when by his respects and adorations he endeavour'd to alure my soule to himself What can you apprehend now since he has affronted and wronged me so basely and that the inclination I had for your deare self is converted into love but what love Gadate alas shall I dare name it you know it enough already and the last evidence I have given you cannot but place your beleef above all doubts if there were roome for any What greater proofes can you demand Speake Gadate must I die to gain your full beleefe Ah what was there wanting tell me prethee did I not seek for death when I durst cope with him that came to quench that small remaining sparke of life in the streames of your own blood I know indeed reply'd Gadate that I have nothing to feare since you forbid it But Madam I have neither Crown nor Scepter to reward your affection nor with my person can you espouse any thing but the hatred of a King who now can make you a worthy Queen The regret that you should loose those advantages in consideration of me and that I am not able to recompence that loss but by the Grandeur of an affection which truly has no paralel but which nevertheless can procure you nothing else suitable to it is that which casts me into so much trouble That Chryseide should refuse Uectorez to embrace Gadate put by a King to entertain a Subject is a Prodigy of grace and goodness which should surpass the hopes of ambition it self notwithstanding my Deare Chryseide these are not only things which I may fondly hope for but such as your assurance crownes me with Most rare effect of love but yet produced by a cause more rare Adorable Chryseide at least permit me as an earnest of my affection to avenge the base attempt of that ignoble King you have less reason to endure the affront he would have acted then to refuse the Crown he prostrates at your feet by this meanes you shall no longer have that loathsome object of your batred in your Eye nor I have further cause of any apprehension Chryseide would not suffer him to goe on but absoluttly forbad him to express any ressentment towards the King who seem'd to repent his crime since he confess'd his shame by hiding it They afterwards vow'd an eternal love to which they call'd the gods for witness and resolv'd to secure their felicity at soonest by a speedy marriage At the same time that they propounded to roote and establish their content Vectorez studied to undermine it As soon as he was cured of his wounds he went to visit Gadate and repeated over to him personally what he had formerly sent him word off The Kings sanity troubled these lovers happiness Chryseide seldome saw Gadate and the feare least Vectorez should renew his love together with his inseparable jealousy made her not visit him but with much caution and secrecy till he was able to goe abroad and visit her himself without openly declaring himself her lover Vectorez being faithfuly advertis'd of these enterviews became so jealous that not able to suffer another to enjoy that fulness of happy repose which he could by no meanes taste he resolved to separate these two lovers before they could have the blessed opportunity to tye themselves closer by the indissoluble and holy knot of marriage which he apprehended above all things and which he nevertheless foresaw would be inevitable unless he hastily cast in some impediment to obstruct it As he was forecasting this ugly design a fit occasion presented it self to him to put in execution the inhabitants of a remote Province did insolently raise a mutiny and it being necessary to elect some person of eminency and Authority as well as of ability and courage to quell these seditious spirits and range them to their just Devoir his jealousy easily suggested him instantly to impose this Commission on Gadate thereby to snatch him away and part him from Chryseide He propounded it to his Councel who soon approved his choice as the fittest person of his Court and not considering the particular interests that lead him to it immediately dispatched all the orders requir'd towards this expedition This business did indeed call for a diligent disposing of affairs but yet the jealous impatiency that nettled Vectorez made him precipitate that departure the more suddenly so that his rival had scarcely time to set his own domestick business in order because the King feigned to have received fresh intelligence that without a very quick remedy that fire of rebellion which kindled more and more might perhaps suddenly enflame his neighbouring Provinces Gadate plainly perceived what posted him from Babylon and that his deare Deare Chryseide who made him part with so much trouble and unwillingness was the sole cause yet he was forc'd to yeild to Soveraign command and obey the Kings absolute power without delay least he should utterly ruine his hopes and future fortunes The evening before his departure he waited on his Chryseide where though these two faithful friends had very much to say to each other yet were they so overwhelm'd with grief that for a long time they could demand no other expressions but mournful sighes and teares but when they perceiv'd the fatal moment of their separation approached Gadate in fine broke silence with these words We must part fair Chryseide 't is heavens decree as well as the Kings will but what must we expect in so long and tedious an absence if we find so much trouble only to say adieu A love reply'd Chryseide which shall never untye the union of our souls whatever fortune plot or contrive against us love me still Gadate but as I shall and doe love you and we shall thus triumph over all opposition and make them know our constancy and promis'd Faith is firmer rooted and founded then their obstinate and unhandsome malice That I should love you for ever reparted Gadate is to command me a thing from which I cannot possibly decline since no object can ever possibly be so lovely as Chryseide as nothing can be so pleasing and charming as the sweet and too sorrowful remembrance of your presence Gods who know future events and can read all our actions ' ere we conceive them or write them in our intentions strike me with thunder immediately rather then suffer me to be false to her but no you shall never chastise me for that crime what power soere you have over us for since you cannot shape a beauty more glorious nor furnish a soul with more perfection she shall be eternally the only object of my affection and veneration Yet I must leave you dearest Chryseide to please the jealous humour of a rival who teares me from you rather then for that interest of State which is pretended I must be my own Enemy by this self banishment to humour him and under the pretence of serving my King and Country abandon you to the danger of a Tyrant
to procure my pardon they could not bow the angry Balden to pitty who notwithstanding had not declar'd how he would deal with me but whose concealed fury shook my friends hearts with fear having indeed some more then ordinary reason to fear that clap of thunder which so long threatned to break forth against me yet kept its lightning still cover'd with a Cloud During the afflictions of my imprisonment sometimes the lively remembrance of my beautiful Vneria invaded my melancholly thoughts and gave them cause to make me rejoyce but when from her bright face I let fall my thoughts on her black destiny turning the other side of the leaf to read our misfortunes my sorrow swell'd above the power of comforts to allay and then my sighs and tears were too abundant to be exprest in words What shall I say more Sybaris when as if there had yet wanted one weight of sorrow more to sink me to the bottom of misery and dispair One of those that were taken with her having made his escape came into this disconsolate Prison to tell me such sad tydings as utterly extinguished the least glimpse of hope I had yet remaining in me He assured me that those Thieves had found Vneria so rarely handsome that they had consulted to make a glorious present of her to their Prince who had a Pallace filled with beautiful slaves in which they were confined to satisfie his wanton pleasures and that Vneria having understood their â—esign conceiving so piercing a sorrow that it converted into an accute Feaver which quickly caused her death for whom the Scythians had so much esteem and veneration that to express their regrets for her loss they had erected a very stately Monument for her which he had often seen and lamented over The recital of this funest adventure struck me into the deepest silence possible for a long while It ceaz'd upon my reason too and made me so much loose the helm of judgement I was like to run and Shipwrack upon dispair so that I sought for some weapon wherewith to put a period to that heap of miseries which I could bear no longer on my tortur'd bosome But finding that means was deny'd me I had recourse to my complaints Ha! what said I does Balden withhold the execution of his vengeance only to make me linger in my miseries Is his cruelty become so witty to make me taste a thousand deaths for one must I yet live upon this wrack of torments and not be allow'd the mercy of a sudden death Cruel and inexorable Butcher you have now found out the way of full revenge indeed by suffering me still to live in a condition that has more of horrour than many deaths could frighten me withal and thou blest soul do not thou charge me with backwardness and want of Love and courage thou seest I search out all the wayes I can to follow thy too hasty flight and since I am yet bound under the sad necessity of staying longer than my soul desires comfort me with thy blessed spirit that I may not be left thus still alone with those wild thoughts and here again my griefs came flowing in so fast they quite choakt up the passage of my speech I was thus a long time mute and that Gentleman taking at last his farewell left me rather in the possession of my sorrows than my reason A few dayes after Senisra sent a Gentleman to comfort me whom I intreated to tell the Prince that the only favour he could procure me would be not to follicite any longer for my pardon but to joyn his pursutes with those of my Enemies to hasten my end and that as this was the last so it would be the greatest favour I could implore and the most welcome honour his mediation could confer upon so miserable a person Contrary to the prayer of this Petition that Generous Prince fearing some sinister accident from this dispair beg'd of his Father so earnestly that he obtain'd permission to give me a visit He found me in a posture which begot as much wonder as compassion in him My Chamber was very obscure having only the faint light of one little window which I had half vail'd over with a Curtain I was thrown on my bed my arms crossing my breast my eyes fixt upwards and so weather-beaten with the storms of tears that bubbled from those springs and my visage so melancholly wan and discomposed from its natural dress that he might well mistake me as he did and think his feet had led him unawares into some doleful Cell where only grief and mourning kept their disconsolate Court my thoughts had buried my mind in such a deep sence of my Calamities that I did not perceive when he entred into the Chamber so that he came close to me without discovery and after he had gaz'd some time upon me I turn'd my head that way and look'd upon him with an eye so full of trouble that he believed it furious Being first amazed to behold me in so woful a condition and perceiving me immoveable his pitty made him first salute then call upon me when finding I made no reply he proceeded thus to rowze me by a gentle check Is it thus Merame you mean to receive and slight the visit of Senisra and is it so importunate as to deserve this silence and these forbidding looks these words brought him to my knowledge and striving to salute him I hardly had the strength to shew it by a little inclining of my head which I follow'd with these languishing accents Noble Senisra the infinite sorrows that overwhelm me are the cause of my incivility but what Ceremonies can you expect from a man equally in dispair of life and death who during the violent agitation of this perpetual agony does neither live nor dye a combat so much the more cruel because it continues so long in one poor heart and does not yet quite burst it Gods how merciless are your decrees against me why should you thus delight to oppose all my happiness and will not send death after you have curst my life and blasted all my just designs which how unhappily they have succeeded you can judge I drew Vneria from my Mothers house with the fond hopes of delivering her from a Captivity which was more advantagious then that liberty afterwards prov'd to be If I justly revenge her injuries on the destroyers of her worthy Family and her own sweet repose that becomes the ground work of all my misfortunes when I imagine I am going to embrace her and graspe the highest felicity in my arms I find it rudely snatch'd away and she hurry'd to her fatal end whil'st I am left the sport to Destiny and example of the greatest sufferings mortality ever tasted of and lived under Cruel thoughts sorrowful remembrance which stings my very soul with bitterness that I my self should be the sad cause of hers and thereby my own utter ruine had I not better have continued
to love and adore her in silence But oh Here the Prince interrupted me and mildly said Cease from becoming yet more guilty by your loud murmerings you must not blaspheme against so sage a conduct as that of Heaven Are the gods tyed to let fall prosperity on all our actions and purposes no they more wisely do dispose of what we commonly propose most wildly to our selves Nor should we think our selves so harshly dealt with did we but well consider how lamely we go about most if not all our designs and how we swerve from those strickt rules of Vertue prescribed us to walk in to attain our just ends Is it possible Merame that when you intended to fight with Zadarem you should not plainly foresee my Fathers heat of passion and anger since you so soon fled from it and who had ensured Vneria's safety in her journey to meet you the attendance appointed to convey her did not that shew what fears you had she might fall into those misfortunes did afterwards unhappily light on her Believe me Merame you do ill to complain so much for having reap'd those thorns your self had planted your misadventures cannot be unravel'd again I mean those that are past do not kick at Heaven but mildly submit to what Fate and your self have cast upon you 't is better yeilding obedience to the gods than call more anger down by a rebellious impatience I you know made some opposition against my destiny but in vain we must bow down our stubborn wills at last therefore strive to content your self with what Heaven does The love the Prince shew'd in his affectionate and rational discourse recalled my reason back to her first temper I found indeed I gave my self up to dispair unnobly and with much weakness and before he parted I promis'd him to suck at every flower that could but promise the least probability of yeilding any comfort to me He afterwards sent very often to visit me and had obtained so much favour that my chains of close restraint were drawn out to such an extent of liberty that I might now walk freely in a wide Park adjoyning to my Prison where frequently my friends came to give me comfort and helpt to wear out the tedious hours I spent in my confinement One day whilst it was yet very early a Gentleman came to me from Senisra and told me with a smiling countenance which gave me hopes of some approaching joy that it was time to chear my self since that black news of Vneria's death was dispel'd by a most certain news discovery how she was still alive to witness which he presented me a Letter deliver'd him the foregoing night This sudden transport from a depth of sorrow to such a height of joy had almost made me loose my self in wonder and not minding or caring indeed how or by whom this Paper Embassy was come to hand I kiss'd it many times first and then tore it through impatience to read its Contents I yet keep that precious pawn of her affection which I may say was signed with her blood But since I cannot behold or read it without a prologue of tears oblige me so far Sybaris as to ease me of that sorrow by reading it your self Sybaris having unfolded it found these words UNERIA to MERAME The opinion I am possest with of your death may be as false as that which I apprehend you have of mine I live yet Merame thanks to Heaven but 't is only to dye within four dayes which are the remainder of as many more were given me to resolve either to forfeit my life or honour of which time I have wasted this one half only in seeking an opportunity to give you notice of it I now expect the hour patiently which shall make me triumph both over your enemies and mine And if you would not have me regret my death since 't is for yours and Vertues sake I fall comfort your self Merame I conjure you by this last and highest testimony of my Love and live for her sake who thus resolutely resolves to dye for you as being unalterably either in life or death YourVneria Gods Cry'd Sybaris how has this Letter deluded me I expected a quite contrary success and had no place to doubt but it would have establisht your happiness most firmly Indeed pursued Merame the affliction this Letter brought with it was by so much the more sensible as it was unexpected it crush'd down all my young springing hopes and the weak props my reassumed confidence had borrow'd and so infinitely oppressed my heart it never could have risen from under the weight if Senisra having succeeded his Father had not quite knock'd off my fetters of restraint and used all the noble endeavours possible to perswade me not to throw away my life so cheaply but try to carve out a brave revenge for my Vneria To this purpose he made up a reconciliation betwixt Hylebas and me whom he afterwards commanded to quit the Court and doing me the honour to admit me to the same degree of favour as my Antagonist had enjoy'd under Balden he committed the disposal of all offices to my Father whom he elected for the General of his Army Mean time the Scythians who hoped for some advantage in this grand mutation broke out into an absolute War which their daily pilferings and small incursions on either side had long threatned Senisra finding the army his Father had levy'd in a condition to march commended my Father to prevent the Enemies hast on whose Frontiers he appeared before they could have leasure to imagine it I was impatient till we came to blowes and as soon as we had newes of them by our scouts I went out with a party to discover or rather to attaque them That first enterprize succeeding happily for those I engaged were all either cut off or taken prisoners there was not any one of those whom I had subdued of whom I enquired not particularly concerning Vneria who I told them was that fair Captive in Margiana they had put to death a few days since One only of them all told me somewhat he affirmed that their Prince and his son had both been most passionately in Love with her but that the Father prompted by his jealousie had caused her to dye to roote up the sons hopes of injoyment Since himself could not allure her to his own desires her noble vertue having bravely repulsed the hottest of his lustfull onsets The report and the love I had to Vneria together with the hate against her enemies my ressentment resulting from both made me perform such acts as without their impulse I should never have undertaken but those considerations did so animate me that in that dreadful Battle we gained though so dearly that the victory was written in Characters of our own blood and innumerable wounds I had engaged my self so far in the greatest shock of it amongst the Enemies horse that being unable to cut my way back
again the numerous herd flying to save themselves hurried me away in the throng with them The richness of my armes and habit shew'd me to be of a condition which promis'd them a fair ransome which made them treate me civily enough and secure me in a Castle very strongly guarded which faced the Caspian sea My imprisonment was not so closs but I had sometimes the liberty to breath the fresh ayr in a large enclosed pasture at the other end whereof there stood another Castle where I was told they kept those fair Captives chosen for their more then ordinary beauty to satisfy their Princes lust which awakened my thoughts and memory of my lost Vneria whose cruel prison I fancied it to have been and casting up my Eye with great attention towards the windows which were secur'd with Iron grates my mind represented that fair Planet to me with all its luster and beauty whilst I was feeding my self one day with these sad contemplations I heard a feeble voyce knock at my Ear which as I thought call'd me by my name this made me hastily gaze upwards from whence I perceived a note falling down rowled upon a little stick which I soon snatched up and reading found it was Vnerias fair hand which thus express'd it self To MERAME The Heavens in fine Merame are I hope weary of persecuting mee after all my afflictions they seem to promise pitty I have found within the walls of this Prison an officer that proffers me my liberty and expects no other recompense but what results from the act it self your interests are so dear to me and I have evinc'd they are so inseparably tyed to mine that he hath engag'd to make his obligation the more complent to set you free the same day with me Meet therefore at the place he shall appoint you anon by a second note that shall be thrown down to you Adieu Guess Sybaris for I cannot cloathe that joy in words which then fill'd my heart knowing Vneria to be yet alive and who to testify the true love she still cherished for me endeavour'd to restore me to that liberty which I had made her loose when I thought to have procured it for her self and me Notwithstanding amidst this hope and fresh assurances of her faith I resented some little grudgings of jealousie and distrust against him that thus undertook her freedome and this secret suspition would have stifled all my joy if the over eager desire of seeing her had not quite thrust it out of my mind I thought no more on any thing but those happy meanes and moments which were to guide me to my Vnerias presence and during this impatient longing I watched under the window expecting the paper that was to give me directions which was soon after hurld down By reading it I understood that about midnight a Man would come and conduct me down a pair of private stayrs which led to the sea side where I should find a small boat waiting for mee all this was punctually performed at the houre assign'd one came and guided me thither and no sooner was I imbarqued but the Marriners stretched away amain making the best use of their Oars and Sails all night to be by break of day at the place where I should land which was close by a Fishermans small cottage where they inform'd me I must goe to find some certain persons who were waiting there for me Having set me on shoare they made away from the place with great speed and I with as much precipitancy hasted to the Cabbin to find my dear Vneria whom I soon saw indeed but in what condition doe you think Sybaâ—is alas that most beautiful creature lay extended at her full length upon the grass weltring in her own precious blood which gushed from her left brest The horror of so gastly a spectacle shot such astonishment into my soul that I remained a long time as motionless as she with my melting eyes fastned upon her wound and my hard Fate denying me the mercy of a sudden death made me endure the agony of many yet was I summoned by an hollow sigh to look up and approach neerer to her with a tottering pace when finding no visible sign of life remaining in her why my Vneria have you brought me hither cry'd I to be so sad an eye-witness of your untimely and violent death Could you believe I should prefer it before your closs captivity or if you design'd that I should follow your example why would you not stay my coming what has occasion'd such a sudden change was your necessity so urgent you could not shun it one moment longer ah heavens why must I behold this funest object were it not better to have left me still in the uncertain but more happy opinion of her former death then thus to blast my sences by the horrid fight But my eyes what is 't you see where are those blooming roses and fairer Lillies which created so excellent a beauty in her Face Where are those living starrs whose luster was less offensive but more glorious then the Suns and kindled kinder heâ—ts in my poor bosome Can this be fair Vneria and all these beauties wither'd yes 't is Vneria but death has cropt those curious flowers and cast a cloud over those brightest stars Weepe therefore weepe till you are blind as she for this sad funeral of all your happiness The violence of my grief cut of all further complaints and sunk me down upon my knees beside her where softly kissing sometimes her cold cheekes then her colder lipps and bowing my head down in a dejected manner sighing and shedding floods of tears I gently took up one of her white hands which she had lockt together and perceived a Dagger in it and a peece of linnen in the other which she had torne off from her neck upon which these words were charactred in blood To keepe my self intirely thine I must dye Merame Ha! well said I since only I am guilty of thy death it is but just I should be punished and I am willing to expiate the crime by offring my own heart thy sacrifice but would to heaven you rather had hated me than given such woful testimonies of it I should have no regret in dying for you were it not after you are dead for me which is so stinging a consideration I doubt it will not leave me quiet in my grave Too too dear pledge of her immortal love pursued I kissing the Sacred relique whereon her blood had left some blushings for my demerits Receive the impressions of mine also which I resolve to ingrave And then taking up the dagger thou fatal instrument of our discourteous destiny bathe thy self in my blood to wash that sin off thou hast contracted by letting out of hers Then having again kiss'd my Vneria's pale lips and reeking wound and noted where abouts it was made I stabed my self as near my own heart as that was to hers and with the first
sufferings and my recovery being desperate am I forbidden the least consolation Yes continued he turning suddenly from her and whispering to himself in a sad tone Le ts dye since 't is the will of Heaven for death is the only remedy for my afflictions Ha! Panthea cry'd he again darting his eye upon her after a little silence Abradate is your husband Cyrus has forbidden me I have promis'd it your devoir will not permit you I should violate my own But I have resisted to my utmost and 't is you constrain me is it not true Madam with these words which he pronounced somewhat loud he ceased from speaking and cast his looks wishly upon Panthea who being in amazement at what he had talked with so much confusion not being able to comprehend it she approached nearer to his bed and finding him as she thought in a calmer temper Is it possible said she Araspe that I should be so unhappy as to have contributed any thing to your sufferings what have I done which is so harsh to your remembrance what can it import you that Abrodate is my husband what has Cyrus forbidden you what have you promis'd him wherein have I trespass'd against my devoir what have I constrained you to do good gods ' gainst which you have so much resisted Tell me Araspe and assure your self that if your health depended upon me though 't were to be purchased with my life you should not be one moment longer in this languishing condition and though I am unhappy in my fortune believe it I will not lye under the guilt of ingratitude for those noble favours I have received but shall esteem the fortune of my captivity a blessing if there be any means left me at present whereby to serve you Araspe after a great sigh answer'd her with a soft voyce I perceive Madam that the violence of my Feaver has made me discourse extravagantly I am asham'd to be so unprovided of fitting excuses for it and beg your pardon if I have mention'd your self or worthy Husband in my distempers In that condition you may guess that being not the Master of my reason I only talk what my extravagant imagination suggests and that which it may be my Devoir would forbid me once to think on Panthea would not press him further and easily believ'd that what she had heard was only the effects of his troubled fancy Therefore after she had a while longer entertain'd him with much mildness she left the sad Araspe more turmoiled with his passion than his Feaver which both together set upon him with such violence presently after her going that the Phisitians began to dispair of his life Cyrus Tygranes Artabasus and many other persons of quality being informed of it came together to visit him they found him in more danger than he had been and he no sooner perceiv'd Cyrus who drew near to his bed but casting a furious look upon him 'T is you likewise cruel said he that seconded the Tyranny of her Devoir I should be less unhappy were it not for you nor should I meet so many obstacles to my content were I not constrain'd by your consideration Hence cruel hence what you are come to persecute me with your presence and take away the very liberty of complaint Ah 't is too too much his sobs and hollow sigh's blockt up all the passages of speech and the Phisitians perceiving his transport intreated Cyrus to withdraw with all those that accompanied him to give him a little repose He was no sooner left alone but his reason returned to her seat and quickly tam'd the tempest of his mind so that he commanded one of those that waited in his Chamber to go and beseech Panthea in his behalf to come to him As soon as she arriv'd he caus'd all the rest to avoid the room except one Gentleman whose fidelity he might confide in and one of Panthea's Maids and then seeing himself at liberty to speak he began thus I find Madam that you are no less surpriz'd to see me in this tranquility of spirit at present than you were before when I had lost the helm of my reason and judgement The same cause nevertheless has produc'd these different effects and that which occasioned my rude distempers does now restore me to so smooth a calm that I can discover a secret to you which I should yet conceal did I not find that the approach of death obliged me to it This last extremity Madam may excuse me if there be any temerity in declaring it to you which so far concerns my life that 't is the only thing which makes me loose it now Judge Madam whether I may not reveal it without a crime I know however you will not hear it without some displeasure but I am confident likewise that you are too generous to refuse my pardon which I implore before I dye together with the permission to disclose it At these words he made a little pause to hear what she would answer in that vacancy but perceiving his proposition either too melancholly or too obscure to gain a reply What Madam said he do you not yet understand me must I expound that in plain terms which I would hide in some manner from you and will you not take notice of my passion unless I say expresly that I love you Ah Madam that word will cost me my life I can add no more and 't is sufficient for my satisfaction that you know it He could not command strength enough either to draw out the thred of his discourse any longer or to expect her answer his sences taking their flight together with his speech and Panthea beholding him in this condition ressented the uproar of many passions strugling in her brest together modesty anger and compassion invaded her mind so that she was some moments in a deep suspence but seeing those that were by so busily imploy'd to assist him she recover'd so much pitty as to lend her best endeavours and truly one may say that she alone was able to revive him as she had only been the occasion of his troubles So soon as she was approached his nature gather'd up its strength and his eyes returning to their first offices beholding her in that obliging imployment his tongue unty'd it self in these expressions Ha what Madam will you not have me dye after so presumptuous a declaration do you pretend to cure me striving to make me live Yes reparted Panthea I will not have you dye though I do not pretend your cure having no remedy for your malady you only are the cause of it your self and if you found any inclination to love you ought not to have undertaken the charge of me Nevertheless what help I can contribute without a prejudice to my honour you may justly hope for To love is not a crime I confess it Araspe and provided you manage your affection according to the laws of vertue I consent to it but do not break
undecent attempt against her innocent person for which she had no Guard or Security besides that noble intent as Heroick and Gallant as she was Chast and beautiful At her first entrance into Cyrus's Chamber whom she as yet knew not to be there she found her fears increased by the sight of one in Bed from which she was steping back by a trembling retreat fancying they had brought her there for that which she apprehended a thousand times more then death it self but Cyrus perceiving it inform'd her better by these words Fear not to approach me Madam You need not doubt you shall hazzard that now which I endeavour'd to save at the price of my Life it was to hinder and prevent the unhappiness you start from that put me into this wounded condition In a Word let it suffice to tell you that you here meet with him who in the first moment of beholding your fair shape and being blest with an early knowledge of your great quality and greater virtues could not deny you his heart and liberty together with your Fathers forfeited Life who yet breaths only to tell you nay and make it appear by more Eminent and becoming Services that he lives only for you and to whom you have by an express Message done the high Favour to command his assistance in the like occasion against Cyaxares If my unhappiness Madam has not permitted me to effect it as you desired accuse nought but the rigour of my Fate for whose perverseness I am at present too much recompensed since the Gods have favourably seconded my intentions and have honoured me with the Satisfaction and advantage of signing your decree and service with my blood Birinthea was so surprized at this accident that although she knew him by his voice and visage yet she made it a question whether she might safely credit the joyful but unexpected Intelligence of her eares and eyes In fine having fastned her steady looks upon him and made a more minute survey of those known features What said she Generous Prince Will misfortune never cease struggling against our inclinations Must I still owe my Obligations singly to you and yet be forced to remain ungrateful Ah how unjustly fortune rewards your merits by denying me the power to retribute those high favours I am indebted for those worthy services you have performed requires with justice the love that I had made you hope for but I am now necessitated to recall it and therefore employ no more either your care or courage if you make that your pretence and aime for my devoir forbids me now to harbour affection towards you Nay so far is it from that as I am bound to declare that it s not altogether convenient I should admit you to love me We are both equally unfortunate in this estate I being obliged to ingratitude after so great a sum of goodness paid by your valour and clemency to me and you for having been so liberall of your Noble virtues without the meanest of returns in satisfaction I might nevertheless flatter your hopes a new with some fresh pretences in the necessity I am in to ingage your protection against those rude hands I am fallen into but know Sir at least if I cannot repay the acknowledgements you desire of me yet I can be so just and reasonable as not to delude you in it I doubt not but this discourse begets your wonder and truly it will not be expected other from him who had such fair hopes of the contrary But it requires more time and strength then we are Master of at present to make it known I should unriddle these Enigmaes if you were in a sitting posture be careful therefore only of your care and if my Honour or Life are of any value to you preserve your own with tenderness Preserve my Life reply'd he After these killings words Madam you impose impossibilities before you injoyned me to live you took away the means by taking away my hopes How cruel you are Birinthea to wish me to live and yet forbid me to Love which are things above my power Indeed Said she interrupting him I desire you would love me with less heat and passion but you expound my thoughts ill and you reproach that as a cruelty which is indeed compassion Since I command it only for your quiet and ease to shelter you from those storms of trouble will otherwise fall upon you Ah no reparted he cease I beseech you Madam to be pittiful in this manner the peace and repose you wish me would be more insupportable a thousand times then the sufferings of my passion and to testifie how dear they are in my esteem whilst I endure them for you I will struggle to live and obey you to undergoe them the longer That cannot be obedience as I expect Answered She to desire to suffer I enjoyn you to live that you may live happier but to remove the doubts you may entertain of the veritie of what I have already made known I perceive it will be necessarie I should relate to you all that has occurr'd in Media and Armenia that so you may approve my reasons when I have produced them Since you departed from Ecbatane your Vncle Cyaxares thought fit to come and see my Mother whom he had not yet visited in the apartment alotted by him for us where he paid her more respect and civilitie then formerly he was wont Phraorte and Arthemisa had also a share in this honour and only I of all our familie missed of this Ceremony detained in my chamber by a slight Malady But as I was the person he chiefly designâ—d to wait on he made a particular enquiry for me and being informed that I was indisposed and not in a condition to admit his Societie it pleased him to send me a complement by one of my Maids which I then interpreted an effect of civility Pheretime My Mother was so highly satisfied with this Visit that he no sooner left the place but without delay she came with Phraorte and Arthemisa to give me the News and promise the hopes of a quite contrary treatment then what we since tasted and two short dayes which were required to put me in a condition of health were thought by her too long to stay from giving him thanks for that Courtesie She went the very next day together with my Brother and Sister and not to omit the least punctilio She carried my excuse for not being in a capacitie of performing that devoir which seemed too weightie to be neglected Having quitted him they went to his Queen whither he would needs accompany them and that good Princess gave them so favourable a welcome and shew'd such singular testimonies of affection that Pheretime charmed with her caresses and the affable sweetness of her entertainment begg'd the permission to repeat her visits frequently In a short time afterwards she carried me to kiss her hands and She made me so pleased with her winning and hearty
sleep This Insolence and the sufficient time she thought she had procured her brother for his safety made her fling open the Door immediately When the Captain of the Guard advancing himself presented her a Letter which contain'd the Sentence for Theramene to dye sign'd with his Fathers own hand She had no sooner read it but ere that Officer could have the time to discover her she with a gallant Confidence ask'd for the Executioners which were appointed and he that had brought the Order When Tarsus approached to make a bad excuse that against the inclination he had to serve him he was constrain'd to obey the Kings absolute command who would needs by this Act make a particular tryal of his Fidelity Arthemisa could not contain her self any longer but was confirmed in the Opinion she had conceived that the close Intellegence this Wicked Fellow held with Erixone was an effect of Love and Inclination I had reason Hang-man said she to him to expect this Commission sooner from thee then any other 't is this thou hast so long been hammering with Erixone and sure enough thou hast promis'd Theramene 's Head to that Lustful Adultresse for an acknowledgement of her wanton Favours but thanks to Heaven and their Justice thou art deceiv'd Tarsus thou shalt not this day take away my Dearest Brothers Life But if thy black Commission extends to Arthemisa fulfill it Traytor come Command thy cruel Ministers to Destroy me I will not oppose provided I can but save my Theramene Here she discovered her self and surprized all that were present with that astonishment which you may better guesse then I discribe Tarsus wrapt with amazement at this Accident and the just reproaches she assaulted him withal retreated sneakingly without a word and presently gave information thereof to Ctesiphon and Erixone whom he found together the one buried in sadness and discontent for being obliged to murther a Son the other netled with impatience to hear the certainty of his death whose life was so obnoxious to her It seem'd that Ctesiphon though he were not yet penitent for his fault shew'd no great signes of displeasure for his Childs escape by Arthemisa's aid but keeping his wonted posture of deep Melancholy he told Erixone she must excuse a Sisters indulgent affection towards her Brother because it sprung but from the root of Nature and Reason but that she must expect the punishment of his crime would fall upon his head from Heaven it self since 't was not in their power and he believed the gods reserved this vengeance to themselves to make it the more weighty and exemplary Whilst this disconsolate Father after his trouble had made him chuse his bed began to think of tenderness towards his Children Erixone's Sentiments flow'd from another Spring her dispair made her distracted with rage she entertain'd no other designes but to sacrifice all she could to her own safety and to Authorize her first crime by a greater she wrote a Ticket to Tarsus by which she injoyn'd him to come to her as soon as day appear'd to settle their affairs it being no longer convenient to boggle or dissemble but to secure their lives and their contentment to the destruction and cost of all those that might oppose them The trouble and perplexity she was in made her utterly forget the strickt order which Ctesiphon at her importunate Solicitation had given that evening to suffer none to go forth least they should use some means to stop the Execution of his Son so that it hapned to be intercepted though he that carried it had Authorized his Message with the name of Erixone and it was immediately delivered to Ctesiphon according to the command impos'd on all the Officers There was no need to rouze him from his sleep the wracking thoughts which were his bed-fellows with their unquietness had ever kept him waking and when they presented the Ticket to him the passions he had towards Erixone were newly entred in his mind He was powerfully surpriz'd finding such secret correspondence twixt her and Tarsus which he was ignorant of before but prepossess'd with love and fondness he at first imagin'd that she summon'd him rather to assert her innocency then to back her crime but presently these thoughts were shoulder'd out again to make way for the suspitions his jealousie began to inspire and till morning was renew'd he lay in a most cruel agony of trouble and then hastily arose to speak with Erixone who expected Tarsus with a strange impatience I must impose a necessary silence on my tongue and intreat your Judgements to conceive how infinitely she was surpriz'd when Ctesiphon entred her Chamber and accosted her with this demand What need She had of Tarsus for her safety and if he were not sufficient to protect her from any Enemy what disorder she apprehended in her affairs what business she had conceal'd so secretly which the present conjuncture obliged her no longer to dissemble in a word who were those that durst have attempted against her life This discourse so affrighted her that being admonished by her guilty conscience she wanted little of casting her self at his feet to supplicate for pardon of those crimes she thought he had discovered but being extreamly impudent with the same bold confidence she had undertaken them she pleaded excuse for having been obliged to ask the councel of Tarsus whom she knew to be a man so faithful and affectionate in his Princes Service to defend her innocency openly which was the more subject to suspition because persecuted by his own Children whose interest she knew his own natural instinct would sooner incline him to vindicate then hers and that it was not the care to save her life that troubled her but to maintain her honour to prevent his unjust jealousie from charging her excessive love with blame which she preserved so devoutly towards him Ctesiphon having answered her dissembled expressions of feigned affection with his more sincere acknowledgements returned thence as fully perswaded and satisfied as was possible with her discourse As soon as ere he had quitted the Chamber Tarsus arrived there to whom she made ample relation of the success of that accident which so much startled him that she began to fear he would not have the resolution to perform what she had already projected In this apprehension she courted and solicited him by all the probable considerations and especially those of ambition and love to consent to her design and in fine perceiving he still waver'd she represented the danger and last extremity of their affairs so pressingly that as dispair steeles the most leaden courage she engaged him in all her undertakings and least his blood should coole or his Spirit turn edge thorow long delay she put him immediately to carry on the Plot going to her Husband just when Arthemisa was come out of the Prison to justifie what she had acted to save her Brothers Life And ere she gave her leasure to take any notice she
in the Street commanding them to convey away his men and was himself presently carried to his Palace no less covered with blood then shame and to hide it from all knowledge he commanded his Physitians and Chyrurgeons to give for a pretence that he was not seen abroad that 't was some other indisposition which afflicted him and forbad those who had assisted him therein ever to whisper the least word of it to any other You may guess with what disquiet he passed the rest of the night his anger gave him lesse repose then his wounds and his jealousie quickly suggested to his thoughts that the tutelary Demon which had robbed him of his Chryseide must assuredly be Gadate who the better to hide his amours disguis'd himself under the feined shape of a Woman Whilst he was wracked with these suspicions Chryseide who notwithstanding her danger and fright could not goe far from him but thorow feare of his disaster had conceal'd her self at the corner of the street to see the event of the combat returnd as soon as the noise was over to seek for him The night was not so dark but that at some short intervals the wind sweeping the clowds with some impetuosity left the face of Heaven so cleere and starry that by their charitable light this unhappy lover soon found what she sought for with so much feare and grief and which nevertheless she expected as now appear'd too true He lay stretch'd upon the pavement closs by a doore towards which he had trail'd himself but the loss of his blood and strength stop'd him before he arriv'd there The cries which this woeful spectacle made her at first direct towards heaven which she with melting eyes petition'd for justice against the cruell assassins were loud enough to be heard in the loftiest star Chamber of the gods above who reserv'd the vengeance surely to be performed by the hands of Cyrus Her sobs interrupted those first clamours letting fall her lookes upon the object of her misery after she had some moments fix'd them there she softly bow'd her head upon him calling him with an accent compounded of love and sorrow both together Gadata Gadate said she my dearest life and raising her self up a little pursued she or rather my dearer death since thou repliest nothing thou art no longer to be counted amongst the living but if it be true that thou hast loved me can thy faire soule be gone and leave mine here and wherefore must I live since I have lost him who alone inspir'd me where is thy soule fled my Gadate can it be that which makes me live still here take it then again said she Kissing his lips affectionately I breath it back into thee with all my heart She felt a little breath remaining in him which the faint motion of his heart attested which made her stoop to marke with more attention whether it were truly some small remainder of life yet in him or the last knell of her expiring lover but finding it continued still apparently I heare thee said she my deare soule thou answerest me but is it to take thy last adieu or to call me to follow thee saying this she softly laid her trembling hand upon his heart and finding it beat and throb a little let us not die my Dear Gadata since I yet feel the motions of our soule within thy bosome live for my sake unless you 'l have me straightway die for yours And having said this she perceiv'd her hand was bathed in blood wherewith being again afrighted she sought for that wound whence so much blood did issue But oh strange she seem'd to shew more trouble for this same wound then she had done whilst she beleeved him dead and tearing the linnen she had on her head she made a shift to stop the blood from flowing whilst with her teares that wash'd and bath'd his face she strove to call him from his swoun'd to life again but finding her indeavours all in vain she sent her careful looks abroad to find some other assistance when instantly a man presenting himself told her that being moved with her doleful cries he came to lend her all the service he was able and asking the cause of that funestuous accident she briefly related the truth of that sad story and then beseeched him by all that was most deare to him on earth to help her carry her deare Gadate instantly to some neer place who without speedy remedy would breath his last The man whom she believed heaven it self had sent to her assistance professing solemnly he shared in her griefes stoop'd down as 't were to helpe her take him up when suddenly the barbarous vilain instead of performing that charitable office unsheath'd a dagger and indeavour'd to plunge it into Gadates heart The unhappy blow was so much the more cruel to Chryseide because it deluded the hopes she had joyfully conceived of his timely assistance yet she immediately flew at him and being transported with a kind of fury cryed aloud Traitor thou hast mistaken if thou wouldst murther Gadate strike my brest for here his soule is housed and he does live in me but thou hast now kill'd only me infernall Monster in his person Love had lent so much strength to Chryseide and this just reproach struck so much terror into that base butchers heart that he had force enough to stay him though he mainly struggled to scape out of her hands till those that had bafore fled from the danger sent some armed men thither to rescue her who finding her striving with this assassin soon ended that unequal combat by killing her Enemy His death contributed very much to Gadates life Chryseide was no sooner delivered from that Traitor but she hastily ran to him and perceiving that he lived yet and that the last wound he received was not so dangerous as her feares had made her doubt finding her self too weake to carry that deare burden alone which nevertheless she eagerly coveted to doe she admitted of their assistance that were present to beare him thence till the coach she had sent for met them in which they laid him reposing his head upon her panting brest Whilst they were thus going as if Gadate had been in a condition to answer her she entertain'd him with what her love sometimes trembling for feare and othertimes flattering with hope did suggest to her thoughts and being at last arriv'd at his own dwelling she would not leave him till the Chirurgians had given her a confident assurance of his recovery and that himself having happily recover'd his spirits and knowledge again earnestly conjured her to goe and repose her self In the interim the King full of impatience that he saw no return of the party he had sent to dispatch the poor Gadate if he were yet alive secretly commanded another to goe and make a discovery what had pass'd who brought him word how he found him dead on the pavement What ever plaints and moanes the
noble breast The Armenian Queen liv'd yet in the happy ignorance of her Husbands misery and captivity but when she from her Chariot beheld him going forth from the Tent circled within a Guard of Souldiers with a visage whereon the expectation of death had already epitomized all his fears and horrors she threw her self down suddenly with bitter cryes and renting the vail which covered her head with extream violence she furiously bent her precipitate steps toward those that held Artaban endeavouring with earnest prayers and interrupted reproaches and threats to wrest him from their hands when Cyrus warn'd of the disorder by the sad noise and moans which reach'd his ear came forth to know the Original of it The fury of this almost distracted woman whom he knew not to be the Armenian Queen at first surpriz'd him and being told by one of the Souldiers who it was he approach'd to appease her but she continued still her fruitless violence persisting in her mournful cryes that they should either lead her with Artaban or kill her presently till being told that Cyrus was there present she no sooner knew him but falling at his feet and suppressing her furious tone changing it into accents of supplication she implor'd him with all the melting language those dolorous passions could suggest to one who having already lost her Kingdom and liberty beheld her Husband led away in chains by whom alone she could conceive the smallest glimpse of hope to be restor'd to any happiness again Cyrus was stooping just to raise her up when the noise of some approaching Cavaliers interrupted his civility They brought him a new prisoner whom at first sight he had no cognizance of but which the Queens redoubled shrieks and cryes soon made him know It was the Prince Tygranes eldest Son of Artaban who is at present in this Army he being then just return'd from a Voyage he had made fell into the Persians hands before he was acquainted that any Enemies had footing in his Fathers Country His Mother no sooner spied him but she cryed out so dolefully that it increased his astonishment and the beholders pitty and you dear Son will you be likewise one addition more to our heap of sorrow the anger of the gods would not be fully satisfied if their injustice had not drag'd you hither to compleat the sad catastrophe of our ruine Come come approach yet nearer Son suffer him said she to Cyrus to see his Father once before he dyes Consider Tygranes in what a lost condition is Artaban and how undone your Mother Wife Sister and all relations are and then ô tell me wherefore you came hither but you unmerciful and angry deities why have you brought him to us is it to catch the falling Crown and Scepter and support the reeling Throne which your injustice batters down so cruelly Ha! no 't is to involve the heyre together with the other lesser reliques of our unhappy Family in one general destruction least any should survive our rugged fate You gods therefore I do retract my former words for I perceive there is some kind of equity in your judgements it being more just if our ruine be so inevitable that we should fall together then that any should be reserved to weep our sad calamity Come near my Son come children come cry'd she in a sharper tone calling those who stood at a little distance fetter us altogether said she to Cyrus in the same chain and if you can be so merciful in your cruelty let one blow put a period to all our miseries for this will be a more welcome favour than alone to ravish Artaban from us Her swelling sorrows stopt the current of further discourse and the frequent sobs and sighs that throng'd out of her bosome left her no other power of expression but her fugitive tears Mean while Cyrus was wrapt into the greatest astonishment that could be Tygranes had been otherwhile his particular friend they having had their breeding together in the Persian Academies The unhappiness of this Prince and the Queens tears fill'd his eyes with horror and his heart with pitty He knew not whether he should answer the Mothers moving plaints to whom he had already given full assurance of her own and all her childrens lives or comfort the Son whom the amazement of so unlooked for an accident had so surprised that of all his sences he could command the use of none but his sight to be the Witness of that funest spectacle His Father Artaban who had not enough constancy to stand the shock of his own particular misfortune seem'd to increase it when he was made acquainted with the miserable condition of his Wife and Children and whether his grief were too great for expression or that the extremity of his affliction seeming to sting him beyond the help of consolation cast him into dispair which hardens the most timorous spirits with resolution he now endeavour'd to comfort his Wife and his Son Tygranes shewing them that Cyrus was obliged to save the rest of his Family by the same argument and justice which ruin'd him since they were no way guilty of that rebellion he had alone been Author and occasion of That they ought confidently to expect a milder treatment from his clemency than himself because his death would satisfie the ressentments of Cyaxares and that they should endeavour by their vertues to regain the glory of his House which he had so eclipsed and stain'd by his perfidious act proving by their future services and fidelity how free they truly were from being his accomplices in that crime He could not keep those tears that hung at his blubbering eyes from stealing down his face nor suppress a multitude of sighs his grief tore from his heart when he ended this generous discourse especially when he beheld his young Son Phraorte his Daughter Birinthea and Artemisa wife to Tygranes whom Cyrus had caused to be brought to him Never was any spectacle so mournful pitty had ingraved so much sorrow on each visage that it was difficult to discern the Conquerours from the Captives Tygranes whose tongue was till now fetter'd with his too violent griefs finding himself obliged by his Parents tears and presence especially his dearest Arthemisa's went towards Cyrus who stood mute likewise and could not hide some tokens of pitty from appearing speaking to him in this manner Ah Sir what must we expect from this deep silence is it an effect of the compassion our unhappiness stirs up in your heart or the severity of your sentence what is it not enough to take away the Crown and Scepter from a Royal Family and so many Subjects from their King without depriving a Woman of her Husband and ravishing the Father from so many children who desire nothing of all what they have lost but the liberty to dye presently with them or to have him remain a miserable Captive amongst them does this Petition seem to be unjust what right have you to deny
death to us since you believe it to be so just towards him or if you do conceive him to be alone guilty wherefore do you punish us more rigorously than him letting us live with the regret for loosing him which is a thousand times more sensible to us then death it self but I perceive what 't is causes his condemnation 't is not your self Sir nor the ressentment of Cyaxares that pittiless reason of State does murther him and you fondly believe there is no more cause to fear after the Leader of a Rebellion is thrust out of the world a poor consideration and weak argument of unadvised policy what then do you imagine the children of Kings have such low spirits and so small courage that in what state soever they remain they will not endeavour to revenge a Fathers death who was so dear and tender in his affection to them by all the means that hatred and dispair can store them with 't is true indeed the head of such a faction is thereby taken off but know Sir 't is a Hydra which still sprouts new ones forth and of all those you now behold in your presence as Artabans children expect the same fixt resolution either to dye with him or else perpetually to seek a full revenge Or if Sir we are not criminal in your judgement let your vertue appear in its full extent do not confine it generous Prince within such narrow and severe limits let the Father taste part of that mercy your clemency confers upon the children who humbly implore the life of Artaban which I perceive your own compassionate and noble soul prompts you to grant him vouchsafe it therefore Sir and bind a King by this immortal obligation to endeavour by his faithful services hereafter to testifie he holds the possession of it only by your extraordinary goodness And if you did believe he was able once to prejudice you you may as well think him not altogether useless by making him your friend Take away all the subjects of your apprehensions from him place your Souldiers in Garrison in all the places of strength in Armenia and only leave him and his children wherewith to serve you in their own persons and to the Armenians who love him too affectionately to suffer his loss without ressentment the power to testifie the obligation they shall so justly owe you for their Princes life Cyrus pressed betwixt the Amity he had for Tygranes and the obedience he ow'd to Cyaxares answer'd him that he took the gods for witness and wish'd they might punish him if it were not a real truth that he was as much griev'd for his misfortune as it was possible for a man to be for one he so dearly cherished and that without those pressing arguments he had alledged the friendship they had contracted together during their infancy was but too powerful to obtain all that he could in reason desire of him but in this occasion what he demanded depending not upon his will but the devoir of his charge and birth he beseeched him to accuse his hard fate and he should evidently finde by the treatment which the rest of the Family should receive at his hands that what he was compel'd to now was utterly against the inclination he had to serve him He had no sooner ended these Protestations but fore seeing that if he gave ear to their further complaints which had already awaken'd his heart to pitty he should not be able to resist their clamorous petitions he would have withdrawn himself within his Tent commanding those that held Artaban to conduct him where he had appointed and Chrysante to withdraw his prisoners But then their cryes and shreeks became most vehement and doleful and Birinthea who till then had only made her precious teares keep company with their fruitless prayers broke through the croud which throng'd about Cyrus and falling down at his knees which she embrac'd in her tender arms she stopt him with these words Do not fly my Lord nor stifle all the thoughts of mercy in your breast decide before you go whether the children shall follow their Fathers doom or the Father partake of the childrens fortune or rather sacrifice them all to your just anger to expiate Artabans crime and reserve only him since the gods will not gratefully accept a victime that is not truly pure and immaculate And we being innocent shall better satisfie their justice than he can because he is so guilty Then stoping her speech a while and finding he answered not a word Ha cruel pursued she lifting up the vail which cover'd her face and looking on him with a countenance whereon so many foot-steps of grief and sorrow appear'd as would have melted a heart of Brass into compassion thou reply'st nothing and nevertheless the proffer I make is fair to glut thy cruelty and if thou art so greedy after blood there is more plenty for thee in our youthful veins than in his aged body parched through time and labour speak cruel man and if ever thou knew'st what blessing a Father is or hast the least sentiment of nature in thee let that work some sence of pitty in thy soul This last assault could be no longer withstood it was too powerful not to prevail and therefore Cyrus yeilded up his severity to the stronger risings of compassion in his breast Birinthea had no sooner discover'd her divine face though it were bath'd in tears which bubbled from their chrystal springs but he ressented besides the motions of pitty all those other effects which such an afflicted beauty can inspire in a most generous and tender heart He revok'd the order he had given Chrysante concerning the person of Artaban and committed him together with his Wife and Children to Chrysantes Guard promising them to do his utmost to obtain his pardon from Cyaxares to whom he immediately wrot for that purpose When the Messenger whom he had dispatched return'd and brought him word that he might absolutely dispose of the life of Artaban according as he pleas'd to think convenient this news did so fill his mind with a particular joy and he found himself so puissantly interessed for Artabans preservation ever since Birinthea's mediation that he would be himself the bearer of it He went to the place where they were yet detained prisoners where their divided fears and hopes held them in a trembling suspence what would be the event concerning Artaban whom at that present moment they entertain'd in a conversation composed more of sighs and tears then words His unexpected visit surprised them extreamly and they were timorously weighing in their thoughts the reasons of it which he cleared to them by declaring the cause thereof This blessed news notwithstanding did not wipe off their tears they wept for joy as they had wept for grief and in this first transport whilst they tender'd him millions of thanks for his infinite goodness with all the submissive acknowledgement they were capable Birinthea mov'd him