thy life then win thy Love Ah haâ—…lesse Cleodora would to God thy vertues were lesse then thy beautie or my vertues greater then my affections so should I either quickly free my selfe from fancie or be lesse subject vnto folly But alas I feele in my mind fierce skâ—…rmishes betweene Reason and Appetite Love and Wisdome Dangâ—…r and Desire the one perswaded him to hate the Queene becausâ—… his fathers wife the other constrained him to love her as a friend If I consent to the first I end my dayes with death if to the last I shall leade my life with infamie What shall I then do Ah Eliosto either swallow the juyce of Mandrake which may cast thee into a dead sleepe or chew the hearbe Carysium which may cause thee to hate everie thing so eyther shalt thou die in thy slumber or dislike Cleodora by thy potion Tush what follies are these Wilâ—… thou with the Woolfe barke at the Moone or with the yong Grâ—…phons peck against the starres Thinkst thou to quench fire with a sword or with affection to mortify love No no if thou be wise suffer not the grasse to be cut from vnder thy feete strike while the yron is hote make thy market while the chaffer is to saâ—…e Eliosto bâ—…ing thus resolute in his opinion began to cast beyond the Moone and to frame a 〈◊〉 devises in his hâ—…ad to bring his purpose to passe fearing everie shadow doubting everie winde stumbling at the least straw yet at the last pricked forward by fancie he purposed not to omit the least occasion which he thought would redound to his content Fortune who had long spurned at him with her foote gave him this oportunitie to raise him whom she had like to have overthrowne chaunciâ—…g to looke out at a window â—…hich opened into a Parke belonging to the Court he espied the Queene pleasantly passing away the time with her traine of Ladies which oportunitie he was not wilâ—…ing to loose but with all such speed as his faint legs could make revived by the sight of his sweete chase with all sayles spread in short time hee recovered his wished desire who was no sooner of Cleodora seene his humble dutie done and she having requited the same giving him the time of the day with a most pleasant and friendly countenance she chalenged him of negligence whom in two or three dayes shee had not seene and leading him politikely pretending matter of importance to impart vnto him from the companie she broight him neare the side of a faire copesse which so overshadowed them that the Sunne beames could no waies be offensive vnto them where they might both boldly say whatsoever it pleased them without being heard or seene of any whose presence might interrupt their conference which caused her to take oportunitie to discusse with him thus Sonne quoth she I pray thee say of the dutie which thou hast vowed me and by those sweete thoughts which are best pleasing vnto thee what is the Ladie to whom thou hast dedicated thy love For love doubtlesse thou doost thy countenance bewrayeth it which I have noted with more regard then becommeth mee yet of care to thee whose health I tender for thy courtesie and good service done which I would requite in the best maner I might and for because thy lookes shew that thy heart craveth to be pitied of thy Ladie let mee know her who may chance stand thee in some stead for women may prevaile much with one another Eliosto wrapt into a heaven of joyes hearing the goddesse of his devotion with such favour and kindnesse to grace him with a blushing countenance standing at the barre before her whose sentence pâ—…onounced was either liâ—…e or death sayde Honourable and gracious Madame That I love I cannot denie which argueth your skill in phisicke to be great but if your highnesse could iudge whose love I most adore and love have and judging ease me I should have cause to say no Aesculapius on the earth whatsoever might stand in comparison with you for skill I dare say no more fearing to offend The Queene all this while gazed on the perfection of her Sonne as deeply enamored on his feature as he inveagled with hers for her eye made a generall survey of his excellent proportion which she found more exquisite by how much the more she had bent her liking to love him Thus Affection which had assailed both their hearts indued them with such a sympathy of content beholding themselves all alone that with overmuch joy they were stricken mute so that how much soever â—…heir hearts desired to let each other know their loves they could not reveale the same In this heaven of happinesse they had not long been but a Ladie that attended the Queene brought her word the King was comming into the Parke which place hee had chosen to recreate himselfe where resting on a hill that over-peered the great Mediterraneâ—…m hee noted how Phoebus fetched his Lauoltos on the Purple plaines of Neptunus as if he had meant to have courted Thetis in the royaltie of his Robes the Dolphins â—…he sweete conceitors of Musicke fetcht their carreers on â—…he calmed waves as if Arion had touched the strings of his silver-sounding Instrument the Mermaides thrusting their hâ—…ades from the bosome of Amphâ—…rite sate on the mounting banks of Neptuâ—…e drying their watrie tresses in the Sun-beames hee marked likewise howe Aâ—…olus forbore to throw abroad his guests on the slumbring browes of the Sea-god as giving Triton leave to pleasure his Queen with desired melodie and Proteus lâ—…bertie to follow his flockes without disquiet Amasias looking over the champain of Cyprus to see if the continent were as full of smiles as the Seas were of favours saw the shrubs as in a dreame with delightfull harmonie and the birds that chanâ—…ed on their branches not disturbed with the least breath of a favourable Zephyrus Seeing thus the accord of the land and sea casting a fresh gaze on the water Nymphes hee began to consider how Venus was faigned by the Poets to spring of the froth of the seas which drave him strait into a deepe conjecture of the inconstancy of love that as if Luna were his load-starre it had everie minute ebbes and tides somtime overflowing the banks of Fortune with a gracious looke lightned from the eyes of a favourable lover otherwhiles ebbing to the dangerous shelfe of deâ—…paire with the piercing frowne of a froward Mistresse By this time nights duskie mantle shadowing the earth with a darksome coverture had bewrayed heavens disguise and the twinckling starres whose sight the Sunnes brightnesse doth in the day time obscure did now plainly appeare while Phoebus reposing in his Palace waited the dewie-vprising of Aurora so that the King was for that time constrained to desist his walke In the meane time Eliosto whose extreames were vehement after his abrupt parting with his mother grew so melancholy as that nothing was able to delight him so that in outragious maner he
perceiving without casting of her water where she was pained shaped her this reply For mine owne part Madam as yet I never had experience of what force Love is and therefore ignorant of the disdaine and sorrow which such as you are sustaine yet neverthelesse I verily beleeve that the passion both of the one and the other is so great and vnmeasurable that the surplusage of the alterations that trouble and moleâ—…t the spirit is nothing in respect of this inexplicable distresse But I behold and perceive the imbecility of humane minds and how soone through vnlawful desires they are disquieted which with no lesse tranquilitie are digested in the stomacke and thoughts then the sea sands when they are encountred with the tumultuous blasts of powerfull Borâ—…as Ah Madam where is the great chastitie that made you once more renowned then all the Ladies in Lemnos I beseech you labour to containe your selfe in that honest estimation wherein hitherto you have lived to the great content both of your parents and frends But if Reason be curbd by incontinency and that you deliberate to follow the vice of wantonnesse for the accomplishment of your desires then by all meanes let diligent regard in such sort intimate secrecy that neither the house from whence you are descended be dishonoured nor your selfe merit infamy or ignominious punishment While they were thus talking a page brought word that divers Ladies were come to visit the Queene which caused them to surâ—…ease their talke When the Ladies salutations were ended and Cleodâ—…ra againe left to her cogitations she could not feele one minute of such ease as was requisite for vnâ—…essantly she rolled the stone with Sysiphus turned the wheele with Ixion and filled the bottomlesse tubbes with Belides in so much that when shee could finde no meanes to mittigate her maladie shee fell into these bitter complaints Ah Cleodora ah wretched Cleodora how art thou without reason which sufferest reason to yeelde vnto appetite wisedome to sensuall will and a free minde vnto servile love but I perceive when the Iviâ—… risâ—…th it wreatheth about the Elâ—…e when the Hop groweth hie it hath neede of a poale and when virgins waxe in yeares they follow that which belongeth to their youth Love love yâ—…a but they love expecting some good hap alas both love and live without all hope for Eliosto is my sonne and yet if he were not he liketh not me Sith then Cleodora thou art pinched and hast none to pittie thy passions dissemble thy affection though it shorten thy life For better it were to die with griefe then to live with shame The spunge is full of water yet is not seene the leafe of the tree Alpina though it be wet looks always dry a wise lover be she never so much tormented behaves herself as thogh she were not toucht Yea but fire cannot be hid in the flax without smoke nor musk in the bosome without smell nor love in the breast without suspicion Then seeke some meanes to manifest thy love to Eliosto for as the stone Draconites can by no means be polished vnlesse the Lapidarie burne it so thy mimd can by no medcine be cured vnlesse Eliosto ease it Thus resolved without longer stay she called vnto her Lucilla her chiefe attendant who from her infancie had bin brought vp with her In this Lucilla shee conceyved her greatest hope vnto whom she said Lucilla since I had reason to discerne good from evill thou knowest how I have tendered thee and how willing I would be to seeke thy preferment make triall when thou please so shalt thou be assured of that which justly thou maist hold in suspence But leaving these conjuring words I must Lucilla commit vnto thy secrecies a matter of import whereon my honour and reputation dependeth for I tell thee Lucilla I have made choyse of thee amongst all those which I may commaund as of her I love and have best cause so to doe having had such societie else should I rather choose to die ten thousand deaths then reveale it Luciâ—…la which had her whole hope of good from the Queene hearing her speeches with teares standing in her eyes proceeding of joy for the honour done her by the Queene protested vnto her by heavens Maker and what else he framed to be secret in her determinations and doe her best endevour to accomplish whatsoever shee commanded Cleodora taking her word for currant in whom she never found deceit said Lucilla that it is incident to all creatures in their kind to love I know thy wittes be not so simple but thou canst conceive and he that made vs directeth our likings as best pleaseth him be it Prince or Beggar from the highest to the simplest and he my Lucilla hath linked my liking albeit extraordinarily to a most bravâ—… Gentleman on whom I think if Affection which is blind deceive me not is worthy to be favoured of the most beautifull To keepe thee with idle speeches is now no time having other matters enow whereon wee must discourse therefore that thou mayst know to whom my love is intended Eliosto my sonne is he Eliosto famous for his valour renowned for his bountie and admired for his courtesie He he Lucilla is the joy of my heart and my hearts sole delight without whom I cannot live nor I wil not live neither may I live such is the service which my heart hath vowed in love vnto him therfore if thou love me as thou hast professd by thy industrie seeke to save my life which cannot but perish in not obtaining my desires Lucilla listning to her discourse willing to become second in this tragedie had her braines alreadie beaten in the search of the charge committed vnto her yet would she not sodainâ—…ly answer any thing Considering how displeasing speeches spoken out of time be to lovers corasives yet chering the Queene she requested vntill the next morning respite for answer which willingly she granted affying greatly in her whose jâ—…dgement above all others she esteemed most sound and perfect whom to her studie we leave Eliosto by reason of the affable countenance and courteous vsage wherewith dayly she did gratifie him had his intrailes so fried with the scorching flames of his methoâ—…s beautie O inspeakable wickednesse that his colour was châ—…nged and his streâ—…gth impaired and he through great griefe â—…nd extremity of his love enforced to withdraw himselfe into his Chamber where casting himselfe on his bed with a million of carefull thoughts he determined to seeke her favour and then by contrary motions fearing the successe of his suit by reason of affinitie which might give cause of great dislike and disparagement thereof said Ah thrice vnfortunate Eliosto what strange fits be these that burne thee with heate and yet thou shakest with cold thy body in a shivering sweate and in a flaming ice melting like wax and yet as hard as Adaâ—…ant Is it love then woulde it were death for likeher it is thou shalt loose
exclaimed on his misfortune cursing the tydings bringer of the Kings repaire to the Park and his tongue for not revealing his griefe his Physition being so readie to heare that despairing of his hope he was likely to mischiefe himselfe yet Reason affirming That the learnedst Phisition could not discover the disease of his patient without he shew it how neare soever he ghesse Entring further into consideration of her favourable speaches shaking off feare like a hardie Souldier he determined in writing to let her know his love since he had no hope to meet her againe at the like advantage Therefore like the condemned hoping of pardon lived Eliosto yet desirous to be resolved either of comfort or despaire he called for pen and ynke and wrote thus To the onely mistresse of my heart the most beautifull Cleodora happinesse and hearts content IF Iupiter being a God was vanquished by love and many mightie Monarches have beene forced to seeke the love of beautifull Ladies I have lesse cause to accuse my fortune or exclaime against his soveraigntie who hath framed my heart to like and love your excellencie how long I have honoured you onely I omit and desist to impart the many griefes endured for your sake Now as you are by nature pitifull so vouchsafe to credite the lines of me your sworne servant and by your favour reclaime from the gates of death my soule which vpon deniall is readie to leave her earthly mansion Therefore peerlesse Ladie if thou holde the life of thy servant in any regard grant me thy love and with thy love gratious liking so shall I live to honour thee or die through thy crueltie I write not as a Poet but as a passionate lover of your highnesse and therefore if thou dislike these lines atâ—…ribute the shortnesse of my stile to my ardencie which without flatterie hath delivered the summe of my miserie and hope shal be by your gracious courtesie mitigated So attending your answere either of life or death I wish thy ioyes never to have end and my selfe a speedie death without your liking Your Graces in life most humble Eliosto What man living hath either heard or read of such sensuall and incontinent designes such libidinous and incestuous affection Thou Hyppolite for not yeelding to the lust of Phaedra thy Stepmother wast through her false accusation by thy father pursued till the Charioâ—… wherein thou fleddest brake and thou miserably among the sharpe stones rent to peeces but by thy fall thou hast preserved thy name from blacke mouthed infamie who onely is delighted with her brazen Trumpet to sound the harsh tunes of our foule defame as for thee Eliosâ—…o whom the Fates likewise have reserved to perpetuitie must with thy licencious Phaedra abide continually the detestable brand of vnspeakable ignominie But I digresse When he had ended these lines sealed and directed the same he could not find by many devises which hee sought how it should be brought to his mothers hands at length after many and sundry wayes invented this was thought best calling to mind Lucilâ—…a the Queenes Maid which he often noted to be in some regard with her determined to procure her either for courtesie or reward to deliver it And verie early in the morning as soone as he could get readie addressed himselfe to the Court attending the comming of his mother thither as she vsually did but vnhappie Elâ—…osto it â—…ell not out so well with him that day for the Queeâ—…e distempered in her thoughts had her mind so much on loue as she enâ—…oyed no sleepe by night nor content by day so that she was enforced with weaknesse to keepe her Chamber to the great discomfort and griefe of all the Ladies But Cupid which is alwayes benigne to them that serve him brought him this pleasure It fortuned that Lucilla with whom Eliostoes chief desire was to have some speech passed into the Garden either to walke or for some occasion of the Queenes I know not whether whom he followed with a fearâ—…full countenance more like a novice in Loves schoole then any way skilfull in such enterprises yet whetâ—…ed on by the hopes which his heart conceyved he saluted the Gentlewoman who was not a little abashed to see the Prince so neare her nor could she iudge any cause of his comming vnto her Lucilla being willing to heare what he would say with a face blushing shewing a kind countenance she enquired of his health with other ordinarie prattle vnto which hee answered and returning her many thanks said Mistresse Lucilla though my deserts have never merited favour at your hands yet let me crave your furtherance in a sute for that I heare my mother is weake and not willing to bee troubled so that I cannot attaine vnto hir speech and besides my businesse of importance compelleth me very shortly to leave the Court to deliver this Letter into her owne hands and at your leysure to returne me such answer as she shall please to deliver in doing which you shal both do me a favour of great esteeme and cause me her eaâ—…ter not to wound this your kindnes with oblivion The Gentlewoman which did know where the Queenes shooe did wring her began immediatly to coniecture his disease and to shootâ—… at that which indeed she hit without any great aime supposing the Prince to be wounded with like affection was glad to become so happie a Messenger to her who could willingly vouchsafe him as partner of her best fortunes yet making a kind deniall she said Sir though I could willingly doe you more service then modestie will I acquaint you with yet it is not the part of our Country Gentlemen to make poasts of women having Pages fit for that purpose if I refuse your request attribute it to no discourtesie in me which am verie loath to offend her hâ—…ghnesse not knowing whether the sentence of your Paper may breed any discontent or no. That many Messengers have incurred displeasure yea and losse of life as the cause hath deserved I hope it is not vnknowne vnto you yet hath the harmlesse bearer knownâ—… as little what he carried as I desirous to know of you Sweet Lucilla quoth the Prince that it is wisdome by others harmes to beware I denie not yet notwithstanding it is discourtesie not to fulfill the request of a Gentleman which hath evermore shewed himselfe most dutifull vnto her Maiestie can I therfore frame my heart to preiudice that Ladie of incomparable vertue No no heavens never permit me life if in the least thought I once offend her Lucilla noting by the often change of his colour in telling his tale that his heart was not his owne but had some more businesse in hand then willingly he would reveale loath to move his patience by her deniall answered Sir perswading my self of your loyaltie I will for this time become your Embassador although it should impaire my credite with her Excellence whose favour I hold as deare as my life and that
perplexities had not the sting of griefe recalled and reclaimed his â—…leeting and fugitiue spirits Alas if I should flie quoth he I were guiltie of her death for leauing her destitute in such danger if I remaine some one of her guard may take me and fâ—…om me my life O vnfortunate loue which minglest my sugar with salt my sirrope with aloes my gladnes with griefe thou giuest me a nosegay of nettles hid amongst a few roses thou shewest mee a faire picture drawne with infectious paint thou offerest to kisse me and in kissing to stabbe mee Into how many daungers hast thou drawne mee Into howe many deathes hast thoâ—… driuen mee with how many blowes hast thou annoyed my â—…orrowfull head what plague now remained for thee to exercise vpon my vnfortâ—…nate â—…elfe but this the worst and woâ—…ullest to murther a Lady in mine armes why hadst thou not rather tried thy cruelty and tyred thy selfe with tyranny firsâ—… on Eliosto why hadst thou not first butchered my body and stanched thy thirst with my blood happâ—…er had I â—…ied laying mine head in heâ—… lap than liuing to haue held her dyâ—…ng in my boâ—…ome This saâ—…d he beeing ouercome with pitie and kindnesse cast away all care of his owne 〈◊〉 and often bowing vp her speechlesse body often kissing her and more often watering the garden sometimes a faire garden fairely deck'd with freshest flowers of her face with deaw from his distillant eyes Ah Cleodora quoth he where art thou why hearest thou not Or hearing why answerest thou not Open thine eies and see thy Eliosto and seeing smile on him and smiling as thou arte woont kisse him it is thy Eliosto who is present with thee speaketh to thee and kisseth thee alas and arte thou dead my heart soone shall my sworde make passage for my soule that it might meete thee againe in the faire Elizian fieldes Ah my life my delight blessed hope my dearest ioy shall I so leese thee Yet vnfold those beautiful carbuncles of thine eyes yet heaue vp thine head or at least bid me farewell I see thou arte not yet departed thou yet retainest vitall heate thou yet breathest thy heart yet beateth O Cleodora leaue not thy Loue in so lamentable distresse are these the ioyes vnto which thou bidst me these the delights to which thou bringest me these the pleasures to which thou inuitest me is this the night which thou affoordest me Ah blackest night fit witnesse of my woes because best resembling my sorowes Therewith fixing his eyes on Cleodoraes face he rained foorth teares in such aboundance that they washing her temples somewhat pierced and quickened the surprised senses whereby weakely starting vp and garishly staring about especially on the face of Eliosto Ah where haue I bin said she why didst thou not rather suffer mee quietly to departe blessed had I died in thy embracings and happy to haue breathed foorth my soule into thy mouth but now must I liue to be left of thee and now must I die for being left of thee But within a while she being appeased they entred their bed chamber and hauing layd aside their apparrell as some men vse to doe their friends vntill they had neede to vse them againe they reposed their dainty bodies in the prepared bed In which bed it might seeme that Cupid had taken vp his lodging and yet not to rest he came naked and without all armor and yet not without his dart He was her Mars Paris Ganymedes she his Venus Helena Polixena Aemilia Nowe he praised her faire eyes commended her soft cheekes her full swelling pappes and yet not satisfied with delight hee often lifted vp the sheete to make the sence of his sight partaker of those ioies which his feeling had before possessed And what disaster said he so desperate that could deterre me from ventring for such a conquest Now is my fortune in the pride of her estate now am I placed in the height of felicitie now am I seated vpon the throne of happines But alas why flies th' enuious houre away so fast why fleets the winged night so hastily why doth Apollo gather his starued steedes so soone to their daily labor Giue me a night such as thou didst to Hercules and Alcmena certes if aged Tithon were as much delighted with the company of Aurora as I with Cleodora hee would longer detaine her in her watry couch Neither was the queene all this while silent who repayed him his owne both in word and action By this time the blackest night had his jeaty beard changed into an hoary gray whereby Eliosto perceiued that hee was waxen old and departing ready to resigne his scepter to a better successor Wherefore though detained with the loue he bore to his mother yet forced with feare of both their ensuing infamies he tooke his fainting farewell Thus by these two infortunate louers as in the progresse of this Historie shall be shewed wee may see How through our owne will and too much libertie that small inclination which we haue to vertue to be vtterly extinguished and brought to nothing The palme tree pressed downe groweth notwithstanding but too fast the hearbe Spattania though troden on groweth very tall and youth although strictly restrained will proue but too stubborne The vessell sauoreth alwayes of that liquor wherewith it was first seasoned and the minde retaineth those qualities in age wherein it was trained vpâ—…e in youth The tender twigge is sooner broken than the strong branch the yong stem more brittle than the old stock the weâ—…ke bramble shaken with euery winde and the waueâ—…ing will of youth tossed with euery puffe of vanitie ready to be wracked in the waues of wantonnesse vnlesse it bee cunningly guided by some wise and warie Pylot Whersore seeing youth is so easily intrapped with the alluring traine of foolish delights and so soone intangled with the trash of pernicious pleasures let vs not passe away our time in idlenesse least happily beeing taken at discouert we become carelesse captiues to Securitie For when the mind once floteth in the surging seas of idle conceipts then the puffes of voluptuous delights the stifling stormes of vnbrideled fancy the raging blasts of alluring Beautie and the sturdie gale of glozing vanity so shake the ship of reckles youth that it is daily in doubt to suffer most dangerous shipwracke But let vs spend our time in reading such ancient Authors as may sharpeÌ„ our wits by their pithy sayings learne vs wisdome by their perfect sentences For where Nature is vitious by Learning it is amended and where it is vertuous by Skill augmented The stone of secret vertue is of greater price if it be brauely polished the gold though neuer so pure of it selfe hath the better colour if it be burnished the mind though neuer so vertuous is more noble if inriched with the gifts of Learning But to my purpose Not long after Amazias hauing quatted the quesy stomaks of the rebels setting all things
you shall assure your selfe of my fidelitie herein if you please to meete me in this place to morrow by that time the Suns power shal have drawne the deaw from off the earth I shall returne you answer as you desire Thankes good Lucilla for thy courtesie assure your selfe I will not die in your debt if ever Eliosto may requite it by any industrie In the meane time quoth he favour me so highly as weare this for my sake and pulling off a Diamond of great price gave it her which she was loaâ—…h to accept yet giving him thanks for his kindnesse replied Sir I prize not my paines that you should reward me with hire or do you good in hope of benefiâ—…e for as it is vnfitting a Gentlewoman to take gifâ—…s in such mâ—…ner bestowed so is it discourtesie and no part of womanlike condition to reiect the gift of a friend therefore accept my thanks vntill such time I shall better deserve it Thus time passing away Lucilla taking her leave went towards the Queens Chamber and Eliosto to his lodging where ministring fuell vnto his follie hee began in his imaginations most strangely to be perplexed for his propheticke soule layd downe before him both the enormitie of the fact and the condigne punishment which alwayes accompanieth such a crime yet notwithstanding he was so blind with outragious lust as that no such sacred sâ—…ppositions were of force sufficient to reclaime him from his intended resolution Vnto which I leave him Lucilla seriously bethinking her selfe of these rare and abhominable accidents thought good since they were committed vnto her secrecie to smoother them vp in silence lest by their detection both their safeties vtterly might be ruinated Vpon this she came into the Queenes presence where being of her perceyved shee was demaunded where shee had spent the time so long from hir knowing that all her attendants besides her selfe were combersome Madame having beene to search some daintie that might yeeld delight to your weake stomacke and cause better disgesture by chance prying in the garden for such things I was encountred by the best Phisition in the Dominion of Cyprus who gave me a receipt which I judge by my simple skill will give your Majestie great ease yet doth the man doubt whether your stomacke will disgest it yea or no this gracious Ladie quoth Lucilla hath beene the cause of my absence and no other Alas good wench how am I beholding vnto thee that regarding my health searchest the depth of thy skill but Lucilla in vaine seekest thou her redresse which no Phisition with all his hearbs drugs and simples balmes emplaisters or what Art may provide can remedie the gods only by their grace must finish my desires or give evidence that life hath left within me the due possession of her field What Madame ever in this tune once alter these discords which maketh your Musicke jarre and sing the beleefe with a cheerefull voice so may your minde be a little eased and the receipt I have to minister worke with the more effect I speake this of experience for everie cunning Phisition will prepare the body of his patient before he minister any thing therefore if you will shake off this melancholie you shall have a taste of what I promise if not your Grace must pardon mee it were great pity so precious a thing should be cast away Wel quoth Cleodora thou art disposed to crosse me with thy wordes which in yeelding small comfort do nothing else but aggravate my disease therefore leaving these jeasts tell mee if thou hast aught will doe me good if not vse me no more thus vnkindly lest vanquished with the extremitie of my griefe I chance to say that with my tongue which my heart will repent or exercise my hands in such severitie as shall not beseeme my person The Gentlewoman seeing the wind blow so warme at the view of the Queenes impacience feared as much as shee promised thought not good above her strength to moove her for women being by nature hot vpon small occasions oft times become vnreasonable wherefore making a preamble to her discourse like an eloquent Orator began thus Eliosto with that word making a long pause to note her countenance on the sodaine naming her beloved was thus interrupted Eliosto Lucilla What frantike humor in this maner causeth thee to nominate him with whom as yet thou never hadst any conference Madame said the Gentlewoman 〈◊〉 the rest before you either dislike or commend me then proceede quoth the Queene This Eliosto as I am credibly informed loveth a Ladie but whom I know not and as a dear friend of his certified me is so tormented in his passions that the night naturally ordained for rest restlesse he consumeth in great discontent the day wherein all creatures delight is vnto him loathsome insomuch that through watching and refusing his diet his lovely visage from the sanguine is altered into the yellow coloured saffron yea Madame these mine eyes are witnesses of it who this day saw him passe into the Court so feeble that his weake legges could hardly support the weight of his bodie No more of this Lucilla lest thy tongue busied too long on this tragedie I in the meane time be compelled to seeke an end of my torments by dispatching mine owne life Is this thy comfortable confection Is this the reliefe thou preachest of which would yeeld me such quiet of minde Why should I live to see another enioy my loue have I made choise of him and shall another no wayes worthie of him enioy my â—…elicitie Peace Cleodora whither rovest thou let reason subdue rage let not every one be privie to thy incestuous love but conceale it as thou maist and seeke some secret device by death which is the best remedie to give contentation to thy heart But hearken Lucilla that thou mayest in time when my bodie shall be intombed among the dead report vnto my sonne how deare I held his love as my countenance often shewed though hee carelesse of Loves toyes never regarded it do but this for me by his frind to learne the Ladies name with whom Eliosto is so inthralled this is all the service that ever I will exact of thee that knowing her I may become an intercessor for him whom my heart more desireth then all the worlds possessions With this tears which trickled downe from her opticke instruments restrained her tongue In which sorrowfull passion her Maiden became a partner and grieved for her follie which indeed was none committing so heynous a fault in procuring the same excused her selfe in this manner How much I grieve to see you so discomforted I cannot tell but relying vpon the hope of your graces free pardon if you vouchsafe to peruse this Letter you shall know what shee is with whom your sonne is so strangely affected This Letter I received at his hands who hearing of your disquiet desirous as it should seeme to acknowledge his dutie coniured me by many faire
shee might espie her beloued sonne what ioy it caused let them iudge which haue made better experience in louers delights The Queene hauing the sight of her so long desired obiect sent Lucilla to entertaine him and to conduct him vnto her presence Cleodora staying to frame her countenance for his welcome bethought her selfe of sundry meanes eâ—…tsoones doubting by hir too pleasant and kinde vsage to be held too forward in loue than what discontent her lowring aspects might mooue vnto him whom she most desired to please In this quandary sitting vppon a pallet and leaning her head on her pillowe Lucilla had brought the Prince in who doing his duty very feebly for the remembrance of his attempt had astonisht him was by the queen againe saluted attending like the guiltie condemned his sentence from her mouth which was to giue him either life or death Eliosto thus at a non plus ouercome with the beholding of her excellent perfection was by her the mirror of affabilitie and courtesie remooued out of his dumpes in this maner Eliosto whether I should chastice thy presumption in writing to me so boldâ—…ly or no I am not yet resolued but before I acquainted my Lord therewith I thought good to heare thee speake for that I would not so sodainly disgrace thee whome so often I haue fauoured as well to heare thy intent in committing so great a foly as what thou canst say in excuse thereof Princes are not to be ieasted with nor in such maner by their kinred to be assailed therfore thou hast greatly erred in that which is committed incurred the danger of our chiefest lawes by which were thy fact knowne thou art already condemned The prince standing at the barre where Beautie sate chiefe iudge was surprised with many griefes so that hardly he could vtter a word yet reuiued by the hope of those comfortable and sweete sayings pronounced by Lucilla hee shaped her this reply Gratious Lady in that I haue presumed faâ—…e I â—…an not but acknowledge yet that I haue incurred such punishment as your Highnesâ—…e would iâ—…flict vpon me I denie vnlesse death be the guerdon assigned the saithfull for duetifull seruice and entire affection vrged me to seekethy fauor in loue without the which I cannot liue so deepely are thy vertuous perfections imprinted in my heart which if Ienioy not I desire no longer to breathe Therefore madam if thou disdaine his loue that liuing dieth continually for thee doe but say the word and this blade so often embrued in the blood of 〈◊〉 enemies shall sacrifice his masters owne true heart before thy face that thy cruell selfe may witnesâ—…e how faithfully Eliosto hath loued thee The Queene grieued to heare these speeches moued with great compunction could hardly forbeare shedding of teares yet modestie the ornament of womankinde caused her to faine a counterfeit shewe of displeasure to him whose teares wroong drops of blood from her tender heart yet that snee might not too suddainly confesse her desires nor giue him cause of vtter despaire made this answer Eliosto that thou maist see and seeing report in all places where euer thou shalt become of womens pittie I graunt thee pardon for thy fault and with it that life which was wholly at my disposing For louing mee as thy prince I heartily thanke thee but in seeking to obtaine my loue as thy Concubine in that I defie thee let each estate frame it selfe in affection as it becommeth equalitie so shall men sooner obtaine their desires and their loues in more tranquilitie be maintained Thou knowest that such absurde actions are in the extreamest degree of sinne Wilt thou therefore wish me in violating the faith which I haue plighted vnto thy father purchafe vnto my selfe such a name the remembrance whereof is not lesse grieuous vnto mee than death No no desist not any further to prosecute thy suâ—…te let reason vanquish thy brain-sicke humour which so affâ—…icts thâ—…e in doing which thou shalt make demonstration of that true nobilitie wherewith thou art endued for no greater conquest can be imagined than that which vpon a mans vntâ—…med affections is atchieued Do this and thou 〈◊〉 finde Cleodora thy louing and faithfull friend who 〈◊〉 be as carefull with fauours to aduance thee as I haue found chee prompt and ready by thy seruice to pleasure me Aâ—…as good Madame answered the Prince it is a thing farre more easie to giue counsell than once giuen to follow it The full gorged Churle little regardeth the staruing creature at his gate but could you conceiue the leasâ—… part of many thousand griefes that afflict me you would at the length pittie me though further fauour from you I receiued none If thy heart be not harder than the Adamant yield thy grace sweet Lady to augment my life or vtterly for euer deny me your good will I expect but your answer for my resolution is no other than I haue protested dastards feare to die but the noble mind preferreth death which endeth all sorrowes before a life to be continued with discontent The Queene as full of anguish as hee of sorrow beeing at her wits ende turned her speeches to an other matter and requested him to contriue as cunningly as he could his fancie in a fiction willing therefore to shew his Mistresse for such I must now tearme her that he was not ignorant in musicke taking a Lute in his hand began to warble out this Roundelay Loue was arm'd with fatall bow Shafts which Mother did bestow Mother gaue but Father fram'd Father Mother both werâ—… blam'd Wantâ—…n Goddesse did beguile Husband with afained smile For a kisse shee did obtaine Labour neuer spent in vaine Thaâ—… her sonne by Vulcans trade Might the chiefest God be made Thus shee wonne him to her will Wily worke of Womans skill But the Boy more prowd then wise Waues his wings and forth he flies Soone as he on earth had lighted Thus the fondlâ—…ng was despighted As he vaunted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 olde Thinking all that glistered gold Tearming in a 〈◊〉 thought Which his selfe conceit had â—…rought Heau'â—… his footstooâ—…e gods his marke Men his obiects Earth his parke Gods and men his hunting game Beautie natures darling came Beautie clad in natiue hue Whom the Graces did indue With rich plentie of their gifts Beautie cause of wittie shifts Beautie with whose worth delighted Poets haue sweete Hymnes 〈◊〉 Faire as is thâ—… ruddie morne Leauing restfull Bowre forlorâ—…e Mâ—…rne did with Vermiâ—…ion redde Rising from â—…ld Tithons bedde Thus the fairest of all faire Denide to grace the liquid aire Passing by where Loue did stand Holding powerfull bowe in hand Not saluting as shee went Him that ragde in discontent Boyliâ—…g wrath must issue finde Wrath that boyld in troubled minde For the ease of whose vnrest Thus his furie was exprest Loue said he was Beauties better She said Loue was natures debter Loue exclaimde on Beauties pride Which all duties force denide Shee said Loue receiu'd no wrong Where no dutie did