communicate they lay that night together which they spent in pleasing talk till next day administred more ample cause of joy for though this pleasure seemed to have respect alone to Ariomant Callistenus who so intirely loved him participated also of it and so much as very neer to shew the same impatience and desire If now Prince Ariomant for his part languisht in that amorous expectation The fair Orazia lived in a sweet unquietness on hers little that night she rested and the dry once come she numbred every hour and minute of the same she thought a thousand times the sun had slack'd his wonted course and dream'd on nothing but the silence of a night more happy than the former that with more conveniency she might again behold him whose gracefulness and sweet behaviour form'd themselves a thousand times that day to her imagination Her wishes when the Sun had set were granted for insteed thereof she saw her deerest Ariomant appear whose sight was more pleasing unto her eyes and warmth more acceptable to her soul he with his friend thought first to have been at the place but found himself prevented by the Princess great impatience who had scarce given Lisimena time to end her Supper for her hast to draw her to that pleasing and delightfull place She was of brown but clear complexion as all the beauties commonly of Asia are But in all Europe was not found a favour more exact nor delicate than hers she had no part of all her face which was not accompanied with speciall graces and eyes which for their sweetness might be feared had yet more boldness to acquire mens hearts than others When she went to find the Princess Lisimena in her Chamber she had cast carelesly about her a kind of Indian garment of black Sattin without any other Ornament than a cutwork very delicate wherewith her smock was edged and turn'd back upon her garment about her neck she only wore a bobbin her hair was black and curl'd by nature into slaves hung in some places on her neck whose lustre was the more set off and though it was in careless manner that it hung yet seem'd it not without a kind of art 'T is true her mourning did require more modesty than at that time her habit shew'd and yet did Lisimena think her too severe Sister said she so much mourning does not become you well on this occasion where nothing but content should be exprest and therewithall rather in jest than earnest she untied her string from her neck and in its room hung on a string of costly Pearl which lay upon her Table next under colour of the heat which was not over she trust her foresleeves up unto her elbowes and delivered her a rich Bracelet of Diamonds which she wore her self pull'd off her Gloves that her fair hands might shew themselves and took away the Handkerchief that hid her neck and would not conceal from Ariomant a part of her perfections After this manner Lisimena accompanied her deer Orazia to her closet wraped with leaves without more company than little Aquilant whom they distrusted not and bore his Mistress train for that she had not time enough for haste to make her self unready A very little time had they been there when Ariomant together with his faithfull friend Callistenus slid secretly into the door which lay towards the City and whereof he had the key delivered him Many and happy were the complements that past on either side But though there be no excellency wherewith they were not accompanyed and all their words selected such as love form'd in their mouths delighting to propose and answer for our Lovers I forbear repeating of them lest the Readers take offence and because Ariomant perceiv'd by Orazia's discourse that she yet knew not his extraction and that she long'd to know it from his mouth which he would gladly have excused if manners would have let him But seeing no way how he could refuse at length being all four sat and that their silence witnessed their defires to hear he thus began to say THE HISTORY OF ANAXANDER AND OF ORAZIA The second BOOK MOst fair and vertuous Princess seeing you desire to know who I am and from my own mouth to learn the History of mine and the companion of my misfortunes my deer Friend Callistenus his Life I am most willing to obey you and although our Crosses have been great and perillous our voyage more than common yet find I more contentment than displeasure in reflecting on them when I call to mind how you are the sole object of our hazards and that for your love only we have undertaken them But ere I ship me in that long discourse 't is fit I justifie the good opinion you have of my birth that if our merits be not equall you may at leastwise find our qualities as like as our affections and that you may be able to make good the honour you have done me to accept my service ere you very well had known me It cannot be but you have often heard of Alcidaris who being descended from the great Tamberlin and only remainder of his race hath to the Empire of Cambaye joyn'd the Kingdoms of Dulcinde Candahar and Mandao and who at present with your Father shares the Soveraignty of all the Indes From him 't is Madame whence I derive my self who hath bred me in the hope of all his Kingdomes which surely I should scorn but for the hope I have to reign in them one day with you Hereat the Princess Orazia could not conceal her joy of heart to be beloved by so great a Prince but interrupting him did say that both the greatnesse and deservings of Alcidaris were as the Sun so known unto her But reply'd Ariomant because we are not so neer neighbours but that many Hills and Rivers separate us and for it may be you have never heard of all the passages of my Fathers Life which do concern my Story I must briefly tell you that this Prince at five and twenty yeares of age was Heir unto the Kingdome of Guzarat which you call otherwise Cambaye he married more for policy of state than force of love the Princess Berenica who was only daughter and heir unto the King of Candahar and of Mandao his neighbour and his tributary who shortly after died and by that match enlarged his limits to the Northern parts even to the Mountain of Nogrocot which the Greeks call Paropamisse from whence the famous River Indus springs which but for only watering our Lands gives name to all the Indes But this unhappy Queen who did Idolatrise her Husbands vertues liv'd but a short time with him after her fathers death but on whole year wherein she gave him all imaginable proofes of perfect love and so far forth as having in her self free power she gave him be it whether the child wherewith she went did live or otherwise her two fair Crowns and just as soon as she
had brought that little Prince into the world with pains incredible she choaked in her Convulsions and the first hower of her childbed gave the last unto her life Now though Alcidaris were not ensirely so much tender of her at she of him nor had the just same feelings that she had yet could not chuse but by that unexpected death receive most strong impressions great was the grief he shewed and whatsoever pomp the quality of so great and vertuous a Princesse as she was requir'd did wait upon his mourning and her Funerals But as there is no wound however it may seem incurable but time may heal this which Alcidaris received was not so great as that there needed a whole age to comfort him for after one year ended he became most passionably enamored of the Queen Anaxareta who by the death of her brother Spimantus newly being arriv'd was heir unto the Kingdom of Dulcinda which does on the one side border on the King my fathers Countries and on Persia on the other The reason why so passionately he pursu'd that Love was that besides his pleasure there was profit in it and thought that by uniting Dulcinda to his other Kingdoms he should be an equal powerful neighbour to the Persian Perswaded by these reasons but more by love that forced him he sent one named Pirobus and of the ablest of his Kingdom in Embassage to the Queen Anaxareta He was receiv'd as coming from so great a Prince with much magnificence but wondred greatly that the answer he received was no more favorable She only told him thus that the King of Cambaye had done her a great deal of honour but that the King her brother being so lately dead and having scarce wip'd off her tears it could not be she should so soon forget him nor in such haste run from his Funerals to her own espousals and therefore pray'd the King his Master not to hold it strange that she desired more time to think thereof This Embassador who was a man of great discretion and knew the extream passion of Alcidaris resting but poorly satisfied with this answer and knew his Master would be likewise so bethought him that of Force some greater reason must restrain the Queen than of her brothers death who almost two years since had died and should have caus'd her greater joy than sorrow for which cause he makes adresses to the chiefest Statist there and dives into him to discover if he could his Mistriss meanings he shews him how the King of Cambaye was her neer neighbour and one of the most powerful Monarchs of the Indies That over and above his greatness and his wealth he had all qualities which might commend a man to a fair Ladies acceptation that in all Asia his Mistresse could not finde a fitter match that there needed no long time to think upon a matter which depended only on her will And that he knew not what to infer by the coldness of her answer save that she loved some other since she neglected the desires of a Prince so mighty and one who could not be but a great strength unto her This States-man who desired to pay him with more solid reasons than the Queen had done thought t was no matter of importance if he told him what he guest she thought which was that being of a mighty spirit and knowing that Alcidaris had had a son by the Queen Berenica who as himself was call'd Alcadaris and should when he were dead possesse his Kingdoms she could not abide that those that should proceed from her should ever happen to be seconds or in rank or in affection and being able to dispose of the Kingdom of Dulcinda she thought she might do better to chuse out a Gentleman her Subject who should be her creature and by whom she might have children heirs to her possessions than to match a King of whose inheritance she could not see a hope for hers And this said he in my opinion is the cause that backs the Queen for she is not so ignorant both of the qualities and vertues of the King your Master but that she holds him for the man of most advantage for her choice save only that his heir is born already Pirobus more satisfi'd herewith than by the reasons given him from the Queen though very little notwithstanding seeing how far from giving comfort to his Master returns towards him and from point to point gives him account of his Embassage Alcidaris as well as possible he could dissembled the disquiet this il news procur'd him and I know not if his love oblig'd him or that as yet some little hope remained for him But as if heaven would favour his desires about eight or ten months end report ran all about that the young Prince Alcidaris was very sick and that his tender age not able to defend it self against the strong assaults of a continued Feavor death had delivered him The sorrow which the King put on was so great that for the space of forty daies he suffred not himself to be seen by any creatures except Pirobus his faithful Counsellour The noise of his great losse immediately was spread throughout and came to the Queen Anaxaretas ears who seeing that great obstacle remov'd desir'd no greater thing in all the world than that alliance and in a word to end Pirobus being sent the second time had his desire and some few daies after did Alcidaris possesse both Anaxaretas beauties and her Kingdoms peacefully Now Madam from that happy Marriage I am sprung and named Anaxander from my Mothers name Almost about the same time I was born Ametista Queen of Citor and only sister to the King my father was delivered of Piroxenus whom you see here under name of Callistenus we were bred up and taught together and besides our age and blood which knit us in a perfect friendship nature augmented it by so exact a correspondency of humours as never was observed the least disparity in our opinions and truly since our friendship hath foundation but on vertue only t is not to be admired that from a cause eternal such effects of everlastingness are seen The wise Evander from my tendrest youth had me in government and Alcidaris who much desired to frame me after the example of that honorable man drew him from the Province of Carmanie on very great expence for he was Master of some nine or ten Languages and ignorant of nothing that another man did know He had not only care of me but likewise had an eye to Piroxenus whom he found exceeding capable of his good doctrines and we both so well profited by his instructions as we soon learned all the secrets of the Persian and Arabique tongues which travel mostly throughout all the Indies this side Ganges Besides the recreations of our minds we exercis'd our bodies likewise and familiarly disguising our selves on daies of ceremony or delight we got the prizes with our Lances and at Fencing too and
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
son and caused you so great displeasures for his ill behaviours accounting him your lawfull heir But I am hopefull of your favour having more offended through necessity than malice and for fear of angring you than willing to offend you Let your Majesty know great King that young Alcidaris whom Pirobus did long since trust me with in his Cradle did in my house receive a handsome education as he should have done in your Palace and that his inclinations were so great to goodnesse from his infancy that I do verily believe it had been hard for him to have done ill But though I seem'd his father and that he had no other privilege above my children in my house as Pirobus directed me he could not chuse but feel certain stings of glory and elevate himself to enterprizes worthy of his Grandsires generosity Scarce had he accomplished ten years of age when he stole from me and as from his own mouth I have learned he hath since done actions never to be forgotten and which I shall declare to your Majesty when I have finished this As soon as I know of yong Erimedes his flight for it was thought fit to name him after me I sent every way after him and despairing of his news fearing he was of great birth because of the strict charge was given with him that he should be one day call'd for as since hath fallen out being very sure that those who hadicommitted him to me could not know him but by the mark of your Arms which they had printed on his right arm I made use of that secret learnt of Pirobus to give the same character to one of my children who was of his age shape and hair T is he Sir who at this day holds his quality in your Court unjustly who governs himself so unhandsomly among your Subjects and whose presence hath hither to caused but greater sorrow for the losse of Anaxander No man Sir but I could reveal this important secret to you and were I without conscience and a faithlesse man I might have left things as they are and have preferred the greatnesse of my own son before your lawful interests it may be any man but my self would have done injury to truth for love of reign and have forgot the fear of God to be terrible himself but were at that I loved not justice nor reason as I do I lov'd your Majesty too well to suffer it to be prophaned longer by a man of petty birth whoâ—e innocent ambition as well as my conjeraint makes me crave humble pardon of your Majesty Alcidaris who was one of the best Princes of the world exceedingly astonished at thâ—â—â—â—â—ty of this story asked him how long since he had found his son within this hour answered Eurimedes and by so strange an accident as I know not whether your Majesty will receive more pleasure or discontentment in it Since said the King thou hast reveal'd the secret as soon as thou hast known it t is like thou hadst no malice in thy action rise I forgive thee on condition thou bring me my son and hide no part of his adventures from me Alas Sir reply'd Eurimedes that brave Lisimantus who hath been the terrour of the Indes and who is at this present contrary to your will kept in your prisons and a criminal condemn'd to death is he of whom I speak and who hath had the honour to be born from you Ah ye gods cryed the King is it possible can I be so happy as to be father of so generous a child but what say I happy should I be so unscrable as to have begotten him who hath murthered his own brother and for a cursed point of honor hath for ever ravisht my dear Anaxander from me the very hope of my old daies Unhappy father that I am shall I be alwaies so ill us'd of Fortune as to be reduc'd to complain even of her favors and shall I never receive one benefit from her hands which is not follow'd by a thousand mischiefs I thought I had but one son good man and I have twice bewail'd his death and he whom contrary to my expectation I have found again seems to appear but to torment me more and grieve me for the others losse Ah Sir said Eurimedes inter rupting his complaintt while I am speaking the poor Prince is in despair for knowing that Anaxander was his brother and I am consident he would as willingly have died himself and would be glad to buy him again with his own life Without more ado said the King let his Iront be struck off and be he no longer injur'd which way soever the gods have sent him me I am obliged to receive him considering his innocence of his brothers death and that he hath such reason to share with me in the affliction which without purpose he hath caused me Then instantly not willing to publish this news he secretly commanded the Captain of his guard to take him out of prison and bring him to him at his Palace This Prince accomplish'd whom till that time the King would not see was yet very pale as well by reason of the wounds whereof he was scarce healed as for the hard usage he had shewn him in the prison yet was that want so supplyed by the gracefulnesse of his behaviour as though he came into the Kings Chamber with a sorrowful countenance it hindred not that all the Court admired him As soon as he entred the room he kneeled on the ground and witnessed so much sorrow to the King his father for the misfortune befallen him as that his Majesty was more afflicted for his grief that for his own Son said he embracing him those are the ordinary shock of fortune you are not the first that hath unwitingly destroyed his own blood the stages are daily full of like examples and not to seek so far we have at home and with our neighbours others like them Be comforted my child heaven cannot be angry for your innocent offence it self is more than you guilty which knowing your design did not divert it Believe at worst the gods will pardon you because I do and for your presence paies me for all losses and afflictions past Ah Sir reply'd Lisimantus can you behold a wretch which hath so highly outrag'd Nature a murtherer of his own blood an abominable monster which cannot with a thousand deaths expiate the crime he hath committed He had inlarged his complaints had not the King interrupted him and by his redoubled embraces and his solid reasons overcome his earnestness in condemning himself and then settling a little his spirits and by degrees changing discourse after he had made him fit down by him caus'd him insensibly to fall upon the story of his life and strange adventures which he passionately desired to be told from point to point and how he had arrived to such high honhours after having secretly stollen from Eurimedes the Marchants house whom he took for his
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
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
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
astonish d and though she were recover'd from her swounding yet the freedom of her actions was so hindred as she could nor comprehend nor relish any testimony which was given before her of our births The Captain of the Guard whom the King had sent us was not in less amazement than our selves to see a thing so strange and extraordinary He had till then given such way unto Evanders passion as he had not dar'd to hinder his embraces or his tears but when he saw us silent and in admiration of our misfortunes looking one upon another he came and with this complement saluted me Great Prince said he for such we now acknowledge you and soon enough the Gods have by this sage old mans arivall cleer'd the truth of your extraction The King my Master hath in his behalf commanded me to wait on you and tell you that enough he cannot wonder why you should choose death rather than his alliance which so many Princes have made sute for That to excuse the usage you have had he thinks not fit seeing by concealing your names and blood and having knowledge of the Kingdom Lawes you have your selves occasioned the trouble you leave had and may accuse no other And besides he hopes you will acknowledge what degree he holds among the Asian Mâ—narchs and that if for his daughters love you will not at lest for love of him and honour to his quality you will repair the fault committed by a lawfull marriage Mean while he hath commanded me to guide you and your friend to certain lodgings in his Palace I would not trouble my self to give him any answer because it could avail me nothing I only followed him where he conducted me and we parted from Orixa both Piroxenus and my self not daring to say ought unto her for fear of grieving her a new or waking of her anger This most unhappy Princesse in despair for that her crime was known to all the world and for affronts so publickly receiv'd but more again for my pretended infidelity which she could not possibly forget would not be carryed to her Chamber and her extreme affliction reduc'd her to such pass as that a thousand times she griev'd for leaving the fire behind her as the only comfort left her and solt remedy to end her miseries I was impatient to entertain Evander that I might as well learn from him who so happily had thither guided him as to be told some news from Guzarat and the good man who had the same desires to be at freedom with us as soon as we repos'd a little and had rested in the lodgings were allowed us to satisfie my curiosity began in this sort his discourse My deer Children for so although ye be my Lords and Masters I from hence conjure yee to allow my age and deer affection to call ye many sad tears and sighs your absence hath drawn from me and little rest and comfort have I had since that unhappy day ye stole so inconsiderately from the King of Cambaya's Court where ye were adored of all how are the Gods most just in sending ye the troubles ye have had to punish ye in some sort for afflicting those who brought ye into the world and with such tender care have bred ye up Know then my Children that as soon as your departure was discovered in Campanel the King affâ—cted both with grief and anger having been told how that same night wherein ye had departed a Ship had gon out of the Port of Cambaye and made her course towards the Coast of Zeilan he doubted by reason of hot Wars late made in that Countrey against the King of Maldives that ye might have thither gone to seek occasions whereunto your Courage called ye for this cause he immediately sent after that great Vessell two light Saylers from two divers Ports and sent as well to seek ye over land But long they were not without newes from her which they thought had carryed you away for she was scarce gone out of the Gulf of Cambaye to enter into the great Arabique Sea when threatned by a tempest and finding her self neer the Heaven of Bazaim which is one of the securest of that shore the Pilots thought it fit to cast Anchor there and shelter themselves so long as till the storm were over This stay gave opportunity to that Post who had been sent from Campanel to Bazaim to send out a Ship to meet that same which had put all the Court in trouble But when it was known that you were not therein rage in the King increast so much and the Levity of your flight touch'd him so to the quick as all the love he bare ye he turn'd to hate and indignation I went about to tell him how I had from certain pieces of your discourse with one another in your privacies collected that ye had purposed a voyage to Narsinga and told him 't would be very good to send there after you and that in case you were not met upon the rodes it would be very fit to dispatch an Embassader to the King of Narsinga that at least ye might not pass as unknown people but be receiv'd like Princes No no Evander said he to me they have shewn themselves unworthy of mâ— care or trouble and I am asham'd for having so much already grieved my self for them let thâ—m even pass for inch as they will There declare my self from henceforth not to own them Come go with me into the Queens closet and you shall see that Anaxander hath play'd more the fool than he is ware of The Gos be thank'd I have another Child and Heaven is just in robbing me of him whom I alone did love and upon whom I built all my delight and hope As soon as we were come into the Queens Cabinet the King caus'd Pirobus to come unto him who had negotiated his last marriage with that fair Princess who brought you into the world and who had alwayes served him so faithfully And sure I was exceedingly amazed when turning to the Queen he made her in our presence this discourse Madam said he to her I know the sorrow you conceive for your Sons Levity is so great as that to understand he were no more alive would no more grieve you than his slight wherefore because it cannot add a jot unto your present forrow I intend to tell you of a thing which does exceedingly concern me and which these twenty years I have conceal'd from all the world and most especially from you You may remember Madam when first I sent you Pirobus in Embassage to seek you for my wife you after having courteously received him gave him an answer somewhat cold by framing an excuse touching your brothers death Spimantus who because he had been dead two years before finding that reason insufficient to oppose my just demand he was desirous to instruct him better in your truer meanings and understood by one of your chief States-men that the
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
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
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
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
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
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