after I had bin to see Euphrosyne and carry her all things she might have need of I return'd to finde him and we parted from the haven together then having met with his other shipping that attended him we began to set saile The wind was so favourable that in a few dayes we passed round about the Peloponese and having pass'd the Egean Sea arriv'd happily in the Island where Eurymedon advis'd to land upon the coasts and not at the haven The shore was so desert as we had much adoe to find a man there that could tell us in what estate the affaires of the Countrey were neverthelesse in the end we encountred certaine persons that sought for a retreat in those inhabitable places who told us how a great number of Scythians were come to land in the Isle to pillage it and that the King Archelaus was resolv'd to give them battell having many stranger Princes with him that came to the deliverance of the Princesse Pasithea and were opportunely met with for the safety of the Island and expulsion of the Barbarians Eurymedon learning this newes could not tell what to resolve on he had a great desire to goe and present himselfe to the King to serve him in the day of battell but he fear'd his indignation Besides he knew not how to appeare at the combat without being knowne On the other side it was impossible for him to stay in the Countrey and not be met with either by the Scythians or Archelaus and we had in all but foure thousand men with which we could not resist a great Army at last he bethought himselfe of this subtilty You know he is very young and extremely handsome he resolv'd to disguise himselfe into a Maid so to goe finde the King before he could know him and to tell Archelaus that he was daughter to the King of Thrace whom the Scythians had massacred after they had pillag'd his kingdome and how she had found meanes to save her selfe out of their fury with a few souldiers she brought with her that seeking for refuge at his Court she was glad to finde occasion at her arrive to succour him and be reveng'd upon this cruell people for her fathers death His plot being thus laid he chose out the youngest of his souldiers to be disguis'd also and represent the Maids of her traine and because I have yet no haire on my face he prayed me to be one of that number By good fortune he had made some provision of womens clothes that were very fine having a designe to carry away Pasithea fearing she might need them going so unprovided away with him and this happened very luckily for him and us too I sweare to you when he had taken a juppe and drest up his haire which he wore very long in tresses I was deceiv'd in him my selfe and I know few women that would have exceeded him in beauty He arm'd himselfe onely with a corslet and a caske having his sword by his side and a javelin in his hand He commanded all those that were disguis'd with him to put themselves in the same equipage so we landed some horses out of the ships whereupon being mounted we went in good order in the head of our troops towards Mitylene We had scarce gone halfe the way when we perceiv'd armed horsemen that ran scatter'd about as if they were sufficiently out of heart wee stayed some of them that told us how the Armies of Archelaus and the Scythians were joyned and that the King was very neare to be defeated Eurymedon made the place be shewne him where the battell was given and presently he commanded us to advance and ayd that Prince We arriv'd instantly at a hill from whence we viewed the combat and having knowne the Kings troops that were in great disorder we ran to ayd them which we did so opportunely as the vanquished began to take heart againe Eurymedon in a moment open'd the Squadrons of the Scythians and his womans habit made his blowes appeare more marvellous I followed him close endevouring to imitate his valour and at last we came to the very strength of the battel where the King was fallen from his horse and defended onely with two or three souldiers that with much adoe sustain'd a great number of Scythians Eurymedon kill'd foure or five Barbarians that seem'd to be the most obstinate and while I undertooke the rest alighted from his horse and addressing himselfe to the King said to him Courage Archelaus assure thy selfe thou shalt this day be victor At the same time he help'd him up his horse againe and remounting upon his owne they went together to charge the Barbarians that began to tremble The King had alwayes his eyes fixed upon this unknowne warriouresse and knew not from whence this succours came He admir'd the blowes were given by the arme of this generous Maid and could not beleeve but that it was Pallas her selfe who was come to his defence I will not relate to you all the particular encounters of this battell in the end we remain'd vanquishers and after we were return'd from chasing the flying enemies the King receiv'd Eurymedon with as much respect as if he had bin a goddesse indeed but he not willing to keepe him in that errour told him he was the daughter of the King of Thrace with all he had premeditated adding that he never receiv'd so much joy as in punishing these Barbarians for the death of his father Archelaus tooke the boldnesse then to embrace him in quality of a Princesse and told him that since he had drawne so great an advantage from her fathers calamity and her owne he intreated her in like manner to dispose of all she had conserv'd to him Great King said this disguis'd Princesse I demand nothing of you but a retreat within your territories and that I may live with you in a ranke worthy of my birth The Prince that already felt himselfe touch'd with love sayes to her that it was in her owne power to hold the highest degree in his kingdome her sex was capable of and that hee would make her Mistresse of his estates and of his person too if it pleas'd her Eurymedon would not lose this occasion and said to him The fortune I am in forbids me to hope for such an honour neverthelesse since that you are in permits you all things I accept the offer you make me and I intreat you well to remember your selfe of it when I shall challenge you of your promise He sware to her he would never faile her and that it would be no difficult matter for him to effect what he desired himselfe with so much passion Many Princes arriv'd at the same time and seem'd to desire something of the King who seeing their impatiency told Eurymedon that had nam'd himselfe Hermione how these Princes expected his judgement because he had promised them that he that shewed the most valour that day should have in marriage the Princesse
the vexations of my soule and doe but consider a little to what I was reduced when by your hands I was deliver'd and what thoughts I could have being in the hands of those robbers After losing of a brother as I beleev'd whose death was followed with my fathers I saw they were gone to cut my uncle's throat the onely support I had left me and my selfe forsaken of all and condemn'd to suffer the rage of those hangmen without your rescue whom I am beholding to for what I have most deare in the world Madam answered Melintus we were first indebted to you for our life and honour and you secured both to us by meanes of Epicharis whom you sent us if since we have assisted you you are wholly to thanke your selfe for your deliverance but I know not how you should ever pardon mee for the feares I put you in going to force you away from among those Souldiers But rather replide she how will you pardon mee the blowes I gave you for so I payed you for all the paines you had taken to save me Ah Madam answer'd he how pleasing were those blowes to me but may I dare to remember you of one you call'd upon to helpe you Ariana blush'd and told him a little after I remember it well enough and give you leave to take those words I spake as much for your advantage as you please Melintus taking her hand in excesse of joy pursues Upon this assurance Madam may I from henceforth without offence tell you my thoughts Hee spake these words in a voyce so trembling and with a face so pale that Ariana well perceiv'd the extreme respect he bare her and the feare he had to tell her of any thing might displease her but to encourage him she answered Melintus I have sufficiently made triall of your friendship by your discretion I will not have you spend so much as one word to assure me any more of it He was so ravish'd that bowing him and putting his mouth to the faire hand he held hee was some time in this posture without any speaking so transported was he with contentment Ariana was very glad to see him so seized but at last he lift up himselfe and said to her What will you thinke of me Madam to see me silent after such a favour and indeed so great it is that there are not words to expresse to you neither the excesse of my joy nor how much I am to rest your servant Ariana answers him If we measure the obligations without doubt those I have to you are farre the greater but you are to be satisfied with mee seeing that to acquit myselfe I give you my soule which is all I am Your soule Madam replies Melintus may I be so bold to beleeve these advantageous words but why should I not beleeve them since they come from your mouth that cannot be but true Will this faire soule then give it selfe to me for to animate a body so unworthy of it and will you indeed receive mine in place of it Melintus said Ariana I doe not meane so this exchange would be too prejudicious for you but at the least I give you a part of my soule which is my will and I must have you dispose of it from henceforth in exchange of yours which I am sure is in my possession Melintus was so rapt for these deare engagements that the commotions of his heart disturb'd his minde and stopp'd the freedome of his thoughts and the knowledge of that disorder gave Ariana a greater assurance of his joy and passion than a thousand words could have done In the end he replies It is impossible Madam I should expresse to you how deare these favours are to my soule for the more I resent them the lesse am I able to tell you but it suffices you to know the greatnesse of my affection by being assured how they replenish me with joy and you shall see with what submission I receive them by the inviolable respect that shall alwayes accompany me in your presence and when I have declar'd what I am I will incessantly call to my remembrance the estate wherein I was when you were so favourable to me Melintus sayes Ariana interrupting him this declaration is the businesse you are to thinke upon at this time and I would advise you to make your selfe knowne to my brother you are not to deferre it any longer if you thinke it fit to be done and then we may consult together concerning the wayes we are to take for since the death of my father there is come from Corinth Pisistratus sonne of Calistenes who was uncle to Acidalia by whose onely meanes my uncle married her after a sute of many yeeres lasting This Pisistratus drawne hither rather by the reputation of some estate than of any beauty he sayes is in me hath brought letters from his father to Dicearchus wherein he desires him to doe the like in his sonnes behalfe with me that he had heretofore done for him with his Neece Acidalia Pisistratus relying upon that favor thinks not he hath made an unprofitable voyage but that with the duties he renders my uncle and the affection he expresses to me he shall presently marry me and carry me away to Corinth in the same ship that brought him hither which still attends him for this purpose On the other side Diocles seekes my uncle more than ever and he entertaines them both with hope not knowing what to resolve on for although he hath great obligations to Calisthenes he is not willing for all that to have me so farre from him by giving me to Pisistratus and againe seeing him to have such faire possessions and comming of a farre more illustrious house than Amyntas he cannot finde in his heart to refuse him Upon these uncertainties it were good you first declar'd your birth and after that your suit Madam replied Melintus you doe me a very great favour to instruct me of all these things and I am very glad your counsell is correspondent to the designe I had but yet I would have wished that it had not prevented the permission I had desired of you to make this declaration I hope it will be well receiv'd for the Syracusians have cause to love me and Dicearchus is oblig'd to me by oath never to wish me ill for my fathers sake The life sayes Ariana you saved him ought much more to oblige him to that and I have reason to take this ill because all that wee shall resolve on from henceforth to your benefit will rather be thought duty and acknowledgement than affection I shall ever take it for pure grace replies Melintus for scarcely could all my services together pretend to hope for so much as one of those words you favour me with This agreeable conversation ended at the arrive of Dicearchus that came to take Melintus and to shew him with his Nephew the beauties of his house before the night obscur'd them and it
whitenesse for seeing Melintus shee but now came from that she thereby much augmented the passion of Pisistratus and extremely satisfied that of Melintus who was in hope to see himselfe very shortly possessor of so many beauties Pisistratus saluted her and Melintus that had farre more commodious houres to himselfe left him the freedome to enquire of her health and the feares she was in the day before He express'd to her his griefe for having beene so unfortunate as not to have come to her succours that yeelding to none either in affection or courage it vex'd him to yeeld to them in so good fortune Ariana receiv'd all those civilities and assurances of affection with a coldnesse pleasing enough being not willing to cause to be produc'd in him either an hope or the resentments of contempt and presently she was delivered of this entertainment for they were call'd to dinner Dicearchus made his ambition and sumptuosity appeare to the height in gold whereof the great dining chamber was full and the magnificence of the feast discover'd the pride of his nature which he veiled under an affected courtesie After that dinner was ended they were to thinke upon returning to Syracuse and to make this entry the more agreeable to the people it was order'd that the prisoners should be carried in the front bound in a Chariot the Ladies should follow after in a Coach and the rest of the company goe in the reare a horsebacke It was in this equipage they parted from that house which Melintus left with regret because of the contentment he had there receiv'd After he had put Ariana into the Coach with his sister Epicharis and some other Maids he mounted a horsebacke and joyned himselfe to Dicearchus the Deputies and the rest whom hee labour'd to entertaine by the way and sometimes he went to the Coach with Pisistratus and Palamede shewing himselfe as acceptable among Ladies as he was serious and able with the most ancient of the company that followed him Telephus that had beene advertis'd by Melintus since the morning came out of the City to meet him and both alighting from their horses they could not quit the embracements they each gave and receiv'd being overcome with the pleasure of seeing one another againe yet it became them to follow the troop and because Telephus had imparted his contentment to all his friends in the Towne the people was prepar'd to receive him and filled the streets where he was to passe so as at their entrance they were astonish'd at the world they saw The Deputies had placed Melintus in the middest of them Dicearchus went neare to him with Telephus Palamede Pisistratus and the other of their friends and hee marched as it were in triumph and with pleasure heard the cries of joyes and the wishes the Syracusians made him calling him father of his Countrey and giving him a thousand praises Ariana beleev'd that she participated of this honour and felt a thousand delights in her minde to see him so much belov'd whom she loved so much her selfe In the end this troop separated at Dicearchus house where Ariana was left with him and Palamede Telephus carried Melintus home with him and his daughter Erycine and the Deputies with Pisistratus and the rest tooke their leaves to retire every man to his owne house Some Officers of justice seized on the prisoners whose condemnation and death followed some dayes after When Hyperia had us'd Melintus with all the kindnesses that a true mother might give her owne sonne she had thought dead Telephus tooke him apart and made him a present of two writings whereof one was an attestation signed by Hermocrates wherein he acknowledged that he had committed into the hands of Telephus a sonne of his borne at Lylibeum nam'd Melintus who in the place of his heart was marked with another heart for to be of some use to him if peradventure hee might one day stand in need thereof The other was a letter of Diocles written to Telephus while he was still at Lylibeum wherein he rejoyced for the birth of this sonne of Hermocrates and said that this heart which he was marked with signified that he should love his Countrey and gaine the heart of all hee desir'd to have for his friends Telephus added how he had happily found these writings whereof he was not willing to speake to him before thinking they had beene lost but that now with these assurances he made no doubt but Diocles would be convinced Melintus rejoyced to have found out these meanes at his arrive and declar'd to him his resolution to accuse Diocles in publike and that for this cause he had demanded an audience of the people from the Deputies that had beene sent to him They celebrated yeerely at Syracuse a very ancient feast to thanke the gods for the ruine of Tyrants and there was alwayes a man of the race of Timoleon that was President of the games were made and a Maid of the same family to present the sacrifices and give the prizes of the playes This feast approach'd and the Syracusians knowing that Melintus desir'd something of them would have him make his demand that very day and said that being delivered not only from the ancient Tyranny but also againe by his meanes from all Subsidies they could not receive a more welcome pleasure the day of this feast than to recompence Melintus in some sort for the benefit he had obtained them He communicated the matter with Ariana and Palamede and told them he feared that having to make an accusation and not a request lest Diocles might not have cause to pretend that holydayes were no dayes for judgements He propounded to them whether it might not be more fit first of all to speake with Diocles that peradventure they might obtaine all of him by faire meanes in shewing the infallible testimonies they were provided of Against these considerations it was alleag'd that they were to make use of the good will of the Syracusians and that they in the humour they were in would for love of him passe over ordinary formalities how it was dangerous to speake to Diocles because there was no appearance he would be disseized of his goods any other way than by force and that he would rather goe about seeking inventions against the meanes were left them that if he were surpriz'd the trouble of this novelty and that of his conscience taking from him the way of replying would make him be condemned in the field and that they were not to intreat gently a man that had us'd malice and treason but Ariana's reason was best approv'd that it concern'd Melintus if he would be knowne to be the sonne of Hermocrates and of the blood of Pyrrhus and Achilles that this truth should bee declar'd in publike and that it was not sufficient one particular man avowed it Melintus well perceiv'd that interessing her selfe in the honour of his house she would have her choyce approved of all the world and
a Harp he accorded his voyce to it and sung these Verses Soule be no more to torments so subjected Heart quit vexation and to joyes aspire I see my fortune passes my desire Where I sought death I finde my life protected In place where deadly envy I suspected And happy Spouse's armes her to combine Without all thought I tooke her into mine Where I sought death I finde my life protected When my sad griefes by fury were directed I sought to dye but Seas could not me drownd Where I ne're sought my fortune there I found Where I sought death I finde my life protected After that Lepantus had made an end of singing and they had much commended his voyce and the grace he had in touching the Lute they prayed him to tell how he had beene sav'd from the Sea and what his life had beene since for Ariana had already related part of that which hapned to him before He was very willing to give them this contentment and seeing every one set and prepar'd to listen he quitted the Lute to put himselfe in the middest of them and began thus Continuation of Lepantus History TO avoyd the reproaches I might seeme to put upon Cyllenia I will make no repetition of the resentments I had to see that I was by little and little abandoned of her yet I shall onely let you know how I flattered my selfe with a beleefe that she would prove to what extremity of griefe my fidelity might resist For I could not imagine that her spirit that seem'd to me so raised above the ordinary of women and had honoured mee with so perfect a confidence could forget that estate we were in together and draw a veile before what had passed betweene us to lose the remembrance of it for ever but in the end I learn'd how to make Callias happy shee had signed the arrest of my death Untill then I thought all her coldnesses to mee were but feinings and even when I understood my misery I could scarce beleeve it my minde being unable to be so soone dis-abused it may be too I did beleeve it seeing no cause at all of doubting but that my soule astonish'd at so unfortunate a blow was then in a dizzinesse that hindred so soone an apprehension of its misery I was at last forc'd to confesse so visible a truth and to be sensible of those stings of sorrow that accompanied so cruell an accident Not knowing what to doe with my selfe I went into a Boat and fled away to Naupactum beleeving to ease my misery by avoyding the dwelling with those that were cause of it but I was to have the power to escape from my selfe too that was then my cruellest enemy my minde producing continually furious imaginations for to teare it selfe in peeces I was not content to see my selfe in so miserable estate but still to augment my fury and despaire I sent backe one of my servants to Corinth in the same Squiffe for to goe to the Temple where Cyllenia was to be married and bring me newes after what sort she would governe her selfe in that action I expected that newes with as much unquietnesse as if I had hoped for the greatest pleasure of my life by it but when he was return'd and I knew that after shee had given me my death she added blowes that seem'd to come from an extreme inhumanity as to desire to know what I had done after hearing she was married my soule could not endure this anguish it chased away my reason and receiv'd in place of it desperation which getting the mastery ordain'd me to say to the man that spake to me Goe and faile not to tell her what thou art about to know and suddenly I gained the height of a great rocke that avances into the Sea and cast my selfe downe in his presence But who can doubt after what I shall tell you of the continuall care the gods have over us for it is impossible to attribute to fortune that is blinde and imprudent many assistances we receive in the greatest hazards of our life which cannot be given but from a better and a more advised hand In stead of losing my selfe I fell as I may now say happily into a great Fishers net who were with their Boats under that same rocke My fall was so sudden before the eyes of these men that I was at the bottome of the water before they could judge what it was and they thinking it was some monstrous fish that had thus leap'd out of the water and then fallen in againe drew up their net with great expectation and hope When I came to appeare they could not yet know what it was because I was intangled with the net and store of weeds that involved me but at last when they had dis-intricated all with much carefulnesse they found to their great griefe that it was a man Neverthelesse their hope was turned into pitty and after they had made me voyd the water I had drunke they spread me upon their cloaks and labour'd very carefully by all wayes to make me come againe I opened at length my eyes and when I knew the place I was in I was much amaz'd yet after I had learn'd in what manner I was preserv'd from death and a long time studied upon so strange an accident I knew that the gods were not willing I should dye That consideration affected me with piety and feare all at once and brought me to understand what fault I had committed against them when I followed the blind transports of my despaire This gave me the resolution to live but not to comfort me and I intreated these people to carry me in their Boats to some remote place where I would reward them for their paines They set up then a little sayle and because the wind was good to goe to Cyrrha which is a Towne of Phocide something neare that place we arrived there presently I found that they had taken away nothing that was about me so I had enough to content them with I had besides remaining some Diamonds which now were happily at hand wherewith I beleev'd I might make a voyage in such sort as I tooke upon me to goe on not yet knowing in what part I should chuse my abiding and having no other purpose than to flye the circuits of Corynth But yet I could finde no corner of the earth where to live without sorrow I had bin very happy if in any place I could have lost my love and my remembrance My fidelity had too profound a rooting to be shaken and inconstancy was not acceptable to me but in the continuall change of places that gave some diversion to my unhappy constancy I wander'd thus over all Greece avoyding those places I had any acquaintance in and for that reason I would not see Athens which is a Towne that might have much diverted my griefe because of Eriphile my deare sister who is married to one of the best men of this
hoping that if I satisfied my passion thus to revenge me on all sides I should not at least be depriv'd of all pleasure I practised all sorts of meanes to ruine him and having made a league against him I possessed my minde with all the designes I could thinke of upon this subject to the end it might be entirely busied with those considerations and I the lesse thoughtfull of my domesticke miseries This league made me powerfull and I found my selfe in estate to resist whatsoever hee propos'd in the publike assemblies and to overthrow all his designes but finding againe that he sometimes over-ruled it by the authority he had acquired and the love was shewne him I let my selfe be carried away more than ever with a desire to ruine him intirely To this purpose I made use of craft to make the Syracusians beleeve he affected tyranny and by the Armes I made be found at his house gave a colour to my accusation which notwithstanding had easily beene discovered false but for the artifices I employed to make the Roman Pretor judge of this cause but the Syracusians that loved him prevented me and yet not daring to absolve him altogether they banish'd him onely for five yeares according to their ancient law I was not content with this judgement but contrariwise I esteem'd it advantageous for Hermocrates whom the Syracusians had exprest so much affection to I feared lest they recalled him not very soone from his exile to place him in greater authority than ever By fortune a little before certaine Pyrats had beene taken upon the coasts and Hermocrates pursuing their punishment I attemted to save them onely in contradiction to him I was visited secretly by some Sea courses of their company that labour'd to corrupt the Judges and who having had intelligence of the designe I had to oblige them offered me all I could desire of them for the safety of those were taken I refused all their presents but at the same time Hermocrates being condemned to banishment and knowing how he was resolved to goe to Carthage I sent for them and bound them by oath faithfully to execute what I desir'd of them and I would returne into their hands their companions They promised to serve me against all the world and presently I made be delivered by my sole authority those that had beene taken because I governed all at that time and having them all at my house together I intreated them to joyne their quarrels to mine and so to order the matter as they might take Hermocrates their enemy and mine as he went to Carthage and carry him away with his wife so farre off that no more should be heard of him within Sicily that for this cause they were to sell them to some Barbarians and I desired too of them it might be done separately to the end I might thus dis-unite those whose union had given me so much jealousie and torment They all receiv'd this intreaty with much joy as well for having occasion to expresse in what sort they desired to serve me as to be reueng'd upon Hermocrates for having prosecuted their death and all of them sware to mee they would inviolably execute my desire I prayed them beside that if Euphrosyne who was very big should be brought to bed in the time she were with them they would throw into the Sea what should be borne of her to extinguish for ever this race After they had promised to performe exactly all I recommended to them I made them yet some presents I received also some of them for not shewing a contempt of them and after many mutuall protestations they went their way to attend Hermocrates in the passage neare the Port of Lylibeum They fail'd not to accomplish faithfully what they had promised me for they tooke away Hermocrates and Euphrosyne but they were wanting onely in this that they sold not Hermocrates so soone as they had assured me but kept him some time with his wife amongst them I had no newes what they were all become of but about foure yeares after during which time being rid of Hermocrates that before wholly possesed my spirit I relapsed into the lively resentment of the evils of my house and to ease them in some sort I enterpris'd to build a stately house in the Countrey and at the same time made a Tower be erected with an intention there to inclose Acidalia the remainder of her dayes But at the end of those foure yeares I heard that certaine men demanded to speake with me I sent for them and knew them to be the very same Pyrats that came to give me an account of what they had done They told me they had taken Hermocrates and Euphrosyne whom they had not yet beene able to sell in place whence they might not returne againe that when they had Euphrosyne she was already deliver'd of the childe she had beene big with but that since being with them she was brought to bed of a daughter that seem'd so faire to them as they could not resolve to put it to death neverthelesse for not failing in that they promised me they had brought it me to dispose of as I should thinke good Then they presented me this young girle of about two yeares of age whose beauty surpriz'd me but when she open'd her little armes to embrace me in saluting I was touch'd with love and pitty for her sake and resolv'd with my selfe rather to nourish it than be so cruell as I had resolv'd I am very sorry pursued Dicearchus addressing him to Euphrosyne and Melintus that I cannot at this time present you with this nurse childe of my bringing up 't is the gentile and courageous Epicharis who is the daughter of Euphrosyne and your sister said he to Melintus Euphrosyne knew not who this Epicharis was yet she rejoyc'd that her child had beene preserved but Melintus and Ariana cried out at the same time Melintus said What is Epicharis my sister And Ariana Alas Melintus my deare Epicharis is she then your sister Ah! what joy will this newes bring my brother that loves her so passionately and what griefe too will he receive by it for not knowing where she is Dicearchus caus'd a little ceasing to all these admirations and joyes in continuing thus 'T is true this young childe made her selfe alwayes so agreeable as I was constrain'd to love her maugre the hatred I had against those that brought her into the world She had a wit so gentile and quicke that she forc'd me many times to laugh when I had but small cause in Acidalla's presence and when she was more advanc'd in age I was pressed by some of my friends to marry her thinking she had bin a slave to one call'd Asylas a servant borne in my house but I had in horror that proposition comparing the noblenesse of her bloud with the basenesse of Asylas and could not hinder my selfe from saying how the gods would never pardon me for mingling