infortunate Myrania what strange fits bee these that burne thée with heate and yet thou shakest with colde the body in a shiuering sweat and in a flaming Ice melting as â—axe and yet as hard as the Adamant is it loue then would it were death for likelier it is thou shall lose thy life than winne thy loue Ah haplesse Arbasto would to God thy vertues were lesse than thy beauty or my â—ertues greater then my auctions so should I either quickly free my selfe from fancie or be lesse subieâ—â—ed â—o folly But alas I â—éele in my mind fierce skirmishes beâ—â—â—â—ne reason and appetite loue and wisedome danger and desire the one perswading to hate Arbasto as a foe the other constraining to loue him as a friend If I consent to the first I end my daies with death if to the last I shall lead my life with infamy What shall I then do Ah Myrania either swallow the iuyce of Mandrake which may cast thée into a dead sleepe or chew the hearb Caâ—ysium which may cause thée to hate euâ—ry thing so either shalt thou die in thy slumber or dislike Arbasto by thâ— potion Tush poore wench what folliâ—s be â—hese wilt thou with the Wolâ—e barke at the Moone or with the young Griphons pecke against the starres Doest thou thinke to quench fire with a sword or with affection to mortifâ—e loue No no if thou bee wise suffer not the grasse to bee cut from vnder thy féet strike while the yron is hotte make thy market while the chaffer is to sale Now Arbasto is thine owne now thou maâ—st winne him by loue and weare him by law thou maist frée him from miserie without thy â—athers mishap thou maist saue his life without thy Fathers losse thou maist graâ—t thy good will vnto loue and yet not falsiâ—â—o thy faith vnto nature Caâ— Arbasto which is so courteous become so cruell but he will requite thy loue with loyaltie thy faithfull fancy with vnâ—ained affection Noâ— no he will and must loue thee of force since thou hast granteâ— him his life of free will hee will like theâ— in thy youth and honour thee in thine age he will be the port of prosperitie wherin thou maist rest and the hauen oâ— happinesse wherein thou maist harbour without harme so that thou maist say of him as Andromache said by Hector Tu Dominus tu vir tu mihi frater â—riâ— Yea but Myrania yet looke before â—hou leape aud learne by other mens harmes to beware Ariadne loueâ— Theseus frâ—ed from him the monstrous Mynotauâ—e taught him to passe the Laberinth yea forsooke Parents and Countrey for his cause and yet the guerdon hee gaue her for her good will was to leaue her a dâ—solate wrâ—tch in a desert wildernesse Medea and Iason from the danger of the Dragons and yet shee found him trothlesse Phillis haâ— bored Demophon and Dydo Eâ—â—as yet both repayed theiâ— loue with hate Tush the â—aiâ—e â—ower haâ—â— not â—heâ— best sent the Lapidaries choose not the stone by the outward colour but by the secret veâ—tue Paris was faire yet false Thieâ—tes was beautifull but deceitfull Vulcan was carâ—ed in white Iuory yet a Smith The pâ—ecious stonâ— of Mâ—saulous sepulchâ—r could not make the dead carcaâ—â—e swéâ—t Beautie Myrania is not alwayes accompanied with vertue honestie and constancie but oft times fraught with â—ice and â—â—riâ—ry What then if some were Tâ—aytors shall Arbasâ—o be troâ—hlesse if some weâ—â— faâ—se shall he be â—aiâ—hlesse no his beatle vertue hath woon me and he himselfe shall wearâ— me I will forsake Father â—riends and Country for his cause â—ea I will venture 〈◊〉 and life to frée hâ—â— from danger in despighâ— of froward Fortune and the destinies CHAP. 6. Myrania in loue with Arbastoâ— contriueth his deliuery out of prison by a secret policy MYrania being thus resolute in her opinion began to cast beyond the Moone and to frame a thousand deuises in her hâ—aâ— tâ— bring her purpose to passe fearing euery shadowâ— doubting euery wind stumbling aâ—â—he least straw yet at the last pricked forward by fancy she thought to preuent alâ— cause of feaâ—â—â—n this wise The euening before she meant to atchieuâ— her enterprise she secretly sent for the Iaylor by one of her maids to whom she durst commit â—er secret affaires who being taught by her mistresse to play her part cunningly brought the Iaylor into Myranias chamber by a pâ—â—â—â—rne gate so that they were neither séene nor suspected of any whâ—re hee no sooner came but hee was courteously entertained of thâ— young Ladie who faining that she had to debate wiâ—h â—im of weighâ—ie affaires called him into her closet where treading vpâ—n a falâ—â— boord he fell vp to the shoulders not being able to helpe himselfe but â—hat he there ended his life Myrania hauing desperately atchieâ—ed this deed â—hâ—e strait sought â—ot to rob him of his coyne but to bereaue him of his keyes which after she had gotâ—en aâ—d conueyed his carcasse into a sâ—â—ret placeâ— shée went in her night gowne accompanied onely with her maid to the prison Arbasto and Egerio hearing the doores oâ—â—n at such an vnaccustomed houre began straight to conieâ—ture that Pâ—lorus sought to murther them secretly least his owne people should accuse him oâ— crueltie but as â—hey looked to haue seene the Iaylor they spiâ—d Myrania in her night gowne which sudden and vnlooked for sight so appaled their senses as they were driuen into a maze till Myrania wakened them from thâ—iâ— dumps with this sugred harmony I percâ—iue Aâ—basto that my presence doth make thâ—e to muze and my sudden ariuall hath driuen thée into a maze what strange wâ—nd should laâ—d me in this coast In trâ—th thou maist thinke either my message is great or my modesty little either that I take small care of my selfâ— or repose very great trust in thee who at a time vnfit for my calling haue without any guard come to a stranger a captiue yea and my fathers fatalâ— foe I confesse it is a fault if I were not â—orst but seeing that necessitie hath no law I thinke I haue the lessâ— broken the law But to leaue off these needlesse preambleâ— where dâ—lay breeds no lesse danger then death know this Arbasto that since thy first arriuall at my Fathers Court my eyes haue béen so dazled with the beâ—mes of thy beautie and my minde so snareâ— with view of thy vertues as thoâ— onely art the man whom in heart I loue and like seeing thee therefore drowned héere by aduersâ— Fortune in most haplesse â—istresse willing to manifest the loyaltie of my loue in effect which I haue protested in words I haue rather chosen to hazard both my life and honor than not to offer thee peace if thou wilt agree vnto the conditions As my Father hath wrought thy woe I will worke thy weale as he hath sought thy bale I will procure thy blisse from peâ—urie I will set thee in prosperitie I will frée thâ—â— from prison from danger yea from death
way for mee to mishap nay if â— had bâ—en wise I might the more â—aue fâ—ared misery in that I was so fully pampered vp with felicity But I pâ—ore wrâ—tch was not daunted with any dread because I saw no present danger I thought the sea being calme there couâ—d come no tempest that from the cléere ayre could ensue no storme that quiet ease was not the mother of dissention and that where Fortune once tuned in the strings could neuer be found any discord But O fond and infortunate Arbasto for so I may be called thou now hast tried though by haplesse experience that when Niluâ— filleth vp his bounds ensueth a dearth wheÌ„ the Angâ—lica is laden with most sâ—ed then he dieth when musick was heard in the capitol then the Romans were plagued with pestilence when Circâ—s proferred most gifts shee presentâ—d most guile and when Fortune hath depriued thée of most care then she meanes to drowne thée in the greatest calamitie For as thus I safely floated in the seas of securitie and bathed in the â—treames of blisse Fortune thinking at length to giue me the mate began thus to profer the cheâ—ke I had but one onely brother called Tâ—baldo whom forced by nature I most intirely loued and liked who soiâ—urned in Fraunce as one desirous to sée the manners of strange Countries and to furnish himselfe with all qualities fit for a worthy Gentleman But on a sudden I happily receiued newes that he was cowardly without cause slaine in the Court which so appaled me as nature most cruelly exclaimâ—d against fortune in so much that contrary to the counsell of my Nobles with a resolute mindâ— I determined to inuade France and either to bring the whole Realme to ruine in reuenge or else to hazard life limme in the battel well no perswasion being able to driue me from this sâ—â—led determination I caused my ships to be rigged and with as mâ—â—h spéed as might bée sailed into France with a great Nauie wherâ— I had nâ— sooner laâ—ded my souldiers but as a professed foe crauing no other râ—cempence for my brothers death but their deâ—truction I 〈◊〉 their bordeâ—s fired their forts rased their Townes and â—â—ties to the earth vsing no mercy but thiâ— that hauing depriued thâ—m of their possessions I also bereaued them oâ— their liues Pelorus hearing with what violence I had inuaded his land for so the Fâ—â—nch king was called fearing that he was not able to withstand my foâ—ce séeing that Fortune so fauoured my enterprise passed spéâ—dily with his whole host vnto Orleance whither I â—asted being not greatly resisted laying valiantly a strong slege to the Citie which â—fter I had diuers times assaulted and so shaken the walles with Camion shot that they were force to strengâ—hen them with nâ—w couâ—termâ—â—es Pelorus halfe daunted with my desperate attempts coueted secretly to conclude a peace to coloâ—â— therefore this his intent with a false shadow he spéedily dispatched 〈◊〉 Herald to intreat a truce for thrée monâ—ths which being vnhappiâ—â— granted and therefore vnhappily because granted it was lawfull foâ— them of Denmarke peaceably to passe into the Citie and for them of Orleance quietly to come into our Campe. While thus the trucâ— continuedâ— I being desirous to take a view of the French Court accompanied with my Nobles went to Pelorus who willing to shew hiâ— martiall courage by vsing curtesie to his foe gaue me very sumptuâ—uâ— and courteous entertainement But alas such mischiefe ensued of this my fond desire that death had beene thrice more welcome then such distresse For Pelorus had onely two daughters the eldest called Myrania the youngest named Doralicia so faire and well featured as Venus would haue beene iealous if Adonis had liued to sée their beauties But especially loâ—ely Doralicia and therefore more louely because I so intirely loued her For shee was so beautified with thâ— gifts of nature and adorned with more then earthly perfection aâ— she séemed to be framed by nature to blemish nature and that beauty had skipt beyond her skill in framing a péece of such curious workemanship for that which in her respecting her other perfections waâ— of no price would bee counted in others a pearle her greatest want would in others be thought a store so that if any thing lacked in her it was not to be sought for in any earthly creature This Doralâ—cia being appointed by vniust Fortune to bee the instrument of my fall accompanied with her sister Myrania and other Ladies came into the Chamber where heâ— father and I was at parlâ— whose gorgious presence so appaled by sâ—â—ses that I stood aâ—tonished as if with Perseus shiâ—ld I had béene mâ—â—e a senselesse piâ—ture For as the Dormousâ— cannot shut her eyes as long as he lyeth in the beames of the Sunne as the Dâ—ere cannot câ—â—sâ— them braying wheâ—e the â—earbe Mâ—ly groweth so could not I but stare on the face of Doralicia aâ— long as her beautie was such an heauenly obiect Shee narrowlâ— marking my gazing â—ookes 〈◊〉 â—erceiued that I was galâ—ed and therefore to show how lightly shâ— accounted of my likingâ— passed out of the Chamber with a coy and Courtly countenaâ—â—â— but Myraniâ— as one perceiuing and pittyâ—ng my passions séemed with her lookes to say in heartâ— Aâ—basto farewell These two Goddesses being gone fâ—â—ling my mind somwhâ—t perplexed I tooke my leaue of Peloruâ— and departed Comming home to my Tent â—raught with a thousand toyish fancies I beganne to câ—â—iecture what should bee the cause of these contrary motions the â—â—â—ect I felt the occasion â— could not finde applying therefore a contrary â—alue to my sore it did rather increase than cure the mâ—ladie for company was a corrasâ—ue not a comfort and to be solitary the â—inke of all sorrow â—or then strange thoughts vâ—acquaintâ—d passions pinching fancies waking visions slumbring watchings disquieted my head Me thought I saw the counterfait oâ— Doralicia before mine eies then the harmony of her spéech sounded in mine eares her lookâ— her gestures yeâ— all her actionâ— were particularly deciphered by a secrâ—t imaginatiâ—n Wrapped thus in a labyrinth of endlesse fancies when reason could not suppresâ—â— will nor wisedome controll affectionâ— I cast my cards and found by manifest proofe that the lunaticke fit which so distempered my brains was that frantick passion which fooles â— Poets cal loueâ— which knowâ—e blaming my selfe of cowardise yâ— beauty shold make me bend I fâ—l at last into these terms Why Aâ—basto art thou so squemish that thou canst not sée Wine but thou must surfet canst thou not draw nye the fire and warmâ— thée but thou must with Satyrus kisse it and burne thee art thou so little master of thy affections that if thou gaze on a picture thou must with Pigmalion be passionate canst thou not passe through Paphos but thou must offer incense to Venus doost thou thinke it iniurie to Cupid to looke if thou doost not loue Ah fond foole knowe this fire is to be vsed but not to
Scyrus to shoot against the stars contend not with Niobe against Latoâ—â— nor striue not with Sapho against Venus for loue being a Lord lookes to câ—mmand by power and to â—e obeyed by force Truth Myrania but what then to loue is easie and perhaps good but to like wâ—ll is hard and a doubtfull chance fancy thy fill fond foole so thou bend not thy affection to thy fathers foe for to louâ— him who séekes his â—â—â—e is to war against nature Fortune Is there â—onâ— worthy to bee thy spheere but Arbasto the cursed enemy of thy country can none win thy good will but the bloudy wretch who séeketh to bréed thy Fathers bane Can the â—agle the bird Osiphage build in one trée wil the Faulken the Done couet to sit on one pearch wil the Ape the Beare be tied in one tedder wil the Fox the lamb lye in one den noâ— they want reason yet nature suffers them not to liue against nature wilt thou then be so wilful or witlesse as hauing reason to guide nature yet to be more vnnaturall then vnreasonable creatures be sure if thou fall in this thou stâ—iuest agaâ—nst the Gods and in strâ—uing wiâ—h them looke for a most sharpe reuenge Tâ—sh I know this but hath not loue set downe his sentence shal I appeale from his censure shal I deny that which the destiniâ—s haue decréed no for though Cydippa rebelled for a time yet she was forst at last to make suit tâ— Venus for a pardon I may séeke to hate Arbasto but neuer find â—â—hers to begin to mislike him And with that such flery paâ—â—ionâ— oâ—â—ressed her as shee was faine to send forth scalding sighs somâ—hat to ease her enflamed fancy which being sorrowfully sobbed forthâ— shee then began afresh to powre forth her pittifull complaints if â—er sister Doralicia being accompanied with other gentlewomen had not driâ—â—â— her â—â—t of these dumps whom shée no sooner spied but leauing her passions â—he wared pleasant couering care with conceits and a mourning hâ—art with a merry countenance least her sorrowfull lookes might giuâ— the company occasion to coniecture somewhat was amisse But I alas which felt the furious flames of fancie to broile incâ—ssantly within my breast could not so cuâ—ningly disâ—â—mble my passions but all my Peers saw I was perplexeâ—â— for whereas before this sudden chaunce Pelorus mis-fortunâ— â—rocured my mirth now the soile which I reaped by affection draue me to a deeper misery In the day I spent the time in solitary dumps in the night affâ—cted thoughts and visions suffered me scarce to slumber for alas there is no greater enemy to the minde than in loue to liue without hope which doubt was the sum of my endlesse sorrow that in seeing my selfe fettered I could sée no hope at all of my fréedome yet to mittigate my misery I thought to walke from the Campe toward the Citie that I might at the least féed my eye with the sâ—ght of the place wherein the Mistresse of my heart was harboured taking with me onely for company a Duke of my Countrey called Egeâ—io vnto whom I durst best commit my secret affaires who noting my vnaccustomed passions coniecturing the cause of my care by the outward effects coueting carefully to apply a salue to my sore and to driue me from such drowsâ—e thoughts wakened me from my dumps with this pleasant deuice Sir quoth hee I haue often maruelled and yet cannot cease to muse at the madnesse of those men whom the common people thinke to honor with the glorious title of louers who when rashly they purchase their owne mishap in placing their affeâ—â—ion where either their disability or the destinies deny successe to their suites do either passe their daies in endlesse dolor or preuent miserie by vntimely death If these passionate patients listned a little to Venus allâ—â—ements as I to Cupids flatteries few men should haue cause to call the Gods vniust or women cruell for I think of loue as Mylciades the Athenian did who was wont to say that of all the plagues wherwith the gods did afâ—â—ict mortal men loue was the greatest in that they sought that as an heauenly blisse which at last they found their fatall bane â—earing Egeâ—io thus cunningly and couâ—â—â—ly to touch mee at the quicke I thought to dally with him in this â—â—se Why Egerio doest thou count it a madnesâ—e to loue or doest thou think him rash which yeeldeth willingâ—â—â—o it knowest thou not that loue iâ— diuine and therefore commâ—â—deth by power and cannot be resisted I am not of that mind with Mylciadâ—s that loue is a plague but rather I thinke he is fauoured of the gods and is a happy louer Truâ—h quoth hee but who is happâ— in loue he that hath the happieâ—â— successe no for I count him most vnhappy which in loue is most hâ—ppy Why then Egerio quoth I thou thinkâ—st him vâ—haâ—pâ— that â—ée loueth Or else may it please your highnesse quoth he I should thinke amisse for shall I count him fortuâ—ate which for one dram of prosperity reapeth a whole pound of misery or shall I â—stéeme that louer happy whose greatest gaine is but golâ—en griefe nay that is neuer to be called pleasure which is sâ—uced with paine nor that good lucke whoâ—â— guerdeon is losse Sith Egerio quoth I thou doest thus brâ—adly blaspheme against Cupid tell me why thou thinkeâ—â— ill of louâ— Because sir quoth hee it is louâ— being such a frenzy which so infecteth the mindes of men as vnder the taste of Nactar they are poysoned with the water of Stix for as hee which was charmed by Lara sought still to heare her inchantment or as the Dâ—ere after once hee brouseth on the â—amariske trée will not be driuen away till hâ—â— dyeth so our amorous louers haue their senselesse senses so besottâ—d with the power of this lasciuâ—ous God that they count not themselues happy but in their supposed vnhappinesse bâ—ing at most ease in disquiâ—t at greatest reâ—â— when they are most troubled seeking contentation in care delight in misery and hunting gréedily after that which alwayâ—s bringeth endlesse harmâ— This is but your sentence Egerio quoth I but what reason haue you to confirme your censurâ— Such quoth he as your highnesse can neither dislike nor infring for the first step to loue is the losse of libertie tying the minde to the will of her who either too curious little respecteth his sute or too coâ— smally regardeth his seruice yet hee is so blinded with a â—oâ—le of fond affection that hee coâ—nteth her sullennesse sobernesse her vaine charineâ— vertuous chastitie if she be wanton hée counteth her witâ—ie if too familiar courtâ—ous so besotted with the drugs of doting loue that euery fault is vertue and though euery string be out of tune yet the musick cannot be found amisse resembling Tamantus the Painterâ— who shadowed the worse pictures with the freshest colours The paines that Louers fâ—â—le for hunting after losse if their mindes wâ—re
not charmed with some secret inchantment were able either to keepe â—â—eir â—iâ—des from being inâ—â—amâ—d or else to coole desire being 〈◊〉 kindled for the dayes are spent in thoughts â—he nights in drâ—â—mes both in danger either begâ—â—â—ing vs of that wee had or promising vs that we haue not The head fraught with â—ancies sterâ—â— with zeale troubled with both yea so many inconueniâ—ncâ—s wâ—iâ—e vpon loue as to recken them all were infinite â— to taste but one of them intolerable being alwayes begun with grâ—â—â—e contiâ—â—â—â— with sorâ—ow and ended with â—eath for it is a paine shadowed with pleasure and iâ—y stuffed with misery so that I conclude that as none euer saw the Altars of Basyris without sorrow nor banqueted with Pâ—olus without surfetting so as impossible it is to dealâ— with Cupid and not incurre either spéedy death or endlesse danger As I was ready to reply to Egâ—rios reasons drawing to a small thickâ—t of trées which was hard adioyning to the City I spied where some of the French Dames were fâ—iendly â—â—tting about a cléere fountâ—in of whom after I had taken a narrow view easily perceiâ—ed they werâ— three Ladies accompanied with one Page namely Myrania Doralicia and their Nurse called Madame Vecchia which sudden sight so appalled my senses as if I had beene appointed a new Iudge to the three goddesses in the valley of Idâ—â— yet seeing before my eyes the mistresse of my thoughts and the Saint â—nto whom I did owe my deuotion I began to take courage thinking â—hat by this fit opportunitie Loue and Fortune would fauour my enterprise willing therefore not to let slip so good an occasion I boldly paced to them whom I saluted in this sort Faire Ladiâ—s the sâ—ght of your surpassing beauties so dazled mine â—yes as at the first I was in doubt whether I should honour you as heauenly Nymphes or salutâ— you as earthly creatures but as I was in this dumpe I readily called to minde the figure of your diuine facâ—s which being at my comming to your fathers Courte by some secret influence most surely imprinted in my fancy I haue hitherto without any sparke of forgetfulnes perfectly retained féeling â—uer sâ—nce in my hart such strange pâ—sâ—ions an vnaccustomed deuoâ—â—on to your beautie and vertues as I would thinâ—e the Gods and â—ortâ—ne did fauour mee if either I might fâ—ndâ—â—ccâ—sion to manifest my affection or liue to doe you seruice Doralicâ—a hearing mee thus strangely to saluâ—â— her although shée saw her selâ—e in the hands of her Fathâ—â—◠〈◊〉 â— yet nothing dismayed with a coy countenance she gaue me 〈◊〉 â—â—abbish answere Sir quoth she if at the first looke 〈…〉 for Nymphes by the perfection of our diâ—â—nâ— beautie 〈…〉 that eâ—ther your women in Denmark are very foâ—â—â— or your 〈…〉 lemishâ— since your comming into France for we â—now our imperâ—â—â—â—â—ons far vnworthy of such dissembled praise But Diomedes smiled most when he pretended greatest mischiefe Scyron entertaineâ— his guests best when he meant to intreat them worst Lycaon feasted Iupiter when he sought to betray him the Hiena euer fauneth at her preâ— â—he Syrenâ— sing when theâ— meane to enchaunt Circes is most 〈◊〉 when she presenteth poyson and so you in praising our beautie séeke to spoile our bloud inâ—xtolling our perfecâ—ion to make vs most imperfect in wishing openly out weale sâ—creâ—ly to worke ouâ— death and destruction For your seruice you offer vs wee so much the more misâ—ke it for his sake that makes the proffer for we are not so inueigled with loue or so sencelesse to conceiue but that we thinke he little fauoureth the steâ—s that cutteth dowâ—e the old stock he smally resâ—ectâ—th the twig that tendereth not the root he lighâ—ly loueth the â—hild that deadly hateth the fâ—ther Pol xena counted Achillâ—s a flâ—tterer because he continued the siege against Troy Cressid for sooke Troyâ—us because he warred against the Grecians nor can wee count him our prâ—uy friâ—nd which is our open foe Why Madame quoth I did not Tarpeia fauour Tatiâ—s thouâ—h a foe vnto Rome did not Scylla respect Mynos thogh he besieged Niâ—us Truth sir quoth Myrania but the gaines they got was pâ—rpetuall shame and eâ—dlesse discredit for the one was slaine by the â—abynes the other reâ—ected by Mynos The yong Faunes cannot â—bide to looke on the Tyger the Halciones are no soâ— nor hatched but they 〈◊〉 thâ— Eagle Andromache would neuâ—r trust the faire speeches â—f Pyâ—â—â—us nor Dydo laugh when shee saw Hiarbas smile where the partie is knowne to â—e a professed foe there suspicious hate ensueth of course and foâ—d were that person that would thinke well of â—â—m that proâ—eâ—â—â—â—h poyson though in a golden pot Madame quoth I I know it is hard where mistrâ—st is harboured to infer beliefe or to procure credit where his truth is called 〈◊〉 question but I wish no beâ—ter successe to happen to my selfe than in â—art I doe imagine to yâ—â— all sweaâ—ing by the gods that I do honor your beauties and â—â—â—tueâ— so much that if I had wonne the conquest and you were my caâ—â—ues yet would I honour you aâ— my soueraigâ—es and obey you as a louing subâ—â—ct But I pray God quâ—th â—â—â—â—me Vecchia you haue neuer occasion to shew vs such fauoâ—râ—â—oâ— we cause to staâ—â—◠〈◊〉 your â—â—â—tesâ—e â—or I doubt we should 〈◊〉 your â—lowing heat turnâ—d to a chilling cold and your greâ—â— promises to smâ—â—â—â—â—rformance In the â—â—an time and with that she tooke Myrania and Doralicia by the hands wee will leaue you to â—etâ—rne 〈◊〉 the Campe and wee will 〈◊〉 to the Citie willing to gâ—ue youâ—â—ankes for your good will when we find you a friend and not beâ—oâ—â—â— Nay â—adame quoth I not so for constrâ—e of my mâ—â—ning how you please or accept of my company how you list I will not bee â—o discourteous to leaue you so slâ—nderly guided as in the gard of this little Page And with that taking Doralicia by the hand willing not to let slip so good opportunity I began to Court her in this manner The choise is hard Madame where the party is compelled either by silence to die with griefe or by vnâ—olding his minde to liâ—e with shame yet so swéete is the desire of life and so bitter the passâ—ons of loue that I am enforced to preferre an vnseemely sute before an vnâ—imelâ— death Loth I am to speak and in dispaire I am to speed For considering what loue is I faint and thinking how I am counted a foe I feare But sigh where loue commandeth there it is â—olly to resist so it is Madame â—hat intending to be victor I become a vassall coâ—â—ing to conquer I am caught a captiue séeking to bring other into thrall I haue lost mine owne libertie Your heauenly beauty hâ—th brought me into bondage your exquisite perfection hath snared my fréedome your vertuous qualities haue subdued my minde and onely your curtesie may frée me from carâ— or your crâ—eltie crosse me with calamitie To
went to Orleance determining both to conclude a peace and to demaund Dolaricia in marriage where no sooner arriued and entred in at the gates of the City but I found Pelorus and all his men in Armes which sight so appaled my senses that I 〈◊〉 as one trans-formed fearing that which presently I found truâ— for Pelorus hauing his force inflamed with furious choller commanded his Captaines to lay hold on me and to carrie me to close prison swearing that no lesse than the losse of life should mittigaâ—e his furie And raging in this choller after he had lodged me vp in Lymbo he went with all his army to the Campe where finding my souldiers secure as men little doubting of such misfortune he made such a monstrous and mercileâ—â—e slaughter as of fiftie thouâ—and he left â—ew a â—ue tâ—ose which â—emained he plagued with all kind oâ— slauerie returning â—â—om with his shamelesse triumph he commanded that in the midst of the Ciâ—ie there should be made a great scaffold whereupon within tâ—nne daies I should be executed these heauie and haplesse newes being come to mine eares such sorrâ—wfull passions perplexed my mind as aâ—ter flâ—udâ— of brinish tâ—aâ—es I burst forth into these biâ—ter termes O infortunate Arbasto quoth I art thou not worthy of this mishaâ— which wilfully sought thine owne miserie canst thou accuse the Gods which didst striue against the Gods canst thou condemne â—ortune which hast warred against nature and Fortune No no in suffering reason to yeeld vnto appetiâ—e wisedome vnto will and wit vnto affection thou hast procured thine owne death and thy souldiers destruction Loue yea loue it is that hath procured thy seâ—â—e beautie that hath bred thy bale fancie hath giuen thee the â—oâ—le and thine owne witlesse wil hath wrought thy owe the more is thy pain and the lesse thou art to be pittied was therâ— none to like but Doralicia none to chuse but thy foe none to loue but thâ—â—â— enemy O vile wretch fraught with carelesse folly And â—ith that 〈◊〉 I was readie to exclaime againâ—â— my cursed destinie I heard the prison doore â—pen where I saw presently to enter Doraliciaâ— and â—adame Vâ—cchia who seeing me sâ—t in such sorrowfull dumps began to smile at my â—olor and to laugh at my mishap which wilfully thrust my selâ—â— into such miserie thinking therfore to aggrauate my griefe by râ—bbing afresh my sore Doralicia began to gall me on this sort Hearing Arbasto quoth she that you were come to prosâ—cute your sâ—te playing the good Captaine that for the first foyle giuen not ouer the fâ—eld I thought good to giue you a smiling looke in recompence oâ— your flâ—ttering loue least if I should not be so courteous to so kinde a Gentleman thâ— world should account me â—ngratefull It is truth 〈◊〉 quoth Myrania it seemes hee is a passing amorous louer but it is pittie he hath very ill lucke he chooseth his chafâ—â—r 〈◊〉 but yet is an vnskilfull chapman for if he buy at such an vnreasonable rate he is like to liue by the losse Tush Madame Vecchia he playeth like the Dragon who sucking bloud out of the Elephant killeth him and with the same poysoneth her selfe so Arbasto seeking to betray others is himselfe taken in the trap a iust râ—ward for so vâ—â—â—â—â—â—ealing and a â—â—t â—euenge for so â—retchlesse an enemy And yet quoth Doralicia his purpose hath taken small place for whatsoeuer his minde was his malice hath wanted might wherein he resembleth the Serpent Porphirius who is full of poyson but being toothlesse hurteth none but himselfe Surely whatsoeuer his chance be heâ— hath made a very good choice for he preferreth sweete loue beforâ—â—itter death and the hope of euerlasting fame before the feare of momentary mis-fortune hee shall now for his constancy beâ— canonized in Denmarke for a saint and his subiects may boast and say that Aâ—basto our king died for loue Egerio seeing that extremity of gri 〈…〉 er me to vtter one word not able any longer to abide these â—cumps crost her with this châ—â—lericke reply Gentlewoman quoth he although I so terme you rather to shew mâ—â— own curtesie than to decipher your conditions it seemeth nurture hath taught you very few manners or nature affoorded very small moâ—â—â—â—y that seeing one in distresse you should laugh at his dolor and where the partie is crossed with mishap you would with bitter taunts increase his misery if he be your foâ— hee hath now the foyle he is taken in the snare his life hangeth in the ballance Though your father â—ee without piâ—tie yet in that you are a woman be not without pitty Hate him if you please as he is your eâ—emy but despise him not as hee iâ— Arbasto a king and your haplesse louer wee are captiues not to a worthy conquerour but to a wretched catife not van 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by prowesse but by periury not by fight but by falshood Wâ—o in ouâ— liueâ— to thy fathers lesse woon continuall fame and he by our deaths shall purchase perpetuall infamy Doralicia not willing to suffer him wade any fuâ—ther cut him short in this manner Sir if bragges could stand for paiment I am sure you wâ—â—ld not die in any mâ—â—s debt but if your prowesse had beene as good as your prattle you needed not â—aue daunced within so short a tâ—oder crâ—uen Cocks crow lowdest feareful curs barâ—e most and a hartlâ—sse coward hath alwaies more tongue thâ—n a hauty Captaine But I bearâ— with you for I doubt the feare of death and danger hath driuen thy master into a cold palsie and hath madâ— thâ—e either fraâ—ticke or lunaticke the one shewing his melancholly thâ— othâ—r bewraying thy choller willing theâ—efore as a friend you should passe ouer your passions with more patience we will â—eaue yâ—u as we found you vnlesse you meane to be shriâ—â—n then I will send you a ghostly father Our coâ—feâ—sion good mistresse quoth Egerio requires but a small â—hriâ—t for we â—aue very little to say but that Arbasto repents that eâ—eâ— hee loued such a perueâ—se minion and I that euer trusted such a pâ—riâ—red traytor The Gentlewomâ—n tooke this for a farewell paâ—sing merily to the Palace and leauing vs sitting sorrowfully in the prison bewayling our mishap with teares and exclaiming against Fortune with bitter curses what our complaints were it little auaileth to rehearseâ— for it would but driue thee into dumpes and redouble my dolor Suffice this that we were so long tormented with care that at last wée were past cure counting this our greatest calamitie that liuing euery houre we lookt to die But as thus wee were drowned in distresse so â—oore Myrania had her minde doubtfully perplexed Nature claimed by due to haue thâ— preheminence and loue â—ought by force to winne the supremacy Nature brought in Peloruâ— aged haires to make the challenge and Loue presented Aâ—bastoes swéet face to be the Champion â—â—ssed thus with two contrarie tempests at last she began to plead with her pasâ—ions Ah thrice
it selfe I will in yéelding to loue dissent from nature to leaâ—e my Father friends and Countrie and passe with thee into Deâ—marke And to cut off spéeches which might seeme to sauour either of flattery or deceit as thou art the first vnto whom I haue vowed my loue so thou shalt bâ— the laâ—â— requiring no meed for my merit nor no other gueâ—don for my good will but that thou wilt take mee to thy wife aâ—d in pledge of my truth see heere the keyes and all other things prouided for our spâ—ediâ— passage Myrania had no sooner vttered these wordes but my mind wâ—s so raâ—ished as I was driueâ— into an extasâ—e for ioy seeing that the terrour of my death was taken away with the hope of life that from heaâ—inesse I should â—e â—â—stored to happinesse â—â—d from most carefull miserie to most secure felâ—citie I therâ—fore â—ramed her this answerâ— Ah Myranâ—a â—he purest Cincelle â—â—ineth brightest when it hath no oyle and truth delighteth when it is apparelled worst Flatter I will notâ— faithfull I â—ust be willed from the one by conscience and driuen to the other by your câ—â—â—esie which by how much the lesse I haue meriâ—ed it by desert by so much the more I am bound to requitâ— it bâ— dutie To decipher in colourâ—d discourses and to paint out with curious shaâ—oâ—es how â—uâ—bly I accept of your oâ—fer and how â—reatly I thinke my selfe beholding to the Gods for blessing me wâ—th such an happy chance what my loyaltie and truth shall be were but to proue that which your Ladiship hoping of my constancie hath not put in question The guerdon you craue for your good will is such that iâ— your curtesie had not forced mee to it by constraint yeâ— your beauties and vertues are so great as fancie would haue compelled me by consent Myrania what thou canst wish in a true and trustie Louer I promise to performe swearing vnto thee that the â—louds shall flow against the streames the earth shall mount against his course yea my carcasse shall be consumed vnto dust and ashes before my minde shall be found disloyall and to this I call the Gods to witnesse of whom I desire no longer to liâ—e than I meane simply to loue Oh Arbasto quoth she would God I had neuer séene théeâ— or that I may finde thy workes according to thy wordes otherwise shall I haue cause to wish I had béene more cruell or lesse courteous But loue will not let me doubt the worst but bids mee hope the best yet thus much I may say when Iason was in danger who more faithfull when Theseus feared the Labyrinth who more loyall when Demophon suffered shipwracke who more louing but I will not say what I thinke Arbasto because thou shalt not suspect I fearâ— Madamâ— quoth Egerâ—o Arbasto is my soueraigne and I both honour and â—eare him as a subiect yet if hee should but once in heart thinke to bee disloyall to Myrania the Gods confound mee with all earthly plagues if I would not of a trustie friend become his mortall foe It is easie to perswade her Egerio quoth she who alreadie is most willing to beleeue let vs leaue therefore these needlesse protestations and goe to the purpose delay bréedes danger time tâ—rrieth for no man spéed in necessitie is the best spurre let vs hast therefore till we get forth of France least if we be preuented it breed my mishap and your fatall misery Upon this we stayed not but shutting the prison close got couertly out of the Citie passing throuâ—â— France with many fearefull perils which to rehearse wereâ—â—â—he needlesse or â—ootlesse suffice this wee at last happily arriued at Denmarke where how I was welcommed home with triumphes were too long to relâ—te But how Pâ—lorus was perplexed after he knew of our happy departure thouâ—h God â—ot most haplesse vnto him I referre to thy â—ood consideration to coniecture The old man fretted not so fast in his mâ—lancholy but Doralicia chased as much in her choller blaspheming bitterly both against me and her sister Myrania but as wordes breake no bones so we cared the lesse for her scolding fearing not the noyse of the peece as long as we were without danger of the shot Well leauing them to their dumps to vs again which floated in delight â—ckiâ— Fortune hauing now hoysed vs vp to the top of her inconstant whéelâ— séeing how carâ—lesse I slumbred in the cradle of securitiâ— thought to make me a very mirrour of her mutabilitie for she began a fresh to turne my tyâ—pet on this wise As daily I flattered Myrania for fancie her I could not promising with speed to call a Parliament for the confirmation of the marriage I still felt the sâ—umpes of the old loue I bare Doralicia to sticke in my stomackâ— the morâ— closely I couered the sparkes the more the flame burst forth I found absence to increasâ— affection not to decrease fancy in the day my mind dotâ—d of her vertues in the night I dreamed of her beautie yea Cupid began to encounter mâ— with so fresh canmizados as by distance my distresse was farre more augmented such sighes such sobs such thoughts such paines and passions perplexed me as I felt the last assault worse then the former batterie If I loued Doralicia in France I now liked her thrice better being in Denmarke If in presence her person pleased me now in absence her perfection more contented me To conclude I sware to my selfe with a solemne sigh Doralicia was is and shall be the mistresse of my heart in despight of the froward destinies yet amazed at mine ownâ—â—olly I began thus to muse wiâ—h my selfe O foolish Arbasto nay rather frantike fondling hast thou lesse reason then vnreasonable creatures the Tyger flyeth the traine the Lion escheweth the nâ—ts the Déere auoydeth the coyles because they are taken with these instruments and art thou so mad as hauing escaped pikes wilfully to thrust thy selfe into perill The childe being burnt haâ—eth the fire but thou being an old foole wilt with the worme Naplitia no sooner come out of the coales but leap into the flame But alas what then I sée the measure of loue is to hâ—ue no meane and the end to be euerlastingâ— that to loue is allotted to all but to be happie in loue câ—ntent to feelâ— why shall I bee so mad to loue Doralicia or so frought with ingratefull periury as not to like Myâ—ania the one hath crossed me with bitter girds the other courted mee wiâ—h sweet glaunces Doralicia hath rewarded me with disdaineâ— Myranâ—a intreated me with desire the one hath saued my life the other sought my death O Arbasto thou seest the best but I feare like to follow the worst Alas I cannot but loue Doralicia what then what resâ—eth for me to do but to dyâ— with patience séeing I cannot liue with plâ—asure yea Arbasto die die rathâ—r witâ— a secret scar than an open scorne for â—hoâ— mâ—ist well suâ— but neâ—er shalt thou haue good
on the coppie of my Letter which I sent to Doralicia and vpon the answere which I receiued from that ruthlesse Minion â—hich after shee had read perceiuing how traiterously I had requited her loue with hateâ— she conueyâ—d â—er selfe couertly into her Chamber where after she had almost dimmed her sight with flouds of teares and burst her heart with blowing sighs she fell into these complaints O infortunate Myrania O haplesse Myrania yea O thrice accursed Myrania whom Fortune by spight seeketh to soyle whom the destinies by fate are appointed to plague and whom the gods by iustice will and must most cruelly reuenge Thou hast beene a paricide to thy father in seeking to destroy him by thy disobedience thou art a traitor to thy Countrey in sauing the enemy of the Common-wealth thou art a foe to nature in louing disloyall Arbasto can the Gods but plague those monstroâ—s iniuries No no Myrania thou hast deserued more mishap then either Fortune can or will affoord thee Ah cruell and accursed Arbasto I see now that it fareth with thee as with the Panther which hauing made one astonished with his faire sight seeketh to deuoure him with bloudy pursute with me poore wench as it doth with them that view the Basiliske whose eyes procure delight to the looker at the first glimpse but death at the second glance Alas was there none to like but thy foe none to loue but Arbasto none to fancy but a periured Dane none to match with but a flattering mate Now hath thy lawlesse loue gained a lucklesse and now thou triest by experience that the treâ— Alpinâ— is smooth to bee touched but bitter to bâ—e tasted that the fairest Serpent is most infectious the â—â—est colour soonest stained the cleerest glasse most brittle and that louers though they beare a delicate shew yet they haue a deceitfull substance that if they haue hony in their mouthes yet they hauâ— galâ— in their hearts the more is the pittie in thee to truâ—t without tryall and the greatâ— impietie for him to be a traytor being so well trusteâ— Is this this the â—urteâ—â—e of Denmarke towards friends to intreat them so disâ—ightfullâ— is my goodwil not only reiected without cause but also disâ—ained without colour Alas what shall I doe to this extremity being a forlorne wretch in a forraine Country which waâ— shall I turne me of whom shall I seeke remedy Pelorus will reiect me and why should he not Arbasto hath reâ—â—cted me and why should heeâ— the one I haue offended wish too much griefe the other I haue serued with too great good will the one is lost with loue the other with hate Pelorus because I cared not for him Arbasto because I cared for him but alas too much And with that she fetch such a sigh as witnessed a heart pained with most intolerable passions yea carâ— and griefe so fiercely and freshly assaulted her as shâ—e fell into a feuer refusing all sustenance wishing and calling for nothing but death While shee thus pâ—ned away with griefe I thought to search out her sore but I could not pâ—rceiue the cause of her sorrow only I did coniecture this that she doubted my Nobles would not consent to our marriage to â—id her therefore of this care I presently called a Parliament where without any great controuersie it was concluded This newes being come to the eares of Myrania it no whiâ— decreased her dolor but did rather far the more augment her distresse which made Egerio to muse and draâ—e me into a great maze so that accompanied with my Nobles I went to comfort her and to carry her newes that if shee could but come into the Chamber of her presence she should there be crowned Quéen But alas when I came saw her â—o altered in one wâ—â—ke wasted to the hard bones more like a ghost â—han a liuing creature I began thus to comfort her Ah Myrania quoth I more loued of me than mine owne life and more deare vnto meâ— than my selfâ— would God I might be plagued with al earthly diseases so I might sée thée free from distresse how can Arbasto be without sorrow to sée Myrania oppressed with sickenesse how can he but â—inke in calamitie to see her but once toucht with care alas vnfold vnto me thy sore and I will apply the salue make mé◠priuie to thy malady I will procure a medâ—cine If want of wealth worke thy wor thou hast the kingdome of Denmark to dispose at thy pleasure if absence from friends thou hast such a friend â—f thy louing spouse Aâ—basto as death it selfe shall neuer dissolue our loue I had no sooner vttered this word but Myrania as one possessed with some hellish fury start vp in her bed with staring lookes and wrathfull countenance séeming by her raging gestures to be in a frenzyâ— but being kept downe by her Câ—â—es shee roared out thesâ— hatefull curses O vile wretches quoth she will you not suffer me in my life to reuenge my selfe on that periured traytor Arbasto yet shall you not deny mee but after death my ghost shall torment him with gaâ—â—ly viâ—â—ons O thrice accursed caitiâ—e doest thou séeme to helpe mee with thy scabbard and secâ—etly hurt me with thy sword doest thou offer mâ—e hony openly and priuily present mee with gall doest thou say thâ—u wilt cure me with loue when thou séekest to kill me with hate haue I redéemed thée from mishap and wilt thou requite me with misery waâ— I the meanes to saue thy life and wilt thou without cause procure my death haue I forsaken my Country betrayed my Father and yet wilt thou kill me with discurtesâ—e O haplesse Myrania could not Medeas mishap haue made thee beware could not Ariadnes ill lucke haue taught thee to take héeâ— could not Phillis misâ—fortune haue feared thee from the like folly but thou must like and loue a stragling stranger Aye mâ— that repentance should euer come too late folly is sooner remembred then redressed and time may be repented but not recalled But I sée it is a practise in men to â—aue as little care of their owne â—â—thes as of their Ladies honors imitating Iupiter who neuer kept â—ath he sware to Iuno diddest thou not false Arbasto protest with solemne vowes when thy life did hang in the ballaâ—câ— that thy loue to Myrania should bee alwayes loyall and hast thou not since sent and sued secretly to winne the good will of Dâ—â—alicia diddest thou not sweare to take me to thy mate and hast thou not since sought to contract with hâ—r a new match thou diddest promise to be true vnto me but hast prooued trusty vnto her what should I say thou hast preseâ—ted her with pleasant drinkes and â—â—ysoned me with bitter potions the more is my penurie and the greater is thy periurie But vilâ— wretch doest thou thinke this thy villany shall be vnreuenged Noâ— no Egerio I hope the Gods haue appointed thee to reuenge my iniuâ—ies thou hast sworne it and
the Idea of thy person hath pâ—â—â—hed mee with most haplâ—sse passions If I haue béene recklesse of th◠〈◊〉 will 〈◊〉 mâ— if ruthlesse through cruell spéeches I 〈…〉 now that of late I loathed and desiring 〈…〉 euen nâ—w I â—â—spisâ—d which aâ— often as I call to mind I can not but blush to my selfe for shameâ— and fall out with my selfâ— for anger But the purest Diamond is to bee cut before it bee wornâ— the Frankinsence is to be burnt before it be smelt and Louâ—rs are to bâ— tryed before they bee trusted least shining like the Carbuncle aâ— though they had fire yet being toucht they proue passing cold for the minde by tryall once scowred of mistrust becommeth more fit euer after to beliefe so that Arbasto as I haue pined thée with bitter pils I will now pamper thee with swéete potions as I haue galled thee with crueltie I will heale thee with curtesie yea if thy good nature can forget that which my ill tongue doth repent or thy most constant kindnesse forgiue that my vnbridled fury did commit I wil counteruaile my former discurtesie with ensuing constancy I will be as ready after to take an iniury as I was to giue an offence thou shalt finde my loue and duty such and so great as â—ither Doralicia can performe or Arbasto desire And thus committing my life and my liuing into your hands I attend thine answerâ— and rest more thine than her owne Doralicia The Messenger by whom she sent this message making spéâ—d to performe his Mistresse command arriued within few dayes at Denmarke where deliuering me the Letter I was greatly amazed at the sight thereof musing what the contents should be at last vnripping the seâ—les I perceiued to what Saint Doralicia bent her deuotion but the showre came too late when the grasse was withered yet I stood for a time astonished houering betwéene loue and hate But at the last such loathsome misliking of her former discurtesie so incensed my land that to displease her and to despight Forâ—une I returned her speedily this hatefull answere To Doraliciaâ— neither health nor good hap I Receiued thy Letter Doralicia which no sooner I read with mine â—ye but I threw into the flâ—â— wiâ—h my hand least by viewing them I should grow into great fury or by keeping them shew â—hee any friendship For we shunne the place of pestilence for feare of infection the lookes 〈◊〉 the Catharis because of diseases the eyes of the Cockatrice for feare of death Ciâ—â—es drinkes are dreadfull charmes and Syrens tâ—nes doubting inchâ—â—â—â—ments should I not then eschew thy alluring baits when thou hast galled mee with the hooke yeâ— I will and must least I bee intrapped with thy subâ—iltâ—e or intangled with thy sorâ—erie Truely Doralicia that once I loued thee I cannot deny that now being frée I should fall to such folly I more than vttâ—rly refusâ— for as before I liked thee in constant hope so nâ—w I loâ—th thée wiâ—â—â—â—tâ—full coâ—â—empt comparing thy cursed nature to the herb Basill which both ingendereth Serpents and killeth them so thâ— shew of thy vertue inflamed me with loue but the tryâ—ll of thy vanitie hath qâ—â—â—ched it with hate Hate yea I more then hate thee most cruell and ingratefull monster whose beautie I hope was giuen thee of the Gods as well to procure thine owne misery as others mishap which if I might liue to see as Infortunio did by Eriphila I would thinke I did lead my haplessâ— life to a most happy end Thus thou seest how I account of thy loue and accept of thy Letters esteeming the one filthy chaâ—â—er and the other as forged charmeâ— and saying to theÌ„ both that prâ—ffered seruice stinkâ— Waâ—t more winde I wil not to spâ—â—d more time is most ill spent therefore take this as a farewell that if I heare of thy good hap I liue displeased if of thy misfortune content if of thy death most sorrowfull that the Gods did not giue thee many dayes and much distresse so wishing thee what â—pight either Fortune or the Fates can affoord Adiew Sworne thy foe till death Arbasto CHAP. 9. Doralicia hauing receiued Arâ—astoes vnkind answere dieth of a Frenzâ—e and Arbasto is banished his Kingdome DOralicia hauing receiued these Letters and read the contents was so impatient in her passions that she fell in to a Frenzie hauing nothing in her mouth but Arâ—â—â—â—o Aâ—bâ—sto euer doubling thiâ— word with such pittiful cryes and scrichâ—s as would haue moued any but me to remorsâ— she continued not in this case long before she died But I alas leading a loathsome life was moâ—◠〈◊〉 crossed by fortune for Egeâ—io câ—nspiâ—ing with th◠〈◊〉 of my Realmeâ— in short time by ciuill warres dispossesâ—ed me of my Crowne and Kingdome Forced then to 〈◊〉 fâ—om mine owne â—ubiâ—cts after some trauell I arriâ—ed at this 〈◊〉 where considering with my self the fickle inconstancy of vniust Fortuneâ— I haue euer since liued content 〈◊〉 this Cell to desâ—iâ— â— Fortâ—nâ— one whâ—â—â— sorâ—owing for the mishap of Myrania and another while ioying at thâ— miserie of Doralicia but alwayes smiling that by contemning fortunâ— I learâ—e to lead her in triumph Thus thou hast heard whâ— in mine estate I passe my dayes câ—ntent rest therefore satisfied that thus I haue liued and thus I meane to die FINIS