thus low What more can be desir'd by cruell Fate No hope my sad thoughts know Of reinjoying their past happy state Oh my afflicted minde Death would'st thou come a welcome thou shalt finde With patience forlorne I passe the Moneths the yeares in solitude The Evening and the Morn In vaine my hopes thus striving to delude My teares I constant keep And as I am Aurora daily weep When the Rebellious Sea Armed with Snow strives to subdue this Rock It seemes my miserie At once kindly to warne and rudely mock For so the Destinies My life each minute offer to surprize Soon as the morne appeares And ushers in with dubious light the day My reall sorrow weares So true a shade of death that I betray My reason to that dreame And though awake dead to my selfe do seem All things within my view All things that grow and thrive by Natures care My sorrowes doe renew For by successive change they better'd are But to me fortune still Is therefore constant ' cause she first was ill This Tree from January No livery but the hoarie Frost receives Yet May its dresse doth vary Proudly adorning it with painted leaves Vnto the fruitfull plaine What August stole April restores againe This Sea somtimes enrag'd Swells up in Christall mountaines to the skies Yet often is aswag'd But onely I in constant miseries Confin'd to endlesse griefe Expect no liberty nor hope reliefe Aurora clos'd this sweet Musick with so many Sighes and Teares that hee must have had a soule truely insensible that could heare her without Compassion One evening as shee entertain'd her selfe with the present prospect of the sea shee saw a man strugling with the waters and breaking the waves though hee relyed more on the mercy of a Planke then the strength of his armes endeavouring to recollect his fainting Spirit till he might approach the shore for preservation of his life Aurora mov'd with a noble pitty and tender feare to have him die before her eyes commanded those few that attended her to relieve him who putting to sea in a little Skiffe took him up and treated him most carefully for so Aurora had commanded them besides the person and civilty of Pausanias for that was his name mov'd them to respect and affection Being recover'd from his rough usage which had caus'd him to vomit much water he shar'd amongst them some Jewells which hee had preserv'd from the sea in his late danger telling them that he was nobly descended and that untill he saw his fortune amended it was necessarie for him to live conceal'd and therefore desir'd the company to accept of his service for that possibly hereafter it might not repent them of that favovr His gold and person had purchas'd the affection of those that heard him they return'd thanks for the complement promising to serve him to the utmost of their power Pausanias was glad conceiving hee might securely continue there without being known for that Island was little acquainted with other then the watchfull Guardians of that beauty which so unjustly suffer'd Going forth one night when the bright 〈◊〉 with her beames enlightned the Wood hee heard a voyce that with a chearefull sweetnesse thus related its griefe to the Birds and Waters From th' early Dawne untill the Sun retire I to these woods and hills my griefe exspire My eyes with boundlesse Rivers over-flow Like troubled Fountaines murmuring at my woe Perpetuall miseries I still deplore As they are mine but as immortall more What is' t by nature beauties wealth to owne If to these woods confin'd I live alone Or that my eyes have power to kill with love If neere me none but birds and beasts doe move Too cruell heav'n that know'st my innocence Or with my sorrowes or my life dispence Thou to torment me dost forbid me die For death is pleasing unto misery Let those that happy are enjoy their breath The wretched never live but in their death To each dull houre that slides through lazy day My griefes or memory of griefes I pay Thus live I only pleas'd with this reliefe Death is the latest remedy of griefe For patience failes where th'injur'd soule sustaines The rigour of unintermitted paines Pausanius was astonisht as well at the sweetnesse of the voice as to heare it in so strange a place wondring who it could be whose soul so feelingly deplored its owne misfortunes and as well that he might not be ungratefull for the favour he recived though he were ignorant from whom as to try if by this meanes he might come to know the divine owner of so sweet a harmony to the suspence of the listning Nightingales he sung this song Torment of absence and delay That thus afflicts my memory Why do'st thou kill me every day Yet will not give me leave to dye Why dost thou suffer me to live All hope of life in life denying Or to my patience tortures give Never to dye yet ever dying To faire Narcissa's brighter eyes I was by loves instruction guided A happinesse I long did prize But now am from their light divided Favours and gifts my sute obtain'd But envious Fate would now destroy them Which if to lose I only gain'd What greater paine then to enjoy them The same wonder which before seiz'd Pausanias surpriz'd Aurora knowing none of her servants were of such extraordinary parts or could so sweetly complaine of the insupportable torment of absence Aurora inquisitive to know and incited by the curiosity that is incident to women was desirous to see the Orpheus of those Rocks but the shadow of the trees the distance of place and above all the regard of her quality which detained her represt this desire so that she deferr'd it till some other time and calling one of her attendants demanded of him if there dwelt any in that wood besides those that came with her out of Sicily The servant answered she forgot him whom not long since she commanded them to succour seeing him in danger of his life Aurora asked if he knew who he were Hee replyed he knew no more then thâ—t he had said he was call'd Pausanias concealing his quality and country yet could assure her that he seem'd to be of noble Parentage or at least his person and spirit deserv'd to bee so Aurora would not enquire further lest her curiosity might breed some suspition and although it be true that none can love what he never saw or convers'd with yet Fame Vertue and Desert incite a desire to see whether that satisfie the eye which had by the eare affected the soule Wee will not say Aurora was in love though her solitude might require it her greatnesse would not consent to it Yet she had a desire to know the man so well qualifi'd Pausanias soone seconded this desire for not enquiring the mystery inclosed in the Palace he continued to frequent the place where he first heard her and Aurora had the opportunity many evenings of seeing him passe by with such
dissembling her griefe she sung thus Why doth that foole unjustly love accuse Who through his owne feare did occasion lose To misse an offer'd happinesse must be Or want of love or too much modesty Thy scorne Lysarda I have justly won Who wanted light when I embrac'd the Sun O look into my heart thou wilt see there 'T was admiration onely caus'd my feare Respect curb'd my affection let me dye displeasing thee by thy enflaming eye Such death will make thy cruelty confesse I never wanted love though happinesse When Ismenia had ended her Song it being late they retired homewards and as they were going up the Hill by a Lane fenced on either side with Willowes and white Poplars they heard a great sound as of something that fell from an high Ismenia was amazed and Gesimenes laid hold of his Bow thinking it might be some wild beast they searched all about but could not find the cause at last they perceived a Barke â—o they were not far from the Sea neare the Shore it was covered over and had neither Helme nor Mariner to guide it Gesimenes and Ismenia fastned it to Land and were desirous to know what was in it scarce were the Sailes and Coverture taken off when such astonishment seiz'd them that for a good space they did nothing but looke on each other within it was a man bathed in bloud and by his sid a beautiful Lady living yet so dismaid that she wanted little of the dead body which lay beside her They were both afflicted at so sad a spectacle especially Gesimenes who intentively beholding the Lady fancied he saw in her the face and person of his absent Wife He gave the dead body buriall in the Sea since there was no meanes to restore his life he tooke the Lady in his armes and carried her to the homely Palace of his Cave where he entertain'd her with such care that in a short time he had good hope of her life When she had recovered so much strength as to open her eyes and found on either side of her a man and woman At first she was afraid of them though their behaviour and hospitality had exprest more pietie then her severe father and kindred She wondred much that Gesimenes so constantly fixed his eyes upon her and hearing Ismenia sometimes call him by his name she said to him Two things hold mee in this suspence you may do me a favour to instruct me in them Is it true that you are called Gesimenes Why since I opened my eyes have you so stedfastly beheld me often sighing and sometimes weeping you may aske the same of mee because when I first heard your name it struck mee to the soule For I loved a Gentleman of the same name at the expence of so many afflictions that this hazard of my life was the least and should I say that this Gesimenes whom I call Husband was son to the King of Albania truth would not accuse me Gesimenes was so transported with joy that hee could scarce expresse his mind If said hee I am the unfortunate Sonne of Pharnazes and thy Husband if thou art Polixena and my eyes deceive me not how can I behold thee without an extasie of content how can my heart but breake with the apprehension of the misfortunes thou hast suffered for my sake Polixena I am Gesimenes and will be thine till heaven deprive me of this life which I esteem now I enjoy thy sight and embraces Henceforward I shall desire life which I thought I should never have done for during the time I have dwelt among these Rocks the rising Sunne never found mee not suing to heaven to be eased of it for life is not a pleasure but a torment to the unfortunate Words are not full enough to expresse the content of these two Lovers for language is too narrow to cloath great passions so that with their eyes and soules they congratulated their strange and happy meeting The beauty of Ismenia and Gesimenes care of her might well have given Polixena cause of jealousie yet when shee was informed of the occasion which brought her to live with him shee esteemed her with as much affection as if shee had beene her owne daughter Thus being all three equally contented Gesimenes desired her to instruct them in the afflictions shee suffered during his absence for the relation of past miseries in prosperity doth deiight more then disconsolate wherefore to comply with their request she said So many my deare Gesimenes have been the troubles that opprest me in your absence and so continuall that 't is impossible I should either then have resented them or now relate them fully I was left as your surety to satisfie the hurt you did Lucander who seeing hee could not revenge himselfe on you resolv'd to do it on your other selfe divulging my weaknesse and giving it out that I was delivered in his armes My Father instead of punishing the infamous cruelty he used to the innocent Infant forgetting the relation it had to his bloud encouraged him and commanded I should bee shut up in a Tower where for a long time I neither saw the face of the Sun or of any humane creature untill at last the King your Father mov'd with pitty permitted one that had been brought up in my Fathers house to visit mee for they reposed trust in him With him I recreated the tedious houres of my imprisonment relating to him my misfortunes One day hee telling me that you were for certaine in a Village neare Albania I earnestly begg'd of him to afford mee some private meanes of writing to you which he did Then did I signe the death of us both For I writ a Letter wherein I informed you of my sad condition and of the great affection of the people to you who continually pittied you as much as they wisht Lucanders death for being possest of the Crowne he opprest them with tyrannicall injuries I advised you to make use of the protection of some other Prince by whose aid you might compasse your revenge In the mean time that I would if it were needfull poyson the Prince that the Subjects seeing him dead and hearing you were alive might be necessitated to seek after you lawfully to possesse the Kingdome after the decease of Pharnazes These and other things of importance did I write in that unhappy Letter to ease my heart and redresse your miseries but there is no successe where Fate opposeth so unfortunate were Arnestes and I that as he went from my chamber to seeke you out he met Lucander who questioned him concerning me whereupon he was so confounded that your Brother began to suspect something and causing him to be apprehended and searched found this Letter by which he confest more then he knew this put the Court into a tumult My Father who would be singular in Loyalty though at the expence of my life executed on me the greatest cruelty the world ever saw He gave order for
suppoz'd the Queens was esteem'd heire of the Kingdome and I had a better pretence for my affection Gesimenes who was indeed my lawfull Son had Clorinda the Lady I most esteem'd assign'd for his mother The whole Kingdome wondered I should hate Gesimenes the son of her I adored and esteeme Lucander whose mother I hated I will not relate how cruelly I us'd Gesimenes iâ— cannot but grieve you to heare it if you love him my disaffection proceeded so farre as to banish him Albania If hee bee alive as we had newes of his death he hath lived many yeares miserably abroad in strange Countries But the nature of man is unconstant the love I beare Clorinda vanish't and my undeceived understanding perceiv'd its errour then began I so much to dislike Lucander that I intended to have discovered his Birth but I forbore considering the Crowne would be without an heire seeing Gesimenes was wanting But since Lucander proves so ungratefull as by treason to deprive me of life and Scepter you assure me Gesimenes lives if you performe your promise in bringing him you shall see him King of Albania that hee may have his owne and you in part be paid the debt is owing you for my life His happinesse cannot but reflect on you who are so much his friend Gesimenes was not able to containe his joy but falling downe at his Fathers feet discovered himselfe saying he was Gesimenes and that he was well content with the miseries Fortune had inflicted on him since he had been banisht from his sight Now shee had bestow'd on him the happinesse to rescue his gray haires Pharnazes transported with such joy to see him alive as the strangenesse of the accident required embraced him most affectionately and told him that he should goe along with him for on the morrow his Commanders should kisse his hand and his presence would animate the Souldiers for they all loved him extremely and knowing his valour would undertake the warre with the greater resolution In this Gesimenes could not obey excusing himselfe with the acknowledgement of many favours received from Perozes of whose Forces he was Generall yet that he had taken Armes against his Father was not to offend him as he had shewne but to be a meanes of peace between both Kingdomes Gesimenes at parting enquired of him for his Wife Polixena he much troubled desired him not to speak of her for it would afflict his heart to remember the cruelty which her Father and Lucander had us'd in her death Let it not grieve you so much said Gesimenes For she is living and although it may seeme impossible I have long enjoy'd her company in this Desart for Heaven doth favour innocence and protect those Lives which Power and Fortune doe unjustly persecute Hereupon Gesimenes departed joyfully And Pharnazes was no lesse glad for having found his son and with him his owne life which had that night been lost had it not been preserved by Gesimenes Then communicating this strange event to his Counsell he determined to treat with the King of Armenia and Prince Perezes concerning Peace and the former Marriage The evening following a place of meeting was appointed for the two Kings The first thing they did was the proclaming of Gesimenes King of Albania and the same day Polixena was confirm'd his Wife the King and Queen of Armenia offering themselves to give her at the Temple Perozes told Pharnazes that the reason why he rejected the propounded Marriage with the Princesse was because he was already married to Ismenia who was Niece to him and Daughter to Gesimenes and Polixena Hereupon they both to informe him of the truth replyed that they had no further knowledge of her then that she had been brought up some years in their company that the businesse was now of such consequence that it would be unjust to deceive him and though they had reason to love Ismenia as well as if she were their Daughter yet in truth she was but of poore and meane Parentage This struck Perozes as if he had heard the sentence of his death but it troubled him more when he understood Ismenia could not be found for seeing a necessitie that her deceit must bee discovered and that she must lose Perozes shame would not suffer her to appeare so she retired into the woods flying from him she loved and intending to end her life in that solitude The Nuptialls were deferred till they might have news of the lost Ismenia for the married couple were so discontented at her absence that their resentment gave occasion to many to suspect she was indeed their Daughter and that they denyed it onely because they were unwilling to give her to Perozes The truth was they lov'd her so extremely that if Gesimenes had not known Ismenias Parents might have contradicted it he would have owned her Perozes in great passion offered a great summe of money to any that should bring newes of her Gesimenes calling to minde that shee had often told him the place where she was borne instantly dispatched Messengers to informe themselves with all diligence of her Parents and to see whether shee were not return'd to them After enquirie they found them and upon examination they confessed That Ismenia was not their Daughter thought they had professed her such almost ever since shee was borne that a Gentleman of Albania named Artaspes one night brought her to their house to be brough up by them charging them upon forfeit of their lives not to reveale the secret to any that three yeares agoe having a desire to match her with a Kinsman of theirs on the day intended for marriage she stole away since which time they could never know whether shee were alive or dead This encreased the admiration of all seeing Artaspes had brought her thither they supposed shee must bee his He being at that time in Albania they sent for him to declare what he knew concerning Ismenia Being come hee desired a little privacy with Gesimenes and thus spake unto him What I shall affirme of her that you call Ismenia concernes none so much as your selfe to know not to keepe you in suspence Prince Lucander and my selfe walking late one night in the City as wee were returning to the Palace a woman with her Face vailed called to us and addressing her selfe to Lucander hee ask'd her being well nigh dead if she would goe along with him or that hee should doe her any service I would beseech you answered the Lady delivering a Childe into his armes to carry this infant to Gesimenes who will easily know from whence it comes and believe me we may both be able to requite this favour so giving it to Lucander whom if shee had knowne she would sooner have given it to a Lyon she went away desiring us not to follow her because it concern'd both her life and honour We both stood amazed devising who this Lady might be for knowing how intirely you did love Polixena wee could
a grace as might endanger the liberty of one lesse restrained then she was for the afflictions of love are not for those that have other misfortunes to resent Pausanias could not behold the faire Aurora the windowes and lattices debar'd him her sight neither would he discover himself to those hee convers'd with supposing that since they kept their businesse so private the secresie much concern'd them and therefore he conceal'd what hee desir'd For it is a rule of discretion to know no more of any man then he is willing to communicate Neverthelesse desisted not to prosecute his intentions hoping he might finde opportunity to see that sweet Syren The morning often found him under her window not knowing whom he courted loving in ignorance yet confident more then a private Lady was within those Walls Before the Pallace he us'd severall pastimes and recreations that hee might thereby obtaine a sight of the Goddesse whose voice had enchanted his soule Pausanias had good successe in all things having bin brought up in the exercise of arms he hunted the wild Beasts of that wood so fortunately that he made their deaths acknowledge him Master of their strength and furie There was not any in the Pallace but applauded his gallantrie only Aurora was perplext at his perfections for every day he encreas'd her affection by new deserts And although she lik'd all she saw in him yet the inequality shee conceiv'd was betwixt them displeas'd her discretion those that disparage themselves being unexcusable Hereupon she advised whether it were not expedient to have him kill'd for when a meane person may occasion extraordinary mischiefe his death is esteemed mercy but shee could not attempt it in earnest For to take away the life of those we love because we love them is no good reason in the state of affection shee would have him depart the Island but immediately she repented For it is hard to put that out of sight which is imprinted in the minde In effect seeing that to kill him were cruelty to Pausanias to banish him tyranny to her selfe she resolv'd to divert her sadnesse passing her solitary houres with more delight and that he might never know that it was she that lov'd him she exchanged names with Celia to whom she imparted the Plot that she might assist her in pursuit of it and with her name dissembling her quality shee resolv'd to give entertainment to this new affection untill she might know who he was that had wone so much upon her heart Aurora might safely have admitted to her greatnesse the affection of Pausanias for he was sole heire to the King of Macedonia and being enamoured of the fame of Aurora's beauty which verses and pencills had extoll'd whilst other Princes by Ambassadors solicited her marriage resolv'd that his fortune should rely upon his owne diligence and by going to Sicily to be both the Agent and the Lover This desire made him put to sea and forsake his owne Countrey such is the power of a noble resolution so did the imagined beauty disquiet the Princes minde and attract his will and freedome that he expos'd his life to the perrill of the waves and his greatnesse to a meane lodging of Planks and Canvas to see if truth were correspondent to same But he was lesse fortunate then adventrous for one evening the Sea being angry or weary to sustain the weight of so high a Majesty in so little room begun to rage furiously so that the valiant Princes life was in danger the heavens were darkned and the Aire so turbulent that the company expected every minute should end their lives and without thought of saving themselves made him leap into the foaming Sea fearing some worse event and by embracing a plancke to use the most difficult meanes for his owne safety Thus pass'd he two dayes befriended by the weather at length arrived so neare the Island that Aurora could relieve and after love him so extremely as we see She resolved at last to speake with him but under the feigned name of Celia which defire was encreased by Pausanias for one night he amorously sung these Verses upon the curiosity of his love What wouldst thou have unquiet breast What is it thus disturbs thy rest Say not thou lov'st it cannot be Who never didst deserve or see Love where the mind out-strips the eye Is onely Curiositie But thou wilt say why dost pursue Thine owne disquiet then 't is true And though this onely care expresse Of an imagin'd happinesse Desire to see doth ever prove A sure preparative to love An object so divine I frame Within my breast as doth inflame My captiv'd mind I love subdue Desire oblige hope and pursue Resigne my liberty bestow My soule on one I do not know And thus can Master be of none For I no longer am mine owne As soone as Pausanias had made an end Aurora call'd to him and said though with some difficulty by reason that the Balcon's were very high that he might leave his curiosity and professe love For his addresses were not unacceptable Pausanias remain'd contented with this favour since although hee had never seene the bestower yet at least his affections were not so ill plac'd as he before imagin'd and seeing it vvas not possible to speak to her he determin'd to vvrite transferring his thoughts to the Penne vvhich useth to bee the discreetest tongue expressing more then is felt The Letter vvas short though the subject did not require it to leave her vvith the desire of receiving another and thus it said Madam I May justly say you are obliged to favor me having cost mee infinite cares without any recompence although ever since the last night I have presum'd to be more fortunate and so am resolv'd to dye rather importunate then bashfull for my birth is noble and will not suffer mee to flie from any attempt That which I now desire is to see you if perhaps my love have merited it and since heaven suffers it selfe to bee lov'd and you appeare such bee like it in condition as in beautie for if your beames inflame mee it is but justice I should know the sphere from whence they come Pausanias repaired thither as hee used to doe and having first courted her with a Song which hee had composed that day as well sung as penn'd he shew'd her the Paper saying it was a piece excellent for Musick and that he should be extreame glad to heare it set to the Gittrah Aurora understood him and was pleas'd with the deceit because that which otherwise would have appear'd lightnesse now past for civility for there are some so discreet in what they demand that by encouraging the crime they seem to excuse the fault and throwing downe a string of Pearle Pausanias return'd it more weighty then before Aurora read the Paper and in part to satisfie his expressions desiring him to expect a while commanded Celia to write not that shee could not her self for she was extreamely
accomplish'd in every thing but for the danger might ensue if her hand were knowne and betwixt them both they fram'd this Answer THat you may not when you returne home to your Countrey accuse the Sicilian Ladies of ingratitude since your desire is so reasonable as the sight of a woman I will performe what you require me though then your eyes will contradict your fancie for it is certaine that I am fairer in your opinion now then I shall bee afterward I am call'd Celia and attend a Lady of quality that lives in this Castle She and I will be to morrow in this place so that you may then see me bee of good courage and thanke me for being so soone quit of your love if that can be love which hath past no further then imagination I only entreate you to keepe this indiscretion secret and to tell me your name estate and quality for it imports us both Pausanias kist the Paper and read it often for a Lover is never satisfied at the first the day following went to see what hee so much desir'd Aurora had commanded her servants to retire to another quarter of the house and being alone with Celia caused her to attire her selfe richly and shee stood beside her Pausanias beholding was exceedingly ravisht in regard his fancy had come short of the truth for Celia besides her slender shape was of a pleasing beauty but her lustre was eclips'd by Aurora's presence whose eyes were spheres of light her forehead a plaine of Lillies her haire the riches of Arabia in her cheeke Roses her mouth Pearles her neck of Alabaster her breasts of Snow and hands of polisht Ivorie she was attir'd in greene Tabey wrought with gold so that she appear'd like a Diamond enchased in Emralds her Gowne Skie-colour laid with black Buttons and Loopes in a word she was altogether divine her perfections many and her yeares few Pausanias was much astonished yet fearefull the Sea should see her lest he should wooe her for one of his waterie Deities and thanking his own perseverance hee determined to gaine her that had got his soule though at the expence of a long absence from his Countrey for he found that the Picture of Aurora that he had seen was farre unâ—quall to the divine Celia he esteemed the time well employ'd that he had spent in adoring those Walls since within them hee had found so much more then expectation had promised Whilst Pausanias enjoy'd these favours passing the night with them and the day with hopes it happened that Dionysius sent for one of those that waited on Aurora aâ—d threatned him that if either through his or his fellows fault it should be known where his daughter was they should instantly dye a shamefull death With this feare he returned to the rest and gave them notice how much it concerned them that Pausanias would quit the Island since he might easily at one time or other as he walked in the wood see the Princesse and occasion all their ruines So easie is it replyed another that I thinke he pretends if he have not already effected it for I have observ'd that he looks up very intentively to those Balcones and she hath enquired of me who he is and if he persist hee must of necessity come to know her and we to lose Dionysius favour In effect feare overcame them and all agreeing that hee should not continue there they advertis'd him that it concern'd his life to absent himselfe Pausanias wondred at their suddaine resolution and after many conjectures began to suspect that without doubt some one of them lov'd Celia and would use that meanes to secure his jealousie or envy and thereupon he determin'd to speake to them all that he might satisfie him who conceiv'd himselfe injur'd and to beseech them againe not to offer him so great a discourtesie as to constraine him to depart the Island untill such time as he had news of his servants whose lives perhaps the Sea had pardoned He plainly perceiv'd how difficult it was to reclaime them seeing those that before so kindely entertain'd him now behold him distastefully for ill will is discover'd by the eyes countenance and carriage and one morning finding them altogether hee said to them Gentlemen and friends my birth is noble and though I live where I am unknowne to all but my selfe I doe not thinke any here can complaine of my demeanour for men of my parentage receive not benefits unthankfully ingratitude and noblenesse differing as night and day I came to this Island or to say better my fortune threw me here not unhappily since in it I have found both protection and friends Here I have liv'd a while endeavoring to satisfie to my power though not to my desire the favours I have receiv'd from all but it seemes I have not sufficiently exprest my selfe since when I think you most my friends you threaten me with death unlesse I depart I have enquired what might be the reason but indeed can finde none unlesse some one of you being jealous incites the rest to this violence which if it be so hee ought to consider that a man doth not offend unlesse hee know that he injures for he who through ignorance or innocence sollicits that whereunto another hath right can onely then be said to offend when after he knowes the truth he pursues his wish and so to have surveigh'd this Castle with a desire to see what it inclos'd or by curiosity to have obtein'd that fight can not disquiet any one for before this present I knew not that it would give offence and if I conceive aright there is more then one Goddesse inhabits there so that none hath reason to complaine of mee because I neither injur'd him out of malice nor can he know to which I am enclin'd Pausanias thought by this to have appeas'd and satisfied them but the event was contrary for the knowledge of this secret being their greatest feare they needed no other information to draw their swords and assault his life But before they could dispatch it Aurora and her gentlewomen hearing the noise saw the treacherous mischiefe they intended to a single stranger and forgetting her greatnesse for love considers not quality when that which is esteemed is in danger sent to command them all to desist and informe her of their quarrell who comming before her related what charge her Father had given them adding that Pausanias for certaine either had already or else meant to speak with one of the Ladies that attended her highnesse which might give occasion to discover what Dionysius intended to keep so secret that none but heaven and themselves should know and therefore to excuse the danger that threatned them it was necessary to take away his life It would be replyed Aurora impiety in me to consent to it and treachery in you to effect it because I am informed you have received courtesies from this Gentleman there is no reason you should
take away his life whom you your selves confesse to be of such estimable parts especially for that which may be remedied without bloud I understand that Pausanias saw one night one of my women whom either for the novelty or opportunity he courted and she I think heard him not unwillingly For this reason it concernes me that he stay no longer in this Island and since his absence is sufficient to secure you I take that and your danger upon my selfe for Pausanias is a gentleman and can conceale what he hath seen With these hopes they were satisfied and Aurora remained in a thousand perplexityes for she lov'd him so passionately that there would be but little difference betwixt loosing him and her owne life And indeed so powerfull was his discourse and conversation that although he had been lesse worthy of her beauty yet to see and heare him would beget affection And at last she became so resolute that it would have grieved her to have been freed from her prison if she should thereby be deprived of his pleasing conversation for women when they once fall in love are sensible neither of paines or misfortunes which befall them in the company they affect wherefore she considered by what meanes she might comply with her own affection and her servants feare To keep him there against all their wills were to hazard her honour and to give her enemies an occasion of a more severe revenge Having first adviz'd with Celia she writ a Letter wherein she informed him of what had past entreating him affectionately to preserve his life and to prepare for departure two things in appearance contrary When night was come the faire Princesse went forth to take leave of Pausanias and delivering him the Letter with a little Silver Cabinet wrapt in Taffata not having power to speake shee withdrew her selfe to lament her ensuing misfortunes Pausanias also retir'd through the suspition of the late quarrell and kissing the Signature which said Your Celia he read it with much feare on this manner SIr I have had much care for you this day I saw you draw your Sword and I assure you it troubled me I think it was love yet unfortunate since it must dye as soone as borne We are both the cause of it because I ghesse our affection hath been discovered My birth is more noble then you imagine and it concernes us both that you immediately absent your self that you lose not your life nor I my reputation Believe mee I am very sensible of it for in a word I love you and must lose you You may comfort your selfe with this thought that it was impossible I should ever have been yours not for love to any other but for my qualitie too transcendent I send you here a thousand Crowns to serve you in your journey with a knot of Diamonds and Emeralds which I did sometimes weare at my breast that in your Countrey you may remember it was mine and its owner yours Having read and deplor'd the rigorous sentence of his death hee resolved precisely to obey all that Aurora in it had commanded and to let her know some part of his regret he tooke the Pen and return'd this answer I Should have esteem'd it a happinesse if to day I had received death by my enemies since such they were that I might not have expected it from your hands Before the mornings light breakes forth I will absent my selfe from yours that you may say I knew how to love and to obey you What I would not doe for my owne life I will for your honour I cannot expresse what I feele because I write perplexed and can ascertaine nothing onely I assure you my bloud is so noble that the King of Syracuse himselfe cannot say hee is my better I came out of my Countrey to marry in this Kingdome for your sake will return back I give you infinite thanks for your Present and will not excuse my selfe from repaying it hereafter The knot I will keepe as your favour and since you have given me so much cause of griefe give me time to lament it though I hope so to resent it that when you least thinke of it you will heare newes of his death who knew how to love you but had not the happinesse to deserve you Aurora with much trembling made an end of reading the Letter and not able to restraine her eyes bath'd it in teares Celia came to her and tooke out of her hand the occasion of her griefe but that little avail'd for she tooke it not out of her breast so that as she went through a long Gallerie she wrung her hands beseeching heaven to increase her Fathers rigour and Arminda's hate that they might contrive her death She went to looke towards the Sea imagining that her lost lover was already embarqued and comming thither so excessive were her teares and passionat expressions that Celia fearing she might offer some violence to her selfe amongst other reasons said thus to her Is it possible Madam that a disproportion'd affection should so extremely work upon you I should not have beleev'd this of your reserv'd discretion if I had not seene it I confesse Pausanias deserves to be lov'd but you know he is not a man equall to your condition nor can in reason be yours what proofe have you of his discent more then his owne relation which may well be doubted for the meaner sort where they are not knowne give large testimonies of their bloud Alas replyed Aurora that uncertainty is my greatest trouble If Pausanias be as noble as he hath intimated perhaps I might have attempted something you would little have suspected from my reservednesse and I perswade my selfe it might yet well be done were it but to free my selfe from imprisonment And though I should marry into a stranger Country I should not lose my right to the Kingdom after my Father I believe his Subjects affect me so entirely that if they knew I were here in prison he would have little security either of his Kingdome or life Tell me Celia what can I hope for in this Castle but death My Father is married and in love Arminda governes the Kingdome and beares mee so much ill will that I many times eat my meat in feare suspecting shee hath sent something to kill me though I shall now need no other poison then the absence of Pausanias Oh Celia you would oblige me if you could contrive how I might speake with him and be better inform'd of his quality that I may not continue thus in suspence If hee bee of meane Parentage I will rather dye by mine owne hand then admit a thought may staine my bloud and if to my happy fortune he should prove as is not impossible some Prince cast upon this Island by accident be confident I would hazard my life for my liberty though in all things I should first take your advice that I might not erre through mine own opinion Celila was attentive
forcing the lock he came with as much feare as silence to the bed where Aurora lay who had then yeelded to a short slumber He was astonish'd not without cause to behold the most perfect piece of Natures Pencill and setting down the light he carried upon a little silver Cup-board began to contemplate that dead beauty and living patterne of Divinity Her haire was loose upon her shoulders without more confinement then a green Ribband her right hand under her cheek and her left carelesly upon the bed which with a lovers timerousnesse he took and kist Aurora perceiv'd that something did disquiet her with her eyes halfe open like the Sun when he wakens the day saw a man at her bed side and as soon as she knew it was Pausanias warm'd with a modest bashfulnesse she chang'd the Lillies of her Cheeks to Roses She asked him angrily why he came thither He answered to see her I never thought replyed Aurora you had valued me so low as to preferre your own pleasure before my entreaties your curiosity before my honour I warnd you that to stir forth concern'd the reputation and life of us both which since you have done judge what I may justly thinke of you You will say Love was the cause Presumption deceives you you know such testimonies better consist with the hazard of the man then of the woman Reserve this freenesse or rather boldnesse for women of meaner quality rudenesse is not pardonable with every one and be assur'd I am herewith so offended that you cannot oblige me in all your life so much as you have with this one action displeas'd me Returne to your lodging and despaire not of liberty if you esteem it an imprisonment to be thus lockt up to morrow I will speak to my Lady that with her leave you may returne from whence you came so rash a man is unfit for high designes Pausanias would gladly have replyed to excuse himselfe but Aurora would not suffer him telling him of the danger she incurr'd if he were discovered Being thus forced to retire hee wish't with griefe hee might expiate this enterprize with the losse of life Aurora was not so much displeas'd as she seem'd Yet to let him know the respect due to her person and to refine his affection she thought it discretion not to see him for a few dayes Meane while the people in Sicily impatient of Aurora's absence whom they extremely lov'd began to murmur at her Fathers cruelty saying what mercy can Subjects expect from him that tyrannizes over his owne bloud It proceeded so farre that some with clamours others with Armes required the restitution of the Princesse The peoples insolency affrighted Dionysius so that to dismisse them and to comply with the desires of his Subjects Friends and Kindred hee promised they should all suddenly see her Hereupon he went out privately that night with Clearchus his Favourite and arriving where Aurora was excused his unkindnesse and related the reason of his comming hee commanded that immediately she and her company should make ready for they must with all speed goe to Sicily Aurora was so dismai'd as might have given occasion of suspition Celia was struck dumbe and so suddaine was their departure that Aurora had not time to weep Neverthelesse Celia ordered it so that shee spoke with Pausanias but with so much perplexity and feare that shee was hardly understood in interrupted expressions shee said thus Now Sir the time is come that you may goe out of this prison and enjoy the desire you have to see Sicily there is a necessity that divides us I believe the love I bear you will seek you out wheresoever you are One to whom my fortune hath subjected mee more severe then his relation requires enjoyneth me to live absent from what I most esteeme the occasion is urgent and he that commands powerfull so pardon me and believe it lies not in my power to excuse it a servant shall come hither to bring you safe into Sicily though not so soone as I could wish more witnesses then ordinary see me Heavens give you life to my desire Sad and amaz'd was Pausanias at this accident Sad because Celia's words seemed to imply that he must lose her and amaz'd as being ignorant of the cause hee could not apprehend the meaning of what hee had heard sometimes imagining that hee was sentenc'd to depart in punishment of his late boldnesse sometimes that she meant to absent her selfe and that which held him in greatest suspense was the reflecting on her words That one to whom by fortune she was subject lesse mercifull then his relation required commanded her not to see him A thing which she had ever conceal'd from him but shee referred the discovery of this truth to time the undeceiving Glasse The day following past and neither Celia nor the maid appointed to attend him visiting him the night came when making his accustomed signall from the Balcone he was answer'd by his owne eccho then liftning at the doores and perceiving that all things were in deepe silence hee suspected one of these two things either some strange accident had happened or Celia dwelt no longer in that place having surpast those doubts he resolved not to suffer himselfe to languish wherefore opening the first doore with a Dagger hee went so farre till he came to the Chamber of his absent Mistris where looking round about and finding nothing but a dismall solitude hee began to thinke all was illusion and witchcraft and therefore confidently expected his death Yet being Master of no lesse valour then discretion he drew his Sword and went up and down the Castle to try if hee could free himselfe out of those enchantments at length comming into a Hall which to his thinking was the last he saw a small light and a little further foure men Drawing neare them he said they must either suffer him to goe out quietly or prepaire for Death for hee was so resolute that their lives seem'd but few to his indignation They amaiz'd to see a man where the Sunne the great Lynx of Heaven could hardly enter to doe their office drew their timorous swords upon him But hee had endangered all their lives if one of them laying hold of a Halbert had not held it to his breast The valiant youth was mov'd for feare his excusable where the multitude of enemies may assault on every side Yet considering withall that to render himselfe were to runne the hazard of being carried dishonourably to Sicily he would rather undergoe the danger then preserve his life with the stain of Coward He charg'd them to dispatch him or else hee would adventure to change fortunes with them At these words they were all daunted and through feare had not courage enough to strike At last they agreed not onely to let him depart but that one should accompany him past danger of the way because that place was so encompast with Mountaines and woods that they who were
occasion of Aurorah's living in the Castle and how imagining he was below her greatnesse she had dissembled her name changing it for Celia untill she were fully inform'd of his condition how to avoid the danger of having her Letters known she caused Celia to write for her how the reason of his going to find him in the Wood was because he had for many yeares loved Celia as he had gather'd by his words and seeing the Letter with her Seale he was confirmed in his jealousie blaming the affection of guiltlesse Celia The Prince was surprized with wonder and joy at this relation of Clearchus and casting his Armes about his neck in signe of love and delight said the news was so conformable to his wishes that only time could expresse how highly he esteemed it Then went he to treat with Dionysius concerning his love who promised her to him thereby requiting the complement of having left his Countrey neither was any more worthy of the Princesse and immediately they writ to Timenides the Princes Father about their agreement Pausanias had now opportunity to visit her and to expostulate the favourable deceit whereby she had caused his jealousie Their Espousals were solemnized with the greatest Pompe that Cicily ever beheld jointly celebrating those of Clearchus and Celia whose constancy merited a successe no lesse fortunate Within a few daies they imbarqued for Macedonia attended by all the magnificence of the Court. Timenides received them with the joy of a Father who supposing his Son lost or dead found him so much improv'd in all things Then feeling himselfe burden'd with yeares and through infirmities unable to be the Atlas of that weight he transferred the Crown to his Sons head And that the pleasure of so true an affection might be compleat Heaven was pleased to bestow on their first yeare a Son Pausanias and Aurora living and loving so unanimously that every day seemed the first of their marriage The Prince FRom the top of Caucasus a Mountain in Armenia descended a man savage in appearance though not in mind cloath'd with severall skins of wild Beasts his limbs strong and swarthy his face scorch'd with the Sun his haire long at his shoulder hung a Quiver of Arrowes at his left side a Wood-knife and in his hand he carried a young tree which being stript of the boughes and leaves was both his stay and defence who sitting down upon a Carpet of sweet though ordinary Flowers drew out of his breast a beautifull Picture so lively in the obscure Tablet that it seem'd to have more soule then it received from the Pencill and beholding it as intentively as if it had beene the Originall much troubled he thus passionately discoursed to it Oh deare though absent Polixena it is long since I enjoy'd thy divine sight in another condition but what assurance will not envy and fortune dissolve where both conspire to prosecute When I first caus'd Tebrandes to draw thy Picture in this Tablet I little thought that this unequall shadow of thy beauty should ever have been my greatest comfort Who would have said when in Albania I maintain'd a Tourney in a habit which thy faire hands had embroydered that I should ever have seen my selfe in an estate so different the inhabitant of a mountaine my armes naked my feet covered only with the skin of a Beare a Trunke of a tree my Sword my lodging a Cave and companions a pair of Lions But the heavens know that neither to be so expos'd to the injury of weather that the Sun takes me for July and the Snow for January nor to be brought so low that I am forc'd every day to kill some wild Beast to sustaine me nor to live in this dismall solitude where I converse only with Flowers and Rivers nor yet to consider the small hopes I have of better fortune have power to make me sad but only the feare that thou dost forget me For amongst the troubles which an absent Lover suffers none but this is able to torment him It is now twelve yeares since for thy sake I first deserted Albania and were my selfe dilated to an age should alwaies thus preserve thee in my breast but alas I feare thou dost not requite me for women are said to place their eyes and wils only on what they see present because what is past is no longer enjoy'd Having so long disappeared can I doubt my death is not believ'd for certaine And some perhaps there are that affirme it to comply with those that hate me Yet if I live in thy memory nothing else can afflict or trouble me I often imagine that as being but a woman thou hast prov'd unconstant and though thy love might continue the first yeare my absence yet sure the second thou tookst comfort and the third didst quite turne me out of thy breast However this world hath had some whose constancy hath triumphed over the naturall imbecelity of their Sex and thou maist bee one of those The dagger of Lucretia the Coales of Portia and the Aspes of Cleopatra testifie that Love is an unapprehensive of Death Thy constancy faire Polixena would have had no such inconvenience it would not have hazarded thy life The tender-savage Lover would have proceeded in Discourse to the Picture had he not been interrupted by a young Shepheardesse who passing by the skirts of a green Mountaine imagining shee was heard of none but the Birds as she went along sung thus Menga a Shepheardesse neare these Brooks borne Wonder o' th' earth and envy of the morne Sad and asham'd complaines of her hard fate For beauty seldome proves more fortunate Love whose soft chaines she freely did dispence To all at least ensnar'd her innocence Anton a Swaine that many other eyes Attracted was to hers a sacrifice Nor slights she his affection though she feare Their envy who for him like passions beare Teresa's love she knowes to him enclin'd A Nymph though faire yet wanton as the wind Favours and gifts she never yet withstood Inconstancy deriving with her bloud All that shee sees her boundlesse thoughts desire For longing fancies greedy eyes require Once Menga found her with Anton lesse coy Then she could wish his but to rob her joy Shame did suppresse her anger but her teares Did unrestrain'd betray her jealous feares What have I done false shepheardesse she said That thou should'st all my happinesse invade Thou lov'st another me hast dispossest Because stolne pleasures are to thee the best I 've seen thee many love but true to none Thou dost hereditary lightnesse owne Enjoy thine owne not my delights remove Thou wrong'st thy beauty to molest my love Thus Menga who against Teresa cries When she begun to love left to be wise Gesimenes for so was this prodigie of fortune nam'd was much astonisht to heare so sweet a voice in a wilde wood unfrequented by any He arose and called to her bidding her not feare for he was a man rationall as others though his habit
whereby the warres that have long infested both Kingdomes may have an end Ismenia would not proceed any further nor indeed could shee for jealousie and anger a lesse discovery might have been sufficient to have kill'd her she accused her malicious fortune and much bewailed the losse of Perozes apprehending so many inconveniences that it seemed impossible he should ever bee hers First his Birth and the distance between them next hee was to marry a Princesse enrich'd as the Picture shew'd with extraordinary beauty but hearing some body come she dissembled her griefe and perceiv'd it was her Enemy who as hee came along sung thus As faire Ismenia forth did goe A Saphire sparkled in each eye And on her cheek did Jesmines grow Bath'd in the Roses Purple dye But when I nearer came t' have plaid Within the Sun-shine of her light She scorc'd me in her beames betraid Like sportive flyes to losse of sight What feare and reverence doth beget Th' approach unto so bright a flame Which can extinguish with its heate And makes both love and death the same An injur'd woman is not sensible of any thing so much as of flattery from him that wrongs her and Ismenia confident that Perozes love was counterfeit tooke it more unkindly to bee deceiv'd then unrequited for disaffection may bee naturall and out of our power but dissimulation is not being bred onely in malicious breasts That Perozes might not boast he had forsaken her first though for the Princesse of Albania she went to him and betwixt reason and jealousie said thus Perozes though you see mee in this Mountaine so rudely attir'd that my richest ornament is the spotted skin of a Tygresse yet you may well perceive my soul hath more worth then my habit promiseth You say you love me so infinitely that though you are of the best bloud in Armenia yet you will hazard both life fortune to be my Husband and as this expression must not either by the Laws of Civility or affection be unacknowledged I requited it with the like But as those that love cannot dissemble for that 's a crime it grieves my affection to have hid a secret from you It is impossible wee should ever enjoy each other Do not wonder that I undeceive you now whereas I might as well have done it before All women at first conceale their passions unwilling to discover their imperfections to them they know not for by open profession of love they might beget too slight an opinion of themselves but when we find engagement wee have a care to discover the truth to such Professors of affection that they may see the danger they incurre either for avoidance or excuse The summe of all is to let you know I am anothers he who I told you was my Father is not so but one whom misfortune hath banish'd Albania and he has my promise to be his wife though in truth he hath yet had no other assurance then my hand therefore love me lesse and containe your selfe more my descent is noble and I must be his having once profest it for my Obligation cannot be discharg'd but by giving my selfe unto him and he is of so excellent and gallant a mind that he thinke it not passion surpasseth you Scarse had the jealous Ismenia ended when without expecting an answer of satisfaction shee ran away into the more envious part of the Wildernesse Perozes being unacquainted with the place presently lost her expressing so much passion as might have mollifi'd a Rock if it could have heard him but all in vaine Ismenia would not runne the hazard of relenting by hearing what hee could say for the tender disposition of women is perswaded to weepe by seeing others do so yet was she not without resentment for retiring to the remotest corner of the Cave shee wept affectionate teares and taking out the Letter that was directed to her lover shee kist that name in the superscription which was engraved in her heart Thus the two Lovers passed two dayes without meeting not through Perozes neglect but Ismenia's obstinacy who saying late one evening at the border of the mountaine to behold a tree on whose barke both their names were engraven What availes it said shee complaining to her selfe that Peroses writeth himselfe mine on the trees when the Princesse of Albania may countermand it what that he flatters mee with such kinde affection in this solitude if at Court he adores a brighter beauty shee would have said more had shee not been interrupted by the Musick of a sweet voice from amongst the Poplars though she knew it was her ungratefull Lover yet shee was willing to dispence a little with her resolution and hearken to this Song Ismenia's eyes my soule divide A faire yet haplesse Sheperdesse In whom rich Nature all her pride And Fates their poverty expresse To move the sute I feare to misse Her worth and my respect deny For where even hope endanger'd is Lovers in silence use to dye Thus the desire I entertaine Neither shuns love nor sute preferrs For though she to be mine disdaine I 'me blest enough in being hers Ismenia perceiving by the words and voice it was Perozes sought to hide her selfe in the bushes that she might avoid sight and speech with him not that she was averse from it but she would not give occasion to awake that love which slumbred in absence but the rushing of the leaves betraid her Perozes told her She had no reason unlesse she had with her habit changed he humanity to fly from one who had not lost her through any offence of his own But since he was so unfortunat that he could not be hers he entreated her to informe her selfe by that Paper of his extreme passion that she might at least know how much she was indebted to him so taking leave of her he left in her hand these Verses which she imprinted as she read them in her soule Divinest Syren cruell faire Cause of my life and my despaire Griefe that descends to words is weake But mine is full and cannot speake For how can Fate more cruell be Then to grant life denying thee Yet I in death hope to adore Those joyes without which life is poore My reason 's banish'd by my paine Who can lose thee and it retaine How soon was my calme soule dejected And ruine suffer'd ere expected But since that blisse which once was mine Thou to another wilt resigne Be happy in thy choice whilst I In unregarded ashes lye Be happy in him 't is unfit To wish thee joy and hinder it Then finish what thou hast begun Encrease my griefe and kill me soon And when I 'me dead let pitty move thee But to remember I did love thee Ismenia relenting would have read them often had shee not beene hindred by Gesimenes who comming to seek her and glad to have found her entreated her to divert his continuall Melancholy with a Song whereupon more to obey him then please her selfe