Resolution hee neither seemed much dismayed or abated For to complaine of Godes or Men of Fortune or the World he thought it a property of such as desired to liue Againe to crane pardone sue to Friends and make base Submission hee imputed to such as feared to die so that Death appeared now like a welcome Friend if the reproch might be taken away which made such an impression that he protested Anzitemus should not triumph in his disgrace not vse his liuing body contumeliously yet when there seemed want of meanes to effect this glorious Acte as hee supposed beeing left destitute of all prouision hee then boyled for very rage and was enforced to coole him selfe with a Cup of cold Water which working a better temperature somewhat reduced him and then he reprehended his dulnesse that conceiued not the infinite wayes whereat Death might make her entrance wherevpon with circumspection as if Desperatnesse meant to intreat her contrary aduise hee searched about the Chamber at last finding a rysing in the Wall where a Flint shoued out his Corner with a maine careere he dashed out his brairies leauing rather example of Manhod then Conscience With the death of Cleonidas remayned Armenia fully quieted and Brizaca without further suspition might prepare for her progresse to which the industry of Philiranus and the dutie of her Subiectes added outward Ritches and Pompe nor was shee behinde them for State and Maiestie So that shee set forward to their Ioy and Amazement from whence shee came to their Delight Contentment to whom shee went But when Anzitemus vnderstood of Cleonidas death hee tooke the newes as it were in ill part because hee thought him selfe disappoynted of a great deale of Honour in the courses meant toward him yet ballansing the assurance of his owne Peace and quietnes withall hee gaue way to more seasonable desires and seemed satisfied with the wantonnesse of the time and the pleasure of the place which delighted with varietie so that if his owne importunities had not compelled his returne into Armenia hee might very easily haue vsurped the felicitie of another Kingdome FINIS Scribimus indocti doctique Poeniata passim The Battaile betwixt Anzitemus and Cleonidas at Sea A dèsperate action of Cleonidas The Shipwracke of Anzitemus The storie of the Shepheards of Nagania Placandus fishing night Anzitemus saued by Placandus changeth hisname to Montanus Montanus as Placandus seruant saluted by Coranus Coranus not onely relateth the story of Montanus but describeth him to his daughter Deltona Coranus describeth Montanus to Deltona The Story of Marpesia The Shepheards feast wherein Mountanus and Deltona meet The description of the shepherds daughters The discription of the shepheards The continuance of the Feast with the Exercises of the shepheards The secodn meeting of Montanus and Deltonae The third meeting of Montanus and Deltona Montanus in loue with Deltona Deltona in loue with Montanus and how they came togeather Montanus commeth to Coranus and Deltona Corauus is pleased with Deltonas recouery and Montanus company Montanus meeteth with Franio comming from Corauus The Story of Franio an enuious opposite and riuall of Montanus Wicked idle men described Deltona is resolued to know what Montanus is and what shal be the issue of their loue so goeth to Marpesius Cane where she entertaineth Montanus Montanus commeth to Marpesias Caue and findeth Deltona Franio betrayeth Deltona to the Duke with his story aâ—…loue to Deltona The story of Rugio Duke of Fortona Deltona Deltona refuseth to be Dutches of Fortona The Duke stealeth away Deltona The Duke stealeth away Deltona through Franios mischieuous deuice who is slaine in the businesse The death of Franio Montanus followeth the Duke into the Cittie to see what will become of Deltona who is discouered to be an Emperours daughter Coranus meeteth his brother Bertosus in Fortona Egerius and Deltona discouered to be brother and sister the Emperour of Trebizonds 〈◊〉 The History of Mengrelius and Kalucki Kalucki dispossessed of the Empire by his younger brother Mengrelius seateth himselfe in the further Tartary Kalucki setled in Tartaria Menarelius marieth his sister Arcabella Mengrelius killeth his first Sonne The hystorie of Xantippus and Encelidon King Zalby commeth to Duke Rugio to Fortona Engerius prosceutcth the Historie of Mengrelius The description of Delphos Mengrelius troubled with a Dreame The Empresse is deliuered of two children the one named Trezoboro the woman Brizaca How Gellida and Perinthum saued the Princes The Empres Children deliuered to Coranus and Bertosus too Brothers in Capadocia Montanus hearing the Historie of Mengrelius is much troubled when the Duke confesseth that he loueth Delte na Bertofus proceedeth in the story of Mengrelius The Empres children with Coranus and Bertosus taken prisoners by Cleonidas The story of â—…xus and Menedemus The story of Cleonidas and Perinthum The Shipwracke of Coranus and Bertosus with the Emperors children who are here discouered to be Egerius Deltona But by their proper names Trezoborâ—… Brizaca Bertosussuffering shipwracke is taken vp by Piscarro nameth Trezoboro Egerus Coranus suffering shipwracke is taken vp by Selenus and nameth Brizaca Deltona Deltona thus reuealed doth not yet forget Montanus but confesseth her loue Mâ—…ntanus departeth from Fortonâ—… Montanus commeth to Placandus his father prepareth himselfe against the Triumph Montanus commeth to the Triumph unknowne The History of Artabazes and Olmus Olmus the Kinges Brother beginneth aninne uation Artabazes stomaching his Brothers presumption will not induer it but Kills him in the Hurliburly Artabazes Killeth his brother Olmus The story of Gestarius Artabazes leaueth Armenia Gestarius death The story of Cleonidas Artabazes Cleonidas carieth Artabazes away prisoner Montanus discouereth himselfe to be the Sonne of Artabazes Montanus hauing discouered himselfe to be King Artabazes Sonne by the name of Anzitemus maryeth Brizaca Anzitemus and Brizaca maryed Ligornio porceedeth in the History of Artabazes beginneth with the story of Artabanus and Astiages The story of Medormus and Gliranda Artabanus offereth priuat Combate to Medormus which Anzitemus performeth for the king Gliranda killeth her selfe Anzitemus meditateth on his owne affayres and his fathers imprisonment The story of Ormisdates and Damafloris Sacromirus sonne of Hircania proceedeth with Artabanus historie The story of Anzitemus and Astiages Astiages murdreth Mulcasses Astiages desperate of recouery considering Anzitemus possessed his Kingdome flyeth to Cleonidas Astiages flyeth to his Ships Anzitemus proceedeth in his owne story The Persiâ—…us would choose Anzitemus king but he refuseth Astiages returneth with Cleonidas who brought Artabazes into Persia. The cruell vnfortunate death of Artabazes Anzitemus father in reueng whereof he followeth Cleouidas to Sea and there encountreth him as in the first Chap. of the first Booke The death of Astiages Cleonidas killeth Artabaâ—…es Cleonidas and Anzitemns fight at Sea as in the beginnig The story of Cleonidas and Antanata with Armenus takeing her part possessing the Kingdome and denominating the Country Cleonidas conderateh with Colphurnus a Gyant Armenus Sonne of Sagarenus assisteth the Queene Artaxata Armenus Artaxata contract Armenus offereth priuate Combate Colphurnus death Cleonidas prisoner and restored Armenus is king and nameth the Country Armenia Cleonidas rebelleth againe and dyeth Cleonidas the Sonne is banished Armenia and becommeth a Piratte Anzitemus declareth his fortune with Roxana the heyre of Persia and how he was preuented from Marrying her by reason of his pursuing Cleonidas at Sea The discription of Roxana A circumstantial commendation of pleasing conference Presents prayers praises winne women Anzitemus preparcth to goe into his owne Kingdome of Armenia after to present Trezoboro to the Emperor Mengrelius Anzitemus returneth into Armenia is inuested King Bertosus is sent Embassador to the Emperor Mengrelius and discouereth the story of Trezoboro Placandus made Duke by Anzitomus Trezoboro returneth to Trebizonda and is entertained for Prince The story of Kalccki and Mullumalla The Empres Mullumalla in loue which Kalucki Barka determineth to murder Kalucki Mullumalla contriueth to saue Kaucki The murder of Barka Kalucki Emperour of Tartary Kalucki enformed how his brother had broken promise and couenant with him determineth to be reuenged Calucki certefied his brother had a sonne Malucki returneth to challenge the Empire of Trezibonda Mengrilius is resouâ—…ed to put it to the Tryall of a battaile but is preuented by miracle The battaile preuented by Miracle The story of Mengrelius and Trezoboro with the fathers ielosy against the sonne by reason of the prophesie Trezoboro in Armes proclaimed Traytor Auzitemus ioyneth with Trezoboro killeth Mengrelius fulfilleth the Prophesie inuesteth Trezoboro Emperor Mengrelius deposed and Trezoboro chosen Emperor Mengrelius slaine and the Prophesie fulfilled The story of Cleonidas after the Battaile with Anzitemus The death of Cleonidas
either their owne affayres would deuide them to their houses or the charge in maintaining the Army would proue to comberfome or the Queene hauing strongly fortefied her selfe in Belcania would raise and encrease her power or the neighbour amity of Media would sufficiently reenforce his Army this his eldest sonne Anzitemus much vrged because Artabanus the Median King was many wayes tyed in honour vnto him and to this did they all condiscend making that night a sudden alarum and with a gallant sally quickely winning the Hauen with the Ships within the Riuer wherein no man resisting for the King commaunding and was now able to be obeied they as quickely embarked themselues But heere you might haue deciphered the operation of base cowardise and gallant vallure this of such vertue that each daunger was as soone ouerpassed as attempted that of such changes that the hurlyburly amongst themselues slue more with disorder then the Enemie with aduantage For as Anzitemus gaue the on set and that the king followed to second him whole Lanes were made through some few companies new risen and the suddennesse suffered none to rise who were otherwise ouertaken besides the night encreased the feare the feare a confusion a confusion a most lamentable slaughter which the King not regarded as supposing Iustice had taken his cause in hand but thanking Fortune for the opportunitie left them amazed at the accident and setled him selfe to the dispatch of his iourney By this time some better aduised then the rest gathered togeather the dispearsed Forces but when the light of their Vnderstanding had vnited it selfe to the light of the Morning and that they saw so pittious aspectacle and knew the King was escaped then followed another alteration For the vnsetled multitudenere disputing on the first cause condemned the present mischiefe and began to enueigh against the inchantment of that exercist Gestarius which had so seduced them but when they ouerlooked their damages and conceiued the matter as if Iustice had sent them to the house of Correction then grew the terror amongst themselues more then their courages against their enemies none now being enemies but such as enterprised the defence of Gestarius who base in very basenesse it selfe allowed each reproch without Coulour or excuse and suffered the wrecke of their rage with the losse of his owne life which done Pleios a chiefe man amongst them aduised to submit to the Queene Euphamia whom in all actions they had found a worthy patterne of Ptincelynesse and vertue and would not now degenerate considering Gestarius had already receiued the guerdon of a Traytor and no man remayned but trembled to immagin what the end would haue been if the King had miscaried This euery one applauded and a present submission made intercession for a pardon but by reason of her feare of Artabazes it receiued not full life yet shee accorded what euer chanced to make their peace and they encouraged with her Princely promise disperced themselues wherupon she sent forth a Pinace as a messenger of these glad tidinges to finde out Artabazes which made such hast that within three dayes it ouertooke them ouertaken with such ill successe as if mischiefe and destruction indeed had called a dismall counsell to crosse a man FOr most Excellent Princes euen when they thought misfortune weary of her tyrany they descried a Fleet at Sea the arch Pirat Cleonidas whom the Ministers of report had certefied of Artabazes troubles and mingling many lyes with some truth perswaded that most men desired his returne and aduancement to which his former discontentments and present meanes of Reuenge seemed to flatter him that if the worst fell out he might ioyne with Olmus and so make the same Water that draue the Mill to drowne the Mill by his comming causing the Brothers so to weaken one another that at last he might be warranted to depresse the strongest party This aduised him to furnish his Nauy and hearing the voyce of the Windes sound comfort vnto him made vse of the time set forward with speed vntill he encountred Artabazes Sailing into Media and thought Fortune very liberall in bestowing such a benefit vpon him For now the choise of reconciliation or Reuenge was exposed but Reuenge sounded like Musicke in his cruell eares as maintained with the life of a more cruell heart wherupon without parlee or other amplifieing manner of defiance more then that he exclamed how the fauour of the Gods had sent Cleonidas to cry quittance with the sonne of Armenus he presently assaulted them But when the name of Cleonidas wicked Clenidas yea in his wickednesse dishonorable Cleonidas was vnderstood of Artabazes neuer came vallure to be so miserably checked as if the sound of Cleonidas had proceeded from the Trumpet of death for a sudden stilnesse far be it from any man to call it a feare made such a Metamorphosis that when there seemed greatest need of an embolding courage then began a misdoubt of death warranting sorrow which departed not till a strong party of sighes and teares disproportioned his magnanimitie at last he remembred himselfe and seing his sonne Anzitemus as it were ouerlooking him caught hold of his Arme and thus spake O the strength of my life O my Anzitemus Be not dismayde at this extasie nor impute the titell of Cowardise to the father of such a sonne but the only opinion the now examination of the same which I conceiued of the wise Dermastro who long since in a greefe-working sadnesse assured that Cleonidas would be omninous vnto me hath ouerswaied that allacrytie which I once supposed no mischance should distemper yet I protest this is not troublesome in regard of my selfe but for thee whom I haue doublie and irrecouerably betrayed and abused But necessitie made a breach of his speeches For Anzitemus answering no otherwise then liue Artabazes in despight of Cleonidas was enforced to the fight and so disposed his Ships that Cleonidas determining to Grapple thought to discouer some aduantage by Wheeling about and turning his Sailes And as when two mightie Rammes enraged with the smart of well inforced stroakes quickly part themselues and to the vnexperienced make a Cowardly retreat butindeed to meete againe with sorer fury so acted Cleonidas his part for what with animating of some terrefieing of others and his owne example he set forward againe and becircled the ship wherein Artabazes was with foure greater Now who had seene the peerelesse King for his worthynesse could not but haue thought valure rightly bestowed such was the slaughter he made such was the confusion which followed The shipe full of dead Carkases full of dying men full of wounded fighters himselfe bestowing no blow but like a Messenger of Reuenge and ouerpressed with number like a Minister of rage as for the rest the valiant in their deaths outfaced death the coward saw his shame rewarded either with miserable slaughter or slauish Captiuitie the Ships were suncke and dismembred and
againe like a louing mother which is still taking her leaue of her departing sonne and haueing one spetiall matter to counsell him in doth often and very often remember it so like the Father of the Common-wealth doe I put you in minde while it is time to thinke vpon the horrible end of this tryall For to affright vs the more we are to contend with Beastes and men worse then Beastes Anthropophagi Misocoli Monsters in nature and all Barbarisme so that nothing but bloud and death or vtter ruin of vs all which the Gods interdicte must follow in the preuailing Preuent therefore Preuent in time your troubles heere is Mengrelius began the inconuenience heere is Trezobro the cause of your feare heere is both father and sonne the Ransome of your disquiet But as a further vehemencie might haue vnshadowed the heate of other humors the people vnwilling to see their Prince so distempred and vnable to dissolue their firme rooted zeale cryed aloud the Gods confound the disturbers of our peace the Gods dispose of all thinges to their pleasure liue therefore Mengrelius sacred and irremoueable spare not to defend your kingdomes for we will neither hassard our Princely Trezoboro nor permit any dissipation of our gouernment THus is Kalukies Embassage contradicted and Queridock dismissed backe which caused defiance to rumour terrible thinges and the best dispositions were shuffled betwixt feare hope At last Kalucki vnwilling to trifell least prouision for so great an Armie might be wanting sent forward the greatest part of his Forces deuided into three Battailes vnder the conduct of Sicambus Mallau Petroslol Zami and Xantippus all in times past of hereditary possessions in Pontus Iberia and Colchidos and followed himselfe with the rest quartered in fiue partes vnder the commaund of Misogambus and Olippo two of the Empresse Mullumallas bretheren and Barsangol and Iubar sonnes of Mithra and Delium two Queenes of late the Concubines of Barka In the midest was Kalucki himselfe sequestred in an Emperiall Tent according to the ceremonious respect of his estate neither to bee seene nor spoken withall but at spetiall times The ordring of this businesse was not committed to such a secretary but the Emperour of Trebizond knew the manner of his proceedings and by that time he had passed Cularopa furnished himselfe reasonable well For from Taurica the heither Scithia Russia and Hiperborei he had one hundred Thousand Auxiliaries out of Colchidos Pontus Iberia and Paphlagonia he mustered eightie Thousand and from the Citties of Samarchanda Trebizond Merlanes and Xantippi he receiued twentie Thousand well appointed and of better spetiallitie by reason they were the sonnes of Noble men and Cittizens glorying in their ancient freedomes these he kept next his person and appoynted Curatsax Pharcanos Scydrothemis Mithridates ouerseers of his Guard as for Trezoboro he suffered his forwardnesse to direct the whole businesse as if his hope receiued life that some action or other might worke his miscarying Thus is the Trumpet of defiance ready to sound on both sides yet meane not the Trebizondians in such suddennesse to put it to the Tryall of a field because by being possessed of the streites and passages the enemie was sure to lessen his numbers and they winn time the Father of many contrarieties but the Circumstances of this great Warre are referred to my booke of Battailes I therefore ouerpasse them now and only certefie you that when Mengrelius perceiued he was not able to detaine them longer from a day of terror he tooke a Truce for seauen dayes laying open the Trenches and making the way plaine as if he determined to entertaine slaughter with handsomnesse or let death haue a larger freedome by easie passage So that the stoutest Courage was appauled at the preperation and had no other hope but dismay and confusion yet feares are enemies to the Progres of victory and therefore all abatements of Courage were absented when it came to the tryall indeed and Kalucki contrary to the coustomes of his greatnesse thought good to ouerlooke the partes of his Warrelike body that if neede required the helping a disease or fault in time might preuent a greater mischeife nor desisted hee so but Mounted on a throne of purpose to bee seene and herd he thus tooke his farrewell I intend not to vse many wordes vnto you as suspitious of your loues and vallures For if there were such a slackenesse it is now too late to murmure or Trifell but because my regard toward you may bee the better expressed I am the bolder to speake yet doe but determine to put you in minde of your owne mindes and knowledge Remember then what humour soeuer the enemie entertaine we are succorlesse and farre from home therefore must vallure make your way into new possessions or if you suppose the ostentation of the enemie is a glorious spectacle you haue Armes and Hands to vnplume them and bedeck your selues with their spoyles but what is this to your owne liues and glories which in a manner enforce you to shake off all incombrances of feare as for my selfe though I am loth to degeneratte from the ancient prerogatiues of your Emperors yet will I be the first to giue the onset For the cause being mine mine shall be the Honour or the shame and yours the spoyles wherein besides the renowne of the exployte the poorest vassaile shall thinke himselfe well rewarded The Country you see is pleasing and the blessinges you haue already tasted of goe one therefore goe on Fortune bidds you goe on and Victory lookes already with a pleasing Conntenance Heere a wonderfull clamour seemed to threaten heauen with the noise by which the Trebyzondians had warning of their enemies ill meaning toward them For till this they had beene awtentiue vnto Mengrelius who very well knew that a seasonable encouragement with addition of the worth of the partie speaking was a veary whet-stone of Courage and had wrought great effect indeed with whole Armies almost ready to faint Littleneed I sayed he debate any particulars concerning the former occasions of your now imminent troubles For your owne Loyalties and resolutions haue put a way all feare and continued the steadfastnesse which I now finde yea hurried you to the Gates of danger to make demonstration of your constancie I am therefore sure you will not now relent what euer mischeife is threatned nor would I haue you discouraged in that neither spoyles of Citties nor ritches of a plentifull Land shall be the recompence of your charge and endeauors but rather annimated in regard you are to support a florishing Common-wealth and a Country thankes to the eternall Powers beautified with a blessed plentie If this seeme a slender enforcement then looke on your Byrths and the places challenging naturall regard your Mothers that bare you your Wiues endeered vnto you your Children that exclaime your friends and Allies depending vpon you and your selues knowing the necessitie of life as for the Enemie I assure you
to his ayde as for Opacus from Phrigia Lidia and his owne kingdome he made an Armie of one hundred 20. Thousand and gaue the Honor of their conduct to Delano a man of experience great yeeres and well beloued yet suppressed from aduancement by reason Cuprax the sonne of the Duke of Pantalia seemed a fauorite in Courte and would haue drawne the managing of Martiall affayres to him selfe had not Trezoboro by name entreated for Delano and the Soldiers compelled out of their Country disclaimed any other BVt when Mengrelius vnderstood that Anzitemus was come himselfe a sodaine trembling disproportioned his former Courage and the Oracle like a hellish vision appearing mightely perplexed him and was indeed the author of strange courses which at last ouerturned his good successe yet he went orderly to worke and encountred with the Armenians before they were vnited to his sonns forces who had much a doe to make their passage by reason the Boates were not yet come from Trezoboro and Anzitemus had commaunded that no man should lay violent handes on the Emperor but this interception ended with the name of a skirmish For Anzitemus with Delanos assistance quickely passed their Armie by a Bridge made of the Boates and helped with great Furre-trees keeping equall distance of Twentie foote and although the water was very broad yet industry with the conueniencie of the place for woode layed Plankes vpon the Beames and so in one day both Horse and foote passed ouer in a manner within sight of the Enemie For some two mile from the Riuer they had so entrenched the passages that Mengrelius supposed they ment their to haue encamped little thinking Delano played the Lapwing who cryeth farthest from his Neast and when he seemed most busie to fortefie a place of securytie the maine Armie marched that night vnder a Woodes side to the Riuer and the next day put ouer while the Trebizondians prepared against the Campe which they supposed was so neere them But being thus disappointed they had liberty to complaine but small meanes of reuenge onely the Emperour vnited his Forces againe and assured he was better prouided determined to dally no longer but put it to a triall wherein if Fortune fayled he was certaine to weaken the Aduersarie and renew his owne Armie at pleasure and so one day might affoord what another did deny By this time is Anzitemus and Delano welcommed by the Prince who hoping by course of pacification to end the Warre sent to Mengrelius by faire intreaty not to conceiue so hardly of so worthy a sonne and they would engage their Honor he entended nothing but fayth and dutie this message wrought no otherwise then if Trezoboro would absolutely committe himselfe to his fathers tuition without hostage or other couenant it might be the Emperor would forgiue him to this Anzitemus opposed yeelding many reasons and by a second treatie vrged the burying vnder foote of all displeasures the remission and restoring his followers and the confirming him Heire apparant Heere againe Mengrelius disdained to be abridged of his will or courbed by his sonne subiects whereupon defiance was proclaimed on all sids and a day appoynted to entertaine destruction with solemnitie at which time Anzitemus tryed another way to appease these mischeefes by sommoning the Armies to audience and the Emperour to vnderstand what must be trusted vnto To this the feare of the Souldiers rather then his owne willingnesse compelled him and so Anzitemus in the front of his Armie thus deliuered his minde I am not ignorant great Emperour and mis-led people that Wisedome and good Counsaile are sometimes vnseasonable especially in a time of fury hate amongst men of Warre commaunded and countenanced by the Kings owne person yet haue you no such cause either to put in armes these men or Armed to make them butcher them selues For though the Father fight there the Sonne is not absent heere though the elder Brother vnderstanding not the truth is with Mengrelius the younger attendes on Trezoboro And though a Friend is enroulled with you one of the Family is amongst vs and were not this lamentable though necessitie compelled it But now to proceed with out order ground or reason what scandall can be more opprobrious What cause more detestable All men haue written that Violence continues not yet haue you begun in the Cradle and are not appeased after many yeares and why the Emperour is terrefied with an Oracle and suspects his owne Children Hath the Gods preserued them for this Hath his Towardlinesse deserued this Hath his Valloure in your late Broyles been shewed for this Hath his Life been so often hazarded for this Hath your Peace been wrought for this Hath your Prosperitie followed for this Yea hath Strangers been ashamed of the Composition and the mighty Kalucki receiued him to fauour for this And will now the Common-wealth teare her owne Bowels the Members seeke their owne destruction by despising the Head and the Father murder his owne Child It is execrable and abhominable But touching the Prophesie to beleeue it not what needeth this feare To beleeue it what way of preuention But you will say it is ambiguous I reply Malice must not misconsture nor Wisedome be ouerruled with Supposes For concerning the Prince by the Deuine power which ruleth all Princes you can alleadge neither cause reason nor likelihood How then haue you wronged your Renowne and insorcered their Obedience else would they neuer consent to destroy one another to ruine their Countrey make hauocke of their owne increases see suffer mischiefe to knocke at their doores and with the Giants fight against Heauen or like that vnnaturall Bird denowring them that hatcheth her seeke to destroy the Successor on whose safetie dependeth all their liues Leaue off therefore for shame leaue off either yeeld a reason of your actions or desist from your vnreasonablenesse But you will answere It is sufficient the Emperour commaundes I doe say no hee is but the Steward of the Gods subiect to account and ordained to forme not dissolue the Common-wealth But as a further vehemencle might haue agrauated the matter the Souldiers began to repine some demaunding whether the Prince raysed the Warre or desired to saue him selfe Some for what cause Mengrelius prosecuted his Sonne Some stomaked to see intestine Dissipation Some hardly beleeued the Prince began Innouation considering he was to expect the Kingdomes to florish hereafter Some said though the Emperor were offended the submission of a Sonne might appease any Father Some absolutly denied to destroy the Prince and the rest liked not a wise man to be caryed away with dreames or deuises especially when the ruine of the Empire must succeed but Mengrelius enraged with this diuision exclamed only on dutie and alleageance threatning the reuolters with death and attempting with stripes to terrefie diuers in the speed of escape but it smally preuailed For the greatest part fled a fore his face to his sonne which Anzitemus tooke the
a heauy disaster perswade your self the old Sagarenus will draw all Greece to your ayde or els your patience must proue an vnkind vertue if I peruayle what would you desire more but that I should preuaile Heere a still manner of behauiour continued awhile but at last brake vp with a yeelding chearefulnesse for it rather proceeded from the amasement at his Vertue then despaire of the successe and yet was there great disparitie betweene them Thus they approched the Enemies Trenches who euery day expected surrender or composition little suspecting that the Queene was absent or that these new come troopes were worthy the name of a Supply imputing it rather to their madnesse and folly which would wilfully put them selues into danger without hope of recouery Which when Armenus perceiued and that they forbore violence against them the next day like a Herrold of defiance and yet summoning a Parlee hee in this manner tryed their patience Although yee abused Cilitians mans malitiousnesse hath put in practise infinite prestigious deuises in so much that they haue not desisted to rebell against Heauen and with monstrous Apostacie to fight against the Gods yet haue not those faults passed without punishment For subuersions of Kingdomes stratagems amongst Estates alterations of Common-wealths massacres of Armies and murdring one another haue followed witnes the Titans the translation of the first Monarchy and such infinite Warres as haue filled the world with teares and reproch and shall no doubt appeare as an instance amongst your selues for treason immanity and perfidiousnesse But why trifle I with circumstances It is to thee Cleonidas I speake it is against thee thou Tirant Colphurnus I enueigh the one a wicked Rebell to Souerainty and Beauty the other a monstrous enemie to Maiestie and Vertue and both as scandals and reproches to Vallour and Honour Was it euer allowed that a Subiect durst infringe the Lawes of Dutie and Alleagence against a Woman a Virgin a Queene Was it euer heard that a man of Vallour durst offer violence without impeachment of villany to such a person whose vertuous Renowne hath mooued the Heauens to pitty her as though you had been framed to terrifie the world and sent from Hell as Monsters in nature If it be so by all the names of pretious Goodnesâ—… by all the power of deuine Beauty by all the worth of pearelesse Artaxata I coniure you returne from whence you came If not so I challenge the one to repent his Insolencie the other to reforme his Crueltie But if my speeches resemble a loathsome Potion or seeme vnseasonable as attempting to compasse with a slender Oratorie what many Thousands of armed men haue fayled in Know then that the royall Artaxata taking compassion of her Subiectes and Kingdome and to auoyde further effusion of blood offreth by mee the first borne of Sagarenus of â—…hessalia a priuate Combat wherein shee submitteth to the euent so Cleonidas doe therevpon surcease the Warre This hath the Queene concluded with princely stedfastnesse This doth the Grecian Armenus confirme with resolute willingnesse HEere the Soldiers stood amased betwixt remorce of their owne faults and feare of their commaunders but Cleonidas stormed the more as remembring the desert of the Queene and his misfortune to be reiected or disappointed and Colphurnus raged beyond reason and according to the insolency of such persons yeelded to the motion though there came Tenn such Knights wishing the dispatch least his fury might put in practise further distemprature But litle needed such hast to destruction For the next morning came Armenus into the field like a Knight well mounted and orderly prouided expecting Colphurnus who made the more hast by reason Cleonidas found the Armie in feares at the accident but when he perceiued the Gyant might not Ride because of his highnesse he quickly yeelded his Horse freedome and very gallantly attempted the onset on foote beginning the Battaile with that brauery that the standers by expressed a very gladnesse to be eye witnesses of such spirit and life yet when the contention grew betwixt wary nimblenesse and furious strength and that the continuance detained them in suspition it encreased both pittie and amasement the one least such a losse of Vertue should chance by ouermatching the other to see a Giants force equalled who indeed pressed Armenus with vnkindly strokes but that Heroijcke dexteritie auoyded the seasure sometime gaue him liberty and time to wound the other whereby he spent much blood and increased his impatience so farre that he fastned a blow which strucke the Prince to the ground to the terrour of both the Armies who in their heartes wished him fortunate and shooted for â—…y at his recouerie of which Armenus tooke the aduantage and seeing there was no enduring long aduentured a cloze and had the chaunce to run him vnder the short Ribbes and so made roome both for Death and Victorie to deuide them selues Whereat Cleonidas blasphemed Heauen Earth rather now shewing his willingnesse then sufficiencie to maintaine the quarrell By this time Artaxata discouered her selfe and like the Sunne clearing the interposition of thicke Cloudes appeared the more glorious so the Souldiers yeelded to mercy and the people submitted as being before enforced and because they would giue notice of their dutie for a beginning with the same Water that draue the Mill they drowned the Mill quickly chasing Cleonidas in his retreat and taking him by force brought him bound to the Queene who at Armenus intercession gaue him life liberty and setled him in former estate little suspecting that courtesie to a Traytor is a thankelesse office and most commonly giueth but occasion of further hate and repining With this beginning was the whole Kingdome pleased so that the Queene might publish her will with successe and Armenus succeed with publication good will possessing thereby a gratious Artaxata and a spatious Country which by way of recompence and sataifaction was contented to change her old name and to be called Armenia for his sake In this as a thankfull steward vnder an Honorable Lord he dedicated two espetiall places Sagarena and Artaxata after his Fathers and Wifes name which in time grew to be Ritch famous and Populous Citties but assured of the dissolution of any state without gouernment he established Lawes as well to detaine the people in obedience as to maintaine his owne prerogatiue to which because they seemed strict and contrary to foâ—…r Customes hee had much a doe to bring them but at last by polliticke insinuation and true magnanimity the great men applauded his carriage and temprature and the people like their shadowes yeelded to what they allowed so that few misliked and such as misliked durst not complaine vntill Cleonidas rebelled againe as reprehending his owne basenesse that he had been beholding to a stranger for his life but a suffitient discomfiture made him fayle in the attempt and his death warranted Armenus peace and establishment This had yeelded a
full recompence indeed if he could haue preuented a double mischance The one in suffering Cleonidas the sonne to enioy his fathers bad conditions with his estate the other in being deuided from his Royall Queene whose life was now brought to an vntimely period by a heart vexing sicknesse but heerein some supernaturall power wrought for the best because now Childlesse he after matched with Tolmiranda the Assirian Sophy by whom he enioyed the fruites of his body in great towardlinesse and continued the rest of his time in a gratious peace had not time ripened the wicked disposition of Cleonidas the sonne and hate as it were innated within him enforced many exorbitant actions setting againe the kingdome in combustion which at last was better ordred and preuented For his places of refuge were leueled with the ground his Lands and wealth confiscate his Allies and associates vnder arest and himselfe exiled the Kingdome who otherwise might haue liued a glory too the kingdome These warres and Armenus life had end togeather wherupon my father Artabazes began his Royall rase at such time as this Cleonidas entertained a conceite of reuenge by this course of Piracie wherein thirty yeares continuance made him an archmaster and custome in wickednesse so blinded him that great faults were reputed slender and small ones not so much as imperfections but the chiefest proppes too this wicked life were the confederacie of many Princes and his owne wealth vniustly amassed with which in this latter time he maintained thirty well appointed Ships and amongst other Stratagems as you haue heard was beholding to the warth full Nemesis for Artabazes losse but whether deuine Iustice tooke my cause in hand I know not For the best part of my Fortune extended to see him cursing and raging amidst the ouerraging Billowes AT this Period Anzitemus made a stoppe and king Zalby with the Princes acknowledged the delight of the story but the great affayres in 〈◊〉 â—…portuned a further matter then 〈◊〉 wherupon it was concluded that the most of them should accompany him into Armenia as well to secure his estate there as to contriue how Trezoboro might purchase his reconsiliation with Mengrelius because if it were effected it must be done by Anzitemus and Brisacas meanes but she finding how this businesse would detaine them awhile togeather ment belike to make some vse of the spare time and therfore like a true Louer stepped into the first path of Ielousie could not forget the short and passhionate description of Roxana which caused her to vse a little cunning in the matter and by making pittie a branch of vertue she questioned with him of matters of Gouernment of Geneolagies of Petigrees what became of Mitrea Astiages Mother and lastly as if it fell in by chance of discourse of Roxanas yeeres how he satisfied the Princes and how he could neglect such a proffer as the mightie Persia contented My only content replyed Anzitemus mistrust no idle disposition For deuine appoyntment hath reserued vs one for another yet will I assure you such was and I hope I may hope such is the preeminence of her beautie and louelynesse that I protest excepting the incomparable Brizaca she liueth peerelesse and well deserued a better regard then my businesse permitted and because you haue sturred conceite and by a Rauishing presence encreased that sweete delight which your company euer affoordeth I will once be humorous in a slender description of her so the louely Brizaca finde not too many faults apply that to her selse now which I am sure might be allowed Roxana then What Cunning can depaint her prayses foorth In whom appeared such exceeding worth The outward substance all at once behold And thinke the Gods a secret to vnfold Each part apart commend then Nature will Affoord thee choyse of her approoued skill The Head resembled some rich golden Spheare Which all the chiefest Lines aloft did beare Yet round about the Paralels did meet So fâ—…ll her beauteous Lockes euen to her feet The Face it selfe scarse durst a curious eye Watch at the full yet there we might espye Fauour and Loue ioyne hand in hand togeather To welcome a rare Guest Perfection thither This made her smile blush and blushing smile The lookers on deceiued all the while As though two colours had for mastry strouen And White and Crimson been togeather wouen The Necke did any counterfeite surpasse In outward shew for Princely life this was Shewing a way where Cupid vsâ—… to stand Telling the lookers on Venus owne right hand Cast vp those pretty Mounts whose sides betweene A pleasant Vally keepes delight vnseene Till it conduct thee to a bending Hill Made like an Iuâ—…ry Arch by curious skill Faire hanging ouer a well fashionâ—… Dore Wherein are hid ten thousand â—…oyes and more Yet Chastitie holdes sure both Key and Lock Vnwilling that the Gods them selues should knock For though Gods vse to Paradise to goe Yet did they heere a Priuiledge bestow That none might enter against Vertues minde Least forc'd admittance prooue the cause vnkinde Her Body bolt vpright in comely grace Outmatched Pallas for a stately pace thought Mounted on Horsebacke you would sure haue Bellona had some gallant Battaile fought Marching on foote Diana could not bee Amongst her Nimphs more gallanter to see With these her yeares were like a timely Spring Which in an ouer-ioying Hope did bring Her Blossoms foorth all happinesse assuring To him more happy in the soyles manuring With these her Vertues did proportionate The qualities belonging to the state Of high Magnificense that we might know Shee was ordained a Princes pace to goe With these a Kingdome was a mighty Dower A Kingdome full of Riches Pompe and Power Then thinke I had good cause to wish her well Who did with such great Priuiledge excell I protest quoth Brizaca you haue praysed her well but I rather allow it for a custome of Idlenesse then Necessitie and finde it vnbefitting to Iudgement to admit of ouerpalpable Flattery What call you Flattery replyed Anzitemus Assure your selfe that the Gods framing Man to commaund all the Creatures vnder the Sunne neither shuffled vp their workmanship nor were so carelesse afterward but with a great regarde sent him foorth to pubish their glory and for that purpose gaue him prerogatiue of excellencie both in body and minde This especially appeareth in your selues to whom they haue vouchsafed deuotion as finding time and your owne vertues to perfect the worke which they but began And from hence proceedeth our resemblance of this outward substaunce to a rich Treasure house made to secure more richer Wealth Now as Wealth is dispersed ouer the world to vse and good order and without that lyeth hid like Earth within the ground So your-selues are left in the world to comfort and benefit according to the fortune of him that possesseth you to happy purpose Heere then resteth the cunning and grace in the meanes of the seisure which I
fauours hath collated this Empire without desert or my owne first seeking yet must I not now either degenerate from that I am or appeare other then I should be least you may immagin former basenesse or present demisnesse but because matters of Armes and martiall exploites are intended and as may be obiected rather for my priuate satisfaction then your generall good I determined to acquaint you with the story from the beginning and so fell into the addition of many circumstances with this last newes of Scaroxus which they neuer heard of Now if you thinke it meete that so great a commander ouer so many valiant people and such spatious Countries should digest a defamation which pettie Princes would aduenture to reuenge I must submit and for your sakes or peace will make the Warre of a distempred conscience But if my calamitous discourse hath wrought any impression whereby with your loues and assistance I may proceed then doe I expostulate your constancie and account my selfe more happy then Fortunate For if you haue rightly vnderstood me my meaning is not to lead you to destruction or driue you like a Tyrant to a slaughter house but I expose vnto you the recouery Citties Possessions Ritches and what men can desier of a large and fertile Countrie to which without doubt the Gods will consent so your abashed drawing backe be not signes of ill successe When it seemed he determined silence the company rather wondring at his perfections then misunderstanding his speeches gaue a great Plaudite crying the Gods preserue Kalucki the Gods protect our Emperor and with vnfainednesse offered themselues and goods freely to the enterprise this made him feast them all sumptuously by way of gratification and that brought them to care and reuerence toward him the easier so a Councell of Warre disputed the matter and dispersed the seuerall Commanders to rayse vp Forces to make his Armie the greater For though hee had euer in readinesse a hundred thousand in Armes besides his owne Companies brought with him from Trebizond and now foure-score Thousand seruing for a Guard to his person yet were his Foure principall Kingdomes that is to say Ieckomongall Sumongall Merchat and Metrit assessed at Fourtie thousand a peece mustred and orderly trayned in respect of their former disorder at Coralla where the Rendezuous was appoynted THus with a mightie Armie he marched along leauing Mullumalla Regent in his absence who the morning of his departure had sacrifised two whight Hartes to Diana and by their forward going to the Alter presaged good successe and his returne and hauing framed an Imperiall Diadem set on many degrees and beautified with inestimable Pretious stones which were supported in euery barre with her owne proâ—…ature a thing questionlesse both for worth and workmanshippe of admiration she Crowned him therwith in the sight of the Armie and so with a Warlike ceremony committed him to the tuition of the Sunne Thus is he come to the confines of Albania and there rested himselfe studying which way to proceed in the best course and at last creating Queridock Prince of his Emperiall tent made him an Embassador to Mengrelius with these instructions That whereas he had been dispossessed of the Empire of Trebizonda by wrong and despight and was contented to embace him selfe to strange conditions to auoyde effusion of blood they had yet to adde to his indignytie scorned him and infringed the Lawes both of Honor and nations that seeing this contempt was intolletable the Couenants enioyned him to lay claime to his right he came in person with an Armie of three hundred Thousand well appyoynted Soldiers to performe the same that if it seemed good to the Emperials to admitte him to quiet possession considering it was but a smale satisfaction of his first wronges no worthy man should be displaced and he would desist from the way of conquest That if they impugned his desires then to denounce open hostilly and giue them warning the businesse was remedilesse and he mercilesse This Embasie did Queridocke deliuer with a gallant spirit and grace not without intimation of iniustice concerning him selfe and diuers others banished their naturall Country which in a manner distracted the hearers by reason they could not denie what he sayd nor durst accord to what hee importuned and had not their present peace but espetially the vndoubted towardlinesse of the Heroijck Trezoboro suggested infinite miseries and wretchednesse in the best change without doubt there would haue followed a most terrible confusion But now is Mengrelius perplexed many wayes with the arrogant Message the opinion of his Subiects the remembrance of his first wrong the trouble of the Warres the errours of his Mother and Wife the alteration of the State the displeasure against Opacus for his Daughters sauing his Children the duty of a Father now they were preserued and the feare of the Prophecy which indeed dogged him at the heeles and followed him like a shadow So that no way of safety appeared but in his Sonnes destruction which as hee supposed would both satisfie Kaluckies claime and settle his owne ielosie yet loth to discouer his feares in publike or enterpose such a mischeife in the times of rumors and occations of Warre he went more cunningly to worke and vnder Colour of the common good thus spake to the estates of the Empire which he had assembled at Samarchanda So great is the mischeife threatned against vs most happy people but in my vnhappines that I searce know how to preuent it because on the one side my fatherly affection and your loues must and will disclaime any strange courses against my sonne on the other side my dignitie importuneth a Prinsely connexion of soueraingtie and nature it selfe Countermandeth the Tiranous composition which I am sure began in Iniustice and you may obiect will end in destruction but because my Country people are in a degree before my Children yea my owne life and least the commonwealth should complaine for vexing her with these intollerable wronges if there may be reason in this vnreasonablenesse I abiure the name of a Father and offer my sonne as a Sacrifice of attonement I renounce the Royaltie which now seemeth like a glorious Sunne and submitte for your satisfaction I cast downe my life to be put into the other Bällance against your affliction For neither Mengrelius nor Trezoboro shall be themselus to make you worse then your selues yet be not too sodden in censuring me carelesse of him whom you see the heauens haue cared for nor too submisse concerning my owne Honor which I haue so charylie preserued For if you will vouchasafe to ioyne with me all helpes of pollecy and courage shall be vnited that the body and communitie of this Empire remaine vndissolued and before I submit to any diuision of Titles which now your respects haue conferred the world shall tremble at the report of these stratagemmes and death giue a plaudite to my last Tragicall act but once