edge of the praecipice and both of them being a little removed from it they sat down upon another rock which was convenient for that purpose and there Celadon began to talk unto him in these termes You will wonder Silvander at the discourse which I shall make unto you and the more because you are blinded with the same mistake which Astrea Diana Phillis Lycidas and all the Shepherds and Shepherdesses are concerning me For you must know Silvander that this habit wherin I am is nothing sutable to my sexe and though it be the habit of a Druide yet it is upon the body of a Shepherd and to be short Silvander upon the body of Celadon at the sound of Celadon Silvander stood amused And Alexis contiuning and to the end said she that you may render unto those that survive me a testimonie of my discretion and of my love I do conjure you to harken with patience unto the relation of my fortune and afterwards to grant me a request which I have unto you and for which only I followed you not knowing you had any such ill intentions against your self as you seem to have Silvander not being able to recover himself out of his astonishment he did not answere one word but looking him stedfastly in the face he did let him know by his silence that he would willingly hear him And therefore Celadon related unto him all that ever hapned unto him since he threw himself into Lignon and
having told him in what manner Leonide made him known unto his Shepherdesse Now said he this cruel and ungratfull woman in lieu of ever considering the testimonies which she had received of my love and obedience she commanded me to die and that so peremptorily as it is impossible but I must needs obey her Now that which I desire from you sage Silvander is that you would be pleased to take so much paines as to go tell Lycidas from me that I desire him as he loves me not to trouble himself at my death nor to take any revenge upon Astrea for the crimes which her rigour hath committed against him and against me In the mean time I will go and content that in humain woman and expose my self unto the rage of those Lyons and unicornes which guard the enchanted fountain that I may in some sort oblige posteritie and give Silvander himself the delight of knowing how truely and sincerly he is beloved by his Shepherdesse Diana Upon this Alexis was silent and Silvander who during her discourse had time to recollect his spirits and to confirm himself in a beleif that it was really Celadon who spoke unto him he took him about the neck and embracing him Oh heavens Celadon said he is it possible I should before I die be so happy as to see you again In saying so teares dropped from his eyes and afterwards continuing no no Celadon said he it is by no meanes just that the anger or rather the ill humour of Astrea should cause the ruine of the most amiable Shepherd in all Forrests Live live Celadon live for Astrea and let me alone to accomplish the design which you intended Let me die for my fidelity is pure enough and the same advantage which you willed me by your death you may receive from mine Nay nay Silvander replied Alexis live you for Astrea Alas alas replied the Shepherd why should I do so since Diana lives only unto Paris Unto Paris said Alexis in a great amazement yes unto Paris said Silvander and that is the cause of my transport let me therefore dear Celadon go and mingle my blood with the water of this Fountain that is now the only object of all my desires and so great is my impatiency of it that it alone is able to be my death Sage Silvander replied Alexis faintly had this design been just in you doubtless the gods would have inspired you with the thoughts of it as they did me and therefore I conceive you have no right to contend with me about it nor dispute it any longer since no other but my self can doubtlesse obtain it However said Silvander I beseech you let me joyn my Fortune unto yours and let us both find the same Fate Alexis would have disswaded him but Silvander beseeched her with so many forcible and importunate arguments that at the last she consented and received him as a companion in this enterprize Astrea had no sooner heard Licidus say that the Grotto wherein they were was the very same which formerly harboured Celadon but she was all amazement and from that time thought that very rock it self did tell her of that Shepherds love all the objects which presented themselves unto her senses did treat her in the same manner for when she heard the hollow murmure of the river Lignon or the noise which Zepherus made at the entrance of her Cavern she still thought them composed of nothing but those amorous sighs wherewith Celadon accompanied the rigour of his voluntary banishment Diana did very well observe this astonishment but not being able to imagine that it did proceed from any other cause then her fears that Phillis would surprize her she did not speak unto her but only waited with a little impatience to see what would become of the design which Phillis had to look into the Grotto But when that Shepherdesse was gone our and found the place more full of horrour then likely to keep alive the flames of a Lover and when she had bid adieu unto Licidas and went in quest of those whom she left behind her Diana seeing her companion continue still in the same assright she was she could nor chuse but ask the cause To whom Astrea answered Did not you hear Sister how Licidas said that this Grotto wherein we are is the very same place where Celadon lived and complained against my inconstancy when his Father by a subtil insinuation did make him believe that Corebes was to marry me I heard him say so replied Diana but I did not think that was able to trouble you so much as I see you are Truly said Astrea it does not much trouble me but I must confesse when I think upon the accidents which befel me at that time and comparing the present condition of my life with that I then lived I cannot chuse but grieve to see how fare will never cease tormenting me but is still putting obstacles unto such felicities as I promised unto my self There are very few answered Diana who have not the same accusation against Fortune you complain I complain and I think so does all the world for it is a most impossible thing to receive any joy which is not mixed with a thousand subjects of sorrow I do believe it answered Astrea but still I dare affirm that of all those who ever had any cause of complaint none ever had so much as I. For if I do but look back upon the successes of my life I cannot find one which was not accompanied with some sad event or other Sister replied Diana we had never lesse reason to complain then now now I say when our miseries are so near their remedy and when we are upon the very point of easing our selves from all those displeasures which we have endured Love has been the cause almost of all and it must be love which must deliver us to the end the same hand which gave the wound may also give the plaister Indeed Sister said Astrea we are arrived at the Eve of our tranquility but yet as near as that moment is which will end all our miseries the memory of those miseries does torment my mind In saying so she looked a little more seriously then before upon every thing that was in the Grotto and finding something upon her right hand which was engraved upon the rock she went nearer unto it and found her own name which Celadon had engraved almost all over the Cavern and on one side she saw written these ensuing lines Judge fair Astrea unto what point my Destinies have brought me I know very well that death is a remedy against all miseries and yet I will not have recourse unto it not that I find it hard to die but out of fear that being dead I shall not love you any longer These words made her apprehend that he had at that time a mind to make away himself but that some good genius had diverted him by putting this consideration
next morning to prosecute the search which they had began and every one promising to obey they bad him good night and went to bed Astrea and Diana had in the mean time gone a little way after they parted from Lycidas But when night came and they saw the air duskye and full of clouds and that the heavens amidst the obscuritie did send forth such flashes of lightning as promised so many Thunder-bolts Then chill feares did seise upon them and that courageous spirit which they shewed did now began to droop and vanish when they came to consider that they were but poor silly weak women The imbecilitie of their sexe did infuse a thousand considerations into their souls whereof the least forcible was strong enough to hinder them from going any furtheâ—â— They resolved therefore to turn fairely back and seek out a shelter from the raine which began to fall so as they returned into the same gratto from whence they departed They were no sooner lodged but the air began to discharge it self of such great abundance of raine and with such great clappes of thunder and lighting as they began to fear that the rockes were not able to preserve their lives from the injury of such tempestious weather Lignon began presently to rise and with a swelling pride to overflow its banks such torrents fell from the neighboring hills as still did swell it more and more so as in two howers space it came up to the very mouth of the gratto And that place which once harboured the flames of Celadon was constrained now to receive the moistur of this cold Element and it entred in so suddainly as all that Astrea and Diana could do was to get out and as good fortune was they were no sooner out but the raine ceased so as seeing the air begin to clear and the Moon to shew her argent complexion they set forward and never rested till they arived with in three hundred paces of that fountain which they had made choise of for a remedy against all their displeasure There they found the forme of an altar raised from the ground upon a little square the steps whereof were stained with blood in severall places and blacked with the smoak of victims that had been there sacrificed At the first they conceived it to be consecrated unto some dyety and imagining that the dyety of that enchantment perhaps resided there they both fell down upon their knees at the bottom of the staires and Astrea began to pray in this manner Oh most puissant god of love preserver of nature absolute God of souls take away I beseech thee the maske that blindes thy eyes and see whether my fidelity be not as great as my courage Heere is the female lover that must appease thy wrath and who by the loss of her life is to have the glory of stopping the mouths of these Lyons and Vnicornex which rendring this fountain inaccessible do hide from all lovers the verity of these great misteryes Accept oh thou Son and Father of Eternity of that blood which I shall shed and to keep me from allignominy that may follow my death take care I beseech thee of this my body which I do voluntarily expose unto the cruelty of those mercyless animals in saying so she went and kissed the foote of the altar and then Diana lifting her eyes up to heaven great God said she that which Astrea does aske from thy pitty do I implore from thy hatred Thy rigour has never ceased from tormenting me Let my miseryes and thy tyrannies this day cease I will not give the â—â—â—y accompt of my fidelity thou dost see it in the secret of my soul and knowes that it was even inviolable Spare oh god of love spare the beauty of Astrea do not let thy Lyons be insensible inspire their fierce souls with fear and respect and do not let them glut their hunger and thy cruelty upon her most beautifull and delicate body After this she arose up and having kissed the foot of the altar three times she went down to the place where Astrea stood Oh Sister said that Shepherdesse unto her you have done me wronge for your own preservation ought to have been the subject of your prayer and not mine and if the gods should grant your request I should taxe them with injustice and therefore said she and fell down upon her knees again I beseech thee oh god of love to punish this iniurious Shepherdess with a deniall and make her know that as I have more right unto what she prayeth for so I ought to have more hopes of obtaining it Then would Diana have kneeled down but Astrea hindred her and putting her hand before her mouth Sister said she unto her if you love me do not disoblige me any longer for your request is directely contrary to my desires and tranquility in saying so teares came into her eyes and Diana not being able to restrain hers they said not a word more but began to embrace one another And sitting down upon the ground because they were weary with travelling a whole day and a night togeather without any rest and prompted unto it as I think by the inchantment they both fell asleep and remained thus embracing each other as they did before the sleep did surprise them They were no sooner falen a sleep but day appeared and appeared much fairer then the winds and storms of the precedent night promised Alexis and Silvander were not yet awake But Bellinde who hardly ever closed an eye by reason of her great inquietudes she no sooner spied the first blush of Aurora but she started out of her bed and putting on her gown she ran unto Leonides chamber and desired her to solicite Phillis unto so much paines as she had taken the day before in the quest of her Companions she found that Nymph already drest and Phillis also for both of them were so zealous in behalf of their two friends as they both got up betimes purposely to go and look after them Bellinde wondered at their early diligency and as she began to tell Leonide the cause of her comming unto their chamber she was prevented by Phillis who addressing her self unto her You see Madam said she what a deal of trouble and paines Astrea and Diana does put me unto but if ere I find them this crime which they have committed against me shall not be unpunished Alas fair Shepherdess answered Bellinde I am afraid you are already sufficiently revenged Madam replied Phillis I am not so easily satisfied as perhaps you imagine For I am of such an humour that I never think sufficient reason is done me unless I take revenge my self Pray heavens replied Bellinde is ever come into your power I am afraid the penance you would enjoyn them is far inferior unto that which they have already suffered Madam said Leonide it is impossible but before this day be at an end all our doubt will be cleared we shall imploy so
the spoils of Rome he returned into Africa Since that finding no felicity in life many considerations moved me to seek out for death and in order to that I went to demand poison from the councel of six hundred which being denied me I was constrained to consult with an Oracle the answer whereof made me wend my course towards Africa So I did imbarquing my self in this ship over which thy Arms hath triumphed and submitted me unto thy will As for this slave whom thou seest with me I do not know his Fortune nor what he is for having bought him but a while since I have no knowledge of him only I begin to think by the fight which he hath made with me that his courage and affection deserves a better Fate then that which is fallen upon him This was all that Olimbres said unto him and Clorohalantes remembring that he had formerly heard of the name Was it not you said he whom Eudoxe sent unto the King of the Vandals to solicite him to deliver her from the Tyranny of Maximus Olimbres answering that it was the Pirate smiled and biting his fingers ends 'T is very well said he the innocent shall once suffer for the culpable In saying so he caused them to be carried away and commanded their wounds should be carefully dressed from hence forward he resolved to be revenged on the person of this Cavalier for all the injuries that he had received from Genserick and imagining that he should do an extream displeasure unto that barbarous King if he shewed his hatred upon this occasion he resolved to make Olimbres suffer all the infamous tortures he could invent And to begin his affliction betimes he sent him word what he was to expect which message Olimbres received without the least dismay but fearing what would become of Vrsaces he began to make such sad complaints that even Clorohalantes himself though a Barbarian could not hear them without compassion Olimbres knew that but for him the life of his friend had never been exposed unto so many misfortunes So as finding himself culpable of all the miseries which Vrsaces suffered and of those which were menaced he could not chuse but curse the very day of his birth Olimbres prepared himself for the worst he did all that possibly he could to comfort himself in this thought that the last minute of his life would be the most glorious unto him since it gave him a means to make it appear unto what degree his affection was arrived Thus they continued some dayes during which their wounds healed so fast as they were perfectly cured and as if heaven were weary with tormenting them with any longer miseries a tempest arose at Sea and so violent it was that the ships of Clorohalantes being forced to yield unto the violence of the storm they were driven by the wind and we then amongst the rest of those ships which Genserick had loadned with the plunder of Rome and which lying at Anchor for a favourable wind Then Clorohalantes because he would not fall into the hands of Genserick he killed himself This unlookt for deliverance was an Omen of good Fortune unto Vrsaces and Olimbres who being released from their fetters longed to embrace each other but they forbore lest their Caresses should too much undisguise them and make them known It was not long before they had a wind according to their wish so presently after they came within sight of the Towers in Carthage and because he who commanded in chief would send unto Genserick not only the news of their arrivall but also of taking and defeat of Clorohalantes Olimbres as being the most undeniable witness of it was put upon this commission he went therefore into a cockboate and taking Vrsaces and some other with him he made towards the port in the beginning of the night and whem they came near they perceived some little lights like unto starres in the Firmament which made them conceive they were very near the Town the sweet hopes of seeing Eudoxe and Placidia filled Vrsaces and Olimbres with so great a joy that they were even transported and whilst they were consulting how they should carry themselves in this busines they presently perceived a great smoak in which appeared many great flashes of fire which sometimes broke out into flames which seemed to proceed from some furious conflagration This made them fixe their looks upon that deplorable object and as they drew near they saw the fire greater and sometimes they heard a confused murmure of many voices togeather they could not chuse but greive to see the fury of this insatiable element and though they did not know that they themselves were more interested in the misfortune then any for it was the same fire which Eudoxe kindled to avoid the violence of Genserick yet were they much troubled at it They were no sooner come to the port but Olimbres making himself known they ran presently to acquaint the King In the mean while enquiring only out of curiosity the cause of that fire he presently understood by the common bruit of the Town that the fire was in the place where Eudoxe and her daughters were detained that it was almost impossible they should escape and that consequently they were perished in the flames and that it was generally beleived Eudoxe her self did set the house on fire to free her self from captivity At this sad news Vsraces fell down and Olimbres stood so confused that it was long before he was able to open his mouth but to spend no time in needless relation of their sorrowes since you may easily imagine them let me only tell you that after many a complaint against heaven for preserving them so oft from severall perills they accused the gods of injustice as if they had preserved them from a lesser burthen of miseryes to endure a greater At last hindring each other from making any attempts upon their persons they intended to return unto the Massilians assuring themselves that now they had such good reasons to die as it was impossible the poison should be denied them They had no sooner fixed themselves upon this course but Thrasimond came unto the place where Olimbres was and because those who went to carry the news of Olimbres arivall could not speak with the Father they were constrained to make their addresses unto the son and because Olimbres in his African voyage had gotten the affectionate freindship of that Prince Thrasimond went with joy to receive him They had no sooner embraced each other but Thrasimond began first to speak dear Olimbres said he in a loud voice you are arrived at a time wherin you will find all our court in great disorder If I be not mistaken answered the sad Olimbres I do know the principall cause and certainly after the death of three such fair Princesses joy were far out of season Olimbres could not chuse but send forth a most profound sigh as he said so and Thrasimond to conceal
unto a little rivolet which falling down into the plain does water some pleasant meadows and afterwards empties it self into Lignon and there contemplating upon the cataracts and great falls of this water This said he to himself has a great resemblance unto my misfortune Heaven would never let me take any rest and if ever I hope for it surely it will be when I am ready to enter into my grave like to this little rivolet which is never in quietness until it has lost it self in Lignon which is its grave In such kind of solitary entertainments he passed away the day after which he went unto his sad habitation and never stirred from thence until the Sun had dried up the tears of Aurora he had met with a cave not much unlike that of Laonices which was not far off probably these caves were made by other hands then those of Nature and the Druides in the infancy of Religion not being much conversant amongst men made choice of these retreats so near each other as they might meet and confer about matters of Religion It hapned that the third day after Tircis came thither that he began his customary exercise and went out of his cave as soon as the Sun had cleared the day but not wending his course towards that little rivolet he passed away almost all the day in contemplating the beauties of that place which he had chosen for his last residence On the one side he viewed all the Forrests and saw as far as the farthest part of the Sebusians and on the other side his prospect reached as far as that stately city which the Rhosne and the Arrar do wash with their crystal streams Sometimes he admired the talness of the trees whose leavy branches did shade him from the scorching heat of the Sun Otherwhiles looking upon the ground in which his eyes took deep root he was astonished to see it so clean and neat and so even that there was not so much as one shrub to hinder his walk Being thus taken up in these little ravishments he took no notice that night surprized him So as being a good distance from his cave and not well knowing the passages the night also growing dark he could not hit the way unto his habitation He laid him down therefore under the first tree he came unto where it was long before sleep came upon him yet at last after he had spent a good part of the night in his ordinary contemplations his wearied limbs received that pleasing refreshment Laonice on the other side who thought that help which the gods had promised unto her long in coming she wakened very early to go according to her custome and talk of her sorrows unto the flowers and the winds yet she walked not long before she found some engravements upon the barks of trees which being freshly done did easily discover themselves She went presently unto them and her thoughts being alwayes upon Tircis as Tircis was upon Cleon jealousie which opened her eyes and judgement made her know that there they were both together This did extreamly astonish her and not being able to imagine what Demon it should be that did her this ill office she was more and more amazed and to compleat her amazement she perceived Tircis himself lying all along under an oak some ten or twelve paces from the place where she was Amidst her joyes to see him she was seized with an extream fear to appear before him because at that instant all the contempts slights and rigours of that Shepherd against her did come into her memory Remembring then principally his last words as being the most bitter that ever his tongue uttered against her This Shepherd said she to her self does measure his hatred according to my love and takes delight in seeing both extream he thinks he has banished me out of Forrests and perhaps would drive me out of the world if he should see me again I will not therefore shew my self unto him but said she upon a sudden why should the gods promise me a cure unlesse that Tircis be the remedy Perhaps those kind Dieties have disposed his spirit to pardon me and his soul to receive me in lieu of her for whose love he rejected me Upon this consideration she went gently nearer him and finding his eyes closed I with O love said she that his heart were not as fast asleep towards me permit O heavens that the desires of this Shepherd may not any longer be contrary to my happinesse but that my soul may share with him in that rest which his body now enjoyes In saying so she observed that the Sun made so much entrance through the leaves as with his Rayes to kisse him whereat she appearing a little jealous she kneeled down Those kisses lovely Tircis said she would be better imployed if thou wouldst give them unto me in recompence of those miseries which thy cruelty hath made me suffer Why why is my passion so full of crime as it takes away from thee all desires of enjoying me O good gods continued she and sighed can loving thee perfectly merit thy hatred this is most cruel and barbarous Upon this she bended her self to kisse him but fearing to waken him she arose up without stealing that contentment yet wondering at her want of courage but why said she should I not have as much courage as love Alas continued she what could this Shepherd do if he were awake if he can make himself thus feared when he is in the arms of death or at least of sleep which is the image of death Upon these last words she stopt and Tircis began to groan at which Laonice was so surprized that she got further off lest he should perceive her yet hiding her self behind a great tree some twelve or fifteen paces from him she put forth her head as softly as she could and observing that he still slept Perhaps said she he was not asleep when â— spoke and when he groaned it was out of compassion but if so why then should he sleep on and why does he not give unto my passion better testimonies of his No no Laonice said she never flatter thy self with these pleasing imaginations Tircis does hate thee as much as he loves Cleon he does abhor thy memory as much as he does adore hers and thou mayest well believe that if he would die for the love of her he will never live for any love of thee Upon this she would have gone away but casting her eye once more upon Tircis she saw him awake stretching out his arms and rubbing his eyes This made her lurk close behind the tree make no noise and by Fortune the Shepherd rising up and seeing the Sun a good hight he went the other way thinking upon nothing else but how to find out his cave Laonice seeing him go away she felt no lesse pain then if her heart had been pulling out and never thinking what she did nor losing the
seeming still more and more desirous to hear Olicarsis they all sate round about him and he began thus The History of OLICARSIS and AZAHIDES THat morning when this Shepherdess came and interrupted us meaning Phillis I was beginning to relate unto you pâ—rt of those passages which hapned in the Empiredome of the East and in that of the West since Vrsaces Eudoxe Olimbres and Placidia were recompenced all the pains which Love had made them suffer and because it is in some sort necessary I should tell them unto you to make you the more admire at the Fatality which brought me hither I will now begin my discourse where I left last first begging your excuse if by a Narration perhaps too long I shall offend your ears and patience Give me leave to tell you then that the affection which I testified unto the sage Eudoxe during her captivity unto Genserick did purchase me so great a share in the friendship of Vrsaces and Olimbres as we may all say that ever since we have been all one and the same This was the reason that when they departed I beseeched the King to let me got with them and their design was to prefer me unto Marcian as conceiving that sage Emperour would love me when he once knew me but Ginserick who perhaps doubted or feared that the remembrance of my imprisonment would beget some resentmeats in me against him he would not upon any terms give me leave But on the contrary thinking that honours and riches were the most powerful charms that he could use to keep me about his person he began to put me upon imployments which were very troublesome unto me since they diverted me from my studies but yet very honourable they were since they were the greatest offices in all his Dominions A correspondency betwixt Vrsaces Olimbres and me did not yet die notwithstanding the Rigour of this separation but as if absence were a means to link us in affection the more firmly it did encrease amongst us at that distance We were exceedingly vigilant and careful in sending unto each other and as I gave them an accompt of all my businesse and negotiations so I believe they did participate unto me their most intimate thoughts Thus I heard of their return unto Marcian the Carresses wherewith that Emperour did solemnize their marriage and in fine the greatest part of that which I shall tell you in the Sequel of this discousre Be pleased to know that Marcian shas no sooner entred upon the seventh year of his Empiredome but as it is the quality of virtue to beget much envy and jealousie so the merit of that sage Emperour did raise those two passions in the minds of Ardabures and Aspar who having been much in Constantinople did think that to obtain the Empire there needed no more but to take the Crown from off the head of Marcian They began therefore to plot and make parties against him and finding that his life would be a main obstacle in their way what will not ambition do to get a Crown they dispatched him by poyson Judge I beseech you how nearly his death did concern Vrsaces and Olimbres and how nearly they resented it since they were beholding unto him for the greatest part of their well-beings This was the cause that they in some sort suspecting the Authours of this abominable Patricide they did generally oppose themselves against their designes and negotiated so well that Ardabures and Aspar being failed in their pretentions a great Grecian was chosen Emperour called Leon and born in the Town of Bestique It is true that their Faction being extreamly strong they would not consent unto this election but upon condition that the Raigns of the Empire should be for a time in the hands of Aspar Leon made no difficulty to receive him as a partner but he made them all know presently after that Empiredom admits of no Competitours and that when he consented unto it he promised no less then an impossibility In the mean time Leon amidst his joyes to see the Empire of the East submitted unto him he did not forget what Vrsaces and Olimbres had done in his favour and knowing that Martians affection unto them was very great he thought it but just he should succeed him as well in his love to them as in his crowns Expressing himself then as kindly as possibly he could he desired them to continue their affections to him and protested that when any opportunities presented themselves wherein he might honour them he would prefer them before all other persons whatsoever Look now upon Leon for a while peaceable in the East but so were not we in Africa for Majoranus who succeeded Maximus in the Empire of the West to get Sicily out of the hands of Genserick who was become the Master of it he made attempts that was worthy of his courage and in his design as they say of coming to burn us in our houses he was miserably murdered by the same Souldiers who made choice of him His death which shewed all the world how short a while the favours of Fortune do last did give us some rest and made Genserick rouz up his former courage and designs so as raising a Puissant Army he put himself into a condition to resist all men whom he accounted his enemies And certainly his preparations were not in vain for soon after the death of Majoranus Soverian who succeeded him prepared himself to prosecute the designs of his Predecessonâ— but hearing of our forces he presently changed advice and turned his arms against the Alans whom he defeated near Bergamus and there killed their King Beringus Perhaps this victory had blown up his courage and carryed him upon some new enterprise against us but his death which was almost as sudden as his Predecessours thought not so violent did at once stifle his designs and hopes upon Rome During this time Genserick as I told you before had ready shipt a brave and gallant Army so as not to let it lie idle he resolved to give Rome a second visit invited unto it as I think by the memory of his first spoils His design was not so secretly carried but the Emperour Leon was advertised of it who not to let Italy perish in that disorder wherein it then was did send Anthemius to defend it from the invasion of the Vandals But Genserick who quickly knew that he should be molested in his enterprize by the pretentions of one Gervandus who since was exiled he hasted away and having made Thrasimond Lieutenant General of his Army did leave his other Son in Carthage with an express prohibition not to ordain any thing before he had communicated unto me and taken my advice I remained therefore by this means in Africa where if I had entertained any had intentions I had not wanted means to put them in execution but ever being an hater of all evil actions I would sooner have died then done them Besides thus I did
his eyes upon me a long while together afterwards with a deep sigh ah Azahides said he unto me confess the truth are not thy plots the cause of this death Then having composed my face into a seeming sorrow I answered no and that I would sooner have consented unto my own death then have procured him so much discontent Well well replied he the gods are Judges which cannot be corrupted nor deceived if thou beest innocent of this crime I beseech them to pardon thee as I do all the rest of thy disobedient courses which thou hast committed against me but if thou beest guilty I beseech them to measure their punishments according to thy offences In saying this his voice began to fail him and some of our friends and kindred who came in upon the noise did all that possibly they could no comfort him But he being old and decrepite he was so feeble to undergo this grief as we all thought he would not out live that night which my daughter seeing she came unto him and whispered him in the ear a long time together I was afraid once that she had betrayed me for she only was a witness of my wicked act but certainly had I thought she would have told him I would never have suffered her to speak unto him this made me observe their motions very exactly and should have found if the discourse had exasperated him but on the contrary the mind of Abariel grew more settled and strong yet falling again into his first weakness Daughter said he unto her and took her hand you see I have not life enough to satisfie my self of what you tell me and therefore I will believe that this remedy which you would give unto my weaknesse proceeds rather from pity of my pain then from any truth which obliges you to tell me so Let me die therefore dear daughter and if I have any power over you go and obey this my last command Go this very hour unto my brother said he and pointed unto my uncle I will leave him enough to see you well provided for but above all never live with your Father again at least as little as you can for he will never be a good example of honour and virtue unto you Upon this he kissed her and desired my uncle to carry her away which he did accordingly Afterwards turning himself towards me I do leave unto you said he unto me that estate which you have so greedily gaped after I advise you to remember this That you will never be lesse rich then when you greedily desire to be more I know not what secret opinion the gods have inspired into my mind but I shall die extreamly ill satisfied with your deportment I pray God all my apprehensions be false but if they be true I will be an eternal torment to thy conscience These words which he had much ado to utter were almost the last he spoke for he had no sooner pronounced the word Adieu but his soul expired This did shake my very soul for afterwards I seemed to be almost as dead as he and I began to repent of the crime which I had committed yet shrowding the resentments of my crime as well as possibly I could under those teares which I might well shed for the death of a Father I carryed the matter so well that in lieu of condemning me they commended me for the grief I expressed at his death I built a very honourable monument for him sutable to his quality as soon as the last ceremonies were performed I began to plot how I should stifle all memory of my fault imagining that I should never be at rest as long as there remained any in the World that was able to discover it so as I fell almost upon the most barbarous design that ever entered into the thoughts of man and being resolved to trust all things unto your discretion I must tell you that I was upon the point of preparing poyson to give my Daughter when I heard that they had placed her amongst the Vestals bordering upon the Lake under the charge of one called Bellinde Thus finding my self at once without Father without Daughter but not without some feares of my treason against Silvander to be one day discovered I began to enjoy the estate which Abariel left me But I presently found that my Father was a true prophet and that there is no man rich which is not contented for since the accrue of so great an estate I found my self a thousand times poorer then when I had lesse When I thought to put in execution any of those designes which moved me unto a desire of enjoying my Fathers possessions I found an impossibility in doeing it eyther in the thing it self or in my own humour for when I wished my self master of an estate that I might make good chear though I had the estate yet I wanted the stomack and ever since Abariel dyed I was never presented with any meat which went not against my appetite If I wished it to entertain my friends I considered that I had no friend in all the World for being concious of my crime I thought all men to be judges and that my own kindred never came unto me but to carry me unto condign punishment Thus finding no peace in any society I betook my self unto solitude and in order to that retired my self unto a house which I had in the Country but which way soever I went still my sin followed me and gave me no more rest there then in another place and as if heaven would make my self my own punisher nothing did come into my mind for a whole month together but the thoughts of my crime and of the punishment which I was to suffer for it This did so much trouble me as I did by degrees find that my reason was lost in the violence of this resentment for as I said before no meat goeing down with a good stomack the smale nourishment which I received by it helped much to the impairing of my judgment and health I strove a while against this growing disease But the gods whose hands lay heavy upon me did quickly shew me that they can inflict greater paines upon mortals then the loss of their wits and reason for one night when I had shut my self in my Chamber and laid down upon my bed in hopes to take some rest it being long since I had any me thought But why do I say me thought since what I shall tell you I did hear I say I did hear the dore open with a hidious noise and as soon as I cast my eye that way to see what the matter was I saw Abariel bloody in severall places holding in one hand a candle lighted and in the other a heart pierced with three or four knives he had before him one of the furies and two others on each side one all three carrying candles as he did and armed in their other hands with whips god
of their company that night was very sorry sorry that Amasis had debatred him of that happiness yet not daring to complain because obedience vnto the Nymph was but his duty he consented unto their departure and waiting upon them part of the way he beseeched them to honour him with their return the next day Galathea promised to ask permission and afterwards seeming very sorry that she had not time enough to talk with Astrea she went away fully resolved to emply her endeavours to see her again As soon as they came unto Amasis they gave her an exact accompt of all that they had seen and after they had told how much the Inchantment had affrighted them they told her thot the god of love was to pronounce some Oracles and commanded that they should come and consult with him This Novelty made the Nymph very desirous to be present so as without Galatheas mention of her promise she commanded to make all things ready that she might go unto the house of Adamas very early in the morning Merindor was come from Mount Brison with the Nymph and because he said he was sent from Sigismond Dorinde received him as kindly as she could though she retained still a fresh memory of his behaviour towards her But at this time forgetting all his levity she bad him welcome and after Supper imagining that he durst not not talk of any thing but of the Princess buâ—â—ness she gave him such opportunity of speech with her as he had time enough to acquit himself of all that he had in commission Adamas on the other side to whom the joys of Celadon was an incomparable contentment he returned unto the company he left in the Garden but there hapned to be a change since he went For Doris being acquainted with the death of Palemon she fell into such extreamities of griefs and complaints as would have moved a stone to compassion Adrastes seemed to be no less greeved then she and when he considered that he was the principal cause of that Shepherds death he could not imagine any thing that was able to comfort him The Druid thinking he could not do a more charitable office then to comfort them in their sorrows he took Doris in one hand and Adrastes in the other and betwixt that place and the house he gave them such cordial Language as he much allayed the sadness of their souls and put them into hope that as the gods had sent this sad affliction upon them so certainly out of their goodness they would send them comforts In the mean while the sighs of Doris did blow that fire more vehement which love had long since kindled in the heart of Adrastes And the tears which that Shepherd shed at the sad resentments of Doris were so pleasing unto that afflicted Shepherdess as they served for a kinde of comforts and ease unto the pain which she endured When Adamas found that his perswasions had a good opperation with them he left them and went to see Bellinde who was already returned unto the Chamber of Astrea and Diana And because he feared that if all this company went to visit them it would be but troublesome to them he thought it expedient that none should see them till the next morning Therefore he commanded Paris to wait upon Celadon Silvander and the rest into their Chambers and advised them to be all in readiness the next morning to go and hear the Oracles which the God of Love was to pronounce Paris was obedient unto this command and though he had great desire to see Diana yet he durst not ask permission imagining that since Celadon could not see Astrea Adamas would not grant unto him more priviledge then unto the other Bellinde found Diana in a very joyful condition for the return of Phillis and the report which he made of Silvanders health had almost restored her fresh complexion into her cheecks so as after she had rejoyced a while with the Druide she retired full of joy that Diana promised her to rise the next morning Adamas also after a while of discourse with them he went unto his Chamber and desired Phillis and Leonide to lye in the Chamber of Astrea and Diana that in case they should need any help Leonide might serve them Thus every one desposed themselves to rest that night and the last that retired themselves was Adrastes and Doris for that shepherd fe ring least Doris should suspect his greif and think some craft disguised under that veile he addressed himself unto her and looking upon her with an eye that spoke the sorrows of his soul Sister said he unto her If my griefs for the death of Polemon be not the greatest and the most real that ever I resented may I eternally perish I know my self guilty of his death and that but for me he had still been happy in your love and company Now in some sort to satisfie the ghost of that dear husband which Adrastes has ravished from you It is most just I should punish my self and that I separate my self from that person who only can give me any consolation or delight which person is your self Dear Brother answered Doris with tears in her eyes Adrastes indeed is partly the cause of Palemons death but for all that I think it extream in justice to punish him for it because he did engage himself voluntarily unto that fatal voyage and do what I could I could not divert him from it Alas alas how oft have I feared this misfortune which hath befaln him It seems as if some secret Genius did tell me of the accident for truly never did any day nor night pass but either my thoughts or my dreams did menace it You know it Adrastes you you have seen it in my face since you returned and for all the good hopes that you gave me I had still some secret fears which told me that I should never see him again Ah my dear Palemon continued she how fatal a passage were all my sorrows at thy departure of those afflictions which were afterwards to fall upon me Dear Palemon at this word her speech failed for her tears and sighs took it away And Adrastes whose grief was no less violent beginning to speak Fair Doris said he unto her me thinks I find too deep resentment in your grief you ought to punish the Author of your disaster and shew me how farre the revenge of a wronged woman can go It was I that have robd you of Palemon let mee feel the fury of your anger If you have not resolution enough to command me unto death yet command me unto an eternal banishment for that will be no lesse then a death unto mee But I shall obey though I shall never finde any delight in the conversation of men since I am deprived of him whom I loved best and whose affection was dearer unto mee then my life Alas answered Doris with a deep sigh though I should be so severe as to
survive him one minute for whose sake she only desired to live Yet least her too much transport should be an obstacle unto her designe she conceal'd her sorrows with so great a constraint that Silvander himself was deceived by it This poor Shepherd after he had seen the doom which the God of Love had pronounced against him he mildly cast his eyes upon her and his grief not to possess her whom he loved beâ—t was a cause that he could not chuse but accompany his looks with some sighs Diana took them with an incomparable constancy and not so much as changing colour she shewed him more marks of amazement in her face then love of which the Shepherd was no less sensible then of that sentence which condemned him to dye Yet still retaining in his memory those testimonies of affection which she had shewed unto him he found presently after that it was no defect of love in her since commonly the deerest sorrows send forth fewest tears Adamas in this extreamity knew not what to do sometimes he looked upon Silvander and sometimes turned towards the Fountain as if he hoped the God would revoke this doom I yet still seemed so astonished as if he had thought it pronounced against himself and not Silvander Hylas was now put by the byas of his merry humour and though he did not meet with any greater opposer of himself by way of Argument yet did he grieve for him and made it appear that he was a lover of virtue and did esteem it wheresoever he did meet with it Lycidas Thamiros Adrastes and the rest did not know what countenances to put on and Celadon himself did forget all his causes of joy Thus in this universal astonishment and common silence no noise was to be heard but sighs which plainly spoke the sorrows of all the people But Silvander pressing through the company went to the Fountain where kneeling down and shewing a countenance of courragious resolution Oh God of Love said he in in a loud voice which dost envy my fedelity I do give thee thanks for the care thou hast taken in making me to dye so gloriously I know very well that as death is to tryumph over me so Paris is to tryumph over Diana but since my mean birth cannot dispute with him for the victory I cannot think that any command could come from a more puissant God Here I am Great God ready to obey thee And since the doom is irrevocable in ordaining me to live till to morrow may the Sun turn his hours into munites and hasten his return for my sake After this he rose up and whilst all the company observed his behaviour and whilst Paris himself was greeved to the soul that he could not be happy but by the ruine of that Shepherd he went unto Adamas and seeing him in great astonishment Father said he unto him cheer up we now know the will of the Gods and that this Fountain must be drenched with my blood if the Inchantment end Come come why stay we here any longer Son answered Adamas with a deep sigh The Gods do shew no less rigor un-unto me in letting me live then in hindring you In saying so he turned about and all the company doing the like they all began to set forward towards the house In their return every one went in confusion Astrea thinking upon nothing but the misfortune of her friend she left Celadon to the discretion of Galathea Phillis was so sadly concerned that Lycidas himself desired her to go and give what assistance she could unto Diana in that extreamity so being about that Shepherdess and a little separated from the company because they would not be heard Phillis was the first that spoke and after she had looked up to Heaven I profess said she I cannot enough admire at so many accidents by which the Gods do disturb the tranquility of our lives we do never gust any pleasure one single day but as soon as ever we have any cause of joy some strange disaster or other does blast it Sister answered Diana very sadly the Gods have now done their worst and since they have thus assaulted the innocency of Silvander it is probable they will not spare one of us The truth is â—aid Astrea and interrupted This Shepherd moves me to abundance of compassion I have narrowly observed the whole course of his life and when I do particularly consider the success of it I cannot chuse but admire his constancy and think his destinies too severe The fairest things replied Diana with tears in her eyes are often soonest blasted and therefore I do not so much wonder at Silvanders fate although I do most sadly resent it For though as they say the Gods cannot erre yet I cannot chuse but think them sometimes jealous and do envy us mortals when we have any thing amongst us that is execllent else what reason could they have to take from us this poor Shepherd had he ever neglected their service had he ever been negligent in looking to his flocks had hee been guilty of Paricide or had lived in a most precise observation of all Laws both divine and humane I could not have told what to have said But Lignon I believe never saw a more wise Shepherd then he You know how excellently he has often discoursed in matters of Divinity how respective he has been unto all his Flocks were always the best liking in all the plain and how could he commit Paricide since he never knew his Parents No no my companions they could never detect him of any crime unless making me in love with him but thy should they punish him for that since I never complained against him Sister replied Phillis If the Gods do punish him for winning your Love it is only because that affection is contrary unto what you owe unto Paris for you see it is their positive wills you should marry him and were I in your condition I would consent unto it provided they would let Silvander live Sister answered Astrea the Gods ure not to be capitulated withall and I believe there is some deep mystery in this which we understand not and that Silvander having lived most of his age out of Forrests there may be some other reason which causeth his death not but that I do extreamly lament him and would with the loss of my blood redeem him but since the misfortune is irrevocable I conceive the best way is to obey without murmur whatsoever the Gods ordain and concerning either him or us How sister said Diana and was a little troubled would you advise me to give my self unto Paris and betray my fidelity unto Silvander I would advise you said Astrea to give unto Silvander as much as you can which is your resentment of his misfortune and unto Paris what you ow unto him which is obedience unto the commands of the gods and Bellinde Neither the gods nor Belinde answered Diana and was very angry can force my
will I have learn'd that they have given me a free will and power to make what choise I will whether it be a crime or no to make use of it it is no matter so I do not offend Silvander all 's indifferent and believe it Astrea your sin is not small in advising me to be perfideous In saying so she looked upon her with such an eye as would have moved any unto pity and Astrea being touched with compassion she was quite out of countenance My dear Sister said she and broke into tears may I never live if I be not extreamly sensible of Silvanders misfortune and would with all my heart I could for your sake change his Destiny but be my sorrows never so great for him my resentments for you are more violent and that is the reason of my speaking as I did thinking that by advising you unto a perfidy I might give you some consolation especially since your fidelity will do him no good because his death will not suffer him to reap the fruits of it Nay on the contrary replied Diana my fidelity will doubtlesly cause him to have this satisfaction in dying that he has as much as he desires and since it is long before we shall see each other again if my constancy be meritorious he will give me leave to follow him This was the discourse of Diana by which Astrea and Phillis gathered that after the losse of Silvander they should have a heard task to preserve her yet loving her infinity well they resolved to comfort her as well as they could thus they went on the way whilst Amasis being near unto Galathea and Celadon did cause him to relate the principal â—ccurrents of Silvanders life Belinde for her part she made no question but Diana had an inclination to him and infinitly admiring with what discretion this passion had been carryed she also lamented the loss of that Shepherd and condemned the too much easinesse of her daughter in wishing him so well After this remembring that she only was the cause of Silvanders coming to dwell in Forrests she looked upon her self as culpable both of his love and death Yet since it was not in her power to divert it now because she would rather die then disobey the gods she continued her Lamentations which was all she could do for this unfortunate Shepherd Adamas also whom the Oracle had interested in the death of Silvander by commanding him to be his Sacrificer he could not find out any reason why this Shepherd should be so rigorously used yet for further satisfaction he would confer with him and taking the Shepherd by the hand Silvander said he unto him what grand sin have you committed which thus moves the gods to be greedy of your death Their Oracles speak nothing else whether you consult with them in private or publick still they have some design upon your life Father answered Silvander it would be a vanity in me worthy of punishment to say I never sinned but I must needs confesse that I do verily believe the greattest sin I ere committed was in presuming to pretend unto the possession of Diana hitherto I have concealed my passion lest there should be too many witnesses of my presumption but since you would have my ingenious confession to excuse the rigour which you find in the punishment that is ordained me I will freely tell you my offence and beseech you to pardon me if it hath been any obstacle to the design of Belinde and Paris my love unto that fair Shepherdess began before ere she knew him and if she did entertain his affection only out of respect it was perhaps because she had beforehand received mine out of inclination Yet the gods most just they have found a more sutable conformity between the merits of Paris and Diana then between the perfections of the Shepherdess and my miserable condition Upon this ground they commanded their marriage should be accomplished and that I should die because they knew that if they had not so commanded it yet I would never have survived their marriage one minute The gods replied the Druide do not give Diana unto Paris because he deservs her nor do I think they deny her unto you for want of any good qualities which may intitle you to a legitimate presence unto her I do very well know both your worths and for all my affection unto him I am not so partially blind but I also know what great advantages your wit has above his but to tell you truly I think the gods do thus to shew how oft men are deceived in their judgements and that the Laws of all humane Prudence is far inferiour unto those that are established in heaven But Silvander continued he give me leave to part from you a little that whilst you do joyn with the rest of the company I may think upon some course which may be expedient both for you and me In saying so Druide stayed and Silvander who was very glad to be alone he did not wash away so fast as ordinary but going softly he did nothing but think upon the Fatal doom which had debarred him from the enjoyment of Diana to augment the glory and triumphs of Paris Adamas in the mean while being come near the Altar upon the stairs whereof Astrea and Diana slept when they went with a resolution to die at the Fountain of verity there he sate down and there beginning to think upon the office unto which he was called then upon his life and afterwards upon the miserable condition of Silvander and finding in himself greater motions of affection towards him them ever he had before O said he how apt is compassion to cause love For I never had so great an inclination unto Silvander as since his misfortune forced me to pity him Afterwards thinking upon the Oracle which commended that Shepherd to die and that he himself should sacrifice him O heavens said he how comes the gods to be so barbarous as to sprinkle their altars with humane blood If some uncouth Victimes only would appease their wrath why then in lieu of Bulls and Sheep did they not command the burning of our houses I would with all my heart have been the first that would have fired mine to appease them and shew my obedience But why O god of Love must our houses stand and Silvander he sacrificed and to make me the greater sufferer in his punishment by dying daily with grief for killing him why must I be his sacrifice Alas is this the abundance of contentments which should accompany my dayes after I had given Celadon unto his dear Astrea Ah Heaven has thou deluded me Upon this he slept and considering that he was a Druide O pardon me replied he for accusing you of injustice Pardon me great gods for being too much transported with my reresentments Alas alas I do love Silvander and being but a man I am subject to humane frailties In saying so he began to think
Madam you might have time to put things in order for them Amasis was very glad of the news and little Meril knew it by her carressing of him but Merindor who knew himself culpable did presently conceit that Sigismond had discovered his crime and had sent Godomar to take revenge he looked therefore for the worst and resolved however to die like a Cavalier The Nymph observed his countenance to change and therefore asked the cause I knew Madam answered Merindor that Rosilion Lindamor Damon Alcicon and the rest did not intend to stay long after me but I cannot understand why they should bring back Prince Godomar since here is now no enemies to fight withal unlesse he take me for one by reason of the crime when I committed against the contentment of his brother I believe replied Amasis the reason is only because Lindamor has obliged him to come and see me but after she had commanded to drive back unto the pallace Mâ—rindâ—r said she never trouble your self I will undertake to secure you from all the dangers that your sin does cause you to fear After some other such discourse the Nymph arrived at Isoures and no sooner saw Rosanira Daphnide Madonthe Galathea and the rest but she acquainted them with the good news which Meril brought The god of Love knows how they all rejoyced at this and since Rosaniras quality gave her more freedome to testifie her resentments she was the first that spoke and asked whether they came to Isoures and being answered according to her desires she run unto the window to see whether they appeared she presently heard the noise of horses in the Court and presently after she espied Rosilion Godomar Lindamor and Damon so as Amasis and the Ladies had hardly so much time as to go unto the stairs but they met them with expressions of extream contentment Rosilion was the first that asked the reason why they were all become Shepherdesses and whilst Rosanira answered that she was inconstant in nothing but that change Godomar looked round about for Dorinde but having long imployed both his care and time in vain he addressed himself unto Amasis and asked what was become of her To whom the Nymph answered in a low voice that she must have more leasure before she could satisfie his curiositie and that the accidents which had hapned unto that fair one since they went away deserved a private audience They separated themselves therefore a little from the company and presently after taking Coach they went out of the Pallace They were no sooner in the way to Bonlieu but Amasis told him all that she had heard concerning Gondebauts plot and the resolution of Dorinde Yet before she began this discourse she made him promise not to deny her a request which she would ask so as requesting a pardon for Merindor he vowed that he would never bear him any ill will This discourse did entertain them till they came to the Temple where Amasis coming out of the Coach and intreating Godomar to stay in it she desired to see Dorinde The doores were immediatly opened and she was no sooner entred in but she was brought out by the sage Cleontine who held her by the hand Amasis could not chuse but smile when she saw her approach with such a composed face of gravity as if she had been ten years amongst them yet seeing her time short she took her aside and talked to her in these terms I do not come fair Dorinde to resist your resolution for I will approve of it if you shall think it legitimate but I come only to acquaint you with the most black and horrid plot that ever was invented to destroy an affection It is probable you will give credit unto my words since if you consider who I am you may well think I will not authorize any lie Let me tell you then Dorinde that you are betrayed I know it very well Madam answered Dorinde and interrupted Merindor has given me sufficient testimonies of it This is not it replied Amasis which I mean It is Gondebaut and not Sigismond who is the Authour of this Perfidie and to put you out of all doubt I will faithfully tell you the whole truth Then Amasis briefly related unto her the confession of Merindor but seeing Dorinde not at all moved at it nay rather on the contrary seeming by some smiles to sleight and mock at what shee said I perceive said Amasis that you give no credit unto my words but at my request go with mee so farr as my Coach and I will give you undeniable testimony of it Dorinde who thought this only some trick of Amasis only to carry her away shee protested at first that shee would not stirr out of the Temple but after that the Nymph swore shee would bring her back again shee contented to go Shee was no sooner at the Gates but Godomar came out of the Coach and taking her in his armes Sister said hee unto her how can you think it lawfull to dispose of your self against all the promises which you have made unto Sigismond Dorinde was all amazed at this discourse and the more because shee did not think that Godomar was returned Yet a little recollecting her self Sir said she unto him I thought that his violated faith would have dispenced me from all my oaths and promises and that I ought not to be blamed if not being able to imitate his infidility I make choise of a death so honourable Dâ—ar Dorinde replied Godomar you must live long if you do not die tell my Brother change I protest his love was never so great as now and I will give you a testimony of it which perhaps you do not expect in saying so he gave her a Letter in which she found these words witten with his blood SIGISMONDS Letter unto DORINDE THey say that blood does emblemâ— cruelty but I would have this be an eternall mark of my love and loyalty Receive it as yours dearest Dorinde and consider that I shall not be coveteous if I conquer your beauty by my armes as I have already Tryumphed over your heart by my services At the sight of this Letter Dorinde was really moved and Godomar who perceived it did take his time so well that his perswasions prevailed with her he swore so many oathes in excuse of Sigismond as at last she did believe it was only Gondebaut that had deceived her so as not thinking her self obliged to follow her last resolution she returned with Amasis and Godomar to the Palace of Isoures where she no sooner had talked with Merindor but she reasumed her good humour On the other side after Adamus was quite out of all hopes ever to find any remedy to appease the anger of the gods and make them stay the sentence which they had pronounced against the life of Silvander he prepared himself to obey them and made a vow that this sacrifice should be the last he would ever make He therefore commanded
her But for all that believe me what cause soever you have to seek for death I am sure it can never happen unto you but it will be most sad unto me and perhaps intollerable And therefore I tell you once again that if you do value my contentment and satisfaction you must preserve your self As she said so Silvander would have kissed her hand but she observing that some eyes were upon him she withdrew it and pressed his very hand which was the greatest favour that ever he received And because she was afraid that if she pursued this discourse it would move too much passion therefore she listned unto what others said and then she heard Hylas say thus unto Tyrcis I cannot imagine Tyrcis what object thou hast for thy courage nor for whom thou shouldst fight because since the death of thy dear Cleon who lives still in thy excellent memory all things are meerly indifferent unto thee methinks answered Tyrcis that your imagination is very shallow and that thou hast a wrong opinion of me when thou thinkest that to fight I stand in need to propose unto my self any private interest as if all actions which have such objects as to be esteemed valiant to become rich or such like were not false Images of true valour It is enough for me if I can serve Amasis as I ought without the thought of any other recompence but the satisfaction of doing so for virtue is a sufficient reward unto it self Lord how wise you are answered Hylas but for all that I have reason to suspect thy courage since Laonice could make thee afraid If I did fear the subtilties of that woman answered Tyrcis it was not for want of any courage but rather a horrour that I had against her wickedness and if I be not much mistaken continued he looking upon Hylas and afterwards upon Silvander thou oughtest to put a great difference between that kind of fear which is directly opposite unto courage and those apprehensions which makes us fear a person only out of a knowledge we have of some ill qualities in her I perceive answered Hylas that thy eyes require some help from Silvander but we will at this time defer our discourse unto another only consider I desire thee that if I had leasure I would make thee know that this Shepherdess is not so much to blame as you imagine her Upon this he rose up because Clindor began already to walk out of the Arbour and Tyrcis had not time to make any other answer but that he believed all the eloquence in the world was not able to perswade him but that she was unworthy not only of his amity but of the meanest Shepherds upon earth This was the opinion which Tyrcis had of the love and beauty of Laonice who being not so far distant as he imagined did passe away her dayes and nights in her solitude without any our thoughts but upon the ingratitude of this Shepherd Upon that day she was walked up to the top of a rock which being very high surveyed all the plain of Forrests and because she could perceive every thing even to the least shrub she quickly spied the Army from which Polemas expected the establishment of his Fortune At the first it put her into a fright but afterwards thinking it a thing impossible they could do her any hurt in that close solitude unto which the gods and Tyrcis had confined her her fears reflected only upon her Shepherd and though she was well assured that he loved not her yet she could not chuse but wish his safety and fear lest some harm should happen unto him These considerations made her wet the very rock with her tears and afterwards to dry up those tears again with the wind of her sighs and thus she continued until night which invited her to retire and left her only as much light as to find out the way unto her cell into which entring she fell into her constant exercise which was to pray unto the gods and to think upon the ingratitude of Tyrcis At the arival of this relief from Gondebaut Polemas caused all his own Forces and all his Artillery to march out of Surlea so as his joyes swelled to an unmeasurable hight when he imagined that the power which he had now under his command was enough to bring Marcelles unto his will in a short time when he thought upon what he had gotten by the flight of Sigismond he could not imagine that the Arms of the Son were able to give any check unto the Arms of the Father He knew nothing of Lindamors return who yet was not so far distant from him as he supposed for that Cavalier having marched with extraordinary haste was already come to the rendezvous which he had appointed unto Sigismond That Prince on the other side made as much haste as possibly he could and was so far advanced with his Troops that he joyned with Lindamor about the middle of the night They were no sooner met but one of those Scouts which Lindamor had sent abroad brought them word that Rosilion was also advanced with ten or twelve thousand men and that he was already on this side Moutbrison at which they were so joyed that they resolved to joyn with him and accordingly they sent that Scout unto him with twelve of their Cavaliers to prepare him to receive them and afterwards by the favour of the night they took the field Rosiliâ—â— who wish'd for no better and was extreamly desirous to see armed in the deâ—â—gâ— of Amasis not only Sigismond and Lindamor but all the world together he advanced to meet them as fast as he could and when they did meet with each other their Carresses were so great that the Sun seemed to rejoice at them and began to gild the mountains with the luster of its beams Polemas had slept but a very little by reason of his longing desire to see the Truce ended so as being awake very early in the morning day did no sooner dawn but the received intelligence of this Armies arrival his wonder was so much the greater by how much it was beyond his expectation yet finding it to be upon equal terms he believed the loss or the winning of a battel would decide the difference He commanded therefore all the Officers of his Army to be in readinesse and did not draw any line about Marcelles nor erected any of his Engines lest the separation of his forces should weaken him too much for a field fight On the other side Lindamor who knew to a very man the strength of Polemas did conceive it a very hard task for this Rebel to resist the valour and prudence of Sigismond and Rosilion and though he made no question of giving him a defeat yet it grieved him extreamly to think that so many men should be involved in the interest of one single man and thought it a thousand pities that for the crime of this one single man fifteen or
twenty thousand should be punished with death This consideration made him think upon a remedy against such a misfortune and finding none better then to move Polemas unto a descission of the controversie by single combate he resolved to use all possible incitations that might spur him up unto it Yet being unwilling to attempt any thing without the consent of Sigismond and Rosilion he did communicate his intention unto them in this manner Sirs said he unto them I make no doubt but you do know as well as my self that all these violencies of Polemas against Amasis do aim at no other end but the usurpation of her Estate Now since the crime of this Rebel is committed immediately against a Princesse unto whom I am both by birth and inclination a Subject none can more justly then my self revenge the wrongs which she hath received from the arrogance of this perfideous man not but that I know you have power to ruine the Rebel when you please and his rashnesse must needs submit unto your valour But I beseech you consider who are the enemies that you are to fight withal and finding them to be almost all Subjects unto either Gondebaut or Amasis does it not grieve you to ruine them I do therefore most humbly beseech you not to suffer so many people to perish for the fault of him that hath seduced them but to consent that in the sight of your Army and his I may punish his pride by a single Combate so shall the guilty be punished according to his merit and the blood of my Princesses Subjects saved After this Lindamor was silent and Sigismond without any long study what to answer let me perish said he if I had not the same thought before and if I was not ready to make the same proposition unto you I do not know what Polemas is I never saw his face nor know of what temper he is but I have so great an inclination to hate him that difference of qualities shall not hinder me from measuring my sword with his if I knew by any means how to oblige him unto it His courage replied Lindamor is not so mean but he deserves to be held in some consideration yet it is accompanied with so many wicked qualities that it must be acknowledged his bad ones do extreamly surpasse his good ones He is extreamly vain-glorious and ambitious the most jealous man alive and of such a pernicious nature that he cannot endure any other should be owner of those virtues which he is not there needs no description of his humours replied Sigismond It is enough that I know what he attempts against Amasis and Galathea to make me think him a most wicked man let me only tell you that if I could bring to pass what I have already propounded I should receive a most extraordinary satisfaction I do conceive said Rosilion that we cannot in justice deny Lindamor the request which he hath made unto us It is very true that you and I being both come to testifie unto the Nymph our willingnesse to serve her I â—â—ceive Lindamor ought to imploy us both which he cannot do this way unlessâ—â—â—e he admit us both to the same service Sir said Lindamor what you have already done for the relief of Amasis is not so small but by what arm soever she obtains her deliverance she will acknowledge her self infinitely obliged unto you Brave Lindamor said Sigismond and interrupted him you cannot be against this I see what it is the courage of Sosilion aims at and if you will needs fight with Polemas it must be upon such conditions as this Prince hath proposed That said Lindamor cannot well be for there is none in that Army worthy of this honour nor who dare accept of it To remedy which said Rosilion you may send a challenge unto him to fight three to three and happily he will accept of it without asking who the two are who take your part Lindamor thought that it became him to submit to their wills and therefore without any further opposition he sent Philiander with a Herald to carry this Challenge unto Polemas LINDAMORS Challenge unto POLEMAS DId I not perfectly know that Polemas is a man of courage I should fear he would not accept of that Combate which I offer unto him and of which he himself shall make the conditions but having upon former occasions seen some experience of him I am confident he will be glad to end that now which then we did but begin I would have for witnesses of our actions both our Armies And I would have for companions of my Lot two Cavaliers to fight on my side if you can find two that will so venture their lives for you Let me speedily know your determination and since your ruine is inevitable consider that you cannot die more gloriously then by the hand of Lindamor As soon as Palemas had read this defiance Truly said he if his valour be equal to his presumption I shall find no feeble enemy to encounter withal but I believe he has not so much advantage of me as his hopes do flatter him he has Upon this promising Philiander that he should receive answer within an hour he went to consult with Listander and Argonides upon the matter Afterwards being resolved upon it he returned to Philiander and gave him this answer I do accept of the combate which Lindamor offers me upon such conditions as are expressed in this paper which you shall give unto him And that he may know by the haste which I shall make how much I desire to see the end of all his hopes with the end of his life tell him that within this two hours Argonides Listander and my self will be on horseback upon this Philiander threw down a Gantlet which Polemas took up and returning unto Lindamor he gave him an accompt of his successe and presented unto him the paper of Polemas which Lindamor opening he shewed it unto the two Princes who found in it these words The Answer of POLEMAS unto the Challenge of LINDAMOR YOu are come very opportunely to preserve unto my reputation that Luster which in some sort it would have lost in vanquishing only women my glory wanted nothing but your return and since heaven has harkened unto my desires I am glad that I need do no more but overcome you before I enjoy those favours which are more due unto my merit then unto your vanity You shall see me therefore this day in the condition of a man who is triumph both over his Rival and his Mistress and since I can engage thirty thousand men to fight for me you need not doubt but I shall find two that will think themselves highly honoured in following my fortune and therefore since you have left the conditions of our Combate unto my choise These following are they which I propound unless you find any thing repugnant to your mind The death of Lindamor or Polemas shall be the sole discission
his joyes whispered that Cavelier in the ear The misfortune said he unto him is nothing so great as is beleived upon this taking him by the arme he carried backe into the boate wherin none was but Vrsaces who was striving betwixt life and death and causing all the men to stand at a distance and candles to be taken away when he thought none could hear but Olimbres he began this discourse Dear freind said he unto him I must make two very particular confessions unto you by the one I must confesse my own rashnesse and by the other my Fathers shame upon this he related unto him how he was in love with the young Eudoxe and how she received him afterwards he related the violence which Genserick used towards Eudoxe the Mother He told him of my imprisonment by reason of the poison which I had prepared for her at last he told him of all the attempts which the King had made upon the Chamber of that Princesse and how she set it on fire after this Now dear Olimbres continued he you must know that Eudoxe had no sooner kindled the fire not any horrors of death but sorrowes to be a cause of her two Daughters death did so far enter into her soul as she could not chuse but retire her self into another Chamber where the two Princesses lay Then shutting the door and remembring the affection which I had professed she began to think that perhaps if she could escape this danger Genserick would leave pursuing her or that I would find out some way to stop him This consideration made her consent not to die yet so as opening the window towards the garden by fortune she espied at her feet two sheets which she tyed togeather and by them she first let down Eudoxe next Placidia and lastly her self Olimbres having no patience How said he and interrupted is not Eudoxe dead she is not answered Thrasimond she ran unto a little house in the corner of the garden belonging to the Gardiner whom she awaked for as you know those kind of men go to bed betimes she made him open the door and as soon as she was entred freind said she unto him the palace is all on fire Upon this the Gardiner who by reason of the darkness did not know Eudoxe he went out and was not long before he saw the flames flash out of the Chamber from whence the Princesses came then coming in again in a great amase good gods said he what will become of the fair prisoners They are in a place answered Eudoxe where their lives do depend upon thee and if thou wilt preserve them I will make thee happy for ever Upon this she caused him to light up a candle and the poor fellow in a mighty confusion asking her what she would have him to do all that I would have thee do said Eudoxe is to hide us least some should come and surprise us then would I have thee ran in all hast and acquaint Thrasimond where we are but above all be sure that no living soul know it but only he The Gardiner then finding no safer place to put them in then a little cave which was near his house their he hid them and came to tell me what Eudoxe commanded He had as much a do to get unto me as I had to get out of the croud for you must know Olimbres that the town is in such a confusion so as one could hardly know another in the disorder But at last I followed him to his little house upon which abundance of sparks began already to fall which making me fear it would at length be burned I could not not give any testimones of my joy unto the Princesses but carrying them as secretly as I could unto the house of one of my domestiques not far from thence I gave some money to the Gardiner and charged him upon paine of his life to be silent Leaving them then in safty there I returned unto the Castle to see the King but I could not for the horror of this accident had so terified him that he would not be seen by any Thus was I the first that knew of your return where at I much rejoyce and assure you dear Olimbres that I will continue in the same desires which I have and ever had to love and serve you This was the discourse of Thrasimond which was abundance of joy unto Olimbres and I should have said it had bin the highest degree if the joyes of Vrsaces had been comparable unto his That disguised Cavelier heard all that the Prince said for he being behind in the boate they took no notice of him And his joyes to hear that his Mistresse was alive did so transport him into the other extream as formerly he was in his miseryes and greif Yet heaven which would preserve him for the felicity of Eudoxe would not suffer him to die upon this excesse of delight but following Olimbres whom Thrasimond would needs have to lodge in the Castle they were no sooner alone but they began to embrace each other and spent almost all the night in relating their adventures The next morning Genserick heard of the return and of his shippes and of Olimbres but the memory of this late dismall accident would not suffer him to be sensible of those joyes which at another time he had resented Yet he welcomed Olimbres as well as he could and desiring to hide from posterity the true cause of Eudoxes death he began to invent all the excuses he could devise to palliate that crime which he had committed Olimbres seemed to beleive all the King said and fetching a hundred dissembled sighes for the losse of these three Princesses he observed that the memory of this sad tragedy had infused some repentance into the King and indeed he greived so extreamly at it as one might read repentant sorrow in his eyes and to leave some testimony of that esteem which he had of Eudoxe though a captive he caused her corps to be searched amongst the reliques of the combustion They found the bodies of the three Eunuches which the flame had smothered but so consumed as none of them retaining any form they were taken for the corpses of the Princesse and her two daughters Genserick he prepared a most statly monument to be erected for them and commanding them to be put into coffins of silver he also gave orders they should be very carefully guarden In the mean Thrasimond who feared that Eudoxe was not safe enough in the Town he caused her to be carried unto a very fair house which he had in the Countrey not far from Carthage As soon as conveniently he could he carryed Olimbres thither also under a pretence of diverting him but as soon as Eudoxe saw him she was so surprised as she fell into a swond yet at last recovering and desiring to speak with him in private she carried him into another chamber leaving Thrasimond with the young Eudoxe and Placidia
for that successe which they would give unto our desires Hence it is that many in complaining of their misfortunes do murmure against heaven But as soon as the sun of Prosperity begins to shine upon them then they begin to repent they ever accused heaven or dispaired of help this makes me to say that a well tempered spirit ought to be alwayes equall and alike and both in adversity and prosperity set the same face Believe it Silvander but you know it as well as I this lesson is not so hardly learnt as is thought a good courage will master all manner of passions and remember that to submit all unto the good will of the gods is undisputably the best document a man can learn and the greatest secret of life I do know Sir replied Silvander how great the imbecillity of men is nor am I ignorant of the omnipotency of the gods I have equally had experience of both and without looking any farther then my own self I can find most remarkable examples of it if I have not so much power over my own soul as to keep it from sinking under the blows of fortune it is not that I am ignorant of my duty or that I do not most humbly submit unto the will of the Gods But this great imbicelity whereof I speak and which is almost intollerable to humanity does make me indisposed unto any good consideration Upon this Silvander was silent and Adamas would have spoke but upon a sudden he heard a great cry and saw Amasis running to him as fast she could This accident did very much amaze him and enquiring to know the couse Oh said the Nymph do you not see the Nymphs ready to divorce us for Heavens sake let us fly away as fast as we can In saying so she began to run but the Druid staying her Madam said he they cannot hurt you and unless you be afraid of Marble you have no reason to ran away How Marble said Amasis do you not see them move near us At this Adamas could not chuse but laugh to see what effects fear had wrought in the fancy of the Nymph and turning himself towards her Madam said he I will be your warrant and I believe Galathea will warrant me Amasis then looking upon her and seeing that neither she nor any of the rest were afirighted she began to take courage but as soon as ever Adamas told her how those Animals came to be metamorphized Truly said she I do not more wonder at the Miracle then at Galathea in her discourse yesterday of the Inchantment should never acquaint me with this particular after this she was perfectly recollected and being but a little distant from the Fountain The Druid leaving the company he advanced almost close to the Cloud which hung over it Then falling down upon on his knees and all the company after his example doing the like he began this Prayer unto the God of Love OH thou Son of Venus adored Deity whose Empire is above and over all and inveterate enemy of confusion We beseech thee as thou didst Chaos so dispel all these disorders and this Enchantment It is not any curiosity that brought us hither but thy own command so as having appointed this day Let our obedience excuse our necessity of making this voyage Pronounce Oh God of Love out of pity pronounce what thou hast destined in favour of these Groves And as the glory of pleasing thee is the only object which we do propose unto our selves So let our contentment be the subject of thy Answers This Prayer being ended Adamas returned to the place where the Troop was and then a little wind did arise which wasted unto our ears the noise of stirredwaters Presently after the wind grew more boisterous and comming only by blasts it brought with it great flashes like to Lightning which had but an instant between their beginning and ending many affrightning clapps of Thunder followed Then upon a sudden the Cloud above the Fountain opening one might see come out by degrees in the midst of the water a huge Bason of Jasper upon a Pedestal of Porphery most curiously enriched upon which the God of Love shewed himself in the same form as before he appeared At the sight of this Deity Reverence invited every one to look down but afterwards Curiosity raising up their looks they saw that the God of Love held in his left hand a great Azure Table in which were written these words in Letters of Gold Since Alexis is the faithful Female Lover Whom the Gods required Receive Celadon that Happiness which Heaven does offer unto thee Astrea is the Reward of all thy Pains And That heart which hath so long mutinyed against thee Shall never more oppose thy Constancy Adamas and the rest of the company had no sooner read these words but they heard a murmur and a noise like to the clapping together of many hands It was an Emblem of that joy which all the Shepherds and Shepherdesses did resent for the happiness of Astrea and Celadon At that instant the Shepherd did lose the memory of all the miseries he had endured and not knowing how he should enough thank the God of Love for that happiness which now he saw infallible he lifted up his eyes to Heaven and not being able to speak one word his face changed colour two or three times Astrea received no less contentment Phillis was even ravished with joy and Diana her self did find some comfort unto her sorrows in those delights which were promised unto her companion But as the greatest felicities may sometimes be taken for a presage of some future great misfortune by reason of that link which does inseparably tye adversity and prosperity together So this joy did not long continue in their countenances For after the God of Love had given them time to see his pleasure in this Table presently he turned it and in lieu of Golden Letters written in Azure they saw in a Silver Table written in black Characters these words THe Dooms of destiny must be obeyed Silvander must dye and leave Diana unto Paris And Adamas though this Lover be dear unto thee Yet I command thee to sacrifice this Shepherd Tomorrow and let him dye by thy hand The Heavens began to Thunder again and upon a sudden the Clouds and the Tables vanished This command did so extreamly astonish all the company that it was long before one word was spoken Every one did in their very souls lament the loss of this Shepherd for he having lived in a Country where the people set an esteem upon virtue Silvander could say that he never raised any envy or enemy against him But a midst this common affliction which which might well be called a just resentment of pity Diana was moved in a far different manner For the God of Love had dooned the death of Silvander in such a dismal manner as she resolved to to precede him or at the least not to