aid and make reply to the great wrong the King had done him But that he had scarce opened his mouth when the King transported with indignation take the Impostor said he from my presence and dispatch him with the rest Then was he carried to a Prison till the hour of execution and more tormented for my loss than for his own and when that mournfull time was come surely I shake for horror to remember it before we parted from the Prison they read the sentence of our condemnation and instantly the Hangman took us and all three were bound fast in one Chariot which was compassed about with Halberts and other Officers of Justice so conducted to the Pile where by that cruell Element we were to be devour'd For reconciling of our Consciences three of the ablest Bramins of the Indes were allowed us They did their duty in perswading us to fit for death assuring us the mercy of the Gods and promising a thousand spotless pleasures after this life ended Piroxenus from the Prison to the place of execution dared not once to turn towards us nor to speak one word so much cause he found himself of our destruction His sorrows had already even as much consumed him as if he had endur'd the flames so much he griev'd that 't was not his power by death to expiate a crime by him committed and with his blood redeem the loss which he had caus'd of those he loved more than all the world But surely Madam in so great extremity I could not chuse but wonder at Oriaxes courage and her resolution who being still abused with the belief she had I was her husband not able being bound to cast her arms about my neck leaned her head upon my face to give me her last kiss and seeing that I shew'd but little joy at that her testimony of perfect love which even in dying she then gave me and that the apprehension may be of the punishment might cause forgetfulness of what I ought her Taxilus said she to me with a strong voyce and setled countenance I swear by that same Sun that looks upon us and which we shortly shall behold more neer in Heaven that I am no way griev'd to die since thou in death art my companion One thing there is alone that troubles me and that to see thee sad and that thy heart seems not to hold his wonted seat can it fall out that neer thy faithfull Orixa thou should'st fear death which ought to be a pleasing passage to a far more happy life Let us my Taxilus out-brave our evil destiny and take revenge on fortune which does cross our loves by shewing her a courage able to make head against her and a resolution brave enough to undergo our evils Fair Orixa made I answer I invoke even that same Sun which you have call'd as witness of your courage that my sadness is not for the fear of death but from the just affliction I endure for having as I know abused you Know you fair Princess that in Taxilus you have loved an ungratefull undeserving and perfidious man who was not worthy of the honour of so beautious and so brave a friendship and that it is Cleontus who adores you and whom the Gods have chosen for your husband And as for me behold me not in this small bit of life that rests us but to say I do forgive thee Taxilus and may the Gods allow thy soul to rest in peace with us The poor Princess who was praepossest with that strong imagination that on me she had bestowed her embraced marvelously strucken at the change and that of love there came not one word from me Ah Cruell said she that in the case thou art so neer to yeeld the Gods a reckoning of thy actions doest not apprehend their justice thou miserable dost thou then now deny me because thou canst no longer have me wilt thou by scorn revenge thy death which my love causes thee Ah how ill doth this wickedness become thy sex to leave me in extremity as if 't were sin agaist the Gods to love a maid that is unfortunate Can those be the effects of all thy promises and of thy faith which thou so oft hast sworn me thou should'st somuch have reverenc'd the memory of thy faithfull Orixa as to have lov'd her after death and have preserv'd for ever her Idea in thy heart but see thou giv'st her to another when she can be thine no longer and for a recompence of that incomparable love which made her hold thee deerer than her honour or her life thou wilt not suffer her to dye in patience Thou art not barely pleas'd to take the only comfort from me which I dying had to flatter my self with of thy pure constancy but wilt accuse thy self of treachery and want of faith to kill my constancy and resolution that in deep despair I may depart this life I would have spoken to have dispossest her of that hard belief and pacifie her thoughts but that I scarce had uttered the first word to justifie my self when with a fiercer and a more incensed voice preventing me No no thou hipocrite said she thou double-hearied thankless and forsworn Taxilus thou art industrious at the price of innocent Cleontus life whom most injustly thou accusest to preserve thine own I call the Gods to witness that he never knew me and that thy self art only guilty of the crime for which we are all three condâ—mned Thou may be thinkest that those holy men who hear us may by thy lies be drawn to credit thee and when thou basely bast turn'd all the fault upon thy harmless friend who maketh no defence thinkst to be free But though they were so credulous as to believe thy words and that it hapned which the gods forbid that thou shouldst scape the hangmans hands I vow thou shouldst not save thy self from mine and if before I die I had not leave to strangle thee my ghost shall never leave to haunt thee More she would have said but that her sorrow and her rage made her insensible her eyes and judgement strayed and her heart and voice at once did fall her in the passions of her anger Meanwhiles the Charior which kept alwaies going was come neer the Pile and those that guided us as well the Bramins as the Hâ—ngmen were so courteous as to leave that miserable Princess in her swounding being more willing for the pitty they were touch'd with that her grief should kill her than that fire which was already kindled and mov'd horror in all those that did behold the fear fill spectacle But Ladies for the sequel of this History is yet long and that the hour is laâ—â— may you be pleased I defer the prosecution till to morrow the two Princesses who were equally inflam'd to know the rest seeing the Moon so favourable to their entertainment go on go on Anaxander said they and do not fear our late stay here will cause us
giving the Gods thanks for the recovery of her only son whom she had so lamented touch'd to the quick by the sense of that irreparable losse and for that time losing all patience and accustom'd modesty could not for bear accusing heaven and injuring its powers Ye unjust gods said she whom too in vain I have invoked with so great fervency and zeal for my sons safety I see plainly ye are deaf that have not heard me he that burns insense on your Altars foully deceives himself your power is but opinion or have you any it serves but to offend those that distressed make their vows to you Alas I had regain'd my dear child but for invoking you and you even since my vows and prayers have snatch'd him from me I perceive my dear Anaxander that I have lost thee for ever I shall no more see thee in this world and yet where ere thou art I am resolv'd to seek thee and die for sorrow if no other remedy But ere that be I mean to satisfie thy good Angel and since thy murtherer is fallen into our hands I promise thee to be revenged on him These sorrows served but to augment the Kings displeasure who was strucken to the heart as well may be a father who hath lost the honor of his house and hope of his Kingdom However he was infinitely just and generous seeing it was that brave Lisimantus whom Evander had brought whose known vallour was renowned every where he thought it would be too great an act of basnesse and inhumanity to revenge his sons death on him who had slain him like a gallant man in Duel and unknown but by a borrowed name which he had taken and thought it an action of a great King to send him to the King of Zeylan without punishment and seeing too that Anaxander could not live by tother death But however absolute he was in his Kingdom he could not then be Master his Subjects too much loved the memory of their Prince to suffer his murtherer to scape unpunished whom they had in their custody And seeing that the great Alcidaris inclin'd to mercy all the Judges assembled themselves suddainly and seconding the Queens angry purposes they hastned Lisimantus judgement and that very day condemned him to die As for Zenobus they judged him to a perpetual imprisonment who had not scap'd so cheap but that he averred himself overcome by Piroxenus whom he assured them he left alive and weeping by his dead friend When the sentence of Lisimantus condemnation was read unto him that great and invincible courage which had scorned death in all the shapes and forms it ever had appeared to him in was shaken by that so severe and terrible judgment He fiercely look'd upon the bringer of those cruel tidings and his rage prevailing in his sense of that cruelty shewn on him Thou wicked man said he who serv'st the fury of the most barbarous people of the world hast thou impudence enough to come and outrage me in the miscrable condition I am in and publish with a ceremony the injury prepared for my innocence My name which hath made so many Nations to tremble and is so regarded through the Indes shall it be so much scorn'd by you as you will dare condemn me for an honorable action Will ye be so unworthy as to stain the memory of your Princes death who did so valiantly defend himself and make me bear so many marks of his courage Can I believe I do converse with men where reigns so great in humanity Where is that generous Alcidaris whose praises are so ignorantly sung throughout all Asia He suffers me to be a prey unto his Subjects fury and endures that after having led a life full of honor I be put to a shameful death under his own eyes The Officer who was in truth a generous and compassionate man and touched at the misery of that famous Knight reply'd thus to him I come with sorrow brave Lisimantus to execute the sad commission given me against you but consider that my charge requires it of me and that I must whatever justice bids me Were it your safety did depend on me you should be soon made free I have admired long your vertue and however far from your profession I cannot but do reverence to men like you But what in this disability wherein I am can I tender you but vows unprofitable and pray the gods to give you resolution enough to bear your evill fortune patiently Do not accuse Alcidaris he wishes you at liberty and believe me his subjects have hastned your condemnation but since they saw his nature willing to remit you He is not this day master of his peoples wills who are doubly animated against you as well by the strong motions of the Queen as by their own resentments What manner of Country must it be replyed Lisimantus where the King is govern'd by his Subjects he that forbids not evill does command it and truly though divine and humane Lawes did not condemn Alcidaris cruelty yet she honour he professes should perswade him to defend me He to whom all power is given should shew it less than others and you will g rant me that your Prince uses too insolently his authority and makes too poor a use of my calamity Well well Death will deliver me from his tyranny but he shall not be freed from his neighbors blame I will let him see I can tell how to die and that the crosses of my fortune are not able to shake my Resolution nor deject my Courage 'T is true 't is hard to part with life at so young an age but 't would be more intollerable if I feared Death I know I live to dye and that the very day of my Birth nature sets limits to my dayes and besides an unworthinesse of heart it were a folly in me to fear what I cannot avoid I have so often beheld Death as my eyes are acquainted with him and I call the gods to witness nothing aftonishes me but the manner of my dying I pass the headsmans hands ah who soere thou art that look'st with pitty on me and are touch'd with my misfortune if thou have any credit with the King or those that seek my life obtain of them that either a Dagger or poyson satisfie their cruelty Excuse me from the shame prepared for me and permit not that I outrage nature so much as to deliver my self out of their hands which doubtlesse I should rather do than to expect their punishment This compassionate Officer was so touched that the tears came in his eyes at those last words and curseda thousand times that day wherein for his preferment he was taken from his ordinary commerce with men to be a Judge of their lives he then drew near Lisimantus to comfort him and to offer him all the aid was in his power and however dark the Prison might at first entrance seem yet by a little stay and accustoming the fight
scandal for we sometimes spend a good part of the night as scarless of the air as our domesticks who are acquinted with the pleasing freedom of our secret entertainment No creature hears us nor is there entred in the garden but a little Page who holds a Torch ready to light us at the door when we return unto our chambers Wherefore the Prince seeing there was no danger in so long communication shewing all due obedience to the Princesses proceeded thus in his discourse THE INDIAN HISTORY OF ANAXANDER AND OF ORAZIA The third BOOK THe customary prayers for our souls before they cast us into the fire were begun when as that Bramin which had serv'd the Princess and who since her comming to herself had leasure to cast about his sight look'd earnestly into my face which formerly he had not done and being he had spent all the last year in the King my fathers Court where he had opportunity enough to note me Unfortunate Prince said he to me for doubtless if my eyes deceive me not you must be Anaxander son and only heir unto the great Alcidaris King of Guzarat what desparation may have made you hide your name and birth and so prefer a shamefull death before a happy Marriage Born as you are a Prince and above all I know accomplished this Kingdome Laws have no pretension to your life since you are he who have enjoy'd the Princess favours Boldly then shew your self for t is yet time and with one word believe me you may save her life and honour and your own I was exceedingly indeed surpriz'd for being known for thought it would have troubled me enough to die it would much more have grieved me to live with such an infamy as to have matried a wife who had been bedded by another and who had nere been thought upon by me the last consideration therefore ruled me and thus I answered him Good father you are not the first that have mistaken me for the Prince Anaxander a whole City have been deceiv'd as well as you for comming out of Persia whence originally I am about some twelve or fifteen months since with a purpose to â—ee all the Indes and especially these parts where I imagin'd not to finde such barbarism I passed through the great City of Campanol where King Alcidaris holds his Court and was amaz'd tâ— see that every body saluted and made me great obeysance as I pust the streets To be short I found they took me for the Prince and even the King himself who saw me was transported at the great resemblance and detained me there some while with him and sent me afterwards away with costly presents No No said he to me no halting before Criples I am no whole City I have but two eyes but you cannot deceive me for you are even the same I mean nor hath the apprehension you may have of death so changed you but that I know you Anaxander and desery the fraud of your disguisement For howsoever should you not be glad to be esteemed such a one as if it did not wholly save it might at least prolong your life and see I not that you deny your self for nothing else but through a brute aversion in you to contractia Princess whom you have abus'd but I profess unto you Anaxander that her life and honor and contentment are more dear to me than your chimeraes And therefore Gentlemen said he to the Guard while went by the Chariot go tell the King that for the honor of hi-daughter and his house t is sit to stop the execution and that I have found out a truths which doubtlesly will ravish him with joy Then instantly one of the Troop went to adveruse the King hereof and in the interimâ— some went to a Fountain which was in the great place for water to cast into the Princess face who was scarce come out of her swounding when a Captain of the Kings Guard accompanied with an unknown old man divided the throng with an incredible diligence crying withall their might to have the execution stay'd hold the King commands it Immediately a very great noise was moved through the whole assembly and followed with great acclamations of joy for there was not one of all the company who was not touched at our fortune and shed not tears for our distress And surely all were much amazed at the comming of the Captain of the Guard for our deliverance for that the officer who went to advertise the King was but then gone and all men thought he must have had some notice from elswhere which notwithstanding had not secur'd our lives had not the Bramin so much observed me as to know who I was and sure this last means had arriv'd too late for that there was not any ceremony more which might retar'd the execution As soon as the Captain whom they made room for was advanced as far as where we were the old man who accompanied him did all he could to cast his arms about my neck but not able to reach me for that the Chariot was somwhat high Anaxander said he my dear Anaxander my Prince and Sovereign Lord what evill fortune hath guided you to this sad place and you dear Piroxenus what have you done to have deserv'd this cruell usage My dear children for so may I call you since from your infancy you have had under me your education is it a dream or reall act of your ill destiny which makes me finde you in this lamentable taking and after such a tract of infinite misfortunes which have crost me since your absence is it possible the gods would give me this much happiness to see you ere I die and guide me to this Country at the instant when you must have otherwise been put to death You may imagine Madam whether I were surpriz'd finding it was the wise Evander who spake to us whom the King my father had ordain'd our Governor and unto whom I bare as great repect as if he had been my father Wherefore howsoever much I was afflicted and notwithstanding any resolution I had taken to conceal my self I could not chuse but shew him tokens of my friendship and answer with my tears that tenderness of his so that none doubted but I was the man for whom indeed the Bramin took me Piroxenus who till then had neither wept nor said one word because the greatness of his grief had drown'd his senses and shut up the powres of his soul waking as from a most deep sleep by the found of Evanders words and seeing they were like to be delivered from that danger hich he thought inevitable or that at least their deathâ—should be deferr'd he somewhat recollected his spirits and exchanging tears and kinde embraces with the old man he did for him what for Orixa he could not The Princess only remain'd silent as of all most surprized and amazed and through wonderfull displeasure she conceiv'd at my denying her had her whole mind
went of his illustrious extraction The King was so moved and troubled in his mind at those words as he was a sufficient space without replying any thing at length looking with extream severity upon the Princesse Unhappy Woman said he is it possible thou wouldst endure thy self to be overtaken by this strangers prating so mserable an unknown man who is come so far to laugh at my lawes to violate my Edicts and happily thy self also say quickly hath he stayn'd thy bed and my race and whether surpriz'd with his embraces after thou went taken with his lies thou gavest thy self up to his lewd desires The Princess exceedingly amazed to finde so harsh a usage from him who had never been but very kinde to her recollected yet all her reason and strength not to seem troubled in her answer and to try to perswade her Father in her Lovers behalf How Sir said she to him could you have so ill an opinion of your Daughter as to think her able to commit so foul an Action May not a man be valued without giving ones self up to him and do you think me so filly and light to give Prince Anaxander the hearing without first assurances of his birth as well by my dead Brother as by his own confession when in my Cousin Lisimenaes hearing he made me an ample relation of all his adventures Believe me Sir if I have avowed him my affection I have done it with all Modesty becomming my Condition and my Sex and being assured you never would dislike the sure of so vertuous a Prince for my sake only he stole from his Parents run great hazard in forein parts and would not discover himself to you but in a Princes equipage which he was about to do when you surpriz'd him with your guard The King whom rage had fully possessed and made incapable of the Princesse reasons O silly Maid said he how hast then been so credulous to his perswasions whose errand here was only to abuse thee Where canst thou sinde me other proofs of his birth than from his own mouth he had sayst thou perswaded thy Brother as foolish as thy self and some ground he must needs seek to build his treason on and surprize thee Were he the King of Cambayaes Son would he have been so lo ng among us and not have made himself known to some body and had he lifted to have u s'd that quality to have married thee would he not have sent to his Father who would have been but too glad to favour his so high pretences But to let thee see he is a meer deceiver and that Anaxander is really dead didst not thou lately see that Pirobus confirm'd it being sent Embassador to me from the King of Cambaya and assur'd me he had only Alcidaris left of the two Children the gods had given him Thinkest thou that if Anaxander had not been slain in that sally with Piroxenus and the two Princes of Decan the King his Father who lamented him infinitely and made all possible means to over-take him would not have learn'd it by some of his servants and that no man would be so charitable as to raise the Queen Anaxarette from the deep melancholy wherein her dear sons losse had for ever cast her Be gone unhappy Maid reply no more thou hast committed what thou never shalt repair by suffering that Persian impostor to abuse thy credulous and simple youth without remembring that thy father is a King I have lost half and more of that esteem I had thy vertue in thou shalt be the cause that I this day put him to death whose life but for his treason thou discoverest I might have been willing enough to save Be gon go weep thy fault and in six months appear not in my sight The poor Princesse had not courage to reply unto the sharpnesse of that last language but full of confusion withdrew herself considering the tragical designs and her mind feeding on nothing but deadly thoughts How said she in her self can I endure without resentment that a Tyran father handle so unworthily the dearest thing I love in the world shall I not have so much credit as to save the one half of my soul which a most cruel man will take from me Ah wretch that I am I went too fearfully unto him who fearfully desires teaches denial I should have old him boldly that if he slew my husband I would die with him and that by death I would deliver me from his and Fortunes tyranny but that unworthy fear which Nature too last hath bound unto my feeble sex restrain'd my tongue which could not execute what my heart commanded and yet I ruin thee my dear Anaxander and yet I see thee given to death without a power to help thee so miserable am I but what say I she cannot be accounted miserable who can die easily I will follow theâ— my dear Anaxander Is it possible that thou should'st die without me whiles we two make but one with me thou mayst However I resolve to wait until the last hour that if by some miracle and particular mercy from heaven the gods will save thy life I may live with thee With this bloody resolution she retir'd into her Chamber and driving from her as many as would divert her from her deadly sorrow she caused a little Page whom she loved to be call'd to her and with a seeming setled understanding and a countenance which witnessed nothing lesse than what was in her thoughts bid him go buy a fine Dagger which she would give him to wear with that little sword by his side but that he should beware of letting her women know it because they would be jealous of the love she bare him This child who was far from guessing at the Tragical design of his Mistresse did presently as he was commanded and with the money she gave him bought a prety little Poinard which he came and delivered her As soon as she found her self so strongly armed with a remedy against her misfortunes Ariston said she so was the Page called I give thee leave to go see Ariomant executed by and by set thy self as conveniently as thou canst to see him and as soon as thou see'st his head off come as fast as thou canst and bring me word but left thou lose thy Dagger in the throng I le keep it till thy return The poor innocent resolv'd to do as his Mistrisse commanded him and in the mean while the unfortunate Orazia who would not dine shut her self in her closet where being alone sh freely discharg'd her heart which was however but of tears when it was throughly drayn'd her agony was full as violent and lasting t was agitated with an everlasting sorrow which the poor afflicted Lady promised shortly to determine by the end of her life and for that purpose kept the little dagger which Ariston had delivered her in her bosome to make use of it as soon as she should hear of
few dayes conducted hither drawn in a triumphant Chariot which shall accompany his pompous funerals It cannot be long ere they returne for the Decanians ravished with joy to be delivered from two slaves who have driven out all their blood Royall from their government came every day to yeeld themselves unto the valiant Ariomant and bring him still their City keyes and Castles likewise And that poor people incapable of defending themselves with pleasure rank them under the Kings dominion whose clemency they know as surely as his justice The fair Orazia not able at that time to learn more newes of her deer Ariomant with much impatience look'd for his return and still she sought her common comforts from Lisimena from whom she could not hide the new occasions of her joy nor yet conceal her Lovers birth which from her Brothers Letter which the Gods would not allow an end to she began to know But she conjur'd her she should keep it secret and make no mention of it till a fitter season Mean while for her diversions and to beguile the time of Ariomants absence she often talked with Saradin and made him repeat the prayses which she already had tasted with so much content in his behalf whom more than all the world she lov'd And because she would make Saradin entirely hers whose faithfulnesse she knew unparallel'd her chief squire being slain in the battell she chose Saradin to succeed him to which she got the King her Fathers consent who was much pleas'd to give him that reward as worthy of his long good services If hitherto I have not spoken of that great Monarchs sorrow and excessive grief for losse of his dear son upon whose magnanimity and valour he had built his rest and hopes 't is to speak truly that I hold his woes unspeakable Besides in telling you the little strength he had to meet that unexpected newes and the despair which more than once had tempted him to do violence on himself I fear to lay a blemish on the other actions of his life Let us forget his sorrows and his over-passion then and call to mind the constancy wherewith he shortly after arm'd himself and resolution which he took to honour as his army had desir'd his deer Arontus memory and funerals He alwayes kept the brave Lisimantus with him and so much valued the courage of that invincible Knight as that he dar'd not in his presence shew his great resentments and truly 't was from him he had more comfort than from any other being a man who had despis'd a thousand deaths and one who though his life were glorious for a thousand brave exploits yet found no sweetness in it for the bloody discoutentments he each day received in the scorn of beautious Lisimena But whiles accommodations are preparing to solemnize the funerall pomps of that Prince whom they expect and whose body glorious though without a soul craves the honour of a triumph 't is requisite that by the way I tell you somewhat of this Lisimantus who for his vertue merits in this place to have a short abridgement of his life recorded He was a Souldier under fortunes banner who from his infancy being given a Page unto the Princess Lisimena and after given again unto the King of Zeilan her father as you shal see in the sequell of this story from step to step advanc'd him by his courage and by his excellent conduct rose to the greatest charges in the Kingdom and so far forth as after Arbiran's death he followed him and was made generall of that great Army which hath of late triumphed over the King of Maldives All the Indian Chronicles are full of memorable actions by him done in that long war and you shall by and by learn from his own mouth the reason why to take upon him the name of Lisimantus he forsook his own a name he borrowed from the King his Masters only daughter to whom from his first rising he was bold to send sighs and amorous aspects The fair Lisimena so was the Princess cald besides a private inclination which she had to cherish that accomplisht Knight for his own merits sake did yet besides account her self oblig'd thereto for great and noted services which every day he did unto the Crown of Zeilan whose chief support and prop he was but the great courage of her heart and honour which she valued more than all things else caused her to undervalue in her thoughts the secret love of that unknown young man whom she had seen to come so poorly fitted to the King her Fathers Court who knew no more than she his birth and could not enough wonder at the boldness which he took not only to send forth his looks towards her but even to sigh in presence of her whiles the whole Court saw and knew it because it was a Law throughout the Indes that a Princess could not marry but her equall nor without much dishonour suffer the addresses of a man who were not Kingly born And in some parts the Law was more severe than others as in the Kingdome of Decan where death was added to the shame of that Princess who should unequally dispose her self Which is at present yet the Custom among the Negres as well of the Kingdome of Cambaye as Calecut and all the parts of Malabar Not one however dar'd to speak his thoughts of Lisimantus open love envy it self was silent as well for that they knew the greatness of his humour as the respect which they were bound to owe the power of his command wherein he did so worthily acquit himself The King observed him as well as others but that his wisdome did oblige him to distemble what he saw because in truth he was very necessary as the chiefest instrument of that revenge he had ordained for his greatest enemy the King of Maldives who had for wantonnesse assaulted him and sworn his ruin But for fear of causing greater passion which he daily saw to grow in Lisimantus it seem'd him best to separate his daughter for some time and send her to his brothers in Law and friend the King of Narsingus Court to keep her Cousin Orazia company He wanted not a colour for this act for they had lately understood by an intelligencer that the King of Maldives who was then lately beaten in two sea fights by Lisimantus made great preparation to besiege the City of Colombo where the King of Zeilan commonly held his Court and he conceiv'd he should have lesse cause to fear when as his daughter who was the greatest treasure that he had though in his Countries Pearl and Emeraulds Saphires are found aboundantly should remain in safety This resolution he no sooner took but put in execution and sent his only daughter who long since lost her Mother to Narsinga with an equipage which well became her greatnesse Lisimantus would most gladly have diverted that voyage had he dared and had opposed his courage to the Kings
and to hear the story of your life and matters which but from your self she cannot learn Wonder not Sir said he you have seen me formerly a servant to Arontus and my long and known fidelity in several affairs has made me acceptable to the Princesse who hath done me the honor to think me fit to exercise an office in her house which by the death of her chief Squire fell vacant besides she hath thought fit to open me her heart and tell me how she loves you which she hath Inherited from her Brother who so dearly tendred you come go with me if you desire to know more for I am only charged to bring you where she is and have detain'd you with my past discourse that you might only trust my faith and word Sure Ariomants passion must have been extream seeing his heart which till that time seemed insensible or at least ordinary in its joy appeared now a long time in his countenance disordered by the alteration which that pleasing news had caused in him we may from thence collect that Love is the most tickling and delicate of all the motions of the soul for commonly the greatest courages are most indifferent to every other joy than those which come from the successes of their Loves When our brave Heroe was recovered from his transport he thank'd the faithful Saradin for having by his care delivered him from so great trouble and follow'd him alone without the least distrust unto the little Garden of Fountains where the amorous Princesse did expect him The Sun already had been set an hour or more and the Moon being about the Full without offence of any Cloud began to shine when the fair Orazia as wel to take the free contentment of the freshness of so fair and clear a night as without hinderance to give access unto her Lover walked alone save with the Princess of Zeilan in the little Garden which accompanied their neighbouring privacies and which was common to them both wherein they had forbidden any body to be seen Although she with impatience look'd for Ariomant she could not choose but be surprised at his comming she stay'd her in a verdant Parlor and dewed with a Christall Fountain which being plac'd against the wall ran out into the City for there it was that Saradin must bring him in for fear least in the walk some of the Princess houshold might discover him because their windows lookt into the Garden No sooner had that lovely Prince appeared to her eyes by whom he was as much beloved as he loved but Love and Joy transporting him he kneel'd and after having kist her hand Madam said he is it possible that you have thought me worthy of so great a happiness and glory hold me no longer in suspence tell me ah tell me if my eyes deceive me or whether it be a reall act of my good fortune which presents me to you His wonder did not so much blind him but he knew his duty towards Lisimena wherefore he rose immediatly to give her salutations with as great civility as gracefulness before he thus was answered by Orazia Most generous Prince said she you can no longer hide you from me The gods have granted me discovery of part of your illustrious birth and surely being as you are the real proofs you shall here receive of my affection esteem wil be but much below your merit do not I pray you therefore feign before this Princess whose perfect union with me gives us both but one desire to tell me that at full which but in part has yet arriv'd my knowledge Tell me of all the fortunes you have ran before your comming hither and above all conceal not from me the chief cause that guided you into these parts Madam replyed Ariomant since for the glory of us mortals you are here below and since you are by all acknowledg'd for a most visible divinity on earth I cannot wonder at your knowledge of me Goddesses cannot be ignorant of any thing they pierce into ment hearts and wills And being so how comes it Madam you demand of me the cause that brought me hither can it be possible that you who have read o're my heart have not found there your Picture drawn by Cupids hand In truth I thought whiles we aboad at Bisnagar I had made that doubt clear enough and fear'd I had thereby transgressed For though from that time you had known the truth of my extraction I ought not for all that so much to hazard me as to declare my love unto you nor should have had a ground to flatter me with any hope I knew it must be needs some God that should enjoy you and that never any such as you resemble subject themselves except in antient stories to the love of mortall men Their complements had longer lasted if an accident had not prevented them The King did use to visit his daughter the Princess twice or thrice a week in her retirement and sometimes used to walk with her in her little Garden this caused Saradin whose care provided for all chances after he had left our Lovers together to play the sentinell not fearing after so strict charge was given that any save the King would venture to come in and when he saw that his Majesty not finding Orazia in her chamber went towards the Garden he ran before him to give notice of it to them This newes somewhat troubled the company who after Orazia had commanded Ariomant to be next evening with his deer Callistenus at the same place were fain for that time to divide themselves This visit though she loved her Father very well was nothing acceptable for she impatiently desired to know his name and quallity whom yet she knew but by the name of Ariomant although indeed she was not ignorant that he was born a Prince besides that Ariomant supposing she had know his whole extraction was wonderfully doubtfull who should have instructed her not daring to imagine that Arontus had in dying faild his promise for he had ever promised him and Callistenus too that he would never make them known save to his Sister Orazia till themselves were fit and in condition to appear before the King of Narsingus as their qualities required and death preventing him he thought as was most likely that he had committed that secret to the faithfull Saradin doubtfull however he retired as then resolved to be next night in due obedience to his Mistresses commands where now they met and very shortly after to embarque himself for Cambaye that with as much speed as may be he might return with Callistenus who had like interest to come back with him in a pompous train and fashion worthy of their royall greatness Scarce had he set his foot within his lodging but his dear Callistenus meeting him knew by hit eyes the pleasure that took up his heart and presently he found himself engaged to tell him of his sweet adventure which better to
when you were about to die a shamefull death that I might turn from off you one of those blows your evill destinies had threatned you withall See Madam what discourse Evander entertain'd us with which set my thoughts into as great confusion as they were but two hours before for I believ'd I was Alcidaris his only son and much it angred me a fool should be my elder brother However I cheer'd up my self in hope or one day having the fair Kingdom of Dulcinda which could not be taken from me And however I despaired not of gaining others which my courage and my sword did promise me But as on our parts we were recounting our adventures to the wise Evander who much blamed us after having told him of Orixas loves and the change we us'd towards her for not revealing our selves to the Prince Araxus a Page came to advertise us the King was comming to see us in our Chamber I was a little surprized at it because I foresaw already what would be the issue of that visit However Piroxenus and I composing our selves as well as we could we went forth to meet him and after mutuall salutations he began and thus said to me I much admire Sir that being born as you are and for our neighbourhood knowing my greatness and my Lordship of the famous Potts of Chaul and Goa which adjoyn to yours you would chuse rather death than my alliance when you had first abused my daughter who had been alwaies till your comming hither the pattern both of honor and of vertue I finding his discourse grew to be long and that he went on reproaching me and excusing himself for the violence had been shewen us suddainly interrupted him to tell him every circumstance that passed I told him of the passionate affection Piroxenus bare the Princess his daughter how that he was my Conzin germain and the only heir unto the Kingdom of Citor how he had borne so great respect unto her as not to dare declare himself her husband though never any save hithself had known her how when he saw things grown to such extremity as they were and me condemned for his fault he went and cast himself at his Majesties feet who would not hear him At length I so far perswaded him as having appear'd his spirit and freed him from the trouble which his former rage had put him in he relished my reasons which he found most just and likely and taking us by the hand that he might suddenly finish Piroxenus Marriage he lead us to the Princess Chamber who was very sick a bed and by her sat the Queen in tears Although amid so many accidentâ— and misfortunes her soul were laden with profound and fearfull thoughts the spite she had conceiv'd against me had not gained so much over her but that her wasting body was still battered with love whose heat joyning to that of her Feavor kindled so great and violent a five within her as Physicians did despair already ever to be able to quench it Seeing me come into her Chamber and the King her father leading me by the hand believing he was come to confirm our Marriage and that it had been done more through compassion of her friends than of my own good will the tears ran in her eyes and to conceal the passion which surprized her she turn'd her head the other side My daughter said King Demonax unto her behold your husband whom I bring you and would it had so pleased the Immortall gods that I had had but patience enough to have understood the truth of a History which will no less amaz your self than me we should not then have had the labour to oppose our Laws against you nor threaten with a shamefull punishment your life and honours which at once I now do warrant you Know if as yet you do not know that those two Knights who have been condemned with you are sons to the most puissant Kings of India this same said he pointing at Piroxenus has the Kingdom of Citor already in possession and is Ceuzin germain to this other who lives in hope after the death of Alcidaris to reign over the Empire of Guzarat They have not only chang'd their names but their hearts also and he who you as you believed chose for husband was never yours more than for manners sake or for civility but hath in that good fortune given his Cousin place who only for his marvellous affection to you merits your possession Turn your self towards me think no more of what is past for which I am more sorry than your self and hence forth studying but to please your self receive with courtesie your real husband whom I here present you Here at the Princess turn'd her face towards the King and seeing it t was Piroxenus he presented her How Sir said she to him that impostor then is constant in denying me after renouncing of himself to quite undo me and you believe him and I shall be so miserable as that you will put off your common knowledge to be overtaken by his lies she would have prosecuted her reproaches when Piroxenus who till then had not dar'd speak a word emboldning him by presence of the King who favoured his love took liberty to interrupt her and casting himself down at her feet he fram'd her this discourse Madam said he though you should heap your scorns upon me and all my life I should repent me of my rashness yet I finde fit I should no longer hide it from you but make known the errour you till now have been in Know fair Orixa that I have never loved any save your self and that the meer consideration of my love and of your beauty hath compelled me to keep Anaxander so long in this Country we have between us both but one desire and one affection wherefore I having learnt by him that your unhappy Inclination carried you to bear him love who was already gaged in affection to another I conjur'd his help and favour to my sute he had compassion on me and admitted me instead of him and that which by good forune I was not able to deserve I got by subtility Love fair Orixa made me bold to deceive you blame therefore him not me who weak against so strong a Master was compelled to yield and follow him T was I whom Callias under favour of the darkness guided where you look'd for Anaxander and in short t was I who in your Nurses presence sware to be your lawfull husband and who made you a thousand protestations of unalterable Love which since I 'me sure I never violated the fear of death has not been able to do it nor shall your scorns of me prevail at all no though you should be more cruell to me than the destinies who have so threatned me with punishments and though by taking all hope from me of your favour you should condemn me unto death I vow I will preserve your love even in my grave Orixa
and shortly after she demanded how the state of the bâ—sieged City stood and how her friends all did But Evander keeping from her the misfortunes bapned in her hoâ—â—e Madam said he take courage for if you preserve your self all will go well and â—assure you Piroxenus florisheth in life and glory At two or three daies end he found a greaâ— amendment in her and thought it fit not to make known to any body that she was reviv'd but when she wondred that the King nor Queen her brothers nor your selves had come to visit her after a number of excuses and disguisements Evander was at length enfore'd to â—ell her even the naked truth of that lamentable History in which she found yet cause of comforting her self for that her husband liv'd and that her self remained only heir unto the Kingdom of Decan the gods undoubtedly would guard her since they had had such a particular care of her life untillthat time I will not repeat you the complaints she made unfeignedly they were extreme and if any thing oblig'd her to out-live her Parents and without desperation to endure their losse it was the comfort only they had given her in assurance that her Husband liv'd in his escape who taking it for granted she was dead as all we did he had resolv'd to follow her but that his friend had hindred him and by constraint enforced him to live for love of him though in such case as by affliction he was cast into death had been sweeter to him far than life and that no longer able to endure that City which had heap'd so many miseries upon him he undertook that sally which succeeded to them and had been so fatal to the brother Princes who could not with more glory have expir'd At length Madam said Evander to her where ever Piroxenus be I can assure you he is living if a continual tract of torments may be called life and even as soon as Neanders would is whole he shall go tell him how you do and well I know those Princes will use all their power to settle you again within your fathers Throne Meanwhile I pray have patience Madam and take comfort from the gods but because all the world thinks you are dead and that the noise thereof is spread into the enemies Camp I think t is best to let it run so still and even that all the inhabitants of Visaporus may believe it likewise that when the enemies shall become Masters of the City which in a day or two will be when I have capitulated with them they may not satisfie their cruelty on you who would undoubtedly aswage their tyranny Meanwhilke you should conceal your self and taking on you another name and parentage should passe as a kinswoman to your Nurse who shall take you into her house which she hath in the City where we desire we may to morrow conveigh you secretly The Princess who expected aid and Comfort no where else except from us did all she could to pacifie her sorrow in obedience to the Counsel we had given her and when she was in place of safety Evander call'd the chiefest of the City to my Lodging who being battered with their losses and misfortunes were of our opinion that it was expedient they should send to tell the two usurpers that the Magistrates were ready to give up themselves unto them as their Lords and Matters on condition they should use them favourably Rozalcon and Zabain whose great fury died with those whose lawfull possession of the Crown stood as an obstacle to their ambitious desires received acceptably such just terms as we propos'd to them and having granted all we ask'd we opend them the gates As soon as they had taken possession of the Royal Palace and strong places they sent their Army being well paid into small Towns and Cities bordering about them into Garrison and took the dead King Demonax his Naâ—res under their command and us'd the inhabitants of that unhappy City as their Subjects not their enemies As for my part they offred me very good conditions if I would have served them and having learnt who Evander was they gave him goodly presents for Alcidaâ—is King of Cambayes sake to whom he did belong and whose good will they passionately desird and sent him to his Master He took his leave of me with tears in his eyes and gaveme a great charge of you at parting Haste thee Neander said he to be well and go finde out our Masters with as much good speed as may be and tell them from me they no longer please themselves to go unknown for I foresee more miseries do threaten them under the names of Ariomant and Calistenus and bid them not forget the hazards they have run whiles they were known as Taxilus and Cleontus As for me said the good old man as soon as I have receiv'd the Princesse commands I purpose to make all the haste my age will give me leave to carry news of them unto their parents if so the gods allow me strength enough to do my journey Orixa meanwhile under the name of Asteria which she had taken on her lived in private manner in her Nurses house and hopefull that she should again behold her husband and recover by his courage and his might what was usurped from her once her fathers just possession she by some and some forgat her past misfortunes and resolved to think upon her self again As for my self Sirs because I had a bone which was exceedingly hurt I was almost three months in cure during which time the feign'd Asteria had recovered all her beauty and strength and having understood which we were glad for that Rozalcan and Zabain making ill use of their prosperity were gone to Conquer the Country of Canara under the King of Narsinga Cheer up Neander said the Princess to me the gods undoubtedly are weary of â—mâ—â—hing more those Tyrants seeing their arogance hath carried them to set upon the mightiest Monarch of the Indes who wellknows how to pay their rashness and seeing thy Master and his dear friend are at present with that King whose rage our enemies have now provoked Go go with speed Neander to them tell them I am yer alive and that amidst a thousand crosses and misfortunes the gods have kept me to delight my faithful husband from whom for my past negligences I crave humble pardon tell them they hasten to my succour and use all their power with the King of Narsinga whom the gods for punishment of our common Usurpers have interrested to revengeme I have told you now whatever hath fallen out in Vâ—saporus since your leaving it which I have us'd much diligence to come and do Surely Madam this relation of Neanders did so mollifie Piroxenus heart that at one time he shed both tears of joy and of compassion from that instant he consider'd nothing but which way to re-establish the deposed Princess and revenge her wrongs upon her enemiâ—s and Madam as you
know there fell ouâ— happily a means for but a little ere Neanders arrivall intelligence was brought the King your Father how that perfidious Rozalcan and his brother had by force taken Onor Mangalos and Baticalus three of the chiefest Cities of Canara and was reported that they purposed a farther Conquest and at your losse to augment yet more their own possessions which so incens'd the King and animated so exceedingly the poor Aronthus to revenge as he had need of no more spurs than from his own resentments However Piroxenus and I feigning at first that we were not therein concern'd compassed to kindle such a fire within his heart boiling already with high rage that whatsoever termes the two Usurpers offred him could never work their peace though nere so much to his advantage then did he gladly receive the offers which we made him of our persons to attend him in that War But for it was so easie a matter to regain the Country of Canara where the Enemy had sent buâ— a part of their Army and kept the other with them neer about Visaporus we perswaded the Prince that there was much more honor to be gotten to go and take those two Monsters whiles Lisimantus whose courage and conduct the King of Zeylan hâ—d tried and whom he had sent to the King our Father to assist him in those stirs should go and lay his siege to those three Cities newly taken from him This Counsell was accepted by Aronthus who put it presently in execution Lisimantus was sent into the Countrey of Canara and had the honour to divide the leading of the Army with the Prince your Brother who led on his Troops in great journeys towards Visaporus where abode our common enemies During our March the love he bare us was augmented by one half in so much as on a day being in discourse of sundry matters he fell I know not how on our adventurs which he had somewhat heard of and ask'd us if we knew not what was become of the two Princes of Cambaye and Cytor who had of late been in danger to lose their lives in Visaporus disguising their names with Taxilus and Gleontus and whether indeed they died not there with the two Princes of Decan He knew of that Sally where he believed we had all come short he likewise did believe Orixaes death which hee had heard from common noise and was not ignorant how that was the strongest consideration which had made us sally with such fury on our enemies and leave the beleaguered Town which was so many ways most horrible to Piroxenus but had not since that time heard speak of us and finding that he was inclinable to take us for those same for whom he did enquire against the opinion that sundry others were of who had possest him of our deaths we thought that we should injure him if longer we did hide our selves And therefore Madam we freely told him who wee were together as I have done you the first occasion of our journey and all that hapned since our leaving Gouzarate unto the entertainment of my love which I had made you We told him moreover that the fair Orixa was still living and how we had understood it I will not busie my self to tell you of the joy he did conceive and the excuses which he made us and his dear imbraâ—â—â— of us It is sufficient Madam that you have known the goodnâ—ss of his nature to imagine he omitted nothing which civility and honour might enable him to our advantage hee vowed to me that although the King my Father disinherited me which he could ot but unjustly do you should as soon be mine as if I had the world in my possession and that at worst Narsinga we should share betwixt us He witnessed no less desire to favour Piroxenus his pretensions and swore he would restore his spouse unto her Fathers Throne or die in that behalf Alas Madam unwittingly he by those words did prophesie his own misfortune for as you know he perish'd in that glorious design which with his life he did accomplish He had in short space put all those Cities of Decan which were neer to Visaporus under the King your Fathers subjection and having known that the enemy kept the field and that they dar'd not to immure themselves he resolv'd to give them Battell where we observed such acts of his as are not equalled by any History among other exploits worthy of memory he killed Zabain with his own hand and had from Rozalcan his mortall wound which quickly after we revenged for when I saw him hurt who never parted one step from him I rush'd with fury on the guard about our enemy and seconded by the incensed courage of Piroxenus I found no Arms defenceable againstmy hewing blade I in one instant overthrew that rabble rout and took their leader Prisoner in short we won the Battell whose whole glory does belong unto the generous Aronthus we had him carried sorely hurt into his Tent but when we knew his wounds were mortall and that he had not above two houres more to live we bare with more impatience far the loss of him than we had done the victory if we had lost it At this cruell remembrance Anaxanders eyeâ— grew full of tears and were soon by the Princess seconded she loved so dearly that same Brother as the the sorrow she conceived for his death surmounted far the secret joy which she might take at her inheritance shee had so excellent a nature and was so full of true and eminent vertues as that her reall sorrow kept her from any sense of Glory for her future elevation to Narsinga's Regall Throne which would have shaken any mind and reason save her own and overthrown undoubtedly whatever heart had not been well compos'd I must make an end Madam continued the Prince Anaxander though not without renewing both as well my own as your displeasures The poor Aronthus seeing we despaired of his life did all he could to make us willing of his death and his great courage prompted him to utter though in dying a number of exceeding brave things which by his people were taken for as many marks of his admired generosity He charg'd them all to give obedience to Piroxenus and my self to finish what had been so well begun and that without declaring to them who we were because we had entreated him he would not He only told them they should follow us to Visaporus which he believed could not hold out long against us seeing the Rebels chiefâ— were overthrown and all their purposes destroyed by the Battels loss When he at large had uttered his full intentions he worthily rewarded all his servants and gave fair gifts to those who had well serv'd him in that war and having with all fervency and zeal commended his soul unto the Gods not willing to trust his Secretary he called one of his Squires even him who two dayes since I followed where I had
the honour of access unto you Madam and bid him get him Pen and Ink for that hee found himself yet strong enough to leave his last Will for his dear Sister under his own hand before he had made an end of it feeling his heart to fail him he charged Saradyn his Squire who is now yours to seal it with his Seal and give it to no hand but yours death came so fast upon him as he was constrain'd to leave it imperfect but he had so much reason as to see it Sealed in his presence ere he died I believe Madam by that I have collected from your words since my return his care did only tend to give you knowledge of our births and that to mitigate your sorrow for his death he would be first should tell you of his quality whose heart was vowed to you and whose services you had not scorn'd Then Orazia drew the Letter from her Pocket whereupon they wept again and after Anaxander had wip'd off his tears he thus went on to end his Story Madam said he as soon as brave Aronthus soul had taken flight among the Gods we caus'd his body to be pretiously embalm'd which though so inanimate wee accounted worthy of a Triumph if so the King thought good to grant that honour to his memory which could not be sufficiently perform'd towards so great a Prince we therefore sent a Post unto the King your Father to advertise him of what misfortune had befaln his only Son and that with common consent all the Army meant as soon as Visaporus should bee taken to conduct the Corps to Baticalus where we had understood the King with all his Court was gone since Lisimantus by his valour had regain'd it from the enemy and that we meant if he so pleased to accompany the pomp of his Funerals with that of his Triumph which he approved of Some few dayes after Saradin departed with the dead Princes Letter and we Madam drew right to Visaporus which was not three Leagues distant from us but first we summon'd them to yeeld themselves as we did also unto those of Goa Ballagate Chaul Bider and Danaget which were the Capitall Cities of Decan and which we would reduce under obedience to Orixa there was not one that made so much as shew of holding out against us but having lost their lawfull Lords and of themselves not able to maintain themselves they voluntarily submitted to the King your Father whose Authority they hop'd was much more pleasing and more honourable than the rule of two revolved slaves which only force had made them subject to Madam I fear to hold you over long if I should punctually relate you all that hapned us in Visaporus where soon the Gates were opened to us and if I should tell you all the joy and pleasures Piroxenus felt when he saw his dear and saithfull Orixa in a private house where she unknown to any other save her Nurse had liv'd under the name of Asteria know only Madam that there never was so great equality of transports or reciprocall embracements as they two exchang'd where I forbare not too to take my part as by the duty of my friendship I was bound without impediment to theirs Piroxenus began presently to talk of re-establishing his Spouse without expecting the King your fathers approbation with whose Forces only we had compass'd our designes but seeing that the heat of his passion moved him so forward I restrain'd him and far was that advised Princess to whom we had already told all our adventures and pretensions from pressing us thereto she would not give consent to be so much as known alive till we were known unto the King I mean said she to passe still for Asteria whiles my faithful husband goes for Calistenus and that Anaxander wears the name of Ariomant the gods forbid that ever I delight to reign alone or that I reckon the Decanians my Subjects till Piroxenus do receive the Oath of their Alegiance Go then said she present your selves unto the King of Narsinga like Princes as your are and you my faithfull husband do your best that solemnly our Marriage may again be shortly witnessed when Anaxanders and Orazias Weddings are solemnized We did as she commanded Madam and leaving her in a mean quality as she desir'd when we had left as Governor an old servant of Aronthus in the Castle of Visaporus we took our leaves of her and went to fetch the body where we left it which in the pomp you saw we followed to this City There Anaxander finished his History and his dear Orazia who for Orixas satisfaction as her own died almost in her longing desire that they should shew themselves unto the King for such as really they were pray'd them to be there again next evening to resolve how to contrive a matter of so great importance Meanwhile without more stay our faithfull Lovers interchang'd their Marriage faith which they confirm'd with mutuall kisses in the presence both of Piroxenus and of Lifimena too And being late they were compell'd to part untill next night although their hearts and inds were not at all divided THE INDIAN HISTORY OF AN AXANDER AND OF ORAZIA The fourth BOOK HAd the Princess been able to foresee the mischief which by Lisimantus Page the little Aquilant his treason was ordain'd them they would not have permitted his so free accesses to the Garden with them as they did I have already said he was a spie for Lisimantus who had gained him by flattery and gifts and having seen through certain rails the two Princes enter at a secret door into the Arbor without understanding either their discourse or complements imagining they had as much to say to Lisimena as to her companion Orazia he faild not on next morning early to advertise Lisimantus of it The Cavallier was yet in bed where notwithstanding his amorous thoughts had not allowd him any rest when that unfaithful Messenger came to disturb his mind more cruelly by that unhappy news than it had ever been Immediately as t is the common custom of men in love to think that only their Mistresses are look'd upon so great a power hath jealousie over the highest spirits he made himself believe that Ariomant for he knew not Anaxander but under that borrowed name was lov'd of Lisimena and since that a great courage endureth nothing more impatiently than scorn seeing another was admitted to his prejudice in private and imagining that that was the sole obstaele that hindred him from being lov'd of Lisimena he resolves him instantly to take revenge of both and to comprize as well Orazia as an accessary unto that Treason which they us'd towards him in that common losse But his generousness not suffering his choler in such sort to blinde him or to be led unto so base a revenge after a tedious consultation with himself at length his anger wholly bent to Anaxander and although himself had but three daies before assisted to
the King my Father to whom you will not yet discover your self thunders extremely against you and my self as well for diversion of his wrath as that you might surprize him wholly at your return have sowen the newes of your death through all the Court. Were it true indeed replyed Anaxander your only presence and words comming from so fair a mouth in my favour were sufficient to restore me again to life But Madam do not think that I can conceal my self however carefull I may be to do it nor do you think that my wounds are secret no more than those which your fair eyes have caused in the bottom of my heart since you are privy to my evils I believe all the world is full of them wherin you only are to me considerable But said he smiling and flriving to take the Princess hand to kiss it I believe Madam you are come hither of purpose to tell me of the good fortune which the marriage of my Brother Alcidaris promises you to whose merit you are dedicated and that you do me the honour to visit me as your Brother in Law rather than as your servant the Princess who could not endure jesting upon that subject I do not think said she with a cone more serious that you have misunderstood the answer I gave Pirobus and which I by and by communicated to you by Saradin to wit that I accounted my self too happy in that heaven had ordained the most perfect and accomplish'd Prince of Gouzarat to be my husband for you know better than I that that praise can belong to man save your self and that having made me know the wants of Alcidaris I should seperate my self as far from his sute as you are from his ill behaviour Anaxander could not forbear laughing to see her justifie her self so seriously in thing which she had said to his advantage and finding that she was a little moved How Madam said he would you have so ill an opinion of me as to be perswaded that I should think you guilty of loving a sot I pray believe I have too good a one of my self and that I have too many testimonies of your love to imagine you were pleased with Alcidaris sute but I thought that in talking of so ridiculous a man a little sport had not been out of season and to say the truth although he be my Brother I cannot think on the description made me of him without bursting with laughter During their entertainment with such like discourse the Princess of Zeylan entertained Piroxenus and without seeming to have any interest in Lisimantus safety making him tell her every particular of the combat she understood that he had been carried very much hurt aboord his bark but that he thought him not in worse plight than Anaxander and that where ever he was he thought him still living This assurance gave great cause of comfort to Lisimena who in truth feared nothing more in the world than the death of that accomplish'd Knight who had performed as many brave actions for the love of her as of himself besides that she knew that last encounter grew but from the extreme affection he bare her which was grown to such a pass as in his very despair he could endure norivals They were all four more than two houres together having no other witness of their contentment but Saradin but when there was a word of parting sorrow trod short upon the heels of joy And what ever means Orazia used to dissemble her displeasure it was so plain to see in her fair eyes bedew'd with tears as Anaxander could not restrain himself from seconding them with his in that tender motion which did seaze him and a thousand times kissing that adorable Princesse hands he made her as many protestations of eternall constancy then in presence of three witnesses they renewed with extreme and reciprocall affection their promises of mariage which they had formerly made in Baticalus desiring the Gods to exterminate the first of them that should break faith They being thus fortified by that mutuall assurance finished their adieus wherein Anaxander promised his Princesse that believing himself to be able in a short space to depart from thence for Gouzarat he would return sooner than she thought for the accomplishment of both their wishes The night being well spent the two fair Princesses returned to their Chamber where they entertain'd themselves untill day which no sooner appeared but the King who was already cloathed caused them to be advertis'd that they should make themselves ready to depart if they desired to avoid the heat of the day which the beginning threatned they shut not their eyes all that night and yet Orazia desiring nothing more in the world than that the King her father were departed from that Castle where she had never been in quiet she suddainly made her self ready and having again sent a new complement by Saradin to Prince Anaxander she ascended with Lisimena her Chariot and so following the Kings she little and little lost sight of the Castle which as long as she was able she kept within her eye The amorous Prince whom she had left behinde her paid full dearly for the pleasure of her visit for he was so much moved by excesse of joy which his Mistresse presence caus'd him as he fell into a violent Feavor which accident very much retarded his recovery but let us leave him to amendment by a long rest untill a perfect health grow on him Lots likewise leave the King of Narsinga arrived at Bisnagar where he did a thousand honors to the Princesse Lisimena who would not permit him to accompany her any farther and let us suffer that fair Princess to depart who although she returned to the King her father and to an Island which the Arabians In their tongue call the land of delights and the Indians the Paradise of the earth and that over and above those considerations she hoped to see her Love again there could not chuse but be extremely afflicted â—â—en departing from Orazia she lost the sweetest conversation she had in the world Let us I say leave all these matters as they are and return to Cambaya and see that unfortunate Knight whom Evander conducted to the great ALcidaris arrive as Campanel and who had unawares accus'd himself of Anaxanders death As soon as the King was told of that sad news it was as much as he could do to live for torrow Unfortunate Anaxander said he must I lose thee again the second time and be deceived so soon of the hope was given me that I should see thee yet alive Ah Evander how unacceptably hast thou vifited me my rage was over and I had dryed my tears caused by the imaginary losse of my son and thou hast let me know his being alive and his brave actions but to increase my sorrow for his death indeed Great was his grief but the Queens extream That fair Princesse who was but newly come from
the mysteries of one of the most powerfull Gods In truth I knew not yet what Love was but I knew that Lisimena was the sweetest object of mine eyes and the sole thing in the world which could please me I knew well enough that I ought not to love her and that my inclination was extravagant and rash but when I thought to divert my self from it a certain power recall'd me which I could not chuse but yeeld to Growing in age I increased in affection and my respect augmented in such sort as I dared not stedfastly behold Lisimena because the Love which day by day did kindle in my eyes had without doubt discovered the passion which my minde formed and I feared to undo my self by laying it open to her as well by the losse of my fortune as contentment which had been quite taken from me if I had been separated from her service However I could not so well conceal my self nor keep in my inclination but that somewhat at length appeared in my face I lost by little and little that gayety which was so naturall unto me I became melancholick and grave in short I dayly gave visible signes of a growing affection and respectful which I one day took the boldness to let her see that cans'd it in such manner as I mean to tell you I was retired all alone into the Wardrope where having discovered by a chink of the door that the Princesse came to observe what I did feigning not to see her I cast my self upon a bed and drew a Handkerchief out of my pocket to wipe my eyes bedewed with tears a fegining which became the innocency of my age and uttered these Words so as to be understood O divine Lisimena why am not I permitted to adore you and why hath Nature given me the courage to love you not giving me conditions worthy to deserve a like of affection But I what am I that presume to sigh for you poor and miserable Creature a despicable found Child the refuse of the world and Fortunes Shittlecock Truly t is a handsome thing that should suffer my desires to carry me so high to make my fall the more shamefull it becomes me well to look amorously on her whom the greatest Princes behold with respect and who by the force of her beauty is able to bring down the greatest courages of Asia Die yee incon siderate thoughts yee are so faulty as but for letting yee take place in my soul I do confesse I have deserved death When I had ended those words with a deep sigh drawn from the bottom of my hear I heard a noyse at the door and instantly rising I perceiv'd it was that divine Princesse who having been on her knees to consider me the better and when she found her self surpriz'd by any discourse meaning to steal softly away she could not do it so quietly but that her knee in rising knock against the door that noise made her double her pace and she fled as fast as she could into her Closet for fear left I should take notice of the curiosity she had had to see and hear my discourse That flight of hers put me at first into a great fear for I thought she had gone to declare my childish passion to the Queen and make sport of it through the Corut however she said nothing and in truth her discreet concealing it is the only note that I think I ever had of her good will to me which never the lesse proceeded but from her perfect judgment Since that time she hath been more grave to me and hath not talk'd so often with me as she was wont but I have lov'd her still and flattered by I know not what hope because she had not disocvered me I would not see my condemnation in her silence I therefore persisted and to make my self worthy of the high resolution I had taken I began to be touched with honour and to look upon the deeds of those who were of greatest credit in Court that I might get reputation by their example The thing which facilitated my means of arriving to the glory I pretended was that after the Queens death who loved me and was my only support finding my self used with lesse favour by the chief of her houshold than I had been while she lived and my little courage obliging me to put my self forward by how much more I found they neglected me A certain young Gentleman one of the Princesses Governesses sons who had a mind to anger me and us'd to sâ—off at me could not upon a day endure the high answers I gave his flouts After I had a good while suffered at last I lost my patience in so much as I could not chuse but answer him sharply whereat he growing very angry Thou art too saucy said he in a tone more grave and serious and I will teach thee to know thy duty not to make comparisons thou mistakest thy self too much and so as thou hast forgot thy own name For thou shouldst call to mind Euribeldus that thou art but a found child T is trâ—â— reply'd I briskly to him but whatso cre I am remember thou that I am able to lose thee and so wholly as never more to be found alive And with these words I drew my sword and made him do the like he came couragiously towards me but though he had two years advantage more than I I had so good fortune as to reverge the injury he did me by his death As soon as saw him fallen I put all my surety in my heels and saved my self in my first Master Arbirans house who with open arms receiv'd me This valiant Knight and the greatest of the whole Kingdom had still kept the good will he bare me even from my infancy in somuch as when he had heard my reasons which he found just he kept me a while private until he had justified me to the King of whom in spite of the mother and friends of the dead which were of quality he obtain'd my pardon In acknowledgment of this good turn I ever after was so observant of him and shewed so great a zeal and affection to his service as I can truly say he loved me before any of his kindred and made me so considerable in the Court by the honor of that friendship which all people took notice of that I was respected of both sexes for Arbiran was no lesse loved of the Ladies for his extream civility than by men honor'd for his exâ—eeding valour But truly all these honors were indifferent to me in the only consideration I had to be acceptable unto Lisimena That fair Princesse nourish'd still within me the servant desires which consumed me and by so much the more entertain'd me in my amorous disquier by how much my respect depriv'd me of the means of seeing her for fear of offering an unwellcome and sad object to her Governesse eyes who could not forget the death of her son if
Lisimantus I promise you son said the King that I will never contradict what you think fit do but desire And to let you see I am as impatient for your contentment as your self I will presently go and dispatch Albalor Pirobus his eldest son in Embassage to the King of Zeylan to crave the Princesse Lisimena in your name if you will accompany my dispatch with a word of your own make haste for I already long that you and your brother were made happy in the possession of your Mistresses And hereupon they parted and Lisimantus ravish'd with content that all things suited to his expectation shut himself in his Closet where he writ this letter to Lisimena Lisimantus his letter to Lisimena Madam AT last the gods have shewn me justice and have furnish'd me with what I may excuse the boldnesse you have heretofore blam'd in me to seek your Love if to declare my self unto you it be requisite to be a Kings son you shall by this Embassadour know that Alcidaris is my father if for brave actions it be needful to be recommended you know what I have done for your Crowns safety if to have reputation in the world you must needs have been told of the renown that there are but few Provinces wherein I have not gotten worship for the name you gave me if you desire a faith with out example I call to witnesse all the powers of heaven and earth that I have never lov'd but you and if you do me now the honour to consent unto my just desire you shall see I have wherewith to blur the reputation and remembrance of those antient loves propos'd as miracles in their examples Because diligence was very requisite in this voyage which respected the contentment of the King in that of Lisimantus Albalor a brave and accomplish'd Knight and worthy son of so vertuous a father made ready his equipage with all expedition and taking with him fifty Gentlemen of the best born in the Court shipped himself at Bazaim to reach the Island of Zeylan as soon as possibly he could As soon as he was departed the King thought now on nothing more than of his dear Anaxanders return whom he proposed already to see King of Norsinga Bisnager and Orixa besides the Crown of that fair Kingdom of Dulcinda which he was to have by his mothers side That vertuous Princesse had so recovered her former graces and attractions since the news of her sons life and health as very few Lodies of that Kingdom exceeded her in beauty such a property hath joy to dilate it self and from the heart ascend into the face All day she entertain'd her self with Evander who on his part was to lesse ravish'd And as she had a great power with the King she caused great largesses to be distributed among the people which were accompanied with a thousand sports yet was all that but little in comparison of the pomp and state prepared for Lisimantus coming wherein Anaxander and Piroxenus were to have a good share their coming only was expected to celebrate it to the great contentment of their Majesties and accomplishment of all Evanders joys whom Lisimantus heartily forgave for that cruelty he was constrain'd to shew him and whereto his just resentement drave him THE INDIAN HISTORY OF ANAXANDER AND OF ORAZIA The sixth BOOK THe whole Court and City were full of joy and all the people of Cambaya forgetting their past grievances fell to invent new Dances and inviting one another to Feasts as well for the contentment they received already by the sight of the of their Princes as for the speedy return which they expected of the other when Fortune which pleaseth her self in a disorderly government of the things of this world and cannot endore them long in one condition cast the Cambayans again into a greater confusion than they were ever in and filled all the Court with fear and disorder During the time of the Ball without thinking of any thing save being merry as indeed there was no reason to suspect an evil the King was astonished to see the wise Almerin Prince Anaxanders faithful Squire comming towards him out of breath who at first throwing himself as his feet Sir if you make not haste to succour your son speedily he will run the hazard of dying the most tragical death that ever was Alas had he listed to believe me he had not been in this trouble for I did long ago conjure him to make himself known and to remember the affront done him at Visaporus but he was ever obstinate in his purpose as likewise Piroxonus to disguise themselves till now in so much as at present they cannot be believed that they are of your blood because they have been so long undiscover'd to the King of Narsinga who is about to punish them as breakers of his Edict having lately fought a Duel within his Dominions This news did no lesse trouble the Company than that which Pirobus had brought but lately had contented them and that a present remedy might be given to that inconvenience the King in great trouble commanded Almerin to tell him what new misfortune had befallen his Son and what course might be taken to save his Life Know Sir said the Past who had scarce the leisure given him to draw his breath that after the Prince my Master had fought with Lisimantus as Pirobus here come may have told you he concealed himself in a Castle belonging to Saradin the Princess Orazias Squire intending to return unto you as soon as he recovered of his wounds which were very grievous and just as be was ready to do so and depart with Piroxenus who never left him out of his sight he found an unexpected ambush layed for him I doubt not but you have heard how the Princess Orazia immediatly after that unhappy combat thought fit to spread a noyse that my Master was dead that the King her Father incensed against him as much as is possible night have the lesse reason to send after him The report of his death lasted for some dayes but being impossible to keep any thing very secret in the Court Saradin who till that time had been very wise could not chuse but reveal it at length unto a very intimate friend of his call'd Florestan from whom he hid very few things and told him for truth that our Princes but told him not that they were so were hid in his house on the way to Baticalus where the King had layn without knowing it This Florestan was in favour with a Lady of the Court called Corisba who was that Lerians Sister whom anaxander had slain in Duell at his first comming to the Court of Narsinga being provoked by him through his jealousie that the Prince Arontus favoured him too much and as it is the Custom of Lovers to conceal nothing from their Mistresses Florestan was so unworthy as to reveal his friends secret unto his This wicked woman finding a fair way to be
Arontus life when they had held such rank and kept such state among the Courtiers of Narsinga as they had got more jealousie than friendship One only Saradin had been able to have helped them in that extremity and seconded the Princesse good endeavour if himself for his innocent ofsence had not partaken with them When the King came to know that he was guilty of concealing the breakers of his Edict he commanded him to be carried from his house where he was detayned to the same prison where the unhappy Anaxander was shut up All that Piroxenus with the Princesse could do was to scatter a murmur through the Court that he whom they had used with so great in humanity was the Prince Anaxander Alcidaris the King of Cambayas Son but very few were found that believed it and the King himself who heard thereof laught at it because he had long time believed the common report that he with Piroxenus was slain together with the two Princes of Decan in that sally they made during the siege of Visaporus besides the assurance they had lately received from Pirobus his mouth that the King of Cambaya had but one Son alive That had not retarded his condemnation one minute had there not hapned a contestation between the Ministers of Justice The Grand Provost pretended that he ought to give Judgement on him because he had taken and brought him by the Kings command and on totheer side because he had commanded in Armies and till that time done things becomming a Gentleman and a man of quality The Chief Justice of the Naires disputed that it belonged to him to make his processe and spent two or three dayes in this debate the one undoing and disanulling what the other commanded insomuch as the King was fain himself to regulate it He was then of opinion that seeing there had been certain of the guard slain by Ariomant there was no reason that their Chief should be both Judge and Party and that it was reasonable that the Court of Nayres knew that it was a very easie matter to proceed against a man convicted and that they should hasten his Judgement that he might quickly serve for an example The Princesse had some small hope that the King her Father would not so wholly yeeld himself up to his passions but that he would cast an eye to the many services which her Anaxander had formerly done the dead Prince Arontus as well as the Crown under the name of Ariomant besides she hoped for some good from the journey Almerin had made into Cambaya but when she saw that the King hastned so very much the Judgement of the cause and that purposely for that reason he had sent to the Chief of the Judges she thought he would run great hazard and that when it may be her Fathers nature might incline to Pitty and Compassion he ight be too much engaged to this honour and his word not to give such example to his people The greatest part of hte Judges were very sorry for that poor offenders misfortune and seeing when they came to give Judgement that there was no liklihood of saving him there was not one but did it against his will and with sorrow condemned a man of so great merit but the reverence of the Laws and the honour they bare unto the Princes authority oblig'd them rather to save his Oaths than him who had despis'd them and seeing they must do Justice they pronounced the sentencce of death against Anaxander and condemned him to have his Head struck off in the great place before the Palace When this sad sentence was read unto him in the Prison he was marvelously surpris'd for beside that he hoped for deliverance by Pirexenus and Almerin and from the Princesse favour he did not expect that the severity of the Laws would have extended to that last rigor and thought when they had only frighted him with punishment they would have let him go But when he saw it was in good earnest they condemned him to death Friend sayd he to him that came as Deputy from the Court of Nayres does the King know who I am and that he hath no power of right over my life Sir Answered the Judge there hath been a report spred here that you are the King of Cambayas Son but the King will not believe it and himself told us he had a thousand arguments to convince that falsehood heâ— ought at least said Anaxander to have known the truth before he had thus precipitated my condemnation and he should have found that report very true Remember my Friend that this sentence passeth against himself and his own blood because I am his Daughters husband and if he be so barbarous and unnatural as to proceed farther to the execution of an unjust sentence tell him that besides the revenge I expect from heaven he shall draw on his head all the powers of the King my Father who will never indure so foul an action to escape unpunished Is this the welcome that Strangers receive in this country which come to do is honour although I were not as I am born a Prince yet ought my person to be safe even by the Law of Nations your Laws cannot by right extend themselves beyond the limits of this Kingdom nor punish crimes of honour in those whom you have not forbidden and are not subject to the observation of your Lawes Must I serve as an example and be the first man chastis'd for an action never yet by any man seen punish'd in Narsinga though Ducls frequent in it and Edicts chang'd a thousand times Ah pray bid the King he look more than once to what he does and that a Kings Son ought not to be the first mark of his vengeance Go to him presently if you love his honour and ask the Princesse whether in disgrace she will abandon those whom in Prosperity she hath made shew to love The Judge was much astonished at his words and thought himself oblig'd to tell them the King wherefore he came knocking to the chamber door to acquaint him w i th what he had learnt from Ariomant but the Door keeper would not admit him because the King was private with his Daughter and had forbidden any whasoever to be let in till she were gone That amorous Princesse having known of Anaxanders condemnation and seeing that all her vain hopes of his liberty promised no good overcome by her sorrow and most earnestly importun'd by Love forgot all respect and shame and believing that that very day he whom she so tenderly loved should unhappily end his dayes and be a shamefull spectacle for all the Court jealous of his Vertues and past Victories went and cast her self at the King her Fathers feet and full of tears told him the reason she had to beg Anaxanders life of him whom she boldly avowed for her Husband and with a thousand oaths and by the testimony of her dead brother Arontus she confirm'd the noyse that
her Lovers death While she remaind in this deadly trouble and bloody displeasure le ts see what Piroxenus did on his side when he heard publickly that there was no more hope for his friend and that the Judge who pronounced the sentence of death upon him had been in vain perswading the King that he should do well to delay the execution untill the truth of what the offender said concerning his extraction were known Indeed he took an ill time to discourse with that Prince on the instant when he was a fresh insensed against his daughter so as he gave him no more speed than her and that advertisement but made him hasten so much sooner the execution and redouble his anger Almost the whole Gentry of the Court considered that execution with horror and not sufficiently able to bemoan his misfortune that was to be the first example in an action for which no man was ever known to be put to death though many in like case have in their absence been condemn'd but they ever upon the first stir of War made their accommodations which being over the King obliged himself likewise to forget their crimes past and threaten them again by new Edicts which were lately published to Anaxanders confusion But let us leave these needlesse digressions to acquit our selves of our promise in making all the world see the incomparable sorrow of that incomparable friend that faithful Piroxenus who till that time conceal'd himself as guilty as Anaxander to see if he could finde any means to succour him When he perceiv'd that he had no more to hope he thought he had no more to fear and seeing that they were about to carry his other self to execution his dear and faithful friend for whom in times past during Orixa's misfortune he had been forc'd to live he was not long to resolve whether he ought to die with him or no. When he knew that he was taken out of prison to be conducted to his end environed with two companies of the Kings guard he drew his sword to run himself through but recalling himself instantly from that precipirate actioÌ„ My deer Anaxander said he I may not in this manner follow thee since having lived so well and worthily thou art ready to die in favour with the gods and that I see already heaven open to receive thee I should never meet they happy soul if I should commit this outrage on my self and move the gods by this so contrary action to the laws of Nature For thy sake then I will not die by my own hands because our souls may meet again but I will force that rabble which encompasse thee to give me the stroak of death I le throw my self among them and the gods shall bear me witnesse that I advance not my daies by an unworthinesses of heart which makes me sinck under under the burden of my sorrows I know it is the part of a couragious man to resist with constancy the crosses of Fortune that to stand up against her is to scorn her and to endure her evils patiently is to deride her But my dear Cousin I am nto able I confesse to endure for thy sake what I could for my own be it how it will I mean to follow thee and should curse my life a thousand times if I should happen to out-live thee a minute Thus saying in great fury he came forth of his house and without farther care of being known in the streets went strait to the place where the poor Anaxander was bound upon the Scaffold paler through anger than through fear and resolute to die in that disability to defend himself from the outrage they committed on his innocency When Piroxenus saw him in that pittiful condition he grew doubly incensed and in that passion of rage which blinded him resolv'd to revenge his own and his friends death on those who were not guilty of it and in spite of those that guarded the place who were ranged like a hedg and environed the Scaffold to make way with his two swords unto it that he might once more say farewell to him he lov'd a thousand times more than himself The two Bracmanes who attended Anaxander had already begun the last prayers for his soul all the company answered the sad time which they prayed in and the Heaâ—s 〈◊〉 expected but the end of the Canticle to give the deadly blow had the Princes hair in hsi hand to cut it away that it might not hinder the striking off his head when the hopelesse Piroxenus took his time to fly through that innumerable multitude of people which gave way to his two swords which he handled with a great deal of cunning and fury he mowed down the very enclosure of Souldiers maiming and cleaving all he met in his way when he had got the middle of the place he presently ascended the unhappy Theater where so Tragical an action was to be represented and seeing the Hangman handling the Princes hair Art thou said he so infamously impudent as to touch that sacred head and therewithall cleft his to the neck and suddainly unbinding his dear Anaxander he gave the other sword into his hands Those Souldiers who suspected nothing and were far from fearing any attempt for Anaxander deliverance were wonderfully amazed and astonished that the boldnesse of one man proceeded to that extream temerity by and by by their Captains command who blasphem'd for anger they encompassed the Scaffold which wae raised some ten steps and could not be come to without a Ladder but as many as offred to come up were hewn in pieces and those two Lions who look'd for nothing lesse than saving themselves did wonderful effects to sell their lives and well dispute them When Anaxander saw that they recoiled and dared no longer approach them Friends said he to them the gods are my witnesses that with sorrow I spill your blood remember when I led you in War and how it may be I help'd you very well to set the Crown on his head who now would take away my life for an action of honor whereto beside I was provoked by Lisimantus fault Since my ruin is inevitable he shall shortly see what t is tomeddle with the sone of Kings his neighboure who give not place to him for power Friends said Piroxenus to the people on the other side if ye knew the mischief which threateneth you in our losse ye would all take arms to save us from the fury of a Tyrant whom we have delivered from the oppression of two slaves who were greedy after your goods and lives Know that however you see us we are two mighty Princes left to the severity of Fortune and if the outrage unjustly begun be finished upon us ye shall all suffer though ye be innocent and very shortly see all the King of Cambayas power fall upon you and your children who is my mothers brother and that unhappy Princes sather whom I but now unloosed from the
Anaxander piroxenus and Falantus who however well prepared for that visit had much to do to disuise her contentment and retain her joy so long it was that she had not seen her dear Anaxander as that only consideration was enough to shake her resolution and her constancy and discover openly to the King her father the impatiency of her mind and violence of her love yet she contain'd her self and save one amorous glance she cast by stealth on Anaxander nothing unordinary was observed in her welcome Daughter said the King comming neer her you had reason to solicit for Anaxanders freedom and I confesse I was too blame in not satisfying my self of a truth which you so resolutely maintained but fince that errour is remitted me le ts talk no more but how to remedy it and forget all our displeasures past to invent delights and give our selves over to ouâ— joy I declare that heartily I confirm that Marriage contracted secretly between you seeing t is true that honor was the ground of your lover and that nothing but vertue and modesty hath appear'd in you embraces and for a testimony of my consent I will in my presence have you now renew your vows and that Falantus may assure his Master of my granting all he asks while I take order that your Marriage be solemniz'd with a pomp to set all Asia in astonishment and make my greatnesse be admir'd of all my neighbours At these words our lovers could no longer conceal their transports they chang'd not only faiths but kinde embraces before all the company and with mutual tears of joy which ran from their eyes they dewed one another Meanwhile the King having learn'd that Lisimantus was comming with so mighty an Army which advanced to no purpose and that he was to marry his Neece Lisimena he sent an Embassadour with speed to meet him and acquaint him what had past and to enquire whether he would not partake of their contentment and desire to celebrate his Marriage with his brother Anaxanders in his Country Only Piroxenus now as to be pleased whose story the King was very glad to hear and much more to see that he was able to shew such arguments of his generosity as to the rest for though the whole Kingdom of decan was re-restablish'd under his obtdience and he the sole and peaceable possessor of it knowing that the fair Orixa was yet living he restor'd her presently her twelve Provinces and thought fit that Piroxenus should go to her who liv'd unknown still and carry her this good news himself and bring her to Bisnagar with Royall equipage that those three happy Marriages might be solemnized at once After his dispatch to Lisimantus and Orixa he sent back Falantus to Alcidaris that he better than any man might expresse his own and all his subjects joy whereof that great monarch intended to come and share in his own person The Queen Anaxarette not contented with the relations which would be made her of the magnificences prepared for her sons Wedding resolved to accompany him in that journey They then fitted themselves as soon as they could and having left good Garisons in their Countries although in peace they chose out the most expert Cavalliers of their Court and the handsomest women of Amadaba Campanel and Cambaye to conduct them to that delightful place where so many felicities expected them and causing a good part of the preparations for Lisimantus entrance and for Anaxanders and Piroxenus return to follow them in Chariots The King of Zeylan having known hereof by a Post dispatched to him by the King his brother in law he would likewise carry with him his daughter whom with a great deal of contentment he had vowed to Lisimantus whose birth he learnt from Albalot whom Alcidaris had sent him and failed not to be waited on by all the beauty of his Island that his Subjects might be seen to want nor skill nor power and that they might compare with all other nations He did Albalot the honor to take him into his own Ship with all the Cambayan Knights whom he brought with him that in a more stately train they might go all to Baticalus which is the next Haven to Bisnagar That City was exceeding great and one of the most renowned of the East but by reason of the great multitude and innumerable affluence which came from all parts of Asia to make some at the sports prepared and magnificencies which invited every body to them they were fain to set up Tents and Pavillions without the Walls and mark out all the lodgings of the City for the followers of those three Kings who came with the fairest and the richest ornaments of their Courts They all arrived severally at that stately City which at that time might justly boast to be the splendor and the glory of the East So great a pomp and so many wonders were never seen before together and I must make a Volume greater far than this if I would undertake to describe them all exactly and expresse the ravishments of all our Princes in their common rancounters as the Author of this book hath done with all the Conquests they have made since their Marriages of Lands usurped from Tamberlins children from whom they were descended but besides that other occasions busie me I should fear that this History might passe for a Fable becanse it would not be believed that Indian Kingâ— were so mighty in their States as in my writings It shall suffice that I tell you how that great Mogull who at this day makes all the East tremble and who justly boasts to be the greatest Monarch of the World vaunts him also to be issued out of Alcidaris the sole remainder of great Tamberlins race and to descend in a right line from Anaxander This whole History is painted in his great Palace Gallery at Lahor and in that of Dely which he hath had with the Kingdom of Citor and Decan by succession of Piroxenus who died childlesse as he hath inherited Cambaya and divers other Kingdoms lost and gotten again by the death of such as have descended from Lisimantus He got other great Countries and Kingdoms by his valor as all Indostan which is bounded by Indus and Ganges where the great City Agria is situated which is one of the chiefest scats of his Empire for he remaineth mostly at Lahor which is above fix score leagues from the Coast of Cambaya of whose magnificences all the East do talk with wonder He possesseth likewise Bengalus Aracam Ava Verma and an infinite number of other Kingdoms on this side Ganges and beyond but som likewise have been taken from his Prdeceessors of those which lawfully belonged to him as Narsinga Calicut and all the Coasts of Malabor which after Piroxenus death were divided into divers little Kingdoms of some of which the Portugals have made themselves Masters during the reign of Emanuel and since Yet at this time the Idalcan and the Nissamaluque enjoy all
that the two slaves revolters Rozalcan and Zabain usurped from Demonax and oppose themselves against his almightinesse with as much courage as at this day the Hollanders do against their lawful Lord. A friend of mine who hath been a Voyage into the East Indies took this History out of the great Moguls Cabinet which I have translated into our Language But he added all the magnificencies of our three Hero's Weddings out of which I have drawn this little Summary to make appear that they come not short for dexterity of the Knights of Europe and that they are capable of all the gallantries of which we vainly believe our selves the first inventors I will not repeat in order the wonders of the field wherein were imployed all the ornaments of Architecture that could be found nor of the Kings Scaffold the Ladies and the Judges whereof Jasper Marble and Porphire were the least adornments nor the Hero's ceremonies nor the entries and retraits of the defendants and assailants nor all the wonders of the * Tryumphs Câ—rrouzels which are very amply described in all the representations of the Combats which pertained to the magnificence of those publique Feasts but I will mention only some of their Rules which I found very pretty as well in their Fencing Combats which they more freqoently practise than the rest of all India on this side Ganges as in their fighting with Darts Those of Fencing in throng are two manner of waies used among them ordinarily by such as defend or maintain Ambition against those that maintain Love of these latter there are two sorts the pleased against the malcontents and the malecontents against the despairers No man comes into the place of Fence save the Combatants and their God-fathers except such as can proove that they have there gained five Victories formerly and such are set by the Judges side to assist them The Combats of Darts are more mysterious for a man can use no other than such as are given by Ladies They take glory in obliging strangers particularly by the civility of entertainment in their houses and send them the fairest they can devise adorn'd with characters and devises and the Combatants tie them to their Girdles with great gold and silk Ribbans The God-fathers go and entreat the Combatants Mistresser that they may have their liking to bear such names as they have chosen and afterward cause them to be written down before the Judges of the Combat who cannot exercise that office untill they have been at the least ten times Conquerers the Heralds of Arms are at the entrance of the field to do their messages clad in very rich coats of Arms aster the Indian manner Before the Combat begins because the field is of a square form the four Heralds go to the four corners to publish the Law and Ordinances of Combat which the Judges deliver them whereof I give you here the tenor 1 NO man may enter the combat except he first shew a Favor from his Mistress which she must publickly allow of 2 If two Rivals fight though either of them be hurt no man may seperate them except the Mistresse command it the rest are parted by the Judges 3 He that le ts fall his Dart cannot take it up again but by his enemies leave and a great many that will not ask it assault their adversaries with their Target 4 Each carries the Arms of his house in his Target above and his devise under and his Ladies Picture in the middle 5 The conquered are led prisoners before the Ladies from whom they crave two liberties the one that they may be freed from the chains of Love the other from those that binde them 6 The Conquered gives up his Target to his Mistresse because her Picturec is there painted and the Conqueror delivers his prisoners Dart to his 7 If a Combatant fall it is death to hurt him on the ground and losse of honor to hurt him upon his knee 8 The Combatant that findes himself strongest must cast his eyes upon the Knight of honor who holds a Pennon compos'd of all the Ladies Liveries for if he lift it up it is a sign of grace and that the Ladies will have the other weaker no longer oppressed in their presence 9 That Lady who hath had ten Victorious Lovers which she may verifie by her Darts hath voice in the Ordinances of the Combat as the Judges have They observe likewise some others but I found only these in the entertainments at our Lovers solemnity who were of all parts of the gallantry exprest in honor of them by the most expert Knights of the four Kingdoms I have described A great many other adventurers persented themselves as well of Baticalus as other neighbour Provinces who excellently acquitted themselves as well in the regulated exercises as in the Combats of throng where a thousand Battalions encountred with great skill and courage The Trumpets gave them encouragement against one another and nothing seen but a pleasing consusion from whence the shouts on all sides in some sort equalled the pleasure of the cars with that of the eye The strong had there the advantage and in those innocent Combats the weak falling under the harmelesse blowe gave the beholders greater joy than pitty Anaxander who was the chief of the defendants in the Combat of the * A kine of Spear ZIgayes was very advantagiously cloath'd and mounted but the lustre of his countenance was sarre above that of the Diamonds which were rough cast as it were upon his Arms his Target was the Master-peice of an excellent China workman whereon no riches possible was spared to adorn it above there were the Arms of Dulcinda and because they bear sinople all the field was Emerods and the rest of Rubies and Diamonds under these Arms according to the Laws establish'd by the Judges the fair Orazia was painted to the life with the Arms of Narsinga empaled with Bisnagar and Orixa which sparkled with a fiue grace in a corner of the Picture under which were written these six verses in Arabick which I have thus translated How her black Eyes attractive be What fires they have what darts we see How dexterous and how sull of might How handsome are their Victories What sweetnesse and what power of right To take our Hearts and Eyes Under that Picture was a new devise which he had taken after so many crosses and misfortunes and that he had passed from sorrow to joy and from the apprehension of so many deaths unto a happy life The body wa's shining Sun sending forth beams with these words which have more elegance in Arabick After the Night and Clouds Lisimantus on his part march'd in a wonderful pomp leading the first day of the Sports and ceremonies the Troop of adventurers Because he was as a stranger in Narsinga a great part of the foreiners ranged themselves under his Standard his Harnesse as well as his horses was stately he had the same advantages of natural grace as in the invention of his habit which I forbear to describe which his brother had The Arms of Cambaya were painted on his Buckler with like ornament to his brother Anaxander under them was the Picture of his dear Lisimena and because she was somwhat browner than Orazia which diminish'd nothing of her beauty many thought that somwhat of purpose he accompanied it with these verses How this brown hue doth shame the fair Mix'd as it is with blood so rare Which ever ravish'd hath my frame A man would say its glory lies In being swarted by that flame Which riseth from her Eyes Under the Picture was his devise which he had likewise newly taken and since he knew his birth to which only it seemed they gave the prize which his love and vertue deserved he had for the body a great Looking-glasse painted whost Curtain was drawâ— with these words which signifie somwhat more in their language I was acknowledg'd when I knew my self Piroxenus and the other Princes and Knights had likewise very sine devises in their Targets and were all richly clad and waited on with stately equipages in their Combats as their Carrouzels which followed where a number ogreat Elephants and Lions were seen to do unst imaginable things but as I have already said besides that I should fill three greater Volumes than this if I should describe all particulars I should cause the Author of this admirable History to be doubted for a Lyer FINIS
and in the second life I look for make it all my souls contentment The Princess heard him with attention and although the dolors of her Feavor were of power enough to take away the liberty of talk she notwithstanding would have forc'd herself to answer him when by the comming of a Post she was prevented who after boldly knocking at the door demanded entrance and admittance to the King for reasons of a high importance the King commanded him to be brought to him and truly at first entrance he affrighted the whole company and ere he spake his countenance bewrai'd that all things went not as they should Sir said he to the King all is lost even your own subjects have betrayed you Those wicked slaves to whom you gave in charge the Government of your Countries have made a great Assembly of people in the City of Danaget for to revolt against you and break off the yoke of your Royall authority without so much as caring for their children which you have as Hostages They are all met in one desire to betray you and divide your provinces but two among the rest have shewn themselves more wicked than their fellows to wit Rozalcan and Zabain one of whom you made Governour of Bider and the other of Danaget For being Brothers and alwaies of a plentifull intelligence whâ—n they saw those other their sworne fellows in a Town whereof they had the Sovereign power because themselves would reign alone cut all their throats and having reassembled all their Forces and won the greater part of your Subjects either by presents or fair words they are comming with a mighty Army against your person and purpose to besiege you in your City of Vsaporus that they may absolutely be Masters of your Countries and without hinderance command the Empire which the gods have given to you You may imagine fair Princess whether such an humor as I have describ'd the Kings to be were surprized with such news He could not hide his apprehension from us a deadly paleness disfigured his face and not finding himself able enough to resist a misfortune which so neerly threatned him he could not speak a word when as Araxus who knew his very heart ashamed we were witnesses of so much poverty withdrew him from thence and told him t was his way to call his Councill together and suddainly provide against the present necessities In the meanwhile he left us in the Chamber with the Queen in whose presence the gods permitted after Piroxenus had recounted to the Princess all the passages of their secret Loves and that he had by his unfeigned tears given testimony of his innocent affection which ras'd out the crime he had committed she was somewhat appeased Wherefore once more they pledg'd their marriage faith to one the other in our presence they joyned hands and kist and from that day Orixa did begin to love me as a Brother not a Lover Although my known innocence had eas'd her spirits of a heavy burden which in her thoughts of my disdain she under went her body was buâ— little sensible thereof and no abatement of her Feavor was observ'd But contrary she was so troubled for the evill next of imminent danger threatned to the King her fathers Countries newly then arriv'd together with the cruell blows of former miseries so over come as more than ever all the Physicians grew into despair of ever seeing her recovery Meanwhiles this sicknesse lasted Rozalcan and Zabain came still onward and their Army made such haste as it had almost compassed the City before they had so much as time to furnish a tenth part of what was necessary to sustain a fiege or that they had enclosed works without or fortified the approaches Demonax had under hand Arms for some thirty thousand men and Coyn enough but wanted Souldiers for his Subject were his enemies and was so suddenly surpriz'd as that he had not time to crave assistance from his neighbours who were besides but ill affected to him The King of Maldives only and of Palandurus his brother in law could have succor'd him in time but that ill luck would have it he but late before had been himself defeated and his Army cut in pieces by the King of Zeylan who being assisted by the valour and wise conduct of couragious Lisimantus ahd made himself Lord of all his Islands except but three or four of Palandurus where he was retired without other hope of refuge A midst the trouble which this miserable King was in he called us into his counsel of War and crav'd our help but we represented to him the impossibility thereof and that there remaining unto him no other retreait but that only City from whence he was ready to be driven by those who sought but for his life to reign without contradiction we should not be able to bring any succours though they lay but six daies journey off and though we found them ready for the march And what then said he to us must I lose all my hope and that my children and my self be brought to so cruell a necessity as to die or live for ever under the power of base scoundrels By and by he cast out divers blasphemies against the gods and instantly caus'd all the childrens throats to be cut which he receiv'd as Hostages from those slaves Verily Madam we saw not how to give him great comfort because we found his matters in a desparate condition However we made a vertue of necessity and joyned the Princes his children and we together with as many Naires as there were in the Kings Guard all the inhabitants of Visaporus which were of age to bear Arms to try if we could raise a power able enough to do some dammage to our enemies but they consisted of so great a number as we judg'd it more rashnesse than valour to assault them we forbare not at the beginning to Skirmish sometimes with them when there came many of theirs too short but as from an Hydra's head their seemed alwaies quadruple the number to encrease so that perceiving our affairs in so ill case to attempt the freedom of the City Piroxenus and my self sent to defie Kozalcan and Zabain to fight with us but though as indeed they were hardy and valiant they were not dispos'd to venture any thing in the condition they were in and had they willed to do any thing in single Combate they would have had to do with the two heirs of that Kingdom Meanwhile they laid their Batteries against the City and it was threatned by a quick assault when the King fearing to fall underâ—he power of the besiegers resolv'd at any rate to save himself and without knowing what would become of him or where to turn and without telling any body of his flight except one of his servants which waited in his Chamber called Panaris whom he chose to accompany him he stole away by night upon a good horse out as a Postern door of the